Babies & Kids Blog » Go Green

Eco-dough is 100% natural, environmentally safe play-dough made with plant, fruit and veggie extracts. 100% natural means no chemicals, artificial dyes or metals. Even the containers are 100% compostable! Problems with kids leaving lids off or leaving dough out to harden overnight? Eco-dough doesn’t dry out like commercial brands, and if it’s left out overnight, a few drops of olive oil bring it right back to life! It doesn’t stain and easily cleans up. I like the sound of that!

Most of all: No more worries when it goes in your kids’ mouths! And you KNOW it’s going to! ~ Dawn

As you gear up for back-to-school shopping, consider an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional pencil. TreeSmart Products offers pencils made from 100% recycled newspapers! A 24-pack is just $9.50, but teachers might want to stock up with a 72-pack for $26.

I want some for the pencil holder on my desk just because they’re so pretty! ~ Dawn

No need to plug in for recharging and no batteries required! Your child provides the power for these off-road vehicles from Sprig Toys. Regular push and pull play charges up each vehicle enough to power the lights of the Adventure Guides helmets. The Discover Rig allows kids to hear the Guides tell about their adventures (safari, outback, arctic, Amazon and Himalayan) and incorporates motor sounds and songs. Two “sidekick vehicles” are also available in addition to the Discover Rig. Each vehicle and Adventure Guide is made from recycled materials.

Sprig uses no decorative paint, use minimal packaging, and manufacturing partners are chosen to minimize the company’s carbon footprint on the planet. The company plans to expand the line of toys and keep all vehicles and guides interchangeable. Available through Toys ‘R Us, Target and other select retailers.

Happy exploring! ~ Dawn

Named Creative Child Toy of the Year 2007, Soysilk Pals are made from SoySilk, which comes from the waste produced from making tofu. This means it’s a completely renewable resource that is 100% biodegradable! And with the heavenly feel of cashmere, who can resist? The line currently consists of six pals, and they also offer a blanket. Here’s the description for Soynia the bunny:            

             
“Soynia is a bunny. She’s super playful, really fast, and has the most contagious giggle you’ve ever heard. Soynia is a vegetarian too. Known for giving big hugs and warm cuddles, this little bunny is one of the best friends anybody can have.”

             
I think you need one just to hear her contagious giggle… - Dawn

Wondering what to do with the Crocs that you and your family have outgrown or worn-out? Now, you can recycle them! Crocs has created a company called Soles United that turns the materials from old Crocs into new ones. Last year, the company gave away 1 million pairs of shoes to people in need around the world. This year, they’d like to double that amount. You can find a participating retailer near you, or you can simply send your old pair directly to Soles United.

Do your part by taking or sending your old ones in, OR start a “Croc Drive” in your neighborhood to collect everyone’s old pairs! You can also help out by purchasing a recycled pair for your child or yourself. The company will match your purchase by donating a pair to someone in need. The only drawback right now is that the recycled Crocs are only available in one color (Cocoa), but for such a great cause, you can sacrifice some “pizazz.”

I thought I’d kick off my Monday spot by posting about some fabulous baby care products I just discovered. I’m constantly on the lookout for safe, gentle and organic products to use with my daughter, but they’re unfortunately few and far between.

Terressentials is a USDA Certified Organic company that states:

“Terressentials isn’t like other companies. We only use ingredients that the USDA permits in certified organic food. We proudly list the ingredients of all of our products so you can scrutinize them and compare them to products by other manufacturers. Many of our products aren’t just “organic” by the USDA food standards — they’re 100% certified organic — every single ingredient is USDA certified organic.”

Their Baby Line includes Organic Baby Wash for little heads and bodies made from 100% organic olive castile. The 100% Organic Terrific Tush Treatment (pictured above) comes as a push-up stick for convenient, one-handed application, or as a cream in a 2 oz. jar. Check out their entire Baby Line here.

Terressentials is among the few companies producing baby products rated a “zero” (low hazard) by the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database. If you haven’t used this database yet, give it a try. Simply enter the name or type of products that you’re curious about (or currently using) in the search bar at the top, and you’re off and running.

You can check out answers to other frequently asked questions about Terressentials here. Happy pampering!

*Smarter Editor’s Note: Shop for more organic baby bath products.

Say hello to Dawn our new “Go Green” guest blogger!  Look out for her on Mondays (starting this coming Monday) as she will be sharing “green” tips & “green” children’s product reviews.  

Dawn has one “spunky” 2-year-old daughter & a Masters’s Degree in Clinical Psychology.

You can find her personal blog at Psychmamma.wordpress.com.