A water tornado, otherwise known as a waterspout is exactly that a tornado that forms over water. I remember the first time that I saw a water tornado (waterspout), the mister and I were on our honeymoon in the Florida Keys and were several miles off the coast, snorkeling at a reef. While they were in the distance, I didn’t find it to be scary and wasn’t really even concerned! Since we are camping on the beach, the mister and I like to spend some of our mornings sitting next to the ocean while we drink our coffee, observe wildlife and chat. Last week while in the Florida Keys, we got another show entirely – we sat and watched a large thunderstorm in the distance that was shooting off water tornadoes left and right.
Here are some photos I took of one forming:
It was very cool to sit and watch them happening in the distance, but now as a mother whose child was a few feet away sleeping the in the RV, I couldn’t help but think, “Please do not get bigger and please do not come this way!”
Have you experienced any interesting summer weather? I would love to hear!
Hello, Friends! We are still in the Florida Keys enjoying our family summer vacation. We have been spending our mornings paddleboarding and our afternoons snorkeling and beach-combing. We even spent one entire afternoon relaxing – which means the mister and dogs took a nap, Eben drew and read and I caught up on a little blogging! It was so nice, especially since we spent the entire day before paddleboarding, snorkeling and kayaking (my arms are sore!)
We are still trying to decide how we want to spend our 4th of July evening. Some years while in the Keys, we have visited a nearby town for a 4th of July celebration with fireworks and patriotic music on the beach, other years we have hiked to the top of the old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge and watched a different type of fireworks display, bio-luminescence in the ocean below! To be honest, the latter is my favorite! I have my fingers crossed that is what the boys want to do tonight! And of course, sometime today we have to stop by the marina to pick up an ice-cream cone to cool off!
I hope you are spending the long weekend eating watermelon, sipping lemonade and maybe even snoozing in a hammock with someone you love!
What summer camp-out would be complete without a weine roast? Since we have been camping in the Florida Keys for the past week, I felt it was the perfect time to have a weinervention! We had toted along our Weinervention kit from Applegate that included everything that we needed for a tasty hot hog cookout including Applegates hotdogs made from simple natural ingredients; beef (that have never been administered antibiotics or hormones), water, salt and spices. It’s time to say goodbye to those dirty dogs filled with sodium phosphate, sodium nitrate, and who knows what else and switch to a cleaner-weiner!
We enjoyed ours in simple hotdog fashion: ketchup, mustard and relish served with coleslaw! It was a super fun way to celebrate our first week of camping!
Have you tried Applegate’s Natural Hotdogs? They would be perfect for the 4th of July!
Full Disclosure: I received a Applegate Weinervention Kit to review – however, we purchase a lot of Applegate products that we love and would have shared with you anyway!
A few months ago, a good friend, fellow mom, and super responsible eco homesteader sent out an email to all the mothers in her community about a new study on BPA-free plastic. Essentially, the study has found that even plastic products claiming to be BPA-free contain traces of BPA high enough to be harmful to test subjects and, more importantly, our babies. BPA, or bisphenol A, is a plastic additive that is an endocrine disrupter mimicking the structure and function of the hormone estradiol, and exposure to it has been linked with serious health issues including cancer, accelerated puberty, inhibited neurological development, and behavioral and prostate gland issues when fetuses, infants, and children are exposed to it. Practically everyone uses plastic bottles, sippy cups, and toys, and unfortunately not even all of these products on the market advertise themselves as BPA-free. Exposure to this chemical in the early developmental years is especially harmful, making it even more important to eliminate your plastic use, especially when it comes to baby and children’s products. The following are three great ways to ditch plastic.
#1 Switch to Stainless Steel or Glass Bottles and Sippy Cups
Bottles and sippy cups are probably the number one way babies and children become exposed to BPA (and other harmful additives like phthalates and PVC) because they are literally drinking out of them and subsequently drinking traces of these chemicals that have leached into their juice, milk, or water. Fortunately there are a few great companies making stainless steel and glass alternatives. My personal favorite, which the friend I mentioned turned us on to, are Pura Kiki Stainless Steel bottles and cups. The bottles are 100% BPA, PVC, petroleum, and phthalate free, and use silicone sippers and nipples instead of plastic. Bottles become sippy cups just by substituting the nipple for a sipper. Some other great brands that are now producing kids’ products include Klean Kanteen and Lifefactory.
#2 Switch to Wood and Cloth Toys
When I began researching harmful additives in baby toys, I found a list from the Healthy Toys Project of the top ten most dangerous toys, including the “killer zerbra“. I was shocked to find two of my daughter’s favorite toys on the list–one of them at the top. Since babies put everything in their mouths, I’ve come to feel that no plastic is safe in our daughter’s toys. Of course it can feel impossible to avoid it 100% (we still have MANY plastic toys and will get rid of some as she grows out of them), but choosing solid wood toys–made with wood that is safely sourced and non-toxic–with safe, non-lead paint is a safer option. Some of my favorite wood toy brands include Haba, Hape, Boikido, and PlanToys. Under the Nile makes some very cute organic cotton toys including friendly little vegetables with faces. While I’m 100% a supporter of reducing, reusing, and recycling, when I’ve discovered that one of my daughter’s toys contains harmful toxins like lead, PVC, BPA, phthalates, or any number of toxic dyes or any of the other 66 Chemicals of High Concern to Children, I’ve thrown them out. The way I see it, if the toy isn’t safe enough for my child, it’s not safe enough for someone else’s. If you want to help provide toys for impoverished children, donate ecologically responsible, safe toys during toy drives or simply purchase some and donate them to a thrift store.
#3 Don’t Eat off of Plastic
Plastics leach their harmful chemicals continuously, especially when heated (like when you dump still-hot soup or mac and cheese into a tupperware). One of my favorite brands selling safe, non-plastic baby food storage, tableware, and cutlery is Green Sprouts by iPlay. Their collection includes bowls, spoons, plates, cups, and even toys and hygiene products made of silicone, bamboo, stainless steel, and corn starch. I have yet to find a high chair tray that is not made of plastic, but luckily most convertible high chairs these days have a removable tray and can be pushed up to the dinner table so your little one can eat with the family instead of eating off the tray. Once again, we haven’t found it possible to get rid of all the plastic eating-ware in our home, but we’re slowly replacing it at a rate we can afford.
Above all else, the most important thing is that you do your own research and stay up to date on emerging information. YOU know what’s best for you and your family, but having the latest information helps you make an informed decision, whichever way you go. Our babies are little sponges soaking up everything in their environment. Yes, wood toys, silicone eating ware, and stainless-steel baby bottles are more expensive–but so are the harmful diseases these toxins can cause. Because I am someone with an estrogen-fed, chronic condition (endometriosis) that will supposedly be passed down to my daughter, the cost of replacing the plastic in our home is worth it. I’ll do whatever I can to help her avoid developing endometriosis and the resultant infertility and chronic pain it can cause. As always my goal is to support all moms regardless of whether or not we agree. My hope is that this information will help someone else as much as it helped our family.
Hello Friends! Father’s Day is this weekend – it’s always one of my favorite days, I get to celebrate all of the favorite dads in my life. This weekend, Eben and I are excited to spend the entire day celebrating our favorite dad, the mister! We plan to let him sleep in, enjoy the morning with brunch, and then spend the rest of the day paddleboarding! While we sip mimosas on the patio, he will get to open a few fun, eco-friendly Father’s Day gifts that he will enjoy for years to come! I hope you have an amazing day with your favorite dads! Continuing reading for the 3 surprises we have in store for our dad.
1. Threads for Thought Men’s Shirt
I absolutely love Threads for Thought. You may recognize this eco-friendly company from the clothing section at Whole Foods. They manufacture clothing and accessories using sustainable materials, are dedicated to quality, and treat their workers with respect and integrity. This Oxford Contrast Pocket Shirt would look great on any dad and is the perfect weight for summer!
2. GoPro
Our family spends a ton of time doing outdoor activities together. GoPro makes small, versatile, high-quality cameras can travel pretty much anywhere you do outside and can be mounted just about anywhere, too, allowing the user to film up-close shots so that you feel like you’re right in the action when viewing footage. I think he will like this gift the best – it will be perfect for our Florida Keys vacation that is coming up!
3. Anhu Cruz Vegan Shoes
The mister is all about shoes that are comfortable and easy to slip on, so I think these great clogs will be fantastic! I love Anhu Cruz Vegan shoes, not only are they are vegan, but super stylish and EVA footbed will be perfect for those long summer strolls!
YOUR TURN: What fantastic gifts and activities do you have in store for the special dad in your life this Father’s Day?
Full Disclosure: I received a Threads for Thought Oxford Shirt and a pair of Ahnu Vegan Shoes for review – however, are both products that I love and would have shared with you anyway!
A water tornado, otherwise known as a waterspout is exactly that a tornado that forms over water. I remember the first time that I saw a water tornado (waterspout), the mister and I were on our honeymoon in the Florida Keys and were several miles off the coast, snorkeling at a reef. While they were in the distance, I didn’t find it to be scary and wasn’t really even concerned! Since we are camping on the beach, the mister and I like to spend some of our mornings sitting next to the ocean while we drink our coffee, observe wildlife and chat. Last week while in the Florida Keys, we got another show entirely – we sat and watched a large thunderstorm in the distance that was shooting off water tornadoes left and right.
3. Anhu Cruz Vegan Shoes