Myths and Truths about Soy Series ... (Myth #1)

Myth #1: Soy Makes Men and Boys Less Masculine

Eating soyfoods can not make someone less masculine, lead to man-boobs, cause early puberty or decrease fertility. A recent literature review confirms that soyfoods do not have any feminizing effects on men or boys (2010, Fertility and Sterility). In reality, a diet that includes soyfoods can help support healthy growth and development for young boys, and soyfoods are a great option for men looking to maintain healthy weight and cholesterol levels. Research is also finding that for athletic men, soy protein helps muscles recover better after workouts (2007, Current Medicinal Chemistry).

Soybeans contain natural, bioactive components called isoflavones, or phytoestrogens. Isoflavones are actually found in lots of plant foods like apples, carrots and other beans. While the chemical structure of an isoflavone is similar to that of estrogen, the two function differently in the body.

Soy isoflavones do not act the same as estrogen does in the human body. A significant review of over 30 soy studies disproved any link between soy and an effect on testosterone levels in men (2009, Fertility and Sterility).Consuming a well balanced diet that includes soyfoods does not increase estrogen levels in men or boys.

Stacey Krawczyk, MS, RD, LDN, with the National Soybean Research Laboratory and mother of two young boys comments that, “as a research dietitian with an expertise in family nutrition, I take meal planning very seriously and I do not worry at all when I provide soyfoods to my two growing boys—they love the taste of soyfoods, and I love the healthy nutrition they offer, especially when I need to rely on quick and easy meals to meet our busy schedules.”

Check back for other Soy Myths in our Mysteries of Soy Series! What myths and Truths do you know about soy?

Source: Soyfoods Association of America

eGreen Kids: Cardboard Roll Puppets

Instructions to make home made puppets from cardboard toilet paper roll.

Materials Needed:

• Toilet Tissue and/or Paper Towel Rolls
• Craft Sticks
• Glue
• Scissors
• Construction Paper
• Misc. Craft Supplies (felt, moving eyes, yarn, etc.)

Instructions:
Very Simple! Decorate the cardboard toilet paper rolls to make different people or animals! You can even cut them to different heights. Use the misc. craft supplies to make hair, clothes, mouths, etc. Be creative! Glue the craft sticks inside the bottom edge of the cardboard roll for handle.

Courtesy of about.com

eGreen Kids: Making Recycled Paper with Your Kids

Don't throw away your old newspapers. Try making your own recycled paper!
Recycled paper can be made from old newspaper, following the instructions below. Recycling paper uses cellulose (plant fibers) over and over again, it uses less electricity, less water, a lot less pollution, and it saves trees from being cut down!
You will need:

• a food processor or an old blender
• an electric iron
• an old wire hanger
• an old pair of panty hose
• newspaper or other paper, torn into 2-inch squares
• white glue
• water
• an insect screen or strainer (optional)
• food coloring (optional)
• a big sink or tub filled with 4 inches of water
• Make sure you have a place to work where you can make a big mess!

Step One:
Make a frame out of the coat hanger. You'll need a frame for each piece of paper you make. Stretch the hanger and bend it into a rectangle/square shape. Take one leg of the panty hose and stretch it carefully over the hanger frame. Make sure it is tight and flat.

Step Two:
Put a handful of the torn up paper and some water into the food processor or blender. Blend the mixture on high until it becomes mushy. Keep adding paper and water until you have a big gray blob. You may have to add a little more water to keep things moving smoothly. Keep the food processor on until all the paper has disappeared. Then leave it on for 2 minutes.

For some color, add a handful of brown or red onion skin (not the onion itself, just the papery outer skin).

Step Three:
Put 2 tablespoons of white glue in the sink water and add all of the paper pulp you just made. Mix it really well. Use your hands.

Step Four:
Scoop the frame to the bottom of the sink, then lift it slowly. (Count to 20 slowly while you are lifting.) Let the water drain out for about a minute.

Step Five:
Hang the frames on a clothesline or put them out in the sun. Wait until they are completely dry with no dampness at all. You can then gently peel off the paper.

Step Six:
Use the iron, set on the hottest setting, to steam out your paper. You can keep making paper until the pulp is all strained out of the sink. Mix up the sink every time you make a new piece.

Try other things like using in insect screen over a wood frame, or a strainer instead of the pantyhose and hanger. Try adding lots of food coloring, for colored paper, or try adding lint or leaves to the food processor. Your paper will have an interesting texture.

Making your own paper can be fun, and it's a great way to re-use old paper. You can recycle all kinds of paper for re-use. Sometimes paper printed from color-inkjet printers will run, that is, the color will bleed off and become part of your new paper, but that can make for an interesting effect!

Mom, Where is the soft toilet paper?

One of those moments I love as a mother, when your child just makes you laugh. My first grocery trip with green methods in mind I decided to switch to an eco-friendly toilet paper. We were down to our last roll of the typical soft toilet paper, so it was perfect timing. My daughter's bathroom contained the last roll. The day came that she used my bathroom and used the new toilet paper. She comes out says to me, " Mom, what happened to the soft toilet paper?" ... I said, "We switched to a toilet paper that is more earth friendly" she says,"But why?" ... I responded,"They help save trees, don't you care about trees?" ... she looked up at me," But mom, the soft one feels better on my bottom! Can you buy the soft stuff again?"

Well, she didn't win, but what I did do is explain to her more about why that toilet paper was a more environmental friendly choice, so she is now pro the sacrifice. This is something I find amazing with my child, if you educate her on something versus just telling her that is just the way it is she becomes positive about the change. One thing I pray to accomplish with this blog, educating will assist change.

Next time you go to the store consider this when you buy your paper products:

• According to Greenpeace’s recent release of its first Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide, “Americans could save more than 400,000 trees if each family bought a roll of recycled toilet paper—just once.”

I will be honest with you, my daughter is right the soft kind does feel better, but is a softer tissue worth destroying our trees? As my daughter says now "Trees give us oxygen why would we want to kill them?" We have to keep in mind that these products we use and throw out immediately. Try a switch one day!

What to look for in green toilet paper:

• Chlorine free.
• Made from 80-100% recycled content.
• No added dyes or fragrances.
• Safe for low-flow toilets.