Safe Toys For Your Baby & The Planet

Dr. Toy names Young Minds At Play a 2011 Best Green Product Award Winner

WESTON, MO – May 27, 2011:  For young parents, going green isn’t just about caring for the planet today - it’s about safe-guarding their baby’s future.  A typical trip to a local store may make an eco-friendly toy seem impossible.  Jeff and Charlene Smith felt that way in 2009 while shopping for their infant son.  They decided to make a difference by starting their own eco-friendly toy company, Young Minds At Play, in 2010.  Their efforts have been rewarded with a 2011 Dr. Toy Best Green Product Award for their First Jigsaw Puzzle – Square.

A leading national toy expert, Stevanne Auerbach, PhD, aka Dr. Toy, started the Dr. Toy Best Green Product Award, “We are pleased and proud to identify the BEST GREEN PLAY PRODUCTS again this year and to commend the conscientious companies that are making these products.”

The award-winning toys are made safely, are healthy to use and have a high play value.  Green criteria includes:  being made from safe materials, clean production methods, use of renewable/recyclable materials, designed for disassembly/recycling/remanufacture, efficiency of materials and natural resources, durability of product:  ability to be repaired/reused/biodegradable, and use of renewable energy.  “Many parents are interested in eco-friendly toys, but they do not know where to find them.  Dr. Toy helps them by identifying the best choices for each age.  It is an honor to be selected as a 2011 winner”, says Charlene Smith, co-founder of Young Minds At Play.

Dr. Auerbach is a national expert on play and children’s products.  She approved the first proposal for “Sesame Street” and has authored 15 books and hundreds of articles on toys and play.  She holds a Ph.D. in Child Development and has over 40 years of experience evaluating toys/children’s products.

What makes a toy green?  Materials matter.  Toys made from renewable, natural materials are the best.  The less processed a material, the less impact it will have on the environment.  Recycled materials are a second option.  Finishes and glues should be eco-friendly.   Look for reusable or recycled packaging.  Toys and packaging should be biodegradable or be able to be recycled.  Locally made is best as it minimizes the fuel used and emissions generated to get a product to your door.  Look for longevity – can it be handed down to another child to use?



Young Minds At Play’s award-winning First Jigsaw Puzzle – Square is a chunky, 4-piece solid hardwood jigsaw puzzle for 1-3 year olds.  It has the unique feature of interchangeable pieces which enables multiple solutions - keeping your child’s interest over time.  It is made from locally sourced, sustainably harvested solid maple and cherry wood and hand-finished with a beeswax/oil.  Packaging is 100% recycled material.   It is made in Weston, Missouri, from American materials and packaging is American-made which minimizes fuel and emissions.  A powerhouse for the brain, it promotes spatial skills, language and mathematical development, eye-hand coordination, and motor skills.  The puzzle retails for $40 at www.youngmindsatplay.com and Amazon.com.

Make Your Own Compost

The benefits of composting are well known. It reduces the amount of waste going to landfills and instead can help to regenerate poor soil in your own back garden. You will enjoy a healthy garden, a better yield of vegetables and do your bit for the environment.

The Tumbleweed Compost Bin is designed for even a small backyard or city dweller. It can yield up to 6-7cubic feet of compost per month during summertime. The amount in the winter will be less.

The Tumbleweed bin is constructed of high-quality UV-protected polypropylene plastic, it is double-sided and temperature resistant. Assembly is easy and all you need is a screw driver and the included instructions. It is supported above the ground on steel legs and measures 46” high, 26” wide and 34” deep, which makes it perfect for even the smallest garden.

The bin comes with instructions on how to compost and what organic waste to put in it. All you have to do is fill your container with the waste, spin it every couple of days and enjoy fertile compost in your garden.

This compost bin is recommended by the National Gardening Club.

Get the Tumbleweed Compost Bin here

Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions for Back Pain

Back pain is quite common in people. It can be caused by a number of factors, for example stress can create tension in our backs and necks, incorrect posture when sitting in front of a computer for too long or even weak muscles. There are quite a number of natural back pack solutions available to help you overcome the pain.

The Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions for Back Pain combo includes a DVD and workbook that offer easy to implement pain management solutions.

Watch the DVD in which a Mayo Clinic specialist talks about back pain. Also listen to a Mayo Clinic dietician talk about proper nutrition and what foods to avoid to minimize pain. Learn about safe stretching and yoga poses that can help ease your pain. On top of the informative DVD, the stress management workbook is very informative and contains great guidance.

All in all, if you suffer from back pain and want to help yourself the natural way without too many pain killers, the Mayo Clinic Wellness DVD and book would be very helpful and a great starting point, as it covers nutrition as well as exercises to ease your tension and pain. 

Get The Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions for Back Pain Here

Save Energy At Home With The EcoButton

If you are trying to save energy in your house, every little bit helps. It is amazing how every little bit adds up, not only in monetary savings but also to be more eco-conscious. Overall, it helps our planet.

Did you know that leaving the computer on idle while you are doing something different can cost you a pretty penny and waste energy?

The EcoButton is a clever invention that stops the energy wastage when away from the computer. It is a device that connects to your computer via a USB cable. Whenever you get up to take a break, no matter how long or short, the EcoButton (operated with one click) puts your computer automatically into the most energy saving mode possible.

Your computer restarts again instantly with the stroke of any key on your keyboard, it is as simple as that. I also like the fact that it calculates and shows you how many carbon units, money and electricity you saved by switching it to “ecomode”.

The EcoButton is a neat little device that doesn’t cost the earth. You are doing your bit by saving energy with your computer in “ecomode” every time you are away from your desk. It is certainly a very worthwhile purchase and great for saving energy around the house.

Get the EcoButton Here

Save Energy With Umbrella Clothes Dryer

A great way of saving energy and money is by drying your clothes outside – without the energy-sucking use of a dryer.

What could be nicer than using the free heat of the sun and the gentle breeze of the wind to dry clothes?

Not only will you feel good about being eco-conscious, but you will be rewarded with fresh smelling clothes.

The Umbrella Clothes Dryer is a handy piece of equipment. It is made from polished aluminium and small enough to fit into most backyards quite easily. When open it measures approximately 9’6”, and folds easily in case you want to store it away for the winter. It is easy to assemble and comes with step-by-step instructions. When in operation it rotates which allows your laundry to be hung easily

Drying clothes outside is making a remarkable comeback.

You may be in an area however, that restricts you from using clothes lines or umbrella clothes dryers. So, before setting one up, you might want to check your local laws and restrictions.

Overall, this Umbrella Clothes Dryer is a great way of saving you money and helping to cut down on energy consumption. 

Get Umbrella Clothes Dryer Here

Walk and Trim Kit

We all know how hard it is to lose weight. Walking is a healthy and effective way to shed weight and at the same time it strengthens our leg muscles, tones our body and makes you feel good. Obviously, in order to lose weight, eating habits might have to change as well.

The Walk and Trim Kit includes an accompanying CD in where, Debbie Rocker, a well-known personal trainer, guides you through a 30 minute walking work-out session, explaining various techniques.

The CD motivates you every step of the way with the encouraging words and fun background music.

Download it on your iPod and off you go.

The included pedometer is great as it records your calories burnt and your steps taken, which should give you enough motivation to walk on. The included 750ml aluminium water bottle reminds you that hydration is important when working out.

Everybody can use this workout CD, no matter what age or ability. Walking in fresh air is good for everybody and helps you to achieve a fitter and healthier lifestyle. This kit would make a great gift for friends or family members who want to start on a new fitness regime.

Get the Walk and Trim kit here

Beauty, Health and Happiness – A Way of Life

The book “Beauty, Health and Happiness” really appeals to me.

It contains a lot of great information about how to feel good about yourself, which is so important for your overall well-being. It includes a section on how to lead a happier life, which I think everybody can profit from.

You also learn about how to look and feel years younger with nutrition tips for healthy looking skin. Also included are recipes for making your own beauty and skin care products. 

Learn how to use various different essential oils and herbs in your day-to-day skin care for beautiful and young looking skin. The book also benefits from an introduction to alternative health and beauty and what it means. 

And I am sure that you also want to hear about beauty secrets that have been around for hundreds of years?

In my opinion, this book is a great read. Not only will it teach you how to lead a happier and more fulfilled life, but it also shows you ways to rejuvenate your body and how to create your own skin care products for youthful looking skin.

This book would make a lovely and well-appreciated gift for any of your special women friends in your life.

Get the book HERE