Concentrated Products—like California Baby washes—need a little know-how

I recently bought a High Efficiency (HE) front load washer and dryer made by Miele. The first time I used the washer, it overflowed with bubbles. Why? Not only was I using the too much laundry detergent, I was also using the wrong kind. Most laundry detergents are formulated to bubble—and bubble a lot. We, as consumers, have been trained to use large quantities of product. The combo of pouring in our detergent and seeing the bubbles gives us a feeling of accomplishment and we feel confident that the product is working. It's all smoke and mirrors. Most detergents and personal care products contain up to 95% water! Why would companies do that? Because water is cheap and consumers want low prices—"give the customer what they want" is their motto. But it's not so good for the environment.

Thankfully, we now all get it…that what is good for the environment is good for us, and more importantly, our children. America is going green by leaps and bounds. For example, sales of solar panels are up almost 3 fold, according to EIA, the official energy statistics of the US government. And suppliers of household cleaning, laundry and personal care are getting the message about producing concentrated versions of their products.

California Baby is doing our part!
Our shampoos and bubble baths are very concentrated. This means that you are getting more cleaning power (solids, not water) in each bottle and you can wash more with less. California Baby is once again on the pioneering eco-trail and putting more of the good stuff in each bottle—when other companies are cutting corners. California Baby doesn't believe in cutting corners. We never have, never will. Instead, we believe in eco-value by offering concentrated washes, bubble baths, creams and lotions. The gentleness or effectiveness hasn't changed, you just need to use less. That's powerful.

Tips!
Concentrated products may take a little getting used, but once you get the hang of it, you will appreciate the time, water, product, and ultimately money you are saving your pocket book—and mama earth.

• Wash your hair only once, but let it sit while washing the body, allowing the product to do its job of washing away dirt and oil. Ideally about 30 seconds (wash your body while you let our shampoo sit in your hair)
  
• Use a puff or natural sea sponge. The best investment you will make! This will help to dramatically reduce the amount of product you need—just one squirt or pump does the job for your whole body.
  
• Pump bottles: just a half to one pump is usually all you need to wash head-to-toe. California Baby pumps lock in the 'up' position (click left, click right), and the pumps sold for the 8.5 oz sizes lock in the down position ... just a quick click helps put a temporary stop to enthusiastic little hands.

You will find that your concentrated California Baby products should last you longer. I confess it took me a while to get used to. I would pump 3-4 times just to wash my hair! What was I thinking? I guess I just wasn't hip to eco-concentrates. Now I am—and I love it. Hope you do too.

All my best,

Jessica

Organic Milk: Good for You, the Planet, and Farmers

The milk in my house is always organic. Yes, it costs a bit more, but I’ve noticed that doesn’t spoil as fast as non-organic, and it’s free of pesticide residue, hormones and antibiotics, all of which aren’t so great for my family’s health—and is one of the main reasons I made a big health switch. And as it turns out, organic milk isn’t just better for humans—it’s also better for the health of the planet and for the health of the cows who produce it.

A report from The Organic Center, which was released in November, found that organic dairy farms have been able to reduce manure methane emissions by 60 to 80%—a huge boon to the environment, as methane gas is 25 times stronger than CO2 in terms of the global warming damage it inflicts. The report also shows that cows living on organic dairy farms live 1.5 to 2 years longer than those raised on high-production conventional farms. That means cows need to be replaced at a slower rate on organic farms, which is a cost savings to the farmer.

Here’s hoping all those non-organic dairy farmers out there read this study and realize that switching to organic makes sense not just for consumers but for their bottom line, too. 

Some say that you get the milk from the black & white cows, and the cream from the white cows!

Hand Sanitizers

While researching hand washes (check out our Wash-Up! products) I found Triclosan and alcohol in everything. Also many of the hand sanitizers that market themselves as ‘No Alcohol’ contain ingredients such as Benzalkonium Chloride, which is rated as a high hazard by environmental and safety groups such as the EWG.

I prefer and love essential oils as a safe and healthy alternative to chemicals and alcohol, and California Baby’s foundation was built on the concept of aromatherapy. I have turned to essential oils over and over to keep my family healthy.

And, it turns out, vigorous hand washing with warm water and a cleanser for at least 20 seconds is all that we need to kill germs and stay healthy. Of course, soap and water aren’t always available, and mom and kids are always on the go, but I also know from years of researching ingredients and living a natural/organic lifestyle that the very high percentage of alcohol based hand sanitizers is not health promoting, to the contrary, I feel it is unhealthy—especially for babies and kids. Their small bodies cannot handle the toxic load of the high percentage of alcohol contained in and multiplied by the constant use of a hand sanitizer throughout the day, week, year... (Organic sourced alcohol doesn’t make it any safer.)

A trusted industry insider has noted, "alcohol is one of the only consistent trans-dermal materials known. Children have been documented to become legally intoxicated as a result of topical application of alcohol to reduce fever."

The link below is a story about what a few families have been through when their kids either accidentally drank the ubiquitous hand sanitizer solution or were affected by absorption.

I continue to research and develop a safe non-alcohol based hand sanitizer. In the meantime, my suggestion is to wash hands frequently with a non sulfate cleanser (stay away from synthetic fragrances), use hand sanitizers sparingly, and only when you feel there are cooties about—and be sure to supervise your kids when they use a hand sanitizer and keep it out of their reach.

www.snopes.com

All my best,

Jessica

How to Steer Clear of Stretch Marks

Being pregnant can make you feel pretty (really!); there is an undeniable healthy glow from all that extra blood flowing that causes our cheeks to have a sweet rosiness—who needs make-up during this time? And what about that super thick and shiny hair—got to love it. I certainly felt good about how I looked when I was pregnant.


One of the less-than-pretty side effects of pregnancy, though, is stretch marks. And about 50% of women will get them.
There is something you can do to prevent and minimize. Here's what I've learned about preventing stretch marks during pregnancy:
Grow slowly: Yes, some people are more prone to getting stretch marks than others, but problems occur when skin grows too quickly and the fibers that support it can't keep up. When these fibers tear, they leave behind stretch marks. Of course you're going to gain weight when you have a baby, the key is to try and 'be all baby' not 50% baby and 50% Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey! Your ob/gyn would agree that too much weight gain isn't that great for your or your baby's health. Gaining the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy—usually 25 to 35 pounds—is a great way to limit stretch marks. You may need to gain more or less weight than this, depending on your starting weight, so be sure to talk to your doctor.

Use cocoa butter: I LOVE this botanical ingredient because it leaves my skin so soft and supple. And it prevents itching—awesome for growing bellies (and regular folks with dry skin). Cocoa butter is perfect for applying to your tummy, as well as your thighs, hips, and breasts, as these are areas where stretch marks are most prone to popping up. Another tip: Apply it as soon as you step out of the shower, to damp skin, so all the moisturizing benefits are sealed in.

Eat well: Eating nourishing foods, especially those loaded with fatty acids, can also keep your skin in great condition—not to mention healthy foods are also best for your growing baby! Avocado anyone?

Drink up, water that is: Guzzling plenty of water will keep you hydrated, which helps maintain skin's elasticity. But sometimes it's hard to remember to drink the recommended 8-10 glasses a day (I tend to forget). I've figured out an easy way to remember though: one glass an hour. Doing it this way helps to spread the hydration through the day—the way your body wants it.
Pregnancy can be an overwhelming time in your life and there is lots to learn and do, taking it step-by-step and in small chunks will help get you to the goal of healthy, happy baby and mommy!

Layer Up to Keep Warm This Winter

Keeping kids warm during the winter is one way to help avoid the sniffles and sneezies. But there’s always the fear of over-dressing kids, too, especially little ones who can’t quite tell you when they’re too warm.

I still remember the look on my pediatrician’s face when he came in to check on me and my newborn son, Miles, before checking out of the hospital. I knew something was amiss by the concerned look in his eyes and the extra gentle tone of his voice as he casually asked if maybe the baby might be a bit warm… I was itching to dress him up in all the Hanna Anderson outfits I stocked up on, so yes, maybe I got a bit carried away. I took the top two layers off while indoors and slipped on the outer layer before we headed into the California sun! (I know, I know, our “weather” doesn’t count). That was my first real understanding how important layering is when you’ll be going from cold outdoor temps to the warm indoors then back out again.

Here are some tips along with the whys and hows of layering for newbies and pros alike:

• The first layer of clothing should be made of nonabsorbent materials like silk. Cotton won’t work as well because it absorbs moisture, trapping it close to the skin and lowering body temperature.
• The purpose of the second layer is to trap air between the first and the outer layer, as well as to allow moisture to move away from the body. Look for clothing made from warm, breathable materials like wool or fleece.
• The third layer, or the outwear layer, should protect kids from the elements, such as wind, snow and rain. Breathable, waterproof materials that block wind are best, like water-resistant nylon.

Recently I’ve been working on creating new ‘looks’ with each layer to glam-up the repetitive layers on, layers off when moving in and out; it’s getting kind of fun, and as a California Girl, I am starting to get into the whole winter thing!

7 Simple Tips for Healthy Holidays.

Sometimes the stress from holidays can result in big headaches. But, a lot of other things about the holidays can impact your health as well. Follow these simple steps to make this year's holidays your healthiest ever.

1. Indulge in the only the best food by going organic. Special occasions call for scrumptious goodies. But indulging doesn't have to mean sacrificing your family's health. This year, strive for very special holiday meals made of the freshest organic foods. Today, you can find organic ingredients for every type of celebratory food, from free-range turkey to a mouth-watering apple pie. Look for the USDA Organic seal to be sure that you are buying foods produced without synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, genetic engineering, irradiation and petroleum- or sewage sludge-based fertilizers.

2. Watch out for those brightly colored foods and candy! Holiday treats like candy canes and other goodies can be hard to resist. But many of our favorite sweet treats are full of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, some of which have questionable safety records. Saccharin, for example, is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Serve your child a well-balanced diet of whole foods and let your child indulge in moderate amounts of candy and other holiday treats. Read "Limit Your Child's Intake of Food Additives" for a list of potentially dangerous food additives that should definitely be avoided.

3. To perfume the air with a holiday fragrance, simmer spices such as cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Special scents create a festive holiday mood. However, scented candles, incense, air fresheners and other fragrance products are filled with chemical cocktails that can pollute indoor air, causing headaches, fatigue and other symptoms. Scented candles tend to produce more black soot than non-scented candles. And some candles-particularly those made in foreign countries-are made with stiff, metal wicks, which often contain lead. When lit, these candles release lead dust. Both soot and lead can be inhaled or ingested by small children, which may lead to health problems. Soot contains suspected carcinogens and lead causes brain damage. Learn more about non-toxic holiday aromas.

4. Raid your kitchen pantry to make your house sparkle for holiday guests. Cleaning your house in preparation for guests is one holiday tradition no one cherishes. To make it less unpleasant to all concerned, use mild, nontoxic cleaners. Most cleaning can be accomplished with a few nontoxic items from your kitchen pantry such as baking soda, washing soda and vinegar (to name a few). These ingredients can even be used to polish the silver! Learn more Recipes for Safer Cleaners.

5. Be aware that holiday lights may contain lead. In many electronic products, wires and cords are coated with PVC plastic, which is where the lead is found. Lead is used in PVC wires and cords to make it more flexible and reduce the risk of fire. Lead is also used in many PVC products to stabilize the color. The amount of lead in the lights and other consumer products may vary considerably and it is not clear if the amount of lead that is released poses a risk to human health. Some tests show that lead could come off in the hands. It's best not to let children handle the lights. The adult that does handle them should wash his or her hands immediately afterwards.

6. Retire that old, plastic tree. Plastic Christmas trees may appear to make environmental sense, because they can be used for many years. And about 20 million households put up a tree that is 9 years old or older. But old Christmas trees, which are made of PVC, are a potential health threat to children. PVC has been dubbed the most toxic plastic. One reason is that PVC contains significant amounts of lead as a stabilizer. In 2002, Foundation E.A.R.T.H. discovered that as these plastic trees age, they release lead dust, which collects on tree branches and the floor beneath the tree. Most of the plastic trees come from China and they exceed U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommendations for lead levels in consumer products. Lead is an extremely toxic heavy metal capable of producing long-term behavioral and brain damage, even at low doses. To be extra safe, don't let your children touch or handle a plastic tree or crawl underneath it. Don't keep presents underneath it either, as they will collect any lead dust that falls. Better yet, purchase a fresh, organic tree this year - it's a renewable resource that can be recycled!

7. This holiday season, burn a safer fire. As you cozy up to the fireplace this winter, remember that particles and gases from fires can make breathing difficult, especially for asthmatics. Make sure you ventilate well. Dry wood burns hotter and cleaner than "green" wood and hardwoods are better than coniferous trees, or evergreens. (That includes your Christmas tree, which is better off recycled.) For more tips, see How To Build a Safer Fire. Note: Fires also emit carcinogens, so keep fires to a minimum.

Worm Bin Set-Up 101

Yes, it's been a while since my last vermiculture post—that’s a fancy word for worm composting; feel free to toss the word around from time to time—especially when those folks that can name every plant in Latin insist on casually correcting your pronunciation by slowly repeating it the “correct” way ;). Last compost post, I promised to set up a new worm bin at California Baby headquarters, but I bumped up against the blazing Southern California sun that beats down on our building, which is perfect for solar panels, but not so great for Red Wigglers. The hot sun not only dries them out, but creates an atmosphere so hot that they fry. Instead, I decided that, for now, the worm bin will live at my home until we can create a shady micro-climate for our slimy little friends.

Step One: Scout A Site.

Place your worm bin in a shady spot so they don't overheat and dry out. A north facing wall is ideal.

Step Two: Unpack and try to figure out the directions

Not a hard step but puzzling nonetheless. Even if one has done this before, the memory fades... What to do with the block of coir? And the shredded newspaper? Oh, soak it in water and break it into pieces. This is your 'base layer,' spread it evenly along the bottom of the 'base tray.' You will spread your worms on top of this layer--it ensures that they don't fall out the bottom.

I bought 2 lbs of Red Wiggler worms from Peaceful Valley Organic Farm Supply (Grow Organic). Note that when ordering the worms, they will ask you to specify a delivery date to ensure that you will be home to receive your handsome guests. Choose a date that you can unpack and set up your bin right away. Buy two pounds as this will get you started faster, no waiting for them to multiply, which is tempting but not worth the wait—especially if you have lots of greens that need ‘processing.’

Spread your greens on evenly on top of the worms. There is a ‘max’ line on the tray, fill to up there--don't be tempted to go over. If you don’t have enough greens or can't add them to the bin at the moment, you can collect them and then add at a later time; I like to keep mine in a bag in the fridge (husbands don’t like this, by the way). This 'method' gives you some breathing room so you can add your greens (later) at one time, cover with the top lid and forget about it. 

You're done. I like to top with shredded newspaper to provide extra protection, keep in moisture, and to control fruit flies. Most national newspapers print with soy based inks and they can safely be composted. If you are using a local newspaper, check with them on their choice of inks before adding to your bin (be sure they are lead free). Worms love newspapers and cardboard (it adds bulk to their diet); shred or tear into strips first and add a nice fluffy layer to the top.

Go for it! Add a worm bin to your garden, you will be happy you did. You get free fertilizer. The worms are harmless. Your kids will love it, and you will be reducing your landfill contribution. My opinion is that if everyone simply composted their own organic matter instead of sending it to the landfill, we would be that much closer to sustainable living. I’m shooting for a total off-the-grid life—and hope to get there soon. Stay tuned! 

 

My son's small collection of little ceramic Dutch Row houses; I am modeling my worn bin 'row' on this collection and hope to fill up my entire north wall with worm bins. Wouldn't it be great if the makers of worm bins designed them to look like these cute little houses? As I like to say, "Good design is free, bad design is expensive--and ugly :)"