My reasons are both health- and conscience-related. On the health side of things, organic turkeys are free of antibiotics and growth hormones that are commonly found in conventional turkey. (Check out this great blog on the subject from Green Talk.) As for the whole doing-the-right-thing thing, well, I think it would probably be much smarter and easier to let one of the experts I’ve interviewed do the talking instead. Here is the interview I did with Sharanya Krishna Prasad, U.S. Programs Officer with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) about the very topic:

KB: Why is organic turkey so expensive?

Krishna Prasad: Organic turkey is currently more expensive for various reasons. Intensive agriculture is highly subsidized by the U.S. government, and the price of products from intensively raised animals does not consider the true environmental, human health and animal welfare costs associated with producing and consuming factory farmed meat. As the demand for more humane meats increases, and when industry standards for all animal-derived products are raised, the cost of these products will become more competitive.

KB: There are so many different options out there. If I can’t afford organic, what are some of the more acceptable labels I should be looking for?

Krishna Prasad: When shopping for a turkey, look for labels such as “Pasture Raised,” “USDA Organic,” “American Humane Certified,” “Animal Welfare Approved,” or “Certified Humane.” These labels mean animals should have been raised under more humane standard where they were given access to sunlight and fresh air and had freedom of movement. They were also spared non-therapeutic antibiotics and growth-promoting hormones. Avoid misleading labels like “Natural” or “Naturally Raised.” While “Naturally Raised” ensures animals were not given antibiotics or hormones, this label does not mean the animals have freedom, fresh air or sunlight. The term “Natural” has no relevance to animal welfare and merely indicates that the product doesn’t have artificial additives.

KB: Is it worth buying organic over pasture-raised or the other non-organic labels you just mentioned?

Krishna Prasad: WSPA has developed an easy-to-use humane classification system where labeling claims have been designated as ‘Good’, ‘Better’, or ‘Best’ depending on the level of animal welfare required by the claim standard. Under this classification system, both USDA organic and pasture-raised fall under the same category — ‘Better.’

For turkeys, the best labels to look for are Animal Welfare Approved, American Humane Certified, and Certified Humane. If products with these labels are unavailable, we recommend choosing from one of the ‘Better’ or ‘Good’ category labels such as USDA organic, pasture-raised, or free range. If a turkey doesn’t have one of these labels, it was raised without the consideration of animal welfare, and buyers may be paying a premium for products that likely don’t meet their expectations in terms of the impacts on animals.

KB: How can I get my store to carry the “Better” or “Good” categories of turkey?

Krishna Prasad: Consumers should request humane food products from their retailers by speaking with the purchasing manager of the stores they frequently shop at. Studies have shown that it only takes a few customers to request a product before a store will carry it. In addition, WSPA’s website www.EatHumane.org has a postcard that consumers can print and drop off at the comments and suggestions box at their store to request more humane products.

KB: Does organic turkey taste different than the Butterball everyone might be used to?

Krishna Prasad: While some studies have been conducted on the taste of meat from organically-raised turkeys versus meat from intensively raised animals, to my knowledge they have not been conclusive. WSPA has noticed a trend among gourmet restaurants featuring more locally sourced, humanely-raised products on their menus. Chefs are probably taking in to account both the better care and fewer resources it takes to raise animals humanely. But I am sure they are considering the good taste as well. Today most food offered for sale in major U.S. supermarkets is from animals raised under intensive confinement on large factory style farms. These animals are typically denied fresh air and sunlight, and given very limited freedom to move and express their natural behaviors. Polls have shown that a large majority of Americans think the way farm animals are raised is important to them. Consumers who choose humane turkeys can be assured that the animals were given more natural living conditions and are typically given access to fresh air and sunlight, and freedom to move and express their natural behaviors.

So there you have it. Will this affect the way you shop for meat this holiday season? Was I insane for spending so much on a turkey that was gone in less than 20 minutes? I’d love to hear your feedback.

1) There are 20 kids in Big Girl’s class.
2) The class moms get to go to every party.
3) Parents of children with food allergies get to attend parties automatically.
4) Only one other parent gets to go to the holiday party.
5) I was not “picked from the hat.”
6) I could think of a better way to handle parties.
7) I am not a happy camper, and yet, because I love my kid, I was up icing cupcakes with homemade, organic icing at 8:45 this morning.

Here’s my summary of my Christmas shopping, in bullet format.

• I can’t figure out what to get my brother.
• I absolutely love Amazon Mom, Amazon’s Prime offering for moms and grandmas. Free shipping rocks.
• We bought considerably more for Big Girl than we did for Little Girl.
• I still need to buy my mom a few more things, but can’t figure out what to buy.
• I hate plastic shipping peanuts.

Here are some other decisions I need to make, in numbered order:

1. Whether or not I will suck it up and drive my kid back to private school every day since, I’m sorry, but it’s true, I am not happy with our public school experience.
2. What to do about the fact that Big Girl came home crying yesterday telling me that some kids on the bus called her names with curses in them.
3. Whether or not I let Little Girl attend Big Girl’s Brownie meeting because she “really, really, really wants to go.” And it is going to be a lot of fun. (I love being a Brownie leader, even if I am creatively-challenged!)

If only all of my conundrums were as simple as number three…

Hope everyone is enjoying the season, whether you celebrate Christmas or Kwanzaa or Al-Hijira or have already celebrated Hanukkah…

#10yearsago I was just starting my freelance career. In grad school. Getting ready to go to a hall for a glam NYE celebration.

Back then I was a selfish, bratty 20-something who worked hard, and played just as hard. I didn’t have to take care of anyone except myself, my pets, and occasionally, my husband. My weekends were Friday nights out with the girls, spending all morning Saturday working out (step class, Pilates/yoga, karate class — maybe two), going out again Saturday night with my husband, and sleeping in Sunday. I didn’t do much else. Lots of exercising. Lots of me time. Lots of dinners and clubs and dancing. And lots of work. I was working maybe 50 or 60 hours a week back then because I could, so why not? I remember that New Year’s Eve like it was yesterday. I wore a little black dress — the same one I wore to my ten year high school reunion. We paid too much to dance the night away at a catering hall. We had lots of fun, and slept very, very late the next day.

This year we were supposed to go away with the kids and some friends. My husband is still having health issues, though, so we decided to stay home instead. No sense spending money when he’s in pain, and not able to enjoy himself. We went out east to visit my in-laws. When we got there, they sent us out to dinner, keeping the kids for us. We didn’t drink. We ate light. Our total bill: $35 including tip. We ended the evening playing Wii Just Dance with some dear friends. My husband was in bed by 1:30. I stayed up cleaning for an extra hour or so. Yesterday we hosted a brunch here for our families. Two very quiet days.

I always hear people say that they wish they could go back in time and relive younger days. In fact, yesterday I asked my husband when we had become irrelevant. We’re parents now. We’re not exciting. We don’t set trends. Sure, we’re still in the coveted advertising demographic, but truth be told we’re not the ones buying the Mustangs (my husband’s second car) or the new china sets anymore. But you know what? Even though we’re not exactly movers and shakers, I wouldn’t trade this year’s celebration for that year’s celebration. I wouldn’t go back. (Although I would change my husband’s current intestines and bowels for the ones in his 26-year-old body.) I am so blessed with my children, my friends, my family, my fabulous husband, I think I’ll stay right here in 2010. Besides, once you’ve spent New Year’s Eve in Times Square (did it in 1998) everything else is sort of anticlimactic anyway.

Back to my regular schedule starting Monday. I was a little lax with the postings over the past two weeks. What did you do for New Year’s? Would you ever turn back the clock? If so, would you change anything? I’d love to know. –KB (who, on second thought, might go back for two minutes so she could hug her kitties and dog, and tell a few people how much she truly loved them.)

Little Girl is going to love getting this on December 25th.

I’m posting this late today. My kids slept until 9:10 a.m. We were woken up by my friend Lori. Every year she wakes up at 3:30 a.m. to go brave the Black Friday sales. I texted her last night, asking if she could pick up something from Kohl’s for me. A Barbie cruise ship that was selling for $29.99 down from $80. And so she was calling at 9 to report in on her buys, and to break bad news. By the time she made it to the toy department (at 4:20 a.m.), all the allotted cruise ships had sailed. They were all gone, she said. “Everyone had them in their carts. It was crazy,” she explained.

I don’t feel so bad, though. This year, especially, when so many people are hurting, I don’t want to go too crazy with my kids. They have so much, and Little Girl, especially, is too young to care. Chris, my husband, said we should wrap up some of the old toys we have put away from Big Girl. Little Girl wouldn’t know the difference. I also feel, as someone who is out here on a daily basis talking about reducing carbon footprints, and saving the planet that I should be buying more environmentally-friendly gifts. Avoiding plastic and things with excessive packaging. So while most of you are already all shopped out for the day, here are some good sites to find eco-conscious kids’ toys and gifts.

• This, That, Other Things Want to know what I am buying from this site? Organic play-doh. Little Girl loves using all the tools and molds we have, but I am always given a pause when I see the bright colors and slightly chemical-y smell of traditional molding dough. This stuff isn’t as bright as the day-glo colors kids might be used to, but I have a feeling the smell will make up for it. LOVE smelly dough! (It’s out of stock right now, but I will keep checking in on it. And yes, I know I can make my own, but I want something that looks professional under the Christmas tree.) See something you like? The company just sent me some coupon codes! BLACK15 for 15% off purchases over $50 and BLACK 20 for 20% off purchases over $150!
• Franklin Goose. I love when I find a true gem while Web browsing. This site, which pledges to stock  products that are “natural, organic, or made of recycled materials. Paint will be lead free. We will carry no electronic or synthetic toys,” is a breath of fresh air. Plus, it’s got a huge selection! Furniture, diapers, feeding items, clothing, bath & potty, books and DVDs. I was instantly impressed. And now I’m about to go buy a few natural training pants, soy crayon rocks, and the Plan musical band.
• Amazon.com I stumbled upon this list of more than 1,100 organic and natural toys. I figured the folks at Amazon are not dummies. If the rest of the world is selling environmentally-friendly items, why shouldn’t one of the biggest online retailers? I loved that I could search by age, price, or interest. The Idbid organic stuffed raindrop looks so cute! I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that the company is less wasteful this year than it has been in years past. (Tiny game in huge box ring any bells?)
• Fat Brain Toys. Even before I was an organic convert, I loved this site. They have toys that are more educational. That let kids use their imaginations. So I was really happy when I saw the company had added a Green category to its site.
• Your Local Shop. Of course, the best way to buy something is locally. Less packing materials, fewer cars, trains, and planes delivering it. More support of local vendors. That’s why I love the Breaking the Chains Buying Guide assembled by the Organic Consumers Association. Enter your Zip code, and find local merchants for all your gift-buying needs.

Know a site I’ve missed? Please let me know. And happy shopping! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Check back over the weekend when I’ll be updating my Crunchy and Green section (look at the tabs at the top of the page) with all the green and eco-related news of the week.

This year my mother, who still works part-time in addition to sitting for me, is working on Wednesday. She also just had a tragedy. Her long-time boyfriend’s son died of sepsis. He was 36. So sad for him and his family. Because of this, my mother didn’t get a chance to cook this weekend. She was at the funeral. She was complaining to me on Saturday that she had to work, and she wasn’t sure when she would be able to catch up with everything that needs to be done before Thursday. Okay, so I offered to host. I would prefer to host, actually. Everyone can arrive at 2 when Keira goes down to sleep, I figured. She wakes up at 5, eats dinner, and then we could put her back down at 7. My life would be much easier, even with all the cooking and cleaning. I called both of my siblings last night. My sister was fine with it. My brother, however, is now threatening not to come. He offered first, he says. And if I am going to host he might just “bag it” and stay at home so he can watch football. Sigh.

I tried to explain why we wanted it here. Having it here means my big girl and my sister’s little boy can play in the playroom. They have plenty of room to run around. Also, my sister wouldn’t be too far from Brooklyn in case she needs to make the trek to her in-laws’ house. (They’re still not sure who is hosting this year.) It will be easier on Mom, too, who is tired and still recovering from helping her boyfriend deal with his sudden tragedy. But he wasn’t buying it. He hung up telling me he would speak to my mother today.

Families. It’s a tough subject. You’re not just dealing with rational thought when it comes to familial issues, you’re dealing with emotion. My brother, who is in his 40s, will revert to being a child again when it comes to family stuff. We all do. Sibling rivalry never goes away. We’ll probably be old and decrepit and still be fighting over who gets their way. So how will it all turn out? I have a feeling my mom is going to side with my brother (as the only boy and a cancer survivor she tends to favor him a lot), and we’re going to end up out east. If it comes to coming to us, but not having my brother there or going there, she’s going to push us to all go there. (I am much more easily led when it comes to mommy guilt.)

And so, even today, I can see my Thanksgiving clearly in my mind. I will spend the entire time chasing my 16-month-old, and trying to find something for her to do. My big girl will read. She’s great like that. My husband will watch the baby so I can help my mom set things up. My sister-in-law will come in to a full dinner table after spending the day riding her horses. (Love her, but she’s an extreme feminist and will say, since my brother is insisting on hosting, that he should do the cooking and cleaning.) My younger sister will stop in for an hour or two having to split the day between Brooklyn and Suffolk County. And my mother? She will be happy because we’re all together. And after what happened to her boyfriend’s family last week, she’s the one who will have the greatest insight. I’m going to work on that between now and Thursday. Being grateful for what we’ve had this past year, and the promise of what’s to come.

Do you have issues when it comes to planning holidays? How do you manage to compromise? What would you do if you were me?

Christmas is about more than just signage, right?

I got a press release from the American Family Council yesterday. It called for a boycott of all Gap-owned stores because The Gap refuses to use the word “Christmas” in its holiday advertising including in-store displays. The boycott is running from November 1 through Christmas day. I have a problem with this on so many levels.

Now, let me state for the record that Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. We are Christians, and we observe. My older daughter is already talking about how many days are left until the big day. We even plan our yearly vacation to Disney around the holidays so we can share the breathtaking Candlelit Processional with the girls. It’s such a beautiful way to reinforce the story of the Nativity. However, as someone who celebrates Christmas, I don’t think that I need to jam my holiday down anyone’s throat. Especially when it comes to their shopping experience.

You’d think an organization that calls for family values would agree. Since when is Christmas — or any of the December holidays — supposed to be about commercialism and presents anyway? Some of my Jewish friends have the same problem. Hanukkah is all about those eight presents now. A miracle in a cave? Not so much anymore. And this year especially, when 10 percent of the U.S. workforce is out of a job, materialism should be downplayed as much as possible. I know first hand how Christmas signs can actually make someone feel worse about the holiday.

I was remind of this on Saturday. We were at a good friend’s daughter’s birthday party. Moms and dads waiting around for the party to end. We were talking about presents. We started with birthday gifts and moved onto the topic of holiday gifts. One mom said something to the effect of could we imagine how it must feel to actually need Christmas presents. I piped up that I could, actually, and felt tears stinging my eyes. When we were little — right after my dad died — there was a year we didn’t have too many gifts from Santa under the tree. My older brother, ten years my senior, was a volunteer firefighter at the time. Hearing about our plight, someone at the firehouse dropped gifts on our front lawn that Christmas morning. Gifts my mom wouldn’t have been able to buy. They fell out of Santa’s sleigh, we were told. And that, my wonderful friends over at American Family Council, is what Christmas (and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and Eid al-Adha) is all about.

Who cares if there’s a Merry Christmas sign in the Gap? I don’t. I care more about how we, as a country and a people, treat each other. And a sign isn’t going to make, for example, someone donate a toy or sweater to someone in need. It’s not going to get someone to hold a door open for someone who doesn’t have a free hand. It’s certainly not going to convert an atheist to a Christian, or remind someone in a fit of shopping frenzy why they celebrate their holiday to begin with.

So to all those calling for a boycott of Gap I say this: Get a life and start worrying about things that actually matter. People in need. Kids who won’t have a holiday celebration this year. Elderly folks who will go to church alone on Christmas morning. Soldiers who will miss out on lighting the Shamash with their children. Sick people who will spend Kwanzaa sitting in a hospital bed. Even if you got your wish and Old Navy stores displayed 20-foot technicolor Christmas signs, it’s not going to change how those hurting, sad, lost people feel. Instead of complaining about signs, wouldn’t it be better to call on your 2.6 million members to do good this holiday season? Because in my book, that’s the true meaning of Christmas.

Do you support the boycott of Gap? How do you feel about public demonstrations of Christmas or other religious holidays?