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Green Living Tribe - Part II - Page 3

post #41 of 752
3/27/07 at 8:13am
hey y'all! thanks for the new thread. just subbing...

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post #42 of 752
3/27/07 at 8:32am
sooooo...

talk to me again about green lunchbox options. i know the little laptop lunchbox -- is that the name -- is cute and all, but isn't it still plastic? i was using wax paper bags for awhile, but felt guilty throwing them away. i switched to plastic containers from the mainstream grocery store, but worry about them. if i were to go to metal it has to not be too heavy because my 6 yr old has to be able to carry it and easy open...

thoughts?
post #43 of 752
3/27/07 at 11:28am
metal lunchbox options :

http://www.to-goware.com/
http://store.sundogoutfitter.com/Sho...d/0/rid/123105

I am very tempted by both but have not decided if either will be what I really need. I use a thermal lunch bag and old containers with my own sliver ware and napkins.
post #44 of 752
3/27/07 at 1:12pm
Always looking how to live greener Can't wait to join the Green Challenge for April

RayRay~
post #45 of 752
3/27/07 at 1:42pm
I have a few to-gowares. Dh and I use them. My only complaint is that they aren't as versatile as I'd hoped. They'd be great for snacks if you set them out, but to open and close them all the time is a pain because there's a lot to do, it all has to stack correctly and has that outside thing holding it together, you can't just take off the top and grab something. Not to mention during summer outings I think the metal would get hot and warm up the food.

I don't use it for ds at school because it doesn't hold a lot of little things easily, which he likes in his lunch. I could use my fabric produce bags to keep the raisins from sticking to the sliced apples, but that's one more thing for him to have to make sure not to lose the way he spreads it all out. I know the laptop lunch is plastic, but it's a lot easier for a kid to use and better than throwing away bags. I'm hoping mine will last through both of my kids.

I don't mean to sound all down on them, they're great for salads (when we have access to a fridge), sandwiches etc for me and dh. And when ds gets older and is out of the finger food, he'll probably use it more.
post #46 of 752
3/27/07 at 6:15pm
yeah, i don't think the to-g-wares and similar would work for my 6 yr old. they might work for some 6 yr olds, but i don't think mine would dig it so much. we do have a nice reusable lunch bag it's just the insides i'm searching for. right now we've got some rubbermaid containers that work okay and the lids are flexible enough that she can get them off herself without too much frustration, but i worry about the plaastic leaching. tell me about the laptop lunches and the lidless containers? don't things spill? i can just see a buncha cheddar bunnies hopping all over the place...
post #47 of 752
3/27/07 at 6:17pm
I got one of these for dd, and LOVE it http://www.reusablebags.com/store/mi...ugs-p-413.html I mostly stuff it with small glass jars and use Wrap-n-mats for sandwiches.
post #48 of 752
3/27/07 at 9:36pm
Hi y'all!

I definitely belong here. Always looking for ways to be more green...actually pretty obsessed with it.

Beanma, we run our car off of waste veggie oil. We do have to start it on diesel and would love to put biodeisel in the tank for those times, but there is nothing near us right now. What kind of car do you guys drive?
post #49 of 752
3/27/07 at 11:30pm

laptop lunches

It all fits so snug that you don't need lids. One does come with a lid for anything liquidy that you might have. And it comes with a smaller lidded container for salad dressing or dip.

adventuregirl - Glass jars - are you worried that they'll break? I can see ds putting his hand in a bag not realizing something broke. If you have a solution I'd love to hear it, dh likes to pack up an apple and a granola bar in a cloth produce bag for lunch, it'd be nice to send along some yogurt or something.

Lisa
post #50 of 752
3/28/07 at 12:00am
Thread Starter 
Have you guys heard about Step It Up 2007?
Quote:
This April 14th, tens of thousands of Americans will gather all across the country at meaningful, iconic places to call for action on climate change. We will hike, bike, climb, walk, swim, kayak, canoe, or simply sit or stand with banners of our call to action: Step It Up Congress! Cut carbon 80% by 2050.
You can search for an action in your area or if there isn't one yet, start one!
post #51 of 752
3/28/07 at 7:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by flowers View Post
Beanma, we run our car off of waste veggie oil. We do have to start it on diesel and would love to put biodeisel in the tank for those times, but there is nothing near us right now. What kind of car do you guys drive?
we drive a VW Golf TDI and a VW Golf Jetta. my dh actually has an old diesel Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 (but the diesels aren't FJs and i can't remember what they were -- BJs?) with a newer diesel engine that he wants to convert to grease, but that's a project that he hasn't gotten around to yet. right now he's interested in beekeeping!

as for the lunchbox/lunch bag, we have something like this -- http://www.reusablebags.com/store/co...nts-p-432.html , but in a rainbow otter print. i'm plenty happy with the bag it's just the what goes inside that's got me stumped. i can't seem to get my head around using glass, but if there was a metal option that dd1 could work that would be great.

thanks for the clarification on the laptop lunches. that makes sense now. do they have a place for a cold pack?
post #52 of 752
3/28/07 at 12:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by snozzberry View Post
Have you guys heard about Step It Up 2007?You can search for an action in your area or if there isn't one yet, start one!
Yes! There's an action right here on campus where I work...

In fact, there is a a whole month of activities going on here around Earth Day - this week, several student groups have organized a "Pass the Passion" campaign to raise awareness on environmental and recycling issues and on monday, Al Gore is giving his presentation (I'm supposed to get to go through work, so I am so excited!!!)

This is one of those times I'm glad to work on a campus, there is so much energy among students on environmental issues.
post #53 of 752
3/28/07 at 1:23pm
I think the laptop lunch comes with a cold pack, I've got one floating around here.
post #54 of 752
3/28/07 at 6:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by calicocj View Post
In fact, there is a a whole month of activities going on here around Earth Day - this week, several student groups have organized a "Pass the Passion" campaign to raise awareness on environmental and recycling issues and on monday, Al Gore is giving his presentation (I'm supposed to get to go through work, so I am so excited!!!)
Wow, that's so cool! Let us know how it goes...
post #55 of 752
3/28/07 at 6:21pm
Speaking of Earth Day, I just got an email that we are going to have a nurse-out on the Boston Common. Isn't that so cool! Since it is on a Sunday the whole family will be able to go!
post #56 of 752
3/28/07 at 7:43pm
I wrote a post about this here, but does anyone know if you can use straight rainwater for laundry? I could rig up a rain barrel just outside the basement window above our washer, feeding a hose through with a nozzle that can be turned on and off.

But I don't know if the water would be harboring bacteria that would be harmful. I would only use it for the first wash of cold (the final rinse would be regular tap water) and not at all for loads on hot.

I'm excited about this idea but I can't seem to find any idea for using straight rainwater (everything I've googled talks about rainwater harvesting systems).
post #57 of 752
3/28/07 at 8:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by New Mama View Post
I wrote a post about this here, but does anyone know if you can use straight rainwater for laundry? I could rig up a rain barrel just outside the basement window above our washer, feeding a hose through with a nozzle that can be turned on and off.

But I don't know if the water would be harboring bacteria that would be harmful. I would only use it for the first wash of cold (the final rinse would be regular tap water) and not at all for loads on hot.

I'm excited about this idea but I can't seem to find any idea for using straight rainwater (everything I've googled talks about rainwater harvesting systems).
This may not help, but have you researched possible uses for "greywater" because you may be able to do similar things with the rain water? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greywater
post #58 of 752
3/28/07 at 9:47pm
Wow! I can't believe I haven't seen anything posted about the plastic bag ban in San Francisco!!! If you don't bring a recyclable plastic bag to the grocery store, they charge you! Love it! That would certainly help me remember to bring mine!!!!!
post #59 of 752
3/29/07 at 12:42am
I can always use more ideas for living a greener life...subbing.
post #60 of 752
3/29/07 at 1:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli's_mommy View Post
Wow! I can't believe I haven't seen anything posted about the plastic bag ban in San Francisco!!! If you don't bring a recyclable plastic bag to the grocery store, they charge you! Love it! That would certainly help me remember to bring mine!!!!!
I just logged on to post about it! Isn't it so exciting? I hope the rest of the country follows.
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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Green Living Tribe - Part II