Twitter Party Reminder!! The party is almost here and we're super excited to have you join us! Set your alarm clocks so you don't miss the biggest party of the year!! We have some amazing prizes, some great sponsors, and some of my favorite co-hosts! What will we be talking about? Anything and everything related to summer with the kids! Safe sunscreens, cloth diapers, laundry, line drying, safe skin care, and more!! Official Party Time: 9pm ET on Tuesday, June 19th Where: Twitter using #summerfluff hashtag Shortcuts: RSVP TweetChat TweetGrid Sponsor Specials (check back often for updated offers): EcoNuts - Use coupon code SUMMERFLUFF and save 10% off on EcoNuts. Rockin' Green Soap - Use coupon code SUMMERFLUFF and save 20% off RnG through the end of June. Earth Mama Angel Baby - Use coupon code HUGSFROMMAMA and save 15% off at EMAB. EcoStoreUSA - Use coupon code 25for25 and save 25% off your order for the next 25 hrs (starting at 9pm ET 6/18) at ... [ Read More ]
5 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Babies
Many parents don't start looking for environmentally friendly options in their lives until after they have babies. We want only the most natural of items to touch those precious little babies and all of their baby parts. We clean their clothes in gentle detergent. We wash their skin in sensitive soaps. We put the softest diapers on their little bums. Here are a few ways you can use that little yellow box of Baking Soda - for your baby! 5 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Babies Stain remover - add 1/2 cup of baking soda with your favorite detergent to remove those pesky baby stains (like spit up on your favorite shirt or brand new onesie). Clean toys - make a solution of 1 part baking soda to 4 parts water and rub down your favorite baby toys. Follow with a quick rinse and their toys will be squeaky clean. Diaper pail stinkies? Sprinkle a little bit of baking soda in your diaper pail or wet bag to help keep the odors away. This trick works for both disposable and cloth ... [ Read More ]
Pledge to Go Green in 2012
What do you think? Can you make one teenie tiny little change each month to be more green? I'm sure with a little help and encouragement you can think of 12 things you can do to be more green. Don't worry, you don't have to tell me what they are. You don't even have to know all 12 changes you plan to make right now. All you have to do is make a commitment to go green. To begin your pledge simply complete this simple pledge form: Pledge to Go Green in 2012. Once you make your pledge you'll be subscribed to receive my monthly newsletter with more easy tips for going green. ... [ Read More ]
Why I Can’t Totally Go “No Poo”
Since the other day when I first told you about my issues with going "No Poo" I have learned a few things. The first thing I've learned is that I can go several days without shampoo and my hair still looks ok. Honestly though I've always known this because as any mom knows there are many days when you are lucky if you have time to take a shower! I work at home so the only place I regularly visit is day care and the Elementary school car loop. Seriously - why should I bother looking good for the car loop? All joking aside I have learned a lot from the links that you have all shared with me and from my friend Jenny at Conscientious Confusion. She actually did all the hard work on this one for me (thanks Jenny). It seems that we both have color treated hair and we were both having the same (or at least similar) problems with excessive dryness. I'll let you read Jenny's post about "No poo color treated hair and hair cuts" for the full explanation. I know the real question is "Why ... [ Read More ]
How to Go “No Poo” – You Tell Me Because I’m Clueless!
Thanks to my friend Jenny at Conscientious Confusion I have decided to take the "No Poo" pledge for 2012! My hair is actually quite healthy and I'm not overly dependent on hair care products. I hate mousse, gels, and other products that promise to make your hair bouncy or full or sleek. I embraced the fact that my hair will always be straight and will never hold a curl or bounce for more than 5 minutes. When I add all of those other products to my hair it just weighs it down and makes it look frumpy and dirty. I've never paid much attention to my shampoo and conditioners either. For the past year I have been using TRESemme Naturals and I've never even researched the ingredients to find out just how 'natural' they really are. The worst thing that I do to my hair is color it 3-4 times a year. I'm a highlight and color junkie and I love to cover up the grey (shhh...you'd never know by looking at me how old I am so I won't let my hair give it away). Regardless of my current hair ... [ Read More ]
Ask The Eco Chic
Do you have a question about cloth diapers? Breastfeeding? Homemade baby food? Living a more eco-friendly lifestyle? Pinterest (hehehe)? Leave your question below and I'll be happy to answer it right here on The Eco Chic. No question is too big or too small...chances are if you have a question so does someone else who isn't brave enough to ask me. Loading... ... [ Read More ]
Nature Makes Perfect Scents
Do you have a favorite scent from nature? A scent that reminds you of a special occasion, a special place, or person? One of my favorite scents from nature is the smell of Georgia honeysuckle in the springtime. It's a little odd to me that one of my favorite scents is actually from an invasive weed but I absolutely love the smell of honeysuckle. When I was growing up in North Georgia we lived on 5 acres with only two neighbors and lots of woods to play in. My younger brother and I were always outside exploring the old paths in the woods pretending that they were old roads and looking for hidden treasure. I don't think we ever found anything exciting but we always had fun on our expeditions. I knew it was spring when I would start to smell the honeysuckle on our journeys. You could smell the honeysuckle before you would actually see it in bloom. In addition to the sweet smell of honeysuckle I loved the white flowering blooms; did you know they produce a sweet honey nectar that ... [ Read More ]
Cloth Diaper Detergent Wars
Which cloth diaper detergent should I use? Have you seen a trend lately? There are lots of new detergent brands popping up that are formulated specifically for cloth diapers. How do you know which one is right for you? Tough question! Really there are so many factors to consider when choosing a detergent and what works for you may not work for the next person. Different factors include water hardness, machine type, diaper type and material, environmental impact, and most importantly your babies sensitivity level. If you'd like to read some of my past laundry articles you'll learn some important Do's and Don'ts for cloth diaper laundry. (Start here and follow the links: https://www.backtocalley.com/2011/08/21/cloth-diapering-101-getting-started/) Cloth Diaper Detergent Brands Rockin Green Laundry Detergent - Rockin' Green was the first detergent that was formulated specifically for modern cloth diapers and has been around for over two years now. There have been several ... [ Read More ]
#BlogHerROCKS the Video
I recorded some of my new friends as they shared their excitement about trying Rockin' Green Soap. I was surprised by how many of the cloth diapering mama's that I met have never used Rockin' Green. Watch video on YouTube Footnote: I am not really a great videographer or editor but if you're interested all of this was done using my iPhone 3gs and Windows Movie Maker. Not bad for a rookie! Special thanks to Rockin’ Green for sponsoring my trip to BlogHer ’11. Rockin’ Green is a natural laundry detergent designed especially for use with cloth diapers but can also be used on regular laundry too. In addition to using Rockin’ Green for laundry there are hundreds of different uses for this soap. Be sure to sign up for 52 Weeks of Clean where they share a new tip for using Rockin’ Green around your home. For more information about Rockin’ Green visit them on the Web, Facebook, and on Twitter. ... [ Read More ]
#BlogHerROCKS – A Giveaway by Rockin’ Green
Giveaway: While this giveaway announcement is only open to my friends who are attending BlogHer '11 with me I have another giveaway coming soon for the rest of my readers who are reading this around the globe! Stay tuned! As you may have heard by now, Rockin' Green is my personal BlogHer '11 sponsor and has some great prize packages available for 2 of my new friends that I've met at BlogHer. Will it be you? Each prize package will include a full size bag (45/90) of Rockin' Green REMIX detergent, 1 bag of Funk Rock, 1 magnetic laundry scoop, 1 set of wool dryer balls, and 2 sample size packs of Rockin' Green REMIX. I also have 100 samples of Rockin' Green REMIX to hand out (in my room - not in conference spaces) upon request - please ask, email, or tweet me for more information. To enter all you need to do is find me at BlogHer '11. When you find me ask me about #BlogHerROCKS and I'll tell you how you can enter this giveaway. HINT: If you have a smartphone you may want to ... [ Read More ]