Kiwi magazine gets a mostly thumbs up from this EnviroMom

I picked up a copy of Kiwi magazine the other day because I've read several positive comments about it on other eco blogs. The magazine is all about 'growing families the natural and organic way.' I'll admit I was really dubious about the content, as I tend to be with most family-oriented magazines. I mean how many different ways can you repeat the same old advice?

But you know, it's really good. The April 2008 issue is devoted to kids' cuisine, and just about every article focuses on nutrition, family meal tips, recipes and inspirational stories about healthy food revolutions in schools around the country. Some of it is information that I've read numerous times before (since I seek it out). And there is nothing wrong with reading it again, since I have the memory retention of a flea (ah, momnesia). But a lot of it could be really beneficial to parents who want to make healthier choices for their family and need a helping hand. The articles are short and easy on the eyes, and the layout is nice and clean and uncluttered. I loved all of the stories about school food programs in this issue.

There was one feature, however, that really bothered me: The 2008 Kids' Food Awards. The magazine doled out awards to packaged food manufacturers in 15 categories, such as best fruit snacks, cookies, frozen waffles, snack packs and granola bars. Why are they glorifying single-serve milk, juice boxes, yogurt tubes, cracker packs and cheese sticks when there is nothing eco-friendly or healthy about these products? Okay, some contain organic ingredients, but does it really matter when they've been reduced to food-like substances? Maybe it's about capturing advertising dollars, which a print publication must rely on so heavily.

Aside from that, I think it's a really good publication and their mission is obviously a noble one. I'd pick it up again. Have you checked it out? Like it?