Graco Recalls 2 Million Strollers October 20, 2010

Inhabitots is reporting today that Graco has recalled 2 million of its strollers due to issues with the trays of some of their strollers and possible strangulation due to them. There have been four deaths because of the trays and an investigation is being done to see if the trays have caused other deaths.

Please see a list of the specific Graco Strollers being recalled at Inhabitots and what you should do if you have one.

Graco MetroLite Stroller

Homemade Lip Balm and Moisturizer October 8, 2010

I started educating myself on safer personal care products when I became pregnant with my daughter. When ever I needs something new, I check in with Skin Deep to find better alternatives to cosmetics, lotions and deodorants to the ones I have.

When it comes to the products I use directly on my daughter, though, I really do my best to find the safest products. I know I can’t put her in a bubble and protect her from every toxin out there, but for things I have direct control over, I do my best to choose the healthiest option.

With fall weather and winter cold just around the corner, moisturizer and lip balm are a must in the coming few weeks. Many moisturizers on the “safer” side still often contain chemicals that I just doesn’t feel comfortable putting on delicate skin. I had heard about others making their own lip balm but I thought it would be time consuming and difficult. Well, it’s neither!

There’s no “icky” stuff like chemicals in these gems below. The most time-consuming part is purchasing all the ingredients. With your first batch, you may ask if it’s worth it with each of the individual purchases, but when you then think about how many batches you’ll get from it all, you’ll change your mind. These make perfect gifts, by the way, and they’re a great project to work on with children who you want to steer in the direction of “safer” personal care products. Visit your local health food store — they should have everything you’ll need.

The following recipes have been taken from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Organic Living by Eliza Sarasohan and Sonia Weiss. The book is fantastic and has recipes for your face, body,hair and more.

Use recycled small jelly jars for the lip balm or other glass or plastic containers (#5 is best since they can take the heat) from used personal care products. Just be sure to wash them well before using them. If you need to buy containers, check out this site.

The “Balm” (lip or cuticle cream)

1 Tablespoon beeswax
3 Tablespoons sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon honey
8 – 10 drops of essential oil

1) In a small saucepan, melt beeswax with sweet almond oil over low heat. When the wax is melted, remove from heat. Add honey and stir well. When the mixture begins to cool, but before it gets too thick, add essential oils a few drops at a time and stir to mix. Pour into small jars and let cool.

2) The glossiness of the lip balm is determined by how much oil you use. This recipe has a slight gloss. If less is desired, reduce the amount of sweet almond oil by 1 teaspoon.

Variations: If making lip balm, try combining a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil with orange, lemon or lime; if making cuticle cream, benzoin essential oil helps heal cracked cuticles and works well with one or more of the following: lavender, Roman chamomile, tea tree, neroli, palmarosa, sandalwood, jasmine.

Yields: 1/3 cup balm
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serving size: 1/4 teaspoon balm

Lube Ya (moisturizer for hands and body)

A very rich, very smooth lotion with a slight coconut scent (smells like chocolate!) that dry skin will eat right up. A good one for areas that take a beating and where skin can get especially dry, like knees and elbows.

1/2 cup grated coconut butter
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
4 Tablespoons sesame oil
2 Tablespoons avocado oil
2 Tablespoons grated beeswax

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and set in a pan filled with an inch or two of water (this is a bain-marie, or water bath). Melt over a medium heat, then pour into a glass jar. Stir and let cool.

Yields 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons lotion.
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serving size: 1 Tablespoon lotion