While shopping for some back-to school clothes for my son the other day (On Pricegrabber of course, who has time to go to the mall?) I figured I would pick up a few things for my sixteen-year-old nephew.  “What’s his style?” I inquired of his mother?  “Goodwill” she replied.   Uh, okay and that means exactly what?  Get him some T-shirts, she suggested.   Well, I gave it my best shot and here’s what I came up with. I hope he likes them!

Quicksilver Eat Your Veggies Organic (of course) T-Shirt: Made of organic (Not 100%) recycled materials, this comfy cotton shirt will add some style to his wardrobe.

Live The Life You Love 100% Organic Cotton Tee: This natural and green company makes fabulous clothing for men, women and even pets!

And for my own crunchy kid, Quicksilver Boys Past time Organic Cotton Layered Tee: He wants to be like his cousin!

Why do I love organic cotton so much? It’s not so much for the body as much as it is because it is environmentally friendly. Farmers are able to manufacture organic cotton without the use of pesticides and harmful chemicals.  They instead use a natural and safe system of composting and the introduction of many other innovative techniques that are good for the environment, wildlife and our water.

Of course it feels good too and if your child has sensitive skin, nothing feels better against it than organics. Prices have come done in recent years due to the demand of these types of natural products making them very affordable and worth every penny!

If you have a child who is a bed wetter, chronic or occasionally it can be frustrating for everyone. While this is a normal part of growing up, it can cause a real sense of shame and embarrassment for a child.

An otherwise outgoing kid may become anxious when it is time to go to bed and it can be a real blow to their self esteem. It’s important to help them through this stage (And have them checked out medically of course if you feel this it is necessary). While there are many different options in the marketplace (alarms, homeopathic medicines, etc…) I like to start out with the basics.

Number one is really self-explanatory: No late night glasses of O.J. (I’m talking to you, Dads!) Another way is simply to offer your child some discreet protection in case they have an accident at night.  Huggies Goodnights Sleep Shorts will give them the confidence they need. These waterproof shorts look like boxers and are available for boys and girls (Each offering protection where they need it most.)

These can be worn under their jammies and will keep them dry at night so they can wake up to a good morning.  This is a product older children with this challenge will appreciate and one they can quietly manage until they outgrow it.

And they will.

(Try Huggies  Pull Ups Night-time With Extra Absorbancy for little kids just starting to train.)

As I was cleaning out my freezer the other day, I had to literally pry an ice cube tray off of one of the frozen “whatever they are called” (coils maybe?) This tray was filled with some sort of lumpy solid orange cubes that resembled squash. I know that sounds awful as my kid has not been a baby for quite some time now but the important thing is that I found them, remember?

There has to be a better way to store whatever fresh foods I plan on freezing for later use (As occasionally I do) I thought, so I searched for a better alternative than my old method.

Kid Co makes these fantastic Food Storage Trays, and you’ll find so many uses for them you’ll start collecting them.  What I love about them is they come with a pop-on lid to keep foods safe from freezer burn, and a writing surface so you can easily identify what you put in them. Naturally they are BPA/PHTHALATE Free Plastic so they are safe to freeze and reheat in. If you have a garden, this is a great time to start maybe cooking down some of those veggies you’ve labored over all summer and pop-them in the freezer.

These little cubes can be used later for soups or stews as well as homemade baby food.  I know someone who freezes pumpkin cubes and gives them to her dog every day to help prevent  “scooting” (I am not a vet, so consult your veterinarian before trying this at home.)

Pick up a Kid Co Baby Steps Electric Food Mill for quick and easy preparation.

With all the warnings about the various Flu viruses’ heading our way, it’s time to get serious about ways we can help our children stay illness-free this year. 

The Centers For Disease Control emphasizes that the best way to achieve this is simply through hand washing.  It is an effective way to keep colds and Flu from infecting your kids and you! The best way to do this is to pack waterless hand sanitizer in their lunchbox and instruct them to use it before eating their lunch or whenever needed.

Now you might think I am going to go organic here, but the facts are that unless a hand sanitizer is at least fifty percent alcohol it won’t work effectively.  That’s why I would suggest picking up the number one selling brand in America. Purell Instant Hand-Wrapped Wipes are individually wrapped towellettes that will do the job nicely.  Drop a few into their lunchbox or book bag and pack a few for a friend. (If you’ve ever been in the cafeteria at lunchtime like I have, you’ll know why!)

The interesting and really great thing about hand sanitizer’s is that kids never seem to turn it down if it’s offered to them. (Even teens, and for them I recommend the handy two oz. bottle of Purell Portable-Size Hand Sanitizer Liquid with a backpack clip. Little kids will use this up in one day!)

This is one habit you’ll want your kids to pick up so that they can have a healthy and happy school year.  

   When my son was born I thought I was prepared.  I devoured every book I could about childcare, developed a child-rearing plan that I felt would help me bond with my beautiful baby, and on his first day home from the hospital I promptly cut his finger with the baby nail clippers.

The reason I performed this mani-pedi was partly to practice my parenting skills (Oops!) and the other reason was I did not particularly care for the ugly cotton mitts the hospital thrust on his tiny fingers. (Which I promptly put back on those fingers so his father would not see what I accidentally did.)

Well he survived that, luckily. In fact he didn’t even cry (but I did, hormones you know.) These cute little mitts I saw reminded me of that story and I started thinking that if these were available in hospitals, that whole scene never would have happened.

iPlay Green Sprouts Organic Cotton Mitts are a safe way to keep your newborn from scratching themselves.  They slip easily over an infant’s hand and stay put with gentle elasticized tops.  Made from Organic Cotton, they are hypoallergenic and chemical free.  This is important since babies tend to wave their arms around for some reason (hailing a cab or something!) and you don’t want anything near their face that could be harmful to them. I love the bright color, too!

For less than three dollars, you can protect you baby’s delicate skin and leave the manicures to the experts.  (If you are still feeling brave after reading this, I suggest The First Year American Red Cross Sure Grip Nail Clippers.)

I was never much of a cook.  Never gave much thought to my diet, of what I put in my body. (Potato Chips are goooood!)

This all changed as I got older and the birth of my son reinforced my belief that my habits had to change. I had a specific plan of what I would allow him to eat and not allow.  Of course like most good intentions, this sometimes falls by the wayside, particularly if we are running late or on our way to soccer practice. (Nobody’s perfect!)

For the most part though, I try to feed him healthy organic foods as much as possible. With school starting next week, I would like to introduce some new foods into his diet.  Although he is not a picky eater and is exposed to many different ethnic foods he, like most kids, gets bored with eating the same thing.

I decided to invest in a couple of new cookbooks, and this one looked good to me. The Family Organic Cookbook promises exciting recipes that will entice the whole family. What I like about this particular book is that it has a specific section on ideas for lunchboxes and snacks that are quick, easy and of course, healthy.

There are even recipes for making you own condiments such as ketchup (a staple in our house!) It would be fun for a younger child, not yet in school to help whip up a healthy after school snack for his sibling with Mom’s help.

Let’s face it, we all try to do our best for our children, but sometimes we need a little help and inspiration.  I hope this cookbook does both for you!

Every kid I know wants a metal detector. This was a “hot” item to buy a few years ago within my circle of friends and the novelty has not worn off yet in my household. Discovery Channel makes a good one that they will use for years and it’s so full of upgrades, you’ll want to use it too.

What a great way for kids to entertain themselves, get a little fresh air and a science lesson to boot!   The Discovery Exclusive Metal Detector boasts a telescoping design that allows it to adjust to different height levels, so even little kids can use it.

This model is highly sensitive and will distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous metals and the LED light indicators will determine the different types of metal found. Bury the pirates “doubloon” included in this kit and watch their excitement as the detector starts to “beep” indicating they have found some buried treasure.  They can then use the shovel and sifter (comes with) to uncover their finds.

This is the kind of toy that is fun to take with you on these last days of summer. There are plenty of riches to find at the beach, park or even the local playground.  If your kids find something of real value though encourage them to put an ad in their local paper to help find the owner.  Include some Walkie Talkies for all-important communication and you have a toy that never gets old. (Discovery Toys FRS Walkie Talkie Watch Set)

I promised some more amazing baby items from this smart and savvy mom, and you won’t be disappointed. Keep in mind the price point for organic cotton is high, except in this case.

Under The Nile uses only the finest Egyptian Cotton, yet their prices are competitive with what you would find in your local department store and in some cases, better.  Plus, you won’t find this brand just anywhere. I was so pleased to come across them and I know you will be too.

Organic Cotton Trouser: Incredibly soft against baby’ skin.  The vibrant color made from all natural vegetable dye adds to the incredible look of these inexpensive little pants.

Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Lap Shoulder Tee: Pair these with the softest trousers ever and you have a simple little outfit that looks great and washes well.  With a roomy shoulder opening, this no fuss top matches everything in baby’s wardrobe. Best to pick up a few.

Organic Cotton Terry Romper: Get them dressed quickly and effortlessly with this one-piece romper from Under The Nile.  Also available in blue, this outfit dries quickly (on a hot summer day!) thanks to its cool and comfy terry lining.

Organic Cotton Loungewear: How cute is this?  We were lucky they even made bathrobes when I was a kid!  This is perfect for those fall evening walks in a stroller or last minute summer dips in the pool.  They’ll be warm and cozy with the attached hood.  Perfect after-bath attire, too

This is just a sampling of some of my favorites that Under The Nile has to offer, but check out the complete collection on Pricegrabber.

It’s not easy being “Green” Kermit The Frog once crooned. As I wrote in a recent Not Quite Crunchy Parent Post, I am always searching for new ways or products to help me in this endeavor.

Happily, I’ve solved my problem regarding using a “zillion” little lunch bags when packing my son’s lunch for school. My initial plan was to perhaps wrap his sandwich and fruit in some sort of cloth napkin from my mother’s extensive collection but I decided that was a little too girly, and quite possibly he would be the last one picked at recess.

I found these Wrap-N-Mat washable, reusable lunch “bags” and I plan on using these not only for my son, but for my own lunches as well. This reusable sandwich wrap comes complete with a Velcro closure to keep food secure and also doubles as a tiny placemat. Your kids can toss them right back in to their lunch boxes when they have finished eating and use them again for tomorrow’s lunch.

These cotton-poly wraps are easily washed with a little soap and water, and then air-dried. Important to note, you cannot heat these in the microwave so no grilled cheese in them, please.

This is an easy and fun way for your kids to be eco-friendly and who knows, maybe the first one picked for tag!

One of the top names in kids clothing and accessories that “organic” people know is Under The Nile.

This company was started by a woman whose own children were allergic to many commercial dyes in traditional kids clothing.  Along with her husband, (who by the way is Egyptian, hence the name) they started making their own line of 100 pure Egyptian Cotton clothing and accessories. These are hugely popular with the Hollywood crowd and even regular people like us.

The cotton they use is grown in Egypt and is dyed only with metal-free or vegetable dyes and they operate under the Fair Trade Act to ensure everyone involved in the production of their goods is treated fairly. Unfortunately, my own child has outgrown most of their products but here is one that I think is just terrific.

The Organic Fruit Basket by Under The Nile contains a banana, watermelon, pear and grape all stuffed with and made from certified Organic Cotton. Any baby would enjoy chewing on these “fruits” and you can be sure they are safe to put in their little mouths.  What a great way to teach about healthy eating habits and even introduce new foods to them.

The sweet faces on the fruits and darling braided tote basket for carrying them around in completes this innovative and modern toy. I plan on introducing some more products from Under The Nile to you, but in the meantime consider this customer- top-rated item as one to buy for your own  “little banana.” (Also sold separately Under The Nile Organic Banana Toy)