TheOliveParent

#Free #Conscious Box!

2013-05-23T16:17:00.001-05:00

I have a special offer for you!

Conscious Box, a member of 1% for the Planet, is dedicated to finding the most ethical, sustainable and honest businesses. They offer a subscription service in which you receive a box full of green, natural goodies each month.

You can learn more about them on TOP.

They are offering my readers their first box free on a monthly subscription, a $19.95 value! You’ll just need to pay $7.95 for shipping.

Simply go to Conscious Box.com and add FIRSTBOXFREE

I LOVED Dale’s Raw Protein bar in April’s Conscious Box so delicious! They also have vegan options.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.

All #Natural Lice Treatments

2013-05-21T06:56:00.001-05:00

All Natural Lice Treatments by Tammy Mahan, Healthline.com

When one thinks of lice, we generally picture tiny little bugs crawling around in our hair. Head lice are the most common type of lice. However, there are three types of lice; head lice, body lice, and pubic lice.

Most parents are concerned with head lice so we will look at those natural treatments more in-depth than the other two types of lice. However, we do not want to simply ignore the other body and pubic lice, so I will also provide a natural treatment for them.

All three types of lice can be successfully treated and eliminated with natural treatments. Natural treatments and remedies are much safer for the body than over the counter treatments. With a natural remedy, whether you make it yourself or purchase it from a reputable store, you are pretty much guaranteed that it is all natural and no fillers were used.

Natural Treatments for Body Lice & Pubic Lice

Herbal treatments include Azadirachta indica (Neem), Rosemary and Lavender these herbs have great antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. You will need a large amount of these herbs to treat an infestation of body or public lice. I recommend visiting an herbalist or visiting an all-natural health store and purchasing a lotion or shampoo that is all-natural and contains one or more of the herbs listed above.

Natural Treatments for Head Lice

According to DrBenKim.com, “to kill the lice, apply a large amount of olive oil on the hair, saturating it from the roots to the ends. Then, put on a shower cap and leave on overnight. This will suffocate the lice. In the morning, comb out the hair with a metal nit comb, wiping the comb often on a towel soaked in vinegar. This will help remove the dead lice and the eggs. This process will need to be repeated every 3 days or so for 21 days.”

Dr. Ben Kim also suggests washing all linens, clothes (recently worn), towels, washcloths, any hair accessories that can be washed and, stuffed animals in hot water for at least 20 minutes.

Vacuum all the furniture in your home and vacuum the front and back seats your car. Also, boil your hairbrushes and combs for 10 -15 minutes.

There are also a few common household items that will kill the lice and the eggs.

Mouthwash – You can either use a spray bottle to spray it on just make sure the entire scalp and hair is saturated. Wrap the hair into a bun and place a shower cap on the head. Let it sit for a few hours and the lice and eggs will fall out.

Mayonnaise – Cover the scalp and all of the hair in mayonnaise, pile the hair up into a bun on top of the head, place a shower cap on the hair and let it sit for an hour or two. The mayonnaise will kill the lice and loosen the eggs. Then, use a comb to remove the eggs.

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice – Combine the two in a bowl and make a loose paste. Apply the paste to the scalp and hair. Wrap the hair in a shower cap or plastic wrap leave on for a few hours. Wash the hair and the dead lice and the eggs will fall out.

Be sure to check the hair over the next week (just as you would if using an over the counter shampoo) to make sure all of the lice and eggs are gone. It is rare you have to repeat any of these natural treatments but it does happen sometimes.

Resources:

http://www.healthline.com/

http://drbenkim.com/head-lice-treat-prevent-natural.html

Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised second edition, Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., page 499

Tammy Mahan is a medical and health writer who has spent the last 20 years working in the health care field. Writing for Healthline.com allows her to share her medical knowledge with others.

Disclosure:

This article was written exclusively for TheOliveParent.com. All information presented here has not been evaluated by the FDA and should not be used in place of a professional. Please visit your doctor or certified herbalist for advice and diagnosis.

7th Heaven Facial Mud Masks Giveaway!

2013-05-19T01:19:00.000-05:00

Here’s a fun giveaway for you!

7th Heaven Naturals was founded by a “vegetarian guru” who travels worldwide to discover herbal ingredients to use their facial masks. There are six facials that boast of varying clays, emollients and essential oils.

Clean Up Mud - Moroccan Volcanic Mud with finely ground lave pumice
Detox Mud – Glacial Mud, deep-pore cleansing
Million Year Mud – Rhassoul & Pressed Juniper Mud
Miracle Mud – Marine Mud & Dead Sea Salt
Moroccan Clay – Rhassoul Clay, crushed apricot seed and Argan shell
White Thai Mud – Lotus Blossom, Organic Jasmine Tea & Seasame

Muds are my favorite ways to deep-pore cleanse. I really like the convenience of these clays. They come premixed and packaged. Simply open and put on. They come in single-serving "sachet" size packets and there is an ample amount. I only used half a pack and ended up giving my daughter the rest of it so it wouldn't go to waste. I put it on 15 to 20 minutes before hopping in the shower, a routine that worked very well for me. The Million Year Mud stood out to me beyond the rest for scent, cleanliness and moisture, although all of the masques left my skin very soft and moisturized!

THREE EASY STEPS!

SIX MUD MASKS TO SUIT YOUR FACIAL NEEDS!

ONE WINNER WILL WIN ALL SIX CLAYS

THE FINAL RESULT...

One of my readers will win all six clays! Entering to win is very simple! You must be a TOP reader to enter the giveaway. Please sign up for TOP announcements at the sidebar. Please note: If you've already signed previously, you may need to sign up again. Complete as many entries as possible to increase your chances of winning!

The giveaway is open to US residents only, 18 years and older. This promotional ends June 6th 11 PM CST. Your entrance in the giveaway indicates you understand and accept the terms and conditions.

Disclaimer: All information and products presented in the post has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any diseases.

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Crayola’s Original 8 Are Celebrating Their 110th Birthday

2013-04-22T22:38:00.001-05:00

I don’t know about you, but as a home schooling mom, I LOVE Crayons. Crayola has been a staple in my home, although I do use other varieties of the brand.

I remember those “first days of school” when I would proudly open my brand new box of Crayola crayons. For at least a day, I went through great pains to ensure the tips were sharp and the box wasn’t scuffed…until of course I was inspired by a beautiful rainbow or another image I wanted to capture in color.

My children have created many a stick-figured pictures that I’ve stored for memories…temporarily on the fridge, or in a drawer for safekeeping with Crayola crayons.

Crayola is celebrating the original 8’s 110th birthday by giving away a three-night, all-expenses paid trip to Easton, PA, the residence of The Crayola Experience. You can enter to win on their Facebook Page.

The Crayola Experience opens on Memorial weekend, May 24th.

What memories do you have with Crayola?

Disclosure:

The above information was provided to TheOliveParent by Crayola. For further information, please go to www.facebook.com/Crayola

Living More Consciously: The Safer Chemicals Act and a 3 Month Subscription Conscious Box Giveaway

2013-04-22T16:53:00.001-05:00

Our earth, homes, shelves and bodies have been impacted by the use of chemicals found in daily environment. Many us from all walks of life share in the concerns of what these chemicals do to our lives and those whom we love dearly. We all understand there is a problem. Common chemicals found in products are minimally regulated for use and lack information and research. Many manufacturers use them with little restriction in the products that they sell. Moreover, transparency in these settings are not forthcoming to consumers who desire to understand the nature of the ingredients in the products that they purchase.

The wonderful news is the Safer Chemicals Act (S. 847) led by Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and 29 senators introduced this legislation to the Senate on April 14th.

The legislation would require:

The chemical industry to develop and provide information of their chemicals to remain on the market.
The EPA to take immediate action on the worst chemicals.
TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act, passed in 1976) Reform

The Act would also encourage

Protection to our health by using the best science. In particular, “sub-populations” such as pregnant women and children and those who reside near “hot spots”
Health and safety information on chemicals to be made available to the public
The EPA to identify “hot spots” and take immediate action to reduce chemical exposure in those communities
Innovation that lead to new, safer chemicals with rewards
American manufacturers to compete in a world that wants safer chemicals and products. Because so little information is provided on a chemical, many companies are forced to choose between a chemical with known hazards and alternative chemicals whose safety is unknown.

You can lend your support by writing to your senators and asking them to co-sponsor the bill. You can find the list of senators who are currently co-sponsoring here.

The Wikipedia definition of conscious is to be aware of, responding to one’s surroundings; awake. Just as the Safer Chemicals act demonstrates our awakening awareness of how chemicals are impacting our environment and bodies, Conscious Box, a monthly subscription service is dedicated to promoting conscious products.

Conscious Box finds “inspirational, purpose-driven businesses that make a difference through their products” and delivers them to your doorstep each month. Green-washing is so prevalent and misleading nowadays that marketing research shows that many consumers do not trust products that are labeled “organic”.

Conscious box provides a positive service to those who desire to incorporate a more natural lifestyle. I really relate to the Conscious box philosophy, like myself, they also believe that our dollars shape our society. When we spend money on certain products we’re supporting the process and the company behind it. I will go as far as to say that how we spend our money is just as important as voting in the polls when selecting our government officials. In a capitalistic society, this reasoning makes sense, at least to me, when the demand affects what is supplied. We can consciously ask ourselves what are we actually demanding? While Conscious box provides support during this discovery, I strongly believe that we, as consumers should do as much independent research as we can to protect ourselves from deceptive marketing practices.

I’ll bet you’re wondering….

Every month is a surprise! You’ll discover new products from new companies. Some months offer thematic products. You’ll also find coupons for some of the products in the box. Here’s what I received….

I LOVED Dale’s Raw Protein Bar! So delicious and yummy! Now for the fun part….TheOliveParent is giving away a 3 month subscription to the Conscious Box! That’s a $60.00 value! For three months you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of eco-conscious products to discover.

You can go a more direct route and subscribe to the Conscious Box yourself…here’s how cool Conscious Box is…they are giving one box away for free, you’ll only pay for shipping and handling. Use this code: SECRETCODE to receive your box. Available to readers of TheOliveParent! Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more to keep up with the latest on TOP. You’ll find the social media icons on the side bar.

Entry in the giveaway is super easy! Leave a comment and tell me how you plan to live more consciously with Conscious Box’s subscription. Or tell me what you think of the Safer Chemicals Act. Complete as many entries as possible to increase your chances of winning. The giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older. The giveaway ends the 15th of May at 11:00 PM CST. Entry into the giveaway indicates you understand it’s terms and conditions.

Disclaimer:

This giveaway is sponsored by Conscious Box and is hosted by TheOliveParent. Conscious Box or TheOliveParent have no affiliations or agreement with SaferChemicals.org or HealthyStuff.org. More information about the Safer Chemicals Act can be found here. This post contains affiliate links.

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CCOF-Certified Beach Organics’ Natural #Organic Deodorant , Behind-the-Scenes Pictures, and a $50.00 Certificate!

2013-04-08T14:28:00.001-05:00

Prior to composing this post I was under the distinct impression that I was doing the right thing by using a Crystal Stick deodorant to avoid Aluminum. I’ve been constantly on the look out for deodorants that I could use for myself and introduce to my family. I’ve purchased one or two “natural” deodorants, but quickly realized after the fact, that they were not natural as advertised. Even more, these, well-known products were not owned by small, socially responsible companies, but purchased in secret by corporations who have a history of selling socially irresponsible products. It has been disappointing to say the least.

However, researching for this post has brought new information to light. If you’ve been a Crystal Stick deodorant user such as I have, you may want to reconsider using it as a part of your daily personal care regimen. Dr. Mercola warns…

“The aluminum in crystal deodorant stones is a different type of compound known as an alum, the most common form being potassium alum, also known as potassium aluminum sulfate.
Potassium Alum or Ammonium Alum are natural mineral salts made up of molecules that are too large to be absorbed by your skin. They form a protective layer on your skin that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. These deodorants are recommended by many cancer treatment centers.
But while this may be a better alternative to most antiperspirants and deodorants on the market, it is not completely aluminum-free.”

I’ve made up my mind to ditch my Crystal deodorant stick. I’m just so thankful to have been introduced to a wonderful product that I can replace it with. I will share the deets later on in the post, but first a bit of information…

It’s important to distinguish that deodorant and antiperspirant are not same. A deodorant, contains odor-control ingredients that do not prevent perspiration, while antiperspirant contains ingredients, namely Aluminum, among many synthetic ingredients, that prevents perspiration.

Aluminum-based compounds are the active ingredients in antiperspirants. The compounds create a temporary “plug” in the sweat duct that prevents the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface. Some research suggests that these compounds cause estrogen-like hormones and are linked to cancer.

The issue with this is not just the toxicity of the ingredient, but the prevention of detoxifying proposes a double-whammy to the most porous, absorbable part of your body.

I’ve now come to the conclusion that the only way to ensure your deodorant is toxin-free is to look for a third-party certification label such as USDA Organic to avoid misleading marketing tactics.

Beach Organics’ Lemongrass Deodorant is undoubtedly, the best ALL natural, deodorant I’ve used. With just a swipe or two, I’ve experienced all day freshness. The scent is so lovely, I would simply uncap the deodorant just to take a deep sniff though-out the day! Additionally, there’s no stinging when applied to freshly shaven skin. I found it to be more of a balm, soothing and softening in this stead.

Beach Organics is a woman-owned, private company. They create a luxurious line of certified organic skin care products that include soap, shampoos, body butters and lots more. They also have shampoos and sprays for pets. The products are hand-made, in small batches, in a state of the art facility, which was certified by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers Organization) as being compliant with USDA Organic requirements in 2011. The skin care line, namely their deodorants were designed with the intent of reducing women’s exposure to toxic estrogenic chemicals. As a fellow advocate for women’s empowerment, I absolutely heart their mission. They also contribute to charitable causes such as the Breast Friends of Brevard and Serene Harbor Women’s Shelter in donations and time.

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of Beach Organics hard at work.

On the left, Robin at Beach Organics is cutting soap. The soap starts out as a 25 pound block, seen on the table to her right. Also visible is the curing rack in the foreground of the picture. The picture on the right shows Robin joined by Flo, cutting the soap that is soon to be cured.

I had the pleasure of communicating with Beach Organics’, Certified Soap-Maker, Kelly, who was generous enough to send me a variety of her own creations to sample.

In addition to the deodorants, Lemongrass and Lemon Lavender, I received two of their best selling blends, Costal Breeze & First Light soaps, Coastal Breeze Body Spray, Tangerine Lip balm and a bottle of First Light lotion.

The Coastal Breeze soap comes out on top for me. It has everything I look for in a soap.

Moisturization
Scent
Loads of lather from small amounts of soap
Effective at cleansing.

This soap has it all…and then, a surprising element. I LOVE a soap that gives me value for my money. This soap is a one-and-done deal. The lather is plentiful. You only need to wash up once. The surprising element for me was how I felt afterward. Yes, my skin was smooth, moist and supple, but I actually felt relaxed. Kelly shared with me that the Coastal Breeze blend is made up of lemongrass, bergamot, geranium and clary sage. Lemongrass tones skin and muscle, while Bergamot relaxes muscles and reduce feelings of pain. I was amazed at how relaxed I felt afterwards. With seven children and a busy schedule, this is the closest I’ve come to “spa-ing” everyday. I eagerly look forward to the morning when I can jump in the shower! I’ve dubbed the Coastal Breeze blend, “spa in a bar”. While lavender is one of my favorite scents, I gravitate towards Coastal Breeze for it’s sheer ability to provide a calming start to a busy day! The First Light (Lavender) soap provides a similar experience, but isn’t as muscle-relaxing as it’s counterpart. The scent is thrilling and light and would work well for anyone who loves a light, herbal lavender scent.

For years I’ve used body sprays and have given them up due to the synthetics they contained, so I was THRILLED to receive a bottle of Coastal Breeze body spray. It is simply made up of the purest water and the Coastal Breeze blend. I’ve had the bottle for two weeks now and it’s practically gone!

Their organic lip balm is very light, non-greasy and quickly absorbable. They’re created with some of my favorite emollients; Shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil and aloe butter. The tangerine flavor I received was yummy and light. Here are some “behind-the-scenes” photos of balms waiting to be labeled.

The Giveaway!

Beach Organics was kind enough to offer one of my readers a $50.00 Gift Certificate!

Entry is easy! Go to www.beachorganicsskincare.com and tell me which products you would use your $50.00 certificate on, should you win of course, and “Plus One” TheOliveParent on the side bar. Complete as many entries in the Giveaway Tools application as possible to increase your chances of winning. This giveaway is open to US residents only, 18 years of age or older. The giveaway ends May 1st, 2013, 11:00 PM CST . Entry into the giveaway implies your consent to its terms and conditions.

Disclaimer:

All information and products presented in this post has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any diseases.

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Mother’s Day Giveaway: Birth Relaxation Kit

2013-03-27T12:40:00.001-05:00

Birth. It is a most sacred event in a woman’s life. A right to passage to motherhood. Whether you birth at home or in a hospital, your body presents your long awaited gift…one that you've nurtured diligently. If there is one thing we can all agree on, all women labor differently and there are options to birth as compatibly as every laboring mom needs.

My all of my homebirths took place in the water. I found the relaxing, warm, liquid soothing and effective for pain management. Although I never took a hypnobirthing class, I can truly see the benefits of affirmations, relaxation and a peace of mind about birth. My favorite scripture I clung to during pregnancy and labor was this...

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Creating a fear free approach to birth was vital to my peace of mind, confidence, courage and most importantly to the safety of my unborn child. Why? Fear induces panic, which causes pain and resistance.
Hypnobirthing is one option that’s gentle and natural. Hypnobirthing is a childbirth method that applies techniques to induce deep relaxation, visualization and self-hypnosis. Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not a state of unconsciousness or sleep, but can be best described as daydream or focus that occurs when you’re performing mundane tasks, such as staring into a fire in a fireplace.

Eliminating fear and concerns associated with childbirth is vital. Affirmations during hypnosis encourages a positive mindset in overcoming this. To learn more about hypnobirthing, you can sign up for hypnobirthing info series for free!
The Birth Relaxation Kit is the only hypnobirthing program presented by a board certified medical doctor who used this method to birth her child, at home, pain-free! Dr. Mavi Gupta and her husband, Jeremy Dyen are both certified hypnotherapists. Jeremy Dyen has been a professional musician for over 20 years. He has recorded on John Legend’s Grammy award winning CD, Get Lifted, and creates music for Yoga and meditation.
The Birth Relaxation Kit comes in three different packages; Basic, Plus and Deluxe. It comes with Hypnosis MP3s, Birth Affirmation MP3, Birth Empowerment Book and more! All downloadable with no shipping. You can purchase this yourself and get a 10 week, money back guarantee OR WIN IT HERE. All from the comfort of your home; no scheduling and all of the privacy needed to enjoy deep and true relaxation!

The Giveaway!

Just in time for Mother’s Day, TheOliveParent and Friends are offering TWO moms-to-be a chance to have a gentle birth! Two “Plus” Birth Relaxation Kits will be given away!

Entry is easy. Visit www.birthrelaxationkit.com and leave a comment on the blog you’re visiting. Tell us which one of the four facts found on the homepage speaks to you the most and why. Fill out as many entries as possible to increase your chances of winning.

Not expecting, but know someone who is? Share this giveaway with them and refer your friends for entries! This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE, 18+ Giveaway ends 4/29/13 1:00 AM CST Entering into the giveaway indicates you understand its terms and conditions.
Many thanks to the AWESOME blogs co-hosting this giveaway! You can show your support of these blogs by following them on Twitter, Facebook & Google Plus.

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Disclaimer:

This giveaway is sponsored by Birth Relaxation Kit, Hosted by TheOliveParent, and Co-Hosted by participating blogs. Prize fulfillment is not the responsibility of TheOliveParent, TheOliveParent Media or participating blogs. All information and products presented in this post is presented in an educational format and has not been evaluated by the FDA - should not be used to cure, treat or diagnose any diseases.

This a TheOliveParent Media Event.

Hearing Loss and An Empowered Life–Low Cost Hearing Aids {Review}

2013-03-13T11:41:00.001-05:00

I’ve been outfitted with hearing aids that have been customized by Audiologists since a young child. My hearing loss has since been defined by a series of beeps, blips, bloops and muffled words hidden by a hand-covered mouth. The dreaded hearing tests. If you’ve had a hearing test, no further explanation is needed. Typically my hearing aids come after a procession of visits and limited options of insanely expensive hearing aids. So expensive are these aids, my insurance would only cover one. And that one little aid was a grand total of $3000.00. Last summer, my reoccurring visions of a decapitated aid came to life. Despite deliberate ways of securing 3K, my hearing aid, safely from little fingers, 3K was high-jacked by my youngest and broken. I contacted my Audiologist only to be told that they were no longer accepting my insurance.

Daunted by the prospect of finding a doctor that I liked and jumping through appointment hoops of referrals and whatnots, I decided to go without a hearing aid for a while.

…It was difficult to say the least. Finally, out of sheer frustration, I went online to find an amplifier of sorts to tide me over. You know, those twenty dollar ones that promise you the ability to eavesdrop from across the room.

My search brought me to site after site of varying amps and articles of how ridiculously overpriced hearing aids are during these times of advanced technology. With four little keywords in Google’s search engine, low cost hearing aids, the Google waters parted to reveal MD Hearing Aid.

I was dumbfounded and ecstatic all at once. Never did it cross my mind that professional-grade hearing aids could be purchased, online, without the fuss and hassle of appointments AND….cost a miniscule amount of money! The site showed three different kinds of aids with the lowest priced at $119.00 per aid!!

Before I get ahead of myself, here’s an excerpt on Dr. Sreekant Cherukuri, MD the founder and inventor of the MDHearingAid line.

Sreekant Cherukuri, MD, Board-Certified Ear, Nose, & Throat Physician in Chicago, IL is the inventor of the MDHearingAid line. As an attending physician in otolaryngology, Dr. Cherukuri found that he saw too many patients with hearing loss going home without a solution because they couldn’t afford the hearing aid prices— many hundreds, or thousands, of dollars were usually needed to pay for them. As a physician, he knew the effects of untreated hearing loss: depression, social isolation, anxiety and symptoms consistent with Alzheimer’s dementia.
After conducting a hearing aid quality comparison of several hearing aids and sound amplifiers in the under-$200 range, he found that most failed to work well on clearly amplifying the human voice. His passion became developing the best hearing aid at a reasonable price that used typical hearing aid batteries and could help with the most common types of hearing loss. He was looking for a “one-size-fits-most” hearing aid similar to reading glasses that can easily be purchased at the drug store. Adding to that mission was to provide clear, expert consumer information on hearing aids to anyone with a hearing issue.
He then created the MDHearingAid line of hearing aids to exact technical specifications so that the range of sounds associated with the human voice would be amplified without overly amplifying background sounds. Hearing aid ratings on the flagship MDHearingAid PRO by leaders in the hearing loss field (ENT Physicians and Audiologists) show unanimous agreement that the sound quality and output is surprisingly accurate given its low cost. – About MDHearingAid

I contacted Dr. Cherukuri and was taken aback by his very positive and encouraging response. He would give me, not one, but two aids to review. He asked for my hearing test to ensure I was a good fit for his aids. When he replied, he explained that my bilateral symmetrical hearing loss wouldn’t be compatible with the aids and recommended that I continue my quest for customized assistance, as they were the best for me. He also invited me to his office to resolve any insurance issues. I asked if I could review them anyway. Although I do have severe hearing loss, I am able to hear sounds and hold conversations without assistance, albeit with difficulty. He agreed.

A week later this arrived in my mail box.

The Product…

The MDHearing Aid Air is the latest in the MDHearingAid line. The Air is comprised of digital technology and boasts of features such as:

Advanced Feedback Cancellation to reduce and eliminate whistling.
2-Channel/12 Band digital amplification to accurately reproduce speech sounds.
Advanced Noise Reduction to reduce noise embedded in speech and maximize speech quality.
Advanced Compression technology to magnify soft sounds and dampen loud sounds.
Telecoil to enhance hearing on telephone.

The volume starts at one and goes as high as four. It also has 4 different programs you can use in different situations. The first program is the quiet mode (normal) which can be used for home, watching TV etc. The second program is the party mode which is used in noisy environments such as group meetings or church. The third program is the noisy mode for intense noise situations such as traffic, restaurants or large crowds. The forth program is the telecoil, which is used with the telephone. The microphone is off in this mode.

What’s cool about the kit is that it comes with two different ways of wearing the aids. Thin tubing for discretion. Traditional tubing which is best for those with severe hearing loss such as myself.

The thin tubes are on the left (purple). The traditional tubes are on the right (green).

The product is also registered with the FDA and has been audiologist tested.

The Experience…

Although Dr. Cherukuri suggested, after reviewing my hearing test, that his aids wouldn’t be a good fit for the type loss that I had, there is no doubt in my mind that the MDHearingAid Air, not only worked for me, but has been the best aids I’ve had. Ever.

The Air’s ability to magnify and support clean speech recognition is simply astounding. Not only can I hear sounds, I can identify them most of the time! I can identify who is crying and what kind of crying (happy/sad) from another room! I can hear my phone’s default ringtone from another room. Not only that, I can tell WHICH email app received a new email. What’s awesome about that…both email apps have the “same” default tone selected. For whatever reason, the tones go on a tad longer and have a slightly higher pitch than the other does.

At close range, I can understand my husband’s speech without looking at this face. I’m only able to do this with him, because I’m used to his voice and speech. I discovered that my favorite store, Trader Joe, plays music over their sound system! I’ve been shopping at this store for the longest time, with at least two different professionally customized and EXPENSIVE aids….this is the first time I’ve ever heard music playing at this store.

Unbelievable.

I also discovered my home is LOUD. Actually, I’ve always known this. Since wearing the Air, I’m acutely aware just how loud. I’m constantly shushing everyone! Obviously, it’s a party house since my aids frequently visit the “party mode” program! And yes, the programs work well. 3K had programs, but I could barely detect the differences between them. I’d love to have the beeps that preface the programs a bit louder. The telecoil program has four nice loud beeps, but the party and noisy mode have softer beeps which can be a bit difficult to determine which program I’m on, in a noisy environment. Having said that, the softer beeps on some of the programs have not dampened the enrichment of the experience in the slightest!

Another fantastic feature is lasting battery usage. The battery in 3K would last a week. Since, I’m getting used to having an aid in my left ear, I didn’t use this aid as much as I did the right aid. The battery in my right aid lasted two weeks. (I’m up from 6am to 12 am) The battery in my left aid lasted three.

Amazing.

Now, it’s important to understand. Hearing aids are not a cure for hearing loss. I still struggle to understand conversations daily. I just struggle a lot less. These aids are a tool for living life with a bit more empowerment than I had before it. My results, while astronomical (at least for me), may not be the same for everyone, but it does speak volumes to quality, when the creator of this product suggests customized aids would be better for me, and his aids are the best experience I’ve had yet.

My Air aids with traditional tubes.

Final Thoughts…

36 million people in the United States suffer from hearing loss. Hearing loss can be closely associated with age, but can occur in a number of ways. 77 percent go without hearing aids because of the out of pocket cost. Approximately 23% of insurance do not cover the high cost of aids. Hearing aids can range from $1000.00 to $10,000.00…and that’s per aid. In our high tech surroundings, we can find the smallest of technology for under $100.00 as easily as driving down the street. The arrival of low-cost, high-tech hearing aids is way past its due. Hearing aids are not only costly, but time consuming to receive. If there is anything I detest more than not getting the expected quality for my money, it’s wasting time. Taking time out your schedule to set up referral appointments, hearing tests, ear mold fittings etc. can be just as much as a deterrent to the cost itself.

Having said that, I do respect the process…to a certain degree. I simply tire of appointments strategized by professionals as a “referral” for possible or promised commissions by hearing aid manufacturers... especially if I end up with an aid that costs $3000.00 with subpar functions. What I truly appreciate about MDHearingAid is the simple and straightforward access to affordable aids.

Dr. Cherukuri is a fine doctor who saw a problem, a need and set about fulfilling it. I‘ve said this to him personally and I’ll say it here…the world needs more doctors like him.

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, I highly recommend the Air. To learn more about the MDHearingAid line visit www.mdhearingaid.com Find them on Facebook.

Disclaimer:

TheOliveParent is not an expert in the field of Audiology or any other fields of medicine. Consult your doctor for any medical assistance or needs.

#Eco Friendly #Baby Mattress by Sephora {Giveaway}

2013-02-12T11:27:00.001-06:00

My youngest is nearly two and a half, but I remember the first few months of constant, needful sleep. I'd watch over her as a brand new youngling and would breathe in the wonderful scents of youth! Knowing that our new ones need a safe place to rest is so important to us as mommies and daddies. Most conventional mattresses are loaded with toxic fire retardants and other chemicals and those imported according to this test by Chicago Tribune. It's important to know there are safer options. Sephora a line of U.S. made non-toxic crib mattresses, is one of them.

Normally the caveat with Eco-friendly mattresses is that they are expensive, especially those that are made in the USA. Now, a safe sleeping surface is affordable with Sopora, the prices start at just $167 for a Classic Crib Mattress!

Features of the Sopora Perfect Crib Mattress:

Greenguard: Children & Schools certified for emissions and off-gassing
Vinyl, PVC, lead, and phthaltes free
Eco-friendly ultra firm high density foam is 100% renewable
Fireproof Chemical Additive FREE
Features new Celliant biologically responsive cover for optimum health, clinically proven to increase oxygen levels in the body
Advanced CoolGel foam regulates body temperature
Dust mite and bed bug proof
Stain and Odor Resistant
Medical Grade Nylon Fabric Cover, Waterproof

Purchase: You can purchase the Sopora Perfect Crib Mattress directly from the brand. They have other options available, such as changing pads and bassinet/cradle mattresses. A few Sopora crib mattresses are also available on Amazon.

Win It! Sopora is gifting one of you with the Perfect Crib Mattress.

Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends March 6th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below (see directions on how to enter here). Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: AnaB Social, Eco-Babyz, and all participating event bloggers, including TheOliveParent are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

It Does Exist! #Green, Luxurious and #Organic Perfume {Giveaway}

2013-02-08T11:04:00.001-06:00

Many perfume products are labeled as aroma therapeutic, as the mainstream perception interprets aromatherapy as “therapy with scents”. Ultimately, Aromatherapy works through two channels, the olfactory system and topical application. In short, aromatherapy incorporates both the psychological effects of the aroma and the pharmacological, physiological effects of pure essential oils.

Essential oils are derived, or extracted from the plant, tree, root and more. They can be found in the glandular hairs, glands or veins of different plant parts and are vital for plant growth and evolution. Many believe the oils to be the true essence and energy of the plant. Hence the term, Essential Oils. Essential oils are minute molecules, easily absorbed through skin, a process called transdermal absorption. They are easily dissolved in fat, which explains why they attach themselves to natural body fats and fluids.

Our sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than any other sense. Smelling is the quickest and most direct route to our brains. Other senses, such as touch, must travel through the body via spinal cord & neurons before reaching the brain. The Olfactory bulb, located in the back of our nose, has nerve endings that carry directly to the brain. Amazingly, we process and remember 10,000 to 100,000 different scents. Smell is the strongest link to the subconscious. We retain memories related to scent.

Having prefaced this, I’m excited to share with you a true perfume product that incorporates Aromatherapy by definition! Tsi-la is one of the first USDA Organic Certified companies in the United States. They are the only true beauty company that produces clean, organic and natural products with holistic benefits. Their products contain living, active essential oils and flower compounds that are nutrient-rich organic extracts, high in minerals and phytonutrients.

This is not your traditional perfume.

Tsi-la contains food grade ingredients, active extracts, Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils and more.
What I love about Tsi-la is what they do NOT contain:

Petrochemicals
Parabens
Synthetic Fragrances
Artificial colors
GMOs & more

If you’ve watched the defeat of Prop 37 in California this November and are one of the many concerned consumers who want to know you’re buying, I’m sure, like me, this revelation is gratifying.

I will easily confess that I was a wannabe Aromatherapist with a love affair for essential oils. I went through a Lavender essential oil phase. Used it in every lotion, body oil and creams I had. When that wasn’t enough, I attempted education to create my own perfume with online guides of various sorts. Word to the wise, leave it to the experts...

Because the market is over laden with synthetic, celebrity-endorsed perfumes, I never made any attempt to look for a perfume that could be organic. After all, it’s an oxymoron in a synthetic society, right?
I was beyond thrilled to have stumbled upon Tsi-la. I received and tried Ilang Ilang (sugared citrus fruits, tiare blossom, vanilla orchids) along with a few other samples. Although I discovered, my favorite scent, Flori D’ Arancio, (orange blossoms, tangerines, caramelized Vanilla, Neroli flowers), I found that I could combine scents, or choose one that suited my mood at the time. These scents are truly mentally invigorating. It’s difficult to relax at night when setting down for bed after a long day’s activity. I’ve found that putting on Ilang Ilang just before bedtime, encouraged a meditative state of mind.

Tsi-la suggests applying the roll-on applicator in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together vigorously to activate the pure essential oils and organic ingredients. Apply to your hair, the nape of your neck, behind ears, décolleté, and pulse points. Take deep calming breaths. I really like this method of applying the perfume. I found it much more effective than simply adding the perfume on certain parts of your body.

My husband really enjoyed Kesu (Amber, rare woods, smoky incense, jasmine petals, exotic spices, fresh lime) one of Tsi-la’s unisex fragrances. I felt so good about sharing my samples with my daughters knowing they weren’t harmful synthetics.

Tsi-La is generously offering my lovely readers a chance to win a bottle of perfume of their choice and samples!

If you’re looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for that lady or man in your life, I can’t imagine a better way to show you care with a luxurious bottle of organic perfume! In addition to this giveaway, Tsi-la is also offering those who would prefer a more direct route, a promo code! Use TOPReview and receive 20% off your entire purchase. The promo code is good until 3/31/13

Entering into the giveaway is easy! Leave a comment telling me your favorite perfume on www.tsilaorganics.com and click on the Plus One button to recommend TheOliveParent on Google. Choose as many entries as possible to increase your chances of winning. This giveaway is open to the US, 18+ and ends March 1st, 2013. Entering into the giveaway indicates you understand and agree to the terms and conditions.

Health Disclaimer:

All statements & products mentioned in this post have not been evaluated by the FDA and should not be used to diagnose, cure or treat any diseases.

Sources:
http://www.serenearomatherapy.com/aromatherapy-olfaction.html
http://www.serenearomatherapy.com/what-is-aromatherapy.html

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Dress Your Lips With #Chocolate & Shimmer This Valentine’s Day {Giveaway}

2013-02-05T11:53:00.001-06:00

Got big plans for Valentine’s Day?? Ladies, this one’s for you!

While you plan, primp and prep for the most romantic day of the year, we can’t forget about the most important part of our faces that will be doing a LOT of work.

Our lips should look and be at their most luscious and luring state. Ready and waiting to impress.
To aid my lovely readers in this quest, I’m giving away some chocolate with a good dose of shimmer in the form of organic lip balms by Eco Lips!

Eco Lips is not just a company, but a true romantic! Eco Lips is America’s premier organic lip balm company. They’ve reformulated many of their products in order to better support the Fair Trade movement. Not only that they’ve created Cause Balm, a program where nonprofits and organizations such as; Girls on the Run, Vitamin Angels and The Breast Cancer Society, Inc. can bring attention to their goodwill projects and raise funds at the same time. This big-hearted company loves the environment. Their plant is USDA Certified Organic and their facility is also solar powered! Eco Lips is truly committed to their organic and sustainable mission. It doesn’t get any romantic than that...well maybe delicious dose of organic chocolate lip balm could compete? On with the giveaway!

An Olive Parent Giveaway!

One Lucky Lady will win the complete line of Dagoba Chocolate Lip Balms!

Each balm is USDA Organic Certified and made with Dagoba Organic Cocoa Power, Organic Sunflower Seed, Organic Beeswax, Organic Cocoa Seed Butter (Fair Trade Certified), Organic Cacoa Powder and Organic Chocolate flavor. The best part...100% edible, just in time for the sweetest day of the year!
The Flavors

Mint
Roseberry
Lavender

The same lucky lady will also win Three SHADES of EcoTints of their choice!
Ladies of nature...you’ll love these. EcoTints are 90% certified organic which comprises organic plant oils, beeswax, aloe vera and natural earth minerals for a translucent, shimmering glow!

Entering is easy! Leave a comment telling me which product on www.ecolips.com you’d like to try the most and click on the Plus One Button. Complete as many entries as possible to increase you chances of winning. This giveaway ends 2/23/13 and is open to US, 18+. Entering into this giveaway indicates you understand its terms and conditions.

REFER YOUR FRIENDS FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES!

Health Disclaimer: The products and statements in this post have not been evaluated by the FDA and should not be used to diagnose, cure or treat any diseases.

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#Breastfeeding Event! Two Winners, Two #Prize Packs

2013-02-05T09:04:00.001-06:00

Studies continue to show that breastfeeding carries a lot of long term benefits for both baby and mom. It can be very difficult to breast feed in today's society with varying opinions from personal and professional standpoints. As a breast feeding mom myself, I'm thrilled to lend some support to a mom on her breastfeeding journey, by participating in this this awesome event.

Two mamas and their babies will win a Breastfeeding Prize Pack for their journey.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, you can win gift certificates from Annee Matthew ($100 ea) and A Mother's Boutique ($50 ea) to use toward nursing apparel. A nursing hat from Moboleez and breastfeeding baby apparel for your little one from One Creative Mama completes the pack.

Some prize features are...

Huge selection of bras and nursing apparel at A Mother's Boutique
Annee Matthew nursing apparel has some of the most stylish nursing clothing on this planet!
One Creative Mama breastfeeding advocacy baby shirts speak for themselves and break the ice
Moboleez nursing hats make nursing in public so much easier and more convenient, especially helpful when you're new to breastfeeding. #NIP

Purchase: Shop Annee Matthew and A Mother's Boutique for a great selection of nursing bras and nursing apparel. They carry favorite brands like Cake Lingerie, Bamboobies, and Bella Materna. You may also acquire a Moboleez hat. Check out the adorable baby apparel from One Creative Mama (pictured below).

Enter to Win!

Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends February 27th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: AnaB Social, Eco-Babyz, and all participating event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

TheOliveParent Disclosure: TOP has not received any products in exchange for hosting and promoting this event. TOP social media links have been added to the Rafflecopter application.

I Scream For #Neem #Natural Dental Care Event {Giveaway}

2013-01-30T21:31:00.001-06:00

I’ve got another giveaway for you all by yours truly, Organix-South!

Some of you have heard quite a bit about Neem and Organix-South here on TheOliveParent. As you may know, I practice natural dental care and have invested in using Neem as a source for support of healthy teeth and gums. I just LOVE Neem. This unique plant is just full of natural reserves of essential fatty acids.

As much as I love this unassuming plant, I truly believe the first order of business in dental care begins with our diet. Caring for your teeth on the surface isn’t enough. Strong bones, which include teeth, are supported with an adequate intake of Vitamin D and calcium along with a balance of minerals, healthy foods, and avoidance of processed, sugary foods such as high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.

While I’m so proud to say that all of my children do not have tooth decay, I can’t say the same for myself. Unfortunately, my parents were not as keen on dental health as I am as a parent. I’ve been managing and monitoring cavities since childhood. However, I’ve discovered natural ways I can do this.

From Left to right, here’s what I use. The jar with the green top contains sole, a solution of Pink Himalayan Salt and filtered/spring water. Pink salt contains 86 minerals and when dissolved in water, becomes sole. I use sole as a rinse a few times a week. I drink Kefir and take Nordic Naturals’ Arctic-D Cod Liver Oil for Vitamin D. I gargle with virgin coconut oil, a method called “oil-pulling”. AND I use Neem to clean my teeth daily. I’ve been using TheraNeem Tooth & Gum Powder, the cinnamon flavor for 9 months now. My whole family uses it. We LOVE the tooth powder. My youngest, who is two, loves having the powder added to her toothbrush. When I introduced TheraNeem Neem Toothpaste, she refused to have anything to do with it! I realized all of her dental care experiences, as far back as she can remember, has been the tooth powder. She eventually warmed up to the idea of a paste, but prefers the powder. :)

An OliveParent Giveaway!

Here’s what I’m giving away today!

TheraNeem Neem Toothpaste
TheraNeem Neem Floss
TheraNeem Neem Mouthwash
TheraNeem Tooth & Gum Powder

Neem is the preferred choice in India for healthy gums and teeth. Its known as the toothbrush tree and also called the village pharmacy for its many, many uses! The bark and the sap within the twig are known for their cleaning ability and for protecting the mouth. Would it surprise you to know that, Neem twigs have helped rural Indians avoid cavities, despite their limited access to modern dental care?

TheraNeem Toothpaste
The TheraNeem Toothpaste is rich in Neem bark. This is evident in its brown color! I love the color of this paste! A true representation of mother nature! Traditional toothpaste with bright colors are as unnatural as it comes. Coloring agents are added which have nothing to do with the care of teeth. TheraNeem toothpaste, on the other hand, does not use lauryl sulfate, saccharin, parabens, artificial colors, artificial flavors or fluoride and guarantees that there are no animal by-products or testing. My only suggestion in using the paste...use a pea-sized amount. It’s all you need. I made the mistake of covering my toothbrush with paste. I was foaming at the mouth. Literally.

TheraNeem Tooth & Powder
You can read my original review here. The TheraNeem Tooth & Gum powder is a staple on my online shopping list. Since using it, my teeth have gotten whiter and remain strong. I love that it has Vitamin D and probiotics added to it. In saying this, it would be the only thing that would make this “better” than the paste. Although I can’t say one is better than the other. The paste works just as well as the powder with its abundance of Neem. The powder also contains concentrated Organic Neem Leaf & Bark, as well as the absence of synthetics. In both, you get your money’s worth, as only a little bit is needed.

TheraNeem Floss
TheraNeem Floss is one of Organix-South’s newest products. If you’re floss-er who LOVES Neem... this one’s for you! It’s coated with Supercritical Extracts of Neem Leaf, Neem Bark, Grapeseed, Licorice, Fennel, Clove, and Peppermint Oil! I don’t like to see all of this good stuff go to waste, so I bunch up the string and rub it against my teeth! It feels so smooth and looks shiny after I’ve given it a good scrub.

TheraNeem Neem Mouthwash
I’m not a mouthwash user simply because I don’t like the products I’ve seen on the market for mouthwashes and haven’t necessarily gone looking for natural mouthwashes. I have my mouth rinses that I use. Neem and the lack of Ethyl alcohol in this product is what I love about this product. Ethyl alcohol is a very common ingredient in mainstream mouthwashes and serves no dental care benefit. In fact, it has been linked to oral cancer and contains as much as 50 proof. Why mouthwashes are sold without a liquor license for the sheer amount of alcohol it carries, I don’t know. Mommies and daddies, if you have a bottle of mouthwash with ethyl alcohol in your medicine cabinet, please keep it out of reach of those precious little hands! TheraNeem Mouthwash is definitely a much safer, and more effective way of mouth rinsing. It’s suitable for diabetics and children, but it’s not advisable to swallow. You can hold the rinse in your mouth a minute or two for maximum benefit. I love the spicy flavor of Cinnamon Therape` which holds undertoned notes of Cardamom and Fennel. The solution is so moisturizing. You don’t get the sting or bite of ethyl alcohol in mainstream washes. Something that is said to be a marketing tactic to instill the belief that alcohol laden mouthwashes are “working”. Once again Organix-South makes this product worth your dollars by concentrating this solution, you don’t need too much to experience the full effect.

Enter to Win!

Entry is easy. Go to www.organixsouth.com and tell which product you’d like to try OR tell me how you could use the Neem Dental Pack for your own routine. Click on the Plus One button to like TOP both are mandatory for entering. Complete as many entries as possible to increase your chances of winning! This giveaway is open to US residents of legal age (18) and ends 2/23/13. Entering into the giveaway indicates you understand its terms and conditions. Best Wishes!

All statements and products mentioned in the post have not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any diseases.

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Like Blogger, Like Daughter & Other Updates

2013-01-26T11:48:00.000-06:00

It's nearly the end of January and I'm finally, belatedly, wishing my readers a Happy New Year!

There's so much happening behind the scenes I wouldn't know where to begin!

Of course as you all know, I work as a freelance social media specialist so there's that. And naturally, I'm still managing a home of nine people...and still nursing.

My eldest daughter launched her blog a few weeks ago I've been guiding her introduction to blogging. There's so much involved in launching a blog, Oy!

I had written blog plan for her...an outline of sorts in which she needed to answer questions such as the niche, color scheme, writing plan etc. It such a great blog. It's a blog the reviews books and shares her love of reading. Check it out!

http://rhebbelperiodicals.blogspot.com

While I was doing all that, I created site for TheOliveParent Media, an official name for the work that I've been doing for a while now :) Feel free to check it out! If you're blog that reviews natural or organic products or would love to work with socially conscious, green companies, do sign up!

Wishing you all a wondrous, prosperous and healthy New Year!

"The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success."

Henry Ward Beecher

Combat the Influ-renzy! 3 Natural Immune Boosting Remedies and My Take On Tamiflu

2013-01-13T15:46:00.001-06:00

With so many scary news about Flu making it’s way around the nation, I felt it was important to revisit natural immune support remedies to bolster our immune system for a fight if necessary.

Honestly, I’m a bit suspect of the sudden attention and spot light the flu. I don’t doubt that people aren’t experiencing this, but the conspiracy theorist in me can’t help but wonder if traditional media is highlighting the negative and worst cases like they do for home births.

In any event, I saw commercial the other day for Tamiflu. Have any of you seen it? The side effects mentioned at the end of commercial are unbelievable.

Common Side Effects Are:

Mild to Moderate Nausea or Vomiting

Rare Side Effects:

Sudden confusion
Delirium
Hallucinations
Unusual behavior
Self-injury

Seriously. Wow.

This is what irks me…Doctors and other medical professionals are quick to paint moms and others who support the use of herbs and natural remedies to protect and nurture health, with the “crazy’ brush using their reasoning of risk of an unknown herb and the lack of studies of it. However, these same medical professionals, who do KNOW the potential risks of drugs, such as Tamiflu, are quick to shame parents for not risking their health and children’s health with these “rare”, documented side effects.

But check this out…these “rare” side effects, according to www.drugs.com, occur most often in children.

Question….How “rare” are these side effects that occur most often in children?? That’s a bit contradictory if you ask me.

What’s more, I learned of this on Drugs.com, not on Tamiflu’s website.

As a matter of fact, it almost sounds as if Tamiflu listed the same rare symptoms as a side effect of the flu itself. Read this passage found on their home page and tell me what you think…

People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at increased risk for seizures, confusion, or abnormal behavior when they first get sick. These events may occur when the flu is not treated or right after starting Tamiflu. These events are uncommon but may lead to accidental injury. Contact a healthcare professional right away if you notice any unusual behavior. – Tamiflu.com

I had to read this a couple times to make sure, I wasn’t being a paranoid, overtly protective mom.

By the way…“accidental injury”?? What in the world does that mean? If I get the flu and take Tamiflu, there’s an increased chance of me tripping over my own feet and knocking myself out senseless??

The word they are trying hard to avoid saying is….suicide. That’s the only thing that would make sense.

Wow. So, so scary to me in light of recent tragic events.

I’ll stick to natural remedies provided by yours truly…nature and all that she offers.

In any event…here are my top three natural remedies…

Elderberry! Love it! It’s great for immune support and shortens the duration of the cold and flu quicker than without it.

Raw Honey! The sweet nature of this by product of bees is certainly no raw deal! Use it to soothe sore throats, support immune and soothe a troubled tummy. It’s high in antioxidants and is a wonderful natural preservative for home made Elderberry syrup.

Coconut oil! If you’re not new to this blog, then you’ll know that I LOVE coconut oil. A few teaspoons a day can aid in immune support. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, the same substance found in breast milk and give babies that healthy protection for their delicate immune system.

What natural remedies do you use? What do you think about Tamiflu’s rare side effects?

An OliveParent Giveaway

Why You Need a Plastic Brain & How Omega-3s Can Give You One! – Three Winners! Ends 2/15

Why You Need a Plastic Brain and How Omega-3s Can Give You One {Giveaway and a Scholarship}

2013-01-09T22:29:00.000-06:00

Once upon a time, the brain was viewed as a static organ. With studies and research, it is now understood that the brain’s circuitry is constantly changing as a function of experience. This is known as brain plasticity. Brain plasticity is something that should be understood because it is related to important functions such as memory and is influenced by factors such as; prenatal and postnatal experiences, hormones, aging, diet and stress...to name a few.

What exactly does it do? Plasticity is the manner in which the nervous system can modify its organization and function throughout a lifetime. For example when a new motor skill is learned, such as playing a musical instrument, there are plastic changes in the structure of the cells in the nervous system. If the plastic changes do not occur, neither does the learning take place. This information is so enlightening considering my daughter and son are learning musical instruments of the bass and cello respectively.

How do we support plasticity in brain-health? Omega-3s make up every cell membrane of your body, considering that plastic changes occur in the structure of the cells in the nervous system, supporting brain health with fish and fish oil supplements, a source of Omega-3s, is a way to do it!
It makes sense then, that studies show links between:

Attention and behavior
Grades and test scores
Learning and literacy
Memory and problem solving

You can find in-depth research on how omega-3s enhances brain plasticity at Omega-Research.com.

To support learning and brain health, TheOliveParent is giving away THREE PRIZE PACKS that will include:

Amazing Grades Book
What’s Essential T-Shirt
Ultimate Omega Xtra
Swag

Amazing Grades by Pat Wyman is a marvelous resource that centers around learning. It offers the advice, tips, strategies and counsels of 101 experts that include Nordic Naturals’ very own Keri Marshall. With topics like “How to use Google to help you get better grades” to “Brain Matters that make a difference in your brain, you’re sure to find a bit of everything to help the student in your life. The book is interactive! You can use your personal learning style to learn with each chapter.

Here’s an excerpt in Amazing Grades by Dr. Keri Marshall...

“Both omega-3 and omega-6 fats are considered essential fatty acids, or EFAs. As their name implies, EFAs are nutrients that your body depends on for good health and functioning but cannot manufacture itself. Instead, you need to get these fats from diet or through supplementation. Unfortunately, Americans tend to consume too many omega-6 fatty acids -- typically found in the form of vegetable oils like soy and canola--and not nearly enough omega-3s (found in salmon, sardines and other types of fatty fish)”
“...The good news: a growing number of studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids can have powerful, positive effects throughout the body, including the brain.”

NORDIC NATURALS’ 2013 WHAT’S ESSENTIAL^TM ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP

In keeping with Nordic Naturals’ vision to see that future generations are healthier and happier, the leading omega-3 manufacturer is sponsoring the “Learn. Inspire. Change. 2013 What’s Essential™ Essay Scholarship” for new and returning college students! The winning entrant will receive $5000.00 for college and one year’s supply of award-winning omega oils upon answering this question;

“What are the essential components of the education that your generation needs to make a positive impact on the world?”

Go to www.whatsessential.com to apply for the scholarship.

ENTER TO WIN ONE OF THREE PRIZE PACKS!Fill out the form below to enter the giveaway. The giveaway is open to US residents only, 18+ and will end February 15, 2013 8 PM CST.

Entry-Form

.
Disclosure
This is an OliveParent Media Event sponsored by Nordic Naturals. All statements and products mentioned in the post have not been evaluated by the FDA and should not be used to diagnose, treat or cure any diseases. Contact your doctor with medical concerns.

FOR BLOGGERS ONLY
Publishing Opp for Bloggers – Nordic Naturals Publishing Opp

Publishing Opportunity: Nordic Naturals®’ What’s Essential™ Essay Scholarship - $5,000 to be Awarded to One Lucky College Student!

2012-12-19T14:19:00.001-06:00

As part of the company’s “What’s Essential” campaign, Nordic Naturals is challenging the next generation to learn what’s essential to them, inspire healthy and positive choices in others, and become the new face of change that shapes our world. New and returning college students in 2013 are invited to compete for the $5000 award via Facebook.

Scholarship applicants will be asked to answer the question: What are the essential components of the education that your generation needs to make a positive impact on the world? The applicant who best answers the question in 1000-1500 words will receive $5,000 for college and a year’s supply of Nordic Naturals’ award-winning omega-3 products. Details are available now at www.whatsessential.com.

In addition, children and young adults need to consume healthy fats in their diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are “smart fats” because they help your brain continue to develop long after birth. In fact, there is scientific evidence linking the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids to improved attention, learning, memory, behavior and higher test scores in children. You can read about this research at www.omega-research.com.

Nordic Naturals wants families to know the importance of omega-3 fats for children’s health. Experts agree that a purified fish oil supplement is the best source of the omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA that a child needs for proper health. Omega-3s are considered “essential” because they’re required for optimal health but cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained by the diet or supplementation. Both of these essential nutrients, but particularly DHA, have been shown to support proper brain, eye, and nervous system development as children grow.

We are looking to partner with 40 blogs to help spread the word about the What’s Essential Essay Scholarship. We are asking bloggers to share:

Their thoughts on the importance of adequate amounts of omega-3 fats to support learning and brain development.
The details of Nordic Naturals’ What’s Essential Essay Scholarship program.
Their published posts across all social media channels

You will receive a digitized press kit, a few informational pieces and a backgrounder to assist in your publication.
As compensation for your effort:

The first 10 bloggers that are accepted and post their links on January 1 or after will receive the Nordic Naturals #1 Prize Pak which includes the book Amazing Grades, a Nordic Naturals What’s Essential T-shirt, a bottle of Ultimate Omega-D3 soft gels and a box of Nordic Omega-3 Jellies™ plus other swag.
The second 10 bloggers that are accepted and post their links will receive the Nordic Naturals #2 Prize Pak, which includes the book Amazing Grades, a Nordic Naturals What’s Essential T-shirt and a box of Nordic Omega-3 Jellies™ plus other swag.
The third 10 bloggers that are accepted and post their links will receive the Nordic Naturals #3 Prize Pak which includes a What’s Essential T-shirt, and a box of Nordic Omega-3 Jellies™ plus other swag.
The fourth 10 bloggers that are accepted and post their links will receive the Nordic Naturals #4 Prize Pak which includes a box of Nordic Omega-3 Jellies plus other swag.

Updated: Tier 1 Prize Pak has been filled

If you meet the following qualifications:

US Resident
At least 300 followers on Twitter & Facebook
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Savvy Consumers Warn Taye Diggs Against Unhealthy Partnership With Kellogg’s

2012-12-19T06:08:00.001-06:00

The backlash continues to grow.

As I, like many other concerned for the ingredients in our everyday products predicted, the false campaign and defeat against Prop 37 will not benefit those who contributed to its demise.

Kellogg’s who contributed to the No against Prop 37, recently announced a new campaign ShareBreakfast.com is partnering up with Taye Diggs, the actor who stars in Private Practice amongst many other featured films and shows. Their announcement on Facebook reads..

“Just in time for the giving season, you can share a breakfast with a child in need by simply sharing this public service announcement: http://bit.ly/TPws2G featuring Taye Diggs. For each view, share and comment Kellogg's will share a breakfast with a child in need.”

Taye Diggs also shares the same partnership announcement on his own Facebook page.

The comments that ensue are articulate and savvy. Persuading Mr. Diggs to rethink his partnership with Kellogg's.

“Taye, seems like you're a good guy and trying to do the right thing. Unfortunately, the Kellogg Company is NOT doing the right thing, using questionable marketing practices to sell their non-nutritious junk foods that also contain genetically modified ingredients which have not been proven safe for human consumption. I'm urging you to drop your partnership with the Kellogg Company. http://gmofreeusa.org/kellogg/”

“Taye, I know your intentions are good. Please re-think this partnership. A very sad day in Connecticut, the USA and the world yesterday as a young man with Schizophrenia massacred innocents. We must ask ourselves why we hear of similar acts of unspeakable violence on a regular basis. I'd like to give you some real food for thought. As I look around, I see a growing number of people with bipolar disorder and other forms of mental illness, masses of children with autism, growing numbers of people with autoimmune disease & inflammatory bowel disease. Kellogg is sourcing genetically modified ingredients for their products. These products are laden with RoundUp (in our food? GMOs are heavily sprayed, so unfortunately, yes) The Bt toxins in the corn that Kellogg is using have been linked to cell membrane death in humans, as well as other health problems.”

“Mr. Diggs, did you know Kellogg's bankrolled almost $800,000 to defeat Prop 37 to label genetically engineered food? Did you know that Kellogg's cereals contain genetically engineered ingredients that have not been proven safe to eat? Ask Kellogg's why they do not support labeling GMOs and don't buy their BS about wanting a national law to label GMOs. Kellogg's does not need a law to label GMOs. They could voluntarily label GMOs. Check out their Kellogg's facebook. A lot of angry customers. Learn more: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education”

I’ve been reading Facebook comment on various of those who have contributed to the No to Prop 37 to keep my “pulse” on the “boycott”. Its very clear to me that Social Media is the people’s media. A place we can all use our voices to share our thoughts and provide feedback to the companies who desire our hard earned bucks. I’ve read many articles on the power and use of social media and how companies can harvest this power. For me it’s quite simple. Respect the customer. Treat them how you want to be treated and give them a quality, healthy product worth spending their money on. Most importantly, don’t deceive your customers, they tend to frown on that.

Read the rest of the comments here and add your own. Feel free to share your thoughts on GMO labeling in the comments below.

An OliveParent Giveaway

Welcome The New Year With Oxylent – Multivitamin Fitness Pack – Two Winners

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Virgin Coconut Oil

2012-12-18T11:47:00.001-06:00

This offer is good until Thursday, December 20th.

32-oz. - Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 1 quart Tropical Traditions manufactures THE best virgin coconut oil EVER.

There are two things that make this oil different than the rest.

It’s made by hand, and not mass-produced by machines.
The Coconuts are grown in nutrient-rich volcanic soil

I've been a fan since my review of Tropical Tradition’s Gold Standard Virgin Coconut oil. Click on the link to read the review.

You'll also get a free book with your first order. You must be a new customer.

Book - Virgin Coconut Oil Book Revised Edition

Some may find the oil a bit on the expensive side, but you definitely get your money’s worth in quality! I doubt you’ll find a better oil than this. If you think you’ve found a better VCO, tell me about it in a comment!

Happy Holidays!

Praying for Newtown, Connecticut

2012-12-14T16:25:00.001-06:00

Once again, we as a nation face another tragedy, a mass shooting in an Connecticut elementary school.

Today, we mourn the loss of children and teachers. A place where futures are bright and enlightment is a steadfast objective, has become a place of grief and unimaginable devastation.

My initial reaction to ask WHY? Why the children??

But today, I’m so thankful to have my children home from school, safe and sound.

I am broken-hearted for those moms and dads who have lost their babies today. For those who have lost their moms and dads. The students who have lost classmates and teachers.The teachers who have lost students and colleagues. School will never be the same for them. I suspect, it won’t be the same for the rest of us as well.

May God grant you peace. Bless and keep you all during these times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/nyregion/shooting-reported-at-connecticut-elementary-school.html

IE Uses Social Media to Promote a Self-Deprecating, Humorous Message

2012-12-10T12:09:00.000-06:00

I do not like Internet Explorer, like most who have experienced headaches using it. Today, IE has become that "last man on earth" as Google Chrome is not behaving with its usual effectiveness. So, I'm on Twitter wondering what the heck is going on with Google and trying to find a tidbit of information. When I see a promoted Tweet by Internet Explorer under the #Google hashtag.

I must say as a social media specialist. I was quite impressed with IE's use of social media to send out a self-deprecating humorous You Tube video. Take a look, it's hilarious...

This is in no way a ringing endorsement for IE from me. I still prefer Chrome...for now.

I can appreciate the creativity in the message...and the acknowledgement that IE does "suck".

Their word, not mine.

Clean Eating Magazine Contest!

2012-12-06T11:37:00.000-06:00

What's for dinner tonight?? How about fish? If you can make a mean fish dish, snap a pic and submit it to Clean Eating Magazine for a chance to win a Gift Pack sponsored by our very own Nordic Naturals!

A prize pack includes:

Nordic Naturals supplements (Ultimate Omega-D3, Omega-3 Effervescent, Children’s DHA)
Nordic Naturals tote bag
Nordic Naturals T-shirt
Anni Daulter’s The Organic Family Cookbook
One-year subscription to Clean Eating magazine

The contest starts today and ends December 15th. Open to the US and Canada!

You'll find it here.

Check out my current giveaways while you're at it.

Are you cooking fish tonight? How do you plan to cook it? Savory Salmon patties sound good on my dinner menu. :)

Welcome The New Year With Oxylent–A Multivitamin Prize Pack –Two Winners!

2012-12-04T20:08:00.001-06:00

Weight is such a personal issue for women. We are bombarded with images of super skinny models and live under the chastisement of BMI weight charts. Charts, I firmly believe, do not necessarily reflect the unique individualism of each person. It has been two years since my last child, I’ve still not met my goal weight. I do battle with this concept often. A timeframe in the midst of a never-ending task list, is a good amount of pressure and stress on my body image.

So my goal is to feel and be healthy. It’s so important to know that thin does not translate into health. True health begins, not with a gym membership, but with quality food intake. Quality food is, unfortunately, not prevalent in our society. We are inundated with processed food. Food shopping has become a sad event as shelf, after shelf is lined with food that presents more of a dilemma than healthy nutrition. So much that I’ve decided, I need to learn to garden! But that is another topic for another post.

In order to support nourishment intake, many take a multivitamin of some kind. With many multivitamins on the market, it’s extremely vital to understand that supplements of varying kinds are not created equal. As matter of fact, some vitamins should be avoided outright. Many vitamins are synthetic isolates, which are partial vitamins combined with other chemicals. Needless to say, it is NOT a good thing. Your body absorbs a very small percentage of synthetic isolates. You should avoid synthetic nutrients and additives.

Here is where Oxylent, an effervescent, multivitamin drink shines. Oxylent is a high quality multivitamin that is made with Albion Minerals. Albion is the only manufacturer that is able to guarantee the absorption of their minerals, which is patented and backed by 180 studies. Additionally, the effervescent delivery system is better absorbed than pills because no digestion is needed!

If one of your goals in the new year is to lose weight, Oxylent is the perfect compliment to your weight loss regimen.

“Research increasingly shows that hunger is influenced not simply by the amount of calories consumed but by nutrient intake. Studies have linked adequate intake in vitamins and minerals to both decreased experiences of hunger during weight reduction programs and to lower body weight in general, suggesting that intake is a key factor in successful weight loss.

Appetite and hunger are often increased during weight loss due to variations in hormones such as leptin, insulin, and cortisol, which play key roles in regulating appetite. Since vitamins and minerals are required in the synthesis of these hormones, inadequate nutrient intake can interfere with signaling pathways and result in increased cravings and overeating. Ensuring adequate vitamin and mineral intake can help regulate appetite and decrease cravings and overeating.” – Oxylent

Electrolytes are certain minerals that are found in bodily fluids. They are vital to conduct the electrical charges that power our bodies. During sustained exercise, water alone is not enough to maintain electrolyte homeostasis. Oxylent provides 50mg of Sodium, 225mg of Potassium and more to support the electrolyte homeostasis during your weight loss program. Oxylent is a much better alternative than the mainstream sports drink which typically contains artificial sweeteners, colors and additives.

Oxylent is sugar-free, sweetened with Stevia only.

I truly enjoy Oxylent. It is fizzy like soda and comes in a variety of fruity flavors. Their new, sugar-free formula does not taste much different than their previous formula, which was delicious! It’s so easy to take take these vitamins and they are yummy enough to remember to take daily. I get a immediate “boost” from it.

Here’s a picture of my very fancy cup of Oxylent! I take the term recycle literally so this “cup” is actually a jar that contained a substance of some sort at one point of its existence. In any event, you can add ice for a refreshing beverage alongside your meal.

I’m giving away a prize pack to, not one, but TWO, TOP readers to empower healthy weight management resolutions in 2013!

Oxylent 30 Count Adult Variety Pack
7 Count Sparkling Berry Pack
A Pink Camelbak Water Bottle
Swag

Entry is easy! Tell me how you resist the pressure to be “thin”? How do you plan to use Oxylent to support your weight management goals? Do this to unlock the rest of the entries. Complete as many entries as possible to increase your chances of winning. Please note – Entries without correct, validating information will NOT be considered.

Giveaway is open to US resident, 18+. Ends January 3rd, 2013 Midnight EST.

Please view the health information, review and disclosure policy. Entry into this giveaway indicates that you are aware of its terms and conditions. Full Disclosure: TheOliveParent provides contractual services to IMI, PR representative of Oxylent.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Green,The New Red White & Blue–How Companies Can Show Their Patriotism

2012-12-01T11:45:00.001-06:00

A capitalistic climate, creates the perfect breeding ground for novel ideas, evolving technology and improvement in lifestyle…pursued in hopes of achieving the American Dream.

Oft times, the pursuit of the American Dream becomes a primary and sole target, at the cost of a quality product, a product that can contribute more harm than good in the American and global society.

Unfortunately, this is, more often than not, the case when it comes to use of unregulated, un-researched chemicals found in everyday products. Consumers who are savvy, aware and protective of themselves and loved ones, have exercised the basic right to know by focusing their buying power on products that are earth and human-friendly.

This necessary trend has been met with a manipulation of the word “Natural”, while camouflaging questionable ingredients in full support of legal-defining terminology. Leaving consumers battling deception in the name of health and looking for companies loyal to the well-being of society.

While Green defines eco-friendliness and organic products, I have a slightly different take on the word. It defines an attitude, rather than a product. “Green” is a true consideration of another’s person. Simply because Green is wholesome, in its true natural state…free from added synthetics and modified organisms. In consideration of someone else or yourself, you go the distance to provide the best…to give and share of something that contributes to the good of their being. Being green is akin to the ultimate host or hostess. Providing a positive experience for our guests which entails offering the best you have.

If you’ve watched the polls in California this past November, then you’ll know that the defeat of Prop 37 has exposed (Parent) companies who want to continue to sell products without revealing the true nature of it’s contents. Without the revelation of its Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). And, yes, I am fully aware of their claim that labeling should be done at the Federal level. This claim makes their stance ambiguous, as their campaign revealed the highest unethical behavior.

Nonetheless, the damage for those who have supported the “No to Prop 37” campaign has been done and a movement, born. Taking a look at Cascadian Farm Organics Facebook page (Parent company General Mills who contributed a large amount to defeat Prop 37) reveals the sentiments of the savvy, but disappointed consumer.

Here’s a screenshot of Honest Tea’s Facebook page. A former fan echoes the general consensus:

Consumers, and I include myself in this vein, are disillusioned by the overt dishonesty by companies who desire our continued patronage.

We feel slighted as “guests” of these companies who invite us to consume and purchase their wares. Where is common sense hospitality? Where is the loyalty to the country that gives them the freedom to pursue wealth? Where is the gratitude of our patronage that gives them the success they enjoy? Where is their patriotism?

2013 will be the year of consumer empowerment. Our slumber has been long, but we are awake, aware and ready for action.

How can you, as a company show patriotism in your product? First you must find it. Design your product with your own loved ones in mind. Could you serve it to them with confidence? Would you serve it to guests in your own home?

Go back to the drawing board. Improving your product a GOOD thing. Suffice it to say, your bottom line does not necessarily depend on how much is sold, but if a market exists for it. If consumers don’t want it, the bottom line does not exist.

Make changes, a little at a time and as much as necessary. Replace synthetic preservatives for natural ones. Natural preservatives can be just as effective as their counterparts. Minimize/eliminate your use of chemicals. DO YOUR RESEARCH independent of studies backed by entities that may profit directly or indirectly. Opt for BPA-free materials. Most importantly, gravitate away from GMOs as this will more than likely impact your bottom line. Because now…it’s not a question of IF GMOs will be labeled, but WHEN.

Inquire after Certified B Corporations for ideas. Visit www.bcorporation.net

Finally, model your business practices and your product after the very good and old-fashioned adage…”The Customer Is Always Right”.

For a comprehensive list of those who contributed to the “No to Prop 37” campaign, please visit the Organic Consumer Association.

What suggestions can you share with companies to encourage a more green output?

Inspiring Green Holiday Ideas

2012-11-28T21:38:00.001-06:00

I had a fun little holiday contest just for the subscribers of my newsletter.

I asked my subscribers how they plan to “green” their holiday this season. The five best comments, left on my Facebook page won this cool prize…

There were so many fun and inspiring ideas that it was truly difficult to choose just five…but the ones I found most inspiring, in no particular order…

“my green holiday includes reusing things or decorations from previous years. for gift wrapping i reuse tissue paper or think of new ways to wrap gifts like w/ newspapers or the funny pages. i have a stash of gift bags, tissues, ribbons that i have saved over the yrs. i also will go in my woods to use branches of berries and leaves.”

“My green holiday involves only decorating the living trees outside, and as everyone that knows me knows, all gifts are wrapped in recycled paper or not wrapped at all.”

“No Christmas Tree Lights this year. Bahumbug you say? Oh no, not quite. In fact I think my tree will look faboo with that "Little House on the Prairie" rockin' my house this year!! Everyone's getting to make a unique ornament using one of they're old t-shirts!! I used to be known as cheap but now I'm known as the "Queen of the Mean Recycle". I'm constantly recruiting in an effort to recycle and have made it my personal mission to recruit at all times. I'm constantly looking for and coming up with new and creative ideas and speak on this to anyone and all I can. This includes strangers who at first think I'm strange when I sing my little jingle about recycling when I'm on the bus. I host a lot of awesome get togethers and parties and in the past have insisted that my guests bring a bag of "recyclables" as a "cover charge". LOL! This is one way I monitor my friends' recycling activity. Oh, Don't let me catch you NOT recycling in public! I WILL chase you down singing my recycling song at the top of my lungs. That's right! I used to be a weirdo now I'm trending!!!”

“I am using recyclable wrapping paper! I never knew that normal wrapping paper couldn't be recycled...something about how the paper is made to look shiny makes it un-recyclable. I also have been slowly buying gifts for my kids all year, some from yard sales. Buying previously used items means I am reusing something and it also teaches my kids that gifts don't have to be brand new, just new to them! :)”
“I take fabrics from favorite clothes the kids have outgrown, but are a little too thrashed to pass on. I sew little bags out of them, and we stuff them and put their presents inside. It's fun to pass these darling little bags back and forth with our families. Most of us remember the adorable shirts and dresses, and it's a fun way to reminisce and add even more meaning to the holidays. Very frugal, family/friend oriented, and eco-friendly.”

Congratulations to the winners! Thank you for sharing your thoughtful green ideas and being a reader. If you’d like to see the rest of the comments, take a quick visit, like your favorite idea, and share your own. Feel free to share them right here. You won’t win a prize for sharing, but you’ll glean some pretty good inspiration which is just as valuable!

Happy Holidays!!!!

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