by- Michelle L

Here is a breakdown of the 3 most toxic chemicals found in plastics:

BPA: A chemical building block used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Studies have linked BPA to hormone disruption, increased breast and prostate cancer cell growth, and early onset puberty and obesity.

PVC: A strong plastic polymer that can be made flexible through the use of plasticizers. Our bodies are contaminated with poisonous chemicals released during the PVC life cycle, such as mercury, dioxins, and phthalates, which may pose irreversible life-long health threats. When produced, burned, or heated, PVC plastic releases dioxins- a group of the most potent synthetic chemicals ever tested, which can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive systems.

Phthalates: A group of chemicals used as plasticisers in PVC and other plastics that are known to be testicular toxins and can disrupt hormones, damage the kidneys, liver and cause asthma.

Since BPA, PVC and Phthalates can leach toxins, it’s especially important to pay attention to products that will go into children’s mouths. When these toxic plastics are put in higher temperatures the chance they will leach out is much higher. BPA is not only a threat to bottles and toys, it is turning up in our food and beverages. BPA easily leaches into our food because it’s a unstable polymer- meaning its chemical bond can be easily broken down by heat and acidic conditions. So if you buy tomato sauce in a aluminum can, the chances of the BPA leaching are higher since tomatoes are highly acidic. Not to mention sodas!! Once the chemical bond breaks, BPA can leach out of plastics or the lining of aluminum cans. You want to avoid all aluminum cans as much as possible! Some scientist have even found BPA leaching from the ink in receipts.

The safest alternative to plastic is glass. The only problem with glass around children is the fact that it can break. Luckily there are amazing companies like Silikids that have created silicone covers- Siliskins for all glass bottles.

Silicone is  non-toxic and hypo allergenic. Silicone has few open pores, so it does not harboror promote bacteria or fungus growth. Because of its high heat resistance, silicone can be boiled to sterilize, is dishwasher safe, and washer and dryer safe. Silicone does not fade or retain odor, and is sturdy and easy to clean.

Silicone is basically made up of silicon, a natural element present in sand, quartz and rock, which, after oxygen, and is the most abundant element on earth. Silicon is transformed into silicone when combined with oxygen, carbon and hydrogen. Because it is an inert material, it does not react with food or beverages, or produce any hazardous fumes.

The prize today is 2 Siliskin bottle covers, one small and one large.  To enter, please post a link to your favorite feeding item on Franklin Goose.

For extra entries you can become a Fan on Facebook for 1 entry

Follow us on twitter @FranklinGoose and leave your name for 1 entry

Follow our blog via Networked Blogs (on the left side bar) for 1 entry!

Please post separate comments for each extra entry. 

MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN EACH ENTRY! THIS WILL MAKE IT EASY TO CONTACT THE WINNER!

The giveaway will close Friday, 6/30/10, at 5 pm EST.

by deserea g.

Now that you have some of the cloth diapering jargon essentials down, lets talk about what you will need.

If you do decide to go with prefolds, you will need about two dozen prefolds to start.  This will allow you to get by for a couple of days without having to wash.  Newborns go through a lot of diapers in their first few weeks of life, so you want to be prepared.  You will also need either snappis, or diaper pins.  We recommend having a least one to two packs of snappis and about one to two packs of pins readily available when using prefolds.  You also need a cover.  We have many different types, sizes, colors and prints of diaper covers on our site, so have fun shopping.  If you decide on all-in-ones you only need the diaper itself.  We have great diapers for you to choose from on the site as well.  Fitted diapers are a great choice as well and if you go with fitteds you will possibly need a snappi, or set of diaper pins.  You will also need a diaper cover of your choice, as stated before these do require a cover.  Pocket diapers are a favorite for people that like to add or take away layers of absorbency.  With these diapers you will need a certain amount of doublers/liners to add to the “pocket” for absorbency.

Besides the diapers themselves you will also need some much needed accessories that will make cloth diapering a breeze.  We recommend having a wetbag, as well as pail liners to store those wet and stinky diapers between washes.  A wetbag is a bag that is made up of an inner layer of PUL, like the pocket and all-in-one diapers mentioned above.  These are a must and are highly recommended.  Pail liners you can use in a diaper pail.  When it comes to laundering your cloth you will need to be careful with what you use.  There are many different “cloth diaper friendly” laundry detergents and soaps that should only be used on cloth.  We have several “cloth diaper friendly” laundry products on our site as well.  You will also need to use a “cloth friendly” diaper rash cream as well.  One of our favorite earth friendly products to use while using cloth are cloth wipes.  Cloth wipes are so soft for babies delicate skin and can be used in your favorite wipes warmer with any cloth wipes solution.

Today’s blog entry has 2 wonderful prizes! 1 Thirsties Blackbird Duo Diaper in Size 1 and a Thirsties Duo Cover in Size 1 both mango colored.

We have now added several opportunities for extra entries! For the first and manditory entry, tell us about why you have decided to use cloth diapers on your babies!

For extra entries you can become a Fan on Facebook for 1 entry, Follow us on twitter @FranklinGoose for 1 entry, and  Follow our blog via Networked Blogs for 1 entry!  Please post seperate comments for each extra entry.  The giveaway will close Tuesday at five est.

At Franklin Goose we are so happy that you have decided to choose organic and natural products for you and your new baby.  We are also very honored that you have chosen Franklin Goose for all of your organic and natural needs.  We have compiled a list of cloth diapering essentials that you will need to get started.

Before looking into cloth and the accessories needed you will need to understand some of the terms of cloth diapering.  It is very easy to become overwhelmed with all of the cloth diapering jargon out there, so here are a few cloth diapering essentials that we have explained for you to help you choose the best option for you and your little one.

Prefolds are very popular because you can fold and shape them for the best fit possible.  A prefold is a flat diaper that is rectangular in shape and has many different layers of fabric in the “wet zone”.  You can find these in different sizes, colors, as well as in different absorbencies.  Some prefold sizes are determined by the actual size, a color, or in some cases by the different colors of the stitching.  There are prefolds made that are bleached (white in color), as well as prefolds made that are unbleached (natural in color).  Prefolds do require many washes before you can use them.  In most cases you will need to wash them 4 , or 5 times to get them to fluff up and be at their peak absorbency.  Using prefolds also requires you to use a snappy, or diaper pin, because they do NOT have a fastener built into the diaper.  Prefolds are NOT waterproof so they do require a cover of some sort.

All-In-One (AIO) diapers are very popular as well, because they are made with a cover and a fastener built into the diaper.  They have an absorbent lining, as well as a waterproof layer on the outside usually consisting of PUL.  These diapers come in many different prints, colors and also come with a velcro (hook and loop/aplix), or a form of snapping closure.

Fitteds – Fitted diapers are similar to a prefold, because they do require a cover and some come without closures built in.  Fitted diapers are a shaped diaper and come in many different prints, colors and closures.  You can find fitted diapers that have snaps, velcro/aplix, without a fastener at all that would require a snappy or diaper pins.  Fitteds like prefolds come in many different fabrics as well.  The softer the better!

Pocket diapers are similar to an all-in-one diaper, because they come made with an outer layer of PUL that is waterproof.  The inner part of this diaper is usually comprised of fleece and it comes with a “pocket” built into the back of the diaper that you can stuff a desired layer of absorbent inserts into.  These diapers also come with a Velcro/aplix, or a snapping closure that would not require a snappy or set of diaper pins.

Doublers/Liners  – Strips of fabric used to increase absorbency of a cloth diaper.  These can be used with any type of cloth diaper for extra wicking such as nap times or nighttime.

The diapers mentioned that do not have a layer of PUL on the outside to prevent leaking will need a cover.  Covers are a waterproof fabric that can come equipped with either snaps or velcro/aplix.  There are also diaper cover wraps as well as pull on covers made from waterproof fabric, such as fleece or wool.

Snappis are a separate accessory that you will need if you decide to choose a diaper that does NOT have a built in fastener.  Snappis are made of a rubber that have teeth on either end that stretches across the front of the diaper and attaches the wings of the diaper together.

Katydid Diapers is working with us to give away a melon colored diaper! Please include a link to your favorite diaper on our site and tell us why you love it to enter! Please remember to do this in order for your entry to count! This giveaway will end on Thursday at 5:00.

by kristin c.

It seems like since I have had a baby I get more compliments than ever before…no I did not magically become a super model, but rather I became a babywearing mama.

Babywearing is one of the greatest gifts that you can give both yourself and your child.  It is not only the most comfortable snuggle time around, it also provides you with free hands to complete household duties while you are still bonding and cuddling with your child.  It is also more personal and comforting than using a stroller and leaves both of your hands free, plus it can be done inside and outside of the house.

Many of the above compliments came from onlookers stating how pretty the carriers are, or how happy and comfy and content my baby looks.  There are also comments complimenting me on my strength…but this is not needed for babywearing and I will explain in a moment.

From the newborn stage you have the nice stretchy wrap, which is super sleek and adds a pop of color to mama and babies wardrobe.  They are soft enough to be used for kangaroo care and great modest skin to skin time for you and your baby.  It also allows baby to be soothed much easier as it becomes a comfort zone for them.  Sleepywraps provide many hours of enjoyable snuggle time and are the perfect material for wearing around the home and out in public without getting too hot.  These also are just the perfect amount of support for those tiny little bundles of joy.  They also make nursing more discrete as you can nurse while wearing your baby or cover them if you choose with the wrap as it doubles as a blanket on the go.  These can be purchased at a great price point but their downfall is that they may not be supportive enough to wear beyond the first year.

After many months of having a love affair with my Sleepywrap I decided to graduate to the next level of babywearing.  The next carriers can comfortably support children up to 40lbs*.  These include soft structures carriers, mei tais, and my true love of woven wraps.

Soft structured carriers, like the; oh Snap!, Ergo, Boba G2 and Beco Butterfly provide amazing colors and patterns. These all provide simple in and out buckle closures.  These in my opinion, are the easiest & quickest carriers to use, and evenly distribute the weight of your child as they are being carried while also designed to provide proper support for their hip and spine, which is a question many moms have. These are simple for mom and dad alike.  The biggest positives are the ease of use and evenly distributed support.  The downfalls of these are lack of carrying positions, adjusting straps between users, not being able to use for another purpose and that they can be bulky to carry while not in use.

Next in line are the mei tais.  At Franklin Goose we provide the Babyhawk and Kozy. These are best described as the in-between carrier.  They have qualities of both the soft structured carrier as well as the woven wrap.  These take just a bit longer to tie on, but if you are having to adjust straps with a soft structured carrier, many moms find a mei tai just as fast if not faster than a soft structured carrier.  These also seem much easier to nurse in than a soft structured carrier, in my personal experience.  They also seem to provide a wider variety of fun front panels to have a more personalized look.  It does not take long to learn how to use these and they provide a few more options for carrying than a soft structured carrier can provide.  These support very well.  The biggest positives for mei teis are the customized fit every time and the support.  The biggest downfall I find is that the back panels many not be high enough for some older babies who like to arch.

Now we are to my favorite.  The woven wrap.  Do not be discouraged that there is a slight learning curve and that there are so many carries.  You Tube has 100’s of videos you can view to learn all the carries step-by-step, and chances are you will have 2 or 3 favorite carriers that you can tie in a short amount of time.  Woven wraps have been around for ages.  The material is stronger and supportive as well as being high quality and then it is woven into a wrap.  These are specially designed for carrying children and are very strong and Didymos even adds the idea of using your wrap as a hammock after you are finished carrying your child, these wraps can SUPPORT!  They are the most versatile wrap, providing several carries on hip, back and front.  They can be used as a blanket, sunshade, nursing cover, pillow and anything else you may think of.  Depending on the weight of your child you can use a more supportive carry.  They come in all sizes and I suggest going with a longer wrap if in doubt.  They also come in short sizes which I would suggest only for experienced babywearers as they are more difficult to work with.  Do not be overwhelmed, it just takes practice and you will get it!  The biggest positives of these are already listed above.  The biggest downfall would have to be the price point-which is necessary because of the elaborate weaving process to create them with organic marterials and the final downfall would have to be the addiction of them, once I fell in love I wanted a huge pile to snuggle my darling daughter in.

Sleepy Wrap is so excited about all of our babywearing mama’s that they have offered 2 prizes for this contest! One winner will win a Sleepy Wrap in Navy and another will win their Nap Inc. Bear.

How to enter:  Please visit www.FranklinGoose.com and find your favorite babywearing item! Post a link in the comments section and a random winner will be chosen on Monday after 12:00 noon EST.  This is also a great chance to offer any suggestions for Franklin Goose to sell other babywearing items!

We are so excited to tell you all about our baby registry at Franklin Goose. Not only do we offer a Safe Baby Promise, so you can rest assured that every item you choose for your registry has been carefully chosen for its safety for you and your new baby,  we also have a “Quick Start Registry” to help all of our parents create their registry! The “Quick Start Registry” features some great product suggestions either for a boy, girl, or for our parents who want to be surprised we have a gender neutral registry. The “Quick Start Registry” is set up to show you all the items you should consider for your registry as you begin. We have filled out the registry as suggestions, you can use them in your own registry or delete them and fill them in with whatever items you are interested in.

We are now offering free gift wrapping for any items purchased for a baby registry! That service paired with our $5 flat rate shipping gives you  two great deals for your friends and family who are shopping for your new addition.

We are also happy to offer 10% off to help you complete your baby registry, if the registry is at least 75% complete after your baby shower date!  You can have the choice to use the 10% discount, or you can earn 5% back in store credit for the value of your registry, if your registry is 100% complete!

Registering for your new baby can be an important decision, especially if you choose to raise your children with natural and organics products.  Your baby registry at Franklin Goose can be a helpful tool to educate your friends and family about the many options for natural living for your family.  A baby registry is not only great for the mama to be, but it helps your friends and family choose a gift that you will enjoy and use for your new baby.

To help kick off our registry program, we are hosting a registry event here on our blog during the month of July.  We will have blog entries featuring baby essentials, and tips for registering.  We are so excited about our “Quick Start Registry” that we are hosting giveaways of our favorite items with each blog entry.  Be sure and invite your friends over, so they can get in on the fun too!  If we get to 4,000 fans on Facebook by the end of the month, we may have another surprise for you!

Our giveaway today is from Boon Inc. It is an amazing gift including the Grass Countertop Drying Rack, Fluid Toddler Cup, Catch Bowl, Benders Utensils, Squirt Baby Food Dispensing Spoon, Boon Odd Duck Bob, Boon Squirt Ball, Modware Toddler Utensils, and the Groovy Interlocking Plate and Bowl Set. We love Boon for their creative solutions for babies needs. They are BPA, Phthalate and PVC free. They donate 10% of their profits to charities benefiting needy children.

If you would like to win this fabulous  prize, please post your favorite item in the “Bath and Potty” section of www.FranklinGoose.com along with a link to that particular item.  Entries will close on 7/9 at 12:00 noon EST.  A winner will be chosen using Random.org and announced on Friday afternoon! Good luck! Honk!

Things you should include in your registry:

Necessities:
Crib
Mattress
Basket/cradle
Bedding
Changing Pad/Table
Monitor
Pump
Breast feeding accessories
Bottles
Food Prep
Baby Bathtub
Stroller
Car Seat
Bouncer
Wrap/Carrier
Clothes
Diapers
Diaper Bag
Blankets
Baby personal care
Bath
Safety
Wardrobe
Bookcase
Shelves

Fun Items:
Toys
Mobiles
Decor
Books
Gift Sets

Clothing check list:
Amount:
3-6 cotton footies
2-4 onesies
2-4 long sleeve onesie
2-4 t-shirts
2-4 long sleeve onesie
1-2 two piece outfits
1 cardigan
4-6 pairs of socks
2 slip on booties
2 bibs
1 hat
shoes

by Sheri Doyle.

Something interesting happened to me this morning. I thought it would be a great opportunity for people to share advice so I wanted to share it with you.

I am aware that many people don’t agree with, understand, or care about natural and organic living. However, I never thought it was an offensive topic of conversation, after all I listen all the time to people talking about their non-organic lifestyle and respect their right to do so. So this morning at breakfast when I was talking to a family member about natural birthing options and how interesting I find them I was completely blown away but their interruption in the conversation. The person I was speaking to said to me “Enough of your hippie garbage. Clearly we don’t believe in it and really don’t want to hear about it.” I was shocked, and hurt to be honest. This is not only my lifestyle but also my career and I had thought there was pride from the people in my life for what I was doing. Clearly I was wrong. The thing that shocked me was the emotion behind this persons remark.

I know I am not the only person who this happens to and clearly my experience was not as bad as some things I know people experience.  I wanted to snap back and tell this person that I patiently listen to their interests and lifestyle choices and beliefs. That I respect their option to discuss it so why is it any different for me to express mine. What I  thought about was how other people handle it. Clearly, this person has no interest in what I am saying so why push the point, but on the flip side, why do they feel the right then to talk about their lifestyle choices to me? I don’t mind listening, learning, and sharing. I honestly was so hurt though that I couldn’t say anything.

How do all of you handle it when you are not supported by family or friends?

I wonder why it is that people get so angry with others who have different opinions from the mainstream ones. I would never judge this person for their choices, so I wonder why it is that this person so harshly reacts to me. Do you find the same thing?

I know for those of you who choose to raise your children “alternatively” it is not an easy choice. I am sure you have had people respond to you with equal intolerance as what I experienced and I wonder how you handle it? Do you take it personally?

I realized also what a bubble I live in, surrounded mostly by people who think like me, or who at the very least respect my right to express my opinion. For those of you who are there everyday supporting each other and me in this choice, thank you. We all really do learn from each other and help each other, it is great to have a community surrounding you.

by Jenny M., Ninny’s Nappies

Ive been using homemade beauty and home cleaning products since I was in college. I’ve always opted for the baking soda and vinegar home cleaning methods. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my 1st son that I started making my own bug spray& bug repellent. In the last few years  the dangers of using Sodium Laural Sulfate and Parabens ( among many others) have come to light. I then started making and using my own shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, face cleaner, and body scrub/lotion. Its very simple and only takes a few ingredients that most people already have in their kitchen. You can buy empty bottles at health food stores or pharmacies, but I reuse old bottles.  This also helps with the transition to homemade products ( if you use your old shampoo bottle some shampoo will still be in the bottle and help ease your hair into the transition)

Shampoo =2 teaspoons baking soda to 1 cup water ( rinse hair, add 1 teaspoon of castille soap if you need the lather)

Conditioner= 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar to 1 cup water ( rinse on just the ends)

Deodorant= 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup baking soda 2 teaspoons coconut oil ( you can add essential oils, I like Peppermint and tea tree) keep in a small lidded container, it will soften at 76degrees or higher

Face cleaner/lotion = 1/4 cup salt, olive oil, castor oil

Face lotion = 1/8 cup rose water to 1 teaspoon glycerin in a spray bottle ( you can buy rose water & glycerin already mixed together)

Body scrub/lotion= 1 cup salt or raw sugar, olive oil, lemon or grapefruit juice

Bug repellent = 1/8 cup sweet almond or jojoba oil to 12 drops each of citronella oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle

Bug spray= 2 cups water to 20 drops peppermint oil ( spray in trash cans and around door ways)
Itch relief spray= 1/4 cup witch hazel, 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol to 10 drops peppermint oil in a spray bottle

I have, through the years eased myself into this homemade life style. The face cleanser I use every 3 days or so, I alternate with just watered down unscented Dr. Bronners (castille soap). Which is also what we use to bathe in, we opt for peppermint in  the summer because its so cooling and lavendar in the winter.

I am expecting my second baby in August and I  will be making our own reusable wipes and wipes solution, there are  many different recipes. I  am going to opt for the solution in a spray bottle  method instead of soaking the cloth wipes in the solution. I have been told that the latter can lead to moldy wipes.

Baby wipe solution= 2 tablespoon castile soap,1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 drops tea tree oil to 2 cups of water

Most supplies can be purchased at your local grocery store or health food store. If you want to purchase in large amounts this is a great place to start www.soapgoods.com.

For me and my family this way of living works and makes sense, we feel that our culture has strayed too far from basic & natural care.  You don’t need expensive fancy packaged products to look and feel good. I believe this life style keeps us healthy and more connected, its also alot of  fun mixing potions and lotions that actually work!!

Cheers Jenny

What formulas do you use? Do you have success with other mixes or ideas? We would love for you to share them!

Review from Michelle Lloyd-Mkokopelli

As I was working with Earth Mama, they fed me tons of useful eco-friendly information. They told me about Skin Deep and challenged me to search my products- even labeled organic. Skin Deep is pretty much the reason why my family switched to organic products. We had already made the food switch and I didn’t even think about other products until I came across their site. I looked up some ingredients and about lost it! But, since I’ve switched our products- I have blindly trusted the “organic” labels on our personal care items and haven’t done any searches lately.

After my findings, I’m appalled. Luckily, my daughter’s products have come back pretty safe. But mine, not so much. Just because a label says, “certified organic ingredients” doesn’t mean all of the ingredients are organic and safe. I found out a “organic” shampoo and “organic” facial cleanser I had been using both had moderate and high levels of hazards. So from now on I will be reading all labels and searching ingredients before making a purchase. Here are a few ingredients to avoid when looking at labels: anything that begins with methyl-, butyl-, ethyl- and proply-, parabens, methylisothiazolinone, triclosan, boric acid, sodium borate, phenoxyethanol, diazolidinyl urea, Quaternium 15, cocomidopropyl betaine, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamide DEA, TEA (Triethanolamine), 1,4 Dioxane, and ceteareth-12 alcohol. Do those all sound confusing and something you won’t remember? You can print a Child’s Safety Guide to Personal Products from the Cosmetic Database to take with you shopping.

Or better yet, you can buy Earth Mama Angel Baby and not worry at all because they have a safety rating of 0!!!

I tried the Angel Baby Shampoo and Body Wash for my daughter and I we are hooked for life.

What I love about the shampoo, besides the redolent aroma, is that is it a foam instead of liquid. This has allowed me to use the correct amount, instead of over pouring- which will make the product last longer. I also love how I can see the lather going on to my daughter’s hair, so I know which spots I’ve gotten. Did you know that most shampoo’s lather because they are made with detergents instead of soap? You will find synthetic surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate or ammonium lauryl sulfate combined with other foaming agents like cocamide DEA, MEA or TEA. Once the synthetic surfactants and other agents are rubbed together, they form a lather. Usually detergents need a preservative to keep mold and bacteria growth, but pure soap has a high enough PH to deter the growth. Angel Baby Shampoo is a real gentle castile soap, so no harsh surfactants are added! Angel Baby Shampoo has left my daughter’s hair feeling silky smooth with no tangles. Did I mention how wonderful it smells?? It is made with Saponified oils of Cocos nucifera (organic coconut) oil, Olea europaea (organic olive) oil, Butyrospermun parkii (organic shea) butter, kosher vegetable glycerin, Aloe barbadensis (organic aloe) leaf juice, Vanilla planifolia (organic vanilla) bean extract, Citrus sinensis (orange) oil, and tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Talking about smells, Happy Mama Spray is aromatherapy bliss in a bottle.

It is made for pregnant women to help with nausea, but is great for anyone needing a lift. Since we are in terrible 3 territory, I was really anxious to try this product. Spending 24 hours a day, attached at the hip with my little one is stressful, and by 5 p.m. I’m ready to give her away. I wouldn’t… but it has crossed my mind. With 1 spritz, the aroma is intoxicating. I can’t explain how it soothes your spirits, but it does. I don’t know much about aromatherapy, but I do know that smells can affect your mood. Think about when you walk into a house where cookies have just been baked… makes you feel all warm inside. You will smell lime, ginger, tangerine, orange, ylang ylang and more when you spritz your Happy Mama Spray on your wrists, body or all over the room. It is a 4 oz. bottle and fits perfectly in your purse. So if you are out in public and your child decides to throw a tantrum, spray a little between you both and see the results!

Be sure to check out all of the new Earth Mama Angel Baby products now being carried at Franklin Goose!

by Sheri Doyle

I get asked quite often about deodorant. Many people want to make the switch from deodorant with aluminum as an ingredient to a more natural, aluminum free solution. I find that the same comment always comes up in the conversations I have, “I am just so worried about being stinky.” This was also my dilemma when I decided to make the switch to natural deodorants.

I tried some of the better known brands in the natural world and found that I was stinky. I didn’t like that at all, but being stubborn I refused to give in and forged forward looking for a solution. I did find one that seemed to work better than the rest for “stinkiness” but it just wasn’t good enough. I felt better about what I was doing for my body by using a natural deodorant solution, but didn’t want to be smelly or sticky.

I kept trying different brands, pawning off what didn’t work for me on my husband, who seems to have no problems with any of them. I finally found one, Desert Essence, which worked better than the rest. It still wasn’t ideal but I thought it might be the best I was going to find.

Then Green Body Basics sent me one of their natural & vegan deodorants. I immediately noticed a difference but didn’t want to celebrate until I had really lived with it, in the heat, exercise, etc. Now I have and I have to say I absolutely love it! I use it with baby powder and it has not failed me yet, not even on hot days!

Green Body Basics is 100% Natural — 100% Vegan, Free of Aluminum, Alcohol, Parabens, Artificial Fragrance and Animal Testing. They offer 7 different scents, while I haven’t tried anything but classic I think  I may branch out this time and try a different scent. I really don’t have any complaints about this deodorant. The sticky feeling I got with other deodorants is gone, no smelly issues, and it is made by a work at home mom so I feel great about that! Not to mention when you read the ingredients label of Green body Basics this is what you see, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Cornstarch, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Essential Oils of (Salvia Sclarea) Clary Sage, Orange, Lemon and Grapefruit. These ingredients make me feel so much better than the ones I was buying  at the grocery store, or Target.

If you are interested check out Green Body Basics here.

Leave us a comment and tell us what your experience is with natural deodorant. Do you have a brand you prefer or a tip you would like to share with us?