It doesn’t look like your traditional pacifier, but this version puts parent’s minds at ease and doesn’t look like every other “paci” on the market.  And its unique in more ways than one.  The award-winning Natursutten Pacifier is made from 100% pure natural rubber from the Hevea brasiliensi tree and its without bisphenol-A (BPA), PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) and its also phthalate-free!  This rubber is naturally hygienic due to the mold resistence of this type of rubber as well as the design (no cracks of crevices for saliva to hide in).  The Natursutten has received rave reviews from the highly regarded German magazine ÖKO-TEST.

I’m here at the hospital, blogging the day after my sweet niece was born via c-section.  At the moment, mama is trying to rest, (looks like earplugs are helping) which is a good thing, since this precious girl has her days and nights backwards. Since my sister isn’t able to move much, I, along with her helpful husband have been taking turns holding, rocking and changing (the diapers of) their new sweet family addition.  Yesterday, after she was born, with mom looking on, dad gave her first bath.

Because its natural, safe and ultra gentle, my sister packed Lafe’s USDA Organic Baby Wash in her hospital bag and insisted her newborn not be washed in anything else.  She purposefully packed it to avoid hospital-provided suds because she knows what can lurk in many of them.  If you’re curious about how your baby wash rates according to The Campaign For Safe Cosmetics, check out their “No More Toxic Tub” cheat sheet that was released in March ‘09.  You may be surprised to find a wash that even your mom and grandmother may have used, is given negative marks and were found to contain formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane.  See it for yourself here.

Discrete moms will appreciate being gifted this really cute organic linen nursing cover - at least my own sister did (she received ‘Raspberry’, as shown).  The Simple by Bebe Au Lait is another product created by a mom due to her own need.  Blankets may suffice for this purpose, but any mom who’s used one as a cover-up during nursing will tell you that they fall down or are pulled down by the tiny person behind the veil.  This cover is designed so that mom puts her head through the loop and can see her baby while nursing, while no else can.  Breathable linen fabric ensures that no matter what the season, baby will be covered and protected.  This is once again one of those must-have products that mom may not have thought to buy, but would make a unique shower gift that’s sure to get a lot of use!

My sister has had her hospital bag packed and ready to go for at least a week now as she anticipates the arrival of her second child.  I arrived here not so long ago in anticipation of the birth myself and this time reminds me when her first child was born.  One of her shower gifts was this Weleda Baby Starter Kit and she loved them so much she had to graduate to full sizes and has continued to use them for the past two years.

Weleda has an undeniable reputation of creating pure products as demonstrated by their commitment to biodynamic farming practices and their extremely high standards.  You won’t find a single synthetic preservative, synthetic fragrance,  synthetic chemical, or synthetic anything.  Weleda products are 100% certified natural by BDIH (one of the most stringent certifying bodies in the world), Demeter and the new global certification, NaTrue.

Not only are Weleda products natural, but they’re also effective.  And all the baby products smell great! Whether you’re headed to the hospital, a baby shower, or packing your suitcase, do yourself a favor and remember to bring this affordable kit.  I know you’ll be upgrading to the full sizes in no time!

Despite that fact that this looks more like a straight jacket than a comfort, the Kiddopotamus really does seems genius.  New babies want to be swaddled.  Infants’ limbs are tucked close to their body and they’re usually curled up in a ball for at least the first few weeks of their life - because that’s how they were in their mamas belly.  That’s how the feel safe and secure.  Swaddling also helps prevent scratches that babies can cause to their face while they’re trying out new movements and exploring their face.  Sure, moms have been swaddling their babies for centuries, but oftentimes baby’s blanket or wrap gets lose and unravels, especially when they sleep.  The Kiddopotamus Organic SwaddleMe Wrap eliminates the need to continuously re-swaddle baby and keeps baby feeling safe, secure and warm in this ultra soft and cozy premium and undyed organic cotton.  What’s more is that you don’t have to undo this wrap when a diaper change is in order - simply pop down the leg pouch.

My sister is due to have her second baby in about two weeks, therefore I’ve got baby on the brain.  One thing I love to do is discover cool and useful organic and eco-friendly finds for her kids.  Justifiably, my sister is conscious of what goes on and in her children’s bodies, from clothing, to food, to bodycare.  I found two of her favorite baby carriers (she used with her first born), only now they come in organic cotton versions!

ErgoBaby Organic Carrier

When Parenting Magazine describes a product as “one of the top 20 products in the last 20 years”, it definitely grabs my attention.  This company is family-owned and operated and resides in Maui, Hawaii.  For the last 6 years, ErgoBaby has been creating thoughtful products for babywearers everywhere.  They use fair labor practices and also have an organic cotton line.

Organic Moby Wrap

The Moby Wrap can be worn a variety of ways depending on your and your baby’s preference.  Made of a long and wide piece of organic cotton fabric, this is ultra-comfortable for mama and babe.  You won’t find any bulky padding or extra material, which is on purpose.  The simple wrap is designed for you and your baby to be as close as possible.

Have you tried either of these or have your own favorite?  Please share!

When I’m craving something sweet, dried mango slices are my go-to snack of choice (and if they’re USDA Certified Organic - even better!).  I love fresh mango equally, but its not always available or convenient.  Dried mango is also one of the things I usually try to pack in my carry-on while I’m traveling so I’m not stranded in an airport with only convenience food.  And they’re not just tasty either - according to this article, mango is extremely high in beta carotene, Vitamin C and fiber.  Looking for mouth-watering mango recipes to try out this summer?  Check out recipe suggestions at The Mango Association.

Being just weeks away from welcoming a new little member into our family, I am constantly on the lookout for products that have a low impact on the environment and that are made with a child’s safety and health in mind. I recently came across a brand that offers stylish, sustainable and baby-safe products that deserves some press. Cariboo of New Zealand is a company that has been committed to designing and manufacturing high-quality, stylish and simple baby furniture for the discerning parent. What I’m most thrilled about it is their “green” product line - Cariboo Earth - that caters to parents who possess a heightened sense of style and environmental responsibility.

Their flagship product, the Earth Folding Bassinet is just adorable and has a convenience factor that is lacking in most bassinets these days. The folding frame is made of sustainable Radiata Pine and stained with a water-based and biodegradable finish - so a parent can have peace of mind that what they are putting baby to sleep in is both safe for her and the environment. The Earth Bassinet comes in your choice of two finishes - a lovely Teak or rich Espresso - so you can coordinate with any nursery theme. The set comes with an eco-dyed veil as well as an unbleached cotton bassinet bag and fitted sheet. The mattress is made of 100% organic wool from New Zealand sheep and is supported by a board that is “E-zero certified” - which means there is absolutely no formaldehyde emissions or any other off-gassing from toxic chemicals.

The Earth Bassinet is JPMA/ASTM Safety Certified and provides a safe, natural and comfortable sleep environment for an infant who is used to being in the womb. It is easily transportable and can morph from a bassinet to a changing table in a matter of seconds so it’s perfect for tight spaces. This bassinet is truly a smart and responsible investment for progressive parents-to-be.

Is it just me or does any else notice the blatant, obvious fact that glares at me each time I stroll down the grocery store aisle or flip through a popular glossy?  The term “organic” used to equate with “crunchy” and those who cared about it were typically confined to stereotypes like “granola munchers” or “hippies”.  Now “organic” is just about the trendiest bandwagon that can be jumped on and because of this, for the most part, it has lost it’s true meaning and many consumers believe that ‘organic’ automatically equals ‘healthy’ and others honestly have no idea what ‘organic’ really is, just that it’s somehow better.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that organic cigarettes are not good for you, though savvy marketers know that by slapping this magic word on their label, they will likely increase sales, unfortunately.  The same is true for most organic candy, cakes and cookies.  Many consumers buy because they read “organic” next to candy and think “wow, I can eat as much as I want without the guilt because it’s organic so it must be good for me!”.  I hate to break it to them, but the only different between consuming a whole bag of organic cookies and a whole bag of conventional cookies is that the organic variety contains ingredients that might have been grown without the use of pesticides and fertilizers.  It does not mean that you will gain any less weight or be any healthier than you were before.  ‘Organic’ also doesn’t simply mean ‘natural’, which many buyers get confused about.

So what’s my point?  My point is that if you retain common sense when buying organic, you may just save some money in the process.

1).  Don’t Judge A Book By The Cover:

Don’t take the front of the package at face value.  Marketers are ultra~savvy and know just how to position their product to appeal to the masses.  Don’t forget to flip the product around and peruse the ingredients before tossing it into your cart.  Afterall, why pay premium prices if the contents are not all that different from the conventional variety?!  Know how much organic content it actually contains.  If it contains just one or two organic ingredients so the company can slap the word “organic” on the front label, it’s likely been washed in green (aka greenwashed).

2). Know Why You Buy: 

If you’re comfortable chowing down an entire organic chocolate cake in one sitting, but would never dream of buying conventional apples ~ you may not be interested in healthy eating, you may be a victim of trendy eating.  The most important thing is to be conscious of your decisions and explore your options.  Using a product just because your mom did or your mom’s mom did, doesn’t mean it’s the best or the most healthy.  Ask questions, read ingredients, do your homework, know what’s toxic and unhealthy…don’t do it because it’s just always been done that way, because you don’t have to ~ you have options and resources to discover more information than our mom or our mom’s mom did.

3). Learn To Spot The Seal:

The USDA seal that is.  This is a symbol to indicate that the product has been approved and verified as containing certified organic ingredients by the Unitied States Department of Agriculture, most specifically their National Organic Program.  It the product name or description contains the word “organic”, there is no way to really be sure unless you see this seal on the label.

4). Buy Store Brand Organic & Save: 

In my neck of the woods, I have access to a big box Superstore, which is a huge, and an oftentimes overwhelming place that I can find apples, car batteries and dishes all in the same place.  Make no mistake, it is a mega~store, but it does contain an organic gem amongst all the stuff…lower organic food prices.  Oftentimes I find organic produce at the exact price (or sometimes lower) as the conventional varieties and packaged or canned organic food in the store’s brand is definitely comparable in terms of price.  Find out if your store has their own organic brand (that has the USDA seal) and you could save big time!

5). Can’t afford organic? Buy local & healthy:

If you just don’t have the funds to splurge on the organic version, buy local and healthy (i.e. produce).  After all, the reason we should want to buy, eat and support organic is to be more healthy and support the reduction of toxins in our body and environment.  I believe ‘organic’ to be the most healthy option in terms of produce and most food, but sometimes the cost is double or triple that of the conventional variety and it can be difficult to justify that cost.  Visit your local farmer’s market, shop at health food stores, always keep your eyes open for sales or consider joining a produce Co~op.  Consume lots of vegetables and fruit, organic or not, and think twice about splurging on organic treats if you’re interested in health and/or weight.  If you cut back on all the junk food (organic or not), you’ll likely be able to afford to spend more on whole organic food and/or products.

6). Know The Code:

Have you ever wondered what the little stickers on produce represent or why they are there?  There is actually a purpose other than annoying you while you try to peel them off without leaving any adhesive behind.  I learned the little secret from Sophia Uliano, author of best selling book, Gorgeously Green.  Bottom line, if it’s fine (organic), it has a nine.  Codes that are 5 digits and begin with’9′ are organic and have not been genetically~modified.

So what about you?  Have you found creative ways to save when buying organic, do you think its important to always buy organic or do you pick and choose, or are you on the other side of the fense and think it’s all hype???

Photo credit: Nutrition & Food blog

Have you flipped through Lucky yet? The July issue features many green buys, including Burt’s Bees Hair Repair Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditioner and EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere in Sweet Mint.  Have any of you tried these yet?  I haven’t, but they’re definitely on my list - would love your feedback!