Mindful Momma

Honest Products from The Honest Company {+ a Giveaway!}

I'm not much of a celebrity groupie but I have to admit I'm pretty impressed with Jessica Alba. Last spring, she used her star power to rally for stronger Federal chemical laws on Capitol Hill. Now she is busy helping to run a new natural product company called The Honest Company.

The Honest Company offers an eco-friendly line of family essentials (diapers and wipes, bath and body care, and household cleaners) sold exclusively through their website, Honest.com. In a nutshell, here's what they are all about:

"Savvy style, sustainability, and extraordinary service & convenience all wrapped in a passion for social goodness, tied with a bow of integrity and sprinkled with a little cheeky fun."

Eco Strengths

The goal of The Honest Company is to deliver products that are as non-toxic, healthy and earth-friendly as possible while being effective, beautiful and fun at the same time. Check out their list of health and sustainability standards - it is quite impressive.

• Bath products are free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate, artificial fragrances and many other yucky chemicals.
• Diapers are made with sustainable, plant-based materials and are chlorine-free.
• Cleaning products are biodegradable and free of common chemicals like 1,4 dioxane and formaldehyde.
• Full ingredient list is available on website and product packaging.
• Charitable partnerships including Baby2Baby.org means the company is giving back to people and the planet.

What I appreciate about The Honest Company is that the are honestly trying to do better. Not only better than other companies, but they strive to make their business better and better each day.

Fav Products

Honest Hand Soap - I'm not a fan of highly fragranced hand soaps. This one has just a touch of yummy citrus scent. Plus the adorable bottle looks sweet on my bathroom counter.

Honest Lotion - A lightweight but rich lotion - a style that I love. It's fragrance-free, which is exactly what you'd want for baby. If it came in a citrus version like the hand soap, I'd be in heaven!

Honest Laundry Detergent - I only had a small sample to try (1 load) but it did a fine job on our dirty clothes. The product fragrance and dye free, making it suitable for babies, delicates and the whole family.

Honest Shampoo & Body Wash - I love multitasking beauty products and this one certainly delivers! It's super mild and safe for color-treated hair. And the vanilla tangerine scent is divine!

Second Thoughts

Up until now, the company business model has been to sell products in bundle only. However,they have listened closely to customer requests and will be offering the purchase of individual products in just a couple of weeks!

The hand wash contains two preservatives that are a bit controversial - Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Phenoxyethanol. It is my understanding that these preservatives are considerably safer than parabens and other popular preservatives but if you are uncomfortable with them you may want to skip this product. Meanwhile, the company is already working on reformulating the product. (see what I mean about working to do better?)

Giveaway!

Wouldn't you love to try some products from The Honest Company? I've got a Family Essentials Bundle to give away to one lucky Mindful Momma reader!

Win a one-month supply of non-toxic body care and household cleaning products for your entire family. Package includes Honest Shampoo, Body Lotion, Hand Soap, Healing Balm, and Laundry Detergent. ($35.95 value). Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

Good Luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Green Kid Crafts to the Rescue!

Are you participating in National Screen Free Week? We are and our boys are not exactly happy about it. Fortunately, the weather has been nice so there has been lots out outside play time.

But when the complaints started up, I pulled out a craft set from Green Kid Crafts and we got busy making Pirate gear. Green Kid Crafts is a craft subscription company that delivers earth friendly crafts right to your door. For $19.95 a month you get a delivery with 3 craft projects every month. Each project comes complete with everything you need to make the project (except for scissors and glue). The materials are all non-toxic and sustainable. Many are repurposed or made with recycled content.

My 7 year old just loved the Pirate Loot kit!

He was especially thrilled with the money pouch and the homemade Pirate coins. We made a ton of them!

The crafts are geared toward kids ages 3 - 8 but even my 11 year old got in on the fun and I ended up making a money pouch for him too. So basically, this kit was the launching pad for hours of imaginary play. The TV, computer and iPad were temporarily forgotten! What's not to love about that?

What are your favorite crafts to make with your kids?

(Full disclosure: I was sent a sample of Green Kid Crafts in exchange for my honest opinion.)

Cool Eco Crafts on Pinterest

Are you a Pinterest fanatic yet? It's hard not to be when there are so many cool things to discover.

I've been getting a lot of visitors to my blog via Pinterest so I thought it would be nice to return the favor and share some of the blogs behind some of my favorite pins. These are from my Eco Crafts Pinterest board:

Zakka Life shares a fun coin purse made out of a yogurt lid. I have tons of fabric scraps and plenty of yogurt lids just waiting for a project like this. Wouldn't this be a fun gift for the kids to make for Grandma?

If this isn't the sweetest homemade craft ever, I don't know what is! Kristen from Bloesem Kids used stamps made from okra to create these hand-stamped gift tags. Now if I could only get my kids to eat the okra too!

This soda bottle jewelry stand is just brilliant! Jen from EPBOT even provides a tutorial so you can make one yourself! Since I don't typically buy bottles of soda myself, I'd have to go dig through someone else's recycling bin to get the bottles. I'm highly tempted.

Have you found any good eco craft ideas on Pinterest?

 (Images used with permission)

Inspired Healthy Dinner: Pizza Puffys

Looking for ideas for an inspired healthy dinner tonight? Here's one that's in frequent rotation at our house. Pizza Puffys are a cross between a German pancake, an omelet and a pizza. They are simple to make, very filling and best of all, customizable!

Start with a simple batter made with flour, egg and milk. Put it in the oven and watch it puff up dramatically. Then, top it with whatever ingredients you have on hand. We love the Mexican version (beans, corn, salsa, avocado), which is perfect for a meatless meal. Just add a green salad and you're good to go! I wish I had a better photo to share, but you'll have to trust me, Pizza Puffys are fun to make and even better to eat!

Here's the recipe, straight from my book, Practically Green: Your Guide to Ecofriendly Decision Making. Use organic and sustainably produced ingredients whenever possible.

What's your favorite healthy, inspired dinner?

On Being a Pack-Rat and Other Green & Healthy Things

Sometimes it's great to be a pack-rat. Like the other day, when I discovered these green glass bathroom accessories while "shopping in the basement". I had saved them from long ago, when our second floor bathroom was green (now it's blue). Don't they look good in my new third floor bathroom?

I just love reusing things! Meanwhile, I'm on a mission to clean out the clutter in our basement so we can finally empty out our storage space.

Blog Hopping

You've head of pink slime, but do you know about the woman behind the petition to ban pink slime from school lunches? Her name is Bettina and her blog is called The Lunch Tray. I took a peek around her site and here are my thoughts: she's a really good writer, she has a lot to say about nutrition and food choices and she shares some easy, kid-friendly recipe ideas. She's also got a lot of great links - be sure to check out her blogroll on the right hand side of her blog.

Going Greek

Have you tried Stonyfield's new YoKids Greek yogurt? It's organic, low-fat, high protein (6 grams per cup) and tastes like a cross between yogurt and pudding.  Stonyfield sent us samples and we gobbled them right up! :)

Pin of the Week

I haven't had much time to spend on Pinterest lately but since Easter is coming up, I want to share this great pin on making natural egg eye. Be sure to click through to the original post for the video tutorial with techniques and tips for really cool looking eggs like the ones in this photo.

Wishing you a green & healthy weekend!

Favorite Multi-Tasking Beauty Products

Multitasking. We all do it, for many different reasons. Here's a reason you might not have thought about: using products that have multiple purposes is better for the planet! It means you are buying less and reducing waste, two very important aspects of lowering your environmental footprint.

The beauty aisle is a great place to look for multitasking products. Next time you are shopping for personal care or cosmetics, look for a power product that can do the job of 2 or 3 individual products. Here are some of my personal faves:

Revolution Organics Beauty Balm

• This all-in-one beauty balm gives cheeks, lips, eyes and decolletage a healthy glow
• 100% natural, made with 85% certified organic ingredients
• Hydrating formula contains organic olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter and more
• Mineral-based pigments for natural color
• Buy it!

True North Organic Body Butter

• Softens skin from head to toe
• Reduces frizz and adds shine to hair
• Great deep conditioning treatment for hair
• 100% USDA organic
• A whipped blend of shea butter, coconut and other moisturizing oils
• Wonderful natural scents
• Buy it!

J.R. Watkins Soothing Baby Balm

• Not just for babies!
• Use as a boo-boo healer, a lip balm or a hand softener
• 100% natural ingredients including extra virgin olive oil and soothing camomile and calendula extracts
• Fragrance free
• Convenient stick makes it easy to take on-the-go
• Buy it!

Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer

• Daily moisturizer with full spectrum, SPF 15 sun protection
• Made with at least 85% certified organic ingredients
• Organic fruit juice base is loaded with antioxidants, and phytonutrients for age-defying benefits
• Buy it!

What are your favorite multitasking beauty products?

 

(Full Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products in exchange for my honest opinion.)

Lessons from the Lorax: 5 Ways to Help Your Kids "Speak for the Trees"

Unless you are living on a different planet, you've probably heard that Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is coming to town. Everywhere I look, there's another advertisement or product endorsement mentioning it. The adaptation of the classic book The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is about to hit theatres on March 2nd and I can't wait to see it!

When Universal Pictures asked me to be part of a 12 stop, Lorax inspired, blog tour, I was happy to oblige because there are so many lessons to be learned from this story, which manages to be both beloved and a little bit controversial at the same time.

 

 

The Movie

The Lorax, in typical Dr. Seuss style, is full of silly characters with even sillier names. From what I've seen in the trailer, it has huge appeal to both kids and adults alike. Still, it deals with a very serious, environmental topic - what will happen if we use up all the beauty in our wonderful world? I'm so glad to see this message being broadcast to a national audience. Let's hope people listen.

The Lesson

The lesson that stands out for me is that we must all do our part to preserve this beautiful planet we are so lucky to live on. I think it is critical to start at an early age, teaching kids to take responsibility for how they treat the earth. Help your kids "speak for the trees" by establishing eco-minded chores and actions like these:

Conserve water - Teach kids to turn off the water when brushing their teeth and to take shorter showers.

Save energy - Make kids responsible for turning off the lights when they leave the room. Show them how you lower the heat at night or when you leave the house.

Recycle - Let kids help sort the recycling (with supervision for younger kids) and take it out to the curb on recycling day.

Pick up trash - Get kids involved in community garbage pick-up events. Teach through example by picking up trash you see around your neighborhood and disposing of it properly.

Get in the garden - Involve your kids in growing something, whether it is a garden at home or a community plot; one tomato plant or a huge veggie patch!

The Blog Tour

Yesterday, my friend Lori from Groovy Green Livin shared her Lessons from the Lorax post.  After me, there are only 4 stops left, including Sommer at Green & Clean Mom tomorrow. Check out all the stops on the blog tour - each one has a different perspective!

2/20 New Green Mama

2/21 The Green Parent  

2/22 Eco Child’s Play

2/23 The Smart Mama  

2/24 My Plastic Free Life  

2/27Retro Housewife Goes Green

2/28 Groovy Green Livin

2/29 Mindful Momma

3/1 Green and Clean Mom

2/2 Moms Going Green Blog

2/3   Kitchen Stewardship

2/4 Nature Moms

Do you plan to see The Lorax movie? How do you teach your kids to "speak for the trees?"

(Full disclosure: I was compensated by Universal Pictures to write this post. All opinions are my own.)

 

New Sponsor: Heritage Botanicals {+ a Giveaway!}

 

Please help me give a green & healthy welcome to my newest blog sponsor, Heritage Botanicals!

 

About Heritage Botanicals

Do you love handmade beauty products but don't have the time to make them yourself? Do you prefer to support small, family-run businesses instead of enormous companies? Then Heritage Botanicals might be exactly what you are looking for!

This tiny little company was started by two sisters who wanted to care for their babies skin without chemicals. After a bit of research, they developed a line of balms and skin creams for babies made with 100% natural ingredients and completely free of preservatives. They eventually branched out into natural beauty products for women and men as well.

Favorite Products

I had the opportunity to sample a few of the baby products and there isn't one I wouldn't recommend:

Calendula Baby Balm - A super-rich blend of oils and botanicals formulated to soothe and prevent diaper rash - but there's no reason not to use it on yourself!

Sleepy Baby Moisturizing Cream - An all-purpose body cream scented with calming lavender essential oil.

Aromatherapy Balm - A menthol-based balm to relieve nasal and chest congestion. It's a healthier alternative to Vicks Vapor-Rub.

Rose-Tint Lip Balm - A mix of organic cocoa butter and organic oils, lightly colored with alkanet root.

Note: Because Heritage Botanicals products contain no preservatives, they should be stored in a cool, dry location and used up within about 1 year.

The Giveaway!

Heritage Botanicals is giving away a Baby Sampler gift set including 2-oz sizes of the Calendula Baby Balm, Sleepy Baby Moisturizing Cream and Satin Baby Skin Cream plus a lip balm. (Retail value $29.99). Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

 

Non-Toxic Art Supplies

As a parent, there is nothing quite as special as the drawings, paintings and other artwork made by my children. I proudly display them on the walls and tables in our home and finally tuck them into a box to save for later, when childhood is just a memory.

The power of children’s artwork is why Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families is holding an art contest this month.  It is a great opportunity to get creative with our kids and also send a powerful message to our Senators.  We need Congress to pass the Safe Chemicals Act, so let’s create artwork with our children to show our nation’s leaders how our children see a healthy and safe future.

The best way to encourage artistic creativity for this contest is to talk with your kids about people, places and things in their life they want to be safe and healthy - then ask them to paint or draw something that helps to show that. 

To do this fun project with your kids, you’ll need to have plenty of art supplies at the ready. But before you run out and stock up on supplies, keep in mind that not all art supplies are created equal. Many popular art materials contain toxic ingredients and may actually be detrimental to your child’s health.

Because of the lax regulations governing the use of chemicals in our country, untested, dangerous chemicals are allowed in many products that we use every day, including art supplies. Children are especially vulnerable to these hidden health hazards because of their small size and immature immune systems.

Lucky for us, there are plenty of non-toxic art supplies available to keep our little artists in business! Keep these tips and suggestions in mind next time you purchase art supplies:

Paints

Beware of oil based paints containing chemical solvents like methyl alcohol and toluene that emit dangerous volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Also avoid paints colored with pigments made from highly toxic metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead. Children should always use water-based paints instead of oil based paints.

Safer alternatives:

• Glob – Water based paints made with pigments found in vegetables, fruits, roots, herbs and spices.
• Clementine Art - Tempura paints made with Mayan mineral earth pigments.
• Eco-Kids  - Finger paint made with fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, beets, carrots, purple sweet potato, red cabbage and spinach, and other natural ingredients.

Markers

Many markers contain highly toxic chemical solvents like xylene or are alcohol-based. Stick to water-based markers for kids.

Safer alternatives:

• Clementine Art - Markers made from naturally derived ingredients.
• Liqui-Mark – Non-toxic water-based markers made with 25% recycled plastic.
• Note: Water-based markers are safer and easier to clean up too!

Crayons

Conventional crayons are made with petroleum based paraffin wax and artificial, chemical-based colors.

Safer alternatives:

• Clementine Art – Natural soy and beeswax crayons colored with mineral pigments.
• Stockmar - Beeswax crayons made with food-grade pigments that pass tests for detection of pesticide residues, PCB's and heavy metals.
• Earth Grown Crayons – Etsy shop selling fun-shaped crayons made with natural soy wax and nontoxic mineral pigments.

Colored pencils

Traditional colored pencils use chemical based pigments and may be coated with toxic varnish.

Safer alternatives:

• Artemis - Cedarwood pencils with natural, plant-based colors.
• Trimax – Natural pencils made from reforested wood with a safe lacquer finish.

Modeling clay and play dough

Polymer clay, used for modeling, is typically made with PVC material and softened with toxic phthalates. Most play dough, although labeled non-toxic, is colored with artificial colors.

Safer alternatives:

• Pastilina – Vegetable based modeling clay
• Clementine Art - Modeling dough from made with simple ingredients plus natural colorings like turmeric and spinach.
• Eco Kids – Handmade eco-dough colored with real ingredients like blueberries, beets and carrots.
• DIY play dough – Here’s a recipe from Katie at Non-Toxic Kids.

Glue

Avoid rubber cement and model glues that emit toxic VOCs. Stick to water-based glue instead.

Safer alternatives:

• Clementine Art – Washable, natural glue
• Eco Kids – Rice flour and corn starch are the base of this non-toxic eco-paste for kids.

Art Smocks

Skip smocks made with toxic PVC vinyl material.

Safer alternatives:

• Mimi the Sardine – Organic cotton with a water-based acrylic coating in adorable prints.

Drawing Pads

Choose eco-friendly art pads to go along with your non-toxic art supplies.

• Eco Kids – “treeless” paper made from banana fibers and recycled materials
• Glob – Art pad made from 100% post consumer, recycled, chlorine-free paper.

Resources:

Clementine Art http://www.clementineart.com  

Glob – paints -  http://www.globiton.com/index.html

Hazelnut Kids - http://www.hazelnutkids.com/cgi-bin/category/art_supplies

ChildTrek - http://www.childtrek.com/arts-crafts-toys.html 

Eco Kids http://www.ecokidsusa.com/index.html

Eco Art Works http://www.ecoartworks.com

Stubby pencil studio http://www.stubbypencilstudio.com

Nature of Art Kids http://nature-of-art-kids.com

Mighty Nest http://mightynest.com/shop/toys-art-supplies/art-supplies

Note: It has come to my attention that P'kolino paints contain a toxic para-formaldehyde ingredient. Because of this, I have removed P'kolino products from my list of recommendations.

(Image credit: jdurham via MorgueFile)

(FYI - this post is linked up over on Your Green Resource and the Green Moms Carnival hosted by Groovy Green Livin)

LunchBots New Quad and Trio Containers

 

 

LunchBots stainless steel containers have been at the top of my lunch packing list for many years. Now this innovative little company has two new styles to add to their coffer of containers:  The Quad and the Trio. Both are perfect for when you want to pack a mix of healthy foods instead of one big sandwich.

Eco Strengths

• reusable
• plastic-free
• high-quality food grade stainless steel
• no toxic coatings or linings
• eliminates the need for plastic wrap or baggies

Fav Products

We have been testing out the Trio LunchBot and it is terrific! Crackers, cheese, trail mix or a hard boiled egg fit well in the square compartments and the long, skinny space is great for cucumber and carrot sticks or apple slices.

Second Thoughts?

At $20 each, it would be a bummer to lose one to the lunch fairy (like the sock fairy, only in the lunchroom.)

Sale!

Use coupon code MOMMA for 10% off and FREE SHIPPING on all items at LunchBots.com. Code good through 2/29/12. 

(Full disclosure: I received a free LunchBots Trio in exchange for my honest opinion.)