In Need Of Oscar Party Snacks? Mix up a batch of healthy hummus dip!

I’m looking forward to celebrating the celebs (and their gowns, hair-dos and jewelry!) on Oscar night. After all, the event’s glitz and glamour is a great reason to throw a little get together. Of course, organizing a fun night for friends—who all have kids of their own—can be tricky.

The key to a successful party that works for both youngsters and their parents is to make any food served fun for the whole family. Instead of preparing two separate spreads—one for the wee ones and one for the parents—create a menu that works for everyone.

The best food choices will be healthy and nutrient-rich for the kids, but still look and tasty fancy enough to be grownup fare. My “go to” dip is hummus because it’s super nutritious, kids and adults love it, and is easy to make—check out my recipe below. Note that this is more of a blend of ingredients rather than a true ‘recipe,’ you adjust the flavor to taste as you go along. Can easily be doubled, just keep the ratios the same.

1. 1 can (15 ounce) of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2. 1/3 jar (16 ounce) of tahini (I like raw vs. roasted for the health benefits and it has a lighter flavor)
3. 2-3 garlic cloves
4. 1-2 Lemons to taste (use Meyer if you have them)
5. Sea salt to taste
6. Cumin to taste (use sparingly, it has a strong flavor)
7. Water, start with 2 tablespoons and add as needed to thin
8. Paprika (to sprinkle on top)
9. Olive oil (to drizzle on top)
10. Parsley, optional

Place items 1 through 7 in a blender or food processor and pulse to mix. Add water if it is too thick to blend. Blend until creamy, stopping a few times to taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with whole wheat pita or veggies.

Five Reasons to Love Valentine's Day

I’m not a big holiday person, but I’ve come to appreciate Valentine’s Day because I like receiving flowers and the chances are high that my hubby will have a beautiful arrangement delivered to our home (hint, hint).

Out of curiosity, I did a little research into the history behind Valentine’s Day and its traditions are pretty murky. Some say St. Valentine was a priest who secretly married young lovers during the rule of Emperor Caludius II. Other stories suggest Valentine was a prisoner who fell in love with the daughter of his captor and wrote her letters signed, “From your Valentine,” kickstarting the tradition of sending love letters with that signature.

As for chocolate, the health benefits of eating a small piece of high quality dark, with a least 70% cocoa, are accepted by even the most fervent naysayers. I buy mine in bulk at a restaurant supply store here in L.A. called Surfas, http://www.surfaslosangeles.com/. I add two ‘pistoles’ to my coffee every morning, which turns it into a kind of coffee/hot chocolate concoction. I rarely have the desire to eat sweets and think it may have to do with my bitter chocolate daily a.m. dose.
Here are five reasons to love chocolate—and anyone sweet enough to gift you with some this month.

1. It lifts your mood: Chocolate is loaded with phenylethylamine, a substance that is part of a group of chemicals called endorphins. Ever heard of a “runner’s high,” when your mood is lifted during exercise? That sensation is caused by the release of endorphins into the bloodstream. Eat enough chocolate and those endorphins will be flowing in no time, exercise not required!
2. It helps you fall in love: High levels of phenylethylamine have also been linked to the feeling of falling in love—maybe those Aztecs were on to something, after all!
3. It’s a natural stimulant: The caffeine in chocolate can give you a kick. Chocolate also contains alkaloids, like theobromine, which stimulate the kidneys and affect the central nervous system in a similar way to caffeine.
4. It calms you down: Another chemical compound found in chocolate is seratonin, which is well known for its calming abilities.
5. It keeps you healthy: Chocolate contains flavonoids, antioxidant compounds that are known to help prevent heart disease and cancer. Yes, you can also find these substances in fruits and vegetables, but, one day a year, I’d rather receive a box of chocolates (and flowers!) from my love than a bouquet of broccoli any day!

Concentrated Products—like California Baby washes—need a little know-how

I recently bought a High Efficiency (HE) front load washer and dryer made by Miele. The first time I used the washer, it overflowed with bubbles. Why? Not only was I using the too much laundry detergent, I was also using the wrong kind. Most laundry detergents are formulated to bubble—and bubble a lot. We, as consumers, have been trained to use large quantities of product. The combo of pouring in our detergent and seeing the bubbles gives us a feeling of accomplishment and we feel confident that the product is working. It's all smoke and mirrors. Most detergents and personal care products contain up to 95% water! Why would companies do that? Because water is cheap and consumers want low prices—"give the customer what they want" is their motto. But it's not so good for the environment.

Thankfully, we now all get it…that what is good for the environment is good for us, and more importantly, our children. America is going green by leaps and bounds. For example, sales of solar panels are up almost 3 fold, according to EIA, the official energy statistics of the US government. And suppliers of household cleaning, laundry and personal care are getting the message about producing concentrated versions of their products.

California Baby is doing our part!
Our shampoos and bubble baths are very concentrated. This means that you are getting more cleaning power (solids, not water) in each bottle and you can wash more with less. California Baby is once again on the pioneering eco-trail and putting more of the good stuff in each bottle—when other companies are cutting corners. California Baby doesn't believe in cutting corners. We never have, never will. Instead, we believe in eco-value by offering concentrated washes, bubble baths, creams and lotions. The gentleness or effectiveness hasn't changed, you just need to use less. That's powerful.

Tips!
Concentrated products may take a little getting used, but once you get the hang of it, you will appreciate the time, water, product, and ultimately money you are saving your pocket book—and mama earth.

• Wash your hair only once, but let it sit while washing the body, allowing the product to do its job of washing away dirt and oil. Ideally about 30 seconds (wash your body while you let our shampoo sit in your hair)
  
• Use a puff or natural sea sponge. The best investment you will make! This will help to dramatically reduce the amount of product you need—just one squirt or pump does the job for your whole body.
  
• Pump bottles: just a half to one pump is usually all you need to wash head-to-toe. California Baby pumps lock in the 'up' position (click left, click right), and the pumps sold for the 8.5 oz sizes lock in the down position ... just a quick click helps put a temporary stop to enthusiastic little hands.

You will find that your concentrated California Baby products should last you longer. I confess it took me a while to get used to. I would pump 3-4 times just to wash my hair! What was I thinking? I guess I just wasn't hip to eco-concentrates. Now I am—and I love it. Hope you do too.

All my best,

Jessica

Organic Milk: Good for You, the Planet, and Farmers

The milk in my house is always organic. Yes, it costs a bit more, but I’ve noticed that doesn’t spoil as fast as non-organic, and it’s free of pesticide residue, hormones and antibiotics, all of which aren’t so great for my family’s health—and is one of the main reasons I made a big health switch. And as it turns out, organic milk isn’t just better for humans—it’s also better for the health of the planet and for the health of the cows who produce it.

A report from The Organic Center, which was released in November, found that organic dairy farms have been able to reduce manure methane emissions by 60 to 80%—a huge boon to the environment, as methane gas is 25 times stronger than CO2 in terms of the global warming damage it inflicts. The report also shows that cows living on organic dairy farms live 1.5 to 2 years longer than those raised on high-production conventional farms. That means cows need to be replaced at a slower rate on organic farms, which is a cost savings to the farmer.

Here’s hoping all those non-organic dairy farmers out there read this study and realize that switching to organic makes sense not just for consumers but for their bottom line, too. 

Some say that you get the milk from the black & white cows, and the cream from the white cows!

Hand Sanitizers

While researching hand washes (check out our Wash-Up! products) I found Triclosan and alcohol in everything. Also many of the hand sanitizers that market themselves as ‘No Alcohol’ contain ingredients such as Benzalkonium Chloride, which is rated as a high hazard by environmental and safety groups such as the EWG.

I prefer and love essential oils as a safe and healthy alternative to chemicals and alcohol, and California Baby’s foundation was built on the concept of aromatherapy. I have turned to essential oils over and over to keep my family healthy.

And, it turns out, vigorous hand washing with warm water and a cleanser for at least 20 seconds is all that we need to kill germs and stay healthy. Of course, soap and water aren’t always available, and mom and kids are always on the go, but I also know from years of researching ingredients and living a natural/organic lifestyle that the very high percentage of alcohol based hand sanitizers is not health promoting, to the contrary, I feel it is unhealthy—especially for babies and kids. Their small bodies cannot handle the toxic load of the high percentage of alcohol contained in and multiplied by the constant use of a hand sanitizer throughout the day, week, year... (Organic sourced alcohol doesn’t make it any safer.)

A trusted industry insider has noted, "alcohol is one of the only consistent trans-dermal materials known. Children have been documented to become legally intoxicated as a result of topical application of alcohol to reduce fever."

The link below is a story about what a few families have been through when their kids either accidentally drank the ubiquitous hand sanitizer solution or were affected by absorption.

I continue to research and develop a safe non-alcohol based hand sanitizer. In the meantime, my suggestion is to wash hands frequently with a non sulfate cleanser (stay away from synthetic fragrances), use hand sanitizers sparingly, and only when you feel there are cooties about—and be sure to supervise your kids when they use a hand sanitizer and keep it out of their reach.

www.snopes.com

All my best,

Jessica

How to Steer Clear of Stretch Marks

Being pregnant can make you feel pretty (really!); there is an undeniable healthy glow from all that extra blood flowing that causes our cheeks to have a sweet rosiness—who needs make-up during this time? And what about that super thick and shiny hair—got to love it. I certainly felt good about how I looked when I was pregnant.


One of the less-than-pretty side effects of pregnancy, though, is stretch marks. And about 50% of women will get them.
There is something you can do to prevent and minimize. Here's what I've learned about preventing stretch marks during pregnancy:
Grow slowly: Yes, some people are more prone to getting stretch marks than others, but problems occur when skin grows too quickly and the fibers that support it can't keep up. When these fibers tear, they leave behind stretch marks. Of course you're going to gain weight when you have a baby, the key is to try and 'be all baby' not 50% baby and 50% Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey! Your ob/gyn would agree that too much weight gain isn't that great for your or your baby's health. Gaining the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy—usually 25 to 35 pounds—is a great way to limit stretch marks. You may need to gain more or less weight than this, depending on your starting weight, so be sure to talk to your doctor.

Use cocoa butter: I LOVE this botanical ingredient because it leaves my skin so soft and supple. And it prevents itching—awesome for growing bellies (and regular folks with dry skin). Cocoa butter is perfect for applying to your tummy, as well as your thighs, hips, and breasts, as these are areas where stretch marks are most prone to popping up. Another tip: Apply it as soon as you step out of the shower, to damp skin, so all the moisturizing benefits are sealed in.

Eat well: Eating nourishing foods, especially those loaded with fatty acids, can also keep your skin in great condition—not to mention healthy foods are also best for your growing baby! Avocado anyone?

Drink up, water that is: Guzzling plenty of water will keep you hydrated, which helps maintain skin's elasticity. But sometimes it's hard to remember to drink the recommended 8-10 glasses a day (I tend to forget). I've figured out an easy way to remember though: one glass an hour. Doing it this way helps to spread the hydration through the day—the way your body wants it.
Pregnancy can be an overwhelming time in your life and there is lots to learn and do, taking it step-by-step and in small chunks will help get you to the goal of healthy, happy baby and mommy!

Layer Up to Keep Warm This Winter

Keeping kids warm during the winter is one way to help avoid the sniffles and sneezies. But there’s always the fear of over-dressing kids, too, especially little ones who can’t quite tell you when they’re too warm.

I still remember the look on my pediatrician’s face when he came in to check on me and my newborn son, Miles, before checking out of the hospital. I knew something was amiss by the concerned look in his eyes and the extra gentle tone of his voice as he casually asked if maybe the baby might be a bit warm… I was itching to dress him up in all the Hanna Anderson outfits I stocked up on, so yes, maybe I got a bit carried away. I took the top two layers off while indoors and slipped on the outer layer before we headed into the California sun! (I know, I know, our “weather” doesn’t count). That was my first real understanding how important layering is when you’ll be going from cold outdoor temps to the warm indoors then back out again.

Here are some tips along with the whys and hows of layering for newbies and pros alike:

• The first layer of clothing should be made of nonabsorbent materials like silk. Cotton won’t work as well because it absorbs moisture, trapping it close to the skin and lowering body temperature.
• The purpose of the second layer is to trap air between the first and the outer layer, as well as to allow moisture to move away from the body. Look for clothing made from warm, breathable materials like wool or fleece.
• The third layer, or the outwear layer, should protect kids from the elements, such as wind, snow and rain. Breathable, waterproof materials that block wind are best, like water-resistant nylon.

Recently I’ve been working on creating new ‘looks’ with each layer to glam-up the repetitive layers on, layers off when moving in and out; it’s getting kind of fun, and as a California Girl, I am starting to get into the whole winter thing!