Cleaning your face with… OIL! September 30, 2008

I didn’t see this one coming.  About a month ago I ditched my facial care regimen and traded it all in (the cleanser, the toner, the scrub, the moisturizer, the serum, the mask) for one little jar of oil.  Yup, it cost me about $20 for two large bottles of pure, organic cold-pressed oils (castor oil and sunflower oil).  I mixed them in a glass jar at a ratio of 25% castor and 75% sunflower.   I simply massage the oil into my face once a day or every other day to cleanse and moisturize.  Remove with a warm washcloth.  And, that’s it. 

I heard about this on Holistic Mom’s National Yahoo group.  You can get the details at http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/.  I was very skeptical.  Obviously, it seems counter intuitive.  Also, I have blemish-prone skin that’s sometimes oily and sometimes very dry.   Nothing makes my skin happy.  Nothing.  (OK, well Mary Kay kind of did, but I had to stop using it because of toxicity issues). 

Well, I have to report that after using this method for over a month, my skin is pretty happy.  Not that I never have blemishes.  But, I may have less and definitely don’t have more.  The biggest improvement is that it doesn’t get overly oily or overly dry.  That’s a big one.  Plus, it’s very liberating to only have to tend to your face once a day, after years of faithful skin service (cleanse, scrub, tone, moisturize…).  And, I can’t argue with the savings or the eco-friendly simplicity of it all.   My $20 supply of oil may last for nine months or more!

Other moms on Holistic Moms have been very pleased as well.  Do you have the guts to try cleaning your face with oil?

Breastfeeding Success September 25, 2008

Today 74% of moms breastfeed their newborns!  But… only 42% are still breastfeeding at 6 months.  Here are some tips for breastfeeding success:

Learn by watching:  sure books and classes are worthwhile, but you’ll really learn the most by watching someone feed their child.  Since you’re new to breastfeeding, it will seem very intrusive and uncomfortable to watch someone breastfeed, even if she’s a good friend.  However, if she says she’s fine with it, believe it.  A breastfeeding veteran isn’t usually modest about the process, especially around friends who hope to breastfeed.  And, you can bet she wants to help you succeed.  (P.S. Bravado just came out with a new Breastfeeding DVD that’s very helpful. Available at EuphoriaMaternity.com). 

Take Charge of Your Baby:  Don’t let nurses whisk your brand-new baby away for a thorough cleaning and evaluation.  That practice is a relic of the 40’s!  The American Academy of Pediatrics says that baby should be placed direction on your bare chest, where baby can be cleaned and evaluated while enjoying skin-to-skin contact that stimulates the desire to nurse.   This is a once-in-a-lifetime, powerful bonding moment.  And, if you’re worrying about getting messy – you already will be!

Know Your Options:  Any difficulties you experience are likely to be at their worst at about 5-7 days after baby is born.  Your milk has come in and your nipples may be very sore.  Get the number of a good lactation consultant before baby is born.  Keep in mind that Soothies Gel Pads, nipple cream, and nipple shields (all available at EuphoriaMaternity.com) can do a LOT to eliminate nipple pain, and that there are many safe, natural herbal products available for stimulating milk production.

Breastfeeding is a priceless gift to your child and offers health benefits to yourself.  Feel confident that you’re giving your child his or her best.  Be proud of what you accomplish!

… and now we Homeschool September 23, 2008

My childhood was sprinkled with many learning environments: public school, large private school, tiny private schools and one year of homeschool.  They all had their pros and cons, but I had thought I’d send my own children to public schools for financial reasons, and keep an open mind to other possibilities if they did not seem to thrive there.

Fast forward.  Now my oldest, Aria, is almost 4 and… we’re homeschooling.  Last year was her first year of preschool.  I had a new baby and looked forward to sending her away to preschool for 2 short mornings a week.  I imagined I’d use that time to connect with my youngest and get chores/errands done.  Right. 

It seemed that those hours flew by and that pick-up time always conflicted with little Liam’s nap.  The rigidity of having to drop her off and pick her up at certain times made coordinating play dates with friends very difficult.   Since I work part-time, I only have 2 weekdays at home with my children.   Was preschool really just intruding upon our lifestyle and adding one more thing to my to-do list on my days at home?

About halfway through our preschool year I started having second thoughts.  The issues listed above were becoming clear and I started to wonder if I actually wanted Aria to be away at preschool.  Would I enjoy her and my family more if we stayed together?  Did my vision of parenting really fit with sending her to school on the few days I have home with her?  And, what was she really getting out of it?

Not so much.  At Aria’s age, I’d hope for socialization and artistic play at preschool.  At 3 1/2 she became very sensitive to social situations at school.  Her day was fun or awful depending on which of her friends showed up and whether or not those “friends” played with her or ignored her that day.  She also learned to tease and other negative behaviors.  Is this the type of “socialization” I want for her?  It would seem that our playdates are better and more enjoyable for her as well!

Then another mother, whose child attended the same preschool, started sharing her concerns about the art program at our school.  My friend had read “Young at Art”, so she was filled with inspiration to see our children do art that exercised their creativity and helped them process and express their world.  And, then I saw it – Aria wasn’t doing art at school.  Instead she was making a ladybug that looked exactly like all the other ones in her class.  She was following directions (which she’s already quite good at).  Were they even letting her use the scizzors?  Glue on the eyes?  Oh, no!  I can do better than this!  (That’s Aria making her first cut and paste project at home). 

So, since spring of this year, I’ve been on a path towards homeschooling.  It has been an adventure!  I’ve read a million books (OK, more like eight) on different homeschooling methods and experimented with a few ideas at home.  Just now, I’ve found one approach that I absolutely LOVE…  But that story is for another day.

BPA Incriminated by Human Studies September 18, 2008

BPA (Bisphenol-A), the common chemical used to make many plastics, was recently tested on humans against concerns with safety and health impacts.  Surprise, surpise… the tests CONFIRMED that BPA is a threat to human health.  Many previous animal studies had raised flags about the toxicity of BPA, and while some countries are taking steps to phase it out, the FDA still claims that BPA is safe.  Sadly, even in the face of this human study which showed strong links between BPA exposure and human diabetes, heart and liver diseases, the FDA “defended their assessment that BPA is safe,” according to a good overview in the 9/17 USA Today.   Wow, that’s just sad. 

Plastic baby bottles, drinking bottles, certain food containers and other items, including the lining of cans, may contain Bisphenol-A. Basically, consider any hard, clear plastic to be strongly suspect.  The chemical, which mimics the hormone estrogen, has repeatedly been found in the bodies of Americans and has been shown to contribute to prostate and breast cancer, obesity, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, brain damage, altered immune system, lowered sperm counts, and early puberty.  Doesn’t sound a bit safe to me.

For more details on that human study see this article at The Daily Green. For more info on BPA, check out my posts What Plastics are Safe? and BPA-Free for Your Pregnancy.

Pregnant and Beautiful: Skin care tips for the first 9 months September 16, 2008

Facialist to Hollywood’s elite Charlize Theron, Linda Evangelista, and Lisa Kudrow to name a few, Maki Maodus is at the top of her field at the world famous Ole Henriksen Face/Body Spa in West Hollywood, CA.   Creator of her own all natural and organic skin care line for mom and baby, Mambino Organics, she takes a few moments to share her wisdom on the most common skin problems during pregnancy.

A woman’s skin goes through many changes, both internally and externally over the course of a pregnancy. As a general rule: keep things simple. I’m not talking about a box of chocolate on the couch simple.  Try exercise, good nutrition and a proper skin regiment to alleviate the minor discomforts of pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, your skin changes, breasts grow, your abdomen swells and your waistline disappears.  It’s hardest in the beginning when you look like you’ve put on weight, but it does get easier as you transition into the second trimester and there’s no mistaking you’re pregnant!

Facial Care

During pregnancy some skin becomes oily or more dry than usual. Women that never had acne get breakouts (sorry) and those who are acne prone see an improvement (congratulations) in their skin.

What to do:  Good skin cleansing is step one to balanced healthy skin. Wash your face with a mild cleanser twice a day (foaming cleanser if you have more oily skin or milky for normal/dry skin). Exfoliate a few times a week. If you are breaking out, try using witch hazel astringent and clay mask to keep your pores clean and tight. A dab of tea tree oil or organic white vinegar will keep blemishes at bay. Your skin is also more sensitive to the sun, which could lead to getting “mask of pregnancy,” especially during the second trimester (brownish or yellowish patches) so good sun protection is very important with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.  Try natural mineral based make-up or tinted moisturizer.  They’re simply a healthier choice.

Body Care

As the breasts and abdomen grow, you may need extra help in keeping your skin supple and elastic to prevent tearing, scarring and stretch marks.

What to do: It will help if you gain only the recommended amount of weight (usually 25-35 pounds), and do so slowly.  Bag of chips back in the cubby, eat healthy and exercise. Natural emollients, such as oils and belly butters that are rich in essential fatty acids and natural antioxidants, should be applied daily to stomach, breasts, buttocks and thighs. Although most stretching occurs in the later part of a pregnancy, it is important to nourish and lubricate these areas in the earlier stages, especially if you are prone to dry, itchy skin. Use only mild sulfate-free soaps when washing and avoid hot showers or baths as they can dry out the skin.  Above all, remember to take the time to take care of you and embrace your blossoming beautiful body!

Written by Maki Maodus-Temesvary
Los Angeles based Aesthetician and creator of Mambino Organics.

Enter to Win a $250 Maternal America Gift Certificate! September 11, 2008

Ok, so I admit I’m totally late this month.  Sorry!  With the new baby site launch in August, I did get behind on my planning ahead.  I hope to make it up to my readers by offering a very exciting giveaway this month: a gift certificate of $250 good for any Maternal America maternity clothes at EuphoriaMaternity.com!

Maternal America launched a line of designer maternity clothes about five years ago, and took the maternity fashion industry by storm.  The style is amazing – always trend-setting, but not too out-there.  The fit is great – a combination of expert tailoring and fine materials make for flattering, luxurious pieces.  The collection is must-have, season after season after season. 

Maternal Americs is essentially about fun, beautiful pieces that make a statement.  That said, they do have an assortment of maternity basics that also happen to be best-sellers in our boutique.  Moms love their basic rib knit tees, available in tank and long-sleeved styles.  They stretch forever and bounce back so that you can wear them post-partum too.  And then there’s MA jeans.  Pregnant women of all sizes adore the Meghan Trouser Maternity Jeans, while funkier mamas feel chic in the Pintuck Style.

I really do love Maternal America, so I’m very pleased to offer this gift certificate for $250 of MA fashion.  The winner will have the pleasure of doing the shopping herself at our maternity site.  What fun!  To see our current Maternal America styles see EuphoriaMaternity.com.  Keep in mind that we’ll be receiving more fall fashion from Maternal America throughout the months of September & October!

Enter to Win! We are giving away one $250 Maternal America gift certificate.  Entering is free and no purchase is necessary. To enter answer: “What is your favorite designer at Euphoria Maternity, and why?”  Do so by adding your comment below.  Enter now through September 30th.  We’ll choose one random winner!

Newsflash: New Beco Butterfly II September 9, 2008

For those of you who are Beco Baby Carrier enthusiasts or just new moms who have been considering buying a Beco, you’ll want to know that Beco has released a new version of their carrier this week!  The Beco Butterfly II has a few refined features and is available in some new prints.

Beco is always improving their carrier.  The Butterfly II has a slightly longer padded shoulder strap than the Original Butterfly. This will eliminate any underarm chafing that some parents experienced with the Original Butterfly.  Butterfly II also has a removable infant insert; whereas the Original Butterfly had a built-in infant insert.  I suppose this makes the Butterfly II cooler to wear than the original, once baby outgrows the infant insert stage (7-15 pounds) and you’re able to remove the insert.  Also, the baby sleeping head rest  is improved on the Butterfly II.  It is contoured to offer better support for a sleeping child, much like the Ergo sleeping hood.

Our Beco Butterfly II carriers will be arriving next week and are available for pre-order now at EuphoriaBaby.com!  The Sara print (shown at left) was one of our best-selling Original Butterfly prints, and one of my favorites.  All Original Butterfly carriers are on sale, while supplies last.

Home Birth for a Healthy Baby September 7, 2008

Both of my children were born at home, with midwives attending.  Why?  Because I felt it was the best choice for my baby’s health and for my own well-being.  I’m not alone.  Check-out this interesting post about another woman’s choice to birth at home:  http://birthisgood.blogspot.com/2008/09/home-birth-for-healthy-baby.html.

All about Fire-Retardants September 4, 2008

People everywhere are growing concerned with chemical fire-retardant treatments.  And, rightly so.  Recent studies link fire-retardant chemical exposure to cancer, birth defects, autism, thyroid disorders, hyperactivity, learning disabilities such as ADD, and more.  Yikes, that’s a long list!

Sadly, fire-retardants are stored in our bodies and passed on to future generations via the placenta and through breastfeeding.  Virtually every American who has been tested has been found to have fire-retardants, with babies showing the highest levels (probably since their bedding, pajamas and toys are treated with fire-retardant chemicals).  In fact, when scientists examine North American women’s breast milk, they find that we have levels of fire-retardant chemicals at almost 10 times those found in European and Asian women’s breast milk.  Eeek!

So, what’s a parent to do?  We know that breastfeeding is best… so focus on reducing or removing your family’s exposures to fire-retardants and make it habit to buy products that don’t have these toxic chemicals.  Your buying power is the strongest way to send a message to big-business that they had better mend their ways. 

How do you know?  Manufacturers aren’t required to reveal whether their products are treated with fire retardants.  However, if a product boasts that it is flame-resistant or mentions flammability standards, take that as a big red flag that chemicals were used.  Wool is pretty much the only natural fire-retardant fiber.  That’s why wool mattresses and wool waterproof pads for baby’s bed are growing in popularity.  Innovative companies, like Haba Toys, are also finding that weaving polyester into cotton fabrics makes the cloth of their toys resistant to short-duration heat exposure.  Choose natural cotton pajamas for your children that fit close to the body.  Those are the only pajamas not required to undergo chemical treatments.   

The bottom line is – ask before you buy items such as soft furniture, carpets, mattresses, etc.  If a company is not able to answer your questions regarding the use of fire-retardant chemicals, consider taking your business elsewhere.  Fire safety should not come at the expense of poisoning our families and our environment, especially when safe, non-toxic alternatives exist!

Once Upon a Mattress September 2, 2008

I’m reading a wonderful book for creating a safe, “green” home, “Healthy Child Healthy World” published by a national non-profit by the same name.  This excerpt, written by actress Laura Dern, is long but worth reading: 

Once Upon a Mattress

“We hear the news that we’re having a baby and we want to be really healthy and careful.  So we eat organically, avoid mercury in fish, don’t drink, don’t smoke: we don’t use hair color or paint our nails.  We spend all this energy and time creating a really healthy environment – and then we totally switch gears.  We stop thinking about health and somehow lead ourselves to believe that the most important thing for the baby when it comes home from the hospital is… a pretty room…. And so we choose the coolest crib design, instead of the safest or healthiest crib.  We pick the absolute cutest linens, even if they’re covered in flame-retarants and other chemicals (never mind that baby can hardly see at first).  Unwittingly we put loads of toxic chemicals into the room as we strive to make it look right.

But think about it: A newborn baby is spending something like sixteen hours a day asleep.  And that newborn baby’s face is pressed against that space, breathing in what is probably a fresh-off-the-conveyer-belt mattress whose off-gassing is at its height.  On top of that you put a bleached, chemically treated cotton sheet that’s newly dyed – oh, but it’s really cute! – and perhaps not even washed first, or washed in a conventional detergent that’s high in chemicals.  Then ther’s the crib itself, which is often made of partical board, and which continues to off-gas for a long time.  Unbeknown to you, you’ve created an environment with risks when all you wanted to do was make your baby happy and safe.  But it looks good.  Even though the kid is not going to enjoy it for the first two years of his life. 

Most of us do it because nobody told us not to….”

The article goes on, but I’m sure you get the gist.  And, to confess, I’m guilty of exactly what Laura Dern describes.  I read and make careful choices about my pregnancy to give my children a healthy start, but I placed them on conventional, vinyl-topped mattresses and used cheap, chemically dyed and treated bedding without a clue.   

Laura’s right, nobody told met not to.  I would have listened.  That’s why I’m telling you.