Tag: RRR

The Tricky Parts of Trick-or-Treating

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

I’ve been out of the trick-or-treating loop for awhile. In my pre-parenting days, I didn’t really think much about it, and then once our kids were born, we lived somewhere that wasn’t really set up for trick-or-treating, and we didn’t want our kids having candy anyway. But, now with the kids a bit older and living in a bigger city, there’s little way to escape the event.

And, being the type that I am, I can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed at the sheer volume of waste created for this annual tradition. I watch handfuls of candy go into each child’s bag sometimes. I know this might not apply to everyone, but many of the parents I know do not let their kids eat all of this. So, it either goes directly in the trash or Switch Witch takes it or it sits in a drawer for months until it finally ends up in the trash. On the whole, it seems more and more parents have become label readers. Ingredients like corn syrup, Red 40, Blue 1, palm oil, and more are found in almost every candy and are often things parents like to avoid. 

So, we’ve got either food waste or, for those who do want to consume the candy, there’s sometimes litter, teeth issues, and, of course, health issues. Also, because of the bite-sized amounts given, there is waaay more packaging used than would normally be used for candy.

All around, the whole thing really bums me out. Besides, I’m personally not a fan of the GIMME, entitled, MORE, MORE attitude that is associated with trick-or-treating. But, what to do? As a parent, I know, I feel stuck. I want my kids to be able to participate in holiday activities, and, unfortunately, this sometimes means dealing with all the wasteful candy.

REDUCE

The best way to reduce the candy waste is to either <gasp!> not trick-or-treat, or find less wasteful alternatives to hand out. The tricky part with that, of course, is A)How do you dictate what is given out? and B) What is a good alternative, since cheap, plastic trinkets are no better than the candy waste?

Sometimes in trick-or-treating situations, it isn’t even other parents handing out the candy. I find that most parents of young children understand how we don’t want to be bombarded with a sugar-y mess. I find the most “generous” candy givers are older. They are sentimental about the tradition and have either over-purchased candy that they don’t want to keep around and/or are truly trying to give the kids candy do something kind. So, the reducing part of this can get tricky… One of the best ways is with awareness. Maybe through articles or other means, we can start to spread the word and try to figure out alternatives to the candy overload. 

If your church or organization is involved in a Trunk-or-Treat, maybe you can gently suggest candy alternatives. If you or someone you know is heading up organizing a trick-or-treat at shops, maybe you can talk to the shop owners about this. At your own home, you, of course, have control over what you pass out, but I’m wondering if house-to-house trick-or-treating is even done as much with all the other options out there. 

So, what are less wasteful alternatives? As I mentioned, cheap, plastic toys are definitely not the answer. Those cheap bubble containers or mini whistles or spy glasses or anything purchased in bulk are usually things kids take one look at and then never think about again. Or they break after about 20 minutes. And they end up in the trash. Ugh. And things like glow sticks are so horrible for the environment. 

So, what wouldn’t end up being wasteful? You can Google “Halloween candy alternatives” and see what comes up, but a lot of times the plastic trinkets will be what you see. Some alternatives that sounded promising to me were local honey sticks, homemade play dough in reusable containers, hot chocolate packets, stickers, mini figs, coloring pages (you can print these out yourself), a small bag of craft supplies and instructions, homemade clay Halloween pins, or homemade small Halloween finger puppets.  Obviously, none of these are zero-impact, but I think it’s a start in rethinking old traditions.  

If you’re holding a Halloween event with a small group, you can each bring a homemade treat and set up mini booths shaped like houses to pass the treats out to the kids. 

Instead of passing out candy at a Trunk-or-Treat, maybe people could collect photos of their kids at each station or the kids could do a small craft at each station. Or there could even be supplies out at each car so the kids could participate in the actual decorating. 

At a harvest festival, you could charge a small admission and maybe the kids could play games for tickets and then trick-or-treat at small “shops” and decide what they’d like to buy with their tickets. That way you can buy higher quality items and the kids would be choosing things they want (and “earning” them).

This whole thing is, pardon the pun, tricky. At the very least, just start to become more aware. If someone tries to plunk a whole fistful of candy into your child’s bag and you know it won’t get eaten, politely refuse and ask for just one, please. Don’t overbuy candy for your own home if you know it doesn’t get passed out or eaten. If you really feel you “need” candy for passing out, but you never go through a whole bag, share with a neighbor. 

Look for candy with the least amount of packaging and the least amount of offensive ingredients. Maybe opt for crackers or pretzels or organic candies instead of the brands or foods that are overflowing in corn syrup.

REUSE 

See if anywhere around town would be able to use any candy you won’t be consuming.

Candy wrappers can be made into many creative projects such as headbands, bracelets, barrettes, coin purses, decoupaging and more. Search “candy wrapper reuse projects” and see what you find.

RECYCLE? 

Candy wrappers are not usually recyclable, unfortunately. You can look into programs like this one from Terracycle or this one from Rubicon though.

ENDING THOUGHTS 

As I mentioned in the pumpkin waste post, changing traditions, especially very established holiday traditions, is tough. But, part of being human and being on this planet is changing our ways as we gain new information. So, I really don’t mean to be the Bah Humbug of Halloween here, but I think it’s time to start speaking out and thinking differently about our approach to trick-or-treating. I’m sooo far from having the magic answer on this one, but I think it’s something to start talking about.

Thank you, as always, for being here. Your actions can and will make a difference.

The 5 Love Languages

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

To speak the truth, I kind of did a “skimming” reading of this book.  Two separate times though.  I believe the original “love languages” book is based around the idea of a married couple and there is a slight religious undertone, but the book can really  apply to anyone.

I love this book because it reminds us that material gifts are not the way to everyone’s hearts. It’s not just a fuzzy, feel good thing to say “the best gifts don’t come in boxes.” For some people, their “love language,” as the author calls it, is truly not a material possession.

Author, Gary Chapman, lists five love languages in the book—The Gift of Time (which would be spending quality time with someone doing something enjoyable or relaxing), The Gift of Words (which would be a nice, handwritten letter or words in person or over the phone about how much you appreciate or admire someone), The Gift of Service (which would be offering to wash a car, run errands, cook, etc), The Gift of Touch (which would be things like foot rub, a hug, a massage), and also material Gifts (which doesn’t always have to be big, expensive, store-bought gifts. If someone’s love language is “gifts,” you could bring home a cool pinecone you found on your walk, put a chocolate on their pillow, give them a book you just finished reading and loved). Anyway, what I love about this book is the reminder that we don’t have to be over-consuming crazy fools at holidays or celebrations. We can show our appreciation in other ways, and lots of people actually prefer those other ways. We’ve been trained to think in terms of gifts or expect gifts, but if you stop to really think about it, you may realize your love language is something else entirely.

I think I figured out early on that my love language is words. Any time I received a handwritten letter where someone really told me how much they appreciated me, that became a treasure I would revisit again and again. I began telling people who were close to me that on a birthday or holiday, a well-written card means more to me than anything else. Figuring out your love language can be a huge help to others and can help start to cut down on the gift craziness.

Tissues

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Like any paper product, I think that reducing facial tissues is an easy way to change our habits and help the environment.  For years, Kimberly Clark, of Kleenex fame, chose to ignore environmental concerns of cutting down virgin forests for their products because they felt these trees provided “superior softness.”  Oh, dear…    Facial tissues, like other paper products, involve trees being cut down, transportation pollution getting the trees to a mill, the pulp to a factory, the product to a packaging plant, and so on.  Many, many facial tissues use bleach to whiten their product, which may be leaked into waterways and doesn’t sound the healthiest for our bodies either.  The aloe tissues use mineral oil, a petroleum product, to create their softness. No, thank you.  And, tissues are yet another product that is thrown away after only seconds of use. Reducing our use of tissues is a no-brainer.

REDUCE 

So, how do we start reducing our use of tissues? My favorite way is with cloth hankies. Cloth is SOOOoooo much softer– no red or chapped noses. They are so much cheaper. They make way less mess. They’re better for your health, if you consider the bleach or petroleum products found in some tissues. 

I think when some people think of a handkerchief, they think of an old, snotty rag kept in a shirt pocket.  But it really doesn’t have to be that way. At our house, we have a huge supply of cloth hankies, and since they just go in with our clothes wash, we use what we need. We use a smaller 7.5” square size, rather than the larger 12” size. Cloth handkerchiefs can be purchased on places like Etsy, but you can also easily make your own, as they are just square pieces of cloth with a stitched border.  Just remember, cotton is a notoriously wasteful crop, so try reusing material you have or finding cloth made from organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo. 

I used to carefully fold our cloth nose wipes and place them in a reused tissue box so they would dispense one at a time, but that didn’t last long for me. It’s easy enough to do (a tutorial), but it’s even easier to just put a stack of clean ones in a basket or a drawer. Used ones just go in with our regular wash, whether it’s clothes or towels or sheets. They always come out clean and fresh! I can’t speak highly enough of using cloth—cheaper, softer, better for the environment, and bonus, you can have fabric with cute little designs if you’d like!

If you’re REALLY not ready to part with disposable tissues, just start by being more conscious as to how many you’re using.  Look for 100% recycled paper and a minimum of 40% post-consumer content.  Look for tissues that are process chlorine-free (Beware of “elemental chlorine-free!”) Also, be aware of what packaging the tissues come in. Instead of buying a huge group of travel packs, individually wrapped, buy a bigger box and divvy them out into small, reusable zippered pouches.

REUSE 

This seems like a strange thing to address. Once a disposable tissue is used, that’s that. But, say you have a stack of tissues that was sitting in the car and was squished or stepped on, or for whatever reason you don’t want to use these unused tissues as tissues. Well, keep them, and use them to wipe baseboards or clean up little messes. Use them for eyeglasses or wiping your dashboard. Don’t toss unused tissues!

The item you would most likely be looking into reusing would be the box itself. As with anything, you could search this and find a million ideas. My favorites are decoupaging or decorating it and using as an organizer, using as a diorama box, storing crayons, punching out small bits for gift tags, or playing a fun family game called “Junk in the Trunk.” In fact, at one point I wanted to try this game and had to ask people for empty tissue boxes since we haven’t had any in years.

RECYCLE? 

Here’s what I’ve read in my recent Internet search on this:

–Unused tissues are sometimes recyclable (But why on earth are you getting rid of unused tissues?)  And mostly, I read that the fibers are too small to actually recycle…

–Used tissues are definitely not.  However, there are some people who compost these, especially if they’re unbleached.  Research it more and see if this is for you.

–The cardboard boxes that facial tissues come in are definitely recyclable! Flatten them and put in with your other cardboard.

—Any outer plastic wrap should be able to go in with plastic bag recycling, but you might want to double-check with your local bag recycling facility.

ENDING THOUGHTS

Reducing our use of tissues is a great way to help the environment. And, as I said, for us, using cloth has been a far superior option. We far prefer the softness and cost-effectiveness of cloth vs. the scratchy paper ones that you have to keep purchasing. Consider making the switch and giving it a try! 

Thank you for being here. Your actions can and will make a difference!

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Toilet Paper

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Reduce Your Use of Toilet Paper

So, you might have a lot of questions before this even begins, but I promise, I’ll get there. Why reduce our use of toilet paper? Just like with so many disposable paper products, there’s a lot that goes into making that toilet paper that you just flush down the toilet and forget about. The trees cut down, the transportation pollution, the factories, the water used, the bleach, the packaging, more transportation, etc. to say nothing of the afterlife… And, again, the famous Kimberly-Clark company is notorious for using old-growth trees to make their products. You get the point by now, right? Reducing our use of toilet paper is going to help our environment. But how to do that??

REDUCE

One way to reduce our use of toilet paper, of course, is to just be more conscious about how much we’re using. Might not save a ton, but I think that being aware of it can make a difference.

The other method, and my favorite method, is to use cloth wipes. Ok, so before you skip this whole thing, please just hear me out and be open-minded. I know that some people get super weird about this topic, but I really think it’s becoming more and more commonplace. So, some folks use cloth bathroom wipes for EVERYthing. I mean, EVERYthing. And that’s super rad that they make that work, and maybe someday, I, myself, will be more open-minded and be doing that too. We use cloth wipes in our home exclusively for #1 visits, and, personally, I think that’s a good way to start. So, this may be a post really for the ladies…

I’ve been using cloth wipes (for #1 visits) for about 7 years, and I LOVE it. It’s funny when I hear people get grossed out by this because, now, when I think about using toilet paper is when I get a bit grossed out. It’s paper!  No matter how hard the companies try, it’s either scratchy or fuzzy. When it gets wet, which is kinda the point, it’s pretty yucky. This is to say nothing of bleaches or whatever else might have gone into making this product.  We have quite a decent stash of cloth wipes, but when I’m not caught up on laundry and I have to use toilet paper (for #1) my heart sinks.

Cloth is SOooooo much nicer. It’s soft, and, if you have a nice quality cloth, it seems to stay mostly dry, so it’s easy to handle. Yes, you save money and help the environment and all that, and I know that last bit should be my emphasis here, but, again, I can’t tell you just how far superior cloth is to paper.

So, how does it work?

The first step is to get a stash of cloth. This is a great time to reuse fabrics that you were otherwise unable to pass along. Or bits from your fabric stash. There are also many shops on Etsy and the like that sell these simple square pieces of cloth and label them as “cloth wipes” or “family wipes.” It’s actually kind of fun because your “toilet paper” can be a mix of super cute designs. As I’ve said in other videos, cotton is a super wasteful crop, so do your best to reuse other cloth or find organic cotton.

So, we just put a basket on the back of each toilet with a stash of cloth wipes for us ladies. Then we have cans next to the toilet where the used cloth goes, but, as I said, with cloth, you barely notice any wetness on them. It’s not like a can of wet towels or anything. And then, I just throw them in with our regular wash. And this is where I need to just step in and say if you’re going to be paranoid and doing a whole extra wash and dry load for 20 pee wipes, then this method might not be for you. It might not actually be helping… One suggestion though, if you are feeling weird about it for some reason, is maybe consider throwing the wipes in with a load of towels or sheets. I don’t bother folding the wipes like I used to; I just grab a pile from the clean laundry and stick them back in the clean basket.

I know some people have kids–girls–who use a lot of toilet paper, like toilets getting clogged, major battles, redness from excessive wiping, etc. Cloth is a great solution! If a kid uses one cloth or five, it doesn’t really matter. The one thing is to just train your girl early on to throw the cloth into the cloth basket and to let you know, for sure, if she accidentally throws one in the toilet. Also, if you’re not doing the #2s with cloth in your house, make sure this is clear as well.

Cloth wipes are great anytime, but when they really shine, if you graduate to using it this way, is on-the-go. I know, I know, I’m probably pushing the limits of your open-mindedness now. But I bring little zippered pouches when I’m out and about–one for clean wipes and one for used. Small makeup bags are great for this. The used bag just goes right in the wash with the wipes. Anyway, if a stall is out of toilet paper, no problem. If the toilet paper is one-ply, cheap, thin awfulness, no problem. Going camping? This method is THE BEST, because you don’t have any soggy toilet paper to figure out. Going swimming? Toilet paper is THE WORST after swimming; I can’t stand it. Cloth wipes? Totally awesome!!

Anyway, as I see it, cloth wipes are an absolute win. Save money, help the environment, and such a better experience.

REUSE

Ummmm….no. Obviously, right? But, as I will mention in the tissue episode, if you happen to have a roll of unused toilet paper that got mushed next to something weird in the back of the cabinet, or goodness knows what other reason you might think you don’t want to use it for its intended purpose, think about if you can use it for something else.  Wiping up floorboards or greasy messes or something before just tossing it.

I will cover toilet paper tubes and paper towel tubes in a future episode with some more reusing ideas for those.

If you’re very into the cloth wipes idea already and those get to a point of being unusable, you can switch the cloths over to cleaning cloths at some point or recycle them in a textile bin.

recycle?

Again, if you happen to have an unused roll of toilet paper. I’m assuming the paper fibers are too small to recycle, but, again, if you have unused, natural toilet paper, there is a chance it could be added to compost. Do some research if that’s something that comes up.

TP inner tubes are cardboard and should be recyclable.

The plastic packaging should be able to go into any plastic bag recycling drop off

Ending Thoughts

I know that considering cloth as a way of reducing your toilet paper use and doing your part might just be too much for you right now, but maybe some of you are willing to give it a shot. If you are, I really think you’ll love it! But, if you feel this is “for a future date” or just not for you, and even if it is for you, but you still, ahem, need some toilet paper, at least consider shopping for smarter toilet paper. Look for paper from recycled content or bamboo. Look for companies who don’t use dyes, chlorine, fragrances, or excessive packaging. There are companies like one called, Who Gives a Crap, who really try to offer environmentally-friendly toilet paper.  So, do some research, and thank you so much for reading and considering all of this. Your actions can and will make a difference!

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Holiday Humbug

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For those of you reading this who don’t know me, I promise I’m not some grumpy, bitter Grinch.  And yet…    The more I study reducing and reusing, and the more I reflect on my actions and our products and how everything is made and what their afterlife is, the more I dislike just about every mainstream holiday tradition.  (sorry)

I know, I know.  This immediately paints me as a complete Scrooge of all holidays.  Although, I will say that by the end of the stories, The Grinch and Scrooge are the ones who are in the holiday spirit more than anyone else, right?

It’s not that I dislike holidays or celebrations or creating traditions.  I think the spirit behind holidays is wonderful.  A time to rejoice and be grateful?  Heck ya!  To be together with friends and family?  Yes, please.  To have something to look forward to?  Sounds awesome.     All of these core parts of holidays are so beautiful and so important. (Not to mention the obvious religious aspects of many holidays that mostly go ignored these days, even by those who are religious.)  But, the environmental impact of most mainstream holiday traditions makes me cringe.

In no particular order, I take issue with:

plastic Easter eggs, Christmas trees (both plastic ones and previously-living), pumpkins, fireworks, mass-produced Valentines, Thanksgiving as a holiday, wrapping paper, balloons, gingerbread houses, Amazon gifts, goodie bags, Christmas lights, over-gifting, and pretty much all the cheap, plastic decorations that are sold in mass for each and every holiday.  (And this is the short list…)

So, how to manage?  How to embrace the spirit of holidays and celebrations without cringing and being a complete outcast and party pooper?  I’m not quite sure…  It’s a delicate topic.  People cling pretty fiercely to habits and especially fiercely to anything tied to tradition.  Even by writing this post I realize I’m probably ticking off quite a few people (If anyone out there is actually reading…)  And I get it.  I totally do.  But, I guess I am holding out hope.  I’m thinking of the final scene of “The Grinch” when the Whos down in Whoville start singing without their gifts or their trees or their excessive decorations.  They embrace the deeper meaning of Christmas.  And if any year has given us the chance to do this, it’s this one.  This year that has collectively ripped away the norms for us of what we think life “should” look like.  But, we, as humans, are resilient and strong and creative.  If a holiday tradition doesn’t make sense in our world anymore, we are smart.  We will find things that do work.

So, on that note, may I wish you a happy holiday season for whatever you celebrate and however you celebrate.  May we all find and appreciate the deeper meaning of the celebrations in our lives.