In the spirit of Thanksgiving we should all be thinking of the wonderful gifts we have been given and express our gratitude in 
thoughts and actions. We are all aware of the traditional areas of thanks like; giving to those less fortunate, volunteering to help those in need, spreading words of kindness, supporting our troops, and expressing thanks for our good fortune. All of these are so very important in the realm of humanity. But there are other areas that many seem to take for granted and never give a passing thought: pure clean rushing waters of our oceans and rivers, fresh air free from pollution, changing colors of leaves in a forest full of healthy trees, acres upon acres of chemical free soil growing chemical free crops, an abundance of natural resources. We also need to give thanks to those whose efforts go to making the everyday products we use, while considering our health and while never bringing harm to Mother Earth.Â
Consider giving thanks to the many farmers, manufacturers, and artisans, who produce organic and eco-friendly products that are kind to the environment and better for your health:
Organic Cotton Farmers
Using organic growing methods that prohibit the use of genetically enhanced seeds, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers, organic cotton farmers offer a purer product that is free of residual chemicals on fibers and one that provides benefit to the environment by eliminating water and soil contaminants.
Green Manufacturers Using Sustainable Resources
Production practices and use of sustainable resources by green manufacturers provide great benefit to the environment. By using renewable resources - such as hemp and bamboo - that are quick to self-replenish, green manufacturers actually promote ecological balance. Along with sustainably farmed hardwood trees - for lyocell and modal fabric, hemp and bamboo use no chemical fertilizers or pesticides to grow. This eliminates contaminants introduced to soil and ground waters thereby reducing human exposure to toxic chemicals.
Artisans Creating from Natural, Recycled, and Upcycled Ingredients
Earth savvy artisans use natural ingredients or recycled materials to creatively create products that reduce the negative impact on the environment. Recycled glass that would have taken a million years to breakdown in a landfill is used to make beautiful jewelry, kitchen ware, and home decor items. Natural ingredients, minus the preservatives and chemical additives, create safe cosmetics and natural skin care products that eliminate contaminants from being absorbed through our skin or entering natural waterways. Recycled paper pulp saves a tree and creates new paper items, some embedded with flower seed to really enhance the environment. Damaging plastic bottles prevented from finding their way into the environment are upcycled and made into eco-friendly green toys.
During this season that we are reminded to give thanks to all we have, let us remember to express thanks to those who have taken action to produce organic and eco-friendly products that allow us to continue taking that deep breath of fresh air, to look upon beautiful scenes of chemical free lands, to watch the changing color of leaves in a thick forest, to swim in a crystal clear lake, to use products that are safe for our health.
                            “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.†                                                                                 ~John F. Kennedy
