The first thing I think about when summer approaches is whether I am stocked up on sunscreen. I use plenty of sunscreen on my kids, and I apply it often. Despite my best efforts, sunburns happen. Rather than running out to the store to buy a bottle of conventional sunburn treatment full of toxic additives, I make my own sunburn relief using natural ingredients from the kitchen.
Bug bites are also a fact of life during the summer months. When they get itchy and inflamed, you may be tempted to reach for a chemical solution. But natural bug bite remedies are easy to make, and most ingredients can be readily found in your home.
With warm weather comes bugs – mosquitos, ticks, chiggers, ants and more. Because kids are much more susceptible to the harmful effects of toxic chemicals, it is a good idea to avoid using ingredients like DEET and pyrethrins when applying repellants to your child’s skin or clothes. Natural bug repellant options are readily available online and in stores. If you want to be very sure about what goes on your kids’ bodies, you can also make your own natural bug spray.
I have been absent from my blog for the past few days because I have been dealing with a exhausting case of mastitis (breast pain, 102 degree fever, an aching body, fatigue and headache). I have been lucky so far because this is my first time getting really sick since giving birth. But mastitis definitely taught me quite a bit about what it means to be a mother!
Honey is a perfect example of why it is important to know where your food comes from. Recent news reports have stated that honey imported from China is sometimes contaminated with lead and antibiotics. And even honey that claims to be from the U.S. may not be.
Ashley from Florida asks: What is the best sunscreen for babies under 6 months?
When I was younger, I never gave a thought to sunscreen. I would spend my summers running around outside, building up a nice deep tan without thought to things like skin cancer or heat stroke. Now that I’m older and wiser, I don’t spend more than 15 or 30 minutes outside without some sort of sun protection. And I always protect my son. My favorite brand by far is the Badger brand of sunscreens.
After a long winter, it is nice to see leaves on the trees, flowers blooming and kids running through sprinklers. Not so nice is the heat, sunburn, bug bites and green hair. When I was growing up, we rarely used sunscreen or bug spray and, when we did, it was far from natural. My son is lucky because we have access to safer and healthier options for protecting him from the not-so-great parts of summer. Here are some of my favorite green store-bought and homemade summer remedies.
Several months ago I talked about using homemade deodorant in My Safe and Natural Pregnancy Beauty Routine. I have been using it for more than six months now and I love it! I even convinced my husband to give it a try and now it is all he will use.
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and love in the air. So why not bring a little green into the bedroom! Couples who choose all-natural, non-toxic lubricants do themselves and the earth a big favor.
