the bloggers behind the green baby guide (joy hatch and rebecca kelley) just published their first book, the eco-nomical baby guide
, and i was pleased to receive a copy for review.this is not your average baby book. its main purpose is to provide "down to earth ways for parents to save money and the planet."
as any new parent can attest, babies seem to require a lot of stuff. expensive stuff. stuff that's only used for a short time.
those perfect tiny baby feet can leave a staggering carbon footprint.
in the excitement of pregnancy, it can be easy to get carried along the consumerist current. we all want our kids to have nice, safe things.
but must they always have new things?
this book is not a compilation of spendy, "green" must-haves. after all, buying lots of stuff--even eco-friendly stuff--is not very green. they challenge many of those items babies r us will tell you are necessities, and they provide plenty of ideas for finding deals on quality used baby gear.
they do offer listings of environmentally responsible companies offering things like organic mattresses, well-made toys, and cloth diapers in various price ranges, but the book leans more toward reuse, recycle, and DIY than "buy green." they argue that saving money along the way may open up funds for a select few well-considered earth-friendly items for baby.
the authors compiled a wealth of great information on cloth diapers and disposables, including eco-friendlier brands, and it's a great place for moms to learn what kinds of options are out there and to unscramble the jargon. after reading their suggestions, i've started using less water (and energy) to wash our diapers, and so far so good.
the chapter on baby food shows how the author saved hundreds making her own baby food--even using organic ingredients--and i know i'll be taking some of their advice with james before too long.
the eco-nomical baby guide is a great resource for any mom-to-be who is interested in simplicity and natural living--even just a little interested. the authors aren't out scare you with toxins lurking around every corner or make a mama feel guilty. it's helpful without being preachy, suggesting easy things anyone can do to protect the earth, provide for baby, and save money in the process. what's not to love about that?
i'm giving away my copy to a lucky reader. (US addresses only.) just leave a comment telling me one change your family has made to take better care of the earth, with a way to get in touch. want another entry? follow my blog or subscribe, and leave another comment telling me you do.
you can also win copy of the book (and a bunch of other green baby goodies) over at the green baby guide.
good luck! i'll choose a winner on monday march 8.
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i received a book from the publishers but was not otherwise compensated for this review.
