blogger mom

The outdoor farmer's market opened this weekend! Winter market was fun and was a huge help in our efforts to eat locally through the cold months, but it was so great to be back outside on High Street in Clintonville. Eric couldn't join us, so the three boys and I made the trip without him. They were so well behaved and waited patiently for their after shopping treats. My treat was a cup of Global Gallery coffee. I had forgotten how good it is. I ran into a friend I don't see often and enjoyed catching up on her life (good to see you Taylea). A good morning. We brought home asapargus, red potatoes, carrots, cheese, milk, jam, pepper jelly and eggs. In the backyard we have an abundance of spring lettuce, spinach, and green onions. Pretty good for so early in the growing season! I used several cups of the spinach and about 2 dozen green onions in our Spring Celebration soup for lunch. It was the first time I've made this recipe from Simply in Season and it was a lot of fun to be cooking with ingredients from our own garden again.

We're trying to make some big changes around our house lately. I'm trying to eliminate or reduce several expenditures as we continue to simplify our finances. Also, these choices benefit creation as we use and waste less. First, we are making some new choices when it comes to the way we use water, electricity and gas. I'll write more about some of the choices we are making in these areas later. Then there are all the little things that add up quickly, not only in my bank account, but also in the landfill...sandwich baggies, plastic wrap, paper towels, paper napkins, pull ups for my bedwetter (unfortunatly, this is not the two year old)...stuff like this. Here are a few sites you can check out. We're excited about these changes. It requires money upfront, but will pay itself off quickly.

Cloth napkins from Ohio Thrift, that one was the easiest switch (especially since my boys prefer to wipe their mouth with their sleeves anyway!)

www.laptoplunches.com

Lunch skins at shop.3greenmoms.com

reusable overnight pullups

The hardest one for me is papertowels. I'm addicted to Windex All Purpose cleaner and papertowels. Any one have any suggestions for a good replacement? My issue is absorbancy. I never feel like a dish cloth does the job well.

The boys got their Laptop Lunch Boxes this weekend. They love them and can't wait to start using them this week. They are so cute and come with a great book of healthy lunch box ideas for kids.

EDIT:
Just found this site...I'm giving it a try. Some of you know what a creature of habit I am. Three times this weekend my husband has hid my paper towels and put a dish cloth on the paper towel rod. Three times I cursed at him under my breath, found my paper towels, and threw his dish towel in the laundry room. This is a big move for me. I'll start reviewing these products for you as I begin to use them. I've got all these ideas swimming around in my head for lowering my energy bills right now...more to come. I'll also be sharing more of my motivation for this change soon too.