Well, I didn’t know when writing my previous article on safe sunscreen for children, that it would be this difficult to actually get my hands on the brands that came highly recommended by EWG (Environmental Working Group).  It has been a challenge to source these, but I have some tips and hope it saves you research time. 

Badger sunscreen SPF 30 if very difficult to find in stores.  Whole Foods and Planet Organic would love to carry it but are having a tough time sourcing it.  My friend Leah (thank you Leah!) sent me the link to Victoria’s Health that sells Badger online, BUT after you pay for the sunscreen and shipping you are looking at $30 per bottle (82 g).  I will need about 5 bottles to last my kids this summer, so it’s just not a practical solution for me.  Still, I’m not deterred….I figure this can’t be hard.  Hmmmm keep reading.
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There are two things that change with every baby I have…how many immunization shots they’ll receive and when you can start them on solid foods.  With the boys, my public health nurses recommended solid food be layered at different intervals to ensure there wasn’t an allergic reaction.  With the girls I was told at 6 months, just start giving them everything!  But whenever you start your baby, you want to introduce them to healthy foods right away.  Here is an article written by Joanne B. Parrotta , she is a published motivational writer and the following is an excerpt from her fifth book, Baby & You: The Little Book of Mother and Baby Care (WiseAdviceBook, 2008) that is due to be released July 2008.  Check for her book later in the summer via Wise Advice Books.

As a new parent, you want to give your baby the best possible start in life, so providing nutritious food is a must. Set the stage for a lifetime of good eating habits by offering your baby the healthiest foods you can. When you make your baby’s food yourself, you can take extra care to choose the freshest produce.  Don’t believe advertising that says commercial baby foods are formulated to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. By making your own baby food—which is easier than you might think—you can provide your baby with a much healthier diet. You can make a variety of nutritious and delicious meals—with organic ingredients and no additives—quickly, easily, and relatively inexpensively. The benefits to your baby are many, including exposure to a greater variety of nutrients, tastes and textures without added preservatives.
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With the hot months of summer approaching, I need to replenish my stock of sunscreen for the kids. But like all products related to children these days, I’ve had to research this process, as there’s a growing concern about some ingredients within sunscreens, even brands for children. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) was the best resource for finding brand recommendations and ingredients to avoid. Especially concerning is this quote from EWG:

“Our comprehensive scientific review indicates that 86% of 1,070 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Only 14% of the products on the market are both safe and effective, blocking both UVA and UVB radiation.“ 
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On June 3, 2008, a petition to ban eight artificial food dyes was requested to the US Food and Drug Administration because they are negatively linked to child behavior problems. The eight dyes include: Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, Red 3, and Yellow 6.  All of the dyes, with the exception of Orange B, are permitted for use in Canada.  AND get this!  In Canada, companies are not required to list which dyes they use in products. 
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I’m a proud Mom today and rarely will I make this blog specific to only my children, but I felt there was a larger message in a Tae Kwon Do ceremony I attended today. Francesco had his ceremony for Tae Kwon Do and in order to receive his next belt, had to complete the action of breaking a board in front of a gym full of parents and spectators. We really had no idea what this was all about being Francesco is our first and only child so far to participate with Tae Kwon Do.

Well, what a special milestone in Francesco’s life. I will get a memory frame to inclose his white belt, certificate for completing his test, and the board that he snapped in half. I am elated that Francesco has found a sport that he excels and has passion for. This article is dedicated to Francesco, but something happened at the ceremony today, someone else’s child that inspired this article to be written.

There was a girl, about 8 years old in age and it was her turn to break the board. She tried once, twice, three times, went up to about 8 times and still, she wasn’t able to break the board. She had a tough kick..it was a spinning back kick that was much harder than facing it dead on. Master Jae looked her right in the eye and said “I’ll be back for you!” He finished the other children and came back to her again. She continued to try and even had the confidence to lower the board that Master Jae was holding. On maybe the 20th try, she broke the board. Well the gym erupted in cheers and clapping. It was honestly one of those moments you wish to be alone in a room so you could sob with happiness. Master Jae turns and addresses the 80+ adults in the audience and says “we never give up” “she never gave up!”. So profound and what a lesson for everyone watching. What confidence that little girl had to keep going to attempt to break the board in front of a large audience.

What a great conversation to have with Francesco over a milkshake after receiving his belt. What a great message to send to all children! I am so happy with our decision to have Francesco in Tae Kwon Do. He is very respectful and very intense with what he’s learning. Now, he has this confidence booster…if you can break a board…you can do anything! I will also mention this little girl when he wants to give up or get frustrated.  It always amazes me where our role models sprout up from!