Many children, from preschool through to teens have an interest in growing and caring for plants.  For those of us who live in northern climates this leaves several months out of the year where any planting and growing has to take place indoors.  Luckily there are many fun and beautiful plants that can be grown indoors.

Little Leafy Green has been interested in growing plants from seeds for a couple of years, and we have attempted many different plants with varying levels of success. Here are some of my favorite indoor plants to grow with children.  My criteria for recommendation includes a few different factors:
 -kids like to grow plants straight from the beginning.  Being able to look at the  seeds and bulbs, plant them in the container themselves and watch them sprout  is much more interesting than simply buying a plant.
 -the plants should provide some kind of a pay-off fairly quickly.  No 5 year old is  going to want to wait for 6-8 weeks to see a result.
 

1.  Amaryllis Bulbs.  One of our favorite flowers to plant in the winter is the amaryllis bulb.    Kits containing the bulb, pot and dirt are readily available everywhere from gardening centers to grocery stores.  These plants sprout quickly and grow anywhere between 12-24 inches.  A very impressive cluster of large, long lasting, colorful flowers blooms from the top.  Easy to grow, and very pretty to look at when in bloom.  Once it has bloomed, the bulb can also produce offshoot bulbs that can be divided and planted on their own.

2.  Avocado Plant.  Another easy plant to sprout is an avocado plant.  Simply scoop carefully out of a ripe avocado, gently poke in 3 toothpicks and set in a cup of water so that it covers about half the seed.  Children can then watch the roots form in the water and a shoot come out the top.  Once the seed has taken root, the small plant can be transferred into a pot.

3. Spider Plants.  If you happen to have a mature spider plant, or know someone who does this is the one exception to starting plants straight from a seed or bulb.  Mature spider plants send out offshoots of baby spider plants that can be cut off and planted if roots have already formed, or rooted in water and then planted.  Kids can have a lot of fun choosing their baby plant and learning how to plant and care for it.

4. The Carnivorous Garden.  This one requires more work and a longer waiting period, however the coolness factor of growing bug eating plants makes up for the extra work.  The Carnivorous Creations kit contains seeds for seven different types of carnivorous plants.  It also includes a plastic terrarium, dirt, “swamp rocks” and decorative stickers and plastic swamp animals to decorate the garden.  Two words of warning about this product.  First, it is very, very important to follow their instructions and only use distilled water to water the garden as the minerals in regular water are harmful to carnivorous plants.  I would have preferred that they include that tidbit of information on the box instead of only on the inside instructions as most people do not keep distilled water on hand.  Instead of making a special trip to the store, I tried bottled water and effectively ruined our first kit!  Second, one of the seed packs included in the kit must be mixed with a small amount of soil and left to germinate in the fridge for 6 weeks before planting.  Depending on the age of your child it might be advisable to carefully open the kit early and get these seeds started as six weeks can be an incredibly long time for a younger child to wait.  This kit is a fair bit of work, but if you have the patience it is one of the coolest gardening activities around.

Children have such a keen interest in learning about nature.  It is definitely worthwhile to take advantage of the opportunities to bring a little bit of nature indoors to brighten up those winter months.

» Dunecraft

When Baby Bean was born a few months ago, we vowed the Bean household would not become a blur of brightly colored plastic toys, strewn from one end of the house to the other. Even now when she’s just a few months old, the appearance of commercials advertising the latest and greatest in Barbie and Polly Pocket evolution are a cringe-worthy glimpse of our future.

Fortunately there are still several years until the evils of advertising and huge toy stores infiltrate the mind of our wee one. Our hope is that by exercising creativity and restraint now during the early months, we’ll avoid excess in the future and teach our child how to make even simple things fun. As we travel the path of minimalism, we’ve discovered a few great toys that intrigue our young one, while allowing us to utilize things we already own. And let’s be honest – babies find their own feet fascinating, so the task really is not that difficult at this young, impressionable stage. Find some of our ideas below, and feel free to send us your own suggestions.

March to the beat of your own drum
Sure you could head to Toys ‘R Us and pick up a pint-sized drum kit, or allow your little one to take the hot seat in Rock Band. Or you could pull a few of your pots from the cupboard, grab a wooden spoon and let your little one bang away to their own beat. As they get a bit older, introduce them to some of your favorite music and teach them to drum along with the rhythm. Not only are you using everyday household items to entertain your child, you also have the opportunity to show them the value of U2 over, say, Hannah Montana. ‘Nuff said. Bonus points if said pots are eco-friendly, like the ones offered by Starfrit!

Talk to the hand
Show of hands: who has at least one hole-ly sock in the sock drawer? Find a pair that probably shouldn’t ever see the light of day (at least not on your feet) again and get to work creating your child’s new best friend. Floppy ears, big eyes and a gravelly voice to match, and you’ve just set the stage for hours of fun. Use the sock to make your baby giggle and squeal in delight, and when they’re older, have their little sock friend teach them invaluable lessons about manners and safety. Just make sure to avoid attach ing buttons or anything else that could break of and pose a choking hazard. Use kid-friendly paint for the puppets facial features instead.

Washed up
Teething rings are a great concept – but then again, so is a cold, wet washcloth. Both can equally sooth an uncomfortable, teething baby, but one doesn’t require a special trip to the store to pick up. Frozen teething items are no longer acceptable (they can burn your baby’s mouth), so the difference between a store-bought teething ring and wetting a washcloth from the hall closet is about $5. Just make sure to wash it before use and dump a cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle to get rid of any lingering chemical residue.

Boxed in
You know that big-screen TV your husband finally convinced you to let him buy? Well Daddy’s new toy also yields fascinating prospects for your youngster. When your child is a few years old, their imagination is already finely tuned and suddenly you’re no longer staring at a cardboard box headed for the recycling pile – instead you’re looking at a bona fide fort. Cut out a few windows, provide a flashlight, and suddenly that plain old box is Buckingham Palace to your little one. If said child tends to be nap-resistant, set up a sleeping bag and let them “camp out” for a few hours while you praise the good Lord for your significant other’s unquenchable desire to watch sports in high definition. Once the fort is done with, be sure to recycle that box!

Your biggest fan
Baby mobiles teach little ones to follow movement with their eyes, but we quickly discovered this type of entertainment doesn’t come cheap. The low-end versions start at around $30 and the quality looks might questionable. If you don’t want to shell out the money for one that hangs in the crib and you have a ceiling fan in your home, turn it into a homemade mobile by attaching balloons or ribbons and turning it onto the lowest setting. Most store-bought mobiles play music, but that’s really just a bonus feature (and another reason they can charge so much for them!), so turn on the radio or put on a CD if you feel the fan really needs to be accompanied by a tune.

» Eco Artworks

From the time I moved into my first apartment, I have always enjoyed having a variety of houseplants.  They are a great way to decorate and add life to indoor spaces and fit into almost any decor.  Like most of us, I always knew that trees were important in improving air quality, however I never thought much about my indoor plants doing the same for my home.  It turns out that houseplants can indeed improve the indoor air quality in a home.  In fact, NASA did a study on common houseplants and came up with a list of the top common houseplants to improve indoor air quality.

How do houseplants improve air quality?  In the same way that trees are important in improving air quality outdoors.  These houseplants originate from tropical climates, where they grew under the shelter of tree canopies.  Because of this, these plants are able to survive on fairly low levels of natural light.  This makes them very efficient at photosynthesis, which allows them to absorb more gasses out of the air.  It is also why they grow so well in an indoor environment.

Here are some of my favorite houseplants from NASA’s list:

1.  Peace Lilly - The peace lilly tops the list of my favorite houseplants for a few reasons.  First, it is very easy to grow.  It handles most reasonable indoor light situations, and recovers relatively easily if it misses a regular watering.  The other reason it is one of my favorites is because it produces attractive white flowers very regularly when taken care of properly.

2. Snake Plant - The snake plant is a fantastic plant choice for someone who is not particularly good with plants because it requires only low levels of light and minimal watering.  In fact, my snake plant needs watering less than half as often as my other houseplants.  The snake plants long, spiky leaves also provide an interesting decorative look.

3. Spider Plant - The spider plant is another plant that is easy to grow and requires fairly low levels of light.  My favorite thing about mature spider plants are the shoots of “baby” spider plants that extend off of the main plant.  They are very neat to look at, and work well in hanging baskets.

4.  English Ivy - English Ivy is a very fast growing plant that trails beautifully.  It is very easy to grow, but does require more watering. 

5.  Ficus - Ficus trees are one of the neatest plants on the list.  They can grow very large and make a very pretty indoor tree.  They are not as easy going as the other plants mentioned.  They like more specific light conditions and watering, but do very well if put in the right area and watered regularly.

6.  Gerbera Daisy and Potted Mums - Two different species of plants altogether, however they have many of the same features.  They both provide beautiful flowers and are more of a “temporary” or seasonal plant, as they never seem to flourish past their flowering period.  If you want color, or don’t want a permanant houseplant, these are fantastic choices.  Both of these plants are also popular gift choices and very easy to find in a variety of stores.

NASA recommends having at least 15 houseplants in a 2000 square foot space in order to help improve air quality.  Also, it is important not to overwater houseplants, which can lead to fungal growth in the soil.

» Clean Air Gardening

In all of my endeavors to use more environmentally friendly cleaning products around our home I have come to two conclusions:

1.  I have been very impressed with the results I have gotten with many of my homemade cleaners
2.  Other than the fact that common homemade cleaning ingredients are environmentally friendly, I have absolutely no idea whatsoever exactly what they are or how they work!
 
The more I thought about it, point #2 started to bother me.  The same common cleaner ingredients come up all the time, and I became curious exactly what made these products the miracle cleaners that they are.  How do they work?  And, how safe are they really to have in the home?  So I went on a mission to find out more about these products and put the information into terms that I (aka: not scientifically inclined and barely passed Grade 11 chemistry in high school) could understand.

Borax
Borax is derived from a mineral compound called boron.  The mineral is found naturally in many areas of the world, including California, Turkey and Chile.  It can also be produced synthetically.  In the world of cleaners, Borax reacts with water to convert some water molecules to hydrogen peroxide.  It also acts as a buffer that helps maintain a stable PH in cleaning solutions to help the other ingredients work effectively.  Besides being used as a cleaning agent, Borax can also be used as an insecticide.  Surprisingly Borax is also an ingredient in enamel glazes, pottery, glass, certain fertilizers, and is even an ingredient in the Gardisil vaccine.

Washing Soda
Washing soda is actually a salt called sodium carbonate.  Interestingly enough one of the main sources for the product is from the ashes of plants.  Washing soda is highly alkaline, which makes it very good at removing stains, and removing mineral deposits from items such as bathroom and coffee pots.  Believe it or not, washing soda can also be used to strip the wax off of floors!  One nice side effect of washing soda is it’s water softening ability.  I had noticed that when I made the switch to homemade laundry detergent I didn’t need to use fabric softener as much even with our hard water.  The washing soda is one of the reasons why.

Baking Soda
Baking soda is another salt compound, called sodium bicarbonate.  In easy terms, baking soda can kind of be considered a much weaker distant cousin of washing soda.  It is weakly alkaline, which allows it to neutralize acids, breakdown proteins and neutralize ph.  For these reasons, it has many uses in the kitchen when baking, cooking or tenderizing meats.  When cleaning, baking soda is a very mild abrasive.  When combined with it’s ability to break down proteins it becomes an ideal cleaner for sinks, bathtubs, etc. 

Baking Soda surprising uses:

1.  baking soda can be used to extinguish small electrical and grease fires.   The reaction caused when it hits the flame creates carbon dioxide.  Never, ever try to put out these fires with water!
2.  sprinkle in doorways or cracks where bugs tend to get into houses or sheds.  Baking soda is kid and pet safe, but it’s abrasive powder deters bugs who don’t like the feel of it on them.
3.  Bean lovers rejoice!  Adding a bit of baking soda when cooking beans helps neutralize the proteins that cause flatulence later on.

Vinegar
The white vinegar (http://www.vinegarworkswonders.com/wiv.asp) that is commonly used in homemade cleaners is a very acidic liquid that is created from fermenting corn alcohol.  It is the highly alkaline nature of vinegar that makes it very effective at removing stains and cleaning everything from counter tops to mirrors around the house.

Oxygen Cleaners
Thanks to the Billy Maye’s informercials we all have heard of Oxyclean.  Oxygen cleaners are actually washing soda or Borax that has been treated with hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate.  When mixed with water, it releases extra oxygen bubbles into the water, which help to clean and remove stains.  Oxygen cleaners are non-toxic and environmentally friendly because after use in water it simply breaks back down into the washing soda or borax.  Warning: Oxyclean works wonderfully on a lot of laundry, but read the instructions first.  Natural fibers such as silk and wool should not come into contact with any oxygen cleaner.

Homemade Oxygen Cleaner: 1 part baking soda, 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 2 parts water.  Simply mix together and spray on the item to be cleaned.

Final Warning!
While all of these products are environmentally safe, do not confuse that to mean that they are all completely safe.  With the exception of baking soda, these products can irritate skin and eyes and are poisonous.  Poison and non-toxic, while related are not necessarily the same.  They should never be kept within reach of children or pets, and gloves should be used when coming into direct contact with them.  Always remember while these products are environmentally friendly, some have much more hard core uses than simply cleaning out a sink. 

» Wisegeek.com

Maybe you hate the "used" smell or perhaps have the same level of patience as your toddler, but if you have specific reasons for avoiding the thrift stores in your community, it's time to get over that fear and embrace the idea of second-hand.

The items you find there have not only been saved from the depths of a landfill, but they're often priced much lower than similiar things you would find in a regular store - and in today's economic climate, both those points are hard ones to argue with. The saying "someone else's junk is another person's treasure" holds especially true - just because someone else didn't want something, doesn't mean you can't find good use for it. If you're new to the world of thrifting, there are some things to keep in mind before you reach the aisles.

What to look for
Clothing - Whether you're looking for a few new pieces to update your wardrobe or have a job interview coming up that requires a new suit, a second-hand shop generally holds more potential than you might initially believe. However, where you can really get more bang for your buck is in the children's section. Let's face it, kids outgrow their clothes and shoes in the time it takes to get from a store back to the house and keeping them attired can be an expensive task. Often times, when perusing the kid's clothing in a thrift store, you'll find things appear to have been worn only a handful of times for a fraction of what you would pay for a comparable item you purchase brand-new in a store. Even better, when your young ones are done with it, you can send it back to the store for another family to find and enjoy.

Household Appliances - When your coffee maker bites the dust, heading to Wal-Mart to pick up a new one might not fit within your budget. Look around for used household appliances that are still in good working order. People tend to get rid of their current appliances when they've upgraded to new ones or if they're broken. Always be sure to plug in an appliance to verify it's working and if not, to see if you can easily identify the problem. If you know a good handyman that can fix the issue for relatively cheap, you may just end up with a pretty great bargin.

Toys - You want to reward your child for good behavior or find a great birthday present for them, but the budget is a bit tight. Like clothing, kids outgrow toys and if they hold no sentimental value, parents often donate them to goodwill or thrift stores so they can find second life. Look caerfully and you'll probably find that new (old) bike or a stuffed animal to cuddle your child has been pleading for, with the need for a minor touch-up like some new paint or sewing a tiny rip. One word of caution: always check for a toy's origin if you're concerned about issues such as lead levels, and wash or sanitize as necessary before giving your child their new treasure.

Furniture - When you think of the furniture options at a thrift shop, you may get visions of horrible old floral patterns or chipped, splintering wood.. Well friends, that is exactly what slipcovers/sanders/paint were invented for. If the condition of a couch is still relatively good, try to ignore the hideous design and envsion its potential with a new covering. Likewise, old coffee tables or a kitchen table and chairs that are made of solid wood may look like they've seen better days, but with a good sanding and stain, can look brand new..

The benefits of used
Aside from the obvious points (you save money and re-using is great for the earth), the profits from may second-hand stores go to charities such as the Salvation Army. You also have great potential to find brand-new items that the previous owners simply never used, whether because they received duplicate wedding gifts or simply never really needed the item in question. And if name brands are a priority for you, guess what? You'll often find those at great bargain prices as well.

What to watch for
Always inquire about the return or exchange policy since many stores only offer final sales. This makes it especially important to try clothing on before taking it home or ensuring an appliance either works or can be fixed before purchasing. Also check clothing for any permanent damage such as ink or bleach stains or holes.

You'll also need a fair dose of patience since searching shelves and racks to find those fantastic items can be time-consuming or may require a visit to more than one store if you're searching for something specific. And finally, realize that not every trip to the thrift store will be a winner. Sometimes you'll score a huge victory, while other times you may leave frustrated over not finding what you were looking for. Thrifting is a hit-and-miss game, but when successful, can give you a huge sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that will keep you heading back for repeat visits in the future.

» The Frugal Shopper

About a year and a half ago I decided to take up knitting as a hobby.  I wanted something I could do on those cold, Canadian evenings that was productive and would keep me from mindlessly shoving food into my mouth while sitting in front of the television.  From the very first time I went into the yarn section of our local craft store, I have been enamored by the color, variety and luxurious feel of many of the yarn varieties available.  Indeed there is so much to choose from that it can be difficult to make a decision on exactly what type of yarn to use on projects.

One of the big differences between the different yarns available is the different sources that they come from.  Some fibers are man-made, some are plant based like cotton and soy, and many of the traditional yarns are derived from different types of animal fur. 

There are many different types of different yarn that are derived from animal sources.  Wool, mohair, cashmere, angora and alpaca are some of the common types available.  Being an animal lover I was interested in exactly how animal fibers used in yarn were collected and exactly how humane these practices were.  Initially I have to say that I wasn’t too concerned about the process of shearing.  After all, I have two small dogs who I routinely pay to have groomed in a very similar manner.  Of course, like all dog lovers I make sure they are well treated and left “fluffy”  When it comes to animals sheared for their fur, the information I came across definitely made me look more closely at which yarns I choose to buy.

If you type “yarn” and “animal cruelty” into a search engine, the first thing that automatically comes up is merino wool.  30 percent of merino wool come from Australia and is collected through a process called mulesing.  Merino sheep by nature have very wrinkly skin which can lead to fly strike: a painful condition where female flies lay their eggs in these wrinkles of skin.  To combat this (and probably just because it’s easier) merino sheep in Australia are shorn through a process called mulesing.  Mulesing is part shearing/part surgical procedure where, while being sheared, strips of wrinkly flesh are also removed from the animal’s hind quarters.  While it does heal into smoother skin which prevents fly strike, there is no required use of anesthetic on these sheep.  In fact, as with all the animals mentioned in this article, all surgical procedures such as de-horning and castration are done without anesthetic.  After mulesing, which in itself is very painful, these animals are left in pain for days.  As the shearers are paid by the pound of wool, their goal is to get the shearing done as fast as possible regardless of the treatment of the animal.  As with many animal rights issues there are two sides to mulesing.  Many animal rights groups have released very graphic footage of the mulesing process, while Australian farmers say it is still a necessary practice to avoid fly strike and most of them take care to ensure it is done humanely.  The reality is that there are no laws requiring these farmers to ensure the animals are not mistreated during the shearing process.  This is enough to make me avoid merino wool altogether.

Mohair and cashmere both come from goats.  While nothing quite as barbaric happens during the shearing process, the animals are routinely shaved too early in the season.  Most cashmere comes from China and Mongolia, where the cold winters produce their thick luxurious fur.  When the animals are sheared too early they are left exposed to the bitter cold climate that their fur is supposed to protect them from.  The angora goat, which comes from Tibet is now farmed mostly in South Africa and Australia.  Again, these goats are usually shaved too early in the season and left exposed to the elements.  As goats fur is slower to grow back then sheep, they are left exposed for a longer period of time.  The traditional method of removing hair from these goats involves simply combing out the loose hair which leaves the goats with some fur to protect them.  In many cases this is considered much too time consuming and labor intensive, so the animals are simply shorn in the same careless fashion as sheep.

Angora is another popular fiber, which is derived from the angora rabbit.  Traditionally the angora fur is collected by plucking and combing the loose fur off of the rabbit, which doesn’t sound too bad.  However, like every situation where animals are used to produce a product animal welfare can come second to high production.  Many times these angora rabbits are kept in cramped cages, and sheared carelessly.

The last, and best option for animal fibers is alpaca.  Alpacas are a more expensive animal and therefore tend to be treated quite well.  They also tend to be an industry that is popular on smaller farms instead of big industry.  Alpaca fur is usually sheared from the animal, but generally under better treatment.  Like goats, aplaca fur can also be combed out of the animal, however they are usually shorn. 

Like many people, I don’t like the idea that my relaxing hobby causes animal cruelty in any ways.  So, exactly what are the options available to avoid contributing to this abuse? 

For starters, there are many luxurious natural fibers available today that do not come from animal sources.  My personal favorites are bamboo, soy silk and cotton.

If you do want to use traditional animal fibers though, there are ethical producers available.  Look for local producers at farmers markets, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Ethical farmers will be proud of what they offer and how they treat their animals.  The internet is also a great resource, as there are many small producers who sell their cruelty-free yarns and fleece online.  Also, don’t forget that environmentally friendly and cruelty-free are related but do not always go together.  In general producers concerned about the environment are also concerned about animal rights, however a yarn can be environmentally friendly because a natural dye was used, but that dye could have been used on yarn that came from a mistreated animal. 

» Save the Sheep