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Being pregnant three times these past few years has caused me to expand and contract several sizes. I have been blessed to have an assortment of friends donate jeans and clothes to fit my various sizes.

I have tubs of clothes ranging in sizes from size 16 down to size 8. I have organized them in the approximate weight I am at those sizes. Right now I have about 5 pounds to fit into all the 11 to 12 sizes, 15 pounds to release to get to the size 10’s and I am thinking 25 pounds to see size 8.

I started to use more recycled clothes when I learned the following facts:

The textile industry is the third most polluting industry of our globe.

More than 2000 chemicals are used in the textile industry.

90 percent of clothes are imported…. And many of those imports come from China.

Textile mills, specifically in China, are releasing wastewater (water used to bleach, rinse chemicals and dyes) back into the rivers, lakes and streams. Proven pollution has or is happening locally and globally.

Huge amounts of water and pesticides are needed to grow cotton.

Making new clothing is not only polluting our globe it is polluting us. When I go into a department store to shop for clothes I notice something every time… my cheeks get red, my throat gets dry and I get a slight headache after about 30 minutes of trying on clothes. Why?

Residues of chemicals even toxic chemicals can be found in new clothing. These chemicals can cause rashes and other reactions in adults but can be especially harmful to babies.

A Green Peace sponsored research called “Dirty Laundry”, found hormone disrupting chemical residues in new clothing of over 6 different major brand name clothing and shoe companies.

The mark up of most department store clothing is 100%.

We throw away about 68 pounds of clothing and cloth products a year.

Are you shocked too? I know and we all love those Macy’s coupons. I am not saying never buy anything new but maybe try a few tips to help you get a new wardrobe with less of an impact on our environment and less toxic effects to your health.

When you are done with your clothes, donate them to Goodwill or a community donation box that sends the clothes to poor communities overseas.
Use your used clothing to make something new. My friends make SMITTENS. They are old sweaters turned into mittens. You can search online for other ideas like sweaters into winter hats, etc.

Have a Frock Swap. This is a fun party to have with all your friends. Each person invited brings decent clothing that no longer fits them or they are ready to let go of. Maybe up to 10 items. The hostess lays it all out with areas for trying on clothes. The guests get as many tickets as outfits they brought to swap and you can take home that many “new used” clothes.

Sell your clothes on Craig’s List or other online spaces.

Shop consignment and second hand stores. More and more classy nice second hand stores are becoming available everywhere. If you are looking for something specific talk to the store’s buyers and have them on the look out for you.

Purchase your young children’s clothes used at garage sales, Craig’s List or from a friend whose kids are older. (At one garage sale I spent $125 and had clothes for my 3 month old until he was 3 years old.)

Buy organic cotton fabrics or textiles made from sustainable cotton, bamboo, or hemp.

When you do buy new, buy just what you need or really want. And always wash your clothes thoroughly before wearing them. You may even want to air them out first and then wash them.

Remember, every little thing counts. Using your socks with holes in them for dust rags or even getting out and exercising so you can get back into your pre-winter weight clothes and not having to buy new ones impacts our world for the better!

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We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Am I A Bad Mom?

by Claudi 1 Comment

I admit I was a bit torn about going to a special conference at the end of the month. I was torn because it would be my son’s second birthday and a part of me wanted to make it special for him…I thought…or was it because that’s what good moms do? They bake cakes, have parties and celebrate their kid’s birthdays on their birthdays.

And then I thought a little more about the first time I left him to attend a conference. He was 8 months old and I invested over $2000 (I mean my credit card invested) to attend a Mastermind training with a world renowned business expert. That investment has paid me back 10 times my investment and it is still growing every month. That investment I made now pays for my son’s development training with a childcare specialist with 40 years experience who helps train parents and teaches kids in fun interactive ways.

I believe after God and my marriage, my kids are my next priority. But I learned that caring for them is not enough. In fact, I learned that although I will never be a perfect parent that my job was to continue to learn and grow from other successful parents with my values. My job is to be a better person and be an example for my child. Henry Blackaby stated, “I never want anything in my life to hinder my children” and I so get that statement. Our fears, our un-forgiveness’s, and our lack of knowledge can directly affect our children.

It’s time to step up to the plate whether you are a new parent like me, single with no kids, or a grandparent. We must continue to grow and learn and improve ourselves. And yes, that will take some investing of your time and money. But the reward will be phenomenal.

I know you are probably saying but I tried that and it didn’t work. They just took me for my money and didn’t help me. Stop playing the victim. Accept responsibility. You might have not done your research, learned about the mentorship you needed, or just made a mistake. Don’t let that hold you back from moving forward.

It’s never too late to be a better parent or person. This is the special conference I was going to attend at the end of the month. The Divine Call of God on Business. I am really excited because I know this isn’t just going to change my business, it’s going to change me.

Will it be a sacrifice to be away from my family? YES of course. But I am willing to make those sacrifices for my family and myself.

I love being a mom. I love being a business owner. I love being the Total Wellness Doc and Mom but to stay in love with all of that, I have to invest in my own personal and professional growth.

So won’t you join me? Make a commitment to invest in yourself and your family today. Tell us what you did on our new Facebook page.

And if you would like to learn more about my Mompreneur Business mentor Sandi Krakowski, this is a great article she wrote.

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