Product Find - Hero Bags

As you can imagine, I receive several product review emails, group emails, and subscribe to about 10,000 blog. That's why I am so thankful Paul introduced me to Google Reader, an app to aggregate all of the blogs I enjoy reading. While receiving this volume of email and trying to stay up to date with such a large number of blogs can at times feel overwhelming, it also how I get info on some pretty cool products and articles that I otherwise would not have time to find, and would miss out on.

One of my more recent finds, as sent out by The Daily Stroll, was the Hero Bag! This adorable little store carries Grocery Bags, Gift Sets, Large Shopping Totes, Medium Shopping bags/Book Bags, Musette Messenger Bags, Mini Hero Tote, Two Bottle Wine Bags, and Lunch Bags. All of the bags are made from quality recycled cotton canvas and are designed to withstand years of use. In addition, all of the bags are manufactured in the USA by fair labor workers in a fair labor certified factory.

I am particularly drawn to the lunch bags and the wine tote. What a great gift within a gift. For only $14.95 it is a unique idea and the answer to my question on how to manage bringing wine and an appetizer to a party. Perfect!

I love that so many products made of organic materials are becoming affordable and mainstream. If I have the choice why wouldn't I choose organic? Check it out when you get a chance.

One of BINSI's very first retailers was Zoe b now known as Zoe b Organic. Since partnering together owner, Valerie, and I have had the wonderful opportunity of becoming friends, working together at events and growing our businesses together. Isn't that the greatest thing about the maternity industry? Everyone is SO helpful and happy. It has been my experience that most people I have met started their businesses out of necessity or out of the genuine interest in helping other moms-to-be! What a blessing!

A little about Valerie:

It's easy being green.

I am a "green" mom, not an eco-evangelist but a mom who thinks we need to take care of our planet for the sake of our children. It makes sense, it is becoming easier to make green choices in your day to day life.

That's how Zoë b Organic started. Most products you can find on our website are either designed by me or products I have tested and use everyday.

Why go organic?

Though you may be unaware of it, growing cotton uses more pesticides and synthetic fertilizers than any other crop (50 million pounds of pesticides annually in the U.S. alone.) The pesticides used on cotton harm people, wildlife, and the environment. They can poison farm workers (especially in developing countries), drift into neighboring communities, contaminate the ground and surface water, and kill beneficial insects.

Our daughter Zoë was my inspiration for starting my own company. She,Lucas and our newborn daughter Sophie (born in November 2007) continue to inspire me every day. Thanks to my husband John for his support. I could not do this without him.

Along with BINSI Labor and Birth Apparel, Zoe b also carries organic products for Mom and Baby







Natursutten BPA, Phthalates Free Pacifier, BPA, Phthalates Free Teethers, Natural Rubber Teethers, BPA, phthalate-free Baby Bottles, Glass Baby Bottles

Eating Between the Lines

At the topic night for my Mother's and More group in January a local author, Kimberly Lord Stewart came to speak about her book, "Eating Between the Lines." This book was written to be "The Supermarket Shopper's Guide to the Truth Behind Food Labels." The book discusses topics like the benefits of Organic foods and how to spend your money wisely on organics based on pesticide residue for fruits and veggies.

Fruit and Vegetable Pesticide Residues

Most Residues
Apples
Cherries
Grapes, imported
NEctarines
Pears
Peaches
Raspberries
Strawberries
Celery
Potatoes
Spinach
Bell Peppers
Lettuce (winter)

Least Residue
Kiwi
Mango
Bananas
Papaya
Pineapple
Asparagus
Avocado
Onions
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Peas (sweet)
Corn (sweet)

The book also focuses on teaching shoppers how to read labels and understanding what is simply "marketing" and what is actually important. For instance, did you know that if you purchase Chicken with special labeling stating that it is "Hormone Free" is simply a marketing scheme? "All hormones were banned in poultry operations in the late 1950s. No Added Hormones and No Added Steroids are simply reiterations of a policy that exists for all poultry producers - so don't pay more for hormone-free chicken. (p. 53)"

There are chapters on how to buy Beef, Chicken, Fish, Dairy, Grains, Oils, Baking Ingredients, Canned, Boxed, Bagged and Frozen Foods, Snacks etc. But overall the best part of this book is the cut out wallet sized reminders that you can keep in your purse (or wallet) while shopping or eating out for that matter! Now that proves it was a seasoned mom that wrote this book.