Mom Goes Green

In name and theory, the term “antibacterial” seems like a smart choice to prevent illness and inhibit bacterial growth, but these products contain a chemical antimicrobial called Triclosan.  So what’s the big deal?  Well…

Triclosan was originally created for medical uses and sterilization but, now that it has become outrageously common and “household”, consumers need to know that it is actually linked to health issues, including antibiotic resistance, allergy susceptibility and severe skin irritations (not to mention the destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems!).  Seems rather contradictory, doesn’t it?  While you are trying to keep germs and illnesses at bay, you are actually building a resistance to antibiotics and decreasing their effectiveness should you ever truly need them.

Triclosan is commonly found in soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, shampoos, disinfectants and even fabrics (also marketed as “Microban” or “Biofresh”).  What I also find disturbing is that Triclosan actually “reacts” with chlorinated water and produces a high level of chloroform… yes, I said chloroform…. classified, by the EPA, as a probable human carcinogen.

Another scary fact?  It literally accumulates in our bodies, and this is the reason we build the resistance to antibiotics.

The reality is simply that the harm far outweighs the benefit.  In fact, there is little evidence to support the use of antibacterials for home or personal use in the prevention of viruses or illnesses.

So why buy antibacterial products? Simply put, I cannot think of a single reason…

Yes, will the worries ever cease… it seems not, because after researching new bath products for our kids I not only discovered some potential candidates, but also reasons to worry.

It seems there are some serious, and harmful, chemical “monsters” lurking in far too many children’s bath products.  This includes the most common products we all used on our babies (and often continue to use) – Johnson & Johnson, Gerber, Baby Magic and L’Oreal – all are major offenders.

And the two scariest ingredients, you ask? They are 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde (doesn’t THAT one conjure up some horrible images?).  Both are known carcinogens and unbelievably harsh on the skin, especially for young children.

1,4-dioxane is common in personal care products as a foaming agent.  Of course the ingredients won’t actually list it under this name, so avoid ingredients called sodium laureth sulfate, PEG-100 stearate, polyethylene, myreth, oleth and ceteareth-20.

Formaldehyde comes into play when common preservatives (like parabens) used in the bath products release formaldehyde but, of course, this won’t be on the ingredients list either!  Instead, look for and avoid names like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea.

It’s absolutely mind boggling.  Sometimes I truly don’t know what to look for and what to avoid, because it seems we need a chemistry degree to have the ability to read between the lines (and I think manufacturers count on that)!

I have heard good things about both Gaia and Weleda, as well as the line of Burt’s Bees Baby (often much easier to find at a local retailer) but we’re currently giving Organix South TheraNeem a try!  The kid’s Shampoo & Bodywash and Conditioner are in use and (as far as my “non-chemistry-degreed-self” can decipher!) they don’t contain any of these scary ingredients!  I also find it fairly interesting that they seems to work wonderfully (and make our kids smell fabulously citrus-y) but they don’t foam-up as much as the common brands and aren’t nearly as thick… hmmm?  A likely side effect of what happens when you remove some of the bad stuff!

I know it will take extra effort, but there are plenty of products out there that are safer options.  If you have something you recommend, please share!

But whatever you do, don’t settle for the old stand-bys just because they’re easy to find and an ad campaign and some slick marketer appealed to your emotional side to sell a product.  Believe me, I used to be one of “them” and things aren’t always as they seem.

(This giveaway is now closed for entries.  Winner posted in comments.)

Lately, I’ve been on some serious topics… BPA in my Sigg, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the psychology of organic food… well I’m bringing it down a notch.  How about some nice girlie goodies?

First of all, I love Kiss My Face products.  They’re packed full of healthy, natural, organic ingredients that even consider the environment in their manufacture and packaging.  Pure botanicals and minerals are so important when you consider that the skin absorbs 60% of what we put on ourselves directly into the bloodstream.

And the founders are two great guys with a great story.  It’s one of vision, dreams and ultimate success.

Here is what I have for you… their new line of lip “Shimmers & Shines”! These fabulous lips tints contain natural mineral color, vitamins A&E to repair and protect lips and have a luscious organic flavor – mint with a hint of vanilla. All are earth friendly products containing no parabens, SLS, phthalates, synthetic colors or flavors, nor do they use animal ingredients or testing.

So, how would you like the ENTIRE LINE… every color, and all 12 products?!? Yes, yes, yes, you say? Well then leave a comment here saying you’d like to win and who you’d like to win these for (go ahead… say “yourself!”), or send a Twitter message that includes a reply to @momgoesgreen and a link to this blog. The winner will be selected one week from today’s post. (US entries only… sorry!)

This giveaway is valued at over $75, so “pucker up”, post a comment and soon you, too, can “Shimmer & Shine”, girl!

Mom Goes Green is always sharing ways to try to improve the things around you… your family’s daily life, your home, your community, our planet.  But what about you?  What’s a stressed-out and tired Green Mom to do?

Well, let me tell you!  Here are three simple ways (with relatively earth-friendly twists) to naturally rejuvenate and leave the stress behind (even if only for a night!):

• Go ahead and splurge – take a bath and add some natural and organic bath salts.  Studies show that the salts increase prolactin levels by up to a third and help in relaxation!
• Grab a cup of hot organic coffee or tea – it can actually trigger psychological warmth and pleasant feelings, even after only holding it for 10 seconds!  For a natural antidepressant, add a nice spice… cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, you choose.
• Turn off the TV and read – stimulating your mind actually creates happiness.  To be eco-friendly, borrow books from the library or a friend, make your purchase at a used book store or, for the avid reader, buy a Kindle.

There you have it… simple steps… and what it takes for a stressed Green Mom to shake off the blues!

… the big winner is (drum roll, please!) … Jeannette C!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You just won over $100 worth of Kiss My Face products!

The winner was selected by assigning random numbers to all comment entries, as well as tweets on Twitter, and again, my kids picked the number… also randomly, of course!

Thanks to everyone who entered!  I wish I had more to give away, because yes, they are that great, but that was the last of the fab Kiss My Face products!  BUT check back soon for more giveaways!

So “pucker-up, Jeannette C”!  Your kissable face is getting even more kissable!

(NOTE:  This giveaway is now closed for entries.)

They’re too good to hold onto. Kiss My Face products are making my face so kissable, I need to give away the rest of the booty (you know that word means “treasure” too, right?  Sheesh.  What are you thinking?!?)

So just like my last giveaway, I’m giving away a booty (“treasure”, dammit!) of Kiss My Face products. They’re packed full of healthy, natural, organic ingredients that even consider the environment in their manufacture.  And those pure botanicals and minerals are so important when considering that our skin absorbs 60% of what we slather on ourselves!  They don’t contain unnecessary chemicals or artificial colors and are never tested on animals….they’re just packed with “goodness”!

This package of Kiss My Face products is from their “Pure & Potent” line and includes a variety of cleansers, moisturizers and toners, valued at over $100!

To win, leave a comment here saying you’d like to win, or send a Twitter message that includes a reply to @momgoesgreen and a link to this blog. (For example, “@momgoesgreen is giving away a free skin care package at http://www.momgoesgreen.com and you can win!”)

The winner will be selected one week from today’s post. (US entries only… sorry!)

So pucker up, people… and Kiss My Face… again!

And that someone is “mootrain!”  CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You just won over $100 worth of Kiss My Face products!

The winner was selected by assigning random numbers to all comment entries, as well as tweets on Twitter, and my kids picked the number… also randomly, of course!

If you didn’t win, don’t worry… a second chance is coming soon… be sure to check back!  And thanks to everyone who entered!

Now “pucker-up, mootrain”! (Boy, that’s a strange thing to say!)

(NOTE:  This giveaway is now closed for entries.)

Okay… so I’m not actually going to force you to come to Cleveland and plant one on me, but I AM going to tell you about some great skin care products from Kiss My Face, and give you the chance to try them out too… interested?

I’ll start by saying that winters around here take their toll on our skin and I am always looking for great products to keep me from looking like leatherface (or as my dear friend, Kev, says… old lunchmeat!… eew.  I hope he’s not talking specifically about ME!).

The fab folks at Kiss My Face shared a great package of their skin care products with me and they’re quite a discovery.  They’re packed full of healthy, natural, organic ingredients that even consider the environment in their manufacture and packaging.  Pure botanicals and minerals are so important when you consider that the skin absorbs 60% of what we put on ourselves directly into the bloodstream.  And when you take away the unnecessary chemicals, artificial colors and animal-testing, a great product is born.

So, yes… I want to share!  Their line of products is huge… from face and body, hair and suncare, and even kids’ products, but I have a bunch of “Potent & Pure” products that I’m offering, to help take care of your precious face, so your beloved will continue wanting to kiss that face!… The package contains a variety of cleansers, toners and moisturizers valued at over $100!

To enter, leave a comment here saying you’d like to win, or send a Twitter message that includes a reply to @momgoesgreen and a link to this blog. (For example, “@momgoesgreen is giving away a skin care package at http://www.momgoesgreen.com and you can win!”)

The winner will be selected one week from today’s post. (US entries only… sorry!)  If you don’t win, don’t worry – just check back, because I have another package to give away soon!

Good luck… now Kiss My Face!

Okay, so don’t start rumors about MomGoesGreen.  I have an admitted addiction… but it’s an addiction to Method products!

Sincerely.  I can’t get enough of them!  I know I have talked about “the greatness that is distilled white vinegar” but some things require a little extra something-something… like my dishwasher.  Can’t exactly pour in some vinegar and call it a day!

But Method… ahhh, Method!  (I’ve talked about the love… umm, twice.  So, here’s a third!) Their “Smarty Dish” Dishwasher Detergent is amazing.  It’s earth-friendly, biodegradable, and bleach- and phosphorous-free.  It comes as a large tablet so you don’t even need to worry about pouring and measuring.  My chosen scent was Pink Grapefruit – quite nice! – and can I just say my dishes and glasses were so squeaky  clean when they came out of the dishwasher that my husband even commented!

I’ve also been loving their Lil’ Bowl Blu Toilet Cleaner, Multi-Surface & Glass Cleaners, Biodegradable Tub & Tile Wipes (especially for our 3-year old son, with HORRIBLE aim!), but I’m also continually impressed with their hand soaps.  They’ve been in our house for quite a while now (and they’re great – especially the kid-friendly foaming kind), but would you believe they actually designed the containers so you can use every last drop of the soap?!  Love it!  And they sell refill soap too… another bonus.

BUT… my current fav Method product is the oh-so-yummy Method Baby Body Lotion I bought for our kids.  I so desperately wanted to get away from their old lotions – (do you know that most of them contain mineral oil?  Putting mineral oil on your skin is like covering yourself in saran wrap! Can you imagine?!?)

Anyhow… back to my point… the Method Baby Body Lotion is made of natural, biodegradable ingredients and never contains parabens, phthalates or other nasty chemicals you wouldn’t want to slather on your kids.  I have a clear conscience when I lotion them up these days and it’s topped off with a wonderful scent – rice milk & mallow (yea.  That’s as in marshmallow!).  But I can’t guarantee you won’t want to nibble on their arm for a bit.  I know I want to… and do!

So, I’ve said it before… I’ll probably say it again, but Method is a great company, with great products, a clear environmental focus and responsibility and a fab sense of humor (wait until you start reading their packaging!).

But I won’t leave you hangin’… I know you wanna get some … everyone should be a “Method” Head!!!  It’s a great addiction.

I’ve never really been a girly-girl (in fact, in my college days, my husband referred to me as “goth lite”), but I always wear make-up, lipstick, all that “presentation jazz!”

Because I’m a daily lipstick wearer I find that, at the end of the day, I need to put something on my lips or they just feel dried out and naked.  My husband uses lip balm (am I allowed to disclose that?) and our kids are always grabbing our stuff and putting it on too!

Now that winter is around the corner (ugh!) I’ve been thinking more and more about what we put on our lips and the need to keep our mouths healthy.  Our daughter is notorious for licking her lips and they get super chapped… and this is where my concern comes in.

Too many products on the market are made of the stuff we really don’t want to ingest or have absorbed into our bodies.  I read the label on a bunch of our products – ingredients #1 thru 3: petroleum and waxes.  They don’t even protect your lips and I’ve seen research calling some ingredients potentially carcinogenic… Oh, that’s not good.

So, I found a great line of lip balm products that will accommodate our entire family – Eco Lips!  Their ingredients are organic, natural, nutrient rich, cruelty-free and even made in a solar powered plant!  They have a tinted version for me (made with natural mineral pigments), a scented version for the kids (they’re 100% edible, though not encouraged!) and a sport version (that can be waved about by Mr. Man!).  And they really work!  Plus, they donate a percent of profits to environmental initiatives.  Bravo!

It may seem really simple, but when you consider that our lips are the most absorbent part of our bodies (and all of the synthetic ingredients contained in the more common products) it’s really quite a big deal that you keep your lips protected, healthy and NON-toxic.

See, I got you thinking.  Now you, too, will reconsider what you put on your precious little pucker!