Milagros

The Oregon Environmetal Council has launched a Healthy Kids Campaign that is advocating for new legislation on the state level designed to eliminate some of the environmental threats facing Oregon’s children. Here is more info from the OEC on this and how you can get involved:

• The Children’s Safe Products Act of 2009 will protect children from toxic chemicals in toys, baby bottles and other products by prohibiting the use of dangerous chemicals and providing information to make safer buying choices. Read more about the Children’s Safe Products Act
• The Oregon Healthy Schools Act will help reduce student and staff exposure to chemicals, integrate green building principles in the design and construction of school facilities, and reduce facility maintenance and operational costs. Read more about the Oregon Healthy Schools Act.

There are many ways you can get involved in the Healthy Kids Campaign and make a difference. Make no mistake, we are facing entrenched, well-funded special interests in Salem as we advance these proposals to make Oregon a healthier place for us all to live. On this page you can find easy access to resources that will help you connect with your legislator, as well as ideas for making your own home environment a healthier place.

Thank you to Lisa at Activistas for letting us know about this campaign.

I am not sure what is a bigger pain that using a squeeze bulb to try and remove mucus from a wee one’s nose.  Like it or not we are rolling in to cold and flu season so such issues are on my mind. Luckily, we have discovered an alternative to the classic squeeze bulb: the Nosefrida.

The Nosefrida is more than just a cool name. Nosefrida is a nasal aspirator that removes mucus from your child’s nose but unlike a bulb it doesn’t require you placing anything IN your child’s nose. And unlike a bulb, you have full control over the amount of suction applied.  The result is more effective mucus removal and more tolerable experience for your baby or toddler.

Although the Nosefrida is new to the USA - Milagros was the first retailer in Portland - it has been used in Sweden for years. It has been clinically tested and is manufactured in Sweden in accordance with the European Union environmental regulations; it is also registered
with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Nosefrida comes with a filter but additional filters may be purchased in packs of 20 at Milagros.  And like everything you will find at Milagros, the Nosefrida is BPA & Phthalate Free.

Good Magazine has a very cool illustration that recommends the best indoor plant for filtering various toxins that may be in your air as a result of…well….the result of living in this modern world.

To be safe, get all 15 plants! They are lovely, so you really can’t lose.

And if you have a Chinook Book, you there are a ton of coupons for local nurseries and garden shops, including Buffalo Gardens on Alberta.

Speaking of the Chinook Book, you can get it for an incredible deal from Friends of Trees - Only $10, $15 postage paid! While supplies last! To order contact Mary Harrel at 503-282-8846 ext. 10.

Lead-based paint was used in many homes built prior to 1978. When lead-based paint is disturbed it creates dust and this dust can be very hazardous to children. To help you test your home for lead hazards, Milagros is distributing FREE lead testing kits from the Portland Development Commission to residents of Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, or Clark County.

Come in anytime to request your free kit! Only kit one per household.

If you can’t make it in or just want to learn more about how to minimize lead hazards in your home, call the Lead Hazard Program line at 503-823-3400

You can also pick up a free kit and more information during the Concordia Wellness Fair on May 3rd!

Please note that this kit will NOT work for testing toys

We have been carrying Medela breast pumps and parts for years. They are very simply the best pumps on the market.

Given concerns over plastics, we have had some inquiries regarding the type of materials used in Medela products. Here is the info straight from Medela:

“ALL MEDELA BREASTPUMP KITS ARE BPA-FREE

As the industry leader in breastpumping and breastfeeding, Medela is committed to always doing what is best for moms and babies. Medela products that come into direct contact with breastmilk, including all breast shields and bottles, always have been made with BPA-free polypropylene plastic.

BPA (bisphenol-A) is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic, a material used to manufacture many baby bottles. Questions have been raised regarding whether or not BPA is potentially harmful to human health. BPA has been in the news recently as a result of reports from several independent research groups, and an expert panel of 12 scientists of The National Toxicology Program (NTP) Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR). The NTP panel expressed ’some concern’ that, for infants and children and in utero, exposure to BPA causes neural and behavioral effects. The NTP panel expressed minimal or negligible concern that, for adults, infants, and children or in utero, exposure to BPA causes other types of effects. The NTP panel has not issued an opinion regarding whether current human exposures to BPA are a risk for human development and reproduction.

All existing research endorses the safety of polypropylene for breast milk collection, storage and feeding products. Products made of polypropylene, such as Medela’s breast shields and bottles, are easy to identify because the BPA-free plastic is slightly cloudy and more flexible than Polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a hard, crystal clear plastic that contains BPA. ”

Although the focus of this blog isn’t safety issues for kid’s products, we do feel obliged to pass on what we learn….

We have used Gripe Water and even recommended it to folks but don’t sell it at the store. It turns out that there has been a limited recall of the apple flavor of Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water. This recall resulted from the FDA finding cryptosporidium in the product. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause intestinal infections.

The most common symptom of infection is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. Parents of children who have recently consumed Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water, apple flavor, and have these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Parents and caregivers who have given this product to their infants and children should be alert for diarrhea and other signs of Cryptosporidium infection.

The complete notice from the FDA can be found here. The affected Gripe Water has a code of 26952V with an expiration date of 10/08 on the bottle’s carton. But if in doubt, throw it out.

More bad news for Thomas fans….RC2 Corporation has identified more Thomas toys that have lead paint. Pictures and info may be found here.

I know we keep saying it but we want to ensure there is NO confusion: none of these toys have ever been sold at Milagros. ALL the wood toys sold at Milagros are made in the USA.

The danger of lead in toys and at home should be taken very seriously. Even low levels of lead can cause permanent IQ loss, behavioral problems and learning disabilities. So if you have any hazardous toys, toss them out!

If you live in Portland and you are worried about lead exposure, definitely come to the FREE Lead Safe Portland Event at the Matt Dishman Community Center on October 28.

You can bring any questionable toys and get them tested for lead paint. Also, we have partnered with the City and County to provide safe toys made in the USA to be giveaways at the event. There will also be free blood tests for lead, info on grants for abatement of lead in your home, snacks, crafts, and more!

Lead Safe Portland is Sunday, October 28 from 12 noon – 2 p.m. at the Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott Street. If you want more info on the event or if you can’t make it and want more info on lead poisoning prevention, ring Portland’s Lead Line at (503) 988-4000.

Boeing PDX has announced that it plans to increase pollutants being emitted from its aircraft painting facility from 39 tons to 99 tons per year. The building is at 4635 NE Cornfoot Road.

It is expected that Boeing will claim that the levels of hazardous air pollutants will be “below levels of concern” and therefore they should:

1) be allowed to increase their emissions
2) not be required to install top-of-the-line emission control devices at the facility

The Department of Environmental Quality will be sharing details on Boeing’s request and seeking input at an informational meeting:

Thursday, Sept. 20, at 6:30pm
DEQ Regional Office
2020 SW 4th ave (in CH2MHILL Bldg), 4th floor, room A/B.
More info Contact: Kathy Amidon, Air Quality Program, 503-667-8414 x.55010 or: amidon.kathy@deq.state.or.us

If you are concerned, please show up. We plan on being there. More details can be found here.

MORE INFO: There is an article about this issue in today’s Oregonian. It should noted that Boeing has a history of contaminating Portland’s air. Since 1998 they have been dumping thousands of pounds a year of tetrachloroethylene, a cancer-causing toxin, from their NE Portland facility. More info here.

The planned release of additional VOCs is far from trivial. The company’s unwillingness to put in mitigation measures or to use non-VOC or low-VOC coatings is based on financial concerns. However is risking the health of children in Portland is a price worth paying for Boeing keeping their costs low? I don’t think so.

We took a couples yoga class with Tina Lilly at Yoga Shala when Gael was on the way. It was a wonderfully relaxing session.

We wanted to let you know about a fun new series that starts next week at the North Portland Yoga Shala: Mama Baby Yoga Tea Classes!

What: Mama Baby Yoga Tea with Tina Lilly and Deah Baird consists of four rotating monthly classes that combine yoga and socializing with discussions on mother and infant care and postpartum-related issues.

You will gain a better understanding on how to take care of yourself as you cope with sleep deprivation and 24-hour baby care, and how to do a short and simple yoga routine at your home that alleviates common postpartum complaints and makes you feel better in your body (and a happier mom too)!

Who: This class is for new moms with their newborns -  babies who aren’t yet crawling

When: Classes are every third Tuesday of the month from 12 till 1:30 pm

Class One, May 15th, Mama’s Belly Yoga for rebuilding abdominal and pelvic strength after birth (Modifications will be given for Cesarean births) Abdominal, pelvic and perineal health after delivery

Class Two, June 19th, Breastfeeding Yoga for opening the chest and shoulders nutrition for nursing mothers, Breast Health, Baby’s well-being (teething, digestion)

Class Three, July 17th, Carrying Baby Yoga for upper back and arm strength & wrist care

Class Four, August 21st, Sleeping Like a Baby Yoga to cope with fatigue and exhaustion, emotional well-being, sleep health, infant massage

Where and the Details: Each class can be taken separately or as part of the series. Individual classes are $14. All four classes are $40. The classes will be at the Yoga Shala on N Williams.

Please contact Yoga Shala to pre-register if you need childcare for an older child during the class.

Please join mama and Holistic Health Counselor, Liselle Vetsch, AADP for Wellness for the Mama-to-Be.

This is a six month class series that is designed for the pregnant mama who wants to fully and consciously enjoy every moment of her pregnancy.

Topics covered in this 12 week series include:

• Learn the foods that will best nourish you & your growing baby
• Learn how to avoid morning sickness
• Understand and tune-in to the wisdom of your cravings
• Connect with your baby through art and meditation & your own mama wisdom
• Get fun and appropriate exercise for your body
• Create support networks for your pregnancy, birth, post-partum and beyond

Also included with the series:

• Delicious, nutritious foods that every mama needs
• A pregnancy journal
• A hands-on cooking class
• Valuable articles and giveaways
• Unlimited online support between classes
• A Belly Cast and much more!

When: Every-other Sunday 6:00 pm -7:30 p.m. Beginning on June 24th

Where: Milagros Boutique 5433 NE 30th Avenue Portland, OR

Cost: $295 for the 12-class series. This includes all materials and giveaways.

To reserve your spot please contact Liselle at 503.970.1627 or email her at lcv@food4health.org

Please note: Unless otherwise noted, all classes and events offered in the Family Room at Milagros are managed and operated by third-parties. Information on classes and events are presented by Milagros on its website for information only.