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Across the Fence:  Disposable  |
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threebusybees
True Blue Farmgirl
222 Posts
Mandi
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
222 Posts |
 Posted - May 14 2007 : 10:07:20 AM
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I've been thinking (I feel like Winnie the Pooh, THINK,THINK,THINK!) of our disposable society, diposable cameras, phones, diapers, etc. and I was reading MJ book last night about the farmers trying to go chemical free " it took us forty years to get in this mess it will take us forty years to get out " and I thought of the connection between the two.
When my grandmother was growing up she went through the Great Depression, when my mother was growing up it was the end of World War II. I am a product of the 80's the years of "disposable income".
I want my children to grow up knowing what my grandmother and mother knew " the make do or do without " and the not-so-new" reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose" ways of thought.
My question is how do you teach or have taught your families and others to limit their " carbon footprint" ?
I am asking this because I am always striving to better myself and looking for ways to make a difference no matter how small. Also my DH told me I was going to sprain something if I didn't stop thinking so much. 
" Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler " -Henry David Thoreau |
Edited by - threebusybees on May 14 2007 10:07:41 AM |
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MullersLaneFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Rock Falls
IL
596 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2007 : 10:47:01 AM
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I think it is wonderful that you are willing to take this step with your family!!
I feel children learn more from what they see rather than what you tell them. You have to practice saying no to disposable 'stuff'. Shop resale stores. Save cash for big ticket items. Differenciate needs from wants. Get out of debt and stay out of debt.
My kids take more delight out of spending $20 on clothes at resale shops & garage sales. They can usually a couple 'label' outfits compared to maybe one 'non-label' item for full price at a regular store.
Cyndi
Muller's Lane Farm http://www.mullerslanefarm.com
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Beemoosie
True Blue Farmgirl
2077 Posts
Bonnie
New York
USA
2077 Posts |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2007 : 2:03:37 PM
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We don't have children yet, but as far as influencing the rest of our family that sustainable living is a worthwhile lifestyle, we try to lead by example. We also have conversations with them regarding it, though it tends to be less effective as most people in our family are pretty set in their ways. It is rewarding when an organic homecooked meal or the full recycling bin are noticed though-- I like to think that they are taking away something that they can incorporate into their own lives.
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Now Open!: http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2007 : 2:14:32 PM
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We mostly do little things..but alot of them. A couple small ideas that do add up are using cloth napkins all the time, and taking along a jug of water or lemonade in the car in the cooler we carry along and cups to refill...no stopping for expensive drinks with throwaway cups. We try not to stop for fast food (with all that packaging) and bring picnic dinners to baseball games and like that too. We do recycle, but since the only soda drinker in our family is husband, he does most of that at work. There are alot of areas we can improve in...but I love the idea of being a little easier on our planet.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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threebusybees
True Blue Farmgirl
222 Posts
Mandi
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
222 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2007 : 09:07:53 AM
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What my family is trying to do is to limit our household carbon footprint. If you go to
www.begreennow.com
it will calculate your household carbon footprint. I need to drive less and keep my husband away from the thermostat he's a big man with a lot of padding he gets hot he says. Pah!
I wash in cold water(etc. sheets my son has asthama) we don't use chemicals on the yard or garden, I make all our household cleaners(love love organic housekeeping) we eat organically and minimally processed as much as possible. I would love to be able to afford organic clothes, bedding towels etc. but it is impossible. I buy most all our clothes second hand now. Not shoes though I have foot issues other peoples that is. I think I am going to ty the baking soda hair wash; eventhough I use Avalon organics which is a good product. One less thing to buy would be great. We have the compact fluorescent lightbulbs everytime a regular one burns out we replace it with an energy wise one. Baby steps.
My inlaws think I'm nuts, poor hubby grew up in a household where wonder bread was the norm and if it wasn't processed it wasn't on the table. Bless his heart he has changed since he met me! When I told my in-laws that I would rather they not buy any toys made overseas unless they were fair trade the look I got. Imagine when I said to make sure they were Philate free. It's a good thing they like me!
It is so funny to me. my friends have a joke about me because I don't have paper products in my house. My in-laws bring their own when they come to visit, my mother gave me a paper towel holder for christmas! What in the world is wrong with using cloth towels and napkins? It's like I am a devient. 
" Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler " -Henry David Thoreau |
Edited by - threebusybees on May 15 2007 09:09:31 AM |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2007 : 09:17:45 AM
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Great topic Mandi! I'm always trying reduce my carbon footprint. We don't have alot of paper in our house either- it's cloth napkins, rags or towels for cleaning. I like to make cleaning products with vinegar and essential oils. It does always crack me up when people come over and say "Where's your paper towels?" Huh????
When my kids were little in the early eighties most of my friends and I still used cloth diapers. When you would go to church you'd bring an old bread bag to bring the soiled diapers home in!!! Who would do that now! It was just what you did then! |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2007 : 2:54:09 PM
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My in-laws, and my own relatives too, look at us like we're nuts a lot. And what is it about the paper towel thing? People are the same way at my house. My mother in law spilled her drink when she was here once, and when I went to wipe it up with a cloth kitchen towel, she was horrified. She said, "Don't dirty up your good towel, just use paper towels." When I told her we didn't use them she was beyond perplexed. I told her kitchen towels were meant to get used and dirty; I must have at least 10 just for that purpose!
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Now Open!: http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2007 : 4:12:04 PM
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Mima,
I forgot about the old bread bags!! I used to do that too.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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MariaAZ
True Blue Farmgirl
203 Posts
Phoenix
AZ
203 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2007 : 4:52:39 PM
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Oh, this topic brings to mind one of my pet peeves! NOTHING is repairable anymore!!! It's all made to be thrown out when it's broken and simply replaced with the "newer and better" version. My mother bought a little blender, she absolutely loves it. After several years of faithful service, the little knob on the motor spindle that spins the blades broke. Just a little quarter-sized piece of plastic, mind you. She called the manufacturer to see if they had the part, and all they could offer was to send another base. Granted, for the $14 they charged for the base (including shipping) Mom wouldn't have been able to pay someone to repair the darned thing, but for crying out loud, the motor still worked like a champ! It seems the plastic bit was molded onto the spindle instead of fastened by a screw.
Finding a general fix-it person is nearly impossible these days. Times are a-changing though, slowly but surely. Our local newspaper ran an article a few days ago on how to evaluate "green" cleaning supplies. MSN.com had a story about the "green" movement. Alternative energy is getting more attention now that the price of gasoline is skyrocketing, as is the public and auto maker interest in increasing fuel efficiency.
30 years ago when a family friend introduced me to the (then quite radical) Mother Earth News, I fell in love with the concepts presented in the publication, even though they were pretty much dismissed by a large percentage of the population as being far out (and not in a good way). Now, being environmentally aware is almost a status symbol.
If I were trying to convince kids to be more conscious of the environment, I think I'd do some web research on their pop heroes and see which ones participate in "green" issues, then point out that even the cool people reduce, recycle and reuse.
Visit my blog at www.craftyfool.net |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
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threebusybees
True Blue Farmgirl
222 Posts
Mandi
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
222 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2007 : 05:53:15 AM
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Good morning all! Thanks for chatting about "livin' green " with me. All your suggestions have been wonderful. I wanted to share with you one of my inspirations for keeping the 7 th Generation in my thoughts daily.
This sweet thing is Emma aka Admiral Poopy Pants. Her favorite book is Walden of course(she reads it when I go into the bathroom on her little stool.
Mima they make special bags just for that purpose that you have to buy for $10!! Can you believe it people actually pay to get bags with cartoon characters on them instead of using bread bags or grocery bags! The baby business is huge!
Maria I love love mother earth news I get their email it has so many great suggestions!
Robin that blog looks interesting she really has "the gift of the gab" Thanks for posting it
I remind myself everyday not to give in to Peer Pressure, or Parent Pressure just say no to paper products!
"There will no longer be so many pleasant things to look at if responsible people do not do something about the unpleasant ones." Madeleine L"Engle |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2007 : 06:36:18 AM
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| Your baby is sooo beautiful-When I look at my grandaughters I am inspired to try to keep this planet beautiful for them!!! |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2007 : 07:23:56 AM
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the papertowel thing started inm the 80's when they were pushing them because "they" said papertowels were more sanitary! Poo-poo. I hate it also. I try to do everything I can but out society has a 'disposable" attitude now. I still believe if everyone would do one small thing a day to help protect our planet, it WILL make a difference. The problem is, too many people just don't care & they think we'll just last forever OR they feel they wont be here to feel the consequence.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Across the Fence: Disposable |
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Disposable
