Organic or Oeko-Tek or Green Cotton clothes, sheets, towels!!!

When I found out I was having a baby I decided to go on a mission to find only organic clothes for Brooke during the first 6 months if possible. I did have some non organic items that were too cute to resist, but I did wash them several times. My reason for concern...cotton is sprayed with pesticides, not good for humans or the environment.

Last summer I did find quite a few options from Gerber Organics, Nordstrom Organics, Hanna Anderson, The Gap, and several items such as organic blankets, bedding and bibs from other popular stores like Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby. I've even noticed that the sizes of environmentally friendly clothes are going beyond 9 months and even into adult sizes. As I sat recovering from food poisoning a few weeks ago, I lounged in my Hanes Organic sleepwear that is available at Walmart!!! Who knew!! Garnet Hill catalog has dresses and other items that are organic or made from Green Cotton. Hanna Anderson has clothes that are Organic or Oeko-Tek Standard 100 certified.

I thought to myself, my clothes are going to be in direct contact with Brooke, so maybe I should have a few organic items to wear around the house or at least something that has been washed so many times that the pesticides would definitely be untraceable!!! I even purchased organic sheets for our own bed as well as towels for Brooke. I know this may sound a bit extreme, but organic has become our way of life in ALL areas. Why not when Target and Walmart carry organic items that are affordable to EVERYONE!!! The popular store in LA called "The Little Seed" has a line for Target now!!! Almost every retailer now has at least a few items that are organic for newborns. So the next time you buy something made of cotton, BUY ORGANIC!!!

BPA in Coffee makers, go for the French Press

Most people can't get going without their fresh cup of coffee. I was never really an everyday coffee drinker until my last trimester of pregnancy. I only had one cup and felt a little guilty at that amount, but I justified it because it is Organic Starbucks Roasted Blend that we buy from Costco. Did you know that coffee is the second most pesticide ridden crop next to cotton??? Therefore Organic is best if you drink coffee regularly. I have been trying to give it up now and went 4 days, today I had coffee!

Around the time I began my coffee indulgence, our coffee maker broke. My husband mentioned that if there was BPA in baby bottles(now banned) and microwave plastic containers, why would we drink coffee from a plastic coffee maker. Then I googled the topic today. Apparently it is hazardous, especially to pregnant women. Last summer we went to Ikea and found a french press for 20 dollars. We have used it EVERYDAY since last summer and are in need of a new one because the mesh is fraying along the edges and coffee grounds get in the coffee now so we double strain it. They do make ones that encase the edges of the mesh plunger, just need to figure out which one to buy now. That would require a trip to the mall to see one in person and get just the right one! Hopefully we will find the time soon. Maybe this is a reason to give up coffee and get my pearly whites back??

What seafood is safe???

With the BP oil spill going on way too long, it makes one wonder how it is going to impact the seafood industry. A few weeks ago we traveled to the Pittsburgh Zoo and happened to see a new exhibit that featured information on seafood. It showed what was good to eat, good for the environment, etc. We were really surprised to see that and they even had pocket handouts from seafoodwatch.org to help you decide what seafood you should eat.
This information may change now that the BP oil spill is wreaking havoc on the Gulf.

I was watching a nightly news program over the weekend and happened to see that a fisherman was asked by a company he sells his seafood to, if they could market his product as "being from TEXAS"!!! Ok, the fact that I saw this on the news and furthermore that companies are permitted to do this tells me that we can't trust where our food comes from. If you have seen Food Inc, you know why to buy organic and not trust what officials say all the time. I don't know about you, but I would not eat something from anywhere near the spill. Seafood is what I'm concerned about primarily. What if there are farms in the area??? The well water supplies??? There is bound to be so much more devastation than we see at this moment. Very sad.

A few weeks ago I mentioned a movie Crude and how the people in Ecuador were sickened by oil on their land. My fear is that this could happen in Louisiana. I wouldn't let my baby girl, who is now standing, trying to walk, and has her top teeth coming in go anywhere near a hazardous area or eat any food that may be in question. In my opinion, you can't be too safe. Now that my baby is keeping me so busy that finding time to blog is difficult, I need to keep her health number one priority. If that means we are extremely choosy about our seafood, that is what we must do. What officials may say about safety, I don't always believe. Call it mothers intuition or a hunch, but I wouldn't eat a fish or shrimp from the Gulf or anywhere near there. Alaska and the Northeast are where I will get my seafood until further notice.


photo © Daniel Steger
for openphoto.net CC:Attribution-ShareAlike

BPA can cross placenta during pregnancy!!!

If you have a baby, you know to choose BPA free products. What no one has warned against is for expectant mothers to steer clear of it as well.
A new study finds that it does cross the placenta during pregnancy. Now that I'm trying to recollect what I did during pregnancy, it could drive me nuts. However, if you are pregnant or thinking about it, be aware of what you ingest because food exposure seems to be what puts mothers and their babies most at risk for this harmful chemical.

What to do?
Don't drink from plastic bottles of any type, use a stainless reusable bottle or buy glass beverages. Don't heat or store foods in plastic containers, use glass. (sorry Tupperware fans) While you should be eating healthy, if you must have a microwave meal, remove it from its container to heat in a glass container. Don't eat canned food unless it is Eden organics which have BPA free cans. Always wash your hands after handling receipts because they contain BPA. Dental fillings have BPA as well, so avoid during pregnancy.

As if pregnant women didn't have enough to worry about!!! With any luck maybe BPA will be banned altogether in products. That would take one more harmful chemical out of our lives!!

Have a GREEN PARTY OR PICNIC!

Now that BBQ season is in full swing, why not have a get together that doesn't make such an impact on the environment? For instance, why not invest in reusable cups and plates that are BPA free which can be recycled instead of throw away paper or styrofoam cups and plates. I purchased the cups and plates pictured at Whole Foods and they are reusable.

If you are going to have a larger party, I found greenpartygoods that even has compostable products made from corn!!! They have such a great variety of napkins and party decor. Even biodegradable cupcake liners which Mom's could really use for their next Birthday BASH!!! And Biodegradable Crepe paper and Beeswax candles!!! I see a party being planned in my future now that it is so easy to go green!!!

Another website has more throw away items at greenpartysupply or greenevent. Don't forget about clean up with biodegradable trash bags. We use Green Genius and Biobag. You can find other eco-friendly products at your local store as more companies go green.

Soon "being Green" won't be thought of as a trend, but a way of life. Big steps are being made as California is now banning plastic bags. Hopefully it will be styrofoam take out containers as well! Do your part and throw a party that shows you have a small carbon footprint! Who doesn't love a party???

Organic Doggie Dinner!!!

Our pets are also family so treat them well by feeding them organic food. I hear so many stories of pets getting cancer these days. They are susceptible to toxins as humans are and maybe more so due to their small stature. There are no regulations on dog food either. You may remember the dog food scare where dogs died because there was melamine in the food!!! Read more about contaminated dog food.

Some dogs develop allergies and need special food. Others develop rashes and scratch which could also be from a food allergy or some mystery substance in their food used as a filler. EWG Research on Dog Food.

Our dogs love their organic food!!! My friend makes her own dog food too and has offered her recipe for those that want to try something new for their furry friend. I recommend using organic or hormone free beef, chicken or turkey as well as organic veggies. See the "Dirty Dozen" list and watch Dr Weil's video as to which fruits and veggies should definitely be organic.

Dana's Doggie Dinner:

Start with about 3/4 chopped carrots that I cook in about 2 cups of simmering water until soft (add any other fresh veggies you may want to throw in if you don't want to use frozen)
Do not discard the water.
Add about 1/2 cup of rolled oats and 1/4 cup of ground flax seeds to the water until absorbed.
At this point, I add about another 1/2 cup to a cup of frozen veggies ( fresh vegetables can be added when the carrots are cooking)

Add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan along with
1 and 1/2 to 2 pounds of ground beef, chicken or turkey.

Mix together and cook through (I leave beef rare).

When the mixture had cooled I add a bunch of chopped parsley, which is great for dogs.


If you don't have the time to make your own dog food, buy organic and protect your furry friends by feeding them the best. Organic Dog Food

Gotta get Greener

If you watched CNN's TOXIC CHILDHOOD last night, you know enough is enough. Time for a change to become GREENER people. The BP disaster should also be a wake up call. When will companies become responsible for their actions??? We as consumers have a choice. My husband and I refused to go to a BP station while on our trip to Pennsylvania last week. You could do the same. We all need to work towards getting rid of our dependence on oil. Don't buy plastics, walk or use public transportation if available, install solar panels and tankless water heaters. Reuse, recycle, compost, grow your own food.

If you've been reading for a week or a month, let me know. Please become a follower. Comment and let me know what you would like to learn more about to become GREENER in your life. You can start out with small changes that lead to totally GREENING your life and then teach your children to do the same!!! If Ed Begley can have the electric meter on his house go backwards, WE ALL CAN!!!