I guess I'll start, we're trying to do better but it can be a struggle some times if you KWIM? Right now we are trying to get rid of plastic, not throwing out what we have just using it up and not getting more. I've been using the Oil Cleansing method to clean my face this week and I love it. We cloth diaper (fuzzi bunz and rumparooz), co-sleep and breastfeed on demand. I don't know if any of that is considered Natural Living actually, but it's something that we feel is somewhat natural and is very different from others around us. We're not there yet, but we're trying to get on our way, so don't get me too bad if I say or do something that's not so natural, gentle encouragement is what I need! Thanks!
Christen (29) DH (33) ~ married November 2007
Tandem nursing mommy to 2 boobie babies:
Scarlett born April 2009 and John Nick born March 2011
Definitely know what you mean about it being a struggle at times. I haven't made too much progress lately on my quest to reduce and reuse things and to use more natural products. If anything, I've probably gone backwards. The management of our apartment complex has recently decided to do away with the recycling bins, which has made it a lot more difficult to recycle. Our only option is to take our recycling to the dump ourselves which is quite far away.
We have started using our reusable shopping bags more and more. We only use compact florescent bulbs and LEDs. I bought lots of dish cloths and towels and have cut way back on our paper towel use. I'd like to switch over to cloth napkins as well, but the husband is balking at that idea. I'd love to cut back on the amount of plastics we use too, specifically ziplock bags. We have started labeling and reusing some of them. I haven't bought a disposable "feminine" product in..oh over six years now. Been using a reusable menstrual cup and cloth pads since I was a teen. We use FAM to avoid as well as a diaphragm with a homemade spermicide.
As far as cleaning products, we use a white vinegar/water solution as a disinfectant and have severely reduced our use of more caustic substances. I use white vinegar as a fabric softener as well. And I use apple cider vinegar, coconut, and jojoba oils on my hair instead of traditional conditioners. I briefly tried 'no poo and water only methods of haircare, but it did not agree with my hair at all. I used to oil cleanse as well, but had to stop when I started a prescription for a skin condition.
The main hurdle I'd like to tackle these days is our diet. I'd like to cut out processed and packaged foods completely, or at least cut waaaay back, but this has proven to be very difficult (I am quite the junk food junkie it seems). In order to save money we've started cooking more and eating out less, but we still use a lot of processed stuff in our meals.
Oh, I use a cup too, which one do you have? I have a Diva Cup and a FemmeCup. I love the Femmecup and can deal with the Divacup IF it's turned inside out to make it shorter. I just got on a list for some mama cloth yesterday! I haven't tried the No Poo method for washing my hair YET. I want to do that but just am not sure if I can make the switch from my beloved Aveda.
How do you make your homeade spermicide? Sounds adventurous! I have not bought cleaning supplies in months, I've been using vinegar solutions once I run out of what I've already got.
Also, flour sack cloths make the best rags and cloth napkins. Etsy has some good ones.
I'm with you on the food. It's a big deal for us right now since DD is starting to eat more solids. I don't give her much of anything that's not a whole food, but sometimes I do...and I always regret it.
I started out with the Diva, but use a Mooncup UK now - my Diva's kept in the closet as a back-up just in case. This reminds me that I really need to get some more cloths pads. I'm still using the same ones I bought six years ago and they're starting to get quite raggedy.
I probably didn't give 'No poo enough of a chance since I know there is a period of time where your hair has to adjust, but I think it was complicated by the fact that we have hard water here. My hair took on this very dry, brittle look and it felt really dirty like there was still a lot of residue on it. I lasted about two weeks before I just couldn't take it anymore. I'm currently having a problem with dandruff/itchy scalp and am not too impressed with the advice my dermatologist gave me (never told me what she thought was causing it, just told me to buy lots of different dandruff shampoos and switch between them often :-/). I'm beginning to suspect that the problem may be the sulfates in all of these shampoos and have been toying with the idea of going -cones free conditioner only.
For the spermicide, I use a recipe that is posted on the diaphragm and caps yahoo group. You mix a tablespoon of 100% pure aloe vera gel with four drops of lemon juice (must be squeezed from a fresh lemon, not the concentrate stuff). This keeps in the fridge for two weeks or can be frozen for up to six months. There are other recipes that involve honey and other ingredients and you can buy more natural spermicides from Europe online, but I like the convenience of making my own and this one seems the simplest so it's the one I went with. Unfortunately there are no published studies that I'm aware of on the effectiveness of homemade preparations, however on that group's website there is an unofficial study done by an OB/GYN that compared various natural spermicides with N-9 based ones and found they were similar in effectiveness. My husband and I decided we were comfortable using it paired with condoms or withdrawal during the fertile phase.
Our issue with food I think is mostly a matter of discipline (well that and a tight wad husband who doesn't want to spend lots of money of fresh produce ). We both find it hard to get the motivation to cook meals from scratch, but we're getting better.
Where did you get your mooncup uk? I really wanted to get that one but couldn't find it! I ordered my cloth from a lady on diaperswappers.com, here's a link to her site: Tree Hugger Mama Cloth
We have really hard water too and it makes my hair feel grimy if I don't get it really good and clean so I wonder if that method would be a struggle for me too. I have been using Jason Natural Cosmetics Tea Tree Scalp Normalizing shampoo and conditioner. It's sulfate free and is GREAT for dandruff or dry scalp. I HIGHLY recommend it.
I am a member of that Yahoo Group but haven't been on there in forever! I need to go check it out. I guess since we are TTC I don't really need a recipe, haha!
Do you have any good bug spray ideas? I got some CBP repellent but DH said it didn't work for him. I haven't had any problems with it on DD though, but she's not outside in the bugs as much either. UGH, speaking of bugs...we're having such a bug problem here. I know it's a summer thing, but I am SO disgusted with the beetles, horseflies, ants, etc etc etc. I even think we've had some roach eggs hatch recently because I've been seeing little bitty roach looking bugs outside. DH is going to fog under the house and spray tonight. I KNOW that won't be a green thing AT ALL, but I can't deal with it anymore!
What about sunscreen? I've just been using up what we have but when I run out I'd like to get some natural products, any success there?
Off to go research car seat safety....talk to you later!
She also just stocked her Hyena Cart store, Tree Hugger this morning, so there's a lot to chose from! I did a custom order of minky hybrid panty liners in a certain print I really loved but have to wait until July to get them since it's a custom!
I bought my Mooncup directly from the website. This was several years ago before the Keeper Inc managed to bar them from selling and shipping to the US (still makes me to think about it). You may be able to order one off ebay though I'm not 100% sure about that. I know if I ever make a trip to England, I will be buying another one for just in case since I don't know what I'd do without my MCUK. Congrats on your first cloth pad purchase, hope you like them as much as I do!
I've tried a couple of "natural" shampoos and had the same experience with them as I did with No Poo - lots of build up and my hair still felt and looked dirty. I must confess I'm a bit cynical when it comes to the organic/natural product industry - I feel like they charge outrageous prices for some of their products and the quality isn't there to back it up. That and many of these companies are owned by the same big corporations like Procter and Gamble and Colgate, etc, that make the products I'm trying to avoid. That's why I like to try to find recipes to make my own products rather than rely on these companies.
I'll have to get back to you on the insect repellent. My parents used to have a horrible problem with ants every year and my grandfather gave them a book on natural ways to combat critters. I'll see if I can borrow the book from my mom. Incidentally, the only way they were able to get rid of the ants was to hire an exterminator (they also discovered they had an issue with termites and you don't want to mess around with those so that's why they ultimately decided to go the exterminator route). I have to be honest, we don't really use sunscreen. My husband is Indian and I have Native American ancestry so we don't burn as easily, plus skin cancer hasn't really been an issue in our family. Funny story, I went to the doctor once for a yearly check up and she told me "I can see you take care of you skin and are good about using sunscreen, keep up the good work." I was silently laughing to myself, thinking "umm don't really use any products on my skin and don't really use sunscreen, but ok..."
well hello I am Janice and atm I still live with my mother. SHe is not that eco friendly or pro natural living as I am but since I am 18 now and do things by myself without her consent well I have made some changes in my life.
I just switched to cloth pads and I am addicted, I love them and have gotten some of my friends used to the idea. I am also getting a menstrual cup soon but I am still figuring out which one to get. I also plan of beggining a stack of cloth dipers for the future when we decide to begin TTC.
I forced my mother to use the reusable shopping bags for groceries and such and we always reuse the plastic bags we had from before I switched her. In addition we recycle and out municipality sponsors recycling so we have the bins and everything we need. We also eat very healthyly, and especially me since i try to buy products as organic and natural as possible, and I cook so that is also an advantage. I am alsotrying to completely cut fast foods and junk food, been succesful before so I know I can do it again. almost 85% cut off already. At home we also use LED light bulbs so we save energy on that. during the summer it is impossible to sleep without AC but sometimes during the cold months i sleep without the AC. (I live in the caribbean so it is burning hot here during the summer)
In the future I plan on continuing with only FAM but for now I think I have to stick with my BCP for a few years or months. When we TTC or get pregnant idk how I will do it but I will have a natural birth, no drugs (only necessary for my and the baby's life) and as I said cloth dipering and breastfeeding.
this is my list for now lol sorry this was so long :)
me: 20SO: 21
studying to go to Medical School in Fall 2014
diagnosed with hashimoto's 3/30/2012
TTA- for the next 6-7 years
view my chart : http://tcoyf.com/members/janiv10/charts/default.aspx
I guess I get to be the first post in 2011.
Intro: I am Yvonne. I live in Vermont with my DH and 2 kids (under 2). I am an old lady at 41. I am a WAHM. I am originally from LA so some of this natural living stuff is in my blood.
I started this natural living/organic thing about 11 years ago so some stuff I have been doing for a while, but others like Mama cloth and cleaning with vinegar are new (just in the last few years). The beautiful thing about this kind of living is that you just do what works for you and you fit it into your life the way you want to when you want it to.
So here is what we do:
cloth diaper (prefolds with covers)
co-sleep
babywear
selective/delayed vaxing
mama cloth (my favorite are minkies from Talulah Bean)
bidet/water sprayer (instead of toilet paper) - me only at this point
cloth napkins (just bought a bunch of cheap tan washclothes from WM)
recycle everything we can
most food is organic/gluten free (DH is a Celiac; had no choice)
almost all meat is purchased direct from local farms (all grass fed)
most veggies come from a CSA (just as happy to buy organic frozen stuff though)
make our own baby formula
kids are BF'd for the 1st 6 weeks
Most products we buy are natural/organic (non-foodstuff)
Clean with straight vinegar (non-diluted) with a dozen or so drops of TTO
hang dry clothes in the summer (use lemon juice to bleach out stains)
dogs and cats are fed Innova EVO
drive under 2500 rpms to save gas
use vinegar as a fabric softener
flower gardens around the house are organic (no pesticides)
starting a new veggie garden this spring (built the bed last fall)
will start composting this spring (ordering the composter in February)
currently composting cat litter (Cedarific; it fertilizes trees far away from the house)
use fly traps and baking powder to keep out ants
cut out 95% of HFCS from our diet (DH has gout; HFCS is bad for people with gout)
wired in new electronic thermostats (removed the mercury ones) BIG savings
hang heavy curtains up on windows to keep heat in at night (winter)
use cloth bags for grocery shopping
get/give away lots of stuff on Freecycle
wash my face with baking soda
no poo most days though I wash once a week with diluted Dr Bronner's peppermint soap
use almond oil as a leave-in conditioner (I have curly hair; I need it)
use only non SLS products
That is all I can think of for now. Like I said, I have been doing this for years. I started out with just wanting some organic fruits one day and it has just taken on a life of its own . I have tried everything to figure out the best result for the best price. There is just no way to do that fast. Some things took me a year to figure out (no poo was 9 months in the making before my hair behaved properly) so don't worry about how long it takes. Each step you make will change your future no matter how small you start out.
A couple of things that we are working on now:
We are planning to get an estimate for putting up one solar panel. We had a couple of power outages this winter which was a first for us so initially all we care about is back up power, but after that we'll look into expanding to cover all of our electrical needs. We do need to replace all of the appliances except the washer/dryer (new). They are 20+ years old and the solar guy said they'll just eat up our power. I am hoping the back up power is in place before next winter.
We also need to replace every single window and sliding glass door in the house. They are 20+ years old as well and they are just not as energy efficient as current windows and doors (you can feel the cool air when you stand next to them). We plan to replace 1-3 windows/doors per quarter until it is all done starting in the late spring.
Hopefully more people will share their ideas and we can help each other find an easier path to cleaner living.
Yvonne (43), DH (37), DS (3yrs), DD (2yrs)
NTNP after 2 miscarriages
My TCOYF Chart
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Welcome Yvonne and the new members who are lurking. I have to admit it's been a while since I've checked in and I was surprised to see how many people have joined!
I'll give an update on my family's progress. We are now in possession of cloth napkins, it's just a matter of actually getting into the habit of using them. I'm also getting ready to replace our Tupperware supply with glass containers. Our apartment community still has not brought recycling back, so we went and bought our own container and make regular trips to the dump/recycling center. We're still working on our diet and the types of food we eat. Now we have even more motivation since my husband was recent diagnosed with high cholesterol. Since we're living on one income and on a tight budget, I've discovered shopping at the local Asian market - the produce there is a lot more affordable and most of the time in better condition than at the regular grocery store. It's not organic, but this way we're at least eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, a vast improvement over the mostly processed diet we had before.
I feel you on the issue of windows - my parents' house was built in the 60s and still has the original windows. They are so poorly insulated its almost like having nothing there at all and their electric bills are astronomical. We're lucky in that we live in a pretty efficient, albeit small apartment with fairly new windows and doors that are well insulated. They came around last year and replaced all of the thermostats with those nice electronic, programmable ones as well. In addition to having our thermostat set a little lower, we really only have the vents open in the bedroom and that's where we spend most of our time in the winter. We've also been doing a lot of baking right now which kills two birds with one stone - we have lovely fresh baked bread on hand, not to mention a nice smell in the house, and the place gets heated as well.
^That sounds like my husband. His motivation is less about concern for the environment, though, and more about being kinder to the engine. That was part of why he bought a car with a manual transmission this time around, so that he could have more control over the rpms. Which reminds me, when we have to drive somewhere we take his car around as much as possible since his is more efficient and takes regular gas (mine takes premium). We also do a lot of our own car maintenance, including oil changes and we use synthetic oil in both cars. It's a little more expensive, but needs to be changed less often and slightly improves gas mileage.
Hi-- here's my first post/into. Even though it's a bit quiet in here right now, I'm very glad I found this space. Looking forward to getting acquainted here. Warm Spring Greetings,
Basil Rose
p.s. I'm living naturallly by sticking to organic whenever possible. A few good resources like the "Organic Pregnancy" book too. Also making sure to get out into nature more. Very healing and sustaining, particular through the baby-making/TTC process!