book & a birdhouse anyone?

I don't know about you, but I haven't seen many books being printed on recycled paper.  At least, not kids books.  You would think with all the recycled paper out there, that publishing companies would be pushing the recycled paper option.  But maybe it doesn't work that way - what do I know?!

One thing I know for sure is how cute this line of eco-friendly recycled books are.  On a recent trip to the bookstore with my 2 year old McKenna, we came across these books.  She ran right up to them and excitedly pulled them all off the shelf (sorry Mr. Bookstore).  Printed on 98% recycled paper and eco-friendly inks - they are bright & engaging.  Her favorite are the chunky book towers which have 10 McKenna-sized books that feature fun subjects like shapes, baby animals and numbers.  I like them because they are recycled, cute as all get out and CHEAP!  And by cheap I mean inexpensive, not junky.  Seriously one of the cutest books I've ever seen cost us a whopping $6.99.  You might say "wow, that's pretty cool".  Cool it is, but theres more.  In the back of each of these delightful little books, there is an activity page with fun eco-friendly activities for kids & parents. 

So here's a fun little activity to keep everyone busy this fun-filled weekend!  One tip: pick up some bird seed BEFORE starting or else you may find yourself in pickle. 

We want to see your creations!  Post the picture special bird feeder on our facebook page and enter to win a special prize! 

Happy 4th of July to all our green babies and dont' forget the sunscreen!  Be safe!

fun in the sun?

With all the rain in Chicago lately, I find myself soggy with dreams of sunshine-filled days at the beach and parks. But with fun in the sun, comes the need for sun protection. Instead of blindly placing another order for California Baby, which is what everyone was asking for, I decided to put on my detective cap and do some research.

I’m all about increasing awareness and educating parents in a non-judgmental way. To that end, I want to know what our products contain because, after all, we are going to slather it all over our beloved bebés. I can't take that product choice lightly - I have to get it right.

My research led me to the Environmental Working Group where I dived head-first into the world of sunscreen technology. Before I knew it, the acronyms started to overwhelm me. UVB, UVA, UVC, SPF, BPA, PCR . . . lions and tigers and bears, oh my! I blindly assumed that a high SPF meant higher overall sun protection. Am I right?

WRONG. (damn!)

SPF ratings only measure UVB protection, (or the ability to prevent the sun’s rays from physically burning the skin). UVA rays are not rated on sunscreen containers, yet arguably more harmful than UVB rays. Here's more detailed info on UV rays ---> UVB & UVA

In summary, UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and UVA are linked to skin cancer.  UVA rays' destruction to skin is not readily visible. Instead, the biochemical make-up of skin cells are quietly changing. It's THAT biochemical change researchers link to skin cancer and carcinoma. You
can rub yourself silly with the newest SPF 100 sunscreen (which they now make and is totally misleading), but if you don’t protect against UVA, the chances of ending up with skin cancer are increased. To be blunt, you may as well cover yourself in butter a’la Cosmo Kramer.  What’s worse, UVA rays are sneaky. They don’t care what the weather is, what season it is or if you just scored the window seat inside at your favorite bistro. UVA rays penetrate rain, snow, clouds & glass and are harmful all year round. 

don't rub it in

And that's not all - so buckle up. In 2010, as many 200 sunscreens from 44 manufacturers contain retinyl palmitate (a form of Vitamin A). Sounds pretty healthy right? It’s got the word “vitamin” in it, so it’s gotta be good for you!

WRONG AGAIN. (DAMN!!!)

Now, I hate to be a downer, but this is REALLY IMPORTANT. Federal researchers concluded, “retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A found in sunscreens, speeds the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight”.

Come again? Yep, you read it right. An ingredient in over 200 sunscreens on store shelves actually speeds up skin cancer formation when exposed to sunlight. I suppose if you plan to wear your sunscreen indoors, you'll be fine.

Are. you. kidding. me. 

more bad news eminent?

By now most of us have also heard about BPA and Phthalates and how when combined with heat leach toxins. I wonder if the same is true for packaging for skin care products, not just your Avent bottle. Since sunscreen bottles tend to sit out in high temperatures on sun decks and in beach bags – is it safe to assume it's also important that those containers are BPA and Phthalate free? Still waiting on that one.

making it easy
 
After this news, my head was spinning faster than the little girl in the Exorcist. I didn’t want that for you. When practical, choose ahead of time what you want, and locate where it can be purchased. When that's not possible, here are some tips for those impromptu trips down the sunscreen aisle:

• UVA and UVB protection
• SPF & UVB = SunBurn
• UVA = Always needed
  
• BPA & Phthalate–free package
• NO Vitamin A or Retinyl Palimate

 
pandora's box

You see how this has opened up a Pandora’s box! I have to know what’s in EVERYTHING now. Currently, we are researching bath wash, lotion, diaper cream & diaper wipes. I gotta tell you, after looking around my own home – I am in shock. The tube of lotion in my daughter’s room with promising graphics of oatmeal & soy, infering purity and dermatologist & pediatrician recommendations, sports a toxicity rating of 6 (considered HIGH hazard). Mmm, brand imaging at it’s finest. I’d like to meet these dermatologists & pediatricians and give them a knuckle sandwich. Also, animal lover that I am, I learned that this company actively conducts animal testing. Um, have I just been punched in the face? I was completely blindsided. Needless to say, that tube of lotion has a new home in a dark recycling bin under my kitchen counter. The new bottle doesn’t look quite as nice sitting on the shelf, but my daughter will thank me for it when she’s 30.

well you don't need to rub it in
 
As a retailer of children's products, I feel it’s our duty to educate customers, not just make a quick sale. It really gets my goat when scare tactics are used to increase a store's bottom line. And please don’t mistake my passion for preaching. With the unexplained illnesses our children face, (autism, cancer, aspergers, sensory processing disorder and more), I want do to everything in my power to educate the public…and hopefully eradicate harmful toxins as much as possible. I have done the research and present it to you in bite-sized portions. The goal is simple. Provide consumers with the tools to find products their families love with the lowest toxicity. The next time you are surfing the baby aisle to replenish your baby lotion, you can feel confident in your choice. If you can trade in your level 6 toxic product for a 2 or 3, then I’ve done my job!

**click here to download file**

In the next coming posts, you will see rating numbers, product brand names & photos, the toxicity concerns and whether or not they conduct animal testing. There will also be a little green baby icon next to the products we carry or plan to carry. Our product selection was determined by several factors: organic, low toxicity, brand recognition, FDA approved, NO animal testing and BPA-free or recycled containers wherever possible at the lowest possible cost.

Fun in the sun? Absolutely! ...with the right tools.

little green babies – part 1

“it’s not easy being green” (kermit the frog)

No offense to Kermit, but I have to disagree. It is easy. You just need the right information. Luckily, the eco-friendly movement is all the rage right now so many more people are asking questions about it. Finally, it’s trendy to be conscious about the environment instead of being branded a tree hugger or granola hippy. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

The purpose of creating this blog is to educate and show that eco-friendly options are out there - you just need to know what you're looking for. To make this easier for you, we will have multi-part "little green babies" post sorting everything out. Most families begin investigating these options when they find out they are going to be parents. Terrified of contaminating our little ones; we search for all the information we can get. Basic green lingo we are all familiar with are recycle and organic and all natural -- but there is so much more. Things like clothing made from plants, toys made from corn and super-soft stuffed animals made from . . . wait for it . . . recycled plastic bottles. Do I have your attention yet?

part 1 – bamboo for clothing

Let’s start out with clothing made from plants. And no, we’re not sewing leaves together like Adam & Eve. I’m talking about bamboo! It’s not just for floors and tables anymore. The fabric is created using the pulp of a bamboo shoot that is spun into thread. The fabric is then bleached, without the use of chlorine, and dyed, without the use of harsh chemicals. The production of bamboo fabric uses a process that requires less water than conventional dyeing methods, thus has a much lower impact on the environment than conventional cotton fabrication.

better for the planet
There are significant benefits to utilizing bamboo. Bamboo plants are very quick growers and do not require fertilizers or pesticides. They also need very little water and can survive both drought or flood conditions. (Gee, I wonder if even I can keep a bamboo plant alive? But I digress.) Another benefit to bamboo is that it releases a significant amount of oxygen into the atmosphere and reduces the level of carbon dioxide in the air. With their complex root systems, they are also known to prevent soil erosion and mudslides. Now if it could only do my laundry.

better for us
Bamboo also has many advantages over traditional cotton, especially for our wee ones. Bamboo fabric is softer than cotton fabric sporting a texture similar to silk. It is naturally organic, antibacterial and hypoallergenic and quick to wick away moisture from little bodies, rather than absorb it like cotton. I don't know about you, but when my girls are sleeping, they sweat like a marathon runner near in August. Bamboo clothes can dry twice as fast as cotton clothes and can be worn all year round since they keep you 2-3 degrees cooler in summer and 2-3 degrees warmer in winter. Don't let that lightweight fabric fool you - it's heavy duty.

perfect for baby
One of our favorite bamboo clothing brands is Kicky Pants. They make their clothes with with 95% bamboo and 5% lycra to make it stretchy. Their bamboo clothing for babies and toddlers are incredibly soft and luxurious. No more "Mommy, I feel scratchy". This stuff is seriously soft. With our wicked humid Chicago summers, bamboo is a perfect choice to keep baby clothed in lightweight breathable fabric without having them sweat like athlete. And the best part is - it's naturally organic! Bet you didn't know that, did you? I was surprised to learn that myself!

These are the reasons bamboo clothing is a staple at little green baby. We carry a wide variety of bamboo clothing for babies & toddlers and now, delicious take-me-home outfits for newborns.

Don't forget to stay tuned for part 2 - biodegradable toys made from corn!

bamboo onesie

bamboo take-me-home (also in sage/cream)

bamboo stripe polo romper

bamboo starfish romper w/drop seat

bamboo black & white dot swing dress