Category — Kids Nutrition

Recently, my friend sent me on an errand to pick up food for her six month old, who’s being raised on an organic diet.  While wandering through Whole Foods, I cam across Sprout—a baby food brand that I’d heard of before but didn’t know a whole lot about. To say the least, I was impressed.

Sprout’s foods are certified organic. For babies 6 months or older, they offer simple, single flavors like butternut squash, roasted apples, sweet peas, and roasted bananas. Tots over 7 months get tasty combinations like roasted apples and blueberries, oatmeal with roasted cinnamon applesauce, pasta with lentil bolognese, roasted bananas and brown rice, and sweet peas and green beans (mushy puree texture aside, these all sound pretty darn good!). What’s more, the meals come in pouches instead of jars, which are BPA-free and super easy to tote around in your diaper bag..

Find Sprout at Wegmans, Publix, or (of course) Whole Foods, or check ‘em out online at sproutbabyfood.com.

-Brittany KIWI staffer

I find grocery shopping totally overwhelming. For every one word on my list, there are fifty brands on the shelf competing for my business, trying to differentiate themselves with signifiers that don’t seem to have anything to do with why I need it. It helps to know that my mustard is Dijon or Yellow, but I don’t have the energy to decide whether I want my mustard to be in the tradition of Poland, Ireland, Holland, or India, whether I want it to contain Champagne or Chardonnay, be organic or just all-natural, be “One Mean Mustard” or a “Crazy Mother Pucker Maniacal Mustard.”  I don’t have the time, either. Actually, my barbecue starts in a half hour.

What’s worse, is that while navigating the complexities of branding, I now have to process more symbols cropping up on the packages of some of staple foods, like cereals and crackers and yogurts. They’re not exactly brand names—these small, colorful ovals and checks look like endorsements or seals of approval. Instinctually, they make me feel better about reaching for those products, but it’s unclear who’s giving me permission to feel good about them. Paranoid that I’m being manipulated by Big Food, I did some research into what these markings are all about. Of course, I’m not just being paranoid, all of these labels are industry-backed in some way. Here’s what I found out:

Smart Choices
This green check of distinction comes from the Smart Choices Program, in which companies pay to have their products reviewed for selection. Among the companies who signed up are Kraft, General Mills, and Pepsi; companies best known for polluting grocery store shelves with really terrible nutritional choices are footing the bill for a nutritional labeling program.

The good news? The program voluntarily stopped certifying products, after a lot of bad publicity, including criticism from the FDA, whose neutral, slightly complicated back-of-package labeling was compromised by the quick approval of a front-of-package check mark). Smart Choices’ criteria for selection was based on sheer nutrients, not the vehicle for those nutrients, which meant sugary cereals, vitamin enriched white bread, low-fat and regular mayonnaise all qualified.

Best Life

The green oval is the seal of approval of Best Life, a diet plan by Bob Greene and endorsed by Oprah Winfrey. The Best Life criteria are vague: “They contain one or more of the following nutritious ingredients: whole grains, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and other essential nutrients.”

Although it doesn’t say if companies pay for review by Best Life, the site calls the brands they approve of “partners,” and, with such expansive criteria, it’s impossible to imagine Oprah’s diet guru would have time to check every time on the shelf fairly. The list is hit or miss: offering healthy staples like Muir Glen organic canned veggies and Cascadian Farms cereals, but it also has dubious choices like artifically sweetened Slim Fasts, artificially-colored  yogurts. Also suspicious: Many of the brands listed—Progresso, Green Giant, Yoplait and more—are part of the General Mills family. Even if the General Mills products are healthy, it’s one company who is decidedly not involved in the Best Life plan for this planet.

Heart Check Mark

The red heart on your cereal box means that the American Heart Association has certified it a heart-healthy food. That means that the food is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which is good, but even the certification note admits it’s only one aspect of reducing your risk of heart disease. Heart Check does not take sugar, calories, glycemic index into account—all of which can contribute to obesity and, in effect, heart disease. What’s the cost of this faint praise? To participate in the AHA’s certification program, manufacturers pay $7,500 per product the first year, and $4,500 every year after that.

Chalk it up to more proof that the real healthy foods don’t have boxes and wrappers to stick labels on. Next time I’m feeling stressed in the supermarket, I’ll stick to the perimeter.

-Kat, Editorial Intern

It’s been one hot summer. Here in Austin, Friday was the first day I can remember where the temp’s dropped below 100 degrees (earlier that week, it was 107!), and it was all the locals could do but marvel at how wonderfully cool it felt. Heck, 96 degrees might constitute a heat advisory in most parts of the country—but around here, we were picnicking outside. And I know central Texas isn’t the only place that’s been sizzling. My friends and family in the Northeast were constantly talking about the heatwave that never seemed to end. And whenever I watched Al Roker talk about what’s going on across the country, the words I heard most often were “heat advisory”.

Phew, I’m hot just thinking about it.

While I’d give anything to take my dog for a walk without breaking a sweat right now,(or to even be able to comfortably wear pants, or a shirt with sleeves!) I know I’ll be kicking myself come winter. If you’re in the same boat, I encourage you to enter the YoKids Real Food, Real Fun Sweepstakes for a chance to win a luxury-included family vacation to the warm, sunny Beaches Resort of your choice in Turks & Caicos or Jamaica. Come February when everyone else is trudging through the wind and slush, you could be lounging on the beach while working on your tan. And then you can thank me.

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

Biking is such a great, healthy, eco-friendly, family activity, but how do you know you’re buying the right bike gear?

Bikes are a big deal at my house. My husband Marc has three (in various states of ride-ability), and I have one (currently mainly collecting dust, which I blame on the dog, because I spend most of my outside time running with her). Because Marc is such a serious cyclist (he has the spandex and shaved legs to prove it), he/we get asked all the time for advice in picking out bikes and bike gear.

His number one rule is: Get a bike that fits. Go to a shop, get measured, and don’t be tempted by deals on ebay for bikes that would be just a little too big or small. Fit is key to happy, healthy riding. Also, he is anti-training wheels—says they don’t help kids learn balance. And as someone who didn’t learn to ride a bike until age 9, after many years with pink training wheels, I think he’s right.

One question that has stumped us in the past, though, is when parents ask us what kind of trailer or seat they should get for their kids. But now I have a solution. The Kangaroo bike is a safe, stylish way to ride around town with your kids (without having to look over your shoulder—dangerous!—to make sure they’re okay back there). Just wear a helmet, please, unlike the model in this picture! I love this review of it, too—lots of great detail.

I haven’t tried this out myself, but I trust that it’s great: The first U.S. importer of these bikes is J.C.Lind Bike Co. in Chicago—owned by the little (now all grown up) brother of one of my best grade school friends. Trust me: The Linds would never steer us wrong!

—Sarah, KIWI editorial director

Have you ever really thought about adhesives? (I know I never had!) Not craft glue for art projects, but the heavy-duty stuff used to hold wood furniture together. Like most glues, the average wood adhesive contains formaldehyde-emitting petroleum, which has been shown to cause water eyes, plus nose, mouth, and throat irritation, as may be related to cancer. This isn’t stuff you want to have in your house, to be sure, and a healthier solution may be on the horizon: Say hello to soy!

From food to housing insulation, people have been using soy for centuries. Now, soy flour is being used in wood glue, too. The new sticky soy stuff works just as well as it’s petroleum-based counterparts, say scientists at the USDA, who have been testing the new formula under a variety of conditions. Currently, soy glue for wood makes up only 5 percent of the wood adhesive market, but this number could rise to nearly 20 percent by 2014, says the United Soy Board.

-Jillian, KIWI intern

It’s summer, and baby showers are in full swing. Another invitation means another organic gift—and this time, I’m choosing Lafe’s. I heard about the company through a friend who swears by their natural deodorant, and after checking out their website for myself, I was super impressed by their selection of natural and organic products. Lafe’s is the first organic, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free baby care line free of BPA, phthalates, parabens, propylene glycol, pesticides, and SLS.

Offerings include a foaming shampoo and wash, baby oil, insect repellent, baby lotion, plus an aloe vera-infused deodorant for moms-to-be. Best of all, Lafe’s donates 1 percent of company profits to support breast cancer awareness and prevention. “What goes on your body goes in your body—so it’s important to use products made from natural ingredients,” says founder, Lafe Larson.

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

Yoga and I have never been friends. I have a natural, um, gift of waking up as though I’ve already had 10 cups of coffee, which means BAM! I’m off—racing around with to-do lists of to-do lists of lists I-really-have-to-do….Let’s just say more than one person over the years has suggested that I try yoga to help me relax. Or, as my mom put it: “Yoga could help you be less of a high-strung nut-job.” That’s a compliment, right? Thanks, mom.

So fine, I can take a hint. I bought myself a yoga DVD a couple years back, and gave myself a pep talk that yes, I can bend it like Gumby. Right. I’ll spare you the entire story, but my first try was my last try: During a particularly delicate pose where my foot somehow made it up near my head, I looked over just in time to see an airborne blur of black and white fur barreling towards me, landing full-force on my stomach. The hairball with feet was Sniffles, my ridiculous cat, who’d been in hot pursuit of an imaginary mouse. And so my yoga session ended with fur flying, bad words being uttered, and Sniffles and I not speaking to each other for the rest of the day.

Which brings me to this morning when I was sitting at my desk, busily drafting the third version of today’s to-do list, when I saw an article headline, “New study finds connection between yoga and mood.” Eh? If it means a bad not-loving-my-cat kinda mood, I can relate. On further investigation (don’t worry, I added “further investigate yoga and mood” to my to-do list), it turns out that a new study from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) shows a link between yoga, increased GABA levels, (a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps create a calm state—of which I seem to be lacking entirely) and decreased anxiety. Now we’re talking. I contacted the lead study author, Chris Streeter, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry and neurology at BUSM to see what’s up with the study (i.e., what’s in it for me).

Here’s the gist of the findings:

· Study participants—random, healthy, yoga rookies—who practiced yoga three times a week for one hour, reported a more significant decrease in anxiety and greater improvements in mood than those who walked for the same period of time.

· This is the first study to demonstrate an association between yoga, increased GABA levels, (low GABA levels have been linked with depression and anxiety) and decreased anxiety.

· Regularly practicing yoga could be a potential therapy for certain anxiety issues due to yoga’s positive effect on  GABA levels.

Okay, but what if, oh, I don’t know, there’s someone who’s had a poor yoga experience in her past, meaning the thought of doing it three times a week for an hour each time sounds about as fun as cleaning out a litter box—even though this person could, perhaps, benefit from a little relaxing? Well, while there’s no specific data on different doses of yoga, says Dr. Streeter, bottom line: Any yoga is better than none—that is, as long as it’s done under the instruction of a trained professional, and preferably without any imaginary mice that need pursuing. And so for people with anxiety (and really, who doesn’t have anxiety?), it may be time to start getting familiar with some serious downward dogging.

That’s it, Sniffles. You, me, and the yoga DVD have a date tonight. Wish me luck.

-Amy, KIWI articles editor

Each year, billions of pads and tampons are sent to landfills, and hundreds of thousands of applicators are found on beaches. Not only is the waste unnecessary, the chlorine bleach used to whiten tampons breaks down into a carcinogen called dioxin, which can leach into drinking water. And then there are all the pesticides used to grow the cotton. Next month, consider these options for a greener period:

Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free Organic Cotton Tampons
20-count box: $6
These tampons contain only organic cotton, certified by Quality Assurance International, Inc. No rayon (found in most tampons, its fibers can cause ulcerations linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome), no fragrance, and no bleach.

Moonpads:
Medium flow starter kit: $33.50
This Etsy seller makes reusable panty liners and maxi pads from with organic cotton in super cute patterns. They’re as absorbent as disposable pads and washer- and dryer-friendly.

DivaCup
1 cup and storage pouch: $35
The FDA-approved Diva cup collects menstrual flow internally. It’s made from medical-grade silicone, is easy to wash, and only needs to be emptied once every twelve hours. Plus, since you’ll never have to buy another tampon or maxi pad (or ruin another pair of undies), it pays for itself fast.

—Kat, KIWI intern

Which lunch choices will re-energize your child for an afternoon in the classroom—and which ones will put her in a sleepy slump? What are the best snacks to offer when she comes home starving at the end of a busy day? Learn how to kick this school year off to a nutritious start with Elizabeth Ward, a registered dietician, author of Expect the Best: Your Guide to Healthy Eating Before, During, & After Pregnancy, and an expert in healthy food for kids. She’ll explain nutrition basics for kids (plus how they affect school performance!), tips for packing lunches your child will love, plus smart after school snack strategies. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask her questions, too!

Lunches, Snacks, and More: Healthy Eating for Back to School Tuesday, August 17th at 8 P.M. EST

Hurry, this free event is almost full!

Feeding Fido or Kitty might require a bit more than just filling a bowl with kibble. “Most pet foods are made for adequate—not optimal—performance, and can be lacking in important nutrients,” says Jean Hofve, DVM, a holistic veterinarian in Denver, Colorado. Help your dog or cat get the most out of his meals with these two add-ins:

• Omega-3s They ease inflammation on the inside while making your pet’s coat shinier on the outside. Mix in 2 tablespoons of fish oil per five pounds of chow for bigger dogs, or poke a hole in a fish oil capsule and squeeze the oil over food for cats and smaller pooches.

• Extra protein Many pet foods skimp on meat to keep costs low, but dogs’ and cats’ bodies were designed to take in lots of protein. Make up for what he’s missing by supplementing your pet’s diet with up to 15 percent of lightly cooked ground chicken or turkey, says Hofve.

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

Believe it or not, summer’s winding down. If your kids are finally tired of lazy days spent by the pool—never fear! August is chock-full of wacky (and fun!) ‘holidays’ (remember International Clown Day?). Archaeology Day is August 17th, and archaeologists the world over want you to celebrate human artifacts. Instead of busting the piggy bank for a trip to the museum, why not throw an Ancient Dig Party? Here, what you’ll need to make yours fossil-rific:

• Sandbox You don’t need to live near the pyramids in order to have an archaeological adventure. The dig site for your little scientist can be right in your backyard. No sandbox? Hit a local park, or make your own by putting craft store sand in a cardboard box.

• Bones What’s a fossil dig without bones? Make some out of all-natural Aroma Dough, borrow some from Fido, or save some of the leftovers from last night’s chicken dinner (don’t forget to clean them off, first!).

• Artifacts What kind of items do you think our ancient ancestors had on hand? Find costume gems at a craft store, or break up an old flower pot to create new ancient finds.
• Tools Your kid can dig with a small trowel, garden hoe, or even a sandbox shovel. And don’t forget the tape measure and notepad to measure artifacts and record data!
• Certificate After he’s collected all his fossils, your child is officially a Kid Archaeologist. Hooray!

-Jillian, KIWI intern

This summer, my mother decided to re-do our kitchen (oh, the joys of still living at home!). I don’t have enough fingers on my hands to count  how many kitchen showrooms I visited in search of the most eco-friendly (yet still reasonably-priced) appliances for our new room. Just to put it out there, this is not my cup of tea: I enjoy cooking from time to time, but the thought, “Wow, what a beautiful microwave!” just never crossed my mind before. Suffice it to say, the only thing I pay attention to in the kitchen is food.

On one of our 10,000 trips, we went to Miele‘s showroom in Princeton, and for the first time ever, I understood the joys of kitchen shopping. The place was filled with stainless steel appliances galore, and being surrounded by so much gorgeous stuff was actually a little overwhelming. Dishwashers? Check. Cook tops? Check. Conventional ovens? Check.  This was a four-hour excursion that I actually enjoyed (but if you ever run into my mom, please don’t tell her!). Miele’s products are beautiful, durable, unique, and user-friendly. Best of all, they’re easy on the environment, since all of their wares are recyclable and are free of toxic materials.

The ending to this story? I can proudly say that our new kitchen is home to plenty of new Miele appliances–and my mother could not be happier!

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

We’ve been thinking about indoor air quality a lot lately at KIWI. (See Editorial Director Sarah Smith on Greenguard and Miele.) When trying to get rid of indoor air pollutants, we tend to think in terms of human behavior—How can we adjust the way we construct and inhabit our indoor environments to avoid polluting them?—but it turns out part of the solution is simply to bring the outdoors in.

Common houseplants can help remove pollutants from the air, according to a study published by NASA in the late 80s. Yes, that NASA. Even before the 70s energy crisis spawned the construction of low-ventilation, cheap to heat, and eventually, very polluted buildings, NASA was leading the world in indoor air quality research because they were particularly interested in the health effects of living in a sealed environment made of synthetic materials. Just as we were beginning to understand “sick building” syndrome, NASA was preparing for  “sick space station” syndrome.

The basic premise of the finding is that plants ‘inhale’ some of the pollutants in the air, along with the carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis, and ‘exhale’ clean oxygen, acting as a filter. The houseplants NASA studied had the advantage of being tropical plants, which evolved in low-light environments and are therefore extra efficient at trapping gases. The astronauts put it best:

“Since man’s existence on Earth depends on a life support system involving an intricate relationship with plants and their associated microorganisms, it should be obvious that when he attempts to isolate himself in tightly sealed buildings away from this ecological system, problems will arise. [...] If man is to move into closed environments, on Earth or in space, he must take along nature’s life support system.”

The study is admittedly a little vintage, and has yet to be followed up or replicated. However, those of us who talk to our orchids can confirm that houseplants will improve your indoor quality of life overall.

Shopping for a new houseplant? Check out The New Ecologist’s “Top 10 Natural, Eco-Friendly, and Anti-Pollutant Houseplants” for inspiration.

-Kat, KIWI intern

Fridays are special, magical days that, much like federal holidays, should be celebrated with a chipper, laid-back, not-terribly-industrious kind of attitude. So when small details like having to go to work crop up, I like to mentally reward myself for all the achievements I accomplish throughout the day. Made it to work on time? Gold star for me! Wore jeans instead of pjs to the office? That’s one more star! Managed to edit a page without wondering what I should do with my cat Sniffles this weekend? Another gold star for yours truly.

My favorite Friday double-star-worthy achievement is the good I do by clicking on random things online while planted at my desk—hypothetically speaking, of course. Ahem. Anyway, the other day (a Wednesday, or as I like to think of it, one of the six non-Fridays), a book came across my desk that caught my attention. I can admit that my initial interest was snagged by the vivid yellow color of the cover (hey, some baby stages, like being attracted to brightly-colored objects, don’t need to be grown out of), but when I started flipping though How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist: 330 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Home, Community, and World—at No Cost and came to the chapter on doing good by using your computer (i.e., using very little effort or brainpower while kicked back in a comfy seated position), I was hooked. But really, the phrase “goof off for good” is all I needed to see to keep reading.

So in honor of this laissez-faire Friday, let me share with you a couple of author Nicole Bouchard Boles’ genius do-good ideas:

Click-to-Donate

All you have to do is point and click and you can make some fabulous philanthropic waves. Click on HungryChildren.com (where one click helps provide food, medication, and other necessities to a child), TheChildHealthSite.com (which helps get children the healthcare they need), or the Tarahumara Children’s Hospital Fund (one click donates one minute of medical care to a child)—all sites that are set up to receive donations from advertisers and sponsors on a per-click basis. Check out CharityClickDonation.com for more charity click-happy locales.

Play for a Cause

For those of you looking for more of a clicking challenge, check out FreeRice.com. You can show off your vocabulary skills with a free quiz, and every answer you get right means the site’s sponsors will donate enough money to purchase twenty grains of rice for the UN World Food Program. Positively ambrosial! Some other trivia clickers: HelpThirst.com and FreePoverty.com.

Did you click yet? Well, gold star for you for even considering it. Happy Friday!

-Amy, KIWI articles editor

We’re lucky, here at KIWI’s editorial office in New York, to have a sample closet overflowing with tasty treats. Of all the genres of snack food represented in the closet, my favorite is the Healthy Version of the Junk Food Staple. Even when chips, cookies and candies are purged of ‘bad’ ingredients like trans fats and refined carbs, they still appeal to the allure of forbidden food. They satisfy my impulse to use junk foods as a reward, but save me the nutritional hangover. Here’s what I can’t get enough of this month:

Chips: Snikiddy Baked Fries, Classic Ketchup flavor.

These potato and cornmeal chips have the dimensions of McDonald’s french fries, the texture of cheese puffs, and the distinct flavor of ketchup. It sounds gross, but they are addictively tangy and have just the right amount of sweetness—they may even be better than the real 57. One KIWI intern, for whom french fries are a particular weakness, said they reminded her of summer and being at the shore—minus seagulls trying to scam her fries.

Bonus: Even though the Baked Fries look like a highly-processed laboratory food, I recognize all of the ingredients as real food in my pantry. No nuts, gluten or corn syrup, either.

Cookies: Bear Naked Soft-Baked Granola Cookies, Fruit and Nut flavor

We recently came to the consensus that cookies are pointless unless they’re home-baked, yet these are quickly disappearing. Dense with organic oats, nuts and dried fruit, they are more of a hybrid food—healthier than a cookie but tastier than a granola bar. I didn’t feel ashamed to have one for breakfast.

Bonus: They improve greatly with a few seconds in the microwave.

Candy: Q.bel All Natural Wafer Bars, Double Dark flavor

I know some people satisfy their chocolate cravings with austere square inches of fine dark chocolate. I’m not that person. I’ve got to have the complete candy bar experience, colorful wrapper and all. A Q.bel bar fits the bill, and contains less sugar than a Luna bar. The Double Dark flavor has airy dark chocolate mousse wedged between crisp wheat wafer cookies and dipped in Belgian dark chocolate. Best, each pocket-sized pouch comes with two bars. They are light, not too sweet, and—by the same psychology that made Twix and Almond Joys my childhood favorites—totally satisfying.

Bonus: Nothing hydrogenated or artificial. The Double Dark flavor is vegan!

—Kat, KIWI intern

KIWI is proud to announce that our friends at Truly Organic Baking have won a 2010 sofi(tm) Gold Award! Truly Organic Baking was founded in 2006 by Kari Ani Shiozawa in efforts to raise her daughter in a holistic and organic lifestyle.  Kari Ani’s mission was to provide people with true organic goodness through her baking.  She makes it her effort to create a product line that is affordable, organic and super tasty (I’ve tried her banana bread and pancakes mixes, and can definitely vouch!)  Truly Organic Baking’s Bakers Basics(tm) Banana Bread was named Outstanding USDA Organic Product of 2010 in the 38th Annual sofi(tm) Awards from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. The sofi(tm) Awards recognize the top specialty food and beverages and stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation.  Truly Organic Baking was one of 140 silver finalists and beat out 2,257 contenders.  Congratulations, Truly Organic Baking!

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

Many of us are moving towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle and the mantra “reduce, reuse and recycle” is becoming more popular than ever. Unfortunately, Americans still have a long way to go when it comes to reducing their plastic consumption. The good news: Single-use plastic grocery bags could see the end of the tunnel very soon, starting on the West coast. Soon, California may be the first state to ban the bags. 

In a 41 to 27 vote, California’s state assembly recently passed a bill to stop grocery stores from offering plastic bags starting in January 2012. If it’s passed by the state senate, customers would have to use their own reusable bags or pay five cents for a paper bag made from recycled materials. 

San Francisco and Washington D.C. have already started charging customers for disposable bags, and for good reason. It’s estimated that Americans use 100 billion plastic bags each year—and only .6 percent are recycled properly. 

Here in New York, there are tons of bags strewn across streets and parks, so I think enforcing resusable bag use is a great idea. Usually I bring reusable bags to the grocery store and end up saving money, since many stores give a discount if you bring your own bags. I do forget occasionally, but I wouldn’t mind forking over a few cents in those instances since this is something I’m passionate about. 

What do you think? Would you be willing to switch to reusable bags only or would you be okay with paying a nickel for every new bag you used? 

-Victoria, KIWI intern

I’m not what you’d call a natural athlete. I have the flexibility of a pencil, as demonstrated during gymnastics classes as a kid, and I have the coordination of a puppy, as proven by my early attempts to ride a bike. I grew up in a house that had a long driveway in front, meaning there was plenty of room to practice biking, which I did. But there was one problem: A highway at the end of the driveway. Sounds scary, right? It wasn’t. At least not for anyone else. My parents made sure there was never any real threat that my siblings and I would end up zooming into traffic— something both my brother and sister seemed to grasp. But not me. Not being terribly coordinated to begin with, and lacking the fundamental understanding of anything as highly mechanical as making a bike stop, my way of keeping safe was to throw myself sideways into the bushes halfway down the driveway, much to the shrieking delight of my brother and sister. One day, I finally decided that I’d picked enough branches out of my hair, and thus ended my cycling career.

It’s not without some irony that many years later, I realize that I’ve ended up with a man who loves cycling. Loves as in let’s-watch-every-second-of-the-three-week-Tour-de-France-every-year, which, while exciting at some points, is, let’s face it, a lot of time spent watching skinny men decked out in unattractive spandex, pedal, pedal, and pedal some more. For three entire weeks.

But along the way of our marathon bike watching, I have managed to pick up a thing or two:

One: People who choose to race up mountains on tiny little seats are crazy, yes, but unbelievably talented, too.

Two: No one should wear spandex. Really, ever.

Three: There are a lot of bikes out there. Not only in the race (even I picked up on that one), but in garages, basements, landfills…lots of bikes that people have outgrown or abandoned for real sports like scrapbooking. Oh, wait, that’s just me. Anyway, there are lots of bikes and lots of people who need bikes—not for sport, but rather, for something as basic as getting water for their families.

So maybe you’re like me with a really old bike sitting in a garage, or like my boyfriend who just upgraded his ride and now has an extra one, or perhaps your kids are growing at warp speed and leaving a trail of too-small bikes in their wake, but if you have an unused bike, consider donating it to organizations that bring them to countries in need. Check out Bicycles for Humanity, a nonprofit that works to empower poor, women, children, and HIV positive people in Africa by giving them the opportunity to bike—instead of walk—to get water, medical help, or go to school. Or consider Village Bicycle Project, a group that supplies bikes, spare parts, tools, and bike maintenance training classes for people in Africa, as well. We may not all be Tour de France-worthy cyclists, or even, ahem, be able to stay upright on two wheels, but we may be able to help provide those who need it most with basic transportation. And that’s a great victory.

-Amy, articles editor

I discovered that regular crayons, like Crayola, are made from petroleum wax. As an alternative to petroleum, earth-friendly crayons are be made from biodegradable, renewable sources like soy and beeswax. Recently, I found a set of eco crayons from Prang in the office, and set to work doing some serious product testing in the name of KIWI (read: coloring!). I wasn’t sure how these crayons would stack up against the familiar, conventional brands I used as a kid, but they turned out to be great. Prang crayons produce a bright color and glide smoothly across the paper. So go ahead—color outside the lines with some green crayons! ($1-$5.50, prang.com)

Who knew one of the greatest partnerships of all time—Ben + Jerry—could get any better? The ice cream kings recently partnered with Target to debut two new, exclusive Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors to support volunteerism: Berry Voluntary (raspberry cheesecake flavored ice cream laced with white chocolate chunks and raspberry swirls) and Brownie Chew Gooder (vanilla caramel ice cream loaded with fudge brownie pieces and caramel swirls). These ridiculously tasty concoctions were created to encourage people to volunteer in their local communities through a special promotion called “Scoop it Forward.”

Here’s how to thrill your taste buds and warm your fuzzy philanthropic heart at the same time:

• Go to VolunteerMatch.org/scoopitforward to register for a volunteer opportunity in your neighborhood.
• Forward the volunteer opportunity to five friends.

That’s it! You, and your lucky friends, will each receive a coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, redeemable at Target stores, while supplies last. Sweet.

-Amy, KIWI articles editor

The thought that crosses most everyone’s mind when eating out: “Whoa, that’s a lot of food!” Of course, I’m no exception, and I gasped at the 10-ounce Santa Fe burger and fries (enough for two people!) put in front of me at lunch yesterday. And like people, I ate about 98 percent of what was on my plate. Needless to say, I was still full at seven that night. 

While America’s enthusiasm for eating healthy has increased, it seems so, too, have the portion sizes. Case in point: Over the past 20 years, snacks have gotten 60 percent bigger, soft drinks 50 percent bigger, and hamburgers 20 percent bigger, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. In response, the Food and Drug Administration is considering changing the serving size guidelines on food label nutrition facts. With the way many Americans eat today, a serving size of six chips seems a little laughable (we’ve all polished off a full bag at some point, right?). Since people are eating more than the recommended serving size anyway, the FDA is currently debating changing serving sizes to the average American portion. 

You might be thinking, that’s crazy! True, such a move might just serve to encourage people to continue eating more than they should instead of scaling back. However, the opposite effect might present: once folks see the number of calories they’re really consuming, they might trim portions on their own.

-Victoria, KIWI intern

Here’s the latest and greatest of what’s going on in the mom blogosphere. Interested in having your blog featured? Let us know in the comments!

• Pick up a bouquet of flowers the next time you’re at the farmer’s market and use the petals for an all-natural facial, says Smiling Green Mom. 
• What to do when your child doesn’t succeed? Natural as Possible Mom shares her experience parenting through failure. 
• Splish splash! The Soft Landing has plenty of picks for PVC-free kiddie pools and water toys. 
• A Happy Hippy Mom makes White Pizza with Broccoli and Mushrooms. 
• What natural pet food is best for your pooch? Green and Clean Mom reviews her new favorite.

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

Created by the Serena & Lily Foundation, the World Repair Kit is a must-have item for eco-conscious families! This activity kit created to inspire social change is packed with quick facts and activities that empower kids to help make a difference in our world.  This kit includes a 205-page guide book, activity passport, stamps, stickers and more to help your child (or spouse!) make the world a better place all in one box!  This kit is recommended for ages 8 and older and all net proceeds go to the Serena & Lily Foundation, funding youth initiatives across the world.  This is a great buy at only $24.95.  To start your children on the path to eco-consciousness, check out worldrepairkids.com. 

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

If you haven’t yet heard, we’re experiencing a heat wave here in the Northeast. (With temps reaching triple digits, I’m sweating just writing about it!) Blasting the AC is one surefire way to stay cool—but it seriously racks up your home’s carbon emissions. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, green fixes. 

Set your thermostat to remain at a constant temperature, about 78° F. Turn the temp up manually when leaving the house for a long period of time, and reset it when you return (it’ll only take about 15 minutes to cool down again). 

Run big appliances at night. Using an oven or stovetop can easily raise temperatures in the house by ten degrees, so cook with heat after dark or opt for salads, sandwiches, or foods you can grill outdoors. 

Keep your shades and blinds closed. These block out the sun and prevent the rooms from getting too hot. 

For more ideas on keeping your home green and cool, click here.

-Victoria, KIWI intern

KIWI’s June/July issue is all about pregnancy and babies, so I sure wish I’d heard about iPregnancy a few months earlier! Created by an OB/GYN, the new iPhone app helps busy, expecting mamas stay a little more organized. The program tracks pregnancy-related information (doctor appointments!), stores data (ultrasound photos!), finds answers to medical questions (how much weight should I gain?), and even offers up a list of the top 1,000 baby names for any given year. Maybe the best feature of all? Receiving updates on your baby’s next developmental milestone based on her due date. ($3, ipregnancyapp.com).

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

School gardens seem to be popping up everywhere. Every time I turn on the TV, I see a commercial for a fast food chain that’s rolling out lighter kids’ meal options, like apple slices instead of French fries. And there’s been no shortage of coverage of Michelle Obama’s initiatives to combat childhood obesity. Clearly, steering youngsters towards healthier food options is a priority in America today—so why are the majority of options on the kids’ menus at almost every restaurant so unhealthy?

Despite the constant calls to end the problem of childhood obesity, a study of the top 13 restaurant chains found that over 90 percent of kids’ menu offerings contain much higher calorie counts than what’s recommended for children ages 4 to 8. Now, maybe your family doesn’t frequent places like McDonald’s, Chili’s, or Denny’s—but everyone eats out sometimes, and whether you’re hitting up a major chain restaurant or supporting the mom and pop joint that serves up local, organic, 100 percent ethically responsible food, almost every eatery has a kids’ menu loaded with the same unhealthy stuff. While it’s great that the town diner uses Farmer Joe’s Cheddar in their mac and cheese and hormone-free white meat in their hand-breaded chicken fingers, but the calorie counts are the same as any other mac and cheese and chicken fingers. Equally bad, with the same old kids’ menu standards to constantly fall back on, children aren’t given the opportunity to develop a taste for more interesting, sophisticated fare that’s usually far more nutritious.

It might be an unpopular stance, but I say down with the kids’ menus. By encouraging your child to try something new off the regular menu, she’ll have an opportunity to eat a little bit healthier—and maybe even learn to like something new. If it’s too pricey, you can always split an entree with her or bring the rest home for another meal (restaurant portions are always huge anyway!).

What do you think? Are kids’ menus harmless fun (after all, once you reach a certain age it starts being weird to order a smiley face pancake or hot dog mac and cheese) or something to be avoided at all costs?

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

Did you know that five of the world’s seven species of sea turtles live in the Gulf of Mexico—and that all of them are considered threatened or endangered species? What’s more, the situation is being made worse due to oil disaster in the Gulf—but that’s not the only problem.

Dead sea turtles have been washing up on the shores of many southern states since the oil spill began in late April. However, autopsies performed on more than half of the creatures showed the turtles weren’t dying directly because of the oil. Instead, the cause of death was drowning due to shrimping boats, researchers say. Government-regulated shrimp harvesters had previously been required to keep an escape device open in their nets to allow trapped turtles a safe exit, however, the shrimpers have closed off their nets while rushing to catch as many shrimp as they can before their waters become contaminated with oil.  Now, almost 70 days after the explosion, hundreds of sea turtles have been caught in shrimping nets and died. The situation will likely only get worse—unless we do our part to help them. Join the National Wildlife Federation as they work to save the sea turtles by donating your time, money, or supplies. It’s our world and our job to help those who can’t, so let’s do our part!

-Angela, KIWI intern

Today is the final installment in our five-part series on keeping girls in the sciences, based on the American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) report, Why So Few?. Read Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 for more ways to empower the girls in your life.

4. Expose her to women working in science.

Make sure your daughter has access to positive images of women in xcience, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It’s hard for girls to identify with fields and careers that they don’t see women in. The AAUW representatives suggested that low visibility may contribute to the stereotype that men are better suited to scientific jobs.

Point out women in science in the media to girls. Keep an eye out for studies led by women in the science section of your newspaper and women being interviewed for their scientific expertise on TV. An easy example that resonates with young women is AK Barnett-Hart, the Harvard alumna whose senior economics thesis clarified the sub-prime mortgage crisis, even for the experts. (She also spent a year studying violin at Julliard!) Even an expert character on a CSI-style show can reinforce that women belong in the field. Not only do these women provide role models, they also show your daughter that getting good grades isn’t just a way into college. In math and science class, she’s learning skills that will open up career paths for her.

Starved for representations of women in science in the media? Discuss the lack with your daughter. Women earned the majority of degrees in biology and chemistry in 2006. How does that compare to the ratio of male and female doctors on TV hospital dramas? You don’t have to look hard for current events and national issues (the recession, the Gulf Coast oil spill, national security, and global warming) that can be springboards for a discussion about why we need all Americans, not just the men, driving scientific innovation. You can also show girls the ways in which scientific achievement is valued, including by President Obama, through his “Educate to Innovate” campaign.

Camps and after school programs are an excellent way to expose girls to working women scientists. Sally Ride Science Camps are available in California and Massachusetts. The Girl Scouts offer great programming and resources for girls interested in science. Check your local college campus for activities too, often groups like Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) sponsor lectures and volunteer in the community.

-Kat, KIWI intern

“A five percent increase in body mass index and seven percent decrease in classroom engagement.” These are just two outcomes of a study on what happens when toddlers watch too much television.

 
The Universite de Montreal, the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center and the University of Michigan published their results, which concluded that “every additional hour of TV exposure among toddlers corresponded to a future decrease in classroom engagement,” says Dr. Pagani.

 
The goal of the study was to determine the impact of TV on future academic success and lifestyle choices. Pagani states that “between the ages of two and four, even incremental exposure to television delayed development.”
The study reinforces the fact that many households need guidelines for how much TV their children watch.

Do you have any rules? Share with us your ideas of ways to lessen the amount of television watched in your house.

Three things to do instead of watch TV:
1. Go for a walk in town or around the block. This gives you time to talk and learn things about each other. 
2. Go play your child’s favorite sport or join him in his hobby. If your kids like to play soccer, or have fun on the monkey bars, go to your local playground so you can do both activities.
3. Take a field trip. Explore the towns around you. You can even make it a weekend long field trip and visit another state!

-Victoria, Editorial Intern

Swimming lessons might help kids develop good balance! A study found that when babies took swimming lessons, they were better at activities that involve balance, like jumping rope, when they got older. The study was done by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and showed that babies who took swimming classes for two hours a week, from the age of 2-7 months old, had better balance. The study also showed that the infants who had learned to swim at a young age were better at grasping things than babies who didn’t take swimming lessons. This difference was even evident when the babies were 5 years old!

The study was done in Iceland. Hermundur Sigmundsson, a psychology professor at NTNU, and Brian Hopkins, a psychology professor at Lancaster University in the U.K., compared 38 babies. The groups were split in two- 19 babies who did take swimming lessons, and 19 babies who did not. All factors besides the swim classes were the same, including parents’ education, housing and economic status.

When the babies were 5 years old they were tested with exercises like walking on tiptoes, balancing on one foot, skipping rope, rolling a ball into a goal, and catching a beanbag. “We saw very clearly that baby swimmers were the best in exercises that related to balance and the ability to reach for things” said Sigmundsson.
While some parents might shy away from dipping their kids in a pool at such an early age, many have seen the benefits. What other activities do you think could speed up a child’s development?

By Angela, KIWI intern

According to projections by the U.S. Department of Labor, nine out of ten of the fastest-growing occupations that require college degrees also require a focus in science and math. Will your daughter be in one of them? Probably not. Women still hold only a fraction of the professional positions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This week, KIWIlog is parsing Why So Few?, a report recently published by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to show you how you can pave a path toward success in science and math for the girls you care about.

Read Part 1 on intelligence here and read the AAUW’s full report here.

2. Discuss stereotype threat.

Since 1990, girls have consistently earned higher grades than boys in high school math and science, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Yet girls continue to lag behind boys in math and science scores on high stakes tests like the SAT and AP exams. The AAUW suggests that stereotypes may be the cause, not the result, of this gender gap. Although we have made great gains over the past fifty years, biases about girls’ and women’s intellectual capabilities persist, sometimes subconsciously.

According to the AAUW, elementary school–age children know of the stereotype that girls are not as good as boys in math, and mere awareness of this stereotype negatively affects girls’ performance in math and science, a phenomenon called “stereotype threat.” Their report cites a University of Michigan study in which a co-ed group of students with the same grades and interests was told that men are usually better at math and then administered a math test. The women performed much worse than the men; out of 30 points, the women averaged 5 and the men averaged 25.  In a second group of students with the same grades and interests who had not been told about the stereotype, the men and women performed almost identically. The women averaged 17 points and the men 19. The researchers believe the stereotype burdens women with extra cognitive and emotional work, affecting their speed and accuracy.

Luckily, the study showed that you can help your daughter overcome stereotype threat simply by making her aware of its existence. Make sure she’s exposed to female role models in all fields, and remind her that math and science skills are not innate—boys have no advantage except their stereotype-enforced confidence.

Think you don’t have gender biases about math and science? Your subconscious might! Test yourself here. It’s free and confidential.

Part 3—how girls and boys interpret grades differently—tomorrow.

-Kat, KIWI intern

I like birds. I mean, what’s not to like—they’ve got pretty feathers, they hop instead of walk, and they’re the original tweeters. But my boyfriend loves birds. Loves as in has-more-bird-books-than-I’d-have-guessed-were-even-written; ranks-vacation-destinations-on-potential-birding-opportunities; and stops-to-name-a-zillion-different-birds-while-speeding-through-heavy-traffic. So when he started talking the other day about a bird charity, I confess that at first, I wasn’t fully paying attention, assuming he was about to impart more bird facts than my own bird-brain could handle. But once he said “rescue” and “injured,” and after an image of Tweety with a wing in a sling flew into in my head, I was intrigued with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research. After a little poking around, I discovered that this is one non-profit worth everyone’s full attention.

On December 26, 1976, during one of the worst winters of the century, a Liberian tanker ran aground in the Delaware River, making it the sixth major oil spill in the Northeast region of the U.S. in a three-year period. Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research was founded that winter to establish a team of wildlife biologists, veterinarians, pathologists, chemists and concerned citizens to study the effects of oil on birds and develop the protocols necessary to treat affected wildlife. Thirty years later, Tri-State is internationally recognized for its oiled bird rehab and research, and most recently, lauded for their efforts to save birds put in peril in the Gulf of Mexico, courtesy of BP.

It’s nearly impossible to look at the pictures coming out of the Gulf of pelicans covered in oil, their eyes staring bleakly into the camera, and not be filled with the desire to do something, anything to help. And at the same time, it’s easy to feel so overwhelmed by the sheer size of the disaster that the idea of making a difference seems hopeless. But because of groups like Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research who work year-round to save innocent wildlife, it’s not hopeless. In fact, it’s easy. After just a few minutes of clicking, I ended up being the proud adopted parent of Ishta Tanka (that’s his picture above), a Peregrine Falcon resident of Tri-State since 1997 who, while permanently injured and unable to fly, nonetheless gets to spend the rest of his years receiving top-notch care from the people at Tri-State.

Supporting Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research means we can help our feathered friends recover from yesterday’s tragedies, cope with today’s disasters, and be ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges. To learn how you can help a bird out, please go to tristatebird.org.

-Amy, KIWI articles editor

I love it when fun companies come up with great ways to help people. Because then I get do or try something cool on the way to giving back. Take Tropical Smoothie Cafe (a national healthy smoothie and sandwich chain): They have an initiative going on right now to raise money for Camp Sunshine, a place where kids with terminal illnesses (and their families) can go and have a great time. You can donate to the cause in the store, or by texting CAMP to 20222.

But here’s my favorite part: If you wear flip-flops to one of their locations on Friday the 18th, you’ll get a FREE smoothie. So how about getting the smoothie, then donating what you would have paid to Camp Sunshine?

-Sarah, KIWI editorial director

In recent years, natural living and wellness has gained a much larger marketplace than ever before. With so many big brand names in the eco-friendly living and sustainability forums,  it should come as no surprise that this company designed a website where people can come to find the latest in natural and healthy living.  Wellphoria is an online community that connects natural living providers, merchants and wellness-minded people alike to find inspiration to continue living life in a healthier and more natural way.  For a membership fee of $99/year, you gain access to unique discounts by obtaining a card, live experts, benefits and more. When signing up,  Wellphoria donates a portion of all membership fees to a charity chosen by your choice.  The Wellphoria Foundation also donates 10% of all non-profits  to help communities and the homeless and to eventually work with local communities to create a natural living center.  To sign up today and ream the benefits of this natural marketplace website, please visit wellphoria.com.

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

“The truth is, it’s never too early to get involved,” Miley Cyrus stated in her 2008 interview with Time Magazine, and she couldn’t be more right! It’s time for kids across the U.S. to “Get Ur Good On!”

 Miley Cyrus, a Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice Award nominated singer, actress, and best-selling author, has recently teamed up with Youth Service America to create Get Ur Good On, an organization dedicated to getting kids involved with their communities and make a positive impression on the world around them.

Get Ur Good On’s website is a place where kids can go and share what they have done to make their community and our world a better place. They can also share their ideas, links, and favorite ways to get involved. Get Ur Good On is also helping those who help others with 100 grants that will help fund youth-led projects in the U.S.

There are grants being given through Youth Service America for young people who are starting projects that deal with important issues in their communities as well. To receive one, all you have to do is visit Youth Service America’s website, make sure you fulfill the requirements and submit a request form and, if approved, you too can make a big difference within your community!

By Angela, KIWI Editorial Intern 

If there’s anything good to say about the oil spill in the Gulf, maybe it’s that more people are concerned about protecting the oceans than ever before. We wrote about some ways to help last week, and here are two more groups that are doing great, inspiring, long-term work:

Plant a Fish: Founded by Jacques Cousteau’s grandson, PAF helps communities bring important marine life back to distressed bodies of water. There will be marine-life re-planting programs all summer long.

Project Kaisei is working to remove plastic from the ocean and find other uses for it (like fuel!). If you’re lucky enough to live near water, join their cause by picking up trash before it gets washed away and eaten by birds or fish. 

—Sarah, KIWI editorial director

Yep, that’s my cat. Before you groan and think, “Great, one more person on the web talking about a pet—what’s next, vacation pictures?” I promise you that this isn’t just a random cat story (okay, there’s a bit of a cat story, but it’s for charity!).

Before I moved to New York a few years ago, I lived in Washington D.C. and was on the hunt for a furry friend. One of my coworkers who’d been subjected to countless stories about my growing up with disabled pets—a cocker spaniel with no eyes and a 6-lb pooch with one eye and no teeth—told me about a cat she’d seen at a Washington Animal Rescue League adoption event. All I had to hear was that there was a cat who’s “visually-impaired,” and I was hooked. And so began my 5-years plus of undying adoration for a chubby cat named Sniffles, an adorable furball who can barely see anything right in front of her, from her beloved green mouse to her rather aromatic food dish. One of the many things I love about her—I could go on and on, but, as promised, I won’t—is that despite terrible vision, she races through her feline life with an impressive amount of enthusiasm and absolutely no fear, even though this frequently means running into walls headfirst.

Without the Washington Animal Rescue League, Sniffs probably wouldn’t have made it past kittenhood (she was found in an abandoned building), and I wouldn’t have met my best fuzzy friend, for which I will always be grateful to the shelter for. When I heard about a charity program that benefits the Washington Animal Rescue League and other D.C. shelters, I jumped at the chance to help spread the word. It’s an added bonus that supporting the cause couldn’t be easier (or cheaper).

World’s Best Cat Litter™ (a natural, biodegradable, sustainable, and even flushable litter that’s made of corn and actually works!) launched their new charity program that donates cat litter to shelters via Facebook. Here’s how it works:

1. Become a fan of World’s Best Cat Litter on Facebook. For every new fan, one pound of litter immediately goes to the total raised that will be donated to Alley Cat Allies & Friends of Fairfax Animal Shelter, Washington Humane Society, and Washington Animal Rescue League.

2. Vote for your favorite organization once a day. For every vote, the company will donate 1/10th of a pound of cat litter. You can vote every day through July 16, 2010.

3. All three charities win. Depending on the number of fans and votes received, World’s Best Cat Litter™ will deliver free litter to each organization.

More fans and more votes means more free World’s Best Cat Litter™ for cats in need. Tell your friends, set a daily reminder to vote, and congratulate yourself on helping those who need it most. Also, be sure to keep checking back with World’s Best Cat Litter™ to see which city they’ll take their charity program to next.

On behalf of Sniffles and myself, thank you for supporting some amazing charities that offer love and life to homeless—often nearly helpless—critters.

-Amy, KIWI articles editor

Over 50 days after BP’s catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, many parents are still wondering how they and their kids can help. One great idea: Get your kids excited about helping the environment. Nickelodeon has teamed up with the National Wildlife Federation to do just that.
The Big Help has been a part of Nickelodeon since the 1990s. It started as an annual event where children from across the country could call and vote for their local park to be renovated. Today, they have a new motto and a new objective. Kids can go to The Big Help’s website <http://thebighelp/> , create an avatar and log in their good deeds to get special digital prizes for their avatars!
The Big Help’s most recent mission is to educate children, as well as adults, on the dangers of the oil that is being leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. They stress that if found, injured wildlife should only be helped by the professionals at the Oiled Wildlife hotline (866-557-1401). But there are still ways to do your part! Parents can volunteer for the National Wildlife Federation’s Volunteer Gulf Coast Surveillance Teams, which tour key coastal sites and search for signs of the oil spills advancement into new areas. You can also purchase specially marked Dawn Dish soap that will donate $1 to the wildlife conservation efforts of the Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Research Center for every bottle sold <http://www.nick.com/thebighelp>. This way everyone can do their part!
What has your family done lately to help the environment? Let me know!

By Angela, KIWI Editorial Intern

I am ALWAYS thirsty. No, really, I always have a water bottle or drink in hand. And whenever I go out to eat I always tell the waiter– just go ahead and refill my water glass any time you pass by! (weird right?) With the weather heating up, staying hydrated is SO important–so for me that means about 20 bottles of water a day! Ditch your plastic water bottle for a more eco-friendly option. Here are some of my favorites:

ROHO by Thermos

I love these designs! The BPA-free, stainless steel bottles have a really cool one-hand pop-off top too. So it’s perfect if you’re a mom with a baby in one hand and your water in another!  Check them out at thermos.com.

SIGG

SIGG may have gotten some bad press in 2009, when news broke that their eco-friendly bottles were not BPA-free (bottles manufactured prior to August 2008). But since then they’ve been hard at work to fix that. The 100% recyclable bottles now have an EcoCare liner, made from BPA and phthalate-free ingredients. Plus they’ve even got smaller versions for kids, perfect for their little hands. And we are thrilled because their designs are just too cute to pass up!  See our favorites at mysigg.com.

Klean Kanteen

If you’re like me and like to drink your water iced cold, you’ll love Kleen Kanteen’s Wide Insulated bottles. The stainless steel, BPA-free bottles will keep your iced drinks nice and cold for up to 24 hours–the opening is wide so you can fit as many ice cubes as you need. And when then weather gets chilly again, the vacuum insulation will keep your cocoa toasty for up to 6 hours.  The Klean Kanteen Classic bottle is another option, which comes in tons of colors (seriously, you can get one for everyone you know!). For more info, visit kleankanteen.com.

These are KIWI’s faves, what eco-friendly water bottles do you all use?

-Nicole McGovern

When I first moved to New York City almost three years ago, I was lonely. I was looking for a job and was used to 60+ hour workweeks. Going from constantly working (I never used to take vacations—I need to be busy) to simply emailing resumes in the deafening quiet of my new apartment, left me feeling isolated and depressed. I needed friends; I needed action. So I looked up a local nursing home, picked up the phone, and announced, “I need a grandparent.” Adopting a grandma may not have been the obvious choice for a woman in her 20s, but after growing up around my grandmothers, I’ve always said the elderly are my peer group—spending time with older folks feels like coming home, and I desperately needed a touch of home.

I dutifully attended the volunteer orientation—the only other people there were two reluctant teenagers fulfilling community service requirements—and the following Sunday, I headed out to meet my new grandmother, Marie. I’d been told that she was 85-years old, didn’t have any remaining family or friends, and in the three years she’d lived at the nursing home, had never had a single visitor. I was nervous about running out of things to talk about with her during the first meeting, so I’d spent the morning memorizing the sheet I’d been given at the orientation on good conversation starters: “What’s your favorite color?” Check. “Do you like to read?” Got it. “What’s your favorite movie?” No problem. I took the elevator to the 4^th floor and found Marie, decked out in what I would later learn was her favorite pink cardigan, freshly washed hair (turns out she’d asked the nursing assistant to help her look good for our visit), and settled into her wheelchair awaiting my arrival. I sat on the metal folding chair next to her, took a deep breath, and said, “What’s your favorite TV show?” (Yes, okay, I know I messed up the movie question—I was nervous!). She looked at me innocently (picture Betty White) and said, “Ohh, I really like that Sex and the City—girls these day are so stylish! How about painting my nails?” We were off the conversation starter sheet from then on.

Three years and countless M&Ms and cupcakes later (as Marie likes to say, “If you make it to 85, you get to eat whatever you want.” I have to agree), if it’s a Sunday afternoon, you’ll find me hanging out with my adopted grandmother. Since moving to New York, I’ve made friends my own age and frequently find myself busier than even I’d like to be, which means I sometimes wish I didn’t have the constant weekend commitment. But then I picture the woman who’s always waiting for her son at the elevator whenever I come—a son who never shows. I imagine the thousands of nursing home residents across the country who never have visitors, never have anyone to celebrate birthdays or holidays with, never have anyone to simply talk to. It’s not Marie who’s the lucky one to have a faithful visitor; I’m the fortunate one. I get to see what an impact an hour or two a week can have on someone else. Not only do I have an excuse to eat junk food and spend time gossiping with a delightful elderly woman, but I get to help take away someone else’s loneliness, too. Just like how Marie took away mine.

If you’re interested in adopting a grandparent, call your local nursing home and ask about volunteer programs, or search for opportunities at Idealist.org or VolunteerMatch.com. Your own Marie could be out there waiting.

-Amy, KIWI articles editor

Summer is just around the corner, and camping or hiking are great outdoor activities to keep your entire family moving.

And since you’re probably going to end up carrying all of your little one’s gear, water, and snacks, why not use an environmentally friendly pack? The North Face Treehugger 32 Pack is totally eco: the buckles are made from 100% recycled and reground plastic; the webbing, mesh, and foam are made from 100% recycled fabric. It’ll give you tons of space, plus there are great convenient exterior pockets to slip your (stainless steel, I hope!) water bottle into for easy access!

Looking for some other ideas for summer activities? The North Face has announced June 2010 as their second annual National Camping Month. They’ll be hosting free events across the nation with activities, educational clinics, and gear giveaways. Their goal is to increase youth (and adult) participation in outdoor activities. For more info, check out planetexplore.com.

-Nicole McGovern

Here’s the latest and greatest of what’s going on in the mom blogosphere. Interested in having your blog featured? Let us know in the comments!

• Moms of spring birthday girls, check out the cute flower garden birthday party ideas from Make and Takes.
• EnviroMom declared May 22nd “Take our (free-range) children to the park and leave them there day”. What do you think?
• Talk about greening your garbage! Recycle Your Day experiments with ditching the trash can liners completely.
• The Not Quite Crunchy Parent moved to the suburbs—and started driving everywhere. This summer, she’s on a mission to reverse the trend and walk more.
• Looking for the perfect non-disposable diaper that’ll work all night long? Cloth Diaper Blog explores the options.

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

Next time you’re cooking dinner for the family, put out a plate of vegetables for kids to snack on–it will actually increase the amount of vegetables they eat during dinner!

According to a study out of Penn State, eating vegetables as a first course is a smart way to get children to eat more vegetables overall.

The study looked at 51 preschoolers at a daycare center. The children were provided with no carrots, 30 grams, 60 grams, or 90 grams of carrots as their first course. About 10 minutes later they were served a lunch of pasta, broccoli, low-fat milk, and unsweetened applesauce.

The kiddies who did not eat any carrots, consumed about 23 grams of broccoli. The ones who received 30 grams of carrots ate 50 percent more than those who had none. And, the children who ate 60 grams of carrots as a first course ate nearly 63 grams of broccoli, tripling those who had no carrots at all.

So now, put out some brightly colored vegetables as a first course (think carrots, red peppers, broccoli, tomatoes)–and make sure the kids see you snacking on them too!

-Nicole McGovern

Having attended many events last month for Earth Day, I was struck (in a good way!)  by how many consumers genuinely want to go green. I was equally struck (in a not-so-good way) by how many didn’t know much beyond the Green 101 basics, like turning off the lights when you leave the room or foregoing bottled water.  While my green journey began with a personal story that motivated me to learn as much about eco-friendly living as possible, (my twin sons had respiratory problems and multiple hospitalizations as babies/toddlers and only got better after I eliminated the toxic chemicals in my home from things like cleaning products and solvents used by carpet cleaners. Eight years and counting, I have barely heard a wheeze!) I realize the concept isn’t second-nature to everyone. That’s why I decided to create a list of the most important areas in which to green your life. Here, my tips:

• Eat organic. With conventional produce, the washing process does not generally remove the toxic pesticides used to grow fruit and vegetables.  Animals are fed grain laced with pesticides and often given steroids and antibiotics when being raised for meat, eggs, or milk. These are things none of us should be eating!
• Clean green. Most conventional cleaning products are petroleum-based and contain toxic, unhealthful ingredients such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, and synthetic fragrances—all of which are carcinogenic and/or potential hormone disruptors. Here’s a fact:  If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of petroleum-based cleaner with a plant-based product, we could save thousands of barrels of oil—enough to heat and cool hundreds of U.S. homes per year!
• Abandon aerosol (and traditional air fresheners). Aerosol sprays contain propellants – not something you want to be breathing. Traditional air fresheners are also petroleum-based and release harmful chemicals into the air no matter how good you may think they smell. If you like to use store-bought air fresheners, turn to alternatives that are plant-based.
• Check personal care product ingredients. When buying skincare products, it’s important to be familiar with some important buzzwords. Avoid using products that are made with mineral oils, parabens, phthalates and other synthetic petrochemical derivatives which can be carcinogenic and/or cause hormone disruption. This is another instance where it’s best to go organic when possible.
• Don’t be fooled by wording. The word “natural” is not a regulated term. Products claiming to be natural or touting natural ingredients or scents often contain only a few natural ingredients that are buried in a long list of synthetic chemicals. Instead, learn to read labels and decipher for yourself whether or not a product is truly natural.
• Choose organic cotton or alternative textiles. Conventional cotton production accounts for 25 percent of all pesticide use worldwide. What’s more, for every T-shirt made of conventional cotton, 1/4 lb. of harmful chemicals is used. Now think of an entire bedding set!  Choose organic, or opt for more sustainable materials like bamboo and hemp. Contrary to popular misconceptions, these fabrics can feel every bit as luxurious and soft as cotton—without the hidden chemicals.
• Say no to conventional dry cleaning. The traditional dry cleaning process involves the use of very toxic chemicals, but affordable options are cropping up all over the country. What’s more, the dry cleaning business  uses a ton of plastic bags to store garments. The good news? You can buy reusable bags and bring them to your cleaner.
• Buy recycled. Manufacturers of all kinds of things from clothing to carpeting and furniture are using recycled and salvaged materials in innovative ways. For instance, did you know, you can buy green carpeting that’s made out of used soda bottles?
• Save the trees with rapidly renewable alternatives. One of the biggest threats to our environment is the clear-cutting of forests for wood products. Fortunately, there are now wonderful alternatives such as furniture and wood flooring made from sustainable bamboo, paper made from agricultural waste, and pencils made from recycled newspapers.

There is a lot of information out there and yes—it can be overwhelming. Even I acknowledge that it’s almost impossible to green every facet of our lives (once in a while, my husband brings home processed junk food for the kids and sometimes I just have to let it go!) but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep striving. My advice? Make the changes that make sense for your life and know that you will be making a difference!

-Laura Meyer is the CEO & Founder of The Ultimate Green Store, a one-stop online green shopping destination. She is also a published author and home improvement and green lifestyles expert.

Advocates for the fight against childhood obesity often point a finger at television, saying kids who spend a lot of time in front of the tube are at risk for being overweight. But new research shows that commercials—rather than TV  time itself—are actually what’s to blame. A new study conducted at the University of California Los Angeles tracked the viewing habits of more than 2,000 children (with the help of caregivers) and found that the more ads (whether in the form of commercials or product placement in movies) a child was exposed to, the greater her risk for obesity.

Just how many ads do kids see every day? Here are some startling stats from the Kaiser Family Foundation:

• Kids ages 2-7 on average see 12 televised food ads per day, or about 4,400 per year

• Kids ages 8-12 on average see 21 televised food ads per day, or about 7,600 per year

• Teenagers on average see 17 food ads per day, or about 6,000 per year.

Yikes! But what to do? Instead of banning the tube completely, try recording your kid’s favorite shows. When she does settle down to watch (after homework and chores, of course!) you can fast-forward through all those pesky commercials.

-Nicole McGovern, editorial intern

Most would agree that starting a small, independent business is a lot of work. But despite the uphill battle, that’s exactly what Sandra Wilson did after getting laid off from her job. Robeez, an eco-friendly baby shoe company, began in Wilson’s basement when she needed a pair of soft-soled shoes for her eighteen-month-old son, Robert. When she found that the ones she made improved her tot’s balance (the soft soles allowed him to better feel the steps he was taking), she made 20 more, took them to a trade show, and the rest is history. Today, sales of Robeez shoes have surpassed $15 million, and the brand has established a charity program (Robeez Heart & Sole) that donates childrens’ footwear to nonprofit societies and charities.

Robeez’ impressive resume aside, the shoes are just plain cute. That’s why I’m so excited that KIWI and Green Toys Inc. are teaming up to promote Robeez’ Little Green Stepz Sweepstakes. Three pairs of Robeez shoes will be given away each wee now through May 20th, and one grand prize winner will receive the complete collection of Robeez shoes, the entire toy collection from Green Toys Inc., and a one-year subscription to KIWI. Talk about a step in the awesome direction! Ready to enter? Click here. Good luck!

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

In honor of a new program called The Kids Cook Monday” (by the folks who’ve brought us Meatless Monday), I thought I’d share my own experiences of cooking with my daughter, Maylee.

At KIWI, we believe that teaching kids to cook helps them learn early on about good nutrition and better-for-you choices. When a child helps to pick out fresh, all-natural ingredients and prepare a recipe, she is empowered to live healthier and greener. Here’s some things that I do with Maylee to foster her enthusiasm for cooking:

• First, we make the shopping list together. She tells me what we need and even writes the list herself (she’s old enough to do that), then we head to the market. Because she’s already so familiar with the list, it makes for a much faster and more pleasant trip. (Less “are we done yet?”).

• While shopping, I help her figure out which options are best for her and the environment. We pick out the organic pasta sauce, the eggs that are labeled “cage-free”, the Fair Trade sugar, and the cookie mix whose ingredients don’t include artificial colors or flavors. By turning shopping into a fun game, she learns to read labels and make healthier choices.

• Once we get back to the kitchen, I get Maylee involved by relating cooking to another one of her interests. For example, Maylee is an artist, so I like to show her how cooking is not only something we do every day to feed ourselves, but something many people do creatively and with passion. So we watch cooking shows on TV together like Top Chef Masters on Bravo, the Food Network challenges, and Food Wars on the Travel Channel.

• I also encourage her to have her “specialties”; her own recipes that she can feel proud of and include in her recipe box. She loves to make Pookie Pumpkin Pie at Thanksgiving; she has her own special smoothie recipe (in the April/May issue of KIWI Magazine) to serve to friends; and she has an eggs and rice recipe that she proudly prepares when her grandparents come to visit.

• I teach Maylee about healthy ingredients by keeping these items in our own refrigerator and pantry. Since she is exposed on a daily basis to foods that are organic, all-natural, fair trade, and high in omega-3/DHA, that is her frame of reference

As Maylee gets older, I know we might not see eye-to-eye on everything. However, I hope my healthy choices become her healthy choices—and that she continues to one day share this tradition with her own children!

- Maxine Wolf, Maylee’s mom and CEO & Publisher, KIWI Magazine

Raise your hand if you feel guilty that you don’t spend enough time with your kids. Anyone? Everyone? Well parents, rest assured that you are not alone. But some good news: A recent study out of the University of California, San Diego, found that family time has risen dramatically since 1995.

The study looked at surveys that analyzed how parents used their time between 1965 and 2007. Before 1995, moms spent about 12 hours a week on family child care. As of 2007, that number rose to 21 hours for college-educated moms, and to nearly 16 hours a week for all other moms. Dads, too, are in on the fun. College educated dads are now spending 10 hours a week with kids, compared to about 4 hours a week before 1995.

The study did not look at times when parents were around their kids, say at dinner. It focused on activities where the parent is directly involved with the child: helping with homework, playing catch outside.

You’re probably wondering where all the extra time is coming from. Well, moms are spending less time cooking and cleaning, while dads are putting in fewer hours at the office. More good news: Divorce rates are dropping with each generation, and more couples are sharing housework responsibilities, so they have more time together.

How do you ensure you spend quality time with the fam? What kinds of activities do you do?

-Nicole McGovern

For many parts of the country, April means rain. In KIWI’s April/May issue, we share some great tips on how to extend the life of the umbrella you already have—but what if your kid really does need a new one this spring? Try the new Brella by Romp.

The Brella’s no ordinary umbrella. For starters, it comes with 6 non-toxic, permanent markers that kids can use to draw designs right on the canopy. What’s more, it boasts a special wind-vent system that withstands high winds and heavy downpours—so no inside-out umbrellas when the weather gets out of control. Best of all? The Brella is made from 100 percent biodegradable materials that are guaranteed to break down within 5 years.

Sounds so cool, I kind of want one for myself! For more, check out rompstore.com.

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

A new study by Princeton University confirms what many health-conscious eaters believed all along: high-fructose corn syrup is unhealthier than table sugar. The sweetener was found to cause significant weight gain in rats, and linked long-term consumption to abnormal increases in abdominal fat and a rise in triglyceride levels.

“When rats are drinking high-fructose corn syrup at levels well below those in soda pop, they’re becoming obese—every single one, across the board,” says Princeton psychology professor Bart Hoebel, who specializes in the neuroscience of appetite, weight, and sugar addiction. In other words, it’s not necessary to guzzle sugary drinks and snack on candy every day for the body to feel high-fructose corn syrup’s harmful effects. Smaller amounts of the sweetener can be found in everything from tomato sauce to bread to yogurt, and are now seen to play an equally crucial role in weight gain.

We want to know what you think about these findings. Did you know HFCS was bad stuff all along? If you were previously on the fence, do you now plan to avoid foods containing HFCS?

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer