Archive for the ‘baby products’ Category

iiamo Baby Products

Saturday, April 7th, 2012

iiamo is a Danish baby product company with the goal of developing and making safe and practical products for parents on the go with their babies.

iiamo baby products are made of #5 plastic (polypropylene) and/or silicone, which is completely BPA, phthalate, and lead-free and, thus, one of the friendliest plastics. All iiamo products are made in Denmark.

The current iiamo range includes iiamo go (a self-warming feeding bottle that warms milk to body temperature in 4 minutes without electricity or cords, easy to assemble and use), iiamo flow (the silicone nipple to be used with iiamo go, made with a built in anti-colic air system and available in 4 sizes), iiamo warm (the disposable heater used with iiamo go that with the use of water and salt warms the milk), iiamo more (the baby bottle that is used without iiamo warm when parents and baby are not on the go), and iiamo peace and string (the pacifier and string that keeps the pacifier safe and clean on the go). In addition to being nontoxic, innovative, and practical, the products are incredibly stylish!

Read about other eco-friendly brands here.

Tea Collection – Free Shipping on the New Bali Collection

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

 

 

 

Tea Collection’s Bali Collection for Spring 2012 ships free this weekend! Use code SHIPFREE at checkout.

The collection features bold prints and vibrant colors for the women’s and the kids’ lines – my favorite is the Moon Orchid Trapeze Dress.

Why Tea Collection? Although the company does not sell organic cotton clothing, they do use natural fabrics such as pima cotton and merino wool in all of their products. In addition, the company supports the Global Fund For Children and actively participates in programs and events that benefit children through schools and organizations. The company’s Gifts that Give Back collection directly supports the Global Fund For Children.

So, save some money and support a good cause!

Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Aluminum, Zinc, Chromium and Iron

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

What do these heavy metals have in common?

They may all be lurking in your lipstick, eyeliner, nail polish, foundation, or whitening toothpaste.

In small amounts some of these heavy metals may be harmless and have a function in our biological systems (such as iron). But in larger quantities or upon consistent, they raise health concerns.

In Which Cosmetic or Skin Care Products Are These Heavy Metals Present?

Chromium is used in a small number of products as a colorant, and iron (iron oxides) are commonly used as colorants in eye shadows, concealers, and blushes. Aluminum compounds and derivatives are also often used as colorants in lipsticks, glosses, and nail polishes. Lead, mercury, and arsenic are not directly used as colorants, but color additives such as FD&C Red 6, may be contaminated by these heavy metals.

Arsenic is a contaminant in about 2.5 percent of products tested.

Zinc is used in a relatively small number of cosmetics and skin care products, including moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, and foundations.

Mercury is present in a very small number of mascaras and eye drops.

How Do These Heavy Metals Find Their Way Into Personal Care and Cosmetic Products?

As noted above, in some instances these metals are added as ingredients and, in other cases, they are a component of dyes used in cosmetics or personal care products.

What Are The Potential Health Hazards?

Cancerous breast tissues have shown higher accumulations of iron, nickel, chromium, zinc, cadmium, mercury and lead than non-cancerous breast tissues. In addition, several metals act like estrogen in the presence of some breast cancer cells.

According to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database, some metals or metal compounds, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (which are often used as physical blockers in sunscreen), show little, if any, evidence of toxicity. But if these mineral ingredients are micronized into so-called nanoparticles, they can be toxic when inhaled or absorbed the skin.

Lead, on the other hand, is a known neurotoxin, linked to behavioral, learning, and language delays and developmental problems. In addition, lead is suspected of reducing fertility in both men and women, and of causing hormonal changes, menstrual irregularities and delays in puberty onset in girls. Pregnant women and unborn children are also vulnerable as lead can cross the placenta.

Mercury is linked to toxicity of the nervous system and to toxicity of the reproductive, immune and respiratory systems.

Zinc is an immune and respiratory toxicant. Aluminum-based compounds are linked to neurotoxicity, developmental reproductive toxicity, as well as cancer.

Perhaps it is time to revisit the rules governing cosmetic ingredients…

Read more from other sources here.

Deals and Savings to Close Out the Month!

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Kicky Pants are now on sale at Zulily! Cute infant, baby, and toddler clothes made of eco-friendly bamboo and a touch of lycra available for 40% off the retail price – no code required.

Gaiam is also holding its annual green sale; organic cotton pillows, organic cotton and wool pillows, organic cotton comforters and mattress pads and protectors on sale until February 29 only, 25% off the regular price.

Eisch Breathable Glass is 10% off the sale price at TDM Stemware – the online retailer is going out of sale and must sell all its inventory of these great, breathable, lead-free crystal glasses.

And organic grip socks from Sticky Socks are 15% off on top of the sale price – use coupon code FEB12 when you visit the Sticky Socks store.

Category Update!

Sunday, February 26th, 2012

I just updated the baby diapers resource page (see it here) – it now includes information on gDiapers, bumGenius, and Econobum. Each of these brands are excellent choices if you are looking to move away (whether partially or completely) from disposable diapers. gDiapers offers a two-part system (with an outer shell and an inner, disposable insert) whereas both bumGenius and Econobum are all-in-one cloth diapering systems. They are all working to reduce their impact on the environment – Kudos!




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