Trying to be "Green"

RJ has decided to transform himself into a fit and healthy person, so that generally means that the boys and I are tagging along occasionally on the health food train. Don't get me wrong - I am not a caveman (as they existed without the sustenance of potatoes, cheese, and Ranch dressing) but I am trying to set a better example for eating habits with our children, and in doing so am trying to show them better ways to take care of the world around them too. Does that mean we are Green?

The word green has several meanings - it could mean novice; newbie; or having little experience. Sometimes it means jealous; envious; coveting things of others. And in more recent times it means health conscious; environmentally friendly; recycler.

So we are trying to be in the latter definition of Green - which seems to be very trendy these days. We eat organic meats. We have vegetables with our meals. We have re-usable green bags for the grocery store. We buy used clothing. We hand down clothing from one child to the next. We bought and redid a used playescape. We have used cars. I nurse all of our children in lieu of formula. We borrow books from the library instead of buying them new. We cut our hair at home. We pay our bills online to reduce paper. We use organic oils, cleaners, and drink filtered water from the tap.

Does this make us Green yet?

Well here is what we do that may not be quite as Earth friendly. We don't recycle - Gasp!! Our trash company doesn't offer it yet - but we would if they did - still doesn't quite count. We use disposable diapers. We go on vacations. We use MANY rolls of paper towels - probably there is a small forest somewhere in Oregon that is devoted solely to supplying us. We get Sonic drinks in styrofoam cups often - but you gotta love that they don't get your hand wet and there is still ice in it after 20 minutes in the Texas heat. We have cable TV, Iphones, Internet, and Email. We drive two gas sucking SUV's that are not Hybrids.

So probably we are a slight shade of Aqua....not quite green yet but still trying to get closer.