green

Have you noticed that you can no longer go a single day without hearing the word "green" in association with the enviornment, food, cars, products, parenting, etc.? I'm not against being "green minded" in many areas, as long as it isn't a decision that leads me to financial ruin just to be politically correct. I am one who does what I think is best for my family. I try to be a good steward of the planet and all that God has given me, but I am also in favor of pesticides that rid my home of ants/bugs/spiders. I am also a big ol' SUV driving mother, because I don't feel nearly as safe in little, gas efficient cars. I fed my kids jarred baby food. (And formula) I used disposable diapers. I have never recycled anything, not even a coke can. I put frontline on my dogs. I never drink water.

The problem with the transition to going green is that it’s not easy. In fact, it’s really rather overwhelming even thinking about changing the way in which we live. Sure, I can say I would always recycle when possible, if it was only easier.....
I can't start changing my lightbulbs to those twisty ones, because my mother can't be around that for of light. I do try find a way to reuse things - like parkay containers and plastic walmart bags - but this is simply not enough, and I know it. In the past I’ve thought about going green, but given excuses why I can’t. After all, I can’t just go out and buy a hybrid car, even if I wanted one, or change all my appliances. The cost of going green in some ways is staggering isn’t it? Then again, we have to consider the cost of not going green. Am I the only one who sees all the strange weather and severe weather events going on in the US and feel a little disoriented? You think we are somehow causing all this havoc?

So, a little at a time, I’m going to make one more step to going green. Starting out simply, I intend by the end of the year to have a much greener house than I do at the present. I can’t be much more specific in how I’m going to approach this at present, because frankly I don’t know how. And maybe that’s a good first step, to learn what I can and can't do, and see what I am willing to change, and what I am not.
This month, I am going to start to reduce the amount of packaging I’m using. I can say I do take my own bags to sav a lot, other than that...... I am pretty wasteful.

I want to say too, we need to do something about the availability of GOOD greener cleaners. Blake and I got some "green" cleaner a few months back, and it is TERRIBLE! I am really into vinegar and baking soda cleaners. That's all I use for my bathrooms. It's awesome on showers. I’m going to tell you a secret.... I love the smell of pine sol, and I just can’t imagine cleaning with things that don’t smell clean. I need a good "green" cleaner that leaves a good smell. I want you to KNOW I have cleaned all day when you walk in my house!

I will also admit, I HATE organic food. I have tried several things, and they were just not up to par to me. I don't know how to get up to speed on this stuff!