Who We Are

Green Parent Association, Inc. was established in December 2009 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to function as a resource and instrument of change in schools and local communities by empowering families, teachers, and businesses to live greener lifestyles through education and awareness.

Our goal is to help connect you to all things green. Think of us as the gateway on your green journey. Our purpose is not to reinvent the wheel or to duplicate the efforts of other organizations. We want to help people locate the information that the other experts/vendors have to offer. We want to be the portal to the information that simplifies your life.

Our FRIENDS are other non-profit organizations we think you should know about and support. We are FANS OF many products and services that offer alternative green solutions to many of your needs.

Our Interests

Clean, Healthy Food We are truly alarmed by the food industry and the ingredients they are putting into food. If the ingredient list on your food contains items you can not pronounce, just don't eat it. Make a little extra effort. Don't sacrifice your health for convenience. Read a book by Michael Pollan, it will awaken you. Then share that book with everyone you love.

School Lunch
Programs We are so impressed by Michelle Obama's passion for healthy school lunches to combat obesity and by Chef Ann Cooper and the Time for Lunch Campaign from Slow Food USA, you should be too. Learn about these programs and other successful programs already being implemented in school systems, public and private, around the country that are helping students with healthy choices, increased health and academic achievement, education about farming and where our food comes from. Help educators, school boards, and elected officials in your area take an interest in and become passionate about the health of the future leaders of our country. It does matter what they eat at school. Take action with your school.

Renewable Energy This one stumps us. We should be an energy independent nation. And we can be. Contact every elected official that works for your area of town and region of the country. Remember, they work for us. The squeaky wheel gets oiled. Make a fuss. Take a stand. We need to do it NOW. Read more on the Alternative Energy Association web site (www.alternativeenergyassn.com) about clean alternative options to help inspire you to be the change we are all hoping for.

Carbon Footprint If you go to the 350.org web site, you will be inspired by the global efforts towards reducing our impact on the planet. It will also help educate you on the science of what this all means so you don't have to rely on political/partisan spins or primetime tv and news shows to interpret it for you. You don't have to be Einstein to get it. You don't have to be a tree hugger to care. It's just common sense. Go use a little.

Reduce, Reuse
Recycle This is easy. Just do it. Get a cart with wheels for your bins so it won't deter you from hauling them to the curb. So many products now are made from recycled materials which keeps them from those nasty landfills. Do your part.

Water Conservancy Turn the water off when you brush your teeth. Don't let the hose run wildly. Get a rain cistern to collect rain water (or a trash can) to water your plants. Shorten your showers. There are so many ways to conserve water we can't begin to list them here. Go to www.wateruseitwisely.com and check out all their fun games for kids and easy tips for you.

Reduction of Toxins We are concerned about the toxicity of our daily lives and the effects on short and long term health. We are disturbed that so many seem to be asleep at the wheel. How can all these chemicals in and on everything be ok?

chemicals on produce and in the food supply

genetically modified foods

the rise in food allergies

food coloring and additives

industry by-products and waste chemicals in cosmetics and body products

chemicals in household cleaners

Check out the Environmental Working Group web site (www.ewg.org) and the Healthy Child Healthy World web site (www.healthychild.org) for starters. They have fantastic information.

Wellness & Fitness Let's Move People. You know the deal. Get your booty moving. While you're moving, cruise through your local farmers market and pick up local produce and eat it more of it. Good for you. Good for the local economy. Good for the planet.

Isn't the end game of all this so we can all live longer and healthier lives? Let's make 100 the new 70.

Taking Action You must! Get a few friends together and pick one or two areas of interest. Start a movement in your circle of friends to become passionate about the quality of our food supply, the environmental toxins, our precious water, or reducing the carbon footprint of your school and local community as well as your own household. Write letters to elected officials about making changes. Check out the Slow Food USA (www.slowfoodusa.org) and Healthy Child Healthy World (www.healthychild.org) web sites, they will inspire you and help you reach your goals for change.

What Shade of Green Are You?
Remember, it's not all or nothing. You don't have to be perfect. It's about doing a little better each and every day. We think that most everyone is doing a little something green even if they don't consider themselves green. Maybe you choose paper over plastic. So now try to take your bags with you whenever you shop…do a little better. We think you should consider a few of these suggestions so we can all continue Growing Greener Families:

• DON'T eat things that have a longer shelf life than you do!
• Buy organic and local whenever possible
• Install a water filter at home to refill stainless water bottles
• Get a shower filter
• Use glass or ceramic containers
• Bring your own bags for all shopping
• Bring your own coffee/tea mug
• Use organic lawn treatments
• Recycle all plastic and paper items
• Find a greener dry cleaner and air out dry cleaning
• Replace household cleaners with baking soda and white distilled vinegar
• Turn down the thermostat 2° in winter and up 2° in summer
• Turn off running water when brushing teeth
• Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs

Friends

We're Fans Of...

Board of Directors

Founder & President

Joy Austin Ashlock
Green Parent Association

www.greenparentassociation.org
407.493.1372

Vice Presidents

Tracy Neely, CHHC, AADP
Nourish & Flourish Healthy Living
Holistic Health and Wellness Counselor

www.nourishandflourish.net
407.902.5331

William C. Weinaug Jr., PE LEED AP
X-nth
Executive Vice President

www.x-nth.com
407.222.0088

Mike Hess, PE, LEED AP
X-nth
Principal

www.x-nth.com
407.810.4560

Treasurer

Kathryn Peters
Managing Member
Griffin Development

www.griffinworldwide.com
(321) 331-7456

Ask the Green Guru Your Questions

Fundraisers

Special Thanks To Our Monthly Sponsor:
Careful Planet Toys

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