by Psyche on Friday May 15, 2009
in green
If female bodily functions make you a bit green around the gills, and I do not mean eco-friendly, back away from the screen slowly. Do not make any sudden moves.
[waits]
Last warning!
[listens to the stampede]
Alrighty then, is everyone comfortable? I would make a bathroom break joke but…
The Curse – what I call that time in the lunar cycle where normally serene and blissful women turn into She-Hulk. Aka menstruation.
There are many ways of dealing with the messy side effects – the most common ones being disposable pads and tampons. These create billions of tons of waste every year that is dumped into landfills and into sewer and septic systems.
After developing allergies to something in most disposable tampons and pads, I started using the Instead Softcup – a medical-grade silicone menstrual cup. For the most part I have really liked it. My doctor gave the okay to reuse it, rinsing it after each use and sterilizing after I was done each month, which made financial and ecological sense to me. I was a bit squeamish about reusing it beyond one cycle, so I would throw it out. I did feel guilty about that but compared to disposable tampons and pads, the amount of waste was slight. One box of Insteads would last me an entire year – not bad for a $7 investment. Using the cup has additional bonuses. While trying to conceive, it is great post-deed as a cervical cap, keeping the deposit near home base. And as long as I rinse it out right before, sex with the cup in is not messy at all – and the Rogue never complained he could feel it.
After my current supply of supplies are diminished, I may have to give the Diva Cup a try. Yes, I know converting has been “life changing” for some women. I totally get that. I would switch over now but I have a bunch of things that need to be used and it’s not like I can donate them to Goodwill or a woman’s shelter due to health concerns. They would just get thrown away and really how is that any better for the environment than if I just used them? Part of going green is being a smart consumer – using up and then replacing with eco-friendly items is far greener than just replacing now.
In the meantime, I will be researching reusable cloth options, such as Lunapads – as well as making my own. I have a ton of fabric in the house to put to good use.
Tagged as:
Diva Cup,
girly stuff,
Instead Softcup,
Lunapads,
The Curse
by Psyche on Thursday May 14, 2009
in green
I used to have really long hair – so long I could sit on it. Then I lost my mind and had it chopped off. All in all, I cut off more than 3 feet of hair.*
The Rogue has long hair – I am very grateful that he has no urge to cut his hair any time soon. I love his dark brown curls more than I love my luggage – more than I love my laptop.
Even though my hair is now shoulder length, I still have a lot of it. It can take 15 minutes to blow dry mine and 30 minutes to blow dry the Rogue’s hair. Insane! The only positive is it does give the arms and shoulders a workout. Ouch!
We have decided to put the blow dryer away in the closet and let our hair air dry. This will save energy – and money in electricity plus hair care products. Score! I had considered giving the blow dryer away but it will come in handy this winter weatherizing the house.
* No I did not give it to Locks of Love. They would not have been able to use it for wigs as it had been colored with henna.
by Psyche on Wednesday May 13, 2009
in green
After we made the decision to no longer have pizza delivered, I had a nightmare involving pizzas. Frozen pizzas had conspired with deliver pizzas to have me taken “out of the picture” – so they buried me alive under frozen pizza waste. Imaging trying to climb up through countless flimsy, slightly soggy pizza boxes, cardboard circles and plastic shrink wrap. It was rather disturbing.
I will show those evil pizzas! I cannot say we will never go to a pizza place ever again, but from now on, we are only having freshly made pizza. No more frozen pizza in our Home Green Home. They think they can intimidate me, do they? Ha!
by Psyche on Tuesday May 12, 2009
in green
We are getting much better about turning out the lights and fans. I have forgotten a time or two – this challenge is definitely harder for the Rogue. The Toddler is really good about it, so good he even turning the lights and fans off when we are still in the room.
I have more wax than clear cups for the tealight candles, so I will just save and reuse what I have. I feel less guilty using my sconces now because I am not worried about the cost of replacing the tealights.
The cloth diapers have not yet arrived, but I will post an update after we have used them.
Using cloth tushie wipes is taking some getting used to. The Toddler does not know what he thinks about it. I need to get a bucket for them and the diapers – the one I was planning on using broke.
The Rogue has been doing a great job thus far with Project Green 365. He has given me quite a few ideas that will be implemented. I really like that this is now a group effort, rather than me dragging everyone along for the very bumpy ride. This was a great Mother’s Day gift. He also bought me the new domain name. Oh yes, I am keeping him. No, he does not have a single brother.
We still have ants in the house but not as many as we had before. There are some new ones that are bigger, not the tiny ones I found in the pantry and I think they are staging their attack from a different area. I have only seen a handful and sprayed bombarded them with vinegar when I saw them. I am hopeful they took my declaration of war seriously. They will NOT win!
The Rogue still has not given me a clue what my present is. Big meanie!
We are already mourning the breakup with prepackaged shredded cheese. We made homemade pizza for dinner and could not find the hand grater. Luckily I have a Salad Shooter which shredded the cheese in short order. I cannot promise I will ever give up my Salad Shooter or many of the other kitchen appliances I have that make life easier for me. Carpal tunnel syndrom is a bitch while I have a huge love for being eco-friendly, I love my independance too. The less I have to ask the Rogue to do, the better for my own sanity.
Tagged as:
Add new tag,
In Review,
Weekly
by Psyche on Tuesday May 12, 2009
in green
Dear Prepackaged Shredded Cheese,
I cannot see you anymore. My Mother Earth says your wrappings are bad for her, and well, she is bigger than you are and I do not want to be evicted. Besides, you cheated on me – with additives to keep you from clumping which makes it harder to melt you into soup or my favorite fondue. So I am leaving you – for block cheese.
It hurts me too but it just has to be this way. It was fun while it lasted.
Love,
She Who Loved Your Convenience
by The Rogue on Monday May 11, 2009
in green
The Rogue here.
Can you keep a secret?
I bought Psyche a present but she doesn’t know it yet.
I know it is not the traditional thing a guy buys his wife, but I am not in trouble – this time – so this is not a flowers or candy or jewelry occasion. She is also not your normal wife. She likes geeky things.
But it’s green, and she has been wanting one.
by Psyche on Monday May 11, 2009
in green
I went into the pantry to get some breakfast for the Toddler only to discover that we have been invaded – by ANTS!
I do NOT like ants. I have been scared had issues with them since I watched the 1977 movie Empire of the Ants when I was an impressionable youth. Radioactive-mutated, giant ants that are capable of human mind control – what’s not to be freaked out about? Right? I later read the H. G. Wells short story it was loosely based on in the hopes that it would help me get over my wigginess. Wrong. It just made it worse. He writes very convincingly.
When I got older, I compromised with the evil beasties. Most insects are allowed to live – as long as I do not see them in or around my home. If they break the treaty we have, I consider that a declaration of war. Before Project Green 365, I would have set out lots of nastiness that would have ended their already short lives, but because I have turned over a green leaf, I need to make them evacuate my house in a more organic matter.
After researching, I pickled my kitchen with vinegar – 50/50 with my trusty spray bottle (not safe for marble or granite finishes) – since that seems to be where they are staging the invasion. This is their last warning. If they do not cease and desist, the war is on. I think I need to grow some mint plants in the window – they are supposed to hate the smell of mint. and I like mojitios – a lot. If they come back, I am mixing some borax and sugar and setting it out on the window sill which they will take back to the nest to assassinate the queen.
Sing along with me – to the tune of the The Pink Panther Theme…
dead ant, dead ant
dead ant, dead ant, dead ant, dead ant, dead ant
dead ant, dead ant
by Psyche on Sunday May 10, 2009
in green
Happy Mother’s Day!
This is my favorite pictures of the Toddler and I – taken right after his first Christmas.
He and the Rogue are spoiling me today… I think I’ll keep them. Fresh fruit, pancakes and bacon and lovely cards that made me cry and will cherish forever.
I was given the best present today. The Rogue is going to willingly join me on Project Green 365 instead of being a passive participant (who kicks and screams). This thrills me beyond belief.
Now he can help me come up with 346 more ideas!
Sometimes the best gift, the ones most precious, are the gifts of our selves – our time – our willingness to make a positive change.
