Today's SIGG story is bringing a lot of new faces to Z Recommends and the ZRecs Network. If that's you, here's a list of our core principles as demonstrated by some of the best original consumer reporting we've done in the last few months. Our blogs are all about kids and their parents, so if you have or know either of these, we think you'll like us!

Here's what you can count on when you spend time with us:

There is no party line: We're forging our own perspective on what it means to be "BPA-free." We think the CPSIA is a travesty. We have defended Nalgene (that one's in our archives). We are environmentalists, safety advocates, pragmatists, and creative consumers, and we strive for well-informed and original analysis that makes no assumptions and plays no favorites.

We are not reactionary: Analysis of Health Canada's report on BPA in non-polycarbonate baby bottles: Relax, it's ok.

Information is useful: Know which Carter's tagless clothing could give your infant chemical burns - by looking at the tags. Vague recall? We'll get the full story, and the story behind the story. We listen in on industry on a regular basis and tell you the stories they don't want you to hear, like the real reasons behind some claimed product safety improvements.

We do our homework: We published an original report on BPA and phthalates in blenders and food processors, and maintain the ZRecs Guide to Safer Children's Products, a product directory identifying chemicals of concern for over 1,100 children's products from nearly 200 brands.

Product reviews can educate and entertain: Whether it's the latest in chemically-safe kids' dishes, a Sippy Cup Showdown, car seats, or everything else, you'll walk away from a product review with an informed perspective.

Objectivity soothes us: We don't keep anything we review, unless we pay for it.

Our network bloggers on The Tranquil Parent explore giving their kids unlimited candy, make weird vegan foods that taste awesome, and train readers in the gentle art of parenting-style-defense.

We also publish a directory of blog giveaways for parents, so if you have a few minutes, you could always go win something.

You can follow what we do - our consumer research, our ideas, and our projects - by signing up to get Z Recommends via RSS or email and/or following us on Twitter at @zrecsmom, @jmcnichols, and @ZRecs_Safety.