The Big Apple will always have my heart. New York City is where I first learned about sustainability and green living. Ironic I know, but it’s true. Well here’s some back-to school ideas for all you New Yorkers out there. It’s provided in courtesy of Greenopia New York, the independently researched guide to all green services and business in NYC area
ORGANIC PACKED LUNCHES (don’t forget the BOX!):
Send them to school with healthy snacks and fresh, locally grown grub from these yummy markets:
I am also a big fan of the Farmer’s Market in Union Square. There’s a wide variety of Organic produce and also supporting local farms in upstate New York. Highly recommended.
This morning I had the good fortune to play tennis with a recent high school graduate. Why good fortune? Have you spent time with a teenager lately? I mean, have you sat down and listened to them, really listened. Teens (rightly) believe that they can change the world. Their enthusiasm is contagious and they don’t see the boundaries that we sadly erect in our adult lives.
As I asked her about her day she mentioned that her father drove to work. She thought he should walk, drive or take the bus. “Because of the environment?” I asked her, maybe a little too hopefully.
Thank you to everyone that particpated in our forum discussion on breastfeeding and entering our Mother’s Milk Giveaway. Many wonderful stories and experiences were shared, and the discussion highlights how unique breastfeeding is between each mother and child. Here are our Socktopus winners:
Andrea K: “I nursed my son for 18 months. My daughter is nearly 23 months and shows no signs of stopping!” Read the rest of this entry »
Recently I was with a girlfriend and she asked me about when I was going to go back to work.“I’m writing,” was my half whisper.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m writing. I’m writing about environmental issues and green parenting,” I gushed. “I never really told anyone, because I was afraid to fail and have my friends see it, but I am a writer.” I sat up a little straighter and taller, proud of having let my secret out.
Little girls love princess, but eco, feminist parents lament the adoration of helpless females who need rescued by princes. My daughter has thankfully moved away from the princess phase, no matter how much I tried to shield her from its influence from the start, but she often still asks about real princesses. I tell her that yes they exist, but that royal families aren’t necessarily role models. Now, I have found a princess that is inspiring her subjects to grow organic vegetables.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand is calling on residents of Nan to plant organic gardens. Her own Thong Noi palace, which she visits once or twice a year, is a model of organic farming. Somsak Yasang, the princess’ gardener, explains:
Sometimes the princess cuts vegetables in the backyard herself. The vegetables grown in the palace are served on her table. The princess also sells home-grown vegetables at reasonable prices. Some of the surplus produce is processed and sold. Fruit including jackfruit, tamarind and papaya were donated to the nearby Nan Panyanugul school for mentally challenged children.
I was happy to hear about the launch of a new magazine for mamas who care about the environment and healthful living, called Mindful Mama Magazine.
The magazine, which will be available through health care practitioners, at bookstores, boutiques and natural food stores in July, will actively promote (according to a recent press release):
o Simplicity
o Products that are non-toxic to mom and baby
o Products and services produced using sustainable practices
o Companies that make efforts to green their workspace
o Companies that actively work to reduce their carbon footprint
o Companies that donate a portion of profits to a good cause
o Mother-owned businesses or parent-friendly workplaces Read the rest of this entry »
Can kids really take action on the environment? Can they influence their parents to reduce carbon emissions? Apparently so, says Cool the Earth, a new climate-change enrichment program, launched by a mom in Kentfield, California. The program has already saved more than 8 million pounds of carbon from going into the atmosphere and has influenced 6,000 households to take 10,000 positive actions to reduce carbon emissions. With additional funding in place and a web-based delivery system available this summer, this program—currently running in 25 Northern California schools–expects to expand to 100 schools in the fall (from Texas to New York) and is positioned to become a national model for positive environmental change. Read the rest of this entry »
When I began Eco Child’s Play over a year and a half ago, I pledged to make Kiva loans on behalf of our blog. After making several Kiva loans, I’ve decided it is time to donate to and highlight different organizations helping families and/or the environment around the world. This month, I have made a donation to Women for Women International on behalf of Eco Child’s Play. Read the rest of this entry »
Thank you to all of our writers, guest writers, and readers that shared their birth stories as part of our Labor of Love series. It’s been a difficult week for me with wildfires surrounding my home, and the birth stories provided me with moments of respite and love. From VBACS to home births, our experiences have varied but we’ve all been blessed with our children!
Candu won a pair of IsaBooties! Candu lives in Hanoi and suffered wounds from his wife’s grip:
All day the contractions got more painful and intense. She had to wait for 40 second long contractions and we had been waiting all day for it. I should have got her to cut her nails earlier, for now I have open wounds on my back and hands. Girls got some grip! She would lean right into me and hold on tight when she got another wave. She shook in pain and her eyes squeezed tight. Wave after wave after wave… Now I know why they call it labour!
Any mother knows, birthing a child is a labor of love. Inspired by a discussion amongst the writers on Eco Child’s Play about our births and the safety of home births in particular, we decided to share our labor experiences with our readers. One of the things we hold in common as eco parents is our desire for a natural birth, however, we may not always experience the birth we envisioned. From VBACS to home water births, our experiences are diverse, and we want to share them with you. We believe what is important about birth is that parents are given an educated choice about how and where their baby is born, as well as be flexible to deal with any medical issues that arise.
We don’t only want to tell our birth stories; we want to hear your stories too! As a pregnant woman, I could not read or hear enough women’s birth stories, because they were all unique and different. The experience is not the same for any two women. By sharing our stories, we hope to build a community of parents who can support and share with one another. Therefore, we are hosting a Labor of Love contest! Read the rest of this entry »
