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Elements Naturals® Compostable Diapers and Wipes

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You hear the staggering statistics on how many disposable diapers are thrown away per baby, per year, but rarely do the many wipes it takes to clean baby’s bottom get a mention, and yet, they get thrown away, as well! Addressing this issue head-on is Elements Naturals, who has developed the country’s first compostable, plant based baby wipes! Whether you choose to toss them in with your trash or compost the “wet” ones, you are making an environmentally-conscious decision to care for Mother Earth each and every time you use a wipe to clean your baby’s tushie or toddler’s hands and face! “Mom” found the Elements Naturals wipes to be extremely plush and soft, unlike some of the other wipes brands on the market, and loved the fact that they are formulated with Natural Products Association and ECOCERT certified ingredients.

Features of the 100% natural and compostable baby wipes:

• Natural and Naturally Derived Ingredients
• Compostable
• Chemical Free
• Fragrance Free
• Chlorine Free
• Resealable Pack
• 80 Unscented Wipes
• Larger Wipes (7.1” x 7.9”)
• Softer and Thicker Wipe Material

In addition to their eco-fabulous biodegradable wipes, Elements Naturals is adding the US’s first 100% natural and compostable disposable diaper to its product line! An essential green diapering tool for modern parents, the new Elements Naturals diapers are naturally hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, super-absorbent, free of harsh synthetic chemicals, chlorine and fragrances and are made from compostable plant-based fibers from renewable resources — making it gentle enough for both babies and the planet.

While other disposable brands use absorbent polymers that can leave behind a messy crystal residue, Elements Naturals diapers are constructed with thermally neutral natural fibers, keeping baby’s bum cool, dry and crystal free. Its super absorbent core is totally chlorine free and is made with PEFC certified pulp from sustainably managed forests—helping prevent those unwanted leaks. Plus, Elements Naturals diapers provide maximum breathability due to the waterproof protective outer layer made of Non-GMO cornstarch. Unlike other eco disposable diapers on the market, Elements Naturals are made with re-positionable paper tabs with elastic support, providing freedom of movement and allowing the diaper to completely break down after 90 days.

“Mom” loved how thick, absorbent, and sturdy the diapers are – they can hold large messes with ease, and do not leak. The fact that these diapers can be composted and are biodegradable is just wonderful!

Elements Naturals will first offer the diapers in two sizes, MIDI (for larger newborns and infants up to 6 months old) and MAXI (for infants and toddlers from 6 months to 2 years old).

For more information on Elements Naturals, please visit elementsnaturals.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

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In Mom’s Kitchen: Char Crust® Dry-Rub Seasonings

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Looking for an easy, flavorful and all-natural way to spice up your next meal? “Mom” was recently introduced to Char Crust®, and wow – what a difference a pinch or two can make when rubbed into fish, poultry or meat! Talk about juicy, succulent and tender! As “Mom”s” husband said, “Move over, Mrs. Dash!”

Char Crust® dry-rub seasonings consist of premium herb blends, spices and other natural ingredients that can be simply rubbed onto the surface of uncooked meat or fish, or sprinkled over raw vegetables then broiled, baked, grilled, pan-seared, roasted, or sautéed. A little truly goes a long way, especially with the Amazin’ Cajun blend!

 

Char Crust® Dry-Rub Seasonings are available in six delectable blends:

• Roasted Garlic Peppercorn features the robust flavor of roasted garlic and onions with the zing of peppercorns and a hint of Worcestershire and lavender. Its versatility has made it a best seller. It complements steaks, lamb, seafood, pork, poultry, and potatoes.

• Ginger Teriyaki is a balance of sweet teriyaki, fragrant ginger, plus a tingly touch of wasabi that lends a new dimension and creates a modern teriyaki interpretation. It complements chicken, fish, and steak.

• Amazin’ Cajun is a spicy-sweet blend of piquant cayenne pepper, onion, garlic, oregano and a mélange of other Mardi Gras flavors. It brings the sublime heat of New Orleans to catfish, chicken, shrimp, and even “dirty” rice.

• All American Barbecue takes the best flavors of American barbecue and blends them into a tangy-sweet, slightly spicy rub. It has rich molasses from Memphis, tangy tomato from Kansas City, mustard, pepper and vinegar from the Carolinas, plus a wisp of smoke from Texas.

• Original Hickory Grilled offers rich, hickory grilled flavor. This classy companion to your favorite steak is the original used at Al Farber’s legendary steakhouse. A bit smoky-salty-sweet, it enhances the natural flavor without overwhelming. Also delicious on boneless/skinless chicken breasts, tuna steaks, and your favorite vegetables.

• Sun-Dried Tomato & Garlic. Imagine the Italian sun warming your face as you close your eyes and smell the luscious, vibrant aroma of sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, rosemary, and just a hint of lemon. Delicious on mild fish like tilapia, cod, haddock, or shrimp.

“Mom” tried and tested the Amazin’ Cajun on grilled tilapia, and it was fiery in all the right ways! Char Crust® recommends the following recipe for Pan-Seared Tilapia, although “Mom” prefers her tilapia grilled.

Pan-Seared Tilapia

Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: about 20 minutes

Ingredients

Tilapia fillets — about 6 oz per person
Char Crust® Amazin’ Cajun — about 1/2 Tbsp per fillet
A little oil, canola is good
A little butter (optional), at room temperature

Preparation

Heat a cast iron pan on the stove until very hot. Season one side of the fish with Char Crust® Amazin’ Cajun Dry Rub Seasoning, generously covering the surface. Drizzle a little oil all over the seasonings, using your fingers to rub in and distribute evenly. Seasonings will look moist and darken a bit. Place the fish, seasoned side down, into the pan. It should sizzle immediately, and you may get some smoke. Cook a few minutes until just cooked through. Transfer to plate with seasoned side up and place pat of butter on top.

To learn more about Char Crust®, and to locate a retailer near you, please visit CharCrust.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

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Is It Truly Natural? How To Tell

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Is It Truly Natural? How To Tell

More and more Americans are making the choice to go natural—at least, as far as the things they buy are concerned.

Surveys show that 73 percent of consumers are more likely to buy a product if they know it’s certified natural. You should know, however, that the companies making these products are the ones deciding whether they can be called natural. There is no legal or regulatory definition of the word.

So how can you tell if the products you see on store shelves are as natural as you want them to be? Here are some tips to help you find natural products:

• Read the label. The list of ingredients can be your key to whether something is truly natural. Such things as parabens, phthalates, synthetic polymers and silicones indicate it’s not.

• Look for the seal. To help consumers easily identify pro­d­ucts that are truly natural, the leading voice of the natural products industry, the Natural Pro­ducts Association, launched the Natural Seal and certification program for personal care and home care products. Hundreds of certified products display the Natural Seal on their packaging.

All the certified products have been verified to fit the Natural Standard by an independent third-party auditor. Among other re­quirements, certified products are at least 95 percent natural, excluding water; use natural ingredients from a source found in nature and processed within the list of allowed processes; and use 100 percent natural fragrances and colorants. They avoid ingredients with health risks, don’t include animal testing and have mostly biodegradable or recycled material in the packaging. Products with the Natural Seal must list all ingredients on the package label.

• Do some research. Hundreds of products have been granted the seal and more than 85,000 stores of all sizes carry certified products. Check out ahead of time if your favorite brands have been certified at www.NaturalSeal.org.

• Learn more. You can also connect with the Natural Seal on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NPANaturalSeal and on Twitter, @NPANaturalSeal.

*Article and image courtesy of NAPS.*

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Fight the Germs: Make Your Own Natural Hand Sanitizer

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Fight the Germs: Make Your Own Natural Hand Sanitizer

A hand sanitizer made from natural ingredients is safer, and can be just as effective, as one containing the germ-killing chemical triclosan.

Make your own hand-sanitizing spray! Organic Nanny suggests that after you use up the store-bought sanitizer of your choice, you can make your own. Follow this recipe to mix up an effective germ-killing blend: An organic, non-toxic hand sanitizer is made by mixing vodka, water, and essential oils, creating a safe, anti-bacterial ointment, which is easy on the wallet and the environment.

Make a healthier alternative by mixing:

2 ounces vodka
4 to 5 drops essential oil such as tea tree or eucalyptus, or a combination
2 teaspoons water

Mix well, and pour into a spritzer bottle for a homemade hand sanitizer!

About the Author

Guest post by Barbara Rodriguez, the organic celebrity nanny. Her new book, The Organic Nanny’s Guide to Raising Healthy Kids: Reclaim a Natural Diet and Lifestyle for Your Child, is now available. You can find out more great organic parenting tips and sign up for her newsletter on the website – The Organic Nanny.

*Image: jannoon028 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.*

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In Mom’s Kitchen: Nawgan

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Busy parents can sometimes be overextended and tired parents! Reaching for that extra cup of joe in the afternoon may become the norm, but sometimes, a refreshing and chilled beverage just sounds better – but stop before you reach for one of those extremely sugar-laden and caffeinated energy drinks! Now, there is a new, natural option created by a professor of neuropsychology called Nawgan! Refreshing and light in both taste and calories, each can of Nawgan also provides a good source of choline and 50% daily value of natural vitamin E.

Sweetened by a combination of natural cane sugar and Stevia, Nawgan is available in Red Berries Caffeinated, Berry Non-Caffeinated and Tarocco Orange Caffeinated. This new brain-boosting beverage promotes brain health, alertness and concentration and is low in calories and sodium. “Mom” enjoyed the Berry Non-Caffeinated flavor poured over ice, and the Tarocco Orange Caffeinated tasted light and almost a bit like a tangerine or strangely, Tang. (remember Tang?! Is that still around?)

To learn more about Nawgan, or to locate a retailer of this new beverage, visit Nawgan.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

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DIY Pumpkin Face Mask

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Make your own face mask using the vegetable of the season – the pumpkin! From Erica Katz comes this delightfully easy mask to make right at home!

Why pumpkin? Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, which is very healing to the skin and is essential to maintain and repair skin tissue. It also helps reduce lines and wrinkles. Honey is a natural humectant. The whipping cream moisturizes and helps flaky skin.

Pumpkin Face Mask

Ingredients

2 tsp canned pureed pumpkin
1/2 tsp honey
1/4 tsp heavy whipping cream

Directions

Mix all ingredients and apply to face. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Erika is a mother of two and the author of Bonding over Beauty, A Mother-Daughter Beauty Guide to Foster Self-Esteem, Confidence and Trust. Erika wrote this guide for mothers and teenagers because she realized that as young girls head toward the teen years, mothers suddenly seem out of touch. In this down-to-earth guide for moms of tweens, Erika Katz offers practical advice for building self-esteem, confidence, and trust by teaching moms how to open up a dialogue during the often awkward preteen and early teen years.

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In Mom’s Kitchen: Crispy Green® Crispy Cantaloupe

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Crispy Green® Crispy Cantaloupe

Here’s a great way to work in a serving of fruit for National 5-A-Day Month! Healthy, wholesome, and just plain yummy – the newest offering from Crispy Green® is Crispy Cantaloupe! Made using all-natural, freeze dried cantaloupe slices, the end result is a crispy snack that is rich in fiber for on-the-go! Crispy Cantaloupe is high in both Vitamin A & C, and does not contain preservatives, fat, cholesterol, or additional additives. At only 40 calories per serving, which is one bag, you can literlly eat the entire package without guilt!

All Crispy Green® products are created using a sophisticated freeze-drying process where water is removed from the fresh fruit in a cold (freezing) vacuum condition, leaving behind the true essence of the fruit in a light and crispy texture – the ultimate snack! Crispy Green® is available in Crispy Apples, Crispy Asian Pears, Crispy Cantaloupe, Crispy Mangoes, and Crispy Pineapple. If you are doing any hiking this Fall, Crispy Green® makes an excellent snack to pack that will not spoil!

To learn more about Crispy Green®, to locate a retailer near you, or to order, visit www.crispygreen.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

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In Mom’s Kitchen: BEAR NAKED® Granola

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What’s not to love about a company that brings their food back to basics? For a healthy snack anytime of the day, as a hearty breakfast cereal topped with soy, almond, hemp, or organic low-fat milk, or as a topping for yogurt, fruit, or oatmeal, BEAR NAKED® Granola is just that – bare naked! Just plain, wholesome goodness with NO Artificial Flavors, NO Cholesterol, NO Hydrogenated Oils, NO High Fructose Corn Syrup, NO Preservatives, Og Trans Fat! Yes, they are considered “bearly processed!”

BEAR NAKED® Granola is offered in four distinct, delicious combinations, including Fruit and Nut, Maple Pecan, Heavenly Chocolate®, and Banana Nut. Need a quick chocolate fix after dinner, without feeling guilty? A small handful of Heavenly Chocolate® should do the trick! Yum!

Why fall in love with BEAR NAKED® Granola?

Made with REAL whole grain oats, luscious fruit and hearty nuts

All natural ingredients you know, love and can actually pronounce

Vegetarian friendly (and the BEAR NAKED Fit® is Vegan friendly, too!)

Kosher certified

Enjoy it with yogurt, fresh fruit or just Bear Naked

“Mom’s” favorite from BEAR NAKED®? Their BEAR NAKED Fit® Vanilla Almond Crunch! Placed on top of lemon-flavored organic Greek yogurt it is a perfect midday snack!

With the kids back-to-school, having some bags of BEAR NAKED® Granola in the cupboard to tuck in lunches or keep handy after school is a must! If you are up for some healthy baking, granola cookies are always a treat!

To learn more about about BEAR NAKED® and their wide array of healthy granola, trail mix, cereal, and cookies, visit www.bearnaked.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

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Best Foodie Beauty Finds for Fall

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In honor of National 5 a Day Month, Tiny Green Mom has whipped up the top “Foodie Beauty” finds of the season – think of them as food for the skin & lips, but not for the hips!

Best Foodie Beauty Finds for Fall

Aubrey Organics Pomegranate Crème de la Shave

Truly – this is the Crème de la Crème of shaving products! Made from 100% natural ingredients, including Apricot Kernel Oil, Pomegranate Extract and Essential Oils, Aubrey Organics has produced a decadent cream that will leave your legs smooth and yes, even hydrated after shaving! The lovely aroma of pomegranate will make you want to shave your legs again & again!

Cranberry Pure Natural Body Wash by JASON

Let the tangy scent of cranberries wash over you as you lather up in the shower – reminding you of all the joys of the upcoming season! Made with Antioxidant Cranberry Oil and soothing Aloe Vera to help fight oxidative stress while softening your skin, this Pure Natural Body Wash by JASON cleanses the skin gently & safely! No harsh chemicals, such as Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates, are used to make JASON products! Not just available in Antioxidant Cranberry, JASON offers ten botanical blends to nourish and cleanse.

Bananas & Baobab Whipped Shea Butter Body Crème

Smells good enough to eat – you will want to lather it on all over! The new Shea Terra Organics’ Bananas & Baobab whipped shea butter body crème is extremely rich, and your skin will feel moisturized naturally from head to toe! This renewing blend is made with natural banana extract, baobab oil and organic shea butter, and will offer chapped winter skin immense relief. Great for all seasons as your go-to moisturizer.

Nature’s Gate Açai Moisturizing Lotion

New from Nature’s Gate – an antioxidant-rich lotion that boasts the free radical fighting properties of the acai berry! The Açai Moisturizing Lotion is simply decadent, and will leave your skin feeling hydrated and smelling incredible. To keep skin super-soft, the Acai Moisturing Lotion is comprised of 7 different all-natural moisturizers in a unique blend, including Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Soybean Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vegetable Glycerin and Vitamin E. In addition to the new Acai Moisturizing Lotion, Nature’s Gate has created the Acai Velvet Moisture Body Wash and Acai Velvet Moisture Liquid Soap.

*Companies generously provided samples and images for this article.*

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In Mom’s Kitchen: Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Granolas

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For breakfast or in-between as a go-to healthy snack, Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Granolas are shaking things up in “Mom’s” kitchen! New flavors to tantalize your taste buds or just dress up your morning are available as the kiddos head back-to-school, including Apple Blueberry Granola, Apple Strawberry Granola and Crunchy Coconut Granola. Pack a small container with granola into your child’s lunch to top their organic yogurt as a wholesome treat!

The new granolas are packing a powerful punch – providing more than 27 grams of whole grains, 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein per serving! In addition, Bob’s Red Mill sweetens their granolas with all-natural sweeteners such as honey, pure vanilla, brown sugar and molasses. Enjoy the new granolas with almond milk or soy milk for breakfast or straight out of the bag for an afternoon pick-me-up! The granolas pack well for hiking and camping, too!

Get the kids cooking in the kitchen with you after school with this yummy and nutritious snack featuring Bob’s Red Mill Natural Granola – Granola Trail Mix Cookies!

Granola Trail Mix Cookies

Ingredients

•1/2 cup Butter, unsalted (“Mom” prefers organic)
•1/2 cup Yellow D Sugar (Brown Sugar)
•1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
•1 Egg
•1/2 tsp Baking Soda
•1 Tb Warm Water
•1/2 cup plus 2 Tb White Flour, Unbleached
•1/2 tsp Vanilla
•1-1/2 cups Natural Granola (No Fat Added)
•1/2 cup Coconut Flakes
•6 oz. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
•1/2 cups Raisins (Unsulfured)

Preparation

Take butter out of the refrigerator and allow to soften. Preheat oven to 350°F. Dissolve the baking soda in the warm water.

In a bowl, cream the softened butter with the sugars. Beat in the egg, baking soda mixture, flour and vanilla. Stir in the granola, coconut, chocolate chips and raisins.

Drop rounded teaspoons of the dough about 4-inch apart onto a greased cookie sheet. With a fork, flatten and spread each mound into a round (about 3″ in diameter). Bake cookies for 7 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes about 30 cookies.

To view more recipes using Bob’s Red Mill Granolas, or their other all-natural products, visit www.bobsredmill.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this article.*

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