Comments for Green Baby Guide http://greenbabyguide.com Earth Friendly, Budget Friendly Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:38:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Little Water Wasters: What to Do When Your Youngster Doesn’t Understand the Meaning of Conservation by Jen D http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/19/little-water-wasters-what-to-do-when-your-youngster-doesnt-understand-the-meaning-of-conservation/#comment-710 Jen D Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:54:10 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=430#comment-710 I wish I had the answer. I have the exact same problem with my 2 year old. Except she does water the plant but keeps asking for more and more water for the same plant. The soaked towels in the sink - yes, I experienced the same moment just the other day. My 5 year old understands when we say it is not good for the earth. So we may not have to wait until they are teenagers - just a few more years... Although, I think the more we talk about it the sooner rather than later it will sink in. I wish I had the answer. I have the exact same problem with my 2 year old. Except she does water the plant but keeps asking for more and more water for the same plant. The soaked towels in the sink - yes, I experienced the same moment just the other day. My 5 year old understands when we say it is not good for the earth. So we may not have to wait until they are teenagers - just a few more years… Although, I think the more we talk about it the sooner rather than later it will sink in.

]]> Comment on Using Economic Offsetting to Afford Green Products by Betsy http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/13/thrifty-green-thursday-economic-offsetting/#comment-709 Betsy Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:42:17 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=419#comment-709 I love this idea! After reading Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food, I am going to try to get my produce exclusively from a CSA (share of local farm crop). I also want to switch to range-fed eggs, but they are almost twice as much as the organic eggs I buy now (which are not so cheap either). And some day I'd like to buy only organic chicken and range-fed beef. But it's all so expensive. But I have a goal to grow my own garden (when I live somewhere where I can), and right now I'm going to start grinding my own wheat to make my own bread and I want to make my own beans too (instead of canned). I hope to eventually cut out almost all processed food from our family diet. I spend a lot at the grocery store, but we also almost never eat out. So I feel like maybe we spend about the same on food as other American families. Maybe a bit more. Food and health are priorities, so I try to skimp in other areas. Walking instead of driving, showering and laundering less often, etc. I'm going to try cloth diapers now too (even though my baby is already one), and that should save some dough in the long run too. I also recently decided to go through my personal products b/c of ingredient concerns and found that I could really do without almost all of them. I love it when eco-friendly also is cheaper and simpler! I love this idea! After reading Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food, I am going to try to get my produce exclusively from a CSA (share of local farm crop). I also want to switch to range-fed eggs, but they are almost twice as much as the organic eggs I buy now (which are not so cheap either). And some day I’d like to buy only organic chicken and range-fed beef. But it’s all so expensive. But I have a goal to grow my own garden (when I live somewhere where I can), and right now I’m going to start grinding my own wheat to make my own bread and I want to make my own beans too (instead of canned). I hope to eventually cut out almost all processed food from our family diet. I spend a lot at the grocery store, but we also almost never eat out. So I feel like maybe we spend about the same on food as other American families. Maybe a bit more.

Food and health are priorities, so I try to skimp in other areas. Walking instead of driving, showering and laundering less often, etc. I’m going to try cloth diapers now too (even though my baby is already one), and that should save some dough in the long run too. I also recently decided to go through my personal products b/c of ingredient concerns and found that I could really do without almost all of them. I love it when eco-friendly also is cheaper and simpler!

]]> Comment on What is the Biggest Thing You’ve Done for the Planet? by Christine http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/15/what-is-the-biggest-thing-youve-done-for-the-planet/#comment-708 Christine Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:42:19 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=452#comment-708 My favorite is our house's experiment in ditching paper towels and using rags instead! We keep them in a bin under the sink, then keep the dirty ones in a second bin & wash them separately. Works like a charm! My favorite is our house’s experiment in ditching paper towels and using rags instead!
We keep them in a bin under the sink, then keep the dirty ones in a second bin & wash them separately. Works like a charm!

]]> Comment on What is the Biggest Thing You’ve Done for the Planet? by rebecca http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/15/what-is-the-biggest-thing-youve-done-for-the-planet/#comment-707 rebecca Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:51:47 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=452#comment-707 <strong>Cinnamon</strong>, you have inspired me to shop at the farmers' market more regularly. And next year I am definitely planting a garden, too. <strong>Fern</strong>, finding a nice walkable place to live is an excellent way to reduce your impact. I love being able to walk everywhere to "satisfy most of the needs of daily life." I just wish my husband's workplace were closer. Ugh. <strong>Frugal Babe</strong>, I'm really impressed by your solar panel fund! The price might come down soon, making them more affordable for everyone. I hope so. <strong>Cathy</strong>, I heard that fewer and fewer kids walk to school these days, contributing to childhood obesity. So you'll be saving the planet and getting some exercise at the same time by walking your son to school! <strong>Nancy</strong> and <strong>Madeline</strong>, that is a good reminder about consolidating errands. I know when we do errands by car we do not always do it as efficiently as possible. Thanks for all the comments so far. They are very inspiring! Cinnamon, you have inspired me to shop at the farmers’ market more regularly. And next year I am definitely planting a garden, too.

Fern, finding a nice walkable place to live is an excellent way to reduce your impact. I love being able to walk everywhere to “satisfy most of the needs of daily life.” I just wish my husband’s workplace were closer. Ugh.

Frugal Babe, I’m really impressed by your solar panel fund! The price might come down soon, making them more affordable for everyone. I hope so.

Cathy, I heard that fewer and fewer kids walk to school these days, contributing to childhood obesity. So you’ll be saving the planet and getting some exercise at the same time by walking your son to school!

Nancy and Madeline, that is a good reminder about consolidating errands. I know when we do errands by car we do not always do it as efficiently as possible.

Thanks for all the comments so far. They are very inspiring!

]]> Comment on Enter the Cloth Diaper Bravery Contest to Win a Bumkins Dirty Duds Bag! by Aimee http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/10/enter-the-cloth-diaper-bravery-contest-to-win-a-bumkins-dirty-duds-bag/#comment-706 Aimee Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:48:04 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=485#comment-706 I'm almost seven months pregnant and ever since we found out, I've been slowly collecting cloth diapers and wraps. I'm not sure if I'm going to do the traditional prefold and cover, or all in one, but I feel so grateful that my husband is also very enthusiastic about CDing (he was a cloth diaper baby himself.) Since we both have jobs that will allow us to care for our baby full time at home, we thought it made sense to use cloth because we have the time and resources to do it. We're excited about this choice and all the disposable diapers we will save from the landfill! I’m almost seven months pregnant and ever since we found out, I’ve been slowly collecting cloth diapers and wraps. I’m not sure if I’m going to do the traditional prefold and cover, or all in one, but I feel so grateful that my husband is also very enthusiastic about CDing (he was a cloth diaper baby himself.) Since we both have jobs that will allow us to care for our baby full time at home, we thought it made sense to use cloth because we have the time and resources to do it. We’re excited about this choice and all the disposable diapers we will save from the landfill!

]]> Comment on What is the Biggest Thing You’ve Done for the Planet? by Madeline http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/15/what-is-the-biggest-thing-youve-done-for-the-planet/#comment-705 Madeline Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:51:55 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=452#comment-705 We've made a total switch to line-drying laundry outside. If it's a rainy day, we wait to do laundry. This summer we've kept the thermostat on 82 so the a/c works a lot less--which is a big deal here where a typical day is in the high 90s. We're making little green choices all over our lives like giving up paper towels, not buying bottled cleaning products and carefully combining errands out in the car. All of those little things combine I think have greatly reduced our waste/negative environmental impact. We’ve made a total switch to line-drying laundry outside. If it’s a rainy day, we wait to do laundry. This summer we’ve kept the thermostat on 82 so the a/c works a lot less–which is a big deal here where a typical day is in the high 90s. We’re making little green choices all over our lives like giving up paper towels, not buying bottled cleaning products and carefully combining errands out in the car. All of those little things combine I think have greatly reduced our waste/negative environmental impact.

]]> Comment on Enter the Cloth Diaper Bravery Contest to Win a Bumkins Dirty Duds Bag! by Jen Farley http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/10/enter-the-cloth-diaper-bravery-contest-to-win-a-bumkins-dirty-duds-bag/#comment-704 Jen Farley Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:43:33 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=485#comment-704 I recently started cloth diapering. I thought what a waste if I was recycling so much and then throwing those disposable diapers in the garbage. So here we are, in the throws of CDing. Building out stash has been interesting and trying out new diapers has been great too. even my husband has gotten into it, but has left all the messy diapers for me to clean up ;-) I don't have any great stories about a messy experience. I guess we've been lucky so far. I'm waiting for a "big blowout." I recently started cloth diapering. I thought what a waste if I was recycling so much and then throwing those disposable diapers in the garbage. So here we are, in the throws of CDing. Building out stash has been interesting and trying out new diapers has been great too. even my husband has gotten into it, but has left all the messy diapers for me to clean up ;-)

I don’t have any great stories about a messy experience. I guess we’ve been lucky so far. I’m waiting for a “big blowout.”

]]> Comment on Tightwad Tips for Raising Baby from Frugal Zealot, Amy Dacyczyn by Donielle @ Raising Peanuts http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/03/tightwad-tips-for-raising-baby-from-frugal-zealot-amy-dacyzyn/#comment-703 Donielle @ Raising Peanuts Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:03:33 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=417#comment-703 I forewent the shampoo all together. The cheap stuff is just full of chemicals and fragrances, water works just as well! And how dirty does a baby really get?! Unfortunately moms don't breastfeed as much as you might think. It's only like 17% that make it to a year and most quit before 6 months! Sad really. Not only is it the healthiest option (that proves healthier in the long run as well) but the cheapest. It's free, you don't HAVE to buy bottles, and it also cuts way down on medical bills the first few years. And I don't think babies ever really slept in cribs 'back in the day'! Both mine and hubbys grandmas have told us that a lot of folks just used dresser drawer. Now a days though, you'd probably have child protective services after you if you did that. (You know with SIDS and all) Thing is you can always check out freecycle.com or craigslist.com and ask for a free one. There is always someone out there willing to give to someone in need! For our next one I picked up a moses basket at a garage sale for just a few dollars, cheaper than a bassinet! The cheapest thing I'd do next time is not buy so much stuff! Babies don't need THAT much clothing. Or toys for that matter. They are pretty small and simple little beings! As Americans we tend to go way overboard and fall into all of the marketing (from the manufacturers - they want us to buy!) that we NEED certain things. Guess what? We went centuries without squeaky toys and tons of stuffed animals. You think the pioneers had a NURSERY for the babies? Nope, they fit them in wherever they could, no specially decorated rooms just for baby. I forewent the shampoo all together. The cheap stuff is just full of chemicals and fragrances, water works just as well! And how dirty does a baby really get?!

Unfortunately moms don’t breastfeed as much as you might think. It’s only like 17% that make it to a year and most quit before 6 months! Sad really. Not only is it the healthiest option (that proves healthier in the long run as well) but the cheapest. It’s free, you don’t HAVE to buy bottles, and it also cuts way down on medical bills the first few years.

And I don’t think babies ever really slept in cribs ‘back in the day’! Both mine and hubbys grandmas have told us that a lot of folks just used dresser drawer. Now a days though, you’d probably have child protective services after you if you did that. (You know with SIDS and all) Thing is you can always check out freecycle.com or craigslist.com and ask for a free one. There is always someone out there willing to give to someone in need! For our next one I picked up a moses basket at a garage sale for just a few dollars, cheaper than a bassinet!

The cheapest thing I’d do next time is not buy so much stuff! Babies don’t need THAT much clothing. Or toys for that matter. They are pretty small and simple little beings! As Americans we tend to go way overboard and fall into all of the marketing (from the manufacturers - they want us to buy!) that we NEED certain things. Guess what? We went centuries without squeaky toys and tons of stuffed animals. You think the pioneers had a NURSERY for the babies? Nope, they fit them in wherever they could, no specially decorated rooms just for baby.

]]> Comment on What is the Biggest Thing You’ve Done for the Planet? by Nancy http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/15/what-is-the-biggest-thing-youve-done-for-the-planet/#comment-702 Nancy Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:23:53 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=452#comment-702 I bought a used 1996 Honda Civic for $7000 with only 68K miles on it. It gets great gas mileage! My hubby is a teacher and home for the summer and I'm a stay at home mom. We try to do at least 2-3 errands together instead of jumping in the car whenever we need to do something. We do have a bigger car, a Honda Element, but we save that for trips to visit family or for winter driving. I bought a used 1996 Honda Civic for $7000 with only 68K miles on it. It gets great gas mileage! My hubby is a teacher and home for the summer and I’m a stay at home mom. We try to do at least 2-3 errands together instead of jumping in the car whenever we need to do something. We do have a bigger car, a Honda Element, but we save that for trips to visit family or for winter driving.

]]> Comment on What is the Biggest Thing You’ve Done for the Planet? by Cathy http://greenbabyguide.com/2008/08/15/what-is-the-biggest-thing-youve-done-for-the-planet/#comment-701 Cathy Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:34:46 +0000 http://greenbabyguide.com/?p=452#comment-701 Saving for solar panels is a great idea. We really want some, but can't take on that kind of debt to install them. We're growing vegetables, composting, hanging our clothes up to dry, and have only used our AC one week this summer. My next big goal is to walk my first-grader to school instead of driving him. Saving for solar panels is a great idea. We really want some, but can’t take on that kind of debt to install them. We’re growing vegetables, composting, hanging our clothes up to dry, and have only used our AC one week this summer. My next big goal is to walk my first-grader to school instead of driving him.

]]>