October 2009 Archives

In preparing for our little girl, I dreaded the car seat search.  I hate carrying them around, period.  As a petite mama it is awkward, bigger than I am, and my ground clearance is minimal.  I don't know about you other petite mamas, but I plan to avoid using it as much as possible.  I'd much rather take baby in and out each time after a car trip than lug that thing around.  But they are what is best for baby-and not to mention using them is the law.

When we decided to look for a car seat our first question was whether or not to go for an infant car seat or a convertible.  We chose infant because that is the time most likely when I'd carry baby in a car seat anyway, and these models are smaller and lighter.  Even though it means we have to buy another seat after the baby is a year of age, we figured the extra pound or two we'd save and frustration from lugging it around would be well worth the extra money.  With that decision made it was off to Babies R Us to try out their selections, while armed with our Baby Bargains book to make sure we picked a safe model.

When looking at infant seats I wanted the smallest, lightest one possible with the highest safety rating.  Turns out that the Graco Snugride fits the bill.  In the end we decided to go with the Snugride 32 (height limit 32 inches, weight limit 32 lbs.), as the normal height of 29 inches and weight of 22 lbs. for the limits of the regular Snugride was a bit borderline.  We really want to keep our little girl rear-facing for the entire first year as that is what is considered safest.  The 32 bought is that little extra breathing room in case our baby was a little big or tall 

The car seat is about average in ground clearance (when I pick it up with a straight arm) and weight, although a smidge heaver than the non-32 version.  I can carry it, even lift it up into a shopping cart if needed.  Do I like it?  No, but I think this one is the most comfortable for me to use of all that I tried.

As I have mentioned before, I am a petite mama who is trying to create a greener and reduced chemical environment for our baby girl.  I don't think you can throw a rock in the air in a store and not hit some product pronouncing themselves as "greener," "natural," or "earth-friendly."  Clearly the world is making a choice and manufacturers are responding.  But, you have to know what you are really looking for, and you have to become a label reader.  Where does a petite mama get answers as to what really works and doesn't?  How do you know where to begin to greenify your home?

I found answers in reading a book called Healthy Child Healthy World.  I could have done without the celebrity stories, but there is a lot of great information, and their website is also a great resource.  After reading the book, I filled up a trash bag full of cleaning products and started the trial and error process of finding green products that didn't make me want to go back to my harsh chemical ways.  Rest assured; I learned that a green cleaning product doesn't mean more elbow grease to get to the same level of clean.  I also didn't have it in me to go the totally natural route and make my own products, I still prefer to buy something prepackaged and created for me. 

Here is a list of some of my favorites:  

1.  Window Cleaner:  Method.  Not much to say here other than that it works, and it doesn't streak.

2.  Bathroom Cleaner:  Le Scrub by Method.  It works just as well as any non green product I've tried, by far the only bathroom cleaner I've used that makes me not miss my Clorox with Bleach when scrubbing a tub.  It also doesn't scratch as the particles are finely milled.

3.  Kitchen Cleaner:  Seventh Generation Kitchen Cleaner.  Does the job well, cuts through all the grease on a stovetop or counter without extra scrubbing.

4.  Laundry Detergent:  Biokleen Laundry Powder.  Free and clear works excellent on baby clothes and adult clothes.  Also has gotten rid of the musty smell in my HE front loading washer, which rumor has it that can be caused by liquid detergents.  Love it!

5.  Automatic Dish Soap:  Biokleen.  Dishes come out clean and spotless.  Just be careful to use only a small amount.

6.  Dish Soap:  Seventh Generation.  I like the Free and Clear version.  Does the job, no residue, no feeling like I am short changed on cleaning power.

I hope this has shed some light on how to begin to greenify your own home, and will hopefully save you some money by not having to try as many cleaning products as I did in order to be satisfied with making the switch. 

Finally, don't be nervous when you see the prices listed in the links below as they are often for a package containing multiple units of the product.