Strollerderby : spring

Grow Baby, Grow!

JeanneSager — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:38:00 GMT

When pumpkins started sprouting out of my compost pile last year all of their own accord, I was probably even more excited than my daughter. I didn't have to figure out how to get those things to grow!

The top two things holding most parents back from growing their own food? Space and fear . . . fear that they don't have the money, the time, or the know-how.

Turns out you don't need much of any of the above.

A Georgia family made this video for Earth Day, but it's appropriate for all spring long - and for every family. Living in a city area, BreeAnne and Courtney (owners of one of my favorite clothing stores) show you don't need much land or much money to grow a few things. And their daughter has more fun than you can shake a worm at (no, really, watch!).

They're not growing much, but even just some tomatoes and peppers have the makings of some yummy tomato sauce (and if you've ever eaten a fresh-out-of-the-garden tomato, you have now lived long enough to die and go to some food heaven somewhere . . . seriously).

Inspired? Check out this great composting for kids how-to and this primer on gardening with kids and get eating.

Image: Kids Gardening

Where Have All the Trees Gone?

JeanneSager — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:36:00 GMT

Arbor Day is coming up fast, and nothing gets kids in the mood for fun better than a big mystery. Babble took a look at Oliver Jeffers' new nature-inspired novel for little bears.

There's something funny in the forest, and it's up to the critters in Jeffers' The Great Paper Caper to put an end to the great tree disappearing act. But first they need to stop finger (paw?) pointing and figure out who's to blame for lopped-off branches and stand-alone stumps.

Peopled with goofy looking animals with sticks for legs, Jeffers' books are always a hit with the three to five set, and The Great Paper Caper gives them a look at their favorites from the forest. The tale of missing trees - being stolen by a bear with a good heart but very little brain (sound like someone else we know?) - doubles as a warning that deforestation can happen quickly. And it's up to little critters - and little kids - to protect our woods. They can start, Jeffers' animals learn, by reducing their paper waste.

After reading, parents can head over to the Arbor Foundation Website to find out when their state will celebrate Arbor Day (the national day is the last Friday in April, the 24th this year, but some states vary based on the best time for planting) and download a nature explorers kit for their own adventure in the woods.

Image: Amazon

Best of FameCrawler: Week of June 27th

Whit Honea — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Billie Piper's Topless Role

The Sexualization of Miley Cyrus

Ben And Jen Together For Better Or Worse

Worst-Dressed Bellies? Top 5 Maternity Wear Mistakes Of Spring/Summer 2008

Tim McGraw and the Wife Beaters

Scott Kalitta Killed In Drag Racing Crash

Robert Downey, Jr., and Son: What's Wrong with This Picture?

Matthew McConaughey Is Ready To Rumble

Guess Who's Moving Across The Pond?

Jamie Lynn's Delivery Room Drama!

Tori Spelling Baby Photos!!

Kitchenista: A Soup for Spring

Adrienne Martini — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Those of you in the northeast, where winter has made a comeback, which is really making everyone bitter and mean, here's a soft, green soup that might take the edge off. For those of you in places where it is still Spring, you lucky bastards, a simple soup for a warmish day.

Deep Fried Kudzu's kitchen turns out some yummy-looking eats, like this Chilled Avocado soup. The requirements are simple: two avocados, milk, salt and stuff to sprinkle on top like tomatoes and Vidalia onions. I might add a couple of corn chips and red peppers to mine -- but I'm kooky like that.

Oddly, Deep Fried Kudzu doesn't seem to include a recipe for deep fried kudzu. But I bet that would be good as a garnish, too, if the kudzu is out where ever you are.

Crafty: Don't Eat 'em. Stamp 'em.

Adrienne Martini — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:00:00 GMT

I have tried to embrace the Peep. There is just something about the sugar blast and the stained fingers and the weird texture that makes me want to hurl. I can only just tolerate them when they are so stale you could use them as weapons. Even then, it's a close contest between my loathing and their edibleness.

So why do I keep buying them, spring after spring? Peeps are just too cheap and cheerful to not buy, frankly, and just scream spring and rebirth to me. I get great pleasure from simply looking at them all lined up in the box. Sick, but true.

Now, thanks to the brilliant brains at Craftzine, I won't have to choke a couple down each year. I can just use them as paint stamps. Not only will the Peeps get used, I'll have another tote bag to bring to the grocery when I buy more Peeps. Everyone wins!

Photo credit: Charity Ferreira

Strollerderby : spring

Grow Baby, Grow!

Kids Put Pregnant Women's Food Cravings to Shame

Save Your Money: Don't Get Mom a Card

Don't Call Her a Tomboy

Breaking Bad on Plastics

Where Have All the Trees Gone?

Uh Oh - Elmo's Gone Green - Literally

Jack Black Drops In on Yo Gabba Gabba

Ready for Easter? Peter Rabbit's Gone Green

Best of FameCrawler: Week of June 27th

Kitchenista: A Soup for Spring

Crafty: Don't Eat 'em. Stamp 'em.