1. ReUseThisBag.com

I am finally in the habit of taking my reusable bags in every store, not just the grocery store! It was one of my “eco-sins” for awhile, as I could never remember them, but I finally have a system.

They key to remembering to use reusable bags is to have plenty of them! We were just sent a great bag by ReUseThisBag.com . The bag is very sturdy and washable.

Here’s my system for remembering my bags:

1. Keep plenty of bags in the car at all times.
2. If you forget to bring a bag in a store, you either have to go back to the car or simply carry your goods out in the cart or by hand.
3. When you bring your bags inside the house, put them in the laundry to be washed.
4. Have a large basket by the door where you keep the clean bags.
5. When headed to the car, restock your supply.

It really is simple to remember your bags once you get into a routine, and you will look with scorn at all of the single use paper and plastic bags being used by others.  Here are some interesting facts about why you should use reusable bags:

FACT: The largest opposition to the ban of plastic bags comes from the petroleum and plastics industries and of course, consumers that don’t want to change their habits.

FACT: Effective July 1, 2010. Los Angeles County Shoppers can either bring their own bags or pay 25 cents for a paper or biodegradable bag

FACT: Ireland imposed a tax on plastic grocery bags in 2002, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban conventional plastic grocery bags, in 2007, and Los Angeles followed suit in 2010

FACT: plastic is the largest source of ocean litter. The second most abundant ocean pollution, is cigarettes.

FACT: Ocean debris worldwide kills at least 1 million sea birds and 100,000 mammals each year, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has estimated. The litter is most severe in the East Asian seas region, which includes countries such as China with a population 1.3 billion people and where, according to UN figures, almost 60 percent of men smoke.

FACT:  4 trillion to 5 trillion: Number of non-degradable plastic bags used worldwide annually.

FACT:  About 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year

FACT: Australians were using nearly 7 billion bags a year, and nearly 1.2 billion bags a year were being passed out free in Ireland before government restrictions, according to government estimates.

FACT: Plastic industry trade associations were unable to provide estimates of plastic bag use in the United States. However, based on studies of plastic bag use in other nations, the environmental group Californians Against Waste estimates Americans use 84 billion plastic bags annually.

FACT: The first plastic sandwich bags were introduced in 1957. Department stores started using plastic bags in the late 1970s and supermarket chains introduced the bags in the early 1980s.

FACT: About 100,000 whales, seals, turtles and other marine animals are killed by plastic bags each year worldwide, according to Planet Ark, an international environmental group.

FACT: Last September, more than 354,000 bags — most of them plastic — were collected during an international cleanup of costal areas in the United States and 100 other countries, according to the Ocean Conservancy

Please make an effort to end the single use plastic or paper bag habit!

2. Naturopathica Oat Facial Polish

Between my two blogs, I receive a lot of natural beauty product samples.  Actually, I sort of resent these products.  I used to be a 100% Dr. Hauschka junkie, but I get so many samples that I am not able to buy or use my beloved products.

Recently, I  have switched to organic tanamu oil for all of my moisturizing.  The results have been amazing, thus I approached the Naturopathica 30 Day Skin Transformation Challenge with some trepidation.

I have problem skin, and it is finally under control.  I was worried taking on this challenge that my problems may return, but on day three, so far so good.

I am following the Naturopathica  REGIMEN KIT: NORMAL TO OILY

ALOE CLEANSING GEL: A foaming sulfate-free cleanser with a refreshing blend of Aloe Vera and Lavender gently clarifies the skin while maintaining natural moisture

OAT FACIAL POLISH: Soothing Oats and Jojoba Beads gently sweep away dry, flaky skin, removing impurities and leaving the face soft and radiant

PLANT STEM CELL SERUM: An ECOCERT certified organic concentrated serum, designed to significantly slow down the aging of cells due to inflammation caused by UVA photodamage and oxidative stress

ROSEMARY OIL-REDUCING MOISTURIZER: An astringent blend of Rosemary and Willow help to absorb excess sebum while nourishing devitalized skin with moisture

The Naturopathica Oat Facial Polish is my favorite cleanser now!  It is very gentle, but it contains a little exfoliant to keep your skin in great daily shape without leaving you feeling raw.  All of the products in this regimen smell wonderful!

My skin did feel a little bit dry this morning, and I didn’t want to do any extra moisturizing to break the regimen.  It’s feeling good now and still no blemishes.  I’ll keep you updated as the regimen continues.

3. Farmer Jason and Buddies Nature Jams

I have such a hard time with children’s music.  It must meet a certain standard if I am going to have to listen to it over and over again.  As I have said before, just because it is geared towards kids, aesthetics should not be abandoned.  In fact, I won’t even expose my children to music if it doesn’t meet my standards. I don’t want it to become a favorite that I can’t tolerate.

Farmer Jason and Buddies Nature Jams features many guest artists like Mike Mills of R.E.M. and Tommy Ramone of the Ramones.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t make the cut.

Nature Jams is a high-value, kid-friendly gift package of 16 original songs, 4 music videos and a colorful 20-page booklet created by über designer Brad Talbott. The idea is to get kids excited about the big world around them, observing various animals (“Meadowlark in Central Park,” “Manatee,” and “Dison the Bison”), learning about cool places around the world and simply enjoying nature. “The point is to motivate kids to get outside and excite their curiosity about the world around them,” says Jason.

Farmer Jason raked in an all-star list of guest artists to sing and perform with him on Nature Jams, including Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes, Mike Mills from R.E.M., Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick, Iris DeMent, indie folk darling Brandi Carlile, Grammy®-award winning bassist Vic Wooten, Americana hipster Todd Snider, banjo virtuoso Alison Brown, zydeco star Terrance Simien, platinum-selling vocalist Suzy Bogguss, Celtic rockers The Sawdoctors, humorist-musician Webb Wilder, Hank Williams III and the legendary Tommy Ramone of The Ramones. Other guest artists are Jo Nesbø, the internationally best selling mystery novelist; Kristi Rose, a Nashville chanteuse; and Ruthie Foster, the Blues Music Awards’ Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year. Even Farmer Jason’s grown-up band Jason and the Scorchers lend energetic, rocking riffs to the song “The Glacier.” With these engaging songs and videos, Farmer Jason and friends hope to motivate children to get outside and experience nature firsthand.

Actually, I think many of the songs are annoying, all-star cast or not. I appreciate the discussions before each track.  They help set the tone for each song and give children a little background information, but the music itself is not my cup of tea.

I’m not sure these tunes will motivate children to get outside and experience nature, but I bet it inspires some of them to dance.

Would I buy this product?  No.  It does not match my musical tastes. Besides, I’m annoyed with the misinformation about “Buffalo or Bison?”  The cd says they are words for the same animal, but that is not true.  American buffalo and bison are the same, but it is not the same as simply “buffalo”.  Wikipedia explains, Some consider the term “buffalo” somewhat of a misnomer for this animal, as it is only distantly related to either of the two “true buffalo,” the Asian water buffalo and theAfrican buffalo. ”

4. Baby Gourmet

In an ideal world, parents would have time to make their infant’s and toddler’s baby food from scratch.  Actually, it’s not that hard to do if you eat whole foods yourself.  Baby can eat what you eat if you follow a simple diet; however, we don’t live in an ideal world.

Even stay-at-home parents need the convenience of prepared baby food, and you better make it organic and contained BPA-free packaging for optimum baby health.

We were sent samples of Baby Gourmet:

Healthy, organic, and nutritious food for babies (6-12mo) made by moms with a little ingenuity. With all products starting in owners, Jen’s and Jill’s kitchens, each recipe and batch thereafter is taste-tested and poured out if it’s not absolutely loved. Creative recipes include:
6mo – Simple Purees

• Harvest Pear, Pumpkin, and Banana
• Juicy Pear and Garden Greens
• Orchard Apple, Carrot Prune

7mo – Yummy Combos

• Baby’s Sweet Potato Pie
• Roasted Squash and Fruit Medley
• Apple, Sweet Potato Berry Swirl

8mo+ – Tasty Textures

• Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
• Vanilla Banana Berry Risotto
• Tropical Banana Bliss

All products are organic, no salt, sugar, fillers, preservatives, no nuts. No dairy, except in Old Fashioned Apple Crisp. Packaged in in a specially designed pouch allows for less cooking time, locking in nutrient values and flavors.

All ingredients are organic with the exception of the ascorbic acid.

Unfortunately, the BPA-free packaging is not recyclable, but it does make for easy heating.  Personally, I like baby food jars. They are very handy to reuse for multiple purposes, but I would assume the lids on them contain BPA, as most canning jars lids do.

As much as I aspired to always make my own baby food and freeze extras, I did resort to store bought baby food on occasion, especially when traveling.  Baby Gourmet is a good option, and I trust the product’s safety and quality, especially since it is made in Canada.

Would I buy this product?  Maybe.  One of our most popular posts “Baby Essentials That Aren’t, Part 7: Baby Food” explores the “baby-led solids” method of feeding.  I think I would try this if I had to do it over again, but I also do think there is a place for puree. I eat pureed food, so why shouldn’t baby? Plus, my son had immature oral motor skills in his mouth and choking was a concern.

I like that Baby Gourmet is very organic (not just one or two ingredients), but I do wish the packages were recyclable.  I also like how they have recipes where you can incorporate the baby food with solids to help transition children.

5. Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find-and Keep-Love 

Those of us who proclaim ourselves as natural parents are also advocates of attachment parenting.  But what about our partners?  Do we practice adult attachment?

A new book written by Amir Levine, M.D. and Rachel S.F. Heller, M.A. explores relationships. Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find-and Keep-Love is perfect for couples and singles to reflect upon this Valentine’s Day, if they so desire to examine their behaviors.  The premise of this book is that by identifying your attachment style, as well as that of your mate, and understanding how it affects your relationship, you will be able to build a sustainable life together.

In Attached, Levine and Heller reveal how an understanding of adult attachment-the most advanced relationship science in existence today-can help us find and sustain love. Pioneered by psychologist John Bowlby in the 1950s, the field of attachment posits that each of us behaves in relationships in one of three distinct ways:

• Anxious people are often preoccupied with their relationships and tend to worry about their partner’s ability to love them back
• Avoidant people equate intimacy with a loss of independence and constantly try to minimize closeness.
• Secure people feel comfortable with intimacy and are usually warm and loving.

Which attachment style are you? I confess that I can think of one time or another that I have been all three!

There are actual quizzes with score guides to help you determine your attachment style. They remind me of the kind often found in women’s magazines.

Would I buy this book?  No. I am not into relationship books. When I read, I read for please, not advice.  I like to get my advice from real humans in a real conversation.

I suppose if I had trouble in a relationship or even establishing a relationship, this book would be very helpful.  I have been with the same partner for almost 21 years. We have two children together.  If we start digging into attachment styles, who knows what could happen?  Might we try to change one another?

My relationship advice is to accept who you love for who they are, do not try to change them into who you want them to be. You can change yourself, which a book like this is helpful for doing, but you have to want to change.  You can’t change other people.

Reading parts of this book, I could relate and felt it was describing myself at moments.  This only made me anxious and defensive.  If we are happy in our relationship, why stir things up?

If I was in a relationship that was ending, and I wanted to save it, this book could be useful for understanding my behavior, as well as my partner’s.  But both people want to save it, and in my recent experience with friends, that isn’t always the case.  I guess understanding your attachment style would help prevent you from making the same mistakes in future relationships or seeking a mate with the appropriate style; however, I really think your style changes depending on the relationship.

I agree we need to practice adult attachment in a manner similar to attachment parenting, but I don’t really think this book draws the same parallels.  It is what I had hoped from the title. Instead, I feel like I am on a talk show when I read the examples.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

5 Green Products: ReUseThisBag, Naturopathica, Farmer Jason, Baby Gourmet, Attached is a post from: Eco Child's Play

I am not one of those parents that restrict their children on media.  We have empowered our children to make choices, and they have surprisingly reacted with maturity.  They never abuse their free access to TV, Wii, or iPad/iPods.  In fact, my son with special needs uses his iPad 2 as an AAC device

One area I do place strict limits on is headphones.  NO EARBUDS!  I don’t want to damage my children’s hearing.

This fear was installed up on me when I got my first Sony Walkman. This clunky thing was a godsend for my parents on our annual cross country drive to go skiing in Colorado.  I was strictly told not turn the volume over the number two, and I strictly obeyed.

Even after purchasing regular earphones for my children to use on airplanes, they do not properly fit their little heads.  Kidz Gear has the solution with high quality, volume control.

KidzControl™ Volume Limiting Technology

Integrated into the new Apple headphones is the proprietary KidzControl™ Volume Limiting Technology, delivering an “always-on” safe volume limited listening experience for children of all ages, with maximum volume levels limited to between 80dB and 90dB levels.  Ergonomically designed with soft padded child-sized ear-cups, high-quality audio components and value priced at only $29.95, the Kidz Gear Apple Wired Headphones for Kids are the perfect travel accessory for keeping children quiet and happy during long trips away from home.

 Microphone Records Audio, Answers Phone, Issues Voice Commands to SIRI

The Kidz Gear Apple Wired Headphones for Kids Inline Microphone can be used to record audio, issue a voice command to iPhone’s SIRI personal assistant and answer phone calls on the iPhone, or talk through an internet phone, such as Skype.  The Remote controls volume up and down, as well as lets the user play, pause, skip a track, return to a previous track or even hear the playlist that is currently active.

We were sent the following Kidz Gear products:

• NEW Kidz Gear Wired Headphones For Kids – Includes Inline Remote/Mic Audio Control
• Kidz Gear Volume Limit Splitter Cable
• Headphone Carry Bag
• Volume Limit Cable

Would I buy these products? Yes, based on need and value, not green qualities. The package is recyclable, which is the only thing eco-friendly about these products.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Traveling with Kids and Gadgets: KidZ Gear Headphones for Kids is a post from: Eco Child's Play

I have such a hard time with children’s music.  It must meet a certain standard if I am going to have to listen to it over and over again.  As I have said before, just because it is geared towards kids, aesthetics should not be abandoned.  In fact, I won’t even expose my children to music if it doesn’t meet my standards. I don’t want it to become a favorite that I can’t tolerate.

Farmer Jason and Buddies Nature Jams features many guest artists like Mike Mills of R.E.M. and Tommy Ramone of the Ramones.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t make the cut.

Nature Jams is a high-value, kid-friendly gift package of 16 original songs, 4 music videos and a colorful 20-page booklet created by über designer Brad Talbott. The idea is to get kids excited about the big world around them, observing various animals (“Meadowlark in Central Park,” “Manatee,” and “Dison the Bison”), learning about cool places around the world and simply enjoying nature. “The point is to motivate kids to get outside and excite their curiosity about the world around them,” says Jason.

Farmer Jason raked in an all-star list of guest artists to sing and perform with him on Nature Jams, including Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes, Mike Mills from R.E.M., Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick, Iris DeMent, indie folk darling Brandi Carlile, Grammy®-award winning bassist Vic Wooten, Americana hipster Todd Snider, banjo virtuoso Alison Brown, zydeco star Terrance Simien, platinum-selling vocalist Suzy Bogguss, Celtic rockers The Sawdoctors, humorist-musician Webb Wilder, Hank Williams III and the legendary Tommy Ramone of The Ramones. Other guest artists are Jo Nesbø, the internationally best selling mystery novelist; Kristi Rose, a Nashville chanteuse; and Ruthie Foster, the Blues Music Awards’ Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year. Even Farmer Jason’s grown-up band Jason and the Scorchers lend energetic, rocking riffs to the song “The Glacier.” With these engaging songs and videos, Farmer Jason and friends hope to motivate children to get outside and experience nature firsthand.

Actually, I think many of the songs are annoying, all-star cast or not. I appreciate the discussions before each track.  They help set the tone for each song and give children a little background information, but the music itself is not my cup of tea.

I’m not sure these tunes will motivate children to get outside and experience nature, but I bet it inspires some of them to dance.

Would I buy this product?  No.  It does not match my musical tastes. Besides, I’m annoyed with the misinformation about “Buffalo or Bison?”  The cd says they are words for the same animal, but that is not true.  American buffalo and bison are the same, but it is not the same as simply “buffalo”.  Wikipedia explains, Some consider the term “buffalo” somewhat of a misnomer for this animal, as it is only distantly related to either of the two “true buffalo,” the Asian water buffalo and theAfrican buffalo. ”

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Children’s Music: Farmer Jason and Buddies Nature James is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Maria Breastfeeds on Sesame Street is a post from: Eco Child's Play

1977 Sesame Street: Big Bird Learns about Breastfeeding is a post from: Eco Child's Play

“Pathological Fear” and Negative Image of Natural Childbirth is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Via: BuzzFeed

4-Year-Old Goes Viral: Girls Need Superheroes Too! is a post from: Eco Child's Play

There are a few things I like about Scholastic Storybook Treasures:

• You can have the text displayed on the screen highlighting each word as it is read
• It reminds me of Reading Rainbow, in that the actual book illustrations are used to create each story
• The choice of stories is usually very good

What I don’t like about these DVDs is I fear that parents may think that they can replace actual reading to their children by playing a DVD.  Nothing can replace shared reading between an adult and a child!  That being said, I did show this DVD recently while substitute teaching to fill in the gaps of time while I cleaned up art projects.

North Star & More Stories About Following Your Dreams features five stories:

1. The North Star
2. That Book Woman
3. Players In Pigtails
4. Yo! Yes?
5. Swamp Angel

My two favorite stories are Players in Pigtails and Swamp Angel.  Players in Pigtails is about women playing baseball and is a great story to inspiring girls.  It’s message is that girls can do anything boys can do just as well and is based on the historical formation of the  All American Girls Professional Baseball League.   Swamp Angel is of the classic American genre of tall tale.  The kids were laughing out loud at this story, and I found it very entertaining.

Would I buy this DVD?  No.  I would rather read children the stories than put on a DVD.  Plus, there is nothing eco-friendly about this product.  It comes in your standard plastic DVD case instead of recycled cardboard.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Scholastic Story Book Treasures: North Star & More Stories About Following Your Dreams is a post from: Eco Child's Play

1. Babee Laptime seat

As a brand new parent, it felt somewhat awkward to hold my new baby. They are so squishy and soft, and of course, I was afraid of hurting my child.  Got to support that head and  neck!  I got over his anxiety pretty quickly with the help of pillows at times. The same anxious feeling arose, however, when my second child was born and was placed in the arms of his three-year-old sister.

The Babee Laptime seat is a solution for safely holding baby.

Comfort…Safety… and Convenience!

How often do new moms wish they had a free hand to control bottles, toys, pacifiers and countless other items while holding their babies? Babee Laptime makes it easy for new mothers, dads, grandparents and siblings to enjoy the safety and peace of mind provided by an infant seat that fastens securely around your waist.

• Establish a strong, lasting parent-child bond
• Enjoy longer period of playtime and interaction
• Respond more freely and immediately to your baby’s signals and gestures
• Form a lasting and loving relationship with your baby that will serve
• as the basis for your child’s future intimate relationships

Personally, I think this product misses the boat on several levels. First, skin to skin contact (even through clothing) promotes bonding. Babies can feel the rhythms of your body while you hold them. A seat such as this blocks such personal contact and intimacy.

Secondly, this product is made of polyurethane foam and polyester. Yuck! I don’t want my baby exposed to such toxic fabrics, especially a newborn.

I can see the benefits of such a seat for having a young child hold a baby securely, but a little supervision and pillows are all you really need.  At $129.99, this is a really expensive baby item you don’t need.

Would I buy this product?  No

2. The Deep Black Pond

After reading The Deep Black Pond by Morgan Kostival, you won’t quite look at pond life the same again. This “fanciful” book features extremely interesting images, but the story line is a bit off.

The children’s adventure The Deep Black Pond takes place on a very special tropical island. The fanciful creatures there inhabit a small pond situated in the middle of the island. Follow the misadventures of one of these tiny creatures named Mimi the peewee. Learn just how Mimi becomes the very first pink pearl in the world! At the same time, Mimi unknowingly brings together all the other creatures living in the pond by inspiring cooperation and friendship. This fable-like bedtime story will enthrall your little ones, as Mimi meets the Queen of the water lilies, Cuddles the fish, and the mysterious Baron. You will also see the mysteries of the deep through the talented eyes of author/photographer Morgan Kostival, who says, “I write to preserve my child-like imagination that, sadly, too many adults forget how to use.” Morgan Kostival plans to continue writing and illustrating children’s books. “I wrote this book while simultaneously creating and photographing the creatures that are featured in it. I was interested in creating a world that was hitherto unknown.”

I personally find the story a bit confusing, but it certainly makes me wonder what is going in the bottom of our pond.

Would I buy this book?  No.  $18 is too much for a paperback book, and the storyline is awkward.

3. The Endangerbles

I have high standards for children’s music, and well, frankly, The Endangerbles don’t make the cut. The message is sweet, for example, “Let’s make extinction extinct”, but the music is just not that aesthetically pleasing.

The Endangerbles’ goal is to be educational and fun.  Inspiring children to “respect and protect all the species of the world including each other” is the mission of The Endangerbles.  Its endearing cast of animal characters effectively entertain and educate children of all ages about the wonderful world of animals, specifically relating to those that are endangered, threatened or vulnerable.

The Endangerbles music CD features 10 original upbeat songs, all composed by Fred Bogert, the three-time Emmy-nominated musician-performer widely acclaimed for his musical contributions to the popular kids-based folk-rock duo Trout Fishing In America.

5 Green Gifts: Babee Laptime Seat, The Deep Black Pond, Endangerbles, World Vision, & Soft Clothing is a post from: Eco Child's Play

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The next 10 years will be very unlike the last 10 years [video] is a post from: Eco Child's Play