Hello, Friends. Aren’t you glad the weekend is finally here? This weekend, we are suppose to have 80Âș weather, that can only mean one thing – the beach. Is there really anything better than spending the entire day in the warm sun, watching my boys snorkel? I can’t wait! Is it sunny and warm in your neck of the woods?
While we plan which beach to visit this week, here are a few green things I would love to share with you.
– Eben would dig these recycled action figures. Would your child? – I would totally buy cookies from a San Francisco apartment window. You? – Emily shares her favorite 25 fonts, they are now my favorites too! – This carpet totally inspires me – who knew? – I can’t wait to have chickens. Which of these urban chicken coops should we choose? – This has to be the cutest lemur on Madagascar. – OK, now I am so craving Seven Layer Dip! – Doesn’t this just get you in the mood for spring? (picture above)
And while you are here, don’t forget to enter to win a super sweet sustainable apple brooch from Jetta’s Nest.
I hope you have a sunny weekend, I will see you on Monday.
Writing on the wall is always fun for kids, but with Coco Bohemeâs chalkboard stickers it can be fun for parents, too. These animal-shaped wall stickers are biodegradable as theyâre made from a potato starch material. Each sticker is reusable and can be repositioned over and over again. Once youâre done with them, you can either compost them and return nutrients to the soil, or put them in the trash knowing that in about 6 months, 90% of the material will have biodegraded (as opposed to many decades for most vinyl stickers). The inks and glue are also eco-friendly, no chemical solvents. Stick one in a kidâs bedroom or in the entry way for family messages, wherever you decide to display these fun, eco chalkboards, adults and children alike will delight in them. Jump over to Inhabitots to check them out.
This week’s superfood is Maqui Berries. Maqui Berries are small, tart berries that are similar to grapes. They top the list of superfoods because of their antioxidant potency. Maqui Berries are packed with vitamin C and have been a health staple in parts of South America since the 1800’s. You can enjoy Maqui Berries whole or as a juice or jam.
Have you ever tried Maqui Berries? What are your thoughts?
Since 2003 Kathy Russell and Brenna Ritch have been teaching cooking at an elementary school in Berkeley. Lunch Love Community focuses on teaching children to prepare healthy, delicious meals and also offers evening cooking classes for families. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if all schools had a lunch/cooking program like this? Brilliant!
Does your child’s school offer a cooking program? Or, a lunch program that incorporates cooking?
Connecting with your children at the end of a busy day is important. However, finding the time, when many families are so busy, can be hard. Here are some of my favorite ways that I reconnect with Eben on a daily basis. I feel that every second with him is special (he is almost 14 afterall!), maybe you can find one or two that will work for your family.
1. Drive Time Equals Family Time
Anytime that Eben and I are in the car together, we turn the radio off and tune into each other. It’s amazing how much quality talk time you can get with your child in the car. Is it because they can’t get away from us? Either way – I will take it, those few minutes in the car on the way to and from school and appointments are super special to me.
2. Get Cooking Together
A great way to reconnect with your family is by cooking dinner together. Everyone can help in some way, regardless of age. And baking something together such as; organic cookies or brownies, just makes cooking together more fun!
3. Make It a Family Night, Every Night
Family night doesn’t have to mean movies and pizza. You can make every night family night by spending even small amounts of time together playing a game, doing homework or even reading together. Now, that Eben is older – I can sometimes get him to go to the gym with me too!
4. Give a Snuggle
Every night before you tuck in the little ones, snuggle in bed with them for a few minutes. It is a amazing the things that your child will tell you – if it means they get to stay up just 5 minutes longer. Even older kids will jump at the chance to extend bedtime, even if that means only to chat!
5. Take a Walk
Take a quick after dinner walk with your children. Even if it is only to the end of the street and back, taking a walk as a family is great exercise and will get your little ones chatting away. Eben and I do this on a regular basis and after about 15 minutes of walking, he starts chatting up a storm. It’s perfection!
6. Put a Note in It
When Eben was younger, I used to sneak little notes into his lunchbox. They were always simple and usually had a little doodle drawn on them. Now, that he is older, I will leave a note her and there for him and I text him once in a while just to say I care.
How do you connect with your child after a long day?
