Eco Link Love Edition: # 1

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The other day I shared my favorite raw foodie sites- well, since then I’ve found even more, I really enjoy- lol!! The bloggy world is amazing. You can learn so much all in one day!

Today, I’m going to keep this short because they’re isn’t much time in my day right now to blog! Baby C has been restless and I can’t seem to keep up with everything. Which means, I’m not superwoman- after all- shh!!!! Don’t tell anyone- LOL! Honestly, though, it feels like some days I have to be Super Woman in order to keep some sanity– but that’s just me.

My husband has been working night and day since the start of the summer. He goes to work for the company and then he comes home and works on the rental house my parents own. He’s doing a complete re-model to it. It’s a lot of physical work and TIME. Besides working day and night- he’s been working the weekends pretty much all year long. Before the rental- there was a side job- and before this turns into a rant- I’m going to stop! You get the drift. Things seems a bit crazy at times and I feel like pulling my hair out. ARGH!

Since my life is a bit hectic at the moment I hope you will allow me to spare you some juicy eco details and allow me to break up the monotony…

Here are some GREEN blogs I regularly visit- in no specific order…

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the {upcycled & recycled}Why I Love Preserve

About a month ago, our Costco collection of toothbrushes came to an end! While on a quick run into Trader Joe’s I saw these Preserve toothbrushes and decided to purchase them. I’d read a lot about them previously and figured it was the best eco option. We’ve been using them for a couple weeks now and like them.

I love all the features about Preserve products! I honestly can’t believe I haven’t invested in their products sooner. I’m thrilled to share the wonderful information with you.

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Green Smoothie Rocket Pops!

I’m totally loving these popsicle molds by Tovelo. My son absolutely adores them too and has not stopped asking about them since they arrived at our door last week. We have some cheapie ones from Target as well but I’m afraid those aren’t BPA FREE. Which is why I bought these they’re not lined with BPA. Instead they’re made without the yuckies and they’re groovy.

These rocket pops remind me of the “bomb pops” I grew up on from the ice cream man.  Except that the mixtures that going into these rocket pops are100% natural! I made a green smoothie version and poured it right into the molds. Hooray for healthy treats! My mom let me borrow her VitaMix blender so I could pulverize some flax seeds and I decided I would take advantage of it’s mighty power and blend up the fresh strawberries we’d bought and make popsicles for Tristan.

Here’s what you need:

3-4 pineapples spears

1 1/2 cups of strawberries

1 banana

1 big handful of your favorite green- we used spinach and it was probably a little less than a handful. -

About a 1tsp of agave (optional)

ENJOY!

This is definitely something the kids will love to snack on for a treat. What makes it so great is that your kids will eat it right up and not care a bit about the greens AND it’s a perfect way to cool off in the summer.  My son LOVES this recipe.  Create your own and have fun with it!

What’s your favorite summer smoothie mixture?

An Eco-Cool & Healthy Way to Pack Lunch

A non toxic lunchbox that makes meals on the go a snap!

Everything down to the ice pack is safe!

 Check out their website at www.lunchsense.com :)

La Cocina Verda (The Green Kitchen)

 

The kitchen is a commonplace for Tristan and I to be…we love to eat! Feeding Tristan can be a challenge but we have a lot of fun being creative. Since I’ve become a mom I’ve learned there are challenges when it comes to finding all the necessities required to feed your beloved lil’ greenie. For one, you can’t get bamboo utensils or bowls anywhere in my town- PVC Free Bibs- what are those?, So Easy Baby Food food trays-you’re going to make your own baby food-what the…, how about ORGANIC foods in general for a baby/toddler! The reaction to my green baby saga was always gently nubbed. In any case, it took some time to aquire the items we needed for Tristan before birth…but we finally had what we felt was adequate and considered him our little Green Guy and our kitchen La Cocina Verde!!

Shopping List:

- bamboo- utensil set- bambu products

-.bamboo bowls

-Sustainable Highchair – Babylon Toddler Highchair

-Organic cotton bibs or PVC Free Bibs made by Bumkins

- Cloth napkins-(organic whenever possible or recycled fabric) to wipe up spills and messy faces! http://www.fabkins.com/ or recycled paper towels

- So Easy Baby Food Kit, non toxic- for storing your homemade baby food

- Cast iron pots/and skillet- non toxic, no teflon, and great for iron deficiency- iron leaches into food while being cooked

- Organic groceries and snacks whenever possible 

- Non toxic sippy cup/bottle and other baby feeding accessories

- All natural, non toxic, cleaning products and hand soap

- Glass storage containers- operation out with the plastic!!!

Check out The Soft Landing http://www.thesoftlanding.com/ for an array of PVC/BPA free unique items!

 While slaving over all that baby food you’ll need a handy dandy recipe book to glance over. I’ve used this one on many occassions…

* Organic Bay and Toddler Cookbook- easy recipes for natural food by Lizzie Vann

Organic Food For Thought: Just about any baby food recipe can be converted to an organic one! Also, most organic baby food books offer lots of insight about wholesome natural foods and most recipes for go refined sugar!

Tristan throughly enjoys his greens… he’s bound to have a little green in him! ; )

Our little green bean loves the following recipe and it’s packed with iron too!

*Steam- peas, carrots, spinach, broccoli, and quinoa (cook quinoa seperately) puree in food processor!  Freeze and serve as needed.

What’s your favorite baby food recipe or accessory? Any suggestions…??? 

Wooden Toy’s are IN, Plastic Toy’s Are OUT

Our playroom is the living room…we spend a lot of time exploring and enjoying Tristan’s world here. Most of his toys are wooden but there’s no way of escaping the world of plastic. It’s everywhere. I practically cringe every time the plastic ones enter his mouth. He seems to have an even take on both when there laid out on the floor…but he doesn’t know any better!! I try to keep the wooden toys in a wicker basket, separate from the plastic ones. The plastic basket doesn’t usually come out of it’s corner unless Mr. Trister gets into his Dennis the Menance mood and finds it! He also has two exersaucers that he uses! I know, I know!!!Really bad right? AND- a Tonka Truck…!!! Why choose wooden toys over plastic:

* Wooden toys are natural- BPA Free!

* Toys made out of plastic chemicals can be hazardous to your child’s health

* PVC & Vinyl or Phthalates can be easily ingested, especially when handling teething toys

* Wooden toys are recyclable & sustainable- germs are less like to breed on wood

A few safe toy companies to choose from- Plan Toys, Haba, Sassy, Melissa & Doug, & Tiny Love- Plush organic dolls are great alternative too!  I also say “Quality vs. Quantity”!!!

Babies systems are vulnerable and while development is taking place- plastic toys should be avoided. Look for products that are BPA, PVC, Phthalate FREE. Wooden toys are much heavier but that seems to be the only downfall! And for little boys like Tristan it’s only going to build strong muscles!

According to Discover magazine in the article Plastic People of the Universe- Everything you always wanted to know about the biology of plastic (but were afraid to ask). By Jill Neimark

“Chemicals leaching out of plastics may reshape not only your children but your children’s children.”

-Last October Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation, to get the concentration levels of phthalates reduced in child-care products for children under 3 by 2009. The ban focuses on soft baby books, soft rattles, platic bath ducks, and teething rings.   Several other states are considering legislation.

Basically, the article is relaying that BPA exposure can be multigenerational. A mother’s exposure can impact the genetic quality of her grandchildren. Believing, through significant studies that BPA is very toxic, and can affect the reproductive system.

I recently heard that Toy’s R Us will be carrying their own eco-friendly line of toys!! I’m skeptical for some reason…it’s probably because it’s not my top choice for toy shopping. I really like http://www.oompatoys.com/ – you can earn points towards future toys/products.

My sweet sis and her fam, gave Tristan these adorable environmentally friendly ANAMALZ (Lion, Bull, and Zebra)…they’re so stinkin’ cute! I LOVE them. Tristan is a Taururian so the Bull worked out perfectly!! ; ) Good lookin’ out sis!! ***UPDATE- He recieved the remaining part of the collection for his first birthday they’re so adorable and he play’s with them all the time.***

* Organic maplewood and textile!!

* A percentage of your purchase supports wildlife organizations around the world!!

* Visit http://www.anamalz.com/ – features the Wild Anamalz album written by Beau Young with music influences of Ben Harper, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young to name a few…

The CD sounds whimisical and fun. Tristan would really like it…and so would I!! ; )

Our little monkey is walking now and we were thinking about getting him a toy that will help develop this ability…a wooden/metal one perhaps! We had thought about buying the Wheelie Bug at on point… Any suggestions or recommendations…what’s your little one’s favorite toy?

Green Bathtime Scene

Splish, Splash you’re giving the baby a bath… what might a green mama have…

While looking into a eco-friendly tub or maybe it was bath accesories…whatever it was…(it was just after Tristan was born). I happened to stumble upon the Tummy Tub- a new concept in Europe that is starting to gain popularity here. We purchased one when he was 5 months old. We’d been thinking of ways to limit baths because they use up so much water and using a bucket like the Tummy Tub is perfect. After the bath you dump the water into your garden or front lawn. The video gives you an idea of how the tub is used. I was sold on their concept and the fact that it’s non-toxic, PVC/Vinyl free! A huge green plus! The tub is good from birth to 6 mos. (when I purchased it-they advertised to 1 yr. and the video was completely different!)

So, that was a few month’s ago…now it’s sitting in his room…awaiting baby #2 so we can use it from birth. The other day, I happened to find out about the same type of tub but one made here in the U.S-called the WashPOD made by Prince Lionhart- except that this one is  not PVC free. Both are earth friendly as you will use less water and can recycle the water after a bath!!

During bath a few accessories can ve nevessary to occupy your child- nowadays you have the option to choose from toys that are non-toxic!! Growing up it there wasn’t such a thing as a PVC toy- Hopefully, the list will keep growing! Here are a few popular ones (my fav’s  on the market today:

* Shower curtain- http://www.simplememoryart.com/

* Rubber duck toy and friends- http://www.giggle.com/

* Bath Book- Haba Toys-  http://www.oompa.com/

* Baby Bjorn Potty http://www.giggle.com/ – You can get them online only @ Target too!

* Organic hooded towel & Bath mit- http://www.ourgreenhouse.com/

* Burt’s Bees or Little Twig Bath products- http://www.ourgreenhouse.com/

* AND- it you’re water is really chlorinated in your area – consider a dechlorinator, for approx. $50- the chlorine in the bath water can be reduced. Of course, cleaning the bathroom with natural, environmentally safe products helps keep the toxic fumes from polluting your babies health!

Our little guy has Ezcema so we have to make sure the bath is non irriating in many ways- since the skin is the largest organ- we do what we can to make his bath as soothing and non drying as possible!

Oatmeal Bath Soak

- 1 capful of Burt’s Bees Apricot Oil

- 2-3 TBSP’s of Earth’s Best Oatmeal- this stuff works great because it’s so fine, that it melts right into the water!!

- ACV ( Apple Cider Vinegar) approx.1 TBSP. – depends on how bad the break out is! Less if the rash is bad!

After the soak we try to get him rubbed down while he’s still moist with Coconut Oil- which is a natural anti fungal (Ezcema is related to fungus)and helps keep the protective layer on his skin from drying out.

“By using a coconut oil cream, lotion or just pure coconut oil you can quickly help reestablish the skin’s natural antimicrobial and acid barrier.” -coconut connections- Healing Powers of Coconut Oil

Bathtime can be so much fun-especially when it’s an eco-friendly bath!!

New Innovative Product- Munchie Mug!

Are you eco-mamma’s and dad’s ready for this! Introducing the Munchie Mug! Your little one is going to love this. Snack time will be less messy and no fuss! My son just received one of these and loves it. He put is hand in the soft fabric closure with no hesitation. This is a great way to store snacks on the go! Best of all it’s earth friendly and 100%  BPA FREE!! Tristan loves his Munchie Mug. We use it everywhere- even camping. No spills, no mess and no fussy baby.  Just fill up the cup with your wee one’s favorite snack and go! The added benefits of being safe for your babies and for the environment, well, what more could a green mom ask for?  Be sure to visit their site and make a purchase you won’t regret!  http://www.munchiemug.com/

 

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