Inhabitots

Kayaks for Young Adventurers with Lighter Footprints

Parents could use a hand when it comes to finding great, green gear for their miniature outdoor enthusiasts, who are small in size but big on adventure. Over the course of the spring and summer I will be investigating, reviewing and reporting on various eco-friendly or otherwise low-impact outdoors options for children who happily don DEET-free bug spray after shedding their city garb, to get out and enjoy the wilds of nature. In this post I get my feet wet by learning more about kayaks.

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Power Folding Origami Stroller to Roll Out in October ‘09

Choosing a stroller for your new baby requires a great deal of thought and research, given the plethora of options on the market. From the uber expensive trendy strollers to the practical, less pricey prams, there’s a wide gamut of possibilities when it comes to wheeling your bundle of joy around town. The upcoming Origami stroller by 4moms is the first in its class however. This futuristic stroller is packed with mom inspired, innovative perks; and designed to make a parent’s life easier by folding itself compactly with the simple touch of a button.

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Snacktime Goes Green with Reusable Cloth Snack Bags

One thing all kids have in common is a deep love of snacks. They’ll snack in the car, on the couch, in the yard… I think they’d snack in their sleep if we let them. All this munching typically requires a ton of plastic snack baggies or quite a few bulky containers. Ditch the plastic and the disposables for true snack-time ease with a flair; and choose a better, eco-friendly choice, such as the reusable cloth snack bags from Plum Creek Mercantile.

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Automotive Pollution and Our Kids’ Health

When my son was younger, I always wondered if I was affecting his health by using a stroller. This had nothing to do with how green the carriage’s manufacturing process was, but everything to do with his stroller-bound proximity to vehicular exhaust systems. As I watched other parents using more lofty modes of transport (back carriers, front carriers and slings), I wondered if their children were less at risk of directly inhaling automotive pollutants than my son, whom I was shuttling around closer to the ground. Yet could the few feet of airspace a piggyback affords its passenger drastically reduce exposure to the breathable pollution belched by passing or idling vehicles?

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Wishbone Pre-Bike: The Mean Green Wishbone Machine

First, there was the PedoBIKE (a rustic and rugged simple machine), then came the Like-A-Bike (sleek and smooth, it features minimalist design), and now, taking the innovation even further is the Wishbone ‘pre’ Bike. Answering the call for cutting-edge, sustainable options for kids, the guys at Wishbone Design Studio put together a convertible trike/low rider/big runner that is manufactured using 60% post-consumer recycled plastic, sustainably managed woods, eco-friendly bonding agents and non-toxic paints.

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INHABITOTS REVIEW: Our Favorite Baby Carriers

When a new baby is born, it seems as if life as you know it will never truly be the same. Gone are the days of heading out on the town, or even shuffling around your house, without your precious cargo in tow. Babywearing is great for babies and parents alike. It brings convenience (not to mention a workout) to parents, and bonding time for babies, which is so important for development.

Here at Inhabitots, we’ve got your back…and your front, and your hips, covered with our in-depth review of the most popular baby carriers and slings.

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The Great Bike Seat Debate: Which One is Right for You?

In the front, in the rear, trailing two feet behind, pedal-pushing parents have various options when it comes to pillions for their tiny passengers. As a result, these options raise a host of questions for first-time purchasers of child bike seats.

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This Wooden Bike Rocks (Nad-Ofan Concept)

The explanation I found for the concept behind this wooden bike is a bit convoluted: “A balance bicycle that can be transformed into a rocking horse. The cycles are being folded into the wooden body of the bicycle and are used as breaks (brakes) which prevent from the child to turn over while swaying.” Huh? I assumed the bike’s coolness got lost in translation…

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PedoBike: Witty Sustainability on Wheels

The PedoBike will seem familiar to most readers because, let’s face it, it looks a lot like a LIKEaBIKE – that other popular wooden push bike. The PedoBike is also a likable bike. It’s slightly less expensive than its competitor, and it boasts modular craftsmanship, varied accessories, and a sustainable manufacturing process. Besides, according to the distributor’s website, PedoBike is actually the “original of all wooden walking bikes for children”.

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UPPAbaby Eco Stroller

UPPAbaby, the purveyors of high-end though affordably deluxe baby strollers, offers some elegantly designed vehicles to transport baby around town, all the while remaining actively eco-minded. The Northeast-based company really goes the distance by recycling materials from old and used strollers, donating functional strollers to charity, and operating a warehouse bi-coastally to reduce emissions and gas-guzzling travel by delivery trucks. They even encourage ‘work at home’ opportunities to help decrease emissions from what would have been commuting employees. Look no further if you are hoping to stroll in sustainable style as well as lighten your footprint as a green family on-the-go!

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