Seventh Generation Response

I received a response from Seventh Generation, regarding my post My Children Are Not Advertising For You.  My apologies for not posting this earlier- I had the worst sinus infection of my life, and many things got left behind.  Bold emphasis and [comments] added by me.

Response Via Email (Sefton Hirsch)	03/05/2012 04:52 PM
Thanks for taking the time to write to us and sharing your thoughts about the Lorax and your recently purchased diapers. I understand your disappointment and respect your opinion. I would like to share the company's statement on our vision of the Lorax.

My Children Are Not Advertising For You

My open letter to Seventh Generation regarding the incredible hypocrisy of advertising "The Lorax" (Movie) on my son's diapers:


Wow.  I have rarely been this disappointed in a company.  I have a standing order with Amazon to order your diapers as backup to the cloth diapers we use most often.  I was shocked and disgusted to open up the newest package and find MARKETING on the diapers.  I have been using these diapers for 3 and a half years, when my first child was born, and this is the first time I've ever had to return a shipment.  I used to use these diapers as one of the few tools available to help keep my children free from marketing.  If you want to advertise on my children, you will pay money.  If you want to brand my children, you will pay me a LOT of money.

What I consider the worst part is that the Lorax is one of my children's favorite books, and it is about avoiding rampant consumerism that destroys the environment.  Where should the Lorax be advertised?  On cloth diapers.  On sewing and repair kids.  Perhaps even laundry detergent that has zero ecological impact and helps your clothes last longer.  Or, better yet, NOWHERE.  It doesn't help that half or more of these diapers will be used on kids who are too young to be wasting their babyhood and toddlerhood in front of a television or movie screen.  They should be reading books, of which I once would have highly recommended The Lorax.  After all, this movie is rated PG- it isn't even geared toward 2 year olds, and certainly not younger children!

What's for lunch: Sausage and Kale Soup

Still winter up here, but less noticeable since our snow has all melted and the winds have died down.  I'm still making soup nearly every day, though.  One of my favorite flexible recipes is Sausage and Kale Soup.  You can use bulk sausage (check the ingredients, and opt for preservative free) or make your own.  If you don't have either option on hand, you can saute and onion, add the ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, pork) with 2-4 tablespoons of your favorite spices (check the sausage recipe for ideas).  You don't have to use kale either- lots of greens will do.  I've successfully used chard and spinach, but you have to be careful not to overcook the spinach.  Other additions can be made, depending on what you have on hand and how much prep time you can spare.

Sausage Kale Soup

Ingredients
1/2 to 1 pound of sausage (see notes above for ideas)
1 bunch of kale, chopped (or chard or spinach)
1.5 quarts of homemade bone broth
1-3 cups cooked navy beans (optional)
2-4 carrots, scrubbed and chopped (optional)
1 can diced tomatoes (optional- reduce broth if using saucy tomatoes)
Salt and pepper to taste (this will vary widely on the type of sausage used

Process
Brown sausage in a 3 quart saucepan or larger. 
Add carrots (optional), and saute with sausage for 5 minutes. 
Add broth, beans (optional), tomatoes (optional), and bring to simmer. 
Let simmer 5-20 minutes or until carrots are cooked, if using. 
Add kale (or other greens), and cook until they are wilted but still bright green.  Serve immediately.


What additions would you make to this soup?