Check out Down to Earth Toys-

I was recently tipped off about an online store called Down to Earth Toys that features natural wood (with non-toxic finishes) toys, books, musical instruments, craft supplies, and baby items. Most of their products are U.S. made, and Fair Traded, and all of them were selected with an eye towards simplicity and creative play. Ah, joy, there's no plastic to be found on this site. And here's the clincher- the prices are not outlandish, as is the case for many small, specialty toy stores.

Here are a few of my favorites, seeing how my girls love jamming out the tunes. There is a beautiful Djembe Drum for $34.99, and a nice small wood child's guitar for $21.95. This might actually let me play my guitar, instead of my girl coming over while I'm mid-song and sticking her fingers in the strings.

Down to Earth Toys is focused on toys made in the U.S., Europe (with those higher standards!) and products that are Fairly Traded. This is truly a family business you can feel good about supporting, all while getting quality non-toxic toys for your kids.

New Bill Proposed to Ban BPA in Plastic, and the FDA forms "BPA Task Force"-

The good BPA news keeps coming, and it's about time.

As promised, Senator Charles Schumer of New York proposed a ban on BPA in all products for kids under the age of 7 and require that the CDC study the chemical further. The Washington Post reports that Hilary Clinton is among several of the bill's co-sponsors.

And as reported here before, the FDA is being investigated by the House Energy and Commerce Committee about a BPA study citing the chemical as harmless (and oh yeah, funded by major chemical companies).

Read the full article here.

In this article also from the Washington Post, we learn that the FDA is re-evaluating its stance on BPA, including creating a task force to study and make recommendations about BPA in products.

Education.com shares a Green Gift Guide for Kids-

Education.com recently scoured the web to discover the best new green toys on the market, for kids aged preschool to high school. They awarded these toys based on their environmental consciousness, their educational value and of course, how fun they are. I'm loving any puzzle that is not plastic (see the tree puzzle by ImagaPLAY)and the cool color filled blocks made from recycled rubberwood. Check out the award winning list here. The site also has lots of interesting parenting and education articles that are worth checking out on a regular basis.

Green Parenting Links (and awards!)-

This just in, Non-Toxic Kids has been awarded a Blog of Distinction award from Amanda, who blogs for the Environmental Working Group at Enviroblog.

Here's what she had to say about us:

"I'm tagging Katy, whose blog Non-Toxic Kids tirelessly analyzes, sorts and distills the most important information on environmental health into a format that even tired parents can handle. And let me tell you -- that's no easy task! So thanks, Katy, for your wit and your wisdom and for helping to spread the word about toxic chemicals in our everyday lives."

I couldn't be more honored, especially coming from Amanda, whose blog keeps us informed not only about toxins in our world, but the constant and important work of the Environmental Working Group to study, educate and publicize dangerous chemicals and their effects on us. Thanks, Amanda.

And now I get to pass it along. I would like to send the Blog of Distinction Award out to Kathy at SafeMama. She and Statia are constantly unearthing (pun intended) and reviewing great chemical free products to use happily with kids, updating everyone on current news, and providing tired parents with quick and easy ways to get information (love the Cheat Sheets!). Congrats, Safe Mama.

Speaking of Cheat Sheets! I had planned a full Teflon post, and will do some digging, researching and posting soon, but in the meantime check out these this post from the Enviroblog. Exactly what I was thinking! Read this cheatsheet about avoiding PFCs. And remember my post about soggy, definitely NOT crispy hash browns in my stainless steel pan? Well, Green Mom Finds found a (is this really true?) non-stick pan made without PFCs. I would wonder, what exactly is it made from and is it really okay? Because I could put a hurtin' on a pile of crispy home fries.

Also this week, at the Savvy Source for Parents, Non-Toxic Kids was listed on a short list of Green Parenting resources. There are some great links on this site that I look forward to checking out.

Whew! Lots going on in the few days we were out of town. After driving 20 hours with 2 kids under 3 (can you say insane?), we are trying to catch up on sleep and good eating.

A Truly Beautiful Mother's Day Gift (Changing the Present)-

If you are racking your brain for what you get your mother, thinking she doesn't need any toxic laced bath sets, any pesticide laden flowers, or another piece of jewelry, you might be interested in a website called Changing the Present.

This incredible non-profit is "changing the world, one gift at a time." They offer gifts of services, products, donations in a variety of categories including basic needs, community, health and safety, and opportunity.

For Mother's Day, you can help train a midwife, for $25, and help stop the more than 500,000 woman who die each year because they did not have access to proper prenatal care. Or you can Educate a Girl, Feed a Family, or Ensure Safe Labor (by delivering two safe birthing kits to refugee women.) These gracious acts move beyond our consumerist world to spread love and care where it is needed and can make a difference. Visit the site for more creative and meaningful gift ideas for your mom.

And don't stop there. If you need to buy presents for graduating seniors, fathers, or couples getting married, they have ideas for ways to give that are tailored to each event. You can find some cause that supports the interests and passions for those you are buying for.

There are ways to get involved beyond buying gifts, too.

You can also help to promote this charitable giving on your site or blog. On the site you will find links to banners and text box links you can put on your site to help spread the important mission of Changing the Present.

Sorry, mom, I didn't mean to spoil the surprise!