Great Children's Literature: Spiders Spin Webs

Spiders Spin Webs was given to us one birthday, along with many other books from an older child's collection. The regifting of books children have outgrown is a very eco-friendly idea, and I have always been delighted to discover new books through such gifts. Spiders Spin Webs was a pleasant surprise amongst the books we received.

Spiders Spin Webs is written by Yvonne Winer and illustrated by Karen Lloyd-Jones. Each page begins with the line, "Spiders spin webs...." and features rhyming words and amazing, detailed illustrations. For example,

Spiders spin webs
In the heart of the night,
Weaving filigreed patterns
In the soft mooonlight.
That's when spiders spin webs.

Spiders Spin Webs is full of rare words, like filigreed, that expand children's growing vocabulary. Reading this book gives children (and adults) appreciation of these little eight legged creatures that invade our homes and Halloween hearts.

Beware of Hybrid Vehicles in Parking Lots

Today’s tip is a safety tip cautioning readers to be aware of the "dangers" of hybrid and electric vehicles to pedestrians. Last week, my children and I were almost hit by a Prius in a health food store parking lot. I can imagine the headline: "Environmentalist run over by a hybrid vehicle." Ironic, eh?

My near-encounter with the Prius occurred because the car was running on its electric motor, thus making the car virtually silent. As the Prius backed out of its parking space, I was caught by surprise and realized how much I rely on my ears to warn me of traffic. We tell children to "look both ways and listen" for cars when crossing streets, but as our fleet moves toward hybrid vehicles (and hopefully electric ones, too), we will need to adjust which senses we rely on to keep us safe in parking lots and crossing roads.

I am not the only one to be startled by a low noise car. In particular, hybrid vehicles running on their electric motors especially affect blind people, who rely on their sense of hearing in traffic. According to the Wall Street Journal,

"Michael Osborn, a blind marketing consultant from Laguna Beach, Calif., and his guide dog, Hastings, were in the middle of an intersection one morning last April when the yellow Lab stopped short. Mr. Osborn took the cue and halted — just in time to feel the breeze from a car passing right in front of them. ‘Half an inch and it would have hit us … it wasn’t making any noise,’ says Mr. Osborn, 50, who has been blind for 12 years. Witnesses say the car was a Toyota Prius, a hybrid vehicle."

The National Federation of the Blind is advocating hybrid and electric vehicles emit a sound when turned on, and many guide dog schools are now including hybrid vehicles in their training course. The proposed sound device would alert a sensor carried by the vision impaired to alert them of a hybrid in the vicinity. In response to the concern, Denise Morrissey, a spokeswoman for Toyota Motor Sales USA stated, "The [industry] trend is toward quiet powertrains in all sorts of vehicles. That trend has raised the need for other drivers and pedestrians to increase caution and to be more aware of the surroundings."

I don’t know what the solution is, and I certainly like less noise pollution. The sound of an electric powered car is beautiful in its quietude, and I can only imagine how our city streets would sound if the electric vehicle had not been "killed." As pedestrians, we must be more aware and mindful of our surroundings as more and more hybrid vehicles are on the road. For drivers of hybrid or electric vehicles, pay special attention around pedestrians, especially the blind, who may not be aware of your presence. As our streets become quieter and our awareness grows, perhaps we will once again be able to hear the birds’ songs in the bustling city.

Organic, Fair Trade Stuffed Animal and Matching Dress

This cute toy from Under the Nile is one you can feel good about giving a child. The adorable organic hippo is not only made from cotton grown without pesticides, but natural dyes were used in its construction. Furthermore, the organic hippo is a fair trade product! Fair trade and organic, what else could you want in a natural, eco-friendly toy? The organic hippo is also available in blue, if you are stuck on gender colors for babes. At the current price of $11.80, the organic hippo is an affordable eco-friendly toy.

We recently gave my niece-to-be the organic hippo along with an Under the Nile organic dress. The fabric in the hippo's scarf matches the dress, so Tessa and her hippo will be in eco-fashion together. It is so fun shopping for baby on the way!

Rid Yourself of Unwanted Catalogues

A new website is offering consumers an easy way to get rid of unwanted catalogues. With the holiday season approaching, my mailbox has become inundated with catalogues for every product under the sun. Previously, I have sent individual letters to each company, as well as signed up for services that were supposed to stop the catalogues from coming; however, the effects of all these efforts has worn off, and new ones are arriving daily. Now, Catalog Choice offers a convenient way to decline catalogues from your computer.

Catalog Choice is a free service sponsored by the Ecology Center. Their mission "is to reduce the number of repeat and unsolicited catalog mailings, and to promote the adoption of sustainable industry best practices." The site is simple to use. After creating an account, simply search for catalogue names, enter your customer identification number from the back of the catalogue (if available), then click decline. If the catalogue you wish to decline is not in the database, you can request Catalog Choice to add it, and they will notify you when it is available. I have already declined ten catalogues in a few days; however, it can take up to ten weeks before you stop receiving the declined catalogues. Catalog Choice also offers a "My Choices" page, which allows you to change your mind and start receiving the catalogues again, as well as follow up on catalogues that you are still receiving despite your requests.

Here are some staggering environmental facts from Catalog Choice:

• Over eight million tons of trees are consumed each year in the production of paper catalogs.

• Nearly half of the planet’s original forest cover is gone today. Forests have effectively disappeared in 25 countries, and another 29 have lost more than 90% of their forest cover.

• Deforestation contributes between 20% and 25% of all carbon pollution, causing global climate change.

• More than one billion people living in extreme poverty around the world depend on forests for their livelihoods.

• There are other significant environmental impacts from the catalog cycle. The production and disposal of direct mail alone consumes more energy than three million cars.

• The manufacturing, distribution, collection and disposal of catalogs generates global warming gases as well as air and water pollution. Reducing the number of unwanted catalogs that are mailed will help the environment.
  

Catalog Choice is simple to use, and the impact is far-reaching. I would much rather not receive so many catalogues, then haul them to the recycling center each week. Visit Catalog Choice today, and see how easy it is to make a small change to help the environment.

Natural, Gentle Bath Bubbles?

When my daughter was two, I thought bubble baths would be fun. I read every label in the health food store searching for the safest, natural bubble option. I was alarmed to find that a majority of the labels had warnings about prolonged exposure and girl's urinary tract systems. I was also concerned, because a friend of mine swore her daughter developed eczema from a commercial character bubble bath. I was lucky to find Clearly Natural Happy Kidz Bath Bubbles.

Clearly Natural Happy Kidz Bath Bubbles is sodium lauryl sulfate free and is very gentle on young skin. It has a pleasant aroma, but you do have be careful not to get it into your child's eyes. Clearly Natural Happy Kidz Bath Bubblesis scented with pure essential oils only. These essential oils are anise, cedar, clove, orange, peppermint, petitgrain spearmint and tangerine. Unfortunately, Clearly Natural Happy Kidz Bath Bubbles newer bottles come with the same urinary tract warning. I wonder just how long prolonged exposure really is. As I dig a little deeper, I notice that it also contains sodium laureth sulfate, which is related to sodium lauryl sulfate. I feel this is somewhat misleading to promote a product as sodium lauryl sulfate free on the front label, while it contains sodium laureth sulfate. Is this ethical?

Perhaps Clearly Natural Happy Kidz Bath Bubbles isn't the great product I thought it was, but it does make nice bath bubbles! Other natural bath products I have tried do not suds up they way I want, so I have settled on this product. Maybe my children don't need bubble baths?

What is Your Child's School's Carbon Footprint?

How green is your child's school? Chances are, if your child attends a public school like my daughter, it is not a very green place, especially if it is an older facility. Kelli has already written about ways to make your individual child a greener student in "Think Green For Back to School" and Chris Baskind offered Green Options readers "Five Ways to Green Your Child's Classroom." But do you know your child's school's carbon footprint? Does the school district's board of trustees know this information? Do you include your child's share of the school's carbon emission when figuring out your family's impact on climate change?

Recently, I discovered a tool for calculating a school's carbon footprint that was developed by students at Irvington High School with the help of DriveNeutral. This tool is an Excel worksheet that takes into account many factors, such as the student population and the number of days school is in session. It asks what percentage of the student ride in a car to school, the school's electricity usage, methane from waste disposal, etc.. The table ends with questions regarding solutions, such as offsetting and recycling.

The questions asked by the SchoolNeutral tool are not easily answered by a parent, child or teacher, but research is required and a manual is available to download. This tool was designed by high schools students for high school students, but it could be modified for usage in earlier grade levels. In addition, it would make a great senior project for a high school student to help an elementary school class figure out their school's carbon footprint. As World Changing notes, "What makes the SchoolNeutral calculator stand out is that it has been designed to help high school students calculate emissions generated by a large group of people (the first version focuses just on student population) who work together at a large complex (the high school). Most carbon calculators focus on the individual or household carbon footprint, but SchoolNeutral shows how to calculate much larger, collective footprints."

Knowing a school's carbon footprint may be the first step in promoting change. Faced with such staggering statistics, school boards are more likely to make decisions that will reduce carbon emissions, and children will be motivated to do what they can in their own classrooms. Parents can easily be involved in the process, and fundraisers could be held to purchase offsets. Furthermore, schools can make the necessary changes to lower their own carbon emissions and students can be involved in offsetting carbon emissions on the school campus by planting trees and switching light bulbs, for example. In fact, you may even be able to get a carbon credit company to take on your child's school on as a project.

This post was originally published on Green Options.

Whimisical Maypole Delights Children and Adults Without Batteries!

Magic Cabin offers this delightful version of an old-fashioned folk toy for about $17.00. The Mushroom Maypole moves when wound up, spinning back and forth, while it bounces up and down. I am truly fascinated with the movement, as are both of my children. The Mushroom Maypole is rated for children three years and older, but I have found that babies enjoy staring at it and are likewise fascinated by the motion. The kinetic motion of the toy is a great lesson in physics, as children try to figure out how the motion is sustained. We have a different version of this delightful toy purchased at a local toy store, and I still think it is one of the best wooden toys for its simplicity, design, and pleasure.

Have a Happy, Green Halloween

Having a happy, green Halloween has been a hot topic on the Internet lately. Some people embrace the idea, and some people think it is ridiculous. My Halloween will be mostly green, with a few exceptions: the costumes and driving my kids for trick-or-treating. I try to balance my children's eco-childhood by allowing them to sometimes choose aspects of commercial culture. Their grandmother buys their costumes from the Disney Store every year (ahh, I'm an eco-hypocrite), and this has become tradition. Cars are necessary for trick-or-treating in the mountains, as our closest neighbors live a mile away. At least we will be using biodiesel for our Halloween fun. Here are a few eco-Halloween ideas:

1. Create your costume from your own wardrobe, borrow items from friends, and shop thrift stores! If you have children, you probably already have their costumes picked out. If you are an adult, you probably do not have a costume idea yet. Some of my favorite costumes from childhood used my parent's clothes with make up and wigs or were made out of sheets.
   
2. Give out organic treats! Hand out organic lollipops or organic chocolate ladybugs. I plan to give these items to my few neighbors to give to my children in advance, as we live in such an isolated place that my children will be the only trick-or-treaters they see all night.
   
3. Walk! Taking a walking tour of the neighborhood, knocking on everyone's doors while wearing costumes is great fun. Traveling by car not only adds carbon to the atmosphere, it also wrinkles costumes and takes the exercising out of trick-or-treating. If children are going to eat candy, they need to walk!

Here are a few suggestions from others:

Dr. Sears:
Remember that most treats handed out are Red Light Foods and can lead to stomachaches and bad behaviour. Most Kids won't eat all their candy so a majority of it gets thrown away once forgotten about.

Here are some non red light treat ideas to get you started thinking:

• Small boxes of cereal
• Cheese and cracker packages
• Sugar-free gum
• 100% Juice box packages
• Small packages of nuts or raisins
• A package of instant cocoa mix
• Non-food treats such as: Stickers, toys, crayons, pencils, colored chalk, erasers, baseball cards, rubber spiders, temporary tattoos, false teeth, little bottles of bubbles and small games, like tiny decks of cards (party-supply stores can be great sources for these)

Out of sight, out of mind - Keep your child's candy on a top shelf of the kitchen cupboard. This way, your child must ask for it and you can keep better track of how much they eat. But even better is that they will probably forget about it. Kids tend to forget about their easter and halloween candy after a few weeks. We eventually eat some ourselves and throw the rest away after a few months.

Buy it back - Buy your child's candy back from them, then take a family trip to the toy store and let them pick out a few toys. This is a nice treat, since it's another long two months until Christmas.

Weed out the real junk - Allow your child to keep chocolate candies, but eliminate the artificially colored stuff. This will keep most of the chemicals to a minimum.

One junk a day rule - In our house we have a "one junk a day rule" that we have taught our kids from an early age. This doesn't mean they actually eat one every day, it simply means that when they DO eat a candy, they can only have one.

Green Options:
Use reusable candy-collecting bags. Simple, easy, and ensures that your large stash of candy won’t end up all over the street from a less-than-durable plastic bag. Avoid those plastic pumpkins, too. They’re made of petroleum, and you can only use them once a year.
Use trick-or-treating as an opportunity for stewardship. After trick or treating, bring a separate bag for your kids to pick up the inevitable candy wrappers left by less-savvy munchkins.

The Sierra Club:

• Set a spooky mood with soy or beeswax candles, not those made from petroleum-based paraffin. If you like scented candles, look for ones with fragrances derived from essential oils rather than synthetic chemicals.

• Avoid masks made out of vinyl. Latex ones are safer, unless you're allergic to the material.
• Look up some recipes for pumpkin pie, soup, or curry so your decoration doesn't go to waste after Halloween. (Not much of a chef? Compost that jack-o-lantern, at least

The Green Guide
Pesticides and fertilizers used in the production of sugar have led to the destruction of aquatic ecosystems. The loss of topsoil to cane fields has destroyed forest habitats. But sugar's sins start with the slave trade, as Europeans brought captured Africans to work in the cane fields of the Caribbean throughout the 18th century, where slaves died in greater numbers than in the U.S. Sadly, this legacy hasn't come to an end: The chocolate trade has encouraged forced labor in Africa as cocoa farmers sell their product at prices well below what they can afford...

This Halloween, little ghouls and goblins in the U.S. can do their part by spending the night "reverse trick-or-treating" in partnership with Global Exchange. As kids go door-to-door, they'll switch roles and hand over fair-trade chocolate and literature to neighbors.

I like this idea of "reverse trick-or-treating" with fair-trade goodies. I may have to revise my ghoulish plans on Halloween night. Perhaps we will participate in "exchange" trick-or-treating with our neighbors, that way everyone gets yummy, organic candy.

See and Spell Puzzles Teach Children

Melissa and Doug See and Spell is a wooden puzzle in which children select letters that fit into recessed spots to spell the word that matches the picture on each wooden "card". When evaluating my preschool learning environment, one thing that was required but missing were puzzles that spell words. Melissa and Doug See and Spell filled this void in my preK environment.

Melissa and Doug See and Spell is very appealing to the children in my program, and a great way to teach letter recognition, letter shape, phonics, etc. Each wooden "card" has two sides, totaling 20 words in all children can spell. The words are all high frequency, three and four letter words. This toy is recommended for children 4-7 years old; however, I have found that younger children really enjoy it too, especially with a little bit of scaffolding. Parents can limit the letter choices for very young children to ensure their success. Of course, young children require close supervision for choking hazards. The letters are large, but they say that anything that can fit though an empty toilet paper roll is a choking hazard. For my six-year-old daughter, the toy is too simplistic to sustain play when no longer novel.

I have noticed that many readers have come to Eco Child's Play by searching for Melissa and Doug toy recalls. It is true that most Melissa and Doug toys are made in China; however, this company is not involved in any of the recent recalls. Melissa and Doug state that they test each batch of toys twice (once in China and once in USA) before distributing them. The testing is not done by an outsourced company, but by Melissa and Doug employees. For more information, please visit:
Duck Duck Goose Boutique
Crunchy Domestic Goddess
China Free Christmas
If you are boycotting Chinese toys because of safety concerns, then you may feel comfortable with Melissa and Doug. If you are boycotting Chinese toys because of their human rights violations, then you will not feel better knowing Melissa and Doug test their toys twice. I have heard conflicting thoughts on boycotting China because of the situation in Tibet. I have heard that the Dalai Lama has said that it would hurt people to boycott China, and this would not be the compassionate approach. I have also read that many Tibet liberation groups support such boycotts. Personally, I have adopted a modified boycott of Chinese products, weighing in man factors before making purchases. Perhaps this is lame, perhaps it is not. I don't really know...

Empowering Children: My Daughter's Letter to Disney

After a trip to a local toy store to buy a birthday present for a friend, my daughter was frustrated with the fact that I would not buy plastic toys, yet those are the ones she is most drawn too. On the drive home, she composed a letter to Disney, asking them to become more eco-friendly. The letter was entirely her inspiration, and I was quite proud. Here is the letter she wrote when we got home:

Dear Disney,

Please make your Disney Princess toys without having lead in them, and please don't make them plastic. If you want to make money, then at least try being eco-friendly. That is how you are going to make more money. The world is getting greener and in the next couple of years, you will not have anyone buying your plastic. Don't copy what Bratz is doing to their workers. Give them two or three more dollars. The yarn dolls and the wooden jewelry box and the Disney Princess yarn socks and the sleeping bag are pretty much eco-friendly, but you just have to use eco-friendly yarn and paint. All I am asking you is to be eco-friendly. If you don't listen, I am just going to keep sending you more and more emails.

Love,
M
6 years old

The Perfect Gift For Baby: Luxury, Organic Baby Blanket

When a baby is born, it is so pure and natural, yet will soon be exposed to all of the harsh chemicals of the modern world. It is true that babies are exposed to some toxins in utero and through breastmilk, but this exposure is limited and mostly out of the control of parents. What is in the control of new parents are the kind of products they use on their baby, and of course, green products are better for baby.

As a new parent, I was very concerned about swaddling my newborn in synthetic, petroleum-based polyester blankets. Conventionally grown cotton baby blankets are not much better, as they are grown and produced with pesticides and chemicals. The solution: organically grown baby blankets. Unfortunately, six years ago the only organic fiber blanket I could find was a dull green color and unattractive. Today, babies can be swaddled in stylish, luxurious organic baby blankets by Robbie Adrian Luxury Organics, the perfect gift for baby.

After the recent barrage of recalls, many parents are looking for items made in the USA. Robbie Adrian Luxury Organics baby blankets are not only made in the USA, but the cotton used to make the fleece is also organically grown in the USA. The demand for non-food organic products is growing (27.5% in 2006), as people realize that it is not only the food we eat that comes into contact with our bodies. Robbie Adrian Luxury Organics are optimistic about this trend. Cofounder Susan Doris explains, "Part of our goal … is to help educate people about the impact on the environment from purchasing different fibers, and how they can really make a difference with what they buy."

Robbie Adrian Luxury Organics baby blankets are very beautiful and soft to the touch. The organically grown fleece is lined with silk, and worry-free for green parents. As cofounder Robbie Mahlman states, "Our blankets make green gorgeous." I can’t wait to give one to my new niece Tessa! All this green luxury comes at a price though, but as I have said before, sustainability is expensive in comparison to superstore shopping. The demand for cheap goods is one reason our environment is in its current condition.

What do you get for buying a sustainable company’s beautiful baby blanket? The company is honest in describing the green strengths and weakness of their product. They call this "baby steps" as they "try to run our business as sustainably as we can." The blankets are made of 100% certified organic cotton, grown in Texas, milled in South Carolina, and trimmed with natural silk. They are colored with low-impact, azo-free, non-heavy metal dyes. The company’s receipts are printed on seeded lotka paper, and all other paper products, such as hang-tags and stationary, are 100% post consumer fiber. The decorative tissue is handmade from kozo fiber. Robbie Adrian Luxury Organics uses plastic bags in packaging only when the destination expects wet weather. That is an awful lot of "baby steps," in my opinion!

There are a few areas the company identifies as needing sustainability improvement. Their labels are made from polyester fibers, because there are no US sources for woven cotton labels. The shipping boxes contain 55% recycled fiber content, rather than 100%. Furthermore, Robbie Adrian Luxury Organics would like to move from natural silk to "peace" silk. I have to admit, I had never heard of peace silk, even though I have taken many fiber arts classes. During conventional silk production, the silkworm is killed as it is boiled and the fiber unwound. Alternately, peace silk lets the moths emerge from their cocoons and complete their full life cycle before the silk fiber is removed. This product is rarely available for commercial uses.

You may not care about the life cycle of a silkworm, but Robbie Adrian Luxury Organics does, as they take "baby steps" towards combining sustainability, elegance, and beauty in their baby blankets. The company also cares about 15 pesticides used on cotton crops and their ecological impact. They care about providing green babies luxury, comfort, and health, something CEO Robbie Mahlman calls, "earth friendly elegance for discerning parents and their babies."

Child Size Cleaning Tools Encourages Children to Help with Household Chores

Any toy that can encourage a child to help with household chores is a good toy in my opinion. Add quality wooden construction, and I am sold! Magic Cabin offers a Child's Cleaning Set that contains real cleaning tools. The set includes a metal dustpan and broom, string mop, and a broom; all child-sized!

We have had the Child's Cleaning Set in my preschool classroom for four years now, and it continues to be one of the most popular play items. Children often use the mop for fighting fires (perhaps they have heard the term "mop up" after local forest fires), and they use the broom to clean up sand from the sand table. Cleaning up your own messes is a natural consequence for spills, and the most effective way for children to learn responsibility. Learning life skills, such as cleaning, is also part the Montessori philosophy for early childhood education. According to Michael Olaf, an amazing source for Montessori materials,

I have heard parents exclaim in dismay that their child is "wasting time cleaning in her new Montessori school when she should be doing math!" However, math and all other intellectual work requires the ability to move carefully, to focus, to complete sequential steps, to concentrate, to make intelligent choices and to persevere in one's work. This is exactly what is learned during practical life work. As a result of periods of time spent concentrating on such a task a child becomes calm and satisfied and, because of this inner peace, full of love for others.

Perhaps an even more important result of this work is that the child sees himself already as an important and contributing member of the group, and as an intimate friend, when he is welcome to participate in the work of the adult.

Magic Cabin's Child's Cleaning Set is made in the Netherlands, so no need to worry about Chinese manufactured goods with this purchase. The optional tool stand is made in the USA. With the holidays approaching, the Child's Cleaning Set would make a great, practical gift.

Blog Action Day: Air Pollution is Harmful to Babies and Cuts Life Expectancy

The air we breath sustains our lives. Air pollution has many negative effects to the human body, and young children are especially vulnerable. In fact, air pollution has been linked to birth defects.

According to the LA Times,

"the harmful effects of dirty air can extend even into the womb. More than a dozen studies in the United States, Brazil, Europe, Mexico, South Korea and Taiwan have linked smog to low birth weight, premature births, stillbirths and infant deaths."

Of course, automakers, the steel industry, the US Department of Energy, etc. question the results. A 2001 UCLA study found that even women living in areas that met federal standards for carbon monoxide and ozone, "were three times more likely than others to have babies with cleft lips and palates and defective heart valves." Hmm, perhaps this is the reason for my son's congenital heart defect (CHD) and the fact that 1 in 200 babies suffers from some form of CHD. According to the study, the greatest risk from pollution occurs during the second month of pregnancy, when major organs and facial structures are forming. Air pollution reaches unborn fetuses through the umbilical cord. Furthermore,

"A study by scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Basel in Switzerland concluded that as many as 11% of infant deaths in the United States--about 3,000 per year--may be a result of microscopic particles in the air."

In addition, carbon monoxide has has been linked to low birth weights and particulate matter to premature birth.

"Another study by UCLA researchers, which was published last year and focused on Southern California, concluded that mothers are 20% more likely to have a baby prematurely when exposed to elevated amounts of microscopic particles in the final six weeks of pregnancy...In a 1998 study of pregnant women in Sao Paulo, Brazil, scientists found that women exposed to high levels of nitrogen and sulfur oxides were 18% more likely to have their pregnancies terminate in stillbirths."


Recently, it was reported that pollution cuts life expectancy in Europe.

"Hundreds of thousands of people across Europe are dying prematurely because of air pollution, it said. "The estimated annual loss of life is significantly greater than that due to car accidents," the report said."

If it is happening in Europe, I am sure it is happening here. Pollution doesn't just affect the environment and climate change, but it affects our health. We need a healthy environment to live in, and we need to have healthy habits to protect our environment. It is a symbiotic relationship.

Branded for Life

I stumbled upon this image on the web, and I thought it was very thought-provoking. It amazes me how young children begin to recognize labels and logos (called "environmental print" by educators) and use them to make choices. What would our lives be like without such brand knowledge?

Do you know about StumbleUpon? StumbleUpon is a fun way to surf the internet based upon your interests and those of the friends you make. It is the only social bookmarking site I have ever been able to understand and enjoy using. If you decide to start stumbling, please visit my page and add me as a friend. I haven't had time to stumble lately, but it is a great way to promote your blog and favorite sites, as well as discover new sites and post fodder. Happy stumbling!

Games That Teach About Endangered Animals

"Be a force of nature" is the motto of Xeko, a trading card game created by the Matter Group in collaboration with Conservation International. This eco-game asks children (and adults) to take on the critical mission of creating the strongest ecosystems in the threatened hotspots of our planet. By playing Xeko, children learn about the complexities of ecosystems while trying to save them.

Xeko doesn’t just talk the eco-talk, though: it walks the eco-walk. All of the playing cards are made of recycled stock and printed with soy inks. In addition, players are encouraged to return their card wrappers to the company and earn Green Star points, which can be traded for free downloads. Furthermore, four percent of profits are donated to Conservation International for work to save the hotspots. What are hotspots? Hotspots provide the setting for Xeko missions, and are "the most threatened and species-rich places on Earth."

Currently numbered at 34, the hotspots contain 75 percent of the planet’s most threatened mammals, birds and amphibians while covering just 2.3 percent of the Earth’s surface. An estimated 50 percent of all vascular plants and 42 percent of land vertebrates exist only in these hotspots.

I found Xeko somewhat confusing to play, but I have never been one to enjoy games with complex rules (I don’t even know how to play chess). Players begin by matching their species cards to the hotspot card. If two species come into conflict, the players have a turf war. The species with the highest energy number wins, but boost cards can be played to increase your species’ energy number. There are other cards, too, like Xeko cards, that also come into play in the game. The game ends when one player runs out of cards; eco-points are totaled then to see who wins the game. I had to modify the rules and simplify the scoring to play the game with my six-year-old daughter. She enjoyed playing the game and asked to play over and over again. The game is definitely geared for older children, and I could see it as a fun way to learn about different ecosystems, such as Madagascar and Indonesia, in a science classroom.

Besides confusing directions, I dislike the fact that Xeko is a competitive game. I would like to see an eco-game along the same lines that was cooperative in nature. Part of why there are hotspots on our planet has to do with the competitive nature of business. The only way ecosystems will be protected is through cooperative effort, thus I feel the game should reflect this aspect of conservation.

Along with our Xeko game, we were given the cutest plush hairy-eared dwarf lemur. The lemur is made of soysilk, a material made from the proteins in soy. The hairy-eared dwarf lemur (Allocebus trichotis) was discovered in 1875 and considered extinct until 1966. It lives near Mananara, Madagascar, and its current population is estimated between 100 and 1000. It is listed as endangered due to deforestations and local inhabitants eating them. I hope the folks at Xeko will continue producing soysilk plush toys of rare creatures to accompany their trading card games. Endangered species toys are a great way to introduce young children to the diversity of our planet. I would also like Xeko to develop similar games for younger children.

Breastfeeding Benefits the Environment Too!

The benefit of breastfeeding for children and their mothers is common knowledge, but is breastfeeding better for the environment? I was recently asked this question in response to Bill Maher’s criticism of public breastfeeding and Facebook’s refusal to post pictures of breastfeeding mothers. In honor of today’s Breast Fest, hosted by the League of Maternal Justice, I will explore the issues of breastfeeding and the environment.

According to EcoMall, "Breastfeeding is probably the most overlooked means of contributing to the health of our planet" and parentingweb states, "Breastmilk is actually the most ecological food available to humans." Wow, those are pretty strong statements. Mother’s milk is completely natural (minus the toxins present from environmental contaminants), is produced without using resources (except for the resources used to produce the food the mother eats), and it creates no pollution. Breast milk comes from the mother’s body and bottles are not required, unless a mother is pumping because of work schedules, etc. There is never any waste with breast milk, as healthy mothers produce the right amount of milk a child needs based on the principle of supply and demand.

In contrast, the production and packaging of infant formulas uses natural resources and takes up landfill space, all of which contribute to climate change. According to Dia Michels, author of Mother Nature Loves Breastmilk, "If every child in America were bottle-fed, almost 86,000 tons of tin would be needed to produce 550 million cans for one year’s worth of formula." Furthermore, these tin cans can leach BPA into the formula. The Environmental Working Group tested infant formula and found, "For 1 in 10 cans of all food tested, and 1 in 3 cans of infant formula, a single serving contained enough BPA to expose a woman or infant to BPA levels more than 200 times the government’s traditional safe level of exposure for industrial chemicals."

Most infant formulas are dairy or soy-based. The dairy business uses tremendous amounts of resources and land, as well as creates pollution. Cow flatulence produces 100 million tons of methane every year, approximately 20% of the earth’s total emissions. Chemical fertilizers used to grow feed pollute soil and ground water. Deforestation occurs to create grazing land for cows. Soy-based formulas aren’t much better. Soybeans require high amounts of fertilizers and water, as well as are responsible for deforestation for cropland in countries like Brazil.

Preparing infant formula uses water and energy. Bottles must be sterilized and formulas must be heated to the proper temperature. Breastmilk comes from the mother’s body safe for consumption already at the perfect temperature with the perfect mix of nutritients for the child. In contrast, there have been about two dozen recalls of infant formula for health and safety issues, including seven recalls that were classified as potentially "life threatening".

It is true that some breastfeeding women use plastic baby bottles; however, typically formula fed babies use far more plastic bottles than their breastfed counterparts. The production of such bottles uses vast quantities of energy and natural resources, as well as contributes to pollution. Plastic baby bottles are made from nonrenewable petroleum resources and are part of the larger plastic industry. According to the Green Guide, "Toxic releases from the plastics industry represent 7% of the 5.7 billion pounds of toxic chemicals released or transferred by all manufacturers each year." Furthermore, plastic feeding bottles, nipples, and pacifiers in our landfills can take 200 to 450 years to break down. Your child’s baby bottle will outlive your child!

There is also the issue of a breastfed versus formula-fed baby’s excrement and the environment. If you have ever changed a diaper, especially a cloth diaper, you know the difference! Breastfed baby’s waste is much easier to wash from a cloth diaper, as well as the odor is less offensive. When considering the energy and water involved in washing cloth diapers, breast is definitely best!

There is overwhelming evidence that breastfeeding benefits children, in fact the American Academy of Pediatrics urges mothers to breastfeed for at least a year and beyond, "for as long as mutually desired." For my children, this was about two and half years. Not only does breastfeeding benefit children and mothers, but the environment wins as well. As Mothering Magazine states, "Breastfeeding is not just a lifestyle choice; it is a health issue for mother and infant, a social issue, and an environmental issue…Because of the far-reaching positive ecological, health, and social impact breastfeeding can make on our planet, it is imperative for anyone interested in protecting our children and our environment to do whatever possible to support, protect, and promote breastfeeding." Celebrate Breast Fest today and view The Great Breast Fest Montage!

Beautiful and Unique Clothing for Children by Tea Collection

You may have noticed a new affiliate in our side bar: Tea Collection. Tea Collection offers unique fashions "for the little citizens of the world". This inspiring San Francisco company is founded on the belief that,

"There is no better name for our brand than Tea. Tea, the drink, is shared in nearly every culture around the world—offering inspiration, warmth and mindfulness...We want to bring the beauty found in cultures around the world into the lives and homes of families in our own backyard. We believe that if the foreign is familiar – it is no longer foreign. It helps us remember that we all more alike than we are different. We design beautiful lifestyle collections that introduce a subtle, but important global perspective: colors, textiles, or silhouettes that are undeniably beautiful. In that beauty, we can all find a common ground of respect, awe and inspiration. "

Tea Collection graciously sent us two sample products, a beautiful sweater (Llama Jacquard Zip Sweater) and pair of cargo pants (Tacna Ticking Stripe Cargo Pants). The fabrics are luxurious and I truly wish they came in my size. After washing these items, they felt soft and durable, like they would still look new after many, many launderings. Tea Collection clothing is well made and truly worth the investment. As I wasn't sure on the sizing, I requested sizes too large for my son, or else you would see him pictured here in the beautiful outfit they sent. The sweater has a classic design, including elbow patches reminiscent of college professors. The fabric of the pants is so beautiful, with fine pin striping juxtaposed with cargo pockets. I covet this fabric and wish these pants were mine!

Tea Collection is a socially responsible company, supporting many organizations. They have teamed up with the Global Fund For Children in creating the Little Citizens collection. 40-50% of all profits from the Little Citizen's Collection are donated to the Global Fund For Children! That is a high percentage demonstrating Tea Collection's commitment to their "goal to reflect warmth and a generosity of spirit in our products, actions and interactions."

My favorite items currently offered by Tea Collection are the Inca Hooded Pullover for boys and the Journey Canvas Jumper for girls. Although Tea Collection's prices are more than I am used to paying for children's clothings, they are so well made, I am convinced they will last through several children's hand me downs and still look good! The website does offer sale items too.

One thing I have become aware of recently is that cheap prices create the concept of fast fashion in this country, which is not good for our environment. According to the Daily Grist,

"A globalization-fueled glut of cut-price clothing has inspired many consumers to think of their duds as disposable. It's a phenomenon some are calling "fast fashion" -- the apparel equivalent of fast food. Most fast fashionistas are oblivious to the downsides of the trend, including the energy-intensive, polluting process of creating synthetic fabrics; the fact that cotton fields are heavily water- and pesticide-dependent; the emissions implications of sourcing labor overseas; and the health effects on workers of processes such as blue-jean distressing. The average American throws away more than 68 pounds of clothing a year, and castoffs that aren't tossed often end up in developing countries, where some worry they interfere with local textile economies."

For more information about fast fashion, its environmental effects, and some graphic images, visit "Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry".

Canned Food and BPA

Many people are aware of the dangers of BPA, and this issue has been explored extensively in the parenting blogosphere regarding baby bottles and sippy cups. But did you know that tin/steel cans used for food and some aluminum beverage cans are lined with an epoxy resin that contains Bisphenol A (BPA)? This lining's purpose is to prevent corrosion and contamination of the food, but what about BPA contamination of the food/beverage?

Should we be worried about BPA leaching into our food? According to bisphenol-a.org, the answer is no, "an average adult consumer would have to ingest more than 230 kilograms (or about 500 pounds) of canned food and beverages every day for an entire lifetime to exceed the safe level of BPA set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency." bisphenol-a.org is an industry group, and somehow, I think their information may not be impartial.

Hmmmm, what about children? The Environmental Working Group tested canned food for BPA contamination. EWG states,

"Canned foods are thought to be the predominate route of BPA exposure...Two of six cans of infant formula tested contained BPA. The exposure that an infant might receive from canned formula, given his or her small size and limited food sources, makes the level of contamination in these cans particularly disturbing...For 1 in 10 cans of all food tested, and 1 in 3 cans of infant formula, a single serving contained enough BPA to expose a woman or infant to BPA levels more than 200 times the government's traditional safe level of exposure for industrial chemicals...we found that significant fractions of women who regularly eat canned food would exceed safe levels of BPA exposures on average throughout pregnancy."

So what's the big deal about BPA? The Green Guide writes,

"Recent research suggests that BPA's effects extend beyond the reproductive system. A growing number of scientists are concluding, from animal tests, that exposure to BPA in the womb raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems such as hyperactivity. A January 2006 Environmental Health Perspectives study on mice indicated that BPA alters the function of mouse pancreatic cells, which produce insulin, suggesting that the chemical may enhance the risk of developing Type II diabetes...panelists from the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction failed to reach any conclusions about the chemical. But recent tests by the Environmental Working Group found high levels in infant formula and chicken soup"

According to the Food Poisoning Law Blog,

"Scientists have detected BPA in breast milk, serum, saliva, urine, amniotic fluid, and cord blood from at least 2,200 people in Europe, North America, and Asia. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently detected BPA in 95% of nearly 400 U.S. adults and children."

I contacted two major manufacturers of organic canned food. One of them responded (anonymous), and the other did not (Eden Foods). One of them claims to have BPA free tin cans (Eden Foods), the other did not (they wish to remain anonymous). According to a marketing employee of the anonymous company,

"I am told by the various can suppliers – shrinking number of can suppliers as with most industries in the US – that all commercially produced cans – repeat – all commercially produced cans – have Bisphenol A in their lining…that this is what they use to keep the to keep the metal of the can from leaching into the food…

So as I said, I have received a few inquiries about this, “out of the blue” in the past few weeks, and one of the consumers that I sent the above information to wrote back to me and said, “Eden Foods says they don’t use Bisphenol A in their cans.”

Now, I have made it a policy over the years not to comment on what other companies say or do, or allegedly say or do…but…

the skeptic in me looks at the above statement and alarm bells go off and I want to say, “yes, THEY don’t use Bisphenol A – the cans come with the lining already in them…”

I have to say that I agree with the skeptic. If you were the only food company to have BPA free cans, wouldn't you plaster this across your label? That being said, I still have switched to only purchasing Eden Foods for the few canned items we buy. I have searched Eden Foods website on numerous occassions looking for this BPA-free claim. The only place I can find it touted is in the right sidebar here. They state,

"Avoiding Chemicals in Plastics & Cans:
• Choose soups, milk and soy milk packaged in cardboard "brick" cartons, by Tetra Pak and SIG Combibloc, which are made of safer layers of polyethylene (#2) and also recyclable.
• Choose canned beans from makers who don't use BPA, such as Eden Foods"

Don't forget about the bottle/sippy cup risk. Stating a study done by Environment California, the Grist reported back in February and March that,

"when run through a simulated dishwasher 50 to 75 times, name-brand baby bottles leach the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, in levels that have caused reproductive abnormalities in lab animals..."This is one of the highest-volume produced chemicals in the world," says Fredrick vom Saal, a Missouri biology professor and BPA researcher. "It's in everybody's bodies, and it's a very potent sex hormone. It's just nuts that it's being used the way it is."

Z Recommends has issued their own Z Report on BPA in baby bottles, as well as pacifiers.

Go Disney: Chinese Labour Laws Violated

First, we hear almost everyday about toxic toys coming from China being added to the recall list, but the Chinese toy horrors don't end there. Disney is also violating Chinese labour laws, which are not the best to begin with in the first place. The Chinese toy problems go beyond lead in paints to the rights of workers.

According to Breitbart.com,

Workers at a Chinese factory making Disney toys are overworked, underpaid, exposed to dangerous toxins and forced to live in filthy conditions...factory workers complained they were forced to work 28 days a month and up to 15 hours a day.

Staff at Haowei Toys in southern China also are not allowed to take time off during peak seasons, according to the report released by the Hong Kong-based Students and Scholars against Corporate Misbehaviour (SACOM).

"The conditions at Haowei reflect the failure of the Disney system to monitor and respond effectively to violations of the Disney code of conduct and the workers' rights the code professes to defend," the report said.

Staff are paid 2.5 yuan (32 US cents) per hour, 62.5 percent of the legal minimum wage of 4.02 yuan, while overtime premiums are also below the minimum required by law, said the report compiled from interviews with 35 employees.

The study charges that managers fine workers five yuan for toilet breaks that exceed five minutes and 10 yuan for refusing to do overtime work.

How do I explain this to my daughter who covets Disney princess crap? I have tried to shield her from much of the commercialism of childhood, but she knows how to read Disney and it is her dream to go to Disneyland. Why can't corporate America be socially responsible?

Happy Late Birthday Gandhi!

Gandhi's birthday was on October 2.

"A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes."

"A principle is the expression of perfection, and as imperfect beings like us cannot practise perfection, we devise every moment limits of its compromise in practice."

"A religion that takes no account of practical affairs and does not help to solve them is no religion."

"All the religions of the world, while they may differ in other respects, unitedly proclaim that nothing lives in this world but Truth."

"I consider myself a Hindu, Christian, Moslem, Jew, Buddhist and Confucian."

"Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well."

"I do not want to foresee the future. I am concerned with taking care of the present. God has given me no control over the moment following."

"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching."

"Be the change that you want to see in the world."

My life is my message.

"My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realising Him."

"Those who know how to think need no teachers."

"Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear."

"What do I think of Western civilization? I think it would be a very good idea."

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end they always fall—think of it. Always."


-- Mohandas K. Gandhi
(October 2, 1869–January 30, 1948)

Blog Action Day for the Environment is Fast Approaching

Do you know about the upcoming Blog Action Day?

On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind - the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future.

Thus far, 6,545 blogs have signed up, including Eco Child's Play, and I hope if you have a blog, you will participate. You can:

• Post about the environment

The best way to participate is to post on your blog something that relates to the environment. Your post can be about anything to do with the environment. So you could write a post which is offtopic for your blog OR relate the environment back to your topic in some way.

• Donate your day's earning's to charity

A single day's earnings often don't amount to much, but pooled together will make a difference. Why not donate your day's earnings to a charity to show your support. You can find a list of "official" Blog Action Day charities on the site, or choose your own. Blog Action Day itself does not accept money, so you will need to deal directly with the charities.

• Publicize Blog Action Day

You can register your blog here.

Great Children's Literature: The ABC's of Fruits and Vegetables and Beyond

The ABC's of Fruits and Vegetables and Beyondis an amazing book on nutrition using the ABC's to organize the content. The book begins with each letter boldly illustrated on the left hand page, including the featured fruit or vegetable and a side bar of additional ones that start with the letter. On the right hand page, a rhyming description of the fruit or vegetable accompanies a drawing. The rhyme includes interesting facts, geography, and humor. For example, "J is for sweet jicama (HEE-ka-ma). They're eaten sliced or whole. If you pronounce the J like H, You're speaking Espanol!"

The ABC's of Fruits and Vegetables and Beyond could end after the alphabet is over, but there is much, much more! The "Beyond" portion of The ABC's of Fruits and Vegetables and Beyondprovides recipes, fun facts, geography, links to other great children's literature on the letter or fruit/vegetable, jokes, tongue twisters, etc. This is a great resource for parents, teachers, homeschoolers, etc. to extend the nutritional and alphabet lesson.

ABC books are great for young children. They offer an enjoyable method to expose children to the alphabet. The more exposure children have to letters, the more they will notice their characteristics, etc. ABC literature is an effective method for letter introduction and reinforcement, and it is much more developmentally appropriate method than direct instruction. The ABC's of Fruits and Vegetables and Beyondoffers a fun way for children to learn about nutrition in the context of the alphabet. I can't way to try out some of the recipes!

And the Winner Is MC Milker, The Not Quite Crunchy Parent!

Our final winner for our last hemp bag giveaway is MC Milker, who blogs at The Not Quite Crunchy Parent, which is probably my favorite parenting blog. MC writes intelligently and her posts are always thought-provoking. I encourage you to visit The Not Quite Crunchy Parent. She also writes for GNM Parents, just like yours truly. I have the flu today, so I will leave it at that....

I hope our readers will continue to leave excellent comments, and if you didn't win, you can purchase your own hemp shopping bag. ReusableBags.com features high-quality, reusable shopping bags that will help you eliminate hundreds, if not thousands, of those plastic and paper shopping bags choking our planet. It’s an easy way to do your part! In the future, I will post about how my children and I silk screened the bags, in order that you can create your own designs on canvas shopping bags to personalize them.