Deals and Steals

I'm going to try to post some handy coupon codes now and then for some of my favorite green things. 

Here's Round #1:

gDiapers: Use code GoodFriend for an additional $30 off the sale price of the everyday g's pack...  that's 6 little g pants for just $40!!!  Valid through December 11th.

ReusableBags.com: Use code FRND10 at checkout to receive 10% off you entire order.  BTW, if you've never shopped this site, they have more than just bags.  One use per customer through December 14th at midnight (CST).  Coupon valid on sale items, too

You'll find great deals we landed from our suppliers - passing huge savings on to you (combined with this coupon, you can save over 50% on select items)! Plus, save on overstocked customer favorites & best sellers and special introductory prices on new items. Outstanding reusables at great prices. If you see something you like, don't wait - popular items tend to sell out.

We've lowered our shipping prices:  Reminder for the holidays - we're offering flat rate shipping for $5.95 & FREE shipping on orders over $75. (Domestic orders only, etc. details).

Seventh Generation: Lots of great green products for your home, from diapers to cleaning products, etc.
Save 15% on Seventh Generation Product Kits

Give the gift of Seventh Generation this holiday season, and help your friends and family protect their environments. Now through January 15, you can save 15% on our Healthy Home, Free & Clear, and Green Baby kits, which come with a free tote bag. Click here for more information and to purchase. Use code SGKITS15 at checkout. Helping someone switch to a natural clean is a gift you can feel good about.

ebates: I can't forget my favorite site for online shopping!  I've saved over $200 since I joined ebates simply by visiting this site before I shop at all my favorite online stores!  It's so easy.  Sign up today!

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas...

OK, not really, I love the snow!  But I also love to save some green ($) and try to minimize the environmental impact of our celebration, too.

I've mentioned this before... buy reusable bags to use for gift bags.  I stocked up on some really cute ones at the Disney Store (good for the young 'uns and the young-at-heart), but everyone seems to have them now, so grab the cute ones when you see them.  I've noticed Christmas and Hannukah themed bags at Wegman's, but I'm thinking,"Who's actually going to use these after December???" so I don't know if going with a holiday-themed bag is best.  But have fun!  Even if you use gift bags instead of wrapping paper, chances are that they can be re-used over and over again before they're too beat up.  I know it works in our family!

I'm also thinking... Live Tree.  If you're not allergic.  I know, you might be thinking, "What's wrong with a fake tree?  You re-use it year after year."  Fake trees are made from the dreaded petroleum-derived plastic, polyvinyl chloride (or PVC), whose production produces all kinds of carcinogens.  Many of our fake trees also contain lead and other fun ingredients, which are combined to make your tree, not in the USA, but in China.  Of course.  My favorite solution to the real tree thing is to buy one with its roots still intact and re-plant it in your yard after the holidays.  There's a win-win!  I remember my family doing that a number of times when I was a kid.  I also read (in an ad, so...) that young trees are more efficient at oxygen production, so by purchasing a live tree and creating more room to plant new ones, you are actually helping the environment.  I didn't research this last statement, but it sounds good to me!  :)

Since I've had children, I don't have hours to roam the malls looking for the perfect gift for each person on my list.  They don't have the patience for shopping that I do.  But the Internet is my friend!  Use the Internet to plan your shopping trips to cut down on repeated trips or running all over town.  Research the best deals ahead of time.  Also, the Internet is a great tool for finding green toys and clothing that aren't always readily available at the brick-and-mortar stores yet.  Now I know, if you do all your shopping online, you are requiring the FedEx or UPS truck to make stops at your house, but...  I think it all comes down to planning.

OK, the children are requiring my attention, so any further thoughts I have on this subject will need to wait.  Please comment if you have other ideas!

Laundry

Ah, yes, the dreaded, never-ending task! Some things I've found that work great and save money, too!

Baking Soda: add 1/2 cup to your laundry for brighter colors, whiter whites, and fresher laundry... I use this mainly with my cloth diapers and mama pads. If your hubby has really dirty (smelly/stained) work clothes, I would definitely add. This also acts as a natural fabric softener when added during the rinse cycle.

Vinegar: again, a great fabric softener/lint reducer/static reducer when added during the final rinse cycle... I have read that you need to be careful with this if you have hard water, so you might want to do a little research on that if it's an issue for you.

dropps!: I recently received a pack of the Scent + Dye Free Variety. I love them!!! So easy, so not messy, and my clothes are so clean! I definitely recommend them! This may be my new favorite laundry detergent.

Soap Nuts: these sound really cool, I've read lots of things about people loving them, and I just haven't tried them yet. Since these are 100% natural (they grow on trees), I don't think it matters what brand you get, so I say go for the cheapest ones! :) Google "soap nuts" and you'll find a variety of places to buy them as well as instructions on how to use them. If you use them, please comment on this post and let us all know what you think.

Dryer Balls: I think these are a must-have, and there's no reason not to use these since you can buy them anywhere now. That said, there are some options here. I've been using the original blue dryer balls, since that's what was out when I got them. There are now pink ones that claim to reduce static better. From what I hear, the best way to go is to use wool dryer balls. You can even make them yourself. But again, I haven't tried these yet, so please comment if you have. My blue ones aren't showing any signs of wearing out or anything, so I'm probably just going to keep using them, at least for now. Some will say tennis balls work well, too.

Interested in making your own laundry detergent and saving even more green? Check out these recipes to make your own detergent. This is another one I haven't tried, but another reason for those who have to share! Please share your recipes, too!

Green Mama?

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! I know, I know... believe me, I thought so, too. But if I don't want to put 3 years of disposable diapers in a landfill for 500 years, shouldn't I be concerned also about how many feminine products I'd be putting in that landfill over a lifetime? The wonderful women on the gDiapers Yahoo group introduced me to the concept, and when they spoke of some of the benefits, I have to admit, they got my attention. Many women claim they have fewer cramps, less bleeding, and a shorter period after switching to cloth pads or cups. My cramps were worse after the birth of my second child, so I decided it was worth a try. I have one thing to say -- I'll never go back! I personally have no more cramping at all, and my flow is lighter as well. And we all know that no matter what the ad execs say, disposable pads just aren't that comfortable!

There many reasons to make the switch besides personal comfort:

1. Disposable pads are made from paper, which requires chopping down trees.
2. This paper is then bleached, which is not good for the environment, and is said to release dioxins (which are carcinogenic) and plastics (more chemicals). And we place this in the most sensitive area of our body and wonder when we get irriated?
3. Think about how much money you spend over the years on disposable products... most women spend over $6000 over the course of their lifetime (on something that gets flushed or left in a landfill for 500 years). While cloth pads cost more up front, they can be used for as many as 10 years or more.
4. Cloth pads are way more fun!!! Not only are the fabrics way better for your body, they are colorful and fun, way better than boring, icky white! :)

Here are some of my favorite sites, some for the info and some for the products:
http://www.ecomenses.com/
http://www.newmoonpads.com/
http://hyenacart.com/DagnysPromise/
For reviews of cloth pads and other menstrual products, visit http://clothpadreviews.makeforum.org/.

Find a listing of cloth pad brands around the world at
http://clothpads.wikidot.com/.

Hyena Cart and Etsy are great resources for all things homemade, not just pads. :)

Small Steps

You don't have to go green "cold turkey." I personally hate wasting anything, so I have to use every last possible tiny little bit of toothpaste in the tube before throwing it away. The next time something in your home runs out or gets used up, see if there's a greener way to replace it.

Use rechargeable batteries the next time you buy new batteries.
When your light bulbs burn out, replace them with CFLs.

Make sure you turn off the lights when you leave the room.
Turn off the water when brushing your teeth, etc.

Take your own reusable bags to the grocery store, the mall, etc. There are so many fun ones out there. I have the ones from the grocery store that I use for food, and I have other ones for the mall, etc. You can get fun ones at The Disney Store, Babies R Us, and other places you shop regularly, and Kohls has some great ones that are extra big. Another great resource is ReusableBags.com: Better Bags for a Better Planet and More! A great idea is to use a reusable bag as a gift bag (again, check out The Disney Store for great kids' bags), and then the recipient also has a shopping bag. Not only are these bags better for the environment and all, but they hold way more than the typical grocery bag... which means fewer trips back and forth from the car when you get home from the grocery store!

If you get plastic bags at the grocery store, please recycle them. Use them as litter bags in the car, diaper bags in the nursery, or return them to the plastic bag recycling bins just inside most grocery stores. If you are local, we'll take them at our market, where we re-use people's bags from other places rather than buying plastic bags.

Remove yourself from junk mail lists at https://www.dmachoice.org/.
Pay your bills online instead of getting paper bills and mailing them in.

Instead of using paper for phone messages, get a white board and a dry erase marker and post them near you phone/in a central location (the kitchen?).
Reuse your scrap paper. Take messages or jot down notes on those return envelopes you never use, etc.

Use stainless steel travel mugs and water bottles instead of the styrofoam cups and plastic water bottles.

Use cloth napkins instead of buying paper ones... you can have lots of fun with this with colors, seasonal prints, etc. Buy each member of the family their own special napkin ring. If you sew, you can even make your own in any fabric you want.

Along the same lines, use hankies instead of tissues. They are gentler on those poor little noses getting wiped constantly in the winter, anyway. I just fold mine and keep them in a tissue box, so everyone still knows where to find them. And I keep tissues around for guests.

Challenge yourself to see how many fewer paper towels you can use. Next time you reach for a paper towel, grab a kitchen towel instead. You can just throw it in the wash when you are finished. :)

Make Your Own Baby Wipes

Using a bread knife or an electric kitchen knife, cut a roll of paper towels in half, so you have two short rolls. Remove the cardboard center, and place the towels in an airtight container (old wipes container or Rubbermaid container). Or use old flannel receiving blankets cut into small pieces or blue shop towels or other soft cloths. Pour one of the following recipes over the towels.

Lisa's Baby Wipes
1/8 - 1/4 c oil (mineral or baby oil)
1/8 - 1/4 c baby shampoo
1-1/2 - 2 cups water 8 drops of lavender oil
5 drops of tea tree oil (optional)
Add the baby shampoo last, mix the solution gently.

Another Recipe
2-1/4 cups water
2 tbsp baby shampoo
1 tbsp baby oil

Anti-fungal Baby Wipes
1/2 c. distilled water
1/4 c. vinegar
1/4 c. aloe vera gel
1 TBS. calendula oil
1 drop lavender essential oil 1 drop tea tree essential oil
Note: If baby has a really red, raw diaper rash omit the vinegar.

Or just keep a roll of toilet paper on the changing table and flush them away!

Have another recipes for homemade baby wipes? Email me, so I can share it here.

Green Personal Care

Here's a website that explains all the chemicals commonly found in personal care products that should be avoided: www.oldworldapothecary.com/articlesyntheticingredients.html. This list covers parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, petroleum derivatives, petroleum and mineral oils, urea, DEA, MEA, TEA, BHA, BHT, phthalates, and synthetic colors and fragrances.

A note about deoderant: avoid the ones that contain aluminum, which irritates the skin, causing inflammation, which may then spread.

Use unbleached (no chlorine), recycled toilet paper. It comes back to the chemicals.
Some of my personal favorite brands and that I've heard other rave about:

Burt's Bees http://www.burtsbees.com/

Dr. Bronner's http://www.drbronner.com/

Locally, you should check out Alburtis Soapworks http://www.alburtissoapworks.com/.

Cloth Diapers

Now, before I begin, let me say, that my experience with cloth is very limited. We use the flushable inserts in our gDiapers, and only used folded Gerber cloth as a backup to a flushie at night. g's have brought me to the place where, if we have more children, I am ready to try cloth. That is one of the things I love about the gDiapers -- they are so versatile. I can continue to use the outer gpant and the liner and use cloth on the inside.

There are lots of great resources out there if you want to know more. I recommend The Nappy Shoppe http://www.nappyshoppe.com/. Sharni is a wealth of knowledge and has tested every diaper on her son before she stocks that kind in her shop.

We love our gDiapers!

Most of my motion toward "green" is inspired by my daughters and their well-being. My first-born wore disposable diapers until she learned to use the toilet. By the time #2 came around, I knew there had to be a better option, but with working full-time and everything we had going on, I didn't feel ready to delve into the world of cloth diapering. Then we discovered gDiapers... the perfect compromise between cloth and disposable diapers and, for many, the gateway to the world of cloth diapering.

gDiapers consist of three parts: cute little outer pants in lots of fun colors and patterns, a snap-in waterproof liner, and a biodegradable insert that you can flush, compost (the wet ones), or toss.

gLove is a little bit like a sickness, because I've never met anyone who loves disposable diapers the way cloth-diapering and g-diapering mamas love their diapers. I admit it, I will be sad when Ashtyn stops needing to wear those adorable, colorful little g pants. I'm sorry, but that fluffy little bum is just too cute!

I love that in 500 years, when Ryleigh's Pampers are still lying around in some landfill, Ashtyn's g's will have decomposed in less than 3 months. I love that my daughter is not exposed to so many harmful chemicals, that diaper rashes only happen when she eats something that is a little rough on the exit, and that the rash goes away quickly. I love that I can compost the wet diapers. I love that the people at gHeadquarters are so helpful, that their website is full of awesome information, training videos, and they give you no reason not to try g's!

http://www.gdiapers.com/

Green Diet

Eat locally. You don't have to be a vegetarian, but be aware of how your meats are raised. Buy your food directly from the local farmer whenever possible. The food is fresher and of higher quality, and all your money is going directly to supporting the farmer, rather than to grocery store overhead.

Eat produce that is in season (it's cheaper anyway). Here are some general guidelines for the best produce each month:

• JANUARY: oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, tangelos, lemons, papayas, cabbages: red, white, and green, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower
• FEBRUARY: oranges, grapefruit, tangelos, lemons, papayas, broccoli, cauliflower
• MARCH: pineapples, mangoes, broccoli, lettuce
• APRIL: pineapples, mangoes, zucchini, rhubarb, artichokes, asparagus, spring peas, broccoli, lettuce
• MAY: cherries, pineapples, apricots, okra, zucchini, rhubarb, artichokes, spring peas, broccoli, lettuce
• JUNE: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, cherries, blueberries, peaches, apricots, corn, lettuce
• JULY: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches, apricots, kiwi, raspberries, plums, cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash, corn, green beans, lettuce
• AUGUST: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches, apricots, kiwi, raspberries, plums, cucumbers, corn, eggplant, tomatoes, summer squash, green beans, lettuce
• SEPTEMBER: grapes, pomegranates, persimmons, eggplants, pumpkins, tomatoes, spinach, lettuce
• OCTOBER: cranberries, apples, pomegranates, grapes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash, broccoli, spinach, lettuce
• NOVEMBER: cranberries, oranges, tangerines, pears, pomegranates, persimmons, pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, spinach
• DECEMBER: pears, oranges, tangelos, grapefruit, tangerines, papayas, pomegranates, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower
• ALWAYS A GOOD DEAL: bananas, potatoes, celery

Choose organic foods (check the Dirty Dozen lists). I also prefer organic dairy products and meats without added hormones for my family. All-natural is not the same as organic. Something can be all-natural and still have ingredients that were sprayed with chemical pesticides, etc.

The Dirty Dozen (foods that are most contaminated)
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Cherries
Pears
Grapes (imported)
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes

Twelve Least-Contaminated Foods
Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn (frozen)
Pineapples
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas (frozen)
Kiwi
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Papaya


Resources:



Buy Fresh Buy Local
www.buylocalpa.org/






Local Harvest www.localharvest.org/



Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org/
Food News http://www.foodnews.org/ -- check this out for a wallet guide to the Dirty Dozen

Philosophy & Preparation

I began my green journey several years ago, and it is just that, but I am presenting ideas about going green to my MOPS group, and I wanted to create this blog as a reference and resource for them (and anyone else who comes along).

It's impossible to be 100% green, at least if you are going to live in this culture. And being green... well, it isn't really something to "be." But part of our journey, part of our becoming and evolving should be movement toward green-ness.

When God created Adam and Eve and gave them dominion over the earth, mastery over the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, he did not mean for them to do everything in their power to destroy his creation. On the contrary, he was giving them (and us) the resonsibility to care for His creation, to be good stewards of the land and the life He had created. We are told that he cares deeply for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. I strongly belief the earth has been entrusted to our care by its Creator, and we have too long abused that. This earth may be our temporary home, but it is our home, and our children's home, and their children's children's home. I've always loved the quote, "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." It's true.

My story, my motivation is simple. Honestly, it's not born from a deep desire to be a tree-hugging hippy. It is driven by my love for my children and for their future. My mother had breast cancer at 43. Friends and relatives are dealing with children with autism in increasingly alarming amounts. Every time I turn around someone else has cancer somewhere, and age no longer seems to matter. And what's with puberty hitting at age 10, anyway?! So while I desire to be gentle to the earth, to treat her with respect, to leave as small a footprint as possible for those who come after me; I really am focused on the health of my family. Removing the added chemicals and hormones from the things my family is exposed to happens to be good for the earth as well.

I don't know it all. I'm on a journey, and I'm learning... from a lot of different people. My goal is simply to provide some ideas and resources where you can find more information. Join me on the journey, and please share where your journey takes you. We can all learn from each other.