I would like to introduce you to a fellow resident, Namita, who has been practising natural ways of living for the last 8 years. Her family has been using natural soaps, cleaning agents and finding creative ways to live with minimal consumption like exploring natural fibres for weaving and handwork etc. When asked about the same, Namita said, “The first time I discovered bio-enzyme around 8 years ago, it was a delight. One needs to take citrus peels of sweet lime, oranges, and lemons. Collect them and soak them in water with a little bit of jaggery and a pinch of yeast. Let it sit in a closed plastic box for a month and your cleaning agent for floor is ready.”
She added, “If you need a soapy texture then add a handful of soaked reetha (soap nut) liquid. Combination of citrus bio enzyme and reetha works great for washing your clothes and is gentle to your skin. It’s a blessing to our Mother Earth. This also makes a great handwash liquid soap. Bio enzyme costs you nothing, but gives you joy of creating your own cleaning agent. We would be happy to meet up anyone who would be interested to learn.”
About celebrating birthdays and return gifts, she pointed out, “Those were the times when celebrations meant, coming together and the joy felt through the connections. This question is important for us parents, where children receive gifts and then some of them are not needed, some need to be passed on and after a day or two, it doesn’t bring joy to your child anymore. There is yearning for more and new toys!
Could we send an invite for such occasions where we mention to our friends and relatives how we wish to celebrate and what can one bring? May be the food that your friend and aunt cook that will be cherished by your child or cloth or toys which your friends’children have outgrown and your child would love to have it. It could be a simple leaf, flower or just the presence of the family and friends to make the occasion special.
We can explore more ideas together, so that our celebrations are not driven by advertisements of what children need or what can make these occasions special.
But us, who can remember to create joy out of simple things! Our children learn to do so too.”
