It's the little things

Ever hear people say things like 'being green is great, but I can't afford it'? Have you ever thought about small changes you could make that would help without costing an arm and a leg?

I'm here to say, it's the little things that make a difference. We find more products everyday that help us take baby steps towards living a greener lifestyle. A few favorites:

- Bamboo coffee filters
- Recycled content paper towels and toilet paper
- Storing up on reusable containers rather than using plastic bags for lunch food
- Recycled aluminum foil
- Use vinegar and water vs. chemical cleaners (Also helps your indoor air quality - no toxic chemicals is a good thing!)
- Oxy-clean vs. bleach
- Buy local whenever possible
- Shop for furniture at the Goodwill store (haven't had much luck there yet, but I'm persistent!)
- Read the paper online vs. the paper version
- Use washable dishes/cups rather than disposable (corn plastic is great only if you are composting)
- Nalgene water bottles vs. disposable plastic water bottles
- Use a jump drive vs. printing
- Recycled content paper products such as printer, folders, etc.

With a few strategic changes to your everyday routine, you'll find yourself living a greener lifestyle and hopefully changes that will improve your quality of life. It makes me feel like I'm having an impact when I add up the variety of changes. AND, I didn't have to spend an arm and leg to have that impact - just the opposite in some cases.

And, finally, a note on the chemicals we use in our homes. After growing up with Formula 409, bleach, scrubbing bubbles, and other chemicals around the house, I'd become desensitized to how toxic some of these cleaning products can be. After learning of the report that Seattle scientists detected cinnamon in the treated sewage headed for Puget Sound, it hit me like a ton of bricks that the chemicals we use in our houses are having an effect on our water systems. Didn't mean to be dense, but sometimes it takes things like a little used cinnamon in your salmon to realize everything else we're doing at home is in there too. 

My next goal is to make my own detergent. I've heard some reports about it being more effective than store versions, and fewer toxic chemicals going into our sewer system - always a winner in my book.

So, don't fall into the thinking that the more environmentally friendly version is more expensive. There are some great things you can do, one step at a time, to make a difference.