LETTERS

�HAVE YOUR SAY... Have your say in our letters page via email, Twitter, Facebook or good old pen and paper. letters@thegreenparent.co.uk twitter.co.uk/greenparentmag facebook.com/greenparentmag  Post: The Green Parent, PO Box 104, East Hoathly, Lewes, BN7 9AX

WIN FAMILY FESTIVAL TICKETS & ORGANIC CLOTHING THE NATURAL

The

Green Parent

JUNE/JULY 2012 £3.95 THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

PARENTING MAGAZINE

Festival Fun Best summer events Green festivals

Meat-free for a month

Will it improve your family’s health?

FAMILY LIFE

Nurture your teen Celebrate Solstice

YOGA FOR THE HOME

Go Wild! Camp out with kids

Natural swimming

Forage for food

GREEN BABIES Become a doula Create a naming ceremony MAKE IT Woodland

Creatures

50

Ways to simplify your life

FREEFESTIVAL GUIDE

PLUS FAIRTRADE FOOTBALL • BREASTFEEDING • ASTROLOGY • ECO BEAUTY • FAMILY MEALS

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ISSUE

Star Prize

OPENING MY EYES TO NATURE I have been an avid reader for the past year and wait with anticipation for every new edition, which always brings pleasurable reading and a broadening of the mind. Armed with the Feb/Mar edition one Sunday morning, my daughters; Amelia May, seven and Eliza Antonia, four, informed me that they were going to make a house. They transformed a humble shoebox into a pretty fairy house and Amelia won her Brownie Craft badge as a result. I lost my brother to lung cancer nearly six years ago. He was an incredible young man who had a deep passion and understanding of nature and the outdoors. Through reading your magazine I understand better my brother’s love for the simple things; a walk in the woods, volunteering, watching a young sapling grow. He would have loved your magazine and I thank you for opening my children’s eyes to their uncle’s beliefs. Amy Issac, by post

CLUTTER CLEARING I felt compelled to write after reading 50 ways to simplify your life (Jun/ Jul 12). Halfway through I realised it was written by my new sanity saviour - Leo Barbauta! I have always struggled with clutter at home and have recently discovered Leo's blog. The difference at home has been immense and I feel much calmer as a result. Even my husband has noticed the difference as I now tidy up as I go along. I just hope that these new found habits will start to rub off on him! Antonia Gorman, by email

HELPFUL INSPIRATION With excitement in their eyes, my children run in with shouts of “It's here!” The Green Parent has been a lifeline for our family (four children aged three, five, seven and nine). We have just taken our first steps into home education, and our first year has gone wonderfully. Your magazine has given me so much comfort and

FROM FACEBOOK

We made your sweet potato brownies today (J/J 12) - we can confirm that they are delicious, not too sweet but rich enough to fulfill any chocolate cravings!

Caroline Blood

We made them this week too, absolutely delicious and the girls loved helping Kirsty Lowe guidance, and the children so many inspirations for craft, cooking, nature etc. I am so pleased that I stumbled across this magazine and subscribed. It has helped me in so many ways! Rachael (North Wales), by email

CRAFTY FINGERS I adapted the sewing project from the last issue (Apr/May 12) to make counting finger-puppets. I thought you might like to see how readers use your fab articles. The instructions and pictures were really clear and helpful. Marianne Hopwood, by email

Just wanted to say a massive thank you for your family festival guide (J/J 12). We have been to Newcastle Green Fest today and had a great time. Thank you for letting us know that this was going on!

Helen Ingram

STAR LETTER We have the perfect starter kit of organic goodies from Green People to give away to our star letter writer this issue. All the products you need for beautiful, soft skin, this makes a lovely gift for mums. Includes nappy cream, baby balm, moisturiser, baby wash and shampoo and baby salve. This is part of a fabulous range at greenpeople.co.uk. For your chance to get your hands on some natural goodies, write to us at the address above.

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FOODIE SPECIAL 34 FUN IN THE KITCHEN How to make mealtimes a more fun, pleasurable experience for the whole family. And best ways to avoid hungry hour meltdowns 37 GLUTEN-FREE GREATS Get lunchbox inspiration with this collection of brilliant gluten-free bites 41 SEASONAL FOOD Cleaning out the kitchen cupboards and discovering ethical chocolate 42 BAKE YOUR LAWN How real bread has revolutionised

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the classroom in one village school. Plus delicious make your own loaf recipe IN DEPTH: GREEN BABIES 59 CRADLING BABY Discover the best positions for breastfeeding your baby. 61 POWER OF PLACENTA You can use your placenta to empower you and your child from birth right through to your menopause 65 ART OF SLOW FOOD Why breastfeeding is the

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GUIDE MAIN FEATURES 8 CARE OF SELF Looking after number one makes you a better mother. Try these ten steps 12 FREEGAN FOR A DAY Skip diving for dinner and what it teaches our children about food waste 16 URBAN FARMING Eight steps to turning your back garden into a productive haven FAMILY LIFE 15 SUNDAY SELECTION Great family adventures for our favourite day of the week 20 SPIRITUAL PARENTING Recognising a mother’s instinct 21 GREEN TEENS Why your teenager could benefit from a job 22 MODERN DAD Taking children to the movies is not all it’s cracked up to be 98 CYCLE OF THE YEAR Celebrating the harvest festival at home LEARNING 25 EDUCATION NEWS Raising a twitcher and bringing history to life 26 MINDFUL EDUCATION The art of mindfulness in schools and what parents can learn 29 PRETTY PLACEMATS Make your own fruity placemats for every member of the family 31 ON THE SHELF Great reads for the whole family

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PARENTING MAGAZINE

PARENTING MAGAZINE

Green Parent

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 £3.95 THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

GreGreennenenen PaPaPaPaParentrentrentarentarentarentarent Love the Sun Why you need more vitamin D BECOMEABETTER MOTHER10stepsyoucantakeforself-love

Magical Meals Grow your own loaf

Get your family involved Gluten-free lunchboxes

HOW TO:

GREEN BABIES

Power of placenta Best feeding positions

Living on the land Meet the woman who lives carbon-free URBAN FARMERAproductivebackyard

Help teens find a job Become a freegan MAKE IT Fun sewing project

FREENATURAL BEAUTY

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PLUS YOGA HOLIDAYS • MAKING KIDS CLOTHES • MINDFUL EDUCATION • WELLBEING • BOOKS

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