My sister-in-law and son, this past Sunday, built a killer snowman. As I watched from the warmth of the living room, through the large plate-glass sliding doors, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the quality of snow falling from the Belgian sky. Don’t be mad at me though. I fell off my bike last week and was nursing a bum knee (a likely story).

I honestly thought that my snowman-building days (or at least watching others build snowmen) were over once I moved to Belgium last winter. I honestly thought that good quality snow for snowman-making was something we could only look forward to on our winter trips back to the US.

Pleasantly surprised is an understatement. I grew up playing in the snow — red fingers, icy feet, runny nose — so to see my son (who is 3) out there braving the wilds of nature to roll some frozen water around the yard was great.

Kudos to his aunt who did all the real work. She was the muscle behind it all. But I must say it took quite a bit of coaxing for her to create a 3-balled snowman; she was happy to make a short, fat two-baller. In the end, Mr. Dingledobe (ok, I just made up that name now) had 3 parts, a carrot nose, walnut eyes and buttons, and two sticks for arms.

I’ll post pictures as soon as they become available!

Motrin has angered parent groups with an allegedly insensitive commercial about baby wearing. The controversy won’t cool the revival of this ancient practice.

In searching for ways to green and simplify my family’s life, I often look to indigenous people’s practices. One such practice is baby wearing, in which parents can avoid the plastic strollers that fill our landfills and create a happy, bonded baby in the process. In fact, the Sacagawea dollar features this famous native woman carrying her child on her back. Many products are available for baby wearing, including some that are 100% organic.

A common complaint of new parents is that they can’t get anything done. Baby wearing is the solution! Newborns are used to being inside their mother’s body and feeling the rhythms of the mother’s heart, breathing, walking, etc. Baby wearing allows the infant to still feel these rhythms by firmly holding the baby against the mother’s/father’s body. By wearing my babies, I have been able to cook dinner, do the dishes, teach preschool and art, rototill, hike, grocery shop, etc.

What’s out there

My favorite baby-wearing device for both of my children is the Baby Björn Baby Carrier. There are many other cheaper made versions of this front style carrier; however, the imitations do not hold up to the comfort of the Baby Björn. Using the Baby Björn Baby Carrier, newborns are snuggled close facing their mother’s chest. As the baby gets older, they can be placed facing outward in the Baby Björn. The straps on the Baby Björn are adjustable to fit the growing baby and the various caregivers that will use it. In fact, after carrying two infants in our Baby Björn, I have grown quite attached to it and have saved it for my sister. I could not have survived my children’s infancy without the Baby Björn!

Once my babies outgrew the Baby Björn, I switched to the backpack by Kelty. These backpacks are expensive (thank goodness for grandparents), but essential if you plan to hike with your child. Of course, I used mine for more than hiking but taught preschool and art, mowed the lawn, shopped, etc. while keeping my growing child happy. The backpack also comes with a shade, which is great for keeping the sun off your child. With the shade on, it looks like your baby is in its own little tent.

Beyond slings

I have tried several slings for baby wearing, including the 100% organic one by New Native Baby, which perhaps is the most green option in baby wearing. I have never been comfortable with slings, as I do not feel like the sling securely holds my baby. However, I was given the Maya Wrap for my second child, and it felt more secure with the adjusting rings. Maya Wraps are made of the most beautiful fabrics and are adjustable. They also work well to support your baby on your hip, once he/she has the ability to sit up. A good friend of mine uses her Maya Wrap constantly, including getting her son to sleep for his nap.

The Ergo Carrier is another great baby wearing product that a friend of mine recommended when I started having back trouble. This carrier adjusts from a front pack to a backpack as the child grows, so it lasts longer than the Baby Bjorn and may be the only baby wearing device you will need. I don’t have personal experience with this product, as I couldn’t justify the expense for my second child when I already had other baby wearing products; however, it has received rave review!  There is a 100% organic version available too!

Find what works for you

Each person is different in what they feel comfortable with for their baby and their body, and some women with large chests may have trouble with front carriers. Unfortunately, many of these products are expensive, so it is hard to try them out. If you can borrow one from a friend and wear it for an hour, you will know if it is the right product for you. Many of these products are available in resale shops, as they are durable and sustainable; however, it is important to check for recalls before purchasing. Of course, it is essential that whatever baby carrier you decide upon, it must be easily washed!

More Reading:

Mothering Magazine
Dr. Sears
Eco Child’s Play

Halloween is good, clean fun. But with all that plastic and corn syrup, it’s anything but green. Here are ten tips for a more eco-friendly celebration.

Does it seem like Halloween candy, and costumes, and decorations are hitting the store shelves earlier each year? You’re not imagining things: Halloween has become an increasing important retail event, bridging the gap from back-to-school sales to the beginning of the holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween-related spending is expected to top $5.77 billion this year.

That’s a lot of fake pumpkins and candy corn. In fact, it’s a lot of things that aren’t necessarily good for your family or the environment: cheap plastic goods, high fructose corn syrup, and disposable stuff that puts a dent in your budget before ending up in your local landfill or cluttering the garage. In terms of Green Living, Halloween is more trick than treat.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little planning and creativity, you can put some fun back into Halloween while making it a healthier and less wasteful experience for your whole family. We’ve rounded up a dozen tips to green your pumpkin day. Let’s get started!

Cut out the plastic

Think of the Halloween aisle at your local big-box department store. How much of that stuff isn’t made of plastic? Beyond candy, makeup, and a few odds and ends, the answer is “not much.”

Plastic is relative cheap and incredibly durable — which is exactly the problem. It’s cheap enough to toss out, and lasts practically forever once in the environment. Plastic is particularly destructive in a marine environment, and is increasingly being dumped on less affluent, less fortunate nations.

So anything that keeps plastic use to a minimum is worth considering. Here are a few places to cut back:

Make your own decorations. From pirate swords to fake tombstones, decorations are Halloween’s biggest Plastic Monster. But with a little cardboard, paper mache, paint, and imagination, you can make your yard spooky and plastic-free. The Halloween Alliance has dozens of specific suggestions on ways to decorate your yard using inexpensive or re-purposed materials.

Make your own costumes. Dressing up for trick-or-treating is a big deal for most kids. You can make it even more memorable (and a good lesson in Green) by helping your brood design and make their own costumes. You’ll find some great idea starters at MSN Green’s gallery of the Best Recycled Halloween Costumes of the Web. For kids, there’s the Chuck Norris-style commando outfit, a recycled witch, and an ambitious Thomas the Train costume. And homemade getups aren’t just for kids, as you can see below. Think twice before attempting the pumpkin outfit.

Creative (and somewhat disturbing) recycled adult Halloween costumes (MSN Green)

Make your own trick-or-treat bags. Here’s another simple way to avoid plastic. Homemade bags can be as simple as a crayon and construction paper-decorated grocery bag to a more elaborate reusable craft project. If you choose to buy a bag, consider something like this reusable model from the folks at ChicoBag.

Opt for a natural pumpkin. Strip away its commercial trappings, and Halloween is ultimately a combination of various harvest traditions. What could be more fun than visiting a local pumpkin patch to choose this year’s jack o’ lantern? If that’s not convenient, head to your closest farmers’ market and find a locally grown pumpkin. They’re fun to carve, are compostable — and baked pumpkin seeds are delicious!

Dump corn syrup

We’re practically drowning our kids in high fructose corn syrup. A cheap substitute for cane sugars, corn syrup’s links to obesity and elevated triglyceride levels are well known. High fructose corn syrup turns up in a broad range of processed foods, from ketchup to soda. And certainly in Halloween candy.

It’s a bit tricky finding ways around filling your trick-or-treaters bags with corn syrup: kids have pretty well-defined ideas about what constitutes a treat. With a little planning, though, you’re set for a healthier Halloween.

Buy healthier treats. Take a pass on those big bags of cheap candy. Head to your local whole foods store for some seasonal inspiration. Some idea starters: fruit leathers, organic juice boxes, organic granola bars, Fair Trade chocolates, boxed organic raisins, popcorn, veggie chips, and tradional candies made from honey and natural sugar.

Give away non-candy, non-plastic items. Use your imagination! There are plenty of small gifts kids will be happy to get in lieu of candy. You’ll need to be careful about sourcing these, being on the lookout for items with small parts that might be a choking hazard; anything which might be mistaken for candy; and objects that could be covered in lead-based paint. Try novelty pencils, notepads, comic books, and stickers. And a note for your calendar: look for clearance priced stocking stuffers after Christmas. A lot of them can be re-purposed for Valentine’s Day and Halloween.

Feed your kids before they trick-or-treat. Face it: kids are going to start eating their candy before they even get home. Fill them up with a solid hot meal before they leave for trick-or-treating. This will give you the best chance to sort through their take-homes before it nothing but wrappers.

Keep your energy use under control

Halloween can be a real energy vampire, with plenty of extra driving and after-dark activities. As with most things Green, planning makes perfect — or at least a little better.

Plan Halloween shopping and combine as many trips as possible. From rounding up treats to dropping-off tricksters, Halloween can mean miles of extra driving. Do ten minutes of planning and write down everything you’ll need. Try to get everything in one go, and once you have your supplies, stick to whatever is on hand. Unless there are pressing reasons to do otherwise, have your kids trick-or-treat on foot and close to home.

Set up your trick-or-treat station outdoors. A lot of people are already running heaters. Bundle up, bring your candy bowl outside, and distribute candy from an outdoor station. There’s no need to be constantly opening your front door and letting the heat out. Besides, it’s fun to decorate your candy station!

Consider alternative celebrations. The folks at Green Halloween have plenty of suggestions on staging your own safe, fun, and more eco-friendly Halloween parties. And many churches, neighborhoods, and civic groups run their own events, giving you more choices about what your kids eat and where they go.

Be safe — and have fun!

See and be seen: remind kids to remove masks as they walk from house to house. Make sure some of their clothing is reflective (or add some reflective tape). Send them out with flashlights (use rechargeable batteries!), and keep them lit to improve visibility. Of course, younger children should be accompanied by an adult. Check your kid’s candy when they get home — if there’s any left.

Have a great, green Halloween!

More Reading:

National Retail Federation predicts boost in Halloween spending (Austin Business Journal)
Green Halloween (Official site)

Yesterday, I took the family out to to see the steam engines. I don’t take them out much, but when I do…

We had a great time. And my son — a major Thomas & Friends fan — didn’t stop smiling all day. That was well worth the 10 euro price of admission.

The event was in Maldegem. We drove from Drongen up the E40 toward Brugges. The ride was about 30 minutes and both kids were fast asleep the entire time. Ahh… zen.

On to the steam engines: These things are much louder and smellier and dirtier than I imagined. And yes, I have spent time imagining what it would have been like taking a steam train into work very day. Now, I take the electric trains, which are reasonably quiet and clean.

At one point, my wife pointed out all the little black particles (not really sure what they were, maybe bits of coal or some byproduct from the steam) scattered on her and our daughter — sort of like steam engine dandruff you could say. I felt like a real bad dad for a bit. My poor daughter is only a few months old and here we are! Sprinkling her with coal jimmies.

On a personal note: My wife and I had a baby girl this past weekend. Her name is Sara, and she weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces. Now that we’re finally in our new house here in Belgium, it feels good to have the family complete to enjoy it! I am fortunate enough to have 10 paid days off for paternity leave — and I’m taking advantage. I’m reading a few books, catching up on some unpacking, and of course, spending lots of time with Sara.

I’ll be back on track in a few days with my postings. Cheers!