Every day the average person generates 4.3 pounds of waste, according to the Duke University Center for Sustainability and Commerce. And of those 4.3 pounds, about 65 percent is made up of food scraps and yard waste — items that… read more
Articles
Introducing your family to Aquaponics
Earth Day is approaching, and what better way to celebrate Mother Nature than teaching your children about aquaponics? Aquaponics is a sustainable method of farming developed by the Aztecs. It combines fish cultivation with plant cultivation and does not require… read more
IKEA Hacks: Making a Simple Window Herb Garden
By now many of us are well aware of this Swedish company IKEA that sells all kinds of home goods at a reasonable price. What you may not be aware of is there is a whole movement of people that… read more
Help Your Kids Make Sense of Money
Yesterday, I was in the bank drive-thru depositing some checks, when my almost-6-year-old piped up from the back seat, “Momma, why do you have to put your papers in that tube thing?” I explained that the “papers” were actually money… read more
How to Enforce the P’s & Q’s
Our children are a reflection of us, and the earlier they are taught the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong, the better. Teaching little ones manners can be tricky, and sometimes they just don’t understand that picking their nose… read more
Introducing Baby to Your Pet
Our pets are typically in tune with us and are aware when our lives begin to change, including the impending arrival of a new baby. If you are expecting the arrival of a new bundle of joy, you will want… read more
How Can You Use Duct Tape for Crafting?
Duct tape. How many of us actually use it to tape our ducts? I can’t think of a single time I ever said, “Where is that duct that needs taping.” Rather, I see it as the hidden gem of the… read more
The Truth About Essential Oils and Their Use With Kids and Pets
Essential oils are everywhere. They can be found in Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart, Target, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond right here in Gainesville. They are also often front and center on our social media pages. Proponents argue their health benefits, while… read more
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Getting Real About Imaginary Friends
When I was about 5 years old, I had a friend named Patty. She had straight brown hair with bangs, brown eyes and stood as tall as my bedroom doorknob. She had a brother named Norman and always had a… read more
What Type of Parent Are You?
Illustrations by Anibal Rodriguez and Megan Sapelak Researchers have identified four primary parenting styles that classify most parents and the way they raise their children. While there is no perfect parent, researchers have also uncovered certain long-term traits of children associated… read more
