green family blog

Is it really that dangerous for kids to be overweight?

December 13, 2011

According to major health organizations, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. When I’ve brought up childhood weight or obesity in the past, often I’m attacked by parents or other individuals who think I shouldn’t have brought the topic up at all. As I’ve noted before, weight, and child weight in [...]

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Many pediatricians fail to discuss childhood weight issues with parents

December 12, 2011

Instead of tackling green goals this year, I’m focusing on healthy weight issues for kids. One reason why is because I recently read about a disturbing trend – doctor who are keeping mum when it comes to weight issues affecting kids and teens. The new research, published Dec. 5 in the journal Archives of Pediatrics [...]

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Signs your child may be overweight

December 11, 2011

If you’re concerned about your child’s health, then knowing if they’re at a healthy weight is important. Weight is not all that matters, of course. For one thing, kids are always growing and changing, so sure, some do grow into their size. For example an overly slender child may fill out in his teen years [...]

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A healthy 2012 means childhood obesity in America shouldn’t be taboo

December 11, 2011

2012 is quickly approaching. Usually I do a series on green goals for the new year, but after reading the latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and a new survey that shows doctors are ignoring childhood weight issues, I’ve decided to go a different way this year, and do a series on [...]

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2011 Eco-friendly Holiday Greeting Cards

November 19, 2011

The best and greenest way to go when it comes to holiday greeting cards is to skip the store-bought paper cards and send e-cards or make homemade cards with recycled paper and other art supplies you already have on hand. However, since the holidays are quickly approaching, and since some people do green store-bought cards, here [...]

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Eco-Friendly Plywood-free Play Kitchen Sets at Etsy

November 14, 2011

Every year I update my Ultimate Eco-Friendly Play Kitchen Guide for the holidays. This year readers have noted that they aren’t interested in seeing any kitchens containing ply-wood, even if the outer wood is solid. That said, the offerings are more limited this year. This is for a few reasons: Companies lie (or exaggerate) and say [...]

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Make Homemade Green Cleaners and Save $1,612 in Five Years

November 12, 2011

I’ve been slacking on my, “Save $50,000 in five years” series. It’s a lot of work (all those calculations!) However, it’s time we got back to it, so without further ado… Let’s look at cleaning products. Why use green cleaning products? In this post I’ll be comparing the costs green cleaning products only – both [...]

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24 Amazing Eco-friendly Felt Play Food Sets from Etsy

November 10, 2011

If an eco-friendly play kitchen is on your child’s wish list this holiday season, then you’ll need some play food to go with it. Felt play food is inexpensive, safe, soft and comes in an array of fresh colors, making it a great choice. If you want to learn more about eco-friendly felt vs. conventional, [...]

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Most Affordable Green Play Kitchen Sets by PlanToys

November 9, 2011

PlanToys is an entirely eco-friendly and ethical company, and bonus, they make some amazingly cute and green play kitchen sets. All of PlanToys kitchen play sets are made without heavy metals or lead, with natural rubberwood from rubber trees which no longer produce latex. None of the wood is chemically treated. Zero fertilizer is added to [...]

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Green Play Kitchen – Chef’s Kitchen by Natural Pod

November 8, 2011

If cost is not an issue, one, you’re lucky and two, you have to see this amazing kitchen play set. This gorgeous kitchen play set features moving knobs, a towel and apron rack, a removable sink for easy clean up and inside the oven is a sliding tray for serving or baking. The kitchen set [...]