Natural living mamas (original) (raw)
Coffee? Anyone?
Sep. 13th, 2008 | 02:08 pm
posted by: 
serenitysoars in 
green_mamas
I just gave up coffee. Hence my thinking about it instead of drinking it.
I tried as much as I could to buy organic fairly traded coffee for home. It's superior in smell and flavor, and it's nice to know my daily addiction wasn't exploiting anyone. But, I just put the coffee maker away because I drink too much. I thought I'd switch to just having coffee when I'm out, but that got me thinking about the fact that I never really looked for the same standards 'out' that I set at home. Second Cup is my favourite chain, but I go to Tim Horton's (Tim's is Canadian) and Starbucks too. I never pressed all that much to make sure that the procedures were ethical or environmentally friendly.
How about you?
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dishwashing substitute
Aug. 30th, 2008 | 01:46 pm
posted by: amethystrse in green_mamas
Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone knew of an alternative for dishwashing soap. I'm almost out of Palmolive. I've been going more and more green and natural but am taking baby steps. Basically as I run out of something I replace it with a greener alternative.
So now it's the dish detergent. Any ideas/suggestions? I know vinegar is good for cleaning. Does it work well with dishes? Should I add lemon juice for those stubborn plates? Something else?
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Questions
Jun. 22nd, 2008 | 01:35 pm
posted by: lady_ashe in green_mamas
Ok, so I can build up a resource list for our members, and anyone who wants it, what are your favorite methods for living green? What products do you use around the house (like Seventh Generation, Method, etc)? Have you tried Clorox new Green line? I haven't yet, but am curious to know what others think of it.
What food items do you think it's worth buying organic on, what do you think you can skip it on if you don't have the money? Do you spend the money to buy organic cotton clothes? Where do you shop for clothes? Do you favor hand-made items from places like Etsy? Do you avoid shopping at places that you know use sweatshops and other less-kind practices (Old Navy, Gap, etc)? Do you avoid buying new, and prefer to shop at consignment stores, thrift stores, and the like?
Any advice you would give to someone new to green living?
I'll add to this as I think of it.
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Hello!
Jun. 19th, 2008 | 08:58 pm
posted by: amethystrse in green_mamas
Hello everyone. I'm new here. I'm a 30 yr old mamma to two living in New York.
I've been slowly transitioning to being more green over the years but lately it's sort of taken a huge leap. I breastfed (though had problems with my son and only was able to nurse him for a week. With my daughter it was for 5 months before I HAD to go on medication). I used cloth diapers with my daughter. I try to buy organic whenever possible. A few months ago I started using natural cleansers in our home (though I may just use baking soda and vinegar when those are done). I've also recently started using henna to dye my hair and have natural soap and shampoo bar which I LOVE. I just ordered deodorant from http://www.terressentials.com/ which I learned about today and have decided is one of the best companies I have found to date.
I used to be a raw vegan and am transitioning back to that. My children eat mostly fruits and veggies. My husband and my son eat meat but it seems my daughter doesn't like it very much (YAY). I buy organic whenever I can afford it.
I would like to one day be totally chemical free, or as close to it as you can get. I just learned that you can get a filter to hook up to your water line that goes to your house so you don't get all those aweful chemicals in your tap water. I don't know much about it but I want to get it!
Ofcourse I recycle. I don't compost yet but plan to when we finally buy our own house. I also use a mooncup (UK) instead of pads and LOVE it.
There is so much more I plan to do but because of finances I can only do a little at a time. Though lately I've been doing more than I ever have and I'm very happy about it. At first the thought of going so green/natural/chemical free would be difficult and that I would have to sacrifice a lot. But I'm learning that natural is better in more ways than one. Better for the environment, better for our bodies, and I'm finding that many natural products are just better quality.
I'm happy to be here and hope to learn a lot from those of you with more experience!
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Hi there!
Jun. 13th, 2008 | 05:14 pm
posted by: spook_n_run in green_mamas
Just thought I would introduce myself too!
I'm a 32-year-old mom of one boy. He's 13 months and *this close* to walking! He's also our "sucker baby"--a baby who is so good and easy that he makes you want more! How true it is!!! We'll be starting on #2 by the end of this summer! We're planning a HBAC! (we want three total) We're sure the next one will be a hellion! ;-)
I've been a vegetarian (lacto-ovo) for 16 years. My DH is not and neither is the baby (I'll let that be his decision, but he hasn't had red meat at all yet), but I try to buy as much organic & free-range meat for them as possible. My son is still BF morning and night--never had formula!! So much saved! We use cloth produce and grocery bags and I even do all my non-food shopping with my Envirosax ("I don't need a bag, thanks!") Oh, and I LOVE my Sigg bottles and I cringe when I see people buying cases of bottled water--ARGH!!
I work in gov't but my husband works in the energy industry as the director of a carbon management division of an energy consulting firm--his clients are the big bads, but they've hired him to help them be greener! :-)
We recycle EVERYTHING we can, compost, use all CFLs and are getting ready to switch exclusively to CD! I just need the go-ahead from daycare that we can do it there and I will never buy one of those giant packs of Pampers again--woo hoo!!
We have a cleaning service and use Maid Brigade because they are certified Green Cleaners--safe, clean floors for my son to crawl on!
I even take our dry cleaner hangers back to get re-used! ;-)
I go to Starbucks, but not without my "personal mug"--10 cents off!
We live just outside DC, which is a fast-paced, busy, me-me-me place to be. We're trying to do our part! In this area, we are definitely going above and beyond and I know people think we are pretty extreme, but that's the attitude of this area, unfortunately. I have gotten people at work more into recycling at least, and my husband has voluntarily headed up a sustainability program for his office!
Happy Friday!
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Hi and welcome!
Jun. 11th, 2008 | 10:52 pm
posted by: lady_ashe in green_mamas
I see that we have some members. I'm feeling beyond guilty that I haven't posted sooner.
I am very much crunchy in spirit, if not in all actions. Although, it appears that my attempts at a crunchy life are going to get easier in the near future. :)
I'm 30, married to a wonderful man that might actually manage to put up with me for the rest of our natural lives. I have three kids, my oldest (9 y/o boy) was recently diagnosed as either high functioning autistic or Asperger's, my middle is my 6 y/o daughter who is our little gothic cheerleader, and my 4 y/o son who we're not sure but what he's also either Aspy, severely adhd, or possibly bipolar. Add to their health/special needs, we have MY stuff. I have been diagnosed with adult adhd, ptsd, asthma, chronic migraines, fibromyalgia and endometriosis, among other things. So, with all of these health issues, adding as few chemicals to our bodies as possible is important to me.
We are also a pagan family. Well, at least my husband and I are. I'm trying to teach my children about my path as best I can, but my parents live with us as well, and my mother is not the most accomidating of things she doesn't agree with. Again, it looks as tho that may be fixed in the near future.
I firmly believe in attachment parenting, not spanking, and living as eco-consciously as possible. I prefer natural treatments for our health if at all possible, but am still relying on traditional Western medicine for the moment, until we can start making the needed changes.
I'd love to meet other moms who have similar ideals to mine. Oh, I forgot to mention that I live near Seattle.
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Green mama
May. 5th, 2008 | 10:51 am
mood: 
awake
posted by: lady_ashe in green_mamas
Hi! I'm DiAnna, and I'm a fledgling Green Mama. I'm trying to live a greener life, for the sake of my health and my family's, but also for the sake of our planet.
I'm a 30 year old mom of three. I'm married to a wonderful husband who isn't as green as I'd like, but we're getting there. My parents live with us, and my mom is occasionally supportive, and tries to choose the greener options on things.
I'm looking forward to making some new friends here.