Hello, Detroit!

I just finished up teaching a class, and opened my email to find a few messages from readers in the Detroit area.  Hello, Detroit!! Apparently, the Fox News clip I did a few months ago appeared on the Detroit affiliate today.  I think that's so fun!

After that clip aired in Phoenix, I wrote up a post about the products shown. Please click through and check it out!

I also just want to say Welcome! I always love new readers, and look forward to getting to know you.  Feel free to comment or email me directly.

Products from Fox Spot

I've received a few emails asking me about the specifics of the products shown on my kitchen table during my recent Fox interview about trying to avoid chemicals in items - especially for my kids.  I wasn't able to talk about every piece on camera, but here is what you saw on my table:

1. Born Free was the first company to manufacture BPA-free plastics for baby bottles and plastic drinking cups. Their products can be found at www.bornfree.com
2. June Bee Baby Clothing specializes in handknit baby clothing, made from organic materials. Each piece of clothing is handknit by women working from their homes in Turkey. Clothing can be found at www.junebeebaby.com
3. Innobaby provides a variety of serving dishes and food storage devices that are convenient and safe for children. Their stainless steel bus platter is durable, as well as adorable and safe for kids. Not all of their plastic products are BPA-free, but a listing can be found at their website – www.innobaby.com
4. Little Duck Organics provide quality, organic snacks for toddlers and preschoolers. Their freeze-dried fruits contain nothing except fruit! Their snacks are found at Amazon and www.littleduckorganics.com
5. Revolution Foods is another company providing organic snacks for infants, toddlers and older kids. Their innovative packaging and fresh ideas, coupled with their commitment to providing organic foods for kids makes them a company to watch. Visit www.revfoods.com to see a complete line of products.
6. Boogie Wipes are a gentle alternative to dry tissues for sensitive noses. Saline-moistened wipes help moms keep noses clean! This mom-created product can be found at www.boogiewipes.com
7. Tyler Trends Organic Cotton Clothing is made by a family-owned company that makes quality clothing with fun designs. Their cute designs can be found at www.tylertrends.com
8. Teething Bling pendants and bangles are made from silicone that is phthalate and lead free - completely non-toxic. Available from Amazon and www.smartmomjewelry.com
9. Melville Chair – These versatile chairs are made from formaldehyde-free plywood and finished with environmentally safe finishes. The chairs can be turned into a table, and even used as a stool. The company incorporates sustainable practices, in an effort to create fun and responsible products. More products can be found at www.greenhome.com
10. Mrs. Meyer’s Baby Line is a sweet-smelling, eco-friendly line of products safe for babies. More information can be found at www.mrsmeyers.com
11. Piggy Paint is a completely non-toxic nail polish which is safe for everyone to use. The colors are bright and vibrant, but practically odorless. They also provide a non-toxic nail polish remover. They can be found at www.piggypaint.com
12. Lotus Bebe creates sustainable luxury for babies. Their blankets are made from soybeans and bamboo– considered eco-fabrics, that are less damaging to the environment than cotton and petroleum based fabrics. Their products are found at www.lotusbebe.com

Trying to Be Chemical-Free

A couple weeks ago, Keith Yaskin, from our local Fox news station, visited my home to talk with me about the things I do to try and avoid chemicals in our home and for our children.  It was fun to share some of the products we use, as well as share how I try to avoid too many chemicals without becoming an extremist.  I think Keith did a great editing job, but you can watch and judge for yourself.

Last Minute Emails

This morning, as I was throwing together beef stew for tonight's dinner, I received an email asking if I would be available to have a TV crew come to my home and interview me about safe baby/child products.  I took a deep breath  . . . looked around my house . . . and replied "Sure!"

Before they showed up, I shot this video to help me think about the products I was showing, and let go of some of my nervousness.  I realized I mis-spoke a couple times in my home video and hope I did better when the reporter was here.  The Lotus Bebe blankets are made from soybeans and BAMBOO.  I don't know why I said flannel, except that they are softer than flannel!

A few hours later, a very nice reporter and his cameraman showed up and we talked about being a mom, choosing products with little to no chemicals, writing a blog, my Frigidaire refrigerator (he was a bit incredulous that I received it in exchange for blogging . . . and I am, too, sometimes!  But I also know that I helped spread the word about the brand and showed my readers how it really worked in our home!) and then I talked about some of the products we had in our home. 

I'm curious to see how the show is edited and how excited Lydia will be to see herself on TV.  She still complains that she wasn't able to be on the last show (when I was live on Sonoran Living) so I'm glad she got her shot this time!  I'm also hoping I didn't say anything dumb.  The kids were all well-behaved . . . well, as well-behaved as 3 children their ages can be, I guess!

Here's Keith Yaskin, the reporter for Fox 10 News, with his camerman getting some final shots in my kitchen before they left.  I'll let you know when the episode airs -- I'm especially curious what others have to say about avoiding chemicals!