Amy Kuras

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I'm a journalist by training, blogger by choice, and mom of two hilarious, awesome, kind of insane kids. The kids and I live in Detroit (come visit, we're having a moment) in an 83-year-old house with their dad/my husband, three cats and one dog. I would enjoy reading, gardening and sewing poorly but enthusiastically in my spare time if I had any.

Sipping on:

Coffee

Amy's Latest Posts
Home & Garden Inspiring

What Is Upcycling? 10 Easy Ways to Make It Happen (VIDEO)

Posted by Amy Kuras
on May 21, 2012 at 3:06 PM

You probably have a bunch of stuff lying around your house that isn't quite in good enough shape to donate or use, but is still decent enough that you feel weird throwing it out.

You can go all Ma Ingalls, mending tears in clothes and darning socks, or you can go all hip and Etsy-crafter and upcycle.

What is upcycling? This edition of MomEd: Green Living has all the details, but it's basically taking an old piece of clothing or knickknack, like a worn-out shirt or broken crayons, and turning it into something new and cool. 

The best part is, you don't need Martha Stewart-level crafting skills. In this episode, you learn how to turn a piece of fabric from that tattered shirt into a reusable sandwich bag, how to re-create old wool sweaters and turn them into soft toys, and how to make cool new crayons from old ones.

Want more? Here are 10 projects to get you started:

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Big Kid Mom Moment

Life With a Child With Cochlear Implants (VIDEO)

Posted by Amy Kuras
on May 19, 2012 at 7:26 PM

Moms are awesome. Need proof? Meet Tanna. Her son, Hunter, has severe hearing loss and received cochlear implants to help him hear.

Dealing with the effects of Hunter's severe hearing loss has meant at least biweekly trips back and forth to Nashville from their home two hours away so he can get the therapy he needs. And she doesn't get to just sit in the waiting room and read a magazine...she's right there working with the therapist so she can help him at home as well. Check out what they're doing in this video, after the jump:

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Toddler Love & Learn

Why Do We Have Shadows? (VIDEO)

Posted by Amy Kuras
on May 17, 2012 at 8:02 PM

Sometimes the simplest things can be the hardest to explain to kids. For example, what is their shadow? Is it part of them? Why does it change? And can they trade with you?

My 4-year-old is just getting into watching his shadow, and will sometimes give me that accusatory look only a little kid can and wail, "You stepped on my shadow!" I try to explain it doesn't hurt, but no luck.

I think I'll have him watch this video with me.

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Home & Garden This Just In

You Know a Lot Less About Recycling Than You Think You Do (VIDEO)

Posted by Amy Kuras
on May 9, 2012 at 9:00 AM

Recycling is one of the simplest things you can do to help the planet. But do you know there are some things you should never, ever recycle? And some you always should, no matter what?

And most importantly, do you know the difference? What is accepted for recycling varies state to state and even community to community, which means you get to throw just about everything in the recycling bin while your BFF a few blocks away but in a different town might be able to recycle paper, maybe.

This episode of MomEd: Green Living on CafeMom Studios YouTube Channel has a handy little quiz that will take you through what usually can get recycled and what can't, and even more importantly, some recycling no-nos you should absolutely never commit.

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Home & Garden Say What!?

How to Stop Dangerous Plastics From Invading Your Home (VIDEO)

Posted by Amy Kuras
on May 8, 2012 at 4:05 PM

It's absolutely inevitable that as soon as kids enter the picture, so does an avalanche of plastics. Bottles, toys, snack containers, sippy cups...it's a plastic jungle out there!

With concerns about bisphenol-A (BPA) and its estrogenic effects on the body, not to mention fears over lead paint and just general environmental worries, it's hard to figure out how to keep your kids safe from harmful plastics and know which ones are OK.

Enter Mom-Ed: Green Living on CafeMom Studios YouTube channel to break it down for you.

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