All I can say is we have taken baby steps in our 2009 goal to go green. Surprisingly Carl is actually game with the changes so far. Going green is a fairly new passion of mine. While I grew up in a house that recycled I was known to still throw cans in the trash out of total laziness. My mom was "Green" before it was so popular! We grew up using vinegar and water as our cleaning supplies. That being said it was only when my friend Kelly went through her pregnancy that I discovered the cloth diaper comeback. It made me curious about what I could do to help the Earth before I have children.
Green before 2009
Carl and I were doing things that are considered "green" before we had a conscious effort in our "green" pursuit.
1. Use dishes instead of paper plates
2. Use fans before the AC. Blankets before the Heat.
3. Use our dishwasher (people are surprised to learn that it's more green than hand washing)
4. Buy Organic (unfortunately we don't buy as much as we would like)
5. Pack our Lunches (this is really more because of lack of cash)
6. Wash a full load of laundry with cold water and clean out the lint trap after each wash.
7. Buy less STUFF (again lack of extra money helps)
8. Recycle cans
9. Use Water Filter pitcher. (we have only bought one pack of bottled water in our marriage and it was to prepare for Hurricane Ike. Even then I recycled our milk jugs for non drinking water.)
2009
Carl and I have achieved quite a few of these goals. Some are yet to be!
1. Cloth no more paper towels.
2. Buy local produce
3. Replace lights with CFL lighting
4. Put certain outlets on a timer (to slay Vampire energy)
5. Start buying organic and making organic cleaners for the house
6. Replace our doors
7. Join a CSA
8. Buy Cage Free Eggs
9. Use glass instead of plastic food storage.
10. Buy Bamboo linens
11. Have a garage sale!
12. Hang laundry
The Future Still
There are TONS more that Carl and I want to do in our future but here are the top 5 for years to come.
1. Cloth diapers....I know right! Have your negative remarks! I am going to do it. (Carl's apprehensive about it but I asked him if he was REALLY even going to change disposable!)
2. Homemade Baby Food. Yep. That too! I have a huge desire to do these things for our babies who are merely "twinkles in our eyes" right now!
3. Buy Hybrid (this is a while into the future....like babies will probably come first)
4. Build a "Green" home.
5. Garden
It's Not Easy Being Green
There are a few things I am not ready to give up yet! Maybe someday but for now I will try and use restraint!
1. Decorative napkins (I have an obsession with cute napkins)
2. Ziploc (sometimes easy wins)
3. Buy New. (There are just somethings I cannot buy as a hand me down)
4. Disposable Tampons (come on now! Did you think I was THAT crunchy)
5. Holiday paper plates (it's a weakness)
6. Using the dryer as a fluffer. (OOPS. I can't help it.)
7. I know there are more and I put them here just in case someone catches me being not so earth friendly!
Interested?
Check out The Little Green Book: 365 Ways to Love the Planet by Joseph R. Provey and Owen Lockwood. Better yet, check it out of the Library! It's better for the Earth!
