Review: Ascenta NutraSea hp Concentrated High EPA Omega-3 Supplement

Gregory was only two when we realized he was having some neurological difficulties, and our pediatrician cited growing research supporting supplementation with high-EPA fish oil. Since then, we've tried a few options; Ascenta NutraSea hp Concentrated high EPA omega-3 lemon flavor liquid is the best I've found.

First, we tried Omega Brite, which had an orange flavor that Gregory didn't mind mixed with juice. However, he was using sippy cups at the time and it would sometimes leak, resulting in a stubborn orange oily stain. Not good. It was also only available online and frequently out of stock. Oh, and it was pricey, as most good fish oil supplements are.

When we would run out of Omega Brite, I'd buy Nordic Naturals gel capsules, which we'd have to puncture and squeeze into his "vitamin juice." That was less than ideal.

High-EPA is the key for brain function and it's hard to find liquid that has enough concentrated EPA in it. The NutraSea liquid has a total of 2300 mg of Omega-3s, including 1500 mg of EPA and 500 mg of DHA in a single teaspoon! We dose Gregory with 1 tsp twice a day, at the doctor's direction.

He used to fight us on drinking the Omega Brite but he never fights us on the NutraSea, presumably because it has no discernible taste in juice. He especially likes it in apple cider.

I buy it on drugstore.com, two or three at a time, when they're running big cash back through eBates. It's not cheap at close to $40 a bottle, but that lasts about three weeks. And when I get 12% cash back through eBates, plus 5% in Drugstore dollars, it comes down to closer to $30 a bottle.

Now that we have G on such a good regimen, maybe Alex and I will get better about taking our own fish oil supplements!

Chemicals in Candy: Not So Sweet

I came across this article on Healthy Child and it was as though I'd written it myself. My "concern" list would be identical, though not in this order (not that she said it was prioritized).

We identified these dangerous additives as "The Scary Seven." They are:

1. High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
2. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
3. Partially Hydrogenated Oils (trans fats)
4. Artificial Colors
5. Artificial Sweeteners (including acesulfame potassium, or Ace-K; sucralose [Splenda], and aspartame)
6. Artificial Flavors
7. Preservatives (including: sodium benzoate, sulphites (sulphur dioxide), polysorbate 60, 65 or 80, nitrites, TBHQ, and BHT/BHA).

Let me know if you think anything important is missing.

PVC-Free School Supplies

Today, from GreenAmerica, comes this great article, I wanted to share:

CHEJ Releases Fourth Annual Guide to PVC-free School Supplies

"Children are not 'little adults,'" says Mike Schade of the nonprofit Center For Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ). "Their developing brains and bodies, their metabolism and behaviors make them uniquely vulnerable to harm from toxic chemicals released by PVC." 

That's why CHEJ is releasing the latest version of their PVC-free back-to-school guide, to help parents avoid products – like plastic backpacks or lunchboxes, or three-ring binders coated in plastic – that might contain PVC. 

To download the newest guide, go here. You don't need to sign up to get the download. Use the little link at the bottom that says, "you can also just download the guide here."


It's quite comprehensive and explains how to look for PVC in labeling, why avoiding PVC matters and actions you can take if you want to help rid the world of this nasty toxin.

What's in that children's pain reliever?

So I was at CVS yesterday trying to get some ibuprophen to have on hand for the boys. I started reading labels and saw things like "sucralose," "polysorbate 80," "butylparaben," and "propylene glycol." Seriously? I asked the pharmacist if there were any other options. He came out and looked and concluded that, no, just the dye-free varieties.

I vowed to come home and write a blog post (and try to find something that is better). First I searched and found lots of other green bloggers having the same issues I had with ingredients. But I found no alternatives. Shocking, really. Then again, what I'm saying is that big pharma is not listening. And that is not surprising. Sigh.

Here are two of the best articles I found on the topic:
Surprise, there are parabens and other additives in my children's medications
The FDA Panders to Poisons

Sadly, I did not find any mainstream pain relievers that contained more natural ingredients. So, try to ride a fever out, I guess, or find a Chinese herbalist (TCM) or Homeopath (both should be credentialed and experienced, of course). If anyone knows a good resource or directory to find these providers, please share.

For Parents-to-Be: Part 2 (Book Must-Haves)

We love to read to our boys and they love to be read to (a happy coincidence). Over these infant, toddler and preschool years, some books have stood out above the rest: 

• But Not the Hippopotamus
• Iggy Peck Architect
• Wild About Books 
• Lost and Found
• Giraffes Can't Dance
• Stop That Nose 
• Hippos Go Berserk
• I Am a Bunny
• The Story of Ferdinand
• Baby Loves Jazz: Ella Elephant and Miles the Crocodile
• We're Going on a Bear Hunt
• Thank You Bear
• Elmo Pops In
• Baby Einstein: Discover and Play (Pop-up song book)
• Guess How Much I Love You
• My Very Own Name
• Good Night Gorilla
• Wee Sing and Learn 123

Product Review: Flavrz Drink Mix

I read about Flavrz Drink Mix on Zoe b Organic Blog and had to try them. I used the coupon and bought two three-packs. I received one three-pack very quickly and notified them that I had, in fact, ordered and paid for two. They apologized and sent another one out immediately, along with a handy pouring spout "for my inconvenience." Thoughtful. (These are great to have and they sell them for $4.)

The Flavrz three-pack contains Cherry Berry, Tropical and Lemon Lime flavors. I think I like them in that order. They are all delicious and convenient and definitely let you mix just the amount of flavor you want. In our household, we dilute a lot. So it's nice not to pay for water. In fact, it computes to about half the cost of other organic juices I regularly buy, with less to recycle.

What's in it, you ask? Simple stuff: fruit juice, fruit extracts, fruit flavorings, sweetened with organic agave nectar -- so you get the yummy sweetness without all the calories and cane sugar of other organic beverages. When mixed according to "normal" strength, it's got less than half the calories of juice or soda. Plus, it's free of artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and chemicals. Major plus.

We have not tried them with adult beverages, but it seems to me they would be terrific in a martini or the like. They would also be great for sno-cones. Margaritas, too. Ummm...

Anyway, I had to order them online, but they are at retail in stores from Maine to the metro DC area. If you try it, let me know what you think. Cheers!

New finds for glamorganic goods

I'm always on the lookout for great organic style (aka glamorganics). Here are a few new finds with some paraphrased descriptions from their websites:

Fierce Hugs packs imagination, sustainability and a healthy eco-friendly lifestyle into remarkably soft, organic baby clothes using 100% organic cotton. Made with fair labor and designed by independent illustrators for cool and original graphics. Packaged in a cool eco-friendly gift box. Risk-free return policy.

Mama Om is "for trendy moms and hip girls." Organic clothing that is trendy and comfortable to promote the wonderful and unique bond between mothers and daughters, by wearing matching clothing, sharing a sense of style, caring for the earth and having a little fun! Fashion and play mix; comfort and caring for the environment are major priorities.

Green Edge Kids offers the largest selection of designer organic kids clothes online. Organic children's clothing is not only good for the environment, but it is very well-made and almost all of it is made in the USA. Offer a 100% price match guarantee. Best deals are reserved for newsletter members only. Also offers everyday free shipping (minimum order applies).

SafeKiddo is an environmentally and safety-conscious store sourcing products that are Organic, Made in the USA, Handmade, Fair Trade, Wood from managed forests, and/or toxin-free...essentially, the purest, highest quality products available. Each product description includes a stamp with an explanation of why it's safe, healthy and earth-responsible.

Care for Me Naturally stocks eco-friendly, nontoxic and organic products for baby and toddler. All are free from harmful toxins and contaminants. Many have been tested and approved by pediatricians and dermatologists, received industry awards and been acclaimed by parents internationally. Strong preference for suppliers showing environmental conscience by deploying only fair trade and eco-friendly manufacturing practices.

Kids books that teach earth-friendly ways

When you're reading a book to your child do you ever stop to consider exactly what you're teaching him or her? It's amazing all the "norms" that are engrained through simple, cherished stories we share with our kids. For instance, Three Little Bears reinforces the notion of a nuclear family (mama, papa, baby). Where The Wild Things Are concludes that there really is no place like home, especially for a bratty little boy with his hot supper in his cozy room. The Poky Little Puppy elevates dessert to a God-given right.

While these and most are pretty harmless, many reinforce consumerism, gender stereotypes and wastefulness, most times not with overt themes, but in the actions of the central characters.

But don't worry, you don't have to give up on reading to your kids. Great alternatives do exist. You just have to work to find them. Here are a few I've unearthed (ha ha, no pun intended) that would be nice options for your summer reading lists:

Green Sugar Press "Books to engage, entertain and enlighten children with the wonders of nature."

• An Environmental Guide from A to Z (ages 8-13)


• Earl the Earthworm Digs for His Life (ages 5-9)


• N is for Nature: An Environmental Alphabet Book (ages 2-6)

Simon & Schuster also has a line called "Little Green Books" with titles such as Don't Throw That Away! and The Adventures of an Aluminum Can. The books are made from recycled materials and cover earth-friendly topics.

Want the most comprehensive list anywhere I could find? Here's the site in all its ugly glory.

But, wait. Before you buy another new book from a big bookseller, consider a new model--Better World Books. Their motto: "Buy used books to fund literacy worldwide." When I checked, the stats at the top of the page were staggering, and growing before my eyes:

• Funds raised for global literacy: $6,427,439.60


• Books saved from landfills: 24,688,398


• WOW.