Conservation in EpiCH

Tips from the book Practically Green by Micaela Preston

Practically Green is a book written by Micaela Preston, a local author whose goal is to simply the information about green and healthy living, since most information on this topic is overwhelming.
Her book contains six chapters, each based on decisions we make every day.
Copy and clip guides are includes that can be clipped out, or copied to be carried in purse or pocket to use at point of purchase.

Purchasing section-how you can conserve resources by making the right decisions.
• Buy it green, do it green, make it green
• Navigate the grocery store. Stick to the perimeter of the store where fresh fruit and vegetables are stored, while processed foods are most likely available in the middle aisles. Pesticide contamination of fruits and vegetables is covered in the book. Make decisions based on the fruits and vegetables your family eats the most. Apples are most likely contaminated, so she buys organic apples; oranges, not so much, so she purchases regular oranges. Lettuce and carrots are more likely to be contaminated, but broccoli not so much.
• Labeling on food products can be confusing. USDA organic seal for certified organic. The word organic alone does not mean much, since the word is not regulated.
• When buying poultry, look for the humane certified label.
• At Farmer's Market, make sure to ask questions as to how the food was grown.
• A fish guide is included - sustainably grown.
• Decrease your use of pre-packaged items.

Living section - how to make decisions when buying products for the home
• BPA chemical in plastic drink bottles and in the lining of some canned food products. Types of plastics and recycling codes 1, 2, 4, and 5 are usually safer and BPA free, but read the label carefully.
• Chemicals can leech out of plastic when placed in the microwave
• Cleaning products - 7th Generation is a good brand. You don't need to dump all of your cleaning products, just switch over to a safer brand when you run out of a product.
• Recycle hazardous materials, don't throw in the garbage.
• Includes do-it yourself cleaning product recipes such as vinegar, baking soda make a good sink scrub.
• Reuse the bottles and make your own cleaning products.
• Author is working with other moms to be a forum to influence manufacturers to disclose ingredients in products and develop standards.

Stain removal tricks section
• Recommendations on beauty products for bath and body, such as Shea butter.
• Average person uses 500 chemicals on their body.
• Ingredients are required to be listed.
• Cosmetic safety database named skin-deep http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com is for all body care products. Enter in a brand and there are rating system for safety. Look or natural scents from essential oils.
• Try apple cider vinegar as a substitute for shampoo.
• Product called 4 Elements is great for dry skin.

What to Wear Chapter
• Buy used.
• Organic cotton is an earth friendly product but difficult to find. Regular cotton uses lots of water. Make it green--cloths from recycled materials.
• Wash a wool sweater in hot water and it becomes felted. Then it won't fray. Can make hats and gloves.
• Used materials work well to cut and applicaque to cover up stains on kid's shirts.

Conserving Chapter
• Less is more, reuse what you have.
• Be creative, buy used or swap.
• Ask yourself, do I really need that?
• Buy handmade and support local artists.
• Tips to conserve water and energy in your home. An example: turn off electrical strips.