GainesvilleMoms.com

There is a serious green trend going on right now. (And I have to say, I like the trend.) So, how green are you?

I would like to do more to be green. However, we do have fuel efficient cars, recycle everything that can be recycled, eat organic food, buy locally- when possible, do not run extra stuff we do not need on elec, have energy efficient appliances etc. I have tried the green cleaning products and have found they just do not work as well. I should be willing to sacrifice some dirt for the earth I know! We teach our kids about protecting the earth and conservation etc.

Ive never been one to follow trends. Even trends that are allegedly for the benefit of us all.

I do recycle, of course. And I will no doubt get a hybrid car whenever a huge sack of money falls from the sky and lands at my feet. But that is the problem -- a lot of "being green" involves spending extra money, which is something I really don't have right now.

Nate I also have trouble w/ the fact that we have to pay to be green. I would think we should get a discount for taking care of the planet????? Those that are burning it up can pay more, no? Anyway, I think some places offer discounts for buying energy efficient stuff. We need a new A/C unit and our attic insulated and I was told that GRU offers low interest loans for making your home more energy efficient.
This goes for replacing doors/windows, solar panels etc.

GRU does have a good program for that, but it still requires an investment.

Its crazy to think, isnt it? that we are being urged to do the right thing, save the planet, all that malarky, and yet companies are lining up to make a profit off of it. Which is fine -- this is America and this is how we roll -- but to guilt people into being green, just to take their money, seems a little evil to me.

They made it easy to recycle, and so now almost EVERYONE recycles. If they can make "being green" easy like that, it will be no problem to get everyone on board.

I agree with all of you. I try to do my part by picking up trash I see, and our family recycles. But I am a little hesitant when it comes to organic food. I've often thought about trying to buy more organic products, but like Nate, money isn't in abundance right now. Also, I wonder if it's worth it? How much better are they? I'd love some information if anyone has it.

Often organic food is not more expensive, if you buy produce that is in season, or shop at farmer's markets. Also, Wards is a great place to buy organic food. Mother Earth is very expensive! I will not buy certain things for example if Organic Strawberries are $8 and conventional are 2.50, I will skip the organic! To me, personally, the most important is buying organic dairy products and eggs. However, I think it is just a personal decision. You can read some places that organic is the only way to go and others that it is not worth the expense that "organic" can still have chemicals-just a lesser amount etc.

Please don't stone me, but I'm not as good as I should be. When I lived in town, I did use my Big Blue/Orange, but when I moved to the sticks, I'm lucky to have garbage pickup. So I don't recycle. I try to buy local produce by going to the flea market on Saturday mornings for it, but I don't think it's always local. I would rather not buy a hybrid car because I have to shop for 2 weeks and take kids when I go. Try fitting 2 weeks worth of food plus 2 car seats in a Prius. I do reuse stuff and try to remember to take my reusable bags when I go shopping. And I really like the Clorox Greenworks products. They're made with natural products, no petroleum so I feel a little better. I used to buy organic milk for the girls, but I can't afford $7 for a gallon of milk anymore, so I went back to TG Lee. (CVS has it cheaper than anywhere else ) Until organic becomes affordable, I can't do it. And I don't understand why it's so much more. If the growers/farmers/whatever don't have to buy the hormones/pesticides/etc, aren't they saving money?????

i'm not into the organic foods and like carmic, i do not have much opportunity to recycle...but...i am really trying to be more energy efficient. we've turned up our AC, which is really hard when my farmer comes home at night and is still so hot from the day's sun but he's adjusting. i've bought all florescent light bulbs. once you get used to the green tint, it's not a big deal. i wash most of my clothes in cold water, sorry, whites still require hot water. i used to use a clothes line and loved it until it fell down. guess i'll add that to my to do list...and we are trying to limit how long we are in the shower/tub. not easy with a teenager girl who is more clean shaven than Mr. Clean himself.

we are all making an effort to limit our time in a vehicle. combing trips, staying home even when we are bored.

but regardless of how hard i try, i still come home and find the tv on, the tub dripping and the front door not shut tight...

quote:

Originally posted by softballmom:
i'm not into the organic foods and like carmic, i do not have much opportunity to recycle...but...i am really trying to be more energy efficient. we've turned up our AC, which is really hard when my farmer comes home at night and is still so hot from the day's sun but he's adjusting. i've bought all florescent light bulbs. once you get used to the green tint, it's not a big deal. i wash most of my clothes in cold water, sorry, whites still require hot water. i used to use a clothes line and loved it until it fell down. guess i'll add that to my to do list...and we are trying to limit how long we are in the shower/tub. not easy with a teenager girl who is more clean shaven than Mr. Clean himself.

we are all making an effort to limit our time in a vehicle. combing trips, staying home even when we are bored.

but regardless of how hard i try, i still come home and find the tv on, the tub dripping and the front door not shut tight...

This is right about where we are too.

We switched out all our light bulbs, recycle, buy organic/local food sometimes (mostly milk, eggs and veggies from the farmers market) and my husband is really into composting right now -- don't ask me why! But that's the extent of our green living. I tried to do more initially, but you're all right -- it's expensive and not very convenient. When being "green" becomes something that's easier to do, then I'll jump on board.