If you're using a plastic container to heat your dinner, be aware plastic contains chemical additives,which can leach out. Recently, a magazine crossed my path that has inspired me and I would like to recommend it to you. It's Organic Style: Fresh Thinking. Fresh Living. This column is adapted from their June 2005 issue.

If you're using a plastic container to heat your dinner, be aware plastic contains chemical additives, which can leach out and may increase the risk of birth defects and hormone-related illnesses. University studies show heat releases these harmful additives into the food being heated. So, eliminate the use of all plastic in the microwave and dishwasher.

Bringing a new consciousness to my life about the results of my actions and including a "living green" attitude has been a priority of mine for some time. As I do my research for this column, I am discovering that I am not alone. The number of people who are interested in improving the environment is increasing.

We are being called the "cultural creatives." (http://www.culturalcreatives.org/). In the book, Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World, the authors focus on an audience that distrusts the media, relies on targeted advertising, is looking for companies that share their vision and may compose half of the U.S. population in 10 years. Yet, we are busy people who are looking to simplify our live rather than add to them. The purpose of this column is to suggest to you simple things you can do to be a "cultural creative".

Simple living (a.k.a. voluntary simplicity) is not about poverty or deprivation. It is about discovering what is "enough" in your life––based upon thoughtful analysis of your lifestyle and values––and discarding the rest. Sometimes the process of simplifying may be anything, but simple. At www.simpleliving.net you can find a list of resources to gain an understanding of the simplicity movement, where we are as a culture, and where you are personally.