Recess. Sacred or Not? Do Kids need recess?At my childs former school, taking away recess as a form of punishment was common. Often, the boys were "acting up". But does a boy with over active energy need to be deprived of recess? Some believe such a child needs ADD medication. Maybe we should try, not taking away recess but adding on More Recess! Extra time to run outside and blow off steam. With both childhood  Obesity on the rise and the increased use of prescription Behavioral Medication for children, as a culture, we need a new perspective on what our kids need to maintain health...?

“Morgan Shoal is a 300-million-year-old limestone structure presumably formed by the glaciers that formed the lake, and it is the closest near shore shoal on Chicago's shoreline; utterly unique,” said Greg. “This is one of the seven wonders of Chicago, between the shipwreck and the shoal and Pebble Beach. It’s a great place to take kids. It’s beautiful. It is one of the best places to swim in the city. I encourage everyone to come out.”

Greg’s wife Mary first got him into swimming. She doesn't swim year-round as her husband does, but she too loves to swim above the shoal.

“The shoals are limestone and they grow this beautiful, wavy green grass. So, as you’re swimming above it, it’s this undulating green carpet filled with little fish darting in and out,” said Mary. “It feels completely tropical, and so just like when you're snorkeling in a tropical area, I can swim literally for miles and just lose myself. It's really beautiful.” 

Image credit: Dan Peterman




The Chicago Park District has proposed plans to extend park land by building out over the shoal. The prospect horrifies Greg who has a very different idea for the area's future.

“To create a sanctuary for swimming, for any kind of non-motorized recreation, for the ecology out here, for the migrating birds, that goes out half a mile, which is the length of the shoal and south on the lake shore,” said Greg, “I'd love to see this area featured, and enjoyed by Chicagoans and by visitors to Chicago.”

July 2014 will mark the 100th anniversary of the loss of the Silver Spray. Greg Lane says that’s the perfect date to open Chicago's first underwater sanctuary.

Lane has approached the Field Museum with his idea for an underwater sanctuary. He also hopes to enlist support from the Chicago Park District, the University of Chicago and other conservation and environmental groups.

The above excerpt, is from "WTTW" for more info on the symposium, click the link below;
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/sites/default/files/Great%20Lakes%20Urban%20Habitat%20Symposium_Morgan%20Shoal%20Project.pdf

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STOP HONKING - GET A BIKE!

Breezing past the que of Honking cars, filled with Frustrated drivers, I wondered when a more comprehensive shift, in the American lifestyle will occur?     Truly, we Bikers were having the more pleasant morning. I got to my destination as fast as my legs could carry me. On my time, at MY pace.  Best of all without the stress of being late, no fear of being trapped in Traffic Grid Lock. Even if I got a flat tire, I could by pass traffic and walk my bike.
When my Family immigrated to this country, they lived, worked, played, shopped within a walkable community. A system that worked - local-finger-tip-living! While the car is here to stay, maybe it's time to rethink how we want to live and enjoy our lives everyday.....?!

After a summer of Fun in the Sun ( and the wear and tear over exposure brings) you can start by protecting your skin with an SPF of 15 even in the Fall. Avoid sunscreen with the  word ending in .....benzone, as in Dioxybezone, etc.
Then apply our  AromaFace Eye Oil blend to any damage areas. It contains extracts that replenish deeper skin tissues and restores collagen integrity.