Changing Batteries to Rechargable

A few years ago I was completely clueless about batteries.  I would just change them and toss the old batteries into the trash.  Then I read how dangerous that is for the environment.


Batteries are made from a number of different materials.  These materials include acid, lead, nickel, lithium, cadmium, alkaline, mercury and nickel.  When batteries are not properly disposed of the casing can disintegrate and the toxic chemicals within can leach into the surrounding environment.  It can contaminate the soil and water.  Since around 180,000 tons of batteries are being discarded in the trash in the US every year that ALOT of toxins making it's way into our soil and water supply.

I started taking our used batteries to the recycling drop-off.  They have one at our local library, maybe yours too.  But then I thought, why am I not using rechargeable batteries?

Yes they are initially more expensive, but think of how much it costs to constantly replace the batteries in your home.  It actually ends up costing way less in the long run to use the rechargeable.

We now use the rechargeable batteries and have the charger.  They are awesome.  When they run low I throw them in the charger and a little while later they are good to go.  No need to go to the store to have to buy more batteries and I don't have to take them to be recycled.  I know that the rechargeable batteries eventually die too, but at least we have so much less to be recycled.

With the holidays coming up it is something to think about.  How many batteries will you have to buy?  Why not make them something better for the environment and eventually your wallet.

Till next blog................

Decorating My Daughter's Room

When I had my daughter it was right after baseball season and my husband and I were still looking for a house.  Since we were in NY for season I didn't get the chance to "nest" and make a nursery while pregnant.  When we finally found a house it was time to create a room for my daughter but I wanted it to be as non-toxic as possible.

The first thing was choosing paint.  I knew I wanted  to use no VOC paint.  VOC's can be very dangerous, especially in a baby's room.

Volatile Organic Compounds in Your Home

PDF version of this Web page formatted for print:
Volatile Organic Compounds in Your Home (PDF:49KB/3 pages)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a large group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. While most people can smell high levels of some VOCs, other VOCs have no odor. Odor does not indicate the level of risk from inhalation of this group of chemicals. There are thousands of different VOCs produced and used in our daily lives. Some common examples include:

• Acetone
• Benzene
• Ethylene glycol
• Formaldehyde
• Methylene chloride
• Perchloroethylene
• Toluene
• Xylene
• 1,3-butadiene

  What are the health effects of VOC exposure?

  The risk of health effects from inhaling any chemical depends on how much is in the air, how long and how often a person breathes it in. Scientists look at short-term (acute) exposures as hours to days or long-term (chronic) exposures as years to even lifetime.
  Breathing low levels of VOCs for long periods of time may increase some people’s risk of health problems. Several studies suggest that exposure to VOCs may make symptoms worse in people who have asthma or are particularly sensitive to chemicals. These are much different exposures than occupational exposures to VOCs.
  VOCs refer to a group of chemicals. Each chemical has its own toxicity and potential for causing different health effects. Common symptoms of exposure to VOCs include:

  Short-Term (Acute) to high levels of VOCs

  • Eye, nose and throat irritation
  • Headaches
  • Nausea / Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Worsening of asthma symptoms

  Long-Term (Chronic) to high levels of VOCs

  Increased risk of:
• Cancer
• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Central Nervous System damage
• 
  
• I found a fantastic no-VOC paint. The Benjamin Moore Natura line.  They color match any color and the paint is SAFE.  
• 
  

• Natura Interior Waterborne Eggshell (513) is a premium-quality, zero-VOC paint that provides a durable, washable and fade-resistant finish. Natura Interior Waterborne Eggshell (513) is ideally suited for residential applications. Unlike conventional zero-VOC paints, Natura remains zero-VOC even after tinting, which means it remains virtually odorless regardless of color.

  Features Virtually odorless Zero VOC's regardless of color Quick return to service 100% Acrylic Provides a durable, Washable film Spatter-resistant unlimited color selection one hour recoat for quick return to service Self priming on most surfaces Carries the Green Promise designation.

  Even when we started to paint the room there was No Odor!  It was amazing!  The color went on beautifully. Next was choosing the carpet.  I did alot of research and I was so pleased to discover that there is an Eco-friendly carpet!  The Smart Strand by Mowhawk. Who Knew?? We decided on the berber, which is the softest berber I have ever felt.  There are several colors to choose from.  It was available at our local Home Depot.   We are thrilled with it. SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer contains ingredients made from corn sugar. 37 percent of the carpet fiber comes from renewably sourced ingredients that replace petroleum – a limited resource. Every seven yards of SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer saves the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. By choosing Eco-smart technology, you are choosing to reduce your environmental impact. Now that’s smart. SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer reduces our environmental footprint but what about the durability, texture and stain resistance of this product? SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer offers environmental benefits with no compromises. With unbeatable built-in stain protection for all the “oops” moments, time-tested durability, incredible softness and eco-smart technology, SmartStrand® lets you focus on other things besides your carpet. Making up your baby's room is so much more than cute wall decals and colors.  The paint, carpet and all should be as non-toxic as you can possibly make it.  Hope this gave you some options. Till next blog.....

A New Use For Olive Oil

I was in the kitchen with my daughter making salsa the other day as my husband was doing yardwork. He was coming in and out of the sliding glass door and it had this horrible squeaking sound that was driving me crazy.  My fix for that problem used to be to grab some WD-40 and be done with it but since I have become very anti-chemical, especially when my daughter is around, I had to find a different solution.

As I was standing at my counter I saw my container of olive oil and I thought, "why not?".  I always have a large supply of olive oil in the house so I gave it a shot.  I oiled down the track and the catch. Tada, the squeak was completely gone.  The door hasn't made a noise since and it actually runs smoother than it EVER has before.

I went around the house and found all the doors and drawers with little squeaks and put a little olive oil on them as well.  It's unbelievable how well it works!  No chemicals, and it's something you probably have in your house right now!

Give it a shot.

Till next blog.......

The Big Girl Bed Mattress

A few weeks ago my 21 month old started sticking her legs through the crib rails and getting them stuck.  It's amazing how well olive oil works for a stuck knee!  So, it was time to make the change from the crib to her big girl bed.  NOT an easy decision.  Having her in the safety and well, let's face it the lockdown of that crib was great!

When I had purchased the crib mattress and sheets it was all organic and actually pretty easy to find.  I assumed it would be that way with her mattress now, but I was so wrong.

I was in the market for a twin mattress for her toddler bed, so I went to the local mattress store to see what organic options there were.  NONE.  Not one.  How is it possible that they do not carry any organic mattresses in a mattress store??  Really?

Ah the internet.  I went online to start the search.  It was a nightmare.  I found 2 places in my area that sell organic mattresses........if I wanted to spend a mortgage payment to get one.  I was blown away.  I just was looking for a TWIN mattress.

After a ton of searching and reading reviews I found the mattress.  It is from a company called Naturepedic.  www.naturepedic.com  They specialize in organic baby and children's mattresses.  They are certified organic.  The mattresses are organic cotton fabric and filling.  Non-toxic fire protection.  Waterproof surface.

I went with the Organic Cotton Ultra Twin Mattress.  It was $599.  Way less than the $2300 - $3000 I was quoted with the other mattresses.  Oh, and I ordered it from Babyage.com and received free shipping!  YES!

The mattress is wonderful.  Even taking it out of the packing it didn't have any "odor" making me feel better right away.  I paired that with the organic sheets and my little one got in her big girl bed the first night and said, "it's comfy Mommy".  She has been sleeping wonderfully on her new mattress.

I feel great knowing that she has a big girl mattress that is safe for her to sleep on and it wasn't highway robbery to get it.

AH...now if I could just get past the fear of her being able to get out of her bed in the night!

Till next blog............

Anti-paper (Almost)!!

I had an "AHA" moment one day while I was cleaning the mirrors in my bathroom with my vinegar/water mixture.  Why am I using paper towels for this???  This is such a waste, there has to be a better way.

I had started using Marcal Small Steps recycled paper products in my house, which I love, but do I really need to be wasting paper to clean mirrors and surfaces in my house?  Do we really need to be using paper napkins for dinner?  The answer is a resounding NO!

For cleaning I discovered microfiber cloths.  They could be the best thing ever!  I use them for cleaning everything!  Mirrors, counters, shower tiles, any and all surfaces in my house.  They seriously clean so much better than paper towels.  The mirrors in my house clean so much better and easier since I started using them and there is no waste.  I Put them in with the wash and they are ready for the next project.  They are amazing for dusting too, without using any cleaner.

I actually went into my local Big-Lots and saw them one day.  Since they were $1.00 each I thought, "Why Not?".  Even if I hated them it cost me a couple bucks.  Well, I ended up going back and buying about 10 more.

It also hit me one night as I was putting dinner on the table and getting the paper napkins that this was also a waste.  I remember my Mom used to say that we used the cloth napkins for company or for special occasions but paper for regular meals .  Well that's garbage, sorry Mom.  Why not use them every meal?  Why on earth do we need to waste paper?  Even if I am using recycled paper products.  The answer is we don't have to.  I went out and bought some cotton napkins and that is what we now use.  I throw them into the wash and there you go.  To me it feels a little bit fancier each meal, since I grew up thinking that, but I also feel like an idiot for wasting so much that really didn't need to be.

I still buy paper towels, but the three pack of Marcal I buy now lasts for months.  I use it basically to pat down meats and seafood before cooking, which you really don't want to use a anything else for.  

It's funny, once again I find myself feeling like I am living in my grandmother's shoes.  Back then they used to use old cloths and shirts because money was so tight you really had to, now I do it to be better to the environment and stop being so wasteful.  In the end, oddly enough, it does end up saving me money as well.  Go Figure!

Till next blog......

Favorite New Shaving Products

This is just a quick blog to share my favorite new shaving products.  The first is Kiss My Face Moisture Shave.  This wonderful shave cream contains no Parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates or phthalates.  It also has no artificial colors, preservatives or fragrance.  I LOVE this shave cream.

The other is a new razor I found.  It is actually a disposable, which I would normally not recommend.  It is called Bioshave.  The handle of the razor is made of a plant-based biodegradable material.  The packing is made from post-recycled cardboard, even the printing ink is vegetable based.  How great is that!  A biodegradable razor.

I used these two items together and got the best shave I have ever had.

Till next blog....

The Garden!

As I was covering our garden tonight to protect it from the Malathion that the city sprays for mosquitos (we are on a call list since we have an organic garden and do not want any chemicals effecting it) , I thought what a perfect night to blog about it.

Since my daughter started to eat food I have feed her only organic.  I do not want her to consume hormones, pesticides or anything else that is not suppose to be in our food.  I feed our family this way exclusively, but it all started with my daughter.

Being responsible for shaping the way my daughter eats and making sure those items are clean and healthy is Huge!  It comes with a much higher grocery bill.  It also means driving 30 minutes each way to the only Whole Foods in town to find all the organic and hormone free products to feed us.

My husband and I came up with an idea,  why not dedicate some of our yard to start an organic garden?

We went online and did a ton of research.  We found the best way to do the beds, bought a ton of organic seeds and got the beds ready for the experiment.

I've always grown my own herbs and tomatoes, but this was so much more.  We weren't really sure what we were getting ourselves into but thought, why not?  If it fails we just continue the way we are.  But if it works we will be able to feed our family healthy things from our backyard.

The worst part of the garden in the beginning is the waiting.   Did we just dig up half the yard and make these beds for nothing?  Will anything sprout?

They did!  Oh boy did they.  It seemed like everything started all at once and we were thrilled. We planted everything that we eat and because it was that perfect time in Florida, the cold spells are gone but the insane heat hasn't hit yet. It all grew.  Then the heat hit and we realized that some of the things we planted, like peas and lettuce, are our winter crops.  We are learning!

Then came the bugs.  How do we control the bugs that are eating our plants?  We aren't using pesticides so now what.  Our research brought us to a ton of information on what natural things to use to fight off bugs and what plants and flowers to plant in or around the beds to keep certain bugs and critters away.  Amazing!!  There is a planting strategy!  You would also be amazed at what garlic, cooking oil and dish soap can do to ward off bugs!  Imagine, things that won't harm the environment and hurt my child that can ward off bugs?  Without Pesticides?  What a novel idea!

We now have a beautiful 60' x 6' garden filled with squash, zucchini, green beans, carrots, watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomato, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, all kinds of peppers, blueberries and tons of basil, sage, rosemary, dill and parsley.  We also have a Meyer lemon, mango and grapefruit tree.  There is a avocado and clementine tree started also!

The garden is work but it is also so rewarding.  The produce we grow tastes so much sweeter and fresher than anything I buy, but the best part is seeing my daughter grab something right out of the garden and eat it.  I have the peace of mind of knowing exactly what went into and on it and it saves our family money at the same time.

I still make my weekly drive to Whole Foods, but the list is alot shorter when I go!

Till next blog......