Folks We Love with Aida Garcia from Non-toxic Munchkin
Who’s in your family? Ages? Names?
Daniel, Aida, Matteo and Federico
How did you choose your kids names?
My husband is from Brazil and my family is from Cuba (I was born in Miami and grew up mostly in Venezuela), so we were looking for names that would work well in Portuguese, Spanish and English. Matteo had been a favorite of mine for a long time and Federico, was one of my favorite authors (Federico Garcia Lorca). Both my husband and I loved the sound of ‘Federico” and loved the fact that we didn’t know anyone with that name!
Location?
Santa Monica, California
Occupation?
Mom, wife, founder of Non-Toxic Munchkin, non-toxic living consulting and blog
What’s on your manifest board?
Pictures from all over the world. Traveling is my fuel and inspiration and truly makes me happy.
Pictures of nature, flowers, animals – I love beautiful things and find that nothing beats nature for beauty.
Books because one day (soon I hope!) I would like to sit and write a book (related to Non-Toxic Munchkin!)
Tell us some of your most loved ways to spend the day with your clan?
I love spending the day with the family outdoors exploring a new place. Sometimes it’s a road trip to a new town, or sometimes it can be a new local hiking trail or beach. We all are at our happiest, I find, outdoors and exploring.
When you were a teenager what did you dream of? Do things look different?
I dreamed of being the first woman president of the US and changing the world. I am very happy things look somewhat different, especially considering what the current first woman candidate for president is dealing with today!
But I still believe that, even in a small way, we can all do our part to change the world. In college I discovered journalism and production and knew I could do my part through those channels, and today I like to believe that in a small way I continue to do my part to change the world, albeit at a (much) smaller scale than I would have as President of the United States!
What are some things you really believe in?
I believe in empathy and kindness for all. Regardless of who you are dealing with, when you put yourself in someone else’s shoes, your perspective of the world can – and should- change drastically.
I believe that knowledge is power. We need to be informed in order to change the world and to protect ourselves and our children. I think knowledge also makes you more open minded.
I believe in family. Cherish, protect and enjoy your family because they are what truly matters in life.
Finally, I believe that things happen for a reason. Life has a way of working out- sometimes you have to go through some bad times to arrive at a better place.
Where do your passions lie?
In everything I really believe in (previous question)! I am also passionate about helping other people and empowering them to live a healthier life. The science on the numerous potential health consequences of long term exposure to everyday chemicals is very real and very scary, and yet most people are not aware of how it can affect them and their family. Most people aren’t even aware that they are exposed to hundreds of chemicals, many never tested for safety nor regulated, everyday through their favorite products and homes. I find educating and helping my clients make simple changes and informed consumer decisions that can have a lasting impact on their lives very satisfying.
Has your relationship with your other half changed since having kids?
Having children definitely deepened my relationship and respect for my husband. We have truly become a team and rely on each other equally. We turn to each other for support and advice almost everyday in this rollercoaster called parenthood. At this moment, with young children, we might have less time for each other, but we have certainly become a stronger team and our relationship closer.
What are some of your favorite life lessons you’ve grown to love? (even if learning them at the time was hard)
“My mother was right”. Maybe not about everything, but it turns out my mom has been right about a whole lotta stuff. I have grown to love and respect her more and more each day after becoming a mother myself.
What do you wish you could’ve told yourself when you were a teenager?
Wear sunscreen everyday! Not much else, since I know that everything I have gone through since I was a teenager has made me who I am today!
What do you find most challenging about being somebody’s parent?
For me, the most challenging part of being someone’s parent is the responsibility of raising two boys to become honest, good, confident, successful, hard working men. It is a HUGE responsibility and it is the most challenging job in the world. It can be scary when you realize you have all this responsibility and yet sometimes you have no idea what you’re doing – I mean I am not an expert in parenting and sometimes I make my own mistakes.
What do you want your kids to learn about the world?
I want them to explore the world, to admire, question and respect its different cultures as much as possible. I want them to realize that, although we are all different in many ways, we are also all human beings with the same essential wants and needs. I want them to grow up to be true global citizens that embrace and celebrate differences and can learn from their travels and bring back new ideas and perspectives to their own lives.
What are 4 things you can’t live without as a parent?
cuban coffee
my husband
Magna Tiles ( it keeps them occupied for hours!)
vinegar! (I mean, it cleans everything!!)