My True Nature Review

October 29, 2011 By 2 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to review a couple of products from My True Nature. The company was founded by Kelly Boyd, whose goal was to create safe products for her child that worked as good as most mainstream soaps and shampoos, but that were made of completely natural ingredients. When she couldn’t find anything that she was happy with, she created her own.

The products that My True Nature currently offers are:

  • Dewey’s Natural Baby Bubble Bath
  • Daisy’s Natural 2-in-1 Shampoo and Body Wash
  • Ollie’s Natural Hand Soap

The products that I got the chance to try were Dewey’s Natural Baby Bubble Bath and Daisy’s Natural 2-in-1 Shampoo and Body Wash. Each is made of completely natural, certified organic ingredients.

The first thing I want to note is that my son is a fair complected redhead with super sensitive skin, so I’m always a bit on edge when I try new products on him. (Yes, this is a little boy in these pictures. He just has long hair because I can’t bear to cut those curls off again.) It just makes me nervous because I don’t want him to break out or be miserable for even a small period of time – it’s just the over-protective mother in me. However, using these products didn’t make me feel that way.

Why? Well, because I could find all of the information about the ingredients right on the website and then look them up for additional information. Aside from being able to learn more about the ingredients used, I also thought it was great that they have a list of harmful ingredients (that they DO NOT use) present on their site to keep parents and caregivers informed.

I used Dewey’s Natural Baby Bubble Bath first, of course. I squeezed a little over a half ounce into the base of the tub as the water was running and walked out of the room for a moment to get my son ready. He LOVES bath time, but he also loves to play hard to get, so sometimes I have to chase him down. I have to admit, I didn’t really expect to see a lot of bubbles when I went back into the bathroom, but there they were! It was almost like a giant fluffy cloud had landed in my tub! Of course, this made my son happy because he’s a bubble popper.  The bubble bath  has a very clean, light floral scent – and I stress light because it is only lightly scented in  my opinion, which is not a problem for me and my son, but others may prefer a stronger scent.


Wyatt and My True Nature - Lots of Bubbles!

 

 My True Nature Bubble Bath

Of course, I tried Daisy’s Natural 2-in-1 Shampoo and Body Wash next. I’ve been using a product that was lavender scented on him, so it took me a few minutes to get used to the scent of the shampoo and body wash, but it doesn’t smell bad by any means. Just a different smell than I’m used to. In fact, the scent is definitely natural and pretty darn refreshing – it kind of reminded me of laying in a field of wildflowers in the spring.

The shampoo also lathers up remarkably well compared to other all-natural products that I’ve tried and all I used was about a dime-sized amount, which pleasantly surprised me. I could even make little rooster tails with my son’s hair! Some of the other baby shampoos I’ve used couldn’t do that, so I was pretty happy with that aspect. My mom and my grandma used to lather us up and give us cool hair designs when we took baths, so it allowed me to reminisce a bit.

My True Nature Shampoo and Body Wash

Another thing I liked about the shampoo was that it washed clean fairly easily. I think I used three cups of water to rinse it out, which is amazing considering that I typically use nearly 8 cupfuls of water to rinse his regular shampoo out. Like most kids, my son hates to get soap in his eyes, so I do my best to keep that from happening. That said, I can’t say for sure if it’s truly tear-free or not because he didn’t get any of it in his eyes and I wasn’t going to be a big meanie and “accidentally” test it out.

 

I used another dime sized amount to put in the wash rag and that did the trick for the body wash. I also think it’s fantastic that My True Nature has fun little characters on the bottles – they are adorable and my son loved them. The very next night, he said, “Mommy, I want the skunk and the dragon! Get them for me, mommy, get them!” and pointed up at the bottles. I think the characters would be fabulous tub-toys.

Overall, I was very pleased with both products. As I previously mentioned, my son has sensitive skin and neither product caused any adverse skin reactions to occur – not even a single splotch! You know what that makes? A happy baby and an even happier mommy.

If you are interested in learning more about My True Nature and the products that they have to offer, you can visit them at: www.mytruenature.net, follow them on Facebook or Twitter to keep up with the new products that they will soon have coming out!

Also, My True Nature has offered to sponsor one of the prizes in my upcoming giveaway, which will begin on November 1st and run through the 25th – so if you’re interested in trying these amazing products, you just might be able to snag them (and a lot more) completely free! Don’t forget to check back on 11/1/11 to enter!

Have you used My True Nature products yet? If so, share your opinion!
Filed Under: Being Green at Home, Family Health, Infant Health, Living Green, Product Reviews, Sweepstakes and Contests, Toddler Health Tagged With: , , , , , ,
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Family Health: Preventing Lead Exposure

September 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

My parents built the house I was raised in; we had new windows, fresh paint, new pipes, and never once did I hear the term “lead poisoning” when I was growing up. Skip ahead a couple of decades; my husband and I live in a home built in 1925; we’re planning to move to an apartment built in the ’30s; and someday, when we buy a home, we’ll be just as happy with a charming old house as we would with a new one. The dangers of lead exposure have become real to us.

If you’ve new to living in old homes, the learning curve concerning lead can be pretty high. Did you know, for example, that lead is found not only in peeling paint but also in old pipes? Did you know that you need to clean lead-based paint areas in a very specific way? Did you know you should never drink or cook with hot water from the tap in your old home? Did you know soil can contain lead?

Here’s the skinny from the EPA (http://www.epa.gov/lead/):

  • Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death.
  • Children six years old and under are most at risk because they put their hands in their mouths more than the rest of us.
  • The most common sources of lead are: deteriorating lead-based paint, lead contaminated dust, and lead contaminated residential soil.
  • Two ways to assess your risk for lead exposure are: (1) to have your home tested for lead by a certified inspector, and (2) to have a blood test done at your doctor’s office, especially for your young children.

The EPA has several links to documents which can answer all of your lead-based questions. Here are a few more tips for the family living in a charming (or not-so-charming) old home (http://www.leadfreekids.org/):

1. Keep your home clean. Cleaning surfaces, floors, and toys once a week greatly reduces your chance of lead exposure. Do not dry-dust; use wet rags instead.

2. Wipe up any paint chips with a wet sponge or rag. Never dry-dust or scrape surfaces that may contain lead paint; the dust is just as dangerous as the paint itself.


3. Ensure that your family members eat well-balanced meals. A diet that is low in fat and high in calcium and iron can help prevent lead absorption in the body. Fish, green vegetables, milk, and cheese are all recommended for this reason.

The dangers of lead exposure are real, but you do not have to be paralyzed by them. Educating yourself about the risks is the first step. Making prevention a priority in your home is the best way to protect everyone in your family from this invisible threat.

 
Filed Under: Family Health, Family Safety, Home & Family, Infant Health, Keeping It Clean, Pregnancy Health, Toddler Health Tagged With: , , ,
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Do It Yourself Baby Food

September 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many thrifty moms of infants make their own baby food. The advantages are many:  1) it gives you total control over what your baby is consuming; 2) it is cheaper; 3) it can help emotionally with the transition from exclusive breast milk to solid foods.

Three easy, healthy, and highly recommended do-it-yourself baby foods are avocados, mashed sweet potatoes, and bananas. Avocadoes and bananas are nature’s own baby foods—ready made! Sweet potatoes take a little more preparation, but once they are baked until they are soft, mix them with a little breast milk, and you have a wonderful, nutrient rich dish for your baby.

If you already make your own yogurt, or if you are interested in learning, consider adding whole milk yogurt to your baby’s homemade diet as well. Preparing the yogurt yourself makes this great baby food much more affordable.

Making your own baby food can be greatly aided by having a freezer, microwave, blender, and/or a hand grinder. You will also need to acquire a bunch of very small containers with lids. You can opt to make your baby’s food fresh each time—especially if you’re already preparing a meal that could easily be turned into baby food at some stage (e.g. anything involving very soft, cooked vegetables). You can also schedule times to prepare baby food in bulk and freeze it.

As your child begins to get teeth, your home made baby food options will expand. Once your baby is a toddler, one popular, healthy snack is peanut butter balls. Simply mix peanut butter, powdered milk, oats, and honey until the mixture is able to be rolled into balls in your hands. You may need to continue adding powdered milk incrementally to achieve the desired consistency. You can sneak in all kinds of other healthy ingredients into these yummy treats: raisins or other dried fruit, chopped nuts, flaxseed, etc.


Two popular books on homemade baby food and other simple, healthy foods for children are: Superbaby Food by Ruth Yaron (F. J. Roberts Publisher, 1998), and Feeding Baby Green by Dr. Alan Greene (Jossey-Bass, 2009).

Do it yourself baby food is inexpensive, healthy, rewarding, and will help start your baby out on a path of healthy eating for a life time.

 
Filed Under: Family Health, From the Kitchen, Home & Family, Infant Health, Kid Friendly Recipes, Living Green, Made from Scratch Recipes, Other Ways to Save, Saving Money Tagged With: , , , ,
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Making Homemade Baby Food: A Picture Tutorial

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Making homemade baby food is a healthy, inexpensive way to feed your baby. Today, I prepared and froze about one week’s worth of homemade baby food for my twins. Follow along to see just how I did it.

What you’ll need:

  • Fresh fruits, vegetables or both
  • Peeler
  • Knife
  • Pot
  • Steamer basket
  • Food Processor
  • Bowls
  • Potato masher
  • Fork
  • Strainer
  • Freezable containers (you can also use ice trays covered in plastic wrap if you don’t have these)

First, I selected the foods, choosing those that are typically recommended as “first foods.” We have bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes and peaches on today’s menu. Don’t overbuy! Notice I only have two of each item. A little goes a long way. I’m choosing to steam all my food today, since it’s one of – if not the – healthiest methods to make homemade baby food. I started with the peaches. Try to use fruit that is quite ripe, so it’ll be nice and soft.

 

Peel them, and remove the pit from the center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, dice the peaches into relatively even chunks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add the peaches to a steamer basket. I have a silicon steamer placed over one inch of simmering water. I put the lid on and let it cook for about 7 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the peaches were fork tender, I placed them in the refrigerator to cool. Then, I added them to my food processor and let it whirl until very smooth. I added a bit of  water (maybe ¼ cup? It will vary) to make it an extra-smooth, first-food-baby’s-ever-eaten consistency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the sweet potatoes. I started by peeling them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dicing one sweet potato, I realized that was plenty and set the other one aside. Just like with the peaches, I steamed the sweet potatoes, let them cool in the refrigerator and pureed them in the food processor, adding water as needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neither the bananas nor the avocados need to be cooked; they already have a soft constancy, perfect for babies. Cut the avocados in half by working your knife around the pit in a circular motion. Once you’ve reached where you inserted your knife, set the knife down and twist the two avocado halves to open it. To remove the pit easily, give it a whack with your knife and twist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scoop the flesh out of the avocados by running a large spoon around the inside of the rind. Then, mash it up in a bowl. I used a potato masher, but you could also use a fork. One of my avocados wasn’t as ripe as I would have liked, and I had quite a few chunks left. So, I chose to work the avocado through a mesh strainer.

 

 

 

 

 

It was extra work, but I wanted a super smooth consistency for a first food. Here’s what I ended up with. After this pic, I added some water to make it runnier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, I mashed the bananas in a bowl. Like the avocados, I then worked the bananas through a mesh strainer, and ended up with this – a very runny bowl of bananas, without adding any water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All I had to do from there was add the food to my containers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready for the freezer!
Filed Under: Being Green at Home, From the Kitchen, Infant Health, Kid Friendly Recipes, Living Green, Made from Scratch Recipes, Other Ways to Save, Saving Money Tagged With: , , , ,
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Car Seat Safety Tips for Baby

August 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I don’t know about your family, but mine spends an awful lot of time in the car. We live in a small town surrounded by cornfields, 25 miles away from the nearest Walmart. If I want to get really fancy, like go to Target, we’re talking about driving at least an hour each way. That’s why it’s so important that every time I put my babies in the car, I’m doing it the safest way possible. Here are a few car safety tips to keep our little ones safe on the road:

Car seats must be rear-facing at least through 2 years old. I’ve been seeing some moms do this for a while, but now the American Academy of Pediatrics advises it. Earlier this year, the AAP changed their recommendation, which used to tell use to rear-face at least through age one, so most parents (me included) flipped their kids around on the way home from their first birthday party. When my older son was that age, I hadn’t really heard of rear-facing past age one. Experts say that rear-facing car seats provide better protection for the neck, back and spine in an accident. Sure, a child might break a leg during a crash in a rear-facing car seat, but that’s much better than a broken neck. Besides, leg injuries are actually rare for children facing the rear. It’s too late for my son, but my twins will definitely be riding backwards as long as they’ll fit that way.

In the winter, don’t dress your baby in bulky clothing for riding in the car seat. Thick, soft clothing can affect the function of the harness. Also, you might not get the harness tightened properly the next time baby rides without the bulk. It’s not likely to be cold in the car if you have heat, so dress your baby in thinner layers, and place a blanket over-top the harness if you want to provide extra warmth. My three-year-old still doesn’t know what it’s like to put his coat on to leave the house because we always just take it along with us.


Follow a few guidelines when choosing a car seat. There isn’t one “best” or “safest” car seat on the market. The best one for you is one that is the right size for your baby and car and is installed properly. Have your car seat checked by a certified child passenger safety (CPS) technician before bringing a new baby home from the hospital. You can find a CPS tech here. Our nearest tech is at our state police headquarters. Never buy a used car seat from someone unless you know its history, and pay close attention to a seat’s date of manufacture and possible recall.
Filed Under: Behind the Wheel, Family Safety, Home & Family, Infant Health Tagged With: , , , , ,
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Things to Remember When Starting Baby on Solid Foods

August 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I can’t believe my new twins are over three months old now! Before I know it, I’ll be starting to feed them solid foods, which got me thinking … how do I do that again? I gave myself a refresher course on baby food, and I’ll share here what I’ve learned, so that you’ll know, too, how to feed your baby solid food. Here are some things to remember for a healthy baby:

Wait until your baby is at least four months old before starting any solid foods. She’ll still be getting all the nutrients she needs from breast milk or formula. Starting solid foods now is the first step toward healthy eating habits as your baby grows. Make sure baby is physically able to sit up in a supported high chair and turn her head away. Usually, the first food choice is baby cereal, but new research is showing that vegetables and other soft foods can be just as good a choice. Maybe I’ll try that with my girls.

Give your baby some time to get used to eating solid food. Until now, she’s only ever had liquid, and the new texture of foods and a spoon in her mouth will feel strange. Don’t expect her to eat very much at first, especially at the first sitting. She might spit most of the food out and only eat a teaspoon or less. Just look at it as practice.

Introduce new foods to your baby one at a time. This way, you’ll be able to tell if your baby has any adverse reactions to a particular food. If you do notice any possible allergies, tell your pediatrician. I’ve heard of a “four day rule,” meaning you should wait four days before introducing another new food to baby.


Give baby a variety of foods in a variety of colors. Fruits, vegetables, meats and grains can all be part of your baby’s diet. More and more moms are choosing to make their own baby food. With my older child, I would cook and puree produce, then freeze individual portions in an ice cube tray. Cook baby’s food without adding any salt.

We’ve all heard of the Land of Milk and Honey, but it’s not a place baby should go just yet. Wait until baby turns one to give her cow’s milk, since she can’t digest it properly until then. Continue with breast milk or formula until her first birthday. Doctors say not to give babies honey until at least one year old. I’ve heard that this is due to the risk of botulism.

 Photo courtesy of Jencu.

Shop for all-natural products at MotherNature.com
Filed Under: Food Safety, Infant Health, Kid Friendly Recipes Tagged With: , , ,
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Natural Home Remedies for Baby

August 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As a mom, it’s easy to get caught up in all the “must-have” baby products, especially when you receive every type of cream, lotion and medicine on the market at your baby shower. We shouldn’t forget, though, about the tried and true home remedies for baby. Here are some natural options for a few common baby ailments:

Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is extremely common in babies. It’s sort of a baby dandruff, characterized by redness and scales on the scalp and face. It will go away with time, but until it does, it can be a real nuisance. Don’t buy an expensive cream before trying a natural remedy for a fraction of the cost.

Wash your baby’s hair more often. When you wash it, add a small amount of olive oil. Lightly massage the oil into baby’s head, and use a soft-bristled brush to work the flakes away. Continue as needed.

Constipation

My first child had recurring bouts of constipation as a baby, and our family doctor always advised against giving him any laxatives. Apparently, children’s digestive systems can grow dependent on them to function properly. Fiber is the key to keeping constipation away.

Prune juice is the best remedy for baby’s constipation. Water it down, so it isn’t too potent for your baby. I use a one-to-one ratio of juice to water. If your baby really doesn’t like the taste of prune juice and won’t drink it, add it to another fruit juice. Straight apple juice or grape juice should also help relieve constipation.  Feed your baby foods high in fiber, such as beans, lentils, peaches, apricots, plums and spinach.

Try this homemade remedy: Mix baby oil with 1 or 2 drops chamomile oil and rub on your baby’s tummy to help with digestion and gas.


Colds

Babies will inevitably get a cold or two, yet we aren’t supposed to give them decongestants. None of us, including babies, can cure our colds, but we can try to ease their symptoms. Place a cool mist humidifier in your baby’s room while he sleeps. Or, sit in the bathroom with your baby for 10 to 15 minutes while a hot shower runs. Steam will help thin mucus and relieve congestion. Avoid giving your baby milk while he has a cold. Milk will only thicken the mucus and make congestion worse. Give baby plenty of other fluids, especially water.

Try this homemade remedy: Rub a mixture of lavender, camphor and olive oils on your baby’s chest to ease chest congestion.

Photo courtesy of Clare Bloomfield.
Filed Under: Chemical Safety, Family Health, First Aid, Home & Family, Infant Health, Living Green, Other Ways to Save Tagged With: , , , , ,
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Types of Cloth Diapers Explained

July 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Once I learned about the benefits of cloth diapers and decided that I was going to use them on my new twins, the next step was to figure out which types of cloth diapers to use. And wow, the options were overwhelming. Each type has its pros and cons, and only you can choose which is best for your family. Many moms (including me) opt to buy some of each type to see what they like, before committing. I’m hoping to help make your decision a little easier by offering this beginner’s guide to the various types of cloth diapers:

Prefold With Cover

This is the most old school and economical cloth diapering system. A prefold is a rectangular cotton diaper that has been folded multiple times and stitched together so there are many layers of fabric down the middle, so that it’s most absorbent where it counts. The prefold is put on the baby and secured with a Snappy (a handy accessory that replaces diaper pins). A waterproof cover goes over the prefold to keep baby’s clothes dry. Covers are available with either Velcro-like or snap closures. Green Mountain Diapers makes some of the best cloth diapers of this type, and Thirsties makes my favorite covers.

Pocket Diaper

A pocket diaper is similar to a disposable diaper in shape and how it’s put on baby. There is an opening – or pocket – inside the diaper, where you add absorbent inserts. You can choose how many and what type of inserts to use, which allows you to vary the absorbency, depending on how heavy of a wetter your baby is. Pocket diapers are also available with either Velcro-like or snap closures. You can also buy “one-size” pocket diapers, which adjust to fit babies from birth through potty training. Some of the most popular pocket diapers are made by bumGenius and Fuzzibunz. Budget options include Sunbaby and Kawaii diapers.

All-in-One

All-in-one diapers are the most like disposable diapers in design and use. They are just like pocket-diapers, except there is an absorbent panel sewn down the middle of the diaper. Some have a pocket as well, allowing you to add more absorbency when needed. These tend to be the most daddy and caregiver-friendly, but some people don’t like how long they take to dry. They also are the most expensive type of cloth diaper. BumGenius also makes all-in-one diapers, as do Swaddlebees and Ragababe, among others.

All-in-Two

As the name suggests, an all-in-two diaper is made of two pieces: a waterproof cover and an absorbent soaker that snaps down the middle of the cover. When you change the diaper, you can simply replace the soaker, as long as the cover isn’t soiled. Popular makers of this system are Flips, Bestbottom, GroVia and gDiapers.

Photo courtesy of Moohaha.
Filed Under: Home & Family, Infant Health, Living Green, Other Ways to Save, Saving Money, Toddler Health Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Breastfeeding Helps Both You and Your Baby

July 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Besides saving a ton of money from not having to buy expensive baby formula, there are several long term benefits breastfeeding provides that help both mother and child. An infant feeding on breast milk receives hundreds of proteins, vitamins and minerals per feeding. All these proteins and vitamins will affect an infant’s health later on in life. Research has shown that the long term benefits of breastfeeding reach adulthood; adults who were breastfed as infants are less likely to be overweight or obese as adults.

That is not the only good news for breastfed infants. The nourishment a mother’s breast milk provides also helps infants fight off infections in their early years. Breastfed babies are less likely to get ear infections in the first year of life, as well as suffer less incidents or severity of pneumonia and meningitis. As for long term affects, breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma, allergies and eczema.

Breastfed babies are not the only ones making out like bandits; moms benefit from breastfeeding as well. A breastfeeding mom uses a lot of energy in the production of milk and that causes her body to use calories. This can cause a breastfeeding mom to lose weight if she maintains her food intake and doesn’t overeat. Breastfeeding moms also develop a smaller risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Finally, a lactating mom who breastfeeds for at least six months delays the return of her menstrual cycle and is less likely to become pregnant in the first six months of a child’s birth.

A feeding baby has only one thing in mind when it attaches itself to its mother’s breast as it satisfies its hunger. However, they will realize later on in life that their mother did plenty more to improve their health as adults. Breast milk not only serves as food, it is also an antidote and protects an infant well into adulthood.
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This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page