Simplifying, cutting back, green

So, I've been compelled recently to try to simplify my life. Actually been reading blogs about large families and families who homestead or are conscientiously green living, and even though it is just me and Lil M, I feel like there are ways we can be even more 'green' in our lives.

So, in December I sort of took a little break with the cloth diapering, but I'm back to it! I recycle everything I possibly can. I reuse things that some folks would throw away the first time (like plastic baggies). I try to wash full loads of laundry and dishes. I've been making coffee myself every day instead of going to Starbucks 2 or 3 times a week (heresy?!)... and it is good! I've been keeping the heat down during the day (to 62 degrees, yikes), when we're not home, of course!! lol What I'd like to do is make some cloth napkins (besides the ones I have store-bought). If I knew how to knit or crochet, I'd make dish clothes. Maybe I'll convince Sis to make us some!!

Now, most of my friends know I like to shop. But what you might not know is that I also like to give a lot of stuff away. So, that's what I did in December. I bagged up clothes, baby items, toys, shoes, etc... basically, anything I haven't been using or was tired of looking at (I have a tendency to keep things for YEARS)... and put it all out in the garage to take to Goodwill.

So, I'm trying to find more ways to simplify things around here. Declutter and be more green. Less spending in January is my goal (way less than Christmas, of course!)... by making almost all of our meals and finding new recipes. I'm stocking up my pantry again. It is easier to motivate myself to cook if I have things I like to make! lol What a concept, I know!!! But, I have a feeling I could buy less canned items and make more things from scratch. So, my goal in January is to find some more recipes that are easy and fairly quick and that make good leftovers.

Tonight, for example, I took some homemade macaroni and cheese I made Saturday and reheated it on the stove with some milk and added tuna and mushrooms for a very quick tuna noodle casserole (sans baking). I had never thought to do that before. But it was yummy. And homemade mac & cheese isn't hard to make either!! :)

Ok, enough of that... just wanted to post my thoughts on what I've been working on lately.

Hope everyone's New Year is starting off grand!! :)

Peace.