This great giveaway has now ended, see winner listed at bottom of review.

We’ve been trying to limit our use of plastic at home as much as possible. Not only does it help me towards a non toxic pregnancy and keeping Liv safe from the nasty chemicals found in plastic, limiting plastic also helps us cut down on accumulating “stuff” – all the cheap items that only seem to be a good idea at the time!

We’re also getting serious about toys.  We soon discovered that Liv appreciates the simple things and much to our relief, is happy with blocks, rocks, boxes, dolls, books and anything she can organize. We are trying to buy quality toys instead of quantity and doing our best to refrain from the impulse purchases.  This year we will continue to introduce our favorite natural toy brands to our family as a gentle suggestion of ideas for Olivia.

There are a few great toy makers that often get mentioned on green blogs, however there is another company that deserves special recognition as a terrific natural toy alternative: I have known about Natural Pod since Liv was born and as she grows we have included many items on our wish list. Of coarse it’s nice that the toys are locally made in Canada, but the handcrafted aspect with a focus on imaginative and creative play make all of Natural Pod’s toys extra special.

I was more than happy to review these Natural Pod Stacking Rings. The first thing I love about this toy is the natural handcrafted wood. The texture appeals to young fingers and each ring is beautifully and safely finished. I also really appreciate how the rings can go on in any order the child chooses. Creative, as opposed to confined is a a big detail for me! Conventional rainbow plastic rings only allow for the rings to go on in order and while I understand the “learning” quality of this, I feel it’s much more important to develop the creative & imaginative side of a child at this age by allowing them to mix up the rings as they choose.

Each stacking ring is a slightly different wood shade and they make a great natural wooden sound as they come together on the stacker. Olivia enjoyed placing the 9 rings on and off the stacker. We also had fun spinning them on the floor and building little towers with them and her other blocks. The stacking ring is sturdy and made to last a very long time. Natural Pod also has great blog with informative information about creative and natural play.

Here’s a peek at Olivia having fun with the stacking ring:

Head on over to Natural Pod and take advantage of the 10% savings on your first order until December 31,2008. Just enter GCM08 at the checkout.

‘Tis the season of giving:

Win this lightly reviewed set for your little one just in time for the holidays!

How to Win:

1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me one of your favorite items at Natural Pod.
2. For a second entry, blog or Twitter about this giveaway and make sure to leave a comment here so I know about it.

Winner will be randomly selected using Random.org. Contest runs until midnight PST on December 7, 2008

Thank yuo to everyone who took the time to enter! The following winner was randomly selected using Random.org. CONGRATULATIONS to Jacqueline who wrote that “I love the log sailing raft and kitchen. Love their products!!! Thanks!” I have contacted you by email

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

The Ultimate Wooden Stacking Toy From Natural Pod

Have a look at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s list of recalled toys and it’s more than enough to make any parent’s head spin.

In our home we’ve decided to pass on conventional toy makers, cheap plastics, and toxic liquids. A mom’s life is busy enough without the added worry about seemingly safe baby toys in our homes. I’ve grown tired of the news reports about lead paint, BPA’s and countless toxic products threatening our children’s health, although I’m thankful for the information.  These days, it can seem quite a challenge to find safe baby toys.

This is in large part because many conventional toys are made of plastic and it is becoming increasingly well known that certain plastics can be unsafe. According to CHECnet.org “phthalates are added to PVC (polyvinyl chloride) to make it soft and flexible. Some phthalates have been linked to cancer, kidney and liver damage, harm to developing reproductive organs, and premature breast development in baby girls. Inhaling these chemicals can also worsen asthma in children.” PVC itself is also dangerous. The manufacturing and disposal of this substance creates dioxins, one of the most toxic man-made substances known.

Cloth toys can also be potentially hazardous if the cotton they are made with has been grown with pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Nearly half of the most commonly used pesticides used to grow cotton have been labeled “probable” carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Due the small size and vulnerability of babies and small children and their propensity to “mouth” or cuddle everything, it is so important that the baby toys be as safe as possible.

If you’re ready to pack up the plastic toys and “return to maker”, consider these alternatives to find some safe baby toys:

• Wooden toys are natural materials and they are much more durable than their plastic counterparts, creating less waste and less need to constantly replace broken toys. Try to find wood can has been harvested from sustainable forests. Also, since quality wooden toys cost more than plastic in most cases, you can save money by picking them up second hand at thrift stores and yard sales.
• Bamboo Toys. A grass that grows to maturity in only four years, this is an excellent option for the environment as well. (clothing is great too!)
• Organic Cotton Toys are a great option for babies. Check out the fun “vegetable” teethers at Grass Roots.

One thing that I love about all of these ideas for safe baby toys is that many of the makers create toys that are so original and endearing. They captivate my daughters attention with their simplistic designs and allow her imagination to grow.

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Choosing Safe Baby Toys