Worth staying in for...
In pod we trust If your brain is feeling a little fried after all the festive overindulgence, then it’s time to give it a boost by tuning in to journalist Wendy Zuckerman’s brilliant weekly podcast, Science Vs, in which she sifts through the stats, talks to experts and generally sorts the fads from the facts. In the first series, Wendy looked at whether women and men have different brains, if porn is changing the way we have sex, and whether sugar is really that bad for you. In series two, she’ll be tackling fracking, investigating the benefits of organic food, and exploring whether different parenting styles have an impact on children’s personalities. Tune in via iTunes, Soundcloud or the RSS feed. Prepare to be hooked. Science Vs Series 2 will be transmitted by Gimlet Media in the spring. gimletmedia.com
Turning your kids green Cloth nappies, regular birdwatching trips and crafty recycling are already at the top of my list, writes Anna Turns, but Kate Blincoe’s new book Green Parenting: How to raise your child, help save the planet and not go mad offers inspiring ideas about how to reconnect with nature and maximise on quality family time with her realistic approach to sustainability and parenting. It’s a comprehensive, practical beginner’s guide with everything from recipes (for gooey silly putty and puff ball pizza, for example), games and outdoor activities, as well as eco alternatives to household essentials for your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and ways to avoid blatant consumerism and ever-growing toy mountains. As a strong advocate for ‘free-range children’, Kate’s core ethos is to spoil your children with your attention and time outdoors, rather than ‘stuff ’. And while she isn’t a self-proclaimed supernanny, she does share some simple golden rules for parenting: never underestimate the importance of taking time out to share mindful moments with your little ones. Far from patronising, each chapter includes green challenges, so it’s easy to dip in and quickly come up with fresh ideas to entertain and educate. For example, her child-friendly monthly foraging guide explains that January is the ideal time to collect easily recognisable dandelions, the perfect ingredient for tasty pancakes. I’d highly recommend this book as a gift for new parents – green parenting isn’t rocket science but sometimes a helping hand is invaluable, plus it’s influence lasts longer than yet another plastic toy! £17.99. Green Books.
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MANOR | Late Winter 2016