The Daily Grind of a Work @ Home Mom...

More Reasons to LOOOVE My New Appliances by Frigidaire

So I've been the proud owner of my hot new Affinity washer/dryer for about a month now, and aside from its undeniable beauty, I'm actually noticing that its beauty is not just metal deep.  These machines might be nice to look at, but they're also doing a fabulous job and they are helping my family save not just money, but also time and energy.

We are an increasingly environmentally aware family and as such, I was thrilled to do away with our previous energy-draining top-loading washer/dryer to replace with this front-loader.  What I learned in my research is that this front-loader meets or exceeds the stringent efficiency standards* put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.  Without using all kinds of fancy language, front-loaders use about a third less water than conventional top-loaders, since the clothes are dropped into the water and use gravity to move them around.  There's also no agitator in a front-loading machine (a part typically found in a top-loader) so there's room for more clothes.  And the Affinity dryer is 7.0 cu.ft, making it the largest capacity dryer in a standard size**.  So you dry more in one round. 

Speaking of agitators, if you know anything about laundry machines (which I didn't), the mere fact that this machine doesn't have one is great news.  Agitators do exactly that to your clothes - agitate them.  They result in quicker wear and tear on your stuff, so a top-loader will treat your cute clothes (and linens) better too.

The only real downside to this is that front-loaders are typically more expensive to purchase.  But here's the thing - if you invest in a solid front-loading machine now, you are GUARANTEED to save money (not to mention energy and water) over the course of the life of the appliances.

And the last cool feature for today - you can save your settings on the machines so you don't have to fiddle with them every time you throw in a load of laundry.  I admit that this is my favorite feature in my car as well (re-setting my seat each time I get in is annoying!). 

Stay tuned for more on my fabulous Affinity appliances as they get more use.

*According to the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star qualified appliances conserve 20 to 30 percent in energy costs over the course of one year. An Energy Star qualified washer uses 16 to 25 gallons of water per load, compared to 40 gallons used by a standard machine. Top loading energy efficient qualified washers can save 10,000 gallons of water per year and Front Loading energy efficient washing machines can save up to 12, 584 gallons of water per year.

** Based on dryers 36" or less in height and 27" or less in depth

Safety 1st Air Protect is the Cadillac of Carseats.

It's been quiet around here, I know.  The reason is because we've been traveling to see our family in Montreal, Canada.  If you do the math, from Boston this involves a five-hour drive and with two kids in tow, it can get hairy at times.

Naps are an integral part of any long-distance trip.  If the kids nap for two hours, that's just three hours left for snacks, movies, books, whining, crying, and whatever else is typical of being strapped into a seat for a long drive.  Thing is, my kids never napped well in the car because those carseats are classically uncomfortable thus resulting in the drooping head syndrome and sleeping tussy disorder.  No fun.

Luckily, I recently received Safety 1st's brand-new Air Protect™carseat.  So, the thing about this carseat is that it is designed to protect kids from side impact collisions, a major factor in crash fatalities.  In doing so, Safety 1st invented Air Protect™ Technology which essentially consists of two soft "wings" intended to protect the head in the event of a crash, using the release of air in these wings.  This is cool for two reasons:

1. In Safety 1st's own words, "Air Protect™ shields children from side impact intrusion and immediately reduces crash forces at the most critical spot: around a child’s head.  Air Protect™ does this by extending ride-down, the amount of time it takes to slow a child’s movement in a crash."  Essentially, it aims to reduce the amount of impact a crash has on the child's body.
2. In MY own words, the air-filled cushions surrounding the child's head make GREAT headrests for naps thus extending the duration of the sleep greatly.  This is unscientific, at least, unless you consider my fabulous drive to Montreal as evidence.  Which you can.  Cuz I bet your kid would sleep great in this thing too.

Check it out:

 

All this, while my other daughter did the head-bob for her little nap, as a result of the minimalist carseat we chose for her (note: we're seriously considering investing in one of these babies for her too).

Your child will remain cozy in her mini-Cadillac until he/she reaches 50lbs in the forward-facing position.  You can use it rear-facing from 5-40lbs as well.  Only thing I thought could be improved upon was that there was no velcro allowing me to keep straps out of the way while I put her in, leaving me to dig for them under her once she was seated.  I did find a solution however, in placing them behind the cushiony wings that are on the bottom of the seat as well (COZY!!).  The other thing was that on a super-hot day, I worried that she was hot in the seat before the AC kicked in.  It was just as easy to install as any other carseat we have had, and can be installed using the LATCH system or the vehicle belt.  For instructional videos, visit here.

I didn't test out how the seat would hold up in a crash (thankfully), but if looks are any indication, this carseat appears to have all the workings of a supreme seat.  For all the official safety stuff, check out the Air Protect™ website.

Based on our experience so far with this product, I would (and actually have) definitely recommend it to my friends.  But since this is a big purchase ($249.99), you'll want to visit the company's website and read other reviews before heading out to buy it.      

aden & anais - Not Just Another Pretty Blanket

So, we've talked about how aden & anais makes the perfect swaddler.  And we talked about how aden & anais makes the perfect sleep sack.  But guess what?  There's more to this adorable line than what meets the eye.

Consider this: you've just had a baby and you've received dozens of blankets, each more special than the last.  But what in the world will you do with them all?

The smart folks over at my favorite blanket making company have come up with half-a-dozen new ways you can use your aden & anais swaddling blanket, so you can use your tired brain for more important tasks, like how to get as much milk out of your right boob as your left, and how to pack 6 hours of sleep into 2.  

1. As a portable crib sheet.  I mean, these blankets, made from 100% cotton muslin, are soooo soft, your babe would be lucky to lay around on this all day long.  I mean, do they come bigger?  I'd like to line MY bed with one! 
2. On the floor for tummy time.  Obv...
3. As a boobie shield.  Hide those tatas from the rest of the world when nursing your baby, in style!
4. As a burp cloth.  Because there's no such thing as a burp cloth that is too big.  That stuff can travel!
5. As a sun-shade on your stroller.  Protect Jack or Jill from nosey neighbors while he/she sleeps by draping the blanket over the stroller.
6. As a picnic blanket.  Baby's first picnic!!  Awwwww....

So you see, it doesn't have to be all swaddling all the time, especially since aden & anais blankets are so stylish.  Don't be afraid to show 'em off!! 

And what's more is that the award-winning company has just launched a new line of certified organic muslin swaddles so now baby's blanket is not just cozy, but also good for Mother Earth.  So really there's no excuse, since aden & anais now really offers something for every family. 

WIN IT!  One lucky reader will win one of these new organic blankets from aden & anais.  Simply visit their website and come back here to let us know which is your fave.  A winner will be chosen on Thursday, July 23rd at midnight.  Please, only one entry per person!  Open to US residents only. 

Baby Banz Keeps Kids Cool & Safe

Summer is finally (almost) here and at last we've traded our mittens and winter hats for accessories far cooler - shades and sun hats.  But you know how we're constantly searching the stores for sun hats and glasses that are not only safe but also stylish?  Well, prepare to use that time on other, more fun activities, since the folks at Baby Banz have your kids' needs covered. 

Originally designed in Australia, all Baby Banz products are intended to stand up to the toughest UV environments.  Included in their superior line-up are wrap-around sunglasses with 100% UV protection for babies and kids up to age 5, which even feature cool straps with adjustable Velcro.  Consider it a little insurance!  Their sun-safe apparel includes wide-brimmed sun hats,cool head wraps and flap hats, and UV swimwear.  All clothing is UPF 50+ so you can enjoy your summer days without worrying about sunburns.

This 9-year-old company takes sun-safety seriously, and has even included tips on their website for staying safe in summer.  Any parent would agree that this info in invaluable, as are these products.  In a move to perfect their already awesome offerings, Baby Banz recently paired up their awesome sun hats with their superior sunglasses to create a great combination gift for anyone who cares about keeping kids skin safe from harmful rays.  For a mere $25, the truth is that all children  should be sporting these adorable goods.

Win it!  One lucky reader will win a sun hat and Banz glasses combo for their little one!  Simply visit the product page and tell us your favorite set from the choices (located under "choose a color").  For a second entry, subscribe to their newsletter.  Contest ends Friday, May 29th at midnight.          

Save Small Businesses From the CPSIA

I'm aggravated.  I'm aggravated because there's this great little line of blingy t-shirts that I want to add to my product offering at Alex Casey Baby and I can't.  I can't because due to the new regulations set forth by the CPSIA, the work-at-home-mom who produces these adorable t-shirts will be closing her doors come February.  And she's not the only one.  Once the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) goes into effect, small businesses all over the US will be put out of business.

To quote directly from the Handmade Toy Alliance:

The issue:
In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small part, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick.  Almost every problem toy in 2007 was made in China.

The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)in August, 2008.  Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number. 

All of these changes will be fairly easy for large, multinational toy manufacturers to comply with. Large manufacturers who make thousands of units of each toy have very little incremental cost to pay for testing and update their molds to include batch labels. 

For small American, Canadian, and European toymakers and manufacturers of children's products, however, the costs of mandatory testing will likely drive them out of business.

• A toymaker, for example, who makes wooden cars in his garage in Maine to supplement his income cannot afford the $300 - $4,000 fee per toy that testing labs are charging to assure compliance with the CPSIA.
• A work at home mom in Minnesota who makes cloth diapers to sell online must choose either to violate the law or cease operations.
• A small toy retailer in Vermont who imports wooden toys from Europe, which has long had stringent toy safety standards, must now pay for testing on every toy they import.
• And even the handful of larger toy makers who still employ workers in the United States face increased costs to comply with the CPSIA, even though American-made toys had nothing to do with the toy safety problems of 2007.

As a mom, I'm all for safe products.  As an entrepreneur and a mom who sells handmade products, I share the same concerns as other small business owners.  This law is, in effect, too far reaching in that it doesn't distinguish between products that could potentially contain a dangerous lead level, and a product that couldn't possibly contain a dangerous lead level (like my towels for example).  That said, if you are a small-business owner or if you want to help protect the businesses that bring you beautiful handmade and mom-made products, please click the link below and save small businesses from CPSIA.

Knowledge is Power: Baby MedBasics

Recently I was walking a tradeshow floor looking at all the new (yawn) stuff for the upcoming season.  The truth is, after three shows inside of two months, I was getting a little bored with seeing the same products, some labeled with a different name, but essentially touting the same "must-have" recommendations.  And then I actually DID come across a new and inventive product, that not only is completely unique, but could potentially be life-altering, as all the others only claim to be.

Introducing Baby MedBasics - the essential what-to-do guide during infant emergencies.  I know, we all remember so much from the infant CPR class we took before giving birth, when we had about 400 other things on our minds.  MedBasics puts at your fingertips the tools you need to give your infant the care he or she needs during an emergency, while help is on the way.  The study, bound guide offers step-by-step instructions to a variety of emergencies, including CPR, Choking, Fever, Bleeding, Burns, and Poison.  Color-coded and clearly tabbed, each section features very simple, easy-to-read instructions that could save a child's life.

It's great for the babysitter and Grandparents too - since accidents can happen anytime.  Tara and Luke, inventors of MedBasics, learned this quickly when their infant began choking one day.  Fortunately, because of her training as a nurse and his training as an emergency room doctor, this family knew how to react in order to save their son.  And they though it would be a good idea to arm other parents with these tools should they ever be in this, or a similarly terrifying situation.  The result - Baby MedBasics.  The instructions in the guide are geared toward babies birth to 1, but many can be applied to older children as well.

With a more comprehensive home pack and an on-the-go travel pack to choose from (or a combo of both), these people really did think of everything.  It's literally the product that might save a life - and one worth giving to everyone you love. 

Since we love you readers, we are giving away one Baby MedBasics guide.  Simply leave a comment telling us either why this would come in handy in your house and/or a story of a time when this might have come in handy.  Also tell us which color is your fave.  A winner will be chosen on Wednesday, November 5th.  Open only to US residents.

It's Not Easy Being Green -

But it just might help save the planet.

Before becoming a Mom, I didn't spend too much time worrying about "green", or recycling, or even which products contained more natural ingredients than others.  But when my kids started crawling around the floor and putting every and anything in their mouths, it occurred to me that using cleaning products with more natural ingredients might be a good idea.  Who knows how many toxins are ingested by our kids (and us) inadvertently?  So I started buying natural, environmentally friendly cleaning products.

One of the products I purchased was Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner containing Clorox.  I admit - at first I felt the words "Green" next to "Clorox" were a bit, well, surprising, but I got over that pretty quickly after trying the product.  It worked!  Not only did it work, it smelled really good, and I was not spreading toxic chemicals all over my house.  In fact, the Green Works products, which include dish soap, toilet cleaner, bathroom cleaner and more, are all plant and mineral based and at least 99% natural.  Though the Green Works products don't disinfect, they are working on incorporating it into future products.

It seems like everyone I talk to is "going green" inside the home.  The topic is hot, both in the political arena as well as at the dinner table.  The idea of becoming more green is wonderful, but also puts another task on our already over-flowing to-do lists.  For this reason, Green Works put together the 30 Days to Green website, devoted to providing practical tips for households at all stages of greenness. Whether recycling additional items, using eco-friendly cleaners, or walking to the store once a week instead of driving, the site offers suggestions to take just a few additional, easy steps every day.  

If you have been thinking about becoming more green in your life, a perfect first step is to check out the 30 Days to Green site.    At the very least, it's a step in the right direction.
  

Gerber Baby Food Containers

I was at the grocery store today buying baby food for Sabrina.  I typically buy a combination of Earth's Best and Organic Gerber for a bit of a varied selection.  As I was dumping the containers into my cart, I thought - WAIT!  These Gerber's are packaged in plastic!!  I checked the bottom and sure enough, it was marked with a #7 recycling symbol.  With no clue as to what #7 referred to, I put it back and cleaned out the Earth's Best section which come in warm and fuzzy glass jars.

I came home and sat down to research only to find out that #7 refers to "other."  Other?  Other what?  Essentially #7 is used when the container is made from materials other than #1 through #6, or if it's a combination of more than 1 plastic.  For more info on recycling symbols, check this out.

In the case of the Gerber containers, I read on SafeMama.com that they are made with a combination of #1 and #2 plastics.  HOWEVER, when I called Gerber myself, I was told that the baby food containers are made with #6 as the outer layer and #4 on the inside.  The representative also told me the containers are BPA-free and safe to heat for up to 30 seconds.  Gerber doesn't recommend freezing the food in the containers simply because it changes the food's composition.  And they are discourage re-using the plastic containers. 

This research leaves me more confused than ever since while #4 is often used for storing foods like squeezable products and bread bags, it is my understanding that #6 (polystyrene) is best avoided for food storage.  This, combined with the fact that Gerber is circulating inconsistent information, leaves me no choice but to boycott Gerber baby food until I (or they) can get some solid information regarding their products.

If anyone knows anything more on this, please comment or email me.  This is a bummer since Gerber does make nice food combinations and they are slightly less expensive than other organic varieties.   

Going Organic? Read This First.

I am in learning mode.  I am in a place where I want to absorb new information, embrace what I choose and respectfully discard the rest.  In the interim, I want to disseminate what I deem important. 

Yesterday I was reading about organic foods and trying to make sense of fact from fiction.  I was a bit surprised to learn that eating organic is NOT always better.  Here are a few things I learned:

• Locally grown does not always mean organic.  While it's possible the fruits & veggies at your neighborhood farm stand were grown using no icky pesticides, to be certified organic, the farmers must go through a lengthy and expensive certification process.  I will say though, locally grown is easier on the palette and the pocketbook.
• Don't bother paying more for organic in these departments: bananas, kiwi, mangoes, papaya, pineapple, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, onion, sweet peas, and seafood.  None of these foods carry pesticide residue and there is no certification for organic seafood.
• Organic is better for the environment.  Surprisingly untrue.  Organic farming uses a lot more land to produce than conventional farming which means we'd need to cut down a lot more forests to accommodate should we go totally organic.  On the flip-side, it doesn't pollute the ground with nasty chemicals and pesticides and organic farms use less energy and produce less waste than conventional.
• It is yummier.  Apparently not.  Studies show that the tastiest foods are those that are locally grown since they spend little to no time traveling and are not sprayed and/or waxed to lengthen shelf life.
• It is cleaner.  Two words: WASH EVERYTHING.
• It is healthier. Not if the chips are fried and the cookies are sugary!  Howver, it was reported by The Organic Center, which promotes organic food, that organic food is on average 25% more nutritious than conventional food. 
• You're lending support to small businesses by buying organic.  Here's what I learned: General Mills owns the Cascadian Farms brand, Kraft owns Back to Nature and Boca Burger, and Kellogg's owns Morningstar Farms.  Need I say more?

While there are still items that I will continue to buy in the organic section (milk for the kids, baby food), I'm thrilled that my local farm is within walking distance from my house.  At 10 - 40% more than conventional food, I will now be smarter about what I choose to shell out for, and stick with the status quo where it makes sense. 

BPA Free Bottle & Sippy Cheat Sheet

I recently came across this AWESOME blog called SafeMama.com.  The people over there have done extensive research on the BPA issue so I'm going to defer to them from here on.  Additionally, they have put together a BPA Free Bottle & Sippy Cheat Sheet which helps to answer questions so many of you have come back to me with. 

This site is cool not only because they have spent so many hours to provide us with important info regarding plastic, but they offer info about skin care products, how to be a "Green" Mama, safe toy lists, recalls and so many great tips.  They recently reviewed Alex Casey Baby's own Little Twig organic skin care line and gave it two thumbs up.  :)

There are so many great sites offering safety info for parents.  It is sad that they need to exist but as parents in this era of daily recalls, they really are necessary.

I'll continue to offer information here too as I receive it.