Preston - Practically green: simple steps for sustainable living

BETTERWAY BOOKS
Betterway Homes
Cincinnati, Ohio

To my boysJohn, Drew and Liam.

Before I had kids, I wasnt exactly passionate about doing what was right for the environment. Sure, I recycled, but that was about the extent of my environmental activism. Back then, I was interested in eating well, but I had only myself to worry about. My salary was barely above minimum wage, so I shopped at resale stores for cheap, funky clothing. I had plenty of free time, and I made my own jewelry out of recycled necklaces and old buttons.

But now I have kids. And that changes everything.

Now I buy more stuff than I ever did when I was shopping just for myself, and I care about the impact those items have on the environment. Now that Im cooking for two growing boys, I want to know more about the food Im buying, both the benefits and the risks. Because of my kids, I am concerned about the amount of toxins in our lives. While my jewelry making has been put on the back burner, I am always searching for a creative outlet to fulfill my inner need to make things myself. And, most importantly, now that I have kids, I feel the need to make the world a better place for them to live.

Thats where the concept of green living comes in. For me, green living means appreciating and protecting Earth so it is a healthier place for us all to live. It means being aware of my ecological footprint (the direct impact of my actions) on Earth. It means adopting a lifestyle based on preserving the environment and maintaining the health of my family through the choices I make and the products I buy.

I was inspired to write this book to help others navigate the complex maze of information about green living. Many of my friends say they are overwhelmed by all the choices they face in their busy lives. They care deeply about the environment, but they desperately want someone to pare down the information and make it easier to digest. Thats what Ive done in this book. My goal is not to bog you down with too many facts. Instead, I aim to give you enough information to make smart choices for the health of your family and the environment.

In my home, I practice my own version of green living on a daily basis. I like to call it the practically green approach. Its an approach that balances my interest in doing whats right for the planet and my family with the reality of constraints like time, money and whatever else is going on in my life. When I shop, I make the greenest choice I can, but I dont beat myself up every time I buy nonorganic food or cheap clothes at a chain store. My goal is to be mindful of my choicesnot to be stressed.

I encourage you to try the practically green approach for yourself. Start small, perhaps by buying a few organic veggies or an energy-efficient light bulb for your home. As your personal care and cleaning products run out, replace them with ecofriendly versions. Im not proposing that you head to the mall in the name of the environment, but rather that you use your purchasing power in an eco-minded way. Do what you can. If you find you cant afford something, or if it causes too much stress to go the greener route, stick with the conventional productyou can always choose the greener way next time. Just like fashion, do it with your own sense of style and your own creativity. Slowly but surely, living green will become a habit, and youll forget you ever lived any other way.

You can dip into this book anywhere you like. If cleaning is at the top of your mind, jump right to to find out how to green up your wardrobe. If youre the crafty type, get right to the DIY projects in the Do It Green section at the end of each chapter.

Throughout the book, my goal was to keep the information simple, the process creative and the outlook fun.

Creating a green and healthy home may seem like an overwhelming task at times, but if you use the facts and resources in this book and keep a practically green perspective, you can craft a sustainable lifestyle that works for you!

Many of my friends say they are desperate for a simpler way to navigate the grocery store. The sheer number of choices is overwhelming, even before considering the health and environmental impacts of the products theyre about to buy. As they shop, a myriad of questions run through their minds. Questions like:

If the label says natural does that mean its healthy?

What are the top organic foods I should buy if I have a limited budget?

Which eggs are better? Cage-free, organic, brown or the plain white kind?

Do fruit snacks really count as a serving of fruit?

Its enough to make you drop your shopping cart and run for the hills to make a go at living off the grid. Barring that extreme solution, it helps to learn what you can before you go to the store because trying to make mindful choices in the middle of a busy store (or with an impatient toddler) is less than ideal.

If theres one thing Ive learned in my quest to be a mindful grocery consumer, is that its all about balance. I make constant trade-offs between what I know is healthiest and best for the environment and what I can afford, how busy I am and how strong my sweet tooth is that day. The 80/20 rule is often my guide as I try to ensure that the majority of the food I buy is healthy and ecofriendly while still leaving room for the occasional treat. I figure if 80 percent of my choices are healthy ones, the other 20 percent wont cause too much trouble. Its a practically green approach that works for me!

Hopefully, after reading this chapter you will feel more comfortable taking a stand as a green grocery shopper. The Buy It Green section will give you a better understanding of your food choices, whether you shop at a conventional grocery, a health food store, a food co-op or a farm stand. First, Ill show you the most common terms, labels and certifications you might find on product packaging. Next, Ill help you steer your cart safely through the store, pointing out the top tips for green and healthy shopping in each major department. I bet youll feel like a green grocery superhero by the time you are through!

To mix a little fun into the sometimes tedious process of feeding your family, the Do It Green section has some creative earth-friendly recipes and healthy cooking ideas. I will explore the concept of the Earth-Balanced Meala healthy makeover of some dinnertime favorites. You will also find recipes for homemade grab-and-go snacks (minus the wastefulpackaging of the store-bought variety) and delicious recipes and ideas for a healthy packed lunch.