Small but mighty . . .

So as a homeschooling mom I am always looking for ideas to inspire and teach my children. Last year as part of our homeschooling endeavor we watched the movies Food Inc. and Food Matters. They were powerful. We have been interested in nutrition because my boys are both dealing with food allergies and they wanted to understand more about them.

Today I came across this little video which is powerful by an 11 year old homeschool boy who has an amazing message and does it with such eloquence and calm you forget he is 11 years old. I hope you find this as much as I did. It is about our food system and how we can make a difference. It is called Monsanto Corporation Gets Owned by 11 year old boy!

Remember we can make a difference with every purchase we make.

Make Time for Dinner with Kids

I just read an article that confirmed what I already knew. Taking time to eat dinner with your kids in important. In fact, it may be one of the main factors in preventing addictive behavior. The information is so important I am including it in it's entirety here. So take time and dine.

Study Shows Dining With Family Reduces Teens' Risk of Addictions Back By Ed Thomas June 16, 2006 (AgapePress) - According to one national organization's research, eating dinner together as a family is not only good for bonding between family members but also cuts down on teens' risks of alcohol and drug addiction. The Columbia University-based National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse has made the link between eating dinner as a family and teens' alcohol and drug addiction risk through analysis of eight years of results from an annual survey of teens. Center president Joseph Califano says the questions on the yearly survey of 12- to 17-year-olds have pointed to a clear pattern since the initial year of the study. "One of the things we've noticed in our surveys, beginning in 1996, was that the more often kids have dinner with their parents, the less likely those kids are to smoke, drink, or use drugs," Califano explains. Meanwhile, he notes, the survey has shown that "kids who have dinner with their parents less than three times a week are much likelier to smoke, to drink, or to use drugs than kids who have dinner with their parents five to seven times a week." Those teens who ate with their families five to seven times a week received the maximum benefit, the Center spokesman points out. He says this group enjoyed relief from the primary risk factors of stress, boredom, and pressure from academic demands in school. "And we find that the family dinner is on the wholesome side of every one of those pressures," Califano emphasizes. Eating together as a family, he asserts, "helps to reduce stress, it helps reduce boredom, and it certainly relates to a kid's academic performance." Because of the these findings, members of a supermarket industry group called the Food Marketing Institute are helping to promote the Center's "Family Day" on September 25. This initiative will encourage parents across the nation to eat dinner with their children on that date and to be aware of the benefits of dining as a family on a regular basis. © 2006 AgapePress all rights reserved.

Wish me luck!!!

Tomorrow are the Parent Teacher Conferences. Now I am not saying I am dreading them, because I know my boys are great. However, I will admit I have some trepidation. After all, they are not perfect. It is hard to stay objective when you hearing about those areas where they can improve. All in all, it has been a banner year. My biggest concern so far has not materialized. So I think we are going to have a good year. I will let you know tomorrow.

Remember when you go to these lovely events make sure you are prepared as well. Ask questions, make observations and be proactive. Find out what you can do to help at home to work with the teacher as a team. So far that has been working for us.