Eco-Friendly (Super Convenient) Collapsable Storage

This collapsable silicone storage container is very convenient! Take a look at some of the features:

• PVC, phthalate and nitrosamine free
• Store fresh, homemade baby food or other snacks in sealable storage container
• Collapse for storage or travel
• Heat resistant up to 425 degrees Farenheit
• Silicone dishwasher and microwave safe

And it is under US$13. Great buy, by Green Sprouts

10 Tips to Waste-Free Your House Now!

Did you know that one child generates an average of 67 lbs of lunchtime trash per school year? When you add to that all the packages that we discard daily to maintain our house, it is a lot of waste destined for landfill!
We think that it is every parent's responsibility to reduce waste, and teach kids to protect Mother Earth.
Ok, we know that sometimes life is already so busy that the convenience of opening pre-made individual packages can make a difference to our daily tight schedules. Consider at least a few changes to your routine that will certainly reduce your daily waste:

• Reusable lunchboxes are so easy to manage! Most options are inexpensive and dishwashable. Not to mention that they come in BPA, PVC and phthalate-free versions. They usually include thermos and reusable sandwich bags.
• Recycle, recycle, recycle.
• Bring your own mug to the coffee shop when you take it to go, or ask for porcelain mugs if staying in.
• If possible, try using cloth diapers at least a few times a day. Any reduction in plastic waste makes a big difference!
• Buy in bulk, avoiding unnecessary packages. 
• Go to your local farmer's market, not only you will support your local business community, but also get better quality and great taste from your fresh produce.
• Try to buy everything on an as-needed basis.
• Kids grow so fast, resulting in tons of used clothing and gear. Try to swap items that are not safety-related. That will save you some serious cash. Find options on Craig's List, Ebay, or just by talking to other parents.
• There are several things in the house you can do to save energy, from appliances to keeping lights, heater and air condition off when not needed, to switching to energy saving light bulbs. You will be happy when your next utility bill comes!
• Teach your children to consumer with a waste-free mindset!

Saving energy and reducing waste is an ongoing process. Keeping it in mind when you buy groceries, cleaning products, light bulbs and appliances is a great start, and a huge contribution to our future!

Awesome (Affordable) Glass Storage Containers

I love the idea of glass storage containers in the kitchen. Plastic is no good for warm or hot foods, and for microwaving. I've spotted this great deal at Amazon, 10 pieces for just under US$25. Don't miss it!

• This 10-piece set includes 1 1-cup, 2 2-cup, 1 4-cup and 1 7-cup round food storage containers: 5 glass containers and 5 matching lids.
• The plastic air tight lid is BPA free
• Anchor's TrueSeal was the only product out of 28 tested by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute that earned a perfect score for air tightness.
• The lid features a transparent window for easy viewing. Lids are not oven safe but can be washed on the top shelf of your dishwasher.
• This Tempered Glass is dishwasher safe and made in the USA.

By Anchor Hocking

Clever Tips for a Toxic-Free Environment

Healthy Child Healthy World published a very clever list of things you can do to avoid toxic products at home. Here is a summary:

What to Do

Cleaners

• Use gentle castile soap and water, which has been shown to be as effective as antibacterial soaps. In fact, there are significant concerns about resistant bacteria developing due to antibacterial soap. In addition, triclosan, an ingredient commonly used in antibacterial products, has been linked to negative environmental and health impacts. 
• Buy safer cleaning products. Many local, online, and discount stores carry cleaning and home products that are very effective without harsh chemicals or fumes. Make sure you read the label and do a little research, if necessary, to make sure the company is making an honest claim. The following terms are not regulated: nontoxic, bio-based, chlorine-free, organic, phosphate-free, natural fragrance, and/or biodegradable. 
• Make your own safer cleaning products. Click on Safer Solutions to find some basic ideas. 
• Clean floors with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner that traps fine particles of dust, soot and pollen, and wet mop regularly. 
• Reduce your use of products altogether by investing in microfiber cloths or hand held steam cleaners, both of which clean effectively with water alone.

Personal Care Products

• Look for products made with certified organic ingredients and those with the fewest ingredients. 
• Use fewer products and smaller amounts. 
• Make your own! Some products are easily replaced with simple ingredients from your kitchen. Olive, almond, or coconut oil can make a wonderful moisturizer, oatmeal makes a nice face mask, and even toothpaste can be substituted with baking soda (if you really want to get back to basics). 
• Avoid body care products with Parabens, Phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DMP, DEP), DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance, Triclosan, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate, DEA (diethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine), Formaldehyde, PEGs (polyethylene glycol), and anything with "glycol" or "methyl."

Home Furnishing

• Look for products made with natural materials. Call the manufacturer to find out what a product is made of (be sure to ask about adhesives, coatings, and treatments.) 
• Re-use reduce your exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCes) – often recognized as that “new smell.” 

Safe Solutions 

Cleaners

• For a "soft scrub," mix together baking soda and liquid soap until you get a consistency you like. The amounts don't have to be perfect. Make only as much as you need, as it dries up quickly. 
• To clean extra-greasy ovens, mix together 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of washing soda, then add enough water to make a paste; apply the paste to oven surfaces and let soak overnight. The next morning, lift off soda mixture and grime; rinse surfaces well. 
• Disinfect cutting boards by spraying with vinegar and then with 3% hydrogen peroxide (available in drug stores). Keep the liquids in separate spray bottles and use them one at a time. It doesn't matter which one you use first, but both together are much more effective than either one alone. 
• For a good all-purpose disinfectant, mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 to 4 cups hot water in a spray bottle. For extra cleaning power, add 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap to the mixture. 
• General dusting is best done with a damp cloth. Dry dusting simply stirs up dust and moves it around. Also, try 1 teaspoon olive oil per 1/2 cup vinegar. Mix together in a bowl and apply with a soft cloth. 
• For windows, put 3 tablespoons vinegar per 1 quart water in a spray bottle. Some recommend using half vinegar and half water. For extra-dirty windows try this: 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, 3 tablespoons vinegar and 2 cups of water. Shake well. The best way to get streak-free windows? Use newspaper instead of paper towels to wipe them.

Personal Care Products 

• Make your own moisturizer using olive oil, almond oil, or coconut oil. You can scent it with a couple drops of essential oil if you like. Note: Any scents, even natural oils, can trigger health effects in sensitive populations. Always watch for reactions when introducing new products. 
• Disposable baby wipes contain alcohol and fragrances which may irritate your baby's delicate skin. All you really need is water. Buy 2-3 dozen wash cloths or cut up old t-shirts or sheets to the size you need. Keep a spray bottle with water handy. Then spray and wipe. On the road, you can keep damp wash cloths in a zip bag.
• If you catch a diaper rash early, use Aloe Vera. Bad rashes benefit most from exposure to air.
• Visit Skin Deep to uncover any risks your current products may pose and to identify safer products.

Home Furnishings

• Buy furniture made from solid wood. Most furniture is made from pressed woods like particle board or plywood. The glues used in pressed wood typically contain formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, which can slowly and silently seep into your indoor air. Look for solid or pressed woods that are formaldehyde-free. Also seek out woods that are FSC certified, reclaimed, or recycled wood. Used furniture is another great option, as it will likely have already off-gassed any VOCs. If you choose used, avoid furniture painted with lead paint (a swipe test kit from a hardware store will tell you if it’s safe), anything with mold or mildew (give it a good sniff), or anything with deteriorating cushioning.
• Look for local. Imported furnishings may not meet US safety standards. For example, almost all US manufacturers have already voluntarily reduced their use of formaldehyde in furniture, but cheaper imported furniture may still have high concentrations of formaldehyde.
• Avoid furniture that is marketed as stain-resistant, and do not apply stain-resistant treatments onto fabrics.
• Avoid products that contain PVC, such as inflatable furniture, artificial leather, PVC-coated fabrics, and vinyl furniture covers.
• Choose friendlier flooring. Healthy Child recommends an easy to clean hard surface like cork or hardwood (find out what types of adhesives or coatings are used) with a washable rug made from natural materials like organic wool. Still, most people like to have carpet at least somewhere in there home – and it is extremely affordable. Look for carpets that follow sustainable carpet standards like those outlined by the Carpet and Rug Institute.
• Opt for safer electronics. Televisions and computers can have components made with heavy metals and chemicals. Toxic flame retardants are a priority concern as they migrate out of electronics, cling to dust, and contaminate indoor air. 
• Decorate responsibly. Textiles like curtains and rugs can have synthetic finishings like stain guards and moisture repellants that may contain toxic chemicals. Look for natural materials like wool, cotton, or even bamboo - and ask about any finishes. When you’re looking for paints, stains, or other finishes, watch for those labeled low-VOC or VOC-free.

Source: Healthy Child Healthy World

Bamboo Utensil Set: Right There When You Need It!

This eco-friendly bamboo utensil set is ideal for camping, picnics and to leave in the diaper bag! Anytime you need to slice a fruit, or use a spoon for the kids...it is right there, available for you. The 2 pack includes two 4 piece sets; each with a knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks, and recycled PET carrycase. Organic utensils made of bamboo are highly durable and can be sustainably grown and harvested.

By To-Go Ware

Double Duty Eco-Friendly Flashlight: A Must Have Gadget

This double-duty flashlight/FM radio is really useful in case of emergencies, blackouts, etc! It runs on the sun and features 4 ultra-white LED bulbs, volume control and auto-scan tuning…plus easy-grip recycled plastic housing, wrist strap and comes with an auxiliary DC power recharging jack. Useful and eco-friendly!

By EB Brands

Classy Paper Stocking

Stocking made of recycled paper bag. Creative, beautiful, meaningful...genius!

Perfect statement for a green Christmas. Charming enough to be given away to anyone, at home or work.
What's more, they are so easy to make. Trace a template onto the bag, cut your shapes out, punch holes and then use embroidery floss to sew the bags together with a quick whip stitch.

Source:  Rock Scissor Paper

Classic Pull Along Toy

Pull-Along toys are classic. This one from Sevi is gorgeous and eco-friendly! Cams in the wheels create animated action, and a small bell inside makes a gentle chime. The giraffe is hand-made with hard woods and painted with kid- and eco-friendly materials. Available in several animal shapes, al very pretty!

By Sevi

Eco-Friendly Dino Adventure

Adventurous and eco-friendly kids will love Dino Adventure Rig. It includes an Adventure Truck, two Dinosaurs, an Adventure Guide, an Adventure Hat (interchangeable with other characters), and a Backpack Accessory. It is totally eco-friendly and battery-free. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Measures 9.5"x 6" x 6".

By Sprig Toys

Way Too Much Antibacterial

Antibacterial hand soaps, glass cleaners and counter sprays seem like a no-brainer. But scientists and doctors continue to raise concerns about Americans’ overzealous use of bacteria-killing products. These are also known as antimicrobial products, or disinfectants, and often carry labels like “industrial strength”.
The agent used to make antibacterial products is called triclosan. Lately, scientists have been tracking the rise of a new “super resistant” strain of bacteria that triclosan can’t kill. Researchers believe our frequent use of antibacterial cleaning products play a role in the development of these super germs, which are strong enough to withstand antibiotics.
According to the Environmental Working Group, most of the powerful antimicrobial chemicals used in household products were initially developed for hospital settings where disinfected surfaces are critical to the health of patients. However, the average American home doesn’t need to be as sterile as an operating room—and, in fact, shouldn’t be as sterile.
New research also suggests that the chemical may have some health effects, including altered hormone regulation.
In April, the Food and Drug Administration published a consumer fact sheet that said triclosan “is not known to be hazardous to humans,” but the agency also “does not have evidence that triclosan, added to antibacterial soaps and body washes, provides extra health benefits over soap and water.”
Health concerns and suspicion of triclosan’s role in creating super-resistant bacteria has caused the FDA to launch an in-depth scientific and regulatory review of the chemical.
The evidence surrounding triclosan gives ‘green cleaning’ advocates another reason to swap out traditional cleaning products that use chemicals with natural or organic versions. Here are some ways to keep bacteria in balance at home.
Instead of: Antibacterial hand soap
Consider: Good, old soap and water
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA and the American Medical Association have all stated that antibacterial soaps aren’t necessary for regular home use. However, you should still wash hands frequently to avoid the spread of germs, especially as we enter flu season.
Instead of: Kitchen countertop sprays and other antibacterial cleaners
Consider: Vinegar and baking soda mixtures

• Equal parts white vinegar and water make an affective solution to clean countertops daily.
• Baking soda and water (or vinegar) can form a useful paste for scrubbing sinks and toilets.
• To sanitize cutting boards, professional ‘green cleaning’ coach Leslie Reichert recommends scrubbing a wood board with a half lemon and salt, or soaking plastic boards for 15 minutes in a mixture of lemon juice and water.
• If you prefer commercial products, Seventh Generation offers a line of botanically-based disinfectants, including bathroom and surface cleaners and wipes.

Did you know?

• Seven years ago, only a few dozen products containing antibacterial agents were being marketed for the home, according to the CDC. Now, more than 700 are available.
• Triclosan is heavily restricted in the European Union.

Copyright 2010 The MetroWest Daily News. Some rights reserved

Eco Potty

Potty can be eco-friendly now! Becopotty is made of bamboo waste, rice husks and biodegradable resin. It will start biodegrading as soon as you pop it in your garden.

By BecoThings 

Adorable Sushi Roll Cloth Wipe and Washcloth

What a cute present! Disguised as an adorable sushi roll, this handmade cloth wipe looks yummy enough to eat! The cloth wipe is 100% cotton, topped with bright green marbled flannel, and backed with looped terry cloth. It comes packaged in a small chinese take-out box, making it ideal for any gift-giving occasion or even as party decoration and/or favors. Use it to wipe baby's bum, drooly chins or runny noses.
Using cloth wipes are both environmentally-friendly and economic. Machine washable and dryable.

Source: Enchanted Dandelions

Great Natural Stain Removers for the Toughest Stains

Cleaning products can be toxic, and sometimes are quite pricey. Use these great natural stain removers and cleaning mixtures instead. You won't regret it!

Coffee stains:

For fresh coffee stains, blot up as much liquid as possible before treating. Then, beat an egg yolk in cold water and spread over the stain. Rinse fabric with cold water, repeat if necessary, and let dry. Baking soda and white vinegar are good alternatives if eggs aren't available.

Food stains on plastic:

To get food stains out of reusable plastic containers, pre-wash plastic, and then apply lemon juice or baking soda to the stain. Place the container outside in direct sunlight and let sit until the stain has faded. Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary.

Oily food stains from cloth:

Sprinkle corn starch or powder on a fresh stain, then soak the fabric in a mixture of baking soda and water. For tougher stains, dab rubbing alcohol on the fabric before washing. You can also spray dish detergent, and leave for an hour before washing it.

Color stains:

To remove colored stains, like those from wine, juice or berries, first blot up as much liquid as possible. Then, soak stained area in lemon juice or white vinegar to lift the stain from fibers. For red wine, soak stain in club soda, milk or white wine to remove the color.

Gum: 

Put the fabric in the freezer, wait until the gum is frozen and then pull it off of the cloth.

General cleaner on countertops, ovens, bathtubs and sinks: 

Mix baking soda with a bit of water and scrub it.

 

Getting rid of mold:

Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of essential oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle, or 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract to 1 quart of water.

All purpose surface cleaner:

Mix together equal parts white vinegar and salt. Scrub surfaces with a natural cleaning cloth.

Cookware cleaner:

Coarse salt does wonders for scouring copper pans and ceramic baking dishes.

Clean tile and grout paste:

1 cup water and 3 cups baking soda mixed into a paste works great for cleaning tile and grout. Use a toothbrush to scrub the paste into grout.

Sources: Green Living Ideas and Daily Green

Eco Notepads

Speaking of green school supplies, check out these notepads made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper! The cover design incorporates environmental themes, like "rethink" and "re-use" and are printed using harmless vegetable-based ink.
For each large notebook purchased, Ecojot will donate a workbook to a child in need.
Several colors and sizes available.

Made by EcoJot

Biodegradable Corn Pen

These pens are made of biodegradable corn. Except for the ink refill, this green pen is made from Mater-Bi, a revolutionary new material derived from corn starch. Mater-Bi looks like plastic, but it is completely biodegradable, disintegrating about 8 months after being discarded (breakdown occurs in soil, composters, landfills, etc.).
Available with blue ink, this green pen is light and comfortable for writing.

Sold at Grass Roots , also sold in bulk by Amazon

Creating a Healthy Nursery for your Baby (and the Planet!) - Part III

We've been having very insightful discussions with Claudia Kalur, a European interior decorator and founder of A Room for Frances, about eco-friendly nurseries and children's rooms. This week Claudia is discussing Wall Treatments. You can ask questions using the comments field here or on our Facebook page.

Wall Treatments - Part III

Walls are the largest element in any room and, from a design stand point, there are several options that will help you define the look you want for your nursery or child's bedroom: painting, wallpapering, wood trims and wainscoting, for instance.

Let us start with the easiest - wall color: easy to wash and easy to change. There are now endless options on the market for Zero-VOC paints. Volatile organic compounds are chemicals that are known to have detrimental affects on our health and the environment - when we say that it "smells of fresh paint" - those are actually the VOCs that you're inhaling. We personally swear by Natura, by Benjamin Moore but there are plenty of other good brands on the market like Mythic Paint, the Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company and Health Spec by Sherwin Williams, among many. If you insist on using normal paint, do your best to avoid going in the room for at least 24 hours and let is air out before using it - especially if you are pregnant!

Regular wallpaper is one of the least eco-friendly products you can ever have, but there are now several alternatives made of paper from sustainable forests and without the off-gassing elements. The only issue when it comes to little one's rooms is that is not washable - what makes a wallpaper washable is the very toxic PVC coating. However, if you are using wallpaper in a room for an older child (6 year old or older), there are great "colour me" options like the Tick-Tock, from Minimoderns, or the Frames Wallpaper, from Land of Nod - even if you use it on just one wall, it is great to release the artist in your child - and you! 

Wainscoting is also a beautiful option - it makes a room cozier and warmer, both in appearance and in temperature, and there is now the green alternative, High Definition Polymer System (HDPS) wainscoting. The downside once again is that those crayon marks are not that easy to clean or re-paint! 

Whatever you decide to do on the walls of your nursery, there certainly are now several environmentally friendly and beautiful options, whether you are aiming for a modern and more traditional look. 

Click here to access last week's posting from Claudia, covering "Flooring" concepts.

Stay tuned for coming weeks when Claudia will be discussing sustainable lighting  for children's rooms and nurseries.

Claudia Kalur is the founder of A Room for Frances, Nursery and Children's Room Design. She lives in rural Connecticut with her husband, Steven (an architect who specializes in green building systems), their 18-month-old daughter, Margot, and their doggy, Bayou.

Sustainable Shoes

We came across a very interesting eco-friendly shoe factory. Simple Shoes uses organic cotton for the laces and linings, recycled tires for the rubber bottoms and post-consumer recycled paper for the inserts. Even the box is made from recycled paper, soy-based ink, natural latex and soy-based glue. Check out the variety of designs for boys and girls.
What a great concept! Perfect for school.

Available at Amazon. By Simple Shoes

Eco Cup for Conscious Coffee Drinkers

Eco Cup is made of smooth porcelain, available in 3 beautiful designs. It includes an attachable lid that can withstand temperatures over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and helps prevent messy spills. The Eco Cup also comes with a matching silicone sleeve, which slides around the cup and prevents burns.
Measuring 3.5" in diameter and 6" tall, this porcelain ecological coffee cup holds 16 oz. Terrific green gift for ecologically conscious friends and family members!
Microwave and dishwasher safe.

By DCI Gifts

Creating a Healthy Nursery for your Baby (and the Planet!) - Part II

Last week we introduced Claudia Kalur, a European interior decorator and founder of A Room for Frances. Claudia will be our guest writer for 8 Mondays, providing amazing suggestions and tips on designing eco-friendly nurseries and children's rooms.

Flooring - Part II

 Babies spend most of their early years either crawling on the floor, or simply playing on it so you should consider it carefully.
If you have the possibility to start from scratch, your best choice is hardwood or bamboo flooring with a natural, non-chemical, fruit derived finish, like tung oil - it is easy to clean, lasts forever, and honestly, the most attractive. Cork is always a wonderful option as well - very soft under crawling knees (and tumbles) and great for absorbing noise.
Tile floors are also environmentally friendly, long lasting and easily washable but they are, in my opinion, very hard and cold surfaces - unless you have (hydro) radiant heating. Both hardwood floors and tiles can be covered with area rugs, which will cozy up and soften the space.
Flooring is one of the largest surfaces in any space, so rugs make great decor statements! The best options are natural fibers such as untreated wool or cotton, jute, sisal, seagrass or hemp - and if you like the "shaggy" type, there are now bamboo-made versions! Vintage rugs are a very eco-friendly alternative as well and open up to great decorating possibilities. Finally, there are carpet tiles made from recycled materials that can be easily removed for regular cleaning.
Avoid commercial wall-to-wall carpeting at all cost - not only is it hard to clean but, as it is now common knowledge, it releases harmful chemicals and is a hot bed for mold and mites that are known to cause all sorts of allergies. It will also be more difficult (and expensive) to change later on. If you're set on a wall-to-wall option, there are manufacturers offering low VOC wall-to-wall carpeting which is great but it still requires constant vacuuming and shampooing.

Click here to access last week's posting from Claudia, covering "Long Term" concepts.

Stay tuned for coming weeks when Claudia will be discussing sustainable lighting and walls for children's rooms and nurseries.

Claudia Kalur is the founder of A Room for Frances, Nursery and Children's Room Design. She lives in rural Connecticut with her husband, Steven (an architect who specializes in green building systems), their 18-month-old daughter, Margot, and their doggy, Bayou.

Have you Washed your Reusable Shopping Bag?

According to researchers from the University of Arizona, reusing grocery bags over and over again without washing them poses a serious health risk.
Leaky milk cartons, drippy ground chicken packages, and the like can leave bacterial residue on your bags which is then passed to other foods and packages. It can make you sick.
Wash your bags often! Fabric bags can go into the washing machine (use hot water), and plastic bags can be thrown into a sink filled with hot soapy water. Sounds obvious, but it is one of those things that we end up forgetting!

Source: USA Today