Gosling’s Favorites is now up and running!! You can get to it from the Franklin Goose homepage or by our blog. We are still looking for our next submission! Send us a photo and product review of your favorite FG dropping to be featured on the front page of FG! Please send all submissions to goslingsfavorites@franklingoose.com Please include your child’s first initial, city and state, and why you and your child love the item. Once we have chosen the review to feature, it will be on the front page of the site for two weeks as well as on the blog indefinitely. By submitting you agree to allow us to post the photo and the review- but we will not print the child’s name, only their first initial.

On June 9th, 2010 the Environmental Law Foundation filed Notices of Violation of the California Proposition 65 Toxics Right to Know law, alleging lead was found in children’s and baby foods. You can read more about what is being done and why lead would be in the foods at  http://www.envirolaw.org Below is a list of the brands and products that were tested:

Apple Juice

For the following products, one or more samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

Beech Nut 100% Apple Juice
Earth’s Best Organics Apple Juice
First Street 100% Apple Cider from concentrate
First Street Apple Juice from concentrate 100% juice
Full Circle Organic Apple Juice
Gerber 100% Juice Apple Juice
Great Value 100% No Sugar Added Apple Juice
Hansen’s Natural Apple Juice
Kroger 100% Juice Apple Juice
Langers Apple Juice 100% Juice
Minute Maid Juice Apple – 100% Apple Juice
Motts 100% Apple Juice
O Organics Organic Unfiltered Apple Juice Not From Concentrate
Old Orchard 100% Apple Juice
Parade 100% Juice Apple
Raley’s Premium 100% Apple Juice not from Concentrate
Safeway 100% Juice Apple Cider
Safeway 100% Juice Apple Juice
Stater Bros. 100% Juice Apple Juice
Sunny Select 100% Apple Juice
Trader Joe’s Certified Organic Apple Juice, pasteurized
Tree Top 100% Juice Apple Cider
Walgreens Apple Juice from concentrate 100% juice
Walnut Grove Market 100% Apple Juice

For the following products, NO samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

Great Value 100% Apple Juice not from concentrate
Harvest Day 100% Apple Juice from Concentrate
Kirkland Fresh Pressed Apple Juice Pasteurized
Martinelli’s Gold Medal Apple Juice 100% pure from US grown fresh apples
R.W. Knudsen Organic Apple Juice unfiltered
Raley’s Everyday 100% Apple Juice
Sunny Select 100% Unfiltered Apple Juice
Trader Joe’s Fresh Pressed Apple Juice all natural pasteurized, 100% juice
Tree Top 100% Apple Juice
Tree Top Three Apple Blend 100% Fresh Pressed Juice

Grape Juice

For the following products, one or more samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

365 Everyday Value Organic 100% Juice Concord Grapes
First Street Grape Juice from concentrate 100% juice
Gerber 100% Juice – White Grape Juice
Great Value 100% Grape Juice
Kedem Concord Grape Juice 100% pure grape juice
Kroger Grape Juice 100% Juice
Langers Grape Juice (Concord)
Langers Red Grape Juice
O Organics Organic Grape Juice from concentrate
R.W. Knudsen Just Concord Grape Juice
R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Concord
Raley’s 100% Grape Juice
Safeway 100% Juice Grape Juice
Safeway Organic Grape Juice
Santa Cruz Organic Concord Grape Juice
Stater Bros. 100% Juice Grape Juice
Stater Bros. 100% Juice White Grape Juice
Sunny Select 100% Grape Juice
Trader Joe’s Concord Grape Juice made from fress pressed organic concord grapes
Tree Top 100% Juice, Grape
Valu Time Grape Drink from Concentrate
Walgreens Grape Juice from concentrate 100% juice
Walnut Acres Organic Concord Grape
Walnut Grove Market Grape Juice
Welch’s 100% Grape Juice (from Welch’s Concord Grapes)
Welch’s 100% Red Grape Juice from Concentrate

For the following products, NO samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

Old Orchard Healthy Balance Grape

Packaged Pears

For the following products, one or more samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

Best Yet Bartlett Pear Halves in Heavy Syrup
Del Monte Diced Pears in Light Syrup
Del Monte Pear Halves in Heavy Syrup
Del Monte Pear Halves, Bartlett Pears in 100% real fruit juice from concentrate
Dole Pear Halves in Juice
First Street Diced Pears
First Street Sliced Bartlett
Full Circle Organic Bartlett Pear Slices
Gerber 3rd Foods Pears [Baby Food]
Great Value Bartlett Pear Halves in 100% Juice
Great Value Bartlett Sliced Pears in Heavy Syrup
Market Pantry Diced Pears in Light syrup
Maxx Value Pear Pieces in Light Syrup
Polar Pear Halves in light syrup
S&W Natural Style Pear Slices in Juice
S&W Sun Pears Premium
Safeway Lite Bartlett Pear Halves in Pear Juice
Safeway Pear Halves in Light Juice
Sunny Select Pear Halves in Pear Juice
Trader Joe’s Pear Halves in white grape juice
Truitt Brothers Pacific NorthWest Bartlett Pear Halves, in pear juice from concentrate
Valu Time Irregular Bartlett Pear Slices
Walnut Grove Market Natural Pear Halves in Heavy Syrup

For the following products, NO samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

Eating Right Kids Diced Pears Fruit Cups
Stater Bros. Diced Pears Snack Bowl

Packaged Peaches

For the following products, one or more samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

Best Yet Yellow Cling Peach Halves in Heavy Syrup
Del Monte Freestone Peach Slices in 100 % Juice
Del Monte Sliced Yellow Cling Peaches in 100 % Juice
Del Monte Sliced Yellow Cling Peaches in heavy syrup
Dole Diced Peaches, Yellow Cling in light syrup
First Street Yellow Cling Peaches in heavy syrup
Gerber 3rd Foods Peaches [Baby Food]
Golden Star Peach Halves in Heavy Syrup
Great Value Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches
Libby’s Yellow Cling Peach Slices No Sugar Added (Sweetened with Splenda)
Market Pantry Diced Peaches in light syrup
Polar Peach Slices
Raley’s Sliced Yellow Cling Peaches in Heavy Syrup
S&W Natural Style Yellow Cling Peach Slices in Lightly Sweetened Juice
S&W Premium Peach Halves Yellow Cling Peaches in light syrup
Safeway Diced Peaches in Light Syrup
Safeway Yellow Cling Peach Slices in Pear Juice
Simple Value Yellow Cling Peaches in light syrup
Stater Bros. Yellow Cling Peach Halves
Stater Bros. Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches in heavy syrup
Sunny Select Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches in Pear Juice
Trader Joe’s Yellow Cling Peach Halves in while grape juice
Valu Time Yellow Cling Peach Slices
Walnut Grove Market Natural Peaches Sliced Yellow Cling in Light Syrup

For the following products, NO samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

Dole Diced Peaches, Cling in Light Syrup
Dole Diced Peaches, Freestone in Light Syrup
Dole Sliced Peaches
Eating Right Kids Diced Peaches in Extra Light Syrup
Stater Bros. Diced Peaches Snack Bowl

Fruit Cocktail

For the following products, one or more samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

Best Yet Chunky Mixed Fruit in Pear Juice
Chef’s Review Fruit Cocktail
Del Monte 100% Juice Fruit Cocktail
Del Monte Chunky Mixed Fruit in 100 % Juice (peach, pear, grape, etc.)
Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup (peach, pear, grapes)
Del Monte Fruit Cocktail No Sugar Added
Del Monte Lite Fruit Cocktail in Extra Light Syrup
Dole Mixed Fruit in Light Syrup
Eating Right Fruit Cocktail packed in Sucralose
Eating Right No Sugar Fruit Cocktail
First Street Fruit Cocktail in heavy syrup
Golden Star Mixed Fruit in Light Syrup (peach, pineapple, pears)
Great Value No Sugar Added Fruit Cocktail
Kroger Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup
Kroger Lite Fruit Cocktail in Pear Juice
Kroger Value Fruit Mix (Peaches, pears, grapes)
Libby’s Fruit Cocktail No Sugar Added (Sweetened with Splenda)
Market Pantry Mixed Fruit in light syrup
Maxx Value Fruit Mix in Light Syrup (peach, pear, grape)
Mrs. Brown’s Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup (peaches, pears, grapes)
Polar Mixed Fruit
Raley’s Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup
S&W Natural Style Fruit Cocktail in Lightly Sweetened Juice
Safeway Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup
Safeway Light Sugar Fruit Cocktail
Safeway Lite Fruit Cocktail in Pear Juice
Stater Bros. Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup
Sunny Select Fruit Cocktail in Juice

For the following products, NO samples exceeded the Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving:

Del Monte Mixed Fruit

Johnson & Johnson usually rate a 4-7 on the Cosmetic Safety Database, which is moderately to highly hazardous. The ingredients in J&J products are known to cause; cancer, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity, skin irritations, and biochemical or cellular level changes. The other products they gave us were Keri Moisture Oil, and Cardinal Health Shampoo and Lotion. Keri scored a 5 and the Cardinal Heath didn’t even show up. I did look up every ingredient and they were higher than 5′s. So, I’m sure they have a super high hazard score.

This just goes to show you can’t trust what anyone gives you. Well they say knowledge brings power, and in this case it brought safety. Make sure you are aware of what hospitals, doctors, and even schools are giving your children. You won’t believe how many ENT’s told me to give E Tylenol during our visits- when all of children’s Tylenol has been recalled.  Write to establishments asking them to switch to products like Earth Mama Angel Baby or other natural/organic alternatives.  We can make a difference and create toxin free environments for our children!

by Michelle L.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.”
- Albert Einstein

Before I had a child, this quote meant something different to me. Now that I have E., it takes on a whole new meaning. It is just as important to have imaginative play toys around the house as it is to have learning toys. Or if you have a child like E., she will turn her educational toys into imaginative play.

The first eco-friendly toy I bought for E. was the PlanToys Assorted Fruits and Vegetables cutting set. E. still to this day puts toys in her mouth. I didn’t want to buy her food play items that weren’t safe, especially since I knew they would go in her mouth. I had heard rave reviews about PlanToys and I had to find out for myself.

PlanToys only uses replenishable rubberwood, which is preservative free and naturally processed. They were the first company to use recycled rubberwood! The wood is not chemically treated in any way. PlanToys only uses water-based colors and non-toxic glues. So yes, it’s safe for your child to put them in their mouth! PlanToys manufactures all of their own toys in Thailand, so they have complete control of the process. Thailand is rich with rubberwood, which PlanToys has successfully recycled for their toys.

PlanToys creates toys to inspire children’s imagination as well as promoting their physical and intellectual development. They have unique designs that every child will love. E. has loved her Fruit and Vegetable cutting set. I bought it for her for Christmas last year and it took some time for her to master cutting the veggies. It would occupy her for at least 30 minutes until she got it! But now she is a pro. It definitely promotes fine motor skills as well as imaginative play. E. loves to “cook dinner” and make flavored teas with the fruits. She will put them in her tea set and serve “orange tea” to all of her friends. This has been one of her favorite go to toys that she plays with every day. And I mean every day!

by Sheri Doyle.

Something interesting happened to me this morning. I thought it would be a great opportunity for people to share advice so I wanted to share it with you.

I am aware that many people don’t agree with, understand, or care about natural and organic living. However, I never thought it was an offensive topic of conversation, after all I listen all the time to people talking about their non-organic lifestyle and respect their right to do so. So this morning at breakfast when I was talking to a family member about natural birthing options and how interesting I find them I was completely blown away but their interruption in the conversation. The person I was speaking to said to me “Enough of your hippie garbage. Clearly we don’t believe in it and really don’t want to hear about it.” I was shocked, and hurt to be honest. This is not only my lifestyle but also my career and I had thought there was pride from the people in my life for what I was doing. Clearly I was wrong. The thing that shocked me was the emotion behind this persons remark.

I know I am not the only person who this happens to and clearly my experience was not as bad as some things I know people experience.  I wanted to snap back and tell this person that I patiently listen to their interests and lifestyle choices and beliefs. That I respect their option to discuss it so why is it any different for me to express mine. What I  thought about was how other people handle it. Clearly, this person has no interest in what I am saying so why push the point, but on the flip side, why do they feel the right then to talk about their lifestyle choices to me? I don’t mind listening, learning, and sharing. I honestly was so hurt though that I couldn’t say anything.

How do all of you handle it when you are not supported by family or friends?

I wonder why it is that people get so angry with others who have different opinions from the mainstream ones. I would never judge this person for their choices, so I wonder why it is that this person so harshly reacts to me. Do you find the same thing?

I know for those of you who choose to raise your children “alternatively” it is not an easy choice. I am sure you have had people respond to you with equal intolerance as what I experienced and I wonder how you handle it? Do you take it personally?

I realized also what a bubble I live in, surrounded mostly by people who think like me, or who at the very least respect my right to express my opinion. For those of you who are there everyday supporting each other and me in this choice, thank you. We all really do learn from each other and help each other, it is great to have a community surrounding you.

by Jenny M., Ninny’s Nappies

Ive been using homemade beauty and home cleaning products since I was in college. I’ve always opted for the baking soda and vinegar home cleaning methods. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my 1st son that I started making my own bug spray& bug repellent. In the last few years  the dangers of using Sodium Laural Sulfate and Parabens ( among many others) have come to light. I then started making and using my own shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, face cleaner, and body scrub/lotion. Its very simple and only takes a few ingredients that most people already have in their kitchen. You can buy empty bottles at health food stores or pharmacies, but I reuse old bottles.  This also helps with the transition to homemade products ( if you use your old shampoo bottle some shampoo will still be in the bottle and help ease your hair into the transition)

Shampoo =2 teaspoons baking soda to 1 cup water ( rinse hair, add 1 teaspoon of castille soap if you need the lather)

Conditioner= 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar to 1 cup water ( rinse on just the ends)

Deodorant= 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup baking soda 2 teaspoons coconut oil ( you can add essential oils, I like Peppermint and tea tree) keep in a small lidded container, it will soften at 76degrees or higher

Face cleaner/lotion = 1/4 cup salt, olive oil, castor oil

Face lotion = 1/8 cup rose water to 1 teaspoon glycerin in a spray bottle ( you can buy rose water & glycerin already mixed together)

Body scrub/lotion= 1 cup salt or raw sugar, olive oil, lemon or grapefruit juice

Bug repellent = 1/8 cup sweet almond or jojoba oil to 12 drops each of citronella oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle

Bug spray= 2 cups water to 20 drops peppermint oil ( spray in trash cans and around door ways)
Itch relief spray= 1/4 cup witch hazel, 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol to 10 drops peppermint oil in a spray bottle

I have, through the years eased myself into this homemade life style. The face cleanser I use every 3 days or so, I alternate with just watered down unscented Dr. Bronners (castille soap). Which is also what we use to bathe in, we opt for peppermint in  the summer because its so cooling and lavendar in the winter.

I am expecting my second baby in August and I  will be making our own reusable wipes and wipes solution, there are  many different recipes. I  am going to opt for the solution in a spray bottle  method instead of soaking the cloth wipes in the solution. I have been told that the latter can lead to moldy wipes.

Baby wipe solution= 2 tablespoon castile soap,1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 drops tea tree oil to 2 cups of water

Most supplies can be purchased at your local grocery store or health food store. If you want to purchase in large amounts this is a great place to start www.soapgoods.com.

For me and my family this way of living works and makes sense, we feel that our culture has strayed too far from basic & natural care.  You don’t need expensive fancy packaged products to look and feel good. I believe this life style keeps us healthy and more connected, its also alot of  fun mixing potions and lotions that actually work!!

Cheers Jenny

What formulas do you use? Do you have success with other mixes or ideas? We would love for you to share them!