Non-Toxic Munchkin

its been a cold winter this year - for most of the US at least! So- Whats the perfect valentines gift for that sweet little valentine you have at home? Something cozy and non-toxic of course! That is why I am so excited to have teamed up with AU Baby for aValentine's Day giveaway! @a.u.babyis a clean, sustainable baby blanket collection making the world's only purely plant dyed, 100% organic blankets. Thanks to the magic of ultrafine merino, they are soft as ...a cloud, hypoallergenic, thermoregulating and naturally wrinkle, smell and stain resistant. What more could a mama ask for? For a chance to win the Popcorn blanket in pink quartz ( first picture) or Henna ( 2nd picture) : [email protected] &@3littleplums Like this post Tag a friend who wouldlove AU Baby. Each friend you tag on a separate line/ comment gets you a different entry! Disclaimer: One winner will receive an AU Baby Popcorn Blanket in Henna or pink quartz. Winner chooses. Giveaway closes on [Sunday February 6, 2022 at 11:59 pm PsT) ]. Must be 18 or older to win. Giveaway open to all 50 states. One winner will be chosen randomly on Monday Feb 7 and contacted via Instagram DM ( please note: sometimes fraudulent accounts will contact you claiming you have won a prize. i will never ask for credit card info or any payment!). This giveaway is not sponsored by Instagram. See more

Lets start by stating what should be obvious but often isn’t: a dishwasher is designed to clean dishes, glasses, silverware, pots & pans anything else that doesnt fit in these categories probably should not be in there. Within these categories I recommend NOT placing the following items in the dishwasher- particularly if using a high heat setting: Plastics Ie plastic cups, plates, utensils, baby bottles, baby toys etc... Reason: dishwasher’s heat can cause harmful chemicals from phthalates to BPA to other additives to leach from plastics Cast iron Ie: cast iron pans, baking dishes etc Reason: placing in dishwasher can strip item of its non-stick seasoning and might lead to rust build up Melamine Ie: kids and adult plates, cups etc Reason: a well known study found that hot soup caused melamine to leach melamine which was later absorbed by the body - out of caution I would avoid placing in a dishwasher with heated drying Wood Ie: wooden cutting boards, plates, bowls, cooking spoons etc Reason: extended exposure to water & heat aren’t great for wood & can result in warping & cracking. Conventional detergents and pods Reason: can contain harmful chemicals including: Fragrance, Phthalates, Formaldehyde-releasing agents , NPEs, PEGs/polysorbates, Antimicrobial agents like methylisothiazolinone and benzisothiazolinone & Dyes until recently I used Seventh Generation dishwashing powder but recently switched to @branchbasics new dishwasher pods Last thoughts: dishwasher racks can be made with steel & coated with either nylon or PVC. Plastic tubs, silverware baskets are usually made with polypropylene, which does not contain BPA or phthalates If yours has pvc definitely avoid high heat settings as this will probably leach undesirable compounds Some dishwashers have stainless steel racks but these tend to use bitumen (asphalt) as an insulation & sound dampening layer which can off gas vocs Bottom line? If you use the dishwasher try to avoid the high heat setting & avoid placing baby items or items listed above in the dishwasher to keep toxin exposure as low as possible See more

Whats a biological dentist? Generally its a dentist that works from the belief that oral health is fundamentally connected to your overall health and well-being. They understand that problems of the mouth can, and often do, affect other areas of the body and vice versa. @drleedia is this type of dentist and her instagram account is a wealth of ( oral) knowledge. For @3littleplums today she answered some of YOUR most pressing questions regarding your kiddo’s oral hea...lth please check out my stories today to hear her full answers as she does a much better job explaining in her videos ( will save them in my saved stories under dental health for future reference 1Is fluoride necessary for oral health? No! In fact its a neurotoxin. And there are better safer alternatives for kids like hydroxyapatite ( Aida says: @risewell is the hydroxyapatite tooth paste we use. I have a discount code 10nontoxicmunchkin ) 2Without fluoride how can I protect my child’s teeth? Dental decay is multifactorial- Dr Leedia has created 5 pillars that will help protect you child’s dental health: brushing & flossing, diet & oral microbiome, avoiding mouth breathing, medications & medical history, vitamin deficiencies ( pls listen to stories for the details!) 3What about sealants? While they can be beneficial- so often they are not done correctly a better strategy is to focus on the 5 pillars mentioned above 4 what about X-rays? For many kids bi yearly x-rays are not necessary but, truthfully, some cases might warrant them again another reason to have a trusting relationship with your dentist! More details on these answers in stories today! See more

Clothes diapers intimidate me but Lacie from @teachgogreen has been using them for 3 years & makes it sound totally doable - so much that in a month or so i vow to try them myself. In the meantime she put together this post with tips for those of you curious with questions too! Beginning our cloth diapering journey is one of the best decisions I've made! Not only have I saved my family hundreds of dollars, but I've also saved thousands of diapers from going to the landfi...ll. Choosing cloth diapers reduces waste & is less toxic than some traditional diapers. Types Choosing the type of diaper that is best varies from family to family-what works for me might not work for you Flats & prefolds - these are the traditional types of diapers that probably come to mind when you think of cloth diapering. Flats need to be folded into the correct shape for diapering while prefolds are already in a shape to make it easier to fold. These diapers require snaps and a waterproof cover. Fitted- these diapers are already shaped like a diaper but also require a cover to make them waterproof. Pocket diapers - my personal favorite. These diapers contain a waterproof shell with a pocket in the back for removable, absorbent liners. All in one - the diaper is 1 piece with the absorbent layer & waterproof shell all in one. All in 2- these are like an all in 1, with space for an insert like a pocket diaper Cleaning Establishing a washing routine is extremely important with cloth diapers. I typically wait no longer than 2 days between washes. . Some fragrance detergents tend to create a build-up in the cloth diapers and it makes them less absorbent over time. After switching to more non-toxic detergents (I'm currently using @MollySuds Laundry Powder), I noticed a drastic difference in absorbancy. If the diapers are more smelly than normal, add a sprinkle of baking soda to help with odor control. If diapers are still smelly after washing and/or aren't absorbing as well as they used to, I know it's time to strip them. For stripping, I just add vinegar instead of detergent & wash the diapers on hot. Questions? Leave them in the comments! See more

Dr K from @wholistickids is my oldest son’s pediatrician and I absolutely love him- he is one of those rare pediatrician that looks at root cause and the whole child if you cant find a doctor like Dr K near you def check out his instagram because in it he shares so much knowledge - things parents of all kids should have access too particularly those with kids that have been labelled too active or to difficult or has anxiety or been exposed to mold or recommended me...dication etc etc .. Today Dr K shares the importance of the right foods for brain health: these foods can help all kids with focus and mood for example Thanks for writing this post Dr K for the @3littleplums community ! To have optimal brain function, your child needs optimal brain fuel! The right nutrition can help your child have great focus, concentration and mood. Wondering what foods to incorporate into your child’s diet? Colorful vegetables provide abundant fiber and starches to keep the gut microflora happy, AND they also provide a generous amount of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants which the body and brain can use for healthy functioning. Onions, garlic and sulfur rich vegetables are some of the best prebiotics for the intestines, and the sulfur they contain and optimizes inflammatory pathways which is needed not just for healthy immunity and brain function. The omega fats we get from clean fish like sardines and wild-caught salmon provide the fat building blocks are brain cells need to effectively manage and communicate. Eggs are a wonderful source of cholesterol and choline, two fats the brain loves! Choline is just as important as the omega fats for optimal brain function. Organ meats are a brain super food we often overlook. Did you know they contain ubiquinone (CoQ1) which can help power brain cells? Cheers to your children’s health! Dr. K How to make these kid friendly? i would puree cooked broccoli, garlic & onions & add to pasta as a sauce for my kids to eat! Share your tips / go to recipes to help incorporate these foods in the comments below See more

Today’s maternity leave takeover will address a super imp topic: mold. Child anxiety, neediness, sudden tics, OCD. This may be the root cause... Brian Karr from Brian Karr, @YesWeInspect] here These behavioral changes are oftentimes linked to your environment Mold can be an infectious trigger in kids and is often misdiagnosed as a mental sickness, conduct issues, or child-rearing/relational peculiarity issues. As a father of 2 lil plums’ myself, here are some tips and tricks I like to practice to prevent mold issues at home: 1 Remove everything you have from under your sink(s) once a month and check for any water damage like bubbling, staining, or cracking of your cabinet interiors. 2 Use a Squeegee to clean your shower walls and floor after use. If you have a shower curtain, practice being aware of wet floors outside your tub because the water will escape and cause damage to the surrounding area. 3 Dust management is one of the BEST things you can do to help limit your mold exposure. Include hard-to-reach places like behind your toilet, under furniture, inside/outside lampshades, baseboards, and door frames tops in your cleaning routine. And while these tips are powerful, they won’t eliminate a mold problem. In honor of Aida letting me take over today, I wanted you to share some of my upcoming top-secret projects with you. These are going to provide affordable & easily accessible resources that can help you navigate any mold issue. I haven’t shared this information with anyone (besides my team at our end-of-year meeting), & I can’t wait to have you be one of the first to benefit from these resources. I’ll be sending it out on Monday. But this is a 1-time thing, so if you don’t join us by then, you’ll miss it Visit Brian Karr, @YesWeInspect] & click the first link in my bio to get free access! or just visit http://yesweinspect.com/join Make sure you join us before Monday Aida says: Brian will be answering your mold q’s today - they will be up in my stories and saved under mold for future referance! See more

When you are looking to buy a product you often rely on the claims on the packaging and websites to help you determine whether the product is safe or not But, can we trust what is on a label? New post all on GREENWASHING

Is it time to replace your old cutting boards? Choose a non-toxic option (that will last you years!) next time!

Non-Toxic Munchkin is officially launching a YouTube channel!! Check out my first video: my non-toxic pillow review! If you like it and would like to be alerted when new review videos are published please click on the little thumbs up and subscribe! xx Aida

Is there anything you can do to off set any toxins being released from your conventional mattress if you cannot buy an organic mattress? Yes!

Happy earth Day!!! Small switches in everyday life make a big impact! Here are some of my fav PLASTIC FREE products!

There are dollhouses for all budgets, likes and spaces but not all of them are created equal. Here is what to look for, what to avoid and my top favorite picks!

New Post: Are you still using plastic baby bottles? Here is another reason to switch!!

75% of households use conventional air fresheners- these air fresheners are filled with harmful ingredients including formaldehyde, benzene and phthalates..... but there are easy truly non-toxic alternatives you can use instead... and you probably have these at home!

Its not just the Western US that deals with unhealthy air quality- it is commonly in many places around the world and it can be particularly harmful to small children and pregnant women. Here is how to mitigate the effects

#Repost @thelesstoxinlife with @get_repost Day 1 of Aida from @nontoxicmunchkin ‘s takeover: Detoxing your kitchen. The kitchen is the perfect place to start reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals at home! Here are 4 easy steps you can take to start the process! ... . : Avoid all nonstick coatings. While Teflon has been phased out due to being linked to cancer and other harmful health effects, nonstick coatings used today often contain lesser studied Pfas chemicals - these are Teflon’s ‘cousins’. Because these new pans do not contain the known cancer causing chemicals that have been phased out, manufacturers can label new pans as PFOA, PFOS and PTFE free leading the public to believe that they must be safe.These substitute chemicals, however, are slowly being studied and are being found to be just as bad, or even worse. I recommend switching to cast-iron stainless steel and some ceramic.. . . Avoid plastic storage containers as these can leach endocrine disrupting chemicals into your food and are ultimately terrible for the environment. Better options include glass containers stainless steel containers and sometimes reusable high quality silicone bags. . : The sad reality is that most drinking water in the US is contaminated with unhealthy levels of toxins like pesticides, endocrine disruptor’s, PFAS chemicals, antibiotics, nitrates, fluoride and more. Investing in the highest quality water filter you can afford is essential for a healthy life. According to a recent study by Duke University the best water filters for PFAS chemicals (and all toxins) are under sink 2 and 3 stage filters as well as reverse osmosis filters. . : Natural gas and propane stoves can release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other harmful pollutants into the air inside your home. Open windows and use your extractor fan, or have an air filter running if you are cooking- especially with gas. What steps to reduce toxins in the kitchen have u taken? See more

What does 'non-toxic living' mean to you? For me, its not about perfection - its about finding a balance Its also not about making a million different changes all at once. Just like a fad diet or detox, if you try to cut everything out all at once you soon realize its just not sustainable in the long run. ... Non-Toxic living is about finding YOUR balance. 1small steps = big impact. In my own experience with clients & in my own life, small steps are usually the most effective & the ones that end up becoming 2nd nature & sticking. Make a change, understand why you are making the change & you will see how it become part of your daily lifestyle. This is the goal... and trust me small changes will add up 2 80/20 rule : or maybe its 90/10 or 70/30 The point is that we can't live in a non-toxic bubble. This is super important to come to terms with & the sooner you are ok with this reality the quicker non-toxic living anxiety will disappear. Also- remember our bodies are amazing & made to detoxify & protect us from toxins - the goal of 'non-toxic living' is to not overwhelm our body's natural detox mechanisms which can happen in today’s world. But If you make the changes you can make at home, when you go to a birthday or playdate you can enjoy it regardless of whats on the menu or what they are playing with that one time 3 Be kind to yourself. The fact that you are here means you care & are empowering yourself to make changes in your life. Celebrate what you have done- even if you just started. Give yourself time to make these changes & - this is important- don't feel guilty or bad about what you did or did not do in the past. We can’t change our past - so focus on the present & future 4 Do it your way- don't compare your non-toxic living journey to someone else's! If you are new to Non-Toxic Munchkin - please take what serves you & is helpful & leave what is not... it will be there for when you are ready. I have been on this journey for over a decade & I am still learning and implementing changes in our home & daily life And as always- ask & leave your q’s in the comments. I receiving them & answer them. #nontoxicmunchkin See more

Plastic pollution affects your family’s health. 1We buy/use a plastic fork, water bottle, shampoo bottle, etc 2We throw it away & it ends up in the landfill or ocean 3All plastics degrade into microplastic which: ... are ingested by fish which we later eat make their way into our drinking water become so tiny we breathes them in Today, we all ingest a credit card size amount of plastic every single week & when you ingest plastic you also ingest the chemicals in those plastics. Chemicals in plastics contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (like BPA, phthalates, PVC) mimic hormones & are linked to obesity, diabetes, Reproduction prob, Cancers + NO ONE should be ingesting plastic particles and yet this can seem out of our control since it is directly related to worldwide plastic pollution.. but is it? Plastic pollution (the cause of us ingesting microplastics) is a problem: only 7% of plastics are recycled worldwide At the current rate of pollution our oceans will contain more plastic that fish by 2050 But RIGHT NOW YOU have the power to make a difference. Two things: 1There is currently a bill that needs to pass the California Senate & Assembly. This bill is important for everyone, EVEN IF YOU DONT LIVE IN CALI, because manufacturers aren’t likely to switch packaging for just CA- they are likely to switch nationwide the California Circular Economy & Plastic Pollution Reduction Act would make companies selling plastic, not consumers, responsibility for the cost of dealing with discarded plastic packaging & containers would require that products sold in plastic packaging have a proven recycling or composting rate of 75% of they dont other materials that do must be used this CAN CHANGE AND MAKE AN IMPACT on plastic pollution worldwide How can you help? In California: Contact your representatives ASAP (look for my stories on how to do that) : the bill must be passed in the CA Assembly & Senate before it can go to the Governor's desk. 2EVERYONE can reduce plastic usage & support companies that use sustainable ( plastic free) packaging: swipe 4 my favs Share ur fav in the comments! @ Los Angeles, California See more

Silicone can be great- fun colors, malleable, soft and shatterproof. : ’ & 1 Silicone when exposed to heat ( aprox over 340F) or fat can leach chemicals called siloxanes which are considered potential endocrine disrupters... 2 Purity: not all silicone is made equal. Some less expensive silicone products can contain fillers and even lead. Pay attention to the grade- the purest is medical grade, followed by platinum grade and then food grade and finally no grade at all. If choosing platinum or food grade ( especially if brightly colored) confirm it is tested and free of lead, and fillers. 3 The idea behind it being eco friendly is that you can reuse them... however silicone will not biodegrade so while better than plastic from a chemical perspective, environmentally there are better options Bottom line? There is a time when silicone is convenient and can be safely used - I use high quality silicone at home too (see 2nd slide) - but choose wisely: Take a close look at your kitchen/ baby essentials ... if its made up of mostly silicone items maybe its time to look at alternatives Here are some alternatives to silicone to consider: pacifiers: natural latex ( @Natursutten - eliminates the protein that provokes latex allergies and is thus safe for all) Baby bottles: glass and stainless steel Bibs: fabric bibs and maybe 1 silicone bib (they ARE easier to clean) Baking: cast iron, stainless steel molds, glass and unbleached parchment paper Veggie and fruit storage: fabric baggies, glass containers. Snacks on the go: stainless steel, fabric, Today’s blog post has a long list of my favorite products/brands in each category if you are looking for recommendations! #linkinbio #nontoxicmunchkin #nontoxicliving #kitchenessentials #babyessentials #homedetox #healthyhome #lowtoxhome #plasticfreeliving #organic #organicliving #momlife #momtips #mommytips #parentingtips #healthyliving #babyessential #silicone #baker #homebaker #minichef #plasticfreeforthesea @ Los Angeles, California See more

On Wednesday I spoke to the owner of @organicweave about toxins in tugs/carpets & how to choose a better one for all budgets. The chat, which is up on my IGTV, is full of useful tips so go check it out!! In a nutshell you have a couple of alternatives when choosing a rug: 1 ... assures absolutely no chemicals are used from seed to the time the rug arrives in your home assures fair labour and no negative environmental impact source: @organicweave the worlds only GOTS certified rugs 2 Natural fiber rug from a responsible source example: wool, jute, sisal, seagrass, hemp renewable & more ecofriendly avoid Dyes: find an undyed rug or a low toxic dye (ie: Oeko Tex certified dye) antique and vintage rugs (older than 60 yrs) are , bc not as many chemicals were used in rug production then Cotton can be a good alternative but it is the crop that uses the highest levels of pesticides in the world. Additionally toxic chlorine bleach need to be used to bleach cotton and wool. Sources: @Earthweave, @rugsbyroo, @Thetot, @hookandloom, @sproutsanfrancisco and @coralandhive 3Synthetic Synthetic: includes polyester, nylon, PET Consider: these are plastic fibers; wash & use releases & contributes to micro plastic pollution. polyester yarn requires stronger (= more harmful chemical) dyes Synthetic rugs often need chemical flame retardants & added PFAS chemicals if you choose synthetic, choose a company that is doing something to help with plastic pollution vs contributing to it. sources: @Florsquares tiles don’t require glues, are low tox, use yarn that come from old fishing nets and recycled plastic bottles and allow you to send in your old tiles which they then recycle into new ones Wall to Wall Carpet: ask about the padding used. Look for natural wool adhesives: look for formaldehyde free & 0 VOC or, some natural materials can be nailed in without adhesives Earthweave makes wool wall to wall carpets. They use non-toxic natural latex glue These can also be cut to a custom size and you can create a custom rug if you do not want wall to wall carpet See more

Carpeting accounts for 51% of the total U.S. flooring market we all have a rug or carpet in our homes so should we care what they are made of? YES! Children, who spend the most time in direct contact ( crawling, laying, playing & sitting on) with rugs & carpets can absorb harmful chemicals through skin contact, inhalation and ingestion of carpet (micro)fibers through their hand-to-mouth behavior.... Over 59 hazardous substances were id in carpets sold in the EU. Among the chemicals found: 1 phthalates: - used in the backing materials of carpets. - endocrine disrupting chemicals that affect fertility, are potential carcinogens & developmental toxicants 2 Nonylphenols (NPs) and NonylphenolEthoxylates (NPEOs): - Surfactants that have been phased out of cleaning products in the EU due to their hazard, but still used as adhesives in carpet backing, and as cleaning, dyeing, and rinsing agents - Endocrine disruptors and cause feminisation of male fish. " 3 Antimicrobials: 1. Used to protect against dust mites, moulds, bacteria, fungi 2. Used in the treatment of carpet fibres & backings 3. can be mild eye and skin irritants & skin sensitizers & reproductive toxicants 4 Flame Retardants: - used plastic carpet materials & carpet padding - flame retardant chemicals migrate easily into environmental dust - Linked to acute lymphoblastic leukemia & other cancers 5 Stain Repellents: - PFAS are used as stain repellent finishes - Suspected carcinogens, toxic to reproduction, may cause developmental disorders 6 Heavy metals: - Used in dyes, mordants, catalysts in synthetic fabrics or carpet backing, synergists of flame retardants, antimicrobials, water repellents, or odour prevention - Neurotoxins, impair human fertility and/or cause harm to unborn children. Looking for tips on how to choose a healthier less toxic rug? This Wednesday join me at 3pm EST/12PST as I go Live here on Instagram with the owner of @organicweave discussing just that! ! More on #blog linkinbio See more

Organic matters!!