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Bumps & Births

2008-04-30T20:44:00.001-07:00

Hello May.... And welcome to the first Pregnancy Awareness Month. What a fantastic cause to get behind, support and educate ourselves about. There are many great sponsors and a worthy event on May 1st ~ yes, short notice indeed. Here is more info on the event, and PAM in general, from one of my favorite organizations, Healthy Child Healthy World.

Please pass this on to your baby bearing friends!

Happy Earth Day & mixed baby greens Launch

2008-04-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

Today I am so excited to be officially live with mixed baby greens! Through both luck and planning we are part of the movement to improve the health and lives of our children and the planet.

I owe thanks to so many people in my life ~ in particular my daughter whose patience and willingness to allow me to make this company come together go well beyond the wirings of a 7-1/2 year old ~ who've listened to me, offered advise, stepped in to entertain Isabella, and various other kinds of support. This adventure means a lot to me and I wouldn't be here with out all of these people.

For this extra special Earth Day blog devoted to children and eco-issues, it's both appropriate and timely that I highlight a new book every parent should own, Healthy Child Healthy World . It's a great reference book that's easy to digest and filled with critical information.

I don't know about you but I know so many pregnant women right now. Maybe you do too. Now you have the perfect shower gift ~ a super cool, eco-friendly item from mixed baby greens and a copy of Healthy Child Healthy World!!

Happy Earth Day.

Strawberries and Crud

2008-01-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

Toxins with your strawberries?

Despite the fact that we’re smack in the middle of winter and some folks are buried in ice and snow, I’m thinking of spring and all the blooming associated with it. Young love in bloom, tulips, bulbs and flowers splashing color everywhere, yummy fruits and vegetables, and crowds rushing for farmers markets. My recommendation is to favor your local farmers markets and the cornucopia of organic produce available to you. Of course, shop at mixed baby greens for all of your organic baby and toddler clothing and accessories!

More than just shopping local, my mission today is to share this rotten tidbit about the EPA’s decision to approve the use of methyl iodide, a highly toxic fumigant, mainly for strawberry fields. While I know babies aren’t supposed to eat strawberries, all our children are not young babies, and nor are we as parents.

A little background – the currently used pesticide, methyl bromide, has been banned under an international treaty because of the damage it inflicts on the ozone layer. Therefore the search has been on for a substitute. Unfortunately, the EPA selected methyl iodide, despite being strongly urged not to by 50 scientists, including five Nobel laureates in chemistry. More background – methyl iodide is a neurotoxin and carcinogen that has caused neurological damage, tumors and miscarriages in lab animals.

Farm workers and others working with, or potentially coming in contact with methyl iodide, require special training and must wear respirators. In addition, farm workers are not allowed back in the fields for five days after it has been applied. Oddly, the EPA stated “there will be no risk of concern.”

Arysta is the company that manufactures methyl iodide. Not surprisingly, they spent $11 million trying to persuade the EPA to register it as a pesticide. Much more interesting, however, is the fact that Arysta’s former CEO, Elin Miller, is now a ranking official in the EPA and was appointed administrator of the northwest region in 2006.

For more indepth information and links, please visit Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA). If workers can’t go back into the fields for five days after spraying, why would any of us eat or feed our children and food that’s come in contact with it?

Mother your baby, baby our Mother.

To a Very Hopeful, Healthful New Year!

2008-01-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

Do you, too, begin each new year full of optimism, motivation and renewed energy? I know I do and my wish for us all is that our vision sustains us through all twelve months, only to be rejuvenated and replenished at the start of each and every new year.

This year feels different to me. For one thing, mixed baby greens is officially launching this year and my products will soon be available for the wee sprouts of the world!

Also, despite the difficult financial landscape upon us, and the sliding value of the dollar, there is continued attention being paid to the other type of green. Big businesses are feeling the pressure and we are seeing steps being taken to reduce carbon footprints, increase recycling programs, and research alternative practices.

During this New Year, and election year, my hope is that:
* thinking about what’s good for the majority becomes stylish
* planet earth (which is merely on loan to us) gets its proper respect while nay-sayers and critics lose their fear and denial in order to join our cool club
* integrity, altruism and charity become the new black

Let us all celebrate each other and motivate by example. We can all commit to just a little more (or a lot) daily change. This all adds up and is the easiest way to make a big difference.

Best...

Thanks and Giving

2007-11-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

Such a shame that only one day a year is set aside to take stock and count our blessings. Every day I have so much to be thankful for, such gifts for which I’m grateful.

Not every one can say that. There are far too many people who’ve been dealt a horrific hand, face sickness, poverty and other obstacles. Without jumping on my biodegradable soap box, my hope is that each one of us will step out of our comfortable zone and reach out to a person, an organization, a country struggling to keep afloat.

Life gets busy, chaotic in fact. The holidays are upon us and it’s easy to ignore the less fortunate. As we rush around buying the perfect gift for our loved ones – take a minute and consider the children without homes, the families that can’t afford gifts, the elderly and alone.

Despite trying to do more to protect, improve and beautify this world, it is a very scary and ugly place for far too many. As we know, it is through giving that we receive so let’s think beyond our inner circle of family and friends and touch our brothers and sisters of the world.

Peace on earth.

Our Stinkin' Mess

2007-11-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

This week the UN approved the third and final installment of it’s report on global warming -- and it’s game over. The information is powerful and I won’t even try to put it better than the experts at The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. I urge you to check it out. Also worthy is the UN Climate Change site.

"Only urgent, global action will do," said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, calling on the United States and China - the world's two biggest polluters - to do more to slow global climate change.

It’s no longer an option to look the other way. The US has, in essence, made a stinky, pewey diaper and the UN said PU. Now it’s time for us to reach for the diaper wipes and begin to clean up the mess we’ve spewed all over the world. Sitting back and pouting because the smaller countries haven’t taken measures is cause for a time out, at minimum.

Problem is, there is no more time. How about we demand that local and national governments act as the global role models. Mother Nature is not going to clean our diapers – we made the mess and we have to clean it up. We have to clean it up.

Here are couple key points taken from the IPCC report:

* Human activity is largely responsible for warming. Global emissions of greenhouse gases grew 70% from 1970 to 2004. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is far higher than the natural range over the last 650,000 years.

*Global warming is "unequivocal." Temperatures have risen 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit in the last 100 years. Eleven of the last 12 years are among the warmest since 1850. Sea levels have risen by an average of 0.07 inch per year since 1961.

Seriously, this is NOT about politics. This is NOT about taking sides. This is about life.

A Body's Burden

2007-11-11T21:42:00.000-08:00

Would you ever want to know the level of chemicals currently taking up residence in your body? It’s starting to get needed attention, and is known to many as Body Burden.

I recently read a very disturbing article about a family who volunteered to do just. More out of curiosity than concern, they agreed to take part in a first-of-its-kind study to measure the industrial chemicals in their bodies. What they discovered shook their world.

The children, ages 18 months and 5 years, had nearly seven times the chemical exposure level the parents had. Their infant had flame retardant levels (polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBDEs) registering two to three times what is known to cause thyroid dysfunction in rats. The kid was only a year and a half old!

Exposure to chemicals ~ through the environment, our food, clothing, mattresses, furniture, household cleaning products ~ is especially dangerous to children less than six years old. That’s because their vital organs and immune systems are still in the developmental stages and they rely more heavily on the environment than do adults.

Phthalates are another area of concern. These are found in many common products: baby bottles, plastic bottles, toys, cosmetic and personal care products. At least in lab animals, exposure to high levels of phthalates are associated with multiple reproductive related defects.

Yet another reason why organics and natural products are important. Yes, they cost more but think of the price you pay by NOT eating and wearing organic. Plus, the more people demand such products, buy such products, make such products -- the cheaper they will get.

Please educate yourself and share with your friends and family. A very good resource to start learning more is Environmental Working Group. There are countless articles, studies and thought provoking bits on this site, many specific to children.

Bit by Bit

2007-10-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~ Anne Frank

I ran across this quote the other day and it is so true. You don’t have to wait to overhaul your personal world to become the purest green kid on the block. Just do something, and then do another something, and another, and another…

Some things are just too easy not to pay attention to. Consider (seriously consider) these simple suggestions:

Take a mug to work or the local coffee joint ~ give up the paper or Styrofoam cup.

Forget the paper plates, enjoy the real deal.

Print double-sided.

If you have to print on only one side, cut the paper up for scratch paper – then put it in the recycle bin.

Request e-bills rather than receiving statements/bills in the mail.

Pay your bills electronically.

Recycle clothes, toys, books, magazines, etc., by giving to a charity or organization that could benefit. Keep the receipts for tax write-offs.

Use canvas bags for groceries.

Use no bags for few items.

We can all benefit from acting in socially and ecologically responsible ways.

Oh, and Happy Birthday to my precious Isabella ~ the sunshine of my life!

Get More Greens in Your Lunch

2007-09-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

When I think of cafeteria food, I think of the hair net ladies in my old grade school serving less than appetizing, far from healthy mystery meals, most of which ended up in the trash cans.

Fortunately, due to a more informed public, parental pressure – oh and a child obesity epidemic only a twinkie could be proud of – today’s cafeteria meals are hinting at more balance.

Personally, I pack a daily lunch for my daughter so I know what she’s eating and where it’s been. This opens up a whole new can of worms (I think that’s on the cafeteria menu on Thursdays). Paper bag, lunch box, pvc-free, lead-free, plastic bag, plastic container…? I recognize that panicked feeling from my nightmare when I show up for class only to find there’s an exam. Or is that the dream in which I’m naked in class?

I want to reiterate that we don’t have to go from 0 to 60. Easing into change is perfectly acceptable. Every little bit helps, and change leads to easier change. If you have never considered your child’s daily landfill contribution, then hopefully the next meal gathered will be a bit more green. If you already make make eco-friendly choices, perhaps you’ll share them with a friend, or come up with another brilliant green choice – and share it here.

There’s nothing wrong with a handy zip-lock bag if you can work with your little sprout to ensure it comes home each day so it can be washed and reused. In my home, we have several bags with a healthy shelf life.

Here’s some great info posted by The Green Schools Initiative to help you go to the head of the Eco-sCool class:

It has been estimated that, on average, a school-age child using a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. That equates to 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for just one average-size elementary school! There are 9,000 schools in California alone! And did you know that many vinyl lunchboxes have poisonous lead in them at dangerous levels?

Find out how you can pack a healthy, waste-free lunch:

· Waste Free Lunches - gives information about how to pack a waste free lunch and where to get a "laptop lunch box" with reusable containers that neatly fit into a lunch box.
· Reusable Bags - provides many alternatives to help reduce the waste of disposable plastic and paper bags.
· Lead in Lunchboxes - Learn about how to test your child's lunchbox for lead, find alternatives to vinyl lunchboxes, and join the campaign to stop the manufacture of toxic lunchboxes at Center for Environmental Health.
· Healthy Lunches - Get ideas for packing your own healthy lunches from Chef Ann at Lunch Lessons or transform the school lunch offered at your school with this guide at Rethinking School Lunch.

Lead to Believe

2007-09-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

What about all of these toy recalls? This is scary stuff. We grew up on brands like Mattel, one of the names we’ve come to trust. They’ve announced three toy recalls in less than two months. Admittedly, they’ve faced the problems head on and tried to spread the word, provided a consumer hotline info, and been open about the problems. Clearly farming out production over seas saves the company money, which saves the consumer money. The problem is that a great deal of control is lost in the process – and other countries don’t have the same standards.

Add to this the fact that many of us are living in older homes, which likely have layers of lead-tainted paint. Personally, my home is over 60 years old with paint induced texture on the walls that read like a tree’s trunk.

No easy solutions… Obviously organic cotton dolls, wooden toys and other natural playthings are healthier choices, as well as toys made in the USA.

And, no matter how natural, non-toxic or organic something is, there are other safety features we must also heed. Here are some stats I just saw, reported by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Toy-related deaths of U.S. children under the age of 15, by category, 1990-2005:
o Riding toys, scooters (78)
o Choking, asphyxiation: balloons (69); balls (47); toy or toy part (45); marbles (5)
o Toy chests (14)
o Strangulation (14)
o Other (20)

It comes down to smart choices, educated choices and balance. In the meantime, there’s the following government website on recalls:

www.recall.gov

Why Me?

2007-09-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just can’t even believe my luck. I feel like I won the jackpot with my daughter. A remarkable being that is wise beyond her years and light years ahead of me at that age (and sometimes at my current age!).

At nearly 7 (we are doing the countdown to the big day) she can light up a room, fill my heart with her kind gestures, and tickle my funny bone until it breaks. She’s a sucker for the underdog and makes an effort to include kids on the fringe, claiming “She such a sweetie” or “He has a big heart.”

When I was pregnant some one told me that my heart would grow so big once I had a baby. It got huge that morning almost 7 years ago, and the amazing thing is that it just keeps growing. A bad day is erased from my memory when I see that little face ~ everything is okay again. Her sunshine smile warms my heart more than the recent heat wave.

I know stressful things, annoying things, traumatic things happen in life – that’s life. We should all remind ourselves to put those issues aside as best we can to make room for the love, make time for our kids.

sCool's in Session

2007-09-09T19:19:00.001-07:00

I guess it’s back to school for just about all the kids – and parents. That means new beginnings, new decisions and inevitably, new concerns. If you’re anything like me, you worry about all-things-kid. Since my daughter was born, I believe I’m half crazy (some may suggest more than half :-0 ) with worry about both the absurd and the legitimate.

Where to start? How about with change itself. Sweet little 6-letter word (nothing 4-letter about it) that can cause physical and psychological FREAK OUT! It’s just that we get comfortable with our routines, we love our habitual ways.

I was thinking about all of the changes our kids face each new school year. They start over in so many ways and we encourage them, even expect them to adjust with little difficulty. So how about gettin’ on board with them and learning a new curriculum too! This could be more exciting than your senior prom!

There are so many ways we can make more eco-friendly, organic, natural, green, earth friendly, HEALTHY choices, so let’s just wake up and start. Practice makes perfect ~ or at least that’s what we tell our kids when they are faced with a new challenge. Just start trying and before you know it, we’ll all be making a positive impact -- and setting a great example for our kids.

Here’s a fantastic place to start: Healthy Child Healthy World (“Creating Health Environments for Children"). Tons of information on more topics than you knew you could worry about.

Blaze new trails ~ aim for the green places!

lucky 7 -- I'll try my luck!

2007-07-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hi & welcome to mixed baby greens!

Today's date, 7/7/7 (I really posted this on 7/7/7 but had blog issues, really!), has people all over the world jumping into all kinds of new ventures due to the lucky vibe of this number sequence. Hey, I'm game... I'll jump into this dream today.

I aim to share gems I've discovered, discuss possibilities and learn from you and your experiences ~ while keeping sight of our goals, our little ones and our Mother. We have the potential to do anything. I look forward to exceeding our expectations.

~ carey hill