Television

Greg and I do not have cable.  We have decided not to waste our time and money on something that is not needed.  We do own a television and blueray to watch movies every once in a while.  The only reason we own the TV is because it was a gift.  It comes in handy on cold winter nights when the only thing I want to do is cuddle on the couch in-between my husband and dog. 

I always get asked the same thing when I tell people we do not have cable, "WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR TIME?!" Over and over... and over...  

Well, I am able to get things done. Period.  

Television did not even become popular until the 1960's.  What did people do with their time before that?  I also hear so many people saying, " There is just not enough time in the day."  I often wonder how much time each of those people spend watching television.

When I was in Jr. High my mom (also my teacher) decided that we would give up TV.  My brother and I did our schoolwork so much better from that point on.  We, all of a sudden, had so much more time and focus on what was really important.

Another benefit is we do not see commercials.  I did not realize how much the commercials controlled what I wanted.  I hear people talking about the 'latest and greatest', and I want nothing to do with it.  It really saves us a lot of money by not wanting constantly.

I also have to think about our baby that is on the way.  We are not going to have her watching any television as an infant.  Here is an article that explains my reasons http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/10/infant-tv-guidelines/ .

So if you want more time in the day and are sick of the cable and electricity bill, get rid of cable!
         T.V. VS. Life      

Cloth Diapers!

     We have decided on a cloth diapering system for our baby girl that is due October 14th=).  It was hard to narrow down because there are SO MANY different types and brands. We want to live green, but we also need to live on the cheap so that helped us narrow down a lot.  Some cloth diaper brands are so expensive that it would be only a slight difference in cost, but instead of "buying-as-you-go" as with disposable diapers, you have to spend a lot, all up-front. Not happening!  At first I thought some were not that bad, but then I realized that you have to buy them in 3 or 4 different sizes.

     We have decided to use the Flip Diaper System.  They fit a baby from 7-35 pounds because the snaps make it so you can fit it to baby perfectly.  They do have special inserts you can buy, but to make it a little cheaper again, we are going to use prefolds instead.  To make them even cheaper to use, you do not have to wash the cover everytime, which means you need less covers and need to do less laundry.  Less laundry?  I'm sold!

     The All-In-One systems consist of a cover that is permanently attached to the absorbent part, just like a normal disposable diaper.  That might make them a little easier to assemble, but they take longer to dry (we are going to hang dry ours) and the whole diaper, including the cover, has to go in the laundry. AIO is not for me.  It does not seem as green to me either, but that is just my opinion. 

The Flip diaper cost 13.95 if bought from a store.  Though, if you go to ebay.com you can find them for much cheaper.  There are many people who give up on cloth diapers no matter what system they use, so they sell them after only one or two uses. 

Another way to cut down on cost and to keep it green is to plan on using it for multiple children.  Since Greg and I plan to have one more at some point, we can use the diapers for the next child too.  With that in mind, I do not plan to buy any that are pink or girly this time around in case the next one is a boy.

We will also keep track of our spending on diapers and have an update after the baby comes. =)

Here is a video on the Flip diapering system http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKvUFSetBP4&feature=related

New Focus!

Sorry for being MIA for the past two months.  I have been busy with LOTS of morning sickness!  It has been hard to stay green when I am constantly feeling green (and not in a good way). 

The good news is I am pregnant and I have been doing TONS of research on how to raise a baby green.  We plan to use cloth diapers, cloth wipes, 'green' toys, and much More! We also plan to use the least amount of "stuff" possible, because being Green means REDUCING.

I will give details as we go =)

This Month's Focus...

This month I am going to focus on Gardening.  How can you have a garden in an apartment you ask?  With lots of planning and lots of reading.  When I was a kid my family had a vegetable garden and we ate more veggies that summer then I remember ever eating. When you take all that time and effort to grow them, you are more likely to eat them.  It is also locally grown, and you cannot get any more local than that!

My plan is to build a planter box to go on my balcony.  I am planning to grow lettuce, tomatoes, and green beans. Maybe summer squash too.  I already have started growing herbs (rosemary, basil, sage, lavender, parsley, and more). Call me crazy, I have also started a pot of dandelions.  They are good for salads and can even work as medicine.  To read more about dandelions here are some great websites: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/dandelion-000236.htm
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2008-04-01/Dandelion-Recipes.aspx

I will add updates in a few weeks =)

 Beautiful misunderstood flower!

Plastic...

Before reaserching what plastic really is, I had no idea what the problem really was with using plastic.  I have learned a lot the past few weeks and the more I learn the less plastic I buy. 

The first and most obvious problem with plastic is that it does not break down.  I have heard that it takes plastic a long time to break down but plastic has only been around for a very short time so no one know first hand how long it takes to break down.  I found many interesting articles, but this was my favorite: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2007/06/will_my_plastic_bag_still_be_here_in_2507.html

When plastics do break down they have negative affects on the environment.  I read what National Geographic had to say and it worried me. Please read:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/08/090820-plastic-decomposes-oceans-seas.html

Burning plastics is also dangerous and illegal (didn't know about the law until I started doing research).  It can realease harmful fumes. Please read: http://www.gov.pe.ca/environment/burning-plastic

It is believed that plastic can cause breast cancer from leaching.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=plastic-not-fantastic-with-bisphenol-a

I have read and read, and there are more reasons...none of which are good.  I know it is hard to imagne life without plastic because it is everywhere (including the keyboard that I am typing on right now), but it is possible to be smart about the plastic we use and to use much less of it.  I am obviously not going to get rid of all plastic I own or I would not be able to use a computer or talk on the phone, but I do plan to choose an alternative to "disposable" plastic. I do not buy or use bottled water, T.V. dinners, "disposable" grocery bags, etc.

I also stopped using plastic for my food.  I now use stainless steel, cast iron, glass, bamboo, etc.  I no longer have plastic cups, bowls, storage containers, measuring cups...I could go on for days on how plastic has taken over the modern kitchen.  Not mine anymore.

Other rooms are affected by it too.  I am not going to throw every plastic item away, but when I need new items, I plan to buy something other then plastic when possible.

Thanks Kalie, for the idea to stop using plastic.  It is easier then I thought it would be!

Respecting God's Creation

Today I am reminded why I am "going green".  My husband, Greg, is a Falconer. He got a beautiful Red Tail Hawk today that we named Whitney.  I know many people would think it is not very Green to take her out of the wild but I believe differently and I think most people would agree if they understood why. 

Here are my reasons-
1. One in three hawks die their first winter, taking her out of the wild gives another hawk a chance to live.

2. Greg uses her as an educational tool to teach others why we need to leave land for the animals. If there is no land, they cannot hunt and since birds of prey are territorial only so many can coexist in one area.

3. Greg, and other falconers, do not let them lose their instincts. They still hunt and can be released back into the wild at anytime.

4. I have a better understanding of these beautiful birds and am only going to do Green things that will not harm them.  That's right, Green people are killing them and don't even know it.

Here is an article on how windmills are killing birds of prey, and other birds too.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203706604574376543308399048.html# Robert Bryce says, "A July 2008 study of the wind farm at Altamont Pass, Calif., estimated that its turbines kill an average of 80 golden eagles per year." 

If we did not get Whitney (and Mia, Greg's first bird that is back in the wild) I would have never realized the impact windmills had on birds of prey. 

Please look closely at the changes you are making in your lives (Green or not) to see if it is in fact better for the future.

Whitney and Maia

An easy change!

Green thing #12- Don't circle parking lots!

This is one of the easiest changes you can make.  Instead of circling the parking lot to find a parking spot up front, take the first one you see.  If you see an empty one in the front, by all means, go for it.  Since most of us are not like my dad or Greg's grandfather and always find ones in the front right away, then just park in the back. 

Why? Here's why...
-When you sit idle you are wasting gas. 0 miles to the gallon.  Ouch!
-If you are moving and not "idle" you are still wasting gas.  One time may not seem that bad but put them all together and you can save (or waste) a lot of gas.  If you circle a parking lot about 5 minutes a week, that's more then 4 hours of circling a year. 
-If you park near the back you will get more exercise!  I know this does not excite a lot of people, but it is a way of getting steps into your day without using a treadmill (which will waste more energy). 

I have been practicing this for a few years and it just comes naturally now.  Being "green" can be expensive, so if you are looking for a way to go green without loosing green, this is a great place to start!

New Years Resolution!

My new years resolution is to research and practice one new "Green" thing a month.  I am "Green" in many ways but I know there is always room for improvement.  I also need to remember to do certain things that I always forget like... Take the reusable bags shopping with me, or my reusable cup.

The first thing I would like to research is Glass vs. Plastic.  I have heard people talking about it and I would like to research it myself before I invest into buy glass containers. 

Has anyone else gone to glass?  Is anyone going to make a Green new years resolution?  Let me know!