Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

Green Laundry Detergents- better for baby and the world

Published
by
amy
on March 24, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 4 Comments

babylaundry.jpgI should have written about this a while ago, and was reminded about it when my sister in-law with a new baby on the way asked me which detergent to use. I am a self professed laundry maven, so I like to think she came to the right place. I have long been picky about how my laundry is done, so I am the laundry lady in my house and have no problem with it. Years ago I stuck by Tide, and used Gonzo for bad stains, used Woolite for my hand washables. Then 10 years ago with more and more green household products hitting the market, I started using those - mostly because they were better for the environment. But I wasn’t totally committed- like a lot of natural household cleaners, (esp. in the beginning) it was lots of trial and error, I found while better for you and the environment, they just didn’t work that well. So sometimes I was going for the lesser evil, All Free & Clear (of perfumes and dyes).

But when my daughter was on the way I wanted something good for the environment, worked well and gentle on her skin. So I again searched and sampled many of the greener brands that would get out tough food and milk stains, be gentle and better for the environment. (these are the brands sans petroleum, dyes, perfumes, phosphates, formaldehyde, etc.) I tried many, but a few varieties that I gave second+ chances to were Ecos, Seventh Generation, and method. Ecos had one of the better prices so I have bought it quite a bit. Seventh Generation is consistently the most expensive and Method falls between. And I have found them all to be pretty good at cleaning clothes. I like that there are no funky chemicals against my daughter’s skin or going back into the water, but they are on a whole more expensive than many conventional brands which I think makes it hard for many to switch. I recommend any of these three, and use them (mostly bought by which is on sale). And I use Oxyclean spray on really bad stains. Something like hot cocoa, blood or grease is just too tough for any of these detergents.

Laundry Duty

I have to admit, I still use All (scented and F&C) on my husbands work clothes. He is an engineer and is outside on a lot of his projects, getting dusty, dirty, sometimes grease, etc on his clothes. So they are a challenge to even an expert laundry lady much less the greener cleaners. Until I find something natural and very hardy- I have to stick with that.

There are a few I haven’t tried and have always wanted to Charlie’s Soap (supposed to do a bang up job on cloth diapers), Dropps and Soap Nuts (mostly because I am intrigued)… they are not kicking around at Whole Foods and I can only find them online so I have hesitated on trying them out. But given how great Charlie’s is purported to be on dirty diapers, I have wondered it they can take on my husband’s work clothes…

New baby in the family

Published
by
amy
on March 17, 2009
in Uncategorized
. Closed

I am so excited to announce the birth or my sister and brother in-law’s new baby, Evan. He arrived yesterday at 11 am. Years will tell what a lucky kido he is to have such great parents!
I am sure my daughter will get over having a boy cousin the minute she meets him.
Congratulations Sarah and Dave!!

Recipes and Cooking Advice for Picky Toddlers and Choosy Children




Published
by
amy
on January 8, 2009
in Uncategorized, eating, healthy ideas, reading and review
. Closed


You might have always had a picky eater on your hands, or maybe its a new thing for your normally eat-everything toddler. Either way it can be frustrating to ask what your little one what she wants to eat and the response is same thing they had for breakfast and lunch or turn their nose at everything you suggest or worse- you make. A few months ago we started to see this, my daughter had been a very diverse eater- from a great array of veggies and fruits right down to a big variety of ethnic foods. But we are witnessing a pull back- an apprehension to try new foods as well as a rejection of some old favorites. So we’ve been employing some new tricks and recipes, mostly good old fashion smoke and mirrors, to hopefully keep variety in her diet. I think back to the kids I baby-sat for in high school that ate hot dogs every night and am going to fight that kind of scenario all the way.

One good book I found a help is The Toddler Café by Jennifer Carden. Her approach, “fast, healthy and fun…” and the book is full of recipes that reflect that mantra. It is not so much like The Sneaky Chef, (another good one) which adds more nutritious ingredients to recipes, but more so a think out side of the box look at feeding a picky toddler. The recipes are simple, but apply fun and involvement as part of the toddler eating experience. There are recipe notes about where to get something or how to store or freeze, recipe variations (incase your kido is really against some implemented ingredient!) and tips on how to get them involved or to eat it. Ever thought about a grilled cheese made in a waffle iron? That is likely to impress a tough customer toddler. Sticky rice balls with carrots and beets mixed in- they will at least be curious (hopefully enough to sample). There are many more like this.

Prior to finding this book we were using some of these fun-type approaches that worked great. Cutting sandwiches in triangles or with cookie cutters, presenting a smorgasbord of dipping foods with hummus (toddlers love to dip), fruit dipped in yogurt, arranging food in different and unexpected ways. Think basic but fun. But if you’re stumped like many others, you and your toddler might find Jennifer Carden’s creative ideas inspiring enough to eat!

See a sample of what’s inside the book!

First Niece or Nephew

Published
by
rae
on December 5, 2008
in Uncategorized
. Closed

My sister is pregnant with her first child. She’s the oldest and the first of us to have a baby. It’s a very special time for my family. You can tell because we had the most wonderful Thanksgiving together. We’re all just so excited about the newest addition to the family.

My sister is ultra superstitious. She and her husband have not bought a single item for the new baby, not even a car seat! They don’t know if it’s a boy or girl. Her due date is Christmas, and I don’t think she realizes how much she’s going to need certain things immediately after the baby is born. Lucky for her my mom is a nurse in the nursery of the hospital she’s delivering at, so mom will take care of a ton of basics like diapers, a breast pump, and bottles.

My brother and I pitched in and had a diaper bag custom made for her. I hope I got the right size. I opted for the smaller day bag made by Monica at Abbadabba Bags (not that print, but the same style). We also bought a fun stuffed toy for the new baby at Alpacababee. Pizza is so soft and cute.

Her due date is fast approaching and I can’t wait to babysit for the little tyke. I’ll finally have someone’s baby to borrow, and return when it gets fussy.

Safe Toys for the Holidays




Published
by
amy
on December 2, 2008
in Uncategorized, healthy ideas, phthalate-free, safe products and toys
. Closed

Safer Toy Guide 2008Can you have a lead-free, BPA-free, phthalate-free, worry free holiday season?? God- I hope so. With all the ability to test, research and procure we are bound to have a safer gift giving season. In my house, it means I am researching the toys we give my daughter, limiting what we are giving her, looking for wooded toys, buying US and European and hoping our generous relatives follow suit. We’re in the same boat with everyone- you can’t have total control over what other people pick out for them. So I have hit the internet to check out where to look for reviews and tests, who is carrying the good stuff, and maybe even how to get a deal!

Check out: Fawn and Forest~ one of my favs with lots of natural and eco friendly products, even many handmade. They have a bunch of giveaways with purchases with month too!
Etsy’s Natural Kids section features handmade clothes and toys that are carefully, naturally and lovingly made. You’ll be dealing right with the creator so their standards are especially high.
Palumba~ a beautiful selection of all natural toys and gifts
Oompa Toys~ Lots of nice wooden toys, they have a link that you can see where all the manufacturers of the toys they sell are made.
Craftsbury Kids more handmade, high quality toys and items for kids.
Want to support us? Click on Earthy Birthy Mama, Nubius Organics, Baby Earth or Wild Dill on the right for your safer all natural toys and we’ll get a percentage of the proceeds! (albeit a small one but everything helps support the site!)
Last but not least~ Cool Mom Picks for a great safe toy gift guide and a bunch a deals listed, too! Click above.

Where to go if you’re worried: HealthyToys.org will be available on Dec. 3rd with loads of info on dangerous/safe toys. Consumer Safety Product Commission, Recalls.gov and the CDC Lead Program are all sites that will have recall information.

Still worried about that toy your kido got from your aunt in the midwest- which he/she loves and will flip if its suddenly “missing”? Buy a lead testing kit, they can be found at most big hardware stores and online.

Sound advice: remember always buy for your child’s age group, some toys are meant for older kids because they are age appropriate but many times it’s for safety reasons.

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