mAlice's Profile

I think you can gauge it to the person and see how far you can push it. A greener alternative doesn't even have to be noticed (say, a picture frame that's bamboo or FSC wood). On the other hand, once when friends moved to a new house, I went out on a limb and put together a recycling system for them, presenting it as a housewarming gift, complete with highlighted recycling schedule for their new town. I was worried they'd feel judged or pressured; instead they thanked me profusely and told me how guilty they'd felt not getting in gear themselves to recycle! I now realize that I have to evaluate my friends and relatives, but pushing them a step or two further than their default is comfortable. More than that--ah, not so much.

DivaCup. For all you hesitant people out there (sorry if this is an overshare), I am just finishing my second period with it. I was iffy the first month. I took it back out to try it again the first day of this period, and have not used a tampon or pad since, nor will I any more. I am now convinced.

If you are here reading this, it's because you are thinking about greening all of your life. Yes, it took me a little getting used to, so that I could feel sure about it being in the right place. Putting it in/taking it out is no worse than an o.b.-style tampon, which is what you are probably using if you are trying to create as little waste as possible without a cup. Have you ever worn contacts? It's weird putting them in the first week or two, then becomes totally normal and easy; this is the same. A couple of people asked about the learning curve--I say give it two months. Be willing to wear pantyliners with it at first, while you convince yourself you know how to put it in right and can trust it. Then, seriously--NO leaks at all.

Way less waste. Way less smell. Way less leaking than tampons. Way less worrying/changing/adjusting. It just plain works and you think about it twice a day.

My dog loves to run and play in the back yard and flower beds, and also loves to jump onto our bed and nap there during the day. Even though we keep a rag by the door and try to wipe her paws, sooner or later most weeks she gets little dirt smudges on our bed. I always use a duvet cover so that I can wash it frequently without washing such a large volume, and when I need to I soak it in hot water with Oxo-brite.

My bigger wish--a duvet cover with a very stylish pattern that disguises the occasional doggy footprints and smudges. I have a bedroom in a lovely deep blue, but I don't want to go with something like a chocolate brown duvet cover or it will just be too dark, and I like a pattern to liven up the room a little. I have this dream of someone making a stylish duvet cover that is white, with a mix of colors in muted taupes and grays that are pet footprint tracks across the bed. Seriously, I can't be the only pet owner out there who would immediately buy the duvet cover, and probably sheet set too! They could make a killing! I keep waiting to open up the Garnet Hill catalog and see it there, but no luck yet. In the mean time, any suggestions out there for alternative pet-camo?

For what it's worth, urine is considered sterile--this is because everything in it has crossed cell membranes to get there (that's why Hollie called it "filtered"). It is (except for water), basically all material that was specifically actively transported there, molecule by molecule. Short of something that gets into urine later (a kidney or urinary tract infection that came up into the UT in reverse, from the outside), urine should be free of bacteria, parasites, and any other living things you might not want in your future fertilizer. Sometimes there is minimal bacterial accumulation just inside the urethra, but those diapers should be fine if there is no infection and if he was well cleaned up after his previous diaper change.

What comes out the colon is a different matter. It is the other end of an open tube that starts at your mouth--that means, if your body can't break it down/absorb it/doesn't choose to take it in, it passes through and comes out the other end. As noted by Hollie, it will have lots of bacteria in it, some of which could live through the heat of composting just fine.

My only fear with the diapers is that, with very many, you'd want to watch the ammonia and pH levels. But it seems you'd have to have an awful lot before you'd need to worry.

I wouldn't change most things, but I would explain them. As for the bathroom, we mellow but are known to flush in the warm summer months on a productive day. With guests around, though, we flush. Here's my caveat: the worst case scenario is when you forget to flush and the guest is not familiar with the practice and just thinks it's gross and weird when they come upon your unflushed toilet. I am sure with many multi-day visits that we must have forgotten to flush at some point over our years of doing this. My new plan is my advice to you: tell people about your normal mellow habit, with some humor, when you're explaining the paper towels and the rest. You can then tell them that you normally flush with guests around, but hope they'll excuse it if you forget. They will understand and be more at ease when you forget to flush out of habit, and this also gives them the opportunity to tell you that they are comfortable with the practice and by all means think it should continue during their visit!

Because 7 8 9!!

Oooh, twigs! Because I am a forest biologist and love the smell of the forest (especially when a little wet) more than almost anything.

So beautiful!

Oooh, pick me, please! I have crummy garden shears and would love to actually have good ones!

I wouldn't know what to choose, but would love to have that challenge!