A safe and happy bath time with JOHNSON’S® NATURAL®

When we first started trying to conceive, years ago, I made a very conscious effort to rid my life of unnecessary chemicals. Products with parabens and phthalates were among the first on my "toss" list as I cleared out my cupboards. (Read more about why this is important for your health, and check out this fantastic - and scary - video as well)

I found that purchasing natural products made me feel better and more informed about what I was using on my body, but it also can be expensive and tricky to track down products that fit the bill.

Since I've had children, my views on ingredients in skin care products hasn't changed one bit - but I am happy to discover that there are some options for our little ones that are widely available, 97-99% natural, and paraben-, dye-, and phthalate-free: JOHNSON’S® NATURAL® Baby line.

We have been testing out these products for a couple weeks and I'm happy to say I like them.

The JOHNSON’S® NATURAL® Baby Shampoo is lightly scented (not that - sorry, but - nasty baby powder smell, either), and foams up quickly and well for good coverage of little heads. I use it on my two-year-old with her mid-back length hair as well as on my one-month-old with his 1cm of fuzz. I find it quite liquid, which makes it easy to spread out in a hurry. I emphasize the time aspect because the baby haaaates bath time for now, and getting his hair washed and clean fast is important!

 The JOHNSON’S® HEAD‐TO‐TOE®   Body Wash is also very lightly scented (the scent on both these products fades fast, I find). I appreciate not being overwhelmed by scent. It is great to use on a baby washcloth, getting nice and bubbly without using a ton of it.

The last product we are trying out is the JOHNSON’S® NATURAL® Baby Lotion. Of all three, this is the one I was least impressed by. The lotion smells lightly, and smooths on easily. It has a nice consistency, not too thick or thin. However, I feel like it goes on well but doesn't seem to absorb or do as good a job moisturizing as I would have hoped. My baby has some dry skin - nothing serious, not eczema or anything like that - but the lotion didn't seem to help that much with it. I do like this lotion for baby massage, though, as it's nice and light and slippery! 

Bath time for my daughter is a pleasure - she loves the water and would happily play in the tub for hours, playing with her water toys if we'd let her! She's not crazy about the practical aspects of it - hair washing, for example - but is thrilled to show off her burgeoning swimming skills by doing back floats and blowing bubbles with her face in the water.

Bath time for my son is a different story. He's still too little to really enjoy it, and mainly we try to minimize his discomfort by getting through it as fast as we can! He sits in his bath seat while we keep pouring warm water over him and get him washed and rinsed quickly. Draping a warm, wet washcloth over his body helps a little. The best part of his bath time is the cosy towel snuggles and his sweet fuzzy head after!

Disclosure: Product provided as promotional consideration to Emily's Latest by Johnson & Johnson Inc.

Fibre 1 Almond & Cluster Delight Cereal Review and #freebie! #Fibre1ACD

This one's for everyone, but all you pregnant ladies, pay special attention! As any pregnant mama knows, fibre is so important in your diet. It's important ALL the time, but so much more so when you're pregnant, as your system slows down and slowed down digestive systems mean... well, let's just say it's not good. So including sources of high fibre every day will keep you feeling healthy!

One of my favourite ways to add a bit more fibre into my daily meals is with Fibre 1 cereal. I've been a big fan since pregnancy #1, when I realized that one bowl of this cereal contained 40% (!!) of my daily recommended fibre intake. Not only that, but it's not the dry, cardboardy flakes you might think of when you think of a cereal that is rich in fibre. It's actually super yummy! I was a convert with my first bowl years ago.

Actually, I have a funny story about it. I was out at a cabin with a bunch of friends, and we were doing the grocery shopping for the week. While picking out the cereal, one of the guys suggested Fibre 1. He'd tried it before so knew it was good stuff. A few of the others scoffed, thinking it was a cereal for "old people" or something (what?). Well, I was enthusiastically on board and together we convinced the crew that was the cereal for the week. Guess what? That box disappeared in a hurry and I think once realizing the taste and health benefits we had some converts!

So to see a new version of Fibre 1 arrive on the shelves is exciting for my breakfast routine! I was given the chance to try a box of the new Almond and Cluster Delight before it even hit the grocery stores, and I am happy to report that it is just as delicious as the other varieties. It's just sweet enough, and has loads of almond slices (good for your heart!) as well for an extra boost of healthy protein.

And just as a little bonus, there are some coupons for FREE BOXES available on the General Mills  Life Made Delicious Facebook page! Um, awesome! These special coupons (Canada) are one-day freebies where you can get a box of either the new Fibre 1 or new Honey Nut Cheerios Hearty Oat Crunch cereals on July 16th, and then on the 23rd, choose a free box from five more new and different products including Fibre 1 Protein bars that look so good! These coupons are available through June 25th. So go on and hook yourself up with some free groceries and try some healthy new products while you're at it. :)

Disclosure – I am participating in the Fibre 1 Almond & Cluster Delight Cereal blogger campaign by Mom Central Canada on behalf of General Mills. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own.

For what ails you... (recipe)

Mia and I got our flu shots on Wednesday, and I'm not saying there's a causal effect, exactly, but we're both sick now. Granted, Mia had a cold before she got the shot. But she's been downright miserable since - waking on Wednesday night every two hours, and last night every hour.

I caught her cold, I guess, and I've been nauseous, with a killer headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, and so, so darn tired. If only I could catch a decent night's sleep! And if she would only sleep more than an hour during the day... Oh, Mia.

Anyway, I'm not into medicating, so here's my alternative cold treatment. Good enough for any time, but especially good when you're feeling off.

What Ails You Tea

3 slices lemon
1-2 slices fresh ginger root (or 1/8 tsp ground ginger if you don't have fresh, but fresh is best)
2 tsp honey (or maple syrup, or brown sugar to sweeten, but honey has antibacterial properties)
a pinch cayenne pepper

Steep in 2 cups of boiling water for 3-5 minutes.

This can be served hot and steamy, or chilled.

Toddlers (past 1 year of age, if you're using honey) can drink it, too. Don't add too much (or any, if you worry) cayenne for children under 2 years old. I feel that the tiny pinch within 2 cups is okay for my 21 month old, but use your judgment.

Why does it work?

Lemons help with throat infections (it is an antibacterial), respiratory ailments, and reducing the body temperature. They are full of Vitamin C, B, and flavonoids (antioxidants).

Ginger is helpful for nausea. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural painkiller.

Honey is a natural antibacterial, antioxidant and antiseptic.

Cayenne - the capsaicin in cayenne helps relieve pain and may help with heartburn and blood circulation.

Natural (Pregnancy) Deodorant - Review & Giveaway!

***This giveaway is closed***
Winner: Tirza!

You may recall my previous review for FairHaven Health - this is the company that makes the FertilAid preconception supplements that my husband and I were taking when we conceived!

Besides fertility products, FairHaven Health also has products for pregnancy and nursing. I have been lucky enough to get to try out a couple of the pregnancy products.

The product for today's review and giveaway is the Natural Pregnancy Deodorant.
***Before I get too far, I want to say that although this is marketed towards the pregnant, you don't have to be up the duff to use it. Anyone interested in natural products or concerned about nasty chemicals in standard deodorants should try it!

If you've done any reading about deodorants and anti-perspirants, you may have learned some scary things. Regular deodorants (the big brands you'll see at the drugstore) contain not only parabens but also aluminum. Parabens, in case you forgot, are those pesky chemicals used to deliver scents which also are xenoestrogens (they mimic the hormone estrogen) and are associated with breast cancer. Aluminum, as we all know, is a neurotoxin and its cumulative absorption increases the risk of Alzheimers. Um, no thanks!

FairHaven Health's Natural Pregnancy Deodorant is paraben- and aluminum- free. Phew. It contains a whole pile of recognizable ingredients and some I didn't recognize. So I'm going to go through them and see just what they are (my comments in blue):

Water, Saccharomyces Ferment (a yeast extract that improves the barrier function of the skin, stimulates elastin production, and defends against ozone and free radicals), Potassium Sorbate (a preservative that is non-toxic and inhibits the development of microorganisms), Hydroxyethylcellulose (a plant-derived gelling agent), Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract (anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory), Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract (anti-inflammatory and astringent), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil (anti-bacterial), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil (acts as a binder, increases viscosity, and is a skin conditioner), Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Benzyl Alcohol (a plant extract which prevents bacterial growth - often used in IV solutions), Sodium Benzoate (this is a preservative which has concentration restrictions in cosmetic products because it does have negative effects at high doses), Sodium Gluconate (a binder made from glucose; non-toxic and biodegradable), Citric Acid (a natural preservative).

Now that we know what's in it, I'll tell you about my experience. I have been using deodorants and anti-perspirants interchangeably for, oh, let's say just over 20 years. I've tried the gels and the sticks, although I haven't tried sprays (I don't really want to inhale aerosols). I usually find one I like the scent of and use that for a while until I tire of it and move on. With all the information I've been accumulating lately about harmful ingredients in skin care products (again I'm recommending everyone go watch CBC's documentary The Disappearing Male), it has occurred to me that I might want to re-evaluate my thinking on stink sticks.

I've been tempted to make my own deodorant but never seem to find the inclination, even though I do have the ingredients (apparently all you need is coconut oil, corn starch & baking soda, with essential oils for scent if desired). I've searched the store shelves for an alternative without success - granted, I do live in a fairly small town. I've tried that crystal deodorant a couple of times over the years and it simply doesn't work for me. So I approached this with a little skepticism.

My result: it does work - with some exceptions. On regular days, it works just great. On super hot days like we had here a couple weeks ago (37C and up plus humidex), it didn't work for me.

One thing I did notice was that switching from an anti-perspirant to a deodorant recalled to me the difference between the two. A deodorant, of course, is a stink fighter (best case) but does not prevent perspiration. An anti-perspirant stops the sweating (best case) and uses scents to mask any odour that does occur. So this being a deodorant, I remembered what it's like to sweat. But if your sweat doesn't smell because of the deodorant, and you're not a heavy sweater (I'm not, unless it's crazy hot), no biggie.

This product is a liquid in a roller-ball applicator. You give it a quick shake and then apply. It's clear (YAY, no more white marks on clothing... I hate that!) and smells like nothing, really. And at the end of the day, I smell like nothing, really. Which is just about perfect to me. It dries fairly quickly - you're not immediately dry like a stick applicator, but it's dry long before I finish applying makeup and drying my hair. Also, it doesn't cake up like the pasty kinds sometimes do... I mean how embarrassing is it to lift your arm and see white chunks in there? Ickkkk.

Overall, I really like the Natural Pregnancy Deodorant. I don't have that guilty feeling in the morning that I got when I knew I was applying something harmful but hadn't sought out an appropriate alternative. I like that I don't smell like some industry nose's version of "Fiji" or synthetic vanilla or whatever; I just smell clean and like myself.

You can buy it for $6.95 at Fairhaven Health (and get free shipping!). That's about a buck more than the drugstore brand I used to buy, and so far from my experience, it looks like it will last quite a while (ie months). I'd say going guilt-, aluminum- and paraben-free is worth an extra buck.

Fairhaven Health has also offered a giveaway for one of my readers!

The giveaway: a full-size Natural Pregnancy Deodorant!

How to enter: Visit Fairhaven Health, and tell me something that piques your interest, OR something you learned from the website. Please be sure to include your email if it’s not public in your blogger profile! This is the mandatory entry - do this first!

Extra entries: Bonus time! Leave a comment for each extra entry.

• Become a fan of/"like" FertilAid on Facebook (mention your first name and last initial in your comment)
• Follow @FertilAidAmy on Twitter (leave your Twitter name!)
• Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name!)
• Tweet about this giveaway (once - this is not a daily!) and leave me the permalink. You can use this for your tweet, if you like:
  

  "#Win Natural Pregnancy Deodorant (aluminum and paraben free!) at Emily's Latest @emilyisland @FertilAidAmy http://bit.ly/aSaC2c ends 10/6"

• Follow my blog (publicly) – 2 entries, leave 2 comments
• Add my blog button to your blog - leave the URL
• Blog about this giveaway, linking back to this post and to Fairhaven Health – 2 entries, leave 2 comments and please include a link to your post
• Let me know if you've tried any natural deodorants, or tried making your own - and did it work for you? I'm just being curious here.
  

Please be sure to include your email if it’s not public in your blogger profile! Anonymous comments without a way to contact you will be rejected. Canadian or US mailing addresses only, please. Giveaway ends October 6th at 11:59 pm EST. A winner will be drawn within a day or two of the giveaway's end, announced here, in a separate post and emailed!

Slow Death by Rubber Duck - book review

You have all heard about BPA (bisphenol A) by this point, especially moms, but have you given much attention to some of the other scary chemicals in your life? Parabens, phthalates, PCB's, non-stick coatings, pesticides, mercury, triclosan.... new chemicals are coming out all the time and are 'assumed safe' until something horrible happens (think DDT) or until consumers step out and complain (think BPA, recently banned in kids' products in Canada after a huge upcry by parents). By the way, BPA is still approved for things like can linings and many other food containers so if you eat canned food or canned pop, you're still getting it.

Of course we all want a clean, fresh-smelling, bug-, weed-, and germ-free environment. But is all that desire for 'clean' living slowly killing us?

Authors Rick Smith, Bruce Lourie and Sarah Dopp took a novel (sorry) approach to exploring this subject. Rick and Bruce spent four days using products that contain scary stuff. These were not beakers of chemicals or tanks of strange gases, but rather the products we use every day as consumers. Things like shaving cream, hand soap, shampoo and other skin care products, non-stick frying pans and plastic food containers, cans of Coke and a stain-repellant sofa. They tested their blood levels of toxic substances before and after their experiment and made some scary connections between the products we use and an assortment of problems like cancer, reproductive issues, neurological damage, the list goes on. Yikes.

I recommend this book if you are interested in your health and that of your family (who isn't?). It's not preachy, it's not hard to read, it's not boring. I found it at my local library after hearing an interview with the authors on CBC radio.

One comment that particularly resonated with me was about food-safe plastics. Here's the phrase to remember: "4, 5, 1 or 2 - all the rest are bad for you". Take a look at the number in the recycling symbol and see what kind of plastics your food is stored or packaged in. I was shocked to see my favourite yogourt cups, Astro Original - one of the few that meets my vegetarian requirement of not containing gelatin - is packed in #6 plastic, which can leach styrene. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies styrene as a potential human carcinogen. Not cool, Parmalat!

I also still recommend the CBC doc The Disappearing Male, if you haven't seen it yet. You can find it on YouTube as well as the CBC website.

The chiropractor.

I'm not sure if all my followers know this or not but there is pretty much always a giveaways list at the end of each day's post, you just have to read through (or skip over) a bit of my yammering at the beginning. The exceptions to that would be review posts.

So today I have a chiropractor appointment, and grocery shopping to do. Also high on my priority list is watching last Sunday's True Blood episode which I haven't seen yet! Although I may do that tomorrow evening since DH will be out playing softball.

I have been seeing the chiropractor (because it's free under DH's work benefits) for several months now. And honestly I think it does absolutely nothing for me. She uses this machine (the "Pro-Adjuster") to adjust my spine and also my tense shoulder muscles. Sometimes I am sore after but it doesn't seem to loosen anything up, and I am still getting tension headaches. I would definitely not be going if it weren't free - and I'm still thinking it's just a big waste of my time. Have you seen a chiropractor? Has it helped, or maybe not?

Some giveaways for today -

For baby:

• Win your choice of two burp cloths from Sprout Boutique at The Shopping Mama. Ends July 8th.
• Win a Swimmi swim (cloth) diaper and a Monkey Doodlez Tote Wetbag from New & Green Baby Co. at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House. Open to Canadians only, ends July 6th.
• Win a 'Sweet Cheeks' Onesie by Bibi & Mimi (size 12-18 months) at My Organized Chaos. Ends July 4th.
• Win a pair of KidShoos at Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous! Ends July 3rd.
• Win a Little Showoffs tee of your choice at Momma in Flip Flops2! Ends June 30th.
• Win a Barley & Birch monkeys tee (size 2T or 4T) at Rocker Bye Baby. Ends July 1st.
• Win a Little Showoffs tee or onesie at Mommies with Cents! Ends June 30th.