Motherly Law

Keeping Little Tummies Full: School Lunches & Reduced-Price and Free Meals {On a Soapbox}

Reduced-Price Meals

I received information about reduced price and free breakfasts and lunches from our school district this week. I did a little math based on the information provided and found that if Darling 1 bought breakfast and lunch every day of the school week it would cost us $16.50 per week, $67.20 per month and approximately $604.80 per school year {not taking holidays into account}. A child who qualifies for reduced prices meals receives breakfast for free and pays .40 cents for lunch. This child will pay $2.20 per week, $8.80 per month and approximately $79.20 per school year.

That's a huge difference. Reduced or free breakfasts and lunches can ensure that a student will get enough food during the school day. It can take the financial pressure off of an already strapped budget. It should mean that a student is getting well fed with nutritious foods, not just filling tummies with meals kept under a certain calorie count to comply with regulations. This program should give parents who can't afford to send lunches with their kids the peace of mind that their kids are getting a well-balanced nutritious meal while at school.

School Meal Menu

I took a peak at the menus from the past school year at the school that Darling 1 will soon be attending. I had heard and read good things about our school district's Food and Nutrition Office. I was optimistic. I was sorely disappointed. And now, I have it on my list of things to do to call the director and have a chat about some of the choices.

It's my opinion that schools in general, but most certainly elementary schools, should NOT have chocolate milk or strawberry milk on the menu; they should NEVER offer mini or any other size corn dogs, chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks {unless they mean low fat string cheese, but I don't think they do}, French fries, chicken patties or hot dogs to name a few items; and when it comes to breakfast, you can't tell me that a bowl of Lucky Charms {perhaps paired with Strawberry Milk} is better for the students' behavior, learning and stamina than nothing at all.

There are a few menu items that are OK, but I was not blown away by the choices and found very few truly nutritious. My child will not be eating every breakfast and lunch as prepared by the school. We will pick and choose which, if any, lunches he would like to purchase, rather than bring a lunch from home a few days week or a few days a month, depending on the choices. I will instruct him to choose only white milk and hope he listens to me {Chocolate Milk is rare treat and he doesn't even know that Strawberry Milk exists....yet}.

School-Made Lunches

My concern would be if I had no choice rather than to have him eat the free breakfasts and a reduced-price or free lunch every Monday through Friday of the school year, consuming so much junk and empty calories. Yes, there are vegetables and fruit with every option, but fruit is often heavy-laden with sugar and/or high fructose corn syrup and most of the veggies and fruits probably come from a can which contains BPA in the lining. Many of the meats are fried or highly processed. I would be greatly concerned my child would gain weight eating these meals.

As I have discussed in the past, some schools actually require all students to eat the lunch provided by the school. These schools don't allow students to bring a lunch with exception to some students with medical/allergy issues. After doing a little research I found that the Chicago area public school that received so much attention about this policy is in a mostly low income area and more than likely most students receive reduced-price or free meals anyway. I don't know what that school's obesity rate is or if it has changed since this rule was implemented. This school claimed to serve highly nutritious, low fat meals, but I could never find an example of or actual menu for this particular school.

The problem is that good, nutritious, healthy foods cost more than...well, crappy, junkie, processed foods full of empty calories. Schools and local, state and federal governments end up paying the cost of much of the meals served in schools, especially if the cost of food is on the rise, as it has been in recent years due to myriad reasons. Schools make a lot of noise about healthy eating and offering nutritious whole grain options, etc.; and hey, the hot dog is a turkey hot dog and the strawberry milk is skim and on a few days there are fresh fruits and vegetables offered, but they simply can't measure up to the lunch made by a mom who is particular about what her child eats.

The Scoop

The schools do their best by counting calories, reducing sodium and fats, adding a fresh veggie salad here or a whole apple or banana there. So, that should be enough, right? Sorry, no dice. I want more than that. In fact, I want whole lot more than that.

But in keeping with this week's theme of starving people and food resources, when it comes down to it there are many, many children who will qualify for reduced-price or free meals from their schools this year. And these meals are better than nothing {for the most part}. If you think your child would qualify for such a program and you are in need of such a program, be sure to contact your school district if you don't receive a form in the mail or have questions about whether you qualify. All such records are kept private and confidential.

However, just because you qualify for a program and can't afford to buy school lunches and have limited funds, does not mean that you have to settle for lousy, non-nutritious meals being served to your children at school. You still have a right to demand fresher, more nutritious, better meals. Over and out...

Anna

You might also like:

Feeding the Minds of Students: Federally Funded School Lunch Programs & Kids' Nutrition

The Family Food Challenge: Tips for Getting Your Kids to Eat Well & Try New Foods

Making the Grade: A Plea to MN Public Educators

Motherly Law Year in Review: Updated Posts

Trial and Error

Parenting is largely trial and error, a learn-as-you-go, kind of job. It's been my experience that many times a well-thought-out plan for dealing with a developing issue or setting a goal or laying down the law may not work or have an unintended consequence and must be re-worked to some degree.

This is also the case with the law. As I have mentioned in the past, the law is ever-changing depending on current trends, new research, new technologies, and old lessons learned. Laws are passed, amended and repealed every year; for better or worse.

Updated Posts

Therefore, due to changes in laws, guidelines and recommendations over the last year, there are several posts that need to be updated. Here are a few words regarding the changes for each one of these posts, plus links to the changed, updated information. The posts themselves have also been updated with new links, etc.

Bisphenal-A {BPA}

My second post on ML was about BPA-free products and the laws banning this chemical in certain items. Most of the state laws in place regulate BPA in baby/child products. GreenBiz.com reports "17 states and the District of Columbia will be looking at new legislation to ban BPA from baby bottles, infant formula packaging, receipt paper or a combination of items." Currently, ME, MA, MN, CT, WA, NY, VT, WI and MD have state laws in place banning such products.

Birth Centers

Many women are turning to alterative choices when it comes to where to have babies and who is delivering babies. One choice that seems to be gaining popularity is a birth center. A birth center provides a homelike, comfortable setting in which to give birth with a midwife overseeing the pregnancy and delivery. Birth Centers are often covered by major health care plans and are an attractive alternative to a home birth or at the opposite spectrum, a hospital birth, for those who feel a hospital is too invasive and uncomfortable. Over the past year, accredited birth centers have been popping up all over the country. Click here for a current list of accredited birth centers.

Bike Helmets

There's been some discussion over whether bike helmet laws and recommendations are causing kids who can't afford helmets or find them "uncool" to simply stop riding bikes. This result, of course, was not what was intended by lawmakers who passed these state laws requiring helmets to ride bikes, scooters, skate boards, etc.

Regardless, 21 states, plus District of Columbia have bike helmet laws, covering various ages. Here is a table and accompanying maps that show what the helmet laws are for each state, whether it's for motorcycles, scooters or other low-power cycles and bikes.  

Pool Drain Safety

Last summer, I wrote about the new mandatory pool drain covers that were meant to ensure that people, and in particular, children could not become trapped under water or disemboweled by broken/malfunctioning pool drains. However, just last week there were reports that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is investigating whether the pool drain covers were improperly tested. After issuing subpoenas to three independent laboratories, the CPSC is reviewing more than 17,000 pages of documents to learn more about their testing methods.

Pool & Spa News reports, "The investigation has revealed that the testing protocols used by some laboratories may have been improper and, as a result, some covers certified by these laboratories may not comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act." This means that some drain covers may not have accurate flow ratings and may not prevent entrapment. CPSC is trying to have finished this investigation by the start of pool season, but warns pool owners to keep children away from drains, especially the shallow areas.

Car Seats

While my posts on car seats have been focused on booster seat laws and finding the car seat that best fits your car, there are new guidelines for rear-facing seats. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends that infants remain in rear facing seats until 2 years of age or until reaching the maximum weight or height allowed for the rear-facing infant, convertible or 3-in-1 seat being used. This recommendation may seem extreme, especially for those who have giant toddlers like I did, but it's based on research that shows this is the safest position for a small child to be in should a crash occur. And as parents, ultimately it's our kids' safety that matters most.

For additional information on this subject click on these links:

www.aap.org

www.heathlychildren.org

www.ghsa.org

The Scoop

It's interesting to watch the progression and/or reversal of laws, regulations, guidelines and recommendations on these and other issues. The great thing about a law or guideline is that it can continually be molded or completely done away with depending on the current school of thought, needs and purposes of our society. Many guidelines or recommendations of organizations like AAP do eventually become law and others retain their status as merely guidelines of a particular organization.

Next week, I will have a guest post on what to look for in finding an attorney to help you with your estate planning needs; how to approach your digital legacy and more. Over and out...

Anna

 

Jet Lag Excuses: 7 Links Challenge

There's No Place Like Home

This week I am breaking all my rules. Since the hotel I was staying in for a blogging conference was having technical difficulties and their Internet connection was not working (ironic, right), I was not able to post Monday. I am fresh in from New York. It's been a long (& fun) 5 days, and so I am opting for a Challenge I spotted on a really great blogging site for today's post. I had a great trip to the Big Apple, and on Wednesday, I will post the top 10 (or more) things I learned from my trip. On Thursday, I will post a few pictures from my trip. And Friday there will be a bit of Motherly Advice, of course.

I know you are dying to hear about my time in NY, but you will just have to wait one more day. I will say my mom and I both got scolded several times, but for the most part avoided trouble. We met some lovely people who helped us learn about our surroundings and ate stellar food (the highlights of the trip). Did I mention I saw Wicked while in NYC? (hence the subtitle)

The 7 Links Challenge

I recently saw this 7 Links Challenge on ProBlogger's Facebook page. I think it's a good way to see posts in a different light or re-examine these posts. The categories are the same used by ProBlogger. I have given an explanation for each of my choices.

My First Post

This one is pretty self explanatory, and if you haven't read it yet, please do so. It explains who I am and what my purpose is.

Taking the Plunge

The Post I Most Enjoyed Writing

I most enjoyed writing the BPA Free post because it was my first legal issue post. I have written so many posts now, but still think about the process of writing that one.

Sippy Cups: BPA-Free or Not. What’s the Big Deal?

A Post with Great Discussion

This post got lots of comments right away. Everyone seems to have an opinion about this issue. I was glad to bring attention to the dangers of texting while driving.

Driving to Distraction: The Hazards of Texting While Driving and the Laws Restricting This Habit

A Post on Someone Else's Blog that I Wish I had Written

Molly of The Snyder 5 posted a great post about Blogher, blogging conference. While I did not have her exact experiences, I did have similar thoughts about the conference. I certainly did gain knowledge and understanding of some blogging techniques and practices, and I enjoyed getting to know Suzi, Molly and Anna better. The part that was disappointing to me was the lack of networking and chatting with bloggers that I don't know. Molly says it well.

BlogHer was … complicated. Or maybe I am just complicated.

My Most Helpful Post

The Wills and Trusts post certainly gets picked up by Google searches quite a bit. So, I feel like this is a helpful one.

Last Will and Testament: Why it’s So Important for a Parent and How to Get One of Your Very Own

A Post with a Title I'm Proud of

I really like my title for my heel stick post. I think it's creative, and I just like it.

Preconceived Notions and Infant Heel Stick Screenings: Privacy Rights v. Early Diagnosis

A Post I Wish More People Had Read

I do think this post on pool safety has important information in it. I think this is an issue that parents and other caretakers need to be aware of before their charges take to the water.

Getting Ready to Dive Into Summer: How Safe is the Pool?"

The Scoop

I hope you enjoy reading these posts for the first time or re-examining some older familiar posts. It was fun to go back and look at all the posts. Please drop me a line and tell me if you would have chosen any other posts for these categories. Over and out…

Anna

The Organic, Sustainable, Grass-Fed, All-Natural, Free-Range, Fair Trade Grocery List: What Do All These Adjectives Mean??

The Grocery Shopping Experience

 

When did buying groceries get so complicated? You basically have to have a Ph.D in Food Science and work for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to understand what is meant by all of the labels tossed around these days? My grocery shopping experience goes something like this: "Yes, could I have a pound of the free-range, preservative-free, all-natural turkey breast. And I'll take a ½ pound of the organic, fair trade, sustainable coffee, please. Can you tell me 0n which aisle the all-natural, preservative-free granola bars are located? Oh, are you all out of the hormone-free, locally-produced whole milk? Where is the grass-fed, humanely-treated-until-murdered-to-become-my-dinner beef? The organic, free-range eggs are how much?" I mean, really, does our food have to have this many adjectives? And what does all of this mean anyway?

 

The thing is, I do care. I do read labels. I happen to be horribly offended by any food with high fructose corn syrup in the list of ingredients! I do not buy anything with that irritatingly, evil ingredient (Please note one exception: Mama's Coke Zero… You know, Mama don't get much sleep!). The part that really bothers me is that it's in EVERYTHING. Alright…I'm exaggerating, but not much! I do buy organic, as much as I can afford; I don't feed my kids hot dogs or other highly processed foods, colored-liquid pretending to be juice; or cookies chock-full of trans fats and other hard-to-pronounce, synthetic ingredients; and I am a bit of a food snob. You might have already guessed that though.

 

So, every week I go to Target Superstore (preferably without my two Darling Distractions); read the labels; buy about 60% organic; buy nothing made with the afore-mentioned evil ingredient (besides the one noted exception); load up on fruits and veggies; avoid canned items that are BPA-laden; get to the register and spend enough to feed a football team. The up side is that I feel good about the food I feed my family, especially my rapidly-growing, brain-developing kiddos. The frustrating part is that in order to eat well, I spend a lot of hard-earned mullah.

 

I think it's important to fully comprehend what is meant by these USDA-implemented food adjectives. If you are clear on the official government-regulated definition of organic, fair trade, sustainable, grass-fed, all-natural, free-range products, then you can decide how important each of those items (and the price tags they warrant) is to you and your family.

 

Breaking Down the Adjectives

 

Organic Food/Farming

In 1990, Congress passed the Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) which required the USDA to develop national standards for organically produced agricultural products to assure consumers that agricultural products marketed as organic meet consistent, uniform standards, whether grown in the U.S. or imported from other countries. There are several overall controlling doctrines governing certified organic farming, including biodiversity, integration, sustainability, natural plant nutrition, natural pest management, and integrity.

 

• Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. 
• Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. 
• Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.  
• Before a product can be labeled 'organic,' a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. 
• Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too."

 

However, organic farming means much more than simply avoiding conventional chemicals in fertilizers, etc. or trading natural fertilizers for synthetic ones. Instead, organic farmers focus on tried and true techniques, using farming practices from thousands of years ago.

Organic products will always have the word "organic" on the package or produce sign and/or have the "UDSA Organic" seal on the package or piece of produce. The seal is voluntary though, so packaging or produce signs don't have to have the seal to be certified organic. It's a crime, with a fine of up to $11,000, to sell food labeled as "organic" when the seller knows the product doesn't meet USDA organic standards.

 Sustainable Agriculture

The term "Sustainable" is one that is often used in conjunction with "organic" products. Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer and supports and enhances rural communities. Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability and social and economic equity. When a process is sustainable, it can be maintained indefinitely because sustainable farmers do not take more resources to produce food than they give back. Sustainable farmers see nature as an ally rather than an obstacle, and are able to produce more wholesome food while using less fossil fuels (thus lessening the impact on global warming), and without using any synthetic pesticides, artificial hormones, or antibiotics. Here are principles sustainable agriculture farmers adhere to:

• Conservation and Preservation. What is taken out of the environment is put back in, so land and resources such as water, soil and air can be replenished and are available to future generations. The waste from sustainable farming stays within the farm's ecosystem and cannot cause buildup or pollution. In addition, sustainable agriculture seeks to minimize transportation costs and fossil fuel use, and is as locally-based as possible.

   

• Biodiversity. Farms raise different types of plants and animals, which are rotated around the fields to enrich the soil and help prevent disease and pest outbreaks. Chemical pesticides are used minimally and only when necessary; many sustainable farms do not use any form of chemicals.

   

• Animal Welfare. Animals are treated humanely and with respect and are well cared for. They are permitted to carry out their natural behaviors, such as grazing, rooting or pecking and are fed a natural diet appropriate for their species.

   

• Economically Viable. Farmers are paid a fair wage and are not dependent on subsidies from the government. Sustainable farmers help strengthen rural communities.
• Socially Just. Workers are treated fairly and paid competitive wages and benefits. They work in a safe environment and are offered proper living conditions and food.

The confusion with sustainable agriculture is that the definition is more a philosophy or way of life than a strict set of rules, and farmers can interpret the meaning differently. In addition, there is no legal obligation to follow any of the criteria for sustainability, so food can be labeled sustainable when in actuality it isn't. Many terms that describe this type of food, such as natural or cage free, do not have a legal or clear definition (though the USDA is currently working on this). http://www.sustainabletable.org/home.php

It's important to note that "sustainable" and "organic" don't always mean the same thing. For example, an organic tomato might not adhere to sustainable principles if it was grown organically, but then shipped across the country to be sold. And on the flip side, some produce you find at your local farmers' market might not have been grown organically.

The next terms are all related sustainable farming:

• Free-Range: In the U.S., USDA regulations apply only to poultry and indicate that the animal has been allowed access to the outside. However, the USDA regulations do not specify the quality or size of the outside range, nor the amount of time the animal must have access to the outside. Although the USDA regulations may not apply, the term free-range can be applied to eggs, meat or dairy farming. In ranching, free-range livestock are permitted to roam without being fenced in, as opposed to fenced-in pastures.
• Grass-Fed/Open Pasture: "Grass-fed" on a label signifies that the livestock received a diet of natural forage outdoors, but sometimes cows are fed grass while indoors or in a pen or only for the first few months of their lives. So "grass-fed" could mean "pasture-raised" or "open pasture." Pasture-raised animals roam freely outdoors where they can eat the grasses and other plants that their bodies are best suited to digest. Grass-fed meat is low in both overall fat and artery-clogging saturated fat, and it provides a considerably higher amount of healthy Omega-3 fats than corn-fed meat, and host of other health benefits.
• Fair Trade Certified: Fair Trade Certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. Fair Trade is much more than a fair price!  Fair Trade principles include:
  • Fair price
  • Fair labor conditions
  • Direct trade
  • Democratic and transparent organizations
  • Community development
  • Environmental sustainability

Fair Trade Certification is currently available in the U.S. for coffee, tea and herbs, cocoa and chocolate, fresh fruit, sugar, rice and vanilla.

  100% All Natural

 

According to the Mintel Global New Products database, which monitors the appearance of new household products, one third of all new U.S. food and beverage products in 2008 highlighted claims of being "natural" or "all natural," or something similar, including "organic," "no additives or preservatives" and "whole grain." The term "Natural" generally refers to food items that are not altered chemically or synthesized in any form. They are products derived from plants and animals. The USDA says those products can be labeled "natural" if they don't contain any artificial ingredients or added color, and are only minimally processed. But if "natural" is used on the label, it must also give an additional explanation, such as "no added colorings or artificial ingredients." When considering purchasing a product with the "Natural" label, keep in mind that there is no "USDA Natural" certification and there is much more wiggle room with this term. Natural does not mean organic, although a certified organic product might also bear the label "Natural." OK, I never claimed this food label system wasn't confusing and mixed up.

 

Why Does Food with Organic, Sustainable, Natural Labels Cost So Much More?

 

Organic, sustainable, natural foods simply costs more to produce than conventional foods. Food prices reflect the costs of growing, harvesting, transportation, storage, processing and packaging. To be certified organic, food must meet stricter regulations that govern all these steps in the process. Organic or sustainable food production also means more labor that is management intensive and happens on a smaller scale.

 

Why Spend the Money for Organic?

While the USDA does not claim that organic foods are safer or more nutritious than those produced conventionally, many people who produce, buy and eat organic foods believe that they are. People are buying more organic foods, with sales rising more than 20% every year in the past decade and the Food Marketing Institute says that more than half of Americans buy organic food at least once a month. Buying organic is a personal decision. I buy organic items when I can and as much as I can afford it. We also shop at our local Farmers' Market from May through October and grow some herbs and vegetables ourselves. Much of it is sustainable, some certified organic, and all very fresh and local.

The Scoop

 

Do you buy organic? Some? Not at all? Please leave a comment here, on Facebook or Twitter and tell me what your thoughts are regarding Organic, Sustainable, Grass-Fed, Free-Range, Natural and/or Fair Trade foods. On Wednesday, I will post tips on how to save when shopping for organic products, finding a local farmers' market and some related websites. Over and out…

 

Anna

Earth Day: Origins & Goals

The 40^th observation of Earth Day is April 22^nd. That's next Thursday, for those of you trying to figure out when April 22^nd is and aren't even sure what today's date is. Be good to the earth, recycle, repurpose, yada, yada yada… I have to admit I have never really celebrated Earth Day. It never seemed like an important day, which sounds really flippant, but it's true. Oh sure, I recycle; I drink out of reusable water bottles (BPA-Free, of course: See Posts from March 8^th and 10^th); I put my groceries in canvas bags (when I remember to bring them in from the car); I plant flowers, herbs and vegetables, etc. But I don't live "green" in any real sense. I do a very small part – the easy stuff. But that was before I read about United States Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin and his tireless message of preserving and protecting our natural resources.

In the Spring of 1970, before I was born, Senator Nelson created Earth Day as a way to "force this issue onto the national agenda." He has inspired me to be more conscious in my choices and to teach my children to do the same. Since becoming a parent, the world's environmental issues have taken on a new meaning. I think and feel more deeply about children in war-torn and poverty-stricken countries with no clean water; global warming; loss of natural habitats for the world's dwindling population of polar bears; poor air quality; waterways so polluted that fish can't live in it and kids can't play in it, etc. I want the earth and all of its natural splendors to be available to my children and their children and on and on.

Earth Day was the product of local grassroots action to increase environmental awareness but it also focused the nation's political agenda on urgent environmental issues. Nelson insisted the first Earth Day's activities be created not by organizers in Washington, but by individuals and groups in their own communities. As a result of this empowering vision, 1 in 10 Americans participated in the first Earth Day, drawing extensive attention from the media and jump-starting an era of bold environmental legislation. After a decade marked by partisan rancor and social division, Nelson hoped Earth Day could form "a new national coalition whose objective is to put quality for human life on a par with Gross National Product." In Washington, at least, environmental politics did for a time become the obsession of both parties.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created as a result of Nelson's work to bring attention to the importance of protecting and preserving our air, water and land. Since 1970, the EPA has been leading the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment. To accomplish this goal, the EPA develops and enforces regulations; awards grants; studies environmental issues; sponsors partnerships; teaches people about the environment; and publishes information regarding the environment.

As it turns out, this year of the 40^th observation of Earth Day, has seen much "green" legislation. The federal government, several states and municipalities enacted and have begun enforcing or will in the coming months began enforcing laws pertaining to proper disposal, recycling and pollution, among others:

• Effective this month, EPA will enforce a new Lead Paint Safety law that will cover renovations of facilities built before 1978, aiming to protect children from exposure to lead-based paint. Under the new law, "Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program," workers will have lead-safe work practice standards and required certification/training for paid contractors and maintenance professionals.

   

• The biggest federal environmental law that took effect on the first of the year is the new EPA reporting requirement for greenhouse gases. They mainly apply to companies in specific industries that generate more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The EPA estimates that the reporting regulations will cover 85% of greenhouse-gas emissions in the United States.

   

• The state of Washington quickly followed the new federal rule with a set of stricter greenhouse-gas reporting requirements, which will also took effect on Jan. 1 2010. The state law includes food processors, industrial landfills and natural-gas businesses that are excluded from the federal rule. Washington also lowered the baseline for reporting from 25,000 to 10,000 metric tons.

   

• As of Jan. 1, 2010, California utilities are required to use renewables for 20% of their energy production, and by 2020, renewables must comprise at least one-third.

   

• Also, beginning on the first day of this year, California's Integrated Waste Management Board (IWMB) put together a program that encourages businesses, apartment complexes and mobile home parks to institute recycling. The mandatory recycling directive will set goals for cities and counties, allowing them to implement individual programs as long as they comply.

   

• Starting in August, a new law in New York will require all future construction and major renovation projects on New York state government buildings to follow new building standards set by the New York Office of General Services that will cut emissions.

   

• The state of Delaware joined a handful of other U.S. states and cities to pass legislation requiring expanded consumer access to plastic bag recycling. Similar to those already passed in the states of California and New York, the new law requires retailers and chain stores that give out plastic bags to consumers to provide collection bins for their recycling, beginning in Aug. of 2010.

   

• Effective Jan. 1, 2010, the Maine Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2009, expanded electronic recycling requirements to printers and video consoles, and requires electronics manufacturers to pay an annual state registration fee to help cover recycling costs. The state will also start determining the recycling responsibility of manufacturers.

   

• Also in Maine, companies that make compact fluorescent light bulbs and other lighting that includes mercury must adopt recycling programs.

   

• Minnesota law now mandates that yard waste or source-separated compostable materials may not be placed in a plastic bag for disposal unless the bag meets all the specifications in ASTM Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics (D6400) or the material is emptied from the plastic bag once delivered to the transfer station or compost facility and the bag is then removed from such transfer station or facility. This law was effective Jan. 1, 2010, with the exception to cities of the first class that currently contracts for the collection of yard waste until January 1, 2013.

There will continue to be a need to vigilantly preserve and protect our earth from pollution and destruction. It is our duty as its inhabitants to be respectful of the environment so that future generations can enjoy fresh air, clean water and beautiful natural landscapes. In the words of Handy Manny, we should celebrate Earth Day every day. What kinds of things do you do with your kids to teach your kids to be earth-friendly?

On Wednesday, I will post some recycling tips and provide a few "green" Web sites with useful information on how you can go "green" too. Over and out…

Anna

To BPA or Not to BPA? That is the Question: Tips for Limiting Your Family’s Exposure

Wow!  My head starts spinning when I sit down and actually tick thru all of the items I have to think about on a daily basis.    It seems that a parent's day never really ends.  All the days and nights just run together into one endless list of chores.  As the mommy in our household my daily tasks include a litany of items.  Here's a peek:

· Checking that our pantry is well stocked for every being in our house which includes me, Dear Husband, Darling 1, Darling 2, 2 Giant Dogs, 3 Small, but always quite hungry at the busiest moment of my day, Cats

· Counting to see if Darling 1 has enough clean underwear for the day (still in the “Oops, I forgot to stop playing and run to the bathroom with enough time to actually pull my pants down” stage)

· Paying bills

· Returning phone calls with two howling boys in the background

· Checking dog and cat water bowls

· Refilling juice/water/milk cups about a million times a day

· Returning emails

· Monitoring work deadlines and my progress towards those ever-approaching deadlines

· Finding time to actually do the work

· Removing booby traps set across the living room floor, otherwise known as blocks, small vehicles, deceivingly gentle looking plastic giraffe with razor sharp ears (trust me on this one – the bottom of my foot bears testimony to what I say), small bouncy balls and  a million other objects that get scattered across the floor and become a death trap to a mommy carrying a very full laundry basket or a screaming, thrashing, fit-throwing toddler

· Starting laundry in the washer, trying to remember to go down and put said load into dryer when washer stops, starting another load, emptying dryer load into awaiting basket that is already filled with two clean loads waiting to be folded at some point in the future and then starting that process over (about a 100 more times that day) before I go back upstairs to remove yet another intricately designed living room booby trap. 

OK, well I’m not finished by a long shot, but you get the idea.  I am not alone in this boat. Everyone is always busy with endless lists.  Believe me, I know it is difficult to stay caught up on the day-to-day roller coaster that is life much less read all the latest FDA reports and environmental group’s findings regarding BPA, etc. But don’t worry, in my research I found a handy, quick to read list of tips for limiting exposure to BPA that will help the whole family to lessen its intake.

Reducing Your Exposure to BPA

· Avoid reusable polycarbonate plastic water and baby bottles. As a general rule, avoid water bottles and baby bottles labeled #7 PC, which tend to be hard and clear. Many reusable water bottles are made of polycarbonate plastic that leaches bisphenol A into the water. Choose glass, stainless steel or BPA-free polypropylene (PP #5) bottles.  Discard old or damaged bottles. (It is now really easy to find BPA-free reusable water bottles.)

· Avoid polycarbonate plastic food containers and table ware. These may be labeled ‘PC’ underneath a plastic code #7 in the recycling triangle on the bottom of the container. (The #7 means ‘other’, so you need to see the ‘PC’ to confirm that the plastic is polycarbonate).

· Minimize the use of canned foods and canned drinks. Until industry reformulates the lacquer lining of metal cans (as is being done in Japan), choose fresh or frozen foods or glass containers or bottles. A recent study by Environmental Working Group found bisphenol A in more than half of 97 cans of brand name fruit, vegetables, soda, and other common canned goods.

· Ask your dentist for BPA-free sealants and composite fillings. Some dental resins are free from or low in BPA. Ask your dentist if they know about BPA and request the MSDS sheet (Material Safety Data Sheet) for the sealants or composite fillings to look for BADGE (a BPA derivative used to make epoxy resins) in the list of ingredients. Make sure your family brushes and flosses regularly to prevent the need for dental work. J

http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth/pollutioninpeople/solutions/bpa

Today’s website is  www.EWG.org.  Environmental Working Group is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment.  This website has many informative articles and lists on the subject of BPA, as well as any other environmental issues you can imagine.  I found this website both enlightening and easy to use, and I plan to keep going back there for information on other topics.  I hope you find it useful in helping your family be healthy and environmentally friendly.

  

Do you think you will try to follow some or all of these tips to reduce your family’s exposure to BPA?  Are you already doing these things?  Let me know your thoughts on this subject.  I would love some feedback on this first legal topic.  Come back on Friday when I will have a tidbit of Motherly Advice. Over and Out.

Anna

Sippy Cups: BPA-Free or Not. What’s the Big Deal?

I’m the kind of person that reads labels and researches everything.  In fact, as I write this I am realizing that I almost never go anywhere, do anything, eat anywhere or buy anything without looking it up online, reading about it and comparing it to other choices.  My friends will most certainly agree, as my conversations are often peppered with comments like, “I’ve read about that restaurant or toy, book, movie, random and rarely used kitchen item, etc.”   I don’t know how I survived my first twenty plus years of life without the Internet.  Clearly, I am a person who needs lots of information.  I am a Libra through and through, always seeking balance before making a decision.  I like to be informed, darn it!  So, that said, you can imagine all of the research that went into planning for and buying the massive quantities of “necessary” baby equipment for the arrival of Darling 1.  If you have kids, you know what I mean. 

  

 

However, in spite all of my research, I was unaware of BPA, or Bisphenol A, lurking in the plastic baby bottles I bought. At the time, there was virtually no mainstream information on the potential hazards of using products made from plastic containing BPA, which was then in most baby bottles, sippy cups and formula cans, as well as other food and beverage containers.    As soon as I discovered the potential hazards of this chemical, I replaced all of Darling 1’s BPA-laden bottles with BPA-free cups.  Before the arrival of Darling 2, I began once again researching baby equipment for new items that we would surely need.  At this time, (Aug./Sept. 2008), the shelves of Target and Babies R Us were not yet stocked with many BPA-free options, and I spent many hours on the Internet trying to find just the right BPA-free bottle for Darling 2.  But, it is with great delight that I report that the tide is beginning to turn, and it is now quite easy to find BPA-free containers at retailers like Wal-Mart, Target, REI and Babies R Us. Available options include products from Nalgene, Camelbak, Nuby and Evenflo — to name some of our faves.

 

 

So, what is the big deal about BPA? Here’s what I learned from my research:  BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, birth defects, infertility in men, early puberty in girls, diabetes and obesity.  In most cases, people are exposed to BPA through the leaching of BPA from food and beverage containers.  Infants and children are most at risk because their small bodies are still developing.   The ill effects from BPA usually appear much later in life.  BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics, the hard plastic used to make products like baby bottles and sports bottles, not the soft, squeezable plastics such as those used to make mayo or mustard containers. It is also found in the protective lining on the inside of metal-based food and beverage cans.  Plastic containers with BPA typically have the number 7 with a PC beside it in the center of the recycling symbol on the bottom of the containers.  But if the container does not have the recycling symbol, don’t assume it is free from BPA. Since the 1930s, there have been questions and concerns about whether BPA in food and beverage containers was harmful to people, but  it was not until 2008 that studies showing  BPA leaches out of baby bottles into heated liquids began to be reported in the mainstream press.  An investigation by Environmental Working Group (http://www.ewg.org), a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, D.C., found that BPA was used to line nearly all infant formula cans.  BPA levels found in liquid formula packaged in metal cans was far higher than those that leach from bottles under normal use.  Canadian tests show no BPA leaching into powdered formula. 

 

 

Due to much pressure, the marketplace has now begun to regulate itself.  In 2009, all major formula brand manufacturers, including store brands, pledged to eliminate all BPA from their packaging. In that same year, some major retailers like Wal-Mart and Toys R Us announced that they would quickly phase out baby bottles containing BPA. At the same time, six baby bottle manufacturers decided to become BPA-free. In May of 2009, Sunoco became the first chemical manufacturer to acknowledge BPA’s health concerns and announced that it would sell BPA only to companies that promise not to use it to make plastics for children’s food and beverage containers. 

 

 

In 2009, over twenty states introduced bills to ban BPA from children’s food and beverage containers, varying in scope.  All but two of those bills failed.  Minnesota became the first state to ban BPA in children’s containers intended for children 3 and under. (Way to be progressive, Minnesota!)  The law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2010. Connecticut passed similar legislation that will go into effect Oct. 1, 2011. The City of Chicago and three counties in New York also passed BPA bans in 2009. In March of 2010, the Washington State House passed The Safe Baby Bottle Act.  The Washington State Senate is expected to concur, and the governor is expected to sign the bill, which would go into effect in July of 2011.  Maryland and Wisconsin passed bans earlier this year, as well.  A similar bill was presented in the Oregon legislature, but failed in March of this year. In 2009, there were three separate bills on this issue in the federal legislature; all failed.  The FDA has been slow to have a definite and strong reaction to BPA in food and beverage containers, although in Jan. of 2010 the FDA did publish an Update regarding its position on this topic.  Still, this Update lacks conviction and is cautious in condemning BPA, using phrases such as “there is some concern” or “as a precaution.”  Yet the FDA is “supporting the industry’s action to stop producing BPA-containing bottles” and is “facilitating the development of alternatives to BPA for the linings of infant formula cans.”

 

 

I’m curious: how many of you have been using BPA-free bottles/cups for years?  How many of you are going to go check your cabinets right now to find out if your kids’ bottles and cups contain BPA?   And, how many of you think BPA concerns are overblown?  How does this issue rank among your worries and concerns?  If you are concerned about BPA, I encourage you to contact your local, state and federal representatives to share your thoughts on this matter.  I would love to hear from you, as well.  I will continue to monitor the progress of any legislative bills concerning BPA in food and beverage containers and update this information as warranted.

 

 

On Wednesday, I will post tips for avoiding exposure to BPA and a website or two where you can find more information on BPA.   Tune in next Monday to learn everything you ever wanted to know about the importance of a Last Will and Testament and how to get your very own!  Over and out. 

 

Updated - March 2011

 

My second post on ML was about BPA-free products and the laws banning this chemical in certain items. Most of the state laws in place regulate BPA in baby/child products. GreenBiz.com reports "17 states and the District of Columbia will be looking at new legislation to ban BPA from baby bottles, infant formula packaging, receipt paper or a combination of items." Currently, ME, MA, MN, CT, WA, NY, VT, WI and MD have state laws in place banning such products.

 

 

Anna