Learning Shapes with Toy Cars

My 3 year old often plays with his cars on our couch. He loves to line them all up as if they were in a parking lot. Today, he surprised me with a new one and called me over saying "circle, circle". To my great surprise, he had formed his cars into a circle. By the time I got back with my camera, he had created a second circle next to the first.

Two-Spotted Looper Moth

Found this moth on our porch one day. Some moths are so interesting looking!

Are Non GMO Project Verified products really non GMO?

I happened upon this article on Natural News about how Non GMO Project cereals may still contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

I was pretty skeptical about that, but the article explained that products can be enrolled in the Non GMO Project verification program if they are heading in the direction of being non GMO even though they aren't currently non GMO.

I wanted to see for myself. So I got our box of Kashi Go Lean Crunch! cereal to check it out. (Kashi was one of the brands the article says contains high levels of GMOs.) There was the label on the front:

Primitive Minnow Mayfly: Siphlonurus

I found this mayfly in my backyard. Mayfly larvae live in water and we live near a river so I'm sure that's where it originated.

photo taken August 2014

Genetically Modified Plants List

After watching this documentary by BBC and Fed Up we've decided to make an effort to be more careful about eating genetically modified foods.  I don't want to debate here about whether or not GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are safe. But I did want to share my findings with you about what foods are or contain GMOs.

I researched the different foods and here are my findings on the GM plants. I'm not an expert and welcome any comments, corrections and additions.

Putnam's Looper Moth

This moth was by the light on our porch one morning. As well as Putnam's Looper Moth, it has also been called Lempke's Gold Spot. It caught my attention being bright gold coloured with white spots. 

Yeast Donuts

We used to make glazed yeast donuts as a family from time to time and it brings back lots of great memories! They are so yummy! Store bought do not compare!

Ichneumon Wasp: Itoplectis Conquisitor

This brightly coloured wasp was found in my backyard. Apparently this type of wasp is very common although I've never noticed such colours on a wasp before.

photo taken August 2014

Chocolate Cake

This is my go-to recipe when I just want a simple chocolate cake. It's a recipe I got from my mom that I've made since I was a kid.

Maple Spanworm Moth

This moth was found on the wall in the front of the house. We leave the light on overnight and often in the morning there are a variety of moths on the wall there nearby.

photo taken August 2014