It’s no secret that purchasing reusable containers will help reduce the amount thrown into a landfill.  Whether you’re the one who’s going back to school or the one packing the lunches (or both) with a few cool tools, you can save time and money.    

To-Go Ware Stainless Steel Food Carrier

Great for hot or cold foods, this comes with a removable plate and 2-tiers so you can separate foods.  Stainless steel is highly durable, won’t leach toxins like plastics can and is very easy to clean. 

Plastic Bag Dryer

I never knew these existed until very recently.  Way back in Elementary school I had a friend who would save all her Ziplocs she used for snacks & lunch in a day and bring them home with her after school and gave them to her mother who would wash, dry and reuse them as many times as she could.  Back then I  thought it very strange (because no one else I knew was doing it).  Little did I know back then that it would be considered “eco-friendly” today. 

SIGG Water Bottle

According to Fast Company, Americans use 50 billion water bottles each year.  Most are not recycled.  Find a reusable water bottle that looks good (so you’ll be more inclined to use it) and help keep your share of water bottle waste out of the trash.  They come in an assortment of colors and sizes for kids and adults alike. 

Next time your recipe calls for oil opt for a healthier option whether baking, sautéing, marinating or frying. Organic Macadamia Nut oil is a good fat and a terrific replacement for any oil that a recipe may call for. It contains a perfect 1:1 ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils and an impressive level of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. Dietary trials in Australia and Hawaii demonstrated that macadamia nut consumption lowered risk indicators for heart disease. While Olive Oil is also a highly beneficial oil, it has a much lower smoke point (high heat threshold) and when it reaches really high temps it begins to burn diminishing it’s nutritional value. Flax & fish oils are also amazingly beneficial, but should be consumed cold or at room temp.

The fat-free craze has many on a full force carb binge-out and look where that’s landed us; with the highest obesity rate of any country in the world. Companies are still labeling foods “Fat Free” as if it’s an incentive to buy, to which I’d like to ask…what’s the sugar and simple carb content (the things that really pack on the pounds)?! Instead of being scared of fat, we should embrace the good ones and skip the bad (i.e. trans-fat and partially hydrogenated). Good oils can help you feel full longer (so you have less of a tendency to keep eating), leave your skin beautiful; help improve memory, balance hormones and even help speed up weight loss efforts. 

Whether organic or not, Macadamia Nut oil can be difficult to find in stores. More often than not store clerks look at me with raised eyebrows or squinted eyes as if I’m making this product up, so I order mine online.   This makes a wonderful hostess gift and I highly recommend adding this to your own cupboard!

Whether your anticipating your first day at a new college or a mama who is mentally preparing for the school year ahead, it is likely the idea may have you a little (or a lot) anxious.  Something that helps me, each and every day is my aromatherapy diffuser which can usually be found humming quietly in my office.  I use various essential oils depending on whether I need to focus, stay alert or calm my nerves.  I usually have this cool little device running all day long when I’m in the office (sits right on my desk). It’s about 8 inches tall and disperses essential oils without the use of heat, but rather by fan and with the right essential oil sprinkled on the cartridge, it will make your whole room smell delicious. You’ll feel a cool & quiet breeze when it’s on.  I received this as a birthday gift and I love it. I diffuse some of my favorite organic essential oils in it.  This is a very cool desktop or tabletop tool, makes a great gift for the health or planet conscious and a safe alternative to synthetically fragranced room fresheners. 

Here are some of my favorite essential oils and ideas for usage:  

To stay alert during or after an all-nighter: peppermint.

To calm thy nerves: lavender. 

Anytime you need to go to your “happy place”: sweet orange.

Great for a stuffy (and/or smelly) dorm room: lemon.   

We have enough to worry about.  We shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not we’re going to get cancer from the sun or from our sunscreen.  Soleo Organics Sunscreen has helped to solve that dilemma by formulating a sunscreen made of only organic or naturally sourced ingredients.  With a highly water resistant broadspectrum SPF 30, this sunscreen is great for all including chemically sensitive individuals and even babies.  Completely biodegradable and (ocean) reef friendly, you won’t find any chemical UV absorbers, synthetic preservatives, colors or fragrances in a bottle of Soleo.  So go ahead and soak up the sun, but do it safely!

Some ingredients to avoid when selecting a sunscreen include:

• Octyl Methoxycinnamate
• Oxybenzone
• Padimate O
• Benzophenone
• Butyl Methoxydibenqoyl Methane
• Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• Diazolidinylurea

I’ve yet to discover another company that makes entirely pure products to support the entire birth process: pregnancy, labor, postpartum and c-section recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even loss of a baby.  Using the highest quality oils and certified organic herbs, these products are cruelty free, Certified Vegan & Kosher and 100% toxin free.  Earth Mama Angel Baby is a company dedicated to supporting moms and babies naturally creating completely pure organic products.  And you won’t find any phthalates, parabens, SLS, artificial preservatives, fragrances or dyes in any of them.  Feel good knowing you and your baby are using completely safe products with Earth Mama Angel Baby!  Here’s just a sampling of what they have to offer:

Pregnancy:

Happy Mama Spray

Anti-Stretchmark Oil

Heartburn Tea

Pregnancy Pampering Kit

Body Butter

C-Section Recovery:

C-Section Recovery Kit

After Delivery Recovery:

Sore Bottom Balm for Mama

Post Postpartum Bath Herbs

New Mama Bottom Spray

New Baby Care:

Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

Angel Baby Lotion

Baby Bottom Balm

Related Post: BABYBEARSHOP for Organic Mamas & Babies

BABYBEARSHOP products were born out of necessity by a mother who could not find any product on the market that her allergic daughter could tolerate. She took matters into her own hands, literally, and now her products are gracing the bods of babes and mamas all over the world!

The Cheeky Baby Butter is an organic shea butter creme which is specially designed to protect and heal the most sensitive of baby bums although the list of uses doesn’t stop there!  It can be used anywhere on anyone who needs a little TLC on their skin (I personally love it for a hand cream). Chamomile, mandarin and lavender essential oils give the Cheeky Baby Butter a sweet, subtle smell that will make any baby smell delicious!

The Mama Belly Oil is a a fantastic way to make that mama-to-be feel pampered. It can be used daily to rub on a growing belly or for massaging those tired feet after carrying around another little human all day. It can also be used in the bath or for a calming baby massage.

These two products are perfect for mamas who want to know that what they are putting on themselves and their babies are absolutely pure - which means absolutely organic. BABYBEARSHOP products are 99% organic and 100% naturally derived and they are also 100% luxurious.

What an amazingly pampering gift for yourself or for that mama in your life!  Everyone who tries these products absolutely LOVES them!!!

 Related Post: Industrial Chemicals Found In Unborn Babies & Infants

Did you know that skin is the thinnest and most absorbent from 0 to 3 years of age?  Did you know that studies have found toxins in umbilical cords and in the urine of infants?  This means that while you are being conscious of what food you eat while pregnant to provide your unborn baby with as much nutrition as possible, it’s important to be aware of what you put on your body (i.e. lotions, shampoos, body wash).  60% of what we put on our bodies is absorbed and has shown to make it’s way to the precious little one growing inside your belly.  So what’s a Mama to do? 

1). Read labels.  If you can’t pronounce it, be weary of it and investigate further. 

2). Stay away from products with “fragrance” or “perfume”.  If it’s listed as “fragrance” it’s usually a synthetic concoction and their are no regulations in place for “fragrance”.  It’s considered a propriety ingredient so companies can list it on their labels and not have to give away their secret formula to competitors, but as consumers there is no way to know all the chemicals that go into it.  Synthetic fragrance can contain toxic “phthalates”. 

3). Avoid parabens, which are hormone disrupters.  Different types include: methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, benzylparaben, isobutylparaben, and propylparaben.

4). Skip the synthetic colors (FD&C and Lake colors) as they can contain some pretty nasty ingredients including coal tar, lead acetate (toxic to the nervous system), petroleum and more.   These are typically found in cosmetics, body wash, shampoo, soap, shower gels, etc. 

 5). Look up products on the Skin Deep database. 

 6). Stay tuned to this week as I’ll be sharing with you some amazing products for Mama & Baby that are totally pure, non-toxic and eco-friendly.  

 Related Post: Every New Parent Could Use A Laugh!  A Perfect Baby Shower Gift

 Image credit: www.parris-studios.com

Effective August 1st, the majority of Badger products will bear the USDA Certified Organic seal.  They have been selling totally pure body products for more than a decade, but now they have made it official.  They offer a vast assortment of mostly balms but also offer body lotions, oil and bar soaps as well.  You may have seen their adorable tins or tubes featuring storybook scenes in your local store, but if not you can check them out here.  Featured in glossies such VOGUE, Esquire, Runner’s World & Vegetarian Times, these products are ultra effective and totally safe.  They make a balm for almost every imaginable need.  Here’s a glimpse of their collection:  

-Beauty Balms for Beautiful Beings: includes Evolving Body Balm, Foot Balm & Cuticle Care.

-Outdoor Gift Kit: 2 soap bars, Healing Hands Balm, Bali Balm, Anti-Bug Balm & SPF 15 Lip Balm.

-SPF 30 Sunscreen: Rated in the Top 5 Safest Sunscreens for ‘08 by Environmental Working Group.

-Bali Balm: Soothing After Sun Care

-Sleep Balm: A Calming Sleep Enhancer

Until now, there hasn’t been a channel dedicated to all things green & eco-friendly.  In collaberation with TreeHugger.com, Discovery launched Planet Green one month ago on June 4th.  On the air 24/7, you’ll find a wide variety of shows to help inspire you to live more consciously.  Offering a broad range of perspectives and ideas, all backgrounds and ages will be able to find something appealing.  

No matter what shade of green you are, learn how to reduce your carbon footprint on Wa$ted, follow the residents of Greensburg as they rebuild their town that was completely destroyed by a deadly tornado and how they are implementing eco-friendly design into their plans.  If you’re a bit (or a lot) star-struck, check out Hollywood Green as host Maria Menounos reports on how the stars are going green.  On location at Whole Foods Market, watch Emeril Lagasse whip up some healthy meals with local and organic foods on Emeril Green.  Hosted by Tom Bergeon (Dancing with the Stars host), each week Supper Club features a celebrity chef who cooks up a green meal for four green celebrity guests while they discuss latest happenings and controversies in the green movement.  If you’re into home design and renovation, tune into Renovation Nation, Greenovate or World’s Greenest Homes for some great inspiration and ideas. 

 To find out what channel it’s on in your area, click here. 

Moms are busy and while wanting to keep their family safe and healthy, they might not always have the time to investigate each and every product.  And it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what should be focused on since there are so many opinions about what is safe & important for you to focus on as a mother.  The bottom line is, you want the absolute best for your family.  Keep in mind that any steps in the right direction is a good thing and try not to get too overwhelmed about what you’re not doing or what you could do better.  If you have just one minute to spare (maybe while the kids are napping), watch one Mom who found some great “green” finds for her little ones and I’ll show you where to find them below! 

1). Bath Ball Faucet Filter: Hang this from your faucet at bathtime, to reduce chlorine in your water by 95%.     

2). Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild Liquid Soap: Dr. Bronner’s has been creating totally safe & completely pure soaps for the past 60 years.  They are both USDA certified and Fair Trade certified.  Their liquid soaps are very concentrated, so they’ll last you a long time.  

 3). Under The Nile Organic Cotton Hooded Towel and Frog Washcloth puppet: One of the great organic cotton baby lines, they are Demeter certified (one of the highest level of biodynamic certifications; a step above organic) and USDA Certified Organic.  And the dyes they use are also certified organic.  Be assured this company has your baby’s safety and comfort in mind.

4). Under The Nile Fitted Crib Sheet: Rest easy knowing your baby is sleeping on totally pure bedding. 

 5). thinkbaby Bottles: According to Toxic Nation, BPA (Bisphenol A) is a hormone disruptor. Studies have linked low-dose BPA exposure with such effects as: permanent changes to genital tract; increase prostate weight; decline in testosterone; breast cells predisposed to cancer; prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer; and hyperactivity.   Canada became the first country to officially ban the chemical from baby bottles.   California recently passed a bill to ban the substance (click here for more info).  Big companies like Nalgene, Wal-Mart, Toys ‘R’ Us, and Playtex have said they will no longer make or sell BPA-containing products.