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Newly Pregnant? Here's an 8-Step Crash Course in Going Green

A friend of mind just called to tell me that she happily, but unexpectedly, just found out she’s nearly three months pregnant. She wanted advice on how to get organic immediately because even if she hasn’t been all that organic up until now, she’d prefer to hedge the bets of her unborn child. In this column we talk about lots of specific organic parenting ideas, but I told her that the following eight things will cover the big picture and if she does them she’ll be able to catch up quick.

Mother with Baby

1. Food

Start eating whole foods (as close to how it came out of the earth as possible), paying attention to which items are more and less toxic. Meat is high on the food chain and therefore more toxic; vegetables are lower. For information on joining a community supported farm check out Local Harvest. Avoid packaged foods and try to eat a varied diet that includes plenty of protein, calcium, whole grains and folic acid. (Take a daily vitamin with folic acid as well to be sure you’re meeting the requirement.)


2. Water

Test the tap water at home for contaminants and deal with it – a Brita-style carbon carafe pitcher will take care of most issues. Stop drinking bottled water and carry your beverages in something safer like glass or stainless steel – there are great water bottles at SIGGand Klean Kanteen – to avoid chemical-leaching plastic, as well as help save some earth.


3. Air

You can’t always control what you’re breathing – the carpet at the bank or toxic bathroom cleaners at work – but wherever possible (in the car, at work, at home) open the windows and keep your environment as well-ventilated as possible. ...



Earth Day Is Time to Focus on the Next Generation(s)

Earth Day has morphed into Earth Month. Hallmark must be taking note. Some might be disturbed by the surreal commercialism. If it motivates anyone down a greener path, I’m all for it. One thing that has been thrilling me about all of the press releases I’ve been getting (via email – no wasted paper) is how much of it is related to kids. I greened myself when I was pregnant so my daughter would have a pure place to grow, but also so as not to contribute any more toxins/chemicals/what-have-you into this world she was about to inherit. The whole 7th generation concept (I’m not referring to the cleaning products but rather what they’re named after) didn’t quite hit home the same way until I had children. I now can imagine how wonderful it will be to have grandchildren and really wonder what their world will be like. ...






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Two down-to-earth experts answer your questions about raising children toxin-free... read more.
about the authors
Alexandra Zissu

Alexandra Zissu

Alexandra Zissu is a co-author of The Complete Organic Pregnancy... read full bio.
Deirdre Dolan

Deirdre Dolan

Deirdre Dolan is a co-author of The Complete Organic Pregnancy... read full bio.
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buy the book

The Complete Organic Pregnancy
What you need to know - from the nail polish you wear to the bed you sleep in to the water you drink.
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