Non-Toxic Kids

The Environmental Working Group Reports: Toxins in School Cleaners Make Kids Sick

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:28:00 +0000

The Environmental Working Group has done it again. They have another report out about a subject near and dear to my heart-- the greening of schools. When I first start teaching, the cleaners made my lungs hurt. You could feel it in your nasal passages, literally burning your cilia. And just imagine what is was doing to those young, developing bodies. Now, I am in a school with a strong green awareness. We use the green cleaners, and it has...

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New Posts on MightyNest: Consumer Reports Finds Unsafe Levels of BPA in Canned Goods, and Angel Baby Lotion Saves the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I've been busy over at MightyNest. First, I wrote about Earth Mama Angel Baby's Angel Baby Lotion, which is currently saving me from a screaming 2 year old who depises cream on her red, itchy, rough skin. Earth Mama Angel Baby is a great mama owned company that makes only safe, harsh chemical free products for babies and children. Next up I wrote about the recent report from the Consumer's Union and published in Consumer Reports about the...

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A Must Read: The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-Being by Nena Baker

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:00:00 +0000

I have been reading this book for months. Literally. The Body Toxic is PACKED with the whole story of the troublesome chemicals I have been so interested in for many years. When I became a parent, this focus on harmful chemicals became even stronger, and manifested into this blog and various levels of activism. Why it took me so long to complete The Body Toxic is because in every chapter, I underlined, wrote notes, circled and interacted with...

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New Post on MightyNest: Baby Einstein Videos: Not so Brainy After All (Refunds and Deceptive Advertising)

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:55:00 +0000

Did you see this in the news last week? Here's a post about the recent news of refunds for Baby Einstein DVDs. The link for information about how to get a refund is in the post, as well as some of the educational claims (which are completely untrue) that Baby Einstein has been making for years. Thanks to the Campaign for a Commerical Free Childhood for their work on this issue.

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Charlie Hope: I'm Me! A collection of songs for children

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:00:00 +0000

What a cool name. I mean, really. Charlie Hope. I was luckily the recipient of a new CD from Charlie Hope, called I'm Me! A collection of songs for children. Oh, and it's so sweet. This is a lovely, folky CD with a plenty of catchy, funny and poignant songs for kids. This is a perfect morning CD, when you are up early with a little one, not quite ready for something loud and too bouncy, or a deep voice. Charlie's CD is now right next to...

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New Post on MightyNest: Super Scary Halloween Face Paint (lead, PVC, and phthalates!)

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Very scary, indeed. Here is a new post about the toxins in mainstream face paints you might be reaching for this Halloween. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has a shocking new report about face paints, including safe do it yourself recipes.

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New Post on MightyNest: Lack of Sleep and ADHD

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0000

I just posted a new article on Non-Toxic Nest about the link between sleep and behavior problems in children. It includes an eye opening list of how many ZZZZs your kids should be getting.

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Join the Million Baby Crawl: Help Seventh Generation Fight Toxic Chemicals in Our Homes

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:55:00 +0000

You've got to check out this creative new awareness and action campaign from Seventh Generation. They've created an interactive site that lets the user create a baby to crawl to Washington D.C. to demand chemical reform. It's the Million Baby Crawl. You've got to love the opening statement: We cannot stand, but we've got to stand for something. The site shares how our current chemical regulation (I should say lack there of) desperately needs...

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MightyNest Post Roundup (BPA and girls, flame retardants in sleepers, fight flu, and more)

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Last week I completely forgot to link my posts from MightyNest here. And there were some topics that you readers might be interested in, I think. First off I discussed greening your Halloween, which of course is right around the corner! I wrote about a safe, non-toxic teether made right here in Vermont, and a new study linking BPA with aggression in girls. Then I chronicled my search for non-toxic sleepers made without flame retardants (and my...

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Global Day of Climate Action: 350 is the most important number in the world!

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Today is a day of action on climate change, with over 2,000 events in over 150 countries. Check out what has already happened: Now it's our turn. Here's information from 350.org about the world's largest social action on global climate change and what we can do about it. "Around the world today—from capitol cities to the melting slopes of Mount Everest, even underwater on dying coral reefs—people held rallies aimed at focusing attention...

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New Post on MightyNest: Bang a Solid Wood Drum by Plan toys

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Here's a new post on MightyNest about a cute wood drum by Plan Toys. This is a great gift from a safe toy company. Check it out!

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I Cherish Planet Earth: A Beautiful Book, Game and Teaching Tool (and Giveaway!)

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:12:00 +0000

One thing that is critical for me is to teach my girls to love, respect, protect and honor the earth. We talk about all that we do to that helps the earth, but sometimes it seems so ephemeral, so hard for them to understand. I Cherish Planet Earth is a great way to develop and continue the conversation about how to love, honor and protect the earth in a way kids can understand. In it, you've got a beautifully illustrated book, written in a...

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New Post on MightyNest: No BPA in This Travel Coffee Mug

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:47:00 +0000

One, how I want one of these. "I'm not a Paper Cup" Porcelain Cup by DCI has NO plastic anywhere in sight, or coming in contact with my hot coffee. Check it out.

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New Post on MightyNest: Fight Flu with Clean Well All Natural Hand Sanitizer

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:39:00 +0000

Check out my new post on MightyNest about fighting flu with a little bottle of all natural hand sanitizer. All the germ killing we need but without toxic Triclosan.

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Have an Eek-o friendly Halloween (from Kids Konserve)!

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

(This is a wonderful guest post from Christy at Kids Konserve- a great resource for parents wanting to make and send waste free lunches with their kids.) Back in the day, Halloween was different. It was a time to create, be imaginative, and it was a low-budget holiday. I still remember the countless decorations and costumes that were made out of old sheets and cardboard, not bought. The treats were homemade and trick or treating was done on...

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Labyrinth Balance Boards (made in the U.S. with FSC certified wood): Review and Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:13:00 +0000

It's almost the beginning of stick season in Vermont. When the leaves fall, all the color drains from the landscape, and we see trees, sans leaves, for about six months. November, stick season, is the in between when the leaves fall and before the snow really flies. November is known around here for cold rain, cold temperatures, and not much beauty. I've been trying to get the kids outside as much as possible, but in November, it is a real...

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Walmart and Sustainability? Listen to the Mamas--

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:13:00 +0000

This post is part of the Green Moms Carnival, which will be hosted this month by Mary Hunt at In Women We Trust. The topic is "standards" with a specific look at Walmart's sustainability index. She asked us to ponder this quote: "Wal Mart and other big box stores are developing a sustainability index. I don't have the $250,000 it costs to get a seat at the table, but if I had a seat there, this is what I'd want to make sure is in that index...

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Tips for Parenting a Disorganized Child (from the authors of the new book: Late, Lost and Unprepared)

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:38:00 +0000

(Here is a wonderful guest post from the authors of an exciting new book called Late, Lost and Unprepared: A Parents Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning. I would love to review this book, and recommend it to many families in my school. Thanks for this informative post!) By Joyce Cooper-Kahn PhD and Laurie Dietzel PhD Kids with weaknesses in planning and organization have trouble independently imposing structure and order on...

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Eco-Friendly Dentistry: Part Two (Is fluoride safe in toothpastes and supplementation?)

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:54:00 +0000

Continued here is my interview with Dr. Koos, one of the founders of ORA, the nation's first Eco-Friendly Dentistry practice. I sent him a late addition question, and received this extremely informative, thorough, and somewhat shocking response. Read the whole thing, and be ready to have your (tooth care) world rocked. I am wondering Dr. Koos, what do you think of fluoride supplementation of well water and high fluoride prescription...

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Eco-Friendly Dentistry: New Practice with Big Green Ideas!

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Chicagohealers.com Practitioner, Steven A. Koos D.D.S., M.D., is an environmentalist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the lead developer of ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio and managing partner of ORA Dental Studio in Chicago – The Nation’s First and Only Green Group Dental Practice, Promoting Eco-Friendly Dentistry. He answered my questions about Eco-Friendly Dentistry, and tooth hygeine. His responses are very informative, and I hope this...

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Green Halloween Costumes for Busy Parents on a Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:25:00 +0000

I must admit I get consumer google eyes around Halloween time. Those pre-made brand new costumes from Pottery Barn, Target, or any other retailer for babies and toddlers are tempting. They are cute. They require no sewing (yes, I have no skill in that department). But they are expensive and more of the consumer glut that I have a goal of avoiding (or at least limiting). So, what does a non-crafty, super busy parent to do try and to have a Green...

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Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Do you wince when your kids play with Play dough? That residue that sticks to hands is exactly what chemical concoction? I know I have. And it dries out, and then gets thrown out by a dad wanting to clean up. Quick. I've wanted to try a more natural and safe play clay brand for awhile, but wasn't sure which one. Then I received a sample of Mama K's Play Clay. The first thing you will notice is the beautiful scents of the clay. Truly. I'm...

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Join the Environmental Working Group to call for Toxic Chemical Reform!

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:46:00 +0000

The EWG is moving and shaking things up in the area of chemical reform, and updating that ancient and ineffective Toxic Substances Control Act. Here's what they are up to: "Tomorrow, October 6, we meet with leading scientists, policy experts, and business leaders for a historic conference to explore fundamental changes to U.S. chemicals policy, which EWG has been advocating for years. We will begin an intense, important, long-overdue...

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No Detergent Needed: Try Eco Nuts

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I was kindly sent a sample of Eco-Nuts, and they really are ingenious and simple. It's a bag containing several "completely sustainable dried fruit shells that come from the Sapindus mukorossi tree in Nepal, India and Indonesia." You toss the little bag of the "nuts" in with your laundry, and clothes come out clean. That's it. No chemical smell. No phthalates, phosphates, or other chemicals. What is really cool is that you no longer need the...

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New Post on MightyNest: More Benefits of Free, Creative Play

noreply@blogger.com (Katy Farber) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:08:00 +0000

What an interesting article I just read in the New York Times magazine about extensive role playing and its benefits for children. I wrote about it over at MightyNest, and find it fascinating, hopeful, and exciting. Check it out, and let me know what you think.

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