Voila Wooden Toys

Voila Wooden Toy are finally here. Voila toys are educational, creative, urge thought, require skill, are non-toxic & are earth friendly.

Voila Natural Wooden Toys use rubber wood trees as their source of timber, which comes from the southern parts of Thailand. The purpose of these rubber trees is to extract liquid latex to make rubber. As the tree gets older is simply ceases to produce any rubber, it's then cut down and another is replanted - thus called plantation wood and not forest wood. It is with this old wood that all Voila toys are made. Cool story huh! Vist Voila Toys company website.

See our new and exciting range of Voila Toys.

Read related article on our new direction.

Andrew

Sanctum Natural Moisturisers

Sanctum natural skin care products are made from at least 90% certified organic ingredients, they are made in Australia and are inspired by the natural elements of the ocean and hinternland in Byron bay.

Sanctum organic and natural skin care products encourage a youthful complexion, naturally.

Featured Product - Sanctum Moisture Balance

Sanctum Moisture Balance is light and oil-free, gel based formula designed to guard against moisture loss, while reducing excess oil production. Sanctum Moisture Balance will leave your skin feeling cool and hydrated. Read more about this Sanctum Organic Care product.

To see all Sanctum skin care moisturising products click here.

CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS:
Aloe Leaf Juice, Oak Bark Extract, Rose Flower Oil, Glycerin, Calendula Flower Extract, Orange Oil, Chamomille Flower Extract

Andrew

Biobaby Organic Cotton Fitted Nappy

Biobaby Brand Review

Biobaby is an Australian owned company that makes products to take care of you, your baby and our environment. Biobaby even give a percentage of their sales to Rain Rescue so that they can help save our rainforest's.

The Biobaby range includes baby wipes, bio liners, baby wraps, and all products are manufactured under the strictest organic certification.

To see and learn more about Biobaby products click here.

Biobaby Nappy Review

Biobaby fitted organic cotton nappies are a great design and are a Eco conscious alternative to disposable nappies. Due to the design they are hassle free when it comes to fitting them, even for dad. The design of the Biobaby nappy is also practical and the Velcro waistband ensures that it is just as easy to put on than any other regular disposable nappy.

When we fist started using the Biobaby organic cotton nappy we had a number of leaky moments. However, with some consultation with Biobaby, this was solved by soaking it in water and hand washing a number of times - the more we do the better it seams to get.

Biobaby nappies, or any other similar brand, are a cheap and effective way to reduce your nappy costs over the fist few years. Biobaby nappies are also a great way to reduce your carbon imprint. By solely using Biobaby nappies you may save $2000-$3000 per year.


RRP - $2o.00 size 1
- $27.00 size 2

Andrew

A New Direction

In the next couple of days our product focus is taking on exciting change. We have decided to shift away from organic food, though not altogether, and move into non-toxic and environmentally responsible wooden toys for babies and toddlers - see picture.

Although we have stocked Anamalz for quite some time, the demand for non-toxic wooden baby and toddler toys has been insatiable. Due to this we have finally tracked down baby toys safe and educational enough for us promote. The producers also manufacture under fair trade schemes and are have an eco-conscience.

WATCH THIS SPACE.

Andrew

Are Plastic Bags Really A Menace?

So much hype surrounds the little plastic bag. In fact, I heard through my reputable industry sources that a major supermarket chain in Australia just bought 1 billion green reusable bags. Now, lets have a think about this...let's say they bought the bags for between 5-10 cents each, that would be a significant outlay would it not. However, selling then for between $1 and $1.50, that billion dollars is looking more like a profit of more than 12 million, once all the bags have been sold - nice money if you can get it huh. If you would like more information of reusable bags or to see our products click here.

So I now go back to the title of this blog - Are Plastic Bags Really A Menace? I guess it really depends who you talk to about it. The major supermarket chain who spent the billion dollars on reusable green bags sure thinks plastic bags are bad. Not only will they make and estimated 12 million dollars profit on green reusable bags but we will be all using way less plastic bags which then adds a huge amount of money to their bottom line too.

I really had not given much thought to it until recently reading that plastic bags only represent two percent of total waste - YES 2%!

I smell a very intelligent marketing campaign.

Andrew

PS - I do not in any way condone the use of plastic bags.

Why Wait To Ban Bisphenol A

I was reading an American article today on various senators calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ban bisphenol A in plastics. Bisphenol A is a chemical used to make clear, hard plastic for products including baby bottles, the lining of cans and water bottles.

The chemical has been linked to a host of medical problems in laboratory animals, including prostate and breast cancer, and neurological disorders.

It seems the U.S, once again, is way ahead of us when it comes to these things. Why are they though? When is comes to the health of our babies we should be leading the way.

Canada, who are even more proactive that the U.S, announced April 18 that it will classify bisphenol A as a toxin and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will ban the use of the chemical - they did in June. That same week a number of companies, including Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, announced they would be phasing out the use of bisphenol A in their children's products. Nalgene, a manufacturer of sports water bottles, announced that it, too, would discontinue the use of bisphenol A.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't remember any of our politicians chatting about such important issues. Is the health of our children less important than the impending recession?

Andrew

Lavera Hair and Body Baby Shampoo

Lavera Hair and Body Baby Shampoo has been made for soft cleaning of your baby's hair and skin. Plant based moisturisers will keep your baby's skin looking healthy, naturally.

Lavera Hair and Body Baby Shampoo will also help treat an irritated scalp and will not irritate the eyes. Lavera Hair and Body Baby Shampoo contains no flower or herbal extracts, or essential oils. This fantastic organic shampoo is designed to care for your baby and children in a natural and homoeopathic fashion.

Ingredients :

Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sucrose Laurate, Glucose Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate

Yet another great product designed by Lavera that will keep you family safe and clean, naturally. To learn more about this product click here. To see the whole range of Lavera products click here.

RRP - $15.40

Andrew

Hose and sprinkler

Water Saving Tips

When using a hose or sprinkler, set an alarm of kitchen timer. That way time will not get away from you and you will be fully aware of how long they have both been running.

Any other great ideas?

Andrew

Dr Brown's Glass Baby Bottle

Dr Brown's Glass Baby Bottle - created by a highly trained doctor, Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow is the only baby feeding bottle with an amazing internal vent that helps initiate great health in babies, safely. By eliminating air bubbles, Dr Brown's baby glass baby bottles help to reduce feeding problems like colic, spit-up, burping and gas.

Features:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) free & PVC free
  
• Patented unique internal vent eliminates the vacuum and air bubbles, to help reduce colic, spit-up, burping and gas. It allows air to enter through the nipple collar, without being incorporated into the breast milk or formula
• By eliminating the negative pressure, it can help reduce build up of fluid in baby's ear
• Positive-pressure design mimics breast-feeding and is ideal for breast milk and formula alike

Dr Brown's Glass Baby Bottle are really great baby bottles, they are of the highest quality, are made in the USA and not in China as most, & are very safe for you baby.

If you would like to know more about Dr Brown's baby feeding bottles click here. Or if you would like to see our entire range of BPA free baby feeding products click here.

Watch this space for a review on Dr Brown's brand new BPA free polypropylene baby bottle.

See more posts on BPA free baby feeding products.

Andrew

Babycare and Carbon Footprint

It can be a very touchy subject, but having babies has a huge impact on our environment, especially in Western cultures, where our carbon footprints are already massive. When you have a baby make sure you bring them up with a "tread lightly" philosophy.

• Breast is the BEST - if possible breastfeed, not only is it extremely good for your baby but it's extremely good for the environment. In particular, you will save tonnes of CO2 going into the environment as you will not need packaged products like baby bottles, formula & other baby food items
  * If you would like to read more about breastfeeding vs bottle feeding click here
  
• Organic baby food - if you have a backyard, or even a windowsill you can grow your own organic fruit and vegetables. It's easy, cheap & will save you driving to get your own and will cut your food miles significantly
• Borrow, swap and lend philosophy - borrow clothes, send them to your friends when you are done. Buy 2nd hand clothes

Andrew

Baby Formula and Fluoride

What are your feelings on adding fluoride to baby formula?

The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) found that babies fed on formula topped up with fluoridated water exceeded the recommended daily intake of of fluoride.

Australia has a very high rate of breastfed babies, despite this though, a large number still consume baby formula st least thee times a day. A 1993 study into fluoride in baby formula found that two Australian brands had higher than average amounts of fluoride in them.

As the cases of allergies and sensitivities rise in babies more and more mothers are turning to alternative baby formula such as soy and goat's milk formula.

Some possible side affects of high than average doses of formula include:

• Dental Fluorosis - brown, mottled stains on teeth caused by too much fluoride during formation of teeth. Read more in this issue
  
• IQ - children with higher than average levels of fluoride in their systems for long period may end up with a lower IQ's (found by a Chinese study in 2000 by the Tianjin Medical University)

If breastfeeding is not an option, a low-fluoride baby formula, reconstituted with non-chlorinated water is the next best option. The NHMRC recommends that parents use rainwater or bottled water for children up to 6 years of age to limit or prevent dental fluorosis.

When children are old enough to use toothpaste, select a low or non-fluoridated paste and ensure they do not swallow any paste.

Feeding babies and children a healthy diet rich in grains, fruits, and organic vegetables, plus regular brushing, will ensure excellent dental health for life.

Andrew