A New Name

Since I am visiting more of a variety of blogs and discussing things with people I don't know, I thought it was time to give my baby a code name. My daughter's new name is..."Pixie". She is cute and impish just like a pixie, so I thought that was the perfect name.
I have edited all of my posts and have deleted all old comments with her real name in it, no offense anyone whose comments they were! You can go re-comment if they were more recent, but I thought this would be easier than hassling all of you to update all your comments.
So, for now on, please refer to my baby as "Pixie" in all your blogger related writings!
Thanks!

Check Out Our Culinary Skills!

Have you heard? The amazing trio of chefs have come together for a blog that will rock your taste buds! All of our recipes are vegetarian/vegan/vegan friendly, but you do not have to be a veggie to appreciate them! We love to make healthy foods tasty. Vegetarian food does not have to be boring, tasteless, or too one-spice-dimensional.
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My Thoughts (and actions) on "Going Green" and Saving Money

It is both popular to keep up with the fads..and hate them. This is why I love and don't love the "going green" fad. I'd like to say that I hope this isn't just a fad. It should be a way of life.
Those of us who have been raised on these principles roll our eyes at the shock of "bright" ideas to save money. We also shake our heads at the "new" ways to lessen our carbon footprints.
First I tackle my take on "going green".

I have been taught many things about using natural and organic products since I was born really. I was raised a vegan/vegetarian and my parents owned a health food store before I was born. We always had a garden, hung our laundry (probably because we were poor, but my Mommy and I still love to hang it anyway!), had a compost, and ate as natural foods as we could. In this way it annoys me that people are just getting the idea because of a fad. On the other hand, I love this fad! It makes natural products more abundant, accessible, and more affordable. The whole supply and demand thing. What I DO NOT like is the big conglomerates using this green popularity to promote their products, which are not natural. Who cares if a cleaner has natural products added to it?!? It's like taking bleach and squeezing some lemon juice in it. Really? People, read labels. Usually if the label has a major hazard warning, it's not safe and natural! Many natural products say it's safe to use around pets and to just flush eyes if you get anything in them. Even essential oils aren't good in your eyes!
For an example, here is a warning label from an Oust Air Sanitizer I have and am throwing out.

CAUTION: Avoid contact with food and food utensils. Avoid contact with eyes. Before using product throughout your home, use in one room and wait 24 hours to ensure that no one has any physical reactions to the product.
Asthma and Allergy Sufferers: Consult your physician before using this product in your home. Before spraying, remove birds. After use, ventilate normally prior to returning birds to treated areas.

What? WHAT?!? Crazy, I know.
These are the ways I have begun to make my home a "green home:

• I shut off a light when I leave the room. I was raised this way.
  
• I reuse scrap paper.
  
• Trying to use more reusable containers, instead of plastic wrap and bags.
  
• I use a resuable water bottle.
  
• I use reusable shopping bags when I remember. When I don't, I reuse the plastic ones in my home a few times and then recycle them at the store.
• I use as much organic food as possible. Belonging to a local buying club (co-op) makes this really affordable and sometimes cheaper than conventional products in the store.
• I use natural cleaners, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, brushes, baby cream, lotion, etc.
• I use cloth diapers and wash them in natural detergent. I have started to hang them outside since it's getting warmer. The sun naturally bleaches them and leaves them smelling wonderful.
  
• I make my own flannel wipes and a solution out of natural products and essential oils.
• I recycle what I can. #1 and #2 plastics, glass, newspaper, and cardboard.
• I use a sponge in the kitchen instead of paper towels. I assign towels to certain things. I throw my sponge in the microwave for two minutes to sanitize at the end of the day.
• I am researching non-toxic toys for Pixie. I bought her an organic bunny for Easter.
• I have bought some of the materials to have Scott make me a compost pile.
• I shop less at super stores if money allows. I hardly ever go to Wal-Mart.

How I am Saving Money
Every show on TV has had a piece on this! I've seen Dr. Phil's and Oprah's recently. I was blown away! Oprah couldn't believe that you could "rent" movies for free from a library! Unless you live in Orem, UT..they charge $1!!

• I pretty much grew up in a library, we never bought our own books or movies.
  
• I always buy clothes second hand, at discount stores, or on clearance. Even sales aren't good enough for me, unless I need something specific or for a special occasion.
  
• Limit my trips to the store.
• Eat less, cook more-buying bulk ingredients makes a difference.
• We only go to the dollar theater or rent from Red Box.
• Buy from our buying club and get wholesale pricing.
• Again, cloth diapering. I have spent <$370 for my diapers (plus wipe solution, detergent, and water for wash 2 a week). I have figured out that it would be over $500 for Wal-Mart brand diapers for ONE child for a year, not including wipes. These cloth diapers will go through MULTIPLE children and the majority are one size ranging from 8-30lbs or so. Will last until potty training!
• Use coupons. Okay, I don't use many because I already get my food discounted through the buying club, but I do buy coupons on eBay to use on some staples. Every time I buy online, I do a google search for coupon codes. You can save a lot!
• Research, research, research. Wether it's baby items or a new digital camera. Research so that you will buy the right one the first time. This will save you time, money, and hassle.
• Buy sale items in bulk, but only the things you use. Almost never buy something just because it's on sale!
• Garage sale! But again, only buy what you need. Don't be afraid to ask to come down on prices. I'm learning to negotiate. Don't be afraid to offer half the price on a "buy it now or best offer" on eBay. I got Scott some 0 degree sleeping bags (that zip together!) for his BD a few years ago that way! I wouldn't have been able to afford them otherwise.
• Be patient. Look for that good deal.
• If it doesn't matter, buy store brands.
  
• Buy good deals on Christmas and BD presents throughout the year and save them.
  
• If you have the time, sign up for survey sites! I get so many free products, some money, and free magazines!
• We turn down the heater a few degrees at night. I have figured out how to program it!
• I will turn down my water heater temp in the summer.
• I always grow something every year. I kept an herb garden through this last winter and am going to be planting a garden with Becca at her house this year.
  

So...have any other good tips I left out? Do share!

Goal Update

So far we're doing okay with our weight goal. We've had a few set backs already, but all in all we're coming out of it well! We started off the week great, then Tuesday Sam and Chris came to visit for the day. Actually, I usually go to the gym during Pixie's morning nap, but Scott went with Stephen up to the Lake House to get his truck that broke down there months ago. Anyway, I didn't get to go to the gym that day and we went out to eat. I didn't eat any desserts and we still stayed within our daily calorie limits! Hooray!
Wednesday Scott didn't work out because..he's lazy? :) Stephen wasn't feeling well and I guess Scott didn't want to go alone. I worked out though! I beat my record too, I burned 580 calories in an hour (with a 5 minute cool down).
Last night was our first RS book club meeting. I picked Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell for this month. Only two people came because of sickness, one hadn't ever read it and the other did a long time ago. Haha, so it wasn't a huge discussion! I did bring a treat for it, I decided to make a dish inspired by the theme of the book. I don't cook with fish and making sushi rolls would be too expensive and time consuming (besides I didn't get the idea until it was too late!), so I made a pineapple crisp. It was pretty low in fat too, only 240 a serving, and it was good.
So far I've stayed in my calorie limit and this morning I was 2lbs lighter than when we started on Sunday morning. Time will tell if it's water weight or not!
Scott is at the gym as we speak and Pixie just went down for a nap. I looked outside and all of the sudden it went from rain...to a snow blizzard. AH! I can't believe it was 68 on Monday. Oh well, I think I'll work out from home today!

My Goal

Scott and I have been trying to work out at the gym regularly and eat well, but we decided that we need a short term goal to keep us going forward. Yesterday morning we decided that we both want to lose 5lbs by Easter. Our rules are:

1. No Sweets
2. Pasta Twice a Week
3. No Eating after 8pm
4. Keep a Food Diary (livestrong.com w/daily plate) with calorie restriction
   
5. Work Out Every Day (except Sunday, unless a walk)
6. Fruit Anytime
7. One Meal Replacement Protein Shake a Day

So far we are doing really well. I worked out at the gym today for an hour on the elliptical and really enjoyed it! I go to the YMCA while Scott stays home with Pixie during her morning nap.
He goes to the school in the morning when we get up and usually works out with his brother.
I was so proud of myself! I have always been REALLY bad at cardio and when I started going to the gym I burned 400 calories an hour, now I'm up to like 560! Scott burns way more, but that's partly because he's better and stronger and partly because he weighs a lot more than I do!
It's also my time to watch tv since we don't have cable. Today I watched the Food Network channel! It's my favorite.
So, I encourage you to call, email, message me and ask me how I'm doing! Keep me on track!

Hooray, Presents!

Okay, presents that I have to pay for a few days later, but I love getting things in the mail!
As some of you know, I am a coordinator for one of the companies we buy from in our local buying club (like a co-op). Every month I drool over the sales and plan my method of attack. I have changed many of our household goods over to organic and/or natural products.
If you think that these products are a lot more expensive than the mainstream, well, they are. That is, they are if you pay the 40-50% mark up they charge you in the regular stores! Wahoo...I love club pricing. Then we get the additional up to 25% off sales.
So, this is what I got this month:
(back, left to right)

• Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwashing Liquid. So far..I love it!
• Pure & Gentle Shampoo for Scott. Trying to switch his products over too. He's still testing.
• Citrus Magic air deodorizer in Grapefruit. I knew I had to find an alternative. I read an Oust (or Febreze?) label that said to remove pets before spraying the area. How good can that be!?!? I just LOVE this stuff already! Buying a different scent for the bathroom next month.
• Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Magic Soap for Pixie. Also will use in my homemade cloth wipes solution.
• The DivaCup. Okay, maybe a little TMI, but this really works! I know Becca used one and liked it. I only got to use it for the last day of my cycle, but it was very easy and comfortable with no risks of TSS!
• Ambassador Baby Hair Brush and Comb. Made in Germany with boar's hair, ethically extracted mind you!
• And essential oils from Aura Cacia in Geranium, Lavendar, and Lemon. These are used in my vaccum to eliminate doggy smells, diaper pail smells, and also in Pixie's wipe solution and diaper pail.
• I also ordered some Yummy Earth Root Beer candy drops, but they were on sale and out of stock. :( All of you know that I don't like non-chocolate candy, but these are AWESOME!
  

Method of Transporting Goods

Since Pixie has not mastered walking yet, she has found a cool way to carry around her toys and other things...without using much of her hands.

That's right...she uses her mouth.
(btw, see this ADORABLE coat I found at Old Navy a few months ago...for $6!)
Here she is carrying a candy wrapper, keys, and the dog's collar. She screams when she sees our keys, we have to hide them. She's already shorted out Scott's remote starter with her slobber.

Here is just a cute picture I took the other day. She was "helping" me go through her next size up clothes and we tried on this hat.

I'm not pushing her, but hopefully she'll be able to walk soon and have just her hands to carry things around with. She is standing on her own, so it shouldn't be much longer!