Jamie and I made a joint New Years Resolution this year, one that we are actually keeping even though it’s April. We decided to become more “eco-friendly.” Here are things that we are doing so far:
1. Recycling our plastic bags
2. Replacing our light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs
3. Bringing our lunch to work in reusable lunch bags
4. Drinking water/coffee/tea in reusable to-go cups
5. Limiting ourselves to one bag of garbage per week
6. Using a push lawn mower
7. Using inexpensive silverware instead of plastic utensils
Here are things we want to start doing:
1. Replace our household cleaners with natural cleaners
2. Purchase cloth napkins to use instead of paper napkins and towels
3. Be more consistent about purchasing organic foods, especially when it really matters
4. Our next car will be a Hybrid
I actually think it’s kind of fun to think of all the different things we can do to change our ways!
Now that we have a baby on the way, we’re looking at this as a “fresh start.” We are trying to think of ways that we can incorporate our new philosophy into our parenting style. So here are some things that we’re looking into:
1. I’m reading Raising Baby Green, Green Babies-- Sage Moms, and Growing Up Green
2. We love to accept hand me downs! Baby Milliken will be sleeping in his cousin Anna’s crib—why eventually put two cribs in a land fill? Thank you, Stef and Rachel, for all the great maternity clothes you’ve loaned me. Thank you Koos and Stef for loaning us Xander’s outgrown clothes.
3. We intend to continue the cycle of lending maternity clothes and baby things, so somebody better get pregnant soon to take advantage of this offer!
4. Breastfeeding
5. Organic clothes, sheets, baby products
6. Making our own baby food when the time comes?
7. Look into cloth diapering.
Thoughts, suggestions, ideas? The most important thing, I think, is to make this a gradual change instead of a major overhaul. Here's a little music video to inspire you!
1 year ago
7 comments:
We're planning on making our own baby food, too! We've got a book called Super Baby Food we can lend you when the time comes. And I'll try and keep notes on what works and doesn't.
{ k }
We also have a book on green cleaning with recipes for organic cleaners (lots of vinegar!), but we switched to a maid service after Xander was born. Maybe we'll get back to that eventually, or maybe we can convince the maid service to go green. :)
We use the same laundry detergent for us as for Xander (All Free and Clear), so we can wash his clothes with ours to consolidate loads. Also, we have energy efficient laundry machines.
Our dishwasher is also energy efficient, I believe. Check with your electric company, you may get a bonus for using energy star appliances.
Stef (on Marcus's computer)
many cleaning services are reluctant to use green cleaners, but both 7th Generation and Greening the Cleaning are super effective and very very safe for babies and families. It's one of the biggest favors you can do to protect yourself and the planet (nasty chemicals washed down the drain poison fish and fowl). Also, steer clear of any pesticides, and it's not just the kind on your lawn, as you know from reading my book, antibacterial hand soaps, etc. are not as clean as they sound, they contain pesticides...congratulations on your wonderful baby!
If you go the cloth diaper route, talk to Lance and Cheryl (and get this onesie... http://wireandtwine.com/store/products/greenbaby.html... because nothing says "green" like conspicuous consumption!)
{ k }
Lynda,
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my blog. I'm really enjoying your book!
Catherine
One thing we try to do is minimize the number of things we buy for Anna and ourselves. (I said we "try", not that we always succeed!) There just aren't that many things that you really need, and every unnecessary thing has an environmental cost.
We are so proud of you two. Baby Milliken is a blessed.
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