15% off Sticky Socks organic grip socks for babies & kids – use FEB12

15% off Weleda natural & organic skin care products – use VALENTINE

And if you leave a baby tip on the Weleda site, you get a $2 coupon as well.

15% off Sticky Socks organic grip socks for babies & kids – use FEB12

15% off Weleda natural & organic skin care products – use VALENTINE

20% off Jurlique natural & organic herbal skin care products – use PRESIDENTS

30% off Desert Essence natural body care products – use DELOVE

Enjoy!!

The lipsticks with the highest concentration of lead (measured in parts per million):

1. Maybelline Color Sensational, Pink Petal (7.9 ppm)
2. L’Oreal Colour Riche, Volcanic, (7.0 ppm)
3. NARS Semi-Matte, Red Lizard (4.93 ppm)
4. Cover Girl Queen Collection, Ruby Remix, (4.92 ppm)
5. Nars Semi-Matte, Funny Face (4.89 ppm)
6. L’Oreal Colour Riche, Tickled Pink (4.45 ppm)
7. L’Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor, Heroic (4.41 ppm)
8. Cover Girl Continuous Color, Warm Brick (4.28 ppm)
9. Maybelline Color Sensational, Mauve Me (4.23 ppm)
10. Stargazer Lipstick, #103 (4.12 ppm)

The FDA maintains that consumers should not be too concerned about the lead in their lipstick as little of it is actually ingested. Others, such as the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics counters that stricter measures for contaminants should be in place. I tend to agree with the latter position – many women keep applying lipstick throughout the day, every day, and eat with their lipstick on (which then transfers to the food they eat).

Instead, try brands such as Tarte, RMS Beauty, Ilia, Vapour Organic Beauty, Dr. Hauschka and similar green brands that had previously been tested (read more here and visit green make-up company pages for their latest on lead and other contaminant testing).

After using Amalou Skin for one full week, I can say with certainty (and great satisfaction) that it is a fantastic skin care product line that will truly bring out the best in your skin!

Although primarily developed for use during pregnancy, the four products are perfect after delivery as well – the Reveal exfoliating face wash cleanses and exfoliates, the Prime detoxifying tonic imparts antioxidants, the Glow balancing moisturizer combats signs of aging, and the Restore night treatment helps prevent breakouts. They work together with all natural ingredients – no parabens, no phthalates, no sulfates, no DMDM hydantoin, no formaldehyde, no fragrance.

What is more – no ingredients that are potentially hazardous during pregnancy. Thus, no benzoyl peroxide, no salicylic acid, or retinoids.

A great mom-to-be and mom skin care find!

Arsenic, in varying quantities, is widely present in drinking water and, in that element has been studied for a long time, with maximum allowed levels set by the FDA. Exposure to arsenic in higher than “normal” amounts can cause thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, numbness in hands and feet, partial paralysis and blindness, according to the EPA. Further, arsenic also increases the risk of bladder and other cancers.

Last year, Brian Jackson, the analytical chemist who led the new Dartmouth study that discovered arsenic in baby formula, published a study that found that pregnant women in New Hampshire who consumed rice were more likely to have arsenic in their urine. More specifically, each gram of rice eaten increased urinary arsenic by one-percent. Thus, eating approximately one-half of a cup of cooked rice per day is equivalent to drinking one liter of water with arsenic at the maximum level considered safe by the EPA. And just last year, the FDA started looking at arsenic levels in food and the possible effects on people.

Well, it is about time, isn’t is? Read more here.

Dartmouth University researchers tested 17 baby formulas and discovered that two organic toddler formulas contain arsenic, a currently unregulated compound known to cause cancer and other medical problems. The researchers found that the arsenic is linked to the organic brown rice syrup used in the products as a sweetener. Rice, especially brown rice, is capable of concentrating arsenic. It is used in many organic (and non-organic) products as a replacement for high fructose corn syrup.

Although the study did not name the toddler formula brands containing arsenic, ABC news learned that the two brands with the “higher than normal” levels of arsenic are Baby’s Only Organic Dairy Toddler Formula and Soy Toddler Formula made by Nature’s One Inc.

Organic brown rice syrup is also often used as a sweetener in cereal and energy bars, and, of the 29 bars tested, 22 contained high levels of arsenic.

A study conducted by the University of Paris found that there was no beneficial effect of either B vitamins or omega-3 fatty acids taken over five years on cancer occurrence or cancer-related deaths. Given relatively low doses of B vitamins and omega-3s for the five-year duration of the study, 7 percent of the participants developed some form of cancer (with 2 percent ultimately dying of cancer). Although the majority of cancer cases and deaths occurred among men (81 percent and 83 percent, respectively), the researchers discovered some indications that cancer risk might have actually gone up, specifically among women taking vitamin B and/or omega-3 fatty acid supplements. However, the authors emphasized that additional studies for longer periods of time and with larger pools of participants are needed before any strong conclusions can be drawn (in particular as many cancers tumors may take longer than five years to develop and, thus, some of the study participants may have been suffering from early stages of cancer during the study already).

Pretty confusing, isn’t it? Read more from the American Cancer Society about the use and effects of vitamins, minerals, and herbs on the development and prevention of cancer.

The first thing I do when reaching for a box or bar of chocolates is read the ingredients. No matter how yummy it might looks – if the packaging says it contains hydrogenated oils or some kind of preservative, the item is going back on the shelf.

Next, I consider whether it is organic or at least “all natural” (meaning, in this case, without artificial flavors or colors). If it has any FD&C numbers, I don’t want it. I will almost always opt for organic but keep in mind that some small producers make “pure” chocolate but cannot yet afford organic certification. Hence, I always read the labels, front and back.

If the chocolate is also Fair Trade Certified, then we are almost there!

My selections for this Valentine’s Day based on the above criteria (and, of course, exceptional taste) include:

- Vosges
- Green & Blacks
- Divine Chocolate
- Tazza Chocolate
- Dagoba Chocolate
- Theo Chocolate

Enjoy!

What should my child be able to do from Four to Five Years?

Hearing and Understanding
• Pays attention to a short story and answers simple questions about them.
• Hears and understands most of what is said at home and in school.
• Follows three related directions (e.g. Get your crayons, make a picture and give it to me).

Talking
• Uses sentences that give lots of details (“The biggest peach is mine”).
• Tells stories that stick to topic.
• Communicates easily with other children and adults.
• Says most sounds correctly except a few like l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, th.
• Says rhyming words.
• Names some letters and numbers.
• Uses the same grammar as the rest of the family.
• Answers reasoning questions (e.g. What do you do when you are sleepy/thirsty?).
• Can give meanings of words.

What can I do to help my child from Four to Five Years?
• Talk about spatial relationships (first, middle, and last; right and left) and opposites (up and down, big and little).
• Offer a description or clues and have your child identify what you are describing.
• Work on forming and explaining categories (fruits, furniture, shapes).
• Follow your child’s directions as she or he explains how to do something.
• Give full attention to your child when he or she is speaking, and acknowledge, praise, and encourage him or her afterward. Before you speak to your child, be sure to get his or her undivided attention. Pause after speaking, allowing him or her to respond to what you have said.
• Build on your child’s vocabulary. Provide definitions for new words, and use them in context: “This vehicle is riding on the highway. It is a car. A bus is another kind of vehicle. So are a train and an airplane.”
• Encourage your child to ask for an explanation if he or she does not understand what a word means.
• Point out things that are the same or different. Play games incorporating these concepts that he or she will encounter later in the classroom in reading readiness.
• Sort items into categories. Now try to sort them by pointing out more subtle differences between objects (e.g., rocks that are smooth vs. those that are rough, heavy vs. light, big vs. small). Again, have your child identify the object that does not belong in a given category, but now ask him or her to explain why the item does not belong.
• Expand on social communication and narration skills (telling a story) by role-playing. Play house, doctor, and store using dialogue, props, and dress-up clothes. Do the same with a dollhouse and its props, acting out scenarios and making the dolls talk.
• Read stories with easy-to-follow plots. Help your child predict what will happen next in the story. Act out the stories, and put on puppet shows of the stories. Have your child draw a picture of a scene from the story, or of a favorite part. You can do the same thing with videos and television shows, as these also have plots. Ask “wh” questions (who, what, when, where, or why) and monitor his or her response.
• Expand on your child’s comprehension and expressive language skills by playing “I Spy”: “I spy something round on the wall that you use to tell the time.” After your child guesses what you have described, have him or her give you clues about something that he or she sees.
• Give your child two-step directions (e.g., “Get your coat from the closet and put it on”). Encourage your child to give directions to explain how he or she has done something. For example, ask your child to explain how he made a structure out of Lego blocks. When playing doctor, ask your child to explain what she did to give the baby a checkup. Draw a picture, and write down your child’s story as he or she tells it. Your child will soon grasp the power of storytelling and written language.
• Play age-appropriate board games with your child (e.g., “Candyland” or “Chutes and Ladders”).
• Have your child help you plan and discuss daily activities. For example, have him or her make a shopping list for the grocery store, or help you plan his or her birthday party. Ask his or her opinion: “What do you think your cousin would like for his birthday? What kind of fruit do we need to buy at the store?”

Tara Bernard, M.S. CCC-SLP is a New York State licensed and nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She is the owner and director of Simply Speaking Speech-Language Pathology, P.C. Tara received a Bachelor’s Degree at Syracuse University, and a Master’s Degree of Science at Teacher’s College, Columbia University.
If you have any further questions about your child’s speech and language skills, for information regarding evaluations and therapy, or to schedule an appointment, please go to www.simplyspeakingny.com or contact Tara directly at 917-355-9440 or email her at tara@simplyspeakingny.com.

After using Amalou Skin for one full week, I can say with certainty (and great satisfaction) that it is a fantastic skin care product line that will truly bring out the best in your skin!

Although primarily developed for use during pregnancy, the four products are perfect after delivery as well – the Reveal exfoliating face wash cleanses and exfoliates, the Prime detoxifying tonic imparts antioxidants, the Glow balancing moisturizer combats signs of aging, and the Restore night treatment helps prevent breakouts. They work together with all natural ingredients – no parabens, no phthalates, no sulfates, no DMDM hydantoin, no formaldehyde, no fragrance.

What is more – no ingredients that are potentially hazardous during pregnancy. Thus, no benzoyl peroxide, no salicylic acid, or retinoids.

A great mom-to-be and mom skin care find!

Categories for non-toxic, organic skin care, body care, mom-to-be products, beauty products, as well as clothing, house keeping products and much more updated recently and more brands are reviewed and added each week.

Enjoy! Just surf the tabs above for Smart Mommy and Healthy Baby to find the information!

Visit Top Dentist for specific details. But hurry – the contest runs through February 24 only!

And check out What to Expect for essential parenting tips.

When a mega corporation like Schick-Wilkinson (a division of Energizer Holdings, Inc.) is introducing a green product, you know that eco-friendly products are finally creating some green!

Schick-Wilkinson Sword is debuting its Schick® Xtreme3® Eco™ disposable razor made from 100% recycled plastic, with packaging also made from 100% post-consumer paper. The razors are also 100% made and shipped out of Schick’s landfill-free facility in Milford, CT. These efforts, the company estimates, will save over 103,000 pounds of virgin plastic material and 15,500 pounds of virgin paper from going into landfills each year – basically saving enough plastic each year to go up and down the Washington Monument more than 2,330 times. The razors come in blue and in pink to appeal to both sexes. Currently available at Walmart only, wider distribution is planned for April. Read more here.

What should my child be able to do from Three to Four Years?

Hearing and Understanding
• Hears you when you call from another room.
• Hears television or radio at the same loudness level as other family members.
• Answers simple “who?”, “what?”, “where?”, and “why?” questions.
• Follows two related directions (e.g. Close the book and give it to me).

Talking
• Talks about activities at school or at friends’ homes.
• People outside of the family usually understand child’s speech.
• Uses a lot of sentences that have 4 or more words.
• Usually talks easily without repeating syllables or words.
• Gives directions (e.g. “Fix it for me”).
• Asks many questions (“What?” “Where?” “Why?”).

What can I do to help my child from Three to Four Years?
• Cut out pictures from old magazines. Then make silly pictures by gluing parts of different pictures together in an improbable way. For example, glue a picture of a dog to the inside of a car as if the dog is driving. Help your child explain what is silly about the picture.
• Sort pictures and items into categories, but increase the challenge by asking your child to point out the item that does not belong in a category. For example, a baby does not belong with a dog, cat and mouse. Tell your child that you agree with his or her answer because a baby is not an animal.
• Expand vocabulary and the length of your child’s utterances by reading, singing, talking about what you are doing and where you are going, and saying rhymes.
• Read books that have a simple plot, and talk about the story line with your child. Help your child to retell the story or act it out with props and dress-up clothes. Tell him or her your favorite part of the story and ask for his or her favorite part.
• Look at family pictures, and have your child explain what is happening in each one.
• Work on comprehension skills by asking your child questions. Have him or her try to fool you with his or her own questions. Make this game playful by pretending that you have been fooled by some of his or her really hard questions.
• Expand on social communication and storytelling skills by “acting out” typical scenarios (e.g., cooking food, going to sleep, or going to the doctor) with a dollhouse and its props. Do the same type of role-playing activity when playing dress-up. As always, ask your child to repeat what he or she has said if you do not understand it completely. This shows that what he or she says is important to you.

Tara Bernard, M.S. CCC-SLP is a New York State licensed and nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She is the owner and director of Simply Speaking Speech-Language Pathology, P.C. Tara received a Bachelor’s Degree at Syracuse University, and a Master’s Degree of Science at Teacher’s College, Columbia University.
If you have any further questions about your child’s speech and language skills, for information regarding evaluations and therapy, or to schedule an appointment, please go to www.simplyspeakingny.com or contact Tara directly at 917-355-9440 or email her at tara@simplyspeakingny.com.

The following companies make non-toxic, hardwood cribs and sleep systems and offer organic mattresses. Made in the U.S., as noted below.

Giggle – its Better Basics convertible Harper Crib is made of solid birch (with plywood ends) and treated with non-toxic, natural finishes. Complete with a mattress, under a $1,000.

Green Cradle – its natural solid wood cribs are made from wood harvested from sustainable U.S. forests. Cribs (and mattresses, sold separately) are made in the U.S., free of all toxins. Priced $845 – 1,145.

Oeuf NYC sells collections of cribs and toddler beds made of solid wood combined with plywood, with all non-toxic finishes. Made in Bolivia and Latvia, cribs start at $590.

Stokke – its Sleepi crib system, made of non-toxic beech wood, is a complete sleeping system perfect for parents who want a stylish sleeping system with longevity (the bassinet converts into a crib, the crib converts into a toddler bed and the toddler bed into a junior bed – additional parts needed). System starting at $950.

Made with Bamboo and without parabens, phthalates, synthetic colors, mineral oil, petrolatum, or PABA, the shampoo and conditioner deliver quite well on their promise of creating strong and full-bodied hair.

Check out the updated SmartMom bath and body pages, and the revised baby clothing and baby bath product pages.

I also just noticed that Crown Prince (maker of canned seafoods without additives and preservatives) has now switched to BPA-free cans! Kudos!

But what exactly do the words “Fair Trade” as displayed on many bars and boxes of Valentine’s Day chocolate actually mean?

Fair Trade is a market-based approach the goal of which is to create better trading conditions for farmers and producers (including cocoa farmers) in developing countries. Fair Trade labeling organizations such as FINE define Fair Trade as “a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers. Fair trade organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising, and campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.”

Fair Trade Labeling Organization International sets the prices for Fair Trade Certified™ products so that the price charged covers the cost of production and a living wage for food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care. TransFair USA then screens and certifies importers and retailers to ensure that they do, in fact, pay the set Fair Trade price for products.

Fair Trade also helps protect the environment as the small producers who make up the partnerships and cooperatives are less likely than large corporations to use toxic and chemical pest control methods.

And Fair Trade Certified products do not rely on child labor.

Fair, isn’t it?