Mindful Momma

3 Ways to Buy Handmade for the Holidays

Don't have time to get all Martha Stewart and make homemade gifts for your friends and family this year? Don't fret - you can still give handmade even without getting out the sewing machine or the craft glue. Artisans selling their fabulously creative wares (and let's face it - probably nicer than anything you could make yourself) can be found all over the place these days. Here are a few resources to get you started on a handmade shopping spree...

Local Gift Shops

We're a bit spoiled here in the Twin Cities (that's Minneapolis and St. Paul, yo!) since we have a whole slew of fun and funky gift shops, many which specialize in local, crafty stuff. A couple of my favorites are Digs Studio (right in my 'hood) and i like you up in North Minneapolis. Later this week I plan to check out Paper Hat, a relatively new shop in South Minneapolis. Do you have a favorite local store for handmade gifts?

Craft Fairs

By far the best way to see the most handmade choices in one place; craft and art fairs are abundant at this time of year. Keep your eyes out in your neighborhood and city newspapers or community websites. Find them at churches, schools, malls and even the local VFW.

My only issue with craft shows is that it's way too tempting to buy things for myself! Like these pretty repurposed tin earrings that I found at the Handmade MN show recently. Does your community have a craft fair or two during the holiday season?

Online

Let's face it, there's really no better place to shop for handmade gifts online than Etsy. Whether you are searching for something specific or just browsing around, you are bound to get lost in the pure thrill of it all. I'm seriously awed by all the creativity out there and available for sale on Etsy! Just today I found these adorable needle felted mushroom ornaments. Teacher gift, perhaps?

Have you bought any handmade gifts this year? Where are some of your favorites places to shop handmade?

(top photo from Digs Studio website)

prAna - Apparel with Purpose {Giveaway!}

 

Grand Portage pose created by The Om Collective in front of the new prAna store in the Twin Cities. (image credit Lisa Venticinque)

A New Store

If you are a fan of yoga and active lifestyle apparel, it is likely that you have run across the brand prAna before. One of my favorite shirts is a prAna design that I bought through Title Nine a couple of years ago. Well, a brand new prAna store just opened up in the Twin Cities area (50th & France in Edina for those of you who are locals) and I could not be more thrilled! To celebrate the opening, prAna held a Flash Flannel yoga event in front of the store last week. This was my first outdoor yoga event and although it was a little chilly, we kept warm doing yoga in our new prAna organic cotton flannel shirts!

Fall Art Tour

I'm probably a bit biased but to me there's nothing quite like driving through the Wisconsin countryside in the fall. Rolling hills, gorgeous leaves, beautiful farms, what's not to love?

Last weekend I had the good fortune to check out some of the stops on the Fall Art Tour in southwest Wisconsin, near Madison. As we drove up and down country roads in search of the artists studios tucked away in the woods, we ooohed and aaahed over the beautiful fall colors. It was a wonderful afternoon!

Cookbook Review & Giveaway: Sweet & Easy Vegan

I've been a fan of Robin Asbell's recipes for many years. Her Whole Grains Cookbook is filled with unique and delicious recipes using all sorts of healthy grains. She is probably best known for her vegan and vegetarian cookbooks Big Vegan and New Vegetarian. 

So when Robin approached me about participating in her virtual potluck to promote latest cookbook Sweet & Easy Vegan, I happily agreed! Sweet & Easy Vegan is all about decadent dairy free desserts made with whole grains and natural sweeteners. I do not follow a vegan diet but show me a healthy dessert and I'm all over it! As I paged through the book I found so many recipes I want to make. Like the Pumpkin Date Bread Pudding. Or the Pear and Maple Upside Down Cake. Not to mention all the gooey cupcakes and mouthwatering pies and tarts! Bring it on!!

Staying Fit on the Fly

 

That's me laying sod in 90+ degree weather!

It's hard to believe it's been 12 weeks since I set out to participate in the Go Green Get Fit Challenge with a bunch of other green and health focused bloggers. Summer always flys by but this time I swear someone stole away some of the days...where did they go?

My fitness challenge didn't quite go as planned but I did get exercise in some unusual ways - like lifting 100 pound blocks of stone and heavy rolls of sod! Here's how it all played out...

The Goals

My goals for the Go Green Get Fit Challenge were fairly simple:

• Push my running farther than usual
• Return to the fitness yoga class I love
• Start up strength training again

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)

 

The Reveal: Our Green Bathroom Design

It's been a long time since I've done a remodeling update here on the blog. Things took a lot longer than expected, life got a bit crazy...you know how it goes! Last time I wrote, I had picked out the eco-friendly materials for the bathroom but the actual work hadn't yet started. Now the project is complete (well, 90% complete anyway) so I can finally share...

The shower is tiled with natural, travertine stone and a border of recycled glass tiles called Blazestone from a small biz in Seattle.

 

We ordered a sustainably produced vanity from our local green home store, Natural Built Home. It is made with FSC-certified alder wood with a low-VOC finish and has no added formaldehyde. The backsplash is the same recycled glass tile we used in the shower. The countertop is Paperstone, made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper, eco-friendly resins and natural pigments.

 

The toilet is a low-flow model from Toto. This is our first dual flush toilet and I love that it has the large and small buttons on top - even the kids understand what that means!

 

 

We also installed energy efficient windows and put spray foam insulation in the walls and 3rd floor ceiling, keeping the room nice and snuggy. The bathroom floor is tiled with travertine stone with radiant floor heating underneath. The heated floor is a bit of a luxury but it's on a timer so we won't be heating the floor all day long!

Have you made any eco-friendly changes to your bathroom?

 

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?

 

Green & Healthy Roundup

Welcome to the weekend friends! What kind of green & healthy plans do you have?

I have to get up early tomorrow morning (on a Saturday!) to be on the Fresh & Local radio show at 8:00am. The Director of Nutrition at the Minneapolis Public Schools will be there talking about new school lunch initiatives and I'll chime in about green & healthy packed lunch ideas. Listen in if you can or stream it later - they post the broadcasts.

Here's a little roundup of green & healthy news and info that passed by my desk this week, for your weekend reading pleasure:

Improving School Lunch

Speaking of school lunch, have you heard about the new lunch laws? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and First Lady Michelle Obama just announced a new plan for healthier school lunches, including less sodium and more fruits, veggies and whole grains. Yes, pizza will still be considered a vegetable, but this seems to be a step in the right direction. What do you think?

Chemicals in the News

Here's one more reason to chuck out your non-stick pans. A new study shows that perfluorinated compounds (PFCs),found in non-stick cookware, fast-food packaging and stain-resistant items, are linked to reduced effectiveness of childhood vaccines. Are chemicals in everyday products a concern for you and your family?

Green Moms Fight Climate Change

Amazing things happen when moms get together for a cause. This month the moms from the Green Moms Carnival joined forces to share ideas, thoughts and actions about fighting the very real, very distressing issue of climate change. Please have a look - I bet you'll come away with some climate change resolutions for yourself.

Pin of the Week

I've been having so much fun on Pinterest! Just as I feared, it is terribly addicting but I've found some great ideas out there! My favorite pin this week is a health remedy to treat colds that came from a blog called Health, Home & Happiness. It's a simple mixture of honey and cinnamon and it looks more like dessert than a health remedy. I'll be trying this with my kiddos next time I see a cold coming on!

Healthy Home Cooked Meals

This month on the Clear Conscience blog over at J.R. Watkins, I shared my favorite cookbooks and websites for healthy dinner inspiration. What are your go-to resources for healthy recipes?

See you next week!

 

 (image credits: bookgrl via flickr and Health, Home & Happiness) 

How to Buy a Natural or Organic Mattress

 

Our mattress was a wedding gift. It served us well but after 20 years, our backs were telling us it was time for something new. I know a little bit more about mattresses than I knew 20 years ago and this time around, I wanted something greener and safer than the typical, conventionally produced mattress.

A new mattress is a big investment - both in money and in health - something that we didn't take lightly. It took a lot of research to finally find a mattress that we were comfortable with (and on!) and that fit within our budget.

The problem with conventional mattresses

Most conventional mattresses are made with synthetic foam, treated with chemical flame retardants and covered in PVC vinyl. Basically, a conventional mattress is a chemical-laden contraption that releases toxic fumes while you sleep. These off-gassing fumes have been associated with a whole host of health disorders including thyroid, reproductive and behavioral problems, as well as cancer. Unfortunately, current law states that all mattresses must be able to resist open flames, which usually means a chemical treatment.

Criteria for a "better" mattress

One thing I've learned for sure is that the mattress industry is complicated and confusing. The number of options and differences between products is overwhelming and every brand has their own "proprietary" way of doing things. I recommend starting with some online research and then visiting a small, local store that specializes in natural and organic mattresses, rather than visiting a mega mattress store. Here are some things to look for:

• No chemical flame retardant chemicals - this was my #1 criteria
• Non-chemical flame retardants include wool and a combination of baking soda and hydrated silica
• No synthetic, polyurethane foam
• If you want latex, make sure it is natural latex rubber, not synthetic
• Made with a high percentage of certified organic materials including cotton, wool and latex
• Covered in organic cotton or food grade polyethylene (waterproof) instead of PVC vinyl
• GREENGUARD certification - 3rd party testing for low-emitting products

Choosing the mattress that's right for you

Choosing a mattress is complicated. Determine your top priorities for a mattress, shop around and by all means test out the product! That means taking off your shoes and getting comfy in a public space. Embarrassing but necessary!

We had a tight budget for our new mattress. While I was willing to spend extra to get a safe, organic mattress, I did not have the option to buy the ultimate green mattress I was dreaming of. We ended up buying a quilted, organic cotton innerspring mattress from Naturepedic, at our local green store, Moss Envy. It is super comfy and we love it!

Other options

If a natural or organic mattress is simply not in your budget, here are a few things you can do to lessen the negative effects:

• Let your new mattress off-gas in a well-ventilated area for awhile before using it.
• Cover your mattress with an organic cotton cover or a natural latex, wool or cotton mattress topper.
• Consider buying a less expensive natural futon instead of a regular mattress.

Are you in the market for a new mattress or have you purchased one lately? Any words of wisdom to share?

(Note: I purchased my new organic mattress with my own money and was not compensated in any way to write this post. There are affiliate links in this post which may put a small amount of money in my pocket. Thank you!)

{image from SaavyRest.com}