Little Buddha Gems
August 24, 2010 | The top 5
As we scroll and click at our computers ordering school supplies, lunch prep returns as central to our mission. Once we cover lunch and rain boots (LL Bean Puddle Stompers), we’re set. Here’s our guide to lunch basics:
1. Our Eco-Friendly School Gear list includes lunch bags, food containers, and some other good tips to remember for a child’s school cubby.
2. This year’s addition to the Eco-Friendly School Gear are stainless steel food containers. We’re using the Kids Konserve Nesting Trio with soft tops and LunchBots Containers, which fit larger items and have stainless lids.
3. The Kids Konserve lunch kits offer one stop shopping and a great school fundraiser idea for September. They also raise parents’ awareness about packing lunches with reusable containers.
4. After trying a variety of water bottles, we find the 10 ounce Ecousable water bottle the perfect size and easy for kids to open and drink.
5. For delicious and nutritious foods to put inside all these containers, check out our School Lunch Ideas.
August 13, 2010 | Front page story
The bounce house birthday party turns out not to be as reliable as we thought! The California Attorney General filed a lawsuit this week claiming that the vinyl used in some bounce houses contain unsafe levels of lead. The suit arises from a study by the Center for Environmental Health which tested dozens of bounce houses and discovered lead levels ranging from 5,000 to 29,000 parts per million. The federal limit is 90 to 300 parts per million.
California wants manufacturers to change to lead-free vinyl and party rental stores to include warnings about lead in bounce houses. Until the new lead-free editions, we can wash kids’ hands and faces after they play in a bounce house. We also are pulling out new party ideas–cookie decorating, fishing in a kiddie pool, painting and planting flower pots, decorating magic boxes and treasure hunts.
July 28, 2010 | Front page story
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released new guidelines for vaginal deliveries after a cesarean section (VBAC) stating that vaginal birth is a “safe and appropriate choice” for women who have had a cesarean delivery in the past, and for some women who have had two previous cesarean deliveries.
The new guidelines are in response to ACOG’s former guidelines which led many hospitals and doctors to limit VBACs, or refuse to allow them, for fear of liability if they did not follow ACOG’s more stringent recommendations. The former guidelines were interpreted by some health care providers as requiring a surgeon and anesthesiologist to be at the hospital at all hours, and even the presence of two doctors during a VBAC. Cesarean rates have increased to reach 31% in 2007, an alarming number that obstetricians are working to reduce for the health of mothers and their babies. More
July 8, 2010 | Product picks
Popsicles in summer are an easy, healthy treat. We’ve been through a few different make it yourself molds–the Zoku Quick Pop Maker is our hands down favorite. The Zoku freezes ahead of time, so it creates three medium sized pops in minutes. Our kids love to pull it out of the freezer themselves, set the sticks in each mold, pour in their juice, fruit and/or yogurt ingredients and set it back in the freezer.
In less than 10 minutes, we have ice pops ready to eat. The Zoku is durable and requires only a few parts. For best results, we’ve learned to stay within the fill lines and wait until the Zoku thaws to wash, otherwise water freezes in the mold bottoms and makes removing the pops more difficult. The Zoku also makes a great gift for families.
June 8, 2010 | On our bookshelf
Highlights: What I Would Tell Her is a collection of honest and touching essays edited by Andrea N. Richesin (Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter Bond) exploring relationships between dads and daughters from birth through teenager and adulthood. The writers reveal their hopes and fears for their daughters, the desire to always be there for them, and their acceptance that growing up involves sadness and joy. The range of father perspectives–older, young, gay, single, married, step–weave into a textured portrayal of the father-daughter bond. A few of our favorites: On Inexplicable Weeping by Dean Bakopoulos and Late-Onset Parenthood by Rand Richards Cooper.
Lowlights: None. The stories are deep and moving for mothers too. We smiled and cried.
Why We Like It: What I Would Tell Her offers a moment to reflect upon and value our lives as parents. These father-writers share their specific experiences, which make the essays so personal, and capture the intimate emotions of parenting. A great Father’s Day gift, even for dads who rarely pick up parenting books.
Age: All parents, and specifically fathers, with children of any age.