Practically Green

Practically Green by Micaela Preston is a handy new guide to living green. It’s not very big but is full of a lot of useful information. Each page is beautifully designed so that there are lots of separated areas that capture your attention. Micaela has divided the book into six chapters that cover most aspects of our everyday lives. She explains terms, labels, current issues in a very understandable manner. Each chapter has helpful charts that summarize information. Eco-Alerts and Health Alerts are examples of sections that separate and highlight current concerns such as the problems with non-stick cookware. Eco-Spotlights bring our attention to new products and issues plus websites to find more information. Each chapter has a Do It Green section with instructions for recipes and projects that are eco-friendly. I’m going to try making the bag from an old tie.

In the “Eating” chapter, Micaela does a great job of explaining sometimes confusing terms like local, organic, certified human, etc. There are more terms than I imagined and she explains the differences and similarities between them. I found the sustainable seafood guide especially helpful.

The “Living” chapter has a discussion about products and materials that we live with everyday. The plastics guide summarizes the seven categories of plastic, which to avoid and which are safer. She includes instructions for eight green make it yourself projects like homemade play dough and cloth napkins.

Micaela explains in “Cleaning” how to clean the home with green products. She recommends some easy to find safe cleaning products and she tells which ingredients to avoid. In the Do It Green section she tells how to make your own cleaning products the inexpensive simple way.

Just as the house needs safe cleaning and care products, so do you. In the “Caring” chapter Micaela describes how to simplify and improve the hygiene products we use. She explains which ingredients to avoid and recommends safe alternatives. Moms will find the section on alternatives to disposable diapers helpful.

The “Wearing” section is about eco-fashions and earthy friendly fabrics. The Eco-Spotlights in this section suggest good websites to find eco-friendly fashions.

The “Conserving” chapter is about how to be a green consumer and how to get your recycling habits organized. The chart on “Where Can I Recycle That?” is especially valuable.

Micaela calls her book “Your Guide to Ecofriendly Decision-Making”. If you are already into living green, it would be a great reference to have on hand. If you have recently decided to live greener, this book tells you how to do it all. It would be a great gift for the holidays. I think it would fit nicely in a Christmas sock!