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Parent Blog - Andrea Guevara Higham
Emily Lynne Ion
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Andrea is co-founder (her children, ages 7 & 10 are her business partners) of Pooka, eco-friendly children's fashion. As a single mom, she believes in the power of making one's dreams come true and provoking positive change for future generations.
Inspiration from an Eco-mom Entrepreneur
I’ve always had a heart for helping other people. But for me, “going green” was a gradual shift spurred by motherhood. So when the mind-altering, pull up your bootstraps, hold on tight, wave of motherhood hit me, I knew I would do whatever I could to keep my child safe. Sometimes I feel like a mama bear, defending my cubs against the perils of our world. Many moms “go green” as we realize that our children’s wellbeing is threatened at almost every turn. There is no stronger love than that of a mother. Our children deserve to live healthy, safe lives.
I feel privileged to live at this crucial time, because the movement toward healthier living is at its tipping point. Nowadays mothers have more power than ever to create change through our consumer buying power, our passion to commit to positive change, and the new technologies that make our voices more unified and louder than ever. We have the opportunity and the resources to make a lasting impact on our children's generation. For this reason I am excited to join many to create positive change. It is an exciting time to be alive.
In this critical time, it’s also important to remember to not let fear control decisions. Don’t settle for something just because it’s “green.” I take heart in knowing that I don’t need to be “eco-perfect” to stand up for change. When I was just starting our clothing line I thought, “You don’t do everything that you ‘should’ be doing if you’re ‘green’—won’t they expect you to do everything right if you own an eco-friendly clothing company?” But of course that was fear talking.
Most of us don’t live eco-perfect, but we’re doing our best and that’s the key. Lasting change comes when people find something they can really commit to. For example: instead of buying a “natural” product just because it’s natural, people have gravitated to the “natural” product that also happens to work well and maybe even looks, tastes, or feels good too. We don’t need to give up who we are to be green—it’s our authenticity that will provoke real change!
It’s important to make changes at home; however we need to spread the word and foment them on a broader level,as well. I am heartbroken every time I hear of another child getting cancer in our community. If we want things like this to change, working together is key.
Imagine a time when we do not need to constantly worry about toxic chemicals in our beds and clothing; pesticides in our foods, toxins in our water and our children getting cancer from everyday living. I believe this is possible in our lifetime if we work together. Making positive changes in our own lives will lead to big changes as the government and corporations realize we won’t buy their unhealthy products, laws, etc. We’re a part of something big and that’s exciting!
It is our time to stand tall and make a better future.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead)
Posted by on 09/04 at 01:36 PM
I also use a lot of vinegar and baking soda to clean my house. I’ve been pretty conscious of the foods my family eats, and products I use to clean our house for the past five years (when my first child was born). But, when I was pregnant with my second in ‘06, I was introduced to Arbonne - a botanically-based health and wellness company. Now I am an educated consumer when it applies to our skincare products, as well! I never thought about what I was putting on my body, but now I can sleep comfortably knowing my kids, my husband, and my own body is covered in safe products!
Posted by Shelley R. KRamer on 09/04 at 03:35 PM
I had 4 miscarriages before finally having a son, who came 3 months early, at just 2 pounds. With lots of health issues, I made sure that everything I put in and on his body and mine was safe and healthy, from all the daily used personal care products, to the beauty cosmetics. He was raised on broccoli and soy milk, and eats totally healthy now. They said he would never walk or talk, but he proved them all wrong. He is 20 years old now, attending a brand new college program at UCLA for special ed kids, and we are very proud of him. Know what you are putting in and on your bodies and that safe alternatives are available.
www.publicsright2know.org, www.healthy-communications.com
Posted by Shelley R. Kramer on 09/04 at 03:39 PM
Please read those labels on the Arbonne shampoos, cleansers, cosmetics,and see the chemicals cocoamide DEA, diethanolmine, TEA, triethanolmine, pg, peg, prolyethylene glycol, propelene glycol, diaznoly urea. All are dangerous chemicals that do not need be in the products, but are still there. These products are expensive and still have the nasty chemicals. They will not sign the pact for safe cosmetics either, why not???
www.publicsrigh2know.org
Posted by on 09/05 at 09:28 AM
You need to check out www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to research the so called “natural” or “organic” products. Arbonne, Melaluca, Avon, Mary Kay; these companies use toxic chemicals in their products. I used to sell Avon; they are all about supporting Breast Cancer research, but yet sell harmful products that can cause cancer.
I have yet to find make up that is organic and safe to use. Anyone have any suggestions?
Posted by Shelley Kramer on 09/05 at 05:54 PM
I found a 20 year old established company 10 years ago that manufactures the safest products in the world. Endorsed by Dr. Samuel Epstein and the Cancer Prevention Coalition, cosmetics, personal care, nutritionals, household cleaning, all without harmful chemicals. The latest technology and research on the products that are safe and healthy for your body, pets, home and the environment.
For more information read, www.healthy-communications.com, and for the facts and scientific articles read www.publicsright2know.org
Posted by Shelley Kramer on 09/06 at 01:00 PM
I found a safe and healthy company over 10 years ago, leading edge technology in the safest products in the world. Endorsed by Dr. Samuel Epstein and the Cancer Prevention Coalition. Everything you put in and on your body and use in your home, safe and healthy. www.healthy-communications.com
www.ineways.com/positivehealthyliving
Please read the information, the facts, the ingredients and know what you are putting in and on your body and use in your home.
Posted by christy funk on 09/08 at 11:53 AM
Thanks Andrea for your beautiful input!
As the mother of 2 boys and an owner of a natural mothering store in O.C., Belly Sprout, I am fiercely dedicated in educating and spreading awareness on living more naturally. For me it isn’t just about the “stuff”, but the guidance that goes behind why someone should use cloth diapers, non-toxic beauty products and skincare for babies or eating local and organic. As a store owner I have been approached SEVERAL times by Arbonne and after receiving samples, I just could NOT carry their line. The ingredients are toxic and I am just floored by companies out there who continually deceive consumers by stating that their products are “natural”. Another such line is Bare Essentials.
I was a makeup artist for over 12 years and decided that now was the time to add another division to our store; A non-toxic Beauty Bar. We breast-feed our children but are still using the chemicals in commercial beauty products. As consumers and mothers we have to do our homework constantly, to keep up with what is happening in the industry.
I have made my share purchasing mistakes and want to be able to share my findings with other women. As the world becomes more toxic, we have no choice to not only go green but to LIVE green.
Products I like? Josie Maran (beautiful), Lavera and Afterglow are cleaner than mainstream makeup without sacrificing quality.
Posted by on 09/08 at 09:16 PM
I am a mother of six children and I started a company called Healing Maryland, Inc to educate the Childcare field in getting toxic chemical away from our children in childcare. I am a trainer for the state of Maryland and would love for each parent to consider going green with non-toxic cleaning products in their local childcare center or home.
Posted by Water Damage on 11/27 at 06:24 AM
I think it is great that you have not only formed a business that involves your kids, but are teaching them about being green. My kids are grown now, 18 and 23, and we work together using the internet. Both my kids are very conscious now of being as green as possible, I only wish I had started them earlier. We recycle all of our plastics now and my daughter is preparing to invest in a home with solar panels. It is all the little things that add up over time if we all do something and teach our kids it is the only way for the future.
Posted by on 12/09 at 07:47 PM
Being a single mom is difficult. Andrea you are a great women because you can handle your situation at the same time you’re helping others. I salute you.
Posted by on 12/24 at 11:42 AM
I know that it’s not an excuse and totally not fair - but buying green is usually more expensive. In the tough times that we are all going through right now - it is easy to get off track.
Lisa - you are a true inspiration. Great Work!
Posted by on 12/28 at 01:58 PM
Yes it could be a little more expensive to buy “green” products, but isn’t your life and health worth it? Without your health, what is your life like?
The products I have been using from Neways are not expensive, actually less than department stores but more than the dollar stores. They are safe, effective, and affordable for the everyday consumer to buy green.
Posted by water damage restoration on 06/02 at 02:08 PM
Very nice information about relation between parents and children. I bookmarked it and I have sent it to my many friends where are married and have children.
Posted by on 09/04 at 01:14 PM
I feel exactly the same as Andrea. My children are my life. I want them to grow up healthy and have the knowledge of the good, the bad and the ugly. By this I mean, they will know what they are putting into their bodies & into the environment. I have been researching the toxic chemicals in everything from food, toys, cleaning products & personal cosmetics. After reading how horrible the chemicals are in our everyday products, I have been buying organic and I don’t use anything to clean with except for vinegar and baking soda.
The people have the right to know what these harmful products are filled with and what they can do to delicate individuals.
Laws need to change for us, our children and our future.