Eco-stroller-bikes like the Taga, trioBike and Zigo Leader offer green-minded parents an emissions-free way to get their babies—and themselves—from point A to point B. While Orbit Baby's Infant System doesn't offer the pedal-powered functionality, it does feature an innovative rotating stroller plus eco-credentials of another kind.

Priced at USD 900, the Orbit Baby Infant System includes infant car seat, base and rotating stroller that work together in modular fashion. The foldable stroller—priced separately at USD 485—features 360 degree rotation that allows the child to face forward, back or even sideways. An exclusive twist-and-lift mechanism permits one-handed folding, while a patent-pending, removable Cargo Pod makes getting to all of baby's stuff a breeze. The stroller is compatible not just with Orbit Baby's infant car seat, but also with its bassinet, toddler car seat and toddler stroller seat. Perhaps best of all, Orbit Baby uses micro-fiber upholstery fabric certified by the International Oeko-Tex Association, which limits more than 100 potentially harmful substances and chemicals. Its flame retardants, for example, meet all applicable standards without the use of many of the commonly used—and potentially harmful—chemicals. Its rain shields, similarly, are PVC-free, and its Green Edition footmuffs and car seat upholsteries—coming soon, and made of organic cotton and wool—will feature what the company says is the industry’s first fabric to be naturally flame retardant without any harsh chemicals. Orbit Baby is also working on a product recycling program for when families outgrow its products.

California-based Orbit Baby's products are currently sold in the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Turkey and UAE. One to bring to green-minded parents in your neck of the woods....?.

Website: www.orbitbaby.com
Contact: info@orbitbaby.com

Spotted by: Lori Webb

Among all the many greeting cards out there for birthdays, weddings, funerals and other occasions, few are appropriate for someone who's behind bars. With that in mind, Three Squares Greetings has developed a complete line of cards specifically focused on prisoners.

Los Angeles-based Three Squares Greetings, which was launched about two years ago, sells a wide variety of cards designed for inmates to both send and receive. Some are centered around traditional occasions such as birthdays and Christmas, while others are prison-specific, such as "getting out" and "tough love." Even cards for the traditional occasions, however, are targeted specifically at those in jail. One birthday card for incarcerated recipients, for example, reads, "Birthdays come and birthdays go. But you're still not here. I miss you." Some even use humour, such as the Christmas card that begins, "You had the choice to be 'naughty or nice.' And you chose..." In Three Squares' "Inside/Out" category, meanwhile, are cards designed for prisoners to send to those outside, such as an "I'm Sorry" card that reads, "I’ve disappointed you too many times. For that, I apologize. I’m trying to get myself together in here."

Company founder and CEO attorney Terrye L. Cheathem explains: “We know there are few words to express thoughts and feelings when a family member, close friend, or the child of a close friend is arrested. Our mission at Three Squares Greetings is to make it easier for you to communicate with those loved ones. Three Squares Greetings does not ignore the reality of those facing the criminal justice system. We recognize that when our loved ones are locked away, we still love them, miss them, and think about them."

Three Squares' cards are available online for USD 3.99 as well as in select California stores. Retailers: There are some 2.3 million prisoners in the US alone—one to add to your own offerings? Alternatively, localize the concept with translations for other parts of the world? (Related: Hot sauce made and marketed by prisoners.)

Website: www.threesquaresgreetings.com
Contact: hmj@threesquaresgreetings.com

Spotted by: Susanna Haynie

For the roughly one in six couples who have trouble conceiving, manual body basal temperature (BBT) charting has traditionally been one of the most common approaches to determining the best time to get pregnant. That technique is known to be less than completely reliable, however, while other approaches—such as urine testing—are subject to other problems. Now, a UK firm has developed a device with accuracy levels so high that it offers a money-back guarantee if pregnancy is not achieved within 12 months.

Ovulation changes a woman’s body temperature by about half a degree—subtle enough to be easily masked by normal variations. Employing a more sophisticated version of BBT measurement, the DuoFertility monitor consists of a small sensor and a hand-held reader that collects data wirelessly. The sensor is attached to an adhesive patch—about 3 cm in diameter, worn discreetly under the arm—that records a woman's temperature 20,000 times a day and can detect temperature changes within thousandths of a degree. A series of algorithms identify the day of ovulation with 99 percent accuracy and up to six days in advance; combined with additional fertility clues such as cervical mucus quality and menstruation data, accuracy can be as high as 99.7 percent. Either way, data is transferred from the sensor to the DuoFertility reader wirelessly, giving users a view of their upcoming fertility status in plenty of time to plan a romantic evening at just the right time. They can also view more information about their cycles by simply plugging the reader into their PC, or request an in-depth report from one of DuoFertility's fertility specialists. The DuoFertility device is priced at GBP 495, including VAT and delivery at no extra charge.

Developed and manufactured by Cambridge Temperature Concepts, DuoFertility has already been approved for sale in many countries around the globe; its retail launch is planned for next year. One to get in on early...?

Website: www.duofertility.com
Contact: info@duofertility.com

Spotted by: Murtaza Ali Patel

If pets now have their own airline and their own social network, it seems only fitting that the canines among them should have more sophisticated entertainment than the simple bones their forebears chewed on. Enter Kyjen, a California company that offers a range of toys designed to build the canine brain.

Kyjen's Puzzle Plush Dog Toys aim to challenge and entertain their canine users much the way developmental toys do for children. The IQube, for instance, features a plush cube with balls nestled inside to test dogs' intelligence and puzzle-solving skills as they try to get the balls out. The Hide-A-Squirrel toy, meanwhile, includes three toy squirrels hiding in a plush log, challenging dogs to find and remove them. Then there's the IntelliBone, featuring a plush bone toy surrounded by removable plush rings. Prices on the Puzzle Plush line range from USD 11.49 to USD 21.99. Kyjen makes a variety of other dog toys as well, including an Eco Hemp line and a variety of Bottle Buddies designed to hold recycled water bottles for extra crinkle noise and chewing satisfaction. The company's products are available globally in retail pet specialty stores, mail order catalogues and online, including from Amazon.

There are few things we at Springwise love more than to see products upgraded, because—as regular readers know—everything can be! But that's never more true than in a burgeoning industry such as pet products, which is expected to bring in more than USD 45 billion this year in the US alone, according to the American Pet Products Association. One to partner with or emulate for the crafty canines in your part of the world....?

Website: www.kyjen.com/products/category/dog-toys/dt-puzzleplush/
Contact: kyle@kyjen.com

Spotted by: Murtaza Ali Patel

Morning sickness is an unfortunate reality for many pregnant mothers, and it's often compounded by the stress of being unable to predict where or when it will strike. Aiming to do away with the frantic search for an appropriate receptacle, Morning Chicness Bags offer a way for expectant moms to always be prepared.

Vancouver, B.C.-based Morning Chicness Bags come in six attractive designs that any mom would be proud to include in her purse. All are made of sturdy paper with leak-proof polyethylene lining and horizontal closure clip. Measuring 5 by 3 by 9.5 inches, the bags are priced ranging from USD 7.50 for a pack of 10 bags to USD 27.50 for a pack of 50. Morning Chicness Bags are available both online and through select stores in Western Canada and Oregon. International shipping is available.

And here's where we repeat one of our favourite refrains: everything can be upgraded! Whether it's vomit bags or toilet seat covers, you can bet there will be consumers willing to shell out a little more for a nicer alternative, particularly when there's a social angle involved. What other seemingly lowly necessity could stand a fresh—and premium—redesign... ? (Related: In-hospital spa services for new moms.)

Website: www.morningchicnessbags.com
Contact: info@morningchicnessbags.com

Spotted by: Sandy Manners