advertisement
SEARCH
Subscribe with Feedburner
SafeMama Sponsors
Fellow Safe Mamas
Grab Our Badge!
Missions We Support
Apr
4
Dear SafeMama Weekend Edition: New Use For Old Fabric
Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Eco-Mama | Comments Off
- Replace your sippy cups, bottles and dishes. We always recommend The Soft Landing for the latest in what’s BPA free. You can save 10% off your order by using the code SAFEMAMA2. They have products available for every budget and you can rest easy knowing Alicia has done extensive research to make sure that the products she sells are BPA free.
- Replace your house cleaners. You don’t have to go out and buy expensive organic or eco friendly cleaners just to be green. As I mentioned above, vinegar. Buy yourself a gallon of vinegar, straight up lemon juice (not from concentrate) and a big box of baking soda. The whole thing will probably cost you less than $10 and will last you forever. You can clean almost your entire house with those three things.
- Get rid of your chemical beauty products (for both you and your baby). You may have to do these in small steps, but You can even find them in Target. Burt’s Bee’s and Giovanni to name a few. And they’re also not highway robbery.
- Stop buying individual bottled water and replace them with a reusable one. ThinkSport, Thermos and Camelbak all make great safe water bottles for adults. The kids have a reusable cup, why shouldn’t we? If water quality is a concern, check into a tap filter for the sink.
- Freecycle, Craigslist, Garage Sales and Ebay. We know people buy too much STUFF. Just look in any closet in your home… or our homes. We’re guilty too. Buying used instead of new helps to lengthen the life of items that aren’t ready for the landfill and reduce how much we buy. You’ll save money (or make it if you sell) and you’ll be doing your part to eliminate extra waste.
I’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:
Oct
21
Only Treats, Please: A Safer Halloween
Filed Under allergies, Green Mama | Comments Off
My little guy is still too young to really “get” Halloween and fortunately is also too young to be aware of candy. But next year, I probably won’t be as lucky, leaving me with the worry about how to handle Halloween with a kid who has food allergies.
I found some good advice here from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAI). What I founds most interesting is that the AAAI’s website claims that those cute “fun-size” candies used at Halloween don’t always contain the same ingredients as their larger-sized counterparts and the “fun-size” usually aren’t individually labeled. This means that a candy that is normally “safe” may not be in the smaller size. I imagine this may be of particular concern for those children with a nut allergy.
I also came across the website for Green Halloween, a grassroots movement for healthier and more “green” holidays. With advice on how to make your own Halloween costume, there’s also tips on providing treat-or-treaters with non-candy treats on the big day. Frankly, I’d rather my kid get a bunch of stickers or juice boxes rather than candy.
No one wants to rain on Halloween’s parade, but there are ways to modify the overindulgence on candy. And whether you’re dealing with an allergy or just want to set a good example for healthy eating, looking into some alternatives to candy may not be such a bad idea. Plus, you might not have to deal with the kids bouncing off the ceiling in a perpetual sugar rush for days on end.
Sep
26
Introducing LovelyMama! One-stop safe beauty!
Filed Under Eco-Mama, Green Mama, Website News | Comments Off
For a long time now we’ve gotten email after email from readers saying “Ok, we’ve got the kids covered, now what about US??” We heard you. We want to welcome our readers to visit our new sister site LovelyMama! Since the birth of SafeMama.com, both Statia and I have been making big changes to the personal care items we put on our bodies and face. We don’t want to put parabens and phthalates on our babies, so why should we want that junk on us too? We’re far from having tried every product on the market but we’ve tried a lot of the alternatives out there and wanted to share our finding with you!
We’ll cover all areas of green and eco-friendly personal care including Make Up, Bath & Body, Hair Products, Skin Care, Pregnancy Body care products, Giveaways and much more (check out Statia’s updated review on the new Pit Putty as well as an exclusive discount code for Bubble and Bee)! It’s hard enough reading all the awful things in the news about phthalates, lead in lipstick and the body burden woes of our teenage daughters – we wanted to create a space to talk about things you CAN use that won’t put you into an anxiety frenzy.
The products we feature will have to pass a long list of No’s to make it into our elite LovelyMama Seal of Approval category to make choosing what’s right for you easier. The site just opened it’s doors and content is just starting to flow so check back with us, sign up for updates, and subscribe to the LovelyMama RSS feed to keep up with what’s going on over there.
This has been a long time in the making and has been sitting on the back burner for ages, so we’re happy to finally be able to share it with you! Let’s all be eco-gorgeous!
Sep
11
SafeMama Review: Stainless Steel Lunch Box
Filed Under Eco-Mama, Green Mama, Product Reviews | Comments Off
While most kids are back in school, mine isn’t (and the day he climbs the bus to head to kindergarten, I will cry a lot and then I’ll promptly proceed to my nearest sofa, because HELLO free time!) but I didn’t want to be left out. We currently use the Foogo stainless steel container when we go out because it’s great at keeping things warm if we know we’ll be out for awhile, but as my son gets older, we realize that it’s a little on the smaller size. Not wanting to compromise my son’s safety by allowing food to sit in a plastic container all day, I sought for something else.
I found this two tiered stainless lunch box. This is great for parents who are looking to avoid unecessary materials that will most likely rot in a landfill and contaminate the water supply. It’s small enough to carry around and not be too bulky, yet big enough to hold a sandwich and a few snacks. The only thing about this is that it’s not insulated so by the time my son was ready to eat his lunch, he had to eat his chicken cold. You may be able to squeeze a hot or cold pack in there, but it would be a tight fit. This is probably a better lunch box for an older kid, maybe one in high school, as I am going to venture to guess that it’s total utilitarian look isn’t going to appeal to the kid that wants the latest hot cartoon character or something a little more fun. But it’s definitely form and function.
Get It: You can find this lunch box over at Healthy Kitchen Ware. They also have a three tiered version as well as some great alternative options to plastic.
Aug
22
SafeMama Review: Greenbaby Gifts
Filed Under Green Mama, Product Reviews | Comments Off
One of the things that was indispensable to me when I was pregnant was the things that were given to me by my parent friends. Not typical shower items, but things that were thoughtful, practical and most of all, tried and true favorites of theirs. Being a new parent is overwhelming and there are so many little things you don’t think about. Now that I’ve got a little more handle on things and infant-hood is behind me, I like to try and pay it forward and get something that are things that I can’t live without, along with essentials. And while I try not to push my greener lifestyle on people, I can’t in good conscience give someone something that I wouldn’t use on my own child. Which means that most of the stuff I do give has to be greener. And while there’s no doubt that the buzz phrase of 2008 will most likely be eco-friendly, a lot of people still turn to conventional baby products, because organic is either too expensive or hard to find, necessitating several trips or online purchases.
Enter Greenbaby Gifts. Oh how I wish I would have known about this even just a few short months ago when I was on the hunt for a more natural and organic gift basket. Owner Cynthia McGregor just wanted what was best for her baby and much like myself, found herself frustrated when she couldn’t find something affordable all in one spot.
Green baby gifts has incredible looking gift baskets for any budget and all of the items are either organic or made from sustainable eco-friendly fabrics. All items are hand picked and thoroughly researched and then packaged in a beautiful reusable recycled box that is perfect for keeping baby momentos. These boxes are gorgeous and the products inside are equally as gorgeous and well made. When I first opened the box I was awestruck. I’m definitely keeping these on my list of SafeMama approved products.
Get It: Order your Greenbaby Gift Box direct from their website and enjoy 10% off your purchase from now until September 30th. Just enter the code safemama at checkout!
Jun
26
Dear SafeMama: Toothpaste, Going Green & Proper Bottle/Cup Care
Filed Under Dear SafeMama | Comments Off
Welcome to the first installment of Dear SafeMama! We received quite a few questions and they were all really good. So good in fact, that while we’re not going to be able to answer every single one of them, we’re going to answer a few more than three for the first edition, and file the rest away because some of these give us great ideas. But now, onto the questions.
Q: I can’t find anything on your site about safe toothpastes for babies/toddlers. I want one that doesn’t have parabens, SLS, phthalates, propylene glycol, fluoride, etc. Can you recommend any?
Welcome to our hell. We’ve been going back and forth for quite a few months trying to find a toothpaste that we deem safe enough for our kids. I bought Tom’s of Maine, and was using that for a little while until I found out the dangers of Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates). I personally am pro-flouride (it’s a personal choice for my family, but I realize a lot of people want fluoride free) and was looking for something that didn’t have icky chemicals in it, but still had fluoride. I stumbled across The Natural Dentist, which is free of SLS’s and other chemicals. It contains xylitol, which is a natural sweetener, known to prevent cavities. They also make a flouride free version as well. My son loves it and helps to brush his own teeth now. Kathy uses Weleda Children’s tooth gel, which is also free of chemicals and works great. And her son loves the taste too.
Q: I am overwhelmed with information about going green. I don’t know where to start to rid my house and life of all these toxic products and plastic bottles and the BPA and phthalates!!! ahhhh…where do I start?
STOP! Take a deep breath. In………out………..iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin………….ooooooooooooooout. Ok, good. Now, we know as well as anyone else, that it can be entirely overwhelming. I went on a wild rampage, tossing everything in my house while my husband stood in the middle of the crazy tornado watching me with a worried look. When people come up to me and ask me where to start, I say, pick one thing. One thing that’s most important to you right this very minute and make the change. I realize that ALL of it is important to you, but doing it all at once is just too much for any one person (not to mention, expensive). Then, when you have a spare moment, make a list of all things you want to change, pick one thing a week (or however often it works for you) and change it. Cross it off the list. It might seem stupid, but I’m a list person. I get things done by making lists. Once you’ve made the major changes, you realize that it becomes easier, and eventually, becomes second nature. Before you know it you’re turning plastic bottles upside down to look at recycling codes and you become a toxic chemical rain man.
Q: Ok, after reading your dirty dozen list of chemicals that should be avoided, I went on a hunt in my house and checked labels on everything! Some of those listed are in almost everything that we have from hairspray to hand soap from BodyShop! Do I need to be as worried for everything? or primarily baby products? Is there any exceptions? It looks like I would need to throw out everything!!!!!!
We definitely don’t intend to alarm people. At all. When I made that glossary, it was mainly focused on kids products. Babies have really sensitive skin and will those ingredients hurt them on an individual basis? Most likely not. What about when they’re all mixed together? I really and truly don’t have the answer to that. You see, a lot of those chemicals have such limited studies done on them (as I had mentioned in my original report), that it’s hard to say for sure whether or not they’re truly bad for you. That said, it’s really up to you, as the parent to decide whether or not you want to use these products.
I personally feel that the less chemicals a person exposes their bodies (and their babies bodies) to, the better, but unfortunately, it’s unavoidable sometimes (and you shouldn’t beat yourself up over it either). There are a lot of babies who have skin allergies, and maybe eliminating products (yes, even your household products and hairspray as they can linger in the air) might help. We always tell parents to proceed with caution and to also do their own research. My advice would be to ditch any of the truly harsh stuff, and slowly as you use up the other stuff with ingredients in question, replace them with products that are better for you and the environment.
Q: We wash our bottles and bottle parts in the dishwasher and use jet-dry, a rinse aid. It is recommended by the dishwasher manufacturer and the dishes do not dry well if we do not use it. Is jet-dry safe to use on the bottles?
I have a dirty little secret to confide. I have not yet made the switch over from my chemically laden, water and soil poisoning Cascade yet (see above RE: small changes). I KNOW. But, I’ve been doing my research on it, and am slowly mentally preparing myself for some alternative methods.
Harsh detergents can wear on plastics and we usually recommend hand washing baby’s bottles and cups with warm water and gentle soap, like Dapple. But if you need to use the dishwasher, use the top rack choose a gentle soap. If you’re looking for something store bought Ecover makes a rinsing agent. I haven’t tried it yet, but I hear it works rather well. The other alternative, is vinegar. Just plain old white vinegar. I will tell you, there is NOTHING that white vinegar cannot do. It makes my tub and shower sparkle like brand new, it kills germs on my counter tops and it takes grubby finger prints off my fridge. Vinegar is a miracle product and it’s also extremely cheap. A gallon costs about 3 bucks and will last you forever. You can put vinegar in your rinse section, or you can put it in your pre-wash section of your dishwasher with a little bit of dish soap, or baking soda, or even some lemon juice. Since every dishwasher is different, you may have to experiment to see what works best for you.
Q: I checked the list of BPA free sippy cups. My question is that although I own some for these “safe” cups, I have put them through my dishwasher numerous times. I have read that the hot temperature causes them to leach. Now that this has been done, should I throw them out and start over?
We believe that all plastics have leaching qualities and health affects when heated on some level (which is why we recommend to never heat any sort of plastic in the microwave, ever. Use ceramic or glass and then transfer it to a plastic dish once it cools a bit). Once your plastic ware becomes looking scratched, dull and worn, it’s time to toss it into the recycling bin and get new ones. Even if you hand wash them. They’re just not meant to last forever. Not all BPA Free cups are expensive. Avent Magic Cups are a great affordable option.
Q: I am very concerned about my 21 month old son’s safety when it comes to sippy cups, storage, etc., but am on an extremely tight budget. I know I cannot afford to do it all, but if you had to pick the top 5 or 10 things that I should be doing or buying, what would you suggest?
Thankfully, there are plenty of great and inexpensive options out there for you to replace your wares with BPA free options. If I had to pick a top five:
Q: Hi there. I was wondering if you had any information on vaccines and their (so called) relation to autism. there has been a lot of hype in the media about this and I am due to start getting my son his shots and I am very concerned about what to do and what is the right thing to do. any information you have can help. thank you in advance.
This is a big can of worms, and I’m only going to try to pry the lid off here, just a little, to peek and make sure they’re still breathing. No doubt you’re worried. You read all of these studies that are conflicting with each other. Yes it’s fine, no wait, it’s not. Vaccinate!! No, DON’T vaccinate!! I’ve done a lot of research on this because my son has displayed very minor autistic behaviors, and of course, I freaked out. What if it’s the vaccines? There’s a lot of debate on the whole issue, and here’s my disclaimer: This is my own personal thought about the whole thing. I am NOT a doctor. Do your own research and discuss any concerns you have with your pediatrician.
I don’t believe that vaccines themselves cause autism. What I believe is that on some level, Autism Spectrum Disorder (and a very broad spectrum it is) is hereditary, and that children who are at risk for having autism get aggravated by the metals that are used in the vaccines. And it’s not just the MMR vaccine which most people seem to believe. There are children who seem to be fine, developing at a normal rate and maybe they ended up missing a vaccine somewhere, and falling behind, only to have to go in and get five or six vaccines at once, and then the problems started. Which could lead to the metal poisoning theory. People are always quick to blame the vaccines themselves as the sole cause for causing autism. But I believe there’s a certain level of pre-wiring there, just as with any other disease or disorder. I definitely think that there should be greener vaccines available and there are people lobbying for them all the time. Until then, if it’s a real concern for you, or if Autism runs in your family, talk to your pediatrician about spacing vaccines out on a schedule that you’re comfortable with. This is definitely not a subject where you should just take our word for it. The more research that you become armed with, the better.
Thanks so much for your questions. Keep submitting and we’ll see you back here next week.
Apr
13
Toys R Us Introduces Natural Toys
Filed Under Eco-Mama, Green Mama, Toy Safety | 2 Comments
We just got word that Toys R Us is now carrying some natural wood toys. They claim that these toys are forest-friendly and bear the Forest Stewardship Council’s seal of certification.
While they only carry about a half dozen of these toys, they’ll probably add more as time goes on (and if they’re popular enough). Toys R Us also claims the items are chemical-free and crafted from replenishable materials.
The toys range in price from $9.99-24.99. There’s not much information there yet (on their site), as every description is pretty much the same marketing blurb.
Once we get more info – and maybe some independent reviews – we’ll let you know.
Feb
13
Just wanted to tip some people off to Zoë b Organic Weekly. They have a nice discount running on Adiri and Green to Grow bottle orders until February 29th. Check out her post here:
Get 10% off Adiri and Green to Grow baby bottles at Zoë b Organic, click on the following link BPA Free Baby bottles and enter BPA in source code during check out to receive 10% off your purchase of any Adiri or Green to Grow Baby Bottles. Offer ends 02/29/08.
They’ve got a nice selection of organic products from t-shirts, towels, diaper bags and maternity gear too. Cute store!
Jan
28
Green Mama Baby Steps with Envirosax
Filed Under Eco-Mama, Product Reviews | 2 Comments
Part of being a “SafeMama” for me means improving my family’s quality of life as well as making more efforts to protect our environment with a few small changes. I’m not fully green by any stretch… I’m more of a turquoise or mint green at this point but I am trying to make small changes that can help the earth. First it was my switch from plastic water bottles. Next step was plastic bags.
In a recent article, the New York Times reported that Whole Foods Market chains are going to stop offering plastic bags and instead provide customers with either recycled paper bags or reusable bags as an alternative. I really like this move by Whole Foods and I hope it continues and spreads to more grocery chains and super stores.
For the holidays a friend and SafeMama contributor gifted me with a set of Envirosax. I’ve been putting them to good use and I fully admit I love them. They are big enough to fit a ton of items and the material is waterproof and super lightweight. They have the ability to be rolled up tiny but I just jam all the bags into one and leave them in the trunk for my next outing. The best part, they are stylish as well as functional.
Get Some: They’re available on their website Envirosax.com (I have the monochromatic set but they all look cool)I just discovered they have a line of organic bamboo and linen sets too. I’ve seen them available is a few places like Amazon and the Wishing Fish. I might have to start scouring for the organic line… they look gorgeous. I do what I can, and at least this way, I look cool doing my part.
Dec
4
Fox News Article: Greening Your Baby from Head to Toe
Filed Under Articles, Bisphenol-A, Green Mama | Comments Off
I ran across this report from FOX News called Greening Your Baby from Head to Toe. Dr. Benjamin Kligler, a board certified family practitioner and director of research at the Continuum Center for Health and Healing in New York City and Pediatrician and author Alan Greene share their thoughts on what’s the most important steps in changing your lifestyle for that new baby.
I know as well as many parents, that it can be nearly impossible to have a totally “green” lifestyle but when it comes to our kids, we try our best to protect them. In this article they provide tips on what to start with and what not to stress too hard over, like diapers. Interesting excerpt:
Here’s a list of his Top 5 essential organic foods:
1. If you’re going to eat beef, make sure it’s organic to avoid all the growth hormones.
2. Organic milk is also a must because of the pesticide and antibiotic use. Some studies have also found organic milk has more antioxidants and healthier fats compared to regular milk.
3. Organic potatoes. Regular potatoes have the highest average amount of pesticides of any produce item — even after peeled and washed, noted Greene.
4. An apple a day — but, only if it’s all-natural. Apple trees are often sprayed with organophosphate pesticides which are actually nerve agents used to kill insects. Exposure to this agent can alter brain function and kids are the most susceptible.
5. Soy also falls under this category. Most of the soy crop planted in the United States is genetically modified (87 percent). So it’s a good idea to always buy organic soy.
Dr. Klinger and Dr. Greene also chime in on Bisphenol-A in baby bottles and sippy cups.
“I do suggest using a bottle that is bisphenol-A (BPA) free, ” said Greene. “Studies in animals have found it’s very clear that BPA is an endocrine disrupter.”
Source: FOXNews.com
advertisement
Latest CPSC Childrens Products and Toy Recalls
- Bumbleride Recalls Indie & Indie Twin Strollers Due to Fall Hazard
- Weeplay Kids Recalls Infant Bodysuits Due to Choking Hazard
- Infant Rattles Recalled by Lee Carter Co. Due to Choking Hazard
- Mexican Wrestling Action Figures Recalled by Lee Carter Co. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
- Chariot Carriers Recalls Child Bicycle Trailers and Conversion Kits Due to Injury Hazard
Car Seat Recalls
Latest FDA Recalls
- North American Rescue, LLC Announces A Follow-Up to the Recall of Crickit Convenience Kits Because of Possible Health Risk Related to Nationwide Recall of Triad Povidone Iodine Prep Pads
- Healthy People Co. Issues a Voluntary Recall of Specific Lots of the Dietary Supplements Found to Contain Undeclared Drug Ingredients
- Nest Collective Voluntarily Recalls Select Revolution Foods Jammy Sammy - Strawberry Jam & Peanut Butter Snack Size Sandwich Bars Due to a Labeling Error (Undeclared Peanut on Inner Wrapper)
Latest Recalls in Canada
- Seymour Custom Solvent recalled over labelling
- Kids eyeglass cases recalled because of lead levels
- GUND board books pose choking hazard
Safer States Action Alerts
- 28 states to consider toxic chemicals legislation in 2012
- Report round-up: Toxic chemicals in hidden places
- Obesity: What do chemicals have to do with it?
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
NetwrkBlog
Google+
Pinterest
