Kefir

I’m baaaaaaaaaaack! After a week of the stomach flu wreaking havoc on my family, me being the last one to get knocked down, I am finally able to sit down and write again. During our bout of flu my cousin told me we should all drink kefir to help clean out our digestive tracks and get rid of the nasty bacteria that was causing our illness. I made a b-line to the grocery store and found Lifeway Kefir in the dairy department next to the yogurt. Unfortunately my closest grocery store didn’t have a huge selection (I understand Whole Foods carries the full line), but there were a few different varieties to chose from. I bought the Low-Fat Strawberry Banana Kefir and headed home. My kids, big yogurt smoothie fans, loved it instantly. Considering I wasn’t able to get either of them to eat more then a bite of banana in the previous days, I was really happy to see them woof down the kefir.

I have learned that kefir is a yogurt-like product made from milk fermented with kefir grains. The recipe began over 2,000 years ago in Eastern Europe. Shepherds would carry milk in leather pouches while out tending their flocks. The heat of the day would sometime start to ferment the milk turning it into a effervescent beverage. They learned how to purposely make kefir by mixing milk with kefir grains and allowing it to ferment. Today it is extremely popular in Russia, Eastern Europe, Turkey, and near-by countries.

Like yogurt, kefir contains probiotics, however kefir contains about twice the amount as yogurt. And while yogurt aids in cleaning out the digest tract and maintaining digestive health, kefir can actually colonize the digestive tract. Kefir is also a great source of minerals and essential amino acids, as well as many of the B vitamins and Vitamin K.

Though I am new to the world of kefir, I’m glad to have learned about it (thank you Rhonda!). While I still plan to eat my yogurt and granola every morning, I plan to add a serving of kefir to my daily diet, and my boys’ diet, as well.

-NM

Stonyfield Farms:Organic Dairy Products

One of my favorite grocery store brands is Stonyfield Farms yogurts. I buy them for my boys and for myself. I am a huge fan of a daily serving of yogurt because of its probiotic advantages.

Probiotics are, in short, good bacteria, or microorganisms that encourage the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract. Probiotics have been known to help treat lactose intolerance, antibiotic-related diarrhea and yeast infections, urinary tract infections, H. Ppylori infections, IBS, and colitis. The use and benefits of probiotics is still undergoing research, but may also be useful in treating high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and colon cancer. All yogurts contain probiotocs, however not all yogurts are Stonyfield.

Stonyfield Farms began in 1983 as a teaching farm for sustainable and organic farming. Their mission was to help family farms stay alive and promote environmental protection. The farm made and sold yogurt locally to help fund maintenance costs. Because Stonyfield had such a great yogurt recipe, the popularity of their yogurt grew. Just five years later they became a commercial producer of organic dairy products. Today Stonyfield is responsible for supporting hundreds of family farms and keeping over 100,000 agricultural acres free from conventional farming pesticides and chemicals.

The Stonyfield family includes yogurts (including Greek yogurt), milk, ice cream, smoothies and soy products. I especially love their YoBaby line. This line is designed especially for babies and toddlers and includes whole milk yogurts with fruit and cereal, with fruits and veggies, and smoothies. My boys start each day with a yogurt smoothie and love them. When I first introduced them to yogurt (each around 9 months old), I gave them the yogurt with fruit and cereal for breakfast. They not only loved the taste, but because of the added cereal, it filled their bellies.

Also offered is the YoKids line, which provides low-fat fruit flavors each with 10% of children’s daily recommended protein and 25% less sugar that other kids yogurts. And of course, all the ingredients are organic.

I myself eat a Low Fat Vanilla yogurt cup with a handful of granola every morning to get my day started.

Recently Stonyfield started a rewards program were you can create an on-line profile and collect points by recording product codes printed on their packaging. You can redeem your points for Stonyfield products, as well as other natural and organic products. It’s a great way to sample other Stonyfield products and other brands for free.

I love Stonyfield’s products almost as much as I love their mission: “We’re committed to healthy food, healthy people, a healthy planet, and healthy business.”

-NM

Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention

If you baby ever has diaper rash, eczema, chapped skin, or cradle cap, then you need to keep Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention on hand. This stuff is amazing! It was developed in the early 1970’s by a skin care specialist and cosmetic chemist to treat his own son’s diaper rash. He soon began sharing it with his neighbors and it’s popularity spread. When his son grew up he, the son, established Grandma El’s and began mass producing this incredible product.

What first attracted me to this diaper rash ointment was it’s incredible smell. It’s light and fruity, not at all medicinal smelling like every other diaper rash ointment I’ve seen. It actually reminds me of this Baby Strawberry Shortcake doll I had when I was little. When you squeezed her belly she blew the strawberry scented kisses - yum!

I met and spoke with the owner of the company and he told me the product was made of all-natural ingredients and contained no parabens, phthalates, dyes or other harmful ingredients and only uses plant-derived preservatives. This Made in the USA ointment contains Vitamin E, derived from wheat germ oil; balsam plant extract from Peru, a known healing agent; salicylic acid, derived from willow bark and wintergreen, which, when mixed with Vitamin E can promote new skin growth; yellow petrolatum, derived from naturally occurring mineral oil; and insecticide-free anhydrous lanolin, a naturally occurring, allergy-free protecting and healing agent. Grandma El’s has been pediatrician tested and approved.

Additionally, this ointment isn’t just for treating diaper rash. I’ve used it on my son’s eczema around his nose and mouth and on my own dry knees (when my oldest son started crawling I crawled around with him so much I developed dry, scaly patches on my knees, but a little dab of Grandma El’s cleared it up in no time). It’s great for chapped skin and lips too. The Grandma El’s website also states it an be used to treat cradle cap, sunburns, cold sores, stretch marks, cuts and scrapes, and razor burn.

The Grandma El’s line also includes baby shampoo and baby wash, both tear-free, gentle and as equally effective as the diaper ointment. When you use the shampoo so little is required to get a good lather that the bottle lasts forever. These products also contain a nice, light scent.

I will never consider using any other diaper ointment other than Grandma El’s. I know it’s safe, effective, and can be used to treat multiple problems. I hope you will also give it a try!

-NM

Physician’s Formula Organic Wear®

Today I want to share with you a great makeup line that is organic and affordable. Physician’s Formula Organic Wear® is the first ECOCERT® Certified Organic Line of makeup in the U.S. I discovered the Physician’s Formula Organic Wear® line while searching for a cheaper alternative to my previous tinted moisturizer. I was using a great product that was also organic, but was three times the price of the Physician’s Formula. With the economy creating a need to tighten the purse strings I decided to give Physician’s Formula a try. The tinted moisturizer
is a great product. It’s a sheer moisturizer that provides the perfect amount of tint without feeling like a heavy foundation. To boot, it contains SPF 15 protection.

After I was sold on the tinted moisturizer I tried several other products in the line, including the Natural Origin Pressed Powder
Natural Origin Blush

Concealer Stick

and eye makeup remover pads. The eye makeup remover pads are the best I’ve ever used and smell great (you can get them at Ulta)! I’ve been really happy with all the products, and the prices can’t be beat.

All Organic Wear Products® are free of parabens, harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives and fragrances, genetically modified organisms, and animal cruelty. Additionally, the products are packages in eco-conscious paper packaging and use 93% less plastic than traditional makeup packaging.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear® is a really great and high quality cosmetic line with healthy ingredients, mindful products, and an extremely economical price tag. I encourage you to give it a try.

-NM

Swedish Bitters

This one goes out to my mama (too bad she doesn't use a computer!).

Swedish Bitters is a centuries-old tonic comprised of eleven specific herbs and is used to treat a verity of aliments from body aches, to scars and wounds, to hangovers. This cure-all elixir was formulated in the 16th Century Swiss Physician and made popular in modern day Europe by an Austrian herbalist named Maria Treben.

There has been a lot written about the benefits of using Swedish Bitters topically and internally. I encourage you to read a short explanation of Swedish Bitters and its many uses.

My mother swears by Swedish Bitters and uses it as her first choice to treat various aliments and injuries.

-NM

Please note that the statements made regarding Swedish Bitter have not been examined or approved by the FDA. You should always consult a physician regarding any symptoms or illnesses you may be experiencing or before starting a new vitamin or supplement.

David Babaii for Wildaid

I recently discovered a haircare line that sounded too good to be true: paraben free, sulfate free, petroleum free, and effective - is that possible? It is if it's David Bababii for Wildaid. A collaboration between celebrity stylist, David Babaii, and actress Kate Hudson, David Babaii for Wildaid is an eco-conscious haircare line that uses natural ingredients like volcanic ash, blue algae extract, and cupuacu butter to create extremely effective products. Additionally, 10% of the profits is donated to Wildaid, a non-profit organization that works with international governments to end illegal wildlife trade.

Instead of using traditional sulfates to provide rich lather, these products rely on coconut oil. While sulfates (i.e, sodium laurel sulfate) are not inherently bad, they can be irritating or drying to skin. The line also uses no petroleum products, which, of course, is very eco-friendly, and no animal byproducts. Both petroleum and animal byproducts are common beauty ingredients.

What first attracted me to the line was that it contains no parabens (see my earlier post on parabens). I was also impressed by the price (about $10 for each product) and each product's fragrance (this is some of the best smelling shampoo I have ever found). I originally purchased the Amplifying Shampoo, Amplifying Conditioner, Bohemian Beach Spray, and the Root Amplifier. I was overwhelmingly impressed with all the products. I was really surprised at how much lather the shampoo provided and how effective the styling products were.

I am extremely satisfied with this haircare line and will continue to use it. Because the products smell so good, I would love it if they expanded the line to include body care (body washes, lotions, etc.). If you decide to check out these products (and I hope you do!) I would love to hear what you think of them.

-NM

Hyaluronic Acid

I want to share with you a supplement/ingredient I strongly believe in. I first heard about hyaluronic acid from a makeup artist who suggested that I use a moisturizer that contain it. Not knowing what hyaluronic acid was, I researched it and learned that it is naturally occurring in the body and aids in joint lubrication and skin hydration. It is found in connective tissue, and when produced in abnormal amount, can cause certain connective tissue diseases. Interestingly though, hyaluronic acid is also being studied and used to help treat some of these same diseases, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

In recent years the media has dubbed hyaluronic acid as "the key to the fountain of youth." It is used by medspas and dermatologists as the injectable filler, Restylane. Topical products containing hyaluronic acid are thought to be more hydrating. At the time I first heard about hyaluronic acid, about 4 years ago, I had a hard time finding products that contained it for under $100. I looked into oral supplements and decided that was the best way for me to get my extra dose. By taking the hyaluronic acid internally I was hydrating from the inside. Within the first month and a half of taking the supplement I noticed my skin was much more hydrated. Prior to taking hyaluronic acid I had to moisturize head to toe after every shower (the chlorine in South Florida water is high, which causes excessive skin dehydration). I no longer have that problem. I noticed my complexion was clearer as well and I didn't need as much facial moisturizer either. Because I've had such success with taking hyaluronic acid for my skin, I plan to continue to take it in hopes that as I age it will also help me with joint health.

I am a firm believer in the benefits of hyaluronic acid used both topically and internally. However, if you should decide to take it internally you should consult with your doctor before doing so, as with any vitamin or supplement. Even if you decide not to take a hyaluronic acid supplement, it’s a great ingredient to look for in your facial moisturizers.

-NM

Bumkins Finer Baby Products

This one goes out to my mommies and mommies-to-be. I want to tell you about a great baby product company called Bumkins. They make, hands down, the best toddler bibs I have found. They use an incredible waterproof material that is stain resistant, machine washable, and quick drying. Best of all, the material is Lead Safe, PVC, phthalate and BPA Free.

The Bumkins company started in 1989 producing cloth diapers. As their popularity grew so did their product line. In addition to their cloth diapers and amazing bibs, they also offer diaper bags, lunch bags, and other tote bags; clothing; and an organic line of towels, washcloths, cloth bibs, and blankets. They have a variety of adorable prints for both boys and girls, as well as a licensed Dr. Seuss line.

Almost two tears ago, when my oldest son started eating solid food and needed a non-cloth pocket bib, I bought two Bumkins SuperBibs. I still have them today and they still look brand new. Even after countless spaghetti nights, not one stain can be found on my bibs. I use them exclusively as I know there is no need to try a different product. I now have enough for both boys to use at each meal. They wash and dry beautifully in the washing machine. In between meals, if they aren't super dirty, I give them a quick hand wash at the kitchen sink using a little hand soap and hang dry them. They are perfectly clean and dry before the next meal.

Additionally, I have some of their washcloths. The washcloths and towels are made from unbleached organic cotton and trimmed in cotton or satin. Because they use unbleached cotton you can use chlorine bleach on them if necessary and it doesn't ruin their appearance (I know this from experience). The fabric is lush yet lightweight.

Of all the great baby products I have uncovered, Bumkins Finer Baby Products is one of the best lines I have used. I hope you'll give them a try as I'm sure you'll be as impressed as I am!