Posts filed under 'health'
Do you find your little girls attracted to body products that smell of candy and youth but are loaded with synthetics that are harmful for their skin?
Sparklehearts bridges the gap between the amount of all natural baby products you can find and the all natural beauty products for women. Somewhere in there, natural based companies seem to have forgotten about the needs of young girls. They need youthful qualities in their products—smell, packaging, maybe a sparkle or two…and please can it also be healthy???
Sparklehearts says “”No way,” to the icky chemicals and toxins that make up the majority of make-up, bath and beauty products, and say, “Yes” to all natural, all safe, practically edible, but seriously glamorous.” You’ve got to love that!!
And—the lotion SPARKLES–with wonderful all natural mica!! Not only does it feel fabulous ( I got to feel it after I had to pry it from my daughter’s hands!!) it has subtle youthful sparkles…not ala Halloween…very hip and subtle! It also smells like dessert which is a bonus!
Sparklehearts currently carries a fun line of hair and body products that are priced right, “rocking some serious style in 100% recycled packaging,” and are made in the USA by two moms!
Thank you Sparklehearts, for recognizing such an important product consumer who also deserves all the health and glam that natural products can bring!!
I posted on this a few weeks ago and for some reason, it has disappeared, so if you feel like you are having deja vu…that’s why 
Mama Jen
June 8th, 2009
Two parents, who were having trouble getting their 5 yr old to want to eat anything other than hot-dogs and macaroni and cheese (we’ve all felt those struggles), came up with the aptly named Food Game to banish their mealtime issues!
This game is easy to use, teaches kids the different types of food (proteins, starch, vegetables…) and keeps kids engaged and not bored while eating —they get to spin a spinner and find out what to eat next! Kid’s love that! Also, look at the great way the board fits into mealtime. There is an orange spot where your child’s plate sits on the gameboard !
After using this game, many parents who could not get their kids to sit at the table, or eat broccoli have been amazed to see that this game actually has helped their child to do just that. I bet this game would absolutely keep my daughter eating the whole variety of foods offered to her as well as keep her wanting to stay at the table for longer periods of time.
Phenomenal!!!
Mama Jen
February 18th, 2009
The debate over the safety of BPA continues to rage on. As parents — and consumers in general — we are concerned. My husband and I recently cut out our family’s favorite beverage — Klarbrunn sparkling water, in the can — because the cans have an epoxy liner that contains BPA, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. (Klarbrunn’s plastic bottles are make of PET, according to the same spokesperson, and do not contain BPA.)
Anyone concerned about the subject should read the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s compelling investigative special reports and editorials on BPA, published this fall, including one estimating amountsof BPA a child could ingest daily due to leaching from conatiners.
Here’s other food for thought to entice you to read up on the subject. According a November 17, 2008, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article by Meg Kissinger:
“BPA, used to make baby bottles and the lining of metal food cans, including those containing infant formula, is tied to reproductive failures, breast cancer risk, diabetes and heart disease. A study last month found that it interferes with chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.”
“In addition to Congress, 13 states have proposed bans on BPA. Wisconsin is not one of them. But State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) said Monday that she is preparing legislation to ban BPA from children’s products in Wisconsin.”
Hooray.
Please read the articles for more details.
— Mama Kate
November 20th, 2008
Ahhhh…it is indeed that time of year again, and if I wasn’t wallowing in my own puke-fest last week, I might not have noticed. I have news that there are at least two alternatives to sitting in long congested waiting rooms for a routine strep throat culture, or an awful ear infection. Shopko and Walgreens are opening clinics to help you quickly, and conveniently combat germs that have a hold of you. Wait—with nonexistent to minimal wait!!!
In Madison, Shopkowill open Meriter FastCare clinics this October–one at Shopko West on Moneral Point Rd, and the other at Shopko East on Zeier Rd.
Currently, Walgreens in Madison has two Take Care Clinics—one on S. Fish Hatchery Rd and the other on E. Washington Rd.
These clinics do take most types of insurance, but if you happen to be uninsured, the costs for being seen is generally between $50 and $80 for most things…wonderful!
Wow…this all sounds so fantastic! I, like you have probably waited in an urgent-type-care-situation that wasn’t life threatening, for a very long time….melting into the waiting room chair with a 103 degree temperature, not being able to walk or see straight….in fact, waiting until I felt I became life threatening (if only I could move my ill body). Maybe this will ease the massive pressures on existing emergency and non-emergency hospitals and clinics which would be great for everyone!
This sure will be a welcome resource to try once I find myself or my family with a really bad sore throat, sinus infection, bug bite, rash, etc!
These clinics also offer the flu shot if that is something you like to get this time of year…
Mama Jen
November 6th, 2008
Huge sale at GagaGoods that has brought you wonderful, mom-made and mom-approved designs by Madison mom Kathryn Adler. This wonderful company that donates 5% of your purchases to a children’s charity is full of wonderful gifts and items that you and your kids will love. This companies goodies were noted in Life & Style Weeklyas having the perfect tee for Suri Cruise when she was born—the Fairy Princess Snuggly. Info below:
What’s the deal? 50% off EVERYTHINGon GagaGoods.com!
Here’s your chance to snap up some great HALF PRICE gifts for the holidays — or any day! We have a lot of fun games by eeBoo, cute puzzles by Crocodile Creek and Mudpuppy, plush items by Rich Frog, board books by Simon & Schuster and Chronicle, and more. There’s a few fun Mom gifts left too, like notepads, stationery, books, and a couple mugs by Our Name Is Mud.
Don’t forget about our wonderful Gaga Goods clothing line too! Our onesies, tees and bibs are made in the USA from super soft 100% combed cotton and celebrate the new arrival, big brother or sister, birthday kid, and more. Our sizes range from 0-6 and are a great deal starting at just $7!
Why are we doing this? After five years of love and energy focused on GagaGoods.com, I’m ready to move on to new horizons. That means EVERYTHING must go! Please help me clear my storage shelves — and score a great deal for yourself! If anyone is interested in taking over as the new Chief Smile Spreader, let me know that too. I can forward you a business prospectus.
How long do you have? Even though summer is over, our coupon code: summersmiles will still give you 50% off EVERYTHING on our website while supplies last. Any orders totalling over $40 after discount will also receive a free set of Nifty Gifty Notecards too! But remember, when the goods are gone, they’re gone, baby!
October 28th, 2008
Ahhhh…it is indeed that time of year again, and if I wasn’t wallowing in my own puke-fest last week, I might not have noticed. I have news that there are at least two alternatives to sitting in long congested waiting rooms for a routine strep throat culture, or an awful ear infection. Shopko and Walgreens are opening clinics to help you quickly, and conveniently combat germs that have a hold of you. Wait—with nonexistent to minimal wait!!!
In Madison, Shopkowill open Meriter FastCare clinics this October–one at Shopko West on Moneral Point Rd, and the other at Shopko East on Zeier Rd.
Currently, Walgreens in Madison has two Take Care Clinics—one on S. Fish Hatchery Rd and the other on E. Washington Rd.
These clinics do take most types of insurance, but if you happen to be uninsured, the costs for being seen is generally between $50 and $80 for most things…wonderful!
Wow…this all sounds so fantastic! I, like you have probably waited in an urgent-type-care-situation that wasn’t life threatening, for a very long time….melting into the waiting room chair with a 103 degree temperature, not being able to walk or see straight….in fact, waiting until I felt I became life threatening (if only I could move my ill body). Maybe this will ease the massive pressures on existing emergency and non-emergency hospitals and clinics which would be great for everyone!
This sure will be a welcome resource to try once I find myself or my family with a really bad sore throat, sinus infection, bug bite, rash, etc!
These clinics also offer the flu shot if that is something you like to get this time of year…
Mama Jen
October 8th, 2008
As the school year approaches and normal life takes effect after all the sun-soaked summer days we have enjoyed, how do you regularly prepare for healthy dinners when your energy is low, you may not be feeling well, and you are running your kids from here to there and everywhere? The Dinner Spin is here to save the day!
We wrote before about the ultra-helpful, Oprah approved, Six o’clock Scramble, but there is a new kid on the block—Janis Bowers’ Dinner Spin, a wonderful website where you can receive a weekly menu of healthy dinners AND a grocery list. Nice!
The healthy recipes Janis prepares helped her husband significantly reduce his cholesterol and the whole family get regular healthy dinners and avoid fast food pitfalls. Now you can have at it too!
The website also includes freezer recipes to help you prepare for a busy time, cooking tips, holiday or special occasion recipes, side dishes and a forum where you can chat about your forays into cooking.
You can try the recipe for free for two weeks and after that you can subscribe for 3 months for $21, 6 months for $36, or 12 months for $48. Not bad at all!
Happy Cooking!
Mama Jen
August 25th, 2008
We’ve found another kids cup to love: The Safe Sippy by Kid Basix.
Bret Plate, a father of two, was worried about the toxic components of plastics and how they may leach from his kids’ drinking cups and into their beverages. In search of a better alternative, he designedbeverage container of food-grade stainless steel, inside and out. All plastics used on the product are certified or tested free of BPA and pthalates (the company says it pays for independent lab tests to ensure the cups are free of these substances). The interior no-spill valve is made from silicone. Why are there no plastics on this cup, then? As the company says, nobody wants to sip on a steel straw.
The no-spill valve isn’t absolutely leakproof; the company admits that while the valve will prevent major spills, there still will be drips and dribbles when the cup is inverted. I haven’t found a perfectly hermetically sealed sippy cup, so I can live with a few drips. And I appreciate that this one’s easy to put together, and has saved us from those leaks caused by “assembly-mom error.” The removable outer sleeve adds a nice grip-factor for kids, especially if you choose not to use the sleek little handles, and also insulates cold drinks from their little mitts.
The Safe Sippy is easy to clean, and is dishwasher safe. We wash ours the fast, easy and green way: in the recommended solution of baking soda, vinegar and hot water, the same way we wash our other stainless steel containers.
And, well, the cup’s styling is just plain cool. It comes in three great color combinations: stainless steel and orange paired with bright blue, turquoise or hot pink. In fact, it’s so cool, my kids fight over the single Safe Sippy we have. Guess I should finally purge all those plastic cups and stock my shelves with these.
Mama Kate
August 18th, 2008
Being a product junkie myself, I naturally continued the habit for my daughter since she can’t very well be one on her own yet. Thymes, a Minnesota based company has a new collection of products for babies called Sweetleaf Baby.
The Sweetleaf Baby collection is formulated to be oh so gentle on that new skin you’ll be pampering. The scent is light and airy with hints of lavender, chamomile.
The gift set is so wonderful with a refreshning hand sanitizer, diaper balm, cute yellow washcloth and nursery mist…mmmm! Perfect! The massage oil I tried is delectable—not too greasy, great smelling and paraben free which is fab!
Happy pampering!!
Mama Jen
May 5th, 2008
I posted about the great products available from Buttoned Up a while back, but I finally started to use them and woooohoooo—-organized organizing!! So great, I had to write more!
I have the Life.doc, which features a great CD-ROM to help you get your files buttoned up electronically as well. Genius! You will find filing for your emergency plan, family basics, in sickness and in health, insurance, dollars and sense, legal ease, caregiver information and home sweet home.
The Collision.kit that I have is also so very clever with the on-time use camera, clipboard (so you don’t have to awkwardly write the other party’s info against the not-so-flat surface of a car), forms, and an envelope to keep your registration and insurance documents. Much better to keep those things Buttoned Up in this nice little case so that you don’t have to go digging in your glove compartment for these things which would send baby wipes, tampons, smashed cheerios and the like, flying in front of strangers. Not good.
I have the Tax.filer which is a neat way to keep all things taxes. This thing is detailed—as taxes should be! A nice accordian folder with sections for last year’s return, your investments, business, income, money in, money out, contributions, dependants, deductions etc…very handy come April 14th …It also includes free tax software–yea!
The Babysitter Pad is also wonderful and I have used this many times. It is so great when you are in a hurry and trying to remember what to tell your sitter about snacks, bedtime, favorite stories, where you’ll be, when you’ll be back etc…My head is usually all over the place when I am trying to get out the door with my little one tugging at my leg and this helps a lot. There are sections for multiple children as well, so that you can convey food allergies, special instructions for one etc…
Check out these products if you are wanting a leg-up in the organization department.
MaMa Jen
May 1st, 2008
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