Because I get many requests from followers asking me what products we as a family enjoy the most, this page is about those products, with short reviews included, that either we are happy to call our favorites! Some even were itmes that I reviewed so those links will be included. This page will be updated regularly so be sure to check back often.
FACE and BODY CARE
Sweet Knee-Bun Glaze-A non-medicated truly effective alternative to diaper ointment. We excluded petroleum/zinc/titanium based ingredients that act as "barriers" and keep skin from breathing and healing quickly. Bun Glaze absorbs easily into the skin and contains natural vitamins A, D and E and the unique "skin" herbs and flowers of calendula, German chamomile, marshmallow and plantain. As an added benefit, there are no tubs/jars/tubes and so there is no messy, germy double dipping.
My Take-Besides the soothing natural fragrance, it’s the perfect non-medicated alternative to diaper ointment. There are no unnecessary “barrier” ingredients like petrolatum, zinc or titanium found in traditional products. Each ingredient is there for a reason and nothing is chemically altered. Skin is meant to breathe and be chemical-free. Dad’s like that they never have to touch the bun glaze when changing diapers because there is no need to get your hands involved; the glaze can be pumped (drizzled) directly onto clean, dry skin, which helps to keep things clean and easy.
Sweet Knee's-Rubbit Oil-A light and absorbs easily as a massage oil or bath oil. Full of vitamins A, D an E and the skin healing flowers of calendula and mandarin blossoms. Great for moms swollen pregnant ankles or water retention.
My Take-It has a warm and comforting citrusy scent that I really like. With my sensitive nose that sneezes at just about any fragrance that is overwhelming, this was such a relief and definitely a plus. This calendula oil easily absorbs into the skin WITHOUT the use of estrogenic ingredients that can interfere with hormone development in young babies and children. After rubbing it in on my toddler, I use what is left on my hands to rub into my cuticles. Then at night when I am about to go to bed, I use it to rub it on all my rough spots (elbows, knees, and heels of my feet). Sometimes I put on 100% cotton socks to help keep it on my feet even longer and/or cotton gloves on my hands for the same reason. By the look on my husband’s face he must have thought I was crazy but when I woke the next morning my feet and hands were so soft. That was definitely a bonus because in the winter they get so dry.
Bum Boosa Bamboo Baby Wipes-a unique, 100% bio-friendly product that was developed with both the planet and infants’ sensitive skin in mind. Our mission is to provide a new option for a widespread consumer product that, through its use, trees and water are saved. We are able to do this by drawing on the benefits of a bountiful, regenerative and sustainable plant for our alternative nonwoven fiber: bamboo.
My Take-Please see my Bum Boosa Bamboo Baby Wipes review.
Keeki Lip Balm-Trust Keeki… this lip balm is something to bark about! The smell alone will make you want to eat it and that's ok because it is made with Food Grade ingredients! This USDA Certified Organic formula will keep your lips moist for hours.
My Take-I am compulsive when it comes to lip balm. I can't stand my lips to be dry or chapped at any time. They need to have a balm on them 24/7. I am NOT kidding. This balm is cool, moisturizing and tasty. Bonus-My husband give me more kisses with it on than any other :) Please view my Keeki Lip Balm Review
Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil- Organic pomegranate seed oil contains powerful antioxidants that help promote skin renewal and protect against free radical damage. Organic jojoba seed oil preserves your natural moisture and acts as an emollient in this natural oil moisturizer, nurturing your skin and improving its firmness.
My Take-Bonus-All ingredients can be found on their site which I enjoy. This oils is not too greasy, light scent, firms and renews with natural antioxidant and is a nice way to end a bath/shower.
Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream-This natural cream for aging skin contains organic pomegranate seed oil which is naturally rich in antioxidants that protect your hands from free radical damage and promote skin renewal. Organic shea butter, a soothing emollient packed with essential fatty acids, renders your skin silky smooth and lavishly moisturized.
My Take-Again, all ingredients can be found on their site Non greasy, light scent and absorbs quickly. This is my go to hand cream through out the day. Please view a previoous review of mine-Weleda Review
Yes to Cucumbers-Daily Color Care Hair Care Routine. It's true, gorgeous color treated hair needs a little extra coaxing. So, Yes To Cucumbers Color Care Routine is there for you, cleansing, hydrating and adding that extra brilliant shine to your new shade...and most importantly protecting that hard-earned color! How? With Centaurea Extract, a powerful ingredient that protects color-treated hair.
My Take-Yes, I chickened out and went with traditional hair color but I do not have to go NEAR as often as I was told a red head would need to. When I used other hair care I was going every 4-5 weeks and that’s with washing my hair only 1-2 times a wee! Once we adopted I couldn’t find the time or the need to keep it up, esp since we made cutbacks for me to be able to stay at home with her. With this hair care set I have gone as long as 4 months! Hair is incredibly soft and shiny.
Broody Chick-Wonderbalm-Made from natural oils and waxes with added Vitamin E and essential oils. Helps to protect and soothe chapped, sensitive, wind-or water-burned skin, suitable for delicate areas.
My Take-Wonderful replacement for petroleum jelly. Perfect for delicate areas. Enough said.
Broody Chick-Boo Boo Stick-A blend of natural essential oils and waxes to help soothe the irritation of bites and stings, scratches and scuffs with essential oils to help promote healing.
My Take-This really does help wipe away tears that Mommy’s kiss can’t seem to do. Sad really but I take what help I can and where I can find it! We actually lost our first one (eek) so my hubby ordered two more.
Zoe Organics-Organic Extreme Cream-for very dry skin and conditions such as eczema. This ultra rich cream is packed with vitamins and nutrient-rich oils and botanicals that naturally heal and restore sensitive and damaged skin.
My Take-This is a very thick, heavy and greasy cream so a little definitely goes a long way. I do not recommend touching a magazine afterwards or you will have ink marks on your fingers! My 18 year has had his for over a year now and it’s the first thing that he reaches for every time his knuckles either get dry or get callused from one of his tics (pinching his knuckles).
Babo Botanicals-All products from Babo Botanicals contain NO Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, 1.4 Dioxane, Formaldehyde, Proplene Glycol, Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Synthetic Colors, Synthetic Fragrances.
Products made without any of the above is one of the best choices a parent could not only make for their child but also for themselves.
My Take-Please see my Babo Botanicals Review. I still enjoy using the Oatmilk Clendula line!
Chartreuse-Nourish Cleanser-Specially formulated for combination or sensitive skin. Gentle, organic oils remove impurities while organic aloe, lavender, and calendula leave your skin soft and hydrated. Super Antioxidants such as organic rooibos tea, Vitamin A, B, C and E nourish and protect your skin from free radical damage.
My Take-The only downside I find is that after opening you have to use within 6 months but other than that this and the other cleansers are cream based cleansers that are gentle enough on my sensitive skin yet do well at removing impurities. I like the container the cleanser comes in especially since the pump hasn’t clogged even once!
Krug's Eco-Logic Sugar Scrub and Lime Soap-Eco-Logic is a handmade, vegan, bath and body company. Each product is carefully formulated with high quality botanicals, vegan butters & oils, and only essential oils for scents. The company began when a science teacher, turned stay at home mother discovered her children's ultra-sensitive skin. She knew she had to formulate something to make them more comfortable in their own skin.
My Take-Please see my Krug's Eco-Logic review.
Pome Poivre Perfume-Love & Toast Pomme Poivre 3.6 oz Eau de Parfum Spray. Vanilla Orchid, White Musk, Jasmine, Ebony Woods. With every Love + Toast purchase you will not only smell good, but you are doing good. A portion of every Love + Toast sale goes directly to Regional Affiliates of Girls Inc., inspiring young girls to be “Smart, strong and bold.” Pretty is as Pretty Does.
Made with natural denatured alcohol and Love + Toast’s own botanical fragrance blend with natural and essential oils. Never tested on animals. No parabens, sulfates, phalates, no gmo’s, synthetic dyes or triclosan.
How-to-Use: For long-lasting effects fragrance should be applied to the body’s pulse points. These include the wrist, behind the ear, crease of your arm and knee, and the base of your throat. Pulse points give off more body heat as this is where blood vessels are closest to the skin, therefore continually warming and releasing your fragrance.
My Take-Perfume is such a personable item that it's hard to say if you would like it just because I do. I can only add that my hubby does too. I have some allergies but if I lightly spray this on the back of my neck I am good to go. It does last longer than others that I have tried but still not as long as the chemical laden brands but that's ok with me. Most importantly to me is that it's free of many chemicals that I refuse to use. No parabens, sulfates, phalates, no gmo’s, synthetic dyes or triclosan.
Goat Milk Stuff-Small fammily business with great customer service. Many people are still washing their skin with soap made with water. Switching to soap made with goat milk can truly benefit your skin’s health. Goat milk soap is wonderful for people with dry or sensitive skin, or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also perfect for healthy skin that wants to stay that way. Unprocessed goat milk fresh from the farm contains many benefits. BONUS-When you place an order, we will include up to three small soap samples with your order. Soap samples are small pieces of soap that are good for a few hand washings. For facts please view Goat Milk Stuff University.
My Take-Skin is a semi-permeable membrane and is the largest organ of the body so using the mildest soap possible-one without synthetic fragrances or antibacterial chemicals is best. GMS soap is long lasting feels great on our skin and no drying. The colors are all natural, never from dyes or synthetic colors and use high quality essential or fragrance oils to scent our goat milk soaps. We love the scent, the feel, and the bubbly lather these ingredients give every bar. The men in my family like all the soaps I have purchased for them and have never mentioned a complaint. I have stuck with the organic castille soap-only because I have mild eczema. I use mine to shave my legs too! So much nicer than a shaving cream or even other soaps. "Regardless, whether your skin is healthy or not, it will certainly benefit from using a handmade soap, made not with water, but with unprocessed goat milk fresh from the farm."
CLOTHING and SHOES
Simple Shoes-My family of five love these shoes. Depending on which style you choose, they might be made with hemp uppers, certified organic cotton linings, recycled PET and latex elastic, outsoles made of recycled inner tubes, and packed with 100% post-consumer paper pulp foot forms inside a post-consumer recycled box.
Toms Shoes-Their Tiny Toms come in pre-walker and toddler sizes, are quite adorable, and for every pair you purchase, the company gives a pair of shoes to a kid in need. They do use recycled rubber, but the canvas is regular old cotton.
Sanuk-Best known for its Sidewalk Surfers, often referred to as “Not-A-Shoes”, for their patented sandal construction which allows your feet to bend and flex in natural comfort. Sanuk leads its industry use materials in its footwear such as yoga mat and indoor-outdoor carpet.
My Take-Everyone but my toddler has at least one pair of these shoes/sandals and we ALL love them. They are extremely comfortable, washable and cute too!
Green Baby Clothing-Green Baby Clothing Company stands for all natural organic products – all things good and pure – from their family to ours. GBCC offers only ORGANIC – BAMBOO – HEMP – HANDMADE products.
My Take-Seriously, I feel like have purchased just about one of everything from this shop! The owner Jill is awesome! have had two very important photography sessions in my toddler’s life where she wore both dresses and headbands that I purchased from GBCC.
MAKEUP and ACCESSORIES
Mineral Fusion-All of their products are made in the USA and many of them are still handmade! Protecting benefits of minerals, such as magnesium, copper and zinc, which also provide antioxidant defense against damaging free radicals. Active ingredients that heal and care for the skin and hair, as well as making their products free of gluten, parabens, talc, artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, SLS, and phthalates.
They have officially partnered with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to support women in need.They are committed to sustainability and utilize wind power, soy inks, packaging from recycled materials and packaging that is recyclable.
My Take
Pressed Powder Foundation-light to full coverage, non-drying which surprised me, and not heavy like some liquids tend to be. My skin has gotten a little more sensitive as each year passes so I was so happy to find that this did not cause me to have any problems at all. I found my perfect match, neutral 2, and haven’t gone back. I love that it is pressed so less mess/no accidental spillage.
Eye Shadow Trios-For same reasons above, I like that it’s pressed. I still use some other minerals from other co but only until it’s gone. To me, the loose shadows just aren’t as manageable as the pressed are.
Bare Minerals Concealer in Bisque-works like a "retoucher" for your face, covering dark circles, blemishes, redness and skin imperfections. Does what it says and I like that! I use it in the inside corners of my eyes, any blemishes I may get.
Chartreuse-Organic Cotton Squares-reusable, organic, unbleached Chartreuse Organic Cotton Squares. They’re as good for your skin as they are for the planet.
My Take-I'm so glad I made this switch because not only are they organic and reusable, they have saved me money only after a short time too. Only out of habit was it hard for me to stop throwing these in the trash but constantly having to retrieve them finally broke me of it! They are a little rougher than traditional cotton balls, but I like the exfoliation that quality offers. They come in a little reusable cotton bag that you can wash them all in or not but if you don’t, you may have a harder time locating them in your laundry. Ex-my hubby found one in his work pants that came out at work :)
Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb-Description at Burt's Bees.
My Take-Even though I used to be, I'm no longer a huge fan of lipstick. This feels cool on the lips, moisturizes and softens, while also adding just enough color to my lips which is what I prefer.
Piggy Paint Non Toxic Nail Polish-has so many colors to offer to please even the biggest of divas. They offer gift sets that are perfect for any occasion too.
My Take-Please see my Piggy Paint Review.
Keeki Non Toxic Nail Polish-is Gluten-Free, Toluene, Formaldehyde and Phthalate FREE, Vegan, Safe during pregnancy, Made in the USA, 100% biodegradable and available in 16 colors to choose from!
My Take-Please see my Keeki Non Toxic Nail Polish review.
Toys and Crafts for Kids
Crazy Baby Accessories-All handmade waldorf dolls and clothing. Some of her items can also be found at Green Baby Clothing Company which is how I found Sarah.
My Take-Her waldorf dolls and clothes are absoultely addicting! She can custom make them too-for example: hair, skin and eye color and for me she used wool for the stuffing. The clothes she makes for them are unbelievable and so much fun. Sarah made my daughter and her doll matching outfits for me to purchase for G's second birthday photos that you can view here.
Plan Toys-PlanToys is proving that it is possible to maintain superior quality and safety standards in addition to following a path of environmental and social responsibility. PlanToys are made from non-toxic, natural materials such as organic rubberwood. Our toys enable children to play, learn and become closer to nature.
My Take-I sold these on my e-commerce where they were one of my biggest sellers. My daughter has enjoyed each and every one of hers too! Very well made plus they are environmental and child safe!
Green Toys-Products from Green Toys are made from recycled milk jugs, BPA free, very sturdy, no external coatings and dishwasher safe. They are packaged using only recycled and recyclable materials and printed with soy inks. We can feel good about dishing up meals for our babies or toddlers while helping protect our planet too!
My Take-Please see my Green Toys review.
Eco kids Finger Paints-Powder based exploratory finger paint handmade with natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, beets, carrots, curcumin, purple sweet potato, red cabbage and spinach, flour, cornstarch, wheat paste and earth clay. My toddler and I both love the colors this product comes in. Why? It contains pink :) http://shop.ecokidsusa.com/product/eco-paint
Eco Kids Paste/Glue-Handmade using rice flour, water, sugar, citric acid, corn starch, potassium sorbate, and rosemary oil. Includes an applicator which definitely comes in handy!
O’Bon’s Pencils and Stationary-Pencils made from newspaper which you will find to last longer and write better than wood alternatives. Journals made from sugarcane so you can write on bright white paper without a tree being cut down. Biodegradable pens in a fun design you can finally be excited about. Folders with a wildlife theme. Binders made from recycled cardboard. The list goes on and on.
My Take-Please see my O’Bon review.
HOUSEHOLD
Way Out Wax-Our waxes are 100% natural and biodegradable. They use 100% soy wax in all of our container candles. Their scents come from 100% pure essential oils without any dyes or synthetic fragrance. None of their products contain additives. Plus they care about the earth. Here's their environmental commitment.
My Take-Candles are made from 100% natural and biodegradable soy, not heavily scented to cause my allergies to flare up yet enough to softly fill the air of our living areas! No toxins, no carcinogens, no panic-inducing smells—just fresh, clean and green. Nothing lifts the spirit and soothes the soul quite like the pure aroma derived from a plant's flowers, woods and fruits.
LITTER FREE LUNCH
Need some reasons to go litter free? Why Go Green-Part III is for you! Please take a look around each of the sites I mention. They have many more items to help you take litter free lunch.
REUSEIT-Stainless Steel Straws-made of polished, high-grade stainless steel, making them a higher-quality version of popular disposable bendy straws. They’re so durable, you can toss one in your bag for drinks on-the-go or pack them in your kids’ lunches
My Take-One of the first things you’d think I would have thought to change when we went GREEN but it wasn’t. Only from the lack of not knowing about these is all I can think to say. These are extremely practical and the perfect replacement for our need for disposable straws. I started with four but moved up to 12 so I could offer them to others that came over too.
Eco Lunchboxes- Say goodbye to plastic and paper plates! Plastic-free, lead-free, BPA-free, phthalate-free & waste-free. Perfect for any meal or snack, great for camping and picnics. Holds one main and two side dishes.
Will not retain stains, odors or residues. Is non leaching, unbreakable, and dishwasher safe. 100% high-quality, food-safe stainless steel. Independently tested lead free. Made in India. Comes in two sizes-Regular measures 9 by 7 inches. Large measures 9 by 11 inches.
My Take-We originally had toddler dinnerware made out of melamine but that soon either peeled or cracked. I quickly replaced them with these. They aren't as "fun" but much safer. Our daughter uses hers everyday. Easy to care for and can be safely placed in the dishwasher.
To-GoWare.com- offers stainless steel “tiffin” boxes with two or three compartments that are great for on the go. Their snack tins that come in large and small.
Litter free Reusable Sandwich bags and Snack bags-Eliminate the need for plastic wrap or plastic “ziploc” bags with reusable sandwich wrappers and snack bags. Just to name a few- reuseit.com, snacktaxi.com, re-pacbags, eco lunch gear, 3 Tiny Blessings, and the lucky butterfly.
My Take-All are great! You just need to decide if you prefer one over the other; whether it's the design or the way it's made. When it comes to food storage in the fridge, I prefer the repac for the zipper and because they come in gallon sizes! Other than that they all work well. On the go-eco-lunch gear's bags all fold out making them perfect as a built in place mat. This is especially great for my daughter when she has finger foods etc.
BONUS-being a slight germaphobe I do not care for placing her food on any public table and since I don't use those toss away mats this was a great feature for me. The tissue pouch size is perfect for little hands and smaller snacks. Snack bags that have the velcro all around aren't as easy for my daughter to use but but because the velcro tends to make it harder to keep open while she digs in for her goodies. On the other hand this feature is just fine for me.
Organic Cloth Napkins-Save even more $ and waste by using reusable cloth napkins.
My Take-These or any cloth napkin are just one more thing to add to the list of easy green tips. Depending on how many you have or use, for us at the end of the day or the next, I just toss them in the laundry with whatever is being washed. I do recommend darger colors for children and greasy items so the lighter colors/designs aren't stained as easy. For us that really isn't a big deal but for guests I do plan on purchasing more that are just that-darker in color.
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