“In Their Expert Opinion” features three bloggers who bring special expertise on living a natural lifestyle to The Clear Conscience Blog. Each month, we’ll share tips and advice on how to live a little greener from a few of our favorite experts.

Meet Micaela Preston, founder of Mindful Momma and author of Practically Green: Your Guide to EcoFriendly Decision-Making. Like many parents, Micaela cares deeply about the health of her family as well as the earth. Yet, she knows first-hand how hard it can be to keep on top of all the latest eco-friendly products while still keeping the reins on the family budget.  Through her blog and her book, Micaela’s goal is to make green living inspiring, not intimidating! Micaela lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two boys, and when she’s not writing, she’s busy whipping up healthy meals and eco crafts!

Read on for more about Micaela, and check back on Thursday to find out how to make snack time more sustainable.

Q. When did you become more mindful of a more natural lifestyle? Why?

When I went to college and had to start shopping for myself, I found that food co-ops were a really cool place to shop! Not only could you buy in bulk (and get just the amount you needed) but the food and personal care products were much higher quality and better for you than in conventional stores. 

Now that I have a family of my own and am confronted with many more purchase decisions, I have to find the balance between time, money and whatever else is going on in my life. Still, my preference is always for more natural products that are better for the planet and healthier for my family.

Q. You’re known for giving advice, but tell us, what’s the best tip you’re received on living more sustainably?

Think before you buy. Do you really need that new sweater? Are you sure you don’t have some of those notebooks at home already? Will you really use that gallon of olive oil before it goes bad? I’m not sure exactly where I got that tip but it is a sentiment expressed by many of my green blogging friends – we just don’t need as much as we think we need.

Q. How do you get your children to eat healthy and also be mindful of the earth, like their momma?

I find that teaching by example is the best way to influence kids. My boys have seen me reading food labels for so long that they now do it themselves. In fact, my oldest son gave me a terrible time recently for buying something with trans fats in it – and I returned it back to the store – pronto!

Q. What are some of your go-to green resources online?

Healthy Child, Healthy World is a wonderful resource for all things green and healthy including informative blog posts, tool kits and activism opportunities.  

Environmental Working Group is a non-profit dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Their incredible resources include the Skin Deep cosmetics database, the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce and the annual Sunscreen Safety Guide. 

GoodGuide is a cool online shopping tool that provides a rating system for products to allow you to shop your values. They have a new phone app too – so you can take the ratings with you wherever and whenever you shop. 

Disclosure: The bloggers featured in the Clear Conscience Blog “In Their Expert Opinion” series have received product samples and compensation from Watkins, Inc.