"Winter Skin" Remedy

Every year around this time, my skin becomes a dry, itchy mess that no lotion can cure. I'm feeling relief this year with a simple sugar scrub.

Sugar Scrub

1/4 cup sugar
Olive oil
Essential Oil (optional)

Put sugar in a small bowl and gradually add olive oil until mixture has a thin paste-ish consistency. If you like, add a couple drops of EO for aroma therapy.

Apply at the end of your shower, rubbing in a circular motion. Air dry or pat dry with a towel. Enjoy your silky skin all day!

I really wish I had been using this on my belly when I was pregnant. It feels like it would be good stretch mark prevention!

"MotrinMoms"

UPDATE #2: More about this on Digg. And a (fairly lame) Response from Motrin!

UPDATE: The Motrin website is down...maintenance or the work of angry moms? I guess we'll see! Can't hide from us though...here it is on youtube. There are lots of of mom response videos too.

Click this link and watch the ad at the corner of the screen. It alternates between two, and while I don't love the one for Children's Motrin, I especially loathe the one about babywearing. This ad is unbelievable offensive.

Babywearing is not a silly fad made to inflict pain and make you "look like an official mom." It has been "in fashion" for centuries. It is not "supposedly a real bonding experience." It IS a bonding experience, especially in the first weeks. And, if you have the right carrier for you, it doesn't hurt a bit. I still wear my nearly 15 month old, and I can go hours with her in my Ergo without being uncomforable.

If you are interested in the benefits of wearing your baby, check out thebabywearer.com.

To share your opinion with Motrin, click "Ask Us" on their site. You can email or request a representative call you.

Things I Buy Organic and Why: Part One

The "Dirty Dozen" Fruits and Vegetables

The U.S. Department of Agriculture found that even after washing, some fruits and vegetables consistently carry much higher levels of pesticide residue than others. Based on an analysis of more than 100,000 U.S. government pesticide test results, researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., have developed the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables, below, that they say you should always buy organic, if possible, because their conventionally grown counterparts tend to be laden with pesticides. They cost about 50 percent more — but are well worth the money.

• Apples
• Cherries
• Grapes (imported)
  
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Bell peppers (I've seen these for as much as three times cost! You can bet they'll be in my garden for this very reason.)
  
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Spinach

Buying organic doesn't make much of a difference with fruits and veggies whose skins we don't eat.

• Bananas
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Papaya
• Pineapples
• Avocado
• Corn
• Onions
• Peas

Here are some other veggies that don't consistently contain a high amount of pesticides:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Asparagus

So there you have it. No need to break the bank. Just pick and choose where you go organic.

Going Green, The Economy, Consumption

I got an email from a reader I don't know. Kristen, mom of 3 says:

I figured [your blogging] had slowed down because of the bad economy. I thought saving money must be winning out over going green. I want to do green things, but I can't afford it.

Not so, Kristen! If anything, I'm more happy than ever about the changes I've made. My effort to consume less means I buy less. The only thing I spend more on is organic foods. Even there, I only buy organic where I feel it's really necessary (oooh, that will be tomorrow's post :)).

I got a Target coupon book in the mail the other day. I was excited, but flipped through it to find that all the coupons were for things I no longer buy!

Some examples:

Paper goods- I don't use paper towels, kleenex tissues, disposable diapers, wipes, etc.

Cleaning supplies- This used to be my favorite aisle...seriously. The only commercial cleaner I buy today is OxyClean.

Packaged foods- I still buy some, but I've cut WAY back. The majority of my shopping is done around the edges of the grocery store. [I apologize for what the previously said. My husband thinks he's funny, randomly editing my posts if I walk away from the computer.]

See what I mean? If I could just get my garden off the ground this spring, I'll be in even better shape!

Another place we've saved money is eating out. We still love to do it, but we've cut back because it usually means food that's not so good for us.

I've always liked to shop flea markets, and we've kicked this up a notch, looking for used things where we can, like at consignment stores or on craigslist.

Going Green = Consuming Less = Spending less.

Are You Still Here?

I've been a bad blogger lately--on all my blogs. I really want to pick this one up again. Let me know that you're here and still reading. Are there any particular topics you'd like to hear about?