Best of 2008: Green Edition
I am amazed at how quickly a year goes by. In one year, the amount of companies who have committed to providing safe products has increased dramatically. This week I’ll highlight some of my favorite products and companies. This list is by no means meant to be exhaustive and I’d love to hear some of your “green” favorites.
If you’re still contemplating whether or not you should jump on the green bandwagon, or how to get started, I recommend picking up one of the following books:
Green Goes With Everything by Sloan Barnett, provides credible information on the toxins we come in contact with everyday and their potential impact on our health. From simple “green” solutions to eco-friendly alternatives, her book is an excellent resource for those who want to get started on the green path.
Healthy Child, Healthy World by Christopher Gavigan, gives parents five practical, attainable steps that can be initiated to create a healthy, non-toxic home. Throughout the book you’ll find DIY tips, answers to your burning questions, and celebrity parent experiences and suggestions.
Raising Baby Green by Alan Greene, offers parents healthy, eco-friendly alternatives for pregnancy, childbirth, and baby care. The book is organized by room which makes it easy to reference. Their product recommendations are comprehensive and targeted towards new parents.
I remember when I first heard the term Bisphenol-A (BPA). I was researching the best bottles for my son and came across an article describing it’s ability to disrupt hormones in the body. At the time I could only find one company who sold BPA-free baby bottles. This year, you’ll find a wide variety of companies offering numerous BPA-free solutions including baby bottles, pacifiers, sippy cups, feeding sets, reusable water bottles and much more! The most inclusive source for all-things BPA-free is The Soft Landing. Here are a few of my favorites!
Babies love Adiri Natural Nurser’s soft design which is as close to mom as you can get.
Natursutten’s rubber pacifiers follow the natural movements of a baby’s mouth and are much softer than their silicone counterparts.
Teething tots will find comfort in Sophie the Giraffe’s soft rubber texture and adorable design.
Kleen Kanteen’s stainless steel sippy cups are lightweight and durable. Their innovative design keeps liquids cold for hours! Don’t forget to pick up one of their stainless steel reusable water bottles, available in four sizes.
Boon’s fun, innovative feeding sets combine style and functionality to make mealtimes enjoyable for both you and your toddler. Check out their entire product line for inspiration.
This year, three companies stood out among the rest for innovation in eco-friendly toy design. My favorite toys are those that don’t contain batteries or instructions…toys that allow children to use their imagination and creativity…toys that combine education with entertainment. Plan Toys, ImagiPLAY, and Natural Pod offer quality, inspirational toys that will wow both you and your child. You’ll likely see your grandchildren playing with these same toys.
Green really is the new black! Many eco-minded companies offer inspirational, artistic designs. Pura Vida NYC’s trendy line of children’s clothing features environmentally-themed works of art and sustainable fabrics (organic cotton, tencel, hemp, and bamboo). Don’t forget to cover your basics with Peau Ethique’s organic cotton line of underwear, socks, camisoles, and pajamas.
As 2009 approaches, I anticipate that more and more companies will strive to provide safer products as our country becomes more conscious of the environmental effects of our carbon footprint. So what are your “green” favorites from 2008?
I’m a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night. My husband and I savor the warm Southern California sun. We love to travel…so much so that we spent 8 weeks backpacking Europe before moving to Edinburgh, Scotland where we found out I was pregnant with my son. I am a babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding mama whose passions include health, fitness, and all things green. If I’m not running after my 15 month old son…or my husband…you can find me frequenting the local tea room, shopping, baking, or reading.
My blog is Rockin’ Mama
January 10th, 2009 at 4:34 am
Just wanted to introduce your readers to Planet Matters BPA-FREE portable water bottles among other things wich all come with Replaceable filters wich remove 99.9% of source water contaminants. An idea whose time has come. Save money and the environment. Found at http://www.planetmatterswater.com
January 19th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
[...] to Peekaboo Picks, a free online magazine featuring “fabulous finds for hip moms.” They listed our own [...]