Though Summer is approaching its end, it’s definitely not over yet and for many, temps are well up into the hundreds and the sun is beating down while we all try to pack all our remaining to-dos into what’s last of the season.  While many suggest staying out of the sun between prime hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for those of us who enjoy all the outdoor activities that summer brings, that can be difficult - especially with all-day beach trips, fairs, vacation or just yard work.  It’s important to remember to stay protected both from potentially harmful rays and from toxic sunscreens.

Erbaviva recently sent me their SPF 15 to try out and I’ve been using it while on vacation these past few weeks.  It is hands-down one of my favorite sunscreens.  The scent is pleasant, doesn’t turn my skin a pasty white and rubs in nicely.  What’s nice is that this can be used by adults and kids alike so there’s no need to purchase separate products for different family members. Alike conventional sunscreens which use synthetic and toxic ingredients like oxybenzone, Erbaviva uses Titanium Dioxide to coat the sun and shields the suns rays.

What’s the big deal about oxybenzone you ask?  Last year The Center For Disease Control released a study citing the potentially harmful effects of this chemical.  Just check out a portion of the statement here:

CDC: Americans Carry ‘Body Burden’ of Toxic Sunscreen Chemical
CONTACT: EWG Public Affairs, (202) 667-6982
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 25, 2008

WASHINGTON, March 25 – The bodies of nearly all Americans are contaminated with a sunscreen chemical that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A companion study from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine found that the same chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy.  The chemical, oxybenzone, is widely used in sunscreens. Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) analysis of ingredient labels found that nearly 600 sunscreens sold in the U.S. contain oxybenzone, including products by Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat. Although oxybenzone is most common in sunscreen, companies also use the toxic chemical in at least 567 other personal care products, including lip balm, lipstick, moisturizers and fragrance for women.
Oxybenzone was last reviewed for safety in the 1970’s but since then significant new evidence has been published on its toxicity and pervasive exposure. A recent review by the European Union found insufficient data to determine whether oxybenzone in sunscreen is safe for consumers.

“These studies are the latest in a long list of reasons the Food and Drug Administration must thoroughly review the safety of all chemicals used in sunscreens Americans use every day,” said Rebecca Sutton, a scientist with EWG. “FDA must do what it promised 30 years ago: Enact permanent, enforceable federal safety standards for sunscreens so consumers can get the best and safest sun protection.”

EWG research shows that 84 percent of 910 name-brand sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients, like oxybenzone, with significant safety concerns. These products are on the market because FDA has failed to finalize sunscreen safety standards that have been under development since 1979, but has instead issued a series of delays and revisions at the request of the personal care product industry. FDA issued a new draft of the standards last October under pressure from EWG, but continues to delay finalizing the standards at the behest of the regulated industry.

EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment. The group’s research on oxybenzone is available online at http://www.ewg.org/node/26212.

I came home to find these delicious granola bars in the cupboard and they. are. so. good!  I’m a big fan of almond butter - most mornings I spread a nice amount of it on sprouted grain toast and it sustains me for hours, but these bars are a nice mid-afternoon snack when I need something that’s sweet, but has substance.  They would also be perfect for packing in your kid’s lunch.  They’re not without sugar, but are a good substitute for a high-refined sugary treat and have a good amount of fiber which is lacking in most diets.  Cascadian Farm’s Almond Butter Crunchy Granola Bars are USDA Certified Organic, which means at least 95% of the ingredients have been grown without the use of pesticides.  It does not mean that you won’t any weight if you consume a whole box in one sitting (which may be very easy to do).

Cascadian Farms has been around since 1972 and the company was founded in Skagit Valley, Washington.

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.

Pack a lunch - save your wallet, your health and your planet! Now you can do just that with LunchBots reusable, stainless steel lunch containers.

Made from the highest quality stainless steel - these rugged yet eye-catching lunch systems take the waste out of packing a lunch. Just think about how many bags it takes to pack a lunch. Now you can eliminate the need for bags while guaranteeing that the food you eat is kept safe. Using this type of lunch system is a great way to manage portion control while keeping everything tidy and away from plastic - which can leach onto your food while it’s waiting to be consumed. Stainless steel keeps food insulated as well, so you can keep things at room temp a little longer than using just a paper bag and since it is so tough, you never have to worry about things getting crushed in your lunch bag.

The LunchBots Uno is designed for a main course and the Duo is partitioned off for snacks or sides - both of them together make one sensible lunch portion. Reviewers are raving about the ease of use and the huge perk of feeding yourself and your family in a non-toxic and eco-friendly way. Another serious perk to owning LunchBots is the conversations you can have with fellow co-workers or other parents about your food storage choice. You can start a mini-revolution in your very own lunchroom! (OK, well at least you can get some people thinking.)

Summer is full of delicious foods, fun-filled vacations, outdoor BBQs, and warm days and nights. Along with all of the fun summer time activities comes the downside of this sunny time of year - one of those being mosquitoes. If you live near  water, you understand the annoyance that these little bugs bring to your life when you’re trying to do some outdoor living. It never ceases to amaze me how such a tiny bug can cause such a reaction in my skin, and I am always looking for ways to relieve the itching and swelling that their bites cause. This summer I looked no further than my (alternative) medicine cabinet to find my secret remedy for those unsightly bumps.  Tea tree oil (Melaleuca Alternafolia) has more uses than I can cover here, but it’s ability to squelch the itch of a bug bite is what’s impressing me lately.  To keep the itch at bay, I dab straight tea tree oil on any bite and the sting is diffused in usually less than a minute.  The good news! Tea tree oil also detracts mosquitoes (they hate the smell).  If you’re looking for a natural way to ward off and heal bites, give tea tree oil a tree (I’ve been using it since I was a kid)!

Anyone who has stood in a checkout aisle in a grocery store knows that the options for chewing gum are impressive. Not only can we pick what flavor we want, but we can pick if we want sugar-free, with flavor crystals or without, long-lasting or, well, short-lasting I suppose.  Unfortunately, the options for a chewing gum that won’t contribute to tooth decay and that don’t contain questionable ingredients are hard to come by. Thanks to Xclear Spry Chewing Gum - the options are growing.

Extensive research has been done on the effects of xylitol in relation to preventing tooth decay and it has been proven over several years to have a significant effect on the reduction of plaque-causing bacteria. Other countries have relied on xylitol not only for their oral hygiene needs but as a substitute for sugar in foods. Still, here in the U.S. we usually have to go to our health food store to find this sugar substitute in products. In study after study, regular use of xylitol gum or toothpaste has been shown to inhibit the growth of plaque and yeast in the mouth.

Although it is hard to come by, Spry Gum is popular amongst dental professionals and health nuts alike. Those in the dental profession love it because they have seen first hand how it’s use has saved both adults and children from tooth decay. Those concerned with their overall health love it because it is a natural substance that doesn’t raise blood sugar levels and reduces bacteria and yeast in the body. Spry gum is said to have long-lasting flavor and reminds some of Chiclets from back in the day because of it’s crunchy outer coating. Each tub of gum contains 100 pieces of gum so it will last quite a long time. With xylitol’s ability to freshen breath while simultaneously fighting tooth decay - you can now multi-task even while chewing your gum!

Summer is all about sunshine, and with summer sunshine comes heat and with heat comes rapid dehydration. Most people know that drinking plenty of pure water is the best way to stay hydrated, but doing so sometimes comes at the cost of using plastic water bottles to carry with us throughout the day. There is a better way!

I have been using Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottles for a while now and I am officially a Kanteen convert. They are sturdy, eco-friendly, BPA-free, non-leaching, insulating and convenient. Stainless Steel and aluminum water bottles can be found in many mainstream stores nowadays, from Old Navy to the chain grocery store - I’ve seen them everywhere. However, not all non-plastic water bottles are created equal, so - as always - it’s important to be an informed consumer.

I chose stainless steel because I feel that it’s generally a safer material than aluminum for containing beverages. The stainless steel (18/8) used in Klean Kanteen bottles makes them extremely rugged so they will stand up to years and years of wear with little upkeep. This makes the initial investment a little easier to swallow (no pun intended.) If you haven’t yet made the switch to a non-plastic, non-leaching water bottle to contain your family’s hydration needs - there is no better time than this summer! Now…go drink your water.

No matter if you live on a coastline or live smack-dab in the middle of the country - you are bound to seek out time in or by the water this summer. One memorable part of growing up near the Pacific Ocean for me was the frequent trips to the nearby beach. We would play tag with the waves, find sea shells and make sand castles for hours on end. Here we are, several (I won’t mention how many) years later and kids are still finding the same great joy in creating works of art out of sand and water. Thanks to Green Toys, Inc. - parents can now offer their little beach bums a better, more eco-friendly choice for creating their masterpieces.

This Sand Play Set is made from milk containers that have been recycled into HDPE which is considered to be one of the safest plastics available. This adorable little set includes a bucket with a rope handle, sand castle mold, a shovel and a rake - everything you need to make one impressive fortress on the shore or in the sandbox.  Unlike chincy plastic beach toys you might find at the local drugstore, this set is sure to last for years and years so you don’t have to replace them every summer. Green Toys are completely BPA and Phthalate-free, rigorously tested for safety and sustainability and made in the U.S.A. to help reduce greenhouse gases from overseas transportation. To top it all off, every Green Toy comes in a 100% recyclable package with nothing extra and unnecessary. From start to finish - this is a company that cares about our world as equally as our children. So go pack up the car (or the bike) - it’s time to hit the beach!

Fields Organics is a new modern cleaning products company geared towards home with children.  Plant~based, phosphate~free and biodegradable are just a few of the reasons why parents will want to take note.  The Toy Cleaner is a great idea since the great majority of cleaning products are toxic and stamped with hazard signs; not exactly something we would want babies and children to put their mouths all over.  Available in two varieties, unscented and scented with tea tree, the Toy Cleaner is also packaged in a recycable plastic spray bottle and the labels are printed with recycled paper and soy~based inks.  Fields Organics also supports The Children’s Health Environmental Network, a non~profit whose mission is to promote a healthy environment and protect children from environmental hazards. 

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of KEEN Footwear. Not only are KEEN products comfortable, durable and perfectly stylish for the outdoorsy type, but they are made with the greater good in mind.  The folks at KEEN have prided themselves on offering their customers a product they can stand behind, and these adorable toddler shoes are no exception.

My nephew just turned 2-years-old this month, and for his birthday he received a pair of Mighty KEENdom Keen Coronado shoes from yours truly.  His mama loves him in bright colors, so I knew this adorable pair would be a hit with both of them. Three colors are offered in the Mighty KEENdom collection - Persimmon Orange (my fave), Black and Azalea Pink. Each color showcases an endangered species from somewhere in the world, which is the company’s way of encouraging young children to think about protecting our planet’s resources.

These shoes boast a specialized recycled PU and cork footbed - which is a renewable and more sustainable - and offers superior cushioning to reduce impact on little feet as they’re exploring the world. With a canvas upper, vulcanized eco-friendly construction, easy on/off hook and loop design and super fun colors to choose from - these shoes are perfect for the environmentally conscious toddler. As if that’s not enough - a dollar from every purchase on a pair of these shoes will go to the National Wildlife Federation. What better way to keep your child’s feet and future safe!