Now that baby Evan is sleeping better (for the time being, at least!) and spending more time with Daddy, one of my goals is to participate in blog challenges that help rekindle my creative side. I’ve been a lurker on many blogs for the better part of one year but this week’s You Capture challenge, hosted by Kidnapped by Suburbia inspired me because the theme is Comfort. Here are recent images that represent the comforts in my life.

Blueberries are a never ending source of amusement. Thankfully they always comfort Evan.

Olivia’s gives her Na-Na some milk. Watching her nurse and carry her dolls is a comfort to me.

Yay for Grandma! Need I say more?

And Sleeeeeeeppppppp. I love sleep more than anything. Evan sleeping on my chest and in our bed will always be some of my fondest memories. OK, so obviously I didn’t take this shot…but I edited it in Photoshop!?

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You Capture: Comfort

Thank you for entering the latest giveaways and taking part in my extended Babymoon! (a sweet smelling baby..can you blame me?)

Here are the names of the winner’s:

The Baby Organic Skin Care products go to commenter #6: PsychMamma!

The awesome Puddlegear Mudsuit goes to commenter #53: Sandra!

And the three eco books are for commenter #10: Gail!

Congratulations! I’ve contacted you by email. Please respond asap so I can get these prizes out to you.

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Babymoon Giveaway Winners…

This weeks giveaway is just in time to celebrate the rain showers that bring spring flowers into bloom. Head outdoors and make a splash without compromising your healthy green values on your kids rain gear.

I’m a big fan of Vancouver based company Puddlegear for bringing a great play option to the North American market. They carry the European made Abeko rain gear that is free of PVC and Phthalates. Instead the gear is made with ATEK – a Polyurethane-coated stretch fabric. It’s a very light, soft, tear-resistant material that is wind and watertight and tolerates normal temperature changes.

I did initially have some questions about the ATEK fabric as it is  a Polyurethane. I was advised by the company that there are no Phthalates, no PVC coating (both affect sperm count and are known carcinogens). Also, the polyurethane in its fully expanded form is an inert chemical and so it has no smell and no chemical off gassing when properly done the way Abeko does it. This leaves no chemical waste  and is not harmful to the environment.

I find that this gear is a healthier and more environmental alternative to the traditional PVC coated rain gear that European companies have boycotted since 2001! North America??? We’re still waiting! (yeesh)

The Abeko gear has also gone through the ÖKO-tex process which tests for over 100 chemicals and guarantees that products passing their standards are much safer for your children.

A note about PVC from Puddlegear:

Puddlegear is PVC free – many Environmental groups concerned about chemicals in our world refer to PVC as poisonous plastic�many kids rain suits are made of this dangerous plastic. It poisons our world from the manufacturing practice until well… who knows because it’s not biodegradable… Scientist believe that it never stops off gassing. Without organs to filter these toxins out of your child’s blood these poisons go straight through your child’s skin to collect in the body. This is referred to as “toxic load”.

Liv got to test drive the Benny Jacket with the Olle pants on a heavy day of rain on the wet coast. The pants are just awesome because they have patches on the rear and knees (great for making  mud pies!) and with fully adjustable straps so they’ll fit for years.  I suggest getting the gear in a larger size and a neutral color like red, black or blue (I got pink!) so you can hand  the gear down to your younger children.

I also like this gear because it is light weight and breathes, unlike regular PVC rain gear. We will be able to layer clothing under the jacket to suit the variety of BC weather conditions. On an aesthetic note, I was stopped almost immediately by another Mom admiring her rain gear. It IS excellent quality and it shows. She also really liked the thoughtful reflective light strip on the jacket.

PuddleGear products are available for children from ranges from 6 Months to 9 years old. They carry jackets, pants, mitts and hats. Order from their website PuddleGear.com. You can grab a rain jacket for about $50-$60 and they will last a very long time!

WIN IT: My next Babymoon Giveaway is the Hilde “Muddy Buddy” one piece rain suit (compliments of Puddlegear!) Is this suit awesome or what?!!

This Muddy Buddy prize is available in sizes 70-90 (6 months to 2-1/2 years) Winner gets to pick the size in either Pink or Blue. This is a prize valued at $95!!

There are 3 ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, answering this question: What is your favorite activity to do with your family during the spring and summer?

2. To get a second entry. Subscribe to the HealthyGreenMoms feed and then email me the “code” at the bottom of any article either in your feed reader or HGM email feed.

Email the code to healthygreenmoms (at) gmail (dot) com. Put the entire “code” directly in the subject line. (The subject line is all I need!)

(There is only one secret code and email required for all the “babymoon giveaways.” If you emailed me on this or the previous giveaway  – you automatically have a second entry for the rest of the “babymoon giveaways” There’s no need to email me again)

3. To get a third entry. Blog, tell your Facebook friends or tweet about this giveaway and leave me another comment telling me what you did!

Winner selected randomly. This contest ends next Monday, May 4th at midnight PST. Good luck!

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Giveaway: Puddlegear Makes A Big Splash!

I’ve been using the Natures Paradise “Baby Organic” skin care line on Liv’s skin for a few months. After 2 years of trying everything under the sun (considered safe) I have finally settled on 3 brands.

The Natures Paradise “Baby Organics” line is one of the very few companies who have taken the initiative to capture 100% USDA Certified Organic seal. A product that is USDA Certified Organic means that it is the safest product you can buy. It is not made with any chemical or synthetic ingredients.

Natures Paradise recommends:  When you buy product, look for: “Certified Organic by *****agency.”  The certifying Agency must ALWAYS be printed on the back according to regulations. If a product claiming to be “organic” does not have a certifier’s name, then this product has NOT been certified or inspected by the USDA.

The moisturizing lotion has been great for us. It is very rich and one of the only products I have found that keeps her skin soft and nourished through the next day or two. I would say it’s a very good choice for any child that has dry skin or eczema. (We also added Omega-3′s to Liv’s diet with great success)

The other product I love is their hair & body wash. With most brands I’ve tried, I find they leave her hair tangled and scalp dry. This wash is definitely the most moisturizing I’ve found so far.

The Baby Organic line comes in unscented or coconut. They boast: No Pesticides, No Parabens, No Artificial Ingredients, No Synthetic Preservatives, No GMO’s, No Fragrance, No Propylene Glycol, No Phthalates, No Sulfates, No DEA, No Nuts, No Animal Products

**Prize includes 5 products, not 6 as shown in picture**

WIN IT: To kick off my Babymoon Giveaways, I am giving away 5 coconut scented products from the “Baby Organic” line. The products include: 8 oz Conditioning Shampoo & Body Wash, 6 oz Moisturizing Lotion, 4 oz Baby Powder, 4oz Baby Coconut Massage Oil and 2oz Hand Sanitizer.

There are 3 ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, answering this question: Do you think there needs to be more regulation for baby skin care products or do you generally trust the FDA’s guidelines for product safety?

2. To get a second entry. Subscribe to the HealthyGreenMoms feed and then email me the “code” at the bottom of any article either in your feed reader or HGM email feed.

Email the code to healthygreenmoms (at) gmail (dot) com. Put the entire “code” directly in the subject line. (The subject line is all I need!)

(There is only one secret code for all the “babymoon giveaways.” If you email me on this giveaway  – you automatically have a second entry for the rest of the “babymoon giveaways” There’s no need to email me again)

3. To get a third entry. Blog, tell your Facebook friends or tweet about this giveaway and leave me another comment telling me what you did!

Winner selected randomly. This contest ends next Monday April 27th at midnight PST. Good luck!

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Giveaway: Baby Organic USDA Skin Care

I’m stealing a few minutes away from this amazing Babymoon to update you on the next few weeks here at HGM.

First, you’ll soon be reading some articles that I prepared in advance to coincide with our Babymoon. It’s springtime and commonly regarded as the optimal time to rejuvenate your health so I hope you enjoy what I have planned.

I also have some fantastic giveaways that I saved up to celebrate Evan’s arrival. They are, of coarse, all baby themed and there’s some pretty sweet stuff to win, if I do say so myself!

Lastly, I just wanted to thank all of you for your word of encouragement and support as I navigated through the roller coaster ride of emotions and scenarios of the last few weeks. There was so much going on inside of me, from frustration, fear and hesitation to sheer will, empowerment and elation. I appreciate you taking this journey with me and offering your wisdom from the time we found out about Evan’s kidney, to firing my doctor and embarking on the quest to have a pain free and unassisted birth.

I couldn’t be happier right now and having your support meant the world to me.

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Help Me Celebrate During Our Babymoon!