How to Eat Healthy When You're On the Go

by Christopher Gavigan

adjustafresh / CC BY-ND 2.0

How and what you feed your children is usually a top priority for parents, for some its a point of obsession. When at home, you are master of your domain. You can control what comes into the kitchen and what lands on your children's plates. But what happens when you're not at home - when you're traveling, fighting traffic, waiting at the airport, running late, stuck at the mall, etc, and your child is starving?

The fear of drive through and fast food restaurants has been drilled into most of us (and for those of you who aren't sufficiently disgusted, this slide show of the top American fast food sins will convert you). Just one meal can pack in an entire day's worth of sodium, calories and fat. While its well known that regular fast food consumption leads to weight gain, poor eating habits affect your entire system, zapping energy and strength levels, and straining brain function and emotional well being. Even more frequently overlooked is the effect of cumulative exposure to chemical additives used as flavor enhancers, dyes, and preservatives.

But sometimes there's no avoiding a meal out at a less than healthy establishment. So here are some tips and guidelines for smart ordering and healthy practices when eating outside of home.

1. Fast Food Does Not Mean Fried Food.
   In response to consumer demand, it's increasingly easier to find healthy, convenient alternatives to fried foods on fast food menus. Opt for anything that is grilled, steamed, or baked, or try an entrée-sized salad (see Tip 2). And keep your eye out for leaner cuts of meats like skinless chicken breasts, turkey burgers, and beef sirloin. Other healthier menu options are bean burritos, a slice of veggie pizza, a salad or fruit bowl, or a deli sandwich on whole wheat bread.


2. Avoid High-Fat Add-Ons.
   Request salad dressing, sauce, cheese, or toppings on the side so you can apply sparingly, instead of drenching your meal in empty calories and through the roof sodium levels.


3. Mind the Portions.
   Restaurant portions have been growing in size for years (from large to enormous): in the 1950s, the average size of a hamburger was 1.5 ounces, while today's burgers weigh in at around 8 ounces. Share entrees between your family or take the other half of it to go!


4. Drink Water.
   Soda, sweetened iced tea and lemonades, energy drinks and most juices are loaded with high fructose corn syrup and empty calories. Make H2O the beverage of choice for everyone, and skip the plastic bottles and Styrofoam cups by refilling your own container, like a stainless steel Klean Kanteen, with filtered water.


5. Avoid the "Cream", Opt for the "Color".
   Meal choices with the words Alfredo, a la crème, au gratin, or described as "creamy" will likely be smothered in a heavy, artificially enhanced sauce. On the other hand, foods that reflect the colors of the rainbow are usually a healthier choice. Many kids meals end up as a plate of "beige", all starch, breads, and sauces. Picking a colorful fruit or veggie salad will automatically up the nutritional content of your meal.


6. Make Substitutions.
   Don't be afraid to speak up about the ingredients or preparation of your food if it will make it healthier. Ask for meat to be grilled "light", with as little butter or oil as possible. Request salsa or mustard, instead of mayonnaise or sugar-filled ketchup for your sandwich. Ask for organic, non-fat milk for the kids. Request sour cream instead of butter for your baked potato. Ask to have a side salad or fruit instead of fries. The extent to which servers will go to make you happy might surprise you.


7. Find the Healthy Options!
   Use this fantastic tool from Eat Well to map out restaurants in your area that serve organic, local and healthy fare. With a little research and a GPS, you're instantly connected to restaurants that share your values.


8. As Always, Plan Ahead.
   Keep your purse, bag, and car ready for moments when hunger strikes and a healthy snack is in need. Dried fruits, granola, mixed nuts, apples, oranges, and cereals stay fresh and transport easily - especially with the array of cool, non-toxic containers available. We always store kid-friendly (and tasty) nutrition bars, like Clif Kid's Z Bar and Revolution Food's Grammy Sammys, which always come in handy!

Related Topics:

• Safer Food For A Healthier You

"Eat Healthy" Helps Parents Make Every Bite Fast, Frugal, Fun and Eco-Friendly

by Christopher Gavigan

Amazingly, my toddler, Luke, eats EVERYTHING you put in front of him (except avocados, sadly). I don't know how we lucked out with such an open-minded, open-mouthed child, but I have great empathy for the parents of finicky eaters. As if simply finding something healthy that children will eat wasn't hard enough, today we also have to worry about allergies, food recalls, chemical contaminants, packaging, and more. How did the simple act of eating become so difficult?



A lot of parents have told us they're concerned about these issues and want their family to eat healthier, but have a limited budget. And like all parents, they just don't have the time to seek out high quality information or research how to make better choices. With all this in mind, Healthy Child Healthy World started Eat Healthy, our new program that makes food fast, frugal, fun and eco-friendly! Need a recipe for a kid-friendly salad or want to make your own baby food? Looking for quick tips on safer, healthier foods for children? Concerned about chemicals in cans and plastic containers? Look to Eat Healthy for simple solutions to address our complex world of food.

With tips and ideas from experts like Myra Goodman, cookbook author and co-founder of Earthbound Farm (the world's largest grower of organic produce), and Raising Baby Green author Dr. Alan Greene, and recipes from celebrity moms such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Meryl Streep and the "Renegade Lunch Lady" chef Ann Cooper, Eat Healthy is a comprehensive, easy-to-read online recipe and healthy food guide. It's filled with easy, delicious (yet kid-friendly) recipes; essential reading and advice about today's most worrisome food issues; food and nutrition videos; and even downloadable pocket shopping guides like Healthy School Lunch and Healthy Formula & Food, so you can always keep the wisdom of Eat Healthy with you.

Other Eat Healthy resources include:

• Tips to take to the grocery store, including the most and least pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables and the best healthy, kid-approved snacks



• Eight simple steps for making healthier, greener food choices for your family's diet



• Quick and easy recipes for eating right on a budget



• A checklist of fish that is safe for children, teens and women of child-bearing age



• How to limit your child's intake of food additives

Eat Healthy is also an interactive space for parents and caregivers to share their recipes and tips, too. Your child's favorite snack could be the answer for another mom in search of fun, healthy mealtime ideas. Your low-cost, eco-friendly storage idea may be just the solution for the dad who just purged all his plastics.

Visit Eat Healthy today to explore the resources and recipes. And, get involved by attending one of the many exciting Eat Healthy events we're hosting. We've lined up some of your favorite experts on children's health and put together fantastic giveaways loaded with goodies from our trusted, non-toxic product partners. So mark your calendars today for these not-to-be missed events!

Join a Live "Eat Healthy" Web Chat on theMotherhood.
We'll have live text chats on theMotherhood:

• September 28th, 1:00 pm EST: "Raising Baby Green" with Dr. Alan Greene on children's nutrition


• October 7th, 1:00 pm EST: "Cooking Organic" with Myra Goodman, cookbook author and co-founder of Earthbound Farm, the world's largest grower of organic produce

Twitter the Night Away with Healthy Child.
Join our "Eat Healthy" Twitter Party, October 15th at 9 pm EST. Hosted by health and nutrition experts, we'll share a feast of information about healthy, eco-friendly eating and loads of fun prizes from Earthbound Farm, Klean Kanteen, thinkbaby, Clif Bar, Dr. Alan Greene, PlanetBox, Plum Organics and Healthy Child Healthy World. Follow the #EatHealthy hashtag to dish with your fellow parents on how to make healthy eating, fun, fast, affordable and eco-friendly.

Share Your Favorite Recipes for a Chance to Win!
Have a fun, healthy recipe for a snack or meal your kids can't get enough of? Looking for recipe ideas to share with your readers? Healthy Child Healthy World wants to know!

Send us your favorite recipe from your collection or post your top pick from our recipes for a chance to win an Eat Healthy gift bag - a reusable Whole Foods Market "I used to be a plastic bottle" recycled grocery tote loaded with goodies, including copies of The Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbook by Myra Goodman and Dr. Alan Greene's new book Feeding Baby Green, an 18 oz. Klean Kanteen, a stainless steel PlanetBox lunchbox, a thinkbaby Feeding Kit, nutrition bars for the whole family from Clif Bars, snacks from Plum Organics, a perfectly portable Healthy Child Healthy World paperback and a "Healthy School Lunch" Pocket Shopping Guide.

There are two ways to enter:

1. Submit your recipe to Eat Healthy.


2. Post your favorite Eat Healthy recipe on YOUR blog and email us at recipes@healthychild.org with the link.

On November 6th, one winner will be randomly selected to win the Eat Healthy gift bag.

Happy and Healthy Eating All!

Related Topics:

• Safer Food For A Healthier You

Better Ways to Box Up Take Out

by Christopher Gavigan

I don't know about your neighborhood, but I've yet to find an Indian restaurant that delivers my curry take-out in compostable or sustainable containers. Ditto practically every other dining establishment in the country. Tons of plastic, paper and the dreaded Styrofoam are the norm for packing to-go items, with disastrous implications for the planet. In addition to the eco-consequences, disposable plastics and Styrofoam leach chemicals into food, and much disposable fast food packaging often contains chemicals called PFCs (often labeled as Teflon or Scotchguard) to control stains and grease.

So for the moment at least, its up to the consumer to reduce the footprint and any health risks our take-out habits create. Here's a list of small ways to make your take-out easier on the planet.

No Bag, Thank You.
The growing trend (now an ingrained habit for many) of bringing reusable canvas or cloth bags to the super market applies to all situations where you're leaving with a plastic bag in hand. Keep an eco-friendly sac at work or in your car, and make sure the cashier or server knows that you brought your own alternative!

I'll Drink to That!
Many coffee shops and cafes will gladly use your brought-from-home mug for your hot beverage. You won't even catch an odd look from a Starbucks barista since your good deed is saving them a few pennies on packaging! For everyday java fixes, pick up the stylishly sustainable I Am Not A Paper Cup, a ceramic version of the take-out coffee cup, made for day to day use. Another simple way to cut back on waste is by keeping a compact, handmade Cup Kozy attached to your key chain or bag. By replacing the single-use cardboard sleeves on any size of coffee cups, you're keeping something small out of the trash - but small items definitely build up!

Bring (or try at least) Your Own Containers
Few establishments will allow customers to bring their own to-go containers because of state health codes. It is allowed at some locations though, especially at serve-yourself delis or salad bars, so pack your glass or bamboo containers and give it a try. Another workaround is to keep some aluminum foil handy. While not always the right solution (soup, for example, is a no go), 100% recyclable foil can make a perfect carrier for bagels, sandwiches, and small snacks. And it can be washed and reused over and over before being recycled. If there's no way to get around the plastic or Styrofoam, encourage them to place a liner of tin foil between your food and the container, which will prevent chemical leaching, even when heated.

Utilize Your Own Utensils
This is one area of the take-out world you can dominate! Sometimes your to-go meal comes with a set of plastic utensils, whether they're needed or not, and a mountain of paper napkins. Cut back on this major waste by bringing your own utensils and a cloth napkin from home, and store them at your desk at work or in your bag when you're on the go. If you're constantly on the move, pick up a bamboo travel set from To-Go Ware. Be sure the restaurant leaves the plastic behind, and not in your bag!

Fill Up the Kanteen
We've been singing the praises of Klean Kanteens for ages, but having your own beverage with you during the day means you're less likely to purchase one that comes in a plastic or foam cup. When heading out to lunch or grabbing a snack on the road, refill your empty canteen with juice, tea, or milk for the kids. Another helpful addition is packing a glass or stainless steel straw so you can sip away sans plastic.

Related Topics:

• Safer Food For A Healthier You
• Pots, Pans, and Plastics: A Shopper’s Guide to Food Safety

15 Ways to Protect Yourself from the Perils of Plastics

Healthy Child Healthy World

1. Buy and store food in glass, ceramic or metal containers, as some plastics have been reported to leak chemicals into food.



2. Use cloth grocery bags and reusable produce and bulk food containers. Reducing our use of plastic reduces the pollution that ends up contaminating the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.



3. Choose fresh, frozen and dried foods over those that are canned. (Most metal cans are lined with a plastic resin that contains the hormone disruptor, BPA.)



4. Purchase toys made from natural materials. The safest toys are those made from solid woods with non-toxic finishes and natural textiles like organic cotton or wool.



5. Avoid toys and teethers made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and baby bottles made of polycarbonate plastic. These plastics contain particularly harmful chemicals. If you do choose to buy plastic products, look for those labeled "phthalate-free" and "BPA-free."



6. Instead of buying water in plastic bottles, test your tap water and use an appropriate water filter if necessary. Use a stainless steel water bottle to keep yourself hydrated on the go.



7. Avoid vinyl and fake leather (PVC) products. PVC is known as the "poison plastic" because it release extremely harmful chemicals during its manufacture and incineration (it's not recycled.) It also has many risky additives like lead, cadmium, and phthalates that leach out.



8. Look for the recycling code (#1-7) on plastic products. If not labelled, call the manufacturer to ask about the plastic used. Buy the least toxic (#1 PETE, #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #5 PP). Try to avoid #3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 polycarbonate.



9. Choose the least-packaged option; for instance, buy in bulk. Again, reducing our use of plastic, reduces pollution.



10. Recycle or discard plastic bottles and food storage containers that are worn, scratched, or cannot be identified. Scratches become breeding grounds for bacteria and potential gateways for leaching. You can extend the life of your plastics by washing them by hand with a mild soap.



11. Do not heat plastics, especially if they contain fatty foods. Heating fatty food in plastics can cause greater leaching.



12. Microwave in glass or ceramic only. Do not use plastic wraps.



13. Do not use plastic cutlery and dinnerware. Dish up food on compostable or reusable dishware. Check out The Biodegradable Store, Earthshell, or Royal Chinet.



14. If using plastic storage containers, make sure hot food items have cooled before placing them in the container. And keep in mind that fatty and acidic foods promote leaching, so you may want to, at the very least, choose glass for those types of foods.



15. Try to find natural materials when you are buying decorations, furnishings, and other household goods.

Related Topic:

• Pots, Pans, and Plastics: A Shopper's Guide to Food Safety

10 Tips to Prepare for a Healthy Pregnancy

Healthy Child Healthy World

Bonbon / CC BY 2.0

1. Eat the healthiest, safest foods.

These eight simple steps will help you reduce your exposure to synthetic pesticides and guard against certain cancers and high dioxin intake. Increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes and fiber may help eliminate toxins.

2. Feast on folic acid before conceiving and while pregnant.

Sources include dried beans and peas, citrus fruit, spinach and broccoli. Adequate folic acid early in a baby's development helps prevent neurological defects, such as spina bifida. Note: too much folic acid may pose it's own risks, so talk with your doctor about how much you need.

3. Reduce consumption of alcohol and caffeine, and quit smoking.

Women who smoke during pregnancy (or are exposed to secondhand smoke) are more likely to give birth to small babies with low birth weight. Alcohol and caffeine lower overall health and can negatively impact a fetus.

4. Cut down your intake of animal fats and fish to reduce dioxin, PCB and mercury exposure.

Trim fat and skin from meats well. Limit consumption of fatty and predatory fish, such as tuna and salmon, to once a month at most; alternatives include flounder and sole. (Use Seafood Watch to learn about which fish are safest to eat.) Broil fish and meat, so that fat drips away from the food. Choose skim dairy products.

5. Drink pure water.

Test drinking water for lead, chlorine byproducts (trihalomethanes) and pesticides. If there are contaminants, install an appropriate water filter and use a stainless steel water bottle to keep yourself hydrated on the go.

6. Test old paint for lead while planning your pregnancy.

Lead is stored in the bones and can be passed to a developing baby through the placenta. The EPA maintains a list of certified labs where you can send paint samples. Removal of lead paint must only be done by a professional and pregnant women should stay away from the area until it is thoroughly cleaned. See Detecting and Removing Lead Paint for more information and resources.

7. Get smart about plastics.

Some plastics cause dangerous pollution during manufacturing and some contain chemicals suspected of causing harm - especially to kids. Avoid those numbered 3, 6, or 7 (PC). These resin codes are typically on the bottom of an item in a triangle of arrows. When using any plastic, be safe by not using in the microwave or with hot food (the heat promotes leaching). Discard or stop using for food and beverages when the product begins to have signs of wear and tear.

8. Use fewer personal care products.

Many personal care products contain chemicals that disrupt hormones your baby will rely on for proper development. And others contain carcinogens and neurotoxicants, among other things. The best thing for you and baby is to reduce how much you use and to use Skin Deep to find the safest products.

9. Clean without toxic chemicals.

You don't need a chemical arsenal to keep your home clean. Basic ingredients like baking soda and vinegar can tackle most household chores. Or, you can look for natural products at the store (don't be fooled by marketing, though. Check the label for ingredients and use Seventh Generation's Label Reading Guide.)

10. Find out what chemicals are in your local air, water and soil.

Start in your backyard, by finding out what's in the soil. Sign up for air quality alerts at AirNow.gov.

Related Topics:

• Give Your Baby the Best Start
• The Best Non-Toxic Ways to Clean Your Home

Keeping Toys Clean to Make Playtime Pure

by Christopher Gavigan

Alex Lee/ / CC BY 2.0

Like most toddlers, my son puts everything in his mouth. One of his favorite "chew toys" is his Thomas the Tank Engine. I don't know what makes that particular toy so interestingly orally tactile, but maybe he'll divulge the secret when he learns to talk.

We're very careful about what toys he plays with since we know there's a good chance they're going to get sucked on (use HealthyToys.org to find safer toys for your child). We don't want him mouthing toys that could expose him to lead or phthalates - which, unfortunately, are present in many children's products.

But even safe toys need a good cleaning now and then. Dust contaminated with pollutants like lead or flame retardants, allergens and asthmagens can all build up on them over time. Many parents reach for toxic bleach or antibacterials, but they are absolutely unnecessary and pose their own health risks. You can keep your child safe and their toys clean with some simple, non-toxic cleaning solutions.

It is generally recommended that you clean your toddler's toys about once a month. If your child has a lot of toys and you have little time, just clean the toys that are most frequently played with.

Use these tips to keep playtime pure fun.

Unfinished Wooden Toys

Regular care: Clean with a damp sponge, but do not soak - and dry off immediately afterwards. Excessive moisture can damage unfinished wood. If you are concerned about bacteria - pop the toy in your microwave for about 30 seconds. The heat will kill the bacteria that can be hiding inside the toy. (I say "inside" because the wood's surface forms a hostile environment for bacteria, so they migrate to the interior - unlike plastic, which is impenetrable so the bacteria just multiply right on the surface. And if the toy is pine, the natural pine oil will serve as another disinfectant).

Periodically rubbing with olive oil (once or twice a year) will keep the wood beautifully buffed and provide some protection.

Stains: Use fine-grade sandpaper to remove any discolorations or stains. After sanding, the toy should be washed, dried, and set out for several hours (or heated in the microwave) to eliminate bacteria that may have been released from the interior of the wood. This also applies to a toy that has suffered water damage.

Finished/Painted Wooden Toys

Regular Care: Wash quickly with soap and water, but as with unfinished wood, do not soak them as it can damage the toy.

Stains: Spray with a 50/50 mixture of white distilled vinegar and water, wipe and dry. You can also try using baking soda as a gentle scouring agent. Just be sure not to press to hard as you could rub through the finish.

Stuffed Toys and Other Textiles

Regular Care: Most stuffed toys and textiles can be tossed in your washing machine, but read the tag to find out for sure (though, often the tag will discourage you from washing even though it would work just fine). For stuffed animals, you can protect them by enclosing them in a pillow case before putting them in the wash. Use a non-toxic laundry detergent (conventional brands may leave unwanted residues and chemical treatment agents that you don't want lingering in the fabric) and dry using low heat (or leave outside in the sun). Just make sure it doesn't take too long to dry as that can promote mold growth.

To treat dust mites (which are a special concern for parents with children who suffer from asthma or allergies) freeze the toy for 24 hours.

Stains: The remedy for this truly depends on the textile you're working with. Do a little on-line investigation to find what works (and then leave a comment here to let us know what your problem was and what was an effective solution!)

Plastic Toys

Regular Care: Use hot soapy water to clean small toys by hand. Rinse off large toys outside using a bucket of hot, soapy water and a garden hose. If a plastic toy seems to be getting worn and scratched, it may be time to re-purpose or recycle the toy (if you can). Scratches in plastic can become harbors for bacteria - not the type of toy you want your toddler sucking on.

Stains: Again, this depends on the type of plastic (though, generally, stains on plastic are often there for good). Let us know your tip in the comments below.

A good all-purpose disinfectant: 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons white vinegar and 3 to 4 cups hot water in a spray bottle. For extra cleaning power, add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap to the mixture.

But, remember - there's no need to get obsessive about how clean your child's toys are. Disinfecting everything may compromise they're immune system's development (see "Why Dirt is Good"), and the other contaminants? Well, you just do your best to reduce exposure. And at the end of the day (or beginning or middle), make sure you're pulling out the toys to laugh and play together.

Related Topics:

• Give Your Baby the Best Start


• The Best Non-Toxic Ways to Clean Your Home

Hand Washing Double Bonus

Our guest blogger is Alan Greene, MD, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, Attending Pediatrician at Packard Children's Hospital, and Senior Fellow at the University California San Francisco Center for the Health Professions. He is also founder of DrGreene.com and author of Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care.

kokopinto / CC BY-SA 2.0

Hand washing does something cool that I bet most parents never think about. Most parents do know that hand washing before eating can greatly reduce the risk of bacterial and viral infections and is a cost-effective way to keep your family healthier. Hand washing can save your family tissue-strewn days dealing with runny noses or tummy-ache days dealing with with diarrhea. It can also help prevent pinworms, one of the most common parasitic infections in kids. But hand washing isn't just for reducing cooties and germs. It's an important step in protecting your child from toxic chemicals in the environment.

A recent study of chemical flame retardants known as PBDEs illuminated an important route of exposure in kids: dust to hand to mouth. PBDEs are known to disrupt hormones in people and other animals. These chemicals have been added to many household items - especially those made from petroleum products that would otherwise be very flammable. They are found in carpets, computers, and the foam in chairs, beds, and other furniture. The PBDEs are gradually released over time, where they end up in house dust.

The chemicals stick to their hands with dust or with direct contact. They get into their bodies when their hands come to their mouths when eating, especially with finger foods. Children average 10-fold higher estimated exposure than adults.

Clean hands before eating offers the invisible bonus of lowering exposure to PBDEs and other chemical pollutants. House dust and germs may be worse in the winter. Read more about arsenic and the importance of spring and summer hand washing.

Stapleton, HM, SM Kelley, JG Allen, MD McClean and TF Webster. Measurement of polybrominated diphenyl ethers on hand wipes: Estimating exposure from hand-to-mouth contact. Environmental Science and Technology. 2008; 42(9):3329-3334.

Last reviewed February 2009. As research is on-going, you may want to check several sources for the latest information.

Related Topics:

• Healthier Hygiene
• Antibacterial Soap: Do You Need It to Keep Your Home Clean?
  

New Resources to Help You Understand Toxic Flame Retardants

by Christopher Gavigan

There is a major battle underway in the State of California to amend a decades old provision requiring manufacturers to add flame retardants to children's products made using polyurethane foam (car seats, breastfeeding cushions, and much more). California is the only state in the country that requires this and it has led to the use of millions of pounds of halogenated flame retardants (which are the cheapest, but also pose a variety of health risks). Since manufacturers don't like making different products for different states, it means that children's products sold across the continent have flame retardants added to them - even if California is the only state to require it. This issue impacts all of us and many people think the practice is a completely unnecessary risk to children's health and development.

Two new fact sheets developed by the Consumer Federation of California help make the issue clear. Here are some highlights from what they've put together:

Toxic Flame Retardants Endanger Public Health
Halogenated fire retardants - the least expensive and most likely chemicals used to meet this regulation - have been linked to endocrine disruption, neurological and developmental impairments, cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities such as attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity, and a host of other health disorders.

When certain fire retardant chemicals burn, they form highly toxic dioxins and furans. In November 2006, the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine published an analysis of 32 studies that found that fire fighters have significantly elevated rates of four types of cancer: multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate, and testicular cancer, likely resulting from chemical exposures. For that reason, many firefighter groups across the nation have been active in support of efforts to reduce or eliminate the use of certain toxic fire retardants in consumer products.

Low-income residents and communities of color are the most likely to be exposed to these chemicals and fall victim to these diseases as they purchase products laden with the toxins at the big box stores. Other communities can opt out by purchasing more expensive imported or toxic-free product lines of baby products. Furthermore older or second-hand products are more likely to have crumbly foam that will escape and cause the greatest health hazard.

As a result of these public health dangers, both the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the International Association of Firefighters have also opposed their use in favor of other, less toxic, but fire-safe, alternatives.

Toxic Flame Retardants and Fire Safety Alternatives
Children's products such as strollers and changing pads do not pose a fire hazard. According the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is no evidence that these toxic chemicals actually reduce fire deaths in California; they just slow them for an estimated six to twelve seconds.

Fire deaths declined by 38% in California from 1980 to 1999; but the decline was similar or even greater in other states that don't have standards leading to the use of these toxic chemicals. Considering that most victims of fires die from smoke inhalation and not the actual flames, alternative fire-fighting measures like smoke detectors and sprinkler systems have proven more effective.

In fact, the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association has NEVER been sued by anyone, anywhere, because their "flame retardant free" products were associated with a fire hazard.

Related Topics:

• Video: Safer Bedding for Children
• Give Your Baby the Best Start
• Going Green: Eco-Friendly Tips & Advice
• Get great tips from the Parenting & Children's Health Newsletter

The opinions expressed in the WebMD Blogs are of the author and the author alone. They do not reflect the opinions of WebMD and they have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance or objectivity. WebMD Blogs are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on WebMD. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.

Healthy Child 3.0: Calling all Tweeps, Friends, and Fans!

Healthy Child Healthy World

Healthy Child is building up our presence on social networks because we want to be more connected with you. The closer we can get to your thoughts and suggestions, and the easier we can answer your questions, offer support, and give advice, the better we are serving you and your families.

So we've been branching out and trying to make our work as accessible and user-friendly as possible. There are now so many ways to interact with us online! Here's how you can further discover, learn and share all that Healthy Child has to offer:

Facebook
With just over 2,100 fans, our Facebook page is a hub of discussion and dialogue from our passionate followers on all topics related to environmental health. We love hearing your opinions on our articles and answering your personal questions directly, so please keep sharing your thoughts.

If you're not yet a fan, check out our page and see for yourself. All of our fantastic resources are there - informative blogs, recent podcasts, cool videos - and can be quickly and easily shared with your own networks of friends, coworkers, and family. We also share a lot of fun images from our national events, including the Healthy Home Party Kits, with our fans. Be sure to tag yourself if you see a familiar face!

Twitter
We're twittering! Our Twitter stream is a great source for updates from the staff and the latest on news and events. We're currently growing our feed and there's a lot of great stuff coming down the pipeline. In late September we'll be launching themed Twitter parties in conjunction with some exciting initiatives and will be inviting some of our guest experts to participate. And we'll also start offering cool products giveaways and special offers for our followers. You don't want to miss out on all that's coming through Twitter - so follow us! And check out Senior Editor Janelle's hopping feed, too!

RSS Our Blog
You'll never miss a moment when our blogs arrive right in your inbox. Read them daily or catch up with a cup of tea once the kids are tucked in. Either way, you'll always be in the loop no matter how busy life gets.

Have Your Own Blog? Get Our WIDGET!
If you're a mom by day, scribe by night, think about adding a little of Healthy Child to your blog or website! We've designed a great, versatile Widget, compatible for many formats that will update you and your readers with the latest health news and ideas. Have a look and add it to your blog today.

Related Topics:

• How Healthy is Your Home?
• Going Green: Eco-Friendly Tips & Advice
• Get great tips from the Parenting & Children's Health Newsletter

7 Fall Time Tips for a Fabulous Organic Lawn

by Christopher Gavigan

kate mccarthy
CC BY-ND 2.0

My son loves rolling around in the grass naked. I'm guilty since I actually encourage it - the pure excitement he gets, and the calming satisfaction I get knowing the lawn is totally non-toxic and safe makes it pure delight for both of us. I'm sure some day he'll be embarrassed that I made that fact a part of the public record, but it's just so cute. It's glorious watching him enjoy such a simple and pure form of playing. Rolling about and letting the lush green blades of grass tickle him all over.

To keep our small lawn green, lush, and safe for him (and pets) - we take care of our yard organically, without relying on toxic pesticides or synthetic chemical fertilizers. Here are 7 tips for a fabulous non-toxic and organic lawn this Fall season (of course, different regions and different grasses will have slightly different needs - contact your local Extension Services to find out your lawn's special needs). Because grass goes dormant during the winter, any preparation for a healthy spring must be made in the fall. These tips will encourage strong, healthy roots for a lush lawn next spring.

1. Keep your grass 2 to 2 ½ inches tall throughout Fall. If your grass grows more than 3 inches long it can mat, leading to winter lawn disease problems. Cut it shorter than 2 inches and you'll severely compromise its ability to make and store food for growth during the winter months. Make sure you keep your mower blades sharpened. Dull blades shred the ends of grass blades leaving them open to dehydration and disease.



2. Rake your leaves. Excessive leaf cover can kill the grass underneath. You should also keep grass clippings and leaves off driveways, sidewalks and streets. During heavy rainfall they can end up clogging storm water drains which can lead to flooding.



3. Recycle leaves. The best way to recycle leaves is to compost them, because they decompose into a rich, organic fertilizer. Learn about composting leaves. You can also use fallen leaves as mulch around landscape plants. Either use them whole or shred them by mowing over them and then rake them into a pile. If you don't have excessive amounts, you can leave them shredded on your lawn to slowly release nutrients for the grass. One final option is to bag leaves for disposal by municipal authorities.



4. Water wisely. Water only as needed to support fall growth until the grass begins to go dormant. Just as in summer, water deeply and infrequently to force grassroots to go deeply into the soil which makes your grass stronger. For Fall watering, this is best done in the morning since Fall nights are cooler and longer. If the soil doesn't get a chance to dry out, it can lead to fungus growth on the soil.



5. Fertilize. Apply a dose of organic fertilizer to nourish your lawn throughout the winter. What type of fertilizer you use and when exactly you apply it will depend on where you live and what type of grass you have. Contact your local Extension Services to find out your specific needs. Organic fertilizers are much more readily available at your local garden and home store.



6. Control weeds. Fall is a good time to control perennial broad leaf weeds such as dandelions, plantain, clover, and creeping charlie. Instead of reaching for a toxic herbicide, get to the root of the problem and find out what's promoting weed growth. Different weeds are indicators of different problems, like soil compaction or excess nitrogen. Beyond Pesticides has a handy fact sheet for you to refer to and their site is filled with information for controlling weeds naturally.



7. Seed or sod your lawn. Fall is generally the best time of year to establish or repair lawns by over seeding or planting sod. (Again, your local Extension Office can tell you what time is optimal for your region). Rake the area before you seed to remove debris and dead grass, as well as scarify and loosen the surface of the soil. This gives the seeds little divots for shelter and growth. Keep some extra seed on hand for areas that don't take the first time around. Most lawns have problem areas that need a little extra time and patience. If the grass simply doesn't grow well in a certain area, consider other perennial plants to cover the space.

Show off your Green Thumb! Do you have extra tips for fall time lawn care? Add them in the comments below!

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