Yard Trimmings & Food Scraps

I'm so proud! My block has been chosen to participate in the City of San Jose's Pilot Program for Yard Trimmings and Food Scraps. What does that mean? The city is going to compost for us! From now on, I can put my food scraps into a kitchen counter bin (provided by the city) and then put the scraps in the big green street bin (provided by the city) with the yard waste. The food scraps will no longer go with garbage. Instead they will be composted with the yard greenery.

This program even takes dirty paper plates and paper napkins.

That rocks! Composting is scary to so many people. This will make a big difference in the amount of garbage our city produces. Thank goodness, because the city estimates our landfills will be full by 2030!

I love EWG

I love EWG--They have changed my life. Clearly put me on the path to Crazymaking. It is so cool that they are digging through all the information, including clinical studies and detailed scientific information, so that we can make better buying decisions. I now make better choices for my children for skincare, hair care, sunscreen and hand sanitizer. I changed my hair products, deodorant, toothpaste and moisturizer.

I'd work there if I had a clue how to help...Maybe they need fundraisers or loudmouths on their team. I qualify for the latter...

Hand Santizer--OMG

I really did think I was doing the right thing, carrying Purell or bargain hand sanitizer with me all the time. I made all kids, mine or not, clean their hands with it if there was no soap available.

Our friends at EWG tell me this is a mistake. I need to use specific brands--I shouldn't be surprised. The major brands are accused of causing cancer, developmental toxicity and more. The major brand is rated a 7 out of 10--10 being the worst!

Fortunately, I found bodysense.com. They only sell EWG "approved" products. YEA!

I will still let kids use other kinds at school, but atleast I know I'm carrying and providing a safer choice.

Brainwashing

I admit it, I am brainwashing--greenwashing--my kids. We were at the grocery store (major chain) on Saturday and there was not a reusable bag in sight. I prompted my 6 year old to look at the number of plastic bags being used. She jumped in immediately and knew the bags were made from oil, a non-renewable resource from the earth, and that one day it will all be gone...And then I mentioned that the bags are not recyclable and just end up filling up the dumps. :) How could I not?

Food Inc.

I love that Food Inc. was on Oprah this week. It is so important. Watching people discuss how it is cheap and easy to buy junk food, versus whole veggies and real food. Michael Pollan says pay the farmer now, or pay the Dr. later. Great way to think about it. I actually just got up and threw away the few pieces of junk that were in the house. Oprah is calling for a food revolution--I wonder if that is what she will do next! How cool would that be!