more on lightbulbs.

Energy Saving lightbulbs are made in China.

2 bulbs cost about 15 dollars.

but apparently they last for 6 years.

not so exciting

i found GE lightbulbs made in Canada.

necessities.

I have not given up on things I already own that have been made in china.  That would mean I would not be able to use my computer, ipod, remote control, wear most of my clothes, wear my shoes, and use most of my baking equipment.  I'm really hoping that this experiment will make be aware of my purchases.  Is that thing I want really necessary?  Now, the difficulty comes when I actually do need something.  Should I make exceptions?  Even if I have my mom buy the necessities, it is as though I bought them.  And since I'm trying to decrease my consumption of "things," having someone else buy the item would defeat my experiment.  What kind of exceptions should I make?  Should I let them slide if they are not directly for me?

Example #1:  Lightbulbs

I need to buy lightbulbs for the bathroom.  When I picked up the box, the print on the bottom said clearly  "Made in China."  Do I buy it or just wait for my mom to get them?  Isn't that the same thing??

Example #2: Birthday Candles

All birthday candles are "Made in China."- The author of the book "A Year Without Made in China" pointed out this problem, but I brushed it aside since I didn't think I would need to buy candles since I have some at home.  However, I had to buy candles for a friend's bday cake, and actually stood in the aisle for five minutes debating with myself.  I bought them.

Example #3: Participating in group gifts

I know that most Apple products are made or assembled in China.  I recently contributed to the purchase of an Ipod touch for a friend's birthday.  

Is it okay to include these types of exceptions in my experiment?  I guess it's my own experiment and I can make my own rules to it...

Well, I did okay today : ) I had to buy cleaning supplies for home.  I was dreading the label reading, but I was pleasantly surprised.  The toilet bowl brush, toilet bowl cleaner, and Lysol spray were made in the U.S.  The strange thing was that all the rubber gloves, regardless of company, were made in Malaysia. 

hmm...

You know, a year without China is not too difficult. Why? Because I just don't buy much these days.

A year without meat on the other hand is a little more challenging. Not that I was a meat lover to begin with, but a whiff of a hamburger or a glimpse of steak gets me salivating.



BUT, I am loving all the non meat dishes that I do eat : )
Portabella Mushroom sandwiches are delicious. Grilled veggie sandwiches or paninis are excellent. The only taste I can't get used to? Boca patties. Bleh.



I'm giving up one more thing until Easter...CHOCOLATE. Good bye chocolate.

This does not have to do with China, or maybe it does, but did you know that donating old clothes might not be the best alternative to getting rid of your old clothes?

I was cleaning out one of the rooms in my house and decided it's finally time to get rid of the clothes I will never wear because 1. I don't fit into them, 2. I don't know what I was thinking back then when I actually wore some of the clothes around, 3. I have to let go... I looked up online "How to donate clothes" and came across this article about how even though we donate clothes, most of it probably won't even be opened up, but just automatically shipped over to a 3rd world country.

That's great, right?

But is it great when clothing manufacturers within that country have to shut down. Is it great when the people begin selling these free clothes to their neighbors? Is it great knowing that your old t-shirt, one you would never wear again or let anyone you know, wear the t-shirt, is worn by a little boy in Africa? Yes, it is great that we can give them at least something to wear, but it takes away from helping a country rebuild its own economy and to rely on the work that they themselves can produce.

I was really convicted by reading this.

fail #2

I was ironing a tshirt I bought the other day from Gap and noticed the small typing that said "Made in China." I was shocked since I had been VERY careful about reading the labels at Gap. Then I realized that it was not the same colored tshirt that I had actually tried on. After much debate in my head, I chose a different color than the one I had tried on. Who knew that the same tshirt in a different color would make the difference in where it was made. I must be more careful.

Atleast I have not eaten any meat products yet.

Shoes

DSW Shoe Warehouse has a plethora of shoes. Guess what, they are all, at least 300 pairs of shoes, are made in China. How do I know this? Well, I actually looked at every shoe. I was curious... and I had a bit of free time over the course of last week because of Jury Duty.

***Ok, I have to put a bit of a plug in to what I learned during the trial I was a juror for. DO NOT go into a business with a friend WITHOUT a WRITTEN contract. Actually, I would say avoid going into a business with a friend, period. Also, please keep a good record of your money if you do decide to go into a business. It saves people (jurors!) a lot of time in case you need to take your records to court.***

Back to shoes....

It is very difficult for me to find shoes because of my wide feet, so usually, if a shoe fits, I buy a pair because who knows when I will be able to find another black heel that fits.

Aldo, another shoe store, had shoes made all from China. Macy's shoe department was made up of China made shoes.

Now, the tricky thing is that some of the shoes do not have a mark, or it is very difficult to find the "Made in..." stamp. I had to search through the entire shoe, the shoe box, and the other shoes made from the same company to determine whether or not a shoe was made in China. Designer shoes, no brand shoes, mediocre brands...does not matter. All were made in China.

Looks like I'll be wearing my Chucks till next year.