She is so adorable!!!!! I would love to meet her. I really enjoy watching her cook, and listening to her little stories.

Make Big Pharma commercials illegal, and lower drug prices accordingly.

• Person watches a drug commercial
• Person goes to doctor ASKING for a prescription (isn’t that a health care professionals job).
• Person goes to Walmart to get said prescription.

Since drugs were first advertised on TV, I guarantee drug sales have increased accordingly. The spend MILLIONS to sell their drug to people that don’t need them. Then they increase the costs of the drugs to pay for the commercials.

I am sorry, but if the side effects list Cancer, I am so not interested.

OSCAR MAYER LUNCHABLES – NACHOS – MAXED OUT ULTIMATE NACHOS WITH NACHO DIP & SALSA

I will admit, my DD is a few years away from school. To top it off we are Vegetarian, and I am pretty sure most Lunchables are not. What they are is crap, plain and simple crap. Loaded with sodium, processed foods at their most basic “meat flavored frisbees”, processed cheese, candy or cookies, and either bottled water with Kool-Aid, or a juice type beverage.

Food is supposed to give us nutrition, plain and simple. Where is the nutrition in a Lunchable? Why are American kids obese? KRAFT is one MAJOR reason!

This is from the Kraft site… Looks yummy huh? Nothing like a label that list HFCS after Trans Fats! Not to mention all of the waste, think of all of the Lunchables in landfills!!!!!!!!!!!

• 

• Serving Size

• Servings per Container about

• Amount Per Serving

• Calories
• 580
• Calories from Fat
• 240

• % Daily Value*

• Total Fat 27g
• 42 %

• Saturated Fat 8g
• 40 %

• Trans Fat 0g
• 0 %

• Cholesterol 15mg
• 5 %

• Sodium 1290mg
• 54 %

• Total Carbohydrate 75g
• 25 %

• Dietary Fiber 2g
• 8 %

• Sugars 24g

• Protein 9g

Vitamin A 20 %	Calcium 25 %
Vitamin C 20 %	Iron 6 %

Ingredients: WATER: NATURAL SPRING WATER. TORTILLA CHIPS: YELLOW CORN, VEGETABLE OIL (CONTAINS ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: CORN OR COTTONSEED OIL), AND SALT. SALSA: WATER, TOMATO PASTE, GREEN CHILI PEPPERS, VINEGAR, DEHYDRATED ONIONS, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, SALT, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, JALAPENO PEPPERS, GREEN BELL PEPPERS, GARLIC POWDER, SODIUM BENZOATE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE AS PRESERVATIVES, CITRIC ACID, SPICE. NACHO DIPPING SAUCE: WHEY, CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURE SALT, ENZYMES), SOYBEAN OIL, DRIED CORN SYRUP, ENZYME MODIFIED CHEESE (MILK, WATER, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, MILKFAT, SALT, CHEESE CULTURE, ENZYMES), SODIUM PHOSPHATE, JALAPENO PEPPERS, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE SALT, SODIUM ALGINATE, LACTIC ACID, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SORBIC ACID AS A PRESERVATIVE, VINEGAR, NATURAL FLAVOR, APOCAROTENAL (COLOR). ARTIFICIALLY FLAVORED FRUIT ROLL: SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, WHEAT FLOUR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, CELLULOSE GUM, GLYCERINE, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, ARTIFICIAL COLOR (RED 40). TROPICAL PUNCH ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR SOFT DRINK MIX: SUGAR, FRUCTOSE, CITRIC ACID (PROVIDES TARTNESS), CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), VITAMIN E ACETATE, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE (PREVENTS CAKING), ACESULFAME POTASSIUM AND SUCRALOSE (SWEETENERS, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, RED 40, BLUE 1, BHA (PRESERVES FRESHNESS). NACHO CHEESE SEASONING: A DEHYDRATED BLEND OF CHEESE (ROMANO [PART-SKIM COW'S MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES], CHEDDAR [PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES], PARMESAN [PART-SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT ENZYMES]), SALT, WHEY, COLORED BAKED WHEAT FLUOR (WITH DEXTROSE, SUGAR, CARAMEL COLOR), MALTODEXTRIN, TOMATO, ONION, CULTURED BUTTERMILK, GARLIC, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF BUTTERMILK SOLIDS, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, YELLOW 5 LAKE, SILICON DIOXIDE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, CITRIC ACID, SPICE, YELLOW 5, DISODIUM INOSINATE, DISODIUM GUANYLATE, LACTIC ACID, YELLOW 6.
Size: 6.7 OZ
Upc: 4470036006

REAL sensible!

Why not buy a Laptop lunch bento box ,and fill it with healthy and nutritious foods instead?

First off like I mention in a PP, I think that times have REALLY changed the past 50 years, and not always for the better. It used to be that people didn’t just buy whatever that wanted, on a whim. Things were made in the US of A, and were more expensive, as American workers made a decent wage. Have you seen what people in China make somewhere around .25 CENTS per HOUR!

“Fact:  Wal-Mart’s Indentured Servants: Wal-Mart has been in China for over a decade and is the largest importer into the U.S. of goods made in China.  Kathie Lee handbags were made for Wal-Mart in China by workers forced to work 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week, with one day off a month, for an average wage of three cents an hour.  However, many of the workers–in one sample, 46 percent of them–earned nothing at all after having worked three to four months making Wal-Mart handbags and in fact even owed money to the company.  They were housed 16 to a small dorm room and fed two dismal company meals a day.  Their identification documents were confiscated and they were allowed outside the factory for at most 1 ½ hours a day.  Many did not even have the bus fare to leave to look for other work, and when they protested the grueling mandatory overtime work for literally pennies an hour, or nothing at all, 800 workers were fired.

Now, surely the Wal-Mart case of indentured servitude is at one extreme, and while it is true that Wal-Mart is usually found in a country’s worst factories, and is the worst sweatshop abuser in the world today, still, how can we be sure that there are not other such factories across China, hundreds or even thousands of them, producing goods for export to the U.S. under similar conditions?  It is unlikely that this factory is completely unique.  But the North American companies continue to hide their production locations across China, refusing to even release to the American people the names and addresses of the factories they use in China to make the goods we purchase.  Until the U.S. companies come clean and stop hiding their production in China, we can only assume that there are many more such cases of indentured servitude in factories producing for U.S. companies.“

This information was C&P’d from theNational Labor Commitee, I hope they can appreciate that I am trying to spread the word, and that I am thankful for the info!

I would be willing to pay more for things, made in the USA. I would probably have less stuff, and I am really trying to cut down on my stuff!

People used to window-shop, and SAVE money for major purchases. People didn’t use credit cards much at all in the 1950’s. They had less stuff, but appreciated it more. They VALUED a dollar! We are so removed from money now. We don’t appreciate it. We as a country, even at our worst have far more than most. People had budgets, and stuck to them.

Places like Walmart have made goods so cheap, that people want more. More stuff, for less money! Yet, they don’t appreciate what they do have. When will enough be enough??? But, the cost of that item to the human beings making stuff in China, and to American workers that have no jobs, because Chinese labor is so much cheaper is HUGE! Look at how the world has changed since it has been Walmartized. Is it for the better???????????????? I think not. I really try to buy stuff made in the US, or at the very least made overseas by a responsible company (like PLAN Toys).  Think about it, is it really worth it????? Just google Walmart, and see that they don’t premote women and minorities the way they should. They violate workers rights, for money. They don’t pay their workers medical bills, again money.

Can you tell I HATE WALMART???????????????????????????

I have received a few e-mails regarding the close of ZBB. I AM NOT in anyway affiliated with ZBB, besides that fact that I have been a loyal customer and have become friends with Jackie and Brittany.

Why I THINK ZBB is closing (note: these are my opinions, and should be taken as such).

• I am a bit surprised  by Flagstaff. I thought they cared more about things like exposing their children to BPA’s and Parabens. After hearing many mom’s talk about it, well I feel they believe about the dangers of these things , as much as Dubya believes in Global Warming.  I really thought this community was more aware about these things.
• Despite all of the TALK about supporting Local Business, most people would rather save a buck and buy things at Walmart, Target, or on-line.  Maybe they don’t realize that if we don’t spend our dollars in our community, we will only have Mega Marts one day. Mass produced MIC crapola.
• People don’t care about the little guy. This is apparent to me. I was in ZBB several times the past few weeks. I cannot tell you how many times I heard people talking to Brittany in ways that I found offensive. Comments like “Can’t you go any lower” like 40% wasn’t low enough…..
• Local Business aren’t supporting other local businesses. I am a local business owner myself, and I am sometimes amazed that there is not a more tight knit small business community here. Especially moms supporting moms. People are so concerned with promoting themselves and making $$$$$, that they forget to support those around them. Flagstaff is a small community, that has the potential to be a great place for local businesses, but so many fail. Why? Partially because Flagstaff is Poverty with a View. I am not rich, by any means, despite popular belief… I don’t spend my money carelessly. I really think about things before I buy them. If I can get something from a LOCALLY owned retailer, I will. A few dollars more is worth it to me, to keep business and tax dollars in our community. Something I have noticed is that local business either don’t work together, or they promote every business they can. FM is not a business, I do not charge for businesses that I list. I try not to “endorse” more than one business in each catergory, with few exceptions. I have two photography business, which are both great. I think they are so different, that I can do that. I rec two massage places, but again they are so different, I don’t feel they are really competing.  If I mention one locally owned business sells something, you WILL NOT see me mention another local business that carries the same item. By trying to promote everyone, we don’t really support anyone. Know what I mean???
• ZBB was more expensive, but you get what you pay for. I detest Walmart, for  many reasons. I will have a post on that soon enough! I would rather my child have a few nice thing, than a bunch of MIC crap.

The point here is that locally owned business are in danger during this economy more than ever. Think before you buy. SUPPORT MAIN STREET, NOT WALL STREET.  Local business support OUR community, by giving back.WE should support them, too.

LUNAFEST 2009 Benefits

LUNAFEST is a national film festival that features short films by, for and about
women.

LUNAFEST was established in 2000 by LUNA®, makers of the whole
nutrition bar for women to simultaneously promote women filmmakers, raise
awareness for women’s issues and support worthy women’s nonprofit
organizations.

• All proceeds from LUNAFEST are donated to charity. 85% of profits are donated to
local nonprofit organizations, the remaining 15% goes to LUNA’s primary cause
partner, the Breast Cancer Fund, an organization dedicated to identifying and
advocating for the elimination of environmental causes of the disease.

Join us at the Orpheum Saturday March 28th to see these amazing films and raise money for two incredible non-profit organizations, the Breast Cancer Fund and Girls on the Run.

DD is getting this for her 2nd Birthday for sure!

Plastic parts are produced from 98% recycled resin. Recycled material includes the seat, wheels, pedals, fender, tip bucket, information card and shipping carton. A portion of each trike’s proceeds will be donated to a National environmental organization.

How cool is that??? A trike, a Kettler at that, that is made from over 95% recycled materials. It retails for less than $100, and has great reviews!

Here is a link to the Daily Sun Article

Stories like this make me both ANGRY and SICK!

Grimm’s Spiel und Holz it is a German brand that makes the coolest toys. Colorful,yet simple. They make absolutely lovely toys, that encourage a child to use their imagination ! I want to give credit where it is do, these images are from Fine wooden Toys. I hope they don’t mind me borrowing them, all the while promoting their business! ; )

I feel very comfortable recommending this quality alternative to, dare I say daycare.Many of you know and love Brittany from Zen Baby, and although we were sad to see ZBB go, she is keeping active in the community, doing what she loves working with children. If you are looking for childcare that is a cute above standard in-home childcare, I would seriously consider sending Brittany an e-mail @ BrittanySmart@gmail.com

I am starting an in-home childcare/preschool out of my home, in Ponderosa Trails, beginning mid-March with the help of a very qualified, experienced assistant. We have over 7 years childcare experience out of our home and 9 years experience working with children. We also have children of our own ranging in age from 1 year to 8 years of age. We have our CPR and First Aid certificate and have been fingerprinted and background checked by the FBI. My home offers a clean, bright, wide open space within walking distance to Ponderosa Trails Park on a quiet street. We will be taking children up to age 5 with an emphasis on a preschool-based curriculum. The focus is to provide a loving, fun, educational environment that is based on Nature, Practical Life, Sensory Development, Mathematics, Language, Sciences, Geography, and Art. The curriculum will always be developing and growing with the children. Our goals are to: To stimulate the growth of the total child. To provide a warm and accepting environment in which each child feels secure, respected and loved. To provide an enriched, stimulating environment with safe limits, allowing the child to be an active explorer and learner. To encourage the child to become self-directed. To provide a framework of discipline through which a child can develop self-discipline and personal strength. To develop creativity and a positive self-image. We provide wooden toys, healthy meals, an abundance of hugs and loads of patience! At Smart Start, you will have the peace of mind that your child is in good hands. We offer engaging activities throughout the day including: arts and crafts, music, nature walks, and educational activities using a Montessori-based method. We will also offer dance, indoor free play, a multitude of outdoor games, and much more. Children will be fed nutritious meals and snacks, all homemade using organic/natural foods (Breakfast, Lunch, and Afternoon snack). Our hours of operation will be 7:30am to 5:30pm. References are available. $170.00 per week full-time (we provide lunch) or $150.00 per week full-time (you provide lunch) $35.00 per day part-time *Snacks and lunch included. You bring diapers (cloth or disposable) and formula/breast milk. Please email me with any questions or to set up an interview!! We look forward to speaking with you!

Brittany Smart