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,
