Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!


Thanks for being here and allowing us to be part of your life in 2010.
Our New Year's resolution is raising kids with an eco-friendly attitude! It is part of our journey to a healthy and meaningful lifestyle, and 
the best contribution we can make to a brighter future.

We've got so much in store for you in 2011 - it'll be our best year yet!
Have a happy, safe, fun New Year's celebration!

Best wishes,

Renata Lerch
Editor-in-Chief
www.EcoLogicalMom.com

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Non-Toxic Portable Mattress

If you need a portable mattress for travel or visitors, and dislike the toxic and unpleasant fumes from PVC, this is a great options! Aerobed Ecolite is made from eco-friendlier TPU, is phthalate-free and comes with a rechargeable pump. Available in twin and queen sizes, and is 40% lighter than PVC air mattresses.

Dollhouse Dismystified


This eco-friendly dollhouse is so beautiful! It's homemade, and you can easily make one yourself by following the steps from Darlyblog. Click here to access the tutorial.

By Darlyblog

Meat and Poultry Spelled Out


Nutritional labels will be mandatory on 40 popular cuts of meat and poultry products beginning in 2012. It is about time! It will make it easier to understand the content of the foods we buy.
USDA said the nutritional information will be required for major cuts of raw, single-ingredient meat and poultry products. These include whole or boneless chicken breasts, beef whole cuts such as brisket or tenderloin steak, and hamburger and ground turkey.

Source: msnbc

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Fair Trade Collection


If you live in Europe, check out this fair trade collection of home accessories and gifts. The long jute basket (picture above) is handmade from natural jute by a women's co-operative in Bangladesh. Browse Also Home site for other beautiful products.

Source: alsohome.com

5 Easy Steps for Post-Pig-Out Detox

Shine publication came up with 5 wise ways to de-stress your post-pig-out season. Check out these effective tips to detox:


"1. Break the sugar and salt habit. If you feel especially bloated, cutting out the extra sugar, refined carbs and salt you've been having at holiday gatherings is the first step to getting back to your usual self. Do this for at least three days to get back on track and give your system time to reset. 

2. Load up on veggies. Detoxing is all about getting the bad out and the good back in. So after the holidays challenge yourself to eat seven to 12 servings of fruits and veggies a day -- and make clean food the bulk of your diet. Get a variety of produce to ensure that you're getting all those vitamins and minerals you probably skimped on over holiday break.

3. Start off easy at the gym. You're probably gung-ho about working out right now and think a killer workout is what it will take to get you back on track, but ease back into the gym. It's better to do a little bit every day then go to the gym, push it too hard, and then be so sore that you can't move for days!

4. Make water your new BFF. Hydration is the name of the game when it comes to post-holiday detoxing. Guzzle that water throughout the day, trying to get at least 64 ounces. Water helps flush out toxins and helps your body eliminate waste! (A good rule of thumb is to divide your total body weight in half, and drink that many ounces. i.e. A 150-pound person should drink 75 ounces of water.)

5. Ignore the scale for a few days. Because of all the extra holiday goodies, which included added sugar, salt and fat, you're probably a few pounds heavier than normal. Instead of stepping on the scale and feeling down about the number, just forgo the scale. Follow these tips and weigh yourself in a week. You'll probably be back to your normal size!"



Source: Shine

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Eco-Friendly Sippy Cup


This eco-friendly sippy cup is very cool! It is insulated and great for all ages. It will keep drinks cold all day long. The Eco Vessel has a leak proof Avent top and a clear cover that prevents spills. It is made with 100% recyclable bottles that are BPA-free, and the highest quality #304 stainless steel. Available in 8 and 12 oz.

By Eco Vessel

Useful Ergo Baby


ErgoBaby is the best baby carrier, for kiddos up to 40 lbs. I can't recommend it enough for airport trips, or other adventures when you need both your hands, and can't chase kiddos around. It is slightly more expensive than other brands because it supports a lot more weight. So, you will be able to use it with toddlers as well. It's available in many patterns and colors, and in organic fabric as well. It is very comfortable and machine washable.

By ErgoBaby

Monday, December 27, 2010

Fried Fish, Omega 3 and The Stroke Belt


Too much fried fish may contribute to the high rate of stroke in America's "stroke belt," according to a new study.
The results showed that people living in the stroke belt — including residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana — were about 30 percent more likely to eat two or more servings of fried fish every week than those living in the rest of the country, the researchers said.
Eating fish can be healthy — fish are key sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which previous studies have shown to be associated with reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends people consume at least two meals containing fish per week. However, there is evidence that frying fish reduces their amount of omega-3 fatty acids, Nahab said. Frying is also associated with an increase in the food's fat and calorie content.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Spices Are Great (in Moderation We Say!)

Don't we all love spices? And this is the time of the year when our cabinets are filled with them. Not only are teens smoking and eating large amounts of nutmeg in search of a quick high (many are taking a quick trip to the ER with convulsions instead), the traditional eggnog topper was recently pulled from shelves nationwide due to a salmonella scare.
According to a report in Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 32 cases of cinnamon oil poisoning were called into the Pittsburgh Poison Center within a five-month period of 1990, each involving a teen-age boy who had ingested (or inhaled) an inordinate amount of the stuff. Some of the boys suffered from nausea or abdominal pain; others from welts on their skin or other dermal or ocular irritation. Ingesting too much cinnamon can also cause rapid heart beat, lightheadedness, facial flushing and shortness of breath.
Clove oil is also dangerous when ingested in large quantities. In 2004 and 2005 two infants developed acute liver failure after accidentally swallowing about 10 milliliters of the oil. 
Vanilla extract is also concerning because it contains 35% ethanol, which can cause central nervous system depression and respiratory compromise if misused. 
Spices are delicious, when used properly!


Source: msnbc

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Eco Memory Game

If you are not done with your Christmas shopping yet, this is a great choice for kids. The wooden Memory Game is made of eco-friendly materials, painted with water based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials and printed with soy bean ink. It also helps develop motor skills and memory. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Congratulations to our First Winner - g-Diapers Eco-Giveaway


Congratulations Christy Hunt, you are the first winner of our gDiapers Eco-Giveaway!
Please e-mail your shipping address to EcoLogicalMom (at) ymail.com. You'll love your gPants 2-pack and a bag of gRefills (a US$60 value)! Please note that if we don't hear from you by December 25th, we'll select another winner.


Stay tuned for the biggest prize to be announced in January, a Sweet Bundle (a US$130 value) which includes 6 Little gPants + 4 Biodegradable gRefills. Winner will be announced on January 11, 2011.


gDiapers are breathable and combine the best features of cloth and disposable diapers. Plastic-free biodegradable gRefills keep babies dry and happy, so they’re less likely to get diaper rash.
EcoLogical Mom is a fantastic channel of unbiased information from multiple sources about raising kids with an Eco & Logical mindset. It reflects a journey to a healthy and meaningful lifestyle!


If you haven't signed up yet, it is very easy to participate:
Sign up for EcoLogical Mom bi-weekly e-Newsletter and
"Like" gDiapers on Facebook 

Click here to sign up for our bi-weekly e-Newsletter

Yes, we are all about starting the Year in an environmentally conscious way. Over 18 billion disposable diapers are sold in the US every year, and over 90% of those end up in landfills, where it can take them up to 500 years to decompose!


Winners will be selected randomly
"Sweet Bundle" and gPants provided by gDiapers.
 

Spotting Phthalates

Phthalates are very hard to be identified, but unfortunately are present in many toys and baby products. The Daily Green came up with 3 steps to help us identify products that have, or are likely to have, phthalates or other carcinogen compounds:
  1. Read the ingredients. According to the organization Pollution in People, you can identify phthalates in some products by their chemical names, or abbreviations:
    • DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are often found in personal care products, including nail polishes, deodorants, perfumes and cologne, aftershave lotions, shampoos, hair gels and hand lotions. (BzBP, see below, is also in some personal care products.)
    • DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is used in PVC plastics, including some medical devices.
    • BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) is used in some flooring, car products and personal care products.
    • DMP (dimethyl phthalate) is used in insect repellent and some plastics (as well as rocket propellant).
  2. Be wary of the term "fragrance," which is used to denote a combination of compounds, possibly including phthatates, which are a subject of recent concern because of studies showing they can mimic certain hormones.
  3. Choose plastics with the recycling code 1, 2 or 5. Recycling codes 3 and 7 are more likely to contain bisphenol A or phthalates.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Drink Red Wine for Your Teeth!


Polyphenols in red wine can prevent cavities and plaque build-up, researchers say. They compounds block a molecule made by the bacteria streptococcus mutans, which are found in all our mouths, said researcher Hyun Koo, a microbiologist at University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. These bacteria break down sugar we eat and make sticky molecules called glucans, which let bacteria to cling to our teeth and damage their surfaces, Koo told MyHealthNewsDaily.  The polyphenols can block the ability of S. mutans to make glucans, letting the good bacteria in the mouth thrive, while disabling the bad bacteria from sticking to the teeth, Koo said.
Sources: MyHealthNewsDaily, msnbc

Friday, December 17, 2010

Eco-Friendly (and Fun) Crib

The Overachiever is the hardest-working crib on the market, it starts as a bassinet and morphs into a full-size crib (with changer), toddler bed, and day bed. Want to rock? Removable rocking blades fit on both the bassinet and crib.
The collection is made in the USA from locally sourced ash wood; with a nontoxic, water-based finish; and Greenguard certified. And as if all that functionality and eco-awareness isn’t enough, it’s also easy on the eyes. The simple, clean design comes in natural, opaque white, or opaque gray.

Massachusetts Ban BPA in Baby Bottles


Massachusetts is the eighth American state to ban the use of a potentially dangerous chemical in baby bottles and sippy cups.
The Public Health Council approved the new regulations on Wednesday barring the production or sale of reusable food and beverage containers for toddlers and infants that contain bisphenol (BIS'-phen-ol) A or BPA. 
source: AP, msnbc

Bad Caffeinated Soda!


Children ages 5 to 7 drank an average of 52 milligrams of caffeine a day, equivalent to the amount in a can of caffeinated soda. And kids of this age slept an average of 9.46 hours a night, longer than what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. However, kids ages 8 to 12 took in twice as much caffeine, an average of 109 milligrams a day, equivalent to nearly three cans of caffeinated soda. And kids in this age group slept an average of 8.47 hours per night, which is below the levels recommended by the CDC.
The finding shows that the amount of sleep that kids get seems to be affected by their drinking an average of one to three cans of soda a day, the researchers said. 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Green Jumping Rope

This eco-jumper is made with US-made 100% cotton rope (7 feet long and adjustable) and 100% recycled plastic handles. Little jumpers can burn and save energy at the same time. Variety of colors available. Green and inexpensive!


By Green Toys

Keeping Kids Active Year Round - 10 Great Ideas




Despite national recommendations that kids get a total of at least 60 minutes of moderate to heavy exercise each day, research suggests that fewer than half do, and teenagers are even worse.  Physical activity is important in childhood because active kids have better mental health, stronger bones, and the exercise helps fight childhood obesity. Parents should motivate kids to keep moving, no matter the temperature outside!


Physical Education classes in school are often times not enough. While kids go outside to parks and playgrounds in warm weather, during the Winter they tend to be trapped indoors, and extra effort from care givers to keep them active is very important. Even the NFL has started a campaign, Play 60, encouraging children to get at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity year round. 


There are several options available to help make it happen, from signing up to programs from the city, sports in clubs, schools or fitness centers, to simply exercising together at home. Kids respond so well to family activities, and that is a great opportunity to have fun together, while strengthening muscles and burning calories. Here are a few ideas to help keep your little ones active:


1) Fitness DVDs - have a couple of fun exercise DVDs at home, for a good 60 minute family workout.


2) Indoor Games - put together a few indoor games, basics such as a ball (even a balloon) to play volleyball and a basket for basketball, tapes to draw a court line on the carpet. A jumprope competition, stations with different types of activities, or a hula hoop tournament. All good and creative alternatives.


3) Indoor swimming classes - great activity of low impact that kids love!


4) Dancing - create a choreography and practice for an hour. Guaranteed fun!


5) Indoor playground - many parks, schools, malls and fast food places have indoor playgrounds. Take kids to those places, and encourage them to play and also walk around at a fast pace.


6) Do-it-yourself exercise card - make your own Exercise Cards by writing one exercise activity on each blank card. Write the number of times the exercise activity should be repeated. If you are feeling creative, decorate your cards (see picture above). Try drawing stick figures performing each activity.


7) Play “keep the balloon up” - use one balloon per child or one balloon per small group. The group may add additional balloons as they gain control and awareness.


8) Sitting exercise - do a variety of arm, leg, foot, and trunk exercises while remaining seated. Make sure you use fun music.

9) Play "fitness with the leader" - a "follow the leader" game using exercises.


10) Interactive video games - if your kids are older than 2, try some interactive video games such as Wii Fitness once a week. Make sure they don't turn into couch potatoes instead!


Sources: Escapade Direct, about.com, foodlinkny.org

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Drop-Side Cribs Outlawed in the US


The government outlawed drop-side cribs on Wednesday after the deaths of more than 30 infants and toddlers in the past decade and millions of recalls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is banning the manufacture, sale and resale of the cribs, which have a side rail that moves up and down, allowing parents to more easily lift their child from the crib.
The new standard requiring cribs to have fixed sides would take effect in June. The move by CPSC would also prohibit hotels and childcare centers from using drop-sides, though those facilities would have a year to purchase new cribs.

Source: AP, msnbc

Magnet Puzzle Farm

This is a fun magnet puzzle. Children can apply any of the 78 wooden pieces to the wooden magnetic board, or use one of the 4 plastic templates as a starting point.  Hand made of solid wood and hand-painted with non-toxic, food grade paints and finishes. Sevi, the toy designer and maker, is based in Tarcento, Italy

By Sevi

Cough Medicine Very Harmful for Kids

It is the cold season and many adults are taking cough medicines. Be careful if you have kids around the house. The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers on Tuesday that the accidental ingestion of Tessalon liquid cough capsules pose a serious risk of side effects or death to children under 10 years old. Common side effects include heart attack, coma, and convulsion. Signs and symptoms can occur within 15 minutes of ingestion and some of the deaths reported in children occurred within hours of accidental ingestion.

Sources: AP, msnbc

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

gDiapers Winter Eco-Giveaway: Have You Signed Up Yet?


Winter officially starts on December 21, a great time of the year to renew our commitment to a greener world. To celebrate that, we are thrilled to partner up with gDiapers on our first Winter Eco-Giveaway! Prizes are a perfect inspiration to start the season.

December Prize: a gPants 2-pack and a bag of gRefills (a US$60 value). Winner will be announced on December 21, official first day of the Winter 2010.

January prize: a Sweet Bundle (a US$130 value) which includes 6 Little gPants + 4 Biodegradable gRefills. Winner will be announced on January 11, 2011.


gDiapers are breathable and combine the best features of cloth and disposable diapers. Plastic-free biodegradable gRefills keep babies dry and happy, so they’re less likely to get diaper rash.
EcoLogical Mom is a fantastic channel of unbiased information from multiple sources about raising kids with an Eco&Logical mindset. It reflects a journey to a healthy and meaningful lifestyle!

Yes, we are all about starting the Year in an environmentally conscious way. Over 18 billion disposable diapers are sold in the US every year, and over 90% of those end up in landfills, where it can take them up to 500 years to decompose!


Winners will be selected randomly
"Sweet Bundle" and gPants provided by gDiapers.
 

Second-Hand Smoke is Almost Everywhere, Including Home

Do you have a smoke-free home rule? Unfortunately, if you live in an apartment or town house the rule may not protect your home entirely. A new study analyzed a marker of tobacco exposure in children’s blood samples. The study tested for cotinine, a tobacco metabolite used to assess exposure to secondhand smoke, and found that children living in apartments had higher levels of the chemical in their systems than those who lived in detached houses, even though their own units were smoke-free zones. Children living in town houses with shared walls had the same problem, the study found, though to a lesser degree. Average blood levels of cotinine for these children were lower than for children living in apartments but higher than for those living in detached houses.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Bye Bye Tuna

"Consumers Union is urging pregnant women to avoid eating tuna altogether and advising small children to limit consumption after tests on dozens of cans and pouches of tuna found mercury in every sample. The tuna was bought in the New York metropolitan area and online.
“White” tuna generally contained more mercury than “light” tuna, but some light tuna contained enough that a woman of childbearing age eating less than a can a week would exceed federal recommendations for mercury consumption, the new Consumer Reports study says. The metal can affect fetal development.
The average amount of mercury found by Consumer Reports in white tuna samples was 0.427 parts per million, compared with the average 0.353 p.p.m. found in F.D.A. tests in 2002-04. The average in light tuna was 0.071 p.p.m., lower than the 0.118 p.p.m. found by the F.D.A.

Source: NYTimes

A 3-in-1 Eco Bike

Unlike any other running bikes, the Wishbone bike evolves with a child's different stages of development. It starts at age 1 as a trike, converts to a running bike as the child grows, and by four to five years old, the wishbone frame is flipped, making the Wishbone Bike one of the largest running bikes on the market. Every Wishbone Bike has 60% post-consumer recycled plastic wheels, is made from sustainably managed woods and is bonded and finished with eco-friendly products. The Bike box and all printed material inside is recycled and printed with non-toxic inks.

By Wishbone

Monday, December 13, 2010

Cocoa, Nut and Banana for Under 80 Calories

The holidays are just a couple of weeks away! If you want to save some calories for the big days, here is a  nutritious and yummy dessert recipe for just 80 calories (bonus: kids love it!):

Cocoa Nut Banana
Servings: 4 portions
  • 4 teaspoons cocoa powder
  • 4 teaspoons toasted unsweetened coconut
  • 2  small bananas, sliced on the bias
Place cocoa and coconut on separate plates. Roll each banana slice in the cocoa, shake off the excess, then dip in the coconut.

Per serving: 80 calories; 1 g fat (1 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 19 g carbohydrates; 1 g added sugars; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber; 5 mg sodium; 274 mg potassium.


Holiday Button Tree


Although this cute tree is crafted with sewing supplies, there's no stitching required. Buttons and sewing pins decorate a plastic foam cone in red, green, and white tones for an easy decoration or holiday gift. Kids just have to be creative and build their own tree. They will love it!

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Recycled Cardboard Ornaments


A fun project for children: each kid will make his/her own tree ornament using recycled cardboard!
Keep them busy, teach them a green lesson and promote creativity.
Empty beer, cereal, or frozen dinner boxes are just right for making sweet little upcycled ornaments. Just cut out whatever shape you like and decorate them. Once all of your glue is dry, punch a hole in the top and loop some ribbon through it to hang from the tree.

Source: Crafting a Green World

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Wrinkle-Free Clothes May Cause Dermatitis

tWrinkle-free clothes may cause skin dermatitis, according to a New York Times report. It affects a small group of people and can cause itchy skin, rashes and blisters. That is based on a recent government study on formaldehyde in textiles. Still, some critics said more studies on a wider array of textiles and clothing chemicals were needed, including a closer look at the effects of cumulative exposure. At the very least, they said, better labeling would help.

"From a consumer perspective, you are very much in the dark in terms of what clothing is treated with," said David Andrews, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, a research and advocacy organization. "In many ways, you're in the hands of the industry and those who are manufacturing our clothing. And we are trusting them to ensure they are using the safest materials and additives."

The United States does not regulate formaldehyde levels in clothing, most of which is now made overseas. Nor does any government agency require manufacturers to disclose the use of the chemical on labels. So sensitive consumers may have a hard time avoiding it (though washing the clothes before wearing them helps).

Source: NYTimes

Friday, December 10, 2010

Cold Season, Here We Come

Cold season is up and running. Luckily there are a handful of natural supplements that may help you boost your immune system. Here are 5 from Woman's Day publication:
"1. Vitamin C
Works To: Prevent a cold, but only if you take it before you’re exposed to the virus, says Kathi Kemper, MD, chair for the Center for Integrative Medicine at Wake Forest University. One study found that athletes who took C supplements daily slashed their risk of developing a cold in half. Try 500 mg twice daily during cold season.
2. Ginseng
Works To: Prevent a cold, but like vitamin C, you have to take it well ahead of time.
3. Echinacea
Works To: Shorten a cold’s duration and possibly prevent you from catching one. Try one 500 mg capsule daily as soon as symptoms arise or whenever someone around you gets sick, says Lynne David, ND, a naturopathic doctor at the Center for Integrative Medicine in Washington, DC. To ensure quality, look for the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) or NSF International seal.
4. Zinc
Works To: Shorten a cold’s duration and make symptoms less severe. Studies suggest sucking on a lozenge every 3 to 4 hours, starting as soon as you have symptoms.
5. Vitamin D
Works To: Keep your immune system strong. If your levels are normal, then taking extra D is unlikely to help, but since so many people are lacking, it’s a good idea to ask your doc for a blood test."

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Device to Control Radiation from Wireless Phones and Computers


There are many concerns about side effects of long-term exposure to radiation from mobile and cordless phones, and wireless devices such as laptops. However, most of us have to use them everyday at work and home. It is especially concerning when you have kids in development around the house.
We've come across these tiny quartz round devices called ComputShield and PhoneShield that have been scientifically designed to reduce the harmful side effects of radiation from mobiles, computers and cordless phones.
They are easy to fit, require no technical expertise and are very affordable. You just have to attach them to your computer or phone. They require no batteries and work on any mobile phone or computer model. Also, it doesn't interfere with the performance of your equipment! Great idea!

By PhoneShield

Lipstick with Quality Ingredients


Speaking of non-toxic make-up, we've heard about several lipstick recalls containing lead for color. We've come across this natural version, and the colors are great. All paraben-free, no mineral oil and no FD&C colors. Only natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, sesame seed oil, vitamin E as an anti-oxidant, and pure botanical extracts which act as a natural preservative. 

Non-Toxic Nail Polish


A great alternative to solvent-based nail enamel A water-based polish that is totally odor-free! No nasty fumes, and no need for toxic smelly nail polish remover. This product removes with rubbing alcohol or vodka/grain alcohol. It's eco-friendly and non-toxic. Contains no FD&C colors, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, xylene, or formaldehyde. Especially interesting for breastfeeding moms, pregnant ladies, and teenage girls. Comes in 21 great colors.

Less Sugar in Children's Cereal


General Mills Inc is lowering the amount of sugar in its children's breakfast cereals to no more than 10 grams per serving from 11 grams a year ago, the latest move from a U.S. foodmaker to address childhood obesity.
It is still a lot of sugar! Compare it to only 1 gram of sugar per serving of Cheerios. Children should eat little sugar to educate their taste buds for life!

Too much sugar contributes to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association, which recommends that adult women eat no more than 25 grams of added processed sugar a day, and men no more than 37.5 grams.

Source: Reuters, msnbc

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Adorable Sleeping Sack. Finally!


We know that sleep sacks are very useful in the Winter, but most of them are "kinda" ugly. Not this one.....gorgeous organic sleep sack, comes with matching shirt. Adorable!
Available in cocoa and pink.


By Tadpoles