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A Sleepy Bedtime Snack: Tart Cherry Chia Pudding

Tart Cherry Chia Pudding - A Sleepy Bedtime Snack

Sep 19 2017

In honor of Safe Healthy Sleep… …let’s talk about kids and sleep! This topic probably feels anything but restful and peaceful to many parents, but hear me out! They need it {and we know you need it!} Young children spend almost half their day sleeping – or should be anyway. And rapidly growing teens aren’t much different. Every house has that 1 kid though. The one that is always up before everyone, or who has the hardest time falling asleep… While there are many factors that play into children sleeping well, there is one piece to the puzzle that affects every child. Food Choices It’s pretty hard to argue that food doesn’t play a role in a child’s behavior and sleep, so while I am probably “preaching to the choir,” I thought we could have a quick refresher on how food can affect sleep, just in case one of these things has slipped by the radar! 1. Keep the sugar[…]

Sep 15 2017

When you’re ready to start registering for a new crib mattress and other nursery essentials for your new little one, the choice is overwhelming! There are so many mattresses, pads, and accessories to consider. Many parents-to-be want to choose an organic or non-toxic crib mattress to promote a healthier nursery environment for their baby and give them a safer start from day one. But do you know how to choose the best organic crib mattress for baby? When shopping for organic crib mattresses, the important features to look for include support, surface fabric, allergy considerations, breathability, and avoidance of harmful chemicals. Find out how Naturepedic’s design does it right. 1. Crib Mattress Support The most important feature of your crib mattress is firm, flat support. Babies need a firm mattress – firm enough to stay flat underneath baby’s weight. The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Crib Safety Tips recommend a firm, tight-fitting mattress without any pillows, comforters, or other soft items[…]

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) “Organic Mattress” Certification

Sep 13 2017

By Debra Lynn Dadd “Organic mattress” is a very specific term that can only be used in reference to mattresses made in a certified facility that meets a specific set of standards. There are very few mattress companies that actually meet these standards and are certified to call their products “organic mattress.” Naturepedic is one of the few mattress makers certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) as a certified organic mattress manufacturer and facility. This provides assurance that the certified organic fiber-based products meet the GOTS organic and nontoxic standards. You might see the GOTS logo on other mattress websites, but many of those websites do not have certified organic mattresses. Often only one part of the mattress—such as the cover fabric—is GOTS certified organic. So it’s important to read descriptions carefully and double-check the GOTS website at www.global-standard.org to make sure the GOTS logo is being used properly. As a GOTS certified organic mattress manufacturer and facility,[…]

Sep 05 2017

You spend about a third of your life in bed – at least we hope so, because you probably need those 8 hours to maximize your rest and recovery for a healthier life. Assuming you do spend a third of your life on a mattress, that adds up to decades of your lifetime! It’s worth it to choose the best mattress for your needs when it comes to both health and comfort. What Is Your Mattress Made Of? It’s important to research the materials that go into mattresses. Many are made with harmful chemicals and questionable synthetics, when there are perfectly good alternatives without toxicity concerns. Mattresses are largely made with one of three main support materials: 1. Metal Springs – Whether an innerspring or individual encased coils, steel springs are a traditional support material within a mattress. You can find spring or coil mattresses in a variety of comfort levels and for a variety of budgets. An organic mattress[…]

Aug 29 2017

“Everyone has a fear of fire.” These words start the trailer for HBO’s documentary Toxic Hot Seat, a 2013 film exploring the overwhelming presence of flame retardant chemicals in homes, humans, animals, and ecosystems around the globe. How did they get into nearly everything we buy? What are they for, and are they really helping? You’ll find flame retardants in mattresses, couches, car seats, electronics, and building insulation. On the surface, they seem to make sense. Of course we want to reduce the risk of potential fires. However, flame retardants are a very controversial ingredient used in consumer products because they come with potential health risks. Toxic flame retardant exposure builds up in the body and has been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, cardiovascular disease, cognitive delays, and decreased fertility. Flame retardant chemicals affect people and animals both inside and outside the home. Babies and children are especially at risk due to their still-developing bodies and endocrine systems. Read more:[…]

Aug 24 2017

These super easy, 9-ingredient, Orange Vanilla Waffles come together fast in the blender, and cook quickly, making them perfect for busy mornings. With many kids heading back to school and the busyness of this time of the year, quick breakfasts are a must! These orange vanilla waffles can be made up ahead of time and frozen for fast, hot breakfasts in the morning. They also take very little time to prep, no more than 10 minutes at the most and about 3 minutes to cook. So even if you haven’t frozen them ahead of time, you can whip up a big batch of waffles in under 30 minutes! Perfectly sweet, with hints of orange and vanilla, these waffles remind me of heavenly orange creamsicles. They have that nostalgic flavor that everyone loves. Bliss! These tasty, grain free and nut free waffles are crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. They’re packed with protein, about 32 grams[…]

Aug 21 2017

No Bake, Gluten Free, and Nut Free School Zone Safe! School is right around the corner! Or maybe some of you are already back into the school groove?! We’ve got a month before we are back, but my brain is already starting to switch gears to packing daily morning snacks and lunches for my school aged kiddos…as well as a brand new preschooler in the house! Nut free school zone friendly food Many schools today have adopted nut free school zone policies to protect kids with severe nut allergies. I’m all about keeping these kiddos safe, so our house has learned how to be nut free for school hours if we happen to be in a nut free zone. We haven’t had much of it in our elementary school, but most of our preschool experiences have been nut free, and these little seed based energy bites are just the ticket for little hands! It is good to keep rotating different[…]

Aug 08 2017

There is no doubt that the room in which your baby sleeps is important. The environment in which you choose to put your baby or child to bed needs to be conducive to sleep and there are easy ways to achieve that. Here is a quick guide to creating the ideal sleep environment: In Your Room During at least the first six or twelve months, your baby is likely to be sleeping in your room but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to need adapt the environment a little: Lights. If you don’t have a lamp or you only have one that is intended for reading, you might want to swap it for a dimmer light. You want to keep the room as dark as possible. If you can, situate the lamp as close to the door as possible so that you can leave the room in darkness but can turn it on easily when you come up to bed.[…]

Aug 04 2017

Summer lends itself to later nights thanks to more daylight, outdoor noise, and vacations in other time zones. It’s no wonder adults and children alike get out of their usual sleep routine in the summer season. But as the summer winds down, you’ll want to tweak your kids’ bedtime routines to get back into a healthier sleep habit – especially if they’re starting school soon! How Much Sleep Do Kids Need? The amount of sleep your child needs will depend on their age. Toddlers need up to 14 hours, preschoolers need about 11-13 hours, and school age kids need 10-11 hours of sleep. This resource chart from Sleep for Kids helps you find out how much sleep is ideal for your child. By the teen years, sleep habits are closer to adult sleep needs but they still need about 9 hours a night for optimal health and performance in school. Check your kids’ ideal bedtimes with this Sleep Calculator that[…]

Aug 02 2017

The world is abuzz with technology, connection, alerts, and alarms. Most people are never far from their cell phones, which means we’re all available 24/7 if anyone wants to get in touch. Sometimes these connections are welcome, and other times they’re an interruption. Even if we aren’t being bombarded with ringtones and cryptic text messages (who doesn’t flinch when mom leaves a single “call me”?), we find ourselves mindlessly scrolling the Twitter feed for the latest news or seeing what’s up with our second cousin once removed on Facebook today. There’s nothing wrong with staying connected, of course. But it can quickly become an addictive and mindless part of your day, especially once you’ve hit the refresh button four or five times to continue scrolling the same posts over and over again. If you’ve found yourself looking up from the screen wondering where the evening went, this post is for you. We’ll be outlining our top tips to slow down,[…]

Naturepedic Blog

Naturepedic Blog

A Sleepy Bedtime Snack: Tart Cherry Chia Pudding

How To Pick The Best Organic Crib Mattress For Your Baby

Understanding the Global Organic Textile Standard “Organic Mattress” Certification

How To Choose The Best Organic Mattress For You

The Truth About Flame Retardants in Mattresses

Breakfast Recipe: Orange Vanilla Waffles

Back To School Snack: Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites

Creating The Ideal Sleep Environment

Back to School Sleep Tips

4 Tips to Slow Down and Rest