Lolababiez Organics

Baking in the Sun at the Baltimore Children's Festival

2010-06-26T17:29:00.000-07:00

Today I participated in the Baltimore Children's Festival and I had to set up by 9:15. By 9:15 it was already 85 degrees! It wasn't looking good so the first task I completed was putting up the tent. Well, at 12:00 I knew it was really hot when I was sweating in places that don't usually sweat. Ugg! Well, the show was great with a lot of positive comments, but it was just way too hot.

The best selling item was my nursing coverup, which of course I didn't bring any to the show!

If you have any show stories, email me so we can compare notes.

Melaleuca

2010-06-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of Melaleuca? Well, I swear by their products and love every one. Well, Melaleuca has approached me to become a seller of their products. Should I just in head first? I'm not sure if I could sell products. But when I tell my husband this, he tells me I sell products every day with LolaBabiez. I'm still on the fence, but thinking about it... What do you think?

Green Tip: Grocery store horror...

2010-05-27T12:17:00.000-07:00


Picture this: You have chosen the greener path in life. Your friends commend you for your stainless steel water bottle and reusable bags. You have become a proud soldier in the war against plastics.

Armed with knowledge (and your reusable bags of course), you hop into your trusty hybrid and head towards the horizon. First stop, the grocery store. Things are going smoothly until you hit the end of your list and your stomach drops: lettuce, onion, tomatoes, apples. Suddenly you feel unprepared.

As you head into the produce section, the cool calming air does nothing to settle the unease. You shakily round the towering corners of apples and oranges until you make a dead stop in front of the very entity you were trying to avoid...the giant roll of plastic bags. The horror! What are you to do?! Are you to risk the vitality of your produce by allowing them to aimlessly bobble naked between the contents of your grocery bag? Or do you grab for that menacing bag and internally justify all the uses you will design for it?

Do not fret people, there is another option...

1. Buy reusable produce bags...

...you've heard me talking about them in passing and no they are not a myth. You can do your own search for them online or click below where you'll find some great options:

3B Bags

2. If you were in a bind...

...and you had to grab one of those darn produce bags, reuse it. Once you unpack your groceries, just toss it in your reusable grocery bag so it is there for you on the next grocery run.

____________________________________________________

"You just have to keep trying to do good work, and hope that it leads to more good work. I want to look back on my career and be proud of the work, and be proud that I tried everything..."

- Jon Stewart

Green Tip: Disposable vs. Cloth

2010-05-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

The topic of disposable vs. cloth diapers always seems spark some interesting discussion. Which is greener? Good question.

It is definitely NOT green to go the disposable route considering it takes about 250-500 years for those bad boys to biodegrade in a landfill. But then with cloth diapers, you are using quite a bit of water doing laundry and some mothers complain that it is more of a hassle. There in lies the conundrum.

While I can not sway you one way or the other, I can provide you with some facts. Check out an amazing (and constantly updated) list of facts here.

Comments?? Thoughts??

Green Tip: HAPPY EARTH DAY!!

2010-04-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Mother Earth,

We understand you are having a busy and tiring year. Between the slew of Earthquakes and volcanoes as well as the usual pokes, prods and pollution brought on by those billions of humans, you must be exhausted!

Today we are asking you to put your feet up. Go ahead! Put Earth on auto pilot for a day and enjoy the view. Down here on the surface some of us humans are dedicating the day to making people more aware of their direct environmental impact.

Looking back through history it seems at times we acted more like annoying parasites than grateful inhabitants. The truth is not one of us would be alive without the miraculous wonders you provide for us each day. We are sorry that we have hurt you in the past and we are doing are darnedest to save you and all of your beauty for our future generations.

Happy Earth Day Mama Earth!!

LolaBabiez

P.S. We understand that everyday SHOULD be Earth Day...but this is a step in the right direction;)

April Giveaway Alert!!!

2010-04-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

It's not too late to be a part of our April Giveaway!!

You could win an organic baby tee with our brand new owl design-->

<--AND a pair of Natural Baby Legs (organic leg and arm warmers)!!

For details please click the link below!

LolaBabiez April Giveaway

Green Tip of the Week: The magic of vinegar...

2010-04-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

Ah, white distilled vinegar...is there anything you can't do?

So it may not be pleasing to the senses, but vinegar is a cheap and non-toxic way to help out around the house. We aren't just talking cleaning here, vinegar helps out in the garden as well as with your pets!

A few tips:

1. Make sure your fresh veggies are clean before eating by washing with a mixture of 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1.5 quarts water.

2. Soothe a sunburn by spraying ice cold vinegar on the burn as often as necessary. This may also prevent blistering a peeling.

3. For those of you affected by snow, remove water and salt stains from shoes by wiping down the area with a 1/2 vinegar/1/2 water solution.

For more tips (1001 to be exact) check out: vinegartips.com

Green Tip of the Week: Earth Hour...

2010-03-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

EARTH HOUR...THIS SATURDAY!!

March 27, 2010

8:30-9:30pm (local time)

What is Earth Hour?

Basically, people and organizations around the world are giving our planet a break by turning off all lights and electronics for one hour this Saturday. This event started in Sydney in 2007 and now it is quickly becoming a global tradition.

How do you participate?

Spread the word and turn off your lights! You might even consider having an Earth Hour party...light some candles and have some good ol' fashioned conversation.

Join the movement and find out more by clicking the link below:

http://www.earthhour.org/About.aspx

Email us pictures of how you celebrated Earth Hour, and you could find yourself in the next post!

15 Foods You Don't Have to Buy Organic!

2010-03-19T10:23:00.001-07:00

I try to buy as much organic foods as I can, but I don't know about you, but I am trying to save money everywhere I can. I found a great article that suggests there are 15 foods you don't have to buy organic. Wow, I can save a buck! The Environmental Working Group (EWG, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization) has identified 15 fruits and vegetables that are least likely to be contaminated with pesticide residues:

Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Cabbage
Eggplant
Kiwi
Mango
Onions
Papaya
Pineapple
Sweet corn (frozen)
Sweet peas (frozen)
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Watermelon

So, save a little and splurge on other things while knowing you are being healthy and safe all around. Read More...

Green Tip of the Week: Revolving doors...

2010-03-10T14:21:00.000-08:00

Commercial buildings make up 40% of CO2 emissions worldwide (and for reference, cars make up only 35%). Between the heating and cooling systems and electricity usage alone, these buildings can be an incredibly draining energy source.

What can you do to help?

Other than putting a note in the suggestion box for solar panels and better insulation, simply use the revolving doors. Yes, I'm serious. If these buildings only had the revolving door option, they could be saving about 1.5% of energy required to heat/cool the place. That may sound miniscule, but imagine if every building in NYC adopted this rule.

That would be quite helpful I'd say.

Green Tip of the Week: Turning trash into treasure...

2010-03-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

FACT: Alright, so we can't recycle and compost everything. There are things (chip bags, etc.) that just simply fall into the "trash" category. Or does it??

Terracycle.net has a new destination for those damned morsels of pollution, by literally turning your trash into treasures. Think backpacks, bowls, pencil cases, holiday bows...all made from scraps. Genius right?

How it works:

check out... Terracycle.net

...to see what items they will accept. Then mail your items over (postage paid! awesome!), they will donate 2 cents for each item to a charity of your choice AND THEN turn those bad boys into one-of-a-kind products sold on...

ShopOnlyGreen.com

Pretty dang smart.

"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight."

-Benjamin Franklin

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LolaBabiez Launches New Eco-Chic Designs!

2010-02-10T17:49:00.000-08:00

Here at LolaBabiez Organics I have been busy creating. After reading a Martha Stewart magazine (yes, I am that crafty!), I saw an article on felting and had to try it. Well, after many attempts on scrap fabric I have come up with some new designs. You may notice that some designs are the same, just cooler! I have created an adorable owl that is sure to please! So, check it out. I'm here to sew for you. Enter LolaBabiez Organics online store.

Green Tip of the Week: Wasting away...

2010-02-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

We have talked about the importance of buying items in bulk (this saves a tremendous amount of waste). Today I want to mention the idea of trying to get your household using the same (chemical-free) toiletry items such as shampoo, soap, lotion and toothpaste, and buying those in bulk. By buying in larger containers you are preventing waste and making your product last longer!

Just a helpful hint...

"Don't waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Green Tip of the Week: Spread the word...

2010-01-27T17:35:00.000-08:00

Wondering what you can do to help spread the word and inspire others to lead an earth-friendly lifestyle?

How 'bout next time you receive one of those comment cards or pass a suggestion box you take a moment to give them a green tip of your own. Figure out one way that specific company can be greener, and let them know!

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

-Confucius

Green tip of the week: The meat of it...

2010-01-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

FACT:

One 1/3 lb hamburger = 600 gallons of water used (to grow the corn to feed the cow)

TIP:

I am not going to tell you all to become vegetarians (I am a carnivore as well), but try cutting down on your meat intake. For example, introduce a meatless day once a week. By cutting down on your meat/poultry intake once a week you save hundreds of gallons of water, fossil fuels and participate in climate control.

I'd say that's a pretty simple way to help the Earth!!

Check out a whole movement dedicated to this (with helpful recipes!): meatlessmonday.com

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

-Michael Pollan

Green Tip of the Week: Start out fresh...

2010-01-07T19:42:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Ah, a fresh start. Nothing like it. It is time to do a "green cleaning." Make sure your home is up to par on the green front by doing the following:

CLEAN!! Out with the old in the with the newly re-used! Go through the house with the objective of minimizing your "things." When tossing items be sure to go through the list: is this item recyclable, sellable, re-usable, toxic? Be sure to dispose of properly.
EVALUATE!! Once your all cleaned up, do a walk-through and make notes of what could be greener in your home. Do you have some lights that could be switched over to energy saving CFL's? Are you still hoarding some toxic cleaning products and your waiting for the right time to switch to more eco-friendly versions? Leaky faucets? Drafty windows? Take note!
MAKE A CHANGE!! It is much easier to clean up and green up the house early in the year rather than later when life takes over. Start implementing changes in your house today and you'll enjoy the green fixes all year!

ALSO....

Click below to be a part of our January giveaway! Once you visit the site below, be sure to click for LolaBabiez and you could win yourself a fabulous gift card redeemable for all sorts of green goodies...

Click here!!

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

-Ghandi

Green Tip of the Week: Holiday lights...

2009-12-17T14:53:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things about the holidays? The lights. Ah the holiday lights, so beautiful! So festive! And unfortunately, so energy draining!! While I am not going to advise you to NOT put up any lights (because I would be a big hypocrite) I am going to give you some tips on how to reduce your impact, while still remaining festive.

1. LED's....

Are all the rage right now. Replace your average string lights with LED's, which are a whopping 90% more efficient than the "traditional" lights. Let's change the tradition!

2. Candles...

I've said it before, and here it is again. Grab some beautiful soy or beeswax candles (careful of fragrance! Opt for essential oils...) and relax into the holiday spirit.

3. Beware of vampires...

That's right. I didn't get my holidays confused. I'm talking vampire electricity which is the phenomenon that while appliances are plugged in, even if they are off, they are still using electricity. This can actually add up to about 15% of you electric bill! So unplug the tree, flying reindeer and toaster when they are not needed.

Happy Holidays!

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Lao-tzu

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Green Tip of the Week: It's a wrap...

2009-12-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

Now that we are deep into the frantic holiday gift preparing, some of you may have reached the wrapping stage, and it's time to get creative. Buying wrapping goods is SO last year. It's time to change our gift giving culture. Holidays such as Christmas produce about 25 MILLION TONS OF TRASH! All useless paper, bows and gift bags which, while beautiful, really don't produce just cause for their negative planetary impact. So I am trying to light a crackling fire under your frosty holiday tushes this season to put an end to the madness. That's right people, take a stand against conventional wrapping techniques. Say no to buying bow!!

Here's how:

1. Start around the house (i.e. your recycling bin)...
Before you reach for that wrapping paper roll, peruse your home for alternative ideas. Try wrapping your gifts in newpaper and then drawing on the details. Use old string or ribbon you have lying around. You can even get creative with plastic and glass bottles (once cleaned please). Take the challenge and I promise you'll will amaze yourself with your creations.

2. Save this year's wrapping...
...for next year! While you and your family are tearing through those gifts, see what wrapping items you can hold on to! (Think boxes, ribbon,tissue paper, etc.) I have been doing this since last holiday season, and it is rewarding to be creative and NEVER spend a dime on wrapping goods.

Minds open people! Inspire change.

“ To do great things is difficult; but to command great things is more difficult.”
-Friedrich Nietzsche

Green Tip of the Week: Holiday Gifts!

2009-12-03T16:33:00.000-08:00


I know, I know...we just finished off our Thanksgiving leftovers and now we are on to thinking about the next holiday!! 
If you are anything like me, then you tend to be a last minute shopper. But there is a trap last minute shoppers get caught in, and that is buying little trinkets that no one really needs because you've run out of time!! So this year I want to challenge you to put some eco-thought into your gifts and really get your loved ones something they will appreciate and use!

1. Give back...Maybe scale down the gifts this year and give to charity! Whether that be volunteering or donating what you can, 'tis the season to give to those less fortunate!

2. Think green...plants, make a quilt from old t-shirts, frame old pictures, make a scrap-book from all recycled materials...the list goes on!

3. Think LolaBabiez Organics...while you're giving the gift of green, check out our incredible selection of clothing and products. Shop for some fun stuff knowing you are doing your part for the planet!

4. Check out this detailed list...from Treehugger.com! They break it down into all different catagories (animal lover, jet setter, etc!)...and they have some great ideas. Check it out below!

Treehugger.com

“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”

- Amanda Bradley

Green Tip of the Week: Thanksgiving (Part 3)

2009-11-25T17:50:00.000-08:00

The big day is upon us! I'm sure you all are busy peeling mashed potatoes and prepping the turkey...so here are a few quick reminders to keep you thinking green!

1. Use your own plates! You have an entire army of family to help you with the dishes, so create less waste by using proper dishware rather than paper and plastic. (*also be mindful of water usage while doing the dishes)

2. Cloth napkins! It is a special occasion, so bring 'em out and then toss 'em in the laundry.

3. Share your knowledge! As you sit around the table, find a way to spread some green knowledge with your loved ones. We are all living on this planet, we should all be doing what we can to preserve and love it!

A very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from the Lolababiez team!

"Thanksgiving day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow."

-Edward Sandford Martin

Green Tip of the Week: Thanksgiving, Part 2

2009-11-18T17:55:00.000-08:00

We've greenified your turkey and decorations, let's continue on with some more Thanksgiving tips!

1. Save Energy: Between cooking, eating and digesting...you need all the energy you can manage for the big day. The same goes for America's power grid!! Here are a few energy saving tips: create ambiance by lighting soy candles for the table and if you can avoid cranking the heat, do so! Get the fireplace going instead. Of course, be sure to turn off and unplug all kitchen appliances as soon as you are finished with the meal.

2. Portion Control: We make a ridiculous amount of food on Thanksgiving, ultimately ending in waste! I am challenging you to really try and prepare just enough food for you and your guests, and of course some leftovers. Some...not an entire second dinner!! Also, ask your guests to bring their own Tupperware this way you can share the leftover love.

3. Donate: Remember there are way too many people who are not fortunate enough to have a big family meal this Thanksgiving. I always encourage people to donate their time to charity, but especially during the holiday season. Also, look for organizations that will accept prepared foods! Anything will be appreciated.

More to come next week!

"Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow."
- Johann Wolfgang von GoetheUnknown

Green Tip of the Week: Thanksgiving Tips

2009-11-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is around the corner! Are you prepared? Here are a few tips to get you and your guests thinking green over the big meal.

1. The Turkey: It is not your imagination that turkeys are getting bigger each year, and no, that is not natural. In most cases that is the work of steroids. As with most of your meats, you want to look for an organic and free-range turkey. Also make sure they are hormone and anti-biotic free so you and your family are not ingesting any unwanted chemicals this year. Visit the Organic Trade Association website for more information.

2. The Decorations: As usual, you want to either re-use your old decorations or buy re-usable ones. The key is to keep your new purchases minimal. Some alternative ideas are to go outside, find those beautiful autumn leaves, sticks, berries etc. and get creative!! This is also a great way to keep the kids busy while also teaching them green decorating.

This should be sufficient to get you started. More to come next week!

"You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind."
- UnknownUnknown

Green Tip of the Week: Trimming off the excess...

2009-11-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

Let's talk about product packaging. I mean, it's getting ridiculous. Ever been hungry and tried to get into a box of crackers? First you try tearing through the plastic on the outside of the box, which seemingly has no easy opening procedure, and once the box is open you find the crackers are laughing at you through an airtight plastic bag that no amount of man power can tear through. Ultimately, you are left with five crackers and ten pounds of useless packaging. Ridiculous!

Product packaging makes up one third of America's garbage load. ONE THIRD!! This is partly the fault of package-happy manufacturers, but we are to blame as well! How many of you buy packaging within packaging (100 calorie packs anyone?) We all do it, but there are a few ways to significantly decrease your packaging waste...

1. Buy in Bulk...

...and re-package yourself in re-usable containers. You've heard this before...time to start practicing it!

2. Look for recyclable packaging...

...a lot of companies have hopped on the green train, and are trying to do their part in reducing waste. Start supporting them!

3. Relax on the take-out...

...have more meals in, or pack your lunch for the day. This will save on waste and money.

"Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength."

-Anonymous

Green Tip of the Week: Green Halloween

2009-10-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

Listen up all you ghosts and goblin's, while it is a blast to dress up in manufactured costumes and parade around the neighborhood trailing tootsie roll wrappers, it is not the "green" way!

Here are a few tips to help you green-up your Halloween festivities...

1. Don't buy a new costume...

...try checking out what you can make from your closet, reuse old costumes, swap costumes with neighbors, check out thrift stores, etc. The alternatives to buying a brand new costume are endless!

2. Decorations...

...are awesome, just be sure to reuse them from year to year.

3. Trick or Treat bags...

...be sure they are reusable! Buckets, your reusable grocery bags or pillowcases work great!

4. No littering...

...pass on the green gene to your kids and loved ones! Make sure everyone is properly disposing candy wrappers.

5. Candy...

...ah sweet candy. When purchasing your treats, think about what you are handing out to kids. Maybe make a more eco/health conscious decision. Whole Foods carries candies you can feel proud to hand out! Also, support a product that has minimized their packaging.

"In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth."

-Patti Smith

Green Tip of the Week: The Dirty Dozen...

2009-10-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

What is all that stuff that makes up our personal care products? I have to channel my tenth grade chemistry class to even pronounce half of the ingredients. After attempting to understand and pronounce the methlcopalopalmina-ding-dongs, the only conclusion I came to was: that hodgepodge of chemicals being applied to my skin daily can't be good. After a little bit of research, turns out I was right.

Today we are going to decode what is in our cosmetic products by teaching you the 12 ingredients you must steer clear of and why.

THE NO-NO's:

1. Antibacterials:

FOUND IN: every product that claims to be "anti-bacterial"

BAD BECAUSE: they can actually weaken your immune system and decrease fertility!

2. Coal tar...colors FD&C Blue 1, Green 3:

FOUND IN: dandruff shampoos, anti-itch creams, toothpaste and mouthwash.

BAD BECAUSE: it's a carcinogen. yuck.

3. Diethanolamine (DEA):

FOUND IN: shampoos and other personal care products.

BAD BECAUSE: it can create bi-chemicals called "nitroamines," known to be carcinogenic.

4. 1, 4-Dioxane:

FOUND IN: everything, it is used to dilute more abrasive ingredients.

BAD BECAUSE: it is linked to cancer.

5. Formaldehyde (diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium compounds):

FOUND IN: most cosmetics, used as a perservative.

BAD BECAUSE: can cause joint discomfort, chest pains and chronic fatigue.

6. Fragrance:

FOUND IN: everything, unfortunately.

BAD BECAUSE: it is a loop-hole. The term "fragrance" can mask hundreds of ingredients, usually including phthalates, known to disrupt the edoctrine system and cause reproductive harm.

7. Lead & Mercury:

FOUND IN: lead can appear in toothpaste as a contaminant of hydrated silica, also known as lead acetate in men's hair dye. Mercury is found in cosmetics as a preservative called thimerosol.

BAD BECAUSE: they are neurotoxins!

8. Nanoparticles:

FOUND IN: Sunscreens

BAD BECAUSE: they are rumored to penetrate cell membranes and cause biochemical damage. Studies are on-going...but I would still steer clear.

9. Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butyl-, ethyl-, isobutyl-):

FOUND IN: almost everything...be sure to look at the fine print.
BAD BECAUSE: they mess with your hormones!! They are used as chemical preservatives...and because they mess with your hormone function, they make you more prone to breast cancer.

10. Petroleum Distillates:

BAD BECAUSE: thought to be a carcinogen due to the way it is manufactured (think oil!).

11. p-Phenylenediamine (or 1, 4 Benzenediamine, 4-Phenylenediamine):

FOUND IN: hair dye.

BAD BECAUSE: can cause damage to your nervous system, lung irritation, and allergic reactions.

12. Hydroquinone:

FOUND IN: skin lighteners and facial moisturizers.

BAD BECAUSE: it is a neurotoxic and can be allergenic.

So try to find natural alternatives. Also, write a letter to your favorite cosmetic company and ask them to stop using some of these harmful chemicals because you love their products! The turn around won't be quick, but you never know what your input might spark.

I suggest making a pocket list of these ingredients to keep on you while you shop, unless you'd like to tackle memorizing them. Whatever works! Remember, you can visit LolaBabiez Organics for vegan and toxic free baby & mommy skincare by Earth Mama Angel Baby.

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Green Tip of the Week: Greenify your cookware...

2009-10-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

FACT:

YES! Eco-friendly pots, pans, saucers, etc. have arrived. Each of the items found at the website below is made from oven/stove-safe ceramic materials.

Why do we need eco-friendly pots and pans?

Why because teflon is toxic my darlings. Not only does it sneak it's way into food but it also off-gases while your cooking, allowing you to breath all that in. Teflon is made from a chemical called C8, which has somehow sneaked it's way into all of our blood-streams. While it is uncertain what the presence of C8 does to humans, it has proven cancerous and fatal to animals. That can't be good.

Think about how often you cook with teflon pans per year.

Now multiply that by your age.

yuck.

Oh ya, did I mention it takes 20 years for it to get out of your system?


TIPS:

1. Buy new...

Greencookingpots.com

...has a cooking apparatus for each of your needs. Very cool stuff, and affordable!

2. Or...

...go cast-iron or ceramic. Stay away from non-stick!!

"If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life."

-Maslow

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Newsworthy News!!

2009-10-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

LolaBabiez wins Chic Eco's 2009 award for

BEST ECO-LUXURY INFANT CLOTHES DESIGNER!!

Here's what people are saying:

***"The different signature pieces are unlike any you find at a regular baby store. They are made by hand with love from a mom who knows that when it comes to your baby you can't put a price on their health."***

So if you haven't checked out our eco-friendly infant clothing line, now is the time! And don't forget, Carrie loves to hear from you about custom orders as well. So if you like what you see and you have a specific idea in mind for baby clothes, gift packs, bedding, etc., please email us!

lolababiez.com

We always look forward to hearing from you.

Check out our article on freestyle.com here.

And click here to read more about Lolababiez Organics.

Green Tip of the Week: Green out the dishwasher!

2009-10-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

FACT:

If every US household replaced one bottle (45 oz.) of dish detergent containing phosphates, with a phosphate-free version, we would save about 84 million pounds of toxic pollution seeping into our lakes, rivers, streams, etc.

So what's the hold up?

If you have a dishwasher, make the switch. There really is no valid excuse not to.

Too expensive?

Guess what, they are making phosphate-free versions very affordable.

Think it doesn't work as well?

False. I've been using these alternatives for two years now...can't tell the difference.

Here's a few options I would recommend...


TIPS:

1. Seventh Generation...

...has an award winning dishwashing detergent gel, as well as powder. Widely available at Whole Foods,Bed Bath & Beyond, online, and some forward-thinking supermarkets.

2. BioKleen Powder...

...affordable, works well, and available at most health food stores.

3. Jet Dry alternative...

...I had a discussion with a fellow green tipper about this whole "Jet Dry" business (meant to leave your dishes spot free, and apparently "A Must").

After trying to decipher the very un-ecofriendly ingredients, I decided against using this product and opted for a green alternative:

Seventh Generation's Free & Clear Rinse Aid

...and my dishes are spot free!

This can be found at your local Whole Foods or any retailer selling Seventh Generation products.

***A big CONGRATS to our FIRST monthly giveaway winner: DANIELLE F.!!***

Danielle, thank you for your comments and support.

Not Danielle? Don't be discouraged...a new month has begun and another giveaway is around the corner! Keep those comments rolling...

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost, that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. "
-Henry David Thoreau

Click here to check out our award-winning eco-friendly clothing line!

Green Tip of the Week: Save water!

2009-09-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

FACT:

We tend to forget that water is a finite resource. Us Californians have had a wake-up call this summer by experiencing the cut-backs of water usage due to the severe drought we are facing. I've learned that it is the little things that count. For example, if every person just shortened their showers, we could save thousands of gallons of water per day! The average shower uses 25 gallons of water. Moms, I have a feeling you have mastered the art of the short shower. Here's a tip that'll help your family be on board as well...

TIPS:

1. Set a timer...

...If you get your shower down to 5 minutes you will cut your water usage down to 12.5 gallons of water.

I'm challenging you all...and myself on this one!!

***Today is the last day to be eligible for our giveaway! Be sure to leave a

comment or make a purchase TODAY, and the winner will be announced next

week!!

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."

-Lanston Hughes

___________________________________

Green Tip of the Week: The dangers of plastics...

2009-09-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

THE PROBLEM:

Hopefully, you have already started to carry your own reusable water bottle as well as packing food in reusable containers. But recently there has been talk about the dangers of plastic containers:

Does your water bottle leak carcinogens into your water?
Is it dangerous to heat up your food in a plastic container?
Could water from the water cooler be giving me cancer?

Lets clear up some of this dangerous plastic talk by breaking it down.

(thank you National Geographic for the facts found in the following)

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
Plastic is the most widely used material in the United States, and it crops up in everything from toys to clothes to food containers. But not all plastics are created equal, particularly in regards to food storage: Some plastics can transmit chemicals into your food, while others are perfectly safe.

Before you know which type of plastic container to buy the next time you hit the store, you first need to know how to tell them apart. Plastics are typically classified by a number from #1 to #7, each number representing a different type of resin. That number is usually imprinted on the bottom of your container; flip it upside down, and you'll see a recycling triangle with the number in the middle.

Here's a quick breakdown of plastic resin types:

#1 (PET or PETE): disposable soft drink and water bottles, cough-syrup bottles

#2 (HDPE): milk jugs, toys, liquid detergent bottles, shampoo bottles

#3 (V or PVC): Meat wrap, cooking oil bottles, plumbing pipes

#4 (LDPE): Cling wrap, grocery bags, sandwich bags

#5 (PP): Syrup bottles, yogurt cups/tubs, diapers

#6 (PS): Disposable coffee cups, clam-shell take-out containers

#7 other (misc.; usually polycarbonate, or PC, but also polylactide, or PLA, plastics made from renewable resources): Baby bottles, some reusable water bottles, stain-resistant food-storage containers, medical storage containers

SAFER PLASTICS:

As a general rule, heating any type of plastic gives it the potential to leach chemicals into it's contents. Even though your plastic bowls are "microwave safe," it is best to keep your microwavables in ceramic dishware. Regardless, some plastics are definitely safer than others. Below are the plastics you SHOULD be looking for.

#2HDPE, #4LDPE and #5PP

These three types of plastic are the healthiest. They transmit no known chemicals into your food and they're generally recyclable; #2 is very commonly accepted by municipal recycling programs, but you may have a more difficult time finding someone to recycle your #4 and #5 containers.

#1 PET

#1 bottles and containers are fine for single use and are widely accepted by municipal recyclers. You won't find many reusable containers made from #1, but they do exist. It's also best to avoid reusing #1plastic bottles; water and soda bottles in particular are hard to clean, and because plastic is porous, these bottles absorb flavors and bacteria that you can't get rid of.

PLA (polylactide) plastics are made from renewable resources such as corn, potatoes and sugar cane and anything else with a high starch content. The starch is converted into polylactide acid (PLA). Although you can't recycle these plant-based plastics, you can compost them in a municipal composter or in your backyard compost heap. Most decompose in about twelve days unlike conventional plastic, which can take up to 100 years.

STAY AWAY FROM THESE!!

#3 PVC

#3 is often used frequently in cling wraps for meat. However, PVC contains softeners called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development, and its manufacture and incineration release dioxin, a potent carcinogen and hormone disruptor. Vinyl chloride, the primary building block of PVC, is a known human carcinogen that also poses a threat to workers during manufacture.

#6 PS

(commonly known as Styrofoam) is used in take-out containers and cups, and non-extruded PS is used in clear disposable takeout containers, disposable plastic cutlery and cups. Both forms of PS can leach styrene into food; styrene is considered a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It may also disrupt hormones or affect reproduction.

#7 PC

#7 is found in baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, water-cooler bottles and the epoxy linings of tin food cans. PC is composed of a hormone-disrupting chemical called bisphenol A, which has been linked to a wide variety of problems such as cancer and obesity.

Lots of facts this week, but very important information!

"Do something everyday that you don't want to do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain." - Mark Twain

Green Tip of the Week: What's recyclable?

2009-09-14T22:36:00.000-07:00

FACT:

I know you are all professional recyclers at this point...but there may be a few things your recycling that are not recyclable!! (GASP!)

Here's a quick list of what you SHOULD be recycling:

#1 & #2 plastics (look on the bottom of the bottle for #)

Aluminum Cans

Steel cans (like soup cans, no lids)

Newspaper

Paper

Magazines/Catalogues

Unwaxed, uncoated cardboard

Glass containers

Now that what we are clear on what to recycle, let's figure out what not to recycle...

1. Bottle caps...

Especially plastic...NOT RECYCLABLE! The plastic used to make the caps is denser than the bottles, therefore they need to melt at higher temperatures, and can not be recycled. Boo!

ALTERNATIVE: get creative with your caps. Make your own checker board and use the caps as checkers. Also, AVEDA is still running their campaign where you can bring or mail in all of your bottle caps and they will recycle them for you.

2. Frozen Food boxes...

They are actually sprayed with a plastic coating to prevent freezer burn, making them non-recyclable. So unfortunately, they end up in the normal trash. Some companies are now hip to this fact and are now making recyclable frozen food boxes, which will boast with a recyclable seal.

3. Plastic bags...

I have been guilty of putting my recycling in plastic bags. The problem is they are not recyclable and the sorters most likely will not rip open the plastic bag to release all of your recycling...so it all may end up in the trash!! Totally defeating the purpose.
Good news: as I've said before, most grocery stores will recycle clean and dry plastic bags.

If your not sure if it's recyclable, call your local center to see what they will accept. Also, check out recyclenow.com for more tips of the trade.

"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." -Joshua J. Marine

New Monthly Giveaways from Lola Babiez!

2009-09-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with the launch of our

New Weekly Green Tips,

LolaBabiez is now doing a

monthly giveaway!!!

Be the lucky winner and you will score some hip green swag for mamas and babies alike...

WHEN: The month of September

WHERE: The LolaBabiez Blog

HOW: You will automatically be entered by leaving a comment letting us know your thoughts/suggestions on any of our Green Tips of the Week. At the end of the month we will randomly select our lucky winner.

SEPTEMBER'S GIVEAWAY ITEM:

Fall Thermal

(available in sizes 6 months - Women's L)

***The first Green Tip is up...so get going!

Green Tip of the Week

2009-09-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

REUSABLE BAGS:

FACT:
take up to 1000 years to decompose
there are 110 BILLION bags consumed in US alone, annually
1 TRILLION used Worldwide, annually
Think of what this is doing to our ecosystem!

Instead of contributing to the problem, start keeping reusable bags in your car or purse to use when you shop. I keep my bags on the floor of my passenger seat so I constantly see them. Remember it takes about two weeks to make something a habit, so make it easy on yourself and keep your reusables handy!!
You can find these bags pretty much anywhere, from online stores to grocery stores, whatever works. I like ones that are made of either organic or recyclable materials and whose proceeds go to a charity. Talk about multi-tasking!

PRODUCTS I LIKE:
gethipgetgreen.com (help Green Ambassador program)
friendsofwfp.org/FEEDbag (helping children in hunger)
ecobags.com (great natural organic bags, all types)
reusablebags.com (they even have produce bags!)

...if you absolutely are stuck using a plastic bag, check with your local grocery store to see if they recycle their plastic bags. Most grocery stores now have a recycle container by the entrance. And if they don't, take action and request that they start!

"There is enough on Earth for everyone's need, but not for everyone's greed." - Gandhi

How to Spy on People in Your House!

2009-06-20T06:16:00.000-07:00

It's early Saturday morning and I'm making my action plan on how to tile my walk-in tile shower and I came across this article on Wikihow and had to share it. How to Spy on People in Your House
It laughed at the comment, "Slide on tiles using socks or slippery shoes as "ice skates". I can't believe that there are actually posts on the internet about this topic. What's the point of exploring and learning? Next time you want to play Hide-and-Seek just Google it. :)

Happy Fathers Day Weekend!

2009-06-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day to all the great dads! I have to say my husband is an incredible dad. He is so hands on with my boys and they just love "tickle time"! I just love watching them play and it makes me feel so lucky to have found such a great guy. What are your plans for the big day? Share with Lolababiez. What are your favorite things about your guy? Have a wonderful weekend!

Maryland Sustainability Festival

2009-05-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

I just completed my second festival this month and boy am I tired! I have to say the best thing is meeting a customer who has either heard of my store, seem my store on the internet, or met me last year at a festival. My organic baby outique has only been in business for over a year and I have been so busy. I just made my first organic baby dress and matching bloomers and love them. http://www.lolababiez.com/Lolababiezwrap.html My next step is trying to get some of clothing in more stores so kiddo models are coming to my house for our first photo session. Scary and exciting at the same time. I'll be stocking up with lolypops and Goldfish! Any advice or ideas, I'd love it.

The Best Baby Gift Ideas

2009-04-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

You have a baby shower coming up and always dread the part when the mom-to-be opens each gift in front of an audience because you want to hear the most ohhhs and ahhhs.

Choosing only the best organic baby gift sets will set your gift apart from the rest and show that you have gone out of your way to giving the new baby something pure and healthy. Help make the baby’s home eco-friendly by giving organic baby gifts. Organic baby gifts are baby products made from 100% organic materials. Organic baby gifts are gaining popularity as parents are more and more inclined to provide their babies only the safest products. Organic baby gifts not only help the environment; they also keep parents from worrying about their baby experiencing possible harmful chemical effects from synthetic materials. Organic baby gifts range from clothes to toys, to infant baby bedding and cribs, and a lot more. You can never go wrong with a unique organic baby gift.

Lolababiez Organics specializes in organic gift sets in various price ranges. I hand-package all gifts in a recycled gable box tied with specialty ribbon. Each gift has been put together to create many ohhhs and ahhhs and you will feel great at your next baby shower.

Earth Week

2009-04-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

Earth Week 2009! I signed up to participate in the Earth Day Festival in Delaware. I've never particpated at this festival but kids have to fill out a passport at each booth. I will be doing an activity based on the children's book, "The Lorax", by Dr. Seuss. Since I am an elementary teacher this activity should be great!

I have posted a 25% off coupon for Earth Day. Use the coupon code, earth2009, upon checkout (valid until April 24th).

I now sell Ella Vickers bags which are made from recycled sails. I decided to sell this product after seeing them at the D.C. and Philadelphia Green Festivals. They are fabulous and make perfect diaper bags or day bags.

Do something great on Earth Day or make a resolution to make a green lifestyle change.

Carcinogens Found in Bath Products

2009-03-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

Dangerous bath products, you bet! Some children's bath products contain carcinogens such as formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. Thirty-two of 48 products contained 1,4-dioxane, also considered a probable human carcinogen by the EPA which is a byproduct of a chemical processing techniques used to make petroleum-based ingredients gentler to the skin.

Also, many other baby products contain chemicals called phthalates, which can interfere with the hormone system.

You can read the entire article at http://news.aol.com/health/article/carcinogens-found-in-kids-bath-products/381717.

Here are Lolababiez Organics, we carry products by Earth Mama Angel Baby which are pure and phthalate free. http://www.lolababiez.com/Bathtime.html

The Spunky Monkey Giveaway

2009-03-16T18:18:00.000-07:00

Lolababiez Organics found a great giveaway on Spunky Monkey who is generously offering two sets of Creative Clips, Cupcake on Medium Pink ($15.90) AND Crown on Medium Pink ($15.90). Visit http://bookiebooraves.blogspot.com/2009/03/spunky-monkey-giveaway.html at Bookieboo blog to enter.

New Tag-a-Long Blanket Debut

2009-03-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Lolababiez Organics has just created a new fleece blanket just in time for our booth at the Go Green Expo in Philadephia.

I have created an incredibly soft fleece blanket that is surrounded by my hand-created organic binding. All our products are handmade in my in-house sewing room. See our site for other blankets.

Go Green Expo Booth

2009-03-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

Lolababiez Organics has been getting ready for our first Go Green Expo in Philadelphia this weekend, March 13-15th. I have been sewing like a madwoman and coming up with new designs that I am so excited to debut. There will be about 10,000 people at the Expo and Friday is businesses only. We are hoping to land at least a few new retailer accounts - seeing our products in stores and boutiques is our next goal of becoming a wholesaler of baby clothing.

So if you are in the area, stop by the Philadephia Go Green Expo. http://www.gogreenexpo.com/events/index.php?evid=4

Baby Steps to Being Green

2009-02-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

Trying to be more green, but don't know where to start? Well, here are 6 things you can try right now that will make a huge difference.

1. Unplug electrical items that you are not going to be using. Electrical items can use electricity when off and plugged in. Make it a game & send your kids on a hunt to point out items that are not used and can be unplugged.

2. When a light bulb burns out, change over to the new, yes, more expensive energy efficient light bulbs.

3. Switch over to cloth shopping bags - make or buy your own and leave them in the trunk of your car.The amount of waste and landfill problem that comes from the millions of plastic bags in landfills is mind boggling.

4. Turn up/down the ac/heat 2 degrees.Doesn't seem like much, but you will notice a difference on the billing. Also, invest in an electric thermostat.

5. Do the laundry in cold water. With the advancement in washing powders, the need to wash in hot water is almost a thing of the past. Also, most of the newer fabrics actually do better when washed in cold water - not to mention that it also cuts down on the color fade problem. Clothes last longer - win/win situation.

6. Try to stay away from drinks that come in plastic bottles. Invest in a cool Sigg bottle that is eco-friendly and super hip.

Being green isn't hard once you get started. You and the earth will feel better and you will set a great example for our future generations where being green will be part of daily life.

Food for your Green Baby

2009-02-10T15:38:00.000-08:00

Is organic baby food really best for your baby? Pediatricians believe it can be beneficial, especially before the age of two when baby brains are developing at a rapid rate and the organs are most likely to be sensitive to exposure to harmful substances.

Pesticides have been connected with a broad range of health problems, including cancer, lung disease, reproductive problems and disorders of the endocrine and immune systems. Non-organic foods, including baby foods, also contain higher levels of hormones and antibiotics.

A great source: Produce Pesticide Report Card http://www.foodnews.org/index.php

We have also found a great video showing how to make your own food.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-vezM03gK4&eurl=http://www.mamababyfood.com/buy-baby-food/why-buy-baby-food-when-you-can-make-it-yourself&feature=player_embedded

Happy green cooking!
Carrie

Yellow Label Kids Peace Hats

2009-01-07T18:44:00.000-08:00

Winter is here & Lolababiez Organics has the cutest hats to outfit your little green baby or make te perfect gift. Yellow Label Kids only purchases their products from Fair Trade companies. We also carry matching sweaters! Buy Fair, Green, and Unique. http://www.lolababiez.com/Peacehats.html

Free Eco-Holiday Shipping!

2008-12-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

Lolababiez Organics is offering free shipping until December 24th. We know sometimes when you push the "checkout" button and see the shipping charges you suddenly don't need your treasures quite so much.

So, when you visit our shopping cart enter the code, "holiday08" and the shipping charges are on us.

We have new exciting products in our boutique so race in and check it out. Please let us know if we can help you find something special or put together that perfect gift.

Yours truly,
Carrie
Lolababiez Organics

Let's Talk Turkey 25% Off Coupon

2008-11-19T17:11:00.000-08:00

Lolababiez Organics is offering a beat the bird coupon. Enter the coupon code turkey25 and receive 25% off your entire order from our entire organic boutique. Coupon ends 11/28/08. See our new baby carriers by Ellaroo, knitted sweaters and hats by Yellow Label and BPA Free sippies by SafeSippy and organic cotton clothing for sizes 0-4T.

Sleeping with Toxins

2008-10-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

So much care and anxiety goes into preparing for a new baby, and it’s only natural that you would want to provide the very best to create the perfect environment. An organic mattress is the safest decision you can make. Organic mattresses cost more, but you cannot put a price on safety.

1. Switching from a traditional crib mattress to an organic crib mattress may be more than just an eco-friendly move. It may be a matter of safety. Many traditional crib mattresses contain toxic chemicals with questionable effects. Experts are starting to look at everything from polyurethane foam to chemical fire retardants to see what kinds of effects they may have on growing babies.

2. Organic crib mattresses are more expensive than traditional crib mattresses. But given the fact that a new baby spends 70 percent of her time sleeping, it might be worth a little bit extra to get an organic crib mattress. When your baby sleeps about 17 hours a day, inches away from a mattress, breathing in chemicals, you may find that you rest easier yourself knowing your baby is laying against a non toxic mattress. Some of your better online retailers offer free shipping on large purchase items like an organic mattresses.

3. With all the products being recalled, from toys to bottles, why not make sure your baby is safe with an organic mattress? Give your baby a fresh start - free of toxins. Visit http://www.lolababiez.com/ for mattresses, mattress pads and bedding - one stop to complete the nursery.

New! KeeKa Poncho

2008-10-23T10:07:00.001-07:00

Lolababiez Organics found this adorable poncho with stitching on the outside. It is made from a favorite company of ours, Kee Ka. 100% certified organic cotton fleece• low impact dyes• wood toggle closure• machine washable and dryable. Quantities are limited. http://www.lolababiez.com/

New! Oops Thermal

2008-10-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

The cold weather is coming and Lolababiez Organics just found an adorable organic cotton long sleeve thermal that says, "Oops!". Love it! http://www.lolababiez.com/Oopsthermal.htmlThe thermal is a heather gray color and matches almost anything. It is great for layering or wearing alone with a pair of Babylegs leggings. Too cute for words. Quantities are limited and visit our store to see all our other new hip organic baby and nursing products. http://www.lolababiez.com/

Involving Your Kids to be Green

2008-09-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

My kids are only 4 and 19 months and boy, do I need their help everyday! The other day my older son told me his brother was wasting water, not that he isn't a water waster either, but perhaps my endless reminders are finally making an impact!

How can you instill some green household ideas on your children?

1. Turn out the lights! I let my four year old turn out the lights when we leave a room, so now he thinks he's a "big boy"! Sometimes he now reminds me when I leave a light on. Wow!

2. Helping in the garden. Our garden is not huge, but it is large enough to let my kids find out where veggies actually come from through exploration. Finding worms is a huge highlight (then tring to let them be free) and talking about the good things they do.

3. Water use. I tell my son that we pay for every drop of water that comes out of the faucet. On our weekly trip to Target I let him pick out his own rinse cup for the bathroom so now we have even more reasons to turn the water off.

4. Less is more. One day at the store I asked him if he'd like a new dino since he'd been such a great boy that day, but he told me he didn't need one since he already had enough dinos! Wow again! We now try and buy less toys and wait until we can get a cooler one. Lolababiez has some cool cuddly toys and puzzles that we have personally tried. Visit us at http://www.lolababiez.com/Playtime.html (Sounds like my new shopping mantra, "Buy less, but pay more!".)

What do you do to get your kids involved in being green?

How to Prevent Baby Eczema

2008-08-27T11:56:00.000-07:00

If your baby has dry, itchy skin then it’s likely that she is suffering from baby eczema.
What you may not know is that there is not one, but three types of baby eczema.

The first is atopic eczema. This develops at around 3 months and is due to an oversensitivity of the immune system. It tends to hereditary meaning your baby is more likely to suffer if other family members suffer from eczema, asthma or hayfever.

The other forms of eczema are irritant contact eczema which occurs when your baby is exposed to an allergen for a prolonged amount of time or allergenic contact eczema which happens almost immediately.

How can you treat baby eczema?
Well the bad news is that there’s no one cure that works for everything. There is however a large range of remedies that can help to reduce the irritation and make your babies life a little less itchy.

1. Moisture Your Baby’s Skin
Baby eczema tends to be mean very dry skin, moisturing their skin will act to reduce the irritation this causes. You should try to apply this lotion as many times a day as you can, particularly after a bath. You can use a baby lotion (http://www.lolababiez.com/Lotion.html) that is natural and organic without any skin irritants. Lolababiez Organics carrys body products from Earth Mama Angel Baby which are all natural, organic & non-toxic.

2. Don’t Have Too Warm A Bath
The warmer your baby bath is the less your baby’s skin will retain moisture and hydration. This doesn’t mean giving them a cold bath -which wouldn’t do them any favors either. Just make sure it’s more lukewarm than hot.

3. Washing Your Baby Clothes In Sensitive Washing Powders
Babies have much more sensitive skin than us adults so may well be affected by washing powder in a way we’re not. Make sure you use a non-bio / sensitive washing powder to reduce the impact this might have.

4. Buy Organic Cotton
Buying natural materials such as cotton is always going to be better than a synthetic material because it will allow your baby’s skin to breathe thus reducing irritation. If you can buy organic cotton than your baby's skin will be in contact with toxins.

5. Keep An Eye On What You’re Feeding Her
Your baby’s eczema could be due to a food intolerance. If you’re currently weaning them it’s best to do it one food at a time (and leave a few days in between) so see if this could be the problem.

6. Keep Dust Away
Dust is a great source of eczema flare ups. To reduce this impact you should vacuum as often as you can and not allow your baby to play directly on the carpet. You could also use an air purifier in the nursery to reduce the amount of dust in that room.

Have you got any other hints that have worked with your child? If you do, please please add them below!

Building a Green School

2008-08-13T05:17:00.000-07:00

Build Green Schools is the place to start making a change in your community. Green schools cost less to operate, freeing up resources to truly improve students’ education. The site is operated by the U.S. Green Building Council and it only takes one voice to create change which will benefit all our children and teachers.

Across the United States, school districts are realizing the benefits of green building. Students, parents, teachers and community members are making the difference, by letting elected officials know they want their schools built green. Visit http://www.buildgreenschools.org/to take the pledge and get involved.

Organic Cotton Video

2008-08-13T05:06:00.000-07:00

I came across a great video on how to determine if the clothing you are buying is actually organic cotton and colored with non-toxic dyes. The under 3-minute video also explains how to make sure the company you are supporting is environmentally conscious. Check it out! http://www.organic-baby-resource.com/organic-cotton-baby-clothing.html

Safe Bug Spray for Babes

2008-07-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

Today the hot topic is summer bugs. Not the most amusing of topics, but it’s important to know what to do if bugs get your baby.

Bug spray is a touchy subject. Most experts recommend that you use a DEET based bug spray (with a max concentration of 30%) but you should only use it on babies over two months of age. I’m skeptical. DEET is a pesticide and is also not all that safe. You can talk to your baby’s pediatrician about it; but note that I wouldn’t use it on my own boys, not when they were a baby, and not now that they are older.

On the other hand, bug bites are no fun either. There are some other options besides DEET based sprays for your family.

Deet-free options from Consumer Reports - a great read. http://greenerchoices.org/products.cfm?product=deet-fre&pcat=homegarden

I really like many products from Burt's Bees at http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=-109&catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1and they have Bug Bite Relief and Herbal Insect Relief that I think they both work well. Plus no DEET.

Remember, remember "natural" does not mean safe for all babies, so do the allergy test on yourself first and always ask your pediatrition for advice.

What to Avoid in Bottles & Sippies

2008-07-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a toxic chemical used in polycarbonate plastics found in baby bottles and sippy cups. Exposure to the chemical can cause cancer and early reproductive development. What do you avoid?

1. Look on the bottom of the bottle/sippy for the recycling symbol or code and

avoid #3, 6, or 7.

2. Look for cups made of milky colored plastics. These are generally safe.

3. Check for the recycling code #5 or the initials "PP" on the bottom of the cup/bottle. This is an ok option and some examples are: Avent Magic Cup, First Years "Take & Toss", Gerber Color Change, and Playtex Sipsters are among a few safe options.

4. Purchase bottles from Lolababiez Organics and you will know they are safe for baby and you.

Lolababiez Organics sells are Bottle Sampler that is perfect. It includes a Wee Go glass bottle, 2 Think baby bottles, pacifer, teether, and Adiri bottle - all BPA free and perfect so you can try them all and see which bottle baby likes best. www.lolababiez.com/Feeding.html

Liquid Formula & High Levels of BPA

2008-06-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

Testing by Environmental Working Group (EWG) and by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that under normal use, liquid formula itself could expose an infant to substantially more BPA than a plastic bottle. This news is astounding!

Liquid infant formula from the top manufacturers is sold in cans lined with a toxic chemical linked to reproductive disorders and neurobehavioral problems in laboratory animals, according to an investigation by Environmental Working Group (EWG). The chemical is almost as common in the packaging of powdered formula, with 4 of the top 5 companies acknowledging its use.

The makers of Nestle, Similac, Enfamil and PBM (who make store-brand formulas sold at WalMart, Target, Kroger and dozens of other retailers) all said that they use BPA in the linings of metal cans holding liquid formula.

Powdered formulas are a better choice. The calculations by the EWG indicate that babies fed reconstituted powdered formula likely receive 8 to 20 times less BPA than those fed liquid formula from a metal can. If your child is fed infant formula, you can reduce BPA exposure by choosing powdered formula. Nestlé, makers of Good Start and Mam brands, repeatedly told EWG researchers that its powdered formula cans contain no BPA. Nestlé's emails to parents repeat this claim, but the company has failed to document this in writing or provide information on their alternative to EWG.

Your best bet is to breastfeed your baby whenever possible. Go back to the basics. Breastfeed, pump and if you need to use a bottle, use glass.

Lolababiez Organics carries beautiful, organic cotton nursing coverups that create privacy while nursing in public. http://www.lolababiez.com/Nursingfabrics.html We also have glass baby bottles by Wee Go that have a silcone cover to help prevent slipage. http://www.lolababiez.com/wego.html

Create an Eco-Friendly Nursery

2008-06-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

When creating a beautiful green nursery, a parent's choice of furniture, carpeting and even bedding could expose your child to an incredible amount of chemicals. Because your baby's body is still growing, he or she is more vulnerable to environmental pollutants than you are. Give your newborn a head start by creating a safe, healthy and non-toxic haven, free from hazards that could interfere with his or her mental and physical development. Lolababiez Organis has chosen to carry only organic and pure products that are safe, hip and green. Continue reading about creating a green nursery at http://www.ehow.com/how_2047473_ecofriendly-baby-nursery.html.

"Green" is the New Black!

2008-06-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

Babies are prompting parents who never considered themselves especially eco-conscious to start buying green baby products, from organic cotton clothing, organic baby food and to pure lotions and body products.

I started making my own organic baby food with my first son 3 years ago, and have now carried on that practice with my other little one. There are some great new cookbooks on “hiding” vegetables in food, so I’ve been able to now add yummy foods to my older son’s picky food choices without him knowing.

After doing research on the incredible amount of pesticides in conventional cotton, I started buying organic cotton clothing. My sons don’t wear all organic clothing, but their organic wardrobe is increasing.

We are proud to say that at Lolababiez Organics, an organic online boutique, green baby and nursing products make up 100 percent of our inventory.

I never thought I’d be a mom who cared about organic baby food, sustainable materials and organic clothing, until I found out how easy it was to integrate eco-friendly options into my life.
“I now do festivals and find it easy to share my new “green” ideas with other parents and grandparents. The trend is catching on quickly.”

I have now started my own little garden in my own backyard and recently visited our library and found a resource that listed all the farmers’-direct produce places I can purchase fresh foods.

I in fact just bought my first reusable grocery bags at Great Green Bags and love them! When I forget them in car I’m truly disappointed to have to get plastic bags, but the times I remember is growing each time!

“Green” is the new black. It is catching on quickly, becoming popular and not just for hippies any more!

Carrie at Lolababiez Organics
www.lolababiez.com

Lolababiez Organics boutique has a new look

2008-06-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

Visit our site and see our brand new look! After many hours we have updated our organic cotton clothing and body products and made our photos larger and added more. We have also added an exciting new Splash Page that shows our new Original Design - the Ladybug. You will also see our popular Tag-a-Long Blanket, Wee Go Bottles, Kite Collection and other unique hip organic products. Let us know what you think. All our products adhere to Fair Trade standards and we know you will love our hip Original Designs. Carrie at Lolababiez Organics www.lolababiez.com

Striped Pink Pants are Here!

2008-06-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

We pride ourselves on finding hip and luxurious organic baby clothing. We have found a beautiful pair of pink striped drawstring pants that are comfortable and made of certified organic cotton and non-toxic dyes. Sizes 0-6 mo.

Visit our organic boutique for an incredible selection of organic baby and toddler clothing, gift sets, and nursing products. www.lolababiez.com

New Online Organic Boutique

2008-04-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

Lolababiez Organics was launched in January of 2008 after creating many outfits in our home sewing room. Our boys have worn all our designs, but we wanted to test our outfits on little girls. So, we have talked some of our friends that have little girls to wear those designs - I have to say that there was no resistance!

Organics is widespread now and we are still learning the benefits of not dressing our children in toxic chemicals. Plus, organic cotton products are so much softer, durable, and beautifully made.

Check out our online organic boutique for babies, toddlers and nursing mothers. We welcome all your thoughts and comments.

Carrie

Lolababiez Organics