the goods - Health products, vitamins for children - Brief Article

Vegetarian Times, Sept, 2000 by Abigail Chipley

Rubber Ducky, You're So Fine

These adorable Soap Critters ($3 each) will guarantee no more tears at bath time--for the kids or for you. In fact, your little ones may even stretch out bath time just to get to the cute toys encased in this 100 percent natural vegetable glycerin soap. Collect all 7 critters. Not shown here are the piggy and an assortment of tropical fish. (707) 762-5815; www.clearlynaturalsoaps.com

Snap, Crackle, Organic

These certified organic cereals from Nature's Path ($2.99) will satisfy the budding young environmentalist in your home. (A big bowl also makes a great midnight snack, as our editors discovered.) All the flavors--Gorilla Munch, Amazon Frosted Flakes and Koala Crisp--are wheat-free, low-fat and contain no genetically modified ingredients. A minimum of 1 percent of the profits go to organizations that help kids, endangered animals and the environment. (888) 808-9505; www.envirokidz.com

All That Glitters

We don't usually think about animals when we slip on pearls. But many jewelry designers use animal products (pearls, shells, bones, silk, leather) in their creations. Snooty Jewelry designer and longtime vegan Jeanine Taylor stands out from the crowd. Her cruelty-free line runs the gamut from these cute "go vegan" pins made of completely recycled materials ($10), and 1960's-style peace-sign earrings ($20) to little girls' bracelets ($8 and $9) and necklaces ($10) to elegant gold and silver jewelry with semiprecious stones for the lady of the house. Knowing that 10 percent of profits go to charity makes these trinkets even more attractive. (877) 884-4367; www.snootyjewelry.com

Only Three a Day?

Vita Beans aren't candy, but the fact that they look and taste like jellybeans sure makes them appealing to kids. And since these colorful vitamins ($7.99/90) are 100 percent vegetarian, made only with natural fruit juice, organic sugar and Vegetable concentrates, parents can rest easy knowing that their kids aren't downing a lot of extra junk. The original formulation, Multiplus Original, provides 12 essential nutrients plus antioxidants. For cold season, try Multiplus with Echinacea and Extra C or the MultiPlus with Fruits and Veggies (from concentrates). Available in drugstores nationwide. (800) 951-3600.

An Oink-Oink Here

E-I-E-I-O (as in Old McDonald) Tomato Smash is sure to be a smashing success in the school cafeteria. Made from the pulp of 13 different vegetables and lightly sweetened with pineapple juice, this meal-in-a-bottle is a great addition to a lunchbox or afternoon snack. The delicious brew ($1.99/6 oz.) is also high in fiber and fat- and sodium-free. Save the spicy version for days when your kids need some extra help getting out of bed in the morning (or use it as Bloody Mary mix yourself!). Available in the fresh juice section of supermarkets and natural food stores. (781) 224-0050; www.onthatfarm.com

Don't Say Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. But if you're lactose- or gluten-intolerant, vegan or just trying to cut back on fat, this homey dish isn't part of your repertoire. Now Road's End Organics has created a version of mac `n' cheese we can all enjoy. Packed with B vitamins, the "chreese" is made with nutritional yeast and other natural flavors. In addition to the original dairy-free Whole Wheat Macaroni and Chreese ($1.79), the company has introduced both Semolina ($1.79) and wheat-free Brown Rice Penne and Chreese ($1.99). Needless to say, kids give the product high marks. (877) 247-3373; www2.chreese.com/chreese/

Not For Your Eyes Only

You may find yourself squabbling with your kids over these adorable critters. Filled with organically grown flax seeds and herbs like lavender, peppermint and chamomile, Herbal Animals ($16- $22 each) are billed as tension-relieving eye pillows. But these sweet-smelling pals, with inspired names like Harry Elephante and Eartha Cat, also make great bedtime companions for small fries. The 15 different animals are made of organic cotton and colored with nontoxic, environmentally friendly dyes. (301) 469-7800; www.Greenmarketplace.com