2010 June | Inhabitots

Edible Crayons by Luxirare Look Good Enough to Eat

by Jasmin Malik Chua, 06/09/10

Try as you might, your budding Michelangelo is more interested in gnawing on, rather than drawing with, his art supplies. (Maybe you should consider shooting for the next Rocco DiSpirito, instead?) Luxirare’s edible crayons are the perfect blend of gastronomy and art. Although they’re not for sale, you can make your own using a crayon-shaped candy mold, some freeze-dried fruit, crushed nuts, dried pumpkin seeds, bee pollen, and melted marshmallows.

+ Edible Crayons

+ Luxirare

[Via NotCot]

New Studies Prove BPA Can Cross the Placenta From Mom to Fetus

by Julie Seguss, 06/08/10

From canned food to plastic bottles, Bisphenol-A seems to be cropping up everywhere, and now two new studies show that BPA crosses the placenta from pregnant mother to fetus freely. Plus, the research found that chemical transformations occur in the fetus allowing inactive BPA to be converted to the active form.

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New ‘Baby Bubbler’ Respiratory Technology Could Save Babies’ Lives

by Ariel Schwartz, 06/07/10

Fact: 20% of deaths in children under 5 are caused by lower respiratory infections. And in countries that lack medical infrastructures, the rates are even higher. Enter the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, also known as the Baby Bubbler. The bubbler is a portable respiratory support device that allows ailing babies to breathe without ventilators.

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Cushy Eco-Modern Chairs by MiniBoom

by Jasmin Malik Chua, 06/07/10

With all the crawling, walking, and scampering around that kids do, we often forget that they sometimes need to rest their heinies and be still. The Modern Chair by MiniBoom (a subsidiary of Boom Studio) offers a pleasantly squishy surface for children to rest their derrieres. Produced using fair labor in Thailand, the chair comprises sustainably harvested wood, recycled cast iron, and water-based lacquers. Plus, the amply sized one-seater comes with a matching cushion, proving that modern design doesn’t have to mean harsh lines and sterile, rock-hard surfaces.

+ Modern Chair $300 at 2modern

+ MiniBoom

New Urine Test Could Detect & Help Prevent Autism

Autism affects about 1 in 110 children in the US and it’s typically tough to diagnose. But according to new research, an autism diagnosis could soon be as easy as taking a pregnancy test. Scientists at Imperial College London and the University of South Australia discovered that the urinary metabolic fingerprint, or the chemical makeup of urine, is different in children with autism than those without.

The discovery could lead to a simple urine test capable of diagnosing autism as early as six months old. Early detection will allow doctors and parents to start social and behavioral treatment much earlier than currently possible, and more importantly, possibly prevent permanent psychological damage.

Heart and Stone Custom Eco Jewelry for Moms & Dads

There may be no shortage of mommy jewelry on the market, but Heart and Stone Jewelry offers custom designed, eco-friendly charm necklaces and personalized rings that are made from 100% recycled silver sourced from X-rays, electronics and film stock — elevating these wearable keepsakes to cherished pieces of green artwork that you design yourself! Designer Julie Booras handcrafts each one-of-a-kind piece based on your individual wishes and tastes. The Heart and Stone website features a “wish list” option so shoppers may fashion their own jewelry and email the completed necklace or ring of their choice to Julie. The experience is fun and rewarding, and it results in an original creation you will truly love.

RECALL ALERT! McDonald’s Shrek Glasses Contain Cadmium

McDonald’s has issued a voluntary recall of 12 million drinking glasses, which were part of their campaign to promote the newest Shrek movie “Shrek Forever After”. Testing of the popular collectors’ items has revealed the paint contains levels of cadmium higher than acceptable limits. Cadmium, which is used as a pigment in paints, is a known carcinogen that studies have shown can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems. McDonalds will begin accepting the glasses and issuing refunds beginning June 8th and further instructions will be available on their website at www.mcdonalds.com/glasses.

Felt Alphabet Necklace by Tonky Designs For ABCs on the Go

When was the last time a stack of flash cards or an alphabet book made you feel purdy? Laser-cut from wool felt and strung up on a sterling-silver chain, the alphabet necklace by Tonky Designs offers all 26 letters in the fetching Gil Sans font. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to pack light without neglecting your toddler’s education. At least that’s …

DIY PROJECT: Make a Map of the USA With Old Cereal Boxes

Your little cereal munchers may be tearing through a forest’s worth of cardboard waste, but fear not – those colorful boxes can also make for a artistic diversion on a rainy day. For Inhabitat’s Spring Greening Design Contest, Chris Kaasman and his wife pieced together a map of the United States from their breakfast empties, then …

SNAX: An Adorable Snack-Serving Robot Made From Upcycled Junk

Who hasn’t longed for a robot butler of their very own to boss around? Reclaim2Fame’s snack-serving robot, a fierce contender in Inhabitat’s Spring Greening Design Competition, may not be giving Rosie from The Jetsons a run for her money, but he’s getting there. Cobbled together from discarded household objects and vintage bric-a-brac, “Snax” rolls around your living room doling out …

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win a MoMA Modern Play House and Family Set

Calling all budding archi-tots and design-savvy kids! We’re partnering with Chronicle Books to give away two of its latest and greatest designy kids products: A MoMa Modern Play House and a MoMa Modern Play Family, worth $33. No stuffy Victorian dollhouses here: This mid-century-inspired play set offers clean, minimalist lines, complete with six nesting boxes, eight mix-and-match furniture pieces, and removable vinyl clings. Our lucky winner will also get a press-out family of five, along with a cat, a dog, a doghouse, and more than 150 mix-and-match removable clothes. Enter to win below!

“Toxic America” Tackles Harmful Chemicals Plaguing Expectant Mamas

We hear about new toxin dangers every day. From Bisphenol A – BPA in canned foods to toxic baby bottles to chemical enfused cleaning supplies. Is enough being done to protect us from these and other chemicals that can harm us and our children? Watch Toxic America, a special two-night investigative report with Sanjay Gupta M.D., June 2 & 3 at 8 p.m. ET on CNN to find out. Both nights of Toxic America will be educational for viewers but if you’re an expectant mama you’ll especially want to tune in for the second night’s episode on June 3rd which focuses on expectant mothers and the unseen toxins passed on to their children.

Hygeia EnJoye Eco-friendly Breastpump

At least 2 million breastpumps are purchased annually by new parents — which is good news because breastfeeding is a healthy and green choice for you, your baby and for the environment. However, there is a downside. Most breastpumps are only recommended for a single user by the FDA; and even if a breastpump has only been used for a few days or weeks it will end up in a landfill. That equals a lot of waste! Luckily, Hygeia has a sensible green breast pump solution for concerned eco-conscious parents. The Hygeia EnJoye Professional Grade Breastpump provides proven performance and features robust-hospital like construction, so it’s perfect for parents who need to pump at work or even for mamas who are exclusively pumping breast milk!

Genetically Modified Food May Cause Long-Term Sterility

Want grandchildren? If so you might want to consider avoiding GMO (genetically modified organism) foods, which have recently been linked to long-term sterility, meaning sterility in second and third generations. This new study, conducted by the Russian equivalent of the US National Association for Gene Security, has not yet been published, but it’s anticipated that the details will be published later this summer. Published or not the findings of this study are scary and strange plus add to an already large collection of studies noting that GMO foods can cause health problems for children, plus problems related to fertility, birth weight of offspring and infant mortality.