Tennessee Moms Share Non-Toxic Tips at Green Momma Party

Moms from a variety of backgrounds and parenting styles are coming together in Tennessee to promote a healthy future for their children. Some of them gathered recently for a casual Green Momma Party hosted by Anne Brock of simple living blog FlourSackMama.com.

Essential Oils for Fragrance

They are public school PTO moms, a Montessori school mom; stay-at-home moms, full-time career moms; new moms, a grandmom; all have much in common.  Using the Green Momma party guide from Women's Voices for the Earth, a member of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition, the women explored ways to create a non-toxic home, from the nursery to the kitchen.  They covered zero-VOC paints, cloth diapering and ingredients of concern to look for on product labels.  Everyone shared practical tips and experiences.   

Some of the most surprising science-based information from WVE is that soaps, lotions, and laundry products marketed for the tiniest babies can contain potentially harmful ingredients like parabens, sodium laureth sulfate and synthetic fragrance.  Because chemicals in everyday consumer products are virtually untested for long-term health effects, parents are left to play detective when shopping for safer products these days.

Partygoers mixed up some of their own alternatives to laundry detergent, tub cleaner and more during the Green Momma Party.  They sprinkled in tea tree oil for its antibacterial properties, as well as natural scents like lavender and eucalyptus essential oils.  

Art with Imagination Forest

While parents got to make and take home cleaners, kids had their own activities.They explored Montessori projects, including stringing beads, with Rebecca Simmons of Simply Natural Mom.  The young artists also painted with Jennifer Alexander of Imagination Forest, who offers educational supplies direct to parents.

Because no parent necessarily has time to make everything from scratch, several East Tennessee moms are calling for common sense reform to protect our children through the Safe Chemicals Act. The Act would restrict the worst chemicals of concern, provide better consumer information, and make sure products are safe before they go into household products.

In Tennessee, moms are hopeful that Senator Lamar Alexander, who has shown tremendous leadership in preserving clean air rules, will provide that same leadership in co-sponsoring the Safe Chemicals Act.  They also hope that Senator Bob Corker will co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act for the sake of his constituents.

If you're interested in holding your own get-together with friends to create a non-toxic home, you can learn more at WVE.  Learn more here about details of the Safe Chemicals Act, and tell your senator it's time to show leadership by advocating for a healthier future.  If you live in East Tennessee and would like assistance hosting your own Green Momma Party, you can contact Anne at floursackmama@gmail.com.

Green Momma Party at the Lavender Festival

Why Parents Need to Know the Safe Chemicals Act