Quick Tip on Going Organic

Since strawberries are in season and many people buy them in droves I thought I would share a great post I found on a blog called Everyday Simplicity. I like the name.

This post gave a list of the top 12 foods to always buy organic and the 12 that have the lowest pesticide rate, therefore making them the safest to buy non-organic. Strawberries are one that you want to always buy organic!

The Top Twelve - Don't Buy These Unless They're Organic
1 Peaches
2 Apples

3 Sweet Bell Peppers

4 Celery

5 Nectarines

6 Strawberries

7 Cherries

8 Pears

9 Grapes - Imported

10 Spinach

11 Lettuce

12 Potatoes

Bottom Twelve -- Buy These, Remember to Peel and Wash Well

1 Onions (Least Contaminated of the entire list)

2 Avocado

3 Sweet Corn - Frozen

4 Pineapples

5 Mango

6 Asparagus

7 Sweet Peas - Frozen

8 Kiwi

9 Bananas

10 Cabbage

11 Broccoli

12 Papaya

Bunny Binkies

You gotta see some bunny binkies. Binkies are the spastic bunny dances that they do when they are happy and content. In my house: when the dog is out with daddy and I bring the buns up to the living room to play.

Check out the following videos on You Tube:
Binky
Binky
Binky

If only I could catch Phil on tape doing a binky. He is a pro. Loddy will do an occasional binky but she is much more reserved. I think she is of the Victorian Era.

My two buns live primarily in the basement, where the dog doesn't dare venture. They have two exercise pens put together and lots of houses and toys. This morning my husband went to the top of the stairs and looked down and Phil was throwing things at him- not in his bunny cage. He somehow jumped over the 3-4 foot cage and spent the night rummaging through the basement. Very tricky fella. Needless to say, Loddy was right where we had left her.

Quick Reference Site for Toxin Crazy Folks Like Me

Pollution in People is a local group that has information on their site that will not overwhelm but does give a good overview and actual recommendations! Check them out and look at alternatives that are less toxic for you and your kids, buds, and bunnies.

Update on the car seat problem. I returned the toxic car seat (according to article in Seattle Times), then I went and looked at the ones they called "less toxic" and they were cheap and flimsy. So, I bought the toxic one again because it is the sturdiest. Then I put it out in the sun, thinking the air and rays would help it to off-gas faster. I emailed the eco group that put the article out and told them my idea and they told me that the sun's rays make it more toxic. Fun! I have no resolution to this problem as of yet. According to the above web site the brand Chicco doesn't use PVC's which is one of the toxins found in the car seats. I have an email out to them to see if they use the bad fire retardants (PBDE's). Any ideas are welcome. FYI- I already heard the "keep your head up your a** and don't read anything" idea- didn't work- head won't go there.

Sad Used Tissue- I cry for you...

See post titled "What?". This is the artist who makes Sad Moldy Bread and Tampon stuffed toys. Now My Paper Crane is making a bathroom line including "Sad Used Tissue". Here's what the artist had to say about the sorry tissue: "Used little wads of tissue! Each one varies slightly from the last. Perhaps it was a cold, or allergies...they were used, and then thrown away, its all rather sad. Please note no real boogies are used in the construction of these tissues (you will have to use your imagination!)"

I am going to buy these for the baby to teach him about empathy.

Another Must See Designer

Here's another great designer. She is Tree House and you must visit her Etsy shop. I haven't decided what I am going to buy from her yet. The layering tops she makes are slit up the sides and seem like they would be great for maternity and nursing. This pic is one of her tank tops.

Tell me what you think.

New Shoes

You know what this has to do with Bunnies, Buds and Babies? Nothing, except for that I plan on wearing my snazzy new shoes while out and about with the baby. Not so much for walking the bud.

They are Gola Lantern shoes and they are not leather, so cute, and cozy. I bought them at U-Village today and they make me happy.

Makes me want to listen to my favorite song "New Shoes" by Paolo Nutini and strut my stuff.

FYI

The Harry Potter countdown to the right can also be used for my baby's countdown. Just add exactly 4 days on. Hopefully, fingers crossed, the baby will not come early and I will be at the long awaited Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book premiere- which the countdown is for.

Dogster Bud Web Pages

What do you mean you don't have a web page for your dog? Bad bud parent.

Go to Dogster and create one right now! Check out Ishii and ask to be our friend. You can even do a blog for your dog written from their point of view- too cute.

Another local indie designer to check out! Cute slings! I will have to get one even though I already have two. You can't have enough slings since all the other baby carrying products are toxic (see last post).

So check out Metrosupial Designs. If for no other reason then just because of the great name. Metrosupial- so Seattle.

Also, let me know if you want to join me the first Sunday in June for an Indie craft show called "I Heart Rummage" at the Crocodile Cafe.

Gotta Love the USA

The Seattle Times reported today that many major car seats are saturated with toxic chemicals. Grrrreat.... What isn't? Better yet, the most toxic car seat on the list (pictured here) is the one I bought 4 weeks ago for my baby. Yum. Needless to say, I hopped in the car and returned the car seat and matching stroller. The best car seat (aka, least toxic) was available but so ugly. I can't help it. I want a safe, non-toxic, good looking car seat and stroller. Is that too much to ask? See the report here.

So, now I have NO car seat. So mad.What am I going to do? I am so angry that this country does nothing to protect us from the most toxic chemicals. They are in a host of baby products and unless you have OCD like me and over-educate yourself then you would have no idea. Then one can't find non-toxic alternatives in the US because they are not required yet. Certain states have legislation on the books but it is still in the beginning stages. So, lets feed our kids PVC's, PBDE's, hormones and other toxins and check back in 10 years. No thanks!


The poor people at Babies R Us were stacked with car seats this morning saying "This is going to be just like the glass bottles." They meant that certain people have decided to stop using the big brands like Avent because they still have not removed the known hormone disruptor Bisphenol-A from their plastic- so people like me use the glass bottles as the non-toxic alternative.


My last rant- why do we have to choose the least toxic car seat, stroller or bottle- where are the toxin free products? No one cares, and no one will protect your baby but you. Bottom line, sad, bottom line.


Now, find me a car seat!

What's Happening This Weekend

This is what I will be doing on Friday! It's the annual local yarn shop tour. We are talking discounts, free patterns, prizes and more. I am taking Friday to do this with Jessica, my lovely knitty friend.

We are starting out at Churchmouse Yarn on Bainbridge Island where we will also have lunch and ice cream. 7 months pregnant=ice cream every single day. Then we will try to hit another 3 or 4 stores. There are 20 stores on the tour but the belly can't handle that this year. Last year I visited all the stores and it was great. If you do visit all of them you will be entered into a $400 drawing- probably what you will spend on gas at $3.50 a gallon- but still FUN!

Must Have Book For Baby

If you love Dachshund buds like me then you have to have this book. Pretzel is the story of the longest Dachshund and is a tale of rejection and love. Gotta have it for the Dachshund-enthusiast-to-be!

Big Baby

Whoa- found out through an ultrasound today that the human baby is big- 93rd percentile! Whoa again!

I am happy. I love big, fat babies. They are my favorite. Bring on the epidural!

Stories Rabbits Tell

Have you been wondering what's so cool about rabbits? Have you been thinking I might be crazy?

If so, read this: Stories Rabbits Tell: A Natural and Cultural History of a Misunderstood Creature

This book will explain the history of the rabbit and gives so much information you might think you will burst- so read it in chapters or skim. Either way, you will find out why buns are so fun! You will also find out that they are not rodents (Nora)- they are their own species! Love them!

Charmed Summer

Oh Yeah! I just got my copy of this new Harry Potter knitting book in the mail last night and I am so excited. I ran right to my local yarn shop, Village Yarn and Tea, and told Deb (fellow HP nut) that we had to do a display with the books and some samples before the book release this summer. She was way ahead of me and already had the book on the table and was planning the display as I walked in. I am going to knit the wizard's hat for the display. So excited! It should be done in a few days and is going to be a small child's size- I will post a pic.

Neighborhood Watch

We took a look around the neighborhood this morning. I printed Jon (the husband) a history of the trees in our neighborhood because he is obsessed with trees (I love the way they look but don't care to know their botanical origin). We found a lovely nature preserve right up the street with trails and a nice relaxing bridge. There were two men on the bridge doing something very fancy. It could have been Tai Chi or some pretty meditation, I'm not sure, but Ishii bud tried to pee about a foot from them and we had to yank him away.

Then we went driving around looking at the home the founder of our little city built and all the oldest trees. Well, when I was peeking over someones fence on the drive I saw a very nice shed with wire walls. I am thinking it is a rabbit house of some sort but castle like. I want to spy some more but there is a weird, scary man next door who looks like he is straight off the movie The Burbs. He has a very crazy looking Terrier bud and he came walking slowly out of his 6 foot grass looking at us through squinted eyes like we were trespassing on his cul-de-sac. What am I going to do?!?!? I want to know what that nice shed is- if it is meant for buns then I want one- but what if the scary man comes back?

Look at this crazy bunny yawn! This is one of the funniest looking things I have ever seen. Phil and Loddy, my two buns, do this also but I CANNOT catch this or any of their other most crazy behavior on camera. They were showing off the other night- doing flips in front of the tv- knowing that's where my attention was but there is no way to catch it because there is no telling when the crazy bug will bite them. So, I am reduced to showing you other people's crazy bunny pictures that I have found. This and the cutest bunny bottom from a previous post are my all time favorites.

Just found this comprehensive Bunny Blog online. Haven't read it yet so I can't be held responsible for content. I am off to read it now! If it's the best I will add it to my blog list!

Then later today I am off to buy paint for the baby room! The plaster is being sponged right now and then we can paint! Thank you God! I have baby stuff stacked a mile high all over the place and NEED this room! I will post pics when it is nearing completion.

What?

Are you seriously telling me that you don't think you need these tampon stuffed toys? Someone has to buy them because they are simply so weird I have to see them.



This little man is Happy Toast, meet his friends,



Sad Burnt Toast, and,


Sad Moldy Bread



These fantastic stuffed toys can be found at Occupied Cute Shop- one of my favorites for strange, cute, fun finds.

Eco-Fleece for Bunnie, Bud, or Baby Moms

I bought this in the wrap style from Sweet Skins a couple of years ago and it is great- well, now they have it in this pull over style and they have new shirts, dresses, and more. They are a great, small, handmade, enviro-friendly clothing maker so buy something!

Side note: The baby boy in my tummy feels like he is taking baby baseball bats to the my innards. Also, Bud is out with my husband and so the buns are in psycho happy mode. They somehow know he's gone and are having the time of their lives. I wish I could catch Phil in mid air doing one of his happy spin flips. If you have a bun in the room you seriously don't need TV.

Spoke Too Soon

Spoke too soon with the last post- didn't see this one coming by Heather Ross, also on Sew MaMa Sew.
The possibilities are endless!

Bud Fabric

This fancy bud fabric is by Judie Rothermel and I bought it on Sew MaMa Sew. I think I will make a bud pillow or a baby blanket or... who knows! You should also buy some because it's on sale and it comes in pink too! Oh, the little things...

This One's For You Bud

I found this sign generator site on the How About Orange Blog and it is a ton of fun (if you have a lot of time on your hands like me- hey, the doctor said to take it easy!).

Check out the Alphabet Soup generator and others at Red Kid.

Birthday Bud

The guilt, oh, the guilt. I forgot Ishii Bud's birthday this year. I am a bad person who doesn't deserve his love. So, I am showing you a picture from his birthday party last year. Perhaps it was so fancy it gives me a reprieve for this year?

It was a fantastic party. All his (well, mine) doggy friends came and he totally knew that he was the guest of honor. Here he is eating his cake. We took him to the Dining Dog in Edmonds, WA. They are a dog only restaurant. They have doggy cocktails, and a full menu. Then they brought out Ishii's cake! So cute and so much fun. All the dogs waited patiently (well, that's my version) for all the different courses (cocktail, appetizer, entree, and dessert) to be served to them and all the doggy parents had smiles on their faces. Couldn't beat it for a great time- forgive me bud?

Tiny Fleecy Buns

Fleecy baby buns I mean. Sorry bunnies. These are the Stacinator cloth diaper covers I will be using and I can't wait to see the baby in them.

So much cuter than Huggies, don't you think? And much more friendly to the environment. Did you know that disposable diapers now make up around 3% of landfills- OMG!

So easy, I think... you just fold the cloth diaper in thirds and place inside the cover. Then you remove the soiled cloth diaper and you can reuse the cover and wash it when necessary. I bought all my cloth diaper supplies at Baby's Bottom Line- an online store based here in Seattle. Very helpful!

Crafty Lady= Crafty Baby

Mama is a yarn ho- need I say more?

I got this at the Knitty store.

If you knit and you have as much yarn as I do then you better get one of these, unless you don't have a baby or child, then that would be weird- but they do have adult themed ones too!

Vegan Baby Shoes

Who's up for vegan baby shoes? Found them, where else, Etsy. The crafter is Just Kidd'n. Why not save some animals and buy some inexpensive one-of-a-kind shoes for the kid? FYI- I bought the pirate ones. And now I am coveting the sock monkey ones as well. Oh, and the same store also makes frog feet, flamingo feet and duck feet.

Bunny Hats For Babies

I just ordered this hat off Etsy- too cool and my baby will be the only baby wearing it unless you get one too. The crafter is even making it in a special color for me. She makes all kinds of different animal hats so she is our favorite person since we love animals. You must see Finny's Funny Hats.

Clever

Clever, clever, clever.... Wish I had thought of this first, but, alas, I didn't, so here I am plugging it because it rocks.

"It" is called a Kipii Bib Clip. Turn your dish cloths, cloth diapers, or a restaurant napkin into a bib! Lovin' it.

Sew MaMa

You simply must check out Sew MaMa Sew- a very hip and happenin' web store with unique, modern, and retro fabrics and patterns.

This fantastic sock monkey fabric is oil cloth. Here's my idea... It's for babies, but could potentially be used for bunnies and buds in many different ways... You know those terrible cloths that big chain kids' stores sell for under a play table or high chair? They are for catching spills and are made of icky, ugly fabric that can be wiped off. I think they call them drip cloths or spill cloths- anyway, who cares- why not buy a couple yards of this very cool oil cloth instead- fold in half- sew the edges- and voila- you don't look like every other messy kid in town.

Very Cool Artist

Sorry if I overuse the word "cool"- give me something new- temp me with your verbal limericks.

Ok, so I just bought this print for the future child's room. How cute is this? Since he is going to be a vegetarian animal rights cuckoo guy like his mom I thought this would be perfect.

Peruse the artist on her blog called Creative Thursday. You can also buy her sweet art at Etsy. What, you haven't seen Etsy? What is wrong with you? It is only the best Indie, artsie fartsie site out there where you can buy all kinds of goodies from artists and crafts people. Check it out and climb out of your mass produced cave.

Cool Bunny Site and Product

Your bun will love this. This is the Bunny Luv Critter Castle. I bought one for Phil and Loddy but a different brand and they are in it non-stop.

Loddy is a little too plump still to spend much time on the upper levels but Phil guards the fort from the second level and even comes flying out the second story windows. They move it around the ex pen and carve their own designs into the windows and doors.

Bunny Luv is one of the coolest sites for buying your buns special treats.

Some of my personal favorites on this site are: Pet Rescue Alert Window Cling, Critter Castles (of course), and the Tunnel of Luv. Check them out!

Please let me know if you have any favorite bunny goods or sites that I can share! Buns are so popular in the UK and so there are so many great places to shop there, so we need to list all the great places in the US that carry bun goods.

Something you can do for all the bunnies, buds, and future babies.

Funny that when you are watching Oprah or one of the other shows on global warming and going green that they don't mention the most pressing matter effecting climate change- MEAT!

I am ALL about going green. I am ashamed of what we have done to the environment. Humans are notoriously blind to the damage we do. But one thing keeps getting pushed aside. Probably because people will change a light bulb but won't even entertain the idea of skipping the quarter pounder they are cooking for dinner. So, instead of even talking about the single most damaging thing we are doing, we pretend it doesn't matter. We leave it off Oprah and An Inconvenient Truth. But let's cut Oprah and Al Gore some slack. After all, Oprah was sued by the Texas cattle producers, causing her to have to meet up with Dr. Phil for the first time and get serious therapy. Beef producers are scary! And, Al Gore is a beef producer. He comes from a long line of cattle-men and therefore decided to leave out the fact that MEAT PRODUCTION IN AMERICA IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CAUSE OF GREENHOUSE GASES.

Woops, forgot to mention that.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for every single thing we can do to combat all the damage we have done to the planet but we need to look at the GREATEST cause as well. Don't leave anything out, but especially not the most significant thing, even if it makes us run to Dr. Phil.

For more information on this blunder please visit Go Veg, you gotta read this page.

If you don't believe me then ask the UN: In a groundbreaking 2006 report, the United Nations (U.N.) said that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined. Senior U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization official Henning Steinfeld reported that the meat industry is “one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems.”

Be Crafty

Be crafty with your bunnie, bud or baby with Martha Stewart's new craft line. Too cool! Martha Stewart Crafts is a must see.

Check out the kid's crafts. I'm loving the 'Monkey Party In A Box For Eight' as you can see above. Don't be the same old mom with the Barbie goodie bags- stuff them with monkey goods instead. I'm sorry, but if you don't love monkeys then something is wrong with you.

Buds in Costume

Buds in costume, who could ask for anything more? There have been many a days when my best friend and I have passed the time by simply dressing up whichever dog we could get our hands on. The result? Practically peeing our pants in laughter.

Please understand that we do not condone animals in entertainment and this is only done with our own beloved buds or those of our unsuspecting friends...

The buds above, of Japanese decent, are not mine. I wish they were. My bud, Ishii, is a Hokkaido- very rare and born in Japan. I found these Hokkaido buds online which almost never happens- if you find Hokkaidos anywhere please tell me!

Ishii is one of a kind. Sometimes that is a bad thing but it's mostly good. He is a little "different"- a little grumpy at night (we call it his sundown disorder), a little bit scared of lots of things (if there's an air compressor on you can pretty much guarantee his attempted doggie suicide), but so much loving of his mommy and daddy and all his mommy's pretty lady friends. Oh, buds, who could ask for anything more....except for buds in costume...

Friggin' Cutest Bunny Bottom Ever

Friggin' cutest bunny picture I have ever seen. I just had to add it asap. Too bad my buns can't go outside. Doctor's orders. In Seattle and surrounding areas it is unsafe for the buns to be outside because of exposure to a brain parasite that they can get from racoon germs. That is to say, even if they sniff grass racoons have peed or pooed on they can get the parasite. Then they are paralyzed or worse. Very sad indeed because this bunny looks to be lovin' life in the great green pasture!

A good bunny link is Rabbit Wise. If some sites are a little bit country, then this one is a little bit rock and roll. Little animal rightsy, just how I like it!

About This Blog

Bunnies, Buds and Babies is about just that. In case you didn't know, buds are dogs- as in my one bud, Ishii.
This blog will let you keep up-to-date with the coolest things regarding bunnies, buds and babies. As I learn about all the great products, services and more for all three species I will post them on here along with pictures of my bunnies, bud, and soon to be here, baby.

Cool thing for today...
An exclusive auction site for moms to buy baby goods and maternity clothes as well called Mommy Auctions.