The Great Cloth Diaper Debate

This week, the Great Diaper Debate heated up when Jeffrey Hollender, host of "Big Green Lies" and president of Seventh Generation products, proclaimed disposable diapers were better for the environment if you live in an arid climate. Hollender stated, "If you live in a place where there is an abundance of water and you can wash the cloth diapers, cloth is good. But if you're in a place like L.A. where where there isn't enough water, disposables are often the better choice."

Experts, environmentalists, and parents around the nation have risen to refute his self-promoting stance as biased, misleading, or flat out inaccurate. Modern Mommy missed the show, so I hit the Seventh Generation website to discover what data was used to support Hollender's position. The Inside Poop on Diapers states the following facts:

1. Cloth diapers are made from cotton, a renewable resource.
2. Manufacturing disposable diapers in the U.S. uses 250,000 trees and 1.3 million tons of wood pulp.
3. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, some 18 billion disposable diapers are thrown away each year. They are the third most common item in the average landfill behind newspapers and food and beverage containers.
4. The EPA says disposables account for about 3.4 million tons of annual waste.
5. That 3.4 million tons, however, represents only about 2% of all the trash sent to landfills each year. Why? Because disposables are less bulky than they used to be and weigh about 1/3 less than they did 20 years ago thanks to new, more efficient absorption technologies.
6. Water usage was at least two times greater for cloth diapers depending on whether they were washed at home or by a service.
7. Washing cloth diapers at home uses anywhere from 50 to 70 gallons of water every three days.
8. Cloth diapers generally require the use of chlorine bleach for sanitizing purposes. Once rinsed down a drain, chlorine can combine with organic material naturally present in ground and surface waters to create toxins like chloroform.

While there are environmental concerns about the water usage and pesticides used on conventional cotton, cloth diaper manufacturers have responded by offering consumers fabric choices such as rapidly renewing bamboo, hemp and organically grown cotton. The Seventh Generation report neglected to mention most disposable diapers consume barrels of non-renewable oil, as well as cutting down trees.

In addition to the consumption of natural resources used to manufacture disposable diapers, the carbon emissions that result from weekly trips to the store to purchase the 18 billion throwaway diapers that are discarded each year, the Inside Poop on Diapers "overlooks" the fact that the 8000 disposable diapers used per child from birth to potty learning take at least 100-500 years to decompose. Most studies speculate the plastic particles actually never completely decompose, just break down into smaller pieces over time.

A quick Google search and review of our high efficiency washing machine manual revealed modern, front-loading washers cut water usage by at least 40%, consuming only 20-25 gallons of water per load.

The Seventh Generation article does not footnote data, so I'm not sure where they got their information, but chlorine bleach is not recommended for use on the vast majority of cloth diapers. In fact, the use of bleach on modern cloth diapers actually voids the warranty of many brands of cloth diapers. A hot water wash is all that is need to clean cloth diapers.

Finally, let's acknowledge the pink elephant in the room. How did the CEO of a company that profits from the sale of disposable products suddenly qualify as an "expert" on the environment? I am happy to acknowledge Seventh Generation helps reduce consumers' environmental footprint, by offering products made from recycled materials and less toxic ingredients than most other companies that sell single-use products. However, the simple fact of the matter is that Hollender profits by telling consumers single-use, throwaway diapers are better for the environment. That fact alone should disqualify him as a jury member, panelist or expect on the subject.

Other unbiased studies, such as Britain's recent Updated LifeCycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies 10/2008 found when cloth diapers are washed at temperatures of less than 140 degrees, occasionally hung to dry, and reused on a second child, the environmental impact of cloth diapers is in fact less than disposable diapers.

Applying Hollender's logic on the devastation to the environment of washing my son's 36 cloth diapers instead of discarding 8000 disposable diapers, should I wear my clothing once before sending it to our landfills, stop using my stainless steel, BPA-free Klean Kanteen and start buying single use bottled water, and replace my dishes, silverware and cloth napkins with Seventh Generation's paper plates, paper napkins, and plastic forks?

Oddly, I have yet to encounter anyone who argues those disposable products are better for the planet then washing and reusing our clothing, linens and kitchenware. Why are diapers any different?

The Diaper Debate

Children inspire a series of discussions, sometime debates, and OK, face it, occasionally heated arguments between the most loyal and loving life partners. First comes the decision whether you are both mentally, physically and financially capable of the enormous responsibilities of parenting a child for at least 18 years. Then comes the debate of how many can you provide for, and whether to announce to anxious grandparents-to-be that you have started "trying". The joyous absence of ever-faithful Aunt Flow leaves requires a run to the library to check out every baby naming book ever written and you and your partner navigate the potential relation-ending decision of whether to name your sweet, soon-to-be-born baby girl after Recently Departed Dear Old Great Granny Ester or after the cute blond chick, Izze, from Grey's.

Luckily, some decisions are easy... like whether to use reusable diapers or single use diapers. No brainer, right? Disposable diapers are easier. Or are they (Velcro seems pretty easy)? Disposable diapers leak less. Or do they (Hemp seems pretty absorbent)? Disposable diapers use less water (But does that outweigh the environmental impact of human waste wrapped in plastic and sitting in a landfill for 500 years)? The Great Diaper debate has been waged since Johnson and Johnson introduced the first disposable diaper into the US in 1949. Recently, the Environment Agency in the UK published an Updated LifeCycle Report, confirming that the ability to line dry cloth diapers, wash at reasonable water temperatures and reuse the same set of cloth diapers on more than one child made cloth diapers the more environmentally-responsible choice.

Luckily for today's parents, cloth diapering has evolved from the first mass produced cloth diapers in 1887. Modern cloth diapers are easy to use, can be laundered at home, have a high resale value on auction sites such as Ebay and Craig's List, and are available in a variety of styles and fabrics to fit every family's fashion sense and finances.

Flat or Prefold Diapers: Resembling the original cloth diapers that have been used since the 1800's, Flat and Prefold cloth diapers are square or rectangular pieces of fabric that are folded and secured around baby. Flat diapers are a single layer of fabric cut into a square, and prefold diapers are a rectangle divided into thirds with additional layers of the fabric in the center panel where baby wets. Replacing giant (and intimidating) safety pins that held traditional diapers in place is the Snappi® fastener - a t-shaped stetchable, non-toxic design with teeth to grip the fabric on each of the three ends. A snug fitting diaper wrap may be used to hold the diaper in place instead. Available in bleached cotton, unbleached cotton, organic cotton and hemp, flat and prefold diapers are an ultra cost effective option. Ranging in price from $1-$8 each and available in preemie, newborn, infant and toddler sizes, these diapers require a waterproof diaper cover to keep baby's clothing and crib dry. They are fast drying, but have a longer than average learning curve to perfect folding techniques. Without elastic around the legs, flat/prefold diapers are more prone to leaks and blowouts.

Contour Diapers: Hourglass shaped fabric is cut to eliminate tricky folds, while maintaining a simple, usually single layer, trimmer fitting diaper - narrow between the legs to reduce bulk with wide wings to wrap comfortably around baby's waist. Thicker, plush cotton or hemp fabric is more absorbent with less bulk than flat or prefold diapers, and the hourglass shape makes it easy to put on baby. Some contour diapers have an additional diaper doubler sewn into the center of the diaper for added absorbency, without increasing the overall thickness of the diaper and prolonging the drying time. Contour diapers require a Snappi®, snug fitting diaper wrap, or diaper pins to hold it in place, as well as a waterproof diaper cover. Faster drying time and a shorter learning curve than flat or prefold diapers, but still prone to leaks without elastic at the legs. Reasonably priced at $7-14 each, they are usually sold in two sizes.

Fitted Diapers: Shaped to cradle baby's bottom with added elastic at the legs to contain messes and attached Velcro or snap closures at the waist make them easier to use than flat, prefold or contour diapers. Moderately priced at $6.50-17.50 each, fitted diapers are usually sold in three sizes, and are available in cotton, organic cotton, and a hemp/organic cotton blend. Considerably thicker (and more absorbent), fitted diapers take a substantially longer time to dry than contour, prefold or flat diapers. Fitted diapers require a waterproof diaper cover to keep clothing and cribs dry, but do not need additional external fasteners. Fitted diapers are an exceptional starter potty training pant, providing superior leak protection while still allowing your toddler to feel wet.

Pocket Diapers: Shaped diapers with elastic legs, attached Velcro or snap waist fasteners, plus an attached outer waterproof layer and (usually) an attached stay dry inner layer make pocket diapers very easy to use. The back waist seam is left open to create a pocket between the outer waterproof layer and the inner (usually stay dry) layer, where an absorbent pad is inserted. Pocket diapers are meant to be changed completely with each diaper change - not just the insert (even though the stay dry layer may feel dry, urine has soaked through it). The pocket opening results in super fast drying times but longer assembly times, and provides tremendous versatility. Heavy wetter soaking the crib sheets after 12 hours overnight? Simply switch the absorbent pad from microfiber to hemp, or insert two pads instead of one. The attached waterproof layer is synthetic, as is the stay dry inner, but organic cotton inners are available. At $16-$21 (with absorbent inserts often sold separately), pocket diapers are sold in at least three sizes and are one of the more expensive cloth diapering options. Many pocket manufacturers offer specially sized inserts to fit their brand of pocket diaper, and due to narrower or wider crotch widths, some inserts are not inter-changeable with other brands of pocket diapers. Flat, prefold or contoured diapers often make excellent, inexpensive pocket diaper inserts.

All-in-One(AIO) Diapers: Shaped diapers with elastic legs, attached Velcro or snap waist fasteners, an attached outer waterproof layer, (usually) an attached stay dry inner layer add one element to the pocket diaper - a sewn-in absorbent pad - resulting in the easiest of all cloth diapering options. Comparable to disposable diapers in terms of ease of use, AIO diapers are a single unit that is easy to secure and doesn't require any additional parts, making it a great option for dads, babysitters, travel, and daycare. The attached waterproof layer is synthetic, as is the stay dry inner, but organic cotton inners are available. Ranging in price from $9.50-$23.00 and available in at least three sizes, All-in-One diapers are one of the most expensive diapering options. AIOs are very trim fitting, but the sewn-in absorbent layer requires one of the longest drying times.

One-Size Diapers: Ultra-modern diapers with elastic legs, attached waist fasteners, (usually) attached outer waterproof layer, (usually) attached stay dry inner layer and adjustable rise successfully balance cost with ease to use. Designed to fit babies 7-35 lbs with either a snap down rise or cinching leg elastic, one set of 3 dozen one-size diapers generally last a child from birth to potty training. For the uber-green parent, one-sized diapers are the show stopper. Instead of wasting 4000-9000 disposable diapers, eco-responsible parents can diaper a single child with 36 diapers at a cost of $18-$35 each. One-size diapers are available in a variety of styles - from AIOs to fitteds, with pocket diapers being the more widely used. The Pros/Cons of each style are the same as previously mentioned in each category. The added benefit of only having to buy one set of diapers instead of 2-4 sizes brings the overall cost closer to prefolds and covers and considerably less than sized cloth diapers. Laundering the same set of diapers every three days for 2.5 years means the one-size diapers will likely only diaper one child. Whereas, sized diapers can often last through multiple children, as they are used for a shorter period of time before the baby outgrows each size.

At a cost of $0.15-0.35 each, throwaway diapers cost families an average of $2000 per child and comprise the third largest component of US landfills. Slightly more kind to the earth than conventional single-use diapers, unbleached and flushable/compostable disposable diapers cost an average of $0.10 more per diaper than conventional bleached diapers, putting them out of reach for most families impacted by the current economic crisis.

Available in a myriad of styles to fit every lifestyle, fabrics to fit every personality, and price ranges for any budget, reusable cloth diapers are the fiscally-responsible and eco-responsible choice among today's modern-chic parents.

For more information on Modern Cloth Diapers, visit Modern Mommy Gear's Cloth Diaper College:

• Cloth Diaper FAQ
• Cloth Diaper Dictionary
• Cloth Diaper Cost Comparison
• Cloth Diaper Laundry Guide

Modern Mommy Gear is the go-to online store for today’s modern-chic, eco-responsible mom. The store is the one-stop source for eco-responsible family gear from cloth diapers to baby carriers. Driven by a commitment to help families leave the planet a better place, Modern Mommy Gear offers the eco-responsible, green gear to keep families happy and the planet healthy. For more information or to start shopping, visit www.modernmommygear.com.

Living Greener and Surviving the Recession

Beating the recession requires families to examine the way they spend their money and find inexpensive alternatives to fulfill basic needs. Simple changes like using cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers go a long way toward saving money and the planet – two of this generation's biggest concerns!

Below are five simple tips from Robin Morris, founder of Modern Mommy Gear, to help parents save both cash and the planet in these challenging economic times.

1) Switch to cloth diapers – Kids use an average of eight diapers a day until they are potty-trained. At this rate, most children will go through more than 7,000 diapers from birth until potty training – diapers that usually sit in landfills for years! Smart, eco-responsible parents can switch to modern cloth diapers and spend less than $750 from birth to potty training – compared to $60 - $100 a month on disposable diapers.

2) Breastfeed or make your own baby food – If mothers are able to breastfeed, they can save thousands of dollars! A newborn baby can consume nearly $3,200 in baby formula in a year. Furthermore, all moms and dads can save by making their own baby food. A pound of fresh carrots is only 89 cents, whereas a couple jars of carrot baby food sell for around $3. In addition to saving money, parents can eliminate the waste of the baby food jars by using reusable Baby Cubes.

3) Pack lunches – According to the U.S. Dept of Education, the average family of four with two kids in school discards at least 880 disposable drink containers and lunch sacks, and up to 2,640 plastic baggies per year. At 50 cents each, the water bottles alone cost parents $400 a year. Imagine the money saved and the environmental impact of using reusable lunch sacks, water bottles, bamboo utensils and sandwich wrappers instead.

4) Host toy/clothing swaps – According to Morris, a great way for parents to avoid paying the high prices of retail clothing and toys is to organize a clothing or toy swap with other local parents and neighbors. In addition to the social benefits of bringing everyone together, the swaps provide a low-cost alternative to outfitting families and keeping up with their growing needs.

5) Save on gas and electricity – Plan family activities that eliminate the need for gas and electricity. Turn off the TV, Blackberry, computer and iPod for a couple hours, and play a game, go on a bike ride or check out books at the local library. Parents should explain to kids why it's better to don a sweater on a cold evening, turn off lights when they’re not in use or wait until the dishwasher is full to start it to get their kids thinking green from an early age.

Living Greener Part III - Greener Grocery Shopping

When you were a kid, did you ever try a peanut butter and banana sandwich? Delicious! For about the last five years, I've started every day off with a peanut butter banana burrito - 2 Tbs of low fat peanut butter smeared across a La Tortilla Factory high fiber tortilla and rolled around a banana. It's just the right mix of carbs, fiber, fat and protein to sustain me until lunch time. Friends and family will confirm that I even pack the La Tortilla Factory tortillas with me on vacation!

About a month ago I read the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Utilizing a large garden and local farmers markets, Kingsolver shows how a family of four can survive on fresh, locally grown food for twelve months. Kingsolver delves into the nearly lost art of working the family farm, sharing first hand knowledge about harvesting, cooking and canning "in-season" fruits and vegetables to last throughout the year. If a fruit isn't in-season and available locally, the Kingsolver family did without.

I have yet to see a banana tree growing wild among the Aspens of Colorado. So under Kingsolver's plan, the banana that traveled thousands of miles to ultimately arrive at my home would be officially off-limits.

In the real world, the boundaries for greener living can be a little more fluid than Kingsolver's inspirational handbook. After a stressful week juggling laundry, soccer practice and a demanding boss, take-and-bake pizza may be all you can manage to pull together on Friday night. No worries! The goal of living greener in 2009 is to try to make the best choices we can, as often as we can, for our family, our finances and our planet. Even a few changes can make a huge difference. Here's a pick-and-choose list of our suggestions for greener groceries this year:

• Buy Organic when shopping for the worst offenders (aka "The Dirty Dozen"). Pesticides help protect crops by warding off damaging weeds, diseases, and bugs, but they also leave a residue on our produce. According to the Environmental Working Group, the highest concentration of pesticides have been found in these twelve fruits and veggies: Apples, Cherries, Grapes, Nectarines, Pears, Peaches, Raspberries, Strawberries, Corn, Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Celery, and Spinach.
• Shop Farmers Markets. You'll support the local economy and receive the freshest fruits and vegetables in return! During the summer, we walk up to the Belmar Farmers Market for a suburban Sunday harvest picked off produce delivery truckbeds. The farmers have told us, in most cases, the fruits and veggies are picked and sold within 24 hours! Visit ColoradoFarmers.org for list of Farmers Markets in Colorado.
• Join Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): By joining a CSA, you help cover a farm's yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season's harvest. Your share in a CSA assumes the costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower and helps pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment maintenance, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season - usually late spring through early autumn. Many CSAs have drop off points throughout the city where you pick up your share of that week's harvest. In addition to supporting local farms, your family gets to sample a variety of extraordinary fruits and vegetables. Your drop-off may include lavender cauliflower, and some CSAs invite members to harvest some of the crops (like strawberry picking days and pumpkin patches).
  
• Buy Fresh over Frozen, Frozen over Canned: Frozen foods require a lot of energy to keep the food frozen as it is trucked to your local grocer. Canned foods generally have a high sodium content and may be store in cans lined with BPA.
• Fewer Ingredients the Better: Have you ever read the ingredients on a box of crackers? The box in our pantry lists 15 ingredients, with many ingredients containing lists of their ingredients in parenthesis. Two recent studies found high-fructose corn syrup, a common ingredient in many foods and drinks, was contaminated with toxic mercury! If childhood obesity and diabetes wasn't enough to keep your children clear of added sugar, the presence of this neuro-toxin should be.
• Less Packaging for a Cleaner Earth: As you stroll the aisles, take a look at the amount of packaging that stores the foods you are considering buying for your family. Did you know that while #5 plastics are recyclable, they are one of the hardest and costliest plastics to recycle, or that the #7 category of "other" plastics are usually not recycled? Can you buy an item in bulk and split it up into smaller portions at home? Do you really need string cheese wrapped individually and sold in a larger plastic bag of 12, or could you slice a block of mozzarella into smaller servings for school lunches? Many staples like honey, coffee, peanut butter and pinto beans can be purchased in bulk using bring-your-own-bag containers at Whole Foods or Sunflower Market.
• Cageless Birds and Hormone-Free Cows: California voters recently passed Prop 2 - a bill requiring veal calves, pregnant pigs and egg-laying hens be confined in a space that allows for them to lie down, stand up, extend their limbs, and turn around. Nearly two thirds of voters were in favor of Prop 2. Really? 37% of voters feel it is OK to not let the hen turn around occasionally? Wouldn't you call animal control if you neighbor caged his Dalmatian in a kennel so small it couldn't wag its tail? Respecting the animals that spend their entire lives producing food to nourish your family is part of being a responsible citizen of the Earth.
  
• Plan your Meals: Once a week, sit down and come up with a list of meals for the week and make a grocery list ahead of time. When you do it alongside the Sunday coupons, you'll even save extra money. T-Bones on sale this week? Plan a couple meals using the sale item, and you can even cook all the meat at once to save time later. Shopping from a list keeps you from buying pricey convenience foods and helps you purchase only what you need.
• Walk, bike or stop on the way home: Try not to make a specific trip to the grocery store. Passing by on the way home from band practice? Stop in and grab what you need (keep your reusable grocery bags in the car), so you don't have to make an extra trip. We live close enough to bike to the grocery store. A shopping bag on each bike handle keeps our bikes from getting off balance and ensures we don't over buy.
• Buy (and use) a set of reusable grocery and produce bags for each shopping member of your family. My husband and I each keep a set in our car, and we have a set hanging on the laundry room door for the days we walk or bike to the store. I even keep a cute string bag folded up inside my purse for trips to the mall, and a canvas bag in my son's stroller for impulse buys when we are out walking. Reusable bags hold more, are sturdier, and last for years. Plus, most grocers will give you $0.05-$0.10 per bag - each time you bring them to the store. In just a couple of months, the bags paid for themselves.
  

There are a number of ways to shop greener this year. Making some of these changes will not only keep the Earth clear of toxins and trash, they'll save you money and keep your family eating healthier!

Living Greener Series Part 2 - Lunches

Two weeks in to your 2009 New Year's resolutions to live a more eco-responsible lifestyle for the sake of your budget, your health, and the planet, your aura is probably glowing kelly green. OK, perhaps, it just resembles a ripe lime. Or, at least a very respectable chartreuse. Not to worry, you've got the whole year to get the family up to speed on greener living.

Drastic changes work as well as crash diets and last about as long as Britney's first marriage. Instead, implement small changes into your weekly repertoire, one by one. Focus on a single tactic until it becomes habit, before adding the next. You'll be able to spread out any upfront costs and the repetition become ingrained into your daily routine.

One of the easiest lifestyle adjustments with the greatest impact of reducing waste is modifying your lunch routine. Whether you find yourself bringing a sack lunch to eat at your desk while you work through your lunch hour or send the kids to school with a nutritious homemade lunch, there are simple easy steps you can take towards achieving the Three R's:

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

A typical school lunch often consists of the following: a sandwich, fruit, bag of chips and a dessert (each stored in a single use plastic zip lock bag), a cold drink in a disposable container, and a paper napkin all carried in a plastic or paper bag that ends up in a trash can.

According to the US Dept of Education, American schools average 180 days of instruction per year. The average adult working full time outside the home puts in 260 working days. That means the average American family of four with two kids in school and two working parents discard at least 880 disposable drink containers, 880 lunch sacks, and as many of 2640 plastic baggies - just for lunches alone. While many of those items can be recycled, don't forget recycling efforts consume energy. Reduce what you can, then recycle what remains.

America's favorite 1970's homemaker, Carol Brady sent Mike and the Brady kids off to school every morning with a thermos and cool (reusable) metal lunch pail. And you can bet that June Cleaver didn't send the Beav off to school with a plastic juice box to toss into the trash.

Striving for a happier family and a healthier planet often means making what was old new again. For each member of your family, consider investing in a cool reusable lunch kit with would make Carol and June proud!

• Start with a stainless steel, BPA-free, resuable water bottle by Klean Kanteen. 880 water bottles at even $0.50 a piece is costing you $400 each year. Many single use drink containers are not recyclable, and only a fraction of those that eligible are actually recycled.
• Replace your reliance on plastic baggies with reusable sandwich and snack containers. The Wrap N Mat was invented by a Colorado mom. It uses velcro to secure a reusable cloth around your sandwich and comes in several colors. It keeps your BLT fresh and even doubles as a sanitary place mat.
• Add in a Snack Sack to hold crackers, chips, or cookies. This mom invented cloth sack has a draw string top to secure contents. It even comes with a carabiner to clip the snack to backpacks or duffle bags for hikes or soccer games, besides being a great addition to your lunch kit.
• Don't forget a set of reusable silverware made from sustainable bamboo by Bambu. Available in adult, child or infant sizes, as well as chopsticks and sporks for sushi and small bites.
• Complete your lunch kit with a reusable lunch sack such as the ECObags lunch sack made from recycled cotton, the colorful, water resistant Handy Sack by Generation Baby or the insulated Lunch Tote by Built NY.
  

For a fraction of what you are currently spending to send your family with a disposable lunch from home, you can outfit your family with cool, colorful, safe, reusable gear that not only work for lunches, but sports, picnics, bike rides, and family outings, and will last for years. You'll save money and reduce needless waste.

Living Greener Series Part 1 - Goals

The presents have all been opened, the last of the eggnog and fudge consumed, and the relatives have departed. Soon we'll toast the passing of 2008 with family and friends, and look forward to the coming year. With the best of intentions, we'll exclaim "This year I'll lose weight" or "Get organized!" Then the days will get busy, the laundry will pile up, and cold winter weather will persuade us to skip another early morning jog.

It seems too many resolutions are vague and fail to offer a path to success. Just as you would set performance goals at school or work, your resolutions should contain some key elements. They should be attainable and measurable, with an outline to achieve, a method to be held accountable, with a reward at the end.

We just returned home from a family vacation in Arizona. After thinking about how our holiday celebrations differ from the rest of the year, I started compiling a list of goals for 2009.

• SIT-DOWN MEALS: Sit down at the kitchen table together for one meal every day. Some days it may be breakfast, other days it can be dinner, but schedule it on the family calendar. You'll eat healthier, save money, and enjoy your family more. During the holidays in AZ, the dinner table was set every night with fine linen, china, silver, and crystal. Everyone lingered after dinner to chat, and dinners often lasted two or three hours.
• FAMILY NIGHT: Designate one night a week as Family Night - no excuses. Save electricity and turn off the TV, Blackberry, Mac, and Wii and focus on your family for a couple hours. Pull out the Trivial Pursuit, try a new recipe, or learn how to play dominoes. Single? Invite a friend to join you. We enjoyed a walk, a dip in the hot tub, and a few boisterous games of cards.
  
• ONE IN, ONE OUT: For every new item that enters your house this year, give up one item. Our son is the only grandchild on both sides, and our house is overflowing with new toys, books and puzzles. This week, we'll be picking out some old toys to donate, and the following week we're hosting a Toy Swap with our playgroup.
  
• FEWER CARS: Pledge to walk, bike, carpool, or take the light rail one day a week, one week a month, or to at least one event per month (like an Av's game or to the DCPA). Set a goal that is realistic for the transit options available, and stick with it! You'll save money, reduce emissions, and de-stress! We spent five days with 11 family members and only two cars and never had more than one in use at a time, with many people walking the mile to and from the hotel.
• SHOP GREENER: Replace one product each week with one that is healthier for your family and the planet. Keep buying (or using) it and add a new one each week. Treat it like the Twelve Days of Christmas - where week 1, you switch to cage-free eggs. Week 2, you keep buying cage-free eggs and switch to rBGH-free milk. Week 3, you keep buying eggs and milk, and replace disposable plastic water bottles with a reusable, BPA-free, stainless steel one. The repetition will quickly become habit!
  

They sound like huge goals until you stop and realize how intertwined they are, and how even little changes can make a huge difference keeping your family, finances, bodies, and planet healthy in 2009.

Every couple of weeks, I'll be adding more suggestions on living "green". Whether it's gift buying or travel, I hope you'll be inspired to incorporate some of these simple goals ideas into your own lives.

Vote or Quit Complaining

I am a Child of the Eighties. I began kindergarten during the 1979-1980 academic year, which meant my formative years were spent listening to Mrs. Garrett teach the Facts of Life at Eastland School and to Arnold often inquiring, "What you talking 'bout, Willis?" I fell in love for the first time with a smart, Young Republican named Alex P. Keating, long before he was the face of Parkinson's Disease. I watched Michael Jackson moonwalk on Motown 25, while my Aunties screamed like the day the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan. I layered my clothes like the Material Girl and John Hughes helped guide me through the challenges of adolescence.

Much like my parent's generation will be forever linked to the moment when a handsome, young, Catholic president was gunned down during a Parade in Texas, I was jumping rope on the playground when they canceled recess to announce the Challenger Space Shuttle had blown up a minute after take-off. I watched my country take turns with the Russians boycotting the Olympic Games, while a handsome, ex-Hollywood heartthrob played a strategic game of Star Wars and kept my family safe from Communism. Yes, I am a Child of the Eighties, who once believed a Republican President could be the only person on the planet strong enough to demand another Super Power to " tear down this wall!"

I am also a member of Generation X. In the 1990's, I donned over-sized flannel and frequented bagel shops and coffee houses. A depressed singer from Seattle changed the course of music history and concerts morphed into an all-day Lollapalooza. Pedro taught me about dealing with AIDS on the only reality TV program I've ever watched. Live television broadcasts allowed me to witness a Royal Wedding, the LA police chase a white Bronco through the streets of Los Angeles, and missiles explode during the first Gulf War. Cheers closed, but at Central Perk there were six Friends who helped me navigate my twenty-somethings.

During the four years I spent at the University of Colorado at Boulder, I learned more than academics. It was an era of self-discovery, and the place that exposed me to world issues and opposing viewpoints. Ellen came out, but Mathew Shepard was brutally murdered. College was affordable, but the University took heat after admitting more out-of-state, higher paying tuition students. Campus NARAL hosted rallies for a woman's right to choose across the UMC Fountain from Pro-Life advocates protesting a local doctor's support of late term abortions. I waited for hours for a chance to hear Hillary to address the students in Norlin Quad about why we should "Rock the Vote" in favor of her husband, who promised to play his sax on MTV if elected. Yes, I am a Gen X'er, who once believed a Democratic President could be the only person on the planet with the convictions to protect the rights of every American boy and girl .

I was blessed to be born into an average, middle-class neighborhood. My parents were high school sweethearts and for 36 years have worked hard to escape the 50% divorce rate that plagues American families. I have family who benefit from the tax breaks afforded to the wealthy, and family who have had to rely on government assisted housing, WIC or food stamps for a time. I live in the beautiful state of Colorado, a place John Stewart described, "There is absolutely no middle ground in this state: You're either a rapture-awaiting Promise Keeper or you drive a car that runs on G.O.R.P." during the DNC. I am married to a registered independent, a man who voted against Clinton both times, yet admits he was the strongest President of our time.

Yes, I see both sides of the political equation. There are valid reasons for a strong national defense and a healthy socio-economic interior, and I believe anyone willing to stand up to the scrutiny of the national news media to seek the highest office in the land loves their country and has the best interest of the nation at heart.

I am fortunate to live in a country where, as a woman, I was able to open a small business. With that right, comes responsibility. Today, I should be working on my quarterly tax filing. Instead, I have another American obligation that requires my attention. The mail-in ballot for the 2008 election.

My Granny Hazel was born in 1911 and lived 93 years. She voted in 18 presidential elections, and told me when I turned 18 that if you don't vote, you forfeit your right to complain. She took her responsibility seriously (and complained quite a bit too!).

As I look back at the events that shaped my past and molded my beliefs, I realize the 2008 election is not about the past. It is about the present and affects the future. My present is comprised of the challenges of operating a small business during a recession, struggling to keep and heat our home, and affording quality health care. My future includes top-notch and affordable education for our son, saving for his college and our retirement, and leaving him with a healthy planet instead of a national debt. Today, I am voting...as a wife, as a mother, as a women... for the candidate that promises to protect the things that I hold dear to my heart.

Your concerns may not be the same as mine. Regardless of our differences, I encourage you to find the candidate who cares about your issues and get out and vote on Election Day. Otherwise, quit your complaining.