Natural Baby Wipes

The options for natural and organic baby wipes is beginning to expand, which is fabulous.  I’ve noticed a huge difference when I used traditional wipes on my son’s bottom with the rashes he would get.  Here are two great new natural alternatives:

ELEMENTS NATURALS 100% NATURAL & COMPOSTABLE BABY WIPES


These wipes are thick and soft and made from 100% plant derived ingredients.  Available on Amazon.
BABYGANICS THICK N’ KLEEN WIPES



If you haven’t checked out BabyGanics yet you should!  Not only do they make a fabulous line of cleaning products that are safe for baby and clean your home wonderfully, they also make these amazing natural wipes in Ultra Sensitive and Cream Infused varieties.  And on Amazon you get such a deal (as low as $13.29 for 400 wipes with their subscribe and save program)!

Available on Amazon and at Buy Buy Baby.

Color Me Safely: Hair Dyes In Pregnancy

by Michele Brown OB/GYN of Beaute de Maman

When it comes to your own personal grooming, is there anything more satisfying than being crowned with a head of thick, shining hair? Do you divide your life into good hair days and bad ones? Does a bad hair day leave you depressed and lethargic while a good one propels you through glass ceilings. Guess what? You are not alone! According to Hoovers® there are about 65,000 hair care salons in the United States with combined annual sales of about $19 billion! A small portion of these sales are for hair cuts, but most of this money is spent on… hair color. If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or if you have a job in one of these salons, please read the following carefully. Over 20 million Americans, mostly women, are exposed to hair dyes each year... The answers to these questions are very important to all pregnant women: Do different types of hair dyes present different levels of risk? Which hair dye chemicals raise concerns in pregnancy? How does exposure to the fetus occur when a pregnant woman uses hair dyes? What type of toxicities have been described in pregnancy? Get the facts about the risks of hair dyes and how to minimize them... Be sure to try our Beauté de Maman Clear Skin Combo for Pregnancy. Our soothing blend of ingredients are safe and effective for pregnancy related skin issues. Try it now Beauté de Maman is now being sold at drugstore.com as well as many other fine retailers around the globe.

Kraft Confesses: “We Use Genetically Engineered Bovine Growth Hormone”

from Friends Eat



According to the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), a non-profit grassroots organization campaigning for health, and the exploration of crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, and genetic engineering, Kraft has admitted to using milk from rBST and rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormones) supplemented cow herds. Another food manufacturer that admits using GMOs is Kellogg’s.

These genetically modified bovine growth hormones were developed by Monsanto and are now marketed by Eli Lilly. Recombinant bovine growth hormone has been a staple in the dairy products consumed by Americans for over a decade. But since these products are not labeled, consumers have no knowledge that the growth hormone is included and unidentified in milk, cheese, and yogurt.




What is Artificial Growth Hormone
Bovine somatotropin or BST, and bovine growth hormone, or BGH, are hormones that naturally occur in cattle. Using recombinant (a cell or organism in which genetic recombination has occurred) DNA technology, the hormones have been synthesized to create artificial growth hormones rBST and rBGH. Both are a genetically engineered variations on the naturally occurring hormones in cattle.
The artificial growth hormones are then injected into cows to increase milk production. Monsanto first developed the technology and marketed it as “Posilac”, which is now owned by Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly.



All 27 countries of the European Union, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia have banned artificial growth hormone’s use in milk for human consumption. The U.S. and Brazil are the only two countries that allow its use.

In 1993, when the FDA wrote the labeling guidelines for rBGH/rBST, our Food Safety Czar Michael Taylor — former Monsanto Vice President for Public Policy — was in charge as Deputy Commissioner for Policy with the FDA.

Taylor crafted the FDA’s GMO friendly policy while serving as the FDA’s Deputy commissioner. It was Taylor who wrote the FDA’s guidelines on recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), banning dairies from labeling their milk “rBGH Free“, despite opposition from scientists, farmers and consumers.
Monsanto initiated propaganda campaigns in 14 states to restrict dairies from labeling their products rBGH-free.




Health Hazards
The FDA’s claim that there is no compositional difference between milk from rbGH-treated and untreated cows was challenged by the Court of Appeals who said there is a“compositional difference” between milk from cows given growth hormones and those without, and cited three reasons why the milk differs:
1. Increased levels of the hormone IGF-1,
2. A period of milk with lower nutritional quality during each lactation, and
3. Increased somatic cell counts (i.e. more pus in the milk).



As far back as 1996, the Cancer Prevention Coalition released a study that concluded milk from cows injected with recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) increases risks of breast and colon cancers in humans. This study was published in the International Journal of Health Services, a peer-reviewed, leading international public health journal.

“The study summarizes evidence that rBGH increases levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in milk. IGF-1 is a powerful stimulator and regulator of cell-growth and division in humans and cows. The study concluded that increased IGF-1 levels are risk factors for breast and colon cancer.”

The author of the report, Samuel Epstein M.D., Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health and then Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, said “The FDA and Monsanto have a lot to answer for. Given the cancer risks, and other health concerns, why is rBGH milk still on the market?”

The Cancer Prevention Coalition, a nationwide coalition of leading independent experts in cancer prevention and public health, also claims that IGF-1 is likely to increase the risk of specific kinds of cancer:



“It is highly likely that IGF-1 promotes transformation of normal breast cells to breast cancers. In addition, IGF-1 maintains the malignancy of human breast cancer cells, including their invasiveness and ability to spread to distant organs. (Increased levels of IGF-1 have similarly been associated with colon and prostate cancers.) The prenatal and infant breast is particularly susceptible to hormonal influences. Such imprinting by IGF-1 may increase future breast cancer risks, and may also increase the sensitivity of the breast to subsequent unrelated risks such as mammography and the carcinogenic and estrogen-like effects of pesticide residues in food, particularly in pre-menopausal women.”

According to Sustainable Table, a nonprofit organization designed to help consumers understand the problems with our food supply, before Monsanto’s artificial growth hormone was released, the FDA relied solely on a study done by Monsanto in which rBGH was tested for 90 days on 30 rats. The study was never published, and the FDA claimed the results showed no significant problems.

But a “review by the Canadian health agency on rBGH found the 90 day study showed a significant number of issues which should have triggered a full review by the FDA.”

Fitness Apparel for Your Belly

Check out this cute site I found, www.fortwofitness.com, that makes these sassy workout tanks ($40).  They are made from a soft, moisture-wicking fabric and the ruched racerbacks feature elastic sides that will accommodate a growing belly and flatter your figure.  Super cute!  I think my favorite is the one that says “I Need a Nap”…because I really do!

Hurray it’s a giveaway! Pirose Fashion Scarves and Nursing Covers

A stylish and innovative nursing scarf with endless fashion potential!



Pirose, by Reno Rose, is a mom created and invented absolutely gorgeous lightweight nursing cover that you would never know is a nursing cover (they are far too pretty), AND they are much more than just a nursing cover.  The Pirose also can be used as a scarf, shawl, head band and stroller or purse accessory.  Talk about multi-tasking!  We love this!



I met the creators of this product (an adorable couple) at the ABC Kids Expo in Vegas and they were kind enough to ship me a couple of their Pirose covers to try.  The shawls are even more beautiful in person when I put them on!  Something else I was really excited about when I opened the box was that I discovered each shawl comes with it’s own matching fabric carrying bag.  The bag is just about the size of a 4x6 photo and the whole lightweight shawl fits inside perfectly!  What a fabulous way to carry around your nursing cover that often gets crumpled and lost in the bottom of a diaper bag.

Another thing that amazed me about these shawls was the many ways you can wear them.  They are cut with a bias cut that allows for many fashionable ways to wear them.

These fabulous scarves/shawls/nursing covers can be found in a few select stores, but sadly none in Charlotte.  You can view and order their entire collection online at renorose.com

The Pirose comes in two styles – the nursing styles have a heavier pattern and are less see-through, while the fashion styles have some lighter patterns and are perfect for dressing up any outfit.  You can truly buy any of the shawls for nursing or fashion however.  The company does suggest that you buy a medium or large size for nursing (for more coverage).

Enter to Win!
For your chance to win a Pirose shawl/nursing cover in the style and color of your choice, simply send an email to abby@littlemiraclesbabyplanning.com with your name, style and size preference.  Make sure you check out their website at www.renorose.com to check out their whole collection!  If you become a friend or follow Reno Rose on Facebook or Twitter you will get up to two extra entries!  Just let me know in your email.  Contest ends Friday, March 11th.

What’s That Smell? Toxic Toys R Us

from Safe Mama



Toxic Toys R Us is a project developed by a collection of environmental justice organizations, consumer advocates, public health professionals, parents, children’s health activists, and workers. They are trying to raise awareness regarding toys sold at Toys R Us that still contain toxic PVC.  They use the term “contamination” to describe it and I think it’s the best way to say it.  Contamination.

Even though Toys R Us and other large chains have made promises to the public in the past to reduce the toxic chemicals in today’s toys, new tests are showing that many toys sold at Toys R Us, including newly released toys prime for the holiday shopping frenzy contain PVC.  The toxins off gassed from PVC during it’s lifetime are linked to a bevy of aliments and diseases like childrens asthma, learning disabilities, obesity and even cancer.  Come on Toys R Us…

Toxic Toys R Us is going to highlight a Toxic Toy of the Week to demonstrate that the toys that might show up under your tree this year could contain PVC.  Toy Story Barbie is the toy of this week and she tested positive for PVC in her hair. Sheesh.  This is a great organization to watch and support.  Visit ToxicToysRus.com to learn more about what they’re doing to protect our children from PVC in toys.

Take Action: Even better join the campaign and write to your elected officials.  Voices in numbers can make a difference.

Proposed school-lunch rules trade fries for veggies

Standards would be the first major nutritional overhaul of school meals in 15 years

from msnbc.com

WASHINGTON — School cafeterias would have to hold the fries — and serve kids more whole grains, fruits and vegetables — under the government's plans for the first major nutritional overhaul of students' meals in 15 years.

The Agriculture Department proposal announced Thursday applies to lunches subsidized by the federal government. The guidelines would require schools to cut sodium in those meals by more than half, use more whole grains and serve low-fat milk. They also would limit kids to only one cup of starchy vegetables a week, so schools couldn't offer french fries every day.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the new standards could affect more than 32 million children and are crucial because kids can consume as much as half of their daily calories in school.

"The United States is facing an obesity epidemic and the crisis of poor diets threatens the future of our children and our nation," Vilsack said Thursday.

While many schools are improving meals already, others are still serving children meals high in fat, salt and calories. The new guidelines are based on 2009 recommendations by the Institute of Medicine, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences.

The announcement comes just a few weeks after President Barack Obama signed into law a child nutrition bill that will help schools pay for the healthier foods, which often are more expensive.

The subsidized meals that would fall under the guidelines proposed this week are served as free and low-cost meals to low-income children and long have been subject to government nutrition standards. The new law for the first time will extend nutrition standards to other foods sold in schools that aren't subsidized by the federal government, including "a la carte" foods on the lunch line and snacks in vending machines. Those standards, while expected to be similar, will be written separately.

The announcement is a proposal, and it could be several years before the rules require schools to make changes.

The new USDA guidelines would:
     — Establish the first calorie limits for school meals.
     — Gradually reduce the amount of sodium in the meals over 10 years, with the eventual goal of reducing sodium by more than half.
     — Ban most trans fats.
     — Require more servings of fruits and vegetables.
     — Require all milk served to be low fat or nonfat, and require all flavored milks to be nonfat.
     — Incrementally increase the amount of whole grains required, eventually requiring most grains to be whole grains.
     — Improve school breakfasts by requiring schools to serve a grain and a protein, instead of one or the other.

Vilsack said the reduction in sodium will be gradual so school children can get used to less salty foods. He said the government wants the meals to be appealing so children will eat them.

"We are looking at ways these meals can be attractive and also be tasty," he said.

Some school groups have criticized efforts to make meals healthier, saying it will be hard for already-stretched schools to pay for the new requirements. Some conservatives, including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, have said that telling children what to eat is a case of government overreach.

Vilsack says he understands the new standards may pose some challenges for school districts, but he believes they are necessary. He compares obesity and related diseases like diabetes to a truck barreling toward a child, and the new guidelines to a parent teaching that child to look both ways before crossing the street.

"You want your kid to be able to walk across the street without getting hit," he says.

According to the USDA, about a third of children 6 to 19 years old are overweight or obese, and the number of obese children has tripled in the past few decades.

The Agriculture Department also is planning to release new dietary guidelines for the general public, possibly as soon as this month. Those guidelines, revised every five years, are similarly expected to encourage less sodium consumption and more grains, fruits and vegetables.

By Mary Clare Jalonick

updated 1/13/2011 1:50:30 PM ET