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One of my family's many joys of the summer and fall season is shopping at farmers' markets.  For us, going to the market is more than just stocking up on our favorite fruits and veggies, but is a pleasant outing where we feel more connected to nature and the community.  I always felt like there was something special about the produce sold at the farmers' market, which is why I was so excited when I saw the documentary Food Fight (available now on Netflix,) which tells...

Viewing the comprehensive and impressive milk ads helped me understand why I had grown up thinking that I should drink more milk, why the perception of milk was so disconnected from the scientific studies that I've been reading about lately. See below...

"The dairy industry...is particularly powerful in this country. Founded in 1915, the well-organized, well-funded National Dairy Council has been promoting milk for almost a hundred years. In 1995, two major milk industry groups put a...

Soon after my first daughter was born about 3 years ago, I spent a fair amount of money hiring an infant CPR expert to come to our home to train our nanny, my husband, and myself. Learning the CPR skills during this session, after a long day at work, was challenging (my brain and body were exhausted), especially as we approached the end of the two hour session! I had the best intentions to practice afterwards, but I never did. (I was lucky that I never had to test my CPR skills!)

A few months...

Lanolin: Used for ages, lanolin is the natural oil found on the wool of sheep (it is also known as wool fat or grease).  A natural emollient, it makes skin soft, and is also acquired without having to kill an animal.  On the downside, lanolin can be contaminated if the sheep has been exposed to chemicals.  Therefore, be careful to look for the pure (ultrapure) variety.

Zinc oxide: It provides a protective barrier on baby's bottom and is safe to use.

Calendula: An excellent...

Update March 2013: Since I wrote this post in February 2009, I've had two more children. The longer that I've been a mom, the more pure I've become in what I use for my children and for myself when pregnant or nursing. Today, I use Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild liquid soap (the bar soap too) as a body wash and shampoo. I prefer the simple ingredient list. If I didn't have Dr. Bronner's, then I'd still feel comfortable using the California Baby options below. Remember to choose fragrance...

Before getting this toothbrush, my daughter had a couple traditional (non-electronic) children's toothbrushes.  This electronic toothbrush has made it much easier for me to get my daughter to brush her teeth!  I can't get her to stop brushing her teeth with this brush!  My only complaint is that after having it just maybe 1-2 months, the brush looks like it needs replacing, maybe because my daughter is biting on the brush head, maybe because of another reason.  After...

From BabyCenter.com:

When does my child need fluoride and how can I tell if he's getting the right amount?

Developing teeth can certainly benefit from a little fluoride.  This mineral prevents tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and making it more resistant to acids and harmful bacteria. Most municipal water supplies are fortified with fluoride. (Call your local water authority or ask your dentist about yours.)  If it isn't, or if you get your water from a well, consider...

The CDC estimates that right now BPA is in the bodies of 93 percent of Americans, with higher levels in teens than in adults, and higher levels in children than in teens.

BPA, commonly found in plastics, is a potent hormone disruptor that is increasingly linked to health effects like brain and behavior changes, cancer, and reproductive system damages.

Children are often times exposed through clear plastic baby bottles, toddler sippy cups, dental sealants, the interior coating of some food...

My husband wrote the following for BeamGreen during the summer of 2009.

Encouragement comes when you least expect it.

One morning, recently, I was waiting in line at my usual sidewalk coffee vendor when a homeless man came up to me and said, “You have really healthy skin! You need a little more vitamin D, but you look really healthy…  Want to buy me a cup of coffee?”

Background

Three months prior, I did not look as healthy. One day, I developed a major headache and my...

Like so many adults, I have trouble sleeping.  While I don’t have trouble actually falling asleep, I spend the night tossing and turning, and waking up 3 – 4 times throughout the night.  The next day, I find myself exhausted!

For the longest time I have been looking for ways to promote a better sleep.  I tried to stay away from refined sugars, caffeine and electronic device screens before going to bed, but nothing seemed to work.  Then I came across a site that...