*As originally posted by Jennifer Azzariti on eco18.com*

Do you ever watch a television show where a baby is born and laugh as they hand the new mom a clean, approximately 8-week old baby? Most people are well-aware that babies are born with a slimy mucus-like covering on them. For years, I just assumed it was from being inside the mom’s uterus—leftover amniotic fluid or something that surrounded the baby while in the uterus. Well, it has a name—vernix. And by definition, it’s “a white cheeselike protective material that covers the skin of a fetus.” But, what is it, and why do babies have it?

Vernix is produced during the third trimester and it provides a temporary skin barrier for the watery environment babies live in while in utero. According to Cosmetics & Toiletries Sciences Applied, the prenatal functions of vernix include:” waterproofing, since due to the low surface energy, vernix caseosa is highly unwettable; the facilitation of the skin formation in utero; and protection of the fetus from acute or sub-acute chorioamnionitis (an inflammation of the outer (chorion) and inner (amnion) fetal membranes due to a bacterial infection). During delivery, vernix caseosa acts as a lubricant while postnatally, it exhibits antioxidant, skin cleansing, temperature-regulating and antibacterial properties.”

Since we have no control over vernix during pregnancy and delivery, it’s important to discuss its postnatal significance where we do have control. Proven to have such great benefits postnatally, it makes you wonder why we are in such a rush to give newborns their first bath—removing vernix. When I had my children, I think the excitement of giving birth made me oblivious to much of what was going on in the delivery room. But, after reviewing paperwork given to me at the hospital detailing the stay of each of my children, I confirmed neither of them received their first baths immediately after birth (phew!). The blood and meconium was immediately wiped away, but I think the vernix was “allowed” to stay on their bodies and was quickly absorbed, as vernix does.

Modern science and Western Medicine recognizes the benefits of vernix. A study regarding the significance of vernix was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 191 (6), 2090-2096, titled: Antimocrobial Properties of Amniotic Fluid and Vernix Caseosa are Similar to Those Found in Breast Milk. This study revealed that a number of immune substances were present in both amniotic fluid and vernix samples. Tests using antimicrobial growth inhibition essays showed these substances were effective at deterring the growth of common perinatal pathogens— group B. Streptococcus, K. pneumoniae, L. monocytogenes, C. albicans and E. coli.

Results from this study brought into question the practices commonly used when treating newborns. The study suggests that baby’s first bath should be delayed until at least twenty-four hours after birth. The Department of Health in conjunction with the World Health Association has set-forth a protocol for newborns, and in the section regarding thorough immediate drying of the baby (0-3 minutes after birth), it says “Do not wipe off vernix,” and “Do not bathe the newborn.” The protocol later states that you should wait at least six hours to wash the baby.

When you have a baby, it’s important to discuss your wishes with not only your physician, but also your entire care staff at the hospital where you deliver your baby. Make sure your partner is aware of your wishes, because if you’re like I was, you will be so caught up in pushing out a baby and the excitement that goes along with it, that postponing the first bath could easily slip your mind. If I were to have another child, I would inquire as to what the hospital’s protocol is. Some hospitals do wait longer than others to bathe your baby, so this could be a non-issue for you. If not, I’ve seen people who have sayings printed on a onesie customized for their newborns. You could do this and have it read “Please do not bathe me.” Whatever you do, make sure your wishes are known by everyone who will come into contact with your little one.

So, next time you have a baby, let the hospital staff know you’d like to “Keep the vernix now, clean the baby later!”

*As originally posted by Jennifer Azzariti on eco18.com

Do you ever look at the list of ingredients in the cleaners you use around the house? From laundry detergent to all-purpose cleaners, it seems there are a lot of chemicals your family could stand to do without. In addition, you can save lots of money by making your own cleaners using items you probably already have around the house. There may be a few ingredients you’ll need to purchase, but the price you pay for those items will still be far cheaper than what you would spend on ready-made cleaners and detergents.

Laundry Detergent

I have been looking for a recipe for homemade laundry detergent for quite a while and most of them have the same key ingredients. Only one of those ingredients made me raise my eyebrows—Borax. Like many people, I was confusing borax with boric acid. “Crunchy Betty” did a very thorough job of explaining the difference so people can make an educated decision about whether borax is an appropriate ingredient for their own laundry detergent, as well as other cleaners. According to the Material Safety Data Sheet, Borax carries a health hazard of 1, which is minimal. Of course, Borax should not be ingested, but I don’t plan to eat my laundry detergent or cleaners. And when it comes to my children, I will simply keep this out of their reach, as I do with all of my cleaners. That said, following is the recipe I use for making laundry detergent (it costs approximately $8 to make and it’s the same recipe used by the Duggar Family from TV’s 19 Kids and Counting):

Liquid Laundry Detergent for Front or Top Load Machines

Ingredients:

- 4 Cups hot tap water

- 1 Fels-Naptha Soap Bar

- 1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

- ½ Cup Borax

Instructions:

- Grate bar of soap and add to a saucepan with the 4 cups of hot water

- Stir constantly over medium-low heat until the soap dissolves and is melted

- Fill a 5 gallon bucket halfway with hot tap water

- Add the melted soap, washing soda and borax to the 5 gallon bucket

- Stir will until all of the powder is dissolved

- Fill the bucket to the top with more hot water and stir it

- Cover the bucket and let it sit overnight to thicken

- Stir and then fill a used, clean laundry soap dispenser halfway with soap and then fill the rest of the way with water.

- Shake before each use.

- You can also add 10-15 drops of essential oil per every 2 gallons to add a scent.
Makes 10 gallons
Top Load Machines: Use 5/8 cup per load (approximately 180 loads)
Front Load Machines: Use ¼ cup per load (approximately 640 loads)

All-Purpose Cleaner

All-purpose household cleaners are also very handy to have around the house. As many people know, two great items for cleaning are vinegar and baking soda. I tend to mix baking soda with water to make a paste and I spread it on the grease-stained parts of my stovetop. After it sits for a little while, I scrub the stovetop and am amazed by how clean it comes. I have yet to find anything non-abrasive that cleans my stovetop better. Of course, this is not something you would pre-mix and store in a container.

If you’re looking for a true all-purpose cleaner sans all the chemicals, then here is a recipe you may like:

Ingredients:

1 cup of hot water
1 teaspoon of Borax
½ teaspoon of washing soda
2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Instructions:

- Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle that’s ready to be recycled and shake it up and start cleaning. (Yes, it’s really that easy!)

So get cleaning and know your family is a little better off thanks to fewer chemicals and more money left in your wallet.

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about extreme couponing and the money these “couponers” save. The thing you don’t hear about is all of the paper that’s wasted, not to mention how much time these people must be spending on an average grocery trip. I watched one episode of Extreme Couponing where the woman spent eight hours in the grocery store! When I do my grocery shopping, I almost always have my two young children with me. Spending a lot of time in the aisles and then even more time at the cash register is not an option. But, since I am a stay-at-home mom, I need to save money wherever I can.

The New Wave of Coupons

If you look at my keychain, you’ll see approximately one dozen store loyalty cards. While for several years, these cards were used so I could get the advertised price of an item as a card member (instead of paying a much higher price) simply so stores could track my spending, many stores are now finding more ways to help their customer’s save by using these cards. A&P stores (which include Waldbaums and Pathmark) now have a service that allows you to log onto their website and link coupons to your loyalty card. When you purchase the items on a shopping trip, the coupons are automatically applied. There are two caveats: the coupons will not be doubled (like they do with paper coupons) and if you happen to have a paper coupon (forgetting about the one on your card), only the one on your card will be honored. Another thing to note is that you don’t need a card for each store in a “family.” I have a Pathmark card that works at Waldbaums and A&P, so I save plastic and time by linking everything to one card.

There is also a new company, Linkables Network that is beginning to offer coupons that can be linked to your credit card or debit card. By simply linking your credit card, and then linking offers to that card, you can save money when you go shopping. Some of the offers they have had include: $3 off a $15 purchase at Whole Foods and $5 off a $40 purchase at Publix. Currently there are offers for Stop & Shop, PetSmart and Home Depot. In my experience, the money I save has been deposited into my PayPal account 5 days after a qualifying purchase. While I like this service, it definitely needs to be expanded. I would love to see manufacturer coupons linked to credit cards, this way you could shop for deals at any of your preferred stores (instead of linking coupons to your loyalty card for each individual store).

There are several sites online where you can obtain manufacturer coupons, as well. I like this option of printing coupons because I only print the coupons I will use, thereby minimizing paper waste. I only wish the coupons would print closer together on a sheet of paper so more than three coupons could fit on a page. However, since I know only three will print per page, I always select my coupons in multiples of three. My favorite sites for obtaining printable coupons are: coupons.com, redplum.com, smartsource.com, Cellfire, CouponNetwork and MyGroceryDeals.com. In addition to having the option of printing coupons from these sites, most of them will also allow you to link deals to your Store Loyalty Cards. You simply choose your stores from a drop-down list—unfortunately many more stores still need to be added to this program in order for it to be fully-functional. If you would prefer not to print coupons and would rather use coupons from a coupon circular, why not ask friends, family and neighbors for their coupon circulars (if they don’t use them)? It’s amazing how many people simply throw out their coupons rather than take the time to clip them. You’ll be surprised by how many people will gladly hand over their coupon circulars (and you’re rescuing those circulars from the recycle or trash bin).

Before you go shopping, it’s always nice to be organized—especially if your children will be in tow. I am not a fan of printed store circulars, as I find them difficult to read and I find it time-consuming to compare deals—not to mention being a huge waste of paper. I discussed MyGroceryDeals.com before regarding coupons, but what I most like about the site is that I can access all of my store circulars in one place. The site offers a number of ways to look for deals, including by store and by category. I like to search by category so I can see which store is offering the best deal on a product before I go shopping. Another feature I like about this site is the coupon-matching section—it tells you which store has a deal and lists coupons that can be used with that deal. If you’re looking to save time with your couponing, this is a great resource, although there is still room for improvement. In the company’s defense, I have seen improvements in this section over the past several months, and the company’s Vice President of Business Development, Ed Hladkowicz recently reached out to members asking for feedback on what could make the site better.

These resources should help you save time and money at the grocery store while not being a burden on the environment. If we all take steps to use fewer paper coupons and link digital coupons to our credit cards and store loyalty cards, we can cut down on our paper waste. Additionally, those linked coupons will help you get through the check-out line much quicker, minimizing the chance of your children getting antsy from sitting in one spot for too long. So, go ahead and use those linked coupons and online circulars and feel better that your carbon footprint is getting a little lighter.

*originally posted by Jennifer on eco18.com

Winter is upon us and it is cold outside. While it’s important to get fresh air, sometimes it might just be too cold (depending on where you live). With more time being spent cooped up in the house, it seems parents hear the “I’m bored” complaint more frequently in the winter months. I’ve compiled a list of things my kids and I like to do on cold days to keep busy and have fun.

1. Play Dress-Up—Do you still have your kid’s Halloween costumes? Why not let your kids wear their costumes for the day and play pretend around the house. We did this today and my kids had a blast! My son dressed up as Captain Hook and my daughter has a Tinkerbell costume that one of her cousins passed along to us. They chased each other around the house and the only sounds I heard were laughter. As a bonus, we got to use our Halloween costumes again. We actually painted some old wooden hooks and hung them in our playroom so the kids can play dress-up whenever they want.

2. Do an arts & crafts project—Kids love to cut, paste, paint and color. This is always a sure-fire way to make my kids happy. We could spend hours doing arts and crafts. I especially like the projects that incorporate items we might normally throw in the garbage or in the recycle bin. Kids Going Green has a list of crafts you can do with your children that incorporate these types of items.

3. Play outside—I know I said it’s hard to be outside when it’s really cold, but it doesn’t hurt to go outside for a little whhttp://www.momsfatwallet.com/wp-admin/post-new.phpile as long as everyone is bundled up. Since it has been bitterly cold where we live, my kids are ready to come back in the house within 15 minutes, but at least they’re getting outside. It may sound odd, but I wish it would snow. It seems that the cold is more bearable when there is snow on the ground. Plus, there are so many fun activities to do in the snow—build a snowman, make snow angels, build snow tunnels (if you live someplace that gets LOTS of snow), go sledding, or if your town has an ice skating rink, you can go take advantage of that.

4. Visit the Library—Have you been to your local library lately? It’s not just books anymore. Most libraries have a children’s room with toys and a slew of activities to keep your little ones occupied. From mommy-and-me groups, craft classes and story time to showing movies, the library has certainly evolved. Many libraries now offer the option to borrow ebooks, DVDs, and other multimedia. In fact, according to a 2011 survey by the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), “Even though only 61 percent of public libraries are offering downloadable media services, they serve 84 percent of the U.S. population served by public libraries.” Libraries in my area also allow members to borrow passes to visit area museums. Libraries are a great resource for families, and I find we visit ours much more in the colder months.

5. Cook together—I’m not sure what it is about the kitchen, but kids love to help out. It doesn’t matter what I’m cooking or baking, my son always wants to help. In the colder months, it’s always nice to make big meals and if you’re looking for something fun to do with your kids, why not involve them in preparing the meal. My son likes to help roll meatballs, stir any type of batter, crack eggs or any other job. I also found a great website with recipes for cooking with your kids, Moms Who Think. The website offers an alphabetical list of recipes, so you could make foods that coincide with what letter your child may be working on at school that week. Make sure you keep it green by using organic or locally grown and produced ingredients.

So, don’t let the winter weather get you down. Embrace it, when you can and when it’s just too cold, make the most of indoor activities that will keep everyone happy.

*originally posted on eco18.com

As I strive to be a more eco-friendly mom, I’m always looking for new ways to help the environment while not depriving my children of the things they want and need. I’ve compiled a list of websites that will help families provide their kids with some great clothes, baby gear and video games—all of which will help cut down on waste and many that will offer money savings.

Thred Up — I was first introduced to this website shortly before Halloween for their “Costume Swap.” Since that time, I’ve discovered what a wonderful resource this site is. Since kids grow out of clothes so quickly, this is a great place to get your hands on gently used clothes at a great price. Here’s how it works: members fill a US Postal Service Medium Flat Rate box full of gently used clothing (or toys or other items), then they list the box on the Thred Up site. Most “thredders” will give a full listing of what is in the box—sometimes including a photo. Someone will then pick the box, paying $9 (or in some cases $16) plus $9.95 for shipping and the box will be mailed to them. When you see a box you want, you should grab it because the really good boxes go fast! I like this site because not only do I get great clothes for my kids (we got 10 Gymboree outfits in one box), but I’m also able to pass along our gently used clothes to someone who I know wants them! Plus, you get credit for each box you send and you can use your credits to offset the cost of boxes you buy. FYI: Using the above link to join will earn you a $5 off the first box you pick!

Zwaggle- Similar to Thred Up, Zwaggle is a website that promotes swapping of gently used items. However, this site works on a points system that they cleverly refer to as zoints. You can earn zoints by selling items on the site or you can purchase zoints for $1 each. In my opinion, you’re better off earning points by listing items you have since $1 per point is kind of pricey when you look at how many points some people are asking for their items. What I like about Zwaggle is that it’s organized in such a way that you can go right to the category you want and see if someone has what you’re looking for. If they don’t have what you’re looking for you can simply add the item to your wish list. If someone lists the item, you will receive an email notification. FYI: You will receive 25 zoints just for joining.

Swap Baby Goods- This swap website offers more of a platform for moms to find one another. Basically, people list items that they have available for sale or trade, and then another user will contact them about making a deal. The two people will determine the logistics of how the trade will take place- in person, or via mail. If the swap involves a monetary transaction, Swap Baby Goods recommends using Paypal to protect both parties. In addition, Swap Baby Goods does not take any responsibility for deals that do not work out, or items that do not show up, so it’s important to keep that in mind.

Plum Gear- Plum Gear is a website that allows parents to rent clothes for their kids. Instead of buying new clothes every few months, parents can rent 5, 10 or 15 items each month from designers like Kate Quinn Organics, Petit Bateau and Zutano for their children up to size 2T. The price varies from $33 a month for 5 items, to $59 and $84 a month for 10 and 15 items respectively. Since the clothes are monitored by the Plum Gear team, clothes with stains or tears will not be sent out. Instead, those items are cleaned or repaired and donated to foster care or sent to a cloth recycling center. I like that you get new clothes on a regular basis and never get stuck with that daunting task of going through old clothes.

Goozex – Goozex is a forum for trading your video games and movies for ones that are “new-to-you.” This is a great option for parents with kids who indulge in video games but grow tired of them—especially once they’ve beaten the game. Rather than continue to buy more new games, this gives people the option to swap with others. The same goes for movies. After creating your account, you list the items you have to offer as well as the ones you are looking to get. After that, Goozex finds the match for your transaction. Goozex works on a point system— assigning higher point values to newer and high-demand products. Members exchange points for games or movies. The only fee associated with Goozex is what they refer to as the “Trade Token” which is the $1.99 fee the buyer pays to Goozex for each transaction.

Freecycle- Freecycle is a network of 5,005 groups with nearly 9 million members worldwide. Freecycle Network™ is made up of 5,005 groups with 8,863,108 members around the world. The way it works, is that members list items they are getting rid of and make them available to other members for free. Members can also post items they are looking to acquire. I have seen an array of items listed on my local Freecycle board—from outdoor playhouses and other toys to power tools and books.You name it; you can probably find it on Freecycle. The challenge is getting to the member who has listed the item before someone else does. I love this site because it keeps perfectly useable items in circulation, and saves people a ton of money on buying new! Did I mention Freecycle is totally free to join and use?!

I hope you’ll have as much fun and great luck with these sites as I’ve had!

I love to save money, even if it’s not on going places, but on getting things.

Have you heard that actress Jessica Alba has launched a new business geared toward moms? It’s called The Honest Company, and they offer parents (and others) the opportunity to purchase diapers and cleaning products to be delivered to your door. For a limited time, you can visit their site and get a free trial- my understanding is that you get a one month supply of diapers and wipes and/or a one month supply of the household bundle and only pay shipping for each bundle (which is $4.95). Once you sign up, you’ll be enrolled to receive your bundle each month at the regular price- unless you cancel within 7 days of receiving your trial bundle. I’m anxiously awaiting my bundles so I can try them out and write about them!

On Saturday, January 14th Sears will have a Kid’s Workshop where kids can build their own Football game. The event will take place in the Tools Department of participating locations from noon to 3 pm. There is a cost of $5 associated with the program for a kit which includes 1 (football game) kit, goggles & an apron. The event is appropriate for kids ages 4-10 and only 60 kids are allowed per workshop event (based on a first come, first serve basis).

For locations, you can visit the Sears website. And enjoy a fun day of building with your little one!

* as originally posted on eco18.com

I remember it so clearly—decorating a nursery for the first time. There was so much to consider, especially since we didn’t know if there was a baby boy or a baby girl growing in my belly. Just over four years ago when I was pregnant, I didn’t know much about chemicals and other harmful ingredients that may be lurking in paint, carpets and bedding. I quickly learned, though.

To Carpet or Not to Carpet

Both of our spare bedrooms had hardwood floors. I contemplated carpeting the rooms, mostly because I like the feel of carpet against my bare feet first thing in the morning. In the end, we opted to resurrect the hardwood floors that had been hiding beneath carpets for the last fifty years. Of course, not everyone will be as fortunate as we were to find beautiful hardwood floors in their home.

If you choose to install wood floors in your nursery then you might want to consider an eco-friendly option. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has a certification program, which can help you choose wood flooring that is more ecologically responsible. Bearing the FSC label indicates the forest products used are from responsibly harvested and verified sources. Another great option for wood floors is bamboo. It lasts longer and can endure more use than conventional hardwood floors. Bamboo floors are naturally resistant to water, mildew and insects. Additionally, since bamboo grows quickly and abundantly, it is sustainable

Some people will prefer carpeting in a child’s bedroom, but this must be done with caution. Many traditional carpets will emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes VOCs in greater detail on their website. The main take-away is that there are harmful gases being emitted into the air and these chemicals may have short or long-term health effects. I think it’s important we minimize the exposure our children have to VOCs and since they will be crawling on these carpets, and playing on them for years to come, it’s worth taking steps to minimize VOCs. With proper ventilation, VOCs emitted from new carpets should fall to very low levels within 48 to 72 hours according to the EPA—so you should keep windows open and let a room with new carpeting air out as much as possible.

Thanks to companies like Mohawk Flooring there are eco-friendly carpeting options. There is the SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona carpet, which is made with renewably sourced polymer. Another option they offer is EverStrand, which uses P.E.T. (Polyethylene terephthalate) technology that turns plastic bottles into other fibers—in this case, to make carpet. Finally there is the Wear-Dated Renew & Wear-Dated Renew Natural Nylon carpeting, which uses post-industrial fiber and polymer products created during fiber manufacturing. These fibers would normally make their way into the waste system, but these carpets have created an alternative to that. I inquired with the company regarding VOCs, but as of now, I have not received a response.

PAINT

When we painted the nursery, and then a couple years later, my daughter’s room we chose Low-VOC and Zero VOC paint. Initially my reason for the choice was that I did not want the smell of paint filling my home. My husband and I were concerned that there had to be harmful chemicals traveling with that odor, and we didn’t want to take any chances with our unborn or young children. Of course, even though we were using Zero VOC paint, there was still some smell and we kept windows open to limit our exposure. The large paint manufacturers all offer VOC-free paint. When you choose your paint, you simply have to ask for VOC-free when they mix it. In my experience, this is often what the people at the paint store will offer. Some of the big names, that carry VOC-free paint include, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy, and Glidden.

BEDDING

Once you’ve taken care of the floors and walls, its time to think about what’s going to be in constant contact with your little one—their bedding. Organic mattresses and bedding are a great option for your little one for several reasons. I like the fact that they do not emit the volatile chemicals found in many traditional options and they are gentler on your skin. In addition, organic bedding “breathes” better than man-made fabrics. Pillows and mattresses made with natural or organic cotton wool or rubber provide protection from dust mites that you won’t find with man-made mattresses and pillows. This helps provide relief for allergy and asthma sufferers. According to the CDC, 7 million American children (9.4%) currently suffer from asthma—that’s almost 1 in every 10 children.

When buying organic bedding there are some important things to keep in mind. For example, many mattresses have polyester backing (and companies are not always forthcoming about this fact). In addition, you want to make sure both the outer AND inner fabrics are organic—if a company doesn’t indicate that all parts inside and out are organic, you may want to think twice before buying that particular products.

The brand of organic bedding I like is from Pure Rest Organics and Eco Baby Organics. They offer a full line of products from crib-size all the way up to king-size. From mattresses, to sheets, comforters, pillows and crib bedding sets, they offer something for everyone. And, if you’ve already purchased a mattress and don’t want to invest in a new one, they even have organic barrier covers. Another interesting point about this company is how far their dedication to keeping chemicals out of their products goes. Not only did they paint their location and seal all of their floors and sewing tables with zero VOC paints and sealers but they only hire people willing to use products with no scents and those who do not live with a smoker.

Enjoy decorating your little one’s room and remember to keep chemicals to a minimum and ventilation to a maximum. Your whole family will sleep better in an organic, VOC-free room. And, who knows, once you’ve tackled your baby’s room, you might be inspired to redecorate your own room.

*as originally posted by me on eco18.com*

Have you ever walked down the snack aisle of a grocery store and wondered “what’s the point?” The aisles are littered with junk food that I would rather not get my kids started on. Don’t get me wrong, I let my kids have cookies and sweets, but I try to make it more of a treat as opposed to an everyday occurrence. It can be tough to navigate the snack aisle, especially when you want to prevent your children from contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic in the US. Additionally, you want to make sure what you’re feeding your children is not harming their growing bodies.

Do you let your children snack on conventional snacks, or do you give them organic snacks? The trend is definitely moving toward organic food. According to the Organic Trade Association, “U.S. sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010.” Based on current data, it’s debatable whether you will receive more nutrients from organic foods, but you will ingest fewer pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals from organic foods. For healthy adults this may not be as important, but for pregnant women and young children with developing neurologic systems, this is a major consideration since the long-term effects of pesticide exposure on humans is relatively unknown.

When it comes to feeding your kids a snack, one of your best bets is to head straight for the produce section of your market. Vegetables and fruits are a favorite snack at our house. The real question in the produce aisle is whether to buy organic or not. According to the Mayo Clinic, organic produce is grown using only natural fertilizers like manure or compost, whereas chemical fertilizers may be used on conventional produce. Insecticides and herbicides are used to minimize disease, pests and weeds on conventional produce, but organic farms use beneficial insects and birds, traps, crop rotation, and hand weeding to reduce disease, pests and weeds. No matter what you choose to eat, it’s important to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.

Since organic produce can be more expensive than conventionally grown counterparts, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has compiled a helpful list of produce with the highest levels of pesticides and the lowest. This is a good list to follow if you cannot afford to buy all organic produce.

We previously talked to you about the “Dirty Dozen” as determined by EWG, but here is a fresh reminder. Again, these are the fruits and vegetables you may want to buy from the organic shelves, since they contain the highest amounts of pesticides:

1.Apples
2.Celery
3.Strawberries
4.Peaches
5.Spinach
6.Nectarines (imported)
7.Grapes (imported)
8.Sweet Bell Peppers
9.Potatoes
10.Blueberries (domestic)
11.Lettuce
12.Kale- Collard Green
Conversely, following are the fruits and vegetables grown with fewer pesticides that you can buy more confidently from the non-organic shelves:

1.Onions
2.Sweet Corn
3.Pineapples
4.Avocado
5.Asparagus
6.Sweet peas
7.Mangoes
8.Eggplant
9.Cantaloupe (domestic)
10.Kiwi
11.Cabbage
12.Watermelon
13.Sweet potatoes
14.Grapefruit
15.Mushrooms
You can’t have fresh fruits and vegetables with you all the time. I always keep a container filled with a variety of snacks in my diaper bag. If you want to make sure you feed your children mostly organic foods, then something to look for is the USDA Certified Organic emblem on the packaging. Product labeling can be confusing, so there are a few things you should know.

“100 Percent Organic” on a label means the product can only contain organically produced ingredients and processing aids (with the exception of salt and water).

If a label simply says “Organic,” it must consist of at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (again, with the exception of salt and water). The other 5 percent of ingredients must be non-agricultural and approved on the National List including certain non-organically produced agricultural products which are not available in organic form.

“Made with Organic ingredients” on the label indicates that at least 70 percent of the processed product’s ingredients are organic. The front panel of the product can say it’s made with up to three organic products. For example, the front panel of an Earth’s Best cereal bars box reads “Made with Organic Wheat Flour.” Additionally, products with this label cannot be produced using the following methods: sewage sludge or ionizing radiation. The USDA seal cannot be used anywhere on the package of these products, but they can display a certifying agent’s seal on the box.

Finally, if a product contains less than 70% organic ingredients, than it cannot use the word “organic” anywhere on the front display panel. They can only identify the organically produced ingredients in the ingredient statement of the information panel.

Shopping for snacks should be easy once you find a few brands your children really like. The first few times might be a challenge as you read the labels and make sure the ingredients are right for your family. Once you have it figured out, all you have to do is continue to buy the same five or six snacks and your kids will certainly be happy. But remember, whenever possible fruits and vegetables are the healthiest snack choice for everyone!

Tags: Dirty Dozen, Environmental Working Group, fruits, healthy snacks, Organic snacks, Organic Trade Association, USDA Organic, vegetables

When I think about how I celebrated Halloween as a child I’m reminded of the amazing costumes my mom made for my brother and me. Store bought costumes were never an option in our house, and many of the costumes my mom made were revamped into new costumes the subsequent year. Halloween also involved pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating. Looking back, I my mom did a lot of Halloween activities in an eco-friendly way. I don’t think that was her intention— it was just the natural way for her to do things. I try to follow the example my mom set, and now that I stay home full-time with my kids, it’s gotten a lot easier.

While I don’t have quite the same amount of creativity my mother does when it comes to making costumes, I certainly try. Per my son’s request, this year we will be dressing as Nickelodeon’s Fresh Beat Band. You cannot buy costumes to dress up as this foursome (so it isn’t even a temptation), nor does Nickelodeon have directions on how to make these particular costumes (although they have others).  What I’ve done is to find clothing that resembles what each band member wears for each member of my family—some items we already had, and others I had to find in stores. While I wouldn’t be caught dead in the ensemble the way it’s worn on the show, any day besides October 31st, I will be able to wear the articles of clothing separately throughout the year, as will the rest of my family. As such, my first recommendation is to try costumes that can double as regular street clothes.

It isn’t always easy to put together costumes with everyday clothes, so another idea is to take part in a costume swap. There are some great organizations out there trying to keep Halloween costumes out of our landfills. One is Green Halloween, which sponsors “National Costume Swap Day” where people bring in an old costume and trade it for one that’s “new to them.” This year’s National Costume Swap Day officially took place on October 8th, but several communities hold it on other dates, so it’s definitely worth taking a look at the website.

If you’re looking to simply pass your old Halloween costume along there are some great options available. Besides the usual—giving the costume to a friend or donating it to a local charity—there’s a cool website out there called thredUP. While not solely dedicated to Halloween costumes, this site offers a way for people to pass along children’s clothes to someone who can use them. It’s free to join, and you can purchase a box for $5 plus shipping (which is $10.95). Additionally, you can purchase up to two boxes of clothes before posting one of your own. You can go directly to the Halloween Costume Swap section of the website and view all of the boxes currently available with Halloween costumes or Halloween themed items.  The costume swap on thredUP is going on now until October 22nd. Last year nearly 2,000 costumes were exchanged through this service. And remember, data suggests that Halloween Costumes take up approximately 12,500 tons of landfill space each year—so instead of throwing yours away, why not swap it or lend it forward?

Halloween is also a great time to decorate your home—both inside and out. This year, each week in September we saved our gallon milk jugs to make Jack-o-Lanterns. I found the craft online, and it was so easy. My son and I spent one afternoon painting the milk jugs pumpkin orange. Once the paint dried, we cut out faces on the orange jugs. We’ve put the new jack-o-lanterns on our front stoop and they are a great addition to our other fall decorations. Everyone who comes to our house compliments them. What I like most is that my son and I made them together. Recycled Halloween-themed crafts are a great way to get everyone in the Halloween spirit, while helping the environment. Remember to save the decorations you make for future Halloweens. Not only will they look great, but you’ll also love the memories they carry with them.

What would Halloween be without trick-or-treating? Since your kids will need something to store all of their candy in, why not use something other than a plastic bag that will probably find its way into the garbage. In our home, we use a plastic jack-o-lantern that my son carries throughout the neighborhood. In the days leading up to Halloween, we keep it in the front window as a decoration, and then on Halloween it serves as his candy storage. I like this pumpkin because we use it every year, so it will never find itself in a landfill. Even when he stops trick-or-treating, my plan is to use it to hold the candy we give out to neighborhood kids. Your kids could also carry a reusable canvas bag—much like the ones used for your groceries. If you get a plain one, it offers the opportunity for another Halloween craft project. You can either decorate it with fabric paints or cut out pieces of fabric to glue on with fabric glue. No one will have a trick-or-treat bag like your child’s.

With swapped costume, and reusable trick-or-treat bag in hand, not only will your kids look and feel amazing this Halloween, but so will you. You’ll know that you’re helping the planet by consuming less and by teaching your children that swapping and reusing IS the way to do things. Oh, and your wallet will thank you, too!