Whew! Thanksgiving is over and we’re on to December. How can it be that Christmas is in 20-some-odd days? Wow. Ready or not, here we come.
In a season that is much too fast this year, here’s a combined November and December edition showcasing the natural products I’m loving now.
Smucker’s Organic Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is one product I’ve had a difficult time finding a brand that fits all of my criteria. Did you know peanuts are one of the most heavily-sprayed crops? To reduce my family’s pesticide consumption, I insist on getting organic peanut butter. I also want peanut butter that doesn’t have added sugar or oils (especially not hydrogenated oils!). Getting all of these requirements in one product usually equals a hefty price tag. I recently found Smucker’s Organic Peanut Butter at Target for $4.19! This is at least $1-2 cheaper than what I normally pay for a comparable product. I’ve been stocking up ever since. Check out the ingredients. Organic peanuts and trace amount of salt. Yes, please!
DoTERRA’s On Guard Protective Essential Oils Blend
Cold and flu season is in full swing and I’m so glad I have this essential oil protective blend to help my family keep the sickies away! This is a blend of cinnamon, clove bud, eucalyptus, rosemary, and wild orange and it is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral disinfectant that supports the immune system. I rub this blend on everyone’s feet at night to build our immune systems and help kill any bugs that may be trying to invade us. 🙂 It can be taken internally as well and I’ve made a natural cough syrup with it by combining it with raw honey. I also used it when our guests left after Thanksgiving to disinfect our surfaces as there were lots of coughs between the 12 overnight visitors we had. I love being able to protect my family in a natural way and this blend smells great! You can get it here, and read more about it here. {Full disclosure: If you buy the oil from my virtual store, I will earn a commission. I have been using DoTERRA’s oils since July and recommend them because I use them, love them, and they work wonderfully for my family, not primarily because I want to earn commission. That is simply a bonus of passing the word on to you. ;)}
The Diva Cup
Yes, I’m going there. Men, scroll down. Yes, you. Hurry. You don’t need or want to read this.
When I was pregnant with Luke, a friend told me about the Diva Cup. I didn’t need it then, obviously, and not for a while after that, but I was interested and mentally filed the information away. I forgot about it until we moved into our new house with a septic system and the builder told us tampons should not be flushed. I immediately remembered the Diva Cup. Basically the Diva Cup is an eco-friendly and healthier alternative to pads or tampons. I have learned that pads and tampons are full of toxic chemicals. Who knew?! (Read here for more information about that.) The Diva Cup is a great alternative and I’ve actually found it to be much more comfortable than using tampons. There is a learning curve figuring out how to insert and remove it, but if you are comfortable with your body (if you’ve had a child, you’ll be fine!) it is worth the effort. Once you get it down, you are good to go for 12 hours! Unless you have an unusually heavy flow, no more changing tampons all day! The first day of my period I do have to empty it once or twice, but the rest of the days I put it in the morning and don’t have to worry about it until I go to bed at night. Freedom! I love it. Plus I feel great knowing I’m doing good for the environment and not putting toxic chemicals inside my body anymore. Plus, it won’t take long for you to pay for it over and over again when you add up the cost of tampons or pads over a year. Worth it! I just added it to my Amazon Store, so check it out if you are interested.
If you missed October’s edition of Natural Products I’m Loving Now, check it out here. I have several recipes I’m anxious to share, so I’ll do my best to get back here soon! I hope you’re having a fantastic week. 🙂
Please share any natural products YOU are loving now in the comment section!
I love the Smuckers pb. Our Target and grocery store stopped carrying it, but I’ve found it at Walmart. It’s the only reason I venture into The Walmarts. I buy it 3jars at a time. 🙂 I’m intrigued by essential oils, but haven’t tried them yet. Glad to hear you are having success with them.
Not sold on the diva cup, yet. I stick with the unbleached tampons for now. Which is prob more than I need to share with the internets….
I had no idea that tampons and pads had so many chemicals! That’s awful. I’m definitely going to start looking into that diva cup instead. How much is it??
Less than $30! I think it was listed at $26 last time I looked, so not too bad. Especially when you think about not having to buy tampons or pads every month anymore!
Nice to see you promoting “The Diva Cup” also sold as “The Moon Cup”. I love it! And I agree, it is so much more comfortable than Tampons, and so much easier! … all that, plus it’s better for the environment! If people can get past the “ick” factor, which shouldn’t be that difficult, it’s absolutely the best way to go!
I’ve been interested in essential oils for awhile and figured with your post, this was the time to order your recommendation. However, the link brings me to a website that wants me to login. I don’t mind going through it and creating my own account, but I want to give you the benefit of the commission if I can. Advice??! Thank you!
I think I fixed the link. I was trying to link directly to the On Guard product page, but I guess I have to link to the main page and you have to navigate to the On Guard page. You will find it under “oil blends.” Once you add it to your cart you won’t need to log in to place your order. Here is the link so you won’t have to go back to my post to get there: http://www.mydoterra.com/happyhealthymama/
I hope that works for you–thanks again. 🙂
Not sure if you live in an area that has Meijer grocery stores but their house brand of organic peanut butter is a good bargin too! Never over $4 a jar and often is on sale for closer to $3. We only buy organic PB after hearing Dr. Oz talk about the heavy pesticide count. Been buying it organic for 2-3 years now.
We do have Meijer but not super close to me. I may have to check it out just for the PB price though! 😉
Wow, I never had any idea that peanuts were so heavily sprayed! Ick!! I’ve been on a huge almond butter kick, but the organic versions cost an arm and a leg :/ Good to know that some mainstream companies are jumping on board with affordable products!