Green

Granted, outfitting a play room with Vitamin Kitchen’s washing machine, oven, sink, and storage unit costs nearly as much as buying real, working appliances. But if you have cash to burn (or a grandparent in the mood to buy a toy that will go the distance), you can’t find finer fake appliances.

Designed in France and made with natural wood in Poland, all of Vitamin Kitchen’s items are painted sunny, bright colors in non-toxic lacquer and beautifully finished to the highest standards. Corners are rounded, knobs are firmly bolted on, the Plexiglass window on the stove is carefully crafted so as not to pinch and injure tiny fingers. Hey, for about $300 per appliance, it’d better be nice, right?

Considering that most play kitchenware is U-G-L-Y and crafted of the finest offgassing Chinese plastic, Vitamin Kitchen starts to seem like a pretty good deal.

Vitamin Kitchen Wooden Play Oven by Nathan, $334

These days, everyone seems to be seeing green, and we’re obviously not talking about the kind with a dead president pictured on it. But not all shades of green are created equal when it comes to the environment. You probably register somewhere around “olive” on the eco-spectrum. You’ve mastered recycling and can separate your plastics, paper and cans with the best of them. Yet, some of the environmental lingo is enough to make you turn, well, green.

Jill Fehrenbacher is the founder and editor-in-chief of both inhabitots.com and its sister site, inhabitat.com. Inhabitots features modern and sustainable design products for children, including furniture, decor, gear and toys. Fehrenbacher, a green designer, offers us a cheat sheet on key green terms plus some tips on how to go the eco-friendly route with a baby:

Sustainability -This is a big-picture word which refers to thinking about the future. Fehrenbacher defines it as “living in a way that preserves health, safety and quality of life for the next generation.” In practical terms, that means “living within your means, using renewable sources instead of limited resources … and leaving your environment in a better state than you found it for your kids and grandchildren.”

Renewable Resource- A resource that is naturally replenished at the same rate or faster than it is consumed. Examples are cotton, bamboo and wood. (Some bamboo can grow a foot in one day!) An obvious non-renewable resource that’s been getting a lot of media play: petroleum (which is found in plastic).
*Baby solutions*
-Eco-friendly plastic bottle alternatives are glass bottles or bottles that specifically say “BPA-free.”
-Look for toys made from renewable resources rather than those of the synthetic fabric or plastic variety.
-When it comes to furniture, again, seek out pieces that are made from sustainable materials - bamboo and
non-tropical FSC-certified wood (indicating the wood has met Forest Stewardship Council criteria for the way it was harvested) with non-toxic finishes.

Organic - This term seems to have different meanings, depending on whom you ask. Fehrenbacher says the most widely accepted definition is “plant and animal products that are grown without the use of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers and hormones.”

Biodegradable - This refers to a material that can be “readily broken down by organic decomposition processes.” A major culprit in baby world: diapers. They take hundreds of years to break down in a landfill and are the third largest consumer item in landfills.
*Baby solution*
-If the thought of cloth diapers makes you cringe, check out gDiapers. A gDiaper a washable, re-usable, cotton “gPant”with a plastic-free, biodegradable insert called a gRefill.

Carbon footprint- “A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) produced by a person, organization or state” during a specific time. Ways to reduce your carbon footprint: turn off lights, use energy-efficient bulbs, cut down on driving and flying, eat less meat (that’s tied to the amount of methane gas cows produce), look for products made and manufactured locally out of natural, renewable materials.

Locavore - “Someone who eats only food grown locally.” Locavorism can also apply to consumer goods, including toys, that are made locally.

For green baby products, visit inhabitots.com.

There are no particular health or nutritional benefits to choosing organic produce and meat over conventionally produced food, said the UK’s Food Standards Agency. The agency conducted a yearlong study in which it reviewed 162 scientific papers published over the last 50 years, and found that a “small number” of nutritional differences existed between the two types of food, but the differences were “unlikely to be of any public health relevance.”

Conventional food producers, who have long maintained that organic had no advantages over its product besides snob appeal, were no doubt overjoyed. Meanwhile, consumers who spent an estimated $48 billion on organic food in 2007, are both put out and confused. Were they wasting their money all this time?

No, say study critics, who point out that the FSA ignored significant differences in vitamins and minerals between organic and conventional produce. Beta-carotene, for example, was found to be as much as 53 percent higher in organic produce, which the agency apparently discounts as unimportant.

Even more distressing is the fact that the FSA’s report failed to take into account the environmental damage wrought by chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as the potential health problems caused by pesticide residues on food. After all, you can take a vitamin pill to get all the beta-carotene you need, but you can’t remove toxins from the body once they’ve already caused damage. And since children are at more risk from pesticide residue than adults for a variety of reasons, that organic apple starts to look a lot more appealing, no matter what the FSA says.

You can’t even keep a cactus alive, but your kid has been demonstrating an interest in the window box next door.

Help her gain a green thumb with windowsill garden kits that are pint-sized for any apartment. These cute little kits introduce kids to different types of foliage, experiment ideas and recipes. With see-through biodegradable planters and seed packets to grow plants like Cinnamon Basil or Lamb’s Ear, creating a leafy wonder will no longer remain a mystery.

Maybe she’ll even teach you a thing or two.

Available at chroniclekids.com.

All the “Diva Baby” tees are going into the re-gifting pile, thank you very much. You’re looking for soft, sweet and simple for your diapered un-diva.

Sama Baby, a cuddly collection produced in India using organic cotton and Earth-friendly dyes. Sama, an ancient Sanskrit word meaning balance, calmness and serenity, accurately describes the calm and eco-oriented onesies, gowns, blankets and bibs ornamented with an elephant or cloud. Options for boys or girls, in classic blue or pink, carry through the eco-lifestyle look.

Om.

Available at samababy.com.

Remember Slinkys, Pixie Sticks and Silly Putty? Chances are your kids don’t.

Reintroduce them to the classics — and some spirited newcomer — with the selection of super toys at Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats. The Montclair, New Jersey shop opened an online outpost that carries a hand-selected assortment of playthings that appeal to any child. Opt for the Automoblox, doll houses, French wood blocks or plush sea turtles (toys are grouped by age, from infant to tween).

Inspire a little imagination.

Available at auntjeanstoys.com.

Cloth or disposable? Do you even need to ask? Even the greenest of them all cannot convince herself to wash diapers when the trashcan is so convenient.

Think again: Bambino Mio has come up with a simple diapering system that gives you the best of both. This popular European brand (big in the U.K.) has revolutionized the idea of “reusable nappies” with a biodegradable liner (to flush), cotton diaper and waterproof cover (to wash and wear again) that extends through the potty training years. Not only will you do the environment a favor, but you will save some money in the long run after the initial investment of a starter set.

Don’t knock it ’till you try it.

Available at giggle.com.

Summer BBQs and birthday parties mean paper plates — but you feel guilty throwing all those former trees in the trash.

But Dandelion’s ReUsables plates, bowls, and utensils are made from a corn-based plastic that is more Earth-friendly. The toddler options (for ages 6 months and up) are shaped for small hands to hold while little ones learn to feed themselves. Not only do they stack for easy storage, but they are, as the name suggests, designed to hold up through more than one meal.

It’s worth the washing.

Available at dandelionforbaby.com.

You’ve got the picnic basket, the delicious and health lunch, and plenty of games for a family afternoon in the park. The only thing missing is something to sit on, and your old Christmas tree skirt won’t do.

Lina Bean’s Throw & Go blanket from its eco-friendly Green Bean group is a cozy fleece made from recycled plastic bottles. Trimmed with a cotton/bamboo fabric leaf print, the 5-foot throw is sustainable, organic, and low impact dyed. Keep it on hand for any occasion where you need a cop a squat.

Sit back and relax.

Available at shoplinabean.com.

This Earth Day, what can your family do to make a difference? Below, Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization, offers a few simple tips to preserve the planet this spring. Remember, every little bit counts.

1. April showers bring May flowers: Capture rain water and use it to water your garden.
2. Sort through old things to find out what can be recycled (everything from newspapers and cardboard to aluminum and electronics are recyclable). Donate usable items to local charities.
3. Go organic: Save money and go green by cultivating your own favorite vegetables and fruits. Even easier — buy local produce and support local farmers.
4. Do what you can to reduce litter on your local beaches — with summer coming, you’ll keep your favorite places to swim safe.
5. Walk to work, school or the store to save money, conserve energy and be more active.
6. Spend time outside. Take advantage of local parks and plan activities outside. Spending time outdoors is a great way to enjoy the weather and reduce energy consumption.
7. Teach children about how important our environment really is. Make sure they know to keep the tradition of Earth Day alive, not only on April 22nd, but every day.