Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer. Beaches fill with umbrellas and sandcastles, swim clubs open for the season, campgrounds flood with tents, and the smell of barbeque pervades neighborhoods. Start your holiday weekend with our bbq favorites and the natural condiments to go with them.

Between the Buns
All-Beef: For a plump, hearty, tastes-like-it-came-off-the-grill treat, try Applegate Farms Great Organic Hot Dog. Made with 100% organic grass-fed beef, this dog has half the fat as many traditional varieties, but all the flavor as your childhood faves.

Pork & Beef: Juicy, with hints of both sweet and salty, Organic Prairie’s Uncured Hot Dog gives a great snap as you bite into it. For the youngsters, try Niman Ranch Fearless Uncured Franks for Kids. These dogs are made with antibiotic- and hormone-free meat, plus the mild flavor and thin shape make them a great choice for little mouths.

Vegetarian: Want a dog, but not meat? Packed with protein, LightLife’s Veggie Dogs, made with organic ingredients, and all-natural Yves Good Dog boasts a delicious hickory flavor. Plus, there’s no saturated fat or cholesterol in these dogs, making them one summer snack that won’t ruin your diet.

Poultry: Organic Prairie Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs and Uncured Turkey Hot Dogs are skinless, made from organic meat and boast a smoky and hearty taste, but contain much less fat than pork or beef dogs.

Tasty Toppers
Ketchup: With Annie’s Naturals Organic Ketchup, delight in the same traditional ketchup taste that you love but without the high fructose corn syrup or pesticide-ridden tomatoes. Or try a new twist on an old classic with Wholemato’s Spicy Organic Agave Ketchup, a thick adaptation with a smoky flavor that’s sweetened with agave nectar.

Mustard: Available in a jar or a squeeze bottle, Eden Organic Yellow Mustard Stone Ground with Apple Cider Vinegar is essential for any condiment lover. Gentle hints of vinegar and garlic harmonize in this smooth-textured mustard.

Sauerkraut: Tree of Life sauerkraut contains only organic cabbage, water and salt, making it mild enough for even the youngest family member to enjoy.

Relish: For a refreshing summer treat, top your dog with the crunchy Del Monte Organic Sweet Pickle Relish. Its tangy taste will be sure to put your tongue into overdrive.

– Cricket Azima, KIWI Food Editor and lover of bbqs

If you tried our suggestion for walking meditation that’s great, we hope it went well! If walking meditation however was not your child’s, partner’s or your cup of tea, no worries; there are many ways to meditate. Another great option is guided meditation. The best part is it allows you to be creative in what you choose to guide you and your family. There are a number of different options, one of which I’ll mention in a moment my favorite of which I’ll mention in a moment.  If you do go the traditional route and use a guided meditation CD, there is certainly one that will fit your family’s relaxation needs!

All you and your child will need for guided meditation is a comfortable and quiet place to sit or lie down, a blanket and/or pillow, and the meditation CD of your choice. To prepare your family for your meditation session, allow them to participate in deciding which meditation tape you use. Whether you take a visit to your local bookstore or do some online shopping, your child will be more eager to participate if they feel that there little voices were heard.

My favorite option for a guided meditation CD is to choose the audio version of your favorite children’s book, fairytale or folklore. If you don’t already have one in your home, two of my personal favorites are The Velveteen Rabbit and Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates.

Regardless of what you use to guide you with your meditation, make sure you choose a room that is quiet and where you will not be disturbed. Dim or turn the lights off for a greener meditation and enjoy this special, and most importantly quiet, time with your family.

– Sara, KIWI intern and mindfully meditating

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.

Well, we want to know how! Simply enter our contest and  you could be the next Mom of the Revolution. 5 Moms will be selected to be featured in KIWI Magazine, receive a free KIWI subscription, and a one year supply of healthy lunchbox snacks for their family. One of the 5 Moms will win the GRAND PRIZE OF $3,000 in cash to help fund their own healthy School Lunch Revolution.

Hurry, contest ends May 30th, 2009.

Share your story today.

– Stephanie, KIWI staff

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:

Young children

• The Tree by Dana Lyons

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

• Almost Gone: The World’s Rarest Animals by Steve Jenkins

Tweens

• A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids by Julie Hall

• Make It! by  Jane Bull

• Gaia Girls (series) by Lee Welles

Teens

• Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life by Linda Silversten

• The New 50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save The Earth by Sophie Javna

• What Do You Stand For? For Teens: A Guide to Building Character by Barbara Lewis

Our top pick?

• 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.

-Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.

From the hyperactive toddler to the anxious teen, we’ve all heard that meditation can help the whole family. But if the thought of sitting still yourself just sounds too torturous, walking meditation might be a perfect option.

Having tried walking meditation myself, I think it’s fabulous! The biggest difference (besides the obvious movement) is that during walking meditation you are more aware of your surroundings. You should allow yourself to notice how you feel but not hold on to any unpleasant sensations. This kind of meditation is also great because it can be fit into your daily routine. Any movement such as your walk to work or your child’s walk home from school can become a mini practice in meditation!

A great way to start your family with walking meditation is to take a “mindful stroll” after dinner. Let your kids know that for the first five minutes all you want them to do is to think about how their feet feel. Is the ground hard or soft? Can they feel their toes wiggle in their shoes or feel the fabric on their feet? After these five minutes take a little time to talk about what their feet felt; but remember, there are no wrong answers! Keep a watchful eye on KIWI for ways to meditate with the family!

– Sara, KIWI intern and practicing walking meditation (not while writing this blog)

A new study was published this month in the medical journal The Lancet that appeared to be groundbreaking for some but is really common sense when you stop to think about it.  The study came out of Europe and looked at young patients with heart disease and addressed that they are smoking more and twice as many suffer from diabetes compared to 12 years ago. It was determined that heart disease prevention in routine clinical practice is inadequate, with only a third of patients being referred to and joining prevention programs, while doctors are prescribing more and more drugs. The most shocking revelation was that despite large increases in the use of all classes of blood pressure lowering drugs, blood pressure management showed no improvement.

One thing many of us agree with is that lifestyle programs should be the backbone of preventive care. Saving people’s lives from acute heart attacks is one thing where conventional medicine excels, but we need an urgent investment in prevention to address the lifestyle causes of heart disease. The nation’s integrative health care leaders met in Washington DC earlier this month to discuss patient centered health care and how to reduce health care costs in the long term. As I was there to witness this inspiring meeting, the word prevention was repeated over and over.

Just how do we prevent heart disease? Exercise and diet are key. How many times do you hear yourself or friends and family make excuses for not exercising. Well, there is not an excuse; in fact your life depends on it! Remember that even housework and gardening burn a number of calories. Enjoy the increased light and longer days. Get on a bike with your kids or throw your little ones in the jogger. Create a mom’s walking group in your neighborhood.

As for diet, fresh fruits and veggies, 5-8 servings a day! When choosing which ones, always aim for a variety of colors to increase the vitamin and mineral assortment. Fiber is important as well. Try to get a minimum of 25 grams a day. While fresh fruits and veggies have a lot of naturally occurring fiber like pectin, other reliable sources are Chia seed, which also contain essential fatty acids. Try Gaia Herbs Chia Fresh. It can be added to salads, smoothies or taken alone.

And yes, of course, no heart healthy plan will ever be complete without mentioning Omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish regularly and/or consuming around one gram daily of EPA+DHA from fish oil. For a great quality heart healthy option, try Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega. They have a guaranteed no repeat policy because their oils are so fresh.

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

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.

–  Marygrace, KIWI staff

It’s time again for another round-up of the best of the mom blogosphere!  Here’s what’s going on…

• Hopping on board the backyard vegetable garden train this spring?  Nature Moms reviews garden tool sets and gear for your little farmers-in-training.
• To school or not to school?  Read about Mama-Om’s journey on her family’s decision to send their son to school or stick to unschooling at home.
• Green Baby Guide puts the bokashi bin, an indoor composting system from Japan.
• Forget balance.  Instead, Healthy Green Moms says we should be seeking harmony.
• The Soft Landing Blog covers possible legislation for federal ban of BPA in children’s food containers.  Yes!

What’s happening on your blog?  We want to know!

Marygrace, KIWI intern

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!

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.

– Stephanie, KIWI staff and clean air advocate 

If life is tough for your family right now, keep everyone’s spirits up by planning a daily celebration. Dress the table for dinner each night. Set a beeswax candle or some item from nature in the center. Depending on the ages of your children, play a word game or two. Take some time to reconnect by asking those close to you, “What made you happy today?”

Resolve to surprise one family member each day by gifting them with something special—a promise for fresh baked cookies, 15 minutes snuggling, or a bike ride, for example. Whether your family numbers two, three, or a dozen, earth-friendly gifts like these are free acts of love and kindness that will always be appreciated. Most importantly, take a vow to each day celebrate what you have rather than focus on what you don’t.

-Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.