Bannor Toys

03 May 2013 Leave a comment

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews Tags: ,

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Bannor Toys is  one of the toy companies on my Made in the USA safe toy list. One thing I really like about doing reviews is it gives me an opportunity to learn more about the business and the products they make. Here’s a little bit about their family-owned & operated business located in my neighboring state of Iowa.

Bannor Toys is a small family-owned company that believes in education and development through quality, safe, and fun toys. Where do they get their wood: “All of our products are made in Iowa.  All of our wood is bought from two local lumber yards.  Both of the companies we buy from offer FSC certified domestic hardwoods (maple, walnut, oak, cherry, etc.)  We do buy a small amount of exotic wood (purple heart, yellow heart, etc.) for our “Woods of the World” building blocks and a few other toys.  We buy our exotic wood from the same two local companies that we buy the domestic wood from.  Most of our exotic wood is grown in forests in Central and South America.  We have been assured it is harvested and replanted responsibly. None of our products are made in China, me and my wife personally build every single item we sell here in Des Moines, Iowa.  None of our wood comes from China, and 95% of the toys we build use domestic woods grown and responsibly harvested in the U.S. All of our wood is hand-picked one board at a time to ensure quality and all of our finishes and paints are non-toxic and safe to be handled by children. Every product is inspected for safety. We believe that wooden toys are not only beautiful in any home; they also stimulate a child’s imagination. Their fabric rattle balls are handmade with a variety of fabrics including vintage chenile, broadcloth, flannel, minky and other textures that babies and kids love.

As with several other small family-run businesses I’ve done reviews for, these generous entrepreneurs donate a portion of every, single purchase to children’s charities such as Toys for Tots, and the Make a Wish Foundation! I love the spirit of giving back that I’ve encountered!

They sent me the 2 super cute cars that you can see in the attached photo, which arrived in a very cute fabric bag that can be used for storage or travel. My toddler (who recently turned 2) has had lots of fun pushing these cars around the house, and now that Spring has arrived, they’ve made it outside to the driveway with us. They are ffinished with Bannor Toys own beeswax and flaxseed oil finish, which is 100% organic and 100% non-toxic and it looks beautiful. You are able to choose between walnut, maple or cherry wood. These cars are very well-made & durable, and I have no doubt they’ll be around for many years for my next child to play with, and then to pass on to another family when we’re done with them! I absolutely love simple toys such as these that do exactly what this business has set out to do: help stimulate development through quality, safe, and fun toys.

They don’t have a huge line, but as I always state: quality over quantity is what’s important, and there surely is something for every babe/toddler! Categories of offerings include: Wooden Toys (several different stackers, a balancer, driving set, building & alphabet blocks ranging from $28-$45), Cars & Trucks (several makes & models ranging from $12-$38 for a set of 4), Baby Rattles (several great wooden ones, and several soft balls, ranging $10-$23 for a set of 2 balls), Block Sets with several great options (ranging $15-$45), Baby Gift Sets (love this category, great for your registry $24-$50) and Maple Teethers in many cute shapes & sizes ($12).

Please visit their website & FB pages for more info and to browse these quality, hand-crafted products yourself:

Website: http://www.bannortoys.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/MyBannorToys?fref=ts

Little Neetchers Cloth Diapers

03 May 2013 Leave a comment

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews Tags:

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Review of Little Neetchers, a family-owned cloth diaper business located in my neighboring state of Minnesota (Duluth).  Info from the ‘About Us’ tab: “Little Neetchers started out of the desire to help parents start or transition to cloth diapers as smoothly as possible. They believe that anyone can cloth diaper when given the correct information and when using the most reliable diapers on the market. Little Neetchers is not just about selling products, but about knowing the most about each product they sell. Since they have extensive experience with all their products (not just tried, but tested for years!), they are able to provide knowledgeable customer service that goes beyond the average cloth diaper shop. This way they can make sure that everyone who tries cloth has a great experience and actually enjoys it! ”

What they offer is a  very comprehensive online store with all the cloth diapers & accessories you could possibly need: pocket diapers, diaper covers, prefolds & inserts, all-in-ones, diaper packages, newborn diapers, big kid diapers, eco-friendly diapers, training pants, swim diapers, specials, USA MADE, wet bags, gift sets, detergent, wipes & balms and natural baby products (mostly from LuSa organics, located 20 minutes from me here in WI!). Also, carriers, nursing & teething accessories, and swaddlers, and TONS of information on cloth diapering, and a gift registry. This page truly is a great resource!! http://www.littleneetchersdiapers.com/

Like most other cloth diaper outlets, they offer the top name brands most of us are familiar with. However, I was thrilled when Joy offered to send me a unique item– a diaper cover that they just started to make themselves, with a hemp soaker, all made by them in MN. From Joy, the owner” Our business tries to sell as much “made in the US” products as I can that are healthy for babies and the environment.”   The description they have online describes this diaper perfectly: NEET One-size designer covers! Made locally and sustainably here in Minnesota. Give your baby a fashionable bum and all the benefits of a very reliable and well-made diaper cover. $18.95 for the cover, insert(s) not included. http://www.littleneetchersdiapers.com/products/page/NEET_One-size_Covers •Ones-size fits most babies from 8-30lbs. •Soft inside, leaves no red marks on baby’s skin •GREAT fit! Trim with no bulkiness or sagging •Made in the USA My babe is ~32# and this diaper still fits very nicely, and it’s true that it is snug with no bulkiness, while not being too tight that it leaves red marks. I only have one other Velcro diaper  in my stash, the rest are snaps, and honestly I don’t love the other Velcro diaper I have (from SoftBums) because my toddler is easily able to get it off, even when it was brand new. However, the Velcro on this diaper is very tough for him to get off himself, it latches & holds very well. The cover comes in 12 very cute patterns, mine pictured is the Garden Gnomes. There are 3 rows of snaps lining the front so it truly is adjustable from newborn to toddler-size, which is something I love about these types of diapers.

This is the insert sent to me with the diaper:. NEET Hemp Soakers. $12.95-$15.95 (S,M,L) for a 2 pack.  Looking for something amazingly absorbent and trim, here you go! http://www.littleneetchersdiapers.com/products/page/NEET_Hemp_Soakers •Organic Hemp Cotton Blend •Super soft, super absorbent •Simply fold in half to use in covers •Great nighttime solution These indeed are amazingly absorbent & trim, and the perfect fabric to have right next to your babes skin. You could use an insert of your choice of course, and they offer several different options. I’ve tried the diaper cover with other inserts I have on hand & it works well.

The awesome news is that my babe, who recently turned 2, has taken to using the potty and we are going through diapers at a much slower pace! But, with babe #2 coming in a couple of months I’m thrilled to have this diaper added to my stash, and will update this review when I start using it on my newborn! Thanks for sharing this diaper with me Joy, I know where to come for all my diaper needs in the future!

website:http://www.littleneetchersdiapers.com/

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Neetchers/146630354819?fref=tsSee More

GlassDharma Straws

03 May 2013 Leave a comment

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews Tags: ,

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A couple months ago a mama shared a link to GlassDharma straw company on my wall, and I shared it with the page. The majority of the comments were thoughts such as “A glass straw, I’d never give that to my child” (due to breakage concerns). I was thrilled when the very nice people at GlassDharma agreed to send me a couple of straws to review, to see how they hold up to my toddler. At this time I’ve been using them for a little less than a month. I let my toddler handle them as he handles anything else. They have hit the ground a couple times. They get washed in the sink with the rest of the dishes, with no special care. There is a brush (sold separately), but I honestly haven’t needed it yet. I let them soak with all of my silverware, and flush hot water through them, and they come out wonderfully clean! I will update in the future, should they ever break!

These straws are made of Pyrex-quality glass (Borosilicate glass – the strongest commercially available). I don’t know how many of you use Pyrex in you daily life, but I have for many years now (also proudly made in the USA). Here’s a short story to demonstrate what Pyrex-quality consists of. One day I pulled out of my driveway and started driving down the road. In my rear view mirror I saw something go flying off the top of my car, at maybe 35 mph. I slammed on the brakes, backed up, and there was one of my Pyrex storage containers I had placed on top of my car and obviously forgotten about. It had skid marks on the bottom, but not even a chip out of it! I don’t recommend trying this, but just want to give you an idea of how tough this glass can be. Had it landed differently, it may have shattered. I just had a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup fall from high up on the shelf and literally explode all over the kitchen. It was ~13 years old, and has fallen unscathed before. SO, the stuff can break, of course. But, under normal use, the stuff can last a lifetime. I’m expecting the same from these straws. The company offers this guarantee: Hassle-Free Lifetime Guarantee Against Breakage If, for any reason*, your GlassDharma Drinking Straw should break, click the link below for instructions and a form to obtain your replacement. NOTE: Although we offer this unbelievable guarantee, we are NOT claiming that they are unbreakable. (Any more than your Pyrex coffee pot or pie plate would be.) Purposely “testing” GlassDharma straws is not advised and in some cases may result in the guarantee being voided.

Are straws a necessity of life? Of course not. But, those of you with older children are probably aware the kids LOVE drinking through straws. Think of all the plastic straws many families will go through in a lifetime without thinking twice about it. I, and many of you, are on missions to rid our homes & lives of plastic to the greatest extent possible. This is one more great, reusable product that can help you achieve that goal. We drink smoothies at least every-other-day. I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed drinking through the glass straw. I give babe the short one, and I use the one with the slight bend towards your lips (see the photo). I don’t know why, but it just seems to go down extra smooth! Whenever we have smoothies, babe goes to the drawer for his straw.

Here’s what the company has to say about plastic straws: PLASTIC STRAWS are always in the top 10 of number of items collected during beach cleanups. Some folks ask “Why do we need a beverage delivery system, anyway?” Well, it’s true that up until about 100 years ago nobody had one, so they are not essential for the average person for survival, but here’s the catch: Would anybody seriously think that we could outlaw drinking straws? A large population shows no willingness to do without their straws, so as long as there are people that want to use a drinking straw, then we need to find materials and processes that do not impact our planet the way plastic straws currently do.

PRICE: You may be expecting these to be outrageously expensive. I’m happy to report that is not the case. I feel they are quite affordable, and I am on a tight budget as most of you are. There is a choice of diameters and lengths, and some are plain, and some a little fancier. They run from $7-$12. They also offer sets which’ll save you $5. http://www.glassdharma.com/straws.html

FOCUS: The GlassDharma philosophy is not to try to be all things to all people. Our focus is to do what we can do and what we do best. Single use plastics are not only one of the biggest contributors to plastic pollution, it is also one of the (relatively) easier issues to remedy – at least when it comes to stopping the pollution. Cleaning up what is already there is another topic for discussion. Our company’s focus is on drinking straws. The GlassDharma mission is to create world-wide awareness about single use plastics and how damaging plastic straws are to our environment. Glass Straws provide an alternative that eliminates the need for straws made from plastic.

Please check out their website for more information at: http://www.glassdharma.com/index.html. Straws proudly made in Fort Bragg, CA.

Many have asked about the Mason jar lid, it came from Re-Cap: http://www.recapmasonjars.com/

 

UPDATE 2/25/18, NEARLY 5 YEARS LATER!!! In our almost 5 years of using them now, pretty much DAILY, we’ve only broken one, and not under normal use. My Son’s friend was trying to hammer it into the ground like it was a stake (reason unknown), it broke. I did not request a free replacement 🙂 Seriously, do not let your fear of glass steer you away from these!

Way Out Wax Review

03 May 2013 Leave a comment

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews Tags: , , ,

Way Out Wax

I was thrilled when a representative from Way Out Wax contacted me to offer some samples up for review. Why? Because it had been nearly 2 years since I burned a candle in my home. I remember my last candle well– I was a new mom, and had recently found the FB page Raising Natural Kids, where I read a post on the dangers of synthetic fragrances found in candles & air fresheners in general. I distinctly remember I had a candle burning at the time. I looked over at my fresh new baby sleeping on the couch, and snuffed out the candle. I threw most of them in the garbage (which I regretted a couple months ago when our power went out, the batteries in our flashlight were dead & I had to dig very hard for a candle). You can read below about the issue surrounding synthetic fragrances. I’ve learned to live without, and not miss, smelling up my home. But I have to say, it sure has been nice to enjoy a mild scented candle again with n0 concern for the health of my family or the environment. The Way Out Wax website has so much great information on it, I’m going to start by sharing what they have to say: (http://www.wayoutwax.com/)

  • Our waxes are 100% natural and biodegradable.
  • We use 100% soy wax in all of our container candles (cobalt glass, travel tins and colored votive glass)
  • Our soy wax is 100% pesticide free and GMO-free
  • Soybeans are a renewable resource, grown right here in the United States. Soy wax is a great way to support American farmers
  • Our scents come from 100% pure essential oils without any dyes or synthetic fragrance. Essential oils are obtained through highly labor-intensive processes which extract the vital essence of aromatic plants from the flowers, fruits, sap, seeds or skin of the plant, as well as the bark, leaves, roots, resins or wood of certain trees. These oils are often referred to as the “life force” of plants and contain unique and varied therapeutic properties.
  • What are synthetic fragrances? Synthetic Fragrance oils are primarily made from petrochemicals and attempt to duplicate the smell of a specific plant. By dismantling the unique chemical compound of an essential oil, chemists re-assemble a “Frankenstein” fragrance. A 1986 report by the National Academy of Sciences reports that 95 percent of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum and include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxins and synthesizers capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.
  • What aren’t they telling us? The FDA does not require fragrance manufacturers to disclose the ingredients of synthetic fragrances because these formulas are regarded as “proprietary.” Such “proprietary” ingredients commonly include numerous known carcinogens but are protected under the FDA’s “trade secret” law.
  • How harmful are these fragrances? Even after banning methylene chloride (a known carcinogen that also causes autoimmune disease) in 1989, an EPA study two years later listed the chemical as one of the 20 most common chemicals found in fragrance products. In a 2001 study, the EPA reported that synthetic fragrances were shown to cause “possible mutagenic and genotoxic effects.” Synthetic fragrances have also been shown to contain hormone disruptors which are linked to abnormal cell reproduction and may result in tumor growth. None of our products contain additives: At Way Out Wax, we’re convinced that pure essential oils, 100% biodegradable and natural waxes and unbleached cotton or hemp wicks are the only ingredients necessary for making a GREAT candle. In our minds, everything else that the candle industry uses classifies as an “additive.” The chemicals utilized by many candle companies and the “fragrance” industry are unhealthy to work with and unhealthy to burn.

So, here’s what I was sent:

I received a Sweet dreams candle in a colored glass votive (lavender, lemongrass & marjoram scented, 2 oz., $7.99 each, up to 24 hours burn time ), which has a wonderful, subtle, fresh scent. Also a 4 pack of lavender tea lights ($4.99/4 pack- up to 6 hr burn time/candle). None of the scents are very strong, they are wonderfully subtle. There is something about burning a candle that does lend a peaceful, tranquil feel to the house. Although I lived without them for nearly 2 years, it has been very wonderful to enjoy them once again. I will be ordering a few to keep around the house!!

There are so many candles to choose from- categories include: aromatherapy, unscented, tealights, true organics (100% certified organic essential oils), Vermont soy (7 unique blends created as a tribute to Vermont), clean air (air freshener spray), bug out, and gift baskets. You can choose your scent, and then choose your size/burn time. For example a 1” X 2” votive lists 15 hrs. of burn time, vs. a large round 3” X 6” which lists 65 hrs. of burn time, with many choices in between. You can choose from travel tins, cobalt blue glass jars, frosted tumblers, tea lights, votive, pillars, all the options you could possibly want in a candle!

How is burn time calculated? “Burn time is truly a moving target, as drafts, length of extended burning and other variable factors can greatly affect the outcome. This is why burn time is listed as “up to X hours”, i.e. “in a perfect scenario.” Burn time is generally calculated by burning a large number of candles for the recommended hours per session (a rule of thumb is one inch per hour diameter) and allowing the candles to cool completely before lighting again. Most of our candles’ burn times were calculated as an average of at least 40 or 50 different test burns, which are also conducted for testing a number of other characteristics (scent throw, wick selection, etc).”

I was also sent a Tropical Citrus Room Spray with the following ingredients: water, active ingredients are a proprietary blend of all natural plant extracts and botanical oils (4 oz/$6.99). My one & only concern is the proprietary nature, my page has come to know that I’m a huge advocate of full-disclosure. Of course, they cite the need to protect the product recipe from being stolen, which is what all companies who put proprietary blend on their labels cite. I have no reason not to trust this company, but really like to know exactly what is going into the products I’m using. I was sent the safety sheet as a pdf which I will gladly forward to anyone interested in taking a look. I saw no concerns other than don’t spray in eyes, common sense stuff. About the spray: This powerful mist electrostatically attaches to odor particles and neutralizes them, rather than just masking the unpleasant odor. Ideal for kitchen, bathroom locker room and cigarette smoke, Clean Air sprays are revolutionizing all-natural odor removal, while supporting better personal and environmental health. I normally use a homemade air freshener which consists of water & my favorite essential oils, which does just mask smells, not “eat” them, but I’ve been perfectly happy with that option.

Here’s a full Catalog: http://www.wayoutwax.com/2010_wayoutwax_catalog.pdf

Their website: http://www.wayoutwax.com/

And FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/WayOutWax?fref=ts

Maggie’s Naturals Food Coloring

03 May 2013 Leave a comment

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews Tags: , , ,

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1st, the recipe I used for the play dough, which turned out absolutely perfect. This is the basic recipe. I tripled it to make enough for the 6 colors I was sampling. I think the following recipe would be plenty for 3-4 different colors of small balls. If you want to put a nice sized ball in the fridge, go ahead & double it. I mixed all dry ingredients together & then divided it into 4 small bowls (I did the other 2 colors later). I added the coloring to the boiling water before adding to dry ingredients.

–1 C Flour (I used organic whole wheat because that’s what I had on my shelf- use what you have)

–½ C salt (I used course Kosher) 1 TBSP oil (I used olive)

–1 TBSP cream of tartar (the only thing I had to go buy that wasn’t on my shelves, I bought organic, but it was kind of pricey)

***Mix all those together.

Then add and stir in quickly:

–1 Cup boiling water

–1 ½ tsp. Food coloring (more or less depending on how vibrant you want the colors!)

*** Will seem kind of pasty. Let sit & cool 5-10 minutes and work into a ball. If it’s sticking to your hands, add flour little-by-little until it doesn’t stick. I divided each ball in ~1/3 & gave my babe 1 of each color to play with, and stored the remainders in an airtight Ziploc bag for up to a few months, until it seems hard & unworkable, then you know it’s time to make a fresh batch.

Why natural dyes? Most of you on this page probably avoid synthetics in your life as much as possible. For a quick, basic summary of why artificial dyes should be avoided, read this: http://www.cspinet.org/fooddyes/

What the dyes are made of (not 100% organic) BLUE: blue gardenia extract, organic vegetable glycerin, citric acid BROWN: caramelized sugar, organic vegetable glycerin, citric acid GREEN: green gardenia extract, spinach, parsley, organic vegetable glycerin, citric acid PINK: beets, sweet potato, organic vegetable glycerin, citric acid ORANGE: annatto seed, organic vegetable glycerin, citric acid YELLOW: curcumin, organic vegetable glycerin, citric acid *Colors may vary due to Natural ingredients. $60 for the set of 6.

What I think of Maggie’s Naturals food coloring: I really wasn’t sure how much to use- some recipes I saw said 30 drops? Maggie’s doesn’t come in a dropper bottle, so I decided on a tsp. but then threw in another 1/2 tsp for good measure (for a total of 1 1/2 tsp per half batch of above recipe, or approx. 1/2 cup boiling water). I truly love how the colors turned out! They are very earthy & not fake-looking. They really look natural, BECAUSE THEY ARE! The amount of coloring I used for each batch barely brought the bottle down below the neck line- they were filled clear to the brim. The cost is the only downside. I know many on this page are mamas on tight budgets just like I am. I compare the cost to essential oils, (which is what they are) which typically run ~$10 for a 1 oz. bottle- Maggie’s are a 2 oz. bottle. I did find one other brand offering a similar product online- there’s are $5.99 for a .5 oz bottle, so comparatively, Maggie’s are a good deal! The folks at Maggie’s told me to watch their site for mix-n-match offers in the coming weeks. I never buy 6 bottles of essential oils at once though, but this helped my put the cost into perspective. Maybe you could split an order with a mama friend. Or, if you’re like me & your babe has plenty of toys, put Maggie’s on a X-mas wish list for g.ma & g.pa. I know this product isn’t for everyone (or their budget), but I often see mamas looking for natural ideas for coloring babe’s 1st birthday cake, etc. For my babe’s 1st b-day I decorated his blueberry cake with more blueberries spelling out his name & a big heart. I’m really not a colored frosting kind of mama. But, I do however need lots of ideas to get me through a Wisconsin winter indoors with a toddler, and play dough immediately came to mind. Each color will provide enough for many, many projects & decorative confectioneries in the future.

The true test was to see how my babe liked it. As always, he proceeded with caution, poking & prodding it a bit. I ran grabbed a few close by accessories, a butter knife, a few of his cups from Green Toys, a pen, a lid to flatten the stuff with, and helped him get started playing. I then proceeded to do the dishes & clean up my kitchen of the playdough making mess, while he happily squished, rolled & played with the dough balls for an entire hour, which is a reeeeeeeeally long time in toddler-time!

Visit Maggie’s Naturals website at: http://www.maggiesnaturals.com/

SIDE NOTE: Maggie’s Naturals is owned by Maggie’s grammie Jan. The family also owns another awesome business, which I’m sure many of you are aware of: http://www.ecokidsusa.com/. Eco-kids is run by Maggie’s mom & dad. They offer eco-dough, finger paint, crayons, rolling pin, art pad, glue, egg coloring & party bags, all PROUDLY made in Portland, Maine.

Coconutty Organics Body Scrub

03 May 2013 Leave a comment

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews

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I really enjoyed the orange-scented body scrub sent to me by Shannon from Coconutty Organics. The main thing I love about it is the simplicity, but effectiveness of the product. The FEWER ingredients in any product, the better. This has 3 ingredients, organic coconut oil, orange oil, and organic raw sugar. I also love that it comes in a reusable, glass jar! The sugar works great as an exfoliant, and of course coconut oil is a superb moisturizer. Orange is one of my favorite scents, it’s so crisp, clean & refreshing smelling to me.

Other products available from Coconutty Organics include: baby bum cream, coconut baby lotion, nipple & thrush cream, essential oils, eczema cream, facial detox wash, lip balms for adults & kids, pain healing cream, pain relief bath soak, epsom bath salts, himalays salts, peppermint foot scrub, massage oils, eye mask, comfort rice packs, and I’m sure I missed a few!! Lots of great products, great ingredients and great packaging.

THANKS Shannon, for sharing your body scrub with me!!

Please visit her website: http://www.coconuttyorganics.com/# and FB page: https://www.facebook.com/coconuttyorganics

The Natural Newborn

03 May 2013 Leave a comment

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews

Ntural Newborn

Review of products from The Natural Newborn: Christina, the owner of Natural Newborn sent me a few samples to try out from her all-natural line of products. I saw no ingredients of concern in any of her products. She is very upfront about the preservative used in a couple of her products, and the option for synthetic scent if you so desire it (I recommend against using any artificial scents, but that’s up to you to decide). All products are available unscented, naturally scented via essential oils, or synthetically scented if you so desire. If you’d like to support a Work-at-home-Mom making natural skin care solutions, I think this is a great option! Please check out her offerings via her website:  http://thenaturalnewborn.com/store/Default.asp. From her site: Our natural baby products feature: • All-natural Ingredients • No Chemical Detergents (including sulfates) • Preservative-Free Products • No harmful petroleum products or byproducts • No Artificial Colors or Dyes • DEET Free Mosquito Repellent • No Animal Testing • Vegan Soaps and Washes

Here’s what she sent me: Soft Baby Wash– ingredients: Saponified Oils of *Olive and *Coconut, *Calendula infused in *Sunflower oil (scented varieties also contain Fragrance or Essential Oils) *QAI certified organic. $8/4 oz. You have a choice between unscented, scented w/ essential oils (natural), or synthetic “baby magic scent”. I like that the choice is yours. Personally, I’ll always choose an unscented product. I rarely use soap of any kind on my toddler (used nothing at all until ~ 18 months). I do wash his hair a couple of times a week and used this as shampoo on him, lathering it in my hands & rubbing it into his hair. I love knowing that it’s incredibly mild, and unscented. I used it on myself as a body wash & to shave my legs with, and enjoyed using it!

Soothing Body Butter ingredients: Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Oil, Babassu Oil, Beeswax, Tocopherol T-50 (Vitamin E) (scented varieties contain Fragrance or Essential Oil) $15.00/4 oz. This was a pretty small sample, (I understand WAHM ventures don’t have the resources to be able to send out full-sized samples) but I enjoyed the couple of uses I got out of it, I was just sad it was gone so quickly The butter had a bit of a grainy texture straight out of the container, but rubbed on smooth, and absorbed quickly leaving my skin feeling moisturized as it should. Again, I appreciate that it was unscented, and knowing that it is made of great butters & oils for my growing baby belly!

Vapor rub ingredients: Sunflower Oil infused with Calendula, Chamomile and Comfrey; Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Beeswax, Tocopherol T-50 (Vitamin E), Natural Essential Oils”. $9.00/2 oz. I’m extremely thankful that my entire family has made it this far through the winter without even the slightest sniffle, so I haven’t had occasion to use this product yet. Should I need it, I’m happy to know I have a safe alternative to Vicks on hand. Will update if/when I use it!

The full line of products made by The Natural Newborn: Skin care for children (baby wash, lotion, infant massage oil, body butter, summer sun lotion ) & adults (moms hand & body lotion, soothing body butter, moms intense foot cream, peppermint foot loofah, moms brown sugar facial) hair care (children’s shampoo & hair detangler), natural mosquito repellent, diaper rash products, natural vapor rub.

On preservative use: “The only synthetic ingredient we use in any of our products is the preservative Germall Plus. This preservative is only used when absolutely necessary and any product containing it will be clearly indicated in its description that it contains a synthetic preservative, as well as this ingredient being listed on the labels. Products containing water require a preservative because the water content can lead to spoilage. Currently, these products are our lotions and our foot cream. We may add more products in the future that require a preservative but they will always be clearly marked.”

Holistic Dental Tooth Powder

03 May 2013 2 Comments

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews Tags: , ,

Tooth Powder

REVIEW OF HOLISTIC DENTAL STORE ORGANIC MILD/ CHILDREN’S TOOTH POWDER (for children and pregnant women). Made with organic ingredients certified by Oregon Tilth, except the wildcrafted Myrrh.

I know many, many of you are searching for the perfect toothpaste for yourselves, but especially for your children. Many of us avoid fluoride, but the mainstream fluoride-free toothpastes that are readily available, such as Tom’s of Maine, Jason, etc. have other chemicals we don’t want, such as SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), some have carrageenan, and numerous other ingredients. I’m on a mission to make as many of my own personal care products as possible, but just haven’t gotten around to toothpaste yet. I was thrilled when this product was offered up for me to review. Tooth powder– I had never heard of it.

Info from their website: Mainstream thinking does not acknowledge that products put in your child’s mouth gets absorbed by their body and bloodstream. That is why we are pleased to announced a mild tooth powder specifically designed for children and pregnant women. Our ingredients are organic and wildcrafted herbs, and nothing else. No glycerin, no fluoride, no sodium laurel sulfate and no fillers or unlabeled ingredients. With our tooth powder there are no ingredients that take a chemist lab book to figure out what it is. Our mild / child tooth powder has a gentle and refreshing mint flavor. My children personally helped me formulate the tooth powder and we guarantee your child will love it, or you can return the product for a full refund. Mild / Child tooth powder from Holistic Dental is a tooth cleaner you can trust to put in your child’s mouth.

Tooth Powder vs. Tooth Paste Tooth powders contain herbs which apply nutrients and natural medicines to your teeth and gums. Tooth powder is very slightly abrasive and much less abrasive than most tooth pastes or baking soda. Tooth paste is usually toxic with cheap fillers and ingredients. Many ingredients might be unlisted or mislabeled as cosmetic products do not require the same standards of food.

Of course the 1st thing I do is look at the ingredients before agreeing to accept it for review. They are as follows:

100% Natural Full Strength Ingredients: Wildcrafted White Oak bark, Organic Spearmint leaf, Organic Licorice root, Organic Slippery Elm bark.

Wildcrafted White Oak bark is anti-inflammatory, astringent, rich in vitamins and minerals Organic Slippery Elm bark – is a vitamin and mineral rich and soothing bark of the elm tree Organic Licorice root – contains compounds that may help prevent and treat tooth decay and gum disease. It has been used for hundreds if not thousands of years in Traditional Chinese herbal medicine.* Organic Spearmint leaf – is less strong than peppermint and is commonly used in children’s herbal formulations. Spearmint is known to aid and digestion and is in formulations for colic.* Spearmint has a historically used flavor for dental care products. We use the whole herb spearmint, not an oil, extract or concentrate. Wildcrafted Myrrh Gum – Soothing and known to promote gum health*

I liked what I saw as far as the ingredients go, so time to try it! My babe was 21 months when we tried it for the 1st time. I honestly had not been using any toothpaste at all on him, as I just hadn’t found one that satisfied me, so he just brushed with water. The test… Directions are to wet brush, then dip into powder. The powder has a spearminty smell, with an after smell of herbs. He LOVES it. The only problem is he wants to keep dipping, and dipping. I let him have 2 dips. What do I think of the taste? I like it, it tastes like spearmint. There is another full-flavor/strength blend, with more herbs, but I was told it’s too strong for many pregnant women, and even non-pregnant women. We’ve been using this product for a month now, and I really, really like it. I will venture into making my own toothpaste someday, but for now, I am enjoying this tooth powder, and recommend it without hesitation!

Here’s the response I received when questioning the herbs and their safety for pregnant/nursing mothers: “Because this is a topical product, it is considered safe for pregnant and nursing mothers because only a small amount of tooth powder is used to brush with, and then an even much smaller amount is absorbed. And the formula is mild enough for children. That being said, there are two herbs in it that are on contra-indicated lists for internal use during pregnancy which again is not the same as using it to brush with. That is licorice root, and myrrh. There is only a small amount of myrrh in the tooth powder. It is cleaner than regular toxic tooth pastes. Some pregnant women who have used Holistic Dental regular tooth powder found the taste too strong. This child tooth powder has a nice mild flavor. So mostly I think it is a matter of taste and sensitivity for pregnant women and I think this one should work well.”

My holistic doctor had be rubbing my gums with myrrh oil to help with gum bleeding during my 1st pregnancy. The reading I did on licorice root suggests it should be avoided in large doses during pregnancy, such as in teas, etc. I agree with the info provided that the amount is so minuscule in this product that it doesn’t pose a concern, and my doctor also agreed. That being said, I urge you do to your own research, and discuss the use of this product with your own doctor if you are pregnant, and come to your own conclusion!

$12.97 for a 2 oz. jar, which is enough for ~ 4 months, for one person. http://www.holisticdentalstore.com/mild-tooth-powder.htm

Eco-Kids Crayons

03 May 2013 Leave a comment

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews Tags: ,

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Eco-Kids crayon review: $9.99 for 6 colors. Exploratory crayons handmade with natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, beets, carrots, curcumin, purple sweet potato, red cabbage and spinach, soy, bee and palm wax. These crayons didn’t break as easily as the Clementine crayons, but after several uses my babe did manage to break a few chunks off. The colors are not real vibrant, but as the description implies, they’re meant for exploratory play. Children, especially young ones just starting to color don’t need 40 colors of extremely vibrant shades. They need SAFE options to start exploring putting marks on paper. It’s adults who will look at them and think the colors are dull. I think these are a GREAT option for babes 1st crayons!! http://shop.ecokidsusa.com/product/eco-crayons This company also makes eco- dough, finger paint, egg-coloring kits, art pads, stickers, paste, and soon to be releasing markers. Eco-kids provided these to me complimentary for review purposes, which I really appreciate!

Wee Can Too Crayons

03 May 2013 Leave a comment

by ecofriendlymamausa in Reviews Tags: ,

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Wee Can Too Crayon review: $11.00 for 5 colors. Made from Organic fruit and vegetable powders and Organic food grade plant waxes! VEGAN, no wheat, no sugar, no preservatives! While these crayons are not intended as food, they are so safe that they are indeed edible. From their website: “Let’s face it, with infants and toddlers these days, everything ends up in their mouths. Well relax mommas & daddies, because our products are made for curious mouths and made with food-based organic ingredients.” And guess what? Maybe it’s the shape of them, but they are the only crayons out of the 3 that have teeth marks on them from my babe sticking 1 of them in his mouth. I watched him do it, and didn’t freak out, because I know they’re safe, and I knew they also wouldn’t taste good & he likely wouldn’t do it again, which he hasn’t. My babe likes stacking them on top of each other. The size makes them easy to grab for little hands, and they won’t break like the other 2 have. The colors are not vibrant, but again, they’re meant as a 1st crayon, for exploration, probably not for the school aged children in your life. I think this is also a wonderful product.
http://www.weecantooart.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=18&virtuemart_category_id=6&Itemid=4. Other offerings include finger paints, veggie sidewalk chalk discs, veggie chalk swirls, veggie sidewalk chalk, egg dyeing kit, tempera paint and face paint. Wee Can Too provided these to me complimentary for review purposes , which I appreciate!

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