Green Options

Amenity, well know for their modern organic living interior design products, has created a line of delightful organic nursery products.

A child’s genuine comfort and a parent’s peace of mind guides our careful selection of the purest organic elements that form this collection: bumpers filled with organic wool, lovable blankets of breathable organic percale and supremely cozy organic fleece, all printed with certified organic dyes.

Alabama Chanin creates an “array of limited-edition products for the individual and home. Using a mixture of new, organic and recycled materials our products are constructed with care by artisans who live and work in our local communities. All of the Alabama Chanin products lines are made-by-hand in the USA.”

A.C. has jewelry, interiors fabrics, t-shirts, home collections, a special organic series and more.

Last month, I shared with you the household herbal remedies I used to treat my daughter’s first canker sore. One of the natural items my herbalist friend recommended was licorice root, specifically glycyrrhiza extract, which I did not have on hand. Now, I have discovered a canker sore product made from glycyrrhiza extract that is all natural:  CankerMelts.

CankerMelts not only heal canker sores in 1 to 5 days, but they help relieve the pain too. These slow natural dissolving discs adhere to the oral sore and provide anti-inflammatory pain relief.  Recently, my daughter thought she had another canker sore, although I could not confirm it by peering in her mouth. I let her try CankerMelts, and she did not complain about the sore again.  CankerMelts are not limited to canker sores, as they can be used on any sore in the mouth, such as from braces or biting one’s cheek.  It is advised not to use CankerMelts with children under six years of age, due to choking hazards.  CankerMelts are made in the USA.

With the explosion of organic baby clothing on the market, it is getting difficult to tell one company from another.  Offering organic cotton clothing for little ones is great, and many major retailers, like Pottery Barn Kids, have jumped on the bandwagon.  Still, not all organic kids clothing companies are created equal.  Social responsibility is a integral ingredient to any green company.

Chapter One Organics produces fun, modern and organic baby and toddler clothes from sustainable materials, including onesies, tops, bottoms, rompers, dresses, bibs and blankets. Not only do they make cute organic clothes for little ones, but their line is made by US women of who have had significant barriers to employment.  These women are trained to develop skills that enable them to earn fair wages, establish careers, learn work habits, and care for their families.  Furthermore, Chapter One Organics is an approved member of Co-op America, a national nonprofit consumer organization, promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic justice.

With the continuing onslaught of Chinese toy recalls, it is no wonder that parents are searching for toys made in the USA. Down to Earth Toys makes this search easy, considering over 90% of their natural and wooden toys are made in the United States! The company states:

We feel that protecting your child, while also supporting America’s economy, are of utmost importance.We know that toys made in America are constructed with safe materials and built by fair labor practices.

One of our family’s favorite toys from Down to Earth Toys is the Lunastix Enchanted Juggling Sticks. If you have ever been to an outdoor concert, you have probably seen someone playing with Lunastix. The kid size version of the juggling sticks is fun for children to play with and master, and they are great for hand-eye coordination. Children’s (and parents’) dexterity, balance, focus, and perseverance improve as they learn to do tricks with the sticks. Let me tell you, it is not as easy as it appears.

A Chat with the Inspired (and Inspiring) Women Behind Robbie Adrian Luxury Organics

Recently I had a chance to chat with Susan Doris and Robbie Mahlman, co-founders of Robbie Adrian Luxury Organic baby blankets. Their company takes 100% organic, machine-washable baby blankets to a whole new level of gorgeous style and soft texture, and Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera are just a few of their celebrity customers. These forward-thinking entrepreneurs make sure every detail of their business is as green and sustainable as possible, and all their products completely made in the USA.

These women are also moms who are raising families and running an ethical business in a highly competitive field. They took a moment from their busy day to answer a few questions:

1. Your blankets are unique in that they combine organic, sustainable design with colorful style. Why do you think it’s taken so long for organic manufacturers to move beyond beige?

When a baby is born, it is so pure and natural, yet will soon be exposed to all of the harsh chemicals of the modern world. It is true that babies are exposed to some toxins in utero and through breastmilk, but this exposure is limited and mostly out of the control of parents. What is in the control of new parents are the kind of products they use on their baby,

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Any toy that can encourage a child to help with household chores is a good toy in my opinion. Add quality wooden construction, and I am sold! Magic Cabin offers a Child’s Cleaning Set that contains real cleaning tools. The set includes a metal dustpan and broom, string mop, and a broom; all child-sized!

We have had the Child’s Cleaning Set in my preschool classroom for four years now, and it [...]

Kalon Studios is a new company offering “design for a sustainable culture.” Yes, their prices may send you into sticker shock. Their explanation: “In today’s world, sustainability is more than just being green. Rather, it has evolved into a belief system, an approach to living, being.” Kalon Studios uses renewable, raw materials and food-grade oil finishes on their products. Although the prices are high, the company’s children’s products are designed to be versatile and [...]