Worm Bin Set-Up 101

Yes, it's been a while since my last vermiculture post—that’s a fancy word for worm composting; feel free to toss the word around from time to time—especially when those folks that can name every plant in Latin insist on casually correcting your pronunciation by slowly repeating it the “correct” way ;). Last compost post, I promised to set up a new worm bin at California Baby headquarters, but I bumped up against the blazing Southern California sun that beats down on our building, which is perfect for solar panels, but not so great for Red Wigglers. The hot sun not only dries them out, but creates an atmosphere so hot that they fry. Instead, I decided that, for now, the worm bin will live at my home until we can create a shady micro-climate for our slimy little friends.

Step One: Scout A Site.

Place your worm bin in a shady spot so they don't overheat and dry out. A north facing wall is ideal.

Step Two: Unpack and try to figure out the directions

Not a hard step but puzzling nonetheless. Even if one has done this before, the memory fades... What to do with the block of coir? And the shredded newspaper? Oh, soak it in water and break it into pieces. This is your 'base layer,' spread it evenly along the bottom of the 'base tray.'

You will spread your worms on top of this layer--it ensures that they don't fall out the bottom.

I bought 2 lbs of Red Wiggler worms from Peaceful Valley Organic Farm Supply (Grow Organic). Note that when ordering the worms, they will ask you to specify a delivery date to ensure that you will be home to receive your handsome guests. Choose a date that you can unpack and set up your bin right away. Buy two pounds as this will get you started faster, no waiting for them to multiply, which is tempting but not worth the wait—especially if you have lots of greens that need ‘processing.’

Spread your greens on evenly on top of the worms. There is a ‘max’ line on the tray, fill to up there--don't be tempted to go over. If you don’t have enough greens or can't add them to the bin at the moment, you can collect them and then add at a later time; I like to keep mine in a bag in the fridge (husbands don’t like this, by the way). This 'method' gives you some breathing room so you can add your greens (later) at one time, cover with the top lid and forget about it.

You're done. I like to top with shredded newspaper to provide extra protection, keep in moisture, and to control fruit flies. Most national newspapers print with soy based inks and they can safely be composted. If you are using a local newspaper, check with them on their choice of inks before adding to your bin (be sure they are lead free). Worms love newspapers and cardboard (it adds bulk to their diet); shred or tear into strips first and add a nice fluffy layer to the top.

Go for it! Add a worm bin to your garden, you will be happy you did. You get free fertilizer. The worms are harmless. Your kids will love it, and you will be reducing your landfill contribution. My opinion is that if everyone simply composted their own organic matter instead of sending it to the landfill, we would be that much closer to sustainable living. I’m shooting for a total off-the-grid life—and hope to get there soon. Stay tuned!

My son's small collection of little ceramic Dutch Row houses; I am modeling my worn bin 'row' on this collection and hope to fill up my entire north wall with worm bins. Wouldn't it be great if the makers of worm bins designed them to look like these cute little houses? As I like to say, "Good design is free, bad design is expensive--and ugly :)"

Cheers!

Jessica

Watch Out! Stay Away From ‘Fragrance’

Brandy, a California Baby facebook fan, alerted us to this excellent article published by Parents magazine—kudos to them for taking on this subject and to the writer, Virginia Sole-Smith, for writing an easy to understand article filled with lots of helpful info to help keep your family safe.

From the skin care perspective, the message is clear: stay away from any product that has ‘fragrance’ on their ingredient list- even if the company insists their ‘fragrance’ is somehow safe. Yeah Right. ‘Fragrance’ is a catch-all word for trade-secret, and companies can use any chemical they want and simply add it to their ‘fragrance’ ingredient. The rules were made to serve an industry that loves cheap synthetic fragrance. Now some companies are telling us they are different and their ‘fragrance’ is safe. I don’t believe it, and I hope you don’t either.

All my best,

Jessica

How to Keep Your Family Safe from Toxic Chemicals

BPA ... Phthalates... You know they can be dangerous for your family, but you may not know all the ways they enter your body, or -- most important -- how you can limit your exposure. Parents investigates.

By Virginia Sole-Smith

Amy Ellings thought she knew what to expect last year when she agreed to donate blood for a study that would measure the levels of chemicals in her body. It focused on pregnant women in their second trimester in order to gauge what kind of chemical "body burden" they might be passing on to their developing baby. It sounded a little sci-fi, but Ellings, of Olympia, Washington, knew she led a healthy lifestyle: "I'm a public-health nutritionist, so I was interested to see the results, but I figured everything would be normal."

Not quite.

Two months after she gave birth to baby Nick, Ellings learned that her blood samples had contained 12 different chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with the body's ability to produce hormones. Two of these chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA) and diethyl phthalate (DEP), were at levels higher than those found in 90 percent of American adults. "I was blown away," says Ellings. She wondered whether she'd been exposed to these chemicals because she'd grown up in a small industrial town. But BPA and DEP break down quickly, which means her blood test revealed only what her body had accumulated within the previous three days. "I was shocked to learn what my unborn baby and I were exposed to," she says.

You might think Ellings is an isolated case, but biomonitoring studies show that these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (or EDCs) are now found in virtually all of us. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified detectable levels of BPA, for instance, in 93 percent of people tested, and phthalates like DEP in at least 75 percent of the population. "These chemicals weren't in most consumer goods as recently as 40 years ago," says Parents advisor Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City, and director of its Children's Environmental Health Center. "Now they're in our bodies, and we don't understand all the ways they could impact our health because no previous generation of humans has ever been exposed to them."

What we do know: As the environmental exposures and chemical burden on our bodies has risen, so have rates of diseases, particularly those that impact kids, including asthma, childhood cancers, autism, and ADHD. Hormones, and chemicals that mimic them, may play a key role in the evolution of these health problems because they work as chemical messengers, traveling through the bloodstream to affect the development of tissues and organs, as well as influencing body processes like metabolism and reproduction. "There is no more dangerous time for this toxic exposure to occur than during pregnancy and early childhood, when organ systems are still in development," notes Andrew Weil, M.D., founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona.

But nobody knows what level of toxic exposure might trigger a particular disease. Even though many EDCs break down quickly, their levels are constantly increasing in our body because we encounter them every day -- in our food, beauty products, and even from the furniture in our own home.

The New Pollution

EDC exposure works like this: You go shopping and stock up on canned goods, baby formula, cleaning supplies, and shampoo, all of which may either contain BPA, DEP, or other endocrine disruptors or absorb them via their EDC-containing cans and packages. Then you eat, breathe, and in some cases, rub these chemicals directly on your skin. Once they're in your body, you release small doses into our waterways every time you urinate. And when you're finished with the products, you send the leftovers or their containers to break down in a landfill, allowing them to circulate further in the environment.

EDCs do their damage early on, causing small changes to a fetus's developing cells that may have a ripple effect throughout that child's life. "We used to think that the placenta protected a fetus from these kinds of exposures, but studies have shown that phthalates and other endocrine disruptors cross the placenta barrier," says Dr. Landrigan. The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy organization, released a biomonitoring report last year that detected more than 200 environmental toxins in the cord blood of newborn babies. Fetuses accumulate these chemicals in higher concentrations than their moms do because their immature liver and kidneys can't excrete them as well as adult organs can. Although Ellings says that 7-month-old Nick is happy and healthy, it's too soon to know whether his early chemical exposures will lead to future problems.

These are three of the most common EDCs and the specific ways you and your family are exposed.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

Bisphenol A (BPA), pronounced [bis-FEEN-al A] What it is: An industrial chemical that is used to make some types of epoxy resins (which hold things together) as well as polycarbonate plastic, a hard, shatterproof plastic used in some food-storage containers

Where it is: The linings of metal food containers and drink cans and some aluminum water bottles; any food containers, baby bottles, or other plastics that are labeled #7; CD cases; eyeglasses; dental composites and sealants

The risks: "Since the 1930s we've known that BPA can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body," says Richard Denison, Ph.D., a senior scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund. Studies on lab animals have found that early exposures to BPA can predispose them to develop prostate and breast cancers later in life; it may also lower fertility by impairing normal development of eggs and sperm. Researchers at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported in March that 2-year-old girls who had been exposed to higher prenatal levels of BPA displayed more aggression and hyperactivity, while other research has suggested links between BPA and increasing asthma rates and cardiovascular problems.

Phthalates

Phthalates, pronounced [THA-lāts] What they are: Chemicals, including diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), added to vinyl and other plastics to increase flexibility and to personal-care products to keep their fragrances

Where they are: Anything vinyl; most soaps, lotions, and hair products, especially those with "fragrance" or "parfum" in their ingredients -- all of which may off-gas or degrade, releasing phthalate particles into household dust. Phthalates were banned for use in products for kids under 3 by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, but they're still lurking in many other plastic toys, and any baby products made before the ban.

The risks: "Exposure to phthalates is associated with reduced testosterone levels in kids and adults," notes Tracey Woodruff, Ph.D., director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at the University of California, San Francisco. Researchers at the University of Rochester have found that prenatal phthalate exposure correlated with subtle signs of feminization (like undescended testicles) in baby boys and less masculine behavior as the boys got older. In April, a study at Mount Sinai's Children's Environmental Health Center also found that children exposed to phthalates in the womb were more likely to exhibit symptoms of ADHD between the ages of 4 and 9.

Flame Retardants

What they are: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used in products to lower the risk and inhibit the spread of fire.

Where they are: On electronics, furniture, carpets, children's pajamas, and other household items that are required to meet flame-retardant safety standards. As these materials age, they release PBDEs into household dust, which we then breathe in. The CDC estimates that 97 percent of Americans have detectable levels of PBDEs in their body. PBDEs are now banned in several states, so manufacturers will be phasing them out of consumer goods over the next few years.

The risks: PBDEs don't break down as quickly as most other endocrine disruptors, so they persist in the environment and in the body for years. Women with higher levels of PBDEs may be half as likely to conceive as women with lower levels, according to a recent study from University of California, Berkeley. Children who had higher concentrations of PBDEs in their umbilical-cord blood at birth scored lower on mental and physical development tests between ages 1 and 6, according to research from the Columbia University Center for Children's Environmental Health.

How We Got There

Why are such potentially dangerous chemicals allowed in so many household products in the first place? "You can't put a new car on the market without extensive crash testing first, but there aren't any similar precautions in place for chemicals," explains Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence Canada and coauthor of Slow Death by Rubber Duck. When used as industrial chemicals, EDCs are regulated by the much-maligned Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, which doesn't require that they be tested or proven safe before being used. Instead, it's up to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to show that a chemical is unsafe -- that it poses an "unreasonable risk" -- before it can regulate or ban that chemical. "The bar is set so high that the EPA can essentially never meet it, and therefore dangerous chemicals are in all sorts of products," says Dr. Denison. Congress's original rationale for giving a pass to industrial chemicals like BPA, he explains, is that they weren't designed to be biologically active or get into our body in the same way pesticides or drugs would, and wouldn't pose the same risks. "Now we know that was naive. We should presume these chemicals could be a problem until their producers can prove otherwise," he says.

Some canned-goods manufacturers, such as General Mills (which makes Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes) and Heinz, are responding to consumer concerns. They're reformulating some of their products to be BPA-free or are planning to line their cans with safer chemicals (which they haven't yet identified). But public-health officials worry that until better procedures are in place to regulate claims like "BPA-free," consumers can't be assured seeing this term on a label means a product is safe. (Experts predict the next hallmark of safety may be products marketed as "EA-free," for estrogenic activity.) "At this point it's still better to choose items that are BPA-free," says Dr. Woodruff.

Meanwhile, some experts continue to believe that the EDC levels found in biomonitoring studies are too low to be a cause for concern. "It's the amount of any given chemical, not its presence or absence, that determines its potential for harm," says Carl Winter, Ph.D., a toxicologist and director of the FoodSafe Program at the University of California, Davis, as well as the scientific spokesperson for a trade group called the Institute of Food Technologists. Still, consider a 2005 study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, which found that mice exposed to BPA in utero at a level of just 25 parts per trillion experienced double the amount of milk-duct growth as mice with no BPA exposure. That alone would lead you to believe that even the tiniest amount could affect your body.

"Finding any synthetic chemical in a person's body should be a big red flag that we need to really study that chemical," says Gina Solomon, M.D., a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. The American Medical Association issued a statement last fall calling for the government to increase regulation of EDCs in consumer products. And certain EDCs are banned in multiple states and cities, including Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Washington, and Wisconsin, Chicago, and New York's Suffolk County. Suffolk County, for instance, issues a $500 fine to stores that sell baby bottles or sippy cups that are made with BPA.

In April, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced Senate and House versions of the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010, which would overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act. Under this new law, manufacturers would have to demonstrate that new chemicals are safe before they can put them on the market, and all existing chemicals would have to be assessed for safety over the next five to 15 years. The Obama administration has signaled that it will support the bill. And in April, a panel that advises the president on cancer issued a 200-plus-page report calling for all levels of government "to protect every American from needless disease through rigorous regulation of environmental pollutants," including BPA. "We expect the chemical industry to fight reform tooth and nail, but there's broad bipartisan support for more regulation because nobody in his right mind supports exposing kids to toxins," says Smith.

Making a Difference

With EDC exposure so ubiquitous, you may wonder if you can keep your family safe. "The good news is that it's completely doable to make small changes that have real benefits," says Dr. Woodruff. For example, many of these chemicals pile up in household dust, so dusting, wet mopping, and vacuuming frequently can reduce your family's exposure, especially if your child is crawling and at that stage where he's putting everything in his mouth. (See "Safer Swaps," below, for more simple substitutions.) "Since many of the EDCs have a short half-life, they can be quickly flushed out of your body once the exposure is removed," explains Smith. Which is exactly what we want to hear as we wait for chemical-policy reform and for scientists to understand the full scope of these daily yet preventable EDC exposures. As Amy Ellings says, "You shouldn't have to worry every time you shop for your family."

Safer Swaps Whether you make one, some, or all, your family's health will benefit -- and fast.

Phthalates

Instead of: Personal-care products that list "fragrance" as an ingredient Try: Fragrance-free shampoo, moisturizer, and other staples. Burt's Bees, California Baby, and Earth Mama Angel Baby are three phthalate-free brands. Find safer products by checking their ratings in the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database at cosmeticsdatabase.com.

Instead of: Heavily fragranced cleaning products Try: A spray bottle filled with a solution of half vinegar, half water. Or use Clorox, Seventh Generation, or Method, cleaning-product brands that are free of phthalates and most other EDCs.

Instead of: Buying new toys without knowing what they may contain Try: Seeing whether their test results are listed on healthystuff.org, an online database of more than 5,000 products run by the Ecology Center, a Michigan environmental nonprofit.

BPA

Instead of: A water bottle that's made of plastic or aluminum (which may be lined with BPA) Try: Stainless steel

Instead of: Canned goods Try: Soups or tomatoes that are packaged in glass jars; fresh or frozen produce; dried beans

Instead of: Liquid formula in metal cans Try: Powdered formula in cardboard or plastic. If you must use liquid, choose concentrate in glass or plastic.

Instead of: Microwaving in plastic or pouring hot liquids into BPA-containing bottles or containers Try: Transferring your leftovers to a glass or ceramic bowl before you heat them up, heating baby formula in BPA-free bottles or by putting the bottle in a bowl of warm water.

Instead of: Using any plastic, especially baby bottles and other children's products, labeled #7 (polycarbonate) or #3 (PVC) Try:Remembering this mantra: "4, 5, 1, and 2 -- all the rest are bad for you." Look for a product labeled BPA-free and find out why it's safer. WeilBaby bottles, for instance, are made with Tritan (a copolyester that is also free of phthalates) and manufactured in the U.S. on equipment that makes only BPA-free products. BornFree Eco-Friendly Baby Bottles are made from polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), a plastic that does not contain BPA, PVC, or phthalates, and can be returned to the manufacturer for recycling. Lifewithoutplastic.com has more ideas for affordable, nonplastic food-storage containers, bottles, and children's goods. When you do use plastic of any kind, don't put it in the dishwasher.

PBDEs

Instead of: Carpets, curtains, and furniture that have been treated with flame retardants Try: Naturally fire-resistant wool, hemp, and cotton. (With furniture, and other big purchases, before you buy always ask the manufacturer whether it uses a chemical coating.)

Take Action for Tougher Chemical Laws Check out these Web resources to get involved.

Join the MomsRising "Safer Chemicals" campaign: momsrising.org/environmentalhealth.

Through the Environmental Defense Fund, send a letter to your Congressperson, letting him or her know that tougher chemical regulation is important to you: edf.org/chemicalsafety.

Stay up-to-date on pending legislation with the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition: saferchemicals.org.

Learn more about the research of the Washington Toxics Coalition, which conducted Amy Ellings's test: watoxics.org/publications/earliestexposures.

Originally published in the August 2010 issue of Parents magazine.

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

Recipe: A Great Vegetarian Side Dish

Yikes! You were shopping at the Farmer's Market and inspiration struck... it's the start of tomato season, the farmer piled them high, there was a bit of bumping and vying for best, and it was fun. At home, while unloading your booty, you realize you bought way too many tomatoes.

Not to worry, here’s an easy and delicious way to use up the bounty before they start rotting on your kitchen counter (don't put them in the fridge) and end up in the composter as expensive worm food.

This recipe, it's really more of a how-to, is an effortless way to transform those red globes into warm and juicy comfort food. Serve up a few tomatoes per person as a veggie side dish or puree the whole thing and use as a super tasty pasta sauce (don't forget to squeeze the garlic out of its skin first though).

Option: Throw in a few whole jalapeno peppers to turn up the spice dial

Equipment

• Casserole baking dish or cast iron pan

Produce & Seasoning

• Tomatoes - enough to snuggly fit the dish/pan when cut in half
• Salt and pepper to taste (use your fancy salt here, I love Fleur de Sel from the Camargue region of France)
• Herbs de Provenance; fresh or dried. Don’t have it? Improvise and create your own fresh blend by mixing thyme and oregano and even a little rosemary, chop finely.
• Olive oil
• Garlic - leave them whole and in their skins. Allow at least two per person. They will roast and become mild, creamy and nutty; simply squeeze directly into your mouth.

Teaching moment: Develop your child's palate by getting them hooked on roasted garlic. They can pop them directly into their mouth or spread the paste on a piece of bread for a sophisticated snack!

How To

1. Wash the tomatoes (I dilute CB Super Sensitive bubble bath or wash for this) rinse well to remove any soap residue and dry
2. Cut tomatoes in half and fit into your baking dish – a snug fit is what you’re after
3. Tuck in garlic cloves in open spots
4. Sprinkle with herbs, salt and pepper
5. Drizzle with olive oil

Temp & Time

• Bake at 450 F
• 30 minutes or when tomatoes are caramelized and the garlic is soft and creamy - check every 10 minutes or so and rotate the vessel if you see one side is cooking faster and for balanced cooking.

Serve It Up

• Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving as the tomatoes will be HOT!
• Serve directly from your baking vessel onto plates as it is hard to transfer the tomatoes onto a serving dish without destroying a few.
• Soak up the ‘sauce’ that accumulates at the bottom of the vessel with slices of crusty country loaf bread

Enjoy!

You will find this recipe and other timely and helpful articles on eco and healthy living in the summer issue of our online magazine, http://www.cbnaturalliving.com/. Check it out!

Cheers!

Jessica

Worms and their Indulgences!

Worm Casting (worm poop)
We call this fertilizer :)

Lifting off the lid of my very active worm bin...
reveals a layer of finished worm compost.

Worm Tea (worm pee)

The base tray holds a swish-y mess of worm tea--use straight or dilute!
Don't worry, most composters have a spigot to dispense directly into a bottle or watering can.

Tune in next time for...
A Search For A Shady Spot: California Baby headquarters gets a new worm composter! We search for the best site, set up the worm bin/house, add the worms and contribute our first food layer from our lunch room.

Life in my garden

I believe in compost.

I love when organic material doesn't end up in the trash can and ultimately a landfill. I'd rather it rot right in my own backyard.
My worm bin holds a coveted spot -- right next to the kitchen door.
Beautiful colors.


Green parsley stems, bois du rose onion skins, black coffee grounds, brown egg shells, and touches of red radish.
Next... those wiggle worms that do the dirty work and setting up a new worm bin!

Sincerely,

Jessica

Summer Pest Tips

Hello California Baby Fans!
Since the summer season is almost upon us, we thought we would post some tips & prevention methods on how to avoid ticks and mosquitoes. These tips were taken (and edited!) from the EPA’s website; if you want to learn more (probably more than you’d ever want to know about pests), go to, http://www.epa.gov/

TICKS
Checking for ticks and prompt removal of attached ticks is probably the most important and effective method of preventing infection.

Behavior & Risk of Exposure

• Nymphal blacklegged ticks are very small (about the size of a pinhead), difficult to spot, and
• Are active during the late spring and summer months
• The majority (about 75%) of Lyme disease cases are associated with activities (play, yard or garden work) around the home.
• Ticks do not jump or drop from trees, but grasp passing hosts from the leaf litter, tips of grass, etc.
• Most ticks are probably picked up on the lower legs and then crawl up the body seeking a place to feed.
• Pets can bring ticks into the home, resulting in a tick bite without the person being outdoors.

MOSQUITOES

• Remove mosquito habitats
• Eliminate standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
• Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
• Drain or fill temporary pools of water with dirt.
• Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.
• Keep mosquitoes away from exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.
• Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks to cover gaps in your clothing where mosquitoes can get to your skin.
• Stay indoors at sunrise, sunset, and early in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.

Best,

The California Baby Team

California Baby Natural Bug Blend™ Bug Repellent Spray

California Baby, now in J.CREW!

Hi CB Fans! We are proud to announce that you can now find select California Baby products at J.CREW! Look for CB products in the ‘In Good Company’ section of their site, which they describe as: “We teamed up with a handful of tried-and-true brands and a few legends in the making whose quality and authenticity can’t be beat. Simply put, they’re our design heroes.”

We think the J.CREW style and selection is inspiring, and we stock up every chance we get! In fact, when Anya, our graphics diva, found out that CB was going to be offered on the J.CREW site, you could hear her squeals of delight down the block! While jumping up and down she pronounced “That’s my favooorrrite company! I bought my wedding dress from there!” For the rest of the week, she walked about with a happy grin. So, if you’re in the market for a bathing suit (or a wedding dress) check out J.Crew’s selection—you are sure to find something hip and stylish.

Cheers!

Jessica

California Baby May Suncare Specials!

Since summer is right around the corner and we are sunscreen fanatics, we wanted to offer a suncare special so you don’t have to be caught on a sunny day without SPF protection.

 When you buy a California Baby Suncare Starter Kit, which includes:

• 2.9 oz SPF30+ Sunscreen lotion
• 4.5 oz SPF18 Sunscreen lotion
• 0.5 oz SPF30+ Sunblock Stick

we will give you a FREE pair of California Baby Designer Sunglasses, a value of $11.99. The Suncare Starter Kits comes in Everyday Year Round, and No Fragrance.

 

A free pair of CB Designer Glasses are also included when you buy the 19 oz Califirnia Baby SPF 30+ No Fragrance Sun lotion. Available through the month of May or while supplies last.

New California Baby Tea Tree & Lavender Hair Conditioner!

We are proud to announce the newest addition to the California Baby Family: the Tea Tree & Lavender Hair Conditioner! It’s a great complement to our Tea Tree & Lavender Shampoo & Bodywash. The conditioner is now available on our website, please click here for a full product description!

California Baby Celebrates Mothers Day!

Sunday, May 9th is Mother's day and we never ignore mom - we have a special spa package customized to ensure a relaxing day.

I’m always surprised at how just a little pampering can rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. We moms always seem to be putting others before ourselves; and I doubt that will ever change. But, we need to carve out ‘me time’ to bring us back to center (and keep us sane!), and home-spa time is the fastest and a very effective way to do this. This set was conceived for mom but can be appreciated by any busy woman—so go ahead and buy yourself a gift if you simply want to de-stress, anytime of the year.

Our limited edition Calming Collection Spa Kit is a wonderful way to show mom how much you appreciate her! This special collection contains aromatherapy products designed to pamper and delight and to create an at-home spa treatment. Our signature Calming blend includes French lavender and Clary Sage and works to promote calmness and ensure a good night’s sleep. French Lavender naturally soothes and contains antibacterial properties.

California Baby Calming Collection Spa Kit includes:

• California Baby Calming Aromatherapy Bubble Bath A long soak in California Baby® Calming™ Bubble Bath is a great way to wash away stress - follow with a cup of chamomile tea, and you can look forward to a good night's sleep.
• California Baby Calming Bath Drops Our essential oil blends are so versatile-use for massage, bath, diffuser, humidifier...
• California Baby Calming Massage Oil Seal in moisturizing after showering - apply California Baby Calming™ Massage Oil to damp skin... leaves skin satiny soft with a wonderful non-greasy glow.
• California Baby Calming Spritzer Spray anytime to promote calmness and ease stress.
• California Baby 2-3" Organic Sea Sponge Helps make cleansing easier; use with our Bubble Baths and Shampoo & Bodywashes.

Buy this kit and save $13.96, that's 24% off! - available now and until May 9th only!!
Click here to go to this offer!

California Baby Sunface Tote @ Hollyrod 4 Kids

Check out this blog featuring philanthropist and actress Holly Robinson Peete with our insulated cooler tote. We had a blast with Holly at her first annual Family Fun Festival! Get your California Baby Sunface Tote here and receive 10% off until April 30th! Exclusively for our Twitter & Facebook fans - see our Facebook "notes" section for more details!

California Baby Earth Day Special

Get a free organic tote bag!

Thursday, April 22nd is Earth Day. California Baby is celebrating by giving a free California Baby Sunface Organic Tote Bag with a http://www.californiababy.com/ order of $90.00 or more from Wednesday, April 21st through Friday, April 23rd, while supplies last. Place the bag in your cart and use the coupon code earthday2010 at checkout.

A note from Jessica, developer of California Baby: I have tons of reusable cloth bags but I forget them at home or in the car because they are all too big and bulky—requiring too much effort on my part… This bag is light weight and roomy; the straps are longish so that you can wear it like a purse, but what I LOVE most about this organic bag is that it folds down to almost nothing so that there is no excuse for not taking it with me everywhere hidden in my handbag. It just works, and I’m happy. It really is the small things…

Jessica

California Baby Hair Care: Not Just for Kids

Hello California Baby Fans

Although California Baby products are used and promoted for use by sensitive adults, they are designed for babies and kids. Usually little ones have baby fine hair and do not use styling aids like gel, hairspray, etc. Their hair care needs are a little different than an adult’s.

Nevertheless, California Baby washes and conditioners work great on adult hair because they are non-stripping, which means your own natural oils that add softness and shine are left intact, and hair coloring treatments lasts longer.

Here are a few CB hair washing and conditioning tips

• Wash your hair once—but let it sit for at 30-60 seconds to do its job


• Start the cleansing at the temples, front and back of scalp, which are the oiliest parts


• Move to the ends of the hair, which tend to be the driest, and to keep your ends in tip top shape and extend your next hair trim, don’t concentrate or start your washing at the ends


• By now we know that bubbling isn’t where the cleaning happens, so avoid trying to ‘foam up,’ instead make sure the product is evenly distributed—if it makes contact, it’s working to break the surface tension of oil and water—releasing it from your hair


• California Baby hair conditioners are lightweight by design—giving you the option to leave it in for extra conditioning (great for curly hair) or do a quick rinse for finer hair

Adults should only be using a half-dollar sized amount of product at each wash (and a dime or quarter sized for kids). Give my technique a try, it works for me—I hope it works for you too!

Jessica

p.s. for more information on California Baby concentrated washes, check out our facebook note.

California Baby @ HollyRod Family Fun Festival

April is National Autism Awareness Month. California Baby is excited to join the HollyRod Foundation for their first annual Family Fun Festival in LA this Sunday benefiting children with Autism. HollyRod founder, Holly Robinson Peete, chose California Baby Sunscreen for the event because it's gluten & casein free (like all California Baby products), as well as fragrance free.
Order your tickets and donate here: www.hollyrod.org

New California Baby Sunglasses!

Introducing NEW sunglasses made especially for us by Baby Banz—the standard for baby and children's sunglasses and UV protection worldwide. We’ve teamed up with Baby Banz to offer California Baby customers 100% UV protection while maintaining the wrap around functionality and a sleekly fitted style. Sporting the California Baby logo on the band, you can be sure that eye protection for baby has never been this chic! Ready for a May delivery—just in time for summer. Stay tuned!

California Baby Cover Baby

Willow and her mom came by our showroom on Friday to pick up her gift certificate and gift basket. Once again, a big congratulations to the newest California Baby Cover Baby! See the winner photo and read Willows story in our online magazine http://www.cbnaturalliving.com/.

Congratulations to the winner of the California Baby Cover Baby Contest!

It was a resounding success! Our Facebook fans helped pick the winner by voting. Thanks to everyone who submitted photos and to all who voted. Even if your photo did not win this contest, it may be used for a future issue of our online magazine, so keep your eyes peeled. If we pick your photo for the cover of our magazine, you will receive a $50.00 California Baby Gift certificate (and of course, bragging rights). View the winner photo and read the winners story in our online magazine!

10% off California Baby Spritzers

Spritzers are a fun and easy way to incorporate aromatherapy into your day. Just a quick spritz or two can change a mood, calm the senses, refresh the air…and, they just plain-old smell good. California Baby spritzers utilize only pure essential oils—we never use synthetics—instead, we take it even further by testing our oils to be sure that they are synthetic and pesticide free. Many sprays contain alcohol~ California Baby aromatherapy spritzers are alcohol free, which makes for a healthier spritz. After all, who wants to spray themselves and their children with alcohol? Not me!

We have four to choose from: Calming is great at nap or bedtime; Colds & Flu helps to clear the air and stuffy noses; Overtired & Cranky works to change a mood from cranky to sweet, and I Love You is the fragrant way to say I Love You—anytime!

Throughout the month of April, get 10% off when you use the code ha11onsaft at checkout!

Take a Hike

Seeing the world through your child’s eyes is just one of the joys of being a parent. What better way is there to introduce them to the wonders of their world than to take them into the outdoors on a hike? Communing with nature by hitting the hiking trails is a great way to spend some quality time together as a family while teaching little ones about nature. Whether your brood is big or small, walking or crawling, hiking with kids can be safe and easy. Of course the wilderness does pose some risks—think sunburns, bug bites and stings, scrapes and scratches, exhaustion, and dehydration—but most can be avoided or easily treated with a little advance planning and know-how. These tips will help keep your family happy and healthy while on the trail.

Take Short Trips: Excursions with kids must be kept short. To build their endurance and condition their little bodies for hikes, start out with no more than a one-mile trip, then slowly build up to a distance that fits your family’s fitness levels.

Be Flexible: Kids are curious, which means they’re going to want to stop often and check out the scenery, so plan to have plenty of time to complete your hike. And remember, you’re going to be moving even more slowly now that you’re carrying extra gear and supplies, and possibly a child.

Stay Safe in the Sun: Sunscreen is a must any time you’re outdoors, even when you’re hiking under a canopy of shady trees. Choose a protection level of SPF 30+ and for ease of use, try a stick because they’re super easy to apply to little faces. Opt for a fragrance-free version, which is great for hikes because there’s no scent to attract bugs. Reapply sunscreen every half hour whether it is needed or not, as little ones can’t always communicate with you when they’re feeling sunburned.

Beat Bug Bites: Your kids will love checking out spider webs and getting up close and personal with a variety of creepy crawlers, but what bites bugs leave behind—not so much. Buy a DEET free bug repellent as this chemical can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people; instead try a natural bug repellent that is based on natural plant oils such as citronella to fight off ticks, mosquitoes, fleas and biting flies.

Dress in Layers: Your child is dressed for adventure, be sure they are wearing a minimum of three layers. Hypothermia can happen even on a summer day.

Stay Hydrated: One quart of water every two hours is a good rule of thumb—more in extreme hot, cold or high altitude.

Most importantly: Have fun!


All My Best,

Jessica

Natural Habits That Heal Dry Skin.

Daily cleansing and moisturizing is an essential part of caring for your skin and your child’s. But for those who suffer from extremely dry skin or eczema, a relaxing bath or a soothing warm shower can turn into a dry and itchy affair.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition marked by itching, redness and scaly patches. It is very common in babies, usually appearing on the face, chest, back, arms or legs during the first 6 months and can last throughout childhood. Unfortunately, many children will outgrow eczema only to have it reappear in adulthood. The condition can be difficult to deal with, but you may be surprised at how many treatment options you have. And by making just a few simple lifestyle changes, you can get back on the path to baby soft skin.

Check your water: Bathing in chlorinated tap water strips the skin of its natural oils and can cause itching and scaling—not what you want when you’re already battling dry skin. Using a shower filter to remove chlorine can be helpful in preventing further irritation.

Beat the heat: Keep your thermostat on the cool side, which will save energy as well as your skin; high indoor heat saps moisture from the air. And lower the temperature of your bath water as eczema has a tendency to flare up as the temperature rises.

Choose gentle cleansers: Harsh cleansers strip skin of its natural oils, leaving it unprotected from the elements and more susceptible to irritants and dryness. Instead suds up with a non-sulfate cleanser, preferably one made with without allergy triggering synthetic fragrances.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize: When your child steps out of the shower or tub, don’t towel off those magical moisturizing water droplets! Trap them next to the skin with lotion, a super rich cream, or hi-oleic vegetable oil.

Watch what you eat: Since eczema is caused by a reaction in the immune system, certain foods—especially tropical fruits such as mangos and pineapples—can cause flair-ups. Check with your doctor or dermatologist first and then try an elimination diet to pinpoint the culprit.

Know the secret ingredient: Calendula! This wonder flower is helpful in treating a whole host of skin issues, including eczema, rosacea, sunburn and just plain old dry skin. Try growing the easy annual flower in your garden and using the flowers to make a homemade tea for the bath. Here’s how: Put 5 or 6 flower tops in a muslin tea bag and drop into a tea cup; fill the cup with hot water and let steep for 20 minutes. Then simply pour the tea into a temperate bath.

Mother Nature: 1, Hydrocortisone: 0!

All My Best,

Jessica

Ways to care for your baby’s skin if they have extremely dry skin or eczema.

First
Stop all skin care product use and go back to the basics.
Always patch test any new product; wait 24 hours and observe the area looking for any change before using.

Keep it Simple
I recommend going fragrance free for a while. Cleanse with our Super Sensitive, no fragrance, shampoo & bodywash (now also available in a 19 oz bottle!) head-to-toe. Follow with California Baby Super Sensitive, no fragrance, Everyday Lotion to soothe and moisturize.

Bring ‘Em On!
Choose between either beloved California Baby “magic cream” moisturizers:
• Calendula Cream (now also available in a 4 oz jar!)
• Botanical Moisturizing Cream.

Mist = No Rubbing = No Irritation
For a very gentle moisturizing alternative, mist our Soothing & Healing Spray all over the body. The thin layer of emollients will air dry avoiding the need to rub already irritated skin. To cool hot skin, put the bottle in the fridge for about 10 minutes to chill and then spray.

All my best,

Jessica

7 Simple Tips for Healthy Holidays.

Sometimes the stress from holidays can result in big headaches. But, a lot of other things about the holidays can impact your health as well. Follow these simple steps to make this year's holidays your healthiest ever.

1. Indulge in the only the best food by going organic. Special occasions call for scrumptious goodies. But indulging doesn't have to mean sacrificing your family's health. This year, strive for very special holiday meals made of the freshest organic foods. Today, you can find organic ingredients for every type of celebratory food, from free-range turkey to a mouth-watering apple pie. Look for the USDA Organic seal to be sure that you are buying foods produced without synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, genetic engineering, irradiation and petroleum- or sewage sludge-based fertilizers.

2. Watch out for those brightly colored foods and candy! Holiday treats like candy canes and other goodies can be hard to resist. But many of our favorite sweet treats are full of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, some of which have questionable safety records. Saccharin, for example, is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Serve your child a well-balanced diet of whole foods and let your child indulge in moderate amounts of candy and other holiday treats. Read "Limit Your Child's Intake of Food Additives" for a list of potentially dangerous food additives that should definitely be avoided.

3. To perfume the air with a holiday fragrance, simmer spices such as cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Special scents create a festive holiday mood. However, scented candles, incense, air fresheners and other fragrance products are filled with chemical cocktails that can pollute indoor air, causing headaches, fatigue and other symptoms. Scented candles tend to produce more black soot than nonscented candles. And some candles-particularly those made in foreign countries-are made with stiff, metal wicks, which often contain lead. When lit, these candles release lead dust. Both soot and lead can be inhaled or ingested by small children, which may lead to health problems. Soot contains suspected carcinogens and lead causes brain damage. Learn more about non-toxic holiday aromas.

4. Raid your kitchen pantry to make your house sparkle for holiday guests. Cleaning your house in preparation for guests is one holiday tradition no one cherishes. To make it less unpleasant to all concerned, use mild, nontoxic cleaners. Most cleaning can be accomplished with a few nontoxic items from your kitchen pantry such as baking soda, washing soda and vinegar (to name a few). These ingredients can even be used to polish the silver! Learn more Recipes for Safer Cleaners.

5. Be aware that holiday lights may contain lead. In many electronic products, wires and cords are coated with PVC plastic, which is where the lead is found. Lead is used in PVC wires and cords to make it more flexible and reduce the risk of fire. Lead is also used in many PVC products to stabilize the color. The amount of lead in the lights and other consumer products may vary considerably and it is not clear if the amount of lead that is released poses a risk to human health. Some tests show that lead could come off in the hands. It's best not to let children handle the lights. The adult that does handle them should wash his or her hands immediately afterwards.

6. Retire that old, plastic tree. Plastic Christmas trees may appear to make environmental sense, because they can be used for many years. And about 20 million households put up a tree that is 9 years old or older. But old Christmas trees, which are made of PVC, are a potential health threat to children. PVC has been dubbed the most toxic plastic. One reason is that PVC contains significant amounts of lead as a stabilizer. In 2002, Foundation E.A.R.T.H. discovered that as these plastic trees age, they release lead dust, which collects on tree branches and the floor beneath the tree. Most of the plastic trees come from China and they exceed U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommendations for lead levels in consumer products. Lead is an extremely toxic heavy metal capable of producing long-term behavioral and brain damage, even at low doses. To be extra safe, don't let your children touch or handle a plastic tree or crawl underneath it. Don't keep presents underneath it either, as they will collect any lead dust that falls. Better yet, purchase a fresh, organic tree this year - it's a renewable resource that can be recycled!

7. This holiday season, burn a safer fire. As you cozy up to the fireplace this winter, remember that particles and gases from fires can make breathing difficult, especially for asthmatics. Make sure you ventilate well. Dry wood burns hotter and cleaner than "green" wood and hardwoods are better than coniferous trees, or evergreens. (That includes your Christmas tree, which is better off recycled.) For more tips, see How To Build a Safer Fire. Note: Fires also emit carcinogens, so keep fires to a minimum.