Jessica Capshaw 'More Aware' Since Becoming a Mom

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In a new interview with EcoStiletto, actress and environmentalist Jessica Capshaw says that her already-green lifestyle got even greener with the birth of son Luke, turning 2 next month. “I’m more aware and purposeful in my actions [since becoming a mom],” the 33-year-old Grey’s Anatomy star says. “I’m much more conservative.”

“The fact that I could use something that might harm him just brings the whole thing home. And we’re so aware of the harm, thanks to people who’ve been standing on chairs and yelling to be heard. We’re all now trying to undo a lot of the damage that’s been done.”

The biggest warning signs for Jessica and husband Christopher Gavigan, who is himself CEO of the national non-profit Healthy Child, Healthy World, include products that don’t list their ingredients as well as those which contain parabens. “We’re so blessed that we are living in a world where we can buy food for him that’s organic,” she notes. “That’s a huge gift.” Food choices were viewed in a whole new light after Luke arrived, Jessica says. “I started taking a crash course in nutrition when I started feeding him,” she explains. To that end, the couple only offer foods they consider “optimal,” like eggs and turkey for protein while skipping chicken and red meat.

“I’m going to see how long I can get away with that. As soon as his world opens up and he’s around people who eat all sorts of different foods, I know he’s going to have some questions about who eats what and why.”

In addition to dietary changes the couple are also trying to “keep a lid on consumption,” and that means that Luke’s wardrobe is minimalist — for now! “It’s summertime … and it feels like he’s been naked all summer,” Jessica says.

“As cute as baby clothes are…I try to buy less. And that’s the other thing with the economy and our values and principles in mind, we try to buy less. That doesn’t mean doing less, it sometimes means doing more.”

Her belief in the importance of an eco-friendly lifestyle was cemented by pregnancy. “All of a sudden I did everything better,” she notes. “I ate better. I was better to myself. Everything from eating organic food to eating every three hours rather than waiting out six, to not only cutting out things that were toxic but also things that might be toxic.” The results, she says, exceeded the prototypical pregnancy glow!

“At the end of my pregnancy I felt really good, my energy was good, my clarity of thought was good, everything was good. As the guardian of Luke’s life I made all the natural choices. That gave me a huge nod as to that’s the way to be.”

The sixth season premiere of Grey’s Anatomy airs Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. on ABC.

Source: EcoStiletto

– Missy

Comments

I have always been eco conscious, but my children seem to be more aware and conscious than I. Our 5 year old is my hippy flower child. When we are out driving and she see’s garbage of any kind she will ask politely for us to pull over and pick up the garbage (I learned to ALWAYS carry bags and a glove) If I have the time I will oblige, But if we don’t have the time she will cry and even gets angry. If we are on the express way she does not understand that I can NOT pull over to pick up the garbage because I could get killed by the fast passing cars. To which she always reply’s “but its bad for our environment and the animals can die” I tell her so can I. So it just goes to show you were I, a human rate in my hippy/flower save the animals/environmentally friendly childs life. It will be interesting how their, the celebrity children will turn out. Will they carry on their parents wishes and thinking? And I only wonder because like I said before I am conscious but I still like my viva paper towels and hair spray (which my 5yr old tells me is poisonous gas). I can only guess that my daughter has picked up her “activism” from animal planet, discovery channel and the science channels. Her favorite. I have cut back on some unfriendly items. A new refrigerator with water and ice maker (no more bottled water). New washer and dryer, turn off lights and running water while brushing teeth. That sort of thing.
When it comes to eating I try to get organic but sometimes it is so expensive. With four children its hard. I wish that healthy and organic wouldn’t cost so much. I do buy healthy all the time. We go through a lot of fruit and vegetables. But combine that with organic and the price goes up more. Plus our 5yr old does not eat meat of any kind because she wants to save the animals. I have even tried to explain they are free range but she will not try it. So to the vegan’s and environmentalists out there I am up to suggestions!
After reading posts that celeb’s do to be environmentally friendly I do feel guilty. Does anyone else feel guilty?

- mary on August 15th, 2009

Mary, your daughter sounds too sweet. It’s a shame that a 5 year old is lightyears ahead of most adults! We try to buy organic but it is just so expensive. I heard of this awesome website called cosmeticsdatabase.org and it rates anything and everything you can put on your body. Up until then we were using Johnson’s baby soap, after checking the database, it wasn’t the best choice! We also found out that with many “tear free” baby soaps, actually still burn the eyes, they just have an added numbing agent, it’s pretty interesting, I urge everyone to check out that site. We mainly use California baby on our kids. Jessica seems to be doing a great job, I think everything she said was right on point, I liked how she addressed that someday Luke will realize that others eat differently. The one thing I was confused on was that she keeps him away from chicken because chicken’s not “optimal” protein. What’s wrong with chicken? and is it really that different than turkey?

- Jessica on August 15th, 2009

When regarding breast meat, turkey is a bit lower in fat/calories, but chicken will be higher in protein.

- Laura on August 15th, 2009

Jessica Capshaw seems so interesting! I wish we would have seen more of her on here during her pregnancy. Maybe she was just really private, but I don’t even remember seeing one pic.

- Julie on August 15th, 2009

As a personal trainer and (not certified-but I feel like through my career as a personal trainer and research, I know quite a bit) “nutritionist”, chicken is just as good for you as turkey–they are just healthy in different ways as Laura stated. In fact, an entirely vegan or vegetarian lifestyle is NOT healthy for you–your body needs some of the nutrients in meat that you absolutely cannot get elsewhere. Even red meat, in moderation (think 1-2 times a week) is actually very good for your body and health. Just wanted to throw that out there–I know sometimes people will hear celebrities say something and assume that if they’re doing it, it must be the “right” way…(not that I’m ragging on Jessica at all! For the most part, she seems to know what she’s talking about)…I just wanted to throw that in there about the turkey/chicken/red meat!

- Melanie on August 16th, 2009

Mary – Organic can sometimes cost more but if you buy food that’s in season (which makes sense)the price comes down. But to really get fresh organic produce AND have fun with the kids plant a vegetable garden! It’s much easier than most people think.

We’re only renting yet still in our 6 foot square patch we’ve grown broccoli, cauliflower, bok choi, rocket/aragula, lots of lettuce, beetroot, spinach, silverbeet, spring onion, kale, rhubarb and lots of herbs. Plus kids love finding all the worms and bugs and having a good dig in the dirt. And they get a real kick out of picking something they grew then cooking it. I highly recommend it!

- ilona on August 16th, 2009

Melanie, my registered dietician (who is very well respected and has worked with some of the top athletes in the country) thinks a vegan diet is perfectly healthy, and the ADA (American Dietetic Association) agrees. The only nutrient missing from a vegan (not vegetarian) diet is B12, and it’s easily supplemented. I’ll trust the ADA on this one.

- Kate on August 16th, 2009

Thanks for all the advice that some of you have given me. My husband and I just look at each other at times and wonder who the hell spawned her. I mean that really in the most loving way. She is our ‘hippy flower child save all the animals environmentalist’. The concern our doctor has is for growth and brain development. She needs protein, and iron. We get her blood tested every 3 months and thus far she is just fine. Tofu, fruits and vegetables and peanut butter along with cheese and milk (she’s ok with dairy because she said that cows/goats don’t die from being milked). But this is new territory for my husband and myself. We, along with our other three children are carnivorous.I love the garden idea we are going to try that. I hope it works my husband claims I have a black thumb and we should consider our selfs lucky that our children have survived this far. I would also like to invest in the garden you can grow inside all year long. I just saw it being sold at bed bath and beyond. And now cannot remember the name. We live in wisconsin so being able to have that I think could help my winter stock of vegetables. Has anyone used that? Did you like it?

- mary on August 16th, 2009

Vegetarian, vegan, or meat-eater, it’s important that you have the facts. Melanie, it’s downright irresponsible of you to say that an entirely vegetarian/vegan lifestyle is unhealthy. There are no nutrients that are unattainable with a good veg diet. Period. Even B-12 can be obtained through nutritional yeast flakes.

- etoilebleu on August 16th, 2009

Kate and etoilebleu-
You are absolutely welcome to your own opinion. No need to be rude. On every topic, you will find differing opinions supporting what you personally believe. While what I believe may not be the same as what you believe, you can disagree respectfully. It’s people like you that make others feel they shouldn’t share their opinions.

- Melanie on August 17th, 2009

Melanie,
I apologize if you took my statements to be rude; they weren’t intended as such. We certainly should all share our differing opinions! However, stating as you did that “In fact, an entirely vegan or vegetarian lifestyle is NOT healthy for you–your body needs some of the nutrients in meat that you absolutely cannot get elsewhere” isn’t an opinion. It’s simply not true. I’m certainly not telling anyone how they should eat, but everyone should have all the facts.

- etoilebleu on August 17th, 2009