This coming Tuesday, March 20, 2007, is the first day of spring or the vernal equinox. It’s the 24 hour period during which the day and night will exist in equal parts all over the world. So, no matter where you live on this planet, your day and night will be equally as long in duration; a day in which all living creatures will have the opportunity to have equal play for equal rest. So, what’s the deal with it being the “real ” earth day? If you take a look at your (American) 2007 calendar, you’ll see that April 22 is marked as the observance of Earth Day. Around the world, different countries celebrate our beautiful planet on different days of the year. However, it was a man named John McConnell who in 1969 approached the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to proclaim the vernal equinox the perfect day to celebrate the earth. They agreed, and three years later the United Nations followed suit and deemed March 20th an international day of observation. And, the rest is history. Earth Day has now grown into an international movement.

OK. Here’s the quick list of things you can do to celebrate Earth Day and take action as the executive of your household (we all know that it’s the moms who run the show.)
These are simple ways in which you can cut costs while saving energy—and the planet.

• Adjust your water heater to no hotter than 120 degrees
• Toss 2 or 3 of the incandescent bulbs you use most, and replace them with compact florescent. Trust us, you’ll save money.
• Find the temperature at which you’re mostly likely to set your thermostat, and set it 1 or 2 degrees cooler in the winter or warmer in the summer.
• Walk . Or, use Mass Transit as much as possible. This one is a toughy for moms carting little ones around. But, you know, walking is such great exercise for us and the tikes. Plus, if you can use it as a reason to support you local merchants by strolling to your next errand, Do It. All the better. When you can’t walk, make an errand into a special trip by taking that bus, subway, cable car or trolley. Kids love to ride in big vehicles, don’t they? If your kids are old enough, encourage family biking trips.
• Car pool not just to work, but whenever possible. How much is a gallon of gas these days?!?
• Wash laundry with cold water. Use biodegradable soap. Hang dry as much as you can.
• Unplug appliances when not in use: coffee pot, blender, toaster, food processor, mixer, toaster oven, microwave. Better yet, store these in a cabinet when not in use and enjoy a clutter-free counter space. Don’t forget to turn off the stereo, lights and TV, too.
• Take shorter showers. If you’re like most moms on the planet, you’ve probably either whittled this luxury down to a quick soap-up/rinse-down OR had to skip a few showers altogether considering the little darlings probably don’t give you five minutes peace, anyway. ☺
• All of your printouts with typos that you’d normally toss-out, give ‘em to your tot with a pile of crayons. She will make good use of the blank side and, in turn, present you with a work of art.

• Eat less meat and more produce. Produce crops need MUCH less energy to grow than animal farming. Better yet, become a vegetarian.
• Support local farmers and reduce the need for shipping… as well as pesticides or preservatives. (Ever wonder why organics ripen/rot faster?)
• Plant your own vegetable/fruit/bean garden. Use bio-friendly fertilizers and pesticides.
• Plant a tree or give a seedling as a gift. They soak up our carbon dioxide.
• Plant shrubs, flowers, greenery. They will beautify your home and put a smile in your heart.

There are so many more things you can do to save energy, reduce pollution and generally be good to the earth. Check out earth 911 for more ideas and info. Note: they have a section just for kids with activities and such.
Also, check back for the up-coming article on earthmother.org’s Recycle Circle. What’s better than a growing group of earthmother moms gathering our resources and putting the three R’s into action. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, that is.

Happy Spring, Earthmothers!

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It’s 7:00 PM. You’ve just lifted your baby out of a soothing bath, wrapped her in a soft towel, and snuggled her deep into your chest. The evening’s activities begin to flash through your mind—dressing, nursing, reading books, singing lullabies. You grin, anticipating a few precious moments shared during your favorite of these rituals: a gentle baby massage.

Infant massage is giving a new meaning to the term touchy-feely parenting. Is it any wonder why parents who utilize this therapeutic technique are die-hard fans? Many say that it can be both stimulating and calming. More importantly, it offers a chance for baby and parent to engage, relax, and gently work developing muscles and joints. When practiced regularly, infant massage can encourage healthy digestion, reduce colic, deepen baby’s respiration, and even improve brain and nervous system development. According to the Infant Massage Information Service, massage strengthens baby’s immune system and serves as a preventative measure for a variety of infections, diarrhea and constipation. The IMIS attributes many of the positive effects of massage to reducing the amount of stress a baby experiences.

Likewise, infant massage has shown significant affects on newborns who suffer various congenital health conditions. It can be a life-saving technique for premature infants who may be isolated in an incubator for short or extended periods of time. Research studies have shown that incubator-bound preemies who were caressed and held experienced 47% more weight gain than a control group—a fact that suggests the physical contact of massage shortens recovery time and quickens release from hospital. Similarly, in situations of special needs such as visual, hearing or neurological impairments, babies who were frequently massaged demonstrate increased muscle tone and overall flexibility. Perhaps more importantly, loving tactile stimulation can enhance baby’s ability to connect, relate and communicate with her caregiver as well as her environment in general… skills that are invaluable to any child but especially for those who may be challenged by an impairment.

If you’d like to begin practicing a routine, the following guidelines can help to keep things simple and ensure success. Make massage part of a regimen that baby can anticipate. Choose a time of day that works best for you and baby. (Note: when massaging a newborn, it is not advisable to do so after a warm bath as it may over stimulate her.) Next, begin with a warm room that has natural (not bright) lighting and a calm, quiet atmosphere. Use aromatherapeutic grade or organic oils (such as safflower, grape seed or sweet almond) as they will be absorbed into baby’s bare skin. Always begin with baby’s feet and progress up the body toward the head. Be sure to use long, firm, rhythmic strokes. When caressing limbs try to move bloodflow toward the heart (center) of baby—some massage therapists call these “tip to trunk” strokes. Make eye contact and smile as you give positive non-verbal cues. Be attentive to baby’s reactions. As you respond to baby’s feedback, the two of you will learn to intuitively communicate with each other. Because of the closeness that massage creates, it’s an excellent opportunity for dad and baby to bond—especially if mom is breastfeeding. For both mom and dad, it can be a wonderful way of teaching baby about expressing love, responding positively to others and sharing intimacy.

Many hospitals and health care professionals offer baby massage courses to new and soon-to-be parents. Contact your doctor or midwife for a list of courses in your geographical area. Also, check out the books and websites below for a more in-depth pursuit of the origins and technique. Remember, infant massage is the art of transferring relaxation, peacefulness and love. If you begin with these in mind, your baby is sure to profit from your efforts.

The information provided by earthmother.org is intended for educational purposes. Always consult your physician regarding personal medical guidance.

http://www.healthychild.com/infant-massage.htm
http://www.infantmassage-imis.com.au/benefits/http://www.infantmassage-imis.com.au/benefits/
http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/articles/postpartum/infantmassage/index.php

Books:

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