To emphasize this, researchers at Saint Louis University have determined that families who eat out often are more likely to skimp on fresh fruits and vegetables compared to those who eat more meals at home.

After focusing their study on young families in southeastern Missouri, it was found that close to 73% of parents don’t consume the minimum recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day.

Researchers also discovered that families who eat out frequently are less likely to have fresh produce on hand at home.

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Students surveyed as teenagers were surveyed again at twenty years old to determine the long term effects of eating family meals.  Researchers found that eating family meals together during childhood resulted in adults who ate more fruits and vegetables, and drank less soft drinks.

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So, we live a green life, eat a natural and mostly organic diet, and share this information in non-threatening ways.

For instance, when a group of Moms was talking about laundry, I shared using apple cider vinegar in the wash instead of bleach when a Mom mentioned that she felt bleach was necessary to get rid of the musty smell. A couple weeks later, when I saw that Mom again, she told me she had made the switch and it was working great.

We recycle everything and usually have at least twice as much recycling out as our neighbors. When they ask “why”, and “how”, I get to share some recycling tips and help educate our neighbors on what is recyclable.

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Food prices are predicted to rise again next year, the economy is tanking, and businesses are looking at layoffs of some employees. With a recession looming, many families are struggling financially, tightening up their budgets and cutting back on unnecessary expenses. That doesn’t have to mean eating low-quality food.

Families can still eat well and buy organic and natural foods, even in a recession, but it takes some new skills. Some of these skills aren’t so obvious, so I put together my top ten tips to help your budget, with a focus on grocery shopping. Even if you only use some of them, I think you’ll see a significant change in your finances.

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Vegan Cashew Golden Gravy

Saute in oil:

• 1 cup mushrooms
• 1 onion

In a separate fry pan, preferably a cast iron skillet, lightly toast. Stir often and be careful not to burn the flour:

• 1/3 cup organic flour (white or whole wheat)
• 1/3 cup ground organic cashews (easy to grind in the blender)

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Today, I was shocked to read on Z Recommends that there is BPA in our wastewater and tap water!  The source of this BPA contamination is recycled toilet paper.

Jeremiah at Z Recs, a BPA expert in my opinion, writes:

As it turns out (post-call research on my part) the source of BPA in toilet paper appears not to be that it is added deliberately to the product, but that a lot of toilet paper is made from post-consumer sources that include lots of recycled thermal printing paper (credit card receipts). Dresden University did a study examining BPA turning up in wastewater streams and traced it back to toilet paper as the culprit…Environmental regulators consider sources like this disconcerting because endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA and pthalates can wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. Ultimately, it’s sources like these that are the reason you probably have BPA (at extremely low concentrations) in your tap water, too.  The same thing goes for other kinds of recycled paper, too.

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My daughter just asked me what her father and I were talking about. I told her we were talking about a new study that says kids like vegetables over candy. She said, “No, they don’t!”.  A new study released by First 5 California claims just that!

Contrary to popular belief, a new study released by First 5 California found that parents don’t need to sneak fruits and vegetables into their children’s meals – kids say they actually like them!

Interviews with more than 100 preschoolers across California revealed that kids not only know it’s important to eat fruits and vegetables, they frequently prefer them to candy.

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What is a Peekaru?  Peekaru is essentially a fleece vest you wear over a soft baby carrier, such as a Baby Bjorn or Ergo Carrier.  The fabric is stretchy, so it fits comfortably over you and your babe, and best of all, the fleece is made from 85% recycled material!

Made from 85% recycled high quality Polartec fleece, each Peekaru Original saves approximately 25 plastic bottles from reaching the landfill. In addition, Polartec fleece is Oeko-tex Standard 100 “for textile products of all types which pose no risk whatsoever to health.” Feel good knowing that while you are holding your baby close, you are also helping the environment.

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[Kroft] Did you seriously consider sending the girls to public school?

You know, we’re still in the process of figuring out that transition and what we have asked people to understand is that the decision that we make will be based on the best interests of the girls. We haven’t made that decision yet. We want that to be a personal process, and people have been really good about respecting that.

I do respect the Obama’s decision as parents to choose the best school for their girls, but most parents in the United States do not have this luxury. I am a public school teacher, and I strongly support public education as a necessity in a democracy. It is a personal decision of the Obama family where their children attend school, but politically, public school would be the best decision.

Here are five reasons why Sasha and Malia should attend public school:

1. It sends a message that Obama believes in public education: Politician after politician states that they support public education, but when it comes to their own children, public schools are not good enough. This hypocritical message tarnishes public opinion of our school system, and it furthers the view of politicians as elitist.  Sasha and Malia currently attend private school in Chicago.

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The Telecommunications Research & Action Center (TRAC) has just published their guide to slimming down your phone bills, which can save you up to half on your phone service.

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I opened up my son’s backpack this morning to a book he made about emotions. He is four and this is a common theme to be taught and as a past preschool teacher, a necessary one.  I was anxious to read his book and thought he tell me it made him happy to be with mom or dad. Maybe his puppy makes him happy. Nope, his new obsession…Bionicles

Commercialism and our children, it’s probably part of my problem. Too much television perhaps? I’m not a huge advocate of no television and I don’t freak out about my children watching it because I’m in the room with them and it’s usually PBS or Max and Ruby. I do know the television is on too much, background noise. Obviously, the commercials are impacting my children and probably yours too! I’ll save you the research, data and statistics supporting this because we know deep down in our hearts as parents this is true. Do we really need research to tell us otherwise?

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For parents committed to green living and environmental concsiousness, the greatest gift we can bestow upon our children — and to the world in which we live — is the spirit, passion and commitment to keeping our planet flourishing. 

We all want to ensure that our children are safe, happy and protected, and what better way to do that than by helping them preserve the earth, freeing the air from harmful contaminents and pollution, decreasing our dependence on — and wastefulness of – fuel and finding eco-friendly alternative energy sources.

Between in-home teaching and associations and resources committed to educating children about environmental protection and conservation, it’s easy get your kids out of diapers and off the grid!

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Our 2008 Eco Child’s Play Green, Eco-friendly Toy Holiday Gift Guide is comprised of our favorite products we have reviewed during the course of the year.

We would love for our readers to make further suggestions of eco-friendly gifts by leaving comments to this post.

Safe, Green Gifts for Baby

• Sophie the Giraffe:  This très chic teething toy is made out of natural rubber and finished with non-toxic paint. Sophie is handcrafted in the French Alps and has been a favorite among infants since the 60’s. A definite throwback to my days (and beyond).

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