Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

As a nutritionist, I sincerely believe that going green starts with oneself. If you are aware of what you put into your body, you are more likely to be aware of your surroundings and the environment. And what with all the gloomy predictions about the future of the planet, going green, at both personal and global levels, is a well overdue move.

Going green does not mean that we need to start tending our own vegetable plots in our back gardens though. In order to help the environment, one simply needs to make a few small changes and teach those changes to our friends and acquaintances.
Think about your dietary habits and lifestyle routines, and then answer the following ten questions as honestly as you can. This should give you a fair indication of just how green you really are…

1. Do you eat processed foods...
   a) Never. Breakfast, lunch and dinner (no snacks of course) are all self-prepared using only the finest organic produce and ingredients!
   b) Sometimes. You dine mainly at home and only indulge in a few treats at the weekend.
   c) Such as biscuits, cakes, canned fruits and vegetables and packet foods on a daily basis?
2. You have just signed up with a new gym. You…
   a) Walk to the gym daily and stick religiously to your routine with your personal instructor.
   b) Car pool with work colleagues so that you can attend salsa classes and feel both healthy and happy.
   c) Can’t be bothered to think about it now … you are on a smoke break!
3. You are at the supermarket. Your trolley contains the following:
   a) Organic produce and the latest edition of Jakarta Java Kini, as it’s all about going green!
   b) A mixture of fruits, vegetables, leans meats and diet sodas.
   c) Anything from the freezer section that can be microwaved. Why cook when there are ready-made meals available?
4. Whilst away on your Lebaran holiday…
   a) You have unplugged all the plugs at home and recycled your rubbish.
   b) You have asked your neighbour to take care of your house whilst you’re away.
   c) Erm…oops! You forgot to switch off the hose pipe!
5. How do you feel?
   a) Great! You just completed your yearly detox programme.
   b) You’re not sure…perhaps you need a break away from the city, pollution and dining out and alcohol.
   c) Lethargic and mentally exhausted. Your skin looks dull and you have a bulge around your midriff.
6. You and your fiancée are discussing honeymoon plans…
   a) You’ve done your research. It has to be an island with pristine blue-green seas, plenty of sun and shimmering sand, and the fresh breath of unpolluted air.
   b) You secretly hope that he books a scenic beachside resort, which would offer a nice break from urban stress for a few weeks.
   c) A large city destination would be perfect. You need your hustle and bustle around you constantly, and who cares about pollution!
7. You’ve just come down with a cold. Do you…
   a) Try a home-made remedy of honey, lemon and ginger first to see if that helps.
   b) Run to the doctor and stick to your prescription. Although you don’t enjoy ingesting pills, you don’t want to take chances either.
   c) Assume that the saying, “Feed a cold” must be right and eat anything and everything that comes into sight, washing it all down with some brandy.
8. Your new interior designer suggests some changes to your home. Do you…
   a) Wonder what you could change, as you already use fluorescent lighting and LEDs and have installed solar panels wherever possible.
   b) Welcome his suggestions and think about the necessary changes that may help the environment.
   c) Sack him. He’s suggesting you make changes that no one else seems to be doing. Why should you be the first?
9. You are thinking about buying a new car.
   a) You scrap the plan and decide to walk instead in order to reduce your carbon footprint.
   b) You search for a newer model of vehicle that uses more expensive gasoline with a higher octane level, so that you can minimise your carbon emissions.
   c) It’s really not your problem how much carbon dioxide is emitted from your car’s exhaust pipe and contributes to global warming!
10. You overhear a conversation about free radicals and oxidative stress and your immediate reaction is…
    a) Of course you know what they are talking about. Sources of free radicals are the environment, the body and free radicals themselves. Environmental free radicals come from car exhaust fumes, smoke, smog, pesticides, radiation, tobacco smoking, alcohol, medication and more. Free radicals from the body originate from cellular energy production, stress, exercise, ageing, liver detoxification and during immune responses. The damage inflicted by free radicals is known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes, chronic fatigue, macular degeneration, hormonal imbalances, thyroid dysfunction and premature aging, as well as behavioural problems and lowered IQ in children. Oxidative stress is responsible for over 100 disease states, a lot of them never heard of at the turn of the century, and lowers the immune system’s ability to fight invading chemicals!!
    b) You wonder if antioxidants can really help with free radical damage, as your nutritionist explained.
    c) Huh! Free what?

So then folks, how did you score?!

Mostly As. You are well informed and well aware of the current problems that affect us collectively. You could further help the environment by becoming involved in politics at any level in an attempt to help guide people towards creating a better world and a greener future. Rather than sitting back and waiting for someone else to take action, make your own voice heard!

Mostly Bs. You enjoy life and approach the topic of global warming and going green with curiosity. Support those around you who are already making a difference to improving our environment. When your neighbour approaches you to discuss ideas for a recycling programme, or a work colleague suggests a car pool, be open and receptive. Small changes can make a huge difference!

Mostly Cs. You appear carefree and don’t feel a responsibility to improve your health and, by extension, the health of the planet. Consider becoming a ‘green consumer’ as a first step towards a new life. When shopping for any sort of product, from groceries to a new air conditioner, think about your options and the impact that they will have on your health and on the environment. It’s time to take more responsibility for your actions!