tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:56:00 +0000RecyclingCloth DiapersHand Me DownsEarth DayGoodwillCloth Diapers Budgetwater playReusingEco Friendly Thrift Cheap MomSharingconserveI'm determined to make the world better for my son (and his hypothetical siblings), and I'm determined to do it on a budget. I thought I'd share my experiences with the world in the hopes that other Moms want to do the right thing, but don't have the time, energy, and mucho dinero needed to join the new commercial "Green" bandwagon.http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)Blogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-4014434739850655674Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:15:00 +00002009-06-08T14:17:01.434-04:00My various attempts at composting have not gone well.  I really want to start a compost bin that will not be a possum magnet, won't give the dog something to roll in, and won't make my husband throw up when he has to bring food to it.  Any ideas?On a happy note, my garden is, so far, 100% organic.  No pesticides or herbicides used.I used old curtains to keep the weeds down between the rows.  The http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/06/composting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-7286812133193250443Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:40:00 +00002009-04-29T15:47:03.007-04:00Between several crises, my trip out of town the weekend before, a migraine, and sheer procrastination, my toddler Earth Day Party was only a small success. Thankfully, it was a beautiful day & the kids were able to spread out and play!I fed everyone organic snacks, but since I'd had a migraine the day before, I had to go to Earthfare. I spent close to $50!!!!! Yikes. Next time I'll try to http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/04/earth-day-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-5959491798035761776Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:02:00 +00002009-04-06T13:11:39.110-04:00 The drain I created in the sand side of the table.Disassemble the plug.  Save the nut and top for when the table isn't in use.  Slip sock through hollow tube, flip sock around tube, insert back into table.  Tie off.http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/04/here-are-my-sketches-for-sand-water.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-3020593488034162965Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:25:00 +00002009-04-06T12:35:21.245-04:00We live about a mile from the city limit, which means that the city doesn't pick up our recycling.  The problem lies, not in the collecting of the recycling, but in the act of taking it to the center!Well, last week I was babysitting my girlfriend's kids, and they were all playing in the sand and water table.  They began to fight over some of the containers.  I was so thankful (for once) that I http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/04/recycling-well-i-try.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-4139468865862657579Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:01:00 +00002009-03-09T15:07:20.177-04:00So, my dad and his girlfriend came up to visit this weekend.  They knew that I'd been thinking of getting Jack a play kitchen as he is always "play cooking" and loves his friends' kitchens.  My dad's girlfriend, Jean, found a small play kitchen at Good Will.  Score one for recycling!So, my first response was, let me run out and get some play food for it before you bring it, yada, yada.Of course, http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/03/plastic-food-hmmmmm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-811458263823412206Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:15:00 +00002009-03-06T00:31:23.219-05:00Someone in my MOMS Club group recommended that I try a spray on deterrent.  She recommended "Bitter Apples," but my husband, the ex-chemist engineer, wasn't fond of the isopropyl alcohol it contained.We found another brand, "Bitter Yuck" on sale.  It only contains water, baking soda, and rosemary extract.Our dog Pretzels has really turned out to be a great member of our family.  He's housebroken,http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/03/tired-of-dog-ripping-up-your-kids.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-4487581449786747880Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:46:00 +00002009-03-05T23:53:09.569-05:00So, I found out today online that marker plastic isn't recyclable.  Jack loves markers, and he can take off the caps like a champ.  However, even when he puts the cap back on, he doesn't push it hard enough to clamp it down.  So, we end up with a lot of dry markers even though I try to rustle through them when he's done.I put a question on Yahoo Answers today, and I got a great idea.What I did http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/03/markers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-3652547688040484819Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:41:00 +00002009-03-05T23:45:51.722-05:00I found this blog today while searching for some info on reusing Jack's markers.  Its like she's read my mind, but actually keeps up with hers!Here is the link!  Eco Child's Playhttp://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/03/cool-new-blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-6892574230495826696Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:20:00 +00002009-03-06T00:20:33.539-05:00I read a sign at the Hands on Museum (an awesome place to have a membership if you have a toddler).  It says, "Sitting in the yard with your dog?  Get up and take your dog for a walk instead!"  "Sitting with your dog burns 50 calories.  Walking your dog burns 175 calories."I automatically thought to myself, "Well, it seems like it would be easier to sit with my dog for 3.5 times the amount of http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/03/this-makes-me-wonder.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-5568153173006389070Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:04:00 +00002009-02-02T13:07:30.809-05:00This doesn't have anything to do with being green or thrifty, but it pulled on my heartstrings and I wanted to share it. Here is the link to the website, www.bringseanhome.orgHere is the letter I sent to the State Department:To Whom it May Concern at the US State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs, and Office of Children’s Issues:It is my understanding that Sean Goldman was abducted by his http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/02/please-be-aware-of-this-story.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-4737050639862752974Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:57:00 +00002009-02-02T13:03:32.851-05:002009 hasn't been kind to our family or any of our friends.  We have been lucky, so far, to avoid many of the major catastrophes that many of our fellow Americans are dealing with right now.  So I must say that I don't feel I have the right to bitch too much.  Here's just a simple list of things plaguing our family and friends:Our old house still hasn't sold, and its still bleeding us dry in http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/02/and-so-it-goes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-6456623941058015764Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:45:00 +00002009-01-12T14:49:06.473-05:00Well, I must admit that I tried really hard to keep hazardous toys out of my house.  I'm sure some crept in, but what can you do?  I tried to be vigilant without spending a ton on designer toys.I heard a really sad story on Nightline a week or so ago.  It seems that the international market for recycled materials is pretty much dead right now.  Companies that collect recyclables to sell to http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2009/01/yeah-christmas-is-over.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-4190857704927532150Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:15:00 +00002008-12-16T14:30:44.844-05:00Okay, so I'm gonna vent a little.  This is only marginally related to ecothriftiness, but whatever.So, I agreed to buy Jack's presents from my mom, her boyfriend, and my sister partly because I wanted to make sure it was safe and partly because I didn't want a bunch of crap in the house that we didn't need.  My mother informed me that it was really important for her boyfriend to buy him somethinghttp://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/why-is-this-so-hard.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-5494735357025707779Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:08:00 +00002008-12-16T14:14:05.164-05:00So here is the thing.  I went to the super expensive toy store to buy  my son's presents.  I really, really  meant to buy the Plan toys.  I couldn't do it.  I mean, the prices, OH MY GOD.  3 teeny cars for $10.  A small, plain, wooden playhouse for $120.  The playhouse with dolls and furniture for $180.  A drum set that would fit in two shoe boxes, $50.  A block car the size of a small tonka http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/well-idea-was-great-anyway.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-4901084372881084573Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:13:00 +00002008-12-13T16:15:32.990-05:00I got this idea from my Mom's Club pal, Allison:Hey ladies, I thought I would share with you what my step-mom-in-law does to help recycle. When she receives her Christmas cards she cuts the design off the front of the card, punches a hole in it and uses that as her gift tags for her Christmas gifts the next year. I also have seen that some people cut the front cover off, sign it and use it for a http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-card-recycle-idea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-3486397320516393764Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:09:00 +00002008-12-11T13:13:56.495-05:00Today I received this response from Plan Toys in regards to the HealthyToys.org report that there is high levels of lead in the farmer and his wife dolls.Hello Hannah, All of our toys have been tested and have passed all USA and European standards. The US standard for lead content is 600ppm (parts per million) or less. The European standard is 300ppm or less. All of our toys have been tested http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/plan-toys-response-to-lead-questions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-433614831210653595Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:15:00 +00002008-12-10T14:15:10.914-05:00http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/healthytoysorg-lead-check.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-356873704956190887Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:12:00 +00002008-12-09T16:19:20.090-05:00I found this website (mentioned in the PBS article).  It seems a little preachy, but it has a few things worth mentioning.Pocket Guides for "easy" shoppingChecklistshttp://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/healthy-child-healthy-world.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-1119725235391840698Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:50:00 +00002008-12-09T16:21:39.393-05:00I found this article on PBS's website entitled, Finding Non-Toxic Toys.  (To provide more info to you faster, you should assume that any info I give credit to another source is a direct quote.)Most interesting, I found out that there is a service through Moms Rising.org where "Parents can simply text "healthytoys" and the name of a particular toy, a type of toy or a toy manufacturer or retailer http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/on-pbs-avoid-toxic-toys.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-7355592026222983512Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:36:00 +00002008-12-09T15:50:00.748-05:00http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/send-your-congressman-or-congresswoman.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-4659517367575122341Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:57:00 +00002008-12-09T15:00:10.812-05:00I have found this website to be invaluable, and have mentioned several times in my posts.  This website, healthytoys.org, lists tons of toys and what toxic chemicals they contain.  You can also create your own list to save toys that you want to check out later!  I've even emailed them asking them to test a toy that isn't listed with their "Test My Toy" link.http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/healthy-toys-website.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-4609457839329027388Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:34:00 +00002008-12-09T16:22:20.048-05:00Melissa and Doug's Safety statement:Additionally, we specifically test our paints and coatings very frequently, to be sure our toys meet or exceed government recommendations limiting heavy metals and lead in children’s items. We have cabinets full of thousands of passing test reports, and these passing results have been verified by 3rd party independently accredited testing laboratories, http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/alex-brand-and-melissa-and-doug.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-8393614084703402468Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:00:00 +00002008-12-09T16:19:45.215-05:00Caution!  I found the farmer doll on www.healthytoys.org as "High" in lead.  I wrote the company, and I'll let you know what they say.  Every other toy listed was catagory "Low."I spent a good deal of time at Bears & Friends Toy Store this morning looking over different products.  Although they are terribly expensive, there are some brands that are earth friendly and safe for our kids.The first http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/safe-toys.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707702269415759773.post-4724017943399234004Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:02:00 +00002008-12-05T09:04:09.382-05:00Good news.  I learned this week that Fields of Grace has been shut down!  I had heard from friends that someone in that area was trying to find homes for farm animals, and they had the suspicion it was the owner.  'The Powers the Be' did take us seriously.Awesome!http://ecothriftymom.blogspot.com/2008/12/fields-of-grace-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Snarky Mom)1