Cosmetic safety - top marks!

Not sure which skincare product to use?

Visit Skin Deep - a huge database which pairs ingredients in more than 41,000 products against 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases, making it the largest integrated data resource of its kind. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/splash.php?URI=%2Findex.php

Check out products in your bathroom cabinet!

Earth Mama Angel Baby fans will be pleased to hear Earth Mama were given top marks for their “Earth Mama Angel Baby mint herbal lip balm" by the outrageously tough-to-please Skin Deep cosmetic database.

Earth Mama Body Butter was voted the "Best Stretch Mark Cream" in the Natural Solutions Magazine's Beauty with a Conscious Award.

Products were chosen who contained only the purest, healthiest ingredients available, without hidden toxins or artificial ingredients.

The Earth Mama Angel Baby range is available from our web store.

Nappy Review

Motherease Cloth nappies (available from Little Miracles) are a 2-part nappy system.

Our reviewer said:

The nappy: They have never leaked for me, their stay-dry lining really works and is incredible at trapping moisture away from baby skin, we don't get any red marks, and they are very straight-forward to wash. (I prefer these to pockets where you need to pull the wet inserts out - not a fan of that).

The cover: I found this great and use this constantly. Good design. I have also used it with a cotton type nappy as a liner inside it and it worked well. Recommended!

Check out this months' prize draw and be in to win a Motherease nappy trial pack.

Organic Selections Baby Shampoo and Baby Moisturizer

We were delighted to review Organic Selections Baby Shampoo and Baby Moisturizer from Little Miracles. These delicious-scented baby products scored really highly with our reviewer under a number of criteria.

"They are packaged in recyclable (number 2) plastic bottles, and contain no parabens, pthalates, SLS, artificial fragrances or artificial ingredients of any kind. The detergent in the shampoo is a coconut derivative, so gentle on baby's skin. I have used the shampoo on my baby and my 4 year old, both of whom are prone to eczema and rashes, and neither of them reacted, which is a definite thumbs up!

The moisturizer is very nice too, although as it is scented (with essential oils) children with active eczema may react to it (although my girls were fine).

All in all a great range of products, and I would definitely buy again." (Lily, mother of two girls)

For My Kids

Don't we all want the best for our kids and the planet!!!

For my Kids produces all natural products including a All-Natural Hand Wash, All-Natural Vegan Lip Balm, All-Natural Comfey Salve and All-Natural Alternative to Bacterial Disinfectants.

We tested the All-Natural Vegan Lip Balm which keeps nice n' solid in the tin, yet once you put it on your lips, melts into moist, yumminess and gives your lips a glossy shine. You feel safe applying it and licking your lips knowing the ingredients are totally natural ... organic sweet almond oil, organic coconut oil, carnauba wax, organic tamanu oil and organic vanilla beans.

We also tried the All-Natural hand Wash is a delicious lavender-scented spray which is simply perfect for those times when you are out and about with little ones you can't get to soap and water.

For retailers, For my Kids have special gallon-size bottles of For My Kids All-Natural Alternative to Antibacterial Disinfectants and For My Kids All-Natural Hand Wash for situations where your customers bring their own containers to refill. Perfect for schools and other places for children.

Thanks to Christine for introducing us to For my Kids - available in the US and shipping worldwide.

Seed Organic Cradle @ Baby Greens

Baby Greens have bought to NZ, the highly desirable Seed Organic Cradle - a piece of furniture to treasure...

Made from breathable organic cotton, with a natural latex breather hole mattress, the environment this cradle creates for your baby is the best it can be - you can not give your baby a better start in life!

from Baby Greens.

Cuddledry® baby bath towel with a difference!

New to New Zealand!

The Cuddledry® from Time for Kids is a bath towel with a difference!

The Cuddledry® 100% certified organic baby bath towel is safer, more eco-friendly and luxurious than anything else you can buy for your baby.

It has a unique apron-style that keeps hands free for bathing and lifting and keeps you dry!

This design has won numerous awards and is available in NZ online at http://www.timeforkids.co.nz/

Soap nuts!

I heard about these today and they sound amazing - SoapNuts are small magical berries from the SoapNut tree (sapindus mukorossi) growing wild in Northern India. The berry is gathered by hand, dried by the sun, and then deseeded ready for use.

SoapNuts contain saponin that release rich soapy suds when wet and have strong antibacterial properties that effectively replace chemical detergents, soaps and shampoo.

What is saponin? I consulted the Wikepedia on this one. The Wikepedia reveals some interesting facts like SoapNuts are a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic shampoos and cleansers. They are used in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and for removing freckles.

However, saponin (from the SoapNut) is poisonous if swallowed, so must be stored in a child-proof container.

The SoapNuts web site has load of uses for SoapNuts (crushed or liquid) not just for washing your clothes, but for your dishwasher, and cleaning around the home.

Ecobots, who also stock resuable cloth nappies, are stockists of SoapNuts and recommend them for chemical and fragrance free nappy washing!

Wool Pocket Nappies for heavy wetters!

EcoBubs have designed and made the prototype for the Wool Pocket Nappy - the first ever. They wanted to combine the new with the old and knew how many people in NZ loved wool.

This is the nappy that dreams are made of! The EcoBubs Wool Pocket Nappy has saved many parents from having to use disposables on their heavy wetter overnight. The wool works as a second barrier against leaks and has proved itself to be very successful.

Great news for cloth nappy users - peace of mind - a nappy that can be relied on to last through the night!

compostable nappy bags

All mummies and daddies using compostable nappies need these! what's the point in using Moltex, Tushies or Bambo eco disposable nappies, if you are just going to pop them in a plastic bag (inside a council bag or wheely bin) going to the landfill?

What you need is compostable nappy bags. Just scrape off solids and put in your compost.

ok, soapbox over.... go to Worldcentric.com or EcoNappies.co.nz

(updated 1st July 2008)

Big Kids Night Nappies

This week we had an enquiry... where do you buy cloth "pull-up" type nappies for older children?

Thought we should share....

Check out Mum and Bubs (who stock Happy Heiny's™) or contact Natural Parenting NZ (ask about their Big Kids Night Pull-ups).

Recyclable water bottles

I just checked out the Good Water web site.... did you realise that the PET water bottles that you put in your recycled bin (with good intentions) are recycled in China! All those water bottles being transported to China are just adding to the global warming problem!

We encourage the use of reusable water bottles (we use Kleen Kanteen - now known as Eco Tankas).

However, when you are out & about and need them - water bottles made from plant-based renewable resources are now available in NZ from Good Water.

Available at organic stores, supermarkets and petrol stations nationwide at $2.80 per bottle.

In the United States, BIOTA water bottles are sold at select natural foods and gourmet supermarkets.

Designer wipes boxes

Made by Angie who says - "How many times do you pull out your baby wipes during the day to change a diaper, wipe a messy face or clean up a spill? Tons, so why not do it in style?"

My little organic tot is now 4 and a half but I still carry eco wipes in my handbag for those little emergencies, like a quick hand wipe before lunch (I try and avoid the handwash in most public toilets!) These would be just fab to carry round.

WeeGo Glass Bottles

Found this great glass bottle option online .. WeeGo glass bottle by Babylife.

Babylife is reintroducing glass baby bottles, because of the recent concern over leaching chemicals in plastic baby bottles - but with a new design and safety twist: the bottle is covered with a modern sleeve that will help protect the bottle from breakage and also prevent bumping into other articles in your diaper bag.

WeeGO is baby bottle that is bisphenol A, phthalate, PVC and polycarbonate-free.

Haven't seen this in NZ, but please leave a comment if you know if any stockists.

This is Pure Genius!

Finding organic clothing beyond the baby sizes, can be tricky...

Presenting Pure Genius .... a new fashion range that children love to wear, without wearing out the world – this is Pure Genius…

Pure Genius is a wholly New Zealand owned company based in Auckland.

Loving it...

Little Orchard

Little Orchard stock Lotte Franklin and Anknel and Burblets products; organic skin and haircare, baby-safe aromatherapy, blank greeting cards, photographic prints and limited edition bags, purses, and makeup and pencil cases. All our products are hand made in New Zealand.

Watch this space, new products for mums + babes and hands + feet coming mid October.

Organic Earth Mama Angel Baby

Check out Earth Mama Angel Baby®, the only line of 100% natural skin and body care products to support the entire birth process: pregnancy, labor, postpartum and c-section recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even the loss of a baby. Pure, natural products and gifts for pure, natural mamas and babies!

Rata & Ruby Organic Children's tees

.... at last organic children's wear inspired by aotearoa and contemporary maori design.

Rata & Ruby's organic cotton tees are designed in Raglan, NZ, then made with care by a hand selected manufacturer in India, they come back to NZ to be screen printed and add final touches before being sent out to stockists.

Check out Rata & Ruby online.

Monsters in Mittens

The Monsters in Mittens Collection are hand-knitted, vintage-inspired pieces, made with pure Organic New Zealand Merino wool.

I love it! So vintage, so lacy and soooo organic!

M.I.M have used practical and stylish designs from the 50's, 60’s and 70’s as inspiration, hand-crafted in pure NZ Organic Merino.
M.I.M. range that keeps baby deliciously cosy in winter, cool in the summer and breathes with the skin. Pure Organic Merino absorbs excess moisture and keeps our babies’ skin dry and rash free.

Aroha Organic Goat Cheese

Located in Te Aroha New Zealand, Aroha Organic Goat Cheese is a
BIO GRO certified Goat's Cheese.

Don't these pictures of their baby goats (kids!) just make your heart melt!


Aroha Organic Goat Cheese is a speciality product with each cheese handcrafted using only methods that are one with nature. It is a round (wheel shaped) firm cheese a bit similar to the famous Dutch Gouda cheese but then made from organic goat milk.

Aroha only make cheeses from their own organic goat`s milk so between May and July their girls are on maternity leave and having a rest to prepare themselves for kidding in July.

Eco Bubs new merino range

Eco Bubs have just launched their Merino clothing range, and are looking forward to designing and launching their organic cotton range, later in the year.

Browse through their products knowing that the items are handmade in New Zealand with loving care.