My daughter’s very first “big girl” dinner plate has finally met its maker. After countless washings and many meals, the barnyard animals lovingly laminated on the divided sections are practically peeling off. A bit of a dining hazard…unless you want a side of toxic plastic with those mashed potatoes. These days I know I’m not alone when keeping an eye out for kids’ products that don’t have a zillion potential dangers lurking in their construction. And when it comes to mealtime, I’m especially mindful of safety first. It’s why the new Re-Play line of kids’ dishware and cutlery calls out to moms like me. Made from recycled milk jugs, this line is as environmentally-friendly as it gets. At first grasp, I could tell these products [&hellip
The Green Walnut Archive
As I empty out the remnants of snack foods from last week’s winter break, my bag tells the tale of our between-meals diet. Mini boxes of raisins, discarded cracker wrappings and crushed Goldfish dot the interior like a modern day version of abstract art. (While I strive to make mostly healthy choices for my family, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to a stray gummy bear squashed in there.) Because we spent our February break in and out of the airport, portable was the name of the game and let’s just say that after three days of Triscuits, my girls craved a little something different. Since we’ve returned home, I’ve had the good fortune to come across two snack-worthy treats for traveling diners–especially those [&hellip
Life as a mom is hardly a Bob Dylan song. The days of being completely carefree and going wherever the wind may take me are on hold…at least for now. Instead, my routine follows its own predictable rhythm of bus stops, preschool drop-offs, homework, dinner and the three B’s: bath, book and bed. Even with a schedule that hums like a well-oiled machine, there’s always those little snags that slow us down: a pair of shoes whose dread wears out, a backpack whose zipper that goes unstuck and kids’ hair. You heard me right on that last one. Yup, combing and styling my girls’ finer-than-fine hair is a never-ending battle. On the one hand, I have a 7-year-old who can’t quite grasp the concept of [&hellip
If there’s one thing about I won’t miss about the baby years, it’s being rid of diapers/pull-ups, once and for all. The stink alone is enough to compete with my already stuffed nose; I can’t imagine what it will be like to be allergy and diaper-free someday! Because of my tenured experience with potty training, we’ve experimented with all types of diaper pails over the years: those of the simplistic step-on/drop-in variety that use specially designed bags, to the “green” models that work with biodegradable liners. While many pails have promised a style that resembles something other than a glorified garbage receptacle, we’ve yet to find one…until now. The sleek lined, wildly hued ubbi diaper pail cleverly conceals the ugly business that lurks inside its [&hellip
When my older daughter was born, I received a gift of seven bibs, each one embroidered with a different day of the week. An adorable concept…if only the bibs hadn’t been white. Once she grew and moved on to solid foods, it wasn’t long before those beautiful bibs were permanently stained with mashed peas and peach puree. The “Friday” bib looked more like “Fdy,” while “Sunday” became just plain old “day.” (Easy for a sleep-deprived mom to figure out which bib to wear, but somehow I don’t think that was the point…) That’s why we can appreciate the Day-of-the-Week Bib Set from Petites Frites, a collection that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the touch. Made from an ultra-soft, two-ply cotton [&hellip
The forecast is calling for scattered flurries later this week. I guess that means winter is officially here, whether I choose to accept it or not. And when the weather calls for below-freezing temps, that means the party must move indoors. Because some little walnuts we know were fortunate enough to receive gift cards, in addition to the standard loot this holiday season, that means they’ll be ready to hit the local toy store faster than you can say Fijit (yes, we have one in our house, too…maddening, isn’t it?). Since Mom still has a say in their purchases, we tend to steer towards the battery-free, imagination-driven options. And if they happen to be made from high-end, all-natural materials that are kind to our environment? [&hellip
Right about now, I’m feeling like the holidays are catching up to me. I’m all shopped out, have more wrapping ahead of me and still need to go out and pick up last-minute essentials like extra tape and batteries. Speaking of which, I could use a little recharging myself…can you relate? If the holidays have left you a bit frazzled and you realize you still need to make it to New Year’s without losing your spirit, it’s time to indulge yourself. No, I don’t mean to spring for that new pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing all season. I’m talking about something to invigorate your senses and start your day off right. Maclaren’s beginning collection is exactly what this weary mom desires. It’s a new [&hellip
I don’t care if my daughter is closer to 4 than 3 years old; I’m not ready to part with her stroller just yet. A trusty, solid ride, her Maclaren Volo goes wherever we go, and has lasted us 7 1/2 years…and counting. While this stroller has seen its fair share of country roads, sandy beaches and other landscapes, it’s naturally had a few bumps and bruises along the way. If your pocketbook tells you that you’ll be hanging onto your own set of kiddie wheels for a while, it helps to maintain the look and feel of a sweet ride. Apparently, the folks at BuggyLOVE had this in mind when they created their line of organic stroller cleaning products. Whether the culprit is dried [&hellip
My young heart was broken. After receiving Hoppy the Bunny for Easter one year, I happily took my stuffed animal outside to play in the backyard. Sadly, a muddy afternoon and a white plush rabbit did not make the best match; it wasn’t long before poor Hoppy was desperately in need of a bath (as was his mother–a.k.a. Me). While a bit of spot cleaning may have returned Hoppy to near-normal, his fur was still uncomfortably wet and he didn’t seem as happy as pre-springtime romp. Ever take a blow-dryer to a stuffed animal? Not very pretty. How my long-lost stuffed pet would have benefited from Teddy Needs a Bath. This eco-friendly cotton washer/dryer bag made especially for the care and repair of stuffed animals [&hellip
I’m two seconds away from calling my dermatologist. Sporadic blasts of cold air, coupled with excessive hand-washing to ward off cold/flu season, have laid the groundwork for an eczema flare-up…and there’s no turning back until spring. Here at The Talking Walnut, we can’t get enough of lotions and potions that vow to combat winter-dry skin on kids and grown-ups alike. Because we’re especially mindful of products that are safe for the environment, we love a product that’s as good for us as it is for our planet. And if it looks attractive on our nightstand or in the nursery, then so much the better! I’m sure I’m not the first mom to sneak some of her kid’s stuff (after all, I am the girl who [&hellip