Gorgeously Green

Since moving into our new home at the first of the year we have been making some much-needed changes in our lifestyle. At first I was a bit nervous how I would handle all the changes and if I would be overwhelmed - which I am at times - but it has turned into a really neat routine for our family.

Becoming "green" in our home ranges from recycling bins in the garage and greatly reducing the bags in our trash can, slowly adding more and more organic items to our grocery list as I learn more and find good deals, organic cleaning products, becoming a member of a great Co-Op that allows me to buy items at wholesale, planned trips to Harry's, recyclable toilet paper, chlorine free pull-ups (done with these!), chlorine free wet wipes, conscientious decisions in regards to trips to town and all the gas used, organic pest control, reusing as many things as we can and making more and more conscientious decisions in regards to purchases brought into our home.

Right now I am working on selling some things on eBay to save up for a rotary clothesline for outside. I've done the research and I don't want one that will need to be replaced soon, I want a 30 year product that will only need to be made once! I am so excited to extend the life of our very old dryer even longer and also save more on energy. We are thrilled with our energy efficient house as our electric bill is HALF of what it was at our previous home and this home has more space.

Jason and I have both realized the importance and the responsibility that is ours to be good stewards of what the Lord has blessed us with and make decisions based on long-term effects rather than just on what is cheapest and easiest to consume.

Even though these changes have been made, I can't say it is easy. There are days I am really frustrated with finding the best deal or the right product. I told Jason I really wish I wasn't such a researcher. I have to look at all the reviews and all the information before deciding on something and that can get overwhelming at times. Even though I struggle with the overload at times, I really feel it is worth it and it truly does make me feel better about what we are consuming and using as a family.

If you debate whether or not to start trying on some Green ideas in your home and want to find a balance, as we do, between being fanatic and being good stewards, you can find some good information in Gorgeously Green. I can't say I endorse all information in this book, but it is such a great user-friendly place to start. We all want to hold onto the items we have become accustomed to and this book is written for us, to help us find the best alternatives, to talk to us in easy-to-understand terms, and give us a great starting point without being overwhelmed too drastically by the depressing numbers and statistics out there that can easily paralyze us into thinking it is just too big of a problem for us to even begin to think about.

Caroline & Doster love Jack Johnson's Song "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and have become great little helpers in the Green changes around the house. Both deliver the trash to the Recycling Bins and Caroline will even help catch Jason and I when we throw out something we are not supposed to. The other day she told me she is great at recycling. I asked her how and she said "I recycle my room because I can change it into a palace!" She's got the idea!