Did you know that there are 80,000 synthetic chemicals registered for use in the United States? As a green parent, the mama bear in me comes out and I feel the need to protect my children from the effects of such chemicals. In the past, I have relied on the website Healthy Child Healthy World for information. Now there is a book by this leading children’s environmental nonprofit that is clearly the definitive source on “creating a cleaner, greener, safer home.”
Healthy Child Healthy World is written by Christopher Gavigan and features a star studded line up of contributors, including Sheryl Crow, Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Hanks, Laura Dern, etc.  The book is divided into ten chapters, from “Doing the Bump: Preparing for Baby” to “It’s All Good:  How to Grow Your Impact.”  Filled with easy steps and simple solutions, Healthy Child Healthy World helps parents rid their homes of chemicals that may cause or contribute to the rise of chronic diseases and illness, such as autism and ADD/ADHD. For example:

Step #9.  Toss the Teflon

So what if you’ll  never again be able to fry an egg that slides off the pan like an ice cube? PFOA, the chemical used to make Teflon and other nonstick surfaces, is now found in the blood of nearly every American and has been listed by the EPA as a “likely human carcinogen.”

PBDE, pesticides, BPA, PFOA…it’s pretty scary what is in our bodily fluids these days, and children are especially at risk from these toxins.  Healthy Child Healthy World is a great resource to help parents learn how to live a simpler, greener life.  The format is user friendly, and the appendix includes an extensive list of “Healthy Resources”. If you are wondering how to create a healthy lifestyle and non-toxic environment for your family, this book is right for you.