Timing is everything right? With parents concerned about plasticizers, chemicals, and just a little paranoid about their children mouthing plastic toys, along comes a company called Green Toys. Being a toy company, the words that describe their adorable product line are music to concerned parent’s ears:
“Made in the USA”
“Made from 100% recycled products”
“Contains no BPA”
“Contains no phthalates”
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Sounds like the story of my life these days! The fallout from BPA and phthalate products has changed how all parents view plastic. I still use my Ikea plastic plates for snacks for the kids, but other than that, I’ve really purged most of it from the bathroom and kitchen. So when Leigh left a comment on my previous article called Plastic Food Alternative Solutions recommending a site called Life Without Plastic, my ears perked up. After checking out the site, I ordered four of their cereal bowls with stainless steel interior. I’ve included a picture of these bowls below. They are totally adorable and I wish I’d found them months ago because they are getting so much use! They are a little small for my oldest son’s cereal, but I’m finding them very handy for all the fruit and snacks all four insist having in separate bowls. They have a special on 2 pink bowls and 2 blue bowls…so for my clan this was perfect! I would highly recommend these for a 1st or 2nd birthday present for a child…or for that age bracket so they get good use out of them. With the plastic on the OUTSIDE of the bowls, it actually works well because you don’t have to worry if they slip out of little hands or off the table…they are not going to break easily.
The site also offers a product I’ve never seen for kids….a stainless steel mug that is double walled to protect hands against the heat and a stainless steel lid for the top. Very cute designs and characters on the outside. Again, what a cute present idea for toddlers getting away from bottles and sippies.
There are products for older kids and adults. The idea of litter-less lunches has really taken off for school aged kids. Read about one mom’s vision for this in the article about Green Fundraising. On the Life Without Plastic site, you’ll find stainless steel food storage containers that act as a lunch box, or sets of 4 airtight stainless steel containers all in different sizes, and Asian stainless steel lunch boxes that are in tiers of 2 and 3 layers. WOW - lots of options for lunches to bring to work or storing snacks for kids off to school for the day. Oh yes and did I mention this company is Canadian! I love saying that because it means no hidden shipping/duty/tax surprises when your order arrives. They will ship to Canada and the US.
Have you heard about the online store called Bug & Blossom? WOW - what an awesome on-line site to source products for babies, kids, and new moms. They have everything you need AND they’re Canadian! I love saying that! One of their best product lines at the store is the organic skin care line Trukid. They have graciously agreed to honour the 20% discount off Trukid products for Canadian Mommy Footprint readers so we don’t have to pay extra costs with Trukid products coming up from the States. At the Bug & Blossom checkout, use the code ‘footprint’ and enjoy the savings! US parents wanting to source Trukid products can order via the Trukid site and also use the discount code ‘footprint’.
Trukid sunscreen was rated #2 from the Environmental Working Group, their facestick in particular, is an amazing product for kids. How awesome to not have to read ingredient labels or worry because this product line is 100% safe and non-toxic. Not only do they have sunscreen, but a full product line including shampoo, body/face wash, conditioner, hero stick for boo-boos, lipbalm, etc. Unlike the large companies that have dominated the bath skin care line for years with their products full of phthalates and fragrance, Trukid is leading the way to chemical free skin/hair care. I’ve tried sourcing all of these products because of Isabella’s eczema and my concern over how harsh most sunscreens and bath products react with her skin…it’s not easy! Well, it is now because these products are at my fingertips with the ease of on-line and low shipping within Canada.
Don’t wait, the 20% discount will expire August 22/08 and is valid for purchases over $25.00.
Many children have fallen asleep listening to their parents reading the enlightened stories of Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss graduated from Dartmouth College in 1925 and then went on to Oxford University where he received a doctorate in literature. He wrote his first book in 1936 entitled, “And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.” He was turned down by 43 publishers before a friend of his agreed to publish it for him. As you may expect, it turned out to be a best seller.
The magic of Dr. Seuss is that his stories, along with being great fun, also carry with them powerful and relevant messages and lessons for children and adults alike. This is true for most of his books, but it is especially for the last book he ever wrote, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (Classic Seuss)
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What are phthalates and why should parents be concerned? Phthalates are man-made chemicals used in PVC plastics and many products that surround our home and children. They seem to have a similar effect on humans as BPA…targeting reproduction systems as they are endocrine disrupters. But unlike BPA, this chemical is especially potent for boys as it targets their developing reproductive systems causing great harm such as genital abnormalities, birth defects, and decreased sperm count in men. Phthalates are also linked to asthma, allergies, testicular cancer, and early puberty. As a parent, when you see the products where this chemical lurks - you’ll be concerned.
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