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Motherhood, Giveaways and Product Reviews

Introducing…Healthy Child, Healthy World

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I think I’ve been going green for quite some time. It’s taken me awhile to really get there and for awhile I was bordering between yellow and blue. Getting pregnant with my son motivated me to think about the type of life I wanted for him…the type of world I want him to grow up in. And while the tradition is pink for girls and blue for boys, I am raising my son green!

Thanks to Mothertalk, I was given the opportunity to review Healthy Child, Healthy World, a new book authored by Christopher Gavigan (CEO of the organization by the same name). In a society where toys are being recalled and baby bottles are leaching harmful, hormone disrupting chemicals, finding safe alternatives to conventional products can be overwhelming for a new parent. Every parent wants to do as much as they can to protect their child from the dangers inherent in our world.

healthy child book

It’s not easy being green…Or is it? Healthy Child, Healthy World gives parents practical, attainable steps that can be taken to create a healthy, non-toxic home. When I read about the alarming increase in the rates of diseases like autism, despite the removal of thimerosol, I begin to question whether or not there is more to the increasing prevalence of chronic childhood diseases then a mercury-derived preservative.

I don’t have a lot of time to read my ever-growing list of must-reads on Amazon, but I could not put this book down! The great thing about this book is that we don’t have to do everything…but we can all do something. Before reading this book, my husband and I started “greening” our lifestyle in preparation for the birth of our son. We started buying organic (when we could afford it) and local, recycled more, changed out our light bulbs, rid the cabinet of harmful cleaning agents, and stopped wasting so much water (ahem…at least hubbie does…I’m still not great about the 5 minute shower!). Over time we have continued to make small changes that we feel good about. When the dishwashing detergent ran out, we switched to a more environmentally friendly product. This is what we’ve done with most of the products we use in our home…slow, gradual changes over time. We still have a ways to go, but I am inspired, motivated and encouraged that what I’m doing now will effect a positive impact on my son’s environment.
Backed by statistics and expert opinions, Healthy Child, Healthy World is THE credible resource every parent needs on their bookshelf. When we are equipped with knowledge, we are able to effect change. I would like to tell you that one chapter stood out as my favorite. But in reality, every chapter was pertinent and the suggestions were definitely more feasible and affordable than I expected. The book is an easy, quick read, but parents are going to want to refer back to it over and over (I’ve earmarked way too many pages!). While the author intended his audience to be parents, anyone interested in greening their environment will benefit from reading this book.
Throughout the book you’ll find DIY tips, answers to your burning questions, and celebrity parent experiences and suggestions. Declog your drain without fogging your home with harmful chemicals with a DIY recipe for a homemade drain cleanser that does the job and elicits giggles from your children. Find out What the Heck Is a VOC, why it’s harmful, and what you can do to avoid it. Go One Step Beyond (which is what we’re planning on doing) and eliminate wall-to-wall carpeting which traps all kinds of mold, pet dander and other asthma and allergy triggers. I need to read this book again to absorb the wealth of information present.
If you’re ready to step it up and take a pro-active stand to detoxify your home, pick up Healthy Child, Healthy World. Your kids (and the planet) will thank you for it.
Healthy Child, Healthy World will be available for purchase on Amazon on April 17, 2008.
If you’d like to be one of ten lucky winners to own a copy of Healthy Child, Healthy World, head on over to The Cradle before April 15, 2008.

Caryn Bailey
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One Response to Introducing…Healthy Child, Healthy World

  1. what a great resource book! I haven’t had the chance to read it yet, now you’ve motivated me to ck it out!

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