Moms Inspire Learning

My blog is carbon neutral! Yours can be too.

Did you know that you can offset the environmental impact of running your blog simply by planting one tree? It actually would absorb the carbon dioxide that is emitted every time your site is being viewed.

A Healthier Version of my Favorite Cookie!

I've found during the last few years that with a little creativity, many delicious, but unhealthy recipes can be transformed into healthy indulgences. That's why I was so happy to discover Cooking Light's Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. If you don't mind a subtle banana flavor, you'll really enjoy these, and save yourself a ton of calories!

As usual, I did make some adjustments to this recipe to make it even healthier. Here are the changes I made:

Learn, Click, and Help End World Hunger

Could your child or teenager use some practice with SAT words, geography, multiplication, or even a foreign language? Well, I happened to stumble upon a web site which will allow her or him to do so, while at the same time helping to put an end to world hunger!

At FreeRice.com, every time a visitor answers a multiple choice question right, the UN World Food Program will donate 10 grains of rice. There is no charge to participate, and if you get an answer wrong, you can try again. There are different levels of play for different ages and abilities.

10 grains of rice per answer may not seem like a lot, but when a lot of people play, it really adds up! So, if your child has a few minutes to spare, it's a great way to help others, while learning at the same time.You can find out more about the subjects that are covered, and try it out yourself, at FreeRice.com.

There are also great picture books to go along with this theme, but I'll save them for another day. In the meantime, please let me know what you think!

6 Ways to be a Holiday Bucket Filler!

I'd like to wish my Jewish readers a very Happy Hanukkah! No matter what holiday you celebrate, I think we can agree that there's excitement in the air, as we seek out ways to give to others in meaningful ways. Yes, there are presents to buy, but there are also random acts of kindness to share.

During this season, it's easy to get wrapped up in shopping. So that's why I decided to expand upon my recent post about the picture book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids, by sharing some simple ways to put smiles on people's faces during this holiday season and beyond.

Friday Photo Fun: Food for the Brain

©iStockPhoto/Nagy-Bagoly Ilona (ilona75)

As more and more evidence shows us how much of a connection there is between food and the brain, it's especially important that we teach our children how to make informed and healthy food choices.

Cooking together can be such a fun and educational experience, especially around the holiday season. As a matter of fact, it's one of my Top 5 Rainy Day Activities!

Picture Books for Peace, Part 6: This One's a Keeper

Did you ever find a picture book that left you with a warm fuzzy feeling after you read it? One that just made you feel good inside, kind of like a rainbow on a cloudy day?

There are many great picture books, and they come in many forms, but there are a select few that leave such an impression that you know you'll carry them with you forever. Such is the case for me with Have You Filled a Bucket Today: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids, by Carol McCloud.

Let's Keep the Focus on Gratitude This Holiday Season

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's one of my favorite holidays. Why? There are NO presents - people just come together to share a meal.

But what often happens the day AFTER Thanksgiving? People go shopping...I've heard that it's one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It seems the stores are decorating, and playing holiday music, earlier and earlier. All so that people have more time to buy their stuff.

Putting the thanks and the giving back in Thanksgiving

I don't know about you, but I can't believe we're celebrating Thanksgiving next week! Time goes by quickly, doesn't it?

It seems we're all so rushed these days that we don't always remember to stop and think about those two little words that make up this delicious holiday: thanks and giving. So, today I thought I'd just share a few small ways you can help everyone in your family to really reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, you can still use the ideas!

Why Art and Music Matter

As parents, we have to power to inspire our children to love learning. No teaching degree is necessary, but time, effort, enthusiasm, and an open mind certainly are. With those 4 ingredients, we can help our children to firmly plant the roots of learning into their world.

Make Your Own Salad Night

For some of us, the only time that locally grown produce is available is during the summer months. There are so many benefits to eating fruits and vegetables grown close to home. They not only retain more nutrients, but there's less of an environmental impact because minimal energy is used to transport them.

So, as summer draws to a close, why not try some family salad nights? Yes, I did put the word family in there!  I realize that not all children eat all kinds of fruits and vegetables, but there must be something they can make a salad out of!