100 ways in 100 days…

it’s hard to believe I kicked off our family eco-journey just 100 days ago. here are just a few (ha!) random learning's and experiences, and adjustments we’ve made in our mind, body and home to be a little more healthy and environmentally friendly.

1. watched food inc
2. watched food matters
3. gave up paper towels
4. became a people towels ambassador
5. switched to biodegradable trash bags
6. learned about potential hazards of BPA in bottles, cans, plastics, etc
7. recycled our non-BPA free bottles
8. bought a kitchen composter
9. gave up paper plates
10. bought a stainless steel thermos
11. reduce use of non-stick cookware
12. making tea on stove versus microwave
13. reduce use of plastics in general
14. switched to natural cleaning products, I heart method products
15. removed all toxic chemical cleaners in kitchen
16. separate our glass, plastics and paper for recycle center
17. changed to recycled toilet paper
18. switched to natural ecover dish detergent
19. switched to natural ecos laundry soap
20. dr bronner’s castile soap is multi-purpose awesomeness
21. borax in also great in kitchen, laundry and bathrooms
22. removed all antibacterial soaps with triclosan
23. cancelled our terminix contract
24. killed weeds with boiling water
25. killed weeds with vinegar solution
26. started a Facebook page for a heart of green
27. use hand dryers in public bathrooms
28. hosted our first organic family picnic
29. tried natural hardwood charcoal for our grill. didn’t work all that well, but we tried.
30. joined moms on a mission for healthy child, healthy world
31. hosted table at Abilene baby expo
32. made Easter eggs with all natural dyes
33. made a donation (and received a cute t-shirt) to support food democracy now
34. subscribed to KIWI magazine
35. subscribed to whole living magazine
36. became a regular at our new natural grocers
37. WON an autographed copy of oceana by ted danson
38. tried to coordinate a local event with perennial plate
39. joined moms meet ambassador program
40. signed petition to support Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution
41. contacted senator cornyn and hutchison about food safety legislation
42. contacted senator cornyn and hutchison about GM food labeling
43. contacted senator cornyn and hutchison about clean water legislation
44. contacted senator cornyn and hutchison about safer chemical legislation
45. participated as a twitter party panelist for healthy child, healthy world
46. attended “how to be an environmental hero” webinar by marcal
47. take reusable bags to the grocery store
48. omit produce bags at the grocery store
49. take reusable bags to the mall
50. inquired about our local CSA Grapevine Farms
51. drinking 2x more black and green tea after quitting diet dr pepper
52. switched to organic unfiltered apple juice for DB
53. switched to earth’s best organic formula for CJ
54. switched to organic vitamins for DB
55. switched to sea salt
56. learned difference between butter and margarine
57. switched to pasture-raised, ethical and organic eggs from austin’s vital farms
58. bought our first grass fed beef from burgundy farms
59. consider the EWG’s clean 15 and dirty dozen when buying produce
60. buying more fresh, frozen or glass packaged veggies, avoid canned veggies (BPA)
61. trying to eat less meat
62. except for that delicious 4 pound grass fed beef slab tenderloin over memorial weekend…OMG!
63. I heart spinach and pasta pie
64. I heart dark chocolate covered goji berries
65. I heart succotash and goat cheese quiche
66. I heart larabars
67. I heart immaculate baking cinnamon rolls
68. I heart honest tea
69. I heart my local pecan honey butter
70. I heart origins skin care and makeup
71. avoiding artificial dyes, flavorings and sweeteners
72. bought dad grass-fed steaks as a birthday gift
73. discovered the ancient super-grain quinoa
74. visited revival market in houston
75. visited farmers market in abilene
76. gifted a bread maker to make our own, thanks sister!
77. recycled old cosmetic bottles and jars at origins
78. switched CJ to cloth gDiapers
79. line dry the cloth diaper liners for sun’s natural anti-bacterial properties
80. switched CJ to burt’s bees diaper cream
81. switched kiddos to Johnson’s natural baby products
82. switched to aluminum and paraben free deodorant
83. switched CJ to little remedies dye-free medicines
84. bought CJ water-based, non-toxic piggy paint nail polish
85. bought safer sunscreen with EWG sunscreen report
86. indefinitely postponed my hair coloring appointment, considering a natural henna solution
87. politely declined air freshener/chemical fragrance at the car wash
88. learned about food labeling (fair trade, rainforest alliance, marine stewardship, etc)
89. tried to grow my own organic basil, but it lacked in organic watering ;)
90. turn up the thermostat and rely on ceiling fans while home working
91. read animal, vegetable, miracle -- all about eating seasonal and local
92. learned pop tarts (among many other products) are made different in the US versus UK because of food safety laws. sad.
93. dvr-ed the “green” episode of yo gabba gabba for DB to learn about caring for the planet
94. started turning my computer and printer off every night
95. discovered most clothes labeled "dry clean" can be hand-washed or put in the gentle cycle
96. use goodguide.com (a B Corporation™) to compare health, social and environmental performance of various products
97. watering our yard longer but less frequently, to encourage healthier grass and less weeds. jury’s still out
98. following grist.org for environmental news with a wry twist. definitely a need for humor amidst the doom and gloom of chemicals, cancer and climate change
99. reducing toxic load and keeping chemicals out of the air, water and soil with every organic purchase

and finally…

   100. joined a hippie cult

HA! not really, but josh really does keep saying our friends and family might think otherwise since our move to abilene. we’ve undergone some pretty dramatic changes in our habits and priorities in 100 days. but, this is definitely a journey which we will gladly continue for our family, children and THEIR future.

 

please, please, please feel free to share your going green ideas!!