Diapering dilemmas...

Hi all,

    Today, I want to address a most important decision which most of us have to make at some point in our life, if we choose to have children. What should we use for diapers? A few decades back, it was a no-brainer. Use cloth. Our ancestors have always done that. So, what is the big deal? 

   With the several options currently available and the wellbeing of the baby in our mind and our eco-consciousness, it is a difficult decision these days. Not long back, when my first baby was born, I was stubborn that I will not use disposable diapers and settled for cloth torn from old cotton saris. With a judicious mix of disposable (yes) nappy pads and cloth, I managed. But, it required a lot of energy and it affected the baby's and my sleep.

   Now, with my second child, my energy fails me and I don't want my child to wake up due to a wet nappy. I resorted to disposable diapers for a few days. Here I have to mention that it was not a conscious decision from my part. It so happened that we were provided with a few packs of disposable diapers in the hospital and we continued to use them. (I remember how my first baby was wrapped in a cloth and given us, but my second baby was wrapped in a disposable wrap and handed. It is sad to note that hospitals do not think twice about generating bio-medical waste). After about a month, my eco-consciousness got the better of me and I decided to go for cloth diapers. It serves the purpose well and appeases my conscience as well. In India, currently, we have BumGenius and Flip (of the same company marketed by smartbaby in India) imported from the US. They have all-in-ones which can be used upto an age of 3. They look bulky, but perform well. We also have our own Indian brands BumChums and SmartKid's Play Garden. I tried BumChums and Flip. They function as good as disposable diapers in keeping the baby's bottom dry. So, I appeal to all those parents with diaper-needing children to go for cloth diapers.

   Using cloth diapers when the baby sleeps and using cloth nappies when the baby is awake is sensible and manageable. Washing these is not a big issue. They are machine-washable in hot-water setting.By doing so, you will save a lot of money (as opposed to disposable diapers), the baby will be safe and lastly and most importantly, you will help save the planet.

    It is sad to note that most shops retailing baby products do not stock cloth diapers because they say that these are not fast-moving. I bought them online.

   In this context, I need to mention that with the availability of disposable diapers, increasing numbers of parents are following the western trend of diapering a baby upto 3 years. But, to be very frank, we have forgotten our basics. For my first child, I took up the toilet-training challenge when the baby was 2 months and succeeded (Thanks to my lamaze trainer who said that it is possible as early as two weeks). It was easy. But I missed out on the potty-training till the eighth month and it was slightly difficult. With the second baby, I potty-trained the baby by 3 months. And it is so convenient. I believe now that with regards to toilet-training, the earlier the better and easier. Just imagine the amount of bio-medical waste we shall avoid generating (or) the amount of electric energy we would be saving in washing cloth diapers by this simple effort! Initially, it requires a lot of energy, though. But that energy would be well-spent.

  

   So, please please please reduce waste and conserve energy by toilet-training your baby early and by using cloth diapers. It serves our baby (yes, disposable diapers are not good for the baby) and serves our environment.

Have a great day and do consider cloth-diapering!

The index finger shows the way....

Hi all,

  In the past week, I have been doing lots of experiments in my Project GreenLiving. After trying the neem stick for a couple of days, I gave up. Reason? It is too harsh and deters me from using it. It requires a lot of time to chew and create the brush. I feel slightly unsure about keeping the stick in the wash area (the same issue that I had with the brush) thinking of the millions of germs in the air inside the bathroom. 

   So, I decided to try the index finger and it worked. Yes, in our country, people have used the index finger for cleaning the teeth for years. Why is it convenient? Here are some points. You can add your own advantages.

1. It does a good job.
2. You can carry it around anywhere you travel (rather, you can never forget to carry it).
3. You don't have to change it every few months.
4. It can access really hard-to-reach crevices.
5. No need to worry about where to store it between each brushing (cleaning).
6. No worry about adding to the plastic waste. It never goes to the garbage.

   But, make sure you give enough pressure to clean well. Use a mirror to ensure that you've cleaned all areas.  

  So, it is the index finger and Dasanakantichurnam (see previous post) for cleaning my teeth. 

I have been working on other things as well. Updates on these will come soon.

Until then,

The mantram

Dear all,

   I had mentioned about passage meditation and Eknath Eswaran in a previous post. Well, one of the common sense directions that he advocates is the repeating of a mantram. So, what is the mantram?

   Each of us is free to choose a mantram which has some special meaning to us. And then what? Repeat it. Repeat it as many times as possible. Repeat whenever possible. Repeat when you're happy. Repeat when you're sad. Repeat when you're anxious. Repeat when you're scared. Repeat when you're waiting. He says that one should treat it like a bank account. The more you repeat it, the more you have in your account. 

  I tried this personally, and I find that it is of great value. It helped me go through many tough times. It is not some magic wand which finds solution for all problems. But, there have been times when repeating it has given me the courage to pass through a problem. Waiting has been easier while repeating it. Sometimes, I've found help coming from unforeseen quarters. Of course, I've not yet learnt to repeat it when I'm happy!!!

  Don't wonder how this works. Don't go into the logic of why this should work at all. It works and it works because you believe in it. Yes. Try it for yourself. The longer you're at it, the better it gets. Probably, it goes deep into the subconscious that this mantram will help you tide over issues. Anyway, I suggest to surrender all reasoning and try it for atleast a month before deciding whether it works. And don't fail to let me know.

Happy repeating the mantram!

Project GreenLiving - Week 1 and the Dental Decisions

Dear readers,

   I have been waiting to give an update on my pet project GreenLiving. The first week has thrown a lot of questions. As I closely monitor my garbage, I see all kinds of things which I've been mindlessly throwing - toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, aluminium foils (from packings), plastic covers that are used for package of food grains, broken rubber bands, gift wrappers, tetrapaks, milk covers, disposable diapers and etc. and etc. And then, the question of water that is wasted. So, how can I go about setting up a zero waste apartment?

  I decided to go about implementing the already solved questions first. So, here are the changes that I intend to make in the next few days/weeks.

 GL1: Set up a compost bin to handle the wet waste in the kitchen.

 GL2: Switch over to cloth diapers/nappy pads for AM. (I have already ordered some cloth diapers).

  Apart from these two major ideas that I plan to implement, I shall continue to monitor what goes into my garbage.

  I have been suffering from a decay in my tooth for the last 2 weeks. So, I switched over completely to Dasanakantichurnam, which has given me good relief. Some history first.

  

  After years of suffering toothache, in spite of brushing twice a day regularly, I was at my wit’s end. I tried a myriad range of toothpastes, in vain. My sinusitis was linked to the oral problems. To set them right, I’ve had about 5 root canal treatments. It was at this point in time that I started turning towards natural alternatives for a range of chemicals that we normally use at home without questioning. One fine day, I happened to read an article which suggested the use of Dasanakantichurnam, an ayurvedic powder made by Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala which can be used as a substitute for toothpastes. Initially, I was sceptical, but decided to try it out anyway. I have not regretted that decision. I was also happy that the chemicals in toothpastes can be avoided. Some of the chemicals that out tooth pastes contain (yes, even the kids’ tooth pastes) are very toxic. When I started my research on the chemicals that we use in day-today life, I was shocked to find that the sodium fluoride (that which the marketing wizards sell to us) in toothpastes is a potential toxic drug. Some contain parabens. And the horror is that our children sometime swallow them unknowingly.

  

  Dasanakantichurnam is an Ayurvedic Tooth powder. I bought the famous and authentic Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala’s boxed version. It is reddish brown tooth powder with a stinging (clove-like taste). It is messy to use if you’re not used to brushing with a tooth powder. It stains the brush, wash basin, but fortunately not the teeth. Ideally use your index finger to brush (yes, so that you don't find a tooth brush in your garbage - two in one). I'm also planning to try out "neem sticks".  

  I decided to call this goal of good health through natural means as Project GoodHealth. Here are my goals in the next few weeks for this project.
 GH1: Replace chemical-based cleaners  with harmless stuff, not compromising on the quality of cleanliness.
 GH2: Find a solution for purifying water without losing out on the essential minerals.
  
  Currently, we have a RO (Reverse Osmosis) purification system. I want to replace this because, RO removes most of the essential salts in water and hence long-term usage of this system affects the immunity/resistance. I am experiencing this. So, what are the alternatives?

Happy thinking about alternatives!

 

Project GreenLiving!

Hi all,

   At times, I wonder if I'm doing justice to my blog name and purpose when I talk about recycling and reuse. So, I'm tempted to give an explanation without anyone having asked for it. This blog rests on two goals of mine - 

1. good health through largely natural means, home remedies and lifestyle changes

2. greener, eco-friendly living that contributes to the health of our earth and our environment and indirectly to us.

The first goal is a narrow one focusing on home. The second one is a larger one which encompasses the whole world and how I can contribute to the world.

   Having said that, I'll move on to the next idea I have in mind. The last few months have been really chaotic with the birth of my second child AM and I've kind of wavered from my goals and compromised for the sake of convenience at times. Yes, I used about 5 or 6 packs of diapers for AM and contributed to the landfill. After chiding ourselves over this lack of eco-consciousness, my hubby dear HD and I decided to go for cloth diapers. A few days back I came across a facebook group Re-use Sandhai (Here's my post on it). One lead to the other and I joined another group zerowastehome of the same Preethi Sukumaran and that set things rolling. With a renewed interest, I've decided to work on not only zero waste in my home but also zero toxins in my home. Having said that, it is not going to be easy because I live in an apartment. That will be the fun part of it. And I shall log all the changes that I'm make/decide to make/fail to implement  & the compromises that I make in the process. Let me call it "Project GreenLiving". Any updates or decision on Project GreenLiving will be posted here.

As a first step, I kept aside the remaining diapers and nappy pads of AM and put on the cloth diaper which we bought a few days back. I shall do a post on cloth diapers soon. I took out the cloth nappies. I decided to use the cloth nappies when AM is awake and the cloth diapers when he sleeps so that wetting it does not wake him up. 

Next in line is to set up a composting system for my plants so that  the organic waste can go into it.

Happy Green Living!

Meditation - the Eknath Eswaran way!

Hi all readers,
    We all know that meditation is good for us. We have all tried it at some point or the other. Some of us have had tremendous success and continue to meditate everyday; some of us had success, but do not find the time to meditate or dropped it along the way in the hustle bustle of daily life; some of us could not keep our eyes closed even for a few minutes. But, the fact remains that meditation is good for our health.
  
   If you're one of those people who would like to meditate, but find it difficult to do so, try the Eknath Eswaran way of meditating. Dear H bought his book on meditation couple of years back. You can see excerpts on passage meditation from his book and learn to meditate or choose to buy his book Meditation: Commonsense Directions for an Uncommon Life. A simple eight-point program guiding us to alter our way of life. The eight point program is as below.

1. Passage meditation
2. Repetition of a mantram
3. Slowing down
4. One-pointed attention
5. Training the senses
6. Putting others first
7. Spiritual fellowship
8. Spiritual reading

   Written in a very simple and lucid style, it is such a pleasure to read. Some books on meditation could be too heavy and leave us drained, but this is not so. I just love the third and fourth chapters. I keep going back to this book when I'm troubled. Do try it and let me know if it has made your spiritual learning better.

Happy meditating!

Reuse recycle ...or freecycle at Re-use Sandhai

Dear readers,

   After a hiatus due to the birth of my second child, I'm getting back to blogging. What best to write about than the recent facebook groups that I joined? After seeing a writeup in the newspaper, I looked up the facebook groups Re-use Sandhai. It is a great initiative and currently works largely in Chennai. A group dedicated to re-using, re-cycling and up-cycling goods to help spread awareness and encourage Sustainable Consumption.
   If you have some goods, say furniture/books/anything that is of not much use for you, but could be used by others, post them. Posting is simple. Put up photographs, write about the features, expected price, pick-up point etc... That's it. Love this group. Good job Preethi Sukumaran!

  Similar groups exist in other cities too. Do check them out! It is a wonderful way to promote recycling and reuse.

Happy recycling...