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Review ~ Squid Balm

Posted by Professor on July 31, 2011
in All Natural Products, Baby Products, Eco Friendly Products, Family Stuff, Gift Ideas, Handmade Items, Health and Nutrition, Organic, Personal Care Products, Products for Dad, Products for Mom

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

Squid Balm

A Vast Variety of Vegan beauty goodies….

Vegan products that are Nut-free, Bee0free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free.

These products are great for sensitive skin types!

Solid product means Squid Balm is TSA friendly as well as eco-friendly.

There is a myriad of choices on Squid Balms Website ranging from skin and body car to hair care! The products are scented or unscented…something to suit everyone’s taste!

OUR REVIEW:

We received the following products:

UNSCENTED ~ Squid Balm Solid Lotion Bar

UNSCENTED ~ Handcrafted Cold Pressed Avacado Oil Soap

UNSCENTED ~ Squid Silk Solid Conditioner Bar

Squis Squeak Solid Shampoo Bar ~ PURE

Gentle Oil Cleanser ~ For Normal Skin

This is such a wonderful product! I must say that I sought them out for my daughter who is 2 and has severe Eczema on her little body. I am tired of using steroid creams and was searching for a natural alternative when I found Squid Balm. I opted for the phytoestrogen (plant estrogens) free option that Squid balm offers…so I must say I cannot comment on the scented line of this product. The phytoestrogen free products are also free of xenoestrogens (synthetic chemicals that can mimic estrogen in the body), fragrance free, phthalate free, nut free, gluten free, and paraben free. I opted for this option because of the Eczema and anything that a product can eliminate to suppress flare-ups is a plus in my book! However, with that said…this product is so wonderful that their scented line can only enhance the “awesomeness” of Squid Balm!

On to my review…

Theese were all AWESOME products for my daughter with sensitive skin. She did not have an Eczema flare up while using this product. It actually helped to clear up the Eczema. I was extremely surprised to see how well she took to the product. Often creams (even sensitive, fragrance free) creams irritate her skin…causing it to “burn” as she says when applied. Squid Balm DOES NOT burn or irritate the skin…in fact she liked the lotion bar so much she carries it around putting the cream on herself. This is such a relief to a mother who used to have to hold her daughter down to apply cream! All of the products were great for her little skin… I liked the shampoo bar because it too was easy to apply and since she was already used to Mr. Squiddy (as we affectionately call the solid lotion bar because of the cute logo) she was not apprehensive about letting me wash her hair as she usually is with the commercial shampoo I was using.

The only thing I did not try out on my daughter was the Gentle Facial cleanser (I saved that one for myself!) the cleanser is nice and smooth and does a great job! In fact I like it more than the cleanser I was using previously! The only thing I wish is that the bottle I was given included a pump…I received the 1 oz size which does not come with a pump. I would imagine that a pump dispenser would be much easier to use with the product and cause less waste! I must also admit that I swiped the conditioner bar for myself (my 2 year old does fine with just shampoo and no conditioner) I am currently using this in lieu of shave gel…let me tell you this is by far the BEST thing I have used for shaving! The conditioner bar has many used from traditional conditioner to styling crème…but I liked it best as a shave lotion.

All in all these products are truly AWESOME! I am so glad I have found Squid Balm for myself and my daughter…we will use this product for years to come!

To find out more about Squid Balm and to order please visit:

http://squidbalm.com/index.html or look them up on facebook or twitter!

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Organic Cotton Socks from Ecoland

Posted by Theresa, Owner on May 28, 2011
in Eco Friendly Products, Organic

The economy in the U.S. is still not so great. We learned a couple of weeks ago that an old friend has lost his job, which he has had for many years. From my understanding most of the layoffs in the past few years at this company have been due to outsourcing work overseas. I love the fair trade model of business that supports global communities, at the same time I love American (and Canadian! since I am Canadian) based businesses who are committed to manufacturing their products here to support our local economy. This is where buy local is important if we want to create and maintain jobs here at home.

About Ecoland

Ecoland is one of those companies who make USA brand undergarments for the whole family. There are no dyes, no tags and they use organic cotton. They are a California based company with a socially conscious heart. Read more…

We received three pairs of their just launched organic cotton youth socks for our oldest son to review. I just read the tag from the socks again and it says they are Organic Cotton Certified in Taiwan. The socks are made here but the cotton is bought from Taiwan.

Our Review

If you have never touched organic cotton, you have to. It is very soft and this is true of these socks. They are as the picture shows: white and natural, with the heels and toes being natural making it easier for younger children to put their socks on correctly. These socks are not 100% organic cotton, but rather 72% organic cotton, 22% nylon, 2% spandex.

The socks wash up nicely and are even softer after washing. I have not noticed any pilling and they fit according to the sizes indicated on Ecoland’s website.

Our son really likes these socks. I am not crazy over white, especially for my boys because they get dirty so easily. Well, I suppose most children do. If these were all natural in color I think they would make better play socks. As it is, we struggle to get the boys to keep at least a pair or two nice for church and going out. Our son even let his sister wear them and she likes the feel and wear of these socks too.

Since the socks are ankle socks we tested to see how they stood up against shifting down into the shoe and they passed! These are good quality socks.

Ecoland socks are priced at $14.00 for three pairs. To buy, please visit Ecoland’s website.

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Part 2 of 2 of the Lemon, Thyme and Peppermint Series

Posted by Theresa, Owner on May 10, 2011
in Eco Friendly Products, Guest Post, Health, Health & Garden Tuesday, Health and Garden Tuesday, Health and Nutrition

This is the second part of a two part series, the first part was shared last week here. This series contains infomation from Dr. Jean Valnet, MD, the well-known French medical researcher and essential oil expert, which appeared in BIOTECH News. Debra Raybern’s comments are preceded by the initials DR.

Oregano and Other Super Oils

In his book, The Practice of Aromatherapy, Jean Valnet describes how oil of oregano is potent enough to sterilize sewage water! In 1995 Greek researchers at the University of Thessaloniki discovered that a 1/4000 dilution of fresh wild oil of oregano sterilized septic water.

Even in very watered down concentrations oil of oregano has been found to be “extremely bactericidal” in its action against 8 strains of bacteria including E coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus. At Cornell University research has shown it was effective against 30 different germs.

A University of Tennessee study found oil of oregano to be useful against 9 different harmful food borne microbes. In Holland scientists found that carvacrol, one of oregano’s components, did an excellent job in inhibiting food borne Bacillus bacteria.

DR NANCY SNYDERMAN (VO) Noble was experimenting with bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. Staph is a very common bacterium that lives on our skin and generally causes no trouble. But if it gets into the bloodstream, say through a cut or surgery, staph can very quickly damage the heart, lungs, brain, or poison the entire system. Staph is also very easily spread by touch. It’s found on doors, handrails, counter tops, you name it. What made Noble’s strain of staph so extraordinary, so frightening, was that it was resistant to the most potent antibiotic in existence, a drug called vancomycin.

“Oil pressed from oregano leaves that contain the active ingredient carvacrol may be an effective treatment against sometimes drug-resistant bacterial infection. Georgetown University researchers have found that oil of oregano appears to reduce infection “as effectively as traditional antibiotics.” Oil of oregano at relatively low doses was found to be efficacious against Staphylococcus bacteria and was comparable in its germ-killing properties to antibiotic drugs such as streptomycin, penicillin and vancomycin.” [Science Daily 10/11/2001]

The findings were presented by Harry G. Preuss, MD, professor of physicology and biophysics, Georgetown University, at the American College of Nutrition’s annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Super charged essential oils:

1. Oil from thyme: Destroys the anthrax bacillus, the typhoid bacillus, the glanders bacillus, staphylococcus, the diptheria bacillus, meningococcus, and Koch’s.
2. Essence of Lemon: Neutralize the meningococcus, typhus bacillus, pneumococcus, staphylococcus aureus and hemolytic streptococcus. Neutralizes the typhus bacillus, staphylococcus and the diphtheric bacillus
3. BLEND: pine, thyme, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, cloves, cinnamon: Antieptic effect of a blend of essential oils—including pine, thyme, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, cloves and cinnamon was studied in order to test the ability of the oils to purify the air of harmful disease-causing bacteria, and many forms of bacteria —INCLUDING Staphylococcus aureus.
4. Peppermint: Improve mental acuity and alertness, vanquish fatigue, soothe the respiratory system, relieve nausea, fever and vomiting, and quickly put a stop to acid indigestion and heartburn. It kills intestinal parasites, staphylococcus and tuberculosis bacillus. Inhalant for the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis.
5. BLEND: Eucalyptus, clove, lemon cinnamon rosemary: dramatically inhibit the growth of many forms of bacteria—INCLUDING Staphylococcus aureus.
6. Oil of oregano: Potent enough to sterilize sewage water! It is “extremely bactericidal” against 8 strains of bacteria including E Coil, Salmonella and Staphylococcus. Reduces infection “as effectively as traditional antibiotics and exhibited the greatest antibacterial action against common pathogenic germs such as Staph, E. Coil and Listeria.

Debra Raybern, N.D., M.H., C.N.C., I.C.A. (Naturopath, Master Herbalist, Certified Nutrition Counselor, Internationally Certified Aromatherapist) is the founder of Sharing Great Health, Inc. with nearly two decades of personal and professional experience in helping families regain and maintain optimum health through natural health and wellness solutions. We are a part of her downline in our Young Living business.

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Twist’n Pop Easy Drink Straw Cup

Posted by Theresa, Owner on April 16, 2011
in Eco Friendly Products

If you are not familiar with BornFree products you should get to know them! I highly recommend them. They are free of dangerous chemicals such as Bisphenol-A (BPA), Phthalates and PCV. BPA is a known estrogen mimicker that is used in the production of polycarbonate plastic. Remember the huge controversy over safe plastics? Well this is culprit. According to researchers it may cause developmental and neurological problems in our kids. Not good. That is why we have been slowly switching our old products over to the so-called good plastics.

Another important aspect is the venting system that BornFree has designed to reduce colic and middle ear infections. We have not had very much problems with our kids having colic or ear infections, thankfully, but I know for others this has been a struggle.

My Review

We received a Twist’n Pop Easy Drink Straw Cup. It is a toddler cup that holds 14 ounces, has a twist straw mouth with a pop-up soft silicone straw that keeps the straw clean if it falls to the ground. The cup dissembles for easy cleaning. My toddler uses this cup with ease. He loves it and so does his little brother, Go-Go Boy! Go-Go Boy tends to use the straw to gum on – he’s teething and has two big chompers bulging out on top. Once those are through no more gumming the straw!

I love the little grips that are on the side to help prevent slipping from a child’s hands. The straw is durable and it is leak free when it is twist shut. Bonus feature in my book!

This cup comes in four cool colors as shown in the photo above. We received the green one.

Two thumbs up for the new BornFree Twist’n Pop Easy Drink Straw Cup!

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Earth Month Deals

Posted by Theresa, Owner on April 15, 2011
in Deals, Eco Friendly Products

It is Earth Day next week, April 22 and if you have any interest at all in a green lifestyle then you might want to celebrate by checking out some green retailers and their spring deals.

If you are interested in shopping for more green products, you have to check out the products that Gaiam carries. They carry household products, apparel and a lot more.

25% Off Sale at Gaiam

Gaiam’s Green Sale! Save 25% off all-natural Bedding Basics: comforters, pillows and mattress pads. Hurry, inventory is limited – sale ends 4.15.11

Organic Gardening Magazine

I love reading about organic gardening and keep adding to my collection.

Organic Gardening Magazine Exclusive Offer: SAVE 50% + FREE Trial Issue + FREE Recipes! *Official Site*

Organic Baby Sleepers

Organic cotton is so soft. We love it (on the few items we own) and have found a local supplier for t-shirts for our farm – Made in the USA even. It has been a while since we purchased anything from Hanna Andersson, but the dresses we bought back in 2003 held up very nicely and I even still have mine. Granted it only gets worn when I have not been nursing, but still it is in excellent condition. So be sure to check out this deal:

Hanna Andersson Organic Cotton Baby Sleepers Now Only $25!

FREE Shipping Deals

For the month of April only in honor of Earth Day, The Ultimate Green Store is offering FREE GROUND SHIPPING for all orders over $50 w/code: EARTHDAY.

They are also launching LIVESTRONG SUNSCREEN (also known as THINKSPORT LIVESTRONG SUNSCREEN). This safe sunscreen is great for athletes and everyone in the family. Saled help to support Lance Armstrong’s LIVRSTRONG’s brand’s fight against cancer. You can offer 10% OFF all orders w/ code LIVESTRONG.

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Let’s Do Lunch

Posted by Theresa, Owner on April 12, 2011
in Eco Friendly Products, Food and Treats

This was a cool video done by Kelly Lester, of EasyLunchBoxes.com and celebrity guest, Sam Harris, thought it was worth sharing since we really like the EasyLunchboxes!

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Eco Tip

Posted by Theresa, Owner on April 12, 2011
in Eco Friendly Products, Tuesday Tip

Reuse!! There are several websites to help with this:

Ebay
Freecycle.org
Barter Bee
Recyclers World
Throwplace.com

Just to name a few:)

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ClosedHow To Get Kids Involved in Going Green: Week 1 of Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive & Giveaway

Posted by Theresa, Owner on April 11, 2011
in All Natural Products, Eco Friendly Products, Giveaways

Congratulations to Karen! You won this giveaway! Comment # 12 chosen by Random.org

Thanks to all who entered and to Scott Naturals and TheMotherhood. for sponsoring this great giveaway!

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Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review and is being compensated by Scott Naturals and TheMotherhood. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review and compensation, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

How To Get Kids Involved in Going Green

I am sure some parents are at a loss or have battles in knowing how to get kids involved in going green, but it’s been the opposite for our family. We have been on a healthy living journey probably since our first child was born – a natural progression of how our family lives. It certainly has been to our advantage to have some of our children “chemically sensitive”, because of that all of our children who read are or are becoming avid label readers. They want to know what is in the food they eat and the products they use on their body. We have taught them to read labels to learn these things.

Leading by example is the most important aspect of getting kids involved in a green lifestyle. If we are practicing what we “preach” and are not dictators in our approach, I think kids naturally gravitate towards what their parents are doing. This may not happen for everyone or every child, but it has been our experience so far, thankfully. And yes, I know our kids are still young, but I hope it continues.

Exposing kids to green fairs and expos are another great way to get them acquainted with becoming environmentally friendly. We have attended several over the past year. These fairs and expos not only have interactive vendor booths where they can ride a bicycle, which in turn causes light bulbs to go on, there are recycling demonstrations, worm composting and planting your own seeds etc. Then there is the literature to be picked up and read and guest speakers to share their knowledge of living green.

Buy and use eco-friendly products at home. This is right up there with leading by example. Children gain an appreciation for safe products that do not make them sick. Some of our children will refuse to use products with “no-no” or “bad” ingredients in them because they have been educated about the affects they can cause.

Garden with them. Teaching kids about organic gardening, not only educates them on where their food comes from but also shows them food can be grown without harmful chemicals. And ultimately encourages them to eat healthy organic produce because they planted it themselves! Our children love growing our food. The whole process is exciting to them and harvesting (eating!) is the icing on the cake so to speak.

Practice recycling and what it means. It is one thing to own a recycling bin and recycle, it is quite another to explain to children why we do it. Teach children that trash goes into landfills and that we do not want so much garbage buried in the ground. We teach recycling and reusing preserves our earth’s resources and makes us good stewards of the land God has given us and eliminates the amount of trash going to landfills. Give children a reason for wanting to recycle.

Read books about green living. I do not remember owning or reading any books about green living as a kid, but there are plenty at our local library. If you homeschool, do a unit study on how to be good stewards of the land God has blessed us with. If your kids attend public school, they will probably do something this month for Earth Day on April 22, so get a couple of books to read at home to go along with your child’s lessons at school.

Remember an involved parent is a precious thing, so attend that green fair they are having in your community and plan an Earth Day celebration at home according to your own belief system. It is not hard to implement these things and the greatest part is not just getting your child involved in going green, but that you are spending quality time together as a family.

Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive & Giveaway

This ~~week,~~ or month rather, we are doing things a little different due to a blog campaign we are participating in. We are hosting our giveaways on Monday and not Friday and they will last for one week. Each week ONE winner will be chosen to receive one of these Scott Naturals Kits:

A 12 pack of toilet paper, a 6 pack of paper towel, a package of napkins and flushable moist wipes. Cool, eh? Yeah, we thought so too!

You may also choose to participate in the Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive between now and September 30 and enter to win a Ford Fusion hybrid car! Once you pledge to take the 4-Week Test Drive, coupons for each product are available -http://www.scottbrand.com/community/savings/scott

Scott’s Press Release says:

According to a recent poll, one third of consumers believe eco-friendly products don’t work as well as “regular” ones. That’s why Scott Naturals is on a mission to get people to rethink their notion of environmentally friendly products. As the world’s first line of “hybrid” paper products, including bath tissue, paper towels, flushable moist wipes and napkins, the Scott Naturals brand combines the green benefits of recycled fiber with the quality people want, making it easy to take a green step forward. If every American pledged to use Scott Naturals for four weeks, it would save two million trees. Starting on April 4, as part of the “Take the 4-Week Test Drive Sweepstakes,” Scott Naturals began challenging Americans to test out its line of hybrid paper products for four weeks and enter for a chance to win a new hybrid sedan.

Eco Fact: If every person that updated their Facebook status this week took the 4-Week Test Drive there’d be 1,744,400 trees saved.

Our Review of Scott Naturals Toilet Paper

The toilet paper has lined ridges and has a rather rough feel to it. Ok, I have to be completely honest here and admit that our family has tender tushies. Let’s just say our tushies are use to a certain softness element was missing from Scott Naturals bathroom was anything but tissue. Scott Naturals toilet paper is rough and stiff. Not like our usual brand at all. The three older members of our family complained about it from the start, the younger crew….well….did not say much at all. The two middle girls stated they liked it and thought it was nice….maybe I should ask them while they are on the potty next time not at bedtime when they are giddy school girls? No, but seriously the toilet paper leaves much to be desired and that is our humble opinion on the first product of our 4-Week Test Drive. (It gets better from here! I did the worst first. )

Enter to win a Scott Naturals paper products!

Mandatory Entry: Tell me which products you want to try the most from Scott!

Extra Entries (Please be sure and leave a comment and link for extra entries):

1 Entry:Follow Faith and Family Reviews On Twitter

1 Entry:Like/Friend Faith and Family Reviews on Facebook.

1 Entry: Like Scott Naturals on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall saying- Faith and Family Reviews sent me.

2 Entries: Follow Faith and Family Reviews on Google Friend Connect (on the our right side bar).

2 Entries: Tweet about this giveaway. Up to three tweets per day. Include a separate comment for each and your tweet url with your comment. You may write your own tweet or use this one:

Giveaway: Enter to win #ScottNaturals paper products! http://bit.ly/ggOx8R @faithfamilyrevw! Please share! Thx!

5 Entries: Blog about this giveaway and link back this post.

1 Entry: For every comment you leave anywhere else on this blog, but please leave a link with your comment!

Details:

This giveaway will run from April 11th, 2011 to April 17th, 2011 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Scott will send one winner their prize. Winner will be contacted via email on or before April 20th, 2011 and will be asked for their contact and other pertinent info. Winners will have 48 hours to send me their e-mail at [ffr] [giveaways] [at] [gmail] [dot] [com] (without spaces and parenthesis). Please note: This giveaway is offered to USA only.

As part of this project, Scott Naturals will be making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation, so please help spread the word!

Thanks and have fun!

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A-Peeling Reuse

Posted by Brande on April 5, 2011
in All Natural Products, Articles, Books, Eco Friendly Products, Health, Health & Garden Tuesday, Organic, Saving Money

Leaving the grocery store the other day I picked up a free magazine called Natural Awakenings (March 2011) Edition. I found this article – “A-Peeling Reuse” by Jeff Yeager. It goes onto say…

“A rind is a terrible thing to waste,” says Jeff Yeager, who refers to himself as the ultimate cheapskate. Yeager has discovered multiple uses for produce rinds and ways to extract extended benefits before they land in the compost pile. Here are a few of his favorites, shared with us during a recent interview:

Cornhusks – Wrap fish and other seafood in fresh, dampened, sweet corn husks to grill and serve in husks.

Olive oil infusions – Add citrus peels to olive oil for flavor and to reinvigorate oil that’s getting old.

Savory Chicken – Stuff all kinds of fruit and veggie peels, inside a free-range chicken before roasting to give it extra flavor. Trimmings from onions, celery, citrus, apples garlic, etc., can be stuffed in the chicken cavity or sprinkled around the roasting pan. Once baked, the trimmings break down faster in the compost pile.

Hair Dye – Boil potato peels in water for about a half-hour, strain and let cool. Rinsing hair with this water after shampooig will gradually darken grey hair without any synthetic chemicals.

Shoeshine – Put a “split-shine” on leather shoes by polishing them with the slippery side of a banana peel.

Metal Polish – Lemon, lime, and other citrus rinds and pulp/juice are high in citric acid, which makes them great for polishing brass, cooper and other non-ferrous metals. Sprinkle on a little baking soda to hasten polishing (Ketchup works, too).

Seedling Pots – Scooped-out avocado shells make perfect biodegradable pots to start garden seedlings.

Note: Always thoroughly wash the rinds of produce that will be eaten or come into contact with food, even if it is organically grown.

Jeff Yeager is the author of The Cheapskate Next Door and The Ultimate Cheapskate’s road Map to True Riches.”

I went to Yeager’s website at www.ultimatecheapstake.com, and he’s really got great ideas. There’s one for egg shells, perfect since Easter is coming.

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Dye Job – Easter’s Coming!

Posted by Brande on March 28, 2011
in All Natural Products, Articles, Eco Friendly Products, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Holidays, Seasonal Stuff

I was looking at my Food Network Magazine(April 2011) and found on page 115 a great way to dye Easter eggs with stuff you may have at home. The article goes onto say…

“This year’s egg-dyeing kit might already be in your pantry: We tried dyeing eggs with ingredients we had on hand – candy, spices, fruit – and ended up with this amazingly colorful half dozen. To make your own, boil 2 cups of water with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, add your “dye” (12 Now and Later candies, one 7-ounce box of Red Hots, 1 tablespoon Jell-O or Kool-Aid, 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries or 2 tablespoons turmeric) and simmer 15 minutes; strain into a mug for dyeing. Experiment with ingredients in your own kitchen: If it’s something that stains your clothes, chances are it’ll work wonders on an egg!”

I made 2 different dyes on Saturday. One blueberry (on the left) and the other to the right is mixed berries (strawberry, raspberry, & blueberries). Here’s the proof….

It works! I left them in the dye for about 20 minutes. They are lighter than the packaged dyes you will get at the store, but at least you know the ingredients in these dyes! I was thinking about maybe trying beets. What are your ideas?

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