Belgium Bans Baby Puzzle Mats

Belgium just announced that it will be banning the sale of all children's puzzle floor mats due to the toxic ingredients used to soften the foam. Formaldehyde and other noxious chemicals exist in most foam products (including the foam in our sofas, chairs and mattresses), however, these chemicals are especially dangerous when they are present in something babies often stick in their mouth.

Once again, Europe is ahead of the "green" curve.

A Stone that Cleans Toilets

I finally found a natural solution to those dark hard water stains in the toilet that no scrub brush on the planet can seem to attack. You know what I mean -- those hard to reach dark spots that look like rust (or leftover you-know-what). Came across this tip when I was looking through my well-warn copy of "Clean House Clean Planet" by Karen Logan. (The bible - by the way - for anyone wanting a "greener" clean at home.) She suggests using a pumice stone. Yes, that inexpensive stone most of us use on our calloused feet. Well, guess what, it gently rips those water spots off of porceline just as well. With a little water and elbow grease, it will disolve any hard water spot in your toilet bowl. Best part, it doesn't even scratch the bowl. HINT: Use gloves for this one -- and turn the water off on your toilet while trying to get to harder-to-reach areas.

LUSCIOUS DEAL-OF-THE-DAY: 15% off Natural Toys

LUSCIOUS DEAL-OF-THE-DAY: 15% off natural toys and gifts at RosieHippo.com

(Enter promo code RHMOTHERING15 at checkout)


Go ahead - make the commitment! This year let's fill our children's holidays with less plastic (or even go plastic-less altogether). With RosieHippo.com it's actually semi-affordable. RosieHippo.com is your one-stop shop for every natural gift need you can think of  (for newborn thru pre-teen). Think quality instead of quantity and you'll find yourself buying sturdy heirloom toys that will be played with for generations to come. I've searched the web (and local stores) high and low for the best prices when it comes to high-quality natural toys and Rosie Hippo just can't be beat. My girls love the fabric food items, wooden animals and wooden trucks and airplanes the best. They get played with every week - and they look beautiful on their bedroom shelves. Sign up for the RosieHippo.com e-newsletter -- and you'll receive frequent deals and discounts.

Got a LUSCIOUS Deal to share? Email or post a comment today.

Safest Sunscreen on the Market- Badger

Looking for a sunscreen that is all-natural, WATERPROOF, unscented, and affordable? Then run to Wholefoods (or an online retailer, such as Amazon) and stock up on Badger Spf30 Unscented. A 2.9 ounce tube will cost around $15 (a steal compared to $25 for California Baby). Badger consistently rates at the top of the EWG Safest Sunscreens list. The 20.5% zinc formula contains NO chemicals or nanoparticles (a hot debate these days) and is safe for adults and children. I've had my kids at the beach for 6 long summer hours wearing Badger. I reapplied once after about 3.5 hours and NO ONE got a sunburn (or a tan, thank you very much.) Make sure you buy the Unscented (beige label) variety. The original "lightly scented" version is actually "heavily" scented with lavender, which kept the bees following us the entire day when we used it. (Not to mention, lavender is a possible endocrine disruptor.)

Stylish Eco Bags that Actually Last

At an expo I attended three years ago, Yogi Times (an excellent publication, btw) was giving away Envirosax, which are beautiful reusable nylon bags in striking colors and patterns. I’ve been through my share of eco bags – and Envirosax are by far my favorite. They surpass reusable plastic, canvas, and other nylon bags (including Chico bags) when it comes to durability, value , and ease of cleaning. After three years of using that one bag (without a single tear or nick) for everything from groceries to laundry to an attractive over-the-shoulder yoga mat carrier – with space still for a towel, water, and wallet bottle too) I finally splurged on a few more. Forget those horrid reusable bags they sell or give away at grocery store chains. Those things break, don’t hold much, and don’t wash well. Envirosax hold up to 30 lbs, will last years, and will make a fashion statement while you shop. Approx $8 each -- less when you buy a five-pack

DEAL OF THE DAY: brightandbold.com – they offer free shipping. Sign up for their newsletter, and get an extra 15% off.

Only 100% Natural Pacifier Sold in the U.S.

My first child had little interest in pacifiers. My second, however, came into the world with a serious oral fixation that could only be quenched by a pacifier (AND around the clock nursing, AND every toy and household object she could fit in her mouth…). Fortunately, she took to the flatter orthodontic shaped pacifiers, which are supposedly better for the teeth. Unfortunately, all orthodontic pacifiers in the U.S. used hard plastic shields – until now.

Meet the Natursutten Pacifer. The first non-toxic 100% natural rubber pacifier in the U.S. (courtesy of Denmark).

Playtex, Soothies, and GumDrops pacifier brands all offer one-piece, non-toxic silicone pacifiers (NOT natural rubber though). However, to date, the all-silicone pacifiers in the U.S only offer the rounded nipple – not the ortho nipple. Natursutten offers both.

Natursutten Pacifiers contain no artificial colors, cancer-causing substances, chemical softeners, parabens, PVC or phthalates. In addition, they are actually more hygienic than pacifiers with plastic shields because Natursuttens are molded into one piece, leaving no joints or crevices for dirt, old water, and bacteria to hide. And did I mention how cute they are?

TIP: I actually think the Natursutten is going to help us with pacifier-weaning (which we plan to do by age 3). Although the Natursutten is soft and pliable and easy to suck, somehow it does not have the same magnet pull as a plastic shield, so I find my daughter taking it out (on her own) more often and just setting it aside when she doesn’t need it. Before you know it, she won’t need one at all anymore. In the meantime, at least I can feel better about indulging her – now that there is a natural option to turn to.

Where to buy: http://www.getngreen.com/

Clean Stainless Steel without Chemicals

When we upgraded to stainless steel kitchen appliances I was clueless as to how to clean them. It wasn’t long before my toddler’s fingerprints were all over them. I tried soap and water, but that just made the surfaces smudgier. I then found out about commercial stainless steel cleaners – and what a horror THOSE ingredient were! I could not fathom breathing the toxic fumes or the thought of my kids touching the chemicals on the fridge door and then sticking their fingers in their mouth…on a daily basis. No way. That’s when I discovered the hidden power of microfiber!

Spray some NATURAL window cleaner (7th Generation, etc) onto the stainless appliance and wipe it down with a clean microfiber cloth (available in bulk at Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, etc.). Be sure to wipe down the whole appliance in one direction (vertically or horizontally), wait about 10 seconds, then wipe it down completely in the opposite direction.

If your appliances are extra grimy (from peanut butter fingers, etc). FIRST use plain soap and water on the soft side of a SPONGE -- wiping (for example) horizontally. Let dry for about 10 seconds, then spray the appliance with natural window cleaner, and wipe vertically.

TIP: Save money (and plastic bottle waste) by making your own batch of window/stainless cleaner. I make mine by mixing distilled vinegar and water (1:1) in a spray bottle, and adding a few drops of lavender essential oil (to mask the vinegar smell).

Toxic Shower Curtains

Could your shower be poisoning you? If you’re using a VINYL shower curtain or liner, then the answer is yes. Anything made of vinyl (aka polyvinylchloride or PVC) off-gasses harmful, cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting chemicals (aka phthalates) for the entire life of the product. NOT just when it is stinky and new (although – that is when it is most toxic and most negatively effecting the air quality in your home). In a bathroom, vinyl is more toxic than in any other room of your home because the steam you use to shower, bathe or shave makes it off-gas at a significantly higher rate.

A great, equally effective alternative to vinyl shower curtains and/or liners is a polyester liner or curtain. It keeps the water in the shower just as well as vinyl – and is much easier to clean. In one of my bathrooms, I use a polyester liner and a 100% cotton outer curtain. In the other, I use just a thick 100% cotton curtain. Cotton, hemp, bamboo, or canvas curtains can be used without any liner – but you do need to ring them out after each shower.

To prevent mildew, I toss all my shower curtains in the washer about once a month with a couple cups of distilled vinegar or a few drops of tea tree oil. Remember to use perfume-free detergent, since artificial fragrances contain phthalates as well. Just hang the curtains back on the curtain rod to dry and you’re good-to-go by morning.

TIP: Other vinyl items that will negatively affect the air quality in your home: toys, flooring, wall coverings, countertops, mini blinds, water pipes, window frames, etc.