Category Archives: Products

What Should I Take To The Hospital?

“I love your post on having a baby in the hospital naturally. I will be having my first baby in about a month and would love to hear your suggestions on what I should take in my birth bag. Thank you!”

Anna J

Hi Anna- thanks for the question. The post you are referencing is How To Have a Natural Childbirth in a Hospital. It can be done! I’ve done it twice. And yes, it’s a good idea to be prepared with a well stocked birth bag!

Here is a list of things to have in your birth bag:

1. A music player and a great playlist. This was SO important to me and got me through some tough moments. It is now such a joy to remember the songs that were playing when each of my babies was born. My playlist had empowering songs, some hard rock, lots of Hawaiian, Willie Nelson, hymns, classical music, singer/songwriter, you name it. I can not recommend this enough! And now with all of the great wireless speakers on the market, it will be super convenient. We love this Jam Box.

2.Organic Preggie Pop Drops, lollipops, gum, etc. I found I needed a variety of these with my first baby.

3. Lavender essential oil- lavender dulls and eases uterine pain, increases the strength of contractions and has an incredible calming effect.

4. Rescue Remedy . I used this with my second baby, and I was so calm while I was in labor. Even during transition. It was pretty unexpected, but I welcomed the feeling!

5. Organic Lip Balm- Important! Labor makes lips chapped!

6. Hair ties or a head band. Just be prepared to want your hair out of your face pronto. I went with about 10.

7. Socks. My feet got super cold during labor and delivery. Though I must not have been wearing any socks during my second baby’s birth, because I still remember the delivery nurse complimenting me on my pedicure. The color was Meet Me On the Star Ferry by OPI (I love that OPI has take the top three toxic chemicals out of their polish!)

8.Nursing pillow. Mine is organic, and I’m convinced it is the best one on the market. I used this to get comfortable during labor, and then when I had my baby I used it immediately to position him during breastfeeding. Since it is all organic with no fire retardant chemicals I felt comfortable putting my brand new baby on it, AND I had laundered the case in safe, non-toxic laundry detergent!

9. Organic and Natural baby products to use on the baby for his or her first bath. I’m not sure what the hospital uses, but I can be pretty sure it’s not the first chemical I want touching my sweet baby’s new skin. The nurse at the NYC hospital where I delivered my firstborn cackled with delight that I had my own baby shampoo, lotion and oil. She said in her 22 years as a baby nurse, this was the first time she’d been requested to use specific products. I’m sure it’s become more common in the last 5 years.

10. Nipple Cream. Breastfeeding a new baby hurts. A lot. It gets better (to the point where you won’t feel a thing) but in the first few days, use this!

11. Nightgown and robe. I did not want to have to wear those awful hospital gowns for my whole stay, so I bought a black nightgown and robe one size larger than my usual size and wore that.

12. Middle of the night snacks- Unless you want to eat the graham crackers the hospital supplies (the ones they gave me had trans fat in them, which I know passes into breast milk so I couldn’t eat them.) I had trail mix, dark chocolate, and a variety of whole food bars.

13. Hot water bottle- the old fashioned kind. It comes in useful for lower back pain during labor. I also used it to warm up the baby’s bed before laying him in it, so he wouldn’t be shocked by cold sheets. Put it where he will lay for about 5 minutes, then remove it before laying him down (obviously.)

14. Toiletries and cosmetics- you’ll want your own shampoo, conditioner, body wash and razor. Especially if you have to share a shower with another new mom like I did in New York City. Side note- that first shower is amazing. Don’t forget your make-up: think visitors, photos, etc.

15. Slippers- (what non-Hawaiians call flip-flops). Very important for walking around the hospital floor- especially after that first shower!

16. Nursing bra- I have a few favorites. Check out Japanese Weekend, La Leche League Wrap ‘N Snap Nursing Bra and Elle Macpherson.

17. Clothes for the ride home for you and baby. I prefer anything in a kimono style for baby, as putting clothes over their little heads was terrifying to me in those early days. Try KicKee Pants or Kate Quinn Organics

What have I missed?

Products, Recommendations

Holiday Shopping Guide For Kids ages 0-5

Holly Leave a comment

Looking for something fun, eco friendly, safe, non-toxic or just different for your little one? We have a 5 year old and a 2 year old, and here is a list of some of their favorite things.

All the items on this list are eco-friendly and non-toxic toys, or they promote active or educational play.

These make great gifts for both boys and girls:

Age 3 months+

We LOVE these Indestructible books that don’t scratch the baby when he chews on the pages!

Indestructibles: Baby Faces

These amber teething necklaces really worked for our boys. Amber is a fossilized resin that contains a powerful antioxidant and analgesic called succinic acid. When the amber lies against your baby’s skin, his body heat will warm the fossilized resin and allow the release of the healing and pain-relieving properties. Plus, they are totally cute!

Certified Baltic Amber Baby Teething Necklace w/The Art of CureTM Jewelry Pouch

Sophie was peeking out of our 3 month old’s stocking on his first Christmas.

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether

The green beans were my baby’s favorite.

Under the Nile Organic Cotton Veggies in a Crate

Age 1+

Kids as young as one love these blocks, and my husband enjoys playing with them too. I love gifts that keep their interest for YEARS!

Tegu Tints Pocket Pouch 8 Piece

This was a one year old birthday gift in my house, and both of our boys have loved playing with it:

City Beads

How cute is this truck? We’ve had one for 4 years, and it’s still a big hit.

Green Toys Recycling Truck

Age 2-4

This balance bike is one of the best things we own. Transitioning from it to a regular pedaled bike (no training wheels) was as easy as putting our 4 year old son on the bike. Our 2 year old has been riding it since about 22 months, and LOVES it.

Classic Balance Bike

My son was 10 months old when he hopped on his brother’s scooter for the first time. He was thrilled when he got his very own for his 2nd birthday. We love these scooters- they are also great for big cities (and travel to big cities!) as it helps the little ones keep up with our long strides. Then when they get tired, you just let them stand on the scooter as you pull them along. Genius. And super fun!

Mini Kick Scooter – Red

Who doesn’t love a tool box?

Work Bench ‘N Box

I have had countless cups of tea and bowls of soup and platefuls of cookies from this set. I love the gender neutral color, and that they are made out of recycled milk cartons!

Green Toys Cookware and Dining Set

Happy Shopping!

Products, Recommendations

Bundle Me

Holly Leave a comment

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.