{Motivation Monday} 5 Modern products to help you go Green

completely un-related picture of a visitor in my garden

{I am incapable of posting a blog entry without including a picture!}

The "green" movement is often known for emphasizing ideas such as "returning to basics" and doing things the way our grandparents would have. And while I absolutely support the idea that newer does not always mean better, I also believe that people will not take steps toward being green if the supplies are not readily available, moderately convenient to use, priced appropriately and actually work. Here are my top 5 items that are either already in your home or inexpensive to purchase:

1. Dishwasher: Of all of the water your home consumes, it is estimated that 20% of is in used in your kitchen. This is one modern machine that actually helps you consume less water and energy than old-fashioned handwashing: according to a recent study, a modern dishwasher can use one-half the energy, a sixth of the water and even less soap than rolling your sleeves up and getting your hands wet. Of course, the same rule applies to dishwashers as the washing machine-always use when running full loads to maximize the effectiveness.

2. Microfiber towels: I will say from the beginning that this one could be controversial. Microfiber is not a natural fiber and the the fibers that do make up microfiber are produced from petroleum: a non-renewable and non-biodegrable resource. However, the life length of a microfiber towel is extremely long making the need to continually purchase new cleaning products almost obsolete. In one study, the life of a microfiber mop is almost 10 times that of a traditional cotton mop and are proven more effective at removing not only dust/dirt but allergens and bacteria! Microfiber towels are so effective at cleaning that almost remove the need to use a cleaning agent and replace displosable dusting devices such as a Swiffer (for floors or furniture.) Lastly, microfiber towels are proven to use less water and energy to clean after using them. While they are not ideal, they are a very cheap way to get a long lasting product that helps you get effective, chemical-free cleaning done in your home.

3. Steam cleaner: More and more steamer cleaners (like this floor-cleaning one from Bissell or this complete home-cleaning version from Shark) are coming onto the market place. With more competition, the prices of these products are becoming more affordable. For people who live in areas with very hard water or other cleaning issues that discourage them away from natural cleaning products, switching to a chemical-free steam cleaner can keep their homes and the envinronment clean.

4. Water Filter: Filtered and bottled water is still very popular, even among my eco-friendly friends. Whether you are motivated by the convenience or concerns about pharmaceuticals in our water supply, a water filtering system along with a BPA-free water bottle can make heading to work with your morning dose of H2O convenient and clean. It is estimated that the most common of filters, a Brita can replace between 300-750 standard sized water bottles (depending on whether you are using the filter picture or the faucet filter.) The filters are made with Number 5 plastic, which is not accepted by many recycling locations however, Brita has drop-off recycling locations (or a mail-in option) for their filters.

5. The Internet: This one if not something you physically use around the house but the green possibilities that exist online are endless. Besides being a wealth of knowledge about green living, you can save countless trees (and often money) by recieving/paying bills online, opt out of paper catalogues and recieve sales/coupon notifications in your inbox instead, or read a book online instead of purchasing a physical paper copy. Of course, it is important to remember that computer usage does use energy so, if you are purchasing a new one, look at Energy Star certified models, utilize power saving modes, and watch your paper data output (think twice about whether you need to print those directions every time you Mapquest something!)

While we all can be challenged to do more, it is important to not get burnt out by ineffective efforts and products on your journey to a more sustainable way of life. Sharing what works for you and trying new ideas can make the difference in whether you continue your journey or not.
What modern-day inventions help keep you on track in your green efforts?

{Wordless Wednesday}

{You Capture} Fun

The pool is open for the summer.

Toes are getting wrinkled and little boys are learning to hold their breath under water.

And it is some major fun.

{You Capture Assignment: Fun}

This is the way we go to school...

Lately, my son has been obsessed with "going to school." He wants to ride on the school bus when it comes through the neighborhood and pretends to put on his "school backpack." Admitedly, some part of me is sad about this since I a) don't want him to want to leave me and b) I am not quite sure how I feel about what is going on behind the doors of most institutional schools these days.

The time has come where people have started to question on a regular basis when he will be starting preschool and, lately, I have been questioning what is best for our family, now and in the future. But, for the time being, we will keep learning on the table on the back porch {and the kitchen table, living room floor and in the garden dirt.}

We will make sure that we take time to have a little snack break together...

We will utilize the vast amount of resources around us to supplement the learning that simple play provides.

{I have compiled some of my favorite preschool learning resources below!}

We will use our hands to learn new skills...

{I found these lacing boards-2 in a set for $1 at Micheals!}

And {at the top of the importance list}, I will show my son that adults continue learning, no matter their age or circumstances.

{Sarah Vowell is my new favorite author and I am only a few chapters into this snarky look at the early American Puritans...according to reviews, this isn't even her best book but it is rocking my world!}

Favorite preschool learning resources:

Where we started:

Letter of the Day Prepatory Curriculum

for 2-4 years olds and literature based...this website has SEVERAL curriculum levels for older/most advanced kiddos. They even have activities, books, and ideas of super early learning with babies.

What we mostly utilize now:

Tot School Lap Books and Tot Trays

Lap Books are based on "unit learning": picking a theme your kid is interested in and learning different skills/subjects based on that theme. For example, we have done a lapbook unit on Big Trucks and Farm Animals, among others. We pick out library books that focus on the theme to read during the week (or longer, if the interest lasts.)

Tot trays are Montessori-inspired skill learning activities. If you have one near you, Micheals has a good supply of inexpensive supplies for tot trays and you can join their parent/teacher program (the Knack) and get extra coupons.

What we look forward to using:

Raising Rock Stars preschool program (Christian-based)

First School (not a program but has TONS of resources)

Lap book resources for older kids/themes

Sonlight Parent's Companion (literature based, non-scheduled preschool program)

A note on mainsteam resources: I tend to {strongly} dislike licensed characters (Disney Princesses, Dora/Diego, etc.) but mostly because I think they are over-marketed and I don't want to be asked to buy stuff every time I go to the store. However, I believe strongly that the best learning at this age is done through play. And, frankly, Nick Jr. and Disney employ some very smart educators and their websites offer some good, fun, educational resources.

Do you have any favorite early learning resources and programs? Do share!

a sweet smelling mess

Little hands brought me a gift of torn rose petals from the back yard this morning...


they are a little bit smashed and a bit of dirt is ground into the pale pink blossoms...

and they have never smelled so sweet...

Going up? Defining your Elevator Pitch

In the traditional suit-and-tie world, there is alot of emphasis on defining an "Elevator Pitch" for the business that you are in. An elevator pitch is simply a short, concise statement on who you are, what your business is (or what you want it to be if you are an entrepeneur) and why someone should "buy" into what you are selling (figuratively or literally.) The term is based on the idea that you walk onto an elevator and your perfect business financier/customer/etc. is taking the ride to the top floor with you. You have 1 minute to introduce and pitch your idea to Mr. or Mrs. I-Got-The-Money and what you say needs to be perfect. You have to show confidence and drive. You have to show that you have knowledge in your field. However, even the most confident and knowledgable person can get tongue-tied in such a high stress situation so preparing your pitch can make all the difference in the world. And I think you should start preparing your pitch!

But...I don't work in a traditional business setting...

But...I just sell stuff online as a little business...

But...I am "just" a stay-at-home mom...

Don't think that an elevator pitch is something you need? Think again. One of the biggest complaints I see when frequenting blogs/websites/forums that support things I believe in (for me, these are typically natural parenting, vegetarian, and green living sites but probably ring true for other places) is people having a really hard time at the negative response they get from the close friends and family around them. They end up responding defensively to the reaction to their change and either alienate themself or give up on their new changes. And having a good support system is one of the best predictors to success in all venues from weight loss to business. Your beloved grandmother can't understand your desire to use cloth diapers? Your family is totally retaliating against your choice to give up meat? Co-workers are completely sabatoging your weight-loss efforts? The other moms in the playgroup think you're loony for breast-feeding past a certain age? Just starting a home business and not quite sure how to respond when people ask what you do? Developing you "elevator pitch" to respond to the questions that come up in your life will prepare you with a good starting point to deal with your issues and changes.

So, how can you prepare the elevator pitch for what you believe in? These simple steps are a good start:

1) Start at the very beginning: what are you pitching? Is it your business? Is it a change you are making in your life (dietary changes, child-rearing choices, or new political/social/religious convictions, etc.)? Is it a life-choice you have already been living with but having struggled with explaining when asked about?

2) Define why it is you do what you do but understand why other people may choose to make the same choice. Your elevator pitch may literally be an introductory sales pitch for a product or service you offer. It may also be just a positive response to a question about your choices and behavior. It may be a little bit of both. For example, someone may ask why I use the no-shampoo method instead of using commerical hair products...knowing how to respond in a positive, non-judgemental way may prompt other questions about some other hippy-green things I do and lead to questions about sustainable living and my business products. While that person may not give up their Pantene, they may become interested in some other aspect of sustainable living and that, in the end, is a great starting point.

3) K.I.S.S.-Keep it Simple Stupid...remember this is a theoretical 1 minute elevator ride-not a 10 page thesis on your topic. In step 2, you thought about ALL the reasons someone may want to homeschool, go vegan, babywear, support your Etsy business (and knowing these reasons will help in the next step). But you most certainly don't want to share ALL your reasons at one time. You will come across as pushy, superior or crazy-none of which are good!

4) Know your audience. A good sales pitch is geared and molded to its audience. Don't use "industry" jargon or acronyms. Use facts if you are asked-assumptions, scare tactics or unfounded claims don't help you or your cause. Trying to get your mom to understand why you prefer to wrap your baby on your back in a huge piece of fabric instead of the expensive stroller system she got you? Talk about how fabulous cuddling on your baby is. Talk about how fantastic your baby's head control has become since she started getting carried around. It would NOT be a good idea to talk about how stroller babies are destined to be unattached unabombers living in a cabin in the woods with a flat head. Understand where your mom is coming from on the issue- maybe she couldn't afford a fancy stroller when she was a young mom and now she feels rejection after she went out of her way to give you something she felt that she missed out on. Open a discussion that is receptive and non-judgemental. However, you may not always have the luxury of knowing your audiences background when they ask why or where you stand on an issue. Which brings us to the next step...

5) Be positive and watch your words. Understand that sharing your most controversial or potentially offensive reason for doing something is not a good "sales" move. I whole-heartedly support handmade products and forums like Etsy that sells and promote the handmade movement. But using my one-minute pitch time to be negative about big-box stores and the evils of sweat shops is not the best use of my time. Sweat shops are most definitly evil but most people shop at big box stores (myself included at times) and to lump not shopping on Etsy and supporting slave labor conditions into the same catagory is apt to turn off even the most probable business supporter. I am not saying you should soften your position on certain subjects but it is always good to remember to not make your convictions into someone else's sin.

6) Practice makes perfect. Write down what you believe in. Put it up somewhere. Use it when asked. Or, in the case of approaching close friends/family about giving their support in your change endeavors or making proactive business contacts, practice with someone you holds similar ideas or you know supports you wholeheartedly. It will get easier to explain and providing yourself with the outlet to shareyour reasons for doing your thing will give you roots and make your change or behavior more likely to flourish.

Want to learn more? Design*Sponge's Biz Lady series has a great post on "the 30-second elevator pitch" which is (as she says and I agree!) a MUST READ for the small business folks! Simple Mom has a great series on how to Create a Family Mission Statement. Problogger shares some great ideas on writing an elevator pitch for your blog.

How do you deal with choices that you have made that may not be the mainstream way to go? How do you deal with the reactions of those around you? Have you defined your personal or business mission statement or elevator pitch? I would love to hear from you!

Friday Favorites-Cloth Diapers!

1. Rowdy Robot Set from Tweedlebee Tweedlebum

2. Organic Bamboo Velour prefolds from Wooldins

3. Monster Wool Longies (diaper cover pants) from Mmmarmalade

4. Wool Newborn Lacey Skirted Bloomers from Pickle Boutique

5. Ice Giraffe One-Size All-in-One Diaper from Junktique

6. Hot Diggity Dog One-Size Fitted Diaper from Wooly Bums

7. Construction Bamboo Fleece Fitted Diaper from Zinnia Flower

8. Custom Print Cover Bundle from The Eli Monster

9. Slim Ooga Booga Bamboo Velour Fitted Diaper from Banana Bottoms

10. Dewdrop Bamboo w/ Zorb Pocket Diaper Inserts from Dew Drop Handmade

11. Nighty Nights Bamboo Nighttime Diaper from Green Sprout Baby

12. Sailor Stripes Wool Longies from Knit Wit Knits

Green that Baby-Cloth Diapering thoughts

When people find out about many of the "green" things our family has implemented in our lives, none drew the "I could NEVER do that..." comment as much as cloth diapering. And since I am a bit sassy, I usually countered with the question: Why not? The reasons are many and many are legitimate. However, many are based on misinformation (or a lack of information.) I am sharing what worked for us and share some secrets that may help you if you desire to start the cloth diapering journey. (For information on WHY you should consider using cloth diapers, check out 3 Great Reasons to consider Cloth Diapers from Simple Organic.)

At the time my son was born, I worked a job with swing shifts, 24/7 on-call requirements and a husband that was about to deploy to a war zone. My son attended a state licensed day care center and cloth diapering wasn't allowed without medical approval. I also knew not one other person in real life that used cloth diapers (with the exception of my dad and he could only tell me horror stories about actually pinning the cloth diaper to my baby sister.) I would say that due to my schedule, legal requirements and a lack of resources, I was NOT the poster child to start cloth diapering. However, since it was all I had seen growing up and was seeing the growing online resource base, I felt that this was a move I wanted to make. Here are my secrets (or not so secret) that helped our cloth diapering journey work for us:

My son rockin' a space-themed prefold during the one and only month he ever had any chub on him...

Know your options: First and foremost, the plain rectangular cloth diaper and pins are not how cloth diapering is rolling these days. Now, as I learned and became more confident, I eventually used the rectangle kind (called a prefold and pictured embellished with designer fabric above) but I never used a pin (the Snappi is the modern tool of choice!) There are a million and one companies making modern cloth diapers that look and function like a normal disposable but I would recommend bumGenius or FuzziBunz. Yes, they are the more commercialized of the options, but that makes them easier to find, in my opinion. I never thought I would see the day where I walked into a Target and see cloth diapers on the shelf but bumGenius made that happen in some stores. (While I am typically anti-mainstream, I am prone to completely support when beloved things like cloth diapers and babywearing are going mainstream because I feel like it helps put resources in the hands on those that may not normal seek it out on their own.) My skinny hips and thighs little man still fits into the medium FuzziBunz we bought when he was 3 months old and has fit into the bumGenius (which are one-size-fits all due to adjustable snaps) his ENTIRE life so far. I recommend this article from Simple Mom on 4 Cloth Diapering Options Defined to understand what options are out there.

Matching outfit to go with the above space-themed prefold (um...if super cute handmade outfits weren't one of my top 5 reasons to cloth diaper, they sure were a good bonus!)

Know thyself: Knowing my time restraints, I utilized a no-nonsence approach to using the diapers. In my son's bedroom, the diapers were kept in baskets under the changing table. Next to the changing table was a large plastic garbage pail with a large water proof bag called a wetbag inside. All diapers came off the kiddo and straight into the pail, which did NOT have a lid. I never sprayed, dumped or dipped anything off the diapers. People often tell me that they could never cloth diaper because the thought of dealing with the poop grosses them out. So, I say, don't play with the poop! What about the smell, you ask? The open pail allowed smells to dissapate and, in my experience, weren't really an issue. I took a cloth wipe and put some tea tree esssential oil on it and dropped it in the pail and sprinkled baking soda in if I smelled any urine and I wasn't ready to do laundry. I did laundry, on average, twice a week. I simply dumped the dirty diapers out of the wet bag into the washer, put in the wet bag and washed. I used a squirt of blue Dawn, about a cup of baking soda and white vinegar in the fabric softener dish, washed on as hot a wash I could and did an extra rinse every other time I washed. I had a HE washer and never had any problems. If you do get a stain, putting the still partially wet diaper outside in the sun to dry will clear up the issue in one afternoon. That is it- no magical time consuming potion, no expensive cleaning formula and no extra steps. (There are some great looking washing products out there and I might try them out if I ever have a baby in diapers again but it is hard to beat the ease and inexpensive of this method!)

(Small time out to say: If you do any reading around cloth diapering websites (like Diaperswappers), many people will toot the horn of how wonderful breast-fed poo is, how it is water soluable and doesn't stain. Let me go on the record: poop is poop and I can say with certainty, formula poop is water soluable and doesn't stain if you use the proper cleaning procedure. (And for the sake of over-explaining: I had a double mastectomy prior to having my son, so he was fed formula from the very beginning...) That said, no matter what you feed your kiddo, not playing with poop is an option, if you want to.)

Know those around you: Worried about how daycare will react? What about the husband? Or your family? I did have to get my pediatrician to write a note to our daycare for it to be "legal" for us to cloth diaper my son there. And for their sake and my husbands, they got the easiest diapers to use. (It is hard for them to argue with them being more difficult if they are shaped exactly like a disposable, utilize velcro and don't require any dumping of poop!) I utilized smaller wetbags while out in public and often brought along my cutest diapers to show off when I had the chance. (And if you don't know what cute cloth diapering options are out there, stay tune to tomorrow's Etsy Friday Finds!) People have less opportunity to criticized or be bothered by something when you show them how easy something is and how not-so-out-of-the-ordinary it is. (And to be honest, I personally ENJOYED being the crazy person doing something different, but that is my personality, I know that flying your freak flag wigs some people out.)


Are you considering cloth diapering? Already a lover of all things fluff? What are your tips and tools that help YOU? Share your information (or ask questions!)

Friday Finds-We are family!

As an extension of thinking about my identity as a mother, my mind ran to thoughts of what family meant to me, my identity as a member of an adoptive family and of my pending certification as a foster parent who wishes to adopt...In celebration of all the branches of my family tree, present and future, I wanted to share some of my favorite handmade goodies for families-adoptive or otherwise! Enjoy!

1. Eventually necklace with Pearl by therhouse

2. Egg family with dog by Asher Jasper

3. Customizable Pear Tree wall art by khamm75

4. Young Family-babywearing set of six by Earth Slings

5. Customized S. Korean Paperweight by Dos Besitos

6. Adoption Definition Tee by therhouse

7. Chosen long-sleeved tee by LKD Kids

8. Love Makes a Family Open Edition Print by Barking Bird Art

9. "There has always been a special branch on our family tree just for you" print by kilsook

(PS. This next week should be our final home study and our complete package should be sent to the state foster care licensing board by the end of the month. But we have had our patience challenged with delay after delay...All in the right timing, right? Prayers, good vibes, similar frustrations shared all welcome!)

Identity Crisis and other Olympic thoughts...

(AP photo/Mark Baker)

Meet Samuel Contesti. He is French. He is an Italian citizen and skates for their Olympic team. He is wearing Jed Clampett-style denim overalls and a flannel plaid shirt. And is skating to a blues song. It seems to me that Mr. Contesti may have a bit of an identity crisis...

and I totally relate...

Apparently, the phenomenon of athletes taking the citizenship of another country is nothing new. In the world of figure skating alone, Yuko Kavaguti changed not only her citizinship but her name so that she would be "more Russian." But I wonder as athletes who have changed the country that they represent stand on the medal stand, is the triumph as sweet as it is for someone who has had their national identity in place since birth? And as someone who never had a "mothering" identity in them from birth, how do I deal with my feelings of insecurity now that I am walking among the gold-medal mothers of the world?

Please don't hear something I am not saying. I believe full-time motherhood is a very worthy career. I always have. I just always had a desire to have another job title (preferably Broadway star or international mystery solver, thankyouverymuch!) I don't recall playing with dolls as a kid and any "playing house" consisted of me heading off to a music tour and leaving my pretend husband at home to clean. But after six years as a local mystery solver and the stress of juggling that job, motherhood, and military deployments, I was happy that the opportunity to "retire" had presented itself. I still have dreams about what I will be "when I grow up." I have more goals for my future. However, I want to make sure that my current position gets the credit and pause it deserves on my life journey.

Samuel Contesti may not have dreamed about being an Italian when he grew up. But I imagine that from the moment he first laced up his ice skates, he began dreaming of being a real, authentic skater. When he achieved that goal, he probably then began dreaming of winning a gold medal. He followed his dream, even if that meant challenging his national identity. His identity was found in what he put his efforts into. And, although I may have never dreamed that I would be a stay-at-home mother, living life to its fullest has always been my end goal. I will continue to follow those dreams, even if it means challenging my identity. And I pray that my identity would always be known by what I put my efforts into!

Tuesday Tip- Eat your Frog First

You must do the thing you think you can not do. -Eleanor Roosevelt

“Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” -Mark Twain

This simple principle has quickly become my saving grace...But what does it mean to "Eat your Frog First?" Based on the book Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy, the principle is basic: if you do the worst thing on your to-do list, the rest of your day will fall into place.

Check out Simple Mom's explanation on how to apply this principle to your day to day schedule- I hope that it makes as big of an impact on your day as it has on mine!

Just in case...

Just in case you read this blog and got the impression that I have a clue as to what I am doing...

Just in case you think I am able to accomplish anything because I have a self-sufficient child who plays by himself...

Just in case you think that I am not learning something every single day...

I wanted you to know that-

I bribed my child to not fuss in the stroller while I went for a jog with a lollipop (in his right hand) and then left him to nap in said stroller after he fell asleep before we got home (inside, but still!)

These really dirty shoes are what I wear almost every day...and, no, I do not run almost every day (or even every other day...) And running is offended by me refering to what I do as running...

Oh look...I am such a good mom! Letting my son be free and expressive in his finger painting...but wait! You should see how expressive and free he is below that green shirt...Yep, he is not wearing pants. Ever. My child is a partial nudest...


I got these napkins finished for my shop while my son climbed all over me...again, completely naked from the waist down...fabulous...

I wanted you all to know the truth, you know...just in case!