Wellness | Eco-Mothering

Natural Skin Care from Bard & Finch | Eco-Mothering.com

My awareness of my skin seems to increase in summer, the season of allergies, hearty UV rays and hungry little bugs. I used to throw on any old skin product, usually based on whatever was on sale. Since I entered my forties—and learned more about product ingredients—I’ve become more interested in nourishing my skin so that it thrives for the next forty years. Happily, through this blog, I’m frequently introduced to new companies and their fabulous products. Today I want to tell you about Bard & Finch, a family-owned company on the coast of Maine, surrounded by vibrant finches and chatty barred owls. Their focus? Harnessing nature’s nutrients to create nourishing products for healthy skin. The Importance of Our Skin Skin is our body’s largest organ and often reflects our health. The role of skin involves: Protecting our internal selves from bacteria and other environmental pollutants. Regulating our body temperature. Both … Continue reading →

Beauty Inside and Out: Goddess Garden Safe Sunscreen Review

By Donna DeForbes | May 19, 2015 - 9:00 am | Giveaways, Product Reviews, Wellness

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This post is sponsored by Green Sisterhood but, as always, the opinion is my own. The recent beautiful New England weather has my family spending more time outdoors, which means it’s time to lather ourselves with Goddess Garden’s safe sunscreen. I learned about Goddess Garden last year, and it’s been our family’s go-to sunscreen ever since. (Scroll to bottom for details on 20% off Goddess Garden products!) As a forty-something woman who knows about the increased importance of skin protection, I want to avoid sun damage. I don’t want wrinkles and pigmentation to keep me from feeling beautiful on the outside. And I’ve learned how external beauty is often affected by what’s inside our personal care products. In the same way you want to fuel your body with healthy foods, you only want healthy products to soak into your skin—both have a direct impact on how you feel and how … Continue reading →

Safe Living with Ava Anderson Non Toxic Personal Care Products

By Donna DeForbes | May 5, 2015 - 5:00 am | Giveaways, Product Reviews, Wellness

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Ava Anderson Non Toxic Products | Eco-Mothering.com

A typical fourteen-year-old likely spends her time shopping, sleeping in and socializing with friends, both in person and digitally. Ava Anderson was not your typical fourteen-year-old. At that age, horrified by an EWG report that discovered dangerous chemicals in teen urine, she began researching the health effects of the chemicals found in personal care products. She tossed her family’s supply of lotions, shampoos and makeup since they were not up to her newfound standards of safety. Unable to find products that were safe enough, Ava and her mom Kim founded Ava Anderson Non Toxic in 2009. The focus: Quality products WITHOUT harmful chemicals. Scroll to the bottom of this post for a $100 giveaway! What does that mean? It means NO parabens, synthetic fragrances, dyes, phthalates, formaldehyde, glycol, sodium laureth sulfate or petroleum byproducts. Why are these chemicals bad for you? Ava’s done the research. Learn what each chemical means, and … Continue reading →

Product Review: Adopt a Healthy, Sweeter-Smelling Herban Lifestyle

By Donna DeForbes | April 21, 2015 - 9:00 am | Green Gifts, Product Reviews, Wellness

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Herban Lifestyle Body Butter | Eco-Mothering.com

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Green Sisterhood. I received products to review but was not compensated for publishing the review. Opinions are all my own. One of the best things about being a blogger is forging relationships with small, natural living companies that I may never otherwise have discovered. Herban Lifestyle is one such company that makes it easy for us to balance our urban lifestyles with herbal habits. Owner Mary Kearns grew up in an ecologically conscious family and began making herbal bath and beauty products in 1999, selling them at local farmers markets. Her interest in the healing properties of herbs led her to found Herban Lifestyle in 2008 and share her products with a larger audience. Mary has also served as a wellness consultant on the scientific review of cancer prevention programs. With a mission to “make the world a happier, healthier, better-smelling place,” Herban Lifestyle creates products of … Continue reading →

FRESH STARTS to a New Year in Body, Home and Parenting

By Donna DeForbes | January 6, 2015 - 5:00 am | Natural Parenting, Wellness

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New Year Fresh Starts | Eco-Mothering.com

I’m not one to make traditional New Year’s resolutions, but I do like the idea of a fresh start that comes with every new year. Sometimes I will create a theme for the year. Other times, I will choose a few processes to change or some new journey to embark on. This year, for example, I’m detoxing from the sugary holiday food fest with a 24-hour fast followed by two days of fresh fruits and veggies. And I’m also feeling inspired by Richly Rooted’s post to make a year of simple living by doing one thing each month. I want you to be inspired, too! Here is a collection of posts — on body, home and parenting — toward making a fresh start in 2015. BODY 5 Signs You Need a Detox from Mix Wellness Easy Ways to Reset Your Nutrition from The Provision Room Healthy Alternatives to Common Grocery … Continue reading →

How to Maintain Healthy Sleep During the Holidays

By Donna DeForbes | November 20, 2014 - 5:00 am | Holidays and Celebrations, Wellness

12 Ways to Treat Bug Bites Naturally

By Donna DeForbes | September 23, 2014 - 5:00 am | Wellness

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Natural Remedies for Bug Bites | Eco-Mothering.com

This is a guest post by Aradhana Pandey. Watching the ugly red swelling of a bug bite is not something you want to witness on your child’s body. Those nasty, itchy bites require immediate relief, and you’d prefer to do it without chemicals. Fortunately, there are natural remedies easily accessible at home that do not have the side effects of market drugs and ointments. Here are a few natural treatments to aid your family in recovery from seasonal bug bites. Ice An immediate cooling of the inflamed area is a good first step. Ice numbs the area, reducing itchiness and easing the skin into normalcy. Tea Tree and Lavender Essential Oils The antimicrobial properties of tea tree and lavender make them natural healers of various skin ailments. Whereas chemical ointments may burn the skin, essential oils — especially lavender — soothe it. Tea tree also fights cuts, burns and infections. … Continue reading →