Short on Cash

I finally found a good list to help me determine (or my husband when I send him to the market) which foods MUST be purchased organic and what can be conventional when you're short on cash. Here are the Dirty Dozen that should be bought as organic: apples, cherries, grapes, chilies(imported), nectarines, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, bell peppers, celery, potatoes and spinach! You should consider purchasing milk, beef, eggs and poultry as organic, if possible. So what is left to buy conventional? Bananas, mangoes, papaya, kiwi, peas, onions, corn, cauliflower, avocado, pineapples, asparagus and broccoli. While organic fruits and veggies cost almost 50% more, the reduced exposure risks to toxins is well worth the cost. ItsGood2Know!

The Number 7

I think the number 7 is lucky for some folks. I just learned, though, that the number 7 in the little recyling triangle on the bottom of packages is not lucky! It means the product contains BPA a chemical which can leach into your food and water. Sometimes it is Good2Know what you don't want to have around!

Family Memories

Keeping a journal has always been a goal of mine, but usually lasts no more than a day. Recently, I discovered I could keep track of what is happening with our family by placing a family memory book (aka notebook) on the dining room table. By its side some writing supplies. Learn more about how to do this at your house click here Family Memory Book. ItsGood2Know!

Ugh...fruit flies

Incredibly sweet and juicy fruits and vegetables is one reason I love summer. However, the fruit flies that sometimes arrive with my ripening fruit drive me mad! This year, though, I have stopped those fruit flies in their tracks. All you need, once you see fruit flies, is to set out a glass with balsamic vinegar in the bottom. Then form a cone with paper to place inside. The fruit flies will smell the balsamic and head down the cone. They are quite cleaver enough to know how to come back out. Your family can watch them fly around and in a couple of days they will all be collected and dead. Good-bye fruit flies, hello peaches, plums and melon! ItsGood2Know!

Apple Camp

Did you know Apple stores offer FREE programs for kids? Right now, I am blogging from the store while my son participates in an Apple Camp on creating presentations. From the sounds of laughter, it is fun and by the end he'll have created a new project. I plan to check out their year-round programs for kids and might try something myself, too! Who knows, maybe I'll become an Apple guru! Free Apple camp -- now that is Good2Know!

Knot Ready to Knit

Here's a quick little craft acitivty for kids which was always a favorite of mine. Now I know it worked my fine motor skills, too. All you need is some cardstock or heavy paper, yarn and white glue. Draw a shape, animal or initial large enough to fill the paper. Now use your fingertip to shmear glue across the shape. Using the yarn ball, wind the yarn around the shape until the entire space is filled. Whalla! You have texture art!

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

When I wrote my Summer Survival Tips article I had just bought gigantic bubble tubes for the kids. We still enjoy bubbles even at 9 and 6. I mean, who doesn't. Then, last week we went to the New San Diego Children's Museum for the first time. On their upstairs balcony they had a large bubble space complete with homemade wands made of pipecleaners! What a nifty idea! Huge bubbles (I'll add a photo soon)! Here is a link to my piece on bubbles that includes other ideas on how to use no cost materials from home to produce great COLORFUL bubbles. Here is a recipe to make your own bubble mix: 2/3 cup Joy dishwashing soap, 1 gallon water and 2 to 3 tablespoons of glycerin which is sold at the pharmacy -- I tend to think a solution made fresh makes better bubbles. Hint: I watched the 'bubble guy" at the musuem. He was so relaxed and I honestly think that's why his bubbles were so incredible. So, be ONE with the BUBBLES! ItsGood2Know!