Times have changed, and for the better. We use to think that being healthy meant counting calories and getting the recommended daily numbers of fruits and veggies, maybe even adding minimal exercise to a daily routine. Yes, being aware of what we eat and how much we exercise is very important and still considered healthy for our bodies, but it’s not the last word in achieving optimal and long-term health. To ultimately achieve our optimal health, we must consider the everyday choices we make for ourselves as well as our environment.

The Gaia hypothesis, which simply views the Earth as a single organism, proposes the health of our bodies reflects the health of our environment. It states that all living and non-living parts have a regulatory effect on the Earth as a whole. In other words, the Earth is a mirror of our collective personal and global health. Whether we agree with the Gaia hypothesis or not, we can’t help but to notice the daily changes in our environment and how it directly affects us, a constant reminder that we are connected to the Earth. These reminders range from the increased incidence of seasonal allergies and respiratory complaints to the detrimental effects of global warming on sensitive environments and wildlife.

As we become more aware of our own health and how it is married to the Earth’s health, it’s easy to contemplate, “What can I do to bring balance to my health and the health of our Earth?” Good question. Here are some answers and ideas to think about when considering daily health choices that can be made for your health as well as the health of Mother Earth.

Grill it. Taking food outdoors to cook is not only a fun summertime event, but also a good way to reduce energy. Grilling on a barbeque uses less energy than cooking on a stove or indoor grill.

Opt for organic. Eating organically grown food reduces your intake of pesticides, insecticides and antibiotics that contaminate the soil and much of the prepackaged and processed food available to the public. You can taste the difference between organic and non¨organic. It’s definitely worth the long-term investment for health and delicious food.

Ditch the plastic bottles. Filling your reusable bottle with purified water from a home water-filtration system is a great habit to get into. You can cut bottled water out of your budget as well as the waste produced from all the small plastic bottles.

Eat Local. When we decide to eat foods that have been grown, harvested, and raised close to our home environment, we reduce the amount of fossil fuels used to transport food and goods to our grocery stores. Local foods are fresher and can contain have more nutrients because of their natural ripening process. Local farmers’ markets are the best place to get local produce and fare.

Buy Bulk. Buying bulk goods cuts down on paper and plastics used for packaging. Thinking of ways to reduce the amount of environmentally unfriendly waste will cut down on environmental pollutants. Buying bulk goods usually costs less than their packaged counterparts, always a great incentive.

Use reusable grocery bags. We can all relate to coming home from a weekly run to the grocery store and putting away the groceries only to be left with a pile of plastic bags that we don’t need. Instead of finding creative ways to horde your plastic bags, use your cloth bags for your next grocery store trip.

By being mindful of our environment’s health we are being mindful of our own health. Incorporate these healthy eating strategies into your daily life and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how they will help transform your personal health awareness as well as contribute to the sustainability and health of the environment.

Dr. Baptist is a contributor and HSNP member. She practices on Oahu in Honolulu.
See www.drsummerbaptist.com for more.