Green Mama?

I lay in bed tonight asking myself, what exactly is being Green? Well a quick google search brought me to a few answers like this one; Green-A supporter of a social and political movement that espouses global environmental protection, bioregionalism, social responsibility, and nonviolence. Really?

Being Green to me means being more aware of my actions and how they affect our planet. Whenever I do something I try to think of how my actions will affect our planet and future generations. I have a 16-month-old daughter and I want her to have all the resources that we have. That being said, being Green isn’t always the easiest or cheapest choice but I still try.

When I was about 7 months pregnant with Natalie I came across cloth diapers. At first, I wrinkled my nose at the idea and thought anyone who could do that was er crazy. I couldn’t imagine why you would want to cloth diaper. I did a ton of research; I was addicted to cloth diaper research. I finally got up enough courage to talk to Hubby about it, thinking he would see how much money it would save us, how great it would be for Natalie and the environment at the same time. You see I found this mind-blowing fact: it takes 500 YEARS for disposable diapers to decompose in landfills! 500 YEARS! I couldn’t get that number out of my head; we were sure leaving something behind for Natalie and her great great grandchildren probably.

I approached Hubby with the cloth diaper idea. As expected he wrinkled his nose too. I didn’t want to press the issue because it was a pretty substantial starting cost and we didn’t even have a baby yet. We had no idea how much diapers or anything else would cost once she was actually here. He vetoed my idea, as much as I wanted to CD I let the issue go. I didn’t actually know anybody in real life or online who CD’d so I didn’t have proof that it was easy and cost effective.

Fast forward about 7 months, Nat is now 5 months old. Many of my online friends have had their babies and a few of them even started CDing. I had many questions for them and they were so helpful. I approached Dh once again and he said since I was a SAHM it was up to me. I was nervous but I took the plunge. I went head first into CDs and never looked back. That was one of the greenest decisions I have made and I don’t regret it!

We also recycle and have for a while; we pay $15 a year to recycle. It amazes me how much we save on what we put in the garbage just by simply recycling. I try to use natural household cleaners but when you are raised thinking clean is that “bleachy” smell it’s hard to get away from that. If it doesn’t smell clean then it must not be clean. When I use natural cleaners it doesn’t stink but it doesn’t have that chemical cleaner smell. We also switched out all the light bulbs in our house. It's a work in progress.


Things I would like to try in the future to become Greener:
Reusable Paper Towels
We are remolding our bathroom this summer and I want to use a low flow showerhead and a water saving toilet
Composting for my garden this summer
Add one meatless meal a week
Buy naturally raised meat
Natural makeup (I’m nervous to make this switch!)

While I was writing this I found this link of 10 Ways to Go Green . I hope you find it helpful!

What ways would you like to become Greener?

Wordless Wednesday: These boots are made for walking

Hey you, what's that smell???

I am a cloth diaper lover. I didn’t start out with cloth but switched when DD was almost 6 months. We had a great start in them. Nat could wear just about any kind or brand without an issue. I had a great laundry routine and never had an issue with build up. Then we bought a house. We moved into the country and all of a sudden there was this foul (foul doesn’t really begin to cover it) smell coming from our diapers. When they came out of the dryer they were fine, as soon as she peed it was terrible. I ended up changing her diaper way too often because I couldn’t stand the smell. Now, if you don’t currently use cloth I don’t want to scare you away from it. I still love cloth this is just a hurdle we had to cross.

I tried stripping and stripping, I tried Dawn Dish soap, I tried adding Calgon, I did the Oxy/vinegar soak. Nothing was working and I assumed we were stuck with stinky diapers. I even told Dh that if I couldn’t figure it out I was going to (gasp) quit cloth diapering. I really didn’t want to do this as I have a stash I love. Sometimes I think I buy the diapers more for myself than for Natalie. Shh don’t tell Dh!!!

A few months ago we did a Cloth Diaper Swap on a board I belong to. I was sent a sample of Yoreganics Soap Nuts. I was skeptical at first because the whole idea seemed kind of weird to me, but they were free so of course I was going to try them. I used my regular wash routine only adding the reusable bag of Soap Nuts to the was instead of the detergent I wash using. I didn’t add Calgon either. I wanted to see what would happen with no Calgon because that stuff was getting expensive. My diapers came out so soft and not stinky!! I wanted to order more right away but I had ¾ of a bag of the “old” stuff so I started using that on my regular laundry to use it up. I ended up buying this bag of Yoreganics Soap Nuts at a cloth diaper party I went to. I started using them full time this week. I am happy to report that we will still be cloth diapering. I am so happy that the stink is finally gone!!! Yay!!!

The things I love about Soap Nuts:
      1. They are economical
      2. I don't have to guess at how much to add, just add the little bag
      3. They are eco friendly and biodegradeable
      4. They are USDA certified Organic
      5. They are a natural fabric softener
      6. Unscented so they are great for sensitive skin too!

So if you are having stink issues you should try Yoreganics Soap Nuts!!!

Projects

I hate to say this but I have always been one of “those” people who start countless projects and never finish them. I get bored long before I can finish and put it down with the intention on finishing it in a week or two. I started crocheting a blanket for myself two and a half years ago, and it's still sitting unfinished point proven! I found out about 3 months after starting that I was pregnant. Then I went full bore on crocheting a blanket for baby. I can proudly say that I finished that one. That doesn’t really prove much because it was small. I think she has already outgrown it if that gives you any idea. Anyhow, Hubby got me a sewing machine for Christmas. I have been wanting and talking about getting one for about 6 months. It was supposed to be my Christmas present but then we decided to wait to buy it until after the holidays. Well Hubby surprised me and bought it for me. I was ecstatic but all the memories of unfinished projects popped up and I was nervous he would be disappointed in me.

I decided to start with something simple. A pair of pants for Natalie. Easy right? Actually it was so easy!! I finished the project in only 2 nights after she went to bed. Cut and pinned the first night and did all the sewing the second night.




Next project was a chair cover for the chair that Natalie’s “big” girl high chair was going to go on. Our chairs have white pads and that does not mix well with a messy toddler. I was so excited and got it all finished and it didn’t fit the chair!! The next night I started all over and it turned out pretty well. I have a pic but I don’t feel it’s really worth showing.

For my third project I have chosen to make a quilt for Natalie. I have been wanting to redecorate her bedroom and this is the perfect excuse. After the quilt I plan to make a bumper, curtains and maybe a sheet. This is the fabric I picked for her quilt and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

Menu

I feel like I struggle weekly or more bi-weekly with what to make for dinner. I like to plan out two weeks at a time and grocery shop then. I have started making a list of meals for 11-12 days (leaving room for leftovers and going out). I just write the list on the whiteboard and in the morning we pick what sounds good and I know I have the stuff in the house to make it. It’s been working out pretty well but I find that I run out of ideas. Sometimes I feel like I am just copying the menu from the previous two weeks. It’s not interesting at all and we start going out to eat more often because we are tired of the same old same old. So for today I wanted to post a new recipe and would love to hear some new recipes to try! We eat a lot of chicken or beef, but will eat most anything. I love crockpot recipes but don’t mind baking or cooking most of the day either. So let me hear it, what’s a recipe you love or even one that you would like to try?

This is one of my new favorite recipes and it’s even Weight Watchers!

Slow cooker enchiladas 7 pts per serving
1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 can (16oz) pinto or kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
1 small can tomato sauce
1 pkg enchilada sauce (dry mix) (taco sauce mix works well too)
1/3 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cyo (4oz) shredded low fat cheese
6 flour tortillas (2 points each)


In a skillet, cook beef, onion and green pepper until beef is browned. Drain. In a bowl, add all other ingredients except for the tortillas and stir. In a crockpot, layer about ½ beef mixture, then a tortilla layer. Repeat layers with all 6 tortillas. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hrs or until heated thru. (you can also cut up tortillas and stir into mixture). I also add a little shredded cheese on the top. Serve with sour cream.
servings; 6

Simply Sunday

Today was a great day! Hubby had the day off work and we had nothing planned. Grandma was supposed to take Natalie for the day but in the end she didn’t feel up to it. I will admit, I was a little bummed at first. I was looking forward to a whole day baby free so I could clean the house (really). I clean the house day to day but don’t get much chance to scrub everything clean. Hubby wanted to watch football all day. Well we ended up having a pretty nice family day. Dh had the football game on in the background and him and Nat played most of the day. I cleaned the entire house and then snuck away by myself to go grocery shopping. I don’t like grocery shopping but it’s much easier without an almost 15 month old in tow. So I wandered around the grocery store like it was my first time there. People looked at me like I was crazy because I was just taking my time enjoying my “alone” time. It’s weird what alone time turns into when you have a baby. Even still I enjoyed my time at the store.
I came home and made dinner and we had a nice dinner at the table, it was not gourmet by any means but we appreciated one another’s company.
Now we have another football game on, I snuck away to blog and tweet but I’m headed back to family time to play with Natalie while Hubby watches the game.

Here we are....

Well well well.... It's been over 4 months since my last post!! I have told myself I would keep up on here, even promised. But life just gets in the way. After I have had a 12 hour day with the baby and put her to bed, do the dishes, pick up the mess of the day the last thing I want to do is sit down and think! Lately, her nap times have become my nap times. Seriously! I'm not sure what's going on but I've been so tired. At first, I was worried I was pregnant (we are NOT trying!) because I'm as tired as I was when I was pregnant with Natalie. Then faithful old Aunt Flo showed her face, so I know it's not that. I'm going to give it 1 last go and TRY try try to become a better blogger. I feel I need the outlet here so here we go again!!!