It is a journey, not a competition
Trying to be an eco-warrior in a disposable, convenience-driven world is not only challenging but can eventually drive you into despair. Add being a parent to the mix and you might as well roll over and play dead, right? Not really. Choosing to be a global citizen and raising environmentally conscious children does not mean you have to revert to prehistoric living arrangements. You don't have to be the ultimate superhero and save the planet all by yourself. By doing your part, you are doing enough. My hope is that you can find the resources that you need to make the changes or adjustments that suit your family best without losing your mind.
What is better than recycling? Not using it at all! While recycling is great, if not done properly, your well-intended efforts will go straight to the landfill. Or worse, into our oceans and waterways. Because recycling programs across the country vary widely, it is important that you are familiar with what items are accepted in your community. For example, where I live only resins 1, 2, and 5 are recyclable. Even when done right, many recyclable items still get rejected if they are not clean. Here are some resources to help you reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Sustainable living
Diapers, high chairs, toys, food pouches and one big pile of clothes. It seems like having a baby suddenly countered every effort you've ever made to lower your carbon footprint. Don't overwhelm yourself. You have the power to make simple yet better choices for your kids and Mother Nature every day. More and more companies are hearing parents out and working on offering better, healthier, and sustainably sourced products on the shelves. You just have to dig a little deeper, but better options are slowly showing up all around us.
Stop reading this and get-out-the-door! Seriously, you don't have to be a scientist to know that spending time in nature does wonders for both children and adults. There is a whole world out there that our kids need to discover. Get out and get dirty. Did you know that human interaction with soil plays a critical role in our overall health? Let kids dig a hole, make some mud pies, find a worm, build a fort, make a snowman, rollover a grassy hill, you name it! In other words, let kids be kids, and roll with them while you are at it.
Green meals
Mealtime might be one of the trickiest parts of green parenting. We all know that natural, organic and fresh food for our families is hands down a better choice no matter what marketers want us to believe. I am yet to try any juice brand out there that will beat a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice in both, taste and nutrition. But truth be told, I am not always able to provide fresh, natural, non-GMO options for my family. I do my best with what is available and with our family's budget. Here are some of my favorite recipes and tips for a healthy diet.
