Over the past year or two, I’ve been trying to buy more things used. At first, I started with children’s clothing and shoes and now have moved on to art, rugs, furniture and baby stuff. I have always been weary of buying “someone else’s junk,” but I am over that now. My neighborhood has a [...]
Filed under: Random on February 25th, 2010 | No Comments »
We have been in need of a new crib mattress. While we are expecting our third baby (and you’d think we already had a crib mattress), we have decided to keep our 2 year old on it in his crib for now. We bought a second hand crib from a neighbor but didn’t want to [...]
Filed under: Chemicals, Children, Organic, PBDEs on February 19th, 2010 | 1 Comment »
The Environmental Working Group wants to collect 75,000 signatures to show that Americans support the Kid Safe Chemical Act. We don’t think that current chemical legislation is adequate (see my letter) and believe that all chemicals should demonstrate safety before they can be sold. The EWG has already gotten 40,000 signatures in one week. Consider [...]
Filed under: Chemicals, Children, Environment on February 16th, 2010 | No Comments »
I have found shopping for household items to be more challenging with a health and environmentally conscious mindset, but I’ve enjoyed the challenge and am much happier about the things I’m bringing into my home. This past week, I was shopping for a 5×8 rug for my entry way and a rug pad. I thought [...]
Filed under: Environment on February 15th, 2010 | No Comments »
After going through two kids, our cloth diapers are in pretty rough shape. So we are buying a new stash for baby #3. Shopping for cloth diapers in 2010 is so different than in 2005!! I love all the organic cotton options and many diapers are now one-size-fits-most. Unfortunately, prices have gone up too, but [...]
Filed under: Children, Personal Care Products on February 11th, 2010 | 1 Comment »
I have read many pregnancy books–the typical week by week guides, natural and organic pregnancy books, books about labor and delivery. None are like Having Faith, written by Sandra Steingraber. When I first got the book from a library in stack of other books I was anxious to read, it went straight to the bottom. [...]
Filed under: Book recommendation, Children, Environment on February 9th, 2010 | No Comments »
This is what my congresswoman wrote in response to the letter I sent her:
Thank you for contacting me about your concern with the regulation of toxic chemicals. I appreciate the opportunity to learn your views and share mine.
I am concerned with the number of chemicals used in commerce today without sufficient toxicity testing. The Centers [...]
Filed under: Chemicals on February 6th, 2010 | 2 Comments »
I love samosas, and here’s an easy way to make them for dinner for your entire family. This recipe is vegan and freezes well.
Ingredients
Crust:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour (whole-wheat pastry if you have it)
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbs. canola oil
Filling:
1 Tbs. black or yellow mustard seeds
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cumin
1/8 [...]
Filed under: Recipe, Vegetarian/Vegan on February 4th, 2010 | No Comments »
I’m so proud of my husband. Two years ago, around Earth Day 2008, he bought a bike and started biking to work. We live about 7 miles from his job and at first, the ride was challenging, but now it’s much easier for him. When the weather is good, he bikes 4 days/week (he works [...]
Filed under: Environment, Exercise on February 1st, 2010 | No Comments »