One Small Change

Suzy over at Hip Mountain Mama created One Small Change back in January. I've been deliberating ever since in what way I'd join in.

I've made a lot of changes (some big, some small) over the last few years. So much so that a college roommate who visited me this weekend was shocked at my new life...more shocked at how happy I was (and the kids were) with less. Wish I had a picture of her face when she spied my knitting basket.

For giggles I made up a list:

• Solar panels on our roof when we built this house.
• Radiant floors heated by the solar panels and an outdoor woodstove.
• We use washcloths instead of paper towels, baby wipes, etc...
• Cloth napkins for everyone.
• Regularly use my own bags for my purchases, grocery and other.
• We keep a veggie garden and also have apples, pears, blueberries, raspberries.
• Kids' lunches are all reusable containers/utensils (minimal plastic)--no juice boxes, plastic baggies, paper napkins.
• Hankies instead of tissues (though only I use them sofar).
• Mend clothes whenever possible. Repurpose them when it's not.

So I didn't really feel like I NEEDED to add to that, but I sure did think the idea was awesome and I also liked that it got me thinking. Could I realisticly add one more? Did I want to?

In February we were hit with many snowstorms in a row. Twice we were without power (and as we use well water that meant no running water either). I hand washed (with water from our emergency supply heated by the gas stove).


And turns out I didn't mind. Liked it even. Really. Our dishwasher has been on the fritz, see. Feigning death like an opera star, at least once a month. And Hubby, fix-it hero that he is, steps in dramatically for the save. Tiresome. I realized that we can not only conserve water by hand washing, but also dish soap. It forces time alone that can be spent meditating (while I stare dreamily out the window over the sink) or time spent together (you wash, I'll dry) where talk magically happens. My one small change for February was more of an epiphany: when our dishwasher finally kicks it (for reals this time) we will not buy another one. Nope, you heard me. Done. I look at you, dishwasher, and dare you to leave us for good. We will get on just fine without you. Might just even put a cabinet in your place.
What's in store for March? No more PAM. As in the spray. Chemicals. So. Not. My. Thing. Anymore. But, there it is in my cabinet next to the bottles of olive, peanut, and coconut oils. I only used it for baking...it was soooooo easy just to spritz my bread pans (I long ago got tired of the oil misters gunking up/breaking and all the plastic involved). I was making homemade bread with good ingredients and, yes, spraying the pans!


The solution, it turns out, was under my nose for a while. I'd read the tip many times in frugal articles, but dismissed it. I didn't think of it until I was grumbling (to myself) about the butter (I buy good butter) that gets left unused on the wrapper...which was going into the trash. Our budget is very tight. And wasting food (when I'm spending so much on "good" food) is not an option our budget can withstand. Suddenly I remembered that you can save the greasy wrappers in a baggie in the freezer until you need them...take them out and butter your pans. Duh. And. So. Easy. Pam--begone! And there you have March's One Small Change.