Green Options

I became interested in green living before I had my first child, but since the birth of my daughter; I realized the even great impact for the need to protect our environment and our planet. As parents, we are given the enormous responsibility in rearing of our child to raise a compassionate, fulfilled individual, but what’s more important is our role as the guardian of this planet we are entrusted with. Although we as a society might put that care aside or even completely abandon it; I truly believe that we DO and CAN make a difference. Fortunately, I am not the only one who feels this way. A mother and a geneticist, Maggie Zhou headed to Washington, DC to attend Monday’s U.S. Senate hearing on climate change policy. Zhou is paying for the trip with her own money because “I felt I had to be in the same room with the people who are going to make a decision that will determine the kind of world my daughter will live in.”

Zhou is a mother of five year old daughter, but not only is she a mother; she is a scientist as well. Trained as a geneticist, Zhou began digging dipper into the Climate issue by researching scientific reports and discussing her findings with colleagues who specialized in Climate Change. With further exploration, she was convinced that much more had to be done to protect the Earth’s climate. In a press release by Massachusetts Coalition for Healthy Communities, Zhou used the scientific understanding she acquired to open a dialogue with national environmental groups and some of the leaders of the climate protection movement.

“The science shows that we may have a critical window of only a few years to take action before planetary processes take the matter out of humanity’s control and bring on catastrophic warming. Congress needs to get this right now if children like my own are to have a future.”

According to Zhou, the recently passed energy bill in Washington, The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) is an insufficient solution to the quickly escalating energy crisis that we as a nation will soon face. “This bill does as much harm as good, and in many ways it ties our hands by doing so many favors for the fossil fuel lobby.”

I have a bit of an obsession with lip balms. Lip glosses are too sticky {unless going out at night; then it’s appropriate}, lipsticks reminds me of my mother, but lip balms are not only moisturizing but has the added perk of giving you just a bit of a sheen for that elusive perfect pout. It’s an effortless beauty product that doesn’t look like you are trying too hard. With the perfect moisturizer and a lip balm, you are ready to start the day.

One of my absolute favorites is the Weleda Everon Lip Balm. As the lip balm queen who has tried every jar, tube, and stick imaginable, this is the creme de la creme of lip moisturizers without the hefty price tag. Weleda Everon is ultra nourishing with ingredients like Jojoba oil, Shea Butter, and precious Rose wax. Should I mention that it’s also 100% natural and all Organic?

It’s also Petroleum-free. Did you know most lip creams still use a petroleum base.
Contain no artificial preservatives, colors or fragrances
Cruelty-free

I was fortunate enough to have professional make up artists as friends. They told me the industry secrets as well as tips of looking beautiful or  at least well put together. Almost all of the make up artists I have come across stressed the importance of a good foundation. A good foundation provided the “canvas” in which the make up become the paint that either contoured or highlighted a face. And since foundations usually covers the entire face; it is essential that this foundation is not only a good primer, but good for your skin as well.

Miessence Translucent Foundation heeds this call in a very good way. It’s a pure and natural make-up that is made with certified Organic ingredients. Best of all; Miessence foundation provides a light yet flawless coverage that’s perfect during the daytime; but worthy of night time consideration with a finishing powder.  Other reasons why you might want to consider Miessence foundation:

Made with the pure ingredients that are SO good for your skin. I love the herbal like smell that is void of toxic chemicals. You would be surprised what’s REALLY in traditional cosmetics. FDA doesn’t regulate make-ups, so it’s a free for all within that industry.
Protects against pollution, UV rays and free radicals.
Looks natural in any light; it is a sheer light coverage that looks NATURAL. Evens out skin tone which is what you want a foundation to do. Caked on, and it starts to look like a mask.
Keeps skin hydrated and protected throughout the day. Contains the added benefits of organic, nourishing seed and fruit oils.

Boon Benders are the perfect eating utensils for your toddler. There will come a time when your baby or toddler will graduate the infant spoon yet doesn’t have the mouth big enough for an adult spoon. That was my problem. I couldn’t use the infant spoon because it wouldn’t hold anything yet the adult spoon wouldn’t fit into Laylas mouth. Then walking around BabysRUs looking for a carseat; I found these little gem. Of course when I saw a big sign that read BPA, Pthalate and PVC free on the package; I didn’t hesitate to purchase one. Extra kudos for how modern and fabulous it looks.

The Boon Benders are designed with self feeding {or self attempting to self feed} toddlers in mind.

Benders adaptable utensils were designed to help make the transition to regular utensils a little easier. Parents can position the adjustable end to the perfect angle to accommodate the child’s grip. As motor skills develop, adjust little by little, until straightened.

I always intended to get Layla the Haba Baby Walker Wagon, but starting at $150; it was an expensive purchase that I hesitated over. I am so happy I hesitated, because I came across Plan Toys baby walker that we totally love {great sustainable and safe toy company}. The Plan Toys baby walker is sustainable, because its material is composed of all natural Organic recycled Rubber Wood. The traditional walker is sturdy, comes in natural and primary colors to encourage visual play, and best of all; it also comes with a set of 24 very substantial and colorful blocks. This is the PERFECT toy for budding walkers, but can also be great for toddlers too.

Some of the features of the Plan Toys Baby Walker:

There are two adjustable height for infants as well as for toddlers.
And I mentioned previously, it does come with a set of blocks. If you have seen how much a set of blocks costs these days; you know that this is a huge perk. These are some serious blocks and very large sized; so no worries about a choking hazard. If the walker does not; then the blocks will provide entertainment for hours.  Block toys are one the greatest toys to encourage learning and creativity.
Made in Thailand out of sustainable and recycled rubber wood
Has gotten accolades from other moms which is always reassuring

We have been educating concerned parents about the effects of Phthalates here at Eco Child’s Play. Well studies now show that it is more harmful than what scientists have originally thought. According to Environmental Health News, Phthalates may soften and even weaken bones. “Phthalates used in plastics and beauty products can trigger bone cell death, finds this animal study. Phthalates provoke DNA damage that can lead to bone cell death”, researchers said in a study published by Journal of Cellular Biochemistry.

This study shows how a low-dose exposure to two types of commonly found phthalates has a profound effect on bone cells. Based on the results, long-term exposure to phthalates could have devastating effects on developing bones in young bodies and accelerate deterioration in aging bones. Estrogen deficiency is responsible for a number of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. For this reason, many are concerned about the effects of phthalate exposure on bone health.

Phthalates are plasticizers which are used to add flexibility to plastics. It has been the common ingredient in everyday items like food containers, baby bottles, and packaging for beauty products. Known as as a reproductive or endocrine disruptor; it is slowly being phased out by United States and European nations, but unfortunately, not quickly enough. Even more dangerous is the fact that Phthalates are used in a large variety of products including children’s toys. “Phthalate use is widespread. Phthalates are commonly found in household items made of plastics and in health and beauty products.  Some products with phthalates include toys, vinyl flooring, plastic medical tubing, shower curtains and personal care products such as shampoo, hair sprays and detergents.”

Writers Note: I wrote Breastfeeding Experience from A Green Girl and First Time Mom …
soon after my daughter was born to chronicle my beginning journey as a first time mother and a breastfeeding one. This is a follow up as a mother of a 14 month old and still a breastfeeding mother.

The American Pediatric Association* recommends breastfeeding for at least a year, but the World Health Organization** wants the nursing mother to go longer to two years minimum; longer if the mother and baby wishes. However, when Layla’s first birthday was approaching {and some way before that}; I got asked that dreaded question, “How long do you intend to nurse?” by well meaning relatives, friends, and even strangers. Good question. I gave myself a year tops to devote to the art of breastfeeding. I just couldn’t see myself being my baby’s feeding station longer than that, but now at fourteen months; we are still breastfeeding with no intentions to wean anytime soon.

The beginning of our breastfeeding journey like for many new mother was rocky with lots of ups and downs. There were days when I wondered how I would make it up to a year; climbing a Mount Everest seemed liked an easier feat. With engorged breast, cracked nipples, and gushing milk that sprayed my baby’s face due to overactive let down; the first weeks {even months} were the most challenging. Oddly enough, as time went on; breastfeeding got much easier. I can honestly say that decision to breastfeed and continue to breastfeed was the best decision I made as parent. It really is the holy grail of parenting. I remember during my six week check up, the prenatal nurse confided in me that she nursed for years. She whispered to me with sincere conviction, “There really is nothing like it.”

I thought I would be one of those mothers who would lovingly home make all the baby food. I sniffed at the idea of baby food in the jar. Why would I ever want to feed my baby THAT? I got a copy of Super Baby Food, read through it and smugly declared that I would never resort to feeding my baby those unhealthy commercialized baby products… Organic or not. Of course, reality set in once I became a mom. Days when just doing one more thing was an impossible task, I begrudgingly reached for those Organic baby food jars at our local grocery store with a heavy guilty conscious. On my defense, I did try to make homemade baby food, but Layla turned her head and longingly looked at the baby food jars. So even she agreed that my calling was not to be a home cooking mom.

Well there’s a healthy compromise with the HAPPYBABY frozen baby meals. Aptly tag-lined, “Think Outside the Jar” It’s a great alternative to busy, very tired, or cooking challenged moms. Instead of processed jar food, you get fresh but frozen food that is delicious as well as nutritious. All the ingredients are Organic. There are vegan and vegetarian option as well as organic meat for carnivores {which we are}. “HAPPYBABY was born when we saw the need for nutritious and convenient alternatives to highly processed baby food. We believe baby’s first meals should taste and look delicious—and nourish baby’s body”. Should I mention that it is endorsed by Doctor Sears {who is my go to person on parenting}.

Although I really loved the idea and the look of a stainless steel sippy cup {like the Foogo}; EC did point out that they would probably maim someone should it be used as a missile by an upset toddler. Case in point, I got whacked in the head with a sippy cup today, but it was the BPA free Born Free sippy cup so it didn’t maim, just hurt for a second. We are a Born Free fanatics here. We used to have the Born Free baby bottle {although ours was glass}, then we got the Born Free pacifier, and now we are using the Born Free sippy cups. I love this sippy cup.

Born Free is a company that is well known to provide safe and workable solutions to baby feeding. They are thoughtfully made with the baby in mind. It’ is designed well for convenience and best of all; it’s all BPA free. Another case in point, additional drinking sprouts can be purchased so if one wears thin because of a teething baby {like ours}; just replace the sprout and not the entire cup.

There is always so calming about baths. Maybe it’s a reminder of our time in the womb when we floated freely and without worry. Regardless of the reason, it’s also a great way to create night time ritual and connect at the end of the busy day. I can not say enough good things about baths, so it is especially important to have the most natural and non-toxic cleanser for the tiniest of tots since they will be immersed in it.

Of course, almost all baby product companies claim their products are “natural” and “pure” but this seems to be more of a misleading advertisement rather than their commitment to bring safe products to consumers who don’t have the time or desire to do more than read the label that states it is, and so it must be. (That’s why there are sites like Eco Child’s Play to provide education on that… but I digress). It doesn’t help when FDA refuses to take a stance on reproductive disruptors like Phthalates and BPA.

But as with any darkness, there comes hope. Created by a physician who wanted only the very best for his then pregnant wife; Dr. Jason Rubin with his wife created Belli Skin Care, a line of natural prenatal and baby products that didn’t contain the dreaded Phthalates as well as other “xenoestrogens– ingredients which can act like hormones and interfere with normal development of the reproductive system”. The essential cleansing ingredient is coconut oil with some essential oil extract like Calendula and chamomile, both which have soothing qualities.