When I heard that this month's Green Moms Carnival was Eco-Confessions, I laughed and thought how soap opera-ish. I've got plenty of these, and it was hard to decide what to write here. The carnival will be hosted over at the Green Parentin the next few days. There's sure to be some juicy eco-confessions!
This type of lifestyle has consequences, such as over coffee consumption (oh, how little I drank while pregnant, if at all-- what happened?). Most of the time if my paycheck allows, it is fair trade organic, so that is good. I also kicked any soda habit during pregnancy, only to have it seem oh so appealing while I nod off reading Pooh books at 3pm. So that habit has resurfaced, at a time where I am very ticked off at corporate soda manufacturers (Coca-Cola and BPA!). I will win this one. Just today, I walked right by the soda aisle with only a small flinch.
Bananas. During my Earthwatch Expedition this fall, I learned from a PhD researcher I was working with whose tropical ecology study was in Costa Rica, that bananas, even organic ones, are an environmental disaster. Not to mention the thousands of miles they travel to my grocery store or co-op in Vermont. My kids eat these in droves and I just can't find a way to shake it. Not seasonal. Far from local. But addicting in their simplicity and nutrition.
I really don't like cooking. The only thing I enjoy about it is I get to listen to NPR while I do it. So, I look for convenience, especially when I am just home from work, exhausted and unmotivated (which sadly is much of the time). This leads me to veggie burgers, boxed Annie's Mac and Cheese, or frozen raviolis more than I'd like to admit. I KNOW less processed, local food is where I want to be. It's just that damn reality gets in the way.
I really could go on. I just focused on food and drink! Maybe I will do an Eco-Confessions part 2, to reveal more of my imperfections at the grail of greeness.
None of us are perfect. Did I mention my love of all things salty and crunchy in crinkly bags? I've tried to stave this one with popping corn when I really needed a fix. It sort of works.
What are your Eco-Confessions? Come on, spill some. I did! I would love to hear yours.
Katy can be found at Non-Toxic Kids sharing helpful information about how to raise kids as naturally as possible. She is a teacher, freelance writer, and mama from the mountains of Vermont.
