The Liquid of Life

The average American uses 100 gallons of water per day! No way, I say, and then I checked it out at a site called DCWASA for Kids. Yep, it's true. At the site I used the Daily Water Usage calculator. Three easy calculations on how much water I use in the shower, when flushing the toilet, and while brushing my teeth- that doesn't even include how much water I use for other things each day, like when I wash dishes, wash my hands, or fill up the pets' water bowls. If you don't have water-saving appliances, you are using 5 gallons for every minute of running water or every flush of the toilet. So, if you are in the shower for only 5 minutes, you have used 25 gallons of water! I am really bad about letting the water run a long time while I wash dishes. It would be more efficient if I used the dishwasher (uses 25 gallons) than if I left the water running while I wash dishes for 15 minutes (uses 75 gallons) Whoa. On the other hand, I am happy to say that a long time ago I stopped running the water while I brush my teeth- I make myself turn it off and walk away from the sink while I am brushing, so I am not tempted to let the water run the whole time, which is way fun- what is it about water- totally FUN. But it is not fun to learn how wasting water effects our environment in a negative way. For instance, some parts of the country are running out of clean, drinkable water. Fact: our bodies are 2/3 water, and we need 2 quarts of water a day to digest food, transport wastes, keep cells alive, make blood, and control body temperature. When we are all wasting water, we are using it up faster than it can be recycled; this hurts the environment, animals, plants, and people, which all need water. At the DCWASA site they call water the "liquid of life." Would you agree?
photo by krikit

Organic Cereals Rule, or Not

Sure, the ingredients are natural, and oftentimes proceeds from the purchase of these organic cereals go to causes that give back to the environment, but they HAVE to taste good, or we won't buy them! So, today we kid-taste-tested three organic cereals, comparing them to what we are used to eating at home, and commenting on them. Here is what we have to say.
Starting with Mother's all natural, low-fat Cocoa Bumpers- made with real natural cocoa and natural sweeteners, molasses and honey, this cereal is distributed by the Quaker Oats company (now do you feel at home? -can't get more down to earth than good ol' Quaker Oats.) Did you know honey comes from bees, flowers, and hives, or molasses is made from sugar cane, maple syrup, and apples? These are factoids on the back of the box (just gotta read the box while you munch!) Our testers say that Cocoa Bumpers is "really good- tastes almost exactly like Cocoa Puffs." "really crunchy, even in milk!" "doesn't taste like chocolate, the consistency is grainy," and "love it!" Other Bumpers cereals: peanut butter and graham.

Next up, Envirokidz organic Peanut Butter Panda Puffs- gluten free, no additives and preservatives, and low in sodium, this cereal is distributed by Nature's Path Foods. Did you know that 1% of sales are donated to wildlife, endangered species, habitat conservation, and environmental education for kids? This cereal has cool wildlife facts on the back of the box. Our testers say that Peanut Butter Panda Puffs " has a light taste, and tastes like peanut butter," "light, but still crunchy," "creamy like peanut butter," " it's cool that Envirokidz helps endangered animals. I want to go to their website!" Other Envirokidz cereals: Gorilla Munch, Koala Crisp, Amazon Frosted Flakes, Penguin Puffs, and Leapin Lemurs.

Last to bat, Barbara's Bakery Cinnamon Puffins- high fiber, low fat, no artificial colors and preservatives, and wheat free, this cereal is distributed by Barbara's For A Brighter Future. Brighter future for helping to restore and protect seabird habitats maybe, but not too bright in taste, say our testers, "tastes like bread," "cinnamon-y and pretty good," and "may I throw this away?"

Al-in-all our testers preferred all of these cereals with milk as opposed to munching them like a snack. They were impressed by the efforts all of the companies are making to protect the environment. They were surprised that you can find these cereals not only in whole foods markets, but in the regular grocery stores. They also became a little more educated about natural ingredients- safer for our bodies, safer for the environment, buying these products supports our farmers and habitat protection organizations. There are numerous other natural cereals out there, and taking some time to test different ones out and finding a few you really like is worth the effort. Here's to the environment, to your health, and to great natural taste.