How many PARABENS do you put on your BODY everyday?

Start of each day -

1. Shampoo



2. Conditioner



3. Body Wash



4. Face Wash



5. Shaving Cream



6. Body Lotion



7. Facial Moisturizer



8. Deodorant



9. Hail Gel or other products

*My son also only uses paraben free products

When I thought about it like this, I realized I was layering my skin with PARBENS almost EVERYDAY so some must be getting absorbed? Whether there is or is not a correlation with PARABENS and CANCER (check out my article some posts below), I was ready to change my habits and products to stay on the safe side.

So, with the help of Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons and their organic section, I slowly converted all my products.

Cosmetics, Parabens, and Breast Cancer

By~ Organic Consumers Association

http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/breastcancer090604.cfm

The Veggie Steamer - My $5 Best Friend

I had my VEGGIE STEAMER for YEARS and had never used it until NOW!!
For all the Moms that ask me how to get an EASY and HEALTHY DINNER on the table...here is part of my trick.

BOILING VS STEAMING VEGGIES???

I had always boiled my veggies, frozen & fresh. The frozen veggies always turned out really mushy and watery. I have since learned that boiling veggies waters them down which in turn depletes much of their vitamin content.

Check out this article from MSNBC.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16382205

Now, ...this steamer is in my dinner repertoire almost every night. It is soooo easy and the veggies, wether frozen or fresh, turn out yummy!!!

I buy the following from Trader Joes:

• Fresh Baby Carrots
• Fresh Organic Broccoli/Cauliflower in a bag
• Fresh Yams in a bag
• Fresh Sweet Potatoes in a bag
• Fresh Asparagus
• Frozen Organic Sweet Peas
• Fresh and Frozen Multi colored Bell Peppers
• Frozen Corn

I buy the following from Whole Foods:

• Frozen Organic California Blend Veggies (This is one of my BEST food finds.) This is a mix of veggies for approx. $2/bag. They turn out like FRESH veggies when steamed. They have other blends as well.

**If you want to get a little FANCY, you can always steam the veggies until AL DENTE then toss them into a saute pan and add a little butter, salt and pepper then cook until soft.

**I just saw these steamers at Ross for approx. $5. They are easy to locate. :)

Method - Eucalyptus Tub and Tile Cleaner For BABY P's TUB

I'm trying to convert to SAFE cleaning products considering they touch your skin and get absorbed into your body.

The only problem I find is that some work and some not as good as others.

I have resorted to routine cleaning with safe products and occasional cleaning with, shall we say, "POISONOUS :)" but super effective products. Unfortunately, I think the harsh chemicals is what makes them work so well. (?)

This stuff smells soooo good and is safe to use in Baby P's bathroom. (Underneath his bath mat gets really slimy and this works great.)

I use this once a week and on occasions will do Tilex (Smells REALLY harsh, but works :( on the really gross tile or soap scum.

***For some reason when the bathroom or kitchen (I use this on my kitchen tile as well for "Dog Paw" safety) smell "sweet & clean" I feel like I've done a better job. - Hey,... whatever gets the house clean. :)

http://www.methodhome.com/product.aspx?page=525

Triple Paste - BEST BEST Cream for DIAPER RASH

TRIPLE PASTE -
for Diaper Rash: THE BEST BEST BEST IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!!!!

I did a TON of research on diaper rash cream and this was recommended to me by a friend when I was pregnant. All she said was, "Remember one thing, Triple Paste." That was all the advice she had to give me during my ENTIRE pregnancy. :) :) Looking back, ....GREAT ADVISE.

This stuff is a little expensive but it has ALL the ingredients in like all the diaper rash creams in one tube. (Not really, but you get the point.)

http://triplepaste.com/

***What works for me as well - If Baby P's diaper rash gets out of control, I automatically change his diet (BRAT - Bananas, Rice, Apples, Toast), and don't use any wipes. I stick him into a warm tub to clean off. I know it sounds gross but wiping it MAKES IT WORSE.

:( Diaper Rash BREAKS my heart. :(

(I would call my Dr. asap if it get out of control.)