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Eco-Friendly Diapering with Pura: A Tiny Green Mom’s Guide

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As parents, we all want the best for our little ones, and that includes choosing products that are safe for their delicate skin and gentle on the planet. We were thrilled to receive a box of Pura Diapers and Wipes to check out for our youngest son, who is still potty training.

Pura offers a range of chlorine-free diapers and wipes for varying ages & stages that align perfectly with the values of Tiny Green Mom readers. Their baby diapers are made from organic cotton and are free from toxins, fragrances, and allergens, ensuring up to 12 hours of leak-free protection. The diapers are also Allergy UK certified and EWG verified, making them ideal for sensitive, newborn, and eczema-prone skin. By choosing Pura’s eco-friendly diapers, you are not only protecting your little one’s health but also contributing to the reduction of harmful chemicals in our environment.

Pura’s baby wipes are another standout product, crafted with 99% water and organic aloe vera. These wipes are 100% plastic-free, plant-based, and EWG verified, ensuring they are safe for even the most sensitive skin. The wipes are also free from alcohol, parabens, and chlorine, making them perfect for cleaning up messes without causing irritation. Plus, their flushable toddler wipes are great for potty training, offering a sustainable solution for parents looking to reduce their environmental footprint. Choosing Pura wipes means you’re using biodegradable products, which significantly lowers the volume of waste in landfills and reduces your family’s carbon footprint.

For added convenience, Pura offers diaper pants with a 360° stretchy waistband, making them easy to pull up and down. We really love these for our youngest son who is working on potty training as he can easily take them off. These diaper pants are also made from organic cotton and are free from toxins and fragrances, providing a comfortable and secure fit for your baby or toddler. The recyclable paper packaging further emphasizes Pura’s commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic waste. By using Pura’s diaper pants, you are supporting the reduction of plastic pollution and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle for your family.

Choosing Pura means you’re not only providing the best care for your baby but also contributing to a healthier planet. Their products are sustainably made, vegan, and cruelty-free, ensuring that every choice you make is a step towards a greener future. By opting for Pura’s chlorine-free diapers and wipes, you can feel confident that you’re making a positive impact on both your baby’s health and the environment. Embracing Pura’s eco-friendly products is a testament to your commitment to a sustainable lifestyle, encouraging other parents to follow suit in creating a safer, cleaner world for our children.

You can find Pura online on their website, as well as on Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

If you need more potty-training favorites that we have used with all 4 of our children through the years, visit Tiny Green Mom’s Amazon page.

About the Author

Ms. Johnson is a Mom of 4, a Seasoned Freelance Journalist, Publicist and Lifestyle Expert with a career spanning almost 20 years in the industry. She is passionate about fitness, health and wellness. She has written her own website, Tiny Green Mom, since 2010, which highlights parenting and all things ‘green,’ from tips on living a healthier lifestyle to the latest eco-friendly products for the entire family.

As a Freelance Journalist, Ms. Johnson has written for a multitude of publications, including Medium, SheKnows.com, Tiny Beans, and more! In addition, she can be found on TV stations across the country as a Lifestyle Expert, speaking about all of her favorite brands and companies. 

You can follow her on Instagram and X at @TinyGreenMom.

*Companies generously gifted samples and images for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

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Fun & Eco-Friendly Snow Day Activities for Kids

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When the snow blankets the ground and schools close their doors, it’s time for a day of snowy fun!

Here are three engaging and eco-friendly activities and experiments that will keep children entertained while teaching them about the environment.

Snow Science Experiment: Melting Rates This simple yet fascinating experiment can teach kids about the effects of different materials on the melting rate of snow.

What you need: Snow, various containers (metal, plastic, glass), a stopwatch or timer, and a measuring cup.

What to do: Fill each container with the same amount of snow and place them in different locations (sunny spot, shade, etc.). Have the kids guess which snow will melt the fastest. Start the timer and periodically check the snow, measuring the water as it melts. This activity teaches children about insulation and how different materials and conditions affect the environment.

Snow Sculptures with Natural Decorations Encourage kids to use their creativity and build snow sculptures adorned with natural decorations found in the yard.

What you need: Snow, twigs, leaves, pinecones, berries, and other natural items.

What to do: Have the kids build snow sculptures such as animals, snowmen, or imaginary creatures. Then, let them decorate their creations using the natural items they collected. This activity promotes creativity and teaches children about the importance of using natural, eco-friendly materials.

Snow Painting with Natural Dyes Combine art and nature by using natural dyes to paint the snow.

What you need: Snow, spray bottles, natural dyes (made from items like beet juice, spinach, turmeric, etc.), water.

What to do: Mix the natural dyes with water and fill the spray bottles. Let the kids spray the snow to create colorful designs and patterns. This activity encourages kids to explore the beauty of nature and learn about eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes.

These eco-friendly activities and experiments provide hours of entertainment while teaching children about the environment and the beauty of nature. Next snow day, try these fun ideas and watch your kids’ creativity and curiosity flourish!

About the Author

Ms. Johnson is a Mom of 4, a Seasoned Freelance Journalist, Publicist and Lifestyle Expert with a career spanning almost 20 years in the industry. She is passionate about fitness, health and wellness. She has written her own website, Tiny Green Mom, since 2010, which highlights parenting and all things ‘green,’ from tips on living a healthier lifestyle to the latest eco-friendly products for the entire family.

As a Freelance Journalist, Ms. Johnson has written for a multitude of publications, including Medium, SheKnows.com, Tiny Beans, and more! In addition, she can be found on TV stations across the country as a Lifestyle Expert, speaking about all of her favorite brands and companies. 

You can follow her on Instagram and X at @TinyGreenMom.

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3 Tips on Keeping Mosquitoes Away Naturally

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It is the height of summer here in Florida, and the mosquitoes are out in full force! At dusk, they seem to hover near our patio door, patiently waiting for anyone who opens the door to step outside! My little guy seems to be their biggest target… his sweet, 2 year old skin seems to be their favorite and tiny mosquito bites appear like chicken pox the second he is outside for more than 2 minutes at that time of day!

To keep those pesky mosquitoes away naturally, I have compiled a list of 3 tips and tricks that we use around our home. I don’t like to spray my children or myself with DEET-based repellents, so have found other, less toxic ways to combat the problem. Here are a few of our favorites!

3 Tips on Keeping Mosquitoes Away Naturally

sand toys image

Eliminate Standing Water Sources

Mosquitoes breed in water, and with heavy rains in FL in the summer, this makes for a terrible combination! If at all possible, drain areas that fill up quickly. Any toys & other items, such as plastic buckets, small wading pools, wagons, etc. should be dumped out at the end of the day after playing so as not to create the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Yes, those sand box & water play table toys are the ideal place for mosquitoes to breed, so remember to dump them out and cover the table or sand box at the end of the day!

Brittanies Thyme Bug Spray

Apply (and Reapply!) a DEET-Free Insect Repellent

Brittanie’s Thyme offers a safe, effective organic bug spray that is derived from essential oils, not toxic chemicals. The Organic Bug Spray provides floral & woodsy scents that create a pleasing aroma for people, yet the bugs hate it! Brittanie’s Thyme does not contain citronella, and will not stain your clothes. They recommend not spraying the bug spray directly on the skin of babies and toddlers under 2 years old. Instead, spray your child’s clothing, stroller, blankets or grass area around them.

white socks

Dress Appropriately

We know it’s hot, but wearing light colored, long-sleeved pants & tops will deter mosquitoes from those areas of your body! Mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing, so white or other lightly colored clothing are an optimal choice when planning to spend time outdoors hiking, playing and more! In addition, mosquitoes love feet, so opt for socks and shoes whenever possible!

*Brittanie’s Thyme provided samples for review for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

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Tips for Preparing your Trees and Shrubs for the Winter

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Tips for Preparing your Trees and Shrubs for the Winter

Once Labor Day gets here, the summer’s over right? Many gardeners sort of get comatose when it comes to gardening chores in the fall. There’s always something else to do, the days are getting shorter and the night are getting cooler.

This is the time that you should be thinking about getting your landscape in order and preparing your trees and shrubs for the winter. A little work now will reward you next year when your trees and shrubs burst back to life.

Here are some tips for preparing your trees and shrubs for the winter:

Keep up the watering. Even though precipitation usually increases in the fall, make sure that your plantings get adequate water. They should get watering equivalent to an inch of rain up until the ground freezes.

If you are going to fertilize your shrubs, do so in late August to early September to avoid new growth going into the winter months. New growth will not be able to harden off before winter and will be more susceptible to winter kill.

Young or thin-barked trees should be wrapped to prevent sun scald or cracking of the bark. A light colored tree wrap is preferable to a darker one as it will reflect the sun’s heat better. Be sure to remove the wrap in the spring as soon as the weather starts warming up.

Protect young trees from animal damage by placing a hardware cloth collar around the base of the tree. Try to get it into the soil an inch or two and be sure it extends a foot or two above the ground (or the deepest that you expect snow). Again, be sure to remove this protection in the spring.

Mulch around the base of your trees and shrubs but keep from placing the mulch against the trunk itself.
If your evergreens are in an area that is exposed to de-icing materials such as salt, consider wrapping them with a burlap enclosure. Make sure that the burlap does not touch the branches of the tree. The use of de-icing chemicals other than rock salt such as calcium chloride will help prevent salt damage.

The fall is the perfect time to transplant trees and shrubs. Follow the above recommendations for protecting them from the cold. The plants are going into their dormant period and the increased moisture will help them get established. There are also great buys to be had at the garden centers this time of year if you are looking to add to your landscape.

The use of anti-desiccant sprays will help to protect your evergreens from the winter weather. These products form a film that helps to alleviate the drying effects of winter winds. Be sure to follow the label instructions.

Following these tips will help to bring your landscape plantings through the winter healthier and ready to provide you with another year of beauty next spring.

About the Author

Neal Klabunde and his wife Catherine live in North Eastern Ohio and are avid gardeners. They are the owners of Gardening at the Crossroads – a gardening website that covers all aspects of gardening and for the beginning as well as experienced gardener.

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net *

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