Green Goes with Everything: Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and a Cleaner Planet

by Sloan Barnett

Book Overview

Imagine if your best friend gave you vital information that could protect you and your family, and save you money, and help the planet. Imagine if you were given clear, simple choices, small changes... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416578455
• ISBN13: 9781416578451
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent information

I thought this was an outstanding book. It gives good information on how to go green, giving product references as well. How often do we read books but are left on our own to figure out which products are okay? Having used Shaklee cleaners off and on for 30 years, I understand why she recommends them so highly. I also notice that she doesn't promote every Shaklee product available. Some categories have Shaklee alternatives, but that product line isn't even mentioned, which tells me Sloan Barnett is presenting an objective view. I think this is a book that should be read and shared by all. It may be basic for some, but for many it will be a great start to a new green life.

A book to be savored and returned to again and again

"Most Americans, but especially children, have dozens of pesticides and other toxic compounds in their bodies, many of them linked to health threads. A source of many of these toxins? Common, everyday, run of the mill household consumer products. There's no polite way of saying this: your body is a landfill, a dumping ground for a mind-boggling array of toxic chemicals. So is mine. So is your child's..." Sloan Barnett writes. She continues to discuss other potential household toxins and simple steps that everyone can take to a healthier life and a cleaner planet. "Green Goes with Everything" is divided into ten chapters, including: The Real Dirt on Clean, Scary Clean, Safe Clean, Clean Body, Clean Baby, Clean Food, Clean Water, Clean Water, Clean Air, Clean Energy. Each chapter starts with several items on plain green truth, and ends with five green-hot tips that you can use to improve your life. This book is filled with useful information and convincing facts and statistics. I like Sloan Barnett's style of writing. She is able to convey complicated issues and facts in plain English. I can tell she did spend a lot of time doing research and investigation. Most of the important facts or data have official sources. Sloan noted over 160 sources for her information at the end of the book. Going green is one of the most important trends of our century. I have always been interested in this subject and have even written a book on it (LEED AP Exam Guide, Outskirts Press, 2008), yet I still learn a lot from Sloan's book. For example, on page 54, she gives you a tip to use water, white vinegar and lemon juice to make your own safe and clean window cleaner. On page 92, she points out: "...Two common shampoo ingredients, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and its close relative sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), are surfactants or sudsing agents. They have been found in lab studies to cause severe epidermal changes in the skin of mice. However, as with coal tar, the FDA's position is that, since the products are in contact with the skin only briefly, they cause no harm..." She then gives you several alternative shampoo brands that are safe and effective. "Green Goes with Everything" is an information-rich and reader-friendly book. It has a lot of useful information that can improve your health or even save your life. This is a book to be savored and returned to again and again. Gang Chen, a Book Reviewer for Bookpleasures Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA

Live Safe With A Chemical-Free Home

From: www.BasilAndSpice.com Book Review: Green Goes With Everything: Simple Steps To a Healthier Life and a Cleaner Planet by Sloan Barnett (Atria Books, 2008) Sloan Barnett is a mom on a mission. Because her son was diagnosed with asthma, now at epidemic numbers, she began to research the disease. Ms. Barnett, the Green Editor of KNTV, and a contributor to NBC's Today Show, is also a television and print journalist. She found that asthma has skyrocketed 160% since 1980 to 9 million children under age 18 diagnosed. Asthma is the most chronic disease affecting 1 of every 13 school-aged children in the United States. While researching and interviewing doctors, toxicologists, and scientists, Ms. Barnett discovered six epidemiological studies which have found a link between certain cleaning products and asthma. Unapologetically, Ms. Barnett switched all cleaners in her home to the Shaklee brand and never again needed to take her son to the emergency room with an asthma attack. Green Goes With Everything covers all aspects of a chemically-free home: * Household Cleaners: focuses on which products to avoid and which to use for less chemical exposure * The body: perfumes, makeup, deodorant, hair care products, etc. * Water: addresses bottled versus tap issues * Air: pollution occurs in the home from chemical-laden products * Energy: develops thoughts around recycling and conservation * Food: special notice given to the organic industry * Baby: this is where it all begins and ends--"My two oldest children are both allergic to nuts. My third child, who was raised in a nontoxic home, eating only organic formula and food, recently tested allergy free. Look, I can't be certain that our new lifestyle is the reason this baby is allergy free, but it sure does make you think."--Sloan Barnett Further Highlights: * The European Union bans more chemicals than the U.S. "The levels of PBDES in American mothers were anywhere from 10-100% higher than in mothers in Europe." (PBDEs--common flame retardants found in household goods--mattresses, furniture, carpet padding, etc..) * The author had her own bloodwork done at Harvard School of Public Health to show the level of toxins in her body compared with the U. S. Average Level. * The book is backed by several pages of researched notes. * It includes a substantial resource guide of companies that create chemical-free products. * Each chapter begins with five green tips and some plain green truths. If you're unsure about what's safe to use or put into your home, your children have allergies and/or asthma, or you're planning to have a baby, this book is your manual. Green Goes With Everything can help you make a difference in the quality of your home and the lives of your children. Take it from me, the mother of a son who was once diagnosed with allergies to almost all foods and pollens. I too created a clean home for my family. A BestSeller Review 5 Stars

I LOVED this book!! Finally a Finally -- a practical, simple book about toxins and how to remove th

I found Green Goes With Everthing -- to be a witty, practical read that gives simple information on what toxins are, why they are relevant, and how to get them out of your home and body. The thing I love so much about this book is that it is written in a way that makes it simple to take action. It is informative without being preachy. It is detailed without being overwhelming. The author ends each chapter with five green "hot tips". If we all implement just one tip from each chapter we all will be contibuting to a healthier planet, a healthier home and a healthier body!

Finally Getting Green

Inspired by my best friend Zem of ecofabulous, I've been recycling for over a decade. I even bought a hybrid car two years ago but I've been really slow to go completely green. It wasn't until I read "Green Goes with Everything," that I was propelled to throw out all my toxic household products. This book lit a fire under me to get serious about the products I buy and what I surround myself with. I read it in one day! Anyone who has a child should definitely read this book. Sloan is smart, funny, relatable, and clearly spells out simple steps to living a greener, healthier life. Quick read. Everlasting lessons.