The Greener Guide #3:
Just Say No to Junk Mail
Does junk mail cause you stress? It does for me. I have piles and piles of mail that I don’t want or need. However, I don’t feel comfortable throwing pre-approved credit cards, mortgage insurance offers or even cable marketing info into the recycle bin without first attacking them with a pair of scissors… and thus, the piles.

More than 62 billion pieces of junk mail are delivered to US mailboxes every year. That’s 41 pounds per person, 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water annually! Over 44% of that junk mail is thrown away unopened. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t shed many tears if I stopped receiving marketing mail for services I am already subscribed to, credit cards I don’t want and catalogs that the owners from 20 years ago subscribed to. While it may seem like a hopeless situation, there are things we can do to reduce the amount of junk that is delivered to our homes and therefore reduce that water, trees and gas needed to produce this mountain of trash.

1. Stop credit card offers: www.optoutprescreen.com - The consumer credit report industry lets you opt out of receiving pre-approved and prescreened credit card offers.

2. Stop junk mail and telemarketing: www.donotcall.gov (National Do Not Call Registry)

3. Don’t let you name be sold. When you shop online or over the phone specifically state that your information is not to be lent, sold or traded. If there isn’t a check box or clear place to enter this info online, use the comment box found in most checkout carts.

4. Let Precycle take care of it for you:www.precycle.tonic.com. Precycle is an organization that will help you reduce the amount of junk delivered to your home and plant a tree on your behalf. For less than a dime a day they will get you out of the mailings you want to get out of, but still keep the catalogs you want coming. They will plant five trees on your behalf when you sign up and one tree for each of the first five catalogs you opt out of. You will also receive a Chico reusable bag and two CFL light bulbs.

Natural Beauty

Going green isn’t just beneficial for the environment, it is beneficial for you. There are so many products out there that we have used forever because there weren’t alternatives or we didn’t know about them - that’s all about to change! Everything from shower curtains to baby bottles to makeup is entering the green realm and it is important that we all know what’s out there and why it’s better for us and our environment. It’s a new year and a new you!

So girls, let’s make sure that what we put on our skin not only makes us beautiful on the outside, but keeps our insides beautiful as well! With that in mind, we are excited to announce the launch of Mahya Mineral Makeup. This is an all natural, all mineral alternative to the commercial, synthetic, chemical filled makeups we have all used. There are many benefits to mineral makeups, so let me mention just a few:

• All natural ingredients - no bismuth oxychloride
• Lightweight and non-comodogenic (it won’t clog your pores!) - perfect for those of us with sensitive skin, dryness, acne, etc.
• Bacteria and microbes CANNOT live in mineral makeup keeping them off of your skin and out of your body
• Long shelf life with NO preservatives
• Contains UVA & UVB sun protection, zinc, magnesium and some anti-inflammatories
• Completely oil free
• Hides wrinkles, crow’s feet & fine lines without feeling like you are wearing a mask
• You can sleep in it… seriously!
• Water resistant
• And the coolest feature… One pot of loose pigment can be used as your eye shadow, lipstick, nail polish, blush and eyeliner. All you need is the right brush!

What’s in commercial cosmetics
If you haven’t tried mineral makeup, I highly recommend it, but more importantly, start checking the labels of the items you have in your makeup bag now. Chemicals hiding in our lipsticks and blushes have been linked to various health risks. There is no need to wear a hazmat suit while going through your cosmetics, but it is important to be aware and informed about potential risks. A few things to look for are listed below. For further information on the health risks associated with these chemicals, please check out the links at the bottom of the page:

Pthalates [also known as di-n-butyl pthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylexyl) phthalate (DEHP)]: these chemicals are used to make plastics pliable and are found in nail polish, body lotions, hair products and fragrances.

Lauryl Sulfate [also known as SLS or SLES]: foaming agent and emulsifier derived from petroleum. These chemicals are found in shampoo, body and shower gels, bath salts and toothpaste.

Amine Family [includes Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA)]: these ammonia compounds function as preservatives, emulsifiers, pH adjusters and foaming agents. They are found in face powders, shaving creams, hair coloring, hair sprays, soaps, sunscreens, foundations, concealers, eyeliners, talcs and face powders.

Formaldehyde [also known as Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Nitroopropane-1, Formalin, Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Morbicic acid, Oxymethylene]: functions as a preservative, defoamer, germicide, fungicide and disinfectant. These are found in a variety of makeup products, shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, nail polish, mouthwash, bubble bath and antiperspirants.

Paraben Preservatives [also known as alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates (methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl)]: found in nail creams, foundations, mascara, facial masks, deodorants, sunscreen and hair color. They function as preservatives.

Other ingredients to keep an eye on are synthetic fragrances and synthetic colors.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Safe Mama Glossary
The Environmental Working Group
Cosmetics Database

The Greener Guide: #1 Breathe Easy
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that indoor air is two to ten times more polluted than outdoor air due to the synthetic materials found in our furniture, carpeting, plywood, adhesives, mattresses, shower curtains, plastics and chemical cleaning products. Indoor air pollution ranks near the top of the EPA’s list of constant threats to human health. I love camping out in the fresh air, but would seriously miss the comforts of my snug bed, warm water and indoor bathroom - so there must be another answer to our indoor air issue. HOUSEPLANTS!

Houseplants literally grow fresh air by producing clean, fresh oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as formeldehyde, benzene and ammonia. While removing the causes of indoor air pollution by using chemical free cleaners, removing synthetic carpets and plastic shower curtains, and other such changes in your household, two small plants or one medium-size plant per 100 square feet will provide fresh air and healthy, mold-free humidity in any room. Plus they add beauty and create a calming environment.

The most effective plants for purifying your indoor air include: bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, corn plant (not the edible plant), dragon tree, chrysanthemum, English ivy, peace lily, pathos, philodendron and snake plant.

For more information on indoor air pollution and the benefits of plants in your home, please check out:
http://www.epa.gov (just search “indoor air quality” and “indoor air pollution” to gain a wealth of knowledge)
Easy Green Living, by Renee Loux
Clean Air Gardening, Top Houseplants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Forget styrofoam! This is very exciting news… Klean Kanteen now has an insulated cup! Yay! For all you coffee drinkers who don’t have reusable cups, this is for you. The cups come in 16oz and 20oz. For those of you who aren’t coffee drinkers, these cups will keep your cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours! These cups come with a screw on lid with a loop, but you can purchase a Cafe Cap making it easier to drink on the go. 

Simply ask at your favorite beverage stop, they will most likely let you bring your own cup… it never hurts to ask!

Since opening the retail location I get to hear more from customers - What they expected The Greener Good to sell (one customer thought we were a golf shop - wrong green ); What they were shopping for when they came in; What they never thought we would carry that is in the store; and, of course, What their favorite products are. I am always surprised by the questions, the answers, the likes and the dislikes, and I am always so happy to have each of these conversations. Since we are closing in on the Holidays and gift buying days are flying by, I thought I would share with you the most popular items in hopes of helping you with those hard to shop for people on your list!

Top 10 (well, 12 )

What in the World is a Locavore? A “How-To” Guide to Eating Locally
“The New Organic?” - Better Tasting, Better for the Environment, Better for Local Economies & Better for Your Health

Does eating locally improve the quality of the food I purchase?
Given the impossibility of identifying the pesticides used and the route taken to grow and transport a food item from Central America to your local supermarket, foods grown locally make a lot of sense for those who want more control over what they put into their bodies. Local farmers do not have to worry as much about packing, shipping and shelf-life and can instead select, grow and harvest crops to ensure peak qualities of freshness, nutrition and taste. When food is harvested and delivered to you quickly, it maintains higher levels of nutrients and better taste. Even if the local farm is not organic, small farms tend to be less aggressive than large factory farms about the over use of chemicals protecting biodiversity and preserving a wider agricultural gene pool. 

Why is eating locally considered environmentally friendly?
According to the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture the average fresh food item on our dinner table travels 1,500 miles to get there. Buying locally produced foods eliminates the need for all that transportation. Additionally, small local farms generally practice crop rotation (nutritionally diverse plants occupy the same growing space in different seasons - tomatoes in summer, peas in winter) which creates more nutrient rich soil. The improved soil reduces the need for chemical fertilizers which reduces the chemicals in the soil, in the water and in our bodies. 

How does eating locally actually benefit the local economy? 
Farmers on average receive only 20cents of each food dollar spent, says John Ikerd, a retired agricultural economics professor. The rest of their money goes to transportation, packaging, refrigeration and marketing. Selling locally allows the farmers to receive the full retail value of their produce. Eating locally also encourages the use of local farmland for farming, preserving these open spaces keeping development in check. According toSimple-Green-Frugal, numerous research studies have shown that every $100 spent at a locally owned business returns $45 back into the community. Compared to the $14 returned when shopping at big-box stores, supporting local is worth a lot!

So given all this information, How can I Eat Locally?
Step 1: How local do you want to be? You can define local as within 100 miles of your home, within your state or as a product of the USA. The radius can change as you continue to learn and challenge yourself.
Step 2: Find Local Resources. This is the most difficult part of being a locavore, but once you figure it out it is as easy to eat local as it is to shop at big-box stores. Options include: Farmers Markets, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), Grocery or Natural Food Store (most stores have a local section), Visit local farms, Ask Around.
Step 3: Make a Plan. You don’t have to switch all at once - take it one step at a time. Bread, eggs, herbs and veggies are usually the easiest to find. Start there and as you learn more expand into meats, dairy and fruit.
Step 4: Adjust. Put the complicated recipes away. What’s in season and available will determine your menu. Be creative and ask for suggestions from your growers.
Step 5: Enjoy. You may end up having to make a couple extra trips and you may have to make a little extra effort in the beginning, but the relationships you develop with your food suppliers, the health benefits you discover and the better tasting food will certainly be a worth while reward!

Additional Resources
The 100-Mile Diet
Eat Local Challenge
Eating Better Than Organic

So, nothing makes me happier than when products that I sell stand up to their hype. Blue Line Innovation’s Power Cost Monitor not only sounds cool, but it actually saves you money. For those who are unfamiliar with this product, please check out the video found on our homepage. Now for the scoop:

I installed my PowerCost Monitor on May 27th. I monitored our power usage for the entire month of June, then reset it on June 25th to see how we would compare month over month. I am ecstatic to report that I saved $43 in only the second month of monitoring our usage - and it’s July in Texas!!! That is a pretty huge accomplishment.

Some of the things that my family has done to decrease our bill: we turn up our AC during the day. I work from home, so it is still a reasonable temp, but higher than what we have it on at night. We are taking full advantage of ceiling fans in every room - in fact, we are adding another to our TV room later this month. We realized that our ancient dishwasher was just mauling our energy bill, so we upgraded to an energy star dishwasher (upfront costs apply, but month to month we will be saving a ton). We use Nellie’s Dryer Balls religiously in our dryer - these literally cut drying time in half. And finally, we close doors when we are not in rooms. This helps maintain temperatures in bedrooms and reduces the work our AC has to do. 

I will let you know how this month goes, but we are already on track to save even more!

As you might have recently heard/read, our family has continued our green transformation into the world of cloth diapers.  I must say that cloth diapers were something we never considered before, and I couldn’t have been less enthusiastic when my wife proposed the idea.

Reluctantly I agreed to give them a try, and I have to admit that the stigma surrounding cloth diapers is all bark and no bite.  Puting them on is a snap- literally- and I’m sure they are more comfortable for Lucy.  Changing them is no problem either.  All the while I was changing her I was waiting for the inconvenient part of our cloth conversion to rear it’s ugly head, but it never came.  To be honest I was a little disappointed how easy it was.  I mean, this means my wife was right!  You can’t imagine what this does to my ego.

In the end, it’s better for the environment.  While I may never see with my own eyes the end result of have less diapers in the landfill, I have already seen the difference in terms of spending.  Disposable diapers are expensive!  You’ve likely already experienced that while enjoying the ‘convenience’ of disposable diapers.  But what are you spending all that money for if there is no true convenience?

For some of you moms out there, the cloth diaper may seem like the only choice. For others, it may be your worst nightmare. For me it was something I really wanted to do, but was completely intimidated. How does it fit? What do you do with the poop? What about daycare?

I completely wussed out for the first year of my daughter’s life and used disposables. I use Nature Baby Care diapers which are chlorine free, biodegradable and compostable so I was still trying to do my part, but with another baby on the way I began thinking about how many diapers I had gone through and decided it was time for me to take the cloth plunge and see how it went. I must add that I have been extremely happy with the performance of these diapers and would highly recommend them to any mom who is nervous about cloth, but is still interested in helping the environment. If anyone has any questions about these disposables please don’t hesitate to ask me. 

I am happy to say that I just fastened on my daughter’s very first cloth diaper. I am using FuzziBunz Perfect Fit diapers. These diapers are incredibly soft and very easy to get on her. Lucy, my daughter, just went down for a nap so I will certainly have more info in a few hours about whether or not I used the correct fasteners or if we have some serious leakage.

As a new mom, and the first of my friends to have a baby, I was going it solo on figuring out some of these things. I didn’t have anyone to ask about dunking the diapers in the toilet, how many diapers to buy, what do you do with diaper rash, etc. etc. etc. In fact, most of the people I asked about cloth diapers thought I was crazy to even consider it. That is why I am going to track my experience here. If you are a mom and want honest feedback on the difficulty of using or switching to cloth please check back. I don’t have a lot of answers yet, but will share my experience with you as I take the cloth diaper plunge! Talk to you soon…

So, it has been a day since Lucy and I made the switch to cloth and I must say that it is easier than I ever thought it would be. She has had some SERIOUS diapers since we made the switch, but it hasn’t been difficult to handle. I am using a hanging diaper bag that I just have on the doorknob in the bathroom. When she does her business I just take the diaper into the bathroom, flip it over, and flush the solids. I actually think it will help her with potty training because she will begin to associate the potty with the dirty diaper. I am also using flushable, biodegradable wipes to help clean off anything clinging to the diaper. I read somewhere that people keep old spatulas behind the toilet for this type of thing, but I wasn’t a fan of that method. My cousin told me that she installed a toilet sprayer. This is something we may invest in eventually, but we will just wait and see.

**A side note - I read that if your baby is still nursing exclusively that you don’t have to worry about getting rid of the solids because it is all water soluble and will be taken care of in the washing machine.

A few things that I am going to have to learn more about are how to keep the diaper bag from getting stinky. I have heard that you can sprinkle baking soda in the bag, but I would appreciate any advice on this subject. Also, I want to make sure that I am using the proper laundering methods. Once I have figured out which detergent I am most successful with I will certainly share. I am currently using a fragrance free, soap free detergent that seems to be great, but I will let you know in a few days how the diapers are coming out after the dryer. I am also going to give line drying a shot since it is so freaking hot here in TX. I want to use the sun’s heat for something helpful if I can.

I made a modest start on cloth by purchasing only 6 diapers to make sure I liked them. I have already purchased 6 more because it will make it much easier on me and my washing machine to have more than a day’s worth of diapers. I would recommend getting started with 12. It may seem expensive up front, but do the math on what you spent last month alone on disposables and I think you will realize how much you are going to save over the diaper stage of your little one’s life. I am just really sorry I didn’t make the switch sooner!

I got an email from my cousin who has been using FuzziBunz on her son for a while now and she has had great success with them. 

Before signing off for today, I also need to give some credit to my wonderful husband. He didn’t complain at all when we made the switch to cloth and has taken his turn with the poopy diapers. He even commented that he thinks these diapers (again I am using the Perfect Fit option) fit better and more securely than the disposables. 

I will continue to update the entry with more cloth diapering info, and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Have a wonderful weekend!