Why My Kids Love Fresh Picked Green Beans

My great uncle had a farm in Kenosha, Wisconsin and my family would help him on weekends. He sold the farm when I was very little but I will never forget the many sensations of picking green beans and eating them fresh and warm (and a little dirty) right in the field.

That memory never left me and it’s why, even though I grew up a city girl and my parents didn't grow food, I always wanted to. So when we bought our house the first thing I planted the next year was green beans. 

I didn't realize how well I had described my personal experience of eating fresh picked green beans until my children picked ours. All three of them snapped the bean in half, smelled it, and took a bite...they all smiled, made little yummy noises, and declared how wonderful it was.

It was like I was watching myself out in that field years ago when I saw my children do exactly the same thing. But I realized what I had done. My memory was so strong and I was so passionate about it I must have described what I did and how I felt several times that summer while I tended to the green beans. My kids almost had no choice but to act the same way (a little scarey how well I had brain-washed them).

3 Berry Juice, our strawberries & raspberries, neighbors mulberries

Now we have cherry tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, and yellow squash (little gourds too, but not for eating). My kids get excited about anything I bring in from the garden. But I'm even more excited because I know I'm sharing something special with them, my love of gardening and growing my own food.

I greatly increased the chances that they will grow their own food and flowers by sharing with them, especially when they were only toddlers and preschoolers. They understand that food grows from the soil; that water, sun and insects are a part of growing food; and they can do it.

Anything you want your kids to value or do, introduce it at an early age and let them see you doing it. Young children learn most from modeling. They copy their parents. My kids bird watch, drink water, and poke around the yard because that's what I do (I won't mention my bad habits they've copied).

I was lucky to have that farm, if only for a brief time. That was all it took. But you don't need a farm to instill the love of gardening. You just need a window, a pot, a seed and a model!

Memorial Day Events: How to Be a Superhero for Planet Earth!

This Monday kids can find inspiration and empowerment at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum at the FREE workshop, "How to Be a Superhero for Planet Earth!" Register Here.

For kids from Kindergarten to 3rd grade, this workshop is a fun and interactive way to teach kids how they can make a difference for the planet through their everyday actions. They listen to a story, play games, and take home their own Action Plan to remind them how many ways they can make a difference and help the planet.

What's unique about this program is it focuses on what the children can do themselves. This isn't a project for parents with plans to create compost centers, rain gardens, or renewable energy systems at home.

Alexandra Gnoske, mother of three and Environmental Expert, designed "How to Be a Superhero for Planet Earth," so kids could be environmentalists with or without their parents. "We live in a busy time and parents aren't always available," says Gnoske. "I certainly can't do everything with my kids or have time for them to do all the things they are interested in."

So Gnoske devised a way for kids to do it on their own. Empower and inspire them. She shows them that no matter how young they are, their actions make a difference to the planet and wildlife and there are many things they can do without help. To reinforce this, she sends them home with an Action Plan and has them sign up for CLUB LOUI, a monthly newsletter aimed at kids and their families with an eco-tip of the month and information on eco friendly activities and sales in the Chicagoland area.

Well, admittedly most Kindergartners don't have email accounts and aren't tech savvy. But it's a start. We need this generation to get it, whether their parents do or not.

Giveaway: Signed/Personalized copy of Loui Saves the Earth

"Loui Saves the Earth" is a simple and inspiring childrens story about a boy and his dog and how they help save the planet. Printed in the USA makes LSTE a "local" book.

Want a a free signed and personalized copy?

The first 10 people to send me (alix@recyclemeorganictees.com) a story about how their kid(s) help the planet from their kids perspective will be entered into a drawing to receive a signed and personalized copy of "Loui Saves the Earth."

What: Giveaway "Loui Saves the Earth" children's book.
When: Enter now through Monday, January 10th.
How: Get entered into a drawing when you send a story about how your kid helps the planet, from your kids perspective to alix@recyclemeorganictees.com

NOTE: Stories may be posted on the Be a Superhero for Planet Earth Blog. You will be asked for permission before stories are posted.

Safe Chemicals Act

I just watched the video "10 Americans" on the Environmental Working Group Org's website.

Please watch the video! You can find it on the website. Help us all by supporting ewg in their effort to get Congress to pass the Safe Chemical Act.

The Number One Way Kids will Help Planet Earth

We all know that our kids are our future. And we want their future to be bright, promising and full of hope. We also want them to have a healthy planet!

How can kids unsure they will have a bright green future on Planet Earth?

HABITS! HABITS! HABITS! More importantly, GREEN HABITS!

We should be teaching our kids environmentally responsible habits. That's what will keep our civilization moving forward towards a brighter future.

It's the everyday little things that add up to a big deal for us here on Planet Earth. One person can save 8 gallons of water a day when they turn off the water while brushing their teeth! There are over 307 million people in the United States. That's a lot of water, not to mention energy saved that's needed to get that water into your sink.

Not only is it water, it's turning off lights, changing to CFL bulbs, recycling (recycling aluminum is 95% efficient), finding other sources beyond plastic for our daily needs, reducing our waste, composting, choosing organic.

It is a long list, but if it is what's normal, if it is a habit for our kids, it becomes so simple!

Develop those habits early! You are your childs first and best teacher. You may have a lot of habits to break, but make it easy on your kids, teach them to be environmentally responsible from the start and our future civilization will thank you.

For more ideas on how to Green your Family, visit The Green Mama.

The Number One Way to Teach Your Kids about Sustainability

We are living in a time when oil is covering the gulf, plastic islands are floating in our oceans, and BPA is contaminating our lives - it's even in our store receipts! How do we make sure our world is safe for our children and grandchildren?

While many people in the world are taking steps to lead healthier, safer lives for people and planet, the future is in the hands of our children. The best things we can do as parents, caregivers, and teachers is to teach them to live sustainable lives.

What is a sustainable lifestyle? According to Wikipedia, "Proponents of sustainable living aim to conduct their lives in manners that are consistent with sustainability, in natural balance and respectful of humanity's symbiotic relationship with the Earth's natural ecology and cycles."

There are many topics to cover with our kids, from organic foods to recycling to renewable energy. But what is the Number One way to teach our kids sustainability?

It's no secret. The Number One way to teach our kids how to live a sustainable life is by example! How do you live your life? What do your children see you do? What is important to you? We grew up in the culture of "better living through chemistry," and we have some bad habits. But it's time to break those habits for the sake of our future generations.

Kids are people too. Be honest and let them know that you aren't perfect, and learn together. Maybe you already recycle and commute, but it may be time to invest in that worm bin under your sink (did you know that the majority of municipal waste is compostable?). Maybe it's time to invest in non-toxic cleaners and detergents.

There are many ways to live sustainably, just start! Let your kids see you living sustainably and tell them why it's important. Include them. They probably have some great ideas to share with you too! Lead by example and help our children live sustainable lives today.

Helpful sites on living sustainably and sustainable products: Green Home Experts, Green Genes, Chicago Department of Environment, Recycle Me, Green Depot, Mindful Metropolis, Loui Saves the Earth, Chicago Electric Bicycles, Lollidoo Diapers, The Green Mama

Please add other helpful sites in comments!