Most of us have been taught to do things with excellence.  We seek out the best.  And there’s something to be said for that.  But there are times when settling for second best might be the reasonable course of action.

More specifically, when the healthiest option is out of reach, choosing the next best thing might be the best we can do – and relieve the anxiety that would be caused by doing nothing because we can’t do the ideal thing.

What are some examples of things that might be “second best”?

#1 – a whole-house water filter
#2 – filters on the kitchen sink and showerhead

#1 – eating only organice produce
#2 – buying “dirty dozen” selections organic

#1 – eat organic meat & eggs every time
#2 – eat hormone-free meat & eggs most of the time, and organic on occasion

(Even if we can’t afford to buy organic all the time, I like to pay a little more for organic on occasion to communicate with my dollars that we want these products.  Only by people buying them will the prices ever come down.)

#1 – avoid all plastic
#2 – limit/reduce plastic, and avoid heating in it

#1 – grow your own food
#2 – grow something…and buy the rest

#1 – sleep & work on Earthing sheets/mats
#2 – get outside barefoot as often as possible

#1 – take [fill-in-the-blank-with-your-relevant-supplement] every day
#2 – take [fill-in-the-blank-with-your-relevant-supplement] as often as financially feasible

#1 – cook a meal completely from scratch
#2 – cook the same meal almost from scratch, but use some pre-prepped single ingredients (canned tomatoes, etc.)

I’m sure you can think of others!  The point is, do what you can.  Many – if not most – of us cannot afford to do everything we’d consider ideal.  Find the closest option you can do – and just do it.  Choose not to stress about the rest.  (Easier said than done, I know!)

This post is being shared at Works for Me Wednesday, Penny Pinching Party, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thank Your Body Thursday, Modest Mom Monday, Natural Living Monday, Mostly Homemade Mondays.