RALLY FOR THE ARTS EDUCATION!
A quote from the National Arts Education Public Awareness Campaign
(http://www.artsusa.org/public_awareness/default.asp) states:
Just like kids need to have good nutrition on a daily basis, kids need to have their daily serving of the arts. Studies have shown that involvement in the arts helps kids increase test scores and promotes academic achievement. Kids who are involved in the arts are:
4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
What does this have to do with eco-friendly living? Studies have shown that individuals who achieve academic success tend to be more concerned about the environment. Everything comes full circle. So, show your support for arts education today. Find out how by visiting www.artsusa.org.
It was a great weekend until we managed to drop our digital camera. Now that it is busted, we need to figure out what to do. In the past, I would automatically buy a new one because technology is always improving and why pay to get it fixed when you just need to spend an extra $100 to buy a new one? Well, being more money and eco-conscious, I must admit that I don't even use all of the cool features my busted camera offers (I only use the auto/zoom/flash options when there are about 20 more features than that). So, I humbly contacted the manufacturer and found out that for $150 I can get it fixed. I dropped it off in the mail yesterday and should get it back refurnished and fixed by next week.
I'm coming to terms with my evolving self. I've been an extremist in the past from "I need to eat mac and cheese 7 days in a row to save money" to "I bought a new pair of shoes because my shoelaces broke on my old pair (really I lived on both extremes). Now I constantly ask myself, "Maybe I can afford it, but do I really need it?" This mantra has been getting me to a happy place (most days).
I'm sure I could have gotten a working second hand digital camera for less than the $150 it'll cost me to fix, but I stopped my broken camera from prematurely entering a landfill somewhere and I am also teaching my kids that it is OK to fix things instead of buying new all of the time.
So, of course, my kids take their lesson to heart and manage to glue and tape everything (literally everything) they can successfully get their hands on in attempts to "fix" them. I guess I am teaching them "how to fish (fix)."
The Elmer's Glue Recycling program is a fun way to teach schoolchildren the importance of recycling. Students recycle used bottles of Elmer's glue and in return get chances to win great prizes! Parents, please get your children's schools involved in this great program. Participation is free!!! Please visit the following link to get involved in this great program: www.elmersgluecrew.com/how.aspx
I am bringing my kids to attend a Kids in the Kitchen event sponsored by the Junior League. This is a free kid friendly event that teaches kids how to cook and prepare healthy meals. They also learn about the benefits of play and exercise. As I continue on my parenthood journey, I try to exercise constraint every day by not giving in and indulging my kids with "things." Instead, I try to have them enjoy new experiences. If you would like to learn more about the Junior League and their events, please visit www.ajli.org.
My boy's going to run his first race this Saturday. We have been informally practicing after school (he runs around the park, so I guess that sort of counts as training.). Meanwhile, I have managed to reduce my running time to 12:15 min/mile. It's slow and steady.
Did you know that most races allow kids to run for free (ages 8 and under)? These races are known as "Kiddie Races." If you are interested in having your child participate for a race, ask if there is a free kiddie race. If not, sometimes, they will allow kids to run for free if you tell them that you are not interested in purchasing the race T-shirt.
Do a internet search using the key words "Road Runners" or "Kids' Races" and include your local town or city. This will bring up the most popular sites for your location.
My kids do not like drinking plain milk. They love getting their dairy intake from cheese, yogurt and ice cream. For some reason, I am always adamant about them getting enough milk in their systems. I've come across Cacao Power Chocolate Nibs from www.navitasnaturals.com. By adding a few of these nibs into their milk, they are transformed into milk lovers!Navitas Naturals cacao beans are hand selected for quality, partially fermented to alleviate bitterness, and processed at low temperatures for maximum nutrient retention. Navitas Naturals Sweet Cacao Nibs contain 100% organic ingredients that are kosher, gluten-free, vegan, and raw. In addition to cacao products, Navita Naturals offer superfood products which include gogi berries, cacao, flax, acai and many more.www.navitasnaturals.com is a green business, supporting fair-trade policies and sustainable agriculture. Their foods are certified organic, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, raw, and certified kosher.
If you have school age children and/or teenagers, please have them visit the following website at: www.dosomething.org. This not for profit organization gives away weekly grants to fund eco-friendly and other positive efforts led by children and teenagers. It is such a wonderful way to get children motivated to become active community participants and leaders. My children are too young but I hope to get them involved within the next year. This is also a great website to share with other parents as well. If you come across any great websites or initiatives, please share the information with the rest of us. Thanks!
 Just when I felt that my son was growing up too fast, he surprised me by shouting with delight when I gave him a babystar soy organic blanket (although he is too old for a blanket I caved in, because he was jealous of his younger sister's blankie inflatuation). The soy organic blanket is soft and warm or as he would describe it, the blanket is cuddly. Babystar.com offers a number of great organic baby/toddler clothing and blankets. For 20% discount enter the following code: star20. This offers expires 12/31/2010. For more product information, please visit. www.babystar.com. Right now until the end of February, you can get free shipping with your purchase using the following code "HEART" at the checkout page.
I wondered if my son would ever learn how to tie his shoes when his classmates started tying their own shoes earlier this year. Then, it just happened yesterday morning. When we were about to leave the house, instead of my usual frantic race to tie his shoes, he just told me he did it. Another right of passage come and gone just like that. About a year ago, I've asked moms with older kids when their children started putting on their own socks and shoes and they told me that they honestly don't remember because it happens so fast. Of course, I sat there thinking when will it "happen so fast" to me, but now I know what they mean.As for our old worn out sneakers, instead of throwing them out, we bring them to Nike stores and donate them in the collection bins that is part of the Nike Reuse a Shoe program. The shoes don't even have to be old Nike sneakers, they can be any sneakers. They process the shoes and use the materials for playgrounds or new apparel. You can find out more information about this program at www.nikereuseashoe.com.
 Using stainless steel bottles to bring water around has become a way of life for my family. We used to buy bottled water by the caseful until I found out that even though we recycled the water bottles, it still requires unnecessary amounts of energy for the used water bottles to be reprocessed (hence, producing unnecessary waste). Once we got a water filter system, I load up the water bottles with water and leave them in the fridge, so we pack and go in the morning. We use a variety of water bottles (all BPA free). I love Earthlust's stainless steel bottle because it is easy to wash and it comes with beautiful artwork. For more information about Earthlust products, please visit www.earthlust.com.Kids are so resilient and so adaptable, my son is the one who reminds me to pack the water bottles in the morning. Am looking forward to the day when he packs them up without me doing the work.
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