Health

When author Michael Pollan talks I first think "Oh crap, what am I doing wrong now?" Then, I get over myself and prick up my ears to what he's saying because the man knows food.

Even though the school year is still brand new, just about now you've already burned your kids out on the turkey and cheese on whole wheat/PB&J pita lunchbox rotation. And they, understandably so, outright refuse to toss in a hot lunch once a week, unless that week's offerings includes a chimichanga.

Rhyming is a crucial early childhood skills all kids must develop as a precursor to reading. And one of the first ways kids begin to acquire this essential ability is through the practicing and learning of traditional nursery rhymes.

There's no denying we are devoted followers of Laura Fuller's yoga awesomeness. A true West Los Angeles gem, her adult and kids classes are nothing short of magical. She's our muse, a true yogi...we appreciate her ability to guide, move and inspire us.

We're in for one scorching summer. So what do you do with a house full of bored kids in desperate need of some exercise when it feels like the surface of the sun outside and there isn't a water oasis nearby?

Zakka Life contributor Kawaii Crafter has posted a fun idea for creating a plastic bottle jumprope. Upcycling plastic kid-sized bottles she uses empty Danimals containers for her teeny jumper. The easy-to-follow tutorial is complete with clear directions and pictures and even helpful suggestions like perhaps in place of using rope you make your own out of plastic bags.

Seems like every day snack-time begins with a series of frustrating compromises in my family. "No, you can't have yogurt, string cheese and a popsicle." "Yes, you can have yogurt, string cheese and a tangerine." It's one of the most dreaded parts of my day. I'm left feeling more like the Snack Nazi and less like a responsible mom developing life-long healthful eaters in my kids.

Parenting how-to site Babble has recently posted a great guide to buying organic foods. The comprehensive article covers current studies regarding organic foods and is broken down into sections like the benefits of eating organically grown foods, locally grown versus organically grown, decoding labels and which foods should you buy organic and which foods are ok not to worry about.

Kid foodie site Little Nummies points out this awesome compilation of bento lunch ideas posted by Wendy on Wendolonia. She started sharing weeks at a time of bento lunch ideas way back in April of 2008 when she began packing her son's preschool lunch. Almost a year later she's still going strong posting an average of four days worth of bento lunch ideas almost every week.

I'm so annoyed by this whole Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) put together by our Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) which is set to go into effect early this year. Admittedly I have a small handmade obsession stemming from my stumbling upon ETSY. I love handmade goodies.