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.

Check out these cute graphic tees from MollyAnna Organic Maternity. Made from 100% certified organic supima cotton, these make for perfect soft and breathable additions for your summer wardrobe. For every tee purchased online, the company donates $1 to the non-profit organization, Care. Care’s mission is to empower women, defend dignity and fight poverty.

A prenatal fitness routine is extremely beneficial for both mom and baby. Developing and maintaining a strong core is essential for an easier labor and delivery. G2 Fitness has developed an eco-friendly self-guiding maternity mat that will help mother’s to-be do such and live a healthy and green pregnancy.

The mats are 100 percent recyclable and use TPE, a durable alternative to rubber or PVC. TPE is completely non–toxic, odorless and harmless to both the environment and human body. G2 Fitness also has an integrated policy that all waste materials used during the manufacturing process are to be completely recyclable and reusable.

Instructional videos are available online after purchase. Still, even if you were to only follow the iconographical directions on the mat alone, you would still reap the benefits of more tone and strengthen muscles, improved balance and circulation, reduction of swelling and more.

Global brand Huggies has just released its new Pure & Natural Diaper line. The diapers come in 5 stages starting at infancy. They are hypoallergenic, latex and fragrance free and feature a breathable outer cover that includes organic cotton. Robert Thibault, president of Kimberly-Clark’s North American Infant, Baby & Child Care business (parents of Huggies) was quoted:

“This innovative Huggies brand diaper offers delicate protection for baby, along with the increased use of renewable materials, ushering into the category a new disposable diaper that delivers the utmost in performance and care along with steps toward environmental improvements”.

The diapers are not compostable or made from fast degrading natural resources like Nature Babycare or G-Diapers, but at least this release is a big push towards the fight to provide more eco-friendly accessible parenting options. It sure is a step in a positive direction as opposed to the traditional petroleum based main-stream diaper. Franklin Associates and the American Petroleum Institute report that 3.5 billion gallons of oil are used to produce the 18 million throwaway diapers that end up in landfills each year. I think its better to have a piece of natural cotton in a landfill to break down verses oil. Plus, cotton allows for your baby’s skin to breathe.

I have yet to speak with mothers who have used the diapers, but I notice that the website is giving away free samples. So head on over to the site and sign up to receive your sample today. Or, just keep an eye out for them at your local retail outlet. Make sure to send your comments and experiences back to the Green Doula. Your testimonials help other parents.

Head on over to Camilla Boutique to check out great stylish eco-friendly spring finds for your entire family. Located in Brooklyn, this fashion and home accessories shop provides customers with high-quality, beautiful pieces that embrace sustainability in all aspects, from organic and eco-friendly fibers to small-scale, local production. If you do not live in the city, you can always purchase items on-line.

Amazon.com has just launched its new eco-friendly on-line , The Little Seed. It is in partnership with Soliel Moon Frye, co-owner of LA based baby boutique,The Little Seed. The on-line store specializes in all things eco-friendly for babies and moms.

Here are a few of my favorite picks from the on-line store. I do want to note the major popoularity of this launch. Many of the stock quantities are running low already. Hopefully they’ll be replenished by next week.

To Cloth or not to Cloth that is the question. Many parents are curious, confused or somewhere in between when it comes to selecting the most environmentally friendly diapering system for their little one. Adopting a cloth diapering regime may not be for all, especially for the many who live in the city and do not have access a washer and dryer on their floor or within their building. Thankfully, there are other eco-friendly options out there that can be adaptable for all lifestyles. My suggestion is to have both a stash of regular diapers such as the ones referenced below as well as either a hybrid cloth diapering system or cloth diapers in case of emergencies.

Diaper Recommendation
Nature babycare diapers “Nappies”

*Convenience of high-performance disposable diapers
*Non oil-based plastic used in construction like other major brand diapers; uses corn based ingredients instead
*100% Chlorine-free diaper
*Natural, breathable high performance diaper
*Wonderful leak protection
*Absorbent pulp from sustainably harvested Scandinavian forests
*No latex, fragrance, or TBT (tributyltin)

Cloth Diaper recommendation
BumGenuis

*Tabs that stretch for a perfect fit
*Super absorbent
*Sizes available specifically designed to fit newborns
*No inserts required, just throw into the wash

You can also contact cloth diapering services such as Healthy Diapers or Queen Bee Diaper Service . These companies will deliver fresh cloth diapers to your door and clean your soiled ones for you. Do keep in mind to research and confirm that your diapering company uses eco-friendly laundry detergent and not industrial strength toxic solutions. You do not want to have your baby develop a rash from harsh cleaning products.

Hybrid Cloth Diapering Recommendation
G Diapers

* Hybrid: combination of cloth diapering and regular diapering
* Inserts are flushable, though leakage has still been reported to occur
* Can put the cover in wash cycle
* Can compost wet liners (50-150 days to break down)

Check out these affordable and adorable organic spring finds from Kate Quinn Organics. Most of the garments come in a variety of sizes ranging from infancy to 8 years old. Until March 31st, you can receive free shipping on all orders over $50. As well, you can check out the collection at a variety of retailers across the country. The brand only uses certified organic cotton and all garments have been certified Fair Trade. I will be keeping an eye out for Kate Quinn Organics will soon be releasing a line of women’s clothing sometime this year! The items are reasonably affordable compared to most organic collections. The clothing is simple, fresh and “green”.

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