Radiation Dangers for Children in Japan

Check out this article.  This radiation issue is going to be an ongoing problem for the next hundreds of years.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/29/japan-schools-greenpeace-idUSL4E7JQ1U520110829

The Vaccine Issue

Sorry for the giant pause in the blog- life is crazy.  Just got a new job, working 4-5 nights a week, recently had family in town, and just got through with my daughter's first birthday party.


Anyways, some moms have contacted me via Facebook and asked me for more information about the "vaccine" issue.  Here are Amazon links to 2 of the books I purchased and pulled information from.

http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Book-Decision-Parenting-Library/dp/0316017507


http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Preventing-Autism-Complete-Guide/dp/0525951032/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313098811&sr=1-2

(These are just 2 of the HUNDREDS of books on the market regarding this subject)

My advice to all moms is to educate yourselves the best you can in regards to vaccines.  Look at both sides.  SPREAD OUT vaccines and don't get the ones that you are unsure about (or at least postpone it until they are older).  Don't choose Doctors that tell you that you have to get all your vaccines.  You are the parents of your children.  You have to live with any consequences that arise from the vaccinations.  And p.s., schools do ask for your vaccination record, however a valid way to get out of it is to say that it is against your religion to get them.  If you wanna talk any more about this, feel free to leave comments and we'll chat! :)

Organic Vs. Non-Organic Foods

Okay, so there is the big debate on what foods you should and should not buy organic and as you all know, the organic foods cost quite a bit more than non-organics.  Personally, I cannot afford to buy everything organic so I spent some time looking at lots of articles regarding organic and non-organic foods.  After doing so, I compiled a list of where to spend the extra money and where not to.  I would say, if you can, buy everything organic but if not, just go organic on the foods that contain the most pesticides and hormones.  On the items like fruits and veggies that you either cannot find organic or simply cannot afford, invest in a good natural veggie wash, which can be found at virtually any health food store.

Top 12 Foods to Buy Organic- Spend the Money!

1. Baby Food! --Your baby is worth it!
2. All Meat
3. Eggs
4. Dairy Products
5. Leafy greens
6. Peaches
7. Rice
8. Strawberries
9. Tomatoes
10. Peppers
11. Apples
12. Grapes

12 Foods Not Necessary for Organic (But Do If You Can!)

1. Avocados
2. Bananas
3. Onions
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Peas
8. Cabbage
9. Eggplant
10. Spices
11. Broccoli
12. Potatoes

Making Your Own Baby Food

This infomercial is what got me interested in making my own baby food.  It is so much fun and there are so many combinations you can make for your little one.  I paid $3.99 for a bag of frozen organic green beans which will make about 10 jars of food! That's only $.40 a jar versus around $1.00-$2.00 for each organic jar of baby food sold in the store.  Plus you're saving on energy by reusing the same containers over and over.

http://www.babybullet.com/

Wood Vs. Plastic

As the manufacturing of plastic toys continues to grow, it is important to remember why those timeless wooden toys are so.... timeless.

While some of the new plastic toys are pretty neat, wood toys are the better way to go for several reasons:

1. Wood toys are more durable.  Although there are very heavy duty plastics being made today, wood is likely to show less wear and tear than a plastic toy and last years longer.
2. Wood toys are natural.  Call me a hippie, but I'd rather have my child chewing on a toy made of a natural material versus a material created with chemicals. 
3. Wood toys are more eco-friendly.  They are biodegradable, less toxic on the Earth, and generally use less energy to create.
4. You don't have to worry about a wood toy being BPA-Free or containing Phthalates (which are substances created from phthalic acid and are added to plastics in order to make them more flexible, durable, and last longer)
5. Wood toys have a classic look that never goes out of style.  While Fisher-Price always has a new musical toy or life-like doll coming out, the classic wood toys are ones that won't need to be replaced with an updated version.  

Wood toys seem to be the better way to go, however take note that not all toys made of wood are necessarily safe.  Make sure they have passed the formaldehyde tests and are painted with non-toxic, non-lead containing paint.  (When all else fails, a sniff test could do the trick) Take a whiff-- does the item smell like chemicals? (If it smells like chemicals, it probably contains them!)

If you do decide to purchase plastic toys or baby items, make sure they are BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, and are recyclable. 

New Zero-Packaging Grocery Store Opening in Austin, TX

I sure hope this catches on all over the US, this is a great idea!

www.in.gredients.com

The Ongoing Battle with Lead

If you aren't familiar with this issue, here is a rundown of the basics.

-Lead is used in tons of consumer products (found in paints, plastics, and glass) that are being sold in America.   Most of these objects are being manufactured in China (thanks to Chinese slave labor!) Lead is a cheap filler and many areas in China are completely contaminated with lead.  Lead can also contaminate water, air, and food. 

-Lead poisoning is a medical condition particularly dangerous to children since it first handedly poisons the body effecting the central nervous system, bones, heart, reproductive system, and other organs of the body.   

-Learning and Behavioral Disorders are directly connected to lead exposure /poisoning.  Anyone notice the rise in Autism, ADD, ADHD? Could this be a culprit? 

-Lead Paint was also used in many older homes causing health risks to home owners and renters. 

How to Prevent or Reduce Lead Exposure: 

-Stop buying toys that are made in China! Buy American made toys, craft materials, teethers, stuffed animals, clothing, bedding, and other things that your kids use, touch, chew on.  Below is a list of toy companies that carry all or some American-made products, many being eco-friendly as well.  

-If you must buy a product from a company who manufactures overseas, look on their website to see what measures they take in regards to lead testing their products.  Fisher-Price and Mattel have been known in the past to have recalled MILLIONS of toys due to lead.  

-When doing renovations in older homes, make sure to take your child out of the home during renovations as the chipping paint and dust particles could be of major risk to your child's health.  

Toy companies that carry all or some American-made products: 

• Child Trek (some)
• Hazelnut Kids (some) 
• Step 2 (some)
• Poof Slinky
• K'NEX
• The Little Tykes Company
• Green Toys (all)

Buyer Beware! 

What is this about?

Okay, so I got to thinking... 
I'm always posting on facebook what some would consider 'a little too serious' for the everyday facebooker and I realized that perhaps a blog would be better.  I like asking other moms (and dads) for advice and also giving advice as well, because when it comes to parenting, all parents have different styles and ways of doing things.  So here it is, a blog where we can talk about parenting, 'green living', and important [and sometimes controversial] issues.  Maybe some of these issues are things that you don't normally think about, but in reality we've got to start thinking about them for the sake of our kids.  What do I mean? Toxins and chemicals in our food, our air, our toys, lies we are told, recalls, information that is not on the front page of the newspaper, how to go greener, how to make our kids care about the Earth, how to teach our kids compassion, to overcome hate and prejudice, and whatever else you think is important.  The generation of ignorance is in the past! We now know that there are tons-of cancer-causing agents in the things we eat, touch, use.  I want to hear what other mommies and daddies think.  Any impact is better than none and ignorance is not bliss!  Knowledge is power and I want the next generation of kids to be 'The Generation of Eco-Kids'.
Let's Do It!