Green Review Lullaby Paints

Lullaby Paints

Lullaby Chalkboard Paints is a hard, washable, and super-resilient paint designed for creating your own chalkboard surfaces.  The low-sheen finish ideally takes all general purpose and sidewalk chalks and is fully washable.  The paint included in the kit is sufficient for a thirty square foot chalkboard, painted with two coats, onto a normal surface.  The kit also includes edging tape, a roller and a tray of paint.

Lullaby Paints sent me a kit for free to try out and review. I was in the middle of remodeling our 8 year old twins room so after I finished that I started this project.   I decided on black paint because its traditional and the black color will cover well.  I then searched for the perfect second hand item to up-cycle into something fun for my girls.  It took me a few weeks but I finally found this.  I really have no idea what it was originally meant for but it looked like a tray or general board I could turn into a blackboard. At $2.99 it was easy on the bank too! 

Instructions that came with the kit were very helpful.

Prepare-Surfaces should be clean, dry, sound and free from grease.  Remove any soft, dusty or loose material.  I lined the outside with tape and sanded down a bit to prepare the surface for paint.  Used a dry cloth to get all the dust off and ready for paint.

Mix-Do not thin.  Stir gently and thoroughly before use. The paint came in a small bag that I simply squished and mixed up a bit.

Paint-Spread generously and evenly.  Avoid going back over painted areas.  Apply two coats, allow to dry in between applications.  This is where I didn't follow directions and should have.  So my painted surface looks a bit rough but I'm pretending its a old chalkboard and old is in. Yeah lets go with that. I also only had one brush which broke after the first applications but I thought I could still get with with using it. Nope. Now there is a hair or two from the brush in the paint. So this handy lady sacrificed a make up brush to finish painting with. Sure did the trick! I don't wear make up so that brush was just sitting around awaiting to be used. Clean up was a cinch.  Just washed my hands with soap and water. Easy peasy. 

Enjoy-Remove chalk with a damp cloth, for other marks use a mild detergent and water.  Before first use, rub the entire surface of your chalkboard with the side of the chalk stick, then wipe clean. 

And here is the finished project! Perfect for the girls to make signs or just simply draw pretty pictures.  But because its also a tray size I could easily take this and set some cheese, fruit and cuts of meat on and write on the board what kinds they are. Its non toxic so I don't need to worry about my food being poisoned by chemicals.

My Review
I highly recommend this company.  You can get inspiration from their website or  their blog. I was browsing online for hours. I'm amazed on how many projects people come up with. Truly inspiring.

Another great thing is you can try before you buy. Simply go online and order some paint chips (FREE!!) or even some 2 oz paint samples.  Nothing worst than ordering something that isn't what you wanted and not being able to return it. This just helps you keep from wasting money.

Their paints are made from the finest ingredients, their baby safe paints are carefully selected for their safety and performance.  In fact, their paints are so safe they include food grade ingredients.  In fact their rich, deep pigments are imported from Europe and meet the highest environmental and safety standards.  And because their resins are not diluted with cheap toxic solvents, they're thicker and cover your walls much better.

Lullaby Paints are recognized by consumer advocacy groups and leading environmental organizations, used by hospitals and maternity facilities, lauded by magazines, designers and bloggers and, most of all enjoyed by moms as pregnancy safe paints.  Now mom to be, mommies and babies can be safe.

Now thats awesome. Actually its awesomeness!  (yes I made that up)

Lets not forget the perk of being able to shop from home! But if you like to support a local company ( like myself!) you can find a nearest retailer to you.

Last but not least my favorite part of this whole product and review. Customer service!!!! Excellent customer service is a MUST (and rare these days!). If you have any questions at all you can call live toll-free (866)587-3586

Now go check out LULLABY PAINTS and discover why I fell in love with them. They have many different colors for every color scheme and can help you jazz up any room or project in any home or building. You can thank me later.

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I would like to thank Janelle and Lullaby Paints for giving me this opportunity to try your paints. It was a fun project and a great experience all around. As a mother I feel good about using non toxic products from amazing companies. Thank you for making such a great product I feel safe bringing into my home.

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DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent a Penny Per Load

Over the years I have used many different recipes to make my own laundry soap.  I converted from regular liquid soap you buy in a store to liquid soap I made on my own.  Most call for a good bar of soap, borax (toxic yuck) and washing soda.  I have been on the look out for a good simple recipe for a few years now.  It wasn't until I started cleaning homes for people the all natural non toxic way that I had a epiphany.  Baking soda and vinegar is all you need to clean a home. Bingo! 

Ingredients you will need: 

Baking soda 3lbs

I gathered free samples of soaps from Whole Foods and used them in my soap. Free!

Bar of soap your choice 1/3 the bar per 3 lbs of baking soda 

I recommend using a non oily soap. Moisturizing soaps can leave oil on your clothes. The point of this soap is to clean and deodorize.

Tools: Small grater, container to put your powder soap in and a fork to stir with.

Step one-grate the whole bar of soap or as much scent as you can handle. I use an all natural soap because we have many skin allergies but you can use anything you want.  

Step two-Mix in baking soda

How to use: 1 tablespoon per load for any washer. 

Thats it. Your done. I'm not kidding. It's that simple. 

My cost

I bought a 5 pound bag of baking soda for $3.85 and the soap were free samples. There is about 72 tablespoons in one pound, making there 360 tablespoons in 5 pounds of baking soda and that equals out to a little over a penny per load of laundry.  Possibly more if you use less than one tablespoon.  Cheap huh? My thoughts exactly.

I have a HE washer and have been using this for a year now. I don't have any powder build up but if you find you are having any just use less powder per load of laundry. 

Questions

What if our clothes are stinky stink bombs?

I have 2 kids in sports and trust me when I say I know how your feeling. Simply soak the clothes in a bucket of water with 1 tablespoon of this soap. Soak for 30 minutes then toss in your washer and wash as usual. Baking soda is great for getting smells out of clothes.

What do you use for bleach?

I don't use bleach because its toxic. Instead I use hydrogen peroxide in its place.  I have a HE washer with a preset amount I can pour in. If you don't have a preset amount just put 1/2 cup in your wash of whites. Soak if needed.

Can I use this powder mixture to clean anything else?

You bet you can! For hard to clean ring around your tub get a small bowl and add in a 1/2 cup of this powder mixture and add just enough hydrogen peroxide into it to make a paste.  Scrub your bath tub with this and it will get any stain and oil off your tub.  Works wonders! You can also sprinkle it into toilets and scrub with a toilet brush to clean your toilets. This can be used to even clean your kitchen sink!

Can I use this on dark clothes and whites?

Yes you can use it on both. I have never had any clothes discolor or get ruined. 

So as you can see this really is a simple, easy and frugal way to wash your clothes or home. My favorite part is that you can make it smell like any scent you want or just use baking soda alone. Totally catered to your specific needs. That my friend is awesome!

Cloth Diapers?

Looking for a recipe to use with cloth diapers? The Eco-Friendly Family has a great recipe here to try.

Want to use soap nuts but like powdered soaps? The Eco-Friendly Family has that as well! Check the recipe out here. 

Borax Free Recipe?

Ecokaren has a great borax free recipe here. 

She also has a great recipe for Non Toxic and Cheap Homemade Laundry Detergent.

If you have a front loader (like me) she also wrote a great post on Front Loading Washer Maintenance. 

Disclaimer-Use at your own will.  This has worked for me but test it out before you use it on all your clothes. I'm not responsible for anything that might happen to your clothes. This is just helpful tips and idea's that hopefully will work for you.

Natural Earth Paint Review

Natural Earth Paints

 

I feel pretty lucky to be able to review this amazing companies products. It's one of those I know someone who knows someone type of things. Gotta love blogging! I was super excited because this is a Oregon company that is local to me. Woot! Leah and Drew one day I would love to meet you one day (and little Django!). What a fantastic life story you two have. I have a feeling this Capricorn would get along with you two perfectly.

 

" An organic, Eco-friendly paint kit made from natural earth pigments (pure clay). The naturally colored clay was collected from the ground, dried, crushed and sifted into pure pigment. Mix water with these six powdered colors to create a creamy paint similar to tempera or add more water to create a watercolor effect. Earth Paints are different from other children’s paint in that they are high quality, rich, vibrant paints that are free of fillers and preservatives. They are perfect for adults to create quality works of art as well on paper, stones, fabric, canvas or wood." You get that? pure clay and milk powder. That's it. Seriously how cool is that? Mega cool!

 

 

This is what the box contains. 6 packs of pure clay/milk powder in different colors and 6 Greenware cups made from plants not petroleum.  Plus a great little pamphlet with information about the company and even some craft ideas. This is the Children's Earth Paint Kit Petite.

 

 

Instructions state 1 tsp powder to 1 tsp of water. Perfect consistency for our project.  We used room temperature water and it mixed up just fine.  Paint has a light smell of powdered milk which we enjoyed.

 

 

I asked my girls to draw the base of a tree in black or dark brown with the idea of using their fingers to paint leaves on the trees.  Fall is my favorite time of the year and I love my girls Fall artwork on our walls.  What started off with 2 girls ended up involving all 4 of my girls. Not only did my 7 year old twins love it but even my 11 and 14 year old daughters enjoyed it. Gotta love that!

 



 



My girls went to work adding leaves of all colors.  Each time they switched a color they washed their hands. They said they barely had to wash them and there was no struggle to get the paint off their hands. With acrylic paint it was a issue of getting it off and cleaning the sink quickly so they paint didn't stain the sink. Not with this paint!

You could easily use paint brushes but I thought the ultimate test would be fingers.  This way you would know how easy it would be to clean your hands.  Here you can see I covered our table with yellow paper so clean up was easy. But the girls did get some on the bathroom counter and it cleaned up super easy with no staining. 

 





And here is the end result.  See that smile? There you have a happy camper. Need I say more? Just a little more! I would recommend this paint to anyone with children. Heck I would recommend this paint to anyone. They not only sell children's water soluble paint but they also sell a larger Children's Earth paint Kit which is a bit larger and a Earth Oil Paint Kit. They even ship International orders. Best of all my kids loved this product and project.  They are already thinking of their next project to use these paints on.  Here are a few things going for this company.

 

Shipped in a cardboard box with no plastic on the inside. There was plastic tape on the outside but that is my fault for not asking for paper tape. Something I need to work on.

 

Non toxic paint that will last forever. When you mix the paint you have a week to use it up because it has milk powder in it.

 

Earth tone colors that can easily be mixed to make new colors. These colors are so bold and beautiful.

 

Super easy to clean up with soap and water. This is a must when kids are involved.

 

Oregon residents this is a LOCAL company!!!!!

 

At $19.95 its not going to break the bank. Remember these have a long shelf life when in powder form.

 

Run out of a color or need the oil? Simply order a individual color online!

 

You can ask questions anytime with no problem.

 

Now head on over to Natural Earth Paint and check them out for yourself. Don't forget that the holidays are coming and this would be a perfect gift to any family with kids or that artist who loves to paint. Go!

 

Note: I was sent this kit for free and I am not getting paid one penny to review this product. This is my personal opinion and I was not influenced by the company to give a good review.

 

 

 

Go Green Get Fit Challenge Earth Mama Angel Baby Review

Earth Mama Angel Baby

This amazing (and LOCAL!!!!) company was kind enough to send me a few products to review for them.  Can you say awesome? Woot! You might be wondering why am I reviewing these because I'm not pregnant or have small babies anymore. You would be correct. The baby factory has been shut down and my babies are now 14, 11 and the twins are 7 now. Sad face! But I have two amazing friends that are either pregnant or just had a baby.  They were more than happy to try these out and give me their honest opinions. 

Before I get to that I wanted to give you a little background information on this amazing company.  Earth Mama Baby Angel is a local company to me. They are located in Clackamas Oregon which is special to me because I grew up in Clackamas. Shout out to all my peeps in Clackamas!  They are made up of a group of strong women and a father of two that you can read about here. Love that you can see who is behind the great products. That is rare these days. 

Something I love about this company-"We use the highest-quality, certified-organic or organically grown herbs and oils for our teas, bath herbs, gentle handmade soaps, salves, lotions and massage oils. Our products are 100% free of toxins, cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, and free from all artificial preservatives, fragrances and dyes. Our commitment to honor the earth and her valuable resources extends to our packaging as well - we use only eco-friendly recyclable or reused/reusable packaging and packing materials. It's true - we are even the proud recipients of the BRAG (Business Recycling Award Group) for our green practices." EMBA website.

Review by

 Tanya Zelen mommy of 4 including a 3 month old baby boy.

Crystal Caldwell mother of 1 son and soon to be a baby girl.

-So...Happy Mama Spray is nice, refreshing. Tanya

-I didn't use the new mama bottom spray as I think it's supposed to be used right after but it smells nice. Tanya

-The Calming Lavender shampoo is great, I love the lavender/vanilla scent. Tanya

-Natural Nipple Butter is way nicer then the stuff they give u in hospital-mild smell and refreshing. Tanya

-I really like the Angel Baby Bottom Balm(I've used it before) -does the job and doesn't reek like Desitin. Tanya

-The Organic Milkmaid Tea tasted ok and for some reason makes me really sleepy which can be good or bad.  Tanya

-Mama To Be Sampler I like them because they are not too strong.  The Morning Wellness Tea was good tasting and helped with my tummy ache.  Crystal

-The Organic Heartburn Tea helped with my hiccups. Crystal

-The Organic Peaceful Mama Tea tasted good and helped me relax before bedtime.  I have a hard time sleeping so it seemed to help. Crystal

Review by me

Mama Bottom Balm-"Prenatal and postpartum hemorrhoids, postpartum vaginal swelling and bruising, episiotomies... New mamas and mamas-to-be got bottom problems! Mama Bottom BalmMama Bottom Balm soothes and cools with an organic olive oil base infused with healing organic herbs - St. Johns wort, yarrow, Witch hazel, Calendula, Shea butter, and more. And it's not just for mamas, perfect for papas, grandmas, or ANYbody with sore nether regions. Store it in the refrigerator and apply often! You'll be sitting pretty in no time."

This may sound strange but I use this on my hands. I have eczema really bad on my hands and need to apply lotion/oils often to keep them soft.  I keep a bottle of bottom balm on my night stand and apply it before I go to bed and when I get up in the morning.  The smell is very soothing to me and my hands get plenty of moisture while I sleep.  I credit this product in making my hands soft once again. THANK YOU!!!!

Would I recommend this company? Yes!!!!!  Not only because they are local to me. You will love these reasons.

No parabens or other artificial preservatives

No petroleum by-products

Toxin-free

Cruelty-free

Certified Vegan

5 reasons alone to try these amazing products!

 They sell products for pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, for the baby, amazing soaps and also sell gift bags stuffed with lots of great products you can give to others.  You can also get baby loss comfort/healing support and even a baby loss memorial. Now that's support on a whole other level. Amazing.  Don't forget to get your free Herbs and breastfeeding e-book. They published their results of clinical testing and their products are now in hospitals!  Last but not least Earth Mama Angel Baby gives you their promise that their products are organic, natural, safe and work.

You can find their products online and in natural stores everywhere. Here in Oregon they are in all Whole Foods and New Seasons stores.  If your looking for a particular product call the stores ahead of time. They are also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and even Pinterest.

Go Green Get Fit Challenge

Note: I was sent these products to review and give my honest opinions. I was not paid one cent to try these, review them or publish this post.  I simply love reviewing local organic products from amazing companies.

Update: Since this was written sadly my friend Crystal Caldwell has since passed away.  She was my best friend and a Aunty to my children. She will be missed forever. 

RIP Crystal 

Sunscreen? No thanks, I'll pass!

My children suffer from allergies and eczema.  My 2nd child was allergic to baby wipes and one of my twins broke out in red spots anytime she was in water.  We later found out that the water was so hard and was causing her red spots.  After so much discomfort I decided to try to fix everything myself.  It started with eliminating all toxins that would touch my children's skin.  First to go was any body wash, soap, and hair products. I replaced them with the most natural and safe products I could find.  We moved and within a week my daughters red spots went away.  I was in shock how hard water  of all things was the problem.  I started reading labels on everything and that is when I went into shock. I didn't know what things were let alone even pronounce them.

Skip ahead to today. I feel as if I am pretty good at getting around toxic products.  That is until the summer time comes. I have a hard time finding any sunscreen that has safe ingredients.  Or if I do find a safe product its just way to expensive.  I know I want my kids to be safe but honestly these products are just too expensive for the average family to afford. And don't get me started on all the plastic packaging  that they come in.  So it got me thinking. What can I do about this?

Sun can damage skin in as little as ten minutes.  That being said ten minutes of sun can be good for you as well.  Avoid the sun and you won't get your daily dose of vitamin D.  So don't completely avoid it just limit your time. Another thing to remember is that even on a cloudy day you can get burned.  So no matter what weather remember the ten minute rule.

Indoor exposure.  Yes you read that correct.  UV rays can go right through glass.  No need to worry! You can buy UV blocking films to put on your windows. 

UV blocking clothing. This is a great option for those who have skin allergies.  Coolibar, L.L.Bean, REI,  and SunGrubbies are great places to start looking.  A great way to save money is to buy after the season is over.   Remember to buy local whenever possible! This year I am investing in some clothes for my children. 

Avoid middle of day sun exposure.  Go outdoors in the morning or later in the evening.

Avoid direct sun exposure. Babies especially need to be in the shade. Hang out under a tree or umbrella.  Most sports stores carry Sports Umbrella's or can be found online.  I personally own one of these and they are lifesavers! At first we used them for soccer games but then we started bringing it everywhere with us.  They can fit a family of 4-6 easily! Found mine at Costco years ago but you can start finding them around this time of the year. Usually cost around $40-$60.

Reflective surfaces!  Be especially careful if you are around water, sand, snow, or any surface that will reflect and therefore intensify the sun's rays. Remember, the sun’s rays are more intense the higher you get in elevation. So be prepared no matter where you travel!

For those who don't have skin allergies but want a good healthy product then your in luck. These days there are some amazing products that can help.  I always recommend going to your local health store. Grab yourself a knowledgeable worker and ask for recommendations.  Look for a local product, recyclable packaging, all natural ingredients and a budget friendly option. 

Ive asked my fellow Women Eco Warrior bloggers out there and they have plenty of advise.

Paige recommends Vive Sana Solar To Polar Ultra. Their site states "Safe and Sustainable. Vive Sana Solar to Polar Ultra is synthetic-free, 100% Natural and 70% Organic (30% Natural Minerals which cannot be organic.) and sustainable! The BPA-free, recyclable packaging is made right here in the USA."

Michelle from Mkokopelli shares her story of her daughter who broke out in hives.  She found a product that works for her with no reactions.

Lisa Sharp from Retro Housewife Goes Green recommends Badger Sunscreen.

Brenna from Almost All The Truth warns of the exposure to Endocrine Disruptors and sun safety.

Amity from Green Gifts Guide reviewed a sunscreen called Eco Logical Sunscreen.

Lisa from Condo Blues shares how she greened her sunscreen.

Danika recommends using Miessence and has written a few things about sunscreen.  EWG Sunscreen List Misses The Mark and Why You Should Avoid Titanium Dioxide In You Sunscreen is a great place to start! But don't forget to read how Fit Pregnancy gets it wrong.

For now I will try to teach my children how to avoid the sun and play safe.  I am on the search for good UV blocking clothes for us at a good price.  And I will continue to find a safe, non toxic and hopefully local sunscreen company.  I will never settle and always strive for better!