How Can I Be A Green Parent When I Can’t Stop Killing Trees?

I would like to think that I do my part to be a green parent.  I try to keep a lot of processed foods out of the house.  I recycle…EVERYTHING.  As a crafty mom, I make art, out of trash andrecycling, for crying out loud. So what is the problem?  Well it is pretty hard to call myself a green parent when my paper towel usage alone is probably responsible for our shrinking forests.  I am constantly looking for new ways to lower our footprint and be a little greener but there are simply certain areas in my life where I know I could be greener but I am simply unwilling.  Paper towels fall into one of those categories.  I use them for EVERYTHING!  I know I should use rags, but the smell of a wet rag disgusts me.  I know I should at least use the recycled ones but I am sorry they simply do not stand up to call of duty in my home.   No when it comes to paper towels, I can easy use a roll in a day and the closest I come to “greening” my usage is buying the rolls with the “pick a size” perforations so that I can use a little one for a little job.  I feel guilty but I simply don’t see it changing.  I want to be green but there are some things I simply cannot concede on; I drive an SUV (my husband is 6’10”) and I won’t apologize, I use disposable diapers and I abuse paper towels.  I am trying to cut back on my use of plastic and even switched to powdered detergent which comes in a cardboard box (the jury is still out on that decision).  I buy locally and am working on canning and freezing my own food to use less cans and processed food.  I know I have a long way to go and it seems that every time I come across a new way to be green, I realize how far I have to go but for this year, maybe I will just plant a tree as an apology for my obscene paper towel usage.