Conscientious Consumer

I made a really cool discovery while I've been home sick this afternoon (my voice is completely gone which is a sad state to be in for a speech pathologist :0)).

Okay, so my cool discovery is the Better World Shopper database. This site is awesome and will become more so as they increase their research base. Hundreds of companies and products are rated based upon several factors (environmental impact, human rights, animal friendly, etc.) and a "grade" is determined. The gist of it is that as consumers we have the power to make change through what we buy and who we choose to buy it from. I completely agree with this and have been trying to do my part by purchasing organic foods, natural cosmetics and body care products, shopping secondhand as much as I can, and even making a few household cleaning products of my own.

The Better World Shopper gives me the information I need to make more informed choices with my cash. Alongside the Skin Deep database that I mentioned in a previous post, the Conscious Consumer Marketplace and Amazon Green, I am set!

Now, if I can just learn to plan ahead so I don't have to make those last minute purchases at a certain store that shall remain nameless (otherwise I will get in trouble with Recycling Man). Birthdays and holidays are the worst for me in that respect. They always sneak up on me somehow even with emails from birthdayalarm.com. I see the email and nearly always think, "Oh, I have plenty of time", then time goes by and I forget until it is almost too late, necessitating panic shopping.

Must work on this.

Check it out, it's never too late to become a more responsible consumer!

Green Beauty Products

I have recently discovered an affordable organic makeup line, Physician's Formula Organic Wear makeup. I have seen it at Target and Fred Meyer. The coverage is good and it doesn't feel heavy which is essential for my many skin issues.

Prior to this I used makeup and beauty products from the Body Shop mistakenly thinking that they are a natural and healthy alternative. The packaging sure looks trustworthy and they say great things about themselves but when I looked up their products in the Skin Deep Database I found that MANY of them contain harmful chemicals. Especially their body butters, which is such a bummer because I looooove them and they smell so delicious. But I can no longer support that corporation ;0) (I know they are missing me).

I sometimes feel like I have bought every cosmetic known to womankind with the same disappointing results...Mary Kay, Arbonne, Cover Girl, Maybelline... the list goes on. I'm hopeful that Physician's Formula will be one I can stick with.

Let's not forget about all the lotions and potions I have tried over the years. A few weeks ago I purchased Aubrey Organics cleanser, toner, and moisturizer (very affordable online). I liked the cleanser and toner but alas, the moisturizer makes my face itch, especially around my nose and mouth. It is a bit puzzling because it contains very natural ingredients but the fragrance is quite strong and I'm wondering if it contains some essential oil or herb that I'm allergic to. So back to the drawing board. Right now I'm trying a sample size of Welleda Almond Moisturizer and liking it so far (also at Target). We shall see.

I realize this may not be the most exciting subject for some, but for a person like me who has spent way too much money and time on the beauty biz it seems a worthy topic. I want to find products that not only embody my environmental ideals but are friendly to my sensitive skin as well.

In my quest for skin health & the ever elusive appearance of beauty I have even been considering the "no poo" (short for shampoo, in case I just scared you) method of caring for my hair and scalp and the "oil cleansing" method of homemade skin care. Definitely friendlier to the budget as baking soda, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and Castor oil are not very expensive.

Have I gone off the deep end? Perhaps. But sometimes you get desperate when your skin problems make you feel like one big ball of sensitive, red, blotchy, itchy, half dry/half oily flesh. Gross. I have been on prescription creams and lotions for years too that just barely control the problem and never get to the root issue, whatever that may be. My frustration has reached critical mass. I do have an appointment with a dermatologist in a few weeks so we'll see if she has any tricks up her sleeve that my family doctor does not.

Bored yet? Grossed out?

Me too.

The End.

p.s., Here's a new blog I like about this stuff at Almost Natural Beauty.

The End (for real).

Shopping Secondhand

One of the ways that I'm trying to become more environmentally conscious and save money is by shopping for clothing at secondhand or consignment stores. You can find some great reasons to shop secondhand here.

I have hit the jackpot with one store in particular located in more of an "upscale" town nearby. Today I came away loaded with all sorts of brand name loot (Gap, Eddie Bauer, Anne Taylor Loft, Tommy Hilfiger, etc.) for far less than I would have paid in the department stores. The find of the day was my "new to me" grey, hoodie cashmere sweater for $18. Oooh, it's so soft!

I don't buy everything second hand because frankly its a bit of a crapshoot whether you will find what you are looking for or not from one visit to the next. Patience and repeat visits are key since the selection is so variable.

These are some of my consignment store finds from a few months ago. Lucky Jeans, Anne Taylor work pants and American Eagle Outfitters skirt.

Phthalates...Ever Heard of These Bad Boys?

Me neither, until recently.

At the risk of being a "Debbie Downer" (think SNL) I thought I would share what I've learned.

Phthalates (pronounced thalates) are some nasty chemicals that are commonly found in children's toys, baby products, air fresheners and almost any household or beauty product with "fragrance". Bottom line they wreak havoc with our reproductive systems, especially males and most particularly our male babies in the womb. Take a moment to read these links to learn more here, here and here.

As always when I learn about yet another scary health hazard, I'm left wondering "what now". Over the past 6 years or so I have very gradually phased out many products in our home containing harmful chemicals. But these phthalates are in so many products that I never felt concerned about before like my children's sippy cups and vinyl children's toys. So do I go on a phthalate rampage and throw out all sippies and soft plastic toys??? Or do nothing but hope that we are not those people who have high levels of phthalates in our blood but live with this nagging sense of guilt and helplessness? Arghh. This is precisely why I try not to read too much stuff like this. Sticking my head in the sand = feel less guilt and fear.

Any ideas out there? Input? More cheerful thoughts?

Jen

Dear Hubby Has Joined the Blogging World

So I guess Joel has stuff to say to the world and rebel that he is, he decided to start a blog over on wordpress. He named it An Ode to Farm Life. So go check it out and get to know the real Recycling Man!

Safe and Eco Friendly Cleaners

My good friend Becky asked me about household cleaners that are safe to use and do not have a strong fragrance. I was just going to email the info to her but then I thought, why not share with everyone else? You see I'm very generous that way. :0)

These are all products that I currently use and like.

***Update***

I just found surface cleaning wipes to replace my Clorox Wipes! I have found it hard to give them up because they are so convenient for spot cleaning in the bathroom but today I finally found Method surface wipes at Target. I have heard that they existed somewhere out there but have never found them. It's weird the things that I can get excited about! I almost did a little dance in the aisle at Target. Well, no not really, but I thought about it, for a second. Anyway, check it out here http://www.methodhome.com/products.php?cat=type&prod=wipes . Wow, this picture is really big.

DISHES- Biokleen Lemon Thyme Dishwash Liquid

I really like biokleen products http://biokleenhome.com/

Most of them have a citrus scent which is one of my favorite smells in the world next to cinnamon, hazelnut candles, and Body Shop's vanilla spice body butter. Mmmm. Besides how good they smell, Biokleen products work really well too.

Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwashing Detergent

I have tried several dishwasher detergents and you know what? It is really hard to find one that doesn't leave spots and really gets the crusties off the dishes. So far I like this one best http://www.seventhgeneration.com/index.php.

ALL PURPOSE SURFACE CLEANERS

Ecover Cream Scrub

This stuff is great for toilets and sinks and I just discovered on the Ecover website that it is good for stainless steal too. It cleans without scratching. http://www.ecover.com/us/en/

Seventh Generation All Purpose Surface Cleaner

This one works for counter tops and tables. I have the orange scented one but I couldn't find a picture of it.

CARPET/FLOORS SPOT CLEANER

Biokleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Remover

My only disclaimer for this one is that it has a very strong scent for you ladies with delicate sensibilities. Men too, I wouldn't want to discriminate against my vast male readership.

WINDOWS

Citra Clear Window Cleaner

Citrus again! Do we detect a pattern here? http://www.biconet.com/home/citraClear.html

LAUNDRY
Biokleen Laundry Detergent with Non-Chlorine Bleach

I REALLY like this detergent. http://biokleenhome.com/products/household/general.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Fabric Softener

This fabric softener has a geranium scent (not citrus, but I do make exceptions now and then) and it really does work. I have tried other eco friendly fabric softeners that were just not effective and the scent didn't last. I really like fresh smelling laundry. http://www.mrsmeyers.com/Default.aspx

One more thing about laundry, I have not found an eco friendly stain removal product. If you have one you like please let me know!

I can buy all of these products at Fred Meyer. I haven't done a price comparison for those of you who are super thrifty. You're on you own there.

Happy Cleaning!

Jen

Recycling Solutions

In preparation for the big move I have been cleaning out all the junk in every nook, cranny (what is a cranny anyway?) and closet in our house. Today was pantry day! You may ask, why would someone take pictures of their pantry? Because that is the home of our recycling bin and when I saw it I suddenly envisioned my next blog post!


Joel and I were recently discussing the merits of recycling with some friends and I thought this post could demonstrate just how easy it really is.

We have a basic plastic bin in our pantry next to the garbage can so we will remember to do it. We toss anything in that could be recycled and we don't worry about sorting at this point. It has become such a habit now that when I am about to throw something away I think, "Could I recycle this?". Even my 4 year old asks me, "Mommy, garbage or recycle?".

The next step is when the box gets full we take it out to the garage and sort into paper, plastic bags, plastic containers, aluminum, and cardboard. When I say "we" I really mean Joel, he's the one who does it most of the time.

Joel has a good system going with all the big bins on the shelves. It keeps a potential disaster area under control. There is a reason, however, that I am not sharing pictures of the rest of the garage! Because it really should be named a Federal disaster area and you would have no respect left for us if you saw it! ;)

We have curbside recycling so on garbage day we set one or two bins outside. That's it! Nothing to it! I really am proud of how we have reduced the amount of garbage we put out. We used to have two overflowing cans with plastic garbage bags around it and it gives me such a sense of accomplishment to set out a single, half-full garbage can now.

By the way, I am not writing this to judge anyone else. My desire is simply to share how easy it really is and if we can do it anyone can!

Oh man! It just occurred to me that there is no curbside recycling out in the country! There are no curbs! Ugh!

I think we'll manage somehow. ;)