What do you think?

Nothing such as formula-tainting issues to get any mom to stress…have you read the article in the Washington Post today? I will never fully understand how an agency that we are supposed to trust, that we fund, can operate as it does. I feel that the FDA is still sitting around wondering about BPA and hasn’t been able to move on to the melamine issue just yet. Although as I’m writing this, the FDA now has set a minimum level of melamine able to present in formula. In early October of 2008 when the Chinese Melamine-in-formula issue was surfacing the FDA had stated: “FDA is currently unable to establish any level of melamine and melamine-related compounds in infant formula that does not raise public health concerns.”

Melamine was found present in the big three, Similac, Enfamil with Lipil, and Good Start from Nestle. Melamine can bind with other chemicals in urine, potentially causing damaging stones in the kidney or bladder and, in extreme cases, kidney failure. I know I’m not providing answers here, I just felt the need to share. You can also read more through Boston.com

Happy Thankgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! We hope you all have an amazing day and eat lots of yummy food! Don’t forget to stop by Bellani tomorrow for the unheard of deals we have going on. Beco’s at 25% off, BumGenius 4-packs at $59.95 and 20% off of all Haba. The great part is that you don’t have to wake up at crazy hours of the morning to make it here…we are opening at the usual time of 9:30am (we like our beauty sleep!) and we will be here until 6pm. Hope to see you all there!!!

Cookie Time

I love cookies and the fact that I can have a night with adults, surrounded by many different kinds of cookies is just beyond exciting! Honestly!
For those of you who have not been to a cookie swap – it is quite simple. You bake (or buy – we are all busy – right?) your favorite cookie. Make 4 dozen of them – arrange in a tubberware and show up on Monday, December 9th at 7:00 p.m. The best part is is that when the evening is over – you will fill your tubberware with all the cookies that appeal to you and you can pass them off as your hardwork at any family gatherings!
So – I am hoping to be in attendance even though I am not a cookie maker. But I am a cookie lover (I love chocolate anything…in case any one is wondering!)

Bambu is back

Really, it never left, we were just out of the utensils to accompany our plates and bowls. In the past couple of weeks I have had a couple of customers asking for baby spoons and forks and I’ve had to say no, sadly. Not anymore, we have our bambu baby spoons and forks back in stock, along with the bambu baby spork. Bambu creates 100% certified organic bamboo products that are perfect for our little ones. Bamboo is safe, stronger than wood-so it is long lasting, and its’ lightweight, ideal for little hands! Just what us mothers need, products that are safe with a long life. Just say no to plastic, get bambu!

Looking to do something new?

Think about how much fun you have attending the classes at Bellani. Think about how much fun I have teaching them. As many as you know I went to school for Elementary Education and have a certification for infancy through 6th grade. I taught third grade for seven years before I had my children. You know how a baby changes everything! I kept on thinking I would go back to the classroom but every year, I would hesitate going back to work full-time. Luckily, I could “afford” to do that. Although I had my own beautiful children, I still craved working with other children and their families. I happened to come across Itsy Bitsy Yoga and became a trained facilitator with a couple of short weekends in Marlboro MA, a community class and a little test. I met some awesome people and began my career as an instructor.
Two years after running my own IBY business (and let me tell you that is no easy feat) I got a call from Shannon. I came in for my interview and the rest is history. Well maybe not so fast. Over the last two years we have created 3 additional classes under my lead – Little Explorers, Inchworms & Busy Bees. I have written a comprehensive curriculum for each class!
What is my point? Have your “blueprints” changed since having a baby? Do you love working with children and better yet have a degree in that field? Would you be interested in becoming an instructor at Bellani? If so, please stop by and talk with me about it. I have my eyes on quite a few of you that I know would be fabulous for the job!!!

Mylicon Recall!

JOHNSON & JOHNSON • MERCK CONSUMER PHARMACEUTICALS COMPANY ANNOUNCES URGENT VOLUNTARY NATIONWIDE RECALL OF INFANTS’ MYLICON® GAS RELIEF DYE FREE DROPS (SIMETHICONE-ANTIGAS) NON-STAINING DUE TO POSSIBLE METAL FRAGMENTS

Fort Washington, PA (November 10, 2008) – Johnson & Johnson • Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company (JJMCP) is voluntarily recalling approximately 12,000 units of Infants’ MYLICON® GAS RELIEF DYE FREE drops (simethicone-antigas) non-staining sold in 1 oz. plastic bottles that were distributed after October 5, 2008 nationwide. The company is taking this action in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although the potential for serious medical events is low, the company is implementing this recall to the consumer level as a precaution after determining that some bottles could include metal fragments that were generated during the manufacturing process. If any medical events were to occur, most are expected to be temporary and resolve without medical treatment. Parents who have given the product to their infant and are concerned should contact their health care provider immediately. Follow this link through to Mylicon for lot numbers….

-kelly

Cloth Diapering is Fun!!

I didn’t really think I would be saying this, but it is fun and addicting. Although I’ve only just started and my collection of cloth diapers isn’t too big, It’s fun deciding which one I’m going to put on him each diaper change. This is where the addiction comes in-I want more fun patterns and colors to choose from. Snaps or velcro, blue, green, polka dots, then all of them are made with different fabrics; microfleece, cotton velour-oh so soft on the bum- Swaddlebees and Blueberry just in Another great thing about all the diapers I have is that they are one size, snaps on the outside of the diapers make them small, medium or large. His bum is so cute in them, Bellani just got baby legs in that match the Bumgenius diapers we currently have. Love it!

It’s Bring a Can Week!

Just a reminder to everybody in the Bellani community, this week is bring a can week! Your contributions will be benefiting the Rhode Island Food Bank this holiday season. With the current state of our economy the food bank needs our help more than ever…so when you come to class this week be sure to bring a non-perishable food item with you, even non-food contributions like personal care items are graciously welcome!

Maryann

New Shoes to Cure The (Almost) Winter Blues

Those of you who receive our newsletter are well aware of the amazing sale going on this week until November 20th…ALL shoes are 50% off. When I first saw we were doing this I thought it was a typo or a mistake but it really isn’t! All Robeez, Pedipeds, and Umis are included in the sale. My personal favorites have to be the super adorable Booties by Robeez. They remind me of Ugg boots which I live in during the winter. I also love the super cute mary-jane styles Pediped has for girls and the ultra-preppy “Puggle” by Umi. So many high quality,adorable shoes to choose from and the best part is that they are all ergonomically designed to accomodate your little one’s gait according to their stage of development. Remember the sale ends November 20th and only applies to what’s in stock so stop by soon!

Maryann

Tykes Yoga

Aaaahhh…the many benefits of yoga. If you are looking for a class that will allow you and your child to do yoga together – look no further. This class is a blast if I do say myself. To answer a question off the bat…No, we do not expect your child to sit quietly on a mat and do every pose as I do. The class is full of movement where we work towards getting your child to try different poses. We use balls to stretch into a fish pose, beanie babies to be still as mountains (and then we turn into volcanoes), we use hula hoops to form our downward facing dogs. During all of this you are stretching right a long and reaping the benefits that yoga has to offer. This class was developed by Helen Garabedian, who believed that children are natural yoginis and that they want to learn the new ways to move with their growing bodies. Remember – children who lead a healthy life and get out and get moving this winter have a better chance of becoming fit and healthy adults!
Namaste,
Lisa