This Could Get Dirty

Today, I went to a craft store to buy some ribbon.  While perusing the enormous selection of spools, looking for just the right blue with a pattern that wasn't girly,  I was quite pleased to find that my 4 year old son had found a way to occupy himself.  There he lay on the floor, sprawled on his belly, looking under the display shelf.  He would occasionally report to me the things he'd found; "mom, there's a round blue thing", to which I would reply, "what do you think it is?" and "do you think you can reach it?"  I realize my parenting is often unconventional, but nonetheless, we were both happily engaged in our errand.   It seemed obvious, due to the fact that I was conversing with my child, that I  was aware that  he was indeed on the floor.  It was also obvious, judging by the few disapproving glances that I got from the antibacterial moms, that we were breeching the norm.  With that said, it wasn't a big surprise to me when a saleslady walked by and said to me, (by way of my son) "it's really dirty down there fella, you don't want to play on the floor".  I just smiled and said "yeah, I know,... it's ok".  As long as we weren't in anyone's way, I didn't see anything wrong with my son exploring the underworld of the ribbon aisle.  The opinion of the saleslady was, however, different from my own. I was obviously putting him in danger because she came back down the aisle to restock some spools, and in passing, said to me (directly this time), "you know, the sweeper comes through the aisles but doesn't really reach under there", motioning to where my health hazard child was now squeezing both arms and half of his face.  I continued to respond with a simple, "oh,... ok... thanks", knowing that I am the odd ball; I am on the path less traveled.  I don't expect others to agree with me, but I fall into the school of thought that we need some dirt in our lives to challenge and strengthen our immune systems (see link below).   By this time, I had found 2 suitable spools of ribbon and was ready to go.  Sensing that I had not yet realized the danger in which I was placing my son, and thinking I would probably encourage my baby to lick his hands clean after getting up, the saleslady made one final trip down my aisle.  This time she didn't even have ribbon to restock - she was coming just for me.   Jason and I were up and moving toward the cashier as she called out, "make sure he washes his hands, the floor is a very dirty place".  I smiled and waved goodbye feeling smugly confident that after restocking all of those spools that other people had touched with their coughing, sneezing, nose picking, bathroom going hands, she should be far more concerned about washing her own hands.
Disclaimer:  I do believe it is prudent to wash one's hands often, and I don't encourage touching things that look or smell gross.  A little dust or dirt however, doesn't bother me one bit.        http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070905174501.htm 

If You're Happy and You Know It...Save The Earth!

Free things make me happy!  Last year, the city of Plano rolled out an experimental recycling program with RecycleBank.com. Our recycling bins were fitted with a UPC type label so all of my recycling efforts could be recorded and rewarded.   Our neighborhood pick up area is grouped together and we are rewarded with points based on the total weight of our recycled trash.  The program also sent out a detailed list of acceptable items, including plastics #'s 1-7!  I taped the list to our "in-home" bin and explained to the kids what should go in.  About every month I get an email from RecycleBank letting me know I have points, then I go "shopping".  It doesn't take much for me to get excited, so my monthly coupon for a free hand soap or salad dressing is all it takes to keep me going.  Between the beefed up recycling and our compost bin, I am amazed at how much trash I am NOT making.  Check it out for your neighborhood!

Planting with Jason

Yesterday, I remembered to  s l o w  d o w n.  I bought a beautiful urn planter and plant to put by our front door to welcome visitors.  I think I could have re-potted it in 15 minutes, so when Jason (4yr) asked if he could help, I thought "this is gonna get messy and consume the better part of the afternoon".  But...how could I resist such a teachable moment to spend with my precious son.  It was so enjoyable to work with him and see his enthusiasm while shoveling dirt and filling up the water can and making the world a little greener.  

Suburban Kids Go To The Farm

I took the kids to the Heritage Farmstead Museum last week so they could experience life before TV, washing machines and ChickFilA.  It was a great (hot) trip and well worth the sweat.  The Farmstead docent took us on a tour and introduced us to basic chores children would have done over 100 years ago.  We did laundry, ground corn to feed chickens, milked a "cow", gathered apples and firewood, beat rugs, churned butter, planted corn, rode in a covered wagon and then played in the water down at the creek.  Avery said she wished she could do laundry, by hand, all day.

www.heritagefarmstead.org

Butter as Health Food? Yes! ; )

I was reading a copy of Mother Earth News the other day and it had an article about butter.   I have always preferred real butter to any other yellow mass of goo in a tub, but I had no idea how many types of "real" butter there could be.  It turns out I have been using the substandard, mass processed type, not realizing that it would be better if the milk came from organic, grass fed cows during the months of May-September.  I also errantly believed butter was made from cream and fat, and that was that.  Oh no, it can be so much more if it comes from said cows. The butter from these cows have CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), higher level of antioxidants and both Omega-3 & Omega-6.  Yes, butter as health food!  Anyway, I bought some today on a quick trip into Sprouts and spread it on a piece of bread as soon as the yogurt and half and half were safely refrigerated.  YUMMY!  It was so... buttery (I know, really helpful description).  It was rich and spreadable and golden and nutty and, well... so wonderful I don't think I can go back to plain ol butter.    http://www.organicvalley.coop/products/butter/pasture/ 

http://www.motherearthnews.com

"What do you mean...'crunchy'?"

I use the term all of the time to describe someone who is very, ya know, "granola", or somewhat of a tree hugging  Birkenstock wearer.  Apparently, it's not a very well know way of expressing  it because several of my friends have asked, "what do you mean, 'crunchy'?"  So I thought I'd explain myself better.  You'll never catch me letting my hair color and style grow out naturally and I don't do prairie skirts.  But, I'm kinda crunchy, more like the chewy type of granola bar.   If I can recycle something into my town recycling program, I will.  But I still forget to bring my reusable bags to the grocery store. I compost all of our household produce waste, but have very few plants to use it on.   I buy most of my groceries at Walmart, but look for organics.  Are you getting my drift?  I want to do more for the environment and for my family's health, and in fact, I am doing more than I was last year.  These small simple changes will affect the environment and my family's health for the better, but there is a deeper reason and motivation.  There is a spiritual development when you care for others; when you take care of what you have and practice good stewardship and moderation.  I have a tendency toward consumerism and consumption, but I want to grow in consciousness, thoughtfulness and contentment.  Little by little I am changing, so, I'm crunchier...but still wear lipgloss.

My new "Tuperware"

Last year, I learned about the possible adverse effects of using plastic ware to store food.  The whole BPA thing scared me enough to get rid of all my Rubbermaid/Tuperware-like food storage containers.  I found a few glass and metal containers, but they were expensive.  Then one night while pouring some pasta sauce out of a jar, it dawned on me that the solution was literally "at hand".  Genius!  

Healthy foods that my kids love (me too)

This will be a list of foods that I consider to be both healthy and kid friendly.  2 of my 3 kids are very picky eaters and they love the following:

• Phillipine Brand dried Mangoes - I found them at Costco first, then my local Walmart started carrying them.  Now, dried fruit of any kind is calorie dense and full of sugar, but I think its better than candy or chips.  Don't even bother trying any other brand of dried mango, I've tried them all (Whole Foods, Sprouts, etc) and they all taste like shoe leather.  This brand however is fresh and delicious!
• Bob's Red Mill 5 Grain Rolled Whole Grain Hot Cereal with flaxseed - everyone in my family loves this.  Super hearty, chewy yummy-ness!  Of course we put brown sugar on it.
• Horizon  Tuberz, or Stonyfield YoKids Squeezers (like Go-gurts).  I put these in the freezer and the kids eat them like frozen yogurt popsicles.
• Simply Fruit, Fruit RollUps.  So far, I can only find them at Target.  My kids don't like the Twisted Fruit by Cliffbar or Fruitabu.  I was so happy to find these that they liked because I refuse to by "Fruit" snacks.

Green products that I love

I will keep a list here about different products that I love that are considered "green" and that are also priced competitively.  I consider myself light to medium green because in order for me to consider a product that is better for the earth and/or for myself, it has to work great and be cost effective.  For instance, I tried cleaning my house with vinegar and baking soda and it stunk!  Sure it was healthy for us to get rid of all the chemicals, but my house stunk!  

• Green Works (Clorox) natural dilutable cleaner.  I mix it myself in a labeled spray bottle.  I think I only paid about $3 for 28 ounces.  Since only use 1/2 cup to 1 and 1/2 gal of water, it is not only healthy, but more cost effective than vinegar.  It is coconut based with lemon oil (smells fresh) and is biodegradable.
• White Cloud Green Earth toilet paper.  This is made from 100% recycled paper and is as soft as the other stuff I was using.  It is priced very closely to it's non-recycled competitors - sometimes more, sometimes less expensive. 

Things that I really want to do (suburban hippie speaking)

• Build and plant a small raised bed garden - I already have an awesome self-contained, rotating composting bin.  I just need something on which to put my compost.  
  
• Raise a few egg laying chickens in my suburban back yard.
  
• Make and sell my reSnackle bags to save the world from plastic baggie abuse.
  

I'm not the most ambitious person around and this may take a few years.  We'll see how it goes, but with small kids still at home and my part time job as a group fitness instructor, I don't have a lot of spare time.  In Fall of 2010, my youngest will start school full time and then maybe... I'll get around to doing a lot more of what I dream of.

Reduce Reuse ReSnackle

I grew up with semi-hippie parents.  My dad had every issue of "Mother Earth News", they gardened, raised chickens, goats and other animals, and my mom would grind her own wheat to make bread, can vegetables and make jam.  They definitely lived by the motto "Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do or Do Without".  Any plastic bag that entered the house was used to wrap up sandwiches for lunches or stuffed into snow boots for extra water proofing.  It was bound to happen.  I now have an enormous sense of guilt if I don't wash out and reuse a good Ziploc bag several times.  When my kids started bringing their own lunches to school,  I had to do something or end up with some psychological disorder.  So here is my homemade solution...the reusable baggie.  I call it the "ReSnackle Bag".    I've made one for each of the kids and they love them.  The inside is lined with PUL, a food safe, poly-coated fabric, so you can pack things like grapes or carrots.  I usually use them for pretzels or cookies.   It is machine washable.  The strap opens so you can velcro it around a stroller or grocery cart for younger kids.  I still use a plastic baggie every now and then, but this has cut down my waste and my guilt, tremendously.