children

We've all read about toxic chemicals that the government allows in food. Recent news about toys made in China containing lead and unhealthy plastics has brought more attention to the important sustainable children's market. The next generations will be inheriting all of our successes and failures - shouldn't we start them off on a positive note?

Los Angeles-based non-profit organization Healthy Child Healthy World has been promoting positive choices and changes for children sine 1991.

Healthy Child Healthy World exists because more than 125 million of America's children now face an historically unprecedented rise in chronic disease and illness such as cancer, autism, asthma, birth defects, ADD / ADHD, and learning and developmental disabilities. Credible scientific evidence increasingly points to environmental hazards and household chemicals as causing and contributing to many of these diseases.

In response to a report from the National Research Council (NRC), Healthy Child Healthy World has teamed up with Ohio-based Naturepedic, whose dedicated solely to creating organic cotton mattresses that promote the health and safety of children.

The aforementioned NRC study concluded that "50 percent of all pregnancies in the U.S. are now resulting in prenatal or postnatal mortality, birth defects, developmental neurological problems, or otherwise chronically unhealthy children. According to the report, exposure to toxic chemicals or environmental factors may have been a factor in as many as 28 percent of the 4 million children born each year, with at least 1 in 6 children having neurological or immune reactive conditions including autism, schizophrenia, ADD, dyslexia and various learning disabilities."

Whether shopping for a friend with a new one or if you have had the blessing of a baby being introduced into your world, visit Healthy Child Healthy World's website for more information about developing a sustainable environment for your bundle of joy, including recommended companies and brands.

A chemical used in the manufacture of food packaging, bisphenol A, has recently been shown to cause all sorts of ill effects in infants:

...everyone who drinks from hard plastic bottles or eats canned food has minute amounts of this hormone-like chemical in their bodies.

Now, a federal advisory panel is warning that the chemical could be causing neurological and behavior effects in unborn babies and young children.

Bisphenol A is a high production volume chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.

Polycarbonate plastics are used in food and drink packaging; resins are used as lacquers to coat metal products such as food cans, bottle tops, and water supply pipes.

When I was in India, the roadside chai shops used to serve beverages in disposable clay cups that looked a bit like tiny flowerpots. I can't vouch for the safety of the clay, which may for all I know have been full of pesticides and what have you, but it seemed an elegant solution to the very real need for disposable drinking vessels. And as usual, the healthier solution is also the more aesthetically pleasing one...

Thanks to our friends at Enviroblog for pointing us to the release on Friday of a shocking World Health Organization report that indicates that "One in five children in the poorest parts of the world will not live longer than their fifth birthday, mainly because of environment-related diseases."

Children in Pasadena and Peoria may have healthier diets and better healthcare, but are far from immune to environmental illnessses. The report also states that, "Over 30% of the global burden of disease in children can be attributed to environmental factors."

Adults who beat back blackberry vines with RoundUp and ants with Raid, to no apparent ill effect, can be dismissive of what they percieve as "alarmist" outcries against pesticides and pollutants in our living spaces. But children's bodies process chemicals very differently. What's more, "Emerging evidence suggests that an increased risk of certain diseases in adults such as cancer and heart disease can result in part from exposures to certain environmental chemicals during childhood."

Taking into account the fact that indoor air quality is usually worse than the air on your local freeway, being proactive about greening the air in your home may be the most important thing you can do for your child. To find everything about indoor air quality on Building Green, click here. As an introduction, we highly recomment this post by Champion Indoors', and if it scares you as much as it should, then by all means, follow their recommendation to visit Beyond Pesticides, where you can learn even more, and even get involved.

image Mark Bernat

Cross-posted from my site.

I read this tragic story today and can not stress enough the important message of how dangerous some of these chemicals may be. A Texas family was given a commercial grade pesticide which they then used in their home. As a result, their two year old child died. Just because something is available, EPA registered, FDA approved, etc. etc. etc. - does not necessarily mean it is SAFE. The applicator's manual for the product this family was given is 43 pages long! http://www.plunketts.net/phos_pellet-l-0104.pdf

The person who supplied this family with the pesticide is facing criminal charges, as they should be. Always remember that "cide" literally translates to kill. In this case, it was an innocent child.

The news story can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/2cnttr

Beyond Pesticides (http://www.beyondpesticides.org) has some very good information to help you educate yourself.

Please keep this Texas family in your thoughts and prayers.

Cross-posted from my site. Enjoy.

It's almost back to school time. The time when most parents sigh with relief that they don't have to hear "I'm bored mom" for the 100th time. My son Zane will be going into 3rd grade this year. He will be spending 30+ hours at school per week. That's an awful lot of time...

I am thrilled to see more green schools being built and hope to see it become not only the norm, but a national requirement. But, until then, many schools need to work with what they have... With childhood asthma rates at an all-time high, neurological disorders such as autism soaring off the charts and people becoming more and more environmentally sensitive due to chemical overexposure, it is time for us to start protecting our future - the children.

Children are far more susceptible to risk and harm from indoor air and environmental pollutants. Though pesticides are being phased out of regular use, many schools still use them. What about the cleaning products, the summer remodeling project and the teacher's use of air fresheners? How is the HVAC system maintained? Do they use high quality filters? Is there enough fresh air?

Even if you’re not a person like me, there is something you can do to help improve the indoor air/environmental quality of your child's school. Do it on your own, get the PTA involved or find a local consultant like myself to volunteer a little bit of their time.

The EPA has a free program called the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit. (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html) Did I mention that it's FREE? It's a great program that will assist in making your child's school healthier and safer now. When it's time for the new school, green will be the way to go for sure.

But until then, we can help our future - the children, by making sure they are being educated in safe and non-toxic environments.

Cross-posted from my site. Enjoy.

The most important job I have right now is being a good mama. Though I love my career and have great passion for what I do, I have been struggling to not be busy, so that I can savor each moment of being a mom yet again in my (gasp) late 30's. I know how fast it goes, as my son Zane is now up to my collarbone and says things like "Dude - don't mess up my hair!" So... I love my kids, cuddle them, play with them, read to them and try my best to be very PRESENT.

These are some of my favorite Mama Resources and tips.

1. Vaccines - http://www.909shot.com
Regardless of your choice to vaccinate or not, please be an informed parent. If you do choose to vaccinate your children, make sure you get single dose vaccines (such as just measles instead of the MMR.) Combo vaccines contain thimerosal which is a derivative of mercury.

2. Disposable diapers and wipes - While I like the thought of cloth diapers, I have issues with the water usage as we live in the desert. I tried G Diapers (they leaked and I found them to be messy,) and we travel pretty regularly. My disposable favorite is Seventh Generation diapers (I also buy their wipes by the case in the refill packs instead of the plastic tubs). They are chlorine-free, hypo-allergenic, and fragrance and latex-free. I used them with my son and have been using them with Zoe. Neither kid ever had a diaper rash. I order them online through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com) and pay about $40 per case of diapers and $36 per case of wipes.

3. Cleaning supplies and laundry detergent - I also order most of these products by the case through Amazon as well and love Seventh Generation's cleaning products and laundry soap. You save a ton of money by buying in bulk and most Seventh Generation products are eligible for free shipping over a certain dollar amount. As babies put EVERYTHING in their mouths, think about what chemicals may be present, and remember if you can't pronounce an ingredient you probably shouldn't be using it around your children anyway.

4. Baby Food - I bought a hand crank food mill that came with a carrying case so we can take it with us when we eat out and travel. As little bodies are far more susceptible to environmental toxins, organic food that is thoroughly washed is a must. It is imperative to "train" your kids in eating the right foods from the get go. My 8 yr. old son loves artichokes, salads and salmon because he's always eaten what we've eaten. If you must purchase pre-made baby food, try a brand like Earth's Best organic baby food. (http://www.earthsbest.com)

5. If you can't afford to purchase all organic clothing, bedding, etc. for your little ones, think about buying a few key pieces (Zoe has an amazing blanket made of bamboo that is her favorite), then buy second-hand. Kids outgrow their clothes in about 5 minutes anyway, and I feel more comfortable knowing that something's been through the wash a bazillion times before. Plus it's a great way to recycle. Have a clothing swap when you're done or donate them to a woman's shelter or other organization.
A few of my favorite organic baby sites - http://www.sagecreeknaturals.com/, http://www.sckoon.com/,
http://www.kee-ka.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=W...

6. Toys. Think simple and washable. These are some of Zoe's favorites - she especially likes the green bean.

Under the Nile has a great selection of healthy toys (which is where we got ours). (http://www.underthenile.com/)

7. Bath time - Not only should we be conscious of what goes IN our children, but what goes ON them should also be considered. I've been using the baby products from Avalon Organics (body/hair wash, lotion and sunscreen.) A little goes a long way and it doesn't irritate her fragile skin. (http://www.avalonorganics.com/?title=Baby)

8. Book - Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child. This book has been one of my kid bibles. It covers homeopathy, naturopathic as well as conventional treatments for childhood ailments. Well worth the $16.29 from Amazon!

Treasure your children. Savor each moment and take responsibility for their well-being. Teach them through example, with the understanding that they too will probably recycle and feed their own children organic food one day because you did!

Love and laughter.

Mama Champion