Look who I found in the garden?

Meet our newest edition . . . Cozy Lime organic cotton doll! Isn’t she (or he) just gorgeous?

I love these Keptin Jr dolls because they have no facial features which encourages your child to use their imagination and express their feelings through this doll.

It is super soft as it is made from certified organic cotton and filled with 100% pure wool so its makes a lovely comforter, perfectly safe teether and is also a rattle.

The designs of these dolls are actually inspired by children’s drawings so they are simple and make the perfect gift for a newborn baby.

Are there health benefits in eating organic food? Read this article submitted by Organic Food.com.au and find out why there has been a significant rise in interest in organic food over conventional food…

How Does Conventional Farming Operate?
Most crops in Australia are grown with the aid of toxic synthetic chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and fungicides. Toxic residues from these chemicals are found on conventionally grown fruit, herbs, plants and vegetables and even snacks, skin care products and clothing. The reason for the use of these biocides is to ward off weeds, pests and
diseases thus allowing for mass crop production.

The same applies for most farm animals - in order to increase production and to treat animal disease, they are being injected with growth hormones and antibiotics. These hormones are found in conventionally produced meat as well as conventionally produced dairy products. Antibiotics are given to livestock to treat certain infections; they are also given chronically to prevent the spread and development of infections that is more likely to occur in an overcrowded space. Antibiotics are also used on a non-therapeutic level to promote more rapid growth using less feed.1 Given that antibiotic resistance is already a crisis in human medicine, injecting livestock with antibiotics will increase human resistance to antibiotics.1

Scientists are continuing to find serious unintended consequences on the environment and human health. An abundance of published scientific research links commonly used pesticides such as Malathion, Diazinon, Chlorpyrifos and other organophosphates as well as the carbamates, synthetic pyrethroids and herbicides to disruptions of the hormone, nervous and immune systems.2

Autoimmune diseases such as asthma, arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome are also found to be linked to the use of these pesticides. 2 It has been found that long term exposure to trace amounts of organochlorine pesticides has been linked to neurodevelopmental problems, immunotoxicity, liver damage and a range of other conditions and diseases.3

What is Organic Farming?
Organic farming produces crops without the use of any chemicals, and is truly “nature’s way”. It involves increased labour (e.g. manual picking) and the use of natural substances such as compost and the use of natural insect predators. Organic food systems work within the bounds of the natural sequences of the environment. In order to be labeled organic, the food needs to contain no harmful preservatives or additives and needs to be 100% GMO free.
Through organic farming, we are able to improve our land and environment. This is done via better soil combination, cleaner waterway and protection of native biodiversity. Organic farming shows a greater compassion towards animal welfare as the animals are allowed to develop in accordance with the natural systems of their environment and are not restricted.

Benefits of Eating Organic?
A growing body of sophisticated research has compared the impacts of organic and conventional farming systems on soil and food quality. Enhancement of soil quality in organic apple production systems can lead to measurable improvements in fruit nutritional quality, taste, and storability.4 Organically and conventionally grown apples, potatoes, pears, wheat, and sweet corn were purchased in the western suburbs of Chicago, over two years, and analysed for mineral content. The organically grown food averaged 63% higher in calcium, 73% higher in iron, 118% higher in magnesium, 178% higher in molybdenum, 91% higher in phosphorous, 125% higher in potassium and 60% higher in zinc. The organic food averaged 29% lower in mercury than the conventionally raised food.5,6

Antioxidants are beneficial in eradicating free radicals, especially during times of inflammation. A recently published review of scientific research by Dr Charles Benbrook, the Chief Scientist at www.organiccentre.org, reveals that on average organic foods are about one-third higher in antioxidants than comparable conventional produce.

Professor Carlo Leifert, an expert in organic farming from the University of Newcastle, co-ordinated a 4 year European Union-funded project. This study, which was completed in 2007, revealed organic farming produced foods 20-40% higher in antioxidants than in conventional foods.7

A study by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Research and the University of Newcastle showed that cows raised on an organic diet produce milk with 50% more Vitamin E and 75% more beta carotene than conventionally farmed cows. Beta carotene is the precursor to vitamin A. The organic milk has two to three times more zeaxanthine and lutein, which are powerful antioxidants. Higher levels of omega 3 essential fatty acids are also found in organic milk, according to this study. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential in the diet for brain health, they act as an anti-inflammatory, support the immune system and also provide protection against heart disease.

The European Journal of Nutrition published a study by Dr John Paterson from the University of Strathclyde, UK. The study found that organic vegetable soups contain almost six times as much salicylic acid as non-organic vegetable soups.8 Salicylic acid is produced naturally in plants as a protective compound against stress and disease. Aspirin contains derivatives of salicylic acid which is responsible for the anti-inflammatory action of aspirin.

In Summary
To conclude, as the above research indicates, organic produce is more nutrient dense than conventionally produced food. It also offers us an easy way to eat seasonal produce. However, there is more to organic than the nutrient content. Organic food and farming deliver a range of benefits. Organic food tastes the way food should taste – fresh, crispy and with a distinctive flavor. A key factor is that organic farming is consistent with sound ethical principles; it benefits the environment, the air and the soil, our children and farmers. It stores more carbon in the soil and there is less wildlife and environmental damage from fertilizer and pesticide run off. Organic farmers are rearing animals with care and attention to their welfare. They are allowed to roam free as animals should and are given the opportunity to grow and develop in the most natural and humane way possible.

“Organic is not a luxury; it’s how food is supposed to be.”

Shane Heaton, BFA nutritionist

If you are interested in obtaining a weekly box of fresh, seasonal organic fruit and vegetables, conveniently home delivered, visit www.OrganicFood.com.au, or call 9967-9967 (Syd) or 9818-8606 (Mel).

References
1. E, Chivian, A, Bernstein (2008) Sustaining life: how human health depends on biodiversity pg55
2. http://www.biodynamics.net.au/articles/myths_of_safe_pesticides.htm
3. S, E. Kegley, L, J. Wise (1998) Pesticides in Fruits and Vegetables
4. http://www.organic-center.org/news.pr.php?action=detail&pressrelease_id=28
5. http://www.organicconsumers.org/Organic/organicstudy.cfm
6. Journal of Applied Nutrition (1993); 45:35-39. Organic Food is More Nutritious Than Conventional Food
7. http://www.bfa.com.au/_files/SmartFarmer_Dec07Jan_08.pdf
8. http://www.ofa.org.au/papers//The%20Benefits%20of%20Organic%20Food%20paper.htm

Good morning & welcome to the first day of Spring! There’s nothing more satisfying than growing your own veggie garden with your kids. Why not head into the garden today and let them get back to nature?

I remember the sheer delight on Safari’s face the first time she ever saw a worm . . .

Or when she sat in the garden and picked the cherry tomatoes straight from the plant and ate them until she was full.

I remember the feeling of freedom as I watched her playing in the sunshine without a nappy

Or when she got her first gardening set and happily spent all day digging in the dirt.

There are so many benefits to growing your own veggie garden, kids spend so much time in front of the TV or playing computer games that they loose sense of their real world so let them get dirty and enjoy the first day of spring today!

Check out this great link for some organic gardening tips.

Just a reminder that the Organic expo and Green show is on this weekend at the Royal Exhibition building, Carlton. We set up today and I can’t wait to check out all the lovely displays and sample products at show.

Our organic cotton toys looked so gorgeous bundled together that I couldn’t resist taking a photo!

And my darling girl couldn’t resist playing with the drums on display.

Yes you read right! We’ve had lots of customers asking us if we have a store to buy from so we decided to be part of the Melbourne organic Expo. I’m so excited that we can finally give our  Melbourne customers a chance to come  and see us and shop directly from us. Not only that we will be launching our new range of felt toys and other new wooden toys that I’m sure everyone will just love.

I went to the Organic Expo in Melbourne 2 years ago (alternates between Sydney each year) and it was one of the best Expo’s I have ever been to. I was carrying  a 4 month old baby in my sling and I got a chance to get lots of free samples of baby care products, food, snacks, you name it as well as see some of the most beautiful organic products available in Australia. Oh did I forget the food? Please don’t eat before you come as you’ll get to sample some of the most delicious and finest organic food in the world and yes that includes chocolate, wine and cheese!

See us in the Green show area on stand 147 and plese come and say hello! For all the kids there is a organic kids fun zone area so penty to do for everyone and a great day for the family to enjoy.

I want to share with you a favourite little place of mine tucked away in the heart of Brunswick. Its CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) which is an environmental park  that has a fantastic organic market on Wednesday and Saturday  mornings.

Safari and I have been going to Ceres for the past year and half on a Wednesday and we always have such a wonderful time catching up with friends.

The organic market area is always buzzing with a warm and inviting community atmosphere. Its colourful, its happy, the musicians play in the corner next to the coffee machine and Safari helps me put organic vegetables in the basket. There are chickens roaming around and a sheep which Safari loves to say hello to.  She makes friends and happily plays with the other kids, amongst the chickens and organic food.  I honestly couldn’t think of a more enriching place for my daughter to spend her day!

After we do our shopping we head down to the Ceres cafe to meet up with friends. Safari loves playing in the sand pit and takes her shoes off so she can feel the sand between her toes.

We sip on chai tea and share  our stories with one another. Today little Charlie was there looking gorgeous as ever and happily chewing on her nature rattle that I couldn’t resist taking a photo.

I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful  network of  women  that meet every week at Ceres. Spending time with them nurtures my spirit and I leave feeling so fulfilled,  like one of them recently said “I come away feeling like I’ve just done yoga!”.

So if you haven’t been to Ceres then you must check it out and if your a parent wanting to meet other like-minded parents then come along on a Wednesday and you’re sure to meet some lovely people and might even see us on the corner table near the sandpit, come and say hello!

I have never liked the plastic dolls that are available on the market for children. In fact I despise them, mainly because they seem to all fit into a very gender stereotypical role. They all seem to look and dress the same, there is no diversity and uniqueness. Their facial expressions are so ingrained that it leaves no room for a child to use their imagination and honestly quite often they look stunned, almost like they themselves have had too much plastic surgery! lol

Quite  simply the dolls children play with are a reflection of themselves as they often play out roles and solve problems through role play. Look at all the princess dolls out there? They all seem to have light hair, light skin tone and wear pretty pink frocks. Yes, well that is the fairytale story you say but really think about the message this is sending to your child? All princesses are white and wear beautiful pink dresses. What about the rest of the population?  Does your child really relate to these dolls or are they sending them the clear message that to be a princess you must be A, B & C and anyone else just simply doesn’ t fit in that role?

There  has actually been quite a bit of research done in this area and studies show that during doll play children will not only aspire to be like their princess dolls but they will exclude children  from diverse cultural backgrounds because they do not fit into their ideal of a princess.  So why isn’t there more diverse dolls from various cultural backgrounds on the market (sorry but those Bratz dolls DON”T count!)? Only now in 2009 is  Disney releasing its first ever black doll princess! I actually think an Arabic princess is much more exotic and beautiful than Cinderella.

So if you are like me and don’t like the plastic baby dolls then I have an alternative . . .

I would like to introduce Suzie, Whoopie & Girly Red organic cotton rag dolls. These 3 gorgeous dolls are sure to put a smile on any child’s face! The organic cotton & pure wool stuffing makes them extremely soft and cuddly, perfect to take to bed, better for children with allergies and better for our environment. They have simple sewn in facial features which makes them completely safe for babies and allows your child to explore different feelings and use their imagination.

But the thing that I love the most is that these dolls represent us, our community and our world. They are diverse and they tell children its ok to be you no matter where you come from. These dolls can be used to teach children about cultural diversity and respecting our differences. I’m really excited about these dolls and browsing through their catalogue today I came across a gorgeous blonde/red haired doll they have just released which I will be adding to our collection!

As the company Keptin-Jr states on their website “big, small, blond or black, everyone is welcome in the Keptin-Jr tiny dolls family”.

If you are looking for an organic cotton boy doll we have our beloved Lenny. He is made Brazil by Natural Fashion, a socially and environmentally responsible company, that invests in local businesses, employs local people and supports small farmers that grow organic cotton. Lenny is made using the off cuts from the clothing range so is truly an environmentally friendly doll and he is on special this month for only $28! He also comes in a light & dark skin tone.

An eco toy is a toy made from 100% natural and / or organic materials, is biodegradable, made from sustainable  and renewable resources, recyclable and / or made from recycled materials. Our toys are not made in chemical factories where poor people are exploited. They are made by highly skilled craftsman & WOMEN who love making them and are paid a decent wage.

Eco toys are safer for your kids and better for our planet because they are made from natural and non-toxic materials. We not only look at the materials a toy is made with, we also consider the whole manufacturing process and where and how the toys are made. We ensure the production of our toys have minimal impact on the environment.

We are also really proud to stock a large range of environmentally friendly, Australian made toys. These unique toys are made locally by mums, grandfathers and indigenous Australians.

Our toys encourage imaginative and creative play, they stimulate your child’s mind and their senses! They are simple,  yet educational and most importantly they are made to last and can be passed down to generations.