As a mother, I’m always thinking of ways that I can create a better future for my kids. I look to other parents for ideas and as role models. One source that I have loved over the years has been the Mothers Acting Up calendar. Although we mentioned it in the December issue of Delicious Living, I have to mention it again here, because I think it’s such a wonderful calendar and resource. Each week of the calendar highlights an activist who is working to make the world a better place for children. It follows women from Africa to Iraq to Afghanistan to the United States. It documents people working to create a better future for kids in relation to world peace, education, health and the environment. This year’s calendar honors the likes of the late Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, but also Children on the Edge, formed to help children in need in Eastern Europe and Asia. But one woman who caught my attention is Tiffany Bellah, a mother and “chemical-free gardener, composter, organic cook and nature-loving hiker.” The calendar outlines how as a Master Composter she “teaches others the value of backyard composting and responsible waste management.” It’s people like Tiffany, who at a grassroots level are working to help educate others and create a better world for our children. She is the type of person who inspires me and keeps me hopeful that we can all make a difference. You can find Tiffany in the Mothers Acting Up calendar or at her blog “barefootinadventures.”

I was shocked when I read this Yahoo! report about mercury in mascara. How can it possibly be legal to use a substance known to cause neurological damage in consumer products? And why is Minnesota the only state banning it? Unbelievable.

Like many parents, I’ve been overwhelmed by the constant toy recalls and consumer alerts over the past year. It doesn’t make finding the perfect holiday gifts for my two kids (both under the age of 4) easy! Luckily, Healthy Child Healthy World, a nonprofit devoted to kids’ environmental health, just published a great, user-friendly article on what to look for in truly nontoxic toys. And, unfortunately, lead paint isn’t the only issue: Plastics and treated wood can also be harmful. The good news is that following a healthy diet can make it less likely your child will absorb lead. And there are lots of other ways to keep your kids thriving (check out our age-by-age guide).