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.

Fit for a Prince! Royal Baby Spotted in an aden + anais Organic Muslin Swaddle!

We couldn't live without our aden + anais swaddles for Miss O and Mr. A, and we're traveling this summer using them as our in flight blankets. So we were thrilled to see that Kate and William's little prince is already being wrapped in these sweet, sustainable swaddling blankets! Read on to learn about our experience using aden + anais muslin swaddles!

Organic Cotton Baby Blankets from Little Hip Squeaks

This photograph makes my heart MELT! How precious are these little babies?! You may have heard the recent news that baby swaddling has been banned in day care centers, but if you have a newborn at home under your constant supervision, swaddling can be extremely beneficial for babies. Miss O and Mr. A couldn't sleep as newborns unless they were swaddled. They were both born in the heat of August, and we opted for lightweight organic muslin swaddling blankets from Aden + Anais.

The blankets modeled above are from Etsy shop Little Hip Squeaks and they're made of 100% organic cotton jersey knit fabric, which would also be a lovely, cozy and cool fabric choice for spring/summer. You can choose what color or pattern you'd like... but hurry and order today because the shop owners announced that "made to order blankets will be discontinued as of April 15th."

Charlie Banana 2-in-1 Cloth Diapers, Better Value, Better for the Earth

Switching from disposable to cloth diapers can be a daunting endeavor. But Charlie Banana is making the undertaking easier with their convenient (and cute and colorful!) 2-in-1 diapering system, which offers the option of reusable cloth or disposable inserts when diapering your babe. The interior design features a small front panel for tucking in a disposable insert for convenience during on-the-go occasions.

Let me start by saying, the one thing I find ridiculous about cloth diapering is that parents are expected to dole out $20+ for one pricey diaper cover -- in sizes small, medium, large -- multiple times as baby grows quickly. I think it discourages people from seeing the forest through the trees regarding the eco-friendly nature of cloth diapering because they're too busy seeing the dollar signs add up when purchasing the diaper covers. (Ironically, disposable diapers cost much more money in the long-term, but I think consumers feel better about spending 60 cents per disposable diaper than $20 for one cloth diaper).

REVIEW: Petunia Pickle Bottom's Sashay Satchel Has My Vote... And My Back

Listen up mamas, because I'm about to save you a lot of time when it comes to researching and finding the best eco-friendly diaper bag. Look no further than Petunia Pickle Bottom's Sashay Satchel. Before I found this amazing bag, I had tried my fair share of diaper bags, from varying silhouettes and designs, to veering away from the conventional and embracing the traditional. But never before had I come across a diaper bag that could convert to a backpack -- a most ingenious attribute since it is my greatest belief that mothers should grow several more arms when they give birth, and since paradoxically, mothers also need their hands free at all times to care for their kids.

Beautiful New Journal for Moms Set to Debut Just in Time for Mother's Day

Most women can attest to the fact that pregnancy is one of the last, if not the last time that the world revolves around you -- or that you're numero uno, so to speak. Once your baby is born, suddenly you're "chopped liver" as my own mother likes to joke. Seriously, some women, myself included, get so wrapped up in being a mom, that they forget who they were before having kids, or who they have become in this new amazing yet utterly confounding role.

With Mother's Day fast approaching, I had to share a book I heard about, with all of the moms out there -- because while it is entitled, "For My Children," it is really a beautiful way to get back in touch with who YOU are as a complete woman, so that your kids will always have a keepsake journal to cherish, as a glimpse at the amazing human being that is you, their beloved mother.

Each page of this whimsically illustrated journal contains a prompt at the top, and then a blank page for your answer. I have to admit, when I first flipped through the journal, I was a bit crestfallen but not at all surprised that I didn't have answers to some of the questions that ask about my own personal favorites and current life. This is exactly why I NEED this journal. To get back in touch with who I am, because I am the person my children love most in the world, and they deserve to know the whole me.

Some of my favorite questions/prompts from the book are:

In what ways are your children different from you?
How do you measure success as a mother?
Who makes you laugh, and what do you laugh about?
Who have been your role models and mentors, and why were these people important to you?
People would be surprised if they knew you...?

And so many more. I am truly hoping to fill out at least one page of this journal every week, so that not only will I get back in touch with what feeds my soul, I'll be able to bare my soul to my kids.

I would highly recommend For My Children: A Mother’s Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom as the perfect gift to give your own mother, or any mom you know. What an amazing way to immortalize the wisdom and beauty of mothers.

For My Children: A Mother’s Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom will be released on May 8th, and is now available pre-order on Amazon here.

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!

Brolly Sheets Waterproof Sheet Protector "Takes the Hassle Out of a Wet Bed"

In the past couple of months, I have had to wash all of our household bedding more times than I can count -- and I'm not just talking weekly sheet changes, I'm talking every inch of fabric on the beds from mattress pads to pillow shams. The stomach flu, pink eye, croup, cold after cold after cold... it has been like an infirmary up in here. Stripping down a CA king sized bed, a queen bed and a crib and washing every stitch on each of the three to stop the spread of germs, and to just get everything cleaned up (I won't go into gory detail) has been trying at best. I was literally sick and tired, yet I had to run around tending to everyone's linens.

So when I heard about Brolly Sheets, I was all ears. Yes, we have waterproof mattress pads, and they're great... but it is such a pain to have to strip the bed down to this last layer and wash every single thing that's been soiled on top of it. The brilliance of Brolly Sheets is that they go on top of the fitted sheet, so whether someone gets sick or your child wets the bed, all you have to do is whisk away the Brolly Sheet and wash it. (So you may want to buy two so you have a replacement Brolly Sheet while the dirty one gets washed). Do you know how many times I have stripped the entire bed in the wee (pun intended) hours of the morning due to a bed-wetting incident or a leaky diaper? Not fun. At all. And then I spend the entire next day washing everything, which obviously takes loads of water to wash and then a ton of energy to dry.

For added convenience and ease of use, Brolly Sheets have wings that tuck under the mattress, so they remain firmly in place. They have a comfy 100% cotton cover (I'd love to see the company make these sheets out of organic cotton in the near future), and they contain no PVC or vinyl, (so no crackling or uncomfortable noise or feel when your little one tosses and turns), and they can hold up to 2 liters of liquid. They're available in single, king and queen sizes. I'd even venture to say they'd make a great protective barrier for accident-prone pets who sleep in the bed, and for moms-to-be at the end of pregnancy when anticipating their water breaking.

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!

gDiapers gCloth Diaper Liners Save Time and Some of my Sanity!

Remember my post on the icky hassle of cloth diapers that no one really talks about? Well, I can't thank all of the people who weighed in on the topic enough, because your input has led me to a much easier cloth diapering regimen. "Krissykatmyint" suggested I buy gDiaper gCloth liners, which I did. They were quite a bargain on Diapers.com ($8.99 for 105 liners), and you simply lay them atop the cloth insert and if baby poops, the liner catches it and may be disposed without a big mess.

Apparently these liners are flushable, but our old house can barely handle toilet paper going into the septic system, so I don't flush them, I simply dump the poop out and then put the liner in the trash. I wish I had known about these months ago!

I wouldn't say they are made of the coziest material, so I only use them when I anticipate my baby is going to poop! They make cloth diapering and poop clean up SO MUCH EASIER!

*As an added note, I also started to add 20 Mule Team Borax to my cloth diaper laundering regimen, and it really helps with eliminating stingy odors. I let the diapers pre-soak in Borax and then follow with a hot water wash.

Eco-Friendly 'Puppy' Backpack from Ecogear for Your Little Pups

I cannot believe Miss O will be starting preschool this fall. I literally thought this day would be eons into the future, and now I am at the precipice of that stomach-sinking moment when I'll be waving goodbye to my little girl as she takes her first steps into school and the 'real world.' (Gulp)

I wanted to equip her with the very best backpack I could find, for a variety of reasons. I wanted one that was non-toxic and free of vinyl, PVC, toxic dyes and lead, and one that was small enough for her petite frame. I found all this and more in Ecogear's Ecozoo series of backpacks. I chose the puppy design because Miss O is obsessed with canines, and what a bonus that this sweet tote also doubles as a comforting friend to foray with, into the initially unfamiliar setting of preschool.

Constructed of natural cotton, 'Puppy' measures 10 in. x 5 in. x 13 in and features padded shoulder straps and recycled plastic components. Miss O couldn't have been more thrilled upon receiving 'Puppy,' and declared that she would wear her "everywhere, all the time." I also feel wonderful knowing that a) she loves her first backpack and b) it is totally safe for her to travel with to and fro.

Other fun creatures in the collection include and adorable pig, panda and monkey.

Be sure to also check out Ecogear's reusable lunch totes, rolling bags and messenger bags for kids -- all of which are sustainably designed, keeping the best interest of our children and our planet in mind.

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.

Cheery & Colorful Organic Storage from 3 Sprouts

I am absolutely loving these storage bins from 3 Sprouts. Since we're moving into a space that's much smaller than our current home, we'll need to be extra organized to avoid clutter. These cute catchalls would both act as darling decor and keep toys in line -- and they are made of 100% organic cotton canvas and detailed with 100% eco-spun felt appliques made from recycled plastic bottles.

Readers living in small spaces, what are your top tips for keeping your environment streamlined?

Eco-Friendly Hemp Dog Collars from Earth Dog

There's nothing more important in pet care than putting a collar on your best buddy to help ensure his safe return if he gets lost. Now that summer is in full swing and dogs will be running as free as the wind blows on beaches and in dog parks, get your pooch in gear with a stylish eco-friendly collar from Earth Dog.

We love the Martingale hemp collar which comes in 20 styles to suit the personality of every canine. These hypoallergenic collars are comprised of 100% hemp canvas construction and they may be machine washed and dried for added convenience after particularly frisky days for Fido.

Earth Dog also offers a wide collection of fine quality hemp dog accessories including chew toys, beds, blankets and pillows, leashes and more. All products are made in the USA and inspired by the company crews' sixteen rescue dogs!

Two paws way up!

ERGObaby Carrier Gets a Makeover from Petunia Pickle Bottom!

The ERGO organic baby carrier is by far my top choice for wearing Mr. A while out and about. It is comfortable and effortless and I highly recommend one for every family! See my extensive review on the ERGObaby carrier here. 

As if this contraption wasn't fabulous enough, ERGObaby has partnered with Petunia Pickle Bottom to debut some super cute new organic fabric designs. Pre-order this stylish necessity at here at Granola Babies. They start shipping out in June, and I doubt they'll last long!

gDiapers Debuts Sweet, Eco Accessories for Cloth Diapered Green Babies!

In honor of Earth Day, I'd like to beckon everyone who is still using disposable diapers to make the switch to using cloth diapers! To sweeten the endeavor, gDiapers has debuted some adorable, very handy accessories to make your mission stylish and simpler.

Check out their cute new, gCamper pant and gCamper tee (the shirt says: "I'm having an environmental movement") ensemble that's perfect for little boys heading out in warm spring and summer weather. Match the stylish top to the sweet plaid gPants and you're off! And if you have a little girl, don't miss the gFlutter dress that will look so precious paired with the matching gFlutter gPants!

On the home front, make laundering baby's cloth diapers even easier with the new gLaundry bag. The waterproof bag boasts a clever design: a square shape to fit most diaper pails -- and once it's time to do clean the diapers, you can tote the bag to the washing machine, toss in the contents, along with the machine washable bag itself, then start the load!

On the go, be sure to tuck the new gWetbag into your diaper bag to store soiled gPants. This multipurpose bag is also perfect for housing wet clothes, swimsuits, and even baby wipes. It is also waterproof, machine washable, and may be used long after your diapering days.

Happy green diapering, today and beyond!

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!

Organic Cotton Hand-Knit Baby Hats from Beanie Designs

Rainy, chilly weather is still very much in the spring forecast in Portland, and in many other parts of the world as well. The upside is, there's still good reason to put a sweet little hat on baby's head to keep him warm and dry. I love Beanie Designs' hand-knit organic cotton hats, which come in an array of designs and colors. My top pick is this adorable organic cotton ear flap baby hat because it keeps your little one's ears and head warm, and it has ties to secure it from falling off and getting lost. It is available in the versatile colors shown below.

In addition to admiring this collection, I like the fact that Beanie Designs was started by a mom whose husband taught her how to crochet! Sounds like something that would happen in my own household. Owner Yacine designs and crochets each hat along with a talented group of artists who help her create each hat by hand. Your babe is surely getting a high-quality, one-of-a-kind hat made with love.

Hop over to Beanie Designs to find an eco-friendly topper for your tot!

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.