When it's More Than Teasing -- Keeping Bullies at Bay

The following is an article I wrote for the current issue of Pinpoint Publications magazine, just in time for back-to-school preparations.

Image courtesy of Katrina Joyner

Bullying. It’s an all-too-common occurrence in today’s society. Reports from the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that one out of every four school-aged child deals with bullying at some point during the school year. It can take on many forms, from physical and verbal abuse, to cyber stalking, racial and gender slurs, to intimidation, ostracizing and public ridicule. In short, it is aggressive behavior aimed to intentionally hurt another physically and/or emotionally. While every child may encounter a bit of this from time to time, it’s the constant onslaught that needs to be dealt with swiftly, before it results in serious, if not grave consequences. Some schools have been proactive in eliminating bullying; however, it usually requires the parent, child and school administration working in tandem to find a solution.

Mirena -- What are the facts?

Let's talk birth control...specifically the supposedly "safe" Mirena IUD. And let's look at what the word "safe" actually means.

Is it safer than the Pill? Perhaps, but if you're considering using Mirena for birth control, there are a few facts you must consider.

First of all, contrary to popular opinion, Mirena, like all IUDs, does not prevent conception. When you use this type of intrauterine contraceptive, you will continue to ovulate. It is not a spermicide, so sperm will continue to travel in search of an egg to fertilize. And many times, a successful fertilization occurs. However, Mirena keeps the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus, so your body will eventually expel it. For some, that's no big deal. But if you believe, as I do, that life begins at conception, you could be aborting countless children without even knowing it!

Teach your kids not to share

Okay, I'm beyond annoyed right now. I was paging through my new Parenting Early Years magazine when I came across an ad that made me quite angry.

The ad is for an automobile and the words at the top say, "Teach your kids not to share." Below the two pictures that follow is the statement, "Sharing is for other cars." This vehicle features a dual-screen rear seat entertainment system so kids don't have to negotiate which program to watch or video game to play...and they don't have to share! Isn't that nice? Don't I wish I could have just switched on the onboard entertainment system for my kids when they were growing up so I wouldn't have had to be bothered with conversation on the way to the grocery store, church, or even on the 4 1/2 hour drive to Grandma's? Not!

The whole earth

is a living icon

of the face of God.

-- John of Damascus (675-749)

                                                                                              Treatise

And the winner is....

Erika Gohl! Congrats Erika...some Rockin' Green is headed your way.

Email your address to me (greengrandma@comcast.net).

Thanks to everyone who participated.

Don't forget...the drawing for the free bag of Rockin' Green ends at 9:00 p.m. EST tonight! Thanks to Happy Baby Company for making this deliciously watermelon scented detergent available!

Vinegar Fridays

TGIVF!

For many of us, summer means hitting neighborhood garage sales, right? Especially for those of us with kids or grandkids...or home daycare centers for that matter. Since babies and toddlers outgrow their clothing so quickly, it seems rather foolish to buy new when used generally looks new anyway.

But what about toys? Do you ever debate whether or not it's wise to buy used toys for your children? What about all of the germs?

Well, thanks to our good friend, white distilled vinegar, most toys can be passed down from one child to the next without a problem.

Today's vinegar tips are for those of you with little children in your lives.

Another blogger loves Rockin' Green and tells us why!

I had the pleasure of meeting Adam, the owner of Happy Baby Company, (formerly Pittsburgh Cloth Diapers) last week. He and his wife own the natural baby products store in Pittsburgh, where you can not only buy a wide array of safe and healthy goods for your baby, you can also go there for classes, such as the Cloth Diapering Orientation held on alternate Saturday afternoons.

Adam took the time to talk to me about a variety of things and even went so far as to check to see if my car seat was installed correctly. It wasn't. He removed it (despite the tether buckle burning his fingers in the 95 degree weather), re-threaded the strap and then reinstalled the seat, kneeling on top of it in order to ensure a solid, tight fit. That's what I call going above and beyond the call of duty. Awesome.

As we talked about my blog, he offered to give me a bag of Rockin' Green Cloth Diaper and Laundry Detergent to use as a giveaway for you, my readers. He also introduced me to another Pittsburgh-based blog, imanimama.com, singing the praises of Jen, who pours her heart and soul into it.

I discovered Jen's blog was worthy of his praise. I also discovered a wonderful post she did with a thorough review of Rockin' Green and she has graciously allowed me to repost it here. For all of you who like reading about common sense parenting, you have to check out her blog!

Don't forget to head on over to Facebook and become a fan! Love to see your comments there as well!

Simple tips for backyard pools and spas

We don't have a pool, unless you count the little blow-up kiddie pool we fill for our granddaughter from time to time. Nor do we have a spa. But I know that some of you are fortunate enough to have one or both. My sister does.

So I thought you might like some energy-saving tips related to them. For instance, did you know that by covering your pool when it's not in use you can reduce evaporation by up to 90 percent! Plus, if you have a heated pool, it will retain the temperature better when covered.

In the same way, covering your spa will naturally keep the water temperature up when you're not using it. That way you won't use as much energy to heat it up when you're ready to slip into the hot, bubbling water.

Inconvenient? Perhaps. Budget- and eco-friendly? Absolutely.

Simple tips. Short post. Enjoy the sunshine and soak up some vitamin D!

Keeping it green,

Hana

Dangers in your car

I watched an interesting segment on Good Morning America on ABC this morning. It was about how dangerous loose objects can be in your car because in the case of a crash, they can become projectiles and cause serious injuries, or even deaths.

What they had to say was really common sense, but sometimes we have to be told about something before our common sense kicks in. Do you know what I mean?

George Clark was traveling in a car that got hit going 50 mph. Since a child was not in the car at the time, the untethered booster seat went a-flyin', slamming into George's head and basically annihilating his cheekbone and jaw. Ouch.

Win a bag of Rockin' Green!

The Happy Baby Company has graciously donated a bag of Rockin' Green Cloth Diaper & Laundry Detergent to be given to a lucky GG community member. All you have to do to win this 45 oz. bag of Classic Rock Smashing Watermelons scent RG, is:

1) be a follower on this blog
2) go to the Happy Baby Company website and pick your two favorite products there. Then post your choices on the GG Facebook page or in the comment section for this post.

That's it! The winner will be randomly chosen on July 16th.

Good luck!

The reality of it

The weekend brought with it many trials and tribulations for people we know and care about. Between children being put in foster care to affairs being exposed, families are being town apart. Not to mention the devastating effects of cancer and other diseases as they threaten to take loved ones away from their families. Wow.

I was on the phone with my daughter this morning and said, "Can we just go back and start this year over?"

The earth is our home

"The family needs a home,

a fit environment

in which to develop its proper relationships.

For the human family, this home is the earth,

the environment that God the Creator

has given us to inhabit

with creativity and responsibility.

We need to care for the environment;

it has been entrusted to men and women

to be protected and cultivated

with responsible freedom,

with the good of all

as a constant guiding criterion."

-- Pope Benedict XVI, 2007 World Day of Peace message

Vinegar Fridays

TGIVF!

Here it is again. After a brutally hot week in Pittsburgh, it's Vinegar Friday once again. Too bad I don't have a vinegar remedy for the heat!

While you might want nothing more than to stay out of the kitchen in this heat, I thought I'd give you some vinegar-related food tips today.

Some of you have complained a bit about the smell of distilled white vinegar, even though it does dissipate quickly. But do you know what's worse? The smell of fish! To minimize fishy odor, just apply some of the distilled white vinegar to the fish, rub it in, and suddenly neither the vinegar, nor the fish, smell too bad.

Cut out another foul odor by boiling cabbage in water with a touch of vinegar added.

Hands smelling oniony? Rub them with some distilled white vinegar. Problem solved.

Unfathomable grief

I heard the saddest story at church on Sunday. The wife of a friend's friend was backing out of her driveway thinking all six of her children were in the car. Unfortunately, she was wrong and it cost her husband and her their 7-year-old son, who died in the arms of his older brother.

I haven't been able to shake the effects this story has had on me. Such unimaginable loss. My heart bleeds for this family, so new to this grief. I heard that the mother does not cry; she wails. Wailing for a child she will never again hold safely in her arms while on this earth. Wailing out of loss. Wailing out of pain. Wailing from regret and remorse. Yes, it was an accident, but that doesn't take away her misplaced feeling of guilt. Think about it...how would you feel. I think I would want to die.

The demands of time and attention

Did you ever notice there are some weeks where the demands on your time seem overwhelming? Yeah, I'm kind of feeling that way today.

It's easy to push aside the little ones in your life when you get busy with other things and to view them as nuisances at times. This is not good. When I child feels he is "in the way," it knocks him down a notch in the self-worth department. On the other hand, children need to know they're not the center of the Universe, either. It's a tough juggling act, and the answer lies mostly in your attitude and how your react to their wants, needs or demands.

Right now, my grandbaby is sleeping in the other room. She needs absolutely nothing from me at this time. But that could change at any minute. And when it does, guess what? This blog post will fall by the wayside. Not that it's not important for me to get it written and posted, but priorities change at the sound of a little one's cry. Know what I mean? I hope so.

Common sense and the 4th of July

What do common sense and the 4th of July have to do with each other. Well, apparently not a whole lot when it comes to some people.

According to a local emergency room physician, the holiday weekend casualities included eyesight, fingers and a hand, all lost to amateur fireworks accidents. Like I said, a lack of common sense.

I live in Pennsylvania where explosive fireworks are illegal, unless one has a permit. Perhaps where you live these dangerous "toys" are legal. But legality doesn't make it smart. Take, for instance, the legality of riding a motorcycle without a helmut on a highway....ummmm, I don't even know what to say about that.

I'm celebrating the holiday with my husband. Check back tomorrow for a new post.

We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all men are created equal,

that they are endowed

by their Creator

with certain unalienable Rights,

that among these are

Life,

Liberty

and the pursuit

of Happiness.

The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

 

 

 

 

Vinegar Friday

TGIVF!

I hate polishing metals. For one thing, I just don't like the smell of the polishes I've used, whether it's for silver, pewter or brass. So, if you're like me, you'll like today's vinegar tips. Of course, vinegar doesn't have the best smell around, but we're all getting used to it, right? Besides, you can add a little bit of lemon juice to fragrance it up a bit. At least you'll know where the lemon smell comes from in your homemade remedies, unlike the secret lemon scent of commercial products!

Let's start off with brass and copper. Of course, you want to grab your distilled white vinegar, but this time you have to reach into the refrigerator and take out your Heinz ketchup (you can use another kind, if you must, but I'm a Pittsburgh girl, so Heinz is the only way to go!). Mix 2 tablespoons of ketchup with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Smear it on your brass and copper pieces and rub until dry. Check out the shine! Let me know how many of you headed out for some fries after finishing this task!

Random tips and thoughts

You may have read some of these in previous posts, but thought you could use a reminders....

Did you know that Heloise preached about cleaning with the things you already have in your cupboard (vinegar, baking soda, etc.) 50 years ago?!

Did you know hydrogen peroxide (3%) is effective in killing mildew on tile and bacteria on plastic cutting boards? Just pour enough to cover the area, let it sit for 30 minutes; scrub, rinse and dry.

Sick of junk mail? Get off the lists by registering with Direct Marketing Association's DMA Choice Mail.

To call or not to call...when to ring your pediatrician

When my oldest child was an infant, my mother insisted I call her pediatrician on a holiday. I was not thrilled about this, but she was insistent, so I called to appease her. You see, Mom was visiting for the weekend and when she realized her grandbaby had not moved her bowels in three days, she panicked. I told her it had been more like five days and that's when she demanded I call the doctor.

I left a message with the answering service and a little while later the pediatrician returned my call.

"What's the problem?" he asked.

"My three-month-old hasn't moved her bowels in five or six days."

"Is she breastfed?" he deadpanned.

"Yes," I answered sheepishly.

"Perfectly normal."

Maybe I'm not remembering the details as well as I should, but I do believe he hung up with that. No goodbye. No question about other symptoms. Just a statement of fact. "Perfectly normal."

My breastfed baby just didn't poop much. I always felt a bit of pride when I hung her diapers on the line because they were the whitest diapers around! No nasty poop stains marring their pristine appearance as they blew lazily in the breeze.

Do you ever struggle with whether or not to call the pediatrician?

Let's bring back the horse and buggy!

It's that time of year for me -- my annual car inspection is due. I hate, hate, hate when this date rolls around, as I feel completely vulnerable to potentially crooked car mechanics. I know there are a lot of honest ones out there, but I rarely seem to find them.

The problem with car inspections (mandatory in Pennsylvania) is you never know how much it's going to cost you to be able to legally put your car back on the road. At this point, I know I need a new exhaust system. Ouch. I know I don't need tires, but I'm just not sure about the brakes.

Since I'm already thinking about cars, I thought I'd share some green car tips with you. Did you know that if you simply slow down you can save money? Motoring it 10 mph above 60 costs you about 50 cents more per gallon. So rather than griping about the rising gas prices (which are worth griping about, in my opinion) just ease your foot off the gas petal when you're on the highway.

But what about when you're just scooting about town? Fast starts and gunning your engine can eat up your gas rather quickly. While we're all about saving ourselves money, think about saving someone else some money (and gas) by letting your left-turning fellow drivers go in front of you at a light. That way they don't have to gun their engines in order to escape being hit by oncoming traffic. I never thought about this one before, so thanks to Verdure Magazine, Pittsburgh's green publication, for the tip.

Another way to reduce your gasoline consumption is by keeping your tires pumped up -- improper inflation ultimately costs you at the gas pump.

Finally, my last tip for today involves your car's air filter. A clean one helps your car run more efficiently....which reminds me to remind my hubby to check it for me when he gets home from work.

Have an awesome week, my friends.

Keeping it green,

Hana

Photo courtesy of Peter Griffin

If I am going to be

in the right relationship

with God,

I should treat the things He has made

in the same way He treats them.

                                            -- Francis Schaeffer (1912-84),

                                           Pollution and the Death of Man

Vinegar Fridays

TGIVF!

Two weeks ago, I promised more summertime vinegar tips on the next Vinegar Friday. Unfortunately, an emergency prevented me from posting. So, with the old adage "better late than never,' here they are:

Being seen in public in your swimsuit is not the only issue facing swimmers, although I'm sure for some of you, that isn't a problem. For me, personally, chances are pretty good you're not going to see me in a swimsuit any time soon. But that's not the only problem I have when it comes to swimming. I also deal with swimmer's ear any time my ears get wet...even in the shower.

Once again, vinegar comes to the rescue. This time it's distilled white vinegar mixed with rubbing alcohol (1:1 ratio). Put some drops in your ears before you swim and you'll have a good shot at preventing the pain of swimmer's ear entirely. If you don't have a dropper, just saturate a cotton swab with the mixture and gently dab it in your ear. You can also dab some undiluted apple cider vinegar in the outer ear canals for relief.

Keeping it green...in the bathroom Part 2

Other than shampoo/conditioner and deodorant, what are some other ways to be kinder to the environment in your bathroom?

If you're up to speed at all regarding green living, then you've probably heard about how much water is wasted whenever you're brushing your teeth. The estimated amount of water used when doing this daily task is about five gallons per person. According to The Green Book, if everyone across the U.S. would simply turn off the water while brushing, up to 1.5 billion gallons of water could be saved each day. Whoa. So, wet your toothbrush and then turn off the tap until you're done brushing. Easy enough.

Now let's go back to products used in the bathroom, starting with cotton balls. I know, you're thinking, What now? What could be wrong with cotton balls? Nothing, necessarily, unless they're not made from cotton. Many cotton balls actually contain polyester and it requires over 65% more energy to produce this synthetic material than it does to produce cotton. However, if you remember my posting about the chemicals used to treat cotton, your best option here is organic cotton balls or at least buy the ones not treated with chlorine bleach.

Keeping it green...in the bathroom

Still not feeling my best, so I thought I'd just post a couple of personal grooming green tips for you. These are from The Green Book by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen.

Did you ever think about all you could save by using a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner rather than buying/using them separately? Well, consider this:

• You'd save money
• You'd save on plastic bottles
• You'd save water (it wouldn't take as long to wash and condition your hair...oh look, that translates to saving money as well!)
• You'd save time -- something we all seem to need more of

According to The Green Book (page 100), "If one in seven U.S. households replaced its shampoo and conditioner purchase with a single two-in-one bottle, the amount of plastic saved per year could fill a football field twenty-seven stories high." That's some serious saving!

For those of you who are heavy sweaters out there -- you might not like this one. When buying deodorant, skip the antiperspirants. Why? Well, antiperspirants contain aluminum salts which seal up your pores -- this is potentially toxic to you. Besides the health risk, there is also the fact that mining aluminum requires an enormous amount of energy. For each stick of deodorant you buy sans aluminum, you save enough energy to power up a laptop for a half hour. Doesn't seem like much of a savings, does it? But, if only five percent of adults crossed antiperspirants off their shopping lists for life, the yearly energy savings could buy 250 new computers for classrooms in the United States every year.

More tips tomorrow.

Keeping it green,

Hana

What is this blog about anyway?

Someone emailed me tonight, and in a bit of a rant, questioned my decision to post yesterday's story about crib death. "Did I assume wrong that Green Grandma wants to promote a clean environment?" she asked. "I thought that was its focus."

Based on her question, I thought that perhaps this would be a good time to reiterate to you, my readers, what the purpose of the blog is.

Let's look at the name of the blog: Green Grandma. Green because I really do want to educate and spur on the GG community to living greener lives. "Promote a clean environment?" Perhaps, but my main goal is to encourage each of you to make more environmentally-friendly choices in your everyday lives. It's not to raise up tree-hugging activists. There are enough other sites to do that. For those of you who have been reading long enough, you know I often focus on trash and recycling issues. And, of course, I give cloth diapers a plug from time to time.

The second half of the name is Grandma. That's where the heart of the blog lies. I'm the grandma of one amazing 20-month-old granddaughter, with a grandson on the way. I care about the world that awaits them. I care about the chemicals and toxins in the products they will use. I care about the chemicals and toxins in the landfills...and in the water...and in the diapers. I care about the emotional environment they'll be raised in. I care about the schools and the television shows and the music they'll be exposed to. I care about the food they eat, the medicines they take, the health conditions they may have. I want my grandchildren to grow up in a healthy environment.

Since this is my blog, I feel I have the right to share whatever I want to on it. Sometimes that means I share my heart with you. I share my pain and my hopes. Why? Because you've become a family to me and I want you to get to know me. Why I'm being questioned on what I choose to post baffles me.

But I hope I've cleared some things up for you. You, who I offer vinegar tips to on Fridays. You, who I warn about toxins and unsafe products. You, who I trust with sensitive issues....like crib death.

Thank you for receiving Patty Gunnett's story yesterday with such warmth. She wrote it in hopes of touching someone's life out there who may be struggling with the aftermath of their own child's death. Her email address follows her story. If you feel a need or desire to correspond with Patty, she would love to hear from you.

In the meantime, please know that every post I write or share, is done with you in mind.

Keeping it real,

Hana

Crib death -- rising above the tragedy

Last week at the writers' workshop I lead, one of our new writers shared a little bit about a painful experience she went through over 50 years ago. I emailed her later and asked if she'd be willing to write about it and share what happened with the GG community. She graciously agreed. So, here, in her own words, is Patty Gunnett's moving story.

REMEMBERING

A Personal Story About SIDS

It was 1958 and my husband and I were enjoying the Christmas season. Married for not quite two years, Bob and I lived in a second floor apartment in the small town of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania with our 6 month old daughter, Beth Ann.

Trimmed with brightly colored ornaments, the Christmas tree looked festive as we stacked our presents under it.

Our small family had plans to visit my husband’s parents in Norristown, Pennsylvania on Christmas day, along with a quick visit with his brother and family, who lived nearby. Our own family celebration with my parents would take place a few days later back in Ellwood City. We couldn’t wait to see Beth Ann’s reaction to what Santa Claus left for her there.

The trip to Norristown was cheerful, yet uneventful. Beth Ann’s car seat was fastened between us on the front seat. Every several miles, I reached over and beeped the horn on the little plastic steering wheel attached to the seat. She laughed with delight.

Grandma and Grandpa were anxious to spend Beth Ann’s first Christmas with us. We enjoyed a delicious chicken dinner at Bob’s brother’s house the day after we arrived, ending the evening with a family slide show which resulted in much laughter. It was December 22, 1958 and my whole world was about to come crashing down around me.

Happy Father's Day!

You will find that if you really try to be a father,

your child will meet you halfway.

~Robert Brault                                              

Photo by Bobby Mikul

TGIVF!

Unfortunately, an emergency situation kept me from writing my Vinegar Fridays post. I'll try to work it into the schedule as the day goes on. If I don't get anything posted, please forgive me and check back next week for some more awesome vinegar tips.

Spent the afternoon and evening with my 20-month-old granddaughter. It was a delightful day but now I'm beat. Plus I think I'm getting sick...or am sick. So, rather than staying up late writing my blog post for tomorrow, I think I'm going to go do my apple cider vinegar gargle and head to bed.

Sometimes taking care of ourselves is the best thing we can do for our families and friends.

Trying to keep it healthy,

Hana

The worry demon

There's an awful lot going on in the world of products-to-stay-away-from. It can get awfully worrisome, can't it? Sometimes you just feel like burying your head in the sand -- the less you know, the better, right? Well, maybe as far as your mental health goes, but if you care about your family's safety, knowledge is key.

A few years ago, while researching for a series of articles on pregnancy and infant care I was hired to write for a client, I discovered the disturbing facts about disposable diapers. When it was time for one of my children to have a baby of her own, I couldn't help sharing what I'd learned. Sure, I could've kept quiet. After all, her life would have been a bit easier had she used disposable diapers. But knowing the facts about the dangers lurking in the chemicals in disposables, Jessica made the inconvenient choice to go with cloth, despite the fact that she was working fulltime! I can't tell you how proud I am of her for making that decision.

Lead in Baby Food...what next?!

Sometimes you just feel like walking around in ignorance of things, don't you? I mean, really...everything seems to be dangerous these days. And now we have to watch out for lead in the foods and drinks we give our little ones. C'mon....this is getting ridiculous.

On June 10, 2010, the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) issued a press release informing the public of the violation of California Proposition 65 Toxics Right to Know law, by a long list of well-known and trusted companies, including: Beech-Nut, Del Monte and Earth's Best. The charges indicate that the toxic chemical lead was found in the following foods and beverages: apple juice, grape juice, packaged pears and peaches (including baby food) and fruit cocktail. You can find the complete list here.

Recycle Caps with Aveda

When you throw your plastic bottles in the recycling can, what do you do with the caps? If you're like me, you toss 'em right in there with the bottles. That is, up until a few days ago when I found out that many recycling companies simply toss the caps in the trash and don't recycle them at all!

I was at the mall on Wednesday...which is not a common occurence for me, and I stopped by Aveda for some of their wonderful tea, a relaxing neck massage with their amazing blue oil and a bottle of shampoo. While there, I engaged in a rather lengthy conversation with the manager and learned even more reasons why I, and you, should shop at Aveda whenever possible. This is a company that truly cares, not only about the environment, but about so much more.

Which brings us to the plastic bottle cap issue. Aveda has a cap recycling initiative that puts these caps to good use.

Caring for creation

is not a new theology;

rather, it has simply been forgotten.

 -- J. Matthew Sleeth, M.D.

Introduction to The Green Bible

Photo courtesty of Maureen Profeta

Vinegar Fridays

TGIVF!

Once again, I can't believe it's time for Vinegar Fridays already. These late spring weeks are flying by. I wish they'd slow down a bit so I could enjoy more of this beautiful time of year.

One thing I don't like about this time of year is the clothing. For me, the more clothing covers up, the better! I love, love, love fall and winter clothes! Once I hit 50, I started noticing weird things happening to my skin. Veins that used to be invisible no longer are. And what are these age spots all about?! I'm not liking this part of aging.

So what does all this have to do with vinegar? Well, it just so happens, there are some vinegar remedies for these little skin problems we all might face sometime or another.

Children's sunscreens -- which ones are safe?

After the rainout we had in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, it's hard to think about the need for sunscreen. But before you take your children outside on a sunny day, you really ought to read this blog post.

According to ModernMom.com, there are some sunscreens you need to keep away from your little ones. From claims of staying power that give false security to potential hormone disruptors to poisoning dangers, the following sunscreens should be avoided:

• Banana Boat Baby 100 SPF
• Panama Jack Baby Sunblock
• Aveeno Baby
• Hawaiian Tropic Baby Cream Lotion

So which ones are considered safe? Again, according to ModernMom.com, you want to look for sunscreens containing zinc or titanium. This will give you, and your kids, the best UVA protection while eliminating the chemicals that are linked to hormone disruption.

The Environmental Working Group named these sunscreens among the best:

• California Baby
• Bullfrog
• Badger
• Jason Naturals

The above links take you directly to the products' websites, but you can find good deals on them on Amazon.com and sites like Drugstore.com. Some stores, such as Whole Foods carry some of these lines as well.

While it's essential you keep your children safe from too much sun exposure, it's also important to protect them from harmful chemicals. It all goes with this parenting package you accepted the day they were born.

Keeping it healthy,

Hana

Too much sun

Despite our best efforts, sometimes we, or our kids, get burnt while enjoying a day in the sun. My daughter is on vacation in Savannah. She and her husband decided to spend the day at the beach on Tybee Island.

"Don't get burnt again," I warned her on the phone today.

"I won't," she assured me. We even rented an umbrella to keep me in the shade."

Relieved, I didn't give it any more thought, other than a quick reminiscence back to 2001 when she asked me to go to Savannah with her on vacation in lieu of her going on a senior trip with friends. I was honored and thrilled to go.

So just the two of us headed out by car for the 700+ mile drive. We grabbed a copy of the audiobook, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, from the library to accompany us on the way down.

On one of our first days there, we hit the beach on Tybee Island where she got severely burnt. She spent the next day or two moaning and groaning on the bed in the hotel. Not fun.

How full is your trash can?

Are you a typical American? If so, did you know that your production of garbage averages about 4.5 lbs./day.  Does that not disgust you?

My husband and I have really become conscious of this over the last 10 months or so, since I created my alter-ego, The Green Grandma, and I'm happy to say, we didn't even bother putting out our garbage this week. There wasn't enough to bother with. Our recycling bin was full, of course, and we took some bags of paper over to our church's paper recycling bin. But our garbage can had one small bag in it. And that makes me happy!

A hairy dilemma

I have a dilemma. I may be The Green Grandma, but that doesn't mean I want to be The Grey Grandma! I don't want grey hair. Period. But this hair dying routine I go through every six weeks or so has me feeling a little bit guilty. After all, the toxins and heavy metals I'm putting onto my head and then washing down the drain cannot be doing me or the earth any good, and chances are, they're doing both of us a bit of harm.

As a matter of fact, research shows that home-dye solutions can contain quite a few known carcinogens, including Acid Orange 24, 2,3-Naphthalenediol and F,D,&C, D&C, and P-phenylenediamine.  So what do I do?

Around the world,

we can see the results of exploitation

which destroys much

without taking future generations
into account.

Today,

all men have a duty

to show themselves worthy

of the mission

given them by the Creator

by ensuring the safe-keeping
of that creation.

-- Pope John Paul II, press conference, Antannanarivo, Malagasy Republic

Vinegar Fridays

TGIVF!!

While I may say Thank God it's Vinegar Friday, I'm not quite sure I mean it. This week flew by and I'm not at all ready for it to be over. It was a busy week and I didn't accomplish nearly what I set out to do. Which means Saturday will be spent in my office working. So you all can celebrate Friday, while I pretend it's Thursday. Fair enough?

The last couple of weeks I wrote about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. There are lots more, and I'll be sharing them in the next month or so, but for today I want to go back to our old friend, distilled white vinegar.

My daughter, Jess, and her friend, Erin, have launched a green cleaning business and are introducing DWV to homes in the Pittsburgh area, as they demonstrate the extraordinary cleaning and disinfecting properties of vinegar, baking soda, lemons and more. See where a simple thing like Vinegar Fridays can lead?!

Color your world...the green way

With the season of open windows and good ventilation, many of you might be considering putting a fresh coat of paint onto a wall or two inside your home. Well, before you head out to Home Depot to pick your colors, why not consider greener alternatives to traditional paints. By choosing paints made from minerals, beeswax, plant oils or milk, you eliminate just one more toxic substance from your home.

Milk paints go back to Colonial times and actually do contain milk, along with lime and natural pigments. These are good when you'll aiming for a textured look, as the brush marks will remain.

You can get similar results without the milk by using a whitewash. The lime and water combo gets its tint from natural pigments. Click here for a recipe for homemade eco-friendly whitewash.

Both milk paints and whitewash can be used outdoors as well.

Another natural texturing idea is tinted plaster made from natural clays. Make sure you use a primer if you decide to use plaster on new drywall or any surfaces that are already painted.

Natural clay paints are another good alternative and work well on most surfaces.

For a list of non-toxic earth-friendly paints, check out eartheasy.com.

There are so many choices out there, and granted, some are more expensive than traditional paints you can pick up at your local hardware store. But in the long run, isn't your family's health worth it? You never know how many doctors' visits you may avoid by limiting the amount of toxins you invite into your home. Just saying....

Keeping it green,

Hana

Looking for a college? Why not go green?

While my parenting posts generally address issues with smaller children, today's is directed at those of you who have teenagers looking into college choices for next year.

There are many reasons to choose a college from majors to location to, God forbid, partying status (as in Penn State, voted the #1 party school in the country...wonderful). But if your teen has a heart for the environment as well as a head for learning, he or she may want to consider a green college or university.

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend. I know I did. Lots of time with my family and three days in a row with my grandbaby. It doesn't get any better than that. Since it was a busy weekend for me, and I'm assuming a busy one for many of you as well, I'm not going to blog today, in hopes you will take the time to read yesterday's post which you may not have had the time to read.

So, enjoy your shorter work week and I'll be back with a new post tomorrow.

In the created world around us

we see the Eternal Artist,

Eternal Love at work.

-- Evelyn Underwood (1875 - 1941)  

Photo courtesy of Petr Kratochvil            

Vinegar Fridays

TGIVF!

Wow, this week went by quickly. I can't believe it's Vinegar Friday already. So, any big plans for the holiday weekend? We're going to stick close to home and take it easy. I want to transplant my plants and do some planting in my balcony container garden. I know it's a little late for some things, but this month's weather didn't really cooperate and the month flew by, so perhaps we'll just have a later harvest. My snow peas got in on time and I'm waiting for the flowers to start blooming. The plants themselves look amazing.

Enough about me and my plans. You didn't drop in to read all about that anyway. No, you dropped in to find out some more interesting facts about vinegar. Once again this week we're going to focus on the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar. So here goes.

Since this is the weekend pools traditionally open, at least on the east side of the U.S., I thought it might be a good time to focus on the fat-burning properties of ACV. Yep, that's right. ACV can help you get back into that bikini. Notice, I said you. That's somewhere this grandma's ever going again!

The truth is, I was a bit disturbed by the reading on the scale today at the doctor's office, so I thought it was time for me to learn a little bit about how vinegar can help me shed some of these added pounds.

Caring for the Creation

Last night was the final meeting of the Home Group Bible study my husband I hosted at our home since September. This year's group was a different blend of people than we've had in the past. Multi-generational, a diversity of political views, a variety of interests...it made for some interesting discussions.

Of course, everyone in the group was aware of this blog and of my stand for common sense environmental issues. At tonight's gathering, which was simply a time to fellowship and share some good food, my husband and I were humbled when we were handed a gift bag from our friends.

Inside was a Plantable Greetings card from Tree-Free Greetings®. That was the first bit of awesome. Not only is the card made from earth-friendly materials, part of it is a plantable mix of wildflower seeds, which means summer after summer we will be reminded of these special people.

Inside the envelope was also a gift card to Borders. Nice.

But the best thing of all was something I'd never heard of. The Green Bible...and no it's not just one of those books specializing in a certain subject called a "bible;" it actually is the Bible. Old and New Testaments in the New Revised Standard Version. The green letter edition. Have you ever heard of the green letter edition? I hadn't. What is it exactly? It is an edition of the Bible with all environmental references (over 1,000 verses) in green. And the book itself is environmentally friendly -- recycled paper and soy-based ink. To me, this is the coolest book.

Recession-Proof and Green…It’s a Family Affair

Thought I'd share an article I recently had published in Vegas' Zip Code Magazine.

Hooray for the recession! What? What good could come out of a recession? Quite simply, the answer is family time. Not ‘family in the minivan heading to the mall’ time, but ‘family finding things to do together at home’ time. With looming cuts in overtime giving moms and dads more hours to spend at home, while budget woes require eliminating expensive extracurricular activities like Tae Kwon Do or piano lessons, finding fun and affordable activities to fill those time slots requires a bit of creativity. Here’s how you can make the most of this time with budget and eco-friendly activities the whole family can enjoy.

Project Time

Pursuing a project together reaps a variety of benefits, including stronger bonds.

• Compost. From decisions on what to compost, to where to put your composting pile, to building your own container, this can be a green family project involving everyone. For more information on this, check out The Good Compost Guide at DoItYourself.com.
• Plant a garden. Everyone in the family can take part in the planning and care of the garden. Round up the kids to help build a container garden, plant seeds, make plant markers, water and weed. By avoiding chemical fertilizers and pest control products, your family can enjoy healthier vegetables all summer long.
• Scavenger hunt. Set the family lose in the attic, garage, basement or wherever unused stuff gets stored. The goal here is to see who can come up with the most creative use of forgotten junk. For instance, an old door can become a workbench when placed atop two old dressers.

Another chemical to avoid

An anonymous member of our community posted a comment yesterday, informing me of another chemical we all need to be award of. It's called Quaternium-15 or Q-15 and is a formaldehyde releaser. Quaternary ammonium salt is a preservative found in cosmetics, including popular baby washes and shampoos. This chemical compound slowly releases formaldehyde, causing a myriad of symptoms from slightly annoying to potentially dangerous.

I did some research and found the following three products contain Q-15: Johnson's head-to-toe baby wash, Huggies Baby Wash and Mr. Bubble Bath. Disturbing? It should be. Any product containing quaternary ammonium salt can cause contact dermatitis. It is a neurotixin and carcinogen and in addition to the contact dermatitis, which is the most common complaint, it also has been linked to insomnia, coughing, headaches, nausea and nose bleeds. Lovely.

Personal care products -- what to avoid

When I found out recently that my favorite fragrance, Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath and Body Works, was one of the worst offenders when it came to hidden chemicals that pose a danger to people, I was dismayed.

While it's nearly impossible to know what all the hidden chemicals are in the personal care products we use, we can at least read the labels and steer clear of certain ingredients we may find there.

Savor the moments

that are warm

and special

and giggly.

                                                            -- Sammy Davis Jr.

Vinegar Fridays

TGIVF!

So, did anyone try any of last week's ACV remedies? Would love to hear how they worked, or didn't work, for you.

I'm going to stick with the apple cider vinegar this week. I've been reading some fascinating stuff about the wonders of ACV and am now convinced I will no longer go a day without drinking some.

Last Friday I mentioned the healing properties of ACV for sore throats, acid reflux, constipation, hemorrhoids, IBS, colds, congestion, cough, earache and the flu. This week I want to point to a bigger issue: CANCER. Yes, apple cider vinegar is known to have cancer-fighting properties.

Mommy, it hurts!

It's a nightmare for any parent -- your child has gotten burnt. Now what do you do?

The first thing you want to do is to remove any clothing that is in close proximity to the area that's been burnt. If the fabric clings to the burn, cut around it and leave it alone. Do not pull or force the fabric away from the skin!

Unless it's an electrical burn, run cool water over it and loosely apply a dry gauze bandage. If the area that's been burnt is too large for the bandage, wrap in a clean towel or sheet. In addition to the cool water, you can also pour apple cider vinegar over the burn to help ease the pain and battle infection.

In the case of an electric burn, DO NOT RINSE WITH WATER (or apple cider vinegar). Simply wrap with gauze.

Call your pediatrician or take your child to the ER.

Of course, it goes without saying you should remain calm and not say things like, "Oh no, you're going to have ugly scars," okay?

Other than reacting badly and saying stupid things, there are a couple of other things you should not do. Do not:

• put any type of ointment on the burn. Forget some of the old-fashioned ways here -- like putting butter on the burn. It will make things worse! Also avoid applying ice, vitamin E, antibiotic creams, aloe or any lotions at all. Wait for instruction from your doctor before applying anything other than cool, not cold, water, apple cider vinegar and dry gauze.
• poke at or pop any blisters that may form. Period.
• hesitate to call 911. If you think it's an emergency, treat it as such.

I do want to point out, just in case you're confused, that no, it is not Vinegar Friday. I'm just sharing a bonus vinegar tip this week.

I hope you never have to use any of these suggestions, but if you or your child is ever burned, I hope you'll find some relief by following these tips.

Keeping it healthy,

Hana

Voting day

It was primary voting day in Pennsylvania and I woke up in a rather foul mood. First of all, I had to sort through all the info about the candidates so I could vote responsibly. Plus, I had to tune out all of the half-truths that have been filling my brain for the past few weeks via political ads. Hallelujah the commercials are done for now!!

As I stood in the shower, I grabbed the body wash and started reading the ingredients, which got me thinking. Sometimes that's not a good thing! Once I started thinking, I started getting angry.

Beyond the open window

So, yesterday we discussed the benefits of opening windows. I want to continue on that vein and talk about proper ventilation and cooling in the home now that the warmer weather is quickly approaching.

Keeping your humidity levels in check this summer will help keep your home cooler. One way to do this is through the use of exhaust fans, both in the bathroom and in the kitchen. But don't forget to turn off the fans as soon as the air is cleared of the humidity caused by showering and cooking. The reason? Well, if your home is air conditioned (or if the furnace is running in the winter), an exhaust fan will not only filter out the humidity, but it will also suck out the conditioned air, ultimately costing you money. Make sense?

The value of an open window

Kids generally are smaller than adults, right? Just want to make sure we're on the same page here. That said, it only makes sense that children who are exposed to any type of pollution, indoor or out, tend to be more susceptible to the harmful effects of it. The reason is directly related to their body weight; the smaller they are, the more at risk they are for exposure and effects of pollution.

Proportionately, kids eat and drink more per pound than adults do. They also breathe in more. Which is why any type of chemicals in their food or beverages and any type of pollution in the air they breathe has a greater affect on them. Their shortness of stature has an affect as well. After all, the closer they are to the ground, the more car emissions they breathe in when walking along the road. Had you ever even given that any thought?

Two roads diverged in a wood...

I took the one less traveled by

and that has made all the difference.

                 -- Robert Frost                    

Photo courtesy of Bengt Bavegard       

                  

Vinegar Fridays

TGIVF!

How about a slight change of pace for Vinegar Friday this week?

So far we've been focusing on distilled white vinegar and all the wondrous ways it is used to replace chemically-laden household products. But today we're going to shift the focus to apple cider vinegar, one of my newest best friends!  In order to reap the health benefits, it is essential to use raw organic unfiltered ACV, however. The Bragg brand is usually available in most grocery stores.


I have discovered the healing properties of ACV and want to share some of them with you, starting with what to do when you have a nasty sore throat and/or are losing your voice. As a voice-over talent, I've found this trick to be a lifesaver when deadlines were looming and my voice was not cooperating.

Absolutes -- A poem

The beauty outside my office window

makes me wonder how it’s possible others
don’t see
don’t understand.
 As rhododendrons obscure my view of the house next door
and cardinals flash their brilliant reds
across the emerald green oak leaves,
I think of the insensitive fool I was driving behind yesterday
who thought nothing of tossing his fast food discards
out the window --
bag and all.

What motivates people like that?

Or those who throw their burning cigarettes
onto the sidewalk
before entering a store.
Do you they really think the earth is their personal ashtray?
Seriously?

It’s people like that
who scoff at people like me.

I have to keep my emotions in check
so I don’t assault them
as they assault my beautiful land of residence.

And then there are the cars I pass on the road
that transport little children
void of car seats
or seat belts.
Once again, I have to keep my emotions,
my sensibilities,
in check.
It’s not my job to judge them.
But is it not my responsibility to care?

How do I keep my opinions to myself
when I see a pack of cigarettes
shoved in the side pocket of a diaper bag?
When I see a very pregnant woman lighting up?

Is it wrong for me to care about the little ones?
Is it wrong for me to care about the earth?

Sometimes
that’s how I feel.

How about you?

Do you feel you’re in a minority
with your strong opinions and concepts of right and wrong?
Are there no absolutes?
Is right or wrong really a matter of perception?

Some would like us to believe so.

But, you know, I think I’ll hang on
to my belief that common sense means
not harming an unborn child,
not tossing litter somewhere for someone else to pick up,
not berating a child with cutting words,
not tossing recyclables into the trash,
not exposing children to known carcinogens,
not wasting our resources,
not choosing things over relationships.

I guess my list could go on and on.
I imagine yours could, too.

Are we wrong?

Does it matter?


--Hana Haatainen Caye


©May 2010

It's about more than Global Warming

People ask me, "So, do you believe in Global Warming?"

The answer may surprise you. While I do believe what we're doing is directly affecting the climate to a certain degree, I am not about all the Global Warming hype. From what I've heard about Al Gore, I believe there's an enormous amount of hypocrisy in his life based on the lifestyle he's rumored to be leading.

If we look at history, which we too often forget to do, we'll see that the earth goes through warming and cooling cycles. Some experts are saying we have moved from the former into the latter and will be experiencing up to three decades of cooler-than-average temps. Time will tell.

So, the question that now arises is, "If you don't believe in Global Warming, why are you bothering to do what you do?"

Laundry woes...the next installment

Some of you were quite shocked by yesterday's post. I'm with you there! But what now?

First of all, if you're the activist type (even ever-so-slightly), file an official complaint.

• Visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website or call 1-800-638-2772 to voice your concerns.
• Call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-301-504-0424 to request a report about fabric softeners. Due to the Freedom of Information Act, these reports must be available to you. You can request the following:
• reports from the Emergency Room
• consumer complaints
• death certificate reports
• in-depth investigations
• Call the manufacturers directly.
• Proctor and Gamble (Downy and Bounce)  1-800-543-1745
• Lever Brothers (Snuggle)  1-800-598-5005
• Seventh Generation  1-802-658-3773

Surprised to see Seventh Generation on the list? I hated to add it. But the fact is, their fabric softener and dryer sheets contain Linalool, the narcotic I mentioned in yesterday's blog with connections to a variety of CNS disorders and respiratory problems. Seventh Generation is a company who cares. Your call might make the difference.

Don't forget the contest! Scroll down to May 5th for the details.

Happy Mother's Day!

Who fed me from her gentle breast

And hushed me in her arms to rest.

And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?

My Mother.

                   ~Ann Taylor

A mother's prayers

I remember my mother's prayers

and they have always followed me.

They have clung to me all my life.

~Abraham Lincoln

Vinegar Fridays

TGIVF!

It was so nice to hear from a member of our community this week, who left her laundry in the washer just long enough to be greeted by the stench of mildew when she opened the lid. Distilled white vinegar to the rescue! Success stories. We all love 'em and quite honestly, when you let me know how one of the tips here on the blog has helped you out somehow, it makes my day!

So last week we talked about laundry and this week we move on to the blessed task of ironing. I have to admit, I'm not an ironer. Not that I don't ever iron, but it's not a common occurrence. For those of you who do, you may appreciate the following tips:

Why Becca Smith loves PBS

I want to welcome Becca Smith back as a guest blogger today. Thanks Becca for offering your take on what's worth watching on television.

Why I love PBS (Public T.V.)


1)Better quality shows, for both the kids and myself.

2) No commercials. I really believe that watching TV in 6-8 min. sessions makes for short attention spans in our kids. I mean come on, it's almost not worth watching since they break that often. The content of a half-hour program ends up being less than 24 minutes long.

3) It's not mainstream. You won’t find "popular" story lines that follow trends of society.

4) Large selection of topics you won’t find on cable or network television.

5) It's free! If you can make a donation, do so, but if not, enjoy. Help when you are able to.

6) Better quality shows, for both my kids and me!!


So what are your thoughts? Are you a PBS fan as well? Post your comments on what you find to be worthwhile viewing for your family.

How about another contest?

Okay, this is a fun one.

My husband, although not a writer, likes to toy with words sometimes. A while back he emailed me a lovely little song he wrote and, for the most part, it's quite cute. But there's a line (the one in orange) that just doesn't fit. Post a comment with one that works better and win a copy of Sophie Uliano's book, Gorgeously Green. It's that simple.

Green Grandma
(sung to the tune of Green Acres)

Green Grandma
Is the one for me.
Diapers hanging from an old oak tree
Fake diapers all thru the land fill
Keep those phonies and I’ll buy cloth
Diapers for you.

For mu la is what I’d rather use
My boobs are sore from all that use
I just love using plastic stuff
Dah-ling I love you but goin’ green is really rough.

do do do do do

Your boobs.

do do do do do

Plastic Tubes.

do do do do do

Fresh Cloth.

do do do do do

A fake Moth.

You’re going green,

You’re being mean

Green Grandma we are there.

***********************

Okay, so maybe there are a few lines that need some adjustments. Improve the song and I'll choose my favorite version a week from Mother's Day on May 16th. Have fun!

Sharing a bit of my goofy family with you,

Hana

Tiptoe through the tulips...but flat-foot it through the foyer

Many toddlers like to walk around on their tiptoes. But should you be concerned?

My grandbaby tends to do this when she's barefoot, but not as much when she has shoes on. Sometimes a tiptoeing toddler can spell trouble and other times it's a perfectly naturally phase of mastering the art of walking. When is it time to call the pediatrician?

Well, if your child will not stand or walk on flat feet ever, there could be a problem with his or her Achilles tendons. When these tendons are too short or tight, your child may need leg braces or possibly surgery to lengthen the tendons in the calves. Sometimes certain stretching exercises are all that's needed.

One other thing your pediatrician will be looking for is the possibility of a mild case of cerebral palsy.

When I first noticed Laura's tiptoeing behavior, I was concerned. But she'll flat-foot it along with best of 'em, so once more, Grandma's concern was unfounded. Don't you just love when that happens?

Keeping you informed,

Hana

And the winners are...

Congratulations to the winners of the Earth Day/Arbor Day contest! They are:

Abby P.
Becky S.
Lisa B.

All three winners get to choose the product of their choice from O'BON.

Congratulations and thanks to all who participated!

Not what I had planned

Did you ever have your day planned out, only to be thrown a curve ball? That's what happened to me yesterday. The plan was to get my grandbaby up and ready for church, as she spent the night with us on Saturday, and then head over to welcome our minister back, who was stuck in England during the whole volcano thing. After church, some of my kids planned to join us for lunch at a local restaurant. It's one Sunday tradition I wouldn't give up for the world....or in this case, for a 24-hour stomach virus.

Sparing you the details (you're welcome), from about 6:30 a.m. on, I spent the majority of my day in the bathroom. Not pleasant. I got a hold of my daughter around 7:50 and told her she'd have to come get Laura. My husband adores his 18-month-old granddaughter, but to expect him to change her cloth diaper (when his children were babies, they used disposables), brush her hair and put her in the adorable little dress her Aunt Bethany bought her. I knew that was asking a bit much. Besides, as my sickness progressed, it became obvious he wasn't going to church either. The threat hung over us all day that maybe we'd have to go to the ER. And maybe I should have.

The point of all this is we can't always assume our plans will work out. Sometimes life gets in the way. So we just have to learn to 'go with the flow' as they say. Life is a lot more peaceful when we choose that path.

The bottom line is: It's not all about us. We're just a small speck in a huge universe. When we keep things in perspective, it all works out eventually.

Think I'll head back to bed now....

Hana

Suburbia

“Suburbia
is where the developer bulldozes out the trees,

then names the streets after them.”

                                                            ~ Bill Vaughn