I am looking to buy some new soap. For lack of better term, I'm looking for some hippie soap. What the heck is hippie soap? I want a bath soap (preferably liquid, but I can live with bars) that is as natural as possible and that does not have any endocrine disruptors.
My husband enjoyed a hearty laugh at my concerns about my bath soap and he inquired if I'd be procuring Cherokee hair tampons next (seems like we've had this conversation more than once), but I have a good reason for wanting hippie soap. Well, maybe not a good reason. More like a sad and pathetic reason, but it's a reason and it's mine.
I didn't use my regular soap for weeks after I discovered I was pregnant last November because I'd been trying to get pregnant for so long and I was afraid to use anything that might be harmful to embryonic or (later on) fetal development. I used a very mild facial cleanser instead of my regular bath wash. I ultimately thought I was being a little too paranoid and I was being silly to fear soap so I began to use it again. My baby died a few weeks later.
Was it the soap? No, I don't believe so. But I already had hormonal difficulties and who's to say that it didn't tip my hormones out of balance just enough to cause "fetal demise"?
I discovered the Skin Deep database recently and learned that my regular bath wash is a 6 on their scale and the facial cleanser is a 3. Both are indicated as potentially causing endocrine disruption. Obviously, I don't want to use either.
So, here's where I'm hoping that my crunchy readers will come through with some recommendations for me. Tell me what bath products you would recommend. I'm specifically concerned about avoiding anything that might stimulate or mimic estrogen and, from a reproductive standpoint, I'd like to keep things as hormonally neutral as possible.
What soap do you use in the shower? Is it liquid or bar? Where do you buy it? Is it expensive? Does it smell like Birkenstocks & hairy armpits or is it something that a mainstream-hippie would be willing to use? Does the line/brand have other products that are worth checking out?
Showing posts with label crunchy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crunchy. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I'm Definitely a Hippie
I wrote a post nearly a year ago in which I wondered: Am I a Hippie? My hubs could be called The Man and he often laughs or rolls his eyes while groaning at my hippie tendencies. Thankfully, he's mainly just amused at the things I do, say, and think and he gives me the freedom to march to the beat of my own drum. Thanks to a few recent conversations, I'm reaching the conclusion that I'm becoming more of a hippie by the day.
~ I had a lengthy conversation just yesterday with my sister about my feelings on breastfeeding as it relates to raising my own child and, as you might guess, I sounded like a milkalicious mama because I regret not breastfeeding my son until he was at least 18-months. Assuming that I have the same enviable milk supply if I have a second child, I will absolutely nurse until they are 1 1/2-years old. It's really not all that long and breastmilk is still beneficial to toddlers, so why wouldn't I want to offer him the best if I possibly could? For the record, she thought I was a weirdo for nursing my son until he was just about 13-months of age and implied that he's breast-obsessed because I nursed him too long. If that's the reason, I want to know why my non-breastfed husband also likes boobies. Hell, I was breastfed until I was nine-months old and even I like a nice set of boobs!
~ I've had enough friends remark that I should make my son walk or sit in a stroller (rather than wear him on my hip or back in a carrier) that I realize I am a little out of the mainstream when it comes to my parenting choices as it relates to restraining my child and keeping him safe in a crowd. I don't see the difference between wearing him in a carrier (pouch, SSC, and ring sling are my favorites for my lil' 30-pounder) and pushing him in a stroller. Why is it considered okay to put him in a stroller, but not let him ride on my back? Perhaps a choke-chain and leash would be more socially acceptable? If that doesn't work, I also have a shock-collar that worked beautifully on modifying the behavior of our 90-pound GSD. . .
~ A friend remarked on Facebook that she'd like to have chats with other mamas in person rather than over the computer. She added that it would be nice to have these conversations while we were all preparing community meals so that we could work out our conflicts with self while actually feeding the entire tribe. I have to admit, this appeals to me on so many levels. I'm a very social individual and I frequently feel tormented with middle-aged angst so I'd love the opportunity to rap with women on a deep and meaningful level every single day and so much the better if real work were accomplished at the same time. I also don't mind working hard for the benefit of others besides myself or even my own family. I know that I sound like I'm just a few steps away from embracing communal living arrangements (if you know my hubs, you'll know that this will NEVER happen!) and I know that hippie communes ended up presenting their own specific sets of problems (as one would expect in most communistic environments, the shirkers piss the hell out of workers), but the freedom and the sharing aspect certainly appeals to me.
I think it's pretty clear: I'm definitely a hippie.
~ I had a lengthy conversation just yesterday with my sister about my feelings on breastfeeding as it relates to raising my own child and, as you might guess, I sounded like a milkalicious mama because I regret not breastfeeding my son until he was at least 18-months. Assuming that I have the same enviable milk supply if I have a second child, I will absolutely nurse until they are 1 1/2-years old. It's really not all that long and breastmilk is still beneficial to toddlers, so why wouldn't I want to offer him the best if I possibly could? For the record, she thought I was a weirdo for nursing my son until he was just about 13-months of age and implied that he's breast-obsessed because I nursed him too long. If that's the reason, I want to know why my non-breastfed husband also likes boobies. Hell, I was breastfed until I was nine-months old and even I like a nice set of boobs!
~ I've had enough friends remark that I should make my son walk or sit in a stroller (rather than wear him on my hip or back in a carrier) that I realize I am a little out of the mainstream when it comes to my parenting choices as it relates to restraining my child and keeping him safe in a crowd. I don't see the difference between wearing him in a carrier (pouch, SSC, and ring sling are my favorites for my lil' 30-pounder) and pushing him in a stroller. Why is it considered okay to put him in a stroller, but not let him ride on my back? Perhaps a choke-chain and leash would be more socially acceptable? If that doesn't work, I also have a shock-collar that worked beautifully on modifying the behavior of our 90-pound GSD. . .
~ A friend remarked on Facebook that she'd like to have chats with other mamas in person rather than over the computer. She added that it would be nice to have these conversations while we were all preparing community meals so that we could work out our conflicts with self while actually feeding the entire tribe. I have to admit, this appeals to me on so many levels. I'm a very social individual and I frequently feel tormented with middle-aged angst so I'd love the opportunity to rap with women on a deep and meaningful level every single day and so much the better if real work were accomplished at the same time. I also don't mind working hard for the benefit of others besides myself or even my own family. I know that I sound like I'm just a few steps away from embracing communal living arrangements (if you know my hubs, you'll know that this will NEVER happen!) and I know that hippie communes ended up presenting their own specific sets of problems (as one would expect in most communistic environments, the shirkers piss the hell out of workers), but the freedom and the sharing aspect certainly appeals to me.
I think it's pretty clear: I'm definitely a hippie.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
Another post for you crunchy-ish feminine types out there. . .
When I first announced that I was looking at purchasing mama cloth, a friend suggested that I hold off on buying an entire stash and just buy one or two styles from a few different vendors. She wisely counseled that I would surely like one style or one brand more than others. I initially disregarded the advice, but I am so glad that I ultimately did listen to her - thank you, Jenny!
I hate shopping (I know, I know, am I really a girl?) so my first instinct was to simply purchase an insta-stash from one vendor. All the pads necessary for one price through one WAHM. Shopping doesn't get much easier than that. They were flannel topped, PUL protected pads that weren't all that cute, but I figured it wouldn't matter what I was wearing in my underpants. I had the purchase all lined up and ready to add to my Etsy cart.
Thankfully, I remembered my friend's advice and began looking half-heartedly at other pads. I found offerings that I visually liked a good deal better with pretty prints, tie-dye, even gorgeous swirly patterns. Of course, appearance was the only way I could judge the pads because I hadn't used any yet.
I also began to ponder which materials would feel better against my lady parts: flannel, cotton velour, OBV, or Minkee. Here's a hint: flannel is my least favorite because, well, I prefer a softer fabric. Along with the topper material, I started considering the backing. In the interest of maintaining a healthy airflow downstairs, I chose to avoid PUL for the most part and focused on fleece and wool backed pads.
I guess I prefer pretty things. . .even pretty menstrual pads. I mean, why choose an ugly and utilitarian one if you can have a really pretty one made with luxe fabrics? Appearance is important to me, but performance trumps appearance for me. This is where I began to learn about what materials are better for an absorbent, yet trim, core. Terry, hemp, and microfiber might be nice, but Zorb rocks! Seriously it ROCKS!
I ended up buying pads from several different vendors and I also purchased one pad from that first vendor I found, just in case it would out-perform the other heavy pads I picked up. Interestingly enough, it is a pad that I really hate. Hate, hate, hate! In fact, it's the last pad that I grab.
How can you mess up a cloth pad? I don't know, but this one sucks for a couple of different reasons. I don't like flannel pads at all. They aren't soft and they just don't wash & dry as well as other pads. Also, thanks to the PUL (I guess), it noisily crinkles. Flannel wraps around the single layer of PUL, but it sounds like a plasticky disposable pad - noisy and obnoxious. I don't remember PUL being so noisy when I used PUL diaper covers for the my son. How in the world does this cloth pad make such a racket? It also has the male and female snaps on what I consider to be the "wrong" side. Maybe it was created by a lefty? And I don't like the metal snaps because they seem harder to snap together than KAM polyresin plastic snaps.
I won't disclose the vendor's name in this blog because my opinion might not be yours and I don't think it's fair to slam a WAHM's product for no real reason. I mean, the pad does work. I just don't like it for my own persnickety reasons.
My point in sharing this story isn't to illustrate that I over analyze every freaking decision I make, though I think I did a good job of doing just that. It's to illustrate why you really should pick up a variety of cloth pads to find what you like. There definitely will be things that you like about some pads and things that you won't like about others. I guarantee that you'll have one that you LOVE (and, dare I say, you'll look forward to using!) and one that you always keep at the bottom of your stash.
Have fun shopping and I hope you get a truly happy period!
When I first announced that I was looking at purchasing mama cloth, a friend suggested that I hold off on buying an entire stash and just buy one or two styles from a few different vendors. She wisely counseled that I would surely like one style or one brand more than others. I initially disregarded the advice, but I am so glad that I ultimately did listen to her - thank you, Jenny!
I hate shopping (I know, I know, am I really a girl?) so my first instinct was to simply purchase an insta-stash from one vendor. All the pads necessary for one price through one WAHM. Shopping doesn't get much easier than that. They were flannel topped, PUL protected pads that weren't all that cute, but I figured it wouldn't matter what I was wearing in my underpants. I had the purchase all lined up and ready to add to my Etsy cart.
Thankfully, I remembered my friend's advice and began looking half-heartedly at other pads. I found offerings that I visually liked a good deal better with pretty prints, tie-dye, even gorgeous swirly patterns. Of course, appearance was the only way I could judge the pads because I hadn't used any yet.
I also began to ponder which materials would feel better against my lady parts: flannel, cotton velour, OBV, or Minkee. Here's a hint: flannel is my least favorite because, well, I prefer a softer fabric. Along with the topper material, I started considering the backing. In the interest of maintaining a healthy airflow downstairs, I chose to avoid PUL for the most part and focused on fleece and wool backed pads.
I guess I prefer pretty things. . .even pretty menstrual pads. I mean, why choose an ugly and utilitarian one if you can have a really pretty one made with luxe fabrics? Appearance is important to me, but performance trumps appearance for me. This is where I began to learn about what materials are better for an absorbent, yet trim, core. Terry, hemp, and microfiber might be nice, but Zorb rocks! Seriously it ROCKS!
I ended up buying pads from several different vendors and I also purchased one pad from that first vendor I found, just in case it would out-perform the other heavy pads I picked up. Interestingly enough, it is a pad that I really hate. Hate, hate, hate! In fact, it's the last pad that I grab.
How can you mess up a cloth pad? I don't know, but this one sucks for a couple of different reasons. I don't like flannel pads at all. They aren't soft and they just don't wash & dry as well as other pads. Also, thanks to the PUL (I guess), it noisily crinkles. Flannel wraps around the single layer of PUL, but it sounds like a plasticky disposable pad - noisy and obnoxious. I don't remember PUL being so noisy when I used PUL diaper covers for the my son. How in the world does this cloth pad make such a racket? It also has the male and female snaps on what I consider to be the "wrong" side. Maybe it was created by a lefty? And I don't like the metal snaps because they seem harder to snap together than KAM polyresin plastic snaps.
I won't disclose the vendor's name in this blog because my opinion might not be yours and I don't think it's fair to slam a WAHM's product for no real reason. I mean, the pad does work. I just don't like it for my own persnickety reasons.
My point in sharing this story isn't to illustrate that I over analyze every freaking decision I make, though I think I did a good job of doing just that. It's to illustrate why you really should pick up a variety of cloth pads to find what you like. There definitely will be things that you like about some pads and things that you won't like about others. I guarantee that you'll have one that you LOVE (and, dare I say, you'll look forward to using!) and one that you always keep at the bottom of your stash.
Have fun shopping and I hope you get a truly happy period!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3
I heard about Little Luxuries a few months ago from a friend. By the time that I investigated the company a little further, I was disappointed to find that the owner was closing down operations. However, another work at home mom (WAHM) picked up the reigns and Little Luxuries is back in business.
The new owner was looking for some testers and yours truly will be doing testing for them. I figured that I'd be a perfect candidate for testing since I'm willing to try new things, I'm very open when it comes to giving my opinion, and I obsess over the most minute details. Even better, I don't even have to come up with my own opinion because the owner will be sending out a questionnaire to use for forming my review.
I recently received my set of tester pads from Little Luxuries. My set consists of a 13" overnighter/post-partum, an 11" heavy, a 9" regular, and an 8" liner. The overnighter/post-partum pad seems a little too long because I don't have a lot of, ahem, real estate to cover down there, but the rest seem like they'd work well lengthwise. They are a little thicker than the other pads that I'd normally prefer, but they are still thinner than a disposable so it's not that big of a deal.
I was blown away by how soft and pretty they are - they are unbelievably soft and so very pretty! I'm not a sewer, but even I can tell that these are beautifully constructed. Even the wings seem more substantial than most of the other pads I've tried; I suspect they have three layers of fabric. They all have different prints and colors: bright pink velour topper with whimsical butterflies, pink velour topper with brown & pink argyle print, royal blue velour topper with a bold tropical floral print, and chocolate brown velour topper with a retro-looking owl print.
As I've said about other pads in the past, these are almost too pretty to use for their intended purpose. But I can't wait for my next period so I can use these little luxuries!
The new owner was looking for some testers and yours truly will be doing testing for them. I figured that I'd be a perfect candidate for testing since I'm willing to try new things, I'm very open when it comes to giving my opinion, and I obsess over the most minute details. Even better, I don't even have to come up with my own opinion because the owner will be sending out a questionnaire to use for forming my review.
I recently received my set of tester pads from Little Luxuries. My set consists of a 13" overnighter/post-partum, an 11" heavy, a 9" regular, and an 8" liner. The overnighter/post-partum pad seems a little too long because I don't have a lot of, ahem, real estate to cover down there, but the rest seem like they'd work well lengthwise. They are a little thicker than the other pads that I'd normally prefer, but they are still thinner than a disposable so it's not that big of a deal.
I was blown away by how soft and pretty they are - they are unbelievably soft and so very pretty! I'm not a sewer, but even I can tell that these are beautifully constructed. Even the wings seem more substantial than most of the other pads I've tried; I suspect they have three layers of fabric. They all have different prints and colors: bright pink velour topper with whimsical butterflies, pink velour topper with brown & pink argyle print, royal blue velour topper with a bold tropical floral print, and chocolate brown velour topper with a retro-looking owl print.
As I've said about other pads in the past, these are almost too pretty to use for their intended purpose. But I can't wait for my next period so I can use these little luxuries!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Sandwich Bag Alternatives
I somewhat joked about it in a recent blog post, but I'm most definitely becoming one of "them." I actively look for ways to avoid flagrant waste. I use cloth towels and napkins instead of disposable paper towels or napkins. I use a Diva Cup and cloth menstrual pads instead of disposable tampons or disposable paper & plastic menstrual pads. And, yes, I've considered using family cloth for pee-pee instead of using toilet paper. . .of course, I haven't embarked on such an experiment or else you'd know it by now!
I choose to use reusable products over disposable nearly every single time that I have a choice. I also tend to wonder if I can repurpose an item or use the last little bit of product prior to throwing it away. For example, my son's old & worn out washcloths make pretty good dust rags or add a little water to "empty" ketchup or salsa containers and add the mix to red pasta sauce or chili.
At the moment, I'm looking at plastic sandwich bag alternatives. I love those little Ziploc bags and I use them so often that I purchase them in mass quantities at Costco or Sam's Club. I've been using plastic containers in our lunches as much as possible, but I wonder if there are non-plastic alternatives that I should know about.
I acknowledge that it will be hard to break my addiction to Ziploc bags. I personally threw away three paper napkins each day prior to my switch over to cloth napkins. I tossed out at least one box of tampons every 20 days or so prior to my Diva Cup and mama cloth conversion, to say nothing about the liners I threw in the garbage. I shudder to think about how many Ziploc bags I end up 86ing in a given week.
Do my thrown away Ziploc bags make a difference? No, probably not. Does recycling those plastic bags really matter? No, not really. But I still don't feel that my effort is fruitless. My thought processes or my decisions might impact others to consider how much they waste. I might be the spark that makes a flame of difference in terms of resources.
I haven't been all that concerned with Ziploc bags since I have a ton left from my last trip to Costco, but I know that I will view my Ziploc usage with a hard eye at some point and I'm looking for feedback. Do you use non-plastic alternatives to tote your lunches and snacks? If so, what are the pros and cons? And please share your favorite vendors!
I choose to use reusable products over disposable nearly every single time that I have a choice. I also tend to wonder if I can repurpose an item or use the last little bit of product prior to throwing it away. For example, my son's old & worn out washcloths make pretty good dust rags or add a little water to "empty" ketchup or salsa containers and add the mix to red pasta sauce or chili.
At the moment, I'm looking at plastic sandwich bag alternatives. I love those little Ziploc bags and I use them so often that I purchase them in mass quantities at Costco or Sam's Club. I've been using plastic containers in our lunches as much as possible, but I wonder if there are non-plastic alternatives that I should know about.
I acknowledge that it will be hard to break my addiction to Ziploc bags. I personally threw away three paper napkins each day prior to my switch over to cloth napkins. I tossed out at least one box of tampons every 20 days or so prior to my Diva Cup and mama cloth conversion, to say nothing about the liners I threw in the garbage. I shudder to think about how many Ziploc bags I end up 86ing in a given week.
Do my thrown away Ziploc bags make a difference? No, probably not. Does recycling those plastic bags really matter? No, not really. But I still don't feel that my effort is fruitless. My thought processes or my decisions might impact others to consider how much they waste. I might be the spark that makes a flame of difference in terms of resources.
I haven't been all that concerned with Ziploc bags since I have a ton left from my last trip to Costco, but I know that I will view my Ziploc usage with a hard eye at some point and I'm looking for feedback. Do you use non-plastic alternatives to tote your lunches and snacks? If so, what are the pros and cons? And please share your favorite vendors!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Crunchy Questions
I would have liked to write a post about politics, but my son and I are even more sick today. My head is still stuffy and now my throat feels like it's lined with barbed wire & razor blades. My son has picked up a runny nose in addition to that terrible cough. I can handle all kinds of gross bodily functions, but there is nearly nothing on the planet that creeps me out more than snot; I can't wait until he learns how to blow his nose! So instead of a deep and meaningful post, this is a short one that probably won't make any sense to most of the readership. I have a few questions on two different topics for my more crunchy readers.
Amber Jewelry
I know that the lighter colored amber contains more succinic acid, but is there a difference in the style of amber? What I mean is, are chips or beads better if you're using the necklace for therapeutic purposes? Does necklace length make any difference?
Mama Cloth
I've started another cycle (yes, another period already!) and I absolutely love mama cloth. I'm totally sold on how comfortable cloth is compared to any disposable products. I want to pick up more pads for my heavy day, but I'm seeking some feedback before making a purchase. I love, love, love my heavy-flow pads from Mother Moon Pads, but do you have any vendors who you particularly like for heavy-flow mama cloth?
Other than price, what's the primary difference between fleece-backed pads and wool-backed pads? What are the main differences between cotton velour and OBV? Have you ever tried a minkee-topped pad? If so, does it feel gross once it's used? Are there any drawbacks to using pads with serged edges versus zig-zagging or topstitching?
Amber Jewelry
I know that the lighter colored amber contains more succinic acid, but is there a difference in the style of amber? What I mean is, are chips or beads better if you're using the necklace for therapeutic purposes? Does necklace length make any difference?
Mama Cloth
I've started another cycle (yes, another period already!) and I absolutely love mama cloth. I'm totally sold on how comfortable cloth is compared to any disposable products. I want to pick up more pads for my heavy day, but I'm seeking some feedback before making a purchase. I love, love, love my heavy-flow pads from Mother Moon Pads, but do you have any vendors who you particularly like for heavy-flow mama cloth?
Other than price, what's the primary difference between fleece-backed pads and wool-backed pads? What are the main differences between cotton velour and OBV? Have you ever tried a minkee-topped pad? If so, does it feel gross once it's used? Are there any drawbacks to using pads with serged edges versus zig-zagging or topstitching?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
3 Squares
The title of this post does not refer to the amount of healthy meals that I consume in a day, though it would still be an accurate description. No, this post is about toilet paper. Yes, this is yet another toilet paper blog post.
I guess that I've been thinking a lot about toilet paper this month. First it was my post wondering about crumpling v folding TP. Then I informed the readership about the existence of reusable toilet paper, AKA family cloth. Now this. . .
It goes without saying that I am not interested at all in using family cloth for #2, but I've determined that I'm not quite crunchy enough to try family cloth at this time. It doesn't make me squeamish to use a square of fabric to wipe after I pee, but it does bother me that people might think I'm a complete and total weirdo for doing it. What can I say, every now and then I actually give a rip about what other people think.
However, I still am interested in lowering the cost of my toilet paper burden. So, instead of exploring family cloth options, I decided that I'd look at my disposable toilet paper relationship. I had been a crumpler of toilet paper and, at the urging of a friend, I tried the folding technique. I did not like it the first day or so that I tried it, but I chalked it up to the impossibly thin and rough one-ply paper that we typically have at home. I purchased a different brand of TP at the store and continued my TP-folding experiment.
The two-ply offered an immediate difference. It was much softer and, when folded, it was twice the thickness and was far more absorbent. I felt encouraged with this finding and I continued to experiment with finding a good folding technique.
I think that I have found folded toilet paper perfection.
I started off with the bare minimum; one square of TP. Needless to say, it was not enough and my fingers were wet with urine after wiping. Gross! I bumped it up to two squares of toilet paper and my fingers continued to suffer a damp result. Still friggin' gross! I doubled it to four squares and all was well; my fingers weren't wet and the toilet paper did the job. Success! I backed it down to three squares of toilet paper and I think I have found the perfect balance. Yay!
I was always a crumpler so this has been a major change in my toilet technique. Three squares, folded over, keeps my digits dry and dries my underside quite nicely. To me, this is the perfect balance of cleanliness and frugality.
Have you been thinking about how you use toilet paper or considering family cloth? Share your thoughts below and let start a blog dialog!
I guess that I've been thinking a lot about toilet paper this month. First it was my post wondering about crumpling v folding TP. Then I informed the readership about the existence of reusable toilet paper, AKA family cloth. Now this. . .
It goes without saying that I am not interested at all in using family cloth for #2, but I've determined that I'm not quite crunchy enough to try family cloth at this time. It doesn't make me squeamish to use a square of fabric to wipe after I pee, but it does bother me that people might think I'm a complete and total weirdo for doing it. What can I say, every now and then I actually give a rip about what other people think.
However, I still am interested in lowering the cost of my toilet paper burden. So, instead of exploring family cloth options, I decided that I'd look at my disposable toilet paper relationship. I had been a crumpler of toilet paper and, at the urging of a friend, I tried the folding technique. I did not like it the first day or so that I tried it, but I chalked it up to the impossibly thin and rough one-ply paper that we typically have at home. I purchased a different brand of TP at the store and continued my TP-folding experiment.
The two-ply offered an immediate difference. It was much softer and, when folded, it was twice the thickness and was far more absorbent. I felt encouraged with this finding and I continued to experiment with finding a good folding technique.
I think that I have found folded toilet paper perfection.
I started off with the bare minimum; one square of TP. Needless to say, it was not enough and my fingers were wet with urine after wiping. Gross! I bumped it up to two squares of toilet paper and my fingers continued to suffer a damp result. Still friggin' gross! I doubled it to four squares and all was well; my fingers weren't wet and the toilet paper did the job. Success! I backed it down to three squares of toilet paper and I think I have found the perfect balance. Yay!
I was always a crumpler so this has been a major change in my toilet technique. Three squares, folded over, keeps my digits dry and dries my underside quite nicely. To me, this is the perfect balance of cleanliness and frugality.
Have you been thinking about how you use toilet paper or considering family cloth? Share your thoughts below and let start a blog dialog!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I Might Be One of "THEM"
I received a notice about a new "green" product the other day. It's toilet paper, paper towels, paper napkins, and stuff like that created from recycled materials. I don't generally buy the hype with most recycling and think most of it (not all I'm sure) is just something people do to somehow make themselves feel better, more environmentally virtuous.
I would guess that most environmentally savvy consumers probably aren't using paper towels or paper napkins (heck, even I use cloth towels & napkins and I'm not exactly environmentally mental), but I guess the theory is that these products made from recycled materials are somehow better to use than products created from virgin materials. That may or may not be true, but I'm not going there tonight.
I'm going somewhere that's an entirely different shade of crazy. . .maybe. No, no, this is something that is totally beyond the pale. Oddly, I don't think it sounds all that bad, but I might be one of THEM. You decide.
Before I continue, I have to say that I have really enjoyed writing this blog for a few reasons. Primarily, it's a helluva lot less expensive than therapy. I've enjoyed giving my thoughts and debating on a variety of touchy topics from the headlines. It also has been fun to do a little light research on a bunch of sorta "weird" topics and sharing my findings. I've liked hearing that readers have been able to implement small changes that I've suggested to either make their lives easier or save a little dough. I've really been excited when my blog has encouraged readers to totally change the way they look at certain aspects of life. Sometimes I have no idea if anyone is reading at all and the feedback has really been helpful to keep me going on this 365-project of mine.
Okay, all that said, let's continue.
At some point in one of the Reduce, Recycle, & Reuse (the first one) posts on my old blog, I mentioned that I don't use toilet paper and quickly added that it was a total joke. At the time, I didn't even know such thing as reusable toilet paper existed. Well, my recent blog post on crumpling v folding toilet paper got me thinking. . .uh-oh, no good can come from this, right?
Yes. There is such a thing as reusable toilet paper, called "family cloth." So far, so good. It sounds harmless enough.
I used cloth diapers on my son. I use a menstrual cup and mama cloth (reusable pads) to manage my menses. I figure this can't possibly gross me out. I raised an eyebrow at my search result and gamely marched forward with my research.
Family cloth is a similar concept to cloth baby wipes. Don't freak out, it's not as bad as it sounds. If you've diapered a baby, especially if you've ever cloth diapered, none of this should sound all that foreign to you.
Family cloths are reasonably large squares of fabric that are used to, well, wipe the genital area clean after urination or evacuation. The fabric choices are varied: cotton jersey, cotton or bamboo velour, flannel, sherpa fleece, hemp, whatever. You can use them wet or dry. Or you can go for that really fresh & clean feeling and rinse your genital area with a handheld bidet - that would be a diaper sprayer in my house! Then you just use the cloth to pat your nether region dry.
After soiling the cloth, you store it in a container (a small lidded step-pail works great) until wash day. You can rinse soiled cloth (utilizing the aforementioned diaper sprayer/handheld bidet) before storing in your pail; I always did this with diapers. Launder as you would cloth diapers. I was a double wash with an extra rinse kind of gal. Sometimes I line dried and let the sun work it's bleach-tastic magic, other times I utilized the dryer.
While some family cloth users go all-out and wipe their poo too, it appears that most family cloth users only use it for urination and still use toilet paper for dealing with dookie. Somehow, that sounds more acceptable to me too.
Don't go thinking, "I can't believe she's doing this!" I haven't. . .yet. And, if I did, I would always stock TP in my restroom because I'm not into forcing others to do exactly what I choose to do. But, let's face it, I probably won't because I'm quite certain that my husband would blow his top if I did.
On the other hand, I'm the one who would be using it for my own pee. . .I'm the one who would be dealing with storing pee-wipes until I do laundry. . .I'm the one who does laundry. . .hm, I might actually be talking myself into trying this.
So what do you think? Is this an interesting idea? Or have I finally gone over to The Dark (green) Side - perhaps another color is more appropriate, no? Have you tried family cloth? If so, please share (anonymously if you prefer) your experience!
I would guess that most environmentally savvy consumers probably aren't using paper towels or paper napkins (heck, even I use cloth towels & napkins and I'm not exactly environmentally mental), but I guess the theory is that these products made from recycled materials are somehow better to use than products created from virgin materials. That may or may not be true, but I'm not going there tonight.
I'm going somewhere that's an entirely different shade of crazy. . .maybe. No, no, this is something that is totally beyond the pale. Oddly, I don't think it sounds all that bad, but I might be one of THEM. You decide.
* * *
Before I continue, I have to say that I have really enjoyed writing this blog for a few reasons. Primarily, it's a helluva lot less expensive than therapy. I've enjoyed giving my thoughts and debating on a variety of touchy topics from the headlines. It also has been fun to do a little light research on a bunch of sorta "weird" topics and sharing my findings. I've liked hearing that readers have been able to implement small changes that I've suggested to either make their lives easier or save a little dough. I've really been excited when my blog has encouraged readers to totally change the way they look at certain aspects of life. Sometimes I have no idea if anyone is reading at all and the feedback has really been helpful to keep me going on this 365-project of mine.
Okay, all that said, let's continue.
At some point in one of the Reduce, Recycle, & Reuse (the first one) posts on my old blog, I mentioned that I don't use toilet paper and quickly added that it was a total joke. At the time, I didn't even know such thing as reusable toilet paper existed. Well, my recent blog post on crumpling v folding toilet paper got me thinking. . .uh-oh, no good can come from this, right?
Yes. There is such a thing as reusable toilet paper, called "family cloth." So far, so good. It sounds harmless enough.
I used cloth diapers on my son. I use a menstrual cup and mama cloth (reusable pads) to manage my menses. I figure this can't possibly gross me out. I raised an eyebrow at my search result and gamely marched forward with my research.
Family cloth is a similar concept to cloth baby wipes. Don't freak out, it's not as bad as it sounds. If you've diapered a baby, especially if you've ever cloth diapered, none of this should sound all that foreign to you.
Family cloths are reasonably large squares of fabric that are used to, well, wipe the genital area clean after urination or evacuation. The fabric choices are varied: cotton jersey, cotton or bamboo velour, flannel, sherpa fleece, hemp, whatever. You can use them wet or dry. Or you can go for that really fresh & clean feeling and rinse your genital area with a handheld bidet - that would be a diaper sprayer in my house! Then you just use the cloth to pat your nether region dry.
After soiling the cloth, you store it in a container (a small lidded step-pail works great) until wash day. You can rinse soiled cloth (utilizing the aforementioned diaper sprayer/handheld bidet) before storing in your pail; I always did this with diapers. Launder as you would cloth diapers. I was a double wash with an extra rinse kind of gal. Sometimes I line dried and let the sun work it's bleach-tastic magic, other times I utilized the dryer.
While some family cloth users go all-out and wipe their poo too, it appears that most family cloth users only use it for urination and still use toilet paper for dealing with dookie. Somehow, that sounds more acceptable to me too.
Don't go thinking, "I can't believe she's doing this!" I haven't. . .yet. And, if I did, I would always stock TP in my restroom because I'm not into forcing others to do exactly what I choose to do. But, let's face it, I probably won't because I'm quite certain that my husband would blow his top if I did.
On the other hand, I'm the one who would be using it for my own pee. . .I'm the one who would be dealing with storing pee-wipes until I do laundry. . .I'm the one who does laundry. . .hm, I might actually be talking myself into trying this.
So what do you think? Is this an interesting idea? Or have I finally gone over to The Dark (green) Side - perhaps another color is more appropriate, no? Have you tried family cloth? If so, please share (anonymously if you prefer) your experience!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Reduce, Recycle, Reuse - Part III
I almost didn't post this. . .it was the post that I had ready to go on the day that my brother passed away. Ultimately I decided that holding it back won't bring him back, so here you go.
This is the third installment of my reduce, recycle, and reuse posts. You can find the other two posts on May 21 and June 26.
Cloth Napkins - Do you want to eschew paper napkins, but don't want to lay out the expense of purchasing cloth napkins? Check out the clearance offerings in the domestics area of department stores to score some fabulous deals. You can also cut up an old flat bedsheet to make more napkins than you'll probably ever need. If you don't have any old bedsheets, check the aforementioned clearance section for very inexpensive offerings. Understand that you'll have to hem the edges of each napkin if you make them out of old bedsheets. My dishtowels seem to reproduce faster than rabbits and I have a bunch that I've never even used. I don't see why you couldn't use small dishtowels instead of napkins. They're roughly the right size, they're absorbent, and they wash & dry well.
Plastic Containers - I've already detailed how I reuse plastic containers, but I have a couple more to add. I've started to repurpose plastic juice jugs and plastic mayo jars. The 2-quart juice jugs are handy for storing homemade broth or stock. The more narrow variety of jug are appropriate for freezing, but I don't prefer to freeze in such large quantities because the defrosting takes forever. This seems like a no-brainer and I can't believe that I've never thought of it before, but you can also use these containers when you make juice from frozen concentrate. I've been repurposing plastic mayo jars to store scraps (primarily only poultry skin and beef fat) that we feed to the dog. I also have used them to store homemade broth or stock if I'm going to use it in the next day or so; otherwise I store it in the freezer in a different container. I make small quantities of iced tea and the 32- ounce jars are perfect for storing my favorite warm weather beverage.
Steam Mop - This does call for an investment up front, but it does save money and reduce waste in the long run if you typically use Swiffer products. I have a Shark steam mop and I do like it quite a bit though it took some time to get used to it's horrible hissing sound. The model I have came with several heads with different shapes and the corresponding microfiber pads which are machine washable. The steam mop utilizes plain ol' water, super-heated, to clean. No chemicals, no fumes, no disposable pads. I was skeptical about it's cleaning ability, but I actually think my floors are cleaner looking & feeling since I've been using it. Note that it doesn't seem to do much for grout though. Does anyone have a product recommendation for cleaning grout?
Vegetables - Make a stir-fry if you have a bunch of vegetables that are reaching the end, but are still somewhat crisp. Make a pot of vegetable soup if the veggies are getting limp, but still edible. Toss any inedible veggies in your compost pile.
Veggie Water - I don't quite know what to call this, but it's the water left over when you've steamed vegetables. I always use it if I need water in the meal that I'm cooking. Waste not, want not, and all that. I know this might sound gross, but I really like broccoli and I like to drink the water that's left when I steam it.
Fruit - Make smoothies with any fruit that is beginning to get too soft and overripe. Peaches, grapes, berries, bananas, apricots, strawberries, just about any fruit can be used to make a smoothie. Add to blender with some milk or yogurt. I usually like to toss in some frozen banana too because it gives nice body to the smoothie.
Bananas - I've heard that mushy bananas can be used to make banana bread, but I absolutely never bake. I came across a "recipe" that calls for frozen bananas and milk. It claims you can process frozen bananas with a little milk and the result tastes like soft serve. I haven't tried it yet, but I do have a couple of peeled & sliced bananas in the freezer so I'll be trying it soon enough.
Garden Thinnings - I've heard that you can transplant thinnings to increase your yield, but I've never had good luck with transplanting very young plants. Maybe you'll have better luck? If you've planted greens, such as lettuce or spinach, you can eat the thinnings and they are a remarkably tender treat in a salad.
Grass Clippings/Tree Trimmings - Leaving your grass clippings on the lawn is actually good for the grass, but most people don't like to leave it for aesthetic reasons. What to do with grass clippings and small bits of tree or hedge trimmings? Add to your compost pile, of course! Do be aware, though, of how much nitrogen ("green" or wet material) you're adding since you don't want it to totally overtake the carbon ("brown" or dried material) compost ingredients. Remember that a healthy heap has both.
Quick word on composting: Most compost piles to do not have an ideal ratio of ingredients. Don't sweat it too much and go ahead & add kitchen scraps. Just do not add any animal-based kitchen scraps (skin, fat, gristle, etc.) or dairy to your heap!
I hope this series of posts is useful and interesting to you. Stay tuned as there will, no doubt, eventually be a Part IV in this series of posts.
This is the third installment of my reduce, recycle, and reuse posts. You can find the other two posts on May 21 and June 26.
Cloth Napkins - Do you want to eschew paper napkins, but don't want to lay out the expense of purchasing cloth napkins? Check out the clearance offerings in the domestics area of department stores to score some fabulous deals. You can also cut up an old flat bedsheet to make more napkins than you'll probably ever need. If you don't have any old bedsheets, check the aforementioned clearance section for very inexpensive offerings. Understand that you'll have to hem the edges of each napkin if you make them out of old bedsheets. My dishtowels seem to reproduce faster than rabbits and I have a bunch that I've never even used. I don't see why you couldn't use small dishtowels instead of napkins. They're roughly the right size, they're absorbent, and they wash & dry well.
Plastic Containers - I've already detailed how I reuse plastic containers, but I have a couple more to add. I've started to repurpose plastic juice jugs and plastic mayo jars. The 2-quart juice jugs are handy for storing homemade broth or stock. The more narrow variety of jug are appropriate for freezing, but I don't prefer to freeze in such large quantities because the defrosting takes forever. This seems like a no-brainer and I can't believe that I've never thought of it before, but you can also use these containers when you make juice from frozen concentrate. I've been repurposing plastic mayo jars to store scraps (primarily only poultry skin and beef fat) that we feed to the dog. I also have used them to store homemade broth or stock if I'm going to use it in the next day or so; otherwise I store it in the freezer in a different container. I make small quantities of iced tea and the 32- ounce jars are perfect for storing my favorite warm weather beverage.
Steam Mop - This does call for an investment up front, but it does save money and reduce waste in the long run if you typically use Swiffer products. I have a Shark steam mop and I do like it quite a bit though it took some time to get used to it's horrible hissing sound. The model I have came with several heads with different shapes and the corresponding microfiber pads which are machine washable. The steam mop utilizes plain ol' water, super-heated, to clean. No chemicals, no fumes, no disposable pads. I was skeptical about it's cleaning ability, but I actually think my floors are cleaner looking & feeling since I've been using it. Note that it doesn't seem to do much for grout though. Does anyone have a product recommendation for cleaning grout?
Vegetables - Make a stir-fry if you have a bunch of vegetables that are reaching the end, but are still somewhat crisp. Make a pot of vegetable soup if the veggies are getting limp, but still edible. Toss any inedible veggies in your compost pile.
Veggie Water - I don't quite know what to call this, but it's the water left over when you've steamed vegetables. I always use it if I need water in the meal that I'm cooking. Waste not, want not, and all that. I know this might sound gross, but I really like broccoli and I like to drink the water that's left when I steam it.
Fruit - Make smoothies with any fruit that is beginning to get too soft and overripe. Peaches, grapes, berries, bananas, apricots, strawberries, just about any fruit can be used to make a smoothie. Add to blender with some milk or yogurt. I usually like to toss in some frozen banana too because it gives nice body to the smoothie.
Bananas - I've heard that mushy bananas can be used to make banana bread, but I absolutely never bake. I came across a "recipe" that calls for frozen bananas and milk. It claims you can process frozen bananas with a little milk and the result tastes like soft serve. I haven't tried it yet, but I do have a couple of peeled & sliced bananas in the freezer so I'll be trying it soon enough.
Garden Thinnings - I've heard that you can transplant thinnings to increase your yield, but I've never had good luck with transplanting very young plants. Maybe you'll have better luck? If you've planted greens, such as lettuce or spinach, you can eat the thinnings and they are a remarkably tender treat in a salad.
Grass Clippings/Tree Trimmings - Leaving your grass clippings on the lawn is actually good for the grass, but most people don't like to leave it for aesthetic reasons. What to do with grass clippings and small bits of tree or hedge trimmings? Add to your compost pile, of course! Do be aware, though, of how much nitrogen ("green" or wet material) you're adding since you don't want it to totally overtake the carbon ("brown" or dried material) compost ingredients. Remember that a healthy heap has both.
Quick word on composting: Most compost piles to do not have an ideal ratio of ingredients. Don't sweat it too much and go ahead & add kitchen scraps. Just do not add any animal-based kitchen scraps (skin, fat, gristle, etc.) or dairy to your heap!
I hope this series of posts is useful and interesting to you. Stay tuned as there will, no doubt, eventually be a Part IV in this series of posts.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
My Frugal Flow - It's Good for Me and Good for the Environment
I don't consider myself "green." I certainly don't think I'm all that crunchy or granola. I don't sweat the environment and I'm not particularly concerned about the impact man has on Earth. Among my more eco-conscious friends, I'm probably considered as wasteful as the rest of the planet. But, as compared to eco-friendly friends who pay lip service to "saving the environment" or some such, I'd say that I'm a hard-core crunchola. See, Lisa, I told you I'd use your word!
Who are the lip service eco-warriors? They are the people who make a big deal about driving a hybrid, eating locally grown organic foods, and avoiding those big & scary chemicals and toxins. I can't help but raise a figurative eyebrow when they don't seem to have a problem eating processed foods or snacks if "natural" or "organic" is on the label. It's doubly hilarious if they partake in such so-called healthy snacks while indulging in alcohol. Um, okay. I guess ingesting poison is okay if it makes you more lively at parties. Though some were able to breastfeed, they didn't have a problem with feeding formula to their newborn baby. But, hey, it must be healthier than breastmilk since the formula was mixed with soy milk (instead of that evil cow milk I guess), right? I facepalmed when someone actually told me (of all people!) that they were afraid to get their formula-fed & disposable-diapered infant vaccinated because vaccines "aren't natural." For once in my life, I actually held my tongue and changed the subject. I did learn later from the grandmother that the little one ended up fully vaxed.
I don't care what personal decisions people make, but I am amused when their own actions and choices seem at such odds with their own beliefs. Interestingly enough, I'm considered pretty radical (and not in the cool 80s way) because of the way I manage my period these days. Personally, the environmental and personal health aspect isn't what inspired me to use a reusable menstrual product. It was all about the cost savings for me. But I'm surprised that environmentally friendly people recoil at the idea of shunning disposable menstrual products. It seems to me that greening up your period is a no-brainer for those who are concerned about the environment, personal health, and/or saving money.
Thanks to the Diva Cup, I no longer throw a box of tampons in the garbage (thus, the landfill) every 20 to 30 days. Sure, if you aren't on a septic system (as I am), you could flush tampons away to the sewage system. But understand that flushing them away doesn't make them disappear. Disposable menstrual products (tampons and pads) generate a lot of waste and my personal waste has been significantly reduced by using a reusable product.
I don't get all worked up over chemicals, but I no longer have to shove bleached (or unbleached) fibers up my hoo-haw. Tampons absorb and pull out all moisture, not just menstrual blood. The Diva Cup is smooth and comfortable and doesn't leave me with that unpleasant Sahara desert-feeling in my vagina at the end of my cycle.
I've been using the Diva Cup for many cycles now and I essentially get my period for free every month. Sure, I spent more money up front, but it paid for itself in tampon savings by the fifth cycle.
One thing has been bothering me though. I still use disposable liners - just in case. I don't think that using a few liners every month is going to destroy the planet or my budget, but I know that there are more comfortable options. As a bonus, these options are washable and, therefore, are reusable. That means that they will ultimately end up being a less expensive option to deal with something that happens every single month.
I mentioned to my husband that I might like to purchase some mama cloth as a backup for my heavy-flow days. My husband calmly gave me The Look and asked if I'd like him to procure some Cherokee Hair so I can make my own tampons. That's a South Park reference, in case you were wondering. He then suggested that I might be able to sweep up enough dog hair from the floor to weave my own absorbent pads. Then I gave him The Look followed closely by The Finger. I realize now that I should have just bought the damn LunaPads or GladRags or whatever and not involved him at all.
But my husband's smart mouth really got me thinking. . .
How hard can it possibly be to make your own mama cloth? I'm not particularly crafty, but I suspect that even I could figure out how to make my own liners. Then my frugal brain kicked into overdrive and I wondered if I could just repurpose my son's old diaper inserts instead? I have microfiber, bamboo blend, and cotton inserts and I'm nearly positive that I could somehow fashion them into liners. My problem is that I don't sew and I don't know how to use a sewing machine, but I'm almost certain that I could do it by hand. Can't I? Has anyone made their own mama cloth liners? What materials did you use? Other than de-valuing the diapers, is it totally wrong to consider repurposing my son's old diaper inserts? Any tips or advice would be appreciated!
Who are the lip service eco-warriors? They are the people who make a big deal about driving a hybrid, eating locally grown organic foods, and avoiding those big & scary chemicals and toxins. I can't help but raise a figurative eyebrow when they don't seem to have a problem eating processed foods or snacks if "natural" or "organic" is on the label. It's doubly hilarious if they partake in such so-called healthy snacks while indulging in alcohol. Um, okay. I guess ingesting poison is okay if it makes you more lively at parties. Though some were able to breastfeed, they didn't have a problem with feeding formula to their newborn baby. But, hey, it must be healthier than breastmilk since the formula was mixed with soy milk (instead of that evil cow milk I guess), right? I facepalmed when someone actually told me (of all people!) that they were afraid to get their formula-fed & disposable-diapered infant vaccinated because vaccines "aren't natural." For once in my life, I actually held my tongue and changed the subject. I did learn later from the grandmother that the little one ended up fully vaxed.
I don't care what personal decisions people make, but I am amused when their own actions and choices seem at such odds with their own beliefs. Interestingly enough, I'm considered pretty radical (and not in the cool 80s way) because of the way I manage my period these days. Personally, the environmental and personal health aspect isn't what inspired me to use a reusable menstrual product. It was all about the cost savings for me. But I'm surprised that environmentally friendly people recoil at the idea of shunning disposable menstrual products. It seems to me that greening up your period is a no-brainer for those who are concerned about the environment, personal health, and/or saving money.
Thanks to the Diva Cup, I no longer throw a box of tampons in the garbage (thus, the landfill) every 20 to 30 days. Sure, if you aren't on a septic system (as I am), you could flush tampons away to the sewage system. But understand that flushing them away doesn't make them disappear. Disposable menstrual products (tampons and pads) generate a lot of waste and my personal waste has been significantly reduced by using a reusable product.
I don't get all worked up over chemicals, but I no longer have to shove bleached (or unbleached) fibers up my hoo-haw. Tampons absorb and pull out all moisture, not just menstrual blood. The Diva Cup is smooth and comfortable and doesn't leave me with that unpleasant Sahara desert-feeling in my vagina at the end of my cycle.
I've been using the Diva Cup for many cycles now and I essentially get my period for free every month. Sure, I spent more money up front, but it paid for itself in tampon savings by the fifth cycle.
One thing has been bothering me though. I still use disposable liners - just in case. I don't think that using a few liners every month is going to destroy the planet or my budget, but I know that there are more comfortable options. As a bonus, these options are washable and, therefore, are reusable. That means that they will ultimately end up being a less expensive option to deal with something that happens every single month.
I mentioned to my husband that I might like to purchase some mama cloth as a backup for my heavy-flow days. My husband calmly gave me The Look and asked if I'd like him to procure some Cherokee Hair so I can make my own tampons. That's a South Park reference, in case you were wondering. He then suggested that I might be able to sweep up enough dog hair from the floor to weave my own absorbent pads. Then I gave him The Look followed closely by The Finger. I realize now that I should have just bought the damn LunaPads or GladRags or whatever and not involved him at all.
But my husband's smart mouth really got me thinking. . .
How hard can it possibly be to make your own mama cloth? I'm not particularly crafty, but I suspect that even I could figure out how to make my own liners. Then my frugal brain kicked into overdrive and I wondered if I could just repurpose my son's old diaper inserts instead? I have microfiber, bamboo blend, and cotton inserts and I'm nearly positive that I could somehow fashion them into liners. My problem is that I don't sew and I don't know how to use a sewing machine, but I'm almost certain that I could do it by hand. Can't I? Has anyone made their own mama cloth liners? What materials did you use? Other than de-valuing the diapers, is it totally wrong to consider repurposing my son's old diaper inserts? Any tips or advice would be appreciated!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Am I a Hippie?
WARNING - WARNING - WARNING: There are one or two segments of this post that probably aren't for everyone since they deal with what might be considered potentially yucky stuff or they contain forceful opinions that go against popular thinking. Note that most of it is not gross or potentially offensive though and it might be an interesting read.
I am not a damn dirty hippie! Yes, I heard that sentence in my head in Eric Cartman's voice. At least, I don't like to think that I am all that crunchy or granola. But even I must admit that I have some really crunchy & granola tendencies. Read for yourself and decide.
I really, really, really wanted a completely natural drug-free vaginal birth. I totally bought the line about it being so much easier and healthier to do things as nature intended - I still do. However, my sweet little breech baby had other plans and I ended up with a c-section. To this very day (over two years later), I still feel bitter that I was cheated out of that experience. The logical part of my brain is aghast that I'm not simply thankful that I surgically delivered a healthy baby. But my personal holy grail is to have a completely natural drug-free vaginal birth. I will do anything within my power to have that experience for the second child, should we ever have one.
Verdict: I might be a hippie.
I really, really, really wanted to breastfeed. I had scabs on my nipples by the second day of my son's life. Bleeding scabs on my nipples! I was so freaking determined that my son would not have formula that I suffered for days in the hospital and for SEVEN WEEKS at home to make breastfeeding work. I don't quit anything without a fight and I gave it my all. I won. He was exclusively breastfed (no formula - other than what they gave him in the hospital!, cereal, or anything else) for five months. I'm proud that I nursed my son for over one year. And I'm a little sad that I didn't breastfeed through his second year.
Verdict (until last line): I might be a hippie.
Verdict (including last line): Yes, I am a hippie.
I wanted to exclusively cloth diaper my son. Everyone told me that I was totally nuts. After I returned home, I realized that I could not physically reach down into our washing machine. I already felt bad about my husband having to do regular laundry (I folded & put it away though), so I didn't ask him to wash diapers. My son didn't use cloth for the first few months. Once he started using cloth, I only used it at home. Eventually I ended up using cloth all day (whether or not we were at home) and disposable diapers for overnights. The only reason I used 'sposies overnight is because his little bottom would always be red after wearing cloth for twelve-plus hours. I think that using cloth diapers may have helped him get potty trained before he turned two years old. I anticipate primarily using cloth diapers with my second child, should I have one.
Verdict: I might be a hippie.
I quit using disposable tampons around six months ago or so. My red has gone green I guess you could say. Who knew your period could be so damned hip?! I was truly surprised at all the options for reusable menstrual products. I personally like the Diva Cup. I'm also considering purchasing some mama cloth as backup for my heavy flow days.
Verdict: Oh, yes, I am definitely a hippie.
I'm pretty comfortable with my body. I don't think there's anything wrong with going to nude beaches (RIP Trail 6) and I used to frequent them fairly often. I don't like regular volleyball either, but nude volleyball has always been tremendously off-putting to me. But I love how the sun's rays feel on my bare skin. Being naked and being outside feels good!
Verdict: Yes, I am a hippie.
I don't worry about "toxins" or "chemicals." I don't see the benefit of chelation therapy, colonic irrigation/cleansing, enemas, douching, or detox diets. I don't buy anything organic and I have no problem using fertilizers or pesticides in my own vegetable garden or for my own fruit trees. I think vaccines have saved far more lives than they have ruined. I trust modern medicine and I don't put any faith in witch-doctory nonsense. If you think supplements, vitamins, herbs, tinctures, reflexology, aromatherapy, fill in the blank works, well, I'm glad you do. But I do not.
Verdict: I am not a hippie.
I believe having a good and honest chiropractor is a gift. But I do not believe they are worth much more than adjusting your spine when it's out of alignment. I do not believe that the alignment (or mis-alignment) of your spine has any impact on whether or not you end up suffering from a major medical illness, such as cancer. Chiropractors massage your back and neck and that feels good & all, but it doesn't prevent or cure any major diseases. True story: I dated a Chiropractor once and it made him mental when I'd ask him to "crack my back" - small wonder that we didn't date long. Witch-doctor. And a cheater.
Verdict: I am not a hippie.
I don't get the whole hybrid vehicle craze. Driving one means, what? That you get good mileage in stop & go traffic? Whoop-de-doo. Plenty of vehicles get highway mileage that totally smokes that of hybrids and many get comparable city mileage. Yet hybrid owners frequently act like they are single-handedly saving the planet because they are driving what is is essentially a disposable car. Um, okay. Sorry, I love a big & mean V-8 with plenty of ponies under the hood and I hate the pussified look of most hybrids. I ADORE the look of the new Dodge Challenger and I really like the new Chevy Camaro. So call me an eco-criminal.
Verdict: I am not a hippie.
Ever since I turned 18, I've nearly always voted Republican. As I've matured, I find that I'm far less conservative and far more libertarian. I don't give a crap what someone does with their own time and their own body. Wanna do drugs? Go ahead. Wanna marry a guy/girl? I don't care. Wanna burn the American flag, pray to rocks, howl at the moon? Go for it! Wanna take even more tax dollars from hard-working Americans to benefit those who don't pay nearly the same amount into the system? Now we have a big problem. Wanna punish people for working hard by taxing their income at a higher rate? I definitely have a problem with that. I guess you could say that I'm socially libertarian and fiscally conservative. Unfortunately, so many politicians who have the nerve to call themselves "conservative" are anything but that. To paraphrase the late President Ronald Reagan: I didn't leave my party. My party left me.
Verdict (based on first sentence): I am not a hippie.
Verdict (based on entire statement): I might be a hippie.
Abortion? I saw and heard my son's heartbeat at my 6-week prenatal checkup. At just six-weeks, that little one has a heartbeat that is unique. Like it or not, abortion stops a beating heart. That makes it murder to me. However, if a woman can live with the blood of an innocent on her hands, well, I guess that's her choice. I don't have to live with her choice. Please don't think that I'm being callous because I'm not. I feel for women who have had abortions and I'm painfully aware of the emotionally pain they often suffer afterward. In an ideal world, contraception would be 100% effective (and morning-after pills would be OTC) and abortion would not exist. But this is not an ideal world.
Verdict: You know, I'm not sure what my opinion means here?
I don't really care one way or another about male circumcision. I love my husband, but I've been friendly with a variety of penii in my life. Um, only three though - haha! Though the majority were cut, I had a three-year relationship with an uncircumcised man and I've known others. I don't care if it's a mushroom cap or an anteater, I like them all and they all are unique. When I learned that I was having a son, I spoke with several men on the matter. Three men had to have circumcision later in life. And they thought it was the worst pain imaginable. Their ages were three, eleven and in their 70s when they had their circumcisions. I did not make the ultimate decision on whether or not my son was cut. I don't have a penis and I don't really have an opinion on the matter. Though I'll share all sorts of personal info about myself, I will not divulge whether or not my son has been circumcised because that's his personal business and it's not my place to share.
Verdict: I am not a hippie.
I don't like to think that I am a hippie, but I might be. What's your verdict?
I am not a damn dirty hippie! Yes, I heard that sentence in my head in Eric Cartman's voice. At least, I don't like to think that I am all that crunchy or granola. But even I must admit that I have some really crunchy & granola tendencies. Read for yourself and decide.
I really, really, really wanted a completely natural drug-free vaginal birth. I totally bought the line about it being so much easier and healthier to do things as nature intended - I still do. However, my sweet little breech baby had other plans and I ended up with a c-section. To this very day (over two years later), I still feel bitter that I was cheated out of that experience. The logical part of my brain is aghast that I'm not simply thankful that I surgically delivered a healthy baby. But my personal holy grail is to have a completely natural drug-free vaginal birth. I will do anything within my power to have that experience for the second child, should we ever have one.
Verdict: I might be a hippie.
I really, really, really wanted to breastfeed. I had scabs on my nipples by the second day of my son's life. Bleeding scabs on my nipples! I was so freaking determined that my son would not have formula that I suffered for days in the hospital and for SEVEN WEEKS at home to make breastfeeding work. I don't quit anything without a fight and I gave it my all. I won. He was exclusively breastfed (no formula - other than what they gave him in the hospital!, cereal, or anything else) for five months. I'm proud that I nursed my son for over one year. And I'm a little sad that I didn't breastfeed through his second year.
Verdict (until last line): I might be a hippie.
Verdict (including last line): Yes, I am a hippie.
I wanted to exclusively cloth diaper my son. Everyone told me that I was totally nuts. After I returned home, I realized that I could not physically reach down into our washing machine. I already felt bad about my husband having to do regular laundry (I folded & put it away though), so I didn't ask him to wash diapers. My son didn't use cloth for the first few months. Once he started using cloth, I only used it at home. Eventually I ended up using cloth all day (whether or not we were at home) and disposable diapers for overnights. The only reason I used 'sposies overnight is because his little bottom would always be red after wearing cloth for twelve-plus hours. I think that using cloth diapers may have helped him get potty trained before he turned two years old. I anticipate primarily using cloth diapers with my second child, should I have one.
Verdict: I might be a hippie.
I quit using disposable tampons around six months ago or so. My red has gone green I guess you could say. Who knew your period could be so damned hip?! I was truly surprised at all the options for reusable menstrual products. I personally like the Diva Cup. I'm also considering purchasing some mama cloth as backup for my heavy flow days.
Verdict: Oh, yes, I am definitely a hippie.
I'm pretty comfortable with my body. I don't think there's anything wrong with going to nude beaches (RIP Trail 6) and I used to frequent them fairly often. I don't like regular volleyball either, but nude volleyball has always been tremendously off-putting to me. But I love how the sun's rays feel on my bare skin. Being naked and being outside feels good!
Verdict: Yes, I am a hippie.
I don't worry about "toxins" or "chemicals." I don't see the benefit of chelation therapy, colonic irrigation/cleansing, enemas, douching, or detox diets. I don't buy anything organic and I have no problem using fertilizers or pesticides in my own vegetable garden or for my own fruit trees. I think vaccines have saved far more lives than they have ruined. I trust modern medicine and I don't put any faith in witch-doctory nonsense. If you think supplements, vitamins, herbs, tinctures, reflexology, aromatherapy, fill in the blank works, well, I'm glad you do. But I do not.
Verdict: I am not a hippie.
I believe having a good and honest chiropractor is a gift. But I do not believe they are worth much more than adjusting your spine when it's out of alignment. I do not believe that the alignment (or mis-alignment) of your spine has any impact on whether or not you end up suffering from a major medical illness, such as cancer. Chiropractors massage your back and neck and that feels good & all, but it doesn't prevent or cure any major diseases. True story: I dated a Chiropractor once and it made him mental when I'd ask him to "crack my back" - small wonder that we didn't date long. Witch-doctor. And a cheater.
Verdict: I am not a hippie.
I don't get the whole hybrid vehicle craze. Driving one means, what? That you get good mileage in stop & go traffic? Whoop-de-doo. Plenty of vehicles get highway mileage that totally smokes that of hybrids and many get comparable city mileage. Yet hybrid owners frequently act like they are single-handedly saving the planet because they are driving what is is essentially a disposable car. Um, okay. Sorry, I love a big & mean V-8 with plenty of ponies under the hood and I hate the pussified look of most hybrids. I ADORE the look of the new Dodge Challenger and I really like the new Chevy Camaro. So call me an eco-criminal.
Verdict: I am not a hippie.
Ever since I turned 18, I've nearly always voted Republican. As I've matured, I find that I'm far less conservative and far more libertarian. I don't give a crap what someone does with their own time and their own body. Wanna do drugs? Go ahead. Wanna marry a guy/girl? I don't care. Wanna burn the American flag, pray to rocks, howl at the moon? Go for it! Wanna take even more tax dollars from hard-working Americans to benefit those who don't pay nearly the same amount into the system? Now we have a big problem. Wanna punish people for working hard by taxing their income at a higher rate? I definitely have a problem with that. I guess you could say that I'm socially libertarian and fiscally conservative. Unfortunately, so many politicians who have the nerve to call themselves "conservative" are anything but that. To paraphrase the late President Ronald Reagan: I didn't leave my party. My party left me.
Verdict (based on first sentence): I am not a hippie.
Verdict (based on entire statement): I might be a hippie.
Abortion? I saw and heard my son's heartbeat at my 6-week prenatal checkup. At just six-weeks, that little one has a heartbeat that is unique. Like it or not, abortion stops a beating heart. That makes it murder to me. However, if a woman can live with the blood of an innocent on her hands, well, I guess that's her choice. I don't have to live with her choice. Please don't think that I'm being callous because I'm not. I feel for women who have had abortions and I'm painfully aware of the emotionally pain they often suffer afterward. In an ideal world, contraception would be 100% effective (and morning-after pills would be OTC) and abortion would not exist. But this is not an ideal world.
Verdict: You know, I'm not sure what my opinion means here?
I don't really care one way or another about male circumcision. I love my husband, but I've been friendly with a variety of penii in my life. Um, only three though - haha! Though the majority were cut, I had a three-year relationship with an uncircumcised man and I've known others. I don't care if it's a mushroom cap or an anteater, I like them all and they all are unique. When I learned that I was having a son, I spoke with several men on the matter. Three men had to have circumcision later in life. And they thought it was the worst pain imaginable. Their ages were three, eleven and in their 70s when they had their circumcisions. I did not make the ultimate decision on whether or not my son was cut. I don't have a penis and I don't really have an opinion on the matter. Though I'll share all sorts of personal info about myself, I will not divulge whether or not my son has been circumcised because that's his personal business and it's not my place to share.
Verdict: I am not a hippie.
I don't like to think that I am a hippie, but I might be. What's your verdict?
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Reduce, Recycle, Reuse - Part II
On May 21, I wrote about some of the things that I do to reduce, recycle, and reuse items. I have ten more things to add to the list.
Rubber Bands - I save rubber bands and reuse them where needed. Asparagus and broccoli often have really thick bands while green onions have really thin bands. I use these to keep cracker sleeves closed. I use them to keep plastic wrap on containers - seriously, why can't they make a plastic wrap that actually works? The thick bands can also be used as a "gripper" to use when struggling to open tough jars.
Plastic Bags - My husband's newspaper (WSJ) is delivered in a plastic bag. They are the perfect size to take along when taking the dog for a walk. You know, to pick up any dog poop.
Paper Bags - Small paper bags can be used to tote lunches that don't need to stay cool. They can also be used to make ghetto-puppets for cheap thrills with a toddler. As I discovered recently, large paper bags (the kind with handles) are handy for dropping off meals for new mothers.
Sponges - I know that sponges get a bad rap for holding colonies of bacteria and other nasties, but I like to keep a sponge at the kitchen sink for doing dishes. I also keep a sponge at the kitchen sink for scrubbing said sink each night. Hm, you know, I keep a sponge in each bathroom too so that I can scrub the sinks and showers every week or so. I guess that I'm really a big fan of sponges. I keep them from getting gross by periodically tossing them in the washing machine with soap and a little bleach. My sponges are falling apart before I toss them in the trash.
Berries - If you have berries that are reaching their squishy end, pop them in ice cube trays. Add water and freeze. I know this is kind of lame, but I think that the berries look cute in the ice cubes. You can also do this with seedless grapes.
Lemons - I always have a ton of lemons. A quick glance out my laundry room door reveals that there are probably twenty on the ground at this very moment. I generally juice the lemons as soon as I get them. I just use an old-fashioned manual juicer. I freeze the fresh lemon juice in ice cube trays. Once frozen, I store in Ziplock bags. Sometimes I slice the lemons very thin, sprinkle them with sugar, and freeze them. I like to add these sugared lemon slices to glasses of lemonade. I drink warm water with lemon juice & honey whenever my throat feels a little sore.
Cucumbers - They are delicious when mixed with nonfat plain yogurt and garlic. If they are getting a little funky, I peel & slice them and place in water. It's a refreshing change of pace from a lemon slice in water.
Wine - Yes, sometimes I do have leftover wine hanging around and, when I do, I like to use it to make pan sauces. Actually, I'm fond of deglazing pans with wine or stock. You can also freeze leftover wine in ice cube trays, but they don't freeze completely solid and they start melting pretty fast.
Punch or Juice - Don't laugh, but these can be used to make ice pops. We used to do this when I was a kid. Pour leftover punch, juice, Kool-Aid, whatever in ice cube trays. Cover try with plastic wrap. Stick toothpicks through plastic wrap in each cube space. When frozen, remove plastic wrap and enjoy your sweet treat.
Pantyhose - I don't wear hose, but I used to 1,000,000 years ago. If you think that I don't have a use for old hose, you're wrong. What do I do with old hose? Make a soothing oatmeal bath with it, of course! Instead of spending a lot of cash on those packets of oatmeal for the bath, pour a little oatmeal in the leg of (clean) hose. Tie your homemade oatmeal sachet to the faucet and draw a bath. Aaaahhh, knock-off Aveeno.
I'm sure that I'll come up with additional things to add, but that will become Reduce, Recycle, Reuse - Part III!
Rubber Bands - I save rubber bands and reuse them where needed. Asparagus and broccoli often have really thick bands while green onions have really thin bands. I use these to keep cracker sleeves closed. I use them to keep plastic wrap on containers - seriously, why can't they make a plastic wrap that actually works? The thick bands can also be used as a "gripper" to use when struggling to open tough jars.
Plastic Bags - My husband's newspaper (WSJ) is delivered in a plastic bag. They are the perfect size to take along when taking the dog for a walk. You know, to pick up any dog poop.
Paper Bags - Small paper bags can be used to tote lunches that don't need to stay cool. They can also be used to make ghetto-puppets for cheap thrills with a toddler. As I discovered recently, large paper bags (the kind with handles) are handy for dropping off meals for new mothers.
Sponges - I know that sponges get a bad rap for holding colonies of bacteria and other nasties, but I like to keep a sponge at the kitchen sink for doing dishes. I also keep a sponge at the kitchen sink for scrubbing said sink each night. Hm, you know, I keep a sponge in each bathroom too so that I can scrub the sinks and showers every week or so. I guess that I'm really a big fan of sponges. I keep them from getting gross by periodically tossing them in the washing machine with soap and a little bleach. My sponges are falling apart before I toss them in the trash.
Berries - If you have berries that are reaching their squishy end, pop them in ice cube trays. Add water and freeze. I know this is kind of lame, but I think that the berries look cute in the ice cubes. You can also do this with seedless grapes.
Lemons - I always have a ton of lemons. A quick glance out my laundry room door reveals that there are probably twenty on the ground at this very moment. I generally juice the lemons as soon as I get them. I just use an old-fashioned manual juicer. I freeze the fresh lemon juice in ice cube trays. Once frozen, I store in Ziplock bags. Sometimes I slice the lemons very thin, sprinkle them with sugar, and freeze them. I like to add these sugared lemon slices to glasses of lemonade. I drink warm water with lemon juice & honey whenever my throat feels a little sore.
Cucumbers - They are delicious when mixed with nonfat plain yogurt and garlic. If they are getting a little funky, I peel & slice them and place in water. It's a refreshing change of pace from a lemon slice in water.
Wine - Yes, sometimes I do have leftover wine hanging around and, when I do, I like to use it to make pan sauces. Actually, I'm fond of deglazing pans with wine or stock. You can also freeze leftover wine in ice cube trays, but they don't freeze completely solid and they start melting pretty fast.
Punch or Juice - Don't laugh, but these can be used to make ice pops. We used to do this when I was a kid. Pour leftover punch, juice, Kool-Aid, whatever in ice cube trays. Cover try with plastic wrap. Stick toothpicks through plastic wrap in each cube space. When frozen, remove plastic wrap and enjoy your sweet treat.
Pantyhose - I don't wear hose, but I used to 1,000,000 years ago. If you think that I don't have a use for old hose, you're wrong. What do I do with old hose? Make a soothing oatmeal bath with it, of course! Instead of spending a lot of cash on those packets of oatmeal for the bath, pour a little oatmeal in the leg of (clean) hose. Tie your homemade oatmeal sachet to the faucet and draw a bath. Aaaahhh, knock-off Aveeno.
I'm sure that I'll come up with additional things to add, but that will become Reduce, Recycle, Reuse - Part III!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Reduce, Recycle, Reuse
I've always been a cheap little broad, but I've been taking frugality to new heights lately. If you care about such things, producing less waste and using fewer resources is good for the environment. Even if you don't care about the planet, it's good for your wallet. Here's what I've been up to:
Paper Towels - I don't use paper towels. Well, I've used maybe ten paper towels since January 1st. I bought a few microfiber towels from the 99cent Store and I use those to wipe up spills, clean my son's messy face & hands after meals, do light dusting, clean mirrors. Heh, I almost said "clean windows," but who am I trying to kid - I don't do windows.
Paper Napkins - I don't use paper napkins. My son and I use cloth napkins at every meal. I already had a variety of cloth napkins that were never used, so this is a nice way to save a few pennies and use something I like. I think it's adorable that my son knows to place his napkin on his lap when he is sitting at the table.
Toilet Paper - I don't use toilet paper. Just kidding! I wanted to see if you were really reading this or just skimming through. I WILL NOT do a Google search to see if there is such a thing as reusable toilet paper.
Plastic Pump Bottles - I wash and reuse these for things like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, hand soap, etc. I find that I use far less product when I use a pump bottle versus a squeeze bottle.
Plastic Containers - I wash and reuse just about every plastic container. Cottage cheese, whipped topping, you name it and it's somewhere storing something in my house. My sons crayons are kept in a couple whipped topping containers. Our favorite style of chopsticks are kept in a tall cottage cheese container. I keep tiny finger puppets in plastic baby wipes containers.
Glass Containers - I wash and reuse just about every glass container. Those tiny jars of pimientos? I use them to keep salad dressing when I'm out because I hate soggy salad. I rarely fry anything, but I use glass jars to pour grease into in the event that I've been frying.
Plastic Bags - My favorite! I use plastic grocery bags (and produce bags) for all kinds of things. Plastic grocery bags are trash can liners, used to dispose of gross trash, used to pack my lunch, used as dirty clothes bags when we're traveling. Plastic produce bags are used to tote crudites when we're out. I reuse Ziplock bags that have only had dry ingredients - Goldfish, Cheerios, animal cookies, etc.
Cereal Bags - Okay, stop laughing. Yes, I reuse those thick plastic bags that hold cereal. What do I do with them? I put crackers in them, hold them shut, and roll them with a rolling pin whenever I need crumbs. Seriously, those bags are so tough that I've never had one even so much as get a pinhole.
Pickle Juice - Seriously, stop laughing. Yes, I have stuff that I do with pickle juice too. I always add a couple of tablespoons to potato salad, macaroni salad, and chicken salad. I also use it as a marinade for light meats. My favorite thing to do with it though is to make "homemade" pickles by thinly slicing raw peeled cucumbers and packing them in the juice for about three days. So crisp and fresh! Once I've done all I want with the pickle juice, I wash & reuse the jar of course!
Salsa Jars/Ketchup Bottles - I always add a little water to these when they are "empty" and I keep them in the fridge. I add the watered down product to chili, red pasta sauces, soups, stews, you name it.
Mustard Jars/Bottles - A friend taught me this great tip: Add a little chicken stock to the "empty" jar/bottle of mustard. Use this mixture to deglaze a pan. Reduce and you'll have a great sauce for beef, chicken, or pork. I particularly like this sauce when I make roast beef.
Leftover Baby Food - Dry baby cereal was used in place of breadcrumbs for meatloaf and it made an incredibly moist & delicious meatloaf. The baby cereal "crumbs" are also really high in iron! Leftover fruit purees were added to smoothies. Leftover veggie or meal blends were added to casseroles or soups.
Coffee Grounds & Tea Bags - I reuse them. Yeah, I know, the subsequent pots of coffee and cups of tea aren't as strong as the first ones. Whatever. I reuse them. Of course, I don't do this if we have company over.
Ice Cube Trays - I do a lot with ice cube trays. If I have more lemons than I can use (and I ALWAYS have more lemons than I use, thanks to a very prolific tree), I juice the lemons and freeze the fresh juice in ice cube trays. Once frozen, I store the lemon juice cubes in Ziplock bags in the freezer. I also use ice cube trays to make chicken stock cubes, iced tea cubes, and coffee cubes. I've used them to make wine cubes, but they don't freeze as tightly and start melting really fast as you're transferring them to the Ziplock bags for freezer storage.
Chicken Carcass (bones, joints, skin, whatever isn't eaten) - I make homemade chicken stock with the inedible remains of chicken. If I don't have a whole chicken, I save remains in a plastic bag in the freezer until I have enough to approximate a whole chicken. Toss the carcass in a large crockpot with some onions, carrots, celery, & garlic. Fill with water, cover, cook on LOW for for 8 to 10 hours. Remove solids and strain the rest (I use a colander with a gasp! paper towel!) until the stock is totally clear. Cool and store in fridge. The fat will rise to form a solid sheet that can be discarded or used for other purposes. This stock makes the most tasty soups! I also do this this a few days after Thanksgiving with the turkey carcass so we can have a delicious turkey soup.
Freecycle - I use Freecycle whenever possible. I've picked up a 68-piece set of monogrammed glassware, a Shermag recliner/glider with ottoman, a rider/pusher toy for my son, and a pool float. All for FREE!!!
You all know that I haven't had to purchase any menstrual products since I bought a Diva Cup five months ago. Now that is liberating! I still smirk smugly when I saunter by that aisle in the store.
Are some of these things ridiculous? Perhaps, but I think it's a matter of perspective. I don't work. I haven't earned a salary in two years. I think it's important that I'm a good steward with my husband's salary. I think it's better to spend a less than I can instead of spending more than I should.
King Oscar II of Sweden put it best: "I would rather have my people laugh at my economies than weep for my extravagance."
Paper Towels - I don't use paper towels. Well, I've used maybe ten paper towels since January 1st. I bought a few microfiber towels from the 99cent Store and I use those to wipe up spills, clean my son's messy face & hands after meals, do light dusting, clean mirrors. Heh, I almost said "clean windows," but who am I trying to kid - I don't do windows.
Paper Napkins - I don't use paper napkins. My son and I use cloth napkins at every meal. I already had a variety of cloth napkins that were never used, so this is a nice way to save a few pennies and use something I like. I think it's adorable that my son knows to place his napkin on his lap when he is sitting at the table.
Toilet Paper - I don't use toilet paper. Just kidding! I wanted to see if you were really reading this or just skimming through. I WILL NOT do a Google search to see if there is such a thing as reusable toilet paper.
Plastic Pump Bottles - I wash and reuse these for things like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, hand soap, etc. I find that I use far less product when I use a pump bottle versus a squeeze bottle.
Plastic Containers - I wash and reuse just about every plastic container. Cottage cheese, whipped topping, you name it and it's somewhere storing something in my house. My sons crayons are kept in a couple whipped topping containers. Our favorite style of chopsticks are kept in a tall cottage cheese container. I keep tiny finger puppets in plastic baby wipes containers.
Glass Containers - I wash and reuse just about every glass container. Those tiny jars of pimientos? I use them to keep salad dressing when I'm out because I hate soggy salad. I rarely fry anything, but I use glass jars to pour grease into in the event that I've been frying.
Plastic Bags - My favorite! I use plastic grocery bags (and produce bags) for all kinds of things. Plastic grocery bags are trash can liners, used to dispose of gross trash, used to pack my lunch, used as dirty clothes bags when we're traveling. Plastic produce bags are used to tote crudites when we're out. I reuse Ziplock bags that have only had dry ingredients - Goldfish, Cheerios, animal cookies, etc.
Cereal Bags - Okay, stop laughing. Yes, I reuse those thick plastic bags that hold cereal. What do I do with them? I put crackers in them, hold them shut, and roll them with a rolling pin whenever I need crumbs. Seriously, those bags are so tough that I've never had one even so much as get a pinhole.
Pickle Juice - Seriously, stop laughing. Yes, I have stuff that I do with pickle juice too. I always add a couple of tablespoons to potato salad, macaroni salad, and chicken salad. I also use it as a marinade for light meats. My favorite thing to do with it though is to make "homemade" pickles by thinly slicing raw peeled cucumbers and packing them in the juice for about three days. So crisp and fresh! Once I've done all I want with the pickle juice, I wash & reuse the jar of course!
Salsa Jars/Ketchup Bottles - I always add a little water to these when they are "empty" and I keep them in the fridge. I add the watered down product to chili, red pasta sauces, soups, stews, you name it.
Mustard Jars/Bottles - A friend taught me this great tip: Add a little chicken stock to the "empty" jar/bottle of mustard. Use this mixture to deglaze a pan. Reduce and you'll have a great sauce for beef, chicken, or pork. I particularly like this sauce when I make roast beef.
Leftover Baby Food - Dry baby cereal was used in place of breadcrumbs for meatloaf and it made an incredibly moist & delicious meatloaf. The baby cereal "crumbs" are also really high in iron! Leftover fruit purees were added to smoothies. Leftover veggie or meal blends were added to casseroles or soups.
Coffee Grounds & Tea Bags - I reuse them. Yeah, I know, the subsequent pots of coffee and cups of tea aren't as strong as the first ones. Whatever. I reuse them. Of course, I don't do this if we have company over.
Ice Cube Trays - I do a lot with ice cube trays. If I have more lemons than I can use (and I ALWAYS have more lemons than I use, thanks to a very prolific tree), I juice the lemons and freeze the fresh juice in ice cube trays. Once frozen, I store the lemon juice cubes in Ziplock bags in the freezer. I also use ice cube trays to make chicken stock cubes, iced tea cubes, and coffee cubes. I've used them to make wine cubes, but they don't freeze as tightly and start melting really fast as you're transferring them to the Ziplock bags for freezer storage.
Chicken Carcass (bones, joints, skin, whatever isn't eaten) - I make homemade chicken stock with the inedible remains of chicken. If I don't have a whole chicken, I save remains in a plastic bag in the freezer until I have enough to approximate a whole chicken. Toss the carcass in a large crockpot with some onions, carrots, celery, & garlic. Fill with water, cover, cook on LOW for for 8 to 10 hours. Remove solids and strain the rest (I use a colander with a gasp! paper towel!) until the stock is totally clear. Cool and store in fridge. The fat will rise to form a solid sheet that can be discarded or used for other purposes. This stock makes the most tasty soups! I also do this this a few days after Thanksgiving with the turkey carcass so we can have a delicious turkey soup.
Freecycle - I use Freecycle whenever possible. I've picked up a 68-piece set of monogrammed glassware, a Shermag recliner/glider with ottoman, a rider/pusher toy for my son, and a pool float. All for FREE!!!
You all know that I haven't had to purchase any menstrual products since I bought a Diva Cup five months ago. Now that is liberating! I still smirk smugly when I saunter by that aisle in the store.
Are some of these things ridiculous? Perhaps, but I think it's a matter of perspective. I don't work. I haven't earned a salary in two years. I think it's important that I'm a good steward with my husband's salary. I think it's better to spend a less than I can instead of spending more than I should.
King Oscar II of Sweden put it best: "I would rather have my people laugh at my economies than weep for my extravagance."
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Modern Cloth is Pretty Easy
Though I've learned a lot about cloth diapers in the last two years, I realized today that not everyone realizes how easy it is to deal with modern cloth. It made me think that I should explain how I became a CDing mama.
I started purchasing diapers before my son was born. I bought some totally lame All-in-Ones (AOIs), washed them up about eight times to fluff up the cotton, and waited for my baby to arrive. I didn't use cloth when my son came home because, quite frankly, I couldn't do laundry by myself and I felt bad about making my husband wash diapers since he was such a help in so many other ways in those bleary-eyed early days. Once I was physically able to retrieve laundry from the washing machine, I discovered that the diapers I purchased were impossibly large and would never fit my little 8-pounder. So I put aside my cloth diapers and used disposables. Those stupid diapers still don't fit my son to this very day. . .how in the world are they marketed for infants?!
I wasn't ready to give up using cloth, so I purchased some prefold diapers and a couple of modern diaper covers. I also picked up a diaper sprayer on clearance at Home Depot - it was only $1.00! Armed with some great tools, I was amazed at how easy cloth diapers were to use.
I decided to purchase a variety of diapers to round out my stash because I only had a dozen prefolds. So I bought some pocket diapers (bumGenius), some nice & trim AIOs (bumGenius), and some fitteds (Bambineo/Bambinex?). I also picked up a variety of diaper covers (Bumkins, Bummis Super Whisper Wraps, Thirsties, & Proraps).
I truly began to enjoy diapering once I was armed with some fun diapers. Weird? Perhaps, but if you have to change diapers eight to twelve times per day, you look for something interesting to break the changing table monotony.
Then things turned very strange. I began to covet a particular type of fitted diaper that is oh-so-squishy-soft. So I bought a few used ones (yes, they had been worn by other children) in all types of patterns. . .some are very boyish and some are a little girly, okay, a lot girly, but I figure no one else will be seeing his diapers besides me. I mean, I like the diapers very much, but he's just going to poop and pee in them, so who cares about the pattern? Anyway, though I detest a two-step procedure (diaper + cover), I love these fitteds. Seeing the fun prints makes diapering, well, fun.
Dealing with poopy dipes at home is one thing, but I was still afraid to use cloth while away from home. About a month ago, I finally decided to put the kiddo in cloth full-time and it hasn't been too bad. Well, I still use disposables at night because my boy wakes up rashy after wearing cloth for twelve- to fourteen-hours at night.
Thankfully, my son doesn't often make wet or smeary poops, so it's been rather easy to use cloth full-time. Sure, there have been a couple of times that the poo doesn't roll neatly off the diaper and into a toilet, but those times have, thankfully, been rare. Overall, I wonder why I didn't transition to cloth full-time a long time ago.
That's my story. That's how I became a CDing mama.
I started purchasing diapers before my son was born. I bought some totally lame All-in-Ones (AOIs), washed them up about eight times to fluff up the cotton, and waited for my baby to arrive. I didn't use cloth when my son came home because, quite frankly, I couldn't do laundry by myself and I felt bad about making my husband wash diapers since he was such a help in so many other ways in those bleary-eyed early days. Once I was physically able to retrieve laundry from the washing machine, I discovered that the diapers I purchased were impossibly large and would never fit my little 8-pounder. So I put aside my cloth diapers and used disposables. Those stupid diapers still don't fit my son to this very day. . .how in the world are they marketed for infants?!
I wasn't ready to give up using cloth, so I purchased some prefold diapers and a couple of modern diaper covers. I also picked up a diaper sprayer on clearance at Home Depot - it was only $1.00! Armed with some great tools, I was amazed at how easy cloth diapers were to use.
I decided to purchase a variety of diapers to round out my stash because I only had a dozen prefolds. So I bought some pocket diapers (bumGenius), some nice & trim AIOs (bumGenius), and some fitteds (Bambineo/Bambinex?). I also picked up a variety of diaper covers (Bumkins, Bummis Super Whisper Wraps, Thirsties, & Proraps).
I truly began to enjoy diapering once I was armed with some fun diapers. Weird? Perhaps, but if you have to change diapers eight to twelve times per day, you look for something interesting to break the changing table monotony.
Then things turned very strange. I began to covet a particular type of fitted diaper that is oh-so-squishy-soft. So I bought a few used ones (yes, they had been worn by other children) in all types of patterns. . .some are very boyish and some are a little girly, okay, a lot girly, but I figure no one else will be seeing his diapers besides me. I mean, I like the diapers very much, but he's just going to poop and pee in them, so who cares about the pattern? Anyway, though I detest a two-step procedure (diaper + cover), I love these fitteds. Seeing the fun prints makes diapering, well, fun.
Dealing with poopy dipes at home is one thing, but I was still afraid to use cloth while away from home. About a month ago, I finally decided to put the kiddo in cloth full-time and it hasn't been too bad. Well, I still use disposables at night because my boy wakes up rashy after wearing cloth for twelve- to fourteen-hours at night.
Thankfully, my son doesn't often make wet or smeary poops, so it's been rather easy to use cloth full-time. Sure, there have been a couple of times that the poo doesn't roll neatly off the diaper and into a toilet, but those times have, thankfully, been rare. Overall, I wonder why I didn't transition to cloth full-time a long time ago.
That's my story. That's how I became a CDing mama.
Friday, February 26, 2010
How Did I Live Without This Product?
Every now and then you come across a truly awesome product. I have come across that product. I didn't find it on my own, but I finally have used it and I wonder how I lived without.
My son has been in cloth diapers part-time for much of his life. I never used them while we were out and about, but I did use them at home. Except overnight, he always rashes up if I try to keep him in cloth for a 12-hour stretch at night.
I switched him to cloth full-time a couple of weeks ago. He's wearing fluffy soft dipes (except overnight) whether we're home or not. I didn't really have a reason other than I'm sick of buying diapers that just end up thrown in the garbage and I think he may potty train faster if I keep him exclusively in cloth. I've already dealt with a couple of poopy diapers when we were away from the house (and my diaper sprayer!) and it really wasn't that bad. I've dealt with far worse. Remember, this kid puked like a geyser every 75 minutes or so until he was around nine months old. So yeah, I've dealt far nastier stuff than a clump of poop that rolled off the diaper and into a toilet.
I'm not a big fan of prefolds or flat diapers and I do not like the old-school pull-up/pull-down diaper covers. I've never used a diaper pin. My son has never exploded out of his cloth diapers (he never did out of disposables either, but I think that's because I typically bought premium diapers). My mother and my MIL think I have a stash with a fancy variety of diapers: all-in-ones (AIOs), pockets with velcro or snap closures, fitteds with velcro or snap closures, and an assortment of GREAT covers. I have a dozen prefolds too, but I don't see the point in using them when I can use much easier (and cuter) diapers.
I tend to keep things pretty simple with my diapers. I use a diaper sprayer to rinse the dipes. Thanks to the sprayer, I have never touched poop or put my hands in the toilet. I sprinkle a little baking soda in my dry pail every time I add a diaper. I don't know if it really helps control odors, but you'd never know that I have a pail full of stinky diapers if you walked in my house. I wash the diapers every other day. First I do a cold wash (no detergent) with two rinses, then I do a hot wash (1/4 cup of detergent + a Tb or so of Calgon water softener) with two rinses. Viola - that's it. Simple, right?
Well, I have added a step to my super-simple diaper routine. I had been reading about a product called Bac-Out and I was intrigued. It is supposed to control odors, prevent/remove stains, and (most importantly) it is safe for using on cloth diapers. This is important because a cloth diapering mama's biggest fear is ruining her stash. Some of these diapers can cost over $30 each and one can easily spend several hundred dollars on diapers for their little one(s). I'm sure that my husband is reading this and before he flips out, I should mention that my average diaper cost is more like $10 to $15. Not too bad considering that our next baby will use the same diapers and I'll be able to sell the used diapers after that kid is using the toilet.
But I digress. Bac-Out is simply amazing! It smells like limes which, for some crazy reason, makes me smile. I guess because it reminds me of summery drinks. My house never stunk from my diaper pail, but I always felt like I would be knocked off my feet when I lifted the lid to add a diaper because the ammonia smell was sooo strong. Not any more. It doesn't smell of pee (ammonia), poop, or anything stinky. It just smells like limes. LIMES! A pail full of dirty diapers smells like limes! If I didn't experience it, I would never in a million years believe it. I have no idea why I waited so long to try Bac-Out, but I wish I started using it ages ago.
I can't say if it prevents or removes stains because I have only had a couple of stains in my diapers. I treated those with my favorite 99 cent laundry stain remover, Soilove. It's hard to beat a product that costs only 99 cents for a pint (Soilove), but if I get any staining again, I'll see how the Bac-Out works.
I found Bac-Out in the laundry section at Sprouts (on sale right now), but I would guess that you might find it at any crunchy-granola sort of store like Henry's, Whole Foods, or Mothers. I'm so impressed with how well it controls odors that I would darn near recommend that you use it for cleaning if your house has odors from things like smoking, cooking, or pets. Of course, if you hate the smell of lime, you won't like this product. But if you do, try it out and let me know how you liked it.
My son has been in cloth diapers part-time for much of his life. I never used them while we were out and about, but I did use them at home. Except overnight, he always rashes up if I try to keep him in cloth for a 12-hour stretch at night.
I switched him to cloth full-time a couple of weeks ago. He's wearing fluffy soft dipes (except overnight) whether we're home or not. I didn't really have a reason other than I'm sick of buying diapers that just end up thrown in the garbage and I think he may potty train faster if I keep him exclusively in cloth. I've already dealt with a couple of poopy diapers when we were away from the house (and my diaper sprayer!) and it really wasn't that bad. I've dealt with far worse. Remember, this kid puked like a geyser every 75 minutes or so until he was around nine months old. So yeah, I've dealt far nastier stuff than a clump of poop that rolled off the diaper and into a toilet.
I'm not a big fan of prefolds or flat diapers and I do not like the old-school pull-up/pull-down diaper covers. I've never used a diaper pin. My son has never exploded out of his cloth diapers (he never did out of disposables either, but I think that's because I typically bought premium diapers). My mother and my MIL think I have a stash with a fancy variety of diapers: all-in-ones (AIOs), pockets with velcro or snap closures, fitteds with velcro or snap closures, and an assortment of GREAT covers. I have a dozen prefolds too, but I don't see the point in using them when I can use much easier (and cuter) diapers.
I tend to keep things pretty simple with my diapers. I use a diaper sprayer to rinse the dipes. Thanks to the sprayer, I have never touched poop or put my hands in the toilet. I sprinkle a little baking soda in my dry pail every time I add a diaper. I don't know if it really helps control odors, but you'd never know that I have a pail full of stinky diapers if you walked in my house. I wash the diapers every other day. First I do a cold wash (no detergent) with two rinses, then I do a hot wash (1/4 cup of detergent + a Tb or so of Calgon water softener) with two rinses. Viola - that's it. Simple, right?
Well, I have added a step to my super-simple diaper routine. I had been reading about a product called Bac-Out and I was intrigued. It is supposed to control odors, prevent/remove stains, and (most importantly) it is safe for using on cloth diapers. This is important because a cloth diapering mama's biggest fear is ruining her stash. Some of these diapers can cost over $30 each and one can easily spend several hundred dollars on diapers for their little one(s). I'm sure that my husband is reading this and before he flips out, I should mention that my average diaper cost is more like $10 to $15. Not too bad considering that our next baby will use the same diapers and I'll be able to sell the used diapers after that kid is using the toilet.
But I digress. Bac-Out is simply amazing! It smells like limes which, for some crazy reason, makes me smile. I guess because it reminds me of summery drinks. My house never stunk from my diaper pail, but I always felt like I would be knocked off my feet when I lifted the lid to add a diaper because the ammonia smell was sooo strong. Not any more. It doesn't smell of pee (ammonia), poop, or anything stinky. It just smells like limes. LIMES! A pail full of dirty diapers smells like limes! If I didn't experience it, I would never in a million years believe it. I have no idea why I waited so long to try Bac-Out, but I wish I started using it ages ago.
I can't say if it prevents or removes stains because I have only had a couple of stains in my diapers. I treated those with my favorite 99 cent laundry stain remover, Soilove. It's hard to beat a product that costs only 99 cents for a pint (Soilove), but if I get any staining again, I'll see how the Bac-Out works.
I found Bac-Out in the laundry section at Sprouts (on sale right now), but I would guess that you might find it at any crunchy-granola sort of store like Henry's, Whole Foods, or Mothers. I'm so impressed with how well it controls odors that I would darn near recommend that you use it for cleaning if your house has odors from things like smoking, cooking, or pets. Of course, if you hate the smell of lime, you won't like this product. But if you do, try it out and let me know how you liked it.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Vaccines and Autism
WARNING - WARNING - WARNING: This post is about a controversial subject (vaccines) and it contains strong language with some profanity. If you are offended by any of this, you should stop reading now.
I'm not terribly crunchy, but I do have some granola tendencies.
I breastfed my son for over a year. The only reason I stopped is because my husband patiently waited long enough to have my boobies back and my son seemed willing to wean. I cloth diaper part-time. I still use 'sposies part-time because my son rashes up if left in cloth overnight and I'm not willing to hassle with a wet bag containing piss- and/or shit-filled diapers when we're out & about. I haven't used a single paper towel since the new year began because I use little microfiber towels to wipe up messes and throw them in with the laundry that I wash each night. I even stopped using my Swiffer Wet because I bought a (reusable) steam mop.
I'm not some sort of antiperspirant eschewing, furry legged, organic eating hippie either. I will only use antiperspirant containing aluminum because it's the only kind that actually stops the sweat. I shave my legs because, well, because I think my husband prefers it. Otherwise, I might be furry legged. I do not go out of my way to purchase organic food, but I am happy to grow my own veggies in my own garden. If necessary, yes, I will use pesticides and I don't worry about them in the least.
There is one area in which I am decidedly in favor of modern invention: vaccinations.
Prior to Dr. Salk's miraculous invention in 1954, the only way we were able to create immunity was through suffering a bout with a dangerous illness. Those who survived the illness gained an immunity to the disease. Thanks to modern medicine, we no longer have to suffer through potentially deadly illnesses to gain our immunity.
I realize that a certain former Playmate has been intently planting seeds of doubt in the minds of parents across the country in recent years. Dr. McCarthy asserts that the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) caused her son's autism. . .which she then cured with a wheat-free and dairy-free diet. Um, okay. Assuming for just a moment that any of this is true, who cares if a kid has autism since it can apparently be easily cured, or at least managed, by diet alone? Of course, science does not back up her anecdotal claims.
The medical journal, The Lancet, first published a study suggesting a link (Note: this does not mean a causal relationship exists!) between autism and the MMR vaccine back in 1998. The Lancet has since issued a full retraction of the paper, noting that claims made by the researchers were "false." Ten of the thirteen authors of that study have also formally issued retractions.
It is well-known to anyone who will take a little time to conduct some research that this study relied on incredibly flawed methodology. They cherry-picked their subjects, they outright falsified data, and, most disturbingly, they subjected children to invasive procedures simply to experience the joy of experimentation rather than for clinical purposes. Words truly can not convey the contempt I have for these individuals.
The British physician who was the lead researcher in that study, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, has subsequently been stripped of his medical license. But don't worry, he's since emigrated from the UK and he now lives and works in the US. Thankfully, the sadist is not licensed to practice medicine in the US.
Typically, the biggest risks from getting a vaccine is fever, soreness at the injection site (duh!), and an occasional rash. The biggest risks from not getting vaccines? Suffering through a serious illness, being responsible for spreading contagious illnesses throughout society, possible disfigurement, and possible death. Autism has not been scientifically proven to be a risk associated with vaccination. Sure, anecdotal evidence abounds. But anecdotes are not science.
The benefits outweigh the risks, but people are always going to be afraid of that which they do not understand. Many people have an adversarial attitude toward modern medicine, preferring to rely upon the old-ways or on outright placebos. And that's fine by me. But choosing not to vaccinate puts the herd at risk, potentially putting my own family at risk, and that's not fine by me.
I'm open minded and always willing to change my opinion if I'm proven wrong. I respectfully challenge anyone who believes that there is a relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism to produce a link to a study that demonstrates the relationship. I'll happily research it and create another post.
I'm not terribly crunchy, but I do have some granola tendencies.
I breastfed my son for over a year. The only reason I stopped is because my husband patiently waited long enough to have my boobies back and my son seemed willing to wean. I cloth diaper part-time. I still use 'sposies part-time because my son rashes up if left in cloth overnight and I'm not willing to hassle with a wet bag containing piss- and/or shit-filled diapers when we're out & about. I haven't used a single paper towel since the new year began because I use little microfiber towels to wipe up messes and throw them in with the laundry that I wash each night. I even stopped using my Swiffer Wet because I bought a (reusable) steam mop.
I'm not some sort of antiperspirant eschewing, furry legged, organic eating hippie either. I will only use antiperspirant containing aluminum because it's the only kind that actually stops the sweat. I shave my legs because, well, because I think my husband prefers it. Otherwise, I might be furry legged. I do not go out of my way to purchase organic food, but I am happy to grow my own veggies in my own garden. If necessary, yes, I will use pesticides and I don't worry about them in the least.
There is one area in which I am decidedly in favor of modern invention: vaccinations.
Prior to Dr. Salk's miraculous invention in 1954, the only way we were able to create immunity was through suffering a bout with a dangerous illness. Those who survived the illness gained an immunity to the disease. Thanks to modern medicine, we no longer have to suffer through potentially deadly illnesses to gain our immunity.
I realize that a certain former Playmate has been intently planting seeds of doubt in the minds of parents across the country in recent years. Dr. McCarthy asserts that the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) caused her son's autism. . .which she then cured with a wheat-free and dairy-free diet. Um, okay. Assuming for just a moment that any of this is true, who cares if a kid has autism since it can apparently be easily cured, or at least managed, by diet alone? Of course, science does not back up her anecdotal claims.
The medical journal, The Lancet, first published a study suggesting a link (Note: this does not mean a causal relationship exists!) between autism and the MMR vaccine back in 1998. The Lancet has since issued a full retraction of the paper, noting that claims made by the researchers were "false." Ten of the thirteen authors of that study have also formally issued retractions.
It is well-known to anyone who will take a little time to conduct some research that this study relied on incredibly flawed methodology. They cherry-picked their subjects, they outright falsified data, and, most disturbingly, they subjected children to invasive procedures simply to experience the joy of experimentation rather than for clinical purposes. Words truly can not convey the contempt I have for these individuals.
The British physician who was the lead researcher in that study, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, has subsequently been stripped of his medical license. But don't worry, he's since emigrated from the UK and he now lives and works in the US. Thankfully, the sadist is not licensed to practice medicine in the US.
Typically, the biggest risks from getting a vaccine is fever, soreness at the injection site (duh!), and an occasional rash. The biggest risks from not getting vaccines? Suffering through a serious illness, being responsible for spreading contagious illnesses throughout society, possible disfigurement, and possible death. Autism has not been scientifically proven to be a risk associated with vaccination. Sure, anecdotal evidence abounds. But anecdotes are not science.
The benefits outweigh the risks, but people are always going to be afraid of that which they do not understand. Many people have an adversarial attitude toward modern medicine, preferring to rely upon the old-ways or on outright placebos. And that's fine by me. But choosing not to vaccinate puts the herd at risk, potentially putting my own family at risk, and that's not fine by me.
I'm open minded and always willing to change my opinion if I'm proven wrong. I respectfully challenge anyone who believes that there is a relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism to produce a link to a study that demonstrates the relationship. I'll happily research it and create another post.
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