Feb

Bravado Designs Full Cup Collection

Bravado Designs offers a line of full bust styles to accommodate the maternity and nursing stages. The full cup size range is designed for women with smaller band sizes and fuller cup sizes. The following styles are available in a full cup option:

Maternity and Nursing:

Original Nursing Bra (also available in Extended Cup)

Body Silk Seamless

Intrigue

Plunge

Original Pumping and Nursing Bra

Ballet (suitable for maternity, nursing and everyday)

Everyday collection:

Sculpt

Muse

Our panel had the opportunity to test drive the Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra and the Ballet Bra.

The Ballet Bralette

The Ballet is a very versatile bralette which will appeal to a wide variety of women. The crossover plunge style provides light support for maternity, nursing and well beyond. The Ballet bralette does not have a back closure so one can either pull it over your head or step into it and pull it up for easy on and off. Nursing access is achieved by simply pulling away the fabric which will appeal to those with dexterity issues as there are no clips to fuss with. The wider bottom band provides additional support and comfort. The fabric of the bra is OEKO-TEX certified and is uniquely made from recycled nylon externally and a soft TENCEL modal lining on the inside for comfort.

Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra

The Body Silk Seamless bra is thoughtfully designed for the maternity and nursing stages. The nylon/spandex material with 360 degree stretch and clever cup design will accommodate a changing bust size effortlessly. The foam inserts are full removable. The seamless wire-free design adds to the comfort of this bra. When you are expecting, fasten the bra on the tightest hook and as your body grows and your rib cage expands, you can progress towards the loosest hook. When breastfeeding, fasten the bra towards the looser hook and as your rib cage reduces, you will be able to use a tighter setting. Our tester received this bra in a size M-FULL CUP and it has 4 different width options with 4 hooks, which offer additional support in the band. To nurse, simply access the high quality Bravado B Nursing Clips and the bra cup will fully drop away for quick and easy feeding.

The knit-in support zones around the cup provide an effortless uplift which is remarkable given that this bra is wireless. All materials are OEKO-TEX certified to ensure that no harmful substances are in the garment. Overall, this bra was our test panel favourite for superior design, uplift, easy access nursing and most of all, comfort. Available in a variety of beautiful colours, sure to appeal to everyone.

Also available are matching seamless panties.

PURCHASING:

Click here to find a store near you or shop online from the comfort of your home via the Bravado UK online store.

9 months ago Short URL

Uncategorized

Jan

HEALTHY HOME SERIES 2023: Sleep and Beyond: Visionique™ Certified Organic Comforters

HISTORY

It was the year of 1992 when in an industrial city of Bishkek, the beautiful capital of Kyrgyz Republic – “Heaven for Organics”; seven siblings put their first bale of sheep wool into process and manufactured their first bedding products. During then they had one inspired mission: bring a woolen industry of Kyrgyz Republic to the World level.

Today more than 20,000 comforters, 20,000 sheet sets, 5,000 pillows, 3,000 mattress pads can be produced monthly at the Sleep and Beyond manufacturing plants spread throughout the beautiful mountainous Kyrgyz Republic. We can proudly say that we are doing our job great and will continue to improve the quality of our products, expand our markets and bring healthier natural bedding products to you and your family.

ADVANTAGES OF USING WOOL:

The organic merino wool filled comforters from Sleep and Beyond offers many advantages over Down and Synthetic Comforters.

Click here to view learn more.

CERTIFICATION

Organic wool production is a whole chain of rules and regulations set by NOP, the National Organic Program of the USDA that needs to be strictly followed in order to get the wool fiber certified organic. Some of the crucial and important criteria for organic wool production vs. conventional wool production are using organic feed, producing the wool without the use of pesticides and herbicides, taking care of the animals without synthetic medicine, paying strict attention to how many animals can be grazed on a particular land area, and independent, third-party certification as well as lab testing to ensure we’re meeting all those requirements.

The National Organic Program requires accurate and comprehensive documentation of each step on the farm to assure organic traceability. Overall, the whole organic wool production chain must be certified by an independent third party certification agency accredited by USDA to have the wool fiber labeled as organic. In addition to pasture and sheep monitoring, we send a sample of our organic wool and wool products to

WOOLMARK, an international independent and reputable certification agency in England, and Associated Laboratories in Pasadena, California, for chemical testing. When a product carries a WOOLMARK label, you can be confident of quality, performance and value for your money. Only licensed manufacturers can use the WOOLMARK label. WOOLMARK guarantees fiber content and has provided quality assurance for over four decades.

This is the list of our certifications:

USDA NOP, WOOLMARK, OKO TEX 100, CONTROL UNION, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards), ISO 9001, and ASSOCIATED LABS.

Sleep and Beyond: Visionique Certified Organic Comforters:

Our exclusive product line is considered to be the World’s First USDA NOP, WOOLMARK, OKO TEX 100, CONTROL UNION, GOTS, ISO 9001, and ASSOCIATED LABS certified organic. It has been tested to be completely free of nasty carcinogenic chemicals, arsenic, and VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). These chemicals are found in regular bedding and may cause allergies and asthma. Filled with fine silky certified organic merino wool and covered under luxurious great for skin certified organic cotton sateen, our comforters are great alternatives to down and polyester bedding at affordable prices. Feel the merino difference: the length, the softness, and the finesse of the fiber that no other can compare to.

PURCHASING:

*Purchase the full range directly from Sleep and Beyond: www.sleepandbeyond.com

BEFORE BUYING ANY WOOL PRODUCT:

Sleep and Beyond encourages shoppers to do their research before they buy any type of bedding and shift to organic, eco-friendly, recyclable, fair trade products.

“Those products might cost a bit more because of the higher cost of raw materials; however, they are much better return for their money and overall health. Organic industry is a fair trade, sustainable industry from start to finish that is creating hundreds of equal paid jobs every year. It is good for you and for the planet!”

Success Through Play™ comments:

We are very pleased to introduce you to Sleep and Beyond, a company which produces beautiful, eco-friendly merino wool products, which have been thoroughly tested to ensure that they are free of harmful chemicals. Usually, when a company decides to submit their products for certification, they will often select one certification association. Sleep and Beyond has chosen to have their products certified by several top notch certification associations, which is a true testament to the companies integrity and commitment to producing the safest products for you and your family. It has been our great pleasure to communicate with Sleep and Beyond; they responded quickly to our inquiries and have proved themselves to be a very reputable company.

The vast majority of merino wool in this world comes from Australia, where a cruel procedure called “mulesing” is commonly performed on the sheep, in an attempt to “reduce the incidence of flystrike on merino sheep.” The merino wool from Sleep and Beyond comes from merino sheep who graze the beautiful mountainous Kyrgyz Republic, where flystrike is not a concern due to the cold location, thus mulesing is NOT performed on these sheep.

Many wool products on the market are of poor quality and contain harmful chemicals. The organic merino wool from Sleep and Beyond is in a completely new category and is THE leading producer of healthy merino wool products the world over. Sleep and Beyond have coined the term “WoolGanique™” which is “our exclusive certified organic merino wool fiber used as a filling for our Visonique™ collection. It is grown on our merino sheep and is one of the top finest, softest, and purest wool fibers available in the wool market.

Wool has inherent properties which make it a desirable commodity. Wool does not attract dust mites, mold or mildew, making it ideal for use in bedding products. Wool regulates body temperature by ensuring the body gets to a comfortable sleeping temperature more quickly and stays there for longer.

Sleep and Beyond sent us a King Size Organic Wool Comforter for this article and we pleased to share our experience with this product.

The comforter is beautifully made and suitable for year round use. The comforter is made from USDA & WOOLMARK certified organic superfine merino wool fiber which is enclosed in a luxurious certified organic cotton sateen, 300TC fabric. It arrives with a handy travel/storage bag which resembles a backpack, complete with 2 straps for easy transport! With proper care, these merino wool comforters can be passed down from generation to generation, making it a worthwhile and healthy investment.

Our testers shared their experience with this comforter:

“I have difficulty getting a full nights sleep. I wake up in the middle of the night because I am too warm and then a few hours later because I am too cold and it goes back and forth, leaving my exhasuted when my alarm clock wakes me up. I had been using a synthetic comforter up until now and realize that this has been contributing to my poor nights sleep. I was very eager to test out the Sleep and Beyond Comforter and most impressed to learn about the unique properties of their Woolganique. From the very first night that I slept under the cover, I immediately noticed a difference in my comfort and quality of sleep. I wouldn’t awaken during the night, because I found that my body was kept at a nice comfy temperature. The comforter feel very luxurious and vastly superior to the synthetic one that I had used up until now. While it is more expensive compared to the synthetic comforter, it allows me a full nights sleep, which is priceless. Sleep is vitally important to your health and having a poor nights sleep, on a regular basis can be very damaging to your health. I attribute the Sleep and Beyond Merino Wool Comforter to helping me regularly attain a great nights sleep. The comforter is Oeko-Tex certified and has met additional certifications, which assures me that this comforter is free of harmful chemicals, which gives me one less thing to worry about. This product is superbly made and of the highest quality and I will be proud to pass this comforter down to the next generation. Thank you Sleep and Beyond.”

“Up until this point, I had been using a down comforter. I had recently read a study which pointed out that down feathers have naturally occurring bacteria which can aggravate respiratory problems. As we are heading into peak allergy season, where pollen counts are at their highest, I didn’t want to take any chances. I was delighted to test the Organic Comforter. What immediately struck me is the heirloom quality feel about the Visionique comforter. It is very well made and of a very high quality. Despite the fluctuating temperatures outside, I stayed stable under the comforter and I loved the sensation of the organic cotton against my skin. Organic cotton is soft and luxurious and I think that everyone deserves to sleep in comfort. The soft merino filling was pure heaven and I am pleased to report that along with preventative measures such as sinus rinsing, I am tackling the allergy season head on and have experienced very little discomfort, which is a marvelous achievement for me. I can rest easy knowing that wool does not attract dust mites, mold or mildew which means better health for me. Thank you!”

Sleep and beyond will be offering an organic cotton cover for the comforter, along with additional wool products in the coming months. A cover is recommended, to keep the comforter clean. Airing wool in the sunlight for a few hours every few months is recommended. Alternatively, if you live near an eco-friendly dry cleaner, wool can be cared for this way, however it must never be washed.

Sleep and Beyond will be expanding their merino wool line to offer additional high quality, healthy wool products including:

Organic Felted Merino Wool Cell Phone Case, Organic Felted Merino Wool Universal/ Carry Case, Organic Felted Merino Wool, Universal Phone Case, Organic Felted, Merino Wool Round Hat “Dopy”, Organic Felted Merino Wool Cap, Organic Felted Merino Wool, Bag, Medium Size Organic Felted Merino Wool Bag-Large Size, Organic Felted Merino Wool Baby Shoes and Organic Felted Merino Wool Slippers

Sleep and Beyond has a terrific website where you can learn more about their products. Visit www.sleepandbeyond.com for further info.

Photographs used with permission from Sleep and Beyond.

10 months ago Short URL

Health/Home/Organic/Wool

Jan

Funky Fat Choc Review and Giveaway!

Louisa Mesquita Bakka, Founder of Funky Fat Foods

Louisa Mesquita Bakker founded Funky Fat Foods 5 years ago after adopting a low carb, high fat lifestyle in order to address and successfully manage a health condition. Louisa has created a gourmet line of chocolate bars which are keto friendly, plant based, soy, sugar, gluten and trans fat free. The chocolate bars are made with very clean ingredients and have organic cacao, organic MCT powder and organic erythritol as the main ingredients which sets these bars apart from others on the market.

While traditional chocolate bars are laden with low quality cocoa, unhealthy sugars and artificial sweeteners which will spike your blood sugar, funky fat choc bars are made with 4 or 5 clean ingredients and average 2.5 net carbs per bar which is truly remarkable. Funky Fat Choc Bars are made in the Netherlands and as with all EU packaged products, the total carbs have already been subtracted from the fibre. Net carbs can be calculated by subtracting the polyols (e.g. erythritol) from the total carbs.

The Funky Fat Choc line currently consists of 5 delicious flavours: White Chocolate 48% and Bourbon Vanilla, Coconut, Dark Chocolate 70% and Coffee, Dark Chocolate 75% and Dark Chocolate 71% and Hazelnut. Our taste test panel unanimously agree that the chocolate bars are exceptionally creamy and richly flavoured with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The bars are sweetened to perfection and are the ideal treat to finish off your meal.

Funky Fat Foods Coconut, White Chocolate

The White Chocolate bar 48% and Bourbon Vanilla, is a healthy take on the traditional sugar laden and highly processed white chocolate bars from our youth. This rich and creamy bar has a lovely Bourbon Vanilla flavour which will transport you to a tropical island and remind you of a carefree summer holiday. For readers who are sensitive to caffeine, but are craving something creamy, this white chocolate bar is a great choice. The Dark Chocolate 71% and Coconut, will appeal to all the coconut lovers out there. The subtle coconut flakes pair perfectly with the rich, creamy and smooth dark chocolate and is the perfect flavour to reach for when you want something a little bit different.

The Dark Chocolate 70% and Coffee is the flavour to reach for when you need a little pick me up in the morning. The coffee granules add a little crunch to the bite and the mocha flavour is not overwhelming like other coffee bars on the market. The balance between the rich, smooth and creamy dark chocolate and coffee is sheer perfection and this flavour is sure to be a favourite choice amongst our readers. The Dark Chocolate 75% was very well received by our panel and a standout winner. If you have ever tried your hand at making dark chocolate at home, you will appreciate how extraordinarily difficult it is to create a smooth and well balanced bar with the right texture. The Dark Chocolate 75% strikes the perfect balance between creaminess, sweetness and luxurious melt in your mouth texture that it is sure to be the flavour that you will reach for time and time again.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Dark Chocolate 71% Hazelnut, which has a subtle nutty hazelnut flavour and is a lovely choice if you are in the mood for something nutty. Our panel loved all the flavours but the Dark Chocolate 75%, Coconut and Dark Chocolate 70% and Coffee were clear favourites.

The Funky Fat Choc line will appeal to all chocolate lovers but particularly to readers with diabetes, those who are following a low carb or keto lifestyle and those who are health conscious and seek out food items with healthy and clean ingredients.

GIVEAWAY:

Courtesy of Funky Fat Foods, we have one variety box of chocolate bars (2 x each of the 5 flavours) to giveaway to one lucky reader.

Congratulations to Paula M from Wales.

PURCHASING:

Please visit the online shop to purchase your box of chocolates. If you are new to this line, we highly recommend purchasing the variety pack in order to sample each of the 5 delicious flavours and then you decide if you would like to purchase single flavour boxes.

The Funky Fats Foods website has recipes to support a keto and low carb website.

11 months ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle/Health/keto/Organic

Dec

BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light

With the peak travel season just around the corner, families are busy making holiday plans and deciding where to stay at their destination. Whether you plan to stay at a hotel, motel or resort, give some thought to where you little one will be sleeping while on holiday.

Most travelling families use cots and play yards provided by motels and hotels. Estimates show that children under age 2 spend more than 7 million nights per year in hotels, motels and resorts. In an ongoing investigation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National SAFE KIDS® Campaign found unsafe cots and play yards in the majority of hotels they visited around the country. The UK and other European countries are no different. In several random surveys from 2001-2006, Safe Kids Worldwide found many hotel-issued cots to be defective, damaged or even recalled from the market. From motels to luxury resorts, SAFE KIDS found that four out of five of the hotels they checked had cots with at least one safety hazard including: loose hardware; soft bedding, comforters or pillows that could cause suffocation; or adult-sized sheets that pose a strangulation and suffocation hazard. So even if you are staying at a very pricey, upscale hotel, don’t assume that the cots that they will provide you with are any safer. Surprising, is that at the time of the investigation, only one hotel chain committed to making a concerted effort to providing safe cots at their hotels, while the remaining hotels, motels and resorts did not.

Instead of playing Russian roulette and waiting to see what kind of cot your hotel will provide you with on the day (some may not have any on site or not enough to go around), why not take the initiative and plan ahead. Introducing the BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light, the innovative lightweight travel cot which will change the way that you go on holiday with your child forever. Used correctly, the Travel Cot Light from BABYBJÖRN is the safest travel cot on the market, bar none. Photo (right) Copyright BABYBJÖRN

The innovative BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is true to its name and weighs in at just 5kg/11lbs, making it lightweight enough to transport with ease. The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light comes in its own carry case which measures 24″ x 19″ x 7″ complete with a sturdy carry strap.

Once you have arrived at your destination, setting up the BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light couldn’t be any easier or any quicker. Simply unzip the carrying case and remove the contents from the bag. Set the mattress aside and holding the travel cot frame in both hands, unfold with one swift movement. Check to make sure that the legs are fully extended and locked into place and then place the mattress inside the cot. That is it, you are done! Even a pregnant mom can set it up with lightening speed, as demonstrated in this demo.

The exceptional Swedish engineering enables the Travel Cot Light to unfold in one swift movement, which is truly remarkable. Even though the Travel Cot weighs in at just 5 kg, the unique design and solid construction makes it very stable. The mattress cover and fabric parts that come into contact with your baby meet Oeko-Tex standards, so parents can rest easy knowing that no harmful chemicals are coming into contact with your baby. The fabric components of the travel cot are easy to remove and are washable. The mattress measures 42 x 24 in and features a water repellent mattress cover to protect it from accidents. Travelling can be especially tough on little ones and adding to that a strange new environment which can push your baby into sensory overload. Bringing your own travel cot which your baby is familiar with, can help ease the anxiety of travel, and despite the new surroundings, baby is sleeping in his own familiar travel cot which can help to calm and soothe him.

BABYBJÖRN offers an organic cotton fitted sheet (Oeko-Tex certified) which is designed to fit the travel cot mattress perfectly, ensuring a snug and safe fit. Baby will love the soft organic cotton against his skin.

Folding the travel cot is just as easy. Reach in and remove the mattress and place it in the carry bag. Then flip the cot over and following the printed diagram, proceed to fold each leg of the cot so that they criss cross each other. Fold the cot in half and place it inside the mattress, zip the bag and you are ready to go.

The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is very versatile and will prove to be invaluable during sleepovers at grandmas house, or simply nap times at home so that mom can keep a close eye on baby during the day, while continuing with the household chores.

The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is ideal for newborns to age 3 and is currently available in a 4 colour choices. For purchasing information, please click here

For additional information, please visit: www.babybjorn.co.uk

Select photographs are Copyright BABYBJÖRN. Please see above.

11 months ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle/baby/travel

baby/BabyBjorn/Cot/Crib/hotel/travel

Nov

Travel Edition: Bastien Gonzalez Mani Pedi One&Only Spa – Cape Town, South Africa

The Award Winning One&Only Cape Town Hotel and Resort boasts stunning views of Table Mountain and is superbly situated at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

One&Only Spa

A member of our panel was kindly treated to a Bastien Gonzalez Duo (Manicure & Pedicure) at the One&Only Spa, the ultimate in luxury and total relaxation.

Bastien Gonzalez Mani Pedi

No more old fashioned aggressive sand paper emery boards
No harsh foot files
No painful cuticles post treatment – due to harsh cutting or clipping
No aggressive blading or cutting of skins
No harsh chemicals from traditional varnish
No infections from inferior sterilization of tools and foot spa’s

Bastien Gonzalez, a French Podiatrist, has developed an innovative and holistic manicure and pedicure which is exclusively available at One&Only Spas Worldwide.

For the mani pedi option, both the hands and the feets will be simultaneously worked on by 2 staff members. The talented staff use a waterless technique to perform the mani pedi which is truly unique to the Bastian Gonzalez Mani Pedi. In addition, diamond head tools are used and the cuticles are not cut or pushed back and no pumice stone is used as per tradtional mani pedis. The staff offer guidance for home care and also tips for maintaining healthy and beautiful skin and nails. Bastien himself visits each salon regularly to ensure that the all the staff are properly trained and this translates to excellent customer experience. The piece de resistance is the wide range of nail polish used to complete the mani pedi with many beautiful colours on offer. Our tester was pleasantly surprised that the nail polish didn’t have any nasty odour as is typical with nail polish and best of all, the nail polish performed beautifully and was long lasting. The mani pedi took about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete and as an extra bonus, our tester was offered some luxurious chocolates to complete her spa experience. When asked to describe the experience, our tester replied “outstanding”.

We highly recommend booking an appointment at the One&Only Spa and treating yourself or a loved one to a Bastien Gonzalez Mani Pedi (available separately as well), which will change the way you care for your nails.

For additional information and to book, please click here.

+27 21 431 5800

All images copyrighted One&Only

1 year ago Short URL

Beauty/Health/travel

Bastien Gonzalez/One&Only Spa

Aug

My Carry Potty with free potty training book

Toilet training is often feared by both parents and toddlers, especially when out and about, but with the right attitude, tools and plenty of patience and positive reassurance, you will be able to tackle this complex skill with success. Martha Sears, RN, co-author of The Baby Book, recommends waiting until your child is ready before starting potty training. Here are some signs which may indicate that your child is ready for potty training:

Your child becomes aware of his/her elimination
Your child signals that he wants to be changed after a poopy nappy
Your child expresses the need for “alone time” to eliminate in private
Your child requests assistance with changing after elimination
Your child is staying dry for longer periods of time
Your child can follow simple instructions

A child will often display these signs around age 2, which is the also the age when a child will start to assert their independence. If a new baby comes along at this time, it may make potty training difficult. It is very important to follow your child’s lead and take cues from him. Remember that you are your child’s teacher and you should never punish them. Once a child becomes aware of his functions, it will be easier to direct him to a potty chair. Try to approach potty training with a light hearted approach as being anxious will only make your child feel anxious. Have faith in your child and allow him to take the lead.

Potty Chairs offers many advantages over a regular toilet, when you are beginning potty training. A child may be afraid of the “big white toilet with the swirling water” so starting with a potty chair is a good idea. Having a potty chair on hand means that you won’t need to find a toilet in time, resulting in less overall stress. A potty chair is sized just right for toddlers and far safer than climbing onto a toilet which is oversized and too tall for them. Many potty chairs are colourful and appealing for children who can take ownership of them.

Amanda Jenner, inventor of My Carry Potty, recommends introducing the idea of potty training through story telling. Amanda has authored a brand new potty training book called “George and Hollie and the Magic Carry Potties.” George and Hollie are twins who are about to embark on their potty training journey. Follow the twins as they select their new potty chairs, pants and learn about the trials and errors of potty training. This beautifully illustrated book is the perfect introduction to potty training and will help parents introduce the idea of potty training and initiate a discussion about the topic with their child. This fun book comes complete with a reward chart and stickers to make the process fun and to provide positive reinforcement. The potty training book comes free with the purchase of the My Carry Potty.

Available in 3 bold and bright colours: pink, yellow and blue.

My Carry Potty

My Carry Potty is the new solution to potty training. It’s lightweight, leak-proof and completely bag-free. It’s designed with a unique lid that provides a completely watertight seal. Made from a high quality, durable plastic that’s easy on the eye and it’s easy to keep clean. Your My Carry Potty has a strong seal to prevent leaks. To open My Carry Potty, place it on a firm, horizontal surface with the handle facing away from you. Push the button, and firmly pull the top open. You’ll find that My Carry Potty then opens smoothly, with no splashes.

My Carry Potty has a unique design that is leak proof

Care Instructions

Wash your My Carry Potty with hot, soapy water and spray with a steriliser after each use.
Do not use bleach on My Carry Potty.

Specs

The My Carry Potty is very lightweight and weighs just 685g when empty.
Measures 22.5cm wide, 25cm long and 12.5cm deep.

Road Test

The My Carry Potty is a very innovative portable potty which boasts a very unique design unlike any other portable potty on the market. The My Carry Potty was designed with both parent, child and the environment in mind. The My Carry Potty is designed to hang over your pushchair or be carried by your child. The well designed handle is kid friendly and ease for little hands to grip. When the time comes for your child to go potty, you won’t need to look for a bathroom. Simply find a discreet spot and let your child go potty. The My Carry Potty doesn’t use any plastic bags which are expensive and very unkind to the environment. Now this is when the design of the My Carry Potty really becomes apparent. You simply close the lid of the My Carry Potty (you will hear a distinctive click) sealing in the contents until such time as you can empty the potty at a public toilet or even at home. A quick rinse and the My Carry Potty is available for use again. The My Carry Potty will make outings and adventures so much less stressful as you won’t have to look for a toilet. Public toilets can be very dirty and having the My Carry Potty will allow parents to bypass the dirty toilets. In addition as many parents know, even if a clean public toilet is in the near vicinity, when your child expresses the need to go potty, he needs to go NOW and is unable to wait often even the few minutes it takes to get to the nearby toilet. The My Carry Potty is wonderful for home use, nursery and any outdoor outing, including outings at the beach.

The My Carry Potty is the new essential tool for parents and children and can be utilised both at home and when out and about, making it the ideal potty for children. For parents who are practising Elimination Communication, the My Carry Potty is the best designed travel potty and is highly recommended.

Kid friendly design

Potty Training Tips

Involve your child in choosing the potty so that he becomes part of the process from the very beginning.
Encourage your child to practice sitting on the potty in order to get used to it
Place the potty where your child spends most of his time. This way your child can become familiar with the potty and it become part of the furniture.
Point out the potty to your child so that he becomes aware of it.
Introduce a reward system and make a reward chart together with your child.
Identify something really special that your child would like as a reward and provide plenty of praise, positive fun potty training stories and stickers to encourage him along the way.
Go shopping together with your child and let him pick out a few pairs of training pants that are easy for him to take off. Start with less clothes and work up to more.
Once your child is completely dry during the day, you can tackle potty training at night. Switch to training pants to begin with.

PURCHASING

The My Carry Potty with free potty training book is available from Cheeky Rascals. Visit the My Carry Potty and click on “Buy Now”.

Cheeky Rascals believe that with the right products parenting becomes a little easier. Cheeky Rascals has hand picked clever, quality nursery brands for you to enjoy.

All images copyrighted My Carry Potty.

1 year ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle/baby/Potty Training

Jun

Silver Cross Reflex Pushchair

Silver Cross, introduces the new Reflex, the most advanced stroller in the world. Packed with innovation, the fold up stroller is suitable from birth to toddler and converts into a lightweight pram and travel system. Weighing in at just 8.5kg, this feature packed pushchair is a stand out in its lightweight class.

Lets take a closer look at this innovative pushchair.

Silver Cross Reflex Pushchair

Handlebars:

Never underestimate the importance of ergonomic handle bars when reviewing a pushchair prior to purchase. In fact, we think that examining the handle bars is one the first things that you should look for when selecting a pushchair, not the last! Parents often focus on everything besides the handle bars. You will be logging in hundreds upon hundreds of kilometres while gripping the handle bars so please give careful attention and thought to them.

Your posture while pushing a pushchair is a critical element that needs to be considered. Quite simply, if you are not maintaining a good posture when you are pushing a pushchair, you may very well find yourself developing back and shoulder pain. Glance in the mirror when you are pushing your pushchair and note if your shoulders are relaxed in a neutral position vs. hunched. How does your body feel after you have been pushing the pushchair?

The Silver Cross Reflex features adjustable handle bars, so now parents of different heights will both be able to use this pushchair comfortably while maintaining perfect posture.

The Hood:

The large well designed hood on the Reflex is fantastic, and very rarely seen on an umbrella style pushchair. The protective hood extends fully (unzip the extension) all the down to the bumper bar to protect your little one from the elements, as well as from sensory overload and can be locked into place for added security. The extended hood will also come in handy when your baby is tired and needs to take a nap, blocking out the light and stimulation. The hood is made from a material which offers UPF50+ sun protection for maximum protection from the heat.

Viewing window:

A large viewing window on the rear of the hood allows parents to view their child clearly and keep a close eye on their baby. The breathable mesh panels on the side of the hood are designed for promoting air flow and cooling during the summer.

Seat Recline:

The silent recline system offers the option of 4 backrest positions from upright all the way to lie flat position which is the best in its class. This is truly a unique feature of a pushchair which is this compact.

Ergonomic Curved Seat Back:

The Ergonomic curved seat back keeps baby separate from the structure, creating comfort and air flow. This unique design ensures that your child is comfortable when seated in the pushchair.

Bumper:

The articulating bumper bar is designed to give baby something to hold on to during the day and after hours, it folds down with the Reflex to an amazingly small size. A bumper bar is very handy to have when baby leans forward, offering additional protection.

Seat Dimensions

Wide and spacious seat dimensions:

*width of seat 35cm
*height of back rest 50cm
*depth of seat 22cm
*length of calf support 17cm

The washable liner is a great feature that caregivers will appreciate. This will enable caregivers to keep the stroller clean and sparkling despite baby’s many messes.

5 Point Safety Harness

The Reflex features a 5 point safely harness and comfort pads.

The harness system is well designed to allow you to safely secure your little one in the pushchair. There is a small learning curve for using this harness but with a little practice you will soon become a pro.

Safety lighting system:

LED safety lights on either side with 3 modes: constant, flash and rotate.

The safety lighting system is a truly unique feature from Silver Cross and will provide caregivers some additional security when being out and about when it is dark outside. The LED system is designed to make the pushchair more visible at night.

Adjustable Calf Support:

The adjustable calf support allows caregivers to adjust the calf support to the height of the child.

Wheels and Basket:

The Reflex features 4 x double sided wheels which glide smoothly along a variety of terrains. The puncture free swivel tyres offer peace of mind.

The underneath basket is a nice size and can accommodate some baby essentials such as a blanket, a few toys and some mum essentials.

Breaks:

The break system is well designed with the break being easy to engage and disengage.

The fold:

Simple one-handed compact fold

Locks in folded position

Dimensions folded: H35 x W61 x L86cm

Included accessories:

A warm and cosy matching footmuff is included with each Reflex. The deep padded footmuff is designed to keep your baby warm during cold weather outings.

The raincover fits securely over the Reflex pushchair and will protect the child keeping him nice and dry despite the rain.

Optional Accessories (purchase separately)

Newborn Accessory Pack

The Reflex Accessory Pack contains the essential coordinating accessories required for your Reflex pushchair in rearward-facing, pram system use.

Newborn Pack Contents:

The pack includes a protective hood with reflective fabric trim, a protective, lightweight, pullout apron that zips on to your Reflex, and a deeply padded babynest in softly-quilted, natural bamboo jersey.

Dual Purpose Apron:

The deeply-padded apron (that comes with your Reflex) can also be used in rearward-facing pram mode for extra warmth during cold weather.

SilverCrossBassinettNestStrap

Babynest:

The beautiful soft jersey babynest features a 5-point safety harness, with wonderfully soft shoulder and buckle pads to keep your baby comfortable.

Hood Down

Hood Up

Travel System:

The Reflex pushchair can be used as a travel system with the Silver Cross Simplicity Car Seat. This is the only car seat which is compatible with the pushchair.

Road Test:

We invited our parent panel to test the Reflex in a variety of outdoor environments. Here are some of their comments:

“The Reflex feels solid and very well made. It is light to push around and easy to maneuver on all terrains. It glides very smoothly on the pavement. The hood is fantastic and extends out to really far positions so it is perfect to block out the sun. Simply unzip the hood to extend it completely to cover the pram. The seat recline system has many options and easily adjusts according to the needs of my child. The bumper bar comes in handy when my child wants to lean forward, keeping him safe. The included footmuff keeps my toddler warm and snug despite the breezy cold weather. The raincover fits well without having to worry about it flying off. The pushchair is very easy to fold up and down. The newborn kit mattress is well padded for comfort and comes complete with a harness. This extra security design will allow my baby to sleep without me worrying about the baby moving around too much.”

Weight Limit:

The Reflex can accommodate children up to 25kg in weight. The Reflex is available in a variety of colours.

“The ultimate test is that my toddler loved being in the pushchair so much so that he continues to request to ride in this pushchair over our other ones and has now become his new favourite pushchair.”

Overall, the Reflex Pushchair from Silver Cross is an excellent choice and with the addition of the newborn pack, the pushchair can be used from day 1 all the way through the toddler years. The unique design, compact and lightweight construction complete with innovative safety features makes the Reflex Pushchair our top pick for Spring/Summer 2014.

Demonstration Video

Click here

For additional information, please visit the Silver Cross Website.

1 year ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle/pushchairs

May

Organic Baby Carrier by Boba

There are many benefits to carrying your baby in a carrier. Studies indicate that babies who are carried in a carrier CRY LESS compared to those that aren’t. In our modern society of expensive and trendy strollers and other “containers”, it is a pity that many parents are unaware of the concept of carrying your baby in a carrier, which costs a fraction of the cost of most strollers and offers many more benefits. Lets examine some of the sensory and motor experiences of babywearing and contrast them with the same baby in a stroller. A baby in a stroller is physically away from mom/dad’s body, and usually can’t see his parents or smell them or even hear their voices. He lies passively on his back in his stroller, and may be confused and even disoriented, with no human touch to soothe or reassure him. A baby positioned correctly in a carrier is worn close to mom/dad’s body. He can feel their heartbeat, see their faces, hear them talk, smell them and is reassured by their touch. Bonding occurs without any hassles and successful breastfeeding is more likely with baby being carried against mom’s body. The baby in the carrier is not lying flat on his back, but rather in a range of positions which will place less pressure on his skull, reducing his risk of developing plagiocephaly. He moves with mom/dad and in turn receives vestibular stimulation. He is actively engaging his muscles as he shifts to maintain his balance as mom/dad move. He is working on developing his head control and strengthening his muscles, unlike the baby in the stroller, who remains passively on his back. The baby in the carrier is receiving what is essentially a swaddling like effect in the carrier which calms him via proprioceptive input to his joints. Mom/dad are more in tune with his needs, as they are very close to him. He can look up and see their faces.

There are many soft carriers on the market to select from. We have previously featured the Boba Baby Wrap, one of our favorite wraps and today we are focusing on the Boba Baby Carrier. Introducing the 3G Baby Carrier from Boba. Boba is a Soft Structured Carrier (SSC) that is intended for babies and children between 7-45lbs. Carry options include both front and back carry. The Boba Baby Carrier is available in a regular and organic version. We will be highlighting the Organic Baby Carrier today. The Organic Baby Carrier is available in 3 different color options: Chestnut, Pine and Walnut. The Boba Organic carriers are made with 100% Organic cotton and are free from any potential harmful materials or dyes.

The 3G Baby Carrier offers some significant improvements over the past 1G and 2G models, per the chart below:

Boba offers several innovative features not seen on other carriers:

The foot straps attached to the waist belt keep older children comfortable while enabling a healthy sitting position. The footstraps not only give tired little legs a rest, but support the legs in a flexed abducted (froglike) position which naturally tilts the pelvis, fills out the hip sockets and aligns the spine.
The new infant conversion option allows you to use the Boba Carrier 3G with babies over 7lbs. The best part is that there is absolutely no insert or accessory needed! Simply follow the instruction booklet included with your Boba Carrier to learn how to use the new Boba Carrier 3G for your newborn.
Boba has a few extra inches of height to keep your center of gravity closer to your body and support your little one’s back. The Boba Carrier 3G is approximately 2-3” higher than other soft structured carriers.
The new 3G design is made to fit parents of all shapes and sizes without purchasing an extension belt or accessory. All straps are fully adjustable, and elastic bands are provided so you can comfortably tuck the straps away once you have the carrier adjusted for you and your child.

NEWBORN HOLD WITH THE 3G

The 3G Boba Baby Carrier is designed to support babies from 7 lbs and up – new insert required. This is unique design is only found on the 3G model.

UNIQUE FEATURES

Organic Baby Carrier Chestnut

Left: Boba is designed with a few extra inches of height to keep your center of gravity closer to your body and support your little one’s back. This in turn reduces shoulder strap pressure and helps you maintain a good posture. In addition, your child has the option to put their arms in or out of the carrier. A purse strap holder on the shoulder straps is a new feature which will allow moms to carry less when running short errands.

Right: The innovative sleeping hood supports baby’s neck in a neutral position during nap times and shields him from the elements. It removes easily for versatility. New for the 3G model are the adjustment straps and zipper pocket on the hood which adjusts to support a newborn hold and adds additional storage respectively.

Organic Baby Carrier Walnut

What makes the Boba very unique is that it features foot straps (attached to the waist belt) for the child’s feet to be placed in, thereby enabling a healthy sitting position for the child. Obtaining the 90-90 posture (approximate joint angles at hip and knee) is favored by many pediatric experts when referencing ergonomic seating positions. The footstraps not only give little tired legs a rest, but support the legs in a flexed abducted (froglike) position. In addition, the foot straps may have a calming effect on fussy babies due to the proprioceptive input to the feet.

Despite the Boba Baby Carrier being very lightweight, it is designed with safety in mind. Correctly worn, the Boba will support baby in an ergonomic position by placing baby in a seated position with abduction of the hips (knees apart) with the weight off the spine with hip flexion greater than 90 degrees (baby’s bottom is lower than knees). This position looks similar to a “squatting position” which toddlers assume throughout the day. For the adult, the well padded wide shoulder straps and the supportive waist band (to be worn on the hip for shorter people) help to distribute baby’s weight evenly, thus minimizing shoulder and back pain. The waistband is now adjustable from 25″-58″ (new extended length) to accommodate most parents. The multiple pockets (new) allow parents to store essential while on the go. Even the most well designed and constructed carrier must be worn correctly to reap the benefits. Our veteran engineer commented that the Boba Carrier is well designed and constructed, is streamlined in design and offers quality finishes and components. The back position requires some practice to hoist baby onto your back, but can be easily mastered by having someone spot you, with the bed and mirror close by for the initial few times.

The fabric is lightweight yet strong and super soft against both the baby and the wearers skin. It is important to select products with organic fabrics whenever possible, as the skin is our largest organ and it readily absorbs chemicals. Conventional cotton is grown with many pesticides and herbicides which can be directly absorbed into the skin when wearing clothing. Organic cotton on the other hand is produced with no chemicals and is a healthier alternative, particularly for baby’s sensitive skin. From an environmental point of view, we only have one earth and we need to do everything that we can to protect it for future generations. Pesticides and chemicals wreak havoc with the earth’s fragile ecosystem and the toxic chemicals end up in our water supply and food chain, which can have disastrous consequences.

Our test panel reported that the carrier felt extremely comfortable to wear throughout their day and made grocery shopping a breeze. The Boba can be tucked away into the waist belt when not in use saving the wearer precious time by not having to put it on and take it off frequently. One parent reported that when wearing baby in the back position, they noticed an improvement in their own posture! In addition, baby fell asleep immediately and when it was time to set her down, they were able to transition her from carrier to crib without her waking. Careful thought, skill and planning has gone into creating this very unique design.

We have reviewed many, many carriers over the years, but this one is very special. Most structured carriers are very heavy and hard to wear in the summer months, but the Boba is well designed for year round use. The new 3G design extends the age range of the carrier from 7-45lbs making it a terrific buy!

Organic Teething Pads

ACCESSORIES

The Boba Organic Teething Pads are made to snap around the shoulder strap of your Boba Baby Carrier. The teething pads are 100% Organic Cotton, reversible and free of potentially-dangerous chemicals and dyes. They’re completely safe for babies who want to chew everything in sight – particularly your Boba Carrier. The Teething Pads are a fantastic accessory and will help to keep your Boba clean and dry while keeping baby content. The Teething pads will reduce the need to wash your entire Boba when baby chews on just the straps, saving you time and energy and keeping your Boba looking new and fresh.

PURCHASING

Buy directly from the online boutique.

All pictures copyrighted Boba.

2 years ago Short URL

baby/babywearing

May

DefenderPad Review

Remember the days before smartphones, tablets, laptops and wifi? These days we have technology at our fingertips to keep up with our fast paced lives, but it may come at a high price to our health and well-being.

Microwave frequency exposure (that of Smartphones, WiFi devices, and more) is a relatively new phenomenon: 100 years ago the background radiation was millions of times lower than it is now, and it is as recent as the mobile phone boom (~1990′s) that the modern, digitally pulsed signals have become ubiquitous in the Western world. Power frequency (50Hz in most of the world, 60Hz in North America) is given off by any appliance or transmission of AC (alternating current) electricity. Electrical wiring creates electric and magnetic power frequency fields throughout houses and other wired buildings, but these levels are usually very low unless there is a wiring fault. Many standard household goods will leak power-frequency EMFs due to poor design. Some older homes have grounded metal conduit which can help shield us from this form of radiation.

Engineers look at radiation exposure in terms of intensity times duration ( I x D ). There are things that you can do to limit both:

Duration may be the easiest to reduce simply by limiting the time we use our cell phones, laptops or stand near an operating microwave oven for example.
Intensity of all the radiation we are exposed to is more complex to measure and understand but some things you can do are listed below:

Try to use lower radiation producing products. Keep these products away from your body. Radiation levels drop off at the Cube of the Distance so being twice as far from a radiation source reduces your exposure to 1/8th.
Shield yourself from the sources. Concrete walls and even drywall can reduce the radiation passing through them, metal cladding including metal roofs work well. Glass walls have low shielding in general.
Make sure your devices are properly grounded. Many have built in shielding that works best when properly grounded.
Look for Low and Ultra-Low Radiation certified WiFi devices. Many companies now promote the products that they make to these standards. You dont need a wireless router that can cover an entire city block for your home WiFi. Buy the lowest radiation one you can find and locate it centrally.
Check the SAR rating of the cell phone you want to purchase. Lower numbers, particularly under 0.5, are better.
Use a headset or even speaker mode and keep your cell phone away from your body.
Turn off your Bluetooth – Use USB instead.
Replace Cordless phone with a regular wired phone.
Additional shielding ideas: In conjunction with the above recommendations, consider the DefenderPad Laptop Radiation Shield.

Many expecting moms have jobs where they are surrounded by computers all day or are glued to their iPad and laptop throughout the day for social reasons. To dramatically reduce your exposure, invest in the DefenderPad Laptop Radiation Shield.

DefenderPad Features:

“The DefenderPad™ is the first and only laptop shield that is capable of blocking both Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) and Radio Frequency (RF) Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR). This means you are protected from a myriad of health risks that laptop radiation may cause.”

1) All-In-One Protection

Blocking both ELF & RF radiation, DefenderPad™ offers the most complete laptop radiation protection available. Also, radiation & heat protective technology combined with stylish design make DefenderPad™ an ideal replacement for lap desks, lap trays and laptop cooling pads.

2) Ultra-Portable

Perfect size to use at home or on the go. Light and slim profile easily slips into laptop bags, briefcases and backpacks for easy portability.

3) Work and Play in Comfort

Gently rests with the contour of the lap keeping laptops, tablets and other electronic devices stable.

4) State-of-the-Art

Highly advanced, FCC certified lab tested technology merged with strong, durable materials create an ultra-modern shielding device that delivers state-of-the-art patent pending protection.

5) Peace of Mind

Just by placing The DefenderPad™ between your device and your lap, you have protection that no other shielding product on the market can deliver. You can feel secure knowing that The DefenderPad™ minimizes the health risks of direct exposure to radiation and heat from the devices you use every day.

The DefenderPad is ideally designed for all ages, from children and teenagers through to adults. It is the ideal choice for young adults, many of whom spend hours each day with a laptop or tablet glued to their laps. College kids spend the majority of their days with their laptops resting on their laps and are especially encouraged to use a DefenderPad. In addition, we highly recommend that men and women who are preparing to conceive as well as pregnant women utilize the DefenderPad for their electronic devices. Casual as well as business travelers who spend extended time using their laptops and or tablets at airports are perfect candidates as well. The DefenderPad can accommodate PC and Mac® laptops with up to 17″ displays and the iPad fits comfortably on top of it. The DefenderPad is very user-friendly boasting a lightweight and slim design which fits effortlessly into your laptop bag or backpack. Pairing the DefenderPad with your electronic device will soon become habitual and you can rest assured that you are protecting yourself.

The innovative DefenderPad is well designed and features patent pending shielding layers with two outer case materials: a hard bottom – a food grade polyester and a soft top, a polyurethane with a high concentration of silicone both of which are free of PVC, BPA, BPS and other known environmental contaminants. The DefenderPad is proudly made in the USA and we applaud DefenderPad for choosing to manufacture this product locally. We proudly support American made products.

LAB TESTS

For further information about the results of both FCC Certified Testing as well as In-House Testing, please click here.

PURCHASING

Order your DefenderPad here.

To learn more this innovative and in our opinion essential product, please visit the DefenderPad Website. The Website is easy navigate and features a comprehensive FAQ section to help educate you about radiation exposure.

All images copyrighted DefenderPad.

2 years ago Short URL

accessories/technology

Jul

Belly Armor Belly Band by RadiaShield

Remember the days of snail mail, rotary phones and IBM PC’s? These days we have technology at our fingertips to keep up with our fast paced lives, but it may come at a high price.

Microwave frequency exposure (that of Cell Phones, WiFi devices, and more) is a relatively new phenomenon: 100 years ago the background radiation was millions of times lower than it is now, and it is as recent as the mobile phone boom (~1990’s) that the modern, digitally pulsed signals have become ubiquitous in the Western world. Power frequency (50Hz in most of the world, 60Hz in North America) is given off by any appliance or transmission of AC (alternating current) electricity. Electrical wiring creates electric and magnetic power frequency fields throughout houses and other wired buildings, but these levels are usually very low unless there is a wiring fault. Many standard household goods will leak power-frequency EMFs due to poor design. Some older homes have grounded metal conduit which can help shield us from this form of radiation.

Engineers look at radiation exposure in terms of intensity times duration ( I x D ). We can work to limit both of these in our lives.

Try to use lower radiation producing products. Keep these products away from your body. Radiation levels drop off at the Cube of the Distance so being twice as far from a radiation source reduces your exposure to 1/8th.
Shield yourself from the sources. Concrete walls and even drywall can reduce the radiation passing through them, metal cladding including metal roofs work well. Glass walls have low shielding in general.
Make sure your devices are properly grounded. Many have built in shielding that works best when properly grounded.
Look for Low and Ultra-Low Radiation certified WiFi devices. Many companies now promote the products that they make to these standards. You dont need a wireless router that can cover an entire city block for your home WiFi. Buy the lowest radiation one you can find and locate it centrally.
Check the SAR rating of the cell phone you want to purchase. Lower numbers, particularly under 0.5, are better. We love the the Galaxy Nexus S from Samsung. You won’t miss your iPhone (super high SAR) with this fully featured Android phone.
Use a headset or even speaker mode and keep your cell phone away from your body.
Turn off your Bluetooth – Use USB instead.
Replace Cordless phone with a regular wired phone.
Additional shielding ideas: In conjunction with the above recommendations, consider the Belly Armor Line of Radiation Protection Products.

Many expecting moms have jobs where they are surrounded by computers all day or are glued to their smartphone and laptop throughout the day for social reasons. For some interesting literature on Radiation During Pregnancy, please click here. To lessen exposure, why not invest in a few pieces from the Belly Armor Collection. We love the Belly Band line consisting of the Belly Band (for those who prefer a less snug fit) and the Belly Band Embrace (for those who prefer a snug fit). Each style is available in several color options and sizes. Since Belly Bands are so versatile and still very much in fashion, why not invest in one that also offers some protection against radiation? RadiaShield states the efficacy as follows: 99.9% Shielding Effectiveness (40-60dB). View the independent FCC-certified laboratory testing report on the Belly Armor Website.

No-one will ever know that you are wearing a state of the art belly band thanks to its brilliant design and silky material which feels lovely against your skin. We love the trendy rouching on the Belly Band which results in a very flattering fit over your bump. Belly bands are fantastic for covering up your belly under tops that are starting to creep up, allowing your to wear your tops for a longer period of time.The Belly Band is for expecting mothers who prefer less snugness around their belly and a looser fit. The pleated design makes it easy to adjust coverage vertically and discreetly cover unzipped pants as your belly grows.

The Belly Band is lined with RadiaShield® Fabric, a highly conductive silver textile with the same shielding properties as a 1/4-inch thick sheet of aluminum. It shields by neutralizing incoming electromagnetic waves,canceling out the ambient radiation and reducing your exposure.

Instructions: Wear under or over clothes throughout your pregnancy, with larger side fully covering your belly.

The Belly Band from Belly Armor is ideal for those who are embarking on a preconception program. The Natural Fertility Prescription is an outstanding preconception couple that we encourage all couples to look into.

PURCHASING

For a retailer in your area, please click here. To shop from the convenience of your home, please visit the Belly Armor Online Boutique.

GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to Anna P.

8 years ago Short URL

Designer Apparel/Health