welcome

We are starting this blog because everyone we tell our New Years resolutions to, thinks we are crazy and says you should blog about it, so here we are!
We decided to do this because we feel that we all could be less wasteful, more local, healthier and better for the environment. We decided to do this now because our daughter is 6 months old and we want her to grow up appreciating the world around her. So why not start now.
Over the next year we will let you know the ups and downs and turns along the way, as we work to live more in harmony with the planet.

So here are the rules and our thoughts:

1) Buy nothing new, only used
Shop thrift stores, craigslist, freecycle etc.. or just don't buy!!! Remembering what is important, is it a want or a need. There are a few exceptions, undergarments and one I never thought about lightbulbs! Naturally ours burnt out New Years Eve around 9pm. haha Also, gas is obviously new but we are limiting ourselves to 250 miles a week so we can still do things but we are trying to not be excessive. Tim bikes to work which saves us a lot!
2) Buy local when possible
We are going to try and avoid large corporations and give it to the community. We are going to try but we realize there are some things we can't avoid. Food, we get our vegetables through a local farm CSA but for the other staples we are going to be going to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Internet and phones are out of our control but we did get rid of our cell phones, so just internet (Suddenlink) and our house phone (Vonage).
3) Use homemade/reusable when possible
We currently make laundry soap, deodorant, cleaners, many of our food staples (bread, snacks, baked goods etc..)  we do no 'poo (shampoo and conditioner is baking soda and Apple Cider Vinegar), family cloth (cloth TP), cloth napkins and cloth diapers.
4) No made in china
Says it all we are going to try to stick to USA made when possible
5) Go vegan
Consume/use no animal by products (meat, dairy, eggs, honey, leather). We have been vegetarian for some time now and on and off vegans but Nova has a dairy allergy so we decided to take the leap!

So wish us luck I will try to keep updating on our successes and struggles!