Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I’ve written about how my husband makes a greener choice for Valentine’s Day before – shopping at the Organic Bouquet. However, a Connecticut-based morning news show takes it a step further and encourages everyone to have a green and local Valentine’s Day celebration.

Even if you don’t live in Connecticut, you can definitely shop at a local farmer’s market or CSA for your Valentine’s Day dinner.

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Will Your Child Have a Green Job One Day?

by Melissa on January 28, 2010

I often write about green jobs and the importance of a clean energy economy for the Mother Nature Network. I am passionate about the importance of a clean energy economy and so it was nice to see President Obama focus on this for a good portion of his State of the Union address. Although I’ve been writing about green jobs for almost a year and a half, I never thought about the idea that one of my children will have a green job one day.

My oldest is only eight, so he’s got a long time before he enters the workforce. Right now, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has provided millions of dollars to green jobs training programs that focus on certain underserved communities, including youth. The unemployment rate among teens in this nation is outrageously high. In December 2009, the national unemployment rate was 10% but 27.1% of teenagers were unemployed. So these training programs are providing an opportunity for teenagers to learn a new skill that will prepare them for a green career, not just a green job.

However, many of these training programs are geared at weatherization, energy efficiency, and other construction-based trades. I don’t see Alexander in any of these fields. For a few years he wanted to be an Egyptologist but now he’s thinking something more technical and in the computer/information technology field. The good news is, he can still find a green job in the IT industry…green jobs are everywhere.

So have you ever thought ahead to your child’s future and wondered if he will have a green job one day?

Photo: greenforall.org

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High Air Pollution Linked to Increase in School Absences

January 20, 2010

On Monday, Mike Lee with the Star-Telegram reported about a new study that shows a link between high air pollution and an increase in school absences at 39 school districts in Texas. As the mother of a child with asthma, and one that lives in Phoenix, which has some nasty air pollution in the [...]

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Can You Make a List of 50 Fun Things?

January 18, 2010

This afternoon I was reading mamaTRUE, a blog by Sonya Feher who I know through Attachment Parenting International and their blog, API Speaks. Her post from today was titled “50 Fun Things” and in it, she lists 50 different things that she considers fun. Of course everyone’s definition of fun may differ (her [...]

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Reduce SuperStress with Super Foods

January 14, 2010

Since I’m not feeling 100% right now, I’m going to share an article with you that was written by Roberta Lee, MD, author of The SuperStress Solution. Although the article was written prior to the holiday season, the information contained within is useful for reducing stress year-round.

Reduce SuperStress with Super Foods
By Roberta Lee M.D.,
Author [...]

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Happy 1st Birthday Raising Them Green

January 13, 2010

On January 13, 2009 I launched Raising Them Green, a site dedicated to helping parents raise eco-conscious children. My philosophy is that working with our children now and helping them focus on the environmental

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The SuperStress Solution Week One Recap On Hold

January 12, 2010

I was hoping to provide everyone with a recap of how Week One of The SuperStress Solution went, however I ran into an unfortunate road block. Last Thursday I somehow managed to dislocate my jaw and tear the muscles in the jaw at the same time. Of course I thought that the problem [...]

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Video Summary of Attachment Parenting International’s 15th Anniversary Event

January 11, 2010

Attachment Parenting International celebrated its 15th Year Anniversary in 2009. To honor the commitment that API co-founders Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker have made to changing the lives of children around the world, as well as the dedication and advocacy by the rest of the attachment parenting community, API hosted its 15th Anniversary Celebration [...]

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Science Wednesday – Are Fewer Antibiotics the Answer to MRSA?

January 6, 2010

There are two main types of MRSA – hospital acquired (HA-MRSA) and community acquired (CA-MRSA). Community acquired MRSA cases are on the rise across the nation. Just a few years ago, entire schools would be put on alert if a student had a confirmed MRSA infection but now they are somewhat commonplace. [...]

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Book Preview: The SuperStress Solution

January 5, 2010

Over the next month, I will be participating in the 4-week diet and lifestyle program detailed by Roberta Lee, MD in her new book, The SuperStress Solution. The book will be available for purchase on January 12, 2010. Today I’m going to be writing a preview of the book and then each week, [...]

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