MomCat Goes Green - Down with Phone Books!

I hate the number of phone books we get at our house. It is really ridiculous, especially when you consider one important thing--I don't even USE a phone book. Why would I when there's the Internet and 1-411 information really?

In fact, I can't even think of a scenario of when I'll ever need to use a phone book again. OK, wait...here's one. Let's say due to some freak act of techno-terrorism all computers AND phone capabilities in the United States were cut off indefinitely. OK, maybe THEN, I'd need a phone book. Only, wait...the phone lines have been cut off so I wouldn't actually.

Thus, I have proven my point. I don't need any freaking phone books! And, after years of looking around for how to recycle them, I now have a way to never get a phone book again. I can't tell you how elated this discover has made me. In fact, can I get a little whoop, whoop?

And, now I'm sharing this with you. Consider it my blessing of the day. Payment for not blogging about my vacation yet--a full week and a half after getting back. So, do your part for the environment and go out and opt out of unnecessary phone book delivery. You can always call your phone provider and ask for one later should you need one, so what have you got to lose...besides tons of unwanted paper showing up at your doorstep several times a year, that is.

MomCat Goes Green - The First Steps

Several weeks back, I reviewed the book Healthy Child, Healthy World and vowed to learn from it and change my ways somehow. I thought I'd check in and report what I'm trying to alter to live more eco-friendly. So far, here's the most immediate changes I'm trying to make:

Use less paper plates, napkins, and paper towels.
We typically buy the huge Chinet bag-o-plates at our warehouse store. Now, I'm trying to reduce what we use. The kids may still use their Zoo Pals some, because they have those handy ear sections that are perfect for ketchup or dip, but I can wash a plate instead.

Turn off lights when you leave a room.
My grandfather used to charge me a nickel every time I left a light on in a room and walked out. I feel like I'm channelling him right now and trying to get back in that good habit and use less energy around here. Our summer electric bills will thank me, hopefully!

Recycling plastics and glass
I found a place that is a bit closer to my house than the 30-miles away one I knew about. This is about 20 miles, but that's better. I need to buy some closed bins so we don't get bugs or the dog doesn't get into things. Right now I recycle newspapers and magazines very consistently, so this takes it to the next step. My son is excited to help with this as they're learning about it in scouts.

Wisen up on grocery shopping
Got this tip from the recent Oprah on reducing waste. One lady made a log of what she has and shopped for meals accordingly. Hubs said he'd be happy to mark off as he uses something up so I know when to get it instead of buying extras or guessing at the store. I check a little on this, but with freezer items I usually stock up unnecessarily. Now, I'll look and if I have extra pork chops, that will determine what we eat for dinner that week. Sounds so easy I'm almost embarrassed I wasn't doing this more before.

Use Eco-friendly cleaners, soaps, etc
My plan is that as I run out of things, I will buy a new green cleaner to replace it or find a better solution. I have been using vinegar some and found it got the hard water stains on my refrigerator water dispenser off so quickly! Eventually, I'll probably move to using that and baking soda for everything, but for now Green Works bathroom cleaner seems to be nice. I'll review some green products as I compare them later on sometime on here. Next I'll search for green dishwasher options. I'm spoiled by those cascade gel squares, so I hope I can find something good.

Switch all light bulbs out
They now make the larger recessed light bulbs in the greener design, so I will be switching all to that. I already use them in our overhead fan lights and lamps. They're not quite as bright, but they last longer so this is a no-brainer.

Buy reusable bags for the grocery store
I haven't done this. I need to. We throw out so many plastic bags because we have too many. I stock up and try to reuse them when I can, but sometimes we have too many to even reuse. This is a big one for me to change and change NOW.

So, that's where I am on this thing. I hope in one month I can make a difference and start wasting less. Let me know if you have any easy switches that you've found around your house that made a quick difference! I'll try to update in a month or so with any progress and a new list of things I'm changing.

MomCat Reviews: Healthy Child Healthy World

If you're read my blog recently, you'll know that I'm in a transition mode in my life that has me rethinking a lot of things. And, one of the topics I've been reading about more and more these days is adapting to a "greener" lifestyle--one that is better for the planet and better for your health. But, when you are very uneducated about just what is bad in the products you use, it is hard to even know where to start. Thankfully, the folks at MotherTalk had a book review that ended up being the answer to all of my questions.

Healthy Child Healthy World is a surprisingly quick read that will really open your eyes to just what is being sold out there to consumers and the potential it has to cause serious health problems and damage to our environment. But, with that said, it doesn't resort to scare tactics to get the message across-instead it peppers in facts along with testimonials from environmental experts and celebrities. I found that I could not put the book down, and ended up reading it in only a few sittings.

Now, I have to admit, in the past, I was one of those people who would argue back at the green fanatics out there--"my mother used Clorox and I was just fine. If this stuff is so bad for us, then why am I still standing here?" Truthfully speaking, I felt like these people were overreacting a bit.

The reality of the matter is that our children are living in a different world today than we did--plain and simple. In one day of my children waking up, getting ready, going to school, and coming back home, they have already encountered more chemical additives, preservatives, pesticides, and other things in our air, water, and food than I ever did when I was growing up. And scientist are only now able to start seeing some long-term affects of this exposure. Yes, advances in science have been our blessing in may ways, but they are also our curse as this book proves. And, after reading this book, I know now that my old argument just doesn't hold water anymore.

My son has allergy-induced asthma that has thankfully improved as he's gotten older. But, I have to admit that as I read this book I really wished I had it back when he was two and three and we were struggling to know what was going on with him and how to prevent his respiratory attacks. And, I am considering having both he and I completely allergy tested, just so we know what causes his attacks.

Healthy Child Healthy World acts as a complete and easy-to-understand map to novice readers for how to "go green," but what makes it stand out is that it does not overwhelm you with too much information. Instead, the book offers up examples and solutions for the cost-conscious reader who wants to make changes. The book even encourages readers to start slow, swapping out household cleaners and changing small things like shampoos, before diving into completely going all organic/chemical free. There are great home remedies for everything from making your own bubble bath, to homemade cleaners, to furniture polish made with olive oil.

Another thing I like is that the book hits on just about every area that you can imagine--from the obvious subjects--such as safer foods to eat and organic gardening and lawn care tips--to pet care and kid-safe toys. Some of the helpful "Copy and Carry" sections of the book, I will be referring to again and again, including:

• Recipes for Cleaners
• An Under-Sink Makeover
• The Dirty Dozen/Cleanest 12 Shop Guide to Pesticide Free Produce
• Plastics by the Numbers

I truly cannot say enough about this book. It is a quick read that keeps your attention. And, it will open your eyes and make you think differently about how you live. Of all the books and products I have reviewed over the past few years, I have to say Healthy Child Healthy World has the potential to have the biggest impact on my life. I have already started making small changes and will map out a plan for more large scale changes in our home. My son is eight and is very into recycling and saving the earth already and the book has many tips on how to teach your kids to get involved at home. This is a book I will loan to my friends, or perhaps buy as gifts for friends and family.

Now, instead of arguing that the old way of doing things never hurt me, I have changed my thinking to--what can it hurt to try to live more safely and be less dependent on chemicals in our lives? I owe this shift to reading Healthy Child Healthy World.

For the most current information and more on this book, check out the Healthy Child Healthy World website or see what other reviewers had to say at MotherTalk.

This book was sponsored by MotherTalk . I received a copy of the book and an Amazon gift card for agreeing to review the book.