Aug

27

Hopscotch Kids Safe Non-Toxic Nail Polish for Kids (Giveaway!)

Filed Under Chemicals, Giveaways Coupons, Green Mama, Product Reviews | 145 Comments

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    I had a chance to learn about the Hopscotch Kids brand at the Green Soiree earlier this month.  As a girlie girl, I was so impressed with their story and their products that I was excited to share them with you.  I had but one problem.  I have two boys.  Neither of them were willing to sit for me to test the product out so I brought the cute little kit over to my friend April‘s house where she has not one, but two cute adorable girly girls who I had a feeling would be more than willing to sport green nail polish for a few days.  They were happy to oblige and she provided me with great feedback.  After testing the Eenie Meenie Miney Moe out on her sweet 2 year old daughter Tess, here is what she had to say:

    Packaging: Adorable!  The polish, remover, and buffer came in a darling little box, stuffed with pink paper shreds and cotton.  The items were all the perfect size for little hands.

    Eenie Meenie Miney Moe (Photos courtesy of April of CoConut CirCle Photography)

    Nail Polish: We tried “Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe” a rich Kelly Green color.  The consistency of the polish was nice and smooth.  The color was consistent with the bottle after only one coat and the polish dried very quickly… a real plus for childrens’ nail polish.  It’s important to note that this isn’t a long wearing nail polish and meant more for the fun of doing it than for formal polishing.  April said it flaked off in big sheets with the first tub.  Hopscotch Kids suggests painting nails before going to bed so that Hopscotch Kids Water Colors has time to truly bind to the nail.

    Noel from Hopscotch Kids says “Thanks for such a great review! We’re so glad April and her girls enjoyed it.  You can get the same lasting results as traditional polish, you just have to prep a little differently. Be sure hands are totally clean and moms should do the buffing and painting. Buff each nail with the rough side of the buffer and rinse and dry well to remove buffing dust. Then apply 2 thin coats of polish and you’re done! Polish will be dry enough to play within 3 minutes. As with any nail enamel, keep those little hands out of water until the polish has cured.”

    Adorable Tess in Eenie Meenie Miney Moe (Photos courtesy of April of CoConut CirCle Photography)

    Polish Remover: This was my favorite item.  It smells nice, and it does the job!  I even removed residual traditional nail polish with it, but it was very gentle.  It did not sting in paper cuts or hangnails like regular remover either… also a plus for a childrens’ product.
    Buffer/File: This was more of a buffer than a file.  It was very fine and gentle… no complaints.

    Hopscotch Kids Non-Toxic Polishes (Photos courtesy of April of CoConut CirCle Photography)

    Overall: I would rate this product a 4 out of 5, with my only negative comment being the way the polish wears.  My test subject was 2 yr old Tess, and she LOVED the whole thing!  She used the file herself and even painted a fingernail (and finger!) herself!  If your purpose is the journey and a fun experience with your little one, then this product is a great choice.  If you are looking for long wearing nail polish that stays nice for at least a few days or for an event or party, better go with the old fashioned, foul smelling, full of chemicals old stuff!

    Traditional nail polish can contain formaldehyde, phthalates, toluene or other petrochemical solvents which are not what we want our little ones exposed to.  Especially considering that more times than not we find our kids with their hands/nails in their mouths. Another plus, Hopscotch Kids Nail Polishes rated a 1 in the EWG Skin Deep Database! Hopscotch Kids is a great alternative to mainstream polishes and would be a great gift for that special little girl in your life.  Only the best for our babes, right?

    Win It!

    I have a package (pictured above) with one bottle of Eenie Meenie Miney Moe, a Water Colors Polish Remover and a Nail Buffer that is begging to go home with someone else with a cute little girl.  Here is how:

    To Enter to Win a Hopscotch Kids Nail Polish Gift Set: (REQUIRED to be elligible)

    Visit Hopscotch Kids and tell me in the comments what color you’d love to have for your little princess!

    For Extra Entries (Leave a comment for EACH ONE you do or they will not count)

    • Fan/Like Hopscotch Kids on Facebook (first initial, last name on Facebook)
    • Follow @HopscotchKids on Twitter (Leave Twitter name in the comment)
    • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook
    • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter
    • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via FeedBurner email (you’ll get notifications via email when we update the site)
    • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  I want to #win a Non-Toxic Nail Polish by @HopscotchKids from @SafeMama! #Giveaway ends 9/6 http://tinyurl.com/252seg3

    Congratulations commenter #37 Melissa! Thank you to everyone who entered!

    One winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents only. Entries will be accepted until September 6, 2010 at midnight EST.  Good Luck! :)

    Thank you to my good friend April of CoConut CirCle Photography for testing these out on her cutie pie Tess and for providing such great photos!

    Aug

    25

    Britax Marathon 70 Review & Giveaway

    Filed Under Car Safety, Giveaways Coupons, Product Reviews | 459 Comments

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      I am always astounded and impressed with the level of safety and the constant strive to exceed safety standards that Britax exhibits as a car seat company.  I was fortunate enough to have had the chance to tour the Britax facility this year and witness a crash test of the new Britax Marathon 70.  Seeing it in real life, in real time,  really resonates the importance of proper car seat usage and safety.

      The new generations of Britax car seats feature some really amazing advancements in their basic car seat technology.  The number one cause of injury for little kids in a crash is head trauma.  This is always a main focus when the engineers at Britax develop car seats.  Without getting too technical and wordy, here are a few of the new technologies that have been integrated into the new car seats:

      Integrated Steel Bars: The new generation of Britax seats now features Integrated Steel Bars which can minimize the risk of your child being propelled forward and hitting the back of the vehicle seat in front of them.  The Integrated Steel Bars provide a further solid connection to the car, reducing the forward movement that occurs during a crash

      SafeCell Technology: SafeCell is a waffle-like component in the base of the seat that acts as a shock absorber.  It compresses in a crash, lowering the center of gravity thus reducing the forward propelling motion that forces the child forward, minimizing the risk of injury.

      Energy-absorbing Versa-Tether: I’d like to stress the importance of top tethering your car seats.  It’s true that all Britax seats are crash tested and exceed NHTSA standards for non-tethered seats.  But the differences are astounding to examine closer. The BRITAX energy-absorbing Versa-Tether is attached to two points at the top of the seat and attach to an anchor in your car in both rear and forward facing positions.  The Versa-Tether helps anchor the seat to minimize the movement and slow down the motion of your child during a crash and also absorbs crash forces away from your child in the event of an accident.  It also greatly reduces the forward movement of your child’s head in a crash, minimizing the risk of head injury.  Bottom line, top tether!

      These are of course additions to the seat on top of the already existing safety features such as the 5-Point harness and True Side Impact Protection present in all their car seats.

      Mom Features I Love

      Ok so it’s SAFE.  Beyond safe. But what about day to day functionality? I’ve found that the seat itself looks really stylish (The sample I received had their crimson fabric) but now that the seat accommodates children forward facing up to 70lbs, it feels considerably roomier and very soft and comfortable.  The 5 point harness operates easily and I know it’s secure and tight enough.  I also love that they now made the shoulder strap pads removable with velcro.  Thank you Britax!

      The seat was very easy to install which is KEY because something like 80-90% of car seats are installed improperly.  I very much appreciate that Britax has figured out ways to increase the weight capacity on their seats so that you can get the maximum life from your car seat without sacrificing safety.

      What’s also a great Mom-feature is the ease of adjustment.  You know how fast kids grow… and long gone are the days of re-threading your car seat straps to fit them properly.  Now it’s as simple as moving the side-impact protection head rest via a grip handle behind the seat.  Simply, lift, pull up and release. Done. That’s it.   I have no patience to be smashed in the back seat wrestling a car seat. These seats are a  cinch to install and adjust.

      Britax Marathon 70 and how it fits rear-facing in a Honda Pilot

      Britax Marathon 70 rear-faces up to 40lbs and a seated shoulder height of 9 - 16.75 inches (from rump to shoulder) - whichever comes first.

      I’ve heard some rumblings about the new generation seats being a bit smaller than the older models that people love.  However, Britax increased the rear facing weight max to 40lbs for the Marathon 70. I think this is where the size and shape of your child falls into play. Granted, my test subject is only 13 months old and doesn’t come close to the 40 lbs weight limit but there is a tremendous amount of space to fill before he is too big to fit rear facing.  I’m a supporter of keeping a child rear facing as long as possible but I inevitably end up switching to forward facing by age 2 simply because my kids tend to be long and they get extremely uncomfortable with their legs all folded up.  With any seat you consider buying, I’d definitely test the seat out first to make sure it is going to fit your car and your needs regarding rear-facing positioning if that is a selling point for you.  I think it’s also important to remember that each child reaches the max height and weight requirements at different times in their life.

      But don’t just take my word for it.  The awesome guys at DadLabs did a really cool video that demonstrates the physics behind the design of the car seats:

      WIN IT!!!

      The kind folks at Britax want to give ONE of our lucky readers a chance to have their very own Britax Marathon 70!

      To Enter to Win a Britax Marathon 70: (REQUIRED to be elligible)

      Watch the awesome DadLabs video above.  Leave a comment on this post telling me two things you learned from the video. (If you don’t describe two things in your comment your entry will be disqualified)

      For Extra Entries (Leave a comment for EACH ONE you do or they will not count)

      • Fan/Like Britax on Facebook (first initial, last name on Facebook)
      • Follow @Britax on Twitter (Leave Twitter name in the comment)
      • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook
      • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter
      • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via FeedBurner email (you’ll get notifications via email when we update the site)
      • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  I want to #WIN a @Britax Marathon 70 car seat from @SafeMama, don’t you? #Giveaway ends 9/4 http://tinyurl.com/2bvt68f

      One winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents only. Entries will be accepted until September 4, 2010 at midnight EST.  Good Luck! :)

      Congratulations TARA, commenter #59!  Thank you everyone who entered, followed and liked for the giveaway. And thank you to Britax for providing such a wonderful and safe prize!


      Britax provided a seat for review but in no way does that affect my opinion of the seat.  Car seats that have been reviewed are then donated to a local children’s charity.  The Britax Blogger Advisory Board consists of select bloggers who routinely test and review juvenile products.  Britax gives these board members previews of its new products or product ideas, in return for the bloggers’ candid assessments.  The bloggers are not paid for their service, but are reimbursed for any travel expenses.

      Aug

      24

      FAQ: Safe Play Room Flooring: What’s Best?

      Filed Under Healthy Home, Product Safety, PVC Free | 15 Comments

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        I get an email about those foam puzzle piece mats about once a week.  If you have emailed me recently about it and I didn’t respond it’s because I have been rolling this one around in my brain for a while and I don’t have a “best” case scenario to offer you.  But what I can do is talk about what they are made of and whether that fits into your definition of “safe”.  I will also provide some alternative suggestions in a variety of price points.

        In general, MOST foam play flooring / mats are made with a material called EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) which is a foam rubber compound.  For a while now it has been viewed as a healthier alternative to PVC and the process of making it excludes the use of chlorine which can produce carcinogenic compounds called dioxins.  This is part of why PVC is something to avoid.  Healthy Child Healthy World discussed EVA in an article back in October of 2008, giving EVA the thumbs up as an alternative.

        Despite the fact that EVA foam does emit an “off-gassing” type smell, I cannot find information to disprove EVA’s safety as a material for use with children.  Now, this doesn’t mean I am recommending you run out and buy them. There are three things to consider, I’ve discovered in my investigating:

        1. PVC/Phthalates? Some companies who make these foam mats for kids will only go so far as to say that their product “meets the ASTM standards (American Standards for Toy Manufacturing) and are phthalate compliant.”  Step2 told one of our readers that “Some components that are used with our ‘Playmats’ may contain small traces of pvc.“  I don’t know if that means accessories or components of the mats themselves. But they will not go so far as to say they are phthalate free. I will be following up with them on this as soon as I get a moment to hop on the phone.
        2. Microban. I’ve found a few brands of these play mats that boast they use Microban.  Let’s not forget my position on the use of Microban and the extreme disillusion it creates for parents and caregivers.  Microban does not protect your child from germs or illnesses, it protects the product from mildew and discoloration.  Microban also does not disclose what its made of so the possibility of its use of Triclosan is a possibility.  You can decide whether you want to avoid it or not.
        3. Flame Retardants. Many of the EVA Foam flooring companies use EVA foam that has been treated with flame retardants.  Some have and some haven’t… this is where the information gets a little sketchy and I’m still trying to determine if it’s an issue for all EVA foam matting.  There is some suggestion that EVA Foam in its original state is inherently flame resistant.  What I can’t determine is whether the foam is treated in addition to that.  On the plus side, when EVA foam does burn it doesn’t have the same toxicity as PVC – no chlorine, dioxins, etc.  I’m still looking into this part.

        So there you go.  I do believe EVA foam can be recycled and reused but it may be very tricky to find a place to bring it who’ll take it for recycling.  From an environmental standpoint, EVA isn’t going to save the planet.   So this one is up to you.

        What Products Are Safe?

        This is where your judgment as a consumer and a parent will come in to play.  I’ll provide you with a list of brands that I feel are acceptable as far as safety goes and I’ll give you a few more eco-friendly suggestions if that’s the direction you wish to go.

        EVA Foam Options

        • Skip Hop Playspot Interlocking Foam Tiles – These claim to be PVC, Phthalate and BPA free and made of EVA.  They are cute, colorful and moderately stylish compared to most but they do come at a higher price.
        • One Step Ahead Wood Floor Foam Mats – According to One Step Ahead these are PVC and Phthalate free.  They look cool… but they do mention the off-gassing smell that I worry about.  They say in the description “Don’t worry its safe, we tested it” but we have all heard that before.  They make the traditional alphabet puzzle mats too. (Note: I emailed One Step Ahead to confirm the lack of PVC/Phthalates and was told that “Yes, the item meets all US Federal Laws and regulations and has passed all testing. and Yes they are free of PVC and Phthalates.“)
        • Soft Tiles Interlocking Foam Floor Mats – Made of EVA and website claims they do not use any phthalates or BPA.

        Alternative Options

        • Wool Rugs – Wool is a safe choice (if you don’t have allergies to it) and eliminates the potential for off gassing carpet materials and padding.
        • FLOR Carpet Tiles – These are modular carpet tiles so its not permanent and you can move it when you need to.  They have stylish colors and patterns.  FLOR carpet tiles are made with renewable and recycled content and are recyclable.
        • Skip It – Save yourself some money and just properly child proof your home. Rhoost your sharp corners and gate off areas that are unsafe for baby and toddlers.  I’ve got 2 boys and never used any type of floor padding other than the area rugs we already have.  They get hurt more outside than anywhere else!

        Have something to add? Tip? Let me know in the comments or via safemama [at] gmail.com!

        Aug

        23

        Life Factory Glass Beverage Bottle

        Filed Under Food Safety, Product Reviews | 5 Comments

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          As you know, I am always up for trying new things as well as using alternatives to plastic.  So when I heard of Life Factory’s new Glass Water bottles I was totally intrigued.  There is something special about using glass.  I like to drink water out of a glass, I like my cocktails in a glass (and I’m a purist – clear, traditional martini glasses or champagne flutes) and I like to use glass bowls and dishes at home.   It’s maybe the way the ice cubes clink on the side of the bottle or how cold the liquid it contains seems to be… but whatever it is, I enjoy using Life Factory’s Glass Bottle.

          They come in a 22 ounce size which helps me keep up with my water intake during the day and is sleeved with Life Factory’s signature silicone polka dot hole sleeve.  It’s a wide mouth bottle so it accommodates lots of ice or tea bags and it capped off with a polypropylene twist on matching cap.  Since the main body is made of glass there is no concern over chemical or material leeching into your fluids.

          This is a wide mouth bottle with no spout it’s best for use at home or out at a location where there isn’t much physical activity… so its perfect for around the house, at your desk, at work, outside, etc.  I probably wouldn’t use this while driving or at the gym since the wide mouth makes drinking water while walking on the treadmill or elliptical tricky (I tried this and spilled it all over myself like a dork).  But it’s my constant companion at home. I fill it up at night and keep it in the fridge for the morning and use it all day.

          There is nothing particularly inventive about it other than it’s one of the first (or only) glass water bottles on the market that I have seen.  Its really very stylish!  It comes in 6 colors (I have the dark blue) and I think what I love the most is just that its glass.  Glass is one of the safest materials to use for food and beverages.  It’s of course BPA, PVC and Phthalate free as well.

          Get Your Own: You can pick up one of these at MightyNest.com (use code “MightyMama10” for 10% until the end of Sept 2010)

          Aug

          19

          Back To School Non Toxic Lunch Giveaway from MightyNest!

          Filed Under Eco-Mama, Food Safety, Giveaways Coupons | 169 Comments

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            Coming down off the heels of BlogHer and right into the frenzy of “back-to-school” is the name of the game around here. Down here in the south, kids went back to school on August 9th! But I know many kids haven’t started yet and won’t until after Labor Day.  So what better time than now to do a fun giveaway courtesy of MightyNest.com!  If you haven’t checked them out yet, you should.  They offer a wide variety of not only lunch gear but have a wide selection of non-toxic products for a healthy home as well. If you check them out and shop, we have a coupon code for you: Use code “MightyMama10” at check out to receive 10% off your order!

            Now for the fabulous giveaway!  MightyNest has put together an adorable lunch system packed with PVC, BPA, Phthalate, and Lead free lunching gear.  One winner will take home:

            Mimi the Sardine LunchBug: This cute insulated tote is PVC free and features eco-friendly fabrics that are Oko-Tek 100 certified.  The bag is soft, washable and super cute.  The acrylic coated certified organic cotton fabric is easily wiped clean for day to day use too.

            Set of 2 Organic Cotton Napkins by Litter Free Lunch: What better way to not contribute to our clogged landfills by using reusable cloth napkins? These napkins by Litter Free Lunch are made with 100% certified organic cotton and feature Oko-Tek certified dyes.  They are 12 x 12 which is a great size for a napkin or unfolded to use as a placemat.  Each napkin comes with a sewn in label to write your name.

            LunchBots Pico Snack Container:  No lunch gear set is complete without a LunchBot!  This adorable snack box is made of the highest quality stainless steel which is one of the safest materials for food storage.  The Pico is perfect for snacks like fruit, crackers, nuts, cheese, or dry cereals.  It can be used in your lunch bag or tossed into your own diaper bag or purse for on-the-go snacking.

            Reusable Snack/Sandwich Bag by Snack Taxi: Ditch the plastic wrap for these super cute and functional reusable sandwich wraps! Made with cotton and are lined with coated nylon so they can be machine washed and dried, or easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. Fits sandwiches, bagels or bigger snacks!

            Here’s How To Enter:

            Visit MightyNest.com and leave a comment here telling us what non-toxic products you’d love to have from MightyNest!

            For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):

            • Fan/Like MightyNest on Facebook
            • Follow @MightyNest on Twitter
            • Sign up for the MightyNest Newsletter (leave a comment with your email address used so we can verify)
            • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook
            • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter
            • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via RSS reader
            • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
            • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  I want to #WIN a Safe Lunch Gear Gift Pack from @MightyNest on @SafeMama #giveaway ends 8/26 http://tinyurl.com/32xajme

            One winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents. Entries will be accepted until August 26, 2010 at midnight EST.  Good Luck :D

            Congratulations to BECKY commenter #96!  Thanks to everyone who entered.. have a safe school year!


            SHOP: To order any of the items above, visit MightyNest.com – use code “MightyMama10” for 10% off your order on any items  in the store (promo code ends at the end of September 2010)

            Aug

            12

            Green Blogger Soiree 2010

            Filed Under Green Mama, Website News | 17 Comments

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              I was bestowed the honor of hosting a green event this year before BlogHer 2010* got underway, The Green Blogger Soiree.  The 3 Green Angels encouraged me to hostess this fantastic event that allowed a cross section of our powerful green community to gather and connect in a quiet setting before the madness of BlogHer began. Set at the lovely Remi Rialto in New York, we gathered about 50 green voices and a bevy of fantastic sponsors and representatives to trade tips, network, get all green n’ geeky, and put faces to the names of people we have been blogging, talking and working with for years. It was a great group of inspiring women that I was fortunate to be in the presence of.

              Green Blogger Soiree

              The 3 Green Angels Photo by Beth Terry, Fake Plastic Fish

              @condoblues, @greentalk, @mindfulmomma, @greenmom, @crunchygoddess, @fakeplasticfish

              Attendees Condo Blues, Green Talk, Mindful Momma, Green & Clean Mom, Crunchy Domestic Goddess, Fake Plastic Fish, and a nice waiter from the Rialto (they were fabulous)

              Green Blogger Soiree

              Had to share this one because finally, The Soft Landing and SafeMama meet in person. I love her! Photo by Melissa Moog of Itsabelly

              Green Blogger Soiree

              (L-R)Calley from The Eco Chic, Rhoost and Kelly from Diaper Shops and The Cloth Diaper Whisperer Photo by Melissa Moog of Itsabelly

              Baby 411, Social Studies, SafeMama, Soft Landing

              Babies 411, The Social Studies Group, SafeMama, The Soft Landing. Photo by Sommer of Green & Clean Mom

              There were so many more attendees and photos of the event so please check out the rest below (note the “cookie” river which I parked my butt next to for a good 15 minutes).


              Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

              We had some amazing prizes to give away, thanks to our sponsors, and the event went off without a hitch (aside from having to lug all the parting gift bags by hand from the neighboring hotel – those were heavy!) and everyone enjoyed participating and getting to know each other. It wouldn’t have been possible without our great sponsors of course so I’d like to take a moment to thank them and briefly introduce them all to you:

              ThinkBaby: ThinkBaby creates BPA, PVC, Phthalate, Icky free baby gear like bottles and feeding gear.  Not to mention they just released their fabulous new ThinkSport and ThinkBaby Sunscreen! A great company with a great line of products for kids and baby. They are also the creators of the ThinkSport stainless steel water bottle for kids and adults.

              Earth Mama Angel Baby: Everyone knows that being pregnant means you want nothing but the best for your growing little angel.  Earth Mama Angel baby provides skin care and new mama wellness products that are 100% natural and uses Certified Organic ingredients.  You know you’re getting some of the safest and effective products available. From Mom and Baby skin care and breastfeeding aides to wellness and pregnancy teas as well as postpartum care for the new mommy.  If you haven’t given their Happy Mama Body Wash a try, I recommend you do!

              Firebelly Lawn Care:  Firebelly offers safe and organic pest control and lawn care,  is something we all struggle with.  Effective and safe is what we strive for and is what Firebelly is all about.  They hope to lead the way in changing the way we care for our lawns and our earth – without harmful and toxic pesticides and fertilizers.  Their six step program aims to help you build your soil profile to make healthy grass and plants!  A fabulous alternative to all that toxic junk.

              Scotch Naturals / Hopscotch Kids: Oh how I love this line of products.  I’m kind of a girly girl, so show m a bottle of nail polish and I’m happy. But what makes me happier is when that nail polish isn’t loaded with formaldehyde,  toluene, phthalates and toxic ingredients. Better yet, this fun line is full of cute colors and are all totally safe and have fun colors designed for kids.  They also provide a natural water based polish remover too. Perfect for those cute little girls in your life – and they have party packs!

              Zoe B Organic: Zoe B was started by a green mom who cared for our planet and her family.  Valerie Lecoeur designs a majority of her products and also sells trusted and tested brands like Natursutten, Kidishes and Eco Nuts. She is an innovative and trusted member of our green mom community and she’s preparing to introduce the world’s first biodegradable beach toys soon!

              Swaddle Designs:  Swaddle Designs offers a variety of swaddling blankets and soft accessories for baby.  Swaddling is an important technique for new babies to help them feel secure and warm (without overheating them!).  Swaddle Designs offers a range of soft and organic cotton blankets made with certified organic flannel.  And these are soft, people. My son has already adopted it and claimed it as his own.

              Orbit Baby: Ohhh Orbit Baby!  How I adore thee! Orbit Baby is near and dear to my heart when I went hunting for baby gear that wasn’t doused in flame retardants and paid special attention to materials the way other companies don’t. Orbit Baby uses Oko Tek Certified fabrics and materials as well as organic and PVC free accessories.  They are also implementing a recycling program for those that have outgrown their Orbit Baby.  They generously offered one of their new G3 strollers as a giveaway prize to one of our lucky attendees! Love Orbit Baby!

              Plum Organics: Plum Organics is a common item in our house.  My kids love them and so do I!  I seriously don’t know if my kids would ever eat spinach otherwise. Anyway, Plum Organics has a range of baby and toddler food that will satisfy any picky palette. Made with organic ingredients and unique flavor combination, these packets pack a punch of vitamins and minerals our growing babies need. Paired with the innovative Boon Spoon attachment these are on-the-go life savers. From baby food to training meals – delicious, healthy and wholesome is what its all about.  And organic of course!

              Beaba: Beaba creates a wide range of innovative baby products.  You might know them best from the Beaba Babycook – the BPA Free steamer and baby food maker and accompanying accouterments like silicone freezer trays and dishware. They also create a range of toys, dishes, and gadgets like bottle warmers and potties! The best part is that they do it all in style and with really wel selected colors.  I can always appreciate kid items with unique colors.

              Seventh Generation:  Seventh Generation, where the earth is their “baby”. In case you have been living under a rock, Seventh Generation is a pioneer in the earth friendly arena.  Providing earth safe products like household cleaners that aren’t toxic for you your family, pets or the earth, as well as biodegradable diapers, wipes and household paper goods (love their paper towels for when you need to have a roll handy!).  What we all love the most, perhaps, is their open policy on full ingredient disclosure.

              Kinderville: Kinderville is a fabulous company that makes silicone food gear such as food storage jars, freezer trays, ice pop molds and dishware like cups and bowls.  I’ve been lucky enough to check a few of their products out and I have to admit they are sturdy, colorful and fun to use.  All their products are microwave and dishwasher safe and silicone is of course, BPA, PVC and Phthalate free. Kinderville is one of my top choices in dishware.  Their ice pop molds are great!  Kinderville has just released their newest product, divided plates!

              Rhoost: I was recently introduced to Rhoost before the Soiree and now all of our attendees have the chance to check them out too. Rhoost creates stylish alternatives to childproofing tools including corner protectors and cabinet locks that don’t cramp your style. I have a review of these coming up next week.  None of their products use adhesives so they don’t wreck your furniture.  Safety, functionality and style… and of course BPA and PVC/Phthalate/Lead free.

              The Social Studies Group: The Social Studies Group is a social media research company that has been carrying out primary and secondary research, as well as providing strategic marketing and business consulting services, for close to a decade-and-half. They have been involved with brand names that you would recognize in your kitchen cabinets, on television, etc. They offer social media research services that can add value and help pinpoint your mission as a brand. They can provide customized monitoring of your brand, your competitor, keywords and demographics. If your brands needs focus and a powerful edge against the competition, The Social Studies Group is where you should start.

              Itsabelly Baby Planners: Need a baby planner?  Planning for a baby can be a stressful time.  There are so many questions and products to wade through that it can be immensely overwhelming.  Itsabelly can help you wade through it all with their intense expertise in product safety. I recommend their services hand over fist. If you’d rather just take the first step, you can pick up a copy of their fantastic book Itsabelly’s Guide to Going Green With Baby do help you learn about greening your nursery and your baby’s new life ahead. It’s a great resource every new mother should have!

              EcoStore USA: EcoStore USA, if you aren’t familiar with them yet, is a wonderful company that specializes in eco-friendly and safe cleaning products that actually WORK.  I can’t say enough positive things about this company.  Their passion for what they do is evident in their products and their attitude.  They love their products, and you should too.  I habitually use their dish soap and laundry detergent for my messy house.  If you haven’t given EcoStore USA a try, I encourage it.

              GreenSmart: I have to admit I was a little (ok a lot) jealous of the folks who won a GreenSmart backpack at the Green Soiree! I totally want one!  GreenSmart creates eco-friendly bags (like backpacks, lunchbags, messenger bags and laptop sleeves) that are stylish, functional and of course made of eco-friendly materials like recycled PET bottles.  Their NeoGreene is much more environmentally friendly than Neoprene by using 25% less petroleum, 25% less energy and completely eliminates the need to use toxin laden solvent adhesives to bind the fabrics to the Neogreene. I’m definitely on board with that!

              Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families: The Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition represents more than 11 million people including parents, health professionals, advocates for people with learning and developmental disabilities, reproductive health advocates, environmentalists and businesses from across the nation. This coalition is united by their intense concern over  toxic chemicals in our products, our homes, our businesses and our world.  We want chemical reform, stricter testing and chemical standards and we want better control over the toxic substances that are so carelessly used on a day to day basis.  Join them in helping us make the changes this world and our families so desperately need.

              Revolution Foods: When I got home I ran out to the store to use some Revolution Food coupons because the first thing my son did when I got home was eat the samples.  Revolution Foods makes delicious organic lunch box snacks that you can feel better about sending to school with your kids.  True I try to send fresh fruit and wholesome items in my sons lunch box but if you need a treat or yummy snack on the go, these are what I plan to reach for. (These would be awesome for party gift bags too).   Whole grains, organic fruit, no HFCS and no artificial ickies makes this snack pass the mommy test.

              Green Irene: Green Irene does so many wonderful things I don’t know where to start.  They are an Eco-Consulting firm specializing in helping people green their homes and offices.  Need a green contractor? Ask Green Irene.  Need to find an Eco-Consultant? Ask Green Irene.  Need a green makeover for your home or office? Ask Green Irene!!! And now that have expanded to cleaning products.  They just launched a line of eco-friendly safe home and office cleaning products that work using plant-derived enzymes instead of toxic chemicals.  They are passionate about their work and it shows.

              Lunapads: Many of us have reviewed Lunapads before but if you are new to the whole “greening” your feminine care regime I encourage you to check out Lunapads.  Lunapads, distributors of The Diva Cup, have a full line of reusable and stylish pads and panties.  These washable cloth menstrual pads are the way forward to ditching disposable products forever. Not only better for the environment, but better for your health too.  Have an eco-positive period!

              Thank you to all who attended and to our sponsors for making it all possible and so eco-fabulous. I was truly thrilled to be the selected hostess and hope we can do it again soon.

              *The Green Soiree was not in any way affiliated with BlogHer.

              Aug

              10

              Back-to-School LunchBots Giveaway

              Filed Under Food Safety, Giveaways Coupons | 178 Comments

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                Since parts of the country started back to school this week and the rest of you will start over the next month or so I thought it was fitting to kick off this week with a fun little giveaway from LunchBots!  I posted about LunchBots before and are a permanent resident of our Safer Lunch Gear Cheat Sheet.  Not only are they pretty cute, but the entire container is made with high quality stainless steel and the lid is coated with a non-VOC emitting paint.  They have had them and are 3rd party tested lead free.

                The LunchBots Uno is the perfect size to carry a sandwich (with regular store bought bread) and the LunchBots Duo is the same size as the Uno but has 2 separate compartments.  It’s great for crackers, fruit, cheese, nuts or other dry snacks.  These are great for your bag or lunchbox or for on-the-go snacks right in your diaper bag.  Since they are all stainless steel you can be sure they are free of BPA, PVC, Phthalates, or other plastic leaching risks.  They come in a range of colors and are the perfect size for your lunch storage needs. I’m a big fan of LunchBots!

                Get It: You can purchase LunchBots right from their website LunchBots.com.  Bonus! Use the code SAFEMAMA20 for 20% off at LunchBots.com

                Win Some!

                LunchBots is giving away their popular set: a LunchBots Uno AND a LunchBots Duo to one lucky SafeMama reader!

                To Enter:

                Leave a comment on this entry telling me why you’d like to win this giveaway!

                For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):

                • Fan/Like  LunchBots on Facebook
                • Follow @LunchBot on Twitter
                • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook
                • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter
                • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via RSS reader
                • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
                • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN an @Lunchbot Uno & Duo Set from @SafeMama #giveaway ends 8/20 http://tinyurl.com/2awu3jq

                One winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents. Entries will be accepted until August 20, 2010 at midnight EST.  Good Luck :D

                Giveaway Closed. Congratulations Sandi commenter #159!  Thank you all who entered!

                Aug

                4

                Cheat Sheet: Safer & Eco-Friendly Lunch Gear

                Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Food Safety, PVC Free | 13 Comments

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