Green Options

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Toddlers Have Three Times the Level of PBDEs as Their Mothers
A new study finds that the concentrations of hormone-disrupting chemicals known as PBDEs in young children are significantly higher than their mothers. The investigation, conducted for the Environmental Working Group, tested blood samples of 20 mothers and their young children for PBDEs, a common fire retardant found in foam mattresses, furniture, and electronics.

According to the study, 11 different flame retardants were found in the children’s blood, and the levels were three times that of their mothers. Deca, a PBDE banned in Europe but still legal and unregulated in the US, was measured in 65 percent of the children. Two other fire retardant chemicals, Octa and Penta, are no longer made in the US, but are found in items made before the ban. Importing furniture containing Penta is still legal, due to a regulatory loophole.

Get out your calendars right now and reserve the weekend of the 20th and 21st of September!

Plan to be in Fort Collins for the premier green festival of northern Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Fair.

The Sustainable Living Fair is a solution based, hands-on, family oriented event designed to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about Sustainable Living Practices, Renewable Energy, Environmental & Social Responsibility, Natural Health, Green Building, Alternative Vehicles, Organic Agriculture, Local Economies and more.

This event draws thousands of people every year for a weekend of green education, community building, and inspiring speakers. For five bucks you can take your pick from over 50 workshops and learn about local food, sustainable agriculture and green living from hundreds of exhibitors.

Vegetarians are everywhere.
We show up at parties and cookouts, inspecting the grill and asking about ingredients. If you didn’t plan to feed us, we’re probably going home hungry. Savvy vegetarians will bring along some veggie burgers to grill, but only if you can scrape the grill clean…

Chances are, you’ve got a vegetarian on your invitation list. Or maybe a flexi-tarian who chooses veg over meat most of the time. If you plan ahead with a good vegetarian grilling recipe, you’ll be prepared to feed all of your guests.

Veggie kabobs are one of the easiest vegetarian recipes to make. Feel free to improvise with the veggies you have on hand. You really can’t go wrong.
All-Star Veggie Kabob Recipe:

I just found out about an online green living bookstore dedicated to providing quality educational materials with minimal environmental impact. With the rate of books we go through in our house, anytime I can get a digital version, I choose to download instead of getting a paper copy.

With global paper consumption increasing at a staggering rate, and forests disappearing overnight, our society really needs to look at ways to decrease our rate of consumption. One online company is focused on giving you an option when buying books for yourself or your kids.

Fresh sweet corn is one of the highlights of summer.

Crisp, juicy, and sweet, corn has long been a staple of picnics and barbecues. You can fill a bag with corn at the farmers market for cheap, and there is nothing like it.

Too bad we screw it up so often.

At BBQ’s and parties and potlucks, I’ve been served over-boiled corn on the cob, grilled corn that is almost burnt, and corn [...]

“Papa, dis food is o-ganic?”
Whoa…

My three year old knows how to ask about her food. Very cool.

She doesn’t truly understand what we mean when we say organic, or organically grown, but she knows that to our family, there is a distinction.

If there’s a choice, we go for the organic. Even better is locally grown. The farmers market is one of our primary food sources, we have a share in a CSA, and the rest we get at our local co-op.

We might pay more, but we’re OK with that. Here’s why:

Kids love to make things.
My daughter is always asking me “Papa, what can we make? Let’s do a project together.”

Messing about with wood is one of my favorite hobbies. I learned the basics by working with and watching other men build, but even if you’ve never built anything in your life, you can do homeschool woodworking projects together. Here’s a list of online resources to get you started.

“Oooh… Another floral print diaper bag… with matching pastel changing pad. Just what I wanted!”

Parents need gear.

Diapers, food, toys, changes of clothing, water, wipes - it’s all got to go with you.

Everywhere.

Most baby gear and diaper bags are styled with a mom’s taste in mind, not a dad’s. After recently witnessing some new dads sheepishly carrying cutesy baby bags, I thought I’d share a selection of cool green bags with you. Every one of these is stylish and eco-friendly, made from either repurposed or recycled materials.

Alchemy Goods messenger bag, at right, is made from recycled inner tubes, and features a heavy-duty strap made from recycled seatbelts. Internal pockets abound, and a key clip and zippered pocket keep your valuables safe. Did I mention it’s waterproof as well? An awesome bag from a conscious company. Priced at $168.

The Fellini Pannolini messenger bag is produced in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in a fair-trade partnership with Three Stone Steps. They are made from repurposed outdoor mosquito netting, and are lined with repurposed industrial waterproof tarp. Pannolini means diaper, and this earth-friendly satchel could be your next hip diaper bag for only $75.

Help! I got stung!
Your child runs up to you with tears and a look of pain, holding out a hand or foot to you.
What do you do?

Pain In the Neck Got You Down?
Lower Back Aching?
Bend Over Backwards and Get Some Relief!
Whether you stay at home as the parent, or work outside for your job, life can be stressful on a body. An important part of parenting is taking care of yourself, so that you’re able to take care of your family. Learn to bend over backwards helping yourself.

Most of our daily motions are centered around the front of our body, and we can end up really out of balance if we don’t take the time to bend our bodies backwards and release tension.