Want to know what the 3 magic routines are? My guess is, if you’re reading this blog, you already practice them.

1. Family meals at least 5 times a week. TV off, everyone at the table. (In other words: talk to your kids, make time for them, and let them take part in adult conversation. The meal is an accessory to what’s really going on.)
2. Limit TV time to 2 hours a day. (In other words: Let your kids play! Motivate them to play! Get them off the couch!)
3. At least 10.5 hours of sleep each night. (In other words: have a bed time, presumably that’s before yours, and enforce it.)

So, different studies over time have addressed each of these, but apparently this is the first to combine the 3. Let me tell you what I think. You knew I would, didn’t you? Families that practice these 3 things are typically: more involved in their kids lives because a) they eat dinner with them and b) they don’t use TV as a babysitter or mute button; they’re generally more educated – I’m not talking Harvard or PhDs, I’m talking parenting research. Anyone who reads parenting articles, parenting books, and stays up to date with research in childhood development knows that kids need sleep and benefit from routines. So they put their kids to bed at an earlier bedtime. And they eat meals with their kids and they limit screen time.

These aren’t 3 magic routines that will melt pounds off overindulgent children. These are 3 consistencies recognized in stable upwardly mobile homes. And unfortunately, they’re things that a lot of single-parent homes and financially struggling families see as a luxury. These 3 things often require parents being home with their kids after school, and if both parents work – that may not be an option. They require a more active parenting style from mom and dad – willing to get on the floor and play with a toddler or run outside and play in the grass. It requires turning off the computer, putting down the laundry, and investing time in your kids.

And guess what? I don’t think it’s the 3 routines that make the difference. It’s the fact that the same parents who do those routines also try to buy healthy foods. They avoid HFCS and sugary sodas. They don’t let Timmy veg all afternoon in front of the TV with a bag of Doritos. Their fridges are full of carrot sticks and hummus and applesauce and grapes and yogurt for snacks. And their kids like those things. Those kids would rather build a Lego dinosaur and play ball outside than sit in front of the TV. Their day is structured with routines, like bedtime – and like snacktime. They have food at predetermined times, and they don’t snack just because they’re bored.

So, thanks, Journal of Pediatrics. Suggestions taken and understood. But let’s not simplify it to believe that 3 simple steps will take our nation’s kids from HFCS-craving screen-monsters to active, healthy kids practicing positive choices about food, routines, and relationships.

Do you have any idea how many problems this solves?

1. Recess is often being taken away, meaning kids who need activity to keep their minds going are languishing behind stationary school desks in classrooms that reward quiet inactivity (leading to obesity, diabetes, etc.).
2. More and more kids are on the free and reduced lunch programs (as well as free breakfasts in many states) because of soaring unemployment leading to scores of people on food stamps. These programs – while necessary – are draining much needed funds from overstretched education budgets. Gardens that supplement food available to the schools (while unlikely to be considered self-sustaining) would certainly make a dent in school food purchases.
3. Most kids think they don’t like veggies. Some think they don’t like fruit. What do we think? We think they’ve been told they don’t like veggies. “Here, honey, I’ll douse those peas in ketchup till they swim. Then you won’t have to taste them.” “I didn’t give you many carrots. If you’ll eat what’s there, I’ll give you ice cream later!” But kids who are involved in growing and harvesting food are much more willing to try the fruits of their labor. Get those veggies in, and they just might discover that they like them!
4. French fries are often the only vegetables some kids eat in a given week. Why? It’s cheaper to buy potato chips and ding-dongs than fresh produce. And junk foods require zero prep. Open bag, stuff mouth. Repeat. Hard working families have little time for meal prep and reach for tummy-filling foods that are sure to please. Kids get to school, receive their free lunch, and pick at what resembles what they think they like. Obesity rates and diabetes sky-rocket. At school we have a captive population, and they’re much more likely to eat healthy if they are involved in the process.
5. And yes, kids learn that peas aren’t made in a can, cucumbers can be more than just pickles, and produce doesn’t start its lifecycle on the shelves of Super Walmart.

My kids’ school has at least an acre or two of unused land. On rare occasion it provides extra parking space for school events, and once a year it’s used as the location for ‘field day.’ Think of how much daily use – and education value – would come from converting 1.5 acres into a food-producing garden. And being in Florida, the garden would be viable year round.

I just came across this site, and what actually drew me in was the 1950s communist style illustration of happy workers headed off with their hoes and rakes, with a backdrop of a suburban neighborhood. Something about the illustration and the propaganda-esque name (“Freedom Gardens”) put me off a little to start with. But maybe I’m just overly critical…

As I surfed around the website I came to love it. Here’s what they say about themselves: “Freedom Gardens is an online social community of gardening enthusiasts who are fed up with foreign oil, frequent food miles and high food prices.” Who wouldn’t love that? An online community for people who like locally-grown, super fresh yumness straight out of their backyards. They have a little disclaimer – not all the buttons on the site are operational yet as they’re a new site and still working on the details. But go ahead and check out the forum – you may even find something special to bring to the Thanksgiving table!

Well, natural fertilizer doesn’t have to be the butt of potty jokes. You can actually use kitchen waste to make your own fertilizer for your yard and garden. Why? You’ll save money and send less to the landfill, reduce your climate footprint, and you’ll be creating your very own concoction – and who doesn’t like to create something new?

It’s easy and more unobtrusive than you probably thought. Sure, you can go out and get yourself a tumbling barrel or some such contraption, but if you’re just starting, a pretty countertop canister will get you started. You’ll want to use a 50/50 mixture of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ organic waste, so here’s what to start with:

Brown Waste: (dry)

• cardboard or unbleached paper (shredded)
• leaves
• woodchips
• grass clippings
• twigs
• unbleached coffee filters

Green Waste: (moist)

• coffee grounds
• egg shells (broken into small pieces)
• fruit and vegetable peels and scraps

Things to avoid:

• Pet waste – could introduce harmful bacteria into your garden
• Animal byproducts (grease, chicken bones or fat, sour milk, etc.) – could attract pests and unwanted visitors

You’ll need to turn it (flip it upside down and then back again) every 3 days, and it’ll decompose faster if you leave it in a warm place. When it’s fully ‘cooked’ or ready to go, it’ll be about half the amount of what you added and it’ll look like good soil. You won’t be able to see the various things you put into it.

Plant some in your yard and you’ll keep insects away. Peel back the leaves to reveal a juicy pulp that you can apply directly to your skin. Added bonus? Once your insect-repelling lemongrass plant begins to grow you can use it to cook all sorts of yummy Thai foods! It also makes a nice tea. And while you’re planting, put in some marigolds. It’ll add a nice pop of color to your garden, and it gives off a scent that mosquitos and other insects don’t like.

Alternatively, pick up some lemongrass essential oil at your local natural foods store, dilute it with water or oil and apply it directly to your skin. New moms, take note – lemongrass is also known for its ability to increase milk production in nursing mothers!

If you’re looking for something easy you can pick up at the supermarket, beware. I checked every single bug repellent at our local grocery store and they all contained DEET, complete with scary warnings about the dangers associated with their use. But don’t stop there – you can find natural alternatives at health food stores and boutiques. Burt’s Bees and Badger Balm both make their own natural bug repellent using lemongrass as well as other essential oils. Bite Blocker, Green Ban, and All Terrain Herbal Armor are others you might find. What works best will depend on your skin type, preferences, and what species of mosquitoes you have in your area. But according to Green Guide, readers report that natural alternatives like these work as well as DEET-based repellants.

Lemongrass is special because it has citronella in it – no need to buy the candles when you can plant the real deal in your garden. But lemongrass is stronger than citronella. There’s something in the plant properties that insects really don’t like.

Eucalyptus oil is also effective in repelling mosquitos, for up to 120 minutes (citronella candles only warded off mosquitos in some studies for up to 20 minutes). The EPA says not to use eucalyptus oil directly on the skin of children under the age of 3 (so I guess my bug-beloved 2-year-old will have to do with lemongrass).

If you’re grilling, add a few sprigs of rosemary or some sage to the charcoal to keep bugs at bay. Again, there’s something in the scent that drives them off. Your neighbors will love the barbeque smell, but they may not thank you for the bugs that fled from your yard to theirs!

My favorites are the Root-Vue Farm – grow your own radishes, carrots, and onions, and see which one’s roots grow fastest. Watch the whole thing through the see-through window.

Also, the GrowZone – alien garden! is awesome for the more adventurous young gardeners. There’s a worm composting garden and an edible seed sprouting kit too – something for every kid, and perfect for summer.

When somebody wrote in asking about natural insect repellents for their children it made me realize that I had no idea what I would be using as a bug repellent for MY OWN kid! The pursuit of a safe and natural repellent began!

Most natural repellents are a combination of essential oils, many which can be found in your health food store and mixed together and poured into a spray bottle. If that’s the way you like to do things then you can try this recipe…

Combine the following essential oils to make a natural insect repellent:

1/2 ounce citronella oil

1/4 ounce lavender oil

1/8 ounce pennyroyal oil

1/8 ounce tea tree oil

1/8 ounce jojoba oil

Do not use this blend undiluted on your skin and do not use if pregnant. Follow these instructions for diluting:

To make an insect repellent oil that can be used on your body, add 16 ounces of jojoba or almond oil to the base oil mixture and blend thoroughly. For an insect repellent spray, add 16 ounces of vodka to the base oil mixture, pour into a spray bottle, and shake before using.

Now for me, I would much rather just buy a product instead of mixing my own. I found two that I am really interested in trying. The first is No Skeeterz natural repellent. It is safe to use on kids and 100% deet free! The second would most likely be easier to find on the grocery store shelves and that is Burt’s Bees Herbal insect repellent. Again, safe to use on kids and 100% deet free. Another awesome thing about natural repellents, since essential oils are used there is no more repulsive smell left on your skin and clothing!

Here at Broomhuggers we love to find new ways to use things that would normally get thrown away! Kathy just wrote a great post on what to do with your left over bacon grease to dispose of it and a reader asked if you could use bacon grease to make seed balls for the birds. Asked and answered!!!

Recipe #1

Melt together 2 cups chunky peanut butter and 2 cups of lard (or bacon grease).

Add 4 cups oatmeal, 4 cups cornmeal, 1/3 cup flour, and 1 Tablespoon sugar. Mix everything together.

Place in forms. Freeze. It’s that easy. Pull out of freezer when ready to use. Makes about 6 or 7 suit cakes.

Recipe #2

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup vegetable shortening, melted (Grease will work here too)
1/2 cup shelled peanuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup corn meal
1/2 cup cracked corn

Mix all of the above ingredients together. Not all ingredients need to be used (use whatever you have on hand), as long as the mixture will stick together. Feel free to add in a little bit of bird seed as an added bonus!

I was actually needing to go out and buy another suet cake for my daughters bird feeder but now I think I’ll just go and buy some bacon instead!

Just a reminder: If you start feeding birds in your yard it’s very important you continue feeding them, especially in the colder months. They start to depend on the food you are providing for them!

Rhubarb leaf tea, that is. Next time you buy some rhubarb to make your fantastic strawberry-rhubarb pie, don’t discard the leaves. Put them in a pot of water, boil them for about 10 minutes, then leave the pot to cool. Now discard the leaves, but put the ‘tea’ into a spray bottle and apply it to your plants! It’ll keep the pests away but keep your garden chemical-free and food-safe.

Of all the places to come across a fascinating, well-thought out argument, I was surprised to see one in “Drive” – the Subaru magazine. It talks about how the way children see and experience nature has changed drastically within the space of a few decades.

“Well-meaning public school systems, media, and parents are effectively scaring children straight out of the woods and fields.”

Well said, by Richard Louv. It rightly points out that for some reason, we’ve come to unconsciously associate nature with doom, while disassociating the outdoors from joy and solitude. What’s happened? When I think about sending my kids outside, I get a little nervous. There’s something uncontrollable about the outside. I feel like my kids would be vulnerable, exposed to myriad unknowns. And while that frightens me as a parent, it’s likely the one thing my kids desperately need that I withhold from them.

A growing wave of research shows that children who regularly spend unstructured time outside play more creatively, have more active imaginations, have greater respect for themselves, others, and the environment, develop stronger immune systems, and – oh, shock of all shocks – are more physically fit.

Perhaps my fear that one of my kids might stumble across a worm, pick it up and play with it (like I did when I was 2, and I have the pictures to prove it!) aren’t so important after all. I mean, heck, dirt even boosts happiness – in adults as well as kids. So what’s the harm in finding a new friendly stink bug or exploring beyond the edge of the properly manicured lawn? In fact, it would probably do much more good than harm.

The Green Hour has some great ideas for parents who – like myself – lack imagination when it comes to engaging with the outdoors. I remember the empty lot down the street being our ‘fort’ growing up, and learning to skateboard down the neighborhood’s death-trap hill. Maybe that’s why the thought of unstructured play outside scares me. And that fear is probably why I need ideas like the ones at the Green Hour.