Initially when the eco-friendly movement started, I would have to say my redneck background was suspect. I now have hopped on board. Although I still support hunting game and raising livestock (I'm a country girl, come on!), I do think we need to do our part in keeping waste down and keeping trees around.

That being said, I would like to pass on some of our family's latest changes on going green:

1. Pass on Brawny (or Viva for my pre-paper towel-less days). There really is no need for paper towels. Melissa inspired me to drop paper napkins, paper towels, and paper plates in the household about six months ago. At first it seemed impossible. What about the high chair tray or my kids' faces and hands? Well, a clean cloth can do all of that! I dare you. Try it a week. You'll never go back. Plus, there's something so "50's" about serving dinner with cloth napkins. It can make the simplest dinner seem well-put together.

2. Refuse to buy plastic water bottles. The non-BPA in plastic movement is getting just as big as the eco-friendly movement, and they happen to correlate in purpose. Now that there are so many public studies on the toxins released in water bottles, baby bottles, and plastic storage containers, the stainless steel market has taken off! You can now get knock offs of the popular SIGG water bottles for less. Although it's an initial investment, I can truly say that I have one for each family member and this is all we use (other than glasses at meals). We haven't popped open a water bottle in quite some time and missing out on all those toxins (while saving money in the long run).

3. Substitute your paper and plastic bags for cloth. Carter was given this bag for his first birthday and it has had a ton of use. It's our official overnight bag or park lunch sack. No need for paper.

Remember these? I use these snack bags daily. I am so happy to see that my friends have started making them as well. Join the revolution! If you haven't the resources to make them, heavens, visit Melissa's store (by the way, congrats to her for selling a LOAD full of them after being publicly featured on Etsy's homepage--we're so proud of you!). Hers are perfectly designed and have handled wash after wash. We also use them for Carter's "pocket toys" when going to and fro.

4. Bring back the hankie! Hide your disgust. What is disgusting is all those tissues going to waste! Plus, the hankie is so cute and delicate, not to mention unbleached. I would much rather wipe my children's faces with vintage embroidery than bleached Kleenex, thank-you-very-much!

What does your family do to be more green (or cut on cost)? Please share!