Not that I'm known for being OBSESSIVE or anything! LOL

**heavensent_7** · 10-16-2003, 05:27 PM

Ok - To date, I smoke, drink caffine like it's going out of fashion, don't sleep well AND as far as the kitchen is concerned - I HATE the place! So if dinner comes in a box and takes about 20 minutes with instructions then I've done something amazing!

You'll all be shocked to hear, I'm always tired and I don't feel well often.

None of this has ever bothered me much, if the truth be known. But since I've been thinking about simple living more and more, I'm becoming quite obsessed with it all. And I'm even ashamed to admit we actually live like this now!

I've done lots of reading on-line in the last couple of days about organic food, growing your own, GM modified etc. etc. And I've realised how lazy and niaeve (how do you spell that word?) I've been.

Not only that but I'm bringing up my kids like this too and we all must be walking death machines!

So as not to completely write a book about it all here

I want to live simply and I want to do it all NOW! I know that's a little un-realistic, but it's the way I feel.

Where do I start at least?? I've been thinking for the last week especially 'I'm going to DO this - tomorrow' but I'm still really sitting around going DUH! And getting more obsessional about it all

**guest2** · 10-16-2003, 05:35 PM

Umm....quite smoking would be 1st on my list. Don't try to quite smoking and quite the caffiene at the same time or you may want to maim your family!

**PrairieRose** · 10-16-2003, 05:46 PM

I ditto what Debbie says and start small Bev.....

**homesteadmamma** · 10-16-2003, 06:18 PM

Baby steps friend. You can't do it all at once or you'll become so overwhelmed, it will be depressing and you'll quit.

I'd say, give up smoking but I know thats really hard to do. It would probably make the biggest change in your health though, even before proper eating, be it organic or grown yourself.

If you feel you can't give up smoking, then give up caffeine. It isn't only in coffee, check your food items and see some of the junk thats in it. Thats another area to start. Does your food items have a listing on the outside (if canned, boxed or frozen) of whats in it. If so, keep a close watch on what your getting. Remember the top 3 ingredients are whats the most in the container and often thats SUGAR!!!!!

And I would read anything I could get my hands on. The best thing to do in that area, is look for books that are only a few years old, not outdated!!!! There is so much new stuff coming out in regards to what we eat, grow and how its grown.

Also, your family will probably buck the change!!! Thats why you have to go slowly and in baby steps.

btw - even when it comes to doing laundry, etc. keep a watch on your soaps. Many are biodegradable, whereas some aren't. You want the ones that are friendly to our environment.

Also, your not being unrealistic in this Bev. Its good to want to make a change for the betterment of your family, yourself and the environment. Kudos to you for taking on this life changing lifestyle!!!

**heavensent_7** · 10-16-2003, 06:32 PM

I know I'm pretty stupid but I am totally brainless about all of this! Like I say I've never particually cared before

Would biodegradable be good?? Does it say on the packet? (actually just going to look now)

And if you grew your own veggies wouldn't they be organic, just for the fact you grew them???

I'm feeling really stupid and slightly hypocritical too for all the things I have to rave about what others are doing!!!!

I'm going to try and give up smoking AGAIN tomorrow - AGAIN would be the word that worries me somewhat there.

If I'm not about tomorrow (or even worse talking even more rubbish than normal LOL) You'll know both me and my poor family are not in a good space

I was going to ask what else I can do LOL (so typical!!) but that would be somewhat ignoring the baby steps bit! Maybe that's enough to start with - I'll bug you again when I've got this far.

Don't forget just incase it's a few years LOL - Unfortunately I do obsessive so much better and I have a habit of trying to do more than everything yesterday once I've made a decision.

I know that's not good

**Heather** · 10-16-2003, 07:00 PM

Bev, you have received wonderful advice and I commend you on taking this step!! You won't regret it!

About the fruits and vegetables~organic is fruits and vegetables that HAVE NOT been sprayed with chemicals. They usually aren't as shiny and flashy as the ones that have been.

When I started on my journey to simplicity the first thing I did was declutter (I'm still doing it but it's not near as bad as when I first started!!) I needed space in my house not crammed in stuff and it honestly has made such a difference in all our lives and well being. Secondly I went about my day as normal but was aware of everything I did and question how could I make this simpler, do I really NEED to buy this, do I really want to watch this program, etc........

I wish you all the best in this Bev and we are right here with you. You should also look back in the Chosen Path and Crunchy Tree Huggers threads.

**guest2** · 10-16-2003, 07:02 PM

Bev,
I'll be praying for you and your family. I know that stopping smoking is not as easy thing to do for most people (there are a few freaks such as myself who are able to quite cold turkey, but I think there must be something very abnormal about us

). Now, tell me to give up chocolate and I might have to hurt someone!

**Heather** · 10-16-2003, 07:13 PM

Here is a site that CJ posted awhile back:

http://www.gallagherpress.com/pierce/ch1-7.htm

**heavensent_7** · 10-16-2003, 07:45 PM

Oh goodness Thank you for the link - I didn't expect to see that MUCH info LOL - I've just saved it and I'll go and look at it when I've typed this.

Oh BTW my washing liquid capsules don't say anything except biological??? But they have lots of ominous looking crossing and skulls on them LOL - So they don't 'look' very friendly!

Also about the clutter - This has been a serious problem for me for YEARS (although I can't see what damage it does EXCEPT to my mental health!) The problem is, as we are SO short of money I keep thinking it wouldn't be 'right' somehow not to TRY and sell some of it. But I'm wondering if I should just dump it and have it GONE??? I go round in a vicious circle thinking about it!

BTW - If you want any Gold Charms I've just listed ALL mine on eBay

LOL

**homesteadmamma** · 10-16-2003, 08:12 PM

Bev, biodegradable is good - it means that it doesn't harm the environment.

Bev, how about this. Set a goal for say 2 weeks. Put some things on e-Bay. If you don't sell them, then get rid of them by dumping them, or giving to goodwill. (I've only used 2 weeks as an example.) Also, can you have a boot sale I think its called there, am I right. I know its something like that, but right now my brained is fried I think. You might get rid of things that way as well.

Just some more thoughts!!

btw - Heather explained organic well. Anyone can grow a garden thats not organic by using all kinds of chemicals to make the things grow. Organic is choosing to grow your veggies, etc without any chemicals whatsoever and use compose type fertilizers instead.

**slowtypinwoman** · 10-16-2003, 08:36 PM

Bev, Jm2c but I say don't worry about the smoking thing at the moment. I smoked for years and years . When I finally quit, it was because I wanted to.
Take small steps. Start cooking a little more from scratch. That is not to say you have to grow it, but that you had to do more than open a box and feed it to the family. Simplicity is more than just living a simple life. It is reconectiong with God, nature, and family. What better way to do this than to have a meal at the table.
( t.v. trays do not count LOL)
De-clutter a little bit a month. If you can't sell it on e-bay give it away. Donate to a charity, not money, since you said it was tight, but time and un-needed items.
Remember start small, baby steps.
Do a little more as you feel you can handle it.
Good luck! We all started as children before blossoming to adults.

Marcia

**frugalmel** · 10-16-2003, 10:12 PM

Bev! Like they said, baby steps friend! We are all here for you to ask questions and bounce ideas off of.

We all have our different stages. I am on the Seriously needing to declutter stage! I like to take it one room at a time. You could try that. Of course I have trouble keeping it that way

, but maybe you will have more luck. On the Organic side, I find buying organic very expensive here and can't always get it. I tried growing my own stuff this year, but everything but the tomatoes didn't make it.

My hat's off to you Bev in taking the first steps to find out more.

**Guest1** · 10-16-2003, 10:27 PM

Yeah Bev - what they've all said - BUT - since no thread would be complete until I totally stick my nose inwhere it probably isn't welcome & definately isn't needed, here I am....

Start small - gradual changes - if you try to launch into anything, it's probably not going to last....and - because I'm just so sweet(!) - I tell you what I'm going to do for you....tomorrow, I want you to box up all of your convenience foods and store bought snack, chips, candy (especially M&Ms!) and I want you to send it to me....the least I can do, as your friend Bev, is to help you make a break from this weight that has you bound...no really - you don't need to thank me - it's my duty to help you out! (which way did you come in?!)

SERIOUSLY THOUGH ~ Babysteps!! Start small and ease your way into it - it makes all the difference in the world....it'll keep you from feeling deprived ~ honest!!!

**heavensent_7** · 10-17-2003, 04:30 AM

Awww Thanks Deb - I don't know what I'd do without you supporting me so much. What a wonderful friend you truly are.

5 crates of M&M's on their way as we speak, It's so good of you to destroy this evil junk for me.