Mrs. Goodbee partners with Goodwill

Posted on November 9, 2008 by Health Patio

Carton of Caring

Mrs. Goodbee Carton of Caring Donation Program

No, your wardrobe donation doesn’t have to exceed the $100k mark to make a difference in people’s lives this winter. In fact, it is so easy to help others by shopping for yourself and donating for others with your local Goodwill location, a child could do it:

Goodwill Industries International® has joined forces with Learning Curve Brands, Inc., maker of the Mrs. Goodbee™ Talking Dollhouse, to encourage children to care and share as they play and prepare for real-life responsibilities, now and into adulthood.

Through the Mrs. Goodbee Carton of Caring™ Donation Program, your child can put what she has learned into practice. With your help, she can fill the box in which the dollhouse came with gently used clothing and toys and take it to your local Goodwill® store.

HealthPatio noticed that this isn’t the only place that loves this sweet idea, either. I’m not trendy enough to qualify, but Mommies With Style are in the know about Mrs. Goodbee for weeks now. Poster Whitney said “I always feel like it gets a little obscene with the amount of presents and toys my kids get each season and I love the idea of giving back and teaching them the true spirit of the season.”

To find out more about shopping and donating at your local Goodwill, visit the Goodwill Locator.

A Very Happy Birthday in Galveston (TX)

Posted on October 13, 2008 by Rose Garden

It’s a girl! and P.S. It is Health Patio’s real life birthday (She’s 39 years old this year and having the time of my life!)

Congratulations are in order as reported in a copyrighted article posted by Harvey Rice of chron.com, Houston & Texas News. What a pleasure to see this ray of sunshine already cheering up her mom, dad and the whole Galveston (TX) neighborhood-

Jennifer Ramirez-Hernandez was the first baby born on Galveston Island since the hurricane struck Sept. 13. She was born at 8:46 a.m. Monday at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston’s John Sealy Hospital, UTMB spokesman Raul Reyes said.

Jennifer, who weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces, was delivered by Caesarean section to Maria Hernandez, 38, and Florencio Hernandez, 28, both of Texas City, on the first day of operations for UTMB’s maternity unit since the storm.

We've switched to hot air popped popcorn

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Green Gaia

Is corn a healthy vegetable? Obviously it’s a major ingredient – I used corn meal today in a recipe in fact- and its derivatives fuel an uncountable number of people, animals and machines. Original to the Americas, corn is a traditional food of cultures situated in modernity and of cultures that remain aboriginal.

But I’m worried about additives to a popular food- popcorn. The offender? diacetyl.

A study commissioned by the Seattle P-I (online newspaper) shows that top-selling butter substitutes, when heated, release vapor from a chemical additive called diacetyl. When inhaled, this vapor has been linked to a rare, sometimes fatal respiratory disease called bronchiolitis obliterans. Yes, many brands have elimiated this additive but there is still the aspect of the professional cook or chef who uses products containing diacetyl constantly over heat as a condition of their employment. No one outside the industry is examining what consumers and workers who pop corn in theaters, discount stores, school gyms and fairgrounds are being exposed to.

The diacetyl vapors from some of the products are released in such volume that they could pose a significant risk to professional cooks who stand over hot grills or skillets for hours and use large amounts of these butter substitutes, according to the analysis. source

How Ike Saved Cents

Posted on September 23, 2008 by Eco Rock

Out of sight, out of mind

In the height of hurricane season, it seems proper to feel a bit humbled by natural forces. Forces that in spite of our best technologies we are unable to control or even marginally predict. While the damage in comparison to Katrina was minimal, the storm still traveled across ten states and killed over 150 people in the United States and in the Caribbean.

This is all very unfortunate, but was it all bad? Students of all ages were freed from the bounds of school to marvel at amazing weather patterns and to *gasp* play without videogames, movies, and IPods. Maybe they played in puddles or in the breeze. Later, perhaps due to the dark and exhaustion of real outdoor play, they actually went to bed on time! My brother-in-law at Texas A&M and my brother at Westlake High School both experienced cancellations. At Westlake High School, students were released to make room for evacuees from Galveston and Houston who stayed for days in their gymnasiums and auditoriums. What better way to appreciate one’s own home and family then through community service? On a more personal level, I got three days off of work. I got to have purely candle-lit dinners with my husband, and I opened my windows!

Continue reading →

Necessity is the Mother of (Green) Invention

Posted on September 19, 2008 by Health Patio

actual cleaning bucket in use at my house

When you buy the product, you are buying the package, too. So says my friend Gina who comes half-day on Mondays and a full day on Friday to help me clean up after myself and my family. I finally realized that I am not a slacker mom if I enlist some help around here. And Gina makes it nice. Continue reading →

Modern day prophet

Posted on September 11, 2008 by Health Patio

The Prophet Jeremiah Mourning over the Destruction of Jerusalem – Rembrandt 1630

Something that may be worth looking at and/or ruling in/out, is to go for an upgrade in an already-robust qualifications in your work with kids and their families. I know you have tons of talent and love, and I wonder if you ever thought about adding a MASTERS OF DIVINITY to the mix?? Continue reading →

So, What's The Big Secret?

Posted on August 28, 2008 by Health Patio

The Secret of Wellington’s Map, written by Mollie Kehl Penrod, mixes history, science, suspense, fiction and adventure into a wonderful story for children and adults everywhere.

Penrod’s first published novel, The Secret of Wellington’s Map features two friends, Nicole and Jaime, just trying to enjoy their summer vacation in their small town, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. But trouble and adventure arises when they uncover a mysterious and ancient map. The best friends soon start to realize that there’s more to this map than meets the eye. Now, in a desperate struggle for their lives and everything dear to them, Jaime and Nicole must face an entirely different world that neither of them ever imagined to exist. Though the friends are ready for exploration, will it be too much for the teenagers to handle? Wrought with suspenseful adventure, an invigorating plot and skillfully written dialogue, Penrod tells a life-like and believable tale that will leave you wanting more.

An interesting mixture of history and science really brings this story to life with it’s truly one of a kind plot and memorable, vivid characters. The theme of brave heroines gives the story a classic touch of determination and resolve.

Filled with authentic and talented illustrations by Adam Penrod, true to life history and the excitement of science-fiction, The Secret of Wellington’s Map is simply a joy to read and a great addition to anyone’s library.

Slow Down, You Move Too "Fast"

Posted on August 3, 2008 by Health Patio

breakfast

Remember being a kid and wondering why not eating is called a “fast”? Is it because we hope it gets over with as FAST as possible? As an adult, I have come to wonder why is a fast, or fasting, included in so many cultural traditions, including my own, and why would we embark on this type of challenge in the first place? What is the impetus to continue to include fasting into our “modern world”? And do we wish our life away while we are fasting hoping to get it over with, just to be able to have that tuna sandwich or whatever when it is time to break our fast??? Continue reading →