people
living
The Business of Being Born will be available
on DVD in March. For more information, see
thebusinessofbeingborn.com.
Abby Epstein, left, with Ricki Lake in their
documentary The Business of Being Born.
1
Her indulgent parenting sin: Diapers—disposables. I just could not get
my head around the idea of cloth diapers.
But I have to say, I potty trained my kids very
early. My older son was out of diapers by the
time he was 2! If I were to have another baby,
I’d use G diapers [which are flushable and
biodegrade in under two months].
3
4
Family eco car: Lexus 400 Hybrid.
And my ex drives a Prius.
Tune pick: The new Radiohead is so
good. I love their whole concept of pay
what you want—what is it worth to you?
5
Tattoo count: John Waters always
told me there’s nothing uglier than
an 80-year-old with a tattoo. I’m not into
them or piercings.
6
How green she feels: I recycle,
I just bought bamboo plates, I’m
looking into changing my [home energy]
system to solar paneling. I want to do my
part—I think we have no choice. I’m not
Ed Begley Jr, but I want to be!
7
Most damningly true characteristic of her star sign: I’m a textbook
Virgo. I planned both pregnancies to the
day—not an easy feat. I read all the books on
how to get it right.
8
Hotel that knows her best: The
Four Seasons. Any of them. It’s about
as plush as you can get, but I don’t know if
it’s so green.
The Business of Being Born director Abby Epstein
preparing for her birth as her boyfriend, Paulo
Netto, director of photography, looks on.
9
10
Her favorite place on earth: New
York City. I’ll always be a New Yorker.
Topic that occupies way too
much of her brain: Dealing
with my weight.
11
Her dream carpool partner:
Ina May Gaskin (the “midwife of
modern midwifery”).
12
Her worst haircut: Ricki Lake
Show, season four. I wanted the
Demi Moore Ghost haircut, but it went terribly awry.
13
Top DIY pastime: Knitting. I’m
a really good knitter. I made lots of
baby clothes and blankets. I’ve been doing it
since I was 14, before it was cool. But I was
anything but cool!
Photos courtesy of Red Envelope Entertainment (above right)
2
Environmental pet peeve: Littering. I yell at people. I scream “Litterbug!” In Serial Mom (another Waters flick,
with Kathleen Turner) the lead character
wants to kill her neighbor for not recycling.
I’m not that bad, but I don’t have a problem
getting in someone’s face!
14
Her fortune cookie wisdom:
Always treat people the way
you want to be treated. That goes for the
planet, too. ✤
42 | february-march 2008