Growing Up Green
Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care, by Dierdre Imus, is the second in a series from this Green Guru.
Guiding people towards a healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyle is more than a job for Imus, it is a calling. Her passion shines in each passage of the book.
Imus takes the reader from birth through schooling, discussing the perils of reckless consumption for the body, mind, soul, and planet. Every chapter is packed full of studies, statistics, and suggestions, presented in a clear and readable style.
The fervor can be both inspiring and overwhelming. The catalog of horrors is a wake-up call to how we are poisoning the environment and the effects it can have on our children. Detailed information follows about what we can do, in our own homes, to reduce this impact. Given the depth of the book, I would have enjoyed an index. However, there are several useful appendices of resources.
Everything is viewed through the lens of the toxicity levels in our environment. The equation of genetics and environment is complex, and I am wary about blanket declarations as to exactly how much blame can be assigned to environmental pollution and the burden that places on parents--especially those who have children who are ill.
When discussing breastfeeding, a lot of weight is given to the idea that toxins in the mother's body could be harmful to the baby. While this is certainly something worth exploring, even the quoted experts still seem to come down on the side of breastfeeding when possible for mom. Imus also advocates avoiding all fish (not just the species with the highest levels of mercury) and dairy at all times. These are moments when she seems to toss out the baby with the polluted bathwater.
Most of the time, however, Imus recognizes the balance ordinary parents must achieve with their limited resources. She includes a list of the worst pesticide offenders so you can prioritize your organic purchases if a 100% solution is not possible. Tips for speaking with pediatricians and an alternative schedule for vaccinations is suggested so parents can weigh their options. You'll also find plenty of safe and effective homemade household cleansers, pampering pick-me ups, delicious recipes, and homeopathic remedies to keep your family healthy.
I especially enjoyed her final chapter, which highlights changes you can work on outside the home. Community efforts to clean up the natural environment, schools, and public buildings can go a long way towards building civic pride and promoting health.
WANT IT: Purchase Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care: Volume 2 in the Bestselling Green This! Series (List $15.95; $10.85 on Amazon).
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- Click HERE and check out the introduction of Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care: Volume 2 in the Bestselling Green This! Series
- Leave us a comment about which tips and ideas from the book you need the most.
Ends 8pm EST on April 18, 2008. Open to US and Canada mailing addresses.
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Filed under Advice, Books (Advice), Contests, Eco-Friendly, Organic, Tips
Tags: earth day, Eco-Friendly, Organic, Parenting
4.11.08 at 1:16 pm
Louise A Brouillette comments:
The info about vaccines is topical.
4.11.08 at 3:29 pm
Desmond comments:
Ditto, I’m most interested in the vacine information.
4.11.08 at 5:16 pm
Shannon Baas comments:
the vaccine.
4.11.08 at 6:05 pm
Miranda Allen comments:
Which plastic bottles and toys are least toxic
4.11.08 at 7:42 pm
Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland comments:
i would definitely like to know how to make sure my kid is vaccinated safely. great giveaway, thanks!
4.11.08 at 8:20 pm
Lindsie comments:
I am definately interested in the information on toxins. I need to pay more attention to that.
4.11.08 at 8:21 pm
Erin T comments:
I could use all the ‘going green’ info I can get! But specifically I would like more info on lobbying our schools to make green changes that protect our kids and the environment.
4.11.08 at 8:47 pm
susan varney comments:
the vaccine
4.11.08 at 9:13 pm
Cindi comments:
Hello, I like the “How to lobby for safer school environments and support children’s environmental health studies. We are the first generation that may have a lower life expectancy rate than our parents because of the way we live! Please enter me in your drawing. Many thanks…..Cindi
4.11.08 at 9:23 pm
Tiffany comments:
I’m really concerned about vaccinations, but I haven’t found helpful information to date.
4.11.08 at 9:30 pm
Meredith Peters comments:
Scheduling safe vaccinations is really important!
4.11.08 at 10:21 pm
Diana (Holes In My Shiny Veneer) comments:
I’m interested in which plastic toys are the least toxic– I’ve started avoiding all of them but would like to have some options…
4.11.08 at 11:38 pm
Patti comments:
Schools going green, and helping them do it would be wonderful!
4.12.08 at 12:32 am
Mae comments:
I feel reckless with my daughter’s health all the time!!!! well, sometimes anyways. I need ideas and support on how to help her grow up strong and healthy, while protecting the environment. There are hundred decisions that I make everyday, it is overwhelming!!! Additionally, I would like to know how to help schools go green. She is starting preschool next year and I plan to be very involved.
4.12.08 at 2:42 am
Kristen McCann comments:
I agree with the vaccine commenters…so much in the news, I would like some help dissecting all of the information.
4.12.08 at 3:23 am
mary v comments:
I am interested in the area of toxins and there affects on children
4.12.08 at 4:14 am
Reiza comments:
I want to know more about toxic cleaning products.
4.12.08 at 4:20 am
ashley comments:
want to learn more on which plastic bottles and toys are least toxic, with all the recent reacalls and info, i’d like to be better prepared for my next child and my daughter as well.
4.12.08 at 6:12 am
Angela comments:
I am always concerned about the toxic levels of connor’s eating and drinking stuff as well as toxic ingredients in toys.
I blogged you on Prize-a-Tron!
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4.12.08 at 6:17 am
Emily Weaver Brown comments:
I would love to learn how to reduce my child’s expose to air pollutants.
4.12.08 at 6:21 am
christopher h comments:
i’m worried about children’s vaccinations
4.12.08 at 7:12 am
Lesha comments:
I’d love to learn more about vaccines.
4.12.08 at 12:15 pm
Andrea W. comments:
I could use then information on finding a green doctor and vaccines.
4.12.08 at 12:49 pm
Susan Chester comments:
I could use information on greener household cleaners.The greener ones I have tried have not cleaned very well.
4.12.08 at 1:58 pm
Tara R comments:
I would like more info on reducing my kids’ exposure to toxins. I also think some tips on how to get my kids’ school to go green would be helpful!
4.12.08 at 2:16 pm
Ellie comments:
I imagine that when time comes to pick a preschool for my son we will need to know how to lobby for safer school environments and support children’s environmental health studies.
4.12.08 at 3:35 pm
kelli comments:
I’m really interested in the “How to make sure your child is vaccinated safely” section!
4.12.08 at 5:04 pm
JenO comments:
I’m interested in How to make sure your child is vaccinated safely, as my nephew had the mercury reaction (we think) and is now autistic. I don’t want this to happen to my baby! (due in May)
4.12.08 at 6:53 pm
Julie Ford comments:
Which plastic bottles and toys are least toxic.
Thanks for sharing!!
4.12.08 at 7:57 pm
Jennifer comments:
What organics are the most important. We simply can’t afford to be 100% organic.
4.12.08 at 9:40 pm
ilissa H. comments:
I would really like to know more about the vaccines for children. This is really important to me.
4.13.08 at 12:06 am
Donna Coughlin comments:
I’m really concerned about vaccinations
4.13.08 at 1:08 am
Jen Mc comments:
I’m interested in greener cleaners. I’m starting to move over to them now and would like the hear what Imus recommends.
4.13.08 at 10:02 am
Sharon Jones comments:
the effects on toxins…thanks!
4.13.08 at 11:40 am
Kari Follett comments:
vaccination safety. Thank you!!
4.13.08 at 2:40 pm
Annette comments:
Which plastic bottles and toys are least toxic
4.13.08 at 3:11 pm
Erica G comments:
cleaning stuff
4.13.08 at 7:18 pm
Danielle S comments:
i WOULD LOVE TO READ MORE ABOUT VACCINATIONS! i JUST STARTED LOOKING INTO THEM AND IM TERRIFIED!
4.13.08 at 8:08 pm
Sarah Berry comments:
I would love information on toys. Brea is constantly putting her toys in her mouth. I would be interested in knowing more about the dangers.
4.14.08 at 12:26 am
Aimee comments:
I’m interested about the vax info. Its so hard to find a book with both sides on the subject.
4.14.08 at 12:27 am
Shay comments:
I would love to lean more about becoming Green.
4.14.08 at 9:14 am
sarah comments:
i’d like to know what cleaning products are safest
4.14.08 at 4:20 pm
Kathy Scott comments:
My kids are really pushing us to go green.
4.15.08 at 11:04 am
SJ comments:
I could certainly use more tips on going green, especially in regards to cleaning products. I really need to feel like something is actually disinfected, but hate using harsh chemicals.
sjmanley(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
4.15.08 at 2:59 pm
Maureen comments:
How to Lobby for Safer School Environments…
Thanks,
Maureen
4.16.08 at 5:26 am
Suzie comments:
Which plastic toys are least toxic.
4.16.08 at 7:18 am
trudee carreiro comments:
I would have to say information on toxins would be good to have
4.16.08 at 10:39 am
Carol Drury comments:
the info on toxins is most interesting!
4.16.08 at 10:04 pm
Debbie Criss comments:
We’re living in a time of pollution. I would like to learn all that I need to know to help control my part. To be able to start a new generation of reversing to saving our envirment. I’ve been recycling for about 10 years. I see more and more people coming to the recycling center. I’m starting to get friends and relatives to also.
thank you
4.17.08 at 9:57 am
Helen Vassilakis comments:
I am currently pregnant for my 1st child and I would like to learn about all the ways that I can teach my child to live green. I recycle but know that I can do more.
4.17.08 at 11:09 am
Carissa comments:
I would like to know which plastic bottles and toys are least toxic and how to lobby for safer school environments and support children’s environmental health studies.
4.17.08 at 2:17 pm
Elizabeth M. comments:
I’d like to know which plastic toys are least toxic.
4.17.08 at 5:01 pm
K. Cleaver comments:
I would like to know more about choosing safe cleaning products.
4.17.08 at 7:33 pm
Jennifer Kenney comments:
I think the whole book would be very useful..especially the vaccinations and toys parts. Thanks!
4.17.08 at 9:42 pm
shawna comments:
I would like to learn more about safe cleaning!
4.18.08 at 12:50 am
Aimee comments:
While we’ve focused greatly on our home environment and consumpion issues, I am most desiring to learn more about “which plastic bottles and toys are least toxic” (especially with a new baby in the house) as well as hearing the “Advice from leading “green” pediatricians and nationally recognized doctors such as Mehmet C. Oz, M.D” The book sounds great!
4.18.08 at 12:58 am
Christina Almond comments:
I’d love more information about the various toxins in toys! So far as vaccines…I know it is controversial but my son is 9 years old and NEVER had a vaccine and is as healthy and healthier than any other kid his age!
4.18.08 at 8:36 am
Brooke comments:
I’d like more information about how to live with minimal household toxins - not just toys, but food storage.
4.18.08 at 9:11 am
kathy pease comments:
PLEASE ENTER ME
4.18.08 at 10:54 am
Stacy comments:
I need this book so that I really think about everything I am exposing my baby to. I spent the money on Born Free bottles but didn’t even think about all the chemicals in his shampoo and soap. There are so many things to think about.
4.18.08 at 1:31 pm
kathleen Yohanna comments:
I would like to know if all the plastic containers we are using are harming our children.
4.18.08 at 2:07 pm
Susanne Troop comments:
Safe cleaning is very important to me!
4.18.08 at 2:22 pm
Veronica Garrett comments:
Tips on cleaning my house with less toxic chemicals and lessing my family’s exposure to toxins in plastic household goods and toys.
4.18.08 at 4:09 pm
~ Aliesa ~ comments:
~ I’m most interested in vacine information ~
4.18.08 at 4:22 pm
Janet comments:
How to make sure your child is vaccinated safely” section sounds interesting!
4.18.08 at 5:18 pm
* * HeLeN * * comments:
** I’m interested in “Advice from leading “green” pediatricians and nationally recognized doctors such as Mehmet Oz,M.D” **
4.18.08 at 5:30 pm
jen g. comments:
I’m on the cusp of the seemingly endless rounds of vaccinations with my newborn! I need/want all the info on this issues I can get!
4.18.08 at 5:48 pm
Ed Nemmers comments:
Toxin information
4.18.08 at 7:17 pm
~ * MiC * ~ comments:
** Safe cleaning is very important! **
4.18.08 at 7:59 pm
Lily Kwan comments:
I need tips on how to clean without harmful chemicals.
4.18.08 at 10:01 pm
Timothy Sternberg comments:
The info about vaccines is topical.
4.23.08 at 6:44 pm
Becka comments:
I just finished the book. Great, easy to understnd practicle information throughout.
The vaccine chapter is extremely helpful. Common sense info. Moms need to hear more about this and are not getting it. Glad someone put this out there.
Must read!!