Green Options

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The headlines are out, 1966 was the last time North America and much of Siberia have seen so much snow.

An article in Canada’s National Post summarized weather around the northern hemisphere and concluded that arctic ice is back, heavier than ever in some areas, and China is reeling from its worst winter in a century.

Of course, it doesn’t mean global warming is a non-entity, nor does it mean we’re headed for a mini ice-age. The author, Lorne Gunter, took a swipe at environmentalists this way:

“Ok, so one winter does not a climate make. It would be premature to claim an Ice Age is looming just because we have had one of our most brutal winters in decades.

But if environmentalists and environment reporters can run around shrieking about the manmade destruction of the natural order every time a robin shows up on Geeorgian Bay two weeks early, then it is at least fair game to use this winter’s weather stories to wonder whether the alarmist are being a tad premature.”

Nigel Taylor, curator of Kew Gardens in the U.K., says climate change has essentially made winter a thing of the past in Britain.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Now that we are, for the most, part spending more and more of the day inside, dry skin is plaguing both adults and children. A recent article at Ask Dr. Sears, discusses what causes this dry skin and steps to take to combat it.

Best known as THE name in attachment parenting and author of a variety of parenting books, Dr. Sears provides tips for healthy families that often include natural healing and an eco friendly approach.

Since extensive exposure to central heating in homes can severely dry out skin Dr. Sears Tips include:

1. Vaporize the air. Put a vaporizer in your bedroom. Vaporizers have a double health benefit. They not only increase the humidity in the bedroom and help prevent winter skin from drying out, but the steam also acts like a heat source. …The more humid air allows you to turn the central heating down and save fuel costs.

The big day ‘o gifts is fast approaching and every child I know is bouncing off the walls!  (Of course in kid-world, time is dragging painfully slow!) If you are interested in creating a more sustainable future consider an annual observance of the winter solstice. This is a great opportunity to connect our children to the endless rhythms of nature.

For most of us, the winter solstice will be Dec. 22nd. There are so many ways to approach this pivotal moment in earth’s year: astronomically, historically, agriculturally, religiously/comparative religiously, anthropologically. For example, hundreds of years before Stonehenge, there was Newgrange – a massive structure in Ireland that captures the beam of the rising sun on the winter solstice. And this year, for the first time, you can view this event live via webcast!

As the sweaty days and humid nights of Summer wane away, the changing leaves and cooler breezes of Autumn will soon be upon us. It’s time to bring out the jeans, blankets, sweaters, and all our other favorite layers as the temperatures become more unpredictable than ever. To add a little variety to your seasonal accoutrements, a few stitches can make all the difference. By adding a bit of knitting or

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