Warning: All Crocs are dangerous

As if worrying about lead toys, foot-and-mouth outbreaks and all other hazards of modern living now the newest is worrying about Crocs shoes. Yes, those little shoes on your little one is a danger on escalators (a little girl in Singapore got her toe ripped off!). Turns out the shoes get trapped in the "teeth" of the escalators or they crack between the steps. Scary stuff -for a full report click here and here.

Confessions of a Veggie JetSet Mom

It is personal. Today I took the Little Man to his regular baby checkup and I found out that his growth has jumped! He has always been a vegetarian, none of those mystery jarred cat food smelling meat pots for him. On previously visits I expressed concern about his slow (but steady) growth when I was seeing other children grow fast and chubby. The JetSet Doctor took a long hard look at JetSet Dad and I and he let us know there isn't a slim chance he’ll ever be a Yao Ming (yes, we are not much taller than gnomes -it's those pesky genes). However, his recent stellar growth is good news for me because I live in a place that is hostile to the idea of a vegetarian let alone a vegetarian baby.

On Wednesday my neighbor was telling me about how a recent child custody case here in Italy was overturned because the mother was a vegetarian. Turns out the ex-couple’s child would beg his father for meat and McDonalds on his custody weekends. The judge (not a nutritionist or doctor) said that it is unhealthy to have a child not consume meat and that a child should at most be able to make that choice for themselves when they are 18 years of age.

I’m a firm believer in the adage, “If you know better you do better.” Doing better for my child that means that I try to make every meal count. Every meal is nutritious and prepared with the best ingredients possible. Meat has a dirty track record and I don’t want my money or family anywhere near it. I’m not saying going veggie is for everyone but at least getting more vegetables is.

Take a look at some of my Amazon “Veggie Reading” (on the ride side menu bar) for great ways to go vegetarian or even to learn new ways to incorporate more vegetables in your diet for the health of your family and the planet.

For the science:

• The China Study : The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever
• Also take a look at Dr. McDougall's website here
  

For day to day children's menu:

• Raising Vegetarian Children : A Guide to Good Health
• Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family
• New Vegetarian Baby

For recipes that will knock your socks off (vegan style):

• Vegan with a Vengeance
• Also check out the website PPK Kitchen

Ciao Bambino

It is a great time to be a traveling tot. When I was growing up there were no special accommodations or services for children (except on airplanes where I would get the coolest stash of pilot wings, model airplanes and games!). My friend Beckie has alerted to the company Ciao Bambino!, they specialize in family travel. They have things available for everyone from baby to teens including places that can be baby proof and offer cribs! Right now they specialize in England, Italy, Spain and France. If you are hesitant to travel abroad with your baby this might be just the thing for you. They have tons of really good info on their website -check them out and tell me what you think!

The Clean I can't do without

I shutter to think of the terrible stories of child poisoning due to hand sanitizers that have been circulating on the net and in newsrooms. The worst is that they are true. Luckily, I've never really been a fan of them (they looks suspicious to me and feel like they leave a film).

Instead I am a really big fan of Clean Well. I bought the bundle pack in March and I haven't put it down yet. It has a great smell and is made of natural oils (instead of the mystery science project ingredients). The bottles come in great sizes to take through the airport security (haven't had one taken away yet!). Little man also holds his hands out for a little spray down which he never did with the other stuff. In a pinch it is a handy, "ohh look at this" toy.

Anther thing I really liked and appreciated was that when I ordered from the company directly I got a real person and they sent it to me at my "strange" address. They were timely and friendly. I also love that it came fast and that it had my address written in by hand (I'm a sucker for good penmanship). Real products sold by real people -how cool is that?