Green Living Tribe - Part II - Page 7

[Manonash]

I'm scared to watch the meatrix! I have OCD and don't wanna get images in my head I can't get out. I just wanna know as a non-veg where to get meat from ethical ranchers.

Does anyone subscribe to Plenty Magazine? They couple I have picked up at Whole Foods have been pretty good.

[calicocj]

Originally Posted by AJP

I mentioned this is the first thread, but it's worth repeating - there's a good book on global warming and the evidence that human activity is accelerating it beyond the natural climate cycles, it's called The Weathermakers, http://www.theweathermakers.com/. It's academic, logical and scientific enough that highly educated skeptics can't really poke holes in it, if they're being intellectually honest (IMO).

I totally agree! This is an excellent book!!!

[Manonash]

We just watched the "End of Oil" Series on LinkTV -- WOW! Seems like everything I watch related to environmentalism now motivates me more and more. DH is stoked too! He's wondering about converting propane vehicles to run on hydrogen and making hydrogen at home. I read an article a year or so ago (I believe in Plenty mag) about a couple who made their own hydrogen using solar power to do it.

Thank you to the poster who posted the blog about the person trying to go plastic free for a year. That's awesome! It's made me take notice a lot more about where all plastic enters my life. I'm shocked about how often it's there. I may not be able to do it to the degree that blogger has (right now at least), but the next time I go for shampoo, I'll check out the Burt's Bee's. (Not quite ready to go nopoo yet )

[Mamma Christi]

Is there any one here who doesn't use trash bags? We have a friend who doesn't and we were considering doing it and probably using a pail liner (because DH wouldn't want to constantly wash the trash can). Just wondering if anyone does this and if so what you use instead. Thanks!

*sub*

[ladywolf]

Yep, building a cob tea house in the backyard to see if we like the building technique when it is just us and not a workshop Both my husband and I work as well as I cook everything we eat and try to grow as much as possible. Sew. Spin. Learning to weave. There just is not enough time in the day for everything!!! So, the cob is vvveeerrryyyy ssslllloooowww
wonderfully meditative though!

[flowers]

Originally Posted by treefolk

he he he -- flowers - my name is hilary , too!

Cool! Not many of us out there....good to meet you!

Originally Posted by Manonash

I'm scared to watch the meatrix! I have OCD and don't wanna get images in my head I can't get out. I just wanna know as a non-veg where to get meat from ethical ranchers.

Does anyone subscribe to Plenty Magazine? They couple I have picked up at Whole Foods have been pretty good.

I know I need to be careful about what movies I see b/c I am very sensitive to images. Plus, I have been trying to focus on what we can do to make a change and not on all the crap that makes me mad. I am glad the info is out there for people who are just learning, but I am all about moving on from anger and making the change in my life.

Give me a little tidbit about Plenty. I love the title and I love mags. What is there scene?

Originally Posted by ladywolf

Yep, building a cob tea house in the backyard to see if we like the building technique when it is just us and not a workshop Both my husband and I work as well as I cook everything we eat and try to grow as much as possible. Sew. Spin. Learning to weave. There just is not enough time in the day for everything!!! So, the cob is vvveeerrryyyy ssslllloooowww
wonderfully meditative though!

I LOVE IT! I know what you mean about not enough hours in the day. There is just so many cool skills I want to acquire. Sounds like you keep yourself busy!

[mtn.mama]

Originally Posted by Mamma Christi

Is there any one here who doesn't use trash bags? We have a friend who doesn't and we were considering doing it and probably using a pail liner (because DH wouldn't want to constantly wash the trash can). Just wondering if anyone does this and if so what you use instead. Thanks!

We don't. We just use dog food bags and 5 gallon buckets. Recycling goes in rubbermaid tubs.

[EnviroBecca]

If anybody is looking for earth-friendly shoes for your kids, Kid Bean is having sales!
Vegetarian Kids rainbow sandals for $12.60
and hemp sneakers w/recycled rubber soles for $25 (forgot to copy the link to those).

I am so tempted by the sneakers (my son has to wear closed-toe shoes at childcare) but we're low on money...but he will need new shoes within a few months, and synthetic sneakers from Target might cost almost as much and are worse for the planet...but buying shoes online makes me nervous, even when the return policy is good, because returning things is such a hassle! So I am going to think about it for a few days and meanwhile measure his feet carefully to try to get the right size if I do order them.

[AJP]

Originally Posted by Manonash

I'm scared to watch the meatrix! I have OCD and don't wanna get images in my head I can't get out. I just wanna know as a non-veg where to get meat from ethical ranchers.

It's animated, don't know if that would make it any less haunting for you (it's still oogy). And you can look up sources in these places:

http://www.eatwellguide.org/
http://www.localharvest.org/
http://www.eatwild.com/

[mrsalf97]

subbing

I'm working on not bringing home any more plastic bags.

[Manonash]

flowers: I was actually looking to see if anyone else could give me a tidbit. I've only picked up a couple of copies, so am not sure of their overall take on things. Their subtitle is "It's Easy Being Green." I've followed a few links on their website and it seems to have some good info (like decoding egg carton language). But, a strange thing or too, also. Like, when I did the "digital plenty preview," one of the things on the title page said "how genetically modified plants could help fight pollution." I'm totally against GMO, so that threw me, being it is a green magazine. It wouldn't let me read the article though, so that coulda been said tongue-in-cheek.

AJP: Actually, it does help that it's animated. For some reason, animated images don't bother me too badly long term. I want the info, I just don't wanna see gruesome images.

I've got to read Omnivores Dilemma. I've been having all sorts of thoughts about where my food comes from, and I hear this book is great.

Bought 5 Chico bags today at my HFS to put into my purse, since I am always forgetting my canvas bag. Those are handy little suckers!

[treefolk]

This is going back to the lunch box discussion...

I did not like the laptop lunch box at all. I thought the lids were very difficult to get opened AND closed even for my 7 year old. When I used the containers with out lids it made a mess with a lot of what I packed (and they only give you 1 lid. Just wasn't for me.

So I got the round 2 tiered stainless steel "bento" box (forgot the brand name) that comes with cool bamboo flatware in a handy case. My dd loves this, but as she is a food "seperatist" I found myself putting things into wax bags and then shoving them in the container. I now use it more for myself (it's great for a salad and some dry snacks) or outings other than school.

So what do I use now? I sewed up some cute lunch totes. Non-insulated, made a pocket on front, very simple. Put most things in pyrex glass containers, still use wax paper bags when needed (but recycle them until they tear) It really works the best for us, haven't had a problem with insulation so far. Cheap, easy. One of the totes I even made with the lining of an old raincoat, so now the inside is waterproof!

After spending almost 60$ on "green" lunch totes, it was a real eye opener for me about being conscience of buying at all, green or not.

[Manonash]

So what do I use now? I sewed up some cute lunch totes. Non-insulated, made a pocket on front, very simple. Put most things in pyrex glass containers, still use wax paper bags when needed (but recycle them until they tear) It really works the best for us, haven't had a problem with insulation so far. Cheap, easy. One of the totes I even made with the lining of an old raincoat, so now the inside is waterproof!

This is so cool. I especially love the raincoat idea. Now if I could find time to sew .

[Mamma Christi]

Originally Posted by Manonash

This is so cool. I especially love the raincoat idea. Now if I could find time to sew .

Another idea for the waterproof is taking an old shower curtain that you sanitize . I've seen moms use this for waterproofing various things they make before

[eco_mama]

this may have already been brought up but SILK now uses 100% wind energy to make their products! they have GREEN caps on their soy milk now.

[kellid]

Originally Posted by flowers

Plus, I have been trying to focus on what we can do to make a change and not on all the crap that makes me mad. I am glad the info is out there for people who are just learning, but I am all about moving on from anger and making the change in my life.

I think this is a wonderful philosophy! Good for you.

[AJP]

Originally Posted by kellid

I think this is a wonderful philosophy! Good for you.

I think it's great, too. We finally watched Who Killed the Electric Car? a few days ago, and my husband said "I'm running out of room for anger!" It's easy to feel anger and despair about these kind of environmental issues, since so much of it is perpetuated by entities so huge, bureaucratic and impenetrable that one individual resisting it is like a tiny voice shouting in a hurricane. But if all of the tiny voices resist, it will make a difference, ultimately those huge entities will have no choice but to respond, and other tiny voices will notice that they don't have to just go with the flow. So keep on truckin'.

[Manonash]

Oooh, the shower curtain is a good idea too!

We finally watched Who Killed the Electric Car? a few days ago, and my husband said "I'm running out of room for anger!"

I kinda feel this way too sometimes. I have my optimistic days and pessimistic days.

[clothdipemomof2boy]

would love to sub. I read you green living challenge and think it is soo great and wrote everything down cause my printer doesnt work but wanted to get all the ideas on paper somehow. I would love to learn more with this thread about green living. so far i use cloth tp and cloth momma pads and cloth dipes for my youngest son but soon will be putting him in cloth trainers like his brother. we hang some up to dry. we recycle and i use cloth bags for groceries. I make my own home cleaners and try to cut down on any paper coming in the house. I still want to do more we are starting a compost area and going to garden but any more info would be handy. So i would love to join if i can thanks.

[MrsMike]

Wow. I was surprised that this tribe isn't on the first page.
Has anyone heard of this?
www.recyclebank.com