Modern Twist Kidz Placemat Makes a Masterpiece Out of Mealtime

Mealtime. It summons an array of emotions from delight to dread. Will your tot actually eat what you put in front of her? Will baby throw all of the expensive, organic produce you chopped into finger-sized bits directly onto the floor? While sitting down with wee ones to dine can be dicey, you now have one surefire way to make the experience entertaining at the very least...

Stick a Modern-twist Kidz placemat at the helm of your babe's booster seat and let her learn her ABC's and hone her coloring skills while you work on sneaking eggplant into her quesadilla.  Made of hand silk-screened food-grade silicone, these stylish placemats may be colored time and again with washable or dry erase markers, and they are free of BPA, latex, lead, phthalates and PVC. Additionally, they are non-porous and germ-free.

Modern Twist offers so many adorable designs atop their kidz placemats, which may all be viewed here. I love that they are eco-friendly, will easily fit in with the aesthetic of any home, and may be handed down to multiple children so all may feed the appetite of their inner artist.

Kid Kanteen BPA-Free Stainless Steel Baby Bottle

By now you know of my absolute adoration for Klean Kanteen stainless steel reusable bottles. I have raved about their wide-mouth insulated bottles here and here, and about their sippy cups here. I guess you could call me their unofficial spokesperson with how much I go on and on about their products -- but I'm just a huge fan because they are so well made, non-toxic, reliable, unbeatable, and eco-friendly.

BPA-Free Zoli SUMO Snack Stacker Makes Life Easier for Parents On-The-Go

Snack. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that word in a day since becoming a mother, I could retire. "Mom, I want a snack." "Mom, can I have a snack?" "Mom, I want another snack." It's like the theme song of my life.

If this scenario sounds familiar, then the Zoli SUMO Snack Stacker should be essential gear in your bag of parenting tricks. I only wish I had known about it sooner. This handy container enables you to easily tote a variety of three individual 8 ounce-sized snacks, as the containers stack and screw onto one another. Variety being the operative word, because as you all know, sometimes snack offerings get vetoed by little ones, so it's nice to have one or two more options so you don't end up having to buy something unhealthy or expensive to satiate their hunger while away from home. And it's also a great container for those who have more than one child -- because now you can stash multiple snack portions all together, without having to dig through your diaper bag to locate two or three separate snacks.

The SUMO Snack Stacker is BPA-free and phthalate free and it has a loop at the top so you can secure it to a strap on your diaper bag in the event it doesn't fit inside. It is dishwasher safe on the top rack, but I hand wash all of my non-toxic plastic feeding gear anyway, just to be on the even safer side.

I also really love this Snack Stacker because it eliminates the need for plastic baggies that just get tossed into the trash after a one-time use.

Be sure to revisit my post: 7 Sure to Please Organic & Natural Snacks for Picky Toddlers for snack inspiration!

Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Insulated Bottles Available in Fun Colors

Remember when I wrote about Klean Kanteen's new wide insulated bottles, and how they were my new best friend? Well, now they are available in cool colors including: black eclipse, deep purple, forever coral, and monterey blue.

I recently treated myself to a sparkly new Klean Kanteen wide insulated in deep purple. Since chilly days are here, and most of us will be enjoying even more coffee and tea than we regularly do, buy one of these reusable bottles so you can save all of those paper cups from entering the landfill due to your coffee and tea runs. Most coffee houses even give discounts now when you bring in your own reusable cup or bottle -- so you can save money while you save the earth.

And don't forget, these bottles keep hot drinks hot for SIX hours! Which is a God-send when you pour your tea, only to get distracted by a diaper-change, a dryer buzzing, lunch-making... you name it.

*No, I am not paid to endorse Klean Kanteen -- I simply love their products!

Nordic Naturals Baby DHA

Flu season is upon us, and I am a big proponent of finding natural ways to boost a child's immune system so she is less susceptible to getting sick.

I love Nordic Naturals, as you can see here, and I was happy to learn they make Baby's DHA, specifically for little ones, 5 to 35 pounds, so they may get the essential omega-3 fatty acids they so need. Baby's DHA supports eye and brain development, and the nervous and immune system. It also includes natural vitamin D3, and vitamin D offers tremendous protection against influenza.

Baby's DHA, made from Nordic Natural's Gold Standard 100% Arctic Cod Liver Oil, comes with a measure dropper, and you can add the liquid to baby's food or bottle. It is free of gluten, milk and artificial flavors.

I am including the label below for your perusal:

Celebrate Fair Trade Month with Numi Organic Tea

October is Fair Trade month! Celebrate by supporting Fair Trade certified companies and products with your purchases. One of my favorite Fair Trade products is Numi Organic Tea. We drink so much tea in our house, that it's nice to feel like we're making a difference by putting our money where our mouth is to support farmers and ensure they are paid a fair wage for their labor.

Since I need a twice daily caffeine-fix, but I don't drink coffee (I drank enough coffee in college to sink a ship), I opt for a black tea that packs lots of perk -- and my favorite Numi Organic Tea is their Breakfast Blend. It is a blend of organic black teas, including: malty Assam, robust Ceylon, brisk Chinese Keemun and hints of floral Darjeeling. The tea bags themselves are also non-GMO and biodegradable.

And although it bears the 'breakfast' description, I also drink it in the afternoon to get me through my long evenings burning the midnight oil as I write. (It's 10:22 pm as I type this!)

I really love the smooth, creamy taste of Numi's Breakfast Blend, and I like that it doesn't leave a twangy aftertaste, like many teas do.

Check out Numi's entire collection of various organic teas, and raise your mug to toast Fair Trade efforts with every cup you enjoy.

Little Me Tea - Healthy, Organic Tea Drinks for Kids

We're big tea drinkers in our household. I think my husband even started drinking tea when he was a baby! However, it had never dawned on me to offer tea to my children as a daily beverage. I don't know why I haven't thought of it because tea is so beneficial and is inherently filled with antioxidants. Chamomile tea had been suggested to us by doctors, as a way to alleviate colic, but I couldn't get either of my kids to drink it as babies, so who knows whether it would have worked.

I just learned about the first and only tea beverage specifically created for children: Little Me Tea, which are organic, low sugar, gluten free and caffeine-free. Invented by parents who didn't want to give their daughter sugar-laden juices or flavored waters that were lacking in nutrition, Little Me Tea, which comes in grape and tropical varieties, is filled with healthy ingredients including white and Rooibos tea blends and a bevy of organic juices: pineapple, grape, apple, carrot, even sweet potato puree! So kids who drink Little Me Tea ingest a load of fruits and veggies in addition to the benefit of tea.

Miss O was initially a fan of the teas on her first try, but then she decided she preferred her apple juice. Tea can be somewhat of an acquired taste, and if your kids are used to drinking sweet fruit juices and flavored milks, these tea drinks may be a hard sell. That said, my husband and I love their taste. I think Miss O is used to the sweetness of apple juice (even though we only ever serve her very diluted juices 1/4 juice to 3/4 water), so if your child is accustomed to the the naturally occurring sugars in fruit juices, simply mix her favorite juice with the Little Me Tea so she can experience all of the additional nutrients.

Another great idea from Little Me Tea is their delicious smoothie recipes. Their "brainpower breakfast smoothie" will be especially handy for kids heading back to school. And if you've got a budding athlete on your hands, fuel them with the "kick it up sports smoothie."

Cheers!

Non-Toxic, Colorful Glass Sippy Cap Bottles from Lifefactory

One would typically think that glass and toddlers aren't exactly a match made in heaven... but Lifefactory makes it safe, and even stylish for your tot to tote the fragile material to and fro with their Lifefactory Glass Sippy Cap Bottles.

Since the news broke that BPA is harmful and many reusable stainless steel bottles contain aluminum and other potentially damaging liners, glass baby bottles have been touted as the most non-toxic feeding gear for infants. You really can't beat glass when it comes to delivering a clean taste, and it's easy to clean and eco-friendly in nature.

There are few glass sippy cup options for kids once they are past the bottle-feeding stage, so I was thrilled to see that Lifefactory enables the transition with their innovative bottles which feature a protective silicone sleeve made of 100% medical grade silicone to not only prevent breakage, but to provide tots with a firm, easy grip. Their glass bottles are completely free of BPA, phthalates, PVC and latex, and they come in fun, colorful hues of: raspberry, spring green, royal purple and ocean blue.

The glass that comprises Lifefactory bottles is thermal shock resistant, so it can go from boiling to freezing without breaking, and it's dishwasher safe. And you needn't worry about any leaching like concerned parents always tend to with plastics, even when they say they are 'BPA-free.'

The sippy cap lids are leak resistant and have steady flow control, and they fit Lifefactory 4 ounce and 9 ounce bottles, thus extending the life of the baby bottles you may already own.

I can't say enough great things about these bottles! On a side note, I think glass is the best vessel for serving milk to kids, because I feel like when I give Miss O milk in a plastic or stainless steel cup it never really gets clean enough, always leaving a residue or a sour milk smell after use.

If you end up falling in love with these bottles like I have, you'll be pleased to learn that Lifefactory also makes 16 and 22 ounce glass beverage bottles for adults -- in an array of bright, cheery hues! Cheers!

New! Organic Canvas Lunch Totes from Graze Organic

We all know the "brown bag" is decidedly drab and bad for the earth. If you have yet to ditch the disposable dud, here's the perfect opportunity to upgrade to a reusable option -- Graze Organic has just debuted two adorable organic canvas lunch totes! Perhaps you recall my previous post on Graze Organic's super sweet snack bags and cloth napkins. Well, the fabulous duo behind this mom made company is at it again with a product that parents will truly appreciate.

In addition to being made in the USA from 100% organic canvas, their sturdy lunch totes are printed with water-based inks, they have no plastic lining, and you can machine wash and tumble or line dry them! Each bag has been pre-washed to ensure minimal shrinkage. What a bonus to be able to easily say goodbye to the goo that seems to inevitably build up on other lunch boxes and bags.

You may choose between flowers, robots, or a "because every bag matters" design. Note: the flowers bag may easily do double duty as mom's lunch sack of choice too!

And if you haven't yet purchased a collection of organic, reusable snack bags, they'll fit perfectly in your child's new lunch tote.

HAPPYBABY Organic Fruit & Veggie Pouches Make Perfect Companions for Summer Travel & Roadtrips

My first introduction to fruit and veggies in a pouch was during labor with Mr. A. My wonderful doula had packed several easy to eat, digest and tote pouches to help sustain me and keep my energy level up. I loved them and knew Miss O would too. Apple-cherry is my favorite and you can get the best deal on HAPPYBABY pouches when you buy them in bulk on Amazon. See link at bottom of this post...

I know that ultra green parents (including myself at one point) shudder to think of the packaging involved with these products, the argument being, why not just pack an actual apple or banana? And I agree to an extent. But there are plenty of times in daily life wherein the trusty go-to and to-go pouch, which won't perish, get crushed or need to be handled with care is a great choice. Note: the packaging is BPA free and phthalate free, but only the caps are recyclable at this point. However, pouches boast a better overall environmental rating than the glass jars that typically contain baby food. Read more here.

Summer travel, and our upcoming road trip from Portland to California spring to mind. Organic HAPPYBABY Pouches will be a passenger in our packed car on the way to our new life. Both of our kids love them, and I must admit, I have slurped down several myself for a quick, healthy energy boost. As we all know, pureeing fruits and vegetables is a great hidden way to get tots to eat produce they wouldn't otherwise touch with a ten-foot fork, and I love that the clever, enticing combos in this line get spinach (combined with mango and pear) into Miss O. I can't speak to the meat-laden varieties because we are vegetarians...

 Another yummy snack from HAPPYBABY are their HAPPYMUNCHIES. Made with whole grain, non-GMO corn, these crunchy snacks pack the added punch of 25 grams of brain-boosting choline per serving. They come in broccoli, kale and cheddar, and cheddar cheese and carrot varieties. Say goodbye to the Pirate Booty once and for all.

Stock up on these healthy organic pick-me-ups to make your summer travels easier and free of sugar lows!

Born Free, BPA-Free Training Cup

Anyone else out there have a breastfed baby who won't drink from a bottle? Who knew such a circumstance could exist -- but lightning struck twice in our family because neither my nephew, nor my son will let their let cute little puckers come within an inch of a bottle at feeding-time! Believe me, my sister and I have tried everything, but if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!

One suggestion I read in an online forum recommended giving babies 6 months and older who won't drink from a bottle, a sippy cup instead. Mr. A is certainly more amenable to drinking from this Born Free training cup than a bottle, although he's still on the road to perfecting the art. Right now he likes to bite and gnaw on the spout because he is teething, but he still manages to swallow the liquid. I was worried this biting of his would transfer to our next nursing session, but it didn't, thank goodness.

I like this training cup because it is BPA-free and features a soft spout and removable handles. It may also be used with or without the low vacuum valve that reduces the free flow of liquid and helps prevent ear infections. Cheers!

Say Goodbye to Soggy Cereal with 'The Original Crispy Bowl'

It's the little things in life, isn't it? How cool is this innovative 'Obol' bowl that separates milk from cereal, or cookies meant for dunking, or soup from crackers? It's BPA free and made in the USA from unbreakable polypropylene. Bon Appetit!

via Minor Details

Dandelion Feeding Gear is Made Out of Corn!

Spring has officially sprung this week (even though Old Man Winter seems intent on sticking around in some places)... but hopefully picnics on sunny days, beach trips, and birthday parties in the park are in everyone's near future. Kids, and packing oodles of food, go hand-in-hand with outdoor excursions and adventures, and Dandelion makes a cheery line of feeding gear for infants and tots that's perfect for toting on-the-go. The best part is, you needn't throw the plates, bowls and utensils away after use, because they are reusable. Okay, the real best part is that they are made out of corn!

Dandelion’s Corn ReUsables are made without any petroleum products and naturally contain no BPA, PVC or phthalates. Manufacturing these products from corn bioplastic requires significantly less fossil resources, and generates far fewer green house gasses than conventional plastic. Additionally, corn is a renewable and sustainable resource. Dandelion tableware is ergonomically designed for little hands, the plates feature handy dividers to keep foods separated, and the bowls are deep to help prevent spills.

I think Dandelion tableware would also be a wonderful alternative to the plastic utensils and paper plates so often used at outdoor birthday parties and at other kids' celebrations. See my post on throwing an eco-friendly first birthday party over at Inhabitots wherein I recommend doing so as a tip -- and party guests may even take their plates/bowls/utensils home as party favors to be used again. What kid wouldn't think it was totally cool to be eating with tableware made from corn?


via Inhabitots:

If possible, serve birthday cake and party food on reusable dishes with stainless steel utensils instead of opting for wasteful, one-use paper plates. If you aren’t in the position to bust out your china, give guests reusable plates and utensils that they can take home and use again long after the candle has been blown out. Dandelion serves up great tableware for tots: child-sized plates, bowls, sippy cups and utensils made from eco-friendly Corn PLA.

Innovative Baby & Toddler Feeding Gear from mOmma

Given the abundance of non-toxic baby and toddler feeding gear on the market, only truly innovative products really stand apart these days. Such is the case with mOmma: Technology and Design for Today's Baby. Who knew one could get excited about a spoon? But such was the case when I first laid eyes, and hands on mOmma's soft spoon. Like all mOmma products, it features a round shape which is the most ergonomic shape for baby's hand. Additionally, the round base enables it to rock like a Weeble-Wobble, making it entertaining for babes as well. But, the thing I like MOST about this spoon (forks are also available) is the brilliant addition of a lid (seen behind the spoon above). Only a parent on-the-go can truly appreciate this ingenious, modern tweak to baby feeding gear. I can't tell you the number of times I have had to wrap a napkin around a baby spoon before putting it in my bag to keep in clean before feedings. This lid is such a refreshing addition to my mommy repertoire!

mOmma's baby/toddler cups are also adorable, spill proof and feature the same rocking base that will engage and delight little ones. I love that they can double as toys. We've all heard and perhaps said,  "Don't play with your food," but no one I know has ever said, "Don't play with your cup or spoon!" Another fabulous result of the round base on these cups is hygienic: it prevents the bottle from tipping over, and the straw or spout from coming into contact with tables and highchairs.

If you'd prefer a sippy spout, the cup shown above offers that option. *Some of the reviews by moms on Diapers.com suggested the straw was too hard to suck from for their toddlers, so the spout might be a better bet. I haven't been able to test out the straw with Mr. A yet, as he is too young.

I am in love with the entire mOmma collection, and how cool is this brush, specially designed for washing the round cups?

All mOmma products come in a variety of bright, eye-popping colors including blue, red, orange, pink and green. Most importantly, all mOmma products are BPA, PVC and Phtalate free and are made only of first-class quality materials and contain no toxic substances.

mOmma products are currently available for purchase here.

A Feast for the Eyes: Tastespotting Website

I'm always on the hunt for delicious, easy to prepare recipes across the blogosphere, so the Tastespotting website, which rounds-up the best homemade foods being made by real folks and posted in cyberspace, is a virtual dream come true. Of course, I am weeding through the meat and wheat based recipes to find gluten free, vegan fare- but how nice that this is a one-stop shop for delectable meal ideas! Click here for the yumminess!

Solids Starter Kit from mumi & bubi: Non-toxic Baby Food Freezer Trays

It seems like just yesterday I was making homemade baby food for Olivia. I couldn't have dreamed that three years and several bags under my eyes later, that I'd be on the precipice of pureeing food for my baby boy as well.

Whipping up homemade baby food is a breeze, but my efforts were always somewhat thwarted by the lack of having good, ample storage to keep the baby food readily stocked in the freezer. The trays I mentioned in this post sadly had lids that easily popped open once their contents froze, rendering the food freezer burned and useless. So, I am arming myself with a foolproof freezer system now, and luckily some advances have been made in the baby food storage market in time for Ashton's foray into fine dining.

Enter Mumi & Bubi's Solids Starter kit, which comes complete with two freezer trays, each with 21, 1 ounce cube slots, and a protective lid that snaps on over the entire tray to ensure that freezer burn won't be an issue. We have a tiny freezer, so another thing I love about these trays is that they have grooves on top of their lids to allow for easy stacking and space-saving. Also included with the Solids Starter Kit is an e-guide with 27 baby food recipes to help get the blending underway!

Most importantly, when storing baby's homemade purees in these trays, the food is sure to stay pure. The Solids Starter Kit is made from non-toxic, virgin polypropylene, (PP5) and it is free of phthalates, BPA, and PVC.

Check out Mumi & Bubi on Facebook and Twitter, and purchase your kit here!

Kids Konserve Reusable Lunch Kits

I've heard many green writers extol the virtues of Kids Konserve lunch kits, and I am thrilled to have finally had firsthand experience trying one out myself. These super stylish and savvy waste free lunch systems really streamline and simplify the process of packing an eco-friendly lunch.

I especially like the cute caterpillar pattern, shown above, and available for purchase here for $45. The BPA-, lead- and phthalate- free lunch kit comes complete with one cloth napkin, one 304 food-grade stainless steel beverage bottle, one food kozy (a reusable alternative to plastic baggies, plastic wrap and foil. Recycled, FDA approved, non-toxic, non-leaching, recyclable PE plastic) and two 304 food-grade stainless steel food containers -- all packaged in a recycled cotton sack -- a chic, eco way of brown bagging your lunch!

The fun, modern designs on Kids Konserve lunch kits are obviously geared toward kids, but as a young at heart mom, I'd happily tote one myself!

Kids Konserve also recently added the Whimsy Snak Pak to their collection. A smaller version of their lunch kit, the reusable Snak Pak includes a recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, 2 small 304 food-grade leak-proof stainless steel containers, a food kozy  and a recycled aluminum name tag. This mini system was created for moms on the go who need to pack snacks for their toddlers, and for kids who may be opting for a hot lunch at school, but need to take along an afternoon snack.

Product Photography by Emily Dodge (EcoProductPhotography.com) and Helga Sigvaldadóttir.

Green to Grow BPA-free Baby Bottles with 'Mellow' Colic-Relief System

One of my all-time most popular posts on Petite Planet is a post about Green to Grow's wide neck baby bottles, and how they are "more like mommy." And I can't state enough how wonderful it is to have the option of an anthropomorphic bottle to minimize nipple confusion in breastfeeding babes who are also bottle fed.  Green to Grow bottles are my top choice for baby bottles, (tied with thinkbaby bottles), and I was thrilled to learn about their new Mellow ™ colic-relief system. If you've had a gassy infant in your care, you know you'd be grateful for *any* type of help in assuaging his woes.

And while you're befuddled enough by a crying baby, Green to Grow saves the day with vented nipples that are a single piece so you don't have to wash, keep track of and assemble countless parts to formulate a bottle. Made from a transparent, medical grade silicone that is heat-resistant and odorless, they feature an "air vent built directly into the base of the nipple, allowing air to circulate into the bottle as baby feeds, equalizing pressure inside the bottle, and making it easier for baby to drink."

Additionally, Green to Grow goes above and beyond BPA-free status because their bottles are made from PES plastic, which is "a premium grade resin that outperforms other BPA-free plastics because it doesn't leach, and it is incredibly durable, heat resistant, and does not break down with repeated sterilization." Their bottles are also free of phthalates, PVC, lead, and nitrosamines.

If you're wondering what to get expecting parents on your list, the Green to Grow Mellow™ colic-relief Welcome Home Set seen above (also available with regular neck bottles) would make an amazingly helpful and thoughtful gift.

Another reason to choose Green to Grow: they go above and beyond with charitable endeavors...

 "In 2007, Green to Grow founded the Bottles to Babies Initiative, which provides an infrastructure for Green to Grow to realize our mission of giving back. Since that time, Bottles to Babies has helped thousands of low-income families in the United States and this year Green to Grow has donated over $50,000 in BPA-free baby bottles and nipples to families, orphanages, camps, and hospitals in Haiti."

The New Generation Eco-Friendly, Non-toxic Lunchbox

I'm a big fan of the no-waste lunch concept, which eliminates the disposable bags and containers that plague landfills. I have written previously about complete lunch systems, as well as accessories like reusable water bottles and cloth sandwich and snack bags, and I recently learned about The New Generation Lunchbox, which is an insert that fits inside your child's existing lunch carrier. With this mealtime accessory, there's no need to purchase a completely separate system if your child already owns a lunch bag that she's fond of. Simply insert this BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free New Generation Lunchbox inside (as shown below), and voila, you've got a waste-free lunch!

I like that The New Generation Lunchbox features two levels, the top level is perfect for housing a sandwich or wrap (cut in half), and the bottom level compartmentalizes chips, veggies, and fruit.

As mentioned by the mom of three who invented this clever system, this insert does away with the frustration of having to locate and wash multiple pieces: lids, containers, etc. in order to pack a daily lunch -- which is enough of a feat!

The insert also features a handle, and may be used on its own as a lunchbox if you opt not to put it inside an insulated lunch carrier. It is also microwave and dishwasher safe for even more added convenience.

If you haven't taken the baby step to green your child's lunch regimen- consider buying The New Generation Lunchbox as an eco New Year's Resolution!

*SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Enter code "petite20" to get 20% off The New Generation Lunch Box through December 31!

REVIEW: The Honest Kitchen - Natural, Human Grade, Dehydrated Dog & Cat Food

This is a guest post written by Tracie Berger, mom of rescue dogs Nina and Kona.

In the last two years, I’ve taken a serious interest into what goes into both human and canine food, and unfortunately I have learned that the pet food industry can be just as deceptive as the human food industry. Even the most expensive, so called “holistic” brands are not what they say they are.  More than half the ingredients on some dog food labels are “code” for unhealthy fillers. “Dried beet pulp” sounds like a vegetable, right? Wrong. It is a byproduct resulting from the extraction of simple sugars in the manufacture of table sugar. Many pet food companies are subsidiaries of human food companies, pumping leftovers and byproducts from our food into our pets’ food to minimize their waste.

Nina, Kona and I took a temporary reprieve from “sit” and “stay” in our obedience class last week to talk with the trainers regarding some rather scary facts about what we’re actually feeding our beloved pets. Thank goodness we did, because they opened our eyes to a wonderful company called The Honest Kitchen, operating right in my hometown of San Diego and truly the most “honest” pet food company I’ve ever come in contact with.

The Honest Kitchen was founded in 2002 by Lucy Postins, (above) who enjoyed making home-prepared raw meals for her Rhodesian Ridgeback, but wanted to find a more time-effective alternative. Lucy devised a way to dehydrate the healthy, raw ingredients so that water could be added to each meal to turn it back into “real food.” Lucy’s and The Honest Kitchen’s principles are simple: “We will only produce our pet foods using the gentle method of dehydration to remove just the moisture from our whole food ingredients. We will always raise the bar in choosing our raw ingredients and never leave procurement to anyone else. We’ll respect our planet by choosing organic ingredients whenever we can and always choose sustainability over cost – like our free-range chicken and line-caught wild haddock, fair-trade quinoa, non-genetically-modified produce and recycled, compostable packaging. We continue donating a portion of our profits to charity every month.”

Among my pups’ favorite products from The Honest Kitchen is “Keen”, a low–gluten dehydrated dog food featuring hormone-free USDA turkey, organic oats, potatoes, carrots, apples and honey. Now, at first glance, dehydrated dog food can be a bit strange, but trust me… add the water and watch the very obvious ingredients come to life!  What a concept – actually serving a dog food that I would eat too!  I didn’t get the bowl to the ground before Nina and Kona were jumping up on me to bask in the smell of the new sensation.

Another great product from The Honest Kitchen are “Pecks,” hand-made, bite-sized buffalo and blueberry cookies. I use these tiny treats during our training class, they fit perfectly in my pocket and my stubborn Nina REALLY pays attention to my commands when Pecks are the reward!  “Pecks” consist of 100% human grade barley flour, filtered water, molasses, buffalo, organic coconut oil and blueberries and they contain no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.

Kona and Nina

 My favorite product from The Honest Kitchen are the versatile “Ice Pups.” They can be served three ways – as a warm, nourishing broth, a cool beverage, or as frozen treats!  “Ice Pups” are made from dehydrated chicken, turkey, whey, dandelion, asparagus, watercress, honey and parsley. I bought an ice tray, poured the liquid into it and have some “Ice Pups” freezing as we speak.  It should be very entertaining to watch Nina and Kona enjoy them! I’ve even heard cats are a fan of the “Ice Pups” too!

Bottom line is, I want my pets to eat a grain-free, whole food diet that I believe will enrich their lives and keep them with me as long as possible, and The Honest Kitchen’s products are truly that – honest.  The Honest Kitchen’s website is a wealth of information about their wonderful product line, amazing ingredients and sincere commitment to people, pets and the earth. I am now a fan and customer of theirs for life.