REVIEW: Safe & Natural Products By M & M Soaps

Is everyone busy getting ready for Thanksgiving??  Have you started your Christmas shopping??  We are getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner around here.  I've also started shopping & creating Christmas gifts for the grandparents in our lives.  I hope to get those completed ASAP so I can make a few things for the Lee kiddos.  We'll see how far I get.

We've have got a very busy December ahead with birthdays, crafting, a Christmas program & practices for the kids, etc.  The funny thing is, I was SOOO naive in thinking December wouldn't be as busy as October & November... seriously, WHAT was I thinking?!

Enough about me, right now I have some FANTASTIC products to tell you about that are creations of Arianna Mojica from M & M Soaps. 

My gift package arrived beautifully wrapped

I was given the blessing of a goody box from M & M Soaps.  Their slogan is "Nourish Your Skin From The Outside In" & they stand very true to that by using all natural ingredients, without any harmful fillers or additives.  They use high quality ingredients that will not only not harm your skin, they won't harm your body either!  Such products are very rare these days; especially ones that won't break the bank.

One VERY IMPORTANT thing to keep in mind is that our skin is the largest organ of the body & whatever we out on our skin will be absorbed into our bloodstream & then enter our other organs.  Think about that the next time you lather up, spritz perfume on, paint your fingernails, or apply your deodorant.

If you are using big name brand products right now, you may never see them the same if you really stop to think about the harmful effect such things can have on your overall health.  I know I sure thought differently after I read & finally UNDERSTOOD the product labels of things I had been using for years & years.  Honestly, I was upset when I realized what I had been dumping into my body day after day, year after year! 

Don't lose hope though, as we can help our bodies to heal just by reducing the toxin load, & we can further facilitate healing by replacing products that contain dangerous ingredients with ones that use safe & truly natural ingredients.

A good rule of thumb in the natural health community is that if you can't EAT it, don't WEAR it!  Now, I know as much as anybody that if there is a tight budget to adhere to (& who doesn't have a tight budget these days?!), that "rule" may be harder to follow.  For me & my family I try my best to buy the healthiest products I can within our budget.

I now make a lot most of what we use, so that really helps the budget.  I also do my absolute best to minimize & get only what we really need, so that I can have the budget capacity to buy the best products (or supplies to make products) I can within our means.

I no longer use things like perfume, hair spray, mousse, gel, lipstick, or body spritz, not only to cut down on our toxin load intake, but also to ease the budget to allow for the healthy versions of what are true necessities for our family... you may find you need (or just plain want) hair spray, lipstick, etc. & that is okay.. find what works for you!  I would suggest you look into the safest brand & formulation you can reasonably afford and/or trying to make your own to cut down your toxin load intake.

With things that we mist on, spray on, & breathe in we must be very careful as well.  Remember baby powder that was used on babies after every diaper change?!  Well, there is a reason they stopped recommending it & now even STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST it... it is unsafe because the particles become airborne when applied & are then ingested into babies' lungs as well as those of everyone  in the vicinity.  Hair spray, body spray, & perfume all are airborne so you may want to reconsider if you really need them, & if so, if you can find a healthier alternative such as something homemade.

Some people claim it is too expensive to buy "safe" deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.  I can tell you that I have personally found many sources of "safe" versions of many cosmetics, toiletries, etc. for the same price or even cheaper than products chock full of toxic ingredients, so rest assured it surely CAN be done!!  I utilize online shopping for most of said items unless I make them myself, & then I usually order the ingredients online.

For my family it has been a s-l-o-w process buying things little by little.  Some months I will find a recipe for something I want to make, but it is not in the budget to spend the money to buy all of the ingredients at once, so I may even buy them over 2-4 months to avoid going over budget.  No matter how great something may be, it is not worth the stress of blowing the budget.

Anyway, back to the awesome products at M & M Soaps.  I was provided with some wonderful products to review: Clay Facial Soap, Chamomile Lavender Swirl Soap, Chai Tea Soap, a cupcake soap in cinnamon, & whipped shea butter.

I find their prices to be pretty reasonable, especially for the quality of the products & all of the love put each into each & every handmade product.    

The soaps are fantastic!  Not only are they beautiful, but they are long lasting, safe, & natural.  I love that their facial soap gently exfoliates my ((gasp)) aging skin, yet doesn't leave it feeling dry or tight.  

Doesn't that look YUMMY?!

The cupcake soap was the last to be used because it was absolutely too cute to use, but no worries, in the name of research & reviewing I used it.  Some of my children actually thought I was lying about it being SOAP, it was THAT pretty & realistic.  I think one of them may have even licked it when I turned my back because I saw some tongue wiping going on when I turned back around?!  Even the kids thought it was too pretty to use, but once I used it first they were more than happy to lather their hands with it.

The whipped shea butter had a fantastic, lemon-lime scent; one that was not overpowering or fake by any means, but one that greatly appealed to my sensitive nose.

I love infused products that are truly naturally scented because they don't give me a headache like the ones that can only CLAIM to be "naturally" scented.  I know if something is a fake within moments of smelling it because I will develop a headache instantaneously.  No headaches at all from the M & M products.  That is a huge plus for me, & you will not be disappointed if you try them too!

I asked Arianna to give me an intro so you can "meet" the woman behind the products:

"My name is Arianna and I am a mother, wife, teacher & healer who strives daily to live life aligned. I create healing soaps & related products using only what is in nature. My aim is to reach those that seek healthier beauty options.  We pride ourselves in the fact that we deliberately avoid the use of synthetic lab fragrances and colorants. We only use therapeutic grade essential oils as scents and we only use clays, herbs, minerals, botanicals, fruits and vegetables to add color to our creations. Our mission is a simple one... to provide you with a soap bar that is nourishing and healing to your skin from the outside in!"

  

 If you are in the market for any handmade soaps, lotions, shaving bars, salves, lotion bars, deodorants, and much more, be sure to check our M & M Soaps and tell them Mama Lee sent you!

They have many unique items so you may even want to keep them in mind while you do your Christmas shopping.  They have some DIY kits too for making your own healthy salves, lotion bars, & scrubs for those who would like to try their hand at making some great products without having to track down ingredients.  The kits even include the molds to make the soaps and/or containers for the finished salve.  If they are out of stock on something, be sure to contact Arianna directly to get what you need.


Now why don't you head on over to M & M Soaps to find some yummy goodies for someone on your Christmas list... or even for yourself?!


Don't forget to like them on Facebook, Twitter, and Google!!

Happy Thanksgiving,
<3 Mama Lee <3

What kinds of products do you use??  Are you trying to replace any of your current products with safer alternatives??  What products do you like at M & M Soaps??


** I was provided the some sample products for my review.  I was not paid for my review & the opinions shared are my own. **

REVIEW: Tinnitus Miracle by Thomas Coleman

I am both honored & excited to tell you about the e-book, Tinnitus Miracle, by Thomas Coleman.  While Thomas Coleman is not a doctor, his book is jammed full of well researched information.  He not only gives ideas of things you can take to try to lessen or reverse tinnitus (certain vitamins, herbs, etc.) NATURALLY, he also tells why & what their functions are, as well as discusses a possible dietary connection for some people.  There are so many ideas & things to try to combat tinnitus listed in this book, I feel a renewed sense of hope in reducing or eliminating my own tinnitus.

I have found that just because someone doesn't have M.D. after their name doesn't mean they can't be highly educated in something.  I know I personally know more about breastfeeding than 80-90% of doctors, nurses, & other health professionals.  No, I am NOT Mama Lee, M.D., but I have spent years researching, talking to others, & also learn from my own experiences over the past several years. 

Most people will not even give a backward glance to any advice, ideas, etc. from anyone but an M.D., which I find very sad because there is so much information to be had in our age of technology.  I have also found that quite often there is no better source of information than someone who has walked your walk, and didn't want to just settle for popping pills or giving up.  Sometimes there is no amount of schooling that can compete with that. 

This book is the result of someone else's quest for answers outside the box... from someone else who wanted not to just put a band-aid on his affliction by popping some pills and calling it a day.  Meet Mr. Thomas Coleman! 

Tinnitus Miracle was a FANTASTIC read!!  It is also an easy read because it flows & it just makes a whole lot of sense.  I felt like Mr. Coleman was speaking right TO me & ABOUT me in some paragraphs.  He surely understands tinnitus & has some incredible information to share about it.  This book is very in depth, yet not dry in the least bit.

Since reading his book, Tinnitus Miracle, I have been trying some of the things he mentions in his book.  I will also be trying more things as time goes on, if one of the previous things I've tried doesn't make a difference.  My tinnitus is more complicated than straightforward tinnitus as I have other auditory issues, but I do feel renewed hope after reading this excellent book!!

It is priceless to have so much information in one resource.  This book is a compilation of several years of Mr. Coleman's research & experience while on a journey to cure his own tinnitus.  If you or a loved one suffers from tinnitus, this is a MUST read!!

Do YOU or a loved one have tinnitus??  If so, what have you tried to combat it??  Have you lost hope??  Well, you can recharge your tank & find oodles of fantastic information in this book!!  I look forward to sharing my experience with using the natural supplements, etc. discussed in depth in Tinnitus Miracle. 

Have YOU read Tinnitus Miracle??  Check out the testimonials & the site for more information!  It is on special for $37, & is normally $69.99.

Mr. Thomas Coleman provided a copy of his e-book for my review.  My unbiased review is based upon my experience with it, & was not influenced by any outside factor.  I have not been compensated in any way for my review.

REVIEW: Boba 3G

Anybody outside of blogland who knows Mr. Lee & me, knows that we wear (or hold) our children as babies, infants, toddlers, & even older, when they need a snuggle, rest, etc.  We've been babywearing now for over a decade and it has been a tremendous blessing in so many ways.

For anybody unfamiliar with babywearing, the benefits are phenomenal & numerous.  Just a handful of the benefits are a hormone boost for mama, which can help with milk supply & postpartum recovery, bonding between the child & the wearer, allowing baby to be cared for safely while the wearer is hands free, and an increased quietness & alertness for the child which gives them the time to study the world around them from a safe, loving, & secure environment.  When a child is able to observe life from a place they feel safe, they often reach developmental milestones faster (learning to talk, walk, potty learn, etc.) and they will often become independent sooner because of the sense of security they have felt.

I know, I know "they" say if I carry or wear my baby (or child) they will become spoiled.  The most polite way I can respond to that is to say it is hog wash!  A baby ideally spends a full nine months in the womb & then all of a sudden they emerge from their safe haven.  Can you imagine all of the overwhelming stimulation they receive starting with the birth itself, but then to be laid down all ALONE?!  Uhm, where did everybody go?!  Mama!?!?  Where ARE you?!  I am scared, cold, & unsure of the new world around me!!  That sure sounds scary to me & I am big girl; can you just imagine how unsettling that would be for a baby?!  Of course, older babies & children, while they aren't immediately recovering from the awesome adventure of coming earthside, they still greatly need that closeness, security, & love too.  

That is where babywearing comes in!!  When worn, a child's needs are able to be known & met as fast as possible because they are known promptly (trust me on this one... a child in a carrier of some sort will let you know if they are hungry, tired, wet, dry, etc.).  Over the years I have worn ring slings, pouch slings, mei tais (no, not the drink!), framed backpacks, soft structured carriers (SSC), wraps, etc.  I have tried them all!  Certainly not every brand, but I have tried pretty much every type of carrier out there.  They all have pros & cons.  Some are more comfortable for a newborn or smaller child, while some are more practical for an older baby or child.  Some are adaptable for a newborn to a larger child, but require expensive add-ons, such as an infant insert, to do so.

Enter the Boba 3G!!

I can't even tell you how ECSTATIC I was when chosen to review the Boba 3G.  I was given my choice of colors & I chose Montenegro (black), but Camouflage & Tweet were close behind in my color choices (you can check out the other fabulous color choices here).  I actually really like all of the colors the 3G comes in, but I knew Mr. Lee would wear Montenegro or Camouflage rather than a floral or cutesy pattern, so I wanted to be sure to think of him when choosing the color.  Also, anybody who knows me knows that my favorite color is black (unless we are talking food, in which case it is chocolate, hands down) because it hides stains & is slimming. 

The Boba 3G has so many great features (check them out here)...I have finally found my favorite carrier!!  It is extremely versatile & doesn't need a costly, add-on infant insert yet is usable from birth through toddlerhood (7-45 lbs), comes with a removable hood (for a napping child and / or for protection in inclement weather), has adjustable, removable stirrups to provide extra leg support for older & taller children (which is a HUGE plus for me because we have very tall children), adjusts very easily for people of various heights & sizes (mama, daddy, older siblings, grandma, aunts, uncles, etc.), has a few pouches to store things in, can be worn on the front with the child facing in or on the back like a backpack, the straps can be loosened to allow for easy, discreet nursing, etc.  It is absolutely FABULOUS!!

We have been sure to really give it a good test period & have worn the 3G to the store, warehouse clubs, church, rummage sales, sporting classes & events, the park, an amusement park, a waterpark, on walks, hikes, at a picnic, frequently at home (at least once or twice a day), & I am sure I have forgotten other places, but you get the idea.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the Boba 3G is nice & soft, which means no rub marks on baby's delicate skin and it is comfortable for baby & the wearer.  I also have an Ergo Performance (Boba 3G & Ergo Performance side by side comparison review coming soon), but have not reached for it one time since my Boba 3G arrived... not one time... & I was wearing it everyday prior to getting the Boba 3G!

There is only one thing about it that has room for some improvement which would make the Boba 3G the absolute perfect baby carrier ever in my eyes & that is the zippered pocket, which is large enough to keep the removable hood in when not being utilized. When the hood is in the pocket it is bulky & it causes a bulge that goes into the back rest area. It isn't an issue for us though because I have found that since my LO is frequently dozing when worn in the 3G anyway, I just keep the hood hanging down so I can grab it & secure the baby's head as soon as he falls asleep. I absolutely LOVE the 3G & the hood pocket is not an issue for me. I just mentioned it though because it may be a bigger for someone else. The pocket is certainly still very handy for other smaller, items like keys, teething tablets, a cell phone, teether, etc.  

Overall I give the Boba 3G 5 stars & would very highly recommend it to anybody looking for a soft structured carrier!!  Be sure to check out Boba's website as they have many other wonderful products (I am personally eying the teething pads for the shoulder straps as my little one loves to suck on the straps), in addition to the 3G.  Boba can also be found on Facebook & Twitter so be sure to stop by & tell them you heard about them from Mama Lee @ All Things Mine & Yours.


 Boba Inc. provided a Boba 3G carrier for my review and my unbiased review is based upon my experiences with it & was not influenced by any outside factor.


Have you ever worn a child??  Do you currently wear a child??  If so, what is your favorite carrier??  What is your favorite color choice for the Boba 3G or any of their other great products??