by Sarah Lane
A new study at the University of Queensland exposed as a myth the idea that men, unlike women, have all the time in the world to reproduce. Researchers analyzed data gathered about more than 33,000 American children and found a correlation between advanced father age and slightly lower IQ in the children. The older a man was at conception, the lower his offpsring’s score on tests of memory, reasoning, reading skills, and concentration through the age of seven. The difference was small: only several points between the children …

by the Staff at Blue Planet Run
For each of us who cares about the environment, one of the most important lessons we can teach our children is that small changes we make can positively impact even large problems—like the global water crisis.
Something as basic as clean water is unavailable to over a billion people (that’s 1 of 6 of us). Because hours are spent walking long distances to fetch and carry water back home, many women and children are unable to go to school or get a job. Even here …

by Sarah Lane
A new study conducted by the Mayo Clinic finds a link between multiple surgeries by the age of four and a higher risk for developing learning disabilities in reading, written language, and mathematics. Recent research indicating that anesthesia given at a young age can kill brain cells prompted Dr. Robert Wilder, an anesthesiologist at the Rochester, Minnesota, hospital to scour the records of more than 5,000 children who had been patients at Mayo or other facilities in Olmsted County, home of Mayo. Approximately 600 of those patients had …

by Julie Hall
These days even the moderately well-informed among us are aware of the compelling reasons to buy organic produce: avoiding pesticides and encouraging a more sustainable food system. However, even diehard organic supporters may at times find that good, local, and/or affordable organic produce options are not available. In these situations it helps to be aware of which conventionally farmed fruits and vegetables are most and least contaminated with pesticides. As spring approaches and nature works its wonders, it’s a good idea to reacquaint yourself with the produce top …

by Sarah Lane
The Natural Defenses Resource Council, in its article “Bottled Water: Pure Drink or Pure Hype,” reports that more than half of all Americans drink bottled water and about one-third of the population drinks it regularly. So Americans are thirsty. Why is this a problem?
1. What’s in the Bottles
One problem has to do with what’s in the bottles themselves. The Earth Policy Institute reports that 1.5 million barrels of oil per year, which is enough to fuel 100,000 cars for that same year, are required to satisfy Americans’ demand …

by Sarah Lane
As a former soccer player well acquainted with the hazards of sand-based soccer fields in the rainy Northwest, I can appreciate a soccer club’s frustration and desire to do something to improve playing conditions for its members. I know only too well the taste of a mouthful of muddy water and the sinking feeling of seeing a perfectly timed pass floating in a small pond halfway to its intended destination.
All across the nation, more and more high schools, colleges, and park districts are installing artificial turf …

Wondering how reusable bottles stack up? Here are the findings of independent testing agency ÖKO-Test, in an article by Richard Breum. You can request a copy of the study by faxing 0190-252150100 (Frankfurt, Germany).
ÖKO-TEST (Independent German Consumer Test), 6.0.97
By Richard Breum
Summary:
Only the two bottles made by the manufacturer Sigg, market leader in both Switzerland and Germany, showed no traces of aluminum. . . . the manufacturer Sigg shows that it is possible to avoid residue from synthetic coating. Rolf Kothrade, responsible for aluminum bottles at …

by Julie Hall
Until recently Americans were eating out a lot. Estimates vary, but some statistics indicate that people, both singles and families, were eating out 4-5 times a week, not including take out restaurant meals. This trend is dropping as we look for ways to save dough by making the dough at home.
In addition to being less expensive, eating home-cooked food is healthier. According to a 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, restaurant food is more caloric and less nutritious than food prepared at home. And, perhaps not …

Home Turf Disadvantage III
by Sarah Lane
plastic adj 5: capable of being deformed continuously and permanently in any direction without rupture
(Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary)
Sometimes when you lose a fight, after giving it your best, you just want a moment to take it in and figure out how to live with it. So it was particularly irritating when the other day Julie and I were reading the enormous signs announcing the installation of two artificial turf fields at our local park and at that exact moment a jogger shouted out, “Isn’t it great?!?” …

by Julie Hall
As food wise man Michael Pollan tells us, how much one eats home-cooked food is a powerful predictor of health, even more powerful than one’s income. Eating food prepared at home is also a great way to save money, establish more environmentally responsible habits, and strengthen relationships. (For great ideas on how to cook more efficiently, read Tips for More Efficient Cooking.)
Reasons Not to Eat Out or Take Out:

You don’t know what’s in it, who prepared it, and how fresh and safe it is.
It’s usually prepared in …