Category Archives: Recommendations

Bundle Me

Tonight we walked to an event in extremely cold weather- cold for anywhere, but frigid for Austin, TX…especially when two days ago we were playing outside in 85 degree heat.

It was 36 degrees, windy and kind of sleeting. Having lived in New York City for many winters, I actually enjoyed walking briskly in the cold, totally wrapped from head to toe- complete with my floor length wool coat.

My kids were in a bit of shock. We had them bundled up like crazy- my 5 year old in three layers, a down coat, hat, scarf, gloves and a blanket. My two year old had a snow suit layer, fleece lined jeans, a ski coat, gloves, and was tucked inside the JJ Cole BundleMe. Poor child was actually hot.

I don’t mind the cold when I’m prepared for it, and tonight we were prepared. As we were watching a Texas band play Christmas music, my husband leaned over to me and said that our two year old had become a side show with his blue stroller and sleeping bag. It was true- several people stopped us and told us they liked his “sleeping bag” and wished they were in it.

Stokke Stroller

So whenever lots of people talk about stuff we are using, I have to share.

This information is nothing new to those living in walkable cities in the northeast, as pretty much anyone with a baby has one. I’m talking about the JJ Cole BundleMe. Yes, it looks like a sleeping bag, and it keeps baby (or toddler- I have a BIG two year old who fits in it nicely, with room to spare) super warm and cozy. It fits over car seats and strollers with slots for the straps to easily slip through.

So if you live in a warm climate and you’ll be traveling somewhere cold this winter, this is for you. Or if you live in a cold climate and will soon have your first baby and don’t know what you need to keep baby warm, this is for you too. Or if you lived in Hawaii when you had your first baby and have recently moved to Elizabethtown, KY, and have a newborn and are facing 26 degree weather, this is for you.

Ask Holly, Products, Recommendations

Ask Holly: What is the best Natural Deodorant?

Holly Leave a comment

“You are my organic health guru. What deodorant do you use? Do you use organic? I’m thinking of switching my Mitchum to an organic one, but am weary they will leave me smelling “natural”.

Would love to hear your opinion!!”

Austin, TX

HI!
This is such a great question, and one I hear all the time. There are many reasons to ditch conventional deodorant- here are a few:

According to a review published on PubMed, antiperspirant use can significantly increase absorbed aluminum. In fact, the bioavailability after single underarm antiperspirant application may be up to 0.012%. Since aluminum is widely recognized as a neurotoxin, I don’t want it in my blood stream, period.
Antiperspirants work by closing the pores that release sweat under your arms which blocks one of your body’s routes for detoxification. I like to get rid of toxins any way I can- not trap them inside my body.
Most conventional deodorants contain parabens. Parabens are preservatives which are used in food, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. They are xeno-estrogens which act as estrogen in our bodies. But here’s the info that gets me- An extensive study of women with breast cancer published in the January 2012 issue of the Journal of Applied Technology found up to 5 different types of parabens in nearly 100 percent of all cancerous breast tumors. That says it all. I avoid parabens like the plague. Read labels and don’t use, eat, or consume anything with parabens. Especially methylparaben which was present in the tumors at the highest level.

I have tried MANY natural deodorants, and here are my favorites. They actually work!

LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant

Kiss My Face Liquid Rock Roll-On Deodorant, Fragrance Free, 3 fl oz

I’ve also found that when I use certain soaps in the shower they cause my deodorant to, ahem, not work as well. So I stick to a mild bar soap, and my favorite is the Weleda Calendula Soap. This soap is actually for babies, but I love using my baby’s products!

Products, Recommendations

It’s Been a Big Week!

Holly 2 Comments

We have had an exciting few days around here…

We took the training wheels off of my 4 year old’s bike, and he climbed up on it and just started riding. As if he’d been riding it without training wheels his whole life. We were absolutely amazed, and by the end of the hour he was doing various “tricks” such as standing up while pedaling, spinning out, and creating skid marks. I had no idea it would be so easy, but this proves the theory that the balance bike is the best way to teach kids how to ride a bicycle.

As for my baby (who turned 2 in June) he is now potty trained! That also happened in a matter of days, and was his idea. One day a couple of weeks ago he simply refused to wear diapers- probably because of how uncomfortable they are in the unbearable heat. When I say refused, I mean that I even had to sneak a diaper on him after he went to sleep. So, I explained to him that if he wasn’t wearing a diaper he had to use the potty, and lo and behold, he got it! I didn’t think he was ready, but he knew he was. He woke up 3 mornings in a row with a dry (snuck-on) diaper, so he now sleeps in underwear. I have 5 packages of unused diapers that are so cute it’s hard not to want to use them.

We’ve entered a new era.

Products, Reviews

New Mama Toolkit- Sponsored Post

Holly

The first few weeks post partum are bliss, unconditional love, joy, wonder, and awe combined with exhaustion, anxiety and discomfort.The reason behind the bliss, love and joy needs no explanation, but as for the others:

Exhaustion due to recovering from giving birth, the constant demands of new tiny human and the infamous sleepless nights-I remember my mom saying, “Don’t worry, he’ll start sleeping better in about four months.” What? Did I really have it in me to make it four more months without sleeping through the night? Yet somehow we all adapt and discover how much we actually can function on no sleep. Here I am almost five years after the birth of my first child, and I have not had a full 8 hours straight since then.

Anxiety because I wondered if I was doing everything right or if I was doing anything right. Where was this supposed maternal instinct? And then I was constantly watching to make sure the baby was breathing…every time he was asleep- also a contributing factor to my exhaustion- and I still find myself doing it!

Discomfort from nine months of a changing, stretching, growing body, going into labor, giving birth, learning how to breastfeed a new creature, and the hormone surges and dips that can lead to sluggish bowels.

So I’ve created a New Mama Toolkit- things to have on hand at the hospital and for the first few weeks at home that can help alleviate some of these discomforts.

A great breastfeeding pillow that can double as a body pillow- one you can put behind your back, between your legs, or even to prop up your own head. Then, when the baby comes, you’re prepared with a pillow you can nurse him on. This will take some of the strain off of your already aching body.

A comfortable nightgown and robe- one that makes you feel good. I chose black so I didn’t have to worry about any possible stains.

Nipple cream, booby tubes, cabbage leaves, a water bottle and a supportive nursing bra to prevent any possible issues with breastfeeding.

As for the constipation, I try to do everything as naturally as I can, and there are ways to relieve constipation during pregnancy and after delivery through nutrition. However I will gladly integrate conventional medicine whenever going the natural route just doesn’t work. (Integrative Mom!)

A few things you can do for sluggish bowels-

1) Take short walks as soon as you can- any movement will help get the bowels moving

2) Eat foods high in fiber

3)Drink plenty of fluids

4) Ask your doctor about taking a stool softener (Absolutely imperative if you are pregnant or breast feeding) a great one to try is DulcoEase® Pink™

DulcoEase® Pink™ Stool Softener contains the #1 OB/GYN recommended stool softener ingredient* ducosate sodium. It Prevents and Relieves constipation, is stimulant free, and provides comfortable relief within 12-72 hours.

If you are interested in trying it, click here for $1.50 off a box.

Every new mother’s toolkit should include DulcoEase® Pink™, the #1 OB/GYN recommended ingredient* for going #2. So if you are pregnant or breast feeding, ask your doctor if you should think Pink. Find savings on DulcoEase® Pink™ at www.MomsTalkDulcoEase.com!

*Among stool softener ingredients

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of DulcoEase® Pink™. The opinions and text are all mine.

Recommendations

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Holly Leave a comment

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy’s the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother’s first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

-William Ross Wallace