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Choose the healthiest kids' products
Adria Vasil, author of the new book Ecoholic Body, shares tips for buying the safest personal care items for your family
What about other child-related products?
There are hidden chemicals, like formaldehyde coating, in kids clothing. You see a lot of clothes for kids that are really bright and colourful and sometimes they have that squishy bubble plastic on the front of their sweatshirt. That’s made with PVC, which is the most hazardous plastic to manufacture. More importantly, it’s softened and made squishy with hormone disruptors, which are now being banned from kids’ toys, but they are still allowed in things like PVC on clothes. Look for clothes made with 100% cotton or the second-hand stuff that is pure cotton that doesn’t have any plastic on it at all. And another source of hidden chemicals in adult and kids clothing is actually the formaldehyde that is used to make a lot of wrinkle-resistant clothes. When you bring clothes home from the store they have that sheen. As soon as you wash it, it doesn’t look as good and it’s kind of frumpy. Formaldehyde is one of the coatings they use to get that shine. No matter what you buy I recommend washing it at least once, ideally twice, before you actually put it on your child. Second-hand clothing is a great way to avoid chemicals because it has been washed so many times.
Any tips about babies’ rooms?
If you’re shopping for a new crib, make sure you stay away from any pressed wood. That stuff has been bound together with urea-formaldehyde and it actually continues to off-gas from furniture for years. If you’re buying a new crib or any children’s furniture, you want to look for solid wood above all else. Some major brands, like IKEA, are actually ahead of the curve because IKEA follows European standards and they are ultra-low in formaldehyde. I wouldn’t worry about any emissions coming from those products.
What would you like to see big companies do more of when advertising a product as “organic” or “natural”?
I just want them to be honest. I want them to stick to the set standards that exist for food. Baby care products and body care products are applied to our largest organ, our skin. These products are absorbed by our bodies like food, so if the word “organic” is policed with food, it should be policed everywhere else. It should mean that a product must be 95% or more organic to be labeled organic. That’s the standard for food. Companies should also stick to a specific definition of what they mean by “natural.” And I would like to see percentages. Companies can regain some of our trust if they at least say, “these diapers are 20% or 80% organic.” The government needs to step in and the Competition Bureau needs to get a bit more aggressive with fraudulent marketing.
What other tips would you offer to help parents make sure they are buying the healthiest and greenest choices?
If the product is vague, move on to the next product. One of the specifics you can look for is certification. So look for a third party seal like EcoLogo that is an independent organization that is verifying the claims. If you are making a bigger purchase, like baby furniture, you do want to spend time going online and looking up more details on what the right thing is to buy. You can also check your baby products’ toxicity scores.
GIVEAWAY: Want to receive a copy of Adria's new book Ecoholic Body? Tell us an eco-friendly way you stay healthy and beautiful in the comments below!
*Giveaway closes April 22, 11:59 p.m. Giveaway is now closed.
To be awarded on a first come first served basis to those who leave a comment below, until inventory is depleted. Quantities are limited at the discretion of Rogers. You must be a Canadian resident, 18 years or older, excluding residents of Quebec. No cash value.
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Guest_239581 says ....
Instead of using costly, chemical based liquid hand soap, we use pure vegetable based castile soap (Dr. Bronner's peppermint is our favourite!) in re-useable foaming soap containers--natural, inexpensive and kind to the planet!
ahpotts says ....
I use the Environmental Working Group's on-line Cosmetics Guide to find out how safe our shampoos, creams, etc. are. It's especially useful for sunscreen ratings!
mschneider says ....
Oops... forgot to sign in! We have green lunches everyday...using reusable sandwich wraps, snack bags and containers; I use natural bath products on my children to ensure they are not exposed to unnecessary chemicals; we shop locally for fresh produce whenever possible; and my latest greatest find is a zinc-based sunscreen called thinkbaby ...LOVE it! I'll never use anything else again!
mschneider (not verified) says ....
We have green lunches everyday...using reusable sandwich wraps, snack bags and containers; I use natural bath products on my children to ensure they are not exposed to unnecessary chemicals; we shop locally for fresh produce whenever possible; and my latest greatest find is a zinc-based sunscreen called thinkbaby ...LOVE it! I'll never use anything else again!
ssarahzn says ....
Would love a copy of this book! During the summer we buy our vegetables from a local CSA and have a small vegetable garden. We use goat's milk based soaps. Try to buy organic fruits as much as possible. We use reusable containers for kids lunches and try to reduce our energy usuage as much as possible.
Kimbot (not verified) says ....
I buy PC green diapers for my daughter and Burt's Bees soap and shampoo for both my daughter and son. I use FRUCTIS shampoo and conditioner and Pure and Simple bodywash. I also use cloth instead of baby wipes. For lunches we use reuseable container and waterbottles. We also grow a small vegetable garden and supplement with visits to the Farmer's markets.
Tori (not verified) says ....
Grow a giant garden! You can also have a green house built in the back yard for good quality organic food year around. With a green house it can almost be self-sufficient and if you plant certain items, a couple seeds a week or two apart you will always have ripe without the waste. By the time you need the next bunch of romaine one or two should be matured!
linlal says ....
Shop at farmer's markets or pick-your-own farms; read every label before I buy; use natural cleaning products for house, laundry and self wherever possible. This year, I'm going to grow some veggies and herbs on my balcony and start making my own potions! That's the only way to be really sure what you're using.
Julie Tiessen (not verified) says ....
I use natural cleaning products and buy them in bulk. To reduce the waste from the bottles, the toxic fumes in my house and there are no toxic chemicals going down the drain.
Guest_286821 says ....
Ny moving to an acreage we have started gardening and the kids LOVE it!
Guest_286821 says ....
I would love this book! Always trying to give my kids the most truly natural things in life!
Heather Mitchell-Adams (not verified) says ....
I LOVED her other book "EcoHolic" and I would love to have this one too. There were a lot of things that I was already aware of in it, but lots of others that I wasn't (although not surprised by them) and loads of great tips.
I understand that using more natural products and treading lightly on the Earth is important to overall health and beauty. In our family, we are constantly mindful of the greater effects of our actions, espcially when purchasing products. We always read the labels (on everything - food, toilettries, etc) and choose products that have the lightest impact that we can find. We make nearly all of our own cleaning products and for the ones that we purchase, we make sure they are ecofriendly and biodegradable (some are ones that we were turned onto buy Adria's other book). We compost, have a garden and make preserves from the food that we grow there as well as enjoying the fresh bounty from it in season. Fresh local and organic are the best beauty secrets - when you feed your body the best it returns the favour! We love to go to the Farmer's Market in town from May-October to take advantage of the fabulous items available in our area. All my girls have been diapered in cloth and I use enzyme stain busters to soak them in instead of harsh presoak products. I know that this has made a difference in their skin (they were rarely effected by diaper rash and the few they had were easilt treatable). There are quite a few other things (I once listed them all for a local 'Zine and won a prize for most Earth Minded Entry), but I don't think that your comment box will allow me the space. Would love to win this book - IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME!!
marchbabie09 says ....
with my two boys we've really been trying to stay away from products full of chemicals. eat fresh fruit and veggies everyday as much as possible!
Katrina (not verified) says ....
Drink water!
Katrina (not verified) says ....
Drink water!
Katrina (not verified) says ....
Drink water!
Katrina (not verified) says ....
Drink water!
Katrina (not verified) says ....
Drink water!
dreamflyer says ....
We try to eat more fresh fruits & vegetables, grow our own vegetables, and frequent farmers markets & local farms for our food.
dreamflyer says ....
We try to eat more fresh fruits & vegetables, grow our own vegetables, and frequent farmers markets & local farms for our food.
Style Mom says ....
My family and I started going Eco friendly this year. My next project is making our own laundry detergent. Would love a copy of this book to get new fresh ideas and inspiration.
SweetPanda says ....
I drink lots of water each day using my own water bottle and basically that's the only liquid that I drink. It helps to flush out all the garbage inside my body and it has zero calorie so that I won't gain weight. It helps my skin glows too! I try to walk to the closest subway station instead of take bus or driving whenever I can. I also bring my own lunch to work using reusable container, that way I can ensure that I have healthy lunch and save money at the same time too!
Torgos_12 says ....
Our family likes to get some outdoor walking excercise and learn about nature through geocaching. Picking up trash along the way is a great and easy way to also help keep our planet healthy and beautiful for future generations. the kids make a game out of it and love to look for the "treasure" :) We are also a vegetarian family and try to buy organic where it's available.
BissaBear says ....
Wow it's great to read what people are doing, there are some really good ideas listed here!! At our home my daughter learned very young about recycling, conserving water, using the "food garbage" and reusing materials when possible... probably why she has so much stuff in her playroom LOL We use also re-useable bags when shopping and use re-fill water bottles. My daughter encourages me to pack ourselves litterless lunches which always turns out to be a healthier lunch :)
Guest_330318 says ....
We also try to buy fresh local produce, minimize processed food (although still do get some!)
Tend to use only natural cleaning products, no wipes, just cloths that we wash regularly.
Clothing: what happened to organic cotton? Have always told my children we need to wash their clothes before they wear them (this can be hard sometimes!)
BHillman says ....
I make my own laundry soap, fabric softener, household cleaners, air fresheners, and soap out of natural ingredients. I do not buy any cleaning products any more, only ingredients to make them healthy and simple. We try to buy organic when we can, and shop at local farmers markets during the summer months. I'm very conscious about reading ingredients on items before I buy, and staying away from processed foods when possible. I've tried making my own shampoo, but still haven't had too much luck in that department, so I'd love tips on how to make it better. I'm all about finding new ways to make living healthier for my family.
maccandice says ....
We eat organic! However when it comes to what is inside other products we use we need help with that. I worry about what we use but I don't always have time to research a lot of these ingredients. I know about the main ones you hear about everyday but I need more help. I think this book would be great for us. Thanks for awesome giveaway.
mandiemoon says ....
We buy all of our groceries from 'On the Move Organics', a local delivery service that ensures everything is from local, organic farms or is certified free-trade. Best food for ourselves and for our little growing boy! :)
(I posted earlier without signing in by accident-oops!) ;)
bmcquayj says ....
We go to Farmer's Markets
Eat as much local produce and meat as available
Buy direct from farmers
Eat a mostly vegan diet
Use child safe cleaning products and personal care products
Grow a vegetable garden in the summer
Natural Beauty says ....
I make all of our own cleaning and personal care products. If we can't eat it. We don't put it on our bodies.
And as a way to help spread the word I also give my natural cleaning products and personal care products as hostess and birthday gifts.
I also offer seasonal workshops on how to make your own products.
Amanda (not verified) says ....
We buy all of our groceries from 'On the Move Organics', a local delivery service that ensures everything is from local, organic farms or is certified free-trade. Best food for ourselves and for our little growing boy! :)
Jos (not verified) says ....
We make our own baby wipes and shop famer's market whenever possible.
NewMom23 says ....
My husband makes our own diaper cream from organic Shea butter, cornstarch and coconut oil. I also love using Earth Mama Angel Baby natural products for all of us!
Guest_269083 says ....
Since having my children i have tried to adapt a green lifestyle by using natural cleaning products, checking labels, using reusuable shopping bags, recycling more. An eco friendly way i stay beautiful is drinking lots of water and using house hold ingredients for my hair (like mixing mayo and avocados as a hair mask)
Guest_259514 says ....
I use evoo to help mositurize my little guy's skin and I drink lots of water to get rid of those bad toxins
sunnydaysrule says ....
Tried posting several times before. I use green cleaning products at home.
Anna (not verified) says ....
Hi there,
Since my son was born, I've been using only natural, eco-friendly loundry soaps (Seventh Generation and Method). We also used cloth dipaers (AppleChicks). I'm still breastfeeding (my son is 2yr old) and we try our best to eat organic and local food.
Guest_312128 says ....
We use natural laundry detergent (soap nuts) to help the environment and it is good for our children's skin too.
Guest_161133 says ....
We use cloth diapers on our children and buy natural baby wash (my favourite is Ellas botanicals - its even made in Canada).
Joy M. (not verified) says ....
What a great book! Would love to read. We do our best to eat 'local' (ie., shop farmer's markets), especially during summer months.
Shalini_roy@hot... says ....
I use natural lipstick from Aveda, and their lipgloss too. It's almost edible it's so good. I realized it's one of the only really natural products out there since many manufacturers like MAC now use ingredients they didn't before, after becoming part of multinational corporations. We don't own a blowdryer and my son was mystified by one the first time he saw one.
Heather T (not verified) says ....
Would love to win a copy of this book. I was just listening to an interview with Adria, and was horrified by the list of items I realized I was using that are so toxic! One eco-friendly way that I help my family stay healthy is by using using washcloths & my own non-toxic solution to clean baby's bottom instead of prepackaged wipes.