The irony of this morning’s news of an E. coli outbreak caused by tainted lettuce is too rich to ignore…I mean, you try to be healthy (say, by eating salad), and you end up a huddled mass on the bathroom floor or, worse, in a hospital bed attached to an IV.
Which got us thinking about some other ironies related to harmful bacteria – like the simple act of washing your hands to rid yourself of germs…
Did you know: that most anti-bacterial hand soaps – the kind you use everyday throughout your home – are laced with a potentially harmful toxin called Triclosan? Triclosan (pronounced trī-ˈklō-san for those keeping score at home) is an antibacterial chemical used in countless consumer products, from cutting boards and shower curtains to toothpaste and, yes, antibacterial soap. Though Triclosan may do an admirable job of inhibiting the growth of bacteria, scientific studies have linked it to liver and inhalation toxicity and disruptions of proper hormone and thyroid functioning. Not to mention that numerous studies suggest widespread use of Triclosan may contribute to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics, leading the American Medical Association to recommend not using products with Triclosan in the home. (Triclosan is also highly toxic to aquatic environments, where much of it winds up after use.)
And because we love you, from now through Friday, May 14, take 20% off all Clean Well products at Greeno Bambino by entering the following discount code at checkout:
youcleanupnice
Best of all, since Clean Well’s products are formulated with a patented blend of essential plant oils proven to kill 99.99% of germs including MRSA, Salmonella, Staph and good old E. coli, you know you’re in good hands.
Hey, what else would you expect from your friends at GB Headquarters?
We hope you joined us in taking a moment last week, on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, to reflect just a bit on all the ways you and your children are impacted by the decisions you make in your everyday life. Despite the powerlessness that we as individuals sometimes feel, it’s average people like you and me that make the biggest difference.
Here’s a case in point…
Did you know: that after years of pressure from parents and other advocates on the right side of history, Maryland recently became the fifth state to ban the use of BPA (Bisphenol-A) in children’s products? Go, Maryland! That places Maryland in the minority of U.S. states (joining California, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the State of Washington, as well as a handful of municipalities, including Chicago) on the leading edge of legislative reforms aimed at protecting our kids.
If it feels like we’ve banged this drum before, that’s because, well, we have. But it’s not just bottles, sippy cups and pacifiers that you need to think about when it comes to BPA, but plates and utensils too.
To give you a little more incentive to say out with the old and in with the new, from now through Friday, May 7, take 25% off all plates, bowls and utensils from Dandelion and Bambu at Greeno Bambino by entering the following discount code at checkout:
goodeats
(Yeah, that’s one of our favorite shows too.) As the Governator likes to say (or was that Tone Loc?)…
Some of you astutely noticed that last week’s Fab Five Faves was oddly absent from your inbox. Well, all good things come to an end, and much like C-Webb and his long-shorted cohorts, our Fab Five has retired. (Yeah, we know you’re still hanging on Juwan.)
Though this will leave some GB fans saddened, overwhelming feedback has favored our weekly newsletter being dedicated to news you can use and deals you can feel. And since we’re good listeners (unlike – cough, cough – some 3 year olds we know), that’s what we’re going to give you. (For those of you still jonesing for product recs, drop us an email, give us a ring or check out our blog anytime, day or night.)
And now, on to the good stuff…
Did you know: that today is Earth Day? Well of course you did (unless you’ve been living under a rock). But it’s not just any Earth Day. Nope, today is the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day ever celebrated. So get a little nostalgic with us courtesy of the Mother Nature Network and its brilliant animated short, Earth Day Turns 40: An Animated Tribute.
It may be a big planet, but on this Earth Day, and every day for that matter, you can do your small part to keep it going strong. How? Start by thinking before you shop. If you do, you’ll end up finding supercalifragilisticexpialidocious eco-friendly products like Green Toys’ brand new Stacker and Tugboat Bath Toy.
In fact, we’re so confident you’ll love everything we have to offer that from now through Thursday, April 29, just spend $40 or more (excluding shipping) at Greeno Bambino, and we’ll send you a free Nalgene Grip-N-Gulp Sippy Cup (a $7.95 value).
Just write “happy40th” in the order notes on your checkout page and tell us which color you’d like (blue, pink, green or purple).
There you have it folks. Enjoy this Earth Day, and every day between now and the next one.
We’re back with another highly anticipated GB deal to make you squeal. But first…
Did you know: that 93% of Americans over age 6 were found to have BPA in their urine? Yikes! (You can bet the other 7% were living off the grid somewhere.)
What’s more disturbing? That the level of BPA exposure considered safe by the federal government was set 22 years ago! One more for you…if you are exposed to high levels of BPA when pregnant with a girl, research suggests that your daughter’s own eggs could end up corrupted, leading to issues for your grandchildren! (Chemicals aren’t too good for your boys either…a 2008 study found that women exposed to high levels of phthalates while pregnant were more likely to have sons with small penises. Hey, we’re just passing this info along.)
Heard enough and just want to steer clear of the bad stuff? We’ve got you covered…
From now through Friday, April 16, receive 20% off all baby bottles and bottle accessories at Greeno Bambino. Just use the following discount code at checkout:
bpafree
To paraphrase Mr. McGuire (from The Graduate, folks), it’s all about one word: Plastics.
Local writer (as in local to us here in Chicago) and friend of the Green Daddy, Amy Tara Koch, recently released her new book Bump it Up: Transform Your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement. While not for the faint of heart, Amy’s wry wit and modern appeal are just the ticket for moms-to-be who still feel right at home with high heels despite the high chairs in their future.
So, they’re not the cheapest tees around. But you get what you pay for, and with WonderToast, that’s a lot: Fairly-traded 100% SKAL-certified organic cotton. Low-impact, azo-free dyes and water-based inks. Durable double-stitched bottom hem. Combed for softness and manufactured by an ethical, sweatshop-free outfit in Chennai, India. Plus, the coolest kid on the block. (For cool babies, also available as onesies.)
What’s the point of fighting off bug bites if you’re spraying harmful chemicals on your kids’ arms in the process? So pick up some of Cal Baby’s all-natural, DEET-free bug repellent and safely fend off mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, biting flies and vampires.
Forget those cookie-cutter blocks sitting in a corner of the playroom – unlock imagination with Tree Blocks. Kids love creating all sorts of original structures with these unusually shaped, sustainably sourced wood pieces. Just choose barked or barkless, and let yours go to work.
What, cleaning grimy, moldy tubs isn’t your idea of a good time? Hey, don’t blame us. We’re just reporting the facts, and your fellow FFF readers are apparently big fans. (Qualifies for our BabyGanics Buy 2 Get 25% off promotion.)
Whether you’ve got a budding Ultimate Frisbee player on your team or simply a casual thrower, Green Toys’ EcoSaucer is just the right fit. Made in California from 100% recycled milk jugs, this funky green flying machine is perfectly sized for little ones (and their flying dogs).
Speaking of milk…
Did you know: that organic milk often contains more Conjugate Linoleic Acids (CLAs) than conventional milk? Don’t worry, that’s a good thing, because CLAs are “good fats” which are correlated with decreased risk for heart disease and diabetes. Just one more reason to make sure your kids are getting the good stuff.
