Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Our Children
Today I did a short phone interview with Megan Venner, a freelance journalist doing a story for Atlantic Canada's Parenting Magazine called Our Children. Our Children is published three times yearly (January, May, October) and is working in partnership with the Halifax Regional School Board to distribute the magazine in elementary schools throughout Greater Halifax. The story features ideas on how to live a greener life despite the pressures of a busy family. Boy, can I relate! With two kids 22 months apart and a business, a home, a husband, a dog...there is a lot of pressure, but in my mind, the consequences are far greater!
Obviously, I was speaking from a cloth diapering perspective, but we do try to do our part elsewhere as well. Megan asked for examples of what else we do, besides cloth diapering our children, which got me thinking...
- We use alternative transportation wherever possible - most often my children and I are on foot (or stroller).
- We eat organic produce and meat grown locally wherever possible.
- I use environmentally friendly "cleaners" - baking soda and vinegar.
- We try to reduce the amount of plastic in our lives as much as possible - both from a health perspective and from an energy consumption and life span (lack of decomposition).
- I have a backyard composter and a clothesline, in the middle of the city.
- We use reusable bags and green boxes for groceries.
- We reduce, reuse and recycle!
- All receipts and records are generated electronically for my business, making it virtually paper-free.
That's just a list off the top of my head, but it sure started the process of me wondering where else I can improve.
And just what did I say about cloth diapering? Well, it's a bit of a lifestyle adjustment, like going to the gym regularly or eating healthier - you use the diapers just as you would disposables, and put them in a diaper pail, but instead of putting those diapers to the curb, you take them to the laundry room. Simple as that. Today's cloth diapers, like Fuzzi Bunz or Happy Heiny's, are as easy to put on and off as a disposable, and the microfleece lining keeps baby feeling dry. Plus, you get the bonus of choosing incredibly cute colours to diaper your baby in - much more interesting than standard issue Elmo or Dora!
And travelling? We've done it. Our cloth diapers have taken road trips, plane rides, you name it! Wet and soiled diapers just go into a Bummis Waterproof Tote and when we reach our destination (or nearest laundry facilities along the way - available at most Irving Big Stop Truck Stops in Atlantic Canada, among many other places), pop a load in. Simple as that. If you wanted to make things even easier, you can add biodegradable paper liners to your diapers. When the diapers are soiled, simply flush the mess and the liner in the toilet and take the diaper with you. That way, you are toting only wet diapers rather than wet AND soiled diapers, and the impact is no greater than that of flushing toilet paper.
We find it convenient and can't imagine any other way!Labels: diapers, organic
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