Real Mama, Inc. was in operation as a non-profit from 2005-2012 during a time when being green was not the norm. Our goal was to inform and educate people, especially families, about the environment. After eight years, we have decided to pursue other avenues of advocacy and personal endeavors. When Real Mama was established, information tailored to families about making green choices was lacking; we feel that we helped fill that gap. Now being green is more mainstream.

Real Mama’s website will remain accessible with our archive of articles, which can be searched. We will continue to post Facebook and Twitter updates on current events, but will no longer post new articles or accept tax-deductible contributions.

Real Mama’s unbleached organic cotton reusable produce bags are still available for sale.

Thank you for your interest and support. Remember: Healthy Planet, Healthy Families.

How much fresh air do you and your family get each day? Get out there and take a deep breath! Kari Martin shares how much more energy and vitality her family experiences when they remember to get outside, no matter what the weather.

Inspiring, earthy and wise, guest author Wendy Weiner writes about transforming your yard into a garden…maybe even your front yard!

Is your family addicted to screen-time? TV, iPhone, DS, computer, etc… Guest author Heather Heggie reveals how much fun, free time and closer connections her family uncovered when they decided to go “unplugged” for a year.

Did you know several over the counter medications can cause birth defects in utero? Guest author Sean McCahill from drugwatch.com cautions pregnant mamas to be aware, specifically of the drugs Accutane and Yaz.

Schools in our country produce tons of trash each week. Camille Sowinski is a pioneer in the Green School movement in her town in California. In an ongoing series, she shares tips to help your child’s school go greener and reduce their lunchtime load.

For these stories and more, check out Real Mama’s Spring 2011 E-newsletter below.

And don’t forget to get your reusable veggie bags and help to support Real Mama at the same time!

Recognizing that families and caregivers are short on time and that environmental issues and actions can be complex, Real Mama researches and reviews some of the latest environmental topics and concerns for today’s busy families.

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Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year! We at Real Mama are glad to bring you these ideas for living life a little greener for our own well-being and the health of the planet. What are your Go-Green Goals for 2011? Be sure to send us a note and let us know!

Kari’s Go-Green Goals

1. Eat at least two meatless meals per week, since meat has a large carbon footprint and other environmental and health issues.

2. Go simple with my vegetable garden this spring and summer to yield lots of veggies, and teach my toddler about gardening so she learns food comes from the earth.

3. Buy a rain barrel to collect water and use the water on plants and gardens.

4.  Buy and give experiences or services — such as concert or theater tickets, classes, or cooking or babysitting offers — as gifts to reduce “stuff.”

5.  Recycle number 5 plastic containers, accepted at some stores.

Kirstin’s Go-Green Goals
1.  Send a holiday card on-line instead of in hard copy to save money, paper, and take advantage of the interactive nature of cards.

2.  Work with my kids’ schools to make a formal green program including recycling, use of non-toxic cleaning products, and a garden.

3.  Buy gifts that encourage the use of imagination, science, and outdoor play.

4.  Bring a stainless steel container to refill with water for exercise.

5.  Get involved in a local food pantry and find roles to include the kids.

Cornelia’s Go-Green Goals
1. Work with my daughter’s school to create a green team committee of parents and children to help foster a greener school, build a garden and learn better environmental stewardship.

2. Research healthier, homeopathic pet care, including holistic food and using fewer vaccines.

3. Plan and build our vegetable garden again this year, and learn to can the extra veggies for use during the winter months.

4. Buy less new clothing — find good stuff swaps and consignment shops for our clothes.

5. Get our food from more local sources such as farmers markets & CSA’s.

Join Real Mama at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel on Saturday for the Calendar for Kids Holiday Expo from 10am-3pm. We’ll have eco-crafts for families, ideas for green holiday giving, and drumroll please…our new unbleached organic cotton reusable produce bags printed with our logo! No more using plastic veggie bags in the produce aisle…get ‘em while they’re hot.

They are $4 each or 3 for $10–please contact us if you can’t make the Expo but would like to place an order.