tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70909614112354448972024-03-04T22:36:08.408-08:00Super(Natural)MommaIn an effort to live well and preserve the planet, I've been making some minor life changes. I'm surprised at how easy it is! By sharing, I hope I can inspire people to make their own small adjustments.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not perfect. I don't claim to be. I drive an SUV. I like to take baths. I lust over leather handbags.
Point is, you don't have to be fanatical to make a difference. Just find ways you can.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-72804485496960709322012-03-02T11:34:00.000-08:002012-03-02T11:35:07.645-08:00SNM's Blueberry Muffins<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Yes, I'm still here! Today I had a hankering for blueberry muffins and decide to try my hand at cleaning up a recipe. It took two tries, and I think these are just about perfect! They are healthy, tasty, and super quick and easy to make. Let me know how you enjoy them!<div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6wVlkFfEoIcOI2jor7jwXyasrXKkhXnIhbGTfSXIMKL4kKXuDgV9ZWAviGEZxqU455FQ_bxV5tZ0AKUxtttYe3B28MhGlIOy-O9tul7RTlws_MqGcvhgj4jQxdVht3YprZih-3d21JYx/s400/healthyblueberrymuffins.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715384930748913154" /><div style="text-align: center;">[i wish i could take beautiful foodie photos!!!]</div><div>Preheat oven to 400.</div><div><br /></div><div>In a medium bowl, whisk together</div><div><br /></div><div>1 1/2 c white whole wheat flour</div><div>2 tsp aluminum-free baking powder</div><div>1/4 tsp baking soda</div><div>1/4 tsp salt</div><div><br /></div><div>In a two cup liquid measuring cup, whisk together</div><div><br /></div><div>1/3 cup plain greek yogurt</div><div>1/2 cup real maple syrup</div><div>1 tbsp ground flax seed</div><div>1/3 cup milk (almond milk would be yummy too)</div><div>zest from 1/2 lemon (optional)</div><div>1 tsp vanilla extract</div><div><br /></div><div>Pour the liquids into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in a generous 1 cup of blueberries.</div><div><br /></div><div>Spoon into a greased or lined muffin pan and bake approx. 20 minutes, or until tops are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.</div></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-63023005997512568582011-04-26T04:35:00.001-07:002011-04-26T04:35:32.783-07:00Pediatricians Call for Better Protection for Littles<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans; font-size: medium; "><span class="focusParagraph"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.5; ">(Reuters Health) - The U.S. is not doing enough to protect kids from exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals, pediatricians said in a new statement released today.</p></span><span id="midArticle_1"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">The policy paper from the American Academy of Pediatrics explains that a law meant to inform the public about the risks of different chemicals, and to give the government the right to intervene to keep dangerous chemicals off the market, has largely failed to achieve those goals.</p><span id="midArticle_2"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">And, writes Dr. Jerome Paulson, part of the AAP's Council on Environmental Health, the consequences of that may hit kids the hardest, and in unpredictable ways.</p><span id="midArticle_3"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">"Children are not little adults," Paulson, of Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., told Reuters Health. "Their bodies are different and their behaviors are different. That means that their exposures to chemicals in the environment are different, and the way their bodies (break down) those chemicals are different."</p><span id="midArticle_4"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">Kids may be especially vulnerable to chemicals during important periods in development, when their brains and bodies are changing quickly, Paulson added.</p><span id="midArticle_5"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">He said the goal of the report is to include the voice of pediatricians in current discussions about the need to update the Toxic Substances Control Act, passed in 1976 with the intention of protecting the public against exposure to hazardous chemicals.</p><span id="midArticle_6"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">That law has only been used to regulate five chemicals or types of chemicals, Paulson writes.</p><span id="midArticle_7"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">That's because it gives the companies that make chemicals an easy out, according to the report, not requiring them to research chemicals for safety before those chemicals go on the market.</p><span id="midArticle_8"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">And without safety data, the Environmental Protection Agency can't prove that any of the 80,000 chemicals used in the U.S. are risky enough to require regulation.</p><span id="midArticle_9"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">Paulson said that even without more stringent laws on chemical use, the lack of information about just how risky different chemicals are makes it hard for people to avoid those potential risks.</p><span id="midArticle_10"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">"The reality is, we live in a chemical world, and some of them are benign and some of them aren't, and we don't know" which are and which aren't, Paulson said.</p><span id="midArticle_11"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">"It makes it impossible for us to understand what people should do to try to protect themselves or their children."</p><span id="midArticle_12"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">Noting recent surges of concern about bisphenol A in baby bottles and flame retardants, Paulson said that "we can't really deal with these kinds of issues one chemical at a time. We need a better system for screening chemicals before they're introduced into the marketplace, trying as best we can to identify ones that could be problematic ... while at the same time monitoring those that do come on the market."</p><span id="midArticle_13"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">Michael Wilson, who studies chemical policy at the University of California, Berkeley, said he was "thrilled" to see the new policy paper and that "it's a powerful statement, it's overdue and also timely."</p><span id="midArticle_14"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">Two weeks ago, New Jersey senator Frank Lautenberg introduced for the second time a bill that would reform the Toxic Substances Control Act.</p><span id="midArticle_15"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">"The problems that we're experiencing today that are very concrete problems ... all of those problems are going to broaden and deepen in coming years," Wilson, who is not connected to the AAP's council, told Reuters Health.</p><span id="midArticle_0"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">A spokesperson from the American Chemistry Council told Reuters Health in an email that the chemical company representative agrees that the Toxic Substances Control Act needs to be updated, and that the chemical industry is also working with the government to protect kids' health through other means.</p><span id="midArticle_1"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">Reform of chemical laws would "send a whole new signal to the industry" that the health impacts of its products, especially the impacts on vulnerable babies and kids, are just important as their function and price, Wilson said.</p><span id="midArticle_2"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">Then, the council pointed out, companies would have incentives to produce safer products, instead of having incentives not to measure health and safety risks at all.</p><span id="midArticle_3"></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; ">SOURCE: <a href="http://bit.ly/c7DozH" style="color: rgb(0, 110, 151); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; ">bit.ly/c7DozH</a> Pediatrics, online April 25, 201</p></span>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-6136911651627015122011-04-25T12:47:00.000-07:002011-04-25T12:56:30.894-07:00My Go-To-Works-For-Everything Bread RecipeI make this recipe weekly. One batch will yield a small loaf and some burger buns or dinner rolls. I use my bread machine's dough cycle. If you don't have one, proof yeast, mix dough, and rise once. Then skip to ****<div><br /></div><div>Set out 1 1/4 cups of milk, 2T of butter, and 1 egg. Allow them to come to room temperature.</div><div>Add these ingredients and the following:</div><div>Scant 1/4c honey</div><div>1tsp kosher salt</div><div>3 1/2 c whole wheat flour</div><div>1/2tsp yeast</div><div><br /></div><div>When cycle completes, remove the dough.</div><div><br /></div><div>****</div><div><br /></div><div>For loaf, shape and place in loaf pan. For round (hamburger) buns, roll and cut with a cutter or canning jar ring. For hoagie rolls or hotdog buns, roll and cut with a sharp knife into rectangles. Shape dinner rolls by hand. You get the picture. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let rise one hour. May be frozen at this point.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bake on 350 until golden.</div><div><br /></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-66104262405779188922011-04-25T04:18:00.001-07:002011-04-25T12:47:23.997-07:00Repost: Naturally Sweet and More ThoughtsA little over a year ago, I wrote <a href="http://supernaturalmomma.blogspot.com/2010/03/naturally-sweet.html">this post</a>:<div><br /></div><div><i>I've been trying to reduce the amount of refined sugar we eat. I cut out devilish </i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); font-style: italic; ">HFCS</span><i>, but the yummy white stuff isn't angelic either. I'm trying to save it for occasional treats like birthday cake or other special desserts.</i><br /><br /><i>For more everyday-type baked goods (muffins, quick breads, etc) I replace oil with applesauce and reduce sugar by 1/3 to 1/2. If I'm leaving out brown sugar, a little added </i><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-style: italic; ">molasses</span><i> maintains that warm sweetness. I sometimes use honey, depending on the recipe.</i><br /><br /><i>For breads, I always use honey.</i><br /><br /><i>Popsicles, yogurt, and oatmeal are sweetened with fruit purees or juice.</i><br /><br /><br /><i>I usually don't sweeten my coffee, but I had an itchy tooth for a sweet cup this morning. I glanced at my sugar bowl, then opted for a drizzle of real maple syrup. Oh My Goodness. It is delightful! Try it!</i><br /><br /><br /><i>Here's a list of sweeteners in pure form that I've tried:</i><br /><br /><i>Honey- Remember, if you buy local, you get great allergy protection! And for a touch of fun, check out my adorable new-to-me vintage honey pot!</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8DzFeC5HUpjL529vxYc99-0-8E59tpQfVdcP4WY8hY9PXg2IdYX37wiZQLIu6S6enjM7qc-OqnY2GSui4TwUqyeXplJz9cULUNFNE9BYi-45YrX5qC6KcWQef9SSUgcoVwbjq8OZAQE0/s1600-h/honeypot.jpg" style="font-style: italic; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8DzFeC5HUpjL529vxYc99-0-8E59tpQfVdcP4WY8hY9PXg2IdYX37wiZQLIu6S6enjM7qc-OqnY2GSui4TwUqyeXplJz9cULUNFNE9BYi-45YrX5qC6KcWQef9SSUgcoVwbjq8OZAQE0/s320/honeypot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451449704911070130" border="0" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><i>Maple Syrup- The real stuff. Pancake syrup is sketchy. This is one of those things you probably want to buy organic...many brands contain formaldehyde. Gross. Did you know that maple syrup has more calcium than milk? For use in baking, sub 1c maple syrup and 1/4t baking soda for 1c sugar and reduce liquid by 3T for every cup used.</i><br /><br /><i>Fruit Purees- Applesauce is easy, but be adventurous! Purees have the added benefit of moisture, so you can replace oil or egg yolks in baked goods.</i><br /><br /><i>Fruit Juice- Juice is sweet on it's own, and concentrate is even sweeter. Many commercial concentrates are stripped of any nutrients, so I recommend making your own by bringing juice to a boil and simmering until reduced to 1/4 the original amount. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Edited to add: While minimally processed, fruit juice concentrate<i>s </i>are high in fructose.<br /><br /><i>Molasses- Made from cane juice and high in calcium, potassium, and iron.</i><br /><br /><i>Sorghum Syrup- Sorghum cane juice, boiled down. Even if you don't buy organic, it has a low instance of pesticides because the cane is naturally insect-resistant.</i><br /><br /><i>I used to tout agave nectar, but I've been reading some sketchy things. Consumers are led to believe that it is some natural wonder, pressed from the leaves of the agave plant. Apparently, it goes through about the same level of chemical processing as HFCS. I will try to dig up some article links for you. For now, I'm looking for sweeteners whose processing involves no more than boiling.</i><br /><br /><b>I wanted to bring th<i>e </i>subject up again after learning more about agave and fructose. Studies continue to show that fructose in large quantities poses health risks. The majority of agave sugars are converted into fructose during extensive processing. The end product--bottled agave nectar--is equally processed and contains as much fructose as HFCS! Not exactly a healthy option.</b></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-33032295140466219882011-01-24T09:37:00.000-08:002011-01-24T09:41:02.310-08:00Seriously Cute Fluff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCiIKwz30B6dxLkyN-sXJoTTdsIHAxreHk2irAIdfOcdqabbO_CF3Cy63tO5H5UrjdPsNaD816iMM-Vh0sSizJsz6FIFbnHHYBRk65d4RzssyV1-Wf-Pmz1FS5wRLQV-CR_kT5TeFJZtj/s1600/mamamadevb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCiIKwz30B6dxLkyN-sXJoTTdsIHAxreHk2irAIdfOcdqabbO_CF3Cy63tO5H5UrjdPsNaD816iMM-Vh0sSizJsz6FIFbnHHYBRk65d4RzssyV1-Wf-Pmz1FS5wRLQV-CR_kT5TeFJZtj/s400/mamamadevb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565808221489519474" /></a><br /><div>Just a shameless plug for my friend Laura, who makes diapers too cute for words and lots of other great green stuff for her shop,<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mamamade?ref=seller_info"> MamaMade on Etsy.</a> This particular diaper is a Very Baby, which is my favorite newborn fitted. </div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-23549164437828940072011-01-20T10:07:00.001-08:002011-01-20T10:07:20.862-08:00Kitchen Gadgets I'm Loving #2: Misto Oil Mister<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5GUkLgIzenqSkNQOrMLaIIBBF9m-n8xMebdqUXWKGcV-jfwPbDVAul1RbvEOSp3QGvSi6aFbkyfFpo3-46JQZg0_yY2PqYfBE9aLMP813IPOfFdoHPlYoeLIFPWT_RRnf3qrqzHlJq3p/s1600/misto.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5GUkLgIzenqSkNQOrMLaIIBBF9m-n8xMebdqUXWKGcV-jfwPbDVAul1RbvEOSp3QGvSi6aFbkyfFpo3-46JQZg0_yY2PqYfBE9aLMP813IPOfFdoHPlYoeLIFPWT_RRnf3qrqzHlJq3p/s320/misto.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563965779505222194" /></a><br />These have been around for forever, but I can't imagine not having one...actually, I have two. Traditional cooking sprays contain propellants--usually propane or isobutane. There is risk of food contamination, not to mention the waste created by the cans themselves and their manufacturing process.<div><br /></div><div>I keep one Misto for olive oil. That one is for spraying pans for cooking or directly on food (eg vegetables prior to roasting). The other holds vegetable oil for greasing baking pans.</div><div><br /></div><div>Would a Misto (or two!) make your life easier and greener?</div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-43843325425248509112011-01-19T10:03:00.000-08:002011-01-19T11:28:18.028-08:00Kitchen Gadgets I'm Loving #1: Microwave Popcorn Popper<div style="text-align: left;">Ok, so buying new things is not necessarily eco-friendly. I especially try to avoid buying things that have a single purpose. The example that strikes me is a gadget I once saw designed to cook stuffed jalenpeno peppers on the grill. Really? How often do you do that that you need a separate thingamajig? But I digress. Every once in a while, I stumble across something that not only makes life easier but also replaces something less healthy or less earth-friendly.</div><div><br /></div><div>My family loves popcorn. What's not to love? It's a yummy, quick, whole grain snack. Unfortunately, we were totally dependent on the microwavable, pop-in-bag variety, which is loaded with it's fair share of problems:</div><div><br /></div><div>-It's wasteful: Each plastic-lined paper bag comes wrapped in a plastic bag, and those are stacked in a cardboard box.</div><div><br /></div><div>-It's not healthy: Microwave popcorn is loaded with artificial additives and hydrogenated oils.</div><div><br /></div><div>-It's toxic: That plastic lining that touches your snack? BPA. Ugh.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enter the <a href="http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-654954/Microwave-Popper">Microwave Popper from Sur la Table.</a></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap8FO5keKP2h-72m8dcYjLBTa5xpghhteQpS8ksIGcFweXgt_gjgue2_fhZVBBoqvkzWwC24NoVidUkA4wvpLyNgdjd_O858jdTsHLVwO-2JRKxIFcIUEDts5FNwgbUaJ7LKGPwWHqXxB/s320/popper.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563962496679598226" /><div><br /></div><div>This clever gadget contains no plastic parts. The popper itself is glass; the lid is silicone with metal mesh. You chose your favorite variety of corn and pour the kernels into the popper...No Oil Required. If you like the flavor of butter, you can add a pat to the lid, and it will melt over the corn as it pops. Yum.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's just as easy as popping in a bag, and the result is so much better. And at the cost of a few boxes of popcorn, it's a bargain.</div><div><br /></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-52120478898277489262011-01-04T09:56:00.000-08:002011-01-04T10:05:02.208-08:00I Miss You.Way more than you miss me. Really. While hackers, babies, and life have gotten in the way of my blogging, I've honestly fallen off the wagon a bit when it comes to lifestyle. Something about this blog held me accountable. How could I make suggestions I don't live by? I miss blogging, this is true, but even more, I miss SNM. Her. Me. I usually don't make much in the way of resolutions. I simply like to view January 1 as a fresh start. A realignment of sorts. Time to stop putting off, brushing off, slacking off. Time to remind myself who I want to be and take steps to become that person. So, I'm back. I'm not going to resolve to post with any certain schedule or number of posts, but I will post. Because I enjoy it. And what it makes me :)Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-47591223283378096352010-07-16T10:52:00.000-07:002010-07-17T07:07:12.180-07:00Better Blueberry Muffins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zYEoAL7TFL89kATaCUue7poyZjavOE4I-McU76cBvjCN94CD_0y2kctBmYgtmnqHc0mg6Q63E6DCR1VX-EuK2UM2ft6A5wkl8SePPmHiQNQ3VcwYsYVrUzzFsu3tE4fS_oWZSpcwWfRK/s1600/muffins.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zYEoAL7TFL89kATaCUue7poyZjavOE4I-McU76cBvjCN94CD_0y2kctBmYgtmnqHc0mg6Q63E6DCR1VX-EuK2UM2ft6A5wkl8SePPmHiQNQ3VcwYsYVrUzzFsu3tE4fS_oWZSpcwWfRK/s320/muffins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494876281301793202" border="0" /></a><br />My girls and I went blueberry picking with a friend today and came home with just under a gallon of perfect, organic, warm-from-the-sun berries. Of course, we couldn't do a thing when we got home until we made some muffins! I dug out my grandma's recipe and made a few adjustments to make them just a bit healthier. Don't get me wrong, these are still a treat, just not too bad ;)<br /><br />Preheat oven to 375.<br /><br />Whisk together in one bowl:<br />1 cup whole wheat flour<br />2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />3/4 cup ground flax seeds<br />1/3 cup date sugar (or 1/2 cup white sugar)<br />3/4 cup brown sugar<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1 teaspoon baking powder (make sure it's aluminum-free!)<br />1/2 teaspoon sea salt<br /><br />Mix in a second bowl:<br />1 1/2 sticks butter, melted<br />3/4 cup buttermilk<br />1 tablespoon vanilla extract<br />scant tablespoon lemon zest (optional)<br /><br />Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones until just incorporated (don't overmix). Fold in 1 cup (or more!) fresh or frozen blueberries.<br /><br />Spoon in to paper-lined or well-greased muffin cups. Bake 20 minutes for regular muffins or about 14 for minis. This recipe made me 12 standard and 16 mini muffins...DELISH!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-22166841117107398072010-07-15T08:12:00.000-07:002010-07-15T08:32:36.909-07:00Canning: Homemade Pasta Sauce<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk3TLyBwP7JqW0Pn_YIK1WNfX4TWdcU26_lAzyBNT2nBqxS7_jaJNNya9Gy7YUoBhGfgur94LiPACjefvnGZ6UC90DNlqjGBoXjrsyikbkcXeZDiifskgzuWlofyyaRewNlMvRjOMwkrF/s1600/pastasauce2.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk3TLyBwP7JqW0Pn_YIK1WNfX4TWdcU26_lAzyBNT2nBqxS7_jaJNNya9Gy7YUoBhGfgur94LiPACjefvnGZ6UC90DNlqjGBoXjrsyikbkcXeZDiifskgzuWlofyyaRewNlMvRjOMwkrF/s320/pastasauce2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494155186093816066" border="0" /></a>You asked for it! Making and canning your own pasta sauce is easy peasy. Use any recipe you like. I recommend a simple one--tomatoes, veggies, and herbs. Simple recipes are more versatile...you can use one for pasta, soups, chicken parm, meatball subs, etc, and just gussy it up as needed. Mine contains tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, parsley, carrots (for sweetness), salt, pepper, and just a touch of date sugar. It's organic and refined sugar-free. You can use canned or fresh tomatoes. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87bHBg7l-Jgvx_PygPpZWejw7ArSSO6qLyduuZsIOG91Jd_Sp6bvJD5zFyS8E8Khw2Rar_MTEBbNoeiR-CAnsR-oCNGjdmlrOJjAbEa2ssIcdfWq8xFYgEp7PnrLlYi0lzyJxcC03Nsvw/s1600/pastasauce3.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87bHBg7l-Jgvx_PygPpZWejw7ArSSO6qLyduuZsIOG91Jd_Sp6bvJD5zFyS8E8Khw2Rar_MTEBbNoeiR-CAnsR-oCNGjdmlrOJjAbEa2ssIcdfWq8xFYgEp7PnrLlYi0lzyJxcC03Nsvw/s320/pastasauce3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494156170328892306" border="0" /></a>Fresh ones will need to be peeled, which is done by cutting an "x" in the skin on the bottom and dropping in a pot of boiling water, then an ice bath. Canned ones save you this step, but don't forget that the lining of cans contains BPA. I think the perfect solution would be to self-can some whole, peeled tomatoes. Hmmm. Add that to my list :)<br /><br />Make your sauce according to the recipe. While hot, ladle through a funnel into sanitized canning jars. Wipe the rims with a clean cloth, place lids on top. Screw on rings. Place jars on a canning rack in enough boiling water to cover the tops of the jars by at least an inch. Process for 30 minutes (for altitudes up to 1000ft). When your jars cool, the button on the top of the lid will depress, indicating a good seal. If one of your jars doesn't process properly, cool it and freeze or use within a couple of days.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-78998831497168504122010-07-14T08:35:00.000-07:002010-07-15T08:33:41.649-07:00GIVEAWAY: Stylewipes!My friend Heather recently starter her own WHAM business, <a href="http://stylewipes.net/Home_Page.html">Stylewipes.</a> I immediately thought of how cute these sylish cases would be for holding cloth wipes on the changing table...so much cuter than my unplugged warmer or a plastic tub.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeh64FIYEEKTjGS3Zu_8p8nS-rDgsX3Ip_IOiBzP17m4SchMLHCIx2CSm6kkXRGfv-xvSilU_05YFFIj_sILNWm1gIdqgStTC7wfBBlv_xLQzOyE9Y66Cgp0SDIRN80mR1REB4yu7_M0Md/s1600/uptownlarge.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeh64FIYEEKTjGS3Zu_8p8nS-rDgsX3Ip_IOiBzP17m4SchMLHCIx2CSm6kkXRGfv-xvSilU_05YFFIj_sILNWm1gIdqgStTC7wfBBlv_xLQzOyE9Y66Cgp0SDIRN80mR1REB4yu7_M0Md/s320/uptownlarge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493790569657718066" border="0" /></a><br />Even if you use disposable wipes, wouldn't changes be a bit more fun with a Stylewipes box? You want one, don't you? :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Pq8apdbAz76iXsPk6-srtfxTBymwtLTSK-rvN-967-PncPhc-fZnjDW5a3Td70cVAp2PDdqJ9Xpu8TBMDhff7G9wg5brIcP0aW1GydPxko8BFQKvCZb7kInF6ov-gV5mtadj1AT5jFs7/s1600/daniellelarge.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Pq8apdbAz76iXsPk6-srtfxTBymwtLTSK-rvN-967-PncPhc-fZnjDW5a3Td70cVAp2PDdqJ9Xpu8TBMDhff7G9wg5brIcP0aW1GydPxko8BFQKvCZb7kInF6ov-gV5mtadj1AT5jFs7/s320/daniellelarge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493790345756173378" border="0" /></a><br />On Monday, July 19, we'll randomly choose one winner who'll get a large Stylewipes case, custom made in the fabric of her choice.<br /><br />Here's how to enter.<br /><br />1. Follow this blog and comment.<br />2. Become a fan of<a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1015182&id=1583187043#%21/pages/SuperNaturalMomma/303715437136?ref=ts"> SNM of Facebook</a>, comment.<br />3. Become a fan of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1015182&id=1583187043#%21/pages/Style-Wipes/121270331223886?ref=ts">Stylewipes on Facebook</a>, comment.<br />4. Leave a comment sharing your favorite Stylewipes fabric.<br />Dont' forget to leave me your email so that I can contact you if you win!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf5lOGIfR41GyCHjM_nL8fyMNAL1HcLx_Nv2b7kMSKaG8-WXLbPajNY7IYTKARN81aPiTx10ssgZPKZKOzFfJ06LeZb5DdEKqFXMFq-5RuevDGYH8VhTZzhURS89b-qFdTc3Y2CrXxCWH/s1600/emeline_izcr_v2wt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf5lOGIfR41GyCHjM_nL8fyMNAL1HcLx_Nv2b7kMSKaG8-WXLbPajNY7IYTKARN81aPiTx10ssgZPKZKOzFfJ06LeZb5DdEKqFXMFq-5RuevDGYH8VhTZzhURS89b-qFdTc3Y2CrXxCWH/s320/emeline_izcr_v2wt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493790838331918258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Good Luck!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-80090667205875719782010-06-16T06:41:00.000-07:002010-06-21T04:51:10.221-07:00Why Boycotting BP Stations Isn't the AnswerDue to recent environmental catastrophe that is the Gulf Leak, people everywhere are declaring their disdain for BP. They plan to demonstrate their anger by boycotting BP gas stations. Unfortunately, this will do little to nothing to the petroleum giant. Instead, it causes major damage to small business owners. Most gas stations are independently owned. That small local BP station is someone's livelihood. Furthermore, only some of BP's petroleum is used for gasoline. The majority goes to other petro proucts...the ones that are everywhere in the day to day lives of most people. How many petroleum products have you used today?<br /><br />-Your shampoo bottle, maybe even the shampoo in it<br />-Your toothbrush<br />-Your lotion<br />-Your make up<br />-Your lip balm<br />-Your travel mug<br />-The peanut butter jar<br />-The bag you put your sandwich in<br /><br />and it's only 9am. You haven't even left the house.<br /><br />Yes, we're angry at BP. We want them to pay, and they are. But the only way to really send the message that we've had enough is to reduce our reliance on petroleum products. The more we use, the more they drill.<br /><br />It's a tough change. Petro products have infiltrated our lives. Make better choices where you can, and demand alternatives where they don't exist. We live in a capitalist country, right? You are the consumer, the driver. Each time you buy a safer product, you are sending a message to the petroleum industry.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-12361507690818753622010-06-11T16:06:00.000-07:002010-06-11T16:45:33.767-07:00"Lactivism"Today, a friend posted a link to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7090961411235444897">this story</a> on Facebook. In a nutshell, Mom is at a baseball game with the family, sitting in the nosebleeds. Newborn needs to nurse. Mom moves up into an empty row even farther up. Security comes over, tells her she can't be there. Offers family restroom. Mom is livid. Calls media. Lactivists Unite!!! Boycott the Rockies! Their Sponsors! Major League Baseball!<br /><br />My immediate reaction:<br /><br /><p style="font-style: italic;">stories like this tick me off. and not for the obvious reason. i think she's blowing this out of proportion. i have a feeling security came over and said that the section was closed, to which she replied that she was there to nurse. they told her there was a family restroom. not because they didn't want her NURSING there, but because they didn't want her nursing THERE. she had obviously felt uncomfortable nursing in her seat, so they offered an alternative. had she been nursing in the seat for which she had a ticket, i doubt there ever would have been an issue. </p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">i get seriously ticked off when lactivists get all up in arms over stuff like this, twisting it to fit the bill. it makes us all look like angry nutjobs :( </span></span><br /><br />No woman should ever be asked to breastfeed in a bathroom. But I see this as an uniformed male security guard offering what he thinks is a helpful alternative. Like I said, mom clearly wasn't comfortable nursing in her crowded seat. Instead of accusing this man of being a discriminating bully, we should be focused on educating the general public about breastfeeding in a peaceful, non-accusatory manner. They don't know what they don't know...ya know? I bet this guy feels like a total jerk. Who hasn't been a similar position. Has there never been a time when you were ignorant about something and put your foot in your mouth? Did someone take you aside and kindly inform you of your mistake, or were you accused of being a bad person?<br /><br />I am a breastfeeding mother. I support breastfeeding mothers. I get furious as hell when a nursing mother's rights are truly violated. I am woman, hear me roar. I would attend a nurse-in in a heartbeat if I thought a mother had been the victim of discrimination, but COME ON ladies! Let's quit looking for reasons to roar!<br /><br />Did security have the right to ask that woman to leave a closed section? Yep. If she's not allowed to be there, she's not allowed to nurse there.<br /><br />Are mothers who feel the need to nurse in the lounge of a restroom lesser breastfeeders? No way.<br /><br />I nurse with a cover. Am I bringing shame to the name of nursing? Give me a flippin' break.<br /><br />Let's rally behind moms, however they choose to nurse. Society makes it hard enough...sometimes I think over jealous lactivists only hurt their cause. We're so much less likely to be taken seriously if we go around being Judgy McCriticals and looking to start something.<br /><br />I'm just sayin'.<br /><br />I'll leave you with this 100% true and relevant story.<br /><br />It was October. I had a one month old. I took her with me to the airport to pick up my mom, who was visiting from the west coast. While sitting in the car in front of Baggage Claim, Sweet E began to cry. She was hungry. I took her out of her car seat and began to nurse her in the driver's seat. Airport cop pulled up. "Lady, no parking here." "I'm waiting for someone." "No waiting, move along NOW." "Okay, just a second, I'm nursing my newborn." "Put your kid in the car seat and move along NOW."<br /><br />I was pissed. I had to put my crying baby back in her seat and make a lap around the airport, listening to her shriek with hunger. I cried with her. But the signs said no waiting. I was chancing it, and I was wrong. I pulled into the garage, parked, and nursed my baby. THE END.<br /><br /><br /><br />Now, I could be wrong about this particular case. If I am, I'm truly sorry. But there are dozens of others just like it, and I have to wonder what actually went down.<br /><br />**currently editing to add more thoughts.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-742845118661914742010-05-03T07:13:00.000-07:002010-05-03T07:14:17.088-07:00Recycled Post: Bug Protection<div class="post-body"> <p>Originally Posted July 08<br /><br />When I heard that a friend wasn't using any bug protection for her 5 month old because her pedi had recommended holding off until 6 months, it reminded me to post my rave for <a href="http://www.californiababy.com/natural-bug-blend-bug-repellent-spray-6-5-oz.html">California Baby Natural Bug Blend Bug Repellent Spray.</a> I'm one of those people who's blood is particularly attractive to mosquitoes and the the like. I've been using the CABaby stuff on myself as well as MJ, and it works great for both of us. I also have their <a href="http://www.californiababy.com/citronella-spf-30-sunscreen-lotion-2-9-oz.html">Citronella Sunscreen</a> and like that as well. Neither of these products contain DEET, so they're safe to use on babies of any age. Other companies make similar essential oil products...I know Burt's Bees is one.<br /><br />Warning: Digression Incoming<br /><br />This takes me to a recent blurb in Parent's Magazine. I have a free subscription, but I don't know why I read it. It usually finds some way to annoy me each month, most recently with one-sided pieces on cloth diapering and circumcision. This month's issue contains an article on the topic of summer insect protection:<br /><br />"Apply an insect repellent containing DEET to your child's exposed skin--avoiding face and hands--before the child goes outdoors. The AAP recommends using a product that contains no more than 30% DEET. Don't use DEET on babies under 2 months old.<br /><br />After your child comes indoors, wash the treated skin with soap and water. Avoid products that combine sunscreen and insect repellent because you could expose your child to excess DEET when you reapply every couple of hours.<br /><br />For extra protection, apply a repellent containing permethrin to clothing, shoes, and sleeping bags. Permethrin is a virtually nontoxic chemical that kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other bugs on contact. Spray items outdoors, and allow clothing to dry before wearing it. Don't apply permethrin directly to the skin."<br /><br />Let's tackle the DEET first. Avoid the face and hands. Don't use more than a 30% concentration. Don't apply to babies less than 2 months old. Wash it off as soon as you're inside. Don't overexpose. Yeah, this sounds like good stuff! Here's more:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">DEET is a toxic compound, partially absorbed into the bloodstream, and associated with dermal and neurological reactions. Several cases of toxic encephalopathy (brain damage) associated with the use of DEET in children have been reported in the medical literature. Generalized seizures have also been temporally associated with the use of DEET.</span><br /><br />And Permethrin? "Virtually nontoxic?" How's this sound:<br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Permethrin, like all synthetic pyrethroids, is a neurotoxin. Symptoms include tremors, incoordination, elevated body temperature, increased aggressive behavior, and disruption of learning. Laboratory tests suggest that permethrin is more acutely toxic to children than to adults.</span> </p><p style="font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified permethrin as a carcinogen because it causes lung tumors in female mice and liver tumors in mice of both sexes. Permethrin inhibits the activity of the immune system in laboratory tests, and also binds to the receptors for a male sex hormone. It causes chromosome aberrations in human and hamster cells.</span> </p><p style="font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Permethrin is toxic to honey bees and other beneficial insects, fish, aquatic insects, crayfish, and shrimp. For many species, concentrations of less than one part per billion are lethal. Permethrin causes deformities and other developmental problems in tadpoles, and reduces the number of oxygen-carrying cells in the blood of birds.</span> </p><p style="font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Permethrin has been found in streams and rivers throughout the United States. It is also routinely found on produce, particularly spinach, tomatoes, celery, lettuce, and peaches.</span> </p><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">A wide variety of insects have developed resistance to permethrin. High levels of resistance have been documented in cockroaches, head lice, and tobacco budworm</span></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;">.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">I'd call that pretty darn toxic. And the most widely read parenting magazine is encouraging people to use it for their babies. Nice.</span></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><br /></span></b></span></p> </div><br /><dl id="comments-block"><dt class="comment-author" id="comment-2506896030449487264"> <a name="comment-2506896030449487264"></a> <a href="profile/09253925828574581450" rel="nofollow"></a></dt></dl>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-62974774255752658312010-04-30T09:37:00.000-07:002010-04-30T09:44:19.518-07:00The Dirty Dozen/ Clean FifteenThe EWG list of produce with the highest instances of pesticides has been revised for this year. There are quite a few changes from <a href="http://supernaturalmomma.blogspot.com/2008/11/things-i-buy-organic-and-why-part-one.html">the last list</a>.<br /><br />Here are the "dirtiest" fruits and veggies...the ones you really should buy organic:<br /><br />1. Celery<br />2. Peaches<br />3. Strawberries<br />4. Apples<br />5. Blueberries<br />6. Nectarines<br />7. Bell Peppers<br />8. Spinach<br />9. Kale<br />10. Cherries<br />11. Potatoes<br />12. Grapes<br /><br />And these items tend to be "cleaner," that is, have lower amounts of residual pesticides.:<br /><br />1. Onions<br />2. Avocado<br />3. Corn<br />4. Pineapple<br />5. Mangoes<br />6. Sweet Peas<br />7. Asparagus<br />8. Kiwi<br />9. Cabbage<br />10. Eggplant<br />11. Cantaloupe<br />12. Watermelon<br />13. Grapefruit<br />14. Sweet Potatoes<br />15. HoneydewReneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-62297708368018758002010-04-21T11:28:00.000-07:002010-04-21T11:48:15.252-07:00How Does Your Garden Grow?I just placed an order for cedar garden beds. They'll be installed this weekend! It's something we've been planning/hoping to do ourselves, but planning and hoping doesn't get it done, especially when combined with laundering, mowing, playing, and all the other constant -ings.<br /><br />I'm so giddy about this is a bit silly :)<br /><br />I'm planning a bed for veggies and another for a cutting garden, which has always been a dream of mine. I haven't completed my list of veggies yet, but you can bet there will be bell peppers...i just spent $6 on TWO organic peppers...yikes! We also plan to plant 4ish blueberry bushes this year.<br /><br />I'm dedicating my garden to my late grandma and hoping she left her green thumb to me when she went to heaven.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-24089934920778291832010-04-19T18:46:00.000-07:002010-04-19T18:48:02.685-07:00I Feel Pretty!What do you all think of the new look? Next step is getting down to business with the post tagging. Oh, how I wish I'd done it along the way!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-9704279234186329502010-04-15T07:19:00.000-07:002010-04-15T07:29:06.041-07:00Nuke It!Eco-conscious families seem to have a multitude of conflicting arguments about microwave usage, each one as valid as the others. I myself have mixed feelings about the ol' nuke box...it boils down to this for me:<br /><br />Cons: <br /><br />Microwaves are appliances. They are just one more thing--and not at all necessary one--that will end up in a landfill.<br /><br />They cook food using radiation. Determined to be safe? Yes. A little creepy still? Yep.<br /><br />They make it easier, and therefor more tempting, to eat processed convenience food.<br /><br /><br />But I have one. Here's why:<br /><br />It came with my house.<br /><br />I don't stand directly in front of it when it's in use (which is often majorly inconvenient).<br /><br />Sure, it's easier to cook processed junk, but it's also easier to reheat my leftovers and pre-(home)cooked meals.<br /><br />It uses less energy to thaw/reheat/cook than my stove top.<br /><br />It uses less energy indirectly during summer months, because my stove and oven make my house hot, which makes my air conditioning work harder.<br /><br /><br />So, what are your thoughts on microwaves? Do you have one? Do you use it often? Do tell!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-73958029662361570842010-03-24T06:49:00.000-07:002010-03-24T09:32:39.514-07:00The Great Sling Debacle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuVN10i_wQ-3Q_dL9F_t8dLk5gReJLJCy2KPh_5ifJPcYdSxAt-0Gdk5OLSugZ_VzXUikINM_lJra0BPcBVTCInBPHNQMsmN95CKK7z52BYN0IB16psSu26HJja7wFtpcqJjlZzxqKyyI/s1600/tiredday1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuVN10i_wQ-3Q_dL9F_t8dLk5gReJLJCy2KPh_5ifJPcYdSxAt-0Gdk5OLSugZ_VzXUikINM_lJra0BPcBVTCInBPHNQMsmN95CKK7z52BYN0IB16psSu26HJja7wFtpcqJjlZzxqKyyI/s320/tiredday1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452201962812593922" border="0" /></a><br />I've been avoiding talking about all the sling stuff in the news, frankly because it annoys me. ONE TYPE of sling (the bag sling) is being recalled, and it's one that was exposed as dangerous years ago.<br /><br />Babywearing is a wonderful thing. It soothes and comforts babies. It promotes bonding. It allows mom to hold her baby and still go about other things...like chasing toddlers. Like anything in life, it needs to be done with common sense.<br /><br />1. Do not cover your baby's nose and mouth with fabric. There, don't you feel enlightened?<br />2. Do not position your baby in a position in which you would not normally hold him. (Like in a u shape across your belly)<br />3. Make sure you feel secure. If something feels off, adjust and reposition.<br /><br />Used properly, most slings are perfectly safe. But if you don't feel comfortable using them, here's a list of alternatives:<br /><br />-Wraps (ie Moby, Maya, homemade)<br />-Soft Structured Carriers (Ergo, Beco, Bjorn, Snuggli)<br />-Mei Tais (Babyhawk, homemade)<br /><br />A few closing tips from SNM:<br /><br />Don't put your baby face first in a sleepsack.<br />Don't put your baby in a Bumb0 on the top of the refrigerator.<br />Don't let your baby practice handstands in the excersaucer.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-20796456254882516212010-03-23T06:52:00.000-07:002010-03-23T06:58:54.440-07:00The Story of Bottled WaterAlmost exactly two years ago, <a href="http://supernaturalmomma.blogspot.com/2008/04/story-of-stuff.html">I urged you</a> to watch a short documentary, <a href="http://storyofstuff.org">The Story of Stuff</a>. If you haven't seen it yet, I'll urge again! It is really a great commentary on our country as consumers. I think about it just about every time I'm about to make a major purchase.<br /><br />The folks behind The Story of Stuff have created a new must-watch doc, <a href="http://storyofstuff.org/bottledwater/">The Story of Bottled Water.</a> If you're a follower of my blog, chances are you aren't a bottled water drinker...unless of course "bottle" refers to your stainless steel reusable vessel. Still, take the time (it's just a few minutes) and watch.<br /><br />Go ahead, I'll wait.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Good, wasn't it!<br /><br />Now, share your thoughts! I really thrive on hearing from you. Seeing your faces up there----^ is what motivates me :)Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-77285871129064997942010-03-22T05:49:00.000-07:002010-03-22T09:48:03.660-07:00Naturally SweetI've been trying to reduce the amount of refined sugar we eat. I cut out devilish <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HFCS</span>, but the yummy white stuff isn't angelic either. I'm trying to save it for occasional treats like birthday cake or other special desserts.<br /><br />For more everyday-type baked goods (muffins, quick breads, etc) I replace oil with applesauce and reduce sugar by 1/3 to 1/2. If I'm leaving out brown sugar, a little added <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">molasses</span> maintains that warm sweetness. I sometimes use honey, depending on the recipe.<br /><br />For breads, I always use honey.<br /><br />Popsicles, yogurt, and oatmeal are sweetened with fruit purees or juice.<br /><br /><br />I usually don't sweeten my coffee, but I had an itchy tooth for a sweet cup this morning. I glanced at my sugar bowl, then opted for a drizzle of real maple syrup. Oh My Goodness. It is delightful! Try it!<br /><br /><br />Here's a list of sweeteners in pure form that I've tried:<br /><br />Honey- Remember, if you buy local, you get great allergy protection! And for a touch of fun, check out my adorable new-to-me vintage honey pot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8DzFeC5HUpjL529vxYc99-0-8E59tpQfVdcP4WY8hY9PXg2IdYX37wiZQLIu6S6enjM7qc-OqnY2GSui4TwUqyeXplJz9cULUNFNE9BYi-45YrX5qC6KcWQef9SSUgcoVwbjq8OZAQE0/s1600-h/honeypot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8DzFeC5HUpjL529vxYc99-0-8E59tpQfVdcP4WY8hY9PXg2IdYX37wiZQLIu6S6enjM7qc-OqnY2GSui4TwUqyeXplJz9cULUNFNE9BYi-45YrX5qC6KcWQef9SSUgcoVwbjq8OZAQE0/s320/honeypot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451449704911070130" border="0" /></a><br />Maple Syrup- The real stuff. Pancake syrup is sketchy. This is one of those things you probably want to buy organic...many brands contain formaldehyde. Gross. Did you know that maple syrup has more calcium than milk? For use in baking, sub 1c maple syrup and 1/4t baking soda for 1c sugar and reduce liquid by 3T for ever cup used.<br /><br />Fruit Purees- Applesauce is easy, but be adventurous! Purees have the added benefit of moisture, so you can replace oil or egg yolks in baked goods.<br /><br />Fruit Juice- Juice is sweet on it's own, and concentrate is even sweeter. Many commercial concentrates are stripped of any nutrients, so I recommend making your own by bringing juice to a boil and simmering until reduced to 1/4 the original amount.<br /><br />Molassas- Made from cane juice and high in calcium, potassium, and iron.<br /><br />Sorghum Syrup- Sorghum cane juice, boiled down. Even if you don't buy organic, it has a low instance of pesticides because the cane is naturally insect-resistant.<br /><br />I used to tout agave nectar, but I've been reading some sketchy things. Consumers are led to believe that it is some natural wonder, pressed from the leaves of the agave plant. Apparently, it goes through about the same level of chemical processing as HFCS. I will try to dig up some article links for you. For now, I'm looking for sweeteners whose processing involves no more than boiling.<br /><br />There are other things out there that I want to try (especially date sugar!). I'll be sure to let you know what my results are.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-25751454769033073042010-03-19T11:32:00.001-07:002010-03-19T11:41:29.747-07:00It's Consignment Sale Season!There are so many things I love about spring, and a good consignment sale is one of them! <br /><br />Today I scored:<br /><br />6 dresses (three with matching tights or leggings)<br />1 skirt<br />2 sets of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">jammies</span><br />1 shirt<br />1 pair of shoes<br />1 pillow case dress made from a vintage hand-embroidered, hand-tatted case<br />5 wooden puzzles<br />1 toddler computer game<br />2 art smocks<br /><br />...all for around $60.<br /><br />Everyone knows consignment shopping is cheap, and most know that it's a great way to reduce waste, but did you know that previously-loved clothing is safer? Yep. We can't all buy organic handmade clothing all of the time. But commercial clothing made in China (or wherever) has lower levels of toxic chemicals after it's had years to off-gas.<br /><br />So search the local paper for a sale near you, load up the reusable bags, and shop shop shop! Your wallet (and therefore your husband), your kids, and the earth will be glad you did.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-3991816446744348502010-03-19T11:23:00.001-07:002010-03-19T11:28:45.385-07:00A Word About My GiveawaysI felt the need to clarify something for my readers. Every product I have reviewed on my blog is one that I went out (or clicked) and purchased. I have never received one thing free for reviewing or giving away, and I don't want to. I don't ever want to feel "paid" to give a good review. If I say I like it, I do. Sometimes, I like something so much that I write to the company and ask if they'd consider giving an item to one of my readers...you know, share the love.<br /><br />So there you have it. My reviews are straight up from me. Nothing free, nothing paid. That's just not the point of my blog. For product review blogs, that's great. But this is more of a helpful hint blog with an occasional "Oooh! I love this! Want one?" thrown in. I like giving away free stuff :)Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-4173353788221070022010-03-15T10:58:00.000-07:002010-03-15T11:11:31.635-07:00A Quicky Update of the List VarietyI have so many posts in the works right now, but I thought I'd let you know what's going on in the life of SNM these days. Details, pictures, and fun to come :)<br /><br />- I got my deep freezer! Woohoo, Yippee, and Yay! Well, I don't HAVE it yet, but it's waiting for me to pick it up.<br />- We've had some days warm enough to hang laundry. I'm planning a new clothesline so I can hang more.<br />- Easter baskets for MJ and E are almost complete...and not a corn syrup-y chick or strand of plastic grass in sight. Wait 'til you see the delightful goodies.<br />- My dear grandmother passed away last month. I got so many wonderful handmade and vintagey things from her home to remember her by. This has inspired a bit of a dining room make-over, in eco-friendly fashion, of course.<br />- MJ and I picked out some bulk wildflower seeds to fill our yard with local color. Can't wait to plant!<br />- Along those lines, I'm planning out my first real veggie garden.<br />- I've been baking. Bread. And lots of it.<br />- Materials are gathered for our hand-made Easter decor. The peanut and I have some serious crafting to do!<br /><br />The first hints of Spring never fail to bring on a new surge of Green Motivation! I've got a newly renewed passion and desire to be SuperMommy/Domestic Goddess/Eco Warrior. I can do it, right?<br /><br />Oh! How could I forget!?! SNM blog is getting a MAJOR makeover. It's going to take a few weeks, but I'm super-stoked :)Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7090961411235444897.post-4724517792860833362010-03-12T11:56:00.000-08:002010-03-12T12:00:09.481-08:00GAP Demin Event<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsakroN3_qKoUayqQ6pgkPlE8b49t8Qppy4icCeDMJXjwmATnr4R6bhOKU7S5QmhObTxOu4TgnX4II2whS0BSlnxuHhq2REr31KxeeBTgvU30FWSXwc4Dvc3YSHXAYe8jyVywQIO1kk2G/s1600-h/gapeninm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsakroN3_qKoUayqQ6pgkPlE8b49t8Qppy4icCeDMJXjwmATnr4R6bhOKU7S5QmhObTxOu4TgnX4II2whS0BSlnxuHhq2REr31KxeeBTgvU30FWSXwc4Dvc3YSHXAYe8jyVywQIO1kk2G/s400/gapeninm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447839587091596658" border="0" /></a><br />This weekend, when you bring old denim to the GAP, you get 30% off the purchase of new denim. The old stuff will be upcycled into eco-friendly insulation for homes!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692039873268919274noreply@blogger.com0