Field Trip Friday - HOW TO: Felt Boards

Olivia loves playing with her older cousin's felt boards... and let's face it, so do I. I just happened across this awesome tutorial over at Eco Child's Play on how to make your own felt boards, complete with online templates for the cut outs! If you use wool or acrylic felt made from recycled plastic bottles, based on their suggestion, this craft becomes instantly "green" as well.

I am usually completely daunted at DIY undertakings of the crafty variety, but these felt boards seem quite doable and inspiring. I also love that you can always update and add to them, so they may always be a staple toy or go to activity for your young child. Making these felt boards would be such a fun way to spend time with your kids, and they'd also be fun to make at a birthday party as a group activity and gift for the birthday girl or boy. In lieu of gifts, party goers could wield felt and scissors to create a one of a kind, joint effort present!

I plan on making a barn animal themed felt board, and an alphabet felt board for Olivia given the instructions in Eco Child's Play's Felt Boards: Quick, Portable, Do it Yourself Fun post. If you end up making one with or for your kids, please send photos and I will post them on Petite Planet!

Gorgeous Vintage Hair Clips for Little Girls

Olivia was blessed with a beautiful head of hair. Luscious, soft curls I could run my fingers through all day! But get near her with a barrette of any sort and she is initially intrigued, smiles at herself in the mirror, and then wants it "off!"

I am sure this is a passing phase, and before I know it she'll be handing me her hair accessories as I style her locks. When that time comes, I want to have plenty of Darlybird's hair clips on hand to adorn her graced little head. The clip seen above is the Vintage Heidi Hair Clip. Handmade with a vintage velvet millinery flower, this clip is one of several floral accessories in the Darlybird shop that make the perfect topper for our little sprouts.

I think moms can even wear these blossomy clips too... that is, until their daughters are ready to don them without throwing them over the side of the stroller into oblivion.

While you're over at Darlybird, be sure to check out their cute, organic tee for tots, which rocks a hip peace sign.

It's looking like I really should have been a flower child of the seventies era!

Boon's New Bath Toys are a Blast!

You may have already heard, I'm a big fan of Boon's new bath toys. In addition to being non-toxic: BPA-free, PVC-free and phthalate free, they are full of fun. I've written before about the importance of keeping bath time free and clear of damaging chemicals, (choosing safe baby shampoo, soap and lotion and cleaning the tub with non-toxic cleaners), and selecting safe toys is another way to keep baby's tub time regime pure.

We tested out Boon's toys during bath time tonight, and 18 month old Olivia found them delightful. The interchangeable Scrubble set is perfectly sized for tiny hands, and she was fascinated with how the tops screwed and unscrewed. You fill them with water and squeeze the water out, and I was able to use one to playfully "rain" on her hair to dampen it for washing. This worked a lot better than the cup I had been using.

Splat, the floating ring toss actually taught Olivia a new word: "missed." She happily piled the rings onto the stick, but when I tried to toss them on, I "missed" every time. Olivia gleefully commentated on the play by plays of my tosses, laughing and repeatedly saying, "missed, missed, missed!"

We didn't test the Water Bugs with Net, but this too looks engaging, and I imagine parents will be able to get some scrubbing and cleaning of their tots accomplished as they are distracted by scooping up the bath toy bugs with their net.

I like that all of these toys encourage the development of dexterity and spatial awareness. Of course, most of all, I like that they are chemical free and a ton of fun!

Check out other Boon products I love here.

Nature Mom's "Motherhood Regrets and Mistakes"

I asked Tiffany at Nature Moms Blog for her permission to write about and link to a post she wrote which really struck a chord with me, and I thought it was a good follow-up to my post yesterday about thinking outside the box when it comes to your child's health care. Please go read Motherhood Regrets and Mistakes for a courageous, honest account from Tiffany on what she would have done differently in raising her first child.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the photograph she includes of her son, during his hospitalization for a vaccine injury truly speaks. There is much to be learned from her post and hard won wisdom. Thanks, Tiffany, for sharing your insight.

Dr. Think Outside the Box

Today was a historic occasion for me. I took Olivia to her new pediatrician and was absolutely thrilled that this doctor was the kind who thinks outside the box. I am a strong advocate of alternative health and listening to your own mother's intuition with regard to your child's needs as opposed to handing over the reigns to a stranger, even one with a PhD.

Today we were graced with the care of a FANTASTIC pediatrician. I thought I was dreaming when I listened to what she advised. First of all, her energy was enchanting. Olivia loved her from the second she walked in the door, and it's the only time I have ever seen her so comfortable or trusting of someone she had never met. Beyond the fact that this doc has an amazing bedside manner and clearly loves kids, she mentioned the following during our visit:

With regard to my belief that vaccines are not one size fits all, she told me that she has her 2 yr old son on a delayed vaccination schedule as well, and that she doesn't believe in administering more than 1 shot at a time. This is a doctor talking! All of the docs I have met thus far are more than willing to pump Olivia full of up to five vaccines in one visit!

She asked me if I knew about Skin Deep, EWG's database of personal care products which lists their hazard scores. Of course, Petite Planet readers are aware I know about Skin Deep, and I was thrilled that a doctor is informing patients to select their personal care products wisely. She also recommended Badger sunscreen for Olivia, so I'll certainly be checking that out!

Finally, when Olivia was drinking from her sippy cup, she asked me if it was BPA free! The heavens rejoiced!

Some of you may be fortunate enough to have forward, outside of the box thinking health care providers in your life, but this was a first for me. I feel so hopeful to have met a doctor who doesn't just buy into and regurgitate what the FDA or the APA passes down. I hope you all stumble across such good fortune in your own quests to find a great doctor for your children. And keep on keeping on if you think outside the box and feel alone... your children will be better off for all of your time, research and effort.

Don't Shower Yourself In Chemical Toxins

Today I was at Target and I had a shower curtain in my hands when a light bulb went off above my head. Yes, that same bulb that makes me a constant walker on the road less traveled. Plastic shower curtain, plastic liner... is this plastic safe? I decided not to buy the shower curtain until I could research it further.

Sure enough, shower curtains made with PVC will surely bathe you in damaging chemicals upon being hung from the rod. Hence that new shower curtain smell... and let me tell you, it's not a clean scent.

The Alternative Consumer has a great post on PEVA Shower Curtains - Nontoxic and PVC free. They cite the EPA as determining that shower curtains are filled with "108 volatile organic compounds, poisonous chemicals that off-gas into the air and can persist for the first 28 days while the curtain hangs in your home." Ick!

The alternative given in their article is PEVA shower curtains, which are "non-vinyl (PVC-free), chlorine-free, biodegradable and affordable." Check out their post for a plethora of suggested options on PEVA shower curtains. They also suggest ditching plastic altogether for a hemp or organic cotton shower curtain.

Making sure all of your shower curtains and liners are safe and chemical free is another small, easy, totally doable way to keep your home environment healthy and clean. It's sad but true, that we live in a day and age in which we need to research our purchases to be certain we aren't putting our family or the world at large at risk with our choices.

Here's to many more light bulb moments... which incidentally often pop up in the shower!

A Little "Dapple" Do Ya

Yes, I am one of those moms who is constantly wiping her child's hands off to keep germs at bay. I've heard "dirt don't hurt," but I still keep Olivia's little hands as clean as possible even though she is stealthily adept at touching every single thing she shouldn't, and then putting her hands directly into her mouth.

When I heard about Dapple Toy Cleaner Wipes, I was thrilled and relieved. I can use these to clean her toys at home, as well as taking them on the go to spiffy up the world at large! We attend so many play times and story times every week wherein toys are brought out for group play. If a favorite looks particularly grimy, now I can clean it off with a Dapple wipe before Olivia decides she wants to kiss it (I swear, this child kisses everything) or chew on it. *These wipes are also ideal to clean off restaurant high chairs and park swings.

I love that Dapple products were created by two moms who wanted safe, chemical free alternatives for their children. Dapple Toy Cleaner Wipes boast the following characteristics:

• Natural-based ingredients
• Phthalate-free, paraben-free, SLES- & dye-free
• Fragranced with pure lavender essential oil
• Biodegradable
• Not tested on animals
• Certified to contain no detectable levels of dioxane

The ingredient breakdown in Dapple Toy Cleaner Wipes is wonderfully eco-friendly:

Purified water, baking soda, cleaners derived from grain, fruits, tree oils and glucose, French lavender essential oil, essential oil dispersant, alcohol (less than 2%), preservative derived from natural amino acid, biodegradable fabric.

Olivia likes to "help" mama clean, and I feel really good about being able to put a Dapple wipe in her little hand, knowing it's pure, safe, and won't harm her or the planet.

Gimme 5!

Did you know that #5 plastics aren't recycled in most communities? I didn't. But, it's Preserve to the rescue with their "Gimme 5" program.

Now you can take your clean plastics bearing the #5 stamp, any Preserve product, and your Brita water filters! You know you're an eco maniac when the thought of recycling a Brita water filter fills you with joy. (that's me).

The Gimme 5 program is being offered at your local Whole Foods store. Yet another reason for me to love Whole Foods. If you don't live near a Whole Foods, you may mail your #5's directly to Preserve.

Participating in this recycling opportunity keeps plastic out of landfills, and enables Preserve to turn recyclables into new products.

I really love that Preserve is a company that's actually living up to its name. I surely would give them a high five if given the chance.

POLL: Is the Bad Economy Hampering Your Green Efforts?

I have to admit, some of the eco-friendly accouterments in our household have been replaced with conventional counterparts because we simply need to tighten the reins on our already frugal spending. Are you having the same issues?

I have written previously about how to save money by going green, here and here, but I have yet to touch upon what to do when pricier earth friendly products no longer fit into your budget. For the most part, we are staying a deep shade of green around here, but I can't help but feel a lump rise in my throat when I think about the small changes we have had to make to save money. If people are doing this collectively, the eco movement could suffer a setback brought on by the economic crises.

Is the Bad Economy Hampering Your Green Efforts?
	Yes - I don't have enough green to buy pricier eco-friendly items.
	No - I am maintaining my eco lifestyle regardless of hard times.
pollcode.com free polls

Baby Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Celebrate Children's Dental Health Month with The Natural Dentist

Okay, first of all, could my adorable nephew Logan be any cuter in the dentist's chair? This month is Children's Dental Health Month! Much to my dismay, Olivia isn't as keen on brushing her teeth as I am, but surely, I will stay the course so she can smile with pearly whites and thank me when she realizes I am the reason her teeth didn't rot away.

I want to let you all know about a great, green dentist and contest! The Natural Dentist is sponsoring a giveaway for a family prize pack filled with their products. Click here to enter.

Their toothpaste and mouth rinse are both good for the planet, and good for you. Made with all natural products and herbs, they are SLS free, they contain no alcohol, artifical colors, dyes or preservatives, and they are sold without a cardboard box (really, why are companies continuing to package toothpaste in wasteful boxes these days)? You can get their toothpaste with or without fluoride (children under age 2 should not use fluoride toothpaste).

The purity and integrity of these products has my mouth watering, and when I get a chance to try them, I'll write about them in another post.

In the meantime, go enter their contest and keep smiling!

Vintage Heart Patches for Long Lasting Love

Want an easy way to extend the life of your tot's most loved, worn in pair of jeans? Go old school with your solution, and simply iron a patch onto wears and tears. It doesn't have to be Valentine's Day for your kid's to wear their heart on their sleeve, or knees.

Patching things up is an inherently green choice, since you won't have to go out and purchase a new pair of pants. The iron-on hearts shown above can also jazz up a hand-me-down plain tee into a brand new shirt for a younger sibling.

I also want to direct readers to a great post over at Enviromom, where they not only patch pants, they also lengthen the hems with material. What a wonderful way to keep a pair of jeans in the mix, even when kids grow like little weeds!

I have been astonished to see and learn how quickly Olivia outgrows her clothes, so tips such as these are vital on the path toward wardrobe life extension!

Tiny Revoltionary's Recycle Love Organic Tee

Tiny Revolutionary's newest addition to their line is the adorable organic cotton "Recycle Love" Tee seen above. Hop on over to Inhabitots to read exactly how much I love this cute tee for Valentine's Day and every day!

I Love My Mama Gift Set

Earth Mama Angel Baby's "I Love My Mama" gift set is the quintessential Valentine's Day gift for new moms or moms to be. You all know how much I love their baby products, and thank heavens the line includes indulgences for mamas!

The I Love My Mama gift set includes:

• Happy Feet organic foot soak
• Mint Herbal Lip Balm
• Happy Mama Spray
• Earth Mama Body Butter
• Natural Nipple Butter

These items will have every mama covered from head to toe. The mint herbal lip balm is creamy and smooth, (a far cry from typical roll on sticks that are either hard or crumbly). The Happy Mama Spray is actually a wonderful remedy for queasiness even if you're not expecting! I have been using it for my migraines, and no, it doesn't cure them, but it helps with the nausea. The body butter is delicious smelling and feeling and the foot soak completely revitalizes tired feet!

Any mama on earth would love to get this set for Valentine's Day or any day for that matter!

I Love You More Than...

I heart these waste-free, fun Valentine heart messages at the I Love You More Than Blank site. You can go there and submit your own phrase as a secret admirer sending a message into space, as a doting mom, loving wife, or whatever you happen to be! Just click on the submit love button and type away. Or, if you'd rather be more voyeuristic, read what others have to say about love. It will certainly get you into the spirit of Valentine's Day, and you'll surely get a chuckle out of the funny expressions. Not all of these are child appropriate, (some messages are a bit mature in concept) so parents, read them during nap time or downtime, and submit your own eco-friendly Valentine message when the spirit moves you!

Pennies for the Planet

I just found out about a wonderful program called Pennies for the Planet. To this day, I get a smile on my face when I happen upon a stray penny, and yes, I do the whole "put it heads up and leave it for someone else," if I find one on its tail. But here's a way kids can make pennies even luckier... by using them to save puffins, a sagebrush habitat, or protect an ancient swamp forest.

From now until May 15th, encourage your kids to save their pennies for a greater cause. I love that it's "pennies," because even in these hard times, collecting them is easy to do, and children will learn a priceless lesson about the importance of charity and donating, even when giving in small increments. (Every little bit counts... baby steps...) Of course, spare change of higher denominations is welcome and appreciated too!

Whether you're a parent who wants to help save the world alongside your pint-sized sidekick, or a teacher with the ability to engage your classroom or your school in this program, head over to Pennies for the Planet and learn about the exciting ways you can "change" the world.

Happy Birthday, Earth-Loving Elmo!

Today is Elmo's birthday! We are pretty indebted to him around our house, as he keeps Olivia beyond entertained while we get a few things done here and there. Elmo's "Love the Earth" video is a real hit in Olivia's opinion, and we love that it teaches her valuable lessons on recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption. It also playfully touches on why we shouldn't litter, and teaches children to love and appreciate nature and respect our earth. Quite a lot to pack in to a kid's show, but as always, Sesame Street hits the ball out of the park when it comes to mixing childhood entertainment and education.

*Thanks to Aunt Lisa for buying Love the Earth for Olivia... and I'd highly recommend getting one for all the blossoming eco-friendly tots in your life!

Open Your Heart with Awareness and Cute Little Booties!

Everyone knows that February is all about Valentine's Day, but it is also Heart Disease Awareness month. Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both American men and women?

The very first article I ever had published was about heart disease awareness. This is a cause near to my own heart, as both of my maternal grandparents died of heart attacks when my mother was a teen. If you have a moment to read my article, "A Heartfelt Message," please visit my website. It's filled with vital information and insight into learning all about taking your heart health into your own hands.

This Friday, February 6th is also National Wear Red Day. Wear your red dress pin, or the color red to show you're in the know about taking care of your ticker.

Snatch up the eco-friendly, darling booties above, made from recycled sweaters, and put your baby's tiny feet on the path to a lifetime of heart health. In addition, they'll melt your heart when you see them on your little sweetie!

I'm feeling the love this month, so be on the lookout for more red heart inspired, "green" living posts.