Green Mom
Mom's have a lot on their plate. Whether acting as a personal chauffeur or short order chef, disciplinarian... more or mentor, all the while trying to maintain romantic, professional and personal relationships, it's easy to see how things can slip through the cracks. And while every mom knows that going green is the responsible choice for their family, many are daunted by what is perceived to be an overwhelming task. But it doesn't have to be that way. Environmental guru, Kim Carlson offers these tips for mothers looking to take the first steps to going green (it's easier than it sounds):
• Get Out! – Encourage your children to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Not only is it incredibly healthy for kids to spend time outside exercising but it's crucial that they learn and understand from an early age that they are a part of nature. This will help them become more environmentally aware and concerned when they are older.
• Read and Learn – Make sure that you read the labels while shopping. Sure, it can be a little chaotic when your five year old is crying and your ten year old is throwing Mallowmars into the cart like they are going out of business, but it will help you make smart and healthy decisions for you and your family. Be sure to avoid toxic chemicals like parabens and phthalates in household and personal care products, where they are most commonly found.
• Pests be Gone – Or pesticides that is! To maintain your family's health and safety (as well as reduce your negative effect on the environment) try to use toxic pesticides only as a last resort. An enviro-friendly solution? Vinegar and water will erase the scent trail that ants follow.
• Waste Not, Want Not – Try to pack a "no-waste" lunch for your children whenever possible. Get a cool re-useable lunchbox, pack a cloth napkin and some re-useable utensils. Put food and drinks in Tupperware and recyclable containers rather than buying single serving prepackaged portions.
• Raise Responsibly – It's natural to want to be involved with your child's school fundraisers, but instead of bake sales and magazine hawking, convince your child to sell sustainable and natural products that make a difference. Look into programs like "growkids" and "brighter schools" for ideas.
Often credited for tirelessly working to preserve our planet long before global warming hit the mainstream radar, Kim Carlson is an eco-savvy entrepreneur, green business author and eco-chic lifestyle expert. She is the Founder of five successful companies that use earth-friendliness as their driving force. Carlsons book, Green Your Work: Boost Your Bottom Line While Reducing Your Eco-Footprint - about the many advantages of being an environmentally responsible business - will be released in January 2009. Her latest venture is the development of the EarthSmart Product Standard, a retail product certification program devised in collaboration with the country's leading scientists, academics and environmentalists that will prove to be the most innovative environmental screening process to date.
For more information, tips or quotes, contact Courtney O'Neill or Catherine Pope of AAM Consulting at 212.661.1336 or at Courtney@aammanagement.com / Catherine@aammmanagement.com.