Moojoes

Moms bring European flair to online boutique

Caroline Skelton, North Shore News
Published: Sunday, April 26, 2009

When Stephanie Loewen and Desiree Kranendijk moved to Canada from Holland, they had to leave behind a few of their favourite things.

One of them: the fun, funky and high-quality products for kids that they had both come to love during their time in Europe (Kranendijk grew up in Holland, while Loewen spent time in Luxembourg). Now, the North Shore moms have found a way to bring the products they love to Canada, and share them with others here and around the world.

Last month, they launched their online retail store, Moojoes.com — specializing in innovative products for kids, mostly imported from Europe. Products on offer include bright headbands, cuddly sleep sacks, funky sock shoes, innovative float suits for the pool, and much more.

Loewen and Kranendijk have been careful to source products that are high quality, as eco-friendly as possible, and up to Europe’s strict safety standards — in other words, the kind of thing they dress their own kids in.

Keeping the business web-based also offers parents the ability to shop with ease from home. “Ordering online is the way to go these days,” says Loewen.

Loewen, a trained nurse, and Kranendijk, an Internet optimization specialist, know a thing or two about what busy parents are looking for. With five (soon to be six) kids between them, the moms had their hands full getting the business off the ground over the last nine months.

“We do a lot at night, or during the day, where we get all the kids together, and the dog, so that everybody has a play date,” says Loewen.

For these moms, who met on the Grouse Grind and quickly bonded over their experiences overseas, building the business is also about spreading the word about the high-quality kids products available, and the benefits of buying products that last.

The goal? “Besides just selling and having fun, a bit of awareness,” says Kranendijk.

Info: www.moojoes.com.

These lunchbags are a must for every kids lunch!!  Made by Mimi the Sardine, these lunchbags  have a sturdy zipper and soft carrying handles and are made of organic cotton and treated with a non-toxic water-based acrylic coating to make them permanently water and soil resistant. The fabric is ecologically sound; it meets the Oeko-Tex 100 Standard, a European textile safety standard which certifies the cloth does not contain components harmful to your health. Can machine wash and tumble dry low heat or simply wipe clean and air dry.  Comes in 4 different colours.

Why choose organic and natural baby skin care products? To reduce your infant’s exposure to harmful chemicals such as phthalates and other harmful compounds as your infant has a very sensitive system.

This is the time to exercise caution with the products you apply to his or her skin. People have to realize that just as the water we drink and food we eat the products we apply to our skin are absorbed into our body.

There are many harmful chemicals in products we use everyday without thinking. But your infant needs to use the organic skin care products because of his or her developing system. You infant is more at risk of the harmful effects of compounds like phthalates.

This compound is found in many lotions, shampoos and powders. The only way to avoid some of these toxic ingredients is to buy and use organic or natural baby products. Yes they are a little more expensive than the chemical products but it’s worth the money knowing that those products do not contain these toxic ingredients.

There are new studies coming out all the time listing common chemicals in our products as health risks. We do not know what chemical ingredient will the next one to be a cancer causing agent or an ingredient that causes a health risk.

The safest way to prevent exposure to certain chemicals is to use organic lotions and powders and other organic products on your infant.

There are many fine organic products on the market to apply to your infant. You will also find that organic products are not only safer but they are also better than non organic products. Mineral oil containing products for instance dry out the skin. The mineral oil is mainly filler.

It is a cheap compound that allows companies to skimp on the quality of the product while being able to charge a premium price. The reason Why choose organic and natural baby skin care products is basically to assure the health of your child and to minimize exposure to toxic chemicals. You will want to consult with your pediatrician to make sure you choose the best products for your infant.