advertisement
SEARCH
Subscribe with Feedburner
SafeMama Sponsors
Fellow Safe Mamas
Grab Our Badge!
Missions We Support
Jan
24
Calendula Cream Choices Cheat Sheet
Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, allergies, Skin Care | 11 Comments
- CA Baby added sodium benzoate to their shampoos and body washes, hand soaps, and bubble products. It’s not in every product but several now feature this ingredient. They have an explanation as to why this ingredient was added in their statement (which has now been deleted). Updated: Many of the products have been reformulated but these are the ones who have had sodium benzoate added. Other ingredients have also been changed with the new labeling so please check your products if you are having any concerns.
- Some products have had up to 10 ingredients changed or altered. (Thank you Kaitlyn!)
- CA Baby changed some ingredients in their calendula creams, including preservatives (no sodium benoate but caprylhydroxamic acid and glyceryl caprylate which are “naturally derived from coconut”)
- They removed safflower oil and replaced it with “organically grown canola oil”.
- They switched their calendula oil to a more concentrated calendula oil that they make in-house – it’s darker in color and has a slightly different smell. They are using less of it because of it’s increased potency and moved it down the ingredients list accordingly.
- CA Baby did not announce any reformulations immediately which caused some uproar on the Internet. They have apologized and made a statement on their FB Wall (It was deleted). They said they have updated all the ingredients lists on their website. The only list I see missing is for the hair detangler.
- Comments regarding reactions to their creams and complaints were posted to the CA Baby facebook wall and deleted.
- Many parents contacted CA Baby to complain about the reactions and say that their complaints were waved off and the company has told them that it was the “same great product it has always been” instead of informing them of a reformulation. (This is what I’ve been told by parents, I’m not stating it as a fact. Just to cover my butt legally – I did not witness these calls.)
- Fan/Like HappyBaby on Facebook (first name, last initial)
- Follow @HappyBabyFood on Twitter (Twitter name)
- Fan/Like SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
- Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
- 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 entered to #WIN @HappyBabyFood Organic Puffs on @SafeMama #giveaway ends 11/9 http://tinyurl.com/26mf9js
- Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifritzii
- Chinese Evergreen - Aglaonema Modestum
- English Ivy Hedera Helix
- Gerbera Daisy Gerbera Jamesonii
- Janet Craig - Dracaena “Janet Craig”
- Marginata - Dracaena Marginata
- Mass cane/Corn Plant - Dracaena Massangeana
- Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Sansevieria Laurentii
- Pot Mum – Chrysantheium morifolium
- Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum
- Warneckii - Dracaena “Warneckii”
- Choose Low or No-VOC paints
- Choose carpets made of natural fibers like wool
- Choose natural and/or untreated materials when selecting furniture
- Dust often and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter
- Use HEPA filters on your HVAC
- Have forced air systems cleaned and sealed
- Use soy candles – they create less soot
- Skip the toxic cleaners!
- Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifritzii
- Chinese Evergreen - Aglaonema Modestum
- English Ivy Hedera Helix
- Gerbera Daisy Gerbera Jamesonii
- Janet Craig - Dracaena “Janet Craig”
- Marginata - Dracaena Marginata
- Mass cane/Corn Plant - Dracaena Massangeana
- Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Sansevieria Laurentii
- Pot Mum – Chrysantheium morifolium
- Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum
- Warneckii - Dracaena “Warneckii”
- General Overview of Food Allergies from the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic website also has great information on egg, milk, soy and wheat allergies if you do a search on their site.
- Examples of Foods That Contain Eggs from the Cleveland Clinic. This was one of the first pages I found when researching allergies months ago and it’s still one of my “go-to” pages for quick reference. It also includes a list of egg substitutes for recipes.
- Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network–this website does require a membership to see some areas, although many sections are “free”, and it seems to be “THE” website recommended by allergy doctors. It also has links for kids and teens, who may feel isolated or afraid because of their food allergies.
- Food Allergy Initiative (FIA). FIA is sort of like the jackpot of allergy information. It has a clean, easy-to-navigate website which includes a “quick reference” for nine top allergens. Plus, there’s info on support groups, “helpful food companies” and allergy research grants.
- Kids with Food Allergies also requires a paid membership, but does have a section of recipes.
Since the onset of the California Baby reformulation situation, moms have been asking about other products to ease the discomfort of eczema and dry skin on themselves and their babies without irritation and extra synthetic ingredients. 
This is a hard job because no product is going to be the exact same thing. Based on the feedback I received on Facebook, I’ll provide a list of products that are comparable and varying in availability and price. Please be aware that I have not tried all of these products so you’ll have to do some experimenting to find something that works for you. Also, if you were using CA Baby products due to sensitive skin or allergies you’ll have to be careful about what you select and test things out to determine if a reaction will occur. Also, not all of these contain calendula. I tried to find ones that did but I wanted to provide other solutions that may work as well.
Online / Private Brand Creams
My Mamas Love PEA Cream – This is a natural balm that has only a few simple ingredients. This might be a good one to try if you have chronic problems with rashes from products. Its desined for Psoriasis, Eczema and Acne. Allergy friendly formula. Ingredients: Organic, extra-virgin olive oil; bees wax; organic licorice; organic myrrh; and organic chlorella.
Price: $9.99 for a 1.7oz. jar
Zoe Organics Extreme Cream – I love this company for many reasons but mostly because they are passionate about providing pure products that are effective and safe. Rates a 0 in EWG and uses all organic ingredients, including calendula extract. Ingredients: butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter*, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil*, rosa rubiginosa (rosehip seed) oil*, persea americana (avocado) oil*, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*, calendula officinalis (calendula) extract*, althaea officinalis (marshmallow) root*, rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract*. *certified organic ingredient
Price: 2 oz jar is $18 / 4oz is $32
Botanical Baby Eczema Cream – I don’t know much about this brand but it does contain calendula and seems to get decent feedback. This has nut oils in it though so if you deal with nut allergies you might want to skip this one. Ingredients: * Lavendula angustifolia (Lavender) Hydrosol, *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, *Prunus Amygdalus, Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, *Calendula Officinalis Extract, *Hippophae rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Seed Extract,* Rosa rubiginosa (Rosehip) Seed Extract, Zinc Oxide, Xanthum Gum, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), & *Lavendula angustifolia (Lavender) Essential Oil.
Price: $17.95 for 4 oz.
Bubble & Bee Organic Body Butta Unscented – Bubble & Bee is a favorite around here. Stephanie really knows her stuff and there is never anything icky or synthetic in her products. Her Body Butta is safe for babies and while it doesn’t contain calendula, she utilizes oils and butters that are known to soften skin and protect. This would be one to try out.
Online/Private Brands: Balms
Labalee Bathworks Baby Moisturier- This one is natural and made for dry sensitive skin. This balm is unscented and doesn’t have any essential oils that may cause allergies or irritation. It is also readily available to our Canadian readers via My Little Green Shop. Ingredients: olea europaea oil (organic olive oil), helianthus annuus seed oil (organic sunflower oil), butyrospermum parkii (organic shea butter), cococ nucifera oil (organic coconut butter), cera alba (natural beeswax), simmondsia chinensis seed oil (organic jojoba oil), tocopherol (vitamin E)
Price: $13.95 for a 2.8oz tin
LuSa Organics Booty Balm – LuSa Organics is one of my favorite companies for skin care items. I’m hoplessly addicted to many of her soaps, lip balms and sugar scrubs. But I’m here to suggest the Booty Balm for dry skin and eczema. She also has a great calendula bar soap that’s perfect for babies too. Ingredients: *Olive oil, *jojoba oil, local beeswax, *avocado oil; flowers of *calendula, *lavender, and *chamomile; essential oil blend (lavender, patchouli, peru balsam, and chamomile); and grapefruit seed extract, citric acid, and silver citrate (natural preservatives).
Price: Full Size (1.75-oz. tin) – $7.75
Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm - No list about skin care for babies is complete without Earth Mama Angel Baby. One of my all time favorites and the brand that pops into my head when people ask what’s safe. EMAB carries a Baby Bottom Balm that features organic ingredients including organic Calendula. Ingredients: Olea europaea (organic olive) oil, Calendula officinalis (organic calendula) extract, Hypericum perforatum (organic St. John’s wort) extract, Stellaria media (organic chickweed) extract, Plantago major (organic plantain extract), Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, Euphorbia antisyphilitica (candelilla), Simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) oil, proprietary blend of Lavandula angustifolia (organic lavender) oil, Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) oil
Price: $9.95 (1 oz. jar)
Dimpleskins Sweet Cheeks Body Balm – I’ve tried their Bum Bum Balm and loved it (it’s perfect for cloth diapering, no zinc. They have this balm for dry chapped skin and patches. It’s smooth and buttery but goes on like other balms do. Ingredients: Coconut Oil, pure Beeswax, organic Jojoba Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Cocoabutter, Vitamin e Oil, pure Lavender and Vanilla essential oils.
Price: $12 for a generous tin (30g)
MotherLove Green Salve - This is a relatively new discovery for me which I found on a fellow greenie blog Retrohousewife Goes Green. The ingredients are pretty simple which is why I like it. Less is more they say. Ingredients: extra virgin olive oil*, beeswax*, plantain herb*,comfrey herb*, marshmallow root*, calendula flower* *Certified Organic Ingredients
Price: $8.95
Sweet Knee Bun Glaze – I don’t know much about this product line but it came recommended to me by another mom. This balm is certified organic as well as gluten free which could be a bonus for some. It looks impressive. I have not tried it but looks like a good product to try out. Ingredients: Ingredients: althea officinalis (marshmallow) leaf*, plantago major (plantain leaf)*, cal. officinalis (calendula)*, matricaria recutita (German chamomile) flowers* infused in olea europaea (olive) oil*, helianthus annus (sunflower) oil*, theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter*, beeswax.
Online / Private Brand Lotions
Poofy Supernaturals Ciao Eczema Lotion – I discovered Poofy Organics last summer from a green blogger friend (Hi Lori) and I love their commitment to being as natural as possible. This is lotion that does utilize Calendula. Ingredients: Distilled water, Organic Wheat Germ Oil, Organic Calendula Oil, Organic Unrefined Shea Butter, Organic Vegetable Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax, Vitamin A & D, Organic Vitamin E, Organic Evening Primrose Oil, Organic Rosemary Extract. Poofy notes that they started adding benzoin gum to extend the shelf life to 5 months but they are made to order and arrive fresh with an expiration date.
Price: $17.00 for an 8.5 oz bottle
Babo Botanicals Oatmilk Calendula Lotion - I love Babo Botanicals products and their organic ingredients. This silky lotion might do the trick on winter dry skin. It’s fragrant in a powdery baby sort of way. Ingredients: Purified Water (Agua), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil*, Vegetable Emulsifying Wax NF, Glyceryl Stearate SE (Vegetable) , Glycerine (Vegetable), Colloidal Oatmeal, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Glucono Delta Lactone (Sugar), Organic Calendula Officinalis*, D-Alph Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Glyceryl Caprylate (Vegetable & Fruit), Carrageenan (Red Seeweed), Evening Primrose (Oenothera Biennis) Oil, Beeswax, Vegetable Cetyl Alcohol (Coconut), Organic Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract*, Wildcrafted Nasturtium Officinale (Watercress) Extract*, Organic Pueraria Lobata (Kudzu) Root Extract*, Potassium Sorbate (Food Grade Preservative), Natural Essential Oil Blend of Vanilla and Cedarwood *Certified Organic Ingredients
Price: $16.50 for 8oz bottle
Episencial Soothing Cream – Episencial kind of specializes in skin care for bothered skin. The creator made this product for dry, bothered, itchy, dry skin and I know that her products are pretty gentle and mild so this could be a great possibly solution for eczema. Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (ORGANIC Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Glycerin (Plant Derived), Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Octyldodecanol, Simmondsia Chinensis (ORGANIC Jojoba) Seed Oil, Beeswax, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil Unsaponifiables, Persea Gratissima (ORGANIC Avocado) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf (ORGANIC Neem) Extract, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Lactobacillus/Milk Ferment Lysate Filtrate (Yogurt Derived Probiotic), Cucumis Sativus (ORGANIC Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria (ORGANIC Chamomile) Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (ORGANIC Safflower) Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis (ORGANIC Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis (ORGANIC Marigold) Flower, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Borage (Starflower) Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus (ORGANIC Raspberry) Juice, Sclerotium Gum, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Capryl Hydroxamic Acid (Natural Preservative), Ethylhexylglycerin (Plant Derived Preservative), Caprylyl Glycol (Natural Preservative)
Price: $10.99 for 8oz
Chain Store Brands
Many of you have asked me to provide some suggestions on product lines that are readily available at local stores. If you are looking to switch brands, I have a Safer Skin Care Cheat Sheet full of options varying from boutique to mainstream brands. Be aware that chain store brands, while more accessible, may contain a synthetic chemical or two so read your labels to determine if they are acceptable to you.
I haven’t come across too many store brand creams that feature calendula oils in their formulas. So I’ll list some brands that are accessible, but again, you’ll have to experiment and see what fits.
Badger Baby Balm - I really don’t need to tell you how great Badger products are when it comes to safety. They made a Badger Baby Balm that does feature calendula and is a simple few ingredients. It’s a balm, not a cream, so there is that but whatever works. I use their balms on my feet and hands all the time. Love the Vanilla Coconut… but I digress. USDA Certified: Ingredients: *Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), Essential Oil of *Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile), and CO2 Extract of *Calendula Officinalis (Calendula). * = Certified Organic
Price: $10 for 2 oz. tin (you can probably bargain shop for this one)
Aveeno Baby Organic Harvest Lotion - This is a new line from Aveeno that I discovered. The price point is about what you would expect but the ingredients list is very impressive. Not to mention tear free, and allergy tested. Here is the ingredients list from the lotion - Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Water, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Glycerin*, Tapioca Starch*, Acacia Senegal Gum*, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Beeswax*, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract*, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, *Certified Organic. The foaming wash and shampoo as well as the diaper cream both have excellent ingredients lists. FINALLY someone has been listening. The lotion is also USDA Certified and available right now at Target and other stores.
Price: Each product retails for about $12 for 8oz.
Shea Moisture Baby Lotion - This line appeared in the last year at my Target store locally and features a body wash, lotion and a thicker cream/balm. They do have a respectable ingredients list. The only flag that came up for me was for Japanese Honeysuckle which was a discussed ingredient a year ago. I’ll link to that here so you can read about it. In a nutshell, it probably has estrogenic properties like parabens do. I’ll leave the decision up to you. Ingredients: Deionized Water , Raw Butyrospermum Parkii Oil (Shea) , Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter (Cacao) , Mangifera Indica Seed Butter (Mango) , Olus Oil , Argania Spinosa Nut Oil (Argan) , Centhera Biennis Oil (Evening Primrose) , Borage Officinalis Oil , Simmondsia Chinensis Oil (Jojoba) , Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil (Rosehip) , Tocopherol (Vitamin E) , Boswellia Serrata Oil (Frankincense) , Chamomile Extract , Myrrh Extract , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle)
Price: $7-9 ber 8oz bottle
Weleda Calendula Baby Cream – This is a thicker cream made by Weleda that does feature Calendula in the formula. Some people have issues with the ingredients in this product so you’ll have to take a look and see if it meets your requirements. Weleda is more readily available than other brands. Benzyl Benzoate and Benzyl Salicylate a little suspect to me… found in nature but ruined during processing is a possibility. Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Lanolin, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Kaolin, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Beeswax, Glyceryl Linoleate, Silica (Silica), Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Limonene*, Linalool*, Benzyl Benzoate*, Benzyl Salicylate*, Geraniol*. * from natural essential oils
Price: $12 for a 2.6 oz tube (you can bargain shop for this one too)
—————————–
This is not a list of every product out there that is a suitable for dry skin and eczema… just a list of the ones I inspected and deem a safe alternative. If you know a brand of calendula or comparable cream/lotion that may belong here, please email me and let me know soI can check it out!
Jan
21
California Baby Reformulation Drama
Filed Under allergies, Product Safety, Skin Care | 44 Comments
There has been some drama going on around Facebook regarding a reformulation of the product line by California Baby. Before you panic I wanted to present the facts to you so that 
you may make an informed decision. Since I’m Mrs Bad News Bear around here I’ll just simply fill you all in and you can do what you want with that information.
Several months ago a friend/reader (Hi Cecelia!) messaged me on Facebook asking me if I noticed that California Baby Shampoo now contained sodium benzoate, when before, it did not. I wasn’t fully aware but I checked and sure enough this was the case. I don’t follow each skin care line and monitor their ingredients lists daily so this was news to me. I didn’t think enough of it at the time until yesterday when I wandered on to California Baby’s Facebook page and saw a large quantity of angry comments about relabeling and calendula creams and miscommunication and changing of calendula and burns and …. wow. It’s a little out of control so I want to sort out the information provided to us.
You can read about the above points in California Baby’s Facebook statement. (Deleted.)
I got a handful of emails from moms telling me that their babies were experiencing burns and rashes after using their new formula calendula creams and body washes, etc. CA Baby addressed it in their statement which is now gone, but I cannot say for certain why a reaction has occurred. (Because I wasn’t there – it would be false of me to make assumptions.. I’m not suggesting I don’t believe you that you had a reaction, because I do. I just can’t comment on why you had reactions.)
Updated: I can only say, if you are experiencing this, stop using it and try something that doesn’t contain any essential oils. (I’m suggesting this because if you are having a reaction to any cream or lotion, switching to something very basic is a good idea. There is also Rosemary, Lavender and Clary Sage oils in the Calendula Cream as listed. There is no telling what is to blame. All we know is that this product caused a reaction for some people.) I had always previously recommended their calendula cream for rashes and eczema and if its working for you I don’t see any reason to stop. (Unless you are purely disgusted by their practices then by all means!) But if you are not comfortable with it, there are other safe skin care products and techniques you can try.
Stephanie of Bubble & Bee Organics also has posted a very poignant article called Why Companies Reformulate that talks about why things like this occur.
Melinda from one of my favorite companies Earth Mama Angel Baby has published an article on the topic of reformulations as well.
Updated: I want to mention that I was not aware of the severity of the complaints being removed or about the responses from the CA Baby company when they received complaints. I think CA Baby made some very bad mistakes in handling this situation and it is disappointing. My goal with this post was to help answer a few questions I was receiving regarding the formulas, not to defend CA Baby. I am on your side and my only mission on SafeMama is to help people find answers.
I am compiling some recommendations on creams that may be suitable replacements for the CA Baby Calendula Cream. In the meantime, if you are in search of a new product line to use, please visit my Safer Skin Care Cheat Sheet for ideas.
Nov
2
HappyBaby’s Organic Baby Food and Snacks (Giveaway)
Filed Under allergies, Food Safety, Giveaways Coupons | 80 Comments
I’ve been a HappyBaby customer before… when my second baby was born over a year ago. When he seemed ready to start solids I went right for HappyBaby’s frozen organic baby food and their Organic Puffs to get him started. He loved them and so did I. They dissolve easily and are fortified with Iron, Vitamin D and Calcium. Not to mention they are also Certified Organic and are packaged in recyclable BPA free packaging. So when I got an email from HappyBaby recently I was more than happy to try out and share with you their new line of Gluten Free Organic Puffs and Yogurt Melts!
HappyBaby’s new Gluten Free Organic Puffs come in two great flavors, Strawberry and Sweet Potato. Why is Gluten Free important? People are becoming more aware of food allergens in kids early on, so its critical to cater to that set of kiddos! HappyBaby just released their version of Yogurt Melts as well, which are also gluten free (not dairy free) and are low in sugar. They are also fortified with prebiotics and probiotics for added digestive wellness. I handed a few of these yogurt melts to my 1 year old and he gobbled them up faster than I could give them to him. He really loves the Mixed Berry flavor!
I was really thrilled to find HappyBaby Organic Baby Food pouches at my local store too. While my son is eating basically everything on his own, I still buy these types of baby foods for 2 reasons. One is they’re a great way to make sure he’s getting the veggies and vitamins he needs. They are similar in their competitors selections but they seem to have found a way to add even more colorful foods our kids might not eat, such as green beans and beets. The other reason is the packaging allows for easy portability and self feeding. He can eat these all by himself. A bonus is that they seem to be a bit cheaper than some other brands. I cleaned out my local Target yesterday because they were all 99 cents or less (versus other brands that are around $1.39 – $1.89). He had a pouch of Blueberry, Beets and Bananas this morning and sucked it down like it was ice cream. I really love the HappyBaby company’s philosophy and strive to make healthy, organic and safely packaged food for our babies and kids.
All of their packaging is BPA and Phthalate free and in most cases fully or partially recyclable. Some containers are also made with recycled material. Their frozen meals are packaged in 100% virgin polypropylene and are recyclable. Additionally, ALL of their foodscontain no pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no genetic modification, and no preservatives.
Get Some for your happy baby! You can purchase HappyBaby products at a wide variety of stores and online at HappyBabyFood.com
Win It
HappyBaby is offering two coupons for a free package of their HappyBaby Organic Puffs!
Here’s How To Enter:
Visit HappyBabyFood.com and leave a comment here telling me what products you think you’re little ones would love! Or if you’ve tried them, which flavors are the best?
For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):
One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Entries will be accepted until November 9, 2010 at midnight EST. Good Luck! 
Congratulations commenter #40, Brie!
Feb
12
Clearing the Air: Germ Guardian Review and Safer Air Cleaning Remedies
Filed Under allergies, cleaning products, Healthy Home | 5 Comments
I had never thought much about cleaning the air in my home. A long time ago I just masked any funkiness with air freshening sprays, carpet powders and candles. Little did I know I was polluting the air in my house more by doing those things. Since I’ve tried to eliminate toxic chemicals from my house, the air included I’ve adopted more effective practices. And while I have no way to measure whether the air in my house is actually cleaner, I can rest a little easier knowing my attempts are safer. Between two kids, dogs and a husband who trains for marathons (read: smelly workout gear), odors do turn up. Here is my attack methods and a review of one air purifier I’ve been trying out.
House Plants
This seems like a silly and obvious tip, but apparently plants do a better job of cleaning and filtering the air than anything else. Some of the best plants for removing toxins (like formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide) are Bamboo Palms, Chinese Evergreens, English Ivy and Gerber Daisies. NASA ran some research tests and came up with a Top 10 list of house plants that clean the air. Here is their comprehensive list:
Fresh Air!
Ever hear the term “stale air”? There is some truth to it! The more air tight your home is (which is typical of newer construction) the more opportunity dust, dust mites and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have to accumulate. Drafty homes aren’t great for your heating bill but they are a little healthier in terms of air quality. Not everyone can do this all the time (especially in the winter) but as soon as the opportunity arrives, open as many windows as possible to get some quality air flow through your house. I try to do this when I am doing a big clean (which doesn’t happen often enough around here) so help move the air through the house.
Air Purifiers with HEPA Filters
At first, I started using these in my sons room to create some white noise while he slept… our house was quite small at the time and it seemed to drown out any noise going on in other areas. But it also served as a way to clean the air he was sleeping in. Since I had to clean the filters and screens monthly I can only assume that gunk was pulled out of the air. Ew. What I didn’t realize was that it was important to use an air purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to aid in removing allergens and blocking tiny particles which can irritate airways or cause an allergic reactions.
I had the opportunity to try out an air purifier from Germ Guardian, UV-C and True HEPA Air Cleansing System. In addition to the HEPA filter it also has a UV-C light to kill common germs and bacteria, kills airborne mold spores and fights odors (like the diaper pail perhaps?). It has a quiet and powerful fan system, which makes good white noise… no rattling or knocking noises. It’s really made well and comes apart easily for cleaning. This is an especially perfect unit for those of us who haven’t invested in a HEPA house filter yet.
Permanent Solutions / Tips
Have another tip? Let us know!
NASA Study House Plants Clean Air
Common indoor plants may provide a valuable weapon in the fight against rising levels of indoor air pollution. Those plants in your office or home are not only decorative, but NASA scientists are finding them to be surprisingly useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings.
NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have announced the findings of a 2-year study that suggest a sophisticated pollution-absorbing device: the common indoor plant may provide a natural way of helping combat “SICK BUILDING SYNDROME”.
Research into the use of biological processes as a means of solving environmental problems, both on Earth and in space habitats, has been carried out for many years by Dr. Bill Wolverton, formerly a senior research scientist at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.
Based on preliminary evaluations of the use of common indoor plants for indoor air purification and revitalization, ALCA joined NASA to fund a study using about a dozen popular varieties of ornamental plants to determine their effectiveness in removing several key pollutants associated with indoor air pollution. NASA research on indoor plants has found that living plants are so efficient at absorbing contaminants in the air that some will be launched into space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations.
While more research is needed, Wolverton says the study has shown that common indoor landscaping plants can remove certain pollutants from the indoor environment. “We feel that future results will provide an even stronger argument that common indoor landscaping plants can be a very effective part of a system used to provide pollution free homes and work places, ” he concludes.
Each plant type was placed in sealed, Plexiglas chambers in which chemicals were injected. Philodendron, spider plant and the golden pothos were labeled the most effective in removing formaldehyde molecules. Flowering plants such as gerbera daisy and chrysanthemums were rated superior in removing benzene from the chamber atmosphere. Other good performers are Dracaena Massangeana, Spathiphyllum, and Golden Pothos. “Plants take substances out of the air through the tiny openings in their leaves,” Wolverton said. “But research in our laboratories has determined that plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria are all important in removing trace levels of toxic vapors”.
“Combining nature with technology can increase the effectiveness of plants in removing air pollutants,” he said. “A living air cleaner is created by combining activated carbon and a fan with a potted plant. The roots of the plant grow right in the carbon and slowly degrade the chemicals absorbed there,” Wolverton explains.
NASA Study shows common plants help reduce indoor air pollution….
NASA research has consistently shown that living, green and flowering plants can remove several toxic chemicals from the air in building interiors. You can use plants in your home or office to improve the quality of the air to make it a more pleasant place to live and work – where people feel better, perform better, any enjoy life more.
TOP 10 plants most effective in removing:
Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Carbon Monoxide from the air
Mar
27
SafeMama Review: Rice “Cheese” Slices
Filed Under allergies | Comments Off
I know, I know, how lame is this? I’m writing a review about cheese. That isn’t even really cheese.
Here’s the thing: if you have a child who has a dairy allergy, sometimes it’s the simple things in life that make them happy. Like a grilled cheese sandwich. I’ve made it no secret that I’m on a constant quest to find equivalent of what the other kids are eating for my toddler. On a whim one day at the grocery store I purchased Rice Vegan Cheddar Flavor Slices. The package looks exactly like your average wrapped cheese slices, but we don’t keep those in the house, so I was shocked when I presented a rice slice to my toddler and his response was “Yay! Cheese!” This coming from a child who, to my knowledge, has never really seen a slice of cheese before.
Rice Vegan Slices are produced by Galaxy Nutritional Foods, a company specializing in cheese alternatives. Their products are dairy, soy and/or gluten free. Several products are vegan, like the one I’ve been using, for those of you looking for food options based on lifestyle choices as well.
So far in my house, we’ve tried the cheddar and pepper jack flavors. Both contain jalapeno peppers, which I found to a surprising ingredient. Both flavors were pretty good–and by that, I mean they’re flavorful, but different from their original counterparts. One would not mistake the cheddar flavor for actual cheddar cheese, however. My son is only 19 months old and found the pepper jack too spicy for his liking but he GOBBLES the cheddar flavor (which still has a bit of a kick because of that jalapeno).
The packaging advertises that the Rice Vegan Slices have a “smooth melt” and I suppose this claim is relative. Yes, the slices melt. I’ve made quesadillas and pizza with them, but again, they don’t melt anything like regular cheese would. That might make for a dish that’s visually less appealing than what I’m used to, but as with most things related to allergies, I’m happy that I’ve found an acceptable “cheese” option.’
Get it: Check their website GalaxyFoods.com for retailers near you.
Jan
16
SafeMama Review: Road’s End Mac and Chreese
Filed Under allergies, Green Mama, Product Reviews | Comments Off
In my never-ending quest for allergen-free alternatives to what all the other kids are eating, I stumbled upon products by Road’s End. Road’s End is an organic, environmentally-friendly company that specializes in plant-based versions of ”comfort food”. Their product packaging is all recycled materials and they strive to recycle and reuse as part of their operating procedure.
What drew me to Road’s End was their “123′z and Chreese 4 Kidz”. Now I can’t lie: as an English major in college, a part of me died at the use of “z’s” in place of “s’s” here. And also, “chreese”? I decided to give it a whirl anyway, because I wanted my little guy to have the experience of mac and cheese, one of life’s greatest little pleasures. I didn’t have high hopes. At all.
But to my surprise, it was good. A little different from regular ol’ Kraft variety. It’s not as bland and not as, um, “yellow” as Kraft’s. It’s creamy, flavorful and the noodle numbers are cute. When comparing the ingredients of Road’s End and Kraft varieties, I’m definitely more comfortable with the Road’s End ingredient list.
My son was only about 14 months old at the time he first tried it and he was going through a weird texture issue, so the shape of the noodles threw him for a bit of a loop. Now he thinks they’re great and frankly I have a hide the box in the back of the cupboard or he’d want Mac and Chreese every night.
Get It: Order through the Road’s End website or use their store locator function.
Nov
17
Food Allergy Resource Round-Up
Filed Under allergies, Health & Medicine, Safe Mama Tips | Comments Off
First, let me say that I am so not a doctor and that you should always check with your child’s pediatrician or allergist for accurate information about your child’s specific allergy. Websites can be great resources, but they are no substitution for a doctor’s advice. If you think your child has a food allergy, bring your child to doctor who specializes in allergies–there are skin and blood tests that can confirm an allergy and its severity.
Also, there is a difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance. People with a food intolerance (the most familiar example is a lactose intolerance) can usually have small amounts of a problem food without a problem. However, a true food allergy usually will trigger a reaction to even very small amounts of the problem food. In my son’s case, a quarter of an ounce of milk caused hives, vomiting and some respiratory distress. Fun times.
Even after I had lots of answers from our allergist, I found I needed direction about specific foods my child could eat. So I started hitting Google for recipes and products that my son could have. This list certainly isn’t exhaustive, but if you’re just getting an allergy diagnosis, you may find some of these links helpful.
I, personally, didn’t purchase any memberships to allergy websites, although I do peruse the free sites, or sections of sites often. For me, I began to realize that instead of looking for a resource that would give me a bible of recipes I could feed my kid, what I really needed was just healthy recipes I could adjust. I found using regular websites like Wholesome Baby Food, and the book, The Petit Appetit (which features only organic recipes and uses icons to easily show which contain allergens) worked just fine for me. There are substitutions that can be used for virtually any allergen.
Also, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004 did improve food product labeling, so spotting problem ingredients is a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. The good part about having a child with food allergies (why hello there, silver lining) is that it forced me to start reading labels in a way I’m not sure I would have if my son didn’t have allergies. In turn, I started paying more attention to all ingredients, not just the allergen ones, and my son has a healthier diet because of it. Do you remember that Breyers Ice Cream commercial from back in the 80s (I think) where they give a bunch of little kids containers of other brands of ice cream and the kids can’t pronounce the ingredients? Then they give the kids Breyers containers and the ingredients are cream, eggs, sugar and vanilla bean? I’ve come to use that as the standard with my son, who of course, can’t have Breyers ice cream anyway. But the point is, if I can’t pronounce it, it doesn’t need to be in his food.
Nov
4
SafeMama Review: Enjoy Life Snickerdoodle Cookies
Filed Under allergies, product finds, Product Reviews | Comments Off
Last weekend, we visited my in-laws and they presented my son with his own little treat-or-treat bag stocked with goodies. Because of his allergies (and also, perhaps, because they know I’m turning into a health nut), they included these Enjoy Life Snickerdoodle Cookies.
I had seen this at the market while shopping a few weeks back and while I was reading the ingredients on the box, a well-meaning stranger advised me that he had tried those cookies and didn’t care for them. So I put them back on the shelf, partially based on his advice and mostly because I wasn’t sure my then 14-month old absolutely needed another cookie in his life.
But here those very cookies were in front of me, a gift. And my little guy chowed down two of them almost immediately. So it just goes to show you: not everyone has the same tastes. If your child has food allergies, the menu is somewhat limited to begin with, so let your child try different food products even if someone else didn’t like them.
Enjoy Life has many food products but so far, I can only speak to the snickerdoodle cookies. All their products are gluten-free and free of eight major allergens.
Get it: Check out the Enjoy Life Where-to-Buy link.
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.
Oct
6
SafeMama Review: Van’s Gluten Free Mini Waffles
Filed Under allergies, Product Reviews | Comments Off
Breakfast is good again.
I’ve mentioned before, and I believe many parents of kids with allergies do the same, that I try to find equivalents to what the other kids are eating for my son. About twice a week, his school provides a hot breakfast, so I needed to find something for him to eat while the other children were chowing down on silver dollar pancakes and french toast sticks. I wound up finding Van’s All Natural Gluten Free Mini Waffles.
My son doesn’t have a gluten allergy, but these waffles happen to also be egg and dairy free. And these are good, tasting like regular waffles. I got the “mini” waffles to bring into to school, because they’re a good size for toddler hands, but I also got the regular waffles to keep at home, so that my whole family can eat the same thing for breakfast.
Now, of course, depending on how serious your child’s allergies are, you still want to read the box. Van’s gluten-free products, like many other allergen-free products by other manufacturers, are created at a plant that also makes products that contain eggs, dairy and wheat. Van’s states that “good manufacturing practices [are] used to prevent cross-contamination…”
By the way, did you click on that nifty little link above to the Van’s website? It’s rather impressive. In addition to “gluten-free”, you can also search for products by other criteria like “nitrate-free,” “vegan” and “no artificial flavors”. Just select a product and then “sort by”. And you can click on their ”store locator” link, select your product, and enter you zip code. So you know in advance whether a particular store normally carries the particular thing you need. Awesome.
Get it: Visit Van’s Store Locator.
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
