Beginning...

Been a very long week here, between snowy blizzards and messy freezing rain it has been very messy.
I have managed to make a few minor changes in our home, but will make a big impact.

Here they are:
To start, I purchased 2 recycling bins. The blue ones we can put our glass jars, plastic containers, newspaper and such into to go to the plant instead of the landfill. I have never owned one, but used them in school and at work while I was working outside of the home so I know the deal, but have to take some steps to show the kids how to properly do it.
So far we have added some plastic water bottles and a few pop cans, and will be adding much more.

Next, I made my own bottle of family shampoo with olive oil and castile soap with baby mild and peppermint so we can enjoy a light scent. It is very very watery, so I mixed it in a reusable bottle with a foam pump so we can also stretch how far this shampoo will go. I used it already this morning and am very pleased with how clean my hair felt. AND after using apple cider vinegar as a rinse instead of conditioner, my hair will be totally different when it dries.

Money savings will be nice, as well as being able to be more eco friendly and aware, cant wait for the kids to catch on :D <3

Our New Life, to be implemented

Good Morning!!
I watched some eye opening documentaries of our foods with GMO's, energy consumption and our throw away, and then farming and how we are losing our valued farmers all around the world. There were 3 different documentaries, and some info really opened my eyes to everyday stuff.
I know I am going to be making some everyday changes, like going to our local market instead of the the grocer for our fresh foods, as well as making sure my own garden is plentiful, and going to be involving my kids in some radical changes as well, like how to shop looking for affordable organics, buying in bulk and some energy saving ideas.

In my home, as adults, we effect 5 lives besides our own. Our way of living is being instilled on 5 different people who will live their own lives with families one day and effect their own children.
I think my 1 person change(2 if hubby is in), is going to effect their lives as well as their own kids when they grow up, and leave a good enough impact that they may grow to value the same things as I and keep implementing some changes.
I am going to be blogging a bit about what we are planning to do and what we already do and dont do.

Do you have any thoughts on this?
Do you plan on making any radical changes to become more aware of your impact?
Have you already made some big changes?

I will be setting goals and aiming to reach those goals over the next little while.

Here are a few:
Lower our energy bill by at least $40 by summer by;
       Lower or indoor and outdoor light usage by 1/2
       turning off all unnecessary lights and unplugging items not in use
       teaching kids to 'plan ahead' before opening the fridge door
       turning tvs off when leaving the room
       turning computer off at nighttime and during day when not in use
       switching out some old bulbs for energy savers
       turning off our big outdoor light in exchange for energy saver porch lights
       using more candles around the home at night and dusk/dawn(which means I will be making some)
       taking shorter showers, or even taking more bubble baths(kids share the water)
       possibly donating our microwave
       purchasing a newer stove(ours lost insulation and is losing heat upon cooking)
       washing more dishes by hand at least 4 times a week to start, then daily(big one)
       washing cloths and some other items by hand
       using our clothes line at least 2 times a week to dry clothing
       hang dry what we can
       turning the heat down by 1 degree every 2 weeks until spring
       
I am planning to eat/shop more freshly and aiming for organic seasonal items rather than convenient grocer items by;         
       shopping at the farmers market in town
       making sure to check where my foods are grown/coming from before buying
       buying more locally and going to try straight from the farm
       grow my own productive garden (also grow some stuff to freeze and preserve)
       purchasing chickens again for meat and eggs to supply us throughout the year   
       make our own breads, buns, pancakes and such foods we use a lot of
       can and jar foods to preserve what we can

Lowering our trash amounts by;
        buying only what we need
        making and using our own shampoos, soaps, laundry detergent and cleaners
        purchasing more bulk foods
        reusing packaging where we can(jars, containers, boxes)
        canning/jarring our own foods
        either potty train our youngest or use only cloth on him until he potty trains
        make and use our own un-paper towels
        use our snack bags more often
        saving our old clothing to donate or re-purpose for around our home
        using our composter 
        stop purchasing bottled water

Get rid of all our cleaning supplies except the basics;
        toilet cleaners, window cleaners, dishwasher soaps, floor cleaners,
        EVERYTHING except what we need for basics;
        borax, baking soda, vinegar, castile soap and bar soap
       
 Making and using our own cleaning supplies and soaps;
         shampoo(reuse bottles), bar soap, liquid and dish soap(reuse bottle),
         detergent, household cleaner, toothpaste, deodorant

Change the kids toys;
         Get rid of all their unnecessary and plastic toys they have accumulated over the years
         Get them to help make our own wooden toys and search for stimulating items
         around the home instead
         put video games away, and only bring them out 1 day a weekend for a few short hours
         plan to have weekly/monthly activities (making bird houses, bird feeders, gardening,
         painting, tie-dying, crocheting/knitting, hatching eggs, biking, walking, planting trees,
         touring farms and such)         

This is just skimming the surface of what I WANT to do, some we already do and I can only work a bit harder to ensure we get to reach our goals. My job is to involve my children and husband to ensure we are on the same page and reaching for the same goals. I want to live like this, not just do it for a few months or weeks.
Everyday!
Normal!
I want our family to be able to lower our costs of living, help our earth around us, and lower our negative impact on the environment. Each day of our lives from this day on.
I will be adding to this list, but my brain hurts from trying to think and focus while my lil munkies sit and chomp their cereal.