Tag Archives: organic

by | July 6, 2011

Win Aluminum-free Deodorant from Tropical Traditions! Ends 8.1

It’s no secret that I love Tropical Traditions coconut oil, and I also adore Tropical Traditions organic thick rolled oats (my favorite oats ever!)

So I was more than open to the idea of trying another Tropical Traditions product, especially after my recent promise to myself that I would work on using more natural health and beauty care products.

Of all the products I use over the course of my day, I would have to say that is the hardest to replace with a natural alternative is deodorant. Why? Because your deodorant has to work.

And if it doesn’t? Well, that just stinks. :lol:

But since I’m still nursing, and still trying to conceive baby #2, it’s more important than ever to me that I don’t put scary toxic ingredients on my underarms (one of the most absorbent parts of the body) or anywhere else, for that matter!

Since I was used to buying pantry items from their online store, I was surprised to find out that Tropical Traditions carried a deodorant that fit the bill. What a nice surprise! Their natural deodorants are chemical-free, paraben-free and aluminum-free, and the base of the formula is their organic virgin coconut oil (which I already use on my body every day.)

The sample I received was the (very pretty) Lavender scent, which includes:

ingredients: purified water, organic Virgin Coconut Oil, organic jojoba, plant based emulsifying wax, grapefruit seed extract, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and organic essential oils of lavender, lemon, and rosemary. (Other scents include Classic and Frankincense.)

I have to admit, at first I wasn’t sure how this stuff worked. I felt a little self-conscious the first day I wore it to work (probably should have used it on a weekend to start.) My old deodorant worked for me for years and I never smelled a thing, but with this product I did notice a little more perspiration than normal. Not that it left me sweaty – just enough that I noticed (I’m pretty sure I was the only one…)

But now, after having used it for a few weeks, I don’t notice any weirdness anymore. I really think the body just requires an adjustment period to a new deodorant – especially after more years than I’d like to admit using a mainstream version. I’m not sure Tropical Traditions deodorant would be the right thing to wear for an intense workout, but it’s very suitable, comfortable and reliable for day-to-day use – which I think is a fair trade-off for the peace of mind that comes from using a much, much safer product.

Want to try Tropical Traditions aluminum-free deodorant for yourself?

Win it!

***This giveaway is CLOSED! Congrats to my winner, Gianna, with comment #85! :)

The fine folks at Tropical Traditions have offered one lucky ABCGP reader their own full-size aluminum-free roll-on deodorant!

Mandatory entry: Just visit Tropical Traditions and tell me a product or two you’d like to try (that I did NOT mention above.)

Bonus Entries:

  • Follow ABCs and Garden Peas publicly via Google Friend Connect using the box in my sidebar. (one entry)
  • Like ABCs and Garden Peas on Facebook. (one entry)
  • Follow @ABCGP on Twitter. (one entry)
  • Like Tropical Traditions on Facebook. (one entry)
  • Follow @TropTraditions on Twitter. (one entry)
  • Tweet about this giveaway: (May be done once daily for one bonus entry per day.) Tweet must include a link to this post. Please leave a link to your individual tweet in each entry comment. Make it easy and use the tweet button below!
  • Subscribe to Tropical Traditions eNewsletter (you’ll get great deals…I promise!) (one entry)
  • Subscribe to ABCs and Garden Peas via the email subscription box or RSS button on the sidebar. (2 entries)
Disclosure: I received a full-sized sample of Tropical Traditions deodorant for review purposes. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and the opinions expressed above are my own, honest opinions based on my experience with the product.
Entry period will remain open until August 1st. I will then choose a winner via Random.org. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to confirm or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US and Canada.

 

 

 

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by | June 29, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Foraging is Fun!

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by | June 3, 2011

Coconut Oil: Not just for butts anymore!

I’ve been using coconut oil as a cloth-diaper-safe butt cream for over a year now. Luckily, we haven’t had to deal with diaper rash, but teething sometimes makes Little Man’s bum a little angry, and a swipe of coconut oil calms it right down every time without causing my diapers to repel.

But this week, I fell in love with coconut oil all over again for a completely different reason. 

Those of you who tweet may have seen me mentioning the horrible case of hives I had last week. At least I thought they were hives. It turns out I had an allergic reaction to something (who knows what) that I had come in contact with, and I was a mess.

I had a red, itchy, swollen rash all over my face, neck, torso and hands. I think my right pointer finger was the worst, and it blistered so much I was actually afraid it might scar. When I went to the doctor, he seemed concerned about infection because it was getting pretty ugly.

He immediately prescribed a round of Prednisone. When I mentioned that I am nursing and we are trying to conceive, he decided against that prescription. (I was relieved because I just hate medication in all forms, and I have to be pretty much dying to agree to it…)

The rash seemed to be calming on its own a little, but he still wanted to prescribe Triamcinolone Acetonide cream. But only for my hands. Not my face, because it’s more vascular and too much could enter my bloodstream.

Sorry, but does that sound safe to you? Uh, no thanks. :?

OTC hydrocortisone? I think I’ll skip that too.

So I left and went home, happy in the knowledge that I didn’t have some kind of incurable skin crud, but not sure what to do about the severe itching and raw skin on my hands and face.

And then I remembered: A jar of Tropical Traditions virgin coconut oil in my cupboard.

Could that work? Why not!? With all I’d read about the different uses of coconut oil, it made perfect sense. :idea:

I immediately put a thin layer on my face and a slightly thicker layer on my hands. On the really bad parts, I applied it a few times.

That was yesterday and, long story short, you can barely see where the blisters were. No lie – the parts of my hands that were affected actually feel better than the rest. This stuff is amazing: just one simple ingredient that’s 100% pure and safe for me as a mama, my baby, and the baby that we’re already looking out for, just in case. ;)

Prednisone disaster averted. 

Just one more reason I plan to keep a jar of coconut oil in my house at all times. Thanks so much to Tropical Traditions for a great product, and I look forward to finding out what other tricks it can do! :)

I was not compensated in any way for this post. I just really, really want you all to know how great this stuff is!

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Have you ever used coconut oil? What is your favorite use for it?

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by | April 20, 2011

Mommy and Me Recipe: Curry-Sprinkled Roasted Cauliflower

Sharing this recipe never occurred to me before, mainly because it didn’t really seem like a “recipe.” Three ingredients and simple prep didn’t really seem worth sharing, I guess. But this easy side dish has become a weekly favorite in our house, and I found myself thinking, Isn’t every parent looking for easy, healthy vegetable recipes?

Yes! And this one is totally toddler-friendly. :D

So, here it is:

Curry-Sprinkled Roasted Cauliflower

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • curry powder, to taste
  • Olive oil, for drizzling

->Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

->Rinse cauliflower and cut into bite-sized pieces. Spray large baking dish or baking sheet with non-stick spray (We use olive oil in a Misto sprayer to avoid using an aerosol can.)

->Arrange cauliflower in a thin layer in pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with curry powder (we tend to be very generous…)

->Toss to coat.

->Roast at 350 degrees approximately 20-25 minutes (stirring occasionally), or until tender and nicely browned.

->Serve. It’s as easy as that! (*Note: Warmer weather is coming! If you’d rather not heat up your oven, try this in a foil packet on the grill!)

We’ve started making this with 2 heads of cauliflower because we all like it so much.  The Dada and I like to add a little sea salt to ours, but Little Man digs it just the way it is. Sometimes we even have to take it away from him because he tries to eat it by the fistful!

Tonight’s batch was served with baked sweet potato sticks and a cold cup of coconut water.

I say it every time: A toddler belly full of veggies makes my heart skip a beat! :) <<sigh>>

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Don’t forget: My Yoreganics Organic Soap Nuts Laundry Set Giveaway, sponsored by Blissmo, is OPEN until 4/25! Enter now!

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by | April 13, 2011

A Surprise Giveaway from Blissmo!

**Update: Blissmo’s Yoreganics deal may be over, but you can still enter my giveaway below! It ends on 4/25. Check out Blissmo every day for new deals! (or make things easy and sign up for their daily email!)

Hey hey hey, everybody…an unexpected giveaway popped up! :D

** As of 4/25/11, this giveaway is closed**

Random.org has named Laura, with comment #4, my winner! Congrats Laura on a great win and thanks for greening your laundry! :)

I’ve been shopping lots of daily deal sites lately – Groupon, Eversave, Mamapedia, etc…– and I’m hooked. I’ve been racking up credits when I see really good deals (which is just about every day) and I have already done a lot of my holiday shopping!

If you love a bargain as much as I do, I have great news for you – there’s a new daily deal site in town called Blissmo!

What sets Blissmo apart from the rest?

Blissmo features eco-friendly and organic products. They do all the upfront research to find high quality, well-loved products & services that are either certified as organic or eco-friendly, or that have a people & planet positive approach in the DNA of the business. Blissmo then negotiates compelling discounts and offer these products & services to their subscribers via email.

Tomorrow’s (4/14) deal from Blissmo is the Yoreganics Laundry Trio Travel Tube for only $10. That’s a 50% savings! (For 24 hours only!)

Not too long ago, I did a full review on Yoreganics products, and I really love their soap nuts. They are not only natural, organic and eco-friendly, but they’re really effective, too! (Plus, they’re just really cool.) Check out my original review here.

The trio Blissmo is offering includes:

  • 25 loads’ worth of soap nuts
  • Travel stain remover
  • 6 oz Brightens and Whitens
  • Lavender dryer sachet

Buy it!

Go to Blissmo and order your Yoreganics Laundry Trio tomorrow, while the 50% off deal is HOT!

CHECK IT OUT >> Blissmo has offered my readers an additional 5% off when you enter TRYBLISS at checkout! Offer is good tomorrow, 4/14, ONLY, so get your nuts right away! :lol:

Win it!

Blissmo has offered one lucky winner a voucher for a free Yoreganics Laundry Trio Travel Tube!

Mandatory Entry: To enter, just sign up for the Blissmo daily email, and have huge savings delivered right to you inbox. Come back here, and leave me a comment letting me know you signed up. Please make sure to leave your email address with each entry so I can contact you!

  • Extra entry: Tweet about this giveaway, then leave me a link to your tweet in a comment below. (Once per day.) Here’s a sample tweet to use, if you’d like: Win @Yoreganics soap nuts laundry trio from @ABCGP and @Blissmo! http://wp.me/pTRQh-FM Ends 4/25. #clothdiapers
  • Extra entry: Subscribe to my blog via email. Again, please leave a comment below.

That’s it! Easy, huh?

Good luck! :)

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Entries will close at 8pm on April 25, 2011. I will choose a winner on or about that time via Random.org. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond in order to claim prize. If winner does not respond, a new winner will be chosen. Disclosure: Blissmo has agreed to supply the prize for this giveaway. I received no compensation for this post.

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