Cross-posted and archived from DC Metro Moms. Original post date December 24, 2007.We all know that once you have kids messes are made all the time. Almost every 2.5 seconds it seems and there is more trash than you ever thought possible leaving your home. If you own a diaper genie or some other stink holder then you know that the trash you put out more than doubles once that cute bundle arrives. It is like the diapers are having diapers inside that contraption. Diapers that clog our landfills and linger for years to come. There must be something we can do right? There must be a better way that does not involve those cloth diapers. Because really? We are not all cut out for the washing of the poo. This video, Not So Disposable, by Dana Hackley, gets to the nitty gritty of what … [Read more...]
Happy Earth Day!
It's Earth Day and I feel like I should be telling you to go out and plant a garden today. How about just taking a walk on your lunch break? Or getting out with the kids before or after dinner, if weather permits. If it doesn't then play in the rain. I still enjoy that as an adult. I'm all about being more green. But you already knew that. Earth Day is no exception. I don't even want to tell you how TD reacted when I told her that the recycling company wasn't taking her daily yogurt cups anymore. The kid has grown up green and saying things like, "sight-kling!" each time we tried to throw things away. In honor of my kid who wants to either be a Vet, Trash Woman or Earth Doctor, here are some great ways to go green that maybe you hadn't … [Read more...]
I Don’t Just Write. I Speak in Public Too.
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking to a local women's group. The topic for the night was Earth Day. Along with me was a woman from my local Public Works office. After she discussed recycling, volunteerism and much more (There are over 22 trash companies serving my county and only two trash inspectors! Animal waste running into our rivers and streams is a HUGE issue. Blech. Pick up your yard poop was the message.) I got up, rather nervously, to speak about products that help you green your life. After about a minute I found it quite easy speaking to this group of women. They were interested, had loads of questions and since I genuinely love the topic of green products I felt like I was on a roll. I could have gone on for over an hour … [Read more...]
Blame it on Earth Day
Maybe it is all the PR pitches about Earth Day that has me in the green mode more than normal. Maybe it's my pregnancy or the spring time with its feelings of renewal and spring cleaning. Whatever it is I've become incensed lately when I see something going to waste. Well, more so than my normal ranting, undapants in a wad, shaking fists fury. Case in point, today is trash day in my 'hood. I look across the street and see my neighbor is throwing away a grill, two strollers, a bike, a little tikes car and a tiny pool table. Then there is some actual trash. I say to H, "I hope that's for Freecycle." To which he replied, "Nope. It's trash." One man's trash as they say... and I dashed across the street and went to look over the pile. The bike and kid car are fine. The strollers … [Read more...]
Overheards- The Earth Doctor
Scene: TD and I are headed out the door. As we climb into the car TD spies a displaced plastic container lying in the grass nearby. It is filled with trash despite being casserole size. TD: "Momma? Why is that plastic container lying over there? What is it doing? Is it trash?" She says as she climbs into her car seat.V: "Yes, it is trash. I don't know why it's there, but it shouldn't be." I say, reaching for her safety belts and fastening them.TD: "Why? Because it will hurt the earth?" She looks perplexed. V: "Yes, trash does hurt the earth. Very good!" I am a bit stunned but beaming and proud.TD: "Momma, when I grow up I am going to be a trash doctor so that the earth won't be hurt." She sits back in her car seat, satisfied with this proclamation.Ugh. My heart seized then … [Read more...]
Fat Camps and Obesogens and Greening- Oh My!
Remember when you were growing up and there was just one overweight kid in your class? Yeah, that's right I'm going to talk about childhood obesity today and more. Why? Because it bothers the heck out of me. That's why. Gone is the one child with a weight problem and now we have classrooms full of them.When I'm at the gym and I see the British governments initiative being pooh poohed (OH NO! The government is trying to think healthy! They want kids to have a longer, healthier life! Back off you meddling government! How dare you!) because it wants to create "fat camps" as Fox News called them (Don't get me started on that network.) and people are up in arms. You know what? Maybe we need those camps because so many schools no longer have the funds for gym classes anymore. Recesses are not as … [Read more...]
Earth Day is Every Day
For weeks my inbox has been flooded with PR requests to review earth-friendly products to share with my readers. "Do you have a green guide gathered together for Earth Day?" The PR people ask me. No, I do not. Here's why.I celebrate Earth Day every day. Not just one day a year where I buy a reusable bag. When I review products at Mummy's Product Reviews (MPR) I try do review as many sustainable, eco-friendly products that I can get my hands on. In the past few years I have consistently tried to make less waste, recycle more, use my reusable bags to shop and tote things around and freecycle my heart out. I donate a lot of items instead of throwing them out. I use household cleaning, beauty, health and kid/baby products that have less packaging and chemicals than the typical alternatives. … [Read more...]
Angry Woman Kicks 1,4-Dioxane to the Curb
I'll admit I'm a bit cantankerous today. I was up all night with TD who has a hellacious cough and the poor kid is just not herself. Combine that lack of sleep with an issue that just generally gets me riled up anyway and you've got one angry woman on your hands.That must mean it is time for a SOAP BOX RANT! I've climbed up. Attention please! Let me begin.I love my kids. I want what is best for them in every possible way. I want them to feel safe and secure at all times. Their welfare and health is at the tip top of my list on a daily basis. So that is why I get so steaming, hell-fire breathing mad when I read that companies that many parents have trusted for generations, companies that love to court us mommy bloggers, just really don't give a shit. There. I said it. They don't. … [Read more...]
The Thirty Day Challenge Finis
As quickly as it started the Thirty Day-use-less-waste-less-Challenge is over. During that time not only did I try to buy less, consume less and waste less I found that I had a whole lot more in my house than I ever realized. There I was using vinegar to clean my mirrors and I had three bottles of different types of glass cleaner sitting under sinks in my house. Madness, I tell you, madness! Not to mention the two bottles of toilet cleaner, four bottles of all-purpose spray, three kitchen cleaners and three shower/tub and tile cleansers. Seriously, folks- how does this happen?!?Then there were the beauty regime products. You would think I had a silo somewhere on my property with all the scrubs, lotions, potions, serums and more lurking in my bathrooms. TD had three types of … [Read more...]
Happy Earth Day to You & Yours!
Yes, it is Earth Day. I think when I was in high school I wore some giant t-shirt with a globe on it to commemorate the day and that was that. Now that anything green seems to have become Eco-chic we are inundated with ideas on how to go green. It's a bit overwhelming isn't it?In our house we try to be good stewards of the earth. There is talk of a vegetable garden if we can get our collective butts in gear this spring. We recycle all we can. We reuse goods and try not to buy new if we can find an alternative. In the past year we've implemented a few other changes too.We got rid of paper napkins. It was easier than I thought it would be. I bought two twelve packs at Bed, Bath & Beyond and voila! No more paper! My mother said, "Oh! You don't have to use cloth napkins just because I'm … [Read more...]