Once again I am joining in the change the world Wednesday. This week we are asked to talk about our proudest green acheivement. For me, my proudest acheivement is making many green changes over time and actually sticking with those changes. For some things, I still have a ways to go, but for other areas, I am truly happy with what I have acheived.
One thing I have started doing is looking at what health and beauty items I use and how I can make greener choices. I have attempted to make sure that the products I use are as natural as possible, and if I can I like to make my own products so that I know what healthy green ingredients are going into them. I also hope that I can reduce packaging by making my own products. Currently, I am using baking soda and essential oils for toothpaste, coconut oil/baking soda/corn starch/essential oils for deodorant, soaps with natural ingredients (I hope to make my own someday soon). I am always on the look out for new recipes to try so that I can be more green and more healthy.
I try to be very conscious about recycling. I try to make sure that if we can recycling things in our recycling bin, we do so. We currently have a house guest who does not seem to get the recycling piece of things, even though he likes to think that he is really green. I have made sure that the containers that he uses get recycled along with what we use.
Last year we started our first garden. Along with starting our garden, we started to compost. Our neighbor was looking to get rid of a composter and gave it to us. Not only did it help us financially (since we didn't have to pay for it), we were able to keep an old composter (that still had years of working time) in use. We now compost everything that is able to go into the compost bin.
These are just a couple of changes that I have made, but I think the biggest change I have made with regards to going green, is I now think before I act. I may not always make the best choice, but it is a conscious thought out choice and I try to make the most eco-conscious choice I can depending on the situation at hand.
What are you most proud green accomplishments?
Amy
Showing posts with label going green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label going green. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Going and Remaining Green
I just read one of my twin mom's blogs about cloth diapering and it reminded me of why I started this blog. When I first started this blog, my goal was to write about living as naturally and as green as possible. Lately, I'm not sure that I have really been talking a lot about this area.
When I started this blog, I had just started cloth diapering. I have been cloth diapering my three kids for the last year and a half. I have had to use some disposables off and on (due to rashes or traveling but as I got used to cloth diapering I just used cloth when we were traveling) within that time frame, but overall, I have been able to keep up with cloth diapering. I have also started using cloth wipes, and they have made such a difference. I still have disposables for when we are out, but I have used old receiving blankets to make the wipes and I am using just a little bit of castile soap and some tea tree oil in water for the solution. I really believe that my kids have sensitive skin and using the disposable wipes all the time, is just too harsh on their skin. The only regret I have is that I didn't start using cloth diapers and wipes sooner.
When I started this blog, I mentioned how I wanted to use thrifted clothing, up-cycled clothing, or make my own. I have been able to do this a lot for my kids, but not so much for me. To be honest, I haven't really bought new clothes for me, but I haven't looked in thrift stores for clothing for me either! As I mentioned above, I have used old receiving blankets for cloth diapers and since I still have a bunch, I am thinking about making some "momma pads" which I have heard from reliable sources are much more comfortable than disposable ones. I just have to sit down and draft a pattern and then sew up a few. Another great way to use those old flannel blankets.
I am trying to be good at using homemade cleansers for the house. I have one cleanser that I am using which is really just water, castile soap, and lemon essential oil. I use a steam mop for the floor, so I am not using any floor cleanser, but I am using energy. I'm not sure what the best /most efficient way to wash the kitchen floor is! I will be looking into more homemade cleansers. I am a huge fan of baking soda though!
I am doing better with using natural body products. I have been using my homemade deodorant which is really just equal parts baking soda and cornstarch as well as coconut oil with some essential oils added in. I don't have the exact amounts right here, but if anyone is interested, I will post the recipe that I use. The other thing that I am doing is not using shampoo to wash my hair. I have loved not having to rely on shampoo to wash my hair. I have been following the protocol in "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey, and when I feel like I need to shampoo, I use a shampoo with ingredients that I can pronounce. I am using a fairly natural soap, but my goal is to learn to make my own. My husband's cousin is going to show me, but I just haven't set aside time to learn. I had been using baking soda and salt with some essential oils for tooth paste, but I got away from that and need to get back to it. I hate using products with ingredients that I can't pronounce. When I use hair gel, I am using gel that is made from flax seeds. I have to say, that I am impressed with how much hold there is.
I have been much better at making my own meals. I actually have a weeks worth of meal planning completed and now I need to prepare the next week. This is actually helpful in grocery shopping. I need to go to the grocery store today, but I know what I need to get and I don't need to stress about what supplies I need. I need to move on to the next week so that I stay on top of this. I am really liking having a plan and only buying what I need instead of buying too much and wasting food!
I am sure that I can be better at using less energy. I try to take short showers, but I do use awfully hot water. Not only is that probably not the most environmentally friendly, but bad for my skin too. I try not to run the water needlessly wether it is when I am brushing my teeth, doing dishes, etc. I try to shut off lights when I am not using them. I am going to try to limit my driving since it has a negative impact on the environment as well as my pocket. I'm sure there is more that I am doing as well as more that I could be doing.
I do need to make more handmade things. This is one area that I have been lacking in. The worst part about this is that I really enjoy making things, but yet I tend not to. I guess, I just need to make the time to do it. As I've often written, I need to stop watching so much TV, using the computer, using my iPad and iPhone. I need to just set up a project to work on and do it. Knitting projects are perfect for doing while I watch tv. I'm sure that there are plenty that i have to work on.
This post was as much if not more to remind me of what I need to be doing and what I am doing. I need to give myself credit for what I have already changed, yet I need to be aware of what I still need to change!
Amy
When I started this blog, I had just started cloth diapering. I have been cloth diapering my three kids for the last year and a half. I have had to use some disposables off and on (due to rashes or traveling but as I got used to cloth diapering I just used cloth when we were traveling) within that time frame, but overall, I have been able to keep up with cloth diapering. I have also started using cloth wipes, and they have made such a difference. I still have disposables for when we are out, but I have used old receiving blankets to make the wipes and I am using just a little bit of castile soap and some tea tree oil in water for the solution. I really believe that my kids have sensitive skin and using the disposable wipes all the time, is just too harsh on their skin. The only regret I have is that I didn't start using cloth diapers and wipes sooner.
When I started this blog, I mentioned how I wanted to use thrifted clothing, up-cycled clothing, or make my own. I have been able to do this a lot for my kids, but not so much for me. To be honest, I haven't really bought new clothes for me, but I haven't looked in thrift stores for clothing for me either! As I mentioned above, I have used old receiving blankets for cloth diapers and since I still have a bunch, I am thinking about making some "momma pads" which I have heard from reliable sources are much more comfortable than disposable ones. I just have to sit down and draft a pattern and then sew up a few. Another great way to use those old flannel blankets.
I am trying to be good at using homemade cleansers for the house. I have one cleanser that I am using which is really just water, castile soap, and lemon essential oil. I use a steam mop for the floor, so I am not using any floor cleanser, but I am using energy. I'm not sure what the best /most efficient way to wash the kitchen floor is! I will be looking into more homemade cleansers. I am a huge fan of baking soda though!
I am doing better with using natural body products. I have been using my homemade deodorant which is really just equal parts baking soda and cornstarch as well as coconut oil with some essential oils added in. I don't have the exact amounts right here, but if anyone is interested, I will post the recipe that I use. The other thing that I am doing is not using shampoo to wash my hair. I have loved not having to rely on shampoo to wash my hair. I have been following the protocol in "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey, and when I feel like I need to shampoo, I use a shampoo with ingredients that I can pronounce. I am using a fairly natural soap, but my goal is to learn to make my own. My husband's cousin is going to show me, but I just haven't set aside time to learn. I had been using baking soda and salt with some essential oils for tooth paste, but I got away from that and need to get back to it. I hate using products with ingredients that I can't pronounce. When I use hair gel, I am using gel that is made from flax seeds. I have to say, that I am impressed with how much hold there is.
I have been much better at making my own meals. I actually have a weeks worth of meal planning completed and now I need to prepare the next week. This is actually helpful in grocery shopping. I need to go to the grocery store today, but I know what I need to get and I don't need to stress about what supplies I need. I need to move on to the next week so that I stay on top of this. I am really liking having a plan and only buying what I need instead of buying too much and wasting food!
I am sure that I can be better at using less energy. I try to take short showers, but I do use awfully hot water. Not only is that probably not the most environmentally friendly, but bad for my skin too. I try not to run the water needlessly wether it is when I am brushing my teeth, doing dishes, etc. I try to shut off lights when I am not using them. I am going to try to limit my driving since it has a negative impact on the environment as well as my pocket. I'm sure there is more that I am doing as well as more that I could be doing.
I do need to make more handmade things. This is one area that I have been lacking in. The worst part about this is that I really enjoy making things, but yet I tend not to. I guess, I just need to make the time to do it. As I've often written, I need to stop watching so much TV, using the computer, using my iPad and iPhone. I need to just set up a project to work on and do it. Knitting projects are perfect for doing while I watch tv. I'm sure that there are plenty that i have to work on.
This post was as much if not more to remind me of what I need to be doing and what I am doing. I need to give myself credit for what I have already changed, yet I need to be aware of what I still need to change!
Amy
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