Going green for real

We are building a "green" home in San Carlos...at least as green as we can afford. We can't afford all of the solar panels yet, but every extra dollar I have will go towards that purchase. We have a solar heater for the pool, a rainwater collection system and solar panels. The power company will give us credit for the electricity we save. They just started doing that a few years ago in Mexico. Mexico is changing, slowly but surely. We would love to be completely off the grid, but we're not quite there.

In about six weeks our house will be done. It's been nearly two years and while I've been kind of impatient lately, each time I go down to the house (two blocks away), I feel really good. I'm so excited. For years, Bruce and I have been talking about how we can be more "green", but I didn't know what I could really do to make a difference. It finally dawned on me that I can at least change to non toxic earth friendly products in our home and I can support and encourage other people who do the same. I do what I can now, but we're in Mexico and it's a country that is just starting to pay attention to the environment. I don't think there's a regulatory system here in Mexico and I've noticed over the last few years that products are getting stronger. Everything has chemicals in it and it's also the land of plastic. Most of the plastic comes from China. Plastic products from China are cheap and toxic and they are distributed all over the world, not just Mexico. That's scary.

It's also scary to think about the reality of global warming, but how can you not think about it? Last night was the coldest night most people have ever experienced in San Carlos. It was about 36 degrees and windy. We were absolutely freezing. It's unheard of. Niko and Teddy (our cat and dog) have to be pushed out the door. They don't like it at all. We have a couple of portable electric heaters and I remember laughing about that when we first moved into this house. I thought it was absurd. I mean, there is a season change here and we sometimes wear sweaters but this is just crazy. The worst part of this extreme cold snap is that a lot of Mexican families have absolutely no heat and no insulation and they are freezing. This is going to last for a couple of days. I feel a little helpless because there's not much I can do to help the families. Everyone who knows me, knows that I tend to feel guilty about things like this. I think about it all the time. Our friend Rosalia told us that her neighbor's tin roof blew off last night. The neighbor came to her house and ended up spending the night to stay warm.

About a month ago it dawned on me that we can go even greener. We can use earth friendly products in the house. It's a start. Moving into the new house is the perfect time. Seriously, if we all switched to non toxic products we really could make a difference. Now that we live in San Carlos, we have easy access to the U.S. where I can get all the natural products I need. There's no disputing the rise in disease caused by exposure to toxins in our food supply and in the household products we use. Of course, I've become a lot more sensitive to these issues since Bruce was diagnosed with ataxia. One type of ataxia is inherited and the other kinds are caused by something unknown; most likely toxins of some kind. Not enough research has been done to be certain, but common sense tells me that I am right. For years, before Bruce was a designer, he had his own construction company and he also worked on our boat constantly, painting, varnishing, fixing engine parts and on and on. When we were growing up, most of us didn't even think about it. It never even occurred to me in the 60s that I shouldn't be smoking. I loved the smell of turpentine too. Of course, I don't smoke anymore and I don't sniff turpentine. My first jolt of reality came when a neighbor in Seattle many, many years ago got throat cancer from smoking. That was the day that I stopped smoking and faced reality. I really am an optimist about life and I believe that we can make the world better for our kids and their kids and on and on. I also want world peace, but that's for a different blog. Thanks for listening. When I write down my feelings and intentions it feels like I'm really doing something.
Peace, love, and a healthy and long life! Jan