Ticonderoga Renew Pencils

I was really looking forward to trying the new Ticonderoga Renew Pencils. The black graphite center is covered not with wood but recycled tire parts – a nice idea, I thought, as billions of tires are discarded each year. Even the box is made with recycled paper, so I was very disappointed with the subpar writing experience the pencils provided. The outer shell is extremely hard and almost impossible to sharpen manually, and electric sharpeners are not recommended. Even the graphite is uneven. I think I will stick with one of the many other great “green” pencils available on the market.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 2nd, 2011 at 8:00 am and is filed under smart mom's product reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Autism risk higher in children who have older sibling with the condition

Children born into families with older siblings who have autism have a higher risk of developing the condition themselves, even more so than previously thought.

Dr. Sally Ozonoff, lead author of the study that appeared in Pediatrics Magazine and vice chair for Research at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute said that she and her team expected the rates to be significant, but not as high as they found. This finding just adds to the existing puzzle – scientists have not been able to pinpoint the key cause of autism as either genetic or environmental and the the scale tips in favor of one or the other with each new study. In this case, it points to genetics. Dr. Ozonoff further noted that the main message of this study at present is that “primary care physicians need to look at infants more closely when they are born to a family with children with autism.”

In the study researchers monitored from birth to 36 months 664 infants who were registered with the Baby Siblings Research Consortium because they had an older biological sibling with autism. Earlier studies estimated the autism recurrence risk to be between 3% and 10%, but this study found the risk to be 18.7%. In families with more than one affected sibling, the risk went up to 32.2%. The risk for male infants was three times higher than the risk for female infants (26% versus 9% of risk). Factors such as the age of parent or the gender of the older sibling were not predictors of the condition.

Tags: autism, causes for autism, environmental factors, genetic factors

This entry was posted on Friday, August 19th, 2011 at 2:03 pm and is filed under General Topics, healthy baby. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Eco-Friendly Changing Pads and Mats

I came across a few great organic / eco-friendly changing pads and mats.
If you are on the market for some, do not forget to check these out!

Patemm Pads are PVC and phthalate-free, made right here in the USA. They are stylish and easy to use – their round shape is perfect to prevent kids from making their way off it so easily.

Oshi also makes great mats that can be used as changing pads but also as mommy-baby exercise mats. They come in cute designs and are, of course, free of PVC, phthalates, and other nasties.

Swaddlebees also makes all-natural changing pads in various colors. The pads have an inner layer of sherpa for extra absorption. The pads are very well priced too.

Last but not least, Zoli Baby makes a great portable changing pad that is free of PVC, lead, nitrosamines, and VOCs. Water and odor resistant, it comes in orange and green.

Check out more great baby products here.

Tags: BPA-free travel mats, changing mats, changing pads, organic changing mats, travel mats

This entry was posted on Monday, August 15th, 2011 at 11:40 pm and is filed under baby products, General Topics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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ConAgra Law Suit: Labeling GMO Oil as Natural

Although the term “natural” is not legally defined in the food service industry, I am pretty certain that for most consumers “natural” would not include “plants or animals that have had their genetic makeup altered to exhibit traits that are not naturally theirs” (a definition of GMO).

Yet that is what ConAgra claims on the labels of its Wesson brand oils.

This is not a single occurrence, of course. Up to 70-percent of the US processed food supply may contain genetically modified ingredients. Yes. Seventy-percent (an estimate by the Center for Food Safety). How many of those processed food items display a notice indicating that they were made with GMOs? None.

The same applies to unprocessed foods such as corn, soybeans, potatoes and other vegetables and fruits that have become the latest designer toys in the hands of scientists. I am yet to see an ear of sweet corn that clearly states it has been engineered, yet it is estimated that up to 90-percent of the corn in the US has been genetically engineered (and this can include sweet corn sold in stores – but as they aren’t labeled, it’s rather hard to know for sure!).

There are plenty of studies supporting the arguments of both GMO proponents and GMO opponents. Proponents say it is the safest and best way to ensure the sufficiency of the food supply while opponents focus on the health and environmental risks GMOs create (such as allergies, antibiotic resistance, and biological pollution).

Either way, as consumers we should be given the opportunity to decide! Let’s see how the ConAgra suit turns out.

Tags: genetically engineered foods, GMO foods, GMOs, pfocessed foods

This entry was posted on Friday, September 2nd, 2011 at 8:21 am and is filed under General Topics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Eco-Friendly School Supplies (Part I)

With the start of school just around the corner, make sure your child’s (and your own) supplies are eco-friendly.

Check out these notebooks, pencils, and binders for every age, taste, and budget:

Staples own Sustainable Earth college-ruled eco-friendly notebooks have heavy kraft covers and inside pockets. The notebooks, made of 80% sugarcane waste, retails for $3.29.
EcoJot makes a wide range of stylish notebooks using 100% recycled paper and vegetable dyes. The collection includes mini, regular, and jumbo notebooks in a fun assortment of patterns priced between $4.75 – $17

Green Apple Supply’s Triangular #2 Graphite Pencils are not just economical at a price of just 2.39 for a box of 12 – they are made in Japan from wood scraps without the use of any colors or dyes.
If your child wants something more colorful, check out Eco-Pencils, also available from Green Apple Supply. The pencils come in a set of twelve and are available in 4 designs: butterflies, garden delights, monsters, and pandas (at $3.60 for a set of 12).

ReBinder’s 100% recycled, USA made binders in various cover and ring sizes are well-priced. For a more unique but still eco-friendly binders, look at Paolo Cardelli – offering 100% recycled binders (made in the USA) that you can customize and order on their web site.

Tags: eco-friendly binders, eco-friendly notebooks, eco-friendly pencils, eco-friendly school supplies

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 28th, 2011 at 1:08 am and is filed under smart mommy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Eco-friendly School Supplies (Part II)

Other school essentials you may want to consider “greening:”

1. Calculators – make sure your child uses one that is solar powered. Canon’s HS-1000TG Recycled Calculator is made of recycled plastics from Canon copiers and other Canon office products. Available from Amazon under $10.00
If your son or daughter is looking to do some math on a calculator that also has a sense of design, look no further than Lexon’s solar powered calculator made of PLA (a corn-based plastic) and bamboo. Nice, isn’t it?

2. Glue / Glue Sticks. They get on little hands – they better be non-toxic. The Coccoina Non-Toxic Glue Stick is made of polyvinylpyrrolidone, which is classified as a safe man-made substance. The glue stick contains no harmful chemicals or petroleum byproducts. At $3.95 it is also a bargain.
Then there is the Pritt Stick – 90% of the glue-solid content consists of renewable raw materials derived from plants. The stick contains no PVC, PVA’s or PVP’s in the glue mass. Available from online retailers.

Tags: eco-friendly calculator, eco-friendly glue stick, non-toxic glue stick, recycled calculator

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 31st, 2011 at 12:43 am and is filed under General Topics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Earth's Best Organic Infant Formula with Iron, DHA, 25.75-Ounce Canister

iHome LifeWorks Multimedia Keyboard IH-K200MB Keyboards & Keypads

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Sunshine Kids Solar Esclipse Sun Shade, Black

Two shades in one provide full shade or reduce glare whilst retaining the view. Black out shade will completely block the sun. 16? wide and length adjustable. Rewind with the touch of a button. Attaches securely to any window with clips and suction cup.

Price: $9.99

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Enfagrow Premium Toddler, 1 Year and Up, 24-Ounce Can

10-36bmonths. Milk based powder with iron. Nutrition tailored for toddlers. Triple health guard: helps support: growth, brain, immune system. Growth: 25 nutrients for healthy growth. Brain: omega-3 DHA & iron, building blocks of the brain. Immune system: antioxidants and other nutrients to help support the immune system. Makes 171 fl oz.

Price: $28.74

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Thinksport Stainless Steel Sports Bottle

Built to fit your active lifestyle, thinksport bottles provide an alternative to bottles containing Bisphenol-A (BPA). Elegantly designed with a double-walled, vacuum sealed construction. The bottles do not sweat and keeps contents hot or cold for hours.

Price: $15.95

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Skip Hop Zoo Lunchie Insulated Lunch Bag

With friendly faces and matching zipper-pulls, Zoo Lunchies make lunchtime fun time! Sized just right for little kids, or a mom and baby on-the-go, these soft bags have a roomy main compartment that holds sandwiches, snacks, drinks and more. An insulated, wipe-clean interior keeps food and drinks cold, plus an inside mesh pocket holds lunch money, an ice pack or utensils. ZOO LUNCHIES coordinate with the entire line of ZOO PACKS little kid backpacks. The clip-on handle attaches securely to any backpack. Recommended for 3 and up.

Price:

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Luvs Diapers with Ultra Leakguards Big Pack

Huggies diapers contain safe, absorbent particles that gel when wet. If you notice a small amount of gel-like material on your baby's skin, it can be removed with a baby wipe or damp washcloth.

Price:

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Baby Einstein - On the Go - Riding, Sailing and Soaring

Baby Einstein celebrates things that go--from trains and planes to boats and bikes--in this 40-minute foray into the world of transportation for the toddler set. Called a "digital board book," the film is divided into segments of land, air, and sea. The deliberately paced scenes feature classical music by great composers (such as Haydn and Mozart) integrated with puppets, live action, and computer animation. Early learning words scroll across the screen with voice-overs available in three language tracks. In one scene, a pastel-colored animated rowboat morphs into an open sea adventure of speedboats, cruise ships, and sailboards. In another, three kids sing the familiar "Wheels on the Bus" as puppets step onboard a brightly colored coach. The train sequence starts with a child pushing a toy choo-choo before expanding into footage of steamers, locomotives, and high-speed trains. Such a visual feast not only entertains young ones but also helps them make critical brain connections, say experts. The Baby Einstein Company has grown up from its 1997 beginnings, having been acquired in 2001 by Disney and its behemoth marketing savvy. While the film is as high quality and interactive as ever, the content gives greater emphasis to computer graphics (with spin-off merchandising opportunities) and lesser attention to its original cornerstones of stylish imagery, art, poetry, and singularly classical compositions. "The Wheels on the Bus" is hardly Beethoven, though youngsters certainly won't complain. (Ages 2 to 4) --Lynn Gibson

Price: $19.99

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Diaper Dolphins: Infant/Toddler/Tyke Swimming [Volume 2: Safety Techniques and Beyond] [VHS]

Decade in Diapers features favorite episodes - as chosen by kids who know their Rugrats! (Also available in Decade in Diapers Gift Set)

Volume 1 - Contains 5 favorite episodes and the rarely seen Rugrats Pilot Episodes for added value!
Episodes: Angelica Orders Out - The First Cut - Reptar On Ice - No Bones About It - Be My Valentine.

Price: $19.99

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Vera Bradley Baby Bag in Peacock

16" x 11¾" x 5½" -12" strap drop, 26" x 14" changing pad
Welcome our newest addition. Our latest Baby Bag has a total of 11 pockets inside and out, including a full zippered back, and holds everything from bottles to extra clothes. We've added a special clip for disappearing pacifiers and lined the interior for easy cleaning. Also includes a 26" x 14" terry-covered changing pad with coordinating trim.

Price:

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book

Author Q&A with Eric Carle

Q: Itâ??s clear that creating pictures gives you great joy. Are there other hobbies or interests that give you a similar sort of happiness?

A: Not in the same way, though I do enjoy gardening. I have more recently been taking photographs of interesting textures I come upon in my daily life and immediate surroundings: a patch of grass, a section of cement sidewalk. About the question of hobbies, I have often said: My work is my hobby and my hobby is my work. because even when I am not working in my studio, I may be thinking about a book or an idea that is connected to what I am working on.

Q: Can you share some of your favorite memories of meeting children and adults who admire your work?

A:I have met many wonderful people over the years, children and teachers, parents. People come with so many meaningful stories about my books in their classroom and kind words about their own childhood memories of being read to. It is very gratifying to meet people who enjoy your work. I have also been on the receiving end of a tremendous amount of fan mail over the years. And have been sent many gems, letters and drawings from children around the world. One of my favorite letters was from a reader who told me, I believe he was writing from Texas, that he wanted to come and visit me but he wasn't allowed to cross the street!

Q: Many characters in your books are animals â?? how did you develop such a love of the natural world?

A: I have always loved animals and insects and been fascinated by them. My father was an animal lover and took me on walks in the woods, introducing me to the creatures who lived underneath the bark and so forth. And I think my approach to how I draw animals is a combination of realistic and imaginary. While I have photography books in my studio that I refer to and while I aim for a certain amount of accuracy when it comes to my pictures of animals, the creatures in my books are also growing out of my imagination.

Price: $29.99

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Mobi Glomate Junior

Kidswitch Light Switch ExtenderA real help if your child has to make a bathroom run in the middle of the night! The Light Switch Extender is easy to install and fits right over your existing wall plate. The opening at the top of the plastic stem loops around the on/off switch. Your little one just moves the half moon handle up for on and down for off. Thanks to high-tech fabrication, it stores up light from the day and glows at night like a nightlight. One in your child's room, hallway, and bathroom will safely light the way! Set of 3

Price: $14.99

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Medela ContactTM Nipple Shield 16mm Extra Small - Medela 67251

Medela ContactTM Nipple Shield 16mm Extra Small - Medela 67251.

Price: $12.99

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HAPPYBELLIES Organic Baby Cereals, DHA, & Pre & Probiotics +Choline, Organic Oatmeal Cereal, 7-oz. Containers (Pack of 6)

HAPPYBELLIES organic baby cereal, organic oatmeal is perfect for babies who are ready to move beyond the rice cereal--it is healthy, delicious, and sure to please the palette. It is all organic with 100% natural ingredients, no pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no genetic modifications, and no preservatives. Recommended by Dr. Bob Sears, this product is enriched with DHA for brain and eye development, plus iron, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for the baby’s growth. As an added extra, it has probiotic protection--good bacteria to help strengthen your baby’s digestive system and prevent food allergies. This cereal is completely vegan and contains no soy and dairy ingredients. This is sold in a pack of six 7-ounce containers.

About HAPPYBABY
A few short years ago, HAPPYBABY was the first premium baby brand to enter the market in five small stores in New York City--at a time when there were no home-style options for parents to feed their children. A lot has changed since then, and HAPPYBABY is now one of the leading premium brand of baby and toddler meals in the U.S.--sold in over five thousand stores with five different lines of optimally delicious organic foods for your growing family.

HAPPYBABY is committed to providing families with the healthiest, most optimal nutrition possible. Besides using the best organic ingredients, they also incorporate the best nature has to offer when it comes to added nutrition, such as the sustainable source of DHA, pre and probiotics, and supergrains like salba and quinoa. They have partnered with Dr. Sears, well known author and pediatrician to ensure the healthiest formulations possible for baby's growing body. They work hard every day to ensure that the foods are safe and of the highest quality, so you do not need to think about it! You can count on them to offer items without added sugar, trans fats, anything artificial, and always in the safest packaging.

HAPPYBABY makes the best-informed decisions about their foods, sourcing and packaging so that they make the very best for the world as well as your family. They are constantly making improvements to their offerings and trying vigorously to reduce their carbon footprint.

Price: $30.12

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Gerber Good Start 2 Protect Powder, 22 Ounce

Gentle, Toddler & Infant Formula, Powder, 9-24 months

Price: $29.33

Click here to buy from Amazon