Recently on Non-Toxic Kids I've been posting an Eco-Friendly Gift Giving Series, sharing my favorites for safer products for children and families.  In the coming weeks I'll be posting more of my favorite small family run businesses that promote non-toxic, environmentally safe practices.  Here are a few of my recent posts in this series.  Cheaper Organic Clothing for Babies

Did you know that play sand for sandboxes you can buy at most superstores contains cancer causing ingredients if the powder is inhaled? And what kid while playing in sand doesn't breathe in or even eat some sand?  I wrote about this problem over at Non-Toxic Kids and I thought I would spread the word over to Blogher as we start the warmer season of outdoor play.  You'll find information about the toxins it can contain, what to do about it and some safer choices. 

(cross posted at Non-Toxic Kids) The environmental health blogs and mainstream news outlets are buzzing with lots of BPA news. It certainly looks like the tides are changing, but until the U.S. bans BPA in all products for all people, its important for everyone to limit their exposure to this toxic chemical. In light of this, I am recapping some of the previous posts on Non-Toxic Kids that might be helpful to parents as they decide what to use, what to pitch (Ugh! Piles of BPA laden water bottles in landfills-), and what to buy.

(cross posted at www.non-toxickids.net) When I was pregnant with my first daughter, a couple that we were good friends with were also expecting. After talking to folks they knew who had kids, my friend carefully crafted a "must get" list for baby. He promptly sent me a copy of this hand scrawled list, with his researched picks in many categories, and with a minimalist sensibility that we agreed on. This was a good start. 

I had the honor to testify last week in support of a bill that would significantly reduce the exposure of Vermont's children to lead. I expressed parents' worries about lead in products, and the fact that there is no one place that lists or even tests the billions of children's products out there. The panel seemed surprised to learn that items that have been recalled in other states are still for sale in Vermont (and many other states). In fact, I was reading in Parents magazine the other day that it is even LEGAL in other states to sell recalled items. I stopped, and read this again.