Invited to a last-minute barbecue? Spent all afternoon at the pool with your kids and looking for something healthy to throw together for dinner? I’ve got just the recipe. This corn, black bean, and avocado salad comes together in twenty minutes flat, tastes delicious warm or cold, and makes use of some of summer’s best offerings.

Caramelized corn, black bean, and avocado salad
Prep time: 20 minutes

4 ears white or yellow corn, husked
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 clove garlic, minced
1 16 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 large avocado, flesh scooped out and cubed
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
1/2 small red onion, diced
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and pepper, to taste

1. For the corn, chop off one end of each ear so it stands up straight. With a sharp knife, slice the kernels from the cob by running the side of the blade down the ear along all sides. (If you’ve got a bundt pan, leave the long “handle” of the cob attached and stand cob in the hole of the pan, then remove the kernels. The hole will keep the corn cob steady will the kernels fall into the bottom of the pan.)
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a cast iron or nonstick skillet over high heat. When the oil is shiny in the pan, add the corn kernels, garlic, and salt to taste. Let corn kernels sit, untouched, for 2-3 minutes, until browned on one side. Give a quick stir to toss, then let kernels brown 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl, then add corn. Toss gently, taking care not to mush the avocado cubes. Serve with whole wheat tortillas or corn chips.

Serves 4-6
Per serving: Calories 225, fat 12 g, protein 7 g, carbohydrates 26 g, dietary fiber 8 g

-Marygrace Taylor, KIWI staff writer

Summer is here, and that means its time to load up on sunscreen—but take note, not all lotions are created equal. Most conventional sunscreens contain synthetic, petroleum-based chemicals, which may be carcinogenic and/or hormone disruptors (bad for moms, dads, and kids!). What’s more, the stuff you put on your skin can also negatively affect our oceans, beaches, and communities. In fact, it’s estimated that 4,000-6,000 metric tons of sunscreen end up in the ocean every year, threatening up to 10 percent of our coral reefs by a process called bleaching. Yikes! Sounds like all-natural sun protection is the way to go. Here, some essential tips to keep your family (and the planet!) safe while you enjoy some fun in the sun:
Read the labels Look for sunscreens that are free of synthetic preservatives, parabens, PABA, petrochemicals, benzoates, and artificial colors or fragrances. (Pregnant? What goes on your skin ends up in your bloodstream and reach your baby, so always choose a brand that’s certified organic.)

Don’t be fooled You may think you’re getting extra protection, but sunscreens with an SPF higher than 30 don’t do much to block additional rays. Instead, reapply a lower SPF every 2 hours.
Reapply often Be wary of sunscreens that claim to be  waterproof or that will last all day. While there may be some lasting effect after spending time in the water, it’s better just to reapply after toweling off.
Remember your lips The skin on your lips is delicate and needs just as much (if not more!) protection than the rest of your body. After sipping from your water bottle or eating lunch, be sure to reapply an all-natural balm with SPF.

Now you know what to look for when choosing a sunscreen—but which brand really works best? A few of my favorites:

Soléo Organics Sunscreen has been ranked by the Environmental Working Group as one of the safest and most effective natural sunscreens (sizes vary, $14-$28). Find it at TheUltimateGreenStore.com, where orders over $75 receive free shipping with code: KIWIMAG.
Elemental Herbs Organic Sun Care Kit includes Mineral Sunscreen SPF 20, Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 22 Tinted for face protection; All Good Goop organic healing balm (to soothe any burns you do get!); and 3 All Good Lips SPF 15 lip balms in original, spearmint and tangerine flavors. The loot comes in an organic cotton bag and is U.S.A.-made. ($49, theultimategreenstore.com).

-Laura Meyer, Founder and CEO of TheUltimateGreenStore.com and mom of three

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

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

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

-Nicole McGovern

One summer way back when, my best friend and I made a pledge to go barefoot for as long as possible. Granted, we were only about ten or eleven, so the extent of our travels consisted of crossing the street to go to each other’s houses, a short walk to the lake nextdoor, or at most, a bike ride to the local pool–basically, all places where being sans shoes was perfectly acceptable.

Calloused though they were, our feet  made it through summer vacation without ever wearing a pair of shoes (well, hardly ever, but we definitely considered the venture a success). When it came time to head back to school in September, however, there was no two ways about it–the shoes had to go back on. Even still, though, the weather was warm, and we decided to keep up the shoeless routine outside of the classroom for as long as possible. We’d simply grown accustomed to the feeling and the freedom, and saw no reason to stop. Unfortunately, Mother Nature eventually gave us a reason–frost. It happened in November, and even making the quick trip over to her house to watch movies after school proved painful on my feet. It had to be done. The shoes had to go back on.

As I got older, the opportunities to go barefoot shrunk considerably. School, always, then parties, job interviews, and jobs themselves. Occasionally now I’ll run from the house to get something in my car without my shoes on, and it makes me a little sad that my feet can’t take it. Sure, I was the girl that wore sandals to high school even in January, I wore a pair to my wedding and am wearing a pair right now, but none of those things really compare to going completely barefoot.

Whether it’s soft sand, hot pavement, or dewy grass, I like the feeling of the ground on my feet, and I’m renewing my commitment to experience more of it. At least, until the frost arrives.

-Marygrace, KIWI Staffer

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.

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