Going "green"

I often wonder if I drive my husband crazy with all of the facts I spurt out about pesticides, recycling, eating less processed foods, etc.  Ever since I had children, all of these things suddenly became extremely important to me. I care more about the lotions and personal care products i use because of the chemicals that are put into them. I care more about what is in our food and what is in the cleaning products we use every day. I became extremely aware and cautious when I was pregnant with my daughter. I am happy to say that we have come a very long way in our "green" life since 2009! 

Am I being paranoid? I know some people roll their eyes at my efforts. (Because it truly is an effort to research all of the things that your lotions, deodorants, make ups, detergents and soaps contain!) All I know is that the cancer rates continue to rise and no one can give me a cure.  Scientists have connected certain chemicals in our personal care products, foods, cleaners (etc) that INCREASE the chance of getting cancer. Therefore... I will not use those products or expose my babies to these things if I can help it!  I feel like its almost a given, or even an accepted fact that you will most likely get some kind of cancer in today's world. Well I don't have to accept that fact and I sure don't have to increase the chance of my babies having an early exposure to things that they have even remotely linked to a chance of getting cancer or any other illnesses! 

I am hoping that my efforts will pay off in the long run.  I am so proud when I watch my 2.5 year old wash her hands or brush her teeth on her own. She wets her hands or toothbrush and immediately turns the water off until she needs to rinse the soap or toothpaste off. If she feels the water has been on too long she says, "Fishies need water mom."  I feel like I am making a difference, not only in the lives of my children, but on future generations. I hope if I can continue to leave a good example for my kids, raise them in a house with "green" values or expectations, they will be more likely to pass it on to their children and so on and so forth. Imagine what a difference we could make if everyone did this?? 

And it all started with turning off the water...