Starting off World Breastfeeding Week with a giveaway from Earth Mama Angel Baby!

We're celebrating World Breastfeeding Week here on the blog from now through August 7th. There will be stories, a poem, and giveaways to promote what I think is the best nutrition a person can have to start out their days here on this earth. I, myself, was formula fed. My firstborn, who I placed adoption, was formula fed. My two daughters, however, were breastfed for 12 months each, exclusively for their first six months. My three grandchildren are also breastfed. 

It is not my intention to make anyone feel as though they are "less of a mom" or that they deprived their children if they did not nurse their kids. I simply want to encourage moms-to-be to consider breastfeeding, and honor all those mamas out there who roughed it out during those first few difficult days or weeks or months. It's not always easy, as few things in mothering are. After all, it starts with labor!

So let's kick things off with a giveaway from the good mamas at Earth Mama Angel Baby, who were happy to donate a Breastfeeding Essentials Bundle to one lucky reader. Just enter on the Rafflecopter below.

And good luck!

US Only  Must be at least 18 to enter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gorgeous Grandma Photo Contest with Earth Mama Angel Baby!

When I was a kid, I envied other kids who had grandmas. As a young child, I only had one grandparent and she lived in Harlem. While we made the trip to NYC often to see her, she spoke little English and I never really connected with her. She died when I was 10.



My mom, on the other hand, was a fantastic grandma. She adored her four grandchildren and, if it's possible, adored her great-grandchildren even more . . . even when they didn't want a group picture!

My mom with two of her granddaughters and her three great -grandchildren

Then there's me. I wasn't too sure about this whole grandma thing when it first began. I wasn't like other women I know who looked forward to having grandchildren the way children look forward to Christmas. Nope. I could wait. 

But then it happened. I'd like to say I magically transformed into a doting mess, slobbering all over my first granddaughter and showing pictures of her to strangers at the grocery store. But that wouldn't be the truth. Even though I was there in the room as she was born, there was a missing connection somehow. Truthfully, it took a few months for the "grandma mode" to set in. 

Now that it has, however, I must admit, I'm loving it. I absolutely adore my grandbabies. And, of course, I want only what's best for them. That's why I introduced my daughters to Earth Mama Angel Baby products right from the start. And they love them, too. 

Yesterday, as they were getting ready for church, four-and-a-half year old, Laura, asked her mommy to spray some Happy Baby Spray on her. Even she knows a good thing when she's got it!

So, since EMAB and GG are collaborating to bring you this fun contest, I thought it would be appropriate for me to share some pics of me with my grandchildren. After all, it is a Gorgeous Grandma contest and let's face it -- the most gorgeous grandmas are those whose faces light up whenever their grandbabies are around! I know mine does.

Pictures and collage by my daughter, Bethany Schad

So... head over to the Earth Mama Angel Baby Facebook page with your own pictures of your favorite grandmas playing with the kids. Upload the photo(s) and enter to win! Not only will you win something for your little one, but GRANDMA WINS, TOO! 

Here's what's in the prize package:

A Little Something For Baby: 

• Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash 1.67oz.
• Angel Baby Bottom Balm 1oz.
• Angel Baby Lotion 2oz.
• Angel Baby Oil 1 oz

AND . . .
  
Grandma Gets Some Too:

• Happy Mama Hand to Toe Wash 5.3 fl. oz.
• Happy Mama Spray 4 fl. oz.
• Mama-To-Be Tea Sampler
• Natural Stretch Oil 4 fl. oz.
• Earth Mama Body Butter 4 oz.
• Mint Herbal Lip Balm

Now we don't want to confuse you. We know, or at least assume that Grandma isn't a mama-to-be. But that doesn't mean she won't love the tea sampler. I know I do. And even though her stretch marks have long ago become part of the natural topography of her body, the Natural Stretch Oil will keep her skin supple, soft, and (dare I say) sexy. Good thing she'll have some lip balm to keep those lips kissable!

Contest ends Tuesday night (7/23/13). Winners chosen at random.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I received both payment and products. However, this is my honest opinion of the company and products mentioned above.

A relaxing shave

With the busyness of the past few months, I haven't been posting many reviews on Wednesdays. I've decided, at this point, to limit reviews to twice a month.

Today, it's a simple review. I'm working on some things with the wonderful mamas at Earth Mama Angel Baby this summer and, in addition to paying me, they've gifted me with some of their amazing products. Since we have a new baby in the family, I've given most of the products to my daughter, Jessica, to use with Marley Grace, who was born on April 30th. However, I've kept some of the goodies for myself.

One product I've been using is the Calming Lavender Shampoo and Body Wash, made from certified organic castile soap. While this shampoo/soap is perfect for little ones, I find it equally wonderful for grandma. Actually, what I've been using it for the most is for shaving my legs, which I tend to do when I'm rushing to get ready to go out. Aside from the zero-toxins goodness of the product, there is also that lavender calming factor, which I believe stills my hurried soul just enough to keep me from shaving a shiny slice of skin from my shin, which I'm apt to do when hurrying.

End result? Silky smooth legs.

Here's what the website shares about the Calming Lavender Shampoo and Body Wash:

• Certified by Oregon Tilth: NSF/ANSI 305 Certified Contains Organic Oils
• No petrochemicals, petroleum or petroleum byproducts
• No “fragrance” or parfum, 1,4-Dioxane, formaldehyde, or phthalates
• No sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), cocomidopropyl betaine or other synthetic foaming agents or surfactants
• No artificial preservatives, parabens, phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-15 etc.
• No artificial emulsifiers
• No antibacterial pesticides

Pretty cool, huh? One warning, though. Unlike conventional "no-tear" baby shampoos, the Earth Mama Angel Baby shampoos are not tear-free. They'd need a dose or two of toxins in order to make that claim. So be careful when using this product to wash your kid's hair.

Lavender, vanilla, and EMAB . . . Ahhhh. Already looking forward to my next shave.

Reviewing it for you,

 

Click here for 5 Frugal Household Uses for REAL Soap (aka castile soap)


Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I received both payment and products. However, this is my honest opinion of the product mentioned in the above review.

Review it Wednesday -- What does my daughter think of Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash?

I am happy to have my very favorite guest reviewer posting her thoughts today. Knowing I was sick (I have pneumonia) and have an insanely busy schedule over the next couple of weeks, my daughter, Bethany, offered to do a review of one of her favorite products for kids. Neither she, nor I, were compensated or received free product for this review. It's just her honest opinion about a product she buys regularly. So, let's virtually hop in the tub with my grandson, Lincoln, and see what bath time is like when Earth Mama Angel Baby joins in.

 
Bath time in this house is always a fun time. Since he was a tiny baby, Lincoln has never refused a bath or shower. I've never known a kid so excited about the water! Not having to fight bath time is a blessing, but what isn't so fun is worrying about what I'm putting on Lincoln's skin. 


I knew very early on before I became a mom that there was toxic crap out there marketed as "safe" for our babies. Luckily, my mom is Green Grandma and knew just what I could use. She introduced me to Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash made by Earth Mama Angel Baby. I check out all products we use on EWG's cosmetic database and I'm happy to say this product rates a zero-out-of-ten for toxins!! Tell me how many products you use that rate a zero! I know not many do. It's pretty impressive. 

Here's what EMAB says about their safe wash:

Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is gentle Calendula Orange and Vanilla castile soap that's pure and mild enough to cleanse even delicate baby skin and hair. USDA certified made with organic oils. It's free from synthetic foaming agents, sulfates, preservatives, dyes and fragrances. Just pure, clean wash for every body! 

 

I have the 5.3 fl oz bottle that claims to put out over 300 pumps. I feel like we are getting way more than that!! It only takes us 2-3 pumps to wash Lincoln's hair and whole body. It makes the higher price tag totally worth it. One thing that is different about using this safe product is that you have to make sure it doesn't get in the eyes. It's not tear-free and that's a good thing! From what I've researched, these "tear-free" products use eye anesthetizing agents: synthetic alkyl polyethoxylates and/or alkyl phenol polyethoxylates are added to anesthetize the eye so the sting of the shampoo ingredients is not felt. These alkyl ingredients can temporarily numb the eye. They are also used in pesticide products to anesthetize insects and they can penetrate the skin and cause organ toxicity in people. The dangerous, almost cruel part of this is, since the infant’s or child’s eyes are temporarily slightly numbed, they don’t feel or react to any negative effect this shampoo ingredient could be having on their eyes, and who knows what it's doing to their body.  What?? Yeah, they don't say all this on the bottle!! 

Lincoln and I are so happy we found a toxin-free product that not only works, but that we both love! If you are looking for a safe line of products for you and your children, check out Earth Mama Angel Baby's full line. They have tons of great stuff!!

Review It Wednesday -- the fruit of the womb

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord;

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one's youth.

How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

-- Psalm 127:3-5a (NASB)                 

When you visit the web page for Earth Mama Angel Baby, the first impression you get is 'these mamas love babies!' There's just no other way of seeing it. They rejoice when new life comes into this world and they grieve when a little one is lost. 

That is why I trust them to provide only the safest products available for my grandbabies (and the rest of the family). I simply love EMAB! 

Recently, in exchange for a review, they sent me a 5.3 oz. bottle of Calm and Clean Hand to Toe Wash. Of course, they were probably confident they could count on me for a positive review because, well, I simply love EMAB and they know it.

However, just because I love a company and the folks that run it, and just because I get to try a product for free, does not mean I will write a misleading review. If I don't like something about it, I'll let you know. If I hate it, I'm likely to let the company know and skip the review altogether, which recently happened with a book I was asked to review. I sent the book back with an explanation as to why I could not give it a good review. Ouch.        

So, here's what I think about the Calm and Clean Hand to Toe Wash: I love it. Can't help it ... it's a great product! The light scent stems from the organic lavender and vanilla pure essential oils. What a nice diversion from the commercial hand soaps packed with artificial scents that linger on your hands for countless hours after you're done washing.

While other soaps use artificial foaming agents to ensure sudsiness, the line of EMAB soaps does not. The castile soap is naturally foamy and comes out in a perfect puff of lather every time you press the pump. My 3yo granddaughter loves washing her hands, over and over again, with this delightful safe and natural liquid soap.

While many products out there claim to be 'safe and natural' for kids, be careful. This is such a misleading claim. But when the mamas at EMAB make the claim, you know you can trust them. Why? Well, just look at the facts.

• No petrochemicals, petroleum or petroleum byproducts
• No 1,4-Dioxane, formaldehyde or phthalates
• No sodium lauryl sulfate, cocomidopropyl betaine or other synthetic foaming agents or surfactants
• No artificial preservatives, parabens, phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-15, etc.
• No artificial emulsifiers.

I took the above list right off their website. These are the very things that make safety-minded mamas, papas and grandparents, like me, feel really good about using this product on my grandbabies' delicate skin. The USDA Certified Made with Organic Ingredients label helps me breathe even easier, on so many levels!

But don't let the gentleness fool you. Just because a product is gentle, doesn't mean it won't fight germs. Think Jacqueline Kennedy -- soft and feminine but tough as nails. Yeah, that's what it's like. And did I mention the smell? Oh yeah, that's how I started out. But it really is worth repeating.

The price seems a bit high at $10.95, but when you consider you get at least 300 pumps out of each bottle, the bargain starts to reveal itself. Plus, EMAB always seems to be offering special deals. Speaking of which, the mamas are offering the GG community 15% off orders on their website through December 30, 2011! Don't you just love a generous mama?! Just type in the discount code GrGrandma when you check out.

Should you just take my word for it, when I talk about how safe and effective the EMAB line of products is? Well, you could. But I'm not alone in my faith in these products to be safe for the precious little ones God has entrusted with. I';ll let a recent press release speak for itself (bolded highlights are mine):

November 2, 2011 — Clackamas, OR — UPDATE: As news spreads about toxins and the ongoing concerns about formaldehyde-releasing ingredients in baby products, Earth Mama wants to spread the good news that some hospitals are making safer choices for their newborns. Earth Mama Angel Baby® products were chosen by Miami Valley Hospital, in Dayton, Ohio, as the first step in their “greening process” following a year of research on the subject of environmental toxicants and the health risks they pose to newborns and mothers.

MVH delivers nearly 5000 births a year, and wanted to assure mothers of the safety and efficacy of the products they offer. Earth Mama’s Natural Non-Scents Hand to Toe Wash and Angel Baby Oil are being used on all newborns including the babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Replacing the many different products previously offered to new mothers, Earth Mama’s organic castile soap and 100% natural baby oil offer a pure, safe, simple alternative to the myriad wipes, lotions and soaps that are often laden with chemicals, including artificial fragrance, preservatives and dyes.
 Nurses from MVH strove to find products that rated a 0 for toxins by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), while also meeting MVH’s own rigorous standards. Earth Mama Angel Baby was a natural choice, since the entire product line was formulated by a nurse and herbalist and it was the first company to rate all zeros on EWG’s Skin Deep database.
 While taking part in a nurse leadership program it became clear to Ann Brower BA, RN, IBCLC, ICCE, CD, Birth & Family Education/Lactation Coordinator, that MVH could lead the way by using the best products for their patients. "As nurses we are challenged to be leaders in the community and to help the community do the right thing. We hope our children’s children won’t have to suffer with illness, allergies, reproductive disruption and cancer. We need to set back the clock to a simpler way of doing things. This IS the right thing. This is best practice. As healthcare providers, we need to be leaders not only in safety, but also in education. We want them to learn to read labels, and realize if you have a choice, choose the one that’s least toxic."
 Earth Mama founder Melinda Olson encouraged broad product testing and provided numerous rounds of samples for approval by different MVH groups. “I am delighted MVH required extensive product review; Earth Mama is all about pure ingredients and consumer education,” Olson said. She sees this growing trend in hospitals as a good sign. “It’s no surprise that hospitals are taking ‘healthcare without harm’ to a green level. Nurses are on the cutting edge of more natural patient care, and when they get involved, things change for the better. Since more parents are aware of avoiding toxins in pregnancy and baby products and strive to keep their babies free from as many worrisome chemicals as possible, it’s natural that they would choose hospitals that are on board with a safer philosophy.”

Regarding the most recent Toxic Tub news story (Baby’s Tub is Still Toxic ) , Earth Mama Angel Baby thinks it’s simple; a mama should be able to know what she is putting on her baby, and her whole family, without having to have a degree in chemistry. “With all this news about formaldehyde-releasing Quaternium 15 and 1, 4 Dioxane in babies’ tubs, we want to make it clear that Earth Mama Angel Baby has never contained those ingredients, or ANY toxins ever.” says Olson. Every Earth Mama product rates a ZERO for toxins on the Skin Deep database, and Mama’s Promise® is to offer only safe, pure, natural products that work. If it doesn’t measure up to Mama’s standards, it doesn’t leave the building.

Convinced? I am. But if you need a bit more info, visit The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website and read their report, No More Toxic Tub.

When you're ready to order, don't forget to type in the code GrGrandma for 15% off your total.

Earth Mama Angel Baby ... just one more thing to be thankful for!

Reviewing it for you,

Hana

The government will keep you safe from toxins...NOT!

What does Europe have that American's don't? A union that is working for the health of its people and the environment. The European Union enforces recycling and safety regulations that are unheard of here in the U.S. Well, maybe not unheard of, but certainly widely ignored.

Did you know that the toxic products we use here in the States have health-friendly and eco-friendly alternatives, that we make here in the U.S. but are exported to countries that apparently care more about their citizens. These safer versions are being sold to Europeans, Japanese and -- are you ready for this -- Mexicans!

From personal care products (that you've heard me rant about before) to toys, automobiles, food and even computers, American companies are producing duplicate versions of each -- one loaded with toxins and environmentally-unfriendly gunk, and the other free of those things. Why? Because those other countries would stop buying our products otherwise. But here in the good ol' U.S. of A., our government continues to allow companies to poison the men, women, children and environment here.

This makes me angry. Unless you've already rid your home of the culprits, most of you will find dozens of things in your cupboards and cabinets that are known carcinogens. Doesn't that make you sick? It does me. But don't take my word for it. Take a virtual stroll over to the website for the Environmental Working Group and type in some of the ten-plus syllable ingredients in some of your personal care items...or disposable diapers, for that matter. We are unwittingly exposing our children to things that cause cancer everyday!!

According to Mark Schapiro, author of EXPOSED, other countries don't even want our stuff anymore...at least not the stuff we consumers are buying in the U.S. The reason? Because they refuse to expose their citizens to the toxins in our Made in America products. Ouch. Recycling and safety regulations are so stringent in other countries, compared to our lacksadasical ones. An example Schapiro cites in the book regards the components in electronic equipment. Travel outside of the U.S. and you'll find these items are lead- and mercury-free and are made of reusable materials.

While Europeans tend to try to avoid injury by eliminating toxins, American policy makers spend their time analyzing the cost/benefit -- i.e. How much will it cost to change over to non-toxic substances vs. What is the potential cost to human health.  Doesn't that just give you the warm fuzzies? So glad our government agencies care so much about us.

The fact is most of the toxins in our personal care products in the United States are banned in other countries. Yes, you read that correctly -- banned!! This news is beyond disturbing.

Proctor & Gamble was mentioned in the book after Schapiro met with one of their executives. He asked why phthalates were still in their nail polishes, despite the known fact that they are endocrine disruptors? Well, because, according to this unnamed executive, that's the way the consumers wanted it. Eventually, the phthalates were eliminated...but it was a hush-hush deal. P&G was afraid of lawsuits if the public knew they dragged their feet on this, despite what they knew for years. Well, we know now...anyone want to start a class action suit? Only kidding...kinda.

If we are honest and realistic, we know why toxic substances continue to pollute our products. It is all about the bottom line. It is always about the bottom line.

So read, read, read your labels. If you don't know what something is, look it up. If you are in the U.S., the government is not going to protect you. Face that fact now, and do all you can to protect yourself and your family. After all, what good is it if you only feed your children organic food, but you lather up their hair with baby shampoos packed full of carcinogens and other toxins?

If you are concerned about the products you use, buy from companies like Leaf & Bud Naturals, Earth Mama Angel Baby or As I Am Naturals. Of course, there are many other natural and safe products out there. Just make sure you do your research before exposing your family to one more unnecessary carcinogen or toxic substance. Their health depends on it!

Keeping it healthy,

Hana

The celebration continues...

It is a beautiful morning in Pittsburgh. I'm sitting out on my porch watching and listening to the birds as they take turns at the bird feeder. Today I've seen chickadees (my mom's favorites), nuthatches, sparrows (a reminder that God's watching over me), and cardinals. The squirrels are chasing each other up and down one of the oak trees and a doe has positioned herself about fifty feet away from me with her two fawn. What a perfect way to start the work week....

Another perfect way is to remind you of the giveaway that is happening right now on Green Grandma!! I will use Random.org to choose one lucky winner on Thursday evening. You have until 5 p.m. EST to enter the contest.

Qualify to win this amazing prize package by visiting each of the participating companies' websites and letting me know (via comments on the blog or on Facebook) what your favorite products are on each. Think about it as virtual window shopping...and then pass the list on to your loved ones for future gift buying. Oh, and if you're not already a follower of the blog and a "liker" on FB, sign up so you can qualify. If you don't have a Facebook page, but you're a follower here, just let me know when you post your comment and you'll be entered as well. Twitter followers earn extra entries by retweeting the giveaway posts as well.