Let’s face it, pregnancy can create and leave behind pesky side-effects. But no worries, nature provide numerous remedies for anything, including stretch marks. Here are two simple and natural remedies to combat stretch mark as oppose to using cocoa butter. These simple yet efficient solutions leave you with a gentle and delicious scent by the essences of nuts, flowers and citrus oils:

ONLINE AND ON THE SHELVES

Elasticity Belly Oil

4 oz- $39.00

Belli , the number 1 recommended skin care by OB-GYNS, has a wonderful product called Elasticity Belly Oil. The product is a luxurious blend of essential oils and ingredients which nourish your skin while protecting against pesky stretch marks. With almond oil as its main carrier, this oil is easily absorbed into your skin and does not leave a greasy residue. In fact, your skin is left feeling soft like a baby’s bottom. The blend’s Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil’s calming scent is an added bonus. In published medical research* (referenced from Belli), the combination of it Gotu Kola extract, Vitamin E and Collagen Hydrolysates was shown to decrease the risk of stretch marks by 39% compared to placebo treatment.

IN YOUR PANTRY

Using either almond or sunflower oil as your base, add 4 to 5 drops of orange blossom essential oil and then gently massage into your skin. It’s that simple. As well, remember that eating good whole grains and organic fruits and veggies rich in nutrients will also help you keep your skin firm.

Happy Baby, the leader in premium organic baby & toddler food and Healthy Child Healthy World, the nation’s nonprofit innovator in preventive health education for children, has announced an exciting partnership. Happy Baby will be contributing articles and nutritional information for HCHW outreach efforts.

“Educating parents and caregivers about food grown without GMOs, hormones, and chemical additives is more important than ever in light of the increasing rise in childhood illnesses, such as food allergies, early onset obesity, and ADHD,”

-Healthy Child’s CEO/Executive Director Christopher Gavigan

This logical yet respected partnership will make it easier for parent to research, compare and orchestrate their child’s nutritional wellness. Make sure to frequent both companies’ websites for valuable information.

Happy Baby’s complete organic line of fresh frozen baby food, cereals, finger foods, yogurt snacks, and grab-and-go pouches provides healthy yet convenient options for parents.

Mama Meditation & Shopping Event at EGG Baby
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
6:00pm – 9:00pm
EGG baby pop-up shop in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Join Tender Shoots Wellness Founder, Latham Thomas, for a guided meditation for moms followed by a shopping soire with EGG Baby and Maternity.
RSVP to press@egg-baby.com

The Pregnant New Yorker Series
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
6:30pm – 9:00pm
Renew Physical Therapy
149 Madison Avenue, Suite 903
(Btwn 31st and 32nd)
Register

Cara Muhlhahn, as featured in “The Business of Being Born” will be at this month’s Pregnant New Yorker to answer your questions about midwifery and childbirth. I will be discussing and answering questions about being a doula, and other guest will be discussing how to keep fit throughout your pregnancy and after wards. How physical therapy, chiropractic and massage can help you through your pregnancy and the benefits of having a baby nurse. Get easy and economical ways to green your home in preparation for a baby. Plus come see some great products on everything baby and mommy.

So you have just finished exclusively breastfeeding and are beginning the transition to solid foods for your baby. Do not be intimidated by the attention that is now needed for your child’s diet and nutritional needs. Yes, the amount and quality of essential nutrients you give to your infant/toddler is important, but there are many cookbooks, pre-packaged fresh meals and supplements to help make the transition easier for both of you.

Shaklee just recently rolled out a new supplements for babies & kid. Their Shakleebaby Multivitamin & Multimineral Powder ($21.45 list price) delivers 23 essential nutrients to your baby’s systems which helps to support proper growth. This mineral powder comes from one of the most respected wellness brand in the world. Check out its other benefits and for further information go directly to my Shaklee site. Perhaps this is the supplement aide you have been looking for. Regardless of whether or not you give your little one multivitamins, do not fall into the common parental default for making french fries, cookies and sugary juicy a staple in your child’s diet.:

• Provides a unique blend of clinically tested prebiotics to help support strong immunity*

• Star-K kosher certified

The Pregnant New Yorker has put together the best practitioners, products and services in one room for one day. Join in on November 14th!

It’s an opportunity to get expert advice and talk one on one to a variety of practitioners in all aspect relating to pregnancy and babies.

There will be demos, classes, mini consultations, samples, and more. Register today and be eligible to win some amazing raffles!

Hello everyone!!

How I have missed sharing posts with you. Life definitely rolls in ebbs and flows. The last 6 months have been a whirlwind but within these last months, several great events and experiences were had! On July 24/25, 2009, I attended my first homebirth. It was an incredible experience to watch a fierce woman, full of grace and focus, gently welcome her adorable son into the world with her loving support husband.  I will definitely share elements about my experience later.

Among several branding and design projects, I have been also been working on a very dear project under Verte the last several months, Be the Light Be the One. BTLBTO is an online emporium where you can find tools and resources for conscious change. It is the brand’s hope is to be a source of reflection and inspiration as we build community, support meaningful connections and create new possibilities for ourselves and the world. BLBTO also carries a collection of “Products with Purpose” for all ages and backgrounds.  Check out these adorable 100%  organic onezees. They come from fair-trade sources, have nickel-free snaps and are made with a non-toxic dying process.  Short sleeved onezees are $25 and long sleeved are $30. Check out the matching adult and youth tee’s as well.

 If you are also in need of a resource to purchase any of these birthing documentary gems, you can find them as well at the Be the Light Be the One website.

Again, I am glad to be back. Many new wonderful things are around the corner as I wait for the phone call for my next birth. Any day now!!!

Many blessings and joy to all you amazing parents and viewers.

Let’s face it. Babies are champions of dispelling urine, poo, vomit and more. It comes with the territory of babyhood & Parenthood. Parents are frequently daunted with the task of trying to figure out a safe yet effective way to clean up the after math in the war zone. Many over the counter cleaning agents contain harsh chemicals and allergens and residues that can cause skin and respiratory irritations. Here are 3 amazing eco-friendly agents/techniques that take down the competition in performance, economics and sustainability. They can be used on blankets, clothing, cloth diapers, bedding and more.

On the Shelves
Charlie’s Soap Laundry

This 3 lb bag of laundry powder can do up to 80 full wash loads. That’s only 1 TABLESPOON per large wash load. Charlies’ Soap is one of the very few brands that have a high performing detergent in a concentrate earth & people friendly solution. Made from a unique blend of biodegradable coconut-based detergents and high-grade, completely soluble, Green River washing soda, this product is available on the shelves of several green stores in your area such as the Green Depot.

$12.95-$15.49

On-line
Nature Bright® Laundry Booster and Stain Remover

This powerful chlorine-free, laundry booster is an effective alternative to chlorine bleach. The natural enzymes and active oxygen within the all natural stain remover re-brightens laundry, de-stains upholstery, and way more. Nature Bright is an excellent laundry pretreatment on organic stains like juice stains, blood, grass, poo, vomit and more. It outperformed Oxiclean® Versatile by 50% on grass stains in third-party performance tests*, performs in all temperatures, even cold water, is biodegradable, contains no phosphates and is safe for septic tanks and graywater.

Available from your Shaklee distributor at Member’s Price $ 9.30 Non-Member Price $10.95

Natural DIY Solution

The most common stains generated by babies are protein-based stains. Difficult protein stains can be removed by pre-soaking and then rubbing the stain in cold water before washing. NEVER use hot water; it will only embed the stain in the fibers of the fabric making the stain hard to remove. Put one cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle to remove uric acids and other traces of stain makers. After you have rinsed the stained textile, spray with diluted lemon juice and then dry the textile in direct sunlight. The sunlight will naturally brighten up the fibers and your stain will be gone.

Join Citibabes for a fun and informative event featuring leading prenatal experts, products, demonstrations and more! Sarah Beatty from the Green Depot will be speaking about creating the “Ultimate Green Nursey”, Ali Wing, founder of Giggle will be discussing and signing her book giggle guide to baby gear, plus more discussions such as “What to Look For in a Nanny” with Brownstone Nannies.

Other highlights include:

• Win a 3 night stay at The Ritz Carlton Club in Kapalua bay, Hawaii, Abaco, Aspen Highlands, Jupiter, San Francisco or St. Thomas.

• Fashion show with Destination Maternity-
stay stylish throughout your pregnancy!

• Win a complimentary membership to Citibabes!

• Win a Bugaboo Bee Stroller!

• Receive amazing giveaways from Quinny, Baby Bjorn & Dwell Studio!

• Walk away prepared for motherhood!

$20 for non-members, free for members
DON’T FORGET TO RSVP BY APRIL 15th to kelley.mcmillan@citibabes.com