Mindful Momma

Better Snacks + a NatureBox Giveaway!

Calling all snack-a-holics! How many of you have felt guilty after giving in to a big time snack attack? I've got my hand raised! The good news is, the world of better-for-you snacks is moving way beyond carrot sticks and boring whole wheat crackers. Yes, you can still indulge and be healthy at the same time!

Here are a few healthy and great tasting snacks that have come across my desk recently:

NatureBox

The people behind NatureBox, a new subscription based, healthy snack delivery company, know that snacking is here to stay. Their mission is to help you snack to your heart's content without feeling the least bit guilty.

The NatureBox monthly snack delivery is filled with Nutritionist-approved, delicious treats made with wholesome ingredients and without the bad stuff like high fructose corn syrup, trans fats or artificial colors and flavors.

Each NatureBox includes 4 to 5 unique snack foods, based on a a new theme every month. The March box was focused on healthy swaps and when I opened up my box, I found Sunshine Chips made with sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, taro and green beans, Figgy Bars (fig bars made with honey), Firecrackers (rice-based sweet chili crackers), dried cherries and a delicious, homemade granola. The cost is $19.95 per box with free shipping.

Interested in trying NatureBox? The company is offering a one-month NatureBox delivery to one Mindful Momma reader! (See details at the end of this post.) If you don't win, use the code HEALTHY for 25% off your first month with a month-to-month subscription. Also keep in mind that you get 1 month free with a 6 month subscription, and 3 months free with a 12 month subscription. Wouldn't this make a wonderful gift for a college student or new mom?

Bare Fruit Apple Chips

When you're dying for something crunchy but don't want to give in to potato chips or crackers, Bare Fruit apple chips are just the ticket! Super crunchy and 100% organic, these chips are dry baked without oils and are only 29 calories per 2.6 oz bag. Available in Cinnamon Apple, Granny Smith Apple or Fuji Apple.

Navitas Power Snacks

Sometimes you are just plain hungry and you need a snack that will stick to your ribs and tide you over until the next meal. Navitas Power snacks are good for that. Made with a base of date paste, nuts and seeds with superfoods like maca, camu-camu and lucuma mixed in for added nutrition, Navitas Power Snacks are certified USDA Organic, raw, vegan and gluten-free. Available in Blueberry Hemp, Citrus Chia and Cacao Goji.  (They make an awesome superfood chocolate making kit too!)

What are your favorite "better" snacks?

(Full disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products in exchange for my honest opinion. There are affiliate links in this post. Any purchase you make helps support this blog. Thank you!)

My True North Organic Hair Care Experiment

 

My hair is crazy thick and naturally wavy. Or naturally frizzy - depending on the day.  My typical haircare routine is to wash my hair every 2 or 3 days with a moisturizing shampoo. Then I use a very thick conditioner - one that also has detangling properties because my hair is impossible to comb without it. Finally, if I'm trying to control the frizz or define the curls, I may squirt in a couple of styling products and hope for the best.

Recently, I decided to toss that routine out the window and try something completely different. Ashley from True North Organic asked if I would be willing to try her 100% natural, castile shampoo with a vinegar rinse as an alternative to traditional shampoo and conditioner. I hesitated for a moment because I had tried the baking soda & vinegar "no-poo" method once before and never made it past the greasy stage before I quit. But I was intrigued enough to give it a go - and I'm very glad I did!

How It Works

True North Organic Shampoo is made with a blend of organic saponified oils (saponification is a simple, chemical process that turns oils into soap), vegetable glycerin and organic aloe vera to cleanse hair without drying it out. The product is low-suds compared to traditional shampoo but it does create a lather when you work it into your hair. Unlike most shampoos though, when you rinse it out, your hair feels pretty greasy. That's where the vinegar part comes in.

After shampooing, you rinse your hair with a blend of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. (I used apple cider vinegar but regular, white vinegar works too.) The vinegar helps rinse out some of the oils, softens the hair and acts like a natural detangler. If you have very dry hair, take a tiny bit of True North Organic Body Butter and rub it into the ends of your hair after you get out of the shower. (I started out doing this but found I didn't really need to.)

The Detox Period

Ashley warned me ahead of time that my hair would go through a natural detox period and that I really needed to follow the routine for a 2-3 week period to experience the best results. The first few days, my hair was looking pretty greasy and I wondered if I was going to have to bail on my little experiment. (I decided to spare you the photos!)

The Results

Fortunately, I stuck it out. Within about a week, I was loving the way my hair looked. My waves turned into curls - and without any styling products whatsoever! I also said goodbye to the hair dryer and the hair brush. It's a surprisingly simple routine for great looking hair!

Eco Strengths

• True North Organic Shampoo is made with 76% certified organic ingredients
• The Body Butter has the USDA Organic seal (meaning it is at least 95% certified organic)
• Products are made in U.S.A.
• Small, woman-owned business (a local, Minnesota company for me!)
• Proud signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics

Second Thoughts

Unfortunately, this haircare routine that I have come to love has one big drawback. The vinegar rinse seems to strip out my hair dye faster than usual and since I have some stubborn grey that I am not willing to live with yet, I prefer to keep it dyed at all times. Ashley suggested that I try using less vinegar but so far I have not been able to cut back much without my hair getting greasy again. I'm not ready to give up on this method yet so I plan to experiment with it some more and see if I can make it make it work. Any advice is welcome!

Sale!

Get 10% off your order using the code MindfulMomma10 at checkout! I highly recommend the Lemon Lime whipped Body Butter - it smells AMAZING and leaves your skin super soft! It can also be used as a deep conditioning treatment for hair. The company also makes lotion sticks, bar soap, shower gel, lip balm and products for babies and pets.

Have you ever tried a shampoo like this or the "no-poo" method? Please share your thoughts!

(Full disclosure: I was sent free samples of True North Organic products in exchange for my honest opinion)

 

Today's Birkenstocks: Hip, Not Hippie

 

Hippie shoes. That's what I remember thinking about Birkenstocks back when I was in college. Many of my friends had them, but I was never quite on board with the style. But when Planet Shoes recently asked me to review a pair of the infamous hippie shoes, I decided to take a second look.

Eco Strengths

Birkenstocks have been around for well over 200 years and environmental sensibility has been at the core of their business.

• Sustainable materials - Footbed made from a base of renewable cork, along with jute and natural latex.
• Low waste production - Excess production materials are repurposed and recycled.
• Easily repairable - Shoes are designed to be long-lasting but many retailers will also repair.
• Recycled content packaging - Boxes are made with 90% recycled content and printed with eco-friendly inks.
• Environmentally responsible practices - recognized in Marin County, CA for conservation and sound environmental practices.

The Basel Clog

Either I've turned into a hippie or Birkenstocks have become hip! I'm loving my new pair of Basel clogs. This cute and comfy style is made with soft wool and leather on top and the traditional cork/latex footbed on the bottom. Admittedly the raised toe bar and arch support felt odd at first but I got used to it quickly and appreciate the orthopedically correct support. The longer you wear your Birkenstocks, the more they conform to your own feet.

Second Thoughts?

I look at shoes as an important investment in the health of my body. That said, I don't always have $130 to plunk down on a pair of new shoes. Many of my shoes have come from consignment shops - I've been lucky enough to find some high quality shoes at bargain prices over the years. If you are saving your pennies for a new pair of really good shoes, Birkenstocks are well worth the price.

Giveaway!

Planet Shoes is giving away a free pair of Birkenstocks to one lucky winner this week! Enter for a chance to win by midnight on Sunday, February 12th, 2012.

Have you ever owned a pair of Birkenstocks?

 

 

(Full disclosure: I was sent a free pair of Birkenstock Basel clogs in exchange for my honest opinion.)

Random Acts of Sweetitude

Have you ever had someone go out of their way to open up a door for you, surprise you by picking up the tab for lunch, leave a bouquet of flowers on your doorstep....or something equally unexpected?  If you have, then you've experienced a random act of sweetitude. 

What is Sweetitude?

According to Stonyfield Organic, Sweetitude is:

"A naturally sweet act or attitude. A pleasant disposition brought about by a non-artificial act of sweetness."

Stonyfield has a fun promotion going on right now encouraging people to spread the sweetness by sharing their favorite acts of Sweetitude. Visit www.sweetitude.com everyday between now and March 6th and tell them what sweetitude means to you. They are giving away 100 prizes including free Stonyfield yogurt, $100 gift cards to Whole Foods, Stonyfield swag, cookbooks, and a grand prize ski getaway to Okemo Mountain resort! Doesn't hurt to try!

Acts of Sweetitude

In the past few days, I have committed a few random acts of Sweetitude:

• Shoveled my neighbor's sidewalk
• Left outgrown ice skates at a community skating rink for public use
• Notified restaurant employee of a customer's lost purse

Here are a few more ideas:

• Hold open the door for someone with a big smile on your face
• Give a helping hand when you see someone carrying a lot of stuff
• Cook a favorite meal for someone you love
• Pay for a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line
• Give someone a shoulder massage
• Share homemade cookies with a neighbor
• Say I LOVE YOU to someone you care about
• Invite a friend to the movies or dinner
• Send a snail mail card to a good friend
• Weed your neighbor's garden

Have you committed any random acts of Sweetitude? Please share!

Check out my fridge!

The reason I'm talking about Stonyfield today is that I was recently asked to become a Stonyfield Yo-Getter, which is basically an ambassador for the Stonyfield brand. Since few days go by without Stonyfield yogurt in our fridge, I figured this was a partnership that made complete sense! They promise to keep me up to speed on all the cool promotions and campaigns (like the awesome anti-GMO, Just Label It campaign) they are involved in.

Speaking of my fridge, there's a picture of it up on Stonyfield's new website I Will Know My Food. Enter your fridge for a chance to win a farm-to-fridge adventure and a fridge makeover!

Do you have any questions about Stonyfield? I'm sure I could get them answered for you!

(Full Disclosure: I am supporting Stonyfield as a Stonyfield YoGetter. Stonyfield sent me coupons for free product but I have not been compensated in any other way.)

Naturopathica 30 Day Skin Transformation Challenge

I'm pretty picky about what I put on my face, but when Naturopathica asked me if I would join their 30 Day Skin Transformation Challenge, I immediately said YES! Having already tried their Sicilian Bergamot Body Lotion, I knew their EcoCert certified products were top notch.

The challenge involves using one of Naturopathica's new Regimen Kits for one month. I choose the Age Defense Kit because (ahem!) I am at the age to need such a thing. I've been using the kit for a week now and so far I'm really pleased. The natural, herbal scent of the products make me smile every time I use them. My skin feels soft and very smooth. My only complaint is that the moisturizers are a little light for my super dry skin. I need to add a second coat to keep my skin from feeling tight instead of moisturized.

Look for a more thorough review of the four products in the Regimen Kit closer to the end of the challenge. Meanwhile, would you like to try the Naturopathica 30 Day Challenge? Use the code NY2012 to get free shipping on your order.

Have you tried Naturopathica products? What do you think?

 

Highlights from The Non-Toxic Avenger

Not everyone has the gift of writing about serious topics with humor and wit, but Deanna Duke has quite the knack for it. Deanna, well known for her irreverent environmental blog, Crunchy Chicken, tackles the very personal topic of her family's exposure to environmental toxins with grace and levity in her new book, The Non-Toxic Avenger: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You, published by New Society Publishers.

Throughout the book, Deanna shares more than most people would be willing, about the health of her family as well as her own hypochondriac tendencies and personal struggles. Shortly after starting her blog, her son was diagnosed with Asperger's (a form of autism) and her husband with multiple myeloma, an incurable form of leukemia. Instead of retreating into martyr mode, Deanna dove head first into uncovering the health implications of the day-to-day chemical exposures that might have caused these problems in the first place. Eventually, Deanna undertook what might seem an impossible mission - to drastically reduce the level of chemicals in her environment, and ultimately in her body, by overhauling her life, product by product, using body burden testing as the measure of success.

Part of the draw of the book is to find out what ultimately happened to Deanna and her family (you'll have to read it, I'm not telling!) but the journey is compelling and believe me, you'll want to start applying much of what you learn to your own life, immediately! Here are a few highlights from the book:

• The "No-Poo" Experiment - After learning that most conventional shampoo is filled with parabens, fragrances and other unhealthy ingredients, Deanna decided to try the popular "no-poo" method of washing your hair with baking soda and vinegar. The results were disastrous and "For the rest of the day, my head itched like crazy and smelled like rotten bacon."
• The Off-Gassing Chess Set  - When her son Henry became interested in chess, Deanna's husband immediately ran out and bought a new chess set. Unfortunately, the board was made from PVC and "smelled like someone had unrolled an inflatable raft on the table". Deanna played mean mom and packed up the board to let it off-gas in private, before it was used again.
• The DivaCup - What's the one thing Deanna would bring with her on a deserted island? Her silicone, reusable menstrual DivaCup, of course! It's better than subjecting her body to chlorine and dioxin from conventional menstrual products and Deanna considers it "one of the greatest inventions known to womankind."

While I've never met Deanna in person, we've been blogging buds for years. Her humor keeps us "green moms" from diving too deeply into eco-despair and her pioneering ideas push us to keep trying something new (have you joined the Freeze Your Buns Challenge?) When Deanna asked me to write an endorsement for her book, (which you can find just inside the front cover), I happily obliged.

Bottom line? If you are at all concerned or even mildly curious about the effects of daily chemical exposure on our bodies and what you can do about it, I highly recommend getting yourself a copy of The Non-Toxic Avenger: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You. It's quite an intriguing story but you'll find yourself referring back to it as a reference manual again and again.

Check out more great, green book suggestions from the gals of the Green Moms Carnival, hosted by Best of Mother Earth.

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. There are affiliate links in this post. Any purchase you make helps keep this blog in business. Thank you!)

On Being Mindful...2012

Welcome to the 6th edition of my annual New Year's post sharing reflections and resolutions for living a green & healthy life. Has it really been 6 years? I'm a bit shocked really.

So many things have changed since I entered this amazing community of green-minded folks in 2006. The concept of "living green" has gone from trendy to pretty darned mainstream. Interest in buying organic, local and Fair Trade, supporting handmade and turning to DIY has grown by leaps and bounds. Meanwhile, the consumer movement against toxic chemicals and unsafe and unethical manufacturing practices has skyrocketed, causing laws to be overhauled and manufacturers to reformulate products.

Over the past 5 years, I've covered so many different topics, I sometimes wonder if there's anything more to write. But somehow there always is! In 2012, I plan to keep you posted about the latest green news and information, trends for healthy living as well as introduce some new eco-craft ideas, green product finds, giveaways and more! Be sure to visit me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest (I just joined today and I promise to share lots of cool stuff so please follow me!) for continued conversations about green & healthy living!

Enough reflecting - on to the resolutions! In the past, my New Year's resolutions have covered everything from improving the energy efficiency of our home to buying more products in bulk to mindful eating. Some years have been a random list of resolutions, other years have been more focused on a particular topic.  This year, a clear theme emerged: Taking Care.

Take care of the planet

In 2012, I pledge to be more conscious of all the resources I use in daily life:

• We may have a newly insulated home but doesn't mean I shouldn't pay attention to my home energy and water use.
• I may bring my own bags to the grocery, but there are still more ways to buy stuff with less packaging.
• The majority of my clothing may come from the thrift store but that doesn't mean I have full licence to keep buying more and more.

Take care of our health

In 2012, I pledge to be more mindful of the food I feed my family and the hidden chemicals I expose us to: 

• Make more meatless meals. That means coming up with some easy go-to vegetarian recipes that I can pull out of my hat when I'm in a hurry.
• Buy better meat. That means sometimes going out of my way to buy organic, free-range and ethically produced meat instead of conventional.
• Beware of hidden chemicals. That means using fewer canned goods laden with BPA, ditching the last non-stick pan still lurking in my house and continuing to lobby for safer chemicals.

Take care of my community

In 2012, I pledge to be a better community member:

• Read and comment on other blogs.
• Continue to build and interact with my social media communities.
• Get involved in neighborhood and school sustainability projects.

Take care of myself

 In 2012, I pledge to be nicer to myself:

• Take time to journal, to notice and to reflect.
• Start making my own happiness a priority.
• Stop comparing myself to others.
• Allow time for regular exercise.
• Refer to this list of 30 things to start doing for yourself with regularity.

That's kind of a lot, isn't it? Especially for someone who's trying not to be such an over-achiever! But when resolutions come from good, solid intentions and purposes, they are more likely to stick. As my husband always says, "Happy Mom = Happy Family" Words to live by this next year!

What are your green & healthy New Year's resolutions?

(Image credits: Lorettaflame via MorgueFile, Madelina via flickr)

Green & Healthy Roundup

Hey Mindful Momma readers! How are you surviving the holiday madness? I asked that question on Facebook and Twitter this week and got a variety of answers - from I'll all done shopping and not stressed at all to I have way too much to do and wish it were over! If you're feeling stressed, I recommend a yoga class, a warm bath or even just a cup of tea and a good book. Don't forget to make time for you!

Here's what's been going on in my green & healthy circles this week:

Holiday photo for safer chemicals!

Send your family holiday photo to your Senator and ask them for the gift of safer chemicals. I submitted mine and it's on the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families website! Will you submit yours too? (it only takes a minute - promise!)

Twinkies for breakfast?

You wouldn't serve your child a Twinkie for breakfast, would you? Well, a new report from the Environmental Working Group shows that some popular children's breakfast cereals contain more sugar than a Twinkie! One Twinkie has a whopping 18 grams of sugar - so go check those boxes in the cupboard and see how your breakfast stacks up against this iconic junk food!

Holiday Shopping Guide from WVE

Women's Voices for the Earth is an amazing non-profit advocating for women's health. To help you make safer gift choices, they put together a holiday shopping guide, highlighting helpful resources and responsible companies. Much to my surprise, they included a link to my Make It Green page (which I just updated!). It's full of DIY craft ideas and healthy recipes - so take a peek!

Two Giveaways!!

Take a chance and put your name in the hat for the two green & healthy giveaways I've got going right now!

Conscious Box - A box full of green, organic & natural goodies from unique, small businesses! (through Tuesday, Dec. 13th)

My Mama's Love Herbal Remedies Gift Set - Wonderful, handmade herbal remedies to soothe the itchies and heal chapped skin. (through Saturday, Dec. 10th)

Hope you have a green & healthy weekend and I'll see you next week!

Americans are Watching for Progress on the Safe Chemicals Act - Tomorrow!!

Just a quick post to let you know that tomorrow is a huge day for the safety of our kids and the American public! The U.S. Senate will hold a hearing to discuss the Safe Chemicals Act, a bill sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). We desperately need this major overhaul of our outdated chemical laws to keep toxic chemicals like BPA and formaldehyde out of products we use every day!

The hearings begin tomorrow (Thursday, November 17th) at 10:00 am EST.  They will be streamed live and if you want to watch, just visit the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Facebook page tomorrow morning for the link! Safer Chemicals and many of their partner organizations will be live-Tweeting and posting on Facebook during the hearings.


Wouldn't it be nice to shop without worrying about toxic chemicals in products? If you agree, please jump on Facebook and Twitter tomorrow and join in the conversation! On Twitter, please use the hashtag #SafeChemicalsAct in all your tweets for maximum impact. Here are a few suggested Tweets for you to use:

Visit the @SaferChemicals FB page for live coverage during the #SafeChemicalsAct hearings Thur 10am EST  http://on.fb.me/t9oZms

Moms will be watching this Thurs at 10am EST as the Senate discusses the #SafeChemicalsAct. http://bit.ly/rCMGgB

Hearing on #SafeChemicalsAct Thursday, Nov. 17^th at 10am EST. Call your Senator and let them know you want #saferchemicals!  http://bit.ly/vY0vCh

Thanks for your help making toxic chemical reform a reality!

(Credit for photo of recent Stroller Brigades for safer chemicals: Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families)

The Scent of Life

This post is sponsored by Seventh Generation and Social Moms.

There's nothing quite like being in the woods to make me feel alive and at ease in the world. Whether I'm hiking up a mountainside in Washington State, discovering new places somewhere in Europe or simply hoofing it through the woods in Wisconsin, I just love the woods.

I've been hiking in the woods ever since I was a kid. Every summer we piled into our family station wagon and went adventuring to various parts of the country. It almost always involved an art museum, a picnic somewhere and a long hike in the woods. My sisters and I were not always grateful during these excursions but have come to appreciate our parent's efforts to show us the wonders of the world in later years. :)

What is it about the woods that I love so much? It's that certain smell. A mix of pine needles, fresh earth, decomposing leaves, new moss and old wood. It's nature the way it really smells. Not some artificial "mountain mist" or "sea breeze" scent but a true earth-made scent. Do you know what I mean?

The sounds and the sights in the woods are wonderful too. The crunching of brittle pine needles, the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds in the background. The filtered light trickling down from the tops of the trees - those few rays that are lucky enough to reach the ground shining luminously. The shadows. The myriad of soft browns, yellows and greens. I love it all!

When I walk in the woods, I feel alive. I close my eyes and breathe in that magical, earthy scent and I feel like I'm where I should be. Not doing laundry, not typing on my computer, not racing through the grocery store. Instead I'm living, breathing and smelling nature, just as it is. Perfect!

What is your favorite scent in nature? Do certain scents remind you of your childhood or bring you back to a particular place? Do you love to walk in the woods as much as I do?

To celebrate their new line of naturally scented dish soaps, Seventh Generation asked me to write about my favorite scent from nature.  I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for compensation. For more information on how you can participate, click here. If you are interested, Seventh Generation has an awesome giveaway going on right now: Enter to win a trip to Italy, France or Vermont in their Nature Makes Perfect Scents sweepstakes!!

 

{image credit art.dutra's photostream via flickr using Creative Commons}