The first day of school: it is a blessing and a challenge. When your child is at home, it seems easier to be in control of their safety. Then one day your child goes off to their first day of school (think cute little back pack and a last wave as they disappear through the door) and everything changes. "My teacher said..." becomes a routine saying at home and all of the sudden your baby is demanding that you start recycling.
What can YOU do (realistically) to help (really) green your child's school?
Food Archives
Green Your School in 5 Easy Steps
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Peaceful Kingdom Screening and Reception
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This Thursday night, Mindful Metropolis magazine is hosting a reception and screening of the documentary Peaceful Kingdom: The Journey Home. Not familiar with Mindful Metropolis? They used to be Conscious Choice until the owners decided to shut it down at which point the employees took it over. Now it is a new and improved version of its earlier self AND they are hosting some amazing events that foster community around the issues they promote and report on.
Here is a synopsis of the movie. Find out more on their website.
Here is a synopsis of the movie. Find out more on their website.
The Green Mama Eats: Find Fresh Veggies in the Heart of Chicago
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Topping The Green Mama's list of ways that families can go greener, eat healthy and save money is joining a CSA. CSAs, Community Supported Agriculture, are farms where consumers buy a share of the farm's yield for the season. Typically you pay at the beginning of the growing season for a weekly box of fresh produce delivered to the city. At $15 to $30 for enough produce to feed your family for a week, CSA's are a great bargain.
Get Your Green On at the Chicago Green Festival
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I love when the Chicago Green Festival comes to town. I've gone every year (this will be the 4th) and always have a ton of fun. I get introduced to new green companies and reconnect with existing ones; eat yummy healthy food, listen to incredible speakers (one of which is our very own Cecelia Ungari), and see and touch green products that otherwise are only available on the internet. Last year I got a carabiner clip for my Kleen Kanteen - because I carried that dang bottle around all day without a place to put it!
What also makes the green festival so much fun for me is that I run into so many friends and green community acquaintances. It's a big green party. And speaking of parties, the Green Carpet Gala is this weekend, too. It's the official Green Fest kick-off party Friday night at 5:30pm at the Marmon Grand. Free local and organic food, readers' choice awards, and a live performance from Funkadesi. I'll be there so come say hello!
What also makes the green festival so much fun for me is that I run into so many friends and green community acquaintances. It's a big green party. And speaking of parties, the Green Carpet Gala is this weekend, too. It's the official Green Fest kick-off party Friday night at 5:30pm at the Marmon Grand. Free local and organic food, readers' choice awards, and a live performance from Funkadesi. I'll be there so come say hello!
A Food Revolution in School Lunches
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Has anyone been watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution? I have and I have to say that Jamie is truly inspiring. He's got so much passion and drive. I wish I had a pinky's worth of his. If you're not familiar with Jamie, he has a long career that I believe started with his simple cooking show The Naked Chef. Since then he's revolutionized the British school lunch program and is now on to America's unhealthiest city to continue the revolution.
What's in Your Water? Bottled vs. Tap
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I'm surprised by all the plastic water bottles I see in people's hands. Sure they are marketed as convenient, pure and healthy. But its hard to believe people still buy into these myths.
Bottled water isn't always cleaner than tap, it comes in a plastic bottle after many miles of transport, and it costs so much!! Some reports put the bottled water mark-up at 1000 times the price of tap water! Buying bottled water remains one of The Green Mama's Top 10 Green Faux Pas.
Does Your Grocery Store Inspire You?
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I went to a different grocery store today than I usually do. My normal store is the Whole Foods in Lakeview. Today I decided to go to the new-ish Whole Foods in Lincoln Park because I'm on a special restrictive diet and they have more options there due to their size. If you haven't been, I recommend checking it out. It's huge.
I made sure to go when I was relaxed and had plenty of time to wander around. You don't want to be in a hurry here because it's so big. Also, depending on when you go there can be a lot of traffic and parking can be a pain. So, I have my list but I'm also keeping an open mind, looking for something to grab me. I'm looking for INSPIRATION.
I made sure to go when I was relaxed and had plenty of time to wander around. You don't want to be in a hurry here because it's so big. Also, depending on when you go there can be a lot of traffic and parking can be a pain. So, I have my list but I'm also keeping an open mind, looking for something to grab me. I'm looking for INSPIRATION.
Feeding Chickens Just a Day in the Life of a Student at the Academy for Global Citizenship
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A couple of weeks ago, Cecelia and I took a tour of a new Chicago Public School called the Academy for Global Citizenship. We wanted to see what this new model of schooling was all about. AGC's mission is two-fold. They want "to empower all students to positively impact the community and world beyond" and also "inspire the way society educates the lifeblood of our future by fostering systemic change." What incredible goals!
Global education was definitely evident as soon as we walked in and saw maps all along the main hallway. (The only time I saw a map in school was when I learned the states in 5th grade and in Geography class in 7th grade.) Even more impressive was that some of the teachers had been to various places around the globe to learn about those places and bring that knowledge back to the kids. Why study from books when you can learn it through the stories of someone that has been there?
Global education was definitely evident as soon as we walked in and saw maps all along the main hallway. (The only time I saw a map in school was when I learned the states in 5th grade and in Geography class in 7th grade.) Even more impressive was that some of the teachers had been to various places around the globe to learn about those places and bring that knowledge back to the kids. Why study from books when you can learn it through the stories of someone that has been there?
Made in China and Organic: An Oxymoron?
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Is it really organic if it's made in China? A recent report from the ABC Channel 7 News I-Team suggests products that are processed in China and marketed as "organic" lack the same quality standards for food produced in the United States. The investigative report focuses on products marketed as organic within Whole Foods' 365 brand. Is this an isolated case of greenwashing? Or does this report highlight a larger issue? Should we continue to consume food that is grown halfway around the world, that is processed and packaged in manufacturing plants, and that is sold to consumers by huge corporate conglomerates?
The Green Mama Eats: Sushi
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For many years I avoided eating fish. I was too conscious of overfishing issues, habitat destruction in the oceans, and contamination from mercury, PBCs and other chemicals. I also heard the nutrition drumbeat calling for us to eat Omega 3s and fish-based fatty acids for our health. These days I still don't eat fish too often, but I was curious about how to go about including some of the more sustainable options into my diet. It was all awfully confusing, until I found sustainable seafood guides like Shedd Aquarium's Right Bite Card and Monterey Bay's Seafood Watch Extended program. These guides help to educate consumers, fisherman, and chefs about the issues surrounding fish consumption.
Garbage Disposals: Modern Convenience or Wastewater Nightmare?
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I had never lived in an apartment with a garbage disposal until we moved into our condo a few years ago. Thinking this was just one more modern day convenience that people have come to covet, I didn't think much of it. I started using it and thought it was nice to be able to rinse food off the dishes before loading them in the dishwasher. Isn't this behavior typical? We do things without giving it much thought. To me, being an environmentalist means having to think about all of my actions and what the short and long term consequences are.
Eat, Learn, Buy - Family Farmed Expo is Next Weekend
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I'm so excited about the Family Farmed Expo next weekend. I haven't been able to go in the past so I'm really looking forward to it. Each year it gets bigger and this year they have an all-star line up of local celebrity chefs doing cooking demos and an incredible list of workshops.
You can meet farmers, sign up for a CSA and learn how to eat local food year-round. Visit the Farmer Pavilion to sample and purchase local produce, cheese, meats, honey, wool, soaps and other great products and check out the Local Food Court and bookstore. There is something for everyone.
The Squeeze Card has Arrived!
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I knew this was in the making but I'm happy to announce that the Squeeze Card is available now! The Squeeze Card is a membership card that gains you access to special deals on products and services from some of Chicago's greenest businesses like Great Taste Café and City Provisions.
The card is available through A Fresh Squeeze, a Chicago-based green living resource since 2006.
The card is available through A Fresh Squeeze, a Chicago-based green living resource since 2006.
Milk - To Drink or Not to Drink
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My mind began to wander this week while sipping a chai steamer in a local Evanston Coffee Shop (Bros. K at Hinman and Main). How healthy is it for me to be drinking cow's milk and how healthy is it for our planet? The "how healthy for me" and "how healthy for our planet" questions are ones I ask frequently, about the products I buy and the behaviors my family practices.
Green Mama On the Town: Green Room Sessions
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There is a lot going on in Chicago every night of the week. I like to find events that combine my passion for greener living and my appetite for locally grown cuisine. Having lived in Roger's Park for much of the last decade, I often found myself heading into the city on the red line for events. When Uncommon Ground opened on Devon a few years ago I was excited. Because of their commitment to sustainability, including a certified organic farm on their roof, a summertime farmer's market in their parking lot and their monthly Green Room Sessions, it has become one of my favorite spots in the city.
The Green Mama Eats: Great Taste Café
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Yum! That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Great Taste Cafe. I was there yesterday for the second time. I had this amazing cross between a muffin and a cupcake - they call it cake, probably because it's shaped like a cupcake and has frosting, but I didn't feel like I was eating dessert. It felt substantial and because it wasn't loaded with sugar, I didn't crash in a hypoglycemic fit an hour later.
Green Sex: Natural and Organic Aphrodisiacs
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Organic and natural aphrodisiacs
Looking for a little something something to spice up your love life?
Whether you are focusing on fertility or looking to get lucky there are a lot of green ways to light your frisky fire.
You Are What You Eat
From chocolate to oysters to celery and more, what we eat can impact our sexual desires and our body's overall performance.
Unconventional (and Green) Romance
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One of my favorite things to do with my husband is walk around the city and stumble upon interesting things. I love being spontaneous and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city, hand in hand. It makes me feel like we're still dating and gets the love hormones flowing.
Consider these non-traditional things to do for Valentine's Day while staying true to your inner greenie. You'll spend less and feel just as special, or more, than if you decide to fight the dinner crowds. (Check this green nursery if you need a sitter.)
Consider these non-traditional things to do for Valentine's Day while staying true to your inner greenie. You'll spend less and feel just as special, or more, than if you decide to fight the dinner crowds. (Check this green nursery if you need a sitter.)
Being Green: Getting Started and Setting Goals
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For someone that hasn't been exposed to green options, the idea of "going green" can be overwhelming. Even if you have been exposed, likely you're confused at least some of the time about what the right decision is and the impact it will make. Then you have to actually incorporate that change into your life.
Making new habits is never easy. So here are some tips on how to get started and set appropriate goals:
Making new habits is never easy. So here are some tips on how to get started and set appropriate goals:
Community Supported Agriculture = fresh, local produce all summer long
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I just signed up for my summer 2010 CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). It's my 5th year as a shareholder, and my family saves money and eats well for 20+weeks each summer. Not only do we have delicious seasonal veggies (and fruit), we are supporting local agriculture, small farmers, and the sustainable food movement.
The time to sign up is now!!
The time to sign up is now!!
Nothing tastes like a farm fresh tomato!
Healthy School Lunch Program Expands
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The Green Mama's favorite healthy option for school lunches has expanded! Gourmet Gorilla has acquired The Green Bag Lunch and now offers cold lunch/snack options in addition to hot ones.
Having this option is a busy, health-conscious parent's dream. If you've never checked out what your child is eating at school, it's safe to say that you won't think it's quality stuff. (See How Safe is Your Kid's School Lunch? for more on this.)
But thanks to Gourmet Gorilla, there is another option! You can purchase healthy, organic foods for breakfast, lunch, and snack time to be delivered to your child's school. Or make it even easier on yourself and get your child's school to sign up.
Having this option is a busy, health-conscious parent's dream. If you've never checked out what your child is eating at school, it's safe to say that you won't think it's quality stuff. (See How Safe is Your Kid's School Lunch? for more on this.)
But thanks to Gourmet Gorilla, there is another option! You can purchase healthy, organic foods for breakfast, lunch, and snack time to be delivered to your child's school. Or make it even easier on yourself and get your child's school to sign up.
