thinking about longtails

I really, really want a cargo/longtail bike, so today I did a test ride on the xtracycle radish. I liked everything about it except the fact that it wasn't a step-through. It felt compact and nimble plus it's cute (I know, I know, but cute counts). The stability was fine; I could touch the ground while seated, which is important to me because I don't want to have to hop off or lean the bike over if Omi is on the back. The only problem is throwing my leg over the top tube. I like to bike in a skirt and it just isn't graceful on the xtracycle.

So, I'm considering options. I didn't like the Townie/xtracycle combo; it felt too loosey-goosey and the geometry isn't set up for climbing hills. The Breeze/xtracycle combo is nice but spendy. What I need is a step-through under $600 that I know will work well with an xtracycle.

I just came across the Madsen, which is a step-through and looks nice. I like the price and the fact that the kids sit inside the bucket. I think a locking top and rainscreen for the bucket are in the works.

I guess I'll keep up the test rides for now. Somewhere out there is the perfect longtail bike for me.

skin deep

The Cosmetic Safety Database rates product safety according to ingredients. Try a search for the items you use most - the results can be surprising, even for natural products. The amount of information is often overwhelming; check out the tips page for a manageable list of best practices. They also have printable parent buying guides for safer kid's products and sunscreens.

healthy toys

According to momsrising.org, when the Ecology Center, a Michigan-based nonprofit, tested over 1,500 popular children's toys for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC and other harmful chemicals, they found that one in three toys tested were found to contain "medium" or "high" levels of chemicals of concern. Yuck.

You can check a toy's level of chemical toxicity online at healthytoys.org, or text healthytoys [toy name] (e.g. "healthytoys Elmo") to 41411. The search results will be sent to your phone.

Have a happy, healthy holiday!

craig + ebay = trouble

Somehow a whole bunch of Care Bears were delivered to our home today.

Did I mention that once I came home and found Craig bidding (and winning) on a CAR?? in KANSAS???

Also worth mentioning: the Care Bears are all lined up because they are doing the "Care Bear Stare" on a very unfortunate (and possibly evil) stuffed pig.

green clean: all-purpose cleaning sprays

By popular request (and by popular, I mean I actually had one request) here is my own special recipe for an all-purpose cleaning spray:

Aunt Nikki's tea-tree oil disinfectant spray
liquid soap (Dr. Bronner's or similar, not hand soap)
filtered or purified water
tea tree oil
32-ounce spray bottle

Nearly fill the spray bottle with filtered water or purified water (beware of tap water if you have hard water, the mineral content will inhibit cleaning and clog the spray nozzle). Add 2 tablespoons of the liquid soap (I like Dr. Bronner's Eucalyptus) and 20-30 drops of tea tree oil and shake gently to mix.

NOTES
You can adjust the amount of soap and tea tree oil to your particular preference. I like using less soap to avoid a residue.

For all you layabouts, here is an even easier alternative:

Aunt Nikki's lazy cleaning spray
Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds
filtered or purified water
32-ounce spray bottle

Nearly fill the botter with water. Add as much soap as you feel like.

NOTES
I use this spray to clean hard floors, and it works great. Sal Suds is awesome, but hard to find. Even in super OG Portland I have only seen it one place (our neighborhood co-op). Good thing you can order it online. It is a true liquid soap with fir needle oil and spruce oil, and it smells heavenly. It works wonderfully as a laundry detergent or you can use it straight for hand-washing clothes; it even removes stains. It is a beautiful thing.

I would have added some pics to show you how well these products work, but my house is a little dirty right now. Sometimes it's more fun to make cleaning products than actually clean. Sigh.

the story of stuff

A story about consumerism. Buy less, live more!

growing for gastronomes

We signed up for a share next spring with Viridian Farms, a CSA that calls themselves a "GSA," for "Gastronome Supported Agriculture." They specialize in fruit and heirloom vegetables, and I know everything will be amazing because they were recommended by our good friends, the ever epicurious P&A (by the way P, if you are reading this I really, really appreciate the fact that you shared the recipe for those delicious Buckwheat Butter Cookies with Cocoa Nibs).

Viridian members also get wholesale prices on berry flats. Prepare yourselves for freezer jam, people. Mmmmmm berries. Summer time, I miss you. Viridian, you are my new best friend.

Sesame Street Old School

Want to see Maria as a 70's street kid? Want to see a fresh-faced Bob, just after his big gig as pop star in Japan? Want to see three different Gordons (sometimes with hair!) and Susan wearing minidresses? You know you do.

I am proud to say I would have ordered this whether I had a child or not. Watching it with Naomi, however, means having to explain why everything is slightly different than in the current version (Naomi: "Why Oscar orange?" Me: "That's Oscar's...grandpa?"). Also, Snuffy's eyes point in two different directions, and Big Bird has a tiny head and a wigged-out personality.

The best part is not the episodes, but the bonus muscial numbers. "Would you like to buy an 'O'," anyone? Or the perennial favorite, "I Love Trash". Man, I love this show.

TRUCE toy guide

Just in time for the holidays, I found this guide for choosing toys to "promote children’s creative and constructive play". Except for the creepy logo of a TV trying to strangle two innocent kids, it seems like pretty good information. Enjoy!

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