I see that I haven't posted here in almost two years!!!! That is almost as amazing as what has happened in those years....
I started a Wordpress blog on my own domain TheOffGridHome.com and that went so well that I was invited to become a writer for Off-Grid.net. On top of that I started a home at Brad Pitt's Make it Right 9 to rebuild the lower 9th ward and the Eco Friendly Home has raised over $2000 for the cause in just friends telling friends...no heavy advertising for either my blog or the home. I couldn't belive the amount of encouragement I found just telling my story and opinions and sharing the knowledge I was lucky enough to uncover for myself.
The green/off-grid movement has gone from the fringe to the mainstream in that time and as proud of it as I am I also see how people have taken a good thing and turned it into another commercial aspect of America. The things I've now seen selling under green labels with no changes, TV shows telling people that 3000 sq ft or more homes for two people are green and follow the logic of being self-sufficient becasue they are air tight or use one or two products "certified" green made me take a breather. I stopped writing around the beginning of August of 2008 to take stock of what I wanted the future for me and my family to be. I still kept my eyes and ears open but advocating for this lifestyle had to be rethought. Mostly because of the bile I would feel rise up when seeing mass marketed products from as far away as China being touted as good for the environment. Hearing people say the used bamboo flooring made in China was greener then using fast growing native wood that was in their local community cheaper...just made me feel like the cause I had advocated for years while being laughed at was now being championed by those who ridiculed me, but not for the message and accountability but for the quick cash and increase popularity they could reap from saying they do it.
I feel that advocating for the lifestyle of being self-sufficient is actually more important now then it was going against the popular beliefs. Because now that mainstream and Hollywood has gotten in on it they have done what they always do....pervert it for some quick cash and 15 more minutes of fame. I am very happy that more people are discovering that taking care of the environment they live in is just an extension of taking care of themselves and their loved ones. But I worry that corporate America will once again take something that is good for everyone and try to sell it to only the elite that can afford it.
We all can unite as has been seen in places like AlternativeEnergy.com, WeCanSolveIt.org, and many others that I have been privilaged to be part of. My hope is that you will join me in taking back the reins from the greed that has infected this change and make it into one where we all win.
Jan 5, 2009
May 15, 2007
Sorry for the Wait
Well I see that it has been quite sometime since I was able to get back here. Sorry, I had cool mom things to do like run a elementary school book fair and teacher appreciation events right after. Even if it put me out of contact with anyone over the age of 12 or school personnel it was worth it!
So I went out and got the most of the method line of products and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how well they cleaned. I would not advise the wipes as they are on the dry side so you use more then one per job. Also the window cleaner can be a little streaky if you don't rub it all off. But the smells of the products is nice. The only hand soap I would suggest smelling before buying is the french lavender. It isn't your typical lavender. I love the mop but that could also be because there is no water needed so my 5 year old has nothing to play in if I get called away while mopping. Also the almond smell of the wood products still makes me want to use them daily to keep the smell going, but alas I am not that much of a cleaner.
The only products I haven't tried of theirs yet is the tile cleaner, the free and clear line, and the machine soaps (washing machine, dryer, dish washer). But as I usually buy those products from Bj's there is still plenty left, even with my family size. Also I doubt I will try the clothes products yet as I want to try the washer and dryer balls that I have seen. I'll let you know on that later.
My in-laws also decided to pay a last minute visit during the last two weeks. (last minute as they live in FL and we live in MD) They called Monday morning and came Friday afternoon so along with doing my school duties I also wound up having to set up the guestroom we had been planning to do (you know sometime in the future when we had time or before Christmas and their scheduled visit). Doing that I discovered eco- friendly pillows, I guess now there is not much out there that doesn't help the environment some as long as you look. Though it you may have to look for them as they seem to never be in an easy place either on top or bottom shelves or worse case in their own section away from the "regular" products that do the same jobs. So keep a look out and see what you can replace with something a little nicer for both you and yours and our home the Earth.
So I went out and got the most of the method line of products and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how well they cleaned. I would not advise the wipes as they are on the dry side so you use more then one per job. Also the window cleaner can be a little streaky if you don't rub it all off. But the smells of the products is nice. The only hand soap I would suggest smelling before buying is the french lavender. It isn't your typical lavender. I love the mop but that could also be because there is no water needed so my 5 year old has nothing to play in if I get called away while mopping. Also the almond smell of the wood products still makes me want to use them daily to keep the smell going, but alas I am not that much of a cleaner.
The only products I haven't tried of theirs yet is the tile cleaner, the free and clear line, and the machine soaps (washing machine, dryer, dish washer). But as I usually buy those products from Bj's there is still plenty left, even with my family size. Also I doubt I will try the clothes products yet as I want to try the washer and dryer balls that I have seen. I'll let you know on that later.
My in-laws also decided to pay a last minute visit during the last two weeks. (last minute as they live in FL and we live in MD) They called Monday morning and came Friday afternoon so along with doing my school duties I also wound up having to set up the guestroom we had been planning to do (you know sometime in the future when we had time or before Christmas and their scheduled visit). Doing that I discovered eco- friendly pillows, I guess now there is not much out there that doesn't help the environment some as long as you look. Though it you may have to look for them as they seem to never be in an easy place either on top or bottom shelves or worse case in their own section away from the "regular" products that do the same jobs. So keep a look out and see what you can replace with something a little nicer for both you and yours and our home the Earth.
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