16 Ways To Make It Earth Day Every Day! #EarthDay

I've always been conscious about the state of the planet, however, now that I have a child, I REALLY try to incorporate green living in everything; from eating, to cleaning, to limiting waste and overall consumption. It's imperative that I do all I can to reduce our carbon footprint. 


Below are a few tips I think are easy and eye-openers to not only what we can do, but how easy it is to live green! Without further ado, 16 Ways Celebrate Earth Day Every Day.

1. Avoid the "vampire effect." Even when not turned on, an electronic appliance that is plugged into a power source still draws energy. The Department of Energy estimates that America wastes 5% of electricity on the vampire effect. Unplug all unnecessary appliances, or consider using devices like Belkin's Conserve Energy-Saving Products that automatically eliminate the vampire effect.

2. Shower smarter. The average showerhead spits out 2.5 gallons of water per minute. That means that a person who takes a 10-minute shower every morning uses over 9,000 gallons of water a year. Cut back by installing a shower head that is EPA approved. Look for the Water Sense seal of approval. Products like Evolve's Roadrunner shower head, which flows at only 1.5 gallons per minute and conserves hot water until you are actually ready to shower.

3. ONLY run your dishwasher when it's full and STOP prewashing. Most modern dishwashers don't need you to rinse the plates before putting them in. "That just wastes water."

4. When away, drop the shades. Sun streaming through windows heats up space and makes an air conditioner work harder. During the day, especially when you are away, drop the shades!

5. STOP E-Waste. Did you know, when electronics are exposed to high heat, they release toxic chemicals into the air, water, and ground? This happens every day in landfills. Before throwing electronics away, try selling old electronics on websites like Gazelle.com or disposing of them at proper locations around your city.

6. Shop Sustainable- By now, you have heard of the trend to move to use Bamboo as a substitute whenever possible for wood. Also consider Natural home products like, stainless Steel which minimizes emissions by increasing its reuse and recyclability levels; Organic Cotton supports biodiversity and healthy ecosystems; Recycled Glass, simple; just reuse, reduce and recycle; and Cork promotes economic and social development in areas prone to desertification.

7. Recycle Old Clothes- If you've got something worn, torn, or hopelessly out of style – don't throw it away or let it pile up in the back of your closet. Bring it to your nearest H&M and help decrease the amount of fashion being wasted. Seriously, they will take bags of ripped, torn, and stained clothes! For each bag of clothes or home textiles you hand in, you will receive a voucher with a discount for your next purchase. 

 There are three ways H&M repurposes unwanted garments:

• Rewear – clothing that can be worn again will be sold as second-hand clothes
• Reuse – old clothes and textiles will be turned into other products, such as cleaning cloths.
• Recycle – everything else is turned into textile fibers, or other use such as insulation.

8. Fill the freezer: Don't let your freezer run half-empty. It's more expensive to run it while empty. TIP: Fill an old milk container with water if necessary to keep the freezer "full." That will make your machine a little more efficient. While you're at it, clean the coils behind the appliance for even more of an efficiency boost.

9. Meat-free Mondays: Meatless Monday is an international campaign that encourages people to not eat meat on Mondays to improve their health and the health of the planet. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide. Not only that, but an estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water also go into making a single pound of beef.

10. Bulb swap: According to the EPA, if every American home replaced just one conventional light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes a year. 

11. Wash clothes in cold water and use the fastest spin speed available - Today's clothes washers and detergents are designed to effectively clean clothes in cold water. So skip the hot water waste. TIP: If you have a front-loading washer, select the highest spin speed, which will remove more of the moisture from your clothes, so your dryer won't have to work as hard! 

12. Upgrade the aerators on your kitchen and bathroom sinks - If you have an older faucet, install a new water-efficient aerator for under $5, and you can cut its water use by up to 40 percent. Simply unscrew the current one on the tip of your faucet and replace it with one that uses no more than 1.8 gallons per minute for the kitchen faucet and 1.2 gallons per minute for the one on your bathroom sink. You probably won't notice the difference, but your water bill will. Check with your local water agency as some provide efficient aerators free or at low cost.

It's really as simple as unscrewing the old aerator, and then screwing the new one back on!

13. Turn off your furnace when the cold weather ends - Like many other modern appliances, furnaces use electricity even when they're not operating. According to a Home Energy article, many furnaces draw 8 to 12 watts of standby power 24/7 when not in use. To eliminate this waste during the six or more months when you don't need heat, switch off the power to the furnace.

14. Donate Dollars To The Game Changers- One of the easiest ways to show our planet some love is to support the organizations that are promoting change and making a difference on a large scale. Here are a few respected organizations:
The Wildlife Conservation Network
The Sierra Club
The Conservation Fund
Earthjustice
Orca Network

15. Compost!  I know composting sounds like a lot of work, and for those of you who don't even have a yard or house plant, really can't see the point, but hear me out. All you need is a composting bin, that traps odors, amongst other things, and then start throwing your scraps away. Your compost will save thousands of pounds of waste from going into landfills, and help return much-needed nutrients to the soil. Chances are, your city has a place you can take your compost if you don't need it.

16. When You Clean, Go Green - If there is one thing all parents have in common, it's that we clean up messes. Lots of them. Daily. So imagine if all of us were using two to three paper towels or disposable wipes for each mess... Scary to think about! That's like a forest a minute! (Ok, not really. Or maybe?) No, wait!  It gets worse...Various household cleaning agents can contain toxic chemicals like ammonia, phosphorus, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and petroleum. So when you wash your clothes, do the dishes and even flush toilet bowl cleaner, you may be sending these chemicals back into the water supply affecting the environment and wildlife too! 

If you have any tips to share, please add them in the comments below. Happy Earth Day 2018! 

How Humana + CareSource Destroyed My World With One Word.

I am so sorry to the long time readers who've noticed the absence of my usual humor posts on parenting. I've been living a nightmare inflicted by Humana-CareSource Insurance. It's been horrible. I've done all the fighting I can do. I've escalated the issue as high as I can and with no more avenues for resolution through Humana, I thought it was finally time to share my story of how CareSource destroyed my world in one word, caught them holding my money and taxpayer money wrongfully and then, got away with it because there was no one to help me.

”I’m sorry, Mrs. McCormick, the system is showing your insurance is not valid.”

I stood there, staring blankly at the receptionist in my son’s pediatrician’s office. That can't be? There must be some mistake. I've paid the premiums. I just picked up a prescription. I’m still receiving EOBs from doctor appointments last month.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see my four-year-old jumping from one chair to the next. I turn and give him the mom look of death. “Get down right now!”

He jumped to the ground landing his best Spiderman pose. While shooting an imaginary web at me he asked, “When is it our turn, mommy?”

Before I could answer, the receptionist hung up the phone and said, ”According to CareSource your insurance was terminated on May 31, 2016. I’m sorry. If you want your son to be seen today, you will have to self-pay. The office visit is $85. Depending on what tests the doctor orders, the cost goes up from there." 

Tears filled my eyes. I thanked her for her help and opted to straighten out the issue with Humana first, and then call for an appointment.

Devastated, my son and I walked out of his pediatrician’s office hand-in-hand. The tears changed to anger. 

By the time my son and I got home from the pediatrician, I was fuming. Never did I receive anything from Humana about my coverage being terminated.

Once my son was settled, I called CareSource. When the member services representative answered the phone, I drew in a deep breath, and as calmly as possible said, "I’m furious beyond words, and you don't get paid enough to deal with me, please, send me to your supervisor."

Since joining CareSource, through the State of Kentucky’s Healthcare Exchange, Kentucky Kynect, I’ve had nothing but problems.

Over the last nine months, I’ve talked to five supervisors and nine member service representatives with Humana. The online payment system inevitably would neglect to reflect my premium payment. Every call ended with a representative saying, “Don’t worry, I see the error on our side, the finance department will straighten everything out.”

(Here is a screenshot of proof of monthly payments, and the errors on their end reflected in the invoice amount. I paid $500 in April to cover April and May Premiums. To this day, May has still not been reflected. 

After a lengthy call to the supervisor, he finally saw the issues but insisted it was too late to do anything on his end. “I cannot reinstate your family’s coverage, only Kentucky Kynect can.”


“My son needs to go to the doctor. Please, help me.”

Silence.

I hung up and called Kentucky Kynect.

“How may I help you today, Mrs. McCormick?” Her voice was warm and kind, I thought I might cry. Coming up from the dungeon of the insurance dark world, I needed her kindness more than she knew.

I explained what happened with CareSource and that I need to have my family’s insurance coverage reinstated.

Sounding slightly annoyed, Tori, the Kynect Rep said, "I don't know why they tell people that, we can't reinstate your coverage. We can't do anything for you until open enrollment. Plus, our system shows you as currently covered with CareSource.  Until we get termination papers from Humana, the system won't allow me to open a new case for you. When did you say your coverage was terminated?

“Effective May 31, 2016."

“That’s six months? Humana is still billing for your payment assistance each month.”

"You have got to be kidding me. I can’t believe we are both still paying premiums to CareSource and I'm not covered. How many more people have been wrongfully terminated that Kentucky taxpayers are still funding? This has to be illegal.”

"I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do on my end.” I could tell by the tone in her voice, she genuinely wanted to help. “Is it possible to have a three-way a call with CareSource or ask them to call us? "


"A three-way call?” Really, she will do that? “That would be great! I've got to get to the bottom of this and for two months I’ve bounced between the two of you.”

As the phone rang through to Humana, my heart was racing. Was this nine-month long nightmare about to end?

I cleared the verification gate with Humana, then merged the calls.

I introduced, Tori, the Kentucky Kynect rep to the CareSource rep, then, for the twelfth time, I explained the situation. I walked the rep through my account, showed how each month I paid my premium and that I was canceled incorrectly.

After reading the notes and looking over my billing she said, “Can I put you on a brief hold?”

The operator came back on the line to let me know her supervisor said I was "termed out correctly, effective May 31, 2016."

I thought my head would explode with fury. 

“What about the premiums I’ve paid since May? Where’s that money? What about State of Kentucky’s payments? Where is our money going? Why are you still taking it? I went to the doctor in August, and it was covered? I have the PAID EOBs to prove it. None of this makes sense. How can you still be taking money from me and the state of Kentucky, and say I have been canceled since May 2016? It’s October!”

“The premiums you paid since May are showing as a credit on your account. Would you like me to put in for a refund?”

“Are you serious? A Credit? NO! I want my insurance. Not a refund.” Every ounce of my body was fuming mad. How could this be happening?

“I do see the issue, but my supervisor said you will have to work this out with Kynect. They will need to reinstate your plan.”

“That’s not true!” Tori, the Kentucky Kynect representative chimed in.“We don’t have access to her Humana account. Our system shows her plan, and that’s she’s covered. It’s clearly an error on your part, so you will need to work it out on your end.”

It felt so good to hear someone stand up for me. The past nine months have been nothing but me against CareSource .

After two hours, three supervisors and an emotional rollercoaster from hell, the ugly truth came out; Humana canceled me for non-payment effective May 31,2016, yet, was still accepting the monthly premiums from both Kentucky Kynect and me.

Neither of us had been notified of the plan termination. Nor was I made aware of my account “credit”.

  

The supervisor from CareSource said, “The only option is to send your account to the Finance department for review.”

I went through the roof.

I couldn’t believe they were getting away with this. I need insurance. I need to take my son to the doctor.

“NO! I am not waiting another thirty days for a review. I need insurance, NOW! I did nothing wrong. This is CareSource's fault.”

“I will send this over directly and ask that it be expedited. Hopefully, the review will not take the full thirty days. A member services representative will reach out once a decision is made.”

With no other options for having my insurance reinstated immediately, the three of us hung up. 

On Saturday, October 1, 2016, I received my first letter from CareSource since July 5, 2016. It was dated Monday, September 26: the same day I took my son to the doctor. I was being notified my insurance was terminated effective May 31, 2016. 

Two weeks later, CareSource  refused to reinstate my insurance. Even though I had done everything right on my end. My credit for premiums paid after the termination date is being refunded and can be expected in thirty-days. 

There is nothing else I can do. I'm now responsible for all doctor bills after the termination date. As well as finding new insurance without the help of Kentucky Kynect or pay tax liability fees for not carrying insurance. 

Needless to say, I'm lost. I feel like I have failed my family. We can't afford to get insurance outright. There's nowhere to turn, and in no time at all, the doctor bills from the summer will begin mounting. Suffocating me. Just in time for the Holidays. 

UPDATE: This post was published at 12:20pm October 19, 2016. I received a call from a "very concerned" Rep from Humana at 3:09pm. I essentially told her everything mentioned above and answered a few of her questions. The conversation ended with her promise to look into my account and address my concerns with the CareSource team. While I am happy that another set of eyes will review my account, I'm still pissed it took putting my family's dire insurance issue out there for the world to see to get Humana's attention.  Bottom Line: No fix. Still pisssed. 

UPDATE: (10/20/2016) Today, a rep from CareSource reached out. CareSource has admitted fault, albeit reluctantly, with an explanation that, somehow, placed blame on both of us. They offered to reinstate my insurance effective immediately. What transpired after those words were said will require a separate post, that I'm now working on. Just know, it's incredibly important to me that my situation NEVER happen to another person. I insisted on explanations about each and every issue, and how CareSource planned to fix policies moving forward. Bottom Line: Insurance reinstated. Still Pissed. Not over yet. 


UPDATE:  New post: "I Fought An Insurance Giant And Won"
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Creating Balance In Your Parenting Partnership

NOTE: This is the conclusion to yesterday's post, The Mistake So Many First Time Parents Make, where I shared a back and forth email between myself and a reader exposing the ugly truths behind control-freak (first-time) moms, and dads either not sure what to do or are getting away with doing the minimum. Today's post is a continuation of the email exchange, and the magic that happens when you communicate with your parenting partner to create a better balance.

Now, where we left off yesterday was me telling Kate, "It's important to be open with Will about feeling overwhelmed, but also know you take on too much by your own accord. 

This is what happened when Kate talked to her husband: 

KATE: Guess what?! Hubby is currently upstairs putting George to sleep for the first time... Fingers crossed.

ME: Yaaaaaaaaaay!!! Bravo. Small steps. I'm so happy for you!! Let me know how it goes!

KATE: 8:08pm, George is asleep, kitchen is cleaned up and I am sitting on the couch!!! Heaven! 

I look back to the first year of parenting where I was a scared, control freak first-time parent. I was so full of anxiety, I couldn't sit down. I was constantly rushing around doing one thing or another to ensure my son was well fed, cared for and in a sterile safe environment. Then, at the end of the day, I would plop down on the couch exhausted, resenting the hell out of my husband for not helping me. 

He insisted he would help if he knew what to do or I didn't bitch at him for doing things wrong. He also expressed frustration about me constantly standing over him telling when and what to do with his son because of the, "routine".

It's true, that routine was everything to me and having everything just right was important to me, too. Even though the new-parent anxiety was plentiful enough to keep me on the move, mentally and physically I was falling apart. 

What's sad is that my husband is an exceptional father, and fought me every step of the way to prove that. I just struggled so much with how his ways were not like mine, and at the time, I thought my ways were the best. I was such a bitch! (Sorry, baby. I love you!)

Please learn from me on this one, if you resent your parenting partner because you carry the majority of the load, take a look at the reason why. Is it because you won't let your partner do anything? Or when you do, you critique everything to the point of berating their parenting ways?  Or is your partner a lazy shit that needs a fire lit under their ass?

Regardless, if you are worn out and need help and it's sitting on the couch in the other room, speak up, step back, delegate. Something. Find a way to open the line of communication, like Kate did, to create a better parenting balance. Trust me, your entire family will benefit from you relaxing a little. 

10 Tips For Transitioning From The Crib To A 'Big Kid Bed'

I still look back on the day we we moved our son out of the crib and into a toddler bed as one of our biggest parenting fails. He wasn't ready. FTD was. My son LOVED his crib. Even though he was able to climb out of it right after his first birthday, he still slept through the night in it. He NEVER slept in our bed. never. 

Then, we took his crib away. 

It's been nearly two years since that dreadful day, and every night since, my son has been in MY DAMN BED! 

Unless this is your idea of a "toddler bed,"
then you better be sure your toddler is ready....

Without further bitching and complaining ado, my top 10 tips for making the transition:

1. Pediatric sleep disorders expert, Deborah Lin-Dyken, says there's no set time to make the move. Studies show most children make the switch sometime between ages 1 1/2 and 3 1/2.  So don't make this about age, but more about your child's comfort. 
2. Don't rush right out and buy a new bed the day your toddler climbs out of the crib. This is NOT an indicator that he/she is ready. Lower the mattress all the way, and discourage climbing.
3. The switch may really freak your toddler out. Place the new bed in the EXACT same place the crib use to be. Use the same bedding, crib toys/stuffed animals... Change as little as possible. 
4. Don't just spring the new bed on your toddler.  Start talking it up at least a week in advance.  One expert says throw a big party to celebrate the bed's arrival. 
5. Independence is an indicator that your child is ready to make the switch.  If your child takes pride in individual accomplishments, including feeding and dressing themselves, then it may be time. Kyle Pruett, M.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center, in New Haven, Connecticut, says a sign of readiness is when your child calls out in the night and can be reassured just by hearing your voice.  
6.  Don't introduce the new bed during potty training or moving to a new house.  "Too many changes can freak a familiarity-loving toddler out", says Dr. Laura Markham
7. If the transition is due to the arrival of a new baby, experts recommend the transition be made and well adjusted to at least TWO months before the baby arrives.
8. Let your toddler be involved every step of the way; including if possible, picking out the bed, and the new sheets, blanket and pillow if necessary. Make the new bed cozy and inviting.
9. If you do not already have one, create a bedtime routine and stick to it leading up to the big night. Familiarity is key before this transition. One expert says to add white noise or music to the bedtime routine, if it is not already part of it, to help your child doze off.
10. Be prepared for a long battle. This could (most likely will) be very scary for your little one, and may take quite a few nights of both, getting to sleep AND staying in the bed through the night, before things settle. Remember, this is ultimately your decision, you have to be comforting and understanding that this is very scary. Talk though your child's feelings and be reassuring that this is a wonderful thing.  'All big boys/girls sleep in a big bed.'

I would LOVE to hear what parents have to say. If you have dealt with this already, please share your experience or tips.

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10 First-Time Parent Delusions

Being a first-time mother, it's safe to say I will always be a rookie with my first born.  Every day, stage, milestone, fever, bump and achievement is new for both of us. Below are a few the worst first-time mom delusions most all of us share.

1. Thinking that the parenting books are the gospel of parenting, and when you or your child fails to meet the goals or milestones, you are sure you suck at parenting, and your kid hates you. WRONG!  Those books are mere guidelines written by perfectionist, take them with a grain of salt and a bottle of wine.  If you must read the parenting books, look for books with, "this shit is crazy," in the title. 

2.  Thinking you have parenting figured out from all of the hours of advice you got while being pregnant, and that your baby will NEVER be like those babies in the store that cry the whole time, stay up all hours and don't meet milestones on time, or god forbid, do not pick up baby sign language.  Give it up.  Give all of your preconceived ideas and plans up now. Parenting is hands-on learn-as-you-go. Nothing works out how you planned.  (Don't fret, sometimes it works out even better!)

3. Wishing for new milestones.  You will soon learn that days you could leave your baby in one spot and know they will stay there, will be known as the, "easy days."  Wishing for crawling is like wishing for the dog to chew up your new favorite pair of shoes.  Wishing for walking is like wishing for a tornado to remodel your home. Wishing for talking is like asking congress to hold meetings in your bed at night. Trust me on this one, love the slug, because when the slug becomes mobile all hell breaks loose. 

4. Cleaning the house while your family is away.  They will turn your house back into a shithole the minute they get home. Spot clean and disinfect the surfaces, then put your feet up, have a glass of wine, grab a magazine and enjoy the quiet time. 

5. Thinking you can still have a social life, friends and normalcy once your baby is born. Sure, when you become a mom you still have Happy Hours, except now they are called, nap time. I became the worst friend when I become a new mother.  I was so damn tired at the end of the day, that the thought of going out instead of sitting on the couch enjoying baby free peace and quiet, was crazy! I am just now making regular baby free outings with friends.

6.  Expecting that you will experience a marital/relationship bliss like you have never known when the baby arrives. Your family will be complete…Blah, Blah, Blah  WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Babies eat bliss then shit it out all over you.  In fact, I have never heard of a relationship that gets stronger right after the new baby arrives.  Marital bliss is one thing,  being a strong parenting team is another. The two take a long time to meet up in the middle.  

7. Thinking you will loose the baby weight before you leave the hospital, or at the very least in 6 weeks if you breastfeed.  Not. Gonna. Happen.  It took you 10-months to pack it on, it's gonna take work to lose it, and that's for a healthy cardio crazy twenty-something. If you plan to lose the weight fast, you better have a damn good plan. 

8. Buying new baby clothes every time you go to the store.  I look back at the closet and drawers full of newborn and 3-6 month-old-clothes I had ready before my baby even arrived, and think dammit what a waste of time and money!  My son maybe wore two newborn outfits and grew out of 3-6 months by four months old.  Buy the minimum, especially when your baby is young. 

9. Thinking you can have nice things. Until your children move out of your home, you cannot have nice things.  And from what I hear, they end up moving back in, bringing significant others, then before you know it there is another baby running around.  Just give up hope of nice things.  Save the money for a vacation. 

10. Making plans to be somewhere at a certain time.  HAHAHAHAHA!  Not gonna happen.  Even if you tell yourself you have to be somewhere an hour early.  There is a certain Murphy's Law to leaving the house on-time with a baby/toddler.  Between the diaper bags full of crap and bottles, to the thinking you can plan around naps and feedings.  An appointment will only be met when you do not have a baby in tow, and even then you have a plethora of variables that could work against you.  My kid is 20-months-old, I still struggle to make it to the bathroom on-time.

So Far, Four Sucks.

Today, my baby turned four years old. I have been trying to write this post all day, but instead, I have been dealing with a little terror.

Photo Credit: Jessika Kazaros Photography

So far today:

1. The birthday boy Refused to take off his Star Wars Lego PJ shirt. So he wore it to school.
2. I took him to Target, where he picked out a $200 Star Wars LEGO Kit. I told him, No, you have to be 6yrs old! (We go by the age on the box. It's gotten me out of a few high price meltdowns.) He threw it down first, then melted down right next to it. The kind of meltdown that is so spoiled and obnoxious I just wanted to walk away.
3. He threw his lunch all over the car on the way home.
4. Kicked all the way to his bedroom for nap.
5. Twice kicked me.
6. REFUSED to stay in his bed for nap--I made him, which sucked because I broke my back and a hellofa sweat taking him back to bed FOUR MILLION AND ONE times.

As I type, he is sleeping. I can only hope he wakes up a brand new four year old, because the one I put to sleep is worse than a three year old!

Please, don't tell me four is worse than two and three combined. I will die. Or at the very least, need a straight jacket and padded room.

In all fairness to the birthday boy, we did just get back from four days in Florida where there was zero schedule.

About to board the Star Wars Star Tour Ride at Disney

Still, the screaming, crying, meltdowns and kicking has got to stop!

Seriously. It stops, right?

When do the toddler crazies wear off?

I love my little guy more than all the stars and moon, but I can't help but think, he's cried more today than he did the day he was born! What kind of crappy birthday is that?

Fingers crossed, he wakes up a new kind of four year old. Because, when he's not being a little crazy, he is the very best little guy I know. And even when he is being a little sh!t, I'm thankful that he is my little sh!t. I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Happy Birthday little man, mommy loves you so so so so so much. Even when you are a sleepy, naughty butthead.


UPDATE: After a 3 1/2 hour nap, the Birthday boy woke up happy, sweet and excited for his birthday. I knew his extra crazy behavior HAD to be the result of our crazy routine-less family vacation. Bottom line: Routine is still key.

Hopefully, getting back on our routine will prove that four is not so bad after all.