Nov

10

Dear SafeMama: What’s TPR and Is It Safe? Answer from The Soft Landing!

Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Product Safety, PVC Free | Comments Off

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    dear safemamaQuestion: Do you know the identity of the soft, non-skid “rubbery” parts that are often included on Sassy or Munchkin products? These seem a lot like PVC to me, but might be silicone. I know they are BPA free and SAY they are PVC free, but then what exactly is the material and is it safe?

    Answer: It’s a pain not knowing what’s what, so we reached out to our favorite expert Alicia from The Soft Landing to get the skinny on this mystery material so often found on baby toys and teethers. She knew exactly what it was of course! Here’s what she had to say:

    “While PVC is sometimes used in various parts of teethers, the dense “rubbery” areas on teethers (and even non-skid bowls and such) are usually made from either silicone or thermoplasticized rubber (TPR).  TPR is a great choice because it doesn’t require the use of BPA and is made without PVC (and thus phthalates).  Thermos uses it for their Foogo sippy spouts.  PVC is typically found in hollow, squeeky bath toys or dense, plastic baby dolls with a harder feel (less rubbery) and is hardly ever used in eating gear.  Silicone and TPR are both usually BPA-free, because they simply don’t require the use of a hardening/strengthening agent like polycarbonate plastic does.

    If a manufacturer goes the extra trouble of actually labeling a product as BPA or PVC-free, you can usually assume that it’s true.  They are not required by law to label their products with materials used (or not used in some cases), so if they do, they are laying their reputation on the line.”

    Thanks Alicia!  As always, if you’re ever in doubt about a product or material… do your shopping at The Soft Landing. There you are sure to get non-toxic safe feeding and baby gear.  Be sure to check out her great holiday specials too!  Alicia also runs the The Soft Landing Blog where you can find great information on a bevy of other children’s feeding and toy gear… check it out!

    Apr

    23

    Dear SafeMama: Shower Etiquette, Reader Feedback

    Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Phthalates Info, Product Safety | 29 Comments

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      dear safemamaI’m pregnant and have baby showers coming up and I’m pretty frustrated and worried with the baby gift shopping.

      Here is what I don’t want:

      1)  People supporting companies that use BPA and other harmful chemicals to buy gifts for me.  It feel like they’d be doing a very unhelpful thing in my name, and I don’t want these companies to be encouraged or benefit from what they are doing.

      2)  The waste.  I try to be as green as possible and either use or donate everything.  I ethically can’t donate a product that I wouldn’t use on my OWN baby to anyone.  So what then – all these products I won’t use will end up in a landfill somewhere?   It would be easier if I could just return the items I don’t want, but I noticed that a lot of these people coming to showers like to take products out of their original packaging or don’t include gift receipts.

      How can I convey this information in my shower invitations?  I don’t want to offend everyone, and I don’t want to come across as unappreciative.  Do you think I should include an insert about what BPA is and why it is harmful?  Should I go into some kind of explanation as to why I hope people will buy from different companies?  Is there any way for me to do this with a little class without making some kind of horrendous etiquette faux pas?

      Good morning SafeParents!  No judgements here… this is a legitimate concern for many women now that things like BPA and Phthalates in baby skin care are on the forefront.  What’s the best way to handle it? We received this question from a reader and while we have our own thoughts on handling baby gifts we thought we’d turn this one over to you.  We’re interested in seeing what other parents would do or what advice you’ll have for her.  We can imagine she isn’t alone in this scenario and we’d love your feedback.  Comments are open on this entry for you to share your advice.  We defer to you…

      Apr

      16

      Dear SafeMama: “Eco-Friendly” Swingsets

      Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Eco-Mama | Comments Off

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        I would like to buy a small slide/swing set contraption for our backyard…. can’t find an eco-friendly place to go… wood versus plastic… just want a small something for young kids and am having trouble figuring out where to look…. thanks!

        Welcome to my personal hell.  With a new baby on the way, going to the local pool and park are going to be somewhat limited, so I’m trying to look for options for our backyard to offset the whole boredom factor for my son.  We’re lucky in that we have a swing set that came with our house, however, it’s geared towards kids that are a little bit older, so he can really only use a portion of it.  It’s also starting to look worn and in need of repair soon.

        I’ve been going back and forth in an internal debate.  Do I buy something plastic, or do I go with something wood?  Neither of these options are particularly eco-friendly.   The resources used to manufacture most plastic or wood sets are not entirely ideal.     But there are things you can do to be more eco-friendly in the process:

        • Check classifieds. Places like Craigslist or eBay are great places to search for something used.   Buying these items new are not only expensive, but they’re adding to the problem.  Buying them used, extends the life of something that may prematurely end up in a landfill, and kids don’t really care whether or not it’s shiny new or if it’s used.  To them, it’s a new toy.   Drawbacks:  Items like Little Tikes and Step 2 are extremely hard to find and when you do find them, they go really fast.
        • Ask your friends. If you have any friends whose kids are older and have outgrown their old play sets, ask them if they’d be willing to sell it to you.   Again, a great way to extend the life of something.
        • Choose recycled. I did happen to come across a couple of options, however, these sets look more like professional playground sets, or something only someone very rich could afford.   I.E.  I’m not going to even show my son those links.

        jpd4837f_ol_200My choice, if I can’t find something used on Craiglist or the like, is to suck it up and buy something new in the plastic version.  I’m not really proud of myself, but I look at it this way:   Both Little Tikes and Step 2 products hold their value used.   Once my children outgrow these products, I can either sell it later on Craigslist and put it towards something else, or I can donate it to a local preschool or daycare and write it off on my taxes.  Either way, the life of these products will be extended after my children are done with them.   I’m steering clear of wooden sets, because the majority of them are treated with things like pesticides and arsenic.   So while I could theoretically turn around and sell it later,  I don’t want to expose my children in the meantime, nor would I want to expose other children later on.  Again, there are natural untreated sets out there, but I have to send my kids to college and even though I have a relatively large yard, there’s no way one of these monstrosities would fit back there.

        So, in a way, I didn’t really answer your question.  But hopefully, I gave you some direction on where to go.   My opinion (and take it for what it’s worth) would be to start with Craigslist (or even someplace like Freecycle.org.  I’ve seen some people get some really awesome things off of there.  If you have the time to dedicate, you may find what you’re looking for) and go the used route first.

        Reader Feedback

        SafeMama Melissa writes in…

        “There is a great company called Cedar Works that uses 100% northern white cedar harvested in Maine-…..‘Used for centuries in boat building and other outdoor products, northern white cedar is the longest lasting natural and splinter-free wood used in wooden outdoor swing sets.  No other wood species meets our discriminating requirements for strength, long life, and no splinters without chemical treatments, paints or stains.’ And CedarWorks will donate a two-year-old cedar seedling to an environmental group or small woodlot owner for every catalogue requested, as well as one for every family that purchases a playset.  It’s all part of their ReCedaring program.  And though this qualifies as one of the those natural untreated monstrosities out there, the different thing about Cedarworks is that YOU design it yourself on their website so that it fits your yard and your budget!

        Apr

        4

        Dear SafeMama Weekend Edition: New Use For Old Fabric

        Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Eco-Mama | Comments Off

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          dear safemamaI’m searching for a way to dispose of my old pieces of fabric that are not good anymore. I can’t find any place that takes old piece of fabric except for wearable used clothes.  I have already reused them the maximum I could in making old clothes into rags but what do I do with my old rags?  I have also old washed clothes gone all thin in the middle,  and I can’t find a way of reusing them.  I feel guilty putting “fabric” in the trash bin.

          I’ll admit I was stumped when this question came in.  What do you do with rags you’ve already made out of old clothes or what to do with old sheets and blankets you just have no room to store any longer?  I had no idea.  Then my neighborhood newsletter came in the mail and I had an epiphany.  In it they were asking on behalf of our local Spay/Neuter animal shelter for cloth donations for the animals.

          What a great idea! Many animal shelters that care for and house animals run solely on donations and what better use for an old sheet or blanket than to help make a stray animal feel comfortable and cared for.  Contact your local animal shelters and animal facilities in your area to find out what they need.  There might be other opportunities for donations – rugs? unused pet supplies for food, towels, sheets, fabric, rags… find out what they need and perhaps your trash is an animals saving grace.

          Find a Shelter Near You:

          Mar

          13

          Dear SafeMama, The Two Days Late Edition (Inexpensive Shampoo)

          Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Skin Care | Comments Off

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            I’m relatively new to being “green” but I’m trying to make good choices for my 9 month old little girl.  Your site definitely helps!

            I’ve gone through your info about the safe baby care many, many times and the cosmetics database site trying to come up with a good, not insanely expensive brand of lotion and shampoo/body wash to try for her.  Many of them are just so expensive I don’t think my husband would ever go for it and it seems that most are similar.  Can you recommend some pocket friendly brands out of your list?  I’m leaning towards California Baby at this point.

            We get this question a lot.    And I get it.   We’re all trying to save a bit of money, but still do better things for our family.   I’m still a big believer in you get what you pay for.  Does that mean that I think you should go out and buy the most expensive shampoo/body wash/conditioner, for your baby?  No, absolutely not.   I think there are great products out there, of decent quality, that are both safe and inexpensive.    The skin care cheat sheet that we put out last year, was simply a list of things that were safer choices, with a wide range of pricing.    We’re working on a newer list with more information, but it’s a slow process with the two of us gestating (read:  we pretty much pass out right after our toddlers’ bedtime).

            We do have our favorites that we love and we’re pinching pennies too.   So here are our favorites:

            • Nature’s Baby Organics -  This is one of my favorite staples.   I buy the 16 ounce pump for both the shampoo and the conditioner and it lasts me a while.    The vanilla tangerine smells fabulous, and the conditioner is the only conditioner that I’ve found that doesn’t give my son bed head.     You can find the 16 ounce bottles much cheaper on Amazon.
            • TruKid – TruKid is a great inexpensive line that’s especially great for toddlers and children.   It’s safe for all ages, but the scents are more geared towards younger kids.  Their SPF is still my favorite for not only my son, but for us too.
            • Kiss My Face Kids – This is a great line that you can find in some grocery stores.  The added bonus is that it’s a shampoo and conditioner in one.   Kathy has had better luck with this than I have.  My son, unfortunately has inherited my fine, easily tangled hair, which doesn’t respond well to shampoo/conditioner combos.   But overall, it’s a great line, and it smells great.
            • Little Twig -  Little Twig is another great affordable line that we love.   We love the quality of this line, too. Plus they give you 30% off if you send back your empties.  That’s a big discount!

            As for California Baby, this is a great line, but a lot of people complain about it being a little pricey.  It can be expensive, but it’s readily available at nearly all Targets and Whole Foods stores.  I’ve also seen it in my local conventional grocery store (Giant if you’re in the eastern PA region), but again, some people find that the line to be too expensive.

            There’s also Burts Bees, which I didn’t list here because I have to say, it’s not my favorite.  It’s not a bad line, and it’s inexpensive and available everywhere, but I’ve had mixed results with it.   My son also ended up with a rash on his belly from the Baby Bee lotion, and I know of one other person who had the same problem.   That said, I know people who swear by it and it is a safer option.

            There’s been a lot of people who have voiced concern about availability.   Unfortunately, until safer skin care catches on, it’s going to be a little harder to find something that works for you.   And it’s going to be trial and error, just like it was for us.    If you’re lucky to have a local health foods store nearby, take advantage of that, and ask them if they would be willing to stock your favorite brand.   If you’re lucky, you have a Whole Foods nearby (although, I find beauty products at Whole Foods to be much more expensive, so I try not to buy them there).   Which leaves the internet.   Really, this is our prime mode of purchase these days.   Amazon, drugstore.com, diapers.com, or directly from the manufacturer.   Just like with anything else, shop around to find the best bang for your buck.    Chances are,  you’ll be paying around the same price with shipping, as you would by going out and spending money on gas to buy the product.

            Kathy Tip: Go to the company websites for some of these companies and sign up for their newsletters.  I’ve gotten TruKid and other brands for a discount this way including sunscreen for much much less… and sometimes for free shipping offers.

            Feb

            18

            Dear SafeMama: Dry Skin Advice

            Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Skin Care | Comments Off

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              I’m at your site daily, and trust your product reviews.  I was hoping to get your thoughts or maybe some of your other reader thoughts on lotion. Like I  said I read your reviews so I know you have already reviewed several products. However, my daughter is 9 months old and suffers from horrendously dry skin. everywhere. I cannot put enough lotion on her. I was using the Little Twig brand but it’s just not enough. I even, went to non-organic lotions like J&J and Aquaphor to see if those worked. they last longer, but still don’t do the trick. Any suggestions?

              I really feel your pain.  My son generally doesn’t have dry skin, but this winter has been particularly raw, so we’re all suffering pretty badly from dry, scaly skin.   This is a situation where there’s no one-size fits all solution.   So you may have to play around with some things before you find something that works.   But I have some ideas on what works for us.

              • Milk Baths – I posted a recipe over at our sister site, LovelyMama, and I started using it on my son, when his skin is really dry.   It costs pennies to make and you know exactly what’s in it.   If she’s itchy, add the oatmeal option, but it does lessen the dry skin.   I do this about once a week.
              • Baby oil – Not a conventional baby oil, but something natural.  There are several out there (I use Mambino Organics and love it).  You can find some in our Amazon Affiliate store.  All products were hand picked by us, so no worries about it being bad for your skin.   I would put the baby oil right in the tub and swish.  Obviously this is going to leave a residue in your tub, but, it’s worth it.  I should probably also add, that you can do this in a separate tub (like a baby tub) or the sink if you have to share a bathroom.   We don’t want you to slip and hurt yourself!
              • Moisturize – This one is a no brainer, but you want to do this when their skin is damp from the tub, because the lotion absorbs better.  Get something with a shea butter base (like a balm) that will be thick enough to coat the skin properly.  Most of your regular lotion is water based.   A solid balm type lotion will last longer.   Bubble and Bee has a lotion stick and a solid bar that I LOVE.   The lotion stick is great for travel and the bar will last you forever.
              • Bathe Less – Babies at that age don’t get that dirty.  So long as you wipe down the target areas daily (neck, hands, feet and those delicious baby fat rolls), you really only need to bathe them every 2-3 days.  This will definitely strip the skin of its oils.   You can also invest in a water filter for your bathtub.  Kathy had some great reviews about hers.

              You might not be able to escape dry skin entirely, but you may be able to help minimize it and help keep your baby comfortable.

              Reader tips:

              We’ve gotten a few tips already today, great job SafeMama Readers!

              SafeMama Lisa writes in:

              My son is 6 months old and is Milatto and we live in northern Minnesota. So all the odds are against him to have dry skin and he does! Like you said, i only give him a bath about every 3 days. I don’t use any soap as he just doesn’t need that right now. I actually don’t use much lotion either. I am breastfeeding him and I take DHA (omega-3) vitamins about 3 times a day during the winter. It helps keep both of our skin much more hydrated! So if mom is nursing, her diet is also important! I also use the Angel Baby Bottom Balm from Earth Mama Angel Baby on anything that may need it: cradle cap (which is almost gone!), his lil booty, scratches, dry patches. That product is amazing!

              SafeMama Catrina writes:

              “I just wanted to suggest … maybe just using coconut oil would help.  You can find it in most stores, make sure it is unrefined, not in a liquid form, and just use it like a oil on her skin.  It is all natural, and great for dry skin.  My son gets really bad eczema in the winter time, and I use that on his face, and since it is a natural oil, I don’t have to worry about him getting any in his mouth. “

              SafeMama Britta suggests:

              “I have really dry skin and eczema. Especially in the winter. I use Weleda Calendula Oil for my body and Weleda Baby Cream for my face. You can also use the cream for the body but the oil is just a bit better. I have used it on my 13 month old and had no problems with his sensitive skin. I hope that helps…”

              SafeMama Laura writes:

              “… we tried California Baby Calming Botanical Moisturizing Cream.  Wow, it worked immediately.  It is nice and light, easy to rub in, smells great, and, IT REALLY WORKED.  We put it on after her bath one night and noticed her skin was better the next morning.  Now her skin is baby-soft, just the way it should be.”

              Thank you for all the tips SafeMamas!

              If you are breastfeeding make sure that YOU also stay very hydrated as it will definitely help with dry skin.  Your skin is made up of about 70% water, but as you get older, that number starts to go down (to about 60%), so you want to make sure you’re getting enough for both of you.   If she’s able to drink out of a cup,  make sure she also  gets enough water during the day.   I should also mention the soap as well.   I try to not use as much soap on my son (although toddlers, tend to get pretty funky), and if he’s not too stinky, I’ll just wash his hair, condition and let the soap residue do the rest,making sure to pay attention to the targeted areas I mention above.   You could also take advice from the “no poo” movement.  I know a lot of people that don’t use shampoo.  Me? Personally?  It’ll never happen, but babies don’t really need a lot of soap and in most cases, they don’t really have much in the way of hair either.   We always like to stress that less is more.

              SafeMama readers have any tips for dry skin?  Submit them and we’ll post them here!

              And of course, if YOU have a question for Dear SafeMama, you can submit them in our contact form.  Just use the “Dear SafeMama” option  in the drop down box.

              Feb

              11

              Dear SafeMama: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

              Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Food Safety | Comments Off

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                Recently I keep reading about MSG. Do you know if all the baby foods you can buy are without MSG or at least the organic ones? How do I know that there isn’t anything hiding behind some other listed ingredient? Thank you for your help!

                Oddly enough, I was just watching something about MSG on Food Detectives last night.   This is a great question though, as MSG is one of those things that gets somewhat of a bad rap, but at the same time, I’m a big believer that eating foods in their natural form, is better than eating something created from science.   Try telling me that when you shove candy laden with red dye #32 in my face, though.

                Before I go into my findings, let me go back on a little MSG history.

                MSG was discovered in 1907 by a Japanese researcher who asked his wife what made her soup so good.  When she gave him the “secret ingredient” that was her seaweed broth, which contain high concentrates of glutamic acid (naturally occurring glutamate), he went on to discover that he could recreate this same effect by evaporating the seaweed into a powder, which is how MSG was born.   The synthetic counterpart was then patented by the Ajinomoto corporation and marketed as a “flavor enhancer.”  MSG is considered safe for consumption in large quantities, and there was never really any sort of controversy until one person complained about side effects from MSG.  It was debunked, but the myth still lives on.

                That said, while it is fine in moderation, it’s in just about everything.  And while I couldn’t pin down anything recently concrete about MSG in baby food, I wouldn’t be surprised to find it in at least the older stages of food, like meats and mixed meals.   It’s hard for me to say “yes, it definitely is” because I refused to give that stuff to my son when he started eating.   But like I said, it’s in just about everything, even organic foods, including some organic milk, “all natural” snacks, bullion, broths and other seasonings.

                This is a case where it’s really good for the general public to learn to decipher labels.  I realize that this isn’t easy, and the food industry realizes this and uses this to its advantage.   It takes time to learn how to do this, but once you do, it really becomes second nature, and this is coming from someone with raging ADHD.   A fellow infertility blogger, that I had the pleasure of meeting a few years ago, actually compiled a cheat sheet, which I’ve come to love and refer back to often.  She’s faced a lot of similar issues with her daughter that I’m just now starting to face with my son, so I have a great deal of respect for her knowledge and the research she’s done:

                Hydrolyzed protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed), autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, protein isolate, “spices” and “natural flavorings.” Disodium inosinate and Disodium guanylate. Glutamate, Glutamic acid, Gelatin, Monosodium glutamate, Calcium caseinate, Textured protein, Monopotassium glutamate, Sodium caseinate, Calcium Caseinate, Yeast nutrient, Yeast extract, Yeast food, Autolyzed yeast, Hydrolyzed corn gluten, Natrium glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium), Textured Protein.

                These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing:

                Carrageenan, Maltodextrin, Malt extract, Natural pork flavoring, Citric acid, Malt flavoring, Bouillon and Broth, Natural chicken flavoring, Soy protein isolate, Natural beef flavoring, Ultra-pasteurized, Soy sauce, Stock, Barley malt, Soy sauce extract, Whey protein concentrate, Pectin, Soy protein, Whey protein, Protease, Soy protein concentrate, Whey protein isolate, Protease enzymes, Anything protein fortified, Flavors(s) & Flavoring(s), Anything enzyme modified, Anything fermented, Natural flavor(s), & flavoring(s), Enzymes anything, Seasonings (the word “seasonings”. )

                She’s written a great deal of information on MSG,  which you can find here and here.

                This also seems like a lot of information to process at once.  You can’t take it out of your diet entirely, as it also occurs naturally, and that’s OK.   But what do you do about limiting it in your baby’s food?   Well, the first thing that comes to mind for me is to make it yourself.   Which I realize seems tedious and time consuming, but it really isn’t.   I managed to do it with my son, and once I got into a groove, I found it easy to do and I liked that I could control what he was eating and I didn’t have to worry about additives and preservatives.  And of course there’s the new Beaba Babycook, which wasn’t available when my son was starting out, (and I’m dying to try this with #2), and is supposed to make things even easier,  but even doing it the old fashioned way wasn’t too tedious if you’re not able to afford something swanky, like the Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker.   And because we’re bound to get questions about it, is the Babycook BPA free?   The answer is: yes, it IS BPA free.

                Feb

                4

                Dear SafeMama: Humidifier Edition

                Filed Under Bisphenol-A, Dear SafeMama | Comments Off

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                  Hello, I’m looking for a warm-mist humidifier for my daughter’s room and am wondering if you know anything about them containing BPA.  Some of the water resevoirs are hard, clear plastic and since the water is heated, I’m concerned about spewing BPA filled water into the air as she sleeps! Any suggestions?

                  I’ve sat on this question for awhile, while I did some research.  And from what I can tell, all humidifiers contain a polycarbonate (i.e. BPA laden) container.    Unfortunately,  my searches for a warm mist humidifier that didn’t have a polycarbonate tank turned up fruitless.     I know that warm mist is better feels better in the  winter.   We had a warm mist one last winter and it not only helped my son feel better, but it helped keep his normally cold room toasty warm.    That said (and not what you want to hear),  I would stick with cool mist humidifiers at this time .  My pediatrician also recommended taking your sick child into the bathroom right before bedtime and run a hot shower to help loosen steam.   I can’t really recommend a plastic appliance that boils water.

                  Got a question?  Send them to us.

                  Jan

                  29

                  Dear SafeMama: Returning to a website near you

                  Filed Under Dear SafeMama | Comments Off

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                    nullI’m sure that you’ve noticed that Dear SafeMama kind of took an unexpected hiatus.   With both of us ending up expecting our second children in the spring/summer, we’ve both been feeling a little hazy.   The first trimester for me brought extreme exhaustion and fog.   Poor Kathy, who was hot on my heels, not only had the fog and exhaustion but morning sickness as well.

                    Now that we’re feeling better, we’re hoping to bring Dear SafeMama back and make it better than ever.   But we need your help.  You’re always good at throwing us some good curveballs with your questions.  Send us your very best.   Just be gentle.  We’re still suffering from mom and pregnancy brain.   We’re a fun bunch around here.

                    To send in your questions, simply go to the contact link and select “Dear SafeMama” in the dropdown box.    Or browse past Dear SafeMama questions to see if your question has already been answered.

                    Oct

                    8

                    Dear SafeMama: Safer Non-Stick Cookware

                    Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Food Safety, Green Mama | Comments Off

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                      Q: I am curious what is the safest type of pots and pans to use?  I was also wondering if there are any types of spoons, spatulas, etc. (other than metal that scratch your pots and pans) that are safe to use while cooking?   Can you please help me?

                      Teflon and non-stick surfaced cookware has been in the green news before for being not so green, or healthy. The problem is that non-stick coatings are not meant for very high heat, and on many cookware labels they actually say “for low to medium heat”.  That doesn’t mean people adhere.  You figure its a pan, for cooking, its going to get hot.  Duh.  Apparently when overheated it can be a potential health hazard.  The EWG links the chemicals used in nonstick coatings to cancer, stroke and high cholesterol.  It’s a lot of information but a basic breakdown of the chemicals that are part of this Body Burden problem in Americans can be found on the EWG website.

                      So what do we do? Look for cookware that is void of this family of chemicals known as PFC’s (Also called PFOA, PFOS, C8, PTFE, and Teflon).

                      Cuisinart GreenGourmet Eco-Friendly Nonstick Hard Anodized Piece Cookware: Features an aluminum alloy core and exclusive PTFE- and PFOA-free nonstick surface that’s ceramic- rather than petroleum-based, so it helps to conserve existing oil reserves.  Available on Amazon.com!

                      GreenPan™ Cookware: This cookware is now available at some Target stores.  Features Thermolon™, a PTFE and PFOA free coating and releases no fumes when overheated.  Find it at Target.com!

                      Cast Iron Cookware: Cast Iron has long been around so finding it won’t be a problem.  Cast Iron distributes heat evenly and they can become “seasoned” into a perfect non-stick cooking option without any fancy coatings.  Coast Iron can also add some valuable iron to your diet!  Lodge Logic has some available on Amazon.com, but you can probably find cast iron at any local cooking supply store.

                      Safer Utensils: Try bamboo.  bamboo is a sustainable material and is naturally resistant to bacteria.  Find some at Pristine Planet.

                      Added to note: Regular stainless steel cookware isn’t an issue since it doesn’t have any non-stick coatings so for those of you wondering why it’s not mentioned here, there you go.

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