I was hoping to put up some big post, but things have been so busy. In a good way! I think today I just want to send out a reminder to live healthy and love our Earth. I want to thank all of you for coming here and making this blog what it is. I love sharing with you, hearing your stories and I appreciate all of the support.
Because of you I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn and grow so much. I have had some amazing opportunities locally to spread the word and I couldn't feel more blessed. I wrote earlier about the new Moms Everyday television segments (we have another airing next week!) and for Earth Day we've just been featured on the front page of our local newspaper!
I hope you have a great day, enjoy the fresh air and maybe some fun Earth Day projects too! If you care to share, I'd love to hear how you're spending the day!
HAPPY EARTH DAY 2011!
April 22, 2011By Ashley Hill - The Marietta Times (ahill@mariettatimes.com) , The Marietta Times
About three years ago, around the time Amanda Hearn's oldest daughter, Lily, was born, one of Hearn's friends told her about a study which shows that baby shampoo containing phthalates can potentially cause adverse health effects in children.
"They're hormone disruptors," Hearn said of the chemical.
After she did some investigating and learned more about phthalates, Hearn, of Vincent, started using natural baby shampoo, such as one manufactured by Burt's Bees, for Lily and her other daughter Gwen, 19 months.
But it didn't stop there.
"The more I learned...it snowballed," said Hearn, 28. "There are hundreds of thousands of chemicals that are used (in America) that haven't been proven as safe - it comes down to knowing what you're using and knowing what you're putting on their bodies and in their bodies."
Now, the Hearn family, which consists of Amanda, her husband, Trevor, Lily, Gwen and six-year-old Ethan, have dubbed themselves "the eco-friendly family," and Amanda even has a blog by the same name, theecofriendlyfamily.com, where she posts "green" tips and tricks with hopes of encouraging others to "go green."
Today is Earth Day, marking the anniversary of the start of the modern environmental movement in 1970. It's a time when everyone is encouraged to do things in their daily lives that have a positive impact on the environment.
Earth Day will be celebrated in Marietta April 30 during the 12th annual Earth Day Celebration at Armory Square. The event is hosted by Peoples Bank, the Ohio State University Extension office in Washington County, the Marietta Tree Commission and the Marietta Area Recycling Center.
Green technologies, hands-on activities for kids, environmental displays and demonstrations and recycling ideas are among the things that will be featured.
"We're going to have a little bit of everything," said Connie Grimes, a member of the Earth Day Committee.
Even when it's not Earth Day, there are plenty of things ordinary people can do to help the environment.
Cloth diapers are one thing Hearn recommends that all parents use for their children, because they don't cause as much of a mess as disposable diapers and they can be used over and over instead of being thrown away after one use, thereby lessening the negative impact on the environment.
Additionally, cloth diapers don't contain the chemical that is found in disposable diapers, Hearn said.
"They contain dioxin, which is a serious carcinogen," she said.
A U.S. EPA report found that only trace amounts of dioxins are found in diapers and that there isn't much cause for concern. Dioxins in the diet are more dangerous, according to the report.
Hearn is participating in The Great Cloth Diaper Change Guinness World Records diaper changing challenge Saturday. Locally, the event will be held beginning at noon at the Christian Life Center, 3211 Sixth Ave., Parkersburg.
"Everybody that's attending will change a cloth diaper at the same time," Hearn explained. "The whole idea is to raise awareness about cloth diapers."
Hearn will also offer an informational class about cloth diapers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 30 at Barlow-Vincent Elementary School, which is free and open to anyone. She's trying to spread the message that cloth diapers that are available today aren't like what they used to be.
"For most people, it's getting past the visual you have of cloth diapers," she said, noting that cloth diapers are available in different styles and many feature buttons and velcro.
The Hearn family also eats as much organic food as possible, and firmly believes in composting and recycling.
"Between recycling and composting, we were able to get rid of our trash service," Hearn said.
Grimes said, she, too likes to recycle.
"I think it's important...to make a cleaner and better Earth for our kids and grandkids," she said.
Hearn not only likes to recycle, but she also prefers to use certain household cleaners, such as a combination of vinegar and water.
"(It) really will kill germs - it's not just something your grandma did for fun," she said.
Some people believe that going green is hard to do or costly, but Hearn said it pays off in the end.
"You have to start re-training your shopping habits," she said.
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