Fall 2014 Issue of Green Child Magazine

Age Appropriate

Chores for Kids Do-it-Yourself

Halloween Costumes Fall 2014

Beautiful Celebrating International Babywearing Week 1

2

www.attachmentparenting.org

Contents 8 EcoFab

A few of our favorite finds, inspired by nature & health!

10 Giving Thanks Together

Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox

14 Age Appropriate Chores for Kids

Raising responsible, competent children by creating ways they can contribute to the care of their home.

18 Little Free Library

How to find or create one of these treasures in your neighborhood.

20 Tricks & Treats

Eco-friendly Halloween Finds

22 Too Many Toys?

How to keep them rotating for fresh fun.

24 Attachment Parenting

How this parenting philosophy supports the special needs child.

30 Born to Ride

In honor of International Babywearing Week, October 5-11, we’re celebrating with real-life babywearing families and some of our favorite carriers and wraps.

46 What’s In Season

Cranberries and winter squash

48 Sage Spoonfuls

Seasonal recipes for baby! Roast chicken with veggies, lentil stew, winter squash, apple & cranberry puree.

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Contents 54 Conscious Kitchen

90 Your Green Child

Avocado white bean mac & cheese, Cheesy roasted cabbage bites, Autumn Buddha bowl, Avocado Salad

A peek into the families of our readers.

94 Little Artists

Sharing the talents of our youngest community members.

58 Look Listen Read

Our editors’ top picks in books, apps & more.

On The Cover

60 Nutritional Nuggets

From dealing with the Halloween candy to the safety of food additives, expert Louise Goldberg answers your questions.

Age Appropriate Chores for Kids p14 DIY Halloween Costumes p76

62 Babywearing Superhero

One mama’s story of how babywearing helped her family thrive while her husband was deployed in the Navy.

Beautiful Babywearing p30

64 Bonding with Papa

Venetia Moore shares how this delicate bond can be encouraged and supported.

68 Annie’s Homegrown Buyout

Robyn O’Brien explains what the acquisition means to shareholders and spoonholders.

75 Guided Relaxation Cool at School

76 The More You Know Eco

Eek-O-Friendly Halloween Fun & DIY Costumes

80 Wet Nurse No More

Modern Milk Sharing 2.0

85 Ask Green Grandma

Questions from our readers answered.

86 ReUse Craft

Create a magical fairy bridge.

88 Community Marketplace

A collection of artisan shops & resources for today’s green family.

Age Appro

Natural Dis

priate

Chores for

For the Old

Kids

Do-it-You

Halloweersnelf Costumes S Fa um ll 2m 0e 14 r 2014

Farm Fresh

Cover Photography by

Angela Hoffman Fort Benning, GA

BeRaeuctiipfuels

GCM talks EartChele to tina Mbaram g AnIntern gel aBtio na founder BM a b yl abeyw linedaa ring OWlseoenk

Paperback Photography 4

cipline

er Child

1 in 3 families struggles to afford cloth diapers.

We can help.

Visit our website to see if your family qualifies.

www.givingdiapersgivinghope.org

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Publisher & Editor

Amity Hook-Sopko

Creative Director Amanda Hearn

Advertising Director Tracy Carter

Copy Editor

Megan McCoy Dellecese

Columnists

Mellisa Dormoy Liza Huber Louise Goldberg, RD, CSP, LD, CNSC Hana Haatainen Caye

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Contributors

Krista Cornish Scott Amie Valpone Megan McCoy Dellecese Molly Westerman Kelly Bartlett Elizabeth Wasserman Robyn O’Brien Venetia Moore Anne Michelsen Paige Plihal Sandy Kreps Jennie Lyon

Media & Other Inquiries media@greenchildmagazine.com

from our publisher & editor “Every tree and plant in the meadow seemed to be dancing, those which average eyes would see as fixed and still.”

Doesn’t it feel like Rumi was writing about seeing the world through the eyes of a child?

A world of magic and possibility, filled with vibrancy and wonder.

Spending time with your little one probably helps you recall that feeling from your childhood…

Spontaneous giggles of delight at a game of peek-a-boo.

Marveling at a butterfly that stays on a flower longer than you expect.

An unwavering attachment to every detail of a favorite bedtime story.

It’s funny how such little things can bring pure joy, and they’re only available to us in the present moment. How much of it are we missing when we stare at our phones or the TV screen?

In Parenting with Spirit, Jane Bartlett says, “Parenthood infuses our life with love, the very essence of our spiritual source. It gives us new perceptions of the world: if we crouch alongside our children and look with their

eyes, what we see will be wondrous, fun, alive in the moment, and full of possibility.”

As our boys have gotten older, that sense of wonder has evolved into curiosity and figuring out how life works. But the enthusiasm, imagination, and general trying-things-onfor-size are certainly still there. I just have to remind myself to slow down and look for them.

This year marks our first experience with homeschooling full time. While things can get a little crazy with my workload and their lessons, I often sit and marvel at how creative and inquisitive they are. My youngest makes up his own science experiments, and my oldest weaves a fascinating story even if he’s answering a math question.

Their enthusiasm brings back my own love of learning. They inspire me to do everything with excellence – well, everything that interests me anyway.

And to be perfectly honest, when I see myself through their eyes, all I could want is to live up to the mother and the person they think I am.

-Amity 7

EcoFab

As the days get shorter, it becomes easier to give your body the rest it naturally craves. Create a sleep sanctuary filled with safe and healthy ways to pamper yourself.

Silk Luxury Sakura Blossoms Sleep Mask Handmade from silk and organic cotton, this gorgeous, adjustable sleep mask is the ultimate in at-home luxury (or perfect for any parent trying to sleep when the baby sleeps). $35 at Etsy

Lavender Essential Oil Diffuse a little lavender oil and feel the world melt away.

With properties to help the body adapt to stress and imbalances, ease Fall allergy symptoms, and so many benefits to the skin, lavender essential oil is a must-have for your beauty rest routine. Â $15 at Old South Essentials

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EOS Sleep System While you’ll love going to bed on the EOS mattress, you’ll savor how you feel when you wake up - refreshed and ready to take on the day. An innovative, luxurious, and practical approach to mattress design. Its multi-layered zippered construction allows you to swap out layers and even change the feel of your mattress years later. You can also choose different layers for you and your sleep partner.

Starting at $1599 from Naturepedic

Glass Bedside Water Carafe Set Stay hydrated at night with this glass pitcher and tumbler in a self-contained unit. Tumbler serves as a lid over the tapered carafe. $14 at Amazon

Organic Cable-Knit Throw An organic cotton, chunky cable-knit blanket will keep you snuggly and warm this Fall, and you can feel extra comfortable knowing it was made in a Fair-Trade certified mill. $179 at Gaiam 9

Giving Thanks Together Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox |by Molly Westerman This article kicks off a series on the solstices and equinoxes: four annual opportunities to celebrate and learn as a family.

I find myself ever more deeply aware of and affected by seasonal changes. Light and darkness.

Heat and—especially in my adopted state of Minnesota—cold. Living farther north than ever before, I feel the changing daylight hours and temperatures in my bones.

From my first day of preschool until my early 30s, I observed the academic calendar’s rhythms and rituals. Now I share my days with a home schooling eight-year-old and his two-year-old sibling. In response to these changes in our family rhythm as well as the drama of northern winters, my family began celebrating the solstices and equinoxes a couple years ago. We also integrate these annual events into our home schooling life, taking them up on their rich invitation to explore the seasons, ecology, and cultural traditions together.

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The autumnal equinox (like the vernal or spring equinox) is less showy than the summer and winter solstices. It is less intense, less extreme, a time of balance. Imagining ways to observe these quieter moments can be a challenge: after all, we’re accustomed to holidays that are aggressively advertised and loaded with expensive expectations. And yet, considered a bit more closely, the autumnal equinox proves rich with meaning.

a time of balance + plenty On the autumnal equinox, the sun is at zenith (it appears to be highest in our sky) over the Earth’s equator. The Earth’s axis tilts neither toward nor away from our sun, and the sun’s center is directly over the equator. After the northern hemisphere’s autumnal equinox, the subsolar point— the point on our planet’s surface that’s directly underneath the sun—travels into the southern hemisphere, gradually casting us into shorter and cooler days.

Our autumnal equinox occurs around September 22nd each year; the southern hemisphere’s takes place around March 20th (our spring equinox).

On both equinoxes—all over the Earth—we experience roughly equal daytime and nighttime hours.

That all happens, of course, whether we take note of it or not. Beyond those basics, the autumnal equinox can be about scientific curiosity, cultural and family traditions, spirituality, or a mix of the three. Taking any of those approaches, the equinox can help us consider our place as humans in a vast, amazing world.

In many geographic locations and historical periods, harvest celebrations have been observed right around the equinox. Fall festivals and personal observances of the equinox often involve these themes:

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Giving Thanks Together • balancing opposites, especially the scientific, aesthetic, and symbolic senses of light and darkness in balance • food, plenty, and gratitude • building and celebrating community through sharing food and labor • preparing for winter practically, emotionally, and spiritually For some faiths, the solstices and equinoxes are important holidays. In these traditions, the autumnal equinox takes on several names, including Mabon, Harvest Home, and Alban Elfed.

People give thanks for the sunlight and the fruits of the earth, recognize that we must share those fruits as we enter the harsher months, and prepare to turn inward in the winter darkness, to which they pay their respects. Wiccans honor the cycle of life as they reflect on the Goddess transitioning from Mother to Crone. One Mabon myth tells of the Sun King’s burial and the Goddess’s journey into the underworld in search of him—a tale that brings to mind Persephone’s seasonchanging journey to the underworld in Greek mythology. Thanksgiving, the Moon Festival, Higan, Sukkot, and many other fall festivals also hit upon themes of light, darkness, change, plenty, gratitude, and community.

celebrating with children How tall is my shadow? My favorite

hands-on activity for understanding the seasons involves a yard stick and a whole year. Around noon on each equinox or solstice (or on the closest sunny day when you’re together), measure from your child’s toe to his or her shadow’s top. Have the child measure your shadow, too, 12

and record the numbers. After gathering data on all four holidays, you can ask your child to guess which shadow was longest, compare your shadows’ changing heights with your own heights (when did it come up to your knee? when was it about as tall as you? when would it be too tall to stand up in your living room?), discuss the changing angles of the sun, read up on our solar system and the Earth’s seasons, and experiment with a flashlight and a globe.

Autumn leaves: Colorful leaves are an obvi-

ous and festive jumping-off point for fall activities, if you have them this early in the season.

Go on a walk, seeking out the most beautiful specimens in your neighborhood. Take a field guide with you and identify the trees that made your favorite leaves. Create leaf people or other images using leaves you’ve gathered and pressed.

Even if you don’t have fall foliage at hand, you can learn about photosynthesis and plant cycles and enjoy picture books like Lois Ehlert’s Leaf Man.

Eat local: Prepare a feast of local foods to-

gether, focusing on the bounty of autumn. Read Harriet Ziefert’s By the Light of the Harvest Moon and throw a fall-themed dessert party.

Read Eden Ross Lipson’s Applesauce Season and make applesauce. Visit a farm stand or farmers’ market. Have a potluck. Toast the harvest, the farmers, and each other with cider.

Prepare for winter: Make like the squirrels

who are storing nuts for the cold months. Try canning, pickling, or other methods of storing up today’s bounty for tomorrow’s challenges.

Store up some sunshine, warmth, and optimism for the winter, too. Make and display art to remind yourselves that spring will indeed

Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox

arrive, talk about what you’re excited to do this winter, or reacquaint yourselves with your favorite your cold-weather clothes.

Signs of fall: Grab a notebook and walk

around your neighborhood together. How many signs of this new season can you find?

Looking forward, looking back: This

observance can take place with your family or alone. On paper, out loud, or simply in your thoughts, reflect on these questions or others that suit you better: What are you thankful for, in this particular season of plenty? What would you like to carry with you into the darkness of the coming season? What are you happy to leave behind? At this time of a shifting balance, what would you like to change?

Read: These picture books are great family read-alouds for the autumnal equinox.

• We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season (Wendy Pfeffer) introduces the science, history, and cultural traditions surrounding the autumnal equinox. This book also includes projects and recipes to try at home.

• Pat Zietlow Miller’s Sophie’s Squash and Dahlov Ipcar’s Hardscrabble Harvest playfully bring our attention to the bountiful fall harvest we get to enjoy.

• Grace Lin’s Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, Deborah Heiligman’s Celebrate Thanksgiving, and many other excellent picture books explore different cultures’ autumn traditions.

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14

Chores for Kids - by age -

Whether they’re assigned in the form of a chart, a wheel, or a jar, chores play an important role among families. Not only do regular household jobs teach kids responsibility and prevent a sense of entitlement, they instill in children a vital sense of importance in the family. When kids are able to participate in the workings of a household in meaningful ways, they internalize a powerful message: “My contributions matter; I matter here.” This feeling of significance is a cornerstone of successful family relationships.

The thing is, getting kids to do housework can be a challenge. They don’t exactly jump for joy at the prospect of folding socks or scrubbing the sink. Children don’t have quite the same priorities that parents do, and they’re certainly not proactive about getting housework done.

When it comes to chores, there is often so much nagging involved that parents frequently resort to yelling, threatening, bribing, or just doing jobs themselves because it’s easier than enduring another power struggle.

If this sounds familiar, here are a few principles to incorporate into your approach to chores that will both help kids learn responsibility as well as foster a strong, positive relationship between the two of you.

|by Kelly Bartlett

take time to teach Learning to keep up with chores is not something a child learns quickly. While seemingly straightforward to the adults who do them all the time, household tasks take weeks, months, or even years for kids to learn and develop habits. Depending on the job, be sure to take adequate time to teach kids what needs to get done and how to do it. This may mean you have to start from the beginning each time you ask your kids to clear the table after dinner, reminding them of what items need to go in the fridge, back in the drawers, or in the pantry. Remember that kids’ priorities are different from parents’, so have patience when a child seems to have “forgotten” what to do. The most important element for long-term success is time.

we do it together

(until you can do it alone) Teaching chores is much more effective when it is done cooperatively. Engage children in the learning process with these four steps: 1. Model. First, just demonstrate how a task is done.

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Chores for Kids - by age -

2. They help you. Next time you do the job, you get to have an assistant.

3. You help them. Now it is their turn to take the lead, and you are the assistant.

4. They do it alone. You’ve done this work together enough times that it is reasonable to expect a child to get a job done on her own.

The length of time necessary for this 4-step process varies. Getting the dog her food is much less complicated than cleaning one’s bedroom. For big tasks like that, it helps to break the job up: Make the bed/ Put toys away/ Pick up clothes/ Vacuum/ Clear dishes/ Toss garbage / Wipe surfaces. Each one is its own learning process. That’s why it’s overwhelming to say to a child, “Clean your room,” and expect it to be done both quickly and without guidance. Teach your child how to do it well by teaching in small steps, engaging cooperatively with him, and giving him plenty of time to develop this skill.

What if a child says, “No,” or argues when it’s time to do chores? Your response is, “Yes, let’s do it together.” Even when children have previously been able to do tasks on their own, sometimes they just need extra encouragement or help. Break the job into, “You do this and I’ll do that.” No arguing, negotiating, reasoning, bribing or threatening necessary—just cooperation and some re-teaching. Your motto is, “We do it together (until you can do it alone).”

the “when/then” approach

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What if a child is old enough to not need to be re-taught how do to simple tasks and is more than capable of doing them alone? The When/ Then approach is useful for moments like this.

“When the books are put back on the shelf, then you may go to your friend’s house...When the living room is picked up, then we’ll start the movie…When the hamster cage is cleaned, then you can go outside.” The When/ Then approach is not a bribe, as it does not offer kids a reward if they do their work. It is about teaching kids that work is a necessary part of the day and sometimes it has to come before the fun stuff—it’s an order of events versus a conditional reward.

stay age appropriate Here are some guidelines for the kinds of chores kids are capable of handling alone at different ages after dedicating some time to teaching. The nature of these tasks is unique to each child, family, and situation. When choosing chores for kids, be sure to take into consideration their individual needs and capabilities.

age 2-3 • Dust • Wipe tables • Wash fruit and veggies • Choose clothes • Sweep

• Unload utensils from dishwasher • Help sort and load laundry • Put toys away

age 4-5 • • • • •

Set the table Feed pets Pair and fold socks Shelve books Water plants

• • • •

Prepare food Make the bed Clear the table Clean spills

C AN PARENTS AGREE?

age 6-7 • • • • • • •

Take out the trash Vacuum rugs Take showers Fold laundry Peel vegetables Get the mail Make sandwiches

• Measure ingredients • Clean bathroom sinks • Pack own suitcases • Clean animal cages • Weed the garden

age 8-9 • • • • • •

Unload groceries Load dishwasher Plant garden Scrub toilets Clean bathtub Mop floor

• Pack school lunches • Walk dogs • Bake • Put clean clothes away

age 10+ • • • •

Do laundry Use the stove Trim shrubs Put garbage cans out

• Mow the lawn • Plan a meal • Wash patio furniture

When it comes to chores, don’t expect perfection; expect contribution.

Getting into a habit of contributing to the family is far more valuable to kids than doing the tasks perfectly. And offering your genuine thanks and appreciation will help children feel that sense of significance and belonging in the family.

Let them cry it out?

More freedom?

More structure?

Time-out, time-in?

Attachment parenting?

“W

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Age of Montessori can help.

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Both parents need to be on the same page to make good parenting choices. Choose your parenting method based on a real awareness.

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Raising children is the most rewarding yet challenging experience in this life. Put the time in now and enjoy parenting together.

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A Little Free Library Can Make

a Big Difference |by Megan McCoy Dellecese

Maybe you’re homesteading on a super rural road and don’t have ready access to a public library.

Perhaps you and your neighbors are avid readers without the time to hit up the library regularly.

Or, maybe you just want to connect with your community and share your love of good books.

Then, the Little Free Library trend might be up your alley. Anyone can place a “little free library” box in their yard with a handful of used-but-great books and a notebook for folks to jot down their thoughts. It then becomes a take-a-book, leavea-book place and a way to encourage interaction between neighbors or co-workers (yup, even workplaces are jumping on the bandwagon).

The first of such “little libraries” was created in 2009 by Todd Bol of Wisconsin, in honor of his book-loving mother. He built a schoolhousestyle box and placed it in his front yard, labeled “Free Books.” His friends and neighbors loved it so much that he began creating more to give away. From here, Bol teamed up with Rick Brooks to develop the social enterprise into what it has become today.

Here’s how to start your own:

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• Decide who will build and take care of your “library.” Will you be keeping it neat and appealing? Your kids? A retired neighbor?

Do you have a neighbor or friend who loves woodcraft projects? Maybe they’d like to put their hands to good use for the cause. To

build, there are ideas at the website (as well as an option to purchase one), and Pinterest is full of great plans -- even repurposing a cabinet! Just be sure that a freestanding structure is allowed in your town first, since there have been a few zoning issues throughout the country regarding Little Free Libraries.

• Go to the Little Free Library website to register (for a fee) and make your library “official.”

You’ll also receive a Steward’s packet and charter sign for your box that’ll help you set everything up.

• Now’s the time to connect with your community. Use flyers, social media, local news media, or anything else you can think of to gather support.

• Once the library is installed, have a grand opening ceremony! What a great excuse for a small block party. Call it a “Bring a Book, Bring a Buck” shindig to collect your first books and money towards registration, have a small “ribbon cutting”, and kick things off by sharing the awesome books you’ll be donating to the cause. The cool thing about these libraries is that, depending on your demographics; these can contain a mix of adult, young adult, and even children’s books.

If you love the idea of a “Little Free Library” but don’t need one in your area, consider sponsoring one for a community in need. It would also be a great “giving back” project for kids, too.

photography by Priscilla Matuson

To find out more, check out littlefreelibrary.org or watch this adorable video that explains it far better than we can!

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Tricks & Treats

Eco-Friendly Halloween Finds

Handmade Treat Bag No more plastic pumpkin buckets! A handmade trick-or-treat bag helps give any costume a more authentic feel. If you can’t make your own, Etsy is brimming with reusable bags from cute to creepy. $33 from Etsy (Creative Bags for Kids)

Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies A deliciously adorable and organic alternative to too-sweet treats. These puppy-shaped cookies are fun and gluten free! $5.59 from Happy Family

UNREAL Chocolate Bars Sweets should always be given in moderation, but UNREAL has made it their mission to unjunk candy by using real ingredients, instead of artificial ingredients, hydrogenated oils, and excessive amounts of sugar. $1.50 and up (available locally)

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Natural Face Paint Banish toxic face paints! This fabulous set is affordable, words great, and is completely safe and natural. $12 from Natural Earth Paint

FuzziBunz One-Size Cloth Diaper These ultra-adjustable pocket-style cloth diapers are the perfect costume accent for your little ghoul or ghost! In August 2014, FuzziBunz were redesigned with special attention to detail & quality, making these the highest performing cloth diapers available to date. $18.45 from FuzziBunz

Bat Finger Puppet The hit of the Halloween party! Let your child’s imagination run wild with this swooping black bat finger puppet. $7 from Amazon

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Too Many Toys?

Keep them rotating for fresh fun! |by Sandy Kreps

Despite the notion that lots of toys brings hours and hours of fun, the truth is that kids with too many toys often become overwhelmed, frustrated and even bored. Even if you’re not the one buying lots of toys, they have a habit of piling up.

Decluttering is one way of reducing, but even then, you may find yourself with just too many toys. Implementing a toy rotation system is the next step in keeping the toys available to your child to a manageable level.

Toy rotation is a simple idea. You’ll choose a small selection of toys for your child to play with and box up the rest. Occasionally, you’ll swap those toys your child is playing with and replace them with some that have been stored away. Your child will have “new” toys to play with and can spend more time actually playing and less time weeding through piles of toys.

Toy rotation has several benefits: • Having fewer toys available reduces over22

stimulation and overwhelm and leads to more creative play and “outside-the-box” thinking.

• Your home is less cluttered, and cleanup time is simpler.

• Each rotation is like getting a new set of toys, which brings excitement back to play and reduces boredom.

• A rotation is an opportunity to weed out toys your kids have outgrown.

Children can lose interest when they see the same toys day in and day out, in the same containers, next to the same toys they always use with them. Changing up what they have access to gives them new experiences to learn from.

A 5-Step Process for Setting Up a Toy Rotation System 1. Gather all the toys. (You may want to do the initial sorting while the kids are not around.)

2. Sort through the toys and donate what your children have outgrown or recycle anything broken. This is your opportunity to give the B-list players a fresh start, so evaluate each toy with a critical eye to determine what needs to go for good and what might become popular again.

3. Divide the keepers into categories. Most toys can be divided into these categories: • Thinking toys. These toys target cognitive development and usually encourage development of fine motor skills as well.

They include toys like puzzles, games, brainteasers and shape sorters.

• Art and creation toys. Paper and crayons, coloring books, paint, clay, Play-Doh, crafts and other art supplies.

• Active movement toys. These toys target gross motor movements. They include toys like balls, swings, ride-on toys, tricycles, sports equipment and climbing toys.

• Building toys. These toys encourage fine motor development. Stacking blocks, nesting cups, Legos, Megablocks, Lincoln Logs, bristle blocks.

• Musical toys. Small pianos, shakers, wind instruments, drums, rain sticks, tambourines.

• Pretending toys. These toys target social and emotional development and language skills as your child acts out stories she’s made up. They include things like kitchen sets, car sets, fire stations, stuffed animals, or dress-up clothes.

4. Pull out the favorites. Then make sets of toys by choosing no more than 2-4 toys per category and putting them into separate “rotation” boxes. Try to give each box a variety of toy options while keeping the total number of toys manageable. You might have

anywhere from two to four rotation boxes.

Number the boxes to make rotation easy, and jot down a quick description of what’s in each box for future reference. Find an easyto-access location to store the boxes that are out of your child’s sight.

5. Arrange the first set of toys in your child’s play area so he can see what’s available. If he asks about some of the other toys you’ve stored away, simply tell him those toys are on a vacation and will be back soon.

A Few Other Ideas Here are a few more ideas for special-themed toy rotations.

• Create seasonal boxes with toys specific to the season. A winter box may have snow toys, snowman-making parts and indoor fort-making supplies, while summer boxes may contain water toys, exploring toys for backyard hikes and sandbox supplies.

• Create special holiday boxes, such as Halloween, Winter Holiday and Easter. Halloween boxes may contain extra costuming supplies, “scary” insect sets and play pumpkins.

Winter Holiday sets may include nativity toys, advent calendar kits, mini Christmas trees, dreidels or holiday-themed craft supplies. An Easter box may include toy bunny rabbits, egg-dying supplies and plastic eggs.

Use your imagination, and make boxes for your family’s favorite holidays with toys specific to your traditions and beliefs.

• If you have a lot of children’s books, create book boxes to rotate. Divide books by theme, season or holiday, making sure to include a few favorite characters in each box.

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Attachment Parenting

Your Special

Needs Child |by Anne Michelsen

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Every child needs good parenting. However, some children have an extra special need for it.

Nearly one out of four households in the U.S. has one or more children with “special needs”: any condition that presents significant challenges to a child’s ability to function normally, whether it be physically, mentally, socially or emotionally. This can include anything from cancer to blindness, allergies to ADHD to autism, dyslexia to Down’s syndrome to diabetes and/or a whole range of other conditions.

With such a dizzying array of disorders under the “Special Needs” umbrella, it can be difficult to make any overarching statement about these children and their families. However, one thing all kids with special needs have in common is a need for extra parental support to help them cope with their challenges and accompanying frustrations.

In many ways, attachment parenting (AP) might have been invented for special needs kids. Breastfeeding and nurturing touch provide the best possible nourishment for compromised bodies, brains and immune systems, while AP’s child-led approach can help parents respond appropriately to behaviors that may differ from what mainstream society accepts as normal. Many parents who use attachment parenting techniques such as babywearing, cosleeping, and breastfeeding report being told by health care providers that their special needs children are calmer and make significantly better progress than their similarly-challenged peers.

However, attachment parenting a special needs child can itself be challenging. We thought we’d take a closer look at some of the obstacles parents of these special children often encounter

when attempting to follow AP principles, along with ideas for helping them overcome these challenges.

Challenge #1: Judgmental Outsiders Nearly every parent who follows AP principles comes under fire at some time or another for their “unorthodox” parenting methods. For parents of special needs kids this criticism can be devastating, especially when it comes from family and/or from medical authorities.

“Mothers have said to me, this is the thing where my child and I are so connected, this is how I can soothe my child and help him be the most peaceful and grounded, (it’s) the one thing that keeps me connected to my child no matter how well or unwell (he) is,” explains Leigh Anne O’Connor, a Private Practice Lactation Consultant and a La Leche League Leader of 12 years. “A lot of them are very torn because everyone in their world is telling them to stop… I often ask the mother what does she want? That’s often not even a consideration (in a conventional setting).”

Autism and mental health specialist Lynette Louise agrees. “(Judgment is) one of the biggest challenges for parents showing up with behavioral disorders. When a child is ‘behaving’ angry the ‘gentle’ parent “Judgment is one of the biggest challenges for is seldom supparents showing up with ported by the behavioral disorders. environment.

Unfortunately, our As an example, social system of checks imagine a six and balances uses year old autistic neurotypical assumptions child having a about parenting and tantrum in a child behavior. “ public place.

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Attachment Parenting Your Special Needs Child

The parents (often feel) pressured into forceful responding in order not to be judged as unable to handle the situation. This sometimes leads to uninformed security personnel being called in and often social services intervening and making it all worse. Unfortunately, our social system of checks and balances uses neurotypical assumptions about parenting and child behavior.

So when a parent of the special older child is discovered to be co-sleeping with their child, this information is met with suspicion instead of support. Fact is, a slowly developing child needs a longer period of attachment style support and sleeping with family may just be the most important piece of their development.”

If you are enduring criticism for attachment parenting a special needs child (or any child, for that matter), it’s very important to realize that there are two ways to judge: with your head and with your heart. Most of the criticism from the outside world comes from people who judge with their heads. Take the time to check in with your heart. Trust your instincts, because you know your child better than anyone else.

Whether you’re being criticized for breastfeeding, co-sleeping, or anything else, your heart will tell you the path that is right for you and your child. Trust your instincts no matter what the culture is saying. It’s a parenting tool that has a lot more authority than your doctor or even your mother!

The other crucial thing is to find and connect with a community that supports your efforts to parent from the heart. Find others in your community who are accepting of your choices, even if their parenting style differs from yours.

Local La Leche League and Attachment Parenting International groups, Meetups, and natural foods communities are great places to look for kindred spirits. Or, place an ad on Craigslist and start a group yourself!

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Online communities can also be a great source of support, and there are thousands of good ones to choose from. You may find it most helpful to join groups that focus on your child’s particular issues, as well as general AP communities such as our own Facebook page.

No matter what communities you are a part of, remember that every family is unique – especially when you have a special needs child! Resist the temptation to compare your family with others, and keep checking in with your heart.

Challenge #2: Breastfeeding the Special Needs Child While many babies with special needs take to breastfeeding like a pro, others experience significant difficulties. In fact, it’s not uncommon for breastfeeding problems to be one of the first signs that a child may have special needs.

O’Connor advises breastfeeding mothers to pay special attention to their babies’ muscle tone in the first few months. “Poor tone can indicate a problem. When there are tone issues where babies can’t latch, I’ve seen some of these children end up needing some kind of support - learning issues, and OT issues as well. Keep a look out for low muscle tone – when infants don’t have a lot of strength to nurse. You might also see delayed rolling and crawling. An overabundance of tone, or “stiff baby” can be an issue as well. With a lot of stiff babies it’s birth trauma – I send them for body work such as Cranial Sacral Therapy. It can be helpful to swaddle these babies - I am generally not a swaddling while feeding fan, but for these babies it can be calming.”

If a breastfeeding problem does arise, it is very important for the mother to seek support. La Leche League Leaders and lactation consultants can help address problems like inability to latch, difficulty swallowing, and refusal to nurse.

Attachment Parenting Your Special Needs Child

However, it’s important for moms to realize that their breastfeeding relationship with their special needs child may not turn out as they had envisioned. Some mothers end up nursing far longer than they had ever imagined. Others find their children weaning before they themselves are ready.

If this happens, whether due to poor advice and/or pressure from medical authorities, or because the child can’t nurse or just quits on his own, be sure to give the mother space to mourn her loss. “I will tell you over and over and over how many mothers, if they wean before they are ready, how they grieve,” says O’Connor. “People will laugh at that, like ‘you’re so silly,’ but it is a legitimate sense of loss and it’s important to help her cope with it.”

Photography by The Halcyon Days Photography

Families who practice babywearing, co-sleeping, and breastfeeding have been told by health care providers that their special needs children are calmer and are making significantly better progress than their similarly-challenged peers.

One way to make up for the loss of closeness is by finding other ways to connect physically with your baby. This is also very important to do with autistic children and others who may not respond the way we expect them to.

Challenge #3: Attachment and the Less Responsive Child Parents of some special needs kids, notably those on the autistic spectrum but also often those with ADHD and other attention disorders, might struggle with the attachment process itself. Many of these children simply don’t respond to attention and affection like 27

Attachment Parenting Your Special Needs Child

neurotypical children do. They may not want parents to kiss them, hold them or make eye contact. They may not even get upset at being separated from their caregiver.

To the parent, this may seem like the child is rejecting them. Often, the parent blames themselves and feels guilty for having a less-thanideal relationship with their child. Or, they may unconsciously mirror the child’s behavior back to him, resulting in a downward spiraling relationship and poor self-esteem for all involved.

Mark Loewen, a child therapist in Richmond, VA, says that because children with special needs often struggle with interactions that are crucial for creating attachment – such as eye contact, physical touch, and emotional attunement - encouraging these behaviors requires more parental effort than usual.

While normally it’s important to check in with your heart, in this case it’s also critical to keep your head. Remind yourself that your child’s behavior is not a personal rejection. Instead, realize that you will consciously have to use your powers of observation and logic to figure out ways to reach your child.

One great way to do this is through games and play. Through games, children can be guided towards increasing eye contact, physical touch, nurturing, emotional attunement and connection, without feeling threatened or judged.

Loewen suggests activities like making handprints with lotion and powder. The parent puts the lotion on the child’s hands. The focus is not on touch, but on the game, which reduces the resistance on part of the child. Other activities include playing hand games (such as patty 28

cake) and hand stacking games that encourage eye contact and touch. Games like hide and seek, tag, or catch also encourage eye contact.

Activities such as drawing on each other’s faces or backs (using only fingers) and putting stickers on each other encourage touch, attunement, and connection.

“An important factor to consider with children that have sensory issues is that too much contact can overwhelm them and create a negative experience,” says Loewen. “Parents need to pay attention to when an interaction is challenging their child at a healthy level, and when they are becoming overwhelmed. Respecting a child’s boundaries communicates that the parent is setting up a healthy structure, and keeping the child safe. Be attuned – don’t follow anything blindly. A lot of it is trial and error. Try to be sensitive and listen to what your baby (or child) is telling you. Don’t quit right away, but if (what you’re doing) doesn’t help, adjust it and try something else.”

Challenge #4: The Family

Balancing Act

Raising a child with special needs can be an extremely intense experience, especially when the situation involves emotional disturbances and/ or serious medical concerns. In these situations, it is important for parents to be cognizant of the needs of the entire family, including “normal” siblings and the other adult caregiver(s).

A child with special needs often receives the lion’s share of the attention, leaving other family members feeling neglected. This can lead to low self-esteem and sibling rivalry issues amongst the children, as well as marriage and relationship issues between adults.

Being mindful of everyone’s needs often requires parents to push themselves to a higher level of organization, and to think creatively about making time and opportunities to meet everyone’s needs. It may not be possible to take your other child out camping or to the movies as much as you would like, but you can almost certainly find 20 or 30 minutes to help them with a craft or toss the football in the back yard.

And devoting even just five or ten minutes per day to checking in with your spouse or treat him or her to a back rub can do wonders for a marriage. Don’t leave these things to chance.

They may sometimes happen on their own, but getting out the family calendar and mindfully scheduling these opportunities to partner with your less needy family members is the only way to ensure that everyone gets at least a minimal amount of the attention they crave.

Finally, Martin stresses that it’s important to schedule down time for yourself as well – and you may need to rely on others to make it happen. “Ask for help when you need it. Nobody can meet the needs that you haven’t let know n are out there. Communicate. Be vulnerable. It’s OK to ask for help. A lot of women and men are so perfectionistic. We try to do everything and do it all so well, but playing the martyr doesn’t help anyone. Risk being vulnerable and ask.”

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According to Austin, TX based family councilor Tammie Martin, the solution is to stay very mindful of the needs of every member of the family. “Self-awareness and other-awareness in the family is critically important. Pay attention to nuances of behavior and tone. (It’s impossible) to always do things in an ideal way, but strive as much as you can to be aware before the need arises. Being aware is #1. Watch more than your infant and toddler, to everyone in the family – including yourself.”

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BabyHawk Enchanted indeed. This lovely Mei Tai in Enchanted Arrows on Charcoal is ideal for babies up to 40 lbs. Made from 100% cotton, perfect for front or back carries, and reverses to the solid color for a more basic look.

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Born to Ride International Babywearing Week is October 5 - 11, and once again we’re delighted to share in the fun, purpose, and excitement of one of our favorite Attachment Parenting events. This year’s theme is Share the Adventure... and that’s just what we’ve captured with this special group of families. From work to play and everything in between, you’ll see how babywearing makes life simpler for you and so much more secure for your little one.

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One of your favorite brands just got a little more eclectic! The newest Sakura Bloom sling is made from classic linen and features a Shibori pattern -- the centuriesold Japanese dyeing technique that highlights geometric shapes. Each sling is one-of-a-kind, dyed by hand in Brooklyn.

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Photography by Jenna Fink, A Glimpse of You

Sakura Bloom

Catbirdbaby

Photography by Jenna Fink, A Glimpse of You

The Pikkolo (Astoria print) offers supportive memory foam in the straps for great comfort, easily adjustable buckles, and is designed to fit baby from day one - no infant insert needed!

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Didymos

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Photography by Jenna Fink, A Glimpse of You

Change things up with a reversible wrap. In the sophisticated Red Ellipses print, this 100% organic cotton Jacquard woven wrap is versatile in more ways than just color... baby will be well into toddlerhood before you can finally pass this one down to one of the many mamas who’ll have their eye on it!

Photography by Jenna Fink, A Glimpse of You

líllébaby An extremely lightweight carrier (at just 1.34 lbs!) the COMPLETEtm All Seasons carrier features a zip panel that can be pulled down to reveal a 3D mesh layer that is cooling for warmer months and activities.

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Kelty Babywearing Week’s theme is Share the Adventure, and this carrier is up to the challenge! The Pathfinder 3.0 has ample room for storage with water bottle loop and phone pocket built in to the belt. There’s also a zip off day-pack and even room to pack along a lightweight sleeping bag. Fits children 16-40 lbs.

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Beachfront Baby Your beach or pool wrap can last long after those summer days. The Beachfront Baby Water Wrap is a 100% polyester jersey with plenty of ventilation and just the right amount of stretch for exercising, working, cleaning, or safe showering with your baby.

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Onya Baby

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Photography by Jenna Fink, A Glimpse of You

Onya Baby’s Cruiser is one of the most versatile, lightweight (just 2 lbs.) carriers around. Their new color, Lapis Blue, is so bright and flattering, you might just go from “tired mama” to “glowing babywearing model’ in a matter of minutes. Perfect for on-thego, the Cruiser has an integrated seat that fits on most chairs.

Photography by Jenna Fink, A Glimpse of You

Onya Baby Turn Daddy loose with the Cruiser and things really get fun! Front to back, baby to big kid, families love changing things up with Onya Baby.

Cruiser shown in Pearl Grey.

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Off to the Market

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Boba Off to the Market... How else can you see everything the farmer’s market has to offer with four kids?

Wearing Baby in her Boba and little ones in tow with a bag of treasures to keep them entertained, this wise mama thinks of everything.

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Natibaby A back carry allows baby to take in the sights and sounds while Mom and Dad sample and shop. The adorable Natibaby Panda print keeps baby safe and snug... and little toes just close enough to tickle.

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Pavo There may be enough hearts on this Pavo Blush ring sling to show how much this little beauty loved her first bite of fresh persimmon.

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Oscha This mama knows snuggled up is where her little guy loves to be. She’s wearing the Oscha Okinami Skye wrap in a double hammock carry finished with a single ring.

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Custom Mei Tai The only thing that makes this babywearing Dad more amazing is the homemade carrier. With a custom conversion, you can create a Mei Tai out of your choice of fabric (this one is a tablecloth conversion).

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What’s In Season It’s that time of year for rich, nourishing foods. Sometimes we think “comfort foods” have to be starchy... or fried, if you’re from the south! But Mother Nature’s bounty in Fall shows us just how satisfying these versatile whole foods can truly be.

Cranberries

Winter Squash

Used by Native Americans for food, in rituals and as medicine, cranberries are a powerful and delicious source of nutrients. More than just the best way to treat a urinary tract infection, cranberries also contain “natural antibiotics” that maintain gastrointestinal and oral health, prevent kidney stones and cancer and help to manage cholesterol. They also contain plenty of fiber and Vitamins A, C, and K.

A hearty comfort food, winter squash is a satisfying complex vegetable carbohydrate with plenty of nutrients and fiber. With folate, Omega 3 fatty acids, copper, potassium, Vitamin C and healthy B vitamins, this squash is one of the many examples of Mother Nature’s rich flavors. And colors!

The darker the skin, the more beta carotene you’ll find in the squash, which is great for your eyes, skin, and heart.

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Photography by Liza Huber

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|by Liza Huber CEO & Founder of Sage Spoonfulstm

Roast Chicken with Veggies A roast chicken with veggies is comfort food at its best. This meal will fill your home with the most delicious aroma. The thought of roasting a whole chicken can be intimidating to some, but you’ll be surprised at how easy it is. The oven does most of the work, but you will get all of the praise!

Ingredients • 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil • 2-3 large organic carrots, washed, peeled and sliced • 2 organic Yukon Gold potatoes, washed and cubed • 1 yellow onion, cut into wedges

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place onion, carrots & potatoes into a large roasting pan. Toss with 2 tbs olive oil. Push veggies around the sides of the pan & place minced garlic into the center.

2. If present, remove and discard the insides of the chicken. Run the chicken under cold water & pat dry with a towel. Place the lemon and rosemary inside the chicken. Tie the legs together with butcher’s twine and brush the chicken with the remaining tbs of olive oil.

Season well with salt & pepper - inside and out.

3. Place the chicken in the center of the roasting pan. Roast for 45 minutes, baste with the pan juices and return to the oven for 25-30 minutes.

• • • • • •

1 4/4.5 lb whole chicken, preferably organic 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 lemon, cut into quarters 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary Kosher or coarse grain sea salt Freshly cracked black pepper

4. Remove from the oven. Put the chicken onto a plate and let stand for 10 minutes. Place the veggies onto a separate plate. Remove the lemons from the chicken and squeeze into the roasting pan. Stir well.

5. Slice the chicken and serve with the veggies.

Pour some of the pan juices with lemon over the chicken.

For baby 7-12 months, place the chicken, veggies and some pan juices into a food processor and pulse until appropriate consistency for your baby is achieved. For toddlers, finely chop into age appropriate bite sized pieces. Leftovers will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.

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Photography by Liza Huber

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Lentil Stew Lentil Stew is packed with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. It’s the perfect meal for a chilly day. I especially love this stew after playing in the snow with my kids. You can use red, yellow or green lentils in this recipes. This is a hearty and delicious dish that your whole family will love!

This recipe is suitable for babies 7-9 months and up, toddlers, big kids and adults. Always make sure your baby’s food is a consistency she can handle. Before combining foods, make sure your baby has tried each one individually first.

Ingredients • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 2 large organic carrots, washed, peeled & diced • 1 organic tomato, washed, peeled & diced • 2 organic celery stalks, washed, peeled & diced • 1 medium yellow onion, diced • 1 organic Yukon Gold potato, washed & diced

• • • •

1 tablespoon of fresh organic sage, diced 1 organic bay leaf 1 cup of lentils, rinsed 4-6 cups of organic low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock • 2 teaspoons of Kosher or coarse grain sea salt • 1 tablespoon fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

Directions 1. Pour the olive oil into a large pot and heat on high. Lower the heat to medium and add the carrots, celery, onion, sage and 1 teaspoon of salt. Let the veggies “sweat” for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. You don’t want them to brown, just to soften.

2. Add the stock, potato, tomato, lentils, bay leaf and remaining teaspoon of salt. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute, then reduce heat to low, partially

cover and simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are very tender and cooked through.

3. If desired, add more stock to thin the stew to a more soup like consistency.

Remove bay leaf before serving, add more salt to taste, if desired. Garnish with the chopped parsley. If serving to a baby 7-12 months, puree the stew to the appropriate consistency for your baby before serving.

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Winter Squash, Apple & Cranberry Puree A taste of fall! I love this time of year so much and all of the delicious flavors that come along with it. Winter squash mixed with apple, cranberry and cinnamon is a perfect meal for your baby to enjoy as the weather turns crisp. This puree also makes a great after-school snack for your toddler and big kid. Royce had 2 servings after school yesterday - yum!

This recipe is suitable for babies 7-9 months and up, toddlers, big kids and adults. Always make sure the consistency of your baby’s food is one she can handle and before combining food, make sure she has tried each one individually first.

Ingredients • 1 winter squash (Acorn, butternut or pumpkin), sliced in half lengthwise with seeds and stringy fibers removed • 3 organic apples, washed, peeled, cored and chopped. Most varieties of apples work, just avoid tart, like Granny Smith.

• 1 cup of cranberries, rinsed in a strainer under running water. Fresh or frozen are OK, avoid canned.

• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, buy organic whenever possible, it is less likely to have been irradiated.

Directions 1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper. Place the squash cut side down on the baking sheet. Put the baking sheet into the oven on the middle rack and roast the squash for 35-45 minutes. It is cooked through when the squash can easily be pierced all the way through with a fork.

2. While the squash is cooking, pour water into a pot until it is about 1” deep and bring to a boil over high heat. Put the apples and cranberries into a stainless steel steamer basket and place the steamer basket into the pot. Make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the basket. Cover with a tight fitting lid and steam for about 7 minutes, until the apples and cranberries are soft and cooked through.

3. Remove the squash from the oven and let sit 52

for about 5 minutes. Once cool, you should be able to just peel the skin off. Place the cranberries into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Push the cranberry puree through a fine mesh strainer to remove any tough pieces of the cranberry skin.

4. Put the cranberry puree, squash and apples into a food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy. You can also place them into a large mixing bowl and blend with an immersion blender. Add the cinnamon and stir to combine. Add more cinnamon if desired.

5. This puree can be stored in an airtight container, like our Sage Spoonfuls jars, for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.

6. Enjoy this taste of fall!

Photography by Liza Huber

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Conscious Kitchen |by Amie Valpone The Healthy Apple

Ingredients

Directions

• • • • • • •

1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot; add pasta and cook according to package directions.

Drain and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine avocado, sea salt and pepper; pulse until smooth. Set aside.

3. Place butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add almond milk, white beans and cheese; stir until cheese is melted.

Add cooked pasta, crushed red pepper and avocado sauce; mix well to combine.

4. Serve warm with crushed gluten-free crackers Parmesan Cheese on top.

• • • •

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10 oz. gluten-free pasta 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and diced 1/4 tsp. sea salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. dairy-free butter 1 cup almond milk 1 (15.5 oz) can white beans, drained and rinsed 2 cups GO Veggie! Mexican Cheese Shreds 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper 1 cup crushed gluten-free crackers 2 Tbsp. GO Veggie! Parmesan Cheese

Photography by Amie Valpone

Avocado White Bean Mac n’ Cheese

Cheesy Roasted Cabbage Bites Ingredients

Directions

• 1 medium head purple cabbage, cut into 1-inch slices • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 tsp. sea salt • 1/4 tsp. pepper • 1 tsp. dried basil • 1 bag GO Veggie! Lactose-Free Rice Cheese Shreds

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 2. Place cabbage slices on a baking sheet lined with tin foil. Drizzle olive oil onto each cabbage slice then season with salt, pepper and basil. Top each slice with cheese shreds.

3. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cabbage is tender.

4. Remove from oven; serve warm.

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Autumn Buddha Bowl

• • • • • • • • • • •

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Directions

1/2 cup quinoa 1.

2 tsp. olive oil 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar 2.

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp. sea salt 3.

1/4 tsp. pepper 4 cups mixed salad greens 1 large tomato, diced 1 cup frozen green peas, defrosted 1 can BELA gluten-free sardines, drain & chop 1 red bell pepper, diced

Cook quinoa according to package directions.

In a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper; set aside.

Remove quinoa from heat; set aside to cool for 10 minutes and fluff with a fork. Add salad greens, tomatoes, peas, sardines and bell peppers; toss to combine. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

Photography by Amie Valpone

Ingredients

Avocado Salad with Gluten-Free Cheesy Croutons

Ingredients

Directions

• 4 cups Earthbound Farm organic mixed salad greens such as baby spinach and arugula • 2 medium ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and diced • 1/4 cup whole raw almonds • 1/4 cup dried cranberries • 2 ½ Tbsp. Go Veggie! Vegan Parmesan Cheese • Crouton Ingredients: • 6 slices gluten-free bread, cut into cubes • 3 Tbsp. olive oil • 1/2 cup Tbsp. Go Veggie! Vegan Parmesan Cheese • ½ tsp. sea salt • ¼ tsp. pepper • ¼ tsp. dried thyme

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 2. Toss bread with olive oil, Parmesan Cheese, sea salt, pepper and thyme.

Place on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crisp.

3. Meanwhile, whisk dressing ingredients: lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt and pepper in a small bowl; set aside.

4. In a large bowl, combine mixed salad greens, avocados, almonds and cranberries. Toss with lemon juice dressing to coat. Add vegan parmesan cheese and serve with baked croutons.

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The Working Class Foodies Cookbook

By Rebecca Lando

Lando provides a plethora of mouth-watering recipes utilizing local, seasonal, and organic ingredients. This beautiful cookbook proves that the real food movement is attainable for practically everyone. Now, who wants to hit up the farmers’ market? $13 at Amazon

The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love

By Kristin Kimball

Here’s a great read for Mom, Dad, or the older kids to enjoy. A memoir following Kimball from her days as a NYC writer to, after an unexpected interview with a passionate farmer, moving to a farm upstate to learn the trade from scratch. The three themes and their huge importance in life - the work of a farmer, good food, and, of course, love - are ones we can all understand. $13 at Amazon 58

Fall Mixed Up

By Bob Raszka

“Every Septober, Every Octember, Fall fills my senses with scenes to remember.” From cover-to-cover, this fun, totally inaccurate book will provide you and your children with lots of laughter and learning opportunities.

Do geese really hibernate? Can squirrels fly south? Kids will have a blast searching for errors, not only in the descriptions, but lurking in the pictures. $10 at Amazon

A Kid’s Fall Ecojournal

By Toni Albert

Do you have a little Henry David Thoreau living in your house? Fall is an incredible time for kids to get out and explore what’s happening in nature. This book provides guidance and space for your child to journal his or her observations, as well as a slew of activities to get handson and experience the season in a different way. Sure, there’s pressed leaf art, but what about building a bat box or collecting spider webs? This one’s fun to the max. $9 at Amazon

Foliage Leaf Peepr Ever hit the roads to view the grandeur of autumn colors only to be faced with a wall of green - or, worse still, small patches of color surrounded by gray branches? Wop, wop. This app, created by Yankee Publishing, Inc. is not only free, but provides an update a color-coded map of the country, labeling areas as their stage (peak, turning, fading, moderate, etc.) You’ll be sure to catch your favorite spots at the perfect time this year!

Free in iTunes & Android 59

Nutritional Nuggets Expert Louise Goldberg answers your questions!

A good deal of Halloween’s fun is dressing up in costume and going out to get “loot”.

Decide in advance what amount you feel comfortable letting them have. Then at least a day or two before the big night, have a conversation about what the expectations are regarding how treats should be handled (e.g. don’t eat anything until we get home, only 2 or 3 treats eaten that night, etc.).

Don’t forget to include a plan for what will happen to the treats after Halloween. Real Mom Nutrition’s Sally Kuzemchak, RD, suggests that the “Switch Witch” pay a visit, removing a portion of the Halloween goodies (she has her kids keep their very favorites) and replacing it with a fun non-food item.

My husband would prefer a diet that includes meat at almost every meal but I’ve heard that a plant-based diet is better and that animal proteins are bad for you. True?

Animal proteins can be rich in many essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, Vitamin B12, Omega 3 fatty acids and protein, to name a few and can be very lean, as well.

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However there are many studies that would indicate some people may benefit from limiting or eliminating them. Beans, legumes, nuts and nutritional yeast can offer many of the same nutrients and are good alternatives if you choose to embrace—even if just a couple times a week—a vegetarian lifestyle.

I see xanthan gum and guar gum on ingredients lists for a lot of products we buy. Are these additives safe or something I should be avoiding?

Both xanthan and guar gums are used in products for a variety of reasons, such as emulsifying the acid and fat in a salad dressing, as a thickener or to keep ice cream smooth and free of ice crystals. You may have also noticed them on gluten free products. They perform like gluten does in keeping dough sticky and firm.

Are they safe? Yes. Even though they have very chemical sounding names, they are not chemicals. Xanthan is derived from fermenting corn sugar, wheat or soy with a harmless bacteria and guar gum is derived straight from the plant itself.

However, you should avoid xanthan if you have any corn, wheat or soy allergies.

photography by Juushika Redgrave

My kids bounce off the walls after eating sugar, so I dread Halloween every year.

How can I let them enjoy the fun without giving them all that candy?

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How Babywearing

Made Me a Superhero

|by Paige Plihal 62

Some of my strongest, most self-assured moments have occurred when babywearing. I distinctly remember the first time I took my daughter out to eat as a new mom. She was just 6 days old. We had family visiting from out of town, and I was sick of being cooped up.

When we got to the restaurant, I situated her in the pouch sling I had stashed in the diaper bag. She nestled up right against me and slept through the entire meal.

Photography by Alanna Westfall Photography, courtesy of TULA Carriers

Sure, there was a moment where I dripped soup down the back of her head and felt completely terrible (now I know dropping food on a sleeping baby is a parenting right of passage!), but the meal was lovely. I sat with family and friends and for a bit was able to forget how completely my world had shifted when that baby arrived.

As she grew, I became even more passionate about babywearing. I was lucky to live near a very active group, and I gobbled up any information they could teach me. My repertoire expanded quickly from that first pouch. I jumped headfirst into wraps, ring slings, mei tais and buckle carriers.

Babywearing was Babywearing fun, I made a was fun, I made community of friends, a community of and it just felt right. friends, and it just felt right.

I loved feeling connected to all the mothers before me, all over the world who met and exchanged this skill and love with each other.

When my son was born two years later, babywearing was a huge part of my parenting arsenal, but I had no idea how vital it would become to just making it through a day. My husband was in the Navy, and although he was able to be home for our son’s birth, he missed

nearly my entire pregnancy and returned to his deployment when our son was just two weeks old.

I had a two year-old and a two week-old, and I was on my own. I had a lovely tribe of mamas and ‘framily’ who helped me keep my sanity during the long days, but… nights were so hard.

My daughter was accustomed to being rocked to sleep, but the baby – well, he was two weeks old. He needed touch at every minute. For a few nights, I sat in tears trying to sway my newborn just enough to soothe him, while not disturbing big sister.

Her little world had been turned upside down, too, with her daddy’s absence and this tiny boy to share her mama’s attention. I didn’t know how I could possibly meet both their needs. I was using babywearing during the day, while running errands, cooking, doing projects with big sister, but I just couldn’t see a solution for nights that met everyone’s needs.

And then a neighbor moved out and gave me an exercise ball. I sat down on it with baby brother wrapped up on my back (I was a very experienced back wrapper and had been teaching for a year at this point) and my daughter came to me for help getting ready for bed.

It was a light bulb moment. I scooped her up and held her in my lap as I had for nearly every night of her life, I rocked her and sang her lullaby, and I cried. Silently, of course, because hallelujah they were both asleep, but there was no hiding my relief. At that moment, I felt like the most accomplished mama ever. I knew we would not only make it through the rest of the deployment, we would thrive. Babywearing made me feel like a superhero.

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Photography by Aurimas Mikalauskas

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Bonding with Papa

|by Venetia Moore

The Baby Colic Coach

Ideally, having a baby is a joyous time – but realistically it can also be a very challenging one.

It’s not uncommon for men to find it difficult to adjust to the arrival of a baby and the radical changes this brings, especially when you’re a first time parent. There’s very little that can prepare us for parenting; no diploma or degree could possibly match up to the real experience itself! It’s all about jumping

in with both feet, being real with ourselves and others, being open to learning on the job, and just doing the best we can.

Maybe the reality of being a parent didn’t seem that real until the moment actually arrived. And arrive it did in a rather dramatic and profound fashion! Perhaps the birth didn’t go according to the plan or maybe there were complications, all of which could be the cause of much stress. Or maybe you saw this miracle unfolding in front of your eyes, and are now trying to be actively supportive while actually feeling quite daunted and even feeing a little superfluous. Perhaps you didn’t anticipate the fact that your freedom to come and go would be quite so curtailed, and that you’d be so exhausted all the time. Maybe you’re finding it a strain to juggle your work with home life on top of endless broken nights. Possibly, you’re experiencing the weight of the financial and emotional responsibilities of parenting and even feeling a little bit overwhelmed by it all.

At the start, focus and attention is naturally to be more centered on mom and baby and this could result in your feeling that your needs are being overlooked and are unimportant. At these times you may be wanting more physical intimacy as you think this would help you to be more involved, loved and needed – but your partner is obviously not keen! This could be due to many reasons; quite possibly, she is just too tired! There could be physical and hormonal reasons for this. Be aware that your feelings could be heightened at this moment and there could be some misunderstandings and possibly over-reactions to the apparent lack of interest.

Try not to assume that she doesn’t care about you, or that you’re not important to her any more; these thoughts might be totally untrue and it’s quite likely that your partner’s needs are just different from yours It seems it’s all about at this time. jumping in with both Acknowledgfeet, being real with ing your own ourselves and others, thoughts, takbeing open to learning ing responsion the job, and just bility for them doing the best we can. and doing something about them will help you to accept and enjoy your baby more.

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Bonding with Papa the daddy blues We’ve all heard of post-natal depression and the baby blues with reference to mothers. Is there such thing for fathers? According to research, up to 10% of new fathers could experience a degree of baby blues or even clinical depression. While most of the focus has been on the mums, little consideration has been given to you, the dads, who could be also having similar experiences. Odd as it may sound, you could feel simultaneously empowered and disempowered: empowered because you have this new love, and disempowered because you’re feeling vulnerable about your being responsible for this new being.

Canadian researcher Anne Storey found that new fathers’ testosterone levels drop radically, by up to one third, after childbirth. Testosterone affects energy and mood, so this can result in feeling a little down. These lowered hormone levels, however, can also be beneficial, increasing your tolerance and helping you to feel calmer.

Some low feelings will naturally move on in time, but it’s important to recognize when they’re not and to do something constructive about them.

what can be done?

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Firstly it’s good to be honest with yourself and acknowledge your current thoughts. You don’t have to feel guilty or ashamed about them – they are not uncommon. But, even though you wouldn’t wish them to, they could be negatively affecting your behaviour towards your baby and your partner, so it’s a good idea to take responsibity for them and address them. Another dad

wanted me to pass on his best advice to other fathers going through a rough patch: “It won’t last forever. You will get through it.”

So how can you get through the rough patches quicker and with less stress and anxiety? Here are some suggestions:

• be honest Try not to hide away and bury your thoughts and feelings as this could be disempowering and destructive. Left unaddressed, they may damage your relationship and your experience of fatherhood.

• talk things over with your partner Be real, talk to your partner; it’s more than likely that she is also feeling some anxieties and concerns about parenting, and will be relieved to be able to talk things over positively with you. A good partnership allows you both to be honest and real with each other in expressing how you each view the problem or situation: no shame or blame – just good communication. Both points of view need to be respected and acknowledged as being different but equally important. By putting your minds together the two of you can work together to bring about improvements a lot faster.

• be open to share your thoughts If you’re reluctant to share these thoughts with your partner, perhaps not wishing to burden her, or for some other good reason, then try writing your feelings down or sharing your thoughts with a trusted friend, family member, GP or health professional.

• It can be very helpful to talk with someone who is not so closely involved and is able to see things from a different perspective. This gives you a way to express them and also to look at them more clearly and objectively.

It’s important that your feelings are acknowledged and heard in some way. Bottling up feelings and concerns can lead to prolonged blues and even possibly clinical depression.

Airing your concerns and dealing with the root causes of being down can enable you to see things differently and shift your mood.

• cuddles!

Simple but wonderful, just cuddling your baby will help to reassure both you that you matter to each other. Cuddling is a natural way to give and receive affection. It also encourages the release of the ‘feel-good’ hormone oxytocin in both of you, which helps with the bonding process.

• playtime Have some fun together, just enjoying each other’s company. Sit and talk to your baby – she loves to hear your voice. Try some baby yoga exercises, easy movements that you can combine with some little swings and lifts.

Take your baby out for a walk in a baby carrier or buggy.

• quiet time together Sit with your baby for a while. Try some baby massage to help both of you relax in a loving way. You’ll be amazed at how wonderful you feel afterwards.

• jump in Get involved in the practicalities of baby care. Share some of the tasks, such as nappy

changing, feeding, bathing and dressing your baby. This would greatly help your partner, giving her some ‘baby-free’ time out, as well as deepening your relationship with your baby.

• social time Take your baby out and meet up with other dads for some time out together.

• couple care Look after each other – good parenting is team work! This is a time for understanding and patience. There are many ways to give and receive love and affection; its important for you both to plan some time together so that you can look after your relationship with each other. While you’ll naturally have different needs at this time, it’s likely that you’d both benefit from having some time together where possible. Why not plan a date, a walk, a trip out – anything that feels right and can be managed childfree. Remind each other in little ways just how important you’re to one another. Being kind and respectful to each other will help to keep a flow of love and good feeling between you. This strengthening of your bond together can greatly help you in dealing with those inevitable challenges along the parenting journey.

Take heart. However challenging or distressing this time is, it will pass! It’s

the hardest times that can teach us the most valuable lessons. All your kind and loving efforts to change the situation will be rewarded, and once you’ve bonded and the love flows freely between you both, that special bond will endeavour to change and enrich your life forever.

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to Shareholders & Spoonholders |by Robyn O’Brien

The announcement that General Mills would acquire Annie’s Homegrown sent the food world spinning.

There was an allergic reaction, and within hours of sharing the news, Annie’s Facebook page had over 9,000 comments.

To consumers, it was an emotional grenade.

As I dug into the announcement, the first email that I sent was to Annie herself, the mother who started the company 25 years ago. She quickly replied.

When Annie started the company, genetically engineered ingredients were not even in our food supply. She simply formulated a mac and cheese product for her kids that wasn’t loaded with junk.

Could she have anticipated this? Not at all.

John Foraker, Annie’s CEO, the dad of four responsible for overseeing the growth of the company and for taking it public in 2012 with one of my all time favorite ticker symbols, BNNY, also responded:

And in one swift motion, the landscape of food had changed.

No one could have anticipated food ingredients designed by chemical companies that have been genetically engineered to produce their own insecticides. Nor could the industry have anticipated this food awakening, driven by the escalating rates of diseases and conditions like cancer, autism and food allergies and other conditions impacting the health of the people that we love.

Food allergies in our children are forcing us to read labels, as quickly as cancer diagnoses are forcing the same. No one would choose to be standing in the aisles of the grocery store, holding the hand of a child with food allergies or autism or managing a parent’s cancer diagnosis, yet that is where so many of us find ourselves today. We are being forced to read labels to protect the health of our loved ones, whether we

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What the Annie’s Acquisition Means want to read them or not. And sales of organic foods are soaring, as consumers try to eat a little bit better, a little bit cleaner and opt out of artificial ingredients. The U.S. branded organic and natural foods industry’s sales have been growing at a 12 percent compound rate over the last 10 years.

And while big food companies like General Mills might have fought this for some time, they also aren’t stupid, and their job is to drive shareholder return. Sales of processed foods and conventional products that are pumped full of artificial growth hormones, artificial dyes and other artificial ingredients like GMOs are lackluster at best. The industry watches companies like Kellogg entrench and refuse to address this change in demand. What happens? Sales slump, and Kellogg is laying off 7% of their workforce.

It’s a slow death by artificial ingredients.

One look at the share price of Kroger or Chipotle tells the story of what happens to a company that expands into this ‘free from’ category: shareholders are rewarded.

Why wouldn’t a company want to enter this space in a meaningful way?

Change is hypocritical.

General Mills has been part of the anti-labeling brigade. Led by the Grocery Manufacturers 70

Association, they have been part of a core member of the team of companies that have spent millions to keep consumers in the dark.

When I spoke with their company recently, they were fascinated by what I had to say, then stopped and said, “But there is something on your bio that is a problem.” “What is it?” I asked. “It’s your affiliation with ‘Just Label It’ campaign.

That is their problem, as taking the position that a consumer does not have the right to know how her food is made, despite the fact that we are told if milk is pasteurized or if orange juice comes from concentrate, is undemocratic. It’s a freedom enjoyed by 60% of the world’s population.

Annie’s has been an outspoken advocate for GMO labeling.

Consumers got on it, and General Mills was quick to reply with their position. They told consumers that we already have a way of knowing if GMOs are not in our products, and it’s called “USDA Organic.”

That’s fine for consumers who can afford it, but what about everyone? For those that want to know if GMOs are used, there is no mandatory labeling system in place. Why label one and not the other? The very costs that they are arguing against, they are happily paying when they label their organic products.

So the outrage over this new marriage stems from the fact that General Mills has fought to keep consumers from knowing what is in their products, while Annie’s has led with transparency.

The reaction that consumers are having to the announcement is the fear that General Mills wrangles Annie’s into submission. And while

to Shareholders & Spoonholders

General Mills can operate Annie’s with an expansive economy of scale and get their price to manufacture down, it’s not all altruistic. General Mills also knows that people are willing to pay more for Annie’s products. It’s a way to diversify their portfolio, get better, higher margin products to market and increase Annie’s availability in the marketplace. It’s good for business. They also see the writing on the wall, and it doesn’t contain the letters “G-M-O.” The fear is that Annie’s will fold, but this is where leadership and personal stories step in. Annie’s CEO, a dad of four who comes from a farming family, who holds a degree in agricultural economics and has a background in banking, will be a pivotal leader in the organization. He knows the supply chain and knows the demands of the financial world. He also knows what The outrage over it is like to see this new marriage someone that you stems from the fact love face serious that General Mills health challenges. has fought to keep He knows that consumers from families around knowing what is in the country are their products, while experiencing these Annie’s has led with challenges every transparency. day.

And like the CEO of Stonyfield did when he expanded the brand and the reach of the yogurt company through its Danone partnership, Annie’s CEO found a partner to expand and capture economies of scale that the company couldn’t on its own. Stonyfield’s founder never backed down.

General Mills buying into the organic movement through the purchase of Annie’s provides distribution and access to capital.

Is consolidation the best answer? “These big food companies aren’t going to let anything else happen,” said one of the portfolio managers that I used to work with when I spoke with him today.

And right now, our food system is currently structured in a way that the costs of production for organic ingredients are disproportionately higher. It is structured this way at the federal level. It is not a level playing field for the organic industry. And when a company goes public, the way that Annie’s did in 2012, it is opening itself for an acquisition.

Does it mean that it will always be this way?

That policy will always be this way?

Not at all. Policy follows the money, and right now, the organic industry is growing while conventional is stagnant. The landscape of the food industry is changing at every level. Amazon is entering the retail space; online distribution companies are entering, too. Farmers’ market and community supported agriculture are taking off. Why? Because the grocery retail structure makes it hard for smaller brands to compete. They either have to sell out or buy in.

It requires capital.

To hit the scale and scope of distribution that makes a product accessible and affordable to all Americans, companies have repeatedly sold themselves to a larger company: Stonyfield to Danone, White Wave to Dean Foods, Happy Family again to Danone. The list goes on.

Have these brands sold out? Or have the bigger brands bought into the organic movement?

Stonyfield didn’t sell out. Happy Family didn’t either. Both companies were founded by people who have personally known how autism or cancer can impact a family.

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What the Annie’s Acquisition Means Do I wish there were other ways for these companies to scale? And that the food industry had a level playing field for organic companies?

Absolutely. There is nothing that I would rather have seen than Annie’s, White Wave, Hain Celestial and other organic brands become the iconic brands of the 21st century. Our generations adaptation of Kraft, General Mills and Pepsi.

Perhaps this is the first iteration towards that.

But right now the cost structure is prohibitive.

We haven’t financed a healthy food system at the federal level. If farmers want to grow organic crops, they lose the crop insurance protection programs, they lose subsidies and they lose marketing support. Is that financially viable?

The food movement is not going away.

Demand for food that is ‘free from’ artificial ingredients like food dyes, GMOs, high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients is not a fad, because cancer, autism and food allergies are not fads. We are seeing a fundamental shift in the way that Americans buy food, because we are sick.

General Mills obviously recognizes that. They are hedging with this acquisition, balancing their portfolio. The key is to not compromise the integrity of the Annie’s brand in the process.

Creative destruction is an economic term trumpeted by a man named Joseph Schumpeter.

And change, in these early stages, often looks like hypocrisy. It often looks destructive. The question becomes: what is the long-term objective here? Is it really to destroy a brand? No, it’s to capture its market share, its margins and expand into the category.

Annie’s has the potential to be a powerful compass for General Mills. If the companies 72

to Shareholders & Spoonholders

are serious about their commitment to the 21st century consumer and their shareholders, they should step away from the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s anti-labeling campaign and join the consumer where she stands: in the grocery store aisles, reading food labels while holding the hand of a loved one with allergies, autism, EoE, cancer, diabetes or any one of the conditions impacting our families today and deliver exactly what she wants: food that is “free from” artificial ingredients and information about how she can protect the health of her family.

General Mills is already labeling genetically engineered ingredients in the products that they sell overseas, or they’re not using them altogether.

It’s up to them if they continue to operate with a 20th century mentality or if they will move into the 21st century with the consumer and Annie’s as a compass.

Kellogg has a story to tell. Chipotle does, too.

It’s up to General Mills which one will be theirs.

And if their shareholders are paying attention, the writing is on the wall, and it doesn’t contain the letters “G-M-O.”

The food movement is not going away. Demand for food that is ‘free from’ artificial ingredients like food dyes, GMOs, high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients is not a fad, because cancer, autism and food allergies are not fads.

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“ If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.� ~ Rachel Carson Seen here: Natibaby in 74 Henna Flowers (Purple)

guided relaxation

“Cool at School ”

with Mellisa Dormoy of Shambala Kids

In this issue, we will help your child remain cool at school with calming breathing and feel good techniques that brighten the days.

Simply read the following imagery slowly with a relaxing voice before bedtime or in the morning upon waking:

comes so easy and fun! You can imagine how each day you are learning more and enjoying each and every moment. Think to yourself how happy you will be when you meet up with your friends and learn from your caring teachers.

Get comfortable, and let’s focus on our breath.

Breathe in very slowly and then, breathe out.

Continue breathing calmly and evenly for five long breaths. This gets our bodies very relaxed and feeling good.

When we take the time each day to imagine a wonderful day, you might be surprised to know that we do end up having a great day!

This is called setting our intention for the day.

An intention is what we intend or desire to happen. If you intend for positive things to happen, they almost always do! That’s called a positive attitude. It’s fun and makes life so interesting and exciting! Positive things are always happening to positive people because they always look for the good. We all want to be very positive in life!

As you breathe in, allow your tummy to inflate like a balloon. Fill up your tummy with your breath. Imagine that the air going down into your tummy has a color. I wonder what color it is.

Exhale now and feel how your tummy gets smaller and smaller, until it’s flat again. The magical thing about breathing this way is that anytime you feel stressed, upset or even a little nervous. It feels so good and it signals our bodies that everything is okay, no matter what is going on around us.

From now on, every morning before school, I’d like you to focus on your breathing while you imagine having a really wonderful day, all day long. Take time to imagine yourself listening well in class, learning new, interesting things, having fun with friends and remembering everything you learn. Learning be-

There is just so much to see, do and explore.

You can do all of it!

You’ve done a wonderful job listening and imagining today. You’ve learned how deep belly breathing can calm you at any time during the day. You’ve visualized yourself being successful at school and enjoying each moment. And you’ve learned the very important skill of setting your intention for each day.

Take in a deep breath now and when you’re ready, open your eyes, stretch your body and know how fantastic each day at school, and at home, is going to be.

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

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the

More you Know

eco: Eek-O-Friendly Fun |by Elizabeth Wasserman

Oh the joy, and the horror! A sugar rush meltdown is waiting to happen. And when you stop to think about what’s in all those irresistible candies being consumed and colorful paints covering precious faces, things get really spooky.

Let’s be real; those Skittles colors are as unnatural as the evening’s theme. But does this mean no candy for the kiddos and your house being pegged as that family who passes out pencils, pennies or apples? Have no fear – we’ve got some guidelines to candies and costumes that should help you navigate dangerous waters while remaining cool as a cat.

Healthier Treats 76

First, let’s talk candy, which also usually means GMOs. Of course you’d never expect Reese’s

Pieces to be certified organic, but did you know that most popular candy brands use sugar that comes from GMO sugar beets? Also be wary of the commonly used GMO-derived fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, cornstarch, soybean oil and canola oils. Many of our favorite childhood brands are known culprits of GMO ingredient sourcing, including KitKat, Twix, Skittles, Tootsie Roll, Butterfinger, Candy Corn, Mike & Ike, Mounds, Snickers, Milky Way, Dots, Nerds and many more.

Other candy concerns include the widespread use of artificial colors and flavors, which are linked to a variety of health concerns from behavioral disorders to allergies. One good rule of the thumb: if you don’t find a color in nature, it probably shouldn’t be found in your food. Yep, I’m talking about you Mr. Hot Blue Skittle.

Another great trick for your treats is choosing options that are sweetened naturally with fruit juice, such as certain gummies and organic lollipops. Fair trade organic chocolate bars are also a sure hit. So go ahead and pat yourself on the back knowing that at least the inevitable sugar rush will be naturally sourced (that counts for something, right?).

Photography by Francine Slate, Slate Photography

Your little ones are dressed up as princesses, superheroes, animals and mythical creatures.

They’re covered in face paint, giggling and chasing each other with wands and light sabers.

Everything is going smoothly…until the trickor-treating wraps up, and your little rug rat is determined to toss back an entire bag of candy larger than her head.

Eco-Friendly Costumes & Face Paints

and mercury. Those are scary odds folks – and not the good kind of scary.

Of course your son wants to dress up as a tiger complete with whiskers and stripes – who wouldn’t?! Unbeknownst to him, though, the scariest part of his costume might be the face paint, not the convincing roar. According to research by the Ecology Center, 31 different types of makeup used for Halloween were tested and 100% contained some form of toxic metal including cadmium, arsenic, antimony, tin, lead,

The main issue with exposure to these metals on your child’s skin is not necessarily the onetime Halloween use; it’s the repeat exposure over time that can add up and cause health problems. So if your child just simply must have his whiskers painted on his face, double check your product ingredients on EWG’s Skin Deep Database or try a DIY version of face paint, like this one from HealthyStuff.org.

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After a visit to The Purple Peanut in Huntsville, Alabama, our proud models were excited to strut the newest looks for Fall 2014 by hosting a backyard fashion show. Every stuffed animal in the neighborhood was lined up for a front row seat!

Mouse Kari and Lion Cassie are strolling around in Mustard Pie. Kitty Cat Jasmine is wearing Molly and Millie. Fox Abigail is sporting a Giggle Moon ensemble.

Little Owl Becky is flying in Three Sisters, while Frog Prince Tanner rocks Bella Bliss pants with sweaters by Bailey Boys and E-land. The tie is from Tadpole and Lilly.

Finally, the adorable shoes are from Ragg, Chooze, Livie and Luca, and L’Amour.

The glamour was captured by Francine Slate of Slate Photography, while the fun will stay in the hearts of our animals long after they outgrow the costumes.

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Wet-Nurse No More:

Modern Milk Sharing 2.0 |by Krista Cornish Scott

Back before there was a breast versus bottle debate, women who could not or did not breastfeed were able to choose a third option: breast milk from another mother. In most traditional cultures, this meant wet-nursing, with family members able to provide this (often literally) life-saving role. In later periods such as 19th century England, it became the norm for the upper classes to outsource their childrearing and nursing. Cross-culturally, wet-nursing had a wide sense of approval as a beneficial gift to the community and was sometimes associated with interesting taboos. In Muslim communities, a child that had been wet-nursed could not then marry into that woman’s family, as they would be considered a sibling of the other children who had breastfed from the same mother.

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But with the advent of pumps, freezers and milk bags comes a new tradition of milk sharing that does not require wet-nursing in the traditional sense. Women who have an abundance of breast milk are choosing to share with others in need, in both formal and informal ways. The Human Milk Banking Association of North American (HMBANA) takes donations gladly; women undertake a screening process that includes a phone screening, blood testing, and they must have a minimum of 100 oz. to donate. The milk is then pasteurized and processed before becoming available for infants in need. Through

its member banks, HMBANA has provided 3.2 million ounces of milk in the last year alone from over 5,000 donor moms.

Another growing trend is direct milk sharing.

Mothers increasingly are going online to offer a surplus of their own milk, or to seek others’ milk for their babies. Facebook groups have sprung up dedicated to connecting mothers who desire to share and receive milk. Organizations like Human Milk 4 Human Babies, started

by Canadian mother Emma Kwasnica, support mother-to-mother connection outside of the official milk bank route. You might even find moms willing to share at your local breastfeeding support meeting.

This method is not without its critics, however, and some refer to the 2013 study published in the journal Pediatrics which found “Human milk purchased via the Internet exhibited high overall bacterial growth and frequent contamination with pathogenic bacteria, reflecting poor collection, storage, or shipping practices.”

Addressing the difference between milk purchased over the internet and peer-to-peer milk sharing, Alison Stuebe, Director of Lactation Service and OB at the University of Western Sydney points out that the methodology employed by the researchers was unlikely to mimic the actual conditions of true informal milk

Ashley Parker of Mud Goddess Photography

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Wet-Nurse No More:

Modern Milk Sharing 2.0

sharing, including the more likely scenario of local pick-up rather than packing and shipping.

Photo by Kerri Morton

My interest in this topic is a personal one. When my youngest daughter was born in May of 2013, I began pumping and freezing first the precious colostrum, and then breast milk, carefully labeling and tucking away the bags in a friend’s deep freezer in preparation for donating to my youngest sister who was waiting to adopt a baby.

In October of 2013 her son joined their family and soon I was researching dry ice, overnight shipping options and Styrofoam packing. Soon I was dropping off a large box to the post office, feeling nervous and elated that I was able to send the most meaningful new baby gift that I would ever have the privilege to give: 300 oz. of

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my own breast milk. Each plump little bag that I nestled into the container was truly liquid love, some carrying little messages like: “Butterfinger milk!” on the bag I pumped the night of Halloween, or “Love you baby Alex.”

Kerri, Alex’s mother, is a registered nurse, and didn’t hesitate when I broached the subject of milk donation when I was pregnant. “It was a no-brainer for me that babies need breast milk for optimum health. I did not spend a minute worrying about the potential for disease because his milk was either from family members, or good friends of family members.” Kerri was able to give Alex breast milk for seven months, from a total of 8 donors, and is still touched that so many women, most she had never met, were willing to step forward to donate milk. “I loved giving Alex his bottle.

It was our special time together and I knew I was providing for him the most biologically appropriate food I could possibly find.”

Like all feeding choices, informal milk sharing carries both benefits but also an element of risk. Patty Jacobs, president of Breastfeeding USA, points out that the World Health Organization places donor breast milk above formula on their hierarchy of preferred options for infant feeding.

“As an evidence based organization, we believe a mother should be given accurate information, weighing the pros and cons of casual milk sharing, using banked human milk, or using formula. Mothers faced with the need to supplement must decide for themselves what is best for their particular situation.”

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

- Anne of Green Gables

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Ask Hana Haatainen Caye

Michelle asks: Do you have any environmentally friendly tips for clearing up a clogged drain? I hate using commercial drain cleaners.

GG: I hear you, Michelle! I must admit, in extreme cases, even I have had to resort to caustic drain cleaners. The key is maintenance. But if your drain is already clogged or sluggish, follow these eco-friendly steps: • Pour ½ cup baking soda into the drain • Follow with ½ cup of distilled white vinegar • Once the bubbling stops, pour plenty of boiling water into the drain until the flows easily If it is still a bit sluggish, repeat the above steps as needed. Of course, it’s best to tackle clogs as they start to form rather than waiting for a completely clogged drain. And, as I mentioned, the key is maintenance. Flushing out your drains with the baking soda/vinegar/boiling water treatment on a monthly basis will prevent any need for a visit from the plumber in the bottle.

Katina asks: My grandmother died, and I inherited some of her wood furniture.

I’m so glad to have some of her things, but she was a smoker and now my apartment

smells like stale smoke. The wood looks like it has a layer of smoke residue on it.

Is there anything I can do to get rid of the smell and make the furniture look decent again?

GG: I’m sorry for your loss, Katina. I wish some of my remedies could take away a bit of the pain you must be feeling. As far as the furniture goes, I suggest a thorough cleaning with a 50/50 blend of oil and vinegar. You can use olive, canola, or other kind of vegetable oil, although some people say the oil can go rancid. I live in Pennsylvania where the humidity can be pretty bad in the summer, and I’ve never had an issue with it. Mix the oil and vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar, but you can use any kind) in a jar and dampen a clean rag with the liquid. Wipe it on the furniture and allow it to dry thoroughly (might take a day or two). Then polish the furniture with a mixture of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part lemon oil. This will not only leave your furniture nicely polished, but it will also create a lovely aroma in your apartment.

One more tip for odor control: place a piece of bread in a bowl and saturate it with distilled white vinegar. Set the bowl in the room with the odor problem for a couple of days.

Then toss the bread… foul odors and all!

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.

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Kid-Friendly Craft

ReUse : Fairy Bridge

|by Jennie Lyon

Embrace your child’s wonder of the magical world of fairies by building the perfect size landscape for their imaginary friends. This bridge is made using found items from the recycling bin. While parents will need to help the kiddos with some of the cutting and gluing, children will have a blast decorating the bridge, adding a watercolor river that flows underneath and collecting rocks and other items from the garden to bring their fairy bridge to life.

Materials: • • • • • •

Scissors Pencil Corrugated cardboard Craft knife Eco-friendly paints Glue gun

Instructions:

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1. Cut the top and bottom off of a small box.

2. Use a pencil to draw the curve of a bridge on 2 of the opposite sides of the box.

3. Use the craft knife (adults only) to cut the top section above the curve off of both of those sides.

4. Then, cut the other two sides of the box completely off.

5. Cut the leftover pieces of cardboard into the slates for the bridge’s floor.

6. Then, glue the slates across the bridge overlapping them as you go.

7. Use the craft knife to cut a circular shape under the bottom of the bridge on both sides.

8. Now your child can use eco-friendly paints, markers or crayons to decorate the bridge.

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GCM Community Marketplace

Funkins are bright, reusable cloth napkins made especially for kids. They are ideal for lunch boxes, and are perfect for meal and snack time at home, and on the go!

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.

Bamboobino is a unique, award-winning line of children’s clothing, bedding, bathtime towels and accessories made from super-soft, rayon from bamboo, plus nursing pads for mom too!

Stanley uses upcycled Western Walnut and strong magnets to display your child’s most charming photos with a modern & eco-friendly design.

Handcrafted in Portland, OR.

The next best thing to the personal support of a compassionate health professional, this comprehensive book was written by someone who knows first-hand whatit’sliketoexperiencetheupsanddownsofbabycolic.

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Celebrate the joy of nursing in tandem with this sweet polar bear T featuring art by Anne Michelsen.

Soft 100% organic cotton in women’s, toddler and maternity sizes. Limited edition - order today!

Handcrafted heirloom-quality wooden toys with natural, child-safe wood finishes. Designed to encourage play, development & imagination. Beautiful, durable & fun!

Enter coupon code TAKE5 for 5% off your first purchase.

*Organic & Ethical Business with Flexible Hours* Create a meaningful income while making a positive impact on your life, others, & the environment.

Includes full training & support. Contact us today!

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$

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

An online boutique to meet the needs of naturallyminded parents. Modern, eco-friendly & organic baby clothes, bedding, skin care, toys & more. Send or register for the perfect baby gift today!

An Apple A Day Nutrition Consulting With Louise Goldberg RD, CSP, LD, CNSC A registered dietitian with over a decade of experience working with children and families to find realistic solutions for their nutrition concerns.

One-on-one consultations online or by phone.

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!

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Your Green Child

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Taisha

@knowmommy

91

Your Green Child

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ibabywearing edition!

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92

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Rainbow & Me by 94 Gwen, age 5

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