Feb

25

Ready to Serve Soup in BPA free containers

Filed Under product finds, Product Reviews | 8 Comments

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    I don’t know about you, but with this winter being particularly harsh and full of snow snow and more snow, I do miss a good hearty soup.   Because cans are lined with BPA, soup has been ousted from our house, that is until now.  My husband went grocery shopping last night and brought home some Dr. McDougall’s ready to serve soup, in cartons.   He noticed that they were in BPA free containers, which is why he picked them up (my husband, he is catching on.  Smart man, that one).   Most of the soups that come freeze dried in the cups, I don’t know if you’ve tried them, but yuck.  They lack in flavor, and are just not the same.   Of course, you could just make up a large batch of your favorite soup and freeze it, but if you’re pressed for time, or you don’t feel like making every single type of soup in existence to keep on hand, this is a really good alternative, and the taste, according to him, is pretty good.

    On top of the containers being BPA free, the soup is All Natural, unlike the preservative laden canned counter parts, and the containers are a nice size.   You could easily get 2-3 bowls of soup out of one container.    I’m glad that he spotted it when he did, because it looks as if winter is going to be here forever, and I am freezing!  Good Job, Mr. SafeMama!

    Get it: You may be able to find the new cartons in your local grocery store , or you can order it by the case directly from their website. (tip:  ask a friend if they want to split the cost with you so that you don’t have too much, and it’ll cut your cost as well).

    Feb

    24

    Kind Signs Stroller Signs!

    Filed Under product finds, Product Reviews | 2 Comments

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      Having a baby again, I had forgotten how much other people love babies. I cannot go to a store without people swooning and goo goo gah gah-ing at my handsome little guy. Not that I blame them. He is utterly adorable. And if I forget to put on his socks? People can’t resist coming up to touch his little piddies. I can’t keep my hands off his feet either. But I’d rather not have strangers touching my baby when I’m out and about. That sounds like I’m a grump. But in reality, there’s germs, illnesses, flu’s and all kinds of icky things he isn’t immune to that could be lurking on the kind hand of a stranger in the produce aisle. I’m also the type of person who has trouble asserting myself in situations where I’m uncomfortable.

      I found MamaBears.com one day surfing the Internet and I was so excited to find their adorable Kind Signs. Kind Signs are a silicone “sign” that says “Your Germs Are Too Big For Me, Please Don’t Touch”. You can hang them on your stroller, carrier, shopping cart, cribs, diaper bag or anywhere your little cutie is sitting to gently let people know you’d rather they not touch your baby. Each sign is large enough for people to read easily and is a nice way of saying “hands off”. The signs are made of silicone which is BPA, PVC and Phthalate free so if baby happens to get his mitts on it’s not the end of the world.

      They come in Orange, Blue or Pink and are only about 8 bucks. I keep mine in my diaper bag so I can easily whip it out while I’m out shopping with my little man. I’ve not had any trouble with strangers touching him since (but we still get the goo goo gah gah’s) and I’m a happier mom for it.

      GET IT: You can order your own Kind Sign from MamBears.com!

      Feb

      21

      A Little SafeMama Reader Survey

      Filed Under Website News | Comments Off

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        Here at SafeMama.com I am constantly trying to improve our site to best serve our readers.  In order to do so, I could use a little information about who is reading!  If you would be so kind as to take our little anonymous survey I would be so grateful!

        What is your highest level of education?

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        Thanks for your help!

        Feb

        15

        Review: Sun and Earth Products and Giveaway

        Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, Product Reviews | 76 Comments

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          If there’s one thing that I love, when it comes to cleaning products, it’s options.  If there’s another thing that I love, in regards to cleaning products, it’s local.   And I’m lucky enough to have both in my area.  I’ve long seen Sun and Earth products on my local store shelves.  I had no idea that they were made right here in my area!  Sun and Earth has been in the business for more than 20 years, making healthier cleaning products.  To me, that’s a testament that they’re doing something right, and were trendy before green was “cool“.   They make a huge array of products, from dish soap, to laundry detergent, and they’re all made with vegetable and fruit derived surfactants.  All of their products are free from chlorine, dyes, perfumes, petroleum and phosphates.

          Sun and Earth was nice enough to provide me with a couple of samples of their cleaning products to try out.   One was the dish soap.  I feel as if I spend my life washing bottles, so I go through A LOT of dish soap.  One of the issues I have with a lot of soaps, even the natural ones, is that they’re scented.  This annoys me, because scents do tend to leave residues, no matter how well you rinse.  I think I also have very hard water, so this could also be my problem.  Anyway, I notice the taste of detergents on my dishes, be it from the dishwasher, or just hand washing, and if I can taste it, I’m sure that my daughter can probably taste it when she drinks a bottle.   The dish soap had a very very mild orange smell (they use orange oil), but it wasn’t overly powering.  In fact, it was hard for me to tell.   It suds up rather nicely and cleaned without leaving a residue.   You can get either a regular variety or a concentrated variety.  Anything in concentrated form, is a bonus for me.  Especially given how fast I go through it.

          The other product that I tried was the all purpose cleaner.  I have to say, I’m kind of on the fence about this cleaner.  And I can’t really say that it’s my favorite.  It cleaned well enough.  It has a VERY strong orange smell, which I don’t mind, actually.  I personally love it, but my husband has a nose like a basset hound and citrus smells aren’t his favorite.   I personally liked that it helped get rid of the “stale dog” smell I feel follows me around.  Probably doesn’t help that I have stale stinky dogs following me around.   The other thing I had a hard time with, was that the spray itself resembles watered down orange juice.  I had a hard time getting passed this.   Maybe if it was clear.  I don’t know.  I just felt as if I washing my counters with orange juice.    I think that’s my only beef with the all purpose cleaner.

          Overall, it’s a great product line, and also very forgiving on the wallet, which right now, given how much laundry I do in a week (it’s kind of sickening, really), is an added bonus.

          And now onto your added bonus, the giveaway:

          Sun and Earth was kind enough to provide us with a very generous giveaway, which includes:

          • 1 50 oz 2x concentrated laundry detergent
          • 1 50 oz 2x concentrated free and clear laundry detergent
          • 1 box (80 count) unscented fabric softener dryer sheets
          • 1 40 oz ultra fabric softener liquid (for those of you looking for the smell of fresh clean laundry, this would be your product!)
          • 1 50 oz deep cleaning laundry detergent
          • 1 on the spot instant stain remover pen

          Also, in addition to this grand prize giveaway, Sun and Earth are offering two $10 gift cards, redeemable at alice.com!!!

          To Enter:

          Visit SunandEarth.com.  Simply leave a comment in the comments section telling us what your favorite product is.

          For extra entries to win:

          1. Join our Facebook Group
          2. Follow SafeMama on Twitter: @SafeMama
          3. Tweet this entry:   Enter to win Sun and Earth Laundry Products on @SafeMama http://tinyurl.com/yl7utve
          4. Add our button to your website or blog and let us know in a comment below!

          Please be sure to leave separate comments for each one, so that we can count your extra entries!

          Please leave separate comments for each one, so that we can include them as your additional entries.   Contest open to US residents only.  Contest ends Feb 22nd at 11:59PM.

          Congratulations to the following winners:

          Aimee – Winner of the grand prize, laundry detergent galore!

          NJJ – Winner of a $10 gift certificate to alice.com

          Sarah – Winner of a $10 gift certificate to alice.com

          please email me statia at safemama dot com with your contact info so that we can get your prizes out to you.

          Thanks to Sun and Earth for the giveaway and thanks to all of the SafeMama readers for entering.

          Get it: You can purchase Sun and Earth products at Sun and Earth’s website, or at Alice.com

          Feb

          12

          Clearing the Air: Germ Guardian Review and Safer Air Cleaning Remedies

          Filed Under allergies, cleaning products, Healthy Home | 5 Comments

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            I had never thought much about cleaning the air in my home.  A long time ago I just masked any funkiness with air freshening sprays, carpet powders and candles.  Little did I know I was polluting the air in my house more by doing those things.  Since I’ve tried to eliminate toxic chemicals from my house, the air included I’ve adopted more effective practices.  And while I have no way to measure whether the air in my house is actually cleaner, I can rest a little easier knowing my attempts are safer.  Between two kids, dogs and a husband who trains for marathons (read: smelly workout gear), odors do turn up.  Here is my attack methods and a review of one air purifier I’ve been trying out.

            House Plants

            This seems like a silly and obvious tip, but apparently plants do a better job of cleaning and filtering the air than anything else.  Some of the best plants for removing toxins (like formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide) are Bamboo Palms, Chinese Evergreens, English Ivy and Gerber Daisies.  NASA ran some research tests and came up with a Top 10 list of house plants that clean the air.  Here is their comprehensive list:

            • Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifritzii
            • Chinese Evergreen - Aglaonema Modestum
            • English Ivy Hedera Helix
            • Gerbera Daisy Gerbera Jamesonii
            • Janet Craig - Dracaena “Janet Craig”
            • Marginata - Dracaena Marginata
            • Mass cane/Corn Plant - Dracaena Massangeana
            • Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Sansevieria Laurentii
            • Pot Mum – Chrysantheium morifolium
            • Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum
            • Warneckii - Dracaena “Warneckii”

            Fresh Air!

            Ever hear the term “stale air”? There is some truth to it! The more air tight your home is (which is typical of newer construction) the more opportunity dust, dust mites and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have to accumulate.   Drafty homes aren’t great for your heating bill but they are a little healthier in terms of air quality.  Not everyone can do this all the time (especially in the winter) but as soon as the opportunity arrives, open as many windows as possible to get some quality air flow through your house.   I try to do this when I am doing a big clean (which doesn’t happen often enough around here) so help move the air through the house.

            Air Purifiers with HEPA Filters

            At first, I started using these in my sons room to create some white noise while he slept… our house was quite small at the time and it seemed to drown out any noise going on in other areas.  But it also served as a way to clean the air he was sleeping in.  Since I had to clean the filters and screens monthly I can only assume that gunk was pulled out of the air.  Ew. What I didn’t realize was that it was important to use an air purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to aid in removing allergens and blocking tiny particles which can irritate airways or cause an allergic reactions.

            I had the opportunity to try out an air purifier from Germ Guardian, UV-C and True HEPA Air Cleansing System.  In addition to the HEPA filter it also has a UV-C light to kill common germs and bacteria, kills airborne mold spores and fights odors (like the diaper pail perhaps?). It has a quiet and powerful fan system, which makes good white noise… no rattling or knocking noises.  It’s really made well and comes apart easily for cleaning.  This is an especially perfect unit for those of us who haven’t invested in a HEPA house filter yet.

            Permanent Solutions / Tips

            • Choose Low or No-VOC paints
            • Choose carpets made of natural fibers like wool
            • Choose natural and/or untreated materials when selecting furniture
            • Dust often and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter
            • Use HEPA filters on your HVAC
            • Have forced air systems cleaned and sealed
            • Use soy candles – they create less soot
            • Skip the toxic cleaners!

            Have another tip? Let us know!

            Browse > Home / Technology / NASA Study House Plants Clean Air

            NASA Study House Plants Clean Air

            Common indoor plants may provide a valuable weapon in the fight against rising levels of indoor air pollution. Those plants in your office or home are not only decorative, but NASA scientists are finding them to be surprisingly useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings.

            NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have announced the findings of a 2-year study that suggest a sophisticated pollution-absorbing device: the common indoor plant may provide a natural way of helping combat “SICK BUILDING SYNDROME”.

            Research into the use of biological processes as a means of solving environmental problems, both on Earth and in space habitats, has been carried out for many years by Dr. Bill Wolverton, formerly a senior research scientist at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.

            Based on preliminary evaluations of the use of common indoor plants for indoor air purification and revitalization, ALCA joined NASA to fund a study using about a dozen popular varieties of ornamental plants to determine their effectiveness in removing several key pollutants associated with indoor air pollution. NASA research on indoor plants has found that living plants are so efficient at absorbing contaminants in the air that some will be launched into space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations.

            golden pothos excellent in cleaning indoor air

            While more research is needed, Wolverton says the study has shown that common indoor landscaping plants can remove certain pollutants from the indoor environment. “We feel that future results will provide an even stronger argument that common indoor landscaping plants can be a very effective part of a system used to provide pollution free homes and work places, ” he concludes.

            Each plant type was placed in sealed, Plexiglas chambers in which chemicals were injected. Philodendron, spider plant and the golden pothos were labeled the most effective in removing formaldehyde molecules. Flowering plants such as gerbera daisy and chrysanthemums were rated superior in removing benzene from the chamber atmosphere. Other good performers are Dracaena Massangeana, Spathiphyllum, and Golden Pothos. “Plants take substances out of the air through the tiny openings in their leaves,” Wolverton said. “But research in our laboratories has determined that plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria are all important in removing trace levels of toxic vapors”.

            “Combining nature with technology can increase the effectiveness of plants in removing air pollutants,” he said. “A living air cleaner is created by combining activated carbon and a fan with a potted plant. The roots of the plant grow right in the carbon and slowly degrade the chemicals absorbed there,” Wolverton explains.

            NASA Clean air study
            NASA Study shows common plants help reduce indoor air pollution….

            NASA research has consistently shown that living, green and flowering plants can remove several toxic chemicals from the air in building interiors. You can use plants in your home or office to improve the quality of the air to make it a more pleasant place to live and work – where people feel better, perform better, any enjoy life more.

            TOP 10 plants most effective in removing:
            Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Carbon Monoxide from the air

            Feb

            11

            Cheat Sheet: Natural Toothpaste & BPA Free Toothbrushes For Kids

            Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Bisphenol-A, Product Safety, PVC Free | 12 Comments

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              We get a lot of questions about toothpaste and fluoride and “my Dentist says my son needs fluoride drops”  here and I am still kind of wishy washy about fluoride.  Especially after having read the great articles on SAFBaby regarding Fluoride… it really makes you wonder whether it’s the best thing.  Whether you are anti or pro fluoride, you might also be concerned with the other ingredients in toothpaste such as: sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, artificial colors, and triclosan. Here’s a quickie Cheat Sheet based on the natural toothpastes for kids we have tried or know of that are free of the ingredients in question. I figured a new list of BPA Free toothbrushes was appropriate too.

              Last updated: April 13, 2011

              Natural Toothpastes

              • Weleda Tooth Gel (Fluoride Free) – Skin Deep Rating: 3
              • Kiss My Face Kids Toothpaste (Fluoride and Fluoride Free): Sweetened with Stevia – Skin Deep Rating: 3 (w/ Fluoride: 4)
              • Toms of Maine (Fluoride and Fluoride Free): NOTE: The only caveat with this one is that it  contains sodium lauryl sulfate so if that’s a problem for you skip it and try one of the other brands. – Skin Deep Rating: 3 (w/ Fluoride: 4)
              • Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste (Fluoride and Fluoride Free) – Skin Deep Rating: 1 (old formulation)
              • Green Beaver Natural Toothpaste (Fluoride Free) – Skin Deep Rating: 2
              • Jason Natural Cosmetics Orange Kids Only Toothpaste: (Fluoride and Fluoride Free)  Certified organic, wheat and gluten free – Skin Deep Rating: 2 (w/ Fluoride: N/A)
              • Natural Dentist (Fluoride and Fluoride Free) – Skin Deep: 4 – They only have a rating for the kids toothpaste with Fluoride
              • Miessence Organics Toothpaste (Fluoride Free) - Skin Deep Rating (0-1)
              • Toothsoap (Fluoride Free)
              • Dr. Nate’s Natural Toothpaste (Xylitol instead of Fluoride)

              (Note: It was just pointed out to me that some aluminum toothpaste tubes may contain BPA so depending on whether recyclable vs possible traces of BPA is your concern, you can make that call.

              Make Your Own

              Our friends at LuSa Organics (they make awesome soaps and body care… I live for their body scrubs) posted a great blog post and tutorial for making your own toothpaste.  Check it out:

              LuSa Organics Homemade Toothpaste

              • 2 tsp Natural Liquid Soap (try unscented Dr. Bronner’s or similar)
              • 4 Tb Coconut Oil
              • 1 Tb Water
              • 2 Tb Xylitol (optional)
              • 1/2 tsp Stevia powder
              • 10-20 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
              • 5-10 drops Spearmint or Sweet Orange Essential Oil

              Boil a small pan of water. Measure out 1 Tb and stir into it Xylitol (optional). Stir to dissolve. Melt coconut oil and add to water mixture. Measure in soap and stevia and blend (a stick blender works well if you have one. Otherwise use your regular blender or whisk by hand like mad).  Blend while the formula cools enough to stay combined. Add essential oils and transfer to a clean squeeze or pump bottle. Cool completely, shake well.

              Read their full post here… make sure to also check out their skincare items…. Looooove!

              BPA / PVC / Phthalate Free Toothbrushes

              Here’s a quick list of the toothbrushes we know of that are BPA and PVC free from our previous search for safer toothbrushes, FAQ: What’s In My Toddlers Toothbrush, along with a couple new ones.

              I *JUST* stumbled onto The Soft Landing’s safer toothbrush finds in their blog. (I should have known Alicia would be on top of this one!)  She says the following are all BPA/PVC/Phthalate Free too:

              Dental Sealants

              many people worry about BPA in dental sealants and it’s a real concern, especially for kids.  Our pediatric dentist uses UltraSeal XT Plus (Made by UltraDent Products. Inc.) which contains no BPA according to the company.  So if your dentist tells you it doesn’t exist, educate them or find a dentist that is up to speed on issues like BPA in dentistry.

              Feb

              10

              Baby Wearing: Baby Carrier Round-Up

              Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets! | 12 Comments

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                When we were preparing for the arrival of our son, three years ago, I never really got into the whole baby wearing thing.  It’s not that I didn’t want my baby close to me, I just didn’t realize that there were many options beyond the BabyBjorn-like carriers.  Being that he was my first, I didn’t mind carrying him around everywhere.

                When we found our our second was on her way,  I had read more about baby wearing and knew if I was going to get anything done with two kids, I’d have to look into options for carrying her around hands free.    I have two reviews included in this write up.  Both are carriers that I purchased.  I’ll also list other types of carriers as well.

                Baby wearing has tons of benefits, aside of letting you get things done, without having to put your fussy infant down.  It’s a great bonding tool for you and your baby as well.   Babies love the closeness of being snuggled up next to their mothers, especially newborns.   Babies who are worn, also tend to cry less, and in my experience, this may be true.  My son was horribly fussy for eight weeks.  Fussy, actually doesn’t begin to describe it.  He screamed every night for 3 hours.   Whether this is as a result of him not being worn, I’ll never really know, but my daughter, who I wore regularly, was more mellow.  That is of course, until you put her down, and even now, she’s still like that.  Hell hath no fury!   Baby wearing is also great for development.  Because they’re close t you, they’re more comfortable with absorbing their surroundings.  Of course, with attachment parenting, comes a longer streak of dependence on you.  However, studies show that they become independent at an earlier age.

                Finding the right carrier is crucial to making baby wearing work for you.   If you have a carrier that hurts your back, or is uncomfortable to wear, it’ll just make you more stressed and less likely to use it.

                Types of Carriers:

                Wraps: When I first got a Moby Wrap, I was overwhelmed.  It’s a bit of a learning curve,  putting on, but once it’s on, it’s insanely comfortable.  My daughter LOVED this carrier as a newborn, because she could sleep against my chest in the frog position for hours, and it never caused me any pain.   The drawback to this carrier, is that the fabric can be a little heavy for hot summer days.  However, if you were so inclined and handy, you could probably make one yourself in a stretchy muslin fabric and use it in the summer.  I, sadly, can’t even sew a button back on my pants.   For quicker use, put it on before you get in the car.  That way, when you arrive at your destination, you have it all ready to go, and all you have to do, is slip the baby in.    I don’t use it much right now, only because my daughter is a hefty 24lbs at 8 months.  At her age, I’m not quite ready to wear her on my back yet, but she’s getting a bit too heavy to use the wrap to wear her in the front. The Moby Wrap isn’t the only type of wrap carrier.  This is just the one I have.

                The Soft Structured Baby Carrier:  This is a type of soft structured carrier (another example would be the typical BabyBjorn).  I purchased the ERGO Baby Carrier prior to flying down to visit Kathy last October.   I knew with two kids, I wanted to streamline my travel process.  A light stroller for my son, and a carrier for the baby.  I knew it would be easier to carry her, and also less worry of people coming up with their germy hands and touching her.  It worked like a charm.  One of the other benefits of baby wearing.  People have to get in YOUR personal space to touch your baby, and are less likely to do so.   Bonus!   I have to say, this is probably the most comfortable carrier on the planet and super easy to put on (just two clips and you’re done).  Even at 24 pounds, my daughter is STILL super comfortable to wear.   My main beef with this, is that she can’t face out in front of me.  It’s either inward facing, or on the back.   So she gets a bit more impatient in it now than she used to, but it is still worth every penny.  It’s a lighter fabric and has plenty of ventilation, as well as a sun/rain cover for their head.   I recommend this carrier to everyone.

                Mei Tai Carrier: A mei tai carrier is kind of a cross between a wrap and an Ergo.  It’s generally a square piece of fabric with straps at the corners to tie together.  The result is versatility, with different wearing positions, your carrier has a longer life.   Mei tais have been used by Asian culture for years.  There are tons of WAHM’s making Mei Tai’s and if you’re able to sew, you can make your own.

                Ring Slings:  Ring slings are a great option for quick and easy adjustment.  These are more of a pouch type sling, with a ring that the fabric loops through for easy tightening.   You can wear your baby as an infant in a cradle position, or on your hip.   These are especially great for nursing in as well.   The only drawback with ring slings, is the rings themselves.  When choosing a ring sling, make sure the ring is well made and sturdy.   There have been cases where the rings break, which could cause your baby to fall.  SO be sure to choose one from a trusted company like:

                Pouch Slings:  Slings or “Pouches” are pretty similar to ring slings, just without the ring part of the sling.  These are nice because they come in sizes for a more specific fit.   They can be worn similarly to ring slings as well, and because they’re one piece, are relatively easy to get on and get a baby in quickly.   I’m not personally a fan of them when a baby gets heavier.  It doesn’t distribute weight very well, and you end up with sore shoulders (this may be because I’m already top heavy to begin with, so your mileage may vary).  But it is nice because it’s not bulky, and fits in a diaper bag easily, making it perfect for quick on the go trips.

                Structured Backpacks:  This is pretty self explanatory.  Backpack carriers, generally have a frame and are a bit bulkier.  They’re great for things like hiking or longer days where you might need more support and a child more comfort.   I know men tend to prefer these as they’re a bit more masculine looking.   Some of them are pretty swanky too.  With pockets for holding things as well as sun canopies for coverage from the elements.

                There are so many options for baby wearing, that there’s something out there for everyone.  I’m a little remiss that I didn’t find a lot of these options with my son.  My daughter loves being worn, and for me, I find that it’s so much easier when trying to wrangle a toddler.  Not to mention, it’s been great for keeping her warm during the winter.   There are even carrier covers, so that you don’t have to bundle them up in a heavy coat and take them in and out of a sling.   I find that if I steal my husband’s jacket, I can zip it up over both of us, and this works perfectly, but it’s nice to know that the option is there.

                Baby wearing tips:

                It’s easy to get frustrated when learning how to wear your baby.   Follow some of these tips and you’ll be a pro in no time:

                • Practice practice practice.  Practice with stuffed animals before your baby is born.  Practice around the house when your baby is born.   The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
                • Read the instruction manual.  As with any baby gear, reading the manual is essential.  You not only want to get the most out of your baby wearing apparatus, but you want your baby to be safe.
                • Check on your baby often.  If you’re wearing your baby in a cradle hold, make sure their they have sufficient air flow.  Also make sure their heads are tilted back enough to allow easy breathing.
                • Invest in a good carrier.   You want something that is going to be comfortable to wear, otherwise, you’re going to end up ditching the idea, more often than not.   If your carrier is comfortable, you won’t notice that you’ve got a baby attached to the front of you.  Unless of course, they punch you in the nose, or grab your hair.
                • Invest in a few carriers.   Depending on your activities, you might want to have a few different types of carriers on hand.   Also, if both parents like baby wearing, you’re bound to have different tastes in carriers.  Your husband/partner may not like wearing something pink and floral. Worst case: If you hate them, they retain value if they’re in god condition so you can get some of your money back on eBay.

                Baby wearing resources:

                Got any other tips or advice?  A favorite carrier?  As usual, leave ‘em in the comments.

                Feb

                5

                Cheat Sheet: BPA Free Baby Food, Baby Food Creation and Storage Tools

                Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Food Safety | 8 Comments

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                  Having a 6 month old means I am in the midst of the baby food jungle.. starting to introduce cereals and purees, which he is really loving and doing so well on them. I’d love to say I carve time out of my day to make all my own baby food but realistically, we all don’t always have the time and need to rely on prepared baby foods.  I set out to find as many safely packaged baby food as I could and interestingly enough – most of the baby food packaged in BPA Free packaging was organic.  Yay! Many of these brands you can find at your local health food stores or Whole Foods.  Some you can find at the grocery store (Like Sprout Organics and Plum Organics). I’ve had some luck finding brands at Babies R Us as well. So here is a cheat sheet for those of you who need a little extra help finding something right for you.  I have not included baby food packaged in glass  jars due to the fact that jar lids have a BPA containing epoxy. To the makers of Earth’s Best – Get with it already!

                  Last Updated: February 10, 2010

                  Baby Food Packaged in BPA Free packaging

                  BPA Free Baby Food Preparation Tools

                  BPA Free Baby Food Storage Options & Ideas

                  Make Your Own Baby Food Resources

                  *Please note this is not a comprehensive list… if there is a brand or item you don’t see here please share it with us!

                  Feb

                  1

                  Scientists Link Flame Retardants to Reduced Fertility

                  Filed Under Articles | Comments Off

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                    We’ve covered the basics of flame retardants in the past.  But new studies show that Flame Retardants may reduce Fertility.

                    Epidemiologists from the University of California at Berkeley studied 223 pregnant women in California’s Salinas Valley, an agricultural community with predominantly low-income, Mexican immigrants. More than 97 percent of the women had PBDEs in their blood, and those with high levels were half as likely to conceive in any given month as the women with low levels.

                    That’s not to say that this is a problem that is only relegated to low-income Mexican immigrants.  Having been through fertility treatments in order to conceive, I constantly question what was the cause of my fertility issues.   I’m sure it was a combination of things, but I will forever wonder if my journey towards a greener lifestyle is what helped me become pregnant a second time.  Of course, I’ll never know, but that’s what I like to believe.

                    We listed the ways to avoid PBDE’s in the prior post, and the Environmental Working Group, also has ways to lower exposure in your home.  One of the things that we didn’t list last time, that stands out now:

                    When purchasing new products look for these brands, which have publicly committed to phasing out all brominated fire retardants: Acer, Apple, Eizo Nanao, LG Electronics, Lenovo, Matsushita, Microsoft, Nokia, Phillips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony-Ericsson, and Toshiba.

                    We realize that taking all of these measures is expensive.  I wouldn’t suggest you rent a dumpster and pitch all of your old stuff, but as it starts to need replacing, look for companies that aren’t using flame retardants.  Do your research, and don’t be afraid to call a company and ask them.



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