Eco.Logical.Mom

Very Classy, Very Wise

ecologicalmom — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:40:52 +0000

Check out this video for creative eco-friendly ideas for a baby shower. Very classy…

Latest BS from BA

ecologicalmom — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:45:51 +0000

British Airways has just announced a fee to assign seats in advance. So, if you want to be assured that your 3-year-old child will be sitting next to you, a fee ranging from £10 to £60 will apply.

Looking from another angle, this could be an opportunity to have free babysitting during a flight! Whoever is randomly selected to sit next to your child will take the burden! Note that the fee applies to international flights as well. I can’t wait…

Here is BA’s version: “Customers frequently request specific seats, but in the past we’ve only been able to confirm them 24 hours in advance or on the day. We know people want to secure them in advance and have real control over their flying experience. This will allow them to do that.”

On BBC News today.

Tylenol Voluntary Recall

ecologicalmom — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:41:01 +0000

Tylenol is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Children’s and Infants’ liquid products, manufactured between April and June 2008.
The reason for the recall is that an unused portion of one active ingredient did not meet all quality standards.
Click here to access list of recalled lot numbers.

Online Eco Tools

ecologicalmom — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:00:03 +0000

Check out these sites with interactive tools to help you figure out how to save energy and money at home:

energystar.gov
An interactive graphic, Energystar@Home, guides you on changes room by room.

hes.lbl.gov
The site prompts you to fill out a questionnaire about your house, then provides tips on reducing energy consumption based on your profile.

rehabadvisor.pathnet.org
This site provides suggestions on making your renovation project more energy efficient, with estimated costs and payback period.

consumerspower.org
Provides a calculator that helps you break down your energy bill by appliance, and correct problem areas.

Very nice tools, all free!
For more information, logon to thisoldhouse.com

BPA-free Bake, Serve and Store Gadget

ecologicalmom — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:34:05 +0000

Pirex has just launched a very useful container for BPA-free conscious mommas.
It can be used for baking and storage, and is cool enough for serving!
The container is made of glass, and comes with 2 lids, a glass version for heating and serving, and a BPA-free plastic lid for storage.

For more information, logon to pirexware.com.

Great Quality, Supreme Taste

ecologicalmom — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:05:55 +0000

Healthy and delicious snacks are a great source of nutrition for kids.
There are many choices of snacks available, such as cookies, chocolates, muffins, cakes, and a variety of items loaded with sugar and fat. However, kids develop their taste for good quality food based on what they are influenced to try at home.
It is so easy to buy or make healthy snacks, with delicious taste! Here are a few examples that couldn’t be any easier to prepare, and the ingredients are already very popular with kids:

Sliced apple with peanut butter
Home made granola bar (click here for recipe)
Fruit smoothies and shakes with yogurt or milk (click here for recipe)
Peanut butter and honey on whole wheat bread
Granola, dried fruits and milk – classic combination, delicious taste!
Fruit salad with sprinkles of cereal and honey
Oatmeal with raisins, cranberries
Cheese chunks and grapes
Cooked bananas with honey
Cooked fruits with oats crisps (or granola) on top

The list is endless, all we need is a tiny bit of creativity. Invite the kids to create recipes, explaining the reasons why we focus on quality, without giving up great taste.

Organic Foods, Not Always Necessary

ecologicalmom — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:15:37 +0000

We all know that pesticides are not good for our bodies. The exposure to toxic chemicals can have an even more adverse effect in children. The metabolism of a fetus, infant and child is less able to metabolize and inactivate toxic chemicals, being more vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides.

Consuming organic food minimizes the problem, but it is generally expensive, and not accessible to everybody. The Environmental Working Group developed a list of vegetables and fruits that contain the highest amount of pesticides, and the ones that are generally clear. So, be wise and don’t spend the extra cash when not necessary. Here is a summary of the list:

Highest pesticide load, starting with the worst: peach, apple, bell pepper, celery, nectarine, strawberry, cherry, kale, lettuce, grapes, carrot, pear, collard greens, spinach and potatoes.

Lowest pesticide load, starting with the cleanest: onion, avocado, sweet corn, pineapple, mango, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, papaya, watermelon and broccoli.

For a complete list, check the Homemade Baby Food Recipes section, or consult the Environmental Working Group.

Gate Check Bags

ecologicalmom — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:24:21 +0000

Gate check bags for strollers and car seats can be one of your best tools when boarding a flight with kids.
Having an umbrella stroller through the airport, and at the gate, is very helpful. It holds not only your kid but also some of your bags too. Unfortunately it is necessary to check it at the gate. This is when having a check bag is an important accessory.

Protecting these items from dust, dirt and mold from the airline cargo compartment is a very wise idea. It will also prolong the life of your gear. Airline carriers can be pretty rough on luggage!

Most brands offer bags that fold compactly to fit in a purse or diaper bag. These ones can be found at Amazon and many other retail stores, and are a lot cheaper than branded versions.

Vacation “Hangover”

ecologicalmom — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:37:54 +0000

Sometimes we need a vacation from a vacation. Not because it was stressful or bad, but simply great and intense! And, if the vacation location was far east or west, the time adjustment definitely adds up to the “hangover”.

Besides feeling tired, there is that sense of boredom. Even if the days back to your routine are full and busy, it never compares to the intensity and freshness of being in a different place, experiencing new fun things. Kids feel like that too!

The transition back is physically and psychologically difficult, and the longer the vacation the worse it is. That is the only advantage of short holidays…

From the Streets of Barcelona

ecologicalmom — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:00:48 +0000

Barcelona is a great destination to take kids. It is very stroller friendly, from sidewalks to mass transportation, you can easily take your kids everywhere!
Having a car is totally unnecessary if you are planning to stay in the city. For your airport ride, cabs are allowed to take babies and toddlers in the back seat, without a child seat.

Having a small child with you is actually very useful in public areas such as crowded airports, museums, etc. Adults with small children can enjoy faster waiting time. You can skip most lines, including airport security and airline boarding crowds. Seriously, it can save you hours in the high season!

Just a fair warning, like in most European countries, you won’t find convenient diaper change stations in every bathroom. This is when a portable changer is a huge help!