Tiny Choices Survey: Esther!
By Jenn (TinyChoices.com) | July 3, 2009
Vital statistics (name, age, location, link to website/blog)?
My name is Esther Hawkins, I’m 30 years old and live in Springfield, MO. I’m originally from England but moved to the States when I was 20 so I still have the accent. My blog is hawkinshealth.com.
How do you reside (apartment or house, roommates)? Are your housing decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
I live in a 3 bedroom house with my husband and 2 babies. We bought this house for the location – we love being close to everything we do, but mainly because it has a shop. My husband is a carpenter. For this reason, it’s necessity because his is our primary source of income so that was the main factor. We also wanted to have as little drive time as possible and this location is ideal. We love the house too.
How do you travel (transit, car, etc)? Are your travel decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
I drive a car and my husband drives a truck because of his business. Springfield has terrible public transportation and nowhere is walking distance unfortunately. I miss that. I used to go everywhere on foot or by bus or train in England. I’m not too sure I’d want to wrestle buses with the kids, stroller, diaper bags and 100 degree Missouri heat right now anyway.
Tell us about a Tiny Choice you’ve made in your life.
Our move into town was such a good choice. We were living in the country so had to drive a lot just to get anywhere. We’ve reduced the amount of gas we use by about 75%.
What is the one environmental dilemma you personally struggle the most with?
Diapers! I tried using g-diapers but it didn’t work out. They leaked every time I used them, the velco quit working after 2 months and I used so much water washing them, I wasn’t convinced of the environmental benefit. I’m back to disposable but my next big purchase is the all-in-one diapers. I will conquer this! I guess I got tired of scrubbing poop too. I just need to stop cutting corners and do it right.
What is one Tiny Choice you can make in that direction?
It’s just a money issue right now. I’m ready to go as soon as we can do it. It’s expensive to get everything you need in one go.
What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you make that people question (in either a positive educational or a negative hassle way) you the most about?
I’m a Naturopathic Doctor and educate people about natural health and living without drugs or toxins so I get a lot of people asking me for advice about using herbs and supplements. I get questioned negatively
about it too but that kind of goes with the territory. It has been encouraging to see how open people are to natural health now verses 4 years ago.
What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you would like every single person to adopt?
Quit using OTC, pharmaceutical drugs and toxic chemicals
Do you feel like you make sacrifices for environmentalism? Please explain.
Yes but I have a long way to go. I realized when I started to make environmentally based decisions that you can really go pretty deep with it. I just do what I can do and try to adopt new strategies one at a time, when I am able. It has been a mindset change as it means sacrificing some convenience but it has given me a new level of appreciation for what I have.
Are you generally: optimistic, pessimistic, neutral about environmentalism and the future?
I’m pessimistically optimistic. I think it could be really bad if we don’t make changes but I see enough evidence that people are acknowledging the issue and doing something about it to believe that it will change. It just takes each of us making small changes in our every day life that will have the biggest impact.
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Hi Esther,
Running a kids & maternity consignment shop I know their value! Have you found any near you? Try them first for all diapering needs, even advice (should they be run by parents). Don’t forget Craig’s List for reuse items, too. GL!
Thanks Stephanie. I’ll look into that. I did find a lady on Craigslist who makes the aio diapers but as I’m not really sure what I’m looking for, I just didn’t want to waste another hundred dollars on something that might not work. I’ll definitely keep pursuing it though. Thanks for the encouragement!