Smart2bGreen™ is a concept that will provide information and awareness to families, schools, daycares, churches, contractors and builders to consider ways of being environmentally friendly as well as building homes and facilities in which our children spend much of their time. Test scores are up to 20% higher in Green schools and absenteeism rates drop 12-15%,which proves the need to improve the lives of children, and families, by building with sustainable substances and techniques. Website and plans to come.

If you are interested in contributing to this project, contact me at julie@julieroland.com!

Five Easy Steps for Healthier Lives for Children
From "Blue Butterfly Program" By Healthy Child Healthy World

Step 1: Manage Pests Safely

• Use only non-toxic pesticide-free products. Visit www.battlethosebugs.com.
• Remove shoes and wash hands immediately after playing outside.

Step 2: Use Non-Toxic Products - Cleaners, Body Care, Home Furnishings

• Use cleaners and body care such as Shaklee or home remedies that can be found at www.womenandenvironment.org.
• Clean floors with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.

Step 3: Clean Up Indoor Air

• Ventilate your home by opening windows, even for five minutes a day, and populate your home with indoor plants.
• Find safer paints at www.afmsafecoat.com; for flooring go to www.shawfloors.com.
• Use air purifiers with HEPA filters and change the air filter in your air conditioning and heating units as seasons change.

Step 4: Shop Smart - Eat More Organic and Healthy Food

• Choose protein wisely: meat, eggs, milk products and poultry that are hormone-free, antibiotic-free, free-range and/or fed with vegetarian feed - avoid traditional meats and dairy.
• Avoid these high pesticide foods unless buying organically: apples, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, red raspberries, strawberries, bell peppers, carrots, celery, green beans, potatoes and spinach.

Step 5: Be Wise with Plastics

• Use glass or ceramic containers to microwave food and drinks.
• Be aware of plastic toys, rattles, sippy cups, baby bottles and avoid PVC products, like vinyl chew toys, identified with a "V" or a "3".
• Select safe plastics - #1, #2, #4 and #5 and find BPA-free bottles.
• Avoid #3, #6 and #7 plastics.

 
For more information go to healthychild.org/5steps/ or contact me.

Please make efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. It is the minimum that we can do.

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