natural Archives - MomStart

Eating Healthy and Natural Bear Naked Soft-Baked Cookies

January 31, 2011 by Momstart 2 Comments

I’ve been trying to stay within my calorie count for each day as I’ve been actively trying to reach my weight lose goals using Lindsay Brin’s 60 Day SlimDown. So lucky for me, Bear Naked offers deliciously, natural cookies you’d swear are homemade had you not just opened the box. The bonus over homemade is having the calorie count and other nutrition statistics on the box, and you won’t eat half the cookie dough while you cook (when I make cookies it becomes “two spoonfuls on the tray and one in the mouth”). To Bear Naked, my mouth (and waistline) thanks you … and kids like them too!

The Bear Naked^TM 100% Pure & Natural Soft-Baked Granola Cookies are offered in two flavors: Double Chocolate and Fruit & Nut. Like all Bear Naked’s products, these cookies are made with minimal processing and contain NO high fructose corn syrup, NO artificial preservatives, NO artificial flavors, NO cholesterol, NO hydrogenated oils, and 0 grams trans fats. Calling their cookies pure means you can read, recognize and pronounce all the ingredients in Bear Naked’s 100% Pure & Natural Soft-Baked Granola Cookies. All the cookies can now be purchased in major grocery stores nationwide as well as online. An 8-count box is $3.19 SRP. These high quality treats offer the nutrition of 10g of whole grains and simple ingredients for natural energy to fuel the everyday lives of active people.

So here’s the deal … REALLY A DEAL!!! You can join the Bear Den FREE and you’ll also receive 5% off every online order. You’ll get 100% YUM for less! Joining The Den will also connect you with other healthy, active people. Keep up with Bear Naked on Facebook and Twitter @LiveBearNaked to stay up to date on the latest.

Lastly, let me leave you on a green note (as would be my nature). Bear Naked has taken a proactive environmental stand by continuing to serve you even after your snack is gone. Bear Naked has partnered with TerraCycle^TM to reduce the amount of bags that end up in landfills by repurposing them into products such as backpacks, shower curtains, umbrellas, and t-shirts. When you help Bear Naked with their Sustainable Packaging Project you also get to either earn points to get repurposed gear of your own, or earn cash for a school or organization of your choice.

In order to write of this post I was given full box samples of each cookie variety.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Save 10 % on a Natural Mat

March 31, 2009 by MomStart Leave a Comment

In the spirit of being green and spreading some green cheer. I have another discount to share with you. Learning how to become organic and change your ways takes time. It also seems to be an expensive way to go so lets share in discounts and secrets. I’ll spill as I find them.

Mention MSMN at Goores to receive 10% off of your purchase of any Natural Mat order. Apparently you will want to purchase a natural mat or mattress because they are 100% organic, 100% hypoallergenic and they offer better sleep. I have no experience with them, but other bloggers and Movie Stars seem to like them.

Non-allergenic and anti-dust mite – More and more babies are suffering from allergies and asthma. Our natural rubber Latex is 100% non-allergenic and our unique lambs wool is bathed in a mixture made from essential oils of lemon, lavender and eucalyptus which renders it anti-dust mite.

Our Natural Latex is 100% hypoallergenic and offers complete protection from house dust mites. Every Natural Mat has a removable pure cotton outer cover that can be machine washed at 60 degrees C (dust mites are killed at 57 degrees) which offers further allergy protection.

They are naturally Fire Retardant, handmade in England, 100% renewable and they have eco packaging. You know, this is something that bugs me about companies that are “green”. How green can you be if your packaging isn’t eco. I mean, we throw so much packaging away, it’s such a waste. So that’s one green biggy for Natural Mat.

They sell three different types:

Latex Mat

Natural Mat’s most hypo-allergenic mattress, Latex Mat features completely natural latex tapped straight from the rubber tree. The latex forms a springy core and is sandwiched between layers of organic coir for extra support. This is then wrapped in

the company’s unique lambswool which is bathed in a mixture made from extracts of lavender, lemon and eucalyptus making it completely anti dust-mite as well as maintaining the excellent thermal insulating properties of wool. The mattress is covered in an unbleached cotton herringbone cover, which is removable and machine washable.

Latex Mat is offered in both a crib mattress and twin mattress sizing.

Mohair Mat

Mohair Mat is Natural Mat’s most luxurious baby mattress and offers a firmer, more supportive base. Horsetail hair (the longest and most durable natural fiber in the world) forms the core of the Mohair Mat and is sandwiched between two layers of organic coir for extra support. Silky mohair fleece wraps around the outside acting as a luxurious thermal insulator. The mattress is covered in an unbleached cotton herringbone cover, which is removable and machine washable.

Coco Mat

Natural Mat’s most breathable and organic mattress. The Coco Mat is filled with coir from the only certified organic coir plantation in the world. Coir is made from coconut fibers, which are coated in natural latex to make a supportive and breathable fibrous layer. The coir is wrapped in the company’s unique lambswool which is bathed in a mixture made from the extracts of lavender, lemon and eucalyptus making it completely anti dust-mite as well as maintaining the excellent thermal insulating properties of wool. The mattress is covered in an unbleached cotton herringbone cover, which is removable and machine washable.

They also sell linen and mattress protectors.

Save 10% on Organic Sheets and Bedding

March 30, 2009 by MomStart Leave a Comment

You can purchase organic sheets made by picci at Goores for 10 percent off using the code “mspic”. Picci has elegant soft colors to add an excellent touch to any nursery. The bedding is made in Florence, Italy where beautiful fabrics are chosen. The designs range from contemporary to classic. I do find that the sheets are a little bit pricey but they are really exquisite. However, the price of the basket that you see on the right is 194 and that is a great price. It is the Picci Blue Ocean Carry Basket. At the retail store I used to work at we called them Moses baskets, and we sold them for that price or more. So for a basket with sheets it’s a great price.

Blue Ocean and Green Forest (NEW) offer a chic, playful mod look for baby’s room. Blue Ocean features a blue circular design and Green Forest, a green circular design in degrade color tones. Made from 100% Egyptian cotton, these sets offer a Moses Basket with two coordinating comforters, one in ivory soft chenille and the other in a printed fabric

As far as bargains go, 10% off must make the value even better. I never tried co-sleeping or having my child in the same room with us, but I hear it’s very popular. It does make breastfeeding in the middle of the night a whole lot easier. The bassinet that you see is from picci’s Crystal line.

- Crystal , the quintessential bedding set for the ultimate in refined style for baby’s room. Offering a transitional classic or contemporary look in a soothing color combination of white and taupe, Crystal features adorable rocking horse and boy and girl appliqués. The coordinating bassinet includes an elegant crystal like embellishment.

I pictured this last picture because my daughter is about to be here. We are about to take off the front of her crib and I am very nervous about this. I mean, is she ready? Is she really getting older and more mature. My daughter is growing up and is almost ready for a big girl bed, but before we do that I’m going to keep her crib with just the side off. Ohhhh. I guess that will be a story to tell. The bedding pictured is also from the Crystal line.

Green Festival In Seattle

March 23, 2009 by Momstart 1 Comment

So this weekend I was thinking about going to the Green Festival in Seattle. I also have a parade I’m supposed to be in. My kids will enjoy both. They absolutely love to go out. In fact whenever we’re all having a bad day we just leave and go out. Then we all have fun and come home with smiles on our faces.

I think that the Green Festival will be an excellent opportunity for me to learn more about being green. I think in addition to all of my other posts and giveaways I’m going to try and write about something green, organic, or natural every day until Earth Day. My husband laughed at me the other day and said that If I just read your blog, I would have no idea who you are. I do write about a lot of different things and I am pretty easy to please. I do worry about the environment and the energy crisis I just don’t voice it. I’m not an activist unless it’s about giving to charity. I’m still not even that active. I recycle, but I live in the part of the country where they will fine you for not recycling.

Another thing my husband has taught me is that even recycling uses up resources. So thinking that you are green just because you recycle isn’t very accurate anymore. So we need to reduce, reuse and then recycle. dannyglover

I was looking at all of the different companies that are going to be at the festival. There are so many. I had no idea there were so many different green companies. Oh and I was looking at the Keynote speakers and Danny Glover is going to be there. He is awesome. I would probably recognize more of the keynote speakers if I was more informed on being green. So I plan to learn a lot. But after our parade. 😉

Here is the press release for the Green Festival:

SEATTLE HOSTS GREEN FESTIVAL FOR SECOND YEAR

Nation’s Largest Green Consumer Event Returns to Leading City in Sustainability

As Our Economy Transitions, Political Interest in the Environment Increases and Numbers of Green Consumers Grow, Green Festival Stands Out as a Vital Resource

March 28 & 29, 2009

Seattle, WA (March 2009): Green Festival, the fastest growing green consumer event in the country, returns to Seattle for the second year on March 28 & 29, 2009. The Washington State Convention and Trade Center provides the space for the festival to take its platform and bring the most cutting-edge people, ideas, and organizations on the green scene to Seattle residents and the surrounding community. Co-hosted by the city of Seattle, the 2009 Green Festival will introduce sustainable options for a transitioning economy, growing consumer consciousness, and evolving environmental policy. This year, the Green Festival will have specialized programming to address the current state of the economy with extensive discussions and information on the growing sector of green jobs.

A joint project of Global Exchange and Green America (formerly Co-op America), two leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to environmental and social justice for more than twenty-five years, Green Festival is a forum to explore and build sustainable solutions for communities and the environment. The Seattle Host Committee of over 140 community leaders, elected officials, local businesses, and activists include Richard Conlin of the Seattle City Council, Michael Mann, Office of Sustainability and Rachel Smith, Office of the Mayor have all contributed to design the event with a local focus. With special appearances by Mayor Gregory J. Nichols, the Seattle Green Festival will host 125 visionary speakers, 350 local and national green businesses, and dozens of community and nonprofit groups. All exhibitors must meet strict standards set by Green America, guaranteeing the highest level of social and environmental responsibility in all participating organizations. Each business is thoroughly vetted by Green America to ensure they are authentically sustainable.

If the first few months of 2009 are any indication, this year has the potential to be a turning point in American history for environmental issues, social justice and economic redevelopment. All of these topics come together at Green Festival with programming that provides realistic options for people all shades of green, from how to improve household energy efficiency to building a greener economy to environmental education initiatives geared toward children.

This year, Green Festival welcomes one of America’s most influential chefs, Alice Waters, to discuss the local organic food revolution she begin in 1971. In “An Edible Education,” Waters will be joined by film director Chris Taylor to share her vision of potentially greening the White House to create a national model and expand the sustainable narrative school systems. Seattle-specific programming ranges from interactive panels on “Undriving Stories: Getting Creative About Getting Around” and “What Does Green Art Look Like” to Alisa Gravitz’s nationally relevant “Green Fixes for the Economic Mess” presentation.

“In addition to bringing a diverse and exciting program to Seattle for the 2009 Green Festival, this year’s show will also provide insight into one of the most pressing issues of our time: economic stability,” says Alisa Gravitz, executive director of Green America and cofounder of Green Festival. “Through the many talks and exhibits at the Green Festival, participants will be able to experience first-hand that one of the ways out of this mess is to go green in their careers, investments, and lifestyle. Sustainability does, and always has, made perfect economic sense.”

In between the exciting presentations, festival participants can explore the show floor and experience a sustainable marketplace with local and national exhibitors providing the best in fair trade and eco-friendly wares. The Green Home Series offers eleven diverse 45-minute workshops to drive the sustainable movement home, with how-to’s ranging from “Bringing Home Baby” to “Composting for Apartment Dwellers.” The Fair Trade Café will provide participants with an extra jolt of energy from natural tea and coffee. The Organic Food, Beer and Wine Pavilion will satiate even the staunchest environmentalist with local eateries, breweries, and vineyards.

Not just an event for grown-up green enthusiasts, the Seattle Green Festival provides engaging activities for the next generation of budding activists in the Organic Valley Green Kids’ Zone. Kids can explore the insect world through song, story and dance in “Don’t Squish That Bug!” with Creepin Critters or learn about climate change in a “Shrinking Big Foot Performance.” Hosted by the Fair Trade Sports and Wilderness Awareness School, the Kids’ Movement Zone will feature eco-soccer games, yoga stretch breaks, and wilderness activities.

Since the first event in 2002, Green Festival has created a model of environmental and social leadership, consistently providing authentic information for consumers on every aspect of green living. A stringent screening process ensures all exhibitors and sponsors meet the best practices and highest standards for environmental integrity and social responsibility. While many events and tradeshows are notoriously wasteful, Green Festival demonstrates an unmatched commitment to reducing environmental impact by walking its green talk and reusing, recycling, or composting 97 percent or more of show waste. Green Festival was referenced as a model for “how it should be done” by USA Today for the festival’s commitment to producing a reduced carbon footprint experience. To further lower the impact of the event on the environment, those who arrive by bicycle are offered reduced admission along with valet bike parking. Green Festival also provides carbon offsets for the entire event and its participating staff and organizers.

“For eight years Green Festival has been bringing the most up-to-date information on the growing green movement to communities around the country,” explains Kevin Danaher, executive director of Global Exchange and cofounder of Green Festival. “As this movement continues to grow and evolve, Green Festival remains in the forefront as the most relevant source of information on a eco-friendly, fair-trade lifestyle. “

Green Festivals take place in Seattle, Denver, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, DC and saw over 125,000 guests in combined attendance in 2008.

Seattle 2009 Green Festival Speaker Highlights:

· Nationally renowned speakers such as Alice Waters, one of America’s most influential chefs, Waters created a revolution in 1971 when she introduced local, organic fare at her California restaurant, Chez Panisse; Jerome Ringo, president of the Apollo Alliance and National Wildlife Federation’s Chair of the Board; Bryan Welch, publisher and editorial director of Mother Earth News, Natural Home, Utne Reader, and GRIT; Paul Stamets, who runs Fungi Perfecti, a family-owned, environmentally friendly company specializing in the use of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms; Amy Goodman, award-winning journalist, host of Democracy Now!, and coauthor of The Exception to the Rulers and Static; and many more

Seattle 2009 Green Festival Program Highlights:

· Organic Valley Green Kids’ Zone

· Community Action Center

· Green Home Series

· Fair Trade Pavilion

• Music Stage Featuring Local Acts

• Socially Responsible Investing

· Organic Food, Beer & Wine

· Eco Fashion

· Eco Tourism

· Green Careers

Event Details:
Washington State Convention and Trade Center, 800 Convention Place, Seattle, WA.

Saturday, March 28: 10:00AM – 7:00PM

Sunday, March 29: 11:00AM – 6:00PM

$15 for two days/$10 for union members, seniors, students, and all who arrive by bicycle

FREE: Children 18 and under, Green America or Global Exchange members

FRIENDS OF THE GREEN FESTIVAL – With a donation of $75 you’ll receive:

· Full Green Festival admission

A coupon for two free drinks at the Organic Beer & Wine Garden

20% off at the Green Festival Store and the BetterWorldBooks Book Store

Exclusive tour of the Greening Operation at Green Festival – witness how we achieve 95% resource recovery

Visit with Alisa Gravitz of Green America and Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange and receive autographed book – The Green Festival Reader and Building the Green Economy.

Regular Executive Producer Updates about the Green Festivals from Global Exchange and Green America

Green Festival Partners:

Better World Books, Clif Bar, Greener Printer, Honest Tea, Pangea Organics, Seattle Climate Action Now, Simple Shoes, T Mobile, KOMO 4/ KUNS

For more information on Seattle or any other Green Festival event visit: www.greenfestivals.org

About Green America (formerly Co-op America):

Green America (www.greenamerica.org ) is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, providing the economic strategies, organizing power and practicing tools for businesses and individuals to address today’s social and environmental problems. Its Green Business Network is the largest national network of businesses screened for their social and environmental responsibility.

About Global Exchange:

Global Exchange (www.globalexchange.org) is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. Since its founding in 1988, Global Exchange has successfully increased public awareness of root causes of injustice while building international partnerships and mobilizing for change.

The Green in Me

March 20, 2009 by Momstart 2 Comments

This week the Parent Bloggers Network has teamed up with SC Johnson’s new product Nature’s Source. They both want to know how I am living more natural.

Two years ago, my husband and I were talking about how the craze on organics was growing. We were so anti-organic you would not believe. I mean, we didn’t have anything good to say about it. In fact we said we loved the taste of our pesticides, because if you have something organic, it really does taste different. It is that “natural” taste that I couldn’t handle.

I had a child!

There is some switch in women that flips when they become a mother. There isn’t a thing in the world I wouldn’t do to protect my child. I started to think about what I was eating. What is my child eating. I started buying organic fruit. I fed it to her, I fed it to myself. I actually liked it now. Yum!. I purchased more.

I had another child!!

Now we are eating organic fruit and vegetables. But what about the chemicals we are cleaning with. The chemical smell of most of them is bothersome. We watch what we clean with, now, we are even more particular. I’m not fully green or fully natural. It has been a very slow process for us to accept that maybe all of these chemicals aren’t so good for us. I find myself inspecting labels and buying recyclable containers. How green can a company be if their own materials are not biodegradable.

Skin MD – winners and A New Giveaway

December 29, 2008 by Momstart 54 Comments

For my last review I gave away three samples Number 1, 7, and 8. If you won I sent you an e-mail or left a comment on your blog. I’ll give you a while to get back to me because it is the holidays. I was contacted by Family Review Network right after I posted and they are offering one to giveaway in conjunction with Skin MD. A Whole bottle of a wonderful skin care product, one bottle is worth 25.00!

All I have to do for my readers is to post my review again with a few additions. Well, you guys are worth that. 🙂

I love testing new products. I have received a new lotion to try from Skin MD. They have recently come out with a shielding lotion that has SPF 15. I’m so excited by this. Not only is it a lotion that I can use on my sensitive skin but it has SPF. You should never go outdoors with out sunblock on. Especially if you have fair skin like me. Update, it’s still keeping my hands from getting dry.

I have very sensitive skin and it is dry during the winter time. I also have some weird unexplained allergy to some chemical. I haven’t been tested so I have no idea what it is. I thought it was dust because every time I clean I get this itchy red skin. But it doesn’t happen if I just run my hand through a dusty shelf.

Well, after reading about chemicals in products and how they affect people I began to realize it could be the chemicals. I recently tried Vaseline’s New lotion line and it made my skin incredibly itchy. I had to run my hands under cold water for ten minutes before they stopped itching.

Well, Skin MD does not make me itch and I like the smell of it. My daughter who is 23 months old likes the smell of it as well. She does what every she can to try and get to the bottle. She loves to put on lotion, but she wants to lick it off too.

I also recently tested some lotion from Bath and Body works, MySurvey, can’t share the details, but the smell was so strong it made me sick. My husband also complained about the smell. With Skin MD he didn’t even realize I was testing a new lotion type.

My daughter has Eczema sometimes and recently has broken out with a rash under her neck. I put some of this lotion on her and her neck stopped bothering her. I’m not claiming it as a miracle cure for Eczema. My daughter has very mild Eczema and only occasionally.

What Is A Shielding Lotion? You can click on the link for their definition, but this is my take on it. Shielding lotion is a lotion that will keep in good oils and natural things that your body makes and keeps irritants and chemicals out. This is good for people like me with an allergy.

Do you want to try it?

To enter: Visit Skin MD, come back and leave me a comment telling me something else about the product.

For an extra entry,
Blog about this giveaway come back and give me the link
Add my button come back and give me a link if you already have it that counts
Advertise on my entrecard come back and tell me you did
Favorite my blog on Technorati and come back leaving me your ID

Good luck! Contest ends January 18th and you have three days to contact me after I send you an e-mail. Thank you to Skin MD and to Family Review Network for this opportunity.