Organic for Children - Organic Toys

Harmful PVC Toys
The use of plastic in children's toys is so overwhelming to the extend that your children may seem to be surrounded with playthings that can turn a toxic zone.

Many children's toys are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), also known as vinyl. Its manufacture and disposal can create dioxins, highly toxic substances. Furthermore, to make PVC soft and flexible, it is necessary to use plasticisers and most commonly used plasticisers are phthalates. These chemicals may leak from the toy when sucked, chewed, squeezed, or even just held. The European Science Committee has advised that phtalates are liable to cause liver, kidney, and testicular damage and may affect hormones and lead to reduced fertility in later life.

The use of phthalates in toys and childcare items has been restricted in the European Union since December 1999. From January 2007 further restrictions on their use in toys will come into force on a permanent basis.

Organic Toys
Soft organic toys are best alternative that takes away the worry and stress about your child's toys. Organic toys are made from either ultra-soft cotton or wool which are organically grown under strict conditions without using harmful chemical pesticides.The manufacturers also use only organic (vegetable) dyes to give them color. They also don't have anything on or in them that could be a potential choking hazard.

Other benefits

• Plastic toys are non-biodegradable and eventually increase the amount of plastic in landfill sites.
• Toys made from natural materials tend to last longer and therefore, can be recycled by donating them to charity or to friends with children.
  

Make Your Own Toys

• Make your own playthings with your children from simple everyday objects such as paper boxes, jars, toilet rolls, as well as natural objects such as seashells and pine cones.
• Save your old clothes for a dressing-up box.
• Save paper for your children to draw on, and magazines for them to cut up for making collages.
  

Cleaning Toys

• To clean soiled plastic or wooden toys, dissolve 2 heaped tablespoons of baking soda in 600ml (1 pint) warm water. Either submerge the toy and soak it, or wipe it clean, then rinse in cold water and leave to dry naturally.

• Mix cream of tartar and lemon juice in a small bowl with a cotton swab. Apply the cotton swab onto a stubborn stain and leave on for 30 minutes. This will work to bleach out the stain.
  

• To clean fluffy toy, place stuffed toys in a large plastic garbage bag, then pour in cornstarch or baking soda, seal the bag and shake vigorously from time to time over a period of several hours. Remove the stuffed toys and brush the fur to remove the dust, dirt and cleaning agent over a sink. Dusting of baking soda eliminate odours and removes unwanted stains from soiled soft toys.

Organics for Children – Baby Skin Care

Baby skin is so delicate and sensitive, try to avoid using strong soaps and shampoos made for adults on your baby. Additives such as artificial colors, fragrances, and preservatives can cause irritation and allergic reactions.

It is always good to choose natural, organic oils and creams for your baby. These products are not tested on animals, are biodegradable, and can be guaranteed to be free of synthetics and petrochemicals.

• The skin of a baby's face is more sensitive than elsewhere, never use soap products on his/her face.
• Use lotions, oils and powders that come from natural and organic sources, examples, almond oil and cocoa butter.
• Dry your baby with a soft cotton towel. Avoid using talcum powder that has found to be linked to serious illness if inhale it accidentally.

Another thing that most of new parents may not often think about is laundry. New baby will generate massive amounts of laundry, and therefore, it is important that laundry has to be done correctly, so that baby’s delicate skin is not irritated.

• Make certain that all new clothes that come into contact with your baby are laundered before use.
  
• Should not wash your baby’s clothes with your own clothes, or in the same detergent that you use. Most infants have very sensitive skin, and your perfume, your bleach, your softener, could very well cause irritation.
  
• It is always good to do baby’s laundry separately for at least the first year, and maybe even longer if baby has unusually sensitive skin.
  
• When shopping for laundry detergent, you will need to purchase either a special baby detergent with no added dyes or perfumes that could be harsh to baby’s skin.
  

Cleaning Cloth Nappies
Rinse wet nappies and dispose of solid matter down the toilet. Place the nappies in a bucket with a borax or baking soda solution, and leave to soak for 6-8 hours or overnight. Drain the soaking solution down the toilet. Machine wash the nappies on a hot cycle at 21deg-C (70deg-F) with a double rinse. Dry outside if possible, sunshine is a natural bleach and disinfectant. If you have to tumble-dry, it will help to sterilize the nappies.

Treating Rashes
When you change your baby, make sure that you keep an eye on baby’s skin, so that if there are any signs of a rash or allergic reaction, you can take prompt action. An uncomfortable baby is no fun for anyone, so if you catch these things early enough, you can take care of them before they escalate.

• Use shampoo containing chamomile oil which is gentle for baby hair
• Treat skin rashes with calendula cream.
• For nappy rash, mix 3 drops of German chamomile oil with 30ml (6 teaspoons) of almond oil and rub on the affected area.
  
• Buy nappies cream containing ingredients such as red clover, a natural anti-inflammatory.

Try not to change detergents often, otherwise, if your baby has shown sign of allergies, you will have hard time to pinpoint the cause. So, if you find one detergent that is suitable for baby, then stick with it.

If you have questions, or suspect an allergic reaction, you should seek the advice of your pediatrician, just to be certain!

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Organic Food – Food Additives

When shopping for food, we should read the label carefully. Try to select item that are low in or free from additives, preservatives and synthetic food colorants

Additives are added to foods for a few reasons

1. to improve their presentation in terms of texture or color
2. to make them lasting longer or having a longer shelf-life
3. to replace the nutritional value lost in processing
4. to facilitate the preparation of the processed food

Additives to Avoid

Sulphites

• Used to prevent foods from spoiling and discoloration. They may be used in self-service salad bars to keep food looking fresh.
• Listed as sulphur dioxide, sodium sulphite, sodium and potassium bisulphate or metabisulphite.
• Can trigger severe allergic reactions, including nausea and vomiting, breathing difficulties, and abdominal pain. Those who have asthma are most at risk to sulphite sensitivity and other forms of reactions.
• Often are found in wine, shellfish, fruit and vegetables, salad dressings, sauces, and corn syrup.

Nitrates and Nitrites

• Used to enhance color and inhibit the growth of the botulism bacteria in cured meats especially pock, fish and cheese, sausages, luncheon meats and hot dogs.
• A percentage of nitrates convert to nitrites once ingested, which may then combine with amines (protein in food) to cause cancer.

Artificial color and flavorings

• Almost all artificial colorings have been shown to be caused cancers in animals.
• It was observed that when artificial coloring and flavoring are avoided, children's hyperactivity and other behavioral problems improve significantly.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

• is a flavour enhancer often used in Chinese restaurant food.
• Can cause headaches, cold sweats, and heart palpitations.
• Studies show that MSG can cause brain damage and female sterility in animals.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

• Used as preservative in processed foods, and may have toxic effects.
• High exposure may cause dizziness, headaches, sneezing, nausea, and asthma attacks.

Natural Additives
The following additives come from natural plant and animal sources and are safe alternative to chemical additives and colorings. You can find them in the ingredients list on the label.

Acetic acid, a colorless acid with a strong smell which is contained in vinegar. As It inhibits the growth of bacteria, it is used as a preservative in foods, such as pickled vegetables, and as a mild disinfectant in cleaning.

Albumen, from egg white and is used in processed meat products.
Annatto, is obtained from the outer layer of the seeds of the tropical tree Bixa orellana L, and is used for over two centuries as a food coloring, especially in cheese.

Beta-carotene, are yellow and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, carrots and red peppers, and yellow fruit such as mango, melon and apricots, and used as an artificial coloring and a nutrient supplement

Citric acid, from citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, and is used as a flavoring and preservative in food and beverages, especially soft drinks.

Dextrose, type of sugar found in fruit honey and blood of animals, for used in the production of baked products such as biscuits, pies and cakes, but also in the preparation of ice-cream, yogurt and confectionery.

Lactic acid, formed by natural fermentation in products such as cheese, yogurt, soy sauce, sourdough, meat products and pickled vegetables, and usually serves as either a pH regulator, a preservative, or even a flavoring agent.

Lecithin, found in plant and animals tissue which is often used in food products to help the different parts mix together well.

Sodium chloride, salt commonly used as a condiment and food preservative.

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Organic Food - Why Eat Organic Meat and Fish

Meat
Intensively reared animals are often kept in crowded conditions and are fed growth-stimulating hormones, or steroids. More than half the world's antibiotics are used to promote growth in animals reared for meat.

Milk from diary cattle, and cheese made from it may contain DDT residues, antibiotics, hormones. It may also be homogenized, which may lead to heart disease.

Unlikely intensively reared animals, organic livestock spend much of their time outdoors, grazing on organic pastures. In the United States, organic cattle must be fed and managed organically their entire lives in order to be slaughtered for organic beef.

Furthermore, organic animals are not given unnecessary medication, and wherever possible are treated with natural remedies. Animals are allowed to mature naturally without the aid of growth-promoting agent.

Fish
Wild fish caught in coastal waters, may be contaminated with industrial pollution. Similarly, shellfish can be highly polluted as well, because they live in coastal habitats.

Larger fish such as king mackerel, swordfish, shark and tilefish usually contain more contaminants, in particular methylimercury. Pregnant women should try to avoid these fish because the contaminant is harmful to an unborn child's nervous system.

Largely herbivous fish such as tilapia, catfish, salmon and wild trout, as well as deep-water fish such as sandines are less likely to be contaminated.

Tips
When cleaning the fish, remove as much surface fat as possible, because this is where the major bulk of the chemical contaminants are usually found.

The way of cooking fish can help to reduce the traces of chemicals in the fish's body fat, skin and muscle tissue. Grilling, baking and steaming allow the juices and fats to run off, whereas frying and making soups reserve the fat.

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