Meg and Tony Lucarelli and their daughter,
Gehrig Pearl, are keepin’ it green.
Photograph by Rob Nicholson
www.humbledeyesphotography.com
Meet Meg and Tony Lucarelli, a
“We didn’t start out as green as we are now,” says Meg. “We basically were just recycling for a while, but then we went through this health phase and we got on board from there.”
On board is a bit of an understatement. They created new diets, upgraded their wardrobes with a staple of organic threads and switched from electric to solar heating.
“We’re the first [structure] in Milford to install solar panels,” says Tony. “We’ve always wanted to do it. It was a combination of reasons—wanting to help the environment and wanting to cut down on our electric bill.”
The result so far? Their January post-panels bill cut costs by more than 50 percent from last year.
Yet there is the question of those green clothes. Whatever you’re imagining, get it out of your head. Green has evolved from hemp tunics and sandals to chic bamboo and über-comfy soy.
Did we mention the duds are stylish? Especially if they come from The Happy Fish, the Lucarellis’ go-green estore.
Purchased before they married, The Happy Fish swam leisurely while the couple decided what to sell. On their honeymoon in Alaska, they stumbled upon the Of The Earth clothing label. Light bulbs (energy-efficient ones) went off, and the store was born.
For those who aren’t about clothes made from organically grown and natural fibers, shimmy into The Happy Fish’s Domino shorts and soy T-shirt. You’ll be absolutely smitten.
“We purchase everything green we can: shampoo, conditioner, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels. People see the price and ask, ‘Why did you buy that?’” Tony says. “But look at what you get if you don’t—a bigger carbon stamp and some extra nickels and dimes.”
According to the Lucarellis, the it’s-too-hard-to-find excuse is old hat. “If we shop at a big super market, we go to Safeway in Rehoboth because they have a nice organic selection of produce, fruits and the O Organics brand,” Meg says. “Even Kraft mac and cheese has an organic equivalent.”
The Lucarellis do their part, but what good is a lifestyle if it doesn’t give birth to a new generation of believers? The Lucarellis did just that when daughter Gehrig Pearl arrived in February. The littlest Lucarelli is already a poster child for the green movement.
“We registered at Babies“R”Us and, surprisingly, there was a Gerber Baby Organic line, so all of her bedding, curtains—all the stuff in her room—it’s organic,” Meg says. “I was also really happy to find the Pottery Barn Kids has an organic line.”
—Amy Kates
Don’t be Fuelish
It’s simple: Use less gas, save money. Five hybrid and flex-fuel cruisers that roll easy on the earth.
Saturn 2008 VUE Green Line Hybrid, $24,795
Mercedes Benz E320 BLUETEC
GMC
Nissan Altima Hybrid, $25,170
Prices are the manufacturers’ suggested retail for the
vehicle as shown. Prices at local dealerships may vary
