Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, it's not going to get better.. it's not.

I've been slacking so bad lately with the blogging thing. I have been planning on posting this for a while but just haven't gotten around to it. Packing up the house and trying to get all the baby stuff cleaned and settled in case she comes early has kept me busy. I can't believe I will be 33 weeks on Saturday! My friend just had her baby a couple of days ago and she was only 33 weeks, so that really put things into perspective to me. She can come anytime! I want her to cook a little longer though. Kayla and baby Aaliyah are in my thoughts. I can't imagine having to leave my little peanut in the NICU to go home. But even though she is small (3 lbs 8oz at birth!), she is healthy and a beautiful little baby. Makes me anxious to see my little one :)
On the subject about babies, I've been asked to post about good products that are all natural and chemical free. One of the best and most amazing things that I have been wanting to talk about - besides breast milk, chia, and hemp seeds - is COCONUT OIL. Just a pretty quick outline of its benefits because there is SO many: hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. Here is a good link (where I found the above information) that goes into more detail of the benefits of coconut oil.  R and I will be buying a giant container of it. We are no longer using vegetable, safflower, and definitely not canola oil (GMO central!) so that really just leaves us with olive oil, which isn't good to cook with. Guess what is?! COCONUT OIL because it can withstand high heat. Granted, I don't personally like coconut...but I'm gonna have to get used to it because the benefits are amazing. We won't be using butter anymore either (or as rarely as possible...been looking into goat butter).
Coconut oil benefits for babies: cures thrush, can be used as lotion and works amazing for the skin, and is also really good at healing diaper rash! It also helps boost the immune system. Here is another link expanding on coconut oil. Please do your research on it! It is important that you get an *UNREFINED, organic (if possible), virgin coconut oil.* Extra virgin or not, it doesn't matter because it is not a regulated term when it comes to coconut oil like it is when it comes to olive oil. Here is some information about those terms :)
Anyway, about baby. First, we will start with what babies eat. The best thing you can possibly give your newborn child is breast milk. I understand that it is not always possible, but if you can do it, DO IT! Breast milk is amazing and definitely earns the nickname "liquid gold." It is an immune system booster, provides everything babies need, and even cures ear infections along with diaper rash! Why is it better than formula? I support any decision a parent makes, as long as it is an educated one. I will not say you are a bad parent if you want to feed your child formula or McDonalds, just be aware. Education is very important. :) Earth's Best and these brands are a good starting place for formulas. The ones listed are not genetically modified.  Next thing about babies, diapers. Cloth diapering has so many benefits: cheaper(!) than disposables - even with the cost of laundry and everything else included, less chance of rash, and earlier potty training! You can also re-sell those diapers, sometimes for almost the same price that you have paid for them which is awesome! Plus, they are adorable. Now not everyone has the "luxury" to cloth diaper full time, or even part time. That doesn't mean that you have to put chemical-ridden disposables on your baby's bum! Seventh Generation has diapers that are chemical free. Earth's Best is also good for that too. And they are bio-degradable. :) Just look into what you are putting against your little ones reproductive organs! Some studies have linked certain disposables with infertility and even asthma. Baby wash: Burt's Bees is good, though it is only 99.3% "Natural" - which isn't a regulated term - and isn't GMO free or organic. It doesn't contain pthalates, sulfates, petrochemicals, parabens, and is hypoallergenic. I think if we don't end up making our own soap, we are going to go with Dr. Bronner's baby soap. Check out the ingredient list!! and for 32 oz. $17 isn't that bad considering for baby you only need a tiny bit! Babies do not need shampoo but you could use this as a shampoo I assume. Baby lotion: coconut oil hands down - More benefits here!! I've also heard a lot of good things about Earth, Mama, Angel Baby (Amazon) for lotions and body washes. Check out their website here. Once little M gets here I'm sure I will be able to post more information but being baby-less for a bit longer I can't really post reviews. If you know anything about these products or can recommend any, let me know! I love learning :) EMAB is what we are using to make up our birth plan, once I can figure out how to get my printer to work again. LOL. Baby oils, I would probably go with coconut oil (again! I swear everyone loves it - plus it's natural and amazing) or extra virgin olive oil (I have personally used it when I used to go tanning. After showering and shaving instead of lotion). It's not fragrant but really keeps your skin so soft...my legs LOVED it. Or of course you can make your own. This weekend R and I are going to start doing some research on cleaning supplies - ready made and ones that we can make ourselves - so hopefully I will have a post about that. Maybe before the weekend either tonight or tomorrow I will post about the seeds I want to talk about.

*Please remember I am not knocking anyone's parenting style. Everyone naturally loves their babies and wants the best for them. I am just trying to inform people to make the best, educated decisions they can. I encourage you to do your own research! And remember, you have to dig for this stuff. Check out the ingredients on things, if you don't know what it is, for example: propylene glycol. What IS that?! A quick google search will show you. It is an oil dispersant! So why is it in Mio and our foods???? Check out studies by the company... then check out studies by other companies that have absolutely NOTHING to gain from it. Get educated, and you will see a lot of things are not really what they seem to be.*

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