Earth Day is April 22 and it should be a reminder to all parents to teach your children to be environmentally conscious. While we teach our children not to waste water or electricity, we also need to teach them how to live a more organic and eco-friendly lifestyle when they are older. Here are some eco-friendly companies that get the green light for their commitment to the environment.
For the softest organic clothing for babies and toddlers, look to Origany Clothing. Origany is a company that prides itself as one that is focused on environmentally conscious clothing made from organic cotton and other eco-friendly materials, so much so that they call it "Clothing Made Organic by Nature." Origany baby and toddler clothing is made with 100% certified organic pima cotton as well as baby alpaca, which is a natural eco-friendly fiber that is both incredibly warm and soft. New for 2011 is Origany's Eco-Athlete line in partnership with NFL player and Pro-Bowler Ovie Mughelli which encourages kids to be active and environmentally conscious. The Eco-Athlete line of baby and toddler clothing features five different sports motifs including football, baseball, bicycling, tennis, and the all round eco-athlete on bodysuits, pants, rompers, jackets and hats for babies, as well as t-shirts, dresses and hoodies for toddlers. Origany will donate 5% of the proceeds from each Eco-Athlete sale, as well as 20% of the proceeds from each sale of Ovie's #34 affiliated outfits to the Ovie Mughelli Foundation, which focuses on making sure "Our Future is Green" by supporting the overall development of youth socially, mentally and physically by implementing programs that educate children about the environment. Origany clothing is available online at origany.com.
When you hear the word bamboo you may not typically think of clothing so you may be surprised at how incredibly soft bamboo can be, especially for the delicate skin of babies. Babibu baby clothes are fun and trendy clothes made of bamboo which is a uniquely breathable material that wicks moisture away from the body, keeping your baby cool and dry in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter. Often compared to silk and cashmere, bamboo's luxuriously soft and silky texture will allow your baby to nap comfortably in the day and sleep soundly through the night. Bamboo also happens to be an incredibly eco-friendly material for a number of reasons. Bamboo is easily sustainable and renewable because it can grow up to four feet each day and it naturally blocks the growth of bacteria so it does not require the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. There is a natural agent in the plant itself that makes it hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-static and even prevents the material from absorbing odors. Bamboo crops also absorb five times the amount of carbon dioxide and produce 30% more oxygen than comparable trees, thereby reducing greenhouse gases and cleaning our air. Your baby will love the two piece Babibu loungie set, perfect for day or night, as well as the bamboo crib sheets and swaddling blankets. You can feel good indulging your baby in the softest clothing knowing how eco-friendly bamboo is. Available online at babibu.ca.
Everyone knows making your own baby food is more nutritious than feeding your baby packaged baby food that contains preservatives but it also a great way to be a "green" parent. Baby food is packaged in plastic, glass and other materials and is shipped across the country using gas and diesel trucks which in turn pollute the environment. Purchasing locally grown organic fruits and vegetables to feed your baby is by far the most eco-friendly way to feed your baby and reduce your carbon footprint. For the safest and most eco-friendly way to store freshly made baby food, look to Wean Green baby food containers. Wean Green baby food containers are made of durable glass cubes with silicone lids that feature smart clips which lock and secure the food. Wean Green baby food containers are BPA, PVC, Phthalates and Plasticizer free so they can be frozen and heated without concern. Wean Green cubes are available in four colors- carrots, peas, raspberry and blueberry and cost $25 for a pack of four cubes. Order online at weangreen.com.
Many people do not realize how many parabens and chemicals are in the most popular brand name health and beauty products. Products that come in contact with or absorbed by the skin should be as natural and organic as possible so consider making the switch to all organic products like Hugo Naturals. Hugo Naturals products are handcrafted in the USA of only the finest ingredients and are all free of petrochemicals, animal fats, parabens, silicones, formaldehyde, phthalates and synthetic surfactants. Being respectful of the earth's natural resources and being a steward of this wonderful planet is what Hugo Naturals is all about, so their products are never tested on animals, are gluten free and made from sustainable sources that are pure and natural. You can trust Hugo Naturals to care for the gentle skin of your baby because all of their baby products are free of artificial fragrances, colors, parabens and alcohols. The Foaming Milk Bath and the Oh-So-Soft Baby Lotion will leave your baby soft, clean and best of all safe. Available online at hugonaturals.com and at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Henry's and similar retailers.
Have a child who loves to put things together and has an endless imagination? Then try Topozoo's wooden animal sets. The Topozoo Safari set includes a Giraffe, Elephant and Lion. Each animal is made of five wooden pieces and can be mixed and matched to create your own custom animals. Other sets include dinosaurs, monsters, unicorns, dragons and a spring set with bunnies and ducks. Topozoo is the creation of Geared For Imagination, an Ohio-based creator and distributor of toys for kids and 'kidults'. Topozoo products are made in the USA, completely eco-friendly, and endlessly creative. The wood is produced in the US, is formaldehyde-free and made from 100% recycled wood fiber and the color stains are non-toxic, solvent-free, water-based and contain zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Even the packaging is made in the US from post-consumer recycled paper. Topozoo sets are available online at topozoo.com.
Happy Earth Day!
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