Hi All,

I truly hope that you have all had a brilliant and relaxing Christmas. It happened again, December seems to sneak up on me, slap me around for a couple of weeks and spit me out at the end. That is what I feel like tonight anyway! Feels like my feet have finally just hit the ground! And well this post was intended to be an inspiration for little ideas for Christmas, so now think of it as an early Christmas 2011 present  Regardless my Christmas Star’s are a couple of neat little ideas that I will be able to re-use throughout the year.

Ruby and I made little name plates for each guest. Now even the most un-creative could easily conquer this one! I started with Blackboard paint, wooden stars from the hardware store and a paint brush. You will also need the newspaper to save the surface underneath. Oh and a pair of gloves won’t hurt – I had black finger tips for a good few days!

Now is the simple part, paint each star with a coat of blackboard paint and allow to dry. Once dry decorate with chalk drawings and each persons name. They can be used over and over! Ruby has been enjoying doing little drawings on the stars all week! Here are the Christmas stars! And ‘Idey Man’ is Ruby’s nickname for our little Jasper from when he was first born. Just seems to have stuck!!

As a special little thank-you we gave each guest a little ‘goody bag’ with handmade peanut butter, lemon butter and a small bag of christmas m&m’s and a roll of cookie dough for the freezer or oven. I love giving cookie dough as a gift. It’s perfect at a busy time for them to pop it into the freezer or use straight away. Then when ever they feel like fresh cookies they have the roll in the freezer ready to go! I love having a couple of roll’s in the freezer myself for when you get unexpected visitors or mothers group / play group morning tea duties!

We really had a magical Christmas this year. Our Ruby got right into it for the first year and we enjoyed it just as much! The look on her face – the build up of  anticipation and the wonder of it all – bring on next christmas! Actually on second thoughts I think I need the 12 months to recover. I’m embarrassed to say but oh the mileage gained out of ‘remember Santa is watching!’ I milked that baby like crazy! I still think I possibly have 6 weeks left in it, and it will probably reappear about November

May you all have the very best new year possible and may all your new year dreams and resolutions come true! I’m so looking forward to the journey of 2011 and sharing it here with you!

Much Love

EcoMummy

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to do a little post for an organic gift idea. So if anyone is struggling for an idea then I hope that this helps!  This year we are doing a grown up ‘lucky dip’ sort of arrangement where everyone brings a unisex present and then you draw a number, if you like what someone before you got then you can ‘steal’ from those in front and then they get to open the new one. Should be a bit of fun really! So here are our “Organic” gift ideas (Sorry to any family reading this post)

Our first is a Herb planter. It was so easy and came in just under $20. You will need – Self watering planter box (Or alternatively a nice pot. Just a tip look for one that will hold water in the bottom with out spilling out everywhere.) 3 organic herbs, we have Sage, Oregano and Parsley and 1 bag of Organic potting mix.

The next bit is super easy – simply plant the plants into the planter. I had two little santa elves helping me put the dirt into the tub. The plants did say to plant 30cm apart but as this will be frequently used (hopefully by the new owners) then it was fine to plant them closer. Also gets that effect of it being beautiful and full and ready to eat! We also planted a strawberry box for the kids it came in at around $15 and would make a great present as well. Now it’s my little elves job to look after them until Christmas day.

The local nursery or hardware / Bunnings for that matter are full of great organic gift ideas! We also have a Mango tree for another gift. There are countless varieties of fruit, veg or even an olive tree! Can I be really cheesy and say it’s the gift that will keep on giving Your right too cheesy!!

Merry Christmas!

I will pop back later in the week with some great super easy hamper ideas – Miss Ruby and I are having a cooking / preserving day today!!

Eco Mummy

xo

MY DOG EATS BETTER THAN YOUR KIDS!

DR. PETER DINGLE.

This is something that I really wanted to share with you all and urge you all to go out and get this book – it will change your life and change the way you look at what your kids are really eating! Don’t worry it’s a power read and you will be through it in about an hour! I have finished it in one sitting. It is also the sort of book that you won’t want to put down once you begin.

It is so well written that it helps a layman like myself understand the tricky and manipulated way in which food these days is projected and advertised and the ‘real’ nutrients, vitamins and minerals that we need to have for a balanced and nutritious diet. It makes you look at the ‘food world’ through the eyes of our hunter / fisher / gatherer ancestors and what we need to have in our diets and importantly the diets of our kids to get back on track and ensure a healthier future. I won’t go into too much depth from the book as I really do urge you to get out there, track the book down and read it, but I do want highlight a few of the things that really stuck out for me personally.

Oats are a super food! Did you know that one serve a day as either porridge or muesli “reduces the risk of a heart attack or stroke by between 10% and 20%” So Guess what is for breakfast here tomorrow…

A treat used to actually be a treat, as in monthly or at least weekly. Now days it seems to be daily at least. If you really think about it, if the treat is having negative affects on the health of our little ones is it really a treat? I find personally that giving Ruby a plate of beautiful fresh organic summer fruits like mango’s, strawberries, grapes and melon gets a better reaction than a lolly not to mention the aftermath of the lolly itself! How did we get down this track?

Our foods are contaminated! Be it from the pesticides that are used or the oestrogen – mimicking plastic packaging all combining to contaminate our diets. Dr. Dingle claims that it can be no accident that the modern fertility rates among men and women are in dramatic decline. Did you know that the humble apple could potentially be covered in up to 101 separate active chemicals. However kids on an organic diet show low to zero levels of pesticide residues.

Pretty much I could go on and on about this book. I am so pleased that someone cared enough to pass it onto me to read. I am making hubby read it now so that we can be on the same page! Don’t rush into your kitchen and toss everything out! But why not make one healthy lifestyle change a week? This is a far more sustainable way to do it and it gives you time to get used to your new thinking and way of eating. Importantly in the book there is a list of additives to avoid and a great guide on what whole foods we should be eating. I am planning on making a few changes around here starting with the amount of breads and cereals we are eating. That is my week one challenge to bring on the oats! I am also planning on going to get back to milling my grains and making my own bread! Will keep you all posted!

You won’t regret reading this book and I like to think it will change your life and that of the most important little people in it. Did you know that this will be the first generation where the life expectancy of the children will be less than the parents. It’s up to us now!

This book should seriously be included into the school curriculum and also given out in the bounty bag to all new mothers. My favorite saying is – Knowledge is Power!

The book is available from Dr. Dingle’s website – http://www.drdingle.com You can also find a heap of extra info on there too!

Happy reading!

Eco Mummy

xo

To Dummy or not to Dummy? It seems to be that age old question. Oh the stigma attached to a simple little dummy / soother / pacifier, call it what you will.  Everyone has an opinion on this one and they often don’t mind telling you what they think.

Personally I had a dummy as a kid and both of my bubs had / have a dummy. It’s completely up to you at the end of the day whether you use one or not. I am not to pass judgement on parenting choices. I do however look for the best alternatives for every way of parenting! I will admit that at times I have thought thank the heavens for the dummy! I know that it is a real comfort, especially for those bumps and falls or for my over tired monster sliding head first into the witching hour and when bed time just isn’t soon enough – Okay you get the point

I guess that is why I am just so excited to tell you all about the latest product to join both the Australian market and the Avidiva virtual shelves. It is the  Natursutten Natural Soother – this soother is everything you have been waiting for in safe alternative for the good old ‘Dummy’ and it has the following benefits:

• Free of toxins.
• Free of endocrine disrupters.
• Free of allergens.
• Free of carcinogens.
• Free of chemical softeners.

It is also BPA and PVC free and made from all natural rubber. The dummy is very soft and moves easily with babies natural mouth movements, doesn’t leave marks on the face and importantly it is 100% natural and eco friendly. I really feel it is the safest and most natural dummy to hit the market. I have personally searched for a soother to stock in the shop and nothing matched up to this brand so I am thrilled that it is finally available in Australia! It is also unique in that it is molded from natural rubber in one piece. Therefore there are no joins, eliminating the worry of the teat detaching from the shield. Not having the join also means that less germs and saliva wont gather or pool like it does in the old fashioned style, thus making the soother more hygienic. The shield is slightly larger to ensure bub can’t bend the rubber together and get the soother to fit into the mouth.

They also come in 3 sizes S, M and L and the two styles, Rounded or Orthopedic. They are made in Italy and branded with the Natursutten branding on the shield of the dummy – so just quietly be on the look out for fakes! For more info you can check them out in Avidiva here

I am very excited and proud to be offering this safe natural alternative and can’t wait for the package to arrive!

Eco Mummy

xo

Our Very Own Veggie Box!!

After being Inspired by Jen (Thanks Jen!!!) we took a family trip down to Bunnings and picked ourselves up the supplies! The kids really loved it and got right to helping! Here is my little helping man and the empty box! (Box was about $100 and was super easy to put together!)

The box took 8 bags of soil to fill it up and we added in a small amount of water crystals to help keep the water in the soil in our hot conditions! We got to the planting – probably overfilled the poor little box slightly (As you can probably tell I am not a regular green thumb!) We planted Tomatoes, Broccoli, Spring Onions, Lettuce and Sweet Corn. It is Ruby’s “Job” to water the garden every day – she LOVES it! Jasper should be growing at the rate of knots as she makes sure he gets a good amount of water each day

Here are the progress shots from today – Ruby is VERY excited to see a little green tomato appearing on the plant and tomorrow we are planning on having some of her lettuce for dinner!

It’s been a great learning experience for Ruby and to give her that little responsibility of getting out there and looking after her own garden! She really is loving it!

Eco Mummy

xo

Tip 4 – Meat – Educate yourself and ask questions!

If organic farming is the natural way, shouldn’t organic produce just be called “produce” and make the pesticide-laden stuff take the burden of an adjective?

~Ymber Delecto

This post has really taken me some time to put together. To make sure it is all there exactly the way I want it to be. To get the point across and to demonstrate that this is really something I am super passionate about!

After doing a little research I want the government to stand up and make the meat industry accountable and tell us what we are eating!!! Let those that care make an informed choice and then let the true economics of supply and demand dictate the markets. Well that is how it would be in an ideal world…

So what do I want to know??? All I want to know is what the animal is fed on. The difference between grain fed and grass fed meat is unbelievable! The health benefits are undeniable. In simple terms Cows for instance are designed to eat grass, if in turn we are designed to eat the meat then this is the way it is supposed to be. So if the cow is fattened up on grains for economic gain then we eat that meat this is not the way nature intended!

Meat supplies our bodies with 2 essential omega fatty acids, they are omega-3 and omega-6. They are both beneficial and necessary to maintain a healthy body. However in excess or out of balance this can lead to serious health problems! This is not good for your weight or your heart! This could be a very simplistic view at the situation but we are ever so quick to jump on the fast food company’s, or the lolly advertising but at least you know what you are getting! The following is a quote from the Organic Food Directory Australia.

The recommended ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids should be less than 4:1. Grain-fed beef can have ratios that exceed 20:1 ratio, whereas grass-fed beef has a ratio of around 3:1. Grass-fed products are rich in all the fats now proven to be health-enhancing, but low in the fats that have been linked to ill-health and disease.

All that I want to know is what am I really eating? A major Australian Supermarket chain now has organic meat available, if you ask me I can feel the difference! I feel better after eating it and the taste is better. I hope and feel as though the tides are turning on people choosing organic and this will lead to a change out on the farms! So let them eat grass This runs true for other animals not just cows but chickens, eggs and milk as well. So all I am asking is to go out and educate yourself! Ask questions try the organic difference, or better still go to your local butcher and have a chat! Knowledge is power!

Now who feels like a steak for dinner

EcoMummy

Tip 3 – Choose Bamboo and Organic clothing where possible.

“The superior man seeks what is right; the inferior one, what is profitable.”

— Confucius

I love finding organic clothing or bamboo clothing for the kids. However it is a little harder to find the same for myself ! Although the last time I went to the shops, I spied with my little eye a VERY well known underware brand coming out with organic cotton… Could this be that the consumer demand and an economic conscious could be creeping into the board room decision making ? Woo Hoo to people power ! Fingers crossed it’s just the start !

Did you know ?

“According to 1995 data, for example, United States farmers applied nearly one-third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for every pound of cotton harvested. When all nineteen cotton-growing states are tallied, the crop accounts for twenty-five percent of all the pesticides used in the US. Some of these chemicals are among the most toxic classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency. In developing countries, where regulations are less stringent, the negative impacts are even more severe.” [www.sustainablecotton.org]

So after reading that I am definitely looking at my clothing in a whole new way ! Not to mention that these farms are not on Mars ! What they spay around directly affects the people living and working on the farms. Let’s hope the tides of change are on the move and more and more companies ‘seek what is right, not only what is profitable.’

So what are the options – BAMBOO !!!

If you haven’t already I am going to urge you to go out and find something made from this super fibre ! It feels like silk ! I like to think of bamboo as the ‘super hero’ of the clothing fabrics Here are some very important bamboo facts :

• Fastest growing plant in the world. Growing anywhere from 30cm to 1.2m in a single day!!
• Easily grown organically as it requires no pesticides or fertilizers.
• Regenerates so can continually grow.
• Softer then the softest cotton fabric. I personally find it gets softer the more that it is washed
• Wicks moisture away from the skin.
• Lets the skin breathe
• Odour Resistant
• Is thermo regulating thus keeping you cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
• Hypoallergenic – it is a non irritating fabric so perfect for baby’s or sensitive skin.

This is why Bamboo is a super hero !!!

So now there you have it – an alternative that is safe to grow, you could even say that it is better for the environment as it absorbs 35% more carbon dioxide then trees. So next time you are out shopping think about the choices that you have around you. There are now plenty of online stores stocking amazingly beautiful organic or bamboo clothing. We have a variety online at Avidiva and a new shipment of bamboo clothing due any day now !

*Bamboo stats from Wikipedia.

Tip 2 – Eat Organic Fruit and Vegetables.

“Be the change you seek in the world”

Mahatma Gandhi

One of the best things that we have done as a family is decide to have our organic fruit and vegetables home delivered weekly. Above is the picture of today’s delivery. Each Wednesday we have this beautiful fresh delivery consisting of 10 veg and 3 fruit varieties. The quality is amazing and the taste incredible. We really are spoilt. I also believe that it is far cheaper then shopping for the equivalent at the local supermarket.

One of the most important parts of the box delivery is the info that we get each week. It lists the items, the farmers and the certification they hold. So everything that my family eats from the box I know where it is grown and how far it has traveled. There is an abundance of local produce and they ensure they buy WA local where possible. The other important part is that we are eating the produce that mother nature intends, and by that I mean we only ever get what is in season. So we eat what is supposed to be grown and eaten at any given time of the year. It’s just food as it’s supposed to be!

I know that we are lucky to be in the position to have our fruit and veg delivered and I promise I do not take it for granted. My tips for the best fruit and veg are as follows:

• Eat in season.
• Get out of the supermarket and meet your local green grocer!
• If you choose not to buy organic at least know what you are eating and where it is from.
• Get online and see what delivery networks exist in your area!
• Enjoy Fruit and Veg!

I hope everyone is enjoying Organic Week!

Eco Mummy

xo

Tip 1 – Switch to eco-friendly and organic cleaning products.

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children”

~ Native American Proverb

This is a really simple change that you can make around the home that will have the biggest of benefits to both your family and the environment. As a rule of thumb I look at every single product I use for cleaning, from the kitchen, laundry, to even bathing and what I wash or dye my hair in and think, would I tip this into the ocean? I am not 100% clear on what happens to the water once it dissapears down my drain so I am not taking any chances. My personal favorite brand is Eath Choices. They cover so many areas of cleaning and seems always readily available in the supermarkets. I also like to use the Method brand as well. I find that the Method brand do a really lovely hand washing and kids bath range.

When looking for an eco-friendly cleaning product these are the quick things I look at:

• A LOW chemical formula, preferably phosphate free.
• Grey water safe
• No testing on animals
• Australian owned and made
• Recycled Packaging – look for Recycled PET packaging or a plant based or recycled cardboard packaging.

It still amazes me these days when you enter the cleaning isle of the supermarket and it’s littered with super strong “Hospital Grade” cleaners that recommend the use of gloves or a mask to actually use the products. If it is not safe to come in contact with your hands then what possible damage are we doing once it enters our rivers and waterways? Eco Friendly and Organic cleaning products are safer to use around the home for your little ones as well. There is no need for the harsh chemicals!

There are plenty of great eco brands out there so get into your cleaning cupboard get rid of those nasty chemicals and breathe easy whilst your doing the environment a favor!

Happy Organic Week!

Organic week in Australia is an initiative to raise awareness of the organic alternatives and to encourage people to use these alternatives and give organic a go. It’s something really very close to my heart as I have a bit of an organic addiction. If there is an organic alternative automatically I am drawn to it.

At home we have organic vegetables and fruit delivered weekly, use eco-friendly and organic cleaning and washing products, skin care and especially for the little ones shampoo, conditioner and soaps. I want to teach my little ones that the organic alternative is FAR from a ‘gimmick’ as some people will readily tell you that it is. I may not be a scientist but I do understand that it is all we can do to at least CARE for our planet. Not to mention what we put on and into our bodies.

This week as part of Organic Week  I will list my 5 most important living organic tips. Would love to hear if you are doing something to celebrate Organic Week and make sure you check out the website for National Organic Week.

Check back tomorrow for our daily tip on living organic!