More on Sunscreen and Sunblock...

In light of the recent sunscreen/sunblock debate I received an email from Badger Balm - one of the companies listed as having "safe" products. Here is an excerpt from that email...

"Yes, the potential dangers of sunscreen is a new topic that the EWG has been researching since about 2004. It’s a tricky subject, because the EWG is not advocating not using sunscreen – the idea is that consumers choose their sunscreen more carefully, and be hyper-aware of the ingredients as some can degrade in the sun, cause free radical damage, and other potential health concerns.

Badger is mentioned because we make one of the safest and well-respected sunscreens on the market, using Zinc Oxide (which has been used for centuries in not only sunscreens but diaper rash ointments and other topical applications) in a base of USDA Certified Organic oils, butters, and waxes. We made it because us Badgers were sun-shy – not wanting to slather ourselves with chemicals when we lead healthy, organic lifestyles otherwise. Now we’re getting recognition! It’s cool!

The EWG’s 2010 Sunscreen Guide can be viewed here: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/

And their top ten safest sunscreens here (in which Badger holds the number 1, 2 & 3 position): http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/finding-the-best-sunscreens/?ptype=sunscreen

Kind Regards,

Jentri Jollimore

Marketing Coordinator

W.S Badger Company, Inc

PO Box 58, Gilsum, NH 03448

p. 800.603.6100 x28"

So there it is - at least from this company.

Welcome Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by... I'm out enjoying the super hot weather but will be back to follow up on everyone who stops by.

Please be sure to check out the 2 current giveaways on the top of my left side bar. They are GREAT prizes, with LOW entries! Good Luck... back to the splash pad for me!

Sunscreen Vs Sunblock ?!

It seems like every time I turn around there is some household product causing illness, safety or pollution issues.

We've made some changes to our family lifestyle in light of "research" and "new developments" that seem to bombard the headlines. We clean with next to no chemicals (- I am totally in L-O-V-E with multi-purpose cloths that only require water!), we no longer microwave anything plastic, we use reusable bags when shopping, we wash in cold water, run the dishwasher at night, we have a membership to Melaleuca.com from which we buy bath products for our girls and everyday items like dishwasher soap and laundry detergent, we received "patch" kits for both our drop side Storkcraft crib AND our Little Tykes push car... blah, blah, blah... how can a busy Mom of 3 possibly keep up?!

There was a small discussion happening on my Facebook page today about sunscreen. My 3 girls are super fair so it takes very little sun exposure to irritate their skin. I am VERY vigilant about applying sunscreen EVERY time they are outside (unless of course we're just headed to and from the van - everyone has a limit!)... funny how times change. When I was young NO ONE cared about the effects of the sun and a "tanned" body was envied. Today it's another story entirely.

Apparently there is a distinct difference between "sunscreen" and "sunblock" - I was schooled today (thanks to my FB friends ;) )... am I the only ignorant Mama out there? Sunscreen uses harmful chemicals to "protect" your skin... anyone see irony is this?! Sunblock uses "physical blockers" - and I'm not talking about a tree physically blocking the sun! ;)

The Environmental Research Group is the activist group claiming that while many sunscreens, "help stop sunburn, they might be doing more harm than good. For one, they do not block out ultraviolet light. Secondly, the ... use of Vitamin A in these products may actually speed up the exposure to those UV rays and increase chances of cancer."

BUT, there are a number of doctors refuting these findings too... "I think I would take this one with a grain of salt, says Dermatologist Brett Shulman. At this point, there does not seem to be a large number of scientific studies that actually confirm what this group is asserting. If anything, most of the studies are really to the contrary."

And so, here's another one left in the hands of Moms... I'm choosing to be better safe than sorry. It's pretty simple to switch sun protection and I guess this is one of those cases where you get what you pay for.

Some product suggestions made by my FB friends... (thanks ladies!)

• Neutrogena Pure & Free
• California Baby - I use their sensitive lotion and it's great!
• Badger
• Blue Lizard

I am NOT advocating any of these products - every Mom should do their own research.

Quotes taken from http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Could-Sunscreen-Cause-Cancer/ivfxv3yPJES51Zou6occpg.cspx

Sun image from www.kidsforsavingearth.org/solar_power.htm

Winner... was it you?

The winner of the Mini Wallet from Bebe Bablet Designs is...

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:46Powered by RANDOM.ORG

(I am having trouble with the random number generator image... I did enter the correct max number, but for some strange reason it says "100"... oh I'll get this figured out!)

Taking It One Step At A Time said...

I am now a follower on Google Friend Connect

jessmelville@live.ca

May 13, 2010 4:00 PMSave Now

CONGRATS! You have 48 hours to respond before I choose another winner... you're going to love your mini wallet!

Belly Charms Review & GIVEAWAY!

I recently had the opportunity to review a stunning product from a stunning company. Belly Charms is a company founded and run by Sonya, a mom of 2 boys who when pregnant, had difficulty finding a pregnancy belly button ring. Belly Charms offers belly button rings in a variety of colors and with the cutest charms you will ever find! I mean, tell me how cute this would be if you were expecting a girl?!
Belly Charms also offers a large selection of Mother’s Bracelets, diaper bag name tags, flip flops, girls’ bracelets, tile pendants and toe rings… just to name a few! Sonya personally designs and makes every bracelet, anklet and flip flop – talk about a creative Momma!

I was sent this beautiful Mother’s Bracelet…
As you may have guessed, each one of my girls’ initials is represented. The Rainforest Jade beads are stunning and a perfect compliment to the silver. Sonya also gave me the option of a lobster or toggle clasp. While I adore the look of the toggle clasp I find the lobster clasp to be more practical for everyday wear… and let me tell you, I have been wearing it everyday since it arrived!

Now, to be honest, I do not generally wear bracelets of this nature. I have always been more of a bangle-wearing girl. I find I am forever checking and double checking ‘non-bangle’ types of bracelets BUT, this bracelet is different! There is a comfortable weight and presence to it. I don’t feel the need to be forever checking it. And while it is a stunning stand alone piece, I love the way it looks with my 2 white gold bangles! Let me also mention that the silver in the Belly Charms bracelet is the same colour as my white gold bangles which is a great testament to the quality of materials!

Whenever I make an important purchase I always appreciate good customer service. Sonya provided me with beyond excellent service. Her correspondence was always positive and polite and she was very helpful in assisting me with bracelet sizing. Feel free to check out the testimonials on her site!

Sonya has generously offered one of my readers a Mother’s Initial Bracelet!! Thanks Belly Charms!

BUY IT!

Head over to Belly Charms to order a highly personalized, beautiful bracelet (or belly charm or pair of flip flops!!) – you wont be disappointed! Belly Charms is currently offering FREE shipping on all orders over $20 (US & Canada)!

WIN IT!

CLOSED

Win a Mother’s Initial Bracelet with up to 3 sets of initials.

Mandatory Entry

Check out Belly Charms' online store. Look around and then come back here and tell me about your favorite item. PLEASE leave me your email address.

Bonus Entries

1 Entry: Follow Belly Charms – The Blog publicly through Google Friend Connect

1 Entry: Follow Take A Mom’s Word For It publicly through Google Friend Connect (left sidebar)

1 Entry: “Like” Belly Charms on Facebook and tell Sonya I sent you. Please leave me your FB name to verify the entry.

1 Entry: “Like” Take A Mom’s Word For It on Facebook. Please leave your FB name to verify the entry.

3 Entries: Update your Facebook status telling your friends about this great giveaway – they’ll thank you! Please leave me the link to your update so I can verify the entry.

1 Entry: Follow Belly Charms on Twitter

1 Entry: Follow Take A Mom’s Word For It on Twitter

1 Entry for each of my other giveaways you enter. Please let me know which ones you entered.

5 Entries: Make a purchase from Belly Charms. Tell me what you bought and when you bought it.

God Luck Everyone! This giveaway is open to Canada and US residents. Giveaway ends on June 4, 2010.

Disclosure: I was provided a Mothers' initial bracelet for review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are strictly my own.

Blog Hop Friday

Welcome to the second edition of Blog Hop Friday, hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Take A Mom's Word For It, Bree Bee's, This Adventure Our Life and Belly Charms! We invite you and your friends to link up every Friday and join us for a wonderful blog hopping adventure! We're all about making friends and having fun so come join us! Here's how you can join in on the fun;

• Link up to your blog, using our inlinkz link list, below.


• Follow the host/hostesses located in the first 6 slots.


• Follow any other blogs that you feel appropriate! :)


• Add the Blog Hop Friday button to your sidebar.


• When following a new blog, please remember to leave a little personal comment love.


• If you get a new follower, please feel free to reciprocate the love.

While you're here I would love if you'd enter my current giveaways! They all have under 100 entries so your chances of winning are GREAT!

• Mini Wallet from Bebe Bablet Designs (ends 5/21)
• Teething Bling from Smart Mom Jewelry (ends 5/28)
• Mother's Initial Bracelet from Belly Charms (ends 6/4)

<center><a href="http://www.mynewlifeasmom.com/2010/05/blog-hope-friday-week-1.html"><img border="0" src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/stephaniesblog/button-2.png" /></a></center>

This is a new list every week, so please remember to come back and link up, every week!

Please remember to send a little comment love when you follow someone's blog. The point of this is to gain new followers and new friends, so please take a second to send a personal comment on their latest post, something you like about their site or maybe something you find interesting.

We understand that not everyone has time to follow and comment on every Blog Hop Friday Participant, just do what you can and are willing to do. We will do the same! Take your time and go at your own pace.

The link list is only open to add new blogs on Fridays but will be visible all week long.

So go link up and hoppy blog hopping!

Welcome Wednesday

Welcome Wednesday and welcome to you! Thanks for stopping by! While you're here be sure to enter my 2 current giveaways. They both have low entries so your chances of winning are excellent!

• Mini Wallet from Bebe Bablet Designs
• Teething Bling from Smart Mom Jewelry

My Very First Blog Award!

Yay! I've received my very first blog award from Tracy over at The Daily Mom Diaries. Check it out...

Thanks so much Tracy... YOU'RE SWEET! ;)

Here are the rules for the "Sweet Blog" Award:

• Give this award to 10 sweet and friendly bloggers
• Make a post about the award including the picture and mention the person who gave it to you
• Put the award on your blog
• Let your nominated 10 know you've awarded them by leaving a comment

And with that, here are the 5 I have nominated... you're all SWEET! :)

1. Chrissy from Random Thoughts and Musings From The Island
2. Shari from Shairbearg's Blog
3. Carrie from Carrie's Rambles
4. Stephanie from My New Life as Mom
5. Sonya from Belly Charms - The Blog

I know, I know, it's supposed to be 10, but... these 5 are *extra* sweet! ;)

Scent Of A ... Mom

No, I'm not talking about the smell of curdled milk on your shoulder or the fact that you never had the time to brush your teeth this morning... I'm talking about that smell that bonds a child with her mother.

Every night that I say goodnight to my oldest girls (they're 5 now), I notice their deep breaths. I hadn't said anything about it to them until tonight. "H", who was holding on a little longer than usual said to me that she just likes the smell of my face, it makes her 'happy'.

I distinctly remember the smell of my Mom, that small hint of 'happy' air that would escape from between her body and her shirt when I hugged her. Even to this day I recognize that smell when we're close. They say your sense of smell is the strongest when it comes to memory recollection and I'd have to say I agree with "them" (who are these people anyway?!). That smell reminds me of good, happy moments.

I think I'll be holding on a little longer each night from now on... like I was looking for an excuse ;)

Wordless Wednesday

A few pics from our weekend...