Book Review: Last Child in the Woods

Book: Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder (Hardcover)

Author and chairman of the Children’s & Nature Network, Richard Louv, has written this very informative book to help parents and educators to reconnect our children (and ourselves) with nature again. It offers solutions for a greener and healthier tomorrow.

A lot of children are facing being disconnected to the natural world around them. Modern life leaves a lot of children “plugged in” at home, instead of roaming around the countryside. It might be because parents are too busy or too afraid to let their kids discover nature. It might be because kids have too many electronic distractions that prevent them from climbing trees, building forts, hiking, sitting around campfires or building dams in the streams and getting dirty.

Children are much more likely to spend their free time plugged into their computer to play their newest computer game than enjoying nature.

Nature-Deficit Disorder is not an actual disease but a condition of alienating ourselves and especially our children from the natural world around us. Robert Louv’s book gives an insight into why we don’t let our children play outside anymore, be it because we are afraid of our kids being kidnapped, be it because we are afraid of our children getting hurt.

The author reflects on why our children (and ourselves) need nature and what we can do to reunite ourselves and our children with the natural world. You will find many suggestions how to create change in your family, school and the community.

Bottom Line:
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit DisorderIf you want to make a difference and help your children become physically and emotionally healthier as well as caring for the planet, this book is be a must-read.

Valentine Chocolate Cups

Nothing says love like chocolate. End you romantic dinner with this special dessert and watch the sparks fly.

Ingredients:

2 squares white baking chocolate
3 T milk, divided
2 T cream cheese, softened
2 squares semi sweet baking chocolate
2 Maraschino cherries

How to Make It:

Place the white chocolate squares into a microwave safe bowl.
Add 1 T of the milk.
Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes then stir until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Beat the 2 T of the cream cheese into the mixture with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth.
Place the 2 squares of semi sweet chocolate into a separate microwave bowl.
Add the remaining milk and microwave on high 1 1/2 minutes.
Remove and stir until the chocolate is smooth.
Spoon the mixture side by side into dessert bowls.
Place the bowls in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to chill through.
Garnish each bowl with a cherry.

Serving Size: 2

From the Heart Fondue

Ingredients:

2 T half and half
1 T butter
2 T light rum, divided
8 oz. semi sweet chocolate, chopped

How to Make It:

Place the half and half into a small sauce pan over medium heat.
Add the butter and 1 T of rum and bring the mixture to a slow simmer.
Once simmering, remove the pan from the heat.
Add the chocolate and whisk until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Pour in the remaining rum and whisk until combined.
Transfer to a small fondue pot or a custard cup place on a heated serving plate.

Serving Size: 4

This is the perfect dipper for fresh strawberries, raspberries or even fortune cookies. If the chocolate becomes too thick for dipping whisk in 1 t of half and half at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.

Have My Heart Potato Pancakes

Make these heart potato cakes extra special for your Valentine by adding a spoon of applesauce with red hot candies on the top of each one.

Ingredients:

1 (14 oz) can chicken broth
1/2 t pepper
1 green onion, chopped
1 1/2 C instant potato flakes
Directions:

Pour the broth into a saucepan over medium high heat.
Stir in the pepper well.
Bring the broth to a brisk boil then remove from the heat.
Gently stir in the green onion.
Pour the potato flakes into the pan and let them stand until they have absorbed all the broth liquid.
Lay a heart shaped cookie cutter in a skillet over medium heat.
Fill the cookie cutter with the potato mixture.
Cook 5 minutes then flip and continue cooking 3 minutes or until browned.

Serving Size: 4

Sweet Sweet Strawberry Soup

This soup would be a great starter to your Romantic Valentine Dinner.

Ingredients:

1 lb. fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
10 mint leaves
2 C white wine
1 t lemon juice
3 T honey
2 T brandy

Directions:

Place the strawberries into the blender.
Place the mint leaves in with the strawberries.
Pour in the wine, lemon juice, honey and brandy.
Puree until very smooth.
Strain the soup to remove any seeds.
Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

Serving Size:  2

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