Saturday 20th March was a day of great blessings here at Naturally by Trisha. We celebrated the official opening of our Whare Rongoa, the factory/workshop where our tinctures, balms and creams are made. It was a day like no other. The whare has been a work in progress for many months as we transformed an existing workshop into a place where real magic happens. For more details read the full post
Kia Ora everyone.Wow hasn’t Spring arrived with a bang! Here at our Naturally by Trisha gardens we have plums, pears, peaches, apples, nashi’s, macadamias all in varying stages of blossom, with Egyptian musk rose weaving through some of the fruit trees. The scent in the air is so heady, it never fails to fill me with hope and joy. Another cycle beginning in the garden.
http://greentot.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/natural-diaper-creams-balms/ Posted by Julie under Green Baby Health, Green Bath Time, Green Diapers | Tags: diaper, nappy, rash | "There’s a saying by Canadian social reformer and educator Martin McLuhan: “Diaper backward spells repaid”. One thing is pretty certain: a wise choice of diaper care products can be repaid with quieter nights and happier daytime play. All babies have at least one bout of diaper rash before they are potty-trained. There’s no way around it. Frequent diaper changes (not less than seven a day), water rinsing when practical instead of baby wipes, a regular application of lightweight baby oils and use of all-natural baby wipes can help control, if not completely prevent baby rash. Sometimes diaper rash can be caused by the very diapers you use. Cloth diapers are more prone to causing skin irritations, perhaps due to a fact that the moisture is not quickly whisked off the skin, like in disposable diapers. Unlike many other green moms, I am not a firm believer in cloth diapers (I already envision skeptical frowns.) Before my baby was born, I stocked an ample supply of soft, fluffy cloth diapers, woolen pants, and waterproof pads, none of which came cheap. After a month of daily diaper washes, our water and electricity bills skyrocketed! The almost constant diaper rash despite frequent changes and usage of only natural detergents (think Dr. Bronner’s soap and plain unscented soap flakes, not Fairy liquid!) was also a decisive factor. We switched to biodegradable, chlorine-free disposables made of corn, and my daughter has never had a bout of diaper rash ever since. With monthly a cost of $40 (instead of $100-plus that advocates of cloth diapering claim) and substantially lower environmental impact, I am happy to use disposable diapers with biodegradable liners and pack them in compostable diaper sacks. Even if you choose to use cloth diapers, keep a pack of larger-sized (not training pants) diapers for diaper rash emergencies. To soothe a baby’s diaper area, always wash it with water instead of cleaning with wipes, even if you made your own completely green ones. Pat the area dry and apply a barrier cream with zinc oxide, calendula, aloe or chamomile. I am not a huge fan of lavender, and whenever possible, I choose a cream that has only few ingredients, to minimize any risk of irritation. And of course, I steer clear from any diaper balms that have any PEGs, parabens, artificial fragrances, silicone, or other chemicals nasties. Why would I use them if so many natural alternatives are available?"
www.good-parenting.net/2008/07/06/why-organic-balms-work-better/ "Why Organic Balms Work Better July 6th, 2008 by admin There are plenty of baby products on the market, many full of chemicals and artificial colors and perfumes to make them look and smell better. These chemicals tend to be harsh on delicate skin and parents in the know usually prefer organic baby skin care products such as organic baby balms. Baby Bottom Balm should be completely made of natural ingredients that are chemical free. Each ingredient has a specific purpose and it´s a good idea to understand which ingredient does what for your baby´s skin so you can choose the perfect organic baby balm for his or her skin. Organic Baby Balm Ingredients Beeswax: This ingredient is one of the most commonly used in baby balms. It´s a natural ingredient that smells heavenly and also works to seal and protect delicate skin. When used with moisturizing ingredients, it helps to seal them in, maximizing the moisturizing potential of any baby balm. Calendula: This Mediterranean flower is a very useful natural ingredient. Used on its own, it can eliminate pain and when used in organic baby balms, calendula reduces inflammation and promotes healing. It also reduces the itching of insect bites. Chamomile: A natural antiseptic, chamomile is soothing and great for use on sensitive skin. It boosts natural cell regeneration and helps reduce rashes and swelling. This herb is particularly useful in baby skin care products meant to treat diaper rashes. Coconut Oil: An amazing oil that originates from the meat of the coconut, this natural ingredient has anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties that make it a very useful ingredient in organic baby balms. Lavender: This aromatic herb is well known for its soporific effect on people and a little of its essence added to an organic baby balm will help calm and soothe a fussy baby and promote sleep. Olive Oil: This natural moisturizer is just as healthy when applied to the skin as it is ingested. Rich in Vitamin E, olive oil helps promote healing and minimizes scarring. It is also excellent for treating skin problems like eczema and dandruff. Shea Butter: An organic, heavy duty moisturizer, shea butter is also useful for protecting little faces from the wind and sun. It also promotes healing of small cuts and rashes, such as diaper rashes and can be used to prevent and treat blemishes and scars. Shea butter is also used to help reverse skin damage caused by harsh chemicals and can really soothe tender baby skin. Zinc Oxide: One of the most common ingredients in diaper rash cream, zinc oxide eases inflammation and works as a natural astringent on the skin. It´s gentle healing action is very useful for rashes and sores. It is also a natural sun block. Organic baby balms are the natural way to treat your baby´s skin. Not all of the above ingredients will be used in every balm, as each is specifically formulated to serve a purpose. For example, a healing balm might contain olive oil, zinc oxide and calendula, while a moisturizing balm would be more likely to have beeswax and shea butter in it. The simpler organic baby skin products are, the less likely your child will have a reaction to any of the ingredients. Most baby balms have just 4-6 ingredients and all are recognizable, as opposed to chemical laden versions. Look for an organic baby balm that has the ingredients needed for your baby´s particular skin type. Each ingredient will do a specific job and combined, they are dynamite for treating dry infant skin."