April Small Change

So as you may remember our change from March was to buy less plastics. I can't attest to 100% success, but then I suppose "buy less" is more relative than "buy none", so maybe any small effort qualifies as success...I didn't buy any new plastics for the home (whether in the form of gadgets, ziploc bags, whatever). One happy coincidence came in the form of the Easter egg dilemma. I'd pretty much convinced myself that I wasn't into the whole Easter as another commercial holiday thing, and thus was satisfied not to indulge in any of those plastic eggs to be filled with candy; however, as the month wore on and I reflected more on the Easters of my childhood, I remembered how much I enjoyed cracking open those little eggs filled with treasures, and then I kind of wanted Cassidy to have that experience too...alas. Just then another mom in one of our local mom's groups posted that she had a ton of those plastic eggs that she wanted to get rid of and I happily scooped up a bag from her. Yeah I know they are kind of cheesy, but kind of fun too. 

enjoying an egg full of cheerios

At any rate, even though we were able to cut down somewhat on the general plastics, plastics in the form of food packaging continue to flow in at a disheartening rate. Even though for the last few months I've been eyeing what all I can find in the bulk bins, and often purchasing from them, it's sometimes discouraging when stuff is actually more expensive bought in bulk than it is handily packaged for me. I know there are a bunch of weird economics that make that the case, but let's face it, it can be all too tempting to go for the easier option. Plus, when Brant and I both work (albeit part-time in my case), I don't always have time to hit the shops with the good bulk bins when I need something. But still, despite these words of discouragement, hope springs eternal and I'm really going to try to not buy any new plastic-packaged food items as my small change in the month of April.


On top of that, April being the actual month of Earth Day, I'm going to throw in a bonus round and try not to buy anything new whatsoever (except for food, obviously, and things like toothpaste or shampoo or whatever). I think this will be a good chance to really rethink our purchasing habits. I was recently reading this blog posting from YES! magazine, which inspired me with some helpful questions in thinking through each time you want to purchase something. How will I do? Well it will be interesting to find out - I may be setting my expectations a little too high - but it will be fun to try at least!