It’s a Terrifically Green Tuesday About Town

Make no ‘ ifs, ands, or butts about it’ THIS is one cute ambition:

Heather Truscinski thinks change is good, especially when it’s the cloth diaper kind! She and her husband Mark, both Maplewoodians, launched the site Green Bean Babies earlier this year after the birth of their son Gabriel to help other parents connect with greener parenting options and products.

This Earth Day Heather and her Maplewood-based company will be joining Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011, which will take place Saturday, April 23, 2011 in locations around the globe. The Great Cloth Diaper Change will set a world record for the most cloth diapers ever changed simultaneously – hoping to bring awareness to the environmental and financial benefits of cloth diapers.

“Cloth diapers have come such a long way,” says Truscinski, whose company is dedicated to helping parents find greener options and earth-friendly products. “They’re just as easy as disposable ones – long gone are the days of pins or rubber pants.” She also says using cloth diapers can keep your budget- and the environment – much greener:

“It’s actually cheaper than disposables. Using just ONE cloth diaper a day -per child - can save the average family $200 and 200 pounds of eco-waste. Using cloth diapers full time can save the average family $1,500 - $2,000 per child.”

Truscinski hopes the event will help people change their minds about the way they change diapers. “I want people to know that cloth is easy, fun and another option to disposable diapers,” she says. “This is a great way for like minded people to meet and share an interest in cloth diapering.”

and Chatham-based Postpartum Place will host a group of local cloth diapering moms & dads at 55 Main Street, Chatham, NJ for the event. (Green Bean Babies will have cloth diapers available on-site for anyone interested in learning more about modern cloth diapers or in purchasing a diaper to participate in the change.  Email contact@greenbeanbabies.com for more information.)

Now on to a gal with the groovy green thumb and the sunny disposition…

I ran into the gregarious gardener of Holly Grow-Lightly yesterday planting a primrose path for an opera singer – only in Maplewood, no? Anyway the vivacious and hip horticulturist shared her illuminating take on Spring:

“I love this time of year -just watching the robins on the grass,” said Holly, cheerfully going about planting while we bantered. “It’s so exciting – everything comes alive and it really renews your faith in the beauty of nature. Best part is it’s just outside your window if you open yourself to it; it teaches us the cycles and syncs us into a time of growth and rest!"

Now that should put a spring in just about anyone's step... Talk about spreading some sunshine and beauty - it's truly nice to meet a true force of GOOD nature!

Happy Tuesday, Maplewood!