Sara Snow claims to have been practising a green lifestyle since birth. Having grown up with organic gardens, compost heaps and respect for the Earth, Snow found herself in the ideal position for creating and hosting two green living TV series on the Discovery network: Living Fresh and Get Fresh with Sara Snow. Today, her goal is to make the eco-friendly lifestyle accessible to the masses, and this DVD, Growing Green Babies, is a part of that mission.

Babies are a natural part of life. No parent is ever fully prepared for all aspects of parenthood, but parents with an eye towards the future will make a green lifestyle a priority for themselves and their children. This DVD was created with those parents in mind. Growing Green Babies includes eco-friendly prenatal and postnatal advice, a step-by-step guide to creating a green nursery, delicious organic recipes for mom and baby, as well as easy prenatal and postnatal fitness workouts by Patricia Moreno.

In this DVD, Snow introduces two moms to healthy choices both during and after pregnancy. The preparations begin well before the due date. Topics of interest include natural skin care, cleaning products, and earth-friendly diapers.

Do you know which cleaning products cause more harm than good? Do you know where to find fun but nontoxic toys? Is your health practitioner meeting your baby’s holistic needs? In terms of looking your best, become familiar with a list of ingredients in common beauty products that may actually harm your new baby. And indulge instead in the many natural products that combat stretch marks and improve your skin’s elasticity.

One of the most important concerns for new parents is linked to a strong nesting instinct: the preparation of the nursery. Below are some helpful pointers to ensure a healthy, safe environment for your newborn.

1) Paint at least one month before the baby is due. Do not paint while you are pregnant. Use water-based, no- or low-Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints.

2) Avoid new carpeting. The backing may emit formaldehyde (a carcinogen), or the carpet itself may be treated with stain-proofing chemicals or moth-proofing pesticides. It is preferable to keep whatever flooring is already there and clean it well. If new flooring must be installed, consider natural linoleum.

3) For the windows, try wooden shutters with nontoxic paint or finish, or aluminum mini-blinds. Cloth drapes can collect dust, dust mites and other allergens.

4) For the changing table and other furniture, choose real wood with eco-friendly paint or natural finishes. Other woods such as laminate, pressed wood, chipboard or particle board are made with formaldehyde.

5) Bedding needs to be 100% organic cotton. Conventional cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops on Earth. It takes almost a half-pound of chemicals to grow enough cotton for one set of crib sheets! Go with pre-worn, recycled or certified organic bedding.

6) Conventional crib mattresses are made with synthetic materials such as polyurethane foam and may contain potentially toxic chemicals. Look instead for nontoxic mattresses made of natural materials.

Every new parent needs guidance and advice, but environmentally conscious parents might find information more difficult to access. This DVD is an excellent resource that will carry parents from pregnancy to the toddler stage.