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Bananas In The Forest

Storm.3.1.14
Member
3 6 82

I'm an avid outdoorsman. (Like, seriously, I'm always in a forest somewhere. Look up "woodland creatures" online, and you'll find my mugshot right next to a raccoon's.)

For years, I would tuck a banana or two in my backpack. That's a healthy snack, right? It's natural, it's unprocessed, and it can even be certified organic. Packed with vitamins and minerals, bananas make for a smart snack. A good choice. A safe bet.

For years, I also tossed away the banana peel into the bushes. After all, it's natural, right? Biodegradable.

Not so fast!

Bananas are not native to my region. They do not grow in the wild here, so are not a part of the natural ecosystem. Woodland creatures have never encountered bananas; therefore, they are unnatural to them. A discarded banana peel might be edible matter that will decompose, but it's mostly a foreign object that could be a poisonous choking hazard for a deer or possum.

When I read that, I was, like, "Duh! Why didn't I think of that before?!"

Now, I tuck my banana peels into a zippy bag, and trash it properly.

So, tobacco is a natural plant, right? But, is it natural for you? And, by the time it is processed into a manufactured cigarette, exactly how much "natural" is left?

Makes you think, eh?

Also, when you're thinking of the tools in your quit plan, or when you're experimenting with cravebusters and alternatives to smoking, ask yourself: "Does this feel natural for me? Will this nourish my quit? Is this tool a sustainable resource for years to come? Or is this new thing actually a risky stumbling block? Should I even put this in my mouth? If there are other options easily available to me, which ones could be healthiest and safest for my emotional ecosystem?"

Just wanted to pass along a little something to think about this weekend.

Make it a good one out there! (And if you need me, I'll be slogging through a swamp somewhere...)

Storm

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