Oct

8

Eco-Friendly Patagonia Shoes from OnlineShoes.com (Giveaway!)

Filed Under Eco-Mama, Giveaways Coupons, Healthy Home | 199 Comments

Pin It

    Finding eco-friendly fashion can be somewhat of a challenge, especially if you don’t want your wardrobe to look eco-friendly. So when I was introduced to Patagonia Shoe Company, I was really impressed with the quality of their shoes.  I have one lone pair of eco-friendly sneakers I bought 2 years ago that I love, but a girl has to have options!

    Patagonia Shoes makes comfy functional footwear and uses recycled materials when they can, as well as working to reduce their environmental footprint.  They accept all clothing and shoes back through their Common Threads Initiative program that either recycles or repruposes the materials.  You simply ship your items back to the company.  They even encourage customers to buy or sell their shoes second hand to extend the life of the product.  What company does that? One that actually cares, I think.

    Right now, in conjunction with OnlineShoes.com, Patagonia is donating $10 to Healthy Child Healthy World (an organization dedicated to creating a less toxic world) for every pair of shoes sold from now until October 17, 2011.  So what’s a girl to do? Buy shoes of course. It’s for a good cause…. RIGHT?    I am currently sporting a super cute pair of short boots for fall – The Patagonia Addie Ruffle Boot in Peat Moss.  They’re constructed of 70% natural hevea latex in the sole and heal and 70% recycled polyurethane footbed.  They are stitched from the outside to reduce the need for solvents and adhesives. They are comfy and look adorable with jeans.  (That’s the most important part, right?).

    How About a Pair Of Patagonia Shoes for You?

    OnlineShoes.com is giving one of my lucky readers their very own pair of Patagonia Shoes, along with a copy of the Healthy Child Healthy World Healthy Home Book.

    Here’s How To Enter (Required):

    Visit OnlineShoes.com and tell me in the comments which pair of Patagonia Shoes you like! (I think the trail shoes are awesome too – love!)

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

    • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
    • Fan/Like  Online Shoes on Facebook (first name, last initial)
    • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
    • Follow @OnlineShoes_com on Twitter (Twitter name)
    • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
    • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
    • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments): Enter to #WIN Patagonia Shoes from @OnlineShoes_com on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 10/17 http://tinyurl.com/5shhe33

    One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until October 17, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!

    Congratulations to commenter #51 Lisa!

    Jun

    10

    Organic Bamboo Velour by Baby UR Precious (Giveaway)

    Filed Under Eco-Mama, Product Reviews | 201 Comments

    Pin It

      Organic Bamboo Velour is buttery soft and absorbent!

      I’ve used and have a couple organic cotton towels for the kids, and they’re nice. But I had no idea just how luxurious organic towels could be! One of my sponsors, Baby UR Precious is a family owned and operated business which specializes in organic cotton velour products like hooded towels, wash cloths and blankets. They are hand crafted in the USA with 100% certified Natural Organic Bamboo Velour.

      Erin, the mom behind the magic at Baby UR Precious sent us a Organic Hooded Toddler Towel for review (and a washcloth for me!) to try out and I was just in love from first touch!  To be honest, I had some misgivings about velour being less absorbent than cotton but I was proven totally wrong once I tried out these organic bamboo velour towels.  They are SO soft.  And I am not saying “soft” in the traditional sense… I mean really soft, softer than butter soft.  So soft I wanted to cover my body with it and take a nap, soft.  But would it be good as a towel?

      I wrapped my youngest son in the cuddle towel after a bath and laid him on the changing table.  He grabbed the towel and rubbed it on his face the way he does with his beloved “kie kie” (our name for blankies in our house) and I think he wanted to bring it to bed with him. Better yet? It is really absorbent and dries them fast (which is key with wiggly kids) and gently with the buttery soft fabric.  I was pleasantly surprised how well it dried him off and when I was done the towel wasn’t sopping wet… bamboo has the ability to wick moisture away from the skin and is 3 times more absorbent than cotton.  Who knew? Bamboo is also naturally antibacterial and the fabric dries quickly on its own. I would recommend this for babies especially, and babies and kids with sensitive skin and skin issues like eczema.  It’s soft and gentle and won’t irritate.

      I was so happy to find out that Baby UR Precious also creates blankets with their amazing organic bamboo velour (my son will be so thrilled to not have that since he’s been trying to sleep with his towel!).  They also make Baby Hooded Towels, Burp Cloths (so perfect for this use – absorbent and soft), Bibs, Blankets, and Washcloths.  The washcloths are great for baby but I love it for me! I have sensitive skin and love having the soft velour to dry my face at night after washing.  They come in a variety of soft colors and are very durable.  I’ve washed my 100 times already and it still looks new. They aren’t inexpensive as far as these things go but it’s worth it in my opinion.  The softness, the absorbency and the wear… you’ll only need one! Plus you’ll be supporting a family run business maintained by a mom just like me, and you.

      Where Do I Get It??: You can order these luxurious towels and blankets direct from Baby UR Precious!

      Win One!

      Baby UR Precious is giving one of my lovely readers an Organic Bamboo Hooded Baby Towel!

      Here’s How To Enter (Required):

      Visit Baby UR Precious and have a look around.  Tell me in the comments what you would love to have for your kids (or for a friend/relative)!  For me, I’d choose the Oversized Blanket since my son wants to sleep with his towel!

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

      • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
      • Fan/Like  Baby UR Precious on Facebook (first name, last initial)
      • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
      • Follow @babyurprecious on Twitter (Twitter name)
      • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
      • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
      • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments): Enter to #WIN an Organic Bamboo Velour Baby Towel from @Babyurprecious on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 6/17 http://tinyurl.com/447wh8m

      One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until June 17, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!  Thank you Baby UR Precious!

      CoOngratulations commenter #7,  BlessedBlogger!   Thank you everyone who tweeted and entered.

      May

      21

      Ditching Waste In Baby Steps with Glass Dharma (Giveaway)

      Filed Under Eco-Mama, Food Safety, Product Safety | 152 Comments

      Pin It

        My iced coffee with Glass Dharma straw

        I was at the Palm Beach Zoo a few weeks ago with my boys – it’s something I do with them on a regular basis.  We stopped for lunch at the “cafe” before heading over to the Tiger exhibit and we ordered waters for the table.  When they were delivered they were in tall cups with no lids or straws because the zoo doesn’t use them.  It’s safer for the animals and it’s wasteful.  I was thrilled and found myself thinking “Why isn’t it like this everywhere?“.  Something so small as a plastic straw fills up so much un-recycled trash.. think about how many are used at sports stadiums, restaurants, airports… we protect the environment and the animals at the zoo, why not every animal everywhere?

        The cost of convenience is contributing to a trash filled earth where there are literally islands of garbage the size of Texas floating in the ocean.  That’s purely disgusting.  I’m not perfect, but I make an effort to recycle, to buy things with less packaging and to reuse what I have rather than buy something new.  I am working on giving up wasteful things in my home and trying with all my might to educate my kids to be aware and respect the planet we live on instead of treating it like our own personal dump.

        Enter Glass Dharma into my life. I had heard of glass straws before and never took the step to try them because I had a very distinct vision of how they were.  “Glass straws? And kids? That is never going to work.“  But I tried, and I changed. Glass straws are a brilliant solution.  Glass is non leaching and is my favorite material to use for food. There is something that makes your meals and drinks special when you use glass and using a glass straw, makes your afternoon iced tea feel like an indulgent treat.  It’s a pampered feeling!

        Glass Dharma’s straws are durable and feel good in your hand. they have a nice weight to them and not in a negative way.  This is my STRAW! They come in a few fun varieties but I have to admit my favorite is their Beautiful Bends straw which essentially is a plain glass straw with a subtle angle.  I’ve been using it daily.  They also come in varying lengths ranging from 6 ¼ inch to 10 inch.  The daintier sizes (7mm thickness) are fun for cocktails but my kids like them with the decorative dots.  The dots also prevent them from rolling which is key with kids. Plus they look cute.

        You can purchase a hemp sleeve for carrying your straw in your bag (I’ve been carting mine around for 2 weeks and no breaks.)  I’ve gotten a couple compliments on it while out and about too… people are more open to the idea of a reusable straw than I originally thought.

        I want to share them with you!  Glass Dharma is giving one of my readers $25 worth of Glass Dharma straws!

        Buy Your Own: If you don’t want to wait to see if you win, You can purchase Glass Dharma in a number of places: On GlassDharma.com or from my dear friends at  TheSoftLanding.com.

        Here’s How To Enter (Required):

        Visit Glass Dharma and tell me which straws you would get if you win!

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

        • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
        • Fan/Like  Glass Dharma on Facebook (first name, last initial)
        • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
        • Follow @GlassDharma on Twitter (Twitter name)
        • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
        • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
        • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN glass straws from @GlassDharma on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 5/30 http://tinyurl.com/4ypymsl

        One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until May 30, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!

        Congratulations commenter #25 Brittany!

        Feb

        14

        New Jammies Organic Cotton Pajamas (Giveaway!)

        Filed Under Eco-Mama, Giveaways Coupons, Product Reviews | 175 Comments

        Pin It

          I was shopping in a clothing store with my family last weekend when my husband held up a pair of kids pajamas and said “How about these? Are these ok?“.  I shook my head “no” and he put them down knowing that he was defeated. “How can you tell which ones are good?“.  The truth is, it’s really hard to tell and I just go with my gut instinct.  But typically kids pajamas need to be either flame resistant or snug fitting according to the law set forth by CPSC. Some are treated in ways that are not as harmful to be near.  They are bonded to the fabric in such a way that they don’t pose as much of a risk and some use chemicals like PROBAN where it’s active ingredient has been “linked to genetic abnormalities and damage to the liver, skin and nervous system. It also promotes the growth of cancerous tumors”.  See this article by the great people at The Daily Green to learn more.  The problem with both options is that you don’t know what methods they used to make the clothing flame resistant.  For this reason I typically shy away from purchasing sleepwear made of polyester or flame resistant cotton.

          My handsome man modelling his Organic Cotton Owl New Jammies

          Organic cotton is always a safe choice as long as they fit snug and comfy.  New Jammies is a company that the lovely LullaBy Organics Shop introduced me to.  I’ve seen kids pajamas for much more and gotten much less.  In this case I was not disappointed. LullaBy Organics sent me a set of their Organic Cotton Owl Pajamas by New Jammies.  I wasn’t expecting miracles since most of my pajama experiences are with things that don’t last well through many washings and end up being too tight or scratchy.  I also absolutely loathe pajamas with animals or truck patches sewn on them.  Seems uncomfortable to me!  New Jammies uses soft organic cotton and eco-friendly vegetable based dyes.

          What I liked about these is that they fit true to the size.  In many cases I am buying a size larger than what my son wears since snug jammies start to shrink or warp with wash.  New Jammies, after many MANY washings (these got a lot of abuse for reasons beyond my usual control) and they still held true to size.  The eco-friendly dyes haven’t washed out and they still are soft as ever and look like new (aside from that strawberry stain on the short we made).  I also like that the bottom of the pants don’t have any annoying seams or cinching.  They have stayed super soft and comfortable and look adorable.  I grab for them first every time.

          Get Them! You can purchase New Jammies super soft organic cotton pajamas on Lullaby Organics website.

          Win It

          Lullaby Organics is giving one lucky reader a set of Organic Cotton New Jammies!  You’ll love them… so soft and awesome.

          Here’s How To Enter (Required):

          Visit Lullaby Organics and tell me what style of New Jammies you like!  This step is required to enter the giveaway.

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

          • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
          • Fan/Like Lullaby Organics on Facebook (first name, last initial)
          • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
          • Follow @LullabyOrganics on Twitter (Twitter name)
          • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
          • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
          • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN a set of New Jammies Organic cotton pajamas from @LullabyOrganics on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 2/23 http://tinyurl.com/6fl28bp

          One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until February 23, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!

          Congratulations Tomoko, commenter #60!

          Jan

          3

          Real Nappies Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway

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

          Pin It

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

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

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

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

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

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

            Win It!

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

            Here’s How To Enter:

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

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

            • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
            • Fan/Like Real Nappies on Facebook (first name, last initial)
            • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
            • Follow @Real_Nappies on Twitter (Twitter name)
            • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
            • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
            • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN a @Real_Nappies Cloth Diaper Intro Pack on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 1/10/11 http://tinyurl.com/2uzbehj

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

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

            Dec

            30

            ReUsies Reusable Snack & Sandwich Bags (Giveaway)

            Filed Under Eco-Mama, Food Safety, Giveaways Coupons, Product Reviews | 106 Comments

            Pin It

              ReUsies 2-Pack in Limeade

              My son starts back to school on Monday (I love him but yay). Starting Monday he’ll be bringing his lunch 5 days a week too. One of the things I swore, and have been somewhat successful at, is making his lunch as waste-free as possible. I just can’t bear the thought o sending a bag full of packaging, zip locks and juice boxes to school 5 days a week for the next 5 months.  That’s a lot of unnecessary trash.   There are so many great reusable lunch gear products on the market but sifting through it all and deciding on what works best for you can always be a challenge. Trying out ReUsies reusable snack and sandwich bags has made a change in the way I see lunch gear.

              ReUsies were created by Seattle moms who wanted to improve the environmental impact they were leaving on the earth with their kids and work lunches.  The bags are soft and accommodate a large sandwich or a generous snack.  Important to note is that they stay sealed (with a velcro strip) and even when jostled.  ReUsies are made with 100% cotton and are lined with water-resistant nylon. They are of course BPA, PVC, phthalate free.  ReUsies are also made right here in the USA (Seattle!).  ReUsies says that sandwich bag fits a half of a sandwich or a whole one with the crusts cut off but I had no trouble fitting a regular sized sandwich in there – crusts and all.  In fact it fits snug enough to keep it together.  My son prefers his sandwiches plain so its tricky to keep them “glued”.   I was also able to fit a small round sandwich in the snack bag.  My point is they are large enough to accommodate your lunch items.  I also found good use or them in my diaper bag.  My 1 year old is one of those kids who needs snacks all the time.  I filled mine up with crackers and dry cereal.  I had no problems with spilling or messes (aside from the messes my son makes).

              I’ve been resistant to buying cloth bags for a while due to my anxiety over keeping them clean.  I can assure you it’s much easier than I thought and they hold up to the abuse.  For the best results a soapy sponge and a quick rinse is all you need.  I air dry them in the dish rack with all my other hand washables.  However, these can be machine washed or run through the dishwasher.  They come in a lot of cute fabric designs and in both snack and sandwich sizes. I’m kind of in love with the Chopsticks design myself. :)

              Get Them: You can purchase ReUsies snack and/or sandwich bags right on their website ReUsies.com.  If you buy 4 or more they are offering free shipping with the code 4ORMORE at checkout.

              Win Some!

              ReUsies is giving away a 2-Pack (Sandwich and a Snack Bag set) to one SafeMama reader!

              Here’s How To Enter:

              Visit ReUsies and tell me which 3 fabric patterns are your favorites.  If you win, you’ll get one of your fabric choices!

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

              • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
              • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
              • Follow @ReUsies on Twitter (Twitter name)
              • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
              • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
              • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN 2-Pack of @ReUsies Snack & Sandwich Bags on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 1/7 http://tinyurl.com/2wman9d

              One US or Canadian winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until January 7, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck! :D

              Congratulations Sheri, commenter #24!

              I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com and the Tomoson weekly featured sponsor Favorite Wigs – Shop Name Brand Wigs at Low Prices! Large Wig Selection of Forever Young Wigs, and other Quality Wigs. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

              Sponsored by Tomoson.com

              Dec

              20

              Cool Find: Bamboo Reusable Water Bottle

              Filed Under Eco-Mama, Food Safety, product finds | 8 Comments

              Pin It

                My husband sent me a link to this recently and I had to share it.  I’m always posting about the newest water bottle that I fond and this certainly, is no exception.  So far the only glass water bottle I am aware of (there may be more) is the great one by Life Factory which I reviewed a while ago.  I still like it and use it often.  But the Bamboo Bottle is a little different and has a very interesting sustainability effort behind the brand so I thought it was worthy of a mention here on SafeMama.com

                As you may very well know, glass is one of the safest materials to use when it comes to liquids because whether you put ice cold or steaming hot in contact with it, it will not leach toxins like plastics can.  SO using it for a reusable water bottle is brilliant – though that always comes with it’s own challenges.  What I thought was really cool is the removable bamboo sleeve that fits over it.  The Bamboo acts like an insulator so you can actually use this for hot liquids and I imagine it insulates against the bottle sweating (though I don’t know if it does, I haven’t actually seen on of these in person). The bamboo also protects the glass from breaks.

                All the materials are recyclable and/or from renewable sources so it’s a nice way to eliminate the plastic water bottles from your life. Who needs em? Plus it’s pretty stylish I think.

                They aren’t available until 2011 so you won’t find one of these in your Christmas stocking (but oh how I would love that) – but you can pre-order one when then come available again.  They retail for $25.

                Aug

                19

                Back To School Non Toxic Lunch Giveaway from MightyNest!

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

                Pin It

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

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

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

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

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

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

                  Here’s How To Enter:

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

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

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

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

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


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

                  Jul

                  7

                  DIY Toy Cleaning

                  Filed Under cleaning products, Eco-Mama, Toy Safety | 10 Comments

                  Pin It

                    We get questions about how to safely clean toys at least once a week.  I really believe that people are getting overly paranoid about germs now that the Swine Flu did a number on our mentality about illnesses.  Thing is, I understand.  I felt it too… the uncertainty, the debating over getting flu vaccines, the worrying that our kids or us would get some horrible sickness and spread it to our families.  But I firmly believe that over sanitizing and MicroBan-ing everything we touch is unhealthy for us in the grand scheme (not to mention MicroBan and Triclosan could be  endocrine disruptors). Germs are good.. building immunity is good. Inconvenient, but good.  But again, I get it. No one wants to get sick, ever. However, I do think a level of cleanliness is important too so periodically cleaning your childs toys isn’t a bad idea… as long as you do it safely.

                    True there are safer cleaning products on the market and you may have seen the commercial of the mom washing her childs bottles and toys in a bleach and water mixture in the sink.  If that’s your bag, fine.  But I think its overkill and there are less toxic methods of toy cleaning.

                    Teethers and Baby Toys: Instead of thinking of it as sanitizing, think of it more or less like eliminating surface dirt. Some toys you may be able to run through the dishwasher.  Other’s might need a quick soap and water soak in the tub/sink.  Other’s may only be able to tolerate a wipe down with a cleaner and soft cloth.  Here’s a recipe for a spray bottle mixture you can use to wipe down toys and teethers.

                    • 1 Cup Water
                    • 1 Cup Distilled White Vinegar
                    • 6 drops of Tea Tree Oil (natural antiseptic qualities)

                    Mix together in a re-purposed spray bottle and either spray directly on toys or spray onto a soft cloth to wipe things down.

                    Stuffed Animals: These can harbor dust mites and dust so a good way to kill that process is to put them in an airtight bag and stick them in the freezer for a few hours to kill any dust mites.  Most stuffed animals you can also stick in the washing machine if they are made from cotton or polyester and they’ll be just fine.

                    Jun

                    11

                    Book Review: Do It Gorgeously by Sophie Uliano

                    Filed Under Eco-Mama, Product Reviews | 1 Comment

                    Pin It

                      If you aren’t familiar with Sophie Uliano she is the fabulous author behind the New York Times Best Seller Gorgeously Green and The Gorgeously Green Diet: How to Live Lean and Green that came out a year or so ago.  She just published her third book Do It Gorgeously recently, and it is the perfect follow up and a terrific resource.  Sophie believes that as women, we can make an impact on the earth and live an earth-friendly life without giving up style and glamor.  She is my kind of lady!

                      The basic premise of the book is to highlight ways we can create things ourselves… which usually end up being more eco-friendly and easier on our wallets.  A lot of you know that saving money is paramount right now and living for eco-consciously can really help you save money.  Who wants to buy expensive shampoo when you can make it yourself? Well, some of us do but that’s just one of a zillion ideas she presents in Do It Gorgeously.

                      Her recipes and do-it-yourself how-to’s include things like making your own health remedies (cough syrup and chest rubs), how to make your own barbecue sauce, make your own compost bin,  recipes for making your own skincare or baby care products… there are a million things in here that I never even considered doing myself like making my own shower curtain out of bed sheets or making my own Mint Zinger mouthwash.  Most of her recipes and how-to’s try to utilize things you may already have.  For some of the skin care and product recipes, you’ll need to invest in essential oils and ingredients but in general, this is a great resource to have on hand when you’re wondering what to do with an old pair of jeans (make a diaper bag out of them!) or with an unused Tupperware tub (compost bin!).  It’s staying on my shelf for when I need some ideas for DIY and re-purposing.

                      GET IT: Do It Gorgeously is the perfect resource for the eco-chic who want to do more DIY and less spending. Pick up your copy at Amazon.com

                      Next Page →

Latest CPSC Childrens Products and Toy Recalls

Car Seat Recalls

Latest FDA Recalls

Latest Recalls in Canada

Safer States Action Alerts





395256_125x125 Abes Market



Current-Special



I'm going to BlogHer '12
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • NetwrkBlog
  • Google+
  • Pinterest