Our planet is the greatest legacy we leave our children and our grandchildren. So when my son was born, I vowed to live a greener life. I experimented with cloth diapering, made homemade organic baby food from locally-grown produce and researched vermiculture techniques. But there comes a moment when lofty aspirations and reality collide. Let’s call that moment the end of maternity leave. With a budget more Walmart than Whole Foods and a schedule that leaves little time for sleep let alone composting, I need practical and affordable ways to go green.

Safe and Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: Green cleaning products are better for the environment and safer for your children, but many moms still prefer traditional (and toxic) cleaning products for two major reasons: cost and convenience. There’s an unfair perception that green cleaning products are more expensive and less effective than conventional cleaning products. But it’s possible to find effective, affordable and environmentally-friendly cleaning products. I’m a fan of Seventh Generation, which offers dye and fragrance free products, as well as the new Clorox Green Works line. Click here for full review of Clorox Green Works Want more advice about keeping a clean and green home? Visit WebMD’s Heath eHome and do a “Health eHome Check” to receive a personalized action plan for your home.

Green At Work and While Working-Out: Pack a reusable grocery tote in your purse, gym bag or briefcase, and you’ll be prepared to run errands during your lunch hour or on your way home from work. I carry the Recycled Rice Bag Tote from The Emancipation Network, an international organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking and modern day slavery. The great-looking activewear from Beckons Organic has given me a reason to get excited about working out again. Beckons clothing is made with high-quality, soft organic cotton and manufactured domestically at fair wages. And this workout clothing is polished enough to wear when running errands or meeting a friend for coffee, so you can transition easily between exercise and your busy life as a mom.

From Tiny Acorns Big Oaks Grow: Encourage your children to respect the environment through education. Spending time outdoors, gardening, camping, visiting the zoo or reading books about animals and the environment will nurture your tiny ecologist. I’ve been reading the "Green Start" books to my son. This eco-friendly series of stories are produced on 98% post consumer recycled materials used with soy based inks. In the Garden teaches children about how vegetables, fruits, and flowers grow. Baby Animals highlights adorable baby animals with something in common—they are in danger of becoming extinct. The Green Start  books are $6.99 each and available at www.innovativekids.com as well as many bookstores. Older children will enjoy Earth Matters: An Encyclopedia of Ecology. Earth Matters introduces children to ecology and environmentalism with beautiful photography and compelling copy. As you read the book, you’ll embark on a visual exploration of different habitats (polar, desert, temperate forests, tropical forests, grasslands, mountains, oceans, freshwater), learn about the plants and animals that live in them, and how climate change threatens each habitat. There are even some practical suggestions on how kids can make a difference. Another cool feature: Earth Matters is a “green” book. It’s made of recycled paper and printed with vegetable inks- not petroleum products. Get involved by donating these books to your local school or library. Or take it a step further and contact your local school board to advocate for greener schools. I serve on my local school board, and our school district has taken steps to reduce energy consumption, save paper, recycle, switch to greener cleaning products, eliminate unnecessary mailings, and more. The involvement of active parents made these changes possible.

Eco-Friendly Toys: Many responsible toy retailers are highlighting products made from renewable resources, organic fabrics or recycled materials. One of my favorites is the Green Dollhouse by Plan Toys. Plan Toys creates classic push and pull toys, musical toys, dollhouses, and more, from renewable hardwoods and non-toxic natural paints and dyes. The Green Dollhouse ($199) introduces children (and parents) to sustainable living through a concept dollhouse complete with a wind turbine, solar cell panel, and recycling bin. Click here for a full review. Younger children will enjoy the Cheekeyes ($29.99). These artistic wooden animals won the 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Since the Cheekeyes are handmade from eco-friendly rubberwood, each set is unique. Adults will dig the sophisticated design and minimal use of non-toxic paint. Tots will have hours of fun building and destroying block cities Godzilla-style with the Dinosaur set or constructing barns and fences for the Farm Animal set. Click here for a full review. 

For more eco-friendly toy recommendations, visit the Mamanista Earth Day Guide.