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	<title>Eco Child&#039;s Play</title>
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	<link>http://ecochildsplay.com</link>
	<description>Green Parenting for Non-toxic, Healthy Homes</description>
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		<title>The Explosion of Autism</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/19/the-explosion-of-autism/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/19/the-explosion-of-autism/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:38:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Healthy Child Healthy World</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autism mercury vaccines toxic non-toxic]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=7425</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The well researched January cover story of E Magazine, “The Search for Autism’s Missing Piece: Autism Research Slowly Turns Its Focus to Environmental Toxicity” by Brita Belli, spotlights environmental factors that might contribute to autism; the fastest-growing, most horrifying developmental disability in America today now affects 1 in 100 children according to the CDC. The [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/19/the-explosion-of-autism/">The Explosion of Autism</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7427" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/baby-on-bed_3_300.jpg" alt="baby-on-bed_3_300" width="300" height="225" />The well researched January cover story of <a href="http://www.emagazine.com/" target="_blank">E Magazine</a>, “<em>The Search for Autism’s Missing Piece: Autism Research Slowly Turns Its Focus to Environmental Toxicity</em>” by Brita Belli, spotlights environmental factors that might contribute to autism; the fastest-growing, most horrifying developmental disability in America today now affects 1 in 100 children according to the CDC. The explosion of autism in one generation screams for an explanation past genetics, but research to date has primarily been centered only on genes. Current research fails miserably to provide answers to halt autism’s continuing rise or to treat those already affected. In fact, some question whether definitive research proving the cause, or causes, of this national crisis will ever come due to money and politics.</p>
<p><span id="more-7425"></span></p>
<p>Belli’s article discusses the medical community’s reluctance to investigate and identify sources of <a href="http://healthychild.org/live-healthy/video_library_comments/10_americans_an_inconvenient_truth_for_toxics_health/" target="_blank">chemical toxicity</a> affecting children. She explains, “<em>The nonprofit <a href="http://healthychild.org/live-healthy/video_library_comments/10_americans_an_inconvenient_truth_for_toxics_health/" target="_blank">Environmental Working Group</a>, in a detailed report about the neglect of autism research’s focus on environmental factors, points out that ‘Hundreds of studies have explored the genetic roots of the autism epidemic, but none has uncovered a single gene or vulnerability to account for more than a fraction of cases.&#8221;</em></p>
<p>According to Belli, several environmental factors may contribute to autism and <a href="http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/chemicals_and_our_endangered_children/" target="_blank">need further exploration</a>:</p>
<p>• <em>mercury in vaccinations, dental amalgams, seafood and other sources,<br />
• lead and sulfur dioxide in our air and drinking water,<br />
• arsenic and pharmaceuticals in our drinking water,<br />
• chemicals in plastics &#8211; phthalates, Bisphenol-A, and<br />
• flame retardants found in homes and school.</em></p>
<p><strong>Heavy Metals, Porphyrins and Chelation</strong></p>
<p>Research that does investigate environmental factors is uncovering a strong link between <a href="http://healthychild.org/issues/chemical-pop/mercury/" target="_blank">heavy metals</a> and autism. Several studies show more porphyrins (chemical compounds that increase in the blood in response to heavy metal toxicity) are found in the blood of autistic children following chelation than in typical children, suggesting autistic children retain heavy metals rather than excrete them. <a href="http://healthychild.org/issues/chemical-pop/mercury/" target="_blank">Chelation</a> is a conventional, yet controversial, medical treatment that uses a drug such as dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) to extract heavy metals from the body. Re-categorized by some as a questionable holistic biomedical treatment, DMSA remains one of the oldest drugs (around since the 1950s) used as an antidote for heavy metal poisoning.</p>
<p><strong>Glutathione</strong></p>
<p>Other research identifies biological factors that may contribute to autism, and one is the important antioxidant called glutathione. Glutathione is critical in the body for excreting heavy metals because it binds to metals in the body and eases elimination. A pioneering study in 2004, led by Jill James, Ph.D. of the Arkansas School of Medicine, showed autistic children had significantly less glutathione levels than children without autism. Low glutathione increases oxidative stress in the body, and James explains that an, “<em>…increased vulnerability to oxidative stress (endogenous or environmental) may contribute to the development and clinical manifestations of autism.</em>” James proposes some children are genetically predisposed to low glutathione levels, which may make this subset of children susceptible to heavy metal toxicity and display symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of autism. More than ever, heavy metals are found today in a variety of consumer products such as pesticides, furniture, food, children’s toys, and vaccinations.</p>
<p><strong>Antibiotics</strong></p>
<p>Beside the combination of high heavy metals and low glutathione found in their bodies, autistic children also often have a history of <a href="http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/antibiotics_for_treating_illness_not_for_increasing_food_production/" target="_blank">antibiotic use</a> and gut dysbiosis. A study by Adams, et al, looked at the medical history of children with autism and found they were much more likely to have been given multiple rounds of oral antibiotics as infants, mostly due to increased ear infections. What makes high heavy metals, low glutathione, and the addition of antibiotics a bad mix? The studies author explains, “<em>Oral antibiotics in rats have been shown to greatly decrease the rate of excretion of mercury. So the half-life for excretion goes from 10 days to 100 days in rats on oral antibiotics.</em>” Belli adds, “That toxicity—whether in the form of vaccines, fish, dental amalgams, air pollution, tainted water or other environmental toxins—might provide the “toxic tipping point” to render a child autistic.”</p>
<p><strong>What Can You Do?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Learn</strong>. Rates of children diagnosed with autism continue to climb steadily, from 1 in 10,000 children in the 1980’s, to 1 in 500, to 1 in 250, to 1 in 150. Today, autism affects 1 in 100 children, 1 in every 58 boys, and shows absolutely no sign of slowing. As stated earlier, money and politics play an important role in the type of research conducted.</p>
<p>While we wait for conclusive research that points to autism‘s causes, and watch as government and political bodies debate the issue, it is recommended that parents:</p>
<p>• <em>Research all consumer products purchased for or used near children including cleaners, pesticides, toys, furniture, carpeting, food, and vaccinations.<br />
• Review the benefits of these products, read the package labels and inserts, and pay special attention to all the risks.<br />
• Regardless of whether or not your child has autism, find a health practitioner who has not only reviewed research on genetics, but who also has personally read and evaluated the research on chemical toxicity. If he or she has not taken the time to read it for themselves, find another practitioner.<br />
• Be sure to discuss your evaluation, ideas and thoughts with your practitioner.</em></p>
<p>Ultimately, a parent’s own thorough research, in consultation with a health professional, is the best defense against autism.</p>
<p><strong>Jackie Lombardo is a member of the Sierra Club&#8217;s National  Toxics Committee and on the Board of Directors for <a href="http://safeminds.org/" target="_blank">Safeminds.org</a>.  She is  also founder of <em><a href="http://nontoxicchildhood.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Non-toxic Childhood</a> </em>and involved in national  projects stressing education, precaution and strong legislation  protecting public health through comprehensive chemical policy reform.</strong></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Healthy Child Healthy World is<span> a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inspiring parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals. Learn more at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://healthychild.org/" target="_blank">HealthyChild.org</a></span></em><br />
<h3 class='related_post_title'>Related Posts:</h3>
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</ul>
<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/19/the-explosion-of-autism/">The Explosion of Autism</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Hank D and the Bee: Green for a Day</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/18/hank-d-and-the-bee-green-for-a-day/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/18/hank-d-and-the-bee-green-for-a-day/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:13:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joe Mohr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cartoon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hank D and the Bee]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=7421</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Follow Joe at JoeMohrToons.com and on Twitter at @GreenCartoons&#8230;
Related Posts:

Hank D and the Bee: Monsanto Sending Bees to Jail
Hank D and the Bee: Waterless Shower
Hank D and the Bee: Bee&#8217;s Blood
Hank D and the Bee: Carbon Sequestration
Hank D and the Bee: Bee Doesn&#8217;t Feel Right

Hank D and the Bee: Green for a Day is a [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/18/hank-d-and-the-bee-green-for-a-day/">Hank D and the Bee: Green for a Day</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><img src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/HDB16ecp.jpg" alt="HDB16ecp" width="440" height="346" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7422" /><br />
Follow Joe at <a href="http://joemohrtoons.com/">JoeMohrToons.com</a> and on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/GreenCartoons">@GreenCartoons</a>&#8230;<br />
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<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/04/hank-d-and-the-bee-waterless-shower/' title='Hank D and the Bee: Waterless Shower'>Hank D and the Bee: Waterless Shower</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/02/18/hank-d-and-the-bee-bees-blood/' title='Hank D and the Bee: Bee&#8217;s Blood'>Hank D and the Bee: Bee&#8217;s Blood</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/02/04/hank-d-and-the-bee-carbon-sequestration/' title='Hank D and the Bee: Carbon Sequestration'>Hank D and the Bee: Carbon Sequestration</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/01/21/hank-d-and-the-bee-bee-doesnt-feel-right/' title='Hank D and the Bee: Bee Doesn&#8217;t Feel Right'>Hank D and the Bee: Bee Doesn&#8217;t Feel Right</a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/18/hank-d-and-the-bee-green-for-a-day/">Hank D and the Bee: Green for a Day</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Teaching Elsie to Hug: A Lesson in Educating Our Children</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/17/teaching-elsie-to-hug-a-lesson-in-educating-our-children/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/17/teaching-elsie-to-hug-a-lesson-in-educating-our-children/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:41:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jennifer Lance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=7418</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Editor’s Note: We are honored to publish the following guest post  by Zoe Weil.   Zoe is the President of the Institute  for Humane Education (IHE) and author of Above All, Be  Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times and Most Good,  Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/17/teaching-elsie-to-hug-a-lesson-in-educating-our-children/">Teaching Elsie to Hug: A Lesson in Educating Our Children</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><em><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-7419" title="elsiehug" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/elsiehug.jpg" alt="elsiehug" width="250" height="188" />Editor’s Note: We are honored to publish the following guest post  by <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: #fe410c;" href="http://zoeweil.com/2010/01/15/critiquing-educational-initiatives-instead-of-exploring-fundamental-questions-about-the-purpose-of-schooling/" target="_blank">Zoe Weil</a>.   Zoe is the President of the Institute  for <a href="../www.HumaneEducation.org" target="_blank">Humane Education</a> (IHE) </em><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: #fe410c;" href="http://www.humaneeducation.org/"><em></em></a><em>and author of </em><em><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: #fe410c;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0865714932?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=ecochildsplay-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0865714932"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Above All, Be  Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times</span></a> </em><em>and </em><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: #fe410c;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582702063?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=ecochildsplay-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1582702063"><em><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Most Good,  Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life</span></em></a>.</p>
<p>I’ve been training our new dog, Elsie. At first I thought she was a  genius because she learned “down” after two tries. But the truth is  she’s probably of average dog intelligence. She hasn’t, for example,  learned not to pee and poop in the house (although her preferred spot is  in the bathroom, which should count for something).</p>
<p><span id="more-7418"></span></p>
<p>Her new “trick” is giving me a hug (see photo). She learned this in  two tries, too. This is how it works: I crouch down and ask her to sit,  and then I put my hands in front of her and say, “Elsie, give me a hug,”  whereupon she immediately (I mean really, really fast!) sits up and  wraps her paws around my wrists. Seriously cute.</p>
<p>But if I’m honest, I didn’t really teach Elsie this. Instead, I  rewarded her for doing what she wanted to do (give me a hug) and molded  her behavior through treats so that “hug” meant sitting up and wrapping  her paws around my wrists rather than jumping up on me and pawing any  which way she wanted while she licked my face. It’s much harder to teach  her things she doesn’t want to learn, like not peeing and pooping in  the house or coming to me when it means leaving behind uneaten pears  under the pear tree (no wonder she poops five times a day!).</p>
<p>What does this have to do with topics I normally write about, like  MOGO living and humane education? A lot.</p>
<p>Thirty-one years ago I interviewed at colleges, and I remember in  particular my interview at the University of Pennsylvania. The  interviewer asked me if I had any questions about Penn. I know you’re  supposed to have questions, but I didn’t. So I said I didn’t have any  questions, but I wanted to tell him just how excited I was about Penn  because on the trip down I was going through the course catalog (the  size of a city phone book!), and I couldn’t believe just how many  courses were offered. I wasn’t just sucking up; I meant it. There was so  much to learn at this big university. Now, in retrospect, I know that  only about 20% of those courses would have been of interest to me. The  rest would have left me bored, frustrated, daydreaming or anxiety-ridden  by work that didn’t come at all naturally.</p>
<p>Like Elsie, it’s easy, rewarding, and pleasurable to learn what  engages us and already comes fairly naturally. So why do we so often  force students to learn so much that is painstakingly miserable for them  through teaching styles that don’t come close to matching their  learning styles? Why don’t we do as they do in other countries and allow  young people to specialize much sooner, veering toward the arts and  letters or science and math? I think we don’t do this because we believe  that it’s important for every eighteen-year-old to be able to do  algebra and geometry; understand chemistry, physics and biology; write a  good, well-thought out and cogently-argued five paragraph essay, and  know basic historical information. And frankly, though some who read  this blog may be surprised by this, I think this is a good thing. Just  as I think it would have been a good thing for me to take an occasional  finance or engineering course at Penn. There are things worth learning  whether they are easy for or seemingly interesting to us.</p>
<p>But we must be careful that we do not bore or intimidate our children  or crush their love of learning. I think it’s a travesty when we do  this, and we do it all the time. We’ve skewed the ratio of forced,  unpleasant dumping of information to engaging elicitation of knowledge  and new skills such that too many kids hate school, which too often  translates in their own minds into hating learning. This is so sad it  makes me want to cry. Every teenager should look at a big university’s  course catalog enthralled by the opportunities to learn.</p>
<p>Elsie needs to learn to stay and to come. She doesn’t much like doing  either at times (unless coming to me means a treat better than fresh  pears), but she must learn it. But stay and come get interspersed  between the hugs she loves so that the gestalt of her “education” is  positive, and she jumps up and runs to me at the opportunity for  learning new “tricks.”</p>
<p>Let’s do this with our kids.</p>
<p>~ Zoe<br />
<h3 class='related_post_title'>Related Posts:</h3>
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</ul>
<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/17/teaching-elsie-to-hug-a-lesson-in-educating-our-children/">Teaching Elsie to Hug: A Lesson in Educating Our Children</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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		<title>Recipes for Kids:  Organic Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/16/recipes-for-kids-organic-vegan-mexican-hot-chocolate/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/16/recipes-for-kids-organic-vegan-mexican-hot-chocolate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:19:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jennifer Lance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food and Recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hot chocolate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kid recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids cooking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mexican hot chocolate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recipe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vegan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vegetarian]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=7414</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I remember as a child experimenting in the kitchen with recipes and concocting my own. It takes a special parent to allow children free reign in the kitchen, as the results can be disastrous, but the experimentation and wonderful ideas that result are worth the risk.  My daughter loves to cook, and we have [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/16/recipes-for-kids-organic-vegan-mexican-hot-chocolate/">Recipes for Kids:  Organic Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><div id="attachment_7415" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 240px">
	Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawhead/3914579654/" target="_blank">rawheadrex</a><img class="size-medium wp-image-7415 " title="cocoakid" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/cocoakid-300x199.jpg" alt="Mexican chocolate is easy for kids to make" width="240" height="159" />
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Mexican chocolate is easy for kids to make</p>
</div>
<p>I remember as a child experimenting in the kitchen with recipes and concocting my own. It takes a special parent to allow children free reign in the kitchen, as the results can be disastrous, but the experimentation and wonderful ideas that result are worth the risk.  My daughter loves to cook, and we have purchased several <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/08/22/kids-vegetarian-cooking-organic-button-cupcakes/">kids cookbooks</a> for her.  One of her favorite recipes (and a family favorite too) is adapted from <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/19/ethnic-cookbooks-for-kids-traveling-the-world-one-recipe-at-a-time/" target="_blank">Handstand Kids</a>.   I just love the fact that she can make this all by herself!</p>
<p><span id="more-7414"></span></p>
<h3>Mexican Hot Chocolate</h3>
<p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>1 cup organic dark or semi-sweet chocolate (or use sweetened cocoa powder in a pinch)</li>
<li>4 cups organic soymilk</li>
<li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon organic cinnamon</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Instructions</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Melt the chocolate in double boiler (we don&#8217;t own a microwave)</li>
<li>Heat milk on medium-low heat</li>
<li>Add chocolate to warm milk and whisk</li>
<li>Add in the spices</li>
<li>Serve!</li>
</ul>
<p>My daughter loves to experiment with spices and has added nutmeg, cayenne, and allspice with success.<br />
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<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/14/vegan-thanksgiving-holiday-recipes-organic-homemade-cranberry-sauce/' title='Vegan Thanksgiving Holiday Recipes:  Organic Homemade Cranberry Sauce'>Vegan Thanksgiving Holiday Recipes:  Organic Homemade Cranberry Sauce</a></li>
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<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/06/13/vegan-kid-friendly-recipes-super-easy-cucumber-and-pumpernickel-bread-hors-doeuvres/' title='Vegan Kid-Friendly Recipes:  Super Easy Cucumber and Pumpernickel Bread Hors d&#8217;Oeuvres'>Vegan Kid-Friendly Recipes:  Super Easy Cucumber and Pumpernickel Bread Hors d&#8217;Oeuvres</a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/16/recipes-for-kids-organic-vegan-mexican-hot-chocolate/">Recipes for Kids:  Organic Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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		<title>NJ Councilwoman Breastfeeds Baby During Meeting</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/15/nj-councilwoman-breastfeeds-baby-during-meeting/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/15/nj-councilwoman-breastfeeds-baby-during-meeting/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:51:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jennifer Lance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Baby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[breastfeeding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[La Leche League]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Jersey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public breastfeeding]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=7410</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have been to plenty of meetings where women in the audience breastfed their babies, but New Jersey councilwoman Larissa Chen-Hoerning took it one step further.  Chen-Hoerning breastfed her six-week-old baby during a public meeting.  NJ.com explains:
Near the end of the meeting, 3rd Ward Councilwoman Larissa Chen-Hoerning brought her 6-week-old son, Enzo, onto [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/15/nj-councilwoman-breastfeeds-baby-during-meeting/">NJ Councilwoman Breastfeeds Baby During Meeting</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><div id="attachment_7411" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 225px">
	Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/307400097/" target="_blank">blmurch</a><img class="size-medium wp-image-7411" title="motherandchildren" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/motherandchildren-225x300.jpg" alt="NJ councilwoman breastfeeds during public meeting" width="225" height="300" />
	<p class="wp-caption-text">NJ councilwoman breastfeeds during public meeting</p>
</div>
<p>I have been to plenty of meetings where women in the audience breastfed their babies, but New Jersey councilwoman Larissa Chen-Hoerning took it one step further.  Chen-Hoerning breastfed her six-week-old baby during a public meeting.  <a href="http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/03/councilwoman_nurses_baby_at_ro.html">NJ.com</a> explains:</p>
<blockquote><p>Near the end of the meeting, 3rd Ward Councilwoman Larissa Chen-Hoerning brought her 6-week-old son, Enzo, onto the dais with her and began to breastfeed him while the council debated an ordinance regulating overnight truck parking on borough streets.<br />
Chen-Hoerning said that she doesn’t think the act of nursing her baby, discreetly shielded from view by the desk in front of her, should be stigmatized as dirty or shameful.<br />
“I want to help women say ‘Someone else is out there breastfeeding, and maybe it’s OK to do,’” Chen-Hoerning said last week.</p></blockquote>
<p><span id="more-7410"></span></p>
<p>This really shouldn&#8217;t be news, but in today&#8217;s climate where <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/02/24/before-and-after-breastfeeding-and-your-boobs-someone-please-tell-kendra-wilkinson/" target="_blank">breastfeeding</a> is still viewed as something that should be done covertly, I applaud the councilwoman for taking care of her baby while fulfilling her civic duty.  La Leche League International spokeswoman Loretta McCallister told <a href="http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/03/councilwoman_nurses_baby_at_ro.html">NJ.com</a> that she had &#8220;never heard of an elected official like Chen-Hoerning breastfeeding her baby while conducting official business at a public meeting&#8221;.  Chen-Hoerning also wears her baby at council meetings.<br />
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<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/15/nj-councilwoman-breastfeeds-baby-during-meeting/">NJ Councilwoman Breastfeeds Baby During Meeting</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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		<title>Hank D and the Bee: Monsanto Sending Bees to Jail</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/11/hank-d-and-the-bee-monsanto-sending-bees-to-jail/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/11/hank-d-and-the-bee-monsanto-sending-bees-to-jail/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:13:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joe Mohr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Other Environmental Topics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cartoon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GE food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GMOs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hank D and th]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hank D and the Bee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Monsanto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pollen]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=7404</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Millions Against Monsanto Campaign
Say No to GMOs!
Follow Joe&#8217;s cartoonery at JoeMohrToons.com and on Twitter at @GreenCartoons.
Related Posts:

Hank D and the Bee: Bee&#8217;s Blood
Hank D and the Bee: Bee Doesn&#8217;t Feel Right
Hank D and the Bee: The Favor
Hank D and the Bee: Green for a Day
Hank D and the Bee: Waterless Shower

Hank D and the Bee: [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/11/hank-d-and-the-bee-monsanto-sending-bees-to-jail/">Hank D and the Bee: Monsanto Sending Bees to Jail</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><img src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/HDB14ecp.jpg" alt="HDB14ecp" width="440" height="336" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7408" /><br />
<a href="http://www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.cfm">Millions Against Monsanto Campaign</a><br />
<a href="http://www.saynotogmos.org/ud2006/usept06.php#confused">Say No to GMOs!</a><br />
Follow Joe&#8217;s cartoonery at <a href="http://joemohrtoons.com/">JoeMohrToons.com</a> and on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/GreenCartoons">@GreenCartoons</a>.</p>
<h3 class='related_post_title'>Related Posts:</h3>
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<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/01/21/hank-d-and-the-bee-bee-doesnt-feel-right/' title='Hank D and the Bee: Bee Doesn&#8217;t Feel Right'>Hank D and the Bee: Bee Doesn&#8217;t Feel Right</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/12/31/hank-d-and-the-bee-the-favor/' title='Hank D and the Bee: The Favor'>Hank D and the Bee: The Favor</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/18/hank-d-and-the-bee-green-for-a-day/' title='Hank D and the Bee: Green for a Day'>Hank D and the Bee: Green for a Day</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/04/hank-d-and-the-bee-waterless-shower/' title='Hank D and the Bee: Waterless Shower'>Hank D and the Bee: Waterless Shower</a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/11/hank-d-and-the-bee-monsanto-sending-bees-to-jail/">Hank D and the Bee: Monsanto Sending Bees to Jail</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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		<title>NIH to Recommend VBACs:  Vaginal Birth After Cesarean</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/10/nih-to-recommend-vbacs-vaginal-birth-after-cesarean/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/10/nih-to-recommend-vbacs-vaginal-birth-after-cesarean/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:41:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jennifer Lance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Baby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pregnancy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=7378</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[









I have many friends and family members that have delivered their first babies via Cesarean surgery.  Subsequent births were scheduled c-sections; the mothers were given no choice in the matter. Only one of these women actually experienced a vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) delivery, and that was because she went into labor before her scheduled surgery. [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/10/nih-to-recommend-vbacs-vaginal-birth-after-cesarean/">NIH to Recommend VBACs:  Vaginal Birth After Cesarean</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><img class="size-full wp-image-7379 alignleft" title="vbac" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/vbac.gif" alt="vbac" width="491" height="360" /><br />
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I have many friends and family members that have delivered their first babies via Cesarean surgery.  Subsequent births were scheduled c-sections; the mothers were given no choice in the matter. Only one of these women actually experienced a vaginal birth after Cesarean (<a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/06/25/labor-of-love-my-vaginal-birth-after-a-cesarean-section-vbac/" target="_blank">VBAC</a>) delivery, and that was because she went into labor before her scheduled surgery.  The idea that once a Cesarean always a Cesarean is changing, as international experts agree labor should be attempted by all women.  The question is&#8230;will US insurance companies allow women to try?</p>
<p><span id="more-7378"></span></p>
<p>According to <a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-46814320100310">Reuters India</a>, experts told the <a href="http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/vbac.htm" target="_blank">National Institute of Health (NIH)</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>The experts cited &#8220;rigorous research&#8221; showing that at least trying natural labour is successful in nearly 75 percent of cases, and women are less likely to die if they are allowed to labour naturally for a while, even if they end up delivering surgically.</p>
<p>&#8220;Declining vaginal birth after Caesarean rates and increasing Caesarean delivery rates over the last 15 years would seem to indicate that planned repeat Caesarean delivery is preferable to a trial of labour,&#8221; Dr. F. Gary Cunningham, chairman of the NIH expert panel, said in a statement.</p>
<p>&#8220;But the currently available evidence suggests a very different picture: a trial of labour is worth considering and may be preferable for many women,&#8221; added Cunningham, the chairman of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre at Dallas.</p></blockquote>
<p>Statistically, 40 percent of C-sections in the US occur in women with previous surgical births.  Many doctors and insurance companies fear previous incisions will burst during labor; however, this occurs in only one percent of VBACs.</p>
<p>A <a href="http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/vbacstatement.htm" target="_blank">draft statement on VBACs by the NIH</a> is suppose to be released tonight.  It is expected they will recommend all women be given a chance at vaginal birth no matter past labor experiences.  In the structured abstract for <em>Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: New Insights</em>, <a href="http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/vbacuptp.htm">Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality</a>, part of the US Department of Health 7 Human Services, concludes:</p>
<blockquote><p>Each year 1.5 million childbearing women have cesarean deliveries, and this population continues to increase. This report adds stronger evidence that VBAC is a reasonable and safe choice for the majority of women with prior cesarean. Moreover, there is emerging evidence of serious harms relating to multiple cesareans. Relatively unexamined contextual factors such as medical liability, economics, hospital structure, and staffing may need to be addressed to prioritize VBAC services.</p></blockquote>
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<ul class='related_post'>
<li>No Related Posts</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/10/nih-to-recommend-vbacs-vaginal-birth-after-cesarean/">NIH to Recommend VBACs:  Vaginal Birth After Cesarean</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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		<title>Nice Versus Kind</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/08/nice-versus-kind/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/08/nice-versus-kind/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:53:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jennifer Lance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[character]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kindness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[niceness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zoe Weil]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=7372</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Editor’s Note: We are honored to publish the following guest post by Zoe Weil.   Zoe is the President of the Institute for Humane Education (IHE) and author of Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times and Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life.
What’s the [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/08/nice-versus-kind/">Nice Versus Kind</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><img class="size-full wp-image-7373 alignleft" title="aboveall175" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/aboveall175.jpg" alt="aboveall175" width="150" height="225" /><em>Editor’s Note: We are honored to publish the following guest post by <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: #fe410c;" href="http://zoeweil.com/2010/01/15/critiquing-educational-initiatives-instead-of-exploring-fundamental-questions-about-the-purpose-of-schooling/" target="_blank">Zoe Weil</a>.   Zoe is the President of the Institute for <a href="www.HumaneEducation.org" target="_blank">Humane Education</a> (IHE) </em><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: #fe410c;" href="http://www.humaneeducation.org/"><em></em></a><em>and author of </em><em><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: #fe410c;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0865714932?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=ecochildsplay-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0865714932"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times</span></a> </em><em>and </em><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: #fe410c;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582702063?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=ecochildsplay-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1582702063"><em><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life</span></em></a>.</p>
<p>What’s the difference between niceness and kindness?</p>
<p>To me, niceness is pleasant but a bit anemic, lacking depth and character. It’s not something to strive for or cultivate in any powerful way, unlike kindness, which is worthy of our full attention and the dedication of our lives.</p>
<p><span id="more-7372"></span></p>
<p>Being kind is a daily practice, not a static quality like niceness can be. While the nice person may avoid a conflict and not tell a hard truth, someone who is kind will search for the right words to share what may not be pleasant, but which may be helpful and loving.</p>
<p>I recently finished the novel, <em>Olive Kittredge</em> (which I highly recommend). Olive is definitely not nice. But sometimes she is profoundly kind. In one chapter, Olive meets a young anorexic woman, and her eyes brim with tears as she speaks truth to this young woman and ensures her care by calling her mother and helping her get treatment. Others had simply been nice to her.</p>
<p>Kindness differs from niceness in another way as well. Niceness is generally perceived as a proximal quality. We are nice to others with whom we come in contact. Kindness is both proximal and expansive. To be truly kind, we must make choices in our lives that do the most good and least harm to all those our decisions affect, no matter how scattered across the globe. This includes making decisions about our work, activism, and participation in democracy — as well as our lifestyle and dietary choices — with the good of all in mind. In an interconnected world, making such decisions requires daily attention. Being kind not only means helping a friend in need, but also supporting a stranger across the ocean whose life may be affected by your product choices, and bringing our talents to bear on solving systemic problems that perpetuate harm and destruction. Nice people don’t necessarily take all these factors into consideration. Kind people do.</p>
<p>Nice people are common, which is… nice. Truly kind people are relatively rare, largely because it takes such commitment, knowledge, and skill to be deeply, consistently kind. Kindness is hard work, but I’ve come to believe it’s the most important work of all. Will our children be successful? Do well at school? Will we get that coveted position and raise? Will we be able to take that desired vacation? We want these things so much, and we strive for them. Would that we would strive so diligently for kindness! Would that every parent would want their children to be kind above all else. Instead of telling our children to be nice, we need to give them the knowledge, tools, and motivation to be genuinely, persistently kind.</p>
<p>~ Zoe Weil<br />
<h3 class='related_post_title'>Related Posts:</h3>
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<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/02/22/critiquing-educational-initiatives-instead-of-exploring-fundamental-questions-about-the-purpose-of-schooling/' title='Critiquing Educational Initiatives Instead of Exploring Fundamental Questions About the Purpose of Schooling'>Critiquing Educational Initiatives Instead of Exploring Fundamental Questions About the Purpose of Schooling</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/08/19/free-and-paid-online-games-for-the-aware-child-woogi-world/' title='Free and Paid Online Games For the Aware Child: Woogi World'>Free and Paid Online Games For the Aware Child: Woogi World</a></li>
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<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/02/04/idling-during-school-pick-up-bad-for-kids-earth/' title='Idling During School Pick Up Bad for Kids, Earth'>Idling During School Pick Up Bad for Kids, Earth</a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/08/nice-versus-kind/">Nice Versus Kind</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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		<title>5 Green Products:  Seaweed Snacks to Organic Literate Jammies</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/05/5-green-products-seaweed-snacks-to-organic-literate-jammies/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/05/5-green-products-seaweed-snacks-to-organic-literate-jammies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:31:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jennifer Lance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children's Books & Literature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clothing & Fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dads]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food and Recipes]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[poetry]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[seaweed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sleepwear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teriyaki]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toddlers]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[1.  Yamamotoyama Seaweed Snack Chips Teriyaki
We discovered these seaweed snacks at a health food store in Mt. Shasta, CA.  My kids love to just snack on full sheets of nori, but these small snack size bites are perfect for munching in the car and packing in school lunches.
Nori has traditionally been eaten in [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/05/5-green-products-seaweed-snacks-to-organic-literate-jammies/">5 Green Products:  Seaweed Snacks to Organic Literate Jammies</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><h3><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7363" title="seaweedsnacks" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/seaweedsnacks-150x150.jpg" alt="seaweedsnacks" width="150" height="150" />1.  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KUOFLY?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=ecochildsplay-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B001KUOFLY">Yamamotoyama Seaweed Snack Chips Teriyaki</a></h3>
<p>We discovered these seaweed snacks at a health food store in Mt. Shasta, CA.  My kids love to just snack on <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2007/05/20/seaweed-snack-for-your-children/" target="_blank">full sheets of nori</a>, but these small snack size bites are perfect for munching in the car and packing in school lunches.</p>
<blockquote><p>Nori has traditionally been eaten in Asian cultures.  It can be used for Sushi, rice balls, topping on noodles, salads, pasta, and rice dishes.  Nori is a valuable nutrition source filled with proteins, vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, and zinc which are necessary components for maintaining good health.</p></blockquote>
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<p>These &#8220;chips&#8221; just kind of melt in your mouth, and the teriyaki flavoring is not too strong for my kids. ﻿﻿</p>
<p><strong>Would I buy this product?</strong> Yes.  I wish I could find them in a local health food store, and I will be stocking up on our next ski trip to Shasta.</p>
<h3><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-7364" title="pediped" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/pediped-150x150.jpg" alt="pediped" width="150" height="150" />2.  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038PFM2A?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=ecochildsplay-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0038PFM2A">Pediped Originals Infant/ Toddler Ella Cork Sandal Ella</a></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26rs%3D%26ref_%3Dsr%5Fpg%5F1%26keywords%3Dpediped%26qid%3D1267754381%26rh%3Di%253Aaps%252Ck%253Apediped%26page%3D1&amp;tag=ecochildsplay-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957">Pediped</a> makes adorable shoes for little walkers. Considered &#8220;the next best thing to bare feet&#8221;, flexible soles and uppers are recommended by pediatricians.</p>
<blockquote><p>COMFORT: pediped footwear are made with premium, non-toxic, ECO grade leather throughout. Foam insoles &amp; cushions provide for a comfortable fit and the heels are padded to absorb shock. pediped simply offer the ultimate in comfort and protection&#8230;&#8230;QUALITY : pediped footwear&#8217;s unsurpassed quality and craftsmanship have earned them a loyal following. Premium grade leather, distinctive styling and remarkable attention to detail have resulted in a truly exceptional shoe. pediped footwear have caught the attention of parents, grandparents and celebrities alike&#8230;. pediped footwear is recommended by podiatrists The American Podiatric Medical Association says, &#8220;Allowing the youngster to go barefoot or to wear just socks helps the foot to grow normally and to develop its musculature and strength as well as the grasping action of the toes&#8221; .</p></blockquote>
<p>I don&#8217;t know what &#8220;ECO grade leather&#8221; is, and I could not find information on the company&#8217;s website. I do know these shoes smelled strongly when I took them out of the box, which I do find concerning.  They say they are nontoxic, but I am not sure what is outgassing.</p>
<p><strong>Would I buy this product?</strong> Maybe. They cost $32, which I do not think is too much for toddler shoes that are good for little feet.  Toddlers don&#8217;t need many pairs of shoes. What does concern me is the odor&#8230;I would be sure to let these shoes sit in fresh air for quite sometime before putting on little feet.</p>
<h3><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7366" title="Screen shot 2010-03-04 at 6.37.48 PM" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-shot-2010-03-04-at-6.37.48-PM.png" alt="Screen shot 2010-03-04 at 6.37.48 PM" width="368" height="203" />3.  <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/istorytime-kids-book-the-surf/id334480334?mt=8" target="_blank">&#8220;Surf Ace of the Sun&#8221; iStoryTime by Joe Mohr</a></h3>
<p>Joe Mohr&#8217;s <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/04/hank-d-and-the-bee-waterless-shower/" target="_blank">Hank D and the Bee</a> cartoons are a regular Thursday feature here on Eco Child&#8217;s Play. &#8220;Surf Ace of the Sun&#8221; features three original Joe Mohr cartoons with an environmental theme:  &#8220;Surf Ace of the Sun&#8221;, &#8216;The Newt on my Boot Asked Me not to Pollute&#8221;, and &#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t it be Nice?&#8221;  I don&#8217;t want to give away the stories, but you will enjoy their cadence, narration, and illustrations.  MusicBoatGuy&#8217;s review states:</p>
<blockquote><p>I love the enviornmental [sic] message. My daughter loves it &#8211; and i love what it is teaching her. A steal at 0.99. great drawings, great narration. Perfect for the car. And it includes surfing to boot.</p></blockquote>
<p>My daughter really liked these poems, and I think she felt a little inspired. I wonder if kids can create stories for iPhones?</p>
<p><strong>Would I buy this product?</strong> Yes. This is a great deal at $0.99, and I am a big fan Joe Mohr!  Of course, there is some concern about cell phone radiation with children and iPhones; however, children don&#8217;t hold the gadget by their heads to view/listen/read the poems, and the phone is not transmitting as it would be when talking.  Viewing this app probably falls near the <a href="http://greenlivingideas.com/topics/technology/iphone-3g-droid-radiation-smartphone-emit" target="_blank">low end of radiation on an iPhone</a>, and it doesn&#8217;t take that long to go through all of the poems.</p>
<h3><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7367" title="stasafe-bottle" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/stasafe-bottle-150x150.jpg" alt="stasafe-bottle" width="150" height="150" />4.  <a href="http://stasafesanitizer.com/" target="_blank">staSAFE All Natural Hand Sanitizer and Protector</a></h3>
<p>The flu is rampant right now in our school because one irresponsible parent brought her sick child to school (101.2 fever) when she had to work.   My son topped out at 102.8 today, and I have been accused of being a &#8220;germaphobe&#8221; this week.</p>
<p>We&#8217;ve reviewed a lot of <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2007/12/31/natural-hand-sanitizer-that-is-safe-for-children/" target="_blank">natural hand sanitizers</a> in the past, but staSAFE is the first all natural, alcohol free hand sanitizer advertising &#8220;ongoing&#8221; protection for hours.</p>
<blockquote><p>staSAFE is made with Argenius,™ a unique formulation of natural ingredients proven to kill 99.9% of common germs.<br />
Our formula requires no environmental or health warnings on the label. The ingredients in staSAFE are safe, long acting, non-toxic and moisturizing. Our products are never tested on animals and don’t contain parabens, phthalates, formaldehydes, or steroids.</p></blockquote>
<p>staSafe works by using a silver-zinc complex to &#8220;coat&#8221; your hands. After rubbing in for 30 seconds, your hands smell good and feel soft.  My concern is with the silver. I could not find any info on if this was indeed <a href="http://greenlivingideas.com/topics/health-and-fitness/beware-silver-nanoparticles-consumer-products" target="_self">silver nanoparticles</a> as I suspect.</p>
<p><strong>Would I buy this product?</strong> Maybe. I just don&#8217;t know about the silver, I don&#8217;t know the price, but I like that it offers lasting protection from bacteria.</p>
<h3><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-7368" title="newjammies" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/newjammies-150x150.jpg" alt="newjammies" width="150" height="150" />5.  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026HRRLA?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=ecochildsplay-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0026HRRLA">New Jammies Fruits &amp; Veggies Peas PJ&#8217;s</a></h3>
<p>Organic jammies are the best!  My kids spend more time in their pajamas than any other item of clothing, so we try to buy organic whenever possible.</p>
<blockquote><p>Imagine as a parent having the tools to make your child happy and healthy.  New Jammies provides these tools by making bed time fun, healthy, and educational.   Each time your child steps into a pair of New Jammies, the colorful patterns will teach your child about the things that are good for them such as fresh fruits and vegetables.</p>
<p>What could be sweeter for a bedtime snack than a delicious apple treat for the &#8220;apple of your eye&#8221;.  Your child will happily march off to bed with dreams of bananas, blueberries &amp; peas in their head.   New Jammies are good for your child, made of 100% natural organic cotton, and hey they look darn cute in them too!!!</p></blockquote>
<p>New Jammies make delightfully soft sleepwear, and our set came with a book.  Although I found the story annoying, as each fruit or vegetable in the story competes to the best, I do like the pretty peas please jammies.</p>
<p><strong>Would I buy this product?</strong> Maybe.  I hate to say no, but I think they are overpriced at $30, but I love organic jammies.</p>
<p>Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples, unless noted differently in the review. 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.<br />
<h3 class='related_post_title'>Related Posts:</h3>
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<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2007/05/22/the-controversy-around-juice/' title='The Controversy Around Juice'>The Controversy Around Juice</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2007/04/28/have-you-met-the-muffin-man/' title='Have You Met the Muffin Man?'>Have You Met the Muffin Man?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2007/02/09/dont-panic-its-organic/' title='Don&#8217;t Panic, It&#8217;s Organic'>Don&#8217;t Panic, It&#8217;s Organic</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/06/09/green-childrens-literature-go-out-go-out/' title='Green Children&#8217;s Literature:  Go Out!  Go Out!'>Green Children&#8217;s Literature:  Go Out!  Go Out!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/03/16/pizza-party-its-easy-yummy-healthy-and-homemade/' title='Pizza Party!  It&#8217;s Easy, Yummy, Healthy and&#8230; Homemade??'>Pizza Party!  It&#8217;s Easy, Yummy, Healthy and&#8230; Homemade??</a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/05/5-green-products-seaweed-snacks-to-organic-literate-jammies/">5 Green Products:  Seaweed Snacks to Organic Literate Jammies</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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		<title>New Study to Link Environmental Chemicals with Autism</title>
		<link>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/04/new-study-to-link-environmental-chemicals-with-autism/</link>
		<comments>http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/04/new-study-to-link-environmental-chemicals-with-autism/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:39:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Healthy Child Healthy World</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[If prevention is, in fact, the best medicine, then we need to pay much closer attention to the role chemicals in the environment play in the rise of disease, related health care costs, and human suffering.

In last week&#8217;s New York Times, Nicholas Kristof highlights the issue in his column &#8220;Do Toxins Cause Autism?&#8221;
As a new [...]<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/04/new-study-to-link-environmental-chemicals-with-autism/">New Study to Link Environmental Chemicals with Autism</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-7358" src="http://ecochildsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/Hands-300x216.jpg" alt="Hands" width="300" height="216" />If prevention is, in fact, the best medicine, then we need to pay much closer attention to the role chemicals in the environment play in the rise of disease, related health care costs, and human suffering.</p>
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<p>In last week&#8217;s <em>New York Times,</em> Nicholas Kristof highlights the issue in his column &#8220;<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/opinion/25kristof.html?em" target="_self">Do Toxins Cause Autism</a>?&#8221;</p>
<p>As a new parent I can tell you: that is an attention grabbing headline. But if you read the column, you will see that scientists and the medical community are paying attention to this area of inquiry for very real reasons. Policy makers and parents need to be paying attention, too &#8212; parents because children are particularly vulnerable to toxic chemicals &#8212; and policy makers because evidence that harmful chemicals are contributing to disease suggests prevention imperatives that need to be a part of the health care debate.</p>
<p><strong>Policy makers and parents need to be paying attention, and soon they will be.</strong></p>
<p>Right now the growth in awareness and concern about the connections between environmental toxins and childhood disease is steady but relatively incremental. But a convergence of factors is about to change that and supercharge the level of attention to the issue &#8212; Kristof touches on a couple in his article.</p>
<p>The dramatic increase in incidents of diseases, like Autism, with no known cause has parents (and people thinking about becoming parents) exceptionally anxious and desperately searching for answers. For today&#8217;s parent there is a new layer to responding to a child&#8217;s unusual behavioral episodes: we wonder, &#8220;is this just normal behavior, or should I be concerned?&#8221; I hear a lot of that. I&#8217;ve thought it.</p>
<p>But parents aren&#8217;t just worrying, they are also connecting &#8212; online. Online readers know that the new reality is that new information &#8212; accurate or not, sensational or measured, and responsible &#8212; can get to just about everyone we know overnight. That&#8217;s particularly true for parents.</p>
<p>And it is the new information that we are starting to get, and that we are about to get a lot more of, that, in combination with hyper-concern and hyper-connectivity will cause an explosion in awareness and hopefully bring action.</p>
<p>Kristof&#8217;s piece refers to an article by <a href="http://http://healthychild.org/about/bio-pop/phill/" target="_self">Dr. Philip Landrigan</a>, professor of pediatrics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and chair of the school&#8217;s department of preventive medicine. Kristof writes:</p>
<p><em>The article cites &#8220;historically important, proof-of-concept studies that specifically link autism to environmental exposures experienced prenatally.&#8221; It adds that the &#8220;likelihood is high&#8221; that many chemicals &#8220;have potential to cause injury to the developing brain and to produce neurodevelopmental disorders.&#8221;</em></p>
<p><em>While his article is full of cautionary language, Dr. Landrigan told me that he is increasingly confident that autism and other ailments are, in part, the result of the impact of environmental chemicals on the brain as it is being formed.</em></p>
<p><em>&#8220;The crux of this is brain development&#8221; he said. &#8220;If babies are exposed in the womb or shortly after birth to chemicals that interfere with brain development, the consequences last a lifetime.&#8221;</em></p>
<p>For parents, the questions and uncertainty are frustrating. But thanks to the National Children&#8217;s Study we&#8217;re about to get a lot more information in the next couple of years. Articles like Dr. Landrigan&#8217;s suggest that suspicions about connections are going to turn into clear connections that require action. Here&#8217;s a little information on the <a href="http://http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">National Children&#8217;s Study:</a></p>
<p><em>The National Children&#8217;s Study will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. The goal of the Study is to improve the health and well-being of children.</em></p>
<p><em>&#8230; The Study defines &#8220;environment&#8221; broadly, taking a number of natural and man-made environmental, biological, genetic, and psychosocial factors into account. By studying children through their different phases of growth and development, researchers will be better able to understand the role these factors have on health and disease. Findings from the Study will be made available as the research progresses, making potential benefits known to the public as soon as possible.</em></p>
<p>After I read Kristof&#8217;s piece I reached out to Dr. Landrigan, a champion of the National Children&#8217;s Study, to find out when we can expect to get useful, actionable information from the study. <strong>His response was two to three years.</strong></p>
<p>As Kristof points out in his column, there&#8217;s a lot of potential for sensationalizing the information &#8212; that will be particularly true of information we learn about chemicals actually in the blood and tissue of our children that are found to contribute to disease.</p>
<p>Our goal at <a href="http://healthychild.org" target="_blank">Healthy Child Healthy World</a> will be to provide parents with concrete, realistic steps they can take to protect their children, born and unborn. That&#8217;s our specialty.</p>
<p>In the meantime Kristof&#8217;s final thoughts make a good deal of sense: Apply the precautionary principle to avoid unnecessary products that contain potentially harmful toxins.</p>
<p><strong>And pay attention to and support the <a href="http://http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">National Children&#8217;s Study</a>.</strong></p>
<p>Larry Eason is Chair of the Board of Healthy Child Healthy World and Dr. Landrigan is a Founding Board Member and Co-Chair of the organization&#8217;s Science Advisory Board. Healthy Child is working to inspire parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.</p>
<p><strong>Related Reading:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://http://healthychild.org/live-healthy/video_library_comments/10_americans_an_inconvenient_truth_for_toxics_health/" target="_blank">10 Americans: &#8216;An Inconvenient Truth&#8217; for Toxics and Health</a></p>
<p><a href="http://http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/canaries_in_the_coalmine/" target="_blank">Canaries in the Coalmine</a></p>
<p><em>Healthy Child Healthy World is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inspiring parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals. Learn more at <a href="http://healthychild.org" target="_blank">HealthyChild.org</a></em></p>
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<p>Read more: http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/chemicals_and_our_endangered_children/#ixzz0hFjTPZfO<br />
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<p><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2010/03/04/new-study-to-link-environmental-chemicals-with-autism/">New Study to Link Environmental Chemicals with Autism</a> is a post from: <a href="http://ecochildsplay.com">Eco Child&#039;s Play</a></p>
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