Friday, November 13, 2009
10 Tips on mothering your 0-1 year old
1. You know your baby best.
2. Onesies (or anything-ies) with zippers are your friend .. buttons or snaps once baby is on the move are a nightmare
3. Clear diaper cream is your friend once baby's on the move
4. When nail-clipping becomes an impossible task due to a busy and temper ridden child try it while babe is enjoying a bottle and a little sleepy.
5. Picking out an outfit for yourself the night before will save you from the morning's "Oh I dont care" and then the later that day's "I wish I wasn't dressed like such a bum".
6. You need mom friends and baby needs baby friends. If you dont already have a group start one.
7. Know that not a day will go by where you accomplish everything you wanted (or needed) to
8. Sometimes a car-ride is just what the Dr. ordered
9. A happy mommy = a happy baby
10. Being resourceful is really fun
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Some Wonderful Research Links
Associations between indoor environmental factors and parental-reported autistic spectrum disorders in children 6-8 years of age.
Environmental Contributions to Disparities in Pregnancy Outcomes.
Schizophrenia susceptibility genes and their neurodevelopmental implications: focus on neuregulin 1.
You will find many more informative links if you follow him on Twitter ~ @danaginzz.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time ~ Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
I cannot express how much I loved this book. Usually I try to keep my posts brief, but this story warrants relaying:
From the Three Cups of Tea website:
"In 1993 Mortenson was descending from his failed attempt to reach the peak of K2. Exhausted and disoriented, he wandered away from his group into the most desolate reaches of northern Pakistan. Alone, without food, water, or shelter he stumbled into an impoverished Pakistani village where he was nursed back to health.
While recovering he observed the village’s 84 children sitting outdoors, scratching their lessons in the dirt with sticks. The village was so poor that it could not afford the $1-a-day salary to hire a teacher. When he left the village, he promised that he would return to build them a school. From that rash, heartfelt promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time.
In an early effort to raise money he wrote letters to 580 celebrities, businessmen, and other prominent Americans. His only reply was a $100 check from NBC’s Tom Brokaw. Selling everything he owned, he still only raised $2,400. But his efforts changed when a group of elementary school children in River Falls, Wisconsin, donated $623.40 in pennies, who inspired adults to begin to take action. The 283 foot Braldu Bridge was completed in 1995 and the Korphe School was completed in 1996. Since then, he’s established 78 schools. In pursuit of his goal, Mortenson has survived an armed kidnapping, fatwas issued by enraged mullahs, repeated death threats, and wrenching separations from his wife and children. Yet his success speaks for itself."
You have to know this story.
Also, here is the link to Greg Mortenson's site if you want to better know this humanitarian. You can even follow him on Twitter if you are so inclined.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Pocket Guide to Safer Flea & Tick Treatments
Via GreenPaws.Org
Here is a handy pocket sized pdf you can download and print to assist in making safer choices for your pet (and the family in contact with the beloved).
Topping the hazards list are:
Amitraz
Fenoxycarb
Permethrin
Propoxur
Tetrachlorvinphos
(TCVP)
(The guide has a complete list)
Also, the dog in the photograph is beloved Domino, who passed away last week because of cancer.
I love you buddy, and wish you endless ball chasing, spooning, pigs ears, and nothing orange in doggie heaven. Goodbye my precious. ~ Love Mommy.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Kiva
I want to let you know about Kiva, a non-profit organization that allows you to lend as little as $25 to a specific low-income entrepreneur across the globe. You choose who to lend to - whether a baker in Afghanistan, a goat herder in Uganda, a farmer in Peru, a restaurateur in Cambodia, or a tailor in Iraq - and as they repay their loan, you get your money back. It's a powerful and sustainable way to empower someone right now to lift themselves out of poverty.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Candeo Weddings
I would like to take a moment to brag about my friend Dawn and her stunningly perfect new wedding planning company, Candeo Weddings. We should all be so lucky as to have her on our side for the big day.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Water Footprint of Beer
Via WWF:
Water footprint of beer more on the farm than in the brewery
However, the water footprint figure itself does not give the whole picture. More important is the context - where the water is used, what proportion of the area’s total water resource it represents, and whether water scarcity creates risks to the environment, communities and businesses now or in the future.. " (entire article)
First Aid for Clothes: Stain Removal Chart
Via Martha Stewart
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Interview With Serinda Swan
Excited about Serinda's upcoming appearance in Tron 2.0, I was eager to interview her and find out as much as possible about this very cool looking movie coming out in the near future. Sadly, her publicist has sworn her to secrecy until a later date, and this is all she could say:
Monday, August 10, 2009
Cosmetics Safety Search Engine
Kale with Apples & Mustard
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1-1 1/2 pounds pounds kale, ribs removed, coarsely chopped (see Tip)
- 2/3 cup water
- 2 Granny Smith apples, sliced
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 4 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Hidden Hazards in Air Fresheners
"Over the past few years, air fresheners have become a staple in many American homes and offices, marketed with promises of a clean, healthy and sweet-smelling indoor atmosphere. The labels do not mention, however, that many of these products also release potentially hazardous chemicals.
A recent investigation of 14 common air fresheners by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found hormone-disrupting chemicals known as phthalates in 12 products, including some fresheners marketed as "all-natural" and "unscented." None of the air fresheners listed phthalates on their labels..." (read more)
And via Science Daily:
Many Cleaners, Air Fresheners May Pose Health Risks When Used Indoors
Mercury & Fish
Here is a very handy printable wallet-sized guide to fish mercury levels, from the Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.org).
Saturday, August 8, 2009
2 kids discover plastic-eating microbes
Photo: Samuel Mann/Flickr . "It’s not your average science fair when the 16-year-old winner manages to solve a global waste crisis. But such was the case at last May’s Canadian Science Fair in Waterloo, Ontario, where Daniel Burd, a high school student at Waterloo Collegiate Institute, presented his research on microorganisms that can rapidly biodegrade plastic..." |
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Early Years Conference 2010
Victoria, BC, Canada
Conference Description:
The conference will explore early childhood, family and community development through the lens of Child Rights.
The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990) articulates various inherent human rights that should be afforded to children. Policies designed to support and provide general and specific services to children and their families, should reflect these rights in order that all children may reach their full potential in society. Conference participants will have the opportunity to consider research, policy, and practice from a child’s rights perspective in order to further the quality of their work with children, families and communities.
View Brochure Here
In Honor of Shark Week
For those of you who aren't already in the know, I would like to introduce WHITE MIKE. C'mon people, lets save some sharks!
Friday, July 31, 2009
25 Best Back-to-School Gadgets
(Via Time Magazine)
Fresh Start Recycling
Lucky Vancouverites... Fresh Start Recycling helps homeowners, building managers, and contractors rid themselves of unwanted items with a three-step approach: recycle, donate and finally, dispose. View their website here.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tundra Buggy Polar Bear Tours & Live HD Polar Cams
These tours look incredible, and if I had an extra $10,000 I would certainly be booked on one.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Children's Health in the Environment
Buying Safe Plastic Toys
The worst plastic used in children's toys, including teethers, bath toys and dolls, is polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which creates dioxins in production and often contains phthalates, chemical softeners used to make the plastic soft and pliable. Considered "hormone disruptors" and linked with asthma and respiratory problems, phthalates can migrate out of toys and onto the hands (and into the mouths) of children. Fortunately, many companies are removing phthalates, and several states, including California and Maine, are initiating legislation that would ban the sale of any children's products containing these problem chemicals.
Another additive to PVC, lead has been cropping up in toys with unrelenting frequency. Hundreds of thousands toys, including Barbie dolls, Fisher-Price locomotives and Thomas the Tank Engines have been recalled due to violations of lead paint standards. Lead is also found in the paint of some old wood and metal toys, especially in imports. Lead is associated with a host of learning disabilities and behavior disorders, and even low exposures can carry lifelong effects.
Lead has also been found in other children's toys. In July 2004, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled all metal toy jewelry sold in vending machines—150 million pieces—that was imported by AA Global Industries Inc., Brand Imports, Cardinal Distributing Co. and L.M. Becker and Co. Inc. after it was found to contain lead and one young child was poisoned. In this instance, the toys were recalled before more children were affected, but government can react slowly to protect children, often not moving until after harm has been done.
More:
Canada: PVC Toys Pulled From Toys "R" Us Shelves (Greenpeace Archives)
And for a list of safe teething options visit Health Canada.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Where The Wild Things Are Trailer
How exciting! Maurice Sendak's cherished children's book is now movie-ified. The trailer is here, complete with track by Arcade Fire. Enjoy! The movie is out October 16th, 2009.
Sustainable Sushi Guide
From David Suzuki's Website, I present to you the sustainable sushi guide (download here). It also includes health advisories for fish high in heavy metals.
More on honey
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Jewel's Lullaby CD
Nuby teether recall
Thanks to Parenting.com we now know that all Nuby gel filled teethers have been recalled. The article and specifics are here.
Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
The trailer was posted on the internet 15 minutes ago and has already been taken down. It is officially released tomorrow and I will post the link then, but for now get your fix here. It looks as though I may have a new favourite movie.