The latest from our Heart and Soul
My daughter loves to create; whether it’s drawing pictures, writing stories, making muffins or doing crafts. So when she received some beauty Do-It-Yourself craft kits from Kiss Naturals she was ecstatic.
Kiss Natural, founded by Mike and Marie, produces fun craft kits made with all natural ingredients. They currently have four different kits: DIY Soap Making Kit, DIY Perfume Making Kit, DIY Lip Balm Making Kit, and a DIY Bath Fizzie Making Kit. Each kit comes in a re-sealable bag and includes everything you will need from the ingredients the molds and even spoons for mixing.
The kit came with a an easy to follow instruction sheet but you can follow an instructional video on the site (all the kits have this). My daughter enjoyed watching the two girls on the video making their kit; after which she was super excited to get started on her own.
I love that the kit is designed so kids can do them on their own; no adult intervention is needed though I did enjoy watching (my 3-year-old also enjoyed creating). The ingredients are pre-measured and easily labeled, plus everything was included, except for a bowl to mix everything in. Mixing spoons are included but I found these too small to really mix the ingredients well so we simply substituted our own spoon. With the Bath Fizzie kit, all the ingredients are used so you can only do the kit once. They do give kids a choice of aroma for their bath fizzies, orange or key lime. My two daughters took turn mixing and pressing the powder into the flower mold. We had some leftover mix so the girls squished handfuls in their hand and left these shapes on a plate to dry (the bath fizzie mixture takes 12-hours to set.
The whole kitchen smelled like key lime for the rest of the afternoon. The bath fizzies popped out of the mold no problem and remained intact. My kids couldn’t wait to have a bath the next night and use their first bath fizzie. They loved watching them bubble in the tub and fill the bathroom with the key lime aroma. My daughter is so proud that she made these herself and really enjoys using them in the tub too.
The other kits also look like great fun:
DIY Soap Making Kit – create 16 individual flower soaps (made in two-8 batch soap mixes). Simply melt a bar of glycerin soap (in the microwave, no stove required) and add oils and colour and pour into the molds to set. Ready in one-hour.
DIY Lip Balm Making Kit – create 10 individual lip balm containers (small jars included). Melt and mix ingredients together (can be done in the microwave, no stove required), add your oils for your final flavouring and let sit. Ready in 30-minutes. Makes 10 lip balms all at once.
DIY Perfume Making Kit – create 10 individual perfume containers (solid perfume base like a lip balm versus a liquid perfume that can spill). Melt and mix the main ingredients together (can be done in the microwave, no stove required), add your oils for your final aroma and let sit for about 1-hour.
I love that my daughter can do the kit on her own, from start to finish, and I think my daughter enjoys that too. The fact that the products are made in Canada from all natural ingredients is another big plus; I don’t have to worry about my daughter using products with lots of chemicals and other unknown ingredients.
The kit making process is fun, but kids will enjoy using their final product for weeks after. Along with being great gifts, the Kiss Naturals DIY kits would be great activity at a girls spa party, with each guest taking home their own products. My daughter can’t wait to try the rest of the kits. You can purchase the Kiss Naturals kits online or at select stores in Canada and the United States.
And if that's not enough to peak your interest, Kiss Naturals has a donation program that has them donate $1 to a charity of your choice for each kit sold.
* Product was provided for the purpose of this review
| GIVEAWAY! |
The folks at Kiss Naturals want to share their fun DIY kits so they're offering one (1) EverythingMom member one (1) of their own kits (choice of any 1 of the 4 kits we've talked about in the review). To enter simply tell us which kit interests you.
This contest is only open to EverythingMom members. Not a member? It’s quick and easy to join. Contest is open to Canadian and United States residents and ends May 20, 2010. One (1) EverythingMom member will be randomly chosen after that.
My daughter just turned 8. She’s still very much about Barbie and Princesses but I can tell boys have started to creep into her thoughts. I like to think I have a good relationship with my kids. I try to encourage them to talk to me about anything, but I must admit I’m sort of dreading THAT talk. You know the one…the sex talk.
A new DVD The Birds, The Bees and Me seems to be designed with parents like me in mind. The DVD is designed for kids rather than the parents, with both a boy’s version and a girl’s version. They’re pretty much the same with the exception that a collage age boy is the host on the boy’s version versus a college age girl hosting the girl’s version.
The DVD starts and ends with casual conversation from Dr Brandon Davison-Tracy MD (board–certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics according to the back of the DVD case). He basically tries to reassure kids that the changes they’re going through, puberty, is a natural next step and encourages them to watch the DVD, talk to the parents and/or Doctor about any questions they have.
I reviewed the girl’s version with my daughter. The main part of the DVD consists of Sarah, the girl host, talking about puberty, sex and babies. The DVD is designed like an older sister or friend talking to you (your daughter) about these topics.
I was hoping the DVD would talk more about puberty and the changes that occur in girls (and boys). And this was talked about at the beginning of the DVD but it seemed really brief. Most of the DVD seemed to be about sex, having sex and the results (getting pregnant). There are visuals used to illustrate points being made in the DVD too but they’re all cartoon-like illustrations or animations, no realistic imagery.
The DVD isn’t designed to replace talking to your child about puberty and sex but you could use this as a way to start an awkward conversation on the topic. The DVD itself is only sixteen-minutes long, including the intro and conclusion form the Pediatrician. It actually covers a lot in a short period of time.
The Birds, The Bees and Me is designed for kids age 8 to 14 but obviously when you bring up the topic of sex depends on the maturity level of your own child. Although I think my daughter is too young to be thinking about sex, she did have questions about body changes after watching the DVD. I would much rather my kids get their information from me and other trusted sources than from the school yard. I think this DVD will come in handy in our house, in a few years.
* Product was provided for the purpose of this review
| GIVEAWAY! |
If you have kids approaching puberty, perhaps The Birds, The Bees and Me will help you to open the dialog about body changes and sex in your house. We have been given two (2) copies of The Birds, The Bees and Me (one version for girls, one version for boys) to give away to two (2) of our EverythingMom members. To enter just tell us which version of the DVD you would prefer, the girl’s or the boy’s version.
This contest is only open to EverythingMom members. Not a member? It’s quick and easy to join. Contest is open to Canadian and United States residents and ends May 19, 2010. Two (2) EverythingMom member will be randomly chosen after that.
With all the press about artificial fragrances and chemical additives I find myself spending more time looking at ingredient labels, especially products for my kids. I was given the chance to try some of the new products from the Green Beaver Company; their new Green Beaver Company Jr. For Kids line.
The products are free of unwanted chemicals and made from pure, gentle and certified organic ingredients. The fact that they're made in Canada and with Canadian raspberry and carrot oil is wonderful bonus.
Foaming body wash
The wash comes in a pump easy enough for my kids to use. When the soap comes out of the pump it seems thinner than other foaming soaps we've used but it's sudsy enough when washing with it. What I really like, what the kids really like, is the berry fragrance. It's not a super sweet smell but rather a fresh berry smell. It makes the bath time delightful.
Tear-free shampoo
My kids have moved out of the baby phase and they'll make that very clear if I try to buy baby shampoo for them; however, they still need something that won't sting their eyes. The Green Beaver Company Jr. Gentle Shampoo is tear-free and since it's not labelled for babies my kids didn't fuss about using it. The shampoo foams up really well and like the Foaming Body Wash it has a fresh berry smell, though a little subtler. However, I did find with my kids' hair I needed to use a conditioner with this shampoo; it seemed to strip it right down.
Lip balm
My oldest daughter loves lip balm but she can't wear most; she usually gets a reaction or rash. She was eager to try Green BeaverCompany Jr's Lip Balm and happily she had no reaction. The balm has the same subtle berry flavor but not to the point that your kids are going to lick the lip balm off.
The other products available in the Green Beaver Company Jr. line include Conditioning Detangler, Bubble Bath, and Foaming Hand Soap.
You can find Green Beaver Company products at select online retailers or natural health stores.
* Product was provided for the purpose of this review
| GIVEAWAY! |
The Green Beaver Company folks want you to try their new Green Beaver Company Jr products so they're giving one (1) EverythingMom member their own collection to try (consisting of 3 products from the Green River Company Jr products, actual products to be determined). To enter tell us which of the Green Beaver Company Jr. products interest you most.
This contest is only open to EverythingMom members. Not a member? It’s quick and easy to join. Contest is only open to Canadian residents and ends May 10, 2010. One (1) EverythingMom member will be randomly chosen after that.
I've always been a fan of Burt's Bees. And what's not to love. Their products are made from natural ingredients, even their packaging is made from and with recycled materials. When my kids were babies they lived in Baby Bees products, that's how much I trusted the natural products produced by Burt's Bees.
Although they have a well established line of products, they continue to improve upon and expand their lines. Two such products are out just in time for summer.
Natural Sun Care: Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 30
With the longer days and warmer weather, I know my family will be spending more time outside, my kids especially. That means regular coatings of sunscreen. I don't think I'm alone with my concerns about what goes on my kids' skin and ultimately absorbed into their skin, so Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen is appealing -- it's made with 100% natural ingredients. The sunscreen doesn't feel greasy and rubs in easily, without any white residue left on the skin. I actually found the kids' skin soft after rubbing it in. The aroma is not purfumey either, I cannot quite describe it but maybe it is the hemp seed oil. We have only just started using it so time will tell about being affective but with a SPF of 30 I am not too worried.
I always seem to have dry lips. Perhaps I don't drink enough water or maybe I spend to much time licking my lips (a bad habit I am sure) but it is an area I need to work on protecting, especially in the warmer weather. Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm, like many of their products, is made from 100% natural ingredients. The main ingredient of course being honey but it also has shea butter, almond oil, cocoa butter and lanolin, other natural ingredients you are use to for keeping skin soft and nourished. The Honey Lip Balm has a subtle taste and aroma of honey when you put it on and it is not greasy, just smooth.
Burt's Bees has another product line aimed right at me, though I hate to admit it. It is their Naturally Ageless line. The line is designed to smooth fine lines and firm skin naturally with antiocidant-rich pomegranate, plus other natural ingredients that address specific signs of aging. Yes, it is true, my skin is not as young as my mind thinks and it does not have as much bounce-back as it use to.
Naturally Ageless: Intensive Repairing Serum
I will admit I was skeptical about this product as I am any 'fight aging' product. The Intensive Repairing Serum contains pomegranate extract which is suppose to help fight against free radicals that cause skin-damage. I am a believer in antioxidant benefits of pomegranate, I have just never thought of using it on my skin. After using the Intensive Repairing Serum for about a week as part of my morning ritual, I have actually noticed a difference, especially on my forehead (those furrowed-brow lines you get when you have kids). The bottle is quite small (13mL) but you only use a small portion and in specific areas; it's not a product you rub all over your face. I did find it a little oily at first but if I avoided using too much and patted it on my skin it seemed to soak in pretty quickly.
* Product was provided for the purpose of this review
| GIVEAWAY! |
The folks Burt's Bees want share a little natural pampering with you, so they are giving one (1) EverythingMom member a Burt's Bees Gift Basket consisting of a variety of their products (approximately value $100 Cdn). To enter tell us one Burt's Bees product you would love to try or enjoy using now. You can see their whole line on their site.
This contest is only open to EverythingMom members. Not a member? It’s quick and easy to join. Contest is only open to Canadian residents and ends May 13, 2010. One (1) EverythingMom member will be randomly chosen after that.
I think all parents know how important hand washing is at maintaining good health, especially with kids. They’re playing outside, they’re going to the bathroom, they’re sharing toys with friends and those same hands are putting food in their mouths.
We were recently sent Lysol’s new Healthy Touch, an anti-bacterial soap dispenser. The device is no bigger than a standard bottle of hand soap you may already have sitting on your counter. The difference is that Healthy Touch dispenses soap automatically based on a sensor. Just place your hand in front of the dispenser and soap is released.
I put it in our downstairs bathroom since it gets used most by the kids (washing up after being outside, cleaning up for dinner) and boy did they put the Healthy Touch to the test. All 3 of my kids love and use the dispenser; even my 3-year-old can use the Health Touch all on her own. I actually found my kids washed their hands more because they loved how easy the Healthy Touch was to use (and it is kind of cool too).
The dispenser releases about a quarter-sized dollop of soap; no more issues with too much soap from my pump happy son or too little from my quick wash older daughter. We did have one episode of my son trying to get the dispenser to fill his hands with soap by moving under the dispenser over and over again, but that only happened once and it is to be expected with such a cool tool.
The other feature I liked about the Healthy Touch is how clean it is. I mean the soap squirts from the dispenser right into your hand, no globby soap residue on your counter. For someone who hates cleaning the bathroom to begin with, this is a plus.
I should point out, and actually the information that came with the package mentioned it too, the sensor aspect of the Healthy Touch can be triggered when you move the dispenser. There’s a switch on the back for turning it off if you want to move it to clean the counter. My husband didn’t read this of course and had the soap shoot out on him while he was oohing and aahing at it in the bathroom.
The starter kit retails for $14.99 Cdn. and comes with a bottle of Lysol hand soap (251 mL) and the 4AA batteries needed to run the machine. I just substituted these with the rechargeable batteries we have at home. The soap that came with the dispenser was Hydrating Cucumber Splash and it smelled wonderful. I found the aroma pleasant, not too perfumey or too antiseptic. You can also get the soap in the Cleansing Green Tea and Ginger aroma and the replacement cartridges retail for $4.99 Cdn. Both are available in major grocery and drug stores across Canada.
* Product was provided for the purpose of this review
| GIVEAWAY! |
The folks at Lysol want to keep you and your family healthy. They’re offering three (3) EverythingMom members their own gift basket starter pack. To enter tell us on average how many times a day you wash your hands.
This contest is only open to EverythingMom members. Not a member? It’s quick and easy to join. Contest is only open to Canadian residents and ends May 6, 2010. Three (3) EverythingMom members will be randomly chosen after that.
