I sometimes look around my house with complete disdain at all the things I know are wrong and unhealthy but feel overwhelmed to change everything all at once! So this month I have been thinking "Baby Steps, Baby Steps, Baby Steps!"
So far this month I have recycled my entire supply of plastic grocery bags and replaced them with brown paper sandwich sacs. Since I am Queen of the Litter Box this was a super sore spot with me. Seeing all those little plastic bags of poop going in the garbage was driving me batty! At least I know that paper will break down eventually though I wish there was a better alternative for even that! Any ideas are welcome:)
I bought a sweet little bird house and painted it a welcoming aqua and pale yellow and will be hanging it up for our little birdie friends this week. I also bought a bat house to put out...when I figure out how to hang it. Did you know a single bat can eat around 600 mosquitoes in ONE hour? Since mosquito attractant apparently runs through my veins I am UBER excited about my little blind critters replacing all the crap I have to spray on myself to keep from being sucked dry in the summer on my back patio! I also put out an adorable hand made toad house for my yard toads...thanks http://www.etsy.com/! Tonight I released 1,500 lady bugs into the yard which were supposed to go in my lovely garden that my hubby was supposed to be helping me create but I got tired of holding my breath for that to occur!
So nasty bitey bugs...you're days are numbered around these parts and no chemicals to boot! I have donated all of my Tupperware to Goodwill and replaced it with glass containers for my leftovers. I have bought more wooden and stainless steel cooking utensils and hopefully will have all the plastic ones out of the kitchen ASAP! Next to go is that mishmash of plastic cups that accumulate & multiply in the dark while we are sleeping. Plastic is the DEVIL! I make sure all of G's baby items are BPA Free too!
Speaking of Baby G, I have been going crazy trying to keep as many chemicals away from him as possible but it is a huge struggle as a new parent. I had no idea it was not necessary to slather your baby up with baby lotion, oil and powder and that it was actually bad for them! I always saw everyone else using that stuff so I stocked up on items before he even got here. Come to find out most of that stuff is carcinogenic and clogs up their tiny pores CAUSING the skin issues...thanks Free Market for allowing companies to produce & market crap like that for the unaware consumer knowing it poses major health risks:P I have found some great products though that I order online until I start making my own.They are organic, plant based, chemical free,stored in BPA Free containers, and even produced with solar power right here in the good ol' U.S. of A!
It is most definitely eye opening and SUPER scary! I was absolutely shocked at the things that are sold as safe for baby every day...it's disgusting really! For the most part if you keep your baby in a clean diaper and take a regular bath they don't need any of that market driven superfluous junk on them. G hasn't had a diaper rash in over four months...since we brought him home from the NICU with one anyway. I think he smells amazing without reeking of fake baby powder smell too.I LOVE to bury my face in his neck and just breathe in his baby smell!
The last little overhaul I have made this month is finishing up the last of my chemical cleaners. Anyone that knows me KNOWS how much of a germaphobe and clean freak I am so it has been hard to get over this mental block. I am typically the kind of person who loves the smell of bleach and chlorine and will Lysol you if you stand still long enough! I'm trying to break those habits bit by bit and embrace the world of vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda lol! I have switched the remaining cleaners and detergents to Seventh Generation products which claim to be harmless so here's to hoping. I know they do say "not harmful if swallowed" on the warning labels so that makes me feel better.
Next on the To Do list is making my own laundry detergent. I found a ton of recipes online but they are for the most part the same as follows:
Liquid Detergent
1 quart water (boiling)
2 cups bar soap (grated)
2 cups borax
2 cups washing soda
1. Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
2. Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the borax and washing soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
3. Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
4. Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Once it's cool, add 5 - 7 drops of your favorite essential oil per gallon. Stir the soap each time you use it (it will gel).
Powdered Detergent
2 cups finely grated soap
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
1. Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
2. Use 2 tablespoons per full load.
I read you could use Fels Naptha, Zote or even Ivory soap but I haven't researched them yet to make sure they are safe. I'll post once I get to this next project!
So, for now, this is what I have accomplished this month. I have a ton of projects planned though to get us even farther on our way to a healthier, greener household that I am super excited about. Fingers crossed I can get these seeds sprouted and in the ground in time to produce fruits & veggies for making all my own baby food! Baby steps!
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