We’re not sure whether it’s the economy, a greater interest in eco-conscious living, or both, but the popularity of swapping has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years. Exchanging clothes, books, toys, and other goods with friends, family, or other community members is a great way to save money and reduce consumption, but specialty swapping sites are where you’re likely to find the biggest selection. Some of our favorites:
Bookmooch.com. If the library doesn’t have the book you or your kid is looking for, try this site, which allows users to browse through tons of books that other people want to get rid of. You can also use the site to clear off some space on your bookshelf, too, by listing titles your family wants to give away.
Dignswap.com. This site bills itself as a clothes swap mecca for fashionistas–so there’s tons of clothes, shoes, and accessories for women. But there’s also plenty of kids clothes and accessories, too!
Toystotrade.com. We’re thinking the name of this site might be a misnomer, because there’s more here than just toys. Toys to Trade also helps families share cribs, strollers, and even movies.
Swapitgreen.com. Swap it Green is an online, point-based yard sale. Users earn points for offering up goods ranging from watches to CDs, and spend points to grab up items from other people.
Have a favorite swapping site? Share it with us in the comments!
Last month, we discussed the importance of water conservation, plus a way for families to determine if they might be using too much water. If you took the water footprint test and found your result to be less than desirable, don’t worry! The online magazine, GOOD, has created a handy chart that shows there are plenty of tiny changes you can make that have the potential to add up to big water savings, resulting in a greener planet and a lower water bill. Some of our favorites?
You’ll save up to 16 gallons of water by using a dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes. (You’ll also save some time cleaning up after a meal, and save your hands from feeling too dry!)
You’ll save about 33 gallons of water by nixing soda for…a glass of water! (You’ll also create less trash, save money on grocery bills, and save on the headache from dealing with kids on a sugar rush!)
You’ll save about 600 gallons of water by serving salad for dinner instead of hamburgers. (You’ll also save money on grocery bills and get your family to eat a ton of vitamins and nutrients!)
How does your family save water? Let us know in the comments!
Recycling may not be super exciting, but it is super important. Getting your little ones enthusiastic about recycling their bottles, cans, and paper goods will not only reduce your family’s landfill load–it will also help them build good eco-conscious habits for life. Encourage the practice by keeping it easy and fun with some of these ideas:
Make recycling rules clear. Keep a list of what is and isn’t recyclable in a prominent spot, such as the refrigerator or a bulletin board. You can also use different colored bins for different items, like blue for paper items and yellow for glass, to help little ones remember what goes where.
Try some friendly competition. Encourage each family member to see how many items he or she can recycle in a week, or how few items end up in the trash. Take it a step further by creating a neighborhood recycling competition!
Do some research. As a family, learn about the new things that are made out of recycled material, and try to identify them on your daily outings. For instance, you can point out a playground made of plastic lumber that may have come from old water bottles.
Find incentives. Find out if RecycleBank or another similar program that rewards recyclers exists in your area. Coupons for free ice cream just from sorting your trash? Sounds like fun!
Be a good role model. OK, it won’t make recycling more fun, but make sure to practice what you preach!
If you are in the Long Island area this weekend, please come bring your kiddies to the East End Green Fest in Mattituck, NY! This festival takes place on August 1st and 2nd on Strawberry Fairgrounds 10am-6pm. Featuring live music on more than 10 solar stages, local foods, seminars, fun events, and natural and sustainable products, this is a wonderful activity for the whole gang. Adults tickets are $3 and kids 12 and under are FREE! KIWI will be there so come by, grab a magazine and some goodies! We will see you there!
Many people, along with cities are making efforts for the future to be greener. The Natural Defense Resources Council has a “Smarter Cities” project in which they choose cities based upon criteria including air quality, green space, and quality of life. From this criteria, they have created a list of ten cities that they see putting forward social responsibility and to be leaders in the green effort.
Seattle is tackling climate change by distributing energy efficient kits to residents and have been working with local businesses to promise to lower their emissions. San Francisco has organic gardens throughout the city as well as an active recycling and composting programs. Portland is making their buildings “greener” and using space effectively. Oakland is creating green training programs and has doubled the amount of farmers markets and locally grown foods. San Jose has a Clean Teach strategy for many solar businesses as well as doubling the number of jobs in the “green” field. They are also raising conservation efforts. Austin is building homes in energy efficient ways and is planning to build a “smart grid” in which they can recycle energy. Sacramento residents mainly take public transportation and have recently voted to build a high speed rail system connecting cities across the state of California. Wind is now one of Boston’s top three fuel resources as an alternative to coal and other nonrenewable energy sources. Boston also has a great transportation system as well as a bicycling system. Denver practices water conservation and has succeeded in doing so by dramatically reducing their waste and the city also offers beautiful parks, mountains, and many green areas. Finally, Chicago is a world leader in green architecture. The city is home to the first green skyscraper and houses more LEED projects than any other city in the country.
Now you know what the future holds. Take these examples as motivation to make your city greener!
Walking is one of the best things you can do for your health as well as the environment. While a study in Washington state found that on average, people living in pedestrian-friendly areas weigh about 7 pounds less than people living in areas that aren’t so pedestrian-friendly, walking also emits zero pollution into the atmosphere. What’s more, walking is good for the community–it’s been shown to increase social interaction as well as help local businesses thrive.
How walkable is your area? Visit WalkScore.com and type in your home address to find out. The website ranks the walkability of over 2,000 U.S. neighborhood according to a number of criteria, including the existance of a discernable town center, parks and public space, pedestrian-centric design, and nearby schools and workplaces. Hopefully, your community shows up as super foot-friendly–but if not, you can take action! Click here to learn more about the 2009 Transportation Bill, which you can support in order to appropriate more government funding for safe walking streets.
As a parent, you jump through hoops to find the safest cribs, carriers, strollers, and changing tables for your little bundle of joy, but unfortunately, these items don’t usually come with ingredient labels. Many child products are made with fire retardants, which contain toxic chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Exposure to PBDEs have been linked to health problems including cancer, birth defects, hyperactivity, and reproductive disorders.
Last month, the California Senate proposed a bill to ban fire retardant chemicals on kids’ products. California is currently the only state in the nation that requires these items be fire retarded. Unfortunately, the cheapest way for manufacturers to comply with this law is to make all products according to California standards. So whether that baby crib is going to New Jersey or to California, it’s going to contain fire retardants.
If the bill passes in California, it’s likely that manufacturers will stop adding the fire retardants to products, making the whole nation a bit safer.
Won’t the ban on fire retardants mean that kids will be in danger of fire? Not exactly. Even if a fire retardant product were to catch fire, it’s still not fireproof; the retardant only offers six to 12 seconds of flame resistance. Still, if you feel more comfortable buying a fireproof product, go the natural route. Many baby mattresses are made with wool, which is naturally fire retardant, and there are also products made with naturally flame resistant cotton fibers.
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.
I’m not going to lie–on some of those sweltering summer days, air conditioning can be a great thing. However, I try to reserve my use of the AC, whether at home, work, or in the car, to times when its really necessary. It saves money on gas and energy bills, and makes a significant cut in my CO2 emissions. During the times when its hot, but not unbearably so, I try to rely on other means of cooling off. Here are some of my favorite methods–what about you? Does your family frequently choose greener alternatives to air conditioning?
Whether preventing overheating while exercising outdoors or trying to cool off inside, try an icy wrap. Place a row of ice cubes in the center of a bandana or other cloth, roll up, and wrap around your neck. Keep the tie in the front and the ice cubes on the back of your neck.
Essential peppermint oil is sort of like the natural version of Vick’s Vap-o-Rub in the sense that its super cooling. Dab a bit on your wrists or neck for instant heat relief.
It might seem counterintuitive, but eating spicy food can really help you cool off. Think about very warm places like Thailand, India, and Mexico–each country’s traditional cuisine involves tons of heat in the form of different types of peppers. Spicy food increases perspiration, in turn allowing the body to cool off.
Practice meditative breathing. Shitali pranayama is an ancient technique used by Indian yogis to cool off, but its easy enough for anyone to do. Prepare by sitting cross-legged and inhaling a few times through the nose, then roll your tongue and stick it out. Inhale through the roll of your tongue and exhale through your nose multiple times for a quick cooling effect.
While driving down the shore, I often return home to find my car dirtier than before I left! The moist, sticky ocean air keeps all the dirt and dead bugs stuck to my white car. I always opt to wash the car myself at home until I came across this article.
While most believe they are helping preserve water by doing it themselves, it is actually better to go to a car wash. The typical do-it-yourself car wash at home is wasting almost 140 gallons of water according to the International Carwash Association while a professional car wash location wastes half of that energy. At home car washes also usually take place on non-elevated land allowing all the chemicals and toxins you use to travel into local waterways. For those who really enjoy doing it themselves, there are waterless solutions to washing your car. A few well-known brands are Lucky Earth Waterless Car Wash, Eco-Touch Waterless Car Wash, Freedom Waterless Car Wash, and Dri Wash N’ Guard Waterless Car Wash. Give these options a try and help conserve!
With the weekend festivities ahead, what better time than this to introduce the latest– “green” fireworks. In order for fireworks to burn, a chemical known as potassium perchlorate is used as the oxygen. This chemical is a pollutant and can be quite hazardous to the environment. Researchers have been developing nitrogen-rich formulas that burn cleaner and with less smoke in their aftermath. These more earth-friendly fireworks have already been used at concerts, circuses, and other events. While these “green” fireworks are less pollutant and hazardous on our environment, they can be costly compared to conventional fireworks. Researchers are now facing the biggest challenge- how to market them. As we find out more on how this story progresses, we will keep our KIWI readers afloat! Have a safe holiday weekend and enjoy the fireworks (they MAY be “green!”)
With such a successful first year behind them, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg along with NYC DOT Janette Sadik-Khan have decided to keep this wonderful initiative going. Last August, for three consecutive Saturdays with over 50,000 in attendance, 7 miles of the New York City area was closed down allowing families to enjoy free activities and plenty of room to ride bikes, jog, and enjoy the beautiful summer days without the usual traffic. Summer Streets 2009 promises to be even better with 13 additional locations and over 1500 free activities for all to enjoy. Join in on the fun August 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 7AM-1PM. To learn more about this initiative as well as tips and activities, check out Summer Streets 2009.
Here’s the latest and greatest of what’s going on in the mom blogosphere. Interested in having your blog featured? Let us know in the comments!
Check out out A Little Bliss to see this mom’s favorite products for your little ones .
Blogmania shows you a mom with flare and all the shoes and handbags you can imagine!
Summer is the best time for reading so be sure to look at Brimful Curiosities as this mom features the latest and greatest in books for the little ones.
HappyMommy3 takes you through the trials and tribulations of being a mom, but shows how at the end of the day, it’s all worth it!
I’m A Hot Mom gives you her scoop on the latest entertainment news and gossip.
Looking for a fun family activity for a hot summer’s day? Make scrumptious homemade ice cream-in-a-bag with your kids. Not only will it beat the heat, it’s a great activity for a play date! All it takes is a little milk, vanilla, sugar, salt, ice and 15 minutes. Add your own twist with fresh fruit, candy, or sprinkles and whip cream on top.
Ingredients:
½ cup organic milk
½ tsp. organic vanilla extract
1 ½ tbsp. organic sugar (or to taste)
6 tbsp. rock salt
Ice
Supplies:
1 quart-sized plastic bag
1 gallon-sized plastic bag
Preparation:
1. Pour the milk, vanilla, and sugar in the quart-sized bag. Make sure it’s sealed tight, so salty water won’t get in it!
2. Fill the gallon-sized bag with ice and add the salt.
3. Place the quart bag into the gallon bag and seal tight.
4. Now for the fun part! Set a timer and tell your little tike to shake the bag as fast as he can for 10 minutes. Don’t be afraid to get creative with this part: “I combined it with a trampoline one time and asked my kids how many bounces it takes to become ice cream,” said Lynn Brunelle, kids’-science-book author and mother of two.
5. Remove the smaller bag from the ice, and wipe it down so you don’t get salt in your ice cream. Scoop out your cold treat and enjoy!
*Tip: The bag will get very cold, so wrap it in a towel or have your child wear gloves.
Recently, there’s been a lot of buzz regarding San Francisco’s pending recycling legislation, which would make the practice (as well as composting) mandatory in the progressive California city. Today, SF mayor Gavin Newsom announced that he will be signing the bill into law, making it the first of its kind that will require residents to recycle, plus businesses to compost their food scraps. The new law is part of San Francisco’s larger goal to achieve zero-waste status by 2020.
The fine for not recycling? Up to $1,000.
While most people see recycling and composting as a good thing, some are uncomfortable with such a law, fearing that legislation like this will only snowball. Will people start being fined if they don’t feed their children organic food, for instance? If they drive their car instead of walking, bicycling, or using public transportation? (more…)
In an effort to help consumers learn about the chemicals often lurking in conventionally-grown food, The Pesticide Action Network recently launched WhatsOnMyFood.com, a website that seeks to spread awareness of the harmful effects of pesticides on our health and environment.
Synthetic pesticides play a huge role in conventional farming practices, and have been implicated as a cause for range a range of illnesses including autism and Parkinson’s disease. PAN is committed to working towards the reduction of pesticide use, as well as collaborating with partner companies to voice their collective opposition against the use of chemicals in our food.
Case in point: the average American child receives more than five “servings” of chemical residues in their food and water each day, according to WhatsOnMyFood?. Further, the website allows you to search by food or pesticide to learn what’s potentially hiding in your meal. It also offers ways for concerned parents and families to take action in the fight against the use of these hazardous materials.
As for us? We’re going organic whenever possible. What about your family?
Our sun-loving crew compiled a list of the best summer-related content KIWI has to offer. Whether you’re into surfing, nature walks, gardening, or cooking, you’ll find plenty of ways to have fun all summer while being kind to the planet. Read all about it at kiwimagonline.com/summerfun.
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.
If you (or your kids) are dreaming of sleeping in dorms, eating in cafeterias, or going to school with thousands of more students than you could imagine while in high school; then, we want to make sure your college experience is as green as can be. Sustainability on college campuses is on the rise, but how eco-friendly is your dream school? Good news: our 2008 Green College Report is available online. Even better, we just launched our online survey for colleges and universities to apply to enter our 2009 Green College Report. We’ll be featuring this report in our September/October 2009 issue of KIWI Magazine in addition to providing you with our complete online version.
This Mother’s Day, don’t forget the mamma that takes care of us all—the earth! Give your family a nudge in the green direction to seek out a Mother’s Day gift that shows their love for you and the planet.
Go With Organic Blooms. Point your family toward local farmers’ markets for pretty daffodils, peonies, and ranunculus, which are all in season during May. They can also seek arrangements at orangicbouquet.com.
Wrap Yourself in Silk. If your trusty flannel bathrobe is starting to look shabby, a new silk one will make every night feel like an at-home spa. Check out VivaTerra’s floral, kimono-style robe.
Make it Sweet. Tell your family you’ll be willing to share if they give you a sweet treat this Mother’s Day. Try an organic chocolate sampler from Dagoba, which practices full-circle sustainability in their growing, buying, and manufacturing processes, or a handmade vegan cookie sampler from organic, fair-trade baker Liz Lovely.
Take a Spa Day. Sometimes, the best gift is a little rest and relaxation, so make sure your family knows the name of your favorite holistic spa. A soothing massage, cleansing facial, and tranquil environment will leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to dive back into the crazy world of mommyhood.
Get Reading. Sharing a mom-themed bedtime story with your little ones is the perfect way to top off this family-filled day. Here are some books to get your started:
Mama’s Kiss by Jane Yolen. If someone blows you a kiss and you don’t catch it, where does it go? Follow a little girl as she chases momma’s missed kiss all over the place and finally catches it. The illustrations are perfect, showing a fluttering, flittering, elusive kiss.
LIFE with Mother by The Editors of Life Magazine. Honestly, some books should simply come with a complimentary box of tissues. Life Magazine has compiled a gorgeous photo tribute to moms around the world. The photos in both color and black and white are incredibly touching. They depict the intense bond of mother and child. A few famous faces appear, but this is every mom’s story.
Mommy, Mama, and Me (board book) by Lesléa Newman (Tricycle Press). This sweet little board book takes a look at a family which has two moms and the happy style of play and love that each mother has. The illustrations are simple and perfectly accompany the text.
It took a while, but spring arrived in full force last week in the Northeast. From Saturday to Tuesday, we had nothing but sunshine, with temperatures reaching nearly 90 degrees for four straight days! Of course, after being holed up inside for what felt like the longest winter ever, I jumped at the chance to spend endless amounts of time outside–more specifically, taking nature walks!
Nature walks are a fun, easy way to connect with your environment because its all about observation. After strolling through the woods for a little while, your thoughts start to melt away, and you catch yourself focusing on nothing and everything at the same time. I say nothing because all of life’s situations, concerns, dates, and deadlines simply fall off the radar while your senses become fully present in nature. You feel the sun on your back, hear the rustle of your footsteps (and likely, of animals scurrying), smell the freshness of the forest, and see all of the wonderous plant and animal life.
This weekend, gather your family together for a walk through the woods. Enjoy each other’s company, and enjoy the vibrancy that becomes apparent in our planet’s offerings when you are fully engaged in nature.
Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) commemorates the Mexican victory over the French on May 5, 1862 in Puebla. It is recognized around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture. For dinner tonight, create an authentic Mexican dish that’s mindful of the Earth. Try our Tofu and Cheese Quesadillas. Got your own delicious recipe? Post in a comment below.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
– Stephanie, KIWI staff and lover of tofu and cheese quesadillas
Living near Denver, Colorado? If so, the place to be this weekend is the Green Festival at the Colorado Convention Center (700 14th Street Denver, CO 80202) on Saturday May 2nd from 10am - 7pm and Sunday May 3rd from 11am - 6pm.
“Having just hosted the greenest national political convention ever, we think Denver is a natural site for the Green Festival in May 2009 and are excited to host this successful event. Denver is proud to be creating safe, healthy, sustainable communities and a strong local economy by raising awareness, sharing best practices and collaborating on greening initiatives. The Green Festival is a terrific place to trade success stories, brainstorm innovative new ideas and learn about the newest technologies and services.”
– Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper, a geologist turned brewpub pioneer who had never run for political office, elected Mayor of Denver in 2003 and reelected in 2007.
Earth Day gives us a moment of reflection on ourselves and the environment. This year, make a green resolution. Here’s mine: I want to cook at home with lots of veggies at least 5x per week (if not more). We are joining a CSA so hopefully this will be easy (fingers crossed).
Do you have a green resolution? We want to hear so post it in a comment below. And so do our friends at Whole Foods Market. Post a comment on their blog to win a $25 gift card and a FEED 100 bag.
– Stephanie, KIWI staff and celebrating Earth Day every day
The official Earth Day is fast approaching and even if you believe as we do, that the Earth should be celebrated every day, there’s nothing wrong with stopping on one particular day and considering our relationship with the planet. And what better activity on Earth Day, than to open our children’s hearts to the environment by settling in at the library or at home with a beautifully written and illustrated book. Here are some of our favorites for various ages:
An Environmental Guide from A to Z by Tim Magner. Right now, you can get it at 25% off the cover price by entering the code, “celebrate” during checkout.
Find lunchtime waste worrisome? This adorable, sandwich sack lets you bag the baggie habit for a more sustainable option. All you need to get started is:
1/2 yard oilcloth
4 large paper clips
1 hook and eye
2 buttons 1 thin hair elastic
Pinking shears
Ruler
Scissors
Sewing machine
Needle and thread
The rain outside is another reminder that April has arrived. It’s the week of Passover and Easter and all I can think about is planning my Earth Day celebrations. Last April 22nd we celebrated Earth Day with our list of top 22 fun ways to celebrate our planet.
This year, celebrate Earth Day by volunteering at a local, organic farm or donating to an environmental organization. KIWI will be attending the 1st Annual Earth Day Festival at Carusi Middle School located at 315 Roosevelt Drive in Cherry Hill, NJ on Saturday, April 18th from 11am - 3pm. On April 22nd we’ll be digging in the dirt at Mill Creek Farm located at 49th and Brown in Philadelphia, PA.
What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day? Tell us by posting a comment below
Did you get fooled today? I did. I am a frequent Whole Foods Market website reader. Today, for a limited time only, you can purchase organic air for only $6.99. Or get an exclusive recipe for toast. Very clever Whole Foods Market…you fooled me!
In a few months’ time, I’ll be moving halfway across the country, so this year’s spring cleaning ritual has taken on even greater necessity. I want to keep the clutter out of my new apartment, so that means paring down my possessions as much as possible. More specifically, it means paring down my shoe collection.
Luckily, I can recycle my footwear by donating it to Soles4Souls, a charity that provides used shoes to people who need them. The group has currently teamed up with Meryl Starr, an organization and motivation expert, for a nationwide Spring Cleaning program aimed at encouraging people to donate their gently-worn shoes.
According to Soles4Souls, approximately 300 million pairs of shoes were tossed in our landfills last year. This is pretty unacceptable, not to mention entirely unnecessary! Thousands of shoe stores across the country are accepting donations and holding shoe drives–find one to stop at on your way to the farmer’s market!
Today is our Gotcha Day. This is the anniversary of the day, 10 years ago, that Maylee became my child. Many adoptive families celebrate their own “Gotcha Day”, “adoption day” or “family day”. Whatever they call it, it’s an important holiday for most adoptive parents and their kids. As I tell my daughter, our first Gotcha Day was the happiest day of my life⎯it was the day I won the lottery, it was the day that all of my dreams came true.
Chinese adoption is much different now than it was 10 years ago. The regulations are stricter, with marriage, health and even certain body mass index requirements. The wait for a Chinese baby is on average three years (for us, 13 months). A friend of mine is expected to get her child in the year 2015⎯an almost unbearable amount of time to wait for her dreams to come true. So, my family is very, very fortunate.
Ten years later, my baby is a tween; she loves to draw and write, and wants to learn Chinese calligraphy. She’s not crazy about the Jonas Brothers, but she likes the Naked Brothers. She cherishes her Chinese heritage and gets upset when kids in her class talk about inferior Chinese-made products. She sings our national anthem with pride and jumped for joy when Obama was elected. She is American in every way. But on Gotcha Day she is, to me, still Mao Xiao Qiong, the smiling Chinese baby that was placed in my arms by a tearful nanny from the orphanage.
Happy Gotcha Day to Eric, Gwen, Perri; Kurt, Meghan, Nina, Ella; Dan, Leslie-Jean, Bethany, Miriam, Cristian, Carl; Steve, Kelly, Alex; Doug, Sara, Kailyn and most of all, to my angel, Maylee.
Tonight, Saturday March 28 at 8:30 p.m., your family can show support for the planet by participating in the third-annual Earth Hour. Last year, 50 million people turned out their lights for one hour in honor of the fight against global warming. Learn more and pledge to go dark at earthhour.org.
All of us here at KIWI are excited about the launch of KIWI Community, a resource we created to help families have more fun outdoors. In addition to tons of fun ideas for things to do in your very own backyard, KIWI Community has the lowdown on things like nature walks, green zoos and theme parks, nature centers, family gardening, local community events, green lodging options, as well as a rotating variety of fun contests and discounts on all things green-related. You can also add comments about local events happening in your area.
Daylight savings time just started and the warm spring air is beginning to settle in. Visit KIWI Community at kiwimagonline.com/community to plan a day of outdoor fun for your family!
Marygrace, KIWI intern and lover of spring, the outdoors, and sunshine!
Change we need, indeed! And on this first day of spring, we’re going to get it, thanks to Michelle Obama and 23 Washington DC fifth graders. Together, they will break ground on the South Lawn for the nation’s first White House garden since that kept by Eleanor Roosevelt during World War II.
With over 55 different edibles being grown, including hearty greens, lettuces, peppers, tomatillos, berries, herbs, as well as two beehives for honey, the organic garden will be a chief source of food for the first family. It will also provide a valuable learning experience to participating students who, along with the President, will do their part in planting, weeding, and harvesting. Even more important, the White House garden will serve to influence mainstream America on the value of local, sustainable food. (The entire garden set up cost around $200–who says it’s too expensive to eat well?)
Michelle Obama is taking this opportunity to advocate the necessity of good food for our children. She’s encouraging parents to get healthy with their kids by upping their fresh (locally produced, if possible) fruit and vegetable intake, limiting processed foods, and preparing more meals at home. Interested in starting a garden of your own? Learn all about it from Kiwi Community’s article on family gardening.
-Marygrace, KIWI intern and organic gardening supporter
With the local, sustainable food movement gaining serious momentum, you’ve probably heard the growing buzz about community supported agriculture, or CSA, over the past few years. Joining one gives your family the opportunity to support a local farm by providing it with the investment capital necessary at the start of each growing season, well before any crops are harvested. In much of the country, that time is right now!
Participating in a CSA is basically like paying for an entire season’s worth of farmers’ market goods without ever having to make the trip. Pay for a share (usually enough to feed a family of four) now, then receive a box of fresh, local produce each week throughout harvesting time. While some CSAs do deliver, most drop their boxes at a central location for member pick-up.
Vegetable CSAs are the most common, but many farms also offer shares of fruit, meat, eggs or dairy, and even flowers. No matter what type of food you receive, however, the benefits of CSAs remain: Your food supply will be healthy, as fresh as fresh gets, and have a low environmental impact, while your family will be connected to the local land and community. To find a CSA near you, visit localharvest.org.
Last month, Congress’s CPSIA regulations put limits on the amount of lead and phthalates that can appear in children’s toys. Good news for little ones who stick everything in their mouths, but bad news for the small toy companies who’ve been making safe playthings for years. Some of our favorite small businesses face potential economic strain from these regulations, since companies have to pay to get items tested. Fortunately, the Handmade Toy Alliance is fighting the good fight for everything small and green. The HTA is directing its efforts toward a Congressional amendment to protect cottage industries from the high costs of mandatory product testing.
– Sara, KIWI intern and keeping you up-to-date on CPSIA regulations
I live in Philadelphia.To get to my laundry room, I have to walk outside and around the corner to another room in the same building. Today while changing loads, I saw a police car idling for quite some time. Idling is beyond inefficient, getting zero miles per gallon. Yes; it is worse than turning off your engine and restarting it. Both of which I recited to this officer. To really grab his attention I add, “there are several schools starting initiatives for idle-free school zones.” He replied, “Wow, I did not know that!” I told him to share this news with his friends.
A growing number of organizations are supporting this cause, especially in schools. Let’s all lead by example. If your school does not have a no-idle zone; check out these resources and toolkits.
If your family is hoping to grow a few green thumbs this spring, don’t delay! Get a head start in the winter. Unlike their warm-season counterparts, cool-season crops are best started in early spring, so they’ll have enough time to fully mature before the summer heat arrives. Exact dates for planting seeds will vary slightly depending on your geographic location and the variety of the vegetables you are planting. Delicious cool-season veggies include calcium-rich kale to beta-carotene-packed carrots. Take advantage of a sunny March day and bring the kids to a local nursery, or check out a USDA-certified organic seed company online. Both are great ways for the kids to decide what cool-season veggies they want to see in their spring salad!
While its probably still pretty cold where you live, getting outside for fifteen minutes will probably do your family good. The Great Backyard Bird Count runs from February 13-16, and participating is easy and fun. Just bundle up on any or all of the days that the event is running, and spend fifteen or more minutes outside, keeping track of all the birds you see. Then, send your list to the Great Backyard Bird Count website where a map will be continually updated with new bird sightings. There’s even a special webpage just for kids (http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/kids), with pictures of commonly seen birds, a list of local birds in your area, as well as a printable certificate of participation. I know I’ll be outside with my binoculars for a squawkin’ good time!
As a kid, I loved shrinky dink art. In fact, I still do. I am fascinated by the shrinking process and how bold the colors look when it is finished.I found this Eco-Craft that you and your kids will surely love. The best part: it is made with #6 plastic. Way to put the eco in Eco-Craft!
To some, the downturn in the economy is seen as a barrier to celebrating green. To us, it’s an opportunity.
We admit that we’re a couple of glass half-full-ers, but we think that if you’re concerned about your bills and how-in-the-heck you’re going to plan an eco-considerate party for your soon-to-be eight-year old, it’s the perfect time to try frugality on for size. After all, your great grandmother probably did it and so did her friends. And the truth is, living simply is at the core of “going green.”
Whether the upcoming celebration is Valentine’s Day or a birthday, this year, instead of doing what you’ve always done, why not try to stage it without spending a penny? Or replace gifts with activities? Or let your true love know you long for a poem he’s written himself?
You may just find that hard times give rise to great times.
– Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.NET
Wouldn’t it be great if once the holidays ended, we could move immediately to spring? Unfortunately, the majority of the country will still be digging out from snow and bracing chilly winter winds for the next few months. One common winter-weather danger is slides and falls from icy sidewalks, making it especially important to clear the slippery stuff. It’s important to make sure, that your de-icing products are safe, as traditional de-icers have the potential to harm your pets and their little paws.
The most important thing to do is remove snow promptly with snow and ice chippers, but life often gets in the way, leaving such tasks by the wayside. Let’s be realistic: If ice does build up, there are some great, natural de-icers that won’t harm the grass, shrubs, or most importantly, your children and pets.
Be wary of de-icers that claim to be pet friendly, as this label isn’t always true. Instead of spreading chemicals on your sidewalks and driveways, try a natural solution, like alfalfa meal. The nitrogen in alfalfa facilitates ice melting, as well as provides traction while the ice is melting.
Although you can control what chemicals are used on your own property, your animals will likely come in contact with de-icers used throughout your community. According to Dr. Albert Nunez, a holistic Florida veterinarian, “Sodium chloride, which is a common ingredient in de-icers, can kill grass and shrubs, but it can also hurt your pets if ingested in large quantities. In addition to the risk of upsetting your pets’ stomachs, this ingredient can also irritate their paws. Calcium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride will also have the same effect. If you suspect that your animal has been poisoned, call your vet immediately.”
Dr. Nunez goes on to say, “If your pets do come in contact with de-icers, make sure to wipe off their paws to limit the potential of their paws becoming irritated and also limit the potential of ingestion when they clean their paws. You can also use sesame oil or other natural oils on your pets’ paws to help alleviate the dryness and cracking that can result from the salt used to melt ice.”
Welcome to 2-0-0-9!! We wish all of our readers a very happy and healthy new year! Be sure to check out the “green” ball this year!
“The new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is a 12 foot geodesic sphere, double the size of previous Balls, and weighs 11,875 pounds. Covered in 2,668 Waterford Crystals and powered by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDS, the new Ball is capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns producing a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.” (http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_ball.html)
How is your child your hero? Here’s how to tell them and the rest of the world. Nominate them for some of the good things they do…even little things like making their bed or taking out the trash or helping their brother or sister.
Win great prizes too…education savings bonds up to $500, subscriptions to KIWI magazine and lots of Yummi Bears!
Hurry, contest ends December 31, 2008. See our Official Rules for details.
My name is Brady Loomis; I am a junior in high school and conducting a research project for my U.S. History class. The assignment was to exercise our rights by taking an active role in our community. Similar to many of you, protecting our environment has become very important to me and so with this project I wish to ask questions that bring more eco-friendly ideas to the surface. I hope to encourage people of all ages to think about their carbon footprint all the time. Please take a few minutes to read the following questions and respond in the comment field below. Thank you so much for your time.
In the past few years, with global warming on the rise, do you feel your family has begun to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle to reduce your carbon footprint?
What changes have you made personally?
Are your children involved in a “greener” lifestyle as well? Do they seem excited about it?
How has the current state of the economy affected your family to maintain an eco-friendly household?
–Brady is the daughter of KIWI’s Midwest Director of Sales. We’re happy to help her with this class project and hope you wouldn’t mind responding to her questions! Thank you!
Thinking about helping a friend or teacher go green? Try this! Green Irene Green Gift Bags. They are filled with selected eco-friendly home products like toxic-free cleaners, stainless steel water bottles, energy-saving light bulbs, low-flow shower heads, soy candles and more. Their assortment of 9 Green Gift Bags are practical, green gifts, perfect for family, friends, party hosts and teachers. Each gift bag comes “wrapped” in a reusable nylon bag and can include a personal message. Green Irene Green Gift Bags range from $30-$285 and can be purchased at HaveAGreenHoliday.com.
Beyond the Ingredient Label: What’s Really in Your Pet’s Food?
Spending time preparing healthy and natural food for your family is an important concern of many busy mothers. You want your family to eat a balanced diet that not only provides the nutrition needed to live a healthy lifestyle but also enough energy to get through soccer practice and dance classes. When it comes to the four-legged family members, food selection should be just as important—our pets also depend on us for their well-being.
Many pet food companies use ingredients that, while deemed unfit for human consumption, are allowed as ingredients in pet food by the FDA and AAFCO. So, what protein ingredients should you avoid?
Meat byproducts and meat meals are carcass parts such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, bones, heads, and intestines. The animals raised for use in these ingredients are given antibiotics and hormones (which then end up in your pet’s food), and often live on factory farms that are damaging to the environment. The ingredients can contain protein from 4D animals, which is a USDA/FDA term used to describe meat that comes from animals that were dead, dying, diseased or disabled prior to being processed.
Just as important as what not to look for, you should know what ingredients should be in your furry friend’s dinner. The first ingredient on the label should be a pure protein source, such as chicken, duck or salmon. There are many high quality pet foods in natural food stores that use natural and organic protein sources, so the animals are raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones.
Feeding your pets high quality food will not only pay off with fewer vet bills, but you can also be rewarded with a longer and healthier life with your pet full of kisses, snuggling and tail wagging!
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.
When we moved from downtown Baltimore to the suburbs, my daughter had just turned one. We enjoyed our outdoor decks on our high-rise condo, but we didn’t have our own space for our family so we decided to move.
The first thing we did when we moved was to plant a belated first birthday tree for her in the back yard. We chose an apple tree and selected a young tree that was about 4′ high. Ever since then, we have planted a new fruit tree for each birthday - plum, cherry and peach.
My daughter just turned 4 and she has a special stewardship of these trees; she checks on each one to make sure it isn’t thirsty and she even worries about them when we go on vacation. We take a photo of her with each tree and we watch the growth of Mimi and her trees each year. This year, we enjoyed the bounty of the plum and cherry trees and it was the best fruit we all had ever tasted.
Fortunately, my husband’s family has a summer home in Maine so we planted a small pine tree for my daughter there (we simply relocated a small seedling that was growing in a bad spot on the property) onto a special place closer to the house. We visit Mimi’s tree in Maine every year and take photos there as well.
Our next project is going to be planting a tree which will serve as our family’s Christmas tree each year instead of buying fresh and bringing it indoors or buying a man-made tree. Since my husband is Jewish and I was raised Christian, it is also a nice compromise for our household. We decided on this new family tradition too late to actually plant one for last Christmas (it was already freezing and the ground was too hard). I want to find the perfect spot so we can decorate it with treats for the birds and see it from our family room. I am not sure we have room for one Christmas tree each year but we’ll
plant one this summer and see how it goes.
We had a young woman visit our home a few months ago who grew up in our house. She pointed out a cherry tree in the backyard that her dad had planted for her when she was just 4 years old.
I think trees are one of the most lovely and memorable gifts you can receive. My daughter’s teacher cried when we gave her a flowering cherry tree from her class. A little research on which trees thrive in your area, a sturdy shovel, a bag of fertilizer and you are ready to go. If you don’t have room outside, lemon trees usually thrive in an indoor environment and grow at a rate which is suitable for indoors. And, there are many, many organizations who will plant a tree for you in someone’s honor.
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 you are in the Long Island area this weekend, please come bring your kiddies to the 
Walking is one of the best things you can do for your health as well as the environment. While a study in Washington state found that on average, people living in pedestrian-friendly areas weigh about 7 pounds less than people living in areas that aren’t so pedestrian-friendly, walking also emits zero pollution into the atmosphere. What’s more, walking is good for the community–it’s been shown to increase social interaction as well as help local businesses thrive.
Are you (or do you know) a mom who’s made an exceptional effort to create a healthier environment for children and families? 
I’m not going to lie–on some of those sweltering summer days, air conditioning can be a great thing. However, I try to reserve my use of the AC, whether at home, work, or in the car, to times when its really necessary. It saves money on gas and energy bills, and makes a significant cut in my CO2 emissions. During the times when its hot, but not unbearably so, I try to rely on other means of cooling off. Here are some of my favorite methods–what about you? Does your family frequently choose greener alternatives to air conditioning?
at home until I came across this article.
With the weekend festivities ahead, what better time than this to introduce the latest– “green” fireworks. In order for fireworks to burn, a chemical known as potassium perchlorate is used as the oxygen. This chemical is a pollutant and can be quite hazardous to the environment. Researchers have been developing nitrogen-rich formulas that burn cleaner and with less smoke in their aftermath. These more earth-friendly fireworks have already been used at concerts, circuses, and other events. While these “green” fireworks are less pollutant and hazardous on our environment, they can be costly compared to conventional fireworks. Researchers are now facing the biggest challenge- how to market them. As we find out more on how this story progresses, we will keep our KIWI readers afloat! Have a safe holiday weekend and enjoy the fireworks (they MAY be “green!”) 
three consecutive Saturdays with over 50,000 in attendance, 7 miles of the New York City area was closed down allowing families to enjoy free activities and plenty of room to ride bikes, jog, and enjoy the beautiful summer days without the usual traffic. Summer Streets 2009 promises to be even better with 13 additional locations and over 1500 free activities for all to enjoy. Join in on the fun August 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 7AM-1PM. To learn more about this initiative as well as tips and activities, check out 
Congratulations to KIWI-staffer and blog guru, Marygrace Stergakos, who was married this past weekend to Sam Taylor.
Looking for a fun family activity for a hot summer’s day? Make scrumptious homemade ice cream-in-a-bag with your kids. Not only will it beat the heat, it’s a great activity for a play date! All it takes is a little milk, vanilla, sugar, salt, ice and 15 minutes. Add your own twist with fresh fruit, candy, or sprinkles and whip cream on top.
Recently, there’s been a lot of buzz regarding San Francisco’s 
In an effort to help consumers learn about the chemicals often lurking in conventionally-grown food, 
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.
Go With Organic Blooms. Point your family toward local farmers’ markets for pretty daffodils, peonies, and ranunculus, which are all in season during May. They can also seek arrangements at 
Make it Sweet. Tell your family you’ll be willing to share if they give you a sweet treat this Mother’s Day. Try an 
Get Reading. Sharing a mom-themed bedtime story with your little ones is the perfect way to top off this family-filled day. Here are some books to get your started:
