The USDA recommends that Americans consume at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day in an effort to maintain good health. Numerous studies have linked consumption of fruits and vegetables to a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. In addition, high vegetable and fruit intake can help you maintain a healthy weight, boost your immune system and increase your energy levels. However, despite these recommendations, Americans are still not getting the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables and are relying too heavily on processed foods, meat, milk and refined grains and sugar. A simple way to introduce more vegetables and fruits into your diet is through juicing.

There are many types of juicers on the market. Nutritional experts favor the single gear “masticating-style” juicers which operate at a lower RPM to slowly extract nutrients, simulate chewing and ensure the best possible taste. The juicer which meets our stringent testing standards is the Omega 8003/8006 Nutrition Center Juicer from Omega Products, Inc. Omega is a legendary name in fresh juice extraction and produces the highest quality single gear masticating style juicer on the market. The Omega Nutrition Center is available in either a white or a stainless steel finish and will look stylish and elegant on your counter top. The heavy-duty juicer features a patented auger which operates at a RPM of 75 to 85.

The Omega 8003/8006 Nutrition Center Juicer comes complete with all the parts and accessories required for full use of the machine in the variety of functions, saving you money! Assembling the juicer couldn’t be any simpler and our test engineer was most impressed with the juicer’s stability and mechanics. The juicer functions effortlessly and smoothly and is surprisingly quiet. The juicer makes the most delicious “crunching” sound similar to a rabbit when it juicers celery and children are sure to get a kick out of it.

The Omega 8003/8006 Nutrition Center effortlessly juices hard and soft fruits, including citrus fruits which are often very difficult to juice. The juicer excels in juicing all kinds of vegetables and customers will be extremely impressed to see first hand how much juice is extracted, leaving behind a very dry pulp, which translates to more nutrition and savings for you. The pulp can be used in a variety of baked goods or raw food treats. This juicer can even handle wheatgrass and leafy greens, which distinguishes it from the vast majority of the juicers on the market and offers customers the opportunity to benefit from these powerful sources of antioxidants. The result? A delicious, nutritious green drink, packed with vitamins and minerals. The perfect breakfast drink and the ideal afternoon pick me up drink to ensure continued energy and vitality throughout the day.

Clean up is really a breeze thanks to the well designed parts, accessories and the fantastic cleaning brush which is included in the box. Offering terrific value for money in these tough economic times, with the quick change of the blank cone/ juicing screen/nozzle the Omega Model 8003/8006 Nutrition Center functions as a basic food processor, pasta extruder, homogenizer and grinder. Now you can easily prepare healthy and delicious foods from scratch with little effort and save additional money.

Omega Products, Inc. stand proudly behind their products and offer a 10 year warranty on all parts and labor on this product so customers can feel confident that they are buying a top quality product.

Tips:

Most people juice mainly fruits, but we would like to encourage you to try to juice mainly vegetables, to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Feel free to add an apple, lemon and lime for sweetness and flavor, but focus on having a higher ratio of vegetables to fruit.

Start slowly to allow your body to get accustomed to juicing. Our panel recommends limiting fresh juice intake to just 4oz per day initially and slowly building up. Dilute fresh juice with 50% water during the first few weeks of juicing. For example, during the initial period, fill a glass with 4 oz of fresh juice and another 4 oz of fresh water.

Recipe

This is a staff favorite (Ref Dr. Oz):

1 organic lemon with peel removed (sweet variety)
1 small organic lime with rind removed
1 large organic cucumber
1 large organic Golden Delicious Apple
1 large organic Red Apple (sweet variety)
1 large handful of fresh organic spinach
1 large handful of organic parsley (fresh)
1 head of organic celery
1.5 inch of ginger peeled

Wash vegetables well. Slice into long, thin pieces sized to fit through the chute. Starting with soft
textures and progressing to hard textures, feed fruits and veggies slowly through the machine. Follow enclosed pamphlets for additional operating instructions and tops. Enjoy!

PURCHASING INFORMATION:

The Omega 8003/8006 Nutrition Center Juicer can be purchased directly from Omega Juicers. Cheers to your health! The two models are identical; the 8003 is the white finish and the 8006 the chrome/black finish.

For additional information, please visit www.OmegaJuicers.com

William Sears, MD and Martha Sears, RN came up with the phrase “Babywearing” which refers to carrying your baby in a carrier close to your body, while you continue with your activities of daily living. They did not invent the concept, which has been around since the human species evolved and is a common sight in many developing countries.

Why should I consider carrying my baby in a carrier?

There are many benefits to carrying your baby in a carrier. Studies indicate that babies who are carried in a carrier CRY LESS compared to those that aren’t. When you carry your baby in a soft carrier, you are mimicking the baby’s environment in the womb, which will help baby to make a smooth transition from womb to world. In our modern society of expensive and trendy strollers and other “containers”, it is a pity that many parents are unaware of the concept of carrying your baby in a carrier, which costs a fraction of the cost of most strollers and offers many more benefits. We do believe that there is a place for strollers, particularly when baby reaches a year and becomes fairly heavy to carry for long periods.

Stroller vs soft carrier

If we compare Baby A, aged 2 months in a stroller and Baby B aged 2 months in a carrier worn close to mom and dad’s body. Lets examine the sensory and motor experiences of both babies. Baby A is in his stroller, away from mom/dad, he can’t see his parents, or smell them or even hear their voices. He lies passively on his back in his stroller, and may be confused and even disoriented, with no human touch to soothe or reassure him. Baby B is worn close to mom/dad’s body. He can feel their heartbeat, see their faces, hear them talk, smell them and is reassured by their touch. Bonding occurs without any hassles and successful breastfeeding is more likely, with baby being carried against mom’s body. The baby in the carrier is not lying flat on his back, but rather in a range of positions which will place less pressure on his skull, reducing his risk of developing plagiocephaly. He moves with mom/dad and in turn receives vestibular stimulation. He is actively engaging his muscles as he shifts to maintain his balance as mom/dad move. He is working on developing his head control and strengthening his muscles, unlike Baby A, who remains passively on his back. He is receiving what is essentially a swaddling like effect in the soft carrier which calms him via proprioceptive input to his joints. Mom/dad are more in tune with his needs, as they are very close to him. He can look up and see their faces.

There are many types of carriers on the market including:

* Ring Sling
* Pouch
* Wrap
* Asian Carriers
* Structured Carriers
* Hip Carriers
* Torso Carriers

Today, we will be highlighting a structured carrier form Kelty. In 1952, Kelty started making it easier for friends to enjoy the wilderness, and that’s what they are still doing today. Kelty offers a full range of products for the outdoors. Kelty Kids, a division of Kelty, offers an award winning selection of carriers, strollers, bags and accessories. Today we are highlighting the Wallaby Infant Carrier.

The JPMA-certified Wallaby is a structured carrier which is very simple to use, and allows caregivers to wear a baby facing in or out (see insert for guidelines). Parents will really appreciate the solid design and engineering of the carrier. The carrier is easily adjustable for parents and caregivers of different heights and body frames. The Wallaby Carrier is made from a 100% cotton fabric and is fully padded, ensuring all day comfort for you and your baby. The carrier weighs in at just over a pound, making it lightweight and easy to manage. The Wallaby has a handy central zip pouch to store small essentials such as keys, or a cellphone which means that you can continue to remain hands free during short walks. The Wallaby has a sewn in loop at the top of the carrier which allows you to hang your carrier for easy storage.

The unisex design will appear to both men and women who will feel confident wearing their baby. Available in a variety of colors including Blueberry, Black, Grape and Cherry. The Wallaby is a good choice for breastfeeding moms and it is uniquely designed not to compress the chest region.

Where the Wallaby baby carrier truly excels is in relation to reducing colic or reflux. The Wallaby carrier allows a baby to remain in a vertical position with minimal bending at the hips which together with additional strategies outlined in the book“Colic Solved,” by Bryan Vartabedian, M.D. to help to reduce colic and reflux.

To learn where to buy online or at a store near you please click here

For more information, please visit: www.kelty.com

childish clothing… all things hip, cool, flirty and fun. childish™ clothing for kids & moms-to-be! Skye Hoppus is the founder of childish clothing. A former MTV executive married to Mark Hoppus of blink 182 and +44 and mom to 5-year-old Jack, childish debuted its first collection in the spring of 2003. This stylish rocker mom found time to author the book, ROCK STAR MOMMA, – a complete lifestyle book for pregnant women chock full of celebrity tips and must-haves which we will be reviewing shortly.

Childish Clothing offers stylish maternity wear, clothing for girls and boys as well as a selection of gifts for new parents. Sizing charts are available here.

We are highlighting their gorgeous organic cotton maternity line today. Thanks to companies like Childish Clothing, there has never been a better time to be pregnant! It can’t have been much fun being pregnant when our mothers were pregnant! Back then it was all about hiding the baby bump under huge A-frame tops that resembled tents or “moo-moos.” Times have changed and now its all about celebrating the bump and showing it off in flattering styles! Enter Childish Clothing’s maternity line consisting of sexy, body hugging, hip styles which will give moms-to-be that extra boost of confidence and help them to embrace their new curves!

Childish launched their Green Line in the Fall of 2008. The organic cotton certified line consists of hip and stylish maternity and kids clothing. We received samples of the Green Maternity Line and we were very impressed! The organic cotton fabric is extra soft, perfect for your growing belly. The tracksuit top and bottom are chic and stylish and extremely comfortable. They will form the staple of your casual maternity wardrobe. The bohemian bell sleeve top looks fantastic paired with jeans and the graduated colors add that special touch. Each of these items can be worn both during pregnancy and as transitional pieces during the “4th trimester” so they can serve double duty providing you with added value.

We applaud Childish Clothing for offering an organic cotton line of hip clothing and look forward to seeing the line expand over time. To access the Green Line, type the word “organic” into the product search engine on the homepage.

Bargain hunters are in luck because the organic cotton line is currently on sale and you can snag some outstanding deals! Hurry while stock lasts.

Childish Clothing is available internationally. Locate a store in your area here or shop the online store here.

For gift ideas, check out the Gift Guide from Childish Clothing.

We love the “boy,” “girl,” and “baby” necklaces. These gorgeous necklaces (14 karat gold + 2 point diamond) come in a variety of gold colors (yellow gold, white gold, rose gold) and are perfect for the mom-to-be or new mom who wants to show off how proud she is to be a mom. Celebrate this very important milestone with these stunning necklaces. Go on, you deserve it!

Gift Gards are always appreciated and are available here.

For more information, please visit:

www.ChildishClothing.com

It is never to young to instill the love of reading with your child. In todays fast paced high tech world, children are reading less and less and this is being translated into poorer academic scores in the later years. Parents and caregivers can start early by building positive and fun experiences around reading. The Begin Smart Book Series is a developmental publishing program which is designed to encourage physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth of babies and toddlers.

Created by Harriet Ziefert, a teacher and children author who has spent many years researching age-appropriate content for babies. leading experts in the field of education

The Begin Smart Series includes books in the following ages groups:

Birth to 6 months
6 months to 12 months
12 months to 18 months
18 months to 2 years

The Begin Smart Website is a terrific resource for parents and caregivers. Don’t forget the check out the Learning to love Reading link where you will find expert advice and tips for reading with your child at various ages.

The Begin Smart Book Series takes the form of soft books, flash cards, board books, foam books, accordion style books, lift-the=flap books, electronic books and more, to engage all of the senses.

Here are out top picks from the series:

Newborn to six months:
Night-Night, Baby
This soft book is the perfect bedtime story and is sure to become an evening routine well beyond 6 months! Transitions are often difficult for babies and toddlers and by reading this book with your baby and toddler, he will begin to associate this with bedtime. The illustrations are wonderful without being overstimulating. Each page has a different animal on it with a “blanket” which proceeds it. The caregiver can place the blanket over each animal which will help your baby to see that it is now time to sleep.

The book comes with helpful suggestions for parents and offers tips for how to use this book which we really appreciate.

Six to Twelve Months:
Woof
This delightful book features various types of dogs and clear bright pictures which will hold your baby’s attention. For an extra treat, baby can push the “woof” button and hear a dog barking! Also included is “fur” which provides tactile input.

Twleve to Eighteen months:
Splish-Splash
This book will help your baby to get ready for bath time! The sweet characters and rhyming words will engage your baby and help to create a positive attitude about bathing.

Eighteen to Twenty-four Months:
Who Am I?

A panel favorite and a must have! This fun books takes peek a boo to the next level with cut out eyes for parents to hold the book up to their face and pretend to be the beautifully illustrated characters in the page. This book is easy to grasp as it has a cut out handle for your toddler to hold or tote around. This book is sure to become a favorite.

Begin Smart Books make wonderful gifts that will be appreciated for years to come.

PURCHASING INFORMATION:

US readers can click here
UK readers can click here

Cooking perfect rice the healthy way.

The Lotus Foods Stainless Steel Rice Cooker and Steamer is a high quality automatic kitchen appliance. The insert is fully stainless steel with a heavy base. Both are important and very different from most rice cookers on the market. Cooking pots and pans, including rice cooker inserts, should be stainless steel and not so-called “non-stick”. The “non-stick” coating is called PFA, for short. PFA is currently considered one of the most prevalent contaminants in the environment and in the body today due to the extensive use of this material for “non-stick” coating. The FDA has been considering banning its use due to the toxic nature of the substance, that can cause flu like symptoms from acute exposure. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is safe to use for food, but some people worry about rice sticking to the bottom of the insert. Part of the solution is to provide even heat to the bottom surface and the heavy bottom distributes heat evenly to help prevent burning. Keeping the insert clean and smooth also helps reduce the likelihood of rice sticking. A great way to do this is to use baking soda in a thick paste, to clean and polish all your stainless steel kitchenware. Baking soda is a safe cleaning product that works extremely well on many surfaces and is safe for you and the environment.

We were fortunate to not only test the Rice Cooker but also experience Lotus Foods Rice. We cooked and enjoyed tasting a wide variety of rices courtesy of Lotus Foods which included: Bhutanese Red Rice, Jade Pearl Rice, Brown Kalijira Rice, Forbidden Rice and Jasmine Rice. To get you started, Lotus Foods offers a Rice Sampler Pack . All were of high quality with great taste and textures and all unique from each other. One favorite and not common to those in the west, was the Forbidden Rice. This is a truly unique rice with a smooth, deep and rich flavor like no other rice we have experienced before. No wonder only the Empirer himself was allowed to eat this very special rice. Not only does Lotus foods produce outstanding quality rice, it also provides on the package, intriging information about the rice and its history, and Lotus foods buys its rice from small growers promoting Fair Trade practices.

The health and safety of family members, particularly children, is paramount to us at Success Through Play, and that is why we were so happy to find Lead Check, the only EPA approved home lead testing kit. Lead, as Lead dioxide, was the source of white paint for centuries until it was replaced by safer and whiter titanium dioxide. Many of us may be presently living in a house which is contaminated with lead paint and not even know it. Even today, poorly purified titanium dioxide can contain significant amounts of lead from the natural mineral source, or the paint could have be adulterated to lower the costs.

According to the CDC, lead poisoning is one of the most common preventable pediatric health problems today. The CDC has established a Lead Poisoning Prevention Program with a goal of eliminating blood levels in children by 2010. Babies, toddlers and children may potentially be exposed to lead in a variety of common situations including eating lead tainted candy, household dust, bare soil, toys, clothing, furniture etc. Young children are especially vulnerable as they engage in frequent hand-to-mouth activities. To make matters worse, tainted lead paint chips have a sweet taste which can be very appealing. It is well known that lead exposure can cause cognitive and behavioral deficits. We recommend asking your pediatrician to order a simple blood test to find out your child’s lead status. This simple screening test has the potential to identify children who have been exposed to lead and take appropriate measures. Lead poisoning can often go undetected for many years and we urge parents to be proactive.

Toys, a major concern
Recent studies and reports have found high levels of lead in painted toys, with no country of origin being completely free of problem levels. With the number of toys on the market, it is nearly impossible to find a truly complete list of properly tested toys. Healthy Toys is a good place to start, but budget and time constraints limit the number and variety of toys that they can test. The LeadCheck: Household Lead Test Kit is an invaluable tool that can add to your piece of mind by giving you the opportunity to safely test all of the toys in your children’s toy box.

Other household surfaces
As mentioned, Lead continues to be a concern in homes from old paint on surfaces such as window sills, trim and walls. The Lead test kits can be used for these surfaces as well. When looking into a home or apartment to move into, first check its painted surfaces with the Lead Check kit.

The LeadCheck Swabs for Home Use, one of several toxic metal testing kits available from Hybrivet Systems, Inc for professional and home users, is very easy to use and verify the presence of lead in such items as toys and painted surfaces. The directions are simple and clear, just crush the two components, mix and apply using the swab and rub for 30 seconds. We used the test swabs on several toys. None of the toys we tested had detectable levels of lead. The test kit even includes lead sources to verify the swabs are working properly, which we also used and verified. We appreciated the kits simplicity of use, the included verification slips and the accuracy that has been lacking in previously available kits.

As with any chemical testing system, be sure to read and follow the directions and take proper safety precautions.

For further information, please visit www.leadcheck.com

The CDC provides the following Tips to Prevent Lead Exposure which is a must read.

Stay up to date with the latest lead recalls.

Giveaway winner!
Congratulations to John K.

Airborne germs are not only a source of bad odors, but can lead to the transmission of the colds, flu and even some bacterial infections such as strep throat or worse. The Germ Guardian UV-C Pluggable Air Sanitizer uses a proven process for killing bacteria and viruses, 235nm UVC light. This wavelength of light, generated by the fluorescence of mercury, directly breaks down and destroys DNA and RNA. Because the UV-C light is contained inside of the unit and air is passed through the chamber, the air is removed of all bacteria and viruses in the air without exposing anything outside the unit to the harm such light can cause. The Germ Guardian UV-C Pluggable Air Sanitizer is very effective in small spaces that have potential airborne bacteria and viruses such bathrooms or a child’s room when they have a cold, flu or other illness. While not perfectly silent, the fan moves air efficiently and without any smell, in fact the air in a room such as a bathroom can be noticeably fresher due to the germ killing action.

Other technologies – Not always that safe for people, pets and plants
While there are other technologies for killing bacteria and viruses, most of these have known or suspect toxicity. Biocide sprays such a Lysol are effective at killing a great many bacteria and viruses but not all, and are toxic to people and pets and can never be used near food. This is especially true of for young children and those with chemical sensitivities. A relatively new technology is nano-photocatalytic materials that are UV stimulated. While the nano-photocatalyst is quite safe itself being Titanium dioxide, the photocatalytic process generates hydroxyls as the primary biocide. Hydroxyls are very effective at disrupting DNA and RNA and even volatile organic compounds, pet dander and any other organic material. However, just like bacteria and viruses, people, pets and plants have DNA that can be disrupted by the hydroxyls. It is known that even the naturally produced hydroxyls that the body makes as part of its metabolic processes, when not destroyed by anti-oxidants, can lead to cancer. While no specific studies have been conducted on the effect of the hydroxyls released into the environment on humans etc, it is very suspect that these would be safe, particularly in a confined space and to small children or those with respiratory ailments. Because of this, we feel that the safest and very effective method for airborne bacteria and virus removal is the Germ Guardian UV-C Air Sanitizer. We recommend people consider using the Germ Guardian UV-C Air Sanitizer in every bathroom in the home or office and use them in the room near people who are sick with respiratory and related illnesses. We appreciate the small size, super-easy installation (just plug it into any AC outlet and turn on), and the safety of this disinfection method. For purchasing information, please click here.

For further information, please visit www.germguardian.com

*GIVEAWAY*

Congratulations to Joe S.

Adagio Teas takes the love and appreciation of fine tea to a new level and offers gourmet teas and teaware for the tea lover in your life.

Understand Tea – a guide to tea by Chris Cason
This information filled little guide to tea is a quick read, yet very informative about the history of tea and herbal infusions, the health benefits of tea, the different types and grading of teas, and how to properly prepare teas. Starting with fundamentals of what tea really is and explanations of what Tisanes are, this guide not only has great content but is also beautiful to look at with bright, colorful and intriguing photographs of people, places and, of course, teas. As an avid tea drinker, this editor really appreciated the useful information both scientific and aesthetic, on how to select and brew the perfect cup of tea. The guide has sufficient details for even our tea aficionados, yet brief enough for the new-comer to tea drinking to get started in appreciating the world of tea, loose or in bags. The chapter on how to select decaffeinated teas and the tip on how to decaffeinate your own tea, which is the classic way of serving any tea in China, is really helpful for those seeking the health benefits of tea without the caffeine or toxic decaffeination processes. The guide makes a great gift for any tea fanatic or new convert to drinking tea. As with any food or beverage, one should understand the diversity of available teas that one might enjoy in order to find what appeals to you and this guide is a quick, beautiful and helpful guide to help you do just that. $5

Selecting Tea – Organic Teas
Once you have read the guide to tea, you will grow to appreciate the teas available from Adagio. These teas are of the highest quality with so many diverse varieties of tea available, one could experience a journey into tea country without even leaving home. The sample kits are a great way to get started in selecting your favorite for every occasion. We particularly appreciate organically grown teas and the selection available from Adagio Teas is extensive. Even before brewing or tasting, the aromas and visual beauty of these teas caught our attention. From long slender leaves to hand rolled teas, we could easily see why people appreciate tea as those who appreciate wine do so. We also appreciated Adagio Teas commitment to quality by providing each tea in an air tight tin which keeps the teas fresh longer and intact.

Brewing Tea – Tea infuser
Time to make some really great tea, but this can be more difficult with loose teas which is of a higher quality than than tea bags, but certainly worth the extra effort. The IngenuiTEA Teapot really helps for those wanting to brew a great cup of tea while traveling due to its light weight. The all plastic body is durable for travel in ones suitcase, microwaveable and has an easy to use and efficient filtering system. Simply fill the infuser with water, microwave until hot, add teas and let brew the proper time, then put the infuser on-top of your cup and the tea strains out quickly through the bottom. While a glass infuser would be better for home or office use, the plastic does not add any noticeable taste but should be fully cleaned before any use, and is viable for those times when appreciating ones favorite tea to de-stress while on long and tedious business trips or relaxing times on vacation. Available in 16oz or 32oz.

Adagio Teas offers a full selection of gift sets at every price point and gift certificates are also available to make your gift giving stress free. For a great gift idea, sign up your friends or family for the Tea of the Month Club.

The Adagio Tea website is very well designed and allows you to browse and shop for tea products with great ease. Download the handy Tea Timer which will ensure that you brew the perfect cup of tea every time and browse the monthly newsletter, TeaMuse which is most informative. You can also use the online locator to locate a Tea Room in your area. Tea enthusiasts can discuss all things Tea in the TeaChat Forum. For further information and to browse the full range of tea products, please visit

www.adagio.com

Tiny Love is founded on the belief that “newborns possess the ability to communicate with and be stimulated by their environment.” Their mission is to provide safe, innovative and top quality soft developmental toys that enhance a baby’s developing senses. Tiny Love toys are designed by a team of experts including physicians, developmental specialists, birth educators and parents. Their success lies in their ability to match skill level with the various physical stages of baby’s development. Through reaching, grasping, watching and listening, your baby learns more about his world by interacting with Tiny Love Toys. Consult the Baby Development Booklet from Tiny Love Toys, to learn more about your baby’s development.

The Tiny Love website is very well designed and offers a wealth of information about your baby’s development. You will find a detailed explanation of each product for sale, as well as the developmental benefits in terms of the senses, gross and fine motor skills, cognition and emotional intelligence. Parents will now be able to see at a glance what each toy offers before purchasing. Tiny Love produces wonderful tips for using a toy at various age ranges, to maximize baby’s development.

The Back to Sleep Campaign was extremely successful in the reducing the number of SIDS cases, however, it has had an unintended side effect: many parents now never put their babies on their tummy to play. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep on their backs. The keywords here are “BACK TO SLEEP” and “TUMMY AWAKE”, meaning place baby on his back to sleep but during his awake hours, ensure that he gets plenty of supervised Tummy Time. Ensuring that baby spends minimal time in a container (stroller, swing, bouncer etc), plus the addition of supervised Tummy Time on a mat such as the Tummy Time Fun – Frog Pillow & Mat from Tiny Love when baby is AWAKE will reduce a baby’s chances of developing plagiocephaly, which is clearly on the rise. In addition, regular supervised Tummy Time will help baby to develop strength and muscle coordination and will enhance his motor development. When baby is lying on his tummy and begins to push up on his hands, this weight bearing activity helps to develop the arches of his hand, which is very important for handwriting. Tummy Time allows baby an opportunity to practice skills that are precursors to crawling, such as reaching, pivoting and scooting.

TUMMY TIME TIPS

Please click here to access an outstanding article about the importance of tummy time.

To access the latest guidelines for Tummy Time please click here

The adorable Tummy-Time Fun – Frog Pillow & Mat is oval shaped and measures approximately 23″ x 32″. It is machine washable which will keep it clean and germ free. It comes with a storage bag with a handle for easy travel. This well designed mat has been especially designed to engage your infant and make tummy time sessions fun! The mat offers many opportunities for sensory exploration. The friendly looking characters on the mat invite baby to take a closer look and the versatile activities will keep him engaged. The frog pillow features an inviting frog face which has a horn in the center and crinkly texture throughout for auditory stimulation. The left foot of the frog has a bell inside and the right foot has a crinkly texture and has a link attachment with 3 silicone leaves which serve as teethers. For variety, you can switch out the teethers attachment and ad additional toys from the Tiny Love range. The removable versatile frog pillow can be used with the mat or positioned on top of another mat for versatility. The mirror is superb because it is made with a high quality mirror insert and is large enough for baby to see himself in the mirror which is always a fascinating activity. For the baby girl in your life, consider the very similiar Tummy_Time Fun Ladybug Pillow & Mat from Tiny Love.

ClassiGo Take along musical toy can be attached to a stroller via the “claws” or a car seat handle via the velcro straps. It plays classical music for 20 mins which we found to be most relaxing and calming. True to the design team at Tiny Love, this toy was created with an infant in mind. The 3 hanging toys are designed to be viewed from below by baby and will twirl around and spin naturally per the movement of the stroller or car. Baby will have the opportunity to practice eye tracking while chilling out to the relaxing music. A wonderful take along toy for travel.

Baby’s Wind Chimes is the perfect toy to encourage baby to practice batting his arms and kicking his legs. This toy attaches to the Tiny Love Gymini or Activitot range of play gyms. Each time baby sets the wind chimes in motion (even with the gentles tap), the wind chimes begin the sound with various tones to delight baby. Baby will be encouraged to continue to kick and bat, strengthening his gross and fine motor skills. The brightly colored wind chimes each have an adorable character attached below which feature contrasting colors, shapes and designs to capture baby’s attention.

Combining plush with a rigid trunk is the secret behind the adorable Ella Elephant. This brightly colored toy features contrasting colors, bold designs and shapes to capture your baby’s attention. When baby taps Ella, she will produce the most delight chime sound with beautiful tones. In addition, when baby grabs Ella’s ears, arms or legs, a crinkly sound is produced to encourage further exploration. This toy attaches to the Tiny Love Gymini or Activitot range of play gyms and can also be played with independently. 0m+

The Grip and Grasp is a terrific stroller toy which will keep baby entertained while he is on the go. It attaches easily to your stroller via adjustable velcro straps (extendable straps are included). It features 3 different cause and effect activities which will provide many hours of fun! The woodpecker has a horn inside its tail and baby will have fun squeezing the tail! When the woodpecker’s head touches the bell it makes a distinctive “ding” sound that will encourage baby to continue to practice his fine motor skills and manipulate the woodpecker. Crinkly wings procide wonderful audotiry feedback as well. The five colorful flowers in the middle have a strong spring inside them and baby will enjoy manipulating the flowers which have rattles insodie. The dragon fly is really cute and moves up and down with a full range of motion, producing a delightful rattle sound. This well deisnged stroller toy will keep baby content and provide a wonderful opportunity for play while on the go. 6m+

Many infant books on the market are very busy and cluttered with characters and scenes which can very easily overwhelm a baby. With its carefully drawn characters and simple backdrops, the Touch and Discover book is designed to engage baby, without overwhelming. Each page of the book will invite baby to explore different textures, unfold objects, manipulate things and engage the senses. To turn the book into electronic mode, simply flip the switch on the side and grab the bee which is designed to be easily grasped. Match the bee to each colorful animal with a silver stud and the particular animal’s sound will be produced. Babies will be delighted to hear the clear, crisp sounds of the cow, duck, frog sheep, chicken, baby birds and the kite. The bee is attached via a short cord to ensure that he doesn’t go flying away never to be found again. This wonderful book will become your baby or toddlers favorite! 6-18m.

Purchase these items at a store near you or directly from the Tiny Love Online Store.

For more information, please visit www.TinyLove.com

Patagonia’s motto is to “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” Patagonia grew out of a small company that made tools for climbers. Alpinism remains at the heart of a worldwide business that still makes clothes for climbing – as well as for skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, paddling and trail running. Their values reflect those of a business started by a band of climbers and surfers, and the minimalist style they promoted. The approach that Patagonia take towards product design demonstrates a bias for simplicity and utility. For Patagonia, a love of wild and beautiful places demands participation in the fight to save them, and to help reverse the steep decline in the overall environmental health of our planet. Patagonia donates their time, services and at least 1% of their sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups all over the world who work to help reverse the tide.

They are aware that their business activity – from lighting stores to dyeing shirts – creates pollution as a by-product. So they work steadily to reduce those harms. Patagonia uses recycled polyester in many of their clothes and only organic, rather than pesticide-intensive, cotton.

Staying true to their core values during thirty-plus years in business has helped them create a company they’re proud to run and work for. And their focus on making the best products possible has brought them success in the marketplace.

Patagonia is strongly committed to sustainable practices and in 2005 they launched their Common Threads Garment Recycling Program, through which customers could return their worn out Capilene® Performance Baselayers to them for recycling. They have since been able to expand the list of recyclable garments to include worn out Patagonia® fleece, Polartec® fleece clothing (from any maker), Patagonia cotton T-shirts, and now some additional polyester and nylon 6 products that come with a Common Threads tag.

“Through Common Threads we can transform your unusable garments into new clothing, which gets us closer to a long-standing company goal of taking full responsibility for every product we make.”

Womens Clothing and Gear

Patagonia offers a full range of clothing and gear for men, women and children.

With the temperatures dropping and peak travel season rapidly approaching, we went on search for lightweight apparel for women that accentuates and flatters the female body, is stylish and ideal for travel whether you are headed out on an adventure vacation or braving the cold in the urban jungle this holiday season. Patagonia offers many versatile travel pieces that meet all of these requirements. Layering is key so that you can add or remove layers as needed. We received the Women’s R1 Flash Pullover and the Down with it Parka and with the cold weather that has swept the West Coast in the past few days, we had the perfect opportunity to test out these items.

Women’s R1 Flash Pullover
Patagonia’s Women’s R1 Flash Pullover: A technical pullover designed as a base-layer or light mid-layer for a variety of alpine pursuits. If it did, the R1 Flash Pullover might be the only top you’d ever need. Its high/low grid interior stretches, breathes, moves moisture, and insulates whether worn next-to-skin, with a thin baselayer or as an insulating midlayer when November rolls around. Low-grid polyester stretch panels under the arms and at the wrists and hem decrease bulk and increase breathability. With an external mesh-lined chest pocket. Recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program.

The eco-friendly Women’s R1 Flash Pullover is a clear winner with its flattering design which hugs your body (form fitting) and will keep you warm and toasty this winter. The longer length provides extra coverage from the cold. This top is super soft and comfortable to wear, allowing freedom of movement with Capilene® 4 stretch panels under the arms. It extends through the neck protecting your neck from the cold. A chest pocket allows you to stash and retrieve essentials with ease (cellphone, keys or other small item). The top washes beautifully and dries overnight, making it perfect for travel. Weighing in at just 8 oz and The R1 Flash Pullover will take up hardly any room in your luggage, yet will provide the warmth and insulation of several non-insulated layers, making it a must have travel item. Available in several gorgeous and vibrant colors to brighten up any winters day. Stock up because you will want several!

Down with it Parka

Get down with winter’s coldest days. Insulated with 600-fill-power goose down, this knee-length parka has a two-way front zip and an adjustable, removable hood. The shell is 100% recycled polyester treated with a Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Pockets: zippered on-seam hand warmers and a zippered interior chest pocket.

It is extremely difficult to find a high quality long length goose down jacket for women that doesn’t make you look like Humpy Dumpty. Patagonia has managed to design a flattering, down jacket with 600-fill-power goose down for insulation, which is cut especially for the female body. The unquilted side panels ensure for a feminine shape. The Shell and Lining are made from 100% recycled polyester which makes this jacket a great eco-pick. The durable water repellent on the jacket will protect you and keep you dry from downpours. This jacket has a removable hood to protect against the cold, wind and rain which adjusts with two draw cords. The knee length will provide additional protection from the elements and keep you toasty while the temperature drops. The two exterior pockets at the waist are perfect for keeping your hands warm and the interior pocket on the left is ideal for storing items out of sight. The Down with it Parka weighs in at just 27.2 oz and compresses easily for compact storage and travel. It is available in 3 colors to coordinate with your wardrobe.

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