The Cleanest Diapers on the Planet

If I were to have another baby (or when I do), I most definitely plan on doing things differently. The main change that I would make would be the elimination of disposable diapers.

Blueberry Diapers, founded by mom Margarita McClure, turned me on to the idea of leaving behind the "convenience" of disposable diapers and switching to a safer, healthier and environmental-friendlier organic cotton cloth diapers.

There are many statistics that point to the growing problem facing our environment. Did you know that it takes (on average) between 250 - 500 years for disposable diapers to decompose?

How about the fact that the liners in disposable diapers still contain sodium polyacrylate, the same substance that was removed from tampons over twenty years ago!

I also had no idea that diapers are made from petroleum by-products. Add to that the cost to families during the diapering years ($2,000 - $2,500) and it just makes a whole lot of sense to start changing our habits within our homes.

Since babies are so much more vulnerable to toxic exposure, McClure set out on a mission to create the cleanest diaper on the planet. She did so with both Swaddlebees and Blueberry Diapers - free of bleach, chlorine or pesticides.

Swaddlebees are made of organic cotton and are designed with fun and whimsical patterns (from zebra print to blue latte). Over 32 designs are available on line as well as diaper covers and accessories.

Getting Back to Natur

hessnatur creates pure and natural clothing, with a simple principle: to respect the planet and the people who produce and wear their clothes.

All of their exclusive designs are made from 100% natural fibers. They offer a wide range of natural fibers, from cotton and linen, to silk, wool, and luxurious fibers including cashmere, alpaca and mohair. Their goal is to be 100% organic in everything we make. All of their pure cotton is 100% organic. Only the limited availability of other natural fibers in organic quality has prevented them from being 100% organic. That’s why they are pioneers in helping to develop organic farming.

They also ensure that their natural fibers stay pure throughout the manufacturing process, so that no toxins from dyes, bleaches or other chemicals can harm the earth, or the people who wear or produce the clothes.

The U.S. on line shop for hessnatur will be opening soon. Be the first to learn about the organic clothing they create by signing up for their newsletter, or request a catalog.

Founded more than 30 years ago by European environmentalist Heinz Hess, hessnatur designs organic and natural clothing for women, infants and toddlers. Since their founding, they have been governed by a simple principle: human beings should live in harmony with each other and with nature.

hessnatur is located in Butzbach, a village in a hilly part of Germany, near the Taunus and Westerwald Mountains and the Rhine River. It’s an area of great natural beauty and the people, naturalists at heart, have been leaders in the European environmental movement for over 40 years.

The building where the staff spends their days working is as environmentally sound as they can make it. They climb the stairs to get to their offices. They have no air conditioning, which tests their commitment to the environment every August – German summers can get surprisingly hot. They have a café on the top floor, with long tables where they can all share excellent lunches prepared by Thomas. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried his eggplant schnitzel! Their children are welcome; spouses and partners join them for lunch when they can. And they invite you to join them, whenever you’re in the neighborhood.

Respect for the planet and for its people is fundamental to the way they do business, interact with their partners and each other. Their commitment to the quality of the clothing is matched by a commitment to the quality of the lives of those who create the clothing, and to those who wear it.

Clothes are more than what you wear, they’re how you choose to live.

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