Thanks to my friend Jenny at Conscientious Confusion I have decided to take the “No Poo” pledge for 2012!  My hair is actually quite healthy and I’m not overly dependent on hair care products.  I hate mousse, gels, and other products that promise to make your hair bouncy or full or sleek.  I embraced the fact that my hair will always be straight and will never hold a curl or bounce for more than 5 minutes.  When I add all of those other products to my hair it just weighs it down and makes it look frumpy and dirty.  I’ve never paid much attention to my shampoo and conditioners either.  For the past year I have been using TRESemme Naturals and I’ve never even researched the ingredients to find out just how ‘natural’ they really are.  The worst thing that I do to my hair is color it 3-4 times a year.  I’m a highlight and color junkie and I love to cover up the grey (shhh…you’d never know by looking at me how old I am so I won’t let my hair give it away).  Regardless of my current hair care routine I’ve always been intrigued by “No Poo.”

What is “No Poo”?  It’s a method of giving up traditional shampoos and using natural products such as baking soda and apple cider vinegar to regulate the chemistry of your hair without harsh chemicals.  Those who go “No Poo” swear by how healthy their hair is after a few short weeks.  I’ve only just began researching all of the different ‘recipes’ but the basic concept is:

Baking Soda = Shampo

Apple Cider Vinegar = Conditioner

The trick is finding the right combination of the two that will work for your hair style and type.  I’ve tried this for 3 days and I’m at a loss.  I guess I’m actually going to have to research all the different recipes and combinations because I can’t figure this one out on my own.

Day 1:  I dissolved a tablespoon of baking soda in about 1 cup of warm water (in a peri bottle I had left unopened from childbirth).  When I was showering I squeezed the solution onto my hair trying to pay attention to the roots.  Rinse.  My hair was actually quite dirty the first day I tried this so I was really nervous that I wouldn’t get it clean.  I followed this with a solution of 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in about 1 cup of warm water (in an old shampoo bottle) and squeezed that out over my “no poo’d” hair.  Rinse.  Dry and Style.  Results:  Ugh, my hair feels dingy and dirty.  It was actually quite soft at the ends but the roots felt dirty.  Maybe I used too much vinegar.

Day 2:  After day 1 I really felt defeated already (even though people told me to be patient) and washed with regular shampoo and conditioner to get it back to normal.

Day 3-4:  I got lazy and kept up this same routine with regular shampoo and conditioner.

Day 5:  Ok, I’ve finally decided to try “No Poo” again!  Today I decided to add slightly more baking soda to the solution and to skip the apple cider vinegar all together.  Rinse.  Dry.  Style.  My hair felt squeaky clean in the shower and was more difficult to comb than usual.  I could tell that I didn’t use conditioner (which I use 100% of the time just for the soft feel and to untangle my tresses).  I dried as normal but could see that I was going to be a hot mess!  My hair is incredibly dry and the ends are frizzy.  It feels really clean at the roots but the ends are overly dry.  I guess I did need the vinegar after all.

After a little more research tonight I’m going to wait a day or two to wash until my hair has restored some of the moisture naturally that the baking soda removed.  Then I’m going to create a paste (versus a solution) with the baking soda and only apply to the roots.  Finally I’m going to use slightly less vinegar and only apply it to the ends of my hair where they get dry the quickest.

Will you join me as I continue my experiment?  Will you share with me your tips and personal experiences?  Join the conversation in the comments section below or on Facebook.  Have you made any green resolutions for 2012?  Join me by taking the Pledge to Go Green in 2012 and pledge to make one small change each month.    

More about my hair:  I have naturally straight hair with very little body.  I typically use a hair straightener to get the style just perfect. That’s about it!

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GIVEAWAY ALERT!!  Enter to win some Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste below.

Let’s talk about teeth today!  What do you and your kids use to brush your teeth?  One of those ‘popular’ kids brands of toothpaste in those fancy princess or character wrappings?  Have you ever wondered what makes those toothpastes so tasty that your kids choose to eat it instead of brushing their teeth?  I just looked at the back of my tube of Crest Kids and it doesn’t list the ingredients (aside from the active ingredient) on the actual tube (it probably did on the box) but here is the link to the Environmental Working Groups list of ingredients for this product.

Active Ingredients: Contains: Sodium Fluoride (0.15% w/v fluoride ion)Inactive Ingredients: Sorbitol, Water, Hydrated Silica, Trisodium Phosphate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Flavor, Sodium Saccharin, Carbomer 956, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, FD&C Blue 1

Do you see anything that that would be of concern to you?  Maybe the Xanthan Gum, Flavor, and perhaps the FD&C Blue coloring.  Why do we need to give them these artificial sweeteners and colorants to brush their teeth?  Defeats the purpose of brushing their teeth if you ask me…

We did a Silly Strawberry Swap this past week in our house! We switched out our regular kids toothpaste with Tom’s of Maine Silly Strawberry toothpaste.  I’ve used a small sample of Tom’s for myself but haven’t made the official swap in our house…but it’s on my list…now if only I can convince the hubs to try it!  I like the regular Tom’s so I was certain my kids would like the Silly Strawberry.  I left both tubes in the drawer because I wanted to get their true reactions and see which one they reached for in the morning/nights.

Results?? My daughter LOVES the Silly Strawberry!  She’s only 2 (almost 3) so it’s not hard to convince her to try something as long as it looks, smells, and tastes fun.  She picked the Tom’s every day this week and even said, “I want the Silly stuff mommy!”  My son on the other hand tried Tom’s one day and went back to his Crest the rest of the week.  At 8 yrs old he told me he didn’t like the taste of the Tom’s and that his breath felt cleaner with his regular toothpaste.  So what did I do??  I tried it myself!

I have to tell you I like the regular Tom’s (adult variety) myself because you still get that minty fresh taste in your mouth that makes your breath feel fresh.  After using the Silly Strawberry I didn’t get that minty or fresh feel.  It didn’t leave that ‘clean’ feel in my mouth.  Maybe I should stick with the adult Tom’s for my son since he’s concerned about his breath these days (you know…all those girls he talks to each day…hehe).

Want to know more about Tom’s of Maine??

Online:  http://www.tomsofmaine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine
Twitter:  @TomsOfMaine

Want to win a tube of Silly Strawberry for your family to swap out?  Enter using Rafflecopter below.

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  A tube of Silly Strawberry toothpaste was received to review.  This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own and do not reflect the thoughts of Mom Spark Media or Tom’s of Maine.  Giveaway fulfillment through Tom’s of Maine.

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Do you have a favorite scent from nature?  A scent that reminds you of a special occasion, a special place, or person? One of my favorite scents from nature is the smell of Georgia honeysuckle in the springtime.  It’s a little odd to me that one of my favorite scents is actually from an invasive weed but I absolutely love the smell of honeysuckle.

When I was growing up in North Georgia we lived on 5 acres with only two neighbors and lots of woods to play in.  My younger brother and I were always outside exploring the old paths in the woods pretending that they were old roads and looking for hidden treasure.  I don’t think we ever found anything exciting but we always had fun on our expeditions.  I knew it was spring when I would start to smell the honeysuckle on our journeys.  You could smell the honeysuckle before you would actually see it in bloom.  In addition to the sweet smell of honeysuckle I loved the white flowering blooms; did you know they produce a sweet honey nectar that you can actually eat?  We would collect the flowers, remove the stamens, and suck out the ‘honey.’  The blooming season never lasted very long so we indulged ourselves on the honeysuckle while we could.

We moved out of that house right after high school.  My brother moved away not long after he graduated and we both went our separate ways.  We stay in touch but it’s not quite the same as it was when we were little.  When I got married after college my husband and I bought our first house in West Georgia and we had some honeysuckle on our property but not nearly as much as what I grew up with.  Not long after we moved to Florida and I haven’t smelled the scent of honeysuckle in nature for years.  When I find lotions, candles, or cleaning products that smell like honeysuckle I always buy them to bring back those childhood memories.

Memories like this one are exactly why Seventh Generation uses natural fragrances like lavender, mint, citrus, and ginger fresh from the field in their dish soaps.  To celebrate the Nature Makes Perfect Scents sweepstakes, Seventh Generation is offering you a chance to win a trip for two to visit France or Italy.  I would love to visit France and see the lavender fields in bloom.

I wrote this blog post while participating in a SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50.  For more information about how you can participate click here.

Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/843115

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What do I like most about babies?  Rubbing their soft silky skin – especially their toes!  Don’t laugh but I love how smooth baby toes are.  Unfortunately many babies, tots and children suffer from severe dry skin and eczema which leaves parents wondering what they did wrong.  My daughter has suffered from mild eczema for several months and I’ve always dreaded the treatment – hydrocortisone.  I’ve always hated using hydrocortisone creams because they contain steroids which can be harmful to your children with repeat exposure. 

We didn’t notice the first flare ups of eczema until she was about six months old (maybe older) and it was on the back of her knees and inside of her elbows.  My first instinct was to adjust my diet since I was breastfeeding.  I cut out milk from my own diet and limited other dairy and acidic foods (like tomatoes).  As she started eating solids we limited those same items from her own diet.  Now that she’s totally weaned we continue to limit milk but that’s about all.  We have switched her to almond milk and that seems to be working most of the time.  However, there are still occasions when she has flare ups…

The pediatrician recommended moisurizers and LOTS of moisturizers.  She also recommended hydrocortisone if the flare ups are really bad – thankfully they don’t normally get that bad.  

Some tips that I found when researching eczema:

• Moisturize!  Even when your babies skin is nice and soft continue to moisturize their skin.  Apply a moisturizer several times a day to keep their skin from drying out. 
• Moderate the temperature.  This is especially important with extreme hot and cold temperatures both in the air and bath water.  Keeping the temperature mild will help prevent flare ups.
• Natural & Gentle ingredients.  Whether it’s cleaning products, laundry detergents, bath soaps, or moisturizers be sure to avoid products laden with toxic chemicals. 
• Pets.  Uh-oh, is your pet responsible for the flare ups?  Pet dander has been linked to skin allergies such as eczema but don’t fear – most children will outgrow eczema as they get older.
• Wool, foods, and other irritants.  Some fabrics (such as wool), foods (milk, tropical fruits, peanut butter, etc), and smoke may irritate your babies skin.

Products worth trying:

Around the home we’ve switched to eco-friendly cleaners that are free of toxic chemicals.  We’ve also switched to eco-friendly laundry detergents for all of our laundry – not just the tots.  Our favorite products are from ecoStore USA.  I especially love the laundry detergent with a hint of eucalyptus – I love that smell! 

I recently reviewed a new line of baby care products from exederm® that are approved by the National Eczema Association.  The line of exederm® products include a baby bath, baby shampoo, baby lotion, intensive baby moisturizer, and for children over 2 – a flare control cream with hydrocortisone in an ultra sensitive hypoallergenic base.  The exederm® line is free of colors, parabens, fragrances, lanolin, phthalates, and sodium laurel sulfates- all of which should be avoided in your skin care products.  The flare control cream is the only product in the line that contains hydrocortisone.  The only negative comment that I had when reviewing the ingredients of these products is that they contain petroleum. 

After a few months of using the products our flare ups seem to have decreased slightly and when flare ups do occur they are mild and don’t last long.  I could always be more diligent in applying moisturizer to Lil’ B (and myself).  When you get in a rush this is usually the one step I skip in our bedtime routine.  I know that we could both benefit from a few minutes of relaxing massage time with a good moisturizer.  

Which reminds me – my hands could use a nice rub down with some of the intensive baby moisturizer right now!  So I’m off to moisturize.  What helps you keep your babies skin nice, soft, and eczema free? 

Additional Reading:

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/natural_habits_that_heal_dry_skin/

http://www.drgreene.com/qa/eczema-causes-and-treatments

Disclosure: I was provided samples of the exederm® line of products to review for this post.  No other compensation was provided.  The opinions expressed in this post are my own and were in no way influenced by the manufacturer. 

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I broke down and bought my first neti pot today to help clear my allergy head! Wish me luck!

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A letter to my darling tot -

Today is a day of celebration – you are 501 days old! 

For 501 days I have watched you grow from this tiny baby into this blossoming, beautiful, independent little spit fire!  Each day you wake looking up at me while you fill your belly with the milk that God gave you – I can only imagine what you are thinking about as you grab my hair and twirl it around your tiny fingers.  And each day as you go play with your friends and explore the world around you I know that you will come home to me – only to look up at me once more as you fill your belly with that same mommies milk.  You may not be able to vocalize your thoughts but your eyes tell me the stories of your adventures.  And each evening I love how you press your body against my chest and doze off to slumber - resting your tired body on mine - dreaming of another tomorrow.  I’m thankful to God everyday that he made you and provided us with this opportunity to build our bonds with one another.  I’m thankful that he provided me with the resources to nourish your tiny growing body – naturally. 

Some may not understand our bond – they call it weird and extreme – but when you look up at me with those big blue eyes of yours the rest of the world seems to vanish.  One day I know that you will wake up and forget about this special bond as you run off and play - but until that day happens I will continue to listen to the stories that your eyes are telling me. 

Always yours – Mom

While I was counting the days on the calendar today I decided to see how old other mammals were when they were weaned naturally – the Gorilla (also a primate like humans) is naturally weaned at the age of 3-4 years of age.  Much later than most Americans consider as ‘normal’ for humans.  Here is a great article that discusses the natural age for weaning in primates.       

          Photo courtesy of Steuart Dewar, Gorilla Haven

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Since I’m celebrating our 365th day of breastfeeding (i.e. my Lil’ B’s first birthday) and another nasty cold I thought I would share some alternative uses for breast milk. 

1.  Clogged tear ducts and other eye infections.  Simply place a few drops of breast milk in the infected eye and it should clear up the infection.  I actually had to use this when Lil’ B was only a few weeks old and it worked wonders for us.

2.  Chapped or cracked nipples.  Yet another personal use for myself both with Lil’ B and her brother.  Simply allow the breast milk to air dry on the chapped nipple. 

3.  Stuffy nose.  I still haven’t tried this one but since Lil’ B is battling a runny nose and cough I am going to try it today.  I’ve had friends swear by this to help their little ones breath easier.

4.  Ear infections.  I have to admit this one was new but not surprising.  Place a few drops in the infected ear to help speed up the healing time.

5.  Insect bites.  Again, another new use for breast milk to me.  Allow breast milk to air dry on the bite.

6.  Diaper rash and eczema.  This one would be perfect for use with cloth diapers too since you can’t use heavy ointments.  Again, simply allow breast milk to air dry on the rash prior to placing the new diaper on your baby.

7.  Contact lens solution.  Yep, try a little breast milk next time you run out of contact lens solution.  It’s a great moisturizer.

8.  Make up remover.  Breast milk can be used as a gentle, natural make up remover and moisturizer. 

9.  Donate your milk.  Yes, there are many milk banks that will accept breast milk for both infants and adults.  Did I just say adults? 

10.  Caner treatment.  Infants, children and adults can possibly benefit from breast milk as a cancer treatment.  When I was researching alternative uses for breast milk I found several touching stories where adults were healed of their cancer by adding breast milk to their diet each day. 

Now, I know that some of you are seriously looking at me like I’ve lost my mind!  The research is out there and mom’s all around the world are using what God gave us to help treat mild (or severe) ailments naturally.  I must also say that while research does say the ‘breast is best’, that not all women can breast feed.  I respect your right as a parent to make the best choices for you and your family. 

For us, both our children have been breastfed.  Our son was breastfed for 11 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.  For me that was quite an accomplishment since I worked outside of the home and none of my friends or family had breastfed before me.  Our Lil’ B who is celebrating her 365th day of breastfeeding today will continue to breastfeed. 

For how long?  Only time will tell.  Reseach is supporting extending breastfeeding past the first year.  There are women who still breastfeed their young children…some up to 8 or 9 years.  Again…that is a personal decision for the parents and children.

My plan is to continue for as long as it benefits both myself and my child.  Happy Birthday Lil’ B!

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Giveaway Alert!  The Natural Baby Co is giving away one Gro Baby Bio Soaker Intro Package to a lucky reader.  To enter see details at the end of this post.    ECO-ngratulatins Holly S!

One of the newest hybrid cloth diapering systems out there is the Gro Baby System.  Check out there cute new animated short video HERE! 

The original Gro Baby shell consists of a water proof shell and an organic cotton soaker pad that snaps into the shell.  The idea is that you purchase several soaker pads and reuse the shell.  Unlike most pocket diapers the Gro Baby has a unique quick drying layer between the soaker and the shell (it’s sewn into the shell and looks like a large weave mesh).  The soakers attach to the shell with two snaps; one at the front and one at the back.  The original soakers are very thick organic cotton and are very absorbent.  They also come with a booster for nights and naps.  The other unique feature to the Gro Baby Shell is the closure.  It’s a very fine hook closure that works withthe very soft fabric loop (similar to Velcro only much softer and finer).  If you prefer snaps The Natural Baby Co will convert your Gro Baby shell for a small fee.

The features don’t stop there!  The Gro Baby shells will also work with their newest product…the Bio Soakers biodegradable, disposable soaker pads.  These disposable pads easily attach using two adhesive tabs located on the back of the pads.  Each pad is made up of three parts; 1) the lining, 2) the core, and 3) the waterproof outer.  The lining and waterproof outer layers are both compostable.  The core is biodegradeable.  The core is made of a wood pulp fiber and contains about 3 grams of superabsorbent polymers (SAP).  SAP is what makes traditional diapers (and other hygiene products) absorb and retain liquids.  Not only can the Bio Soakers be composted the core is flushable (similar to G Diapers)…just tear it open and flush the insides.  (*As with any flushable product, please use caution!)  Bio Soakers would make a practical travel option that would allow you to have the cuteness of your fluff with the convenience of a disposable. 

The traditional GroBaby cloth diapering system is very compareable to other organic diapers (selling at $24.95 each…same as the BG Organic).  The nice feature to the Gro Baby is that you can reuse the shell.  The soakerpads sell for $16.95 for a set of two.  With just one shell and three soakers you would spend $41.90 and end up with three diaper changes…three BG organics would cost you $74.85…not a bad savings!  The Bio Soakers cost $19.99 for a box of 50 pads…a mere 40 cents for each pad. 

What did I think?  I have a two part response to that question. 

1) Traditional Gro Baby System: I love it!  It’s very easy to use and I wish I had a few more soakers so I could take full advantage of the reusability of the shell.  I love the absorbency of the organic cotton…it just soaks up the pee!  I really like the closure system.  It’s a much softer hook closure than traditional Velcro.  The only negative comment I have about the traditional Gro Baby is the laundry tabs don’t seem to hold very well.  Each time I washed the shell the tabs were stuck on another diaper.  This is easily rectified if you purchase the snap conversion…but I prefer the hook closure for me.  Out of all the diapers I’ve tried the Gro Baby is at the top of my list.  Just look at how cute it is…even in the simple vanilla color! 

2) The Bio Soakers with Gro Baby Shell:  I used the Bio Soakers a few different ways.  When I used the bio soakers as they were intended to be used…with the Gro Baby shell…they worked wonderful.  Unfortunately I only have one shell at the moment.  It never fails that each time I put it on Lil’ B she decides to poo…and poo large…and spill out onto the shell.  This makes it difficult to reuse the shell…hence my frustration begins.  If I had at least 3-6 shells I think I would have enjoyed the bio soakers much more.  Instead…I attempted to use the bio soakers inside other diaper covers…while they still functioned the same way there was one problem that I encountered.  The adhesive that is used on the bio soakers is a very strong adhesive and it didn’t remove easily from my BG cover material.  You can read all about my travel experience here.  I’ve used the bio soakers a few random times around the house with the Gro Baby shell and I’ve never had any problems arise when I use them the right way! 

Here is a tip I received from Kim at The Natural Baby Co regarding the Gro Baby Bio Soakers. 
“We use a eco friendly adhesive which can get sticky when warmed from being by baby’s skin.  My biggest tip is to let your diaper sit for a minute BEFORE peeling off the soaker pad.”

Buy It!  Want to try the Gro Baby system yourself?  You can purchase your own system at The Natural Baby Co.  The introductory package (one shell and 50 bio soakers) sells for $34.95. 

Win It!  I know…you want to win your own Gro Baby system…who doesn’t want free fluff?  I’m giving away one complete introductory package (one shell and 50 bio soakers) to a lucky reader!  Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada.  ECO-ngratulations Holly S!

MANDATORY ENTRY!  Visit The Natural Baby Co and tell me what your favorite Gro Baby shell color is…don’t forget they have some brand new prints available!  Leave me a comment below with your answer.

Bonus Entries:  Leave an individual comment for each item completed with links (if applicable).
1.  Become a Fan of Gro Baby on Facebook.
2.  Become a Fan of The Eco Chic on Facebook.
3.  Follow Gro Baby on Twitter.
4.  Follow The Eco Chic on Twitter.
5.  Add my button to your blog or website!
6.  Subscribe to The Eco Chic on Feedburner…deliver me to your inbox!
7.  Subscribe to The Eco Chic in Google Reader (or other feed reader).
8.  Tweet about this giveaway…be sure to include @TheEcoChic and @GroBaby and a link back here! (Max 5 tweets per giveaway!)
9.  Blog about this giveaway.
10. Make any purchase from The Natural Baby Co (valid for purchases between now and the end of the contest only) and earn 5 extra entries to this giveaway!

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO BE ENTERED TO THIS CONTEST!

Contest ends at midnight (EST) on October 29th, 2009.

Yes, a Gro Baby Introductory Package was provided to me in exchange for this post…I’ve been writing this post for over 3 hrs now so I think that’s a good exchange for my time…don’t you?   

Now the tricky questions that I am trying to find answers to.  While I’ve began doing some research on the topics I can’t learn it all in one evening.  Biodegradable, compostable, and other environmental marketing terminology.  Are they just keen marketing skills or are they really environmentally friendly?  This is where I start to get a little lost in the sea of green!  So to help you out a little here are some definitions:

Biodegradable:  the material breakdown of chemicals by the environment.

Compostable:  according to Wiki it means the same as biodegradable.

Bio-Film (Fecula): a compostable material that is made from all natural corn starch.

SAP:  super absorbent polymers used in disposable diapers to absorb moisture.  Regular disposables contain 10-20 grams of SAP.  SAP was removed from tampon production in the 1980s due to the link between SAP and Toxic Shock Syndrom (TSS).  Most babies in the US are in disposable diapers all day, every day, for three years! 

EN13432 (EU):  European standards for biodegradability and compostability.

ASTM D 6400 (US):  An American standard for composting.  Refers to the use of aerobic composting facilities (similar to wastewater treatment processes) to kill pathogens in human waste. 

Aerobic Composting:  the breakdown of a material by heat-loving organisms at a very high temperature.  Can occur at an industrial composting facility or when using special composting toilets. 

Sources:
http://www.thenaturalbabyco.com/grobaby™-ic-11_16.html
http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/dissin_disposables_why_cloth_diapers_rule/
http://ilex-envirosciences.com/leaflets/EN13432.pdf
http://www.astm.org/Standards/D6400.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic_digestion#Active_.28aerobic.29 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superabsorbent_polymer
http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/organic-parenting/green-eco-diapers-66031101

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Coupon code below!  GIVEAWAY ENDED!  Congratulations Gwen & Jennifer!

A few years ago I was introduced to attachment parenting.  I personally thought it seemed like an extreme idea but I think that was because of my limited knowledge on the actual ideas.  I originally thought that it was a theory that parents and their babies/children should not be separated from one another.  That by being held at all times and by co-sleeping that the child would somehow gain some sense of security.  Now with my second child I am starting to understand that it’s much deeper than that.  It’s not just about holding your child.  It’s more about living a more natural family lifestyle including such values as breastfeeding, natural health, co-sleeping, baby wearing and homeschooling.  Being an attachment parent doesn’t mean that you have to accept all of these values either. 

I didn’t realize that I was actually following most of the principles of attachment or natural parenting.  We cloth diaper, breastfeed, make homemade (and organic) baby food, co-sleep on occasion, and wear our baby.  I did most of these withmy first son over 6 years ago.  The two newest practices are the cloth diapers and the baby wearing.  Both of which are actually very ancient in origin.  Wearing your baby has been done for thousands of years by many cultures including the ancient Chinese and Egyptians.

I had a carrier similar to the Baby Bjorn with my son but it wasn’t easy to use.  It had clips and you couldn’t put it on without someone helping you.  I remember trying to carry my son through the airport as a child and struggling to get through security because I had to remove him from the carrier with very little help.  I was totally discouraged and we didn’t use it much after that.  So with my daughter I decided to give it another try.  This time I was going to try the Hotsling.  My husband actually thought I was crazy for spending that much money on a sling because he remembers the experience with our other carrier.  I now have 2 Hotslings and I’m hooked.  The funny thing is, so is my husband, my mom, and my sitter!  As a newborn it was great for breastfeeding in public because it gave the baby a private place to feed.  As she’s gotten older (now 6mo) we’ve worn it differently (there are many different ways to wear the pouch slings) and it’s great for hip holding.  The best thing about the slings is that it usually puts Lil’ B to sleep in a matter of minutes.  I can work, do dishes, vacuum, and more; all while keeping her close to me. 

Recently, as some of you may know, I’ve become addicted to Twitter and the Monday night #clothdiaper chats.  During one of my first chats I heard everyone talking about baby wearing and I HAD to learn more.  Luckily for me there was a baby wearing chat a few days later and I learned SO much!  I didn’t realize how many different styles of carriers there were.  Mei Tai’s, pouch slings, ring slings, structured, unstructured, Moby’s, Ergo’s, etc.  Oh boy, am I in trouble!  I want to try them all! 

One of the companies I became familiar with was Dittany Baby.  This is an online retailer who specializes in pouch slings, Mei Tai’s, and Skidpants/Legwarmers.  (Oh yeah, another one of my addictions is baby leg warmers!  I love them!!!)  Here is an interview with the founder and owner of Dittany Baby that I conducted the other day.  Keep reading because they have offered 2 lucky readers a special giveaway and coupon code!

The Eco Chic:  Can you describe where the name Dittany Baby came from?

Dittany:  I had to come up with a name that meant something to me, I’m quirky like that!  I thought about different combinations of names pertaining to my family but nothing clicked with me.  There are so many GREAT names out there and I wanted to create a name that stood out and could really fit with whatever we threw at it weather it was baby products or branching out into other lines and products.   I pulled up a herb/flower list on Google and just started down the list and my eye caught Dittany of Crete.  I began to read the story of ancient shepherds living on the island of Crete finding two sets of sheep.  One set that had been wounded by a nearby battle, shot with arrows and dead and another set who had been found eating this purple flower and whose wounds were healing.  Dittany of Crete is even mentioned in Homer’s The Iliad.  As I read further I found out that through the centuries one of the main uses was to ease the birthing process and also externally as a salve on a wound.  At that time we had two products, the slings and skidpants.  To me the name fit so perfectly with what I was trying to accomplish.  I put the skidpants on my son’s legs as he learned to crawl to protect him from the blisters he was getting by dragging his legs and I had fallen in love with slings and all of the soothing benefits that baby wearing can provide.  I was sold!  That was the name!

The Eco Chic:  With all the baby products out there why do you focus on SkidPants/Legwarmers and baby carriers?

Dittany:  As a manufacturer I believe in making something GREAT!  A product and a company that is EVERYTHING that I would want it to be!  Until that is accomplished I wouldn’t allow us to move on to other things.  Last May we brought all of the skidpantproduction here to the US and that was a very important step for me.  We’ve spent the year getting everything else in place and creating a smooth flowing operation.  So now it’s time to watch out!  We have some really exciting things on the horizon with a release of a new product called “The Baby Lua” along with our goal to have our first brick and mortar store opened by Mothers day of 2010.

The Eco Chic:  What age babies/children can wear your SkidPants/Legwarmers?

Dittany:  My son wore them as early as 8 weeks but I had to do the 80′s tuck and roll like we did with jeans.  They are longer than others on the market being 15 inches in length and they are very stretchy so as to not cut into the thigh.  That being said we’ve had babies to adults wearing them.

The Eco Chic:  Why did you begin to ‘wear’ your child?  What are some of the benefits of baby wearing? 

Dittany:  I was a naive first time mom.  I’d never heard of baby wearing and I found it on the internet when I was trying to find another way to take my 8 month old to a historical market in DC without using a stroller.  From there I found www.thebabywearer.com which is an invaluable resource of information.  The next day after making my first sling I walked 15 blocks in DC with flip-flops on and carrying a BIG baby and I felt GREAT!  I was convinced and that was even before reading about all the other wonderful benefits like the bonding between wearer and baby, the health benefits for the baby’s spine, legs digestion and that’s not even talking about the wearers back!

The Eco Chic:  What is your favorite style of baby carrier, and why?

Dittany:  That’s a hard question and it really depends on the circumstances and their age.  Dittany Baby had a luxury Mei Tai that had spa minky fleece and that was my favorite when my second son was a newborn.  As they grow older from about 4 months on I am an avid pouch sling wearer…not sure why but that is just the way it worked for me.

The Eco Chic:  You offer a collegiate line of SkidPants.  Any plans on collegiate carriers or other collegiate items?

Dittany:    Yes, as a HUGE college football fan I was so excited to introduce our officially licensed collegiate warmers.  They have been a huge hit and there are some schools that as soon as we re-knit they are gone within a matter of days.  We are about to launch www.collegiatebaby.comthat will have our warmers and other coordinating items like beanies, onesies, etc.  As far as collegiate slings they are in the works.  It takes a lot to get things licensed and approved so we’re working on it.

The Eco Chic:  From one college football fan to another, what is your favorite team?

Dittany:  If you ask me during the week I’d tell you all the ones we have in stock.  I love them all and love designing them especially our new argyles that are coming out this fall.  However, on a Saturday between September and January that’s a different story and for the love of my awesome customers and the fans of our bitter rivalry I’m going keep that a secret!

I wanted to thank Dittany Baby for allowing me to sample their Iris Reversible Pouch Sling and UGA (Go DAWGS!!) legwarmers.  Their products are very high quality and I’m sold!  A few great features about their pouch slings: light weight, reversible, and come with a great carrying pouch.  The legwarmers are very versatile.  They are longer in length than the Baby Legs I’ve purchased at Target which will allow Lil’ B to wear them even as a toddler and preschooler.  In addition, I’m going to get my own pair to wear as arm warmers!  Fall football games can be hot during the day and cool at night so these would come in very handy under my jersey.

Giveaway and Coupon Code! Congratulations Gwen & Jennifer!Dittany Baby is going to provide 2 lucky readers (US, Canada, or International) their very own pouch sling and legwarmer set.  Everyone can be a winner with a 20% off coupon on your next sling purchase from now until the end of July.  (Coupon Code:  ECBB2009)

To enter to win a pouch sling and legwarmer set from Dittany Baby you must complete #1 below.  In addition, you may earn extra entries by doing any of the additional items.  You must complete step #1 though. 

1.  Click HERE and complete the easy entry form.  All information is kept in a private database and will not appear on the blog or shared with any companies.  (Must complete to be eligible)
2.  Become a Fan of both Dittany Baby and The Eco Chic on Facebook.  Leave a comment below and let me know you are a Fan.  Good for one extra entry.
3.  Follow both @dittany and @theecochic on Twitter.    Leave a comment below and let me know your user name after you have followed us.  Good for one extra entry.
4.  Add my Eco-Summer Blog Party button or The Eco Chic button to your blog or website.  (Code is located on the upper right sidebar)  Please leave a comment with a link to your blog/site.  Good for one extra entry.
5.  Write a blog about the Eco-Summer Blog Party & Dittany Baby.  Please leave a link to your blog in the comment section.  Good for one extra entry. 
6.  Tweet the following message “Learn the benefits of baby wearing and Win a Pouch Sling and Legwarmer Set from @dittany and @theecochic www.theecochic.com #giveaway“  It is important to include all of that information so I can track the tweets!   Good for one extra entry per tweet; maximum of 2 tweets per day until the end of the contest. 
7. Subscribe to have The Eco Chic delivered to your email inbox using the Feedburner subscriber located at the top right.  Good for one extra entry upon confirmation of subscription.  Please verify your subscription.
8.  For those readers who are not active on Twitter; you may earn a total of 6 extra entries by emailing 6 of your friends and telling them about this contest.  This option is only for those readers who do not twitter.  Please copy me on your email to your friends (I promise I will not email them afterwards, this is only for verification purposes.  calley@theecochic.com)

You can earn a possibility of 12 entries if you follow all of the options!ENTER EXTRA COMMENTS HERE!
Contest ends Friday, July 10th at Midnight (EST)

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Soapy Nature Getaways

Sorry!  My links aren’t working properly and I’m not that techie to be able to figure it out!  Please visit www.soapynature.com to learn more about the products mentioned in this post!

I mentioned the other day that I was going to the bar…the bar of soap that is! 

Before we begin I want you to do something, get up and go to your bathroom and tell me what’s in your shower.  For me I have 1 bottle of body wash, 2 bottles of shampoo (both hubby and I have our own), 1 bottle of conditioner, and 1 can of shaving cream.  There is barely room for all this stuff.  What happens to all those bottles when they are empty?  Hopefully you send them to the recycle bin but most people don’t have a recycle bin in their bathrooms so they can easily end up in the trash. 

Now imagine your life without all those bottles and cans!  Sounds nice doesn’t it?  When was the last time you used bar soap?  Did you know that there is bar soap out there that doesn’t leave that nasty dry feeling to your skin?  Did you know that you can wash your hair with some bar soaps?  Did you know that you can shave with them too?  Hmmm…see where I’m going?  Why not replace all those bottles and cans (or at least a few of them) with one bar of soap!!!

I did just that about a week ago and I have to admit I was hesitant…I don’t like bar soaps much.  My new friend Jen from Soapy Nature has made me rethink the bar and so far I’m loving it!  Here is an interview with Jen about her homemade soaps…I mean getaways!

When did you start making Soapy Nature Getaways? 
I started making soap about a year ago.  I had been buying natural soaps for a while due to my daughter having very dry skin and my newly acquired allergy to fragrances in commercial lotions and soaps.  With the natural soaps that I was buying I missed the fun fragrances and pretty packaging of the body washes we had previously used.  So, I began to learn how to make them myself and made bars that were more fun to look at and enjoyable to smell.   These bars actually get my kids excited about choosing one to use in the shower.  

What is the difference between your getaways and other bar soaps you can buy at the store?  There are a lot of differences, actually.  The biggest thing is that bar soap at the store isn’t really soap.  It’s detergent.  If you look on the package of your favorite “soap”, it probably doesn’t even say “soap”.  It says “beauty bar” or something like that.  Some people say, “My doctor recommended Dove or Ivory for my sensitive skin”.  Even these bars are not as gentle as natural soap. Their ingredient list looks something like this:   sodium cocoyl isethionate, stearic acid, sodium tallowate, sodium isethionate, coconut acid, sodium stearate, sodium dodecylbenzonesulfonate, sodium cocoate or sodium palm kernalate, trisodium etidronate, BHT etc.  These detergents strip your skin of natural oils and cause skin irritations.   Even bars that claim to have natural ingredients or glycerin soaps aren’t the same as cold process, handmade soaps.   They may have a few added natural materials, but a very small percentage and it’s still hidden in there with the detergents. 

My soaps have an ingredient list that reads like this: Olive Oil; Coconut Oil; Shea Butter; Distilled Water; Sodium Hydroxide; Essential Peppermint Oil; Peppermint tea leaves; and Spirulina.

And

 Palm Oil; Distilled Water; Avocado Butter; Shea Butter; Coconut Oil; Sodium Hydroxide; Cocoa Butter; Essential Oils of Lime, Lemon and Sweet Orange; Annatto and Alfalfa.

All of my bars, with exception of the “Getaway-of-the-Month”, contain essential oils.  These oils are naturally derived from plants.  They have skin nourishing properties and/or aromatherapy properties.  This is much different than the commercial bars, which are scented with a synthetic fragrance.   Many people who have allergic reactions to commercial “soaps” are having a reaction to the toxic fragrance chemicals and perfumes in the bar.

 As I mentioned earlier, I have an allergy to fragrances, but have never had a problem with any of my bars, even though they each have a pretty strong aroma. 

Another biggie that you want to avoid is “antibacterial soaps”.  These bars contain chemicals such as methylisothiazolinone, Triclosan and Tricolban.  Each of these chemicals have been linked to harmful effects on our bodies and the environment.  Antibacterial soaps kill some bad bacteria, but they are also killing good bacteria. 

Where do you get your inspiration for your getaways?   I think we all need a little bit of “me” time to recharge and take a break from normal stresses.   Enjoying a nice warm shower with a great smelling aroma and wonderfully feeling bar of soap can do a lot for your psyche.  I attempt to incorporate the look and scent to help motivate, recharge or relax you.  Like in Hammock Dreams, it’s made with Clary Sage and Lavender oils, both of which are known for their sedative properties.  Then I chose a color palate that I felt was relaxing.  With Spicy Sunrise, you have the opposite.  It’s made in a nice bright and energizing orange color with essential oils of clove and orange to stimulate your mind.   In bars like Runner’s High I’ve chosen colors that remind me of the activity.  It’s designed to look like the sky with a line of clouds above a running path.  When I go for a run, I spend a lot of time looking up into the sky.  The fragrance is Eucalyptus, peppermint and basil essential oils.  eucalyptus is known for it’s sinus and mind clearing properties.  It is even beneficial to sore muscles.  The peppermint is very cool and refreshing and the hint of basil just gives a little herbal(outdoorsy) bite to it. 

What do you use as dye for your getaways?  Most of the Getaways are made with herbs.  I use Calendula for yellow and orange colors.  Alkanet Root for blues and purples.  Annatto seed for deeper orange.  Cocoa powder for brown.  Alfalfa for green.  Spirulina for deeper green.  Green clay in the Spa Day bar.  Paprika for the beige in Barefoot Summer.  Red clay for red.  An ultramarine for blue and black.  

How long does it take to make a batch of soaps?  Each batch makes about nine bars.  The single layer bars only take about thirty minutes.  The layered bars, like Spring Picnic and Sunny Citrus, take about three and a half hours.    The ingredients are mixed together and poured into a wooden mold.   It stays in the mold for approximately 24 hours during a process called “saponification”.  This is when all of the butters, oils and sodium hydroxide actually become soap.  I remove the loaf from the mold after 24 hours and allow it to sit for a few days to allow some of the moisture to evaporate and then cut the bars.  They are ready to use right away, with a proper ph.  I normally, however, let them cure for about two weeks before selling them, in order for them to harden up a bit more and last longer. 

If you have really dry skin what are some ingredients that you use that will help?  My favorite is shea butter.  I love shea butter.  It is extremely nourishing to your skin and hair with Vitamins A, E and F.    Olive oil is high in vitamin E and antioxidants.  The Olive Oil Getaways are perfect for the most sensitive skin.  They are very gentle and have a lighter lather.  Avocado butter, avocado oil contain A, C, D, and E; proteins; beta-carotene; lecithin; fatty acids; and potassium.  Cocoa Butter is also loaded with antioxidants and essential fatty acids to restore irritated and dry skin.  

What is your favorite getaway?   When picking my favorite scents, I love the scents with lime.  That would be the Caribbean Island, Sunny Citrus and Bike Path.  I even love Key West Weekend and I normally don’t enjoy patchouli very much.   I keep a small bar of the Bike Path in my car for air freshener.   My second favorite is Runner’s High.   When it comes to the look of the bars, my favorites are Night at the Movies and Wet and Wild.  The bar I use the most is Spa Day.  It’s the bar I use on my face and it does great with absorbing oil.

Explain how using your getaways is better for the environment (and for ourselves) than liquid body wash?  Well, just like the difference between commercial “soaps” vs. Soapy Nature Getaways, the body washes aren’t soap.  If you read the label, you notice that it is loaded with chemicals, most of which will strip your skin of important oils.  There are some companies who realize the benefits of natural butters and oils and they will say, “with shea butter”  or “now with cocoa butter”.  But, if you take a look at the ingredients label you notice it is a very small amount added to the shower gel/body wash.  These washes are also loaded with synthetic fragrances.  They are also high in sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).  These chemicals are not only dangerous and irritating to your skin, but they are also absorbed by the skin and have been linked in some studies to liver toxicity, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and breast cancer. Both SLES and SLS are chemicals that are used in things like engine cleaner.   There are even handmade “soap” companies that are sneaking SLS and SLES into their soaps.   It’s important to read the ingredients labels.

The environment also benefits because we have less packaging per bar.   We are using things that came from the environment, there’s no chemical waste.   It is bad for us when using these chemicals and then it becomes bad for the environment when they are being washed down our drains.  You also decrease your plastics use a great deal, when you are able to use one bar to wash your entire body. 

Approximately how many washes can you get from each getaway?  That really varies depending on how much a person uses each wash and how they care for the bar.  If you let the bar dry out between uses it will last longer.  The Three-Butter Getaways last the longest.  Most of my customers get a little more than a month’s worth of use from one bar. 

Do you have any specials?    Each month we have a “Getaway-of-the-Month”.  We attempt to make it fun and seasonal.  May’s “Getaway-of-the-Month” was a huge hit.  Our Getaway for the month of June will probably be loved by everyone as well.  It’s called Fruit Smoothie.  The smell is absolutely delicious. These bars are always $3.99, a bit of a savings from the regular price bars.  We also offer monthly subscriptions for three, six and twelve months.  With these subscriptions we send out two of the monthly getaways for each month of the subscription, by the 15^th of the month.   The subscriptions are fun because you get something special each month.  With the six and twelve month subscriptions you also save money, as it’s free shipping and only $3.54 a bar with the twelve month subscription.  It makes a really great gift. 

All of the Getaways make fantastic gifts for anyone on your list, even men  (I even made my hubby try the getaways.  He was surprised that they lathered so well).  They are attractive, smell great and let’s face it everyone takes showers and who doesn’t want to be healthy?  We also offer custom labeling where we will print labels with your own message or quote to give your gift a personal touch. 

Well, thank you so much Jen for the lesson on soap.  I never realized how many ingredients went into our everday ‘soaps’ and body washes.  I cant wait for my next Getaway!

I challenge you all to just try one bar of Soapy Nature and kick the bottle habit.  I guarantee you will be surprised!

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