by guest blogger Maya Rodale. When I was 21 years old, I made a list of reasons why I can and should have a dog of my own. A few months later, Penelope arrived. A few days after that, I called my mother crying. Penelope was adorable, but she was an evil demon spawn that wanted to bite me to bits with her tiny, razor-sharp puppy teeth. In spite of thoughts of throwing her out the window, I vowed to love this dog if it was the last thing I ever did. Love took a year—a long year—during which Penny trained me as much as I trained her. Here’s what I learned:
Love & Family
Toxic Back-to-School Gear
by guest blogger Mike Schade. While millions of children across America returned to school this month, many parents were unaware that children’s back-to-school products currently on store shelves contain high levels of toxic chemicals called phthalates, used to soften vinyl plastic. These chemicals are so toxic they’ve been banned for use in toys in the United States because of adverse health effects like birth defects, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and diabetes, among others.
First Kisses: What I Learned from
Bruce, Kenny, Jason, and the Avetts
by guest blogger Maya Rodale. This summer, I was lucky to see a few great concerts. In the midst of all the rocking and rolling and singing along with the crowd, I discovered this truth: You haven’t really heard a song until you’ve heard it played LOUD in a stadium with 20,000 people singing along. I also gleaned some insights about being an artist…or just getting a job done right…. And about writing kisses and love stories.
This “Guilty Pleasure” Is Soooo
Good for You
by guest blogger Maya Rodale. The other night I was trying to explain historical romance novels to someone who had never read one. Like Jane Austen—with sex! Like Downton Abbey—with sex! Like 50 Shades of Grey—with corsets and petticoats! I’ve found that many people are really curious about romance novels. There isn’t a sense of shame, but there are a lot of questions. Their knowledge is generally based on the following:
For a Minute There, I Lost Myself
It’s so easy to lose yourself—in the wrong job, the wrong relationship, the wrong town, the wrong mindset, the wrong diet. Changing often involves changing your viewpoint more than your actual location, but it also takes the courage to dig deep into the pit of your soul and ask yourself, Who am I really? Who do I WANT to be? Am I living the life that best enables me to continue down the road to where I was meant to go? The hardest part is then getting up the courage to make the changes required.
The Summer I Saw Bruce
Springsteen Four Times
You could say I began and ended the summer of 2012 with Bruce. I started with the two shows over the Easter weekend at Madison Square Garden (the beginning of my most happy season, summer). And I ended it with the shows this past Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia. And those last two shows were amazing.
The Art of Going Back to School
(When You’re…Older)
by guest blogger Maya Rodale. At the age of—well, never mind that—I have gone back to school. This time, instead of yet another English degree, I’m learning another language entirely. I’m learning how to write code. Yes, computer code.
Scratch
Raised on America’s first organic farm, Scratch author Maria Rodale learned how to make everyday favorites from, yes, scratch — the way you remember them; the way they turn out best.
Order NowOrganic Manifesto
Drawing on findings from leading health researchers as well as conversations with both chemical and organic farmers from coast to coast, Maria Rodale irrefutably outlines the unacceptably high cost of chemical farming on our health and our environment.
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