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Why Yes I am a Choosy Chick!

This Green Mama is definitely a “Choosy Chick” and proud of it! I also strongly encourage others to be a Choosy Chick (or Dude) too! Why do I consider myself a “Choosy Chick”? About 7 years ago my eyes were opened to the fact that many companies are exposing us all to toxic chemicals and possibly harmful ingredients in our day to day products. Many consumers trust these companies and the government to make sure they are providing us with safe products to use in our home. The fact is, the American government doesn’t require health studies or pre-market testing of the chemicals in personal care products, even though just about everyone is exposed to them. Ultimately, it us up to the consumer to make informed purchasing decisions and shop at responsible retailers, like The Choosy Chick.

The Choosy Chick is an online boutique dedicated to selecting the most effective, toxic free health and beauty products for retail. They also serve as an educational resource for consumers who want to learn more about the lack of regulation in the cosmetic industry, and the vast amount of beauty products on the market today containing toxic substances. The Choosy Chicks website is really easy to navigate and find the information you are looking for.

The Choosy Chick offers safe and effective health and beauty care products for the entire family. They sent me a box filled with products for every person in my family to facilitate this review and show you their great selection. I was sent 100% Pure makeup, DN-UNIK skincare products, ACURE soap and facial scrub, MAX GREEN ALCHEMY hair gel, JACK N’ JILL toddler toothbrush and toothpaste and SPLURGE SKINCARE repair balm.

I personally know how difficult shopping for truly non-toxic and safe products can be, especially considering the “greenwashing” and deceptive marketing tricks of companies. For instance, the words “Natural” and “Organic” on a bottle mean nothing and these products may contain toxic ingredients. I really appreciate retailers, like The Choosy Chick, who do the research and are up front about the products they offer. The Choosy Chick has developed their very own standard for ingredients which has become the foundation for product selections. You can check out The Choosy Chick Standards HERE.

I was very happy with the awesome products The Choosy Chick sent me and I was really impressed by the amazing list of trusted manufacturers The Choosy Chick offers. I was familiar with a few of the brands but I was really shocked at how many I had never heard of. Check out the all the brands The Choosy Chicks offers HERE.

The products I tried from The Choosy Chick all are working great for me and my family. I really love the 100% Pure makeup. I had not tried it but heard from several other “green mamas” that it was great, and it is! The skin care products all work great too. The ACURE facial scrub is a great exfoliator. The DN-UNIK serums smell heavenly and feel lovely on my skin. The splurge Melted Buttha repair balm works great and has been working great for my son’s eczema. My baby boy is loving his new Jack N’ Jill toothbrush and really enjoys the flavor of the toothpaste! The product my family was most excited about was my husband’s and son’s new hair sculpting gel from MAX GREEN ALCHEMY. The hair gel they were using before was gluten-free (husband and son have Celiac) but it was not organic like this formula and extra bonus it is cheaper!!! I will most certainty be ordering more of several of these products from The Choosy Chick very soon.

With a great selection of trusted manufactures, fair prices, user friendly website and a goal to educate the consumer are all reasons I was very impressed with The Choosy Chick and recommend anyone looking for non-toxic and safe products to visit. So, if you consider yourself a Choosy Chick (or Dude) or you are striving to be more informed about your purchases of safe and effective products for your home you should visit the natural online boutique, The Choosy Chick!

Visit The Choosy Chick to purchase non-toxic personal care products for the entire family HERE.

Connect with The Choosy Chick on:

Facebook| Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

DIY Essential Oils Body Mist

Blog, Essential Oils, Green Living

Essential oils have so many benefits for your health and well being but they can also be used to make you smell good! Ditch the perfume and all the hidden chemicals and use a natural and pure body mist or perfume made from essential oils. It will probably cost a lot less too!

I never wore perfume or body mist because they always made me sneeze but now I spray on my DIY body mist daily! It smells good and I also benefit from the essential oils aromatically. For instance, I spray my Calming Blend body mist when I am feeling anxious or need to relax.

It’s easy to make a body mist, perfumes are a bit more complex.

As you may know, I prefer easy and that is why I make body mist sprays. For a body mist you simply add 5-10 drops of essential oil to 4 ounces of water and shake well. You can experiment and find the mixture that works for you.

Popular essential oils to use in for a body mist:

Calming Blend (My Favorite!)
Invigorating Blend ( My 2nd Favorite)
Blend for Women
Grounding Blend
Lavender

DIY Essential Oils Body Mist Fragrance Mix Ideas:

Mix #1: peppermint, lavender, sandalwood.

This scent is fresh, refreshing, clean, and has a hint of musk.

Mix #2: Invigorating Blend, fennel, vetiver.

This scent is woodsy, sweet, and citrusy.

Mix #3: cassia, cypress, vetiver.

This is a very sweet and spicy scent.

Mix #4: basil, lavender, ylang ylang.

This is a fresh and floral scent.

I love using different scents based on how I am feeling. Also, I get so many compliments on the my “perfume”!

Do you use essential oils as a perfume or body spray? What scents to you prefer?

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose,treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Here are a few more post you may like:

Gluten-free Peanut Butter White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Blog, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Recipes

Looking for a soft and chewy peanut butter cookie? I have the perfect cookie recipe for you, my Gluten-free Peanut Butter White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe! The secret ingredient is the vanilla pudding mix. These cookies use an easy homemade pudding mix; 1/2 cup sugar, 3 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Another option, you can use a store bought 3.4 ounce box I if you do have cornstarch or don’t want to make it.

The pudding mix makes cookies wonderfully soft and chewy. Also these cookies hold their shape better and make much prettier cookies, in my opinion.

For this cookie I used white chocolate chips and it goes great with the peanut butter. I like a subtle peanut butter flavor so if you like more pb flavor add a little more pb to your cookie mix.

Gluten-free Peanut Butter White Chocolate Chip Cookies

rays of bliss

Chewy, soft and delicious! These cookies have a subtle peanut butter flavor and compliment the white chocolate chips.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

1 package of vanilla pudding mix or homemade vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup butter softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 and 1/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a mixing bowl, cream butter peanut butter and sugars. Mix well.
Add pudding mix, egg and vanilla into mixture.
In another bowl combine gf flour, xanthan gum, salt, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Fold white chocolate chips in to mixture.
Drop by tablespoon of cookie batter onto baking sheets.
Bake 12-14 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Notes

Homemade vanilla pudding mix: 1/2 cup sugar, 3 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Gluten-free Peanut Butter White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hope you enjoy this recipe! Check out my other gluten-free recipes HERE.

Ecocentric Mom & Baby Subscription Box ~ February 2015

Blog, Kids & Baby Reviews, Product Reviews, Reviews

I was sent an Ecocentric Mom & Baby Subscription Box for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

I look forward to receiving my Ecocentric Mom & Baby Subscription Box and I love finding out what natural goodies I will find inside my box. With Ecocentric Mom Box you will be discovering new natural, sustainable, organic, and ethical products with every box! Ecocentric Mom’s goal to make lives easier for moms by educating them about toxins in products and introducing them to safe, natural and eco-friendly brands. With each subscription box they also include tips and information on fitness, green living and healthy food choices.

What’s in the Box:

Each box will contain 5-9 hand selected products that will be gentle on your body and the earth, as well as green and healthy living tips. There will be a mix of large sample sizes and full sizes with a retail value of $24-$50+ per box.

The box was filled with great products for baby and me. I had never tried many of the brands in the box and was excited to give them a try!

Kericure – Don’t let a small scrape turn into a trip to the hospital, protect your little ones with Natural Seal Liquid bandage! For the ultimate protection for your little ones, use on cuts, scrapes, burns, rashes, blisters & more!Sample Info: $12 – 1fl
Product Pricing: $12 – 1fl

Nourish Pouch– A food pouch for all walks or crawls of life. The Nourish Pouch is Reusable & features a Resealable bottom closure making Refilling (5 oz.) and cleaning a breeze. Designed for babies & toddlers
Sample Info: 5/9.95
Product Pricing: Regular package of 5 pouches retails for $9.95

O & N Collective – O&N Collective is an online apothecary specializing in certified organic and natural skin and personal care products. Our mission is to provide safe and effective products that promote health and wellness.
Product Info: 15% gift card for use on any product.

Bum Boosa® – Bamboo Baby Wipes – Bum Boosa replaces the traditional synthetic or tree-pulp wet wipe using an immensely renewable and sustainable grass: bamboo. Nourishing plant-based ingredients such as Calendula, Chamomile, and Organic Aloe Vera care for delicate skin. Scented with Lavender and Sweet Orange essential oils.
Product Pricing: 12 packs of 80 sheets are $59.99

Snack Out Loud Crunchy Bean Snacks– Crunchy Bean Snacks are an irresistible, family-friendly savory snack made simply from pinto beans, sunflower oil and natural seasoning so they’re naturally Non-GMO, gluten-free, nut free and soy free. Yummy!
Product Pricing: 1.2 oz bag retails $1.79

Elephant Book: Mama Loves Me by Mara Van Fleet – In this delightful book, a cute baby elephant shares his admiration for his mom’s special talents—using her trunk to reach up high, to play hide-and-seek, to give him a quick shower, and to kiss him at goodnight.
Product Pricing: $6.99

Kelapo– Add excitement to your favorite dishes—and promote a healthy lifestyle—with our Kelapo™ Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Kelapo Coconut Oil is organic, cold-pressed, and fair trade approved.
Product Pricing: Full size prices:
8oz – $7.69
14oz – $11.99
15oz – $12.99
29oz – $22.99

Amara – A food pouch for all walks or crawls of life. The Nourish Pouch is Reusable & features a Resealable bottom closure making Refilling (5 oz.) and cleaning a breeze. Designed for babies & toddlers.

Flavrz – Flavrz Organic Drink Mixes – world’s best organic, deliciously healthy and affordable, alternative to the usual artificially flavored, colored and sweetened beverages.In addition to being delicious, healthy and affordable Flavrz Organic Drink Mixes are great for the environment when used with a reusable water bottle. Our small, easy to carry, easy to use 2Go pouch is a concentrate that one adds to ten to sixteen ounces water at home, office, gym or on the go.
Six Flavrs – Sport, Energy, Immunity, Cherry Berry, Tropical Peach and Lemon-Lime
Organic, NON-GMO, Gluten-Free
Product Pricing: $6.99 for a box of 6, $32.99 for a carton of 36.

Pura Essentials Botanic Bath Infusion – Botanic Bath Infusions are 3-in-1 relaxing bath therapies that combine restorative mineral sea salts, fragrant essential oils, and curative herbs and flowers in a 100% biodegradable soilon pouch
Product Pricing: 1 pouch $11

Kericure Natural Seal Liquid Bandage – Don’t let a small scrape turn into a trip to the hospital, protect your little ones with Natural Seal Liquid Bandage! For the ultimate protection for your little ones, use on cuts, scrapes, burns, rashes, blisters & more!
Product Pricing: 1 fl. Oz bottle retails: $12.99

eInvite Idea Catchers – The perfect way to catch all fo your ideas – as they happen. 100 heavy weight white cards fit nicely into pockets or handbags for quick jots of important things. Complete with a heavy card stock carrying case.
Product Pricing: Pkg of 100 retails: $19.99; 25 included

I am very pleased with the selection in this months box! My favorites are the cute elephant book and the evite.com catcher pages. Everything in the box is something that I will really use and I feel confident that the items are safe for my family. Ecocentric Mom is the perfect subscription box service for me and Ecocentric Mom has the perfect box for you too! You have 3 different boxes to choose between: the mom, the pregnancy, or the mom & baby box. Also, Ecocentric Mom will be releasing a Women’s box soon that you can pre-order now.

Boxes ship Every-Other-Month.

Ecocentric Mom boxes can be purchased as a single box (one delivery) for $24 or as a monthly subscription for 3 deliveries for $72 or 6 deliveries for $144. All deliveries have Free Shipping to the US! I think this is great value considering each box contains $25-$50 worth of products!

Ecocentric Mom Box is a great gift idea but also a way to help other moms learn about green living and making healthy choices!

Visit Ecocentric Mom to learn more about their Subscription Box Service.

Connect with Ecocentric Mom on:

Facebook| Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I received the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Easy Minecraft Creeper Head Valentine’s Day Box and List of Free Valentines Printables

Blog, Craft Ideas, DIY, Holiday Printables, Kids Printables, Printables, School & Teacher Gifts Printables, Valentine's Day

This year my son wanted a Minecraft Creeper Valentine’s Day Box for his class party. I did not want to paint or cut out hundreds of different colored squares. I’m pretty sure painting or gluing that many squares would drive me crazy! So to save my sanity I made the box using a free printout for a DIY Minecraft Creeper costume along with free Minecraft Valentines printable. It took me less than 30 minutes to make this box and it looks “AWESOME!!!” according to my boys. If you want to make a Creeper Head box, this is the easy way. If you really enjoy painting or cutting and gluing hundreds of little squares, then go right ahead but for me, I’m sticking with the printouts.

Supplies Needed:

Square or almost square box. (mine has squarish and about 10 inches tall)
Paper;
Printer
Tape (I used mailing tape)
Scissors

Directions:

Tape your box shut if needed and cut a nice size slot on the top. (I made mine large enough for my son’s arm to fit in.)
From STLMotherhood download and print the printable creeper mask in color.
- Cut the white borders off the printout and taped them together like really expensive wrapping paper.
- You’ll tape together the face and FOUR sides. (And overlap the paper–I overlapped by a full square.)
- OR Cut the whtie borders and tape to each side of the box, one side at a time, overlap by a full square, then tape and repeat.
- For the top with the slot I had to cut and piece. But It still looked good because of the colored squares.
- I printed 1 extra sheet (page 2) to cover the bottom.
From HaleGrafx download and print Free Printable Minecraft Valentines in color.
- I used the Be MINECRAFT Valeninte on the top. I cut out the heart and words to fit.
- I taped the 3 other Valentines on the non-Creeper Face sides.

FREE MINECRAFT VALENTINE’S DAY PRINTABLES:

From HaleGrafx: Free Printable Minecraft Valentines
From Cute as a Fox: Free Printable Minecraft Valentines
From Over the Moon:
- GREEN Free Printable Minecraft Valentines
- PINK Free Printable Minecraft Valentines
From Simple as That: PRINTABLE MINECRAFT VALENTINES WITH CREEPER GUM WRAPPERS
From A Grand Life: Free Printable Minecraft Valentine’s Day Cards
From ChicaCircle: BE MINEcraft Valentines Candy Wrapper Printable

I’m really happy with my son’s box and he is thrilled. It was really easy to make (my favorite kind of craft) and my son will still want to play with it after Valentine’s Day!

What kind of Valentine’s Day Box is your child taking?

Check out my other Valentine’s Day Printables and Post HERE.

Valentine’s Day Kids Hand-print and Foot-print Free Printable

Blog, Craft Ideas, DIY, For Gifts Printables, Holiday Printables, Kids Printables, Printables, Valentine's Day

I LOVE using my kids hand-prints and foot-prints to make gifts and keepsakes. They are really easy to make, the kids love to get paint on them and the receiver always loves the gift! I have seen hand-print flowers and foot-print hearts before but I wanted to make a printout frame and stem for the flower. I am sharing my printable with you to use and enjoy this Valentine’s Day!

Here are the finished products. I used regular printing paper but card stock paper would have been a better choose because it is thicker and sturdier. I used regular kids washable paint and drew a heart around the heart feet with a black marker.

>>>>Download Valentine’s Day Hand-print Flower HERE<<<<

>>>Download “Tip of my toes, I LOVE YOU!!!” Foot-print Heart HERE<<<