Katelin is TWO and Drew is here!: January 2010

Just thought I would post something real on here for a change instead of the daily pictures (which I've missed the past couple days).

Over the past couple years, I've been trying to be more environmentally aware. I'm not saying I've gone all hippy-crunchy-green, but I am trying to do my part. Are you doing yours???

* I recycle. I don't like to be judge-y, but if you don't recycle at least some of your trash, shame on you! We're lucky that our city makes recycling SO easy! We have one large recycling "can" on wheels that we can throw everything in. They take just about everything (paper, plastic, glass, metals) so it all gets tossed in the can. We pay one flat rate for recycling, no matter what size can we use but we pay a lower rate on trash because we have the smallest can. (being green doesn't have to cost more!) It drives me nuts to see some of our neighbors with three HUGE trash cans out every week and not a single recycling bin. Forget the green aspect... they are paying $$$ for each can out there and unless they've specifically opt-ed out of the recycling program, they are paying the flat rate for recycling (not many people know you can opt-out of the program). Our city also has an electronics recycling program where you can take just about anything to the city dump's recycling building and drop it off. There is a charge for computer monitors and TVs (due to the chemicals involved) but everything else is free.

* I try not to use plastic bags when I go to the store, I even bought some produce bags from a seller on etsy.com that I LOVE! I still end up with some now and then because I forgot to take my bags in and I have more than a couple items or I go somewhere other than the grocery store and the cashier automatically puts my stuff in plastic even though I've put my reusable bags on the counter!

* I use re-usable, BPA-free water bottles and a couple stainless steel lunch containers. And not that it is my doing, but we have compostable containers, cups, straws, and silverware ("tater-ware") in the cafe at work! They all get shredded up and composted onsite!

* I made most of Katelin's baby food (and I'm planning on doing this with #2 as well). This is not only greener (much less waste involved), it is cheaper and better nutritionally and it doesn't take much extra time. I'd peel & cut up a bunch of fruits/veggies and throw them in the oven. When they were done, into the blender they went. Dump it into ice cube trays and freeze. Nice, ~1oz servings could be taken out of the freezer as needed. Easy peasy!

* We recently started using cloth diapers on Katelin. We're not at 100%, but every little bit counts. I started off with 10 bum genius one-size pocket diapers. This lasted ~2 days and then into the wash they went after Katelin went to bed. I'd toss them on the drying rack and usually by morning, they'd be dry. Sometimes the inserts weren't 100% dry so I'll toss them in the dryer for ~10 minutes. We use the flushable/washable liners so I don't have to mess with the poop factor. If she poops, into the toilet they go (along with most of the poop). If she was just wet, they got tossed into the diaper pail/hamper with the diaper. So far, it seems like they are good for about 3-4 washings. These diapers are SO easy (they go on just like a regular disposable) that I ended up buying 12 more while they were on sale. Now I only have to do laundry every few days. I don't want to go too long though or they start to stink (not as bad as the disposables though since the poop has been flushed). One of the best things about these diapers is they are one-size. They claim up to 35 pounds but I've heard they aren't the best on babies under 10 pounds and not all kids will fit in them at 35 pounds. Katelin is ~28# and they fit her fine. Hopefully it won't take too long for the new baby to fit in them! I also just signed up for a newborn cloth diaper trial program. For $10 (plus shipping and a refundable deposit), they'll send me a bunch of different kinds of newborn diapers to try. Pre-folds, pockets, all-in-ones, fitteds, covers, and a snappi (if this sounds like spanish to you, don't worry, it took me a little bit to get the lingo down). The company lets you order them 3 months before you're due date so everything can be washed up and you can familiarize yourself with how they all work. All they ask is that you only use them for 21 days, wash them and send them back. Then understand that babies arrive after due dates and you may not want to use them the first couple weeks so the 21 days is all based on the honor system. If you like some of the products, you can keep them and send other stuff back and it just comes out of your deposit. I can't wait until they get here! Okay, this topic got a little long... sorry about that! I've just learned so much about them that I can't help it! Eco-friendly and cheaper in the long run than disposables!

* I make my own cloth diaper laundry detergent (you have to be careful what you use on cloth diapers due to the additives and brighteners in regular detergent) and as I run out of the semi-green cleaning supplies I have, I'm replacing them with homemade, eco-friendly versions.

* I *try* to walk/bike to the grocery store. Okay, I'll admit, I've only done this a few times. When the new Kroger and Walgreens opened up down the street, I had visions of pulling Katelin in her bike trailer up there all the time. Yeah.. I was way too out of shape for the slightly uphill climb to Kroger! I have lots of excuses but it seems that I typically stop on my way home from somewhere or I'm in a hurry (we're cooking dinner and forgot something), or the weather is bad. Maybe this spring I'll get more into it.. probably not though with a new baby!

* We switched to "green" electricity for the house. While I'd love to get solar panels or a wind turbine.. that just isn't feasible but our power company provides a 100% "green" service where all the electricity is from generated from air/water/solar sources!

* I use Freecycle. If you don't know what this is, Freecycle is a collection of Yahoo groups specific to your area. You can post OFFER and WANT adds and they go out to everyone in the group. You can see what other people have to offer or what they want/need. Everything is FREE. Some stuff is in new/good condition and other stuff needs repair. It is so much better to offer something up before just tossing it in the recycling/garbage bins! If you're looking for a specific item, that you don't mind being used, it is a great resource! We've gotten rid of several old computers/monitors/accessories and a handful of other stuff through the group. Things that normally would have just been thrown out!

I'm sure I do a lot of other things but my mind is drifting off and this post is getting pretty long!

And I couldn't do a post without a picture... my 12 NEW bum genius diapers drying on the rack!