Nutara News

AND THE WINNER IS.....

2009-10-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

Nutara Baby & Tot wants to congratulate Carol Coutts-Jarrett as the winner of the Ergo Baby Carrier in Nutara’s Grand Opening Contest! Don’t forget to check http://www.nutara.ca/ often for our latest contests and new and exciting children’s products.

Nutara Baby & Tot's Grand Opening Giveaway

2009-09-01T15:36:00.001-07:00

Nutara Baby & Tot's Grand Opening Giveaway

We are so excited that the last few months have been so great that Nutara is thanking you. We are giving away an Ergo Baby Carrier! Check out http://www.nutara.ca/ for contest details.

Great quote

2009-07-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

Just heard a great quote on a podcast by a WAHM........

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us." Joseph Campbell

How true is this.......Just thought I would share.

Proud Papa wearing his baby!

2009-06-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

Pippalily makes wearing your baby just as easy for dad's as they do for mom's. Slings are easy to use, and compact enough to throw in your diaper bag. Marc takes his everywhere just incase Alexie is having a "I want to be carried" type of day. Perfect for saturday mornings at the farmers market too!

Nutara's First Newpaper Article

2009-06-09T16:03:00.001-07:00

Nutara's first newspaper article...check us out.....Enjoy!

http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/transcript/article/693478

Information on Child friendly Bug Repellants

2009-06-08T06:15:00.000-07:00

If you are like us we love to go camping, but with a 14 month old, you want to make sure that your camping trip is going to be fun and safe. This includes what bug repellant you are going to put on your child. I found some interesting information I thought that I would share from the wonderful website safemama.com. Enjoy!

(all prices are in american $)

Our recommendations for safer bug repellents. It’s probably not a shock that products containing DEET, are not on our recommended list. DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a widely used active ingredient in insect repellents. Biting insects are attracted to the scent of carbon dioxide gas to find food… in this case, your blood. Skin and breath naturally give off carbon dioxide. DEET masks the scent of carbon dioxide therefore keeping buggies away.
HOWEVER… DEET can act as an irritant, and has been reported to be the cause of seizures, insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function. The American Academy of Pediatrics still stands by its safety on children over 2 months old. A brief encounter with DEET might not cause any harm, but long term exposure may. DEET is certainly effective but if DEET gives you the heebs then there are natural alternatives that work just as well to mask carbon dioxide and keep those pests away.
The main ingredients in natural bug repellents rely on oils, most notably citronella, soybean oil, geraniol (oil of geranium), eucalyptus, cedar, rosemary, eucalyptus and sometimes lemon oil. I’ve scoured the stores and the Internet for some better choices and here is what I came up with.
SafeMama Criteria: Products had to be free of DEET, parabens, phthalates, PEG’s, Sufates, Dioxanes, Propylene Glycols, and synthetic fragrances. We have tested a handful of these products and they do work for general kid and adult use. (Note: I went ahead and included any Skin Deep ratings that were available. However, some haven’t been reviewed for accuracy since 2006.)
Sprays & Lotions
Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect RepellentMain Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Rosemary Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Cedar OilKathy Says: This works better than most I have tried. It smells great too. The only drawback is that the “spray” is not really a spray at all. It comes out in oil form and you have to rub it all over the place to get good coverage. But again, works really well at keeping away bites.Skin Deep Rating: 0

Bite Blocker® Herbal SprayBite Blocker® Herbal LotionMain Ingredients: Soybean OilKathy Says: This brand also comes in a lotion and wipes, both of which pass our SafeMama criteria. However we haven’t yet had a chance to test them out. Check out their website for effectiveness information. I will be reviewing these in the coming weeks and will update accordingly.Skin Deep Rating: 2

Jason Quit Bugging Me - Natural Insect Repellent SprayMain Ingredients: Soy Bean Oil, GeraniumKathy Says: This comes in a great little spray bottle and goes on evenly. But be careful not to get in the eyes (like all of them), I just caution it here because it tends to mist when sprayed and I’ve gotten it in my own eyes trying to cover my kid. This works pretty well, not as well as others though. The smell is not my favorite either. My mother commented it smelled like wet gym socks. I do like how it sprays on and doesn’t sit on skin like an oil.Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Buzz Away Extreme™ Natural Insect RepellentMain Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Geranium Oil, Castor Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Citronella Oil, Peppermint Oil, Lemongrass OilKathy Says: This stuff I do like, comes in a great spray. It sprays on a little oily. This stuff claims 8 hour protection but my son still got bit wearing it after an hour or so, so I don’t know if 8 hours is an accurate assumption. I’d still reapply every few hours to be covered. The towelettes are cool but for $8+ you only get 12. Compared to Bit Blocker Wipes, which is about the same price you get 25.Skin Deep Rating: 0 - 1 (there are two listings)

Aubrey Organic’s Gone! Safe and Natural Outdoor Spray SPF 10 4oz*Main Ingredients: Padimate O (PABA Ester), Natural Grain Alcohol, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Soybean OilKathy Says: If this wasn’t made by Aubrey Organics I might be more skeptical. I’m including this because they take great care to provide safe sun and outdoor protection. But they use PABA which some people avoid.Skin Deep Rating: 7 (Due to the PABA content this rates pretty high.. interesting)

All Things Jill Bug Joose Outdoor Spray
Main Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Essential oils of cedarwood, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, pine, lemongrass & citronella (all organic)Kathy Says: I haven’t tried this but I love the All Things Jill company and they use organic ingredients when possible.Skin Deep Rating: N/A

California Baby® Natural Bug Blend™ Bug Repellent Spray California Baby® Citronella Summer LotionMain Ingredients: Citronella, lemongrass and cedar essential oilsKathy Says: These both work well and don’t smell too strong. I prefer the spray, it’s easier than applying lotions. They are both gentle and haven’t caused any reactions. However these are both hard to find in stores at the moment.Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Balms

Anti-Bug Push-Up - 1.5 oz - StickMain Ingredients: Citronella Oil (5.0%), Cedar Oil (2.0%), Lemongrass Oil (2.0%), Rosemary Oil (1.0%), & Geranium Oil (1.0%)Kathy Says: I LOVE this bug balm. I never thought a balm would be enough coverage but I found this at my local grocery store and picked it up. The balm in the push up stick is great and the balm goes on smooth and you can easily cover exposed areas quickly. It works to boot. I really love Badger’s commitment to natural and organic ingredients. Thumbs up!!Skin Deep Rating: 0
Wipes

Bite Blocker® Herbal WipesMain Ingredients: Soybean OilKathy Says: This brand also comes in a lotion and spray, both of which pass our SafeMama™ criteria. However we haven’t yet had a chance to test them out. Check out their website for effectiveness information. I will be reviewing these in the coming weeks and will update accordingly.Skin Deep Rating: N/A

Buzz Away Insect Repellent TowelettesMain Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Geranium Oil, Castor Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Citronella Oil, Peppermint Oil, Lemongrass OilKathy Says: The towelettes are nice, and work well but for $8+ you only get 12. Compared to Bit Blocker Wipes, which is about the same price you get 25.Skin Deep Rating: 0 - 1 (there are two listings)
Non-Spray Repellents

DEET Free Bug BandMain Ingredients: Geranium Oil, Polypropylene plastic bandKathy Says: This wristband is great for kids and can be stored for future use. Geraniol is a great natural repellent. People with perfume allergies may have trouble with this one since its about 20% Geraniol. But if you have a perfume allergy you may have problems with any natural repellent since they rely heavily on scents. NOTE: This company makes wipes and a spray as well, but I didn’t include them due to them containing Sodium Laureth Sulfates in the ingredients.

Don’t Bite Me PatchMain Ingredients: Vitamin B1Kathy Says: Unlike the other repellents, this patch uses Vitamin B1 instead of fragrant oils. B1 when excreted from the skin will mask the scent of carbon dioxide (which is what the bugs are attracted to). By applying the patch to the skin directly, rather than taking a vitamin, is the faster absorption. Like lotions (which is why we are so adamant about safe skin care), things applied to the skin go directly into your bloodstream instead of having to travel the digestive system first. So this will take effect quicker. I am not a huge fan of having something stuck to my or my kids skin (seems like it would be an irritant) but the materials.
The patch itself is made of “Acrylic Pressure Sensitive Adhesive with Aloe and Thiamine Hydrochloride on Urethane film laminated to polyethylene coated kraft paper”. I can’t find any solid reason to not use this product (or the wristbands for that matter) other than the waste factor, as they may not be recyclable.

To sum up: This obviously isn’t every single natural product on the planet, but I also had to eliminate several natural ones from our lists due to questionable ingredients. We’re comfortable recommending these, but of course, as with anything you put on your skin, use your judgment, follow the directions. Everything in moderation!
Other natural tips for deterring buggies naturally at home:
Eliminate standing water from outdoor areas where you hang out and play.
Keep potted rosemary or eucalyptus plants around your patio areas
Eat food rich in B Vitamins like bananas or eat garlicky food - mosquitoes don’t like it apparently
If you do get bit, I like Burt’s Bees Res-Q ointment, comes in a little solid tin. A little dab on a bug bite takes away the itchies. Works great on bumps, scrapes and bruises too.
Enjoy the outdoors! Remember to also choose a safe sunscreen for sunny days!

Information on Child Friendly Sunblocks

2009-06-08T06:02:00.000-07:00

After a long and exhausting search for child friendly sunblocks, I wanted to share some of the information I found on Safe Mama.com. Although a lot of these products are not available in Canada, (usually due to the high cost of Health Canada's approval process) I have found some of them, including Badger and Weleda in the Greater Moncton Area. Enjoy!

(note- prices are in american $)

So here’s the scoop:
SafeMama™ Sunscreen Criteria: All sunscreens we approved needed to be free of parabens, phthalates, PEG’s, propylene glycol, SLS, dioxanes, and synthetic fragrances. Another ingredient we watch out for is the synthetic chemical oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor which can affect the nervous system, has been linked to cancer in some laboratory studies, and creates free-radicals when exposed to the sun which are harmful. Below are our selections of safer natural sunscreens that use mineral (or sometimes referred to a physical) sunscreen which is typically Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide or any combination of those two.
A note about the Skin Deep ratings. Their ratings are a good start, but take them with a grain of salt. They have a big job over there and sometimes formulas change and their information gets a little outdated. Which is why we stress learning to read the labels! Concerning sunscreen, the EWG’s Skin Deep published a sunscreen guide last year and while we generally respect the research and efforts of EWG, we don’t agree 100% with their top picks. For example the top choice on their Top 10 list is Blue Lizard without oxybenzone, but all Blue Lizard products contain multiple parabens, Propylene Glycol and PEG’s not to mention the giant list of chemical ingredients on every label. So, again… read labels and don’t just take anyone’s word for it.
* A note about Micronized and Nano: This is a controversial topic and there have been many reports that micronized vs. nano particles of titanium or zinc oxide have the ability to pass through the skin more easily (which is why they aren’t as white as others). There is also a concern that nano titanium/zinc dioxide particles have higher photo-reactivity than coarser particles and may generate free radicals that can cause cell damage. Some manufacturers have addressed this issue by coating the particles to prevent free radical formation. We have listed the exact active ingredient in each sunscreen for a reason. So you as a consumer can decide which is right for you. We will continue to investigate these materials further and share with you our findings. We are comfortable recommending sunscreens with Micronized zinc or titanium (most natural sunscreens ARE) NANO zinc or titamium is something we feel should be avoided if possible. (Follow up article on this topic coming soon)

These are NOT in order of recommendation… this is a random list.
Mama Rose’s Naturals Sunblocker All Natural Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30, SPF 50Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (inquiring further information)Skin Deep Rating: N/APrice: ~ $15.00 - 18.00
Notes: Seems to be chemical free, comes in an SPF 50 which is the highest natural sunscreen SPF we’ve seen. Available online through the companies website.

TruKid Sunny Days Everyday Mineral Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30+Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium Dioxide 10%Skin Deep Rating: 1 (last updated 3/08)Price: ~ $12.49
Reviews: Kathy says “TruKid Sunscreen smells great (like oranges) and isn’t sticky at all.” Statia says “It smells great and absorbs perfectly.”
TruKid Sunny Days Face Stick
Protection: SPF 30+Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium Dioxide 8%Skin Deep Rating: 0 (last updated 3/08)Price: ~ $8.99Reviews: Kathy says “I carry one of these in my bag for those ‘oops I forgot’ moments or unexpected uses. I rub a little on faces and cheeks for quick protection. Makes getting tops of ears and noses easy too…stays on well. ”

Weleda Children’s Sun Screen
Protection: SPF 18Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 7.6%, Zinc Oxide 0.4%Skin Deep Rating: 4 (last updated 6/08)Price: ~ $14.00Reviews: Statia Says: “Neither of us has tried this sunscreen yet, however by the ingredients listed, we feel it makes the list and is considered one of the safer sunscreens out there.”

JASON Cosmetics Chemical Free Sunblock (Sunbrella’s version too)
Protection: SPF 30+Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide (8.0%), Zinc Oxide (2.5%)Skin Deep Rating: 1 (last updated 12/08)Price: ~ $12.49Reviews: Kathy Says: “I really liked the way this goes on, and the scent is beachy, not chemical smelling. It reminds me of old school Coppertone. I use this on myself too. “

Badger All Natural Sunscreen for Face & Body
Protection: SPF 30+ / SPF 15Active Ingredient: Micronized Zinc Oxide 20.5% (read this)Skin Deep Rating SPF 30: 1 (last updated 03/07) SPF 15: 2 (last updated 03/07)
Price: ~ $14.00Reviews: Kathy says, “I had heard Badger sunscreen was like spreading toothpaste, but I’ve got to say that totally isn’t the case at all. Goes on thick (like any natural sunscreen) but spreads really easily, doesn’t have an overpowering smell and really protects nicely. One of my new favorites! Badger says its naturally water resistant and I’d have to agree. One of the few that are 100% chemical free.” Read our full review here!
Notes: For extra protection, choose Badger Lip Balm SPF 15 - safe for you and the kids.
Soleo Organics Chemical Free Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 22.3%Skin Deep Rating: 0 (last updated 03/08)Price: ~ $9 - $23.00Reviews: Coming Soon

California Baby Everyday/Year-Round™ Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30+ (Also avail. in SPF 18)Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium DioxideSkin Deep Rating SPF 30: 1 (last updated 03/07) Skin Deep Rating SPF 18: 2 (last updated 03/07) Price: ~ $17.99 - 19.99 No fragrance: $17.00 - 19.00 With Citronella: $19.00 - 25.00 Reviews: Kathy Says: “CA Baby SPF 30 goes on thick and works well but it’s sticky.”
Statia Says: “We have the bug blend and it goes on well, not as sticky, but it has a strong smell.”
Variations: These come in a No Fragrance version and a Citronella version (which Kathy can never find)

California Baby Everyday/Year-Round™ Sunblock Stick
Protection: SPF 30+Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium DioxideSkin Deep Rating: N/APrice: ~ $14.99

Burt’s Bees Chemical Free Sunscreen (w/ or w/o Hemp Seed Oil)
Protection: SPF 30+ (Also avail. in SPF 15)Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide (8.58%) (EWG claims it’s Nano Titanium Dioxide)Skin Deep Rating SPF 30: 3 (last updated 06/08) SPF 15: 3 (last updated 06/08) Price: ~ $9.99 - 11.00Reviews: Statia Says: “I wasn’t really that impressed with this stuff. It was immediately cakey upon contact with the skin, and yet, I still felt really sticky. I felt gross all day.”
Kathy says, “I made friends with the SPF 30 version… it is a little tough to get on but it protects like the rest. It’s not my first choice, but it works.”

Erbaviva Natural Children’s Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 15Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium DioxideSkin Deep Rating: N/APrice: ~ $26.00
Reviews: Kathy says, ” This sunscreen blends in wonderfully and there is no over powering scent whatsoever - great for faces too.” Full review here.
SuperGoop Dr. T’s Quickstick
Protection: SPF 30Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 8%, Zinc Oxide 5%Skin Deep Rating: N/APrice: ~ $9.00Important Editor’s Note: This is the only SuperGoop product we feel comfortable recommending. The other sunscreen’s and products they offer contain Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Padimate O, Propylene Glycol, PEG’s, and several parabens which of course are ingredients we adamantly avoid. We listed the Quickstick as an option but if we had to choose, we’d opt to support companies who have made a commitment to safer skin care in general.

Kabana Skin Care Green Screen
Protection: SPF 20Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 25%Skin Deep Rating: N/APrice: ~ $16.50 40z.Company Website: KabanaSkinCare.com
Notes: Made from 8 edible-grade organic and natural ingredients and uses non-nano Zinc Oxide for protection. This only has an SPF of 20 (also available in tinted SPF 22 and SPF 15) but it a great option as far as safe ingredients go. We’re anxious to give it a try.
Notes: For extra protection, choose their Liplovers™ Natural Lip Balm with 10% Zinc Oxide sunscreen protection - safe for you and the kids.
Sunscreen Usage and Sun Tips

Follow the directions on the sunscreen you use for proper sun protection. However, our motto is “everything in moderation”. This means sun exposure too of course. It’s ok to be out in the sun for 20 minutes without covering every square inch of your kid with SPF 80. Sun exposure is good for us, (Vitamin D!), and it’s been studied that people - especially kids - with regular moderate time in the sun are healthier and may have less risk of developing conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or other auto-immune deficiencies. But sunburns are not good, so choose a safe sunscreen and apply according to the directions for days when extended sun exposure is on the docket!

When the option is available, use hats, cotton clothing or use the shade of umbrellas to avoid too much sun exposure. No need to bake in the sun all day… keep cool and stay in the shade! Investing in some SPF Protected clothing for the kids is a good idea too.
www.safemama.com

Office is almost ready!

2009-05-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

After a very busy weekend, Nutara's home office is almost ready! What does this mean? It will mean that you can make an appointment and stop on by to check our stuff out. Won't be long now!

Nutara's first week a success!!!

2009-05-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to thank everyone for making Nutara's first week a success! We have worked very hard to get our store to you and it has finally paid off!

Don't forget to check out the site frequently to watch for new updates, you never know what you'll see!

Nutara's first sale

2009-05-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give a shout out to Sonya who was Nutara's first customer. Thank you for your support and enjoy your Ergo!

2009-05-10T11:09:00.001-07:00

Finally, after months of hard work we are open! Thank you to everyone that has helped to make this happen. You know who you are and we owe you the world! We hope that the unique family essentials that we have chosen help to make parenting today just a little bit easier. Enjoy our store! Remember to get your suggestions and ideas to us. We love to hear from you.