Lindsey Carmichael, mother and public health professional, has created an easy, eco-friendly, reference guide focused on the safety of consumable products. Perfect to slip into a grocery cart and consult while shopping, Greening Your Family offers busy families a tool they can use for optimal health. This guide is unique in that it offers an overview of three areas; cleaning products, foods, and personal care products.
LemongrassJill
Posted February 25, 2010
I Also Recommend:
The topic of how to create a 'green' home is everywhere these days, but in some ways, the standard news media sheds very little light on the products that we use in our homes every day. This is no accident, as the big companies that fund the news via commercials don't want the truth about their products being discussed during the same newscast that they funded.
I really appreciated how Lindsey Carmichael broke down the products that we use in our home to wash our dishes, clean our tubs and wash our children with every day. In layman's terms she describes why we should be concerned about dishwashing soaps that emit chlorine throughout our home and the best part is that she shares healthy product alternatives.
This book breaks down the huge subject of "Greening" your family into the categories of Personal Care Products, cleaning products and foods that we consume. The subject of safe food does receive a fair amount of media attention. On the other hand, I think that most people have absolutely no idea how toxic their soaps, lotions, toilet cleaners, oven cleaners and other items in their home actually are. Most people are under the false belief that the FDA tests all products before they may be sold on store shelves and that is simply not true.
If you want to learn some helpful and relevant information and not be overwhelmed, then this is a great guide. Lindsey has done a great job including tables for quick reference, such as the pesticide load on common fruits and vegetables. I also appreciated her product recommendations, as I had never found a dishwashing soap that was 'green' that cleaned my dishes well before reading her book. Chapter 16 includes some fantastic green recipes that are EASY for creating safe and inexpensive cleaners for everything from window cleaner to an effective shower cleaner. Don't you think it is time to stop buying that shower cleaner that makes it hard for you to breathe while you are using it? The fact that you can feel your lung tissue while cleaning is not a sign of health!
For those who want to learn even more about the value of using safe cosmetics (including shampoos, lotion, deodorant, mascara, etc), then I would also highly recommend the book:
Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry by Stacy Malkan.
I recommend Lindsey Carmichael's book to get the facts on safe food, safe cleaning products and the basics on self care products. This book is accessible and doesn't take long to read. I will continue to refer to the tables as well as the helpful recipes in Chapter 16.
I am passionate about sharing the importance of using natural products on our skin, as we literally drink in what we put on our skin.
lfrang
Posted December 11, 2009
This book is a well researched, informative, reference guide on how to make educated decisions on what products and food you purchase for your family. It includes lists of ingredients to avoid, along with lists of recommended brand names and where to buy them. This book is very eye opening; I had no idea what was in the products that I use on and around my children on a daily basis! As a pediatric physical therapist I work with many children with allergies, asthma, and eczema; I think this book is an essential reference for these parents. I will be recommending this book to all of my mommy friends and to the parents of the children of whom I work with.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.J_Reed
Posted December 1, 2009
As a mom I am always looking for ways to keep our home safe and eco-friendly. I found this book to be concise and loved the easy-to-read charts throughout. The chapters are easy to navigate and provide simple ideas and suggestions including brand names.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 28, 2009
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Overview
Lindsey Carmichael, mother and public health professional, has created an easy, eco-friendly, reference guide focused on the safety of consumable products. Perfect to slip into a grocery cart and consult while shopping, Greening Your Family offers busy families a tool they can use for optimal health. This guide is unique in that it offers an overview of three areas; cleaning products, foods, and personal care products.