Win a house in Danville!

For a $100 entry fee and an amazing 500-word essay, you could win this house in Danville! They are even offering runners-up cash prizes! For more info, visit: http://winourdanvillehome.googlepages.com/

My New Favorite Park

On our way home from vacationing in Southern Indiana, we stopped at this park in Lowell. Based on the sign proclaiming their "environmental friendliness", you can guess why I like this park!

The Shedd

Yesterday, the family and I (Dana) took a trip to the Shedd Aquarium. The plan was to take the train. However, apparently, Metra is cash only. Chuck and I generally don't carry much cash, and we had NONE yesterday (oops). So, we couldn't take the train (unless we wanted to run to an ATM and take the next one which didn't leave for another hour). We drove.

When we got there, apparently, parking also requires cash. After some driving, we found the Museum parking garage which takes credit cards! Yea! I thought you could pay for everything with cash these days? What happened to the love of plastic?!

The Shedd was great - Chuck gets in free as an educator and that ROCKS. (I figured I should too, since I "home-school" Carly, but they didn't go for it...). The girls had a lot of fun. It was tough on Brianna, not getting a nap all day, but she was good. Finally, at 4pm she fell asleep in Dadda's arms. It was so sweet!

To top things off, the van started overheating (we have a major leak) on the way home forcing us to stop and adding another 45 minutes to our drive.

What a day!

Technology with a Mission

On Thursday, we talked with Miki from Techmission. Techmission works with various Christian charities and is looking for volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering opportunities, visit: christianvolunteering.org.

Plastics

ParentSmart Gayle Jo Carter
Clearing up the plastics problem

As the drumbeat gets louder to ban bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in plastics used to make sippy cups and bottles, I wondered and worried: What exactly do parents, like myself, need to know about safely feeding our kids?

With a recent National Toxicology Program brief showing that BPA may disrupt neural and behavioral development in fetuses, infants and children, I knew that it was high time to clean house. But of what?

Sophie Uliano, eco-consultant and author of "Gorgeously Green," gives us her bottom line:

1. Always avoid plastics with No. 7 printed in the triangle on the bottom of containers. Safer numbers: 1, 2 and 5.
2. Never microwave baby food in any type of plastic container.
3. Avoid using plastic feeding utensils.
4. Use ceramic, enamel or glass plates.
5. Choose sippy cups, bottles and pacifiers free of BPAs (read information on packaging when shopping).
6. Take a second look at canned food because of inner plastic linings; studies show the chemicals in plastic can leech into formula, soup and pasta.

http://www.usaweekend.com/08_issues/080706/080706thinksmart-parent-plastic.html

Plastic Safety

We discussed plastic safety today. Is BPA safe or not??! I do not have the answers, but a good rule of thumb is better safe than sorry. USA Weekend had some tips for parents on how to keep your young kids safe.

Safe Sunscreens

Yes - the article comes from my favorite online magazine, the Daily Green. But, as promised it contains a list of safe sunscreens here.

Find a Farmers Market!

To find a farmers' market near you, try www.localharvest.org. It also features local farms and restaurants & grocers that offer locally grown products.

5 Things To Never Say To Your Spouse

We mentioned an article called "5 Things To Never Say To Your Spouse"
http://www.christianitytoday.com/mp/2008/002/8.25.html

Recycling the Un-recycle-able

Today I mentioned several websites that will help you recycle some household items that you may not know what to do with.

Lightbulbs: www.lightbulbrecycling.com

Electronics: www.myboneyard.com

CDs/DVDs: www.cdrecyclingcenter.com

Anything else? This site will help you find a charity that might take it: www.throwplace.com