As well as the beginning of the beautiful autumn season, September is also known as Organic September! It is a month-long campaign which aims to raise awareness of organic products and the brands, producers and farmers who bring them to the UK.

This got us thinking about how we could use this awareness month to live a more organic lifestyle. Being organic isn’t just about eating veggies, it can also be about changing the way we eat, shop and use energy.

Here are 8 easy things to try this month that will help us live a more organic lifestyle.

Buy organic foods

This may sound obvious but the first step is to know what to buy! Organic foods are free from harmful chemicals like pesticides that are widely used when growing non-organic produce. Be sure to include in your diet plenty of dairy, eggs, fruits, vegetables and meat (ie. grass-fed).

Shop local

City farmers’ markets and greengrocers stock produce grown closer to home, saving on a huge amount of air miles used to bring products from all over the world. If you’re new to this kind of shopping, use Big Barn to find out where you can source organic food near you. Plus, shopping locally helps support your local businesses too!

Grown your own

This doesn’t mean you need a garden packed with your own fruit and veggies because unless you’re an avid gardener this can be time-consuming. Instead, start small by growing herbs, salad leaves or sprouting seeds. Mint, thyme or basil are some great ones to start with and they’ll make cooking a lot tastier!

Visit a farmers’ market

Not only is it a great day out, but farmers’ markets are the ideal place to find organic and locally grown food. It will save you money as you can buy the products that are in season and you’ll give back to your local farmers and the surrounding community.

Buy organic clothing

Many stores are now starting to use organic cotton when making clothes. This material is grown without harmful chemicals, leaving the soil, air and water free from contaminants that cause harm. Big brands such as New Look, H&M and Levi have introduced this into their clothing so you can be fashionable and organic!

Use natural skincare products

Just as you need to make sure the ingredients in your food are good you also need to take care of the ingredients in your skincare. Items such as facial cleansers, lotions, soap and shaving cream can contain harmful chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, and fragrances, which can be bad for your skin. Opt for organic skincare brands or check the ingredients before you buy.

Reduce your energy use

Living organically is also about taking care of the environment. You can do this and save money by reducing your energy usage. Check out our tips to save energy around your home.

Get out into nature

Being organic is all about embracing nature! As many of us live in polluted towns or cities, it’s super important that we go out and add some real fresh air! Take a walk in a local park, drive out to the country or volunteer at an organic garden. Fresh air and vitamin D is essential for our mental health too!

So there you have it – some really easy ways to live a more organic lifestyle! Head over to our Facebook page to tell us how you’re planning to be more organic this month.

Tags: Organic, Organic September