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At Healthy Child, we pride ourselves on finding easy, affordable ways parents can create healthier environments for their children, while reducing their planetary footprint. But, we still love it when we find new resources to direct parents to - you know, we can’t do it all! Here’s a new one to add to the list.

Micaela Preston, also known as Mindful Momma at her blog and on Twitter, has just published her first book, Practically Green. It’s an extremely quick read (I made it cover to cover on a 3 hour flight) and has an impressive amount of information given its small size. She includes eating, living, cleaning, caring, wearing, and conserving. For each theme she covers a little bit about why you’d want to go green, but mostly about how.

The format is extremely aesthetic too, which I’m always a sucker for – there are lovely full-color pictures and cute graphics. Don’t forget the comprehensive “copy-and-clip guides” that are easy-to-read charts with definitions on a wide variety of issues, such as eco-labels, plastics, and more!

She also has utterly entertaining personal anecdotes - they really bring it home that Micaela struggles with making choices just like the rest of us. Her enthusiasm and humility are endearing as she regularly admits her own flaws, past or present, and emphasizes that everyone should just do what they can. Here is a perfect summary from the book’s introduction:

“When I shop, I make the greenest choice I can, but I don’t beat myself up every time I buy nonorganic food or cheap clothes at a chain store. My goal is to be mindful of my choices – not to be stressed…Do what you can. If you find you can’t afford something, or if it causes too much stress to go the greener route, stick with the conventional product – you can always choose the greener way next time. Just like fashion, do it with your own sense of style and your own creativity. Slowly but surely, living green will become a habit, and you’ll forget you ever lived any other way.”

This is Practically Green. It’s not a prescription, there’s no right or wrong (well, mostly); you do what is practical for your family.

Some ideas I want to try from the book include:

• Cheesy Animal Crackers - We are huge fans of cheesy crackers and this recipe looks so simple and fun, I can’t wait to get my girls whipping some up with me.
• Snack Sack – This is so easy I can’t believe I’ve never thought of it before. You pretty much just wrap a snack in a cloth napkin and tie a little ribbon around it. It would be perfect for the cheesy animal crackers, and the sack becomes a lap cloth, so no crumbs all over!
• Stretchy Baby Bunny Hat – This adorable hat is made from an old stretchy t-shirt and, I’m no seamstress, but I’m pretty sure this looks foolproof.
• Chocolate Facial Mask – Need I say more?

There are certainly a lot of green living books coming out these days, which is a very positive sign! Some are a hit, some are a miss and others are simply repetitive. Micaela found a niche and her book is a hit. Practically Green makes eco-friendly decision-making easy and fun!

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