09 May 2008
30 April 2008
white ribbons for babies
Ernie, the trend setter. He has a new trick up his sleeves. the kitchen table. Oh shit.
The plastics in our lives and what all those numbers inside the triangles mean
A few weeks ago a news report broke on the Today program about the dangers of #3, #6, and #7 plastics. I wonder if it's more at the root of early onset of puberty in girls, autism in the US (what I've read suggests that autism is a disease/condition of the 20th century), alzheimers? Whatever the case may be, dishwashers, microwaves and plastics weren't tested in the 1930s ... they didn't exist. It shocks and saddens me that I trusted the "system" and now I feel that I've poisoned my boys. Dru has been unstoppable looking at the bottom of everything plastic in the house and insisting we throw it away if it's a 3, 6, or 7. I'm so proud of him. Print out this chart. I hope it helps your family stay healthier.
1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) Used to make soft drink, water, sports drink, ketchup, and salad dressing bottles, and peanut butter, pickle, jelly and jam jars.
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.
2 High density polyethylene (HDPE)Milk, water, and juice bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal box liners, and grocery, trash, and retail bags.
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.
3 Polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses, and other foods sold in delicatessens and groceries are wrapped in PVC.
BAD: To soften into its flexible form, manufacturers add "plasticizers" during production. Traces of these chemicals can leach out of PVC when in contact with foods. According to the National Institutes of Health, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in PVC, is a suspected human carcinogen.
4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)Some bread and frozen food bags and squeezable bottles. OK: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones, but not as widely recycled as #1 or #2.
5 Polypropylene (PP)Some ketchup bottles and yogurt and margarine tubs.
OK: Hazardous during production, but not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones. Not as widely recycled as #1 and #2.
6 Polystyrene (PS)Foam insulation and also for hard applications (e.G. Cups, some toys)
BAD: Benzene (material used in production) is a known human carcinogen. Butadiene and styrene (the basic building block of the plastic) are suspected carcinogens. Energy intensive and poor recycling.
7 Other (usually polycarbonate)Baby bottles, microwave ovenware, eating utensils, plastic coating for metal cans
BAD: Made with biphenyl-A, a chemical invented in the 1930s in search for synthetic estrogens. A hormone disruptor. Simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast cancer studies. Can leach into food as product ages.
other examples - pediasure, GERBER baby food tubs, hard plastic that looks like glass, and more!
1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) Used to make soft drink, water, sports drink, ketchup, and salad dressing bottles, and peanut butter, pickle, jelly and jam jars.
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.
2 High density polyethylene (HDPE)Milk, water, and juice bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal box liners, and grocery, trash, and retail bags.
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.
3 Polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses, and other foods sold in delicatessens and groceries are wrapped in PVC.
BAD: To soften into its flexible form, manufacturers add "plasticizers" during production. Traces of these chemicals can leach out of PVC when in contact with foods. According to the National Institutes of Health, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in PVC, is a suspected human carcinogen.
4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)Some bread and frozen food bags and squeezable bottles. OK: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones, but not as widely recycled as #1 or #2.
5 Polypropylene (PP)Some ketchup bottles and yogurt and margarine tubs.
OK: Hazardous during production, but not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones. Not as widely recycled as #1 and #2.
6 Polystyrene (PS)Foam insulation and also for hard applications (e.G. Cups, some toys)
BAD: Benzene (material used in production) is a known human carcinogen. Butadiene and styrene (the basic building block of the plastic) are suspected carcinogens. Energy intensive and poor recycling.
7 Other (usually polycarbonate)Baby bottles, microwave ovenware, eating utensils, plastic coating for metal cans
BAD: Made with biphenyl-A, a chemical invented in the 1930s in search for synthetic estrogens. A hormone disruptor. Simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast cancer studies. Can leach into food as product ages.
other examples - pediasure, GERBER baby food tubs, hard plastic that looks like glass, and more!
29 April 2008
the herbs are planted!
this year we have greek oregano, sweet basil, purple basil, bunch basil, genovese basil (of course), purple basil, thai basil, dill, thyme, lavender, rosemary, chervil, mint, coriander/cilantro, parsley, sage, arugula, marjoram, lemongrass and a few more. The oregano is ginormous this year. Looks more like mint. The rosemary looks awesome, and the basil is going to be in the blender as pesto and the thai basil as nim chow before you know it.
We bought a new toy for Gene in the kitchen. Finally ... he's really needed one for a long time. an 11-qt food processor. He LURVES it. For dinner sunday he used it for stuffed chicken breast, prepared as directed in Cooks Illustrated April 2008. The boys loved it, as did our guests. We followed that with hot out of a 450 degree-oven biscuits with fresh whipped cream and the strawberries we picked on Friday. YUM.
We bought a new toy for Gene in the kitchen. Finally ... he's really needed one for a long time. an 11-qt food processor. He LURVES it. For dinner sunday he used it for stuffed chicken breast, prepared as directed in Cooks Illustrated April 2008. The boys loved it, as did our guests. We followed that with hot out of a 450 degree-oven biscuits with fresh whipped cream and the strawberries we picked on Friday. YUM.
26 April 2008
25 April 2008
wednesday playgroup
Nina (3), Dru (4), Lily (1), Walker (3) and Ernie (1)these kids have such a good time together !
15 April 2008
end of season blues
well, little man, as long as we are here, there is always next season. Dru, daddy, Ernie enjoying the first period of the ill-fated Florida Panthers game that ended he Carolina Hurricanes season.I think I want to be one again
speaking of expressions ... everything you want to know about Ernie is right here.the kids expressions kill me!
Dru was being a garbage man, taking all the sand out of the lot, and Ernie was helping. With his hands. And mouth. evidence ...Grapefruit salad
yummy. Especially the whole thing. Basil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, chives, red onion.02 April 2008
tool time
Oh the joys of pasta with peas and ham and pecorino romano cheese. My boys love it...and Ernie is now using a fork like a pro. Last week while eating Easter eggs, Dru asked a series of questions. Mommy, why do eggs have shells? Well, to protect the eggs and the chicks - remember seeing the chicks at the farm? Mommy, what is the yellow part of the egg? Well, in a fertilized egg, that's what becomes a chick. Mommy, am I eating a chick right now? Well, no. And then last night, he asked, "mommy, does it hurt pigs when they become pork, you know, when they are processed?"
Does this qualify as precocious or am I just blessed with a really bright, really curious kid?
26 March 2008
23 March 2008
13 March 2008
09 February 2008
the other prize
He loves to climb up onto the extra chair we have in the kitchen. And then scream because he can't get down. ;)
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