Back-to-School 2015 Issue of Green Child Magazine

Back-to-School 2015

A health & family focused digital magazine & community.

Healthy

School Lunches How Good Gut Health Can

Boost Your Child’s Immune System

Back to School

Rhythms, Routines, & Rituals

Against All Grain

An Interview with Danielle Walker

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1 in 3 families struggles to afford cloth diapers.

We can help.

Visit our website to see if your family qualifies.

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www.givingdiapersgivinghope.org

Contents

8 Best of the Lunch Box

Our top picks for a healthier lunch box

10 Five Steps to a Simpler School Year Get a jump start on the busy time by coming up with a plan

12 Rythms, Routines, & Rituals

Whether a school day or homeschool day, children function best when they know what to expect

16 Natural First Aid

A healthier, more natural way to be ready for anything

18 Easing Empty Nest Transitions

From kindergarten to college, Kelly Bartlett helps parents navigate the big changes

22 One Room @ a Time

Green your dorm room with our top choices inspired by health and energy-efficiency

24 Love of Learning

Encouraging your child’s natural love of learning

28 Look Listen Read

Our editors’ top picks in books, apps & more

30 Against All Grain

Green Child talks with Danielle Walker

34 A Good Night’s Sleep

How to help your child get a safe and healthy night’s sleep

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Contents 36 Healthy School Lunches

A reader favorite! Our annual school lunch inspiration is sure to give you plenty of healthy, fun ideas for the lunch box

52 Green Bronx Machine

An interview with founder Stephen Ritz

56 Healthy Gut

The importance a healthy gut plays in your child’s immune system

On the Cover: Healthy School Lunches p36 Good Gut Health p56 Back to School Routies p12

60 Sage Spoonfuls

Liza Huber shares her recipes for homemade hummus and delicious veggie quesadillas

Against All Grain p30

64 Slow Cooker Meals

From applesauce to zucchini soup!

68 Nutritional Nuggets

Back-to-Scho

ol 2015

A health & fam

ily focused dig ital magazine

From food obsessions to big kid lunches, expert Christina Towle answers your questions

& community .

70 Eco Fundraising

Learn how one program is turning used clothing into money for your child’s school

73 Guided Relaxation

Big emotions & the beautiful butterfly

74 Ask Green Grandma

Questions from our readers answered

76 Community Marketplace

Eco-friendly products & services from our collection of artisan shops & resources

78 Your Green Child

A peek into the families of our readers

80 Little Artists

Sharing the talents of our youngest community members.

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Healthy

School Lu nches

Natural Dis

Gut Health For the O cipline Boost Your Can lder Child Child How Good

Back to Sc

’s Immune

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Rhythms, R

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Against All

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System

Farm Fresh

Rituals

Recipes

GCM talks arth Mam GraEin a Angel Ba to fo

by with Danie under Melinda lle Walker Olson

Cover Photography by

Jennifer Skog

San Francisco, CA

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Publisher & Editor Amity Hook-Sopko

Creative Director Amanda Hearn

Advertising Director Tracy Carter

Columnists

Liza Huber Mellisa Dormoy Megan McCoy Dellecese Christina Towle Hana Haatainen Caye

Contributors

Sandy Kreps Amanda Witman Copy Editor Kelly Bartlett Megan McCoy Dellecese Jan Hunt Media & Other Inquiries Megan McCoy Dellecese Arja Pennanen Lytle, media@greenchildmagazine.com C.N.P. N.N.C.P Phyllis Good

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from our publisher & editor

Over the summer, my youngest learned the guitar chords to “Tape Deck,” a song Jack Johnson says he was inspired to write while watching his 9-year-old son jamming with a cousin. The chorus to this happy, catchy song feels to me like an infectious metaphor for learning:

“You may find, in the palm Of your hand, there’s a flame As it burns, as it climbs As it turns, to a blaze But this flame, it won’t last Here it comes, hold it close ‘Cause this blaze, can be fast Set it free now there it goes” I find it fitting that our independent, criticalthinking, self-motivated little guitar player loves this song.

He’s currently obsessed with supernovas and black holes. He reads books and asks to watch YouTube videos or Cosmos episodes so he can soak in every detail. We’ll notice him lost in thought for a while… and then out comes a much-deliberated theory on dark matter or the question of when he can have his first telescope.

Will this make him the next Carl Sagan? Well, I suppose Astrophysics could be a lifelong flame for him. But most likely, by the end of this semester, he’ll be obsessed with Greek mythology like his brother was at this age.

Each school year brings its own adventures… new friends and a world of learning opportunities. Children inherently embrace the magic of beginnings and the wonder of new ideas. You can see it in their eyes as they study a bird feather, learn to finger weave, or tell you the names of all their sheep in Minecraft.

Pay attention for those sparks of interest. If your daughter loves the unit on Impressionist painters, don’t let her lose interest when the test is over and the teacher moves on to something else. Take her to art exhibits. Find those painters’ biographies at the library. Tell her you need a new piece of art for the living room and hang whatever she paints.

Encourage that spark, and it may just grow into a lifelong flame.

-Amity 7

Best of

the Lunch

Time for Lunch!

Box

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Keep your child energized throughout the school day with a healthy and delicious meal.

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Every year, the Green Child kids delight in helping us test out new recipes and fabulous, eco-friendly gear to keep these yummy lunches fresh until it’s time to eat!

This year, we put together fun and healthy combinations of food, each packed with personality, nutrition, and fun!

Plus, we found the best in travel-ready, easy to clean, safe containers.

The items featured here are affordable, fun, and versatile.

With a little planning you can make lunch time a breeze the whole school year. We know it’ll be a great one!

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C

Lunch bag must-haves!

Make lunches fun and easy with these musthaves. A) Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers Slim Lunch Ice Packs B) Funkins Cloth Napkins C) Yummi Pouch Reusable Snack Bags D) LunchBots LeakProof Condiment Containers Prices vary.

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Drink in the Box Think inside the box! Send kids off with a healthy beverage. Drink in the Box is the ultimate refillable on-the-go container. Spillproof, BPA-free, dishwasher safe & nearly indestructible, reuse it over & over.

Save 20% with code: GREEN20 at drinkinthebox.com

Goodbyn Bynto Bento has never been so easy! Goodbyn offers three compartments with ample space — you can even fit condiment containers and a juice box! Available in a variety of styles and colors, you’re sure to find the perfect style for your student. Featured Bynto $8.99 at Goodbyn

Turtle Lunch Bag We have fallen in love with the adorable characters on the Lassig 4Kids lunch bags. This handy bag features a two-way-zipper on the side, making access easy for little hands. $29 at Amazon 9

5 steps

to a Simpler School Year |by Sandy Kreps

After a summer of relaxed schedules, the shift back to packing lunches, supervising homework, and ferrying kids to after-school activities can be a jolt. This year, you can make it less chaotic for the whole family.

step 1 Get the right supplies. The school supply list gets longer every year. Before heading to the store, check your home stash to see if you have any of the requested supplies already on hand. Do the bulk of your supply shopping kid-free if possible, especially if you have younger children. Most kids gravitate toward the pricier or fancier options not on the list, and it can be challenging with kids in the middle of a crowded shopping aisle. Once you get the basics, then bring the kids along to choose one or two fun supplies.

step 2 10

Don’t stress the back-to-school wardrobe.

Many parents feel like they *have to* rush

out before school starts and buy their child a whole new wardrobe. You don’t. In many places, the first month or two of school is still summery weather, so they can continue wearing what they already have. Donate outgrown items and move stained or holey items to the play clothes pile. Make sure shorts, skirts, tops and tank tops fall within the boundaries of school dress policies. Then get one or two pairs of pants and a jacket that fits in case cooler weather sneaks up.

step 3 Create a homework station. With a simple caddy, drawer, or shelf of extra school supplies, you can stock: • • • • • • •

pencils pencil sharpener large eraser pens (including a red pen for marking) colored pencils or fresh crayons loose leaf paper ruler

I also keep a few sheets of poster board and a bin of construction paper, blank index cards, glue sticks, white glue and markers for lastminute projects. I prefer to keep these separate from our regular art supplies, since my kids love to do art on their own. This helps eliminate late-night trips to the store.

step 4 Plan ahead for school lunches. If your children buy lunch at school, deposit money in the lunch account or keep an envelope of small cash set aside for the inevitable cry of “I need lunch money!” If you have younger children, check into the option of limiting what they can buy if they have access to sugary treats in the lunch line. My children usually bring lunch from home, but I always keep a few bucks in their school lunch accounts in case we forget to grab the lunch box or if something unforeseen happens.

If you send lunch from home, check your supplies to be sure you have a sturdy lunch box, reusable containers, and cloth napkins. Consider a choose-your-own lunch chart with options for sandwiches, finger foods, side dishes, beverages and healthy desserts to make putting together a healthy lunch fast and easy.

Older kids can make their own lunches, but a menu or chart of options can help them make healthy decisions.

step 5 Decide in advance what extracurricular activities each child will participate in. Sit down before school starts to discuss what activities each person wants to do, and create a calendar that shows at-a-glance who has what activities each day. Your daughter’s soccer schedule and your son’s band practices affect not just them, but their siblings and you, too, so it’s important to consider each person’s schedule for the simple sanity of the whole family.

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rhythms, routines, & rituals |by Amanda Witman

Rhythms, routines, and rituals help us stay centered and on track as homeschooling parents, and they enable our children to relax and feel secure because they know what to expect each day. A thoughtful routine allows us to focus our energy in one area at a time, knowing that other essential areas will not be neglected.

Well-established rhythms help us manage the ebb and flow of homeschooling and free our remaining energy to deal with the unexpected.

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Establishing a rhythm removes some of the guesswork, giving us a ready answer to the question, “What comes next?� We can focus on schoolwork knowing that there is time set aside for outside play. We can make a last-minute visit to the park knowing what time frame will still allow us to get dinner on the table. We can go about our day confident that routine tasks will be remembered and taken care of.

It may take some time to uncover the rhythms, routines, and rituals that work best for your family. Keep trying until you find your way. Once you have some ideas, post them someplace visible in a form that everyone can understand (with simple words or pictures for younger children) so that the whole family knows what to expect.

Here are some ideas as you seek to find and refine the rhythm that works for you:

morning

Observing daily rituals and following a routine helps to center and calm us as we begin the day. It can be as simple as first opening the curtains to let in the morning sun, then feeding the cat, preparing a cup of something delicious, and sitting down in a favorite chair for a contemplative moment before your work begins.

Modeling a morning rhythm for our children by having one for ourselves is a powerful example. Some children wake slowly, while others greet the day with every ounce of exuberance. How can you support your child’s inner rhythm and incorporate it into your expectations for the day?

Circle time is a time-honored tradition in Waldorf-inspired education and is part of Oak Meadow’s curriculum for younger learners. Some families begin with an opening verse, read a poem, share a song, do a fingerplay or game, and end with a closing verse. Oak Meadow curriculum contains content and ideas for circle time.

For some families, this will feel just right.

For others, circle time may need to feel very

different -- shorter and more active, or more fluid and less structured, or with completely different elements. The exact content is less important than the act of sharing a ritual to focus your attention together as you start your day. Some families incorporate stretching or yoga into their morning circle. Some find other ways of sharing and connection.

With some trial and error, you will figure out what works for your family.

daily & weekly

What is your family’s energy like on Mondays? Some families like to jump in and start the week with a burst of fresh motivation.

Others regularly need post-weekend transition time and hit their peak productivity mid-week. Does it work best for you to work intensely and then rest thoroughly, or sprinkle learning and play together in a more spontaneous way?

Establishing a rhythm removes some of the guesswork, giving us a ready answer to the question, “What comes next?”

We can focus on schoolwork knowing that there is time set aside for outside play. We can make a last-minute visit to the park knowing what time frame will still allow us to get dinner on the table. We can go about our day confident that routine tasks will be remembered and taken care of.

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rhythms, routines, & rituals Daily routines are one way to ensure that everything gets done and nothing is forgotten, which can be a great help when there are many tasks and needs to keep track of.

Housework can be done with the children’s help. When everyone is working together as a team, it can help motivate participants who might be reluctant.

If your family is quite busy with outside activities during the week, consider blocking off a day each week in which you all stay home. If there is a day when nobody has to go anywhere, it allows the opportunity for uninterrupted downtime and relaxation.

You might even declare this a “pajama day” to honor children who prefer their pajamas and would love a celebrated reason to stay in them once in awhile.

Are your weekends different from your weekdays? Do you have any recurring components to your weekend, such as a late brunch, a family activity, or the observance of faith traditions? If your week already has a predictable basic rhythm, start with that and build around it.

school & house work

When are your children most focused and ready to learn? When do they seem to need rest or down time? When do they burst with physical energy and need to play outside?

When are they drawn to be quietly independent?

Keep a thoughtful eye on the emotional state of the household and be willing to be flexible.

The best routines are the ones that can sway and stretch as needed to accommodate the 14

shifting needs of the family. You might find that the order of activities matters most, not the exact start time of a recurring activity.

Oak Meadow’s curriculum is designed with flexibility in mind. One lesson can be completed in a week if desired, but there are other approaches that also work well. Some families spread lessons in all subjects evenly through the week. Others choose to do “block scheduling,” which might mean focusing on one subject per day or one subject per term. One of the most wonderful things about homeschooling is its inherent adaptability to the needs of student and family.

If you have multiple children, you may need to arrange your day so that they get your one-on-one attention at different times. You may be able to arrange for older children (or another helper) to engage with one child while you work with another.

Can weekly chores be scheduled for a predictable day? It may work best to start (or end) your week with a family effort to tidy up the house. It can be helpful to pin a weekly activity to a particular day (such as Tidy-Up Tuesday). Another example of a chore that can be simplified with a recurring weekly theme is meal planning.

evening

Do you have a ritual for gathering the family for dinner? This might mean having children take turns setting the table, lighting a candle once everyone is present, and observing a quiet moment of gratitude before beginning the meal. Some families enjoy a tradition of word or number games over dinner, and

others take turns telling what they learned or enjoyed about their day. Even young children can take pride in helping to clear the table after the meal.

In the evening, do you foster a sense of calm as the day winds down? What would that look like in your home? In some families, evening can be somewhat chaotic, with a parent arriving home from work, older children going to and from evening activities, a kitchen flurry that hopefully results in a good dinner, and everyone’s energy in fragments after the long day. As parents, we steer the family ship. Ending the day on a calm shore is a gift we give our children and ourselves.

making it happen

Experiment with what you imagine might work for your family, observe the results, and make adjustments through trial and error.

Ask your children for their ideas and suggestions. If you get stuck, consider a support consultation with Oak Meadow’s experienced staff.

Continue to embrace the things that work, and gently let go of the things that don’t.

There are no right or wrong ways to do this. By incorporating routines and rhythm into our homeschooling lives, we help ourselves and our families remain centered and our homeschool plans running smoothly throughout the year.

Author Amanda Witman is Oak Meadow’s social media coordinator as well as a musician, gardener, lifelong learner, and homeschooling mother of four. Oak Meadow provides flexible, creative homeschooling curriculum for grades K-12.

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NaturalFirstAid

For almost every common ailment, there is a natural treatment that will help you make your family feel better and make you feel better about treating them without chemicals and unnecessary preservatives.

Green Salve by Motherlove If it itches, Green Salve to the rescue. This all-natural, versatile salve quickly and effectively takes the itch out of insect bites, bee stings and poison ivy. It soothes and eases the discomfort of rashes, and chapped and irritated skin. A must for every mom’s medicine cabinet. Made with 100% certified organic ingredients. $9 at Motherlove

Witch Hazel Not only is witch hazel versatile in your beauty bag, it can help treat a number of family ailments like mosquito bites, sunburn, poison ivy, and poison oak. It has even been found to help bruises heal faster. $10 at Amazon

DIY Healing Balm The particular name brand “triple anti-biotic ointment” is actually a petroleum byproduct and that doesn’t jibe with healing. This homemade version is all natural, and is perfect to help relieve bruises, minor burns, scrapes and scratches. Recipe on our site!

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Apple Cider Vinegar Raw, organic apple cider vinegar can help with everything from sinus issues, indigestion, and sore throats to getting rid of warts and other skin problems. Taking 1 teaspoon in 8 ounces of water every hour can help shorten the duration of most any illness. Find it at your local grocer.

Peppermint EO Peppermint is one of the most effective ways to help ease a tummy ache or nausea. Diluted peppermint essential oil applied behind the ears and on the feet helps alleviate headache and a myriad of tummy troubles.

Available from Young Living.

Aloe Vera A must-have in the kitchen, aloe vera is the best for cooling skin and healing inflammation. And nothing feels better on a sunburn than cool aloe vera gel applied liberally. Grow it!

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easing empty nest

t r a n s i t i o n s |by Kelly Bartlett “Are you OK?” my husband asked me.

“You seem kind of quiet tonight.”

kids were in school, but when it actually came time, life wasn’t quite what I’d expected.

“Yes, I’m OK. I just…Well, you know JJ started kindergarten this week,” I felt a lump in my throat. “And he’s been in school for 3 days now…” Tears came to my eyes. “And I guess…it turns out…I’m not handling it so well!”

This was this first time I experienced empty nest syndrome. I didn’t think it would happen until my children got married or, at the soonest, left for college—I thought that’s when the nest was supposed to feel empty, so it took me by surprise when I was suddenly struggling with my sense of purpose during the hours my children were now both at school. I wasn’t expecting to feel so lost.

I cried.

I was sad because I missed my son, and suddenly also my daughter who had already been going to school for two years. This seemed silly even to me because I still saw them every day minus those hours they spent in second grade and half-day kindergarten.

My tears were more about missing my little kids. I missed my babies, who were clearly not babies anymore. I missed new motherhood, because suddenly I was done with it; I could not call myself a new mom anymore. I had two school-age kids and I was suddenly mourning the days of their early childhoods.

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My husband, being the wonderful man and dad that he is, understood this even when all I could choke out was, “I thought I was looking forward to this!” For years I had been anticipating the hours I’d have to myself once both

“I missed my babies, who were clearly not babies anymore. I missed new motherhood, because suddenly I was done with it.”

Turns out, it is not uncommon for parents to experience empty nest syndrome before their kids graduate and move away from home.

Two years ago, Amy Friese, a stay-at-home mother of an 8-year old and a 10-year-old from Minnesota, was not expecting to go through a divorce and find herself childless every other week of the year. “Nobody gets married thinking it will only last a set number of years,” said Amy. “You plan on being married for a lifetime.” She says that when the

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easing empty nest

t r a n s i t i o n s

divorce happened and she ended up sharing custody of her children 50% of the time, she felt lonely and as if she had completely lost her identity. “I felt I was no longer a mother because for two weeks out of the month, my kids weren’t living under my roof.” Without the same sense of purpose she once had, Amy found herself feeling sad and aimless.

Empty nest syndrome can affect moms and dads at different stages of parenting and for different reasons. Whether it’s the first time all of the children are in school, sharing a custody arrangement, or the solitude that accompanies college or marriage, empty nest parents seem to share a sense of loss and lack of purpose. There is an emptiness in the home and life where a child once occupied the majority of a parent’s thoughts and time. Now there is aimlessness to their routine and habits; they’re suddenly unsure of what do to or perhaps even who they are.

With time and practice, empty nest syndrome does pass. It may take a while to get used to a new normal, and not without some intentionality.

If you are in or approaching an empty nest transition, consider at these pieces of wisdom from parents who have been through it before:

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Allow yourself to feel sad. This might be the most important strategy for getting through an empty nest transition—it is absolutely OK to cry over the loss of time with your children. Crying is the way our brains are able to process the emotions of adversity and clear the neural pathways for rational thinking. So if you’re feeling sad

about not having your children around as much as they once were, be sure to allow yourself to grieve properly over this. It will help you find acceptance of the situation and allow you to move forward.

Find ways to stay connected to your children. You’ve been accustomed to being able to talk to, play with, snuggle, hug, and connect with your kids at any time.

Now they’re away from you for more of the time, so you need to find other ways to connect. Leave love notes in their bags or lunches to find at school. Use technology to stay connected over long periods of time; text messaging and Facetime can be relationship-savers. You can even handwrite letters and send care packages for adding a personal touch to long-distance communication.

Rediscover yourself and your spouse.

“With empty nest syndrome, for the first time in years, your children are not the first thing you think about,” said Chris, a mom of two grown children from Illinois.

“You can more easily focus on yourself and your spouse.” So take time to get to know your spouse in this new phase of life, and plan activities to try together. Find a new hobby for yourself or rekindle an old one that had been pushed to the backburner when kids came along. Discover what else (besides your children!) brings you joy.

Turn to family, faith, and friends. “When you’re sad, it’s easy to want to stay alone in your sadness,” said Amy. But she recommends making a point of not isolating yourself, which, for her, meant staying connected to her family and leaning in to her faith throughout the time following

her divorce. Get out each day, make plans with someone with whom you’ll look forward to talking, let your friends help you during the lonely times.

Keep busy. Whether this means starting work again, volunteering at your child’s school, coaching a sports team, or taking a class that’s interested you, pursuing your own extra curricular endeavors will give you a welcome outlet and help you rediscover your passions.

Make reconnection a priority. When you do see your children again—whether it’s after school, the start of a custody week, school breaks, or major holidays—focus on renewing your relationship. Use oneon-one dates, nightly tuck-ins, and heartto-heart conversations to continue getting to know your kids and communicate the message of unconditional love. No matter the distance between you or time spent apart, show that you always value the relationship you have.

Remember that your purpose as a parent still exists. Courtney, a mother of two from Oregon, says that just because children are not at home does not mean they don’t need their parents anymore. “As an adult, I returned to the nest after a mildly traumatic year. I needed my family so much more than they might have realized.” Just because kids don’t spend all their hours under your roof doesn’t mean that they don’t continue to need the secure relationship you share. The day-to-day logistics might shift, but that relationship will always be a child’s foundation. Keep it strong.

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gre en

e lov

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One Room @ a Time

the dorm room B

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Tips to g your lif reen e... one room a t a tim e!

Organic Quilted Topper If you can’t replace a dorm mattress, an organic cotton topper is the ideal way to keep allergens and chemicals away from the body. Naturepedic’s Quilted Mattress Topper is designed for an extra layer of cushion for added comfort and breathability. Machine washable. $139 at Naturepedic

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Shower Flip Flops From walking the halls and visiting friends to keeping feet healthy in the event of communal showers, these Sanuks are a comfy, eco-friendly, and cute way to pamper your feet. $26 at Sanuk

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Ecopoufs With recycled netting, the ecopouf is ideal for exfoliating your skin... and making a little bit of natural soap or body wash go a long way. Find it local!

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Energy Star Rated Fridge Add a little personality to theis Energy Star rated refrigerator with wipeoff board front and coordinating dryerase marker. Ideal size for keeping fresh, healthy foods in the dorm room. $117 at Amazon

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Stylish Book Tote Out of Print celebrates the world’s great stories through fashion. Their line of USA-made clothing, bags, and accessories embellished with iconic and often out of print book covers is made even sweeter by one book is donated to a community in need through their partner Books For Africa. $18 at Out of Print

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LED Desk Lamp Stylish and functional, this LED lamp will brighten any space - small or large. $24 at Amazon

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|by Jan Hunt Nurturing a child’s love for learning begins with trust. As unschoolers, we trust our children to know when they are ready to learn and what they are interested in learning. We trust them to know how to go about learning.

Parents commonly take this view of learning during the child’s first two years, when he is learning to stand, walk, talk, and to perform many other important and difficult things, with little help from anyone. No one worries that a baby will be too lazy, uncooperative, or unmotivated to learn these things; it is simply assumed that every baby is born wanting to learn the things he needs to know in order to understand and to participate in the world around him. These one- and two-year-old experts teach us several principles of learning: Children are naturally curious and have a built-in desire to learn firsthand about the world around them.

John Holt, in his book How Children Learn, describes the natural learning style of young children: “The child is curious. He wants to make sense out of things, find out how things work, gain competence and control over himself and his environment, and do what he can see other people doing. He is open, perceptive, and experimental. He does not merely observe the 24

world around him. He does not shut himself off from the strange, complicated world around him, but tastes it, touches it, hefts it, bends it, breaks it. To find out how reality works, he works on it. He is bold. He is not afraid of making mistakes. And he is patient.

He can tolerate an extraordinary amount of uncertainty, confusion, ignorance, and suspense. ... School is not a place that gives much time, or opportunity, or reward, for this kind of thinking and learning.”

Children know best

how to go about learning something If left alone, children will know instinctively what method is best for them. Caring and observant parents soon learn that it is safe and appropriate to trust this knowledge. Such parents say to their baby, “Oh, that’s interesting! You’re learning how to crawl downstairs by facing backwards!” They do not say, “That’s the wrong way.” Perceptive parents are aware that there are many different ways to learn something, and they trust their children to know which ways are best for them.

Children need

plentiful amounts of quiet time to think

As John Holt noted in Teach Your Own, “Children who are good at fantasizing are

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better both at learning about the world and at learning to cope with its surprises and disappointment. It isn’t hard to see why this should be so. In fantasy we have a way of trying out situations, to get some feel of what they might be like, or how we might feel in them, without having to risk too much. It also gives us a way of coping with bad experiences, by letting us play and replay them in our mind until they have lost much of their power to hurt, or until we can make them come out in ways that leave us feeling less defeated and foolish.”

But fantasy requires time, and time is the most endangered commodity in our lives.

Fully-scheduled school hours and extracurricular activities leave little time for children to dream, to think, to invent solutions to problems, to cope with stressful experiences, or simply to fulfill the universal need for solitude and privacy.

Children are not

afraid to admit ignorance and to make mistakes When Holt invited toddlers to play his cello, they would eagerly attempt to do so; schoolchildren and adults would invariably decline.

Unschooling children, free from the intimidation of public embarrassment and failing marks, retain their openness to new exploration. Children learn by asking questions, not by answering them. Toddlers ask many questions, and so do school children - until about grade three. By that time, many of them have learned an unfortunate fact: that in school, it can be more important for self-protection to hide one’s ignorance about a subject than to learn more about it, regardless of one’s curiosity.

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Children take joy

in the intrinsic values of whatever they are learning There is no need to motivate children through the use of extrinsic rewards, such as high grades or stars, which suggest to the child that the activity itself must be difficult or unpleasant; otherwise, why is a reward, which has nothing to do with the matter at hand, being offered? The wise parent says, “I think you’ll enjoy this book”, not “If you read this book, you’ll get a cookie.”

Children learn best about getting along with other people through interaction with those of all ages

No parents would tell their baby, “You may only spend time with those children whose birthdays fall within six months of your own.

Here’s another two-year-old to play with.”

John Taylor Gatto, New York State Teacher of the Year, contends, “It is absurd and antilife to be part of a system that compels you to sit in confinement with people of exactly the same age and social class. That system effectively cuts you off from the immense diversity of life and the synergy of variety; indeed, it cuts you off from your own past and future....”

A child learns best

about the world through first-hand experience No parent would tell her toddler, “Let’s put that caterpillar down and get back to your book about caterpillars.” Unschoolers learn directly about the world. Our son describes unschooling as “learning by doing instead of

being taught.” Ironically, the most common objection about unschooling is that children are “being deprived of the real world.”

Children need and

deserve ample time with their family Gatto warns us, “Between schooling and television, all the time children have is eaten up. That’s what has destroyed the American family.” Many unschoolers feel that family cohesiveness is perhaps the most meaningful benefit of the experience. Just as I saw his first step and heard his first word, I have the honor and privilege of sharing my son’s world and thoughts. Over the years, I have discovered more from him about life, learning, and love, than from any other source. The topic we seem to be learning the most about is the nature of learning itself. I sometimes wonder who learns more in unschooling families, the parents or the children!

Stress interferes with learning

Einstein wrote, “It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion.” When a one-year-old falls down while learning to walk, we say, “Good try! You’ll catch on soon!” No caring parent would say, “Every baby your age should be walking. You’d better be walking by Friday!”

Most parents understand how difficult it is for their children to learn something when they are rushed, threatened, or given failing grades.

John Holt warned that “we think badly, and even perceive badly, or not at all, when we are anxious or afraid... when we make children afraid, we stop learning dead in its tracks.”

While infants and toddlers teach us many principles of learning, schools have adopted quite different principles, due to the difficulties inherent in teaching a large number of same-age children in a compulsory setting.

The structure of school (required attendance, school-selected topics and books, and constant checking of the child’s progress) assumes that children are not natural learners, but must be compelled to learn through the efforts of others.

Natural learners do not need such a structure.

The success of self-directed learning (unschoolers regularly outperform their schooled peers on measures of academic achievement, socialization, confidence, and self-esteem) strongly suggests that structured approaches inhibit both learning and personal development. Because unschooling follows principles of natural learning, children retain the curiosity, enthusiasm, and love of learning that every child has at birth.

Unschooling, as Holt writes,

is a matter of faith.

“This faith is that by nature people are learning animals. Birds fly; fish swim; humans think and learn. Therefore, we do not need to motivate children into learning by wheedling, bribing, or bullying. We do not need to keep picking away at their minds to make sure they are learning. What we need to do - and all we need to do - is to give children as much help and guidance as they need and ask for, listen respectfully when they feel like talking, and then get out of the way. We can trust them to do the rest.”

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Hazel’s Learning Resources

by Astute Hoot

Whether you’re a homeschooling family or hope to help a struggling learner, hands-on is the way to go.

Astute Hoot brings us high-quality, differentiated learning strategies for students in the K-3 age range. They provide everything from downloadable digital resources and hands-on tools to workbooks to support learning in all subjects. All materials are research-based, classroom tested and standardsaligned.

Raising Peaceful Kids: A Parenting Guide to Raising Children in a Mindful Way

by Kathy Walsh

With the new school year gearing up, it’s more important than ever for children to be able to find some peace. From her experiences as an educator and parent, Ms. Walsh shares a guide that is part personal anecdotes and part advice on giving your children the tools to lead a more peaceful, balanced life in such a busy, digital world. It’s a quick read that is sure to leave you smiling over its practical, positive tips. $5 at Amazon 28

Yo Miz!: 1 Teacher + 25 Schools = 1 Wacky Year

by Elizabeth Rose

Yo Miz! is part hilarious memoir, part frustrating description on the state of inner-city schools, and part expose on what teachers (and, particularly, substitute teachers) deal with over the course of a year. This book will entertain you while giving you some insight into the perspective of a teacher, namely from the viewpoint of an outsider. Funny, sad and inspiring. $6 at Amazon

First Day Jitters

by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Judy Love Anyone can relate to feeling anxiety over an unknown situation, and children are sure to appreciate the awesome illustrations and relatable story of Sarah Jane Hartwell. She’s starting her first day at a new school and just KNOWS it will be horrible. With a fun surprise ending, kids are sure to find some alleviation from their own back-toschool fears. $6 at Amazon

Planet Read!

This free interactive, phonics-based app is designed for ages 4 and up. A fun, way to develop reading skills in lower ages and sharpen them in older children, it includes 54 professionally-written stories and interactive games, stories and pictures to increase interest. Through these activities, children are taught to read proficiently using decoding with a focus on decoding and introducing all short, long and diphthong vowel sounds.

Free on iOS

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Green Child talks with Danielle Walker of

For many parents transitioning to allergyfriendly or gluten-free diets, Danielle Walker of Against All Grain has become a phenomenal resource. With her relaxed, welcoming style and her ability to simplify meal planning, Danielle manages to make food restrictions not just tolerable… but like adventurous and fun.

Her debut book, Against All Grain: Delectable Paleo Recipes to Eat Well & Feel Great, made the New York Times best-seller list. Her latest book, Meals Made Simple: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Paleo Recipes to Make Anytime offers up another serving of delicious and doable recipes and meal plans.

We spoke with Danielle about her philosophy on food, her pregnancy (she’s due within a week from publish date!), and her son starting kindergarten this year.

GCM: For our readers who don’t know about your journey into this way of eating, can you share your story?

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Danielle: After a few years of suffering from

symptoms and multiple hospitalizations, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2007. No one knew why, which is part of the mystery behind autoimmune diseases. It can be hereditary, but there’s no one in my family who has it. There’s speculation as to whether the disease was dormant and stress from getting married and graduating college could have caused the flare up.

After some of the prescribed medications began causing more symptoms and side effects, I started questioning whether diet could play a part. Specifically because UC is in the colon, I wondered if something I was eating was the culprit.

I asked the doctors, and not a single one of them talked to me about diet. They all said there’s no research to show diet causes or prevents UC. So I left that on the table for a bit.

Then I went online to chat boards and community pages to get some information, and honestly to help me feel less alone in my situation, and I stumbled across people who were using diet to help. From that point, I went through a long period of trial and error where I tried everything from eating whole grains and whole wheat to gluten-free.

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Then I came across something called the specific carbohydrate diet and that was my first intro into a grain-free diet. I noticed a significant improvement but still had quite a few symptoms. I followed that loosely for a couple of years. But after a really bad flare up when my son was 9 months old, I started to look deeper into what worked for my body.

That’s when I started working with a Naturopath and did a full elimination diet and a series of food allergy testing. Through that, I learned that some of what I was still eating was to blame. By keeping a food journal and cutting many foods out, I was able to pinpoint foods like dairy and legumes as culprits for me. That’s the point where I started eating a more drastic version of the Paleo diet. Then when I cut out eggs, I noticed a significant improvement and have been living this symptom-free version for years now.

GCM: Has pregnancy affected the way you eat or how it works for you? And have you had any wild cravings that don’t meet your standards?

Danielle: I feel so much better eating this way, and I think it’s reflected in my pregnancy.

I’ve had more energy and noticeably less morning sickness at the beginning.

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I’m typically able to satisfy a craving with one of my versions. I have given in to a craving and gone for gluten-free take out pizza. I’ve also allowed myself a bit of freedom when it comes to ice cream and French fries. But for the most part, I stick to what works for me.

My second book has this pepperoni pizza pasta that definitely fills the craving for pizza.

I try to go to those things first, and then, if a couple days later I’m still really, really craving the real thing, I’ll let myself have the glutenfree version of it. But it hasn’t been all that

bad. No pickles and mustard on a donut or anything (laughs).

GCM: I’m sure your son enjoys all his mom’s great food. Is he grain-free as well?

Danielle: We’re still in that easier zone where we make most of the choices for him. My goal is to give him a good foundation in nutrition, but not to be too strict about it. He isn’t grain-free, but he is gluten-free, because most of things that have white flour and gluten in them tend to not be on the healthy side.

When he has eaten foods with gluten, I’ve noticed he’s a bit more hyper… a bit more ornery (laughs). But I feel like when he’s eating a healthy diet 95% of the time, if there’s a birthday party at school and he wants to try a treat that we wouldn’t normally have at home, I’m okay with it. And as he gets older, I hope he’ll be able to notice how those things feel in his body and that he can understand cause and effect. It’s what’s working for us currently.

He likes homemade food and enjoys being able to take his own snacks to school.

At first I thought he might feel left out, but he likes taking his own food. He loves getting involved in the kitchen and making our chocolate chip cookies and fruit roll ups. The more he gets involved and sees the process, the more he will try new foods. Because he is a 4 year old, he does have his favorites and can eat the same thing over and over. Luckily he loves fruits, and there are several vegetables I can count on him to eat. We have a rule that he has to try a few bites so we can open him up to new, healthy foods. If he doesn’t like it right away, we don’t force it. I’m not the mom who makes him sit down and finish his plate.

I don’t want him to have bad associations with food. We’ll just reintroduce later, offering other new foods in the meantime.

GCM: Your cooking philosophy seems to involve creating recipes that don’t make people feel deprived even though they’re on a restricted diet.

Danielle: Yes. So, for those of us who have to commit to a 100% Paleo diet or grain-free diet, we can still enjoy a “legal” version of the foods we love. That’s why I recreate cookies or cupcakes because I think it helps make the lifestyle more sustainable. They can have a grain-free donut to fill that craving and go back to eating the more healthy things the next day.

GCM: Your son starts kindergarten this year. Our readers often ask for advice on meal planning when everyone has activities. Can you share how you’re planning to handle such a busy time with (soon to be) two little ones?

Danielle: Yes, it’s a hectic time, so it’s all about having a plan. I created 8 weeks of meal plans (and grocery lists) in my Meals Made Simple book. Having a plan is the key to keep from going out or ordering in. Stocking your freezer that last week of summer and having a meal plan for those first couple weeks of school is really going to get you off on the right foot.

It’s pretty rare that we eat the same thing too often, and sometimes my husband doesn’t like it.

He’ll say, “You know, you made that recipe two years ago that I loved, and you’ve never made it again.” I constantly have to create something new, you know. But we have our fallbacks like taco night and lettuce wrap burgers.

I tell people to choose a few of your favorite meals that are quick and you’re really comfortable making and add them to the rotation on the busier nights.

GCM: What is your advice to families who want to get started on a grain-free lifestyle?

Danielle: Commit and give it a fair shot. The more often you grab a donut or a cupcake; it’s going to be harder and harder to get back on it. Focus on the improvements you see. Really once you see those benefits, it’s hard to turn the other direction and say, “Oh, I want to go back to feeling the way I used to feel.”

I think the reason many people have a hard time sticking to it is that it takes more work.

The goal of Meals Made Simple was simplifying and helping you plan a bit of the prep work in advance. It’s not about perfection. If you slip up, just to try to reset and know you’ll do better at your next meal.

Having a healthy breakfast and getting exercise in the morning really helps. I find I make better decisions because I already worked so hard that morning, and I don’t want to go back on the process I made.

For beginners, keep it simple – grilling and crock pots recipes – until you’ve gotten the hang of cooking this way. If you start out trying to make elaborate meals each night, you’ll probably burn out quickly.

Once you’re settled into the routine, step out of your comfort zone and try a different type of cuisine once a week. When you’re trying to switch to a different diet, I think boredom causes failure. I try to encourage people to keep it fresh and exciting by trying new recipes. That will help them not only enjoy time in the kitchen but also the eating, making them feel that the diet is a long-term sustainable lifestyle shift. And always keeping in mind that giving yourself a little bit of grace is really important.

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Helping Your Child Get

a Good Night’s Sleep

A full day of school can use up a lot of your child’s energy. Add in homework and extracurricular or social activities, and you can see why adequate rest is important to keep those little bodies thriving.

While each child is different, these guidelines can help you spot if your child’s sleep schedule is on track for her age. This chart includes naps.

1-3 Years: 12 - 14 hours per day 3-6 Years: 10 - 12 hours per day 7-12 Years: 10 - 11 hours per day 12-18 Years: 8 - 10 hours per day Just how important is sleep to your child’s ability to focus in school? In a National Sleep Foundation experiment, children were asked to go to bed later than normal for a week, and then were asked to spend no fewer than 10 hours in bed for another week. During the week of later bedtimes, teachers rated these kids as having more academic problems and more attention problems.

Here’s how to encourage healthy sleep habits for your child:

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Finish homework and dinner with enough time for the family to unwind a bit before bedtime.

Make sure your child’s room is relaxing and safe with no electronics or screens to distract him at night. Just as you baby-proofed when she was little, do some investigating to make sure her room isn’t a source of hidden toxins or allergens. Choose an organic mattress and wash sheets and bedding often with a natural laundry soap.

Set a specific bedtime working backward from what hour your child must wake up to get to school on time (or the time you typically begin homeschooling) and allow for the age-appropriate number of hours your child needs to rest.

Create a predictable bedtime routine. A younger child will need more guidance through his nightly routine, while an older child can begin practicing self-care.

Your routine could include: • • • •

a warm bath brushing teeth reading a book together following a guided meditation designed for kids • sing a calm song • last call for bathroom trips and a drink of water • good night snuggles

Mattress Tip! The 2-in-1 Organic Cotton Ultra Mattress from Naturpedic is not only certified organic but it’s allergen-friendly made without wool, latex, soy foam, or other potential kid allergens. With safer waterproofing options including the 2-in-1 that is waterproofed on one side with polyethylene, a food grade plastic, for potty-training or sick kiddos. The other side is quilted for that grown-up feel.

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Healthy

School Lu

tips, recipes, &

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unches

& more!

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Pack it!

• • • •

Organic Yogurt Kiwi Tomato Basil Snap Pea Crisps Celery with Almond Butter

Leak-proof containers make packing yogurts easy and more affordable than single serve cups and tubes.

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Pack it!

• Safe Catch Tuna & Avocado (add sea salt!)

• KIND bar • Kumquat Big nutrtition in a little package. This lunch contains healthy fats, protien, great vitamins, and even a treat!

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Pack it!

• • • • •

Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips Corn Salsa Plum Slices Cheese Cubes Cucumber Slices

Bento style containers make packing a variety a breeze!

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Pack it!

• DIY Avocado Toast Bar Serve it up with your favortie toppings, like: • Feta Cheese, • Hard or Scrambled Egg • Tomatoes • Bacon • & More - the Options are endless!

Mix & match containers to meet your needs. Here we are using Re-Play, Planetbox, & Wean Green.

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Pack it!

• • • •

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Veggie Sushi Snow Peas Organic Berry Mix Wacky Apple Mango Applesauce

Pack it!

• Chili (Recipe on our site!)

• Horizon crackers • PB Sandwich • (On sprouted grain bread) Comfort food, that’s what this is.

Preheat insulated storage containers with hot water before adding soups and they’ll stay plenty warm until lunch time!

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Pack it!

• • • •

Homemade Red Pepper Hummus Celery Sticks Carrot Sticks Purple Cauliflower

We’ve packed it all in a stainless steel container for easy clean-up. The hummus container is from Kids Conserve, which fits nicely into most of our favorite lunch boxes!

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Pack it!

• Greek Chickpea Salad • Organic Chickpeas (1 can drained & rinsed) • Red Onion (finely chopped) • Cherry Tomatoes • Feta • Toss with Italian Dressing or Olive Oil • Fresh Fruit This is perfect as a side or meal. Prepare ahead by storing in perfectly portioned glass containers, like this one from Wean Green.

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Pack it!

• Club Wraps • Turkey, Ham, Cheese, Kale, & Hummus Spread • Carrot Sticks & Coins • Mini Banana • Cruncha Ma Me We packed this up in a stainless steel Planetbox with a napkin to clean up any messes.

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Pack it!

• Cucumber Tuna Sandwiches • Safe Catch Tuna tossed with salt, pepper, & greek yogurt (or mayo) • Swiss Cheese • Greens • Cucumber (cut into thick slabs) • Tomato & Mozzarella Ball “Kebabs” • Leaf & Love Organic Lemonade Pack it all in your favorite container and serve it up with organic lemonade for a filling and refreshing lunch!

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Pack it!

• Miso Soup • Mandarin Oranges Soups are easy to pack in insulated containes, and they are a great way to mix up you little one’s lunch routine with warming comfort. It’s also a great way to use up leftover in those cold weather months!

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Pack it!

• • • • •

Organic Stoplight Peppers Nut Medley Pineapple with Blueberries Garden Lites Muffin (with hidden veggies!)

TruJoy Organic Original Fruit Chews

Sometimes variety is the name of the game with little ones, and maybe a little incentive too. This lunch is full of goodness that you’ll love — ­ and they will too.

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Pack it!

• • • •

Apple Slices Cauliflower Mango Bitsy’s Bainfood Smart Cookies • Snack Out Loud Crunchy Bean The Goodbyn Bynto lunch box has room for even the hungriest of kiddos, and then some. It easily fits snack containers and juice boxes, too!

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Pack it!

• Tossed Salad with Quinoa + Cherry Tomatoes, Mandarin Oranges & Raw Sunflower Seeds • Fresh Fruit Salads can be a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth, naturally. Mandarin oranges add surprising flavor and color!

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An Interview with Founder Stephen Ritz |by Megan McCoy Dellecese

“The single biggest prognosticator for a child’s success in life is to have access to one kind, caring adult. And I am going to be that kind, caring adult.”

As the school year begins anew for many of us, it’s a perfect time to evaluate the impact that teachers have on our children. Their work is invaluable and their level of care for our kids is incredible. On occasion, one can even see the proof of a teacher’s influence spread far beyond their classroom walls.

Today, we introduce you to just such an educator. Stephen Ritz is a teacher in a highneeds, underserved South Bronx school system. Purely by serendipitous accident, he birthed the Green Bronx Machine, a project as varied as the plants and food that his students and their community grow. His concept and infectious knowledge is spreading en masse through a popular Upworthy video and TED talk. We hope you will feel as inspired by Mr. Ritz’s work as we are.

Green Child: Stephen, your story is one of 52

great inspiration and leadership. As an educator who has touched students on a

deeper level while strengthening one of the poorest communities in New York through the use of urban agriculture, you’ve affected so many. What are the most powerful lessons you feel you’ve taught -- to your students, the community, and yourself?

Stephen Ritz: The lessons are simple: dare to

believe, dare to be great and, like I tell children, anything is possible! Seeds well planted can bring a harvest of epic proportions and that is what this is truly about - growing something greater, connecting to purpose and connecting to impact. No child and no person rise to low expectations; we’ve got to set the bar as high as possible in all that we strive to do.

That said, this is all about love, dignity and respect. My goal is to inspire healthy living, giving and learning everywhere I go; to move those who are “apart from” success to becoming “a part of ” solutions that benefit 100% of society.

GCM: Can you describe the process by which

you undertook this project? I know it began with accidental flower growth in your classroom

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(which is simply awesome). How did the idea “grow” into what it has become? Did you need to start small?

SR: I simply wanted to make a difference in

my life and the lives of others; to create a multiplier effect. Of course I started small; we built concentric circles of success that created waves of impact. Along the way, we celebrated often and said, “please, thank you and have a nice day” to all we encountered.

This work and the mission I am on is all about making connections with people and giving everyone an opportunity to succeed.

Ironically, gardening is the perfect vehicle and of course, plants always grow! My kids and I needed that opportunity as much as the plants needed us. Most importantly, when you teach children about nature, you teach them to nurture and when my students learn to nurture, we as a society collectively embrace our better nature. It is awesome to see those who are traditionally consumers and at the bottom of the “food chain” on so many levels become producers; that is a game changer on so many levels.

GCM: What were your early goals in this

initiative and how have they changed from those first days? Did you have any failures along with your incredible success? Were students able to learn from any issues, such as a particular plant’s lack of growth or challenging mindsets in the community?

SR: My early goals were to engage and involve

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children in a way they never had been; to love them until they learned to love themselves - to be that kind, caring, consistent and inspiring adult in their lives - and for us to grow together as well. We had the determination and mindset that we could and we would leave every place and everything

we touched a little better than we found it - that was definitely doable – and very well received.

I am and remain an equity warrior - this is at the heart of what I do. Of course we had many failures - we still do - but those are learning opportunities for sure. Nature takes time and there is a season for everything.

We are growing plants but what we are really growing is people; resilience, grit, determination and a work ethic and commitment to our community and ourselves.

Now we want to flip the script on education. We need not be the canaries in the coal mine but rather be and create the change we want to see. We need to roll up our own sleeves and get to work. I believe with open hearts and open minds that together, we can all prosper!

GCM: Upworthy is such a powerful means

of spreading thought-and-conversationprovoking ideas. How has the production and distribution of your video with Upworthy effectively helped enlighten the masses about the importance of urban agriculture and its impact in education? Have you seen changes to your initiative because of your Upworthy popularity?

SR: The power of Upworthy is phenomenal!

That the piece was released close to Father’s Day was particularly significant to me and had major impact as well with regards to the lives I have touched and for those who have supported me all these years. The outpouring of love and support for my students, family and I and the work that we do has been spectacular.

I hope the video inspires others to do something great. My hat goes off to the Upworthy

An Interview with Founder Stephen Ritz

crew. The impact of the video on education truly reflects that anything is possible; teachers change lives! Teachers matter!

GCM: It must have been a daunting task to

start an initiative such as this. For any readers facing similar opposition or just differing opinions regarding communityfocused agriculture, what advice do you have for overcoming these obstacles in communities across the country?

SR: Asking for permission is begging for

denial. Just get out there and do it! Make one simple change and lead others to do the same. Be sure to give everyone else credit and say “please and thank you” along the way. The eyes of the future are looking back at us and demanding we get this right! We have an obligation and an ability to do so.

Civilized nations feed and educate their children. No child should go to bed hungry at night – not in this century.

We’ve got to end this bucket brigade mentality and really address issues or else we will continue to create and perpetuate a permanent underclass. It is easier to raise healthy children than to fix broken men. We need to treat children, farmers, food and the earth with the dignity and respect they deserve and demand or we will be dealt consequences we cannot even begin to fathom. I’d like to see more people work together, to extend themselves and to commit to a greater common good.

GCM: Do you think that it’s possible for

agricultural changes like yours to be made in all schools, nationwide (and beyond)?

Should projects such as this be student-led or more of a community collaboration, or a synthesis of the two? How do you suggest that parents go about reaching out to help affect similar change in their own communities?

SR: Every child needs to know what food is

and where it comes from. Every school needs to be growing food and put the academic concepts of growing food as well as respecting farmers and the earth - and all that entails - at the heart of what they do. I don’t expect every child to be a farmer but I expect them to read, write, do the math, science, and develop the patience, fortitude and compassion to grow it.

Most importantly, input equals output.

Given the nutritional and health crises facing this nation and the world, this is a human rights issue on a multitude of levels.

That said, the greatest thing I have ever done to influence and impact school and academic performance is to grow vegetables in school with children aligned to content area instruction AND you get lots of yummy and healthy food along the way!

GCM: If people who encounter your story

walk away with just one message, what would you want it to be?

SR: I am just one person (in a bow-tie) on a

mission who truly believes that together, at a grassroots level, we can change lives and outcomes for this and future generations.

Every day is an opportunity to do something great and leave the world a little better than you found it. What people don’t realize is that we are 100% volunteer driven and self -funded. The work my family and I do - as well as my students - is all volunteer. We hope to scale and build something bigger, touch more lives, have a greater and deeper impact.

If you feel inspired to help by donating even $1 to this 501C3 cause, please visit, support and share the Green Bronx Machine campaign.

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A Healthy Immune System

Starts with a Healthy Gut |by Arja Pennanen Lytle, C.N.P. N.N.C.P Did you know that your intestinal tract is home to billions of different microbes (known as your intestinal microflora) made up of bacteria, yeast, and fungi? Some of these microbes are bad and can cause illness, but some are good. These good microbes, called probiotics, have a positive and wide-ranging impact on your overall health.

We naturally have a mix of both good and bad bacteria in us. When we eat fermented foods, like yogurt or sauerkraut, we ingest more even more probiotic-rich bacteria. Taking probiotics as a supplement, however, is a good idea for most people as the amounts we get from food alone are far lower than therapeutic doses. Even if you think everything feels fine in your gut, remember, probiotics do more than just help keep gas and bloating at bay.

Probiotics are an important part of a healthy body as they: • Help keep your digestive system running smoothly • Boost immunity • Help produce many B vitamins • Digest lactose and some forms of fiber • Assist in the digestion and absorption of many nutrients • Inhibit the growth of bad bacteria

When the number of good bacteria in your intestinal tract is outnumbered by the bad you may experience gas, bloating, diarrhea, and even constipation. These symptoms can range from mild to quite severe. While just getting sick can result in decreased numbers of good probiotic bacteria, antibiotic use is one of the primary reasons that good bacteria gets wiped from our system.

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, but they don’t discern between good and bad when doing their job; they just kill off all the bacteria.

This is why one of the most common side effects of antibiotic use is stomach and digestive system upset. Taking probiotics a few hours away from antibiotic medication, followed up by intensive supplementation after completing your medication will help recolonize your intestinal tract with probiotic bacteria.

Did you know that your intestinal tract is home to billions of different microbes (known as your intestinal microflora) made up of bacteria, yeast, and fungi?

Some of these microbes are bad and can cause illness, but some are good. These good microbes, called probiotics, have a positive and wide-ranging impact on your overall health.

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A Healthy Immune System While many of us try to avoid using antibiotics unnecessarily on our families and ourselves, there’s no doubt that they have their place, and when used properly can help us feel better when we need them. Overuse of antibiotics has created a whole new strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria called superbugs. Antibiotic-resistant infections cause thousands of deaths each year. Probiotics have antimicrobial activity, and some experts believe that they could play an increased role in the prevention and treatment of some of these superbug infections.

Preventing illness in the first place is the best way to avoid the need for antibiotics. Some easy ways to keep your immune system healthy include: • Washing your hands well (try singing “Happy Birthday” twice!). Stick with soap and water and avoid antibacterial products. Products marketed as being antibacterial use Triclosan as the active ingredient, which may do more harm than good.

Studies are starting to come out suggesting that Triclosan may, in fact, be helping to create some of these superbugs.

• Avoid sugar as it suppresses your immune system for hours after you eat it and feeds the bad bacteria in your intestinal tract.

• Ensure adequate intake of good quality protein, which is the building block for the antibodies that fight infection.

• Choose a healthy lifestyle; the activity of natural killer cells is supported by not smoking, getting enough sleep, regular exercise, and an increased intake of green vegetables.

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• Eat more garlic as it contains allicin, a phytochemical shown to be effective in

fighting colds, flus and other illnesses due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties.

• Eating mushrooms like shiitake, cremini and many dried varieties will boost your intake of zinc and selenium, both powerful immune system supporters. Plus, the beta glucans in mushrooms will help regulate white blood cell activity.

Nutrients like vitamin C, the B vitamins, vitamin E, and carotenes are also important for a healthy immune system. Choose to eat a variety of whole, unprocessed foods to maximize your intake of the widest range of nutrients possible.

Making simple changes like the ones above can help boost your immunity, but the information on how to maximize your intake of probiotic foods can be more confusing than helpful. A quick walk down the aisles of a grocery store would have you believe that eating and drinking certain yogurts, cheeses, juices, and even chocolate bars will get your gut in tip top shape in no time due to their probiotic content. The truth is, not all probiotics are created equally. Bad bacteria feeds on simple sugars so if you’re eating a product laden with added sugars then you’re likely not getting much benefit from the probiotics that have been added. Some of the best natural sources of probiotic bacteria include fermented foods like: • Plain yogurt (no sugar added) • Plain kefir, a yogurt type drink traditionally made with dairy, but now also made with coconut, and even water!

• Sauerkraut • Kombucha tea • Kimchi • Some cheeses

Starts with a Healthy Gut If you’re suffering from digestive upset, or trying to replace the good bacteria that has been wiped from your system after taking a round of antibiotics (remember antibiotics wipe out the good and the bad), then the amount of probiotics added to food won’t be enough.

Probiotic amounts in supplements are measured in CFUs (colony forming units) and when shopping for a good quality supplement there are a few things to consider in order to get the biggest bang for your buck.

When choosing probiotic supplements for your family be sure to choose the appropriate products for your needs, and if you’re confused work with a knowledgeable practitioner to help you make the best choice. By taking care of your body with whole foods, making positive lifestyle changes, incorporating more fermented foods, and taking additional probiotic supplements you’ll help keep your intestinal tract feeling its best and boost your overall immunity at the same time.

Potency - make sure you’re getting a minimum of 100 million CFUs per dose.

Storage - most probiotics require refrigeration, although there are some products in “pearl” format that are shelf stable and more suitable for things like travelling.

Expiration date - a good manufacturer will guarantee their potency until the product’s expiry date and will list this right on the packaging.

Probiotics aren’t cheap, but smart shopping will help you navigate the supplement aisles and choose the best product.

There are many different strains of probiotics, known as species. These strains have a variety of therapeutic effects, and some will be more helpful than others when targeting illnesses or symptoms. There are products specifically designed for IBS, post-antibiotic use, and bowel disorders. There are also products specifically geared towards children, as children’s intestinal tracts contain different microflora than adults.

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Photography by Liza Huber

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|by Liza Huber CEO & Founder of Sage Spoonfulstm

Homemade Hummus Hummus is one of my favorite foods to add to my kids’ lunchboxes. It’s yummy, healthy and really easy to make. Use it as a dip for veggies or as a delicious spread for a veggie sandwich or wrap.

Ingredients

Directions

• 1.5 cups of precooked chickpeas (If you are using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them well first. Also, look for brands that do not use BPA in their cans, like Eden Organic.)

• 1 teaspoon Pink Himalayan Sea Salt • ¼ cup tahini • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 2 tablespoons water • 1-2 cloves of garlic (optional) • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (optional)

1. Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl in between pulses, as needed.

2. Hummus will stay fresh in an airtight container for about 1 week in your fridge.

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Veggie Quesadillas

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Ingredients

Directions

• 4 organic whole wheat tortillas • 2 cups organic shredded cheese (I love to use a mild cheddar, but you can use almost any shredded cheese!)

• 1 organic red bell pepper - washed, de-seeded and deribbed, chopped • 2 cups organic fresh baby spinach - washed and chopped • Organic olive oil spray

1. Spray a medium sized skillet with a light coating of olive oil and heat over medium.

2. Place one tortilla into the skillet. Add 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, 1/4 of the peppers and 1/4 of the spinach evenly to the tortilla. Fold in half using a spatula and press down to flatten a little. Cook for 2 minutes, flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and onto a cutting board.

3. Repeat step 1 and 2 with the 3 remaining tortillas.

4. Cut quesadillas in half or into quarters and serve with some fresh salsa, guacamole and/or sour cream.

5. Enjoy!

Photography by Liza Huber

These Veggie Quesadillas are super quick to make and are a perfect meal for a busy weeknight.

Use the leftovers for your child’s lunchbox. They stay nice and crunchy and taste great cold.

www.attachmentparenting.org

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Slow Cooking Magic |by Phyllis Good

Excerpted from Fix-It and Forget-It Slow Cooker Magic

© 2015 by Phyllis Good. All rights reserved. Excerpted from Fix-It and Forget-It Slow Cooker Magic by permission of Good Books.

Creamy Zucchini Soup Makes 8 servings. Prep. Time: 20 minutes. Cooking Time: 4-5 hours Ideal slow-cooker size: 4 qts. Makes 8 cups total after cooking.

Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

4 cups diced fresh green zucchini 2 cups water 2 vegetable bouillon cubes 1 medium onion, chopped fine 2 cloves garlic, chopped fine 1 cup diced fresh mushrooms 1 Tbsp. dried basil 1 tsp. dried tarragon

• 1/4 tsp. black pepper • salt, to taste • 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature, cubed • 1 carrot, grated • 3 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley

Directions: 1. Dice zucchini (unpeeled)

5. Add cream cheese, carrot, and parsley.

Stir.

2. In slow cooker, combine zucchini, water, bouillon, onion, garlic, mushrooms, basil, 6. Cook an additional 30 minutes on Low, tarragon, pepper, and salt. until cream cheese is melted and soup is heated through.

3. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.

7. Serve with love (and maybe some 4. Remove 2 cups of soup and puree in croutons on top!) blender with lid ajar so steam can escape.

Return puree to slow cooker.

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Slow Cooking Magic Applesauce

This is a great way to use leftover apples and its absolutely delicious aromas during the cooking process fill the house! Try different varieties of apples mixed together to create a very flavorable applesauce.

Ingredients: • • • •

5 lbs. apples, preferably mixed varieties 1/2 cup water sugar, to taste cinnamon, to taste, optional

Directions: 1. Peel, seed, and chop apples. Place in slow cooker with water.

2. Cook until soft, 8-12 hours on Low, stirring occasionally.

3. Puree with blender if you want a smooth texture or just mash with potato masher for chunky texture.

4. Add sugar and cinnamon to taste. Serve warm or cold.

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© 2015 by Phyllis Good. All rights reserved. Excerpted from Fix-It and Forget-It Slow Cooker Magic by permission of Good Books.

Makes 6 servings. Prep. Time: 30 minutes. Cooking Time: 8-10 hours.

Ideal slow-cooker size: 6 qts. Makes 3 cups total after cooking.

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Nutritional Nuggets Expert Christina Towle answers your questions!

Question: My daughter is addicted to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I have tried to tempt her with different sandwich combinations but the only one she’ll eat is PB&J. I’m worried she’s not getting enough variety nor nutrition. What should I do?

I sympathize because I have experienced the same with my child. Unique sandwich ideas are left uneaten in the lunch, while the classic PB&J is always eaten. Thanking the health food industry for their innovations, I’ve found healthy alternatives to add a little variety throughout the week.

1. Raw almond butter is full of nutrients and good fats. When combined with raw honey and pure fruit jam, it taste like the classic. I also like to sprinkle some hemp hearts on top of the butter. Added omegas + protein and makes the butter “crunchy” - naturally!

2. Some days I use a coconut-almond butter spread mix. Tastes the same as peanut butter, but with the addition of healthy fatty acids of coconut oil.

3. If there are nut allergies in the school, a good choice is sunflower butter. It is similar in taste and texture, plus protein without the allergy worry.

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4. For a Friday Treat, try a natural hazelnut + cocoa spread. Avoid the processed/ highly marketed hazelnut spread and ask your natural food store for the organic kind.

5. You can also have fun playing with the bread choice - Living-grain bread, spelt bread, gluten-free, whole grain crackers, and rye are all good choices.

6. As well, switch up the “sweet” spread all-fruit preserves (strawberry, blueberry); local honey, maple syrup, and banana are all good to add for more nutrition.

Question: My son starts middle school this year. We’ve always packed his lunch, except for some weeks when he liked to eat pizza off the school menu. He’s unsure about bringing a lunch from home now that he’s starting a new school with older kids.

Should we let him go the first few days and have the cafeteria lunch while waiting to see how many kids bring their lunches? Or should we just help him be comfortable enough with himself to continue bringing a healthy lunch?

Thanks for any insight you can give us!

I actually do the same with my son. We pack healthy lunches most days and he enjoys pizza occasionally with the other kids. I understand you may be hesitant at the new school.

Here are some ideas: 1. Split it up: Make a healthy lunch for your son, but also provide a dollar or two and suggest he buy some chocolate milk or a whole grain cookie ‌a treat off the school menu so he can participate but still eat home-packed health.

2. Try to help your son find a lunch buddy prior to school starting or during the first week. If he can make friends with another

child or group of kids who bring lunches, they may feel comfortable and more secure together.

3. Ask for a copy of the lunch menu at orientation. Check out what’s being served and see if you and your son approve. Many schools are offering healthier options now including quesadillas, brown rice, grilled chicken, and salads.

The ultimate goal is helping our kids feel confident and secure with their diet choices – not being persuaded by their peers to eat junk food but to stand strong and knowing they feel better when they make healthy choices.

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70

Eco Fundraising

Recycle Clothing into Cash for Your School With the new school year just around the corner, raising money will be a hot topic again for administrations and parents alike.

Enter Schoola, the creation of Stacey Boyd —former teacher and school principal and mother of 2. After seeing firsthand how children who struggled in math could come alive in music class, she created a solution to the widespread budget cuts that jeopardize the future of critical programs like art, music and P.E. Schoola is edicated to putting items such as paintbrushes, books, baseballs and violins back into the hands of children.

Here’s how it works: 1. Parents send in their gently used kids’ clothing.

2. Items are listed at Schoola.com at amazing prices (70-90% off retail.)

3. Schools receive proceeds from every item sold.

4. Quality clothes get recycled.

It’s a great way for grown-out clothes to find their way to a new family with the added benefit of tackling the environmental issue

of textile waste in our landfills by giving clothes a second life.

Today, Schoola is working with 13,000 schools nationwide. Schoola keeps an art program alive in San Francisco, brought new computers to classrooms in St Louis, and our top earning school in New York has earned over $37,000 to keep its orchestra playing.

“Schoola is a wonderful way for all of us to make sure that our kids have the greatest opportunity to reach their fullest potential, “said Boyd.

With the success of children’s clothes sales, Boyd has now set the bar higher by expanding the clothing line for women. The site has been a go-to for budget savvy moms seeking out great deals on pre-loved garments from top children brands, but now impressive deals are available to fill up their own closets too.

It’s easy to get started. Anyone can donate on behalf of their school by simply requesting a postage paid donation bag from our website.

Or a School can kick off a fundraising drive by emailing coach@schoola.com. Lastly, Schoola.com is a place where anyone can shop and do good: get great deals on preloved clothing from top brands with 40% of proceeds going right back to schools.

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guided relaxation

with Mellisa Dormoy of Shambala Kids

“Big Emotions & the Beautiful Dragonfly ” In this meditation, we will visualize ourselves as dragonflies teaching how to remain peaceful and calm even as we experience big emotions. Children benefit greatly from relaxation tools that help them with the experience of strong feelings.

We can assist our little ones by guiding them with our kind words and giving them the necessary skills to deal with these potent emotions.

Close your eyes and take in a nice deep breath.

Allow your tummy to fill up like a balloon, and then exhale slowly. Do this five times to really relax your whole body completely. (Pause.)

You’ll notice how your body begins to feel deeply relaxed and sinks down further and further.

Your legs begin to feel heavy too. Your arms now begin to feel heavy and very relaxed. You enjoy every moment as your body continues to relax with each word I say.

Imagine you’re a beautiful dragonfly fluttering about the sky. You see the lovely green valley below you with lots of colorful flowers, just waiting for you to enjoy. You feel the wind blow against your delicate, lacey wings. As the wind touches you, it gently blows away any worries, any stress you feel. Enjoy how wonderful it feels to be free. Your mind is so clear and calm. You are completely peaceful. You look so beautiful as

you allow your true happiness to shine through.

Gliding on the peaceful wind reminds you that you can feel this way anytime you want. We all experience moments where we feel big emotions, and that’s OK. But you also know that you can deal with those big emotions by breathing deeply, or slowly counting to 5 while you allow yourself to calm down a little before you talk things out with someone you trust. All of these things help us keep calm and feeling good even when we feel very strongly about something.

We all experience many emotions every day.

There is nothing bad about any emotion. We just need to realize that we are in control of the emotion and the emotion is not in control of us.

As you continue to fly along as a dazzling, beautiful dragonfly, notice now how the sun touches your body and warms you. The big, puffy clouds floating in the sky remind you how relaxed and calm you can be whenever you want, just by thinking about it.

The earth is a patchwork of color and you enjoy each moment here, gliding along feeling so joyful and peaceful. You spread your wings far and stretch. It feels so good. You are ready for an extraordinary day.

For more meditations and guided relaxation audios, visit Shambala Kids online.

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Ask Hana Haatainen Caye

Cecily Asks: We have a bamboo cutting board and another made from a different type of wood. What’s the best way to clean them so that they are germ-free and also so they don’t split? Do I need to oil them?

GG: Great questions, Cecily. I love my bamboo cutting boards, but caring for them does take a bit more effort than simply putting them in the dishwasher.

Here are the things you should not do with bamboo/wooden cutting boards.

Do not: • Put them in the dishwasher • Soak them • Allow them to remain wet Why? Because they could split, crack, or warp.

So what do you do? I put a tiny bit of dishwashing soap on them and lightly scrub them under hot water, followed by a good drying. To disinfect them, I spray them with undiluted white vinegar. Some people advise using vinegar and sea salt as 74

a scrub, but I’ve not done this. Another option is using a halved lemon sprinkled with sea salt and “scrubbing the board.”

This is especially helpful if there are issues with odors or stains.

To keep the bamboo/wood in optimal condition, rub the boards down with unrefined coconut oil, which has anti-bacterial properties and an extra-long shelf life.

With proper care, your bamboo and wooden cutting boards will last for years and can eventually be handed down to the next generation.

Note: Bamboo cutting boards should only be used for foods that can be eaten raw. When it comes to cutting meat, stick to non-porous cutting boards that can be put in the dishwasher.

Bethany asks: I finally found a natural deodorant that works great. But now all my shirts have yellow underarm stains!

Any laundry tips to get rid of them?

Hana Haatainen Caye, is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author of the book Vinegar Fridays, who shares her passion for common sense greener and healthier living.

Our gift to you...

GG: I had the exact same problem, Bethany. I found a natural deodorant that worked, but my light clothing and my husband’s t-shirts all ended up with stains. Frustrated, I switched deodorants… again and again, finally going back to my original (DEO by SKINourishment). Since I bathe/shower at night, I started using it before going to bed, which did resolve the problem. But after reading your question, I went in search of a solution and FOUND ONE! I experimented with some of my husband’s t-shirts and here’s what I found to work, even on old stains.

Home organization, to-do lists, meal planning, budgeting, & more Available in two design!

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Caution: This solution will “bleach” the area on white shirts and might leave the rest of the shirt looking dingy. So you might want to hit the entire shirt with the solution before washing or simply soak the shirt in water with dishwashing detergent and hydrogen peroxide added. However, I did not find this to be a problem on clothing that was not otherwise discolored.

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Mix one part dishwashing detergent with two parts hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle (move over vinegar… hydrogen peroxide is vying for attention). Soak the area with the solution and rub the fabric together. Then wash as you normally would. Voila! The stains are gone.

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Imagine using and sharing a product you adore. If you are interested in essential oils, we can help you decide what type of membership will work for you.

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Click here to learn everything you ever wanted to know about cloth diapers, plus a FREE printable, shareable guide to cloth diapers download!

The Parenting Cards offer gentle suggestions for parenting with love & delight. Each card features a unique reminder about compassionate parenting, with a full-color logo on the opposite side.

Written by Hana Haatainen Cay, Vinegar Fridays offers tips on how to use vinegar for cleaning, pet care, diet, healthcare, car care, beauty and more.

The perfect guide for greener & healthier living!

FREE mini spirit guide art reading. Discover your child’s angel or animal guides & deepen your understanding of your child. Email me to schedule.

Love & blessings, Christie

We carry affordable Natural, Organic, Eco-Friendly products for baby & toddler. Created by a mom, we understand the importance of chemicalfree products for our children and environment.

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Find the cloth diaper that best suits your needs using Cloth Diaper Finder! Select your preferences & budget to find matches culled from over 300 cloth diaper brands & styles. Read user reviews or submit your own.

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$ Shambala Kids & Teens Guided Relaxation programs help children and teens relieve stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and develop a positive mental attitude at school and at home.

Disposable menstrual products often contain harmful toxins. Reusable products made from more natural & less processed materials can provide women with safe options & deep savings!

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Your Green Child

Ryan, 3 yrs

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C, 2 yrs

Madeleine, 6 yrs

Barrett, 4 yrs & Bode, 2 yrs

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Painting by Fletcher age 6

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