Herbal Choice Mari Organic Day Cream [review]

The colder weather brought drier skin. The natural, oil based moisturized I was using during the summer was just not cutting it. I needed something to hydrate and moisturize my skin. Herbal Choice Mari Organic Day Cream is made from natural ingredients and is a good natural winter moisturizer to keep skin healthy and supple.

Herbal Choice Mari Organic Day Cream     

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
Contains organic and natural ingredients
Doesn't clog pores
Comes in a dark glass bottle

Herbal Choice Mari Organic Day Cream is natural daily moisturizer made from organic and natural ingredients. The moisturized is oil based but looks like it has been whipped to get a white consistency. My other oil based moisturizers are liquid oils mixed together. This Day Cream is actually a cream. It has an off-white color to it due to the natural ingredients and olive oil base. Like the other Herbal Choice products that I reviewed, I really like that the ingredients list does contain only natural ingredients that I can pronounce and ingredients that I could get myself.

The day cream comes in a dark glass bottle with a matching metal lid. Another big plus because it is usually hard to find beauty products in glass bottles. The dark glass is important for protecting the natural ingredients from going rancid. Let's look at the ingredients list!


Herbal Choice Mari Organic Day Cream Ingredients:
Organic olive oil, purified water (alkaline), wild harvested candelilla wax, organic sweet orange, organic geranium, organic bilberry leaf, organic burdock root, organic sage herb.
The ingredients list is one of the most natural that I have been able to find. I am very excited about this product and this company because of their commitment to high quality, natural products. Since the day cream does contain water and no preservative, the shelf life is on the shorter side. I would recommend keeping the day cream jar in the refrigerator to help prolong shelf life.

Results: The day cream feels lightweight on my fingers, but it goes on heavier on my skin.Just a little bit of the day cream is enough and I can easily spread it over my face. I do have to be very careful about how much I put on my face because my skin will start to look greasy. Some of the day cream absorbs after a while, but not all of it. That's why I feel like this day cream is great for the winter when you might want a heavier moisturizer. Another thing to note is that my skin turned a little red right after rubbing the cream on my face, but I think that's because I was rubbing the skin and not because of a reaction to the cream. The redness went away within 1-2 minutes.

Look to Herbal Choice Mari Organic Day Cream for a truly natural day cream to moisturize your dry skin. The ingredients list is impressive and natural!

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Herbal Choice Mari Organic Facial Cleanser [review]

My skin care routine took quite a hit once the weather warmed up. The summer in Cincinnati was humid and my face was on overload with oil production. Close to the end of the summer, I realized that I needed to do a better job of cleaning my face. I signed up for a facial at my favorite local (natural) salon to kick start the cleaning process, but I needed natural products to continue at home. Herbal Choice Mari Organic Facial Cleanser is certified organic, lightweight, and effective natural cleanser.

Herbal Choice Mari Organic Facial Cleanser     

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
Contains organic ingredients
Gentle, lightweight moisturizer
Doesn't clog pores
Comes in a dark glass bottle

Herbal Choice Mari Organic Facial Cleanser is a lightweight natural cleanser that is customized for different skin types. I like that this natural facial cleanser company offers several types of cleansers based on oily skin, normal skin, blemished skin, etc. The natural ingredient list is another big plus in my book! There are not a lot of companies, especially those that sell on Amazon, that offer such a natural list of ingredients.

The facial cleanser comes in a dark glass bottle with a pump. Another big plus because it is usually hard to find beauty products in glass bottles. I received a sample of the cleanser in a small dark glass bottle. The dark glass is important for protecting the natural ingredients from going rancid. Let's look at the ingredients list!

Herbal Choice Mari Organic Facial Cleanser Ingredients:
Purified Water, Organic Cleansing Blend (Organic aloe vera juice (preservative free), aloe castile liquid soap unscented (filtered water, organic coconut oil, potassium hydroxide* (used to make natural soap), organic olive oil, organic jojoba oil, rosemary extract, organic aloe vera), organic vodka, natural sea salt, organic moisturizing blend (organic olive oil, purified water, organic carnauba wax (plant based), organic sweet orange oil, organic jojoba oil, potassium carbonate (natural earth mineral)**, organic geranium oil, organic bergamot oil, organic bilberry leaf, organic burdock root, organic sage herb), organic olive oil, xanthan gum (natural gum), organic lavender oil, organic geranium oil, organic sweet orange oil), organic vodka, organic olive oil.

* Not present in final product, used to make natural soap.
** Not present in final product, dissipates during manufacture.

The ingredients list is one of the most natural that I have been able to find. I am very excited about this product and this company because of their commitment to high quality, natural products.

Results: The cleanser was very lightweight and most of it seemed to absorb into the skin on my face. It was easy to wash off because it wasn't greasy. I have been using oil based cleansers, so this cleanser was a little bit different. I did not feel like did much, but then I realized that this cleanser was gentle enough to not strip all of the natural oils off my face. This is a cleanser that I can see myself using on a daily basis because it is so gentle.

If you are looking for a truly natural cleanser with a great, natural ingredients list, Herbal Choice Mari Organic Facial Cleanser is your answer!

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Natural Super Green Food Supplement [review]

Super Green Food Supplement in Capsules is about the easiest way to internally take super green food. I have tried super green food powders in smoothies or super green food juices, but the super green food supplement in capsules is an easy and quick way to boost your nutrition levels. Supa Herbal Greens Original herbal green food supplement blend is made with organic ingredients, gluten-free and non-GMO ingredients, in a vegetable capsule.

Supa Herbal Greens Original       
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. I am not a medical professional. Please consult a physician before beginning any exercise program or taking a supplement. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease

The Good	The Not So Good
100% raw	Did not experience significant changes
Organic ingredients (other than veg capsule)
Non-GMO, Gluten-Free
Made in the USA

Supa Herbal Greens Original vegetable caps are made with GMO-free, gluten-free, and organic super green foods ingredients. The bottle contains 90 vegetarian capsules, which last 1 month. Recommended dosage is to take 3 capsules before or after meals. May be taken up to 3 times per day.

Supa Herbal Greens Original Ingredients:
Organic Super Green Foods (235mg):
  Alfalfa Grass (aerial)
  Barley Grass (aerial)
  Dandelion (aerial)
  Ginger (root)
  Ginseng (root)
  Parsley (aerial)
  Rose hips (fruit)
  Turmeric (root)
  Wheat grass (aerial)
  Garlic (bulb)

Organic Super Whole Complex (125mg):
  Celery (seed)
  Flax (seed)
  Pumpkin (seed)
  Sesame (seed)
  Sunflower (seed)

Organic Super Digestive Complex (80mg):
  Anise (seed)
  Caraway (seed)
  Fennel (seed)
  Ginger (root)

Organic Super Sea Greens (35mg):
  Kelp (aerial)
  Bladderwrack (aerial)
  Nova Scotia Dulce (leaf)

GMO Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Corn Free, Dairy Free, Filler Free, Magnesium Stearate Free, Additive Free, Preservative Free super green supplement.

Supa Herbal Greens is a very concentrated herbal supplement. As the above states, the ingredients are high quality, organic, non-irradiated, and are additive free. Basically, you get 100% herbs within the capsule. I usually have a hard time finding natural supplements that are additive-free, especially Magnesium Stearate-free supplements, so I was really excited to try this brand. One of my goals for this year was to add more super green foods to my diet. The Supa Herbal Greens supplement is a great addition and I feel great about taking the supplement because of the organic ingredients.

I also like the ingredients combination of not only super green foods, but also raw seeds and nuts, garlic, and sea greens. I took 2 capsules per day and noticed that my energy did not dip as much as usual throughout the day. Otherwise, I did not notice a significant improvement. I bet if I took 3 capsules up to 3 times a day, my energy would be really high. My goal for taking this supplement is for preventative health.

The vegetarian capsule is a standard smaller capsule and it easy to take.

If you are looking for an easy way to take super green foods on a daily basis, try the organic Supa Herbal Greens green super food supplement.

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Kid-Friendly Music that Adults Can Also Enjoy [review]

My 3.5 year old son has always loved listening to music. While we do sing kid songs from time to time, I prefer to listen to Classic music or Christian Rock music when we are traveling in the car or listening to music while doing chores. I like to select music that is appropriate for all ages. That's why the Jazz Loves Disney soundtrack is perfect for our whole family! My toddler can still enjoy kid-friendly songs and the adults can reminisce about their childhoods. The songs are appropriate for everyone and I don't feel like I'm purely listening to kid songs.

Disclosure: I participated in this sponsored album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided the album to review but all opinions are my own.

Jazz Loves Disney Tracklist:
1. Jamie Cullum – "Everybody Wants To Be A Cat" – from The Aristocats
2. Melody Gardot – "He’s A Tramp" – from Lady And The Tramp
3. Stacey Kent – "Bibbidi Bobbodo Boo" (French version) – from Cinderella
4. Gregory Porter – "When You Wish Upon A Star" – from Pinocchio
5. China Moses – "Why Don’t You Do Right" – from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
6. Raphaël Gualazzi – "I Wanna Be Like You" – from The Jungle Book
7. The Rob Mounsey Orchestra – "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" – from Cinderella
8. Hugh Coltman – "You’ve Got A Friend In Me" – from Toy Story
9. Anne Sila – "Let It Go" – from Frozen
10. Melody Gardot & Raphaël Gualazzi – "The Bare Necessities" – from The Jungle Book
11. Laika – "Once Upon A Dream" – from Sleeping Beauty
12. Nikki Yanofsky -"Someday My Prince Will Come" – from Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs
13. The Hot Sardines – I Wanna Be Like You (French & English version) – from The Jungle Book (US release only)


We have started to introduce our son to Disney movies. I never thought that doing so would bring back so many memories from when I was growing up. Even just listening to this soundtrack was bringing back some warm and fuzzy feelings. I remember being in middle school and watching some of the Disney movies for the first time. (I came over to the US when I was 9, so I wasn't introduced to the movies until I was a bit older). My mom would take me over to her friend's house for play dates because she had kids of a similar age. We would watch Disney movies while we played. As I became older, I started to enjoy Disney movies even more because I could really understand some of the more complex concepts. I also enjoyed the beautiful music.

When I started playing the soundtrack, my toddler came over and asked me what kind of music I was playing. He really liked the songs. I really like that the songs are kid-appropriate but can also be enjoyed by me and my husband. The songs are upbeat!

My two favorite songs are "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book. I really love the upbeat rhythm of this song. The song makes me smile.

I also love "When You Wish Upon a Star." This has always been a favorite song of mine. There is something hopeful and exciting about the words and the song.

The thing I love most about the Jazz Loves Disney album is that the songs are classic! They bring a smile to my face because I remember watching these movies as a child. Now, my son can enjoy the same music.

Jazz Loves Disney can be purchased on iTunes and on Amazon.

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Unique Gift: Wrist Watch [review + Giveaway]

Ever since I can remember, a metal watch has been my preferred style for a watch. The look and the design were classic. However, metal watches can be heavy and some people might have skin sensitivities to metal watches. A wooden watch is a great alternative to the metal band! Jord Wooden Watches offer a unique gift of a lightweight watch, natural wooden band, and high quality quartz watch mechanics.

Jord - Ely - Red Sandalwood      

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
Made from natural wood (pre-treated)
Citizen Miyota 2035 movement
Lightweight

Jord wooden watches are much more than just watches. Made from natural woods and finished with natural Tung Oil, these are statement pieces for the nature conscious and eco-friendly conscious person. The wooden watches are made from a variety of natural woods. The wood covers the face and makes up the watch band. Movement options include: self-winding automatic mechanical, multi-function self-winding automatic mechanical, battery powered (quartz), and battery powered chronograph. Glass is scratch-resistant. Basically, these are high quality watches, but the band and face cover are made from wood. The deployment buckle with push buttons is made from metal.

I did a little research on Tung Oil because I had never heard of it before. It is a natural oil that has been used for thousands of years for pre-treating wood. Pure tung oil is pressed from a seed, but I'm sure there are many diluted and mixed tung oils available for purchase.

The watch itself, the design, the mechanism, and the working were high quality and what I would expected. I've owned several higher-end watches because they last for a very long time. Jord is definitely a competitor there based on what I have seen so far.

The watches comes packaged very well in a cute little wooden box. Perfect for gift giving!

One of the things that struck me the most about this watch was how lightweight the wood was. I am used to wearing a heavier metal watch (even though the watch is slim), so it was nice to have a watch that is a little lighter. I almost forgot I was wearing it!

 

 Another thing that I liked was the color of the Red Sandalwood. The color popped against most outfits and created a nice accessory. I don't usually wear a lot of accessories like bracelets and jewelry, so the watch was a nice addition.

Jord offers high end watches for both men and for women. If you are looking for a unique Father's Day gift or for an eco-friendly friend, Jord wooden watches are perfect!

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to WIN a $75 voucher to Jord!

Giveaway will end Sunday, 6/12/2016 (can get watch delivered for Father's Day)
Winner will be automatically picked and notified via email at the end of the giveaway.

The $75 vouches will expire on 7/15/2016.
Everyone who enters (aside from the winner), will receive a $20 e-gift card to Jord (will expire on 10/25/2016).
  

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Pediped Lightweight Sneakers for Children [review + GIVEAWAY]

Pediped shoes have always been a favorite of our family, from the beginning! Pediped shoes have held up really well and the styles are always adorable. More importantly than that, the shoes provide the right support for growing feet. As my 3 year old is now a confident walker with a solid stride, the Pediped Flex line offers lightweight sneakers and as close to barefoot shoes for toddlers as you can get.

Scroll through to the end for a chance to WIN a pair of Pediped shoes!

Pediped Flex Force                
Pediped Flex Gehrig              

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
High quality materials	Sizes run a little big
Adorable style
Flexible sole
Machine washable

Pediped Flex - Force athletic style sneakers in grey and lime are a great summer sneaker. While open toed sandals are usually our go to shoe in the summer, having a lightweight sneaker that is water-safe and machine washable is a must have. One of my favorite features of this shoe is the super flexible sole. The sole is made from rubber and phylon. It is more flexible than usual outsoles, which is great for providing comfort and structure. The sole reminds me a lot of barefoot shoes, which are very important for children's feet as they allow for proper foot development.

The Force's main feature is the Ultra Light Technology - breathable mesh upper, heel cushion, water-safe, machine-washable, and ultra light weight of 5 oz.

The Flex Fit System provides additional insoles that can be insert for a snugger fit as the feet grow. I've used this system before when the shoes were a little large for my son's foot and was able to get more than one season of wearing the shoes.

 

 

Fit: Pediped Flex shoes seem to fit big (half to 1 size bigger) on my son. My son has slimmer fit. Force's were about 1/2 bigger on my son. I used the Flex Fit System for a snugger fit. He was running around the house in the shoes, so they weren't too big on him. Though I will either pair them with thicker socks or wait several months before he wears them on a daily basis. The design of the shoes fit his slim foot very well.

 

 Results: My 3 year old son did not want to take these athletic-style sneakers off. He wore them around the house all afternoon. I like the style of the shoe because it is athletic, but more on the neutral color side with a little pop of color. The shoes open up wide enough for him to be able to get them on himself. The super flexible sole will be great for playing outdoors. These shoes are also water friendly.

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Pediped Flex - Gehrig is another sneaker style closed toed shoe in night blue with orange accents. This style reminds me more of European soccer type sneakers. These shoes are a little less atheltic looking than the Force style. Gehrig shoes are made from a synthetic upper, breathable mesh lining, flexible rubber sole, and velcro closure (2 part).

The sole is on the thinner side, which is similar to barefoot shoes and is great for developing feet.

The Flex Fit System provides additional insoles that can be insert for a snugger fit as the feet grow. I've used this system before when the shoes were a little large for my son's foot and was able to get more than one season of wearing the shoes.

Fit: The width of the shoe is pretty standard. This style fits 1/2 size large.  My son has slimmer fit. As with the Force's, using the Flex Fit System will help provide a better fit. The toe cap is a little on the smaller side.

Results: The Gehrig shoe is a great all around shoe to have in my son's closet. The style is casual enough to get dirty playing in the park, but also dressy enough to pair with khakis for church.

 

To Clean: Both shoes are machine washable. Allow to air dry or use a shoe drying insert in the dryer on low to medium heat. I have also found that just using a damp rag to wipe dirt off has worked well.

I would highly recommend Pediped shoes for 3 reasons:

1. High quality design focus on shoe technology and developing feet
2. Water-safe, washable and dryable
3. Flexible and comfortable (rubber outsole)

I have purchased and always recommend Pediped shoes to anyone with children. The focus on shoe technology to support growing and developing feet results in comfortable shoes with adorable designs. The styles with thinner soles makes great child barefoot shoes that provide support and flexibility for growing feet.

GIVEAWAY

Enter below to win a pair of shoes from Pediped!

Please use the Giveaway Tools entry form. Open to US only. All entries will be verified. Duplicate, incomplete and invalid entries will be deleted. 

Giveaway

Pediped Shoes

Winner selects boy/girl and size (Pediped will select available style)

Entry-Form

Disclosure: All Natural Katie is not responsible for companies/sponsors who fail to ship the prize. Pediped will be shipping the prize to the giveaway winner.

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See Kai Run Spring Shoes for Toddlers [review]

Selecting quality shoes for toddlers is important! Providing the right support structure for developing feet as well as shoes that will hold up for more than a couple of months is critical for me. Babies feet grow very fast in the first 2 years and then slow down to about 1/2 size increase every 6 months. While you feel like you might be purchasing so many shoes in the first few years of your child's life, the investment is well worth it. See Kai Run offers high quality shoes that are comfortable and long lasting.

See Kai Run Mackinac       
See Kai Run Strive              

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
High quality materials	Some styles run a little large/loose
Adorable style
Great traction outsole

See Kai Run - Mackinac sandals in Blue with navy and orange trim are my favorite outdoor summer toddler shoe! Last year, my 2 year old son wore the Bryant sandals and he loved them! The great features of these sandals is that they are washable. Though I prefer leather shoes, washable shoes are a must have for a little boy who loves to be outside. The Mackinac sandals are made from a synthetic washable upper, padded textured footbed, and a flexible rubber outsole. See Kai Run has come out with a new rubber outsole that is more grippy, especially on wet/slick surfaces. The sandals feature a 3 point hook and loop (Velcro) closure that ensure a great fit for a skinny or a fuller foot. It also makes taking the shoes off very easy. For children's shoes, I prefer for the shoes to open up so that I can get my toddler's foot inside of them.

Fit: The length of size 8.5 fits a little bit small and the sandals are on the slimmer side. I probably should have ordered 1/2 bigger (and this was previously recommended by my See Kai Run contact). The straps cinch down very well, so I can get a good fit of the sandals around his skinny foot. These are great sandals for skinny/slim feet!

Results: We have only had a few warm days, so we have been testing the sandals inside. These sandals are very similar to the Bryant ones he wore last year, so I am confident they will work out just as well! Mackinac sandals will be great for playing in the yard or for pool/water table parties. Clean up will be easy with a few sprays of the hose or washing in the sink under cold water. The shoes dry quickly.

See Kai Run - Strive closed toed leather shoes in Blue are a great classic sneaker that is appropriate for most occasions from casual to dressy. Strive trainers are made from leather and canvas with a rubberized leather heel and toe. The insoles and lining are also made from leather, which makes the shoes breathable. The adjustable hook and loop strap and faux laces make getting the shoes on and off really easy. The outsoles are made from rubber and are scruff-resistant. This shoe also features the new outsoles from See Kai Run that are great for almost any weather conditions. No slipping on wet surfaces!

Fit: The width of the shoe is pretty standard and the shoes fit true to size. My son has been wearing with thinner socks and the shoes fit great! The shoe on the right shoes how big the opening can go. The shoe on the left shoes how tight the velco tightens. These shoes fit my toddler's slim foot very well.

Results: The Strive shoe is a great all around shoe to have in my son's closet. I wanted a shoe that was casual enough for the playground, but dressy enough for church. These shoes will even look great with shorts!

To Clean: Use a little mild detergent on a damp rag. Allow to air dry. I have also found that just using a damp rag to wipe dirt off has worked well.

How do See Kai run shoes fit?

I have ordered shoes online for my toddler a few times now. Though I feel more confident than I did the first time, it still seems to be a bit of a guessing game. The best strategy is to use the sizing guide and/or to talk to customer service about their recommendation based on the shoe style. Since my son has been wearing See Kai Run sandals and closed toed shoes, I knew what size he was in now and could account for 1/2-1 size growth.

• Leather closed toed shoes fit relatively true to size
• Sneakers fit relatively true to size
• Sandals tend to run large, order 1/2 size down
• Skimmers run small, order 1/2 size up

I would highly recommend See Kai Run shoes for 3 reasons:

1. High quality materials (leather top/insoles and rubber outsoles)
2. Designs are made for growing feet
3. Comfortable

I would purchase See Kai Run shoes in the future and have been recommending them to my mom friends. I really like the selection of shoes for every season, the high quality leather materials, and the comfortable, ergonomic design that is perfect for growing feet.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and are honest.

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