If you are anything like me, you need a little boost in the morning, especially after a sleepless night with a cranky toddler. And the last thing you want to do is worry about scary stuff in your coffee. Conventional coffee makers and Keurig machines have a great deal of plastic in them. When you expose plastic to boiling hot water, the plastic degrades and releases toxins such as BPA and phthalates.
After more than six years, I am still using my homemade deodorant, and I am still loving it! It is not an anti-perspirant, but it keeps the smell in check and it lasts all day. It even works to neutralize smells if you forgot to put it on in the morning. My husband, however, is not in love with my deodorant. So, I am on a mission to find a nice, “manly,” natural deodorant for my husband. One that is free of nasty ingredients such aluminum and parabens. I’ve done some research and found the following options.
For a woman, underwear is arguably the most important piece of clothing. The wrong pair of panties can contribute to yeast infections, UTIs (urinary tract infections), bacterial infections, bad odor, and even pain during intercourse. To avoid all of these unpleasantries, you need to be choosy about the type of underwear that you buy.
So you bought the organic mattress and the organic sheets. You found a beautiful wooden crib and painted the nursery with VOC-free paints. You are confident that your sleeping baby will be resting on materials free from harmful chemicals. But what about those fabrics that separate baby from the bed? Pajamas and other clothing come closer to baby’s skin than just about anything else, so it is important to choose jammies that are made with the safest materials.
When I was pregnant and shopping for baby gear, I gave the most attention to where my babies would sleep. After all, babies spend more time asleep than awake. Safety was my primary consideration – not just whether they would be physically safe and not roll out of bed or get their head stuck between the crib bars, but also whether they would safe from harmful toxins. Children develop at a rapid pace and their bodies are not always efficient at resisting or excreting contaminants. In other words, all of those toxins in the environment have a big impact on your growing child. So, I chose bedding and mattresses constructed from organic, all-natural materials.
Pregnant bellies are beautiful, glowing signs of new life. They are also itchy, tight and susceptible to stretch marks and saggy skin post-childbirth. The use of pregnant belly balms, oils and creams can help keep your skin supple and hydrated. While they won’t stop stretch marks completely, these products can help with the itchiness and tightness. Below is a list of belly balms and creams that are made with natural and organic ingredients. And they are formulated specifically for pregnant women.
I applaud all of you parents and caregivers who are able to use nothing but cloth diapers. I wasn’t so dedicated. When I wasn’t at home, I brought along disposable diapers. Of course, I always tried to choose brands that were not only safe for my baby but also kinder to the environment.
At home, I used cloth baby wipes when changing diapers. But when I was out and about, I found disposable baby wipes so much more convenient. I really tried to use nothing but cloth wipes and diapers but it was causing more stress than I was willing to handle. Plus, disposable wipes are great for wiping hands, faces and car seats too. I still use them now even though both of my kids are well out of diapers.
Only the safest and most natural products should be applied to your baby’s skin. This includes diaper rash creams and balms. Some people swear by creams, others by ointments and others by balms. I have included a selection of each. These products are in no particular order and none have an EWG rating of more than 1 (meaning they are super safe and natural). I always used California Baby Diaper Rash Cream and Motherlove Diaper Rash & Thrush Relief with my kids and found both really effective (although I would not recommend California Baby for open cuts because it can burn). I used The Honest Company Healing Balm in lieu of petroleum jelly for things like lubricating thermometers.
Sleeping on your side (SOS) is the best sleep position for pregnant women – especially your left side. The use of a pregnancy or body pillow helps to make this position more comfortable. I have compiled a list of some great options for pregnancy pillows. And because you should try to avoid synthetic materials and… Read More
