Over the past few weeks, I have been making a more conscientious effort to live a healthier and more environmentally-friendly lifestyle all with the help of Seventh Generation. Prior to participating in the Green Your Routine campaign, I wasn't aware that the
 average 
Canadian 
child 
throws 
away 
66 
pounds 
of 
lunch
 packaging 
waste each 
year. 
If 
all 
that 
disposable 
packaging
 was replaced with 
a 
reusable
 lunch
 carrier,
 you could 

save 
an 
average 
of 
$250 a 
year!

As part of the Green Your Routine campaign, Seventh Generation challenged bloggers to adopt 
four small 
and
 simple 
changes that can 
save 
money, make
 a 
lasting 
impact 
on the 
environment 
and
 positively 
affect 
the 
family's health.

STEP 1: The Litterless Lunch

This one was easy since my kids' school already encourages litterless lunches and since we have stocked up on reusable items such as a reusable 
lunch
 bag, 
reusable 
containers
 and stainless 
steel
 
drink 
bottles
.

STEP 2: Watch How You Wash

Many 
dish
 and
 laundry 
soaps 
contain 
petrochemicals 
(derived 
directly 
from
 oil). For the past eight years or

 so, my husband and I mainly use plant‐derived,
 non‐toxic
 dish
 soap such as Seventh Generation's Free 
and
 Clear
 Natural
 Dish 
Liquid and their Free 
and 
Clear 
All 
Purpose 
Cleaner. The fact that the all purpose cleaner is non-toxic and VOC-free makes me feel like I'm living like the Lorax.

STEP 3: Choose a Fun, Fit, and Sustainable Route to School

This one was a tough one for me since I have to take the kids to daycare early in the morning so that I can arrive on time for my 8 am supervision duty in the morning. The fact that I have to be at work so early makes it impossible for us to bike or walk to school, which is why I am looking forward to when my daughter is old enough to walk with my son to school at a more decent hour. It's good exercise for them, they will get to sleep in a bit later and my husband and I will save on before and after school daycare fees. (This day cannot come soon enough!)

STEP 4: Rebrand Responsibility

Seventh Generation suggests 
that 
kids
 
be 
involved
 in
 planning
 and
 preparing
 their
 snacks
 and 
lunches 
for 
the
 week as well as 
help
 clean
 and
 select 
their 
clothing. They 
should 
also 
be 
in 
charge 
of 
creating 
their
 weekly
 schedules
 (including
 chores, 
sports 
practices,
 music
lessons,
 etc).

 This
 would require 
a 
weekly 
family
 
meeting to 
go
 through
 a 
meal‐planning
 chart, for example. I think this one is a great idea but it's definitely a work in progress.

In the end, I am happy that I participated in the Green Your Routine challenge and that I dedicated time to identify the areas where our family can be 'greener.' I am also happy to announce that I have selected a winner of the Seventh Generation prize pack. Congratulations goes out to SueSueper S.! And a big thank you to Seventh Generation for continuing to provide plant-based, family-safe alternatives.