Oh the Holidays...

What a joyous time of year! Lights and trees. Cards and candy. Gifts and parties. Now let's try it a little greener. Not so easy!

Christmas time is a ton of fun as it is, but with two small children under age 3, it becomes magical. Our Christmas tree lights burn from 9am to 7pm...on a good day. Wrapping paper is often more exciting that what it's hiding. Baking and cooking consume large quantities of day and eat up a healthy dose of energy to boot. How do we tone it down without taking away the fun?

I've been trying to think of ways to limit our energy and natural gluttony without sacrificing the feel of the holidays...

CHRISTMAS TREES

So many people I know love a live tree. And give me an earful for having a fake one. I, for one, encourage artificial christmas trees, here's my perspective...Real tree lovers enjoy the smell, because obviously we don't live in a state where we can step outside and see Evergreen trees growing with abandon. They love the look, and seemingly don't mind the mess, daily, for 3 weeks until Christmas. They must really enjoy letting nature in and sharing their home with more spiders than necessary. And the financial budget always makes room for the annual cost. Here's my platform:

• one-time cost (and up to 75% off during day after sales!)
• no hassel to dump it (sometime additional cost!)
• not a fire hazard
• save water
• save trees
• early set-up option (and perfect for staging holiday card pics...)

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

A tough one. The newest option for LED lights is a positive step, though they cost considerably more than the standard option and lights hardly need to be replaced yearly. This is one where we should weigh the need against the benefit. We can save energy next Christmas, or wheneven my current strands burn out.

However, a timer is a GREAT tool. I use a multi-plug timer with built in extension cord. I got it during the post-holiday sales for about $5. I have the option to allow my lights to burn dusk-dawn, or at 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-hr intervals. Neat, and thrifty!

WRAP, CARDS & OTHER PAPER NEEDS

Another tough one as the cost of recycled paper goods is often double the price of the 'bad' stuff. But if you have kids, this is a no brainer! Brown paper grocery bags can be your best friend with a wet afternoon, a kid and some paint...PRESTO! Homemade, heartfelt wrapping paper, or card scraps.

Another cool option is not limiting yourself to 'Christmas' papers. You could buy an inexpensive roll of recycled newsprint or mailing paper and fancy it with a cloth scrap, twine or leftover ribbons. I find that the fancy ribbons (ie. the REAL kind) is often appreciated and kept. Better for all -- reduce, reuse, recycle, you get it.

How many of us keep ALL the previous years xmas cards? Well, you just saved yourself from buying another box of cards. Simply turn the card cover into a postcard, or if you insist on the traditional card format, glue a piece of cardstock inside the back half of the old card and write your own message. As much as I love the idea of reuse and green living, I can't buy into the art of emailing your Christmas wishes. It seems less personal and too robotic. Even if someone only signs their name in a card, at least it feels intentional.

GIFTS

You know I encourage the "BUY HANDMADE" movement and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE etsy for high end handmade gifts. But this isn't always practical or easy. I think gift giving is really personal and you are on your own on this one...but not without a shameless plug for a couple of my homemade items over on fromONEmom.blogspot.com -- beautiful Tulle Tutu's in various color combos. Check them out! And see my blog entry below about year-round gifts in 'WHERE IS ALL THIS STUFF COMING FROM?" http://smidgegreener.blogspot.com/2008/08/where-is-all-this-stuff-coming-from.html

Good luck with your 'green' Christmas and here's wishing you don't get too caught up in the preparation to actually stop and enjoy it!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I heart baking soda!

Ok, another awesome baking soda trick...true story.

My dear hubby severly burned some beans onto the base of our stainless steel pot. (Very good intentions, however not so good with beans.) Reaching into the far corners of my mind, I remember reading somewhere about using baking soda to scrub off the burned residue. However, the beans were so badly burned to the bottom that there was a layer of blackened beans on the base of the pot. So I took some baking soda and generously sprinkled on the burnt food. Then I added about 5in of water - carefully running it down the side of the pot so as to not disturb the baking soda. I set the pot on the burner at Med-Hi and let it simmer. After about 15 min my pot looked like a science experiment with quite a head of foam threatening to overflow onto my burner. I took the pot off and realized that the foam literally lifted all the burned matter off the bottom of the pot! Keep in mind, this is stainless steel without a non-stick finish.

Needless to say, I was floored!

That's Domestic Director to you...

Thank you for endulging a bit of a rant...

As you may or may not be aware, I stay at home and care for my kids, the household and food. Along with those not-so-simple responsibilities, I also facilitate art projects, home-made cookies and accessibility to clean clothing -- to name ONLY a few. I manage not only my time, but that of at least 2 others(sometimes 3...) and keep all schedules as insync as I know how. I coordinate meetings with grandparents and inlaws. Set-up play dates and social interactions for my kids. Fearing a 2pm meltdown, I consolidate outings and events into neat little chunks of time, taking into consideration naps, snacks and quiet time. I brainstorm new meal options to avoid the snack traps of goldfish crackers and string cheese as well as break through the tediousness of chicken for dinner, again. I ensure that little minds are being challenged and enlightened. I attempt to teach and try to slow down enough to play. So much more than changing diapers and running bubble baths!

Through the course of this often thankless and constantly demanding and needy position I hold, I find myself missing the work world, all shiny and sharp. Downtown traffic, high heels and always a few minutes late. Morning coffee, office meetings and real-world chit chat. I miss the competance I once possessed for jobs I excelled in. I miss the adult comraderie and conversations over current events, music and what's for lunch.

It's always easy to see the grass as greener on the other side. And nothing quite says 'boring' like "stay-at-home mom". I shrink a little anytime someone asks me what I do. Answers like "mom" and "I'm not working" seem to immediately end the conversation. No one seems to find interest in a job such as this. Someone would much rather talk about driving a UPS truck than the ins and outs of raising children and managing a home.

A good friend of mine was speaking to me about the importance of having a title as she is embarking on the beginning of a family and no longer plans to work. She is embracing the notion that we aren't "just moms" and we don't "just stay home with our kids". I really like her way of thinking and it's been making me wonder about a title for myself. So no longer will I be a "stay-at-home mom", I will now be Domestic Director. Afterall, doesn't that much better sum up the myriad of roles we play? Though we may be at home, I would hardly call it 'just staying at home'.

So to all those moms out there looking to reclaim a little bit of their former 'working' self: grab a thesaurus and make a title. Then own it.

Soooo Crafty!

So I consider myself a little artsy, and now also a bit smug that all my crafting, re-purposing and thrift store hunting falls into a greener category than some other hobbies.

My issue seems to be taking a risk and throwing myself out there to the critique of others. I can be easily intimidated and one spin through www.etsy.com is enough for me to hang up my tulle and paintbrushes. But I love the idea of creating and buying what others have dreamed up. There is no limit to the imagination and talent that can be found online, particularly on etsy.
I am spreading the word about buying handmade and came across a cool jeweler on etsy whom I can't wait to show off! HomeStudio. Not only are their designs cool, clever and unique, but it all cames back to reusing found objects (scrabble tiles!) AND buying handmade. How easy is that? Check out HomeStudio on etsy and let me know what you think. I'm guessing you'll be having a hard time deciding what to buy...

HomeStudio - Creativity by Mark & Stefani
http://www.homestudio.etsy.com/

The GREAT diaper debate

For every reason to use (or not use) cloth diapers, there seems to be a different product or style to consider. Through my green reading, I have been astonished to learn that a disposable diaper takes between 200-500 YEARS to breakdown in our landfills! Can you imagine? Our children's grandchildren will still be dealing with this mess!

Not only have I had to find ways to save money in our ever changing economy, but with the motivation to get greener, I have been doing a considerable amount of research on cloth diapers. My mom did it, and generations of mothers did it before that, so it can't be too tough to figure out right? YIKES!

Poor Hannah got to help me "experiment" with Gerber cloth and gDiapers, and those unsuccessful attempts may have contributed to her quick toilet training. Over the past several weeks, my mind has been swimming with the overwhelming variables and just when I thought I might give up, a friend refered me to Green Mountain Diapers, an online supplier with incredibly direct and easy to read information. With the help of this site, I have found a style that I think may work for me and our family lifestyle. (Yay Bummis!!!) It's still been a bit rough getting off the ground, and don't be fooled into thinking it's less work, but considering the benefits, I'm finding it more and more worthwhile. Now if only I can get a laundry system figured out. And for those of you wondering: Baking Soda + lemon = MAGIC stain removal! Yay!

The sites information on laudry techniques, folding styles, covers and PICTURES OF IT ALL totally converted me. It really cleared up a lot of the questions and concerns I had going into it. If you are curious or have even been wondering about how and when to make the switch, I strongly encourage you to check out Green Mountain Diapers for more information. They sell "trial" kits to help you learn a few of the different styles to cloth diapering and the prices are certainly comparable to anything you might find out there. The shipping is lightening FAST! I got my recent package in 2 days!

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/

And as if I needed yet another reason to show off how cute my kids are, check out Jack in all his cloth glory. Who could resist a cute cloth diapered bottom?

Hemp gets a bad name

We've all heard the negative effects of marijuana use and many people seem to directly be linking hemp to that problem. I see the negative sides of the issue and as with anything feel the responsibilities of use and overuse lie on the user. I have been reading on the benefits of hemp and with our countries new Green initiatives, I'm seeing more and more to support.

Seattle's Hempfest is currently running this weekend, which helped to answer some questions regarding the uses and necessity of hemp products. Since it is a renewable source, it can provide medicine, fuel and fibers for a fraction of the cost that we are currently spending. Read up on this fascinating article regarding the history and benefits of hemp.

HEMP: A True Gift from God
Written by Dr. Heather Anne Harder
http://hempfest.org/drupal/?q=node/16

Where is all this stuff coming from?!

I have been behind in my house chores and I'm having an insanely impossibly time getting ahead because of TOO MUCH STUFF! Where does it come from? It hides and lurks in closets, drawers and the garage. Boxes of clothes, art supplies, toys and just about anything else you can think of. Souviners from hobbies-past and a long lost youthful size 2. Birthday and Christmas gifts intended to delight, instead finding shelter after several weeks interest. Sigh, how did we get here? More importantly, where do we go from here?

As we are society of consumerism and retail therapy (I'm SO guilty!) we buy to fill a need and I'm not talking a practical one. We love to give and get and find steals and deals for things we don't need now, or may never use. Children have more toys than they know how to play with and, sadly, seem less and less excited to receive something new. There's more than one thing wrong here.

As the holidays and children's birthday's are approaching, I'm interested shifting my focus of thought over item. Quality over quantity. Something handmade, and given with care. Passes to a Children's or Art Museum allow year-round entertainment. Pre-made, frozen dinners is an amazing gift of time. A great book or new pajamas can go further than the newest doll or toy car. Gift cards are incredibly thoughtful in allowing purchases needing to be saved for. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

• Passes to Museums, Parks, Zoos and Aquariums
• Passes for Kindermusik, Swim Lessons or Little Gym.
• BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
• Frozen, prepared meals (or Dinners Done Right)
• Dinners out (with babysitting!)
• Movie passes (again, with babysitting!)
• Theater tickets (you guessed it...)
• Help with grocery costs
• Unisex, quality toys that grow for different ages
• Combined efforts for a special larger item
• Magazine Subscriptions
• Gift certificates to frequented locations (Um, Starbucks, Home Depot, Best Buy anyone?)

Not only are these items helpful and thoughtful, but we are reducing waste and excess costs in small ways. Reduce packaging, reduce waste, reduce auto emissions and more importantly, reduce the idea that "he who has the most toys, wins."

All you parents out there know the feelings of dread with the opening of each new children's toy and all their accompanying packaging parts, twist-ties, cardboard spacers, strings, tape and plastic (all of which can hardly be recycled or repurposed). It takes longer to open than to shop and wrap. All while your little one eagerly looks on in anticipation. And another groan for the items that need to be assembled...

I'm no good at math.

If I only drink organic coffee for the next 5 years and each month equals reducing my cO2 by 3 trees, then how many cars will be taken off the road by next week?

Have you ever read about your carbon footprint and how it equates to trees being saved and cars off the road? It's enough to make my head spin, plus I was never very good with story problems...

Lucky for you, and especially ME, I found a handy online calculator...so enjoy.
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

More on BAKING SODA

I'm calling myself the Baking Soda Queen these days. I'm just so impressed with all that you can use it for. I have been washing my laundry in it and I LOVE it. I really dislike any scents in my laundry detergents, so this is perfect. Not only that, but really inexpensive.

I read on the box that you can also use it for a face scrub, so don't doubt that I will soon be trying that too.

Additionally, I found you can use a paste of B Soda and water to relieve the itch of mosquito bites. We recently went camping and got the opportunity to put this to the test. It works! A couple notes, it needs re-application every couple hours and can make a bit of a mess all over the house, sofa, clothes, whatever. But that's managable since it's a deoderizer, I just vacuum it up and accomplish another of my chores without realizing it.

Hot Java

You KNOW I love coffee. I've worked in coffee, I buy variety, I love the coffee shop atmosphere. I love it. I need it. I spend more money on it than I care to admit. So you can imagine my interest in the hot coffee debate - organic & shade-grown issues.

I found an interesting point of view in the book Green Chic by Christie Matheson. A coffee plant's natural habitat is in the rainforest, growing under the tree canopy. Many countries are cutting down the trees and mass growing the coffee plant to produce greater amounts of beans. Most coffee crops grow in the sunniest countries, meaning coffee is forced to grow in the hot sun. Doing this means thet are growing coffee outside of it's natural habitat, thus requiring additional water use, fertilizers and pesticides to maintain a crop. Yuk. Further to this topic is the practice of Fair-Trade, giving a fair wage to the coffee farmers of the world. But that's another can of worms.

I was inspired to try Organic Shade-Grown Bird Friendly coffee from Javatopia and am VERY pleased. Their French Roast rivals that of Starbucks, yet is 1) organic, 2) shade grown, 3) fair trade and 4) cheaper!

Fred Meyer sells it in the natural food section and regular price is $8.99/lb. Compared to Starbucks at $9.99/lb (or more) in their stores. Starbucks also sells a Fair Trade blend, but I haven't had the chance to look for organics since I am spending so much time drinking coffee at home these days.

Yeah, yeah, we've all heard it before...

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle right? We've heard it a hundred times and have been hearing it for at least the last 20 years (from what I can recall). But notice how we don't even bat an eyelash at it anymore? It's more common to recycle than not. Thrift stores and antique shops seem more hip than ever before. As I am embarking on a new "green-ness", I am a little amazed at not only 1) how easy it can be, but 2) how we've been taking small steps for years, that it hardly seems much more effort. We do a ton of stuff as force of habit that TOTALLY counts!

Check it out...

• Recycle with your weekly garbage? check, green.
• Hand down hardly worn kids stuff? check, green.
• Buy something at a garage sale now and then? check, green.
• Grow your own tomatoes? check, green.
• Buy used on eBay or Craigs? check, green.
• Reuse your grocery bags? check, green.
• BYO grocery bags? check, green.
• Turn off your lights when not using them? check, green.
• Turn off the H2O when not using? check, green.
• Do kids crafts with the random household garbage? check, green.
• Buy Washington wines? check, green.

You're green already and didn't even know it.

I can't afford it! Oh, wait, I can.

So much GREEN stuff is, well, honestly, expensive. As a stay-at-home mom with a single household income and 2 small children, a budget is certainly a top concern. I wish I could afford to spend $17 for a bottle of Seventh Generation laundry soap, but compared to a $4 bottle of All Free & Clear, there's really no twisting my arm on this one. Then I looked into some easy, cheap ways to clean house and be a smidge greener. Check it out! I have items in my pantry that will do the trick! Vinegar, baking soda and lemons seem to be star players in a clean-green home.

No only are these items all relatively cheap and super accessible, but talk about making space under the sink! If you are anything like me, I currently have several bottles of various cleaners.

The following recipes are from both Parents Magazine (August 2008) and 'Green Babies, Sage Moms' by Lynda Fassa.

• All-Purpose Household cleaner - mix equal parts vinegar and water in spray bottle to clean glass, counters and toilets. (NOT marble though.)
• Laundry softener - Add 1/2C vinegar to rinse cycle to soften clothes and cut down odors.
• Bathroom/Kitchen cleaner - Use water and baking soda to create a paste for scrubbing sinks & tile.
• Toilet scrub - Sprinkle baking soda in toilet, splash with vinegar to make it fizz and scrub with toilet brush.
• Carpet deodorizer - Sprinkle baking soda on your carpets, let sit for an hour and vacuum. I currently do this and assume it works. No one has walked into my house gagging or holding their nose...
• Laundry detergent - use 3/4C baking soda (for large loads) as a soap replacement for your laundry. Love this for kids clothes especially to reduce smells and unnecessary toxins...though still need Spray & Wash from time to time...
• Bleach alternative - Lemon is a natural bleach, so only for use on whites...use 1/2C lemon juice to wash. (The stats on chlorine bleach chemicals are scary!) I currently do this with poopy cloth diapers and am totally hooked! I had to convince myself to try it, but the diapers were no match for the power of lemon. Yay!

Most of these are new to me, but I'm working on implementing them into my lifestyle. Stay tuned to find out if and how they worked for me.

Easy clean and green too! - UPDATED!

I have been searching for the best cleaner to refresh my wood dining table and chairs. And when I say best, I mean quickest and easiest. I have tried several things, many of which probably aren't intended for wood, but if you saw the mess left behind by my precious toddler, you'd try anything too. Some items left a sticky haze, others made the table too slick, or highlighted the fingerprints. I also was hoping for something that would not only clean up the food messes, but keep the wood polished and look good.

Too much to ask? I thought so, until I tried Method Wood for Good. Not only does it smell good with a clean almond scent, but it CLEANS! Food and finger smudges! And PROTECTS! Plus, true to all Method products, it's naturally derived, biodegradable and non-toxic.

I'm pleased not only at the performance of the product but also for using a product that's safe for my kids, considering much of their food will come into contact with the dining table.

-----UPDATE!-----
So I accidentally bought Method's Wood for Good floor cleaner assuming it was a concentrated product to be mixed with water when mopping my floors. You can imagine my concern when I realized it was not a concentrate but a cleaning liquid to be squirted directly on the floor. At $5 for a bottle, I was a little bummed at the assumed cost per use. I love using a human & earth friendly product, but it has to be wallet friendly to make it's way into my house...hence my addiction to all things Baking Soda.

But, it was here and I needed to mop, so I used it and vowed to pay attention to the costly lesson. I have a significant hardwood floor, so before I read the directions I imagined that I would have to use half a bottle for a single mopping. After reading, I was a little more encouraged. I lightly squirted, weilded my mop and hoped for the best.

I was 'floored'! IT WORKS! I am in love with this product! Not only does it have the clean almond smell like the table-top product, but it gets the grime off the floor without needing puddles of product. Plus the almond extract is great for the conditioning of the wood. And since you only squirt direct from the bottle, it eliminates mess AND time! Now that's a product I can get around. I have mopped 3 times with this purchase and haven't even hit the half-way point.

Let me know what you think!

Should we buy organic cotton?

After reading up on cotton in the book "Green Babies, Sage Moms" by Lynda Fassa, it certainly brought up the question of using organic vs. conventional cotton. Here are a couple points for discussion that I found most alarming:

• "Conventional cotton covers only 3% of the world's farmland, but uses 25% of the world's chemical pesticides and fertilizers."
• "According to the EPA, 7 of the top 15 pesticides used on conventional US cotton crops are potential or known human carcinogens."

(Excerpt from Green Babies, Sage Moms p. 109)