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Coal Train Railroad Jazzes up the babes!


So I am in my car running a few errands WITHOUT baby in back(say what??), it's a gorgeous day(of course, I live in L.A.), the CD player's up loud, and it suddenly dawns on me that I'm belting out all of the words to "My bellybutton stays the same". I'd been listening and singing along to my son's favorite CD without even realizing it! This is the brilliance of Coal Train Railroad, a collection of jazz songs created just for kids! Written from a child’s perspective and covering such important topics as bellybuttons, juice, sharing, and snuggling, the songs are inspiring kids all over the world to dance, play, and use their voices to riff along with the musicians. My personal fave is called "I need a nap" (you do the math). It is produced by bassist Chris Donohue (Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Collective Soul) and features the charmingly sweet, playful voice of Katy Bowser.
I have the extreme honor of knowing the genius Chris Donohue and his family, and can vouch for all of the hard work, inspired creativity, and incredible musicianship that has been poured into the rails that make the Coal Train go!
What I love best, is that it doesn't dumb anything down for the kiddies. Yes, the subjects are kid-related ("It's hard to listen"), but the music is real, un-watered down Jazz! They say kid's brains are like sponges, why not give them a head start and a taste for all genres of music now while the getting is good? Maybe you'll be yelling at them to turn down the Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday in the dreaded teen years.
A mother can hope, right?
$0.99 per track or $8.91 for the album on itunes. If you live in Nashville, check them out live at one of their many local gigs! Woo Woo!

Earthlust bottles: Eco friendly art to drink!



The US Consumes 1500 Plastic Water Bottles Every Second!
Out of the 50 billion bottles of water being bought each year, 80% end up in a landfill, even though recycling programs exist.
17 million barrels of oil are used in producing bottled water each year.
I came across Earthlust water bottles last year when looking for a stainless steel alternative to aluminum, and I was absolutely blown away by their gorgeousness!
Stainless steel is a neutral metal and doesn't leach - that's why silverware and cookware are made of steel. Aluminum bottles need to be lined to prevent the metal from leaching into your water (which may be harmful) and imparting that "metal" taste.
This awesome, San Francisco family company started making these handmade bottles when their first baby was born. They use BPA-free safe polypropylene #5 caps, and non-toxic paints on all of their limited edition and ever changing stunning designs.(the crow is a picture from a family walk they took on Treasure Island in San Francisco!)
It's still summer, and it's hot out there! With Earthlust bottles, you'll be inspired to stay hydrated just to keep looking at the artwork!
$16(13oz)-$21(1L) Buy them directly here, or buy local at Atmosphere 1728 North Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, 90027

1,4-Dioxane is found in fumigants and automotive coolant. Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Phthalates are a hormone-altering chemical.
Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen. What do all of these gross chemicals have in common? Besides being linked to cancer, skin allergies, and reproductive damage, they have all been found in a scary number of baby products on the market today! Enter Method, the awesome company who's tag line is "People against dirty" and who have brought us a myriad of yummy smelling, chemical free cleaning products for very affordable prices and in cute, quirky packaging. If you haven't seen already, they've entered the baby game. (hooray!) Method Baby and Method Kid offer "squeaky green" shampoos, soaps, and lotions without any of the icky ingredients listed at the top of this post. 99% Natural, hypo-allergenic and pediatrician-tested. The baby line is made with rice milk + mallow, which sounds like a comfy breakfast and smells good enough to eat! $5-$11 You can buy directly from Method here, or buy locally at your Babies R Us or Target!

Delicious, Hand knitted slippers from Padraig Cottage


My babe received a pair of these adorable slippers from Padraig Cottage last year, and I am obsessed with them! What a lovely way to greet a chilly morning. Crocheted with hand dyed wool, lined with soft sheepskin, and soled with leather, these booties are ultra warm, comfortable, and extremely washable. (I washed mine about 100 times. Just don't put in dryer!) They even have a tie around the ankle, so they will stay on even the wiggliest growing feet! Since making the first pair of slippers in 1977 for her son, owner Helen has grown her company and the slipper line, and they are now sold in boutiques across Canada, the United States and Europe. Still independently owned and operating out of North Vancouver, Padraig employs local artisans and ensures product quality and support of the local community. Of their tagline that reads, "Return Home", she says "we chose this to remind ourselves of what is important and the core values that are at the heart of Padraig Cottage Ind." What's even better? They come in adult sizes! Shown, The Newborn Slipper in Rainbow. $20.59 Order directly here, or buy locally in Santa Monica! Acorn Store 1220 5th Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 451-5845

Yummy organic "envelope" for baby!


How sweet is this little burrito??
The Noonie™ by Lala's Pequenos was designed to create a perfectly cozy environment for your newborn baby to be swaddled. The outside fabric of this precious little envelope (that's what they remind me of!) is made from 100% organic fair trade fabric. The lining is also 100% super luxuriously soft organic sherpa.
The wooden buttons that bundle it up are from reclaimed wood, and it is entirely handcrafted in Virginia! It was meant to be saved and passed down from generation to generation. What a yummy way to re-use! $62. Buy it here

Gorgeous organic cotton onesie with birds!


I am a sucker for anything bird related, for baby, and give bonus points when it's eco-friendly!!
This gorgeous onesie delivers the goods! From Winter Water Factory, it is hand-printed with water-based inks on 100% organic cotton, and made in USA start-to-finish! $39 You can purchase straight from them here or if you're in LA, buy locally at Entertaining Elephants 12053 1/2 Ventura Plaza in Studio City. cheep cheep

New Zen Birth suite opens on the west side!

It's absolutely amazing to me, that here in LA, if you want to have a birth with a midwife, you really only have two options. At home or the hospital. Well ladies, those options just grew by one, and the open house is this weekend!

The Sanctuary New Family Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of expectant and new families in Los Angeles. Their goal is to provide education, community support, and healthcare through a community based, multi-discplinary, collaborative approach.

The Open House Event for the Sanctuary Birth & Family Wellness Center's new Zen Birth Suite on August, 8th, 2010 from 11am until 3pm. Located in Mar Vista (between Culver City and Santa Monica), this birth suite is currently the only facility where expectant families can give birth outside of the hospital or at home. We offer a beautiful, clean and peaceful environment to experience birth. Their experienced California Licensed Midwives have all necessary medical equipment and supplies will be available in the birth room to ensure a safe and secure delivery for each client and baby.

Special Guests: Ricki Lake and Dr. Stuart Fischbein will be available for book signings.

Free goodies and snacks will be provided.(I'm in...)Drop by any time during the open house for a warm greeting, relaxation and a tour.

They are taking reservations NOW for those birthing in September and beyond!
Can't wait to see it!

12022 Venice Blvd, Suite C
Los Angeles, CA 90066
info@birthsanctuary.com
310 5667690

Here we go!


Ok, so I have been terrified to start this blog! The pressure to produce inspiring content has had me looking at my blank blog template for a week now... but here we go! Ripping the band-aid off, and giving in.
This is Ecobaby planning+concierge, and I am going to share with you cool products that I come across, and things, people, and places that inspire me. We'll do it together, ok?