Do Something Little, Help Something Big

Source: vol25.typepad.com via Jenn on Pinterest

Have you ever wanted to make a positive change in your life, but just didn't know where to start? I think we probably all have, because often CHANGE can be daunting at best. We tend to look for the end, the the product, the proof -- instead of the small steps we can take to get there.

I've been thinking a lot about making up a list of Goals For A Sustainable Life... something a little more concrete than the ongoing one in my head. I've mentioned several times my desires for a more sustainable lifestyle, and lately I've been taking more and more steps toward making this a reality. I believe in taking things one step at a time, and making changes which will truly benefit myself, my daughter, and this earth.

As fate would have it, I was recently asked to participate in the Do Something Little, Help Something Big campaign, to help spread the word about making big impacts through small changes. Energizer Canada, in partnership with Evergreen (a fabulous non-profit dedicated to creating more sustainable Canadian cities), has donated $100K to help make cities more livable all across our great nation. To promote this message, I've put together a list of Five Kind Acts which I will put to motion in my life to benefit my family, community & environment.

Stop Using Shampoo
I've mentioned this one a few times, and I'm really ready to take the plunge. I will be following a recipe very similar to my friend Jenn, who blogs over at The Organic Heretic. (And yes, I'll blog about it!)

Use Family Cloth
At the end of September, I stopped buying toilet paper. Honestly. I can't even begin to think about how much less waste we'll be creating by using a cloth substitute. Check out this post over at Penniless Parenting to learn more about reusable toilet paper.

Raise Free Range Backyard Chickens
I still haven't told the whole story behind my seven adorable chickens, but they came to me at the beginning of May, and I'm now basking in the glory of about 3-7 eggs each day. Amazing. They taste fantastic, the chickens take care of weeds/bugs in my yard, and Gretchen adores them. Win, win, win.

Spread Positivity
Even when I'm feeling down, I know that bumming around and feeling down on myself is never the answer. I vow to be the voice of positivity for my chosen family, and to help others stay positive no matter what they're facing.

Bike Everywhere
My daughter and I are masters of the Schwinn/Chariot combo. Due to the fact that owning a car costs about 10x what I can afford, we bike (nearly) everywhere -- downtown, grocery shopping, to the park, for fun. There's almost nowhere I need to go, that I can't get to via my beautiful, red cruiser. And my legs are stronger than ever! Can't beat that, mes amis.

In addition to spreading a message of change, Energizer will also donate $1 for every pledge that you make and post on their site, NowThatsPositivEnergy.ca! Hop on over now to share your goals.

Disclosure: I am participating in the Energizer Canada & Evergreen “Do Something Little, Help Something Big” program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Energizer Canada & Evergreen. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. As always, the opinions on this blog are my own.

Living An Environmentally Conscious Life (And A Giveaway!)

If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you probably already know that I do my best to direct my life down an eco-friendly path. I'm nowhere near where I'd like to be, but it's been baby steps all the way. Gardening, raising chickens, being conscious of plastic and chemicals being brought in to my home, and more. Before I was a mama, I had some environmentalist inklings, but with the arrival of my daughter came a overwhelming desire to live as gently on this earth as I can.

When Gretchen first started going to daycare, I overheard the other mamas chatting about Seventh Generation products -- mostly diapers and wipes. I was eager to learn more. At that time I wasn't aware of the company's other products, which I've since come to use and love. I'm always on the prowl for eco-savvy companies, and to be honest, there's almost a trust thing that happens in my head when I'm shopping. I'll pick up a package, read through the ingredients, and if I find it to be riddled with ingredients which I know are harmful for my child -- and therefore my planet -- then back it goes, followed by a disapproving glare. I almost feel let down when companies don't at least try to work on their environmental aspects.

I was recently given an opportunity to try out a few Seventh Generation products that I hadn't used before, and so I jumped at the chance. I'm definitely feeling a positive vibe from this company -- and I've fallen in love with their Eucalyptus & Lavender laundry detergent. I'm pretty picky about what I use to wash my clothing, so trying a new brand made me a bit nervous. However, after a few weeks and numberless loads of laundry, you can call me a convert. It smells amazing & is incredible gentle, while still boasting some pretty serious cleaning power.

Thanks to the lovely folks at Seventh Gen, one of my Canadian readers will win a 100% organic cotton 7th Gen Eco lunch bag (just like the one in the pic -- so cute!), as well as some great coupon for FREE 7th Gen Free & Clear Diapers, Free & Clear Baby Wipes and dishwashing products. To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment with you best tip on how to be more environmentally conscious. If you'd like a few addition entries, please feel free to do the following (leaving a new comment for each):

• Follow @sofawned on Twitter
• Follow @SeventhGen on Twitter
• Like So Fawned on Facebook
• Like Seventh Generation on Facebook
• Join the Seventh Generation Nation
• Subscribe to So Fawned
• Tweet, blog or spread the word on Facebook

Giveaway ends Monday at noon, so enter ASAP, mes amis!

Disclosure: I am participating in the Seventh Generation program by Mom Central Canada. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. As always, the opinions on this blog are my own. 

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Update: The winner is Liz! Thanks to everyone who entered!