Overweight, Boring Children? Your Fault.

Climbing Rocks on Our Favorite Nature Trail

A recent study on why our most recent generation of children is more likely to watch TV or play video games revealed that the parents were usually at fault for their children's unhealthy behavior.

Children reported wanting to go outside & play, but parents often refused because they felt it 'wasn't safe.'

When I was about 9 years old I remember riding my bike for miles (we're talking 10+) often with a friend on the handlebars to the beach so that we could go swimming in Lake Michigan. There were plenty of other children around and we rode in the streets because motorists pretty much always got out of our way.

Though there are bike lanes by my house, I have never seen an unaccompanied child riding down my street. And, although our city law requires that in areas without bike lanes people on bikes be given the same road rights as cars, it rarely happens.

What do you think? What can we, as parents, do to make the streets safe for our kids again?

Experts blame parental fear for kids shunning cycling and swimming for TV and computers

Namaste,
Ani

A Few Environmental Documentaries for Earth Day

One of the things we're doing for Earth Day 2011 is watching and talking about a few environmental documentaries. Here are some of my favorites that you can view for free on Hulu.

1. Earth Keepers -- People spearheading innovative projects to improve the future of society.
2. Flow: For Love of Water -- A look at the looming global water crisis.
3. Gas Hole -- A look at the history of oil consumption and some possible alternative fuels.
4. The Future of Food -- A look at our food production system and where it's heading.

Hopefully you get to watch at least one of these movies as they all have great information about the sustainability issues we're facing.


Namaste,
Ani

Meatless Monday: Mujadarrah

I love this dish. Omit the yogurt/sour cream for a vegan version.

Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions (Mujadarrah)

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large white onion, sliced into rings
• 1 1/3 cups uncooked green lentils
• 3/4 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream (optional)

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onions, and cook about 10 minutes, until browned. Remove from heat, and set aside.
2. Place lentils in a medium saucepan with enough lightly salted water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer about 15 minutes.
3. Stir rice and enough water to cover into the saucepan with the lentils. Season with salt and pepper. Cover saucepan, and continue to simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until rice and lentils are tender.
4. Mix half the onions into the lentil mixture. Top with yogurt or sour cream and remaining onions to serve.

What are you having in your house for Meatless Monday?

*Original recipe from allrecipes.com

Kids Can Walk Too You Know

Walking in Freedom Park

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.  

~Steven Wright

When I was a kid we were a one car family. My mom was a SAHM in a small town and if we needed to go somewhere during the day we walked.

We walked to the store.
We walked to school.
We walked to the park.
We walked to the library.
We walked to our friends' houses.
We walked to the creek.
We walked just for fun.

My son was just 4 years old when we got rid of our car and it never crossed my mind that a 5 mile walk was too much for him until someone asked me how he did it.

Turns out, he just does.

He doesn't complain.
He walks.
He skips ahead.
He collects sticks, rocks and leaves.
He talks about what he sees.
He asks for the occasional drink of water.

Try taking a walk around the block with your kid. Then to the park. Then to someplace even farther away. Keep them engaged. They'll love it.

Namaste,
Ani