I think when you lead an outdoor-centric lifestyle you necessarily become environmentally aware. The creek you cross on a hike becomes the river that becomes your drinking water. The snow that is melting way to fast from your favorite peak is a clear symptom of global warming. The ocean you paddle your kayak on is becoming polluted and fish and coral are dying.

If you are like me, you try to make choices in your day-to-day life that minimize your impact on the environment that you so love spending time in and that you hope your kids will always get to enjoy. It’s not always easy, it’s definitely not always the cheapest option, and the results of your careful choices don’t often make an immediate impact.

Follow up:

Still, we try.

I recently reconnected with someone from high school via Facebook. She decided she wanted to make a greener and safer wipe to use on her babies. She then figured she’d manufacture it and make it available to all of us.

Linda Naerheim invented Elements Naturals baby wipes. She sent me a pack to try out and I loved them. I basically want a wipe to 1. clean well, 2. not smell weird and 3. be good (or at least not bad) for the environment.

Elements Naturals do all three.

Here are the stats from the website:

• 100% Natural & Renewable
• 100% Compostable
• Chemical Free
• Fragrance Free
• Chlorine Free
• Resealable Pack
• 80 Unscented Wipes
• Larger Wipes (7.1” x 8.9”)
• Softer Wipe Material
• Recyclable Packaging

And the ingredients…

Purified Water, Certified Organic Aloe Vera,
Glycerin (vegetable oil derived), Alkyl
Polyglucoside (corn based), Vitamin E,
Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxymethyl Glycinate
(a preservative based on glycine, a naturally
occurring amino acid)

So it turns out that Facebook isn’t a total waste of time. I’ve reconnected with someone and found a product that I really like.

Next time I’m hiking on my favorite trail in the Absarokas and have to change a diaper (and I will have to change a diaper, even though I did it at the trailhead) I can feel better about using a disposable wipe.

You can get them at Whole Foods or diapers.com.