Mineral Makeup (and FREE offer!)

I've been using mineral makeup for over a year now and wouldn't go back!  After learning about all the chemicals that are in makeup, and the fact that there aren't any regulations on what can or can't be in makeup- I switched.  If you want to read more about this, go to ewg.org and type in makeup and read a few of the articles that come up.  Mineral makeup does seem to be the new fad though, so I wouldn't trust just anything out there.  You want to find something with as few ingredients as possible.  I've been using Everyday Minerals and love it.  They have a free sample kit that you can order (you do pay a minimal amount for shipping, but you get a good amount of sample to try) and seem to be reasonably priced.  

I just found out about an offer from Physicians Formula for a rebate on some of their new organic line, thanks to Lindsay.  Click on rebates on the right.  There is an offer for mineral makeup as well as for mascara.  I'm interested in trying the mascara since I've been going without for some time now, due to not finding a natural alternative.  You do have to find the product in a store with a "Try Me Free" label on it.  I've checked two stores and didn't find the mascara labeled but did come across the mineral makeup with the label at Walgreens.  I'm not sure about all the ingredients in it, I don't really know what they all are, but I'm guessing its at least a step in the right direction.  

Stay tuned for more about the health and beauty products we use!  I've totally revamped our bathroom cupboards this past year after finding out about ewg.org and reading about how bad some of the ingredients are in common shampoo, conditioner, etc.  I feel much better about the natural alternatives we've found and now use.  

Sickness Protocol

Around here, if someone starts getting sick we have a few things that we immediately resort to in order to keep ourselves healthy and boost our immune systems.  I recently typed this out to keep in my home organization binder so I can use it as an easy reference tool.  I feel much better doing these things rather than dosing my girls up on medicines that mask symptoms or antibiotics that upset their stomachs.  Quickly resorting to Tylenol and antibiotics takes away the body's chance to strengthen itself and fight the sickness.  Lots of rest and love, along with supporting the body's natural defense systems in these simple ways, is what we rely on to pull us through.  Of course there is also the importance of good everyday nutrition so that our bodies are able to fight off a bug when it hits.  (Don't hesitate to give your doctor a call if you feel that you  or your child is seriously ill or dehydrated!)

Sickness Protocol

lots of fluids-

water

orange juice

make smoothies

make juice popsicles

get out straws or special cups, anything that will encourage drinking more

serve strictly healthy foods-

no sugar or desserts

make chicken soup with stock and lots of garlic

fresh bread with dipping sauce (minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil)

vitamins-

take multi-vitamins (prenatals for mom, multi for dad)

Echinacea for mom and dad - 3xs a day

Sambucol for the girls - 2xs a day

Vitamin C- high doses several times a day-

Airborne for dad- 3xs a day

chewable tablets for the girls and mom

precautions-

wash hands often

wash bed sheets and hand towels

clean surfaces and doorknobs

for a cough-

steam treatments in bathroom, clapping chest and back to loosen mucous

spoonful of honey at night

Vicks Baby rub at night

for a runny nose-

saline solution and nasal aspirators often throughout the day

Boiron cold care kit includes tablets for fever, runny nose, and thick nasal discharge

fevers- 

I do not treat a fever unless its during the night and the child is too restless.

belladonna homeopathic remedy (try this first before Tylenol)

upset tummy, diarrhea, or antibiotics-

probiotics powder for the girls and pills for mom and dad (these are refrigerated)- once or twice a day for two weeks

bumps and bruises-

arnica tablets for a serious bruise or fall

arnica massage oil for backaches or bruises

calendula ointment for scrapes

earaches-

breastmilk in the ear

earache drops 

use earscope to check ears

teething-

amber teething necklace

Hyland's teething tablets

references-

Check askdrsears.com for more specific information on dehydration, etc.

We also have the book Naturally Healthy Babies and Children that we reference when needed.

I feel like I don't have a great teething remedy, my girls don't respond much to the Hyland's tablets.  They also struggle with sleeping through the night when they are little.  I'm currently trying a calcium/ magnesium supplement before bed to see if it helps them.  Any other ideas?

Preschool Homeschool

Lucy is 3 1/2 and loves learning.  She asks to do projects often and enjoys workbooks and being busy.  Over the past year I've been compiling some preschool resources to use with her.  We have several bookshelves full of books, one big shelf in her room and another in the living room with only board books on it.  (Julia isn't very gentle with books yet.)  Many of the toys we have are educational in some way or another.  We limit battery operated toys or leave them out of toys like Little People sets that don't necessarily need the batteries in them to be played with.  (My girls have no idea that their castle and farm make noises.)  I published a list on amazon of some preschool toys and games that we enjoy.  

We also use My Father's World preschool; they have a fantastic idea booklet that comes with their preschool package and offers some challenging and fun ideas.  Handwriting Without Tears looks great, I bought the workbook and teachers book but haven't started using it yet.  I still want to make the wooden pieces that they use to form letters- in the teachers book they give you a pattern.  We've also done Before Five In a Row along with lapbooking from here.  

I hope some of this is inspiring to you!  Right now our focus is on having fun and developing a love of learning.  We do lots of art projects, reading books, and playdates with friends.  We will plant a garden this summer and enjoy things like going to the farmer's market or library story time.  I love just being with my two girls and enjoying life with them.  I am planning to use My Father's World Kindergarten either this fall or January when Lucy will be 4 1/2.  

Pantry Storage Containers

*I* bought plastic for my cupboards, gulp.  We had trouble with moths in our pantry cupboards and since then I've been looking high and low for safe containers to put flour, sugar, and other staples in.  After considering my options, I finally bought lock and lock plastic which I feel is relatively safe.  Its made of polypropylene (much safer than polycarbonate) and has a silicone seal.  They offer a lifetime warranty on the product and I'm pleased with the sturdiness of it.  Its air and water tight, so I don't think my little moth friends will be getting in nor out of these containers.  They state that its dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe, but mine will not be put in the dishwasher or microwave.  

Meijer had these on sale last week 20% off and I finally figured out that a 16.3 cup lock and lock is the size that will hold a 5lb bag of flour/ sugar/ etc.  They sold these in a package of 3- the 16.3 cup container with two smaller ones inside.  I purchased enough of these sets to put sugar, whole wheat flour, bread flour, and a few other things in the large ones and used the smaller ones for rice, quinoa, barley, etc.  I bought a long container to keep noodles in, and a large container to hold bread that I make in my bread machine.  I used my label maker to put labels on things, but these containers are also very see through, which is great for seeing how much sugar or flour I have left.  

Overall I'm happy with the new organization of my cupboards and am happy that the moths are now under control.  We had one infestation where we had to throw away quite a bit of food and while I was putting things in my new containers I found that they had started coming back again, but I think I finally have them beat.  It did cost a bit to purchase the containers, but was worth it.  The moths can eat through plastic bags (like the bag rice comes in or a plastic ziploc bag) but they can't get through solid plastic containers like these.

Note- I had considered glass containers, but couldn't find anything with a seal.  If you can find canning jars with a wide mouth in larger gallon or 1/2 gallon sizes, you can use these white plastic lids.  I thought these jars would be too heavy and large for my small pantry, but it may be a good option for someone.