Making Magic Fund

My Little Green Shop is participating in the Making Magic Magic Fund this December. This fund's initiative came from Suzanne Bertani, the writer behind the  popular eco-blog, Mommy Footprint. The details of the fundraiser are available on www.mommyfootprint.com but essentially the thirteen participating businesses are donating cash (proceeds from Dec sales) or merchandise to the Adopt-a-School Fund. The Adopt-a-School Fund was established by the Vancouver Sun after publishing a public plea from an East Vancouver teacher for help on behalf of her impoverished students.

Here are the 13 businesses that are participating this year in the Making Magic Fund:

Apricot Culotte, Bamboobino, Bumblebee Toys, dandelion KIDS, Fill Your Own, Giving Gifts, Green Planet Parties, Kippo Kids, Maxwell Designs, My Little Green Shop, Onyx Containers, Puddlegear and Today I Ate a Rainbow

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Mompreneurs+give+back/5823376/story.html#ixzz1fvkfvPh4

Great article alert - Ways to get your children to cooperate without using the word 'no'

http://www.regardingbaby.org/2011/11/05/what-to-say-instead-of-no-six-ways-to-gain-your-childs-co-operation/

Kids' anxiety, depression halved when parenting styled to personality

Found this very ineresting article via

AhaParenting.com - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110801094732.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fmind_brain+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Mind+%26+Brain+News%29

Contest - Babiators! (non-toxic kid's sunglasses)

Contest! Our new Babiators (kid's non-toxic sunglasses) are very cool. We'll give one pair away to a cool boy a girl. Tell us here or on our fb page something cool your little one did or said in the last week. We'll randomly choose a winner on Friday.

More Green Points for Green Dollars :)

We've expanded our Customer Loyalty Green Points Program. Now you get bonus points (and your friend does too) when you refer him/her to us and they make a purchase. See details - http://www.mylittlegreenshop.c​om/MyRewards.asp

Announcing - $7 Flat Shipping Rate within Metro Vancouver!

We now offer $7 flat rate shipping to all communities within Metro Vancouver - Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Surrey, Richmond, New Westminster, Delta, Port Moody, West Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, White Rock, Langley, Maple Ridge, Lion's Bay, Belcarra, Bowen Island and Anmore

Summer Contest!!

What the winner gets:

A tube of  Badger Sunscreen of your choice (3 to choose from) and either a Little Star Reversible Sun Hat (5 styles to choose from) or a Green Toys Sand Play Set.

How to enter:

1) 'Like' us on facebook and 2) either here or on our fb page, tell us of a neat summertime activity you did with your parents that you do or plan to do with your offspring. Sweet summer memories. They're what life should be all about...

The winner will be chosen randomly at midnight on July 15th.

This contest is open to all Canadian and American residents.

Good luck and have a safe, sweet Summer!!!

And the randomly chosen winner for our Summer Contest is... Katrina Franson Lesage! Congratulations to you!! And a big thank you to everyone who entered today and on June 28th. Hope where you are Katrina the sun is shining...

Creating a Safe Bedroom

This is a very good read regarding common toxins and dangers (related to tech gadgets) often present in  bedrooms -http://www.huffingtonpost.com/beth-greer/is-your-bedroom-toxic-5-e_b_871801.html?ref=fb&src=sp

Many people know now that mattesses/beds off-gas nasty toxins. This article is great because it mentions specific (common?) ailments associated with those toxins. Anything sound familiar?

Go Little Fishy Go

Was so fun watching our little guy, Sebastian, release his salmon fry into the stream a couple weeks ago. Many thanks to the Coho Society of the North Shore and all the volunteers helping in their Adopt-a-Fish Event. Next year, Savara will be able to release one too!

The Scary World of Antibiotics

I've been concerned about the overuse of antibiotics for a long time, not only by people, but also in the meat industry. Having recently come across some interesting articles on the subject, I feel sharing them is the only right thing to do.

http://www.phdinparenting.com/2011/05/24/do-you-know-what-is-in-your-meat/

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/the_truth_about_antibiotics_your_food/

effects of toxic chemicals on babies and children

An awesome and very comprehensive list of resources for parents I just found on Green-to-Grow's website. We carry their glass bottles and other products. 

know your chemicals: learn about the effects of toxic chemicals on babies and children

Below is a list of resources intended to help raise awareness about the dangers of toxic chemical exposure on infants, toddlers, and children.

books related to chemical exposure and humans

Ashford, Nicholas and Claudia Miller. 1998. Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes, 2nd Edition. Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Bonvie, Linda et al. Chemical-Free Kids: How to Safeguard Your Child’s Diet and Environment. Kensington: 2004.

E Magazine. Green Living: The E Magazine Handbook for Living Lightly on the Earth. Plume: 2005.

Wargo, John. 1998. Our Children's Toxic Legacy : How Science and Law Fail to Protect Us from Pesticides. Yale University Press.

 Schettler, T, G Solomon, M Valenti and A Huddle. 1999. Generations at Risk. MIT Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts.

keywords to use when searching for information on chemicals and children

arsenic, chemicals, children, child development, developmental toxicant, flame retardants, fluoride, lead, mercury, neurological toxicant, perchlorate, phthalates, reproductive toxicant, toxins

web sites for further research on chemicals

Chemical Encyclopedia
http://healthychild.org/resources/chemical/
A Child-Safe U.S. Chemicals Policy
Children’s Environmental Health Network
http://www.cehn.org/Child_Safe_Chemicals_Policy_may_2007.htm
Glossary of Terms
http://healthychild.org/resources/glossary/
National Environmental Trust
http://www.net.org/health/
Northwest Coalition for Alternative to Pesticides
http://www.pesticide.org/default.htm
Pesticide Action Network North America
http://www.panna.org/

articles related to the effects of chemicals on babies and children

Children and Chemicals
Center for Health, Environment & Justice
http://www.healthychild.com/childrens-toxic-environment.htm
Healthy Milk, Healthy Baby: Chemical Pollution and Mother's Milk
Natural Resources Defense Council
http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/default.asp

reports on the potential dangers of chemical exposure to infants and children

arsenic

Ten Safety Steps to Reduce Your Family’s Exposure to Arsenic from Arsenic-Treated Wood
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/reports/allhandsondeck
Nationwide Consumer Testing of Backyard Decks and Playsets Shows High Levels of Arsenic on Old Wood
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/node/20387

flame retardants

Flame Retardants in Breast Milk
http://www.enviroblog.org/2007/06/ask-ewg-do-flame-retardant-chemicals-on-furniture-accumulate-in-breast-milk.html
Toxic Fire Retardants In American Homes:
High Levels of Toxic Fire Retardants Contaminate American Homes
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/reports/inthedust
Toxic Fire Retardants (PBDEs) in Human Breast Milk:
Study Finds Record High Levels of Toxic Fire Retardants in Breast Milk from American Mothers
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/reports/mothersmilk
fluoride
Fluoride in Southern California Tap Water Will Put 64,000 Kids at Risk
http://www.ewg.org/reports/cafluoride

lead

No 'Safe' Lead Level Seen for Fetal Brain
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/node/18355
Lead Astray: Is Your Child At Risk?
California's Broken Promise to Protect Children from Lead Poisoning
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/reports/leadastray

Lead’s Dangerous Legacy
Kids Poisoned By Their Homes; City's Failure to Prosecute Landlords Leaves Poor Families Exposed to Toxic Hazard
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/node/18711

mercury

Brain Food: Government Seafood Consumption Advice Could Expose 1 In 4 Newborns to Elevated Mercury Levels
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/reports/brainfood
New Science, New Insights About Mercury and Autism in Children
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/reports/autism

perchlorate

'Health Goal' for Perchlorate Will Remain
6 Parts Per Billion: The Governor Pressed for a Review After EPA Set the Federal Level of 24.5 Parts.
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/node/17323

Perchlorate and Children's Health: The Case for a Strong Cleanup Standard for Rocket Fuel in Drinking Water
Environment California
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org
/reports/clean-water/clean-water-program-reports/perchlorate-
and-children39s-health-the-case-for-a-strong-cleanup-
standard-for-rocket-fuel-in-drinking-water
Rocket Science: Chapter 1: A Toxic Legacy
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/node/8262

When Water Can Be Bad for Kids: Adults Can Tolerate Perchlorate-Contaminated Water, But Too Much Might Hurt Fetuses and the Young. Exactly How Much Is Too Much May Soon Be Known
BusinessWeek
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2004/
tc20041215_6123_tc024.htm

pesticides

Pesticides in Food
Food News Shoppers Guide to Pesticides
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/sites/foodnews/
Overexposed: Organophosphate Insecticides in Children's Food
One Million Kids a Day Exposed to Unsafe Levels of Toxic Pesticides in Fruit, Vegetables, and Baby Food
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/node/20168
Overexposed: Organophosphate Insecticides in Children's Food
Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/reports/ops

phthalates

Are phthalates safe for babies?
http://www.enviroblog.org/2007/05/ask-ewg-are-phthalates-safe-for-babies.html

MLGS's Mama's Day Contest!

The winner of our Mama's Day Contest gets a sweet little Care Package - something most definitely that all Mamas deserve... 

The package includes one of our lovely Little Star Lavender Eye Pillows

 

one of our luxurious Lalabee products and the handy dandy RuMe Reusable Bag of your choice.

To win: Tell us something that your mama did that was so great you are now doing it with your own kiddies. Contest can be entered here or on our fb page. Open to all Canadian and American residents. A winner will be randomly chosen Tuesday, May 31st at midnight. Good luck mamas!

We have a (randomly) chosen winner for our Mama's Day Contest - Mindful Mama -Yay and Congratulations! Please select one of our delicously luxurious Lalabee products (For Mum Category) and one of our delightful Little Star lavender eye pillows and then contact me - lili@mylittlegreenshop.com

We have a winner for our $100 Earth Day Contest!!

Thank you to the 50 people who entered our Earth Day Giveaway by telling us their favourite green blog! The list of blogs is awesome. To see them check out fb postings on April 1st, 5th, 6th, 11th, 14th and 22nd in addition to the 22 listed here!

Our (randomly chosen) winner for the $100 Gift Certificate is Aleigha Franke!!! Congratulations to you! We'll send you an e-mail pronto.

Yoga's Great for Helping with Depression

Came across a good article outlining the positive effects yoga has on depression. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eva-norlyk-smith-phd/yoga-depression_b_845893.html?ir=Health

Earth Day Giveaway!

We're giving away a $100 Gift Certificate for Earth Day!
Te enter this giveaway, post a link here or on our fb page to your favourite 'green' blog. A random winner will be chosen on Earth Day - April 22nd. This giveaway is open to all Canadian and American residents.

Good luck!

Giveaway - A beautiful hand-knit organic wool Zia and Tia Cardigan

We're feeling mighty generous, so we chose to offer one of these gorgeous cardigans in this giveaway.

These classic Zia and Tia organic wool cardigans are incredibly luxururious. They are created using the finest exquisitely soft 100% certified organic wool, which is produced without pesticides, harmful chemicals or toxic dyes. The winner can choose from either the Double Breasted Cardigan or the Cable Cardigan. Either design looks great on a little man or little lady.

To win like us on facebook and tell us about an eco-conscious activity you have done recently or are planning to do with your children (ie the purpose of the activity is to teach them something about the natural environment or the importance of living a sustainable lifestyle).

This contest is open to all Canadian and American residents. You can enter here or on our facebook page. A winner will be chosen randomly on March 31st.

Good luck!

The lucky (and random) winner of our gorgeous organic Zia and Tia Cardigan is Angela Kerr!! Congratulations Angela!! we just wrote you an e-mail with instructions.

Thank you very much everyone else for entering.

Giveaway -

Giveaway - Win a cuter than cute, eco-friendly ORE Kiddie Pack.

To win tell us why your little person deserves it. A winner will be chosen randomly on March 15th. This contest is open to Canadian and American residents. Enter this contest here or on our fb page.

Good luck :)

And the randomly chosen winner who had entered the contest on our fb page is Liz!!! Congratulations!! We've just e-mailed you with instructions. Thanks so much everyone for participating.

Our next giveaway (which will be a bit more generous than usual) is starting tonight :)

Thanks to Sarah!

of Daffodil Design. We so love our site's new spring-y look!

Staying Fresh

We'd like fresh material for our homepage slideshow :)
Send us a picture of your little one wearing, playing with or eating with something purchased from MLGS. The picture will be added and we'll send you a 15% off discount code.

 

And many thanks to the parents of all the adorable babes that currently grace

our handsome site!

Cancer Myths

Cancer is in my family so I'm always on the lookout for prevention tips and new information on it. Today I came across this video titled, "The Biggest Cancer Myths Exposed." I found it interesting for sure.

The Family Groove is really Groovy

Many thanks to Amy of The Family Groove for doing a feature My Little Green Shop - www.thefamilygroove.com/blog !

The family groove is a downright groovy site that features tons of tons of informative articles related to parenting, health and safety and being green.

Giveaway - An Otterbottle Thermos!

 

 These funky thermoses by Otterbottle keep drinks hot or cold for 5 hours. They are made from safe, non-leaching, bisphenol-A free (BPA), lead-free, phthalate-free and recyclable materials. And did I mention they're funky?

To enter to win this contest, like us on fb, follow our blog or  let us know if you already do.

This contest is open to all Canadian and American residents and it closes Feb 28th at midnight. You can enter this contest here or on our fb page.

Good luck all and thank you for participating  :)

Win a really darn cute Blabla Mini Doll!

To enter to win a Blabla Mini Doll like us on fb, follow this blog and/or share a green eco-resolution you intend to keep in 2011. Entries can be made here on this blog or on our fb page.

This contest is open to all Canadian and American residents and it'll close midnight, January 31st.

 

Good luck all and Happy New Year :)

"Cancer from the Kitchen"

According to this NY Times article, the plastics to avoid - #3, #6 and #7.

Read this NY Times article to learn more about every day products/chemicals that have been associated with fatal diseases: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/opinion/06kristof.html?_r=2&emc=eta1

Our interview with Danielle at True Cuddles

Thanks Danielle! It was fun to do this interview for you.

Ways to Avoid BPA (which is in more items than we think)

Came across this article this morning. Love it.

http://www.blogher.com/washing-our-hands-bpa-winter

Having struggles with your young picky eaters at mealtime?

A good article I found on ways to encourage healthy eating and reduce mealtime conflict:

http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food/organic-food-articles/how-to-overcome-mealtime-stalemates-with-children.html

Our little guy, almost 2 yrs old, has been pretty open to eating a great variety of fruit, veggies, seeds and nuts, so we've been lucky. But once in a while, finickiness will rear its unattractive head.

2011's First Giveaway Contest - An Abeko Bib!

This fantastic bib is extremely well made by a Swedish company and it's eco-friendly. It's made from the same material as Abeko rainwear so it's easy to clean, it's tear resistent and it'll last forever. Its size and its  full length sleeves protect clothing far more than typical bibs and its wide front pocket catches what needs to be caught :)

All Abeko products are Oko-Tex certified, which means they are free from 100 tested harmful chemicals.

To enter the contest like on us facebook and/or follow this blog. If you already do, just let us know and you'll be entered. Our contests can be entered either here on our blog or on our facebook page.

All our contests are open to American and Canadian residents.

Contest closes January 15th at midnight.

Good luck!