Handwashing to really remove the germs

We've had a sick week, and while I know that frequent and thorough hand washing is one of the better ways to prevent this, I can't always control how the kids choose to, or not to wash. Sometimes I hear the water running for awhile and their little voices singing to keep track of time, other times the water is off almost before it turned on.

To help the kids visualize what they usually can't see, we coated their damp hands with our mildest cinnamon (try glitter instead) and pretended it was germs, dirt, and bacteria that we needed to scrub off. This kept them washing as long as they needed to and made them aware of all the nooks and crannies that are easy to miss.

*I have sensitive skin, and while the kids haven't complained, my hands can feel a slight cooling effect from the spicy cinnamon, similar to after handling a mildly-hot pepper. If we do this again I would probably try it with glitter, which would require more cleaning to get off anyway.

Idea via The Crafty Crow

Line + Liv Helmets

Coolest helmets I've ever seen.

Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act

Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act is set to go into effect February 10th, 2009. While this act was written with good intentions, it is going to destroy many small businesses that make lovely items for our children. This includes all the fabulous handmade toys, unique accessories and jewelry, and carefully handcrafted clothing that many of us have grown to love.

Please take a few minutes to educate yourself and become aware of the changes that can prevent this. Just think of the effect this will have on our economy when thousands of talented people can no longer use their skills and creativity to provide for themselves and their families.

Go here (Now please!) for more information and to see what you can do to help. This is another good resource. You can keep things simple and use this form from the Handmade Toy Allegiance to send an email to your Congressmen and Senators - It literally only took me minutes to contact the representatives within my state. Take a couple more minutes and vote for amending the law here.

Thank-you!

Divided Snack Bowls

Using silicone cupcake holders as dividers in small bowls works really well when I want to give the kids a snack or small meal with lots of foods to choose from. We also like muffin tin meals for a group treat, but the individual containers help when I want to make sure both kids are getting a little bit of everything.

me4kidz - Medibuddy

I am a little too pleased with my recent introduction to the Medibuddy from me4kidz. My kids are always getting scrapes and scratches, and until recently I rarely had what I needed to clean up the extra-bad accidents unless I was at home. Now I have a handy little case packed with 40 kid-friendly first aid items (including stickers for the brave little guys!) that is compactly and neatly stored in my favorite purse. I plan on getting a few extras to have in other frequently-used bags so that I know I have things on hand if needed.

Kits are only $5, and each one comes with an offer for a free 45-piece refill set! You can buy them here.

me4kidz offers other kits, including the more comprehensive Medibag. It is still compact and kid-friendly and would be the perfect kit to keep in the car and the house. After you use up the contents the case can be re-purposed as a doctor kit or play case for the kids.
Buy the Medibag here or buy the bag with 3 medibuddy's here.

You can see all of me4kidz kits here.

(The diaper bag buddy would be a lifesaver for spontaneous or frequently planned overnighters. Or just for messy kids!

Lice Survival Guide

Lice is an unfortunate reality, especially with the school year in full swing. I hope I never have to use it, but just in case, this printable Lice Survival Guide from Wondertime Magazine would come in handy. There is even a recommendation for a particular brand of nit comb! (Should I be putting an exclamation point after that?)

image via wondertime.com

Strollometer

I am not much of a runner, but most times I take the kids for a walk in the jogging stroller I head out with the goal of getting myself to pick up the pace for at least part of our trip. It is usually only for a few minutes, and I'd like for it to be more.

I am more motivated when I can keep track of things or see results, so I am quite intrigued by the Strollometer. It tracks your speed (current, maximun, and average), distance, time, daily mileage, temperature, and displays the real clock time. Being able to look down and see what I am accomplishing would really help me to go that much faster or go a bit farther to reach a certain distance. Even if I am just walking or using the stroller for leisure purposes it would be nice to see how many miles I was covering.

The Strollometer is wireless ans straps onto any stroller. Learn more about the features here, how it works here, or find a place to purchase one here.

SunGuard

I am very intrigued by SunGuard. It's a laundry aid that washes a UV protectant into clothing. It may seem excessive, but I feel like the sun is stronger than ever, and you can never be too careful with the delicate skin of babies and children. And it has the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation. I think I'll try it at my upcoming family reunion, when I know I'll have the baby outside for a good portion of each day.

Shaklee Giveaway!

Over the years I have come to realize that I am sensitive to chemicals, and my kids seem to have inherited this from me. Because of this I have a love/hate relationship with cleaning supplies. If I use a laundry detergent that is too strong, our skin isn't happy. Certain window cleaners make me and my kids cough and cough. I keep tossing out the old stuff and moving onto the latest "healthier" products, but some things work, some things don't, some products are good for the environment and for my family, others just seem to like using a green label.


This is why I am so excited to have been introduced to Shaklee. Shaklee has been around for over 50 years, making one of the first biodegradable household cleaners ever in the 1960's. Their Get Clean Products are non-toxic, have no harmful fumes, are hypoallergenic, contain no VOC's, and are formulated without hazardous chemicals. You don't need to worry about any of the cleaning products actually getting the job done either: There is a 100% money back guarantee + the products have been tested and outperform 12 national brands.

In regard to cost, many products come in a concentrated formula so you are using tiny amounts which will save you money in the long run, plus it saves storage space and puts much less packaging waste into our environment.
One last bonus? The Healthy Home Pack and The Starter Kit {that I will be purchasing and enjoying very soon} are available as a fragrant free set if you choose! All items within these kits are available for individual purchase too. (Friends say the Basic H²Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate and the Scour Off Heavy-Duty Paste work wonders!)

Now the really good part . . . .

We have a Healthy Home Pack to give to one lucky tutus & turtles reader!

Just what does this include?

• Basic H²Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate
  
• Basic H² Organic Super Cleaning Wipes
  
• Scour Off Heavy-Duty Paste
  
• Dish Wash Concentrate
  
• Fresh Laundry Concentrate HE Compatible, Regular Scent or Fragrance Free
• Soft Fabric Concentrate
  
• Soft Fabric Dryer Sheets
  
• Spray Bottles
  
• Windows and Mirrors
  
• All-Purpose
  
• Degreasing
  
• Laundry Measuring Scoop
  
• Super Microfiber Window Cloth
  
• Dropper for measuring Basic H²
  

To enter this giveaway, check out the Healthy Home Pack or Shaklee's website and tell us what cleaning product you would get the most use out of. Do your kids like to write on the walls? Leave handprints on the windows? Do you use everything all the time?

For anyone wanting to join me on the road to becoming a Shaklee devotee, here are the ordering options:

Buy directly from Shaklee's site and pay retail price or become a member for a one time $20 fee and receive the member price of 15% off.

The option I am going with is using generous representative Gretchen's website, and by emailing steadyclimb@mindspring.com and letting her know I am a tutus & turtles reader before I order I can get 30% off any products I buy for the first week, and 15% off any subsequent purchases without signing up for a membership.

Here's to happy, healthy cleaning!

*Please leave your name with the comment, we will get contact information after you win.
*Duplicate comments or comments without a name will be ignored.
*One entry per person, please.
*Giveaway will be open for comments until Midnight PST on Friday, May 23rd.
*Winner will be picked at random and announced Monday morning.
*Winner must contact us within one week of the giveaway closing or a new winner will be chosen.

Boogie Wipes

At the end of a recent day of flying, my poor kid's noses were completely stuffed up, and my daughter started to resort to the dreaded "finger in nose approach" just to relieve herself of the crusties. Fortunately I had Boogie Wipes on hand, and due to the helpful addition of saline to soften things up we were all (I'll leave out the details, but they clear up Mommy noses too) breathing freely within minutes, avoiding a long flight of social awkwardness and blocked noses.

You can buy Boogie Wipes here, or check your local Babies/Toys'R'Us!

Parking Pal Magnet

Parking lots can be a dangerous place, and even the most obedient kids can dart between cars without notice. Slowing down and driving with awareness is something we should all do regardless of where we are driving, but especially in neighborhoods and parking lots.

One creative Mom invented Parking Pal Magnets to give her children a safe place to wait while getting in and out of the car. To learn more or purchase, click here.

Bottlefeeding Guidelines

I've started working again, so my daughter has started to take breastmilk from a bottle. But with all the dangers associated with plastic bottles, I have begun my search for the safest ones. These guidelines, found in this article via the Cradle, gave me a good start:

• Choosing a Nipple: Avoid #3 plastics and start with a clear silicone nipple, which is much safer than plastic or rubber. Latex rubber nipples can cause allergic reactions and can contain impurities linked to cancer.

• The Bottle: Use glass whenever possible. Avoid clear, hard plastic bottles marked with a “7” or “PC.”

• Plastic bottle liners: Just so bad. Don’t use them. The soft plastic liners leach chemicals into formula, especially when heated. Editor's Note: Playtex recently released a statement saying that the Drop-Ins® (aka 'plastic bottle liners') for their Original Nurser Systems are BPA-free.

• Water: Use filtered tap water. If your water is fluoridated, use a reverse osmosis filter to remove fluoride, which the American Dental Association recommends avoiding when reconstituting formula. If your water is not fluoridated use a carbon filter. If you choose bottled water make sure it’s fluoride-free.

• Formula: Choose powdered as liquid formulas have higher levels of BPA.

The first bottle I want to try is the green to grow BPA-free bottle. What's so great about it? It's free of phthalates and free of bisphenol A – a suspected hormone-disrupting chemical used in polycarbonate plastic (most baby bottles are made from this.) Plus, these bottles are tested in the U.S. to ensure they meet the highest standards for quality and safety; they are free of lead and PVC; and they come with a Beginner (slow flow, 0-3 months) nitrosamine-free silicone nipple, all in 100% recycled packaging.

Click here to see the rest of the article, including other safe bottle suggestions.

CARES

I just returned from a solo vacation with my two little munchkins, and between layovers and all the stuff I had to cart around the airport with our double stroller, I was exhausted! My son is old enough to stay put in his seat on the airplane, but I found myself carting my daughter's car seat from terminal to terminal just to be able to keep her safe and in place. In hindsight, I really wish that I had picked up CARES (child aviation restraint system), an FAA-approved seat belt that attaches directly to the back of the airplane seat, takes one minute to install, weighs one lb and keeps your child as safe as a car seat!

Avoiding Food Allergies

My husband and I are lucky to be virtually allergy-free, but that hasn't stopped me from worrying about my daughter having allergies. If you or your spouse (or both) have severe allergies, chances are your children will have them as well. However, there are some ways to limit your kids' intake of common food allergens. This article lists great recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to do this. The most poignant for me was the suggestion to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Nursing is a proven immune system builder and helps prevent infant eczema. Don't worry--if nursing isn't possible for you, the article gives suggestions of hypoallergenic formulas that may help. Check out the rest of the list here.

Image & article via Cookie

California Baby

It is kind of crazy to keep hearing about all the things that are being found in baby products and in the babies themselves. I've started reading the labels on non-food items and am excited to try California Baby Products, which are Phthalate-free and free of many other things I don't want on my or my kid's skin.

Buy California Baby here, or in a local Target or Whole Foods/Wild Oats.

Conquer Childhood Cancer Act

I hope reading this inspires you to take the few minutes needed to help. Then spread the word and increase awareness!

The following was written by our dear friend Sadie's Mom. Today is Sadie's 2nd birthday and we would love to honor her by doing exactly what she requests:

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, SADIE!! We're going to celebrate our sweet little girl's birthday tonight with Elmo cake and her favorite foods. I can't believe that we started her cancer journey over a year ago. She was diagnosed March 17, 2007. What a year this has been -- our emotions have run the gamut as she's gone through her surgeries, treatments, and scans. But, luckily, one thing has remained constant -- her sweet energy and zest for life. We sure do love our Sadie!!

In honor of Sadie's 2nd birthday, I'm going to make a request of everyone reading this . There is legislation in the Senate right now for the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. This will provide 150 million dollars over 5 years dedicated just to childhood cancer in order to expand childhood cancer research, create a national childhood cancer registry to track pediatric cancer, and increase services to patients and families affected by the disease. There are 52 senators that support this bill right now and we need 8 more to reach 60, which would make a majority to help pass this landmark legislation.

Please honor Sadie, as well as those children that have been fighting for their lives for years by taking 5 minutes to e-mail senators that are NOT yet co-sponsors. Here is a list of states that need sponsors:

Alabama (2), Alaska (2), Arizona (2), Colorado (2), Florida (2), Idaho (2), Iowa (2), Kansas (1), Louisiana (1), Maine (2), Mississippi (1), Missouri (2), Montana (2), Nevada (1), New Hampshire (2), North Dakota (2), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (1), South Carolina (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (2), Texas (1), Utah (2), Virginia (1), West Virginia (2), Wisconsin (2), Wyoming (2)

If you go to this site:

www.curesearch.org/support_curesearch/raise_awareness/index.aspx?id=5442

there is a link that says "Send a letter to your Member of Congress..." On the next screen click "Send a letter to your elected officials", type in your zip code and click "Go", then click on "The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act S911" link in the Action Alert box. This will bring up a form email that you'll be able to personalize as you wish. Thanks for your support!!

Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder

Summer is coming, which means all sorts of fresh, in-season produce. Try one of these mesh feeder so your littlest one's can enjoy too!

{Also available at most large retailers and large baby stores}


Fresh food feeders by Munchkin
{read this post's comments for a reader's review}





The Sassy Teething Feeder














The Baby Safe Feeder

Toy Recalls

I just found this article on toy recalls from the past year or so. I was surprised at some of the things on the list. The article provides pictures of the toys that were recalled, as well as the dates that defective toys were sold within. Go check it out to make sure you don't have any dangerous things in your kids toy box. You can never be too careful when it comes to your child's safety.

Via parents.com

Natursutten Pacifier

The Natursutten Pacifier is so appealing to me. My daughter loves to suck, and I think this pacifier goes above and beyond the rest. Molded in one piece, there are no nooks and crannies for dirt and bacteria to hide. It is made of 100% natural rubber, which makes it softer than other pacifiers so it follows your baby's natural mouth movements. Plus it won't leave marks on your little one's face. To top it off, it is the only all natural, biodegradable, organic binky out there. I'll be ordering mine today!

Britax Sale

All Britax Car Seats (My favorite for ease of use and safety) sold through Amazon.com are 20% off for a limited time! It looks like most qualify for free shipping too.