Cheap Greens

People often ask me about "green", organic and natural products.  The one question I get more than any other is:  "What changes should I make now?" or "Where do I start?"  Those are tough questions because everyone is different.  Some people want to make small changes, some people want big changes, some people only want to make changes in one area of their lives.  Going green can often mean spending a bit more money for certain things and that can be tough to justify right now when almost everyone is pinching pennies.  However, there are lots of ways to save money by going green.  YES!  That's right!  Save money!  Now that got your attention, didn't it?! 

There's that old green saying,  "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!"
 
Of course, by reducing your consumption, you can save money.  Ask yourself before buying, "Do I really need that cute pair of shoes?  They are on sale and I've always wanted a silver pair.  Look how CUTE they are!  I love the kicky little heel.  They really make my calf look slender!"  Oh wait, that was ME last week!  Honestly, I have trouble on this point.  I love outfitting my daughter in adorable clothes (although I'm afraid the days of picking out her clothes are coming to an abrupt end) and I have a hard time saying "no" to a pair of jeans that fit.  Now that I have a little boy to dress up, I am really restraining myself.  Or really trying, anyways!  I did decide to cloth diaper this time around!  Talk about cheap and green!  Believe me, that adventure is a blog in itself!  We'll talk diapers another time.

Reusing is where it's at!  I save my family lots of that other green stuff by shopping secondhand or borrowing from friends!  Before my little guy was born we outfitted his nursery with all secondhand items.  The bedding, clothing, and toys are almost all reused or borrowed.  There were a couple of items that I couldn't (wouldn't, didn't, whatever!) say no to and ended up buying new.  The best part of reusing is limiting the amount of toxins in your home.  Did you know that cotton is considered one of the dirtiest crops to produce?  http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html    When you use cotton that has had previous owners, that cotton has been washed lots of times and has helped to rid it of toxins before putting it on or near your little one.  By reusing cotton products (clothes, bedding, etc.) you are limiting exposure to some of the most toxic pesticides in use!  Plus, it's a big score for the pocketbook!

By recycling, we are part of that circle of reduce/reuse!  Of course, everyone knows why it's important to recycle.  It's the easiest and cheapest way to show your green side.  Not to mention it's SO important to the health of planet Earth.  We are supposed to be thinking several generations ahead.  Wow!  That's hard to do, but what we do today WILL impact the Earth and the condition it's in for our kids, grandkids, etc, etc, etc.  Have you seen the movie WALL-E?!!?  While spending my life on a intergalactic cruise ship does appeal to me on some sick level, the premises of that movie is a scary one.  All of the waste and garbage we produce has to end up somewhere.  You might as well pass on the good stuff to your family and friends! 
    

I Am Not Perfect

I had a corn dog last weekend.  Let's just get that out there right away.  I try to live my life the healthiest way I know how, but once in a while I do things that I know aren't good for me.  I had cotton candy laden with food coloring and artificial flavoring, as well.  I also ate fried cheese curds.  Worse yet, I let my daughter eat these tasty (oops!  I mean evil!) things, too!  And as long as I'm admitting my faults, I drink pop.  I've tried to quit, even had the habit licked for a while, until one fateful day, I had a sip and off the wagon I went. 
Here are a few other things I'll admit to:

• I've owned a gas-guzzling vehicle
• We have a boat and often take it out and cruise the water just for the thrill of it
• My house is bigger than what we really need
• I own too many clothes
• I forget sometimes and leave the lights on
• I love a McD's chicken nugget once in a while (don't tell anyone!)
• I'm sure there are many more... I'll keep you posted

However, I have been on a green journey for 10+ years, and everyday it seems I learn something new.  This passion in my life started shortly before I became pregnant with my daughter.  I was always interested in eating healthy.  Growing up, my family had a garden, and my mom mostly cooked from scratch and always made us eat our fruits and veggies.  (Thanks, Mom!)  I tried the vegetarian route for a while in high school and while I learned a lot, within a few years I decided it wasn't for me.  I still make vegetarian meals for my family quite often.  
When my daughter was born the adventure really began!  It started with formula.  There wasn't any reason for me to think that I wasn't going to be able to nurse my baby successfully; yet I kept getting all of this advice about formula.  My grandma, God Bless her, was even under the impression that formula was better than breast milk.  So, being the person I am, I started digging.  I chose breast milk, and was able to nurse my little beauty for almost 2 years (to the partial dismay of only a few family members). 
From breast milk it went to making my own baby food out of local, organic produce.  From there it went to researching home and bath products (soaps, shampoos, lotions, household cleaners, etc.)  And from there, it went to grass fed and free-range meat, dairy and eggs.  After all of these years, I've gone a little crazy with all of this "green" stuff, or so my family tells me.  Sometimes, to be honest, it feels a little crazy.  Why are there chemicals in baby shampoo that have been linked directly to reproductive and developmental toxicity?!!?  Who is protecting us?  The answer to that is simple.  You have to.  
So, I wanted to start this blog to document the rest of this road I'm traveling.  To document the time spent trying to protect my family and friends (even when they don't want me too!).  The lessons learned.  So, if you're on the same road as me, great!  Follow along!  If not, that's fine, too.  Happy travels everyone.