shak-shuka

Sweet Sipping Straws

As we reach the end of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, I think I'll miss the sweetness of super ripe strawberrries, and if you were to ask Lil'Miss, she'd definitely say playing in the mini pool and using straws for nearly every drink that touched her mouth. It was a fun/ny habit to get into, but I have to admit there was a pit in my stomach every time I threw one out or just thinking of the kind of plastic they were made from.....

A while ago I discovered, and even thought about carrying a line of glass drinking straws, called Glass Dharma straws, as they are clearly the eco-ist option. The only thing is - glass? I don't know how careful you are, but I would compare my daughter to a raging bull when it comes to her delicacy level. Glass Dharma says that their glass is resistant and comes with a lifetime guarantee, so clearly they have them in mind. But what about you - would you trade your (disposable) summer fun fluorescent straws for a beautiful (but shattery) glass straw?

photo from HolisticPursuit.com

Organically Soothes Aches+Pains

It may seem a little zany that I'm writing about a warming pillow at the beginning of the summer, but there are things that are so good I've got just to share. I don't know about you, but I often suffer from a sore neck (from sitting at the computer all day) or a sore lower back (from picking up a child 100x/day) and heat always helps. I've tried placing a hair dryer on my lower back, but as good as that feels, it doesn't work for a long period of time, or for my neck. Needless to say I needed an alternative, and I found one that not only works for me, but also the entire family.

Leschi makes these adorable warming pillows that are filled with organic wheat and have a velvety soft non-toxic polar fleece cover. I like to warm it up and put it in our beds in the winter as a special "snuggle" treat, or like I said, to soothe and relax an achy body. Children really love their vivid colors, and that they come in gorilla and elephant shapes. Best of all, these warming pillows can also be used as an impromptu bean bag for a quick version of the "hot potato" game. Even though I'm not fond of my aging body's aches and pains, I revel a bit in the fact that I get to use this cute-as-a-button animal pillow that I can (almost) call my own.

Heavenly Homoepathic Kits

At our house, it's officially sniffles season. Not a day goes by that we do not go through an entire box of tissues, washcloths, towels - you name it - anything to catch the runny nose. Luckily we've had on hand the Petroleum Free Jelly which has been a godsend in soothing a raw and chapped upper lip of a certain cranky toddler. Since this doesn't seem to be a full-fledged cold (yet! look at me jinxing myself....), we decided to test our hand at self-medicated the homeopathic way. We have a great book which gives very good indications and recommendations for treating common ailments. Clearly you can visit a homeopathic practitioner in times of serious need, but for small at-home treatment, I've had good success with intuition and a good book!

Since I have so many random homeopathic medicines, I was thinking how great it would be to have an ER Homeopathic Kit. Then I remembered I had seen one! At my favorite London store, Neal's Yard Remedies, they sell these Helios Homeopathic Kits precisely for minor sniffles like we've got going on here. Luckily you don't have to trek all the way to London to pick these handy kits up, as the company Helios themselves has their own website which has many other great holistic remedies for the "alternative" family. To make the Kits even sweeter, they currently have a sale of 15% off all orders placed before the 30th of January. Don't wait for the sniffles to hit your house - be prepared with Helios Homeopathic First Aid Kits!