Is “going green” really just a feel good fad? Now it seems “greenwashed” is the popular term of choice. While I think its a step in the right direction to see such global awareness of “green” practices, I must admit it got a little out of hand when NBC did “green” week and pushed Seventh Generation products in just about every show.

But its not the consumers fault! Or is it? I mean at what point do we need to wise up and think about whether the choices we are making are truly good for us and the world at large? I find that lots of people like to “go green” in one sense, but halt when that choice impedes on their level of comfort. I believe the shift needs to go deeper, and thus I agree with the “greenwashed” whistle blowers. Let’s put our thinking caps on and spend a little time pondering the actual environmental impact of our daily activities, and then take “simple” steps to reduce, reuse, THEN recycle- even if that means we won’t be the “cool” green gal on the block.

Here’s Mama’s Five Signs that YOU have been greenwashed:

#1- You wear t-shirts, buttons or purses with “green” slogans which you bought from places like Walmart, the antithesis of anything local and sustainable. (Edit: Done this one myself!)

#2- You spend extra money on “green” foods like Fruitabu so you can continue adding to the local landfill, rather than eating organic fresh fruits and vegetables in the first place. (Edit: Done this one myself!)

#3- You drive a Hybrid rather than walk, bike or bus it. (Edit: Okay, I can’t afford a Hybrid, but I wanted one!)

#4- You switched from traditional household cleaners to “green” household cleaners rather than just using vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, so on, which are far less expensive, extremely effective, albiet less show-offy. (Edit: Done this one myself!)

#5- You pride yourself in all the recycling your doing, but you still don’t wash the jars and cans before tossing them into the yellow bin, ensuring that they will end up in the landfill anyhow. (Edit: Done this one myself!)

Can you think of any others? I’d love to hear your thoughts! (Edit: thoughts on other quirks of being “greenwashed”, not thoughts that showcase you hardly read this post and took the whole thing to mean that I must believe I am oh-so-much-greener-than-you.)