Green Days:Just Kidding Around

GREEN DAYS: JUST KIDDING AROUND
STOCKING UP ON BABY GEAR? ENVIRONMENTALIST AND NEW MOM,
HEATHER WOLFSON SHARES HER FAVORITE ORGANIC FINDS.

PROTECT AND SHOP
We have all heard about the germs on the handles of the shopping carts at your local grocery store. Even though I am not concerned with the possibility of my son catching a cold from touching it (see note at the bottom of this article), I am totally grossed out by all the bacteria that is found on them. Thankfully, I have found an all organic and naturally color-grown cotton cover for shopping carts ($90, www.naturescrib.com). It even has pockets to hold your keys and baby's toys—I absolutely love it.

TOT TOTE
An organic cotton Ergo baby carrier ($92, www.ergobabycarriers.com) is by far the most useful piece of green gear a new mom can purchase. Available in black, camel, blue and cranberry with several different lining options, carrying positions and pockets, this product is not only functional, but studies have shown that wearing a baby three or more hours a day creates stronger bonding and decreases the severity of colic symptoms. In addition, babies who enjoy a greater amount of tactile experience have a correlated higher level of self-esteem later in life. Your baby will spend less time crying and will spend this extra happy time learning and seeing everything mom sees. Not to mention, this product is endorsed by chiropractors, making it the safest and by far, the most comfortable carrier I have used.

KICKS WITH A CONSCIOUS
I am always searching for cool shoes for myself that are green. While it seems like a never ending search, I recently found a really cute pair of eco-sneakers for kids. Made from organic hemp, these kicks are sweatshop-free, chemical-free, cruelty-free and leather-free—and the soles are made from reclaimed used tires, to boot! For toddlers and beginning walkers, these sneakers are an ideal first shoe: supportive, soft, comfortable and durable. And older kids will truly appreciate the recycled materials because of the big push schools are doing nowadays to inspire kids to recycle. ($30, www.kidbean.com).

TOXIC AVENGER
Lead paint found in toys made in China is still a huge issue and cause of concern with many parents. Think about shopping American when it comes to toys for your little ones. I've done an extensive amount of research in an effort to find toys that are truly safe and one of my favorite companies is Maple Landmark. Their toys are made in America, lead-paint free and a much safer and smarter choice for your family. Maple Landmark's My Best Blocks, perfect for kids ages one and half and up, teach kids basic object manipulation, foster creativity and lay the foundation for grade school learning (from $49, www.maplelandmark.com).

ECO-ACCESSORIZE
Looking for a great gift or useful accoutrement for your wee one? Check out these organic Baby Legs Available in a slew of fun colors and patterns, these leg warmers will last you from newborn to toddler, adorning your child in the pomp of eye-catching fashion while keeping him warm and cozy.
($15, www.tinytotsorganics.com).

GRIN AND BEAR IT
The Bear Jacket by Speesees is one of the absolute cutest I've seen. We get stopped everywhere we go when my son is wearing it. But the really great news is that it's 100 percent organic Sherpa cotton with nickel-free snaps. ($48, www.twigandtwill.com)

A note about germs:
Since this is The Children's Issue, I thought it was a good time to address germs—and the rising fear of them. As a chiropractor, we often say, "germs don't cause disease, lowered resistance does." As a matter of fact, the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world, reports that kids who grow up on farms have better immune systems than kids who are raised in the city. Yes, it's true: studies have shown that we are oftentimes too clean, which can potentially be a bane instead of an intended benefit. Using antibacterial soaps and cleansers can be very harmful to our health. We need those germs to build up our immune system. So go ahead, let your kid play in the dirt.

Heather Wolfson D.C. is the owner of Twig and Twill (www.twigandtwill.com), a chiropractor and in-demand speaker who speaks around the country on health and well-being. Wolfson lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband and young son.