Eco-Friendly

0
COM
What's eco-friendly? Using products that are environmentally friendly to our planet and...our bodies!

I've been fixated over the past week or so with these two websites:

SkinDeep (via the Environmental Working Group)

Body Unburdened

Being a mom, I'm obsessive compulsive about what things my child touches, eats, breaths, etc. Up until a week or so ago, it never dawned on me what other things she's exposed to. 

The diaper cream we use to help soothe her, the baby soap we use to bathe her with, the candles I light to make our home smell good...and so on.

Also, a couple of years ago, I watched this documentary: Tapped

After watching, I was opposed to buying or using water bottles. However, I've neglected my vigilance on being anti-water bottles in the past month. With the move and using well water at our new home, the hubs purchased cases and cases of individual water bottles. Needless to say, once they're gone, they will not be allowed in our house again.

The baby only takes two to three bottles per-day now, so I'm going to invest in glass bottles. That's what today's Body Unburdened blog was about: End Your Relationship With Plastic.

Glass it is!

I made a couple of other smaller changes in our routine for now...

Purchased Tom's of Maine for myself and the hubs!

Most deodorants are "antiperspirants" and an active ingredient in them is aluminum (often in the compound form “aluminum chlorohdrate” or “aluminum zirconium”). There is a direct correlation to the use of antiperspirant and Alzheimer's disease...the more antiperspirant that was used, the more likely the person would develop the disease. Research is being done to find out if breast cancer is also linked to the use of aluminum. Body Unburdened gives good examples of other deodorants that are available. I got the lavender and he got the clean confidence! Ha!
 As for the babe, she got new baby body wash and baby lotion today from California Baby!

One thing I LOVE about the SkinDeep site is that you can key in any product in the search field to find out information regarding your personal care items. They have over 62,000 items cataloged! It lets you be more informed on what you're bringing into your home and what ingredients are used. Common sense, the fewer number of ingredients, the better.

So we opted for California Baby which has a rating of 1 with 'limited' data...this is good. :)
The lower the rating, the better and even though "FAIR" data is preferred, limited will suffice.

I hope you choose to look into what things you're using in your home...what cleaning products you use, shampoo, etc. There's still so much research I feel like I need to do until I have a better handle on this. Don't get me started on what we're eating and the 2013 "dirty dozen" and "clean fifteen" list I just read about regarding produce in our grocery stores! I'll save that for another post!

Until next time...

The Big One

0
COM
She's ONE! She's ONE! Baby girl is ONE year young TODAY!

I've been reliving this time last year over and over in my head. "Ok, so this was about the time I started having contractions." ... "Around now was when I was admitted." ... "Remember the nurse told us 'Doc said we can have a baby today.'" ?!?!

Time really does fly. I remember the day she arrived like it was yesterday though. I never want to forget it. When we went to the hospital a year ago, we thought for sure we'd be sent home...it was 8 days before my due date. But sure enough, little C-Bear wanted to join the world!

What a year it has been! Filled with laughter, tears, smiles, sleepless nights, hugs, snuggles, struggles, kisses...an awesome year! I am beyond blessed to call this little girl my daughter. Beyond blessed to share her with her amazing daddy. Beyond blessed to raise her up to love Jesus.

C-Bear's big hoopla party first birthday extravaganza is this weekend. Praying for no rain but the forecast calls for it. This is Ohio though, so we'll see. The three of us are celebrating today with a picnic in the park!

Happy first birthday, Cookie! Mommy loves you!

Gah! Check out Crystal Jo Foto's blog today! Thanks for the birthday post, Miss Crystal Jo!






I'm obsessed with the above photo from her one year photo shoot with Crystal Jo Foto! Ahh!

Life is Too Short

0
COM
Feeling quite reflective today...

“Life is too short for half-hearted connections and meaningless run-throughs.”
-Karen Kingsbury  

"Life is too short to be anything but real with the cast of characters God has placed in the story of your life. Love well, laugh often, and find your life in Christ. Don't hide away or be a follower. Be the wonderful unique person God made you to be, and know that your purpose will always be best when defined by your faith in Him."
-Karen Kingsbury