Green Cleaning - LAST of JEN'S 1 A DAY FOR 3 MONTHS!

Those 3 months when we had a house keeper were the happiest of my life...

Seriously though, I hate to clean. I know others out there are much better in this area than I am. The boys used those bath crayons to color the bath tub a few days back and tonight I got a burst of energy and got into one of those rare cleaning moods. I opened the cleaning cupboard, which has not been greened. I saw Simple Green. Usually I would use Clorox on the tub but that uses a lot of water and is pretty harsh so I thought I'd try the Simple Green. It worked great. I think out of my options, that was probably the best. I'm trying to decide if I should just replace my cleaning products as I use them up, or donate them to some place that would normally buy them and start from scratch.

This is the last post for my 3 months of one change a day! I'll do a post in the next week summarizing my experience. I will continue to post, I still have a lot of change I want to do. As I make changes I'll share them here, I'm just not going to hold myself to posting everyday.

I do hope we can keep the momentum going. Thanks Emily for the offer to do 1 or 2 weeks at a time. I look forward to seeing what develops. I think we have a fantastic little group and I will enjoy reading more about how this lifestyle change is affecting you and your families, and continuing to learn from everyone.

Walking

I'm still trying to cut back on driving. I walked to the Salvation Army the other day instead of driving. I figure every little bit helps. Whenever I can park once and do multiple erands, even if it means some walking- I do it. I also figure walking is my only form of exercise right now, so every bit helps me too!

I've only got a few more days to make it to my 3 month mark... who is going to take over starting in July???

Purchase Decison

We are planning on getting some large storage cabinets this weekend and I was doing some research on the dangers of particle board because I am concerned about the formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound (VOC) out gassing. On one hand I think the idea of pressed wood is great, it's using the waste from lumber. On the other, like I said, I'm concerned about all the chemicals used in the process. I came across The Green Guide, put out by National Geographic- it helped give me the answers I was looking for (the link is to the page dealing with particle board), and it looks like a useful site in general too.

Natural Sun Screen

I've been meaning to post on this for awhile. I switched to a natural sun screen that I like, so thought I'd pass it on. The brand is Aubrey Organics, it is recommended in that Living Green book I borrowed from Erica.

Who Killed the Electric Car

I know Sarah already did a post about this movie, but I just saw it this weekend- and I want to tell everyone I know to see it. It's a story everyone should know.

This website has a ton of information about the movie and electric cars. This is an issue I really want to stay on top of. I have high hopes that someday we will own an electric car. I think hybrids are paving the way for that to happen.

The movie was so well done, really, you should see it!

Not Buying It

I've started reading the book Not Buying It and it inspired me yesterday. I had some time to kill and went into Rite Aide really only looking for one thing, which they did not have. Since I had plenty of time I went down every isle, I probably picked up about 5 different things that I really did not need and after putting them through my new filters I would put them back. I walked out of the store empty handed. And it felt really good. Six months ago I would have walked out of that store buying about $15 of junk and feeling proud of the bargains I'd found, but having a nagging feeling of guilt in the back of my mind. I'm noticing a real shift in my spending habits and it feels so good.

Line Drying Clothes

Today I finally line dried my first complete load of clothes. All along I've been line drying (draped over the shower rod) some clothes here and there, but today I managed to keep the whole load (and it was a big one) out of the dryer. Maybe I'll post a picture tomorrow. I got one of those fold up wooden clothes drying racks. Got it at Friedman's (local) and it's made in the USA. I also took all the shirts that would get put on hangers and let them dry in the bathroom on the rod- then they can go straight to the closet, that's easy. It took quite awhile to get all the clothes to fit on the rack, but hopefully I'll get faster at that. I'm sure I won't line dry everything, but if I can cut my dryer use by 50% for now, I'd say that's pretty good.

On-line Activism

I have never thought of myself as an Activist... until very recently. Lately (thank you Emily) I have been getting a lot of emails with calls for action. I have made it a goal to do some sort of on-line activism (send a letter, sign a petition, etc.) at least once a week. There is so much out there, it's almost too easy not to!

Here is a great place to start (thanks Emily):

www.newdream.org/

After you do just about any kind of on-line activism, the group asks if you would like to send an email to your friends, asking them to do the same. I may begin to send out invitations for action now and then. If you ever get something from me you would rather not, please let me know right away.

Fluoride

Man! Another thing to have to figure out. Sometimes ignorance is bliss...

I watched a documentary on that documentary junkie my space page I mentioned awhile back. I was also looking at www.fluorideaction.net

This is another one of those cases where doing what's right for your body might also be best for the environment. The documentary junkie site explains the environmental impact more clearly than the Fox news clip on the other site. I don't want to get facts wrong. If this is an issue you are curious about, check out the two above links and tell me what you think.

For a long time I've had this nagging feeling that fluoride supplementation was not right. I've been delaying refiling David's prescription and I've never filled the one for Brian. I switched to using Tom's of Maine non-fluoride toothpaste. After watching the documentary with Calvin we agreed for now to continue not to give the boys fluoride. I still want to do more research though.

I'm interested to know other's thoughts.

Diva Cup

I've tried it. And I'm giving myself a chocolate bar. My offer sill stands.

So far all I have to report is: I was scared to put it in, putting it in was easy, turning it (as the directions say to) was tricky, it's not bothering me once it's in, and I'm scared to take it out.

Bulk Peanut Butter

I am so in love with Community Market. I love just about everything about that little store. After the post Erica did awhile back about all the things that we think can be recycled but can't (but I still really want to do the tour with our local recycler to find out what the deal is locally) it got me wanting to reduce waste even more. I'm really enjoying shopping in the bulk section and I feel good about all the packaging that saves.

Today I brought in my empty unwashed peanut butter jar (that we had just finished) and had them weigh it, then filled it up with bulk peanut butter. Plus it was kind of fun to use that grind-up-the-peanuts-machine. Another bonus- natural peanut butter that you don't have to stir!!!

Pulling Weeds

After a long day with a sick kid, I'm not feeling real creative so I checked out the Green as a Thistle blog for some inspiration (I love her) and was reminded of something I've changed. Now we pull the little weeds that come up through the cracks in the patio. I'm ashamed to admit that our old method was to wait until you could hardly see the patio and then Calvin would go out and spray. I used to do almost anything to avoid pulling weeds, but now I actually enjoy it (a little). We are not good at yard work. I sometimes say we have black thumbs, but really we are just lazy. Keeping the little weeds out of the cracks is probably the first thing I feel like I've been really successful at in the back yard. I'm out with the kids anyway, and I'm starting to enjoy looking for the little things I can do while I'm out there to tend to things. Baby steps.

Fixed It

I typically buy fairly cheep sun glasses. Then after a year or so, they break. Then I throw them out, and get a new pair. Well last weekend my sun glasses broke and instead of throwing them out I thought I'd see if I could get them repaired. I took them to Lens Crafters and they happily fixed them for free. I hate to think of all the perfectly good sun glasses I've thrown away!

I'm going to try to get in the habit of asking myself, "can this be fixed?" before I throw it away.

Grey Hair

I was just watching a recorded Oprah and the topic was secrets to aging gracefully and they were going on and on about how it is a MUST to dye your hair.

Well I'm not.

I have always thought women like in the photo above with natural grey hair are very attractive. I'm 31. I'm getting more grey hair every year. You know what I say? Bring it on!

Our culture is so youth obsessed. Maybe we should learn to respect what grey hair represents, age. Older people have grey hair. It's part of life.

I am becoming more mindful of all of my actions. I used to color my hair without much thought to it. Now I want to appreciate my hair for what it is, and make it look the best I can without chemicals, and all the waste that comes with it.

Calvin has always been kind of proud of his little grey hairs, and I'm starting to see the wisdom in that.

GREY IS OK!!!

Galimoto

I went to my favorite store, Kindred, again today. I just love them for gifts. I found some perfect gifts.

I also couldn't resist getting a galimoto for David. Galimoto's are toys that children in Africa make out of scraps of metal and different things they find. When the store owner saw me looking at the toy he came over and explained to me how popular they are in parts of Africa. They also had a children's book called Galimoto which I also picked up. David loves his new toy and was very interested in the book when I read it to him tonight. I think he may be able to talk his Daddy into making a galimoto of his own!

I feel so good about 1) supporting an artisan in Africa, 2) supporting Kindred, and 3) teaching David to think about how children play in other parts of the world. I think helping him to have compassion for the people of the world will help him want to do his part to help take care of the earth.

Greening Our Vacation

This was the first vacation that I intentionally thought about how we could be more eco-conscious in our travels.

The first leg of our trip was a family reunion in San Luis Obispo, it was all planned out by the organizers and everyone was staying at the same hotel. We decided to lengthen our trip past the weekend, so I gave myself the challenge of seeing how green I could make it.

I found Asilomar. I found it by searching the Green Hotels Association web site. There may be better resources out there, but I stopped looking after I found Asilomar.

The things I liked about Asilomar:
* Actually part of the state park system (who knew the had hotels?!)
* Member of Green Path
* Had mounted soap and shampoo dispensers in rooms
* NO TV's!
* In room recycling program
* BEAUTIFUL grounds
* Served organic food (some)
* Served fair trade coffee
* Organic bath products
* Unpretentious down-to-earth staff and guests

We also brought our bikes and used the car a little less, plus they provided some exercise and entertainment.

We had a good time and enjoyed being on a vacation that was in-line with our values.

Avoided the Styrofoam

Hi all- We're back from vacation, I missed you guys, glad to see you were posting while I was gone :). Tomorrow I'll do a post on the green aspects of our vacation, but for now...

Tonight we went out to Old Chicago Pizza and asked to have our left-overs wrapped in tin foil. They were very nice about it and I felt great avoiding the Styrofoam. We're going to try to make it a habit to at least ask.

The Great Period Challenge

I can't believe I'm posting this, but I'm about to throw out...

dun, dun, dun...

THE GREAT PERIOD CHALLENGE

Well come on, if that Crunchy Chicken blog can do it, so can we!

My challenge is to try something different, and do a post on it. Be brave. Whoever does... I'll buy a fair trade organic chocolate bar! There it is- that's my challenge to you. (Ohmygosh, I can't believe I'm saying this to my friends- only on a blog!)

We've talked about the Diva Cup, and Seventh Generation products. Today I picked up some Natracare natural panty liners. They don't have individual wrapings like the Seventh Generation ones did.

Alrightie, so on that note...

I'm going to be on vacation for the next week. Post away while I'm gone. Look forward to chatting when I get back.

Wal Mart

I watched the Wal Mart documentary tonight, The High Cost of Low Prices. I really recomend it. I plan on watching more documentaries and this was a good one to start with, since my whole impetus for this lifestyle change was wondering about what it took for me to get the super cheep kid clothes at K-Mart.

No More Disposable Chopsticks

I'm picking an easy one because it's late and I want to go to bed. I read that wooden disposable chopsticks have caused great environmental destruction in China. If I wasn't so tired I'd do some research so I had something to site. Maybe if someone feels inspired they can. But I figured giving them up would be a pretty easy thing to do. So last weekend Calvin and I ended up at a Japanese restaurant and I remembered about the chopsticks. So I asked for a fork. The waiter probably thought I was a dork who didn't know how to use chopsticks (which is partially true), but I don't care. Sushi without chopsticks was not a much fun though. I have some nice chopsticks my Dad got in Hong Kong or somewhere a long time ago. Next time I'll try to remember to stick them in my purse.