Buy Canadian First - Your destination for good shopping

Are you the lucky duck responsible for giving a baby shower in the near future? In light of the fact that Canadian babies are responsible for 4 million disposable diapers in the landfill each day, why not consider throwing a great green Canadian baby shower? Don't forget that a great way to go green is to buy locally! 

We hope that this guide will help you to do just that!

1. Invitations

Start off green with the baby shower invitations! ecojot is an eco-friendly stationery brand based in Scarborough, Ontario and created in 2007 by designer Carolyn Gavin, her brother Mark Gavin and family. The paper content used in all their products, including the great EcoCards shown below, is 100% post-consumer recycled and all products are designed and printed in Canada. Or consider printing these free invitations from Canadian Living onto recycled paper.

2. Wrapping

Hey, why not pull out those brown paper lunch bags to wrap baby gifts in! You can stamp on them with a potato and poster paints. What about wrapping a gift in a baby blanket or (clean) cloth diaper?  Also consider putting gifts in a reusable, recycled shopping tote such as these great Gourmet Market Totes from Eco-Handbags.

3. Decor

What could be greener than fresh flowers, or better yet, potted plants that can be replanted in the garden or left as is to brighten a mom-to-be's kitchen? Bunting, also called pennants or flag garlands, are the hottest trend right now in party decor. They are easy to make by cutting triangles out of wrapping paper or feltand attaching them to a long string or ribbon. Here's a great & easy tutorial. Save them for other parties!

4. Food

Fresh and local food is de rigeur at a green baby shower! Try triangles of Canadian cheddar cheese grilled with thin slices of Red Prince apple on toast together with a crisp spinach salad. Or how do fruit or vegetable kebabs sound, with a variety of yummy dipping sauces on the side?

5. Location

If possible, why not try for a party outside? Backyard BBQS are great fun and you can often find BBQs to use in local parks, if you don't have one yourself.

6. Gifts

There are so many great green Canadian baby gifts out there, that we have put them in their own section.

What are your great green baby shower ideas?

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Ecojot, Eco-Hanbags, and Peak of the Market, as well as Gwenny Penny

According to Statistics Canada, Canadian women gave birth to 367,864 babies in Canada in 2007, up 13,247 or 3.7% from 2006 and the fastest annual increase since 1989. Oh Canada, that's a lot of new babies! In the US, some of the highest number of births occur during the months of August and September. While I couldn't find the statistics for Canada I can't help but wonder if it's the same here in Canada;  those winter nights sure are long and cold. Winter is fast approaching and with it howling winds and buckets of rain, sleet and snow, and all us Canucks, especially the new ones, need to be prepared.

Unless the roads are closed we have to get up and go with babies in tow. Car seats and snowsuits can be a sticky wicket. In order for a car seat to be effective the straps need to lay close to a child's body. If a snowsuit is too thick and an accident occurs, the suit could compress, allowing enough slack in the straps that the child could be ejected. During the winter months, infants in rear facing seats should be dressed in warm clothing and their car seat should have a seat cover with a little peek-a-boo hole. The baby car seat comforters by our Buy Canadian First member P'tit Coulou, have to be some of the cutest I have ever seen, especially the lamb cover, too cute! For more car seat safety tips visit the message boards at Canadian Parents.com.

Of course it is in our blood to play in the snow. Who can resist our wonderland that is Canada filled with mountains, valleys and plateaus covered in snow? There are even  31 words about snow, from the Inuit, Aivilik and Igloolik languages. Proper gear for the little ones is a must for happy snow adventuring and our Buy Canadian First member Canada Goose has a fantastic duck down, one piece snowsuit designed for a full day of winter fun.

The biting winds and freezing temperatures can truly become a safety risk with little fingers and ears usually the first spots frost hits. You do not lose any more heat from your head than you do any other part of your body but any exposed area of skin will lose heat, which is why hats are so important. Gramma's Hat from member Apples and Oranges is one of many adorable hats.

When the day is done and we've all skipped from forced air heat to natural dry icy winds and baby's skin is just a little worse for wear, treat her to a soothing Oatmeal Milk Bath from member Fruits and Passion. Free of paraben, chemical dyes, sulphates, soaps (for cleansing products), alcohol (for eau de toilette) and petroleum derivates (mineral oil, silicones) it cleans baby's skin naturally and restores its protective hydrolipidic film.

It's a good thing Canadians keep making more babies. These child and baby products are just the icing on the cake of what Canadian manufacturers are creating to make life with baby a walk in the winter wonderland. What are your favourite Canadian made baby products and your winter care tips? Enjoy the fall, the snow is just around the bend!

 ::images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members.

 Don't forget to comment on today's post to be eligible to win this week's Prize Giveaway!

I have to admit we have rarely sought out the advice of experts for rearing our kids. For us, me especially, parenting has been about following my instinct and getting to know and simply trusting my children. Our first was an easy going adventurous young boy who learned quickly, our youth combined with a different parenting style warranted us a raised eyebrow or 2 and warnings that we will be fostering spoiled and selfish behaviors. What we watched was a young boy who grew into an independent young man with goals and aspirations and the ability to make wise decisions for himself. Don't get me wrong he is still 15; mess scattered about his room, hours spent on the computer or video games, some sass and the occasional bout of selective hearing, which are all perfectly fine to me.

Raising baby naturally is a conscious choice made by many parents today. Topics like self weaning, baby wearing and co-sleeping are common words in the parental vocabulary, new words for old practices. Parents are not only concerned with their kids' emotional health but their physical health as well. Scares of contaminants or toxins in our foods, toys and hygienic products, and statistic showing an increase in food and other allergies are pushing parents and our culture to ‘greener' and natural solutions.

Baby wearing was a term coined by America's pediatrician Dr. Sears as he and his wife ‘wore' their children. Baby carriers have been around for centuries, as you can read in this article, but in more ‘cultured' societies, carried babies were less common. There was often the stigma that only the low income and status people carried their babies, but this is changing now. Buy Canadian First member Rolz & Sassy, designers of baby carriers, have a whole web page devoted to the benefits of carrying your baby with informative outside links. Babies who are worn cry less, learn more, and are protected from germs but these are only a few of many more compelling reasons. Rolz and Sassy have a stunning collection of fabrics and two styles, the ring sling and the sassy wrap, to choose from. If you haven't worn your baby today may be a good day to try her on! Rolz and Sassy items can be bought on their online shop, or in other e-shops and retail outlets.

Bath and body products contain harmful chemicals. Some shampoos contain something called methylisothiazoline, or MIT, and it has shown to cause nervous system disorders. Other substances include something called D4 and D5 (Siloxanes), while in small quarantines is allegedly not harmful to humans, the large waste loads from industry may pose a risk to fish and aquatic life. Buy Canadian First member ViDoma Naturals offers a wide selection of natural products for the whole family.

Their products are the combined knowledge of a certified aroma therapist and a clinical herbalist who work in the alternative health care field. ViDoma's full line of baby products include baby body wash, baby body lotion, baby bum cream, baby soft laundry soap and baby eczema lotion. They have sunscreen lotion and a child friendly, deet free Out & About (Insect Repellent) Lotion, that I am eyeing for my toddler. The wonderful thing about Vidoma's site is the full disclosure of ingredients accompanied by an ingredient information page, eliminating all doubt as to what you are putting on baby's skin. You can shop online at ViDoma's store or find a retail location near you.

If there was ever a time to reconsider where you buy toys for your baby perhaps it is now. With recent news headline shouting recalls for lead paint, loose magnets and other big manufacturing disasters it's sometimes scary shopping for toys. Buy Canadian First member Organically Hatched  has a fabulous handmade in Canada straight or knotted natural baby teether made of  Canadian maple and 100% organic cotton by Ringley. This combination is a wonder tactile contrast proving soothing to the teeth, interesting to explore and above all safe to chew. The Ringley teether is available online at Organically Hatched.

Raising baby naturally seems to just makes sense. I would love to read your own tips on the subject!

10. Ocena makes these brilliant Sleeping bags that are waterproof and can be used throughout all 4 seasons. Great to bring it camping, to watch a parade, on a sleigh ride, in the stroller and everywhere else you go! They come in blue and red and are recommended for newborn to 3 year olds.

9. Hats are such an important part of a child's wardrobe; keeping their heads and ears warm in the winter and shaded in the summer. Loopy4ewe makes hip crochet hats in several styles and lots of colors. Should you require a custom order she will be happy to accommodate and you'll be amazed how fast you'll be wearing that hat.

8. A bib is designed to keep your baby's clothes clean, but Paisley Baby makes some of the cutest bibs that you almost don't want to use them! These Terry Bibs are beautifully sewn in classic and whimsical fabrics of 100% cotton print and 12 oz. white towel terry. Be sure to check out her other styles as well.

7. WhatSewEver's Dragon is cute but certainly fierce enough to keep your baby happy and feeling protected. This Plush toy is made to order allowing you the joy of picking just the right color, the line also includes a whale, monkey, octopus, pig, and a bunny!

6. The onesie, an essential item for baby keeping her cozy and warm in the winter and protected from the sun in the summer. Here are some delightful and unique designs from Trick and Titch, and the Latte onesie found at Apples n Oranges.

5. Bamboo is said to be one of the best eco fibers to use, a sustainable product that grows naturally on half the planet in both hot and cold climates. Bamboo also has some antimicrobial properties, keeping the cloth cleaner and safer to use even after multiple washings. Simply Baby has their baby's bamboo blanket that is certain to keep baby happy and warm.

4. Wrap the kids up this beach robe by BambooLily. It is described as a cashmere like robe that's great for baby's sensitive skin. Bamboo naturally filters out UV rays and is anti-bacterial making it perfect for cottage fun, dips in the pool and bath time too!

3. Building and stacking toys are so important to the development of fine & gross motor skills, spatial thinking and hand-eye coordination. Made by Ukoonto these wooden building blocks are made of new recycled natural hard maple.

2. Baby Confort has been designing and manufacturing quality baby bedding sets for over 30. Their product line includes selections in organic cotton and Bamboo with wool filled bumpers, as well their famous Moses blankets!

1. Babies Award Jacket Canada By Roots is still one of the cutest sport jackets around. Made of 100% Melton Wool body and leather sleeves will prove to not only keep your baby warm but one day their babies too.

Photo credits: MadAboutColor, PaisleyBaby, WhatSewEver

Blog post written by: Sam Title

Anyone who tells you that becoming a parent hasn’t changed their life, probably isn’t getting the full experience…for whatever reason (But I don’t judge…). This is when you’re providing life’s basic necessities (food, clothing and shelter…and unconditional love) for someone other than yourself (and your pets). It’s truly rewarding.

Besides the joy of bringing a new life into the world, there’s plenty to ponder about being a new (or practiced) parent. Just read any other baby-blog or parenting magazine – it can be pretty overwhelming at times! As my lovely wife and mother of our two beautiful daughters learned from her doctor (and what she quickly imparted unto me) is that a baby is a living, breathing biology experiment.

There’s the frustration of figuring out what “swaddling” means (think origami with a baby in a blanket), after you’ve finally mastered the art of the diaper change in tight spaces (car trunks in parking garages were our faves!). Once you or your baby’s mother has figured out the bottle vs. breast feeding debate (it’s an endless pendulum!), your kid’s already old enough for spoon feeding…literally.

So what the heck do you feed your kid, who’s probably salivating and pawing at your steak and McCain fries? Those of you who have been there before know exactly what I’m talking about. There are so many food choices out there. Of course, you want to feed your baby only the best if you want them to thrive. So the debate wages on: Do you make your own concoctions in a blender or do you bite the bullet and stock up on jars of some pretty creative blends (some I’d never try as an adult!). How much does the Public Health Agency of Canada really know about what my kid likes to eat on a Tuesday after the morning nap?!

One category of baby foods making a splash in supermarkets is organic. Enter Sweetpea Baby Foods, a Toronto manufacturer of (certified) organic baby foods.

Originally the brainchild of lifelong friends Tamar Wagman and Eryn Green, this (in my mind) ingenious (and wholly Canadian!) product is freezer safe, microwave friendly and portioned perfectly. Tamar’s husband Jordan Wagman, a trained professional chef, is the company’s executive chef (and a published cookbook author).

Sweetpea is available in many places across Canada (such as Longo’s in Ontario, Wal-Mart in Edmonton, or IGA in B.C.). So if you’re wracking your Mommy or Daddy minds trying to figure out supper for the Junior’s week, check out this stuff. They even have Dr. Joey Shulman, a highly sought-after nutritionist, as their health consultant.

Of course, some parents may not find buying pre-packaged food off the shelves of supermarkets to be exactly the best option for their infants. To all you parents out there, what are your thoughts about today’s food selections for kids? Have you tried organic foods for your kids? Heck, send us some of your most successful recipes for those finicky little eaters…

In the meantime, here are some other healthy food options for your rookie spooners:

Bobobaby , Healthy Sprouts , My Organic Baby – a Clearly Canadian Co., President’s Choice Organics