Thanks to Deirdre Imus’ New York Time’s bestselling book Growing Up Green, raising healthy kids in a natural and eco-minded way just became a little easier. In her book’s opening letter to parents, Imus says that “changes in our lifestyle, diet, and environment have taken a dramatic – and tragic – toll on our children’s health.” Covering kid’s health and wellness issues from infants to adolescents, the book offers valuable information and tips on how to raise healthier kids in a “green” eco-minded way.
Mambo Sprouts is mentioned as a resource for “tips on natural health, nutrition and the benefits of organic food” as well as a way to save on healthier choices at the supermarket. Check out Mambo Sprouts feature in Growing Up Green
Growing up Green by Deirdre Imus is available from Amazon
What is Bisphenol A (BPA) and what can you do to protect your family and kid’s health and minimize exposure to it? According to a recent Enviroblog, BPA is a toxics plastic chemical which may be have negative health effects for pregnant women and children.
Rustle the Leaf is an online outreach that uses syndication-quality, weekly comic strips and other creative tools to communicate essential environmental themes and truths. Our goals are to encourage environmentalists, to facilitate the sharing of environmental views in an engaging, non-confrontational manner and to introduce and reinforce environmental education with people ages 6 to 106.
Rustle the Leaf hopes you’ll enjoy the comics, their website and hopes that–because of Rustle–you’ll become more interested in helping to preserve, protect and heal this world that has been placed in our care.
Nourish Interactive launches a website that offers free nutrition oriented tools and games for kids. This site is designed to help parents and children learn about the importance of nutrition and exercise in a fun and engaging way. Kids will learn how to make healthy food choices by playing the online animated games. Chef Solus is your guide as you explore and learn about health and fitness in this animated and interactive adventure. free kids games, nutrition games for kids, nutrition education games!
“Offering free games and new ideas every month to teach children and parents nutritious habits for healthy living,” said Michelle Mirizzi, MS, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant. “By playing these interactive games like Pyramid Puzzles, Matching Meals or Whack a Snack, children will definitely have fun learning how to create a healthy lifestyle.”
This is a quality ‘edutainment’ that uses online tools, games, and animation to teach kids to make healthy lifestyle and food choices, which benefit both kids and parents alike.
Parent interaction is built into Nourish Interactive, as kids and parents sign up together making for an opportunity to have fun and learn together. When children learn that health and nutrition can be fun, it makes it easier on parents when they are trying to get their children to make wiser food choices. Parents can sign up for a free newsletter, easy nutrition tips, and log in to track their child’s progress through the games. Games available in English and Spanish.
Click below to take ‘a tour’ and learn more about the fun and benefits of nutrition games for kids: free kids games, nutrition games for kids, interactive nutrition tools…. plus great kid’s health, nutrition and fitness tools and resources for parents by www.nourishinteractive.com!
Meal planning and shopping lists can help you to eat healthier, save time and save money.
Packing nutrition into your day and cooking delicious new meals is easy with the tips provided by Food Blogger.
Check out these simple, yet effective tips for buying fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, dairy/cheese, eggs, fish, shellfish, meat and grains. You’ll find you can simplify your grocery store trips, eat healthy and save money!Read Healthy Eating Shopping List
Organic & Natural Food and Product Coupons!
Discover great organic food and natural products and save money with Mambo Sprouts coupons. Featuring coupons from today’s leading natural and organic companies such as: Organic Valley, Back to Nature, Ian’s Natural Foods, Boca, Silk, Thai Kitchen, San-J, Balance Bar, Clif Bar & Company, Kashi, Kiss My Face and many more….
Organic Coupons click here to see if you are in one of our free mailing regions to receive natural and organic coupons by mail. You’ll receive over $25 in coupon savings 3 times a year - start saving money on great natural and organic food and products!
THE GREENS is a cool kids’ site about looking after the planet. MeetTheGreens.org is produced by the award-winning kid’s team at WGBH Interactive in Boston.
Kids can watch THE GREENS’ cartoon adventures and discover related green games, news, downloads, blog, action tips, links and much more. This innovative web-only project comes from WGBH in Boston, the producer of shows like ZOOM, ARTHUR and Frontline & NOVA.
Exciting news for those of us taking steps to live a more sustainable lifestyle- Ed Begley Jr., actor and environmentalist, has just released his book ‘Living Like Ed’, this great book provides practical tips for living green.
Book Description:
Ed Begley Jr., presents a do-it-yourself guide to green living that explains how to incorporate eco-friendly products and practices into one’s everyday life. The book is covering areas such as the home, transportation, recycling, energy, food, gardening, clothing and furnishing. Begley shares his experiences on what works, what doesn’t and what will save you money!
“…. From recycling more materials than you ever thought possible to composting without raising a stink to buying an electric car, Living Like Ed is packed with ideas - from obvious to ingenious–that will help you live green, live responsibly and live well-Like Ed.”
Click here to find out more about the new green living book “Living Like Ed”
Discover great organic food and natural products plus save money with Mambo Sprouts coupons! Featuring coupons from today’s leading natural and organic companies such as: Organic Valley, Back to Nature, Ian’s Natural Foods, Boca, Silk, Thai Kitchen, San-J, Balance Bar, Clif Bar & Company, Kashi, Kiss My Face and many more….
Mambo Sprouts ‘Winter Coupons’ are in stores now! Our coupon booklets are found in grocery stores throughout the country.
Here are other great ways to get Mambo Sprouts coupons: Click here to sign up for organic food coupons, natural product coupons by mail.
Each coupon mailer is worth over $25 in coupon savings.
(just type in first 3 digits of zip code) If you are in one of our FREE mailing regions you can start saving money on great natural and organic food and products! You’ll receive our coupon booklet, latest healthy news, product information and recipes every winter, spring and fall.
Star Wars At The Supermarket –see the â€Organic Rebellion†against non-sustainable farming and the dangers of pesticide use in this video that promotes sustainable farming and organic consumer food choices.
This clever and entertaining video uses vegetable characters (yes… in costume) with Star Wars inspired produce character names to show us all ‘the power in living in harmony with the way of the farm’.
Enjoy the video and live in harmony with the ‘way of the farm’ by choosing to buy sustainable and organic products!
Share your favorite green and organic living videos with the Mambo Sprouts Community.
This quick video, set the music of Brian Wilson’s Beach Boy’s song “Wouldn’t It Be Niceâ€, is a fun entertaining way of spreading the message about healthy food choices to kids (and parents!)
There is no need to hybernate your gardening hobby during the winter months. You can prepare for the warmer months or bring your garden indoors. Here are a few videos and options to get you going.
Global warming and the 2008 Presidential primary elections are hot topics in the news. But do you know where your candidate stands on environmental issues?
If global warming, the environment, and “green†is a factor in your voting, you should check out Grist.com’s voters resources. Grist provides a quick summary of each presidential candidate’s environmental records, climate change plans, and their positions on environmental policy. Click here: How Green Is Your Candidate for the quick and handy chart comparing the views of all of the 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential candidates on climate and energy issues.
If you want to learn even more you will also find their environmental voting records, detailed energy plans, fact sheets, and multimedia information. From reading interviews with the candidates, to audio or video clips, if sustainable energy policy is important to you this guide can help you to decide who to vote for in election 08. Click here to visit Grist for candidate information, interviews and more.
Additional resources:
Sierra Club presidential candidate endorsements
2000 Al Gore
2004 John Kerry
2008 ? Sierra Club
Recognizing that your favorite meals may not top the world’s healthiest food list, there are some easy ways to prepare these same foods using alternative natural and organic ingredients and healthier cooking methods.
This great Lime article takes a fresh approach to fried fish and chips and shows you how to cook with healthier ingredients and less saturated fats. Try substituting or adding healthier ingredients to boost nutrition, i.e., create a healthier macaroni by using whole grain macaroni and adding organic veggies and low fat cheese. With a little creativity you can turn your favorite “fried food†dish or comfort food into a healthy organic meal! Click to read full article at Lime.com
New studies show that cleaning with common cleaning sprays and air fresheners increases asthma risk. Housework with these cleaning chemicals, even once a week, can raise the risk of asthma and other illnesses. There are safe, effective, and natural alternatives to chemical cleaning products. It is especially important to reduce children’s exposure to harsh cleaning products
Safe, green and healthy tips for raising children! From choosing safe non-toxic furniture and paints to healthy foods and more, this tip list contains valuable information for raising kids the natural and organic way.
Confused about how to buy toys which are safe, non-toxic, educational and “green” this holiday season? You’re in good company. With news of toxic toys containing lead and other harmful substances, small loose parts that pose health hazards, and the eco impact of toy production and disposal, it’s important to be informed to safeguard children and the environment.
For information on how to make safe, healthy, eco-friendly toy buying decisions, check out the Toy Shopper’s Guide and checklist at www.HealthyChild.org. Tips include avoiding toys which are made of PVC plastic, a possible health hazard, in favor of safer non-toxic environmentally friendly toys made from naturally finished or unfinished wood, all-natural, untreated fibers like cotton, hemp and wool with non-toxic dyes. For a more earth friendly choice, try to buy sustainable toy products made from organic and recycled materials.
Listen to this podcast to understand the true impact of junk food marketing on kids! An estimated 10 billion dollars is spent on marketing junk food to children. Learn about the marketing tactics used and ways to prevent your child’s diet from being harmed by these ad campaigns.
Guest speaker Susan Lynn, author of the book ‘Consuming Kids’, discusses the disturbing trends of mass market food corporations donating teaching materials to preschools. For example “art creativity with Froot Loops” comes with educational materials and boxes of Froot Loops. The use of cartoon characters to market junk food is also cause for concern.
Another podcast guest represents the Mendez Foundation, a prevention and wellness organization that develops school curriculum for teaching kids to make healthy food choices. Their newest program is designed to educate kids about the importance of a whole foods diet and exercise.
What can parents do to combat “junk food marketing?
Watch out for media character marketing and discuss this form of advertising with your children
Discuss food advertising and the impact of media with your kids.
Get involved with groups active in the rights of children media campaign - visit www.commercialfreechildhood.org for more info.
Teach your kids to read ingredients
Help guide your children in make healthy choices by choosing foods of high nutritional value that will help their body to grow.
Teach your kids to be ‘ad’ detectives
Be a good role model for food choices.
Take Action for Better Farm and Food Policy to Support Healthy Sustainable Communities
Special thanks to our friends at Organic Valley for sharing this opportunity to provide input and take action in support of Better Farm Policy and farm bill legislation which will help build healthy communities and have a positive impact on our health and nutrition and the environment.
The US Senate is deliberating on farm and food policy and amendments which will set the course of food and farm policy for the next 5 years. Learn about proposed amendments to the farm bill which provides opportunities to protect working farms and ranches, improve the environment and further conservation, land and wildlife protection efforts. Advocate for better farm and food policies which are healthier for consumers and the environment.
Contact your legislators to find out about amendments to the Farm Bill which will support small scale, organic, sustainable family farming and land conservation and protection efforts at: http://www.farmland.org/programs/campaign/default.asp
Organically grown food is healthier according to a European study which tested the nutrition content of organic and conventionally grown food. Organically grown produce was shown to have up to 40% more antioxidants and more trace elements. Even more sustainable news is a recent report on organic milk indicating that it contains over 50% more antioxidants and healthy fatty acids. Read more here….
Whether you are a devout organic shopper or if you’re on the fence about buying organic food, this list offers food for thought and highlights the many benefits of organic food.
Discover why organic is better for your health and the environment. Check out more tips at Organic Foodee
Halloween can be fun, safe and eco-friendly! The Sierra Club offers green and healthy tips for earth friendly Halloween celebrations, costumes and trick or treating. You can start by creating a spooky mood with soy or beeswax candles for an earth-friendly option in place of petroleum based candles. Make your own costume or check out a local thrift store for wacky accessories, avoid vinyl masks and use natural makeup for dress-up to avoid chemical exposure.
Be sure not to use or hand out costume jewelry and toys which can contain lead and small pieces which can be very harmful if swallowed. Consider passing out earth friendly nonfood treats such as nontoxic crayons or stickers. As an alternative to plastic Halloween bags, try a reusable shopping bag to carry your healthy treats! Have a healthy and green Halloween!
Shopping recently at Trader Joe’s, I came across “eco apples†right next to the organic apples I usually buy. While I regularly buy green (granny smith!) apples, I was less familiar with the “eco†green variety… Here is what the eco apple label information says:
Eco Apples…Born and Raised Here…
Eco apples are distributed by a non-profit organization based in Canton, MA (just south of Boston) that markets fresh produce from family farms in the Northeast and Southeast to supermarkets and customers throughout New England.
“Eco” apples, while not organic, are high quality produce with a “conscienceâ€. Since I was preparing the apples by peeling them to make a healthy seasonal apple crisp, I was less concerned that these apples were not organic (but I assumed due to the “eco†label that there is reduced pesticide used).
Red Tomato touts the motto: Fresh produce Fresh thinking . Want to know more, check out the Red Tomato website www.redtomato.org – and their mission – which goes well beyond tomatoes by the way!
At Drazil’s Restaurant, the presentation for all of dishes was really pretty. Everything from the plates to the silverware to the garnishes! We started with the triple salsa which was beautiful. In addition to the chips it was served with, they also gave us sliced veggies (including red carrots which I had never seen before!)
For my main course, I ordered a cheeseburger. I can honestly say it was the best cheeseburger I ever had! Grass fed beef served on a sprouted roll with fresh fruit. My husband is a vegetarian and had the vegetable ratatouille. He also ordered a glass of watermelon juice from their juice bar. Even baby Spencer got in on the fun and had some avocado. (We pretty much only feed him organic food.)
Finally for dessert we had the ice cream sundae. It had all sorts of fresh fruit and fresh fruit sauces over it. I have no idea what the fruits were, but the plate was empty when we were done!
Drazil’s Restaurant, an Ed Hitzel “Excellence Award” recipient, is a 100% organic restaurant located in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The eclectic, seasonally changing menu has a little something for everyone. not only serving outstanding vegetarian and vegan fare, but also delicious organic steak, chicken, and wild caught fish to complete the menu.
Hello! Welcome to the Mambo Sprout's blog - a place where those who share a passion and knowledge about natural and organic and eco-friendly living can voice opinions, share ideas and tips on living a healthy and organic and "green" lifestyle. (Read More...)
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