Marlene Dotterer's Blog, page 31

Why Inequality Matters | Bill Gates

Interesting.

http://www.gatesnotes.com/Books/Why-Inequality-Matters-Capital-in-21st-Century-Review

“Shut the Door and Walk Away” | Evolutionary Parenting | Where History And Science Meet Parenting

Let me come down on one side in this debate. I don’t like the idea of “cry it out.” I think it’s wrong, selfish, and damn dangerous. Babies are the only truly innocent human beings. They deserve to have their needs met.

http://evolutionaryparenting.com/shut-the-door-and-walk-away/

The Next Green Revolution – National Geographic

The last 5 or 6 paragraphs of this article hold the seed (pardon the pun) to the best techniques for world agriculture. Organic farming, along with diverse crops, builds healthy soil, reduces and eliminates pests, prevents pollution due to fertilizers, and eradicates farm debt. It also increases yield and prevents destruction of whole crops due to monoculture.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/green-revolution/

Could Multiple Sclerosis Begin in the Gut? – Scientific American

Here’s another reason to get serious about what you eat. Having a healthy mix of gut microbes is essential, but you won’t get it by eating processed foods.

Could Multiple Sclerosis Begin in the Gut? – Scientific American.

The Cruise that Wasn’t

Something more important came up and we decided to forgo the cruise we’d planned. So we are down south helping with my FIL, who all things considered, is doing better than we thought. I’m glad we came down and can see for ourselves what he needs. Difficult times…

OU………CH!

I knew better. I’ve had peripheral neuropathy for a few years now, so I have no excuses. But yesterday, I let myself be talked into a pedicure. I was getting a manicure, my standard practice before taking a cruise where I won’t have to cook, wash dishes or toilets, or pull weeds for several days. Manicures are cool, especially when you opt for the warm wax treatment. Arthritis melts out of my fingers with that stuff.

But it was a twofer special – I could get the basic pedicure without any extr...

Getting Your Kids to Eat (or at Least Try) Everything – NYTimes.com

Good ideas for beleaguered parents.

Getting Your Kids to Eat (or at Least Try) Everything – NYTimes.com.

Steve Jobs Was a Low-Tech Parent – NYTimes.com

This is a very important article for parents to read. There are lots of good suggestions. Bottom line: really restrict your children’s access to gadgets. I know so many parents hand the phone to their babies/toddlers to keep them occupied. I understand the temptation. But seriously – think about alternatives as much as possible.

Steve Jobs Was a Low-Tech Parent – NYTimes.com.

I Dare You to Watch This Educational Video: Infant Circumcision

If you are American, and you plan on having a baby sometime, this is incredibly important.

If you’ve already had all your children, give yourself a pass. I don’t see any point in traumatizing a parent over something they can’t change.

Being a Stay-at-Home Parent is a Luxury — For Your Spouse

Being a Stay-at-Home Parent is a Luxury — For Your Spouse.

Just for the heck of it – here are some money numbers. http://www.businessinsider.com/value-of-stay-at-home-moms-2013-5

Frankly, I think this is one of the biggest things we as a society need to acknowledge – that this is work that MUST be done and it has value. Back when people were producers rather than consumers, the home was the center of the economy. Everyone worked to produce whatever was needed, and yes – they did trade for thing...