New Favorite Resource for Kid Crafts

I am creative. I am crafty. I also spent years in my former, pre-mama life as an elementary school teacher. Despite all this, I still seem to find that I need inspiration for projects and activities to do with my little guys. Crafty Crow to the rescue. I just stumbled on a wonderful blog for child craft projects that has so many lovely, inspiring ideas I can hardly stand it! The Crafty Crow has a huge archive of projects and so many different categories (age, event, medium just to name a few), you are bound to find something perfect for everyone. I also love that there are projects for even the littlest of hands. (Plus they have awesome giveaways.) Check them out!

P.S. --I know I've been absolutely terrible about updating this blog. I've got lots of posts from recent plum tot newsletters to add and some great post ideas that have just not made their way here...yet. Check back soon. They'll be here-I promise.

Shopper's Guide to Pesticides

We do out best to buy local and organic produce whenever possible but I find there are times when I don't have that option. I'm often wondering about which types of produce to avoid and what is considered safer for my family and especially for my young children. The Environmental Working Group has created a Shopper's Guide to Pesticides that outlines "the Dirty Dozen" --the 12 most pesticide laden types of produce along with the "Clean 15" --the 15 kinds of produce with the lowest amount of pesticides. Click here for a wallet size print out and for more information about produce and pesticide use.

Here's the list:
Dirty Dozen (Produce with the most pesticides)

1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (Imported)
11. Carrot
12. Pear

Clean 15
(Lowest in pesticides--ranked with the very lowest first)

1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato

Safer Children's Sunscreens, Just in Time for Summer

Both my boys have inherited their mother's sensitive skin issues so I've been on the hunt for safer sunscreens that work on their skin without harmful chemicals. Check out Safemama's Sunscreen Cheat Sheet to find a list of safer sun options for your little one (and yourself).

Blog Love

I just love, love this blog and thought I would share it. Check out Inhabitots.com --a blog devoted to eco-friendly design for the next generation. I always find great product and design ideas for children and feel especially inspired by their commitment to sustainability.

www.inhabitots.com

A Magazine for Wee Ones

National Geographic Little Kids

'Santa' got our oldest son a subscription to Little Kids Magazine and let me tell you --what a hit! His latest issue came yesterday and we were both thrilled. He loves getting mail just for him and wants to read through the whole thing right away. I love it for the content--great photos, a non-fiction emphasis, vocabulary building, pre-reading skills, logic activities, science experiments, a multicultural focus, etc. I could go on and on.... It's geared for the preschool set and just won a Parents' Choice Gold Award in 2008. The only downside? It only comes out once every two months.

Skin Deep Cosmetic Database

Ever wonder what is in your skin care products? If so, check out Skin Deep, a cosmetic database that details more than 41,000 personal care products. They list all kind of product information about makeup, sunscreen, baby care products, men's products and more. Here you can find out just how safe (or unsafe) the personal care products your family uses are. If you find that what you're using is unsafe, you can easily find a safer alternative on their website. Phew!

Go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com for more info.

If You Have a Newborn....

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp

This book was a lifesaver with our firstborn! The theory and practical advice in this book helped us cope with four months of colicky crying and gave us some useful tools to help sooth our newborn son.

Keeping Your Baby Safe

I'm making this month's Go Green entry short, sweet, and safer for your little one. While pregnant, I found a great website called Safe Mama that is a fabulous resource for safe baby products, resources, and product recall information.

They even have "cheat sheets" on a variety of baby products including BPA-free bottles and sippy cups, baby bath products, and sunscreen.

Go to www.safemama.com to find out more.