Green Daily

Eco-Friendly Halloween Costumes

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:12:00 EST

Ghost costumes are easy! Photo: Getty Images/TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/Staff

So what's your Halloween costume this year? Oh, you don't have one? That's okay, we have some eco-friendly and oh-so-clever ideas for you!

Being sustainable doesn't mean you have to wear an unimaginative, boring, hemp bag. Just the opposite, unless you're going as a Wet Blanket Environmentalist.

Get out your creativity, roll up your sleeves, and prepare ready to wow your friends and neighbors with these environmentally smart Halloween costumes.
DIY With Thrift Store Basics:

Sheet = a ghost -- bonus for bamboo or organic cotton
Black tights stuffed with newspaper (which you recycle later) = spider
Garish bridesmaid dress = a princess
Wedding gown = a bride
Flannel shirt & jeans = lumberjack
Flannel shirt & ripped jeans = hobo

Green Theme:

Used candy wrappers stuck all over your body = Ghost of Halloween Litter
Plastic water bottles & rubber duckies stuck all over a blue outfit = the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Walk around naked = PETA celebrity fur protester

Honorable mention for cool idea: a bat costume with wings made of old umbrellas.

Dishonorable mention: anything with a big rubber mask made out of petroleum products

Too much work to make your own? Then do a costume exchange with some of your friends. After all, you only wear that costume for a few hours, and then put it away. This can be a great project to organize through your local school, since kids grow out of costumes from one year to the next.

And whatever costume you decide to wear, remember to green your candy choices!

Eco-Friendly Halloween Costumes originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fear the Halloween Candy

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health, Kids and Parenting

Fair trade chocolate from naturalcandystore.com

When you're a kid, Halloween is your chance to get a ton of candy, for free, which you then eat until you get sick. And when you're an adult, it's a reason to buy all the candy you'd normally never let in the house ... which you then eat until you get sick.

Here's the truly scary part: it's not just overeating that makes you sick, it's the stuff in most commercially produced candy bars that will make you turn green, even if you're only reading the label!

I was checking out Fitsugar, and was reminded that most candy contains high fructose corn syrup and food coloring. Bad, but if you're only indulging once or twice a year, not going to kill you. But then there are the hydrogenated oils, which are so bad they even cause miscarriages!
Don't despair that the only way to have a green Halloween is to be weird house that gives out apples that taste like soap (from washing off the pesticides, of course!) There are many delicious, organic, eco-friendly choices for treats:

Check out the Natural Candy Store for all kinds of great ideas, like packs of natural gummy bears or organic cotton candy. They even have vegan candy mixes!
Raisins (nature's candy!) or trail mix in sealed individual servings*
School supplies, like Terracycle newspaper pencils
A bamboo toothbrush, which is sort of the modern version of the soapy apple, but still useful
Spare change wrapped in fun fabric remnants -- everyone likes money!

If you're having a party and don't have to worry about sealed servings, there are loads of fun recipes for indulgent but healthy treats like caramel apple dip, or a haunted forest veggie platter.

Just remember, you can find festive, healthy and green Halloween treats. It just takes a bit of thought -- and a lot of will power when you're walking down the candy aisle in Walgreens!

*Yes, I know I went all ranty yesterday about individual servings and the waste they create, but Halloween is an exception I'm prepared to make. It's once a year, it's because of safety concerns, and it is possible to recycle raisin boxes!

Fear the Halloween Candy originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ann Cooper - Making Processed School Lunches a Thing of the Past

Kristen Seymour — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:06:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Kids and Parenting

(Photo by Getty Images)

Think back to your school days -- what foods filled your tray? Reheated tator tots, square slices of greasy pizza, and unidentifiable meat all come to mind ... which is probably why I brown bagged it almost every day of high school.

Unfortunately, in many areas, those highly processed foods still make up the bulk of school lunches. However, according to OnEarth Magazine, at least one person is stepping up to make a big difference.

After paying her dues in the celebrity chef circuit, Ann Cooper has turned her attention to the food served in schools. And her efforts have paid off, big time. In the schools she's worked in, she's introduced real chicken, whole grains, and fresh produce to the noontime meal.
Cooper says, "High-fat, high-sugar, high-salt diets with very few fruits and vegetables and no whole grains will lead to a generation of kids who, for the first time, will die at a younger age than their parents," citing Centers for Disease Control statistics that a third of our nation's children are overweight or obese.

Additionally, she calls real lunch reform "the social justice issue of our time" because those most affected by what's offered for school lunch are minority students. "We can either pay for lifelong wellness now, or pay later for a tsunami of diabetes. And these kids can't learn if they're not well nourished."

There are a plethora of challenges. Budget, for one: Just one-third of the $2.59 per child per day allotted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is actually spent on food (the rest goes toward administrative and staffing costs). Cafeteria workers require serious training, and in order to make fresh produce affordable, in-season fruits and veggies need to be used (and, of course, that's different in every region). Plus, many school cafeterias don't even have kitchens!

That's not stopping Cooper from taking her lessons nationwide. F3 Foundation (Food Family Farming) is a nonprofit that she'll help to launch this summer. F3 will provide a lunch box filled with tools for menu planning, student nutrition, recipes, and sourcing techniques. Additionally, she'll continue working with her for-profit consulting firm, Lunch Lessons LLC (based on her fourth book, "Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children").

What are school lunches like in your town?

Ann Cooper - Making Processed School Lunches a Thing of the Past originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All Natural Swaddling - Like a Safe, Organic Hug for the Baby

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Home, Kids and Parenting

(Photo by aden + anais)

Parents can get pretty intense when it comes to picking the most natural, safe, and beneficial products to use on or have around their newborns. And rightly so, although this puts a lot of pressure on people picking baby gifts -- you don't want to be the bad friend who put the vulnerable little angle in any danger!

Just like with products for adults, in the past five years it's gotten easier to find high quality organic baby products that are also stylish.

One great source for organic, all natural baby gifts is peek a green. This site was started by a mom who was hunting for safe and eco-friendly baby gifts. She packaged her finds into collections, like bamboo, newborn essentials and safe $10 gifts. She also has them categorized by activity, price, and age.

In addition to ensuring that all of the products offered are made in fair-trade environments, the clothing is all 100% certified organic cotton, the wooden toys are all from renewable and sustainably managed sources, and you won't find a BPA or PVC molecule anywhere near the bottles and eating accessories.

Swaddling blankets are always a great shower gift, and peek a green has a very nice Dreamsacks bamboo swaddling gift set that includes a blanket, hat, and socks. The stylish color block design is great for the mom who wants to avoid cutesy flowers and baby animals in the nursery.

Aden + Anais offers a line of organic muslin swaddling wraps that just won a fourth iParenting Media Award. The line was created by two Australian moms who moved to the states and couldn't find swaddling wraps that were made of muslin, which is particularly breathable and comfortable for babies, regardless of the weather and temperature. They are also cute enough to give as baby shower gifts, with interesting and pretty patterns.

Over at eSwaddle you can shop the entire SwaddleDesigns collection, including the Organic Ultimate Receiving blanket which was designed by a nurse. It comes in a swell kiwi green mod design, and has the swaddling instructions sewn onto to the blanket. The organic flannel is GOTS certified, and totally free of harsh dyes.

All Natural Swaddling - Like a Safe, Organic Hug for the Baby originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 28 May 2009 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McCormack School Kids Get Creative About Carbon Footprints

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Kids and Parenting, Activism, Climate Change

(Photo by Green Patriot Posters)

There are many ways to respond to the overwhelming concept of climate change -- often I find a nice organic wine to be quite soothing and medicinal when I start to hyperventilate while calculating the new coastlines that will result from melting polar caps.

The Canary Project has a more productive, or at least more creative response. They use "visual media, events, and artwork that builds public understanding of human-induced climate change and energize commitment to solutions." Using the power of images, they educate and motivate the public, with the goal of addressing climate change while we still have some options. One way they do this is through Green Patriot Posters, founded by Ed Morris, who also founded The Canary Project.

Green Patriot Posters makes modern, updated versions of those "We Can Do It!" style posters from World War II. They want to galvanize people to build a sustainable economy, and to adopt sustainable practices in their everyday lives, and they design cool posters to get the message out.

The latest Green Patriot Posters project is a partnership with Citizen Schools, a non-profit that provides after school programs to low-income middle school kids.

Together, they developed a curriculum to teach the students at McCormack School in Dorchester, MA about climate change. Then they developed a public art campaign, to let people know that kids are engaged in building their own sustainable futures.

In addition to learning about climate change, the kids designed really awesome sneakers with messages about reducing your carbon footprint -- get it? Footprint + sneakers? Totally creative, and educational, and fun.

And I have to admit, much more practical (and legal) than feeding organic wine to middle school kids.

(Photo by Green Patriot Posters)

McCormack School Kids Get Creative About Carbon Footprints originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 27 May 2009 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GoodGuide Reads Ingredient Lists So You Don't Have To

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health, Kids and Parenting

(Photo by GoodGuide)

You used to be able to walk down the aisle of a natural foods store, and tell just by looking at the packaging which products didn't have any bad chemicals or dangerous ingredients in them. All natural products were:

wrapped in ugly brown paper packaging
sold in bulk out of grimy vats
tied up with hemp string
utterly devoid of luxury and prettiness

But then the ugly eco-duckling of natural products was captured by the girls in marketing and given a glamorous make-over. Today there are hundreds of organic, natural, and green products that you want to buy just for the pretty ribbon on the box. Here's the problem: Now that it's cool to be natural, and you're allowed to have pretty packaging, it's almost impossible to tell which products are healthy and safe, and which ones are just really, really well packaged.

It was the safety mystery that prompted Professor Dara O'Rourke to check out the sunscreen he was putting on his five year old daughter Minju. To his horror, it contained a toxic ingredient. But he was only able to figure that out because he was a researcher at University of California-Berkeley and had access to detailed information.

Dara was inspired to make it easier for parents, and all of us, to figure out what's in the stuff we put on our bodies and sort out all the pretty marketing claims of "green" products. The result is GoodGuide, a one stop site for you find out how safe and eco-friendly a product really is.

Some serious brain power went into setting up this site -- the team includes scientists, consumer researchers, technologists and industry professionals coming from Google, Amazon, eBay, PayPal, Intuit, MIT and the University of California. They're geniuses at reading the labels -- and analyzing that list of ingredients -- so you don't have to be!

The GoodGuide site is totally easy to use, and has a surprising amount of information. There are about 70,000 products in the system, with more being added. In addition to beauty products, you can search for information on food, toys, and household products, like cleansers. Everything has a rating, from 1-10, which takes into account the ingredients in the product, the company's environmental practices and how it compares to similar products.

The functionality also extends to purchasing. You can see the average price, find a local place to buy it, or order it online from amazon or thefind.com. And members can write reviews of the products, providing another whole dimension of information.

You can still try to judge a product by it's packaging, but with GoodGuide, now you don't need to!

GoodGuide Reads Ingredient Lists So You Don't Have To originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 20 May 2009 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stuffed Animals and Video Games for Conservation

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Kids and Parenting, Plants and Wildlife

(Photo by Fiesta Toys)

Kids love computers, right? Also animals. So what could be more perfect than a video game that teaches them about conservation, and even encourages action by letting them pick projects to support?

Tales 4 Tomorrow (there's music, click with caution!) is a video game collaboration between Conservation International and Kango, a new environmentally-focused toy company.

Educational video games, which are visually overwhelming for anyone over the age of 11, but perfect for stimulus hungry little ones, are paired with stuffed animals made from environmentally-friendly soy and cotton materials. Each stuffed animal has a tag (printed on recycled paper, of course) that explains its background -- where it lives, if it's endangered, and other conservation information.

By playing the video games, kids can earn "habitokens" that go toward building a new habitat for their endangered animal friend. They also learn about cause and effect -- that their actions can have an impact on the environment.

It's a great lesson, and one you know they'll enjoy because kids and video games go together like ice cream and hot days. If you need a reason to go for it, think of it as an Earth Day gift, and an investment in some future conservationists!

Stuffed Animals and Video Games for Conservation originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fight Shower Hogs with the Aqualim

Josh Loposer — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Home, Kids and Parenting, Tips

For some of us, a shower is kinda like a magical time warp that takes us to a land where the weathers warm and all our troubles just wash away down the drain. Unfortunately, along with your worries goes a ton of water -- a resource that many are predicting will be more precious than gold in the coming years. To help us keep track of how long we escape reality in the shower, inventor Trevor Murphy has developed the Aqualim.
When Trevor realized that his teenage daughter's lengthy shower ritual was sending his water bill sky high, the inventive Aussie decided to develop a device that would help put an end to shower time fun around the Murphy house once and for all.

The Aqualim requires no electrical parts and can be easily installed on any existing shower, no need for a plumber. Using a hydraulically powered motor, this shower contraption allows you to regulate the volume of water used per shower.

As you reach the end of your limit, the flow reduces to a dribble, and then cuts out. To reset the shower head, just close the tap for a few seconds. A device like this could definitely inspire you to find a more efficient shower head, especially if you like a nice long shower in the morning.

[via Inhabitat]

Fight Shower Hogs with the Aqualim originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MilkBank System Giveaway - Reminder!

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Kids and Parenting

Hey, all of you pregnant or breastfeeding moms out there, you want to get in on this Green Daily giveaway -- a complete MilkBank Storage System Starter Kit!

The MilkBank is a new, better way to store breast milk. With triple-vented, insulated bottles, milk stays warm. And the bottles are easy to clean and guaranteed not to leak. Plus you can feel safe using it with your precious bundle of love because everything in the MilkBank system, even the packaging -- is free of lead, phthalates, PVC, and BPA.

The MilkBank system is sold exclusively at Babies R Us. And you can also win one from us, if you enter befor 5pm EST today!

To enter, go to the original post and leave a comment about the craziest baby shower game you've ever heard of. Remember to use a real email address (we won't spam you!) because that's how we notify winners.

Good luck!MilkBank System Giveaway - Reminder! originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Baby Signs Potty Training

Kelly Leahy — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:22:00 EST

Filed under: Kids and Parenting, Natural Body Care
When it comes down the the cloth verses disposable diaper debate, the obvious winner is early potty training. However, elimination communication or infant potty training is not for every parent; but trying to get a strong willed two-year-old to sit still on a toilet can be most challenging. The folks over at Baby Signs have created a potty training system designed to have your toddler trained by that "terrible twos" stage.

Baby Signs combines sign language, engaging animation and rewards to entice your toddler to come aboard the "Potty Train." In the box is a comprehensive manual explaining the benefits of teaching sign language to young children, a Potty Train DVD, book, reward stickers and a wooden train whistle. The entire system retails for $39.95.

After looking over the materials myself and counting down the days until my 18-month-old would leave her diapers behind, I couldn't wait to give it a try.

I used sign some language with my first daughter and she caught on brilliantly. With my second, I started signing even earlier but the kid wouldn't even sign the most basic one of all, "milk," back at me. However, thirty seconds into the Potty Train video and she was signing "potty" along with the animated babies on the screen.

The video was a hit not only with the toddler but also with my three-year-old. They both enjoyed the music and learning the five signs shown. I enjoyed using the included whistle to blow along with the theme song.

There is no denying that waiting until a child is three, four or even five to potty train puts an unnecessary strain on the environment. Baby Signs is trying to rid the landfills of all of those dirty diapers while boosting baby's language skills.

We're still a few weeks away from being a completely potty trained household but I like this method enough to stick with it. I'm certainly looking forward to selling the last of my cloth diapers.
Review: Baby Signs Potty Training originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pippi Stool for Kids

Laura Malesich — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Home, Kids and Parenting
Flat-pack furniture makes so much sense! Easy to ship, simple to store, and incredibly innovative. The children's Pippi stool, designed by Ragnheidur Osp Sigurdardottir (say that three times fast!), captures both modern laser-cut design and traditional antique curves while keeping green sensibilities in mind. This vintage perch is only thirteen inches tall and costs between $68 and $90. You can buy it in either red, green or birch and keep it close to craft tables, kitchen counters or computer desks.

[via Inhabitots]
Pippi Stool for Kids originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney's Handy Manny Goes Verde

Kelly Leahy — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities, Kids and Parenting, Movies, TV and Books
I have two small children and because of this, I am familiar with Disney's animated show, Handy Manny (as well as the rest of the Playhouse Disney lineup). Manny Garcia (a.k.a. Handy Manny) is voiced by Wilmer Valderrama from That 70's Show. Unlike "Fez", Manny does not sit around getting stoned all of the time but rather applies his skills to tackling items around town that need fixing. Lately Manny has been sharing how much he is "living la vida verde" and his new DVD, Manny's Green Team.

This new Disney video features our favorite handyman and his team of talking tools learning about conservation. During the show they save some baby turtles, utilize solar power and repair a cooling system. In addition to the stories, there is a printable checklist for you to help your family go green as well as the "Livin' La Vida Verde" recycling game.

So if you are looking for a gift for your favorite preschooler or have a penchant for kid's shows, Manny's Green Team hits the shelves on March 31st.
Disney's Handy Manny Goes Verde originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MilkBank System - Green Daily Giveaway!

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Kids and Parenting
If you're a breastfeeding mama out there, or going to be in the near future, you're probably an expert on breast milk.

One of the biggest challenges is finding a convenient and healthy way to store it. The MilkBank is a new, clinically tested system that is proven to be superior to traditional storage bags and bottles.

Triple-vented, insulated bottles keep milk warm, even through longer feedings. Even better, they are easy to clean and guaranteed not to leak. Best of all, the entire MilkBank system -- including the packaging -- is free of lead, phthalates, PVC, and BPA.

The MilkBank system is sold exclusively at Babies R Us. But for one lucky reader, this week we're giving away a MilkBank Storage System Starter Kit!

The Starter Kit includes:

vacuum pump

3-vacuum storage caps

2.5oz storage/feeding bottle

two 5oz storage/feeding bottles

outer insulating bottle with stage

nipple and dome set

Want it all? You can have it all!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us the craziest baby shower game you've ever heard of.

The comment must be left before 5pm EST on Tuesday, March 31, 2009.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive a MilkBank Storage System Starter Kit (detailed above, valued at $24.99)

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete Official Rules.

MilkBank System - Green Daily Giveaway! originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK Green Advisor Says Cut Population in Half

Josh Loposer — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids and Parenting, News, Green by the Numbers
Every month or so, some insular policymaker says something to indicate that there's some kind of environmentalist plot to eradicate Earth's human population ... could they only seize power. Well, here's this month's. At this week's annual conference of the Optimum Population Trust, leading politico Jonathon Porritt will recommend that Britain reduce its population to 30 million to promote food sustainability.
"Population growth, plus economic growth, is putting the world under terrible pressure. Each person in Britain has far more impact on the environment than those in developing countries so cutting our population is one way to reduce that impact."
Have fun with this one conspiracy theorists ... I won't stand in your way. Aside from the fact that it is in fact true that less people would emit less greenhouse gases -- in the developed world, there's really no more counterproductive PR battle than trying to advocate massive population reductions. It's a little bit totalitarian and disconcerting. Sure OPT, have fun holding your annual conferences and recommending massive population cuts ... just don't expect to win any support by offering up a Chinese style one-child policy.
UK Green Advisor Says Cut Population in Half originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pomme Bebe - Organic Baby Food

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Kids and Parenting
Pomme bébé is a line of organic baby food that is so swank and groovy, I almost want to call it organique baby food.

The dishes are made fresh by a team of chefs, supervised by Executive Chef Laurent Brazier, in a kitchen in Newport Beach, CA. If you are local, you can place your order online and swing by to pick it up. They also offer mail orders, which are packed in ice and shipped out overnight. You keep them in your freezer until you're ready to heat and serve!

The menu includes choices for babies 6 - 12 months. It would be nice to have more finger food for toddlers, but with fresh, seasonal choices (the menu change every week) like chicken provencal, gluten-free brown rice mac and cheese, and veggie korma, you'll be tempted to snack on them yourself!

Each serving comes in a perfect portion size, in a BPA-free, microwave safe plastic container. Also, it's easy to pop the serving out if you're a mom who prefers to heat up baby food in a glass or ceramic container.

Most importantly, babies love the flavors. It just goes to show, baby food can be tasty, creative and convenient!

Pomme Bebe - Organic Baby Food originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Power-Hog Piggy Bank Teaches Kids About Money and Power

Josh Loposer — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Home, Kids and Parenting
You know what they say: money is the root of all evil and power corrupts. So, you might as well start educating your children about both at an early age. Coming in at second place in this year's Greener Gadgets Conference is the Power Hog -- a toy that teaches children how annoying it would be if everything in the world was coin-operated. Just kidding, of course, the Power Hog is designed to teach children about the energy costs associated with their electrical devices.

This gadget is basically a energy-monitoring piggy bank attached to an extension cord that requires a donation to power your child's TV, Nintendo Wii, etc. As long as children feed the piggy meter, their device stays on and the dollar sign on the side glows green. As the Power-Hog begins to run out of funds, the dollar sign flashes red faster and faster. Kinda weird, right?
Gallery: The Power-Hog

Look, everybody's got their own parenting style, and that's cool -- but something about making your kids pay to play Wii really makes me bust out laughing. On the upside, it's a sneaky way to force your children to supplement the electric bill with their allowance.

[via DesignMilk]
Power-Hog Piggy Bank Teaches Kids About Money and Power originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carcinogens Found in Children's Bath Products

Patricia Mayville-Cox — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids and Parenting
Many children's hair and skin care products were found to contain toxic contaminants, according to a report released recently by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. This groundbreaking study is the first to document the presence of formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane in children's bath products. Formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane are listed as probable carcinogens by the EPA.

Here in the U.S. there are no regulatory limits for formaldehyde or 1,4 dioxane in personal care products, although they are banned in other countries including Japan and Sweden.

Of the 48 children's products tested:

Sixty-one percent contained both formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane, including top brands.

Eighty-two percent contained formaldehyde, including many lotions.

Sixty-seven percent of the products contained 1,4 dioxane.

Out of the children's shampoos tested, Suave Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo Wild Watermelon did comparatively well.

To check your children's bath products, see the full results here. EWG's Cosmetics Database is also a great place to perform safety research on all of your personal care products. In addition, it's often best to use fragrance-free products when available, due to phthalates.
Carcinogens Found in Children's Bath Products originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hankies, and other gear for a runny nose

Amanda Miller — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:36:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Home, Kids and Parenting, Green on Campus
Tissues are really not the best things for the planet, and yet, they can be so hard to resist. They seem so clean, sterile, and convenient, and a nice big box of Kleenex or Puffs seems to become the only friend willing to cuddle with you on the couch when you're sick.

Fortunately, if you are concerned about the environmental impact of your sniffles, there are several alternatives, as well as some eco-friendly tissue choices.

When choosing toilet paper, tissue or paper towels, look for brands made with 100% post-consumer product. If this is nowhere to be found, check to see if any come from forests that are certified to be sustainable. At the very least, steer clear of the super soft and fluffy toilet papers.

If you choose to try out handkerchiefs, Green LA Girl has an excellent guide to purchasing them, from plain to cute to downright fancy, and Super Eco has great tips to help you care for them.

If you are trying to educate the little ones about the spread of germs and proper procedure, something like Sniffle Sleeve might be right up your alley! Of course, in a pinch, tying a hankie around your child's arm would do the trick.

Finally, if you're interested in preventing the sniffles, why not purchase a neti pot?
Hankies, and other gear for a runny nose originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Me About My Pile.

Rigel Celeste — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Kids and Parenting

Pretty much all baby clothes are cute but few are genuinely funny, so I just had to share this "Ask Me About My Compost Pile" because as corny as it is it makes me chuckle almost every time I read it. And not only is it funny (in the cutest way) but it might actually inspire a conversation about your compost pile -- you could inspire somebody to help the environment by starting their own. All with your baby's outfit! (And if it doesn't work that way then at least your kid has something to wear while you get the occasional chuckle).

Available from What on Earth in 100% organic cotton for $14.98.

[via Book of Joe]
Ask Me About My Pile. originally appeared on Green Daily on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 09:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Danger in Your Water Heater, Maybe

Josh Loposer — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Home, Kids and Parenting
Would you rather scald yourself, or allow harmful bacteria to grow in your water heater? Most energy conservation checklists will tell you that lowering your home's water heater to 120°F will help you safely shrink your home's ecological footprint. According to the health organizations in Canada, however, there may be one slight problem with this strategy. A deadly, warm water loving bacteria that causes pneumonia could possibly grow in your heater if you crank the thermostat down.

Legionella, named for an outbreak that killed 34 at an American Legion gathering in 1976, thrives in warm environments ranging from 77 - 113°F, especially in electric water heaters. At 122 - 133°F, Legionella can survive but not multiply. Why exactly do health organizations in Canada and the US disagree on this issue? It's hard to say. OSHA doesn't recommend setting heaters as high as 140°F, because of the risk of scalding children and the infirm. In Canada, most organizations warn against setting heaters below 140°F, because of the risk of Legionaire's disease. We've all been scalded with hot water, and it sucks -- but it's probably preferable to getting pneumonia. Don't you think?

[via Treehugger]
Danger in Your Water Heater, Maybe originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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