It is one of those visuals that you quickly see and think huh?  You pause, and then gasp “that’s brilliant!”  I had one of those moments when I tripped onto the website called Smart Mom.  Two moms started this company and created ‘teething bling’ for moms.  

Parents know that children put everything they shouldn’t into their mouth - keys, money, and jewelry to name a few items.  I can remember Francesco knawing on my collar bone to try and relieve some teething discomfort as a little guy!  Well now you can multi-task looking good and soothing your child’s aching mouth.  Enter Teething Bling that is a product that can only be described as cool!  This product combines an attractive piece of jewelry and a safe alternative for your baby/toddler to play/teeth with and it stays clean hanging around mom’s neck.  Check out this visual and read more…

Not only are these pendants totally safe and non-toxic, but they look very hip!  They are made from phthalate-free, bpa-free, latex-free, PVC-free and lead-free (wanted to cover all the bases) high quality silicone and are even dishwasher friendly!  For added safety the pendants come with a breakaway clasp, although they state these are for moms to wear, not children or toddlers.

You are able to order directly from the Smart Mom website or you can check out their retail partners list…there are stores all over North America that carry these ‘practical and pretty’  shower or baby gifts.

With two bears shot and killed in my neighborhood last week, I’m reminded of the fragile balance of living so close to nature.  Did you know that bears have an amazing sense of smell?  They can smell garbage from great distances and once they learn that garbage means food, they’ll keep returning to eat.  Because human odour is on the garbage they learn to associate people with food. Like the case of the woman that got mauled (while gardening) in my city last week, bears may become aggressive, expecting food when they see or smell people. Here are some tips for discouraging bears at your home.

Garbage should stay inside until pick-up.  Occasionally wash bins and empty cans and jars that are waiting to be picked up in the recycling box.

Did you know that bears are attracted to petroleum products such as paint, kerosene, and turpentine?  Put these products away.

Backyard composts should be sprinkled with lime to decrease the odor.  Actually, if your compost stinks, you’re doing something wrong.  You can turn your compost with leaves, lime and soil to further reduce odours. Unrinsed eggshells, fish, meat, fat, oils, or cooked foods should not be composted in summer or fall. 

Pick fruit daily from fruit trees on your property.  Don’t allow a large amount of dropped fruit to accumulate on the ground. 

Keep your BBQ equipment debris and grease free after use.

Feed pets indoors and between April and November remove bird feeders.

Don’t store food in outdoor freezers or coolers.

We have been learning about health concerns with personal products, toys, and plastics and protecting our children, but have you stopped to think about your own cosmetics?  I watched a video clip on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) web site that prompted me to check my own skin care line. If you are like me and attempt to read the ingredient lists of my personal products, I just wind up confused (and convinced that I need to take an English course because I can’t sound our most of the ingredients). Plus, as one of the scientific analysts for EWG stated, that reading the ingredients list if pointless unless you know what to look for. And they go on to say that half of our cosmetics contain an ingredient that is linked to reproductive problems or cancer.

Especially interesting from the video, was the scientist mentioning the chemical paraben.  I’ve seen it mentioned in various places, but didn’t know what the problem was.  Even at the Farmers Market last Sunday, I noticed a vendor selling non-toxic products and she was marketing them as ‘paraben free’. The simplest way I can explain the problems these two chemicals (phthalates and parabens) cause is that phthalates attack a boy/man’s reproductive system and cause an assortment of cancers and parabans attack a girl/woman’s reproductive system and cause female cancers. I thought that I only needed to worry about my boys with the problems that phthalates cause, but after watching this news video, I started checking my own personal product line and noticed many of them contain ingredients ending in ‘paraben’…isopropyl-paraben, isobutyl-paraben, butylparaben to name a few in my Paul Mitchell smoothing hair conditioner. Yikes!  I am also glad that I’ve replaced all personal care products for my girls with the non-toxic Trukid brand.  Especially after reading that parabens are reported to be carcinogens found in breast cancer tissue as well as the problems they cause with reproductive hormones.

More breast cancers in women?  More testicular cancer in men?  Are the chemicals the cause? This is the million dollar question. I’ll put in my two-bits to this debate. From the second I wrapped my mind around the issue with BPA, I knew there was something to the debate about this chemical. Why are so many young people we know battling infertility, MS, cancers, etc.? I think everyone agrees it’s environmental and I would add that the chemicals like BPA, Phthalates, and Parabens contribute to the many health issues that effect the child-bearing public. So, as mother’s especially, we are so diligent about protecting our children from harmful chemicals…maybe it’s time to look at our own personal products. You can check your products on the EWG’s cosmetic database by clicking this link. We need to make sure that we are keeping ourselves healthy as well as our children.  If you are like me, the more you learn, the more aware you are about these issues and it perpetuates around you.  I’m sure my family and friends are tired of hearing about these environmental concerns - but it’s getting us talking about it!  Spread the message of better health through your group of friends.

It’s August which means I have to face the fact that Francesco will be heading off to full days of Grade 1 in September. Everyone says how fast the years fly by, but you start to really understand this once your kids start school. My personal goal for this summer was to connect with Francesco, spend quality time, and have meaningful conversations everyday. It’s been at the forefront of my days because I know this chapter of having him home all the time will end in a matter of weeks.

Then I have my twin 2 year olds that make me wish I could speed up time some days. Those little girls can sure tantrum when they put their mind to it. But no matter what stage your children are experiencing, I heard a song at the end of last season’s The Apprentice that put everything into perspective for me. Have you heard the Trace Atkins single “You’re Gonna Miss This”? I’ve been listening to this song a lot lately and the lyrics help me focus when the girls are acting up or when I’m feeling like the boys are growing up too fast. All parents will connect to this beautiful song…here is a sample:

You’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this

Click here to listen to a sample of this song via Puretracks. Yes. . . Canadians can purchase music at this site too - PC users only. MAC people can go to itunes Canada.

US residents can purchase this single via Amazon.

Thanks to Tracy for forwarding me this link. A picture (or video in this case) says a thousand words.Take a look at this ad campaign for the Bluetooth headset.  Does it make you wonder what the effects of cell phones are?  I personally believe that cell phones release radiation.  Is this something you worry about?  If so, post your comments to this article.

http://www.koreus.com/video/telephone-portable-mais-popcorn.html

For more information on cell phone associated to health risks, read Father’s Day Green Gift Ideas.

If you are pregnant and use a cell phone, you might want to read this article from Seventh Generation.

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