Gerberererer Daisies My family has been making a slow, but steady progression away from keeping up with Jones’ and working towards becoming (sometimes kicking and screaming)  a happy and well family that believes in loving the planet, keeping things simple, and getting real.  I’m still a working parent that makes a living trying to get people to believe they need my product to make their businesses thrive. I still let my kids watch Blu-Ray movies and play video games. I will not stop dyeing my hair (I’m getting a pink streak in honor of my 40th birthday next week…so there). I wear makeup. I still have 2 cars (3, if you count the POS commuter we bought for almost nothing). Sometimes I even forget my reusable bags and have to get paper or plastic at the grocery story. But (big BUT), for the most part, we are trying to do our share to lessen the load and lighten our footsteps on our overworked Mother Earth. And we’re trying to do it without becoming environmental elitists (because, dude, we just don’t have the money for that route) or biting off more than we can chew.

How does a post-consumerist, reformed brand nazi, shoe loving, gadget toting, Mom of the Millennium make amends to our planet, become a frugal rock star and start back on the green and narrow? One little step at a time. I’ve decided to share some of our ups and downs with you here. What’s working for us and what is not. Maybe you can share with me some of the things that are working for you. I do want to share our latest projects which include the two biggest and most life changing: the simplification and organization of our little cottage AND our new organic veggie and cutting garden. This stuff is all new to me and I’m very excited about all of it. But those posts will have to wait.

Since I promised little steps, I thought I’d start with an easy and very necessary step: bath, body and beauty. Using natural bath, body and beauty products does not have to be an expensive luxury reserved for the wealthy or the occasional splurge of normal folk, such as myself. As a woman and a mother I have to clean and beautify not only myself, but my kids (and the hubby, too). So over the last several months I have been slowly replacing our toiletries and other bath/body goodies with more green and gentle versions. In a perfect world, I’d be able to afford only Origins products and be on my merry way. Unfortunately, I’m not that lucky. Fortunately, there are many great and affordable products out there I can use and even buy at my local Fred Meyer. I’ve jotted down just a few things below to help give you an idea of grocery store ready items you can start using to replace some of your every day stuff. In a post next week, I will share with you some of the amazing handcrafted cosmetics and bath/body goods that are available, as well as how to get started making some goodies on your own.

Bath and Body:

Makeup:

Learn more:

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