Join From Left to Write on their Adult Summer Reading Challenge! Here’s how the summer reading challenge for adults works:

There will be some awesome prizes: Amazon giftcards, books, cool t-shirts or gear from Out of Print Clothing!

E has incredibly sensitive skin and has ended up in the ER several times from chemical reactions. I learned when she was an infant, she had an allergy to zinc oxide and it irritates me as well- so I was a bit hesitant to use zinc products on little man. Unfortunately, all of our zinc free options have reformulated since last year and have left us in a bit of a rut! So I decided to take a chance with Badger Baby Sunscreen for him and I’m glad I did!

Sunscreen is one of those tricky personal care items that you really should research before purchasing. TONS of big named brand sunscreens contain chemicals that are known to cause cancer, so it’s ironic people use them as a cancer preventatives. Finding a good, safe, organic sunscreen is very important for children and babies. It is seriously worth the extra money! Badgers Baby Sunscreen is actually reasonably priced at $15.99 for 2.9 ozs. Last year, I paid $30 for my daughters. We’ve had our for a little over a month and still have a decent amount left. We also go to the pool 1-3 times a week. Badgers Baby Sunscreen contains non-nano zinc oxide to protect from both UVA & UVB rays, in a base of safe, soothing USDA Certified Organic ingredients. It is water and sweat resistant for 40 minutes, biodegradable, and works immediately upon application. There is NO oxybenzone, octisalate, octinoxate, avobenzone, or added Vitamin A. The sunscreen comes in a BPA & phthalate-free tube from 40% PCR recycled #2 plastic.

Badgers Baby Sunscreen Active Sunscreen Ingredients:
Non-Nano, Uncoated Zinc Oxide 18.75%

Other Sunscreen Ingredients:
*Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, *Cera Alba (Organic Beeswax), CO2 Extracts of *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Organic Seabuckthorn), and *Calenduls Officinalis (Organic Calendula), *Anthemis Nobilis (Organic Chamomile) Essential Oil, and Tocopherol (Sunflower Vitamin E).
* = Certified Organic

I’ve been really happy with the Badgers Sunscreen for little man! We’ve had no sunburns or redness after 4 hours in the sun, no rashes, no hives, not even bumps! His skin has remained silky smooth! I forgot our Badgers one day at the pool and we used something else. Within 1 hour he was slightly pink, so I’ve made sure to always have the Badgers Sunscreen on hand! Badgers also makes a Baby Sunscreen Lotion that is not water resistant. This is great for going to the park, hiking, or any other time you are out in the sun without going in the water. The sunscreen lotion is safe, chemical-free, broad spectrum protection from UVA & UVB using the mineral zinc oxide.We have only used this a couple of times and I love how easy it applies. It is only $17.99 for 4 oz. 

It is made with: Active Sunscreen Ingredient:
Uncoated, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 12%

Inactive Sunscreen Ingredients:
*Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Juice, *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, *Sucrose Cocoate (from Coconut), Water, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Citric Acid (from Non-GMO Corn), Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate (from Radish), *Glycerin (from Sustainable Palm), *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Extract, Tocopherol (Sunflower Vitamin E), Gluconolactone (from Non-GMO Corn), *Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) CO2 Extract, Xanthan Gum, *Lecithin (from Soybean), Cellulose Gum, *Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Essential Oil. * = Certified Organic So I have to admit, that I’ve been forgetting to apply my own sunscreen. By the time I get both kids lathered up, they are ready for the pool and I forget my own. And I’ve been guilty several times for forgetting to reapply to E. So we’ve come home pink more this summer than we have in the past 6 years. (I think I finally have it down now- but it took a month!) I was very happy to have the Badger After Sun Balm waiting for us at home to help soothe our sun-kissed skin.

After Sun Balm is made with rich Cocoa and Shea Butters, which not only smelly yummy, they are yummy for your skin. Sun, wind, salt, and sand all take a toll on skin, and After Sun Balm helps to restore the balance. Lavender and Moroccan Blue Tansy oils contribute to the delightful tropical scent and have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, helping to soothe, cool, and relieve your dry, tight skin after sun exposure. This beats totally beats regular ole aloe! You can get a 2 oz can for $9.99. I have very dry hair which allows me to go 1-2 weeks without washing. When I have to wash chlorine out of my hair once or twice a week, it makes my hair even drier. With the help ofBadger Argan Hair Oil, this summer has been so much gentler on my hair! Argan Oil helps repair damaged hair, smooth split ends, and it reestablishes a healthy balance while protecting hair from heat, chemicals, and UV damage. Argan Oil is rich in vitamins, proteins, and essential fatty acids, which strengthen and soften hair at the same time. You can get a bottle of Argan Oil for $18.99

 Argan Hair Oil Ingredients: *Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil, *Helianthus Annuus (Organic Sunflower) Oil, *Argania Spinosa (Organic Argan) Oil, *Adansonia Digitata (Organic Baobab) Oil, Essential Oils of *Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Organic Sicilian Orange), *Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Organic Bergamot), *Santalum Album (Organic Sandalwood), *Cananga Odorata (Organic Ylang Ylang), and Tocopherol (Sunflower Vitamin E). 

You can find more information on Badger Balm online and be sure to follow them onFacebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. 

Sample Disclosure: The opinions expressed above are honest, accurate, and not encouraged anyway by monetary donations. A sample free of charge was received from said company, as stated within the editorial

When little man was born I was very anemic. I was able to encapsulate my placenta and got my iron from that for several months, which was awesome. But after those ran out, my anemia came back and I was bruising very badly. Like if you touched me I’d bruise. So I went to the Dr. to have my levels checked.

In June 2013, my iron levels were at 32 (standard is 42-145). Not as bad as when little man was born, but enough to make me weak and bruise easily. I really didn’t want to take prescription iron because it can be hard on your stomach. I also don’t like the nasty filler ingredients. Some of the side effects were dizziness, vomiting, fever, metallic taste, headaches, abdominal pain, and even seizures. Not exactly what I wanted to take when there are alternatives. So I reached out to Mountain Meadow Herbs and got to try their Herbal Iron. I began taking the Herbal Iron in late July. I took 1/4 teaspoon 4 times a day until I was able to get back in to my Drs in November for a checkup. I took the iron with vitamin C to help with absorption. In 4 months, with taking the Herbal Iron daily, my iron count went up to 85!! So I got the same results as I would have if I had taken the nasty prescription they wanted to give me, all naturally. I am more than thrilled!

It has been a year since I started taking the Herbal Iron and I am still maintaining my levels! 

Mountain Meadow Herbs Herbal Iron is made with Organic Stinging Nettle Leaf, Organic Dandelion Root, Organic Yellow Dock Root, Vegetable Glycerine, Distilled Water and approximately 5% Organic Grain Alcohol. All these herbs are gentle on your stomach, non-constipating, and no side effects! It is safe for nursing and pregnant women as well. Herbal Iron is available in 2, 4, and 8 oz and ranges from $18.27-$59.98.

Be sure to like Mountain Meadow Herbs on Facebook and sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date on specials, promos, and giveaways!! 

Sample Disclosure: The opinions expressed above are honest, accurate, and not encouraged anyway by monetary donations. A sample free of charge was received from said company, as stated within the editorial.