The Green Parent

For as natural and healthy as I try to be in my day-to-day living, there is one health-busting and eco-trashing habit that has followed me from childhood.  I’m totally addicted to Coca-Cola, straight up (no diet or decaffeinated versions here.)  It’s bad enough that I’m loading up with sugar and creating unnecessary waste in the [...]

We all now by now that a reusable bottle filled with your child’s drink of choice is the best option for reducing waste and saving money on the go.  But what about those times (ie snack day, field trips, etc.) when you a disposable option is the only choice? watch step up 3d ful film [...]

Today’s Giveaway: Universal Family Music’s 6-CD collection of tunes the whole family will love. Enter.. New winners picked everyday!! Wanna know a secret?  I love soda.  Always have, always will.  There’s just something about bubbles and sugar that go so great together! Still, my addiction to soda is not one that I’m proud of…it’s not [...]

Looking for something to slap on the grill this weekend that’s more eco-friendly than beef? Seafood can be a good choice…it’s healthier for you and the planet. But you have to choose the right fish. Around the world, many fish populations are threatened with collapse, due to overfishing, accidental kills, and habitat destruction. But some [...]

Memorial Day weekend is the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than to host a barbecue. Whether it’s just you and the kids or a neighborhood affair, here’s how to make sure your next BBQ is easy on the planet. Green Grilling: If you’re in the market for a new grill, [...]

I don’t know what concerns me more; the number and type of chemicals that we use to grow “food” in this country, or the fact that we will soon no longer have any reliable information about the number and type of chemicals that we use to grow “food” in this country. Here’s the scoop… In [...]

BPA (or Bishpenol-A) is a chemical substance used to make stuff like polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins (to line food containers) and white dental sealants. It is also an additive in the plastics used to make some children’s toys. The bad news is that BPA has made headlines recently as it has been linked to nasty [...]

You’ve probably heard by now about the environmental impact of eating beef, and that a vegetarian diet is much easier on the planet than a carnivorous one. But that can be easier said than done when you’re crunched for time and trying to feed a restless brood of picky eaters. Fortunately, it is much easier [...]

I have yet to meet a kid who does not like pizza. So it’s no wonder that pizza is the ultimate family favorite and easy dinner fallback. According to American Heritage Magazine, 93% of Americans eat pizza at least once a month. That’s pretty much right on target around my house, maybe even a bit [...]

Whether you have the kids in tow or you are heading out for a much needed reprieve, eating out can be a fun break from the usual hum-drum of the home kitchen. But eating out also gives you less control of what you will eat and how it will be served. Here’s how to eat [...]

Mornings in my house revolve around a frenzy of food. Between preparing breakfast for my girls (they are on a cinnamon toast kick) to packing their lunches (PB&J, carrots, and applesauce), and taking a stab at defrosting what we will have for dinner, it seems almost surreal to me that outside my home, throughout my [...]

Nothing says “Happy Halloween” like a pumpkin. Whether it’s carved or painted, spooky or silly, a pumpkin is a tried and true symbol of the Halloween festivities. They are ridiculously versatile…you can use them as decorations, as side dishes, and even as inspiration for your costume. And growing pumpkins is even good for the environment. [...]

I recently wrote about the exploits of Manny Howard, who attempted to grow all of the food he needed for his family of four in his 20 x 40 foot Brooklyn backyard. And while Manny’s experiment went beyond the limits of extreme, it was indicative of the growing national trend to eat locally. Eating locally [...]

I find it incredible that in this day and age when we are battling with issues like childhood obesity, ADHD, and environmental degradation, the majority of schools across the nation still support the use of vending machines loaded with sugary-sweet and nutritionally-voided foods. Sodas and vending machine fare are not only terrible for our children’s [...]