Text Message Baby

Natural Remedies from Home to Soothe a Baby's Colic

2012-01-26T09:37:00.000-05:00

Does your baby suffer from Colic? There are many natural home remedies to soothe a baby's colic, some are as close as your kitchen. You can try a few of the following suggestions to see which works best for you and your baby. This information is solely for informational purposes and is not intended to provide medical advice.

Chamomile tea - Herbal remedies for colic such as chamomile combines antispasmodic and sedative properties and may relieve intestinal cramping and induce relaxation at the same time. Bring the chamomile herbal tea to room temperature before giving to infant in a bottle. A nursing mother may also drink the tea, unless she is allergic to pollens.

Soy Products - Some studies have shown an improvement in colic after dairy products have been removed from the baby's diet. Try eliminating dairy products for up to two weeks and switch to a soy based formula such as Earth's Best Organic Soy Infant Formula. You may also want to change to a soy product especially if you are breastfeeding. If you don't notice a change in baby's behavior, assume that dairy products are not a problem.

Fiber - Studies have suggested that colic may improve in certain infants when fiber is added to their formula. Anywhere from one-half teaspoon three times a day to one-half teaspoon six times a day seemed to do the trick. Start by adding small amounts of fiber to your baby's formula, and build up to higher doses. This remedy may not be the answer for every baby, but adding a little fiber is safe and worth a try.

If you think your baby has colic, as always consult your pediatrician, however you can try some of the simple home remedies suggested above to help alleviate his or her fussiness.

Text Message Baby Partners With B. Organic Through Cooperative Program

2012-01-12T13:14:00.000-05:00

Text Message Baby recently had the pleasure of partnering with B. Organic through their cooperative and are very excited to be a part of their "grassroots program that celebrates the many shades of green with a practical, modern day approach to living a natural, organic lifestyle."

Their television series, which airs through presenting station Iowa Public Television, covers many vast corners of the organic world and puts viewers in touch with nature and the healthier side of living. You will simply fall in love with host Michele Beschen as she shares with you interesting people who are living green in their own unique way, along with fresh ideas for your own home, garden, office, kids, pets, and your overall health and well-being. It’s back to basics, renewed. You will soon be able to watch episodes through your own PBS in March as they will be shown then on a National level. You can check your local PBS listing for upcoming show times.

You can also find more natural goodness through B. Organic's Blog where you can learn more tips and tricks on an eco-friendly path to learning, growing and living!!

Green Tip for Holiday Gift Wrapping

2011-12-13T16:20:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what to do with all those unwanted holiday gift wrapping scraps? If you are like me, I always tend to tuck them away hoping that just the right item will come along so that I can use every little scrap of paper without having to throw any away. Or maybe you are the type of person who likes to keep the Christmas paper you received from a gift because "it's just too pretty to throw away"! Sound like you?

A green tip for using those holiday gift wrapping scraps or recycle that used paper you just couldn't part with the year before is by cutting out cute shapes or letters traced from stencils and glue them to any gift wrap package or gift bag to create your very own gift wrap design.

And what about all those Christmas cards you have been collecting through the years. Why not recycle them too by cutting the top part of the card and using it to adorn a gift box or bag. Whether you choose to use your gift wrapping scraps or recycle your old Christmas cards to decorate your own package, I guarantee it will not only make your gift stand out among the rest, but will also be a fun Christmas tradition you can share with your kids.

Happy Holidays and have "green" creative fun!!

Pictures courtesy of Tied Up With A Bow

Drool Monkey Organics: All Natural Teething Solution for Your Baby

2011-11-30T11:21:00.001-05:00

Drooling begins when a child is about 3 months old and can last up until he or she is about 15 months old - more or less the same time period as teething. Whether or not your baby is teething, most often they have bumpy red rashes on their cheeks and chins caused by all that drooling. Of course you will want to wipe your baby's lips and chin frequently to help prevent those nasty drool rashes. However, you must be wondering if there is something on the market today that can help ward away those awful facial rashes.

Drool Monkey Organics, created by mompreneur Kamala Corkin, has come up with an Organic Teething Lovie - an all natural teething solution for your baby. The organic teether is hand made woven 100% organic cotton that wicks away moisture to prevent your baby from getting that nasty facial rash, which is clever, but I think my favorite part is that it doubles as a blankie or even a nursing cover. It's the perfect little traveling companion because it eliminates the need for other items, i.e. blankets, nursing covers. The less you have to carry around the better!

Drool Monkey Organics also makes a line of Organic Hankies which can be used by any age children or adults alike. What a great thing to teach your child, to use something reusable instead of the tissues we are so used to tossing that eventually end up in our landfills. The best part about their natural kids product is that it is completely chemical and dye-free. Especially perfect for those children who may have allergies.

Visit our website today at www.textmessagebaby.com and pick up your very own eco-friendly Organic Teething Lovie or Organic Hankies. They also make wonderful gifts for any occasion!!

Green Alternative Lunch Transportation

2011-11-07T11:30:00.000-05:00

While many families are used to the convenience of using brown bags to pack their kids lunches, recent studies found that even in the bags with ice packs, less than 2% of the meals that contained perishable items such as meat and cheese sandwiches were in a safe temperature zone; more than 90% were kept at unsafe temperatures where bacteria can multiply and foodborne illness is more likely to occur.

Many questions still exist regarding the safety of food storage in plastic. Researchers have found that dangerous chemicals in plastics can leach into food and be dangerous to our health. So as conscious consumers, why wouldn't we want to opt for a "green" alternative for transporting our lunches? I recently came across a company called PlanetBox that sells uniquely designed eco-friendly stainless steel lunchboxes for kids. Yes, stainless steel is a great alternative to paper or plastic and is definitely safer for the environment as well. Their fun lunch carrier design has many different compartments which encourages packing a healthy, well-balanced lunch while accommodating many different food preferences.

PlanetBox went a step further and designed a full line of magnets that could be attached to these fun lunchboxes so that they would be durable enough to last for years, but flexible enough to stay “fresh” and grow with your child’s changing interests. They even designed a carry bag (independently certified to be safe from lead, phthalates, and BPA) to comfortably hold their stainless steel box with a handy mesh pouch on the inside to easily hold an ice pack to keep food items cold and extra pouches on the outside to hold a water bottle and any other snack items. This one would make a great gift item for anyone!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-26T22:10:00.000-04:00

Christmas is just around the corner...

text a friend and tell them about our sale!!

From Trash to Toy Treasures Made of Cardboard

2011-10-25T14:00:00.000-04:00

For many generations, some of the most simplest of toys have been among the most favorite of children everywhere. When people couldn't afford new toys, they just got a little creative and made their own. That was just the way it was. Now days I suppose people have many different reasons for making their own toys. There are many toys on the market today that are made with such harsh materials that parents just don't want to exposure their children to those types of toys. So they are looking for eco-friendly toys for their children to play with.

Making toys out of cardboard is so easy and simple. You can use cardboard to make nearly any kind of toy you can think of. For example a cell phone, tools (like hammer or saw), kitchen appliances (box made to be a stove or refrigerator) and playhouses. The only supplies you'll need is cardboard, some heavy duty scissors, and a pen or markers. Your kids can even join in to help make the toy. When it is done, I guarantee your child will have hours of enjoyment no matter how basic they look.

If you are not the creative type, many retail stores now carry toys made of cardboard. We at Text Message Baby now carry a line of eco-friendly toys by Green Town Toys that are made of cardboard. From tables to playhouses, to eco-friendly castle with cut-outs, these "green" toys are affordable and easy to stow away once kids are finished playing with them. Let's face it... children can be pretty rough on their toys. With toys made of cardboard, you don't have to worry if they get destroyed. Just place them in your recycle bin and feel guilt-free.

Tips for Making Your Halloween Green

2011-10-17T14:00:00.000-04:00

Halloween is a spooky time of year, but it doesn't mean you have to be afraid to help protect and preserve the environment. A few simple tips like having your little ghouls and goblins carry reusable bags for trick or treating to handing out eco-friendly treats can help your family have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

Cloth shopping bags or pillowcases make wonderful eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags or those plastic pumpkins we all grew up with using to collect candy at Halloween. Reusable bags are not only better for the environment at Halloween; they keep those nasty plastic bags out of the landfills.

Don’t buy a Halloween costume that your child will only wear one time, instead why not make your own costume out of materials you may already have around the house. You can also find second hand costumes at your local thrift stores or yard sales. Why not swap with a friend to get something new and different to wear. After Halloween is over, you can save it to swap again next year or simply donate it to your charitable organizations.

There is a wide variety of eco-friendly candy, from organic chocolates to organic lollipops, available online and at your local health food stores. Another option is to avoid giving candy and instead give fun useful treats such as colorful pencils, erasers in fun shapes, or any other items that you might find at your local dollar store.

These green tips are not only common sense, but wonderful ways we can teach our children basic strategies to living an eco-friendly lifestyle. By reducing waste and recycling items that you already have, making Halloween Green is a snap!

Fun Eco-Friendly Baby Shower Idea

2011-08-25T09:43:00.005-04:00

Hosting a baby shower can be a lot of work. However, there are many eco-friendly ideas to make planning the baby shower fun. A cute display for your food table would be a great start. Did you know that a watermelon baby carriage is easy and quick to make? If you can carve a pumpkin, then you can make a watermelon carriage. No need to break any diets for this centerpiece and it's healthy too!

First, cut a thin slice from the bottom of a large watermelon to give it a stable base. Draw the outline of the carriage opening and the handle (as shown.) Use a sharp knife to cut this section out of the watermelon, cutting all the way through the rind in a straight line.

Once this section is removed, use a sharp knife or a decorating tool to cut the fancy edge. Hollow out the inside of the carriage, and puncture 6 to 8 drainage holes in the bottom of the watermelon so that the water will run out.

Lastly, cut the handle from the discarded section of rind. Attach the handle with toothpicks and cut oranges in thick slices to create four orange slice wheels, attaching also with toothpicks. Place the carriage in a good size pan of ice, and fill with fruit salad. The ice will keep the fruit cool, and any excess juices will drain into the pan of ice through the drainage holes, preventing the fruit salad from getting soggy.

When the baby shower is over, cut up the rind and start a compost pile outside. Along with banana peel and orange peel, watermelon rinds make wonderful compost. Eventually, the pile decomposes into very rich and fertile soil. Then spread it around your garden. So you not only created an eco-friendly centerpiece for your baby shower, you also recycled the watermelon rind and started a compost pile!

Huge Back to School Sale - 50% Off All Toddler Tees

2011-08-08T09:51:00.005-04:00

It's time for our kiddos to go back to school and what better way to send them in one of our trendy toddler tees. They are super soft organic tees treated with a natural process called bio-wash, which helps prevent excess shrinkage, creates superior fabric memory, and prevents any pilling from washing, drying and everyday wear.

Give your child the best of today's fashion trends! Cutting edge, cool kids t-shirts for trendy toddler clothing like you've never seen before!

We are offering these trendy tees at never before seen prices. From August 8th through August 15th, you can purchase our organic toddler tees for just $12.00. That is 50% off retail price!

Our inventory moves fast so don't delay. Pick up your favorite one today!!

www.textmessagebaby.com

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-03T13:45:00.000-04:00

Cloth Diapers: A Greener, Cheaper Alternative

2011-07-21T16:30:00.001-04:00

Any new parent knows that aside from giving their new born food and affection, your baby needs diapers—tons and tons of diapers. So many diapers in fact that parents are forced to buy in bulk or make frequent trips to and from the department store. According to experts, newborns can use as much as 10 diapers per day. This can do major damage to both your purse strings and the environment—the more diapers your baby goes through the more diapers you end up throwing away in the trash which are sent to the landfill. And while yes disposable diapers made from recycled materials are available, a more economical and greener alternative is to invest in cloth diapers.

What are Cloth Diapers? Like the name suggests, cloth diapers are diapers, well, made from cloth. But before you reject the idea, these aren't the same cloth diapers your great grandparents used in the early 40's—these new and improved (and extremely stylish cloth diapers) are made with special eco-friendly fabrics and liners that are gentle on babies' skin and come in an assortment of colors; they also use velcro or snaps as opposed to the traditional "safety pin" to hold the diaper together, like the ones offered by GAD Baby.
How do you clean them? While some diapers give you the option of purchasing biodegradable liners that you can switch out with each change, true blue cloth diapers require you to do laundry quite frequently. This route might be a little difficult for those who get nauseous with just looking at their baby's soiled diapers, but dealing with dirty diapers is part of the parent gig and will get easier over time.

How many should you get? With that said, the amount of wash loads a parent will do will depend on how many cloth diapers he or she purchases. It's recommended that parents invest in about 18 to 20 cloth diapers for newborns—the amount you need will reduce as your child gets older. But with newborns, this ballpark figure will give parents the opportunity to wash just every two days as opposed to everyday. Whatever you do, you do not want a soiled diaper to go unwashed for more than 3 days—this is the fastest way to smell up the house and stain the cloth diapers. And if you plan on having other children, you don't want to ruin the cloth diapers that you have because you can always reuse them. However, because you will be washing so frequently it's equally important that you make smart choices when it comes to conserving energy and other resources when washing. An easy way to save on detergent costs and ensure that no harsh chemicals are being used to wash the cloth diapers is to make you own liquid detergent. This traditional liquid detergent recipe has many variants, but all contain the two main dirt fight-agents: washing soda and borax.

Ingredients:

1 bar of soap, grated into flakes
1 cup of washing soda
1/2 cup of borax
5 cups of boiling Water
3 gallons of hot water
Rubber gloves
Tub or trash can
1 Gallon Milk jugs, washed and empty

Directions:

Stir in flakes of grated soap in a saucepan filled with boiling water. Bring liquid back to a boil. Remove from heat. In a tub or clean trash can, add 3 gallons of hot water. Add on gloves. Using a spoon add cooled soapy mixture to the hot water. Then add washing soda and borax, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Let cool. Pour into empty milk jugs for safe keeping. Store in a cool place. For each laundry load, use about a half of a cup of the detergent. Skip the dryer and line-dry to save energy. That said, if you are still unsure if whether cloth diapers are right for you and your baby, you should at least attempt to try a couple and see how it goes. Remember that you can also use cloth diapers only part time and still save money and help the environment.

Guest post by Mariana Ashley, a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online schools. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031 @gmail.com.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-13T10:46:00.003-04:00

If you ever wondered how you could recycle a watermelon rind...
well here's an idea -- Eco Baby Swing!!

Text Message Baby Giveaway: Green Town Toys Tot Pod (CLOSED)

2011-06-10T08:00:00.003-04:00

Do you remember the days when just a simple cardboard box was one of your most favorite toys? Imaginations ran wild as you pretended you were a prince or princess in a castle, scooted around the floor in your fancy car, or turned your box upside down with cups and saucers all about pretending it was a table set for a fancy tea party! Let's face it, kids today love the same simplistic things that we did. Green Town Toys, a collection of corrugated cardboard toys, brings just that for kids to inspire their imaginations! From castles, playhouses, to tables and chairs, their eco-friendly toys made of corrugated fiberboard is not only extraordinarily durable, but more importantly 100% recyclable. The great thing about these toys is that they can be colored on or even folded away when they are not in use.

Text Message Baby is proud to offer Eco-Friendly Toys by Green Town Toys for purchase now on our website. It's a great mix to add to our organic clothing line and we know that you are going to love them as much as we do. Green Town Toys is partnering with us to give one lucky winner one of their super cute Tot Pods table and chair sets. Better yet... winner will get to choose a color of choice. Choose between four primary colors blue, pink, green or red.

Visit our website and click on the Toddler category and tell us what you think of Green Town Toys collection.

Extra Entries:

You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”)

1. Blog about the giveaway with a link back to Text Message Baby leaving us a link in your comment. (1 entry)

2. Follow @GreenTownToys and @TextMessageBaby on twitter (1 entry for each)

3. Tweet (once daily;1 entry per tweet; leave the url link to your tweet): Enter to #win Eco-Friendly Tot Pod - Table and 2 Chairs from @GreenTownToys via @textmessagebaby #giveaway http://bit.ly/iB2r4M

4. Like facebook.com/TextMessageBaby and facebook.com/GreenTownToys
(1 entry for each)

*OPEN TO US AND CANADA ONLY!

*Contest ends Friday, July 1st at 11pm EST. Winner will be chosen by random.org and posted within 24 hours of the close of contest.

*Winner will have 48 hours to contact us at info@textmessagebaby.com, or another winner will be chosen.

CONGRATULATIONS! KATRINA BRADY IS THE WINNER OF THE TOT POD - TABLE AND CHAIRS BY GREEN TOWN TOYS!!

Support Our Troops: Recycle Your Coupons

2011-05-28T11:00:00.006-04:00

Do you clip coupons? If you are one of those coupon divas who love to save money by clipping coupons, don't get rid of those coupons that are expired! Did you know that the military and their families are able to use manufacturer coupons for up to 6 months after their expiration dates at their Commissaries if they are stationed abroad? If you have always wanted to support the troops but really didn't know how you could contribute, recycle your expired coupons and donate them to the troops. What a wonderful way to show your support and do a little recycling as well.

If you're interesting in supporting our Troops OverSeas Coupon Program you can visit their website at www.ocpnet.org, click on their base list and adopt a base to send you expired coupons. There is also another wonderful website, "Coups for Troops" that will do it all for you. Just forward your recycled coupons and they do the rest without you having to mail them overseas yourself. Mail them (either clipped or not clipped) to:

Coups For Troops
P.O. Box 147
Winnabow NC 28479

They do ask that the coupons not be more than 2 months past their expiration date since it takes some time to reach their overseas destination. So let's get started... don't forget to recycle those expired coupons and help our troops. I can't think of a better way to honor our military this Memorial Day!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-18T16:47:00.003-04:00

We now carry eco-friendly children's toys by Green Town Toys!! :0)
www.textmessagebaby.com

5 Easy Ways to Raise a Green Baby

2011-05-16T12:19:00.004-04:00

Having a “green baby” doesn’t mean going bankrupt on swaddling your children in $100 organic cotton blankets and playing with $200 wooden artisan toys. The following are five easy ways to raise your child in a cleaner environment—for the sake of the planet and for baby.

1. Buy secondhand. Secondhand clothes and furniture get a bad rap for being dirty. As long as you don’t equate buying secondhand with dumpster diving, this is untrue. Going through thrift stores, consignment shops, and even Freecycle with a keen eye can help save your family money while keeping items that will take thousands of years to biodegrade out of landfills. Out of sight, out of mind, but not for Mother Earth and for future generations, including your bundle of joy.

2. Choose natural fibers. Organic, sustainable, and fairly traded clothes will limit your child’s exposure to pesticide residue as well as protect underprivileged children around the world from the debilitating conditions of sweatshops.

3. Clean green. Don’t waste money on expensive green cleaning products, but don’t go the cheap route and allow fumes from bleach to harm your child’s lungs and skin. Make your own quickly and cheaply as outlined here.

4. Give up smoking. Cigarette companies aren’t the greenest establishments on the planet. Moreover, no matter where you stand on second-hand smoke, it’s no secret that cigarettes will burn a hole through your bank account. If you go through just one $5 pack a week, that’s $260 a year that could have gone to organic baby food.

5. Improvise. Rather than buying a plastic rattler (that may contain chemicals that could leach into your child’s mouth), line the inside of a Ribena bottle or small jar with pretty paper and toss in a few dried chickpeas.

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and researcher for College Scholarships, where recently she’s been researching scholarships for Spanish students as well as wrestling scholarship programs. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Mrs. Myers Makes Clean Day a Green Day

2011-04-26T15:24:00.012-04:00

I was perusing the isles of the Wal-Mart store one day and came across a line of household cleaning products that I had never seen or tried before. What caught my eye was the vintage style packaging and the name of the different scents that were offered such as Basil, Lavender, Lemon Verbena, just to name a few. As a conscious consumer, I am always on the lookout for product that I can use in my home that is going to be safe and not leave a nasty smell. I quickly picked up one of the product and discovered that this was a line of eco-friendly product.

I wanted to try out the product so I choose the countertop spray and the surface scrub, both in Lemon Verbena. This product is AMAZING!! All of their cleaners are made with natural essential oils, are biodegradable and phosphate-free, and they never test on animals. Inspired by Mrs. Thelma A. Meyer’s garden, (yes, named after a real person) Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day makes straightforward, honest cleaners that smell as good as they work.

What to try them out? Here is a coupon for a $1 off any of their product. I love this product because it is not only eco-friendly, but it really packs a punch on dirt and grime!

Earth Day Sale

2011-04-20T13:49:00.005-04:00

Enjoy 15% off your purchase at textmessagebaby.com

when you use Coupon Code: EARTHDAY
Expires: 4/30/11

Earth Day Sparkes Awareness for Natural Environment

2011-04-11T13:10:00.007-04:00

Wikipedia defines Earth Day as being "a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment". I love the fact that Earth Day is celebrated in the month of April where spring has just begun. This time of year easily inspires people to get out and plant a new tree or add a herb garden to their backyard. Some may even be more conscious about their recycling habits. There are so many ways we can show appreciation for what I believe God intended as our natural environment. What will you do this month to inspire awareness?

Eco-Friendly Teethers for Baby

2011-03-29T11:57:00.018-04:00

What makes a teether for baby “eco-friendly”? It can be a very trying time once your baby starts to sprout those little teeth. Anything and everything will go immediately into your little one’s mouth, and as a conscious parent, you want to help comfort your baby’s achy gums, but at the same time ensure that the things going into his or her mouth are as safe and healthy as possible. There are a ton of eco-friendly teethers out there, but not all of them are going to appeal to your baby. Here are just a few eco-options in baby teethers to choose from:

1. Natursutten Teething Apple is filled with purified sterilized water, free of any chemicals. The teethers themselves are made from EVAtane (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), a material also used for medical products, free of BPA-A, phthalates and any chemical softeners.

2. This Cornstarch Teether that is hand shaped by Green Sprout is PVC, BPA, and petroleum free! Made with EcolGreen bio-Polymer (NatureWorks®), a cornstarch-based eco-friendly plastic that is biodegradable and compostable! Soft parts made of silicone. No synthetic or toxic materials. Not dishwasher safe.

3. The Waldorf Maple Teether Natural Teething Ring is made to not only soothe those budding teeth and aching gums, but to also stimulate your baby's sense of touch and exploration. Maple has traditionally been used in children's toys because it is a hard, non-splintering species of wood. Each teething ring is handcrafted in a Michigan woodshop by a father who has small children himself. Maple teethers are treated with a delicate lemon scented beeswax.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-23T11:40:00.004-04:00

ECO-FRIENDLY * MODERN * COLORFUL

Sum-Bo-Shine Organic Skin Care Products Now Offered on Text Message Baby

2011-03-10T14:00:00.001-05:00

We have been seeking out companies that make naturally based organic product with the same values that Text Message Baby has to offer our customers. We found one such company in Sum-Bo-Shine Naturals and Organics. Their organic skin care products are free of artificial fragrances and do not contain parabens, sodium laurel sulfates, mineral oil, or any harmful ingredients while using the least environmentally harmful preservative available on the market today.

Among some of the product that they offer is their Aloe and Lavender Shampoo Body Wash which contains essential oil of aloe juice, organic lavender, and roman chamomile. To make the mixture even smoother, glycerin, vitamin B and E, oat extract, wheat protein, jojoba oil, and rosehip oil has been added. This product is also certified vegan. The "no tear" formula keeps baby from any irritations during bath time.

You can also find Baby Oil, Baby Lotion, Diaper Ointment, and Baby Powder, not to mention some other naturally pure organic skin care products and beautiful gift sets for mom that would make great baby shower gifts.

You can find all these product and more at textmessagebaby.com!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-16T15:21:00.002-05:00

I love the simplicity of this statement...

Cathy Sparkle - the Green Cleaning Cocktail of Choice

2011-02-10T13:53:00.001-05:00

We all know that conventional cleaners are bad for us, but they're convenient. More factory-made, so-called "environmentally friendly" cleaners are showing up on store shelves, but so many of the ingredients are still a mystery! Plus, they're generally 10-20 percent more expensive than the brands we recognize. What's the alternative to keeping your home clean without toxins and expensive formulas? Make your own?!

Annapolis-area moms Cathy and Heather started Cathy Sparkle to make life easier, cleaner and greener without adding any extra hassle. Cathy spent months researching and experimenting with making her own green cleaning kit and discovered that the process can be overwhelming—unless you have everything you need in one easy place! And so they gave birth to a whole new idea: Cathy Sparkle! Green Cleaning Cocktails.

Cathy Sparkle provides fabulously easy kits stocked with powerful pure essential oils, all natural olive oil liquid Castile soap, and eco-friendly, reusable bottles with easy-to-follow recipes printed right on them. They sell them at budget-conscious prices for consumers through their secure online shopping site at www.cathysparkle.com. So you get everything you need in one easy place! Customers from all over are telling stories of their transition from conventional to green cleaning. They love saving money, reducing toxins in the house and having fun with it!

And on top of it all, Cathy Sparkle sees that these homemade cleaners really clean. They take a positive, lighthearted approach to what is a serious issue—cleaning with toxic chemicals. Their goal is to make cleaning healthier and safer while keeping it fun and easy, as exampled in their recipe names, like "On The Rocks" our vodka-based granite cleaner and "Bum Runner" their bathroom spray with tea-tree oil.

"With our system, you know it's green because you make it yourself and can recognize (and pronounce) every ingredient", states Heather Hutton.

In addition, they use food-safe bottles that are simply refilled with every mixing, not discarded or recycled after one-time use, dramatically reducing the impact of packaging on the waste and recycling stream. They estimate their bottles will last 2-4 years. This cleaning system is healthier and safer for people and the environment than any off-the-shelf cleaning products and truly, honestly green.

Cathy Sparkle's recipes take less than a minute each to mix and you even save money using them—about 30-40 percent! That can add up to more than $100 the first year for average households and more each year after that!

You can read more about the company and their vision for combining healthier lifestyles and environmental awareness with budget-friendly convenience at www.cathysparkle.com. You can switch to true healthy green cleaning without sacrificing convenience and value!

LOL The Text Message Game

2011-02-01T14:55:00.001-05:00

Toys R Us now sells a game that is a take on Scrabble with a twist. LOL The Text Message Game is a laugh out loud way for geek savvy text hounds to show off there ability to text, although you don't have to have a PHD in SMS to create as many text message phrases as you can in just three minutes. This game's manufacturer age recommendation is 8 years and up, which I find quite humorous. Of course 8 year olds know how to text? I personally think that this game would be more suited for younger teens and adults. It might be a unique, fun birthday gift to give a teenager. At just $19.99, this one could turn out to be a fun addition to your own board game collection.

E*Trade Baby in Time Out

2011-01-26T18:36:00.002-05:00

The newest E*Trade commercial gives new meaning to the word "time out". This commercial definitely tops all their prior and is stinkin' hilarious! I think the e*trade baby needs to be wearing text message baby clothes... what do you think?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-19T15:00:00.000-05:00

Eco-Friendly Cardboard Highchair
by Paper Tiger Products

Extreme Makeover Home Edition Gifts Energy Efficient Home

2011-01-17T09:30:00.009-05:00

Excitement was in the air this past week as Extreme Makeover Home Edition gifted a very deserving family in our area a new home, but not just any home... an energy efficient home.

LifeStyle Homes, known for their superior craftsmanship for over 25 years, was chosen by the producers of the Extreme Makeover Home Edition to create a beautiful home for the family that would improve their way of living - a SunSmart(sm) home.

SunSmart(sm) homes save homeowners up to 60% on their monthly energy bills, as well as provide greatly improved indoor air quality for healthful living, and help cut down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions for a green lifestyle. These remarkable homes generate as much electricity as they consume by using roof-mounted photovoltaic panels to capture the free power of the sun which in the end, result in a net-zero energy bill over a year’s time for homeowners. Just think of it, free electricity for life! Now that's a lifestyle change we can afford!!

8 Simple Green Resolutions for 2011

2011-01-03T11:00:00.001-05:00

Want to start 2011 off right? Here are 8 Green Resolutions you can keep without calling for big sacrifice or change. These small steps toward a greener lifestyle come with great rewards and may even save you some cash.

Got lots of magazines? Consider a magazine swap, reuse and recycle.
Use less paper by printing double-sided... or not at all.
Turn off the lights. Take advantage of the natural light during the day.
Take shorter and fewer showers. You can save thousands of gallons of water each year.
Turn off and unplug any electrical items not in use.
Carpool more often. This simple act will bring you closer to your friends and help cut down on pollution.
Eat and shop local when you can. It will help your local economy and food is fresher.
Start a compost pile. This will help reduce the estimated 1.3 pounds of food scraps that Americans throw away daily.

While most of the resolutions listed above have been about small steps you can take, it's also important to keep your eye on the big picture. To get on the path to being a little more greener this year. What green resolutions will you tackle?

Happy New Year!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-22T13:00:00.000-05:00

Pac Man Christmas Tree

Text Message from Santa

2010-12-21T18:00:00.000-05:00

Hey all you moms and dads! Now your child can receive a text message from Santa!! Since this is the way our kids communicate these days, what a neat way to keep your Christmas traditions current. For the cost of $3.99 for a single text message, imagine how their faces will light up when they receive a text from Santa.

Go to TextSanta.net and schedule a quick text from Santa. If your child is too young to have their own phone, have the text message sent to you!

The cool thing is... TextSanta.net will donate $1 for each child registered to receive text messages from Santa Claus to the March of Dimes in support of its mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

New Natural Hair Care Line for Kids

2010-12-20T12:00:00.001-05:00

Coco and Tini is a brand new, all-natural line of bath and body products for kids that has only been available for a short time and is already flying off the shelves.

The line of naturally pure products includes shampoo, conditioner, body wash and bubble bath, all made from 100% natural-source ingredients. The products are dermatologist-tested and contain mild, natural ingredients that are effective yet gentle on babies and kids' sensitive skin.

Coco and Tini CEO, Jason Powell, created the line to fulfill parents ever-growing demand for all-natural bath and body products for their little ones that don't use potentially harmful chemicals and synthetic products. After searching long and hard for all-natural bath and body products for his young son, Powell was frustrated to discover that there weren't many quality products available. Outside of the usual mega-brand suspects (which upon closer inspection weren't really up to par, as demonstrated by the Suzuki Foundation's recent report), the new dad was motivated to create children's bath time products that he could feel good about using on his son- products that are natural, pure, simple and clean.

Coco and Tini products are meant to be spilled, sprayed, dropped, lathered and enjoyed by parents and their little ones alike. Prices range between $15.95 - $19.95.

http://cocoandtini.com

7 Gotta-Have Green Gifts for Moms

2010-12-17T11:00:00.018-05:00

Christmas is right around the corner, and there may be an eco-friendly mom on your list that you haven't found the perfect gift for. It's hard to justify buying another gadget that will quickly become outdated. Instead, buy something original. This list features a handful of fashionable, functional, practical, and environmentally friendly products that every eco-mom can enjoy.

Voltaic Converter Sports Backpack- This is no ordinary backpack. The funny looking squares are not someone’s bad design; they're actually functional solar panels. The lightweight, rugged solar panels generate a combined four watts of power. Just enough juice to give your average smartphone about three hours of talk time per hour. The Sports Backpack is perfect for charging Blackberrys, iPods, cameras or PSP's anywhere outlets may not exist (hiking trails, sports events, you name it.) You can choose the color of the solar panels: charcoal, silver, or orange. Voltaic also makes solar panels which can be attached to hiking bags and baby carriers.

Zinnia Bow Ballet Flat from Zoe & Zac - These stylish and affordable flats are also incredibly eco-friendly. Part of Zoe & Zac's line of "fresh green fashion," these comfy shoes incorporate recycled materials, organic cotton, hemp, and jute. They’re also made from excellent faux leather that is water-resistant. They are available through Payless' (online or in stores.)

Zoe Boot from Novacas- This stylish boot (which pairs well with just about any outfit), was designed with the vegan in mind. Unwilling to sacrifice style over function, this boot makes use of a suede-like material, a three inch stacked heel, and faux snaps. These boots are online through green clothing sites like Vickerey.com.

Shea Pet Shampoo- This is the perfect gift for moms who love to pamper their pooch as much as their baby. Shea Pet's environmentally friendly formula uses oatmeal, shea butter, eucalyptus, tea tree, and citronella to keep your dog's skin moisturized even through frequent bathing. Plus rosemary and orange oils will keep Fido smelling great and deter fleas naturally. C’est la vie, toxic flea baths! All Shea pet products use Northern Uganda Shea Processors Association shea butter which is certified organic by CERES and the Ugandan Government.

The Food Matters Cookbook by Mark Bittman- Packed with 500 healthy recipes that have a limited impact on the environment, this book places heavy emphasis on unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Most importantly, the recipes sound tasty with names like lemony zucchini risotto and lentil stir-fry with caramelized onion. If the recipes don’t entice you, read Empires of Food: Feast, Famine, and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations by Evan D.G. Fraser and Andrew Rima to get a better idea of why foodies should be making an effort to reduce their environmental impact.

Pangea Skin Care- Skin care products from Pangea Organics should be on any green mom's wish list this Christmas. Look gorgeous (and be green) this holiday season. Pangea Organics offer a variety of products—from skincare shampoo to lip balm and hand soap. Consider purchasing the Egyptian Geranium Scrub for a fragrant, organic way to healthy, glowy skin. Their toner makes use of Italian green mandarin and sweet lime, and their facial cream hydrates with nigerian ginger, lavender, and thyme.

Eco-Friendly Gift Box from Green Apple Enterprises - Having a hard time deciding what green gift to buy? Just order an Eco-Friendly Gift Box that features a Green Apple Bag made of 100% recylced plastic bottles, Fruit Blossom organic apple crisp mix, EO natural hand soap, STASH natural chai tea sampler, therepe soy tin candle, and Burt's Bees lip balm. Best part: 10% of every purchase will be donated to Feed the Children.

Thierry Godard is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and a writer for the Guide to Online Schools.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-15T13:00:00.000-05:00

Style Cafe Moms Magazine Winter 2010

Give a Gift of Hope in a Sustainable Way

2010-11-30T17:00:00.001-05:00

Well we survived the madness of the after Thanksgiving sales, and although I am not quite sure I accomplished much Christmas shopping, we did get in on a few small deals. As the kids and I were putting up our Christmas Tree my mind was taken back to memories of standing in those long lines in the wee hours of the morning of Black Friday just to get that popular item from Toys R Us that everyone was wanting. However treacherous that may have seemed back them, shopping for toddlers and young ones was so much simpler then shopping for teens. Now that our kids are older the item choices just get bigger and more expensive.

This year we have all decided as a family to focus not so much on buying for ourselves but giving to others who are less fortunate. Every year we have received the most important gift catalog in the world from Heifer International, a global nonprofit with a proven solution to ending hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Heifer helps empower millions of families to lift them out of poverty and hunger to self-reliance through gifts of livestock such as sheep, goats, water buffalo, pigs (just to name a few), honeybees, trees and extensive training, which provide a multiplying source of food and income. Give a gift of hope to a friend or family member and you'll have the opportunity to create a printable gift card or e-card to tell your friends and family that you've donated a gift on their behalf.

I can't think of a better gift to give this Christmas!

www.heifer.org

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-17T13:00:00.000-05:00

Who wouldn't love his handbag!!

Ethical Fashion for Babies

2010-11-14T11:00:00.002-05:00

Breast cancer awareness is making fashion statements worldwide, but little light has been shed on the workers who make these pink sweat pants, pink t-shirts, pink baby wear, and the like. In fact, the sweatshop issue has lost steam in recent years. Nearly 20 million people work in sweatshops—most of whom are uneducated women and children being paid anywhere from 8 American cents to one dollar an hour—and many of them are not much older than our own children. Is this something mothers worldwide can tolerate?

Cotton, the Dirtiest Crop in the World

BBC recently aired a television series called Blood, Sweat, and T-shirts about a handful of British young adults who went to India to work in sweat shops to experience making the very clothes on their backs.

From BBC’s statistics, 60% of clothes bought were made of cotton—non-organic cotton, perhaps the dirtiest crop in the world. One drop of the 150g of pesticides and fertilizers used to make just one adult-sized t-shirt can actually kill you if it gets under your skin. This explains why 20,000 people die annually from these very pesticides in developing countries where 75% of our cotton is made. Even after production, 8,000 chemicals are used to dye and bleach the cotton before they hit stores and your baby’s delicate bum.

In 2007, the UK bought 2 million tons of cotton, only to throw away 1.5 million tons of it—over 66lb. per person. These clothes end up in landfills, where toxins in the fabrics leach into the ground and thus our food, water supply, the animals around us, our bodies, and most frightening of all, our children.

Fair Trade and Organic for Your Baby

Fair trade standards exist to allow factory workers across the world to earn a decent living and work in a safe and healthy environment, but because fair trade is a niche market, most sweatshops don’t abide by their rules.
What you can do when you shop for your kids is keep an eye out for the fair trade logo and always buy 100% cotton. Otherwise, go vintage to keep clothes in circulation and out of landfills. Here are some good places to look for new stuff online:

American Apparel clothing is made in California, totally sweatshop free.
The Conscious Child is organic and socially-conscious. Take a look at their 100% organic cotton onesies and underwear. They even have gently used vintage clothing that keep old clothes out of landfills.
Partnered with Petfinder, The Animal Rescue Site donates money with every click (as in “click to give”) and every purchase from their fair trade and green store. Click on any other tab to support different causes, including breast cancer awareness (wherein your purchases fund a percentage of a free mammogram), hunger and child health (the site donates food to needy people in developing countries), literacy (the site donates books to schools), and rainforest preservation (wherein your purchase helps protect wildlife).
Take a look at the Apalca baby cardigan handmade by Peruvian artisans and the Batik sundress handmade in Ghana. With the coming cold, the children’s hand-knit dog hat and mittens might be more appropriate.

Guest post by Maria Rainier, a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education, researching various online degree programs and blogging about student life. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Funny Baby Onesies and Toddler Tees on Sale

2010-11-13T10:14:00.001-05:00

We are not waiting for Black Friday to offer great deals! Text Message Baby is offering customers 25% off all their funny baby onesies and toddler tees now through December 31st. Our organic cotton baby clothes make one of a kind gifts for the mother to be or for tech-savvy parents to celebrate their little bundles of joy. So there has never been a better time to buy. With so many great designs to choose from you may want to just order one of our e-gift certificates and let the recipient decide.

Either way, you can avoid those holiday shopping lines and place your orders conveniently from home when you shop Text Message Baby!

How Do I Look?

2010-10-27T12:47:00.006-04:00

It's been two years since the launch of our tech-savvy clothing line and I felt it was time for a little makeover. I had been looking for a design that would showcase all of our fabulous lifestyle photos of children wearing text message baby product. Our baby safe clothing line is tops in today's trendy fashion market and we needed the website to reflect that as well.

I had been searching the internet and came across a web design company called My Dream Web Design where I found just the right design for this project. Chemeyne, owner of My Dream Web Designs, is the creator behind this fabulous design and we are grateful for her creativity and expertise.

So the only thing left to say is... how do I look?

Just Say No to Bullying

2010-10-20T12:09:00.005-04:00

Recent tragedies have brought bullying to the national forefront. Differences whether real or perceived, are often at the heart of bullying. Young children and teens may be bullied for various reasons such as skin colour, gender, disability, sexuality, hair colour, or size – or for any of the many differences between us. Whatever the reason, we as parents must send out the message that bullying is always wrong and it is so very important that we support our children and keep the lines of communication open at all times.

Natural Remedies for Pest Control

2010-10-16T10:55:00.000-04:00

Ants have been a real problem around our yard. It never fairs the second you get rid of one mound another just seems to pop up somewhere else. I recently read an interesting article about all natural remedies for getting rid of pests around the house and you may be interested to learn that ants hate cucumbers, especially cucumber peels. Who knew? I for one can appreciate that fact because I have been wanting to find a safer, eco-friendly alternative to keeping the darn things from entering the house. I read that you just spread some cucumber peels - the more bitter, the better - where ants enter your home and they should get the message.

Do you have a problem with ants? Go grab a cucumber and try it out! It really is a safer alternative to using a toxic chemical.

Join the Cause To Help Fight Breast Cancer

2010-10-06T10:58:00.011-04:00

It's October and fall is in the air but more importantly it's time to think pink because it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We all know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and hopefully survived. It is so important to take care of your health and have those yearly exams. To those who are fighting, or those who have lost their battle with breast cancer, we honor these brave women.

Please join us in the cause to help end Breast Cancer. In the month of October, 50% of all sales made from our pink "Princess" organic onesie and toddler tees will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Purchase one or both of these eco-friendly clothing pieces for your little ones and you will be donating to help save the tatas!

Anniversary Sale: 25% Off All Funny Baby Onesies

2010-09-23T13:05:00.005-04:00

It's our two year anniversary and we're spreading the love by offering all our funny baby onesies for 25% off now until September 30th. With so many fabulous designs, now you can buy all your favorites and save. There's never been a better time to purchase these fun loving onesies. Buy one of our hip baby onesies for your own little one and gift one to someone else. Become a fan on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TextMessageBaby) and receive an additional 15% off with special coupon code and save even more. FREE shipping on all orders over $50, so now is the time to buy... buy... buy!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-22T11:05:00.006-04:00

I'M TWEET

Being Eco-Friendly Can Save You Money

2010-09-07T11:00:00.001-04:00

Saving the planet can be an expensive commitment. For example, organic produce is typically more expensive than non-organic produce, and the same is true for products made from recycled paper or plastic. While this may not be an issue for some, the cost of being environmentally friendly prevents many people from adapting a greener lifestyle. Yet, there are certain eco-friendly practices and goods that can actually help pad your wallet rather than drain it while still helping you to leave a smaller carbon footprint.

1. Conserve energy by switching to CFL bulbs and using electricity sparingly. This may sound like strange advice because anyone who has ever strolled by the lighting section in a home improvement store knows that CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs are more expensive than regular light bulbs. But CFLs really do help you to save money, even if those savings come more gradually. These bulbs last about 8 to 15 times longer than regular incandescent light bulbs and also put out the same amount of light using much less power. A single CFL bulb can save buyers more than $30 over its lifetime. Now imagine the savings you could garner if all of your light bulbs were replaced with CFLs! In addition, if you conserve energy by only turning on your lights after the sun has set and turning off the lights in empty rooms, then you can shave even more off your monthly electricity bills.

2. Conserve water with a low-flow, aerating faucet and showerhead. The need for an additional purchase can seem to be anything but cost effective, but the initial cost of buying a low-flow, aerating faucet and showerhead attachment will be covered by the savings you will incur. Average household faucets and showerheads are inefficient - a single five-minute shower can use a whopping 40 gallons of water. Installing a low-flow, aerating showerhead and faucet can save a household approximately 7,800 gallons of water each year, as well as cut down on water heating costs. This is because these shower and faucet attachments introduce air into the water output, reducing the amount of water used while still maintaining a strong water pressure. It can be hard to cut your already rushed shower time to an even shorter length, but with a more efficient showerhead and faucet, you can still take a nice, relaxing shower and save water (and money).

3. Use a hand rag and cloth napkins instead of numerous paper towels. Paper towels are cheap, but a household that uses them regularly to dry hands and wipe mouths can go through multiple rolls in a single week. This means that each year, families may be spending more money than they need to on hundreds of paper towels. The worst part of all is that these paper towels eventually end up in landfills! Buying a few cloth hand rags and napkins will cut paper towel expenses right out of the equation, and it will also reduce the amount of trash a household produces because unlike their disposable paper counterparts, these items can be thrown in with the week's laundry and reused over and over again.

4. If you have someplace to go, look into carpooling, using public transportation, or employing some old-fashioned manpower. It is no big secret that gasoline prices have gone through the roof, and are continuing to do so each year. While owning a gas efficient hybrid vehicle is a great way to lessen environmental impact and save money at the same time, not everyone can afford to junk their current vehicles for a brand new hybrid. However, there are still ways you can save money with transportation. If you have a regular commute, such as your daily commute to the office and back, consider carpooling with a group of others who always head in the same direction as you. Even if you only carpool with one other person, you can cut your gasoline expenses in half while also reducing the amount of cars on the road. Public transportation is another great option, especially if your city has an expansive network. The amount you must pay to get around on public transportation is typically much less than the amount you would have to spend on gas. In addition, public transportation can also be a much faster option if your city has bus lanes or subway lines. Finally, walking or cycling to your destinations will not only completely eliminate the impact of burning fossil fuels, but it will also provide you with a great workout.

With these eco-friendly practices, you will not only save the environment, but you will also save your hard-earned money

This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online college courses. Email comments are welcome at angelita.williams7@gmail.com.

Trash or Treasure

2010-08-18T14:00:00.001-04:00

Is one man’s trash really another man’s treasure? That adage may be true for some but for others it could be a real problem. Have you seen the new TLC television series called Hoarding: Buried Alive? Hoarding goes inside the homes of extreme hoarders and explores the psychology behind their compulsions. If you have never seen it or known someone with a hoarding problem, you can't even fathom the amount of nonessential things that these people store in large quantities. Some of them can hardly even move around in their own houses because there's so much stuff! Hoarding: Buried Alive tells the stories of hoarders struggling with behavior that has made every day existence unbearable for both them & their loved ones. But thank God there is hope for these people. With the help of expert therapists & organizers, the hoarders attempt to unlock the key to their obsessions and reclaim their lives.

Not that I am a hoarder, but I have really been more conscious these days about the clutter that can sometimes take over our homes. About 3 to 4 times a year, I start a collection of items that I no longer want or need to give to local charities (which is a wonderful way to recycle our things). I recently saw a comment in a magazine that said, "If you are not in love with what you hoard, then it's not a collection - but a hostage situation." Next time you feel the need to start collecting something, just ask yourself... do I really need that?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-04T11:53:00.005-04:00

This is a good one!

Only 4 Days Left!

2010-07-27T13:00:00.001-04:00

Gotcha!! Bet you were wondering what was only 4 days left. Well our fabulous basket giveaway (valued at $125) ends in just 4 days and we wanted to make sure that you get the word out so that moms, dads or even grandmas wouldn't miss out on this opportunity to win some wonderful product. Win it for yourself or give it as a gift!!

If you missed our post earlier in the month here is a recap...

Whether you are new to our product or have been a fan for quite some time, we would love for you to help spread the word about us. In appreciation for getting the word out about our super cute product we want to giveaway a basket full of our product, along with other eco-friendly things (value $125). Items included are not only for baby, but mom as well. You will receive the following:

* "Laugh My Diaper Off" Onesie (100% organic cotton - size 12/18m)
* "Stuck In My Highchair" Bib (100% organic cotton)
* "Giggle" T-Shirt (100% organic cotton - 2T)
* Adorable Soft Plush Animal by Beverly Hills Teddy Bear
* Eco-Friendly Sassy Earth Brights Nature Inspired Wooden Toy
* Eco-Friendly Gardening Kit (Basil Mix)
* Fully Lined Storage Wicker Basket

Here is the previous blog post where you can enter:

http://textmessagebaby.blogspot.com/2010/06/text-message-baby-giveaway-gift-basket.html

Text Message Handbook for Moms-To-Be

2010-07-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Discovering that your pregnant and going to become a new mom is an exciting time in your life but can also be an overwhelming time filled with many questions. Modern technology has come a long way and now you can get answers to all your many questions about the growing baby in your body because there is now a cell phone-based help guide to prepare you for the new addition. Yes you got it... expectant mothers can get free, helpful information via text message by signing up with Text4baby.

Text4baby provides pregnant women and new moms with information they need to take care of their health and give their babies the best possible start in life. Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 will receive free SMS text messages each week, timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth.

The best part about text4baby is that there is no solicitation or advertisements sent to your phone, and again it's free even if your cell phone plan makes you pay for a text message. New parents always make jokes about wishing their child came with a handbook, well now they do!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Enjoying my Butterfly Garden...

Don't Sacrifice Price Over Quality

2010-07-09T12:55:00.008-04:00

Some of you might be thinking that many "green" companies are charging way too much for their product because of the growing popularity of the "green" movement. Are you saying to yourself, "Is it practical to spend over $20 on one onesie?" Well I guess that depends on what you are really getting out of the product that you are buying.

Yes there may be organic baby clothes out there that may be cheaper, but as the old adage goes... you get what you pay for! Text Message Baby's organic onesies are made of a heavier 220 GSM cotton interlock with 100% Skal-certified organic cotton, combed for softness and comfort. You won't find cheap onesies in our collection! Our funny baby onesies are also now treated with a natural process called bio-wash, which helps prevent excess shrinkage, creates superior fabric memory, and prevents any pilling from washing, drying and everyday wear. We go the extra mile to insure that our product is going to stand up and last a long time so you can use them as hand me downs or send to second hand stores to be recycled again and again.

So when it comes to quality maybe it's just better to go ahead and pay a little extra rather than sacrifice spending less and getting less out of the product. Our babies are our most precious commodities so why wouldn't we want nothing but the best for them!

Unique Baby Names Can End Up Being Anything But Unique

2010-07-05T06:30:00.000-04:00

Statistics clearly show that American parents are trying to pick baby names that make their children stand out as individuals. With each annual release of the previous year's baby name registrations by the Social Security Administration, it is clear that the diversity of names for boys and girls is growing. Part of this growth is the increase in "name adaptations," or parents coming up with any name variation they can think of in order to find a unique name for their child.

Writing recently in the Washington Post, baby names expert Laura Wattenberg, author of "The Baby Name Wizard," noted the ironic results of the obsesssion with unique names. Instead of a kindergarten classroom with two Williams and two Jacks, Wattenberg wrote, we now have a kindergarten with one Aydin, one Jaden, one Braedon, and one Zayden. Wattenberg calls it "lockstep individualism". Parents twist themselves into pretzels coming up with something original, only to end up with names that are slaves to other kinds of baby naming fashion, in this case, phonetics.

Extreme examples of the search for unique baby names are plentiful. Names like Kayden, Kylee, Brooklynn, Kaiden, Rylan, and Mikayla are examples of unique baby naming run riot. These are not obscure names. They are all plucked from the lastest list of the top 200 most popular names in the U.S. Perhaps this is not surprising, since we live in a time when prospective parents Google a potential name to see if anyone else has it, and some even reserve website domain names based on their baby's name.

So where do you turn if you want an individual name for your child, but shudder at the thought of saddling a kid with a name like Kamryn?

A list of unique baby names is a good place to start. Believe it or not, there are some names out there that are time-tested, traditional, and still rare enough that they qualify as unique. Below, is a list of ten names each for boys and girls. They are all "real names' with history behind them. But keep in mind, if you choose a really unusual name for a child, you do run the risk that they may be teased later on. Although, with the boom in names like Zackery and McKayla, that may be less of a concern as times goes by!

Unique names for boys:
Alban
Chay
Digby
Fergal
Napier
Ormond
Parsifal
Trayton
Vanslow
Warwick

Unique names for girls:
Dalena
Gaia
Iole
Lettice
Odelia
Opal
Tarina
Valentia
Yaffa
Zinnia

Guest post by Neil Street
www.BabyNamesGarden.com

Text Message Baby Giveaway: Gift Basket (CLOSED)

2010-06-29T11:32:00.011-04:00

Text Messaging has become such an intricate part of society today. Many people find they can't live or even operate without the use of their cell phones. As a parent, I have come to find that one of the most difficult parts of raising a teen today is in communicating with them. If you are like most parents, text messaging is sometimes the only way to get their attention. Sad but true we have somehow become this society of convenience when it comes to talking with our children. Although everyone has their own opinions as to how the lines of communication should be met between our children, we can all agree that in this age of technology that any kind of communication is better than none at all.

Text Message Baby was created out of our love of texting. My twin daughters were actually my inspiration behind the concept of baby clothes with funny text message graphics on them. I also wanted to offer parents today an alternative to buy a product that was eco-friendly and safe for their children so we print all our designs on the finest 100% organic cotton. It's nice to imagine what babies would say if they could actually text. Our organic onesies, tees and bibs have become a popular gift for any occasion and moms, dads and grandparents everywhere love them!!

Whether you are new to our product or have been a fan for quite some time, we would love for you to help spread the word about us. In appreciation for getting the word out about our super cute product we want to giveaway a basket full of our product, along with other eco-friendly things (value $125). Items included are not only for baby, but mom as well. You will receive the following:

"Laugh My Diaper Off" Onesie (100% organic cotton - size 12/18m)
"Stuck In My Highchair" Bib (100% organic cotton)
"Giggle" T-Shirt (100% organic cotton - 2T)
Adorable Soft Plush Animal by Beverly Hills Teddy Bear
Eco-Friendly Sassy Earth Brights Nature Inspired Wooden Toy
Eco-Friendly Gardening Kit (Basil Mix)
Fully Lined Storage Wicker Basket

Here's how you can enter to win:

Just visit our website at TextMessageBaby.com and tell us which of our onesies, tees or bibs you like best either by leaving a comment here or on our facebook page!

Additional entries

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to Text Message Baby Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me @textmessagebaby on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry!

3. Become a Fan of TextMessageBaby on Facebook.

GOOD LUCK :0)

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on July 31st. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. and Canadian Residents only.

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
116
Timestamp: 2010-08-02 16:50:56 UTC

CONGRATULATIONS TALITHA OETTINGER FOR WINNING OUR GIFT BASKET GIVEAWAY!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-16T10:32:00.003-04:00

Gulf Oil Spill of 2010

These precious animals are suffering the most!

The Dirty Dozen

2010-06-02T16:18:00.004-04:00

The following is a list of the top 12 fruits and vegetables containing the largest amounts of pesticides (47 to 67 pesticides per serving):

12. Lettuce
11. Imported Grapes
10. Potatoes
9. Cherries
8. Spinach, Kale and Collard Greens
7. Sweet Bell Peppers
6. Nectarines
5. Domestic Blueberries
4. Apples
3. Strawberries
2. Peaches
1. Celery

As a conscious consumer, choose organically grown fruits and vegetables whenever you can or you can grow some of these items in your own backyard. That way you know exactly what is going into them.

Is enough being done to protect us from chemicals that could harm us? Watch "Toxic America," a special two-night investigative report with Sanjay Gupta, M.D., June 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.

Discover BabyGanics Organic Cleaning Products

2010-05-24T13:44:00.004-04:00

I was thumbing through my lastest issue of BabyTalk when I came upon a recent ad for a line of organic cleaning products called BabyGanics. I immediately thought what a cute name! BabyGanics was founded by two family guys who just wanted to make cleaning safe around babies; earth safe, people safe and especially those who are picky about what they use.

Most people don’t think twice about the products they use in their everyday cleaning but what they don't realize is that they are exposing not only themselves, but their family as well to hazardous and toxic chemicals. I know its easiest to feel compelled to just buy the least expensive cleaning products on the market today, but as a conscious consumer I personally feel that my families safety is certainly more important than saving a few bucks.

I can't wait to try their cleaning products out for myself. Maybe you will want to try them too! Click {here} for a $1.00 off coupon that is good toward any BabyGanics product of $4.99 or more. While you are at it, you can also visit their website at www.babyganics.com and see all the fine product they have to offer.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-12T10:24:00.003-04:00

Couldn't pass this one up without sharing it. LOL

M-O-T-H-E-R Spells Love

2010-05-07T07:00:00.004-04:00

"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell
"MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to me.
-Howard Johnson (c. 1915)

I love this poem! It reminds me of all the times my kids showered me with their special gifts of crayon drawings on Mother's Day. Most were garnished with this same poem each year but I never tired of it. After all, those drawings were the best kind of gift because they were crafted from their very own hands.

Hope you receive your crayon drawing this Mother's Day!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Text and Learn by LeapFrog

2010-04-29T22:54:00.007-04:00

Have you seen the latest gadget by Leapfrog called Text and Learn? Now your little one can have a baby Blackberry of their very own. Kids can mimic their parents and pretend they are sending text messages. This little device is geared more for the toddler in preschool and includes games teaching them how to spell as well as early development of computer skills.

Priced at just $25 this one is sure to be a hit and would be a great addition to our text message baby onesies, tees or bibs as a baby gift. What will they think of next?

Text Message Baby Featured on Good Morning Arizona

2010-04-20T19:23:00.004-04:00

Text Message Baby has teamed with Brilliant Baby Products as part of their EcoBaby Media tour which began on April 15th in honor of Earth Day. Some of the cities where we will be featured include Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Milwaukee, San Diego, Albuquerque, Denver and Chicago.

It is a HUGE honor for us to be named among the most favorite eco-friendly baby product by Brilliant Baby Products. Our television debut comes at a perfect time as we celebrate "green" week and Earth Day!

If you want to check out our brilliant baby product first hand, just visit our website at TextMessageBaby.com.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-14T09:46:00.002-04:00

Kind of gives "going green" a whole new meaning! LOL

Earth Day

2010-04-10T12:47:00.010-04:00

Since the Spring of 1970, Americans everywhere have celebrated on April 22nd the most environmental event of the year we call "Earth Day". On this special day we honor nature and all the ways that we can help protect the environment. It is a constant reminder to us of the actions we should be taking to make our world a better place to live in. Today more than ever, we are concerned that our planet Earth and its resources continue to be available for our children. No matter what day you choose to celebrate your Earth Day, we all share the responsibility to do as much as we can to preserve our planet’s natural resources today and for all future generations.

Text Message Baby would like to help celebrate Earth Day by offering our entire collection of organic cotton baby clothes to you for 15% off through April 22, 2010. Included is FREE SHIPPING with all orders over $50 or more. To check out our funny baby onesies, trendy toddler tees and funny baby bibs, just hop on over to textmessagebaby.com and stock up on all your favorite text message designs.

The Fresh Air Fund: Helping to Provide Memorable Summers to Less Fortunate Children

2010-03-24T16:41:00.008-04:00

The Fresh Air Fund NEEDS host families for the Summer of 2010

In 2009, The Fresh Air Fund's Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations to provide memorable summers to NYC children.

More than 65% of all Fresh Air children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year. Thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air experiences.

Fresh Air Fund Host Families

"It is rewarding to see the smile on our Fresh Air child's face as she enjoys the simple things we take for granted..."

Friendly Town host families are volunteers who live in the suburbs or small town communities. Host families range in size, ethnicity and background, but share the desire to open their hearts and homes to give city children an experience they will never forget. Hosts say the Fresh Air experience is as enriching for their own families, as it is for the inner-city children. There are no financial requirements for hosting a child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. Stories about real Fresh Air host families and their New York City visitors are just a click away!

Click here to learn more about becoming a host or call (800) 367-0003!

Fresh Air Children

"We made s'mores and hot dogs over the fire. I've never cooked outside before!"

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for either one or two weeks. Youngsters who are re-invited by the same family may continue with The Fund through age 18, and many enjoy longer summertime visits, year after year. A visit to the home of a warm and loving volunteer host family can make all the difference in the world to an inner-city child. All it takes to create lifelong memories is laughing in the sunshine and making new friends.

The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.

Fresh Air children are registered by more than 90 participating social service and community organizations located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City. These community-based agencies are in close contact with children in need of summer experiences in rural and suburban areas. Each agency is responsible for registering children for the program.

What do Fresh Air children enjoy?

Playing in the backyard
Laughing in the sunshine
Catching fireflies
Riding bicycles
Learning to swim
Running barefoot through the grass
Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights
Building sandcastles
Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city

You can give a child the experience of a lifetime with your gift to The Fresh Air Fund!

Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities.

Whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, our programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.

We are a not-for-profit agency and depend on tax-deductible donations from people like you to keep our vital programs flourishing.

Click Here to donate online now!

Guest Post by: Sara Wilson

Organic Onesies On Clearance for Only $14.99

2010-02-22T14:26:00.000-05:00

You won't find Cheap Onesies here! You will find Cheap Baby Onesies Prices! We have onesies on sale for just $14.99 so that we can make room for our fabulously improved new stock of Organic Onesies.

Many funny text message baby graphics handprinted on our high quality eco-friendly, baby safe organic onesies in fabulous colors! But hurry! Before these Clearance Onesies are gone!

Limited quanities, so pick them up while you can!!

Mommy + Me BFF Onesie $14.99
I Want My Binkie Onesie $14.99
Rock On Onesie $14.99
Princess Onesie $14.99
Baby Steps Onesie $14.99
Laugh My Diaper Off Onesie $14.99
Stuck In My Highchair Onesie $14.99
Little Angel Onesie $14.99
Hugs Onesie $14.99
Little Disciple Onesie $14.99
Got To Go Potty Onesie $14.99
Chuckle and Grin Onesie $14.99
Daddy + Me BFF Onesie $14.99

EcoSMART: Organic Pesticides for your Home

2010-02-08T13:22:00.008-05:00

Children can come into contact with pesticides in our homes, in and around our yards, day care, schools or even on our pets. Little ones are constantly touching things (that might have possibly be contaminated with a pesticide) and putting their little hands in their mouths. They also crawl and play on floors, grass, or in spaces that might be contaminated with pesticides. These activities put our children at a higher risk of exposure to pesticides that may cause serious damage to a child's health.

I love the fact that we now have alternatives in the marketplace for all-natural products such as EcoSMART compared to product made of synthetic chemical ingredients used in our most common traditional pesticides. EcoSMART was the first company to apply modern science to essential plant oils — creating the first 100% safe pesticides. All of their product are based on the natural defenses that plants and trees have used for their self protection against insects and pathogens for millenia - essential oils. Since EcoSMART’s proprietary botanical oil blends attack attributes that are specific only to pests, they have no effect on people, pets or the environment.

Their product are not only eco-friendly but also affordable in price. You can purchase these safe pesticides for garden or home separately, but their best value (at $24.00) is their Safe Home Value Bundle which includes the following:

-- Ant and Roach Killer (14 oz can)
-- Home Pest Control (24 oz spray bottle)
-- Flying Insect Killer (14 oz can)
-- Insect Repellent (6 oz bottle)

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are a million children each year that are poisoned by common household pesticides. We should do all we can to protect our little ones. We as conscious consumers purchase clothing for our children that is safe for them to wear, why wouldn't we do the same when purchasing chemical products that they might come in contact with.

You can learn more about EcoSMART products and their company by visiting their website at www.ecosmart.com.

Doing Our Part for Haiti

2010-02-04T13:06:00.003-05:00

I recently posted an informational blog concerning a way that we could all help out in the relief efforts to Haiti.

ReCellular, a company founded in 1991 to refurbish, reuse and recycle discarded cell phones, recently launched a disaster relief program for the victims of the earthquake called "Phones for Haiti." All the proceeds from this program are going to the American Red Cross for their work in helping Haiti.

ReCellular has made it so simple to donate your old phone(s), they have even provided a pre-paid shipping label at www.phonesforhaiti.com that you just print out, then all you have to do is place cell phone(s) in envelope or box and your ready to go. So the kids and I dug up our old cell phones and are happy to donate them to such a worthy cause. Sometimes its just the littlest of things that make such a big difference!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-27T10:41:00.004-05:00

Prototype of Washing Machine that twitters when your laundry is finished... not really, but why not? LOL

Recycling Phones for a Cause

2010-01-21T10:46:00.004-05:00

It's been hard to stay focused on work this week given the recent events of the Haiti disaster. Although we can't all pysically be there to help with the relief efforts, you can donate to various chariable organizations such as the American Red Cross to help fund their relief.

By now you have probaby seen the TV ads on how you can donate money to the American Red Cross by simply texting the word "Haiti" to 90999 and $10 (which will be applied to your phone bill) will go directly to the relief fund. But now there is even a way of giving to the cause while helping out the environment.

ReCellular, a company founded in 1991 to refurbish, reuse and responsibly recycle discarded cell phones, recently launched a disaster relief program for the victims of the earthquake called "Phones for Haiti." All the proceeds from this awesome program will go straight to the American Red Cross for their work in helping Haiti.

If you're like me, I'm sure you probably have an old cell phone or two just lying around somewhere and this is a wonderful way to donate to those in need and keep your electronic waste out of landfills. ReCellular has made it so simple to donate your old phone(s) that all you have to do is gather up the phone(s), print a pre-paid shipping label, then place cell phone(s) in envelope or box and your ready to go. It's that simple! ReCellular refurbishes the donated phones and then sells them to people in developing countries. Some of the phone models you donate, like Blackberries or iPhones, could even contribute up to $100 to the American Red Cross.

To learn more about how you can participate in this eco-friendly program, you can visit their website at http://www.phonesforhaiti.com.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-20T17:10:00.004-05:00

Tree of Life

Better Than Paper Towels: 25 Simple Uses for Coffee Filters

2010-01-07T21:59:00.005-05:00

If you are a coffee drinker, I'm sure you have a stack of coffee filters just waiting to be used in the pantry of your kitchen. Did you know there are many more uses for them other than filtering coffee? They even work better than paper towels and are a lot less expensive. Why you can even buy a pack of 1000 coffee filters at your local dollar store. Here is a simple list of 25 great uses for them:

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter..

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. It soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.

18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.

19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.

20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies.. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds.. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book.

25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

With so many different ways you can put those coffee filters to good use, you may never go back to using paper towels again. Oh yeah... they're great to use in your coffee makers too!

New Year - New Product

2010-01-07T09:33:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year! We are off to a great start and are very excited to introduce some new product into our collection. Our new and improved funny baby onesies ($30) are softer than what we had previously, made with a slightly heavier 220 GSM cotton interlock, but this time they have been treated with a natural process called bio-wash which helps prevent excess shrinkage and creates superior fabric memory. It also assists in preventing any pilling from washing, drying and day to day wear.

There have also been some slight fit adjustments to our organic onesies. Our necklines are slightly snugger fit and the leg holes are slightly more defined, allowing for more room for babies’ healthy thighs. The onesie nickel-free snaps are now tone-on-tone, matching the color of the fabric.

Once baby has outgrown our hip organic onesies, what are they to wear? We are so very excited to now introduce some beautiful trendy toddler tees ($25) to our product mix. Our organic tees will be available in sizes 2T, 4T and 6T. They are made from a super soft 155 GSM jersey and treated with the same natural bio-wash treatment as our onesies, for more softness, durability and longer wear.

And that's not all... we have also added three new funky baby bibs ($12) making mealtime a little more fun while looking stylish. Our organic bibs are machine washable with easy on and off velcro closure.

You can find all of our product at www.textmessagebaby.com.

Tips for Going "Green" this Christmas

2009-12-09T09:03:00.006-05:00

Although the economy is taking a turn for the better these day, it seems we all need to continue to make conscious decisions in how we spend our money. While the common perception is that it costs extra money to go green, it is actually most often not true.

Having a holiday party this season? Don't buy plastic... use regular flatware and utensils that are washable instead. It's a great excuse to pull out your fancy china that you may only use a couple times a year. Instead of buying a bunch of food platters that may be wrapped in plastic, make it a pot luck and have everyone bring their favorite dish.

When it comes to decorating, get the kids together and reuse and recycyle little items around the house to create your own Christmas wreath or ornaments for the tree. Why not extend that creativity in your gift wrapping by bringing in old magazines, newspapers, or kids' coloring books to wrap the presents with this year.

Being green can mean all sorts of things, but it's especially fun this time of year. Take the time to do something environmentally friendly this Christmas season. It will not only make the season much brighter, but help our environment as well.

Happy "Green" Holiday!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-25T12:53:00.002-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

White Elephant Christmas

2009-11-19T14:59:00.004-05:00

With the holidays fast approaching, I am reminded of all the fond memories of Christmas' past. My best friend's mother (who passed away just last year) would traditionally plan a Christmas party each year for close friends and family to attend. Everyone would bring their favorite dish and we would enjoy a wonderful potluck dinner filled with all the warmth of Christmas.

It wasn't just all the magnificent food that made the occasion so enjoyable, but the exchanging of the gifts. Part of the tradition of this party was you had to bring a white elephant gift. Now for all of you who don't know what a white elephant gift is... it's a gift that is either used or something you owned that was new but never used. For example, it could be an item you are just plain tired of and want to get rid of it or something that was maybe gifted to you in the past that you might have ever used. Now I for one do not think there is anything wrong with re-gifting to someone, as long as you don't happen to give the person whom gifted you that item in the first place.

So once the mealtime was over, everyone would pick a number and we would go around the room and take turns choosing which white elephant Christmas package we wanted to open. Sometimes there would be a goofy gag gift in the bunch that would leave everyone laughing and other times great items others wished they could have. Aren't white elephant gifts so much fun! What a wonderful way to recycle the things you no longer want or use by gifting them to someone else.

What are some of your Christmas family traditions?

Text Message Baby Christmas Sale

2009-11-10T10:48:00.004-05:00

Enjoy 25% off all of our fun and fabulous organic onesies this holiday season at Text Message Baby. A fan favorite, our "Laugh My Diaper Off" organic onesie, was recently featured in the October 2009 issue of BabyTalk Magazine.

Our collection of cute text message graphics and whimsical emoticons make our little onesies the perfect gift for those tech savvy parents. Why not do some of your holiday shopping early and save at textmessagebaby.com.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-04T15:40:00.003-05:00

New Limited Edition "I Hate Peas" Onesie

2009-10-23T12:57:00.004-04:00

Say hello to the newest addition of our collection of funny organic onesies. Now baby can display their affection for peas (IH8PZ) in text message style. I know what you're saying... I gotta have this one! This limited edition "I Hate Peas" design will only be sold for a short time, so get it while you can. Our onesies make the most unique baby gift. Christmas is coming so now is the perfect time to buy. Drop by textmessagebaby.com and get yours today!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-21T08:55:00.005-04:00

LMDO:-)

Exchange for Green: Now Why Didn't I Think of That

2009-10-20T20:59:00.003-04:00

I just came across this cool new website called Exchange for Green. It's a wonderful site that allows you the opportunity to exchange or giveaway items you no longer want or are using, all for FREE! The ultimate goal for this eco-friendly website is to help families and individuals save our environment by reducing the waste so that said items will not end up in our landfills. The site also offers a broad range of useful green tips, coupons, an eco-directory, as well as an open forum to ask questions or share your own green lifestyle.

Exchange4green.com is definately a place where everyone can promote and share all their smart "green" information and advice that will inspire us all to continue to improve our environment.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-14T12:27:00.001-04:00

Motherhood: The Movie (no time outs here)

2009-10-13T14:29:00.007-04:00

Well ladies... finally a movie that we mom's can all relate to. Motherhood, the movie opens October 23rd starring Uma Thurman, a busy mother of two overwhelmed by all the joys and frustrations that motherhood entails. She begins blogging to help deal with all her frustrations and discovers that parenthood is the ultimate “mother” load. This whimsical comedy, written and directed by Katherine Dieckmann (a mother herself), proves mom's CAN do it all despite the unexpected challenges. This one maybe labeled a "chick flick", but I definately think that dad's will get a kick out of this movie too. I for one can’t wait to see it!

Earlier today in an interview on Good Morning America, Actress Uma Thurman stated that when you purchase a ticket on Fandango, a portion of the profits from ticket sales for this movie will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the fight against breast cancer. I can't think of a better way to commemerate breast cancer awareness month!!

Here's a sneak peak...

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-07T06:00:00.001-04:00

Powerful Cleaning Done Naturally

2009-10-06T17:28:00.000-04:00

We live in a world of neverending changes and it seems as though one of the biggest challeges in the world today is living a more balanced, natural lifestyle. Homes are an important place where we want to achieve this balance. With the aim of creating a practical way to green your home, it is important to use the right cleaning products that don't have harsh chemicals or residue. As a conscious consumer, I know that there are quite a few eco-friendly products on the market today, but I personally like to use Green Works® cleaners by the makers of Clorox. Their natural line of cleaners are made with plant-based and biodegradable ingredients. Green Works® cleaners are not tested on animals and also use recyclable packaging.

Make the swap to something natural by helping others and yourself to live a cleaner, more natural life. So why not give Green Works® products a try! Click Here is get some money saving coupons to get you started.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

The Recycled Retriever: Earth Friendly Products for Pet Lovers

2009-09-20T16:54:00.008-04:00

Do you love your pets? Then you should know that in addition to their well being,the products that we purchase for them have a huge impact on our environment. Finding eco-friendly pet supplies is not always easy.

I found this really cute eco-friendly pet shop called The Recycled Retriever which features environmentally friendly product for all your pet lovin' needs. They have everything from collars, treats, toys, and so much more.
I also found that they have the largest selection of pet beds. They have this awesome Eco-friendly Hemp Oval Pet Bed that is made of strong Hemp fabrics and recycled fiber made from plastic soda bottles. Now how's that for a recycled product! I would say that the Recycled Retriever truly lives up to its name.

If you live in the Columbus, Ohio area you can shop Recycled Retriever's storefront, otherwise you can shop online at www.therecycledretriever.com.

Living Up to Being Green

2009-09-10T15:29:00.006-04:00

Conscious consumers are demanding that companies be more transparent about their eco-friendly practices and accountable for their impact on the planet. Green, sustainable, and fair trade are just a few of the characteristics American families and consumers look for in purchasing organic products. So how do you live up to these "green" values?

As a growing number of brands aspire to the same values, socially responsible business owners face the challenges of distinguishing their companies, products and services in an increasingly green marketplace. What makes your product stand out from the rest? Does the product simply speaks for itself, or is it that unique packaging. Whatever your challenge may be, you still have to market your product in a way that will be appealing to todays consumer. The overall key in this ever changing world that we live in is to provide a sustainable product that is safe for them, as well as our environment.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-02T16:26:00.003-04:00

Earth's Best Most Memorable Feeding Contest

2009-09-01T07:00:00.003-04:00

Calling all parents of cute and adorable babies. Who doesn't just love to see healthy little eaters enjoying the fun of eating pure, wholesome foods. We all do, and that is why we love organic alternatives like Earth's Best baby food.

Enter Earth's Best Most Memorable Feeding Contest and submit a video of your baby's most memorable moment eating Earth's Best products for a chance to be one of 25 lucky babies who will be selected as the new faces of the "Earth's Best Generation Pure" baby food line to debut in January 2010. Whether cute, messy or a little of both, each video entrant will receive more than $5 worth of Earth's Best coupons. Also, those chosen as the new faces of Generation Pure will win a month's supply of Earth's Best baby food, diapers and wipes valued at more than $200.

Earth's Best will confirm your entry via email and post the video to YouTube.com/earthsbestorganic. As an added bonus to each video entry, Earth's Best is donating their baby food to support Feed The Children, a non-profit organization that delivers food and other necessities to children and families who lack essentials due to famine, poverty or natural disaster. Earth's Best has committed to a 5,000 jar minimum donation and a 10,000 jar maximum donation. For more information about Earth's Best product or their contest, go to www.earthsbest.com.

Text Message Baby Giveaway: Win a Limited Edition Organic Onesie (CLOSED)

2009-08-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Just in time for Halloween, win this Limited Edition "Itsy Bitsy Spider" onesie by Text Message Baby made of the softest organic cotton. This onesie design shown is a little emoticon spider in charcoal grey print and is a size 3-6m. Tag has been removed as it is a sample product. This is the only one of its kind as we are testing out new designs to possibly introduce into our collection.

How to win: Enter to win by simply visiting our website at www.textmessagebaby.com and leave a comment here telling us your favorite text message design or simply leave a comment about this limited edition design!

Who can win: Contest is open to both U.S. and Canadian residents.

Extra chances to win: Increase your chances by completing any of the following; each one is counted as an additional entry.

• Blog about the contest mentioning Text Message Baby Blog and leave an extra comment with a link to your blog posting.
• Add our Text Message Baby Banner to your website/blog and leave an extra comment with the link to your site.
• Follow us on Twitter and tweet about this contest.
• Become a fan of Text Message Baby on Facebook

Entries must be submitted by 11:59pm PST on the contest deadline. Winner will be notified by email and will have 3 days to claim their prize after being notified by email; otherwise, a new winner will be chosen. Entries MUST include an email address in the comment so that we may notify you!

Contest Deadline: September 15, 2009

CONGRATULATIONS KERRIE MAYANS FOR WINNING OUR ITSY BITSY SPIDER ORGANIC ONESIE!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-19T08:42:00.000-04:00

Eco-(NOT)friendly Couch

Organic Batter Blaster: Pancakes Made Easy

2009-08-17T11:07:00.005-04:00

If you haven't yet discovered Organic Batter Blaster, then you are missing out on the greatest thing since Cheese Whiz. My family absolutely loves pancakes and since my children are older now, I am always on the lookout for things they will have no problem cooking theirselves (since my daughters love to cook). When I recently came across Organic Batter Blaster in the dairy section of our local grocery store, my curiousity got the best of me and I just had to try it out. Let me just say, this pancake batter produced the most light and fluffy pancakes and was super easy to prepare with absolutely no mess. Check out these ingredients:

Filtered water
Organic wheat flour (unbleached)
Organic cane sugar
Organic whole egg solids
Organic soybean powder
Sodium lactate (lactic acid from beet sugar)
DiCalcium phosphate (leavening agent)
Sea salt
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
Organic rice bran extract

Allergens: contains wheat, eggs, soy

As a conscious consumer, I not only love the fact that Batter Blaster is organic, but the plastic cap and steel can housing this pancake batter is also recycable making the entire package eco-friendly. If you would like to learn more about this company and their genius pancake batter, just hop on over to their website at www.batterblaster.com. Take their online survey for a chance to win a Nintendo Wii!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T09:51:00.002-04:00

Elisabeth Hasselbeck: It's A Boy!

2009-08-11T16:27:00.004-04:00

Elisabeth Hasselbeck, co-host of ABC's The View, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. Isaiah Timothy Hasselbeck arrived on Sunday, August 9th, weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces at birth. This is the third child of Elisabeth and Tim Hasselbeck, and he is joined by older sister Grace Elisabeth, 4, and brother Taylor Thomas, 20 months.

Text Message Baby recently gifted Elisabeth with an organic onesie for her precious baby boy and we hope she enjoys using it. Best wishes to the family as they welcome home little Isaiah.

Congratulations Elisabeth!

Text Message Baby Product Update

2009-08-06T23:13:00.000-04:00

Well it has been 10 months since I launched Text Message Baby and despite the odds of the recession, I was have been more than determined to make a go of my quirky clothing line. It has been quite a journey thus far and I look forward to seeing where this road will take me.

Anyone who has visited our Text Message Baby website will see that we are still in the process of trying to add some bibs and hats to our collection. However, it has been my priority (due to the demand) to add toddler tees to our line first and foremost. I have been told by my distributor that we should have them sometime in September.

Also in the works we will be adding a newborn gift set that will feature our "Newbie" design printed on it. This will take the place of our current Newbie onesie in color Ocean that we will be discontinuing. The gift set will come in a beautiful natural color with chocolate brown print in size 0-3m and will consist of a little tee, pants and hat. It's absolutely adorable and I know you are going to love it. This set will also be available in September.

Our summer sale has been a huge success and will be ending on August 31, 2009. All of our onesies are currently 25% off, but will return to regular price after that time. You will also note that we have several designs that have additionally markdowns up to 40% off. These are onesies that are most likely being discontinued due to design or color changes. We are making room for all the new inventory that we will have in September. So this is definately the best time to buy! We appreciate your patronage and all your support. Feel free to join us on Facebook, Myspace or Twitter.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-29T16:11:00.004-04:00

Geek Vacation

Nzymes: Antioxidant "Miracle Treats" for Pets

2009-07-27T18:18:00.003-04:00

Raising three dogs is as challenging as raising three kids. However, there seems to be alot more trips to the vets office versus the pediatrician. We have two Boston Terriers that seem to constantly have ear infections. And if that wasn't enough, it seems we are always battling the skin irritations as well.

Like my children, I want to give my pets the best possible care that I can so I am always on the lookout for some eco-friendly alternative to medicine. I recently found a product that I call the "miracle treat". Describing this product is not exactly easy, as there is so much this product can do for the body of an animal. The product is called Nzymes and its basically an antioxidant treat that you give your pet as a daily supplement.

These Nzyme Antioxidant Treats pack two powerful punches. They provide pets with a enzyme rich food source, as well as a powerful antioxidant protection. The ingredients give perfect nutritional needs to a pet's body to help cleanse toxins and free radicals from soft tissue to support healthy function of their immune system. Organic consumers can rest assure that this product is made with all natural ingredients such as dried soybean sprouts, ricebran and contains vitamin A, C and E.

Needless to say, ever since I have started giving my dogs this antioxidant treat (flavored with defatted liver and beef) there have been a lot less itching and scratching going on and very few trips to the vets office. For more information regarding this great product, you can visit their website at www.nzymes.com.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-22T23:02:00.000-04:00

Molly Ringwald: The Twins Have Arrived

2009-07-16T15:00:00.012-04:00

Actress, Molly Ringwald and husband Panio Gianopoulous welcomed their boy/girl twins, Roman Stylianos and Adele Georgiana, last Friday. Mother and babies are reported to be doing fine. The twins join their big sister, Mathilda Ereni who is 5 1/2. Just the right age to be mommy's little helper. From an experienced mom with twins, I can honestly say our "Pretty In Pink" star will need all the help she can get.

Text Message Baby recently gifted Molly and her twins our Mommy + Me BFF and Daddy + Me BFF organic onesies.

Congratulations Molly!

Reco Jeans: Blue Is The New Green

2009-07-13T09:15:00.000-04:00

Well move over Lucky Brand Jeans, there's a new jeanswear company in town and their name is Reco® Jeans. They boast the highest percentage of recycled/reused material in the denim industry. This new eco-friendly denim has hip cuts and savvy styles that make them HOT, HOT, HOT! Reco® jeans, along with celebrity partners Woody Harrelson and Alanis Morissette, are creating jeans that reduce waste and environmental impact. Of course we love that they are extending the green lifestyle. Although the price point for these jeans has yet to be decided, they will be launching these fabulous jeans real soon and I will be the first to stand in line for a pair.

To learn more about these eco-chic jeans, just pop on over to their website at www.recojeans.com.

Picture: Reco Jeans