Yikes: Most Parents Use Carseats Incorrectly!

Recently, I have noticed some people having their toddlers ride front facing in their car seat earlier then recommended. It makes me wonder if they are just not educated on the new recommendations. I know some people that think it is silly but it makes me think of this picture I saw of a tiny little girl who was rear facing way too early. She was one years old but was way too small to be rear facing. Please read this great article and think about your choices when it comes to the car seat.

Thanks!

Yikes: Most Parents Use Carseats Incorrectly!

A Recipe for Fudgy Black Bean Brownies | Meal Makeover Moms' Kitchen

Yummy Black Bean Brownies from Cooking with Moms

This recipe looks amazing. We have not given any chocolate to our 18 month old but when we do, I think this is a great find! I am going to try and make them in the next week or two and report back to you all.

This is also a fun blog to follow if you like fun and healthy recipes.

A Recipe for Fudgy Black Bean Brownies | Meal Makeover Moms' Kitchen

Petition Against Arsenic in Apple Juice

 Hi everyone, 

I am sure you are aware of the arsenic that is being found in apple juice.  Apple juice is the top juice drank by children.  Please see the letter below and sign the petition.  Make sure you buy organic juice or make your own juices at home! Better yet, just stick to water.

Every child enjoys a juice box with her after school snack. But what parents don’t know is that a disturbing number of juices contain unsafe levels of lead and inorganic arsenic that can lead to serious health problems for children.

While the government has rules in place to limit lead and arsenic in our drinking water, there’s nothing to stop companies from making juices and other children’s drinks that contain unsafe levels of those poisons. A new study by Consumer Reports found that at least 10% of apple and grape juices sampled had more arsenic than what the government says is safe for drinking water -- and even more had unsafe levels of lead.

Now it’s up to the Food and Drug Administration to make rules to regulate how much arsenic and lead can be in juices, like they do for drinking water. Click here to sign the petition asking the FDA to protect children from poisons by regulating arsenic levels in juices.

While not lethal, that kind of sustained, low-level exposure during early childhood "carries the most serious long-term risk," according to researchers. The dangerous effects of unsafe levels of inorganic arsenic and lead in children are shocking:

• Inorganic arsenic is linked to cancers, heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and immune system problems
• Children exposed to drinking water with unsafe arsenic levels had decreased intellectual function
• Low-level arsenic exposure is "significantly related to poorer scores in language, visuospatial skills, processing speed, and immediate memory," among other problems
• Unsafe levels of lead were found in 25% of juices sampled, and lead exposure is linked to brain development and behavioral problems

If lead and arsenic are unsafe for children in their drinking water, the same poisons should be regulated for the juices that so many children love.

Click here to sign the petition on Change.org asking the FDA to protect children from unsafe levels of arsenic in juices.

Thanks for being a change-maker,

- Michael and the Change.org team

Family Friendly Green Volunteer Projects for the Holidays

I cannot believe it has been a month since I last posted!  Time goes by so fast but that is what happens when you are enjoying every moment being a home with your child! So many people ask me for recommendations on ways to give back during the holidays.  Here is a great post from Inhabitots.  Fun ways to give back with your family.  It is never too early to teach your children the meaning of sharing their heart and giving back to others.  Happy Holidays!

Family Friendly Green Volunteer Projects for the Holidays

Miami Valley Hospital Goes Green with Earth Mama Angel Baby

This is amazing news for Miami Valley Hospital and  Earth Mama Angel Baby®.  I can only hope that this will influence other hospitals to do the same especially in California!

Check out the article and video at Earth Mama Angel Baby at MVH.


Miami Valley Hospital Goes Green with Earth Mama Angel Baby

Breast Cancer and Organic Living from Stonyfield Farms

I am a huge fan of Stonyfield Farms and of Gary Hirshberg, the CEO.  I have been lucky enough to meet him and hear him speak and I feel he is as true as they come and that goes for his company as well.

His wife is a breast cancer survivor of 10 years and here is a new segment that Stonyfield is touching on called Organic Living.  It discusses the tie between eating non organic foods and breast cancer. This is a great tool on organic living for women.  There are some great tips and some yummy recipes.  Check it out!

Green Halloween Candy Options

Green Halloween Candy Options

Halloween is just around the corner and here are some fun options for candy for your little ghosts and goblins.  Yes, it is still sugar but at least it is not packed full of ingresdents you cannot spell or read.  You can always pass out some toothbrushes as well or perhaps mini Tom's of Maine toothpastes.
Enjoy!


Green Halloween Candy Options

Don't Be In The Dark about GE Food! You Are What You Eat!

Don't be in the dark about Genetically Modified food.  Take the time to educate yourself on what you are putting into your body. Especially if you have babies or children in your life, you should really think about what you are feeding them.  It is ridiculous that the US is one of the few countries that does not label their food for GE.  Please support that cause at www.justlabelit.org.

2011 Costume Swap

While my little pumpkin is only 14 months, we are excited about Halloween this year.  I think she is going to be a bird watcher since she loves birds. While her costume is pretty simple, she has many Halloweens ahead of her and costumes to come.  I am sure every parent can relate to running out last minute to find a Halloween costume or paying a high price for the perfect outfit for Halloween.  That is why the annual costume swap by GreenHalloween.com is so amazing!

It can be as simple as getting together with a few neighbors or as large as a citywide event.

 Costume swaps not only mean less resources are used to make new product, it also means less packaging, less transportation of the product and less waste (from products being trashed as they sadly often are!).


Swapping half the costumes kids wear at Halloween would reduce annual landfill waste by 6, 250 tons!

Swaps are also a lot of fun and can be a great way to kick off the Green Halloween� season. Check out some tips below on how to throw your own costume swap.


Tips on How To Organize a Costume Swap

Wonderful Sponsors of the 2011 Costume Swap are Green Halloween, Swap.com, Stretch Island Fruit and Kiwi Magazine.

Boo! It's Green Halloween!

Green Halloween®
The “eek-o-friendly” revolution

Who says Halloween has to be unhealthy? And who says healthy can‘t be fun? Green Halloween® is about making Halloween happy and healthy and about creating community traditions we can all be proud of.

What is Green Halloween?
Green Halloween® is a non-profit, grassroots initiative striving to create healthier, eco-friendlier holidays– starting with Halloween. Launched in Seattle in 2007 by a mother of two, the nationwide movement, now a program of EcoMom Alliance, is all about educating and inspiring communities by showing how easy, affordable, and fun it can be to factor our earth and our health into our daily choices.
To read all about Green Halloween and find fun events near you, visit GreenHalloween.org. You can learn how to get involved locally, sign up for the super nifty newsletter, and get fab DIY costume ideas, recipes, upcycled décor how-to‘s and more. There‘s even a trick-or-treat bag design contest for kids!
So forget orange and black. With upcoming events in cities across the U.S., this community initiative is adding much-needed green to Halloween. It‘s a scream!

Join Green Halloween on Facebook

California Bans BPA in Baby Bottles

While this took way longer then it should have, it is great to see CA stepping it up.  Now, BPA just needs to be banned in everything!  Did you know that it is in your canned foods like canned beans or diced tomatoes?  The only brand that makes BPA Free is Eden Foods, you pay 1.00 more but it is worth it!

California Bans BPA in Baby Bottles

Circumcision, is it right or wrong?

Jena Troutman-New York Times Article

Lately, there has been a lot of discussion on circumcision.  NPR was discussing how there are various measures trying to get on the ballot to ban circumcision in Santa Monica and San Francisco.  However, there are also many republicans trying to get a measure on the ballot requiring parents to circumcise their baby boys.

While I am against circumcision and feel it is an old tradition that offers very misleading health information to new parents, I do not feel there should be a law for or against it.  Ideally, it would be the little boys decision but we know that is not a likely option.

Many assume that the circumcision is beneficial, has no damaging effects and is important in a boy's personal cleanliness. However, studies are showing that none of these assumptions are necessarily true.

Here is an article on the New York Times about the measures for ballot and as always, here are some great articles from the always trusted Mothering Magazine.  My advice is to always do your research before you make big health decisions about your baby.

The New York Times-Circumcision

The New York Times-Article two

Mothering Magazine

The Thrifty Mama

If you are a stay at home mama or any kind of mama, you should check out "The Thrifty Mama".  She has the best email newsletter and website for all kinds of thrifty deals from your local weekly store ads to free book downloads for your iPhone to codes for free eyeglasses.

I am amazed at the wealth of information she puts together in one amazing email.  Check it out, you will not be disappointed.  Plus, there is a great section on natural and organic and fun recipes for "DIY".

The Thrifty Mama

Lady Gaga Designs Baby Clothes

I know this is not really about the natural mama world but who does not love a little Gaga. While I do not want my baby in a meat dress, you have to appreciate the humor and brilliance of Lady Gaga!

Check out this sketch from Jimmy Kimmel

Lady Gaga Designs Baby Clothes

Watch it on You Tube, Lady Gaga

The Milk Truck has been funded!!

I am so happy to say that the Milk Truck project has been funded!

I am proud that I helped make that happen with my donation and will be receiving my awesome Milk Truck t-shirt soon!

Check out the project at The Milk Truck.

Extreme High Levels of Arsenic Found in Mott's Apple Juice

Should arsenic be in apple juice?  One more reason to consider organic when you make your purchase. Of course, who needs juice!! There is so much sugar in it anyway.  Stick with water.

Extreme High Levels of Arsenic Found in Mott's-Inhabitots

Boobie Palooza and World Breastfeeding week-August 7th

How awesome does "Boobie Palooza" sound?!  It is a fun event where you get pampered for breastfeeding.  In order to create awareness for Breastfeeding week, this great event happens in Southern California on August 7th.
There are massage stations, lactation consultants,  a sling clinic, expert panel and sweet swag bags!

I will not be able to attend since I am throwing a baby shower (ironic).  I hope some of you go and tell me all about it.

Boobie Palooza

Milk Truck Mobile Bus Project-Support It On KickStarter!

Calling all breastfeeding mamas!!! This is an amazing story of using art to create awareness of breastfeeding rights in public.  I encourage you to check it out and even if you only support $1 dollar toward the cause, it can make a difference. 


Milk Truck Mobile Breastfeeding Unit Calls Attention to Moms Right to Breastfeed in Public

 Go here to support this project on kickstarter.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jillmiller/the-milk-truck

Nursing Strikes! Are they real?

If you can picture my little Tallulah with a picket sign saying "No breastfeeding, I am on strike", it seems so silly but in reality, it did happen.

A couple days ago, she did not want to breastfeed.  The first day, I figured it was just random, then she did it for a second day.  I thought it was weird that she would be weaning herself especially this early.  I started to do a little research and thanks to the trusty mothering.com community and many other sites, I realized Tallulah was on a nursing strike.  Babies are super cleaver!!  Tallulah is almost a year old but just got her first tooth and her second one is coming in. During feeding, she likes to try and bit every once and awhile.  Last week, she bite me pretty hard and I raised my voice at her and said "no biting" and she got very upset. After that, she would try to bit me every once and awhile and I would tell her "no biting", in a stern voice.  Then the strike began.

As I did my research, I found that babies will strike often if they are teething or something has upset them during feeding.  My situation with the "no biting", tends to be common and I did not handle it the best way.  Instead, I should have removed her and set her down, letting her know that it "hurts mama" and not let her back on, if she continues to bite.  So how do you end the strike?  With lots of love, a little skin to skin and reassurance that it is ok.  Tallulah did start breastfeeding again and would test me with a soft bite and I would let her know in a calm voice that it was not ok to bite mama and it has been working ever since.

I felt such a sense of relief!! It could not believe Tallulah was just ready to stop feeding all together.  Some mamas like when this happens so they have a reason to stop feeding but not this mama!  I want to go as long as I can because it is so good for her long term health.

Anyway, nursing strikes are real! You heard it from this natural mama!

What are you putting on your body?

Hi everyone,
I wanted to share this site with you since someone was recently asking me about it. It is one of my favorite sites to learn more about how toxic some of your "natural" products are.  When we had Tallulah, we really paid attention because we found that some of the products we had on hand like Burt's Bees and Weleda were not as pure as we thought.

Thank goodness, our favorite brand, Earth Mama Angel Baby was!! Also, California Baby ranked very well.

Check it out!

You'll be surprised to find that even "healthy" products have agents linked to cause cancer. spend 5 minutes and check what your putting in and on your body. it's a non-profit site. I am sometimes skeptical of these things, but it's quite thorough.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/