Makeba Gies set out to create a clothing line that would be healthy for infants and the environment. Baby Keba is a line of high- end quality Pima cotton clothing and accessories for infants and toddlers. Baby Keba has become so trendy because of its eco-friendly, oh-so-soft, and features charming elegant style and superlative quality. Baby Keba wear is silky soft, machine washable, dryer safe, and naturally stain resistant.

With the desirability of these wonderful clothes, and the need for babies to grow up in a tactile but safe environment, Baby Keba’s simple designs, witch are paired with such healthy, ethical and ultra-soft clothing is such a welcome alternative to the marketplace for baby clothing. We love it and once you’ve experienced it for yourself you will too!

Beautiful and Organic. Baby Keba…babies born to hug!

The post For The Love of Organic Baby Fashion! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Between the luxurious dinners, the wine and champagne, and of course dessert – Valentine’s Day is one of the most indulgent days of the year. And while a little decadence is deserved at times, we at Juice Press think it’s far more romantic to show your partner you care the healthy way with a variety of sweet treats.

Here, we share some favorites to spark the mood and show your love:

Raw Chocolates: These are superfood raw chocolate truffles, perfect for a pick me up on Valentine’s Day or really any time you need (or want) one… ! The combination of raw cacao, energizing maca, acai, pomegranate and goji berries is the perfect gluten free treat. An added bonus – raw cacao is claimed to have amazing nutritive properties including being antioxidant, iron and magnesium rich.

Love at First Sight: A sweet way to get your greens, this delicious blend combines green apple, kale, spinach and lemon to give you the perfect proportions of savory, sweet, and tart. Alkalizing benefits and a super-dose of iron make this a choice that is as smart as it is satisfying.

Love Me: Inspired by the graffiti “Love Me” by Curtis Kulig, an American artist, photographer, and illustrator, this combination of kale, spinach, green apple and lemon has a higher greens to fruit ratio, serving up savory in a stylish package.

Acai Bowl: acai berry bowl is a layered work of perfection! with a nutty crust as the base and a maca infused acai filling, our raw berry jam and fresh banana slices top this off perfectly. gluten free!

Share your love this Valentine’s Day with healthy options from Juice Press.

About Juice Press
Dedicated to organic product, Juice Press offers options that are vegan and kosher with no high pressure processing (hpp) or genetically modified organisms (gmos). Their cold pressed juices, gourmet superfood smoothies, raw food entrees, salads, sandwiches and desserts are all made fresh daily. Juice Press draws women, men, health nuts, raw foodies, night-lifers, moms, tweens and toddlers and delivers to them at home or in the office from Manhattan to Brooklyn to almost anywhere in the country.

www.juicepress.com for store locations and more information.

The post Treat your Sweetie – the Healthy Way appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

In recent years, it has become so popular to employ the use and practice of organics that a green lifestyle is much more than a fad. Local produce, natural peanut butter, and free and clear laundry detergent are just a few of the products that people use daily to reduce their carbon footprint. But is it possible to live a green lifestyle… in the bedroom? Here are four brands that prove it.

Sir Richards

Sir Richards is a brand of condoms that promises the user a sexual experience free of parabens, spermicide, and glycerin. They are Vegan and the tagline says it all: ‘chemicals are not sexy.’ As well, for every box purchased (average $11-13 for a dozen), one is donated to a community in need.

Glyde

Glyde condoms are advertised as ‘the world’s only certified cruelty-free and free-trade condom. It is also Vegan-certified, eco-friendly, and sustainable. More importantly it is called ‘body-friendly’ – it is free chemicals and fairs better for the sensitive type.

JO

JO personal lubricant is a water-based, female friendly alternative to harsh chemicals found in KY or other brands. There is also an option to buy an exclusively organic version of JO at the same price as the original. Created by a doctor, anyone can be assured that the smoothness of this natural lubricant is better than the rest.

Sliquid

The price tag (typically $10 – 15) may scare a few customers off, but the bottles weigh in at 4.2 ounces. As with any personal lubricant, every drop counts. When you choose a natural, water-based lubricant, you truly get more bang for your buck. The tagline is ‘simple; safe; sexy.’

Natural products are not always worth the price tag or the hassle, but personal products like condoms and lubricants are slightly more important: it means more to keep chemicals away from the most sensitive area of your body. Be natural, play safely.

‘Sir Richards’: http://www.sirrichards.com/.

‘Glyde’: http://www.glydeamerica.com/.

‘JO’: http://www.systemjo.com/.

‘Sliquid’: http://sliquid.com/. 

The post All-Natural Fun: Condoms and Lubricants for a Greener Lifestyle appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Whether stopping in for a daily to-go cup of coffee or running your weekly grocery store trip, you likely have many purchases throughout the day.

With Earth Day right around the corner, it’s a great time to reflect on your own personal impact on the environment and the world around you. Because so many consumer habits can have a negative effect on the planet, it’s important to take steps to reduce this trend.

“There are many ways to support the green movement,” said Hillary Femal, vice president of marketing for IFCO, the world’s leading producer of eco-friendly Reusable Produce Containers. “But the easiest way is to become an educated consumer.”

BE A GREEN CONSUMER

As a sustainable shopper, you can do your part to cut down on the amount of waste filling landfills and other environmental dangers. Here are a few steps you can implement in your own daily routine or whenever you’re out shopping:

• Know Your Grocer: Many companies and grocers are taking steps to provide greener solutions for the display of their products, such as produce. Recycling cardboard boxes used to display produce is good, but according to the EPA, reuse is better. That’s why many grocers use Reusable Produce Containers (RPCs). Grocers can use and reuse these containers to ship, store and display fresh produce – all in an environmentally friendly way that reduces waste.

• Understand Your Brands: Educate yourself on whether your favorite brands and fresh produce growers support green initiatives. Village Farms is a greenhouse grower of fresh tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers that focuses on green agricultural practices from the farmer to your plate. Village Farms and many other growers choose to use RPCs to pack fresh fruits and vegetables safely from their fields. From there they ship the RPCs to major retailers across the country and the containers keep the produce safe and fresh throughout the journey.

• Choose to Reuse: Keep in mind that recycling is a start, but reuse is smart. You can choose to reuse by choosing products with eco-friendly or reusable packaging and shopping at retailers displaying their fresh produce in RPCs. This packaging is not only good for the fruits and veggies you love, but it’s also great for you and the planet.

• Support Grocers that Reduce Waste: Some specialty food stores may be well known for their green standards, but many major food retailers are also making green choices. Many choose to provide produce brands, such as Village Farms, who recognize the importance of reducing waste when shipping their products and choose RPCs to reduce waste, energy and greenhouse gas emissions. These stores are also able to display the produce directly in their containers, getting even more use out of them and showing their commitment to environmental conservation.

• Bag it Up: According to the EPA, thousands of plastic and paper shopping bags are thrown away every year. Help cut down on this extra waste by using reusable cloth bags for your purchases. Keep them with you in your car, so they’re always handy for shopping trips to the grocery store, drug store or anywhere else you frequently shop.

So, the next time you’re spending the green in your wallet, think about how to make green choices with the products you buy. Visit www.choosereuse.org to learn about Reusable Produce Containers and support and share the cause with your friends by following Choose to Reuse on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

*Family Features 

*Photo courtesy of Getty Images

The post Make Every Day Earth Day appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

It can be perplexing standing in the grocery aisle deciding whether to spend a few extra dollars on an organic product or save the cash. After all, isn’t it always healthier to buy organic? Do you feel guilty not buying the organic products for your family?  Organic products line the shelves shouting their claims of health to shoppers. The products range from food to clothing,  but how do you  know when is it smart to buy organic and when is it better to save your money.

The healthy results of buying organic food is not a new idea anyone. We have been so overloaded with the advice to buy organic produce and its benefits that we have lost the ability to discern when it is the best choice.  The first tip is to always look for the USDA organic seal to ensure that the product is certified organic. But past that, what should you do? Do you really need to always buy organic produce? Dr. Andrew Weil is a well-known health advisor has addressed the questions when it comes to produce. He lists the “Dirty Dozen Plus” which are 12 plus types of produce that the Environmental Working Group suggests you should buy organic (2013).

• Apples
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Celery
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Sweet bell peppers
• Nectarines
• Potatoes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Hot Peppers
• Kale/collard green
• Summer squash

Dr. Weil also addresses the “Clean 15” that you do not need to spend your hard earned morning on organic foods (2013).

• Onions
• Sweet corn
• Pineapples
• Avocado
• Cabbage
• Sweet peas
• Asparagus
• Mangoes
• Eggplant
• Kiwi
• Cantaloupe (domestic)
• Sweet potatoes
• Grapefruit
• Papayas
• Mushrooms

When it comes to packaged food, deciding whether to buy organic can be just as perplexing.  A useful tip is to read the ingredients. Many natural or healthy packaged foods are comprised of fruit juices, cane sugars, or other whole foods.   When it comes to these items, buying organic is your best bet since these are produce items that absorb pesticides if used during the growing process. Prevention.com  made a list of packaged foods that you should choose organic (Greenfield, 2013).

• Popcorn
• Cookies
• Bread
• Salad dressing
• Ketchup
• Baby food
• Veggie burgers
• Cereal
• Milk
• Applesauce

So now that we have discussed food, let’s move on to other organic products such as body care.  Your skin is a living organism and yes, it absorbs whatever you put on it. Doctors have been prescribing topical medications for years that can be absorbed into the body. Many of the chemicals in body care products are toxic and it is best to avoid putting these toxic chemicals on your skin and in your body. The list of ingredients on body care products are even more confusing than what is in packaged foods. A safe bet is to buy organic if you are not comfortable identifying these toxic chemicals. If you do choose to buy organic, make sure that the label says certified-organic. Labels for natural and organic body products are misleading. The label natural can be used for products with any ingredients and  the made with organic label can contain 30 percent non-organic ingredients (Martinko, 2014). For a list of 20 toxic ingredient to watch out for visit http://www.treehugger.com/organic-beauty/20-toxic-ingredients-avoid-when-buying-body-care-products-and-cosmetics.html.

Organic clothing, cookware, cleaning supplies and food containers are probably the newest items to capitalize on the organic business.  As stated before, your body absorbs every toxic ingredients either via skin or through consuming it through eating.  Researchers are still learning how receptive our bodies are to these toxic ingredients and exactly how our bodies react. These products can be pricey, but buying organic lets manufacturers know that people are willing to spend money on quality products that are not harmful to their health.

An increasing concern is understanding the label on the product. Labels can read all natural, made with organic ingredients, and certified organic.  Read labels carefully and look for products that say certified organic or the USDA certified organic seal. There is no shortage of the choices when it comes to organic products. The important question to ask yourself is whether it is in your budget, what products are important for you to buy, and if the product is truly organic.

References

Greenfield, P. (2013, 12 20). 10 Packaged Foods You Should Always Buy Organic. Retrieved from Prevention: http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/10-packaged-foods-you-should-always-buy-organic?s=11

Martinko, K. (2014, 02 25). 20 toxic ingredients to avoid when buying body care products and cosmetics. Retrieved from treehugger.com: http://www.treehugger.com/organic-beauty/20-toxic-ingredients-avoid-when-buying-body-care-products-and-cosmetics.html

Weil Lifestyle. (2013, 04). Foods You Should Always Buy Organic. Retrieved from DrWeil.com: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02985/Foods-You-Should-Always-Buy-Organic.html

The post To Buy or Not to Buy Organic appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The formerly “fringe” back-to-nature movement has become mainstream in America and nowhere is the desire for a more natural approach to living more prevalent than in our homes. From organically grown fruits and vegetables to VOC-free paint choices, the trend is toward fewer additives, synthetics and chemicals.–

But for all the farmers market-purchased food in the kitchen and goat milk soaps in the bathroom, one room that has been neglected in the quest for a more natural home is the bedroom. However, it doesn’t take very much to make the bedroom more natural or “green.” Here are three easy and effective tips:

Choose natural bedding materials

Down and feathers come from nature, are biodegradable and renewable; consequently they have the lowest carbon footprint of any bedding fill material. Thirty-six percent of U.S. adults use down and feather bedding precisely because it is eco-friendly, according to a recently completed Harris Survey commissioned by the American Down and Feather Council (ADFC).

Being a natural insulator, down helps regulate body heat for an optimal sleeping experience, which allows homeowners to turn down the thermostat at night and save on heating costs. The survey found that 55 percent of U.S. adults who use down and feather bedding have chosen it precisely for its natural warmth.

Add fresh plants and flowers to your decor

Live plants act as natural air filters and some plants – spider plants, Boston ferns, rubber plants and palm trees – are particularly effective absorbers of chemical pollutants emitted from carpets, furniture and electronic equipment. Adding fresh flowers and plants to your bedroom helps with the natural cycle of carbon dioxide and oxygen, improving the overall air quality in your bedroom.

Take advantage of nature’s best heater: the sun

In the cold winter months, open blinds, draperies, and shutters during the day to let solar energy warm and brighten your room naturally. In the hot summer months, be sure to do the opposite, and close your window coverings to prevent your bedroom from overheating and causing air conditioning units or fans to work harder, thus using more energy.

The post Three easy tips to create a more natural bedroom appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

A few years ago, I was complaining to a friend about the old-carpet smell in the studio loft I had just received the keys to. The previous owners had a cat, and so the place was bogged down with not only dust but that all too familiar pet smell. As I have allergies, and am quite sensitive to smells, I had managed to stay away from the overabundance of summer rain and morning meadow smells saturating the market in the form of air purifiers. Now, it seemed, I would be faced with a bitter defeat.

While I had been wondering if there were any other ways to neutralize the odor without reverting to the smells of manufactured freesia, my friend returned from visiting his parents in Osaka, Japan and brought me a gift – a miniature wicker basket full of activated charcoal sticks!

Before then, I had never even heard of charcoal as a means of keeping your house fresh. Since then, I have seen it advertised as effective in keeping not only the air fresh in your house but also the air in the refrigerator and in cabinets and cupboards as well.

Depending on what DIY website(s) you follow, there are alternate interpretations as to what type of charcoal is best for the job of odor neutralization. Websites like Apartment Therapy and Life Hacker, for instance, have multiple views from multiple viewers. Many post that plain old charcoal, the same type you would use to BBQ your favorite steak, is sufficient enough to rid a house of pesky odors. This group of believers simply recommends buying briquettes without additives and scents like hickory or mesquite.

A slight alternative to actually displaying the pillow-shaped briquettes around your home is to invest in natural lump charcoal. This type of charcoal, as opposed to the packed squares like Kingsford’s that are always so seasonally popular, seems to not only be more effective at defusing odors but a lot more aesthetically pleasing when left out around the house. If you do choose to use the natural lump charcoal, however, keep in mind that the charcoal will be a lot dustier than the briquettes.

An alternate view holds that not just any type of charcoal will do. In other words, as odors are chemically backed, you need something that can fight them on their own territory. To this end, enlisting the aid of activated charcoal or carbon would be one of the best fixes for non-toxic odor removal!

Activated charcoal is just that: charcoal that has been activated and made porous so that it can absorb more odors, as opposed to standard BBQ charcoal that is a compression of charcoal powder and clay. Pressed as it is into its briquette form, standard briquettes have not undergone the same chemical process to make them porous like activated charcoal.

As far as displaying the activated charcoal is concerned, a lot of people favor simple home remedies, such as using the plastic green fruit baskets that strawberries come in. You can also use miniature wicker or wooden baskets or even get creative and make your own container; indeed, there are even people who knit miniature yarn cases for the activated charcoal and hang them up around the house or workplace!

And if containers aren’t your style, you can simply set the charcoal out on display – it makes for a wonderful conversation piece. Though I hesitate to leave the activated charcoal out on account of my overly-active Australian Shepherd who thinks everything in the house deserves to be licked, those odors associated with pets do begin to diminish when you start using activated charcoal around the house.

With the increasing popularity of activated charcoal, there are plenty of companies that specialize in manufacturing activated charcoal products for use in the home. One of my favorite companies is Moso Natural, which is based in Oakhurst, NJ. Moso Natural sells three sizes of conveniently pre-packaged air purifying bags that are made of 100% Moso bamboo charcoal. The 50g, 200g and 500g bags can be placed anywhere around the house and last for up to two years as air purifiers. All you need to do is place the bag in sunlight once a month to rejuvenate! Once the bag has finally been exhausted, the company also recommends cutting the bag open and placing the charcoal in your garden to promote plant growth. In this way, the Moso bag is not wasted and you can feel proud as you help to feed your plants and revitalize the earth with the mineral-rich bamboo charcoal: www.mosonatural.com

Another stellar brand selling bamboo charcoal is C60 Bamboo Carbon Co., which is the exclusive North American distributor for South Korean company, Borim. The company produces everything from shoe insoles for sport shoes, bar soaps, and standard air fresheners to pillows and cushions: www.c60bamboo.com 

The post Tell Household Odors to Hit the Road with Charcoal – The Natural Way to Go! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Check out AKA Mom’s top green/organic gift picks for the holidays!

“Combining sustainability with wide selection of elegant fabrics and essential oils, Scentsual’s pillows improve mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.”

www.scentsualeyepillows.com

Easy to clean (which every mother knows is important!) and it has a close, open, clean and air function that helps dictate what mode you want to be in. A gift you can feel good about giving your kids!

www.mysigg.com

Celebrate life with The Pretty Peacock’s Storybook Initial Pendants. Crafted completely by hand out of recycled, solid, fine silver. 

Say goodbye to plastic baggies and other leachy plastic food containers! Try the three-in-one stainless steel bento box! from ECOlunchbox.

www.ecolunchboxes.com

Beatrix New York Big Kid Backpack is big enough to hold textbooks, pencils, crayons, lunch and even a laptop. Perfect gift for your busy little school bee!

www.mightynest.com

Give a gift and help someone in need! This exquisite fair trade butterfly wing bracelet was made by a cooperative of silversmith artisans in Lima, Peru.

www.greenheartshop.org

Watch healthy eating habits sprout with the fresh and fun Green Toys™ Salad Set! Go ahead “toss” up some fun!

www.greentoys.com

Anya’s Garden Perfumes are 100% Real natural perfumes, made with organic neutral grain alcohol and pure and natural extracts of plants, ocean and soil materials.

www.anyasgarden.com 

Let them color their world with GLOB’s vibrant botanical, water-soluble paints. This all-inclusive kit contains 6 non-toxic color packets, 6 lidded compostable jars, and two bamboo brushes. 

www.hazelnutkids.com

Polish away dull winter skin and jumpstart the regeneration of newer, softer skin with our signature infusion of Mayan’s finest cocoa and healthful honey.

www.organicapure.com

The post Hot Green/Organic Gifts for the Holidays! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

By Sandra Ann Harris – ECOlunchbox Founder

Lafayette, Calif. –  I was stunned recently while watching a re-run of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution showing kids who were utterly unable to identify raw veggies. If our children don’t know what it’s called, how likely will they eat it?

Taking your family to a farmer’s market is a fun way for the whole family to learn the names of seasonal veggies, fruits, and even your local farmers!

Can your kid recognize a turnip? Can you distinguish broccoli from broccolini?

At ECOlunchbox, we’ve come up with a list of five fun ideas to help families enjoy an outing to their local farmer’s market while learning the names of seasonal veggies, fruits, and even our local farmers. (Yes, farmers have names, too!)

We believe that kids will eat better and have more fun at lunchtime (and snack time and dinnertime and breakfast…) if they get up-close and personal with their food chain while visiting their local farmer’s market.

Rainbow Colors

Color it nutritious! At ECOlunchbox, we’ve found that kids love to be sent on color-finding missions at the farmer’s market. Assign one child orange and green, and another child yellow and red.

Kids remember colors. Encourage your children to appreciate the nutrient value of foods by teaching them that colors mean healthy foods, or, in kid-language, “grow foods.” The brightest colors are found in produce that is in season, fresh, and eaten raw or lightly steamed.

With your farmer’s market bounty, create a “rainbow lunch“—festively arrange a tray full of colorful foods cut into bite-sized servings. This can also be an excellent way of introducing new foods and getting variety into the family diet. 

Dollars & Cents

Parents can involve their younger children in shopping by asking, “Can you put three zucchinis in the bag?” Or encourage their children to put fruits on a scale and follow up with, “Can you help me figure out how much these plums weigh?”

For older children, the dollars and cents of independently handling the bills and coins at your friendly local farmer’s market is a great way to build practical math skills.

Healthy Choices

Parents can give their children a budget, say $5, and ask the children to buy fruits and vegetables of their choice for their lunchbox. At ECOlunchbox, we’ve found that kids eat much better at lunchtime if they have a say in what’s packed in their lunchbox.

Kids love having the power to make choices about what they eat. What better place than the farmer’s market to give them that chance?

The Seasons of Foods

Strawberries in January? Kids will wonder why favorites like strawberries aren’t available year round at the farmer’s market.

Their questions will provide a great chance to talk with the farmers at your market about how food is grown and why it’s important to eat locally grown food that’s grown in season rather than import food from thousands of miles away.

Biodegradable Packaging

A fun farmer’s market question for parents to ask is: “What kind of packaging does an apple come in?” “What about an orange? A melon? A zucchini?” Fruits and vegetables come with built-in, biodegradable packaging—their skin!

A good follow-up question is to ask a child to think about the packaging used in pre-packaged lunchbox foods, such as chip bags, cheese sticks, individually sized yogurts, and juice boxes. “What is the packaging made from?” (Answer: plastic.) “Is the packaging biodegradable?” (Answer: no.)

At ECOlunchbox, we believe it makes good sense to pick healthy foods for lunchtime—and use healthy packaging to pack these goodies to school or work. Plastic packaging often contains BPA (bisphenol-A) and other unhealthy chemicals. Scientists have linked toxins in plastics to health problems like cancer, diabetes, and early puberty.

We recently completed a litterless lunch waste study showing that families packing lunch with conventional throw-aways generate 4,320 pieces of trash annually and spend more than $400 on disposables like plastic baggies, utensils, pre-packaged snacks, juice boxes, and more.

Interested in learning more about greening your lifestyle and having eco fun with your family? Please join our ECOlunchbox Facebook community or visit us online at ECOlunchboxes.com.

The post Where’s the watercress? The wax beans? Waldo the farmer? appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The arrival of a baby is something that is truly cherished forever. Baby Essentials brings you gifts for babies every eco-conscious parent would love. Made with the finest 100% GOTS Certified organic cotton, Baby Essentials apparel has the luxury and comfort fit for even the most sensitive babies. Whether you want to wrap them up in their Mulmul blanket, or put them off to bed in their cotton baby night suit, you will always love the soothing effect Baby Essentials has on your little angel.

Baby Essentials gives your baby that royal feeling with their Organic Mulmul blanket that is perfect for the your little prince or princess. Lightweight and breathable, its open weave texture helps adjust to the natural body temperature, thereby making it suitable for all climates. The little Mulmul coverlet is treated with vegetable dyes that have medicinal and healing properties which cocoon loved ones and help avoid skin irritations. Cushioned with a double layer of love and support, this blend of beautiful fine cotton enhances the bond between mommy’s warm heartbeat and baby’s softness. Soft and cuddly to hold, it has been nurtured with such love and care that makes it a must for every little newborn baby.

Baby Essentials strives to care for the earth and it’s community without sacrificing fun and style. Every little piece of baby apparel supports the vision and hope of a cleaner and greener earth.

For additional information, visit www.babyessentials.biz

The post A Soothing and Delicate Touch for your Baby and Earth appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.