We are destroying our life-supporting ecosystem at an alarming rate. We have to wake up from the dream we have been living in – this nightmare of materialism. We can no longer thrive on mere consumption.

We have to make an effort to conserve nature- Marika Tabone

Unfortunately, we are still collectively in the grip of an industrial growth society. People do understand that a change is needed. However, they do not have the power to respond to the influence of global corporations that have an interest in keeping humanity in a cycle of self-destruction. The solution is to evolve away from our focus on our individual needs towards a community where we work with each other and with the environment.

We have to make an effort to conserve nature. When we respect nature we are respecting ourselves and others. We are helping to create a balanced ecosystem. We have to understand that our lifestyle can be reversed. The first step is to choose carefully the food we consume. What we eat affects us both emotionally and physically; it is not only a way of sustaining our body but also reflects who we are.

This is why we have to take a stand against organically modified food and cut down on processed food. In doing this we start re-experiencing the beauty of preparing a home-made meal. We must realise that when we consume fruit and vegetables that are grown without using any pesticides and harmful chemicals we are not only respecting nature but also ourselves.

Although many would agree with this, they would still be tempted to find excuses, such as that they would not know where organic products can be bought from.

Organic products are available at various health shops and in some supermarkets. However, ideally, we should aim to consume organic food which has been grown or produced locally.

The local product is fresher as it does not have to be flown thousands of kilometres to reach our table. Having saved on the transportation costs, the product is cheaper and you would be supporting the local economy.

However, eating locally-grown products makes more sense from a sustainability perspective; besides, the negative environmental impact caused by the fuel used for transport and the pollution it causes, would be avoided.

For a list of organic producers you can visit the Malta Organic Agricultural Movement (MOAM) website www.moam.org.mt.

Others may think they do not have the time to prepare their meals and find it easier to grab a packet of frozen food and put it in the microwave. Your meal is served in 20 minutes. This is easy and saves time, but is it good for us to eat without taking time to appreciate the food we are eating?

There are various benefits associated with cooking dinner at home, such as:

You have full control over the ingredients, so you can choose how many calories to consume and you can ensure that the meal is healthy;

Research shows that children who regularly sit down to eat a home-made meal together tend to be more physically active and watch less TV than children who do not eat dinner together.

Also, children can be involved in preparing the food, setting the table, or cleaning up.

The act of preparing and cooking your own meals can help you learn to appreciate and enjoy food. Learning to savour your food can help you regulate your eating habits, making you less likely to overeat and so less likely to become overweight.

Another excuse might be that eating organic food is expensive. This may be true, but you don’t necessarily have to buy organic fruit and vegetables. If you have a garden you can grow your own organic crops. If not, you can always join forces with others who share your same values. Collectively your goal is more attainable; both costs and benefits can be shared. You can share a garden, or collectively lease or buy a plot of land. Being in a group you can achieve more with less effort.

Besides, gardening has both physical and emotional benefits. In fact, research shows that gardening burns an average of 300 calories per hour. Furthermore, engaging regularly in this type of physical activity is also an excellent way to lower your risk of some cancers.

Gardening is an ideal form of exercise because it combines three important types of physical activity: strength, endurance and flexibility.

According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, gardening can benefit people who are recovering from physical illness by retraining their muscles and improving coordination, balance, and strength. In addition, simply spending time in nature reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and relieves muscle tension.

Other associated benefits of gardening are:

• Exposure to sunlight promotes natural intake of Vitamin D;
• Providing sensory stimulation;
• Improving memory and concentration;
• Easing emotional pain from bereavement or abuse;
• Cultivating nurturing feelings;
• Encouraging social interaction;
• Teaching responsibility;
• Reducing stress and anger;
• Enhancing productivity and problem solving;
• Decreasing the severity of depression.

Mahatma Gandhi once said that one must be the change one wants to see in the world.

If you feel prepared for a positive change, find time to stay alone even if for a few minutes, preferably in nature.

Take deep breaths and let your mind flow. Feel the stillness and the inner peace. This is how our whole lives should be – in peace.

Engage yourself in the community and respect the environment. Understand that you cannot wait for others to bring about change.

Understand that you are the creator of your own dreams and opportunities and therefore you are the one responsible to bring about the change.

Take control of your life and start acting.

If these ideas resonate with you and you want to promote your health, the health of your family and the health of the planet, you may contact a group of people interested in this subject to do voluntary work to help organic farming develop in Malta by sending an e-mail to nurturing.nature4change@gmail.com.