Seventh Generation Blog

Talking Turkey About Thanksgiving

the Inkslinger — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:14:33 -0500

It's interesting to see the way that Thanksgiving has evolved over the years. It's gone from a 17th century exercise in piety and repentance to a national food fest and annual football rite.

While it's fun to prepare a big harvest feast and share it with friends and family, I think it would be nice to dial back to the roots of the holiday. I don't mean we should turn into puritans, but it wouldn't be a bad thing to pause and reflect a little more on life's bounty.

One way to do that to use the day to give something back to a world that gives so much to us. That's what more and more people are doing, and we've got some ideas you can use to get back to some basics of your own. Use them to make your Thanksgiving a day truly worth celebrating.

photo: Mathew Ingram

Mean, Clean, and Green: How Cardboard Boxes Contained My Rage

bethina — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:46:56 -0500

I never was much for housework. Don't get me wrong: I have to be bone-tired to leave dirty dishes in the sink, I vacuum before the dust bunnies roll into tumbleweeds and yes, I even do toilets. But amid the chaos of family life, a post-layoff career switch and the loss of that ultimate luxury, the occasional professional scrubbing, I've learned to live with what I view as a few neatly piled mounds on the floor of mommy and daddy's bedroom.

Seriously, big-picture-wise, who cares if I have some bags and boxes of loose receipts, photographs waiting to be framed, and shoes earmarked for charity scattered here and there, as long as no one's tripping over them? My DH, that's who.

The poor man. After six years, he still sees no reason why I can't maintain the nice, orderly apartment where we leisurely read the Sunday paper BTK -- Before the Kid. But these days, it's a win-lose situation and the chaos is winning. Admittedly, the DH does have a legitimate gripe. It's not just the bags in the bedroom. There are those ready-to-topple stacks of paperwork and junk mail in our allegedly shared home office and, even worse, on the long countertop that commands center stage in our living/dining/kitchen area.

At first, he asked me nicely to "take care" of the mess. Then he tried ignoring it, in hopes that I'd finally get to it of my own volition. When that didn't work, he used his angry voice. He even employed that annoying sweeping hand gesture along with the phrase, "If you have time today..." But none of his methods had their intended effect. On the contrary, they made me dig my hoarding heels in deeper.

The only thing that got me moving was rage. Hard, cold rage. It happened on a dark and stormy October day, in the wake of a marital "discussion" that ended in me breaking the cardinal rule by going to bed angry. I woke up livid. This time, however, I found a productive way to channel my aggression: I lit into the mess with a vengeance. I spent hours dumping, sifting, and organizing, scurrying crazily back and forth between rooms. But once I had all the stuff splayed across our king-size bed, the kitchen countertop, and the dining room table, I got a sinking feeling: Where was I going to put it all?

Once upon a time, my lust for picture-perfect drawers and closets would have led to aspirational fantasies of an ultra-luxurious organizing system. Now, the price tag stopped even my dreams in their tracks.

Then I remembered all the lower-priced products offering the same intoxicating promise of nirvana. Finally, everything would have a place, preferably one I could find. And if my DH came home to a tidy nest, Don Draper-style, he'd have to trade his agitation for serenity!

But I know myself. I'm one of those suckers who would buy pretty jewelry organizers and beautiful storage boxes, then simply add those filled shopping bags to the jumble in permanent residence on my closet floor. (Another thing that drives my DH to distraction: Once in a teensy while, I have some difficulty closing said closet doors. But is it my fault if the organizing gene got lost in the madness of motherhood?)

That's when my green senses began to stir. "Wait!" I thought, "aren't a lot of those organizing bins and boxes [long pause] plastic?" Maybe I should look at bamboo! Yes, friends, there are plenty of sock separators, stacking containers, and storage stools made from sustainable and recycled materials.

Cue the dark green voices in my head: "Stop consuming...Stop consuming...." Just then, my eyes fell on a strong, clean cardboard box earmarked for recycling. I spread the flaps wide and began stashing the numerous shampoo and lotion bottles and hotel soaps inside. No longer would they topple over, creating havoc on the high shelves of my toiletries/linens/cleaning/paper products closet. Then I found some more boxes and kept going.

I methodically organized my staples, rubber bands, and sticky note pads in the cardboard box decorated with ducks that once held my son's first pair of rain boots. I repurposed the zippered plastic blanket bags as under-the-bed shoe storage. The lovely French chocolate tin from one Valentine's Day now serves a much less romantic but very practical purpose -- holding all the batteries our son's toys require. (Yes, we recycle them.)

So, I've made a dent. (Now I just have to label those boxes so the DH knows what's in them.) By the end of my rainy-day organizing marathon, you would have thought I'd be exhausted. But I was still so pumped, I sorted out his ragged old socks.

They'll be ideal for dusting -- the next time I get really, really mad.

photo: t whalen

Seeking Eco-fashion for Growing Kids

greenyourdecor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:52:40 -0500

It's no secret that kids grow fast. I knew that long before I got pregnant. But I don't think I was prepared for just how fast. As soon as I buy a new pair of shoes or jeans for my 4-year-old, it seems like she's outgrown them. She doesn't have an older sister with a closet of hand-me-downs, and all her cousins are so much older that she wouldn't be able to get into their castoffs for years. Plus, I have a rule to buy as much sustainably-made clothing as I can find.

These days, it is getting easier to find clothes made of sustainably-farmed organic cotton, linen, and hemp. But these options often come with a high price tag. In general, I'm not averse to paying more for greener products, because I'm able to justify the expense. When I buy quality green items, they tend to be purchases meant to last a long, long time.

One of my favorite bloggers, Green Grechen, says that she considers cost-per-wear when deciding whether an item is worth its price. That ratio skyrockets when you pay $70+ for a pair of organic jeans for a child who will wear them only for a short time.

So what is a mama with a conscience to do? I've tried shopping thrift stores for used clothing, which is incredibly cost effective. However, the selection is often limited.

I've spent the last year scouring the internet for good deals on kids' eco-fashion. Thanks to the public's growing demand for greener products, many more options are available. However, the cost is still somewhat prohibitive. I've begun shopping clearance and end-of-season sales at stores, trying to anticipate what my daughter's size will be the following year. This has been marginally effective, but I'm still left with the choice between buying cheaply made clothes that are affordable, or letting my daughter wear the same pair of organic jeans over and over again.

I'm more than a little frustrated by this. So I'm enlisting the help of the Seventh Generation Nation. Is shopping for eco-fashion important to you and your family? If so, how do you do it on a budget? I'd love to hear your tips!

photo: Emily Walker

Freshening Up the Family Menu

greenyourdecor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:05:41 -0500

I have a problem. I'm a little ashamed to admit it, but here we go: I'm addicted to convenience foods. I am a lazy cook -- plain and simple. I like meals that are quick and easy and don't require a whole lot of work on my part. In other words, meals that don't need to be made from scratch. If I were cooking just for myself, I might be able to continue this cycle of frozen pizzas and pasta dinners without much guilt. But considering I also have to feed my husband and daughter, I know I need to change my ways for the sake of our health.

So I have resolved to start making more trips to the farmer's markets in my area. My first trip was an eye-opening experience for the whole family. We are so used to buying frozen and canned vegetables that it was a shock to see that nearly half the square footage of the market consisted of fresh, unpackaged produce. Most of the produce was both local and organic, and I couldn't help but wonder what the heck took us so long to make the trip.

It was a stark contrast to the sterile grocery store aisles we peruse every week. But it wasn't until my daughter made a comment that I realized the full effects of my bad eating habits on my family. With her typical, four-year-old innocence, she said "Mommy, I only like corn from a can."

At that moment, I decided that was it. No more canned food. No more frozen veggies. I want my daughter to know where vegetables come from. And I'll never forgive myself if I don't teach her now.

Do you have any bad eating habits that you're trying to change? Have you overcome an addiction to convenience food? I'd love to hear your tips and comments!

photo: NatalieMaynor

Is Seventh Generation the Best Company on the Planet?

the Inkslinger — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:21:10 -0500

We think so. But then again we might be a little biased. What really counts is what other people think, and a new contest is giving you a chance to voice your opinion.

We've been nominated for the Greenwala What's Your Story Award, a contest aimed at finding the "most amazing eco-friendly, environmentally-conscious companies, products and services on the planet."

If you think we're number one, head over to our contest entry page and cast your vote for your favorite environmental products company. (That would be us just in case you're wondering.)

Stay tuned to this space to see how we do!

Join Erin Brockovich in an Online Discussion About Chemicals and Our Children

bst — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:47:52 -0400

We recently told you about the Million Baby Crawl, a virtual march to Washington, D.C. to say "No" to toxic chemicals found in our homes. Now it's time to be part of the conversation and share your opinion during our first Twitter Party.

Join us Tuesday, October 27th, from 9-11pm ET on Twitter to discuss the need for stronger toxic chemical laws. Famed environmental and consumer advocate, Erin Brockovich, will join us along with Anna Getty (Director of PureStyle Living and Founder of Pregnancy Awareness Month), Dr. Alan Greene, and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families to tweet about why this reform is necessary.

If you're new to Twitter Parties, visit here for a tutorial from the party host, @jylmomIF.
Here's how to register:

1. Go here and RSVP to attend the #gno party dedicated to Keeping Children Safe From Untested Chemicals

2. Share the following invite with your online friends through Twitter and/or Facebook:

"Join #gno Tues 10/27 (9-11pm ET) 2 chat about safe/environmentally responsible products w/ @SeventhGen #mbcrawl RSVP: http://bit.ly/41baFu"

3. Join us Tuesday, October 27th, from 9-11pm ET to discuss making chemicals safer for our children. The party will be on a tweetgrid at http://bit.ly/41baFu.

We're looking forward to the conversation!

Harvest Day at PS 107

bethina — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In 1621, the Pilgrims and Indians got together for a shindig to help celebrate their hard-won bounty. I already figured they didn't pass the Butterball but was still surprised to learn that we can only be sure of two things they did eat: venison and wild fowl. Other possible dishes, according to Kathleen Curtin, food historian at Plimouth Plantation, include pumpkin, peas and -- take it back, Kathleen! -- seals. (To learn more about what the hungry, hearty band might have gobbled up, check this out.)

Nearly 400 years later, the students at Brooklyn's PS 107, the Little Green Thumbs you first read about here, got a jump on our national holiday by celebrating their first Harvest Day in October. Blessed with picture-perfect weather, they feasted al fresco on two lunch items straight out of their Sunshine Garden: pasta pesto made with their own basil and Department of Education-regulation roast chicken enhanced by herbs picked from containers planted around the old-fashioned red brick school.

Just as that first 17th-century celebration was actually a three-day festival that included races, drumming, and demonstrations of archery and musketry, PS 107's 21st-century event wasn't all about the meal. First, there was an assembly featuring music and dance plus presentations from fifth-graders vying for the chance to help decide the lunch menu.

Things really got cooking once the 500 kids from pre-K to fifth grade filed down to the basement, where they discovered a lunchroom expo. There, they crunched into a variety of apples, sipped just-pressed fruit and vegetable juices, and sampled eggplant caponata, kale slaw, and rice with herbs, again all from their garden, before voting on their favorite. The rice ruled the day, winning the dish a spot on the official lunch menu.

While the Pilgrims owed much to Tisquantum (a.k.a. Squanto), the success of Harvest Day can be attributed to a very supportive administration, staff and community and, most importantly, a hearty band of VIPs -- Very Involved Parents.

"All the kids were engaged and having fun," Michele, who helps head up the Garden Committee, e-mailed me after the event. (Her son, Aidan, is a second-grader at 107). Susan, her cochair, agreed: "I've never seen so many kids eating kale!" she wrote, adding that even her first-grader Ezra, "an avowed hater of all things green, was digging in."

Brian, a third-grader, was equally enthusiastic, saying, "That was the best food I ever ate!" Afterward, everyone recorded their reactions in their writing notebooks. Second-grader Ellie, who has all the makings of a future oenophile, wrote, "Some of the things we got to pass around and smell. They smelled really good!" That night Otto, one of Ellie's classmates, told his mom, "We learned tons of things on Harvest Day, and none of it was in the classroom!"

Students weren't the only ones who got juiced. "It stimulated a lot of teacher interest and enthusiasm," Michele said. "I realized that many of them really had not known the garden was active in the school."

My neighbor Randi, who ran Harvest Day as head of 107's federally mandated Wellness Committee, said that while the event is a great way to increase awareness and enthusiasm for the school's overall greening initiative, she has her eye on a much bigger prize. She will put her legal training to work this year drafting policy and working with the school bureaucracy to start making changes. "We're supposed to have a monthly meeting with the school food manager," she says. While 107 has a "fab" kitchen," Randi notes that the workers are reheating breakfasts and lunches that come from a central kitchen that churns out breakfast and lunch to 1,500 New York City schools every day.

PS 107's push is part of a larger movement to can reheated, processed food in favor of real, freshly prepared fare. As The New York Times reported recently, little cooking happens in the country's largest system, mostly because barely half of the city's 1,385 school kitchens have enough firefighting equipment to allow the use of an open flame.

Nationwide, the Times says more than 80 percent of the districts cook fewer than half their entrees from scratch, according to a 2009 survey by the School Nutrition Association.

Meanwhile, Randi is whipping up more plans, including field trips to local farms and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. And then there's the after-school cooking program, taught three times a week by students from the French Culinary School. Randi also turned me on to Chef Ann Cooper: The Renegade Lunch Lady, who is helping lead the way toward transforming, in Cooper's words, "cafeterias into culinary classrooms for students -- one school lunch at a time."

"We have every reason to think that all of the positive momentum and energy generated by Harvest Day will keep us moving forward," Randi said. "If we can't get our acts together now, we never will."

So, Seventh Generation Nation member, is your school riding the wave? What can we do to improve the quality of the food our kids eat five days a week? After all, we foot the bill.

photo: woodley wonderworks

A Super-Naturally Green Halloween

the Inkslinger — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Halloween is almost here, and as usual we're revving up to celebrate one of our family's favorite holidays. Over the years we've honed things to a sustainably spooky art.

Our daughter's costume this year, for example, was assembled from things we already had on hand and a couple of free yard sale cast-offs. She looks great and she had a ball putting it together.

We've also become ectoplasmic eco-experts at creating unearthly little scenes on the porch for trick or treaters whose frights come from stuff we exhumed in our own crypt. And that's the thing: You don't have to trash the planet to have a scary good time. We've put together some tips that are fiendishly fun.

photo: b3nscott

You Are What You First Ate

the Inkslinger — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:42:27 -0400

My wife and I entered parenthood as rank amateurs. But one thing we did right early on was decide we weren't going to dumb things down for our daughter. Whenever possible, we would encourage her to move beyond common expectation by engaging her in honest conversations about real things, reading her challenging books, and feeding her the same real food we ate. The last thing was one of the smartest moves we ever made.

Not only did we forever simplify mealtimes and skip the whole eat-your-vegetables-or-else thing, today our 12-year-old has a remarkably sophisticated palate. Now parents no longer have to stumble down this path: Dr. Alan Greene's new book that tells us exactly how to train our children's taste buds and set them up for a lifetime of instinctually healthy eating habits. Devour our review of Feeding Baby Green right here and cook up a healthier future for your own brood.

The 365-Day Harvest

the Inkslinger — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:25:09 -0400

The season's first frost is upon us. But even if it means the end of the year's garden, we'll enjoy the harvest all winter long thanks to the dozens of jars and bags that pack our pantry and line our freezer.

In my house, we learned a long time ago that home food preservation is a lot easier than most people think. It's so simple that I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that so few do it anymore.

Some people think they haven't the time or the skills. Some people think they'll poison the family. Believe me -- you do and you won't. What you will get if you try it is a perfect way to eat local and eat better all year long while saving a bundle of money in the process.

To whet your appetite, we've got a new guide to the art of your very own harvest. Read it and eat...

photo: thebittenword.com