The Reveal: Kid Basix Safe Sporter Stainless Steel Bottle!

So on Monday, I told you about the 5 choices I've had for Yuri's first ever stainless steel bottle. Like what I pointed out, they didn't come cheap so I wanted to get the "right" one right away.

By the way, if you still aren't convinced to leave plastic and make the switch to glass and/or stainless steel, I hope this will change your mind:

The center shipped Juliette's plastic cup, along with 17 others purchased from Target, Walmart, and Babies R Us, to CertiChem, a lab in Austin, Texas. More than a quarter—including Juliette's—came back positive for estrogenic activity.

Estrogen plays a key role in everything from bone growth to ovulation to heart function. Too much or too little, particularly in utero or during early childhood, can alter brain and organ development, leading to disease later in life. Elevated estrogen levels generally increase a woman's risk of breast cancer.

- MotherJones.com

I really don't want to scare you, but I think this is a necessary fear to know to prevent unnecessary health problems down the road.

Okay, let's get back to the topic. So out of the 5 available choices, what did I finally buy?

*drum roll*

Tah-dah!

Oh yes, you knew it already from the title haha. Anyway, after the "research" I've done, I finally decided on buying a Safe Sporter bottle from Kid Basix! I understand that it doesn't have the cutest design in the bunch, but "cute" isn't the most important characteristic of a bottle, is it? I'm not that shallow! Hee hee.

It's not locally available in Davao City, so I ordered it online from Youjiandme.com. There are two sizes available: 16ml (P799) and 12ml (P759). Shipping fee is P100.

It was tempting to get the 16-ml bottle since it only costs P40 more than the smaller one. However, I think it was still too big for Yuri. Maybe next time. :-)

As you may see, the package says "4+," but if you read through this review, you'd realize that it's perfect for a younger toddler. Also, I wanted to get the lime one but thought it might not look that good after being used for a while, so I went with the safer blue. I placed the order last week and it finally arrived last Friday.

And you know what? I immediately loved it! The feel of the bottle is sturdy, and its sleek form makes it easy to hold - even for li'l hands! It also experienced its first fall last night. The report proudly states that zero damage was done.

The sleeve is surely a welcome addition. I sometimes put ice-cold water inside the bottle and it remains easy to hold.

Battle of 5 Stainless Steel Kid Bottles

Okay, I'll begin with a disclaimer. I have already bought a stainless steel bottle for Yuri, which arrived last Friday afternoon. So this "battle" is not for me as much as it is for you, you who also want to do away with plastic.

Anyway, I'll keep my choice of bottle a secret (for now!) and focus on telling you what my options were. All I'll tell you is that Yuri immediately began using the bottle last Friday (after I washed it thoroughly, of course), and he loves it. I really love it, too!

I did a lot of "research" before finally buying that particular bottle, though. As I mentioned here, high-quality stainless steel bottles especially made for babies, toddlers, and kids do not come cheap. Knowing that I'm going to spend money anyway, I want to choose the right one right away. What were my choices? Please note that there are more options, but I only wrote about the ones that are readily available in the islands. After all, I'm not sure you would want to spend extra for shipping from abroad.

Here they are, along with my pros-and-cons evaluation:

1. Thermos Foogo/Funtainer

This was actually my first choice - and this actually gives you a clue that this was not what I ordered. I liked it because the design was too cute for words. I mean, a mini-thermos with a button to press for the straw? I was sold. However, when I did thorough research, I found out that it has many problems.

Image from eBay

PROS

• Again, they look really cute, don't they? I think that out of all the brands available in the Philippines, they are the one that offers the widest variety of designs.
• In order to get the straw out, you only need to press the button. Plus points for hygiene!
• Double-walls insulate the drink and keep it cold or hot for hours.

CONS

• However, they are a bit pricey. Most online sellers sell them for more than P1,000.
• I also read reviews complaining about the button and how it easily cracks over time. Oops!
• Unlike many stainless steel bottles, it has many parts, which still makes it an easy breeding ground for bacteria.
• Also, having many parts makes it not very convenient to clean.
• Many report of leaking after months of usage.

2. Klean Kanteen for Kids

I first heard of it from US-based blogs and haven't really read about it in Philippine-based ones, so I thought it wasn't available here. I only found out it was available locally when Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio featured it in her Instagram account.

Photo: http://www.hullabaloo.co.za

PROS

• It comes from a very reputable brand. If I'm not mistaken, Klean Kanteen is one of the first manufacturers of stainless steel bottles.
• Based on their website, they sell changeable valves to fit a child's changing needs.
• They come in cute colors.

CONS

• However, based on the website alone, not all of the colors are available locally.
• The bottles lack insulation. Also, there is no holder that can help a child easily hold a too-cold bottle straight from the fridge.
• I don't really like the physical form of the bottles. It's like not much thought was given to it. I don't think it's comfortable for little hands to hold.
• They're also not that cheap! I think they're even more expensive than the Thermos.

My 2-Year Old Says No to Plastic!

I mean, can't you see the agitation in his face?!

That's not a yellow tooth; that's a piece of a pretzel. Okay?

Well, technically, it's not my toddler, Yuri, who said no to plastic. It's his mom. *meekly raises hands*

Okay, I've begun the switch to glass first when I asked for this Snapware Glass Bottle from one of my best friends, George, and second, when I ordered a couple of mason jars.

Spot the plastic Tupperware at the back

This photo made me miss summer!

So you see, I was happily drinking from glass bottles and glass jars - while my own little boy was drinking from his plastic cups. Well, you need to know that I was woefully uninformed; I thought that as long as the cup (or any utensil for that matter) was labeled BPA-free, it was okay.

However, after reading this article one night, I learned that BPA was not the only harmful chemical found in plastic ware. And it makes sense! After all, just how many chemicals are involved in the production of plastic? There's a lot of questions regarding the estrogenic materials found in many baby and toddler products, and that's doubly harmful because these chemicals can seriously wreak havoc in a little body.

Suffice to say, after reading and informing myself about the dangers of plastic, I couldn't sleep. It was just too scary. I know I had to replace Yuri's plastic feeding utensils ASAP!

Things I Want to Buy for Yuri But Can't (Yet)

There are things we can afford and then there are things we can buy if we wanted to but choose not to (yet) because it's not a top priority.

I seriously hope I'm not the one who thinks like that. Otherwise, it would just confirm my suspicion that I'm inherently kuripot. Hahaha. Well, my mom's an ultimate kuripot, so I shouldn't wonder!

Now I really don't have any problems about buying anything for myself. I'm well-trained at delayed gratification. For example, mason jars are really cheap and I first got fascinated by them May of last year but actually bought them last April. What a long wait!

But for "Yuri Stuff" or things that Yuri doesn't really need but mama wants, I can't wait for too long. I hesitate to shop for my own clothes but would buy Yuri ones even if he doesn't need them just as long as it fits the budget!

Now I'm hoping that you're secretly agreeing with me all along. Most moms siguro do, right? If you don't have a secret no-occasion list for your kid, I'm pretty sure you'll get some ideas from mine below. I apologize in advance! Hee hee!

1. Stainless Steel Cup

This is more of a need than a want because Yuri's cups need to retire. However, I can't buy one yet because, frankly, they are not exactly cheap and I want to choose the best one.

His straw cup is icky (ew, that's what you get from buying cheap), while his 1 1/2 year old Avent is starting to leak. Also, I just found out that even BPA-free plastics are still dangerous. I will save the details for another post.

Image: http://www.zebebe.com

My options are CamelBak Stainless Steel (pictured), KidBasix Sporter Cup, and Thermos Foogo.

2. Milk jars

I'm not veering away from the drinnking cup topic just yet. The one above should address his on-the-go drinking needs but I also need a new non-plastic cup to use at home.

Image from Instagram account, kitchencountermnl

My first option was a Tramontina stainless steel cup - but it's too pricey! 600 for a small cup! No way, Jose. So maybe I'll buy small milk bottles and try to look for covers. I'll hope for the best.

EDIT: Just ordered a set of the milk bottles. Sorry.

Kitchen Cleanup Treasures & Discoveries

Yesterday, in my Blog Anniversary Post, I wrote a brief interlude about discovering forgotten (and some, actually unused!) treasures in our kitchen. You see, we did not go outside the house last weekend. Instead, we had a late spring cleaning - sorry.

Spring cleaning in the kitchen is an ARDUOUS task for two reasons: First, my mom is a hoarder. When she likes something, she buys a lot of it. That's extreme considering she is an Ilocana and is very kuripot. But in the 90s, she developed a liking for Tupperware products and I grew up among closets and closets of Tupperware. Name a Tupperware model and most likely, she has it. True story brah.

It's a good thing she stopped the obsession in the 2000s. But let's go to the second reason. My mom is a pack rat. She literally never throws anything away. This means all the Tupperwares she had collected in the 90s are all still here. In our 7-year old house. Go figure.

So when we opened the kitchen cupboards last weekend, we were met with huge containers with broken Tupperware lids. Some of them only had the rim na lang; wala nang natira in the middle. What the heck, mom? Hahaha. But what made me giddy were the things we have already forgotten. Some of them I never ever recall using!!! Most probably, my mom bought something, kept it in the closet, and promptly forgot about it! Here they are:

1. Never-Used Tupperware Popsicle Molds

I literally screamed when I saw my mom assembling these babies in the kitchen! All this time, I've been making homemade (and healthy!) ice cream and serving them in boring Tupperware and Rubbermaid containers! Yun pala may popsicle molds kami right in our kitchen! And cute ones, at that. Gah!!!

There is one blue cup and four green sticks missing, but it's okay. We can improvise. What matters is I can finally create popsicles for the picky toddler! Yay! I'm so happy. It shows, doesn't it?

Oh baby, I look forward to filling you with rich, delicious, healthy ice cream. Maybe this sem break! :-)

2. Forgotten Ice Cream Scooper

This time, I do remember using this ice cream scooper when I was a child. Yes, this thing has got to be almost 20 years old. But surprisingly, save for dust and some dirt, it's steel rust-less (is that even a word?). I have no doubt I'll be using this when I'm not making popsicle ice cream!

3. Forgotten Tupperware Plate and Never-Used Stainless Steel Spoon Set

I've been planning to buy a Tramontina stainless-steel spoon and fork for Yuri. Actually, I've been making parinig to Job and a couple of friends for the complete set. Hahaha. This is because Yuri has taken a liking for stainless steel utensils. I used to give him a sterilized spoon from our own (adult) set, but frankly, it's too big for his mouth. Wala kasing kutsarita yung set namin.

Imagine my luck when I found an unopened box full of stainless steel utensils! It was a gift given to my mom by Santos Land Corporation maybe 2 years ago. Even more luckily, it had kutsaritas that fit Yuri perfectly! It didn't hurt that it almost looked like a Tramontina. (The photo above doesn't do justice.) Win!

Also, I unearthed (unearthed talaga?) a Tupperware plate for Yuri because his current divider plate looks like this na:

Cracked! Must buy new divider plates ASAP. Too bad that I haven't found any in our kitchen cleanup haha!

What about you? What are your closet cleanup discoveries? What are your "forgotten" treasures?

_________________________________________________________________

Do you like this post? Never miss out again when you click on the cute bunny below:

Or by entering your email here:

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

You can also follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for daily updates on my mundane musings.