Jan

28

Eco-Friendly Castle Tower Craft by Imagination Box Co. (Giveaway!)

Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, Product Reviews, Toy Safety | 56 Comments

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    During these long winter days, snow days, stuck inside days (not here in Florida though, sorry!) I can only imagine that finding things to keep the kids busy becomes a challenge without resorting to television.  When the boredom of crayons and play dough sets in, I start to panic and start reading through DIY websites to come up with new ideas. Even those become tedious and end up being more work for ME instead of entertaining the kids.  So when I learned about the Eco-Friendly projects from Imagination Box Company I was immediately excited to see something new for them to do.

    Imagination Box Co. sent us their Eco-Friendly Castle Tower to check out and despite it being a “girl” thing my two boys really loved working on it and admittedly, I did too.  I even let my older son stay up late to color it with me.  The tower is made of 100% recyclable cardboard so when you’re done you fold it up and put it out with your cardboard recycling.  The tower is easy to assemble and took me only a few minutes to get it together.  The set also comes with customizable pieces (shields and ramps for the drawbridges) and a set of watercolor paints and brushes.  We used washable markers for ours so we could do it in the living room but really, any art supplies will work; paints, crayons, markers, glitter glue, stickers – let them go nuts!

    My kids colored and drew on it for over 2 hours and then I spent another hour or so coloring it with my older son.  I had a lot of fun with it myself… I love to color!  You can dismantle it for storage and set it back up again in no time.  Ours is living under the couch and gets popped back up every few days.

    The only critique my kids had was that it wasn’t big enough to get inside of.  My youngest tried with all his might to fit his bulbous head through the door to no avail.  But despite this fact, it is big enough to have fun with and certainly didn’t keep them from spending hours playing with it. This would be a great gift for the kid who has everything.  Gets them off the video games and into a more imaginary and creative zone.  Thumbs up from SafeMama!

    Get One! Order through the Imagination Box Co. website and get the Castle Tower or any of their other great sets.  They also have a Country Barn, Cottage, Firehouse, Schoolhouse and a plain Create Your Own house.  So cute!

    Win It

    Imagination Box Co is giving away a Castle Tower to one lucky SafeMama reader!

    Here’s How To Enter (Required):

    Visit Imagination Box Co and tell me what items your kids would love!  This step is required to enter the giveaway.

    For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

    • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
    • Fan/Like Imagination Box Co on Facebook (first name, last initial)
    • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
    • Follow @ImaginationBox on Twitter (Twitter name)
    • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
    • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
    • 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 Eco-Friendly paintable Castle Tower from @ImaginationBox on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 2/4 http://tinyurl.com/63rogjh

    One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until February 4, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!

    Congratulations Tina B, Commenter #55!

    I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

    Sponsored by Tomoson.com

    Jan

    21

    GroVia Hybrid Cloth Diaper System & Giveaway

    Filed Under Cloth Diapering, Giveaways Coupons, Green Mama, Product Safety | 296 Comments

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      GroVia Hybrid Cloth DiapersI mentioned in our last cloth diaper giveaway that I wanted to feature some of the new cloth diaper brands coming out on to the market.  I sadly admit I never quite got hooked on cloth diapering but mainly because I never really found a style that worked for me.  So in an effort to help change that for some of you I am going to introduce some brands to you as I go along researching.  Coincidentally, The Glass Baby Bottle, which is a fabulous shop for your non-toxic shopping – and they are seriously cool people personally, offered to give away some GroVia Hybrid Cloth Diapers to our readers. So here we go!

      After reading the material and checking these out, I think this type of cloth diapering system would be great for super busy parents who need something a little less laundry intensive than other options.  I really believe ANY cloth diaper system is better than disposables but in this case, I know that it doesn’t come as easily to all of us.  And if you’re working full time or part time and you have multiple kids, or whatever the circumstance… less laundry just sounds easier to me.  Just sayin’.

      Anyhow, here’s how it works.  The shell of the GroVia Hybrid system allows you to use one shell through multiple diaper changes.  So when the  snap-in Soaker Pad gets wet,  you change only the Soaker Pad instead of the entire diaper. Much like a pre-fold system. You snap in another Soaker Pad and you’re done.  I imagine this might be an easy system to use when you are out and about a lot, or perhaps during travel. (Especially if you take advantage of their Biosoakers).  I bet these would work perfectly for babies in day care too. The Soaker Pads are made with organic cotton so nothing but nice lovely organic cotton on your babies delicate areas.

      I think what makes these versatile is the options that are available using them.  You can also use, instead of the Soaker Pads their biodegradable Biosoakers for out and about use (and are also a nice way of trying out the system). You can also use the GroVia Shells with your favorite pre-folds, so you aren’t limited in how you use them.

      They have several cute designs and colors and fit most babies 8-35 pounds.  I was actually compelled to order some of my own for my son.

      Get Them: You can purchase the GroVia shells and Soaker Pads as well as a variety of other GroVia products like their custom detergent, reusable cloth wipes and the Organic Cotton Booster Pads from The Glass Baby Bottle!  I love supporting their shop… it’s a family owned and run business and they are great people.

      Win It

      The Glass Baby Bottle is so generously offering some GroVia Shells to one of our readers.  The winner will receive one GroVia Hybrid Hook and Loop in Kiwi and One GroVia Hybrid Snap in Vanilla so they can try out both versions. Update: The Glass Baby Bottle just also added your choice of either a 2 pack Organic Cotton Soaker Pads  OR a 50 Ct pack of Biosoakers! Yay!

      Here’s How To Enter (Required):

      Visit The Glass Baby Bottle and check out their selection. Leave a comment here telling me what products you’d love to have for your family or if there is a GroVia product that interests you, let me know here in the comments.  This step is required to enter the giveaway.

      For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

      • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
      • Fan/Like The Glass Baby Bottle on Facebook (first name, last initial)
      • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
      • Follow @GlassBabyBottle on Twitter (Twitter name)
      • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
      • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
      • 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 2 GroVia Hybrid Cloth Diaper shells from @GlassBabyBottle on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 1/31/11 http://tinyurl.com/6fy5osy

      One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until January 31, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck! :D

      Congratulations Kari M commenter #237! Thanks to everyone who entered!

      Jan

      18

      Help the EPA Ban Triclosan

      Filed Under Chemicals, Take Action | 6 Comments

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        I’ve written about Triclosan before (and please forgive the long silence here on SafeMama, I’ve been working on some new material for you and haven’t had a chance to post anything worthy).. Anyway, it’s no secret that Triclosan is a chemical worth avoiding and for various reasons.  In the same way we all fought for a change to BPA Free, and are still fighting for, I personally feel that we should be eyeing Triclosan in the same light.

        Triclosan is linked to endocrine disruption, bacterial and antibiotic resistance, dioxin contamination, contaminated marine life (source Healthy Child Healthy World), liver and inhalation toxicity, and may disrupt thyroid function. Triclosan is turning up in breast milk and could potentially present toxicity to fetal development and childhood development.

        BeyondPesticides.org has some great information on the progress with regard to the EPA petitioning a ban on Triclosan for non-medical use.

        EPA announced a 60-day public comment period for the petition filed by Beyond Pesticides and Food and Water Watch to ban the controversial antimicrobial pesticide triclosan for non-medical use. The petition, filed on January 14, 2010, identifies pervasive and widespread use of triclosan and the agency’s failure to address triclosan’s impacts on human and environmental health, conduct assessments for residues in drinking water and food and concerns related to antibacterial resistance and endocrine disruption. The petition cites various violations of numerous environmental statues including the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

        What can you do? You can contribute your voice in the matter.

        We have until February 7, 2011 to submit our comments or write to Lisa Jackson to show support in EPA’s proposed ban on Triclosan.  Thank you HealthyChild.org for bringing this to attention!

        Jan

        3

        Real Nappies Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway

        Filed Under Cloth Diapering, Eco-Mama, Giveaways Coupons | 175 Comments

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          I’d like to talk more about cloth diapering here on SafeMama and to start, I want to introduce you to a company called Real Nappies! Real Nappies is a prefold cloth diaper system which are not only kind to the environment, they are easy to use. One of the main reasons people shy away from cloth diapering is that they feel its too hard or inconvenient and I can say, I’ve felt that way too.  I never fully committed to cloth diapering for those reasons alone.  In reality, the inconvenience factor is not all that accurate.  Finding a system that works for you is more of the challenge.

          Real Nappies cloth diapers include a cotton prefold cloth diaper (think of the cloth diapers we use as burp cloths)  inside a waterproof Snug Wrap diaper cover. The Snug Wrap diaper cover only needs to be washed when it gets dirty.  The cloth prefolds can be soaked for a few minutes and then added to your regular washing machine, and tumble or line dried.  It’s really very simple to use and once you have a system in place, is no more a pain in the rear than using disposables (and keeping them stocked).

          They provide complete kits – from birth to potty training -  to start you off on your way to never having to buy a disposable diaper again.  To use have all your prefolds folded and ready to use so when its time for a change you open up the diaper cover and swap out the dirty for the clean one and re-close the diaper cover (which utilizes a velcro closure).

          Real Nappies equipped me with their Real Nappies Intro Pack which includes a cloth diaper, a Snug Wrap diaper cover and one of their handy Bioliner Diaper Liners.

          Once assembled and on (which really is not a big deal at all) they fit comfortably and snug enough to ensure no leaking. They aren’t overly puffy like some cloth diapers can be.  My son was comfy during its use and the cloth inserts wash up in a cinch.  I keep a wet bag in my laundry room to collect wet cloth diapers and then do a wash every day or so.  I really prefer the cloth prefold system to a pocket diaper simply because its less work and less laundry for me.  It can be quite cost effective too. Real Nappies products are made high quality materials, and are backed by great warranty that extends to two children and applies to diapers and covers.

          Want to try it out? You can purchase Real Nappies Kits and accessories on their website RealNappiesUSA.com! They are also available on Amazon.com.

          Win It!

          Real Nappies has so graciously offered one of our readers a Real Nappies Intro Pack to try out.

          Here’s How To Enter:

          Visit RealNappiesUSA.com and tell me which size and color Snug Wrap would fit your baby!

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

          • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
          • Fan/Like Real Nappies on Facebook (first name, last initial)
          • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
          • Follow @Real_Nappies on Twitter (Twitter name)
          • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
          • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
          • 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 a @Real_Nappies Cloth Diaper Intro Pack on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 1/10/11 http://tinyurl.com/2uzbehj

          One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until January 10, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck! :D

          Congratulations Jackie, commenter #3! Thanks to all who entered.

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