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Hearty Chili 1 cup dried beans (kidney, pinto, white, or a mixture of these) 1 tsp salt 1/2 cup raw bulghar 1 cup boiling water 1 Tbs olive oil 5 cloves minced garlic 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 cup celery, chopped 3/4 cup carrot, chopped 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped 2 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp chilli powder 2 1/2 cups tomato juice 1 Tbs 100% maple syrup Salt, pepper, and cayenne (to taste)

Chili, field greens salad, corn bread and dates

Miso Soup Œ cup sliced dried kombu seaweed 6 cups hot water 1 Tbs. minced ginger 12 oz organic firm tofu, cut in Œ inch cubes œ cup minced scallion 4 Tbs. red miso paste Œ tsp. white pepper salt to taste Optional: Add 1 Tbs. dried bonito fish flakes to water.

Miso soup, cantaloupe, sliced cheese, rice crackers, lemon-ginger cookies, and wasabi crackers

Some earth-friendly tidbits that have landed in our office in recent weeks...

RECYCLED ART PROJECTS – The Imagination Factory is an award-winning site that encourages children to creatively reuse and recycle materials. Some of the featured activities include drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, papier-mâché, marbling and crafts. Just posted are many activities that can be used with the Flat Stanley Project. Based on a children's book, the Flat Stanley Project was created by Canadian schoolteacher Dale Hubert. The activity is an international collaboration among students and teachers, and the project is designed to encourage children to read and to communicate with others. They also offer special Flat Stanley art activities that are designed to reuse materials. The projects can act as starting points in talking about conserving natural resources and landfill space, and they may be used to tie in to Earth Day and America Recycles Day. Discussing reuse while creating the art is also a good way to encourage environmental stewardship and social responsibility. To access the information, go to www.kid-at-art.com and click on The Flat Stanley Project. BARNEY ALMOND BUTTER – Looking for an almond butter that's as creamy as creamy peanut butter, doesn't separate, and doesn't need to be refrigerated? Check out Barney Butter at www.barneybutter.com. Barney Butter was created by Jennifer Barney, who began making the delicious spread, one jar at a time in her Fresno California home. Her friends, family and the neighborhood kids all loved it and wanted more, so Jennifer decided to start supplying Barney Butter to a much larger audience. Jennifer's Barney Butter contains no trans fats or hydrogenated oils and is high in calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, and iron. Read about Jennifer's success in next month's issue of the Laptop Lunch Times. FAIR TRADE AND ORGANICS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY – Before you head out in search of chocolate and flowers this Valentine's Day, be sure to check out the Organic Consumer Association's buying guide at http://organicconsumers.org/valentines for Fair Trade and organic options. Over 40 percent of the world's conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from the Ivory Coast, where the US State Department has reported widespread instances of child slavery. At the same time, commercial flowers produced in countries such as Colombia are the most toxic and heavily sprayed agricultural crops on Earth. To learn more, watch OCA's entertaining Valentine's Day flash video "Slammed" at http://organicconsumers.org/valentines/slammed.htm. IDLE NOT – Many people believe that idling is necessary or even beneficial—a false perception that has carried over from the 1970s and 1980s, when engines needed time to warm up (especially in colder temperatures). Fuel-injection vehicles, which have been the norm since the mid-1980s, can be restarted frequently without engine damage and need no more than 30 seconds to warm up even on winter days. For more information, visit the Union of Concerned Scientists Web site at www.ucsusa.org/publications/greentips. STAPLE WITHOUT STAPLES – Never run out of staples again with the Staple Free Stapler. It cuts out tiny strips of paper and uses the strips to stitch up to 5 pieces of paper together. This cool gadget claims to be environmentally friendly and safe for kids. Check it out at www.madebyhumans.com.

"TAKE NOTE: Packing your kid's lunch? Check out laptoplunches.com. Their bento box styles are reusable, dishwasher-safe, and lead-free." Nick Jr. Magazine

Laptop Lunches have arrived in the UK, courtesy of Jomoval. “We believe that this lunchbox could do for packed lunches what Jamie Oliver has done for school dinners” says Valerie Salomon, Managing Director of Jomoval. Invented in California and inspired by the Japanese Bento Box, Laptop Lunches was developed as a response to: The poor quality school lunches The soaring levels of childhood obesity The high levels of waste generated by food packaging

Reprinted from UK Parent.

This trendy and environment-friendly lunchbox is ideal for school packed lunches. The modular, tray-like layout enables parents to create healthier and more appetising lunches by replacing processed and pre-packaged foods with more nutritious, fresh alternatives, saving money in the process. Thanks to its design, there is no need to use extra packaging materials such as cling film or plastic bags when preparing the packed lunch, thereby reducing the environmental impact of packed lunches. The complete system (which is available in four attractive colour schemes) comprises the Laptop Lunch box, the Laptop insulated carrying case, a re-usable water bottle and the Laptop Lunch User’s Guide. The Laptop Lunch box (which can be personalised with stickers to keep it up to date) features a sturdy hinged outer container housing 5 brightly coloured re-usable inner food containers and a stainless steel fork and spoon. The inner containers (which are recyclable, dishwasher, microwave safe) can be included or omitted as needed to accommodate food choices. The insulated carrying case, which resembles a laptop bag (with a carrying handle, shoulder strap and ID tag), includes an internal mesh pocket for an ice pack (not included). The Laptop Lunch User's Guide is a 96-page book full of ideas and recipes to help the user get the most from their lunchbox. More information can be found at: www.laptoplunches.co.uk

Real Food From the Very Start by Sara Cabot What we feed our children should be our top priority from the very start. Bodily functions such as immunity, strength, and brain development are all set within the first year of life. And, what we give our babies and how we feed them from the very start will form their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

During later childhood, having a positive attitude towards food continues to be a determining factor for a number of health and social conditions, including obesity and anorexia, attention and sleep disorders, and negative social behaviors. Socially, sharing food is a great way to enjoy quality time as a family, forcing us to slow down and sit together around the family dinner table.

Babies usually have their first solids at around 6 months old and move on to table food at around 1 year to 18 months, though this varies from child to child. While it is advisable to consult your pediatrician or baby food manual for advice about what specific foods to introduce at what stage, keep in mind these general points when introducing nutritious foods to babies:

1. Homemade is best.

• For freshness and flavor. Even the organic jars of baby food are processed to some degree, which takes out a lot of the flavor.
• For texture. As a baby's palate develops, he or she should be introduced to lumpier foods. Providing homemade baby foods makes this possible. Jarred baby foods are very smooth even at the later stages, which doesn't prepare babies for table food.
• For color. Research has shown that babies need to get used to the color green in order to enjoy green foods. Homemade food is much stronger in color than jarred food.

2. Organic is a must for children. Children's bodies are metabolizing more quickly and contain more water proportionately than those of adults. This makes exposure to chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones more potentially harmful for children. Also, eating organic food is the only way to avoid genetically modified foods, which are present in most non-organic corn- and soy-based products on the market today.

3. Variety. Introducing babies to a wide range of foods appropriate to their age will help set the foundation for healthy eating habits. A reliable Web site or book on baby food will tell you which foods are appropriate at each stage.

4. Perseverance. Babies are not going to miraculously take to every new food. It is incredibly frustrating for a parent to have slaved for hours over a gourmet baby meal only to have it thrown on the floor! Remember, however, that babies, like us, are not perfect. They could be teething, full of milk, feeling a little under the weather, or just not hungry. Remain confident and committed to providing healthy food--and persevere.

5. Model good eating habits. (This is really important !) Babies watch adults for guidance. If you want your child to eat healthfully, then sit down and eat a healthy meal with them.

Good eating habits are formed by a partnership between parents and children. The whole family needs to be part of a nutritious eating program in order for it to work. Enjoy a balance and variety of fresh foods, and teach your children not only where foods come from, but how they work in our bodies.

Sara Cabot is an English mother of four, who has always cooked for her children. A year ago Sara started an organic baby food company because she knew that laying a solid foundation for healthy eating habits needs to start in babyhood. She also noticed that many moms are health-conscious but have little time to prepare baby food. Little lettice baby food is available at Whole Foods market at Fresh Pond, Cambridge. For more information, visit www.littlelettice.com.

by Sanna Delmonico We all know water is important, but did you know that water is one of the six basic nutrients, along with carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals? And water is the most important nutrient. We can survive months and even years without some vitamins and minerals. We can survive several weeks without calories from fat, protein, or carbohydrates. But without water, we last just a few days.

What is a nutrient?

A nutrient is a substance provided by our diets which the body needs and uses for growth, maintenance, metabolism, and/or repair. Water fits the bill.

What does water do?

Water is vital for transporting everything in our bodies. It carries those water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C. The kidneys filter the blood, which is mostly water, and water carries waste out of the body as urine.

Water acts as a cushion for joints and the spinal cord, and amniotic fluid cushions a developing fetus. Water lubricates and cleans mucus membranes like the digestive tract and sinuses. Our tears clean the eyes.

Water is essential for keeping body temperature constant. When we get hot and sweat, sweat evaporates from our skin, cooling the body.

What if we don't get enough water?

Losing just 5% of body fluid can cause dry mouth, headache, fatigue, and confusion. If we have chronically low water intake, it can increase the risk of gallstones, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections.

How much water do we need?

Every day we lose water through urine, feces, sweat, and also when we exhale. Replacing that water is critical.

Infants need 3 to 4 cups of water, according to the Dietary Reference Intakes, which they get from breastmilk or formula. Young babies should usually not be given extra water. Once they start solid foods around 6 months, a little water in a sippy cup is appropriate.

Children between a year and 8 years old need 5 to 7 cups of liquid a day. Some of this will come from water and other beverages, and some will come from food. Fruits and vegetables are full of water, usually 90% to 95%.

Teenagers need 9 or 10 cups of fluid per day, men need about 15 and women need about 11 cups. Again, fruits and vegetables provide a significant portion of this fluid. When you are pregnant you need more water than usual. Breastfeeding women also need plenty of fluid to keep milk production going.

When we exercise and when it's hot out, we lose more water through sweat. Many athletes weigh themselves before and after a game or event. They need to drink at least 2 cups of water to replace every pound of fluid lost.

What if my kids won't drink water?

I know adults who don't drink water. They only drink flavored things: soda, milk, juice, iced tea. But water is the cheapest and by far the best way to stay hydrated. Start your kids drinking water early. Instead of juice, serve plain water. Nutritionally, kids don't need juice, they need fruit. Too much juice, especially apple juice, can cause diarrhea in young children.

Since kids often prefer cold water, try keeping a pitcher of water available in the fridge. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to flavor it if they like it better that way. Home water filters remove lead and chlorine from tap water, sometimes improving the taste dramatically.

What about bottled water?

As for bottled water, most people think it tastes better than water out of the tap. But it costs 250 to 10,000 times the price! Not only that, bottled water is subject to less rigorous safety standards than tap water. A survey of 103 brands of bottled water found that one-quarter was simply bottled tap water and one-third was contaminated with bacteria.

Sanna Delmonico, M.S., R.D., is a pediatric nutritionist, a mother, an avid cook and vegetable gardener. She is the owner of Tiny Tummies, a children's nutrition consulting company, and teaches classes about feeding families to parent and professional groups. For more information, visit her Web site at www.tinytummies.com.

"I saw your Laptop Lunchbox displayed at our local organic co-op. I was immediately taken by the attractive design and functionality of the Bento Box system in order to pack healthy lunches with so much less environmental waste for my entire family. Oddly enough, it was my 16-year-old daughter who fell in love with the concept as much as I did; she didn't find it "dorky" at all! The ability to order on-line is helping me to conveniently order Bento Box systems as gifts for all of my family & friends. Thanks so much for such a fantastic product!"

        --Jenna Benz, Shorewood, WI

"My daughter saw the Laptop Lunch featured in the Rachael Ray Magazine and just had to have it. At first, I was hesitant, thinking the novelty would wear off when all of the other second grade girls had character lunch boxes. I was wrong. She loves picking something from different food groups to go in each container. She eats her entire lunch every day, which is a big change from last year. The lunchbox helps me with portion sizes (it is so hard to guess), and I now know she's getting just right serving sizes. And the added bonus is that the water bottle has yet to leak! Thanks, and keep up the great work!"

        --Elizabeth Paige, Newark DE

"Near the end of summer I purchased two Laptop Lunch kits, the Laptop Lunch System for my son and the Lunch Date for myself. My son receives compliments every time someone notices his lunchbox, and his teacher has told me he is the child with the healthiest lunch in their class."

        --Brandi Armstrong, Sault Ste Marie, ON Canada

Do you have a success story or photo to share? Email it to us at newsletter@obentec.com.

Fun With Barney Butter, Green Opportunities, and a Taste of Environmental Education!

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© February 2007 Obentec, Inc.

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