Saturday, May 26, 2012

Super Star Saturday! {May 26, 2012}



It's Super Star Saturday! What's SSS? Besides FREE advertisement, it's where Facebook fans (and I) post links to the coolest products/blogs/companies that they came across and want to share. They can self promote, promote a friend or just add a link for  “Links Worthy of Note” of something they think is awesome; all directly related to serving parents and/or kids. After all the links have been added, I post them on my blog the following week for those followers to see too! 

Be Kind-proudly offers tempered, shatter-resistant glass kitchenware for kids! Free of BPA, phthalates, pvc, and lead. Non-toxic, shatter resistant, suitable for hot and cold liquids, microwave and dishwasher safe, totally STACKABLE, and 100% kind!  BONUS-Every time you purchase Be Kind products, whether it be directly from this site or another retailer, a portion of proceeds will be donated to charity: water. EVERY TIME. 100% of donations directly fund water projects. Together, we can change lives.
DIY Natural-Help 1 million people increase personal freedom by empowering them to create, save money, and live sustainably.
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-cleaners-ebook/?awt_l=EO.PY&awt_m=Lq1R5hmyytFQkt
Jes MaHarry’s Creations-More than a fashion statement Jes means to connect people to a variety of environmental causes that she holds dear, from using reclaimed metal, conflict free diamonds and recycled leather to donating proceeds to environmental charities. 
Box Play for Kids LLC-makes eco-friendly, 100 percent recycled, custom designed stickers* that turn old boxes into new toys.
Azida Hemp Oil Body Care-www.azida.com. The great thing about AZIDA® Body Care Products is not just what's in them (EFA-Rich Hemp Oil) but what's NOT...
  • No sulfates, DEA or parabens.
  • No propylene glycol or formaldehyde.
  • No mineral oil, hydrocarbons or other petroleum derivatives.
  • No paraffin wax or other synthetic waxes.
  • No PABA or cocoa butter.
  • No artificial colors or artificial preservatives.
  • No beeswax.
  • No animal products or testing.
  • No synthetic dyes or strong fragrances.
Sleep organic-offers environmentally responsible products that contribute to a healthier and sustainable planet, using organic materials sourced from American farmers who utilize responsible agricultural methods. Our products are not made with any synthetic materials, which come from nonrenewable resources and are not biodegradable. We do not use petroleum-based ingredients in our products, nor synthetic dyes or fragrances.
EcoEtsy-A global group of eco-conscious artists, crafters, vintage collectors and suppliers who create and sell in an eco-friendly fashion.
Natural Joy Beauty-Discover Ilumina Organics truly natural HEAD TO TOE BABY WASH and BABY BOTTOM BALM 

Posted by Tina Hicks at 12:30 AM 1 comments Links to this post
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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Making Kale Chips!


Ever since I was told I needed to work on reducing the inflammation in my body, I have been working (yes, working) on trying to add new foods into my life and one of them is kale. Along with carrots and more, I started to add it in my juicer. I tried boiling it and adding either turmeric or ginger on top for the added benefits but tired of it quickly. I then added it to my salads, which was better and even my toddler liked it!  Wasn’t expecting that but I was happy for that bonus. I while back I reviewed Brad's Raw Kale Chips and really did like them but not the cost which is why I decided to make my own, nothing fancy, but definitely simple. 

Ingredients:
One or two bunches of kale
Olive oil
Sea Salt
Optional is to add garlic powder, fresh parmesan cheese or even turmeric.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Wash and remove the kale leaves from their stem. 

Tear the leaves into bite size pieces or do like I did and leave them as is.
Completely dry the kale leaves.

In a bowl, toss leaves in olive oil, enough to cover but not so they are dripping in oil, which is what my husband wanted to do.  Even though it’s olive oil, we need to stay healthy!
Layer the kale leaves on a baking sheet in a single layer. If you choose to add more than a layer, you will just need to toss them every five minutes or so to keep from burning. 
Sprinkle to taste with sea salt. If desired, now is the time to add options, if desired. 
Depending on your oven, bake for approximately 15 mins. Because we just moved and I was not used to the new oven, a few of my leaves turned out a bit more crispy/toasted but we all ended up liking them the best!  

Remove sheet from oven and let cool. 
Enjoy! 
Posted by Tina Hicks at 3:00 PM 0 comments Links to this post
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Links Worthy of Note



Below are the links to articles that I felt were worthy of note and that I shared on My Baby’s Green Facebook page up to May 25, 2012.


More Articles on Aspartame-http://aspartame.mercola.com/
Aspartame is considered the most dangerous food additive on the market today. Aspartames main compounds are Aspartic Acid, Phenylalanine, and Methanol. These combine to kill neurons in the brain, poison the body and are linked to an enormous amounts of health effects. In any other scenario this substance would be considered poison and recommendation for non ingestion would be made on the bottle. But because this poisonous substance has been approved by food and drug associations, its legal. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=403960492949840&set=a.208688125810412.59759.195391367140088&type=1&theater
Don't throw out those plastic bags! Here are 10 fun DIY ideas from around the world that will get the "I need to try this" juices flowing! 
Free veg kit and meat out mondays e-newsletter with recipes.
The 9 Weirdest Farmer’s Market Veggies
Wacky shapes, crazy colors—supermarket varieties have nothing on these bizarre vegetables. http://www.takepart.com/photos/9-weirdest-farmers-market-veggies
Earlier this week, Kashi released a statement announcing that in 2015 all of their new food products will be Non-GMO Project verified and at least 70% organic. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit set up to provide testing and labels to non-GMO foods. This announcement is great news for all of the Kashi lovers who were saddened to learn earlier this year that Kashi currently uses GMO ingredients in their products. You might have seen the Green Grocers sign floating around the internet calling out Kashi for using GMO soy in their products claiming that all of the soy tested in their products contained pesticides which are known carcinogens and hormone disruptors. http://www.inhabitots.com/kashis-new-long-term-non-gmo-and-organic-commitment-goals/
"I want to say to people, if you were grossed out by pink slime, there's more to come”  Gross Ingredients In Processed Foods http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/11/gross-ingredients-processed-foods_n_1510516.html?ref=healthy-living
Choosing the Best Sunscreens—and Avoiding the Worst-http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/choosing-best-sunscreens-8212-avoiding-worst-124800044.html 
EWG's 2012 Sunscreen Guide courtesy of EWG's research team! http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/
Why the double standards for children in the U.S.? "After all, we’re not asking them to reinvent the wheel—they’ve already removed these ingredients from their products elsewhere. So why can’t our children get the same protection? Why can’t they serve up the same products to us?" ~Robyn O'Brien  http://blogs.prevention.com/inspired-bites/2012/04/09/double-standards-serving-up-food-dyes-uk-style/
Food Cures You Can Grow at Home
Put your green thumb to work growing a first-aid kit that will keep you healthy all summer. http://www.organicgardening.com/living/9-food-cures-you-can-grow-at-home?page=0%2C1 via organic gardening
21 Amazing Alternate Uses for Vodka. “Did you know that there are plenty of other uses for vodka? It turns out that it’s actually a pretty handy substance to have around.” http://lifehackery.com/2008/03/11/21-amazing-alternate-uses-for-vodka/  via natural joy beauty.  Check out suggestion #21-If all else fails, just turn the bottle up and drink it, nothing will matter anymore anyway!
USDA:  Healthy food isn’t really more expensive. Previous studies have shown that eating junk food is cheaper than eating healthy food. But Andrea Carlson, lead author for the USDA study, said the way those researchers measured cost-effectiveness skewed the results. http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/17/usda-healthy-food-isnt-really-more-expensive/
Have you heard about the light bulb phase-out that started this year? It's an important change that everyone who uses lights in their homes should know about, yet there are many misconceptions out there, so it's crucial to know the facts. The details of the phase-out (what it is, who it affects) aren't easy to untangle, so we did the legwork for you and put together an easy-to-follow guide with all of the need-to-know details. Check out the handy guide that maps out everything from which eco-friendly lights replace which types of incandescents to how much energy and money you can save by making the switch.  http://inhabitat.com/how-to-switch-your-bulbs-to-leds-to-get-ready-for-the-incandescent-bulb-phase-out/
10 Harmful Food Additives to Avoid-Attention Shoppers! Read the label, then steer clear of these additives. Commonly found in Chinese food, MSG is used as a flavor enhancer in soups, salad dressings, chips and frozen foods. MSG overexcites cells, causing them to die, and research has shown a correlation between the overconsumption of foods containing MSG and medical conditions such as depression, disorientation, eye damage, fatigue, headaches, and obesity. http://www.takepart.com/photos/food-additives-avoid
Looking for a “green” alternative to all of those nasty, chemical laden weed killers (aka – herbicides)? It is as easy as opening up your jar of coconut oil!
Beat Fibromyalgia Naturally-Fibromyalgia is a chronic inflammatory condition consisting of muscular and joint pain and fatigue. Three to five percent of the population suffers with this condition with over 80% being women. This is one of the fastest growing disabling conditions in the US. Beat fibromyalgia now with natural lifestyle strategies.  http://www.naturalnews.com/035840_fibromyalgia_remedies_solutions.html
Sandals say summer more than any other shoe. A great pair of flat ones are a must-have in anyone's warm weather wardrobe. This season, there's a huge variety of sandals to choose from - metallic, nude, bright color, strappy, simple, feminine, masculine, patterned - you name it. They are all extremely comfortable and made in ways that make you tread lighter on the earth.  Here are 9 cute and eco-friendly sandals for summer. http://shine.yahoo.com/green/9-cute-eco-friendly-sandals-summer-222800629.html
A recent study of gardening tools from HealthyStuff.org found that two-thirds of garden hoses, garden gloves, and other gardening tools tested contained levels of chemicals of high concern such as lead, phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA)! http://www.womensvoices.org/2012/05/17/safe-healthy-gardening-tools/
Organic Cocktails: I Grew It in the Garden, Then Drank It with Booze!
Made with organic and sustainable liquors, these cocktail recipes make use of garden-fresh herbs and fruits. Try one to impress your friends at end-of-season BBQs! http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/recipes/organic-cocktails#ixzz1vcXMAJlx
Too much of a good thing: popular vitamins that can hurt  you.  If you tuned into The Daily Show recently, you would have heard Jon Stewart’s guest, David Agus, a physician and author of the new best-selling book The End of Illness, fret about what could be called America’s vitamin abuse problem.http://health.yahoo.net/articles/healthcare/popular-dangerous-3-vitamins-can-hurt-you
The top 20 things we throw away that we shouldn’t-http://shine.yahoo.com/green/top-20-things-throw-away-shouldnt-204400558.html
Ditch the Dryer Sheets: Spray-Fresh DIY Fabric Softener http://www.crunchybetty.com/ditch-the-dryer-sheets-diy-fabric-softener 
Your principal incentive to recycle? That one's a no-brainer: the environment, of course. But, it doesn't just have to be a green act of good will; it can add a little extra cash to your wallet as well. Recycling for money sure won't make you a millionaire, but these days every penny counts. So, cash in on your good conscience with these items http://shine.yahoo.com/green/15-everyday-items-recycle-money-175500356.html
Tea Tree Oil: Effective Alternative to Hazardous Household Cleaners? Cleaning the house can certainly be a chore, but it shouldn't expose you to health risks and foul the earth. The issues associated with toxic chemicals found in household cleaning products that line store shelves across America are a concern to health conscious consumers.  http://shine.yahoo.com/green/tea-tree-oil-effective-alternative-hazardous-household-cleaners-152600131.html
Green Ways to Clean-It’s important to look at the labels of household cleaners. Cleaners can contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum-based chemicals that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your indoor environment, positing a particular danger for children. The average American household has three to ten hazardous products in the home. Look for nontoxic, vegetable-based, biodegradable cleaners or better yet, make your own green cleaners using any of the recipes shared in this link. http://www.mybabysgreenblog.com/search/label/green%20ways%20to%20clean
For the first time in 30 years, Congress is listening when it comes to cosmetics safety. Raise your voice today to tell them you want real reform that actually gets toxic chemicals out of the products we put on our bodies.  http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2708/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=10539
Posted by Tina Hicks at 1:58 PM 1 comments Links to this post
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