Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Stretch Oil Review and Giveaway

Months ago, when I found out I was pregnant with number 5, I dreaded the day when my current stretch marks would begin to stretch even further up my belly. Not that I don't "love" my stretch marks, they are a sign that I've lovingly carried 4 babies, but it had been a few years and they were faded enough and not so noticeable. I really didn't care to see those bright red lines again. So I started looking for something natural to use on my belly as it stretched, hoping that I could minimize the damage, or maybe even prevent it. Nothing had ever helped before so I kinda just let it be and accepted that I was one of those mommas that was just gonna get them no matter what I tried to do to prevent them.

But then I found Earth Mama Angel Baby!! They are a most wonderful company, dedicated to making natural products for mom and baby. Here's what their website says about their mission.

About Our Family
Earth Mama Angel Baby's pregnancy, childbirth and baby products were, ahem, born of our sincere faith in the natural process of birthing babies. Supporting the pure process naturally with nature's gifts makes sense to us. We don't think of pregnancy as an illness, merely a phenomenal process that has many wonderful and sometimes difficult stages. We trust in the wise women who have historically exalted the glories and eased the common discomforts of pregnancy naturally.

We use the highest-quality, certified-organic or organically grown herbs and oils for our teas, bath herbs, gentle handmade soaps, salves, lotions and massage oils. Our products are 100% toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and free from all artificial preservatives, fragrances and dyes. Our commitment to honor the earth and her valuable resources extends to our packaging as well - we use only eco-friendly recyclable or reused/reusable packaging and packing materials. It's true - we are even the proud recipients of the BRAG (Business Recycling Award Group) for our green practices.

Just as our foremothers did, Earth Mama Angel Baby honors the ancient knowledge of natural and herbal remedies and plant medicine. The wisdom we rely on has been passed down from great-grandmother to grandmother to mother to daughter, which we combine with the safety and assurances of contemporary evidence-based research.

The mamas (and honorary-mama papas) at Earth Mama Angel Baby are a dedicated and diverse group of nurses, herbalists, labor and postpartum doulas, childbirth hypnotherapists, childbirth educators, women, mothers and grandmothers. And a father or two.

We strive to provide research, tools and products to empower women with knowledge about the earth's natural resources for nurturing themselves and their angel babies.

It is also our goal, in times of grief, to help provide real physical support, resource information and emotional and spiritual comfort to women who have experienced the loss of a baby. We created the Healing Hearts Baby Loss Comfort web site to specifically address these heartbreaking needs.

Just like most mamas, we love hearing from you! If you have suggestions about information you'd like to see included or ways to improve our site, questions about natural pregnancy or feedback about our products please write to us: Contact Mama

Growing, birthing, and nurturing babies are natural and wondrous processes. Let's care for our angel babies and ourselves - naturally.

We are proud members of:

•Natural Ingrdient Resource Center
•National Environmental Trust
•Organic Trade Association - Cultivating a strong organic industry since 1985
•Co-op America and the Green Pages Online
•American Botanical Council
•Herb Research Foundation
•International Childbirth Education Association
•American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth
•Green Products Alliance
•United Plant Savers - A non-profit education corporation dedicated to preserving native medicinal plants
•American Herbal Products Association

I contacted them and they were so kind to offer me a bottle of their Natural Stretch Oil to review.

I was so excited when I received the oil. I wanted to make sure to use it daily from early on in my pregnancy. I read the instructions and set out on my review. I wanted to do it for as long as possible, to get the best review for all of you. Here is all the info on Natural Stretch Oil, straight from Earth Mama Angel Baby's website:

Are you a mama with a sensitive nose and an itchy, pregnant belly? Looking for the perfect natural stretch mark oil? Mama knows. That's why Natural Stretch Oil is exactly what every mama needs. Your gloriously expanding belly, hips and breasts will drink up the luxurious, natural blend of oils to help deter stretch marks and relieve the itch, and the light, delicate scent won't aggravate morning sickness.


Mama starts with plant-based oils that are infused with the healing herbal goodness of organic Calendula and calming organic Chamomile. Organic Borage oil and Neroli pure essential oil help nourish and encourage skin's natural elasticity for natural stretch mark care. Natural Stretch Oil is light and readily absorbable. It's vegan, cruelty-free, and contains no nut oils. Zero toxins and no artificial preservatives, fragrance or color. It's lovely as a bath oil and perfect for perineal massage to help avoid tears and episiotomies during childbirth.


Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but don't be fooled: this is Mama's secret blend to help prevent pregnancy stretch marks naturally, perfected with loving care, with a celebrity and celestial mama following to prove it.

I am a momma who is very conscience of what I put on my skin as well as my babies. I was very impressed by just how natural all of the ingredients are! There's definitely nothing toxic in here!! Here is the ingredient list:

Vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, Simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) seed oil, Borago officinalis (organic borage) seed oil, Matricaria recutita (organic chamomile) extract, Calendula officinalis (organic calendula) extract, a proprietary blend of Citrus sinensis (organic orange) essential oil, Citrus aurantium dulsis (neroli) oil

You can also visit their website and read all of the awesome reviews by other happy mommas!

Now, for my review!

I took this picture at around 17 weeks pregnant. I was just starting to pop out and those beautiful stretch marks were showing their face proudly! I had a navel piercing in high school and my belly button is really a sight for sore eyes! Each pregnancy the scars from that piercing just grew upward. I figured this time it may end up closer to my boobs than ever! So I began applying the oil daily, in the morning and at night, as the directions suggested on the bottle: Beginning early in pregnancy, massage onto your lovely, growing belly, breasts, and thighs twice each day. After pregnancy, enjoy it as a rich moisturizing body oil all year long. I was totally amazed at the light citrus scent. So sweet and pleasant. I rubbed it all over my stretchy areas, the belly, boobies and my wonderful child bearing hips! My skin really soaked it up! And it felt so smooth and hydrated!

During the colder winter days, my skin would feel dry and itchy at times. I would just apply a few squirts of the Natual Stretch Oil and immediately found relief! It really saved the day many times!

Today, I am 38 weeks and 4 days pregnant. I am still using my nearly empty bottle of Natural Stretch Oil, and am so completely thrilled to say that my stretch marks have not extended one little bit!! I am so excited and really in shock! It really works!! Here is a picture of my belly today!!

Now that I'm a faithful believer, I am so glad to say that Earth Mama Angel Baby has offered to giveaway one bottle of Natural Stretch Oil to one lucky Mama!! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below and you are entered to win!

FuzziBunz Winner!!

I have a winner to announce!! Rebecca Orr, you are the lucky winner of (2) FuzziBunz size Medium cloth diapers in white! Hurry up and check your email and reply ASAP!!



Blessings,
Crunchy Katie

Arbonne Giveaway Winner!

We have a winner! Amy Menzies check your email!

Also, I still have a FuzziBunz giveaway going. Get your entries in cause it ends soon!!

CrunchyKatie

FuzziBunz Perfect Size Medium Giveaway

I received my first box of fluff!!  I got my FuzziBunz size XS and S in the mail about 2 weeks ago.  I opened the package and was so excited to see how tiny they were.  I imagined our little teeny baby girl wearing them and ooo'd and awwww'd about them to all my friends whenever I got the chance!  The other day I was excited to receive my 4 FREE diapers from the FuzziBunz buy 6 get 2 free deal.  They sent me the wrong size though.  I got 2 mediums and right away realized that these are not EVER going to fit a baby of mine!  My other 4 never even grew out of disposable size 3s!!  So I figured, why not just give them away!!  So, in honor of my tiny babies, who will never fit in a FuzziBunz size Medium, I am giving away (2) FuzziBunz size Medium cloth diapers in white!!  Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below!!  Good Luck!!

Crunchy Katie

Newborns and Cloth Event

Hey there followers!  You have got to head on over to Life With My Littles and One More Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and check out their Newborns and Cloth event going on starting November 11th.  They have tons of awesome reviews and giveaways for you!!  Check back here as well for an awesome FuzziBunz giveaway coming November 11th.  You can receive extra entries for the FuzziBunz giveaway for entering the giveaways on each of their blogs!!

Arbonne Review and Giveaway

I was lucky enough to receive some great samples from a wonderful Arbonne Consultant named Rachel Frentsos.  She sent me the following to try out and review.

(1) pack of Chocolate Protein Shake Mix
and
(1) pack of Vanilla Protein Shake Mix

Here is a link to the Supplement Facts for the Chocolate flavor.
Here is a link to the Supplement Facts for the Vanilla flavor.

I was very excited to try this out for me and my children.  I have some picky eaters and was eager to see if this could be an option for getting some more protein in my oldest especially.  The first day we tried the vanilla flavor.  I mixed it as directed and split it evenly between me and the 4 kiddos.  The boys loved it and drank it down then asked for more!  My girly, didn't care for it much and gladly passed it on to her big brother.  I enjoyed the vanilla flavor myself and I am usually a chocolate fan!  The next morning we tried the chocolate flavor.  Again, I got the same reaction from the kids.  The boys loved it and the girly didn't.  Her big brother again finished hers off for her.

Now, before I served this for my children and I, I meticulously checked out the ingredient list and read the directions.  It did state that it was not recommended for pregnant women.  I was intrigued, because it contained nothing that seemed bad for me to be consuming while pregnant.  I emailed Rachel to ask her the reason for this and she replied that she had spoken with Arbonne's main office and they simple stated that they didn't recommend it be by pregnant women because it is generally used as a part of a weight loss regimen.  Since I'm certainly not trying to loose weight, I went ahead and used the product anyway. 

The ingredient list also states that the product is also manufactured in the same plant as peanut products.  I do have  a son with a peanut allergy, but it is not severe and we usually give him things like this that do not directly contain peanuts.

He did have a reaction.  About an hour after he drank the shake he began sniffling and his mouth looked a bit swollen.  Then I noticed the tale tale hives appearing around his waist.  I gave him a dose of benadryl and sent him off to bed.  A few hours later he was back to normal.  I am still at a loss as to what caused the reaction.  I will go ahead and say for those with nut allergies to avoid this product.

All in all the taste of the shakes was great.  I preferred the vanilla over the chocolate this time!  And I'm sure the boys would have enjoyed either one on a daily basis.  I love that the product is vegan and contains many minerals and vitamins.  It also uses Stevia leaf as a sweetener instead of splenda or aspartame. 

The next sample I received was the RE9 Advanced sample set pictured here.

  As I always do, I checked out the ingredients for anything that I would normally avoid.  The only problem I had with it was that the Restorative Day Cream with SPF 20 contained two sunscreens, Octisalate and Octocrylene, that are thought to cause hormone disruption and block Vit D production.  See this article.  It also contained Zinc Oxide which is a natural mineral sunscreen.  I use this for my children in the summer.

I decided, for the sake of this review, to use the Restorative Day Cream anyway.  The Smoothing Facial Cleanser left my face feeling clean and refreshed.  I followed up with the Regenerating Toner which left my face feeling nice and hydrated.  Then came the Intensive Renewal  Serum.  This left my face feeling very soft and so moisturized.  Next I used the Corrective Eye Cream followed by the Restorative Day Cream with SPF 20.  I have to say, that after all the creams, I could have left out the sunscreen all together.  My face was noticeably more smooth.  And felt so very soft.  I was very sad when on the 3rd day my toner ran out!  The sample sizes just aren't enough!!  I continued on using the remainder of the samples.  I really enjoyed the Night Repair Cream.  It was great going to bed with soft, clean skin and I knew that during the night my face was being nourished.  All in all I loved the product and would rant about it to my friends. 
You can get the whole set for $323.  That is a lot of money for a momma like me.  If I worked I would most definitely consider using these products.

 I also received the FC5 Shampoo and Conditioner and the SeaSource Detox Spa Foaming Sea Salt Scrub, Detoxifying Rescue Wash, and Renewing Body Gelee. 

I really enjoyed my showers for the next couple days!  The shampoo and conditioner left my hair feeling very clean and smooth.  It has a wonderful scent to it as well!  The Sea Salt Scrub was very exfoliating.  The scent was very earthy and I felt like I was really at a spa!  I used the Detoxifying Rescue wash and really felt refreshed.  The smells were very renewing and invigorating!  The Renewing Body Gelee works like a moisturizer.  It is also very refreshing and smells wonderful!   

Now for the fun part!  Rachel Frentsos, Arbonne Consultant has graciously offered to giveaway a 12 pack of the Essential Protein Powder packets!!  That's a $34 value.  Along with the Protein Powder, she will include samples of Arbonne's wonderful products!   Here's what you have to do to win!!

Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  The giveaway will end November 23, 2011.  The winner will be emailed that day and have 48 hours to reply or another winner will be chosen!  Good luck!!

Leftovers that keep going...and going...and going....

Last night we had oven roasted chicken for dinner.  I buy 2 whole chickens and simple rinse and dry then add spices and salt and pepper.  Every time I make them, I use a different spice or herb.  Sometimes it's paprika, and sometimes poultry seasoning.  We love rosemary and occasionally, I'll go all out and stuff the chickens with onions and oranges and thyme then make a tasty honey and orange glaze.  But more often than not, we go simple and cheap. 

Yesterday's chickens were smothered with Montreal Chicken seasoning.  I always add butter too.  It makes for great sauce, which my kids love over their rice!  I bake them at 400 degrees for 1hour and 30 min.  Then lower the oven temp to about 325 until they reach an inner temp of 190.

This has become one of our family favorites.  All of the children (even the super picky one) manage to clean their plate on chicken and rice night.  I love it. 

Since we make 2 chickens, hubby has a nice big breast to take for lunch the next day, and I have plenty for the next nights dinner (and then some.)

Tonight, we had chicken tacos.  Here's how I made them.

I take the whole carcass leftover from the night before (2 of them) and the extra meat and boil it in a large stock pot.  Tonight I added a couple of tablespoons of taco seasoning to the water.  It gave the chicken a really great taco flavor.  I boil for almost 2 hours (the longer the better), then remove all of the meat from the bones and discard the bones.  I saved all of the tasty broth for tomorrows dinner!!

Now shred up the chicken with 2 forks and add to a skillet.  I added 1 onion and sauteed for about 15min with 2 more tablespoons of taco seasoning, and a couple of ladles full of that tasty broth.

Cut up an shred all of your favorite taco fixings and then serve!! 

So easy and fast.  And we still have leftovers for hubby's lunch tomorrow!!

That's a way to make a meal stretch for a couple of days!!

It really makes me feel great that I am able to make the groceries last as long as I can.  What are some of your favorite leftover meals??

Blessings,
Crunchy Katie