Table of Contents
Dedicated to Heather HopkinsSmoothie Barrister, Inappropriate Laugher, and Super Genius in Trainingit is an honor to know you. Go and do great things.
Introduction
It is with great pleasure that I invite you to explore the environmentally savvy ideas and strategies in Eco-Friendly Familiesa book that encourages families to embrace greener living by making practical changes in their everyday lives. Knowing that an eco-friendly lifestyle works best when everyone actively participates, I have designed family-focused activities to make going green a way of life that is both fun and functional.
Suggestions on taking a familys green inventory, an eco-inspired calendar that helps manage green goal setting, and a room-by-room eco-redesign will help all members of your family rethink their commitment to the environment and get on board with the ideas that make homes more eco-friendly. Fun and fresh ideas for reducing, reusing, and recycling; innovative alternatives for marking milestones and celebrating holidays; and detailed directions for making homemade recipes and concocting your own cleaning solutions make this a guide that goes beyond the basics. From helping your toddlers take their first green steps to getting your teens to green up their act, your family will be inspired to see going green as a way of life that evolves, not just a to-do checklist that ends.
This guide translates complicated global issues into straightforward language and engaging activities, making a conversation about environmental ethics as simple as watering the houseplants with rainwater, reusing back-to-school supplies, or hosting a neighborhood toy swap. Recipes and instructions for all activities are included, making this guide a valuable resource youll look to time and time again. By appealing to children early in life, we help ensure that the next generation will become conscientious consumers, passionate naturalists, and responsible conservationists who are personal advocates for Earth. Together your family can take eco-actions that help the planet while preserving energy and saving money. With this book, youll enjoy making memories whose effects extend far beyond your own backyard. We can all make a difference. Eco-Friendly Families can show you how.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my friend and agent Jacky Sach for her help and guidance throughout this project. Special thanks to my editor, Randy Ladenheim-Gil, for her expertise and encouragement, and Krista Hansing and Megan Douglass for their keen eye for detail. I would not be the eco-mama I am today without my friends in the Holistic Moms Network, especially Anna Tillinghast, Kira Campbell, and Kendrya Close. Warmest thanks go to Kim Bohn, Wendy DeSarno, and my in-laws, Mike and Kathy Coronato, who are all constant sources of support, and Christine Staahl, who gave me the time and peace of mind to finish this book.
When putting this project together, I called on the expert advice of many eco-entrepreneurs, especially Michele St. Andre, Delia Quigley, and Smadar English and friends of Genesis Farms. Patty and Heather Hopkins, Freddy DeYong, Megan Baird, Maggie Crann, Quinn Kennedy, Kelsey Perst, and Kayla Devaney all offered valuable input for activities. Thank you all for taking the time to talk with me. Cathleen Rafalko, Sue Corcoran, and the Bearlodge Writers have offered tremendous professional supportthank you. Many eco-friendly businesses were excited to be a part of this book, and I have acknowledged each throughout the book and in the appendix. I encourage readers to patronize these businesses and I thank you for all that you do.
And of course, to my husband, Tom, and my sons, Michael and Thomas, who are my favorite people on the planetI am so grateful for my boys.
Taking Inventory: Getting Ready to Go Green
Once upon a time, not so long ago, I shopped, cooked, and cleaned for myself. And I dont just mean myself, as in, there was no one else in my family. I mean myself, as in, there was no one else in the world. I drove my car everywhere without ever considering my dependence on foreign oil. I drank expensive coffee in Styrofoam cups daily. Cleaning my apartment meant spraying the entire place with an all-purpose, bleach-based disinfectant that I wiped up with a roll of paper towels that I then threw into the garbage can, along with cans, bottles, and old magazines. My concerns were, well, my concernsa selfish attitude, I now know.
Flash-forward to this weekend, and youll find me checking labels for the USDAs organic approval, opting for green tea in my recycled thermos, and mixing one part vinegar with three parts water to clean my kitchen.
Why the change? I have two reasons: Michael and Thomas, my sons. Before I became a parent, my needs were personal comfort and cheap convenience. Then I became a mother and wanted nothing more than for my childrens needs to be met. Instead of being solely focused on my own desires, I began to focus on the health and happiness of the two people I had just met. It wasnt long before it became glaringly apparent that achieving this new goal was going to take more effort and energy than I was used to.
While a well-balanced diet used to mean not spilling my morning coffee, prenatal nutrition made me take notice of what I was actually putting in my body. My doctor recommended that I eat organic, whole foods; take vitamins; exercise; and avoid medication. While researching optimum diets, I also found out that my cleaners could be hazardous to my health. So could the plastics I microwaved leftovers in. And I was supposed to drink more watershould it come from the tap or be bottled? Once I asked the first question, it was impossible not to keep asking more.
Before I knew it, I was questioning everything and everyone. And the answers were alarming. I immediately felt overwhelmed. Should we move to a smaller house? Give up our cars? Could we grow all of our own fruits and vegetables? How do you stop buying plastic?
I felt overwhelmed by information. I wanted to make all the right choices for my growing family but didnt know where to start. First, I assumed that I would have to throw out all the wrong things I had on hand and replace them with expensive alternatives. Then I worried that I wouldnt have the time it takes to go green. But feeling compelled as a parent to take care of the world my children live in, I pressed on. The more I asked about the environment, the more I heard, Which do you want to hear first: the good news or the bad news? Because when it comes to our current state of environmental affairs, there are most definitely two sides to this story.
First, the bad news: there is an environmental crisis. Global warming, pollution, and strained natural resources are not the fodder of science fiction movies, but a reality. For quite some time, most people (myself included) simply agreed that nature should be enjoyed, but wouldntor couldntmake the necessary leap to revering nature and respecting our place within it. This has led to some serious problems. Thankfully, I learned that there is good news. It is not too late to do something. And the things we can do to improve our environment arent expensive or overwhelmingly time-consuming; in fact, there are a ton of ways to make eco-friendly changes in your home that can actually save your family money, time, and energy. The best part? While you are helping the environment, you are having fun doing so with the people who mean the most to you!
