Potty Training Celebration (and a word about cloth diapers)

A year ago I thought I was so clever; I had already started to train my 1 1/2 year old girls how to go potty like big girls.  The girls would sit on the potty readily and they would occasionally pat their diapers and say "ba" to indicate that they needed to go to the potty.  This early start was prompted primarily by my desire to do away with disposable diapers and my guilt for not realizing how smart today's cloth diapers are designed.   I missed a really great cloth diaper review that was published in 2009.  Back then I was too busy researching diaper cleaning services (which virtually don't exist), when instead I should have been looking at these all-in-one cloth diapers.  I absolutely intend to use cloth diapers next time.


Well now back to potty training, where we have been "in training" for a year now and the last two months have particularly been a chore.  It would appear that the girls know how to potty but that they decide when (or if) they want to go to the potty like big girls.  Many of the accidents we have at home seem to be intentional (e.g. moments after I ask them if they need to potty and they say "NO") .  I came to realize that we would just have to stay positive through the accidents and make sure that we had plenty of dry panties in the house.  Lots of little messes to clean up and a little more laundry than usual these last few weeks but I am happy to report that we have seen a lot of progress.  We are only wearing diapers at night, which means two disposable diapers a day destined for the landfill instead of 10 or so.  And lastly, both girls kept their bottoms dry all day yesterday while out and about celebrating the 4th of July.  Hooray!

We Ate A Whole Chicken

Through Local Harvest I learned about Gramen Farm in Tomball.  We recently visited the place to learn more about the farm and the products available for purchase.  It was fun!  The girls loved petting the goats and walking through mud.  My husband loved that they have grass-fed beef (though not on the day that we went).  The owner was very helpful and informative and encouraged us to try a chicken so we bought one.  The price was $4 per pound.  Jason went to the cooler with one of our dark green reusable shopping bags and selected our carcass.  I was terrified about what I might find in the bag when we got home; I was worried about the blood and guts.

I have never done this sort of thing before.  Even though we have hosted Thanksgiving dinner for the last six years, I have never handled a raw turkey.  Every time I handle raw flesh I want to become a vegetarian (well there are other environmental reasons too).  When we stopped at the Farmers Market on the way home to check out the produce available that is when my buyer's remorse set in regarding the chicken.  I declared that my husband would absolutely have to manage the kitchen clean-up that night.  And he did.  (I was delighted to later learn that the chicken was already cleaned at the farm and only required a gentle rinsing at home.)

The chicken dinner was absolutely amazing!  The whole chicken was roasted in the oven with a whole lemon inside, after it was coated with olive oil and Herbs De Provence.  It weighed four pounds so it needed to cook for 1 hour 20 minutes.  While roasting, I boiled potatoes and made mashed potatoes and then steamed green beans.  It was one of the best meals ever.  The girls eagerly asked for more, more, more please.  I could tell that my husband was internally panicking over whether he would have enough to eat (well he did manage to save some of the thigh meat for lunch the next day).

The owner of Gramen Farm warned us when we bought the chicken that we would have a difficult time eating any other chicken after we tried a free range chicken and he was right.  Even though I can buy affordable organic chicken breasts at Costco, I have been waiting to buy another chicken at Gramen Farm.  I think I have finally found the courage to manage my fears over raw chicken in the kitchen because I am even more excited about putting good food on the table for my family.

BPA Free: Yes, We Should Strive For It

Three weeks of investigation and internal reflection too, I have come to realize that I should strive to make choices that exclude BPA from our diet though we must realize that as modern-day consumers we are exposed to this man-made chemical often.  These days BPA can be found on most supermarket shelves, including:  soda cans, canned foods, and infant formula canisters (note:  most formula manufacturers committed to removing BPA from the canisters by October 2011).  There has been a considerable amount of news regarding BPA exposure due to cash register receipts.  Nearly everything plastic contains BPA.  There is a wealth of information available on the internet about the widespread use of BPA and the implications to our health and our environment.  Below are three examples:

1. In 2005 an article published in Environmental Health Perspectives reviewed more than 100 studies that evaluated the effects of BPA on animals and humans.  (Note:  the lead author of this 2005 article is the food scientist who stated he would never eat canned tomatoes in the Prevention magazine article I mentioned in my last entry.) 
2. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) petitioned the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 to ban BPA from food packaging and this March the FDA rejected this petition.  Time Magazine published a good summary of these events in a story titled "Why the FDA Hasn't Banned Potentially Toxic BPA (Yet)".
3. Safer States, a network of diverse environmental coalitions and organizations, notes that 11 states have already passed laws banning the use of BPA (mostly in baby bottles and sippy cups).  Texas is sadly not included on this list.  

And since I can't keep a secret from my husband,  I eventually shared my canned tomatoes dilemma with him.  I am glad I did.  He smartly pointed out that I should think about the issue quantitatively; and he asked me questions about our relative exposure to BPA through canned foods.  He makes a good point; we eat healthy and incorporate a lot of fresh produce into our meals.  There is no easy answer to his request to estimate relative exposure (that I have found yet).  So I must rely on my common sense:  while the verdict is still out on the potential impacts of BPA I will try to limit our consumption of canned tomatoes and other food products that incorporate BPA in the packaging.   The big lesson learned for me is that I should stay aware of the research and policy efforts underway to manage the risks associated with BPA and other potentially harmful chemicals.   I need to balance the information I gain with a broader appreciation for the relative risks we face on a day-to-day basis.  


In closing, I want to share that for me this journey to become a greener consumer is exciting and can quickly become overwhelming (considering all the decisions that I wish I had made differently up until now).   I am learning so much and want to share it as fast as I can.  So, I found a great reference in a website/blog called Safe Mama.  If you are interested in learning more about the potentially harmful chemicals found in baby products, the author has developed a great quick guide to the concerning chemicals that are commonly found in products like baby shampoo, bubble bath, and sunscreens.  No matter what products and brands we fill our shopping carts with, I think the most important thing is that we make informed decisions.

BPA Free - Must I Surrender Canned Tomatoes?

Last night I prepared another smitten kitchen recipe - barley risotto with beans and greens.  Dinner was a big hit with the girls and then my husband complimented me on my "creative" cooking choices and said the meal was delicious (though next time he asked that I leave out the greens).  I enjoyed his compliments and eagerly noted that this was a meat-free dinner.  This morning I was still reveling in my success at preparing healthy meals for my family until I read "7 Foods That Should Never Cross Your Lips".  This article was written by Anne Underwood and originally published in the November 2009 edition of Prevention, an American healthy lifestyle magazine.  The article interviews seven food scientists, ranging from fisheries to organic food experts, highlighting the one food they would never eat.  The first food scientist highlighted, an endocrinologist, studies bisphenol-A or "BPA". 

A lot of new moms like me learn about BPA when they go to buy baby bottles and notice that most of these plastic products exclaim on the packaging, in big and bold print, to be "BPA free".  As Wikipedia reports, BPA has been controversial since 2008 which then prompted some government entities (like the European Union and Canada) to ban BPA in baby bottles.   Research reveals that BPA is linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart diseases, diabetes, and obesity.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has conducted preliminary risk assessments and continues to evaluate possible rulemaking (see BPA Action Plan Summary).

In the magazine article, the endocrinologist offers that he will not eat CANNED TOMATOES, noting that the acidity of the tomatoes causes BPA to leach from the tin can lining.  Really?!?!!  Picture me, scowling at the computer screen and waving my arms with contempt, learning that one of my wholesome and organic cooking staples has been put on a black list.  Of course my baby bottles and plastics are labeled "BPA free", I have drank the proverbial Kool-Aid, but asking me to give up my canned tomato sauce may prove to be too much.  In the name of "BPA Free" do I sacrifice my awesome homemade spaghetti sauce, my yummy spinach and chickpeas, and my quick tomato bisque?  I really do not know.

All I can say right now is that I must investigate the academic research and resolve this personal conflict, while attempting to keep my dilemma a secret from my husband.  If he finds out, we may be destined to revert back to dinners of bagged ravioli or frozen french fries and chicken nuggets.  Okay I exaggerate, but only a little....

Thanks for reading and I would love your advice.

Sailing!

Have I ever mentioned my fascination with buying and selling used goods on craiglist!?!  Well, we recently bought a 15 foot dinghy and made it seaworthy so that we could teach the girls how to sail.  Okay, Jason made it seaworthy while the girls and I simply gave the boat a bubble bath.

Yesterday we took the girls sailing!  We launched the boat about 8:30 in the morning at Lake Woodlands, just as the rowing teams were coming back ashore.  The breeze was perfect for our sail, a calm and steady 5 to 8 knots.  They donned their life jackets with style, allowed me to slather them in sunscreen (check out this brand BabyGanics), and could hardly contain their excitement to step aboard our boat named Gigi.  ("Gigi" was the name the girls called one another for the longest time.)  We introduced the girls to nautical terms like "tack" and "jib sheet" and "high side".  The girls always managed to get to the high side (also the dry side) of the boat and consistently pointed in the direction of the wind when prompted.  They were agile and attentive; I am confident that they have what it takes to be All-American college sailors.  (No pressure from the parents, of course.)

Okay so now the connection to my blog:  sailing is green.  There are no batteries or fuel required to operate this  boat, only wind and muscle.  Sailing is this amazing opportunity to be outdoors with the breeze in your hair and the water splashing around you as you glide across the surface of the lake/bayou/ocean.  We created almost no environmental footprint, mostly joyful memories.

Just Say No to Triclosan

First Lady Nancy Reagan coined the phrase "Just Say No" in the 1980s, advocating that children "Just Say No" to Drugs.  Now in the second decade of the 21st century, I propose the new slogan should be Just Say No to Triclosan.


Triclosan is common in antibacterial soap sold in most retail centers and estimated to be included in half of all hand soap sold.  I was once fanatical about antibacterial soap, wanting no germs around my precious baby girls.  I was buying Softsoap (TM) by the gallon at Costco.  But news stories, such as the this New York Times story, have recently surfaced and led me to learn that triclosan is a registered PESTICIDE, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.  What more, the University of Texas Student Government Body passed a resolution last month to ban the use of triclosan on campus.  (Go Longhorns!)  The body of scientific evidence continues to grow and hints that triclosan may be harmful to humans and aquatic species (probable carcinogen equals cancer and endocrine disruption relates to hormones and possibly reproduction issues).


At present I have switched to using Method (TM) hand soap, which is readily available and economical at Target.  This company uses earth-friendly ingredients and designs their packaging to minimize plastic and waste.  If you have other "green" soap recommendations, I want to hear from you!

Earth Day Confessions

The last several weeks have been exciting and fun.  The spring weather is gorgeous and we do all that we can to be outside enjoying nature.

Dipping our toes in the Frio River

Swinging in the backyard

Anticipating an Easter egg hunt

Posing at the beach

Now I have to confess that I have a twinge of guilt for letting so much time pass since my last post but I have been busy learning more and more about organic food, the subject of my last post.  There is so much to explore and consider as you make a decision on whether an organic food product is right for you.  Through the website Local Harvest, I discovered two organic food cooperatives ("co-ops") in my area:  Rawfully Organic and The Woodlands Organics.  I have explored the world of blogs related to "raw" or "real" diets.  I am reading Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food", which delivers a simple yet effective message:  "Eat Food.  Not to Much.  Mostly Plants."   The book makes a strong case for a diet that minimizes and/or eliminates processed foods.  (Note:  this paragraph contains many subjects for future posts.)


My other confession is that my tomato plant (or possibly plants) are not going to survive.  The plant was doing great until last week when I noticed several shriveled leaves and many more leaves discolored with yellow and brown spots.  After a week of observation the plant is only worse, so today we took a sample to a professional gardener.  The gardener confirmed what my own internet searching had found:  the tomato plant is infected with a fungus and there is no cure.  I was given instruction to trash the plant, my soil, and the pot it is planted in to minimize my risk of the fungus spreading further in my yard.  My tomato plant will die and I feel so ashamed ....

Tomball Farmers Market and My Garden

We took the girls to the Tomball Farmers Market this weekend on a search for fresh, local produce.  We found green onions, strawberries, and purple cauliflower.  The girls did not so much love the cauliflower (even with shredded cheese melted on top) but Sydney did tell me that my hot from the oven strawberry summer cake was "delicious".  I thought so too, therefore I want to share the recipe with you all.  The recipe is from a blog titled Smitten Kitchen.  It was funny to cook a "summer" cake when spring has only just begun but it is already so hot outside - my goodness!

Speaking about the weather, an older gentleman approached me at HEB the other day as I was evaluating the tomato plants for sale.  He warned me that he had learned never to plant before Easter for danger of freezing temperatures.  I certainly thanked him for his advice and after we separated I loaded my cart with tomato, basil, jalapeno, and tomatillo plants.  I spent less than $20 to start my garden with the joyful hope that:

1. I can prove to have a green thumb this year and save on our grocery bills; 
2. We will eat lots of fresh and delicious spaghetti using my homegrown tomatoes and basil (our family favorite is also a Smitten Kitchen recipe, see "spaghetti with chickpeas"); and 
3. The tomatillos and jalapenos will make for a most delightful salsa or enchilada topping.

If I can dream BIG, I must say that I aspire to sell my excess produce at the Tomball Farmers Market this summer.  I am also hopeful that the girls will continue to enjoy gardening with me.  

Choosing Organic Fruits and Vegetables

In most grocery stores you are likely confronted with the choice of whether or not to buy organic food options. This is really exciting to me even if it only raises awareness to the issue.  Of course, organic food is typically more expensive. (I must admit that I formerly preferred to save money in my shopping basket to purchase new fancy shoes.)

However since the girls were born, I started to really care about the food we ate at home. I bought A LOT of organic baby food that first year and then I have started to transition our pantry and refrigerator to contain more organic items, including milk, meat, eggs, sugar, and produce. I admit that I still have A LOT to learn about organic food, but here are the basics:

1. Organic is good for the environment, reducing pollution and conserving water and soil quality.
2. There are no pesticides involved in the farming of organics.
3. Organic food must not contain artificial additives (i.e. preservatives, coloring).
4. The assertion that organic food is more nutritious is still unproven, according to the Mayo Clinic.

In my quest for more information I came across the Environmental Working Group.  Have you heard of the Environmental Working Group or "EWG"?  This is a non-profit organization (NGO) focused on providing you and me with information to protect the environment and public health.  They have a very fair FAQ page that explores some tough questions in the debate on whether to choose organic.  I learned about this NGO while researching the benefits of buying organic produce.  They publish the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean 15" list of produce and this information is also offered a smart phone application that serves as a shopping guide (see table below).

Organic may not be preferable to everyone.  For me, having the choice (therefore access), to both options is key.  When I buy organic I make a choice and am sending a message that I support environmentally friendly farming over factory farming.

EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce

Dirty Dozen

Buy these organic

1

Apples

2

Celery

3

Strawberries

4

Peaches

5

Spinach

6

Nectarines
– imported

7

Grapes – imported

8

Sweet bell peppers

9

Potatoes

10

Blueberries
– domestic

11

Lettuce

12

Kale/collard greens

Clean 15

Lowest in Pesticide

1

Onions

2

Sweet Corn

3

Pineapples

4

Avocado

5

Asparagus

6

Sweet peas

7

Mangoes

8

Eggplant

9

Cantaloupe
- domestic

10

Kiwi

11

Cabbage

12

Watermelon

13

Sweet potatoes

14

Grapefruit

15

Mushrooms

Vinegar Can Do Most Anything

Vinegar has a great variety of industrial, medical, and domestic uses.  My dad developed a vinegar and ice medley to sooth my high school boyfriend's sunburn - he smelled really funny (and didn't think it worked).  A few years ago my dad mixed apple cider vinegar and honey to cure my husband's hiccups -the taste alone reportedly scared away his hiccups.  Now my dad is cleaning his kitchen with vinegar in a spray bottle!  Dad - I am finally paying attention.  Even Wikipedia has an extensive entry on this liquid substance which consists mainly of acetic acid and water.  While I have long enjoyed balsamic vinegar on my Caprese salad, I have only recently learned about the earth-friendly applications of this non-toxic multipurpose solution.  


Vinegar is affordable and earth-friendly - even the organic varieties!  Did you know that vinegar is great for cleaning windows?  (This story link troubleshoots the streaks that you may experience:  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-to-clean-with-vinegar.html.)  Mixed in equal parts with water, vinegar is also effective for cleaning microwaves, bathroom tiles, and kitchen surfaces.  Vinegar can also be used in gardening and laundry.  A 1001 ways to use vinegar in and around the home is available online at http://www.vinegartips.com.  I do also want to point out that I found a story on eight ways to NOT use vinegar (http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-ways-not-to-use-vinegar.html).


After reading this post, I hope that you too will find inspiration to purchase a bottle of vinegar next time you are at the store and conduct your own experiments around the house!

Green Toys

For his birthday, my husband received a toy tugboat (and the girls LOVE to play with it).  His best-friend couldn't resist the gift because it was a tugboat and made from recycled materials!  The toy manufacturer is Green Toys(TM), a company that recycles milk jugs - more than 10 million and counting according to the company's website:  http://www.greentoys.com/.  All of the products are made in the USA and they are tested as safe (i.e. BPA-fee and  no tracable amounts of Phtalates).  

The toys look incredible and I think I have just found my Easter basket surprise for the girls, with the darling tea set. 

My Story on Recycling

I first learned the phrase "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" living in San Diego during my sixth-grade school year.  I have been a recycle promoter ever since.  My education and travel have given me the perspective that there are limited natural resources and pristine places on the planet. The site of a landfill is all the motivation I need now to keep me recycling!  The benefits of recycling far outweigh the minor inconveniences, and include:  energy and resource conservation, land conservation (fewer landfills), pollution reduction, and even economic benefits.  

My super cool sister and my parents believed in me and started asking house-party guests to recycle beverage containers and what-not.  In my experience this is not always an easy thing to ask which makes me that much prouder of my family.

In my neighborhood we pay Waste Management (approximately $20 per month) for the privilege to recycle.  The cost is amazing, if not ridiculous but even more amazing is that Waste Management will not accept glass in our recycling bin so for years we were driving to Magnolia to recycle our glass.  Then in 2010 my husband's best friend started recycling our glass at his home when his neighborhood became incorporated into the RecycleBank program offered through the City of Houston.  This program offers five "Points" for every two pounds of waste recycled and the "Points" can be redeemed online for a large variety of rewards.  You can find out more about RecycleBank online at www.Recyclebank.com.  I want to point out that you can earn "Points", regardless of where you live, by donating to Goodwill and/or doing a variety of other green good deeds.


I also want to share that on Earth911.com you will find a resourceful search tool to help answer your what can I recycle and where do I go to recycle questions.  I learned that there are approximately 1 million ways to recycle included on this website, covering more than 300 products.  How great is that?!?


Happy Recycling!

An Introduction to Green Choices

Being at home with my girls is so amazing.  What more, I have a supportive husband who believes in me and the positive difference that I can make in the world around us.  These last few months at home, as a full-time homemaker, I have realized that there are A LOT of decisions involved in making a happy home and creating a fun, healthy learning environment for my girls.  My desire to share my collection of experiences as a stay-at-home mom prompted me to consider developing a blog.  Remarkable to me is that with a blog I would be able to connect my two greatest passions:  caring for my family and protecting the natural world around us.

I made a decision to start my "Green Choices" blog for the following reasons:  to have fun and be creative, to challenge myself to write and maintain my knowledge on environmental science and policy, and then to share my discoveries about making better consumer choices for the environment and the health of family and friends.  To get organized, I developed an initial list of topics that I would cover.  These topics are quite varied and include:  recycling, organic foods, farmers markets, diapers and other baby products, water conservation and quality,  home cleaning products, and the benefits of having a library card.  Admittedly, over time this list of topics may change.  I will always welcome suggestions and questions on the topics that I cover.

Thank you for your time and attention.