Don't Buy Nestle, Instead Try...

This blog series "Don't Buy... Instead Try..." intends to point out some of the most egregiously unethical, wasteful, and environmentally ridiculous companies out there. Instead of dwelling on their considerable awfulness, the series will focus on the other options you have for purchasing.

Every purchase we make is a vote for the kind of world we want. 
Every single purchase is political.
 Every single purchase has ethical ramifications, and 
every single purchase should be approached with a spirit of stewardship. 

We can change the world by refusing to fund extreme greed, the mistreatment of other human beings, and the trashing of the environment. We need to stay aware of the many choices available to us. Will we get it right every time? No. But if we all make little changes, we can send companies a new message, that consumers will show up if they do the right thing. 

When I think of Nestle, I think of Tollhouse cookies, the yellow bag, pouring chocolate chips into cookie dough (or just eating the dough out of those tubes- did anyone else do that in college?) It feels like a pretty wholesome activity, and there is something all-American about it. Can't you just see the ad with the mom and her kids baking in an all white, perfectly clean kitchen?

But that isn't the truth. Nestle isn't just delicious chocolate chip cookies. It's more like cookies and pure evil (which sounds fun, but trust me, it isn't).

Nestle (a Swiss company) is truly one of the nastiest companies out there. Just this week, they have upped the nastiness once again in Michigan, so it felt like time to bring this one back.

They are openly campaigning AGAINST water as a human right (they asked to change the wording) so they can profit on water-deprived areas.

from Daily Kos

They have stolen water from California's poorest communities during droughts, only to package them in environment-wrecking plastic bottles going straight to landfills. You can read about this here, here, and here. If you only want one taste of how sketchy and nasty they are, read about how their staff of dirty public officials. Listen to the accounts of people living in the places they are taking water from. It is not hyperbole to suggest that this company is an enemy of the American people, as well as most citizens of anywhere.

Their noodles had 17 times the permissible amount of lead in them (in 2015. Mostly this controversy was in India and five African countries).

They were charged for using child labor for their chocolate in 2005.

Their supply chain used forced labor in Thailand to make their catfood. So essentially, slaves were being used to make catfood (can anyone say their cat is worth someone being a slave?)

 Boycotts have been coming up against this company since the late 70's when they actively promoted powdered formula in third world countries (because they don't make money off of breastfeeding, but they can gauge the poorest populations for formula). They are cartoon villain levels of evil, and we keep giving them our money.

You fund this nonsense. You fund this evil. Let that set in for a second.

The reports we have are from what they have been caught doing, so it's crazy to think of what they might still be getting away with. Not only is this company anything but All-American, it is actively exploitative of our country and its resources. This is not ok. Can we as Christians stand for people's basic human rights being denied to them? Can we as Americans stand for our water being taken from our people to make these bastards cheap money?  I don't think so, and we don't have to.

Nestle also owns Carnation, Gerber, Nespresso, Purina, tons of the mainstream cereals (including Cheerios outside of the US), Dreyers, Skinny Cow, Drumsticks, and Haagen Dazs, and a bunch of candy bar companies. They also own basically everything in the frozen food section- Digiornio Pizza, Lean Cuisine, Hot Pockets, and Stouffers. They also own 30% of L'Oreal, which includes Garnier, Maybelline, Lancome, and the Body Shop. Basically, they are sneakily taking in a lot of your money. They own a lot, so it can feel like they are unavoidable.

Other options always exist! Rather than funding giant umbrella companies like Nestle, we can practice better stewardship of our country and our Earth by choosing to give our money to someone else.

No American should be giving Nestle/Carnation/Gerber a penny. They are literally trying to steal our water from us.

Now this company is big (it also includes Gerber since 2007, Carnation, Purina,  Nespresso/Nescafe, and KitKat, among others) and I am not going to be able to cover every base, but I want to show that you can always find multiple options better than these bottom feeders, Dr Evil, nonsense-doers. I will throw out some ideas for some of their stuff

Don't buy Nestle Chocolate Chips, Instead Try... 

You can still use that recipe, but improve on it with slightly less evil chocolate chips.

1. Something Local- Does your local chocolate, baking, or grocery store sell chocolate chips? Well, it is time for a delicious experiment, my dear. The best thing you can do is shop local, and you might find what you have is pretty special. Not sure what local chocolate you have? I made a giant list of local chocolates which continues to grow!

2. Sunspire- Made in America chocolate chips. Organic, vegan, and fair trade sources, so you never have to feel bad about your cookies again. I haven't really seen them in stores, but you can buy them on Amazon.

3.Tropical Source Chocolates- I can't speak to these much, as I haven't tried them, but they are produced in the US and have generally positive reviews. If you feel brave and try them, please let me know how they are!

4, And if all else fails (or time is ticking too quickly), buy Ghiradelli- I hate to say this, because this once American company is now owned by Lindt (also Swiss). From what I can tell, they are still made here, but the money trickles up to Switzerland, not here. But they are still not Nestle, and they are in most grocery stores. Also, the price is pretty comparable, and I find people love the Ghiradelli chips.

from aquagrade.com

Don't Buy Nestle "Pure Life" Water, Instead Try... 

The name "Pure Life" makes me want to punch someone in the face. What could possibly be pure about a product that steals water, tries to take away water as a human right, and makes a ridiculous and unnecessary amount of trash? Pure evil?

ALSO, they also own Poland Springs, Arrowhead, Calistoga, and Ice Mountain.

1. A Reusable Water Bottle- If you are somewhere where tap water is safe to drink with some filtering, then you never need a plastic instatrash water bottle ever again. No, I mean it. If you want a couple you don't mind losing, reuse ones you already have. But we all can lean primarily on a reusable water bottles. Liberty Bottles is an American treasure and continues to employ American workers to make their reusable bottles. I love this company. For reusable and durable plastic bottles, Camelback makes their bottles in China, but Nalgene has a very similar feel and they are made in the US (I think in Rochester, NY). Lifefactory bottles are made in the US (sleeve and cap) and France (the glass), and I love my glass bottle from them.

2. A Water Filter- Soma water filter is plant-based and Made in the USA. It's the big winner! You could also get a Pur water filter dispenser or a pitcher version (Origin- USA). Even Britas are made in China (they have a stainless steel version now) but they still kick the crap out of those one time use plastic bottles. If you want more options that aren't Made in China, BWT makes their water filter pitchers in Austria, so you know the labor is ethical, but the trip is much longer. Still, in all of these cases, Nestle doesn't get your money.

3. Belu- If you have to get a bottle of water for some reason, Belu is based out of the UK, so not great for patriotism, but they are still your best bet to feel good about. Belu uses ethical materials (glass and recycled plastic) and partners with Wateraid. So basically, instead of stealing money from people or trying to take it away as a human right, this company puts their profits to providing water. Suck it, Nestle, what kind of Pure Life are you living anyway?

4. And if you are at the gas station- Blech, we have all been there. First, always get the largest one you can, because tiny bottles are the devil's playground. Second, cross Pure Life, Arrowhead, and Poland Springs off the list of contenders. Even if you are buying Aquafina, it is still better than Nestle. This is a worst case scenario, but it is going to happen at some point, so better to be honest about it.

from imgarcade.com

Don't Buy Gerber Baby Clothes, Instead Try... 

I just addressed this in my post on Carters, but here are a few highlights-

1. Used- Baby clothes get used for such a short time and most of it is perfectly good when the first baby finishes it. Find your consignment/ yard sale/ hand me down options and let that take up the majority of your baby's wardrobe. You can find super cute stuff (including Gerber, though honestly the Gerber things we've owned did not wear well. It's for very lanky babies, and two of their onesies ripped on us), you can save tons of money, and you can save that much more from landfills. Used clothes for babies is a no-brainer.

2. American Apparel- Simple onesies and soft pants, adorable hoodies, and the basics you need to make that used stuff look adorable and put together.

3. Etsy- You want to buy someone a really cute outfit set for their baby shower? I know where you need to go- Etsy stores sell the most adorable outfits that you won't see again and again on other kids. Plus, you can buy something very specific to the parents rather than the same old stuff.

from michiganradio and their somewhat hilarious piece on Gerber's Michigan "roots"

Don't Buy Gerber Baby Food, Instead Try... 

Yes, we all associate Gerber with that All-Americanbaby eating out of little glass jars. That's not what this company is anymore. As a side note, if you are going to buy baby food, avoid pouches at all costs. Of course, Gerber makes these not completely safe (The BPA substitute is proving to be worse), bad habit-forming, environmental blights. Our kids are going to spend their adulthoods trying to figure out how to clean up these "conveniences" that really don't save time and waste our money. Skip the pouches completely, Gerber or otherwise.

To replace those little glass bottles:

1. Make your Own! I was shocked just how easy this was. You make mass amounts of steamed carrots, puree them, and house them in the freezer until it is their turn. I know it depends on your time availability, but I promise you, it really is worth doing if you can find the time. We bought this Made in the USA tray to store our food, but we honestly mostly just used the jars from when we did have to buy food.

2. Earth's Best Organic- This baby food company is owned in the US by Hain Celestial Group. The food is well-reviewed and loved, and we slowly shifted to them for baby food and formula as we went on through parenting our first baby. We will stick to them the next time. Happy Baby is also still owned and made in the US, but they mostly deal in pouches, so I am not impressed. Still, if that is your deal, you can check them out.

from gotchocolate.com

Don't Buy Carnation Instant Breakfast, Instead Try... 

This one was tough for us, because those breakfast drinks were a staple in our diet for a few years. That being said, they aren't particularly great for anything. Eat a vitamin and a piece of fresh fruit, and you have probably done yourself a favor. Also, the Earth a huge favor. That being said, if

1. Amazing Grass Green Superfood- Grown and sold out of a farm in Kansas, this boost could replace what you miss from Carnation Instant Breakfast. I have no idea if it is gross. My best guess is yes, because none of this stuff tastes particularly great.

from Chocolate Buttons

Don't Buy Butterfinger, Kit Kat, or Crunch, Instead Try...

Once I heard a story about someone breaking open a Kit Kat and maggots swarming out. Just remember that the next time they sound tempting. Maggots. 

1.Your Local Chocolate Company- If you want to support the US, start in your own backyard. Candy is one of the most locally-specific products we have, and there are candy and chocolate companies in every state. I even compiled a list of them for you! I know our local Daffins makes a crisped rice bar that is way better than a Crunch Bar, and in Seattle, we can find about a million candy bars more interesting. When you are getting ready for a car trip, trick or treaters, or a craving, plan ahead and pick up something legit and American. 

2. Clark Bars, Junior Mints, Mike and Ikes, Hot Tamales, Jelly Bellies, Russell Stover, and Tootsie Pops- These are three that you can buy in the check out line that are still made here. Hersheys and their army of bars is headed to Mexico, but if you check labels, some of those outlier bars are still made in the US. Need more info? Check out USA Love List, who have multiple awesome candy lists including all the things you can find at Target! 

Could I keep going? YES! In fact, maybe we can tackle ice cream, dog and cat food, frozen food, and makeup in a second Nestle post. Bottom line- these guys are jerks. Jerks that have dominated our grocery store shelves and taken advantage of our people partially because we have let them.

Is this one a big pain in the butt to do? Yep. It took us a long time to totally work them out of our consumer diet, and I am not sure I will ever get over the sadness from no more Haagen Dazs chocolate ice cream.

But if anything is worth taking against, it's companies like these. Time to get creative so we can stop giving them a penny. They don't deserve it. If you want to read more about my Buying American for One Month Challenge, check here. If you want more shopping ideas, check my Giant List of Lists here.

Read more

My Ten Favorite Buy Nothing Moments

I love my Buy Nothing Group.

I know, I talk about it a lot, but I genuinely feel that being part of the Buy Nothing Project radically shifted my perception of stuff, my community, even myself. The project connects neighbors through hyper local facebook groups. The members can offer and ask for things freely. It keeps things you don't want out of landfills and keeps people from wasting money. In cities, it helps you get to know your neighbors and in small communities, it creates new bonds. It's all kinds of awesome.

Expect me to keep talking about it, because my goal is that by the end of 4 years the 280,000 members will have grown to at least 2 million. It is all about people empowering themselves, but I am just going to keep talking about it until someone in Franklin, PA starts a group already. Or you give up and ask to join yours. This could help everyone, freeing up money to make more ethical and environmentally-responsible choices, so the more of us who join, the better.

It also just makes daily life better. When I get on facebook, my news feed shows me people being kind to each other, not because of who they are, but because that is what you do. I have had so many positive interactions with my neighbors, which is way swell, and I just feel better about the universe. That is pretty big these days. I have been in this gift economy for a year and a half, and these are some of my favorite interactions:

10. Gifting our Christmas Wreath

 I bought a fresh wreath at an elementary school fundraiser mostly to make my house smell like a real Christmas tree, even though we continue to use our trusty artificial one (It will look like a used fake eyelash before we throw that bad boy away). We were headed back home for the holidays, and it felt like a shame to let the wreath go to waste, so I gifted it to a young mom looking for a few decorations for her apartment. She walked a couple miles to get it, so I honored the badassery with glass of water, and we ended up sitting and chatting for a few hours while our kids played near each other (toddlers never play together- why do people pretend?). It was an unexpected way to spend our last Christmasy afternoon in the city. Plus that gorgeous pine stink still stuck for a while.

9. Gifted Tablecloths

My brother is getting married in a few weeks, so when someone recently offered 40 wedding tablecloths, I jumped at it. Do you know just how many tablecloths that is? It was HEAVY. Hopefully the tablecloths can get washed and regifted, so they will see at least 3 couples through their wedding day.

free

8.Gifted Popping Push Toy/ Plastic Shopping Cart/ Plastic Tree House/ Plastic Wagon

I hate fresh plastic toys- so much waste for no reason! Luckily, my son still got one of those magnetic drawing boards, the shopping cart, even one of those popper toys. His plastic tree house is one of his favorites. We just got them all for free. And when we are done with them, some other kid will get them for free. At this age, they can't tell the difference between used and new, and my hope is that I am giving him a different value system. The newest, shiniest thing doesn't have intrinsically more value.  More toys does not equal more fun. We have gifted toys and been gifted toys over and over again, so at any given time his collection is at least 50% used. It saves us so much money, but more importantly, it sends him important messages about consumerism and giving (not hoarding) as a regular part of life.

7.Gifting Spruce Sap

One of the group members was looking for sap from a spruce tree. We have a spruce tree! An hour or two later, our tree was less sticky and we got to help someone with a school project. Also, I learned that spruce trees are sappy. The best kind of random.

6. Gifting Treadmill/ Gifted Crib

We kicked off healthy 2016 by giving away our treadmill (perfect sense, right?). A woman got it, and her husband and his friend loaded it in their van. In November, I was gifted a crib from the same family. My husband and his brother loaded it into our car. Just goes to show that these things come around pretty fast.

about to find more pavers. also got the bucket (originally for frosting) on BN

5. Gifting Pavers

 Our flipped yard is really just built on top of the previous yard, so every time we go to do something, we find a whole floor of pavers underneath. Lucky for us, we kicked off our summer giving away a bunch of those big rocks to people to put paths through their gardens. One mom came with her toddler and loaded so many that it made her car sit lower. One woman's super annoying rock pit is another woman's treasure.

4. Gifted Food Magazines

For one of my class projects, I need pictures of food. Lots of pictures of food. So many pictures of food. Usually, I would buy a pile of food magazines and old cookbooks to fill that need. This year, I asked my Buy Nothing, and I got so many I shouldn't have to ask again for a long time. Happy to be recycling for someone, especially when the recycling turns out this cute.

3. Gifting (and watching Gifting) for people who really need it

Our city is growing fast, but lots of people are still really struggling, and I have been awed by how many times people have stepped up to help. I have seen people rally around moms leaving domestic violence situations. I have seen 10-20 people step up when someone asks for a ride to the hospital. I have seen them drop off food to someone who can't shop. We have given our newborn clothes to a premie and our swing to an exhausted mother of twins. We have given hats and warm clothes to the homeless. We have helped the group outfit elementary school classrooms with supplies. I have watch so many people empty their cupboards to help their neighbor.

I know we have problems, but I genuinely believe, have to believe that we as Americans are fundamentally good. When faced with an individual who needs help, I have never seen the group go silent. Someone helps. Usually, at least a dozen people offer. Being a participant in this is great, but it does my soul so much good to be a witness. Because when I leave my house, even in this big city, I know how many kind people are around me.

2. Gifting a Wedding Dress

I foolishly impulse bought a wedding dress at Priscilla of Boston because they were closing and had a ridiculous clearance. In the end. I wore a different dress. This spring, a woman asked if anyone had a wedding dress to gift or lend, and I did! So it traveled with my Dad and his wife across the country for her to try on. And it looked perfect. Little did I know I bought her dress for her, but it was fate. She looks amazing.

They get married next year, so I won't post a picture, but I could not be more excited about this. So glad the dress is going to good use and honored to have helped with their day!

1. Gifted the Dining Room Table

Last October, my husband was home for a sick day, and we ended up loading our sick butts into the car, renting a van, and going to a stranger's house to pick up the table. I had thrown my hat in for the table, but he was picked, then it didn't work in his space. Not only was it a kind of fun adventure, but I am super sentimental about this table. It was another growing family's first, and now our family will grow up eating their meals around this table.

It has been a lot of work (put on pause because we found out we were pregnant soon after), but the table only cost us 15 dollars for the van rental. Compare it to the same table at Pottery Barn, we saved over 2,000 dollars. We can put that money toward a trip or adventure for our family, and when it is done, we will still have a beautiful space. I love the table and I feel so grateful to live in the kind of neighborhood where things are given so freely and happily.

That's what this is all about to me. When we are willing to share with our neighbors, we can build new bonds and reprioritize our life. It doesn't have to all be about the next thing you are going to buy, and you spend most of the time considering what you have that you can give. If you aren't in a Buy Nothing group, check out their page and join. If there isn't one where you live, let's talk about starting one. This thing can change the world and change your life!

Read more

52 Weeks of Positivity- Buy Nothing Groups and Why You Need One

Well, that just happened.

I know some Americans are overjoyed, some are ambivalent, and many are ready to just stop talking about it already. Right now, if we are being totally honest here, I feel pretty negative about everything. I came from small town America. I love my small town, and lots of people in it, but it is hard not to feel like fear and negativity won out. At the very least, the nasty antagonism and divisiveness that characterized the campaign has continued.

Ok, enough ranting. I am committing to spending this person's presidency absolutely fighting this negativity with honesty and positivity. I am not going to politely say nothing when someone is being unkind and selfish, I am not going to stand by as this president strips so many of their rights, and you all know I have a lot of fight in me about the environment. My goal right now is to do something positive, community-building (or preserving), and intentional everyday. Maybe I can't change the world everyday, but I am talking about more than opening doors or smiling more.

Who wants to join me? Share your ideas about how we as individuals and groups can make this country better, rather than hoping the government will do it for us,

This week, I am all about my Buy Nothing Group.

One of the things we can all agree on, conservative to super progressive, is that the economy isn't working and there has to be a change. This is our common ground, and it is somewhere to start. A lot of that change may come from regulation and government leadership, but a lot of that change could come from us as consumers. We are in an economy that treats as much more valuable as consumers than producers. If we change our values and habits around how we get what we need, we could start to positively effect our local and national economies on our own.

It is now clear just how much families are panicking about jobs and getting by, and I think this solution could make a huge difference in individual lives and in communities that have been abandoned by the companies they once supported (like my hometown).

Loyal readers know how obsessed I am with the Buy Nothing Project. This project is only a few years old, but it works as a vast network of Facebook groups; each one encompasses a town or neighborhood. Members of each group can offer gifts to one another or ask for things when they need them. Everything is freely given, the group is lead by a local volunteer, and no one is making any money off of this.

At first glance, you might think this sounds a lot like any other place where you donate, but these groups are really special:

-They create opportunities to meet your neighbors. I have met so many moms with babies because of this group. I know at least 4 more families within 2 blocks of our house because of it. This group is completely apolitical, so you can just chat about the minutiae of daily life and other common ground. When we moved here, we were totally alone, now I wave to neighbors as we go for walks. It's not all due to Buy Nothing, but it helps a lot.

I love my group because I always have generosity and gratitude throughout my newsfeed. Every day I wake up and people are being kind to each other. It feeds my optimism for the universe.

- They minimize waste. We have a baby swing, which we love madly for about 3 months. Then it's done. In the year and a half between my two children, three other babies used that swing, so three fewer swings will be littering our beautiful landscape with barely used trash.

It can also keep things you can't donate from going to waste, We have gifted weed killer. I have seen others gift their milk before going on vacation.  Nail polish gets passed around. It's amazing what you might have that is exactly what someone else needs,

beautiful dining room table. it cost us 15 dollars to rent the van to come get it. 

-Lastly, and so important for our common ground right now, it saves you money. So. Much. Money. In two years, we have received 2 major pieces of furniture (a table and a crib) from group members. We have been gifted toys, shoes, clothes, books, and other things. If I had to guess, we have saved at least two thousand dollars in 2 years.

Why is this important? So many of us feel like we are barely surviving or getting by. By just helping each other, we can save money, and then when it is time to shop, we can stop giving our money to the lowest price and instead by quality items that support American labor. Bemoaning the lack of American jobs? Opportunities in your area? Buy Made in America products and buy them from local businesses. Yes, it's more expensive, but if you are mixing in Buy Nothing items, it can come out the same. No more cheap crap from Walmart, because it is hurting your community and pushing out the businesses we need to survive.

In other words, if we want change, we have to make changes ourselves, and Buy Nothing creates an opportunity to reconsider what we buy, where we buy it from, and why. Those questions are important, and they are shaping our local economies constantly whether we are aware of it or not. Buy Nothing creates a space to step out of the constant cycle of acquisition. The big bonus is that it also strengthens community bonds and prevents so much garbage and waste. If you have never thought about this project, or it seems like too much work, let me tell you, it isn't.

We aren't alone in this, and if you need the proof, ask me and I will let you browse my Buy Nothing from my account.

So, Buy Nothing is awesome. What does this have to do with your new aggressively cheery mission?

I have two missions around Buy Nothing- 

1. Encourage the people in my own Buy Nothing. Without mention of the election, this morning I offered all the leftover cookies from our stress binging. Not only am I saving us from oodles of calories, I am sending comfort food out to my neighbors. I want to keep at this and use this resource to inject positivity into my immediate world.

2. Get YOU to join a group (or start one)- Get on their site and look for your neighborhood. Request to join with your address, and you will be addictively checking what's going on in no time.

Don't have one yet? Start it. I'm looking at you, Franklin readers. If it feels intimidating, send me a message and I will help you figure it out. It's not as tough as it sounds, just make sure to ask a friend to do it with you to split the excitement early on.

If you are in one that is just starting, ask your friends to join. Do it if you live in a city, suburb, small town, or troll mountain.

Is this a small step? Maybe, but I think it could make a world of difference, especially in small towns that may not need to meet people, but could use clear avenues of support. Nobody has to be alone when they need a little help for food or outfitting a new space. That little bit of wiggle room creates the opportunity to redistribute how we spend our money, so we can invest in our communities and each other instead of settling to get by.

Companies will do what makes them money; if you don't send the message that doing the right thing is profitable or popular, they will always slip around reform to make more money. Buy Nothing Groups create the opportunity to send companies a message and to make your communities stronger. 

Interested in what this blog is all about? It is a (mostly, sort of) apolitical blog that encourages American of every walk of life to make some little changes (many of which will save you money) to make our lives, our country and our Earth a better place. If you want to know more about it, or about me, check here. If you want oodles of eco-friedly shopping ideas, check out my Mega List of Shopping Lists.

Read more

Don't Buy Babyfood Pouches, Instead Try...

from babyrecs

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children."

When you are in the thick of parenting a baby or toddler, the last thing you can even imagine, much less plan for, is their future as adults. I know I have plenty of moments where I am just trying to get through the day. The years may go fast, but the days are a long string of chaos.

For that reason, lots of parenting shortcuts exist- tv shows to keep them occupied for a minute, a bumbo to keep them immobile, and pre-made baby food so you can feed them quickly. These things can be counted on to come with some kind of judgement call- we are all supposed to be constantly present, never need a minute to answer a phone call or pee or be a human being. Current "expert" opinion turns against anything that might make life a bit easier. I'm no expert, but I think all of those things make sense, and in the right moment, they are a lifesaver. 

That being said, there is one mommy shortcut that really burns my toast. I don't understand why people go out of their way to talk crap on Daniel Tiger but this nonsense goes unnoticed. 

The Babyfood Pouch. 

Now, these one time use pouches look innocuous enough, and they are perfect for a diaper bag, right? 

False, my friend, and they have to go. 

We may save a minute or two of our time by giving these to our kids rather than taking the time to serve them with a spoon, but they are bad for our kids now and even worse for their future.

Baby pouches are relatively new, started by Plum Organics this decade and immediately catching on. They took off almost immediately because we as parents are always on the run and what a great solution! Babies and toddlers could eat on the road or out of their chair. You can keep them in purses, etc. But soon after they took off, writing on the pouch began to question them. Even the New York Times was questioning some of Plum Organics' claims.

Why are they bad for them now?

First, there is solid evidence that the pouches are bad for teeth and teeth development if they go on too long (and right now it seems that the crutch lasts a long time- well into toddlerhood). It also creates long term sugar exposure to their teeth and could cause decay. All in all, bad news for teeth.

Second, in this phase of life, a baby isn't just eating for nutrition, they also are learning skills and building habits that develop into healthy eating habits in children. In other words, you are setting a stage, and they need to be starting to work on moving the food around in their mouth and chewing, so if you are still giving them apple mush in a pouch when they should be eating chewy apples, those skills might be stymied. 

My experience as a mom (to the world's least picky eater, so grain of salt this), is that the best way to encourage a variety of eating is to make your own food with flavor or to mix spices or herbs into the jars. You can't do that with pouches.Our bub eats what we eat, first as a puree and now about 40-50% of every piece of food we consume (more if I really want to eat it).. I know this won't work for everybody, but it might be worth giving a try, and the pouches serve as a stumbling block instead of a help.

Third, eating can be a meaningful and fun social interaction between you and your kid, and even if that doesn't play out every time, just handing off a pouch and sending them on their way cuts off that time at the table for building family culture and social bonds that are consistently heralded as crazy important. That whole "eat dinner as a family" thing starts now, and when you have the time to do it, it's probably worth it.

Fourth, you spend all this money on food for your baby that is organic, nutritious, and usually has some allusion to nature in the title. Then, you have stuffed it into a carrier jumping with chemicals. The truth is, they still don't understand all of the things leeching out of plastic food containers, and in some of the cases where they have tried to eliminate dangerous chemicals like BPA, the substitutes have turned out to be just as bad. In other word, wha!?!?!? No matter how many plants or suns are on the label, that pouch could be causing actual damage to your child's system or hormones. They just don't know enough, but there is good reason to be suspicious that your wholesome food is being covered in chemical nastiness.

PLEASE someone explain to me how this is any easier. What the hell.

Lastly (and maybe the most important point I have ever made), I have watched people squeeze those things on to spoons too many times. How is squeezing onto a tiny spoon easier than just spooning it out? Mysteries of the universe. 

Even worse than teeth, taste, chemicals, and family time is the effect these pouches will have on your little one's future. 

In fact, these plastic bags of purees have a downright awful environmental impact. One of the worst of anything in your kitchen right now.

The pouches are mostly one time use plastic waste, just like plastic bags, plastic straws, and plastic water bottles. This means that after your child's 2 minute snack, they will linger in the soil or water long after you are gone. Plastics are set to outnumber fish in the oceans by 2050, so well within your baby's adulthood. Your child will not be able to safely eat fish or go to the ocean without running into mountains of debris.

The only part of these pouches that are recyclable are the lids, so that whole pouch is absolutely garbage waiting to happen. I heard a mom try to justify these pouches as "creating less waste" but that is the opposite of the truth. These pouches are designed to be polluting our land and water.

But they are tiny right? This may not seem like such a big deal, but imagine if you weren't allowed to throw those suckers away, you had to keep them in your house. Now how long before they fill the space up? Now multiply that by all the moms you know.

This is a huge and completely avoidable problem. 

Baby food pouches perhaps burn my toast the most because they were basically non-existent ten years ago, and now they are treated as indispensible. I have had more than one girlfriend claim this is the only way they can get their baby (or toddler) to eat veggies and fruit. If you are one of those moms, I still love you and think that you are a kickass mom, but that is crazy talk. Don't feel trapped by the pouch. 

Trust me, no matter how many suns, leaves, or other symbols of earthiness are on the package, whoever made that pouch does not care about the environment or your kid. They care about making money only, so it is up to you to change the momentum and show baby food companies that such unethical (and expensive) packaging is unattractive, unecessary, and not getting your money. It may feel like swimming against the mainstream current (because it is), but you can do it.

Here's how: 

1. Give your baby something fresh- Sure, a pouch with apple might be healthy, but you know what is healthier? An apple. It doesn't have anything in it to keep it "fresh" and it comes in it's own biodegradable container. Shop the outside of the grocery store, and check out that managers' shelf for deals that will still make perfectly good baked apples or applesauce.

from Amazon

2. Reusable Pouches- THIS. You can control the content of the food better and you will create so much less waste. Sometimes you will still be on the go, but with good planning you can make your own puree or just put baby food from a jar into it. If you use the same pouch even 5 times, that's 4 fewer pouches in your child's water later. Plus, you will save a ton of money- when you pay for pouches, you are paying for the plastic. Try Squooshi, Nature's Little Squeeze, or a silicon pouch from Squeezy Gear. Nourish with Style is an amazing Etsy store to check out too.

from Abi and Sue

3. Put your food in another container- Once you hit that toddler phase, a handful of raisins or blueberries in a snack pack can be just the ticket. Etsy has tons of options in all sorts of styles. Re-play Snack Stacks are my absolute favorite- convenient, easy to clean, made in America, and recycled! Kids Konserve also sells a set we use all the time. There are so many easy options for this- garbage packaging is not needed!

I know with picky eaters this can be especially tricky, but consider trying juices with veggies or things toddlers can dip (why do they love dipping so much?) as a transition out of the pouch. This isn't about only eating nuts in the woods, it's about finding other solutions that make sense, and even if it isn't perfect, almost anything beats one time use plastic.

You can do this! Even if you need the pouches, you can take a reusable option and make your child's world that much cleaner and happier for the future. I get it, sometimes you need the shortcuts to just survive, but I am just saying this might be a battle worth picking and save the pouches for emergencies.

Want more ideas for how to green your regular shopping habits? I got you! Check out my massive list of shopping lists and ideas!

Read more

Don't Buy Plastic Straws, Instead Try

from The Vinyl Visionary

If I have learned one thing from the blog's September Mission to Cut Out Plastic Straws, it is that people really love their straws. LOVE their straws. And that there are lots of times where a straw makes a whole lot more sense than not. Though I can dream of a perfect world where no one uses straws, that would also have to be a world without toddlers, hospital patients, and people with super sensitive teeth, among many things. And this blog advocates for a lot of things, but eliminating toddlers is not one of them.

So, if you are a big straw user, what do you do?

My mom carries a cup while she works, and she says that now she tries to use the same plastic straw for the week to cut down on her plastic usage. That's awesome! Except that sometimes these straws grow mold. Not awesome. Those bendy spots on the straws may save us from the agony of moving our head or our glass, but they are also liquid traps, so the longer you use them, the grosser they get. 

But Mom wants to cut down her straw use, so we looked at what other options she has to keep in her office and use during her work day. 

Most "Don't Use" posts can point to a specific company who is profitting off of poor labor practices, wasting fossil fuels, and taking advantage of Americans while marketing their "Americaness." This may seem different, because straws are free! 

Right? Wrong. 

Restaurants pay for straws, and that cost is factored in with all the costs in prices. Every time you use one, you speed up the time until the restaurant has to order more straws. So they are absolutely making someone money. But they have to sell a lot to make money, which might be part of why straws seem necessary/unavoidable now.

Need more proof that straws are making someone money? Let me introduce you to the plastic lobby- a gaggle of shockingly tough gems who are actively fighting to keep plastics in the mix, no matter how destructive and toxic they are. They fight plastic bag bans and straw initiatives like this one all over the country. Companies like Dow Chemical (one of the largest creators of plastics) fund the lobby to fight government initiatives, and they are surprisingly successful. This doesn't even include the horrors of bottled water and its advocates, but we can cut these companies off at the knees by just refusing their product. 

Some kickass people are turning down straws at every turn, and I love that. Amazing people like my Mom are cutting down their straw-usage by reusing- that is so important too. But I would rather my mom doesn't get mold-filled Diet Coke every day, so what other options exist? 

A plastic disposable straw might not cost you money, but that massive pile you will throw away is going to cost you, the environment, and future generations. The good news? At relatively low cost, you can cut out the straw forever. 

1. Just Say No- When you can, just pass on the straw. Saying no costs 0 dollars, and you may just get used to it. I will grant that there are people and times that really call for straws, but self-assess- is this really one of them? Are you suffering without a straw? We are all used to cheap and easy, but we also know it is costing us, so sometimes it's better to just pass.

ALSO, I have a toddler, so I understand that kids drinking out of glasses is a (very messy) pipe dream. At the same time, I now own a small army of sippy cups at home. When we go out to eat, I try to bring one with me so we can turn down the cup for him. We just pour some of our water in and throw it in the dishwasher when we get home. BAM! One less straw headed to the landfill. It's a weird habit to start, but it catches on easily enough. 

If you need straws, think about reusable options so you can still turn down that disposable plastic straw:

Hummingbird Glass Straws on Amazon

2. Glass Straws- I will be honest with you- I didn't even know this was a serious thing, but here they are! And they are eco-glorious. Made with glass, in America, these Hummingbird Glass Straws are total gems and a perfect fit for someone like my mom, who just needs a stash of straws at work for her diet coke. Might be great if you are a smoothie drinker at home (because nothing says "healthy breakfast drink" like sipping it out of a toxic chemical straw).

They have a bunch of options (including bent straws) and groupings, most of which include a cleaning brush, so look around before you buy. You can also look at options from Glass Masters Glass Straws (also amazing), Icosa Living, Straw Grace, or Alink (not as great, but still!).

Tranquilo from Amazon

3. Paper Straws-  Will they last you a week? No, probably not, but if you want to throw a party with milkshakes or you are a restaurant that wants to replace your plastic (God bless you if that is the case), paper straws are biodegradable, create no more waste, and are 100% the answer. I dream of a world where my kids think paper straws are the norm, and plastic straws are weird. My favorite paper straws are these ones from Tranquilo- not only are they biodegradable and made in the USA, the company also supports efforts to clean up our overpolluted oceans. Also, they have pirate straws.

If you want disposable straws, buy these ones! Are they as cheap? No, but they do 10000 times more good per straw, so I think this is a spot where it is worth it. 

Zicome from Amazon

4. Metal Straws- The best thing about these is that you can get one with a cute little brush that keeps these bad boys clean. So we ordered some of these Zicome metal straws that still have the bendy neck and come with a straw cleaner she can keep at work too. I also like that these would be tough enough to live in a purse. Simple and easy without adding to landfills.

Lots of options here too! Try Ehme, Accmor, Eco at Heart, and Chuzy Chef.

5. Silicone Straws- They do have reusable plastic straws as well, but honestly, I wouldn't recommend them. If you are going to go with a reusable straw, at least get something that won't be leaching chemicals into your drink and your mouth in a month or two. I couldn't find domestically-made silicon straws, but they are still a better option than plastic. Some options? Softy Straws, Housavvy Straws, and Green Paxx straws. 

And you thought plastic disposable straws were the only answer! Clearly there are all kinds of other amazing straws to use, and even if you love straws, you don't have to support the plastics lobby to enjoy your drink. You got this. Be sure to check out the other "Don't Buy, Instead Try" posts and all the other eco-friendly shopping ideas on my Giant List of Shopping Lists! 

Read more

Don't Buy Wilton, Instead Try...

In earlier, pre-spawn years, The Boy and I took a cake decorating class. It seemed like something that would be cool to do, and one of those skills that could come in handy. We took the class at Michael's, and the real first key point of the class is that you need a bunch of Wilton products. If you want frosting, go buy some Wilton powder and a bunch of Crisco (really? Gross). You need Wilton baking pans and Wilton decorating sets. If you don't fully submit to Wilton's cake-decorating dominance, you will never truly decorate a cake.

Well, it turns out that we weren't destined for Cake Decorating Greatness anyway. These are two of our masterpieces- the one on the right is an albino hamburger. We consistently got in trouble with our teacher, who just wanted to go home and watch The Voice, and I think we gave at least one of the Wilton decorating sets away (because of course we couldn't just share one). So, watch out Food Network, we are coming for your cake challenges.

So, Wilton has cleverly set up these "classes" all over the country at Michael's stores. They are easy to sign up for, and they all have the same pretty high stuff requirement. It must make them a ton of money, and you will never guess where absolutely all of their baking and decorating equipment is made. China! They do make some of their edible stuff (sprinkles, food coloring, etc) in the States, but I would still check. Maybe twice. Definitely check.

This company is ubiquitous, but pretty sneaky about it. You won't see their ads, but they dominate a lot of baking shelves, from pans to cookie sheets, and I bet if you go through your cupboards, you will find something of theirs in there. They are just the basic, recognizable, and therefore trusted brand for baking.

Wilton started as a baking goods and candy-making equipment company in Chicago in 1929. They start their cake decorating school in 1946, and they quickly became so popular that they had to keep moving to accommodate the crowds. In 1959, due to demand, they started a mailing catalog of baking supplies. Through the 90's, they keep growing their schools and their line of products, going from one product to many. In the website's extensive description of their history, they never discuss the manufacturing of their goods or when all of it moved away. They also make a lot of Martha Stewart's baking tools, which we know are also made in China.

The schools do employ a lot of people in the States, and that is worth acknowledging, but this company also leaves a lot to be desired.

So if you want to bake cakes, but not waste oodles of fossil fuels shipping your pans long distances, where should you shop from instead?

from USA Pans on Amazon

1. USA Pans- Based in Pittsburgh, this pan company works primarily for commercial bakers, so you know their pans and cookie sheets are baked to last. They have such a good reputation that they make the fancy lines at both Sur la Table and Williams Sonoma. I love their no fuss approach, and I think their products are worth the money (but if you buy the USA Pans brand, it isn't even particularly more expensive) I am a hardcore fan of this company- the products that we have of theirs are awesome, and I really wouldn't buy another cookie sheet or cake pan from anyone else.

2. Parrish's Magic Line- These perfectly-named cake pans are also made in the USA and also come at comparable prices to Wilton's nonsense. Totally worth checking out before settling. You can also try Jacob Bromwell for cookie pan options.

from Sur La Table

3. India Tree- Wilton does make their gel food coloring in the United States, so good for them on that. The bad news is that their gel food coloring is super creepy goo that seems to last forever. Ours (from that cake class 3 years ago) still seems gooey when I look at them now. So not ideal. India Tree makes food coloring out of more natural ingredients, as well as lots of sprinkles and other doodads to cover your albino hamburger cake in. We have also tried a bulk option like made in the USA Chef O Van to cut down on packaging (and because red velvet cake takes a lot of red).

Best Manufacturers from Amazon

4. Best Manufacturers- Want to buy the baker in your life a gift that they will still think is awesome ten years from now? Try Best Manufacturers whisks, which are beautiful, well-made, and totally domestic! We recently got one to replace our target-bought failure (it lasted less than 2 years people, that is pathetic), and I only have good things to say about it.

Dexter Russell from Amazon

5. Dexter Russell- Do you like spreading your frosting with a big professional spatula? Well, that makes one of us, my friend. Don't buy a Wilton, instead look into one like this from Dexter Russell (they have a bunch, so check around). Need something more low key? Try a spatula from Fletcher's Mill or Epicurean (this one looks great- I might add it to my own wishlist).

As a side note, I did look (a lot) into decorating bags and those metal tips, and Wilton's big competitor, Ateco, assembles their products in the US, but it seems they are made in Korea. I don't really even understand what could be assembled here, but it is a pretty lackluster option, so I can't list it as a better one in good conscience. I honestly think your best bet is to keep an eye out in consignment stores or even ask on Buy Nothing- we can't be the only cake decorating failures out there.

Read more

Don't Buy American Eagle, Instead Try...

This blog series "Don't Buy... Instead Try..." intends to point out some of the most egregiously unethical, wasteful, and environmentally ridiculous companies out there. Instead of dwelling on their considerable awfulness, the series will focus on the other options you have for purchasing.

Every purchase we make is a vote for the kind of world we want. 
Every single purchase is political.
 Every single purchase has ethical ramifications, and 
every single purchase should be approached with a spirit of stewardship. 

We can change the world by refusing to fund extreme greed, the mistreatment of other human beings, and the trashing of the environment. We need to stay aware of the many choices available to us. Will we get it right every time? No. But if we all make little changes, we can send companies a new message, that consumers will show up if they do the right thing. 

from ebay

Tonight, we headed to our local mall for some dinner, dessert, and letting our kid play in the pretty awesome play area. When dessert fell through (damn you, Dairy Queen), we just walked through the mall, and it struck me that basically any of the stores there would qualify for this blog. If we want to minimize our environmental impact or support American businesses that employ lots of Americans (not just a handful of underpaid high school and college students), we may all need to step away from the mall.

One of the most egregious of these is American Eagle (but we could say almost all the same things about stinky Abercrombie and Fitch, inexplicable Aeropostale, and the Gap) Despite "American" being in the name, American Eagle Outfitters sells only a tiny hand full of American products (mostly their scents, 4 t-shirts, Burt's Bees products, and a few Woolrich blankets online only). This is better than nothing, and it makes me sad to write this because the company is based out of Pittsburgh, but if you are trying to shop for ethical clothes, this isn't the place to start.

Also notable- the sheer number of t-shirts with American imagery on them- all of which were made elsewhere.

The first store was in Michigan, and the company was once headquartered in Tennessee. It's still not particularly large (especially compared to some of the things we have looked at here), but makes over 150 million dollars a year. They also have recently signed a "franchisee" agreement with one of the huge clothing distributors in the Middle East, so this "All-American" brand has stores all over the world. The company also makes the vast majority of their clothes oversees and have run into trouble for how they treat their labor.

American Eagle's strength is that it is marketed primarily to teens and young college students (specifically ones that wish they hung out at the beach a lot? Beach days aren't that common in Pittsburgh). I'll be honest with you, the teenage years horrify the (low key) environmentalist in me. They  are growing so fast that you don't want to spend a lot of money, but you also might have more trouble steering them away from trendy clothes or shopping in consignment stores. Striking that balance can feel incredibly tough if not impossible.

The good news is that it isn't impossible. You can still sidestep clothing stores like American Eagle and do better for the environment.

1. Get it Used- Yes, I know that I just said that someone who shops at American Eagle may not be wildly excited about used clothes. That doesn't mean you can't find something! Check what consignment shops are available around you and start browsing. You can probably save a whole lot of money and at nicer places find things that would still feel cool now. You can at least fill some wardrobe blanks this way.

from American Apparel

2. American Apparel- Unlike most of its "American" store counterparts, American Apparel actually makes and sells its clothes in America (specifically Los Angeles). Some of it's stuff isn't all that appropriate (not just for teens, basically for anyone who isn't into high cut, boob-baring adult onesies), but they do have perfect basics like t-shirts to try! They have a denim line just like American Eagle, but theirs is worlds ahead ethically.

The last time I bought a piece of clothing with an American flag on it was from them- it was also Made in America and to raise funds for immigrants in America, So yeah, I will spend my money here.

3. Modcloth- This online store has a great selection, some more cutesy that others, but Modcloth also has a Made in America filter that highlights new Made in America clothing every single day. I used to love American Eagle's dresses (they really were cut well), now I get most of my dresses from this site. One of my favorite clothing options anywhere.

There are plenty of clothing companies out there still made in America- for boys, you can check The American List and look out for sales. Even when shopping for someone in a seemingly endless transitional phase, you can still get some of your shopping done in a way that

Want more shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Shopping Lists.

Read more

Don't Buy Colgate or Oral B, Instead Try...

This blog series "Don't Buy... Instead Try..." intends to point out some of the most egregiously unethical, wasteful, and environmentally ridiculous companies out there. Instead of dwelling on their considerable awfulness, the series will focus on the other options you have for purchasing.

Every purchase we make is a vote for the kind of world we want. 
Every single purchase is political.
 Every single purchase has ethical ramifications, and 
every single purchase should be approached with a spirit of stewardship. 

We can change the world by refusing to fund extreme greed, the mistreatment of other human beings, and the trashing of the environment. We need to stay aware of the many choices available to us. Will we get it right every time? No. But if we all make little changes, we can send companies a new message, that consumers will show up if they do the right thing. 

from affilliate dentists.com

Oh toothbrushes- we need them, we use them daily (hopefully), and we are gifted them by medical professionals. Most are also tremendously awful for the environment and for our country. All mainstream (and most the drug store generic) toothbrushes are made of fresh plastic from China. This may not seem like a big deal, but think about the controversies about lead in plastic toys from years ago- toys have more regulations going for them than toothbrushes. This also means we waste tons of fossil fuels moving these tiny plastic brushes halfway around the world AND they come wrapped in plastic, so double the waste. It's something we all buy, and it sucks.

Colgate is a mega company, selling tons of products in 200 countries, that started in New York City in 1806. Despite it's long connection to the city (and its headquarters still there), the company has not remained particularly loyal to the American worker, and the majority of the products are made overseas. It also has done a number of mass layoffs, like one in 2012 where 2,000+ workers were given the cut. The company has a mixed record in terms of ethics and the environment- their toothpaste has been cited for polluting water and poisoning wildlife. They are known for being good employers in the United States, but take that with a grain of salt since that is a small percentage of their employees.

Oral-B is much younger, started in 1950, and it is owned by the Gillette group. None of their brushes are made in the States anymore either.

It's recommended that you replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. If you are on the conservative end, that is 3 a year. For 75 years, that is 225 toothbrushes. Per person. If you have a family of four, that is 1000 big pieces of plastic headed to landfills and the water. Put another way- 4.7 billion plastic toothbrushes go into landfills per year. Why? There have to be better options.

If you don't care about the environment, care about yourself. Toothbrushes don't have much regulation at ALL in what chemicals go with him. BPA and other toxic chemicals go into these things you put in your mouth everyday.

So what do you buy instead? Good news! You have so many great options!

from Tiny Yellow Bungalow

1. Bamboo toothbrushes- Tiny Yellow Bungalow (one of my favorite online stores) sells bamboo toothbrushes, but you can also get them from Amazon in bulk to save money (bmbu is another option, but they are made in China). These materials are most certainly better for your mouth (and the Earth), and often come in biodegradable packaging. It's a big investment, but like a healthier diet, it could reap some seriously positive results.

Preserve from Amazon

2. Preserve Recycled Toothbrushes- Preserve makes body care products (including razors and toothbrushes) out of recycled plastic in the USA.  Their toothbrushes are made out of recycled yogurt cups (so foodsafe plastic and way better than a regular toothbrush). Bought in bulk, they are also actually cheaper than the overly fussy ones they sell in drug stores. We use Preserve toothbrushes in our house, and they have worked out perfectly. I don't understand why every toothbrush at the bare minimum isn't recycled.

from Radius Toothbrushes

3. Radius Toothbrushes- Again, not perfect, but these Radius toothbrushes have recycled handles and then you buy new heads. This cuts down on 90% of the waste created by tossing away all those toothbrushes. This at least cuts things down by making the majority of the brush reusable for probably the rest of your life. They have a travel brush also made in the USA as well, so this might be a perfect option for your family.

4. Dr. Du-More's Toothbrush- These Dr. Dumore brushes are made out of partially biodegradable pieces in the United States. They also have recycled plastic packaging. Looks great to me, and one of the reviews is from a dental hygienist.

Want more shopping ideas? Check out the Giant List of Shopping Lists for more ideas of how you can improve the world with some small switches!

Read more