By Michelle A. Doellman
Ever wish you could ask someone a question related to environmental issues as they specifically affect parenting? Try asking the Green Mama, Manda Aufochs Gillespie. Green Mama is an environmentalist, writer and consultant in the Chicago area who helps create more opportunities for parents to work with each other while raising green families.
Last Saturday, Green Mama helped coordinate an eco-mixer green event with a parenting theme that was held at Uncommon Ground, a restaurant and meeting place on Devon Ave. About 40 to 50 families turned up -- for a total of about 100 people. There were lots of activities for the kids, and parents were able to learn about how to make better school lunches, shop for organic kids clothing and watch kid-friendly food demonstrations that they could do at home with their own pint-sized chefs, says Helen Cameron, Uncommon Ground's co-owner.
"Manda really is the expert on parenting issues and resources so she really helped pull the event together," notes Cameron. "We plan on making this an annual event."
Aufochs Gillespie has her finger in many pies. She runs the Green Mama cafes at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and she was also instrumental in coordinating and starting the Green Parent Chicago Network with members of Chicago Green Families and Green Parent Chicago as a "social networking space" for parents interested in green issues.
The cafes have been previously held at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, but will be moving to some new locations this fall. Aufochs Gillespie mentioned the Northside Parent Network and Whole Foods as two new locations. The cafes will continue to be innovative and Green Mama is hoping to reach new groups of people interested in green issues, she says.
A variety of one-time workshops are also available from the Green Mama for parents interested in raising green families. Topics range from discussions about whether breast feeding is an environmental issue to where to find the best organic clothing at a good price.
Aufochs Gillespie also says she does consulting work for business and companies interested in what green consumers are looking for.
As for this summer, Green Mama has been enjoying the outdoors.
"A bunch of us (from the cafes) kept meeting, going to the beach, going to the zoo," notes Aufochs Gillespie. "Not the really formal education stuff. No one wants to be inside during the summer."
This fall, Green Mama will be offering a girl's night out, but with a green twist. Environmental and green issues will be discussed while women enjoy wine and cheese.
