Green Mom - Happy Mom

Why does everyone call it the terrible twos when it seems to kick in around 18-19months?  Evalee just turned 20 months on the 15th and it almost seems like it was overnight that she really started to push her limits. Now everything is a test of wills, be it meal time, bath time or time to change activities in general.  I have read the Happiest Toddler on the Block, which is a good book with a lot of valuable insight, but the whole toddlerese and fast food method that he sells so hard just does not seem to work with my spirited little girl.  If she has her mind made up about something, that is that. She is just like me in that respect, I guess its payback time!

The basic principle of composting is that it mimics the natural decomposition of organic material in a controlled setting faster than it would occur in nature. The result is a substance containing nitrogen, phosphorous, potash, trace minerals and carbon that were part of the make up of the original material. Once mixed into soil, these nutrients will release slowly as the new growth occurs. Essentially, compost feeds the microbial element of the soil and in the process, nutrients are released for plant use. Finally, the most resistant carbon elements help provide tilth to the soil which improves soil structure.

The process of composting requires proper amounts of air and water, ideal temperature and an array of various microbes. There are a few approaches to composting: aerobic (with air), anaerobic (without air), accelerated or slowly, contained or piled. All approaches will work, it is a matter of evaluating your purpose for composting in the first place. If you live in an area where you intend to have a garden of some kind, be it flower or vegetable, then you may have the space to create an aerobic, layered system using small wooden stakes and some chicken wire fencing. If your intention is to simply reduce your “trash” output then a small, anaerobic, contained tumbler system would be sufficient. Within either system, you want to maintain a balance between moisture, temperature, nitrogen and ammonia. Ultimately, it should not an offensive odor but more of an “earthy” aroma. If you do have an odor problem then you need to back off on the moisture level by adding dry elements such as grass clippings, dry leaves or shredded newspaper. This will not only absorb the moisture but will help eliminate to odor.

You want to be sure to avoid adding any meat products into your compost until your compost is well established and you fully understand the balance you need to maintain, otherwise the compost will become infested with undesirable insects and excessive nitrogen. Its best to stick with vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells and grains mixed with other organic matter such as grass clippings, hay or straw, leaves and shredded newspaper.

I’ve had such a wonderful response from my first 10 ways to be green on a budget so I collected another 10.

1. Use Dryer balls or bags - If you are not familiar with these, they are basically two oval shaped rubber balls with little “spikes” or two cloth bags that look like little pillows, that tumble around in your dryer and help reduce static and naturally soften clothing. I have used the dryer balls, I am due for a new set, but I think I am going to try dryer bags this time around to see what I like best and see if they last longer than the ball style. I’ll be sure to elaborate after I perform the test run.
2. Install a Low Flow Showerhead- These can run anywhere from $12 - $50 depending on added features. This choice is a matter of budget and luxury. If you want to maximize the efficiency of your shower head you can use the off button while washing your hair or lathering up and turning it back on the rinse, reducing your water usage even further.
3. Re Use Plastic Bags - I am not just talking about shopping bags, which make ideal bin liners for small garbage cans in the bathroom or to use for picking up after your dog. I am referring to ziploc’s, bread bags and produce bags. All of these are durable enough to rinse and use again a number of times. I try to wash them first if I have some dishes to do by hand, they are less likely to pick up any oil or grease from the other dishes if they are the first thing to go into the sink. Just be sure to use hot water (as hot and you can stand) and some dish soap. You can even pick up a handy little Countertop Bag Dryer made just for this purpose. You’ll save money and help the environment at the same time.
4. Turn the Water off when Brushing Your Teeth or Shaving - I realize this is an old and obvious one, but admit it, you don’t always do this one!
5. Caulk around your Windows - We have one side of our house that gets hit with the wind the most, it made such a difference when we put just a fine bead of caulk in the top and bottom seams of those few windows. This is a simple project that will cost very little.
6. Insulate between floor joists in your Basement - This is another one for home owners. A small and quite simple project that will make a significant difference. I know it did for our home.
7. Compost - I have found that some people are afraid of having some sort of composting system and it is really very simple. There are wonderful devices now that take most of the work out of composting, especially if your intention is to reduce your “trash” that is going into landfills. All non-meat, with the exception of fish and seafood, food waste can be composted. If you were to recycle your paper, cardboard, tin, plastic and glass and compost, your “trash” output would be reduced significantly. If this is something you would like to explore further, I am currently writing articles dedicated to composting.
8. Buy in Bulk - This is very effective for personal care items (shampoo, conditioner, soap) and other groceries such as peanut butter, honey, coffee, spices and spring water. If you have a natural foods store or co-op in your area, they tend to offer these types products in large containers that you can then use to fill smaller containers. Either you provide the container or use can purchase one from their supply and re-use those or turn them in for a refund and select a new one.
9. Re Use Your Bath Towel - Think about it, you are already clean and all you are using your towel for is to dry off. Just hang it up and use it again tomorrow, maybe the next day too.
10. Avoid the disposable cleaning product trap - I see these advertisements for cleaning products/contraptions that you use once and then “Simply throw it away!”, this makes me very angry. These products are extremely toxic for our environment, please don’t use them. If everyone were to stop using these things then maybe they would go away.

If anyone has other tips or suggestions, please let me know. I would love to come up with another 10 ways to be green on a budget.