Guest Post from 'A Little Bit of All of It': Green Spring Cleaning Tips

Green Spring Cleaning Tips

Spring has arrived and for a lot of people that means house cleaning and organizing projects to tackle. Unfortunately traditional cleaning methods sometimes are not environmentally-friendly. But never fear! Below is a list of ten tips to help spring clean in an earth friendly way.

1. Bins are great for organizing things but plastic is the traditional material for these. Instead of plastic bins, use shoe boxes or bamboo baskets. You can even get creative with these and wrap and decorate them! If you can sew, consider creating cloth bags out of the fabric of old clothes for hanging things. It's also a great way to re-purpose that old t-shirt you have a sentimental attachment to but don't wear anymore.

2. When wiping down and cleaning up a paper towel is very convenient, but you can scrub just as well with with rags from old t-shirts or towels. If you cloth diapered your children in the past and no longer have kids in diapers, you can use your old cloth diapers and wipes even.
3. Most conventional cleaning products are full of chemicals that are bad for our earth and our families. Thankfully you can safely clean with a few non-toxic ingredients: vinegar (it's anti-bacterial), baking soda, water, a HEPA vacuum, microfiber mops and cloths -- and some elbow grease! You can even make your own laundry soap!
4. Paint - Painting is a great way to freshen up a room but there's nothing fresh about all of those chemical odors floating through the air. VOC's, or Volatile Organic Compounds, are chemicals that form vapors at room temperature.The ones found in most paints contribute to smog and indoor air pollution and can cause all sorts of health problems. Check out these great alternatives and say goodbye to those noxious paint fumes: Eco-Spec, by Benjamin Moore; Clarity, by Dutch Boy; Enviro-Pure, by MAB Paint; American Pride Paint; and BioShield Milk Paint. They are better for the environment and your family members.
5. De-cluttering can feel great but don't just trash everything. First, go through and see if any of those items could serve a purpose you haven't thought of before: Do you have enough books to stack up and use as a side table? Can you take the frames off those ugly paintings and use them elsewhere? Of course, if you still see no use for your old things, consider offering it on freecycle.

6. . Is the house stuffy from being closed up all winter? Go get some houseplants! These are some great choices for their air-cleaning abilities: Spider plants, English ivy, rubber plants, and peace lilies. You’ll need 15 to 18 medium-sized (6 to 8-inch diameter container) houseplants for the average 1,800 square foot house. That me seem like a lot but it doesn't have to be an all or nothing thing. Think of the room(s) that are most used by your family and put some of these plants in those rooms (and check out tip 8 for those other rooms.)

7. Mothballs can help to keep moths from eating your clothes but they aren't the only choice you have. Try these natural alternatives instead. Try cheesecloth-wrapped cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, or whole cloves.

8. Something as simply as opening the windows and doors can get dirty, stale air moving out and fresh air moving in. A screened door will let that wonderful breeze in. 
9. Air fresheners are not a good idea. Chemical fresheners can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation and aerosol air fresheners are not any better. Those air-borne particles can damage nerves and lodge in your lungs. Yuck! Try something beautiful and fragrant instead - fresh flowers! For a cheaper alternative, simply open a box of baking soda or get some cedar blocks. Dried flowers also add natural fragrance to the room and last a lot longer than fresh.
10. Most of the actual tools we use to clean are not environmentally friendly even if they are reusable. Consider investing in some green cleaning tools like Skoy Cloths instead of sponges and a coir toilet brush made from coconut fibers.

To see more great tips, take a look at the sites I used to compile this list:
 

greenr

Environmental Working Group

SparkPeople

TreeHugger

Green America

Sierra Trading Post

The Green Phone Booth

What are your great eco-friendly tips for cleaning and organizing? I know there are a lot more things we could add to this list!

 

~Julia

 

Julia is mom to Marcella, a just turned 2 year old and blogs at A Little Bit of All of It on a variety of topics. You'll find product reviews and book reviews along with her take on babies, parenting and childbirth. Posts on food, Christianity and daily life round out the blog. Guest writers are regularly featured and there is also the occasional giveaway. She also volunteers at Natural Parents Network. You can find her on Facebook as well.

3 Week Update

It's officially been 3 weeks since the birth of our second son, Jude.  I cannot believe that much time has already passed.  I have to admit, I am exhausted.  It's been awhile since I had a newborn around and it will take some time to readopt the newborn nighttime sleep schedule.  But we feel very blessed.  There is a sense of completeness around our home and it's because we are complete in every sense of the word.  We are all healthy, baby arrived safely, we are thriving together and I can't tell you how excited I am to grow as a family.

My intention was to write a good post about everything going on around here but realized when I awoke this morning that I don't have the mental energy to do so.  I can hardly keep my eyes open right now!  So instead, I will post some photos of our little angel and will save a longer post for another well rested day.  I am sure you all understand:)

I hope you are all well and happy.

Welcome to spring!

~Mommy Bridget

Nuclear Boy's Stinky Poop: Fukushima For Kids | Common Dreams

Nuclear Boy's Stinky Poop: Fukushima For Kids | Common Dreams

Thank you for sending this my way Cherise!

~Curious Mommy

Earth Hour: Saturday March 26th

It's that time again!  The annual Earth Hour is coming in just a week.  This is your chance to show your support and make a BIG difference.

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Sarah H., the winner of the Eco Clean giveaway!!!

Thank you to all for entering and have a great weekend!

~Curious Mommy

Reminder: Eco Clean Giveaway-ends this Friday 3/18

Don't forgot to enter this wonderful giveaway!  Click here to enter.  Giveaway ends this Friday 3/18 at midnight.  Open to US residents only. 

Guest Post: Time Saving Cooking Tips Every Mom Needs by Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama

(Thank you so much to Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama for this great blog post and for helping another mama out while I am adjusting to life with a new baby!!!)

Time Saving Cooking Tips Every Mom Needs

By Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama

Moms have a lot on their plates. New moms really have a lot on their plates. Between taking care of their child(ren), cleaning, doing laundry, running errands, and a whole host of other responsibilities, moms really have run out of time when it comes to cooking nutritious meals. Cooking from scratch, using real food ingredients takes a quite a bit more time than opening a can or a box. 

Over the course of the past year, I have done a lot of work in the meal planning department. I think that I can offer moms-to-be, new moms, and even experienced moms some tips and advice on how to save some time in the kitchen while still being able to prepare and offer your family nutritious meals and wholesome snacks. Here are my favorite tips:

●      Chop the vegetables you will need in three to four day batches. Place washed, chopped veggies in containers or baggies and store in the fridge until you need them. You can also freeze pretty much any chopped vegetable. Mushrooms are the only item I have had trouble with.

●      Cut and store a week’s worth of grab and go veggie snacks for your children. Cut up carrots, celery, jicima, bell peppers, cucumbers, etc… all keep well for about a week. You can also do this with apples. Just put a little squeeze of lemon juice on them to keep them from turning brown.

●      Make a large batch of waffles and freeze them. You can pop these in the toaster or toaster oven when you need a quick, on the go breakfast.

●      Cook a large pot of rice, millet, quinoa, and/or other grains at the beginning of the week. You can keep and use these all week. No need to make a separate grain every day. Use them for side dishes, baking, etc…

●      Soups are very economical, easy to batch cook and freeze well. Just double or triple the ingredients, cook , cool, puree if you like and split into meal size portions before freezing. (See below for my tips on freezing stocks and soups).

●      When cooking ground beef, ground sausage, chicken, etc., make extra to freeze and then it’s all ready to toss into a recipe. For the chicken, I shred some and cube some, since different recipes call for it different ways.

●      Cooked dry beans freeze especially well, allowing you to have convenience without added salt. Because freezing softens beans somewhat, cook them until barely tender for the best quality frozen product. For great convenience, freeze some flat on a cookie sheet and shake loose into zippered freezer bag. You can add these quickly to salads and soups.

●      It’s a lot cheaper to buy cheese in bulk and it is very handy to have ready to use shredded cheese or cubes of cheese. Just shred or cube the cheese, place in portion ready ziplock bags, and freeze.

●      Eggs - Many people don't know you can freeze eggs. You can store whole eggs in plastic containers (cracked open and with the whites and yolks stirred together)or store egg whites and yolks separately. Raw egg yolks will need to be broken and stirred with either 1/4 teaspoon salt or 3/4 teaspoon sugar for each 1/2 cup of egg yolks or else they will turn to a "gummy" consistency. Cooked egg yolks, on the other hand, freeze beautifully. The reverse is true of egg whites: raw are just fine (freeze in ice cube trays, one per cube), but cooked egg whites will become so chewy they are inedible.

●      You can freeze meat loaf/bean loaf/salmon loaf. Make enough for several meals and freeze the extra loaves. Meat loaf has better quality if frozen baked rather than unbaked.

●      When you’re making a meal, make an extra pan or two, then before baking, freeze it for later. It is a lifesaver to have things I can just pull out of the freezer and bake. Having a couple options in the freezer is always comforting to me, because as all busy moms know, a day can go bad at any moment and getting supper made could quickly become an impossible task.

●      When making cookies, double or triple the recipe, then make balls of dough and set them on the cookie sheet. Freeze for 2-3 hours and once frozen, put them into a freezer baggie (labeled with contents and date) – this way it doesn’t take up much freezer space. Now when you need some freshly-baked cookies, just pop them onto a cookie sheet to bake, and you have cookies as easy as the pre-made ones at the store, but without all the trans fats and other junk!  

●      An easy way to freeze muffin dough (and again, to save freezer space): when making muffins, make an extra batch, fill paper muffin cups (in the muffin pan) with the extra batter. Freeze muffin dough in the pan for 2-3 hours or so, and when frozen, put the muffin cups with frozen dough into a freezer baggie, now your muffin pan can go back to the cupboard in case you need it. When you have a busy day, or maybe a friend is coming over, you can pop these back into your muffin pan and then bake like normal. (I usually let them set out a little bit first to thaw.) These are much tastier than the ones you bake first and then freeze, because these are warm and fresh from the oven.

●      Another possibility to make things easier on yourself is to have planned leftovers. If you know your next day will be crazy, have something tonight that can easily be warmed up the next day.

Here is how I make and freeze broth and stock to have on hand:

1.       Make a very big batch of broth once a week to use fresh all week. Make a second batch once a week to freeze to make soups later on or to use if you have a “heavy stock” use week;

2.       Allow to cool;

3.       Measure and pour soup into baggies and seal;

4.       Lay the baggies flat on a baking sheet that will fit in the freezer and allow to completely freeze (if you have a tiny freezer you might have to do this in a couple of batches);

5.       Stand the frozen baggies upright and you’ll be surprised at how many bags of soup you can fit in the space.

Easy stock recipe

●      Save ALL of the unused veggies, wilted veggies, parts of the veggies you cut off and typically throw away (stems, leaf tops, etc..). Wash them and put them in the freezer.

●      Wash and freeze all of your used egg shells.

●      Wash and freeze all of your meat bones, chicken bones, etc…

●      In a large crock pot or stock pot add 8 cups of water, one tablespoon white vinegar, two cut up celery stalks, two cut up carrots, one cut up leak, 4-6 eggshells, 4-6 bones, and as many of the frozen veggies as you can fit. Cover and cook on low (crock pot) or simmer for 12 hours. (I make this at night and let it cook until morning).

●      Let the stock cool then pour it through a strainer. Put in the fridge to use fresh or freeze as instructed above!  

These are just a few of things that I do to save time in the kitchen! It would be great to hear what everyone else does!!!! Help other moms out and leave your top tips in the comments!

Blessings,

Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama

About Hybrid Rasta Mama

My name is Jennifer and I am former government recruiter turned stay-at-home mama to a precious daughter (“Tiny”) brought earthside in early 2009. I am passionate about breastfeeding (especially extended breastfeeding), co-sleeping, attachment parenting, cloth diapering, green living, babywearing, peaceful parenting, a Waldorf approach to education and parenting, playful parenting, getting children outside, as well as cooking and eating Traditional Foods. I believe that it is extremely important for moms to have a strong network of support and to that end have been active both in my local La Leche League and Attachment Parenting chapters.  I am also a mentor for the Natural Parents Network.

Why call myself the Hybrid Rasta Mama? Easy - I see myself as a hybrid mama. I take a little of this and a little of that and blend it all together into something that works for me, Tiny, and my husband. I am a voracious reader and researcher and have read an extensive amount of literature about parenting. I consider myself very well informed about the pros and cons of all the different philosophies and approaches out there. I know what I like, what I dislike, what works, what doesn’t work and why. I will be happily sharing my thoughts on a variety of parenting topics. As for the Rasta part of my moniker. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE reggae music and the Rastafarian culture and way of life. Reggae music touches my soul more than any other music out there.

I blog at www.hybridrastamama.blogspot.com.

72-Hour Kit

FYI:

Following the devastation from Haiti's earthquake last year, I wrote about earthquake preparedness.  Since the major quake in Japan a few days ago, I thought it would be a good refresher to post about the 72-hour kit again.

A 72-Hour Kit contains everything you may need in case a major disaster hits your neck of the woods.  The kit is good for 3 days, and is comprised of everything from non-perishable food items and fresh water for everyone in your home (including your furry family members) to toiletry items (which also includes diapers and wipes if you have children using them) to first aid and tools to use when making repairs.

I highly recommend checking out more information on a 72-Hour Kit and how to put one together.  I put one together last year and was surprised at how easy it was to create.  It does cost a little bit of money but is a great investment for insurance that you and your family will be okay if a disaster does occur in your town.  We put our kit in a large Rubbermaid garbage bin easily accessible in our garage.

Mommy Bridget

Daylight Saving Time

Just a reminder, it's Daylight Saving Time officially at 2 am Sunday, March 13th.  For those of you who forgot this means you need to move your clocks forward one hour or "spring ahead".

I found a great blog post on blogs.babble.com about how to prepare and handle the time change with your little ones I thought was great. 

Happy springing ahead!

Mommy Bridget

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Heidi Lewis, the winner of the Peter Rabbit Organic's giveaway!!!

Thank you to everyone for entering this wonderful giveaway and please watch for the sponsor's new products to make their way all over the US!

Mommy Bridget

CSN Stores Review- Boon Frog Pod Bath Toy Storage

When I was approached about doing another review for CSN Stores online, I was so excited.  CSN Stores represent over 200 online stores and therefore carry absolutely anything and everything you are looking to buy.  From naturally made products for your entire family to clothing apparel to toys to luggage to home office desks...they really have it all! 

CSN Stores, a Boston based company, ships products all over the US and Canada.  Below are just a few of their many stores available online:     

• www.babycribplus.com
• www.toyandgamesonline.com
• www.babycarseats.com

Search their products by entering in keywords and you'll be amazed at what you find!  My personal favorite, search word "environmentally friendly" under "baby products" and see what you find...everything imaginable!  Their products are really quite "top notch", including many modern and contemporary products in design...as if they've personally reviewed each and every product before marketing them.

A great benefit from ordering off of CSN Stores online, and many shopper's favorite part about the company, is that the prices are competitive.  I discovered this by researching products I've purchased off of other online web sites.  One product I've been eying for sometime is the Boon Frog Bath Toy Storage.  We really needed a good bath storage system for all of our son's bath toys and one that will allow for the toys to dry properly.  This particular storage system by Boon was everything we were looking for and more...and so I decided this would be a fantastic product to review.

Boon Frog Pod Bath Toy Storage
Features:

• Comes with adhesive strips for easy application
• Makes bath time clean-up fun & easy
• Drainable scoop allows for collecting and rinsing of toys
• Keeps bath products safely out of reach
• Stores & organizes bath accessories
• Reduces mold & mildew
• Toys,sponges and bottles NOT included
• Featured on HGTV and in countless magazines!
• Award winning: iParenting Media Award Winner Best Products of 2007, Preemie Magazine's Cool Stuff Award Winner 2006, JPMA Innovations Award Winner 2005, Baby Zone Amazing Toy Awards 2005

The Boon Frog Pod Bath Toy Storage has been a savior for us!  With all our son's bath toys, we were feeling overwhelmed with where to store everything and in a safe place where mold and mildew wouldn't accumulate.  This is a perfect place for all the children's bath time toys, it attaches easily to your shower surface, it is easy to use when cleaning up after bath time and your children will absolutely LOVE the look of the animal holding all their bath toys!  (This also comes in a ladybug option).  I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good place to store bath toys.

You can find CSN Stores news and store updates on Facebook and Twitter.  Plus, you can visit their blog for sweet savings and special deals.

We are quite satisfied with our multiple experiences with CSN Stores.  Go ahead and check out their web site.  They have EVERYTHING you could possibly want and need and with so much to choose from, you will forever be hooked!  Next time you are in the market for a new item for your household or are looking for that perfect gift, check out what they have available on any one of their 200+ convenient online stores.  You'll be amazed at what you find!

Thank you to CSN Stores for providing us with this great product for review.

Bridget James

(author of) The Curious Case of Mommyhood

The Boon Frog Pod Bath Toy Storage was provided to me by CSN Stores for review.  All opinions on the product are purely my own.  (for a full disclosure, see my "Reviews" page)

Just 2 Days Remain to Enter the Peter Rabbit Organic's Giveaway!!!

Hello everybody,

just wanted to remind you all that there are just 2 days left to enter the Peter Rabbit Organic's giveaway.  They are giving away a 12 pack of their organic fruit and veggie puree snacks.  These are wonderful and healthy snacks for your little ones to enjoy!!!  I highly recommend them.

Click here to enter the giveaway.  Ends 3/11 at midnight.

Good luck to you all,

Mommy Bridget

For Breastfeeding Moms?

I received a nice hospital gift from our "friends" at Enfamil last week.  After looking at it more carefully, I realized what I had on my hands.  So I thought I would share it with you.

This is wrong on so many different levels.  But being as I clearly don't have the time to get into this in more detail, I thought the pictures would suffice.  

Hey, I scored a really great reusable bag out of the gift!

~Curious Mommy

Kids Say the Darnest Things

Just this morning, my husband and I were discussing how children say the most outrageous things. Coincidentally, we heard some hilarious comments the same day.  Below is what I was asked from my sweet and observant little nieces:

My 5 year old niece asked me how my baby "got out of my belly" to be here with us.  I realized right away that I had no idea how to answer that one so I looked at my brother (her Dad) to answer the question.  Instead, he quickly got up and left the room and left me hanging with cute little eyes on me patiently awaiting the answer...go figure.

My other niece who is 4 years old commented when she saw me, I thought you were supposed to be skinny now.  I guess I have some work to do:)

Park was kissing his brother the first day (and every day after) we brought Jude home.  After he finished kissing his head, he licked his lips and said Mmmmmmm.  I told Park that I thought so too!

Hope you are all well,

~Mommy Bridget

Birth Story

I am proud to say that we have now welcomed our new son into this world.  Julian (Jude) Marshall James was born on Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 at 6:30 am.  After what felt like a long day of indecisive labor, our new love blessed us with a peaceful entrance into this world.  A whopping 9 lbs. 2 oz., little Jude is truly a blessing to everyone in his life.  This is the story of how Jude made it to us...

On Monday morning, I awoke to some mild cramping and a concern of whether or not my water had broken slightly throughout the night.  As everyone who has been pregnant knows, frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night are a necessity...especially in late pregnancy.  But even after my 3rd trip, I still awoke to wet pajama bottoms and thought maybe my labor was about to begin.  I called my midwife and made an appointment to come go in to confirm.

I got in to see my midwife right away that morning only to be told that I tested negative for my water breaking.  I was a little embarrassed because, well, let's face it.  I must have leaked urine in my sleep.  So I went back home and continued my day with the continuous thought that any day now, my son would be ready to come.  I have been feeling my body prepare for weeks.  And although I was still a week early, I knew that the time was drawing very near. 

At 2 pm, just minutes after I fell asleep for our nap time, I was jolted by a strong contraction.  Immediately following just this one contraction, I knew that labor was going to begin.  This contraction was much different than the ones I'd been having for weeks and it followed with a lot of cramping.  So I got up and began to prepare.  I called my husband and told him to head home.  I called my doula, Lena, and told her what was going on.  And we called my mother in law to let her know Park would be needing her for the next day or so.

Everyone got to the house by 6 pm where my contractions had still been coming and coming on stronger but were extremely inconsistent.  I was beginning to doubt whether labor would continue to progress or whether it was just a practice day.  Everyone stuck around and we got prepared just in case.  Marshall and our doula went through what to expect and how to handle scenarios...thank you so much Lena!!!  And Grandma and Park played and did their own thing.  I continued to go about my day, resting when I had the chance and trying to relax during the contractions.

By 10 or 11that night, I was exhausted from the day and with it being my normal bed time, I desperately wanted to lie down and get some rest.  At the same time, I was worried that if I did rest...my contractions would subside and I really wanted to continue with my labor.  So Marshall and I went for a walk outside.  Then we came back and decided to get some rest.  For the next few hours, we lay in bed.  We slept in between my contractions then breathed through each one...only to quickly fall back asleep when it was over.  I quit keeping track of how far apart my contractions were and how long they were lasting.  I was just so exhausted and really wanted to be relaxed enough in my mind and body to tolerate the pain from the contractions.  Finally, around 1:30 am, I realized my contractions were coming every 6-7 minutes consistently so I woke everyone up and decided I wanted to head up to the hospital in Park City.  I let my midwife know I was headed up and we left shortly thereafter.

By the time we were checked in to the hospital, I was dilated to a 3/4.  I continued to labor for another 4 hours...finding any way to ease the discomfort by utilizing what the hospital had on hand for laboring mothers.  I tried the bath, the toilet, the bed, and the birthing ball.  But mostly, I relied on my body to tell me what was comfortable and productive and the I tried to remain focused.  My husband was a wonderful support along with my doula Lena, our midwife Danielle (of course!) and the rest of the hospital staff.  We had the greatest staff a girl could ever ask for!

By around 6:15 a.m., I was quite miserable, my contractions were so painful I can't even describe them and they were very close together.  My midwife checked me and told me I was dilated to a 9.  Yippee!!!  I was so ecstatic about making it that far.  She decided to break my water since that was pretty much the only thing keeping my baby from descending faster.  The minute, no second, she did so...my baby was there and ready to begin his final descent.  My midwife told me to sit on the toilet for a few more contractions then we would try the birthing stool.  If you've ever sat on a toilet during contractions, you would know how productive it works.  It opens you up and relaxes you just enough to get the process on the right track and get you on your way.  As painful as it was, I tried to relax my pelvic area more than I've ever done so in the past just to make the contractions their full worth.

As soon as I did so, my contractions were insane!  I felt my son move RIGHT where he needed to be and felt this overwhelming urge to push.  When I say overwhelming, I mean the only pain at that point was that urge.  Holding back from it was so painful, I let out quite the animalistic screams and moans.  I couldn't even stop it if I tried...but you would never want to.  I told them I wanted to push and made my way to the birthing stool.

So I made it to the birthing stool where my midwife sat in front of it and my husband behind.  I leaned my body back and rested my arms on my husbands thighs.  Apparently, the stool opens your pelvic area up perfectly...and it did.  I let out a few more screams of urgency that I had no control over.  My body was in effect pushing my son out during those screams.  And trying to hold back from it in anyway was 100 times more painful than any contractions.

You always hear about the "ring of fire" or how the most pain felt during pushing is when the head of the baby begins to emerge.  For me, I didn't feel any of that.  In fact, I could have cared less about the pain caused from my baby coming out of me.  The pain TRULY was for me NOT being able to let him come out quickly enough.  My midwife explained to me to let my body take over, to listen to what it was telling me and just let it do what was necessary.  In my case, my body was telling me to push and scream and don't stop.  My midwife told me to slow down because she didn't want me to tear...but I felt like I couldn't.  My doula got in my ear and told me to listen to her carefully and do as she said.  She told me to breath fast while my midwife got my perineum pushed back just enough so not to tear.  I did that...I don't know how I was able to resist the urge to push, but I did.  And as soon as she was finished getting my body ready for the baby to emerge, my midwife told me to "gently" nudge him out.  I did that and as fast as we had begun the final endeavor, my son was there.  It was so crazy, I didn't even realize that that was it!  Marshall and I reached down and grabbed out baby Jude.  It was so surreal, so amazing, so much that I cannot even explain.  And the minute he was born, any ounce of pain/discomfort I had felt before had suddenly disappeared.  It really felt like nothing had ever happened.

I've always been supportive of woman's choices in their birthing, even if I disagree with all the unnecessary interventions and inductions.  Because we are all entitled to the same respect and honor as any mother who endures pregnancy and childbirth.  But I MUST say, because I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't and because I've experienced both, that natural childbirth is far more productive and much much healthier and safer for the mother and the baby, the experience more real, and the outcome its full potential.  I will forever be a natural childbirth advocate.  I know that some births must take different turns, such as mine did with my son Park.  And often times those changes to birth plans are done with the best of intentions and for the safety of everyone involved.  But all too often natural childbirth is ignored in this country. It's the norm to do so.  It's common to have an episiotomy, to have drugs to induce a very abnormal labor and to schedule unnecessary c-sections.  To deny yourself and your child the chance at what nature truly only intended is completely devastating in all aspects..

Although a little on the tired side, I physically feel amazing.  I never tore, despite the size of my baby (9 pounds!)  I never received an epidural or pitocin, which I know the effects from since I had an epidural with Park and pitocin following to help shrink my uterus back.  I feel like I could go outside in this beautiful day and exercise, although I know I must refrain from until my body is healed.  My spirit has been rejuvenated.  My son is a very peaceful little boy, sleeping well and relaxing easily.  And as my midwife commented, why shouldn't he be?  He was brought into this world in a very calming way and into a very calming environment.

I feel so blessed for this experience, for my beautiful family and for the wonderful support system I was given during pregnancy, labor and deliver and after.  Thank you to all for your kind words and unending support.

Your truly,

Mommy Bridget

Eco Clean Review and Giveaway-ends 3/18

Eco Clean Review and Giveaway- ends 3/18

Having trouble finding good cleaning products that are safe to use in your home?  Are you also having trouble finding safe cleaning products that work well in cleaning even the dirtiest of jobs and are the cost of those cleaning products troubling to your wallet?  Eco Clean has a solution.  How about cleaning products made from plant and sugar based surfactants and essential oils that work exceptionally well AND are available at a reasonable cost!  Eco Clean's products were made with the heart of an individual devoted to creating sustainable and responsible products for you.  Eco Clean, a Scandinavian based company, is committed to their non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning products for you and your home.

Eco Clean's products are manufactured in a SWAN certified factory:
 
The Swan is the symbol of the Nordic environmental labeling system and has been around since 1989. In Sweden SIS Miljömärkning AB is responsible for awarding the Nordic environmental symbol – the Swan. Nordic environmental labeling was set up to benefit the environment by providing guidelines for consumers that wish to buy products that have the least impact on the environment. The primary goal of the Swan Certificate is to promote the development of environmentally friendly products and services. Swan certified products must fulfill stringent criteria that guarantee that the products cause less negative impact on the environment than other similar products. The product’s entire lifespan is taken into account, from raw material to rubbish.

They are packaged in fully recyclable PET bottles, are biodegradable and safe to use in your home.  They contain no parabens, phosphates, bleach, ammonia or petro chemicals.  Eco Clean is truly a remarkable company that produces earth friendly remarkable products!

I had the wonderful opportunity to review these indigenous Denmark cleaning products in my home:

• Eco Clean Glass Cleaner
• Eco Clean Hand Wash in Grapefruit and Lemon
• Eco Clean All-Purpose Cleaner
• Eco Clean Kitchen Counter Top

And wow do these products work well!  The first product I tried was the glass cleaner.  I am constantly cleaning my mirrors, windows and stainless steel appliances of their tiny little toddler hand prints and am always on the lookout for an effective cleaner.  This is definitely one that gets the job done, and streak free no less!  Made with all natural, organic, vegan free and non toxic ingredients.  

Eco Clean's hand wash works well without drying out your hands.  They are free of allergens, are all natural, organic, vegan free, non toxic and biodegradable.  This hand wash comes in 3 scents:

• wild fruit
• grapefruit and lemon
• lavender

You will love to have this hand wash "handy" near your kitchen and bathroom sinks!

Eco Clean's kitchen counter top cleaner was also extremely effective in getting rid of those typical kitchen messes.  A good cleaner that works in wiping up countertops and stove tops from the cooking messes is a necessity and Eco Clean's kitchen cleaner definitely gets the job done!  Made from the highest quality sugar surfactant derived from the fatty acids of plants, D-Glucopyranose, this cleaner has exceptional cleaning properties, is compatible with sensitive skin and is pH balanced.  It works well on many surfaces including ceramic, stove tops, sinks, tile, cabinets, marble, glass and vinyl.

And Eco Clean's All-Purpose Cleaner is a suitable cleaner for all around your house!  I used this cleaner on my furniture, my bathroom counter tops, on my doors and anything else that needed dusting and a great wipe down.  This cleaner not only left my house cleaner, it also left a pleasant scent but without the harmful residue and gas vapors typically found in many common household cleaners. 

Buy it:
You can purchase Eco Clean products online at Alice.com, Amazon.com, Duane Reade Stores and at www.ecocleanscandinavia.com.


Win it:
Eco Clean is giving away an all-purpose cleaner, a glass cleaner and a hand soap to one lucky winner on The Curious Case of Mommyhood!!!  Open to US residents only.


To Enter:

***REMEMBER: POST A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY***

***Also, remember to leave your email address with your comments so you can be reached*** 

Subscribe to my blog (located on the left side of my home page) and tell me what all purpose cleaner you currently use in your home.  This is MANDATORY to enter the giveaway.

You also have the opportunity for additional entries (one each) if you do any of the following:

• follow The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Google Follower
• "like" Eco Clean on Facebook and tell them I sent you on their wall
• "like" The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Facebook
• repost this giveaway on your Facebook page and post the link with your entry
• follow The Curious Mommy on Twitter
• follow Eco Clean on Twitter

Again, please be sure to leave your email address with each entry.  This is the only way to ensure you are given credit for your entry on random.org.

You have until March 18th at midnight to enter.

I want to thank Eco Clean for the opportunity to review their really effective, non-toxic cleaning products.  I truly value companies such as Eco Clean for the devotion to creating sustainable and responsible products for our planet and its inhabitants.


Bridget James
(author of) The Curious Case of Mommyhood

 
(All products for this review were supplied to me by Eco Clean.  All opinions in this review are purely my own.  Please see my Disclosure under my "Reviews" Page for more information.)