Nesting Magazine March/April 2010

The Green Living IssueNatural Homes • page 6Good Gardening • page 16 Clean Energy • page 30Plus: 5 Tips for Choosing a Pediatrician • page 20

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2 Nesting • March/April 2010 www.nestingmagazine.com

In the hope of reducing our collective impact on our planet, the goal of this issue is to raise awareness about

locally-minded, environmentally-sustainable living. To that end, on page 6 writer Jenny Hoffman educates us about green products and businesses, including builders, energy suppliers, farmers’ markets and eateries. On page 16, avid gardener Kathryn Hope provides tips for growing our gardens while making the environment a bit cleaner and greener. I feel so fortunate to live here in Maryland. We have great places for, among many other

activities, skiing, swimming and sailing. I want to ensure that my lifestyle doesn’t jeopardize my children’s ability to enjoy our wonderful natural resources.

Happy Spring! Kim O’Brien

P.S. Even though “Green Living” is healthy living, there are times (many times) when the only way for our kids to be healthy and stay healthy is by going to the doctor. On page 20 Jenn Morson provides great advice for fi nding, interviewing and choosing a pediatrician.

Publisher’s LetterWelcome to our Green Living Issue

Contents


Win a Nesting bag!

Living Green in MarylandWe have lots of local resources for being environmentally friendly

7 Ways to Have a Green GardenA plantaholic shares her secrets

Choosing a PediatricianNesting offers sage advice for selecting your child’s doctor

Check it out!A clean (green) energy choice

6

16

20

30

Nesting R

PublisherKim O’Brien

Creative DirectorMolly Zlokovitz Designwww.mollyzdesign.com

Contributing Writers Jenny Hoffman, Kathryn Hope

Jenn Morson

account executivesKaren GrosecloseStephanie Nevin

Distribution ManagerKernan Bussiere

editorial ConsultantCory Place Communications

www.coryplacecommunications.com

advertising Design ConsultantJennifer Goodman, JGoGraphics

www.jgographics.com

Published bimonthly by Feather Publishing

P.O. Box 613Crownsville, MD 21302

Phone: 410.923.2310

Email: [email protected]

The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement by Nesting of products or services. The publisher reserves the right toreject any advertisement or listing that is not

in keeping with the policies or standards of this publication. Feather Publishing assumes no

fi nancial responsibility for errors in advertisements. All rights reserved. Reproduction of anypart of Nesting by any means without

permission is strictly prohibited.

Nesting is a registered trademark of Feather Publishing.

Share your local “Mom Wisdom” in 75 words or less Recommend a playground, shop, book, mom’s club, destination, etc. Selected tips will appear in a future issue of Nesting, and each winner will receive our environmentally-friendly ChicoBag shopping tote. Email your wise words to [email protected]. (Include your name, town and contact information.)

24 Community News26 Nesting Support

Cover Photo: iStockphoto


iT IS eaSy Being green The Amicus Green Building Center in Kensington (amicusgreen.com) defi nes a green home as “sustainable, comfortable, healthy, affordable, and responsible.” Sustainable means the capacity to endure, and that the materials and processes used to create a home “minimize embodied energy.” (Translation: That’s the amount of energy it takes to grow, harvest, mine, manufacture, process, ship, use, maintain and dispose of any product.) For example, the lumber that frames a house would be considered sustainable if the wood comes from a forest that is managed responsibly.

Ideally, that forest should be located nearby to minimize the energy needed to move the lumber to its destination; trees should be grown without harmful pesticides and harvested in a way that results in minimal disruption to the ecosystem; the wood should be processed without causing excessive pollution; the fi nal product should be free of harmful chemicals and solvents; the lumber should be reusable or recyclable when it’s no longer needed in the home. Organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) determine whether a piece of wood is sustainable. Businesses including the Amicus Green Building Center can provide appropriate

By Jenny Hoffman

As the parent of a young child, I hope our generation can leave the earth in better shape than we found it.

I try to focus less on scary statistics about poor air quality and cancer rates and more on what I can do—as a mother, as a homeowner, and as a global citizen—

to live a more earth-sustainable life.Fortunately, for all of us, Maryland residents can call on many local resources for creating

greener homes and “living green.”

LIVINGGREENLIVINGLIVINGGREENGREENIN MARYLAND

materials and green project management expertise. “We supply the services and the knowledge behind those services,” explains founder Jason Holstine. If you’re in the market for a new home, look for LEED certifi cation to help determine the structure’s environmental impact. LEED is an internationally recognized certifi cation program used to ensure that a building or community was designed and built to maximize energy savings and water effi ciency, reduce CO2 emissions, improve indoor environmental quality and conserve natural resources.

you Don’T neeD a LoT oF green To go green “Most people think green homes are expensive homes,” says Kristi Neidhardt, an EcoBroker® with Keller Williams Crossroads Realtors in Glen Burnie. “But when you combine your mortgage payment with your monthly

utility bills, it’s often cheaper to live in an energy effi cient home.” Jason Holstine of the Amicus Green Building Center agrees that sustainability doesn’t need to cost more, and he cites as an example the cost of low-VOC paints. (VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, which are the chemicals you often smell in a freshly painted room. The safety spectrum of VOCs ranges from

harmless to irritating to carcinogenic.) “Our low-VOC paints cost between $30 and $48 a gallon, which is about 40 percent cheaper than Behrs’ low-VOC paint,” he explains. The best way to understand your home’s energy effi ciency is to commission an energy audit. Such audits, or inspections, determine how you can reduce the amount of energy it takes to keep your home comfortable and healthy. Inspectors are especially concerned with airfl ow and air leakage around doors and windows. An audit will assess the effi ciency, physical condition, and programming of mechanical systems for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The audit report can help you make informed decisions about home improvements that will benefi t both your wallet and the environment. (The Energy Savings Center page of the BGE Home website—

bgehome.com—has information about scheduling a home energy performance audit.)

green PoWerMany sources of electricity, such as coal-burning power plants, release carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air. However, solar and wind energy have zero carbon dioxide Continued on the next page

explains founder Jason Holstine. If you’re in the market for a new home, look for LEED certifi cation to help determine the structure’s environmental impact. LEED is an internationally recognized certifi cation program used to ensure that a building

IN MARYLAND

www.nestingmagazine.com March/April 2010 • Nesting 7

emissions associated with their generation and are therefore carbon-free energy sources. According to AstrumSolar, which sells and installs solar panels, Maryland is a perfect place to go solar because the state is rich in sunlight hours and the local government and utilities offer generous incentives and tax credits. (For details, read the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency at

Amicus Green Building Center: Located in Kensington (amicusgreen.com)

Astrum Solar: Solar panels and installation (astrumsolar.com)

Atlantic Woodworks: Precision craftsmanship in cabinetry and furniture from concept to completion (atlanticwoodworks.com)

Baldwin Homes: Located in Arnold (baldwinhomes.net)

Bethesda Green: A building resource for sustainable economic growth and living (bethesdagreen.org)

Bluehouse: An eco-friendly home furnishing store (bluehouselife.com)

Clean Currents: Provider of wind energy and solar power, installations and energy efficiency consulting (cleancurrents.com)

EcoBroker: A useful resource for real estate opportunities as well as energy and environmental information (ecobroker.com)

Green Building Institute: Fostering sustainable building practices through education and example, located in Jessup (greenbuildinginstitute.org)

Green Street Solar: Solar energy specialists (greenstreetsolar.com)

Green Business and OrGanizatiOn directOry

Continued from the previous page


dsireusa.org.) A recent study by Syn-Dex Consulting, a renewable energy business, showed that Maryland has a quicker payback and higher rate of return for going solar than California does. Other pro sun stats: Maryland receives 95 percent as much sunshine per day as Florida, and we enjoy almost twice as much sun as Germany, which is the world leader in solar installations. Pricing for solar panels varies greatly. Most energy contractors will provide a free estimate and help you determine the upfront costs, rebates and likely savings involved in making a switch to renewable energy. (To learn about an easy option for harnessing renewable energy, see Check it out on page 30.) Buying a green HouSeWhen shopping for a new home, you can enlist certified professionals like

Kristi Neidhardt to help you unearth green features. In order to earn the EcoBroker designation licensed real estate agents must fulfill a set of requirements, including EcoBroker’s energy, environmental, and marketing training program. Ms. Neidhardt works closely with Baldwin Homes, which recently opened its first all-green community. The Preserve at Severn Run, located in Gambrills, features the nation’s first coastal plains outfall system, and the entire community will be certified by Energy Star® and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Since the neighborhood is close to a train station commuters can leave their cars at home. Baldwin Homes won the 2008 Green Home of the Year award from the

Continued on the next page


Maryland Home Builders Association for a home the company built in Severna Park. “That eco-model is tricked out with green features including a green roof and solar panels,” explains Ms. Neidhardt. The home now serves as an education center for the building community and students. Among the green features Baldwin Homes recommends are FSC-certified lumber; formaldehyde-free cabinets; water-saving plumbing fixtures; and, because they don’t require any chemicals to finish, stone or granite countertops.

green Dining Many of a home’s sustainable aspects appear in the kitchen, since that’s where the bulk of residential energy use takes place and what’s prepared in it greatly impacts a family’s

carbon footprint. According to the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), our groceries (conventional and organic alike) travel thousands of miles from farm to fork. Along the way, the food loses nutritional value and its transport burns fossil fuels. Conversely, local foods provide exceptional taste and freshness, strengthen our local economy, and support endangered family farms. The Nesting area features a plethora of farmers’ markets (see page 12). When dining out, try to eat at restaurants that procure their ingredients from local farms; among those that do are The Dogwood in Baltimore (dogwoodbaltimore.com) and, in Annapolis, the small plates lounge Level (levelsmallplateslounge.com). “Our philosophy permeates every

Continued on page 12



For details about these and other Maryland markets (including when they occur), visit the “Maryland Products” tab of the Maryland Department of Agriculture website at mda.state.md.us.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

Annapolis FRESHFARM MarketDonner Parking Lot, Compromise Street

Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market Riva Road and Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis

Deale Farmers’ MarketCedar Grove United Methodist Church Parking Lot, 5965 Deale-Churchton Road

Department of Natural Resources Farmers’ MarketDNR parking lot off of Taylor Avenue, Annapolis

The Centre at Glen Burnie Farmers’ MarketAt the mall, in front of Best Buy

Piney Orchard Farmers’ MarketPiney Orchard Community and Visitors Center Parking Lot, Odenton

Severna Park Farmers’ MarketRitchie Highway (Route 2) and Jones Station Road

Westfield Annapolis Farmers’ MarketRoute 50 and Jennifer Road

HOWARD COUNTY

Howard County Farmers’ Market at East Columbia Library6600 Cradlerock Way

Howard County Farmers’ Market at Glenwood Library2350 State Route 97, Cooksville

Howard County Farmers’ Market at Oakland Mills5851 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia

PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY

Bowie Farmers’ Market15200 Annapolis Road (adjacent to the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts)

Bowie Farmers’ Market (New Market)8300 Racetrack Road

Laurel Farmers’ Market300 Block of Main Street

QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY

Centreville Farmers’ MarketLawyer’s Row

Farmers’ markets in and near the nestinG area

aspect of our business,” says Level’s John Hogan, who notes that the restaurant even makes its own drink mixes (instead of using pre-packaged ones) and the bar features several organic spirits. When other restaurant owners ask him how Level’s green kitchen stays profitable, Mr. Hogan explains that “fresh goes further. We do our best to get as many seasonal and fresh ingredients as possible. You use less of the ingredient when you’re using fresh.”

going greenGoing green is more of a journey than a destination. Every day we make choices about which businesses to support, what products to buy, how to reach our destinations, and what to eat. Living green simply means taking the environment and future generations into account when we make those decisions.

Jenny Hoffman is a writer and editor who works from home in Odenton with the cooperation of her four-year-old daughter. N

Continued from page 10

ATTENTION!Are you looking for a family-friendly way

to earn money? If so, Nesting is looking

for a few good men and women.

Help expand our growing publication,

and work according to your own schedule,

by becoming an advertising sales account

executive. We’re hiring hard working

self-starters who enjoy meeting new people.

This is a freelance, commission-based

position. Sales experience is helpful

but not necessary.

INTERESTED?Send a brief cover letter and resuméto Kim O’Brien via: P.O. Box 613,Crownsville, MD 21302 or [email protected]


By Kathryn Hope

I’m an avid gardener and

plantaholic. I’ve worked in plant

nurseries, volunteered at Longwood

Gardens and completed a year

of service with The Maryland

Conservation Corps Watershed Crew.

Although I try to incorporate what

I’ve learned into my own gardening,

I struggle between my desire for an

environmentally friendly garden

and wanting to grow every plant

I encounter. (The two needs are

frequently at odds with one another.)

To resolve my internal confl icts I

keep these strategies in mind.

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By Kathryn Hope777Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have77Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to Have7Ways to HaveWays to HaveWays to Have77 a7 a a7 a77 a77 a77 7 GardenWays to Have

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GardenGreen

1) COMPOST KITCHEN SCRAPS AND YARD WASTE This is one of the easiest ways to reduce what you send to the landfi ll. Garden centers sell a variety of compost bins, or contact your department of sanitation to see if it distributes no-cost bins.

2) USE MANUAL LABOR Lawn and garden tools that require “human power”—as opposed to gas or electricity— are a great way to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Among the tools that fi t the bill: pruners, hedge trimmers, push mowers and handsaws.

3) GRASSCYCLECutting your grass high and “letting it lie” has a number of benefi ts. When grass decomposes it add nutrients to the soil, and taller grass makes it harder for weeds to grow, which eliminates the need for the herbicides and fertilizers. At my house we keep the grass shorter inside of our garden fence, where the children play, and longer near the road and in our side and rear yards. (Important tip: For the clippings to effectively breakdown into the soil they shouldn’t be longer than one inch.)

4) INSTALL RAIN BARRELS Water from our roofs contribute contaminants into our waterways, but collecting that water in a rain barrel and using it over time both hydrates plants and enables them to fi lter the water before it reaches local tributaries. The most ascetically pleasing rain barrels I know of are the “retired” oak whiskey barrels sold for $249 each by Rain Barrels of Annapolis (rainbarrelsannapolis.com). The Arlington Echo Outdoor Education

1) COMPOST KITCHEN SCRAPS AND YARD WASTEThis is one of the easiest ways to reduce

fossil fuel consumption. Among the tools that fi t the bill: pruners, hedge trimmers, push mowers and handsaws.

3) GRASSCYCLECutting your grass high and “letting it lie” has a number of benefi ts. When grass decomposes it add nutrients to the soil, and taller grass makes it harder for weeds to grow, which eliminates the need for the herbicides and fertilizers. At my house we keep the grass shorter inside of our garden fence, where the children play, and longer near the road and in our side and rear yards. (Important tip: For the clippings to effectively breakdown into the soil they shouldn’t be longer than one inch.)

4) INSTALL RAIN BARRELS Water from our roofs contribute contaminants into our waterways, but collecting that water in a rain barrel and using it over time both hydrates plants and enables them to fi lter the water before it reaches local tributaries. The most ascetically pleasing rain barrels I know of are the “retired” oak whiskey barrels sold for $249 each by Rain Barrels of Annapolis(rainbarrelsannapolis.com). The Arlington Echo Outdoor Education

This is one of the easiest ways to reduce what you send to the landfi ll. Garden centers sell a variety of compost bins, or contact your department of sanitation to see if it distributes no-cost bins.

2) USE MANUAL LABORLawn and garden tools that require “human power”—as opposed to gas or electricity— are a great way to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Among the tools




Center offers plastic rain barrels starting at $80 a piece (arlingtonecho.com).

5) PLANT “NATIVE” GREENERY Cultivating native plants that are indigenous to our area helps conserve native species. And because native plants provide food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects, they eliminate the need for pesticides. Another plus: Since “natives” require less water and fertilizer than many non-natives, the plants reduce runoff into our waterways. For more information about native plants, visit the Maryland Master Gardeners website at mastergardener.umd.edu.

6) GATHER COMPOSTED MANURE Plants and earthworms love composted manure. Another plus: Compost increases the water holding capacity of sandy soil and improves drainage in denser, clay soil.. Many farmers will happily give away their animals’ manure for free if you do the hauling. To find a farmer who’s offering free manure, read your local paper’s classifieds or check out feed store bulletin boards

7) SPREAD MULCH Mulch reduces water evaporation from soil by almost 75 percent. The best time to mulch is in the early spring, when soil is filled with water from snow and rain. Mulch will also reduce the number of weeds in a garden, which helps eliminate the need for herbicides. County landfills occasionally offer free mulch on a first-come-first-served basis.

Kathryn Hope is a mother of two and comes from a long line of gardeners. She lives in Crownsville and is always looking for creative, environmentally friendly ways to expand her garden and eliminate her lawn. N



1. ASK AROUND. When looking for a pediatrician, the first people you should consult are family and friends. Who sees their kids? Why did they choose that particular doctor? Current patients

are the best inside source you’ll find about a doctor. These patients (or, more accurately, these parents of patients) can tell you about the doctor’s demeanor, whether he or she is easy to talk to, if

a PediatricianBecause selecting a doctor for your child can be a daunting experience, Nesting offers its sage advice

By Jenn Morson

Choosing


response time for phone calls is acceptable, and how long you can expect to wait at each visit. If you’ve recently relocated and don’t know anyone in the area, your real estate agent could be a resource, and your insurance company might have a list of preferred providers. Local mom clubs and websites about parenting provide another useful starting point.

2. INTERVIEW POTENTIAL DOCTORS. Some medical offices conduct formal prenatal interviews and open houses, while others will meet one-on-one to discuss their practices. Donald Schneider, M.D., of BelliAcres Pediatrics in Gambrills (drschneider.com), recommends interviewing several different doctors and practices to get a feel for what might be a good fit. His practice holds a monthly Monday night open house to meet with prospective patients. Deciding between a small private practice and a larger office with multiple physicians requires some decision making, and perhaps even a list of pros and cons. Dr. Schneider, who cares for his patients with the assistance of a nurse practitioner, notes that continuity of care is an advantage of being with a smaller practice, but he recognizes that the convenience of a larger practice does appeal to many families, especially those in which the parents are employed full-time.

3. PLAN AHEAD. When meeting with pediatricians, bring a list of your questions to avoid forgetting a possibly important one. Find out if the practice accepts your insurance, and how payment is expected. (Do you need to pay at the visit, or will the office file claims?) If you’re pregnant, does the doctor have hospital privileges where



you plan to deliver? How far in advance do well-visit appointments need to be

scheduled? Are there reserved times for acute illnesses each day? How are off-hour concerns handled?

4. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. As you visit practices, take note of each office’s environment. Is there a sick and well waiting room, or just one for all patients? Is it clean? How does the setting make you feel? Is the staff friendly? Is the office located close to your home or work? Rebecca Vickers, M.D., of Arundel Pediatrics in Linthicum (arundelpediatrics.com) stresses the importance of getting along with your pediatrician. “People often call our practice because of an insurance referral or because they like our website,” she observes. “Equally as important is having a good fit, personality-wise.” (Arundel Pediatrics hosts a monthly open house during which all five of its providers, as well as several staff members, meet with families.)

5. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. Before launching your pediatrician search, have a basic idea of what you’re looking for, what your parenting philosophy is, and what your deal-breakers are. Parents today are well-educated (and often opinionated) about such hot-button issues as vaccinations and circumcision. You want a pediatrician to be supportive of your parenting decisions.

Although choosing a pediatrician takes a lot of work and preparation, feel confident that you are ultimately the best advocate for your child, and you’ll choose wisely.

Jenn Morson lives in Crofton with her husband and two children. N



“green” Lecture and MovieWhat: This afternoon-long event will feature a talk by nationally known “alternative farmer” and author Joel Salatin of Polyface

Farm (polyfacefarm.com) and a screening of FRESH, The Movie: New Thinking About What We’re Eating. In addition, there will be a symposium of local food and farmers, and lots of information about how to obtain local, nutrient-rich food. Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 333 Dubois Road, AnnapolisWhen: Sunday, March 21, 2:30 – 6 p.m.Cost: $10 per person suggested donationFor more information and to RSVP: Email [email protected] or call 410-643-3283

West annapolis 2nd Sunday neighborhood green MarketWhat: More than 30 vendors selling

arts, crafts, vintage and recycled goods, local produce and prepared foods.Where: Giddings Avenue, between Ridgely Avenue and Annapolis StreetWhen: Starting Sunday, April 11, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Also May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12 and November 14)Cost: The price of whatever you buyFor more information: homegrownandgreen.com

(To learn about other Annapolis-area “green events,” visit Annapolis Green at annapolisgreen.com)

annapolis MoMs Spring Consignment SaleWhat: Everything for infants, kids, and the mom-to-beWhen: Saturday, March 20, 8 a.m. - NoonWhere: Pasadena United Methodist Church, 61 Ritchie Highway, PasadenaCost: $1 cash donation at the door(Cash sales only)For more information: Visit annapolismoms.org N

Send your mom- and family-oriented community news to [email protected].

Listings are included when space allows.

“green” Lecture and MovieWhat:afternoon-long event will feature a talk by nationally known “alternative farmer” and author Joel Salatin of Polyface

Farm (polyfacefarm.com

Community News

Groups & Clubs

Annapolis AP Moms GroupFor moms who practice attachmentparenting (i.e. co-sleeping, breastfeeding, etc.)Email: [email protected]

Annapolis Hip MamaMeetup GroupWebsite: hipmamameetup.com

Anne Arundel Moms GroupPhone: 410.551.2345

Columbia Area Mothers of MultiplesServing moms in Howard and Carroll counties and the surrounding Baltimore metro area Location: Christ Episcopal Church, Columbia Website: camom.net

DC MetroMommies (AnneArundel County Chapter)Phone: 410.867.6854,Email: [email protected]

Isabel’s Gift NICU Support GroupLocation: Anne Arundel Medical Center Contact: Kari Barcome, NICU social worker, 443.481.6114

MIS (Miscarriage, Infant Deathand Stillbirth) Support Group St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church,Edgewater Contact: Ann O’Sullivan,R.N., 443.481.6114

MOMS Club of AnnapolisWebsite: momsclubannapolis.20m.comEmail: [email protected]

Nesting Support


MOMS Club of Pasadena, NWPhone: 410.863.1125Website: momsclubpasadenanw.com

MOMS Club of Severna ParkSupport for mothers in Severna Park, Arnold and MillersvillePhone: 410.544.9778Website: spmomsclub.org

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)Phone: 410.798.1413Website: 4thelorg.org

Professional Moms at Home (PMAH)Serving full- and part-timestay-at-home moms throughoutAnne Arundel CountyWebsite: pmah.net

Subsequent PregnancySupport GroupLocation: St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Edgewater Contact: Ann O’Sullivan,R.N., 443.481.6114

Parenting Resources

Annapolis and Glen BurnieFamily Support CenterFree educational programs, parenting and childbirth classes, and developmental assessments. Child care is offered for parents attending the programs.Phone: 410.269.4478


The Stay-at-Home Survival GuideField-tested strategies for staying smart, sane, and connected while caring for your kids

“The Stay-at-Home Survival Guide speaks volumes without being preachy, overtly tongue-in-cheek or feeding the ‘Mommy Wars’… There’s support throughout the book that is relative to all aspects of motherhood, whether you are a SAHM (stay-at-home mom), WAHM (work-at-home mom), or a mother re-entering the workforce.” — Mom Writer’s Literary Magazine

“Becoming a stay-at-home mother shifts your entire world, and Melissa Stanton gets it. This intelligent, sensible, hands-on guide will help at-home moms navigate the rocky waters of time, money, self-image, self-esteem, sex, friendship, and everything else.” — Ericka Lutz, author of On the Go With Baby

“Thanks to this book [stay-at-home moms] have somewhere to turn whenever [they’re] feeling a little lonely, under-appreciated, or overwhelmed.” — MomCentral.com

Don’t Stay Home Without It! www.stayathomesurvivalguide.com

On sale now at amazon.com and other retailers.Visit with the author and other moms at http://reallifesupportformomsblog.com

By Melissa StantonSeal Press/Perseus Books

“Perfect for ... any mom who has felt she has the best job in the world, and the worst job in the world, all within a two-minute timeframe.”— MamaSpeaks.com

“A terrifi c resource [with] plenty of practical advice.”— Washington Parent


Better BedRest, Inc.Advocacy, public awareness and volunteer driven non-profi t providing support, resources and information to pregnant women who have been prescribed bedrest by their physicians or midwives Phone: 410.740.7662

Holistic Moms NetworkResource for holistic parents andindividuals interested in becoming onePhone: 877.HOLMOMS,Website: holisticmoms.org

International CesareanAwareness Network (ICAN)Non-profi t organization working toimprove maternal-child health bypreventing unnecessary cesareans,

providing support for cesarean recovery,and promoting Vaginal Birth AfterCesarean (VBAC) Phone: 800.686.ICANWebsite: icanbaltimore.org

La Leche LeagueServing Maryland, Delaware and theWashington D.C. metro areaWebsite: lllofmd-de-dc.org

Milk Share-Breast Milk DonationClearinghouse for parents to learn about milk donation and connect with other families Website: newlifemidwifery.com

Tot’s Line for Anne Arundel CountyFree information, advice andreferrals for parents and caregiversPhone: 877.817.TOTS N


Nesting Support

Maryland was among the fi rst states to deregulate power utilities, which means that

business and residential consumers can choose their energy supplier and how that power is generated. Traditional power suppliers use coal, oil, natural gas and other non-renewable resources, and they often augment production with nuclear energy. A “green” energy supplier uses renewable, non-polluting resources such as wind or solar. An option in our area is Clean Currents, a renewable electricity supplier that was founded in 2005 and generates power by using a mix of wind and solar technologies. Because Clean Currents receives Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the credits make the cost of “clean power” competitive with that of traditional “smokestack power.” A property owner who wants to make the switch from non-renewable to renewable energy needs to do nothing more than contact Clean

Currents and provide the company with his or her Pepco or BGE account number. State law requires utilities to serve customers regardless of the supplier they choose; billing will still come from the utility. “The average household puts out about 15,000 pounds of carbon each year, and this is a way families can offset their carbon footprint and save money,” says Kristi Neidhardt,

a program manager at Clean Currents and a licensed

real estate agent and EcoBroker.® (For more about what that means see page 9.) Another way to save money and help your community is by participating in Clean Current’s Green Neighborhood Effect Challenge. For every household that switches to Clean Currents, the company will provide $10 toward a green community project. For instance, neighbors who sign up for Clean Currents can raise money to plant trees or marsh grasses, replace common area light bulbs with energy effi cient ones, landscape with native plants, put rain barrels on community centers, etc. Clean Currents can also help customers with information about installing solar panels. (Property and business owners who do can generate their own power and get their own RECs.) For information about Clean Currents, and to read about the details and March deadlines for the neighbor-hood challenge, go to cleancurrents.com or call 301.754.0430. N


A Clean (Green) Energy Choice

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Nesting Magazine March/April 2010

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Transcript of Nesting Magazine March/April 2010