Hanging By a Thread

5 Things {To Save World}

OK….So, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit when it comes to saving the world, but still, hear me out.

Plastic is a big problem for our Earth. As in, it takes years and years and years and years to break down. Some sources say it may takes plastic containers, bottles and bags 100s or even 1000s of years to break down. The truth is, we don't actually know how long it will take. Plastic bags have been around only 50 years….and they're all still piling up in landfills, etc.

So, our family has been trying our darndest to greatly reduce the amount of plastic we use. I know what you're thinking, "Your one little family not using so much plastic isn't going to save the world or make any great impact." And you're right. That's why each of us should be doing our part in "saving the world" whether it's reducing plastic usage, using fewer or no harmful chemicals in our homes, reducing our overall all carbon footprints, etc.

And did you know if you used just 3 reusable produce bags a week, you'd reduce your plastic bag usage by 150 in just one year? And did you further know that the average family goes through about 500 plastic baggies a year just for school and work lunches?

The way I see it is that if we choose to do things that reduce the waste and the harmful chemicals released into our air and leave our world a purer place for our kids and their kids or at the very least slow the damage to our planet and our people, then it's worth it.

And really these 5 things are EASY…there's just one I have trouble with….

1. Norwex Snack Bags/Sandwich Wraps. We NEVER send plastic baggies in school lunches. We also opt for reusable spoons and forks and travel sized enviro cloths for lunch napkins for waste free lunches. These bags are also great for small toys, crayons, pacifiers, etc. even makeup or nail files and polishes, etc., etc.
2. Reusable Bags for Shopping. Here's the one I have trouble with. I have them in my car, and I usually remember to take them in at Trader Joe's and my co-op, but often forget them when running into Target or a clothing store or shoe store, etc. I'm working on this one. And when I forget I do take my plastic bags to Target to recycle….I hope they actually recycle them!
3. Norwex Mesh Produce Bags. I use these at the grocery stores for fruits and veggies and for picking tomatoes and peppers in our garden – we have had a huge tomato crop and these bags are great for this job. My son even took one to school to store his headphones in. I use one in the freezer for the bananas that go mushy before they are eaten and get used in muffins, breads and pancakes. They are also great for washing grapes so that you don't lose them down the drain or for washing and/or storing Legos bath toys or Barbies and so many other things!
4. Compostable Trash Bags. I feel good about using these. I found 2 different brands at Lakewinds Co-op. They aren't too pricey and there are several sizes, depending on your needs. We have found them to be pretty strong and to work well.
5. Norwex Stainless Steel Straws. Think about how many millions of straws are tossed out each day….staggering isn't it? Well, if you use them in your own home or often stop for a carbonated beverage or shake or smoothie, then these stainless steel straws will serve you well. There's even a handy brush to clean them well! Again, I am working out a system to keep them in my car and remember to grab these and not the plastic version when we stop for a refreshing drink. My boys love to use them with milk.

OK, OK….I actually have 7 points for you, not 5….

1. Silicone Lids. I have been using these for about a year or so now. Norwex just launched a version too – work just the same and they are fantastic! The lids are safe for stovetops, ovens, microwaves and the fridge. There are so many reasons to love them. I don't even use metal lids for my pots now. The silicone lids make perfect rice, make the pasta water boil faster, keep food warm and still good for hours, steams veggies to perfection, keep baked good fresh and moist AND no more plastic wrap! Plus fewer dishes to wash since you can go from stove to fridge in the same container. Oh, and they don't stain or retain odor.
2. Beeswax & Cloth Wrap. I found this at my Lakewinds Co-op too, and they are great! They come in several sizes and even a variety pack. I use them to wrap cheese, bread, fruits, veggies, whatever and, again, NO PLASTIC WRAP or BAGGIES! You simply rinse it with cool water and dry it off and then wrap up the food. The warmth of your hand will mold and seal the beeswax and cloth wrap.

And this is what we're doing, along with removing all harmful chemicals from our home and recycling tons of plastic, paper and glass. Of course, there are always more things we can do…and we will. What are you focusing on changing in your home? Over and out….

Anna

**Full Disclosure: one of the many hats I wear is that of Norwex Independent Sales Consultant. However, none of these products were given to me and no company sponsored this post. This is simply my opinion based on experience using these products in my home.

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When You Give a Mom a Sick Day

Yesterday I had a sick day. Well, really it was the second sick day; so, more of the recovery day when you are still moving slowly and tiring easily from being really sick the day before.

I decided to make a cup of coffee…but then I forgot about it and it got cold {This part happens frequently}.

So, I heated up the cup of coffee in the microwave.

As I waited the 20 seconds, I noticed that the cabinet door above the microwave was not shutting all the way.

I opened the cabinet door and found that the muffin pan was sticking out.

So, I got the step stool and climbed up to fix the problem.

I found that the cabinet contents had become a jumbled mess from the husband randomly jamming items in after washing dishes {This part happens frequently too}.

So, I endeavored to fix the issue, taking everything out and re-arranging them in an orderly fashion.

In doing this, I found the 6 birthday candle, which belonged in a different cabinet.

When I went to put the 6 candle away, I noticed some empty vinegar bottles and a mostly empty honey jar on the shelf below.

So, I re-arranged those bottles and jars and small appliances there.

Then, I rinsed out the old or mostly empty bottles and jars and took them to the recycling bin in the garage.

When I was putting them in the bin, I dropped one small bottle.

The bottle shattered on the garage floor.

So, I went down to the basement to get the hand vacuum to clean up the glass.

That's when I noticed the piles of laundry (I had been sick for several days).

So, I unloaded the contents from the dryer into a basket, put the laundry from the washer into the dryer, and started another load of laundry.

Then, I got the hand vacuum and went upstairs to the garage.

I picked up the glass pieces and then went back downstairs to put the hand vacuum away.

I noticed that there was litter on the floor that had been pushed out of the cat boxes, and vacuumed that up too.

I put away the vacuum and carried the laundry upstairs.

I was completely and uttering exhausted and went to sit down.

Then, I realized my coffee was still in the microwave.

{Oh, for crying out loud.}

And that's what happens when a Mom gets a sick day; she ends up doing all kinds of random things around the house.

I never did finish that cup of coffee. I ended up re-heating it a couple of times and then finally giving up on it. Over and out…

Anna

Curb Appeal: Sometimes Things in Life are Free

Free Stuff

"??Lamb Meat?? We have some lamb meat that we would like to give away, it has been in our deep freezer. There is nothing wrong with it, my family just don't eat it. We have Lamb roast, lamb stew meat, and a leg of lamb. Thanks for looking!"

    ~from a Craigslist posting under Free Stuff

Uh huh.....I don't know about you, but lamb meat from someone's freezer is NOT something I'd accept from a stranger, free or not.

But hold the phone; if you live in a city and you aren't checking this heading on your local Craigslist site before you head out the store, then you're selling yourself short.

At first, it was amusing to see what people were posting; the frozen lamb meat??, a sprinkler that kind of works, a couple of hens and some roosters, Depends adult diapers, but then I started really looking at the postings and for one whole weekend we monitored the "Free Stuff."

The Haul

Here's what we got....for free: a solid oak dining table, a slightly nicked and scratched Ethan Allen shelving unit, a three tiered wall shelf, a wicker chair {I'm a sucker for wicker}; art paper, crayons and chalk (for the kids), a 2 drawer file cabinet and a small shelving unit for closet organization, or office supplies, in my case, and big camping tent.

There were some cool things we weren't quick enough on the draw to get too. And there were things we just didn't need, but that would have been fabulous in someone's home.

Often all these items need are a good scrubbing and perhaps a coat of paint or varnish and sometimes, they are in perfect condition; like the dining table we got.

The Ethan Allen piece can be seen in the photo above. I cleaned it, filled in a few scratches with wood fill and then painted it yellow. I pulled together an ensemble of items from various rooms in our home to make this inviting area in our bedroom, without spending anything.

Before we got this round dining table, we had always had a rectangle table. This table is much smaller than our old one, but the change in shape seems to have changed our meal time atmosphere. For some reason, this smaller, round table is creating more unity and better conversations to our mealtime and work/homework time in the evenings.

I haven't found a place for my wicker chair or wall shelf yet, but I will. And I'll be watching the Free Stuff listings too. I may never buy another piece of wood furniture again.

Items to Skip Over

There are items I would avoid, besides the frozen lamb meat. I would never get a mattress/box springs, linens or luggage from Craigslist. I would be concerned about bed bugs, etc. Unless, you know how to re-upholster, I wouldn't choose the free couches and chairs, etc. either, but there could be some exceptions. I would steer clear of any food listings, formula listings or anything with an expiration date. And one should NEVER pick up for free (or buy) a used car seat or car seat base for safety reasons.

The Scoop

The thing about Craigslist is that you just never know what you're going to find. So, check it out, have fun, be creative and use your head when it comes to what you get and where you go to get it, but don't think about it for too long, because if it's fantastic and free, it won't be on the curb for long. Over and out...

Anna

Expensive Plastic: Tips for Recycling Car Seats {Not Buying/Selling Used}

Finding the One

It took me a while to get it right when it came to car seats for my Darlings. In the last 5.5 years we have had 7 car seats/boosters between our 2 children. I resisted spending the money on a Britax in the beginning. I shouldn't have because in the end I spent more money buying multiple car seats before relinquishing and buying the Britax (s) that I loved.

I learned my lesson. When it comes to car seats and shoes, I should just spend the money and I won't regret it {I'd love to buy my kids cheap shoes, but they both have extra wide feet that just don't fit in cheap shoes}.

But before I learned my lesson I dabbled in less expensive, less cooperative, less comfortable, less ease on the part of the mommy car seats. So, this meant in the end I had more car seats to get rid of too.

Don't Buy/Sell Used

Now, car seats should never be re-used, unless it was first used by your own older child or a close relative or friend and you know exactly what conditions it has had to withstand, how it has been used, whether it was in any kind of accident and how long it has been used. One should not shop for car seats on ebay or craigslist or other online ads site for used items.

You simply can't know the conditions the car seat endured prior to you acquiring the used car seat. Even if it looks like it's in perfect condition, it could have been in a car that was involved in an accident and be damaged or weakened in a way that you can't readily see.

Additionally, car seats should not be used longer than 5 years from the date manufactured, which can be found stamped onto the car seat. After 5 years, the plastic and belts may begin to break down due to extreme temperatures in vehicles, repeated use, etc.

Therefore, a car seat is something that you should neither buy used nor sell used. It's just not wise for either party to do so. There are other baby items that are fine to buy used, but not car seats. Your child is much too precious cargo to gamble with his or her safety while riding in the car.

Disposing of Car Seats

So, how should you dispose of the old or outgrown car seats? A family will at the least likely have an infant seat and an additional base, a rear facing/forward facing child seat or two and a booster seat or two, depending on the number of cars in the family, the number and spacing of children in the family and the family's commute schedule.

When I went to the fire station to have Darling 1's infant seat tested to ensure we had it securely placed and fastened, I distinctly remember the fireman telling me to cut the straps before I put the car seat out with the trash when we were finished using it. And this is what we have done when disposing of the first few.

However, I recently read an article in Parents on recycling car seats. No, I don't mean for you to make a planter out of the seat, although my Darling Boys have been using our old Britax car seats for rocket blaster seats for a while now. What I mean is that there are a number of states with locations, agencies and organizations that will take the seats and recycle the plastic.

Parents magazine mentions a website that actually doesn't list this information, but I found a "list" of sorts that does list recycling information for a number of states. The list is actually a forum of parents weighing in from various cities and states with their area's information, but the information is good and the best, most comprehensive information I could find listed in one place. You can also check with your waste disposal company or city and/or state government offices to find out if your area recycles car seats.

The Scoop

However, again, it's important to remember that if you do put your old car seat/booster seat out on your curb or in your dumpster {in the garbage or to be recycled}, you should cut the straps and/or remove the padding. This will prevent someone from picking it up for their own use. Do this especially if the car seat has been damaged in some way, whether in a car accident or otherwise.

You don't want someone else's child to be injured after using your used car seat. While this is a long shot, there could be liability issues, and unless you are an expert, you may not realize that your seat is too old or is damaged. Over and out...

Anna