A new study has found that there may be a link between childhood leukemia and pesticides. The study, completed by the Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center compared urine of kids with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) and their mothers along side healthy children and their mamas.

Kids with ALL more often had elevated levels of common household pesticides then the mama-child pairs without ALL. Obviously the research can’t prove that pesticides cause the cancer, but the findings are evident that we should take a careful look at what we’re exposing our kids to both in food products and household items like …read more

Way back in 2007 I complied a list of foods for a post – Best Foods to Buy Organic. Lately there’s been some controversy in the news about organics and also some lively debates in the blogosphere about whether or not eco-products are worth the cost. Later I’m going to post my thoughts on some of these current debates (hint – I do think most eco-products are worth the cost), but before that I figured I’d update the organic food list.

Over the years organic versus conventional rules have changed over and over. Hence the new list. However, over the years …read more

If you’re buying organics you likely give a hoot about your family’s health, the environment, or both. However, these values come at a cost. While it’s possible to save money on organic foods, typically they do run on the more expensive than conventional side, which is why a new report about organic food at the Washington Post is so alarming.

The piece point out that relaxation of the federal organic food standards, and an explosion of consumer demand for organics, have helped push the organics market into a $23 billion-a-year business. That makes the organic market the fastest growing segment of …read more

There are plenty of good reasons to go organic for the planet; fewer pesticides used to grow food means less gunk in our air, soil, and water, organic food can help to promote a greener overall lifestyle and value system, and many organic meats require far less non-renewable resources than mass-factory raised animals.
BUT – is organic food actually a healthier choice for you and your family, or is organic food only beneficial to the planet’s well being? Actually, many organic foods ARE better for your health than their conventional counterparts. Why…

The fresher the food the better it usually is nutrient-wise. …read more

It’s another all-kid Saturday! Today, I thought we’d focus on cooking. There are plenty of fun, green, and healthy ways that kids can get involved with food. First up today – homemade fruit snacks.
These snacks have many advantages over boxed fruit snacks.
Healthier – while this is more a fun food, than a “meal” food, they still have less sugar than store bought fruit snacks and have no weird chemicals, colors, or preservatives.
Less packaging – the fruit snacks in stores come in little bags that come in little boxes. It’s a ton of packaging.
Better taste – hands down, these treats are …read more

Green news and blog headlines this week that may be of interest to your tree hugging family…

The most sustainable restaurant in America. And it’s family friendly LEED certified and pizza.

Type 2 Diabetes May Be Linked to Pesticide Exposure – I wouldn’t get too jumpy though, it’s a new study.

Ha. Too funny -13 ways to spot an eco-poser.

The dangerous side of eco-lighting.  Very interesting video.

Groovy solutions for urban commuters

The Forest Service is kicking off a national “Get Outdoors” campaign. This campaign is meant, “To encourage children and their parents to take advantage of recreational opportunities on national forests to develop a …read more

If you’re looking for a great guide on organic foods, then Organic Guide is perfect for you. I like Organic Guide because of the clean layout and design. It’s really easy to navigate.
Organic Guide was originally a print publication. Back in 1987 it was a simple newsletter with information about organic gardening. By 2005, the original publication had long since ceased and a team of individuals decided to bring the information online. However, they don’t just cover gardening anymore.
What you’ll find at Organic Guide:

Articles
A blog
Label sections – this part is really cool. They cover the basics organic labeling, markets, and …read more

Sorry to be MIA for a bit folks — I had a weird autumn illness this weekend. Now I’m feeling somewhat better and should be back to normal posting. Also, I had some great nature family photos sent to me by Kate over at Babylune so watch for those soon.
Now about organic foods. My basic take on food in general is that if it spent too much time in a laboratory it probably does not belong on your plate. If you can limit the mass produced foods you eat and stick to things that actually grow naturally your health …read more

Green audits of your home can be intense and each section of your home needs to be examined carefully. With that said I think it’s best to go over a home in smaller chunks than rooms — so that’s what we’ll be doing.
If you’re going to start doing a green audit of your living space it’s a good idea to grab a notebook and jot ideas and issues down as you go. The kitchen food pantry, or your food cupboards are small areas (unless you’ve got one of those cool walk-ins) but the amount of problems a pantry can have …read more