The EcoChic

Are there products out there that you just can’t get enough of? Products or brands that you HAVE to have in your house? Products that you whole-heartedly stand behind? I know it’s hard to tell when a blogger really likes a product because they were given the product for free – or because they REALLY like the product – like it enough where they would spend money to replace it if it were empty!

I REALLY love EcoStoreUSA!  I was first introduced to them in March 2009 right after Lil’ B was born and I’m still in love!  You can read all my previous mentions of EcoStoreUSA by visiting the archives (http://www.theecochic.com/?s=ecostoreusa). 

Here are some NEW reasons to love EcoStoreUSA:

- They are now made in the USA!  They now manufacture products in their Michigan facility so it no longer has to be shipped from New Zealand. 

- Four baby products (baby wash, nappy balm, sleepytime bath, and moisturizer) have earned a score of 0-1 on the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Review by the Environmental Working Group.  Now there is scientific proof that their product is as good as they said it was – not that I ever doubted them – but some people like to see numbers. 

- It’s BOGO month again!  If you don’t know about their BOGO sale you really need to go shop NOW!  I mean – quit reading this and go shop now!  **OK you can wait until you’re done reading – because I enjoy your time here!  What is so special about their BOGO sale?  Any product that you order during the month of July (2010) you will be sent TWO of!  I actually shop only during the BOGO because I can stock up for the entire year.  I still have baby body wash, nappy balm, pet shampoo, and dish detergent from the last BOGO!  It lasts that long – their products are concentrated so you use LESS!  I love their Nappy Balm (diaper cream) so much that I have extra on hand to give as baby shower gifts. 

I just tried two new (to me) products this past week (thank you EcoStoreUSA for sending them out to me for review).  Their Baby Moisturizer and the Sleepytime Bath now sit proudly amongst their sibling products in my house.  My baby is going to have to fight me for the moisturizer though because I love it!  It’s a very light product and has a nice sweet fragrance that’s not overpowering.  The Sleepytime Bath is similar to their baby body wash which has always been a favorite in our house. 

Want to know which products I 100% honestly love at EcoStoreUSA – so much that I purchase myself?

-Baby Nappy Balm - the best diaper rash cream ever!  I even use it with my cloth diapers but only with a flushable liner to keep the cream from staining the cloth.

-Baby Body Wash – I love the smell of eucalyptus on my baby.

-Laundry Detergent (Liquid) - super concentrated and lasts a long time.  Another great eucalyptus fragrance.

-Powerdered Dish Detergent – now if only we would install a water softner so I could see the true cleaning effects!

-Dog Shampoo – have you ever looked at the ingredients on the ‘other stuff’ that you wash your dog with – scary!

-Baby Moisturizer – my new favorite – I think I may need to stock up during BOGO!

What products have you tried and loved?  What products are you dying to try?

Shop:  http://www.ecostoreusa.com
Tweet:  http://twitter.com/ecostoreusa
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ecostoreusa?ref=ts

Giveaway Alert! Win a Dittany Baby Mei Tai baby carrier in the color of your choosing.  See coupon codes below for all readers.  ECO-ngratulations Natalie A! Check your email for details.

Dittany Baby!  If you’ve been a reader for a while you already know who Dittany Baby is…one of my favorite companies for trendy baby products!  HERE is my interview with Shannon, owner of Dittany Baby, from this summer.  You can see my review and pictures of their fabulous pouch sling and skid pants there also. 

Shannon was kind enough to send Lil’ B and I one of their Mei Tai style baby carriers for the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide.  We received a special Mei Tai in the Stockholm print (see pattern image in pouch sling) and black TODAY and I was so excited I had to share it with you immediately!  I have secretly been dying for a Mei Tai carrier since Lil’ B was first born but needs and wants are different when you have 3 pouch slings (2 Hotslings and 1 Dittany Baby sling) and an Ergo. 

Now that Lil’ B is nearing the one year mark I fear that my baby wearing days are numbered.  We have already begun limiting the use of the pouch slings to short periods of time due to her weight (she’s about 20lbs).  I regularly use the Ergo for our extended trips (Disney, airports, etc) so I was excited to compare it with the Mei Tai.  I wasn’t disappointed either; I think it might replace our pouch sling for those quick trips and maybe even for slightly longer outings.  It feels more secure for the older tot than the pouch slings (especially when yours is as wiggly as mine is).  I should really develop a chart that tells you when and at what age I like the different carriers…each age and occasion is slightly different…I’m glad I have a few to choose from.  And can you really have too many baby carriers?  I think not!  

Quality of Dittany Baby Mei Tai:  GREAT!  I was excited to see the padding along the edges and on the shoulder straps to make this carrier comfortable for baby and wearer.  Workmanship on this carrier is excellent.

Price of Dittany Baby Mei Tai:  Comparable to other Mei Tai’s on the market at $70-$85 (depending on fabric choice).  Cheaper than an Ergo but more pricey than a pouch sling.

Extras:  The Dittany Baby Mei Tai comes with a coordinating carrying pouch (all their carriers come with this pouch) which helps keep it organized in your diaper bag or car.  The Dittany Baby Mei Tai can also be reversible since both sides are finished the same.  This is a great feature for daddy who prefers things a little simplier than I do.

Website:  http://www.dittanybaby.com/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/dittanybaby
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Dittany-Baby/44349889388?ref=ts

But it!  Add a Dittany Baby Mei Tai (or anything from Dittany Baby) to your shopping list this holiday season and save from 10%-30% off your total purchase.  Use the following coupon codes:   

                            ”10off20” for 10% off of a $20.00 order
                            “20off50” for 20% off of a $50.00 order
                            “35off100” for 35% off of a $100.00 order

Be sure to enter THEECOCHIC@GMAIL.COMinto the comments section for all purchases at Dittany Baby.  They have a “Refer a Friend” promotion right now….you can refer your friends too and earn credits to spend at their store! 

Win It!  Dittany Baby has offered a Mei Tai to one lucky reader in a color of your choosing.  To enter you must visit Dittany Baby and tell me what your favorite fabric pattern is (on any of the carriers).  Leave your comments below to be entered in this giveaway. 

Extra Entries:
-Enter any of my other Eco-Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways (Leave a comment telling me which one’s you’ve entered.)
-Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
-Subscribe using Feedburner or other reader (Leave your email addy)
-Add my button to your blog or site (Leave a link to your blog)
-Blog about this giveaway and the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide  (Leave a link to your blog)
-Share this giveaway with your friends (Leave me a comment telling me how)

Giveaway open worldwide to anyone over the age of 18 yrs old.  Must leave a comment for each entry with a maximum of 10 entries total for this giveaway.  Giveaway ends December 10, 2009 at midnight (EST).  Entrants must leave their email to be contacted if they are selected.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO ENTER!

Giveaway ended! ECO-ngratulations Natalie A!

More from the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide.

*This post was sponsored by Dittany Baby.

Giveaway Alert! Win a $10 gift certificate to spend at Picnic Basket Crafts on Etsy.  ECO-ngratulations Zealandsmom!

Is anyone else addicted to Etsy?  It’s my inspiration to dive back into my artsy crafty self and create!  (Of course with my 2 kids and a full time job…and a blog…I don’t really have the time!)  Etsy is a worldwide site that allows creative people to make handmade goods for the rest of the world.  My favorite thing about Etsy is that everything is made with love and passion from people just like you and I. 

One such person is Tiffany, owner of Picnic Basket Crafts.  Tiffany creates eco-friendly decadent products for your body, home and baby.  Tiffany creates an amazing line of body products that would make a great at home spa day!  Just add a bottle of wine and some good friends and pamper yourself with her Facial Scrub or Foot Soak. 

Cloth diapering mama’s will love Tiffany’s Cleanse and Moisturize Mist for your cloth wipes…the fresh scent will take away the worst poo stink from your babies behind!! 

Like to clean; try one of Tiffany’s eco-friendly mop pad that fits nicely onto your swiffer.  These pads can be used over and over again…is it lame that I would really like one of these for Christmas? 

Tiffany takes eco-friendly to the next step with her shipping packages.  When my package of samples arrived it was nicely packaged inside an old cereal box!  It was so cute!  She also packed some of the samples in paper bags (re-purposed I’m sure) that were stitched neatly to finish off the edges. 

Website:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/picnicbasketcrafts
Blog:  http://www.picnicbasketcrafts.blogspot.com/
Coupon:  Use coupon code Eco Chic Blog and save 10% off your purchase at Picnic Basket Crafts.  (Wait for an adjusted invoice before paying.)

Win It!  Win a $10 gift certificate to use at Picnic Basket Crafts.  To enter, visit Tiffany’s shop on Etsy and tell me what you would spend your gift certificate on.  Leave your comments below (mandatory entry).

Extra Entries:
-Enter any of my other Eco-Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways (Leave a comment telling me which one’s you’ve entered.)
-Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
-Subscribe using Feedburner or other reader (Leave your email addy)
-Add my button to your blog or site (Leave a link to your blog)
-Blog about this giveaway and the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide  (Leave a link to your blog)
-Share this giveaway with your friends (Leave me a comment telling me how)

Giveaway open to residents of the US over the age of 18 yrs old.  Must leave a comment for each entry with a maximum of 10 entries total for this giveaway.  Giveaway ends December 10, 2009 at midnight (EST).  Entrants must leave their email to be contacted if they are selected.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO ENTER!

ECO-ngratulations Zealandsmom!

More from the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide.

*This post was sponsored by Picnic Basket Crafts.

Giveaway Alert! Win a starter set just like the one in the picture below from Your Baby Can Read. Eco-ngratulations Khrystina! Check your email!

Your Baby Can Read!

We’ve all seen the commercials…you know the one’s with the babies watching the videos, playing with the word cards, and acting out the actions…reading!  I would have been all over this video with my first child but you get a little more relaxed with your second (at least I do) and don’t push them as hard.  I have a friend of mine who has used this with her own child and she said it was cute.  She said her baby would see the word clap on screen and begin clapping along. 

The set that I received (the same as the giveaway) is only 1/5 of the full intro set but it’s plenty to fall in love to!  Based on Dr. Titzer’s Early Language Development program the intro set includes a DVD Early Learning Workshop, the Parents Guide, Learn to Read Word Cards, and a starter book.  Having an older child who monopolizes the television along with a sports addicted husband; Lil’ B hasn’t really had time to dedicate to the program.  We have watched it a few times and it’s cute.  It’s designed for use with babies starting as early as 3 months of age up to children 5 years old.  Now if only there were more hours in the day I might actually have time to dedicate 20-30 minutes to practice this with Lil’ B.  She just began to clap and has learned her first baby sign…I think she’s finally old enough where I would be able to see results. 

Buy It:  You can buy Your Baby Can Read online HERE.  They offer a 30 day trial for $14.95 (plus S&H). 

Win It!  Register here to win your own intro set like the one in the picture above!  Visit the Your Baby Can Read site and tell me one thing you learned from their site.  Leave your comment below to be entered into this giveaway.

Extra Entries:
-Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
-Subscribe using Feedburner or other reader
-Add my button to your blog or site
-Blog about this giveaway and the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide
-Share this giveaway with your friends

Giveaway open to all residents in the US over the age of 18 yrs old.  Must leave a comment for each entry with a maximum of 10 entries total.  Giveaway ends December 1, 2009 at midnight (EST).  Entrants must leave their email to be contacted if they are selected. 

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO ENTER!

Giveaway Ended.  Eco-ngratulations Khrystina!

More from the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide.

*This post was sponsored by Your Baby Can Read.

Giveaway Alert!  Want to win a cute blanket like the one in the picture above? aden + anais is giving away one organic muslin baby wrap to a lucky reader.  See below for details on how to enter.  ECO-ngratulations Desiree! Watch your email for details on how to claim your aden + anais baby wrap!

A picture is worth a thousand words, right?  I don’t normally like to show pictures of my family but I couldn’t resist, Lil B’s smile just spoke to me here.  The gorgeous blanket that Lil B is cuddling is by aden + anais.  It’s 100% organic cotton muslin and measures 47″ X 47″ in size.  I love that it’s light weight which is perfect for our hot Florida weather.  It’s all natural, organic cotton fabric so it’s free of nasty chemicals and safer for my baby.  As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also machine washable.

While the organic wraps only come in a few color options (for both girls and boys), they also offer non-organic wraps in a larger variety of colors.  The organic wraps sell for $34 and the non-organic wraps start at $19.95 each.  The quality of the aden + anais wraps is well worth the price tag.  aden + anais also offers hooded towels, wash clothes, and sleeping bags all made with the same cotton muslin fabric. 

I take our aden + anais blanket with us everywhere.  It’s so versatile.  I use it as a blanket, a pack-n-play sheet, and as a nursing cover.  It’s so large that I’ve wondered how I could tie it into a babywearing carrier like a ring sling or mei tai.  I’m sad when it gets dirty and we actually have to use our old blankets, it’s by far one of my favorites! 

Buy It!  The aden + anais baby wraps would make a great baby gift, a blanket that no family should be without.  It’s perfect size for swaddling your newborn and large enough for the older toddler too.  You can purchase them directly on the aden + anais website.  Go ahead, spoil your baby!  They deserve the very best don’t they!

Win It!  Want to win your own aden + anais organic cotton muslin baby wrap?  Visit aden + anais and leave me a comment below telling me which wrap is your favorite.  This is mandatory before you can enter the extra entries.  Contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. 

Extra Entry #1: Subscribe to the aden + anais mailing list.  Leave me a comment with the email address you subscribed with.

Extra Entry #2: Become a fan of aden + anais on Facebook.  Leave me a comment with your Facebook name.

Extra Entry #3: Follow The Eco Chic using any (or all) of the following; Google Reader, Facebook, Twitter, or Feedburner (email).  Leave a comment below for each way that you follow me.  

Giveaway will close on October 19th, 2009 at midnight (EST). 

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY!

ECO-ngratulations Desiree! You win!

The wrap shown in the picture above was provided by aden + anais for this review. 

Giveaway alert!  Swami Baby Boutique is giving away 3 organic cotton baby tee’s/onesie’s.  My absolute favorite is the Same Diaper, Different Day Tee.  Check out the other Think Green T-shirts at Swami Baby Boutique!  They are available in sizes 6mo-24mo only.  ECO-ngratulations Carol, Gwen & Alysia!!

To enter to win all you need to do is visit Swami Baby Boutique and leave a comment HERE about your favorite Think Green T-Shirt!  Three lucky winners will be selected at the end of the Eco-Summer Blog Party!  Register by July 15th at midnight (EST).

Swami Baby is a cute baby, toddler and mommy boutique that gives a voice to our own wise little ones.  You can even find cute matching tee’s for you!  Good Luck!

One of my goals with the Eco-Summer Blog Party was to provide you with valuable information on some hot environmental topics each day.  One of the hot topics in the news lately is BPA and toxins in our plastics.  All of the information out there seems very intimidating, even to me.  I have read some great blogs by people who are passionate about their fight against plastics.  As a crazy busy mom of two some topics are just too deep for me to grasp my arms around and embrace change.  BPA and plastics is one of those topics.  It’s much like global warming…I know that it is a real phenomenom and that I should change my lifestyle…but the changes that are required are just too much.  We hear global warming but we don’t really know what we can do ourselves. 

I asked Alicia Voorhies, owner of the online retailer The Soft Landing, to educate us a little about BPA and plastics.

Guest Post by The Soft Landing’s owner, Alicia Voorhies.  Coupon Code at bottom of post!

Surely you’ve heard about Bisphenol-A (BPA) by now. It’s an endocrine-disrupting chemical found nearly everywhere with over 6 billion pounds of it produced each year.  It’s most well-known use is as a building block for polycarbonate, a hard plastic commonly used in clear plastic baby bottles.  Studies show that BPA can leach from its unstable bond into food and drinks.  Leaching occurs at room temperature, but especially when containers are heated – to the tune of up to 55 times more.  In more recent studies, 93% of Americans were found to have higher levels of BPA in their bodies than previously thought. 

BPA is essentially a synthetic estrogen that disrupts the reproductive systems of both males and females.  It was actually considered as a possible form of estrogen for estrogen replacement pills in the 1930s. The sperm count of the average male has begun a steady decline over the last 50 years as many males are becoming more feminine.  But that’s not all.  Scientists have linked BPA to a growing list of ailments:  cancer, reproductive and cardiovascular system disorders (including damage to the prostate gland, infertility and early puberty), brain and neurological system dysfunctions, behavioral problems, diabetes and obesity.

It’s become apparent that the FDA isn’t going to ban the use of BPA in our food containers anytime soon.  Nor will they require manufacturers to label their products when they contain do BPA.  So how can a concerned parent navigate the confusing sea of unlabeled products?  You shouldn’t have to be a rocket scientist to find safer eating gear for your family, so let’s look at some simple strategies for avoiding BPA.

Using Recycling Codes

Staying away from plastics in the recycling category #7 is the most common strategy for avoiding BPA.  It’s a fine way to start making general changes, but not all #7 plastics contain BPA.  Over the last year, several new plastics, such as PES and copolyester, have been introduced as BPA-free alternatives.  This serves to confuse the issue because they look just like polycarbonate and are placed in the same “other” recycling category (see Are all #7 Plastics Toxic? for a more detailed discussion on this complicated topic). 

Even more confusing is that some polypropylene products (in the #5 recycling category) can contain BPA after all.  When a polypropylene product is tinted with color, the colorant base used may be made from BPA, adding a small amount of the chemical to an otherwise BPA-free plastic.  So recycling codes should only be used as a very general guideline.

Buying Products Labeled as BPA-free

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just go to the store and grab only products labeled as BPA-free?  No such luck.  Regulations currently don’t require manufacturers to label their products with the chemicals used.  The only way to know which plastic items are actually BPA-free is to:

• Look for manufacturers who have chosen to label their products despite the regulations
• Communicate directly with each manufacturer to confirm its BPA-free status
• Purchase products from a reputable company who completes the research for you (such as www.thesoftlanding.com). 

Avoiding Plastic All Together

More proactive companies are taking steps to create non-plastic options in an effort to meet the demand for BPA-free products.  Several materials are naturally BPA-free because they simply don’t need the chemical during production:  glass, stainless steel, silicone, natural rubber, bamboo, wood and corn-based bio-plastics are some of the major players.  And they’re not only safer, but they’re easier on the environment too.  We’ve compiled an extensive list of great alternatives in food storage containers to make your life a little easier (see BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free Food Storage Containers).  

In the meantime, let’s continue letting manufacturers and the chemical industry know that we won’t be buying their toxic plastic.  Take a minute to sign the Environmental Working Group’s petition to protect children today!

Alicia was kind enough to provide a coupon code for 15% off any purchases made at The Soft Landing from July 9th-15th. 
Coupon Code: ecosummer09

Please be sure to visit The Soft Landing at these locations:
Store: www.thesoftlanding.com
Blog: www.thesoftlandingbaby.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/thesoftlanding
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesoftlanding
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/thesoftlanding

What do you use to wash your baby?  Like most parents I use the old fashioned Johnson’s and Johnson’s Head to Toe Baby Wash.  How can I not use something that costs a mere dollar at most retail stores?  They give it to you free at the hospital.  You get a million bottles at baby showers.  I’ll be honest, this is what I’ve used on my son and this is what I currently use on my newborn.  But what’s in these traditional baby washes? 

I found this on the J&J website:
Ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-150 Distearate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Fragrance, Quaternium-15, Citric Acid

I was given a sample of the ECO store USAs Baby Body Wash so I tried it.  It’s not normally something I would splurge on (unlike the Baby Nappy Balm) at $10 a bottle but after comparing ingredient lists I might consider it.  Here is the ingredient list of the Baby Body Wash:

I just received 3 products in the mail today from ECO Store USA, a company that offers environmentally friendly products for baby, bath, body, hair, home and pets.  The company started in New Zealand and recently began to expand into the US. 

I feel like a little kid every time I get something in the mail that’s not a bill or junk mail.  When my package arrived I quickly opened it to see what was inside.  Inside my package was a liter of Plant Based Super Concentrate Laundry Liquid, a bottle of Aromatherapy Baby Body Wash, and a jar of Baby Nappy Balm. 

Baby Nappy Balm

I’m going to spend the next week reviewing these products for you as I use them on Little B and around the house.  At the end of my reviews I’m proud to announce a giveaway of $25 worth of ECO Store USA products.  More details on the giveaway are coming so visit regularly so you don’t miss it!

First thoughts?  Professional and eco-friendly packaging.  The items were in a small box with a few pieces of recycleable newsprint for packing materials.  They even included a note explaining that all the packaging was recycleable.  Nice scents.  One thing that I miss in most of my environmentally friendly products are the fresh smells of the traditional products.  I know that perfumes can cause allergic reactions but the ECO Store products contain only plant based products and NO NASTY * CHEMICALS!  The primary scent that stood out to me was the eucalyptus.  The Nappy Balm (I love the word Nappy!!!  It’s so much cooler than diaper!) was smooth and felt more like a lotion than a diaper cream, even though it is thicker than a lotion. 

Keep visiting to learn more about these three products as I personally use them on Little B and around the house.  And be sure to visit ECO Store USA to see what other products they offer.

That’s right…we have a little green princess that joined our family!  We’ll she actually joined us on January 4th but I have been a little busy to update here.  We are all home and doing well, just trying to adjust to a new routine. 

So how are we doing on the ‘green’ scale?  So so…probably about a 5 out of 10.  Hospitals aren’t that green; everything is disposable.  Although I would rather everything been clean and sanitary than worry about cloth diapers and rags. 

We are nursing so she is getting the most natural and healthy food possible.  I do need to start watching the things I eat a little closer to ensure she gets the best food.  And there is no waste in nursing…no bottles to clean…no heating milk up at 2am.  It’s on a constant supply and demand and always ready to go!  I nursed my son for almost a year and plan to do the same with the princess. 

Diapers…well the princess is only 6.5 lbs so she’s too small for the Bum Genius 3.0′s.  They are huge on her so we are using disposables until she gets a little bigger.  We did try the 7th Generation diapers first but I’m not in love with them.  Compared to the Pampers they are very stiff and not as flexible and soft.  However, she has a very sensitive tushy just like her brother.  With the sensitivity issues we’ve stopped using the diaper wipes (we even tried the Earth’s Best and they didn’t help) and are only using cloth washclothes.  This seems to work better but she still has a small rash occassionally.  I’m not ruling out diet…but I’m guessing it’s the diapers.

There are no stores locally to buy smaller sized cloth diapers but there are many online.  I’d love to actually see them first before putting a large amount of money out there.  The old fashioned pre-folds are even too big for her without folding them down…a lot!!  Like I said…I know they sell smaller ones but I don’t want to invest a ton in a size she’ll only wear for a few more weeks.  So I think we’ll stick with the disposables for now.  I am going to try one other ‘green’ brand of disposables and see if they are any nicer BUT there is only one store locally that even sells them and I don’t get there often.

What other waste comes from babies this age?  Not much.  All she does is eat, sleep, pee and poop!  LOL!  She has been spoiled quite a lot already so we do have some waste from all the gifts.  We’ve been recycling as much of the cardboard as possible and reusing the plastic hangers the clothes come on.  Other than that there is a lot of little waste…price tags (paper and plastic waste), tissue paper, and gift bags.  Fortunately I save all my gift bags and reuse those too. 

Anyways, that’s all the baby news I have for now.  I’ll continue to update our progress on the diapers.  I promise we are switching to cloth as soon as she grows a little bit.