I know recycling and “going green” are really hot topics right now. Sure, we all want our kids and grandkids to have an Earth to call home. But, turning a placenta into a keepsake? I’m just not sure if it will catch on like hybrids did…

A crafty alternative for those who don’t necessarily want to eat their baby’s placenta, but want to pay their respects to the life sustaining organ by turning it into a one-of-a-kind teddy bear.

The best part? It’s a do-it-yourself kit! I’m generally not squeamish, but…ewwwww.

Today we took the lad to Descanso Gardens, a lovely little place nearby where we walked around and looked at all kinds of plants and rode an adorable little train.  Fun stuff.

Anytime we go to a museum or botanical garden we have to hit the gift shop.  So while looking around at all the pretty cards, fun toys, candles, and other cute stuff, I found this book, Green Baby. As a person who’s always interested in reading about sustainability, I started flipping the pages, and when I got to the chapter on vaccinations, I was a bit stunned. » Continue reading “Conflating Green And Anti-Vaccine”

Since organic baby food has been discussed here lately, I thought I’d post a link to an interesting article that appeared in the New York Times:

The ‘Organic’ Stamp–Does It Mean That Food Is Safer?

It’s about the foods labeled as “organic” and how they achieve that status. You know the peanut butter contaminated with salmonella that has killed nine people and caused almost 700 people to become ill? The peanut butter, from Peanut Corporation of America, had the official organic stamp on it.

From the article:

Organics has grown from an $11 billion business in the United States in 2001 to one that now generates more than $20 billion in sales, so the stakes for farmers, processors and certifiers can be high. But the agency overseeing the certifying process has long been considered underfunded and understaffed. Critics have called the system dysfunctional.

I think people are led to believe that organic food is safe and pure. If only that were true.

Letters! We got letters!

I’m thrilled that anyone thinks we know the answers to these questions. After I answered an email a little while ago, we got another one:

Hello there. I am a soon-to-be skeptical Dad, and I have been reading
(and enjoying!) your site. (You can thank Phil Plait for that)

I was wondering if any of you have done research about organic foods?
Are they healthier for you and your kids then their normal
counterparts? Have there been any studies done? I have heard that
organic tomatoes can have a naturally produced pesticide in them that
can be worse then the ones they spray on.

It seems like organics would be better for you, but as you know, that
kind of thinking can get you in trouble.

Thank You,

Derek Cramer

» Continue reading “Super Baby Woo: Is Organic Baby Food Better?”

In the comments to “Never Break a Curly Bulb  Part 1 ” so many questions arose, that my response comment turned into a whole blog post!

For starters, catgirl asks “For comparison, how hazardous is a normal light bulb?”

Great question! I hadn’t really thought about it. I’d say the short answer is » Continue reading “Never Break a Curly Bulb Part 2″

I’m in my kids’ bathroom, changing light bulbs. All I have to do is unscrew one, put it down somewhere without breaking it, then screw in the new one. Simple, right? Not for Mrs. Butterfingers over here. I reach up, twist, twist, crash! “Oh, no!!!” I’ve just dropped a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) or, as I like to say “curly bulb”, on the bathroom vanity. It explodes, and glass is everywhere. I panic, think to myself, “What was it I read a few months ago about what you have to do if you break a CFL?” I turn the exhaust fan on, shut the door, and get the hell out of there. “Don’t go in the bathroom!” I shout to the kids. “Why not?” they ask. “Because Mommy broke a light bulb, and it was full of poison!”

Poison?? CFLs are going to save the planet, right? » Continue reading “Never Break a Curly Bulb Part 1″