Senate Bill 510

Senate Bill S 510, the "Food Modernization Act" is about to go to the Senate floor.  It would give the FDA complete control over the food you grow IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD, as well as on small farms.  Saving seeds, growing organic foods, and selling organic produce at farmer's markets could become ILLEGAL. 

The procedural vote has already PASSED 74-25. So what seems like a ridiculous act, could become law very soon.  I mean, who would have thought that soybeans could be patented, and now look at MONSANTO.

Supporters of the bill are of course major food industry leaders, opponents are small farmers and organic food producers.  Please learn more about this bill at:

http://www.naturalnews.com/030440_Food_Safety_Modernization_Act_Senate.html

To learn more about how so many of our government leaders are in bed, so to speak, with the huge food corporations, please watch Food, Inc.

Please call your senators' offices to oppose this bill.  FYI Californians, Boxer and Feinstein SUPPORT this bill.

Thoughts On Our New School...

I have been noticing the parents at my son's new school as we are in line at drop-off in the mornings and pick-up in the afternoons.  I don't know many of them yet - this is a new school for us.  "Big Kid School," as my son calls it.  But yesterday, I noticed the Indian mother bringing in home-cooked food for her son's class.  I noticed my son's teacher who came to greet him at the car, wearing a peace emblem on her shirt.  I have noticed the different races of the students at the school, playing on the playground together, and not in cliques.  I noticed the pickup truck in front of me with a antique bureau in the back.  The truck had a bumper-sticker that was pro-environment, and the dad, dressed in flip flops, looked like a surfer.  In a community which boosted many Yes on Prop 8 bumper stickers last year, I am seeing more Coexist bumper stickers now.  Over the summer, many of the parents volunteered to improve the playground and garden.  They gave up many of their vacation days to help the school! And we just finished the first school fundraiser - selling biodegradable SKOY cloths, instead of junky candy and tacky gift wrap.

I am so glad that my son is in a school which embraces all children, of all backgrounds.  I am so glad that the parents are globally minded, respect the environment, and understand that a we should teach our children these things.  I love that the parents are involved in their children's education.  I am so glad he has teachers that read books to the class like "Three Cups of Tea." 

I think all of these things play into an environment that is loving, safe, and supportive.  I think these children will be more open-minded than generations past.  I think schools like this are helping to create a better society for the future.

Chemicals, chemicals, everywhere!

Someone very close to our family has been in the hospital for the past couple of days with a severe reaction to a chemical peel done by her dermatologist.  First came the swelling, the anapyhlaxis, next heart problems, and then seizure-like spasms occuring every hour or so.  This is rare and the doctors are getting to the bottom of it as we speak.  They are expecting a full recovery, but nonetheless, this is very, very scary.

This is a perfect example of how quickly and efficiently our skin, our body's largest organ, can absorb chemicals, and how quickly our bloodstream can move chemicals to other parts of our body. About 6 months ago, I read somewhere that it is quite common for a person to slather on, soap up with, and bathe in over 200 chemicals per day.  I was urged to look in my medicine cabinet, in my shower, on my counter.  I scanned bottles for anything I couldn't pronounce.  Words like sodium laureth sulfate became bad words.  I threw out bottle after bottle...items which said "natural" on the front label, but had a list of about 50 unrecognizable ingredients on the back.  

Imagine how many times per day, per week, per year you use lotion, soap, shampoo.  If there are chemicals in those products, imagine how much of them your body absorbs over a long period of time.  Also imagine using those products on a child, whose body is smaller and weaker than yours.  

Take a closer look in your bathroom.  It potentially may house more harmful chemicals than your cleaning supplies cupboard.  

Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

Have you ever looked on back of those bottles in your bathroom?  It has been said that the most dangerous chemicals in your household could be sitting on your bathroom shelves.  Even the stuff that says "natural" and "organic" may be fooling you.  And being a parent, the last thing I want to do is soak my boy in chemically laden soaps!  So, I am on a mission to bathe and wash without chemicals.  Here is my recipe for liquid hand soap - works just as good as the store bought stuff - smells great - NO chemicals!  

1 part Dr. Bronner's Pure Castille Soap

1 part Vegetable Glycerin

Several drops of lavender essential oil

Several drops of lemongrass essential oil

Worm Composting - BLACK GOLD!!!

Okay, it looks a little gross!  But earthworms are amazing little creatures.  They help to break down the organic matter in your compost bin and produce the most AMAZING fertilizer for your garden...worm castings!  (Yes, worm poop.)  But did you ever look to see what is in some store bought fertilizers?  Everything from sewage sludge (BAD) to bat guano (poop) (GOOD.)  

Here is how to make your own compost heap - which you can harvest into this fantastic fertilizer.  The cheapest method (while still keeping tidy) is to create a wooden box.  You don't really need a lid.  But, you should drill some holes in the bottom for air circulation.  The box should be at least 3' x 3'.  On the bottom, place wet, shredded newspaper.  The worms like that.  Then add some garden soil.  Next, add some green matter which will provide nitrogen.  Green matter can be anything from kitchen scraps (veggies, fruits) to grass clippings.  Do not put anything in there that has had non-organic herbicide, insecticide, or fertilizer on it.  Also, no cat or dog poop.  And, no meat products.  Then, cover with brown matter (dried brown leaves, small sticks, straw).  This provides carbon to the compost bin. You can also throw in crushed egg shells, paper towel tubes, fireplace ashes, paper towels, tissue, and dryer lint.   I like to cover the whole pile with brown paper bags, or palm tree "paper" that has fallen off my palms.  You could also use a small tarp.  This keeps the rodents away.  

You can buy red earth worms from your local nursery.  Sometimes they may need to order them, so call ahead.  Place the worms in the bin, but be sure not to put them right in the center of the pile, due to the heat of the compost.  They will find their way to the good stuff.  (PS - They don't like citrus rinds.)

Keep the bin slightly moist (like a wringed-out sponge.)  You will also get faster breakdown if you "turn" the pile every few days.  After some time, you will have rich, dark brown "humus"- the BLACK GOLD fertilizer - which you can sprinkle around the base of your plants before watering.  

There is really no way to screw up the compost bin - the organic matter will break down no matter what.  With a bit of extra care - it will break down faster.  The worms help this a lot.  Plus, the big bonus for me is that a compost bin with worms has virtually no flies and pests.  Bugs hate worm poop.  "So, bring it on, worms!  Poop away!"

EARTH DAY Celebration!

I am so excited - I can hardly stand it!  Earth Day is around the corner.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day celebration.  On Sunday, my family and I are heading down to Balboa Park here in San Diego for Earth Fair 2010!  This years marks the 20th anniversary of our city's fantastic celebration. Each year, it draws over 70,000 people - is produced by 400 volunteers - features 350 exhibitors - has special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a wonderful Kids’ Activity Area, three entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade, the eARTh Gallery art show, and the Cleaner Car Concourse. I mark this event on my calendar just as any other holiday.  For me, it goes right up there with the big ones - Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, Easter, Earth Day...  

I urge you to check out your hometown and see what activities and celebrations are going on this weekend. It is such an important event to involve your kids in.  Also, here are some ideas on things you can do at home to celebrate this remarkable occasion. 

Have a SLOW FOOD meal.  Eat a meal that is cooked from start to finish by you and your family.  All ingredients should be local and organic (within 60 miles of your home.)  Farmer's markets are great places to shop - as is your own backyard (if you have a garden).  Check out these websites for more info:

http://www.slowfood.com/

http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution

Pick up trash your neighborhood.  We have done this for the past few years - and our son really gets into it.  Finding trash almost becomes as much fun as an Easter egg hunt, oddly enough! Take precautions - wear gloves.  And keep an eye on your children - you can pick up the broken bottles and dangerous stuff - leave the paper to them.

Even though the official Earth Hour has passed - turn off all of your lights and appliances from sundown to dawn one night.  Eat by candlelight.  Play cards.  Sing songs.  It is great for Mama Earth and a nice bonding time for your family.

Plant a tree in your backyard.  Last year, we planted a plum tree to commemorate Earth Day.  

And now we have baby plums all over it!  

To learn more about Earth Day, please visit:

http://www.earthday.net

They have a great site.  Check out their mission statement:

"Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Our mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. We pursue our mission through a combination of education, public policy, and activism campaigns. Earth Day Network has a global reach with more than 20,000 partners and organizations in 190 countries. More than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest secular civic event in the world."

For San Diego's Earth Fair, go to:

http://www.earthdayweb.org/

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!

THINGS TO DO IN SAN DIEGO with your Montessori Child

AN EVENING AT THE FARM

La Milpa Organica in Escondido hosts a free potluck the third Saturday of every month.  The potluck is open to all.  Guests arrive, bearing fresh, organic dishes, to the farm.  The owners fire up the outdoor brick pizza oven.  Pizzas are cranked out - and guests just pick what looks good.  Could be a vegan pizza.  Could be four cheese or veggie - grown right at La Milpa.  Children play on the swing set and run through the rows of lettuces.  It is the epitome of a community gathering...Meeting people from all walks of life, talking about shared interests, enjoying the spirits of those who are dedicated to organic farming.  At nightfall, a movie is shown underneath the canopy of a large, old tree.  We watched one on bees.  Sometimes, guests bring their guitars and break out into song.  Check it out.  

http://milpaorganica.com/