Published on July 27th, 2008
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One of the easiest ways to lessen your carbon foot print is to switch to cloth grocery bags. Considering the BYOB approach (Bring Your Own Bag) isn’t as difficult as it sounds. The truth of the matter is, any tote bag that you have laying around will work well and when it comes to being truly eco-friendly, using something you already have, or making a bag from existing materials is always the best way to go.
However, some smart eco-friendly designers have created bags that will make your transition super easy. As a busy mom who’s already lugging a big diaper bag and two kids around, I’m happy to purchase new bags if I know that I’m actually going to use them. Like most folks, the idea of switching to cloth bags isn’t the problem; it’s remembering to bring them with you. The beauty of the new cloth grocery bags on the market is that they actually fit more than the ones you might have hidden in your closet. So, if you’re definitely looking for the convenience factor, consider my top 5 bag choices.
At Cool Mom Picks, I’ve had the pleasure of testing out some amazing cloth grocery bags, many of which are created by small companies who are truly dedicated to green-minded living. But, like most people, I’ve got my personal favorites.
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Published on July 24th, 2008
First it was Organic cotton, then bamboo was the next big star in Eco-friendly textile. Well here come the latest craze, the green yet ultra soft fiber, Soybean textile is the new must have. Not that we are starstruck here at Eco Child’s Play, but Halle Barry, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Garner are few green celebrity moms who are snatching these babies up. Soybean, being touted the “vegetable cashmere” is a great renewable resource and utilizes the cradle to cradle method. (It’s a byproduct of leftover pulp from tofu and soymilk production). The Babysoy, first company to make baby clothes out of Soybean is modern and uber stylish to boot. According to their website:
Baby Soy clothing is made out of Soy bean fiber, an eco-friendly fiber that uses renewable natural resource (leftover pulp from tofu and soymilk production) as raw material. It has an incredible soft-to-hand feel, second-skin comfort (fiber contains 20 amino acids), luster, loft and drape, combined with durability, and good wear. Its porous structure and grooves on the fiber surface brings excellent wet permeability and warmth retention keeping wearer warm and dry.
Babysoy was an inspiration from a first time mother, Amy, who wanted to create a soft, wearable baby clothes without causing harmful impact on the planet. The inspiration came to a collaboration when lifelong friend, David, visiting the newborn, introduced the soy fiber to the Eco-conscious and designer mom. The duo created the Babysoy line and the company was launched in March 2006. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on July 18th, 2008
Yes, that is a Women’s Lib patch (I’m sure both Glorias are kvelling). No, you cannot have it, I’m quite certain that the Smithsonian will offer me a gazillion dollars for it some day (it’s my fantasy, leave it alone…). Yes, those were my overalls, and then they were my cut off shorts, as I grew my mother sewed part of an old skirt bottom onto it and a few months later a second was added. She is awesome. Eco-couture should be renamed “Jessica’s Mom’s Idea in 1974″ stat.
For the record I am not advocating dressing your child like it’s 1974 again. I would, however, take your kids to the fabric store and see if there are any patches that catch their eye. With back to school shopping just around the corner maybe a few well placed patches could get them more excited about using last year’s backpack?
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Published on July 12th, 2008
Trips to Target are an inevitable guilty pleasure in my life. 
I love Method cleaning supplies, candles and laundry products, was looking forward to the organic collection designed by Rogan all spring and was thrilled to find ADORABLE baby clothes, crib bumpers and a number of other supplies there in the “eco-friendly” shopping section of their website.
Finally, a mass-merchandiser who get’s it and is offering great looking, organic clothing at convenient prices. I am thrilled to be able to still shop Target for all of the upcoming baby showers I’m attending and have a few sustainable choices on hand.
Published on July 8th, 2008
With the explosion of organic baby clothing on the market, it is getting difficult to tell one company from another. Offering organic cotton clothing for little ones is great, and many major retailers, like Pottery Barn Kids, have jumped on the bandwagon. Still, not all organic kids clothing companies are created equal. Social responsibility is a integral ingredient to any green company.
Chapter One Organics produces fun, modern and organic baby and toddler clothes from sustainable materials, including onesies, tops, bottoms, rompers, dresses, bibs and blankets. Not only do they make cute organic clothes for little ones, but their line is made by US women of who have had significant barriers to employment. These women are trained to develop skills that enable them to earn fair wages, establish careers, learn work habits, and care for their families. Furthermore, Chapter One Organics is an approved member of Co-op America, a national nonprofit consumer organization, promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic justice. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on June 23rd, 2008
As part of Eco Child’s Play Labor of Love series on birth stories, natural birth, hospital births, and home births, our writers will be sharing their birthing and pregnancy stories. We’d like to hear your birth stories too, whether you are a mother, father, grandparent, or adoptive parent.
We are encouraging our readers to share their thoughts and birth stories by hosting a giveaway contest.
Entries in the contest are made by leaving a comment or birth story on the Green Options Forum. At the end of the week (6/28), we will randomly pick two winners for this giveaway. Up for grabs are:
IsaBootie: Funky and Stylish Soft Soled Baby Shoes
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Published on June 12th, 2008
It is so heartening to see the growing availability and market for eco kids’ clothes. These clothes have become quite stylish over the last several years and are made from organic cotton and bamboo. The eco benefits of bamboo clothing are sometimes debated, but you can’t deny that there are many environmental and health benefits of this grass. Bamboo clothing is softer than cotton, is grown organically, is uv-resistant, adjusts to body temperatures, etc.
Bambino is a company making organic baby clothing from bamboo and cotton. These clothes are super cute and stylish. My favorite item is the Mao Mummy Pyjamas. These jammies are made from woven bamboo that is soft and has a nice texture. This product definitely matches Bambino’s mission of:
Using eco-innovation to deliver stylish and luxurious baby clothes in fun and inspiring colors, we like to keep things simple by avoiding big logos and branding.
I like to keep things simple by avoiding big brands too, and the more I read about this company’s philosophy, the more I fall in love with their products. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on June 10th, 2008
I always cringe when I see babies and toddlers in hard sole, inflexible shoes, as if their feet are bound like Chinese girls a hundred years ago. Little feet need to grow naturally, without the restrictions of hard shoes, and pediatricians now recommend that children go barefoot until they are two-years-old. The next best thing to bare feet, which is not always practical when walking outdoors or in cooler temperatures, are soft-soled shoes. We have previously reviewed Robeez footwear, but a more eco-friendly, made in USA option exists: IsaBooties.
IsaBooties are made in Colorado with fair labor. These soft-soled shoes are formaldehyde-free, and the “ultrasuede” fabric exceeds the Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety (ASTM F963-07). The fabric is durable, machine washable, breathable, and 100% vegan! These shoes are stain resistant and do not fall off, as well as they help keep socks on little crawling feet. The packaging is made from 100% recycled materials, is 100% recyclable, and printed with soy ink. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on June 4th, 2008
When I first spotted the Psling on Keri Russell in Celebrity Baby Blog; I thought to myself, $350 for a piece of fabric and rings; people are crazee (whirling my fingers around my ears) . However, I had to admit it was beautiful. So beautiful that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Then I started obsessing about it and started reading about it all over the internet.
The Baby Wearer, a forum for baby wearing parents and advocates, could not stop raving about its comfort and beauty. So like a sucker; I convinced my significant other to drive to the city (our first time in the year that we moved to PA). so I can try out this incredible piece of fabric. We got to Soho, parked the car, and found our way to PSNY. There was the beautiful sling that I was meant to have. I bought it. (Like a sucker)
So now that I have this beautiful yet expensive piece of fabric tied with two rings, two things come to mind.. guilt… yes.. but bigger part is rebellion. Ever since I took on the challenge of greening up my life, everything had to Eco-friendly. I gave up my beloved Ajax for Mrs. Meyers. My antibacterial dish soap for an Earth friendly one (one that doesn’t clean as well). Tried out the Earth friendly gdiapers which in reality made more work for me. Turn off the powercord, unplug everything, recycle… it’s just exhausting.
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Published on May 31st, 2008
I am so impressed with the folks at Kee-Ka! They sell adorable organic cotton clothing and accessories for babies/toddlers/pets with simple graphics (sweet pea, pumpkin and lion are my personal favorites). All metal closures are nickel free and they utilize fair trade manufacturing standards.
But what makes this company truly stand out is the packaging! See, when you purchase a Kee-Ka item it comes housed in this nifty little brown box crafted of recycled paper that is ready to be mailed in three simple steps. No digging for wrapping paper, no searching for tape, no “This looks like my kid wrapped it” thoughts. Nada.
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