So the breastfeeding information I want is actually really hard to get; right now I'm tackling the question "what is the carbon footprint of the average 12 oz jar of soybean formula?" I thought for sure this would be easy to find, since it seems so trendy these days to know the carbon footprint of everything, but in fact, what I am finding is that those carbon footprint counters work mostly in generalizations.
Besides, who wants to blame a sweet little baby for besoiling our planet? I found a lot of resistance to the idea that babies contribute to global warming at all, with people yelling on message boards at each other things like "as long as the parents live a decient, green life, then it doesn't matter if they have children..." and "if green people don't have children, the world will become overrun with religious fundamentalists..." I find these ways of thinking very dangerous; the fact that we won't owe up to the fact that our children, as cute as they are, do cause pollution. I'm more down with the Voluntary Human Extinction Project folks, who at least own up to the fact that each of us, no matter how green we are, or how green we pretend to be, are causing harm to the earth.
This all has nothing to do with the fact that really, I've been lazy about researching all of this so far; all I've really done is written a sweet little e-mail to Similac (or Simil-Ick, as I like to call it,) requesting information. I also e-mailed a friend who just did a huge presentation on infant formula.
The main reason I've been so lazy is I've been goat-sitting on "The Farm," as the owner of the little place calls it. It isn't a farm so much as a large yard with two goats, two cats, five chickens, a dog and some fish...all within Portland city limits. This is yet another reason to love Portland; you are allowed to keep a certain amount of livestock in your backyard. Anyway, The Farm has allowed me to do some much needed relaxing; in a house all to myself, if you don't count all the animals, while the owner of The Farm is visiting a daughter in Tillamook. Anyway, I've been really enjoying the animals, especially the goats. I've always found goats cute, but now I'm realizing they are pretty smart and funny too! They like to clown...they jump on their back legs for example and streeeetch their necks and try to tear leaves off of the trees in their yard; I guess this isn't just clowning, they are trying to get food, but it sure is funny!
I was standing on a chair in their yard earlier, picking Hawthorne flowers off of a tree, to make a tincture out of, and the more aggressive goat was doing all sorts of things trying to make me drop the bag so he could eat the flowers, which they love. First he jumped and gut-punched me with one of his hooves...that really hurt! Then he tore the handles off the paper bag and swallowed them. He kept trying to grab the bag from me with his teeth...it got annoying, but at the same time, it was hilarious! He also ate a note out of my pocket yesterday with a friend's blog address written on it; I was angry, but I couldn't be too angry, goats are just so cute!
Anyway, I've also had a chance to practice some primitive skills at The Farm; the matron of The Farm has a bow and arrows, so I've been target shooting...I've noticed I must have something against chickens, because it seems a lot easier to hit the target when a chicken is standing in the fence behind it. I have to say though, I've been eating the eggs I find in the hay in the mornings, and the chickens at The Farm, which are truly free range, have the best tasting eggs I've ever had! I'm something of an egg conissour, and I have to say, I've been eating gourmet eggs these last few days.
Love ya,
Carrot
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You said breast feeding information your looking for is carbon foot print on a particular kind of formula. Formula is not breast feeding. What is the researching for that would need carbon dating? I must be out of the loop because I was not even aware that carbon footprinting was a popular thing to do.
Is there a new movement about limiting the number of children born because of enviromentalism? Of course we leave our marks on the earth, once up on a time according to history (and the bible, but many do not veiw that as credible) people were suppose to be in charge of caring for the earth and ensuring its survival.
If only we could undo the harm we have caused through the industrialization and commercialization age. It will never happen as long as we remain as caught up in the tech-age.
The goat thing is hilarious and I am glad you put it as part of the same blog as the research thing. And probably made the most sense to my pea brain and is a cool example of what I wrote about invovling positive attitude.
You can either chose to love or hate it!
There is alot of really intresting info in your blog and I look forward to knowing more about it.
~T
all truths are easy to understand once discovered; the point is to discover them ~galileo
You said breast feeding information your looking for is carbon foot print on a particular kind of formula. Formula is not breast feeding. What is the researching for that would need carbon dating?
Um...yeah....Not to be harsh, but you're way out of the loop...
The formula thing came from the recent poll regarding breastfeeding, because when raising an infant, you'll either be breastfeeding or using formula (occasionally both, but it's going to be one and/or the other, there's no third choice). Therefore, the comparison is between the carbon footprint of formula to that of breastfeeding to see which is better for the environment and by how much.
And carbon footprinting and carbon dating are two totally different things. Carbon footprinting is measuring the impact of a given item or person on the environment. Carbon dating is the measure of fossils through the use of a carbon isotope present in all organisms.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
I do not think you were harsh at all. I was completely outdated. I checked out the website and was very surprised. I naturally, and without education, do things that require little driving and thus carbon. This is all very interesting. I never thought much of what I buy and how it got there, i just buy what I need...no more no less. But now I am going to be on a mission to find at least produce from a more 'local' area.
The blog and this links has taught me alot so thanks. You bath have made me a little smarter today.
~T
all truths are easy to understand once discovered; the point is to discover them ~galileo
Depending on where you live, it might actually be easier to find butcher shops (if you eat meat) than produce, though a lot of farmer's markets sell a little of both as long as you're not looking for things like oranges and pineapples or other "exotic" types of produce (unless you live in Florida, in which case those would be local).
A Google search of "farmer's markets" and your city and state should bring up a few places to start.
Local food's better, anyway. You actually know where the stuff comes from (and in some cases, you can even harvest the stuff yourself).
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
They don't get to make the decision, but their consumption causes a footprint. I wish my mom would have breastfed me, but there's nothing I can do about it now except breastfeed my kids. However, if I adopt, then I may have to opt for a formula.
It's all about making a wise decision. Carrot, when do you expect some more research results about the formulas? I'm still on the edge of my seat girlie.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
You could probably still breastfeed if you adopt a baby(if I remember correctly) but it will take a little more effort and probably lots of medical help from lactation pros.
We do the best we can
~T
all truths are easy to understand once discovered; the point is to discover them ~galileo
Yep, it's possible, though it does take some work and preparation.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
This blew my mind. I get the feeling that I would like I was being milked like a cow though. That's not that big of a deal, but the extra hormones are. I'm not comfortable pumping my body with extra stuff so that I can produce milk.
Perhaps if I do have my own child, I can adopt another before I stop lactating.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
Theoretically, you can lactate indefinitely, assuming your body as a whole can handle it (pregnancy and breastfeeding skyrocket your metabolism), you just have to keep the milk moving.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
Carrot, I just gotta say, I love reading your blogs! They're always so genuine. Nothing about them seems contrived. Reading them is like having a conversation with you.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Ediblewoman...I love your blogs as well. You and AmericanGirlinChina are perhaps my biggest fans...and also my favorite writers! I am indeed doing more breastfeeding research, although it is taking a lot longer then I had originally intended. Also, thanks to everyone for clearing up what a carbon footprint is for those who didn't know...
Love ya,
Carrot