We live in a world of convenience and waste. We want things right now and within easy reach. Yet do we truly think about what happens to all the things we buy for convenience? Are they ever used? Are they disposed of properly? I’ve been a long time advocate for the environment and I’m here to tell you that yes, you can limit your need to buy everything out of convenience!
This year marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, a crucial movement dedicated to learning, helping, and understanding the need to protect our environment. Whether you believe in climate change or not, know that helping the environment can only be a positive endeavor even if you do one small act.
I’ve been leading an environmental program at an elementary school for years and it’s always a joy when a student has that “A-ha!” moment. The moment they realize that their small act of compassion for the planet can indeed make a huge impact! Below I’ve listed 10 easy swaps you can make for Earth Day and every day of your life!
1. Swap out single-use plastic bottles for reusable water bottles. Buying a reusable water bottle saves you money on buying single-use plastic water bottles. Plus you are eliminating unnecessary plastics in landfills.
2. Swap out single-use plastic sandwich bags for silicone or paper sandwich bags. These handy reusable bags last for many years and are compostable.
3. Swap out grocery store bags with reusable bags. Store grocery bags are usually made from a material that is not recyclable. It’s best to invest in a better quality reusable grocery bag or tote.
4. Swap out store-bought herbs and plant your own herb garden. Planting your own garden helps you have fresh herbs on hand and it reduces your carbon footprint by buying in stores.
5. Swap out polyester materials with eco-friendly materials. Materials made from organic cotton, repurposed cotton, and Tencel are great alternatives, plus they wear well!
6. Swap out driving a short distance to get groceries to walking to the stores. If you’re within walking distance to a store, then try walking there to reduce carbon dioxide made by cars.
7. Swap out packaged produce to picking your own produce at a farmer’s market or a free-standing produce rack. The plastic packaging wrapped around produce is truly unnecessary.
8. Swap out plastic utensils and use reusable stainless steel or bamboo utensils. Just say “NO” when you’re offered plastic utensils. It’s easy to bring your own or use your own utensils.
9. Swap out new books with used books. Yes, that new book smell is quite delightful! But gently used books keep the circular recycling effective.
10. Swap out the need to recycle by reducing and reusing. Follow the 5 “R’s” and you’re on the path to reduce plastic use! Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle.
We can all do our part to make our planet healthier and cleaner. We all wish to breathe cleaner air and let nature reset itself so that our planet can stay healthy for many generations.
I am a mom first and foremost. I might not be a supermom, but I am constantly learning and growing.Topics I stand with are parenting, the environment, and living a healthy and happy lifestyle. I work at an elementary school and I have 30 years experience in the health industry.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a voluntary recall of Sabra Dipping Company, LLC 10oz. Classic Hummus due to a potential Salmonella contamination concern.
The current recall includes 2,100 cases of the 10oz. Classic Hummus with the UPC code 300067 produced on Feb. 20, 2021 between 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. with the “Best Before” date of Apr. 26, 2021.
There are currently no reported illnesses or consumer complaints related to the recalled products. The FDA did find the presence of Salmonella in one tub of the hummus during a routine screening, prompting the voluntary recall.
Hummus distributed to the following states are included in this recall—Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
If you have the recalled Sabra Classic Hummus, don’t eat it. Return the affected products to the place of purchase for a reimbursement.
Direct recall-related questions to Sabra Consumer Relations at 1-866-265-6761, Mon. through Frid. from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Visit the FDA’s website here for more details.
—Erica Loop
Photos courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Feature photo: Pexels
Since sleeping past seven on a Saturday has become a luxury now that we have small kids, why not get a jump on the day by exploring some of Atlanta’s best farmers markets? You’ll find fresh air, bearable temperatures, and who knows? It might be just the trick for getting your littles to love their veggies! Here are our picks for the markets that are the cream of the crop.
Alpharetta Farmers Market
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You'll find free parking in the City Center and Milton Avenue parking decks, and at Alpharetta Baptist Church on Old Roswell Street. There’s also easy pedestrian access across Main Street, making it easy to access this market with over 100 vendors, live music, and a small-town vibe.
When to Go: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Sat.
Find It: North and South Broad streets in front of City Center, alongside Town Green
You'll find over 40 vendors—both new and returning—at this year's Brookhaven Farmers Market. Be sure and make a stop at Stroopwafels for a thin caramel and cinnamon waffle.
Drink organic coffee, eat a fresh-baked breakfast sandwich, and shop for tonight's dinner—all while watching the kids play nearby at the Dunwoody Farmers Market. Expect to see new vendors from across Georgia, including Watsonia Farms strawberries and produce, Dickey Farms peaches, Java Gensis organic coffee, and a variety of locally grown, pesticide-free produce, meats, eggs, cheeses and baked goods. We are your weekly stop for honey, jams, frozen treats and desserts. Enjoy kids activities, wellness seminars, composting and gardening tips, all while having access to fresh seasonal produce.
This market regularly schedules educational programming, and the amount of EBT dollars swiped is matched with an equal amount of tokens for fruits and vegetables for shoppers using EBT. Masks are required, hand sanitizer is available, social distancing is encouraged, and many vendors offer touch-free checkout.
This year-round staple on Atlanta's farmers market scene is open rain or shine every Saturday of the year. They even stayed open through the coronavirus pandemic, doubling in size just to allow for better social distancing.
When to Go: Open year-round; 8:30 a.m.-noon every Sat.
Find It: Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway, Atlanta
Go for the produce but leave with a bouquet of flowers and (soon) tie-dye merch. You can also pick up canned and jarred foods from local vendors, and they match EBT dollars with tokens for fruits and veggies.
When to Go: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Sun.
Find It: Eventide Brewery, 1015 Grant St. SE, Atlanta
The Grand Dame of farmers markets ITP, the Green Market at Piedmont Park is back with new safety protocols, including mask requirements, sanitation stations and distancing requirements that reflect local government and CDC requirements. Find local produce, honey, dairy, meal kits, and more at this weekly festival of fresh. Traditional programming, including live music and demonstrations, are TBD this season, but be on the lookout for an announcement soon.
When to Go: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Sat., seasonally
Find It: 12th Street and Piedmont Ave. in Piedmont Park
This younger market, only now in its second year, is nothing to sneeze at. With 40 ventors, locally grown and produced food and wellness items, and free parking, this is definitely worth a look.
Taking pandemic precautions seriously, the Marietta Square Sunday market has been suspended, but they're opening an hour early (from 8-9 a.m.) for shoppers with health concerns. You'll find vendors in masks, plenty of hand sanitizer, and no food samples, in addition to the local produce and food you've come to expect from this established market in Historic Marietta Square.
You'll find over 50 vendors at this producer-only market, and all of the farmers are certified organic or certified naturally grown. Live music and a not-to-miss end of season holiday artist markets featuring over 25 local artists make this farmers markets festive.
When to Go: 8:30 a.m.-noon every Sat. through mid-Dec.
The Environmental Working Group, a non-partisan health and environmental watchdog group, released its Dirty Dozen List for 2021. The annual roundup of non-organic produce tests for high levels of pesticides that include chemicals to keep away rodents, insects, and mold.
This year, the study found that nearly 70 percent of non-organic produce sampled tested positive for pesticides. Here is the EWG’s breakdown of the 12 “dirtiest” produce for 2021.
12. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a the cusp of moving out of the dirty dozen, but at this point still contain residues that result in a cause for concern. When in doubt, go organic.
11. Celery
Celery slipped out of the top 10 of the dirty dozen but still contains enough residue to steer you towards organic.
10. Bell & Hot Peppers
Bell and hot peppers haven’t been tested in years and the result was finding they had the most pesticides detected––115 to be exact.
9. Pears
We don’t know the exact amount, but pears were found by the EWG to contain enough pesticide residues to warrant a spot as number nine.
8. Peaches
Peaches are number eight but they were found to contain at least two pesticide residues in over 90 percent of those sampled.
7. Cherries
Coming in at number seven, more than 90 percent of non-organic cherries were found to have residues of two or more pesticides.
6. Grapes
Not a ton of data was shared about the pesticides found on grapes, but the fact that it’s number six on the list has us steering clear of the non-organic kind.
5. Apples
When you switch to organic apples you’ll be avoiding tons of pesticides. Apples were found to contain at least two types.
4. Nectarines
Nectarines come in at four, with more than 90 percent of samples testing positive for two or more pesticides.
3. Kale
A single sample of kale was found to have up to 20 different pesticides, one of which is DCPA a possible human carcinogen.
2. Spinach
Runner-up in the dirty dozen, sampled spinach had 1.8 times as much pesticide residue as any other crop tested. In addition, this leafy green was in the group for testing positive for two or more pesticides.
1. Strawberries
In no surprise, strawberries stayed at number one for the sixth year in a row. Ninety percent of the total samples had at least one pesticide, while 30 percent had residues of 10 or more pesticides.
There’s no question when it comes to strawberries: pay a few extra bucks and buy organic, so you can eat your berries with confidence that you are eating pesticide-free!
To keep your family out of harm’s way, it’s imperative to shop organic when it comes to the Dirty Dozen list for fruits and vegetables. If you can’t buy organic (and even if you do), you should always wash your produce thoroughly before cutting, peeling, cooking, or consuming.
Head to the Environmental Working Group’s website to download your own Produce Shopper’s Guide for 2021.
Get ready for an afternoon of IKEA assembly fun—no tiny hexagonal wrench needed! The Swedish furniture and home goods retailer has a self-assembly chocolate bunny just in time for Easter.
Like just about everything else at IKEA, the VÅRKÄNSLA milk chocolate bunny is an assembly-required item. While you might not need to spend the afternoon figuring out what that sweet little stick man in the 10-page illustrated instruction manual is doing with wooden pegs, a hammer and a hexagonal wrench, the bunny isn’t a buy and eat treat.
Photo: IKEA
Your kiddo will get more than just an Easter basket goody with the VÅRKÄNSLA. Instead of just a sweet treat, they’ll also get a fun-filled holiday activity too. The self-assembly bunny comes in three parts to puzzle together!
Not only is the make-your-own bunny awesomely adorable, it’s a tasty addition to your fam’s Easter candy stash. The VÅRKÄNSLA bunny is made from at least 30 percent UTZ certified cocoa. UTZ certified cocoa is harvested and produced in a way that, “Ensures sustainable farming standards and good conditions for workers.”
Nab your very own self-assembly chocolate bunny in IKEA stores across the country for $4.99.
Does your child need extra help with their speech therapy services? While school and private therapy provide primary ways to practice and make changes, your child may need more. Here’s where the new TikTalk2Me app comes in!
TikTalk is a new program for children in kindergarten through grade six, available on iOS and Android. Your kiddo’s school or private speech-language pathologist (SLP) activates and guides the app, customizing the app experience.
The app includes engaging video games to encourage at-home practice. Nir Gamliel, U.S. head of business development at TikTalk2me, said in a press release, “This is the most intuitive, engaging and customized speech program available for use on millions of portable devices.” Gamliel continued, “In our efforts to make TikTalk even more accessible, it is now available in the app store. It’s time that patients, parents and SLPs reap the benefits of futuristic therapy today.”
Sandra Laserson, M.A. CCC-SLP, an Ohio-based SLP in private practice who helped develop TikTalk, added, “Some apps are good for encouraging practice. But I never knew how much practice was being done, how accurate sounds were being produced and had limited mechanisms at my disposal to report the success.”
Find TikTalk in the Apple Store here and on Google Play here.
Picking out fruit and veggies at the store is so old school. Busy families know joining a Seattle CSA is the easiest way to get farm-fresh produce, eggs, flowers, and more onto your family’s table. And that can help with weeknight meal prep or healthy lunches for your crew, whether you’re heading out on a picnic playdate or getting the kids ready for school. Plus, opening your weekly box is like the parent version of your kid’s favorite unboxing vids (trust us, it’s just as exciting). These local farms can make your “eat local” dreams come true.
Skylight Farms
Skylight Farms
At this family-owned small farm in Snohomish, farmers Petrina and Jonathan aim to be good stewards of the land, and their focus on what's sustainable, ethical and ecologically sound is at the heart of their farming practices. They have an abundance of farm-to-table options to choose from, including fruit, flower, and egg shares, in addition to their veggie CSA (psst... you can also try a market-style CSA if you'd rather shop at the farm). Their season runs from May through November and families can order share per season (spring, summer and fall) or commit to the whole 27 weeks when they subscribe to this Seattle CSA.
Local Color Farm & Fiber has its roots on Bainbridge Island, where Emily Tzeng started farming back in 2013. In 2018 the farm was moved to Puyallup, and it’s where farmers Emily and Brian grow food, flowers, and fibers now. The Seattle CSA runs for 30 weeks from May through December and offers families a few options to choose from. You can decide whether weekly or bi-weekly pick-up works best for you (they've got two Seattle pick-up locations), and if you need a small share (feeds one to two) or a large that feeds a family of four. Expect loads of farm-fresh veggies in each box (plus a newsletter with recipes and cooking tips), with an emphasis on Asian heritage vegetables.
Good to know: They also offer flower and egg shares for the season.
If you’re looking for a curated selection of fresh veggies, fruit and locally sourced breads, wines and other pantry items, try Kinfood’s weekly Produce & Pantry bag. It’s filled with gorgeous produce sourced from small, nearby farms, and its easily customizable add-ons mean you can support local women and minority-owned businesses plus skip that re-stock trip to the store. Try it out as a one-time thing or have your bag delivered weekly or bi-weekly for added convenience.
Good to know: If your kids eat fruit like it’s going out of style, try the weekly seasonal fruit box ($20).
Carnation’s Goose and Gander Farm is newer to the local farm scene (and the Seattle CSA scene), but has quickly blossomed into a vibrant farm dedicated to feeding our community responsibly grown produce. Every year, Goose and Gander Farm delivers 22 weeks of farm fresh produce to its shareholders for pick up at locations around Seattle. Each share contains seasonal produce grown on the 6-acre farm, and families can expect to feed two adults with a standard share and a family of four with a large. Shares are filled 24-hours before delivery to ensure the freshest seasonal produce. Add honey, eggs, and poultry to round out your weekly share. Don’t forget to stop by the farm stand or u-pickle patch (for pickling cukes) and say hi to the farmers.
For over 25 years, Helsing Junction Farm has been providing flavorful, nutrient-rich produce to its members. Each week during the 20-week season, members will receive a box of fresh, seasonal produce. Everything in the box is grown on the farm and then delivered to CSA members. Depending on the size of box you select, you’ll receive 7-14 items each week. Helsing also supplies its members with 20+ healthy and flavorful recipes, customized to the wide variety of items you receive over the course of the season. An abundance of cooking inspiration will never leave you guessing what to do with your veggies. And with over 30 drop sites and home delivery offered around Seattle and the Eastside, Helsing Junction makes it easy and convenient to get your veggies.
Good to know: A few other shares to note include their bulk, canning and storage shares that help families eat fresh all year round.
Dates: Mid Jun.-mid Oct. Cost: starting at $33/week
Get creative in the kitchen by subscribing to a box of fresh produce from Carnation’s Jubilee Farm this summer growing season. A family-run farm since 1989, Jubilee offers a diverse selection of nutritious fruits, vegetables and meat, all of which are grown and harvested using organic farming practices. CSA members are encouraged to spend time on the farm. You can bring a picnic and enjoy the u-pick fields. Throughout the season, you’ll find berries, flowers, herbs, beans, tomatoes and more. Summer Seattle CSA boxes run for 20 weeks and come in three sizes: full, three-quarter and half shares. Choose to pick up your box at the farm or at delivery depots located around the Seattle area.
Full Circle is passionate about growing and sourcing delicious, organic produce. For over 20 years, the North Bend farm has been promoting sustainable farming practices and delivering delicious produce to your door throughout the year. Full Circle partners with local farms and artisans to deliver a variety of box options featuring the season’s best mix of certified-organic produce and specialty farm products. Choose from a tradition CSA, mixed fruit and veggie or organic snack box when you sign up. Enjoy the flexibility, choosing the size of the box you receive, as well as the delivery frequency to fit your lifestyle. If you’re feeding picky eaters, fill out their “Never Send List” to exclude items you don’t want in your box. You can also swap out fruits and veggies or add on other products like eggs, dairy, jams and honey.
Dates: Weekly & year-round Cost: Boxes start at $27.95
Stanwood’s Klesick Farms is not your average CSA, delivering organic produce and other add-ons year-round directly to your door. Klesick’s Box of Good is filled with high quality, competitively-priced organic produce. Each week, a wide variety of fruit, cooking veggies and salad items, sourced locally from area growers, arrives on your doorstep. With your delivery, you’ll receive a newsletter with fun and inspiring recipes and helpful tips on how to use any new or unusual produce items. Klesick’s grows potatoes, spinach, carrots, beets, winter squash, green beans, fresh herbs and more, as well as raises all natural beef, lamb and pork. Add-on to your order by purchasing grocery items including eggs, coffee and snacks. Klesick’s delivery area spans from Bothell to Whidbey Island.
Dates: Weekly & year-round Cost: starting at $28.50/week
Nestled in picturesque Snohomish, Lowlands Farm is a small vegetable and flower farm dedicated to organic and sustainable farming practices. Lowland Farms offers a 24-week CSA season, filling boxes with produce handpicked by the farmer each week to highlight what is freshest at the farm. Boxes feature a variety of greens, root vegetables, herbs and snackable veggies. Flower and egg share add-ons are available. Flexible options make it easy for families to participate in the CSA. Sign up for a 24-week weekly share, a 12-week bi-weekly share or a flex share that runs for 20 weeks.
When you become an Oxbow Farms CSA shareholder, you support organic growing practices and the farm’s mission to build a thriving, sustainable ecosystem. CSA members receive a 20-week share that includes enough produce to feed two to three people. As the summer months go on, boxes increase in quantity and variety, but always feature the freshest food available. Oxbow’s market-style boxes let you choose the produce you most enjoy each week. Round out your healthy meals with add-ons from other local producers including honey, eggs and organic fruit. Pick up your box at the farm or in Issaquah or on Mercer Island.
Good to know: CSA shareholders get exclusive access to u-pick veggies, orchard fruit, berries, plus free u-pick flowers and herbs.
The Root Connection is Washington’s original CSA farm, growing local, chemical-free food in the Sammamish Valley for over 30 years. During the harvest season, members receive seasonal vegetables, herbs and flowers with superior flavor, texture and nutrition. The farm prides itself on freshness, offering veggies to its members just hours after they are picked from the ground. You can also pick-up your box at drop sites in Seattle and Lynnwood. In addition to a bountiful weekly share, members can u-pick dozens of types of greens, herbs and flowers for free at the Redmond-based farm, adding even more value to your share.
Dates: Jun.-Oct. Cost: starting at $991/full share; $495.50/half share
Good to know: If you want to support farmers and local farms beyond your Seattle CSA share, try Eat Local First to find farm stores, farm stays and restaurants serving farm to table food.
Do you have a little LEGO enthusiast at home? Then start prepping that resume because the LEGO Group is conducting a search for its first-ever Kid Creative Director to join the Kids Creative Studio!
Inspired by the launch of LEGO VIDIYO, Kids Creative Studio is a team of uber-creative kids that is focused on highlighting the imaginations of youth today. The future Kid Creative Director will onboard to a team of well-known kid creators, creative professionals from the LEGO Group and Universal Music Group.
photo: LEGO
So what exactly do the duties entail? Together with the team of other creators, the director will use LEGO VIDIYO and other creative tools to produce music videos, engaging content and a commercial that will launch this summer. Did we mention they will also receive $10,000 to put towards education and potting their creative endeavors to good use?
“We’re thrilled to be able to empower kids to keep doing what they’ve been doing the last year and truly honor this creativity,” said Amanda Madore, senior brand relations manager at LEGO Systems, Inc. “We’ve seen the ways kids are reimagining play and the innovative ways they interact with their peers. We believe now is the perfect time to celebrate this creativity by turning over the creative reins to them, recognizing and rewarding kids for being the true creative superstars they are.”
The opportunity is open for kids ages seven to 17 beginning Mar. 12 at 8 a.m. EST through Apr. 19. Kids can submit a parent-approved video that shows off their creative skills by heading here.
Want to learn more about Kids Creative Studio and the talent search? Just click here.
The end is Nye! No, you did’t misread that. The end is not near—it’s Nye. That is, Bill Nye.
Iconic science educator Bill Nye is coming to Peacock with an all-new series that focuses on some of the most epic natural and unnatural global disasters. Nye won’t just detail the disasters. He’ll also demystify them using science (of course).
photo courtesy of Peacock
Produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio, UCP and The Family Guy’s Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door, Nye’s new series will cover subjects ranging from viruses (as if we haven’t heard enough about these disasters lately) to volcanoes. Show topics will also cover other disasters catastrophes such as asteroids and climate change.
If your fam is into all things science, look for The End Is Nye on the Peacock streaming service soon! While this disaster-packed series isn’t exactly preschooler-friendly, your tweens and teens will enjoy the educational adventure.
Lupita Nyong’o’s number one New York Times bestselling book, Sulwe, just keeps getting better. In addition to being released in an audio version, Netflix has just announced the children’s story will be turned into a new animated musical feature. The film will be produced by Nyong’o and based off the book.
The story follows Sulwe, a young girl with skin the color of midnight. One night, she heads out on a magical journey where she learns the story of the sisters Night and Day and a subsequent lesson in self-esteem, colorism and true beauty.
photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Nyong’o shares, “The story of Sulwe is one that is very close to my heart. Growing up, I was uncomfortable in my dark skin. I rarely saw anyone who looked like me in the aspirational pages of books and magazines, or even on TV. It was a long journey for me to arrive at self-love.
Sulwe is a mirror for dark-skinned children to see themselves, a window for those who may not be familiar with colorism, to have understanding and empathy, and an invitation for all who feel different and unseen to recognize their innate beauty and value. I am thrilled that the book is being adapted into an animated musical that we hope inspires children all around the world to celebrate their uniqueness.”
Netflix has not revealed details as to the release date.
