Infantino recalls 1 Million Baby Slings

Infantino is recalling approximately 1 million "Sling Rider" and "Wendy Bellissimo" infant slings sold in the U.S. and Canada due to a suffocation risk.

The recall follows three reports of deaths that occurred in 2009: according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission a 7-week-old infant in Philadelphia; a 6-day-old infant in Salem, Ore.; and a 3-month-old infant in Cincinnati died while in the slings

The Infantino SlingRider is a soft fabric sling with  padded shoulder strap designed for infants up to 20 lbs. “Infantino” is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap. “Infantino,” “SlingRider” and the item number are printed on the instruction/warning label inside the baby sling carrier. "Wendy Bellissimo" slings were sold only at Babies “R” Us and have a sewn-in label on the inside of the strap that says "Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc." and lists Item numbers 3937500H7 & 3937501H7.

Infantino sold the slings in the US and Canada from January 2003 through March 2010 at Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies R Us, BJ’s Wholesale, various baby and children’s stores and other retailers nationwide, and on the Web at Amazon.com, for between $25 and $30. Of the total amount of slings recalled, only 15,000 were sold in Canada.

The recall says that consumers should stop using the recalled slings immediately and contact Infantino to receive a free replacement product: choice of a Wrap & Tie infant carrier, or a 2 in 1 Shopping Cart Cover, or a 3 in 1 Grow & Play Activity Gym. A Jittery Pals Rattle will also be provided.

For more information, contact Infantino at (866) 860-1361 or visit the firm’s website at www.infantino.com.

    

new product announcement: Leg Huggers by Agoo

Leg Huggers are awesome! They are similar to tights, but without the crotch or feet.

Agoo's Leg Huggers are designed for babies on the move. Be it crawling, climbing, running or dancing, Leg Huggers offer protection with fabulous function and flare. Designed perfectly to fit over baby's legs, they provide warmth from the elements and an added layer under dresses or over short pants.

For those crawling, Leg Huggers protect knees and legs from scrapes or abrasions from hard surfaces. Toddlers love their style and individuality when accessorizing outfits. Moms appreciate them for potty training and quick access.

FEATURES:

- perfect for crawling on hard surfaces

- easy access for potty training

- stay on and always comfortable

- super stretchy, so they don't cut off circulation even in chunky thighs

- if your child outgrows the Leg Huggers they can be used as arm warmers

- made with sustainable bamboo fibers:

* UV protective

* Odor Resistant

* Biodegradable

* Antibacterial - One size fits all

- affordable: just $9.99 a pair!

Bamboo is a sustainable resource and it is more anti-bacterial than other fabrics. It wicks moisture away, which is great for circulation and skin, preventing over-heating or chills from trapped-in moisture. Bamboo clothing is also more breathable, comfortable and has better thermal regulation than cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers, keeping baby cooler, drier and more comfortable. In addition, Bamboo is hypoallergenic, and its organic, natural fiber properties make it non-irritating to even the most sensitive skin. Bamboo apparel also protects you from UV rays, naturally. If all that weren't enough, bamboo apparel is good for our ecosystems because it does not require pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers, and does not involve the use of genetically modified organisms; and bamboo fibers are biodegradable.

 Now available at BestBabyOrganics.com

Giveaway winners!

Congratulations to:

Holly - winner of our Fertilaid for Women giveaway - hosted by Emily's Latest
Sarah - winner of our Moby Wrap giveaway - hosted by Happy Mothering

your prizes are on the way!

Countdown to Earth Hour 2010

Simple Tips for making Homemade Fish Sticks

My kids love fish sticks, but I won't go near any of the prepackaged stuff. I mean...have you read the ingredient labels on those frozen packs? yikes!
I mean...how difficult can it be to make them from scratch? right?
I made a batch last weekend, they were ok, but next time I want to make them really good. Finger licking good! :-) For that I need to learn the fundamentals of making good homemade fish sticks and of course Mark Bittman is my go-to guy for simple cooking techniques

Getty Images

His teachings are simple: know your fish, know your coatings, know your cooking methods; and the rest is just a matter of personal taste. Simple right!

Know your fish:

Fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel are too oily and won't work; flounder and most trout are too thin and delicate for making fish sticks. The best fish for this purpose are pollock, cod, Pacific halibut, farm-raised catfish, even locally caught swordfish all work brilliantly and are sustainable choices as well.  Bittman recommends buying a piece that looks good, "with no drying or browning; fish that has been frozen at sea and well-handled (no freezer burn) is a good alternative."

Know your coatings and your cooking methods:

I'm not a fan of deep-frying, which immediately eliminates pancake-like or beer-based batters and the much-beloved tempura. For shallow-frying there are many coating options, ranging from a dusting of flour or cornmeal to breadcrumbs (specially for oven frying), to a super-light egg coating. 

No matter which coating you choose, unless you want to bake the sticks (recipe below) the procedure is the same: Cut the fish, lay out the coating, get your oil hot, and cook quickly: by the time the coating is golden, the fish is ready to turn.

Fast Fish Sticks (shallow frying)

by Mark Bittman

Serves 4

Ingredients

• About 1 1/2 pounds boneless, firm, not-too-oily fish, like cod, pollock, swordfish, or catfish
• salt and pepper
• Cornmeal (or flour) for dredging
• Olive oil as needed
• Lemon wedges or sauce of your choice for serving

Directions

In a non-stick or well-seasoned skillet, add olive oil to a depth of about 1/8-inch and turn the heat to medium. Cut the fish into sticks about 1/2-inch thick and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Put a pile of cornmeal on a plate.

The oil is ready when a pinch of cornmeal sizzle instantly when you drop it in there. (If it instantly sizzles, turns brown, and sinks to the bottom the oil is too hot; turn the heat off and wait a couple of minutes before turning it on again.)

Turn the fish sticks in the cornmeal, trying to get it to adhere to every bit of each side but not fretting about the thickness of the coating. As each stick is done, add it to the oil. ; the amount that adheres is right.

For lightly Battered Fish Sticks: For the coating, prepare a pile of flour (cake flour is best, but if you don't have it all-purpose is fine) and a bowl with 2 or 3 beaten eggs. Dredge each fish stick in the flour, then in the egg, then put it in the pan immediately. Cook as above.

Fish Sticks (Oven Fried)

by Mark Bittman

Serves 4

Ingredients

• About 1 1/2 pounds firm filleted fish, like cod, pollock, swordfish, or catfish
• 1 1/2 cups milk, buttermilk, or yogurt
• Bread crumbs, preferably fresh, for dredging
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons melted butter or extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon wedges or sauce of your choice for serving

Directions

Cut the fish into sticks about 1/2-inch thick; soak in the milk while you heat the oven to 450°F. Put the bread crumbs on a plate and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

When the oven is hot, pull the fish from the milk and let it drain a bit. Dredge the still-wet fish in the bread crumbs, patting them to make sure they adhere. Drizzle a little of the butter or oil over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or large rimmed baking sheet, then lay the fish sticks in the pan. Drizzle with the remaining butter or oil.

Bake near the top of the oven for about 10 minutes, depending on the thickness; the fish will be crisp on the outside and tender and opaque when done. Serve immediately.

    

Free Artwork courtesy of "Feed your Soul: The Free Art Project"

"Feed Your Soul is a free art project. Each month artists are invited to participate and to contribute a print which is totally free and available for download. This project is coordinated by Jen Wallace of Indie Fixx to help art lovers feed their souls with art in these difficult economic times and to help artists promote their work. New prints are added on Mondays as they become available." If you are an artist and would like to submit your work for consideration, click here for more info. Remember, art can free your soul!

Above is my absolute favorite by Angela Vandenbogaard. I find this little tree very soothing and playful at the same time. I'll hang it in my office for inspiration and good energy. This original artwork and many more are available as Free Downloads

Below are a few that will make for great wall art in children's rooms.

You can download the images to a pdf which you can save, print out and frame!

    

Sonny and Reed teething necklaces make "don't leave home without it" list

Yay!! we are so proud!
Sonny and Reed teething necklaces were featured in Parents Magazine’s Goody Bag section in the April edition. Teething Jewelry “The nubby necklace made from FDA-approved acrylic isn't just a fashion statement: It's a teether in disguise. Safe for soothing baby's tender gums and stylish enough for moms to wear, this cool accessory just earned its spot on our ‘don’t leave home without it’ list.” – Pg 24.

Sonny and Reed is the only teething necklace Made in the USA from FDA approved material and conforms to all CPSIA standards.

New Giveaway: Win a Free Ergo Baby Carrier - Ends 4/30/2010

Ended 4/30/2010
congratulations Sandy J!

BestBabyOrganics.com has a new giveaway for the month of April:

Enter for a chance to win a Free Ergo Baby Carrier - the best rated baby carrier in the market

Win one of these amazing baby carriers ~ it's Easy! Simply visit Best Baby Organics and find three maternity, post-pregnancy, or baby products you like the most and then leave us a comment listing the three items. Don't forget to list your email address as well, otherwise we can't contact you in case you win. The winner will be notified by email on May 1st, 2010

To enter the Ergo Baby Carrier Giveaway leave a comment on this post listing the three products from our store you liked most

How to get extra entries:

1. If you blog about this, you get an extra entry. Leave a comment with the link to the post.
2. If you twitter about it, you will receive an additional entry. Just leave us a comment below. AND you can twitter every day for extra daily entries.
3. Follow us on twitter for an extra entry and leave a comment below
4. Become a fan on facebook for an extra entry and leave a comment below
5. Follow our blog and leave a comment below for a new entry
6. Subscribe to our store newsletter (bottom-left side of screen) for an extra entry and leave a comment below
7. Write a comment below telling us how you heard about this giveaway - this will get you an extra entry

Giveaway Details:

* Open to USA residents only. 

* One winner will be randomly selected.

* The deadline to enter is April 30th, 2010 Midnight EST. Winner will be announced on May 1st, 2010

* The winner will be able to choose a favorite Ergo Baby Carrier color (camel, cranberry, black with camel, or black sport). If we don't hear from you within 7 days to claim your giveaway another winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

Part 2: Mom Blogger's Challenge: Recipe Makeover for Healthier Raspberry Sherbet Punch

Last week, mom blogger Deanna, from the Mami Shopaholic Blog, accepted our challenge to give her Raspberry Sherbet Punch recipe a healthier makeover. She accepted the challenge and today she surprised us with a deliciously healthier and yummier version. Deanna has proven to herself and to everyone else that preparing more natural and more nutritious meals is not only good for us but is also lots of fun!

And now...here's Deanna's new and improved recipe:

Healthier/Natural Raspberry Sorbet fruit punch

½ box of Strawberries

½ bag of Seedless Grapes

1 Honeydew Melon pre-cut is fine

1 Cantaloupe pre-cut is fine

1 Pineapple pre-cut is fine

2 Peaches

6 Oranges

1-2 pint. Yolato Raspberry Sorbet or Haagan Dasz

33 fl oz Mango juice


Take the 6 oranges and squeeze them, pour the freshly squeezed orange juice into the punch bowl. Next peel and cut up the peaches, after cut up honeydew melon, cantaloupe, pineapple, strawberries and grapes then place them in the bowl with the orange juice.  Pour the Mango juice into the bowl, and last but not least, empty the Yolato or Haagen Dasz Raspberry Sorbet into the punch bowl. Stir well and serve

Serves 6 to 8


This recipe sounds delicious and we can't wait to try it!

Thanks Deanna! keep up the good work!

The HurriedHomemarker's Spring Fashion Guide - Japanese Monkey Pants for Baby

Check out what Rhiana had to say about our Japanese Monkey Pants on her Spring Fashion Guide