ReadySetMom

How to treat colds naturally: discussion on EnviroMom

Drug manufacturers recently declared that children under 4 should not take over-the-counter cold medications. We're talking about natural ways of treating coughs and colds over at EnviroMom. Please join the discussion!

Thoughts on the proposed ban or tax on paper and plastic bags?

Over at EnviroMom we're asking folks to weigh-in with their thoughts on incoming Portland Mayor Sam Adams' proposed ban or tax on plastic and paper grocery bags. Have an opinion you'd like to share on the matter? We want to hear it (and yeah, dissent away if you please -- it's good to hear from all sides).

Summer life: line drying laundry the old-fashioned way

When I'm not too busy being the village idiot, you may find me hanging the clothing out to dry on the backyard clothesline. Our family was featured with the old solar clothing dryer on yesterday's KOIN Savers segment.

Or you may view just that little tidbit via youtube:

Hey mom! I'm going to be on TV!

Thanks to some of the crazy green stuff we are up to over on EnviroMom.com, me and the kids are going to be on TV this week. Tune into KOIN (channel 6) at 5pm on Wednesday, June 25 for the KOIN Savers program (I think it's usually toward the end of the broadcast, around 5:25). Hopefully the paparazzi will respect our need for privacy and not be hounding our every move once we become famous...

Raising Green Kids? Come hear us speak on April 30...

Gulp. Back in September, when we agreed to speak at our elementary school about "raising green kids," it sounded like a good idea. Now that it's actually coming up, I'm reminded of the sweaty palms and heart palpitations from high school speech class...

Here's the deal:

• Raising Green Kids: Ten Easy Ways to Teach Your Children to Care for the Environment
• Wednesday, April 30, 12:30-1:30pm
• Rieke Elementary Library

ReadySetMom.com and EnviroMom.com founders and Rieke parents Heather Hawkins and Renee Limon (holy cow, that's us!) will discuss ways to incorporate eco-friendly practices into your children’s lives. We believe no child is too young to learn about green living, and we plan to discuss practical, easy actions your family can take to decrease its carbon footprint.

If you've got preschool-age kids, bring them too. They can play, do crafts and listen to stories during the talk in a classroom down the hall.

Go easy on us, people. Remember we're writers, not speakers. No heckling, please.

More EnviroMom tidbits for the not-quite-green-yet

• Read about how this mom spent a whopping $8 on a kindergarten birthday party, complete with crafts, games and cupcakes. (And managed to keep it pretty darn green.)
• Camping? In November? With two small children? Yes, it can be done. Read how one EnviroMom's family spent a few days exploring the Southern Washington coast.
• Sick and tired of finding new phone books piled on your porch all the time? Why do all of these different companies think we need so many yellow page directories? Find out how to opt-out of those bulky, paper-wasting phone books.

EnviroMom tidbits for the not-quite-green-yet

A friend recently said to me, "Look, I love everything that's happening on ReadySetMom, but I gotta tell you, I just get a little intimidated over at EnviroMom. I'm just not there yet." Which surprised me a little, because I still feel like a newbie greenie, and Renee and I try not to overwhelm -- but EnviroMom is devoted to all things green and natural, so I get that it might be too much for some. She suggested that occasionally we pull some basics over to ReadySetMom, which is what we're going to try doing. Heck, maybe you've been living lighter on the earth than you realize! Take a look:

Preparing for a local Thanksgiving spread: Two Portland farmers market events will take place just before Thanksgiving to help you serve up fresh, local favorites.

Reusing and recycling Halloween candy: Getting sick of it yet? Here are some suggestions for making use of all that sugary sweetness.

So many baby clothes, so little wear: Ever notice how the newborn section of your favorite resale store is always jammed with adorable, tiny clothes? That's because people receive way more clothes for their bambinos than they need. Ever consider throwing a 'gently-used' baby shower for a new mom-to-be?

What's happening over at EnviroMom?

Well, we've been busy. Preserving apples, flushing our sinuses, and trying to live in harmony with nature. Check it out:

• Making apple butter and storing local apples
• Giving away Fabkins -- darling, kid-sized cloth napkins
• Clearing stuffed up sinuses with a Neti Pot
• Trying to be a good (yet silent) eco-role model
• Popping corn on the stove top instead of in the microwave
• Living with nature (and box alder bugs)
• Rediscovering the handkerchief (and learning about amazing re-uses of baby wipes!)

Reader Recommendation: Family Dance at Fulton CC

Here's a fun sounding tip from Christiana:

Hi! I (mom of a 2-year old in Multnomah Village) really enjoy your website and read it a lot.  Thanks for doing this! I just would like to let you know about a really fun family activity (for all ages) coming up this Saturday (and then less than once a month) at Fulton Park CC: the Portland country dance community FAMILY DANCE.  We enjoy these a lot -- very fun, informal, and with live folk music. Thanks for maybe checking it out and mentioning it on your site.

Meet us at Green Sprouts fair on September 22

Heather posted about the Green Sprouts fest coming up on September 22, 10am to 6pm, at Peninsula Park, and in another of our rare public appearances, you will find us there in charge of a children's and maternity clothing exchange.

We've mentioned here and on EnviroMom that we are fairly new to green parenting. I'm learning things every day, and trying to unlearn some past mistakes that have become habit. It's encouraging that my kids and husband are so supportive of these changes. But, sigh! I wish I would have learned more of this eco-conscious stuff while I was pregnant or in the infant/toddler stage with my kids. I shudder to think of some of the things I let them teethe on...

So if that's where you're at, this is a great one-day green fest for you! There will be exhibits, workshops, vendors and kid's activities. Learn about creating a healthy home, natural childbirth options, health and fitness, finding eco-friendly childcare and more. We hope to meet you there!