My New Coffee Mug - "Not Made in China"

Finding items "Not made in China" is a daunting task; it's even harder to find things "Made in the USA". Don't get me wrong, if an item is manufactured in the USA, it doesn't guarantee safety, but it's a good start!

So, for many reasons, I am determined to rid my home of things Made in China, and also to resist buying anything new that is Made in China. This is my mission! As I look around my home, I see that it is a major undertaking.

The first step is a difficult, emotional separation - Replacing my COFFEE MUG - The mug I've used for years to start each day with a morning coffee meditation. (OK, so I had to envision all those toxins leaching out of the cracks into my coffee before I took action.) After searching through all big and small stores, I realized that there were NO ceramic mugs Not Made in China. However, I did find glassware that is made in the USA, so that is what I bought.

Subsequently, I replaced all my plastic "glasses" with Luminarc glasses, Made in the USA. Libby and Anchor Hocking are two other US glassware manufacturers. Plus all of the items were very inexpensive!

Journey to Green and Simplified Living

Several years ago I began my quest to live healthy and green. No, I'm not a frog, but I agree with Kermit -- it's not so easy to be green -- especially in New Jersey! Hopefully, through sharing what I have discovered, you will share with me, and the journey will be more successful.

The first unhealthy substances I removed from my life were artificial sweeteners -- Splenda, Sweet and Low, etc. -- and all products containing them. Some personal experiences with these "poisons" convinced me that the so-called myths regarding the use of toxic chemicals in these products were actually true.

Next I cleared my shelves of any products containing trans fats. To do this I check the ingredients listed on the label and reject any product made with hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils. Too many products tout that they are trans fat-free, but, in truth, if they are made with partially-hydrogenated oil, they contain trans fats. Fully hydrogenated oil doesn't contain trans fats, however, it is solid (saturated) fat. For more info, you can check out: http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/faqs/f/hydrogenated.htm

I buy organic foods as often as economically possible. Stop and Shop has a good, affordable selection with their Nature's Promise line. I stock up on hormone-free chicken and ground turkey (Purdue), when it's on sale because this is a staple for my two dogs and me. My dogs eat what I eat! I started making homemade dog food afer Iams was part of that huge dogfood recall. Another staple is organic eggs, also Nature's Promise (Stop and Shop) -- at least until I can get a few of my own chickens,
but that story is for another time...