Product Review: Green Your Air plants for nursery

We often worry about the smog outside, but did you know that research shows the enclosed space indoors (in our own homes) can be as much as ten times more polluted than outdoors? And considering we spend about 90% of our day inside, that’s a big ol’ reason to keep the air in your home as healthy and clean as possible.

The mission behind the company Green Your Air is to help you do just that. 

How can my own home be so polluted?  Chemicals are emitted from every day items in our homes, such as formaldehydes and alcohols from carpets, ceiling tiles, grocery bags, cleaning supplies, and even cosmetics.  Plants help clean the air in indoor environments by ridding it of pollutants and toxins, counteracting outgassing and contributing to balanced internal humidity.


Green Your Air chooses fresh plants from a locally owned nursery that you can purchase for your home.  They use non-toxic, biodegradable pots made of bamboo fiber, rice husks, wheat straw, and corn stalks.  I was drawn to their website because they have a specific plant just for baby’s nursery!

The Mini Fortis is the perfect little size for any nursery and has the super power to filter formaldehyde from the air.  New nurseries can be packed with chemicals like formaldehyde from new paint, upholstery, carpeting and furniture (the particle board, adhesives and glues holding the furniture pieces together).  This cute little plant comes in a cute little blue or pink pot just right for decorating your baby’s space! (you can also add decorative stones for an extra $3.50)


Best of all?  They ship anywhere in the US!  Mine arrived perfectly packaged and ready to use.  Even better yet, this plant requires no light and very little watering – so you can give all your attention to baby instead.

I ordered the Mini Fortis with the pink vase for my new baby girl’s room, and I absolutely love it.  I have pretty much the opposite of a green thumb, and I previously sadly did not have a single plant in my home!  I have had the Mini Fortis for about three weeks now and it still looks as perfect as the day it arrived.  I specifically wanted a plant for my baby’s nursery and Green Your Air was the perfect solution.  I think this would make such an awesome gift for a baby shower!

Check out Green Your Air and help green your baby’s nursery!

Testing Reveals Secret Toxic Chemicals in Brand-name Household Cleaners

from The Soft Landing

Guest Post by Cassidy Randall, Women’s Voices for the Earth

Have you ever wondered why, when you look at the back of your favorite laundry detergent or all-purpose cleaner, you only find a few ingredients on the label? That’s because cleaning product companies are legally allowed to keep chemicals a secret from you, even the toxic ones—and they do.

At Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), we believe you have a right to know what chemicals you’re being exposed to when you clean your home, which is why we tested 20 top brand-name cleaners for undercover ingredients. Guess what? We found secret toxic chemicals in every product we tested.
Here’s the dirt:

• Tide Free & Gentle® and Bounce Free & Sensitive® contained 1,4-dioxane, a known cancer-causing chemical. These products are marketed to moms for their infants’ laundry!
• Simple Green Naturals® also contained 1,4-dioxane as well as phthalates, linked to reproductive harm. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner® contained toluene, linked to pregnancy complications. Simple Green advertises their products as “non-toxic,” by the way.
• Glade Tough Odor Solutions® contained phthalates, even though the company said they removed them a couple years ago, and galaxolide, linked to hormone disruption.
• Clorox Clean-Up® contained chloroform and carbon tetrachloride, both linked to cancer. Clorox advertises that you should use this cleaner on multiple surfaces throughout the day – so you can get an even bigger dose of these chemicals!
• High levels of allergens appeared in fragranced air fresheners, but there were no warning labels. Allergens were also found in products marketed as “fragrance-free.”
• None of these chemicals are listed on the product’s label, so you have no way of knowing they’re in there, let alone avoiding them.

You’ll be shocked at what else we found. Read the report Dirty Secrets to find out.

Here’s the good news. The Cleaning Product Right to Know Act has been introduced in Congress and will require companies to list all ingredients on the product label – right where they should be, so that you can make your own decisions about which chemicals you want to avoid. Ask your Representative to support this bill so that companies can’t keep toxic chemicals a secret from you!



So, you’re asking, what am I supposed to use to clean my home? Until you know what’s in products you buy off the shelf, you can mix your own cleaners with safe ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. This is a non-toxic, economical (and fun!) way to make sure you’re not exposing yourself to harmful chemicals hiding out in cleaners.

But the bottom line is that companies should be telling you what’s in their products, and cleaning products shouldn’t contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer and reproductive harm. Join me in demanding no more dirty secrets from cleaning product companies.

WVE seeks to reduce and ultimately eliminate environmental pollutants that cause health problems for women, their families and communities. To this end, WVE creates opportunities for women to influence environmental decision-making.

Johnson and Johnson to Finally Clean Up Their Shampoo

The whole reason I got into this business (baby planning) was when I learned about the cancer causing carcinogens in J&J baby shampoo and products.  I wanted everyone to learn that there are better options for your baby’s skincare and safer products for our children.  How can this company, that has been around forever, use these harmful chemicals on BABIES??  Finally, FINALLY, they are changing their products, and it’s all over the news:

From Fit Pregnancy:

Safety of Baby Shampoo Questioned



11.03.11 Environmental groups blast signature brand for use of chemicals in popular product.
Johnson's Baby Shampoo, one of the world's most widely used baby care products, is being targeted by environmental health groups, The Associated Press reports.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics says that the signature baby shampoo still contains known carcinogens, even though the company has removed the chemicals in question in other countries. The group is calling on Johnson & Johnson to remove the chemicals from all products worldwide, the AP reports.
 
The two chemicals—formaldehyde-releasing quaternium-15 and 1,4-dioxane—are known carcinogens. Johnson & Johnson said it is "reducing or gradually phasing out the chemicals," according to the AP article, but that the "preservatives are safe and approved by U.S. regulators." The company does list a Johnson's Natural Baby Shampoo on its website, which says its ingredients are 98 percent naturally derived.

The group is also urging consumers to boycott these baby products until the company responds. The campaign has reached out to Johnson & Johnson, insisting that the manufacturer publicly commit by Nov. 15 to the removal of these chemicals, the AP reports.

As a consumer, one of the most important things to do is read product labels. It can be difficult to make informed choices if you don't know what's in the stuff that you're using on yourself and your baby.

Remember, it's never too late or too early to create a healthy environment for you and your growing family. Check out our Going Green page for a one-stop resource for making your pregnancy greener and more eco-conscious. Plus, browse our Toxic 10 to Avoid page for a list of ingredients to try to avoid in your everyday products.

From BUSINESS WEEK:

Groups push J&J on baby shampoo chemicals

By LINDA A. JOHNSON
Two chemicals considered harmful to babies remain in Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo sold in the U.S., even though the company already makes versions without them, according to a coalition of health and environmental groups.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has unsuccessfully been urging the world's largest health care company for 2 1/2 years to remove the trace amounts of potentially cancer-causing chemicals -- dioxane and a substance called quaternium-15 that releases formaldehyde -- from Johnson's Baby Shampoo, one of its signature products.

Johnson & Johnson said it is reducing or gradually phasing out the chemicals, but did not respond directly to the campaign's demands.

Now the group is ratcheting up the pressure and urging consumers to boycott Johnson & Johnson baby products until the company agrees to remove the chemicals from its baby products sold around the world.
"Johnson & Johnson clearly can make safer baby shampoo in all the markets around the world, but it's not doing it," said Lisa Archer, director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. "It's clearly a double standard, something they can easily fix."

The campaign's new report, "Baby's Tub is Still Toxic," is set to be released Tuesday, when the group was launching the boycott via its Web site, http://www.safecosmetics.org.

Archer said her group has met with Johnson & Johnson representatives three times since spring 2009, and is disappointed the company is not making safer baby shampoo and other products in the U.S. when it does elsewhere.

On Monday, the campaign sent Johnson & Johnson a letter, signed by about 25 environmental, medical and other groups representing about 3.5 million people in the U.S. and other countries. It urges the company to publicly commit by Nov. 15 to removing the chemicals from all personal care products worldwide.
In response, Johnson & Johnson said in a statement that formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are safe and approved by regulators in the U.S. and other countries, but that it is gradually phasing them out of its baby products. It said it is also reformulating baby products to reduce the level of dioxane below detectable levels. But it did not say whether it would respond to or meet the campaign's full demands.
The letter, addressed to CEO William Weldon, was signed by groups including the Breast Cancer Fund, Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, American Nurses Association, Physicians for Social Responsibility and Green America.

"Even though the chemicals may be low-level, why risk it?" said Tracey J. Woodruff, an associate professor and director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at University of California-San Francisco.

Woodruff, who is not involved in the campaign, noted that the chemical levels in the baby products add to other chemicals infants are exposed to every day.

According to the report, obtained by The Associated Press, one of the suspect chemicals, quaternium-15, is a preservative that kills bacteria by releasing formaldehyde. Formaldehyde, used as a disinfectant and embalming fluid, was declared a known human carcinogen this past June by the U.S. National Toxicology Program. Formaldehyde also is a skin, eye and respiratory irritant.

Quaternium-15 is still an ingredient on Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo sold in the U.S., Canada, China, Indonesia and Australia, but the campaign's research this summer found it's not in the same product sold in at least eight other countries, from the U.K. and Denmark to Japan and South Africa.

The second chemical, 1,4-dioxane, is considered a likely carcinogen. It's a byproduct of a process for making chemicals more soluble and gentler on the skin.

The campaign's May 2009 report, called "No More Toxic Tub," stated that studies by an independent laboratory it hired, Analytical Sciences LLC of Petaluma, Calif., found that 1,4-dioxane was contained in Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo, Oatmeal Baby Wash, Moisture Care Baby Wash and Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash.

According to the report, the company has since launched a baby shampoo called Johnson's Naturals, sold in the U.S., that does not include 1,4-dioxane. But original Johnson's baby shampoo, which costs about half as much, has not been reformulated for the U.S. market, according to the campaign.

Analytical Sciences tested multiple J&J baby product samples from the U.S. for the first report, finding low levels of the chemicals. After that, according to Archer, consumer groups in South Africa, Sweden and Japan contacted her group to note that quaternium-15 was not being used in products in their countries. The updated report was based on an examination of label ingredients for Johnson & Johnson baby products in 13 countries.

Archer noted that some of the countries where the products did not contain the harsh chemicals had bans on them in personal care products, but others didn't.

Woodruff, who researches health effects of chemicals, said there is evidence that formaldehyde is associated with nose, lung and blood cancers such as leukemia. She said an infant's scalp is more permeable than and adult's, so exposure to the chemicals could cause more harm for babies than adults.

"You're exposing a child during a very vulnerable period of development, when the effect may be worse," Woodruff said.

Belly Bucks at Belly Elan Maternity Boutique!

We don't want you to miss this event!

BELLY BUCKS ARE BACK!!

Chilly temperatures and falling leaves means Autumn is here in full force!  Time for weekends filled with apple picking, hay rides, and pumpkin patches!

To celebrate our favorite season of the year, our popular Belly Bucks are BACK!

That’s right, snag $50 worth of Belly Bucks for only $25 from today, October 13th -  Monday, October 17th, 2011!  {Limit two per person}

Start using your Belly Bucks immediately {in store only} on regular priced maternity clothes, diaper bags, and certain gift items.  See store for exclusions and restrictions.  Not valid on special request items including monogramming. Not valid with any other discounts, promotions or offers. Not valid on previous purchases.

Purchase your exclusive Belly Bucks {remember, it's 50% off...$50 worth of Belly Bucks for only $25} in store, on our Facebook page "SHOP TAB", or online.  When purchasing online, please purchase a $25 gift certificate and you'll receive $50. If purchasing on our Shop Now tab on Facebook, just purchase as is! It's already listed for you!

belly elan maternity

Local: 704.544.3226
Email: customerservice@bellyelan.com
Website: http://www.bellyelan.com

Chicago First City to Ban Crib Bumper Pads

From Chicago Tribune

By Ellen Gabler and Hal DardickTribune reporter
2:38 p.m. CDT, September 8, 2011

Chicago today became the first city in the country to ban the sale of crib bumper pads because the popular products pose a suffocation risk to babies.

The City Council approved the ordinance without debate. It was introduced in response to Tribune investigations that found federal regulators for years have received reports of babies suffocating in cases that involved crib bumpers, yet have failed to warn parents or investigate all deaths.

Bumper pads, which wrap around the inside of a crib and tie to crib slats, are frequently displayed in stores as staples in a baby’s nursery. But babies can lack the motor skills and strength to turn their heads if they roll against something that blocks their breathing.

The state of Maryland is considering a similar proposal to ban the sale of bumper pads, and the federal agency responsible for regulating consumer products — the Consumer Product Safety Commission — has said since December that it is investigating the issue.

The trade group that represents the makers and sellers of bumper pads says the products are safe and insists there is no evidence of a causal connection between crib bumpers and suffocation.

Rick Locker, general counsel for that group, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, has said banning bumpers could bring about unintended consequences, such as parents putting pillows and adult blankets in babies’ cribs if bumper pads aren’t available.

On Wednesday, the ordinance passed a joint health and consumer protection committee meeting despite opposition from industry representatives.

"This is our attempt to sound the alarm that something has to be done," said Cardenas, chairman of the Committee on Health and Environmental Protection.

Cardenas and other aldermen acknowledged that the task of overseeing product safety should fall to federal regulators but said nothing has been done.

"If they don't get their act together, municipalities like Chicago will have to do it on their own," Cardenas said.

In December the Tribune reported that federal regulators have failed to warn parents that bumpers pose a suffocation risk even though they know about the potential hazard.

It's unclear exactly how many babies have died from suffocating against the products, but the Tribune found that the federally funded National Center for Child Death Review has since 2008 received 14 reports of infant suffocation in which a bumper was relevant in the death.

Babies often lack the motor skills and strength to turn their heads if they roll against something that blocks their breathing.

Federal regulators have said they are trying to determine if there is a scientific link between bumper pads and suffocations, or if factors such as blankets, pillows or medical issues played the primary role in the deaths. However, the Tribune found that regulators did not investigate at least 17 reports of children's deaths even though the agency had reports on file suggesting bumper pads played roles in the fatalities.

Britax Car Seat Fitting Friday 7/15

Free!  Click HERE for more details.

Britax North American headquarters, 13501 South Ridge Drive
July 15, 8:00am-noon

A car seat checking station is where certified child passenger safety technicians assist you with car seat installation. There they will teach you the correct way to install your child seat, provide safety recommendations, and answer any questions that you may have. For best results, please bring: your child, your vehicle and vehicle owner’s manual, your child safety seat and all parts, accessories, and instructions, a second adult to assist with watching your child while you learn how to install your car seat . No appointment is needed, and seats from all manufacturers are welcome. Instruction lasts approximately 30 minutes per car seat. Cost is free.

!

Proper Car Seat Safety Often Overlooked

from A Milky Way


We are very fortunate to have Erika Gebhardt, a local Child Passenger Safety Tech, as a guest blogger. Below is her tips for car seat safety.

An alarming percentage of small infants we see come in the store are not properly strapped into their car seats. The straps are often way too loose and the chest clip is often all the way down. Some parents think that their babies might be uncomfortable if they are strapped in tight, but that is a myth. Babies spend nine months swaddled tightly in the womb, and they must be securely buckled into their car seat. In the event of a collision, a loosely buckled child could be seriously injured or even ejected from his seat. Here are some tips for child passenger safety from Erika Gebhardt, a local Child Passenger Safety Technician.

RULE OF THUMB #1: Keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children stay rear-facing until they are two years old. Rear-facing reduces traumatic injury to the head and neck in the event of a crash, because the back of the car seat absorbs most of the impact. When your baby outgrows an infant seat, choose a convertible car seat with a high weight-limit for rear-facing, like 40lbs or 45lbs.

RULE OF THUMB #2: Use the “pinch test” for strap tightness. Tighten the straps, and then put your thumb and finger on the shoulder strap. Try to pinch the fabric – if your fingers slide off, it’s tight enough. If you can pinch fabric, tighten until you cannot pinch.

RULE OF THUMB #3: A car seat is for cars. Please do not use your seat as a carrier or a crib. Although many “travel systems” make it easy to move a baby while she remains safely bucked into her infant seat, try to avoid too much car seat time. Try a baby carrier such as a wrap or a sling or a pouch if you are going grocery shopping or going to be out of your car for longer than 15 minutes.

RULE OF THUMB #4: There is no “best” car seat. The best seat is the one that fits your child and your car, and that you can install properly each time you use it. A car seat need not be expensive with fancy bells and whistles in order to keep your child safe.

RULE OF THUMB #5: Use LATCH or seatbelts to install car seats. Do not use both. LATCH is no safer than seatbelts – the safest installation is a tight installation, and some car and seat combinations work better with seatbelts than with LATCH.
Get your car seat installation checked by a Child Passenger Safety Technician. If you are near Matthews, the police department there checks seats twice a month; Britax checks seats (not just Britax seats) one Friday a month.

Check the local Char-Meck Safe Kids calendar.

For more information about child passenger safety, check out the Car Seat Basics information.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Erika Gebhardt, Child Passenger Safety Tech (T675815)

Pure Play for Kids

I’m not at all a big fan of toys with batteries, for many reasons, so when I found a great site called Pure Play Kids that sells the largest selections of battery-free, TV-free, creative playthings in the USA, I was really excited!

They have a sharp focus on creativity, safety and natural materials. So whether you seek wooden toys, cloth dolls, natural teethers, Waldorf toys or the perfect baby gift, Pure Play Kids has you covered. Additionally, Made in America toys are the bulk of their offering, and the remainder are fine European toys.

It’s definitely worth checking out the next time you’re in the market for new toys!

What’s Your Air Quality Index?

From A List Mom



The toys in your baby’s playroom? All natural wood.
The clothes in their closets? 100% organic.
The furniture in their nurseries? Um…can you say “formaldehyde?”
Before you take out a second mortgage to buy all new, eco-friendly furniture, why not feed two birds with one crumb by letting Green Your Air house plants purify the air in your baby’s nursery while improving its overall aesthetic?
Green Your Air chooses their plants expressly for their air-cleaning powers. Take, for instance, the amazing formaldehyde-filtering Fortis and Luminosis plants. Sure, they look great, but Green Your Air isn’t about looks—it’s about healthy homes and even healthier babies.

Available at greenyourair.com.

Biddy Belly for Tummy Time!

The Biddy Belly is a fabulous new invention by Robin Tacchetti, a Physical Therapist and mother of three, who observed all three of her children struggle with tummy time.  She knew how important tummy time was for muscle development, yes she was unable to keep her babies from getting frustrated and crying in the prone position.  She put her ideas into play and the “Biddy Belly” was born!

Some of the benefits include:
* Increases strength in shoulders, arms, back and head
* Decreases risk of gross motor delays such as rolling, sitting and crawling
* Decreases risk of “flat spots” on the back of the head
* Decreases risk of neck muscles tightening on one side of the neck
* Promotes cognitive development (thinking and reasoning skills)

Biddy Belly’s unique shape and gradual incline help promote correct muscle development.

Robin sent me one of her great inventions and I have been able to test the Biddy Belly with some little ones.  My testers, ages three weeks and three months, both did great on the Biddy Belly.  The three week old obviously had less strength and ability to hold her head up, but both babies seemed content on the Biddy Belly to look at the giraffe’s face and the cute distractions on the Biddy Belly, like the the attached toys on either side of the giraffe’s head (which, by the way, are removable so you can add your own instead – big plus).  One other thing I really liked about the Biddy Belly is the removable side bars between the giraffe’s paws.  When your baby starts to get bigger and use his legs when on his belly, it’s nice you can remove the bars for more leg room.   It’s also imperative to have a washable cover with spitting up babies, which the Biddy Belly has!  Overall, I think this is a great little product for your little ones to assist them in valuable tummy time.

To find out more or to order your Biddy Belly visit www.biddybelly.com!

Go au Naturel with Hevea Baby Products Pacifiers, Teethers, and Bath Toys

from Daily Candy



You considered not having an epidural — for about twenty seconds. There was nothing sustainable about that pain.

However, when it comes to caring for your little bundle, going au naturel is the only option. Hevea, a new-to-the-U.S. Danish import, makes it easy with pacifiers, teethers, and bath toys made from natural rubber.

Combining Scandinavian design with responsible manufacturing practices, the company easily passes the mommy test. But the real scrutiny begins when the goods land in the hands (and mouths) of babes.

Our pint-size tester took to the ergonomically designed paci right away (it dips down for little noses), the teether provided just the right amount of bite for her nagging gums, and the bath toys sailed through the tub without a hitch. Bath time bonus: The duck, fish, and frog don’t have holes, so water and muck can’t get stuck.

In other words, they’re painless.

Available online at heveababyusa.com, $9-$40.

5 High Impact Ways to Create a Healthy Home Environment for Kids

from The Soft Landing



The Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment released some amazingly helpful tips for parents who want to decrease toxic chemical exposure but aren’t quite sure where to start.

1. Bust That Dust
House dust is one of the main sources of children’s exposure to toxic substances, most of which come from normal wear-and-tear on consumer products.

• Clean with a good quality vacuum, or simply a damp cloth or wet mop. (Dry dusting just circulates the dust back into the air.) Vacuum or wet-mop once a week; twice a week if you have a crawling child.
• Take your shoes off at the door to minimize the amount of dirt brought inside. Use washable entrance mats, and launder them separately from clothing.
• Reduce the amount of dust in the home by minimizing clutter and by storing toys in closed containers.
• Helpful resources:
  • What’s on the Menu Today? CPCHE flyer on toxic chemicals in dust
  • Child Health and the Environment – A Primer (see section on Indoor Air and Dust, page 65, and more dustbusting tips on page 101)
  • Safe Renovations: Introduction – part of the CPCHE safe renovations fact sheet series
  • Playing it Safe: Carpets

2. Go Green When You Clean

• Wash your hands often, using regular soap and warm water: doctors recommend against using antibacterial soaps.
• Use non-toxic cleaning products. Baking soda is a good scouring powder for sinks and tubs, and vinegar mixed with water works well for windows, surfaces and floors.You don’t need to use bleach for most cleaning tasks.
• Don’t use air “fresheners.” Also, choose fragrance-free laundry detergents, and avoid using dryer sheets. The fragrances (or “parfum”) in these products can contain potentially harmful chemicals.
• Avoid dry cleaning, or find a cleaner that uses non-toxic methods. closed containers.
• And, of course, keep all cleaners and other household chemicals out of the reach of children.
• Helpful  resources:
  • Child Health and the Environment – A Primer (see p. 105 for toxic reduction tips related to cleaning and personal care products)
  • Buying Products for the Child Care Centre fact sheet (includes advice on cleaning products)
  • Your Child’s Skin May Act More Like a Sponge Than a Shield flyer addressing fragrance and other potentially harmful substances in personal care products
  • Playing it Safe: Carpets

3.  Get Drastic with Plastic

• Don’t use plastic containers or plastic wrap in the microwave, even if the packaging says “microwave-safe.” Harmful chemicals can move from the plastic into food and drinks.
• Store food in glass or ceramic containers, rather than plastic.
• When heating milk, use a non-plastic container. When the liquid has cooled to lukewarm, transfer it to bottles.
• Eat fresh or frozen foods whenever possible to reduce exposure to BPA, a chemical used in the lining of most food and drink cans.
• Avoid teething toys, bibs, bath toys, shower curtains and other items that contain PVC or vinyl (a type of soft plastic). These items can contain harmful chemicals called phthalates, which were banned in children’s toys in June 2011.
• Helpful resources:
  • Playing it Safe: Plastics
  • Avoid Toxic Plastics Using Recycling Codes as a General Guide

4.  Renovate Right

• Children and pregnant women should stay away from areas being renovated, to avoid being exposed to potentially harmful substances.
• Control and contain all dust. Seal off the rest of the house from the renovation site with plastic sheeting and duct tape and close heating and cooling vents. particularly in older homes (built before 1978), renovation dust can contain high levels of lead, which is toxic to the developing brain.
• Choose less toxic paints, finishes and glues. Look for products labeled “VOC-free,” “zero-VOC” or “low-VoC.” open the windows and use fans to bring in fresh air during and after use of these products.
• Keep your work clothes and shoes in a separate hamper, or in a shed or garage. wash them separately from other laundry.
• Helpful resources:
  • Safe Renovations: Introduction
  • Safe Renovations: Lead in Paint
  • Safe Renovations: Asbestos
  • Safe Renovations: Solvents, Glues and Paints
  • Playing it Safe: Carpets

5.  Dish Safer Fish

• Choose varieties of fish that are low in mercury, a chemical that is harmful to the brain. Healthier choices include atlantic mackerel, herring, rainbow trout, wild or canned salmon, and tilapia.
• If you eat canned tuna, look for “light” varieties, as these are lower in mercury than albacore or “white” tuna.
• If you catch sport fish in local waters, check your province’s or territory’s advisories to see whether it is safe to eat.
• Helpful resources:
  • Child Health and the Environment – A Primer (see sidebar “Fish Advisories: Limiting Methylmercury Exposure” on pages 60-61)

See?  You can do it!  CPCHE’s tips align perfectly with our mission of helping you navigate the overwhelming world of the most worrisome toxic chemicals one simple step at a time.  Small changes make for big results in this world of little exposures that pile up to affect your body burden.
>> Download the full brochure “Creating Healthy Environments for Kids” for more great info.

The new "dirty dozen" list of produce

from Yahoo Green



A new report published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) might make you re-think that "apple a day" -- if it's conventionally grown using pesticides.

According to the group's annual"dirty dozen" list of fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues, apples ranked number one as the most-contaminated item, up from number four last year.

Other changes from the 2010 findings: this year, cherries dropped off the list, and lettuce, previously absent, now appears at number 11. The EWG uses data compiled by the USDA to produce these findings.
Dirty Dozen 2011

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

The "clean fifteen" are also included in the report - these are fruits and veggies with the lowest levels of pesticides so there's no need to waste your money on organic versions. Some popular items include watermelon and avocado.

The EWG points out that if consumers simply chose their daily recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables from the least contaminated list over five from the dirty dozen, they would reduce the amount of pesticides ingested by 92% - without having to shell out extra money for organics.

Clean Fifteen 2011

1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplants
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

Pesticides on produce

Conventional farmers use an arsenal of pesticides to protect their crops from insects, bacteria, rodents, molds, and fungi. These substances can end up in the food supply. Washing and peeling fruit and vegetables can lower pesticide residues, but not necessarily. When the USDA tests for pesticides, they wash and peel fruit the same way a typical consumer would.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Services acknowledges that scientists do not have a full understanding of the health risks associated with exposure to agricultural pesticide residues through food, soil, water, or air. They also report that farmers who use pesticides experience an increase in neurological symptoms and that the harmful effects on children are greater than on adults.

Recent studies indicate that pregnant women should also be careful of their exposure to pesticides. Three studies published in 2011 in the Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives suggest pesticide exposure can harm the developing fetal brain.

Organic vs. conventional produce

Organic produce is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. However, organics can be harder to find and prohibitively expensive. If you are concerned about consuming pesticides, the EWG's dirty dozen and clean fifteen lists can help you make the safest and most affordable choices.

Finding Time to Exercise When You Have Kids

from Hip Moms Go Green



Being married to a former professional athlete and being a former personal trainer, swim instructor, and dancer myself, I used to workout.  A lot.  After college, my weekdays consisted of 4 to 5 days of a solid running program, while my Saturdays were filled with about 4-5 hours of trails running, a spinning class, an aerobics class and lifting weights.  A little bit excessive, but it brought me joy.  Oh, the bliss of running with only the sound my footsteps against the dirt trail, my breath, my thoughts, and the panting of my running partner (my dog).

When I had my first child, those days came to a screeching halt.  Exercising had to be taken down to an hour at the most and about 3-4 times per week.  At the time, my husband was still an athlete, so we had plenty of opportunities to alternate workout routines.  He would swim and lift weights while I watched the baby or went for a walk with him, and then he would babysit while I took a spinning class and lifted weights.  I would even incorporate exercise as I put him to sleep.  Instead of rocking him to sleep, I would do deep knee bends to calm my fussy boy.  Usually, I got to 350 before he fell asleep.

The entire "running" crew before baby #2 came into the picture. Notice the lazy puppy under the stroller.
Once my son was a bit older, I maximized my workout time by running on our treadmill at home and doing circuit training with a friend as my son napped.  While pregnant with #2, my son started liking the baby jogger.  But when the weather got colder, I resorted to workout videos.  Though I highly enjoyed it, it inevitably took me 15 minutes longer to complete any workout because he always wanted to join in.  I even got him his own set of 1 and 2 pound dumbbells.

With kid #2 in tow, it made things rather challenging.  Okay really difficult.  I had to come up with more creative ways to be even remotely active, since it was super cold for months after her birth.  And once the weather did finally warm up, she despised being in her stroller.  She’s 15 months now and I can run for precisely 15 minutes before her patience runs out and an all-out screamfest ensues.  Sigh.

Exercise is usually the last thing you want to do or have time for when you have children, but it should be an integral part of your life.  And not only for health reasons.  I especially think it’s important to be a good role model for your children.  If you build those foundations early, there is a better chance that your kids will continue those lifelong fitness habits without giving it much thought or effort.  If nothing else, exercising helps you keep up with your kids by building stamina.  I know it sounds counterproductive, but exercise seriously makes you feel energized even when you’re feeling fatigued.  So how can you exercise when you become a parent?  I’ll be the first to admit that i have dropped the ball on several occasions, but here are a few tips that have helped me:

• The first thing you must do is to make fitness a part of your life.  Schedule it, commit to it and don’t complain about it. By making it a part of your daily life, you are teaching your children how imperative and natural exercise should be.  If you have to, enlist a friend to do it with you so that you hold each other accountable.
• Then include your kids.
• Make it fun for them and seem effortless to include exercise as part of your daily routine.  It’s much easier if you establish and keep a set time (for instance, every morning after breakfast).
• Remember that kids tire and get bored easily.  And they get hungry as soon as you step out the door.  Plan ahead – bring toys, blankets, diapers, wipes, snacks, and water (they dehydrate faster than adults). I usually can buy myself more time if I pull out a new toy or snack every few minutes when my child is in the stroller.
• Try not to push the kids’ limits or that will defeat the purpose of having them view this time as a fun time.
• If  you prefer not to include the kids and enjoy working out alone, that’s certainly okay.  Do an exercise video or use an at-home treadmill during nap time, before they arise in the morning, or after they drift off to sleep at night.  But I am still a big believer in making sure your kids see you workout at least a couple of times per week.

Now that we have that down, you must throw out all preconceived notions of what exercise should look like. Exercise can come in various forms.  Whatever your neighbor is doing or what you used to do may not be what you will be able to do now (for most of us anyway).  Be okay with that.  It’s a different season in your life.

You’ll probably need to adjust your plans daily and even be spontaneous at times.  Some days you may be able to run 30 minutes without stopping, other days you may squeeze in 10 minutes total or have to stop every 2 minutes to pick up a toy or calm a fussy toddler.  Go with it and try not to get frustrated.  At least you got something in.

You’ll need to get in touch with your creative side – the possibilities are really endless when you start to brainstorm a bit.  Here are just a few things you can do with (or without) the kids in tow:

• Exercise DVDs with the kids.  There are several I have seen online or even at the library that includechildren, but I find that my son likes the adults ones just as much.  He’s super cute and uncoordinated while trying the exercises, but gets such a sense of accomplishment when he does.
• Put on some music and dance, jump rope (even if you have no rope), do jumping jacks, jump on a trampoline or a combination of all four.
• Use your tiniest tots as weights for exercises like squats and lunges.  Strap one in a carrier or just hold a (squiggly) baby.  I even use my 24-pound daughter as a weighted med ball for crunches.  Boy, does it tire me out faster!
• Perhaps the most traditional way of working out with kids… get out the jogging stroller collecting dust in the garage.  You know, the one (that you vowed to use after the baby was born.  Use it for its intended use – to walk or jog!  (I find that my kids ike it better when I go faster.) Make it a better time for the kids by strategically stopping at a playground halfway.  Let them play and stretch out their legs for a while, then walk or jog back home.  When I ran with my son, we would stop at the train tracks (his favorite place).  While waiting for a train, he would get out of his stroller and we would do lunges together until a train passed by.  On days he didn’t feel like joining in, he would “help” me count my lunges.
• While you are at the playground, run the perimeter as you watch your kids.  If they are on the younger side, make sure you check-in often, as little ones need that face-to-face reassurance.  Many parks have pull-up bars you can use, but if not, use a makeshift one (monkey bars).  While you play with them, incorporate dips, push-ups, lunges, squats, step-ups, intervals – you name it.  You might get a few stares from other moms, but who cares?
• Go for a walk or hike with a tot strapped to your back for extra added weight (and extra calories burned).  Older children can hike or ride a bike beside you.
• Like to cycle?  Buy a bike trailer and let the kids enjoy the ride as you pedal through the streets or trails.
• If your kids like to go to the pool, run or walk in the shallow end while they play.  If your child is not old enough to play alone, carry your child playfully as you walk briskly in the water.
• Do yard work together – mowing, raking, digging, planting, etc.
• Make household chores fun by turning on the music and dancing while cleaning. Or make it a race.
• If you have stairs in your home, put them to use.  Run up and down them several times or jump.  I have even been known to do a modified step aerobics session using my stairs on a few occasions.
• Make it a goal to “train” for a specific race.  If your child is still on the young side, have them in a stroller as you walk or run the race.  With older kids, have them run with you or sign-up for the kids race.
• Not motivated enough to workout alone?  Join a class.  Check the web or call local gyms to see what is available in your area, but usually there are a few “Mommy and Me” options and groups – baby boot camp, dance classes and so forth.
• Make it a family affair.  Walk, bike, go on a nature hike, play basketball, play soccer, play tag, play catch, race each other, go bowling, go roller skating or ice skating.

If you still find it hard to fit in a block of exercise, exercise in parts throughout the day. Do 1 minute of lunges while brushing your teeth or showering.  Do a minute of push-ups (dips, squats, crunches, fill-in-the-blank) after accomplishing a task like picking up the toys, washing dishes, writing an email and so forth.
Just keep it light and fun for everyone’s sake, and soon it will be easy to establish it as a habit.

Avoid Toxic Plastics Using Recycling Codes as a General Guide

from The Soft Landing

What exactly are we trying to avoid in some plastics anyway? The biggest problem is a set of harmful chemicals called endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC).  EDC’s are synthetic chemicals that mimic or block hormones and disrupt the body’s normal functions. This disruption can happen through altering normal hormone levels, stopping or stimulating the production of hormones, or changing the way hormones travel through the body, thus affecting the functions that these hormones control.

EDC’s are found in ingredients used in everyday plastics, personal care products, flame retardants, insecticides and more. In recent studies, health effects linked to low-dose exposure to EDC’s included reduced fertility, male and female reproductive tract abnormalities, miscarriages, menstrual problems, early puberty, brain and behavior problems, impaired immune function, obesity, diabetes and cancer.
Children are at higher risk because these chemicals can effectively interrupt various stages of development.  Children also eat, breath and metabolize more than adults due to their rapid rate of growth, causing them to be even more susceptible.

Current regulation does not require that manufacturers label their products with materials used or recycling codes.  If you do find recycling code labels they can be used to help as a general guide, but keep in mind that they are not definitive.



What About That Study Showing That Even BPA-free Plastics are Bad?
As we teach folks about the pervasive nature of toxic plastic, we often see a look of helplessness settle over their faces.  It all seems so overwhelming, and many people respond with hopelessness, “If it’s all around us, then there really isn’t anything I can do anyway.”

And if you read that recent study and went straight into panic mode, it’s time to step back and look at the bigger picture.  The battle has NOT been lost – we’re just getting started!  The key is knowing how to choose your priorities and begin making changes there.  Starting with the easiest and most obvious offenders to quickly decrease your family’s exposure to unnecessary chemicals.

We make it a practice of working to eliminate plastics that have already been proven troublesome like BPA, which has been linked to endocrine disruption in over 200 studies.

Just think – if you simply replaced most of your disposable plastic products and started eating naked, you’d be eliminating a huge source of chemical exposure in your everyday life!

Deciphering Product Labels and Recycling Codes
Categories to avoid:


PETE or PET (#1):  Polyethylene Terephthalate is fine for single use, but begins to break down when exposed to heat and harsh detergents.  Commonly found in bottled water, soda bottles, cooking oil bottles and peanut butter jars.

PVC or Vinyl (#3 or “V”):  We are literally surrounded by Polyvinyl Chloride, making it difficult to avoid.  We’ll discuss its common uses, what makes it toxic and how best to avoid in upcoming steps.

PS (#6):  Polystyrene is commonly found in packaging pellets or “Styrofoam peanuts,” cups, plastic tableware, meat trays, to-go “clam shell” containers. Styrofoam cups, meat trays, and containers break down easily when coming in contact with hot, fatty foods.

Other (#7):  This plastic category serves as a catchall for any plastic other than the named #1- #6 plastic types. These miscellaneous plastic containers can be a combination of several plastic polymers and are often layered with 2 or more of the #1- #6 plastic types.  It’s important to note that not all #7′s are toxic, so specifically look for #7 (PC or polycarbonate) and avoid it. We’ll discuss its common uses, what makes it toxic and how best to avoid it in upcoming steps.

*NOTE:  We also recommend avoiding newer plastics until thorough testing has been done to verify their safety.  This is why we don’t recommend jumping over to Tritan copolyester quite yet.



Categories generally considered safer:


HDPE (#2):  High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is commonly used in detergent bottles and milk jugs.

LDPE (#4):  Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) can be found in dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners and some food storage containers.

PP (#5):  Polypropylene (PP) is the most common plastic used for sippy cups, reusable dishes and utensils.  It can also be found in baby teethers and    toys, large outdoor playhouses, kids riding toys, bottle caps, reusable water bottle lids and drinking straws.

Additionally, silicone, glass and wood are safer alternative choices and are not included in recycling categories.

Insist on Transparency from the Manufacturers of Your Favorite Products
Keep in mind that you are voting with every dollar you spend.  You’re telling the manufacturers of plastic products and the chemical industry what you will accept and what you won’t.  The more you support the companies who have gone the extra mile to remove toxic chemicals from their products (and even label them in every once in a while – have mercy on us all!), the more they’ll continue doing so.

And don’t forget, you can find an amazing grouping of safer products made by trustworthy manufacturers at The Soft Landing!

P.S. This little bit was taken from our Free Mini Course on Learning to Do Your Own Research, so be sure to sign up for the rest of the goodies! 

2011 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet is Here!

from Safemama



It’s here, the 2011 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet!  Each year this task gets tougher for many reasons.  One is the development of new ingredients and formulations.  Another is that there are now many natural sunscreens on the market from big and small companies that fit the bill.  I don’t have EVERY natural sunscreen out there in my list but I try to provide a wide variety of products at varying price points.  The biggest problem for some is the lack of availability in stores.  Sunscreen’s are not cheap  and paying shipping on top of a big price tag can set you back a handful. But the sunscreen’s I find to be the best performing are usually worth the few extra bucks.

Award Ceremony

Best Overall Sunscreen goes to Purple Prairie this year for their SPF 30 Sun Stuff.  They just reformulated their SPF 30 lotion and after trying it out I think this one is the best bang for your buck.  It works in every sunny situation, doesn’t leave you looking ghostly and has a great ingredients list.  Plus, your purchase supports small businesses.  A little goes a long way and after testing it out in sun, surf and swimming pools I think it protects great minus the greasy.  Double thumbs up.

Best Ingredients goes to Badger for all their sunscreens.  Every year Badger sets the bar for safe ingredients and this year is no exception.  It’s truly all natural and organic.  They have also gone a step further to up the ante on their sunscreen ingredient and are now using non-nano uncoated Zinc Oxide. Badger’s sunscreen is a top performer in protection especially with rough or lengthy swimming.  It’s the most water resistant sunscreen I’ve used and protects even after hearty swimming.  Badger is always a safe bet.  Totally worth the money, especially if you have swimmers.

Best Solid/Stick Sunscreen goes to Babo Botanicals for the Clear Zinc Sports Stick! This is a new product for the company and it doesn’t disappoint.  It smells like apples and goes on CLEAR.  I can’t stress enough how fabulous that is.  It protects, it stays on, it smells good and you don’t look like a channel swimmer gearing up for IronMan.  I don’t leave home without it.

Go ahead and check out this years sunscreen contenders.

The dangers of triclosan and how to avoid it

from Care 2 Green Living Blog



Triclosan, the controversial disinfectant that many associate with hand sanitizers, is actually in all manner of cosmetics and personal care products.

The Trouble With Triclosan

Triclosan is an antimicrobial, meaning that it kills harmful microorganisms. This can definitely be a good thing. If you’re in the hospital, for example, you want to know that everything from the nurses’ and doctors’ hands to their instruments are completely sterile. In a case like this, I think that you could make a pretty strong argument for using antimicrobials like triclosan.

The big problem with triclosan is that it’s become ubiquitous. It’s in a host of over the counter personal care products, and that means that it’s also in our bodies and washing down our drains.

There are quite a few health concerns associated with triclosan. It’s a suspected endocrine disruptor and carcinogen that accumulates in the body over time. Since it’s in so many products, many of us are exposed to triclosan on a daily basis through multiple products in our daily routine.

When triclosan makes its way into waterways, it breaks down into harmful dioxins, polluting waterways. When triclosan goes down the drain, it also gets mixed up with sewage sludge, and from there makes its way into our food supply. How does that happen? It turns out that EPA allows sewage sludge to be used as a fertilizer on food crops.

Over time, organisms that triclosan targets also start becoming resistant to the chemical. That’s bad news if you’re counting on the stuff to sterilize an operating room, for example. When we over-use these harsh chemicals, we make them less effective for situations where they could have been beneficial.
Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget

Common Products That Contain Triclosan

The other day, while brushing my teeth, I was idly reading the ingredients on my toothpaste tube, and what should I see? The second active ingredient, after fluoride, was triclosan! Of course, that got me curious about what else in my medicine cabinet contains triclosan, and a little bit of research was incredibly eye-opening. Here are some common personal care products that contain triclosan:

• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Pet shampoo
• Makeup
• Skin cleansers
• Dry shampoo
• Foot sprays and creams
• Bath soaks
• Mouthwash
• Hand sanitizers and soaps
• Shaving cream and shaving gel

Basically, this stuff is in everything. It’s often added to lengthen the products’ shelf life, so it could be in a product but not listed as an active ingredient.

Of course, not every brand of all of these products contains triclosan, and the best way to make sure you’re not putting this antimicrobial into your shopping basket and onto your body is to do some careful label-reading. Even products labeled as “natural” sometimes contain triclosan.

While keeping such a common ingredient out of the medicine cabinet might seem overwhelming, once you get into the habit of label-reading, it will start to become second nature. Who knew that activism could be as simple as reading through an ingredients list?

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by bsing

Do All EVA Foam Products Contain Toxic Formamide?

From The Soft Landing


I’m sure you’ve heard about the EU’s recent ban of EVA foam playmats related to the presence of formamide, a known carcinogenic chemical.  From what we can tell, EVA foam – not standard EVA sheet material – is the source of concern because formamide is sometimes used to make the foam more pliable.
Please note that I said sometimes.  It’s possible to locate formamide-free EVA foam, although many manufacturers don’t routinely check (or test) for it yet.  We recently investigated a new product to stock in our store and the manufacturer was able to confirm with their factory that a small amount of formamide was present in their products.  We were impressed with their decision to locate a new EVA foam source to ensure the safest product possible.

There is still some grey area surrounding this issue, because the EU hasn’t determined exactly what levels are considered safe in children’s products. It was noted though, that new mats have the highest risk and formamide residue decreases over time, so older products may contain little or no formamide.

EVA is recommended by CHEJ as a PVC-free substitute, as well as by Healthcare without Harm for use in neonatal intensive care units in drug delivery devices.  The great thing about EVA is that it doesn’t require the addition of plasticizers/softeners (like phthalates), stabilizers (like lead), or chlorine (which leads to the generation of dioxin, a highly persistent carcinogen).

Just be careful to research EVA foam products before buying, contacting manufacturers to confirm that their products are formamide-free.

Catamount Glass Popcorn Popper

from Safe Mama

We wrote here before about microwave popcorn.  I know, I know… always the bearer of bad news. I’m settled in my role of letting you know things that cause you cancer.  I’ll gladly be the messenger that everyone wants to shoot. Anyway, as we wrote back in 2008 (wow time flies), microwave popcorn is many things besides delicious.  The liner of microwave popcorn bags are lined with a coating that is known to break down into a substance known as PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic. (Say it with me… greeeeeat.)  This was a blow for me.  I love my nightly popcorn ritual.



My friends at MightyNest have just announced their brand spanking new Kitchen Essentials section which provides the safest options for cooking and serving.  From aluminum free muffin pans to silicone spatulas, they have you covered.  Luck would have it that they now carrying a glass popcorn popper by Catamount.  It sounds pretty genius and no pesky carcinogenic chemicals screwing up your popcorn.  To use it you simply pour your kernels into the container, place your butter (if you like) in the silicone melting lid, and microwave for 2 minutes and 45 seconds. That’s it. Easy peasy.  What’s even cooler is that as the butter melts, it drips down through the lid and coats your popcorn for you, while its popping. I totally need this thing.  It’s made of borosilicate (laboratory glass) and is dishwasher safe.  How cool. And guess what? I’m giving one away to one lucky reader.  (You are lucky… even I don’t have one of these yet. )

The Potency of Potassium: Why Your Kids Need it and Where to Find it

from Super Healthy Kids

While many different food products and parenting magazines will stress the importance of well-balanced meals for your kids that include vitamins X, Y, and Z, one nutrient that often gets left out of the mix is potassium. While most healthy individuals have sufficient levels of potassium in their bodies, this can only occurs if an individual is regularly eating healthy foods. Potassium deficiency in children can lead to many diseases and conditions that are common to adults, like hypertension, heart disease, weight gain, and depression. A common symptom of potassium deficiency is fatigue. To keep potassium at the recommended levels here are a few foods that are delicious and kid friendly.

1. Bananas

Bananas are one of the best and most well-known sources of potassium, and kids can’t seem to get enough of them! A great combination that children find particularly delightful is peanut butter and banana, but you can also slice it up and throw it in virtually anything—from cereal to smoothies, to even the occasional ice cream, turning a treat into something somewhat healthy.

2. Baked and Sweet Potatoes

Both baked potatoes and sweet potatoesare vegetables that kids in particular enjoy, and they are both loaded with potassium. Instead of feeding your children grease-laden French fries, try slicing both baked sweet and regular potatoes, salting them lightly, and serving with a healthy fresh salsa instead of ketchup.

3. Carrots

Although carrots were never my personal favorite when I was growing up, I did find them palatable when combined with a dipping sauce. While ranch dressing isn’t the healthiest thing, kids can’t stop with this one dressing, so think of ways to make it healthier. Some grocery stores stock a yogurt-based ranch dressing, with a fourth of the fat and calories. What’s more, yogurt happens to be a great source of potassium, too!

4. Vitamin supplements

Many doctors stress the fact that potassium levels should be adequate with a healthy diet, and a vitamin supplement should only be used to, well, supplement, real food. Some children, however, may have a specific deficiency in potassium for some reason or another, which may require additional supplements. The only way you can actually find out about this deficiency is to talk to your pediatrician, who can recommend certain blood tests to discovery any inadequacies in diet.
While the foods listed above are some popular sources of potassium, pretty much every healthy food item will have a certain amount. Again, the most important thing to keep potassium levels adequate is to make sure you vary your child’s balanced diet as much as possible, to keep eating fun and healthy! For more information about potassium rich foods, check out this resource.


Author Bio:
This guest post is contributed by Leslie Johnson, who writes about health, green living, parenting related articles at masters in health administration

Substitute Dessert with Sweet Oaty Bites

from Super Healthy Kids



If anyone can have a freak accident, it’s Erica. She’s like a magnet for strange injury.  Yesterday, minding her own business, she was standing at a fence watching Nate’s baseball game.  Suddenly she turned, and her face hit a garbage can so hard she completely split her lip open.  There was blood everywhere!  Soaked through her sleeve as she tried to hold it together.  I couldn’t help but wonder how she didn’t realize the garbage can was there?  Anyway, she’s going to have a fat lip this morning!  I guess everyone has to have that kid that could run into a telephone pole on a wide open street. She’s that kid in our family.

On to our letter-O experiments!  Delightfully easy, gluten free, non-fat, and super good; your kids will love these little oatmeal cookies.  If your kids like granola bars, they’ll certainly enjoy this treat.

Sweet Oatie Recipe

• 2 cups oats (any variety)
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped or diced almonds
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 egg whites
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. In small bowl combine egg whites and vanilla.  Whip with a fork for about 10 seconds.  Add the egg whites to the dry ingredients.  Form balls with dough and place on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes, or until bottoms begin to turn brown.

SmartMom Teething Bling

I swear moms are the most ingenious people out there!  Yet another fabulous product created by moms Kendra and Amy in 2002…the SmartMom Teething Bling.  If you haven’t seen moms around town or celebrity moms wearing these, you probably don’t need to look very hard.  They are super popular!

This adorable pendant is not only fashionable but it’s also a teething toy for your little one!  How many times have you been standing in line, sitting on an airplane, sitting in church, or any place else with your baby when she wanted something to chew on?  Instead of your hair, your keys, your cell phone, or their hands (which have been who knows where), you can just let them chew away on your necklace!  How convenient is that?!?

SmartMom uses only the highest-quality, phthalate-free, federally approved silicone in our Teething Bling® line. The material is non-toxic, latex-free, food–safe, even dishwasher-friendly! It is the same silicone used in many other popular teething products and SGS test reports are available upon request. Although they stress that this is adult jewelry not intended for children to wear, all of their pendants come with a breakaway clasp as an added safety feature.

I have to confess.  SmartMom was so sweet to send me a Teething Bling to try out and even though my son is well past the teething stage I’ve been wearing my Bling all the time!  It seems to be the perfect accessory for my summer dresses. :)  I love it!
And as if cute, stylish, and convenient aren’t enough, in honor of the many mothers and children who inspire daily, SmartMom donates from their profits to these worthy organizations:
http://www.curesearch.org
http://www.dressforsuccess.org
(in special memory of Maria Jankowski Maurer)

SmartMom has expanded their product line to include coordinating bangle bracelets and other fun items like Shakespeare quoted onesies and tween bling for older kids.  Check it all out at www.smartmomjewelry.com!

All About Baby Event in Charlotte!

Prenatal or postnatal in Charlotte?  Come one, come all to an incredible baby event that is ALL ABOUT BABY!


The first 50 moms to register get an incredible BABY BOOT BAG filled with goodies from all our sponsors, so sign up today!

Foods Can Actually Help Fight Sun Damage

from A Milky Way blog

We all have heard the phrase, beauty begins on the inside. But did you know you can actually decrease the risk of sunburn by loading up on fruits and veggies and other nutrient rich foods? It’s true!

The foods you choose to eat can significantly enhance your skin’s ability to protect itself from environmental damage, including sunburn. An organic, antioxidant rich diet that is filled with brightly colored, nutrient rich foods gives the skin cells an added measure of protection against free radicals.

What are free radicals? Simply put, it is a molecule that “steals” an electron from an oxygen molecule, destabilizing that molecule – which then seeks out an electron from a neighboring stable molecule causing a chain reaction called “oxidizing.” You’ve probably seen evidence of oxidization; its called rust when you see it on metal surfaces and it certainly isn’t something you want to encourage happening in your body. Science has linked free radical damage to DNA destruction and mutation, the aging process and a host of chronic health conditions. Antioxidants are valuable nutrients that neutralize this process…stop it in its tracks on a molecular and cellular level. You probably recognize most of them:

• Vitamins A including beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein
• Vitamins C and E
• Minerals Zinc and Selenium
• EFAs a.k.a. Essential Fatty Acids or Omega 3s
• Flavanoids such as pycnogenol, grape seed extract
• Polyphenols from aromatic spices such as curcumin (found in curry)

Antioxidants are abundantly available in fresh fruits and vegetables and they work wonders to protect the health of skin and can help it heal more quickly. Organic fruits and veggies have an estimated 30% more antioxidant power and nutritional value than conventionally grown counterparts. Keeping your diet loaded with antioxidant-rich foods – primarily from raw fruits and vegetables – can boost the skin’s resistance to sunburn by up to 30-40 percent in some cases.

This doesn’t mean you should go without sunscreen. But in the ongoing effort to achieve balance between free radical damage and important Vitamin D production (both require exposure to UV rays), it is good to know you have other options. While UV exposure is the most efficient way for the body to get the Vitamin D it needs, there are dietary sources including fortified milk and butter, oils, wild tuna/salmon, and sprouted seeds.
But, let’s say you blow it and you and the kids get sunburned. That same antioxidant-rich diet – with a few additions – can help speed healing. A few things to look out for:

• The phytochemicals from brightly colored fruits and vegetables (think blueberries and bell peppers – yum!) help prevent infection and boost healing, providing protection from burns. I know when I’m hot – cool, crunchy and sweet really feel and taste great.
• L-Cysteine is an amino acid found in high protein foods and garlic, broccoli and wheat germ promotes healing of burns.
• Of course, hydration is key. And with a particularly bad burn you will want to look for those with some sodium and potassium and both are lost with your body’s effort to cool itself on overdrive.
• Don’t go crazy, but add a few extra calories to your diet; your body needs the extra energy while it heals itself.

Something else to be aware of in preventing sunburn: Some prescription drugs can make the skin more susceptible to sunburn including: antibiotics, antidepressants, diuretics, antihistamines, sedatives, estrogen and acne medications (e.g., retinoic acid). If you are planning a sun-filled vacation, it is important to ask your pharmacist if any of your family’s medications have photosensitivity as a side effect.

Reprinted from Episencial.com, a leader in healthy and eco-friendly baby skin care products. Episencial features art by Eric Carle, not only a great artist and kid's book author but a great philanthropist for children's causes. Their products are organic, manufactured using solar energy and contain none of those bad things for the skin or the environment like additives, parabens or petroleum. Made in the USA of recycled bottle material.

Their skincare line which was developed for infants and children but which is good for everyone from 0 to 150 years old includes:

*Sunny Sunscreen SPF35 - water-resistant protection for face and body
*Protective Face Balm - all-over relief for chapped skin & lips (SPF6)
*Sweet Dream Bubble Bath - long lasting gel concentrate
*Soothing Cream - for eczema, itch relief and bothered skin
*Playful Foaming Wash - hydrating hair and body cleanser
*Better Body Butter - silky soft hydrating lotion

“Delayed” Cord Clamping and Stem Cells – When to Cut the Cord?

from Dr. Greene



What if there were a simple, free, natural way to give your baby a bit better start on the first day of life:

• Improving blood counts now
• Reducing the chance of iron deficiency later
• Improving oxygen levels in the brain
• Reducing serious bacterial infections
• Stabilizing blood sugar levels
• Improving organ growth

A growing number of studies suggest that what we call “delayed” cord clamping might do all of the above, and more. Throughout almost all of human history, in all parts of the world, and throughout the world of mammals, the umbilical cord remains connected both to the baby and the placenta at least until the cord stops pulsing (sometimes longer). Usually this is 90 seconds to 3 minutes or so.

The idea of rushing to clamp and cut the cord within 20 seconds is a recent idea, so that professionals can take charge of and examine the baby right away. It’s not clear this practice is beneficial for healthy, stable babies.

At the moment of birth, perhaps 2/3 of a term baby’s blood is in the baby; 1/3 remains in the cord and placenta. For premature babies, it might be only half.

Waiting the extra seconds for what I prefer to call “normal” cord clamping rather than “rushed” cord clamping, gives the baby an extra supply of iron – a supply that can last for 6 full months – perhaps enough to prevent iron deficiency throughout the entire first year. I believe babies were originally designed to get iron from their mothers, not from fortified processed foods like white rice cereal.

A Natural Stem Cell Transplant
The extra blood the baby gets by what I call “normal” clamping isn’t just any blood – it’s once-in-a-lifetime, rich, umbilical cord blood, which is packed with an assortment of powerful stem cells. These stem cells are still migrating from the placenta into the baby at the birth moment.

Those who favor cord blood banking rush to clamp and cut the cord earlier, to prevent the valuable stem cells from going into the baby, so that instead they can whisk these stem cells away to be preserved in cold storage. This is better than just throwing the stem cells away.

I prefer going with the age-old natural process of letting these potent stem cells plant themselves in the baby as a last gift at birth, to grow within and carry out the purposes for which they were designed. Cutting edge science is just beginning to appreciate and understand the true value of this gift.

Alan Greene, MD, FAAP

Free dance classes and more this week!

A new dance studio has opened up in Plaza Midwood in Charlotte and they are offering FREE classes all this week!  Move Studio Charlotte caters to moms, expectant moms, and children!  It offers a FABULOUS Mommalates class (prenatal pilates) for new and soon-to-be mommas!  I have taken this mat class before from April (the owner) and it is wonderful.  It allowed me to stretch and move my big ol’ belly and body!  Without breaking a sweat you work every muscle to the point you just feel that nice soreness, not overworked and sore.  There is a lot of targeting of legs, hips, butt and things too which is just what I need right now!

Mommalates is offered this Wednesday at 6:30pm for FREE at Move Studio Charlotte (1111 Hawthorne Lane Suite 101,Charlotte, NC 28205).  Other free classes this week include Pilates mat classes, yoga, swing dance, children’s movement, and adult contemporary jazz.  Be sure to check it out!

Going Green and Keeping Them Clean – Cloth Diapers

from livegreenmom.com



When I became a mom in 2001 I didn’t even think twice, it was disposable diapers all the way. I was tired and overwhelmed like any new mom and wouldn’t even consider anything that didn’t make life easier in some way. I wish I had seen past all that and looked at the bigger picture. Disposable diapers are going to be sitting in our landfills longer than than you and I will walk the earth. Check out these diaper facts for the real lowdown on why cloth diapers should be explored for your baby’s bum.

Today we have a guest post from Amara Sparacino with some tips on cleaning your cloth diapers effectively. Thanks Amara!
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Going Green and Staying Clean with Cloth Diapers
Diapers are not something to be tossed around lightly. The average little one, in its first year of life goes through more than 2,500 diapers. Wow.

So, you’ve decided to help your baby and the environment by using cloth diapers. Maybe you want to avoid using the chemicals usually associated with disposables. There are lots of good reasons to go with cloth, your baby’s bottom will likely appreciate it, and you won’t suffer from images of landfills and diaper mountains dancing in your head.

It’s a big job. But wait – how do you actually clean cloth diapers correctly?

As you know, it means more responsibility. Untreated cloth diapers need to be changed more frequently than disposables. And it is that issue alone that probably explains why some people stay with disposable diapers for convenience. But washing cloth is not rocket science. And let’s face it, it’s been practiced for just about forever.

Start With the Basics
There are two basic and popular storing methods for cloth diapers: wet pail and dry pail. Let’s talk about the advantages and disadvantages of both.

With a wet pail, diapers are stored in water (and normally baking soda) before washing. Many people prefer the dry pail method however because of the odor from stagnate water and the process of emptying it. Pails can be uncovered or covered and odors are controlled through a sprinkle of baking soda.

Another good idea: place a deodorant disc at the bottom of your pail. And for dirty diaper bags that feature a small piece of fabric sewn into the inside seam, you can use a few drops of an essential oil. Consider Tee Tree and/or Lavender oils to help disguise those pungent odors that may be tougher to deal with.

Washing and Drying
One of the most recognized of the green detergents available is Mountain Green. It contains no enzymes, softeners, dyes, brighteners, or fragrances (in the Free and Clear version). Numerous other detergents are also known for their “greenness”, and they include: Allens Naturally, Arm & Hammer Essentials Free; Bio-Kleen; Maggie’s Soap Nuts; as well as Sun and Earth. Some moms swear by the Smart Klean Laundry Ball because it’s chemical free, non-toxic hypoallergenic and soap less, and effectively sanitizes. It works best with smaller loads and utilizes natural ceramics to clean fabrics. There are knock offs of the SmartKlean Ball that are less effective, so keep your eyes out. (Extra tip: add fine sea salt and vinegar for a boost in cleaning power).

In general, diapers should be washed through two cycles: 1) COLD/COLD or a COLD rinse or soak, and 2) HOT/COLD wash. Skipping the first COLD/COLD cycle will likely result in more stains, which is why it is necessary to prepare the diapers for the HOT water cleaning. Many odor problems are resolved with no more than 2 to 3 drops of Tea Tree or Lavender essential oils.

Avoid washing no more than two-dozen diapers at one time. This will prevent piling from friction in your machine.

Make sure your rinse water is free of bubbles, and keep in mind that cycles can be repeated to deal with persistent odors and/or stains. Just put the freshly washed diapers either in the dryer (on HOT for an hour to 90 minutes) or in the sun to finish. Heat from the dryer or sun will effectively sanitize the diapers so they will be up to snuff for your baby’s darling derriere. And while your wee one may not thank you for the effort, the peace of mind that comes from taking such care is priceless.

Amara Sparacino is a mom of an 11 month old baby girl (who goes through way more diapers than she ever imagined possible!) She works with her brother on WashingMachines.net a website that helps people who are searching for a washing machine find information about every machine available – allowing them to compare costs, efficiency ratings and check out reviews so they can find the best washing machine for their home.