Hello Friends of the Bambino!

We come to you weekly with information and news aimed at helping you make choices that positively impact your children’s health and development.  To do that, we spend countless hours researching toxicity issues and keeping up with the latest findings.

But we wouldn’t be nearly as effective without the many non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing knowledge about children’s health and organizing grassroots efforts to spur legislative and regulatory change.  Speaking of which…

Did you know: that the incidence of childhood leukemia increased by 55% from 1975-2005 due in large part to factors such as the use of domestic pesticides, consumption of meats containing nitrite preservatives (think hot dogs) and parental exposure to occupational carcinogens?  This according to the President’s Cancer Panel Report released last week.  While some changes are easy to make ourselves – using non-toxic household cleaners for example – sometimes it requires a collective effort to spur systemic change.

Normally we like to close our emails with a special deal for our loyal friends.  But since there are only a few days left on the incredible special we have going with DailyCandy Kids for 25% off storewide at Greeno Bambino, we’d prefer to just give you one more reminder.  So click right here, scroll down for the secret code, and take advantage of us.

We like it.

Hello Friends of the Bambino!

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.

Hello Friends of the Bambino!

Welcome back to our fair-weather friend, Spring – you’ve been gone for too long.  In your honor, a Fab Five Faves dedicated to some fun finds:

	1.  WonderToast Toddler Tees ($30) 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.)
	2.  California Baby Natural Bug Repellent Spray ($13) 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.
	3.  Tree Blocks ($26-$40) 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.
	4.  BabyGanics Scrub-a-Tub Tub & Tile Cleaner ($5.99) 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.)
	5.  Green Toys EcoSaucer Flying Disc ($8) 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.

Hello Friends of the Bambino!

It’s baa-ack…your Fab Five Faves that is, with a look at the most loved items over the past 2 weeks:

	1.  Sprig Hollow Dragonfly’s Heli-Scoopter (sale price $9.95; normally $15) As you know, Sprig Toys specializes in making truly innovative non-toxic toys, and here is just one more example of the company’s ingenuity.  The Heli-Scoopter is a 5 in 1 sand/dirt/water toy that’s great for both indoor and outdoor use, so rain, shine or bathtime, it will keep your active child flying high.
	2.  BabyGanics Air Freshener & Odor Remover ($5.99) To paraphrase Jackie Wilson, your love keeps lifting BabyGanics higher and higher.  Not sure what you’ve been feeding your little ones lately (we kid, we kid), but it seems there’s been a growing need for this fantastic air freshener/odor remover.  And with our BabyGanics sale still in full swing, this baby might just reach the top of the charts.
	3.  VMV Hypoallergenics Gift Set (sale price $60; normally $75) Give this gift and you’ll have a friend for life.  Why?  Because VMV makes the most lust-worthy body care products around – the first to be rated VH-65, meaning they are free of all 65 known allergens.  Inside this gift set – beautifully packaged in a hand-made cream-and-chocolate box with an espresso-colored bow — you’ll find carry-on approved travel sizes of VMV’s complete line of baby products, plus a set of Hypoallergenic Bonnet & Booties.  We’ve never put this item on sale before, so here’s your opportunity to take advantage of us.
	4.  Clean Well All-Natural Travel Hand Sanitizer ($3) Whether you’re an everyday germaphobe (like me) or getting ready for a family vacation (GERM-any anyone?), Clean Well’s travel size hand sanitizers – offered in Original Scent or Orange Vanilla – are just the thing to beat back all those evil little fever-inducing meanies.  Also available in a 6 oz. spray pump and pocket wipes.
	5.  DANO2 Ducki Bath Toy/Teether ($8) If bathing and teething are part of your daily routine, well, maybe you should see a doctor about the teething.  But if you’ve got a child who meets that description, then you’ve got to get him a Ducki.  Offered in 4 cheerful pastels – Caribbean (blue), Mint, Raspberry and Citrus (yellow) – Ducki is cool as a cucumber and free of BPA, phthalates, lead and PVC.

Speaking of rubber ducks, we just had a chance to dive into Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Dangers of Everyday Things, a book recently released in the U.S. by Rick Smith (Executive Director of Environmental Defence Canada) & Bruce Laurie (a Canadian environmental activist) about the real-world impacts of exposure to toxic chemicals in everyday products.  It’s a freakishly magnetic read.  Over the course of a few days the authors intentionally expose themselves to all manner of toxins – from BPA and phthalates to teflon and canned tuna – in order to determine the chemicals’ adverse effects.  Though the experiment may be a little bit unscientific, the book contains some compelling revelations and we urge you to check it out.

Hello Friends of the Bambino!

As you know, last week the Fab Five Faves took a short vacation while its understudy – Greeno Bambino’s first survey of 2010 – got a chance to shine.  The response was tremendous and tremendously enlightening.  Thanks so much to all those who offered their thoughts; we are working hard to implement your super suggestions.

Now, on to the good stuff.  In this week’s edition of Fab Five Faves, we’ve got fun, sun and a little something for everyone:

	1.  Green Toys Jump Rope ($10) Made from 100% recycled milk jugs, Green Toys’ jump rope is a hopeful reminder that Spring is on its way.
	2.  Erba Organics Baby Travel Kit/Gift Set ($20) Whether heading out of town or searching for a perfect little gift, this is a pick that won’t let you down.  Inside a reusable mandarin orange trimmed zipper case you’ll find travel size containers of Erba’s chemical-free body wash, shampoo, body lotion and diaper cream.
	3.  California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion (sale price $11.95; normally $18.50) Unbeatable protection, unbeatable price.  What else is there to say?
	4.  3 Sprouts Organic Storage Bins ($38) 3 Sprouts’ adorable storage bins are one of our hottest-selling items virtually every week.  They’re the perfect antidote to a messy playroom, and a fitting gift for kids of all ages.
	5.  Thermos Foogo Sippy Cups (sale price $9.95; normally $15) We know how costly it can be to purchase the everyday stuff, so we like to periodically offer deep discounts on staple items like Thermos’ Foogo sippy cups.  Pink or blue, with or without handles, these are among the most sturdy, well-made sippy cups on the market, and we think you’ll find our current sale price hard to beat.

Hello Friends of the Bambino!

We’ve got favorites to suit every flavor – from fun to fragrant and furnishings to funtainers.  So come along now, let’s have a look at this week’s Fab Five Faves…because there’s nothing wrong with being popular:

	1.  Green Toys Tool Set Who said it’s not cool to be a tool?  This adorably-packaged 14-piece set – crafted from 100% recycled milk jugs – will help your kid tackle home improvement projects big and small.
	2.  California Baby “I Love You” Aromatherapy Bubble Bath Shower (er, bathe) your kid with love this Valentine’s Day with Cal Baby’s special blend of ylang ylang, sweet orange and pesticide-free essential oils.  A bubbly treat, even if you have no clue what ylang ylang is.  (Some say it possesses the fragrant scent of custard.  Yum, custard.)
	3.  Ecotots Surfin’ Growth Chart We love Ecotots’ U.S. designed and made furniture for it’s ease of assembly, durability and timeless style.  This surfboard-shaped growth chart (offered in four colors) is a super-cool addition that will liven up any kids’ room.
	4.  Dandelion ReUsable Forks & Spoons (8 Pack) We’ve been shipping lots of Dandelion lately, and we think we know why…it’s well-designed, made for everyday use, snappy-looking and really affordable.  This set of forks and spoons are made primarily from corn and suitable for all your little ones. (The forks actually work without being sharp – imagine that!)
	5.  Thermos Funtainer Cool Camo Straw Cup Thermos’ Funtainer straw cups are prized for their durability, insulation, non-toxicity and dishwasher-safe build.  This spunky pink and purple camo version has always been a favorite, but emblazoned with a silver heart and the word “love,” it’s been elevated to must-have status in advance of this Valentine’s Day.

Gotta run; our warehouse just received a new shipment of clothing from Parade Organics and I’m jonesing for a look.  We’ll be sharing them with you real soon.  (I know, I’m such a tease.)

We know many of you have already thrown your support towards a wide variety of relief efforts in Haiti, and we’re offering you another way to lend a hand.

Now through February 15, Greeno Bambino will donate $5 from each sale of Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fundough Kit to UNICEF’s relief efforts in Haiti, and Miss Brittany’s Fundough will donate a matching amount.

That’s $10 from every sale of Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fundough Kit going directly to support relief efforts. Please know that the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is absorbing all associated administrative costs, so that 100% of every dollar we give to UNICEF will support UNICEF’s relief efforts for children in Haiti.

We’re back with our weekly edition of Fab Five Faves – in which we review our customers’ favorite items for the past week.  Looks like GB lovers have two things on the brain so far this holiday season: toys and germs.  Guess that makes sense…What good is fun-time if you’re mired in flu-time?  OK – let’s see what’s topping the charts this week:

	1.  Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fundough Kit The brainchild of an enterprising young New York City pre-school teacher with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (aka Miss Brittany), this modeling dough kit is the perfect gift for any toddler who wants to build her own wintry wonderland.  (Comes complete with dough, wood shapes, rolling pin and apron.)
	2.  Sprig Toys Eco-Loader Actually smells like wood, because it’s made from a combination of reclaimed wood and recycled plastic.  A great-looking toy at a great price.
	3.  BabyGanics All-Purpose Biodegradable Surface Wipes The entire line of BabyGanics household cleaners was just recently added to the shop, and these versatile, non-toxic wipes have quickly become a big hit.
	4.  Tree Blocks Like no other blocks in your child’s toy collection, Tree Blocks are the most unique, natural set of blocks around.  Bonus: they’re made by a California-based company with a deep devotion to environmental conservation and workers’ rights.
	5.  VMV Hypoallergenics Grandma Minnie’s Kid Gloves Hand Sanitizer If you demand only the most carefully formulated body care products on the market, accept nothing less than VMV Hypoallergenics.  VMV’s alcohol-free Kid Gloves Hand Sanitizer is gentle yet highly effective, and is free of all 65 known allergens.

Make sure to keep an eye on Greeno Bambino over the next week, as we have some great new products about to hit the shelves.