When I was pregnant and looking around for different baby products, I got so confused by all of the ingredients listed on all the bottles - what does it all mean? After A LOT of reading and reading and reading, I have a bit of a better understanding of what we're dealing with and thought I would pass it along....
These are the words and phrases that you want to AVOID on any products you are using on your baby - and on any of your own products too!
Parabens: The jury is still out on these, but there are studies indicating that parabens are associated with carcinogenic and weak estrogenic activities - these can lead to tumors and even cancer. They are found everywhere - baby lotions, soaps, oils, powders and shampoos - and even some toothpastes.
Phthalates: Mostly found in fragrances, sunscreens and moisturizers. Studies have shown that these can lead to damage to the liver, kidneys, the lungs and developing testes.
Coal tar: This is included in many colourants included in baby soaps, shampoos and bath products. This is a known carcinogen.
Phenylenediamines: Known to cause throat irritation, asthma and dermatitis. It's mostly found in hair colour and bleaches so be careful to keep these away from your baby - out of the house if possible.
Diethanolamine: There is a risk of cancer if using a product that includes DEA. Particularly dangerous to developing fetuses, harming brain development.
Many products contain these ingredients and are deemed "acceptable" because they only have small amounts - but why risk it? There are tons of natural and organic products out there now that are much safer and gentler on your baby's skin (and your own!).
Coming soon!
Online pediatric nutritional consulting service
November 4, 2008
Green baby care
So I think the best way to 'green' your baby in their first year is to not believe the hype! We're told again and again to keep our babies scrubbed clean, slathered with diaper creams and doused with baby powder - not true! The best thing for your baby and for the environment is to go 'au naturel'! Cut down on the amount of creams, lotions, wipes and other products you're buying and you're already contributing to a healthier planet by cutting down on the impact of their production and disposal. Here are a few ways to go natural with your baby's body care:
- Most babies don't need to be bathed every day. Sponge bathing the dirtiest areas is enough and a full bath can be given two or three times per week. This will cut down on the amount of water you are using. Also, if your baby has dry skin, especially coming into the winter months, cutting down on the amount you bathe them may help with clearing it up.
- A baby's delicate skin doesn't need soap of any kind. Warm water should do it!
- Skip the baby powder! It's unnecessary and its known to be harmful to baby lungs.
- Babies don't need antibacterial soap and wipes. The chemicals that go into these products inhibit the development of their natural resistance and may actually end up creating resistant bacteria!
- Babies do not require constant smothering with diaper creams and lotions. The best preventative measure you can take is frequent diaper changes and a good healthy dose of fresh air!
If you feel that you do want to use products on your baby, look for organic and natural products like Burt's Bees. Be careful of products that contain artificial colours, fragrances, preservatives, and chemicals. Most health food stores will carry great products and try The Big Carrot on the Danforth as well - they have a tonne of natural baby products.
- Most babies don't need to be bathed every day. Sponge bathing the dirtiest areas is enough and a full bath can be given two or three times per week. This will cut down on the amount of water you are using. Also, if your baby has dry skin, especially coming into the winter months, cutting down on the amount you bathe them may help with clearing it up.
- A baby's delicate skin doesn't need soap of any kind. Warm water should do it!
- Skip the baby powder! It's unnecessary and its known to be harmful to baby lungs.
- Babies don't need antibacterial soap and wipes. The chemicals that go into these products inhibit the development of their natural resistance and may actually end up creating resistant bacteria!
- Babies do not require constant smothering with diaper creams and lotions. The best preventative measure you can take is frequent diaper changes and a good healthy dose of fresh air!
If you feel that you do want to use products on your baby, look for organic and natural products like Burt's Bees. Be careful of products that contain artificial colours, fragrances, preservatives, and chemicals. Most health food stores will carry great products and try The Big Carrot on the Danforth as well - they have a tonne of natural baby products.
October 27, 2008
Eco-traveling with kids
Ecotourism and sustainable tourism are becoming increasingly popular ways to vacation, especially with North Americans. It's a great way to introduce your children to not only other places and cultures, but also to being environmentally conscious and respectful to our planet. There are tons of different ways to travel and keep your impact on the planet low. Here are some ideas of how to do that along with some great ideas of eco-traveling with your kids....
Getting there and getting around: Whenever possible choose to travel by train or by bus - or better yet, by boat (this, of course, does not include massive cruise ships). On average, trains create one third of the CO2 emissions of planes. Flying to your destination has the worst impact on our environment and leaves the largest carbon footprint. If you have no choice but to fly, choose a direct faster route that will minimize the amount of time you spend in the air - you'll be glad you did this when traveling with kids as well! You can also book your travel with an airline or travel agency that allows you to contribute to a carbon offset program. Once you arrive in destination, choose public transit over rental cars and taxi cabs - even rent bicycles where you can. If you need to travel between two destinations, again try the train or a bus.
Where to stay: When you arrive at your destination, try to stay in one place to reduce the amount of carbon emissions you create with traveling from spot to spot. Using one hotel as an homebase for your trip will also reduce some of the stress that comes with traveling with kids. When choosing a place to stay, opt for a locally run hotel or bed and breakfast that will benefit the people where you are staying rather than a large corporate hotel chain. Eat local as well for the same reasons.
What to do: There are tons of companies coming out with eco-adventures now - but there are still only a handful that are geared towards families. There is always the tried, tested and true option of taking your family on a backwoods adventure - canoeing, hiking, and backpacking are all great ways to reduce your travel impact and teach your kids about nature. GAP Adventures is also now offering family vacations to Costa Rica, Ecuador and Africa. GAP is known for offering adventure travel that focuses on benefitting local communities and on education. Also check out different volunteer vacations that are available to families where you and your kids can get involved in local community projects - many of these are within Canada as well and are a great way to contribute to your own local environmental causes. These can be found online and also in many other resources - try Volunteer Vacations by McMillon, Cutchins, and Geissinger.
The most important thing for your child's environmental education is to involve them in the process of deciding where to spend your vacation. Teach them about why you are making the decisions you are making and how their travel is having a positive effect on the planet.
If you are curious about your own carbon footprint - check out www.toronto.zerofootprint.net for Torontonians or www.carbonfootprint.com.
Getting there and getting around: Whenever possible choose to travel by train or by bus - or better yet, by boat (this, of course, does not include massive cruise ships). On average, trains create one third of the CO2 emissions of planes. Flying to your destination has the worst impact on our environment and leaves the largest carbon footprint. If you have no choice but to fly, choose a direct faster route that will minimize the amount of time you spend in the air - you'll be glad you did this when traveling with kids as well! You can also book your travel with an airline or travel agency that allows you to contribute to a carbon offset program. Once you arrive in destination, choose public transit over rental cars and taxi cabs - even rent bicycles where you can. If you need to travel between two destinations, again try the train or a bus.
Where to stay: When you arrive at your destination, try to stay in one place to reduce the amount of carbon emissions you create with traveling from spot to spot. Using one hotel as an homebase for your trip will also reduce some of the stress that comes with traveling with kids. When choosing a place to stay, opt for a locally run hotel or bed and breakfast that will benefit the people where you are staying rather than a large corporate hotel chain. Eat local as well for the same reasons.
What to do: There are tons of companies coming out with eco-adventures now - but there are still only a handful that are geared towards families. There is always the tried, tested and true option of taking your family on a backwoods adventure - canoeing, hiking, and backpacking are all great ways to reduce your travel impact and teach your kids about nature. GAP Adventures is also now offering family vacations to Costa Rica, Ecuador and Africa. GAP is known for offering adventure travel that focuses on benefitting local communities and on education. Also check out different volunteer vacations that are available to families where you and your kids can get involved in local community projects - many of these are within Canada as well and are a great way to contribute to your own local environmental causes. These can be found online and also in many other resources - try Volunteer Vacations by McMillon, Cutchins, and Geissinger.
The most important thing for your child's environmental education is to involve them in the process of deciding where to spend your vacation. Teach them about why you are making the decisions you are making and how their travel is having a positive effect on the planet.
If you are curious about your own carbon footprint - check out www.toronto.zerofootprint.net for Torontonians or www.carbonfootprint.com.
October 21, 2008
Green Birthday Parties
You may have heard this site mentioned on the CBC recently and it's definitely worth mentioning here - www.ECHOage.com. It was founded and created by two moms who were frustrated with the amount of waste that went into their children's birthday parties - from wrapping paper, cards and invitations to unwanted or unneeded birthday gifts.
You simply go onto their website, choose an e-mail invitation and a cause and they take care of the rest. Your child's guests will each receive an e-vite and rather than asking them to bring a gift, they are asked to donate to the chosen charity. Canadian charities include: Second Harvest, Evergreen, Free the Children and Camp Oochigeas.
An ECHOage birthday party is just one way to help your children to learn about and get excited about green living. Here are some more ways you can help your child celebrate a 'green' birthday:
- put loot bags in reusable cloth bags
- instead of little gifts in loot bags, give guests a small tree to plant, wildflower seeds, fresh herb plant, or make a small donation in their name
- send guests an e-vite rather than paper invitations
- use reusable dishes and cutlery instead of paper or plastic
- have your child choose a theme (e.g. animals, puppies, dinosaurs etc...) and ask guests to skip the gift and donate to a theme-inspired charity (e.g. zoo, animal shelter, museum)
- have a 'waste free' party - no packaging, paper, wasteful decorations etc...
- use eco-friendly party decorations - soy candles, reuse art projects for decorations, use cloth tablecloths and napkins that can be reused
- instead of gifts, ask your guests to bring toys, books etc... for local shelters and children's charities
There are countless ideas to help introduce your children to green living and a green birthday party is a great way to do it. Let your children come up with ideas as well. You'll be shocked at how much less is wasted (and how much less clean up there is!).
You simply go onto their website, choose an e-mail invitation and a cause and they take care of the rest. Your child's guests will each receive an e-vite and rather than asking them to bring a gift, they are asked to donate to the chosen charity. Canadian charities include: Second Harvest, Evergreen, Free the Children and Camp Oochigeas.
An ECHOage birthday party is just one way to help your children to learn about and get excited about green living. Here are some more ways you can help your child celebrate a 'green' birthday:
- put loot bags in reusable cloth bags
- instead of little gifts in loot bags, give guests a small tree to plant, wildflower seeds, fresh herb plant, or make a small donation in their name
- send guests an e-vite rather than paper invitations
- use reusable dishes and cutlery instead of paper or plastic
- have your child choose a theme (e.g. animals, puppies, dinosaurs etc...) and ask guests to skip the gift and donate to a theme-inspired charity (e.g. zoo, animal shelter, museum)
- have a 'waste free' party - no packaging, paper, wasteful decorations etc...
- use eco-friendly party decorations - soy candles, reuse art projects for decorations, use cloth tablecloths and napkins that can be reused
- instead of gifts, ask your guests to bring toys, books etc... for local shelters and children's charities
There are countless ideas to help introduce your children to green living and a green birthday party is a great way to do it. Let your children come up with ideas as well. You'll be shocked at how much less is wasted (and how much less clean up there is!).
October 17, 2008
Organics delivery in Toronto
After a lot of searching, we found a few great options for organics delivery in the Toronto area. The produce has really helped us eat healthier and introduce more diverse fruit and vegetables into our diet. It's also a great idea to use to introduce new food to your baby by making your own organic baby food. I've put reviews here of the top 2...
Organics on Bloor - located in the Annex, locally run, fantastic produce! We used this service weekly for a few months before we stopped because we were going to be away for a while. The service was great and the produce was always very fresh and tasty. They are still getting their delivery service off the ground so there are still a few kinks to work out, but in general this is a great option. They have a few different boxes you can order - there is a box with purely local organic fruits and vegetables, and two boxes with organic fruits and vegetables with local produce where available, one medium sized box, one large sized. Not only do they have great produce, but the pricing can't be beat anywhere else in the city. This is definitely the lowest priced organics delivery we could find in Toronto. Along with the produce, they also offer delivery of other organic products available in their retail store, including baby products and organic baby food. These guys also charge an extra $5 per box to offset the cost of fuel.
Organics on Bloor - located in the Annex, locally run, fantastic produce! We used this service weekly for a few months before we stopped because we were going to be away for a while. The service was great and the produce was always very fresh and tasty. They are still getting their delivery service off the ground so there are still a few kinks to work out, but in general this is a great option. They have a few different boxes you can order - there is a box with purely local organic fruits and vegetables, and two boxes with organic fruits and vegetables with local produce where available, one medium sized box, one large sized. Not only do they have great produce, but the pricing can't be beat anywhere else in the city. This is definitely the lowest priced organics delivery we could find in Toronto. Along with the produce, they also offer delivery of other organic products available in their retail store, including baby products and organic baby food. These guys also charge an extra $5 per box to offset the cost of fuel.
Front Door Organics - these guys are probably the most well-known in the city. I first heard about them at the Vegetarian Food Fair. They have a great, professional system set up and it's all really easily accessibly online. They are a bit pricier than some of their competition, but they are more established and reliable. We tried these guys out for a few weeks and found that they were a bit pricier than we were willing to pay for what we were getting. They are a great option if you know exactly what you want - you can choose your own produce rather than just receive that week's pre-determined box of fruits and veggies. They also deliver a ton of other organic products, including baby products and organic baby food.
There are other options out there as well, these are just the two that we've tried out. The organics delivery is a great convenient option to keep you and your family eating healthy. Of course, you can always visit their retail locations if you want to skip the delivery - costs less and is easier on the environment!
October 14, 2008
Eco-friendly alternatives to plastic
Plastic is everywhere. It's in our homes, our workspaces, our cars, our environment - everywhere. I had a thought today about trying to cut plastics out of our lives completely - then I took a quick walk around our house. There was the plastic - on the microwave, on the phone, on the computer and the television, on the baby stroller, the laundry basket, the tea kettle, the alarm clock, on the window blinds, on the humidifier, on my toothbrush, my shampoo bottle, the mop and bucket...are you getting where I'm going with this? So maybe a complete ban on plastics all in one day is a bit of a stretch, but there is a lot we can do to try and cut down the amount of plastics that we keep around ourselves and our families.
So why is it important to avoid plastics? The most important reasons are that plastics aren't biodegradable - they take 50-80 years to break down and plastic foam lasts forever. The production of plastics releases toxic chemicals into the air and can leach these chemicals into our water sources and our bodies. And finally, these chemicals can easily disrupt human hormones, especially those of the tiniest of our population - our children.
Here are some ways to avoid using plastics and help to create a greener environment for your baby...
- Use BPA free, glass or stainless steel baby bottles and sippy cups - try Born Free and Klean Kanteen
- Use reusable glass containers instead of plastic Tupperware - try Pyrex
- Replace plastic travel mugs with stainless steel and take these to the coffee shop with you to avoid take out cups - try Klean Kanteen or Sigg
- Avoid plastic cutlery and styrofoam cups by thinking ahead and bringing your own reusable utensils
- Replace your child's plastic dishes with glass or stainless steel dishes - try Sanctus Mundo
- Bring your own cloth bags to the grocery store, drug store etc...
- Buy in bulk - when you have to buy plastic, try and avoid single-use containers
- When you can't avoid plastic - check the bottom for it's recycling code - #1 and #2 are best
- Avoid plastics that leach harmful toxic chemicals - #3, #6 and #7
- Avoid plastics that aren't very recyclable - #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7
So why is it important to avoid plastics? The most important reasons are that plastics aren't biodegradable - they take 50-80 years to break down and plastic foam lasts forever. The production of plastics releases toxic chemicals into the air and can leach these chemicals into our water sources and our bodies. And finally, these chemicals can easily disrupt human hormones, especially those of the tiniest of our population - our children.
Here are some ways to avoid using plastics and help to create a greener environment for your baby...
- Use BPA free, glass or stainless steel baby bottles and sippy cups - try Born Free and Klean Kanteen
- Use reusable glass containers instead of plastic Tupperware - try Pyrex
- Replace plastic travel mugs with stainless steel and take these to the coffee shop with you to avoid take out cups - try Klean Kanteen or Sigg
- Avoid plastic cutlery and styrofoam cups by thinking ahead and bringing your own reusable utensils
- Replace your child's plastic dishes with glass or stainless steel dishes - try Sanctus Mundo
- Bring your own cloth bags to the grocery store, drug store etc...
- Buy in bulk - when you have to buy plastic, try and avoid single-use containers
- When you can't avoid plastic - check the bottom for it's recycling code - #1 and #2 are best
- Avoid plastics that leach harmful toxic chemicals - #3, #6 and #7
- Avoid plastics that aren't very recyclable - #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7
October 13, 2008
Green Cleaning Products
The new trend in cleaning products is definitely to 'go green'. You can find green cleaning products at virtually every grocery store, drug store etc... all over the city - and they certainly charge extra for the trendiness! All you really need is baking soda, white vinegar, castile soap and lemon juice! And maybe a couple of added tricks up your sleeve. We've replaced all of our household cleaning products with homemade green versions and they are all just as good as the store bought varieties. A great book to pick up with a ton of recipes is green clean: eco-friendly cleaning for the home. Here are a couple of the best recipes:
Glass cleaner:
In a spray bottle, mix...
1-2 tablespoons white vinegar
1.2 litres water
For extra fingerprints etc..., use a dab of rubbing alcohol and wipe with a dry rag
Wooden furniture polish:
In a spray bottle, mix...
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon water
Apply a thin coat to your furniture and let it sit for 5 minutes. Use a soft cloth to buff to a deep shine.
Oven cleaner:
1.2 litres warm water
2 teaspoons borax
2 tablespoons liquid soap
Spray on solution, wait 20 minutes, then clean with a rag and rinse with clean water.
All-purpose cleaner:
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap
2 cups hot water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Apply and wipe clean.
Here are a few home remedies for what ails us all!
Fatigue
Soak relaxed for at least 10 minutes in a tub of water into which several handfuls of salt have been placed.
Feet
Soak aching feet in warm water to which a handful of salt has been added. Rinse in cool water.
Eye puffiness
Mix one teaspoon of salt in 1/2 litre of hot water and apply pads soaked in the solution to the puffy areas.
To get ourselves started, we bought a large box of baking soda, washing soda (which we also use to handwash Bodhi's diapers), and borax, along with a jug of white vinegar and a bottle of castile soap. From there, we've pretty much been able to make everything we need. Other things to have on hand are some of the more common essential oils like lavender and tea tree oil - these can be a great help as well. One of the biggest bonuses of switching to these homemade cleaners is that you don't have to be as worried about your little one finding the cleaning closet - they're all chemical free! You'll also save so much money and the planet too!
Glass cleaner:
In a spray bottle, mix...
1-2 tablespoons white vinegar
1.2 litres water
For extra fingerprints etc..., use a dab of rubbing alcohol and wipe with a dry rag
Wooden furniture polish:
In a spray bottle, mix...
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon water
Apply a thin coat to your furniture and let it sit for 5 minutes. Use a soft cloth to buff to a deep shine.
Oven cleaner:
1.2 litres warm water
2 teaspoons borax
2 tablespoons liquid soap
Spray on solution, wait 20 minutes, then clean with a rag and rinse with clean water.
All-purpose cleaner:
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap
2 cups hot water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Apply and wipe clean.
Here are a few home remedies for what ails us all!
Fatigue
Soak relaxed for at least 10 minutes in a tub of water into which several handfuls of salt have been placed.
Feet
Soak aching feet in warm water to which a handful of salt has been added. Rinse in cool water.
Eye puffiness
Mix one teaspoon of salt in 1/2 litre of hot water and apply pads soaked in the solution to the puffy areas.
To get ourselves started, we bought a large box of baking soda, washing soda (which we also use to handwash Bodhi's diapers), and borax, along with a jug of white vinegar and a bottle of castile soap. From there, we've pretty much been able to make everything we need. Other things to have on hand are some of the more common essential oils like lavender and tea tree oil - these can be a great help as well. One of the biggest bonuses of switching to these homemade cleaners is that you don't have to be as worried about your little one finding the cleaning closet - they're all chemical free! You'll also save so much money and the planet too!
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