(cross posted at Non-Toxic Kids)
The Green Mountain Film festival comes to Montpelier, Vermont every year. And every year I say I'll go. I want to support this local film festival centered around our independent movie theatre. But, for the last 3 years I have been either taking care of a new baby or eminently going to give birth. Not so good for movie viewing outside of the home.

So I was thrilled when a mama from an online listserv I am part of shared that I could get this movie on Netflix, which I did last night.

(cross posted at Non-Toxic Kids)

I have many reasons to trust and love Seventh Generation products. They are a Vermont company. They are active in environmental health and sustainability issues. They are committed to reducing the many environmental problems of harsh chemicals in our waterways with their thoughtful line of products. Did I mention they are a Vermont company?

So I was very surprised to learn that they had undisclosed amounts of a carcinogenic contaminant (say that 5 times fast) called 1,4 Dioxane in their dish soap. Dish soap I use everyday.

Cross posted at Non-Toxic Kids--

I just got an email this morning from Elliot Burg, Vermont's assistant Attorney General, about testifying in support of a bill that would prevent lead poisoning of children by exposure to lead in consumer products. It would be the toughest anti-lead bill in the nation, and in the absence of federal legislation limiting lead exposure, the states are left to go it alone to protect their kids.  It's a great bill that would significantly reduce the exposure of kids to lead from consumer products we all know are still out there, on store shelves.  I'm thrilled to support it and hope I can help.  

Cross-posted at Non-Toxic Kids--

I hadn't planned on posting today (I wonder how many posts I end up starting with that phrase..it's clear I am addicted to this!), but as my toddler and I ate yogurt today, I looked at the lid. On my Stoneyfield Farms yogurt lid was an advertisement for a website called Climatecounts.org

I was curious, so--

A timely discussion. Thanks, Katy! -Elisa

Now that my two and a half year old has a working memory, and is very aware of everything around her, I am starting to feel squeamish about the whole idea of telling her Santa is coming.  

It just feels odd, when I tell her the truth (in a toddler version) of most anything she asks me.  Something is very unsettling about the idea of telling her a big fat man in a red suit will come into her house at night and leave presents.  Now, I know, it is tradition, and I know, it is magical and wonderful and represents pure, unadulterated joy in childhood.  But is also signifies mass consumption, marketing and greed-- the making of lists of what to get, the idea that everyone should give you something, that you should rip through a pile of presents with abandon, tossing them aside wondering what is next--  

U.S. PIRG released its 2007 Report, Trouble in Toyland yesterday. It contains very valuable information about toys that are dangerous and still on store shelves for this holiday shopping season. Here is an excerpt from the report:

"There have been an unprecedented 25 million toys recalled from China alone in 2007, many from gold standard toy companies Mattel, Fisher-Price and Hasbro. Most of the toys were contaminated with lead paint; some contained poorly designed powerful small magnets."

U.S. PIRG found some shockingly hazardous children's items in their research: a Curious George doll with five times the lead limit, a toy cow with more than 50% of legal lead limits, and a piece of children's jewelry that was made of 65% lead (1000 times the legal limit!).

The full report, shares detailed information about specific safety hazards in toys, including magnets, excessive noise, stragulation hazards, toxic chemicals in toys and in children's cosmetics, and lead in toys still available. The report shares the dangers, findings of their studies, and recommendations for each area. At the end of the report, there is a photo guide of toys on store shelves right now that are unsafe in the above categories (this is very helpful--printing this and taking it shopping with you might be a good idea).

Hello, Mother Talkers,

I wanted to share with you a new blog I created about raising kids in a toxic world (in more ways then one!).  It is filled with usable information for busy mamas: research summaries, product reviews and recommendations, creative ideas and links for more information.  If you visit, I hope it is helpful to you and your families.  Please email me with comments, ideas for posts, or other thoughts at non-toxic-kids@comcast.net.  

Here is the link:
http://www.nontoxickids.blogspot.com/

Thanks and be well!

Katy

Hello Mothertalkers,

I am about to embark in uncharted waters.  I wonder if I am being brave, or just plain stupid.  I'm planning on driving 10 hours BY MYSELF with my two girls, age 2 and a half and 5 months.  

Now, is this just insane, or reasonable? Part of me, the one who traveled a good amount before kids, thinks 'why not?'-- the other part, the worrywart, frets about my DD running off a a rest stop, while I'm nursing the baby--this scares the heck out of me and makes me wonder if this is really a good idea.    

What do you think?  Would you or have you untaken such a mission?  Do you have any tips that might make this voyage actually work? Or should I just plan on it being a sufferfest??

This is not what I expected.  Everyone says second babies come so fast.  I've heard countless stories about rushing to the hospital, 5 hour labors, even babies coming in cars.  

In my view right now, these stories should be banned, illegal, or held inside out of kindness and empathy for what might happen to some of us moms.  

As I write I have been having contractions since Monday 3/26/07 at 2am.  You read that right.  Since MONDAY.  On and off, between 5-20 minutes apart, some tear jerking, gasp producing, some mild cramps.  We have watched movies, I've made dishes to freeze, walked on the treadmill, read magazines, you name it.

In the past few days, contractions have slowed.  I am very large and uncomfortable.  I pee about 12 times a night, sometimes waking up with contractions as well.  My midwife says to relax, wait and let nature take its course.