Going green encompasses many different aspects. They include companies that want to cash in on the green movement. They advertise that their products are organic, when in fact they are not (Greenwashing). Going green implies its own language, as well as different perceptions of those who practice its teachings. With all the worthwhile causes available to support, it’s easy to experience “compassion fatigue.”

Tracey Bianchi is a married mother of three young children who lives in Chicago. Her environmental concerns for both her family and her future generations inspired her to write Green Mama: The Guilt-Free Guide to Helping You and Your Kids Save the Planet.

Bianchi earned a Master of Divinity degree and is a frequent speaker and writer on Christian topics. Regardless of his religious beliefs or denomination, and whether or not he has children, green mom it is an enlightening read. The state of the Earth’s natural resources and how you can make a difference are the central themes of the book. Compassion fatigue, green language, and green snobs are highlighted here.

Compassion fatigue. The world is full of causes in need, and it’s easy to become exhausted by all the options to help. When this occurs, we can develop “compassion fatigue” and stop caring about either of them. To make up for this occurrence, find out your “big deal.” It is the ecological theme that moves you to action, including praying and learning about it.

Bianchi discovered a revealing brochure that said: “Your children must love the environment before they want to save it.” Just like you, don’t exhaust your children in your efforts to make them greener. Start small to help them discover their own “big thing.” Suggestions include joining a conservation organization and “adopting” an endangered species and promoting its survival. Talk to your kids to uncover their environmental passions.

Eco-language. Green living, like everything in American culture, has its own vocabulary. Learning to navigate is essential to joining a conversation about any of your activities. It is a part of the green journey that takes some time and is well worth the investment.

green wash. Greenwashing refers to a company’s marketing that leads you to believe that the planet benefits from your patronage when, in fact, there is little or no benefit. To avoid misleading advertising, ask a few questions before you buy, including:

• Does the product you are about to buy explain how exactly it is green or does it just look green?
• Do the claims on the front package match the ingredients listed on the back?
• Is the product certified by an accredited organization, such as an organic or fair trade company?
• How much of the product is made from fillers (additives from the food industry to reduce costs and increase the volume of products)? Fillers can alter
• Does the company use children’s future health to sell products (ie, commercials showing children running through green fields, hands up, smiling faces)?

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). Manufacturers are not required to list all of their ingredients on a label. They legally must identify all of them on their MSDS. Originally designed to help medical professionals determine potential allergens, you can also request access to these documents.

Organic. An organic item is grown and manufactured in a way that respects the land, people, and animals that produced it. It is minimally processed and the waste generated by the manufacturing or cultivation methods is reused or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Natural Organic Program (NOP). NOP is currently the only national organic labeling system endorsed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The highly recognizable green and white label is based on the percentage of the product that is organic:

• 100 percent organic = 100 percent organic from agricultural sources.
• Organic = at least 95 percent organic material.
• Made with organic materials = at least 70 percent of the material is organic.
• No USDA label = anything less than 70 percent organic material.

eco snobs. Bianchi acknowledges that “there is certainly a kind of eco-superiority that people who enjoy the outdoors and the environment can give off.” She describes sightings of her at a Denver airport en route to Chicago, including “locals dressed in fleece, sporting high-end tech backpacks. They drank from bulky Lexan water bottles that were often hooked to their backpacks with a carabiner clip.”

Living a sustainable life is more about an open mind and heart; and make life work in a simple, responsible and profitable way. Green living is open to all, regardless of current ecological awareness, ecological status, or location.

Bianchi considers three quick categories when making green decisions for his family: Once they’re classified, he determines their financial, ecological, and social benefit before searching for them. Those classifications are:

1. Conservation resources. Water and electricity are examples, as monitoring your usage often starts to lower bills and save energy.
2. Earth friendly substitutions. Food choices, chemical-laden cleaning and personal care routines, or those that come from a company with messed-up environmental policies, can all be replaced with greener options.
3. Indirect financial benefit options. Making a contribution to an environmental organization can help both your family and society at large.

If you are interested in environmental issues, you will surely learn something new by reading Green Mama: The guilt-free guide to help you and your kids save the planet.

To see if the goods and services you use are included in the Green Washing Index, visit http://www.greenwashingindex.com.