Acure Organics

I knew that I would fall in love with Acure Organics when I read their tag line "A cure for your skin. A Cure for the planet." As we lead up to Earth day, I cannot think of a company more devoted to preserving the earth. Acure Organics products are 100% natural, with certified organic ingredients and they are free of synthetic fragrances and only use 100% steam distilled, pure plant essential oils to scent. Their products are all gluten free (except for the facial cleansers). There is no animal testing and they are licensees of TransFairUSA, the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade Certified Ingredients in the US. Acure Organics is 100% carbon neutral and
any paper they use is either 100% recycled or Forest Stewardship Council certified from sustainably managed forests. The Acure Organics offices are 100% solar and wind powered with Green-e certified renewable energy. The products are all 100% biodegradable. Acure Organics bottles are recycled HDPE, PET, or glass . These materials are the most widely recyclable, food safe and 100% BPA-free.
This family-operated business is dedicated to the environment and helping people look and feel their best with a very small carbon footprint. Acure Organics makes a donation to breast cancer research for every facial product purchased. Each quarter they plant a number of trees to do their part in renewing our natural resources. Acure Organics have planted over 20,000 trees so far through this program. They are proud supporters of the Farmland Trust, which works to convert conventional farmland into certified organic farms. They also sponsor small organic farmers in Panama and Costa Rica with microloans.

In love yet?! I thought so. If as if all this was not enough, the products are nothing short of amazing. I use the Lemongrass + Moroccan Argan Oil body lotion every single day. To say I am addicted to the scent would be an understatement. I love that way it smells and more importantly how good my skin feels. I spoke to a body care specialist at my local natural food store and she said Acure Organics products fly off the shelves faster than they can stock them. I am so excited to try more of their line. This is a company that has real values and their products are beautifully made. I love that they use such amazing scents and that everything is so reasonably priced. Together maybe we really can find Acure!

Nicobella

My baby is starting school soon. It will her first time away from me, and I am getting more and more stressed as the days go on. Whether your children are in school or not, being a mom or dad is pretty stressful. I cope with my stress by baking and cooking and keeping my garden in order. Oh, who am I kidding. My "secret stress buster" is a good piece of chocolate. I have learned that in order to be a good mom, I need to be a healthy mom. I try to make healthy and natural foods. I buy organic and I love raw foods. I think my chocolate (addiction) love should be the same. Nicobella is a line of vegan organic dark chocolates. Nichole Dandrea, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist makes delicious concoctions and treats using the best Fair Trade and sustainable products.

By replacing the cream and sugar*, that is typically in the ganache center, with vegan natural ingredients and infusing each truffle with super rich antioxidant foods, such as blueberries, green tea, sunflower seed butter, and pumpkin, there is finally something available for the health conscious individual that is lower in fat and sugar AND good for the body.

I tried the Truffle Sampler and fell in love with these delicious treats. My favorites were the Pumpkin Chai and Blueberry Almond. I was able to release a long day of stress in one delicious bite. And best of all, I did not feel even one bit guilty!

Theo Chocolate, Get in my Belly!

Sweet treats are a bit of an issue in my home. I do not want to be the parent who denies all sweets and then my child goes Tasmanian Devil on the dessert cart at a friends party. We try to limit what Product Baby has, but not deny her completely. I contact Theo Chocolate about trying some of their line. My daughter loves dark chocolate and for a 2 year old, she is something of a purist. She likes the best.

Theo Chocolate produces organic and Fair Trade specialty chocolate. It was founded by Joseph Whiney who was the first to supply organic cocoa beans in the USA in 1994. Prior to Theo Chocolate in 2006, all organic chocolate was manufactured in Europe and imported to the US. They are the first and only organic and Fair Trade chocolate factory in the country. They use pure ingredients that are sustainably grown. They source for local ingredients and partner with their growers for fair living wages and education for their families. Theo Chocolate uses green energy sources to power their factory and uses sustainable packaging and printing methods. Theo Chocolate buys their cacao direct from farmers, and build relationships with them to benefit their families.
So not only is this a company making wonderful, delicious chocolate, they are a company with a strong environmental and human conscience.
We were lucky to try two wonderful bars of chocolate (which “forced” me to buy more). Fig, Fennel and Almond Bar was a delight. It is dairy, gluten, and soy free and also Vegan! It was so delicious with a dark chocolate base and a gorgeous crunch from the almonds, with a sweet middle from the fig and a fresh aftertaste from the fennel.
Darn you Theo Chocolate, you grabbed me in!

Our other bar was a Theo & Jane Goodall 45% Milk Chocolate Bar. I have to admit, I was not anxious to share, but between Product Baby, Mommy and Daddy, our bellies gave that a good home during a picnic at the park. It was just the right amount of sweet with a delicious ending. It is also gluten and soy free! Best of all:

Proceeds from the sale of these chocolate bars will benefit cocoa farmers, promote conservation in the tropical rain forest and directly contribute to the Jane Goodall Institute’s efforts to save chimpanzees, develop community centered conservation efforts and direct youth education programs around the world.

So now I feel a little better about Product Baby having a treat…and me too! These bars melt wonderfully to use as a topping for homemade granola and energy bars too. I am officially addicted and making (eating) my way through the whole line.

Kate Quinn Organics

If you love your child to have comfortable clothes that will last a lifetime, then you definitely need to visit Kate Quinn Organics. Kate Quinn Organics was launched in July 2006. It is clothing made from 100% certified organic fabrics. It is quite honestly the softest and most wearable clothing around. All of the designs are simple enough to be layered and worn together, or as part of your existing wardrobe. From simple soothing shades like Vanilla Bean and Chocolate to punches of color with bright blues and reds, this line is all about easy to wear clothing. Kate Quinn Organics only uses certified organic cotton grown from sustainable farming practices. The garments are certified fair trade. They even released a women's clothing line in 2009.

We have the Long Sleeve Lounge Dress as part of our ever-growing Kate Quinn Organics clothing. This dress is the perfect example of something you can wear in so many ways. We dress is up with tights, or down with jeans. Kate Quinn Organics sizes run larger due to minimum shrinkage because the cotton is untreated. That means the clothing last longer because your child can grow into it. When some of our clothing become less like dresses as my child grows taller, I use them as tunics.

I love knowing my child has organic materials near her skin. I continue to shop at Kate Quinn Organics because it provides me with all of the choices I need, while saving me money because the clothing can all be worn is so many different ways and combinations.