Sniffle season has begun, and with the added spread of swine flu, it’s even more important to be vigilant about frequent handwashing. Fortunately, the challenge of getting kids to suds up just got a little easier.

While the FDA states that washing hands with hot, soapy water is the only way to ensure bacteria are killed, recent evidence suggests otherwise. A 2005 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that when it comes to handwashing, the water temperature makes no difference—as long as participants washed long enough (about 25 seconds), they were able to rid their hands of germs.

The takeaway? Your kid can wash her hands at whatever water temperature is comfortable for her.

-Marygrace, KIWI staffer

Between all the water and detergent, plus the electricity used to power the washer and dryer, doing laundry eats up a lot of resources. Most of us can’t just stop washing our clothes the way we might stop drinking bottled water or stop driving to places that are less than a mile away, but we can make the process a little gentler on the planet. Consider the options:

• Wash in cold water. Unless your laundry is super, super dirty, cold water works just as well as hot–but doesn’t need to use electricity to be heated.
• Use a natural detergent. This is a no-brainer, especially when you consider the fact that eco-friendly detergent isn’t much more expensive than regular. I’m a fan of Whole Foods’ store brand.
• Find fabric softener in your pantry. 1/2 cup of baking soda per laundry load is my softener of choice, but 1/2 cup of vinegar works just as well–both are cheap and free of harsh chemicals.
• Wash a full load. This might seem obvious, but everyone has had instances where they’ve put only a few items in the wash at a time (laundromat uses are probably the exception here–we let it pile up!).
• Do it in the morning or evening. If you’ve got the AC running to keep your home cool all day, turning on the warm clothes dryer will only be counter-productive. Try drying clothes in the morning or at night when the temperature outdoors is lower.
• Clean the lint trap. Yes, every time! It’s a little gross, but a dirty lint screen can cause a dryer to use up to 30% more energy.
• Line dry. You don’t need a big backyard and a line full of clothespins–though that would be nice to have. Invest in an indoor drying rack, or drape garments on hooks, doorknobs, or over the shower door.

Got any tips of your own?

-Marygrace, KIWI Staffer

With uses for personal care, cleaning, laundry, and of course–cooking, baking soda is the ultimate DIY multi-tasker. It’s also incredibly inexpensive, and super earth-friendly (aside from the fact that it’s a non-toxic chemical compound, using versatile baking soda to do 10 jobs rather than buying 10 different products really cuts down on waste!). Here are 10 of my favorite ways to use baking soda, what about you?

1. Face mask. This works especially well for oily skin–form a paste with 2 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. honey and leave on face for 10 minutes to tighten pores and banish blackheads.
2. Fabric softener. Surprise, surprise! Conventional fabric softeners can contain a multitude of harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. To keep clothes soft, just toss 1 cup of baking soda in with the wash. Bonus: It can remove heavy stains and odors, too!
3. Shampoo. OK, maybe not all the time. But in a pinch, it works! Add 1 tbsp. of baking soda to 8 oz. of water, then work through hair. Follow with a clarifying rinse made up of 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar and another 8 oz. of water.

(more…)

When seeking out natural, DIY options to clean and disinfect your home, the list of ingredients usually sounds pretty familiar: Lemon, baking soda, vinegar, club soda, salt, plus some herbs or essential oils to keep things smelling nice. Oh, and borax.

Borax?

It doesn’t sound quite like the others, does it? In fact, it sounds more like…Windex. Or Oxi-Clean! Or who knows what else. However, Borax is actually a naturally-occuring mineral compound can work as a cleaner, disinfectant, or deodorizer. (When the stuff is mixed with hot water, some of the H2O molecules turn into hydrogren peroxide–interesting, right?)

You can mix 2 tsp. of borax with 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 gallon of warm water for an effective all-purpose cleaner, or create a paste out of equal parts borax, salt, and vinegar for a heavy-duty carpet cleaner (just let the paste sit for a few hours in the carpet before vacuuming up.)

It’s essential to remember though that borax, while natural, isn’t safe for consumption the way lemon or vinegar is. The compound is toxic if ingested in large doses, so keep out of reach of kids and pets.

-Marygrace, KIWI Staffer

Are you (or do you know) a mom who’s made an exceptional effort to create a healthier environment for children and families? Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit seeking to inspire parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals, will hold their annual benefit gala this October, where the organization will recognize one enthusiastic, health-minded mom for her work.

To nominate yourself or someone you know, share the extraordinary story! Submissions will be accepted until August 15th.

-Marygrace, KIWI Staffer

Yesterday, the Senate approved The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which, if passed, would reduce youth smoking by 11% over the next decade. President Obama has already said he will sign the bill when it reaches his desk, resulting in a victory for anti-smoking advocates everywhere, including Washington group the Campaign Tobacco Free Kids .

With the new law in place, the FDA would have the ability to set standards forcing manufacturers to reduce nicotene content in cigarettes. It would also call for more restriction in cigarette advertisements, making outdoor advertisingof tobacco within 1,000 feet of schools illegal. Further, cigarette packages will no longer be allowed to use terms like “light” or “low tar,” and will be required to display large health-hazard graphics.

If passed, the law would be the first federal smoking regulation since 1988, when cigarettes were banned on commercial airplane flights.

-Marygrace, KIWI Staff writer

Swimming pools are summer vacation icons. Whether it was playing Marco Polo with my eyes closed, psyching myself up to jump off the high dive, or waiting through the agony of adult swim, as soon as I get a whiff of that chlorine smell, I immediately think back to those gloriously hot, sunny days. Unfortunately, while the smell of chlorine conjures up some pretty sweet nostalgia, the stuff certainly isn’t doing anything for my health. As a chemical bleaching agent that is actually toxic in large doses, chlorine can pose a real health risk to swimmers big and small.

Although chlorine has been used since the 1920’s to keep pools clean,  chlorinated water has been found to irritate the eyes and skin, as well as trigger asthma. When the stuff interacts with the dirt and sweat on our bodies, it forms a harmful chemical called trichloramine, which a 2003 Belgian study found in high concentrations in blood samples of children who frequently swim in pools.

(more…)

If you’re like many parents, you want your kids to enjoy Halloween, but you’re uneasy with the emphasis on candy.

Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. Over the last two years, we’ve discovered dozens and dozens of ways to enjoy Halloween without all the focus on loot. In fact, it’s not only possible, it’s becoming a trend! (And, we expect, one that’s here to stay.) Here are our five top ideas for celebrating a green Halloween. For the dozens more great ideas, check out www.GreenHalloween.org.

1. Focus on fun. Generally, when people think about Halloween, the first thing that comes to mind is candy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. How about planning a party with an emphasis on games that goblins of all ages are sure to enjoy. Dunking for apples is a classic—and hilarious to boot. You can also have your guests use non-toxic crayons to paint each other’s faces—with their eyes closed! Instead of trick-or-treating for candy, plan a Halloween scavenger hunt with your neighbors. Doing so at night with flashlights adds to the fun. Shakable flashlights makes the hunt eco-cool. Focusing on fun – rather than stuff is not only healthier and more earth-friendly, it makes for wonderful memories.

2. Choose treats you and your kids can enjoy. No, we’re not suggesting that you hand out candy that both of you can agree on. We’re encouraging you to choose from the many healthy and healthier goodies now on the market (with more being released every day), that are parent and kid approved. And with natural and healthy food and essentials stores popping up around the country like dandelions in the lawn (in a good way), finding treats like honey or agave sticks, fruit leathers, organic chocolate “bites” or all natural gum is a snap.

3. Consider treasures. “Treasures” are non-edible goodies that trick-or-treaters will love. Think they won’t? While we have yet to meet a child who would rather have conventional candy once he or she sees alternatives, we know your experience will speak louder than ours. So, this year, try putting your conventional candy choice in one bowl and in the other, a mix of the types of treasures we suggest such as polished stones, temporary tattoos or seed packets. (Why not check the extensive list at Green Halloween and allow your children be your guide as to what they think will be most popular?) Offer the kids a choice and see what happens.

4. Less is more. When we were kids, receiving one piece of candy at each home was the norm. Today, trick-or-treaters receive handfuls. Not only is this costly for this generation’s health and the health of the planet, giving out supersized quantities is expensive, too. This year, try giving just one of whatever you select. Or, allow the children to choose, “just one special (make a big deal of this part) treat.” You’ll be as amazed as we were to find that when it’s done with fun in mind, reducing actually encourages children’s excitement and gratitude.

5. Give yourself a treat and remember that you don’t have to do it all to make a big difference. New healthy and green steps will be more sustainable if you can find ways to enjoy the process and celebrate your baby steps. So, this year, consider starting where you are and with whatever choice or choices inspire your family most. Whether you make your own face paints, hold a party in a retirement home or carve (and eat) locally grown pumpkins, it’s really all about the “spirit” of going green. Celebrate what works for you!

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and the authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Celebrations, Holidays and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.NET. Pictures provided by ©2008 Holli Dunn.

KIWI Magazine and Florida Crystals have launched The Next Great Young Chef Contest inviting kids ages 4 - 17 to show off their cooking skills. A panel of prestigious judges will help to pick the next generation of culinary experts. Two talented winners will appear on KiwiTV webcasts and in a special feature article in KIWI Magazine and win over $12,500 in prizes.

See press release here:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1508234.htm

Click Here >> Enter the kids cooking contest

In a very busy mommy world, it is easy to feel less than perfect, lost, or just “out of balance”. In particular for women, who do so much for those we love, work with, or feel obligated to, that we often forget to replenish our “wells.” Without sufficient replenishing we soon deplete ourselves of the essential elements that we need to function as “happy campers” and our “nasty evil twin” begins to rear its ugly head! Depleting ourselves can happen so unconsciously that one may not even recognize the signs until it has stripped away the vibrant person who we used to be and left behind a tired, dissatisfied, numb or angry version of our old self.

For those of you who need to add just a drop more fun and time for self-care or for those of you who need to be pulled, pushed and dragged out of the quicksand that your busy life has created, KIWI’s new Seeking Balance blogs are here for you!

Much wisdom can be gained by sharing your own challenges and success in the journey to live life fully with passion and balance, while maintaining an awareness on raising our families with an eye towards a cleaner environment and a healthy, natural lifestyle. Actively making time to feed your spirt is paramount!

The following starter kit of ideas can be considered little mini life jackets to use as you seek to obtain the balance that brings inner peace, glow and spark back into your life.

Give up perfection.

Find time to exercise.

Replace negative “self talk” with positive affirmations.

Stop apologizing for your feelings.

Do something fun that you used to enjoy.

Make a date with yourself to hear yourself think.

Don’t sacrifice your dreams.

-June Grushka-Rosen M.Ed. is a mommy of two, psychotherapist, and the owner of ExtraordinarYou, a life coaching and educational services business. To contact: June@URextraordinary.com

I had the benefit of working from home during my pregnancy.

Since I had only two pregnant friends ever, when I became pregnant I dove into research, becoming obsessed with things that had no prior relevance to me. My neighbor was an infant massage and prenatal yoga teacher so I devoured all of her books. I read everything, including out-of-print hippy-dippy books like the Wise Woman books, “Spiritual Midwifery” and “Our Babies Ourselves,” and the bestsellers with some good fiction (“Midwives”), and comedy (Jenny McCarthy’s “Belly Laughs”). I could talk the talk. By the time my husband Michael and I began our baby classes, I could have taught them! One thing was certain: I did not trust the medical community and I was obsessed with both breastfeeding and immunization policy. Unfortunately, the Sears “Breastfeeding Book” came along after my pregnancy, I can now recite it by chapter. If my next kid is a boy, his middle name may be Sears.

I have a hard time not being so forthright about nursing and pushing my social agenda because it’s consumed my life for the past two years. I could have an associate’s degree in breastfeeding at this point. I realize that ultimately and most importantly, a woman has a right to choose whether or not she wants to nurse. Some women physically cannot nurse (or have surrogates or adopt) and certain occupations make it very difficult to continue, so I try to be very respectful. But sometimes I’m not. (Sorry!)

-Audra Hughes

As parents and kids prepare for the beginning of another school year, it is a time of excitement and anxiety. For the more than 3 million kids with food allergies — and their parents — the back-to-school anxiety is particularly palpable. Understandable, considering that 1 in 5 children will have an allergic reaction while in school (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2001: 155: 790-795). What is a regular day for most kids is fraught with danger for children with food allergies. If the peanut-allergic child sits next to a child eating PB&J or the egg-allergic child eats the birthday cupcake brought in by a classmate, the results could be fatal.

Parents worry: Will the teachers remember my child’s specific food allergy? Will the Epi-Pen® be accessible on the playground or on a field trip? What if substitute teachers cover lunch time and will they be prepared to manage an allergic reaction? The reality is they just don’t know…and that’s not good enough.

I know these fears all too well. My son is severely allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. A couple years ago, before his first day at preschool, I met with the teachers and school director, discussed his allergies, signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and how a reaction should be managed. Two weeks into school, I walked him into class only to overhear the teacher tell another parent that the children would be making trail mix that day. I was astounded, as were the parents of the other two nut-allergic children in the class. At best, the children would have experienced hives and vomiting… at worst, anaphylaxis and death. And the questions followed: How can I make sure the people around my son are constantly alerted to his allergies? And, if there is an emergency, how can I ensure that they will know what to do?

The anxiety is shared by teachers, coaches, babysitters and others who care for allergic kids. They worry too: How will I remember each child’s specific allergies? How will I know if a child is having an allergic reaction? Will I be able to respond appropriately?

To keep your child safer this school year:

1. Clearly identify your child by his/her specific food allergies

2. Clearly label his belongings—lunch bag, backpack—with allergy alerts to prevent exposure

3. Make safe foods available for your child

4. Keep emergency medication available and accessible at all times; make sure that whoever is with your child is prepared to manage a life-threatening emergency

Communication is key… your child’s life could depend on it! Label your child’s lunch bag with his allergies to alert teachers and cafeteria staff. Get a kid-friendly allergy alert wristband that your child will actually wear. Provide the school with safe snacks for your child. Make sure that emergency medication and information is accessible at all times while your child is in school. By alerting others to your child’s allergies, making safe food available and having emergency measures in place, you can minimize the risk of an allergic reaction and maximize the chances of an effective response if one does occur.

Best wishes for a safe and successful school year!

–Robin Davison, MPH, JD, Founder of STAT kids, LLC (www.statkids.com)

Regardless if your children are tots, tweens or in-be-tweens, summer can truly be the time of the year where great family memories can be made. A welcome change in routine, lazy mornings to snuggle, trips to the beach, visiting relatives and extra quality family time are true gifts. But sometimes, too much extra time to enjoy each other, mixed with lack of planning, can lead to days that feel like the summer sun will never set! Here are 6… well 10, summer survival tips I have borrowed…OK stolen from experienced moms who have maintained not only their sanity but sense of fun after many a summer. I hope they will be as helpful to you, as they have been to me and my mommy clients.

1. Be present- Focus! When you are with your kids…be with your kids.

2. Mommy time - Schedule time for yourself. This tip is essential to having a make or break summer with your children. No one is happy unless mommy is happy!

3. Be prepared- Have daily planned activities so your kids don’t become restless. There are many resources for camps, local activities and summer events. Or create your own mini camp with other interested parents, sharing each other’s individual skill-set with neighborhood children.

4. Mommy time- Actually schedule this time on your calendar. Otherwise it will never happen!

5. Be flexible- Even the best thought out plans often need to be scratched. Remember the objective is to have an enjoyable summer, so throw your plans to the wind from time to time!

6. Mommy time- Consider starting a summer bank account, exchanging childcare with other trusted moms. Bank “mommy time” by swapping “sanity hours”.

7. Team work- Summer is a great time to oil the family machine. Keeping in mind the age of your children, invite them to participate in planning activities. Children love to feel in control. This will help avoid nasty power struggles!

8. Mommy time- Put down the sponge and let a few dust bunnies run, in order to make time for yourself. You will be surprised how everything and everyone will survive!

9. Safety- Keep a close watch. Statistically, more accidents take place with children during the summer months. A visit to the E.R. can really take the wind out of your summer sails.

10. Mommy time-…Clearly this tip cannot be over stated. Take that time for yourself (guilt-free), in order to be a happy summer mommy. This crucial tip will lead to a memorable summer for you and your kids!!!!!

Calling all moms to comment with your own Summer Survival Tips, because we still have 35 days until Labor Day…but who’s counting??!!

-June Grushka-Rosen M.Ed. is a mommy of two, psychotherapist, and the owner of ExtraordinarYou, a life coaching and educational services business. To contact: June@URextraordinary.com

Looking for a fun and healthy adventure for you and the kids this summer? Try berry picking. Kids of all ages (and parents/grandparents too!) can benefit from taking a trip to a local “U-Pick” farm to engage in some wholesome and delicious fun.

Allowing children to understand how food grows will ultimately awaken their senses to enjoy their food more (they can pick and eat). After picking, keep a bowl of fresh berries on the table to allow for grazing throughout the day. Let your kids know that this is a great healthy snack that they can much on any time throughout the day.

In addition to tasting great, berries are very high in phytochemicals such as antioxidants and bioflavonoids. These types of nutrients have demonstrated a beneficial effect in numerous health conditions, including the prevention of oxidative and inflammatory stress on the lining of blood vessels and red blood cells.

When the cells in our body use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals, or by-products, which can cause damage. Antioxidants act as “free radical scavengers” and can help to prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. Health problems such as heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, and cancer are all known to be, in part, caused by oxidative damage.

In a test that measures the antioxidant potential of a variety of foods—the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test—blueberries came out on top. Wild blueberries, such as those found all over New England, have the highest ORAC value, with the larger blueberries coming in a close second. Blueberries also contain lutein, which is important for healthy vision. And best of all, a cup of blueberries has four grams of fiber and only 83 calories!

Raspberries are rich in anthocyanins, which is a powerful antioxidant, as well as cancer-fighting phytochemicals such as ellagic, coumaric and ferulic acid. Raspberries have 8 grams of fiber and only 64 calories per cup.

While berries are great eaten alone, they can also be made into muffins, cakes, scones and even homemade ice cream. One of my favorite ways to eat berries is with a scoop of fresh, home made whip cream. Also, throw them in a dinner salad for an extra special treat.

–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

KIWI parents know what an important job it is to keep our children healthy and protected when they are young. Unfortunately, part of that protection is giving them the tools they need to begin to address the harsh realities that life can bring, including the “Bully Factor”. Our kiddos may find it helpful if we can define a bully and help them to identify bullying behavior when and if they should encounter one. As raised in Stop Bullying me…and my Planet part one, teaching children action steps to address what to do if they are being bullied will help to empower them when faced with a frightening situation.

Defining a bully for your child may be the first useful step. Bullying amongst kids usually takes the form of repeated intimidating behaviors, usually using domineering physical or psychological tactics. Here are a few indicators to look for to help your child understand if they are being bullied. For younger kids, bullying may take the form of:

• Grabbing, pushing, shoving
• Teasing, name calling, taunting
• Taking things without permission
• Starting rumors
• Being excluded or left out
• Other blatant mean and hurtful intimidating behaviors

When discussing actions steps for handling a bully with your child, stress that generally, bullying is behavior that is repeated over and over again (not just a “one time incident”). Here are some empowering options for you and your child to discuss as you begin to “take on the bullies”:

• Don’t “take the bait”- bullies seek out sensitive children.
• Stay near friends and adults
• Be assertive and tell the bully to stop.
• Embrace differences. Bullies attack anything “different.” Celebrate who you are!
• Work on expressing your emotions without fear.
• Tell your parents and teachers about the bully!

If your child is being bullied I would like to hear your concerns and strategies for facing “the Bully Factor.”

-June Grushka-Rosen M.Ed. is a mommy of two, psychotherapist, and the owner of ExtraordinarYou, a life coaching and educational services business. To contact: June@URextraordinary.com

Countless people see bullies as a mere inconvenience rather than a truth to be reckoned with. But bullying behavior, like the assault we have committed on the planet, is abusive, and when repeated over and over again it can be detrimental.

Over the last several weeks I have been approached by parents having concerns about their children being bullied, ranging in age from kindergarten through high school. One child even suggested that he thought his parents should move out of the state! Childhood is filled with children learning to “play nice together” and for that matter, most adults are still learning that lesson too. But bullying is a serious matter and unfortunately, some parents overlook early signs of having a bully of their own, or their child’s experience of being bullied. They dismiss the evidence, as “kids will be kids”.

Conversely, other parents feel an initial rage when they hear or see a child being targeted. I have even heard my sweet, even-tempered husband refer to a little girl that was bossy and taunting my daughter Sasha to tears, as a terrorist! Ok, so maybe she wasn’t a true bully or a terrorist, but she managed to make my husband’s salt and pepper curls…. go straight! Fortunately, like my husband, a parent’s frenzy typically dissipates, but they are left with confusion as to how to help their child navigate the situation. Clearly, interventions will vary and depend upon the children’s ages, severity and frequency of bullying.

Our children really do need a kinder, gentler, and greener planet to grow up on. It’s up to all of us to stand up to the truth about bullying in our homes, playgrounds, play groups, classrooms, school hallways, and on the internet, while we empower our children with strategies for taking action on their own when they or their precious planet is being bullied!

Please submit comments or strategies on issues related to the Bully Factor!

Check back for Positive Parenting Tips for taking on bullies.

-June Grushka-Rosen M.Ed. is a mommy of two, psychotherapist, and the owner of ExtraordinarYou, a life coaching and educational services business. To contact: June@URextraordinary.com

I have to admit something. In addition to having a theme song for
every new adventure, I tend to decide on a project, embark on it
zealously and then move on.

I was writing an article on school gardens for Kiwi Magazine (Sept
issue) and decided the best way to get motivated was to finally find a
spot in my yard and create a vegetable garden. I had in mind that I
wanted to spearhead an effort to create a garden at my daughter’s
preschool and decided this was my audition to see if I could really
make it happen.

I had created a compost pile which was being turned into fertilizer
gold by thousands of hard-working worms. Unfortunately, that was on
the opposite side of the property from the perfect garden spot.

I read about lasagna gardening and decided that was the best route for
my garden since the soil was not rich and was also very rocky. I
carefully tapped a series of posts to mark my territory but ended up
making the garden way too big for my first attempt. It’s currently 8′
x 20′. I carefully laid newspapers on the ground and covered them
with about 5 inches of fresh compost which took me at least 10 trips
from the compost pile. Sweating profusely, I filled every inch of my
too-big garden with worm-filled compost.

I decided to plant tomato plants instead of starting with seeds
because I wanted immediate gratification. But, I did plant seeds for
cucumber, beans, watermelon and pumpkin and they’re all doing quite
well. This summer seems to be the perfect conditions for a vegetable
garden and the site I chose seems to be working out well.

I am only telling all of you this because I often just wing it. I
started throwing table scraps into a pile of leaves in a place where
my dogs couldn’t access and *poof* I have a very productive compost
pile. I toss in shredded newspaper and hay, turn it every so often,
but largely ignore it. The worms do all of the work.

I also largely ignore my garden. I just make sure it’s not too dry
and that the tomato plants are tied to stakes and leave it alone. I
don’t weed, trim, groom or talk to it. And it is growing like mad.

Some plants are faring better than others, but the lesson I learned is
to just give it a go and you’ll be so surprised. And, if it doesn’t
work the first time, step back, rethink it and try again.

The best part of all of this experimentation is that my daughter wants
to be outside most of the day to corral worms, water the garden and
check on her plants. I get great exercise from digging the compost
and then taking it for a ride in the wheel barrow. And, we all can’t
wait to taste the fresh vegetables that we grew without pesticides or
products.

“If there’s one thing that’s commonly and incorrectly assumed about vegan baking,” warns Hannah Kaminsky, blogger and author of My Sweet Vegan, “it’s that it can only create joyless, tasteless, ‘health food’ that won’t be as good as dairy- and egg-based baked goods.” The fact of the matter is, though, that vegan baked goods can be really delicious, and are a great alternative to more traditional treats.

Hannah’s blog (http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/) and cookbook are just two resources out of many that have recently begun to push vegan baking into the spotlight. Along with the publication of other books, including Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World and The Joy of Vegan Baking, My Sweet Vegan has popularized the notion that vegan treats are tasty, satisfying, and easy to make. Additionally, many grocery stores, coffee shops, and bakeries are beginning to carry vegan baked goods, resulting in a more mainstream acceptance of cookies, cakes, and pastries made without animal products.

In a case similar to many longtime vegans, Hannah learned the techniques of vegan baking through trial and error. “Becoming vegan forced me to start working for my own treats, since no one in my family shared my ideas on a vegan diet, and there were few edible packaged sweets at the time. In dire need of satisfying my sweet tooth, I was on my own to figure things out, and learning the basics of baking simply baking par for the course,” she explains.

Fortunately, with the numerous vegan baking resources that exist today, successful results are almost guaranteed when trying to make your first egg- and dairy-free treats. How to start? Checking out a great vegan cookbook (like one of those mentioned above) is an option, or, veganize a recipe you already have. Hannah says that “cookies in general are the easiest to convert. Typically calling for butter and perhaps one egg, it’s a simple matter of switching the butter out for [non-hydrogenated] margarine, and some ground flaxseeds and water for the egg.”

While vegan baking is the obvious answer for those eschewing all animal products as part of an entire vegan lifestyle, animal-free treats are also an option for people with dairy allergies or those looking to consume less saturated fat or cholesterol. To those who are curious, Hannah suggests, “just give it a shot.” Whatever the reason for cutting out or lowering the amount of animal products you consume, “you shouldn’t have to sacrifice anything.”

Hannah’s Root Beer Float cupcakes are a great treat to make over the weekend with kids, who will enjoy drizzling the cupcakes with chocolate ganache, then topping with thick, vanilla frosting. Get the recipe at http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2007/02/24/float-away/ .

-Marygrace Stergakos, Editorial Intern with KIWI Magazine

Finally - A book about how to transform grocery produce into plants.

My daughter loves to plant. We really did bury a lollipop once
because she was convinced a lollipop tree would grow. Since I am from
a family of researchers, I thought that showing her that it wouldn’t
work was better than just telling her.

But, my daughter wants to plant everything. The seeds from her apples
and the various bits and pieces that drop from our trees. We rarely,
if ever, have had success in growing plants from seeds unless we
specifically purchased the seeds in a tidy little packet. The only
exception we have is when some pumpkin plant mysteriously grows out of
the compost pile on its own accord.

There is a new book called Don’t Throw It, Grow It, by Deborah Peterson
and Millicent Selsam (Storey Publishing, 2008), which is the definitive
guide to growing plants from kitchen scraps. It tells you the best way
to prepare the seeds or cuttings for planting and how to make sure
that your crop thrives. We’re going to start with a lemon tree!

At your local farmers market this summer, ask your farmers if they have in place, an option for buying a share of their farm. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms operate as a partnership between farmers and members of the community who buy a share in a farm’s harvest each growing season. Each share that is purchased contributes a fee, typically between $300-500, to cover the farm’s yearly operating costs, and, in turn, purchases a share of the yearly harvest. Typically, the result of each share is a weekly supply of organic produce at the peak of its growing season, between June and October. In addition to vegetables, some CSAs can include flowers, fruits, eggs, meat and milk, in its weekly allotments.

This innovative model of sustainable agriculture has steadily gained popularity over the last twenty years, but in particular, in the past few years. In 1985, this practice was first brought to the U.S. from Europe, where it was originally inspired by the biodynamic farming methods of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (who also started Waldorf Education). The first two CSA farms in the U.S. formed independently in 1986, as the Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts, and the Temple-Wilton Community Farm in New Hampshire. In 1990, there were already 50 CSA farms in North America. Today’s estimations vary, with reports of at least 2,000 CSA farms, and perhaps as many as 3,000.

A CSA is usually run as a small, independent family farm. After community members sign up to purchase shares, a yearly budget is drawn up to determine what the production costs will be for that year. The budget is then divided by the number of members who have signed up, which, in turn, determines what the cost of each share will be. Members either buy their shares up front, or arrange to pay in installments throughout the season. Many CSAs also offer a work option for families who cannot afford to buy a full share, where as they can help plant and harvest to work for a portion of their share. The close proximity of the farm to its members strengthens local economy by keeping local food dollars circulating within the community, allows for consumption of fresh and healthy foods, as well as educates members on the natural cycles of food and plants. In a CSA, farmers can concentrate on producing the highest quality produce because they do not have to worry about finding potential buyers for their product. As a result, the weekly crop is delegated solely for the shareholders.

To find your local farmers market, check out www.farmersmarket.com.

–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

Ok, kid. One kid. One four-year-old girl. I now have the utmost respect for my mother who had seven children in tow and wondered why or how she ever planned camping trips for us where you have to bring all of the gear, down to the toilet paper.

We traveled by plane and car from Baltimore to the small town of
Surry, Maine for a week. I’m writing this in past tense, but, indeed,
it’s our last day here in this lovely oasis of nature, ocean and
absolute peace. While sitting on the conifer-protected deck
overlooking the Atlantic, we’ve seen schools of dolphins swim by and a
seal who seems to just ride the gentle waves all day. Until the
lobster farmer with his loud engine roars by to check the traps.

I find traveling to be one of the hardest times to be green when
you’re with kids because you just want them to be happy, entertained
and, well, quiet when you’re on the plane or on a 3-hour car ride. I
found a few toys, games and treats that made the trip go a little
smoother:

- Books, books, books. I bring many soft cover books in our carry on
for travel entertainment and bedtime routine. I often buy these at
second-hand stores and we donate the ones that don’t meet our very
high literary standards (depending on the week, Dora is in or out). 

-  We also write our own books about our adventures.  We’d love to share them with you (as soon as I put them in a web-friendly format!).  I bring blank sketchbooks and paper and tape and we create stories about everything from Emperor Penguins who have no clothes to Clown Weddings.

- Photo albums. I always bring a small photo album or two for my daughter because she is mesmerized with her own baby photos and photos of family in general. She has loved to have her own albums since she was younger than 2, so I make them for her regularly and always have one in my bag to keep her entertained.

- I haven’t figured this one out yet – where do old sticker books go to die? My daughter can whip through 150 stickers in 10 seconds flat but I know the coated paper is not recyclable. I am in search of recycled and recyclable stickers. I want to make my own, too, so add a comment if there is a certain brand of sticker paper you like (or premade stickers) which are eco-friendly. We had an Usborne sticker book called the Shells Sticker Book which was gorgeous – 150 shells with information about their type and location which kept us busy for hours.

- Crayons and paper. The go-to entertainment always works if mom or dad join in the coloring.  The water-color crayons are really cool when spritzed with water.

- Post-its. For some reason, post-its in all sorts of colors, stuck to everything from the airplane tray table to the car window are fun, fun, fun.  We take out magazines and make new outfits out of post-its for the fashion don’ts

- DVDs. I admit it freely that we bring our portable DVD player and our favorite DVDs. Wonder Pets (all of them are excellent), Max & Ruby and HBOs Classical Baby are our current favorites.

- iPod. I load up my iPod with my favorite tunes and then make a playlist for my daughter. The new iCarly CD is fantastic if you like faster songs, as are Dan Zanes and Father Goose. Frances England, Elizabeth Mitchell and Lisa Loeb are always reliable for more mellow tunes.  I bring along one of those speaker pillows so she can listen while lounging.

- Snacks. Organic popcorn, pretzels and cereal with full Sigg bottles of water (filled after we go through airport security) and organic lemonade.

- Klutz’s The Fabulous Book of Paper Dolls. Paper dolls have evolved, finally! I still think I am onto something with my post-it note dresses (see my birthday party post), but Klutz has the best paper doll book I have seen, complete with storage pockets in the back for all of the clothing. My 4-year-old couldn’t quite pop out the dolls by herself so a couple are now limb-less, but we had fun dressing them. (www.klutz.com)

And, while in Blue Hill, Maine, I went into an adorable shop called New Cargoes (http://www.newcargoes.com/)  which had some great finds for the vacation week and the return trip home. Many of these have appeared in Kiwi’s pages already, but I was happy to stumble upon them for my personal use on this trip. Some of my favorites were:

- Crocodile Creek Matchbox Puzzles. We found these 3″ x 4″ puzzles
in, yes, what appeared to be small matchboxes. They had an array of horses and dinosaurs; they’re really cute and entertaining (and fast - 12-13 pieces each). My daughter called the finished puzzles her IDs (because of the size – it looks like my Johns Hopkins ID badge) and she spent hours putting them together and taking them apart. They were $2 each. (www.crocodilecreek.com)

- Envirosax eco-friendly bags for $10 each. If you’re like me, I have many eco-friendly shopping bags from my local grocery store. I actually bring many of them on vacation, using them to wrap shoes in our luggage or for dirty clothes on the way home (the bag and the clothes go straight in the laundry). But, I could not resist the stylish waterproof polyester bags with crazy aliens, dinosaurs, and even pretty patterns for mom. They roll up to nothing for easy portability. I bought the alien bag and started using it immediately, and was stopped twice in the next 5 minutes to ask me where I got such a cute bag. The waterproof feature is excellent because we had many
swimming adventures in Maine and storing icky wet bathing suits and clothing was a breeze with these cute bags in tow. (www.envirosax.com)

- All Terrain Herbal Armor Mosquito Repellant DEET-Free Lotion with SPF 15. Skeeters are the price you pay in gorgeous coastal Maine. They’re big, persistent and they come out at all times of the day (depending on the type of mosquito, some are day feeders and some are night feeders) and this stuff really worked to keep us bite-free. But those tenacious mosquitos bite through clothing, so you really have to
apply this lotion to your whole body and then get dressed to really work. (www.allterrainco.com)

- Greggo Magnets – Magnetic Birds. We were staying at a house with a refrigerator, therefore magnet play was de rigeur. Greggo has magnets of every shape and style and we chose two (at $13, we didn’t want to get too many but it was tempting). We got ones that were birds with the color photo and name of each bird (very handy when you’re out of your area and having trouble identifying the types of birds.  We also purchased the sea animals which are also wonderful. And, when your child is mass producing artwork like a crazed Picasso, these magnets will obviously be functional for hanging up the masterpieces on the fridge.

My only complaint was that the manufacturer packaged the magnets with double-sided tape onto a carboard backing and it was really difficult to remove the magnets without having goo all over them (plus a magnet or two ripped). Make sure, too, that the ones you choose are age-appropriate because swallowed magnets are very dangerous. (www.greggomagnets.com)

- The one thing I always seem to neglect bringing enough of is bath toys. My daughter likes to go on a bathing hiatus on vacation, but I can usually convince her by day five, when her curls are cemented together, by tossing in toys, cups and bubbles. I ended up buying a tube of birds from Safari Ltd. which are made in China but listed as
phthalate-free. These are for children over the age of 3. (www.safariltd.com)

- Yummy Earth organic vitamin C pops. This is the bribery candy which buys us time in traffic jams and airport lounges. If my daughter is begging for sweets, I carry these pops and I feel just a little better than if I just whip out the corn syrup-laden goodies. These are vegan and organic, but, yes, they are still sugary treats (fortunately, the neighboring town of Blue Hill has a co-op with all sorts of organic
and locally grown goodies.) (www.yummyearth.com)

-  I recently learned of a company called BabyPlays.com which is a subscription toy service, much like Netflix is for movies. They have a feature where you can have toys sent to your address on vacation. I am definitely going to try this out for my next vacation, even if it’s at my own home address!  The coolest feature of all is that they test their toys for lead and other safety issues.

We are fortunate that our entertainment in Maine is nature. We take
walks on the beach and walks through the woods to explore and see
“critters.” So, we were active all day, every day and fell into bed
at 9pm every night. I find the “out of sight, out of mind” rule
applies to my daughter, so we removed the DVD player from her sight
and she forgot about wanting to watch television (most of the time)
and wanted to be outside learning to skip rocks into the ocean or
search for minnows in tide pools.

Do you have special tricks and tools you use on vacation to keep your
kids happy?

I will be writing about traveling with kids from a safety standpoint
in the next blog entry. We rented a car with a booster seat on this
trip but I was really disappointed with the age, quality and
sturdiness of the seat we got. Stay tuned to talk about seats for
airplanes/cars, travel strollers and other travel products.

“Nearly every American hungers to move,” writes John Steinbeck in Travels With Charley, an account of the author’s travels across America in an RV. After a three-week, business-related stay in a hotel room, the Janssen family realized they wanted to downsize their life. Eventually, this lead to their own cross-country adventure, complete with a modern twist. Thus, the Live Lightly Tour was born.

After finding a used RV on Craigslist from an 84-year old man in Illinois, Matt and Sara Janssen took it to Golden Fuel Systems (www.goldenfuelsystems.com) where a custom conversion kit was installed, allowing the camper to run on veggie oil. According to Sara, the RV’s tank holds 100 gallons of eco-friendly fuel, which allows for about 800 miles of travel.

Why abandon your home, as well as the majority of your possessions, for something so tiny? “For some, going smaller is a challenge, but we enjoy it,” Sara explains. “We have gained such a connection as a family and also with the outdoors.”

For Matt and Sara, along with their young daughter, Bella, having the freedom to travel anywhere they want is an exciting opportunity. And while they sometimes miss having a consistent group of family or friends around, this is offset by the privilege of meeting all kinds of new people and creating many new relationships. Plus, the option to visit home is always available. “We don’t have our own yard to play in, but we have an entire country […] with parks on every corner! For each challenge, there is an equal benefit,” Sara tells me.

The response to veggie oil, as well as the tour’s larger message of living simply and following one’s dreams, has been overwhelmingly positive. Says Sara, “[T]hey are sick of punching a time clock and living in a cubicle. They want to follow their dreams and take the same leap of faith that we took.”

While its easy to be overwhelmed by the numerous aspects of green living, the Janssens encourage people to start small. The family believes incorporating lots of small changes over time will add up to larger ones, and strives to spread this message with the people they meet across America.

Want to learn more about the Live Lightly Tour and the Janssen’s take on green living? Visit www.livelightlytour.com.

-Marygrace Stergakos, Editorial Intern with KIWI Magazine

I try to do something eco-friendly every day and add new things to my repertoire.

In addition to my newest eco-additions of a righteous, worm-filled compost pile and a new garden plot, I have tackled some other baddies to try to be better.

I don’t idle my car at the top of the driveway to get my mail. I am now getting into paper mache crafts and using recycled paper insead of heading to the craft store for more supplies.

But the one thing that is eluding me at present is all of the catalogues. I am very careful not to sign up for free contests and offers because, well, nothing is really free. But, if I get one more Oriental Trading catalogue filled with plastic trinkets, I am going to scream.

I signed up for GreenDimes (www.greendimes.com) which I think is a very good organization. The only problem is that I took the time to fill out all the forms, enter all of the catalogue names and customer numbers. I just went on the site to enter a few more and every single entry had an “action required” button.

So, each and every mail order company requires something different, all of which costs me money and more time. It is so frustrating. Some need a letter (which GreenDimes writes for you) but it requires a stamp (there are at least 20 of these on my list). Some require a payment to be removed (ok, it’s a dollar but requires writing a check).

I think these mail-order companies are purposely obtuse when it comes to removing my name, but it is automatic to get on the list.

So, what I thought would be a 15-minute project to up-green myself is taking a couple of hours. I have to be honest, I don’t believe that all of these companies will actually respond appropriately and quickly to my request.

I wonder if there is a way to refuse delivery and have all of the mail returned to them at their expense? Now, that would send a message loud and clear, wouldn’t it?

I’m interested in hearing about your up-greening experiences!

-Edamaddy, I mean Edamommy

I have always worried about the environmental impact of shipping food hundreds of miles across the country and in some cases (fresh peaches in New England in January?) thousands of miles around the world. In addition, if you pay attention to the dwindling fate of local farmers, it all begins to make sense what the logical answer is: become a locavore. If you are obsessed with the idea of eating really good food, like I am, challenge yourself this summer. Try to only buy food that is grown within a 100-mile radius of your home.

Among locavore enthusiasts, a popular pastime is the “eat local challenge,” in which participants try, usually for one month, to eat only food that comes from within their community. The rest of the year, many locavores are more realistic about the limits of their devotion but still make an attempt to buy whatever local products they can.

For example, I have found a local (75 miles away) farmer, Farmer Bob, who, once a month delivers organic, free-range, grass-fed meat, eggs, and cheese to a group of us. He also makes 7 other stops within a 20-mile range on delivery day. It has been such a smashing success for him that he has brought in some of his local farmer friends and now we have options for seasonal veggies and homemade pastas and pies, all at the cost that he would sell to the local grocer. We are helping to support his farming community and he provides our families with outstanding quality foods that are extremely fresh!

If you live anywhere where there is a farming community within 100 miles of where you live, I can assure you that there is a framer Bob waiting to start a food co-op. Pick a beautiful weekend day to go explore the countryside and don’t be afraid to visit local farms and farm stands and ask lots of questions. These farmers need you as badly as you need them.

As you begin your quest to become a locavore, start by visiting http://www.localharvest.org/blog/ or http://www.eatlocalchallenge.com/ for ideas of where you can find locally grown goods in your area.

–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

While the duties of an intern might traditionally include fetching coffee or sorting mail, such has not been my experience with KIWI magazine. I’ve been given lots of interesting work since I started a few weeks ago, including proofing our upcoming issue and writing for KiwiScoop, our online newsletter. The best assignment yet, however, came today, when I was asked to sample chocolate and write about it.

I like to think of Explorer’s Bounty’s line of organic, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, cashews, cocoa nibs, and espresso beans as treats I can feel good about. At 70% cacao, the dark chocolate coating is rich and flavorful without being too sweet, and is a good source of beneficial antioxidants, flavonoids and iron. While the subtle flavor of the macadamia nut was somewhat overpowered by chocolate, the same coating served as a complement to the bolder cashew and espresso bean. The tiny cocoa nibs had a nice crunch, and could stand in as the perfect replacement for chocolate jimmies sprinkled over ice cream. After trying each variety, I made sure to keep these treats off my desk and out of sight – it was the only way to ensure I didn’t polish off the whole bag by the end of the day.

What makes me really happy, though, is Explorer’s Bounty’s commitment to the planet. In their support for organic farming, the company demonstrates its passion for sustainability, as well as reducing pollution and waste. In particular, they have developed equitable relationships with numerous groups including Kandu, a non-profit organization for adults with employment barriers.

You can learn more at www.explorersbounty.com. The tropical, treasure-themed website gives a great idea of what this company and their delicious, eco-friendly chocolates are all about.

-Marygrace Stergakos, Editorial Intern with KIWI Magazine

Gaining momentum across the country, the raw food movement advocates a diet consisting mostly or completely of whole, uncooked, and often organic foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains and legumes.

Many turn to a raw diet with the belief that it promotes greater health. Raw foodists feel that valuable digestive enzymes, as well as an abundance of nutrients, are destroyed when food is heated above 120 degrees. Additionally, raw foods have the potential to aid in the management of chronic diseases, and promote weight maintenance.

Of course, you don’t have to be a raw foodist to benefit from whole, unprocessed food – try eating raw just once or twice a week. The meal could be as simple as a romaine lettuce and fresh vegetable salad tossed with a raw, pine nut-based Caesar dressing. For something more elaborate, experiment with zucchini “noodles” in a raw tomato sauce.

Raw desserts are also great to try. Rich and satisfying to any sweet tooth, these fruit and nut-based treats pack a nutritional punch not found in traditional desserts. Raw pies work well for those with gluten intolerances, as the crusts and fillings are always wheat free. This strawberry one by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is perfect for summer. Ani Phyo’s raw donut holes are a great option for kids, who can help roll and shape the balls.

Interested in learning more? Check out the Raw Freedom Community, a message board with discussions about raw diets, raw parenting, and eco-friendly living.

-Marygrace Stergakos, Editorial Intern with KIWI Magazine

I am trying to figure out how and where to plant a garden in my yard but I have some serious obstacles. As I mentioned before, I have two very wild and crazy dogs (Mya and Stewpot) from Bratislava (kidding) who have the run of my backyard. When I say “run,” it isn’t in jest. They have run through my backyard chasing critters and actually made the pachysandra retreat and die. We have a wooded lot, so there isn’t a perfect spot in the back to plant where I wouldn’t need a 6-ft fence to keep the mutts out.

The front yard is more lush (no dogs) but the deer have realized through their pee-mail network (my husband’s joke – we have email, critters have peemail) that the dogs don’t go there. I really should install a sneeze shield and take-out containers in the front because it is one giant deer salad bar. And, I don’t want to be the eyesore of the neighborhood by building a 6-ft fence around a garden plot (although the neighbor across the way is very unfriendly, which is an incentive to build something and paint it pink).. But I really want to grow vegetables. I refuse to take down trees and container gardening just doesn’t inspire me.

I need an intervention. My mom who is 82 tells me stories about the garden her father planted and how her mom got them through winters during the Depression by canning and storing every fruit and vegetable. We always had a large vegetable garden when I was growing up in Pennsylvania. I actually used to dislike it because one of my chores was weeding it. If I had to write a country song about it, it would be titled: I Was Composting Before Composting Was Cool.

CONGRATS TO BROOKLYN MAMA WHO IS THE WINNER OF THE COMMENT CONTEST AND WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF EARTH MATTERS :)  The contest is now closed, but comments are always welcome!

While I ramp up to go raw next week (for three months), I wanted to tell you all about the eco-friendly party I planned for my daughter’s 4th birthday this past weekend.    

This blog entry now has a comment contest!  I will choose a comment at random (once we hit 50 so tell all of your friends and frenemies) to win EARTH MATTERS book by DK Publishing, which is an excellent green guide for kids and explains everything from carbon to ecosystems.  It’s for ages 7+ but it has lovely photos so any kid or parent will enjoy!!

You know how parties go - some things worked, some didn’t.

Let me tell you what didn’t work first:

• I called a local nature center (Irvine Nature Center) to see if I could hire (or donate money) to have a nature education specialist walk the kids from the party through our woods and identify plants, trees and animals. I was going to make a field guide for the kids to use to identify the flora and fauna, and take photos of the walk to upload and make a photo book. Nixed. The nature center doesn’t do anything for private homes, even for a fee or freelance.

• If I had thought of the field guide idea earlier, I probably could have tracked down someone (a landscaper, local botanist, college professor) to do it, but it was too late. It’s still something I want to implement for another time because, well, those trees and squirrels aren’t going anywhere. Although I think it’s a great idea, but I would probably have a nature expert come a few days before the party so I can scout for poison ivy and prepare the guide before the guests come.

• I also failed at making little tea cakes using the Williams-Sonoma tea cake pan with a pound cake recipe. I suppose you have to only use their recipe to make the cakes come out properly. Mine stuck to the pan and wound up in the compost pile. However, I made a few crayon tea cakes from broken crayon pieces melted down, and these are super cute. Forget the cakes and make crayons.   We have had great luck using the “bug” pan from W-S for muffins (we call then “buggins”) and things, but this pan is so detailed that it’s hard to get the right result.

What worked:

Tea party theme:

• My husband’s mom is from Exeter, England, so we had the master make her famous scones (want the recipe?  Add a comment and I will post it) and cucumber sandwiches, which were a big hit.  We made them into “finger” and “toe” sandwiches by cutitng them with metal hand and foot cookie cutters (the plastic cookie cutters don’t cut sandwiches very well.)

• I didn’t realize that my daughter was stuffing scones into our homemade gourd bird feeder.  She wanted our feathered guests to feel welcome, too.

• I planned to just use my dishes and silverware instead of disposables but I ended up buying some eco-friendly plates because I panicked. We used regular silverware for the adults and some Zoopal plastic cutlery (which my sister had given us). We rinsed the eco-plates and put them in the recycling bin. 

• All of the food waste (dips that were in the sun, stale chips and some veggies) were composted.  We had very little left over.

• We didn’t go vegan, but we went vegetarian. It was a hot day, so I wanted to serve only cold food, so the menu also included:
  • Mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, basil in balsamic vinaigrette
  • Mexican pinwheels made from organic spinach tortillas, lowfat cream cheese, chopped sweet red peppers, chopped red onion and taco seasoning.  The extra filling was served with Trader Joe’s Organic Vegetable tortilla strips (we found the bear in the chip aisle and won a fruit leather on this trip to TJs).
  • Veggies with lowfat ranch dressing including these interesting pale yellow carrots I found at Wegman’s.  Everyone was amused by them although questioning the amount of beta carotene in yellow carrots (never invite scientists to a birthday party - total party poopers!).
  • Broccoli sprouts on everything except the cake
  • Blueberries, blackberries & raspberries (Intentionally, I left out any type of berries that had to be hulled or cut up to reduce prep time.  These berries were just washed and placed in bowls.

Desserts/Birthday cake:

• Did you know that a Christmas tree cake pan, if turned in the other direction, looks suspiciously like a crocodile? Add marshmallow eyes and teeth and Voila!

• I am a big fan of homemade cakes because you know exactly what is going into them.  We make our cakes with butter and sugar so they’re not health food but there aren’t preservatives if they’re made fresh in your own kitchen.   I couldn’t find any natural/organic food dye, which was the only bummer. But, I think kids enjoy helping with the food preparation, especially mixing and decorating cakes so we’re going the homemade route until my daughter declares it isn’t cool.
• We made “firecrackers” which are big pretzel rods dipped in dark organic chocolate with red, white and blue sprinkles.
• I had a sundae bar with ice cream and all sorts of toppings, all of which melted within seconds of being brought outside. I used glass sundae dishes instead of plastic or throwaway dishes just to add to the festivities. We’ll use these over and over for parties.

Drinks:

• Honest Tea has a new kids juice pouch which is organic and has less sugar. I love them, but my daughter doesn’t actually like them (the other kids seemed to really like them so you’ll have to judge yourself!). If you collect enough of the pouches, you can recycle them at Terracycle (www.terracycle.net).

• I made fresh iced tea in two flavors: decaf green tea and black tea. Both from Brassica tea products because that’s my husband’s company (www.brassica.com) and it’s also really great tea.  Kids actually will drink the decaf green sweetened with raw sugar or blue agave (my daughter likes hers sweetened with honey, both hot or cold tea).

• We planned to make fresh lemonade but simply ran out of time. I bought Newman’s Lemonade.

• Water. I know this is problematic to have bottled water, but I fought my conscience against hydrated guests or no plastic bottles but it was 90+ degrees. The bottles won.  I would have loved to give each guest a Sigg bottle if I had the budget or time. I have green guilt but all of the bottles were kept for my next mini-golf adventure.

Decorations:

• The table with the tea party setup and paper dolls was the main decorative element. I just took a piece of blue gingham fabric that I had from making my daughter a Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) costume and used that as a tablecloth.

•  The yellow envelopes on the table contain a color copy of the original Wee Wonderfuls doll pattern with some clothing. I made some smaller versions (5″) of the doll and also very small ones (1.5″ wine charms) which I punched a small hole, put an elastic ponytail band through, and tied up their goody bag with it. Inside the envelope was also a little wooden (flat) teapot and cupcake from Michael’s because, well, even paper dolls get thirsty and hungry!
• The little pitchers were actually from Wal-mart and they were with the measuring cups - I think the label said they were for creamer.  But, who doesn’t love little tiny pitchers?  Each girl could pour her own drink which is the best part of a tea party! I lined the washed pitcher with a paper toille napkin.
• The placemats are eeboo Fairies of the Garden wall cards which I laminated.  I put the letter of each girl’s first name at her place.
• Green toys has the BEST plastic tea set and cooking set, both of which I had on our table. The products are made in the US from recycled milk jugs and they’re pretty colors and totally kid friendly. ( http://www.greentoys.com/)
• I bought a real china tea cups (mismatched), teapot  and linen napkins from the local Goodwill for the party. They were cheap, adorable and replaceable. Plus, these are things I can see being used for years and years on the playdate circuit and even for grownups. I like to buy things second-hand and multipurpose them.

Games:

• You just can’t beat eeboo for the coolest party games (www.eeboo.com). We had:
  • Stick the Fairy on the Flower. The gorgeous fairy poster was too pretty to just tape on a door, so I put it in a large IKEA poster frame and we stuck the fairies on the front.  The poster is now hanging in our playroom for future playdates.
  • The Tea Party game (our favorite)
  • The Picnic Game
  • Go fish card game
• Unfortunately, no one played any of the games at the party because everyone was outside, but my daughter loves them and we played them all the next day. Great for little girl playdates or smaller settings.

• I made a mini-golf course out of recycled cardboard, cream cheese tubs, boxes and plastic.  I have to admit some of the “holes” were lame but the party goers were all 4 years old, so I kept it simple. I was also worried about rain so I didn’t put as much time into it as I could have.

• I named each hole (9 holes total, I think) after each partygoer (Pizza Mia, Mimi’s Pet Shop, Sam’s Bagels, Lily’s Flower Shop, Ava’s Kites, Elisa’s Ice Cream, Tony’s Broccoli Sprouts and Fill Dirt (inside joke), and Izzy’s Beach Rentals). I took everything from a toy dump truck to an inflatable bagel and made them into easy putts (See photos.) Next time, I plan to make fewer “holes” and make them a little more complex. I think everyone spent most of their time playing golf.
• I bought straw hats and used leftover ribbon and craft supplies for the girls to decorate. It was a cute idea but the kids just wanted to play outside so no one decorated a fancy hat (sniff).  I was going to have a “pink carpet” made from a roll of pink floral wallpaper to make a fashion show when the girls finished their hats, but that whole idea flopped.  I think that’s an idea for next time.
• I downloaded a free gorgeous paper doll template from Wee Wonderfuls (weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/store/paperdolls.html). I transferred the pdf into Photoshop and change each doll’s eye and hair color to match the partygoer. I printed them out on photo paper and laminated. I then thought of a way to dress them without glue, tape or other messy things by using post-it notes.  I simply cut a post-it note into the shape of the lavendar dress you see in the paper doll photo below. The sticky part of the note were at the doll’s shoulders. The post-it notes can be decorated with markers, stickers, etc… Those super sticky notes work the best).
• I made smaller versions of the paper dolls for “wine charms” for the girls’ party favors and cups. No one played with these, either (double sniff). I found a bag of hard foam blocks (from when we had our rugs cleaned – used to lift furniture off of rug) and made these the holders for the dolls. They didn’t have enough weight so I glued on glass marbles.

1. I also ordered Kites on a Roll (http://www.kitesonaroll.com/) which are recyclable kites that come 20 per roll for about $40. You can also add on biodegradable tails. The kites are packed by people with disabilities and the company owner is a sweetheart, so this company is a wonderful find. Only a couple of kids did this craft.

• Outside, we had squirt guns, chalk, bubbles, tents and balls. Despite the heat, the kids pretty much played with this stuff or the mini golf.
• We received various kid tents as gifts so they were outside and the kids seemed to enjoy playing in them.

The goody bags:

• I made a mix CD for the party so I just made copies for the guests and made my own CD covers which can be colored by the birthday girl or her guests.  The songs were dance tunes from Will Smith (Switch) to Deee-Lite (Groove is in the Heart).
• One rock candy stick (it would have been fun to swizzle in the lemonade tea party if they had been inside!)
• One homemade hair bow.
• They took home the paper doll, mini lemonade pitcher and kite. Somehow, the hats remained behind but we’ll try the hat decorating again soon with a playdate.

Invite the best guests in the world:

• Our guests were so kind. My daughter was thrilled that her teacher, our friends and neighbors came to celebrate her special day.
• Everyone helped keep the kids happy and hydrated. Everyone helped get the food out and in, even my friend Sher who is due with baby #1 any day.

Lessons learned:

• Have babies in cooler months. June birthdays are hot ☺
• Don’t panic and add additional food and beverage items. People don’t eat that much at parties, especially in the heat.
• Limit the crafts/activities. I had plans B,C,D, and E in case of rain which was too much. But, we had so much fun prepping for the event; my daughter and I had made paper dolls, picked out tea sets, decorated the table, and made a kite.
• Hire a babysitter or ask a friend to come over the morning before the party starts so the birthday child is happy and occupied. You’re rushing around to get things out (no matter how much you do in advance) and everyone is calling and it becomes pandemonium.
• Do your best when it comes to recycling and reducing consumption. Make it easy for guests to toss cans and bottles in the recycling bin. Make food fresh instead of from packages. And, if you do have waste, compost it or turn it into a mini-golf course!

I completely forgot my daughter’s lunchbox today at school. I spend a fair bit of time preparing her fare, so it wasn’t just a sammy with chips.

It’s a lot of work to make her waste-free lunch:

• I use a thermal bag made from recycled plastic
• a wrap n mat for sandwiches
• I do use plastic (EEK!) containers with twist on tops for things like cucumber slices, hard-boiled egg and grapes
• I really have to get a bento. Considering my husband goes to Japan regularly, I imagine it won’t be that hard. Check this link out for cool lunch box ideas, www.lunchnugget.com. The original bento lunchboxer is here www.veganlunchbox.com. Inspirational, albeit a little intimidating.

Anyhow, back to the left lunch. I seriously contemplated pulling a Ferris Bueller and having a pizza and lemonade delivered to her classroom because I was in such as rush to meet some Kiwi and other deadlines. But, I sucked up the carbon footprint and drove home to retrieve the left lunch. Fortunately, it was out of doggy reach and still safe.

Admittedly, I had several phone meetings and articles to write, but I was rushing because I had a hair appointment. I am one of those people who goes to the salon about 3 times a year, and I always call to make my appoint within 4 hours of getting it cut (I wake up, decide I have to have my hair cut, and call around til I find someone to do it). I go to this cool place called FX Studios (just north of Baltimore MD - www.fxstudios.com and I had a new stylist named Grace who was very sweet and gave me a great cut. You can watch a movie as you get your hair cut (it reminds me of those kiddie cut places where the kid is parked in front of a DVD so they won’t notice). The funny part of the cut to me was the review of all of the hair products as organic, natural and vegan. I’m all for it but the chances of me using 8 hair products in one hair styling event at my home is about nil. I did like that they had a whole lobby full of natural nail care products which work really well and don’t peel off in sheets when you take a shower.

I was at my son’s travel soccer tryouts last night. The setting: a beautiful local winery that rents its fields to our town for the kids to play soccer and lacrosse. The winery is surrounded by dense New England forest, the kind every kid dreams about running through if it weren’t for the deer tick checks that inevitably follow each romp.

In New England, we wait a long time to wear tank tops and capris, following our dreadfully long winters, only to be bombarded by flying, biting bugs of all shapes and sizes. Black flies, gnats, mosquitoes… if you have ever been to New England in the summer, you know what I am taking about. The beauty is like no other, and so are the bugs.

People love to have me around because I am a natural magnet for these venomous creatures. They tend to leave others alone when I am around. Unfortunately for my daughter, I passed this gene on to her.

As a result I have been forced into finding the perfect natural insect repellent, while avoiding conventional sprays that contain DEET. And let me tell you, I have tried them all!

Here’s what works: essential oils of citronella, lemon eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, lemongrass, cedar, peppermint, clove, and geranium.

The down side of these is that they require frequent application to be effective.

My personal favorite formula, Buzz Away Extreme, is made with all natural ingredients (and it smells good, too). Not only did it last an entire soccer practice, but it allowed me to water my garden three hours later, at dusk with not a single bite!!

–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

I was making my family some brownies the other night and the two of them would have eaten the whole batch if I hadn’t had a sugar intervention.

Here’s where the nickname came in.

I looked over at my daughter and she had a streak of brownie goo which connected her two eyebrows. The resulting name (which I won’t utter in front of her)?

Unibrownie.

I think it’s interesting the way we label everything and everyone. I was uneasy being a vegan mainly because I wasn’t sure I could live up to the regulations associated with the name. Would people judge me for wearing leather shoes? Or scrutinize my beverages? So, I’m not a big fan of labels.

I think that might be the key to something the trendsters are calling green guilt. You try really hard to recycle, compost, reduce waste, carry a water bottle, eat local, eat plants, grow your own…but then you get to the gym and forget the water bottle. Or you jump on a treadmill and feel guilty because the thing is plugged in. It should be the other way around, right? If you pedal, run, step or walk, shouldn’t you be generating electricity?

My green guilt comes from my house, mainly. I am desperate to install solar panels, get rid of my lawn with attractive moss and groundcover, have a huge and bountiful garden (impervious to deer and bunnies), get a new eco-mattress for every bed and ditch the rugs for renewable wood floors. But, it’s not in the budget in the short-term. And, you have to remove things which have to be recycled, disposed of or somehow evaporated.

We do our best.

Looking for a summer project that’s fun, economical, and kid-friendly? Try growing your own herbs.

Fresh herbs add flavor and personality when sprinkled over any dish and can be used in pestos, sauces, dips, green smoothies, or herbal teas. What’s more, having a pot of fresh herbs on your windowsill is cheaper and more convenient than buying them at the market.

Getting started is easy. All you need is a pot or container with sufficient draining (try terracotta, metal, or plastic), potting soil, and some seeds. Some of the most oft-used herbs include basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, cilantro, sage, or mint. However, you could also try less traditional flavors, like lemon basil, chamomile, or lavender. Other small plants such as stevia (a natural, calorie-free sweetener) or wheatgrass (a young grass that is said to have numerous health benefits) are also great choices.

Kids can help plant seeds, as well as take charge of watering duties. Once the herbs have grown, children can choose and gather herbs for cooking.

Check out Territorial Seed Company at www.territorialseed.com for organic and heirloom seed varieties. Don’t feel like going through the trouble of planting? Visit Eggling.com, which has a selection of pre-planted herbs in cute, egg-shaped pots.

-Marygrace Stergakos, Editorial Intern with KIWI Magazine

What is the past tense of vegan?

Vedone?
Vegone?
Vewitched, bothered and vewildered?

Here’s the deal. I love being Edamommy (I am keeping the moniker) and my alter ego, The Vegan Mary. I also like to think of myself as the 40-year-old Vegan.

But, I am ready for a new challenge, and that’s where you come into the picture. I happened to catch an episode of Sex and the City where Miranda described non-dairy vegan ravioli as kindergarten paste. Foreshadowing? I am wrapping up this vegan venture soon just because it’s time for something new to fuel my ruthless journalistic fire. I never reached the point where I fed my dogs kiddle (that’s the soy version of kibble) but I think I gave this gig a fair shot.

I have some options here. Eventually, I would love to have a gig like Matt Lauer where I am sent around the world to tropical places where someone carries my bag and does my hair and makeup, but the publisher hasn’t agreed. Yet.

So, where are we adventuring next? You can rate these items with the following – *YAWN* OR *DARE YA* (as an added bonus, feel free to suggest your own theme song)
1. Raw foods - This one makes me really nervous. My editor calls this vegan x 10, which of course makes me really want to try it. (Theme song: If lovin’ you is RAWNG, I don’t want to be right)
2. Waste-free kitchen – all compost, no plastic waste, waste-free lunches (Theme song: Guns n Roses Welcome to the Jungle)
3. Shopping diet - Not even my favorite thrift shop. Nothing except food staples. Or food and staples. (Smokey Robinson – Shop Around)
4. Keep on vegan, baby! (I can’t think of a song except Last Night a Vegan Saved my Life)
5. Your suggestion? Keep it clean and legal, please.

And here’s the coolest part! By just voting with your comments, you can be randomly chosen to receive a really awesome vegetarian cookbook.

I will announce the results of the vote in late June.

It seems only fitting to introduce a new theme song. I chose Madonna’s Like a Virgin.

I made it through the wilderness
Somehow I made it through
Didnt know how lost I was
Until I found tofu.

I was meat incomplete
I’d been had, I was sad and blue
But you made me feel
Yeah, you made me feel
Shiny and new

Like a vegan…

Who’d have thought that to help increase the population of some dwindling species, all we have to do is eat them?!

That’s the premise behind Renewing America’s Food Traditions: Saving and Savoring the Continent’s Most Endangered Foods, a new book by Gary Paul Nabhan (Chelsea Green Publishing, $35).

The book takes readers on a journey across North America, introducing them to more than 1,000 edible plant and animal species, most of which they probably have never seen on the shelves of the grocery store.

But that’s exactly the point of the book. Because these items aren’t an everyday part of our diets, their numbers have dwindled over the years, as they’re not being cultivated for our consumption.

It’s all about supply and demand.

If there’s a demand for a certain food product, inevitably, a supply will be produced to best meet that demand. Nabhan hopes that his book, filled with cooking tips and recipes, will create a demand for food stuffs that once were part of our American culture. With a new interest in incorporating native foods into the American diet, farmers and ranchers will once again have a reason to cultivate the plant and animal species that have long been forgotten.

So don’t be surprised if sometime soon, you see Makah Ozette potatoes, Ojai Pixie tangerines, or Tennessee Fainting Goat meat on a menu near you! It’s all just a part of the plan to create a resurgence in native North American species.

-Jena Parise, Marketing Coordinator for KIWI Magazine

Here’s an interesting list for you to chew on. A well-known animal rights organization has a list of everyday junk food that is vegan. I’m not saying it’s healthy or good, but it’s vegan approved.

Things that are vegan:
Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies (Peach)
Thomas New York Style Bagels (Plain)
Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate (Double Chocolate)
Kool-Aid Drink Mix
Nabisco Uh-oh Oreos, Spring Oreos, Chocolate Creme Oreos
Newman-O’s (Chocolate Crème)
Pez Candy
Smarties (U.S. version only)
Ben & Jerry’s Jamaican Me Crazy Sorbet
Mrs. Smith’s Dutch Apple Crumb Pie Slices
Froot Loops
Pop Tarts (Unfrosted Strawberry)

Things that are not vegan:
Grilled salmon
Plain yogurt
Skim milk
Honey
Most sushi

One of the most important daily regiments that allergy sufferers need to do is a nasal cleansing rinse. Rinsing out the sinuses and nasal passageways with lukewarm saltwater is an inexpensive, natural and comfortable way to relieve irritated and inflamed tissue. I recommend doing this at least once a day during allergy season, however when pollen counts are highest, or following gardening or lawn mowing, nasal irrigation should be repeated to remove any pollen residue that inevitably produces mucous and congestion.

There are many different nasal rinsing apparatus available on the market; netty pots, Nasaline, and my personal favorite The Rhino Horn. The Rhino Horn is plastic, which has its pros and cons, a pro being that it does not break easily (like a ceramic netty pot) and it travels well. Not to mention, the shape of the Rhino Horn is ergonomically correct in that when the apparatus is held up to the nostril, the saltwater solution flows freer through the sinus passages and out the other nostril.

In addition to rinsing the sinuses, natural remedies that I have found to be most effective for treating seasonal allergies are quercetin and essentially fatty acids. Quercetin stabilizes mast cells so that histamine is not readily released. A dose of 250-500mg three times daily is most effective when allergy season is at its peak.

Essentially fatty acids are effective in reducing inflammation in mucous membranes. The ideal essentially fatty acid blend for allergies and asthma is a combination of borage oil and fish oil (EPA and DHA). I recommend Nordic Naturals Complete Omega 3-6-9 Liquid at a dose of 2 teaspoons per day.

–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

I am having a major Andy Rooney moment. Not the unfortunate eyebrows part, but the “did you ever wonder” part. Did you ever wonder why all of the new diet books on the shelves are just plain mean?

The latest trend seems to be “if we abuse you, you will lose you.” Not that I need a big, authentic, reaffirming Oprah/Eckhart virtual hug every day (Imagine a day where Oprah, Eckhart, Oz and Uma are all on one show) but even Mary Poppins knew that a spoon full of sugar attracts more bees or something like that.

I just want to know what the appeal is of all of these new books that ridicule readers, oh, and happen to have a vegan-agenda. The books remind me of that girl in my college sorority who would say something nasty, always followed by the word ‘kidding” and some smug grin.

If you bought one of those books and crossed out all of the expletives and nonsense commentary with a black marker, it would read like a redacted FBI document.

Maybe I have become a humorless, cranky vegan who needs more vitamins but I could use a little more Elvis Costello – what’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?

I have never been a picky eater and I really get annoyed when dining with one. My nieces who are 18 and 20 still only eat food that usually comes with crayons and a seek-n-find placemat.

I find that to be ridiculous, although my daughter has narrowed her food selections significantly lately. She used to eat bean chili (extra mild), burritos, guacamole and bean salad. Now, it’s chicken, eggs, Caesar salad (my influence), plain pasta and pizza (and Cheetos with dad when I’m not around. But it’s hard to hide a Cheeto-fest with all of that orange evidence). She will eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies (especially broccoli sprouts) as I mentioned, but I am trying to broaden her horizons a little.

She even drinks decaf green tea, but she is the dairy queen, ruler of all things milky and cheesy. She even asks me to tell her bedtime stories about milk. The one we made up is (scroll down to the next day if you can’t even stand the thought of reading this):

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl named Miriam and she lived in a castle with her dogs Mya and Stewie. And this princess loved milk. Milk, milk,milk. Milk for breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. And cheese. And yogurt (“Mom – don’t forget to say ‘yogurt drinks’, too.”) But one day, there was no more milk in the kingdom of Talalay. Not one drop. Every sippy cup was empty. Princess Miriam was so sad. She asked her mom, “Hey Mom! Where’s all of the milk?” “Dunno” Princess Miriam realized if she wanted answers, she’d have to investigate it herself. She went straight to the dairy farm and asked the cows. The cows’ publicist issued this statement: ”Due to the fact that no one says thank you for milk and very few children even know where milk comes from, we are no longer providing milk.” So, Miriam says, “Well, I can understand how you feel. I love milk and I love you. Thank you for all of the milk you’ve ever given me.” From that day on, there was milk for everyone, occasionally chocolate. THE END NOW GO TO BED

I have been telling more people about my vegan venture. Some people think it’s cool and trendy. Others think I have lost my mind. I have given up coffee, too, and my sister thinks that alone qualifies me for a 5150 in California.

The coffee part isn’t going very well at all. I think about coffee a lot and sneak it. Always decaf. I switched to soy and stevia. But, it’s still coffee, no matter how you grind the bean.

I was in the Peace Corps in the former Soviet Union from 1998 to 2000. I joined when I was 32. Talk about raising eyebrows!

Going vegan is nothing compared to telling friends and family I was ditching it all, getting rid of most of my stuff and moving to a country no one has ever heard of. Slovakia is the former half of Czechoslovakia and is bordered by Poland, Austria, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Hungary. Speaking of Hungary, I’m starving.

I’m almost three weeks into this vegan thing. I don’t look different. I don’t feel different. I try to run 3 miles every day and I’ve been struggling more than usual.

Temptations are getting harder. I’m knocking on mozzarella’s door. I want a quickie with quiche. I can’t fight this feeling anymore (sorry – a new theme song from REO Speedwagon is trying to invade the Supreme’s space and I am blocking it with all of my vegemight).

I am going to renew my commitment to being a vegan. I want to make vegan friends. No more secret meatings. No more raving cravings. I am renewing my efforts. Starting tomorrow.

I have a soy dream.

Parenting kids reminds me of preparing a deliciously satisfying but complicated dish! It is often daunting to search for the right healthy recipe with natural ingredients to make the dish wholesome with just the right amount of kick. What a relief when guests rave about the dish… even better when the dish creatively stands alone. What pride you feel at getting the recipe right.

True, the stakes are much higher when trying to get the recipe right when the dish we are tending is a child. As parents we search to find the ingredients to provide the right foundation for our children’s healthy development and growth. In my practice, and as a mom, I have researched many resources looking for helpful evidenced-based parenting information. I enjoy knowing that the “recipe” has been through a test kitchen before experimenting on our own kiddies. One such resource I often recommend is Search Institute.

Search Institute researched 40 developmental assets for helping children grow up “healthy, caring and responsible” including empowering children, setting boundaries and the importance of instilling values. In the mix of raising yummy kids there needs to be a fair amount of improvisation and cooking without a recipe. However, having a staple of ingredients such as, things you can do to help your child succeed (assets), may be worth stocking up on. But, who knew there were 40 of them! (For a complete list visit Search-Institute.org)

Lastly, combine cups filled with fun, love, patience, understanding and a dash of “thyme” for seasoning and you are bound to have a great dish of a kid!

-June Grushka-Rosen M.Ed. is a Life Coach, Educator, Psychotherapist and mommy of two. To contact – June@URextraordinary.com

I’m back on the vagon.

Even without a vegantini, I am struggling more than I did in the beginning. I plan to stick with this for 3 months and give it a fair shot.

I would love to say that I will adopt veganism for life, but I think it’s inevitable that a choice will come down to having a cup of yogurt (not vegan) or a faux chicken nugget. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I think the healthier choice for me is yogurt.

It’s hard to change my perceptions; I embraced dairy for 42 years. Perhaps it’s habit more than desire, but I still associate dairy and eggs as healthy choices. I think lean organic chicken and grilled salmon are also good for me.

I don’t think fake breaded chicken nuggets (or anything with the word nugget in its name) are good for me. I have a severe case of cognitive dissonance. Yes, I realize that example took the best from one lot and the worst from the other, but you see my point.

I’ve worked hard to eat a healthy diet and avoid all things breaded and fried. I have avoided hot dogs, hamburgers, bacon and doughnuts. But, there are vegan versions of all of these things and I think it might not be a good idea to eat them even if they don’t contain animal products. Of course, this may not be about me. What?

I found a vegan website that actually has vegan versions of s’mores, Twinkies and cinnamon buns. Although I would love to try them out of sheer curiosity, I might like them and somehow give the green light to food that I have avoided for decades.

I guess the best way to continue is to always be prepared, find fun vegan food choices and do my best until my blog is bought by Omaha Steaks or Wendy’s.

I cheated. Now I am a cheatin’ vegan. I am a fair-weather vegan.

In my defense, I have been dedicated and fearless in the face of pudding, ranch dressing and Brie. It was a big date with my husband who has been traveling a lot lately. We rarely get a night out alone. I had a vegantini (no animals were harmed, but I think I was) and my inhibitions were down.

I wanted it. I had to have it. I couldn’t keep my hands off of it.

No, I’m not going to get spicy here. I wanted meat. Specifically pot stickers and a sashimi tuna martini. And they tasted amazing. Sure, I felt a little guilty but it was with my husband and it didn’t mean anything. It was just physical. It won’t happen again, I swear. I’ll go to counseling. I’ll do anything for another chance.

For most people, after a long winter, the budding of trees and spring flowers can be a greatly anticipated time of year. However, for allergy sufferers, it can be an unwelcome time as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes prevail. Being proactive with your health during allergy season can vastly prevent most symptoms and make springtime a time to be outdoors.

Histamine is a neurotransmitter that is released from mast cells when the body is exhibiting an allergic reaction or immune response. Histamine dilates blood vessels and increases blood vessel permeability. This leads to visual signs in the body such as localized swelling, warmth, and redness. Histamine also irritates nerve endings that can lead to itching and pain. The bump and redness immediately following a mosquito bite is a good example of this reaction, which occurs seconds after challenge of the mast cell by an allergen. If you are a person whose body “over-reacts” to bug bites, then your body likely has a tendency towards inflammation and allergy.

Try taking a daily dose of Vitamin C. Research shows that 1-gram a day can help to reduce overall histamine levels in the body. Foods that tend to increase histamine levels in the body are strawberries, tomato, chocolate, wine, bananas and shellfish. These foods should be limited or avoided all together during allergy season. In general, dairy foods such as cheese, milk and yogurt should be avoided as well, as they have a tendency to cause generalized inflammation and can create more mucous if it already exists.

Berries such as blueberries, cherries, and raspberries as well as mango contain a good amount of bioflavonoids. These phytochemicals stabilize mast cells in the body and decrease overall histamine response, thus reducing inflammation.

Lastly, try using a HEPA air filter. It can reduce dust in the bedrooms and main living areas as well as eliminate circulating pollen that enters through open windows. Be sure to keep windowsills wiped down in the bedroom and sweep under the bed. Keep in mind; the bedroom should be the most dust-free room in the house as this is where you will have the most concentrated period of breathing throughout the day!

–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

Say you want to try vegan food and don’t want to have to cook different meals for your family. In the early stages, it’s daunting and time-consuming to figure out how to maintain nutritional balance and not fall back into old patterns. Prepare to be amazed. Two words: Hungry Vegan. Meet Amy Townsend. (Amy, Future Vegan. Future Vegan, Amy.) Now kiss and hug her. Amy started the Hungry Vegan (www.hungry-vegan.com) which is a company that ships prepared organic vegan meals nationwide. I don’t live in Manhattan and even getting the pizza guy to find my house is a struggle, but somehow Amy managed to send a cooler of vegan food to my doorstep. It’s some of the best food I have ever tasted. The mushroom bisque with thyme was delicious and cleared my sinuses. For around $85 per week (delivery charges vary based on location), I have been eating delicious, nutritious food which requires minimal prep time. Amy has about 50 clients per week who order her prepared meals and most of them are women (she also mentioned that most of their names start with the letter J. I would have thought V). Her next step is to launch a second vegan menu geared toward reversing diabetes and heart disease. It will be a no oil/no salt added/low glycemic diet that follows the guidelines of the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine. As the Vegan Mary, I hereby declare Amy to be Vegemighty.

 I am re-running this post to get your Friday creative juices flowing.  It’s a comment contest!!  I am going to choose, at random, one person to receive a Wrap-n-mat reusable sandwich wrap for the best new moniker for vegans (nothing snarky, please).  I know, I know - Edamommy already suggested such good ones.  But try your best.  The Vegan Mary is already taken.  I’ll announce the winner in one week and send you your Wrap-n-mat. Ready - set- comment!  I see these comment contests work, so stop back often for more prizes.

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

Now that I am an experienced vegan of two weeks, I feel I need to lobby to change the moniker. Vegan doesn’t sound welcoming or happy. I came up with a few which I will try out on the public: Edamommy - nurturing, warm and happy, but gender-specific Vega - the brightest star in the constellation Lyra (I think it should rhyme with Degas) Vegas - already taken but very interesting how one small letter change makes a huge difference. Fun, festive and a little naughty Vegemighty - sounds like a new superhero – if you eat xx amount of vegan food, you could earn a superhero cape!Veggin - friendlier and hip - Just veggin’Weeeegan! - way more funThe Vegan Mary - I guess that would only apply to me and other Marys-”Edamommy” Mary Talalay is a writer for KIWI Magazine

Hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are a great example of rapidly evolving technology that will improve our lives. The question is, does it pay to be an early adopter? Environmental concern and cost savings are typical purchase motivations. Hybrids can also provide a means of publicly projecting that environmental commitment. Flex fuel vehicles (many larger domestic vehicles that can run on 85% ethanol, or vegetable based alcohol) and diesel vehicles (all of which can burn biodiesel, or refined vegetable oil) are also increasingly common.For hybrids, every analysis has come to the same conclusion: they don’t pay for themselves. That $3-$5,000 premium will never come back in fuel savings. Flex fuel vehicles may not cost a dime more than standard (many people don’t realize they drive one), and the fuel costs the same as gas, but ethanol provides less energy per gallon. Thus, flex fuel vehicles actually get lower fuel mileage. Biodiesel, even with a $1 per gallon Federal subsidy, is still more expensive than petroleum diesel. Still, with no cost savings to be had, isn’t there yet a large environmental benefit?With both flex fuel and biodiesel, farm subsidies artificially lower the cost of crop-based fuels and disguise their environmental impacts. Farming consumes LOTS of petroleum, for everything from operating equipment to transporting crops to making the fertilizers and pesticides that are applied. Much of that fertilizer and pesticide ends up in rivers and lakes, too. The tailpipe emissions from flex fuel and biodiesel are better than their petroleum equivalents, but overall it’s unclear that there is currently any net environmental advantage with eitherHybrids are expensive not so much because of the additional design work and electronics, but because of the increased material content of the vehicle, the electric motor/generator and the battery array. The batteries in particular are typically heavy and made of expensive and toxic materials that are processed in phases around the globe. The hybrid premium goes primarily for dirty industrial manufacturing and transportation, rather than clean design engineering in an office. Plus, if you really compare apples to apples, hybrids only get about 20% better mileage overall.What is a budget-minded and/or environmentally conscious driver to do? Until progress is made on the real promise of alternative fuels, such as growing oil-rich algae in sewer water, we need to remember the basics: keep your tires properly inflated, drive slower, carpool, take public transit, buy the wagon rather than the SUV, etc. Later this year Volkswagen will introduce the cleanest running car on the planet, a turbo diesel Jetta that will get 40/50 miles to the gallon, or 30% better than its gasoline equivalent. Superior mileage, cleaner emissions and apparently more powerful than a hybrid: Wow! But will it draw the proper approving glances in the Whole Foods parking lot? We shall see…–“Tech Dad” John Svoboda is a consumer electronics enthusiast, manager and business owner since the time of the 8-track, and holds a Master of Science degree in Telecommunications

I belong to a moms’ group and one of the members is an amazing artist (www.happytomatokids.com). She is also a meat maven, pork princess, lamb lover, veal vixen, hamburger helper and a chicken champ. She stalks follows famous chefs and all of their culinary creations. We are the Laverne and Shirley, the Odd Couple, the Charlotte and Samantha, or the Homer and Ned Flanders of the great meat debate. We discovered our dueling blogs (hers is www.happyhoarfrost.com) through a mutual friend. Turns out, my meat-loving friend just ate her with f-f-f-fava beans. You’ll have to look up the term hoarfrost on your own. I can assure you it only sounds naughty.

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

I have to say, the ramp-up time is more significant than I ever imagined. Do you realize how many products contain some form of animal in them? And honey?Some very strict vegans won’t consume certain sugar products or wines because of the way they’re filtered.I have to just look the other way when it comes to the wine. You can only ask for so much.I keep saying (joking) that I am going to write a book (I actually am writing a book about being 32, single and joining the Peace Corps, but that’s another entry for another day) called Chicken Soup for the Vegan Soul.Surprisingly, people are taking me seriously. Either my bagel disequilibrium has really thrown me off course, or I am just not funny. I am going to write to the Chicken Soup publisher and see if they bite on the idea. I guess maybe I am turning into one of those people that says “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”

One edamommy attempts to cut meat out of her life.

I know I am not a full-fledged vegan. I’m still not sure joining TV (Team Vegan) is my ultimate destiny.But, on a non-vegan front, I believe I may have reformed the Reform Judaic Seder at my daughter’s preschool with a decidedly non-vegan move. I was asked to bring hard-boiled eggs to the Seder celebration yesterday and I posed what I thought was a typical question: peeled or unpeeled? Then, I happened to mention to the preschool director that I buy eggs already hardboiled and peeled.Complete silence.“You do what?”Feeling sheepish at my flagrant lack of knowledge of Seder customs, I responded “I buy them already cooked and peeled.”“You can buy them cooked and peeled???” They responded in unison in complete disbelief. “Where, oh where, can we buy these eggs?”

Apparently, making the hardboiled eggs is a major thorn in the side of Seder prep, at least for these two women. Ironically, we attended the children’s Seder and the meal that followed; someone had made their own eggs and they were not cooked all of the way through (Salmonella Seder?). Sometimes it pays to cheat.I have to tackle one other awkward non-vegan/Seder subject. I have to admit something, in addition to the embarrassing habit of choosing theme songs for events in my life (see Day 1).I fall down miserably when it comes to bagel equilibrium. Bagel equilibrium is achieved when you have enough bagels and their accoutrements including cream cheese (I eat with peanut butter now) and broccoli sprouts (more on sprouts later – I married into the broccoli sprout empire so there might be some shameless promotion for www.brassica.com).I always am short of one ingredient—tubs of cream cheese, no bagels, no sprouts; dozen bagels, no cream cheese, 3 boxes of sprouts. You get the picture.So, I finally, finally reached bagel equilibrium and now it’s Passover. No bagels, just matzah for a week.Happy Passover. I hope you achieve unleavened equilibrium.