Green Options

I’ve been attacked by naysayers who claim one cannot be an environmentalist and consume meat. I beg to differ, but that’s my opinion.

For years I was a happy vegetarian. My husband is a devoted carnivore. We have five children and my vegetarianism fell to the wayside. I’m not a short order cook, my husband DEMANDS meat (and luckily fish qualifies as meat in his world) in his dinner and chances are the kids and I are eating the same meal. That’s a little thing called life.

Does this mean we are not green?

As the mother of FIVE, (Yes, I know what causes them. That’s why we have so many.) I am constantly on a mission. My purpose in life is to raise responsible and socially conscious children. After all, the children of today are the future of this place we call home. I might have five children, but we have only ONE Earth. As such, it is vitally important with each passing day that we learn how to best care for and nurture our planet.

Every family has different methods for motivating their children. Our kids all know the why and how of what we do and I have discovered this to be vital in their training. I also strive to make things fun. For without fun, what holds the child’s interest? Our most recent find is, Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel. Kids love Super Heroes and often want to be one. Why not encourage your child to be a Green Super Hero?

When I first spotted the Psling on Keri Russell in Celebrity Baby Blog; I thought to myself, $350 for a piece of fabric and rings; people are crazee (whirling my fingers around my ears) . However, I had to admit it was beautiful. So beautiful that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Then I started obsessing about it and started reading about it all over the internet.

The Baby Wearer, a forum for baby wearing parents and advocates, could not stop raving about its comfort and beauty. So like a sucker; I convinced my significant other to drive to the city (our first time in the year that we moved to PA). so I can try out this incredible piece of fabric. We got to Soho, parked the car, and found our way to PSNY. There was the beautiful sling that I was meant to have. I bought it. (Like a sucker)

So now that I have this beautiful yet expensive piece of fabric tied with two rings, two things come to mind.. guilt… yes.. but bigger part is rebellion. Ever since I took on the challenge of greening up my life, everything had to Eco-friendly. I gave up my beloved Ajax for Mrs. Meyers. My antibacterial dish soap for an Earth friendly one (one that doesn’t clean as well). Tried out the Earth friendly gdiapers which in reality made more work for me. Turn off the powercord, unplug everything, recycle… it’s just exhausting.