Is it possible to be semi-crunchy? I would think if it is then that is what I am. I recently with the help of Vanessa, we hung clothes line across my patio. It was quite an adventure trying to cut plastic covered clothesline with kitchen shears. Then trying to figure out how and where to place the clothes line where the patio was still somewhat usable. Once all was said and done and we were sweating like crazy(I forgot to mention this was at four in the afternoon) I have a functioning clothes line which I have used almost everyday since. Since someone so small dirties more clothes then whole sports teams wear.
Now back to the Semi-Crunchy idea, I am switching to cloth diapers (whole post within itself) this week not only because they are better for the environment, they are better for Ian’s skin too (less chemicals), they will save us money in the long run (yay, for saving money), and I won’t have to run to the store for diapers. With starting cloth diapers I am going to start making my own baby wipes with baby wash clothes and a little bit of Burt’s Bees Head to toe wash and water (this is mainly to save money). I am also trying to switch to less chemical filled products for cleaning and other such purposes. Which I have found vinegar, baking soda, and other such things our grandmothers use work best and are normally the cheapest. I am currently reading a book called Good House Magicwhich is all about doing things cheaper and easier. Not only am I trying to find less chemical filled cleaning product but baby care products also. I am a huge fan of the Burt’s Bees line of baby care products called Baby Bee. Their diaper rash cream is amazing and to top it off smells good too. I know that the Burt’s products are a little more money but they smell great and have less chemicals. We also made homemade pizza tonight that cost less then $5 for the both of us to eat with enough ingredients left over for me to make my self pizza for lunch in the next week. Also we are trying to incorporate one meatless meal into the rotation every week. We have cranked the thermostat up to above 75 degrees, this by far has been the toughest for me. So does anybody else have any good tips on how to save money?
Awkward Club 
You can totally be semi-crunchy! I consider myself semi-crunchy too. It's the best of both worlds. Good luck with the CDing!
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I am about to post a blog post about our clothesline too!! Just got it up the other day and used it on Wednesday for the first time, in preparation for cloth diapering!The only thing I have to add is 1) Allrecipes.com has tons of vegetarian recipes, I can send you links of my favs, and 2) be careful using diaper cream with cloth diapers, the oils can coat the cloth and cause the cloth to be less absorbent and then leak. The cloth diapering ladies at Peppermint told me to stick to powders…
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I call myself semi-crunchy too. I've been thinking about taking the plunge into cloth diapering. Right now we have one that we use at night. We do use reusable wipes and I love them. I buy the ultra cheap synthetic fiber washcloths (around 50 cents each). Not only does it save a little money, but we have almost completely eradicated diaper rash. I use a solution of baking soda and water in the squirt bottle they gave me in the hospital when I had Bea to clean my stitches. I think soap on a babe's bum several times a day might be drying. I dunno, worth experimenting, but we've been doing dandy with just the baking soda water (it neutralizes the acidity of a pee bottom — which is what causes diaper rash). Yay for semi-crunchy!
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Here are a couple of tips I have read of (and most I have tried) that are supposedly money-savers:Unplug things when not in use – it saves on the electric bill (most common things you can unplug? Toaster, TV, Lamps, Radios/Stereos and blowdryers.)Half your hand soap and add water to fill it back up. You can make it last twice as long this way!Read magazines at the library instead of buying them. For favorites like Real Simple or Martha Stewart, sign up online for their newsletters so you still get the info but for FREE!Puree fruits and veggies on your own and make your own baby food. Burbmom also has a great recipe for making your own applesauce – great for babies too!And if you're feelin frisky you can always try my favorite water saving technique (that is – if your hubby is cool with it): If it's yellow let it mellow…if it's brown flush it down!Good luck!
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I consider myself semi-crunchy as well, and will probably get worse once we have babies around. I am from the midwest originally (cow country, really) where my family would buy things like half a cow or half a pig. So when I moved to England and decided that most of the meat was either crappy or too expensive, it was odd. I think we ate red meat at home maybe half a dozen times in 2 years! Meatless meals became easier and easier. I will suggest for buying meat to buy when it's on sale (or on the sell by date when you can usually get it at least half off) and freezing it. I would freeze chicken breasts raw, I would bake them then freeze them, or boil them and freeze the meat and the broth for soups later on!And that book looks interesting! Definitely going to have to get it!
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The best way to clean cloth diapers is to pre-rinse them off in the toilet using a Hand Bathroom Bidet Sprayer. So convenient and if you are trying to help the environment (and your pocket book) you can give it a double whammy by virtually eliminating toilet paper use by using it on yourself also. I'm not sure how many people know this but that is what they were originally created for. I think Dr. Oz on Oprah said it best: "if you had pee or poop on your hand, you wouldn't wipe it off with paper, would you? You'd wash it off" Available at http://www.bathroomsprayers.com they come in an inexpensive kit and can be installed without a plumber. Now we're talking green and helping the environment without any pain. One review: http://jonathanandandrea.blogspot.com/2009/04/spray-it-or-scrub-it.html
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