1. Beauty of Mothering 2011 Calendar
Unfortunately, many people, including those behind Facebook, are uncomfortable watching women breastfeed.
We treat the natural act of feeding a baby with breasts as though it were some sort of shameful sex act. Sadly enough, some women even think of breastfeeding as “gross”. According to the CDC, 3 out of 4 new mothers start out breastfeeding, yet we rarely see a baby being breastfed in public. In our rush to be open and sophisticated about sex, breasts have become sex toys and breastfeeding has become an uncomfortable reminder that women’s bodies are not solely intended for sexual pleasure.
The Beauty of Mothering 2011 calendar helps change these perceptions, in my opinion.
The Beauty of Mothering calendar is a collection of some of our finest images of breastfeeding mothers and babies, paired with quotations about breastfeeding from some of the world’s greatest literary works.
This calendar is perfect for the home or office and makes a lovely gift for the breastfeeding mother or mother-to-be.
The mission of this calendar is to show the beautiful and natural act that breastfeeding is. Please help support our mission by buying your calendar and telling your friends!
The images are beautifully photographed, and there are no shots of women hiding their babies under blankets while nourishing them.
Would I buy this product? Probably. I am concerned that I can’t find any information about the paper used to create this calendar, but I do fully support the mission of Beauty of Mothering.
My only other criticism of this calendar is it is very homogenous featuring solely white women. Where is the multiculturalism?
2. The LEGO Technic Idea Books
LEGOS are one of the few plastic toys I think worthy of children’s attention. Although, I am not a fan of the new Lego kits that limit imaginative creations, I think every child should have your basic set (although mine do not because of the plastic thing).
Written by Yoshihito Isogawa of Japan (42 years of experience of building with LEGOS), these books are not endorsed by LEGO. There are three books in the series:
The Technic models in Simple Machines demonstrate basic configurations of gears, shafts, pulleys, turntables, connectors, and the like. You’ll learn how to create small, elegant machines like cranes, operable doors, motorized cars, a rubber band-powered rocket launcher, a hand-cranked drag racer, and even musical instruments.
The Technic models in Wheeled Wonders spin or move things, drag race, haul heavy gear, bump off walls, wind up and go, and much more. You’ll discover how to build differential gears, implement steering and suspension, and design clutch and transmission systems to use in your own vehicles.
The Technic models in Fantastic Contraptions include working catapults, crawling spiders, and bipedal walkers, as well as gadgets powered by fans, propellers, springs, magnets, and vibration. You’ll even learn how to add lights, pneumatics, and solar panels to your own models.
What is really cool about these books is that you build the models “based on their pictures alone. Colors distinguish each part, showing you how the models are assembled,” thus making these books useful for people of all ages and reading/language abilities. The simplicity of the layout is aesthetically pleasing, and frankly, it makes me want to play with LEGOS. As the author writes, “This book is full of little seeds for ideas. It is you who will cultivate those seeds so they grow into wonderful masterpieces.”
Would I buy these books? Yes! I think they are great books for those who love LEGOS, and they go way beyond the kits of the company. I like that there are models that are musical instruments, or you can add solar panels to them. I am happy to report these books are made from FSC mixed sources paper.
3. Milkmakers Lactation Cookies
Lactation cookies, what are those? No, they are not made from breast milk, but they delicious cookies designed to help increase a mother’s milk supply.
Key ingredients in milkmakers cookies incude oats, brewer’s yeast and flax seed. Oats are eaten by nursing moms worldwide to boost breastmilk supply, and are a nutritional powerhouse providing plenty of whole grains, fiber, iron, and an abundance of healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Brewer’s yeast is a traditional herbal remedy used to stimulate and increase the production of breastmilk and is a rich source of the B-vitamins and amino acids essential for nursing moms and their babies. Flax seed provides an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids, necessary for brain development, which can be passed from mother to baby through breastmilk. These ingredients work together to make milkmakers a wholesome, beneficial treat for breastfeeding moms.
These cookies are very delicious. Oatmeal chocolate chip is one of my fave combinations. Unfortunately, I am not lactating so I cannot support their claim to increasing milk production.
Would I buy these cookies? No. Although they are delicious and all-natural, they are not made from organically grown ingredients. I would prefer to make my own organic cookies from these wholesome ingredients.
4. BABYBJÖRN Sun Cover for Baby Carrier
BabyBjorn was my favorite carrier when my babies were little, despite criticism.
You may not be thinking about sun protection during these winter months, but you know the winter solstice is around the corner and daylight hours will be lengthening.
The BabyBjorn Sun Cover fits over the carrier. It is made of light colored fabric that is machine washable. The fabric provides protection of UPF 40 blocking 97% of UV rays.
The BabyBjorn sun cover provides excellent protection against the sun for your baby’s sensitive skin when carried in the BabyBjorn baby carrier. Made of breathable and light textile material, it also protects baby from the wind. The sun cover is easily attached and can be used with baby facing inwards or outwards thanks to the removable protective sun-hood.
Would I buy this product? No. $64.95 is very expensive for this item, and I think you can provide your baby the same protection with a hat and clothing. Neither of my children were ever overexposed to the sun while in the BabyBjorn, and I think the baby looks very funny in this cover.
5. Schlori 100% Cotton Swim Cushions
If you are traveling somewhere warm this winter, you may need swimmies for your child. Most floaties are made from toxic PVC plastic. Schlori swim cushions are safely made from 100% cotton.
Practical and popular. Schlori Swim-cushions’ optimal fit places the body into a natural position for swimming while giving the greatest possible freedom of movement. This makes the practicing of unhindered swimming motion possible.
Safe and secure. Schlori Swim-cushions are made of a particularly strong and durable natural fiber and are salt, chlorinated and thermal water resistant. They are without damage prone plugs or vents.Time tested. Schlori Swim-cushions are tested and approved by experts. They have been successfully used for decades by beginners of all ages and are recommended for the handicapped.
100% pure cotton. Schlori Swim-cushions are made exclusively of material from companies possessing the “Oko-Tex Standard 100”. For a product to earn an Oko-Tex seal it has to pass stringent ecological testing for over 100 harmful substances including pesticides, mercury, formaldehyde, lead and other toxic and poisonous chemicals.
Made in Germany, I am very excited to have these swim cushions for my youngest.
Would I buy this product? Absolutely YES! They are more expensive than their toxic counterparts, but I don’t mind paying $31.95 for peace of mind.
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples, unless noted differently in the review. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
The 100% cotton swimmies are a great idea. We should start supporting businesses and industries that only have our chilrdrens best interest at heart.