Non-Toxic Toys and Tips for a Healthy Life for your Baby or Child

We are aware of toxic toys because of our experience with China. Solne is finding more natural toys every week that are made in the US, Canada, and Germany. Other countries are providing a selection as well but we have a strict and astringent quality control list. We are finding that many of the US, Canadian and German made toys are purer.

Toxins are known to cause various types of health compromises. Here is where you may find chemical toxins in a baby’s environment:

Carpeting/Padding
Glue
Paint
Drywall
Insulation
Mattress
Furniture
Cabinets
Synthetic bedding
Synthetic clothing
Synthetic skin care and bath products
Food
Water
Toys

Toys are a great concern right now. We are familiar with lead; however, there are many other synthetic chemicals that are used to make toys. Plastic toys colored with synthetic dyes are toxic and over time can cause respitory, and neurological problems. Think of how fast Asthma is growing. How many children do you know who have ADHD? How fast did Autism become a major national concern? There is more to think about you won’t have to if you read Material Safety Data Sheets, ingredients and content and take preventative measures.

At Solne, we are very glad to see the manufacturing of natural toys increasing in our homeland. We need a lot more but in the meanwhile, we can provide children with non-toxic toys that will be as natural as possible today. Toys are touched by the skin. The skin is absorbent. Kids breathe Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that are outgassing from the toys. They put the toys in their mouths and ingest some chemicals. The trouble is most people leave the toys in the children’s bedrooms where they sleep for hours each night and day. Be sure to separate their sleeping area from their play area.

Here is a review and some tips for keeping your baby toxic free and healthy:

– Buy non-toxic toys
– Ask to see MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), ingredient or content list
– Put toys away from their sleeping area
– Make sure the toys are dyed with natural dyes or low impact dyes (least amount of toxins and impact on the environment)
– Clean the toys weekly and put them above ground level on shelves or inside toys chests
– Buy non-toxic art supplies. We encourage you to buy recycled paper and recycle used papers.
– Shop at Solne because we do the checking and qualifying for you.
– All people, but specially kids need clean fresh air so whenever possible leave the window open a little so you can counter balance indoor pollution with outdoor air. Indoor pollution is known to be worse than outdoor pollutions because of the amount of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) indoors. VOC causes free radicals that eat away at tissues over time and/or compromise the immune system.
– Find a school with a healthy environment. Indoor pollution can be more challenging at a school. EPA has recommended guidelines for schools that have become more critical recently.

All this said, you should consider:

Playing outdoors
Air purifier
Drink spring water
Use water purifier at home
Have them get plenty of exercise in a healthy environment
Eat organic
Give them plenty of fruits and vegetables to balance enzymes made by the body.
Fruits and vegetables are powerful anti-oxidants in their natural forms so chewing them is very important. Juicing is good but they must chew as well so they guts can use their ability to digest. With digestion they can produce enzymes that forces toxins free from the walls of organs and therefore eliminate.
Don’t forget to make your contribution and recycle boxes, papers, other containers, and give old toys to some one who needs them.

 

Organic Baby Bedding –Sleeping Sweet

Baby’s breath is as sweet as can be. Why is a baby’s breath sweet?

When the baby is in the womb, he or she has a cushy environment. Food is provided for, he or she has all the liquids needed, no diaper changes are required, and he or she is surrounded with a relatively clean environment with deluxe sleeping arrangements. Mom’s filtration system acts like the air or water purifier. Of course, if Mom doesn’t eat organic or protect herself from various toxins, baby will get some of the residuals.

Since baby sleeps many hours each day, bedding is the first thing Mom must think about. Organic and non-toxic bedding is the most important beginning for a baby. A healthy baby sleeps on a wool and/or cotton mattress and is covered by organic and soft fabrics dyed with natural vegetables dyes.

Asthma is one of the fastest growing diseases in the U.S. Quantitative Assessments of Potential Health Effects from the Use of Fire Retardants show concerns. That, combined with the highly toxic glues and petroleum-based mattress fillings, is enough to change the breath of the baby. The health of the baby is compromised over time.

Be sure to buy sustainable wood cribs for your baby which is finished naturally. Honey beeswax finishes is common. Natural vegetable oils will work well too and you can be safely reapply when necessary. Ask about content or Material Safety Data Sheet that includes content of materials used to manufacture the furniture. Avoid use of chemicals in wood finishes. Your baby should sleep on a soft organic wool and cotton mattress. Woven sheepskin or alpaca wool mattress cover is absolutely yummy for baby. The same materials should be used for the car seat too. Lay your baby down safely and keep an eye on him/her. This is just common practice advice while baby is sleeping on any mattress. Physicians are now advising that baby not sleep in certain positions. There are a variety of beautiful organic blankets available. Tasteful bumpers and crib covers are organic, too.

While you are thinking organic, get organic cotton towels to dry off your baby. The baby’s skin is super absorbent. The lymph system is right under the skin. Keep your baby’s body and breath clean and fresh. You will avoid lung, skin, allergy, and neural and behavioral problems. Baby will sleep better, fuss less, and be a much better study when he or she gets to school on her first day!

Bedding check list to shop from:

Sustainable wood crib with natural finishes
Organic mattress
Woven wool mattress cover
Organic Cotton Sheets
Organic cotton or bamboo blankets with vegetable or low impact dyes
Wool pillows, bumpers and bed covers that are also naturally dyed, wool or cotton batting filled, and dyed naturally
Organic Receiving blankets
Mobile, stuffed animals, and organic teethers
Pijamas
Diapers

Most of these products can be found through Solne website. Furnishings such as cribs and mattresses are available by special order so please call or email Solne customer service for options.

 

Healthy Baby Organic Baby – The Best Eco-Friendly Products for Babies

Healthy Baby Organic Baby – The Best Eco-Friendly Products for Babies

When a baby is in the womb, many filters protect the child to ensure the purest level of nutrients, air, blood and foods. Once the baby is born, he/she is vulnerable to the environmental factors, foods, water, and air. There is nothing like holding a baby. When the baby is peaceful, healthy, and happy, parents, friends, and family are all filled with love. There is nothing worse than having a baby who is not feeling as best as he or she can.

It is quite possible to give an excellent beginning to your child. Here are the products available for a natural, organic, and “Baby-Eco Lifestyle.”

Organic Wool Mattress and Bedding

Organic Blankets, Towels, Pillows

Non-Toxic Cribs With Natural Wood Finishes

Organic Cotton, Bamboo, And Wool Clothing With Natural Vegetable Dyes

Organic Baby Shampoo, Lotion, Soap, and Body Wash

Organic Foods And Drinks

Spring Water As Opposed To Purified Water For Cooking And Drinking

Purified Water For Baths

Non-Toxic Organic Baby Toys Of All Types

Air Purifier For Baby’s Room To Fresher And Clean The Air

Non-Toxic Room

Paint

Flooring

Cabinetry

Furnishings And More

If you think of it, it is most likely available. Every day it is easier to go back to nature and find the healthiest organic, natural and eco-friendly products made.

Why should your baby have a Baby-Eco Lifestyle? Many health concerns are connected with chemicals that babies are exposed to on a daily basis. These chemicals are not natural elements. They are strong chemicals that people, especially babies, cannot digest or cleanse from their systems. The effects of these chemicals can cause problems like Asthma and other respiratory disorders, neurological abnormalities, and skin disorders.

Keep your baby Eco-Green. He/she will give you lots of special hugs and kisses for providing the healthiest lifestyle available.

Lin Merage

BIO:

For years Lin Merage suffered from a condition known as chemical sensitivity. After struggling to diagnose the problem with doctor after doctor who all claimed “it’s just allergies,” she discovered natural, alternative therapies that gave her health back. Since then, Lin has conducted extensive research into the toxic chemicals present in everyday products, and how these chemicals affect our health. Lin founded the Sol Ne Collection (Of the Sun) to provide natural alternatives and organic products that minimize our exposure to toxins while helping families lead happier, healthier lives.

 

The air we breathe!

Being in nature, amongst trees, and near rivers is so refreshing. Kauai has become a favorite island amongst all Hawaiian Islands because it is the Garden Island. The soil in some parts of the island is such that all you have to do is plant whatever grows in Hawaii and walk away. It will grow naturally!

The smell of the aspen and pine trees in the mountains are refreshing. Trees and nature oxygenate the air and become a source of healthy living for us. The air that we breathe is very important to our health. The air that we breathe is the same air that provides our planet and environment with life. Pollution from petroleum based products can hurt us, our trees, our water and our air. Solar and wind power will change our lives and make the planet healthier.

Did you know that petroleum goes into cosmetics, clothes, and toys? It can go in almost every product ever made. Why put it near or in our bodies if we don’t want to breathe the by products? We are aware of pollution out doors. We should be aware of pollution indoors, for example inside of our own bedrooms and living rooms. We should be concerned about the clothes and cosmetics that we put under our nose and against our skin too. Eco-Fashion has become fashionable in the U.S., London, China, Canada, and many other countries. We can finally find 100% organic cosmetics. Our kids’ toys are cleaning up too. We can buy much less toxic paint, and totally natural flooring, and build hay block homes.

The airlines are finding solutions to clean the air inside of our craft. The new technology “is capable of zapping just about all the bacteria, viruses and other biohazards in cabin air, as well as destroying chemical contaminants and pollutants. And it also removes nasty smells.” See article in the Economist, page 9a under science and technology, September 19-25, 2009 – Economist.com. While on the ground, we have lots of options to keep our air clean by using natural and organic products; planting trees, avoiding bio-hazards and petroleum based products. Read up on other chemicals that go in toys, clothes, and cosmetics and avoid them too.

We can support the economy and clean living with strong purpose and put our dollars and demands behind the Green movement. The more we do this the more we’ll have healthy supplies! Shopping Eco-Green is a living life with new purpose. Frankly, it is a very exciting opportunity for all of us to step forward for a great cause, our lives and future!

 

 

Eco-Green Home helps to keep you healthy!

We just attended the Fall Home Show at the Convention Center in Denver. I enjoyed meeting many of the vendors exhibiting their services. I only visited one exhibit booth for an eco-green home. In speaking further with some designers and contractors, I found that they know about the positive effects of using healthy construction materials. They are more than willing to meet the client’s specific needs. This is great news. The timing couldn’t be more perfect since the healthcare crisis is of most importance to us.

Research from various institutions has shown that there is a connection between toxic home materials and illness. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are synthetic chemicals that outgas from the non-ecological products such as paint, carpeting, insulation, wood floors, finishes, and glues. We breathe or absorb through skin these chemical molecules. These VOCs can act as free radicals that compromise health. Asthma, skin, digestive and neurological disorders may be further complicated by chronic exposure to VOCs. Chemical sensitivity and allergy are quite common amongst adults. We are fortunate that the construction industry is changing and the Green movement is bringing about a new healthy industry that could minimize illness. EPA is campaigning continually and changing regulation to better the quality of the air we breathe indoors. Their latest regulation is care of lead base paint removal in homes built before 1978. This new law will be in effect April of 2010.

As consumers we have choices. There are many good ecological products available that help us make our homes beautiful while keeping us healthy. Green or Eco furniture and bedding should be selected. Eco-babies and Eco-kids can become better students and have fewer visits to the doctor’s office. Taking advantage of the Eco, Green, and sustainable products available is now much easier. We can contribute to the health of the environment and ourselves at the same time.