Remember the father in law in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” who used Windex to cure everything? Well, I’m that way with coconut oil. I’m convinced it does everything that duct tape can’t. But we all know by now that coconut oil is practically a deity when it comes to health, wellness, and being green. I use for everything from conditioning my hair and brightening my smile to soothing chapped lips and rough elbows! You may be wondering how your children can benefit from coconut oil too? I put together a list of my six favorite ways to incorporate coconut oil into your child’s daily routine – you will want to pin or bookmark these, they are pretty amazing!
1. Lotion + Diaper Cream: Coconut oil is a great diaper cream for those who use cloth diapers, and a great lotion for babies and kids alike, especially those with sensitive skin! It’s also great because a little goes a very long way and it can even be mixed with other lotions or oils to make your own lotion creation!
2. Frizzy Hair Tamer: Coconut oil can conquer the static and frizz putting a wrench in those busy school day mornings with just a quick dab in the hands and a finger comb through the hair.
3. Lice Treatment: Mix coconut oil with apple cider vinegar, and you have a natural lice remedy. This one is great to have in your arsenal for the younger kids, especially now that school is back in session!
4. Chicken Pox Anti-Itch Remedy:
The little ones are bound to get Chicken Pox at some time or another, and why should they suffer through the itching? Rub coconut oil on their spots and they’ll feel some relief and be able to get more rest.
5. Safe for Cooking: Growing kids will ask for something that’s not good for them, it’s fate! Why not be a little sneaky and use coconut oil to add a healthy twist to their indulgence, and it may even turn the whole meal into a healthy treat! We use coconut oil when making popcorn – it takes a simple treat to a whole new level!
6. Immunity Superhero: Scrapes and sickness are two things almost guaranteed to happen to your little ones. Coconut oil is great as an antibiotic cream for scratches, and can be taken internally to fight the cold and flu. It’s also perfect in a cup of tea to sooth a sore throat, and naturally heals thrush too.
YOUR TURN: What are your favorite uses for coconut oil?
It’s summer, and that means more fun, sun, and BBQs! We’ve all encountered that time where you’ve just finished a scrumptious meal, and all of a sudden, you don’t feel very well. Your stomach is rumbling, you’re starting to feel weak, and you know what’s coming next, and it won’t be pretty. We’ve all wished for a natural treatment for nausea and the unmentionable after-effect, but it seems like there’s never anything on hand that ultimately stops what’s happening in its tracks, unless we take a chance on the pink stuff. Who knows what’s even in it! Here’s a great recipe for nausea relief that you’ll almost always have on hand – especially if you love Italian food!
Our bodies are filled with many different strains of bacteria. As we grow, we are exposed to more and more kinds of bacteria, and either our immune system fights them, or we get sick. Getting sick is how we obtain antibodies and can more effectively fight off the bacteria the next time we are exposed to it. The first line of defense against bacteria is our skin. But how do we protect what we consume? That’s where our stomach comes in. Our healthy stomach contains many types of “good” bacteria, like L. Acidophilus, which we can supplement with yogurt and kefir to beef up our stomach’s immunities.
There are times though, when our stomach’s bacteria is outnumbered by the bad bacteria, such as E. Coli, Salmonella, and the most common, Campylobacter. All of these bacteria cause some not-so-nice symptoms, and can be treated with just two food products that you eat on a regular basis to reduce the symptoms, or completely fight the bad bacteria. It is used often in my house, and we often times treat ourselves, and then go on about our day like nothing happened.
So what are these two miracle foods?
Honey
Honey is amazing in all forms. The best kind of honey is raw, which you can pick up just about anywhere these days. It is highly antibacterial, and is the first punch of this knockout formula.
Basil
Basil?! Yes, basil! It is one of the most powerful antibacterial foods out there for food poisoning (alongside garlic) that helps knock out those bad bacteria that make us feel awful. Here’s the recipe:
Honey-Basil Food Poisoning Treatment
All you need to do is juice a bunch of basil, which usually makes a couple tablespoons’ worth. Don’t underestimate the power of this awesome juice – a little goes a very long way! Then just add 1 tablespoon of raw honey, and sip until it’s gone. If you’re still having some bouts of nausea after 15 minutes, or it goes away and then returns, drink another round.
If you don’t have a juicer laying around, you can put torn up basil leaves in 3 tablespoons of yogurt, with a pinch of crushed black pepper, and eat three to four times for the remainder of your day.
Once you feel your stomach is settled enough, sip on some peppermint tea to soothe any stomach cramping you may still be experiencing.
Here’s to hoping you never have to use this secret recipe, but make sure to bookmark it in case you do!
What summer camp-out would be complete without a weine roast? Since we have been camping in the Florida Keys for the past week, I felt it was the perfect time to have a weinervention! We had toted along our Weinervention kit from Applegate that included everything that we needed for a tasty hot hog cookout including Applegates hotdogs made from simple natural ingredients; beef (that have never been administered antibiotics or hormones), water, salt and spices. It’s time to say goodbye to those dirty dogs filled with sodium phosphate, sodium nitrate, and who knows what else and switch to a cleaner-weiner!
We enjoyed ours in simple hotdog fashion: ketchup, mustard and relish served with coleslaw! It was a super fun way to celebrate our first week of camping!
Have you tried Applegate’s Natural Hotdogs? They would be perfect for the 4th of July!
Full Disclosure: I received a Applegate Weinervention Kit to review – however, we purchase a lot of Applegate products that we love and would have shared with you anyway!
A few months ago, a good friend, fellow mom, and super responsible eco homesteader sent out an email to all the mothers in her community about a new study on BPA-free plastic. Essentially, the study has found that even plastic products claiming to be BPA-free contain traces of BPA high enough to be harmful to test subjects and, more importantly, our babies. BPA, or bisphenol A, is a plastic additive that is an endocrine disrupter mimicking the structure and function of the hormone estradiol, and exposure to it has been linked with serious health issues including cancer, accelerated puberty, inhibited neurological development, and behavioral and prostate gland issues when fetuses, infants, and children are exposed to it. Practically everyone uses plastic bottles, sippy cups, and toys, and unfortunately not even all of these products on the market advertise themselves as BPA-free. Exposure to this chemical in the early developmental years is especially harmful, making it even more important to eliminate your plastic use, especially when it comes to baby and children’s products. The following are three great ways to ditch plastic.
#1 Switch to Stainless Steel or Glass Bottles and Sippy Cups
Bottles and sippy cups are probably the number one way babies and children become exposed to BPA (and other harmful additives like phthalates and PVC) because they are literally drinking out of them and subsequently drinking traces of these chemicals that have leached into their juice, milk, or water. Fortunately there are a few great companies making stainless steel and glass alternatives. My personal favorite, which the friend I mentioned turned us on to, are Pura Kiki Stainless Steel bottles and cups. The bottles are 100% BPA, PVC, petroleum, and phthalate free, and use silicone sippers and nipples instead of plastic. Bottles become sippy cups just by substituting the nipple for a sipper. Some other great brands that are now producing kids’ products include Klean Kanteen and Lifefactory.
#2 Switch to Wood and Cloth Toys
When I began researching harmful additives in baby toys, I found a list from the Healthy Toys Project of the top ten most dangerous toys, including the “killer zerbra“. I was shocked to find two of my daughter’s favorite toys on the list–one of them at the top. Since babies put everything in their mouths, I’ve come to feel that no plastic is safe in our daughter’s toys. Of course it can feel impossible to avoid it 100% (we still have MANY plastic toys and will get rid of some as she grows out of them), but choosing solid wood toys–made with wood that is safely sourced and non-toxic–with safe, non-lead paint is a safer option. Some of my favorite wood toy brands include Haba, Hape, Boikido, and PlanToys. Under the Nile makes some very cute organic cotton toys including friendly little vegetables with faces. While I’m 100% a supporter of reducing, reusing, and recycling, when I’ve discovered that one of my daughter’s toys contains harmful toxins like lead, PVC, BPA, phthalates, or any number of toxic dyes or any of the other 66 Chemicals of High Concern to Children, I’ve thrown them out. The way I see it, if the toy isn’t safe enough for my child, it’s not safe enough for someone else’s. If you want to help provide toys for impoverished children, donate ecologically responsible, safe toys during toy drives or simply purchase some and donate them to a thrift store.
#3 Don’t Eat off of Plastic
Plastics leach their harmful chemicals continuously, especially when heated (like when you dump still-hot soup or mac and cheese into a tupperware). One of my favorite brands selling safe, non-plastic baby food storage, tableware, and cutlery is Green Sprouts by iPlay. Their collection includes bowls, spoons, plates, cups, and even toys and hygiene products made of silicone, bamboo, stainless steel, and corn starch. I have yet to find a high chair tray that is not made of plastic, but luckily most convertible high chairs these days have a removable tray and can be pushed up to the dinner table so your little one can eat with the family instead of eating off the tray. Once again, we haven’t found it possible to get rid of all the plastic eating-ware in our home, but we’re slowly replacing it at a rate we can afford.
Above all else, the most important thing is that you do your own research and stay up to date on emerging information. YOU know what’s best for you and your family, but having the latest information helps you make an informed decision, whichever way you go. Our babies are little sponges soaking up everything in their environment. Yes, wood toys, silicone eating ware, and stainless-steel baby bottles are more expensive–but so are the harmful diseases these toxins can cause. Because I am someone with an estrogen-fed, chronic condition (endometriosis) that will supposedly be passed down to my daughter, the cost of replacing the plastic in our home is worth it. I’ll do whatever I can to help her avoid developing endometriosis and the resultant infertility and chronic pain it can cause. As always my goal is to support all moms regardless of whether or not we agree. My hope is that this information will help someone else as much as it helped our family.
Baby’s first year is the toughest phase of many parents’ lives. With all of the demands and details of new parenthood, it can be tough to make eco-consciousness a priority. The truth is that bringing an entire new person into the world creates a huge impact on the environment—from the thousands (yes, thousands) of diapers he or she will use to the impact your child will later have on the world as an adult who makes daily choices as a consumer and community member. By incorporating environmentally friendly practices now, it will be easier to go green in the future and you’ll be setting a great example for your growing, learning child. Not only are the following steps green, they’re healthy and safe, too! The following are five first steps to take towards greener baby care.
#1 Breastfeeding Making the choice to breastfeed has a huge impact on the environment and your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization advocate exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life followed by continued breastfeeding to supplement solid food through 12 months. Countless studies have shown numerous immediate and long-term benefits to both mothers and babies who participate in breastfeeding including reduced incidence of postpartum depression, fewer health issues and increased immunity in babies, and a stronger attachment relationship. On top of the health benefits, it’s free! Formula can be very expensive, especially if your baby does not tolerate cow’s milk protein and needs prescription formula. Formula costs money and takes energy to manufacture, package, and transport. Additionally, most formulas are cow’s milk based so everything that goes into feeding and raising dairy cows comes into play. If your baby is like many who cannot digest cow’s milk protein during their first year of life, you may have to pay extra for special allergy-free formula. Breastfed babies stop eating when they’re full; with formula, it’s a bit harder to predict when baby has had enough, creating waste when extra formula is thrown out after each feed. If you do decide to formula feed your baby, you can make the choice greener by purchasing organic brands or making your own.
#2 Green Diapering Considering that the average American baby will go through roughly 6,000 diapers during his first two years of life, cloth is by far the greener way to diaper! While the up-front cost is daunting, most parents who chose cloth have estimated that the diapers paid for themselves by the time their baby was eleven months old—and the investment paid higher returns if the diapers were used for multiple children. Cloth diapering has become increasingly popular and many companies sell organic, colorful, easy-to-use sets that are either sized per age and weight or one-size-fits all. If you are one of the many parents who does not have the time nor resources for the cleanup and laundry that cloth diapering require, there may be a diaper service in your city that offers pickup, cleaning, and drop-off. If you simply can’t commit to cloth, brands like Seventh Generation sell hypoallergenic, chlorine-free, fragrance-free diapers that are easier on the environment and your baby’s bottom. When choosing wipes, a good rule of thumb is to choose fragrance-free wipes with the least number of ingredients to avoid putting unnecessary, harsh additives on your baby’s skin.
#3 Greener Bottles Several studies have come out recently revealing that even plastic bottles, baby toys, and accessories labeled BPA-free contain BPA in traces high enough to pose a risk to your baby’s health. Fortunately, there are some great companies out there making baby bottles and sippy cups from materials like stainless steel or glass. These options do not contain the harmful PVC, phthlalates, and BPA found in most plastic products. My personal favorite brand, which I use at home with my daughter, is Pura Kiki. They make stainless steel bottles and sippy cups with silicone nipples and spouts. The bottles are safe, easy to clean, and come in a variety of cute colors.
#4 Homemade Baby Food While jarred baby food can come in handy when you’re on the go with baby, it is costly to the environment and your wallet overall. Jarred food has a bigger carbon footprint than homemade food because it has to be made and canned in a facility before traveling to your local grocer for you to purchase. One jar or pouch of baby food alone rarely costs more than $1.50, but once baby starts to branch out with solid food she’ll consume multiple jars a day and dozens a week—not to mention the waste that’s produced if she doesn’t finish an entire jar during its shelf life. Making your own baby food certainly takes more time than buying jars, but this time commitment can be minimized by choosing one day a week or even month to mass-produce purees. After the up-front cost of a baby food blender and freezer trays, homemade baby food is far cheaper then store-bought. A couple of organic sweet potatoes at $1.19 a pound makes dozens of single servings. Plus, when you make your own food you choose exactly what goes into it!
#5 When Safe, Choose Used Safety regulations on baby products are constantly developing and changing as new research surfaces and manufacturers learn by trial and error what is safe and unsafe. There are items that came onto the market during our one year old daughter’s short lifetime that have already been recalled. Used baby clothes are pretty much guaranteed to be safe. While there’s nothing like seeing your baby in a brand new outfit that you picked out just for her, buying new for baby requires purchasing a new wardrobe every three months or less—plus, your baby is guaranteed to stain everything you put her in eventually. Reusing baby clothes is cheaper than buying new and many moms like knowing that cherished memories will live on through another child wearing her baby’s old clothes.
These are just a few of the many, many ways you can begin to green your baby care! What are some of your favorites?
Remember the father in law in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” who used Windex to cure everything? Well, I’m that way with coconut oil. I’m convinced it does everything that duct tape can’t. But we all know by now that coconut oil is practically a deity when it comes to health, wellness, and being green. I use for everything from conditioning my hair and brightening my smile to soothing chapped lips and rough elbows! You may be wondering how your children can benefit from coconut oil too? I put together a list of my six favorite ways to incorporate coconut oil into your child’s daily routine – you will want to pin or bookmark these, they are pretty amazing!
