Even though the summer is coming to an end, mosquitos are still alive and well in the Northeast. They have reported finding Triple E and West Nile infected bugs in our area so it is still a concern for us. I put baby/child safe bug repellant on my toddler daughter made by California Baby to help keep them away. But I also got an idea from a website about combatting the bugs naturally with plants. I am definitely planting these next spring to try to cut down the population near my house.
Let me know if there are more natural mosquito repelling ideas out there!
Growing information on the plants
Archive for August, 2007
Apparently it’s a growing trend to begin potty training from birth to help reduce the ecological impact of diapers. Article (Link expired) How do parents out there feel about it? I’m curious.
It can be tough to get a meal together that is healthy and satisfying after a busy day. Take out is fine but it can get expensive, and it isn’t really all that great for you. I went to a dinner making party at a place called Super Suppers. The premise is to go and make a whole bunch of meals in advance, take them home and freeze, and pull ‘em out when you need them. The cost is more than you’d pay at the market for the ingredients, but everything is layed out, cleaned, chopped, with recipe placed at eye level- and they clean up after you. The other nice ascpect is that you control what you put in, salt, spice, oil. That makes it easier to keep calories in check or make accomodations for special diets which is tough when it comes to take away.
Aside from the parties, you can go to the scheduled sessions and make your own meals, or for a little extra, they will make them and you can pick them up.
Super Suppers is only one franchise, there is also Let’s Dish, Mixing Table, Dream Dinners, Dinners Done Right, Prep Kitchen and many more…
Ugh, can it be more? But it is and I feared it since the first major recall from Mattel. This is truly worrisome, Mattel is a huge company that is self policing and finding this. What about all the other small companies that don’t, or the little trinkets that are given away here and there, or come out of a machine. Who is actively testing those?! I think we all thought this worry died off years ago, and that there were more concerns about small pieces as choking hazards. Lead paint is a scary poison, and there should be a wider net cast over children’s products for screening.
All this asks us bigger questions about whether or not getting the ultra cheap price for something is worth the risk. If the ability to regulate isn’t possible in China- then where can we, and will we pay more for it?
For more information on the toy recall, visit CNN’s page on the recall. Also visit the Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, who have setup a page about lead paint dangers.
Stuffed Animals!As an alternative to toys with paint on them, stuffed animals are always a good option. I’m not sure about what chemicals they use to create the synthetic fur, but isn’t that stuff (materials for clothes and stuff) heavily regulated? And do the same rules for pillows (non-flammable, etc.) apply for animal stuffing? Anyway, I found this penguin at Amazon and had to share it here! It gets rave reviews and costs only $4.99! |
I have always favored cleaning products that are good for the environment, and now I have an added incentive, my daughter. Not only so she can look forward to a future environment that is less damaged but a household that is less toxic. The problem for me and so many others is the cost. Using green products isn’t hard, just hard on the wallet. I believe it is one of the biggest factors keeping the general public from using the safer, kinder alternatives. Plain and simple- chemicals are cheap.
What to do about it? One way is make your own. I know, it’s added time, but I think it is worth it and it’s actually pretty simple. And it might be even cheaper than chemical type cleaners!
Here are some recipes from the Green Guide.
