Jennie Garth Green Cleans Up
Who auditions with no experience and lands the lead role on one of the most successful television series of all time? Jennie Garth, apparently, who must have earned some serious karma in a previous life and is now giving back by partnering with Green Works Natural Cleaners on a reusable, recycled cotton bag that donates to the Sierra Club. Currently starring on the new “90210” as West Beverly High’s guidance counselor after having proved her dancing chops on “Dancing with the Stars,” Garth also does double-duty as a working mom to three daughters with her husband, actor Peter Facinelli. She gave us the scoop on how she green cleans up.
ES: Tell us how you’re going green.
JG: I’m switching out many products in my home to those that are eco-friendly. I now use green cleaning products, skin care, makeup, light bulbs, everything. I’m also conserving water, using less plastic and remembering to unplug unnecessary electronics.
ES: When did you start getting involved in eco-consciousness?
JG: I’ve always been conscious of the environment, but having kids changes every aspect of your life. I want this planet to be around and in good shape for my children and their babies. I also want them to have the cleanest foods, healthcare and personal care products I can find.
ES: How important do you think these changes are for you, personally?
JG: I feel a lot better knowing that the personal products I use are toxin free. The cleaning products I use like Green Works Natural Cleaners are not only better for the environment but also better for my family. Being green is important, and such an important lifestyle to teach our kids.
ES: What about for the planet?
JG: When I pack the kids’ lunches, I use reusable containers instead of plastic baggies. Every day the girls take water to school in reusable metal canisters, and I use toxin-free products on their hair and bodies. I did a little research on the Internet and was converted. I threw out everything in their bathrooms, even the toothpastes, and found natural, toxin-free, chemical-free alternatives. Being a mom is the most important thing I will ever do. It’s my job to protect them and teach them how to protect themselves.
ES: How do you find time to be more green while managing the demands of motherhood?
JG: Like many moms, I’m on a journey to living a more natural lifestyle. I understand the challenges of balancing motherhood and living green, but don’t want to sacrifice quality or convenience. I want to help share the message with busy moms that there are simple ways to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. One way is to use natural cleaning products. Another way is to take a reusable bag on shopping trips instead of choosing between paper or plastic.
ES: What is your secret for staying centered and balanced while juggling work and motherhood?
JG: Balancing work and motherhood can be hectic—any mom will tell you that. I try to keep a schedule for our family. I’m not gonna lie, it’s insanely busy at all times. Going to work is way easier than running this household. But, even when I’m at work, I’m on the phone orchestrating everything that goes on at the house. I don’t have an assistant, just an amazing nanny who helps me and a friend who runs a few errands for me here and there. When my head finally hits the pillow—I’m done!
ES: What are your favorite green fashion labels?
JG: I like clothes from Pliko. And there are some great kids lines out there. Google is a really useful tool for finding green clothing.
ES: What are the best eco-friendly beauty finds?
JG: I love skin care products by Arcona. So yummy on my face! I use Jane Iredell makeup every day.
ES: What’s the biggest green change you’d like to make in your life – even if it’s impossible right now?
JG: I’d love to not have to use airplanes.
ES: What’s your favorite eco-friendly tip our readers should know about?
JG: Going green in your home cleaning products is so easy now—they really work. One way to conserve water is by filling a bowl in your sink, then using that water to rinse your dishes for the dishwasher. Not letting the water run is a huge savings, not just for your wallet, but the planet! And DRIVE A HYBRID! They’re lots of fun, and you can’t help feeling good about the difference you are making by contributing less emissions. I love my Prius! Also, you must teach your kids to turn off lights, to save energy, and turn off the water while they are brushing their teeth to save water. Just challenge yourself to use less of everything. I’m doing it right now, and it’s kind of fun. See how green you can be!
ES: Who is your eco-idol?
JG: Danny Seo.
ES: What’s your worst eco-sin?
JG: One of my worst eco sins is forgetting my reusable canvas bags. But I am really working on that one especially since the reusable tote I created with the Green Works team is so cute! And sometimes I like a really hot bath. And we do way too much laundry in our house. But at least I have the Energy Star machines.
ES: What’s the best green advice you ever received – and who gave it to you?
JG: The best green advice I ever got was from my makeup artist, Karen Dahl, who got me to go green with my cosmetics. She said to take it one area at a time, meaning, don’t try to convert to green all at once. First do the cleaning products, then the food, then the makeup, etc. It was great advice, even though I went on a green crusade at my house. My husband thought I was crazy—until he saw “An Inconvenient Truth.”
