shak-shuka

Portable Fruit Squeezes Go Eco

I pride myself on being the most eco parent that I can be: we use BPA-free plates, bowls, bottles and cups, we drink from stainless-steel water bottles to prevent having to buy Evian water every few blocks, and we have recently discovered they make biodegradable straws - woohoo!!

One pitfall that seems to get me every day (literally - it is the snack of choice) are those fruit puree squeezy things that come in those handy containers just right for baby/toddler hands, although each time we have one, I cringe at the fact that I'm throwing away yet another one. How many landfills are filled with our apple-strawberry concoction? I've thought about making and packing my own, but how do I get the little one to eat it? Surely there must be a solution....and thankfully I didn't have to create it myself (although that would have meant some more money!!!): recently on a few blogs I've seen the Beaba Babypote, and now the Sili Squeeze has caught my eye. Both of them work on the same concept as the fruit squeezes do, but this you can control what fruit/vegs you use, and when they're finished, you can just pop in the dishwasher! Love, love and more love! I've bought the Beaba Babypote and am anxiously waiting for it to try it out. Hopefully I can get my grubby paws on the Sili Squeeze just as quickly so I can give an unbiased review, or shall I saw the kiddo will!

And yes, you know if they pass our rigorous tests over here at Casa Shuka, we'll be bringing it to our customers all over the world too! Have faith - just need to test it out first to make sure it's up to snuff.....

Sweet Sipping Straws

As we reach the end of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, I think I'll miss the sweetness of super ripe strawberrries, and if you were to ask Lil'Miss, she'd definitely say playing in the mini pool and using straws for nearly every drink that touched her mouth. It was a fun/ny habit to get into, but I have to admit there was a pit in my stomach every time I threw one out or just thinking of the kind of plastic they were made from.....

A while ago I discovered, and even thought about carrying a line of glass drinking straws, called Glass Dharma straws, as they are clearly the eco-ist option. The only thing is - glass? I don't know how careful you are, but I would compare my daughter to a raging bull when it comes to her delicacy level. Glass Dharma says that their glass is resistant and comes with a lifetime guarantee, so clearly they have them in mind. But what about you - would you trade your (disposable) summer fun fluorescent straws for a beautiful (but shattery) glass straw?

photo from HolisticPursuit.com

Back to School Edition

Back to school fever is in full swing. Nearly every order we're packing at Shak-Shuka headquarters has some form of back-to-school gear in it. It's great to know that so many children will be taking eco-friendly, non-toxic items to school this year. If you're not sure what to pack for the kiddos this year, let us give you a helping hand:

For the backpacks, pencils cases and lunchbags, you just can't go wrong with any of our PVC and lead free collections: choose from the Neoprene (what swimsuits are made from!), machine-washable Dabbawalla backpacks which are always a crowd-pleaser - or our newest brand - Beatrix NY which is loved by celebrity tots that have been strutting them around town. If organic cotton is what you're looking for, look now further than Coq en Pate's european-style backpacks, or Apple & Bee's reversible satchels that change with your child's mood (ok, maybe not that often!). Another fun and funky brand is Franck & Fischer who make adorable backpacks and pencil cases that you might just find yourself snagging from the kids!

When packing lunches, it's best to steer clear of animation-covered-lunchboxes and instead go for a BPA, PVC and phthalate-free brand such as Goodbyn. Loved by little and big kids alike, there are now 2 styles to choose from - the original Goodbyn (best for kids 5-6 years and up) and the more petite Bynto (good for ages 3 years+) which is great for small hands. Both of them come with plenty of space for healthy lunches, are dishwasher safe, and the kids can personalize them with the stickers that are provided.

Besides the food carrier, you need to think what the kids will be using for utensils and drinking gear. Hands down the best (and most eco-friendly) has to be the Bambu brand, with their utensils and spork which is an all-time favorite of kids and parents alike (only 1 utensil to wash!). Instead of a plastic bottle, we have Earthlust's bottles which are made from 100% stainless steel, don't retain smells, and now are available with a handy sport spout for easier sipping.

Of course you can't deny that part of back-to-school is clothes shopping. Love it or hate it, as the seasons change and the little ones start to sprout up, it's time for a wardrobe refresher. Even though not all of our fall/winter collections are in at the moment, we are already selling out fast of our in-house brands like Mini Rodini, Bobo Choses, Koolabah and New Generals. These brands are so cool, you'll probably forget that you're helping to save the planet by purchasing these organic, eco-friendly brands. Who knew going green could be so cool? So see, you can wear black and still be green....maybe black is the new green!

 

Deuz Does It Again

I would say with the arrival of this new stock of Tapikid playmats, not only are we jumping for a joy, but a whole slew of our customers who were waiting with anxious anticipation for their arrival! It has been a long, long wait but now it's over - phew!

Best of all, the brand Deuz does it again by creating a few new products that will leave a gaggle of followers in their trail: the Napkid - perfect for messy eaters, is an adjustable bib that is made from organic cotton, a vibrant striped print using non-toxic dyes - of course. Personally I can imagine a few adults who could use these on messy spaghetti and meatballs nights or lobster dinners! Another amazing new item is the Bigbag - part bag, part cushion, part whatever you want to use it for brilliance - made from the leftover scraps of their other items (think Tapikid playmats), any sewer will attest that when sewing and making things, there are A LOT of leftover scraps of fabric. Deuz not only uses organic cotton, but is commited to re-using and recycling the fabric that they use, and the Bigbag is no exception! You can use it as a toy bag, or pop in a comfy pillow for some eco-friendly relaxation. We love the versatility, genius, and vibrancy of Deuz's products that make us go crazy, and our customers too!

Love to Love Coq en Pate

When we were at Kleine Fabriek a few months ago (or was it only weeks? I'm losing track now...) we ran into some brands we know and love, and some we loved but had forgotten somehow - how can that be? Usually we're quite good about hunting down, contacting and having a brand in house in less than 10 days. In fact, we pride ourselves on that, but sometimes we get a little "human" and get sidetracked....

We're so glad to have Coq en Pate's organic and ethical products at Shak-Shuka. Like falling in love all over again, Coq en Pate has extended their range to include toys that take a unique spin on children's items giving them an entirely new look. Traditional books have met their match with these amazing bilingual (for added "ooh" factor), educational (letter, shapes, colors OH MY!), organic (enter green "ooh" here too), Fabric Books that you can feel safe about baby gnawing on. And for the older kiddos, the Animal Organic Tee + Mask Sets are seriously over-the-top and ready for a mini zoo in home with the packaging (that is biodedgradable BTW!) that turns into a mini theatre. Coq en Pate has expanded well beyond the backpacks and pencil cases of yore, and the results are stunning. Come Fall we will have their new line of organic backpacks, suitcases (seriously, you will die they are so cute) and pencil cases. All ready for back to school and I have a hunch that they will make it onto some parent's wish lists too. Just too darn cute to pass up.....

PB Dynamite Kids Rugs

This week I seem to be exposing my weaknesses in the domestic department: first my black thumb, and now my inability to be crafty. As much as I try to be "creative" on my own, everything ends up looking like a glue gun spun out of control and stuck everything together. Not a good look for anyone!

I am always delighted when I find something handmade that I *pray* that someone entering my house might mistake for something I whipped up. I've got sewing done pat, but knitting, crocheting, basically anything with manually moving needles, I'm pitiful at. That's why when searching for cute rugs for Lil'Miss' room I was delighted, no - over the moon - to discover Peanut Butter Dynamite's children's rugs. The rugs are handmade and in a variety of slap-me-silly cute designs. I find that most children's rugs are either: 1) super uninspiring and dull, 2) blindingly bright and super sweet, or 3) a regular home rug made into a kids rug. That's part of what I feel makes these adorable rugs so special, and feel seriously homemade (meaning when someone asks if you made it, you can simply reply "what a question!")  I love that Peanut Butter Dynamite is handmade, gorgeous and just right to fit under some sweet little feet, while they're still - little!

Goodtimes with Goodbyn

I could lie and tell you I wasn't giddy with excitement to write about this new item, but I'd be lying. We've been waiting for A-G-E-S to get our hands on them, and now that we have, we are so excited to share them with our customers!

Without further ado, Goodbyn lunchboxes are not your average lunch box: when I think "lunchbox" I either imagine this sack which squishes all the contents when it's in your backpack, or a flip-open tin-style box that protects your food, but the food seems to fight against each other in the box. Alas, with the Goodbyn, none of that happens. Keeping all the foods separate (as we know many children like to make sure they have the ultimate control over their eating), sporting it's own BPA/Phthalate-free drink bottle and even a pack of stickers to customize the lunchbox in your own way. Love. Love. Beyond love it. It is so cute that you can easily carry it by its handle on top, or it's equally at home in your child's backpack. For us, it was a combination of the best of both worlds: safe, non-toxic materials combined with a functional product with heaps of style. This is the ethos of all of our products and we're so glad to now include Goodbyn in our family of eco-friendly goodies!

Kitty Critter Crayons

As many of you know, retailers (guilty! us too) have already been pushing holiday gift ideas on us/you. Part of me really dislikes that the holiday season starts so early, as it seems to drag on until the moment it's really here, all you want to do is holiday bash and get it over with. Alas, I will not get in the Scrooge spirit yet and instead stay upbeat and share some fresh holiday picks!

Lil'Miss Shuka is currently obsessed (putting it mildly) with drawing. With anything. On anything. We have the full selection of markers, crayons, scissors (kid-friendly, don't worry!) and paper in every size and shape imaginable. Sometimes though, you just crave something a bit special - case in point: Kitty Baby Love's upcycled crayons in the most vibrant colors, with a face even a dog-lover could grow to love (that's me). The size is chunky which is great for young artistes like Lil'Miss, and they really do last much longer than your average crayon. As a gift, I personally love this set of 4 nestled in their little egg crates ready to get some artsy-fartsy fun started! Non-toxic, upcycled, and long-lasting, these crayons get a serious thumbs-up from the Shuka family. For the mamas+papas, there are even equally adorable beeswax candles which just might have to make an appearance at the new Casa Shuka!

Kid+Eco Friendly Hair Accessories

For a mother, it's a funny time in life with your child when they start asking to have their hair "done". I was feeling super lucky for such a long time that I was able to get away with Amelie/Coco Chanel-bobbing my daughter's hair, but now that she's starting going to pre-school, she eyes the clips and hairbands in the other girls hair and wants them. Now. Like yesterday. Gimme!

I have to be honest that the hair accessories out there for kids is generally quite awful. Glitter, bows, dangly things, colors that don't match anything. Yikes. Don't even get me started on their carbon footprint, un-eco-friendly practices, and the labor used to make them. Alas, you can always rely on us to find the solution! Our favorite brand Franck & Fischer, who has supplied us with wonderful toys and children's bedding made from organic and sustainable materials using only fair trade labor, now has a line of hair accessories just in time for our little "hair episodes". Monkey clips, cat hairbands, stripes - pick your fun accessory and go! Not only are they adorable, but they're made from 100% organic cotton yarn and made in women's homes in rural China under fair trade working conditions. Usually I am not a sucker for hair-wear, but I have to say Franck & Fischer has once again outdone themselves, and now Lil'Miss Shuka will be rockin' some eco-sweet hair accessories.

Go Green this Halloween!

Ok, the holiday are upon us. There's no avoiding it people: first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Sinterklaas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year's Eve - you know the drill. Let's get you prepared for the first, and possibly the most fun, or at least the "training wheels" for all the other holidays - Halloween! Don't fret, we've got you covered for last-minute Halloween outfits.

Loving the idea of a kiddo running around in this as a caterpillar

Or what about a super cute bumble bee in this cute-as-a-bee dress? Easily does double duty after Halloween!

Put on the hat, then the suit, and you've got a moose loose in the house!

Doesn't get much simpler than this: just add baby and you've got a hissingly cute rattlesnake

Add this, a few feathers in her hair or make a set of feathered "wings" to have one struttin' peacock

One of Lil'Miss Shuka's faves can easily be tweaked with some fancy face paint to have the Pink Panther

For the ultimate costume: become a cowboy, fairy, superhero or princess, then after the candy-sugar rush wears off, they can just pass out in these and already be in their pyjamas!

Go with a classic: masks that are so stunning you need very little else to make this bird, giraffe, elephant or lion come to life!