Eco-Friendly Mama: Safe product recommendations with a focus on organic and Made in USA!

Yet another incredibly frustrating, disappointing circumstance. Please read: “I was interested in purchasing an Uppababy stroller after reading that it was free of FRs on the Organic Baby University blog. To be sure, I emailed Uppababy and 2 representatives confirmed that Uppababy strollers were indeed free of fire retardants. I received the stroller and noticed a TB117 label attached to the seat bottom. I was confused as to why this label was on the stroller and reached out to the customer service agents again. I wanted to know why this label was on the stroller and how they were meeting TB 117 without the use of fire retardants and really why they were even applying TB 117 to strollers. One of the representatives I had originally contacted never responded and the other told me that while Uppababy does not add fire retardants under manufacturing, the foam is treated with fire retardants by the supplier!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to ask one more Uppababy representative so I asked the question on their facebook page. I posted the question on June 4th and have yet to receive an answer. I posted my question two times.

It’s really disappointing when you think you have found something safe only to learn that you have been deceived. I strongly urge you to ask Uppababy directly by phone, email, and facebook. I am still waiting for my answer on Facebook but if more people post the same question on their Facebook we have a better chance of getting an answer!

My question: I noticed Uppababy strollers have the TB117 label attached to the seat cover. Are flame retardants or water/stain treatments used on the fabric or foam of the seat during manufacturing or by the supplier?”

“The Food and Drug Administration announced last month that it was investigating the potential risks of spray sunscreens. Of particular concern to us is the possibility that people might accidentally breathe in the ingredients, a risk that’s greatest in children, who—as any parent knows—are more likely to squirm around when they’re being sprayed.” Full article: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/07/don-t-spray-sunscreens-on-kids-at-least-for-now/index.htm

https://ecofriendlyusa.poofyorganics.com/

For those who have been on my page any amount of time, you know I recommend Poofy Organics over & over, with recommendations for other lines mixed in, depending on the product being asked about. If you’re new to the page, you can check out my review for Poofy which I shared for the 1st time in May of 2013. You can also scroll through my FB timeline & read past posts from the last year+ to verify that indeed, I’ve been recommending a lot of Poofy Organics products. Why? Several reasons:

1:) The company’s USDA certified organic status ensures 3rd party oversight. Poofy has to buy from a very small list of 5 or so vendors that are approved by the USDA. If one of those vendors is out of an ingredient, Poofy has to wait, not shop around. What is sold must equal what was brought in for ingredients. It all has to add up.  I am one of the toughest critics of ingredient labels you will find. These products are full of organic, safe, and effective ingredients.

2:) These safe, organic products REALLY work. Here’s a recent message to my inbox: “Just to let you know I am obsessed with Poofy’s dish soap and all-purpose cleaner. You are so right!! I have tried so many natural products too and they are the best by far. Thank you again for your recommendations.” I receive many, many similar messages. I feel honored that so many of you take my recommendations & product reviews very seriously. Whether it’s dish soap, nail polish, lotion, make-up, I hear it time & time again: you recommended it, I tried it, I love it!”

3:) In the year+ since discovering Poofy Organics, Kristina (the owner & product creator, AKA Mama Poof) has answered every, single question I’ve had beyond my satisfaction. She actually makes the products herself, so doesn’t need to consult a distant product manufacturer & take 2 weeks to answer my question. She’s a wealth of knowledge, and she gives me complete confidence in her products. Trust is not something I have an easy time with when it comes to companies trying to sell what they consider “natural/safe/organic” products. Trust is earned. She’s earned it!

4:) These safe, natural & organic products are very cost-competitive. There are many lines on the market that are not certified organic, not as safe, not as effective, yet selling at twice the price.

SO, I recommend Poofy over & over. Many of you have tried the products, love them, and place orders directly from the company. I also started a Buying Club which many of you have ordered from, bringing together 25 of my favorite vendors, Poofy being one of them.

Recently, Kristina asked if I’d like to become an affiliate. What does this mean? This means I have my own My Poofy Organics website. By beginning your search there, and placing your order through my link, I received a percentage of your sale. You don’t pay a single cent more. I don’t touch the products. Krisina & her team make & ship them directly to you. I was hesitant at 1st. I don’t want people to think I’m recommending these products because I’m receiving a kickback. It’s the exact opposite. I’m selling these products because I’m recommending them many times a day as is. Denying the chance to earn a little income seems ridiculous. Of course I’d love a little extra income, I’m a work-at-home Mom, and have to be creative to make ends meet! Never in my dreams did I think launching this FB page on a whim, over 2 years ago would lead to any income whatsoever, but it has, so why deny that opportunity?

I know some will be critical of this decision, that’s OK. You can research for yourself the hundreds of lines available & try to find one better & safer than Poofy Organics. You can also shop directly from Poofy Organics website & not cut me in on your sale, that’s fine. You could also see if there’s a Guide (Poofy rep) in your area, maybe another WAHM, and keep your money local, that’s fine. I just want to get this info out there. I’m an honest person who never in a million years thought I’d be getting into sales. But as I’ve said, this is just too good of an opportunity to ignore. So, those of you who place regular, or irregular, Poofy orders, I hope you’ll consider doing so through my link. If you never buy a Poofy product, that’s fine too. Please continue to enjoy the 50+ reviews I’ve done on all sorts of products, and enjoy the huge wealth of information available for absolutely free on my website :) NOW, the very important link to said website. I’m always looking for motivated, educated, organic loving folks to join my team as well: https://ecofriendlyusa.poofyorganics.com/

ALSO, I offer 10% off your 1st order with me. I can’t create my own code, you need to place your order using my link then I send you a rebate via check or PayPal (product total only, tax/shipping excluded, not valid with any other offers). OR I offer free shipping on orders $200+, again, via reimbursement after the order (and again, that’s $200 in product or more).

Questions & comments are always welcome!!
Super awesome feedback regarding my decision here, many assumed I was already doing this! https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=952739534741687&id=397517646930548&comment_id=952920848056889&reply_comment_id=953411498007824&offset=0&total_comments=39

Tamara who runs the Mislead: America’s Secret Epidemic page tested  a set of Fiestaware &  found them to indeed be lead-free, but not cadmium-free. Here’s a link to the FB post on her wall with lots of questions, comments & her responses:

In case you need a reminder why paying extra for organic is worth every, single penny: ” The Pesticide Action Network recently updated its database that tracks the pesticide residues found on the foods that we eat. For the first time, the group included baby food, and the verdict is grim: A jar of pureed pears contains 26 different pesticide residues, including toxins that are known or probable carcinogens and chemicals that cause developmental or reproductive problems.” Link to full article: http://www.takepart.com/photos/pesticide-residues/?cmpid=foodinc-fb

After having a few days to digest all the info regarding my Son’s lead level rising from a 1 to a 2 over the course of 2 years, here’s my thoughts at this time:

It seems very wise, prudent & rational that I should do everything I can to get that score as low as possible, even though a 2 certainly isn’t cause for panic. He’s a very healthy, smart 3 year old, and I want him to stay that way of course! So, it makes sense to me that I should do my best to eliminate ANY potential source of lead in his/our lives.

–We live in a house built in 1998 so lead paint is not of concern.

–He eats off a stainless steel plate & uses Pyrex glass bowls, but I still will be investing in new dinnerware, as what we have now is a hodge podge of hand me downs from others. I’m looking into, and leaning towards, glass plates & salad/soup bowls made by Anchor (will post what I end up with after I make the purchase).

–The above 2 are some of the most common sources of lead exposure, but there are a TON of other possibilities as to why his number has risen. I’m 99% sure that the bentonite clay in the 2 toothpastes we use daily are not a factor, but as they are known sources of lead, it makes complete sense to me to eliminate them at this time. I have some tooth powder on order (https://www.facebook.com/397517646930548/photos/a.568349859847325.144572.397517646930548/594604927221818/?type=3&theater) that we used before discovering Earthpaste and Poof Organics toddler toothpaste, and my Son really loved dipping his toothbrush in the toothpowder. So I know it won’t be a struggle or an issue at all with his preferences. Also, I can’t wait to see what Poofy Organics has in store for us– Kristina is hard at work on a non-bentonite based adult & children’s toothpaste! I plan to use the toothpowder for 6 months, in conjunction with trying to single out any & every other potential source exposing him to lead. My Baby Girl will be 1 in ~ 6 weeks (hard to believe!), so I’ll be taking her in around that time for her 1st wellness check, which will include a lead test, and I’m curious to see what her number will be. I will continue to use Earthpaste & Poofy myself.

–We have our own well & just had our annual well test. I will be calling them on Monday to verify they checked for lead, the only things they reported back numbers on (or lack of, thankfully) were nitrates & bacteria, so I need to check on this!

–We will be using bentonite clay in our baths to help draw out the lead & any other heavy metals in his/our bodies. Interesting that the same product that concerns some regarding it’s potential lead exposure, is excellent in detoxing from heavy metal exposure.

–After 6 months we’ll get him retested & see what the number is at, and take it from there. My hope is I can get it back down to a 1 or less, and then I’d be totally comfortable re-introducing the toothpaste, and testing again 6 months later. I would never, ever think of doing that if I had concern at all that the toothpaste was unsafe. I’ve heard from several of you who have children who have used either Earthpaste and/or Poofy Organics paste exclusively for the last couple years (when both these really made an entrance in the market) and your children do not have an elevated level whatsoever.  This is very encouraging.

Thoughts, questions, comments, please share…

TONS of info from earlier this week wrapped up in this post: https://ecofriendlyusa.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/lead-in-bentonite-clay-based-toothpaste-is-any-amount-safe/