I’m Not the Eco Police
Ever since I started writing as Mommy Greenest, I’ve noticed people avoiding me. Not my close friends, obviously. But the casual friendships—those afternoon coffee invitations that turn into weekend playdates with wine? I’m getting less and less of them. I’ve heard, “Oh, don’t let Rachel see that,” as a plastic water bottle is shoved into a purse, and “She had fries—don’t kill me!” as my daughter is returned home from a playdate. They think I’m the eco police.
One Minute Toxic Test
Between the cute kittens and baby pictures, there was one meme circulating in my social media this week that I couldn’t click away from: Have you taken the Toxic Test? And although I’m usually adverse to flashing messages promising to tell me something I don’t already know, I clicked on over to the Toxic Test to check it out. Believe me, I was surprised.
Good Mom…or Chemophobe?
I would step in front of a bus for my kids, as would most moms. I make sure they have sweaters when it’s cold, and water when it’s warm. I worry when they don’t get enough sleep, and go on red alert when they cough or sniffle. I also feed them primarily organic meals, try to reduce their BPA exposure by using more reusable water bottles and less canned foods, avoid food dyes and other artificial ingredients, pack their beach bags with zinc-based sunscreen, refuse triclosan or other pesticides, and clean my home with vinegar so they don’t have to inhale synthetic fragrances. I think that all of these things make…
thredUP Ultimate Eco Fashion Haul
I admit it, I’m a hauler. That might sound strange coming from someone whose entire online identity depends on the idea of reducing consumption—especially given my focus on thrifting and swapping for clothes, most recently with the Shop Drop Challenge. But hauling—a 21st century phenom in which women and girls use social media and YouTube to display and rate massive amounts of beauty and fashion purchases—is exactly what I’ve been doing. Because today through Monday January 26th, the thredUP 99 Cent Event is putting gently loved style on sale at massive savings: Just 99 cents per piece! Seriously, this five-day sale will go down in history—so don’t miss out! Through the thredUP…
Mommy Greenest Eco Rules
Remember that house, back in high school? It wasn’t your house, but you felt comfortable enough to put your feet up on the furniture. It wasn’t your mom, but you talked to her sometimes about what was going on in your life. Sometimes an afternoon turned into dinner turned into movie night with the family. You knew where they kept the cereal, and got your own bowl. That’s my house. It could be because my kids are well-liked and well-adjusted—or it could be that we’re a three-block walk from the mall. But most afternoons, the doorbell rings and a gaggle of teenagers troops in. By evening, there are boys playing…
Why I Hate Earth Day
In the next 24 hours, I’ll publish two blog posts, participate in three Twitter parties, see several interviews on other people’s blogs hit the web, and appear on KTLA News. (Thanks Stephanie Tsai at Ink & Press PR!) For the past three weeks, I’ve sent info to reporters scrambling for Earth Day related stories, and fielded pitches from publicists who either don’t know—or don’t care—that vegan is a completely different ball game from eco-friendly. (For more on that, check out my What is Green page.) And I’m quickly coming to realize one thing: I hate Earth Day.
MG in OC Family to “Grow Green Kids”
OC Family, January 2014
MG is MomAngeles’ Eco Go To
“Rachel is extremely knowledgeable about all things eco and green. She is my go to gal and a great resource for other moms who want to raise their kids in a safe and healthy environment.” Lora Jakobsen, CEO of Zookies and Co-Owner of MomAngeles