When I first thought about my Pledge to Go Green in 2012 I couldn’t help but wonder, how many people feel hopeless in the world – like their efforts don’t really make a big difference.  Have you ever felt that way?  Have you ever asked yourself a question similar to these:

• Will using these fabric grocery bags at the store really make an impact?
• Will using cloth diapers really save us money?
• Will switching to CFL bulbs really save electricity?
• Does it really matter if I turn off the lights when I leave a room?
• If I stop using paper towels will it really save trees?

I know my husband, my family, and my friends ask me questions like this all the time.  Of course there are lots of studies that are done but often times it takes years before we really understand the impact our small changes have on society and the planet.  How do you decide which efforts are most important?  Which areas of your life you should change first?  You can’t possibly change all of your habits and routines at one time (well – you could but the average person isn’t THAT dedicated).

In order to make any change in your life you have to first BELIEVE that YOU can make a difference.  You have to BELIEVE that your efforts really matter.  You have to BELIEVE that what you are doing is the right thing to do – for you and for your family.

Resolutions and goals are only good if you BELIEVE in them.  Think about dieting and exercise – it takes more than just setting a goal to make them happen.  You first have to set the goal, then you have to BELIEVE in the goal, and finally you have to have a plan for how you will reach and achieve your goal.

Here is my first challenge for you (and for me – because to be honest I’m not much of a planner) – write down one new goal for January and a plan on how you can achieve it.  What is the first small change that you think you can make (or start to make) in one month.  Do you need any resources to help you achieve that goal?  How much time and effort will you need to invest in order to reach your goal?  How will you know when you have reached your goal?  Or is your first change more of a lifestyle change (like making a commitment to stop using paper towels)?

Tips to help you achieve your goal:

• Write it down – make it real!
• Post it – put it somewhere you have to look daily!  On your desk, your phone, or even as a background on your computer screen.
• Reward yourself – catch yourself making good decisions and find a way to reward yourself.
• BELIEVE in yourself!

I can preach these tips all day long but can I actually live my own challenge?  I’m going to sit down first thing tomorrow morning and take my own challenge with you.  I’ll come back and share my goal – my resolution – my commitment – with you!

The one thing that I do know is that I BELIEVE that I can make a change.  I’ve seen the changes that I can make.  I’ve seen the impacts that my decisions have made on others.  Over 3 years ago when I was pregnant I decided to research and try cloth diapers.  Once my daughter was born I did just that.  At that time I didn’t even consider that I had the ability to (or the need to) educate others about cloth diapers.  However, once I started using cloth and writing about cloth I realized that I had something that was valuable to others – experience.  Even my limited experiences were valuable.  I didn’t have anyone (aside from people I met while online) to go to with questions about cloth diapers.  Now, my mother did use cloth diapers on us but she used a diaper service so the questions I had were not experiences that she could share with me (she’ll even tell you that the diapers I use are far different than what she used).

I BELIEVE that by sharing my experiences with you (anyone who may be reading this on my blog, in an RSS feed, in an email, from Facebook, from a shared link on Twitter, however you found this) I have the ability to teach you, to educate you, to share my failures and my successes with you about cloth diapers (or any subject that I know about really).  How do I know if my words have an effect on others?  How do I know if others will chose cloth diapers because of me?  I DON’T!  But I BELIEVE that I can (and have)….

Do you BELIEVE?  

<With big thought bubble over my head…I wonder if my ability to believe in intangible things like Jesus has anything to do with my ability to believe that I can make a change?  Just a thought, after all we can’t always see the things we believe in.>

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I’ve watched many sunrises and sunsets but I can honestly say that I experienced my first ‘moon set’ while on vacation.

Shortly after takeoff I looked out the plane window and noticed the most beautiful full moon over the water.  The reflexion was a pale red on the water and the sky was dark.  Noting else was visible.

To my right side I could see the sun rising through the clouds.  The colors were pale orange, pink, purple, and blue.

I shifted my eyes back to the moon which looked bigger and brighter than it had before.  As time passed the sky shifted from black to navy as the moon slowly lowered in the sky.  A few moments later the moon changed colors from bright white to an intense ball of fire.  The intensity grew stronger as the sun rose on the other side of the plane.

Then slowly and softly the moon sunk lower and lower in the sky until it was barely visible in the dawn sky.

…and then the sun rose and the moon set.

I love watching the world from the plane window as I feel like a bird flying above the clouds.  You gain a new perspective when you look at things from above.  Have you ever experienced anything this beautiful from a unique perspective?  Underwater looking up?  That would be interesting too.  This was just the beginning of our trip to Costa Rica.

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A week ago I joined a Revolution – A Cloth Diaper Revolution!  Have you joined yet?

I know that not all of my readers use cloth diapers.  Many of you visit here because you are researching cloth diapers.  Some of you just delete my cloth diaper posts and read some of my other natural parenting posts.  Some of you may be friends or family who think my cloth diaper obsession is a little crazy.  I know that not everyone I come in contact with will decide to use cloth diapers and I accept that.  I try not to force my obsession on others but I will continue to try to show you how easy it can be.

Example – this weekend we headed back to the Little League field for opening day.  One of my friends from the park has a one year old and I had introduced her to cloth diapers when she was born.  Like most new parents I talk to about cloth diapers with she politely explained that she didn’t think cloth was for her.  One year later (this past weekend) when she went to change her babies disposable diaper I explained one more time how I could save her hundreds of dollars a year by switching to cloth.  I even told her that my stash was so large that she could borrow a few to give them a test drive.  She looked at me with deep respect and just rolled her eyes.  Again she said that she just didn’t have the time to add cloth to their routine.

I also have several new mommies at church who I’ve shown our cloth diapers to – explained how easy it is – how much money they would save – how they could save the planet!  Again, they each politely explain that it’s just not their thing.

What if each of these families made a commitment to use just 3 cloth diapers a day instead of disposable diapers for one year?

If 100,000 families decided to change just 3 cloth diapers a day for one year here are the results:

1. 30-50 million pounds of solid waste would be diverted from the landfill.
2. 100 million disposable diapers NOT be purchased.
3. $24 million dollars would be saved in just one year combined by each of those families.
4. Finally we would increase the awareness of the environmental, health, and monetary benefits of cloth diapering.

If you are currently spending $10-20 for a pack of disposable diapers every few days here is my challenge for you.  Spend $50 now and you will end up saving $260 (on average) in the coming year.  It doesn’t look so scary when you look at it that way.

Here is how you could incorporate just 3 cloth diapers into your daily routine:

Day 1 -
9:00 AM: Change baby into a cloth diaper.
12:00 (Noon): Change baby into a cloth diaper.
3:00 PM: Change baby into a cloth diaper.
6:00 PM: Toss the 3 dirty cloth diapers into the laundry (small load).  Wash according to manufacturer directions which should look similar to this:  1) Wash on cold/cold with 1/4 amount of recommended detergent. 2) Wash on hot/cold with 1/4 amount of detergent. 3) Run an extra cold water rinse. <TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes approx>
8:00 PM: Toss the diaper inserts into the drier and hang the covers out to dry.
8:05 PM: Pour yourself a glass of wine with the money you’ve saved from today and relax knowing that you’ve made one THREE small changes in just one day!

Day 2 – REPEAT!

Day 3 – REPEAT!

Day 30 – Take the money you’ve saved this first month and invest in a few more cloth diapers.  Try a different brand or style.  Many retailers run specials and have coupon deals throughout each month.  At Kelly’s Closet you can currently spend $25 and save $5 off your total purchase price (coupon code FEBFIVE).  You can get two more bumGenius 4.0 pocket style diapers for only $30 plus shipping OR if you bought another 3 pack for $50 you can have them shipped to you free.    Or try a Kawaii pocket diaper for only $9.95 each and save even more.  There are many different options available to fit any budget!!

Now tell me – can you see yourself making these three small changes every day?  Can you accept the challenge?  Go join the other 5,000 (++) parents who have joined the Revolution and “Like” the Change 3 Things fan page on Facebook.  Together our small changes will add to to one very large REVOLUTION!

Want to know more about cloth diapering? Be sure to visit my cloth diapering archive page, follow me on Facebook, and join the conversation on Twitter.  Welcome to the community – the cloth diapering community!

Disclosure: Affiliate links.

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This post is going to be hard for me to write because it’s one area in my life where I’m still learning – eating green.  What does it mean to eat GREEN?  Does it mean eating locally?  Does it mean to eat organic?  Does it mean that I have to be a vegetarian?  Do I have to shop at a natural food store?  Do I have to eat raw food?  Do I have to eat only fresh food?

Eating green is actually all of those things – and you may incorporate some or all of the aspects of eating green – I don’t believe that there is a right or wrong way to eat green. 

My history- I come from a family who likes food, a lot!  I can remember many family reunions with everyone huddled in the kitchen cooking for hours, making more food then we could eat in a week.  My fraternal grandmother was a tiny frail lady who knew how to cook – she didn’t have a choice with 5 hungry kids and a husband.  My favorite family memories as a child involve turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, gravy, gravy, and more gravy, desserts, and a few vegetables to go along with it all.  I have to say my own personal comfort food has turned into mashed potatoes and gravy. 

With that history came heart disease which has been experienced by my paternal grandfather (when I was 2), my father, and my uncles (2 of them) – all of which have had heart attacks or heart surgery.  I don’t remember my grandfather since I was only 2 when he passed away – but I’ve been lucky enough to still have these other men in my life today because of the miracles of modern medicine.  My father struggles with food daily – he’s been on a roller coaster with his weight since I was a young child – and probably will be on that roller coaster the rest of his life.  He’s achieved some wonderful accomplishments with his weight battle – including my senior year in high school when he lost 100 lbs in a year (healthy weight loss – no crash diets – he was eating well and exercising) because he wanted to live to see me get married one day.  God has blessed us with lots of extra chances, in addition to his battle with food he had a triple bypass a few years ago and just recently battled larynx cancer (he also battled cigarettes in his younger days).  My uncles stories are very similar – each battling to repair the damages that have been made on their hearts by the food they ate for 60+ years.

Me – I’m not sure how me and my brother managed this one but we are both lanky and trim.  I’ve always been underweight (please don’t hate me) but I also suffer from Graves Disease (a thyroid disease).  When I was in my early twenties I had my thyroid irradiated because that’s what my endocrinologist suggested I do to manage the disease.  Looking back I probably would have researched other therapies to help manage the disease naturally – but now I have to manage it with medication that I have to take for the rest of my life. 

I don’t share the same love of food that my father has though – while I do love food I guess I picked up some of the lessons my father learned later in his life.  The year he lost 100 lbs he was going to Weight Watchers and I really paid attention to what changes he was making.  I’ve never had a problem with portion control.  My only problem was knowing what was healthy because the only thing I ever learned in health class was what the food pyramid was – and if you are like me it was ALWAYS changing and very confusing. 

In theory I know that you should have a well balanced meal with lots of fruits and vegetables and very little fats and sweets.  I think we all learned that at some point in our lives.  But how does a well balance meal compare to eating green? 

When my son was born I did my homework and decided to make most of his baby food from scratchand I continued that tradition with my daughter.  However about the time they turn one or two something happened and they find -McDonald’s, processed food, sweets, sodas, and all of the bad things we know in our hearts that we shouldn’t be feeding our children – or ourselves!  Our lives get so busy with school and living that it’s easier to pull through the  drive-thru and bow to the golden arches!  I noticed this trend much soon with my daughter – her caregiver even brags on the days when she takes them out for a ‘treat’ – AKA Happy Meal!  My seven year old who once loved mashed avocado turns up his nose at my favorite indulgence.  My daughter squeals in excitement when daddy opens the freezer to fix a bowl of ice cream.  And I’m embarrassed to tell you how many nights a week I make mac-n-cheese. 

Fortunately my husband has started to pay more attention to his own food choices which has allowed me to rethink what we are teaching our children.  I’m very proud of my hubby who has, for the first time in our 9+ years of marriage, made an effort to eat healthy and exercise regularly.  He’s lost 20 lbs since the beginning of summer and is now back to the size he was when we first met.  Even my own clothes have started to fit a little better – with only a few small changes in our diets.

I’ve also had the pleasure of reading Dr. Greene’s newest book, Feeding Baby Green (affiliate link).  Dr. Green explains the history of the food industry quite well and how convenience foods were introduced to make our lives easier.  He gives us many examples of advertisements from the food industry that tell us these new processed, engineered foods were created to make life easier on us, to make food safer for us, and to provide us with better tasting food.  If you are pregnant or have very young children I highly recommend that you read this book and learn how to eat better now when you have the most influence over your child.  He even recommends reading this book BEFORE you get pregnant so you can make changes to your own diet so that your body is the perfect home for that growing fetus.  While the book ends with the toddler years the lessons he teaches are ageless.  I’m only half way done with the book but I’m ready to commit to my family to make the change – slowly!

But how do you make so many changes without a revolt from your family members?  My daughter is currently experiencing some pretty severe eczema (I think – we still haven’t gone to the doctor’s for it) on her inner elbows and behind her knees.  A very dry and scaly – scratchy rash of sorts.  All the indicators that it’s eczema.  No one else in my family has ever experienced eczema so I’m reading a lot about it.  Most of the articles I’ve read indicate that it’s an allergy to something – probably something that she’s eating.  Is it dairy, or wheat, or something else – we don’t know yet. 

My goals for the next few months are to take a look at where we can make better choices.  Today I decided I was going to visit the local farmers marketto purchase our produce.  My son and I headed out after church this morning to experience our first time – granted it wasn’t nearly as successful as I had hoped for.  A farmers market to me means fresh, local, and organic – this market only had 7 vendors and the produce was not even organic – and the origin was questionable.  Some items were clearly marked – Tennessee tomatoes, organic apples from Chile, and of course the Del Monte bananas.  Other items had no indication as to where they were from and when I asked about them being organic the lady clearly told me they were not.  BUT – at least I was supporting a local company instead of a large corporation that I would normally be supporting – right??  Oh yeah, and next week – we’ll be looking for a different farmer’s market!  (We did stock up on some awesome local honey though – yummy!)

The Eco Chic’s Top 5 Ways to Start Eating Green (the baby steps)

1. Ask where your food comes from.  Not all foods are available locally and they do have to ship - but how far is your food traveling before it reaches you?  As with my experience today, why would I buy an organic apple from Chile when I could go to the super market and get that same organic apple from the USA?  Don’t be afraid to ask questions – if they don’t know the answers go somewhere else.
2. Go organic!  Now for full disclosure I have a problem with this one because of cost.  Today I actually convinced my husband that I needed to spend THREE dollars more (double the price of the alternative) to get ORGANIC MILK for my kids and I.  It was very hard NOT to put it back and save the money by selecting the non-organic milk.  Where do you start with organics if you can’t afford to go ALL organics?  Review the Environmental Working Groups (EWG) Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 Guide to pesticides.  They even have it in an iPhone app so you can take it with you to the store.  I’ve made it a priority to choose to find organic varieties for these twelve fruits/vegetables – and yes, sometimes I still purchase the non-organic varieties if I just can’t spend the extra money. 
3. Buy fresh whenever possible.  Avoid the canned or processed foods.  Someone once told me to shop the outside of the grocery store and skip the inner aisles – that’s where all the boxed, processed foods are located.  And one more note on FRESH – beware of the pre-packaged fruits and vegetables.  You don’t need to buy your apples already cut up and why do we need to buy our carrots processed into tiny smaller bites?  Take the extra time to show your family how easy it is (and save some money) by purchasing these items the freshest way possible.
4. If you can’t buy fresh – buy frozen insted of canned.  Canned fruits and vegetables tend to have extra ingredients (usually salt or sugar) added.  The cans also present another problem – most of them are lined with BPA. 
5. Go meatless at least once a week (or more often).  If you’ve watched Food, Inc you already know that our food industry is severely broken – if you haven’t please take the time to watch it.  But be prepared that it WILL change the way you look at food.  I can’t walk into Mc D’s without thinking about where that food comes from.  I can’t eat chicken without thinking about the hormones that have been added to make that breast so large.  I try not to send myself into a panic thinking about the consequences of my choices thus far – but prefer to let them lead the changes that I make.  Show your kids that dinner doesn’t have to include meat – and invite them to enjoy all the colors of the rainbow in fruits and vegetables. 

Full disclosure:  This week’s shopping trip included some produce from a farmer’s market, some organic produce, some non-organic fresh produce, some frozen produce, some meats, organic milk, and yes – even some junk food.  On the list of items I will try to limit in the future: Lucky Charms, candy bars, and ice cream.  The Eco Chic and my family are not perfect and we are just beginning our journey to become more green in our food choices.  I’m trying to get my husband to understand that being healthy is not always the same as eating greener.  I received a copy of Dr. Greene’s book to review free of charge in hopes that I would pass along my personal thoughts to you.

If you made it this far without leaving I want to thank you for beginning this journey with me.  Please share with me your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to food.  What changes have you made that were easy and which one’s are you struggling with?  I hope to continue to share our story with you in the coming months.  Maybe I’ll even find a real farmer’s market next week.     

Photo credits: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1304490

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GUEST POST:  Please welcome my BFF Mama M as she presents “The Other Side.’  She promised me that she would send me more posts and if you like her introduction let her know that you’d like to hear more.    The Other Side – Part One (Introduction)  Hello! I’m really excited to have this opportunity that The Eco Chicis giving me to guest post on her blog. I love reading her blogs and posts on Facebook. She often gives me a new way to think about the way I do things; how I live my life and what I can do better.   Just a few quick things:   1. For disclosure purposes, I am The Eco Chic’s BFF. Most of the time, we agree on things but there are issues that we could not be further apart on. She promised not to edit. We’ll see if she publishes some of my thoughts about her passions.   2. I’m not a blogger or a writer. I have a secret blog for venting and it’s full of typos and run-on sentences. I will try to use proper grammar and actual sentences when I guest post.   3. These are my own thoughts and opinions. If you as a reader disagree with something, SPEAK UP! Please comment. I love hearing other perspectives. 　 So, where should I start. I guess I’ll talk about myself and my goal in guest posting.   I am 29 years old, married to an awesome guy from Missouri and the mother of an amazing six year old. I’m a CPA for a small firm and a contractor for the IRS but I don’t act like the typical tax accountant. I am FUN. I love to shop. I have a shoe addiction. I own 20 pairs of jeans and I can’t get enough tank tops. I am your typical working mother… lots of driving (sometimes in circles) and all about convenience. I TRY to make good choices in every aspect of my life but I am admittedly wasteful and not always kind to the Earth.   I’m not saying I’m a litter bug or that I throw cigarettes out the window when I’m driving (I don’t smoke but I see people do this all the time and it disgusts me).. but I don’t recycle regularly, I own a gas guzzling SUV and I up until I met The Eco Chic, I loved all things related to cleaning products. I had no idea that all of the “clean” and “fresh” smells were harmful CHEMICALS! I’ve done a lot research about the dangers my those products and the wonderful alternatives available.   Oh and cloth diapers? Never considered them. I never thought about the impact of the THOUSANDS of Pampers I tossed in the trash. I have come a long way since I met The Eco Chic (who we lovingly refer to as “The Eco Freak” behind her back) but I know I still have a lot to learn.   Stay turned for my adventures and stubborn opinions. I have a lot of them.

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COUPON: Save 10% with my affiliate code GREEN-1848 when you shop at GreenSewn.

Do you love fashion?  Do you love scarves?  Do you wonder how to green your wardrobe?  It seems like the fashion industry in America becomes more disposable each year.  I try to stay on top of the trends but as a mom of two I tend to stick with a few basic pieces and lots of accessories.  It’s easier for me to update an outfit with modern accessories than it is to purchase new clothes.  I’m also a big fan of sharing – or should I say acquiring new items from my best friend.  Since I have a flexible job that allows me to work at home my wardrobe has shrunk and I don’t actually shop for clothes more than a few times a year.  My friend on the other hand knows the ladies at Dillard’s by name (or at least that’s what her husband thinks)!  When she cleans her closet she knows who to pass them along to – sometimes I think I should just pay her to shop for me! 

Anyways – the point of my story is that fashion all around the globe is disposable – not just here in America.  We need to be responsible in our purchases and in our disposal methods.  I had never given any thought to other cultures and their impact on the fashion industry and the environment.  In India for instance women typically wear silk saris - about 15 feet of silk fabric that they wrap around them.  

There is a company in Florida, GreenSewn, who decided to use some of the retired silk sari fabric and upcycle them into beautiful silk scarves – and no two scarves will ever be the same.  I was sent a turquoise multi scarf to review and I fell in love with it the second I opened the package.  I love silk fabrics and I’ve worn scarves on and off for years.  The turquoise colors are so vivid and work perfectly with my fashion basics (jeans and a black top) to create a fresh look.

Turquoise Multi

For every purchase made at GreenSewn a donation of 10 trees will be made to Trees for the Future - a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable forestry and education around the world.  

Five more ways you can green your wardrobe:

1.  Reuse - shop at consignment and thrift stores for your clothing.     

2.  Donate or Share – there are many people who either admire your clothing choices or are really in need of clothing.  Find an organization in your area that will supply your old business wardrobe to homeless or battered women who are trying to get back on their feet.  

3.  Upcycle - If you are really creative you can upcycle used clothing into fashionable and modern pieces like those seen at New Dress A Dayblog.  I’ve upcycled our t-shirts into fashionable baby clothes and scarves for myself.

4.  Sustainable fabrics – this one is a little harder but look for items that are made from organic or natural fibers.  It’s becoming easier every day to find these alternatives showing up in the major fashion lines.

5.  Go naked!  Ok so that one was a joke but we can really simplify our wardrobes quite a bit.  Do we really need to have 20 pairs of jeans or shoes in our closet?  Or do we just want them?  Simplify your wardrobe and stick with the basics that won’t go out of style next season.  I can’t tell you how many years I’ve worn the same ‘Little Black Dress’ to a party with fresh accessories. 

What steps have you taken to green your wardrobe? 

Disclosure:  I received a GreenSewn scarf for review and the opinions in this post are my own.

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As the summer starts winding down and school starting back tomorrow I’m still coming down off of my BlogHer10 high.  I realized I never got past my first impressions of my arrival day and there is so much more to share with you.  During our shared cab ride to the Hilton @DebMomof3 and I learned that we were both going to the Martha Stewart Blogger’s Night Out later that first evening (Thur).  We had made plans to share a cab ride over to the event since it was several blocks away from the hotel. 

After arriving back at the hotel from lunch – I visited the registration desk at BlogHer and was on a mission to meet up with one of my new Twitter friendshttp://twitter.com/royaldixie <AKA Maggie or Dexter’s Super Savvy Mommy>.  Maggie and I ‘met’ on Twitter through my EcoStoreUSA partership <more on that in an upcoming post>.  Maggie and I did finally meet up and chatted for a while before we decided to head off to the Martha party. 

Once we stepped outside to catch a taxi to the Martha party we realized there were about 30 or more other ladies standing in the same line.  As luck would have it a nice limo driver found us and took a group of us to the party in style – in a nice white strecth limo!  What a way to start off an evening of fun!  We all exchanged business cards and laughs on the short trip. 

Here is a slide show of pictures I took over the next hour while we were spoiled by Martha and her team.

While we all expected the party to be on the roof top as the sun set over NYC – the weather had other plans that threatened rain.  Instead of taking their chances with the rainstorm the party was moved inside.  The area was packed full of blogger’s and representatives from Martha Stewart.  There was something there for everyone including several wedding tables, crafting tables, food displays and samples, pet products, and my favorite Whole Living!   Whole Living <the new name of the Body & Spirit magazine> has taken on a new look with healthy and environmentally friendly articles.  It was nice to see the Martha Stewart ‘clean’ line of products that are all natural and free of toxic chemicals – they even list their ingredients on the back of the label.  <Thanks Martha and OmniMedia for giving me a sample of the ‘clean’ hand & dish soap – and more –  to try at home in our awesome swag bags.>  I was also blessed with a copy of the September issue of Whole Living to read on the plane home – I think I found a new magazine to fall in love with!  And since I’m trying to eliminate the ‘trash’ in my mailbox I just subscribed to the digital magazine for only $5 for the year!  What a bargin!

Unfortunately I begged Maggie to leave early because I didn’t want to be late for the Green Blogger Soiree <stay tuned for my next BlogHer post> hosted by Safe Mama.  We heard that we left the Martha party right before Matha herself appeared – and right before they drew the winners from their table of goodie baskets.  Like every other aspect of BlogHer, the Martha party moved so fast I’m sure I missed more than seeing Martha.  It all seems like such a blur now.

To see more pictures from the Blogger’s Night Out visit the OmniMedia Flickr page. 

Thank you Omni Media and Martha Stewart for inviting me to the Blogger’s Night Out and for the fabulous bag of goodies in which we were provided. 

And a special thank you to my sponsors who helped me get to BlogHer this year.  Franklin Goose, Bamboo Bums, and Teething Bling/Smart Mom Jewelry all sponsored me financially.  Lillunia LLC and Rockin Green Soap both purchased ad space that I used to help with my trip.  Eco Chic Parties accepts payment for some parties – and that money has been used for trip expenses as well.  Mommy Doodles is my one and only graphic designer and technical expert.  Melanie is AWESOME and always willing to help me (sometimes I even pay her) with my blog(s).  She even designed my awesome business cards for me!

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Giveaway alert!  One lucky reader will win a sample pack of products from Marcal Small Steps for making small changes to green your life.  Giveaway closed – ECO-ngratulations Stephanie R.

When companies send me products to review I don’t always write them up immediately – I’ve had my Marcal Starter Kit (disclosure) since April and I’m finally inspired to tell you how I feel about their product.  It’s usually better if I hold off and really review the products because I can give you a full and honest description of the products. 

The only thing remaining from our starter kit is a partial pack of napkins.  We don’t use disposable napkins often – we either use reusable cloth napkins or paper towels.  We normally shop at Publix grocery store and buy their own line of green recycled paper products – the only place locally that sells Marcal is SweetBay and we don’t (normally) shop there.  On occasion we will buy our paper products at Wal-Mart or Target but I’ve never seen Marcal there either.  

Compared to the Publix Greenwise products the Marcal products are fairly similar.  Here is my comparison and comments by product: 

Paper Towels - I couldn’t really tell much difference between the paper towels.  They picked up the wet messes just fine.  I’ve never been a picky person over absorbency with paper towels – I don’t normally have large spills to clean up. 

Tissues -I normally avoid the recycled nose tissues because we all know that they are rougher than those soft luxurious Puffs.  I have to say I wasn’t too impressed with the Marcal Small Steps tissues - they were not soft at all and if I had been sick or used them regularly I’m sure my nose would have been raw.  For the everyday tissue – they would probably be fine if you didn’t care too much about the softness.

Toilet Paper -I tried two different TPs; one was a single ply and the other was double ply.  Compared to the Greenwise the double ply was about the same.  The single ply was very thin and the roll emptied pretty quick. 

Napkins - Like I said I don’t normally buy napkins but I don’t really see a difference from brands that I’ve used in the past.  They are great to have around at dinner time if I’m not using the cloth napkins. 

All of the Marcal Small Steps are made of 100% recycled paper.  They don’t use chlorine bleach or dyes to make the paper ‘pretty’ and white.   Their products are all fragrance free too. 

Would I buy Marcal Small Steps? I would buy the paper towels and 2-ply TP ’if’ it were sold where I normally shop and if the price was comparable to what I already buy.  I won’t go out of my way to find a place to purchase it because it’s not really that much different from the brand I already use. 

If you don’t already purchase recycled paper products I would recommend taking ‘Small Steps’ to change your buying habits.  The easiest products to start with are the paper towels and napkins – followed by the TP.  Environmentally speaking – there is absolutely NO reason NOT to purchase recycled products if they are available.  I honestly have no idea why paper companies still manufacture them from virgin materials – i.e. Trees!  At Marcal they manufacture more than a MILE of paper every minute - that’s a LOT of paper – thankfully they are using our waste paper and not trees.    

Does your local store carry Marcal Small Steps?  Have you tried any of the Small Steps products?  What were your thoughts?  To find a store nearest you enter your zip code on their website. 

Want to win a starter kit of Marcal Small Steps products?  Leave a comment below after you visit their website and tell me one thing you learned – this can be about your local store, a specific product, or an interesting environmental fact – it’s up to you. 

Extra chances can be earned by following Marcal on Facebook and Twitter (1 entry each by leaving a separate comment below).   

Contest Rules:Must be over the age of 18 and the contest is open to anyone living in the USA.  Marcal will ship directly to the winner.  Giveaway will close on June 30, 2010 and I will randomly choose one winner.  Winner will have 48 hrs to claim their prize (I will email the winner) before a back up winner is selected.  Good Luck!

Giveaway closed – ECO-ngratulations Stephanie R.

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Hi and Welcome to The Eco Chic blog – if you are a new reader I hope to convince you that cloth diapers REALLY are better for the environment.  Not only will I convince you that they are better for the environment; I will also remind you that they are better for your baby AND better for your wallet! 

If you are a regular reader I am working with the Real Diaper Association (RDA) and other cloth diapering bloggers to help reveal the TRUTH and LIES behind recent Pamper’s controversy.  You can help too – visit the RDA to find out more.

Are you pregnant?  Do you have a baby in diapers?  If so, you might have heard that Pamper’s disposable diapers are currently under investigation by the CPSC.  Why?  Pamper’s newest technology – Dry Max – has been accused of causing severe chemical burns and diaper rashes in numerous cases.  To make it worse – Pamper’s has *supposedly* pulled their Dry Max off the shelf – however; rumor has it that they have just repackaged those diapers into the old boxes.  If you take nothing else from this article PLEASE use caution when purchasing or using Pamper’s diapers - if your baby starts getting a diaper rash STOP using those diapers IMMEDIATELY! 

Pamper’s in their defense has issued a Myth’s vs Facts about their diapers (and disposable diapers in general).  I would like to tell you my TRUTH about disposable diapers vs cloth diapers – I hope that in the end you will consider using cloth diapers just like my family has.  It’s really just as simple to use cloth diapers as it is to use disposable diapers.

Pamper’s MYTH: Cloth diapers are better for my baby. 
MY FACT:  Why YES, Pamper’s they are better for my baby!  Of course you are trying to spread lies by telling us that this is not true!  The research that is available is skewed - look at who paid for the research to be conducted and WHEN it was actually conducted.  My personal story – my first son ALWAYS had a diaper rash when he was in disposables but I didn’t know that cloth diapers were this easy.  My daughter (and all babies) still gets minimal diaper rashes but I now know the keys to keeping diaper rash at bay.  You can ready my post on diaper rash HERE.  If my daughter develops a rash now (which is rare compared to my son) it is minimal and can be cured within a day or two.  The only reason that disposable diapers can keep your baby drier than cloth is because of the toxic chemicals that absorb the moisture – I don’t want my baby to be swaddled in the same toxic chemicals that were banned from tampons - just change your babies diaper and they will remain dry. 

Pamper’s MYTH:  Cloth diapers are better for the environment.
MY FACT:  **Did you know that I am an environmental scientist? No – I don’t research this topic for my job but I do know a LOT about the impact we all leave on the environment by our decisions.**  Pamper’s CLAIMS that the life-cycle assessment from the UK study doesn’t show any difference between disposable diapers and cloth diapers – I simply CANNOT understand how they can make this claim and feel like they are telling the truth.  Disposable diapers all end up in landfills (or thrown out on the side of the road, on the beach, in the ocean, or incinerated) where they will SIT for over 500 years.  No one knows for sure how long it takes for a disposable diaper takes to breakdown but I don’t want my great-great-grandchildren to have to clean up disposable diapers from my daughter!  My daughter is 16 months at the time of this post – we have about 35 cloth diapers that we have accumulated.  When my daughter is potty trained we will either donate or sell those cloth diapers to another family to use again and again.  If you start using cloth diapers with your first child you won’t need to purchase diapers for the rest of your children.  Yes – cloth diapers can wear out after time but most can be repaired with little effort.  And if you are like my mother – you can give your diapers another life by using them to clean around the house.  My mom used my cloth diapers to dust with.  I even ended up with a few of them to use on my baby dolls when I was a child.  Even if you add in the water and electricity used in laundering our cloth diapers you have to subtract 1) manufacturing costs of the 4,000-5,000 disposable diapers that a baby uses in the first 2 years of life, 2) the natural resources used in manufacturing those same 4,000-5.000 disposable diapers, 3) transportation from the manufacturer – to the warehouse – to the store - to your home (and I’m probably skipping a few trips between retailer warehouses) for those same 4,000-5,000 disposable diapers, 4) transportation from your house to the landfill for those same 4,000-5,000 disposable diapers, 5) the natural resources lost to dispose of those 4,000-5,000 disposable diapers (afterall since most end up in landfills - land is NOT a renewable resource), 6) you get the picture don’t you!  My 35 (+/-) diapers CANNOT create as much damage on the environment as 4,000-5,000 disposable diapers.  Unless you practice elimination communication (diaper free baby) diapering your baby is going to create some environmental impact – you decide for yourself which is worse – I choose cloth diapers so that our families environmental impact can be lessened and I honestly believe that as MY TRUTH!

Pamper’s MYTH: Disposable diapers  are harmful to the environment.
MY FACT:  Didn’t I just talk about this?  This is Pamper’s clever way to make disposable diapers look good.  While the disposable diapers that are around today (and in the future) will continue to use less natural resources by making the diapers thinner and thinner – or biodegradable – or whatever new technology they can come up with…can you honestly convince yourself that allowing 4,000-5,000 disposable diapers (per child) rot in the ground for 500+ years is NOT harmful to the environment?  Can you?  You have the ability to choose reusable and sustainable cloth diapers that are much better for the environment than disposables – make the right choice! 

Did you notice that Pamper’s didn’t even attempt to touch the cost analysis of cloth diapers vs disposable diapers?  In today’s tight economy cloth diapers are the clear winner in saving parents thousands of dollars in diapering their babies.  The exact cost varies depending on the type of cloth diaper you choose (prefold – pocket – all-in-one – etc) and the number of children you have (or the number of children each diaper is used on).  While my husband was hesitant to use cloth diapers in the early days he is more than happy to put extra money into our savings account each month that we would otherwise be spending on disposable diapers.  Where do you want to put your money each month – your savings account or into the deep pockets of the disposable diapering companies?

Do you want to learn more?
1) Read my old posts about cloth diapering to learn more about our journey.

2) Visit the Real Diaper Association.

3) Find other cloth diapering bloggers like myself.  Some of my favorites include Kim at Dirty Diaper Laundry and Emi at The Cloth Diaper Report. 

4) Visit the blogs of cloth diaper manufacturers and retailers like Kelly’s Closet – The Cloth Diaper Whisperer. 

5) Still have questions? Email, Tweet or Facebook me – I’ll be happy to help!  

This post is part of the Real Diaper Facts carnival hosted by Real Diaper Events, the official blog of the Real Diaper Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to cloth diaper education. Participants were asked to write about diaper lies and real diaper facts. See the list at the bottom of this post to read the rest of the carnival entries.

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Giveaway alert!  Franklin Goose online is giving one lucky reader their own Prince Lionheart Warmies Wipes Warmer (for cloth wipes).  Details on how to enter following this post. Contest closed – ECO-ngratulations to Debbie G!

I did it!  I finally make the last leap into the cloth diapering world; I switched to cloth wipes.  I’ve always had a stash of cheap wash cloths on hand to use but I always struggled with how to use them.  I’ve tried spray on wipe solutions which I actually really liked (but I’m too lazy to go buy more online) but my bottle is empty.  I recently received a set of Thirsites Fab Wipes (thanks www.weewilliewinks.com) but haven’t done much with them.  I have a sample of some bum solution beans that I got with a diaper order which I haven’t done anything with.  WHY?  Because I didn’t have a wipes warmer!

Just like my diaper sprayer that I don’t have…I never invested in a wipes warmer.  I’m not sure why really, maybe I just didn’t think I needed it.  I WAS WRONG! 

Sheri with Franklin Goose recently sent me the Prince Lionheart Warmies Wipes Warmer to review and now I am hooked.  The warmer comes complete with 4 warmies (100% bamboo cloth wipes) and an ever-fresh moisture pad.  My only objection is that now I have one more thing on the changing table that the baby wants to play with and one more thing plugged into the wall that is always on. 

The wipes warmer is molded with a special resin that prevents the growth of microorganisms so you don’t have to worry about mold.  As long as you change the ever-fresh pad every 3 months you can keep your cloth wipes warm and moist and ready for use.  The warmies (wipes) that come with it are made from 100% bamboo which adds an extra layer of anti-microbial protection.  

How to use:
- Find a nice, safe location in your changing area for the warmer.  Be sure to keep the cord out of reach of baby.
- Moisten the ever-fresh pad and place in the bottom of the warmer.
- Moisten your wipes (recipe ideas following review)
- Plug in warmer and wait.
- After about 30 minutes your wipes are warm and ready to use. 

At changing time you simply pull out a cloth wipe and wash away.  Since the wipes are thicker than disposable wipes you can fold them over and always have a clean surface to wipe your little one.  Instead of using 3-4 disposable wipes on your baby you can now use one cloth wipe (even for the messy ones).  You have now saved $100′s of dollars a year and prevented thousands of disposable wipes (and packaging) from going to your local landfill. 

I just throw the wipes into the diaper pail with the diapers and wash everything together on wash day.  Of course, you’ll need to buy a few more cloth wipes to last between washes.  The warmies wipes are nice and soft…similar to a light-weight terry cloth.  The Thirsties Fab Wipes were softer and are made of cotton velour.  I also have a few handmade wipes and I usually throw a few wash cloths into the warmer too.

Wipes Solution:

When I got my warmer I started by using just plain tap water.  After all, you know how simple I like to keep things.  This works just fine and is the easiest method of all.  BUT here are some great recipes that are worth a try. 

Simple Wipes Recipe:
- 2 TBS Baby Wash (I prefer to use my EcoStoreUSA baby wash since it’s natural and safe for baby)
- 2 TBS Olive Oil (yes, from the kitchen)
- 2 Cups Water
Mix the ingredients together and moisten your baby wipes.  Squeeze the liquid from the wipes so that they are just barely wet and place wipes into the warmer.
TIP:  You can reuse the leftover solution by filling a spray bottle to use when you are away from home.      

I’m going to try this one next.  Chamomile ‘n’ Honey!  Boil one chamomile tea bag and add one tsp honey to one cup of water.  Both ingredients are soothing and have been used to help heal wounds and rashes.  Make a double batch and drink one before bedtime.

BUY IT:  You can find the Warmies Wipes Warmer online at Franklin Goose.  Franklin Goose is a wonderful organic and natural eco-boutique.  Retail is $29.99 and is well worth the small investment.  I’m still not sure why I’ve lived without one for so long. 

WIN IT:  One lucky reader will take home their very own wipes warmer!  To enter visit Franklin Goose and tell me one other item in their store that you like.  Leave your comment below to be entered.

EXTRA ENTRIES:  (Leave individual comments for each entry)
1.  Follow both @TheEcoChic and @FranklinGoose on Twitter. (1 entry)
2.  Leave a review of a favorite product, start a wish list, or start a registry on Franklin Goose.  (1 entry)
3.  Visit Eco Mom Media and register for an upcoming party.  Franklin Goose is sponsoring the #WearMyBaby party on 4/15.  (1 entry per party)
4.  Become fans of The Eco Chic, Eco Mom Media and Franklin Goose on Facebook.  (1 entry each)
5.  Tweet it up with your friends.  Be sure to include a link back here as well as @TheEcoChic and @FranklinGoose in your message.  (Max 2 entries per day)

Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada over 18 years of age.  Giveaway will close at midnight (EST) on April 23rd, 2010. 
Good Luck!

Giveaway ended! ECO-ngratulations Debbie G! @MSU_MOM_TO_2

Disclosure:  Franklin Goose is a sponsor of The Eco Chic blog.  The wipes warmer reviewed in this post was provided by them for me to try.  I love the Goose and the Goose loves me!  I however would only say that if it were true…and so it is said!  Wee Willie Winks also provided the Thirsties Fab Wipes which I raved about too.  Wee Willile Winks is an online diaper retailer out of Orlando, FL.  I love to support nearby and local cloth diapering companies and Wee Willie Winks provides several outreach events each month to spread fluffy love to central Florida.  Wink Wink!  I also mentioned EcoStoreUSA but they didn’t pay me or provide me anything to spread the eco-love…I just love them.    

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