Raising Daughters to be Strong Women

 

 

 

 

 

 

A strong woman raising daughters

I work in a male dominated profession and because of that, I am often the only woman in a meeting and I hold my own.  It doesn’t end there.  Part of my job requires inspecting construction activities, which means I am in a hard hat and vest looking over the contractor’s shoulder making sure they are doing it right.   This isn’t painting a kitchen construction, but heavy equipment, large backhoes, big holes in the ground, diverted traffic, and multi-million dollar budget construction.  I own steel toed boots, work gloves and a hard hat.  I also own power suits, heels and hose.  Enough said?

I am strong willed, independent, determined, and able to stick up for my point of view when there is a difference of opinion.  Even when it’s my boss that disagrees.  No one who knows me would say that I am easily intimidated. That’s my professional face.  The one my clients and employers see.

At home?

I am intimidated by creatures much smaller than me, with decades less experience, and whom have no direct say over me.

My daughters.

They are bright, happy, gorgeous girls with the world at their feet, but make me question myself and my mom decisions every day:

• If I agree to buy my daughters this toy, will it undermine their financial responsibility?
• If I don’t let them wear makeup, will they struggle trying to figure out what compliments their coloring when they’re older?
• Will letting them highlight their hair cause the boys to pay more attention to them and therefore start their dating sooner?
• Should I make them wear shorts under their skirts?  Or will that make them think they should hide their body and cause
  body image issues later in life?
• If I don’t let them have sleep overs, will they miss out on a huge coming of age experience?
• How old should they be before dating?
• Will putting my daughters in preschool at 3 be too soon?  Or too late?
• If I don’t sign them up for dance classes, will they learn to be graceful?
• Should they play a variety of sports or focus on one to get really good at it?
• If I don’t pay for this special competitive coach, will they miss out on being the next hot athlete in that sport?

The questions are endless.  After talking to other parents, it seems this second guessing is a normal part of raising kids.  But for me, I seem to question myself more about my daughters than my son.  This bothered me for a long time.  If it’s just about being a parent, shouldn’t it be the same for my son as my daughters?

 

I’ve thought about it and my best guess is that it’s because I have experience as a woman and a working mom.  I know the delicate balance we try to achieve with being assertive and yet feminine simultaneously.  With being strong and yet delicate.  Supportive, but not mothering (except for our kids).  Corporate diva, attractive wife, Mary Poppins, and domestic goddess all wrapped into one woman and doing all of it as though we had 24 hours a day to dedicate to each.

I haven’t figured out how to be all of these women at the same time.  How am I supposed to teach my daughters something that I have yet to master?

Yes, I’m a strong woman – but raising my daughters is intimidating.

Is it just me?

Anyone else out there struggling with raising their daughters?

Why Choose a Certified Nurse Midwife?

This piece was featured in Newswise and it highlight some great birthing statistics while celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Birthing Center at the University of San Diego.

I was so blessed to be able to deliver little diva and dude with the assistance of an CNM at UCLA (click here to read more).  After hearing the birth stories of so many peers I know the personal attention you receive from a CNM is unparalleled.

A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is an advanced nurse practitioner who provides primary care to women throughout their lifetime. Specializing in pregnancy, birth and postpartum care, all CNMs are registered nurses who have graduated from a master’s-level, specialized nurse-midwifery program. Accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), midwives must pass a national certification exam and meet strict requirements set by state health agencies. According to the ACNM, the number of CNM/CM attended births has increased by 33 percent, reaching 317,168 in 2006.

UCSD Medical Center has the only dedicated in-hospital birth center in California—one of a few in the United States. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, UCSD midwives have attended close to 9,000 births. One third of these births have occurred in the Birth Center. The midwife team reports a primary Cesarean section rate of 13 percent compared to the national average of 31 percent. In addition to a low C-section rate, the midwives have a 74 percent success rate for vaginal births after C-section. Their episiotomy rate is less than one percent.

“In the majority of circumstances, women can birth independently without intervention,” said Frederick’s midwife Karen Ruby Brown, CNM, MSN.

via Hospital Catches 3,000 Babies Via Natural Childbirth.

Pregnancy Chiropractic

Pregnancy Chiropractic a Great Addition to Pre-Natal Care

Pregnancy is a time of so many changes. The physical changes that a woman’s body undergoes during while carrying a baby are unmatched at any other time in life. Changes in center of gravity, musculoskeletal adjustments, and hormonal shifts often lead to aches and pains. These aches and pains are often caused by malpositions in the skeletal system which directly affects the position of the uterus which affects the position of the baby. Pregnancy chiropractic care throughout the pregnancy can help prevent and treat aches and pains and lead to a safer and easier birth for both Mom and baby.

As a pregnant woman’s belly grows, her center of gravity shifts. The change happens so quickly that it’s often difficult for her low back and pelvis to accommodate the extra weight in front. The stress on these areas result in misalignments (chiropractors call them subluxations) of the bones in the back and pelvis. These misalignments are often the cause of pregnancy aches and pains.

In addition to being painful, these misalignments also affect the position of the uterus. The uterus is tethered inside the pelvis by sets of ligaments. When the bones that these ligaments attach to are out of place it affects these ligaments and causes torsion of the uterus. When the uterus is not sitting properly in the pelvis the baby must alter his position to accommodate. A malpositioned baby can make for a more difficult birth.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is gentle, specific, and safe. To find a chiropractor who treats pregnant women visit the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association at www.icpa4kids.org.

Written By: Dr. Cristina Ramirez

Dr. Ramirez is a chiropractor who focuses on holistic medicine in her practice.  She is also an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association, the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association, the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association, and a leader for the Wisconsin chapter of the Holistic Moms Network.  Her advice is brought to you by My Baby Clothes in an effort to help better the lives of families.  When your little angel arrives, check out their selection of the most affordable and adorable selections of baby headbands, tutus and even newborn hats.

Have you sought Pregnancy Chiropractic care during your pregnancy?

Check Out With An Extra Source of BPA

Next time you check out at the grocery store – you might be getting a little more than you bargained for with your grocery total.

Like bisphenol-A  otherwise known as BPA.

Yep.

Turns out that thermal receipts may contain up to 1,000 times more BPA’s than the epoxy lining of a tin can – the most common known exposure to this prevalent toxin.  Granted – we’re not likely to wad up a receipt and chew it like a piece of gum – but have you ever handed it over to your toddler for entertainment on the way to the car?  Yep.  Me too.

A receipt taken from a store in the District contained 41 milligrams of the chemical. If the equivalent amount of BPA was ingested by a 155-pound adult, that would exceed EPA’s decades-old safe exposure limit for BPA by 12 times.

Current evidence suggests that low doses of the BPA can cause problem’s with the endocrine system.  Additional health concerns are linked to the reproductive problems and cancer.

So… we can’t stop buying groceries… but now that you know…

Here are some tips to stay safe when handling receipts:

• Don’t allow the receipts to be placed next to unwrapped foods.
• Wash your hands after handling receipts – BPA’s can transfer from the paper to your skin.  Logic then dictates… from your receipts to whatever you touch with your hands.
• Don’t allow children to play with thermal receipts.

Disputed chemical bisphenol-A found in paper receipts.

Cold & Flu Treatment & Remedies: My Home to Yours

Every mom has it, a cold and flu survival kit.  An arsenal of go to remedies that helps their family survive cold and flu season.

In our home we take a number of preventative measures.  Then I have the tools I use before the storm and then the whole arsenal is in rotation if we end up in the eye of the storm.

I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice, it’s just one mom sharing her toolkit.

PREVENTION

Hand Washing

It’s the most important tool in fighting cold & flu.  We use the PND Foaming Handsoap and water and wash for 30 seconds. We often sing a song. Don’t use antibacterial soaps which likely contain triclosan and aid in the development of Super Viruses. Wash often, wash well!

Multi Vitamin

I give both my children a daily multivitamins. My pediatrician thinks it’s a waste of money, but harmless. My Internist (an Integrative Doctor) thinks it’s worth while.

Vitamin C

Lil’ Dude & Diva get a daily dose of Vitamin C (250 mg) during the school year.  I feel like it helps their immune system.

Humidifier

Lil’ Diva has been having ongoing issues with a morning cough this fall. We’ve put a humidifier in her room to help her sinus’ move any congestion and it seems to help. The extra moisture in the air is supposed to help the little hairs in the sinus’ clean better (according to Dr. Oz).

Personally I take a plethora of vitamins that help keep me healthy – more on that another day.

Neti Pot

I don’t use this for prevention, but many people do and swear by it.

Perhaps you’ve seen Dr. Oz demonstrate the Neti Pot on Oprah or now on his own show.  I haven’t tried it with my kids, but have seen pictures of children using them on flckr.

Using the Neti Pot with a solution of warm salty water will help thin out mucus, clear your sinus cavity and flush out the very area were the little buggers are multiplying. While I know there are benefits to using this daily, I use mine when I’m feeling a bug come or when one has set it.

What they don’t tell you when you see it being demonstrated?  The first time you use the Neti Pot it feels almost like you’ve taken a dive in the swimming pool and the water went the wrong way. The good news, you quickly get used to it.

The Neti Pot is also useful for people with Chronic Sinus Problems.  Dude uses “Sinus Irrigation” for his asthma and feels that it helps (he uses the plastic bottle – it looks more like a nasal spray).

If you must use the plastic bottle, don’t feel compelled to buy the packets to add to water… simple table salt will do the trick just fine without the waste and expense.

WHEN YOU KNOW IT’S COMING

They aren’t sick yet, but you can see the signs. You have multiple children and one is sick, it’s time to give the siblings systems a little help.

Echinacea

If one child is sick and the other healthy we give echinacea to the healthy child only. My understanding is that echinacea doesn’t help once the virus has settled in – it only aids in building immunity prior to being sick. It also shouldn’t be used for more than 14 consecutive days.

Tiger Balm

If they are showing signs of congestion I will rub them down with tiger balm. It can be a little burning on sensitive skin, so I’ll use a layer of Un-Petroleum Jelly first and add the tiger balm on top. I rub the chest and glands on the neck.

Methylcobalamin B12

My understanding  of Methylcobalamin B12 (Melthylated B12 or MB12) is that it is Vitamin B12 that has been  to enable the body to absorb vitamin B12 better, in it’s regular form B12 doesn’t readily absorb.

My first experience with MB12 was in a nasal spray.  To get a nasal spray you need a prescription and a compounding pharmacy – this is the only one I know of that produces the spray.

The good news is this is now available without a prescription in a lollipop form called Revita Pop!  Much easier for the kids!

The minute I get a sore throat I take the MB12. It typically instantly makes it go away, if it comes back again the next day, I take it again. I also give this to the littles when they are coming down with something.

Many people are using MB12 in their battle with autism, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome and other maladies as well.  It’s worth looking into if you have health concerns.

Look for a review and giveaway for Rivita Pop soon!

Zinc Gluconate

This is a remedy that my husband and I use, but not as consistently as other remedies and I haven’t used it for the children.  Zinc is found in Cold Ease and a few other products. It’s great to take if you are going to fly and helps prevent you from getting sick if you’re around others with cold and flu. Apparently it works because it attaches itself to the same part of the cell that the virus would attach to, so if the real estate is occupied it has no place to go. Zinc may interfere with the absorption of antibiotics.

Neti Pot

When I know it’s coming – I start the irrigation. It would be better to use it daily – I just don’t have the time!

General Prevention

I have stopped using all Splenda and never give this or any sweetener to the children.  I have no scientific data, I used to use splenda in my daily coffee and I would drink Diet Black Cherry Hansen’s soda everyday.  It seemed that I would get every bug the kids dragged through our home, I was healthy for a week or two, sick for a week or two – seriously.  Since eliminating splenda – no cold or flu.

NO MORE DENIAL – THEY ARE SICK

Black Elderberry

Apparently Black Elderberry contains an enzyme that inhibits the ability the virus to spread. There seems to be evidence to support it helps with both Influenza A & B.  We use the liquid form.  It actually tastes pretty good and the kids are always trying to cough so they can have some.

I was careful with Little Dude, because he has some berry allergies, he was fine with the Elderberry.  Meaning the first time I gave it to him I tried a small dose during the day.

Vitamin C

When I feel a bug I start to load up on Vitamin C, I’ll also boost the children’s dosage.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

I use acetaminophen to reduce fever in for my children, and when I get headache and such. Others may opt for more natural alternatives. For the number of times we actually use Tylenol, I’m OK with it. It is so effective at relieving symptoms and easing the discomfort.  I am careful not give them more than they really need.

Neti Pot

When I’m actually sick, I use the Neti Pot to help keep my sinus’ moving. I will use it multiple times a day.

Tiger Balm

I keep this going until we’re healthy again.

Closing

I’m sure there are many other remedies that work for you. This is simply a compilation of what works for us.

Please remember, I am not a doctor. The information in this post is simply to share what we use in our home and what works for me. It is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor!

Love PND? Please support our work and take a minute to visit our sponsor hessnatur – a world leader in the natural clothing industry.  They offer a great selection of organic and natural fashions for the whole family.

Better Back to School – Tips For a Greener School Year

It’s that time of year again.

Parents everywhere are preparing to send their children back to school. In the US they are expected to spend 18 Billion dollars on back to school, an average of 563.49 per family with school aged children. Buying power like this can be influential. If parents make greener purchases, manufacturer’s will respond.

Some green these choices may be cost a little more, but many will actually save you money! Our children watch everything we do, so making green choices is a teaching opportunity too.

LUNCHES

*Be sure to label your water bottles – they are pricier – so you’ll want a chance at getting them back if they get left behind!

School lunches are the second largest source of school waste (first is office paper) – 2.7 Billion juice boxes alone.  If every family in the US sent their child with a waste free lunch, we would save 3.5 Billion Pounds of trash from going to our landfills or being incinerated.

The good news is that this is an area where you will save money, on average, almost $250 per year per child. If you work on one thing this back to school, make it your goal to send your child to school with waste free lunches. For more information check out www.wastefreelunches.org. Vow to stop buying prepackaged lunches and individual sized “convenience” packaging. I know it’s a little easier, but the alternative doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You just need a system.

Tips:

* Prepare lunches the night before, so you aren’t in a rush during the morning.
* Buy reusable beverage containers and fill with water, milk or juice (it really is best to skip the juice).
* Buy healthy snacks in larger packages and use reusable containers to send them in lunches – I keep a stack of containers in the pantry next to the items to be packed so they can be gathered together quickly.
* Wash and prepare fruit and vegetable snacks once for the whole week, then just pull what you need into a container when preparing lunches.
* Use insulated metal containers for leftover pastas, soups or other warm lunches – bonus using leftovers reduces waste saving money and the children get a warm lunch too.
* Use sandwich containers for… uh… oh yeah… Sandwiches. They don’t have to go in plastic wrap!
* Read my posts on plastics so that you understand the numbers and can choose carefully or better yet, avoid entirely. Safest way to use plastics, understanding the plastic numbering system.

Look for a great selection of everything you need to pack waste free lunches at www.reuseablebags.com.

As a bonus – lunches can be much healthier when you pack them yourself and avoid prepackaged options – you don’t even want to know all the %*# they put in pre-packaged food!

Note – we only use plastic for dry snacks & sandwiches – not for items that need to be reheated.

If I could do it again I would select stainless steel containers!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

* When shopping for paper products look beyond the recycle symbol – Ideally you want a product that contains 100% post consumer waste.
* Avoid Binders and other products made with PVC’s.
* Look for products made with recycled material, scissors, pencils, notebooks – these days it’s all available.

Buy School Supplies from eco friendly companies like:

Treesmart – they make both Plain and colored Pencils with 100% recycled newsprint they also make pens and rulers out of recycled content, shipping is included in their pricing.

Sustainable Group – they make school and office supplies out of 100% post consumer content and have a great corporate ethics – their back to school kit is $39.99 with shipping.

Product review and Giveaway coming soon from both Treesmart & Sustainable Group!

Avoid products that look cool on the surface, but dig a little deeper and the romance ends. Products like Smencils that are made of recycled newspaper, but are scented (scents are largely unregulated and can contain toxins) and the pencils are packaged in plastic tubes creating more waste.

Coming Soon:
Better Back to School – Clothing and Shoes

A Guide to Safe Suncreen

Summer is coming – which sunscreen will you slather on your skin?

Sunscreen is a product that we are encouraged to use to protect ourselves from harmful UV rays while enjoying the outdoors. If you’re a parent, it’s likely you are even more concerned about protecting your children’s sensitive skin and making the safest choice possible.

But what to do we really know about the safety of the products we are choosing – in my research – it seems clear that we don’t know enough.

Note – be prepared when switching to safer sunscreens you are going to move into products that are going to be thicker, whiter and slower to absorb that other sunscreen choices.  This is because they rely on a high concentration of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to block the suns rays.

Look for:
At least 7% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for UVA & UVB protection.

What to Avoid:
Spray and Powder Sunscreen
Sunscreen insect repellent combo – pesticides absorbing into your body
Ingredients; Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3, skin absorption, allergies, hormone problems
Brands; Coppertone, Banana Boat and Most Neutrogena

From the EWG:
No one understands the health implications of our exposures to complex mixtures of industrial compounds and pollutants: remarkably, federal health standards do not require companies to test most products for safety before they are sold, including nearly all chemicals in sunscreen and other personal care products. Little is known about the safety of most industrial chemicals. In the absence of data the federal government approves new chemicals for the market using computer models to predict if they are toxic to humans.

After 30 years of debate,the government has failed to set mandatory sunscreen safety standards. Companies are free to make their own decisions on everything from advertising claims to product quality. FDA now stands in direct violation of a Congressional mandate requiring the agency to finalize sunscreen safety standards by May 2006, flouting not only Congress but also consumers, who are reliant on sunscreen to protect their health.

EWG’s Top Ten List:

Blue Lizard
California Baby (SPF 30 or Higher)
CVS (with zinc oxide
Jason Natural Cosmetics – Sunbrellas Mineral Based Sunblock
Kiss My Face – Paraben Free series
Neutrogena – Sensative Skin Sunblock
Olay Defense Daily UV Moisturizer with zinc
SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense
Solar Sense Clear Zinc for Face
Walgreens Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose, & Ears

My Picks:

After studying the EWG’s extensive list the following products have an EWG score of 0-3 for toxicity. My selections are for individual products, not the brands in general, as brand scores can vary widely.

Natural:
Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas: Mineral Based Physical Sunblock SPF 30+
Kiss My Face Sunscreen Spf#30 + With Oat Protein 100% Paraben Free
Nature’s Gate Organics Be Solective Sunscreen for Face, SPF 30
All California Baby Sunscreens

Luxury
Dermalogica Super Sensitive Face Block, SPF 30
Mustela Sun Cream for Sensitive Areas, SPF 50
Kiehl’s All-Sport ‘non-Freeze’ Face Protector, SPF 30
DDF Organic Sunblock, SPF 30

Value:
CVS Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 45+
Walgreens Sunblock with Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose & Ears, SPF 45+
Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer, SPF 30 – Available at my Target
No-Ad Ultra Sunblock Lotion, SPF 60

If you must use a spray – these are your best bets:
Almay Sun Protector for Body Spray, SPF 30
Dermalogica Waterblock Solar Spray, SPF 30
Banana Boat Ultra Mist Kid’s Tear Free Continuous Spray Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30 – Only SPF 30 the SPF 50 is rated 9!

Shopping at Target:
I was recently at target, they had walls of sunscreen. I could only find one of the above products – After an hour of research using my telephone I was able to find 2 sunscreens that were an EWG 3 and the lowest score for a spray was a 5.
Coppertone WaterBabies Pure & Simple – SPF 50 – oil, fragrance & dye free
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion – SPF 60+
Banana Boat Kids Continuous Spray Sunscreen – SPF 50

To learn more:
www.ewg.org/cosmetics/report/sunscreen09

Natural First Finger Foods for Infants

During the finger food stage of feeding your little one my favorites are (Organic):

Puffed Wheat

Puffed Kamut (related to wheat) – larger and easier for little hands to grasp

Puffed Brown Rice

Puffed Corn

Brown Rice Cakes – Unsalted

* Don’t forget the fruits and vegetables.  You can cook and chop into small pieces any vegetable or non soft fruit that you might feed them at meal time.

You’re Having a Baby – Plans For Delivery

So, you’re having a baby. Congratulations! Welcome to the biggest challenge and biggest joy of your life.

You want to have a natural childbirth. People are laughing at you. You’re not sure where to go for support.

Before getting pregnant – if you had asked me – I would have told you that if I ever had a baby I would be the first in line for the epidural. Sign me up, lets go.  I knew I didn’t want a c-section – I didn’t want any scars, but give me the drugs… please!

Something changed for me once I had that little one in my belly.

I had carefully chosen my OBGYN prior to getting pregnant, knowing that we would be trying to start our family soon. I talked to friends, researched online and made my selection.

A few months into my pregnancy – I started to have questions… I realized I was in a group practice and unless I went into labour during office hours, the chances of my doctor delivering our baby was pretty small. This was not the experience I wanted.

My mother, a Registered Massage Therapist in Canada, had delivered me and my sister’s naturally, so somewhere along the way I became open to the idea of attempting a natural childbirth. I had also heard her talk many times over the years about patients developing chronic lower back pain following their epidurals… too many to be coincidental. This sounded like it was worth avoiding to me. I thought I would be open to trying it on my own, and I was going to be in the hospital, so it wasn’t like they would refuse drugs if it wasn’t going well.

One of my closest friends is a birthing doula, we had many conversations about the birthing process, the high incidence of induction, scheduled c-sections and general intervention in the natural process of bringing a baby into this world.

So, I decided I wasn’t going for the auto epidural. I was going to attempt a natural childbirth.

Then came the big question – how on earth is my baby’s head going to make it out of that opening without the help of drugs. I started my research and picked my birthing class.

I decided on Hypnobirthing.  Through the hypnobirthing website I met Alisha Tamburri who became my hypnobirthing instructor. I decided that if I had a shot at doing this without drugs, this was going to be the way it would happen. Alisha’s class was invaluable and helped me realize I was with a nice doctor in the wrong practice.

With her help I found a practice with two OBGYN’s, Dr. Crane & Dr. Chin and a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Debbie Franks – they even had receptionists who knew your name when you called their office – this is in Los Angeles.

When I met with the Debbie, there was no way I was having a midwife and there was no way my husband would go for it even if it was what I wanted. Yet, after a meeting with Debbie, I knew I wanted her to deliver our baby. With a little help from my Mother In Law – Debbie was in.

My experience with Debbie and her whole team was fantastic, not to mention night and day from what I’d experienced at my prior doctor’s team. And different from most other mom’s I’ve spoken with since.

So I went from being the first in line for an epidural, to taking hypnobirthing classes and delivering my baby with a midwife. I ended up having a natural childbirth in a hospital and I’m so happy that I gave it a try.

Below are some resources that were useful to me. I also recently watched The Business of Being Born – a documentary that I wished I had seen sooner and suggest it for all expectant mothers.

http:http://www.mymidwife.org/midwife.cfm
http://www.hypnobirthing.com

Green Your Toddlers: Easy ways to teach your child be green

The toddler years seem to be filled with waste.

I’m saddened by the food that we waste in our home daily. Did you know we throw out enough food to feed 49 million people every year? Not to mention water, supplies, diapers, birthdays and so on…

My children are toddlers, but we have started to teach them, begun to plant seeds of awareness.

Awareness that they shouldn’t be wasteful, awareness that what they do in their home impacts beyond them.

Opportunities for teaching children to conserve are endless and can be implemented throughout our daily lives as they arise and as is appropriate for the age of your child.

As I’ve searched for ideas to “green our toddlers” I’ve found many ideas and lots of cool lists. What I haven’t found as readily is what people are doing in their homes – real life experiences.

So this post talks about things that you can do with your child. When you finish reading the ideas – click through to find out how we work these ideas into our daily lives.

Take what works for you and build from there!

1. Water – teach them to use less.
2. Teach them to recycle.
3. Teach them not to be wasteful.
4. Buy quality and teach them to take care of what they have.
5. Teach them not to litter.
6. Drink water from a cup or reusable water container.
7. Turn off the lights, unplug the “stuff”
8. Donate – when you are done with something donate to a worthy organization
9. Waste free lunches.
10. Recycle your batteries safely and/or switch to rechargeable batteries.

Other places to look for ideas:

Kids National Geographic
Naturally Savvy

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