The Honest Company

You haven't seen my face light up until you've seen a courier truck pull up to my house with a big blue box (and I know it's the Honest Company.) Okay, maybe you have if you've ever watched the Leafs win with me, or offered me a mug of chai.

It must have been over two years ago, maybe two and a half, that I got wind of a new venture Jessica Alba (yes, the celebrity) was beginning. She was already quite active in our little "eco-friendly moms" community, and with her talent and prominent position she was able to start her own line of diapers and wipes free of nasty chemicals and toxins. Along with the co-founder, Chris, the ensured that every product was kid-friendly and planet-friendly, but also affordable and super cute in design. As the company has grown (to training pants, cleaning products, beauty products and natural supplements) they have stayed committed to Earth-saving initiatives like recycling and ethical sourcing as well as philanthropic venues like donation to charity.

Oh and did I mention you can get their products for free?

Go to THIS LINK right now and you can have your first box sent to you at no charge (just shipping - it's like $6...) After that you'll be hooked. You can either choose a few things that you need or get bundles so that fresh new packs of diapers and wipes, and/or cleaning products, will arrive at your door monthly. (You can share in my joy of the big blue box.)

Here's a sampling of what we enjoyed this week. From left to right:

We use the Stain Remover spray both for clothes (hello, four month old baby...) and around the house (yes, our hockey games in the basement often lead to bleeding...) and it removes the stain and the odour. Love it. It's nice to have something safe for furniture and fabric that's effective and non-toxic. How gross is it to spray chemicals on your couch and then never wash them off? That stays here and you inhale it for weeks after. No fun.

The 4-in-1 laundry pods just go straight into the main "drum" of the washer and smell so good. We don't use any bleach or softener in addition to them. And we have pitch-white sheets on our bed so...

A little sampler pack there - some body wash, hand soap, moisturizer, all purpose spray and healing balm. These are amazing to throw in a purse.

We also got a pack of travel wipes.

Lastly, some cute size 2 diapers for Dakota and Oliver's first pack of training pants. He uses the toilet now like a champ but I still get nervous when he's in the car seat, in church, etc. He are easy up, easy down like underwear. He loves them.

Here's my big boy's booty all decked out in robots and fire trucks.

Here's my dolly's flower print diapers. My favourite are the cherries - I can't even bear to let her wear them!

For more info click the icon below.

THE GREAT WIPES GIVEAWAY

It’s giveaway time.

Today I have something to offer that will be great for parents. You guys are mostly parents right? See, some fancy-pants blogs have this analysis ability to find out cool information about who reads their posts – me, I just get a number of page views and a rough listing of what countries you guys might be from. I am using my intuition in assuming you would be interested in something that all parents of young ones need…

Wipes - for kids!

Only the classiest here at My Idea of Happiness. It’s true, I will be giving away 2 packs of 30-count Boogie Wipes (choose from fresh, grape, menthol, or unscented; or go for a combo) as well as a separate prize of 1 pack of 42-count Kandoo-brand flushable wipes with a Kandoo Hand Sanitizer or Hand Soap.

Wanna know more?



Boogie Wipes are awesome for cold and flu season. Older kids love to have their own pack so they can feel grown up when, well, the need for a boogie wipe arises. No one likes that scratchy feeling of an over-tissued nose so using something gentle and moisturizing can make all the difference for this season of sickness.

Oliver loves his pack so much that we have a new going conversation in the house:
Oliver: Mama, Ollie boogie. Wipe?
Me: Truth?
Oliver: Yes mama, truth! Boogie!
Me: Okay, take a wipe.
Or, he says: no truth mommy. Sorry. (Honest kid.)

Click to enter the Boogie Wipes giveaway here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Open to readers in the US, Canada and Australia.

Check out their Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest or their website: www.boogiewipes.com. 

And Kandoo's bum wipes are equally great for a child's independence. Because they are safe for septic-systems and therefore flushable they are a perfect option for potty trainers. Not quite ready to be trusted to do a thorough job with toilet paper, and also the same concept of using something moisturizing for these oh-so-sensitive areas of the body.

Oliver loved his pack of them one day that came with customizable stickers to write his name and add some animals to the container. He still uses it for collecting wood clothes pins (he has inherited my sense is awesome.) 

You can enter this one by clicking here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
Open to readers in the US and Canada.

Check out Kandoo on Facebook.

What to Pack for a Natural Hospital Birth

Packing a hospital bag for birth can actually be super fun because it makes you realized that THIS IS HAPPENING. Even if you're planning a home birth it's good to have one of these on the ready. My bag is super no-frills because I know if there's anything extra I need or if something goes awry, someone will be able to pop over to my house and pick it up. The joys of living five minutes from my city's birthing hospital.

If you already know that you'll be in hospital for an extended stay, throw in more clothes, any hair and makeup stuff you might need, and a few sanitary pads.

1. Stuff for mama

I already know I'll have my phone on me no matter where we are. Just a given. Heck, I bring my phone in the bathroom with me when I shower. (You know, just in case there's a break in and I need to call 9-1-1 from the locked room!) This means I have insta-access to anyone I want to text, and some music. I suppose headphones would be a good idea, but hey - if you don't want to listen to my house, get out of my birthing room. I pack a tank top because I want to be comfortable but covered up enough that I can share my photos with my male friends. I choose one that can get a little wet if I don't pull it up high enough in the tub. I also pack shorts for if I decide to go for a little walk, or for if my dad decides to come say hi in the birthing room and I don't want to be butt-naked. The new undies, tights and sweater are for after, once I've showered and am ready to go home.

2. Stuff for babe

I'll have to go through the things I've saved of Oliver's and pick a suitable newborn outfit to bring along. Sorry babe - you'll be wearing a lot of hand-me-downs. I will also pack a hat. We'll need a thin blanket for swaddling and a thick warm one for placing over baby in the car seat between the hospital and the warm car. And of course a little pouch of newborn diapers and wipes.

3. Practical items

First and foremost, the only item that you will require if you want to take your baby home: a newborn car seat. I arrived at the hospital, for Oliver's birth, without it installed, so my dad and Cal's dad had the daunting task of doing that and they still laugh about it. Of course the most important item of all: your health insurance card! I have my number memorized in case I ever forget at appointments but likely in the moment my memory will be playing second fiddle to my birth-focus. I'll also bring a copy of my birth wish list - it's not too extensive this time but worth having around. Iphone photos are great but I'm definitely going to pack my digital camera for higher quality images and some video. Now I just need to make sure I charge it! Lastly, a stash of easy snacks and drinks.
I recommend:

• a tetra pack of coconut water (or a glass jar of homemade Labourade, see recipe)
• whole grain granola/ trail mix bars
• a pouch of all-natural fruit snacks (like the ones at Starbucks)
• brown rice crackers
• fruit leather
• kale chips
• unsweetened applesauce
• homemade all-natural sports "gel" (blend a few dates with agave nectar, sea salt and lemon zest!)
  
   

And that's that! Throw it all in a bag and let your partner or doula know where to find it when the time comes.

4 dates (I used dried dates, soaked for a few hours)
1/2 cup raw agave nectar
1 Tbsp lime zest
2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp dulse (I skipped this, since I didn’t have it)
Sea salt to taste
- See more at: http://www.nomeatathlete.com/thrive-energy-gel-recipe/#sthash.HRafLo6b.dpuf