The Green Parent

Members of a family get used to sharing. Older kids share toys and clothes with their younger siblings, parents share snacks, drinks, and occasionally the clothes from their own backs with their children, and even the family dog might be required to share a place on his cozy bed from time to time. And when one member of the family brings home an illness, whether it’s a scratchy throat, a runny nose, or a full-blown flu, it’s likely they will share their germs with the rest of the clan as well. Chances are at least one (if not every) member in your family will get sick this winter. Here’s how to stay green when you’re feeling…well…green.

For Your Nose

Sure, if you live by yourself, you could skip the paper and use a cloth hanky to wipe up a drippy nose. But in a house with kids, where germs spread like wildfire, it’s best to toss those germs as soon as they hit the tissue. Here are a few great eco-friendly options:

Seventh Generation: Seventh Generation facial tissues are made from 100% recycled paper, (with a minimum of 80% post-consumer recycled paper) and they’re whitened without chlorine bleach. According to their website (www.seventhgeneration.com) if every person in the U.S. purchased just one box of recycled paper tissues instead of a box made from virgin paper, we would save 299,000 trees, 772,000 cubic feet of landfill space, equal to 1,100 full garbage trucks, 108 million gallons of water, a year’s supply for 850 families of four, and avoid 18,000 pounds of chlorinated pollution.

Green Forest: Another great green buy, Green Forest facial tissues are also made from 100% recycled paper (40% post-consumer minimum) and processed chlorine free.

Cooling, Soothing Cough Drops

Organix Organic Cough Drops:

Soothes the throat and nose with all organic herbal ingredients including peppermint oil, sage, thyme, marshmallow root, hyssop, and slippery elm and no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

Hebron Naturals Organic Cough Drops: Relieves coughs and sore throats with organic and natural ingredients. Flavors include Adventurous Tingle (Echinacea) Wild Cherry, Glacial Mint, and Lemon Honey.

Savory Soups

Amy’s Soups: Amy’s offers a number of yummy, wholesome soups that will take the chill out of your bones and . Some favorite vegan options include No Chicken Noodle (as it’s name implies…there’s no bird in this cure-all), Organic Alphabet, and Organic Black Bean.

ShariAnn’s Organic: ShariAnn’s Organic is another great source for full-flavored soups that will help you feel better fast. Vegan selections include Tomato with Roasted Garlic, Vegetarian French Onion, and Great Plains Split Pea or try the Vegetarian Vegetable Barley.

Ahh…There’s Nothing Like A Cup of Tea

Newman’s Own Organics: Look to Newman’s Own Organics for organic black or green teas that will soothe achy muscles, sore throats, and a pounding headache.

Choice: Choice offers an amazing selection of Fair Trade Certified organic teas in white, green and black to tackle your wellness woes. Favorites include White Jasmine, Himalayan Green, Chamomile Herb, and Darjeeling.

Herbal Medicine DIY

If you like you medicine to come from a plant rather than a factory, you might be interested in the Herbal Medicine Kit, This kit includes all of the ingredients and instructions you need to make an echinacaea tincture, and herbal healing salve, and herbal infusions.