Welcome to the January 2014 Natural Living Blog Carnival: Starting the New Year Off Green.
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Natural Living Blog Carnival hosted by Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project through the Green Moms Network. This month, our members are reflecting on the successes they had from last year, and setting goals for themselves this year. Check out all of the posts to get ideas on how you can start your New Year off green!
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Looking for some inspiration on taking your green living aspirations up a notch? You've come to the right place. And that's not because I have all the answers you're looking for. It just might be because someone else in the links below does! I'm so happy to be part of this natural living blog carnival with other like-minded bloggers who are trying to live greener and healthier lives just like me. Let me tell you, their blogs are well worth the follow! Especially during this carnival. So grab a cup of whatever it is you like to drink and sit down to spend some time with us. After all, that's what we're here for! Every year, I learn more about living a greener and healthier life. 2013 was no exception, although I must admit, sometimes the months and years blend together and I don't really know when I started doing one thing or stopped doing another.
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| Wireless Router Image by Peter Griffin |
For the most part, 2013 was a year focused on electronics. I read articles on the potential dangers of cell phones, tablets, laptops... even cordless telephones. I started turning the wireless off on my phone when I went to bed. I would do the same with my wireless router, except it's in the basement and with my fibromyalgia, I have trouble doing the steps, so it remains on all the time. Not that I'm happy about that. I really am concerned about how much my family is exposed to the wireless signals all around us. It's frightening.
But more frightening to me, is the exposure of this kind of radiation for my grandchildren, whose tender, developing brains are more susceptible to the dangers. That's why I dedicated several posts in 2013 to trying to limit the amount of time spent playing on/learning from electronic devices. I simply don't think it's safe and many, many experts say it's not good for the kids developmentally.
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| The iPotty by CTA Digital |
That's why I ranted about the iPotty and Fisher-Price's Newborn to Toddler Apptivity Seat. So while 2009 started off with cloth diapering as its theme, 2013 was definitely about electronics. But I also implemented some changes to my routine, most notably, I stopped dying my hair. It was the one thing I was still doing in my beauty routine that wasn't good for me or the environment, even though I did try to buy "safer" hair coloring. Going gray has been an adjustment for me, and I can't promise I'll follow through with this in this current year. Sometimes I like it, and sometimes it just makes me look and feel old.
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| Image by Marina Shemesh |
So, what's ahead in 2014? I'm planning on washing my clothing less often. I read recently that, unless they are visibly dirty or stained, we really don't need to launder our clothing as much as we've grown accustomed to doing. By simply hanging our worn garments out in the fresh air for a couple hours, they are good to go the next time we want to wear them. Makes sense. So, I'll be saving water and energy by doing fewer loads and making sure the machine is full before I hit the start button.
While I am pretty good at unplugging many things, like my chargers, the toaster, microwave, etc., this year I'd like to install more power strips that will simplify the process for more items, like the television and lights that are rarely used. After all, whatever is plugged in is sucking up electricity, even if it's off.
I also plan to limit the amount of baths I take. I love long, hot baths. The problem is, it takes energy to heat all that water, plus, I have an electric heater running the whole time I'm in the tub (which is generally over an hour). Not cool. So I'm going to save water, gas, and electricity simply by choosing to bathe less.
Those are some of my goals. What about yours? Did you start the year with any green resolutions? If so, I'd love to hear about them.
Keeping it green in the new year,
I have a lot of gray and continue to dye my hair. I'm just not ready yet to let that go.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on reducing our laundry, too. That's going to be a challenge with 5 kids! My dd7 puts her jammies in the wash every single morning, no matter what I say. I thought if they put their jammies in when we washed the sheets weekly, I could get the kids on board.
Great idea, Barb. Or just wash the jammies once a week anyway and if she's without... oh well. She'll probably change her ways. Good luck!
DeleteIsn't it interesting how all these 'going green' resolutions can also save you green as well?
ReplyDeleteI certainly need to be better at unplugging things when not in use...I do this with kitchen appliance but never even think about chargers, etc...we do have the power strip that will turn everything completely off when whatever is in the main outlet...works great for my six year old...only have to make sure he turns off the one thing! Whew!
I have to say too, I was shocked when I saw that Fisher Price seat--- crazy to think of an infant being sat in front of the ipad like that...not to say that my kids don't get their fair share of technology, but not at the age for which that seat in intended. However, coming from a standpoint of someone with a special needs child, technology for children does certainly have its place...there are a lot of great tools for kiddos like my son with Autism teaching them communication, etc...and even used as a form of communication for those who are nonverbal...but it's all a matter of how they're being used :)
Best of luck with your resolutions this year, they all sound wonderful, and will definitely be taken them into consideration myself :)
Thanks, Randi! I agree it has it's place, but not with a newborn or a potty-training toddler... at least not while he's sitting on the potty!
DeleteThis year I really want to focus on making more of our personal care products. But I also want to slow down and be more mindful in my daily life. Time goes by way to fast when you have little kids!
ReplyDeleteAmen to that, Chrystal. My "baby" is going to be 30 this year. It does indeed go by entirely too fast.
DeleteOooo electronics! That's a great focus! This year most of my green goals are health/food based like drinking ACV and getting more exercise.
ReplyDeleteYea for ACV! Just had my morning cocktail a little while ago! I need to commit to exercise this year, too. There is a treadmill in the basement waiting to be set up and I plan to listen to audio books as motivation. I can't wait to challenge myself with "one more chapter."
DeleteI've got some gray hairs coming in, and I intend to fly that flag proudly: ready for my Second Spring! (besides, as Randi points out, it's friendlier on my pocket book that way).
ReplyDeleteI got one of those nifty power strips for CelloDad's computing setup (he has a home office), it makes it so easy to cut the power to everything on the desk.
I have a really nice one in my new den. When I turn off the television, everything else shuts down, except the things on the "always on" outlets, like the clock. It's a really nifty little device.
DeleteI stopped dying my hair about 7 years ago and just embraced the gray. Luckily, mine comes in well and evenly.
ReplyDeleteI just don't like the washed-out look for my complexion. But for now, I'll go with it.
DeleteI'm just starting to get a few grays, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it. I'm okay with it now, but I reserve the right to change my mind later on! About the laundry, I'm always under a mountain it seems, with 2 kids, cloth diapers, etc. Good point about airing out clothes! I've been doing that for years, but I think I need to get the rest of the family on board.
ReplyDeleteI remember my mother getting so angry with me when I was a teenager because I'd try on clothes before school and then discard them onto the floor or bed. When I went to put them away later, they would be wrinkled, so I'd throw them in the hamper. Time and time again. Yikes!
DeleteGood for you, Green Grandma! It is critically important to reduce exposure to wifi and radiation. What happened to playing outdoors like we did as kids? Too many young bodies are overexposed to these dangers--in addition to adults. As a blogger, I must admit that computer, phone and tablet usage is a tool of the trade, but I am taking to try to unplug, turn off wifi and decrease cell phone usage this year. I feel good about my other green areas like shopping locally, eating organic, recycling, repurposing, donating, bartering and making natural cleaners and body care products. Wishing you all the best in 2014!
ReplyDelete