Remember to Give to Charity
Dec 14, 2010 Going Green
This is a great time of year to give to charity. Actually, any time is a great time, but this is the time of year many of us think about it. So do it.
It could be a gift to that relative who really doesn’t want anything more. If you know his or her favorite charity, make a donation in your relative’s name.
Take some time with your children and help out at a local charity. It’s a great way to show them that they can help out with a favorite cause. It may take some searching to find something age appropriate, depending on the age of your children. Many organizations have a minimum age limit for volunteers.
Then, for your own sake and to give to others, declutter your home and give the reusable items to charity. Help your children to do likewise.
It’s often hard to get kids to give up toys, even ones they no longer use, but it is possible. Here are some ways to go about it.
1. Talk about why you clean out the excess toys.
Many children these days have far more toys than they could possibly play with. Others have very few because their families can’t afford to give them much. Sending old toys to the thrift shop means that families with less money can afford to give their children something fun to play with.
That’s what works well on my kids most times. I don’t buy a lot of toys for them, but they get a lot of them as gifts.
2. Make two piles and have your child choose between them.
This works for getting rid of toys or just storing the excess away for a time. Be sure that you allow trades between the piles for particular favorites, and be very clear on what is happening to each pile. Try to keep trades even between the piles, so that the “stay” pile doesn’t keep growing.
3. Sort them out yourself.
I’m not too fond of this option personally – I like my kids to be involved in the decision. Sometimes it’s necessary when the piles of unused toys get too extreme and you aren’t getting any cooperation on getting rid of toys.
If you do this, be prepared for some anger when missing toys get noticed. Kids can come up with a reason why any toy, no matter how neglected, was important. It may help to discreetly store toys taken this way for a time before sending to your local thrift store. This allows for any serious mistakes to be corrected. Or you can be firm about the matter and point out how many other toys are still all over the house.
However you go about it, make sure your kids see you giving up things as well. Children shouldn’t feel as though they’re the only ones having to give things up for others.
Tags: charity, declutter, donations, give away old toys, give to charity, reuse
How Do You Limit Your Environmental Impact at Christmas?
Dec 11, 2010 Going Green
If there’s one problem with Christmastime, it’s the consumer feeding frenzy that happens every year. So much waste, and it’s hard to not get into it at least a little bit. Most families have a lot of Christmas traditions that are difficult to change and too much fun to easily opt out of.
How can you adapt your habits at Christmastime to limit the impact you put on the environment?
1. Talk it over with family.
Have a discussion with your family about changes you’d like to make and why. Try to make handmade, reused and Fair Trade gifts
My kids are getting a stack of books from our local $1 bookstore this year. They’re all used books, but in good condition. For about the price of one or two new books for each, they’re getting a bunch of books. I call that a good deal.
Trees and seeds are good gifts for those who enjoy gardening. Find out what they’d like to grow and which varieties grow well in their area. A good fruit tree is a gift that will keep on giving for years.
2. Limit spending on gifts.
There are a few ways to go about this. You can set a price limit and still all shop for the same people, or you can draw names and pool the total value given in gifts per person.
Between my sisters and I, we have an agreement on how much each of us contributes toward gifts. It’s approximate, as no money actually changes hands. Instead, names are drawn and gift values assigned to each name. Each person shops for the people they drew.
This cuts down a lot on shopping time and on the buying of obnoxious knickknacks. You can find out what the person actually wants, and it might be in the budget.
3. Reuse gift bags.
This one drives some people nuts, but it’s why I don’t like to use wrapping paper. Gift bags are very reusable if you treat them well. I keep quite a stash of them for whenever I need to give a gift.
Alternatively, use a reusable shopping bag as a gift bag. Make it a part of the gift.
4. Go easy on the lights.
Holiday light displays are beautiful, there’s no doubt about it. We’re planning a walk around our neighborhood soon to see all the holiday lights on display – my youngest just about plasters herself to the windows at night when she notices all the pretty lights outside right now.
The only problem with holiday light displays is how much energy they use. It adds a lot to your power bill, and most power generation isn’t exactly clean. Then light strands break down over time and have to be replaced. That part isn’t so pretty.
If you’re going to have holiday lights, go for LED
5. Think your travel through.
The holiday season is a time to visit and enjoy being with family. If you live away from your extended family, it’s common to take a trip and go visit.
Kind of a pity about the pollution created.
Choosing the most effective and environmentally friendly form of transportation is a balancing act. A big part is how far you have to go. If you’re only a couple hours away, a car may be your one option. If you’re cross country, you may not be able to afford the time a car or train takes to cover that distance.
There are options to traveling. You can talk on the phone, of course. If both sides have a webcam
6. Think about the food.
Holiday food, oh, the holiday food! It’s no wonder many people gain weight over the holidays. There’s too much good food available this time of year at the various parties and other events you may attend.
For your own health, overeating is a bad idea, although the occasional indulgence isn’t that terrible for your health at all.
When you’re preparing food, think about where it comes from. You may not be able to get much fresh, local produce this time of year, depending on where you live, unless it was grown in a greenhouse. You can try to get organic produce. You can get free range turkey or other meats that have been treated better than the usual factory farmed stuff.
Sweet treats are the big challenge. Look for bakeries that use healthier ingredients and avoid HFCS you can buy Fair Trade candies
7. Think about your tree.
We have an artificial tree. Not as pretty as a real tree, but we’ve had it for a number of years now and intend to keep on using it for many more. My mother has had the same artificial tree as far back as I can remember, and it’s still going strong.
If you go artificial, that’s the thing to remember, to commit to keeping it a long time. Don’t just throw it out because you want a real tree from then on. Find someone who does want it if you’re done with it.
If you go for a real tree, make sure it was sustainably farmed. A good tree farm replants every year. Don’t flock your real tree, as that makes it unrecycleable. Do make sure that your real tree gets recycled in whatever way is available in your local area. Many communities have places where you can drop off your real trees at the end of the season.
8. Remember your reason for the season.
Whatever holiday you’re celebrating, whatever the reason, keep it in mind as you prepare for it. There’s no religion anywhere that demands the consumer frenzy that has become so common at this time of year.
Do you have any special ways you limit your family’s impact at this time of year?
Tags: christmas, environmental impact, gifts, holidays, shopping
Women Shouldn’t Breastfeed Where?
Aug 19, 2010 Going Green
It amazes me how shocked some people get about the idea of breastfeeding in public. Until fairly recent times, mothers had no other choice. They did not just stay home when they had a baby, yet that’s what some people think mothers should do now if they aren’t willing to give their baby a bottle.
I came across this article about 9 Most Awkward Breastfeeding Situations via Mother Nature Network. The situations and reasoning they have are pretty ridiculous from my perspective.
Don’t breastfeed in church? I like my mother’s description: Feeding God’s creation in God’s house in God’s way. Where does that go wrong exactly?
There’s an article on the subject linked to the gallery on this one. It’s not as bad as the gallery, but some of the comments are depressing, especially the ones who think that women nurse in public to get attention.
No… and if you think you only ever see women nursing in public by flopping her breasts out for all to see, you’re probably right.
They’re the only ones you see. The rest are so discreet you don’t notice them at all. And there are more of them.
Nursing in public is not done to get attention. It’s not sexual. It’s nothing like urinating, defecating or having sex in public. It’s feeding a baby. Not so different from feeding oneself, except baby’s food comes directly from the mother’s breast.
No, it’s not always discreet. Babies don’t always allow that. They pull off randomly. As they get older they move the mother’s clothing around. They don’t all tolerate a nursing cover, nor should they be expected to. It gets hot under those things, and the ability to have eye contact with their mother as they nurse is a big thing for babies.
I truly detest the notion that moms should just stay at home with their babies. It’s usually stated as being in the baby’s best interest, but it isn’t. It’s isolating to the mother and child. It’s also impossible in many cases, such as when the mother needs to run errands. And there’s no reason to expect any human being to be chained to their home 24/7 just because they’re caring for another human being. We all have the right to a social life.
That said, I’ll agree that when possible sick babies should be kept at home. It’s not always possible, and most moms try their best.
Of course, if a mother were to refuse to breastfeed in public and doesn’t carry bottles of either pumped breastmilk or formula, then she’ll be criticized for having a hungry, screaming baby. Breastfeeding is much pleasanter for all. If the mother gets a little exposed, you only need to look away. It takes more effort to get away from the screams of a hungry baby.
Breastfeeding in public has allowed me to take my kids when each was a baby on airplanes and not disturb the other passengers. They just nursed through takeoff and landing, and didn’t need to cry at all. I’d call that a win even for anyone sitting close enough to realize what I was doing, although usually I’d be traveling with enough family that no strangers would be right by me.
Breastfeeding in public has allowed me to run errands even when my babies were small and nursed more frequently. It’s great for soothing babies who would otherwise be screaming as I tried to get things done out of the house. A full tummy solves many problems when you’re that young.
Breastfeeding in public has allowed me to participate in church services. It has allowed me to enjoy a good meal out with friends and family.
I won’t say I flaunt anything, as I try to keep things covered, but do people sometimes see a bit more than they would if I weren’t breastfeeding? Absolutely. You can’t control a baby that perfectly. They wiggle, move and play. They pull clothing aside. They remove covers.
I can limit that and do, but there’s only so much to be done for it. I’m not a mind reader, so there’s no way to know in advance that baby’s going to pop off at a particular instant despite suckling strongly just a moment before.
Moms, don’t let articles and commenters get you down about where you breastfeed. Most states acknowledge your rights to breastfeed your baby any place you’re allowed to be.
Tags: baby, breastfeeding, nursing in public
Does Buying Eco Friendly Clothing Really Help the Environment?
Aug 9, 2010 Going Green
Choosing eco friendly clothes is a common piece of advice for families who are trying to go green. Clothing is something we all need, and with kids in the house, new clothes are needed pretty often. Wondering if your shopping habits are really making a difference isn’t a bad thing; it just shows that you’re really thinking about the impact you’re having/
What Is Eco Friendly Clothing?
The first thing you need to figure out is just what is meant by eco friendly when it comes to clothing. Clothes made from organic cotton come easily to mind for most of us. Bamboo is a popular material now. But to really get into eco friendly clothes, you need to go beyond the simple categories.
Handmedown clothes are eco friendly. You’re reusing clothes that someone else was done with.
Clothes bought at thrift stores are eco friendly. Same deal as with handmedowns.
The clothes you have in your closet aren’t going to get any more un-eco friendly, so long as you care for them in environmentally friendly ways.
That’s important to remember. Going green is not all about shopping.
Worrying about whether the materials used to make the clothes matters most when you’re buying new. That’s when you get into organic cotton and other such materials. They matter most when the materials used are new to your purchase.
Does Buying Organic Cotton Clothes Make a Difference?
You can feel as though the difference in how your clothes are produced is a small issue, environmentally speaking. We’re so far removed from where the cotton is grown and processed that it’s easy to miss the harms.
Tremendous amounts of fertilizers and pesticides are used on conventionally grown cotton. This is bad for the land it’s grown on and for the lakes, rivers and oceans the excess water may runoff to. There’s a good post over on The Good Human called What’s So Bad About Non-Organic Cotton? that explains the situation well.
Buying organic cotton also means you’re supporting farmers who aren’t using so many potentially dangerous chemicals.
Clothes made from bamboo, even organic bamboo, are a bit more complex. Most bamboo cloth is chemically processed. Some of these chemicals are hard on the environment and on the workers using them. This processing turns it into a viscose or rayon fiber. It’s not as natural as many want you to think.
Overall, if you want to help the environment through the clothes you wear, really think about where they’re coming from, and don’t go for the huge wardrobe. Reduce how much you buy new, buy used when you can, and pay attention to how the new clothes are made. That’s the best way to limit the impact your clothes shopping has on the environment.
Site to try:
Tags: clothes, green shopping, organic cotton, shopping, thrift stores
How Careful Should Green Bloggers Be?
Jun 30, 2010 Going Green
It’s interesting blogging about living an eco friendly lifestyle. There’s a lot to talk about, even if some days inspiration is hard to come by. There are often news stories to think about commenting on, products to be reviewed or recommended, and lots of tips to give.
One of the challenges, as with any kind of blogging, is keeping things accurate.
One of the challenges is keeping things accurate.
This isn’t always an easy thing to do. Anyone can make a mistake, and sometimes you aren’t given all of the information you need to be as accurate as you would like to be.
Are You Checking Your Resources?
When you blog, you should be paying attention to where you’re getting your information from, whether it’s information on a sample a company sent you to review that they say is green, or something interesting in the news. You aren’t doing your job if you aren’t trying to be accurate.
Companies greenwash products regularly
This isn’t always easy. Companies greenwash products regularly (PDF), using vaguely environmentally friendly terms that aren’t regulated to describe them. You can’t always get enough information about how a product is made to be absolutely certain it is what it says it is.
When you report on a news story in a green blog, choosing the right resources matters. You aren’t often going to be a firsthand witness, and even if you are, odds are good that you will need some help explaining exactly what happened and what it means for the environment.
There’s nothing wrong with reporting more than one side of the story and adding in your own perspective when you’re a blogger. Blogging usually is about one’s own view of things. But start with a source that gives you whatever facts are available.
Don’t Review Just Anything
Many companies will offer green bloggers completely inappropriate products for review. Sometimes you can really tell that they just want the product name out there, they don’t care how it happens.
I suggest a couple of basic rules for products.
First, if it’s clearly not eco friendly, think if you want to bother. Sure, you can criticize it, but is the product you need something sent out to you to do that? That could just be a waste.
Don’t be afraid to give a negative review.
Second, don’t be afraid to give a negative review, even for eco friendly products. No one likes everything. The more honest you are in your product reviews, the more readers will trust you when you do like a product.
Third, do consider if you really want to review products just for the price of being given the product for free. There are a few perspectives on this, from the point that magazines get free products to review regularly to the point that you’re running a business and your review can be seen as a service to the business, something you should be compensated for. Whatever you do, be upfront about any compensation, including free product you receive, when you do your reviews.
Admit Your Mistakes
We’re all human. Mistakes happen. Admitting a mistake isn’t unprofessional… to the contrary.
Use any mistakes you make as a lesson to your readers. Discuss how the mistake was made and how you can avoid it in the future. It will be good for you and your readers.
Tags: blogging, green bloggers
