Who: Indigenous offers organic, fair trade apparel handmade by artisan knitting co-ops in remote regions of the globe. A pioneer in the organic fair trade apparel industry, Indigenous adheres to its mission – creating premium, individually crafted pieces that honor both people and the planet.

What: Indigenous specializes in versatile, all-natural handmade apparel and accessories for women, men and children with an emphasis on premium women’s knitwear. Made using only the finest natural fibers – including alpaca, Merino wool, organic cotton, and Tencel – and natural, low-impact dyes, Indigenous pieces offer current styling, flattering cuts, hand-embroidered embellishments and vibrant colors. All items are handmade by Indigenous-initiated artisan co-ops in remote regions of the world where fair-wage work allows artisans to hone their skills, preserve cultural tradition and increase their marketability.

History: Indigenous has provided quality organic, fair trade apparel since 1994 and is a pioneer in the eco sensitive and socially conscious apparel industry. Founded by Scott Leonard and Matt Reynolds, the company has paved the way for organic fair trade apparel in the mainstream market.

Market: Indigenous apparel suits those seeking impeccably handmade, pieces for a variety of occasions, appealing to everyone from comfort-seeking free spirits, to outdoor enthusiasts to avid travelers.

Indigenous Designs Kids Spring Collection

Available in sizes 1-4, Indigenous children’s apparel includes an assortment of layerable sweaters and shirts as well as play dresses, coveralls, pint-sized accessories and more. Additional sizing for under 1 will soon be available.

PURCHASING:

*Find a store near you with the Store Locator

Indigenous Designs clothing is available as most Whole Foods, REI and better Dillard’s stores. A small collection is available at www.indigenousdesigns.com

Giveaway:

Congrats Cara G.

Success Through Play comments:

While on a trip to South America in 1993, Scott Leonard and Matt Reynolds, become inspired by the culture of the region and the knitting techniques of the artisans, and decided to create “Indigenous Designs.”

Indigenous Designs is committed to:

* Supporting and preserving fair trade wages and artisan cooperatives
* Investing in natural and organic fibers and environmentally-friendly dyes
* Spreading the beauty of handmade, eco fashion

We commend and applaud Indigenous Designs for empowering the lives of the local artisans in South America. Indigenous Designs uses all natural fibers including wool, alpaca, silk, Tencel, organic cotton and other fibers created by nature, to create eco fashion. The organic cotton is certified by Skal. Indigenous Designs was the first clothing company to blend organic cotton with Tencel, a breakthrough fiber made of sustainably harvested tree pulp. Every item in the Indigenous Designs Collection is hand-made by the local artisans in South America.

“In many cases, Indigenous utilizes the natural colors of organic cotton and fleece, eliminating the need for dyes to achieve complex color schemes within our fashion collections. Indigenous also develops low impact dyes which contain no heavy metals and are Azo – dioxazine compound free. Indigenous ensures a qualified system for waste water filtration.”

This clearly illustrates Indigenous Design’s commitment to the environment and their goals of uplifting and empowering impoverished communities. This company believes that:

“You shouldn’t ever have to sacrifice fashion and style to be a good global citizen.”

The Spring 2008 Kids Collection offers neutral pieces, lightweight T’s, shirts, shorts and colorful play dresses and cardigans. Our panel had the opportunity to review a dress with a beautiful flower design and a hooded cardigan. What is immediately apparent is the stylish designs, high quality knitting and beautiful details of the garment which have been hand knitted using eco-fibers, which are healthier for your child and the environment.

The dress turned out to be the perfect “party dress” which drew lots of attention and many compliments. Parents were really intrigued to learn more about eco-fibers! For cooler days, wear over jeans, for a “trendy look.” This dress has beautiful detailing at the hemline which frames the design beautifully.

The hooded cardigan is made from organic cotton and features lovely hues which compliment each other. The beautiful detailing around the hood and is ideal for cooler Spring days. This unisex piece can be worn throughout the Spring and can be unpacked again for fall and winter, and used for layering. Your little one will be be the “best dressed” kid and you will feel great about purchasing an item which is part of a greater cause.

In addition to the Kids Collection, Indigenous Designs offers a Women’s, Men’s and Accessory collection. Sale items are listed here.

To find out more, please visit:
www.IndigenousDesigns.com

About Birth and Baby

“My life and my business have been dedicated to helping mothers experience the natural joy and fulfillment breastfeeding brings, and to giving children the purist and most beneficial beginning to their lives. Your decision to breast-feed is a choice that will reap both spiritual and physical benefits for you and your child throughout your lives.”

“My product selection of nursing bras, nursing clothes, maternity clothes, breast pumps, and other supplies has been distilled from my experience as a mother, a childbirth educator, a Certified Lactation Consultant, and two decades of study, work, and breastfeeding experience. You may be confident that I have chosen my products carefully, and that I have experience behind my information.”

“I am, most importantly, the mother of six breast-fed children. I have over 17 years of continuous breastfeeding under my belt (bra?). For fifteen years, I was an active La Leche League leader and was certified by the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants in 1987. Also, I am a trained childbirth Doula and I taught natural childbirth classes for 11 years. I am currently going to midwifery school and attending births as a midwife. I have had a retail business selling breastfeeding-related items since 1986.”

“I love to help moms birth, breast-feed and feel good!”

Thank – you,

PJ Jacobsen, IBCLC

P.J. decided to offer her own line of nursing apparel: Birth and Baby Nursing Apparel and Katie Rose, which we are highlighting today.

Birth and Baby Sleep Bra

*Special Features: The amazing fabric makes this bra irresistible! The convenient pull to the side cup design makes nursing a snap! Hint: As you pull the fabric to the side to nurse fold your pad in half and keep it on the side rather than pulling it out (and forgetting where you put it!) and then pop it right back into place as you are done.

*Color: Cream, White, Black, Snake Print.

*Size: Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2X, 3X.

Birth and Baby Lounge Dress

*Special Features:Our irresistibly soft sleep bra comes extended to the knee in a beautiful nursing gown! The same simple pull to the side cup that makes night time nursing hassle free.

*Color: black.

*Size: Small, Medium, Large, XLarge and 2XL.

Birth & Baby Lounge Dress w/ 3/4 Sleeves

*Special Features: Our ultra soft lounge dress is now available in two new beautiful colors and with 3/4 length sleeves. Just enough sleeve to keep the chill off in winter and yet not too much in summer for a great year round gown! The same simple pull to the side cup that makes night time nursing hassle free.

*Color: Rose or Teal.

*Size: Small, Medium, Large, XLarge, XXLarge.

Kati Rose Sleep Bra

*Special Feature: Finally a sleep/leisure bra that has a choice of band and cup sizes – especially in the larger sizes!! This is our own design and is made in house! This is the perfect bra for that first week when you need to be really comfy while your breasts are deciding what size they are going to be! The cups simply pull to the side without putting pressure on ducts and no hardware to deal with. For extra support all sizes and colors are now available lined for an additional fee. Keep in mind that adding the lining makes the cups a tad smaller.

*Color: White, Cream or Black & Tie Dye. All colors are available in lined for more support.

*Sizes: 32-34 E/F up to 44-46 I/J – 12 sizes in all

PURCHASING:
*www.birthandbaby.com

Success Through Play™ comments:

Birth and Baby has been in business for over 22 years and operates both a retail store, in Lind, WA and an online store offering a full range of nursing bras, breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies, maternity items and more which can be accessed here, all at great prices plus their famous $1 shipping in the USA. Featured in “Baby Bargains” Birth and Baby is a favorite with moms who love the great selection of products and excellent customer service that Birth and Baby offers. Visit www.birthandbaby.com and you will see all the top nursing brands which are known for their quality and comfort. The Birth and Baby site is very well designed and shoppers can search for the perfect nursing bra by size, type, company etc. There are over 75 styles to choose from-each of which has been carefully selected by P.J. to help moms nurse in style, comfort and with ease. Birth and Baby highlights the special features of each bra, lists the fabric content and adds shape and fitting comments, which are unique to this site.

Not to be missed are the following Birth and Baby links which will educate, enlighten and equip you with the skills necessary to find the perfect bra for your shape:

*General Tips for Buying Bras

*Breast Shape Codes

*Bra Size Calculator

Looking for a bargain? Look no further than the Birth and Baby “Let Down” sale where great bargains are to be had! P.J.’s wealth of knowledge stems from both her personal experience of having breastfed all 6 of her children, as well as her professional experience as a midwife, doula, La Leche League leader, Certified Lactation Consultant and childbirth educator and is uniquely qualified to help moms succeed with breastfeeding. The best advise that P.J. has for moms who are struggling with breastfeeding:

“Seek help from the right people (La Leche League Leaders or Lactation Consultants) before it is a crisis!! Surround yourself with positive people and join your local La Leche League group as we all need mothering support.”

Our panel of breastfeeding moms had the following comments to share with our readers:

“The Birth and Baby Sleep Bra is the most comfortable sleep around-I have tried them all and this one wins hands down. It is very well designed and ideal for sleeping in and even for lounging around the house. It holds my breast pads in place and I often feel as if I am wearing nothing at all-it is THAT comfy. Night feeds are simple and easy and there is no complicated snaps or hooks; I simply pull the fabric to the side to nurse-perfect for sleep deprived parents. I would recommend stocking up because you will be reaching for this sleep bra night after night!”

“The Birth and Baby Lounge Dress is simply beautiful! There is nothing better to boost a new mom’s self-esteem than a lovely lounge dress!: the design is very flattering to my post partum body and I feel very special when I am wearing it! Nursing in it is super easy with the pull to the side fabric and time is everything when your hungry baby is crying during the middle of the night. This lounge dress is the perfect dress for hanging out in the house, especially during the early newborn days. When my nursing days are over, I will still enjoy sleeping in it, which makes it a great value.”

“The Birth and Baby Lounge Dress with 3/4 sleeves is perfect for cooler days and nights. I feel comfortable answering the door in this dress or greeting surprise visitors who have all comments that I look so pulled together! I received this dress in the teal, which is a stunning color and will compliment any and every skin tone. The nursing access is a breeze which makes life simple and breastfeeding much easier. My husband loves the style of this dress and will admit feeling like a sexy mama when I wear it!”

“The Katie Rose Sleep Bra is very special. It is the only one that I know of that comes in a range of band and cups sizes, allowing you to get the perfect fit! I have a large band size and large bust and up until now, all the sleep bras that I had tried were very snug in the band size and cup size. The Katie Rose Sleep Bra is the only bra that I could wear for the first week after giving birth, when my cup sizes were changing and I only wish that it had been available with my other 2 kids! It is very comfortable to wear and I am so pleased that I packed it in my hospital bag.”

Visit www.BirthandBaby.com

THE ULTRA-METABOLISM COOKBOOK

Book Description:

200 Delicious Recipes that Will Turn on Your Fat Burning DNA
By Mark Hyman, M.D.
Scribner November 20, 2007
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-4959-8

Ignite your fat-burning furnace with the foods that will reprogram your body to lose weight naturally. Learn which foods will send instructions of weight loss and health—and which ones will send messages of weight gain and disease. Work with your body instead of against it, and, for the first time, look your best, feel your best, and perform your best. Packed with delicious, easily prepared dishes for each phase of the plan, THE ULTRAMETABOLISM COOKBOOK: 200 Delicious Recipes that Will Turn on Your Fat Burning DNA offers everyday, easy, elegant recipes to the countless Americans who have been won over by Dr. Mark Hyman’s breakthrough fat-burning revolution, ULTRAMETABOLISM and the ULTRASIMPLE DIET. Based on the rigorous research behind the new science of nutrigenomics—the study of how nutrients influence which genes are expressed, ultimately controlling weight and health—THE ULTRAMETABOLISM COOKBOOK serves up recipes to nourish the cells and revitalize the whole body. The ULTRAMETABOLISM COOKBOOK stems directly from the seemingly abstract work of the Human Genome Project, using the most recent research in genetics to create a smarter approach to health and weight loss. As Dr. Hyman explains, a steady diet of real, whole foods—foods high in fiber and colorful, plant-based phytonutrients; foods low in glycemic load, a measure of how rapidly a food enters the bloodstream and raises blood sugar; foods your great-grandmother would have served—acts like natural medicine. Muscle and joint aches, nasal and chest congestion, fatigue, fluid retention, and resistance to weight loss are among the troubling symptoms that can be healed through diet and nutrition.

To help new readers reap the benefits of Ultrametabolism, Dr. Hyman presents a quick summary of the program’s core principles and seven keys. First and foremost, he describes how to compose the perfect meals, simply accomplished by eating a variety of real, whole foods and avoiding refined carbohydrates and sugars. Then, he moves on to the heart of the book: 200 easy-to-prepare, delicious recipes. Offering much to please every palate, the dishes are grouped together to suit the two phases of the UltraMetabolism plan. In Phase I, a three-week detox from all processed foods, and the most common illness and obesity causing food allergens, plus stimulants like coffee and alcohol, eaters can dig into Rosemary White Bean Dip with Red Pepper and Fennel Strips, Gazpacho with Shrimp, Cashew Chicken Salad, and much more. Adding a wide variety of tasty options, Phase II promises to rebalance anybody’s metabolism in four weeks, providing the foundation for a leaner, more active body and a healthier, more rewarding life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Hyman, M.D., is the editor in chief of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, the most prestigious journal in the field of integrative medicine. He is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller UltraPrevention, as well as the author of the New York Times bestsellers UltraMetabolism and The UltraSimple Diet. A sought after lecturer, he has appeared on The View, The CBS Early Show, Good Morning America Weekend, and PBS, and serves as an AOL coach. After ten years as co-medical director at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, founded The UltraWellness Center (www.ultrawellnesscenter.com) in Lenox, Massachusetts. He welcomes visitors to his websites, www.drhyman.com and www.ultrawellness.com.

PURCHASING:

Available at booksellers nationwide.

Success Through Play™ comments:

A few months ago one of our Contributing Editors, Anne, was watching PBS and was introduced to Mark Hyman, M.D. and his Ultrametabolism concept. Anne sat through several hours of Dr Hyman’s lectures, glued to the television screen and what was immediately apparent was that the Ultrametabolism Philosophy was not another fad diet, but rather a scientificly based lifestyle program that Anne wanted to learn more about. During the lectures, Dr Hyman emphasized the importance of eating a plant based diet and stressed how pivotal it is to “cook from scratch” and eat unprocessed foods that are low glycemic. Following the lectures, Anne immediately ordered the book: Ultrametabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss and eagerly awaited its arrival in the mail. Anne was introduced to a new waiting of eating and began to enjoy cooking and eating meals again; food was no longer a source of stress or guilt. Anne reports that her energy level has sky-rocketed and she has a new outlook on life. She shed the 25 pounds that had tipped her BMI in the wrong direction and is now at a healthy weight for her frame and height. The book has given Anne the foundation from which she now bases her lifestyle and has taught her to prepare simple meals which are nothing short of delicious and very satisfying! Anne was looking for a cookbook which was based on the Ultrametabolism principles, and was delighted to find out that The Ultra-metabolism Cookbook, was now available. Simon & amp;Schuster rushed us a review copy and we would like to thank them!

The Ultra-metabolism cook was written with the understanding that you have already read the Ultrametabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss and serves as the ideal companion book. In the introduction, Dr Hyman reviews some core concepts of the Ultrametabolism book, however we would highly recommend that you buy the book: Ultrametabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss. The Ultrametabolism plan consists of Phase I and Phase II, which is discussed in great detail in the book: Ultrametabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss. The recipes in the Ultra-Metabolism Cookbook are divided into Phase I and Phase II, with a heavier emphasis on Phase II recipes. The recipes are also categorized by Appetizers/Snacks, Soups, Salads, Fish and Shellfish, Meat and Poultry, Vegetarian Entrees, Side Dishes, Breakfasts, Vinaigrettes Sauces and Dressings. The resource section is very comprehensive and even if you don’t live in close proximity to a Whole Foods Store, you will be able to mail order healthy grains etc. The index is well laid out and will making finding healthy recipes quick and easy.

Dr Hyman lists additional resources and links to download additional pdf’s and other documents to supplement the guide, which he has authored. Dr Hyman clearly has a great passion to transform the diets of Americans and give the gift of health to everyone who is seeking it.

Dr Hyman has consulted with leading chefs to bring you a wide variety of 200 recipes which have been influenced by many cultures with options for meat eaters, fish lovers and even vegetarians-there is something for everyone! Each recipe comes complete with a nutritional breakdown which is always helpful.

We tested the following 3 recipes:

Apple-Walnut Amaranth, Creamy Chickpea Soup and Coconut Dal with Steamed Broccoli and Brown Rice. The Apple-Walnut Amaranth was a clear favorite and has now become a staple breakfast for many of our Contributing Editors! Simon & Schuster has granted us permission to share this recipe with our readers!

If you are celebrating Passover, this is the perfect nutritious breakfast! Amaranth is a nutty, nutritious grain full of vitamins and minerals and is a complete protein. Find it at your whole foods store or order it via mail. This is a simple one dish meal. The apple and cinnamon are key ingredients and must not be left out! The apple and cinnamon give a subtle sweetness to this dish, without the use of sugar.

Apple-Walnut Amaranth

Serves 4
Serving Size: 2/3 cup

Ingredients:

1 cup amaranth
3 cups soy milk (almond milk works great as well!)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch Kosher Salt (optional)
1 Large apple, skin on, cored and diced (a sweet red apple works really well)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Place the amaranth, soy milk, cinnamon, salt (if using), and chopped apple in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cover pan ans reduce heat to low. Simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until amaranth is soft. Top with chopped walnuts and serve.

Tip:
As the amaranth starts to thicken, stir continuously.

Creamy Chickpea Soup

This a great way to introduce beans into your diet.

Coconut Dal Curry

The coconut curry dal is a magnificent dish and is so easy to prepare and perfect for a dinner party. Your guests will think that you have been slaving away in the kitchen!

This book is a wonderful addition to your cookbook collection and the perfect cookbook to teach you how to cook delicious and nutritious meals which together with stress reduction, aerobic and strength training, will aid you in losing weight and feeling great. In future editions, we would like to see more plant based recipes and less meat, poultry and fish, as Dr Hyman emphasized in his PBS series.

ABOUT SIMON & SCHUSTER

Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Online, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonsays.com

Dress Me Up is me, Tressa Brotsky – I’m a visual artist, mama of one, children and youth
advocate, lover of Ovaltine and gingersnap cookies, creating and playing on Canada’s West Coast. I am proud to be an independent cottage industry located in Victoria BC. All Dress Me Up products are handmade by me and my small team of accomplices, where I know every single every thing of each product as it is prepared, constructed and finished. I approach my work as an artist, not a manufacturer, and enjoy seeing my hand and the hand of my team, in each item that we produce. I revel in all things nostalgic. For my Organic Toys, I draw design inspiration from the stories of the tried and true toys of yesteryear as told by grandparents and great aunts. My sketches and drawings find their way onto the Organic Teething Bonbons and other Organic Flannel products, embroidered one at a time, making each piece a work of art that celebrates the foundation of all visual delights – colour, line and form – and invites children to create their own experience of exploration and discovery.

Dress Me Up was born after the arrival of my own little one in 2006 when I discovered the lack of affordable organic products and the over-production of new baby everything. I had been working with textiles for years creating a line of handbags from recycled upholstery leathers – and was inspired to take a fresh approach to baby necessities and provide an alternative to the mass produced, mass impacting baby product industry. From initial design to delight in your little ones hands, I am so pleased to offer a simple and classic line of sustainable baby and toddler toys and accessories that makes a difference in our individual lives and larger global community with beautifully artistic flair.

Healthy and safe for our babes and our shared environment, organic cottons are soft and beautiful – and simply wonderful to work with and inspiring to share. The organic cotton flannel I use in the Organic Teething Bonbon™ is certified organic and 100% grown and milled in the USA. The organic cotton prints I use for the Organic Nature Inspired Soft Blocks are by HarmonyArt. They are certified organic, and milled and printed in the USA and India. *Coming Soon! A fresh line of Organic Soft Blocks and Cloth Balls will feature original prints from my collaboration with Charlotte Campbell, a Victoria-based screen printer and fellow visual artist.

TEETHING BONBONS

Every parent knows the discomfort that teething causes their little one and we look for safe, convenient ways to sooth the pain. What could be more fun and helpful than a teething soother that’s free of plastics and brings to mind French sweets? Each Teething Bonbon™ is made from certified organic cotton flannel, sweetly stitched with delicious colors, stuffed with naturally anti-bacterial clean, carded wool and finished off with two knots.

TO USE:

1. Soak the knots in cooled boiled water
2. Leave the center area dry
3. Toss in the freezer until needed

Baby chews on the frozen knots to help ease teething pain. The wool center keeps Baby’s hand warm while the limited frozen area means no drippy mess. Safe, soothing and absolutely darling!

Teething Bonbons™ work just as well when not frozen given the density of the flannel knots, and come in 3 different stitch colors so you can keep track of which Bonbon is on the go. Naturally anti-bacterial and flame retardant, wool is a fantastic and traditional stuffing material for children’s products. Organic Teething Bonbons™ stuffed with organic cotton instead of wool are available by special order for little ones with wool sensitivities.

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS:

Machine wash COLD DELICATE and line dry, or hand wash. Over time the wool center will ‘felt’ up. This will not impact the function of the Teething Bonbon™. If you’d like, you can pull and fluff the centre after each wash to keep felting to a minimum. Untie the knots for a thorough clean; the wool stuffing is stitched into place and will not slip down into the ends.
ORGANIC NATURE INSPIRED SOFT BLOCK SETS

1 – 2 – 3
What fun you’ll have with me!

ORGANIC COTTON SOFT BLOCKS

These Organic Soft Blocks boast beautiful, certified organic cottons that have been printed with low-impact, water based dyes in nature-inspired designs by the amazing HarmonyArt. Each block is individually made in Canada and stuffed with clean, carded wool and comes with an organic draw-string bag for easy travel and storage. Organic Soft Blocks are the perfect toy for little ones as they learn to pick things up and then get excited about stacking and sorting. These gentle toys make a thoughtful gift and are perfect for when the little one needs a little something in a quiet place. Appropriate, safe and darling for every age – Newborn and up.

*Approx 4 x 4 inches.
*Set of 3 with an organic cotton draw-string bag.

Naturally anti-bacterial and flame retardant, wool is a fantastic and traditional stuffing material for children’s toys. Organic Soft Blocks stuffed with organic cotton, instead of wool, are available by special order.

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS:

Hand wash or spot wash, line dry, fluff and enjoy!

PURCHASING:

Receiving fantastic feedback and customer support across North America and beyond, Tressa is steadily making Dress Me Up products more widely available. The Organic Soft Blocks and Teething Bonbons™ are now available in a handful of shops across Canada and the US who specialize in natural and creative play products for children.

ONLINE RETAILERS:

All Customers can purchase these products directly from Dress Me Up online at: dressmeup.etsy.com

Please note that Tressa is currently away on a retreat and won’t be in as regular email contact until next week. Any orders placed between now and the end of April will be shipped in the first week of May. Since each product is lovingly made my hand, please plan ahead when purchasing gifts etc to allow sufficient turn around time. All products ship from Canada!

CANADA:

*NaturalPod.com

*BackToNatureBabyStore.com

USA:

*MaharDryGoods.com

*ShopKidDynamo.com

RETAILERS:

USA:

Lundeby’s Inc in Tulsa, OK

Hatched in Boston, MA

Chick Peas Co in Glen Carbon, IL

CANADA:

*Bare Bones Clothing & Accessories in Innisfail AB.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Happy Earth Day! We thought that we would celebrate Earth Day by highlighting an eco-friendly company, Dress Me Up, based out of Canada, which makes beautiful eco-friendly items which are lovingly made by hand. Tressa Brotsky, founder, uses her skills as a visual artist, talented seamstress and proud mama to create beautiful products for mom and baby.

The organic cotton flannel used in the Dress Me Up line of products is certified organic and 100% grown and milled in the USA. The organic cotton prints are also certified organic, and milled and printed in the USA and India.

Organic Cotton Soft Blocks

We received samples of the organic cotton soft blocks in a bright colorful patterns, which are visually appealing to babies. The blocks have smooth, rounded corners for safety and although soft, are stackable. Soft Blocks hold tremendous developmental value and your baby will love to squish the blocks, stack the blocks, toss them in the air to explore gravity, throw them and yes, even cuddle with them-creating wonderful opportunities to learn through play. Children will turn to these blocks during creative and imaginative play-is it a car, train, house?-let the imagination run wild! Soft blocks are great “first blocks” because they are lightweight and have no sharp edges, making the ideal for young babies. Each soft block is filled with wool and customers can make a special request for the soft blocks to be filled with organic cotton! This set will make a lovely Baby Shower Gift!

Organic Teething Bonbon™

The words “beautiful” and “teether” are usually not found in the same sentence, but in this case, they really should be! With all the toxic teething products on the market, we were thrilled to have found these non-toxic all natural Teething Bonbon from Dress Me Up which we think should be an essential product in your home! The Teething Bonbons have been designed so that just the outer knots are wet and then frozen, to soothe and comfort tender gums, while the inner center portion remains dry and comfortable for baby to hold. The teething bonbons are just the right size for baby’s little hands and baby will be able to practice his grasping skills while soothing his little gums at the same time! Parents can rest assured knowing that baby is chewing and chomping down on organic cotton and not toxic chemicals! No batteries are required with this Teething Bonbon and an added is these “Bonbons” won’t cause tooth decay, but will soothe tender teething gums! The Bonbons are sold individually and we recommend buying at least 2, so that you have a 2nd one on hand. We received a set of 3 Bonbons, which features 3 difference stitch colors, so parents can keep track of each Bonbon, a thoughtful detail which demonstrates the true quality of handmade products. The Teething Bonbon will make a wonderful supplemental Baby Shower Gift.

The Organic Cotton Soft Blocks Set (containing 3 blocks) arrives in a beautiful storage bag perfect for travel and which can be reused time and time again-the perfect eco-friendly packaging! The Organic Teething Bonbons™, when sold in sets of 3 or more come in an Organic Cotton tie bag, just as you received them. When sold individually or in a pair, the Organic Teething Bonbons™ come wrapped in a twist of waxed paper.

We distributed the samples to members of our parents panel and this is what they had to say:

“The organic cotton soft blocks are just darling. They remind me of the soft blocks that I used to play with as a kid! It’s really refreshing to know that Dress Me Up is designing and sewing beautiful products that are safe and well made. My older toddler enjoyed playing with the soft blocks as much as my baby!”

“I really like that the soft blocks are stuffed with wool, which won’t attract dust mites and bacteria! The blocks are beautifully made and my daughter loves exploring them! Perfect for quite times when you don’t want to overstimulate your baby, but still want to keep her busy-especially when I am making dinner and don’t want to wind her up before bed.”

“The Teething Bonbons are simply adorable and work brilliantly! Up until now, I had been freezing standard teething products in an attempt to help soothe my baby’s painful gums, however the entire teether was frozen and it wasn’t comfortable for my baby to hold onto it, thus it was ineffective. I was really impressed with the design of this teething bonbon which allowed my baby to comfortably hold the center portion while munching on the cool knots. The firm knots provide him with the just the right texture and temperature to ease his gums. When I am on the go, I simply keep the bonbons in their storage bag and give me baby one as needed-even when not frozen, they soothe his gums! We are all much happier because of this product. Thank you”

“In light of the all recent recalls, we rid our house of toxic toys, which left us without any teething products and one cranky baby! The teething bonbons arrived at the perfect time. I was thrilled to learn that they are made from organic cotton and loved the fact that they are hand made. The bonbon are really simple to use and my baby loved them. His eyes light up when I bring him his Teething Bonbon and I will be recommending this product to all of my friends. Thank you!”

To view the full collection of beautiful handmade products from Dress Me Up, please visit:

www.DressMeUp.Ca

Boob Maternity & Nursing Wear, the line beloved by pregnant and nursing moms alike for its stylish, comfortable and functional clothes, is proud to announce that in Spring 2008, they will offer a select line of items made with organic cotton. Just what you’d expect from a company that was started out of concern for the comfort and modesty of nursing moms!

THE ORGANIC COTTON LINE:

Boob has launched its organic cotton collection with two styles of nursing tops and below-the-bump jeans in organic cotton. A nursing camisole is detailed with piping along the neckline and armholes and is available in three colors.

A 3/4 sleeve nursing top with v-neck, available in four colors, is a great basic for any nursing mom’s wardrobe.

Boob’s super-flattering and comfortable B•Low jeans feature a straight leg and come in a slimming shade of dark blue.

Company founder Mia Seipel is strongly committed to making sure she and her company
are doing their part to help create a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations. The line is produced in Europe, in factories where the employees are treated fairly and that maintain an environmentally sound production process. From the workers in the cotton fields to the nursing mom wearing Boob, choosing Boob Organic Cotton is something everyone can feel positive about.

PURCHASING
*Please visit www.boobdesign.com and click on store locator

Success Through Play™ comments:

One of our favorite line of designer maternity and nursing apparel, Boob, have recently launched their Organic Cotton Collection. We received samples of the organic cotton nursing camisole and organic cotton 3/4 sleeve nursing top with v-neck which are both Oeko-Tex certified, thus ensuring that they do not contain any chemicals which are harmful to mom or baby. Finding apparel that is Oeko-Tex certified is fairly difficult here in the USA and more so for maternity and nursing apparel. We applaud Boob for offering moms an eco-friendly choice and commend Boob’s commitment to the environment. All the organic clothes are produced in Europe, in factories where employees are treated well and where the production process is environmentally sound. The nursing camisole and 3/4 sleeve nursing top have a longer length which along with the fitted style provides a flattering and slimming silhouette. Boob Nursing apparel contain lycra, which ensures that the garment continues to have a great fit even as you drop the pregnancy weight!

This is what our panel had to say about the organic cotton camisole and 3/4 sleeve top:

“The 3/4 sleeve top is cut beautifully with a flattering v-neckline and a longer length to conceal my post baby belly! This top looks great paired with jeans and can be dressed up with some accessories. It honestly doesn’t look like a nursing top and in fact I receive compliments about it frequently! People are genuinely surprised to learn that that it is a nursing top. It’s really easy and simple to nurse in this top even for a first time mom who is just beginning to find her way with nursing. The organic cotton fabric feels lovely against my skin and I feel wonderful knowing that the fabric has been Okeo-Tex Certified which means that it is safe for my baby and I.”

“The quality of this camisole is superb and the cut is really flattering, making my feel like a sexy nursing mama! Thank you! With summer around the corner, I had been looking for a stylish nursing camisole, which didn’t bare my post-partum tummy as I moved around. The organic cotton nursing camisole from Boob exceeded my expectations! I really love the longer length which provides coverage and slims me instantly. It looks great on its own or under a denim jacket on cooler days. It looks great with yoga pants or denims and features ruching in the center, which is very flattering! There are no complicated clips or hooks I just lift up the top layer and pull down the inner layer and I am ready to nurse. It couldn’t be more simple!”

For Fall 2008, a full 25% of the line, both Maternity and Nursing, will be made with organic cotton and we will be highlighting our top picks. Stay Tuned!

To learn more, please visit:

www.boobdesign.com

Blessed Nest’s mission as a company is to clearly and consistently provide simpler ways for moms to nurture, without compromise to the responsible and ethical treatment of people and planet. We were founded in 2004 by Heather Anderson, who used her experience in childcare, design and sewing to create a gift for her friend, Donna who was struggling with finding a way to comfortably breastfeed her new baby. What Heather came up with was the Nesting Pillow, a nursing pillow that answered all of the needs of a mom (form, function, style, safety, ethics). Having spent her pre-mom years working in the children’s clothing industry, Donna knew right away that the Nesting Pillow was something that would be a big hit with moms everywhere, so she encouraged Heather to take it to the world! Heather and Isabelle work out of the Blessed Nest studio in Brooklyn, NY and Donna from her home in Southern CA to nurture the company that helps families nurture their newest additions.

The Organic Nesting Pillow is a 30” wide, 16” deep and 5” high quarter moon-shape made of organic cotton canvas, filled with organic buckwheat hulls. The unique attributes of the organic buckwheat hull filling assure stability and flexibility, while allowing air to circulate. This provides stable body support and proper positioning for the infant, making feeding more comfortable for both child and caregiver. These properties also make it beneficial as a sleeping pillow, for support during pregnancy and childbirth, and even to make lap-top computer use more comfortable. Each Nesting Pillow comes with an easily removable, washable slipcover made of organic cotton French Terry and a great selection of cotton print fabrics. Additional slipcovers are also available.

Care:
The slipcover can be easily removed and machine washed and dried. (the fabrics won’t shrink since we pre-wash and dry before we even cut them)For messes that soak through the slipcover, just spot clean the insert and allow it to air-dry in a sunny spot or tumble dry on medium heat for about 20 minutes before replacing the slipcover. Heat is actually better at sanitizing than water! This pillow MUST never be heated!

PURCHASING:

All Blessed Nest products are available on the Blessed Nest Website at blessednest.com and in stores, which are listed on the Blessed Nest blog: blessednestperch.com

Blessed Nest will ship to customers in Canada and overseas, although the website is currently not set up to take orders for addresses outside the US. International orders can be placed either via email & paypal (nest@blessednest.com) or over the phone (718-355-6221)

Success Through Play™ comments:

We were delighted to find The Organic Nesting Pillow from Blessed Nest, which is an innovative nursing pillow and unlike anything that you have seen or experienced before! The biggest problem with the majority of nursing pillows on the market is that they are stiff and do not conform to mom and baby, making if difficult for mom to position her baby in at the ideal angle for successful breastfeeding. In addition, their inner fill compresses over time, losing their shape and support, the synthetic fabrics tend to get uncomfortably warm and even uncomfortable for baby, the pillow will often attract dust mites, bacteria and mold thus limiting their shelf-life. The Organic Nesting Pillow on the other hand, is filled with organic buckwheat hulls (free of pesticides), which are uniquely shaped to allow air to circulate and this keeping the pillow cool. The mobile buckwheat hulls allows the pillow to conform to both mom and baby, all while providing adequate support f (it’s easy to redistribute the hulls to customize your support) or even a heavy baby. These hulls are encased in a thick, strong organic cotton canvas.

Each pillow arrives with a beautiful organic cotton slipcover which is removable for machine laundering. The slipcover designs are gorgeous and you can change the look of your pillow by buying different slipcovers. Our Harmony’s to the Moon and Back slipcover features 2 different tactile surfaces, a fluffy terry and a smooth flannel surface which provides baby with tactile stimulation!

The pillow weighs in at 6 pounds and when it rests on your lap as you prepare to breastfeed, the proprioceptive input from the weight, shape and design of the pillow provides mom with calming input. This innovative and versatile pillow can be used during pregnancy to support your growing belly during sleep and nap times and to elevate your ankles for quick relief. In addition, during labor, to support an active birth. When baby is learning to sit independently, this pillow can be used to provide posterior lateral support during play. Looking beyond the breastfeeding years, this pillow can provide lower back support. and even be used to support your laptop!

The Organic Nesting Pillow is 100% organic and free of harmful chemicals-great for mom, baby and the environment. This pillow is priced higher compared with other nursing pillows on the market, but please keep in mind that that each pillow is lovingly handmade here in the USA and not mass produced in a factory in China. Most of their materials are from sustainable, organic and/or domestic mills.

We distributed this pillow to an experienced nursing mom of 3 and this is what she had to say:

“The Organic Nesting Pillow is superbly designed and the quality is exceptional. The unique crescent shape conforms beautifully to my body and the buckwheat filling is marvelous. I have the option to redistribute the weight of the hulls to my comfort and my baby’s comfort; something that is simply not possible with any other pillow. This pillow supports my baby’s weight and lessens the mechanical stress on my neck, shoulder and arms, which I am so grateful for. I have tried every nursing position possible and this pillow clearly out perform the competition! The buckwheat pillow stays cool and comfortable even in the warmest weather and allows my baby to feed in comfort. I won’t have to worry about this pillow deflating or compressing over time or even attracting mold, bacteria and dust mites! The slipcover is very stylish and modern and I really love how easily it unzips to allow me to machine wash the slipcover. I know that I will be able to continue to use this pillow well after I have finished breastfeeding and this makes me very happy. My toddler is always wanting to hold his baby brother and we can now do this safely under our supervision by having my toddler sit on the floor and placing the nesting pillow on his lap and gentle lowering the baby onto the pillow.The designers have clearly thought of everything with this pillow and this pillow is worth every penny.”

Also available from Blessed Nest is a wonderful lip balm, which is made exclusively for Blessed Nest by Tomboy Soap Co. We tried the sour lime/ginger lip balm which smells heavenly and helped to soothe our chapped winter lips.

To view the full collection of products available from Blessed Nest, please visit:

www.BlessedNest.com

Book Publishing Company (BPC) is a community owned, independent press dedicated to publishing books that promote a healthful and sustainable lifestyle. We are located on The Farm in Summertown, Tennessee and have been in business since 1974. BPC titles focus on plant-based nutrition and cooking and feature some of the pioneers of soyfoods cookery and raw foods cuisine. Our vegetarian and vegan cookbooks include ethnic favorites and cover a number of dietary concerns (food sensitivities, diabetes, weight management, etc.).

Our Healthy Living imprint offers titles that help people reach optimal health through better nutrition, nontoxic personal and home care, and natural therapies for illnesses. Our Native Voices imprint features books on Native American history, spirituality, and culture.

We are a member of The Green Press Initiative and have a commitment to print a growing number of our titles on paper that is post consumer recycled and processed chlorine free.

Living in the Raw Desserts

Book Description:

Desserts are universally appealing, and now they can be enjoyed without guilt! Raw desserts are sumptuous and decadent, and can be made with organic nuts and fruits that are rich sources of healthful nutrients. The recipes in Living in the Raw Desserts are simple to prepare, outrageously delicious, and spectacular to serve–perfect for special occasions. Because they are made without wheat, sugar, or eggs, they can be enjoyed by anyone with food allergies.

# Paperback: 127 pages
# Publisher: Book Publishing Company (TN) (February 28, 2007)
# ISBN-13: 978-1570672019

About the Author:

Rose Lee Calabro has been eating raw foods for over ten years and has developed a large repetoire of amazingly flavorful, life-affirming foods. She is also the author of Living in the Raw.

PURCHASING:

*Click here for details.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Rose lee Calabro had experienced a variety of health ailments, including chronic fatigue, high cholesterol, joint pain, chronic sinusitis and gallstones. Since discovering raw loving food over 12 years ago, she has shed the extra pounds, resolved her health problems and has been inspired to share the health benefit of eating raw living food with others.

The book, Living in the Raw is divided into 7 sections, which include Cakes, Candies & Truffles, Cookies and Bars, Dessert Breads, Ice Creams & Sorberts, Puddings, Parfaits, and Mousses and Pies. The book features beautiful pictures of select desserts from the book, which will inspire you to create them yourself. Each recipe has clear and simple instructions and is easy to prepare. You will be amazed at how quickly you can whip up an incredibly healthy and delicious tasting dessert, many of which can be made a few days in advance. Each recipe sounded very tempting and we had a difficult time deciding which recipes to test, because they all beckoned to us. Decadent Chocolate Torte, Blueberry Cheesecake, Raspberry Torte, Cherry Truffles, Fudge Brownies Supreme, German Mock Chocolate Cake, Key Lime Mango Creme Pie…and more! So many heavenly recipes, so little time.

The recipes in this book are based on raw food principles, thus you will not need to cook anything in a traditional oven/stove top. You will a few glass jars for soaking the nuts and a good blender. Some recipes call for a dehydrator, which we have yet to purchase! Nuts and sometimes fruit must be soaked for a certain amount of time before hand, but besides that, the recipes are generally quick and easy to prepare. The recipes are all vegan, free of refined sugars, wheat, dairy and egg free, making them suitable for a wide variety of people. If you are trying to lower your cholesterol, replace traditional cholesterol laden desserts with these healthy ones!

The first recipe that we tested was the Angelic Balls, which are reminiscent of sweet Southern Indian Treats. Made from almonds, pecans, dates, apricots, pine nuts, almond butter, and a selection of spices, the end result is a divine fruit/nut ball rolled in coconut which tastes slightly exotic and oh so divine.

Craving chocolate, we then made the following 2 recipes, which did not disappoint and satisfied our need for chocolate!

The Outrageous Fudge truly lives up to its name and won the taste testers hearts, hands down.

In fact, we have made this recipe SEVERAL times because it is so outstanding. Made from pecans, pine nuts, dates, carob powder, vanilla and walnuts, this fudge is decadent and rich and just a small piece will satisfy your strongest cravings. After soaking the nuts for 30mins-1 hour, the ingredients combine into a fudgy ball in record time, making this the fastest, easiest and most healthy “fudge” in the world!

We then made the Mud Pie which was a great hit! The crust is made from pecans, dates, figs, cacao nibs and the filling from almonds, bananas, cacao nibs, agave and vanilla and is absolutely delicious. The result is a rich chocolate fruit nut pie which looks beautiful sliced and tastes even better.

Finally, we tested the Apple Pie which was refreshing and delicious. The crust is made from almonds, dates, almond butter with a pinch of salt and the filling from Fuji Apples, Dates, raisins, and a secret spice mix! If you have children, let the children press down the crust mix, which is a fun activity!

The Apple Pie was simple to prepare and the perfect dessert for a warm spring day. The secret spice blend was outstanding and this Apple Pie is surely the healthiest one that you will ever experience. We even served it up for breakfast a few times!

We highly recommend this book and know that you will have lots of fun creating outstanding desserts that are super healthy as well.

Looking for healthy food products and don’t know where to turn? Consider www.healthy-eating.com a mail-order catalog/online store based at The Farm.

The book publishing company offers a wide selection of top notch books, many of which we already own and highly recommend. To view the full collection on offer, please visit:

www.bookpubco.com

Manhattan Toy® was founded in 1979 by Francis Goldwyn (grandson of motion picture studio owner Sam Goldwyn). The company pioneered the use of non-traditional fabrics in toy design and introduced delightful new body styles in soft toys. Although Goldwyn is no longer involved in the ownership of Manhattan Toy®, they remain true to his vision of marching to the beat of a different toy drum. Manhattan Toy® offers a full range of innovative toys.

We will be highlighting the Starter Toy Set from Manhattan Toy® today.

Infant Stim Mobile

This award-winning mobile features vivid color and bold black-and-white images. Simple-to-complex images stimulate early visual activity and pre-reaching movement.

Mind-Shapes

These vibrant shapes encourage babies to look, touch, and listen. Each easy-to-carry shape has a noisemaker and a medley of research-correct graphics & textures.

Skwish

Skwish appeals to baby’s visual and tactile curiosity, making this sophisticated toy a source of wonder and learning. Please note that items may be purchased ind individually as well.

PURCHASING:

*Visit www.manhattantoy.com to find a retailer in your area. Online shopping is also available .

*Australian consumers may be referred to www.kaleidoscope.com.au for assistance in finding Manhattan Toy® retailers.

Success Through Play comments:

Wimmer-Ferguson® infant development toys from Manhattan Baby are the original high contrast graphic products for newborns and infants. You can rely on Wimmer-Ferguson® for carefully designed research-based toys that can help your child with early visual and multi-sensory development.

Infant Stim Mobile:

This award winning mobile is well designed and features interchangeable cards so that you can customize your mobile and change the cards to add variety. The cards consists of simple black and white graphics as well as complex, colored graphics to stimulate your baby.

Mobiles must be removed when baby is 5 months or can sit up independently, to ensure his safety.

Mind-Shapes:

This set has won multiple awards and consists of 3 toys, each with stimulating black and white graphics and colorful fabrics. Each toy has a different shape, each with a unique feature:

*Square: Built in rattle.

*Triangle: Chime sound when shaken

*Round Ball: Features different textures for tactile exploration. Crinkly noise for auditory stimuation.

Parents can whip out these toys during tummy time (one at a time) so that baby can stare at the black and white graphics while strengthening his muscles. As baby gets older, he will enjoy holding them and playing with them. These toys will interest an infant all the way through to when he is a toddler. As his skills progress, he will enjoy rolling the ball and throwing the toys back and forth, making this set a worthwhile purchase.

Skwish:

Bursting with color, this uniquely designed toy with captivate your baby attentions! the toy is lightweight, and features round beads which are very easy to grip. Babies and toddlers will have so much grabbing the beads and manipulating them to illicit a lovely sound. With multiple places to grab and explore, baby will have plenty of fun working on his fine motor skills.

As a set or purchased individually, these 3 items from Manhattan Toys will make a wonderful addition to your toy collection.

To view the full collection of developmental toys, available from Manhattan Toy®, please visit:

www.manhattantoy.com

Living Intentions was founded by Elizabeth and Josh. Elizabeth shares with us how their company was formed.

“Josh and I knew each other as teens (high school sweethearts!) and reconnected 10 years later. When I saw him again, he was a chef diving into the world of raw foods. He was the portrait of health. He introduced me to all these new concepts of eating, and… Wow! I felt great after just a few weeks of incorporating raw foods into my diet. It was amazing to observe how quickly my body began to heal itself and reverse some health problems I had been dealing with.”

“About a year later in 2004, we started Living Intentions in the spirit of bringing new health and environmental awareness to others. With Josh’s background in raw foods and mine in politics and the environment, it was special to create something to channel our passions. In the food industry pure, healthy raw foods were so absent, it was very clear to us this was what we needed to do. Our goal was to create a line of foods that would demonstrate to people that eating healthy wasn’t about sacrifice—that pure, living foods can be delicious also! And so our premier snack line, Gone Nuts, was born.:

Gone Nuts! How they are made:

Most snack nuts you’ll find on store shelves are flavored and roasted. Our nut blends undergo a unique process that makes them much easier to digest, and keeps the flavors especially bright. We start by soaking the nuts and seeds in water for several hours. This process, called germination, activates dormant enzymes and nutrients, and transforms existing fats into healthier amino acids. Live enzymes allow the nuts to be easily digested and the nutrients readily absorbed by our bodies.

We then season and gently air-dry the nuts in dehydrators, at low temperatures around 115 degrees. Low-temperature drying, instead of roasting, protects all of the live enzymes and nutrients. The end result is live nuts!

Where does the inspiration for the various nut blends come from?

“The inspiration comes from everywhere! Our own backyard, for example, inspired our Rosemary Garlic flavor. We have tons of rosemary growing throughout our property, and it’s such an amazing herb—for its flavor, scent and medicinal properties. We were excited to showcase it in a flavor. Sometimes Josh and I are at a restaurant or walking through a store, when we see a new exotic ingredient featured on a menu or tucked away on a shelf somewhere. It starts with that seed of inspiration and blossoms from there. And of course, anything we can use that is fair trade and/ or organic always inspires us. The agave nectar we use in our three Cacao flavors is the best quality agave we have experienced. The type of plant from which it’s harvested has the highest concentrations of minerals and a high inulin content. The agave is completely translucent, and its taste is best described as a honey, though one must try it for the full experience. This is a really special sweetener that replaces traditional sugars and is extremely low on the glycemic index—great for diabetics.”

**Please note that some of the sweet blends contain Rapadura, which is essentially dried sugarcane juice, in addition to the agave nectar.

PURCHASING:

Our products can be found at Whole Foods throughout CA, AZ and NV. Independent natural foods stores nationwide carry our products.

We are beginning distribution throughout Canada at this time, and next we expect to be carried in the UK. For more information, to place an order online or to get our snacks in a store near you, contact us through www.livingintentions.com.

Favorite Flavor Giveaway:

4 Lucky readers will win the following flavors, which our panel picked as their favorite, courtesy of Living Intentions:

*Raw Cacao Brazil Nuts and Mulberries
*Sweet and Spicy Chipotle Pistachios

To enter, Please send an email to:

info[AT]SuccessThroughPlay.com with “Gone Nuts!” in the subject line.

Please include the following information:

*Your name, email and mailing address
*Name 2 flavors which you would like to try from the Gone Nuts Line

Enter by midnight (PST) on Sunday, April 27, 2008. One winner will be randomly selected. Contact details will NOT be sold, distributed or used for newsletters. Rest assured that we don’t tolerate SPAM.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Remember a time when 3 square meals were the norm and snacking in between meals was considered a no no! Todays foremost physicians and registered dietitians are telling us to eat smaller meals more frequently with healthy snacks in between meals. Finding healthy snacks at the store can be very challenging. Walk down the snack aisle of your grocery store and you will find sugar laden snacks made with trans fats and processed sugar which can wreak havoc on your immune system.

We are really excited to highlight the Gone Nuts line of healthy sprouted and seasoned nut blends, brought to you by Living Intentions. Recent research is showing how beneficial nuts are to your health. Pistachios can help with blood sugar control, Brazil nuts are high is selenium which is a powerful antioxidant and almonds are a wonderful source of vitamin E. Walnuts are particularly special: they boast a high omega-3 fatty acid content, provide heart healthy monounsaturated fats, contain ellagic acid, an antioxidant which supports a healthy immune system and contain high levels of l-arginine, an amino acid which promotes healthy blood pressure.

Source: www.DrWeil.com

Afraid of eating too many calories? Relax, because the Gone Nuts line is so superbly seasoned , that a small serving with satisfy your cravings! The nuts have been soaked, to enhance their digestibility and nutritional profile. What is so remarkable, is that the nut blends taste as if they have been roasted; they are crunchy and have a delicious roasted flavor. They however have not been roasted, but rather air dried. We sprinkled the nut blends over salads in place of croûtons, added the sweet blends to flavor plain yogurt, and decorated dessert trays with them. Of course you can simply enjoy them straight from the bag. It is a good idea to keep any nuts that you have in the refrigerator, to keep them fresh and to avoid them spoiling.

We lined up our test panel to sample each of the 8 flavors in the Gone Nuts Line. It is clearly evident that the expert chefs have carefully chosen each seasoned blend, which will awaken your taste buds and satisfy your cravings.

FLAVORFUL BLENDS:

*Rosemary, Garlic and Green Onion Pistachio Almond Medley:

Lovers of Italian food will be deeply satisfied with this flavor. The pistachios and almonds are encrusted with this superb Italian blend which is bold and flavorful and will compliment any salad beautifully. Garlic lovers can eat them straight from the bag!

*Sweet and Spicy Chipotle Pistachios:

This spicy blend is created from a trio of red chilies, accentuating the flavor of smoked jalapeño, with a kick of cumin and other seasonings. The seasonings compliment each other beautifully to create this one a kind pistachio blend which will delight lovers of spicy foods!

*Sun dried Marinara Almonds and Pistachios:

This blend is inspired by a Sicilian Style Marinara. The Italian herbs and spices will compliment any salad and the combination of the almonds and the pistachios add a delightful texture and crunch!

*Cilantro, Lime Mojo Pistachios and Pepitas:

Inspired by the traditional Latin sauce called a Mojo, this effervescent blend packs a spicy punch. This fresh, zesty citrus blend will awaken your senses and remind you of the flavors of Mexico.

SWEET TREATS:

*Raw Cacao Almonds and Raisins:

Heading to the movies and looking to replace the usual sugar laden snacks with something more nutritious? Consider the chocolate covered almonds and raisins which are a healthier alternative to the big brand names. The delicious chocolate coating will delight your taste buds and leave you very satisfied!

*Raw Cacao Amazon Peanuts and Raisins (soon to be discontinued):

This exotic blend is truly unique and you can truly indulge guilt-free. Amazonian peanuts are aflatoxin-free, contain 26% protein, with all of the 8 essential amino acids, high in oleic acid and did we mention utterly delicious! The raw cacao powder is packed with antioxidants and is superior to cocoa powder, which is processed and roasted.

*Raw Cacao Covered Brazil Nuts and Mulberries:

The contrast between the crisp, Brazil Nuts and the softer crunchy wild sundried mulberries is nothing short of exquisite! The decadent antioxidant rich cacao is rich and satisfying and will delight the chocolate lover. Munching these will take on a spiritual experience……

*Maple Mesquite Flour Candied Walnuts:

This blend is sheer decadence. You have never tasted candied walnuts like this before. This gourmet blend is complex, rich and intensely satisfying. Be warned, you won’t be able to resist eating the entire bag, so stock up to avoid disappointment.

With a goal of creating healthy snacks that reflected their philosophy that “eating healthy wasn’t about sacrifice—that pure, living foods can be delicious also,” we think that Living Intentions has clearly succeeded! Their gourmet line of sprouted and seasoned nut blends will evoke all of your senses and change your view about healthy snacking for life. Living Intentions loves hearing from everyone! Any questions or comments you might have, feel free to connect with them through through their website:

www.livingintentions.com

Also, check out Elizabeth’s new blog at www.myspace.com/elizabeth347, where she’ll share food and environmental tips and random thoughts regularly.

Becki, owner of Beaded Things:

“Beaded Things began in 1999 when I was faced with returning to work full-time when my first daughter Natalie (now 8) was a year old. While I loved teaching, I wanted a job that would allow me to be home with my children yet not leave me completely isolated in “Mommyland”. I started out like many crafty moms – selling through craft shows in the Portland area on the weekends while still working a “real” job, going to school, and being mom. There was a great response to my initial designs, and I longed for a day when I could really focus on growing a business. That dream didn’t become a reality for a few years though when I teamed up with my sister in law Jen to pursue it as more than a “craft show” hobby. Working together we began to really focus on making Beaded Things a true business venture. Jen had worked as an office manager for an orthodontist before having her son Gavin and her business background was a strength I was desperately lacking. Jen recently went back to work so Beaded Things has become a one woman enterprise again. Although the baby and toddler spoons are the core product, Beaded Things also offers a fun and funky array of kitchen, bar, and home décor products. Always a hit for the holidays are the fun and affordable personalized holiday ornaments which were initially created for an online parenting message board ornament exchange. A goal of mine is to make products that are both fun and functional – just to add a little color and whimsy to traditional items like salt and pepper shakers, fruit baskets, wine glasses, and votive holders. A new line I am expanding is my Green Line – featuring glassware that has been rescued from Thrift Stores. I’ve been loving the challenge of scouring the shelves looking for items that need new life breathed in to them.”

Beaded Things Personalized Baby and Toddler Spoons.

Hand sculpted wire and non-tarnish beads transform this spoon into a one of a kind gift – perfect for celebrating a new baby, used as a sibling gift, or for a christening. This 5.5 inch stainless steel personalized spoon is an affordable keepsake. Customers can choose up to 9 letters, embellishment beads (flowers, start, angels, hearts or happy faces) and vibrant color accents. Names 8-9 letters long do not get color. The beads create a great grip for little hands and are completely usable, although I recommend hand washing for longer life.

PURCHASING:

*Beaded Things
*Growing Up with Style

Breast Cancer Fund:

Currently Beaded Things supports breast cancer research by participating in the 3Day Walk for Breast Cancer. Beaded Things will donate $3 from the sale of each personalized baby and toddler spoon to the Beaded Things 2008 Breast Cancer 3Day fund. Becki walked in the Breast Cancer 3Day in Chicago in 2005, Philadelphia in 2006 and Seattle in 2007. Becki will be walking in Seattle again in 2008. So far through the 3Day Becky have raised over $6,700 and walked 180 miles – not including the hundreds walked in training.

Giveaway: Beaded Things Personalized Toddler Spoon

Congratulations Hannah P.

Success Through Play™ comments:

We have received outstanding service from Beaded Things, who sent us a Beaded Things Personalized Toddler Spoon in record time. The spoon arrived beautifully packaged and we gasped at how beautiful the spoon was in person (pictures don’t do it justice). Shoppers can rest assured that the spoon is made from stainless steel and is LEAD FREE. The spoon can be personalized with up to 9 letters and shoppers can select from a variety of beautiful embellishments and colored beads. Each spoon is handcrafted to very high standards and is a one-a-kind gift. Toddlers will LOVE having a special spoon with their name on it. Each spoon features beautiful square beads adorned with a letter. In addition, beads and embellishments are threaded safely and securely around the base of the spoon. Toddlers will be able to easily grasp the essentially “built up handle” of beads and will receive tactile stimulation while holding the spoon. The spoon is just the right weight for a toddlers hand-not too heavy. The spoon can be hand washed for easy clean-up.

We distributed the sample that we received to a family who have 1 toddler, named Emma. Emma’s parents decided to incorporate the spoon into their traditional Friday Night Sabbath Meal.

“Friday nights are particularly special in our house. We make special preparations for this meal, set the dinner with our fancy cutlery and prepare a hearty meal. We wanted to make this Friday Night Meal extra special for Emma, so each Friday night, we bring our her special personalized spoon. She looks forward to Friday nights, when she gets to eat with her spoon. We often have guests that come over and we have received so many compliments. Thank you so much.”

We applaud Beaded Thing’s commitment to raising awareness about Breast Cancer and for donating $3 from the sale of each personalized baby spoon to the 2008 Breast Cancer 3Day fund. Readers can feel wonderful about this purchase and know that a portion of the sales will go towards a wonderful fund.

Beaded Things will soon be launching their “Green Line” and we commend them for recycling Thrift Store Glass to make eco-friendly creations that are beautiful and functional.

The Beaded Things Personalized Toddler Spoon will make a beautiful gift for your toddler or a spectacular gift for the toddler in your life. He/she will have fun spoon that is practical and fun and will make mealtimes very special. Create special memories with this handcrafted spoon. Beaded Things offers a full collection of kitchen, bar, and home décor products. To learn more, please visit:

www.BeadedThings.com