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.

Organic Foods - Breakfast

Changing to an organic diet may not be easy and certainly is not going to happen overnight. So you should try and experiment whatever you feel like. Perhaps, you should begin with Breakfast, the most important meal of the day.

An organic breakfast offers the best possible start to the day, and it gives you that feel-healthy lift that comes from food you know you can trust.

What can you have for organic breakfast?

• Similar to normal bread, organic bread is a good, nutritious source of complex carbohydrate and vitamins. It does not have any hydrogenated fats, and in some minor cases, may contain refined white sugars, artificial additives or dough improvers. For variety, choose different kind every week. (Advice: Just be aware that organic bread has a shorter shelf life because of its lack of chemical preservatives.)


• To make breakfast more interesting, you can have varieties of organic cereals that are rich, nutty, and completely natural with no unwanted artificial extra ingredients. Kids can also have organic cornflakes and crunchy. (Advice: something certified organic does not mean it is super healthy. Breakfast cereals can actually have higher fat, salt and sugar contents that non-organic versions. So you need to read the labels)


• Adults with busy days ahead of them may prefer organic porridge. Porridge has a low glycaemic index score which means it gives a slow, sustained release of energy, helping you to feel fuller for longer.


• Organic muesli are made from their own organic oats, rye and barley, and available loose or pre-packed.


• Organic milk comes from organically raised cows that graze organic pastures supplemented with natural feeds and that receive no routine antibiotics. Recent research from Aberdeen University showed that organic milk can contain almost 75% more of the essential fatty acid omega 3 than ordinary milk. This thanks to a higher proportion of clover forage in the diets of organic cows. Organic cheese is thought to contain even more Omega 3 than milk.


• Organic soya milk, rice milk and almond milk drinks are creamy, if you are looking for dairy-free alternatives for milk.


• Spread your organic toasts with organic jams or marmalades that are sweetened with honey, apple juice or agave syrup instead of sugar.


• Mixing chopped organic fruits with creamy organic yoghurts can be an excellent meal to begin your day with. Organic fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of vitamin C, essential minerals and antioxidants than non-organic types.

Tips for Parents
Some studies have found strong link between eating breakfast and improved learning, a better ability to concentrate, less irritability, more energy, less likelihood of overeating during the rest of the day and a general feeling of well-being.

Eating the right food at breakfast time will stabilize blood sugar levels, making it less likely that your child will crave a boost from sugary, high fat or processed foods later.

The foods to avoid at breakfast most of the time are the sugary and over processed ones, such as chocolate spread, croissants, muffins, cereals bars and pastries. Although they may go down well with your child, they tend to lead to craving for yet more sugary, over processed foods by mid-morning.

Try to give your child a combination of slow-releasing carbohydrates and protein which will help to keep him/her full and offer a steady supply of energy until lunchtime. For examples:

• Wholegrain cereal served with chopped banana and semi-skimmed milk
• Bacon (non-smoked, lean bacon with fatty rind trimmed away) sandwich for older children
• Unsweetened porridge, try the plain type with half semi-skimmed milk and half water, and add chopped fruits or raisins instead of sugar or honey.
• Wholegrain, multi-grain, seeded or fruit toast with low sugar peanut or other nut butter, cream cheese or ham slices.
• A pot of natural bio-yogurt with fruit and muesli.

Let's Learn & Experience Organics for Better Personal Health & Our Planet Wellness