Worried about GMOs?  Or just want to learn more about them?  Watch this film, now available on iTunes.  Have you seen the photos of the rats fed gmo corn that are full of tumors?  What will happen to us?  There is an urgency to this, we have to get gmos out of our food.  I know I'm singing to the choir, but you can watch it with those who aren't yet in the know. 

Tweet

Dyson's Next Generation Fans: Just in Time for Summer

Dyson's Next Generation Cool Fans are out, just in time for summer.  Significantly improved acoustics, re-engineered air flows and a lower power motor makes the new fans up to 75% quieter and more energy efficient.

Just like the last fans, these are blade free and have remote controls (awesome for the bedroom) that magnetically attach to the top of the fan so they won't get lost.  Ten airflow settings and a new sleep timer make it customizable.  I love that these fans are super safe for kids and animals and that they don't accumulate hard to reach dust.  These are easy to clean and great for those with allergies. 

And--look at them, they are cool looking!  They are modern and will look nice in your room on par with functional art.  Find them HERE. 

Tweet

Fragrance is the New Second Hand Smoke

A few cities have initiated Fragrance Free zones (such as the workplace, certain restaurants, waiting rooms, etc).  Fragrance contains some of the exact same chemicals that are harmful in cigarette smoke.  It also contains pesticides--that's right, the same chemicals in pesticides are in many synthetic fragrances.

Like smoke, fragrance is loaded with carcinogens and toxins, but it's actually much harder to get away from second hand fragrance.  Smoking is banned almost everywhere and easy to avoid.  If a smoker shakes my hand, rarely does my hand then reek of smoke, and if it did, I could easily wash it off.  When someone wearing fragrance does the same, I can scrub with a brush and can't get that stuff off, then I'm forced to smell it all day.  If someone sits on my furniture wearing fragrance, guess what?  It doesn't come out.  If I go to someone's house that uses fragrance, I have to strip down and put everything I was wearing in the wash when I get home. The stuff is the devil. And when you don't wear synthetic fragrance, you can smell it a mile away. 

Is this what people are trying to achieve with their perfumes and colognes?  Do they want to smear pesticides and carcinogens all over their bodies to marinate in that stuff all day?  Do they want to give others headaches and asthma attacks?  Do they want to contribute to the toxic burden in our water supply, the prevalence of hormone disruptors, do they want cancer?  Of course not.  They think they are making themselves more appealing and they think they smell nice.  They have no idea they are making people gag.

They ban trans fats and smoking, and now I'm hearing the same is happening with perfumes and fragrance.  For more, read THIS and THIS.  

Does fragrance bother you or make you sick? Email me your thoughts at ecomamasguide@gmail.com and I will share your stories (anonymously) in a follow up post.

Tweet

Nourish Organic Body Lotion

There's a new organic lotion that comes in scents appropriate for men.  My little man loves his Nourish Organic body lotion in Lavender Mint.  Spiced Citrus and Lemon Lime would be two other great options.  The tube is great to put in your gym bag or bedside table to help combat wintery dry skin.

I love having body products that are non toxic and smell good, but don't contain unhealthy synthetic fragrance.  Nourish does contain nourishing ingredients like argan oil, maca root, vitamin E, and aloe.  Find it locally at Whole Foods and HERE.

Tweet

Dyson's Awesome New Vacuum: DC65

Dyson's got a new vacuum out, the Animal Complete DC65, and I think it's their best one yet.  Of course it's beautiful.  It has a fucsia top and some bright purple accents, paired with a charcoal gray body, it's functional art like everything else Dyson makes.  So they had me at first glance.

Now for the function.  I've tried several of their vacuums, and this is my new favorite, they just keep getting better and better.  They redesigned the airflow and brush bar to be more powerful by 25%, and they've updated cyclone and ball technology, and the new motor is 150% faster.  It comes with three different brushes, a tangle-free turbine tool and--something I really appreciate--they included a bag for all the accessories.  

I notice a difference in quality.  Not that I wasn't already satisfied with previous models, frankly, I didn't think it could get any better short of the vacuum taking the initiative on it's own and vacuuming my house without me.  And don't think that's not on Dyson's mind, I bet they have robot vacuums one of these days, and they will be gorgeous too.

Dyson is so well known for over the top suction that some carpet manufacturors won't warranty your carpet if you use them becuause they can pull out the threads.  I've been using Dyson vacuums for years and have never had this happen, but it does speak to the power of these machines.  They are the only vacuums to be allergy certified, so you don't get that little cloud of dust that sometimes comes out of other vacuums re-polluting the air.

My floors are cork and bamboo, and I have area rugs, so lots of variation.  This vacuum is self-adjusting and rolls over each surface seamlessly.   The DC65 maneuvers with ease and turns on a dime.  The suction wand is great for cob webs and hard to reach dust bunnies and debris.  It's a dream to use, and did I mention how fun it is to use a vacuum with a happy fuscia canister?  Find it HERE.

Tweet

FLOR Eco Friendly Carpet Squares

FLOR carpet squares are a great rug and carpet option, especially for families and homes with pets.  The interchangeable tiles come in hundreds of colors, patterns, and variations, and they're made from recycled materials.  The concept is modern, versatile and easy to maintain.  

Since the squares are removable, they're a breeze to clean.  You can just pick up the one that is soiled, rinse it off in the sink, and replace it.  This also makes FLOR super versatile when you want to change the mood of the room.  When you are ready for a change, just swap out a few squares for a different color or design. From bright fuchsia, to bold orange, stripes, organic shapes, all the way down to muted grays and browns, the options are endless. 

FLOR's latest collection is inspired by global design and animal prints.  What a great way to add a pop of color or interest to your room.  Different squares have different textures and FLOR recommends getting samples before deciding on a design.  Choose from tons of fabulous options HERE. 

Tweet

The FRESH ENERGY Cookbook

I've been sitting on this for a long time.  Natalia Rose is one of the most enlightened nutritionists/food and healthy lifestyle-thinkers out there and I wanted to do her cookbook, THE FRESH ENERGY COOKBOOK, co-authored with Chef Doris Choi, justice.  I've decided I can't do it justice--it's that good.

It's a brand new year and I know a lot of us are looking for ways to spice up our healthy living repertoire.  Well here you go, an excellent cookbook and resource book that will help you to achieve clean eating and more energy.

I LOVE this book.  It's simple, straighforward, and all the recipes I've tried are delicious.  It's full of glossy photos (a must, I think for any cookbook), uncomplicated recipes, and some good advice on how to optimize your food intake for maximum pleasure and health benefits.  Natalia's approach to health is a common sense, sort of back-to-basics approach that resonates on a deep level.  I've had success with her method and would strongly recommend any of her books, but this, it's a must-have cookbook.  If I could only have one, it would be this. 

The focus is on nutrient dense, easy to digest, colorful yummy real foods.  Absent are grains, faux meat alternatives, and soy.  These recipes are not intimidating and they don't require hours of preparation or hard to find ingredients.  They are creative though, and inspiring, and cause you to look at food in a new way.

The cauliflower pizza crust is yummy, and a great alternative to gluten free crusts.  Salads are hearty and filling, and the 150 recipes will give you plenty to work with.   Fresh juices, salads, entrees, snacks, and desserts offer plenty of options for optimal, life affirming meals.  Find it HERE. 

Tweet

Happy 2014

Tweet