As the summer draws to a close, many families begin preparing for back-to-school. This issue is designed to help you do just that. To kick things off, we’ve been busy over the summer creating a Greening Your School kit, in an accessible, easy-to-print format. Read more
Environmental Injustice: Impact on Children's Health
The following is adapted from an article co-authored by Lawrence Rosen, MD, and Deirdre Imus, published in the September/October 2007 issue of Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing. (http://www.explorejournal.com)
Environmental justice is defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.(1) Injustice is done when health disparities exist based on these same factors. Read more
Following the Beeline to Children's Health
Publications from The New Yorker to NRDC’s On Earth magazine have covered the alarming collapse of U.S. honeybee populations. This phenomenon -- colony collapse disorder -- began last summer, resulting in the loss of over a quarter of American beekeepers’ 2.4 million colonies. Read more
Focus on Food Waste
In our throw-away society, much can be done to teach children about the value of reducing and re-using resources. Schools across the country use composting to reduce waste and create a product that can be used in facility and private landscaping. By lessening the burden on landfills and incinerators, composting can teach children the life skills of conservation. Read more
Green Travel
By Julie Kanfer
Safety, responsibility, and fun are three key components of any family vacation. Recently, however, they have started to come in the ever-fashionable shade of green -- green travel, that is. Commonly referred to as “eco-tourism” or “geo-tourism,” this environmentally friendly trend has quietly been weaving its way into hotels, tour packages, and transportation options for the last few years. Read more
Did You Know?
Healthier Back-to-School Shopping
As parents across the country send their kids back to school, the aisles of big-box stores become crowded with shoppers picking up everything from file folders to snacks. While price may be an issue, considering what products are healthiest for our children may be critical in the long run. With so many choices available, what do parents choose? Read more
What's Up with Kids' Food Menus?
By Amy Gordon
When I go out to eat at a restaurant, it never ceases to amaze me that every kid’s menu is the same…hot dogs/hamburgers, French fries, chicken fingers, pizza, and pasta which will also include a soft drink and a dish of ice cream. How did these things come to be designated as “kids’ food”? And what can we do to change our notion of what kids should eat? Read more
Butch's Blueberry Pancakes
Plump, dark purple blueberries are rich in vitamin C, iron, potassium, and magnesium, and they’re absolutely delicious the way they burst with flavor in these light and airy pancakes. Read more