Before I had kids, I wasn’t 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 I’m cooking for two growing boys, I want to know more about the food I’m 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.
That’s 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. That’s what I’ve 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. It’s an approach that balances my interest in doing what’s 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 don’t beat myself up every time I buy nonorganic food or cheap clothes at a chain store. My goal is to be mindful of my choices—not 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. I’m 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 can’t afford something, or if it causes too much stress to go the greener route, stick with the conventional product—you 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 you’ll 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 Chapter 3 to learn how to clean your home the safe, ecofriendly way. Or skip ahead to Chapter 5 to find out how to green up your wardrobe. If you’re 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!