Posts Tagged ‘organic’

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.

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.

With spring in the air, now is the time to look around and enjoy nature — which can be found everywhere, even on your shirt.

Check out the collection at Shirin Kids, an edgy-but-soft line of tees, tanks and onesies. Designer Shirin Roubeni poured her passion of pairing nature and textiles into the shirts that are hand silkscreened with water-based inks (yielding a semi-transparent look). The children’s collection is a takedown of Shirin’s adult line, including some precious mommy-and-me couture.

Available at shirinkids.com.

The whole mommy-and-me identical dressing thing makes you a little queasy — are head-to-toe matching ensembles really necessary?

What about plain old coordinated? MamaOm does cute, comfortable organic Pima cotton dresses in girls‘ and women’s sizes. The age-appropriate designs come in a color palette of kiwi, tan and mora, that look great together. Or opt for the cover-ups, bikinis and other eco-friendly accessories, big and small.

Just don’t let her near your sunglasses.

Available at mamaom.com.

When it comes to layette, you stick to the basics — one in each color.

Check out the simple selection of newborn essentials at Pure and Little, an online eco-friendly baby boutique. Coveralls, bodysuits and tees in pretty spring colors, from brands like Under the Nile, Kate Quinn Organics and Egg baby by Susan Lazar, will ease the 12-times-a-day outfit change. Besides an assortment of green clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers, the site offers a registry and gift-wrap service (packaged in recycled materials, of course) to simplify stocking up.

Visit pureandlittle.com.

At your baby shower, you received tons of tees for a 3-month-old…which would be great if he wasn’t already the size of a linebacker by month 6.

EvokeBaby’s Grow With Me set includes an organic cotton bodysuit or T-shirt in five sizes, from birth to two years, so you’ll never be without a proper fit. Founded by two parents, the collection is hand-stamped with designs based on color theory (and themes like peace and strength) coordinated with age.

Try that on for size.

Available at elegantroots.com.

You’ve managed to find a few organic clothing lines with a palatable palette and decent design, but they are few and far between — a bib here, a jumper there.

Speesees is a big enough brand that you’ll be able to outfit your kid entirely in eco-friendly fabrics and kind-to-the-planet prints. Baby basics get a touch of flare with bold colors and sophisticated silhouettes featuring a well-placed bird, horse or tree on the kimonos, bloomers, booties, hooded towels and hankies. The collection uses 100-percent organic cotton, and they’ve even gotten rid of plastic packaging in favor of compostable biobags.

Fair trade? Check. Fair play? You bet.

Available at speesees.com.

Stacking toys are a classic for babies and toddlers, and they love to fondle and chew on the round ersatz doughnuts. So are you going to buy your child one of those primary-colored, Made in China dime-store stacking toys that are probably loaded with lead? Or would you prefer FAO Schwarz’s Organic Patrick the Pup Plush Stacker?

This update of FAO’s classic Patrick the Pup is made with organic cotton plush and raw cotton filling, and dyed with natural, non-toxic ingredients. He’s soft and cuddly enough to please Baby, chemical-free to ease parents’ worries.

Available at fao.com.