It Takes a Planet to Raise a Child

A Good Show about Healthcare Reform

I saw this piece about healthcare on Bill Moyer's Journal last week.  I thought it was one of the best descriptions of the issues and plans on the table.  If you live in the US- let your Representative and Senators what you think about healthcare.

Where Does Your Food Come From? See Food Inc.

Do you ever think about food? I don't think there is anyone on the planet who would answer no to that question. Do you ever think about where your food comes from? Before it gets to the supermarket? 

A new movie, Food Inc., by filmmaker Robert Kenner takes a good look at the question and from the trailer, it looks like the answer is sometimes less than appetizing. 

I haven't seen the movie yet. Unfortunately it is not in theatres everywhere, but you can look up theatres and learn more at the Food Inc. movie site. 

I became interested in the movie after seeing PBS's Now interview with Robert Kenner.  Definitely a topic we all should know more about.

Baby Penguin Has Two Dads

I saw this and thought it was interesting.  Apparently a female same-sex albatross couple in the wild was observed raising young too.  What does this mean?

When asked, the abandoned penguin chick said he is not opposed to same-sex adoption and inquired if anyone could spare some cash to help him buy Father's Day presents. "I've got to buy two gifts, you know.  And I haven't had much time to make money."

A Kid-friendly, Gender-Neutral, Natural Manicure

I didn't think much about genetic predispositions to gender roles before our daughter arrived.  Now I believe. Having being schooled in biology, it makes sense. Afterall, we talk about male and female behaviours in animals all the time.

My daughter loves girl things. She carries a purse, loves wearing a dress and playing with dolls.  I rarely carry a purse, only ocassionally wear dresses and never paint my fingernails. Even so, she gets in trouble at pre-school for colouring her fingernails with markers. We certainly don't push girl things on her but also try not to discourage her interests. In my view, feminine things are great as long as she doesn't think being feminine limits other interests or any intellectual pursuits. Because it doesn't, or at least doesn't have to right?

We were alone on Mother's Day because my husband is travelling for work and all our relatives live elsewhere. After we went out for an ice cream cone, went to the park and exhausted all the usual activities, I remembered that I used to do "natural manicures" all the time but abandoned them when she arrived because there never seemed to be enough time to do them when she wasn't around. Now that she has hit 3 and a half, I realized not only could she do it with me without spilling milk all over - but this is exactly the type of activity her capital X chromosones love.

So I warmed some milk and soapy water, pulled out the nail clippers, buffer, towels and moisturizing lotion and we got started.

Here's how to do a natural manicure and pedicure (according to this mom). I originally picked the basics up from a magazine but it has been a while and I've added some of my own steps.

1. Place two small bowls of warm milk and one large bowl of warm soapy water on a towel on the floor.
2. Soak your fingers and toes in the warm milk for a few minutes and then push back your cuticles (the milk makes it easier).
3. Wash your hands and feet in the warm soapy wate. Dry them with a towel.
4. Clip and file your nails.
5. Buff your nails.
6. Apply moisturizer to hands and feet. I like Aveda's hand relief and foot relief lotions (not a paid endorsement). They smell good and feel great.
7. Optional - For extra shine, add a tiny bit of olive oil to each nail.

My daughter loved this.  However, when we were done, she did ask "mommy, when are we going to paint our nails?"

Many manufacturers have removed toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate from nail polishes to reduce health concerns and make them "greener". From a recent web search I see Zoya, a natural nail polish company is offering an exchange on old bottles of nail polish for a bottle of their less toxic polish until June 1, 2009. For details, visit their site.  

I think we will stick to the natural, buffed nails here as long as we can.

Too big to fail

Earth - Too big to fail by nsjones Create a personalized tshirt online at Zazzle
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I created this shirt for fun this morning. Maybe the catchphrase will take on new meaning with earth day coming:)

A Thought Provoking Interview from Washington Post

 

I have heard the arguments against embroyic stem cell research on the news and I am still trying to figure out why people have a problem with using frozen embryos for research if they are left over from fertility treatments and will either be destroyed or at best never used?  If you are opposed to destroying embryos then shouldn't the concern be with creating them in the first place for fertility treatments?  Can anyone comment on this? I haven't digged that hard for an answer but haven't heard the answer in the media.

Tough issues.  This interview with Peter Singer raises a good question - what moral obligation to we have to the children who are already alive and dying from causes arising from poverty?  I don't think we can truly answer that question for each other but it is good to ponder.

Peter Singer mentions his new book on the topic. I've added it to my to-read list.

The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty

Will.i.am Inspired

I caught a little of the NAACP Image Awards show last night. I just happened to be channel surfing and saw Will.i.am sing "Take Our Planet Back" before Al Gore and Wangari Maathai received awards.  Will.i.am has a real talent for making you feel like getting up and doing something -anything-to make things better.

Help Save Handmade Toys

Some of the best toys are handmade. Many of us buy toys made by small businesses from natural  products because we want to support sustainable businesses.  A new act - the Consumer Product Improvement Act - was passed by U.S. Congress last August for a good reason; to protect kids from playing with toys made with materials containing lead and phthalates. But it will require all makers of children's products to pay for expensive tests for each item they sell, something small business owners can not afford to do.  The Handmade Toy Alliance is petitioning for common sense changes to the act. If changes are not made, many handmade toys and children's clothes  will be pulled from store shelves come Feb 10.

Sign the Handmade Toy Alliance petition here

1000 Entrecards Green Contest

Post your favorite environmentally friendly tip or a link to an interesting green news story as a comment to this post and you will be automatically entered to win 1,000 entrecards.

I will randomly select a winner from all the comments on January 16th.

Whatcha got?

Resolution and This Year's Quote

I just thought of my New Year's resolution today.  It was a beautiful day and I rode my bike to the bank. On my ride, I resolved to spend more time outside.

I posted a quote to remind myself of throughout the year last New Year's so thought I would keep up the tradition this year.  Here is my quote to remember for 2009.

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

Thomas A. Edison