Van Erwin » Healthy toys

Potty Training 101…

admin — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:15:00 +0000

I have been eyeing this potty for Van, not sure he is ready yet. But how could I pass up this deal at the recycled baby store for $12. So today we peeked in, and he looked back at me with question marks in his eyes.

What is this for mommy?????

On a separate note today I went jogging “in hell”, and I had a coffee in my cup holder on the stroller, not a water? Hmmmm mistake number one! I was so parched for water by the time we were jogging back to the house, that I was drinking my own saliva. I know it’s gross. But I had to survive, guys.

Just spending my dayz looking for a place to plant our roots.

Just say no to BPA

admin — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:07:00 +0000

My head is spinning from all of the emails from friends who have heard about all of the research being released about plastic baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, tableware, utensils, feeding aids, pumping supplies, etc that contain BPA. I just found out I have been using the wrong type of bottles all along too and they leak BPA into my sweet child’s body. We go out and buy the best car seats, the fancy strollers, and the 400 thread count organic sheets, but we use pacis and baby bottles that leak BPA? I think not! I just purchased a few of the bottles that are BPA free from thinkbaby.
The company produces PES (polyether sulfone) plastic bottles and sippy cups. And stainless steel and plastic drink bottles for adults as thinksport.
First of all what the hell is BPA anyways right?Bisphenol-A is a hormone-disrupting chemical considered to be potentially harmful to human health and the environment. It has been known that scratched and worn polycarbonate feeding bottles will leach this chemical into liquids.

I know this sounds a bit obsessive but I am trowing away all of my freakin Dr. Browns bottles tomorrow because they are scratched and worn. Goodbye old bottles hello new bottles with out the BPA. Goodbye wallet.

I am tired and weary but I have so much more information to share with you.
I will leave you with this list of companies that produce BPA free baby items & and a few images that makes me smile.

Healthy Stuff

admin — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:53:00 +0000

My good friend Cassie sent me a link to this great website and i wanted to share it with you all. I have always had a fear that plastic cups and bottles leak out harmful chemicals into the food and drinks we consume.
So here are some great products that are save and free of any toxins that might just be getting into your food and drinks. they have some really cute ones for the kiddies too.

As you know chemicals released by plastics can cause cancer (It is not the water that affects you but the chemical released from the bottle)

Check the bottom of the bottle there should be a triangle sign and there will be a number on it. If the number is higher than or equal to 5 –> then this bottle is safe to use. Numbers under 5 will release the chemical. For most bottled water, the number is 1. Remember to check and stop reusing those bottles.

article via: plastic myth busters

Healthy O’s & toys

admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:03:00 +0000

So today when I was in the pantry I decided to read the ingredients of the trader joes cheerios that I give to my Van. I just read the ingredients on everything that I feed to my family so this is normal for me. I found an ingredient that I had never heard of (trisodium phosphate), so I looked it up and here is what I found.
An ionic salt used as a thickener/emulsifier for foods, as well as common uses as a degreaser, detergent, and laxative. It is a chemical that can peel wallpaper off of a wall & they sell it at hardware stores. I know the entire world and then some feed their children cheerios but I found a cereal that actually tastes better, is in the same price range and is all organic, healthy times teddy puffs
To read more about ingredients you should not consume click here.

Here are some of my favorite green companies offering eco-friendly & health-friendly toys, I feel it is important to check up on everything we give our kids to play with. It may save their life. I am just uber conscious and almost annoying about it. I love this peace baby block set.

TaraLuna Baby Buddy Toy – this fair-trade cuddle buddy is made from organic cotton ($10).
Organic Gift Shop Rollie Animals – toddler appropriate; made from natural wood and finished with food-grade oil ($7).
Under the Nile Veggie Bunch – veggie-shaped toys stuffed with organic cotton ($26).
Peace Baby Block Set – made from sustainably-forested pine ($28).

toys "not" made in china

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:55:00 +0000

So yesterday I decided that I am not going to buy Van another toy that has been made in China, after seeing recall after recall I started looking up some of the toys that he got for Christmas to see if they contained toxins or lead. I found a couple good websites that have toys listed by brand or the country it is made in, so you can see if a certain toy is dangerous for your baby. If I can control what toys he plays with, I should be educated enough to know if they are harmful or not! Right?

Here is one toy he got for Christmas, and the materials it consists of. I found out there is arsenic in the handle of the book and chlorine on the plastic pages.
It is such a cute book with all of his family members in it and I know he likes it, maybe I will transfer the photos to a natural fabric book.

This website above oompa is great, they are concerned about what toys are made with and only supply healthy toys that are made in Europe or the US. I love everything on their site!