The Virtuous Consumer: Your Essential Shopping Guide for a better, kinder, healthier world by Leslie Garrett

ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Virtuous Consumer: Your Essential Shopping Guide for a Better, Kinder, Healthier World by Leslie Garrett. Sure there are people who chain themselves to old-growth trees, raise their one child diaper-free, and make their own soap. The Virtuous Consumer is for the rest of us, struggling to make choices that are better for the planet - and for us. Leslie Garrett has created a comprehensive reference guide that - like a smart, funny, and eco-conscious friend - will steer you toward ethical purchased for everything from lipstick to cars, kids' toys to a new mattress. The Virtuous Consumer is the key to shopping consciously and creating a simpler, greener lifestyle.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Who. Am. I.
Good question. But one, I assume you want to know, or you likely wouldn’t have clicked this link.

Let’s see.

I’m a mother.
Of three (mostly) wonderful kids who desperately want a mom who buys them Lunchables. And Doritos. And Coke. And who buys strawberries whether they’re in season or not.
Instead, they have me.

I’m a writer.
Of books. A zillion magazine articles, focusing mostly on environmental and social issues but occasionally veering into such territory as why I love my cottage bike or why I’m proud of my tough feet. Clearly, I tend toward narcissism.

I’m a blogger.
On this and other wonderful sites, such as Gaiam, GreenMuze and Health and Harmony.

I’m a speaker and media personality (whatever that is).
I’ve taken my eco-gig to dozens of consumer shows, businesses, television viewers, radio listeners, schools and associations. I love little more than sharing my energy and enthusiasm for living a life that celebrates our world and the people in it.

I’m an environmentalist.
It took me a long time to call myself that. I was convinced that the real environmentalists would call me out and point to my overstuffed closet or my swimming pool and reveal me as a total fraud. Time and experience in this brave new age of eco-awareness has offered up perspective. I work hard to create change to ensure that the world my Doritos-seeking children inherit will be worth a damn.

I’m a volunteer.
I’m a sucker for a good cause and have, over the years, donated time, money, books and – dare I say it? – my talent to organizations that focus on the environment, poverty, homelessness, mental health issues, AIDS in Africa, mentoring girls, arts exposure for children, animal rescue and more. So many causes, so little time.

I’m a pet owner.
I currently share my home with seven pets – all rescues from various circumstances. All wonderful. Though I wish my 21-year-old cat was a bit better at remembering where his litter box was.

I’m an incurable optimist.
Though I occasionally plunge into despair (climate change! Species extinction! Child labor!), I inevitably pick myself up and remember that the world is poised for positive change. I remind myself that hope is a verb with its sleeved rolled up. And there’s work to be done.


MEET THE AUTHOR:
Get to know Leslie Garrett and her essential book to green up your family -The Virtuous Consumer: You Essential Shopping Guide for a better, kinder, healthier world on the I Love Authors Blog Talk Radio Show Thursday, July 29th, 2010 at 9:00pm(est). Join us for some fun and sharing with Leslie how to make your family more green, make better choices, and learn about her journey in writing this book!


CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:
Website: The Virtuous Consumer
Blog: The Virtuous Consumer Blog
Facebook: n/a
Twitter: @VirtuousConsumR


BUY THE BOOK:
The Virtuous Consumer, Paperback, $15.95, 212 pages.


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