GRAMMY'S BOOK CLUB: Nature-themed books for kids

GRAMMY'S BOOK CLUB: Nature-themed books for kids

When our granddaughter turned five we gave her a membership into Grammy’s book club. Every month she gets a book from us delivered to her house. I try to choose books that are not only entertaining, but encourage values, among many, such as, honesty, respect, and kindness. But even more so,

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Park Rx America - Nature prescribed

Park Rx America - Nature prescribed

We stroll down the dirt path loving the vegetation. We are just east of the Cascade mountains near Winthrop in Washington state. Aspen trees, ponderosa pines, hemlocks, and flowering bushes border the trail. It is hard to convey how the smell of the dry warm foliage surrounding us makes me feel. It’s something akin to my younger days in Spokane when floating on an air mattress for hours or playing softball with friends and a keg of beer on the bench were at the top of my priority list.

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Explore an urban wetland this fall or winter

Explore an urban wetland this fall or winter

As I was considering the topic of my blog post for this week, I couldn’t help but think it’s such a small thing compared to all of the BIGNESS that is happening in our world these days—Covid, elections, social justice, and violence to name a few. But then I thought, maybe small is what we each need right now. Because no matter how out of control and unnerving the world seems today

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Simple cleansing pleasures of fall

Simple cleansing pleasures of fall

I’ve written a lot about fall throughout the years. Mostly because it’s my favorite season. I love its stunning transitional beauty and I’m drawn to the season’s natural cleansing energy. It’s a time to let go, clear out, drop whatever is not working, and begin to turn inward.

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Start your own one-sentence nature journal at home

Start your own one-sentence nature journal at home

Simple nature experiences can give you long moments of joy. And writing them down in a small nature journal can make them even more memorable. Just write one sentence about something you notice. It might not seem like much, but it’s powerful and builds over time.

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Seven things to do at home with kids

Seven things to do at home with kids

It’s spring and the natural world is awakening. It’s the perfect season for kids to explore outside. Even though we are sheltering at home, they need not go far to connect with nature. Their own backyard or around the block are wonderful places to explore. With their innate spontaneity and curiosity, they always seem to discover new things at every turn. I think this kind of fun exploration makes for happy and resilient kids. And what they learn on their own is invaluable. Here are seven nature-themed activities to help inspire kids this spring season to connect with nature in some small ways. You can easily adapt these for all ages. Also, I’ve included a couple for rainy May days and good use of screen time! If you’ve got some ideas of your own, please share in the comments.

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A calming backyard meditation

A calming backyard meditation

I still remember the first time I meditated more than 10 years ago. It was Christmas time and I had picked up a how-to book at a used bookstore. I sat on the floor next to our Christmas tree, closed my eyes, focused on the in and out of my breath and immediately fell asleep. Not exactly what I was expecting.

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Need to get centered? Try an easy grounding activity

Need to get centered? Try an easy grounding activity

During foreboding times like these, look to the earth’s healing power to help ward off your fears. Grounding or sometimes called earthing is a powerful technique that will help you harmonize your energy. The effects of this ancient practice, which can be traced back thousands of years in Chinese medicine, might seem mysterious, but there is science behind this technique, which connects your energy with the earth’s magnetic field.

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