Yes, I am working on a Sunday. Acutally my husband would say I work almost every Sunday, actually almost every day. I never understood work-a-holics and perhaps I still do not understand a lot of them. However, standing outside of my life people may think I am a work-a-holic. But I don’t feel like one. I simply feel like a person so impassioned about what they do that I can not stop thinking about it. I feel like I have been blessed to work at Franklin Goose and that what we do is important, fun and noteworthy so I don’t want to stop. I actually love what I do and when you love something it is hard to step away from it. Yes, this makes getting the laundry done difficult, it makes leaving the computer in sleep mode almost impossible, it makes slow business days seem personal, but it also makes me feel like in some small way I am contributing to making our planet a better place and to growing the awareness of what we are doing to ourselves by allowing chemicals into our everyday lives. Our dedication at Franklin Goose to strictly vetting each product on the site keeps me very busy but it is vital to maintain the integrity of who we are as well as keeping the dedicated merchants we carry in good company.

So this week I have decided to start explaining the materials we will not allow on our site. There is a very confusing world out there of crazy long names, and misrepresentations. I am going to give you the facts as our research has shown us and give you an explanation of why we feel they should not be on our site. It is up to you to decide how you feel about them but this way perhaps it will cut down on the confusion of what all of these ingredients actually are.

Here is our commitment, and  a glimpse of what we will be talking about everyday: Our Story

I read today that the article about the GM cotton being sold as organic cotton is not exactly as it seemed. I wanted to let all of you know so that we aren’t thinking or talking about something that looks very questionable.

It seems that the German newspaper was not diligent in their reporting and actually made claims that a document exists that doesn’t. I think Organic Exchange does a great job of telling the story so I will let them. Here is the link.

It is actually a relief to me that it appears the problem is not as suspected and the organic cotton industry in India should not be under fire. I do want to say though that it is important to remember that there are companies who are dedicated to producing organic clothing and products and then there are companies who are not. The diligent companies are the companies you will find at Franklin Goose, not only because their products are organic but because their philosophy is organic, they are not trying to make headlines by jumping on a bandwagon, they are trying to make a difference by forging a new path for all of us.

(That leads me to tease you with an introduction next week of a new company we are working with that has been in the industry for 15 years and has helped set the tone for the organic clothing industry as it is now. We can’t wait to share them with you.)

What do you think about all of this controversy? How do you feel about H&M and other companies selling some organic clothing? Do you think they are jumping on the bandwagon?

-Sheri

In the news is the recent discovery that H&M and two other clothing companies’ organic cotton has been found to contain genetically modified (GM) cotton. One source from H&M says this is possible while another says  there is no evidence of this. The story broke when a German newspaper cried fraud to H&M and two other popular european lines, C&A & Tchibo. An independent lab in Bremerhaven states that over 30% of the samples tested positive for containing genetically modified cotton. Of course the obvious question is what motivation the independent lab has to lie about these findings, making H&M and the others not guilty. The cotton came from India, a country which supplies more than half of the worlds organic cotton. While several certification companies were fined in 2009 for not following standards strictly enough the fault ultimately lies with the clothing companies, ““The fashion chains were not vigilant enough,” Monika Buening of the Federal Consumer Affairs Agency, told the Frankfurter Rundschau, adding that both H&M and C&A need to act tout de suite to minimize the damage.” (Thank you to Ecosaveology & Ecouterre for the full stories.)

Do you know what Genetically modified cotton is? I figure it is like genetically modified food but can not imagine why you would genetically modify cotton. Here is what I found out:

Genetically modifying a plant means injecting or deleting certain genes from the plant in order to bring about a desired change. In the case of cotton it is being done to make them herbicide & pest resistant. At least 83% of the cotton grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. The proponents of genetically modifying say that it reduces the need for pesticides however, the EU, Venezuala and other countries have banned GM products & seeds. Here are some reasons why GM cotton is bad:

• Crops which have been Genetically Modified to resist insects kill not just the “target insect” (such as the borer or weevil) but beneficial insects (such as the Monarch butterfly).
• Cotton crops which have been Genetically Modified to resist herbicides encourage the use of larger quantities of herbicide, with the effect that both weeds and beneficial plants are killed indiscriminately. These herbicides are harmful to both the environment and to humans.
• Genetically Modified plants may crossbreed with wild species to produce “superweeds”, which cannot be eliminated using standard herbicides.
• The use of Genetically Modified Cotton encourages dependence by the farmers on a single seed supplier and may involve the purchase of both the seed and herbicide from one supplier. The farmer is then at the mercy of the seed company who may vary prices of both seed and herbicide at will.
• The use of Genetically Modified Cotton reduces the number of Cotton species which are actively grown and therefore reduces biodiversity.
• Toxic compounds such as glyphosphate (RoundUp) and Bromoxynil are used on Genetically Modified Cotton crops. The US Environmental Protection Agency has approved the use of Bromoxynil despite acknowledging “…serious concerns about developmental risks to infants and children.”
• The nature of genetic modification and long term effects are not well understood as these products have not been properly tested before being released into the environment. In the USA, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the use of Genetically Modified Cotton based on data supplied by the manufacturer, Monsanto.

(This is from this website.) ( An aside to this, Monsanto is now the lead supplier of Soybean seeds in the U.S. and is accused in the movie Food, Inc. of forcing farmers who do not buy their seeds out of business. If you haven’t seen Food, Inc. yet, watch it they explain it well.)

Interestingly enough there is concern that the pest resistant GM cotton is going to create pests that are resistant to any pesticides, similar to our bacteria now which has evolved from the use of anti-bacterials, and we will not have a solution to kill those pests if need be. Of course then we will need stronger pesticides to kill those pests and you can imagine what that will do to our health.

Interestingly enough, growing cotton organically takes care of a majority of the pest problems. In organic fields the evolution of “good” bugs and pests kill off the “bad” bugs and pests, thereby eliminating the need for pesticides.

Call me crazy but the organic method seems a much safer option than genetically modifying anything.

(oh, and one other thing to consider, this genetically modified cotton is also being used in food with cottonseed oil, such as fried foods and margarine, and feed given to farm animals, which is then slaughtered and taken to market.)

-Sheri

Just as sleeping routines are important for adults they are equally as important for your children. Our bodies respond to repetitive signals, with a nighttime routine our brains recognize it is time to sleep and will start telling our bodies it is time to relax and begin getting ready for sleep.

The first step is to pick a time for your child to go to sleep. Once you have decided the time you can show your child what that time looks like on a clock in their room. Then decide what the routine is going to be for your child to get ready to sleep every night. How many books will you read together? Will there be music? Can you turn on a soft table light to read by and not a bright overhead light?

Once you have made the decisions for the rules it is important to discuss them with your child. Let them know that once p.j.’s go on then you are beginning to wind down for the night, stick with it, your consistency sets the expectations for your child. If you waiver they know there is flexibility and it will be harder for you to enforce the rules later on.

Once you have read the books, or sung soft songs, or whatever you have decided you are doing for  your bedtime ritual show your child that the clock shows it is the time for bed. Initially you may consider taking a few minutes before the end of your ritual to teach your child some deep relaxing breathing techniques, teach them how to relax their toes, their calves, their knees, their thighs, etc. (It is a great way to teach them body parts too.) You can also teach them the art of using their imagination to create a story or pretend they are interacting in one of the stories they know from reading. My mom used to have me make up stories in my head, it always put me to sleep, I do it to this day actually. With my grand daughter we would talk about what she was going to dream, she would tell me what she hoped she would dream about, and then in the morning we would talk about whether she did or not.

Remember to be consistent in what you do. If your spouse would like to do something different than you then that is fine, as long as they are consistent with their ritual and you are consistent with yours and that your child always ends up with lights out, in their bed at the same time.

Your child going to bed relaxed and calm will often affect the mood they wake up in. It does for me, does it for you?

What are your bedtime rituals? What are your favorite books to read to your children before they go to bed? Can you recommend any good relaxing music to play for them as they wind down for the night?  Let us know what you do.

-Sheri

In the wake of Martin Luther King’s birthday I wanted to share a quote with you that Scott, our designer, posted:

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

I started thinking about ways we can do this, if not to the same magnitude as MLK, then just in our own worlds, homes, jobs and lives.

Here are nine ideas for how you can become a molder of consensus:

1. Decide what it is you are passionate enough about to bring about change.

While this isn’t always an easy thing to do start by looking at your daily life. What is it that brings you the most pleasure, or elicits the most emotional response? Do you get excited talking about the importance of exercise, or growing your own food? Do you feel outraged or highly charged when you think about certain political ideals or events? Can you go on and on for hours about a certain topic? These can be great indicators of things you are passionate about. Now, decide what it is you are passionate enough about that you need to act in order to mold consensus. For me this is definitely living an organic & eco-conscious life.

2. Use your purchasing dollars to tell companies what you want.

Are companies offering products that promote your beliefs? Are they ethically and morally aligned with your passion? Do they respond in the way you believe people should be treated? If not then why are you spending your money with them? If not, then have you spoken up and told them what you would like to see from them instead? Your dollars speak volumes, use them to illicit change, to mold consensus. It may take a little extra time to seek out what you are looking for but it is worth it.  I get frustrated sometimes and tempted to not buy according to my lifestyle choice, but I always feel better when I stick to my resolutions.

3. Take the time to explain to people why you are passionate about this.

You know what you are passionate about but do the people around you? Do they understand what motivates you and why you believe as you do? There may be people in your life who feel the same way you do but have never told you. You can find support and encouragement within your existing networks if you share your passion with others. Be informative but not preachy and you may be surprised at how many like minded people are willing to get involved with you.  I try not to lecture my friends and associates but to inform them briefly about why I have made the choices I have if the occasion should arise. I find it is better to keep it simple and if they are interested they will ask.

4. Find organizations in your community that embrace and promote this idea.

Look online for community organizations that promote your passion. Get involved, volunteer, run for the board, sponsor an event. Don’t just go to the meetings but go with the purpose of becoming a voice for your passion. Remember this is also an opportunity to meet people who share the same passion as you do. They can teach you, learn from you and appreciate things about your passion.

5. If there is no organization start your own.

The internet makes this so easy to do. Post on craigslist that you are looking for people who share your passion, or post  a note on community boards in your community coffee shops, beauty salons etc. If it relates to your children or your religion post an announcement in a newsletter at the school, daycare or church asking if people are interested in getting involved in forming an organization with you? What about your neighborhood association’s newsletter, or the local paper? There are so many ways to reach out, pick several. Once you have some responses organize a meeting time, come with ideas and ask the others for theirs. Then organize a meeting schedule, meeting agendas and you are on your way.

6. Teach your children, talk to them, show them.

We often get too busy to explain ourselves to our children. We reply with, “Because I said so”, or “Just because” or some other excuse rather than taking a moment or two to explain to our children the real reason why we have made certain decisions. However, it is in that explanation that we have the ability to share our passions with our children, and to teach them our values and morals to help guide them as they grow. Instead of telling your child “No” when they want a certain toy or to watch a certain television show explain to them why you think they should not have or do that certain thing. It will better equip them to make the right decisions in the future. Just make sure that you are practicing what you preach. Children are the best at catching us not following our own rules and advice.

7. Lead by example.

Here it is important to remember that people see what we do, not only our children, and our spouses, but our neighbors, friends and co-workers as well.  When you falter be humble enough to laugh at yourself because someone will always be paying attention on the day you don’t follow your own rules.

8. Write or speak about it.

Maybe you should start a blog, or guest blog on someone’s blog you follow. Perhaps you can start a fan page on facebook or a twitter account where you can promote the organization you belong to or tell people about your passion. Are there local non-profit organizations that might benefit from you writing for their newsletter or speaking at one of their public engagements? Can you contact a store who is aligned with your passion and offer to give a class or conduct a brief seminar? The possibilities are endless.

9. Live it.

This is probably the most important of the tips. If you live your passion people will see it, they will be curious, they will ask questions and often want to know more. I have found that with my choice to be a vegetarian and to live organically. People see the way I live, they notice my choices, and out of curiosity they ask. It opens up a conversation where we can all learn from each other. If we do not live by our passion we can not evoke the same passion in others. It is impossible. Imagine if MLK had not lived his passion, he would have come off as a phony and quickly faded into the background. The amazing thing about living your passion and molding consensus is that your passion, if true, can live on beyond you, and influence more people than you will ever realize.

Let us know: What do you think could be the tenth way you could mold consensus? How are you a leader? Do you promote beliefs you are passionate about? If so how?

-Sheri

Happy Green Babies did a review of a great product we sell, Dandelion feeding products. They are corn based plastics, rather than petroleum based plastics. Great for you baby and/or child to eat with! We are working with Happy Green Babies to giveaway a divided plate set along with a fork & spoon set. Check it out here.  Her blog is a great daily read as well!

-Sheri

I love learning about our merchants. It is so cool to know who we are buying from so our purchases have more meaning. It is so important to us at Franklin Goose to make sure the merchants we work with believe in what they are producing, that they aren’t just jumping on the “green” marketing bandwagon but that they live what they do.

Maple Shade Kids is one of the companies we carry and definitely one of the companies who “walk the walk”.  Wanda’s creativity and design has captured my heart, and made me wish we had a nursery to decorate, her products are affordable, beautiful, heartfelt and eco-friendly. She is a WAHM who has the support and input from her family in her growing business.

Here is an interview we did with Wanda:

1. How did you get started making your shelves collages and pegs?
My first products were created for my own children.  Since my family and I live in a New England farmhouse with limited closet space, I handcrafted fun peg racks and shelves to help organize our items.   This past time has grown into a passion of designing and creating eco friendly products for retail.

2. Did you find it difficult to start your own business?
I get so much pleasure from creating products for my customers that the enjoyment far exceeds the challenges of running a business.

3. Why do you choose eco friendly materials for your products?
Just as you, I want my children to live in a healthy environment, breathing clean air and surrounded by serene land that can be treasured for generations to come.  I believe if we all do our part, we can maintain an environment that is safe, sustainable and beautiful.

4. Tell us about you. As a child, I grew up in Maine climbing apple trees, skipping stones, balancing on old rock walls and creating lots of gifts for family members.  These gifts ranged from paintings, collages, wood boxes, baskets – you name it, I created it.  In college, I studied nutrition and worked several years as a Register Dietitian.  First teaching low-income inner city moms and children then working on a breast cancer research study.  It was in 2002 that I rekindled my passion for designing and creating when my family and I moved into our New England farmhouse.  With much excitement, I created a room for my daughter and nursery for my twin boys.  I am very fortunate to be able to continue with this passion in my current Maple Shade Kids’ designs.

Tell us about your products as well. At Maple Shade Kids, you will find an array of unique, earth-friendly children’s decor and art.  Each product is lovingly designed and crafted by hand with a combination of earth friendly wood and vivid colors.  This combination of wood grain and color creates a fun, natural, organic feel that frees the imagination.

5. How do you come up with new design ideas? I am continually inspired by my surroundings whether it is the beautiful 200 year old maple trees surrounding our home, the stillness of nature, textures, bonds of love or the desire to bring good into the world.  These are things that move me to create my art.

6. If you could do anything at Maple Shade Kids what would it be?
I see Maple Shade Kids eco product line growing to incorporate new and exciting eco items and designs.  As importantly, while Maple Shade Kids continues to grow, I look forward to finding additional ways to benefit workers, customers, communities and the environment.

Visit them on our site here.

I know for many parents bath time with their little ones is not easy, understandably. Can you imagine being this tiny little creature freezing while getting a bath in a traditional baby bath tub? It has to be terrible for them and then in return for the parents. While your baby cries you try to wash him or her and comfort them at the same time. My heart always broke  as I watched them shiver and cry thinking there had to be a better way.

My sister had the foresight to think about this and buy something for my niece, P. which has made all the difference in the world for them. They went from crying bath times to laughter and joy. P. gets her baths in the Prince Lionheart Washpod. P. loves her bath times and it makes sense. The warmth stays in the tub, which simulates being in the womb, she gets to sit up and look at mommy, and as she moves her hands more and more she is able to play around when she bathes.

Yes, it is true it does look like a bucket, and yes when pictures of P. taking her bath were sent out that is what everyone said but once people realized she wasn’t being washed in the mop bucket they were actually intrigued, and rightly so. Really, when was the last time you could take a happy picture of your newborn getting a bath? I treasure the adorable pictures of P. in her bath “bucket” but more importantly I am so glad that it is one more thing she gets to enjoy with her mom and dad, stress free.

This tub is recommended by midwives,  physicians,  my gorgeous niece P., and my very happy sister.

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I was able to de-stress this weekend, relax and eat great food.

My husband and a co-worker both sent me an article about more toxins found in Chinese childrens’ toys, my calm demeanor, gathered over the weekend, went completely out the door.  The article is about about Cadmium being used in childrens’ toys instead of lead. Here is the article from The Washington Post (written by Justin Pritchard):

“Cadmium is a soft, whitish metal that occurs naturally in soil. It’s perhaps best known as one half of rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, but also is used in pigments, electroplating and plastic.

Lab testing organized by The Associated Press shows that it also is present in childrens’ jewelry – sometimes at eye-popping levels exceeding 90 percent of the item’s total weight.

Most people get a microscopic dose of the heavy metal just by breathing and eating. Plants, including tobacco, take up cadmium through their roots and people absorb it during digestion or inhalation. Without direct exposure, however, people usually don’t experience its nasty side: cancer, kidneys that leak vital protein, bones that spontaneously snap.

Cadmium is particularly dangerous for children because growing bodies readily absorb substances, and cadmium accumulates in the kidneys for decades.

“Just small amounts of chemicals may radically alter development,” said Dr. Robert O. Wright, a professor at Harvard University’s medical school and school of public health. “I can’t even fathom why anyone would allow for even a small amount to be accessible.”

Recent research by Wright found that as cadmium exposure increased, kids were more likely to report learning disabilities.

Dr. Aimin Chen of the University of Cincinnati’s medical school also has studied how cadmium affects young brains. While lead is the heavy metal most associated with harming cognitive development, Chen has concluded that cadmium lowers IQ even more than lead – though cadmium isn’t harming the average American child because the typical exposure is not as large as lead.

Scientists don’t know how much cadmium it takes to kill a child. The only child’s death attributed to cadmium that AP found was a nearly 3-year-old boy from Toronto. According to a case study published in 1994, an autopsy showed his brain had swollen; the researchers concluded his exposure came from items around his home such as paint pigments, batteries or cadmium-electroplated utensils.”

There is a price to pay for cheap. There always has been. Now we see it directly linked to our health, our children’s health and our families safety, over and over again.

This morning one of our merchants wrote to me talking about the struggle she has on a regular basis in trying to keep up with products made in China. She is afraid she is going to have to close down part of her business to keep up. Her company makes organic clothing, they hand design the art on the clothing and use only water based paints for the art. She designs her own products and lives and works in America. She is accountable and conscionable. Yet, she is in jeopardy of being severely damaged by a country that puts Cadmium and lead in our childrens’ toys, and by companies who allow it. Does this seem wrong to anyone else but me?

I have read a lot about parents struggling because their children want items that are mass marketed and not necessarily good for them, or aligned with the parents beliefs and it is hard not to give in. If I may, let me suggest something:

Instead of giving in to our children when they want items that are questionable for their safety, or health why not teach them this lesson: Show them that it is important to make choices that are healthy and safe. Our children will follow our leads if we guide them. I know in our family my granddaughter wants to do things that are healthy for her, she wants to eat food that is healthy and exercise because that is what her mom and grandparents do, and what we teach her is right for her health and safety. Can you do the same with your child? Instead of giving in, or just saying “No” why not talk to your child and tell them your concerns that there might be harmful ingredients in the product. Talk to them about what these are, about the importance of buying things from companies and countries you can trust. Then show them alternatives. You will be teaching them the value of demanding quality, not only for their health and safety but for the support of companies who have consciences.

Do you think you could talk to your child/children and explain to them the value of having a few less toys but them being good, safe toys, made by companies who care about them, and their development?  Is it worth trying to start teaching them to demand quality not price? Are you as outraged as me over all of this continual news about Chinese manufacturers?

I was reading this article yesterday about H&M and Walmart destroying and throwing away their clothing that didn’t sell rather than donating them to shelters and non-profits. H&M and Walmart take clothes & shoes that did not sell in the store, cut them up so they can not be resold or worn and then throw them in the trash. They were caught doing this in New York City, where 1/3 of the population is impoverished.

After I finished asking “Are you kidding me????” about 400 times. I had to start my deep breathing and try to calm down. This is just so amazing to me, I mean really,  isn’t it just common sense not to throw away clothes when people in our country can’t afford them.

I don’t shop at Walmart or H&M. I used to but I stopped about two years ago because I do not agree with their business practices. While I am glad Walmart has decided to carry some organic items I feel it is not done with any conscience, which is even more obvious now. I prefer my money go to companies that actually care. I may pay a little more to shop at my locally owned grocery store but they give back to the community. Now, what does this matter to people who are barely able to pay their bills, how can we justify paying a little more when we barely have it? The reality is you are paying more anyway. The food shelters, the homeless shelters, the public programs for impoverished and needy families are funded by you and me everyday. Our tax dollars are spent on these programs. If we spend our money at stores with consciences, even if they are a little more expensive initially they are more than likely saving us money in the end. They are also helping your community directly and allowing your tax dollars to be spent elsewhere to help the country.

There are so many stores that either give back, get involved, or are just as dedicated as you to a better community & environment.  If the places you shop at don’t give back do they at least operate with a conscience? Your money speaks loudly, make sure it is expressing what you believe in. Choose companies dedicated to your beliefs, not just interested in jumping on the Green/Organic/Community bandwagon.

If you must shop at Walmart and H&M please at least make  a phone call and tell them you think this is a ridiculous practice, suggest local charities where they can donate clothing, toys, & home goods.

Where do you shop? Do you search out stores that are involved in your community?

-Sheri

(Sorry for the ranting today but I really couldn’t help myself.)