• Created on 10/24/10 by mamazee

Earlier this week Mothering blogger Jennifer Margulis wrote of the “No Impact Man” project, and asked us to share the steps big and small we have made in our own lives.   Having watched the No Impact documentary, I was particularly struck by the effect of their radical life changes on their relationships as a family.  His wife in particular just blossomed over the course of the year – and I was struck by the renewed focus on family & the quality of their time together. Yesterday I found myself with a double Chariot stroller full of crabapples and our final... read more

• Created on 10/24/10 by mamazee

As the weather turns cold (it was 37 degrees in Ashland last night and 51 degrees in our house this morning) in southern Oregon, we’re talking about personal consumption and lifestyle choices on Mothering Outside the Lines this week. James spent the better part of an afternoon installing a Microsoft Hohm device to monitor our energy output. We now have a rectangular screen a little bigger than an iPod on the kitchen counter reporting how much electricity we’re using at any given moment. The kids check it obsessively. “Mom! Oh my God! It’s up to .04 cents an... read more

• Created on 10/20/10 by mamazee

I’m in love with Colin Beavan. Even though I don’t know how to pronounce his name. “This guy, Colin Beaver, is amazing–” “It’s bev-an,” James interrupts. “Whatever. He’s amazing. He stopped generating trash. He made his own vinegar. He started baking bread, eating food within a 250-mile radius, and he even turned off his electricity. Plus he’s a really good writer. He’s funny and down-to-earth and inspiring. You have to read this book.” “Okay.” James is agreeable as long as my diction is correct. I took No Impact Man out of the... read more

• Created on 10/12/10 by mamazee

Shampoo and my hair just don’t get along. This is a recent enmity. In my twenties and early thirties my hair looked good no matter what shampoo I used. I don’t think I should give you the details about how my hair has been coming out in clumps since the baby was born or about how greasy it looks no matter the shampoo, but suffice it to say that my once thick hair has become so uncooperative that it would probably be better if I just made it into dreds. I’ve tried the no ‘poo approach espoused by Beth Terry and also used by Frugal Kiwi with... read more

• Created on 10/8/10 by mamazee

Talking about Toxics; What to Say at a Baby Shower Most of the time, I’m an organizer that works for better regulations for toxic chemicals. I’m interested in making sure that none of the “stuff “ we use everyday, such as shampoo, lotions, dishwashing detergent, floor wax, toys, couches, rugs or flooring, contains chemicals that could harm our health and our communities. Many of these toxic chemicals can leach out of everyday products and enter our bodies through the air we breathe, the food we eat, or through contact with our skin. I know because my... read more

• Created on 10/6/10 by mamazee

This week I’ve been traveling with the baby and the why-aren’t-I-10-years-old-yet-Mommy? big sister. We just rolled back into town last night (though the driving was a bit brutal, after all the discussion on this post, “The Delta Debacle,” I think I’m grateful we didn’t fly!). Athena skipped school to come with me and the baby. I’m in awe of bloggers/writers who manage to update Facebook and Twitter while they’re on the road. As you can tell from the l-o-n-g t-i-m-e between posts and the fact that some of the comments on the aforementioned Delta... read more

• Created on 9/23/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Rob WilliamsIssue 127, November/December 2004You and your children can become more critical media observers (and have fun!) by learning to spot these 11 persuasive techniques commonly used by our media culture's most powerful players.      1. Symbols Persuading through the use of idea-conveyances (such as an American flag on a lapel pin) that associate one thing (a politician) with another (support for his speeches or policies). Symbols are often phrases (“Just Do It”), images (the famous “Earth seen from space” photo), graphic brands (McDonald’s golden arches), or... read more

• Created on 9/19/10 by Mothering Editorial

By By K. Parrack Web Exclusive At the end of the day before the sun goes down, we go and listen to the leaves. Just Luka and me. The wind pushes against us, ruffling our hair. Wind chimes swing wildly. We walk faster past garages, windows and doorways. Leaves rattle sideways tripping over our toes. A robin clings to the top of a swaying branch. We stop under a tree. This is the perfect spot. I whisper to Luka, "If you are patient and very, very still, so still you are hardly breathing, you can hear the leaves sing." We wait and we listen, trying hard not... read more

• Created on 9/12/10 by mamazee

Good morning, mamas. Teatulia is offering two wonderful prize packs to you tea drinkers out there–and I happen to be one, so high five. (I also like to drink coffee–I love hot beverages, especially in the fall). One prize pack has teas with caffeine; the other is made up of herbal infusions. I’ve been drinking Teatulia for a year now; I love their tea’s clean, delicious flavors. I also love their packaging: wonderful, green, reusable eco canisters. 1. For the caffeinated mamas: a 3-canister pack of Teatulia’s “Classics”: Black tea, Bengal... read more

• Created on 9/12/10 by mamazee

by Sarah Juliusson of www.MamaRenew.ca – Find Mama Renew on Facebook & Twitter How often do you wish for just one more pair of willing hands in your household – as so perfectly demonstrated by Jessica in her Mothering blog post this week?  Someone else to help with dishes, garden, a good kitchen sweep, and occasional childcare.  You know – someone to drain the pasta while you hold a crying child. There was a time in our life when we had a maid.  Two maids, actually – they came together every other week and scrubbed my home spotless.  It was amazing. ... read more