Great ideas for end-of-summer fun!

Posted on August 22, 2010 by viviankirkfield

We just got back from a five-day vacation in the mountains of Colorado. The weather was perfect. The fishing was great. The cabin was outfitted with everything you could need…even a flat-screen TV which we never turned on because we were too busy during the day having fun outdoors and too tired at night to even want to watch anything. Cell phones don’t work there and we didn’t bring the computer. And I began to realize how life was like in the days before TV and computers and phones. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the technology that allows each of us to know what is going on in the world the moment it happens. But it made me more aware of how much closer a family could be if they were more isolated from all that is happening out there or if they made an effort to spend time together without the distractions that usually keep us going in different directions.

So here’s a list of a few great ideas for end-of-summer fun that might possibly bring your family closer together and won’t cost a fortune:

Go camping…even for the day…but overnight, if possible. Rent equipment or borrow it from friends if you don’t already have what you would need.
Check out local parks, museums and art galleries. Some are free and many have special deals for families. You might even purchase a museum membership that entitles your family to special museum privileges during the year.
Have an end-of-summer get-together. If your child is going to school (or nursery school or daycare) this year, see if you can find out who will be in his/her class or group. Invite the children and their parents…what an awesome way to help your child start the year already knowing some of his classmates. The get-together can be a pot-luck with everyone bringing something to eat so that the burden of food is not all on you. Also, have each family bring a favorite game…there will certainly be plenty to do. Take lots of pictures and have your child help you make a collage or album of this special day. He/she can bring it to school for show-and-tell…great for a child who is anxious about the first day of school…something like BILLY AND THE BIG NEW SCHOOL by Laurence and Catherine Anholt.
Plan to have dinner together as a family, if possible. And please, turn the TV off and don’t answer the phone if it rings 🙂

That’s it…just a few simple suggestions…hope they help you end the summer on a high note and begin the school year in a positive way.

How to keep your house clean and green

Posted on August 10, 2010 by viviankirkfield

You are probably going through your child’s clothes right now, weeding out the items that have been outgrown. Perhaps we can apply that same concept to our cleaning supply shelf. Haven’t we outgrown the toxic-to-our-children-and-the planet, chemical-laden glass cleaners, bathroom scrubs and dusting sprays. I looked in my cleaning supply cabinet the other day and I was horrified to find cans and bottles of cleaning supplies that I don’t use anymore (having gone “cleaning green” a while back), but had not gotten around to trashing. And throwing this stuff out is a whole other issue…you can’t (or shouldn’t) just dump these items in the garbage. Many communities have drop off locations or special dates where residents can bring these toxic supplies for safe removal – I wonder if there is any safe way to dispose of some of this stuff.

Cleaning green is not difficult – and in addition to being so much better for your family’s health and the planet’s survival, it is also CHEAPER! White vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice…the triumverate of being green and clean!

Here are a few simple “recipes” for some basic cleaning solutions:

GLASS/HARD SURFACE CLEANER: Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar with a gallon of water. Soak your cloth, ring it out and wipe surfaces. Dry with a clean cloth.
FABRIC SOFTENER: Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to final rinse cycle of your washing machine.
DUSTING MAGIC: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 tsp olive oil in a clean glass jar or spray bottle. Apply a little to your dusting cloth and wipe down your wooden furniture.
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANSER: Mix 1/2 cup pure soap (such as Castile), 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 gallon hot water for dishes, countertops, floors and walls.
BATHROOM TUB AND TILE CLEANER: Combine 1 part water and 3 parts baking soda for an awesome grout and soap scum cleaner.

Now, I’m not saying you should leave these cleaning supplies around for your preschooler to play with. However, unless your child drinks the bucket of all-purpose cleanser or sprays the dusting magic solution in his eyes, you will be able to rest a lot easier as your house shines and you, your family and the planet take a breath of less polluted air. One person can make a difference. Why not get started?

Please post comments with your own green cleaning solutions.

Great tips for healthy summer eating

Posted on August 5, 2010 by viviankirkfield

We’re in the dog days of August and the temperatures are soaring in many parts of the country. Here in Colorado, we’ve actually had days and days of RAIN and HUMIDITY, two things we almost never get! But, before you think I’m complaining, I know we need the moisture – gardens are bursting with ripe fruits and vegetables, lawns look beautifully green without using sprinklers, and the reservoirs are being replenished. In every situation, there is positive side, although sometimes you really have to search for it.

Check out the following great tips for healthy summer eating:

Drink, drink, drink! It’s more important than ever to stay hydrated – drink plenty of water – and remember to encourage young children to drink. Health experts say we are already dehydrated if we are feeling thirsty.
Eat 6 small meals instead of 3 big ones. Studies have shown that eating smaller meals more often is better for us in many ways – keeping blood sugar levels more balanced throughout the day. Also, we are less likely to overeat because we are not starving when we sit down.
Make sure snacks are nutritious ones. Nut butters on whole wheat crackers, celery sticks or apple slices always hit the spot in our home – this type of snack is brimming with protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Prepare more vegetarian main dishes and fruit desserts. The harvest season is upon us in Colorado, with fresh sweet corn, firm zucchini, plump tomatoes, ripe peaches. Using locally grown, in-season produce is not only healthy for you, it is also eco-friendly, with a less negative impact on the environment.
Check out your local farmer’s markets. Many cities have at least one. Here in Colorado Springs, there are quite a few. Check them out at http://bit.ly/bApQyb.

Here’s a recipe from my new book, SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING that uses some of those summer fruits to make a wonderfully cooling homemade fruity raisin sorbet – the best of desserts – bursting with flavor and nutritious as well!

You will need: 2 cups chopped fruit (strawberries, blueberries, peaches – use your imagination), 2 cups sliced bananas, 1 cup orange or pineapple juice, 1/2 cup raisins, blender, and a large bowl.