As a kid I read 19th century literature, including "On Walden Pond" by Henry David Thoreau. An early environmentalist, HDT eschewed modernization and lived his own philosophy by leaving civilization and building himself a cabin in the New England woods "on Walden Pond" ("pond" being the New England vernacular for "lake"). There he journaled his thoughts about living simply, and decried the advancement of the modern age, industrialization, and its desecration of Nature and simple values.

The book partially grandfathered the Back-to-Nature, and subsequent organic movements of the 20th century. Interestingly, the roots of those movements seem tied in two centuries, to dehumanization by tsunamis of global industrialization, commercialization, and technological fusion into the lives of ordinary people.

First, I am not 160 years old, I just read the book.

Secondly, it really is possible for bright young teenagers to learn and understand 19th century literature...unplug that screaming media center.

That said, "On Walden Pond" introduced a respect for naturalism that never left my consciousness. The thought of a simpler, more respectful and organic lifestyle is as tantalizing now as it was 160 years ago, or even 40 years ago (or 20 years ago...I'm not that old). Which is why I so greatly admire Amish and Mennonite communities for their time tested, steadfast refusal to relinquish personal freedoms to corporate industrialization.

I never did become an environmental purist. Our age is what is it is. My blow-dryer is my friend, after all.

But the growth of the organic industry gives us an opportunity to rethink our relationship with the planet, and our daily needs. We have a chance to gradually introduce organic products into everyday living, and to dictate quality of life for ourselves and our families.

"On Walden Pond" is a good read. Even I find some of HDT's suggestions somewhat impractical though (living naked in the woods is a little more exposure to tiny critters than I care to test...nasty little things). However introducing organic textiles and foods, recycling, decreasing energy consumption, and dozens of other environmentally sensible practices, will go a long way toward not only reclaiming our environment for ourselves and descendants, but will just plain make you feel comfortable.

The switch to organic living should be easy, personal, natural, and without stress. Morphing into a committed activist is not required.

So don't dive in, rack up the credit card bills, and feel obligated to protest anything (crowds can be somewhat um, smelly?). Itchy skin? Buy some organic cotton sheets or bath towels. Got a baby on the way? Buy some organic baby bedding. Try organic coffee, shop local organic produce stands on Saturday. Just relax, enjoy, and remember hot-headed Thoreau's most famous credo: "Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!".