I thought that a challenge would be a good way to help us down the road to greener living.

This week's challenge is to get rid of one thing in your house with toxic chemicals and replace it with something greener.

For instance, I am going to give up regular body wash and replace it with something natural. I have some homemade cold pressed soap that I will try, instead.

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www.myspace.com/vioburn
My Blog ~ I am currently updating this with my favorite natural beauty routines (some are edible!) and more!


Frugal is being wise with your money and resources and cheap is forcing everyone else to.

This is good -- I don't have a huge amount of chemicals in my house to begin with ... does anyone have a good alternative for Spray & Wash?

I found this...

Earth Friendly Products Pre-Wash

I haven't tried it yet, but I'd love to hear from someone who has.

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www.myspace.com/vioburn
My Blog ~ I am currently updating this with my favorite natural beauty routines (some are edible!) and more!


Frugal is being wise with your money and resources and cheap is forcing everyone else to.

I have a shelf full of store bought cleaners that have just sat there for the longest time. I have gone to baking soda and vinegar for most of my cleaning. I think I will just get rid of them and totally comit to my natural cleaners.

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The mighty oak started out as a nut that held its ground.

Hum this one is going to be hard... I have already converted all our plastics out, we dont use any unsafe cleaning products, dont use bad washing stuff..

What else???

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Tara, wife to Jason, mama to Jayden 12/23/06 PG with #2 EDD 8/3/08 ~ non vaxing, co sleeping, cding, bfing,AP family.

This is a good one. I've been wanting to try a greener dishwasher detergent and ours is just about gone. I'll have to get to the natural food store this week and try a greener one. Any suggestions?

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Jennifer
dd Sarah 1/4/02
ds Brady 1/15/07

I switched out my shampoo to a natural, paraben-free kind. I also printed out some recipes for homemade laundry soap... I have to buy the ingredients but will be trying this in the coming week or so.

Also, I resisted temptation for my son's 8th birthday party (coming Sunday 9/23) to buy all the plastic toys and junk for the goody bags. The kids may squawk, but in their goody bags will be: apple, orange, raisins, popcorn ball and maybe one sugary treat so they don't completely go bonkers. But at least it will make a statement with the parents, kwim?

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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

I love it...I actually hate it when the girls get those junkie toys...just more stuff to clutter up my house!

My major dilemma I have with switching over to greener stuff...be it cleaning products or beauty products is what to do with the old, chemical laden stuff? I don't want to you it on myself or the kids anymore, I feel immensely guilty giving it to someone (like here, I don't want to get cancer, but feel free to yourself!) and I feel bad about throwing it away or dumping it down the drain, because it just adds to the current pollution. So what is the solution?

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Pain is temporary, quitting is forever....

Check with your city. A lot of them have a date and location to drop off household hazardous waste. According to the EPA, "Call your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for the time and location of your HHW collection program". I live in the 'burbs in Indiana and my town has a collection once a year. They'll take your household cleaners, batteries, paints....