In the Beginning- Our Vision & You!

Today is the first day of this month when I'm sitting down to really contemplate the ways in which I'm truly grateful to have Ecological Babies in my life.  And it absolutely couldn't have become what it is today without customers I've met over the 4 years who support our mission and choose to support a local resource.

When I was pregnant, there weren't options locally where I could attend a workshop, talk to a cloth diapering friend, or have a private consultation where I could learn what I needed to know to get started with cloth diapers.  I couldn't recall bumping into any babies out in the community with fluffy bums because it wasn't common yet in Tallahassee.  Overwhelmed yet committed to the idea, I scoured the internet to learn about cloth diapers.  Instead of finding relief and feelings of empowerment (Yes, I can do this!), I was left with nightmares and even more confusion.

After my daughter was born 5 years ago, I knew I wanted to stay home with her full-time but would need a way to add some income and get out in the community.  (My local priest has coined me the "extrovert of all extroverts" -connecting to people feeds me spiritually.) The idea of Ecological Babies came to me when my daughter was young.  I wanted to be that live contact who could walk people through the process of getting started with cloth diapers.  In addition, I wanted to do something that promoted values important to me like social justice, simplicity, spirituality, and community.

Ecological Babies was a way to do this.  I am able to investigate companies I want to support and ask questions about their ethical choices.  I test out and decide which brands are quality and provide fair wages to their workers. I am able to educate out in the community at no charge as a way to promote environmental justice keeping thousands and thousands of disposable diapers out of the landfill.  Babies are healthier and more comfortable.  Families are saving thousands of dollars, meeting other like-minded families, and making more sustainable choices.  I love all of it!

Admittedly, it has been discouraging to learn about companies in China who are using current prototypes of American-made diapers, not testing their materials for lead, not providing fair working conditions, and producing a cheaper product to sell here.  Their skewed currency allows them to sell their diapers at a price American companies could never afford.  And I'm just so grateful for those in our community who are still choosing to vote with their wallet and support Ecological Babies.  Thank you for supporting us and also allowing us to support you!

There is not much more fulfilling to me than being able to be a part of my children's lives, while operating a business I believe is providing change for the good and allowing more families to make more sustainable choices in their lives.

Humbled,

Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com 
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235

Confession Time

Alright, it's time for a confession......

Deep breath.....

I'm probably going to lose major points on my Crunchy Mama card for admitting this.....

Hang on, let me procrastinate a little bit....

You know those kids picture books called "What's Wrong Here?" Well, this was my dinner prep set-up tonight. See anything amiss?

Yes, sigh. I use non-stick spray. Me, the Tallahassee Cloth Diaper Lady (I've really been called that. Multiple times, actually.) The mom with the washable tissues, the one without any paper towels, the one bag of trash a week lady, stainless steel water bottle carrier, organic buying club member, farmers market enthusiast - yes, that's me. And I...dramatic pause and head hanging in shame...use non-stick spray. As in, highly processed and possibly toxic canola oil, and container that is extremely NOT biodegradable or even remotely recyclable.

But hang on! That's our dinner set up in the picture above. We had blueberry waffles, and I tell you - nothing lifts those waffles off the iron as easily as Pam. Nothing. See how nice?

Mmmmm......nice........

I've tried to use other things. In fact, I have a really nice silicone pastry brush from Pampered Chef that I use to brush olive, coconut, and other oils onto pans, muffin tins, etc. But for the waffle iron, nothing else seems to work as well.

I tried to go two months without buying any non-stick spray. I really did! But we are big waffle fans over here, and I've been known to make them twice a week. I've also been known to stir in finely grated zucchini, but I'll save that for another confession post. Each time, even with copious oil brushing, I still had little bits of waffle left on the iron, and ended up having to wash the whole thing. And if you've ever tried to wash an electronic kitchen appliance (by the way, you're not supposed to), you know it's somewhat of a challenge.

Tonight, to make myself feel better about the Pam, I thought about the organic blueberries I was using, and patted myself on the back for making the waffles from scratch rather than popping open a box of frozen Eggos. Heck, I even used organic, free range, vegetarian fed farm fresh eggs! Surely that offsets the CFCs! But then, I open up Facebook and there being shared among my friends is this graphic, which you can find here.

Now, I'm not sure where this came from, or how accurate these numbers are. But all the same the message is clear. Burying something in the earth does not make it go away, it just removes it from our sight. And besides, can something truly biodegrade if it's been disposed of in a plastic trash bag and buried in a landfill devoid of sunlight and oxygen? I'm thinking no. The graphic had the intended effect on me, and instantly made me feel guilty for my non-stick spray habit. I only use it for the waffle iron (no really, I promise!), but still, all those bottles add up.

I need to do better at finding a solution. I've seen oil misting bottles in stores, but have no idea if they work or not. I feel like I live a pretty "sustainable" lifestyle, but I'm sure if I thought harder there are more bad habit products I could find that I need to learn to do without. Like the mesh bath sponge I know and love. I'm going to venture to guess that's not so green, either.

What bad habit items do you have lurking in your house? What can you just not do without? Come on, let's all confess, but let's also help each other out. Is there a product you have learned to easily live without? Share your swap outs for living a more re-usable and less disposable lifestyle.

And if you've got one of those nifty oil sprayers, do tell. Because I'm pretty sure I'm making waffles again this weekend.

Claire Williamson, Representative

Ecological Babies

claire@ecologicalbabies.com

Why We Don't Carry Fuzzi Bunz (Anymore)!

If you've been with us since we launched Ecological Babies (in 2008), you might remember that we carried Fuzzi Bunz for awhile.  I was excited about this diaper as it was popular and also made in factories nearby (New Orleans area and in Arkansas).  The quality of their diaper was done well and we used them with our kiddos with success.

Then, the company made a decision to shut down their American factories and start producing in China.  I was very disappointed in this change and immediately emailed their CEO, Tereson Dupuy.

My response is in regular font and hers is in bold:

"After hearing your response, I am going to seriously consider whether

I'm going to choose to keep Fuzzi Bunz as a retailer.  I definitely

want to continue supporting your business, if it still meets my

values."

"I think it is an oxymoron that people want to support US companies, but only if they are supporting other US companies.  What about our US company that just dropped us?  What about the US companies that would not do business with us b/c we could not order 50k yards in material - it is the US companies that do not want to support small growing businesses that have forced me into overseas.  It is the US companies that can't manufacturer a decent product and force you to pay for their screw ups that have forced me into non-US based manufacturing.  But I am STILL a US based company with employees to distribute product and children to feed.  Supporting MY company IS supporting a US based company.  There is a much bigger picture that meets the eye.  


Our factory produces for Walmart and Disney.  It is a very good factory that treats its workers well.  I will be visiting in a few months (not looking forward to the flight - but will get to take my daughter to Hong Kong).  


What people do not realize, and I was quite taken back myself - is that manufacturing is a very good way of life in China.  Can you imagine working for a company that housed you, fed you, paid for your medical bills and 2 trips home each year to see your family and likely bring them back home all of the money you have made?  Not bad.  


Its a different way of life and a culture.  We can't understand it b/c we are so consumed with "things" and "freedom" but I would definitly work for a lesser wage if I did not have a house note, insurance, medical etc to pay for.  China has really cracked down in the last 10 years on manufacturing practices etc.  And I am sure there are still some bad ones.  But ours is not.  


OMG and can I tell you how much better this will be for the environenment?  Not 25 containers per year shipping raw goods to one factory, then shipping them to another warehouse then shipping them out etc.  6 containers a year - one distributor.  Much better.  


I am very happy with my decision.  thank you so much for your support."


*Note:  I underlined for emphasis on the lines that really struck me. 


To my dismay, I planned on discontinuing their diapers.  I had a fill a few orders and so I ordered a few "new" batches from their China factory.  We had delaminating issues, the color consistency was off, elastic being shot after only a few months of use, and the fleece inside wasn't as soft.

More importantly, I chose to discontinue them due to their choices that crossed over my ethical boundaries.  Walmart and Disney have been cited for their human rights violations and this is the factory where these cloth diapers are being made.  She condoned the use of housing these workers, and glamourized this lifestyle.  Are they REALLY lucky that they get to see their family 2 times a year???

One thing I love about operating my own business is that I get to choose who to support.  Granted I have and will lose customers seeking Fuzzi Bunz, but that is just fine with me. There are other companies that I also choose not to support and again, have the same customer loss.  The companies I support are ones in whom I agree with their business choices and the quality of their product.

Honestly yours,


Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 
574.275.1235