Where Toxins Could Be Lurking in Your Kitchen

You want your kitchen to be filled with warmth, the scents of delicious foods, the laughter of your family, but toxins? No thanks. Unfortunately, the average American's kitchen is home to many toxins, but you can eliminate many of them. Here are the six biggest sources of toxins in the kitchen.

1. Cookware - That Teflon coating that makes your pots easy to clean, also contains chemicals that can flake off in your food.

Solution: Invest in stainless steel, cast iron or ceramic cookware and an eco-friendly dish scrubber and dish sponge. It may require a little elbow grease to clean, but you won't be exposing yourself to toxins.

 TWIST DISH DUMPLING SCRUBBER                  TWIST NAKED SPONGE KIT

2. Plastic Dinnerware - Much of the plastic dinnerware on the market contains BPA, melamine, phthalates and other nasty chemicals that have been proven to be toxic.

Solution: Switch to certified nontoxic nontoxic plastic and stainless steel dinnerware for you and your kids. Products from thinkBaby, Green Sprouts, Green Toys and Preserve are all great solutions.

 THINKBABY BLUE FEEDING SET                  GREEN SPROUTS WARMING PLATE

3. Wooden Cookware - Many people automatically think that wooden spoons, cutting boards and other utensils and essentials are safer to use than plastic, but unfortunately, many of these products are glued together using toxic formaldehyde-based adhesives.

Solution: Replace your wood with Bambu bamboo cooking utensils that are made with nontoxic adhesives and are more sustainable than wood.

                                      BAMBU BAMBOO KITCHEN BASICS SET

4. Produce - Unless you only buy organic, the fruits and veggies that you use to cook with are major sources of toxins.

Solution: Clean your produce with Eat Cleaner wipes or sprays prior to enjoying them fresh or in recipes.

  EAT CLEANER PRODUCE WIPES           EAT CLEANER WIPES -  GRAB N' GO PACK

5. Clean Products - Chemical-based cleaning products can contain a host of toxic chemicals.

Solution: Use Microfiber green cleaning cloths that lift away bacteria and dirt with the help of just plain water.

                                 E-CLOTH GENERAL PURPOSE CLOTHS - 4 PACK

6. Food Storage - BPA and other nasty plastic additives are found in many of the Tupperware containers and similar storage solutions for food on the market.

Solution: Use tempered glass or nontoxic plastic products like Wean Green, Fit & Fresh and Green Sprouts.

    WEAN GREEN GARDEN PACK           GREEN SPROUTS FOOD STORAGE CUBES

                               FIT AND FRESH LUNCH SET - REMOVABLE ICE PACK

10 Upcycled and Recycled St. Patrick's Day Crafts

St. Patrick's Day is just a couple of weeks away, and if you want to decorate the house or deck yourself or your kids out for the holiday, you have a great opportunity to upcycle and recycle some items. Here are 10 of our favorite eco friendly recycled or upcycled St. Patrick's Day craft ideas:                             

1. DIY Pots of Gold for St. Patrick’s Day - Laughing and Losing It has a fun tutorial on how to turn old paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls into pots of gold for the kids. 

2. Lucky Leprechaun's "Pot of Gold" Kid's Craft - Neetu at Super Mommy will show you how to use a rinsed plastic takeout container to make an adorable pot of gold with your kids. 

3. Pinch Proof DIY St. Patrick's Day Headband - In this tutorial, The Brass Paperclip Project shows you how to use old belts that your kids have grown out of into rainbow headbands for St. Patty's Day or any other occasion.

4. Beer Bottle Candle Holders - Join Jessi at Practically Functional to learn how to transform green beer bottles into pretty votive holders. 

5. Recycled champagne cork St. Patrick’s Day earrings tutorial - Make It Easy Crafts has an adorable DIY shamrock earrings project made out of old corks. 

6. St. Patrick's Day Clothespin Wreath - Got some old clothespins lying around? Transform them into a festive wreath with the help of Patti Allen from Celebrations. 

7. Shamrock Mason Jar Luminaries - Take old mason jars and give them new life with this project from Pauline Molinari from Club Chica Circle, as featured on Mom 4 Real. 

8. Tutorial: St. Patrick's Day Rainbow Mini Book Cover  - Danielle Hunter from EcoScrapbook has found the perfect use for those plastic tubes that are left behind when your kids finish the bath crayons! 

9. Upcycled & Kid-Sized St. Patrick's Day Bangles - Also from EcoScrapbook is this great craft that uses the empty rolls from duct tape or masking tape to make St. Patty's Day bracelets for kids. 

10. Upcycled St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Craft - This unique project from Nicolette at Momnivore's Dilemma uses broken or scratched CDs and DVDs to create a lovely shamrock craft. 

Which one of these is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section.

Shocking Review About Toxins and Our Children

A new review of previous studies into the effects of toxins was published this month in The Lancet***. The review examined evidence supporting the facts that six materials are likely toxic for young children, including:

- Fluoride

- Manganese

- Tetetrachloroethylene, a chemical solvent

- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, which are flame retardants

- Chlorpyrifos, a pesticide

- Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, the pesticide commonly known as DDT

In addition, the review points to an additional 1,000 chemicals that children are exposed to on a regular basis both directly and indirectly that are potentially toxic. The scientists who wrote the review state that exposure to all of the chemicals discussed could lead to serious problems like low IQs, ADHD, autism and other neurological disorders.

The authors of the review are calling for a worldwide review on regulations regarding the use of chemicals. Let's hope someone listens. The idea that all of us are being exposed to so many toxins is downright terrifying.

***The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal. The Lancet website is experiencing technical difficulties; therefore, you can read about article here at CNN.

Congratulations thinkBaby!

thinkBaby is currently in the running for the American Baby Bests 2014 competition for baby bottles. Parents magazine runs the competition giving out awards through their GoodyBlog. Right now, readers can cast their votes for the best baby bottles on the market.

It's easy to understand why thinkBaby is in the running. The bottles they produce were designed by a pediatrician and feature anti-colic venting to help prevent stomach upset. They're also 100 percent nontoxic and made out of dishwasher-safe silicone.

If you've used thinkBaby bottles in the past and love them as much as we do, be sure to head over to the GoodyBlog to vote for them for the 2014 bests. You can learn more about the bottles in the thinkBaby Department here at Paperless Kitchen.

                                                       thinkBaby All-In-One

The Worst Toxins in Kids' Products

This week, the Washington Toxics Coalition released a report that summarizes the findings of an examination of over 4,605 children's products sold in the state of Washington. The coalition's job is to monitor these products in accordance with the Children's Safe Products Act, which requires manufacturers of products for kids to report the use of potentially harmful materials in their products.

The report from the WTC shows six different types of products where there are particularly dangerous levels of chemicals: children's tops, which contain phthalate toxins; dolls and stuffed animals that contain BPA; plastic vehicles that contain a carcinogenic flame retardant; baby car seats, which are made with carcinogenic flame retardants; children's tableware, which was found to contain formaldehyde and kids' personal care products, which were laden with toxic parabens.

The report shows how choosing green products for kids can greatly reduce their exposure to toxic materials. Paperless Kitchen can help you avoid carcinogens and reproductive and endocrine toxins in kids' products with many different products, including:

- Tableware from GREEN TOYS made from certified nontoxic recycled plastic

             Green Toys Green Eats Tabletop Set - 3 Pieces

- Tableware from BAMBU made from organic bamboo

               Bambu Bamdino Veneerware Bamboo Plate

                  Bambu Bamboo Bamdino Utensil Set

- Toys from GREEN TOYS made from recycled milk jugs

                               Green Toys Pizza Parlor Set 

- Tableware from GREEN SPROUTS made from nontoxic plastics and corn-based plastics

    Green Sprouts Eco-Friendly Cornstarch Divided Plate

- Tableware from THINKBABY fabricated out of nontoxic polypropylene plastic and stainless steel

                            thinkbaby BPA Free Teal Feeding Set

Paperless Kitchen Now Carries More thinkBaby

We heard you loud and clear! After more requests that we expand our thinkBaby product offerings, we have now added more green solutions for babies and toddlers from this award-winning brand. Parents love thinkBaby, and it's easy to understand why. Their products are designed by pediatricians and engineers and are free of all types of toxins.

Here's a look at some of the brand new sustainable items we're now featuring in our kids section:

- thinkBaby Baby Bottles - Sold in 5-ounce and 9-ounce sizes, thinkBaby bottles are made of medical grade silicone and designed not to leak. Also anti-colic the bottles can be used from birth onwards. We are now carrying both sizes and both Stage A and Stage B replacement nipples.

                                                5-ounce                           9-ounce

- thinkBaby Starter Set - Perfect for a green baby shower gift, this set includes two small bottles, two large bottles and two of each type of nipple that thinkBaby makes. It's the perfect way to stock up on BPA free baby bottles.

- thinkBaby Low Wall and Traditional Cereal Bowls - Both of these bowls are made of stainless steel and polypropylene and come with lids for traveling. The low wall is perfect for younger babies to reach into. Both hold up to 10 ounces.

                   thinkBaby Low Wall Baby Bowl                                 thinkBaby Cereal Bowl

- thinkbaby Bento Boxes - Moms and dads can't get enough of the thinkBaby bento box because it's so perfect for traveling. The square container has a snap-on lid and is lined with nontoxic stainless steel. thinkBaby recently introduced Light Teal and Light Green colors to go along with the traditional Blue and Orange.

                     thinkBaby Light Teal Bento Box                     thinkBaby Light Green Bento Box

Do you love thinkBaby? Tell us why in the "Comments" section!

Introducing...Seventh Generation

We are proud to announce that we have begun to carry a selection of Seventh Generation products. The company is the largest independently owned manufacturer of green alternatives in the United States and is committed to offering solutions for products that are otherwise wasteful or bad for the planet. Our collection will include only those Seventh Generation products that are intended as paper replacements. For now, our collection includes:

- Seventh Generation Free and Clear Wipes - These baby wipes are made out of plant-based fibers and are hypoallergenic and nontoxic. This makes them perfect for protecting babies' skin and the planet at the same time. The wipes are sold by the case, giving you 12 conveniently sized packages of 64.

- Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes in Lemongrass and Thyme - Perfect for cleaning kitchens, cordless phones and other surfaces where germs linger, these plant-based disposable wipes kill up to 99.9 percent of household germs with no artificial ingredients. The wipes come in canister of 70, and we're offering them in a money-saving case of six.

Check out the Seventh Generation products and let us know what you think!

New Green Sprouts Products Available

We have gotten some rave reviews of our Green Sprouts products and have decided to expand our inventory and carry some new products from this green, BPA-free brand for kids. Some of the new pieces you'll find in our collection include:

- Green Sprouts Aqua Bottles - Sold in 5 colors, these toddler water bottles are unbreakable and have integrated straws.

- Green Sprouts Eco-Friendly Cornstarch Dinnerware - Made from corn-based plastics, this dinnerware line includes a bowl, a divided plate and a utensil set.

- Food Storage Cubes - Stackable, freeze-able and completely nontoxic, these are great for baby food.

- Green Sprouts Garden Lunch Line - This line of matching lunch bags, snack bags and nontoxic ice packs makes lunchtime greener.

- Green Sprouts Safari Utensil Set - Ready to travel with the included carrying case, this set includes a fork, a spoon and chopsticks.

- Green Sprouts Safari Bento Box in Blue Hippo - Toddlers love the Safari bento boxes, which are shaped like animals. We're pleased to offer the hippo to join the crocodile, the monkey and the lion.

These are just a few of the new Green Sprouts products in our collection. Check out the whole product line today.

10 Things to Love About the thinkBaby All-in-One

We recently added a brand new thinkBaby product to our inventory, and we're excited to share all of its features with you. The thinkBaby All-in-One is a money-saving set that will simplify life. Here are 10 reasons why we love this set and why you will too.       

1. It's a complete feeding/drinking system for child from Birth to age 4.

2. Pediatricians were involved in the design of the components of this system.

3. The set comes with everything you need for 2 thiknBaby baby bottles, 2 thinkBaby sippy cups and 2 thinkster straw cups.

4. All of the components are free of toxins, including BPA and phthalates.

5. The thinkBaby nipples are designed to reduce colic and have a natural feel.

6. thinkBaby sippy cup spouts are soft and more similar to bottle nipples, making the transition to drinking from a cup easier.

7. The thinkster Straw Cup is an award winning design and won't spill or leak.

8. thinkBaby products are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

9. Whether you're using it as a bottle, a sippy cup or straw cup, the design ensures that your baby or toddler's s little fingers can grip it with ease.

10. Less packaging waste is created by getting all three components at once.

So there you have it--10 great reasons to love the thinkBaby All-in-One. Why do you love it? Tell us in the "Comments" section.

10 Great Green Gifts for Kids

Got some kiddos to shop for this holiday season? Get them gifts that are eco friendly and help protect the planet for their futures. These 10 gifts include both fun and functional gift ideas for kids.

1. Bambu Kid's Utensil Fork & Spoon Set

In this set, there is a fork and spoon made out of organic bamboo. The utensils are perfectly designed for little fingers to grip with ease.

2. Ecoditty Snack Ditty Color Your Own Organic Snack bag

Part craft, part snack bag, this gift set includes all of the goodies needed to help kids create a custom cotton snack bag for taking to school or day care.

3. Green Toys Chef Set

Kids can create pretend meals galore with this set of toys made out of recycled plastic.

4. Green Toys Dinnerware Set

Made out of recycled plastic, this dinnerware set will enliven kids' imaginations.

5. Green Toys Green Eats Tabletop Set

Pretend tables will be elegantly set for certain with these recycled plastic play dishes.

6. Green Toys Pizza Parlor Set

Perfect for inspiring creative play, this recycled plastic set lets kids set up a pizza shop in the playroom.

7. Green Toys Sandwich Shop

Let kids create their very own sandwich shop while protecting the planet with these nontoxic recycled plastic toys.

8. Green Toys Tea Set

The tea party will be a greener affair when the tea is served in these nontoxic plastic cups and saucers.

9. thinkbaby Thinkster Straw Bottle

Help kids transition from the sippy cup to the straw with this nontoxic silicone and propylene straw bottle, which is an award-winning design.

10. Peopletowels Plant a Tree Gift Set

With this kit, kids get the essentials for planting a tree and watching it grow.