News & Features Greening your family life
Filed Under Kitchen Curtain | Posted on April 21, 2008
Earth Day is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy some Earth Day events, or muck about greening your own patch of earth. Plant a tree or some flowers, put up a bird feeder, or set up your own backyard compost. Kids love to get dirty, and you檒l all feel good knowing you’re doing your bit for the earth.Check out our article, Top-10 Things to do with Your Kids in April for some earthy inspiration and links to Earth Day activities around Toronto. Then think about how you’re going to decrease your carbon footprint and set a good example for your kids on April 22nd.As parents, there檚 lots more we can do all year round simply by changing a few consumer habits. Consider these top-six picks from Natalie Carrire McGowan, of ecomama.ca.
Shop consignment
Let檚 face it, we love shopping. Shopping consignment is as easy as shopping new, and almost always less expensive (unless you end up getting five pairs of jeans instead of just the one you really need). You檇 be amazed at the treasures you can find while you檙e practicing the three Rs. And, it檚 the perfect opportunity to drop off some of the clothes that you no longer use. You can even make a little money.
Clean green
Switch to earth-friendly, phosphate-free, chemical-free household cleaning products, and elevate a mundane task into something a little more virtuous. There are some really good ones out there (Ecover is a favourite among many, and there are a lot more brands out there. A quick Google search will reveal plenty of options). While can they be a bit pricier than your big box-store brands, they don檛 have the same hidden cost: the heavy impact on the environment.
Support local agriculture:
A great way to do this is by buying a share in a CSA, which stands for Community-Supported Agriculture. Members of a CSA get together at the beginning of the season and purchase shares of a farmer檚 yield. The local farmer gets funds when they are most needed when it’s time to plant and the funds help them focus on quality, sustainable and ecological growing of produce during the season. Members get a weekly box of containing a variety of fresh, usually organic produce. Unpacking the box with your children each week is a little like opening a present, and it gives you a great chance to teach city kids where food comes from. Shares are usually reasonably priced, and some CSAs will deliver or set up a delivery point in your neighborhood. It檚 just as easy to stop and pick up your box on your way home from work as it is to stop at the grocery store. It檚 also great way to eat local, healthy whole foods. For a directory of Ontario CSAs click here.
Eliminate the use of cosmetic pesticides:
What are a few weeds compared the effects of your little ones and pets being exposed to toxic chemicals? What about the overall impact on our waterways and aquatic life? It is still possible to live weed-free while being pesticide-free. There is a growing list of organic lawn-care specialists out there, or if you檙e the DIY type, there nothing like a little hot water and elbow grease to get rid of unsightly weeds.
Green your personal care routine:
Without having to add any extra steps or products to your beauty regimen, you can start small and gradually replace your lotions, shampoos, conditioners, soaps and cosmetics with ones that are less toxic. Look for products that are free of petroleum byproducts, parabens, phthalates (usually found in fragrances), propylene glycol and other harmful chemicals. There are some great Canadian companies that make gorgeous, affordable, quality products. Druide and Green Beaver are two of them, and both have great baby care lines.
Shop with reusable bags:
This is my favourite green habit because it檚 the easiest to do. We have a collection of about 20 cloth bags of all sizes that keep in the car, the kidsstroller and wagon and my handbag. This way they are always available when we檙e out grocery shopping or running errands.
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