Do you take time every day to enjoy art with your family? If not, there are many reasons that you should! Exploring fine art, music, books, architecture and other forms of art promotes activity in the brain and builds self esteem, cooperation, problem solving and communication skills. By teaching your children about art from an early age, you open their minds and eyes to many different cultures and experiences, helping them make connections to the world all around them — and you may even inspire a budding artist or designer in the process! Jump over to Inhabitots to discover seven ways to incorporate art into your family lifestyle, starting today.
Granola bars are a great snack to boost your child’s energy in the afternoon, but many of the store-bought varieties have long ingredient lists including with high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and other not-so good ingredients. The best way to ensure that your child is getting the best granola bar available is by making them yourself. And the best part is, when you make organic granola bars at home you can customize the granola bars to your family’s tastes and make different batches for the youngsters and the adults. This simple organic granola bar recipe is a blast to make with your kids! The end result has a nutty chocolate-fruity taste and they take less than an 45 minutes to make, including bake time. Jump over to Inhabitots for my step-by-step instructions.
I recently read and reviewed Rebecca P. Cohen’s new lifestyle book called 15 Minutes Outside for Inhabitots. 15 Minutes Outside focuses around what would happen if you and your kids got outside everyday. Author Rebecca asked herself that question and found that this simple concept has huge rewards. Seems easy enough to get outside right? The reality is that children are spending 30 hours a week in front of a screen and clocking only 4 to 7 of the 60 recommended minutes of daily unstructured playtime outside. Since 1 in 3 children are obese – this concept can be life changing. 15 Minutes Outside is much more than a book chock full of 365 ways to spend time outside with your children each day, it’s a book that can have profound effects on the health, happiness and the well-being of your family. Check out some of the ideas here.
Yesterday, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Administration updated their recommendations on car seats including keeping toddlers rear facing until age 2, and having kids ride in car seats as old as age 12. I have always felt that many parents were allowing their children to ride in a vehicle without the proper seat belt – once they reached a certain age. I have also been accused of making Eben use a car seat when others feel that he is simply too old for one (he is almost 10). However, after reading the new car seat recommendations on how long children should stay in one, I smiled. I just knew that keeping Eben in a car seat was a safer option, and I am glad that the recommendations have been changed. Read what I found out about the new recommended guidelines on car seats and join the discussion.
Mr. Sweet Greens has been trying (for months) to get me interested in the idea of living on a sailboat. Full time! Meaning: all year- in the ocean or intracoastal – in a boat! I love the idea of downsizing and essentially living off the grid. But, on the water – all of the time. Did I mention, on a boat.
Would you ever consider living on a sailboat?
Do you know anyone who has?
The practicalities of living on a sailboat can seem too complex. Thankfully, we live in a time where the Internet can become a source of education and information, teaching you all the safety gestures for a boat life. Besides, you can also use the internet to maintain your connection with the land, such as working or catching up with friends. And, if you stay close to the coast, you can even sign up with some of the best satellite internet providers for highly reliable connectivity. Yet, while these practical details can be sorted out, it doesn’t change the fact that not everyone has a sailor’s soul that feels at home on the water!
Do you take time every day to enjoy art with your family? If not, there are many reasons that you should! Exploring fine art, music, books, architecture and other forms of art promotes activity in the brain and builds self esteem, cooperation, problem solving and communication skills. By teaching your children about art from an early age, you open their minds and eyes to many different cultures and experiences, helping them make connections to the world all around them — and you may even inspire a budding artist or designer in the process! Jump over to Inhabitots to discover seven ways to incorporate art into your family lifestyle, starting today.
