The "I Quit" Fiesta

I recently came across the I Quit Fiesta on the lovely Zoe's blog, Eco Thrifty Living, which got me thinking about the things we gave up in the name of greener and healthier living a couple of years ago and also the things that are on my 'I Quit' hit list this year.

The microwave : this went a couple of years ago when we realised that we were only using it as a bread bin - just the perfect size for holding a large loaf and maybe a teacake or two.

Household chemicals : a couple of years ago, the cupboard underneath our kitchen sink was crammed with cleaning products - kitchen cleaner, bathroom cleaner, descaler, washing powder, washing up liquid, stain remover.  Yep, we'd been sucked in by years of advertising convincing us that you really do need different cleaners for different parts of the house! 

Now we use just two store-bought products - washing up liquid and one multi-purpose cleaner, both from Earth Friendly Products.  We now make much better use of things like baking soda, white vinegar, tea tree oil and lemon juice to clean.  A few weeks ago, we gave up laundry liquid and started using Soapnuts, dried nutshells from the soapberry tree which grows mainly in India and Nepal.  You just pop a few in the little cotton bag provided and put it in with your wash.  The soapnuts can be reused 3 or 4 times and clean really well.

Soapnuts

Sugar : We have reduced our sugar consumption a lot and 2 weeks ago, I gave it up completely.  It's really hard going at the moment - headaches, grouchiness and cravings abound - but I am feeling the benefits already; more energy, sleeping better, and no dark circles under my eyes!  Mr H, on the other hand, has cut down but doesn't feel he can cope with hundreds of kids each day (he is a teacher) without cake.

However, my next big thing to quit is supermarkets.  I tut and grumble at the inexorable expansion of Tesco and loathe the effect supermarkets have on the high street but still shop in one.  So, this is the next target on my radar, coming soon ...... watch this space!

Annie x