by Ben Stallings [Becca's brother] I've just discovered the simplest, cheapest way to make really good organic chocolate! I like chocolate a lot, but I've cut way back since I learned that most chocolate that isn't certified organic and/or fair trade is made from cocoa processed by child slaves in Cote d'Ivoire. When I asked … Continue reading Organic Chocolate Made Cheap & Easy!
Children as Household Helpers
Projects that benefit the whole family, done by parent(s) and child(ren) working together, give a child a sense of being useful in the family. Feeling that he can do valuable work may help him to focus more on the needs of the family than his own needs and wants. We've found that Nicholas tends to be very calm … Continue reading Children as Household Helpers
The POD Concept
Years before we became parents, a childless friend told us about some people she knew who had a new baby and had managed their activities at a convention very effectively using The POD Concept, which she then explained to us. I hope that someday I will meet those people so I can tell them how very useful … Continue reading The POD Concept
Sunday shenanigans
Because his mother is an Episcopalian but his father does not belong to an organized religion, Nicholas was not baptized as an infant. My congregation welcomed him with the Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child, and everyone treats him as a member of the church family, but he will not join the … Continue reading Sunday shenanigans
Anything works better when you know how to use it!
This columnist argues that teenagers shouldn't be taught about contraception because studies show that younger, poorer, unmarried people using oral contraceptives or condoms are more likely to get pregnant than older, more affluent, married people using the same devices. It's an interesting attempt at logic, but it leaves out a crucial point: Any contraceptive method that requires action … Continue reading Anything works better when you know how to use it!
Quit faking it. They need the bed.
Back in 1997 I got kind of crazy for a while, and one day when I was on my way to work everything was so horrible and seemed so hopeless that I started crying on the bus, which is in itself an incredibly depressing experience: Nobody will look at you; they just pretend you don't … Continue reading Quit faking it. They need the bed.
Lots of links!
Here are some links I've been meaning to put up: These tiny houses are very efficient and cute. They might give you ideas for better space management in a bigger home. Here's a place that will take your old polyester fleece for recycling. Local Harvest tells you where to buy food grown in your area. … Continue reading Lots of links!
Tomato Toast
It may be a while before we get around to updating The Earthling's Cookbook, but I don't want to wait any longer to share my favorite summer breakfast with the world!To make 1 serving, you will need:2 slices of bread or 1 bagel (whole-wheat or poppy-seed is particularly tasty)butter or margarine2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast flakes … Continue reading Tomato Toast
Planned Porcine Hoods?
Recently I received a flurry of indignant e-mails from Planned Parenthood, decrying the refusal of FOX and CBS to air a condom commercial. Not condom commercials in general, just one in particular. Planned Parenthood urged me to contact everyone imaginable, demanding that this commercial must be aired so people can protect themselves from pregnancy and sexually transmitted … Continue reading Planned Porcine Hoods?
The origins of recycling at Origins
Origins is a huge game convention ("con") held annually at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. We've attended every year since 1999. In addition to enjoying the exhibits and activities, we've helped our friends from Looney Labs sell their wonderful games and operate their "Lab", a large room where people can try out their … Continue reading The origins of recycling at Origins
Learning to Share
The topic of "sharing" comes up pretty often, in conversations with other parents in real life or online, because every young child eventually has a moment when she yanks a toy away from another child or gets her own toy yanked away. What often puzzles me about discussions of sharing and taking turns is that so many … Continue reading Learning to Share
Don’t take out the trash!
Here's an idea for reducing your garbage output: Don't take out the trash until the collection day. Store all of your trash inside your living space. Is it taking up too much room? That motivates you to throw away less stuff. Does it stink? That motivates you to think about better ways to dispose of … Continue reading Don’t take out the trash!
One Thing and Three Things
[adapted from a post to a discussion board when our son Nicholas was 19 months old] When I was a young adult, having trouble adjusting to working full-time on a fixed schedule with a commute instead of being in the more flexible environment of college, and also was having some other problems that led me to … Continue reading One Thing and Three Things
Energy Independence Day
Recently, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced plans to get some environmental legislation through Congress before July 4 so that it will be "Energy Independence Day": http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/pressreleases?id=0038 Of course, there's no way the United States can eliminate the need to get energy (oil, etc.) from other countries in less than two months, so her … Continue reading Energy Independence Day
Our SoyLent Diary
The Earthling's Handbook editors gave up meat for Lent in 2002. Here are the highlights of our experiences. We did our best to have meatless meals while otherwise living our lives as usual.
Things I Learned from My Mom
Mothers are people too. It's wonderful to be female. Speak up for what you believe. It's okay to be different from the natives. It's more important to have things that are enjoyable and useful than to be fashionable. Cooking is worthwhile. Plants are wonderful. Take a walk. The world is made up of interwoven stories.
Sweet Potato Burritos
I love sweet potatoes; I love burritos; just because I never would have thought of combining the two concepts doesn't mean it's a bad idea! Turns out it's a really good idea! These can be frozen and reheated in a microwave or toaster oven.
Things I Learned from My Dad
Different people like different things. Divide your money as soon as you get it. Save money so you won't have to borrow. A good education is worth the price. Water is your active ingredient. Don't do that just because you can. Computers are fun and useful.
Red & Green Pockets
This recipe started from one in Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappe, a book I highly recommend to anyone who's concerned that a vegetarian diet can't give them enough protein. She focuses on getting multiple sources of vegetarian protein into one meal, in this case peas, peanuts, whole wheat, and yogurt. My modification is more convenient but still delicious, with plenty of protein and vitamins. Our son has loved Red & Green Pockets since he was a toddler!
Scary math tricks with U.S. Presidential Elections
The United States presidential election system is more complex than most people realize, and it has some serious mathematical pitfalls. Be aware of them so that your vote will mean what you think it does.
The Earthling's Handbook 