The last few years, instead of filling my kids' Easter baskets with tacky plastic "grass" and cheap toys, I've taken the time to make Easter more about the Good Stuff. Here's what's on my shopping (and growing!) list this year, plus some ideas for younger kids. Real Easter Grass! My mom always grew really grass in our Easter baskets when we were kids, and I assumed it was complicated and
Outdoor Products & Tips
Lyme Disease: What I Wish We’d Known
You may have noticed that we've been pretty quiet this summer, and unfortunately that's because we've been dealing with Lyme disease! My mom is the unlucky one of our group who picked it up during our vacation in Vermont last month, which we spent picking ticks off ourselves. (I grew up in Vermont and ticks/Lyme were a non-issue back then, but climate change (among other factors) means we will
Safe Sunscreen Guide
No one wants to see an infant sporting the raw, tender skin of a sunburn, but the fear of the sun--like many other parental fears--seems to have become maybe a little hysterical? Too Little Sun The overzealous use of sunscreen on kids has resulted in widespread vitamin D deficiencies, which are linked to cancer, depression, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and obesity. A 2009 study
May: Making Your Yard Non-Toxic
This January, instead of making the usual resolutions that we’ve given up on by the end of the month, we decided to break it up by dividing some big goals into manageable chunks. Each month, we invite you to overhaul one aspect of your life to reduce toxins, improve health, and increase your peace of mind. Our promise is that these changes will be easy to implement, helping you avoid resolution
Ticks: Do Non-Toxic Repellents Work?
If you know us by now, you know that we are always trying to find products and solutions that keep toxins away from our homes and families. Sometime there are problems difficult enough to make us pay even closer attention. A good example of this is the problems with ticks and the diseases they spread. Ticks & Pets We walk our new puppy, Koa, twice a day. There is a great park nearby with
Non-Toxic Rain Gear Round-Up
It’s been a very wet April here in Brooklyn! I hate to rain on your parade, but gear like raincoats, rain pants, rain boots and umbrellas can be made with toxic materials that are bad for consumers, workers, and the environment. In the past, some studies have found worrisome stuff like heavy metals and phthalates in kids’ rain gear. Aren’t I just a ray of sunshine, as usual? ;) Actually,
5 Fresh Strategies for Screen-Free Play
Kid-friendly activities are a big topic for my husband and me because we’re lucky enough to have four young grandsons who are a regular part of our lives. We’re always looking for ways to engage them, and often this means luring them away from the glow of screens! This is particularly true as the weather turns cooler and the days get shorter. I know that many of you face the same struggle, so I
Sunscreen With Vitamin D & What Sunscreen I’m Using This Summer
With temperatures feeling distinctly summer-like in much of the country, I'm not surprised that many of you are asking about my top sunscreen recommendation, and what I put on my own children. Here's the truth: my kids don't wear sunscreen every day, even in the summer. Of course, if we are at the beach or even at the park for hours, I slather them up. But I'm convinced that some vitamin D is
It’s (Finally) Spring–Time to Get Outside!
You know that I'm all about nature, especially when it comes to kids. The outdoors offers both a stimulating environment that kids love and it never squashes their imagination. This is a magical combination, and one that is increasingly under-utilized. Spring is the perfect time to get back in the habit of outdoor play. With spring come the many sights, smells, and sounds of nature. Plus,
5 Tips for Screen-Free Winter Play
As a parent, grandmother and educator, I have spent a lot of time around young children. I have observed that they are blessed with active imaginations. Active, creative play helps children learn about the world. We can support creative play by offering children toys and materials from nature and by making opportunities for them to spend time in nature—yes, even in the wintertime! We tend to