Tatyanna Wright's Haute Mama

Million Baby Crawl: Erin Brockovich Interview

2009-11-12T09:30:44-08:00

Did you know dangerous chemicals are still in many of the household products we use every day? Mounting scientific evidence points to widespread exposure to chemicals that can cause serious and adverse impacts on human health, particularly for children. Since 1976, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has required safety testing on only 200 of the more than 80,000 chemicals on the market. That’s a pretty shocking figure. Stronger chemical laws need to be in place. Seventh Generation, Safer Chemicals/Healthy Families and Erin Brockovich have teamed up to help spread environmental awareness by taking action and creating the Million Baby Crawl Say No To Toxins campaign and event.

Erin Brockovich kindly took time from her busy schedule to speak with Haute Mama and help explain more about the Million Baby Crawl and how you can be involved.
HM: How/why did you become involved with Seventh Generation and co launch the Million Baby Crawl?
EB: Seventh Generation identified me as the spokesperson for the Million Baby Crawl campaign because we share similar beliefs. I am a strong believer that one voice can make a difference and I also believe that that companies can affect change. Seventh Generation is finding success while also making products that are safe for families and the environment and now, through the Million Baby Crawl, the company is working to change our nation’s laws to make tighter restrictions on toxic chemicals.

HM: Your message is to stand up and make a difference – what are your hopes with the Million Baby Crawl?
EB: My hope for the Million Baby Crawl is to:
•    Increase awareness among parents about chemicals and the harm that they can do
•    Inspire individuals to get involved
•    See if one voice can turn into two and then 100 and then 1,000 and eventually a strong enough group that can carry a message to Congress that there needs to be changes and that we are in dire need of stronger chemical laws. A collective body of voices can affect that change.

HM: Creating environmental awareness is something that many people still find difficult. Do you have simple suggestions or can you recommend a good place to start? EB: You’re right, creating environmental awareness is a difficult idea for people to wrap their minds around. We come out thinking that we can save the world and we quickly get defeated and give up because that’s too lofty a goal. What we can do is change our self. It begins with you, that’s the first simple step and it takes the overwhelming and the scare out of it. Your family will take notice and they’ll start making small changes (you might even see your husband making changes!). Our kids learn from us, and then it snowballs. I would definitely say that the first step is changing yourself.

HM: There are perceptions that living green can be expensive. What would be your top five ways to live a greener more environmentally aware life without having to go out and completely green proof your home?
•    Reuse shopping bags or bring your own to the supermarket
•    Purchase eco-friendly products when your traditional products need to be replaced (i.e.- cleaning products, dish soap, napkins etc)
•    Recycle!
•    Bring your own takeaway containers when you go out to eat
•    Unplug any electronics in your home that are not in use

HM: What are ways to be involved in The Million Baby Crawl?
EB: Here are some simple ways to be involved:
•    Create a “crawler” on millionbabycrawl.com These “crawlers” will be virtual signatures that will be presented in Washington DC in January as a symbol that parents want tougher chemical laws.
•    Visit saferchemicals.org to learn how to email your local Congresspeople and urge them to support the new legislation.
•    Share your knowledge with a friend and ask them to do the same. I’m a firm believer that one voice becomes two voices, becomes ten voices, becomes 100, then 1,000 then one million. One voice can make a difference.

HM: Information helps consumers make informed decisions. What is the ultimate goal of the campaign?
EB: The ultimate goal is to remove hazardous chemicals from all products, so that warning labels will not be needed. Mothers hold the purchasing power and right now, they can choose not to purchase products that contain labels with “Danger,” “Warning,” or “Harmful.” The next step is to purchase safe products. Seventh Generation lists all of their ingredients on their labels and they even say why those ingredients are in their products.

Haute Mama thanks Seventh Generation and Erin Brockovich for their time. For more information on nation wide events taking place on November 18th visit: millionbabycrawl.com

Million Baby Crawl Movement

2009-11-11T09:21:33-08:00

Next Wednesday November 18th Seventh Generation is hosting the Million Baby Crawl, a movement to: Say No To Toxins! If you're in New York City, head to Madison Square Park for the Million Baby Crawl event. Seventh Generation is the nations leading brand of non-toxic and environmentally-safe household and personal care products. They recently teamed up with advocate Erin Brockovich and Safer Chemicals/Healthy Families to help raise awareness about toxins in everyday household items and to encourage parents to ask Congress to pass new stronger regulations that will protect the health of all Americans. Its an event I will be attending and I hope you will to. For those of you who love Seventh Gen. or have never used their products they will be giving away full sized product. If you can't make it in person, show your support by going online and creating a crawler at millionbabycrawl.com

The crawl to action event will also take place on the same day in Boston, Denver, Minneapolis, Portland and Seattle. And look out for Haute Mama's interview with Erin Brockovich later this week about her involvement with this fantastic movement.

Maternity Denim Trends

2009-11-05T07:31:29-08:00

Many woman love to follow fashion, but are afraid to invest in a great pair of maternity jeans, here Lori Solomon of Veronique Maternity explains how a little fashion investment can take you a long way, and what denim trends to be on the lookout for this Fall/Winter.

HM: Designer denim can be pricey, is this really a must have item?
LS: It is absolutely worth spending the money on designer denim. With all the changes happening to your body it is reassuring to know that you don't have to give up a wardrobe staple. Designer denim keeps you feeling hip, cool and stylish while providing you with comfort. And because they are the staple of just about everyone’s closet they are an excellent investment. You might be wearing your jeans 5 days a week from months 4 to 9. Eventually the cost becomes amortized. Invest in a versatile pair that can go from day to evening, pick a darker wash, and make sure they fit you. Stay with a straight leg, it is less obvious then wearing the same Bell Bottom all week long. If you have the option to buy a second pair, buy a more casual pair (or maybe this is wear you buy the “trendy” pair.)

HM: Are there seasonal trends in maternity denim and what can we see this Fall/Winter?
LS: The biggest “trend” item is the exaggerated Bell Bottom (this fit is for a small population). Very popular and still very much on trend right now is the Skinny; but again, it is not for everyone. The Straight Leg is replacing the Boot Cut for the everywoman. Black denim, and various shades of denim are the washes of the moment but that will be changing as we go deeper into Fall and on into Spring. In the Spring there will be more changes, the Legging jean will be the biggest. It is much more a legging then the Skinny and its fit and denim weight will reflect that. You will see this and the Straight Leg in regular denim, white and charcoal grey, and medium blue denim.

For most women, the best style (or bang for your buck) would be the Straight Leg or a smaller width Boot Cut in a medium to dark wash. These two styles flatter most body types and the color can take you from day to night. If you a re a petite girl, more then likely a 20 inch Bell Bottom is not the best look; but that is a generalization because there is someone who can do it. If you know your body really well, you will know if you can rock one of the trends.

To shop this seasons denim trends, visit VeroniqueMaternity.com

Maternity Denim

2009-11-03T15:23:00-08:00

There's one thing I’m asked a lot, its “What’s the best maternity jean and when should I buy them?” My general advice is, when pregnant buy the brand you know fits your body. If you’re already wearing Citizens of Humanity or True Religion, then stick with it since you know that brand fits your shape. But for truly expert advice, I enlisted the insight of the very savvy Lori Solomon, owner and buyer of Veronique Maternity who’s fabulous “wall of denim” showcases designer denim labels J Brand, Juicy, and Paige Premium Denim amongst many other fabulous items.

Lori Solomon: Remember the number one thing to look for when buying maternity jeans is fit. Fit! Fit! Fit! Comfort and fit! Keep in mind that denim is the one item that is difficult to buy early and keep through your whole term because it has less stretch than most other fabrics. More than likely the first pair should be purchased during the fourth month.

HM: So what kinds of jeans are out there and how do you know what’s right for you?
LS: Comfort is key. Make sure you have enough hip space. Pay attention to where the denim meets the panel. The denim should fit a little snug on the legs and bottom. As, with all denim, it will stretch as you wear it. All the brands do denim differently, so be sure to try them on and figure out what works for you. For example Paige Premium Denim does a great classic boot cut, fits true to size and is good for virtually all body types. The Paige styles have a supportive over-the-belly panel for those who like the extra support. Juicy has a mid-panel that comes halfway up the belly and seems to be one of the most comfortable. They do a classic jean, a straight leg and a skinny. J Brand is a new entry into the maternity market and has a lower rise. The panel is cut into the sides of the waist band making it almost invisible. They offer a full range of leg options including: 22' Love Story, 16" Straight Leg and 12" Pencil Super Skinny. These are great post-partum when you want the look of a regular jean but the extra comfort of a maternity jean.

Through the course of your pregnancy your two most important purchases should be a great pair of jeans and a nice pair of pants; they will take you everywhere. Finally, when buying denim or any maternity item don't get hung up on sizes; they vary from style to style and brand to brand. If you don't wear jeans Veronique offers lots of options from dresses and skirts, to cords, leggings, and techno twills.

Visit Veronique Maternity online for fabulous fashion forward options. Be on the look out for Loris' follow up post on Maternity Denim Trends.

I Love My iPhone!

2009-10-29T11:41:00-07:00

I don’t generally do tech reviews, but lately I’ve been getting so much mileage from my iPhone that I thought it was simply worth sharing. With so many child friendly learning tools from spelling to math games (iwrite, pocketphonics, cute math) my five-year old is pleasantly entertained during subway and car rides or waiting at airports. When we eat out at restaurants and boredom starts to set in – we all know how the well behaved child can turn into a crazed over tired maniac in a matter of minutes – its my iPhone that saves the meltdown moment with TV shows we’ve down loaded from iTunes.

But my iPhone isn’t just a piece of technology entertaining my son, it’s what I use my smart phone for that I really love. Lately I’ve been using Notes to write up my grocery or other shopping list. This is fantastic! No more loose bits of paper floating around the bottom of my bag. No more paper period! And when I’m done, simply erase each item or task. On a recent trip away, I ordered all my groceries from Fresh Direct using my iPhone. Now I do my ordering from my iPhone if I'm out and know I won't have time to do it at home from the computer. OK – so I have to constantly expand the Internet screen to make selections, but hey I can do all the shopping from the palm of my hand while on the go. I downloaded the Kindle App (for free) to my iPhone and what a difference this has made to reading while nursing! I don’t have to turn pages while I feed my baby or worry about my baby pulling the pages of a book.

There’s a bunch of Apps for pregnancy and conception: from ovulation and pregnancy calendars to a kick counter, one for breastfeeding, to foods to avoid during pregnancy, and a contraction logger. Just go to iTunes App Store or apple.com and type in pregnancy for a full list of all things nine months and counting.

Petite Pomme

2009-10-26T14:55:42-07:00

Petite Pomme is a well-appointed baby boutique created by owners Samantha Adam Benenati and Stéphanie Chayet in Tribeca. It is a tiny version of its big sister Pomme, which opened four years ago in DUMBO. While it doesn’t sell the toys, books and cardboard houses you’ll find in DUMBO that’s exactly the point. This scaled down version is for tiny tots, ages 0 – 18mths to be exact and therefore houses a gorgeous selection of clothing and accessories for babies.

With backgrounds as fashion journalists, naturally Stephanie and Samantha’s fashion forward eyes are drawn to fine details and handcrafted elegance rather than merchandised characters. At Petit Pomme you’ll find precious knits from BebeRavi, little stockings from Luco, baby basics by Flora and Henri, winter wonders from Makie and of course Pomme staples by Atsuyo et Akiko.

Some of Stephanies favourite items are their beautiful baby quilts (they are unisex) by one of their favorite French lines, Luco. “We're expecting this great line of essentials in organic cotton (Tane Organics) so simple and sweet. I love our Jess Brown rag dolls, and the little hand made birdhouses by Tamar Morgendoff” (shown below).
Deciding to open a baby’s only location was easy says Stephanie: “The store is so tiny that we can only stock a fraction of what we have in DUMBO, and it made sense to carry baby things only. It's a fairly uncommon concept in New York, but in Paris, brands like Bonpoint or Zef have stores that are baby only, and we thought it might be fun to try that here.
Petite Pomme Tribeca is located at 186 Duane Street Ph: 212 219 1449

Pomme is one of my favourite stores and well worth the quick and very easy visit from Tribeca to DUMBO. Stephanie and Samantha hope you can make it across the river! Pomme Dumbo is at 81 Washington St, Brooklyn Ph: 718 855-0623

Prenatal Acupuncture

2009-10-19T10:52:07-07:00

I discovered prenatal acupuncture during the final weeks of my first pregnancy. I was becoming increasingly anxious and decided to try to speed things up naturally by looking into prenatal acupuncture. My son, now five was born five days after his due date. I wasn’t sure how much of the treatment contributed to my body going into labour but one thing I was definitely sure of was acupuncture's ability to keep my body healthy and energy levels up so I could continue to look after my new baby. Acupuncture truly helped keep me well.
Five years on, and with my second pregnancy I decided to seek prenatal acupuncture on a regular basis. This time I experienced more benefits. Regular acupuncture during pregnancy set the foundation for a healthy pregnancy and baby. I had a shorter and easier birth experience – it was all natural and I healed so much faster. I received acupuncture once a week during the last month of pregnancy and had a significantly shorter labour than my previous birth.
Here, I asked my acupuncturist, Sarah Gamble, to share the benefits of acupuncture with you. Sarah has been practicing Internal Medicine since 1992.

A common misconception about Acupuncture is that it is only used to treat pain. I use Chinese Medicine (acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Moxibustion, cupping, and electrical stimulation) to treat the entire scope of Women's health. This includes natal issues from conception to delivery, as well as infertility. During pregnancy Acupuncture provides remarkable drug-free relief from: Allergies and colds. Morning sickness, migraines and sciatica. Patients get treatments anywhere from once a month to once a week. I listen to pulses, do Acupuncture, customize Chinese herbal formulas, and provide hands on support (Bowen Technique, Reiki, Shiatsu, & Craniosacral).

During weeks 37-40 Acupuncture benefits the preparation of labor by:
    . Aiding the position of the baby which is key to having a smooth labor
    . Softening the cervix which allows the baby's movements to progress uninhibited
    . Calm the mother and help her adjust to the rapid hormonal changes

During Labor itself I practice Acupuncture in the delivery room or at home, alongside doctors/midwives. I have done this privately and in Lutheran hospital as part of an NIH funded research grant. Acupuncture during labor is effective for: Preventing prolonged labor. Aid cervical dilation and increase the efficiency of contractions by increasing or decreasing their intensity. Calm the mother and help her to conserve her energy for the contractions and have a drug free labor.
All of these factors contribute to avoiding a prolonged labor. They allow the mother to have the strength, energy, and spirit to deliver with ease. This is why Acupuncture can reduce the cesarean birth rate.

If you are interested in contacting Sarah, please email her.
You can watch Sarah in action next month in an episode of WETV’s Platinum Babies airing Friday Nov. 13th at 9pm.

Biodegradable Potato Bib

2009-10-16T10:41:33-07:00

Visiting Stone Barns last weekend, a favourite farm we regularly go to, I always find something new and interesting. This time it was a bib!
In addition to being a working farm with livestock, plants and the fantastic Blue Hill restaurant, Stone Barns also has a wonderful store. Amongst the cookbooks, eco-friendly toys, home wares, clothing and other ecologically inspired fabulosity I found a bib derived from potatoes.
Called the Spud Bib - These pretty protectors are made with biodegradable plastic from potato starch which completely breaks down in 1 to 2 years, (petroleum-based products take a century). The ink is water based, and they come in four colours with different animals. The bibs are produced by French design duo Cocoboheme who create unique sustainable products. Contrary to being biodegradable, they are not disposable, the bibs last about 2 years before they start to naturally deteriorate, which is probably around the same time you’ll stop using bibs. How perfectly designed!

Next time I’m at Stone Barns I’m definitely going to pick up a couple of these cute, functional and environmentally friendly baby bibs for my soon to be eating little darling.
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is located in upstate New York.
For a list of online retailers check Cocoboheme.com

Babybites Event for Expectant Mothers

2009-10-13T21:02:00-07:00

Babybites upcoming special event for new and expecting mamas November 11th.

Buy tickets before October 15th and pay $30. $40 thereafter, and $50 day of event.

Tickets can be purchased at babybites.net

Babybites – a social group for Moms

2009-10-13T08:46:22-07:00

Ever felt like you’re on the singles scene and you’re in a bar scoping for potential mates? Except you are not in a bar, you’re in a play ground or park, and you’re not actually single, you’re a new mother and you’re hanging out with your brand new baby. Feeling a little lost is a very common experience for a new mother, particularly when you are the first of your friends to have a baby. It’s a feeling I can completely relate to.

So can Laura Deutsch, the founder of babybites, an educational and social group for moms and moms-to-be. Experiencing her own first time mama emotions, Laura set out to provide a venue where moms with newborns could get together and socialize. Her goal is to provide advice and support to new moms via events and online resources. Her events include luncheons, dinners, sample classes, support groups, parenting seminars, and special events for the entire family.

Babybites hosted its first event on New York’s East Side in February 2006, with 20 mothers and their babies ranging in age from 3 weeks to 8 months. Lauren invited a speaker to talk about adjusting to motherhood. The event was held in a restaurants private room. It was an instant success! Today babybites luncheons are held weekly in Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey and Westchester.

Next month, babybites is hosting a special event called Essential Tips & Products for New Moms and Expectant Moms. The event will take place on November 11th 2009 on the Upper West Side and costs $40 to attend (joining babybites is completely free). An e-flyer will go out tomorrow with details. The event includes vendors showcasing their must have products and services for new and expectant moms, as well as shopping, food, and seminars on products/gear, tips on traveling, baby classes and finding a nanny. You’ll even find out more about Haute Mama! Look out for the flyer in your in-box tomorrow.