There was a moment in time when digital watches came on the scene in a big way. Ubiquitous Casios faced down analog timepieces in the marketplace to the extent that conventional wisdom (read: what my parents were saying) had analog going the way of the sundial. There was chatter among adults, I recall, that “it won’t be long before kids can’t even read a clock anymore.”

Today, I sometimes wonder whether handwriting will soon be written off. I don’t recall seeing my guys actually handwrite all that much while they were growing up. I did spy their notebooks and scrawl here and there, and I think I got one or two letters from camp, but it wasn’t like when we were young and wrote on everything we could get our hands on. I do see them typing. At least I think I do; their fingers move way too fast for me to know what’s really going on between user and keyboard. They text, too. I get their texts. I do not get “notes.” In any event, I just read this story about why I’m so much smarter than my kids!

Turns out, writing by hand makes kids – and adults, for that matter – smarter. This, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article by Gwendolyn Bounds, who cites a numbers of studies, including one based on magnetic resonance imaging. The upshot of the research, she says, is that handwriting “helps with learning letters and shapes, can improve idea composition and expression, and may aid fine motor-skill development.” This is the good stuff that we need to nail down early on if we’re going to know our ass from our elbows as we get on in years.

Speaking of getting on in years, we adults also reap benefits from putting pen to paper. Bounds points out that “some physicians say handwriting could be a good cognitive exercise for baby boomers working to keep their minds sharp as they age.” The Week adds to the mix a number of specific benefits, including studies that show that writing by hand “can get ideas out faster” and increases neural activity, which is always fun.

And in the perception versus reality department, good handwriting makes you seem smarter, as well: “Several studies have shown that the same mediocre essay will score much higher if written with good penmanship and much lower if written out in poor handwriting,” says Vanderbilt University education professor Steve Graham. “There is a reader effect that is insidious”¦ People judge the quality of your ideas based on your handwriting.”

While this all could lead to an unfortunate bout of tech bashing, consider, says Bounds, that “new software for touch-screen devices, such as the iPad, is starting to reinvigorate the practice.” I know that I got myself this little iPhone “paint” application that I read David Hockney uses, and I now find myself “coloring” again from time to time. Smarter me? Maybe. It makes me smile for sure.

So regarding my kids, I lied. My kids are way smarter than me. They certainly are when you put my 17- and 20-year-old self against where they’re at today. Beside their genetically endowed brilliance (had to), their access to and facility with information as they developed far surpassed mine in every way. The big question now is: Is information wasted on the young? Better jot that one down.

Oh, and neither of them even wears a watch.

Image: Caitlinator

The post Write On, Baby: Why I’m Smarter than My Kids appeared first on EcoSalon.

Years ago, when I was traveling in Peru, I became enamored with the way Andean women carried their babies – in blankets tied around their backs.

It made so much sense; after all, strollers are heavy, expensive and impossible to push up a mountain trail or crowded cobblestone mercado. The mamachas had their hands free and their young children were safe and secure, held so close to their mother’s body. I vowed then and there that if I ever had children, I’d wear them that way too.

And now that I’m a mom, that’s what I do; I wear my baby.

Easy and practical, babywearing is commonplace all over the world. The health benefits are many for both baby and mom.

Benefits for Baby:

Held babies cry much less than those kept in a crib or stroller.

Closeness to mom makes baby feel safe and secure.

Allows baby to see the world the way we do, rather than through the bars of a crib or at knee-level in a stroller.

Baby’s temperature, heart rate and breathing are better regulated when they’re close to another human body.

Proximity to mom makes it easier to get needs met.

Baby gets to bond with you, not toys and furniture!

Benefits for Mom:

Increased bonding and communication with baby.

With your hands free and your child happy, it’s easier to get things done!

Increase your core strength and get more exercise.

No need to struggle with heavy car seats or drag strollers out of the car.

Discreet and hands-free nursing.

It’s easier to play with your toddler while holding your baby close to you. Keeping both kids happy is priceless.

Your baby is closer to you, thereby easier to hug and kiss! (And isn’t that what it’s all about?)

And of course, it’s good for the environment!

Babywearing is stylish, too. Gone are the days of clunky baby backpacks. Now you can get downright sassy with the fashion, with slings coming in every kind of cloth, print and style imaginable. Mamas: wear your baby and show the world your eco-friendly, down-to-earth values, too.

The sling I use: Baby K’Tan

Highly recommended by friends: Moby Wrap and Maya Wrap

Great for dads: Baby K’Tan and Baby Bjorn

And for the crafty among you who’d prefer to make your own: DIY baby carrier links.

The post The Healthy Habit of Babywearing appeared first on EcoSalon.

Many moons ago I wrote about an eco-conscious baby product company by the name of ZoLi. Now that I have a little baby of my own I’ve had a chance to try out some of ZoLi’s products and promises, and let me tell you, they deliver.

Health-conscious parents will be happy to know that all ZoLi products are BPA and phthalate-free.  (No endocrine disruptors leaching out of the plastic and into your baby’s body.) And their philosophy extends to their recycled paper and soy ink packaging.

But beyond all that, ZoLi’s products are just plain good.

The Baby Ohm ($20, above) is a light, portable, easy-to-clean diaper-changing mat that’s like a little yoga mat for baby. It’s more attractive than any of the other diaper mats I’ve seen and best of all there’s no off-gassing plastic smell to make diaper changing any stinkier than it needs to be.

For teething babies, the Munch teether ($5) is just lovely. The soft, textured silicone seems so much more pleasant to chew on than hard plastic, and it’s non-toxic (free of nitrosamine and PVC).

Parents looking for safe plastic bottles, ZoLi’s BPA and phthalate-free bottles and silicone anti-colic nipples are just what you need. And although my baby is many months away from eating solid foods, I’ve already used the pretty colored stackable snack dispenser ($15) to stow away nuts, sliced strawberries and other little snacks for myself.

Three cheers to ZoLi, a company created by eco-conscious parents, making our world a better place for babies, one product at a time.

The post ZoLi: Baby Tested, Eco-Mother Approved appeared first on EcoSalon.

These have to be the cutest kids ever. Not just because they’re, well, adorable children, but look at what they’re wearing! Soft, comfy, organic cotton striped clothes! If these aren’t the happiest little munchkins you’ve ever seen…well…don’t tell that to their moms.

And just what are these tykes wearing? Clothes made by Happy Green Bee, a manufacturer of Fair Trade Certified, organic cotton children’s clothing. I found them at a trade show and got sucked into their happy little hive. Not only was it the bright, fun colors that attracted me – but the softness of the clothes, as well. And don’t be intimidated thinking that organic cotton has to be expensive – they’ve got a great sale page too.

Now if only they made this stuff in my size.

The post Happy Green Bee Keeps Me Buzzing appeared first on EcoSalon.

Move over, melamine; your infamy as a contaminant in Chinese infant formula is being pushed aside by one that’s made in the USA. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has found some samples of American brands of infant formula (although they won’t divulge which) are contaminated with perchlorates – which come from rocket fuel.

How, one has to wonder, are perchlorates getting into the formula many people are feeding to their newborn babies? Improper disposal on military bases, rocket test sites and chemical plants can allow perchlorates, which affect the thyroid, to leach into drinking water. That means these chemicals may be harming you, too. So far, the EPA hasn’t set a “safe” limit for perchlorates in drinking water, but I hope this issue will force the agency to take a closer look and regulate.

Image: Alessandro Perilli

The post Rocket Fuel Chemical Found in Infant Formula appeared first on EcoSalon.

There’s so much to think about when raising your children green in a brown world. Food, clothing, shelter – these are just the beginning. What do you do when your child comes home with lice? How do you regulate TV and internet? Any conscious parent will want guidance for these issues in raising their child as holistically and organically as possible.

Lynda Fassa, author of Green Kids, Sage Families provides over 240 pages of such guidance. And the author has taken into account your busyness as a parent and provides useful information in bite-sized chunks that are accessible and fun to read. You can literally flip through this book and pick out what you need in the moment for healthy snack ideas, easy green home improvement, school-related issues, and arts and crafts for toddlers to teens. (Check out Lynda Fassa’s Green Babies, Sage Moms if you’re a new parent of a little one).

Here’s some of what you’ll find out in this book:

How to host an eco-friendly party
The truth behind food labels
Conscious consumerism for teens
Easy, homemade bath and body products for kids
Ideas for family meal plans
Green ideas for the holidays
Toxic products you absolutely must not allow in your house

Green Kids, Sage Families is a well-rounded read, with plenty suggestions for those on a budget (as many families are) and lots of expert guidance from green CEOs, businessmoms and other “green gurus” with real world experience to help your family thrive organically in the real world.

The post Book Review: Green Kids, Sage Families appeared first on EcoSalon.

Mmmm. I just finished a few cookies from the Immaculate Baking Company called Sweet Georgia Brownie Triple Chocolate Chunk, and boy, were they good. Known for their creative flavor combinations, like Key Largo Lime, Leapin’ Lemon and Pumpkin Gingerlies, all are made with natural ingredients, are 70% organic and are kosher.

Immaculate founder Scott Blackwell, also a folk art collector, decided to combine his love of food and art and created the Folk Artist’s Foundation to help deserving folk artists maintain the integrity of their lifestyle and the sincerity of their unique vision by providing encouragement, support (financial and otherwise) and exposure.

Blackwell also founded the Soul Food Fund “artreach” programs to inspire kids of all ages to stretch their imaginations. The fund provides artists with materials for their craft, contacts between artists, collectors, galleries, and museums, and holds events that unite folk artists with children of all backgrounds. Each bag and box of cookies features an original work of folk art and a short bio of the artist. Now there’s one cookie company we hope will never crumble!

The post Cookies with a Cause appeared first on EcoSalon.

Earthy friendly toys are hot, which is no surprise considering they’re better for the environment, teach a life lesson, and are often sturdier than the chemical contender. We chatted with manufacturers and parents, scoured the Internet and searched through catalogs to bring you a few of our favorites for the holiday season and beyond.

The Bug Balance Game
Ages 3+
$17.95

Roll the dice to see which colored spot your bug belongs in, then place it in the tree. Three different size wooden bugs teach kids about weight and space. The Bug Balance Game is made from recycled rubberwood and painted with eco-friendly vegetable based paint. And of course packaging is produced from recycled paper.

Renewable Energy Science Kit
Ages 8+
$49.95

Let kids learn why wind is one of the most promising sources of clean renewable energy available today by building a working wind turbine and learning the physics behind it.Power harnessed will create energy for 20 experiments such as generating electricity to light an LED and charge a battery.Ӭ Renewable Energy Science Kit comes with 32-page experiment manual.

Arctic Playset
Ages 3-6
$26.49

Even preschoolers are sure to have heard a whole lotta talk about the Arctic region during this year’s presidential election. Learn about what is native to Alaska with the wooden arctic exploration playset
which includes an 8″x5″ portable Velcro-closure igloo and 12 chunky wooden figures that average 3″-4″ in size. Handcrafted in Sri Lanka out of environmentally-friendly rubberwood.

Modeling Beeswax Sheets
$24.90

A clean way to play and be creative, Stockmar Modeling Beeswax Sheets become pliable when warmed by hand or placed in warm water. It doesn’t smear or crumble, and colors won’t bleed. Set includes 15 slices of modeling beeswax in assorted colors. Can be used over and over again.

Assorted Fruits & Vegetables
By Plan Toys
Ages 3+
$18.99

Whether your little one is part of the raw movement or prefers his food cooked, he can practice cutting apart the Velcro fruit and vegetables with the smooth wooden knife, then put them back together again. Eight pieces include an apple, pear, lemon, orange, banana, cucumber, mushroom and carrot. Made of chemical-free recycled rubberwood and finished with non-toxic water paint.

Make your own eco-friendly toys!
Prices vary on Amazon from $1.24. to $30.

Get creative, recycle, and save some cash by making your own eco-friendly toys with George Pfiffner’s book Earth Friendly Toys – How to Make Fabulous Toys and Games from Reusable Objects. Use items such as toilet-paper tubes, egg cartons, magazine pages, and brown paper bags, to make 30 crafts, toys, and games like pinwheels, kaleidoscopes, masks and roller coasters. Each project is ranked by difficulty.

Sprig Rigs
Ages 3+
Prices range from $21-$65 Sprig Toys, Inc. launched its first environmentally conscious line in fall 2008 and was quickly swooped up by vendors from the mammoth FAO Schwarz to small web shops like OH-Toy. The new Eco-Trucks are made with earth-friendly Sprigwood┞¢, a child-safe bio-composite of recycled wood and reclaimed plastic that has visible wood “flecks” and a pine scent. They run on hand-power to generate lights and sounds – all are battery-free.

Keep the beat
Ages 3+
Dimensions: 13.8″x10.2″x13.3″
$49.75

This drum set, made primarily of rubberwood, has a large drum, a small drum, a cymbal, and a guiro – a traditional percussion instrument from Puerto Rico. While it comes with a set of drumsticks, kids can learn to use their hands for a softer sound. 

Make your own natural candy kits
Gum, chocolate, gummies: $9.95, $10.95, $9.95

Make your own chewing gum with chicle, sap of the Sapodilla tree that grows in the rainforests of Central America. Everything you need is included in this kit. Make your own chocolate from cacao beans which were once found only in Central and South America. (Today cacao is an important part of agriculture in the tropics all around the world.) Make your own gummies out of seaweed.
Kids can learn how cultures such as Japanese and Chinese have always relied on sea vegetables.

Wooden Pulley
$66.00
Ages 5+

This wooden pulley can attach to the ceiling, a tree, or a staircase rail for hours of imaginative play: a pirate pulling up her treasures; a mountain climber rescuing his pet; a contractor bringing up supplies to the top of a building…

Made of beech and maple wood, ecological adhesives and water-based lacquers.

Earth-friendly tea set
$24.95

Reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions with this tea set made from recycled milk jugs. The 17-piece set is free of BPA’s, Phthalates, and PVC.

Paintable Puzzles
$13.95
Ages 6+ Color Me Up Wooden Puzzles are crafted of managed forest basswood and come with a water-based paint kit.

Indoor gardening kit
$29.95
Ages 5 and up

Kids can learn about reducing fossil fuel and Co2 emissions by growing their own plants. Kit includes 3 planting pots, soil, trowel and organic basil, sunflower and zinnia seeds.

EarthOpoly
$24.98
Ages 8+

Monopoly will always be a classic. But let’s face it: it’s so 20th century. With talk of carbon credits and renewable energy, EathOpoly is a great way to teach kids about the environment and pickup some tips for yourself. Players buy properties, collect carbon credits and trade them for clean air. As they travel the board visiting each impressive land form, they will learn about the planet and pick up Go Green tips from each deed card. All the paper products in the game are recyclable, ink is vegetable oil-based, and game pieces are either made by nature or are completely recyclable. Green Power was purchased for the electricity used to manufacture the paper for the box (renewable energy in the form of wind, hydro, and biogas).

Forget paying the electric company – maybe by the end of the game everyone will be off the grid!

Main image: tillwe

The post Vroom, Woosh, Dig, Sizzle: 15 Best Affordable, Eco-Friendly Toys for the Holidays appeared first on EcoSalon.

For those of us who haven’t succumbed to the Palm Pilot or Blackberry, it’s time to shop calendars and datebooks for 2009. I found some cool green options for your kitchen, home office or desk at work that contain images and information to raise eco awarness. Yes, you have a date with ecology. Take a look:

From Calendar Club, helpful reminders every month that our planet needs saving. The 101 Little Ways to Save the Planet is a pocket wall design, $21; The Living Green is a daily desk calendar, $14; the Deluxe Ecological calendar for the wall contains panels that put us in touch with the cycles of nature and the seasons, $15.

Soy-based inks on cotton paper are used to produce 12 gorgeous sheets of soft, seasonal illustrations in this delicate Letterpress Calendar (below) from See Jane Work, $35.

We’ve hooted plenty at EcoSalon about the artistry of the Night Owl Papergoods products, and it extends to the sustainably harvested wooden calendar (below), featuing the medallions and other illustrations of the company’s talented artists, $31.50 at Delight.

Downloaded onto your desktop, the wallpaper used as a monthly calendar enlightens little computer users about everything from Human Rights Day to what polar bears like to eat. You can find it at Eco Kids. (Shown at top.)

The post A Date with Ecology appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here’s a topic I didn’t even want to write about, it’s so potentially disturbing. A study done in Denmark, in conjunction with UCLA, has shown that pregnant women who use cell phones only 2 or 3 times a day have a much higher risk of having children with behavioral difficulties. If the young children themselves use cell phones regularly, that risk is compounded.

Skeptics might scoff at this, but when the researchers accounted for other potential factors (smoking or alcohol during pregnancy, history of mental illness in the family, etc), the results pointed even more strongly towards cell phone use as a danger. The researchers aren’t sure why developing fetuses are biologically affected by cell phones, but the numbers are there. Perhaps this is one of the reasons we’ve seen such a high rate of ADHD and autism in the past few decades? If you have information about this, please share it. We’ll keep you posted.

Image: IamSAM.

The post Studies Show Cell Phone Use in Pregnancy Negatively Affects Child appeared first on EcoSalon.