Post Partum Belly Band [review]

No matter the shape of your body or the outcome of labor and birth, a recovery and support belly band is a must have post-partum product. Skin and muscles stretch. Abs become non-existent. A Post-partum belly band is a great way to provide support during recovery. Mamaway post-partum bamboo belly band is soft, comfortable, and can be worn all day.

Mamaway Post-Partum Belly Band           

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.
Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and are honest.

The Good	The Not So Good
3 velcro fasteners for customized fit	Hand wash recommended
Soft and comfortable
Does not ride up

A postnatal belly band seeps up recovery after birth and increase  blood circulation. It helps to provide structure and support for abs stretched during pregnancy. Right after birth, the belly band is worn lower to help with uterus and pelvis recovery. Then, it is worn higher to tighten the abdominal area and provide back support. Mamaway belly band can be worn right after birth, both natural births and c-section births. The belly band is made from nyllon, rubber, bamboo charcoal, and polyester. The material is thick, but is soft and stretchy. The belly band does not ride even when bending up and down to hold the baby and while doing household tasks.

 

When undone, the belly band lays flat. The main piece of the belly band has velcro on the end and goes around the area that needs support. There are two smaller compression belt that provide more targeted support. The 3 step fastening helps to target specific areas that need support and recovery the most.

The belly band can be worn all day long, under or over clothes, and can even be worn during the night. The belly band does not ride up and move with your body.

Usage: In the first 4 weeks post partum, lie down to secure the belly band. If more than 4 weeks, can do it standing up. The band has a slight curvature to it, so you can tell which part goes on the bottom (or remember that the red and white tag goes on your right side). Secure the big panels first, then secure each compression belt where you need it most.

Hand washing with a neutral detergent and warm water is recommended. Lay out to dry in a cool, shaded area.

Results:  My dress size is around a 2. I ordered a Medium size because smaller sizes were not available. The Medium fits me well! I do not feel that there is excess fabric and the compression bands have more way to go. I would say that the Medium size would be perfect for me right after giving birth.

It has been quite a bit of time since I have giving birth. Nonetheless, I feel like I still need help with lower back and ab support. Carrying my toddler or holding him in church takes a bit toll on my lower back. I have been wearing the Mamaway belly band as a corset and for back support. Standing up, I can quickly put the belly band on. I use the 2 compression bands to define my waistline. I really like the way the belly band provides support for my lower back, helps to cinch in my waist, and helps me to have better posture. The belly band is quite comfortable to wear throughout the day, but I do not see myself wearing it for more than a few hours. I was able to bend down and do some light cleaning with the belly band on.

You can see from the above photos that the 2 compression bands really helped to define my waist. If I needed more help on my lower belly, I would attach the 2 compression bands lower.

Mamaway post-partum support belly band is a great investment for anyone who is pregnant and for moms that need more support and definition after giving birth. The ability to customize the fit of the belly band is a great feature that a lot of other post-partum belly bands do not offer.
  

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Fun To Be ONE [Giveaway]

To celebrate the one year blog anniversary of Amy & Aron's Real Life Reviews, I teamed up with other bloggers to bring you this giveaway. Enter below for a chance to win!

Fun To Be ONE Giveaway
Hosted By
Amy & Aron's Real Life Reviews

Thank you so much for being a part of my first year. This has been the most amazing adventure for our whole family.  This giveaway is to celebrate how much we appreciate all of you for being our amazing readers. A lot of time and hard work has went into pulling this together. I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do :) 

2 Lucky Winners ***2 Amazing Prize Packs ***$850+ in Prizes
11/14 to 11/28
Open to US 

Prize #1

Prize #2

Two Lucky Winners will receive their very own 
Fun To Be ONE Prize Bundle

Sponsors for this awesome giveaway include:

 *Baby Sonny * Bag Nation * Bow-Tiger * LullaBaby * 
*Lumiere Baby * Mamaway  * Maxx Elite * 
 *Omnitots * TotStuff * Ventein * Zubels*

CLICK HERE 
To see Amy & Aron's Real Life Reviews, reviews of these awesome products.

A shout out to my awesome Co-Hosts. I appreciate all of your hard work.

*Deliciously Savvy * Davids DIY * Totally Temberton
MomJunky * Tales From A Southern Mom * Oh My Heartsie Girl  * Sew Crafty Angel * Box Roundup * Dorky Deals*

Thank you so much to all of the bloggers participating in this giveaway. Without you, it wouldn't be quite as exciting or get so big, I appreciate you!

Now for the fun stuff. This giveaway is open to US. There are daily bonus entries for sharing this giveaway on your social media channels.
 I can't ask you to "Like" our pages but, if you see something you like, let us know so we can bring you more of it. 
We LOVE it when you "LIKE" our pages. 

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Thank you for taking the time out to enter into the giveaway. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email Amy & Aron's Real Life Reviews at grovesamy81@gmail.com 

Winners will receive the  prizes directly from the participating companies. None of the bloggers participating in this giveaway were compensated or are responsible for the prizes. 

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Ergobaby 15% Off Discount Now Through 12/25

LAST ERGO BABY CARRIER SALE OF THE YEAR! 

ERGObaby 15% off all purchases!

ERGObaby is offering the last major sale of the year. Get 15% of all purchases made through current affiliate links. Just in time for Holiday gift shopping. Discount will be automatically applied at the check out screen.

The ERGObaby sale includes a 15% off discount that starts NOW through Wednesday, December 25.

FREE shipping on purchases of $50 or more.

If you have any questions about ERGObaby carriers, message me for my experience. I would highly recommend an ERGObaby carrier to any current or expecting mother.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to where I usually shop. Your purchases support this blog at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I feature and recommend only brands and products that I myself currently use or would use.

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Ergobaby 20% Off Promotion Starts Thursday, November 28

BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR for ERGOBABY! 

ERGObaby 20% off all purchases!

*CORRECTION: This blog post has been updated per update from ERGObaby after being published. ERGObaby is offering a 20% off discount

Just in time for Black Friday shopping, ERGObaby is offering a 20% off promotion on all purchases made through current affiliate links. Discount will be automatically applied at the check out screen.

Promotion starts Thursday, November 28 through Sunday, December 1.

FREE shipping on purchases of $50 or more.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to where I usually shop. Your purchases support this blog at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I feature and recommend only brands and products that I myself currently use or would use.

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Ergobaby 10% Off Promotion Starts Monday, November 11

The ERGObaby carrier is probably my most beloved baby item. Many times, the ERGObaby carrier saved me by either helping to calm an inconsolable baby, allow the baby to nap when nothing else was working, or allow me to do housework and "hold" my baby at the same time. I usually choose the ERGObaby carrier over the stroller when grocery shopping. I can get in and out much quicker and do not have to worry about pushing a cart and a stroller. I would highly recommend the ERGObaby to anyone because of the ergonomic design that distributes the weight of the baby evenly over my hips. If you know someone who is pregnant or just had a baby, the ERGObaby would make a great holiday or shower gift. 

ERGObaby is offering a 10% off promotion starting on Monday, November 11 and going through Wednesday, November 20. The 10% discount will apply to all purchases made through current affiliate links. The 10% discount will appear on the check out page.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to where I usually shop. Your purchases support this blog at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I feature and recommend only brands and products that I myself currently use or would use.

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Birth Relaxation Kit [Giveaway]

Birth. It is a most sacred event in a woman’s life. A right to passage to motherhood. Whether you birth at home or in a hospital, your body presents your long awaited gift…one that you have nurtured diligently. If there is one thing we can all agree on, all women labor differently and there are options to birth as compatibly as every laboring mom needs.

When most of us think about labor and birth, scary images of women screaming in pain, putting their husbands into head locks, and hospital trauma rooms come to mind. This is what the media and society teach us as we grow up. The gentle, relaxed, calm births are rarely depicted on television. When you discover this alternate world, a world that has actually been around for eons, you become intrigued at the reality that has always been there. The concept of hypnobirthing is a path to this world.

Hypnobirthing is one option that is gentle and natural. Hypnobirthing is a childbirth method that applies techniques to induce deep relaxation, visualization and self-hypnosis. Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not a state of unconsciousness or sleep, but can be best described as daydream or focus that occurs when you are performing mundane tasks, such as staring into a fire in a fireplace.

Eliminating fear and concerns associated with childbirth is vital. Affirmations during hypnosis encourages a positive mindset in overcoming this. To learn more about hypnobirthing, you can sign up for hypnobirthing info series for free!

The Birth Relaxation Kit is the only hypnobirthing program presented by a board certified medical doctor who used this method to birth her child, at home, pain-free! Dr. Mavi Gupta and her husband, Jeremy Dyen are both certified hypnotherapists. Jeremy Dyen has been a professional musician for over 20 years. He has recorded on John Legend’s Grammy award winning CD, Get Lifted, and creates music for Yoga and meditation.

The Birth Relaxation Kit comes in three different packages; Basic, Plus and Deluxe. It comes with Hypnosis MP3s, Birth Affirmation MP3, Birth Empowerment Book and more! All downloadable with no shipping. You can purchase this yourself and get a 10 week, money back guarantee OR WIN IT HERE. All from the comfort of your home; no scheduling and all of the privacy needed to enjoy deep and true relaxation!

The Giveaway!

Just in time for Mother’s Day, TheOliveParent and Friends are offering TWO moms-to-be a chance to have a gentle birth! Two “Plus” Birth Relaxation Kits will be given away!

Entry is easy. Visit www.birthrelaxationkit.com and leave a comment on the blog you are visiting, telling us which one of the four facts found on the homepage speaks to you the most and why. Fill out as many entries as possible to increase your chances of winning.

Not expecting, but know someone who is?  Share this giveaway with them and refer your friends for entries! This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE, 18+ Giveaway ends 4/29/13 1:00 AM CST Entering into the giveaway indicates you understand its terms and conditions.

Many thanks to the AWESOME blogs co-hosting this giveaway! You can show your support of these blogs by following them on Twitter, Facebook & Google Plus.
 

Entry-Form

Disclaimer:

This giveaway is sponsored by Birth Relaxation Kit, Hosted by TheOliveParent, and Co-Hosted by participating blogs. Prize fulfillment is not the responsibility of TheOliveParent, TheOliveParent Media or participating blogs.  All information and products presented in this post is presented in an educational format and has not been evaluated by the FDA - should not be used to cure, treat or diagnose any diseases.

This is a TheOliveParent Media Event.

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Good Health With Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil [Review]

I believe that a vegetarian diet is better, healthier, and easier on my body. However, several months ago, the need for a high-protein and high EPA/DHA/Vitamin A/D/Omega-3 diet became my new reality. I know that I cannot get all of the nutrients my body needs from a strictly vegetarian diet. I thought long and hard about eating fish and meat again (one of the highest sources of these nutrients). I started off with finding plant-based sources of protein and taking Krill Oil. I added eggs to my diet. The more I read about EPA/DHA, Vitamins A and D, and Omega 3, the more I knew that bringing fish back into my diet was absolutely necessary. However, eating fish again after not eating it for 10 months did not sit well with my stomach. If I was going to continue with my vegetarian diet (plus eggs), I knew I had to find the best Fish Oil out there. Several sources pointed me right to Green Pasture products. I settled on Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil. For a strong mind, body, spirit, and well-being, make Green Pasture's Cod Liver Oil part of your daily diet.

Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil    ($44.00, 118 servings)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
High quality, natural cod liver oil	Fishy taste (this is fish oil!)
Wild caught
Affordable price per serving
Glass bottle can be reused/recycled

I received Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil very quickly. I could not wait to get into it and try it. Yes, I know you might think I am crazy. This is Cod Liver Oil, non-flavored, and fermented. How good could it taste? Actually, I liked it! The flavor reminded me of canned sardines. The flavor is not really a gross fishy flavor, but the flavor of small little sardines that have been marinating in oil. After a couple of weeks, I liked the flavor even more and more. Before your take the Cod Liver Oil, watch this video to find out how best to swallow the oil. Sometimes, I follow with water and sometimes with milk. The taste does not phase me at all.

I take Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil every morning. I will admit that I do have a some "fishy" burps for a few hours after taking it, but they usually go away by lunch time. Honestly, the fishy taste and fishy burps are really not that bad. For the amount of nutrients and vitamins I am getting, I will gladly take a couple fishy burps. If you are averse to fishy tastes, Green Pasture also offers Arctic Mint and Cinnamon Tingle flavors and Non-Gel Orange capsules. These flavors are great for kids!

Let me talk a little bit about real food. Real food is what our grandparents and generations before them ate. This is real food that is caught or grown in the wild, not the packaged convenience snacks and meals that are found on grocery store shelves (even at Whole Foods). It is crucial to eat real foods, real butters, real meats/fish, and real produce because that our bodies are meant to eat. We get the most nutrients from eating real food and we avoid many diseases and problems that are present in our society. Cod Liver Oil is a real food, as opposed to synthetic, man-made supplements. Synthetic supplements are not absorbed as well by our bodies and do not provide the same benefits as taking the real, natural forms of the same nutrients. Ask your grandparents, even your parents, about Cod Liver Oil. In Eastern Europe, as is done in other countries, my mom used to receive a daily tablespoon of Cod Liver Oil in kindergarten. In orphanages, babies and kids are fed Cod Liver Oil. Why? Because it is one of the best sources of nutrients to keep babies and kids growing and support adult bodies.

Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil can benefit adults, children, and especially pregnant and nursing women who need all of these nutrients and vitamins to ensure healthy development of their babies. Babies in the womb and up to 1 year desperately need DHA and Omega-3s for healthy brain development. Real foods are very important because they also provide crucial nutrients. Eating foods like eggs, coconut oil, raw milk (if available), raw milk cheeses (readily available), cream, fish eggs, etc. are going to provide the foundation for healthy future generations. The more and more I read about pregnancy and breastfeeding diets, the more I realize that real food (including fish, fish products, and whole dairy) is more important than my beliefs about a vegetarian diet. Whether you switch to whole/raw dairy, supplement with Cod Liver Oil, or eat a little bit of fish, your body and your children will greatly benefit.

I would highly recommend Green Pasture products because of the high quality, natural, wild sources of oils that offer the highest amounts of nutrients and vitamins. Whether your diet consists of meat/fish or not, supplementing with Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil will keep you and your family strong and healthy.

Disclosure: I received the sample from the company in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. I am under no pressure to return the product to the company or to write this review. This product review is based on my personal experiences. This review is objective and completely honest. I am not a medical professional. The intent of this review is not to provide medical advice. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions about taking this product.

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I Purchased Green Baby Shower Gifts

Last time I purchased baby shower gifts, I did not purchase the gifts off the registry. Most of the gifts were already purchased and there was nothing left that was catching my eye. To be quite honest, I wanted to purchase a product that would be useful and was made from organic cotton. Being eco-friendly means that I take part in educating and introducing others to a more environmentally friendly way of living.

I am purchasing gifts for two occasions: upcoming baby shower and a recent birth of a friend. I am happy to say that I purchased one of the items off the registry. Kudos to the mama-to-be for adding the Aden and Anais product to her registry.

Baby Shower Gifts

Aden and Anais for Target Burpy Bib

 

Charlie Banana Reusable Organic Cotton Wipes

  

Birth Celebration Gift

Whole Foods Gift Card to help out with groceries. This is the second child, so the mom is reusing a lot of the same items, including cloth diapers!

>> How do you interweave registry gifts with your own eco-friendly ideas?
 

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Waxelene - The Petroleum Jelly Alternative [Review]

I cannot tell you why I never made the connection that Petroleum Jelly comes from Petroleum! Sounds like an easy 2+2=4. Right? Of course, if we stop and think about the name, our intelligence will ask why it is called Petroleum Jelly. Because Petroleum Jelly has become a mainstream product, we assume that it is safe for everyday and baby use.

Why is Petroleum Jelly Toxic?

Petroleum Jelly is also know as petrolatum or paraffin, and is a petroleum byproduct (just like the gas or oil in your car). EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database rates petrolatum as 2 (green) and paraffin is rated as 1 (green), but describes as a "semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum." Even though it is rated as 2 by EWG, the fact that it is a petroleum byproduct is disgusting! Would you put oil or gasoline on your body if it promised more moisture? Not me! As consumer, we generally do not know the origin of petroleum or the chemicals that are used to process it. Therefore, we do not know exactly what we are putting on our bodies or what type of toxic chemical contamination we are being exposed to.

So what is a girl with dry skin to do? She can get herself a cute little jar of Waxelene!

PRICES: Waxelene 2 oz. jars retails for $6.99. Waxelene 9 oz. jar retails for $15.99.

Why is Waxelene The Perfect Alternate?

Waxelene is an alternative to petroleum jelly and has an endless number of uses.

• Anything you would use petroleum jelly for and more!
• Skin moisturizing, protection, and lubrication
• Protection from chafing, friction, and wind burn 
• Make-up & removal
• Soothing chapped, dry skin (Eczema & Psoriasis)
• Reducing diaper irritation
• Aftershave for face/legs
• Wetsuit rash prevention
• Hair
• After Sun
• Hands
• Tons of other creative household and cosmetic uses

Benefits:

• Non-petroleum based - Healthier for your family and the planet!
• Eco-friendly, biodegradable, no GMOs
• No parabens or artificial ingredients
• Smooth and silky consistency
• All natural
• Contains organic ingredients
• Water/sweat resistant - Lasting protection
• Not Greasy
• Goes on clear
• No animal testing

What are the Ingredients?

1. Organic Soybean Oil (non-GMO, non-hydrogenated)
2. Beeswax (100% Natural)
3. Organic Rosemary Oil (non-GMO)
4. Vitamin E Oil (100% Natural)

Check out Waxelene's descriptions and benefits of the ingredients.

What Did I Think of Waxelene?

Waxelene is a little jar of heaven! I was impressed with the glass jar and the metal lid (both are reusable and recyclable), as opposed to the usual plastic container.

I was surprised by the smell! The Organic Rosemary Oil adds an unexpected, but interesting scent. Do not worry, you will not smell like a rosemary bush!  The scent is herby and woodsy.

I have been using Waxelene for 2 weeks. I love that a little bit of the product goes a long way. This 2 oz jar will last a long time! Waxelene immediately absorbed and softened my dry and red hands without leaving my skin greasy.  The softness lasted for hours and even overnight! Waxelene is the perfect moisturizer because it is light enough that it will not leave my skin looking greasy, but heavy enough to take on dry, cracked, winter skin. Waxelene is truly the perfect moisturizer!

Opportunities for Improvement: I would love to see more scents with Organic Essential Oils, something like Calendula or Lavender.

What is the Man’s Opinion?  My husband did not like the smell because it smelled too "functional." He would like to see a more floral and body-product smell. Aren't herby and woodsy smells supposed to be masculine? :)

All Natural Katie's Rating:

Total green check marks out of 5.

I would recommend Waxelene to anyone for the following reasons.  I might not be able to use another moisturizer ever again because Waxelene works so well!

1. Immediate and effective moisturizing of dry skin
2. Immediate absorption
3. A little goes a long way
4. All natural product

Be sure to use Waxelene within one year since the product contains no preservatives.

Disclosure: I received the sample from Waxelene, Inc. in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. This product review is based on my personal experiences. This review is objective and completely honest.

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Green Motivation Monday - Buy Preservative-Free Food

This post is part of the Green Motivation Monday series.  The purpose of these weekly posts is to offer motivation to take a small baby step in the green and eco-friendly direction.  Of course, I will be taking the step right along with you.  I will let you know how I did and I hope you let me know what you were able to accomplish.

Motivation: Reduce the amount of toxic chemicals you put in your body by buying preservative-free food.

Challenge: During your next grocery trip, read the ingredients list on the foods that you are buying. Count how many products have preservatives in them. You might need to research some of the ingredients online to identify if they are a preservative or an additive. By being aware of what you're eating, you are making a healthy decision for your whole family.

Preservatives are added to foods to make them shelf-stable and make them last longer. Once you start reading labels on the foods that you buy, you will be shocked at how many of them contain some type of preservative.  Even uncured, fresh bacon in a Fresh Market meat counter has Sodium Nitrite in it.  All packaged food will have an ingredients label.  The font might be size 6, but it will be there.

There are many life-threatening effects that preservatives can have on the body. Pregnant women are told to avoid deli meats and cured meats that contain Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Nitrate and any food that has preservatives in it.  There is a reason!  If you're trying to get pregnant, wouldn't you want to avoid preservatives also?  Take the first step by being aware of what toxic chemicals your family and your children are putting in your bodies.

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