Don't Hate Me Because I'm (not) Green

[I've moved to http://milkandhoneymommy.com/. Please visit me there!]


I love good conversation, but I don’t always initiate. I also love to argue, but I’m not antagonistic. I do sometimes wonder why I never became a lawyer, but remember that I don’t hold them in high regard (I guess until I need one). Good conversation and an interesting debate were had between Nature Mom and Green and Clean Mom last week. I enjoyed reading the posts and also gained a new comfort level in where I fit in all of the “greenness” that is going on online and offline. The conversation was very opinionated, became a little heated, and then ended quite friendly because in the blogging world we agree and disagree, but at the end of the day it’s opinions that are the life-blood of the blogging world. If there were no opinions, there would be no need to blog. We would all agree and spend our days basking in the sun as it shined all day long.

If you are going to blog, then be prepared for someone to disagree with or question you and get over it (checking the thickness of my skin). Living more green and natural isn’t a religion for me because I have another religion (I thank God), but rather a way of life. I’m not disciplined enough to say that I walk above the green line wearing a crown nor do I ignore an opportunity to be a little more green and natural. I’ve figured that “I’m alright.” I’m not the greenest of green because I’m still learning and thanks to my fellow bloggers, I get some great information, learn of valuable resources, learn from personal experiences, and read opinions that offer the opportunity to consider (or not) another path on this green and natural journey. As far as green goes, for now, here I am, I know where I want to go, why I’m going there, and how far I want to go (at least I think I do).

So, this is where I am now. If you check with me in six (6) months, then maybe something will have changed. Until then, "Don’t Hate Me Because I’m (not) Green."

1. I love long hot showers, but I wash my clothes in cold water.
2. I drive an SUV, but I go to town/drive usually only two days a week because I schedule to save gas, time, and money. Also, the SUV is a perfect size for our large family and everything that comes with one.
3. I love buying a bright, shiny, new book to read, but I've reduced my magazine subscriptions from four to one and our library cards are used frequently every month.
4. I use probably more toilet paper than I should (Is this a women thing?), but I have tremendously reduced the amount of paper towels we use, which I buy recycled.
5. I will wash a piece of clothing in a minute, but wash large loads and use natural and non-toxic cleaners.
6. I still occasionally buy bottled water, but use well and filtered water when at home and will finally be buying reusable, BPA free containers next week. Don’t ask me why it took so long. Also, we recycle the bottles because I am determined to buy me a Cagoule hat.
7. I leave my computer on ALL DAY (please be kind), but don’t watch a lot of television and do listen to a lot of radio.
8. I still use conventional feminine products, but Nature Mom has made me curious enough to look into trying alternatives to disposables which I may actually do. I never knew of such until I read it there. See, I'm learning.
9. I, like Green and Clean Mom, have a child who has Asthma, which requires Albuterol treatments, but have found natural alternatives resulting in, I believe, a healthier child. Having been in the trenches a little longer has provided opportunity to find out what works best for him. I was determined for my son to not go the route of “daily, doctor prescribed medication.“ Instead, treatments are required only a few times a year. Green and Clean Mom, continue your search until you find natural alternatives that work best for your daughter.
10. My husband enjoys using his John Deere riding lawn mower (and I love the look and smell of freshly cut grass), but on occasion, he uses his manual lawn mower to get a good workout. With the amount of grass, it's definitely a work-out.

If you still want to measure my “greeness” on a scale, then feel free. I won’t be offended because this is how I’m going green and natural and regardless of what anyone else says, because this is my personal journey. I’m glad to have my fellow bloggers, people who agree and disagree, and others who are too learning their way, along for the ride.

I am going to tag three fellow bloggers (Nature Mom, Green and Clean Mom, and New Green Mama) to see if they will share with us, at least ten (10) ways they are still challenged to be green, but what they have also accomplished on their personal journey. Through their responses, you will learn that we are all on different levels (“different shades of green” as Green and Clean Mom would say), going green for different reasons, but are commited to making a positive difference.

Recycling Center Adventures

We had a pretty exciting day at the recycling center. I wanted to go to a dedicated recycling center, but the two closest ones were out of business. Can you imagine in a time like this? Anyway, you can always rely on your city waste company to be there ready to take your garbage. This was a new experience for my children. In my single years, going to a recycling center was a great way to get a few dollars for spending change. I had no clue about the environmental impact.


I was proud of the items we put together to take. Hey, we were going to make a difference and every little bit counts. The center is on our way to town making it convenient to include it in our weekly errands. This waste/recycling center is the cleanest (also no foul smell) dump I’ve ever gone to. I have been to a waste center where you had to step on other people’s garbage just to dump what you had. It was beyond gross.



I had great helpers with the distribution into the correct containers; clear glass, glass with color, plastics, newspaper and paper. There were so many bins, but very well organized. When I saw the people, who looked like regular recyclers, come in with their truck load of goods, our few boxes of recyclables seemed so trifling. Regardless, our items are going to be reused and made into something FANTASTIC! You just wait and see.

Here are some of the sights we saw. I thought these stacks of aluminum cans were so cool. We didn’t earn any money, but we gained an experience. The children had some fun and learned the importance of recycling, whenever possible, regardless of the amount.







The process of recycling involves a little more than placing it curbside or taking it to a center. Whether you’re starting a program in a community location or your home, there are a few things to consider before you start.

#1 All things are not recycled equally.
Items that can be recycled range from the overused paper towel to that hard to put down cell phone. It is amazing how many times a material can be used if recycled. Going from “you are what you eat,” to “you wear what you eat – or what your food comes in” is an example of how some of these recycled items are being used.



Most residential recycling programs include the following common items: plastic bottles, glass, paper products, and aluminum cans. You are not limited to these items, but they are a few good ones to start with in your program, especially if you are new to the “practice” of recycling. So, decide what items you are going to recycle and work from there. If you’re adventurous and these items are not exciting enough for starting your program (rubber and scrap metal may be your style), then check with your local recycling center to see what other items they accept. The idea is to recycle and not become the neighborhood junkyard.

#2 A successful recycling program takes some effort.
As with most successful programs, the “dirty” work behind the scenes is often forgotten. When you recycle, you have to take on a “new way of thinking.” No, this is not cult indoctrination. You have to stop doing what is EASY (open – use – toss into garbage) and actually take the time to THINK before tossing, to rinse (in some instances), and then sort with like, other recyclables. I was amazed at how quickly I reached for the garbage can after emptying a can, jar, or yogurt container. After I got my rhythm going, I had a nice little collection going on my kitchen counter which brings me to the next point.

#3 Designate a recycling area with proper containers.
Setting up your recycling area with the proper containers is important because you don’t want your program to take over your home and you also want to be able to accommodate your efforts. Our “holding area” started around our kitchen island. After missing our weekly scheduled trip to the recycling center, our “recycling containers” (paper bags), took over creating a big trash section in our kitchen. Everything was moved to our already crowded garage. You guessed it. This weekend is going to be spent cleaning our garage and making a dedicated recycling area. I will probably use old boxes from Costco as containers.

#4 Breakdown, Bundle, Remove, Rinse, and Stomp, then Sort
Prepare your recyclables before going to the center or placing curbside. All cardboard boxes should be broken down and flattened (not stomped on to flatten), newspapers bundled, bottle caps removed from plastic bottles, food containers rinsed, and aluminum cans flattened or stomped (kids love to do this). Save the bottle caps because some places are able to use them. After preparing your recyclables, sort them into the proper containers. Sorting before going to the center will save you time and can make the process run more smoothly.

#5 Maintain your recycling area.
Water bottles are probably the safest item to have hanging around after use. What I mean by this is, there is less of an attraction for creatures. I don’t like bugs of any sort. Be sure to rinse any food containers right after emptying. This will reduce the potential for attracting bugs or pet curiosity, properly prepare your recyclables for the center (empty and clean is preferred for food containers – glass, etc.), and create a cleaner environment (less smelly in the car too if you don’t have curbside pick-up) until your weekly garbage pick-up or center visit.

Something I also noticed during the first week of recycling. Our garbage can was a lighter load. It is pretty cool knowing that we’re sending less to landfills and contributing to product creativity. You may see me wearing one of these stylish fleece hats this fall which are made out of recycled plastic bottles. We may have drunk from some of the bottles that made those hats.