::A Little Bit of Baby - It's a Long One!::

Apologies for the lapse in posts! We had a little pre-term labor with our little sprout on the way, Daphne, just a few days ago, so we've been a little lax this week. But now we're back in gear, and I got to thinking, with all this baby business going on, why not do a little post on green babies? Sound good? I thought so! Let's get it started!

To start off, few people know the immense impact that babies have on the environment. Of course, I'm not talking about babies themselves - it's all that comes with them. Diapers, product packaging, squeaky bath toys, shampoos and lotions, baby wipes, and even baby food effect the environment to a great extent. Let's just say that decisions about baby rearing are just as important as the decision to recycle or buy an electric car. It's true! So, if you're expecting or you've got a little one of your own already, this post is for you!

Let's begin with diapers: did you know that one disposable diaper sits in a landfill for up to 500 years? Plus, the chemicals in the diaper poison the soil at the same time, making it unable to be used for farming. Even the chlorine-free diapers don't biodegrade any faster than the chlorine-filled versions that you see everywhere, and this includes Huggies, Pampers, Luvs, and even the chlorine-free Seventh Generation diapers. For the Seventh Generation version, the chlorine is left out, so the diaper won't poison the earth, however, it still sits in the same landfill, right next to the Pampers Swaddlers, for the same amount of time. Let's do quick math: 1 baby x number of diapers daily x number of days in diapers = ...well, let's just say an outrageous amount of diapers in landfills. Now, take that number of diapers total x the number of babies worldwide in disposable diapers... YIKES! That's a scary thought!

So how can you help lower the contribution to landfills with your diapering tactics? Nowadays, there are easy ways to do it. Generally, you've got the choice of 1) cloth diapering, and 2) the new and improved hybrid diaper - the gDiaper. Of course, option #3 is the disposable... but we already know the dirt on them. ;)

Cloth Diapering: This is a much less heinous undertaking than it used to be, believe it or not. Whereas our grandmothers had to use those white fluffy things and great big pins to diaper baby, our generation has been spared the hassle with the emergence of brand new cloth diapering ideas from places like Bummis, FuzziBunz, Bum Genius, and many more. The designs are endless and the cost is low, so you save money every time you change baby. Another advantage to any non-disposable diaper is that this alternative is more comfortable for baby too because the fabric is more breathable, so that means fewer diaper rashes and a happier little one. You still have to wash a lot of diapers, but it's the cheapest disposable alternative and saves you having to constantly buy more diapers.

gDiapers: These are a brand new invention, coined as being "the hybrid diaper". Why the hybrid? gDiapers combine the idea of cloth and disposable along with a great green concept. The concept was to save parents the trouble of constantly washing diapers [as you tend to do with cloth diapering] while still avoid the landfill contribution problem. Their solution? Make the diaper biodegradable, of course! And guess what? It worked! So wait, you're probably asking "exactly how does it work", right? Okay, here it goes - gDiapers have three parts to them. 1) the outer 'g' pant, which is made of cloth and entirely breathable [it also features a little 'g' on the behind], 2) the inner liner, which is plastic-free and simply snaps into place inside the 'g' pant, so it can be taken out and washed if need be, and 3) the flushable refill that goes into the liner itself. The liner is the biodegradable part, so when you change baby, the liner and the 'g' pant stay together [unless they've gotten a little messy from a stinky diaper] and you remove the refill that sits in the liner. But what then, you ask? Well, you can compost the liner, throw it away since it biodegrades, or our personal favorite - flush it! That's right. These are the only diapers you can flush. And you know what? It starts biodegrading the second it hits the water. Actually, it's made diapering time a little more entertaining for us. :) The best part is this - the gDiaper flushable refill will biodegrade in around - count'em! - 50 days. So, 50 days versus 500 years... I think we have a winner! Now, about the cost - yes, they cost more than cloth diapering, since you do have to buy the refills, however, you don't have to buy them through the gDiapers website and it's actually cheaper if you don't since it saves on shipping. Target carries gDiapers online only, Babies 'r' Us carries the starter kits, refills, and a couple of 'g' pants designs in their stores, and if you have a Whole Foods store near you, they have them too. If you check on the gDiapers website, it will tell you where your nearest location is that carries their products. Look around on eBay, too. You might just find a good deal on a gDiapers lot. The cost of a starter kit? $25.00 in stores or about $27.00 online [and the refill packages are actually priced cheaper than packages of Pampers]. It comes with two pairs of 'g' pants to start off with and each of them retail for about $17.00 each, so if you try the starter kit and it's not for you, you can always redeem your loss by selling your two pairs of 'g' pants to someone who needs them. Hey! That's reusing, too! :D Oh! And if you join the gMum or gDad program through gDiapers, which is for the people very excited about their gDiapering lives, then you can receive coupons on your gDiapers purchases, too! Hooray!

Alright, that's enough talk about the diapering dirt. Let's move on to something a little more pleasant, eh? How about this: baby furniture. We love to look at it, we love to shop for it, we love to buy it, but what are we buying exactly? Most baby furniture isn't made from sustainable materials, and most of the furniture that is not only boasts being non-VOC, but also totes a hefty price tag. $1500 for a baby crib? I think not! Now, if you've got the means to go with all sustainable furniture, go for it! However, for the majority of us, let's try the rather pocketbook-friendly alternative - buying second hand. There are plenty of people out there selling like-new baby cribs that may not be made of sustainable wood, but they are second hand, which reduces your product purchasing impact and gets you a great deal. Even a cherry wood sleigh crib in all its whimsical glory can be bought on Craigslist second-hand for $200 or so, even though it was bought new for $600. Pretty good deal, eh? So, for baby furniture, whether it's a changing table, a crib, a bassinet, or so on, try going second-hand with your options. Remember to start searching early too. Chances are you won't find your dream crib right away, but keep up the hunt and the odds are extremely good that you'll find it somewhere for a good price before baby's ready to sleep in it.

Shampoos and lotions and creams, oh my! On to the oh-so-famous baby products! Whether it's for bath time, changing time, or play time, try going eco-friendly with your baby products as well. Many shampoos [as we discussed in our last post] contain formaldehyde, which can be harmful to baby, so look for all natural alternatives such as Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo and the Method product line, both of which are available in most any store. These brands are naturally made and won't irritate baby. Even Johnson & Johnson is something to be avoided, as they use formaldehyde in their products too, and trust me, it's hard to get any real information out of them about it. I've tried!

Also, Miles can testify to the glory of the Squeaky Green Diaper Cream by Method, as it was the combination of this and gDiapers that saved his sensitive derriere. For a boy once plagued with rashes, Miles now has a happy, rash-free bum, and believe me, he's happy about it! Try checking into these products and make sure to read, read, read your packaging to see what all is in that bottle of lotion you're buying. Synthetic fragrances, perfumes, and chemicals can irritate baby's skin, so steer clear of those. Also, many of these all natural brands use recycled packaging as well, so you may want to give a little glance to that recycled emblem as well. If it says 80% post-consumer recycled packaging, you've found a pretty good package. Pair that with a natural product on the inside, and you've got a great buy! Remember to shop around, too. As always, being eco-friendly doesn't have to be expensive, so don't let anyone tell you that it does!

Next up: baby clothes. Oh, how to clothe your baby! Obviously, organic clothing, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, organic is better than non-organic if you're buying new, but as always, the best buy is second-hand. Look around your city and see where your nearest second-hand baby product store is. Here you'll find like-new items, gently used, and for a whole lot cheaper than you'd buy them for new. AND you're still reducing your impact on product consumption! However, if you can't find any good hand-me-downs, you can definitely feel good about buying new organic clothing for baby. Organic cotton, bamboo, and soy-based clothes have no chemicals or irritants to bother baby's sensitive skin, so once again, baby will be happier too.

Feeding time! You've heard the phrase "breast milk is best", right? Well, it couldn't be more true. The vast majority of synthetic baby formula is far less than organic, and we know now that organic and eco-friendly go hand in hand. Plus, breast milk provides baby with something formula can't - immunity from viruses. This is a super system that nature has set up just for baby so that when you're sick with a cold, baby won't be. Your milk provides the anti-bodies that protect baby from it. Not to mention it's absolutely 100% free and always available at just the right temperature. No bottles needed! [But if you get one, go BPA-free, right?] So, go on and breast feed! It's better for you, better for baby, and better for the environment. If you want to learn more about breast feeding or want some support with it, check out La Leche League and find your local office. Even hospitals will have a breast feeding center, allowing you to ask questions, get advice, and help you every step of the way. Give breast feeding a shot! You won't regret it!

For older babies, try avoiding baby food altogether. You can start introducing cereal around 6 months or so if you choose to do so, but you can buy organic versions everywhere. Also, avoid baby foods in little jars. Sure, there are organics for those too, but if you buy some organic foods from your local grocery store or farmer's market, or even grow them yourself, you can mash them up and it's far less processed than what you'd buy in the store, which means it's better for baby. Plus, this will make it easier to switch to solid foods later on. Remember, a healthy baby = a happy baby!

The nursery: everyone loves to decorate the baby nursery. If you're expecting, you've probably found that everyone and their cousin is asking what your design plans are and contributing their two cents. It's normal! Here are some key things to remember about eco-friendly decorating for baby. Humidifiers and air purifiers are good, as are baby monitors, but look around to find ones with the Energy Star compliant mark on them. They'll help you save energy. For painting, use low or non-VOC paint. Ask your local paint shop or Home Depot about this and they'll be glad to provide you with the options... and there are lots! For rugs, curtains, and bedding, go organic. There are fewer allergens and chemicals in them, so baby will sleep happier without the irritation from the fabrics. Use low lighting to soothe baby to sleep, and to save energy. Babies will generally be comfortable in low to no lighting, but if you keep it on a dim setting, it'll probably set your mind more at ease knowing that baby isn't sleeping in the dark. If you plan on doing co-sleeping, however, great job! This is what we do with our children for the first 6 months. Generally, they sleep in a bassinet in our bedroom, then at 6 months they move to the crib. It's a pretty good practice for us, and if you're nursing too, it'll be much handier to have baby nearby for late night feedings. What about toys, you ask? Check out a little place called Melissa and Doug. They've got a great grasp on style without compromising their green goals, and in the process they've come out with some fantastic baby toys that are entertaining, simple, unique, and eco-friendly too.

Last but not least - the baby registry! Alright, if you're a first [or even second or third] time parent, you're probably wondering "how does this all fit on a baby registry? Will most stores have this available?" Sadly, the answer is no... but we've got a solution for you! I think you'll be happy with it for sure. It's called My Registry, and it's a free online registry that you can use for any product in any store or on any website. This go around, we went eco-friendly with our registry [save the crib, which needs replacing, and the bassinet, since we sold our old one] and we ran into the problem that all the biggest baby registry locations such as Walmart, Target, and Babies 'r' Us may have some eco-friendly ideas, but it's far from a fully green selection. So, we shopped online to find the most reasonably priced green baby items for our registry. It's turned out well, and we've found a great deal of handy dandy websites in the process. If you'd like to learn more about My Registry, check them out here, and if you'd like to get registry ideas, you can sneak a peek at our registry as well. Feel free to steal our ideas!

Let's finish off with some baby brands we love:

• Kate Quinn Organics
• Great Green Baby [this is actually a shopping blog devoted to green baby products]
• gDiapers
• Bum Genius
• Burt's Bees
• Method Baby
• Nature Babycare [for biodegradable wipes]
• Melissa and Doug
• eOrganic Baby
• Green Baby Clothing Company

That's all the baby fun for now! I hope you've learned a lot and took some ideas along with you to use in your baby adventures! And if you've got questions on anything you've read or want to add a little something extra, send over an e-mail to me, Mama Bennett, at saygoodmorningstarshine@gmail.com. I'd be glad to hear from you!

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A couple extra ideas for green baby showers:

1. Send e-invites instead of paper ones.
2. Use biodegradable party ware instead of styrofoam.
3. Ask that guests bring organic dishes to share as a kind of pot luck.
4. Play green games and test your guests' eco-friendly knowledge. They might leave with handy new information!
5. Request eco-friendly packaging for gifts. No bubble wrap here!
6. Make green your theme! If everyone sees that your theme is eco-friendly, they'll take a hint and make the occasion all the greener just for you.
7. Have a blast! That's what baby showers are all about!

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For more great green tips, visit us on Facebook and become a fan! We'll share ideas together, get discussions going, and let you in on any upcoming events we hear of. As always, thanks for keeping an eye on our green blog!

Miles enjoying his gDiaper.......

::Paper or Plastic - Does Your Shopping Bag Really Make a Difference?::

Alright, if you've ever watched the television show Living With Ed [and we have!] you know the answer to the oh-so-common question "paper or plastic". According to Ed, as well as many other eco-friendly shoppers, the answer is - "neither". But does toting around a reusable bag or two really make that much of a difference? Good news - it really does!

Fact: Plastic bags sitting in landfills don't only take up to 1000 years to break down, but during their breakdown period they release toxins that pollute the earth and soil. The production of plastic bags also uses a great deal of oil, which also adds to the pollution problem. It's estimated that the citizens of the United States collectively use more than 380 billion plastic bags every year. Paper bags, while a seemingly better alternative, are in fact made of paper, which means that the use of paper bags requires using something very important to the environment - a lot of trees. Even paper bags that are made from recycled materials are often made from pre-consumer materials, not post-consumer, thus nullifying their eco-friendly effect. So even those who are trying to remedy the plastic bag problem by going with paper are still stuck in a corner with this option. The remedy? Go with reusables!

Around here, we have a house stocked with reusable bags from all our most frequent shopping locales. Of course, Target and Wal-mart are two of them, but our personal favorite is the Community Mercantile, better known as The Merc, which is our local co-op grocery store. Like a smaller version of your typical Target Super Center, the Merc has everything from fresh produce to books, cosmetics to cleaning solutions, and everything in between. The best part? If you shop smart and keep your eyes peeled for great deals, your budget stays the exact same, and you may even save money by shopping at your local co-op. Chances are it's packed full of items produced locally and sometimes at lower prices than you'd find on the shelves at a large corporate grocery store. Better yet, these co-ops frequently encourage going the eco-friendly route, as is the case with The Merc. Not only do they have your everyday reusable bags for sale, but they also have ones displaying The Merc logo, various designs from local artists, and even handmade bags by locals for locals. [In case you'd like to find the location of a community co-op near you, try searching through the natural food co-op national directory!]

Of course, if you buy your reusable shopping bags handmade, they may cost you a smidge more than a run-of-the-mill one, but the good news is that nobody needs a fancy bag to go grocery shopping. In fact, you may want to save a bit of money by going with a set of the average reusable bags than buying pricey alternatives. That way, when the bag finally needs replacing [which will generally take quite a while] you aren't out $20-$30. The price of a reusable bag at a corporate grocery store such as Target? $1.00-$5.00, depending on what design you'd like. And don't hesitate to take your Target bags to Wal-mart or your Wal-mart bags to your local co-op. If you're worried about insulting the store you're at versus the store bag you're carrying, keep this in mind: you're coming to their store to shop, so there's no harm done no matter what bag you tote in. Don't worry about store-appropriate bag etiquette!

But how many bags should you keep on hand? And how will you remember to take them with you to every shopping excursion? For us, we have a total of about 10 bags altogether. They hold quite a bit and are sturdier than both paper and plastic, so that's about all you need. Got a big family? You can always buy an extra bag or two, for those just in case shopping outings, but chances are 10 will be the right number and you won't need extras.

Helpful Hint: If you think that you'll forget your bags when going to the grocery store and once again be faced with the "paper or plastic" question, try this: When you return home from your shopping and everything gets put away, fold up your reusable bags and place them in the trunk of your car or under one of the seats. This should ensure that they get taken with you each trip and you won't be turning around halfway to the store to go back for your bags or end up buying extras at the store.

For the Fashionably Green: In case you don't just want to sport the average reusables and would rather make a statement along with your eco-friendly actions, try searching through the savvy and swank reusable bags on Etsy, a site specifically for all things handmade. Here, your bags can be made from anything from organic cotton to recycled materials and you can even request that a seller make a one-of-a-kind item just for you. Now you have something with sass, something eco-friendly, and something handmade all in one! Try browsing through the Etsy site for these shops, [or just click on the links here]: Happy Family, The Craft Pantry, and Proletariat Bags. Each has its own style, and each store has great feedback! Now you can go green without compromising your style... or your pocketbook.

So what did we figure out?

1) Ed's right! The only real eco-friendly answer to "paper or plastic" is "neither".

2) Sacrificing plastic bags doesn't have to break the bank or your personal style.

3) Utilizing reusable bags is easy to do [even with kids in tow!] and makes a big impact.

So the next time you go grocery shopping at your local co-op, supermarket, or even the farmer's market, remember to say "I brought my own bag". What a big difference one little bag can make! Happy shopping, everyone!

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Tiffany's Favorite Reusable Shopping Bag: The Brown Multi-Dot Bag from Babies 'r' Us

"Believe it or not, even Babies 'r' Us has a few reusable bags for sale! Super durable and sporting a neat modern design, [not to mention costing only a couple dollars], this bag is definitely my current favorite! Talk about neat eco-style for cheap!"

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*the reusable bag featured at the beginning of this post can be found on the Etsy.com site at The Craft Pantry*

::Meet The Bennetts!::

So, just who are we, eh? And who are we to tell you how to go green when you could simply be watching Living With Ed to find out all your green tips? Good questions! Let's start with introductions!

Meet Mom and Dad! Tiffany and Zac Bennett!:

Zac comes from a background full of great green goodness! Mom and Dad on that side of the family have all the knowledge on both electric and hybrid vehicles and could talk non-stop about solar paneling for hours! We'd like to say that Papa Bennett has a pretty good grasp on all things green, not to mention fact vs. fiction.

Though Tiffany comes from a much less green background, being married to a green guy says something! Unlike Ed Begley's wife, [whom we still love no matter what!] Mama Bennett is always searching for ways to go more eco-friendly and all that stay-at-home mom time is certainly good for lots of research and experimenting! Everything from green cleaning to natural cosmetics reviews are available here!

Meet the Baby Bennetts!:

Molly may be just now getting her green footing, but she knows how important the environmental cause is, even if she forgets to turn off a light switch now and then. For her, the expertise lies in what makes going green fun. Want some advice on green toys or what ways you can keep you and your kids entertained while still saving the planet? She's your go-to girl!

Miles, although he's yet to begin expressing himself through words, has a whole 15 months worth of green experience, and he's getting pretty savvy! His area of expertise? Green eating, of course! Wanna know if something produced in an eco-friendly way is still super tasty? If so, he's got the dish on all the dining delicacies! Not bad for a 15-month-old, eh?

So, now you've met the family! Now, let's go back to the question "who are we to offer green tips?" Well, now you see that each of us has a separate area of emphasis in the green cause! The best part? We're an absolutely normal family with a tight budget and a tight time schedule. What's good about that you may ask? We understand how hard it can be to go eco-friendly, especially with little ones in tow [and believe me, the Bennett babes aren't any more well-behaved than anyone else's!]. But we can help you in your green efforts by keeping you up to date with our green family! Everyday in our house is filled with discoveries, green challenges, questions and answers, and fantastic finds. Then, we put our finds to the test! After that, we pass on all our green knowledge to you! And with a little luck, a bit of elbow grease, and maybe even a smidge of solar power, hopefully we can help you out a little bit in your quest to go green. Are our reusable shopping bags alone going to single-handedly save the planet? Probably not... but if every person we see decides to tote a canvas bag for their fresh produce instead of going plastic, we might be on to something!

Thanks for meeting the Bennetts and check back very soon for our latest daily discoveries and helpful hints to keep you and your house growing up green! And don't forget to keep checking your blog updates - we've got a new all-natural made-from-scratch bundle of joy coming this summer! Get ready this July to welcome Daphne, the new Baby Bennett, to our great green house!