Friday, May 21, 2010
Take Our Kids to the Park...And Leave Them There Day: Saturday, May 22
(Or rather... And Let Them Play Without Hovering Day)
This is an interesting article from TODAYMoms. I think Lenore Skenazy has some valid point / ideas to consider.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Erupting volcano + two little boys = so much fun!
Gabe, Will and I made a volcano for the first time. The idea was inspired by a project Gabe's class did in school a few months ago. We were looking for a little fun and this project was the result. It's not nearly as messy or as much work as I thought it was going to be.
We grabbed a bottle from our recycling bin. I think it was a empty bottle of Izzy (good stuff, by the way!) and were on our way. Below are our simple directions.
To make the volcano:
To make the lava:
Have a blast!
We grabbed a bottle from our recycling bin. I think it was a empty bottle of Izzy (good stuff, by the way!) and were on our way. Below are our simple directions.
To make the volcano:
- Place a soda-shaped bottle on a rimmed pan (we used a broiler pan) lined with aluminum foil.
- Tape the bottle to the aluminum foil and cover it with play dough. We used some old red play dough that was on its way out due to loss of moisture. The boys enjoyed covering the bottle with the dough.
- Decorate if you feel like it. Sticks and dandelions worked wonders in our case.
- Let the volcano (dough) dry. Ours sat overnight and built anticipation the whole time.
To make the lava:
- Mix 1 tbs. liquid dish washing soap, 1 tbs. baking soda and a few drops of red food coloring in a cup.
- Pour or scoop the mixture into the bottle.
- Pour 1/4 c. white vinegar into the bottle and stand back to watch your volcano erupt! It may take about 30 seconds before you're able to see the lava coming out. Very exciting!
Have a blast!
Monday, May 17, 2010
2010 Dirty Dozen list by Franklin Goose
Just read this 2010 Dirty Dozen list that was featured in Franklin Goose's e-newsletter and was compelled to share. I'm always intrigued at just how many pesticides / chemicals are used to produce food that we put into our bodies!
Yet again, another reason to adjust the budget, vote with our wallet and buy organic. ...Or hit up the local farmer's market and support those hard workers that don't use chemicals (ask them if they spray or use chemicals) but aren't yet a certified organic farm because it costs a lot to become one.
12. Grapes
Imported grapes run a much greater risk of contamination than those grown domestically. Only imported grapes make the 2010 Dirty Dozen list. Vineyards can be sprayed with different pesticides during different growth periods of the grape, and no amount of washing or peeling will eliminate contamination because of the grape's thin skin. Remember, wine is made from grapes, which testing shows can harbor as many as 34 different pesticides. Past Dirty Dozen Contenders
Try to purchase organic leafy greens, carrots, pears, and tomatoes.
Yet again, another reason to adjust the budget, vote with our wallet and buy organic. ...Or hit up the local farmer's market and support those hard workers that don't use chemicals (ask them if they spray or use chemicals) but aren't yet a certified organic farm because it costs a lot to become one.
1. Celery
Celery has no protective skin, which makes it almost impossible to wash off the 64 chemicals that are used on crops.
Alternatives: organic celery, broccoli, radishes, and onions.
2. Peaches
62 pesticides are regularly applied to these delicately skinned fruits in conventional orchards.
Alternatives: organic peaches, watermelon, tangerines, oranges, and grapefruit.
3. Strawberries
If you buy strawberries, especially out of season, they're most likely imported from countries that have less-stringent regulations for pesticide use. 59 pesticides have been detected in residue on strawberries.
Alternatives: organic strawberries, kiwi, and pineapples.
4. Apples
Like peaches, apples are typically grown with poisons to kill a variety of pests, from fungi to insects. Tests have found 42 different pesticides as residue on apples. Scrubbing and peeling doesn't eliminate chemical residue completely, so it's best to buy organic when it comes to apples. Peeling a fruit or vegetable also strips away many of their beneficial nutrients.
Alternatives: organic apples, bananas, and tangerines.
5. Blueberries
New on the Dirty Dozen list in 2010, blueberries are treated with as many as 52 pesticides, making them one of the dirtiest berries on the market.
6. Nectarines
With 33 different types of pesticides found on nectarines, they rank up there with apples and peaches among the dirtiest tree fruit.
Alternatives: organic nectarines, watermelon, papaya, and mango.
7. Bell peppers
Peppers have thin skins that don't offer much of a barrier to pesticides. They're often heavily sprayed with insecticides. Tests have found 49 different pesticides on sweet bell peppers.
Alternatives: organic bell peppers, green peas, broccoli, and cabbage.
8. Spinach
New on the list in 2010, spinach can be laced with as many as 48 different pesticides, making it one of the most contaminated green leafy vegetable.
9. Kale
Kale is known as a hardier vegetable that rarely suffers from pests and disease, but it was found to have high amounts of pesticide residue when tested this year.
Alternatives: organic kale, cabbage, asparagus, and broccoli.
10. Cherries
Even locally grown cherries are not necessarily safe. In fact, in one survey in recent years, cherries grown in the U.S. were found to have three times more pesticide residue then imported cherries. Government testing has found 42 different pesticides on cherries.
11. Potatoes
America's popular spud reappears on the 2010 Dirty Dozen list, after a year hiatus. America's favorite vegetable can be laced with as many as 37 different pesticides.
Alternatives: organic potatoes and sweet potatoes, eggplant, cabbage, and earthy mushrooms.
Celery has no protective skin, which makes it almost impossible to wash off the 64 chemicals that are used on crops.
Alternatives: organic celery, broccoli, radishes, and onions.
2. Peaches
62 pesticides are regularly applied to these delicately skinned fruits in conventional orchards.
Alternatives: organic peaches, watermelon, tangerines, oranges, and grapefruit.
3. Strawberries
If you buy strawberries, especially out of season, they're most likely imported from countries that have less-stringent regulations for pesticide use. 59 pesticides have been detected in residue on strawberries.
Alternatives: organic strawberries, kiwi, and pineapples.
4. Apples
Like peaches, apples are typically grown with poisons to kill a variety of pests, from fungi to insects. Tests have found 42 different pesticides as residue on apples. Scrubbing and peeling doesn't eliminate chemical residue completely, so it's best to buy organic when it comes to apples. Peeling a fruit or vegetable also strips away many of their beneficial nutrients.
Alternatives: organic apples, bananas, and tangerines.
5. Blueberries
New on the Dirty Dozen list in 2010, blueberries are treated with as many as 52 pesticides, making them one of the dirtiest berries on the market.
6. Nectarines
With 33 different types of pesticides found on nectarines, they rank up there with apples and peaches among the dirtiest tree fruit.
Alternatives: organic nectarines, watermelon, papaya, and mango.
7. Bell peppers
Peppers have thin skins that don't offer much of a barrier to pesticides. They're often heavily sprayed with insecticides. Tests have found 49 different pesticides on sweet bell peppers.
Alternatives: organic bell peppers, green peas, broccoli, and cabbage.
8. Spinach
New on the list in 2010, spinach can be laced with as many as 48 different pesticides, making it one of the most contaminated green leafy vegetable.
9. Kale
Kale is known as a hardier vegetable that rarely suffers from pests and disease, but it was found to have high amounts of pesticide residue when tested this year.
Alternatives: organic kale, cabbage, asparagus, and broccoli.
10. Cherries
Even locally grown cherries are not necessarily safe. In fact, in one survey in recent years, cherries grown in the U.S. were found to have three times more pesticide residue then imported cherries. Government testing has found 42 different pesticides on cherries.
11. Potatoes
America's popular spud reappears on the 2010 Dirty Dozen list, after a year hiatus. America's favorite vegetable can be laced with as many as 37 different pesticides.
Alternatives: organic potatoes and sweet potatoes, eggplant, cabbage, and earthy mushrooms.
Imported grapes run a much greater risk of contamination than those grown domestically. Only imported grapes make the 2010 Dirty Dozen list. Vineyards can be sprayed with different pesticides during different growth periods of the grape, and no amount of washing or peeling will eliminate contamination because of the grape's thin skin. Remember, wine is made from grapes, which testing shows can harbor as many as 34 different pesticides.
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