Feeling Zen…The Power of Chocolate~

Stay up to date on the latest posts. Subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Oooh boy!!! All I have to say is that I absolutely love chocolate BUT when it comes to ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE chocolate…move over because I’m in CHOCOLATE ZEN HEAVEN. Yes, that’s right chocolate zen!!! It’s unbelievably mouth watering goodness.

Last week, I received a lovely tin of chocolates to try from CocoZenMama whom I met on Twitter.  Boy, oh boy I say and say again…my tongue and senses fell deeply in love with the Chai Spice and Chocolate Orange Blossom with Almond truffles she sent to my home. Not to mention, a little sampler tin (Truffles To Go) with oh so yummy truffles inside that are to die for. Each and every bite is worth savoring. The flavors are so well mixed and the taste is outstanding. It’s organic, why wouldn’t it be!

If it doesn’t get any better than that- she also sent me a bar of Chocolate Mint soap, lip scrub, and lip balm. All from her store Coco~Zen all products are made with love. Oh my gosh, so it was my first time ever trying chocolate soap- who would’ve thought? It’s so luxurious and silky smooth. Again, I was in chocolate zen heaven. I’m not kidding. It smells so yummy too but of course, is not edible. What is edible is the lip sugar scrub she sent me.

This was a huge hit for me- I’m a lip balm fanatic- lip scrub queen and her lip scrub ROCKS!!! It’s made with brown sugar, organic essential oils and different flavors of chocolate- it’s genius- that’s all I have to say.  It left my lips feeling kissable and not looking flaky and dry like they tend to do living in the desert where it’s dry. Talk about lick your lips!

The lip balm is great too. It’s smooth and silky like the soap. I had to lick my lips and give it a try and I liked it. It doesn’t leave your lips brown either…I was a little hesitant, I must say. It looks like chocolate inside the tin but it goes on like balm no brown color that I could see. I love how all the items are packaged in a recyclable tin. It’s an added bonus. We’re talking gourmet chocolate body treats here people. All around goodness.

If you’re a chocoholic- you have to give Coco~Zen a try.  All of their chocolate treats are certified Fair Trade and are organic. So, while you’re supporting fair trade you’re also supporting a mom owned business. You’ll find different flavored truffles that you can also get in bulk and chocolate body treats that are so worth it! All for your mind, body and sweet tooth! They’re all about saving the planet too! Read about what’s going on with Cocoa Farming. Coco~Zen is doing they’re part to minimize the impact we can have on the planet- even when it comes to chocolate!

Experience Oneness with Chocolate – Experience Coco~Zen.

 

Nurture YOUR Body

 

Recently, I tried the Nurture My Body Organic Cream Cleanser. It’s fragrance free made without essential oils. It’s so silky and soft. I love it against my skin. The organic Cream Cleasner is great because it moisturizes while cleansing. I love that about it. There are no harsh chemicals in it either. It’s so refreshing in both aspects the fact that it’s made without all the junk yet leaves you feeling refreshed too. I have normal to dry skin and it left my face feeling hydrated. I really didn’t even need to moisturize after using it.

It’s made with all natural ingredients and is certified organic.  All of their products sound so wonderful and they’re all certified organic too! I’m a sucker for anything organic and chemical free. It’s a great feeling to know that what your applying to your skin (the largest organ) is not harmful. I certainly, feel so much better about using products like this and will usually buy them. Nuture My Body packages their products in a cobalt blue bottle to keep out UV rays, their products are 100% biodegradable, and not tested on animals. 

I’m really impressed with their standards…

What Nuture My Body Products Do Not Contain

• Pesticides
• Synthetic Preservatives
• Petroleum Products
• Propylene Glycol
• Parabens
• Sodium Laurel Sulphate
• MEA (Cocamide DEA, Lauramide DEA, Linoleamide DEA, Oleamide DEA)
• Phthalates
• FD&C Colorants and Dyes
• DEA (Diethanolamine)
• TEA (Triethanolamine)
• 1,4-Dioxane

That’s a long list of ugly chemicals that I’d rather not intake. Nurture My Body has a wide range of products from skin, body, hair and baby! They even have gift baskets and sample sets for you to try out. Plus, just by simply entering your email and signing up for their newsletter you’ll be entered to win a Gift Box valued at over $50! The drawing is held monthly. Enjoy the benefits of free shipping if your order is over $75 dollars. 

Nuture My Body is a great place to start when you’re thinking about greening up your beauty routine. I’m happy that I was able to meet the owner Rich Arnold on Twitter. He’s a very kind person and that can only say one thing about his company - customer service is priority number one and his products are kind to the planet!! Be sure to check out Nurture My Body and start the New Year nurturing YOUR body!!

The Eco Holiday Giveaways 08′ has ended…

Just thought I’d let you all know that the Eco Holiday Giveaways here at RYD has ended…

BUT, look for new giveaways come the New Year!!!

New Baby Vlog Announcement!

 

I’m not sure if I mentioned my vlogging endeavor at NewBaby.com in a previous pregnancy post…so, I wanted to inform you all today that I have vlog going on at NewBaby.com! I have 5 submissions thus far and plan to continue to vlog through my pregnancy and beyond. It’s been a fun experience and I’m learning how to be a camera-woman too. It seems that the lightening has been an issue for me. I’ll get it figured out sooner or later…LOL!

In any case you can find the widget to NewBaby.com and my latest vlog on the right hand side column- do you see it? That’s me!!!  I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback either at NewBaby.com or here. I hope you’ll stay tuned for my latest pregnancy info while vlogging.

I have yet to share my 6 month update here but you can view the vlog by visiting NewBaby.com and looking it up under my moniker LaMamaNaturale. Basically, the last time I wrote about the pregnancy I was a bit worried about baby Clark’s heart as the ultrasound doc told me, Clark had fluid around his heart. We found out that the fluid is no longer there and he will be a happy healthy baby. It was from the cold I had weeks ago. Nothing more. I thank you all the people who supported me about staying positive about the condition.

The midwives predict that Clark will be bigger than Tristan. I predict the same thing- my intuition is telling me so!!! Since the beginning of my 2nd trimester I’ve gained a pound a week- totaling 25 lbs. of weight gain. The midwife, Aleks reported that this is a perfet weight gain and was very satisfied to see that I’m weighing in above my pre-pregnancy weight. For now, my emotional state is great and I’m looking forward to meeting baby Clark very soon. Come Jan 1- it’s going to go by so fast (due April 4) and I’ve already told Clark he’s the leader. I will follow his lead when he’s ready to make his presence into the world. We’re a team and we’ll work together for a smooth delivery!

I’m going back through my hypnobirthing book and reading some mantra’s like “my baby and I are one”, mantra’s to help with the labor and delivery AND also re-learning how to go into this birth aware but off into a state where I can be happy and calm. I’m still doing pre-natal yoga and I love it. I’m also working on all the pre-birth stretches. Needless to say, it’s prepare, prepare, prepare! Even though, I’ve given birth before I’m not expecting it to be the same as with Tristan.  :)

UPDATE: I would also like to mention that in my vlog above about the beverage Glow Mama… I state that you can find it in stores like Whole Foods- well, I want to correct that and mention to my readers that it’s only available in CA. at some stores and that it’s mainly available online!!! If your expecting or know someone that’s preggo and would be interested… visit their website www.drinktoglow.com

Its a great website and they also have a blog, you can follow for any updates- so get your Glow on!

OH! I forget to tell you all that Tristan my 19 mos. is basically weaned- the last 3 nights he’s slept through the night without nursing before, during or after. I have to say I feel a loss and sense of abdonement, if you will- it feels so different. I’m happy that he’s moving on and gaining more independence from Mommy but…he’s my lil guy and I enjoyed it soooo much. Guess, I shouldn’t be so glum about it- Clark is on the way and soon I’ll be nursing again. AND- it’s so funny too- Tristan has decided to call Clark – “CHUCK” he was saying Clark with no problems but one day a couple weeks back he started saying Chuck to refer to baby Clark. It’s very funny- but we’re NOT changing his name from Clark to CHUCK!!!

Anywho- tomorrow we leave for Trinity where will be staying at the Bonanza King Resort. I’m not sure how much blogging I’ll get to do before I leave. I have a few reviews to tell you about and will try to get them up ASAP! Other than that I’m not sure what my computer life will be like while visiting the wonderful area of Trinity. It’s probably going to be slim to none- but I’m taking the lappy and am looking forward to meeting up with a fellow eco-blogger, Jennifer Lance, from Ecochildsplay!!!

Donate Your Christmas Cards to St. Jude Recycling Program~

 

 This year we didn’t receive as many Christmas cards as we normally do…(which I think has something to do with the economy). We still ended up with some cards though and a lot of us including myself wonder what to do with them. In the past,  I’ve packed them away before as keepsakes until I  realized it was ridiculous to do so as I had too many boxes taking up wasted space. I’m on of those kind of people that have a hard time letting go and can be a pack rat- but I getting better and it’s a goal for the New Year to be clutter free. Other years, I’ve tossed them into my recycling bin and bid them farewell just as I was preparing myself to do so for New Year.

This year I found out about a great program- The St. Jude’s Ranch Recycling Card Program!

From now until February 28, 2009, you can donate/send your holiday OR all occasion cards to:

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Card Recycling Program
100 St. Jude’s Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

This program began over 30 years ago it started with just Christmas cards but expanded to all occassion. The children of St. Jude turn the old cards into new. The children also receive payment for their hard work and learn the advantages of going green while doing so.

I think program is super  eco cool. I’ve already started my envelope and have a pile of cards (from previous boxes too- wink, wink, both X-Mas and all occassion). Another great alternative for your holiday waste plus you’ll be supporting a great cause.

What are you planning to do with your Christmas cards this year?!!?! Why not, donate them to support a good cause.

Have any X-Mas card recycling tips to share, pls. feel free!

Next Page »