Go Graham Go! |

I don't know about where you live but here in the city of Atlanta, students have been back to school for the last two days. While I wrap my head around the fact that my toddler will be off to preschool in a few weeks, many parents are already immersed in the back-to-school routine.

It goes without saying that providing a healthy breakfast, lunch and snack are some of the most important things a caregiver can do to prepare a student for each school day. For a new-to-school mom like me, though, I was at a loss as to where to start.

Thankfully, Nature's Path Organic stepped in and helped me figure it all out by supplying a generous sampling of their best back-to-school edible products. Nature's Path produces organic cereal (hot and cold!), organic granola bars & cookies, and even organic toaster pastries!

We were given a range of their aforementioned products and can honestly say that we tried them all over a two-week period and loved them all. High praise for an organic food company that also specializes in gluten-free products (that we also tried and loved).

Naturally, first up were Nature's Path's breakfast cereals. I'd like to say that Catherine (our toddler) tried the Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise cereal but I liked it so much that I kept that one to myself. It was delicious and I couldn't believe that it was gluten free or made with quinoa (an incredibly nutritious whole grain)! Catherine did get to sample the gluten-free WholeO's and they were our go-to breakfast cereal until the box was empty. While you could tell they were gluten-free, they were still just as delicious (if not more so!) than the typical O's you'll find.

The last cereal we sampled just so happens to be our new favorite cereal--Flax Plus Red Berry Crunch.


Catherine wasn't too sure about it at first--it didn't look too two-year-old friendly to her but she dug into her bowl...


Let's just say it is a HUGE hit in our household. It has a healthy taste to it and is not overwhelmingly sweet. While enjoying a bowl myself, I turned to the nutrition information and could not believe how packed it was with nutrients in just 3/4 of a cup--protein (6 grams!), fiber (7 grams!), and whole grains galore--talk about an excellent brain booster before school! We like it so much that it is currently functioning as my snack while I write this review!

We also tried Nature's Path's delicious hot cereals. While 100+ degree weather doesn't make me anxious to make a bowl of warm food, the outstanding flavor and variety of Nature's Path (organic!) instant oatmeal will be a very welcome treat as the weather turns colder and school becomes more intense.

Finally, Catherine was thrilled to sample the many varieties of Nature's Path organic granola bars. These bars served as her snack every day this week and I already know I'll be headed to the store as soon as our stock is depleted.



We found that the Nature's Path Organic granola bars are great to take to the playground, place in a lunch box, or use as an afternoon snack. Catherine liked everything she tried but she loved the kid-friendly EnviroKidz bars the best. Her daddy and I had to sneak bites of their other wonderfully decadent granola bars--and we didn't feel guilty about eating snacks because they were so healthy for us!


Everything Nature's Path produces is delicious and worth purchasing. And once you sample their organic goodness, it will leave you looking for more!


Be sure to visit Nature's Path interactive website--with indepth descriptions of their organic food, honest customer reviews, nutrition information and recipe ideas you'll be impressed by the company's attention to quality, taste and customer satisfaction.

This product was provided free of charge to Allie by Nature's Path. These are her honest opinions on the product. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

After stints of living in the Midwest, Northeast, and England, the Monkey's Mama (AKA Allie) currently resides in Atlanta with her wonderful husband of 7 years, "J". Together they have two daughters.

The Monkey's Mama takes great joy in being a Christian Stay-at-Home-Mama. In her spare time, she loves to run and race competitively for her local track club, read mystery novels, and walk her cats Churchill and Thatcher outside on leashes!

You can find her on twitter @monkeysonthebed.

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There is a newly launched website that specializes in organics that you are going to want to check out.  Eden Home offers a wide variety of organic products that are great for the entire family.  You can find everything from skin care to bedding and much, much more!

I was sent the Blue Canoe Wrap Style Top and  have been wearing it at least once a week because it is so comfy.  I love the way it holds its shape and how stretchy the fabric is.  Because it is made from natural bamboo and organic cotton it is very breathable and lightweight.  I have found that I can dress it up for work or dress it down when I'm just hanging around the house.  It retails at Eden Home for $64.

We already purchase organic food whenever possible and I try to be very careful about the products we use on our skin and around our home, but I never would've thought that organic clothing could offer something different.  With our budget, organic clothing is some what out of the question, but it is nice to have a few pieces.

When you think about all the processing and chemicals used in our every day bedding, clothing, and even the things we cook with, you can start to see why organic could be a better option.  After watching Dr. Oz today I am rethinking our non stick pans!  Again, I understand that it isn't always affordable, but adding in a few key pieces can really make a difference.  Eden Home even offers some really great tips and facts on choosing organic in their Why Orgainc section of the website.

The Eden Home website is organized well and laid out nicely so that you can find what you are looking for.  I love their gift ideas that come ready to present to the recipient.  They also sale the MiYm Organic toys for babies that I love so much.  Make sure you check out the clearance section while you are there!

This product was provided free of charge by Eden Home. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.


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I held a giveaway several months ago for the EcoSMART organic insect repellent, but had not tried it until now. If you are an avid reader of Go Graham Go, you will know that the mosquitoes think that I am a tasty snack... more like meal. I walk out the door and have about 10 bites within minutes. My life is miserable in the summer time because of it! I also am very careful about the products I put on mine and my family's skin. Let's face it...they are pesticides! We wash our fruit and vegetables like crazy because of pesticides. Well, I am happy to support EcoSMART and their efforts to keep us safely bug free.

The insect repellent retails for $7 which is a very reasonable price. The best part about it, other than the fact that it is organic, is that as soon as you spray it on it dries! There is absolutely no DEET or any other synthetic chemicals in the bottle. EcoSMART insect repellent works by using plant oils and repels pest for hours. To me, the smell is still pretty strong, but not as bad as the repellents with DEET. You also need to make sure to layer it on pretty thick (it is non-greasy so don't worry about slithering away)!



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I hate to admit it, but I was cleaning out the playroom/junk room yesterday and found that Graham's old high chair still had food stuck on the side! Gross! I looked under the cabinet for the closest cleaner and grabbed the Baby Girl All Purpose Cleaner that was sent to me a couple of weeks ago. It is all natural and I was a little nervous that it would not be strong enough to remove the food that had been there for probably several of months (I know... hanging my head in shame). Much to my surprise, the cleaner worked instantly! I didn't even have to let it sit!

Baby Girl cleaner is certified organic and was created by a mom! Check out the ingredients: Water, vinegar, organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, organic jojoba oil, peppermint essential oil blend, organic aloe vera, rosemary extract, and sodium carbonate. I love the fact that it is safe to use around kids. I always worry when I spray down the table that traces of the chemicals I am using are going to end up in our bellies or under our skin.

The smell of this cleaner is also nice. You can definitely detect the vinegar, but it is nicely hidden by a fresh rosemary and peppermint scent. It has been working well on all of our finishes (wood, plastic, vinyl, and ceramic). You may want to know that if you use a lot in one spot it can become a little greasy due to the oil extracts but it is easily wiped away with water.

If you are looking for an all natural alternative to your high powered cleaners, this is the way to go! For $6.95 it is also nicely priced!

"I think we have a new favorite shoe," is what my husband said when he opened the box to these new shoes by Simple. I could not agree more with him! First of all, they are absolutely adorable! Secondly, they are extremely soft and flexible (what all growing feet need). And last but not least, they are completely eco-friendly!

We had the opportunity to review the Doodle Simple Shoe. I loved how this shoe slipped right on with ease. Anyone with an active toddler knows that this is an extremely important feature! I also am in awe over the certified organic cotton fleece lining! Graham immediately put them on and cried at night when it was time for us to take them off. He wanted to wear them to bed! The outside is created from eco-friendly suede and is completely washable! Are you serious? Thank you Simple Shoes for listening to moms!

Here is the run down of the key features:

• Washable suede
  
• Soft, certified organic fleece lining
• Soles are natural non-marking rubber
• Recycled PET and natural elastic laces (pull toggle....sanity SAVER!)
• Extremely flexible (good for growing feet)
• Adorable!
• WARNING: Your toddler may not want to remove them!

I also am very proud to support the Simple Shoe company because of what they stand for. Even the shoe forms and box for the shoes come in post-consumer recycled paper, soy-based printing ink, and natural latex and starch based glue. Each shoe size also has a different animal represented on the box! Graham is in a size 8 (I know, big foot for such a little boy) and his had an adorable elephant!

Simple also has two other new toddler styles: the Noodle and the Poodle! The Poodle is my absolute favorite for a little girl. I love the Mary Jane look and the adorable prints.

I honestly can say that these shoes are my new favorite! I rest easy knowing that my son is wearing a shoe that is not only safe for his foot, but that it is safe for the Earth that he is going to inherit one day! At $38, the Doodle shoe price compares equally to most other quality toddler foot wear.

Earn 10% off your first purchase using coupon code: SimpleMommy at checkout. This code expires 7/31 so act quick!

How many of you are familiar with Burt's Bees products? Most of you are probably the owners of a tube or two of their wonderful lip balm at least. Happy Green Bee was actually founded by the same person who helped found Burt's Bees! Roxanne Quimby decided to create a line of kids clothing that was simple, colorful, and organic. Happy Green Bee does what I love, it allows kids to be kids! Thank you!

Graham had the opportunity to try out the tank top and board shorts in blueberry sky. I love the vivid colors and classic feel of this outfit. The organic cotton makes this outfit super soft and breathable! These will be adorable for the pool, beach, or just hanging around outside this summer.

I don't have a little girl, but you must check out the adorable Petal Dresses if you do! The skirt is just right for spinning and the colors again, are so much fun! A little girl can look like a little girl! Imagine that! The sock hats would be precious on a little bald baby head!

Happy Green Bee also offers adorable organic dolls that are perfect for snuggling as well as a Mom's On The Go Kit filled with wonderful samples of their nursery favorites!

I don't have a teen or a tween but I work with them and I used to be one! I can remember when taking care of my skin started to become a priority. At about the age of 10 I can remember really wanting to learn how to take better care of my skin and my mother skillfully taught me all the ins and outs and what products to use. My mother thankfully set up a great foundation for my future skin care routine. Back then, the only option I had was to use what my mom was using.

Sparklehearts is a whole bath and body line created with girls in mind! What is so great about the Sparklehearts line is that everything is made of 99.6% natural, vegetable and plant-based ingredients. They also never use petroleum, parabens, or phthalates! We received the Sparkly Body Lotion. Not only does it smell sweet and light it also has a little shimmer to it! It goes on evenly and is very light weight. This lotion would be any girly girls dream come true! Sparklehearts is certified organic so you can feel sure of the best ingredients going on your girls skin or hair.

Girls will have fun learning about taking care of their body with these great products! You can choose from the Sparkly Body Lotion, Shine Shampoo, Rainbow Soft Conditioner, Peace Out No Knots Hair Detangler, or the Blooming Bubbles Body Wash. There is even a section on the website where girls can create their own Sparkleheart design for FREE! Once they have created their design they can use it for an iron-on transfer or a computer background.

All of the Sparklehearts products retail for $12.49! Join Sparklehearts on Facebook and keep up with all the happenings!

Weleda is a company that I am just now becoming familiar with. When Graham was first born I went through all the regular shampoos and body washes that you receive as gifts. The problem was, his skin was so dry and he has even had allergic reactions to some of the soaps. When he was very little I set out to find quality bath and body products that would address his sensitive skin needs! I must say, it has been a hard task!

Weleda has products not only for baby, but for the entire family and they are all organic! When I saw that the baby line included Calendula, it definitely perked my interest! I had the opportunity to try out the Calendula Oil, Calendula Diaper Care, and the Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash. I was not only impressed by the wonderful aroma that filled our bathroom, but also with the fact that Graham's skin was so smooth and moisturized that I didn't feel as if he even needed any lotion! That was truly a first!

The Calendula Oil retails for about $12 and is created with organic chamomile. The oil is wonderful after bath time for a massage to provide intense hydration and a layer of warmth. It can also be used to cleanse the diaper area.

The Calendula Diaper Care retails for about $11 and is formulated with zinc oxide and natural ingredients. Not only does it provide relief from skin irritations, but it also has a pleasant scent.

My favorite is the Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash that retails for $10. This total body cleanser is gentle on little eyes and skin. The calendula extract and sweet almond oil truly help to calm and moisturize. Graham leaves the bath moisturized and ready for pajamas!

You can purchase Weleda at Target, Whole Foods and select health food stores.

Don't you just love it when a company "gets it"? When they figure out that parents really do want the best for their babies and that they want it at an affordable price! Plush toys are a dime a dozen! You can find them just about anywhere. And what do babies love to cuddle up to the most? Usually the plush toys. Hosung My Natural has come up with a brilliant idea that is sure to excite mothers and fathers to babies all across the US!

My Natural Bamboo is a collection of adorable plush animals that are created with natural products! Bamboo is one of the fastest growing and most renewable plant resources on the planet. It survives naturally without the use of pesticides or fertilizer. Bamboo is also antibacterial, anti fungal, and mildew resistant! It is also biodegradable and safe for the planet!

Each adorable plush animal is created with 100% unprocessed Bamboo and has been hand dyed using plants and minerals in Hosungs very own all natural PureWaterWash. Because of the wonderful materials used, these toys are both safe and long lasting for children! There are 4 animals to choose from including: frog, elephant, monkey, and panda. Each animal is about 9" high and retails for about $14.99 exclusively at Barnes and Noble.

We received the panda which is ultra soft! I was impressed with the size of the animal as well. For the money, you really are getting a quality product! The panda has a beautiful blue color and would be perfect for either a boy or a girl. Each animal is so versatile, it could work for any gender. What a wonderful baby shower gift idea this is! While your stopping to pick up some of your favorite books for the baby, grab one of these one of a kind safe toys! It would be a great gift to pair them up for a theme. Here are some examples:

• My Natural Bamboo Monkey + Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
• My Natural Bamboo Frog + The Wide-Mouthed Frog: A Pop-up Book
• My Natural Bamboo Elephant + Elmer
• My Natural Bamboo Panda + Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?
  

Isn't it nice when you can find adorable, comfortable, and organic all in one place? I know that I was excited when I stumbled across Puddlefoot! Puddlefoot is an adorable little shop that creates the softest organic tees for your little one!

This company goes the extra step by using only 100% organic Supima cotton (American grown) as well as all earth-friendly dyes and inks! Suzi MacDougall is the master mind behind this spirited designs. Her love for sketching was re-born when her sons came along. She then decided it was time to do something with all of these lovely characters and Puddlefoot was born!

Graham had the opportunity to try out the Y'onion Tee. First of all, the little onion character on the front is so cute that anyone who sees it gets a smile! Secondly, the feel of the shirt is like no other that Graham has owned. The shirt is ultra-soft and baby ribbed. It washes wonderfully and stretches right along with all of Graham's wild antics!

Puddlefoot would make an excellent gift idea for baby showers and first birthdays! You would be sure to have a gift like no one else and one that the mother will surely appreciate!

When is the last time you had soap that smelled so nice you just wanted to take a bite out of it? Ok, I know I sound a little crazy, but the Biggs & Featherbelle line of products are like no other I have found! I had the opportunity to try out the Mini Bar Sampler of 8 Soaps! Our bathroom where they stay smells wonderful all the time now! The Mini Bar includes some of Biggs & Featherbelles most popular soaps. You will find everything from mouisturization to exfoliation! The Mini Bar would also make a gift anyone would love to receive! The soaps are beautifully packaged and come in a hand painted box that needs no wrapping! The Mini Bar retails for $23.99!

What I love the most about Biggs & Featherbelle is their commitment to quality ingredients. Sisters Kelly and Kasey Evick created Biggs & Featherbelle in January 2003. Their family has always been adovcates of natural beauty products and the healing elements of mother nature so the company was a no brainer!

You will find products that help a wide aray of issues and areas (acne, dry skin, pregnancy, etc). There are lip balms, bath scrubs, bath soaks and a ton of gift ideas for you to choose from! My favorite item is the Momma Bar which features Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, and Lavender. All of these elements together makes this bar of soap the most moisturizing soap I have tried in a very long time! I can actually leave the shower not feeling itchy! Besides, the bar is so beautiful and smells delicious!

*Update: We are not sure exactly which soap it was, but they have actually cleared my husband's eczema! We will definitely be putting our money here from now on for soap!*

I am so excited to share with you all this adorable little online boutique find! Tomat has the sweetest outfits for your little ones! The cool part about Tomat is that a mom creates the designs! Efi Latief is a graphic designer by trade. She is from Indonesia and graduated from graphic design college there. She also graduated with honors from art center college of design in California!

Tomat has some of the funkiest clothing around! The line is all about being a kid and having fun! Graham was sent this adorable "Snap" babyrib t-shirt. This is one of my favorite shirts that he owns for several reasons. It is extremely soft and washes beautifully! Most of the shirts we buy him tend to shrink up after a few washes and have a stiff feel to them until they have been worn in. This shirt has movement and breathability! I also love that it can be a simple t-shirt, or it can easily be dressed up with a cute jacket!


Tomat even features an organic line which features 100% organic cotton with water-based silkscreened ink. They are exploring other different ways to become more environmentally friendly as well.

If you are looking for clothing that is absolutely adorable, unique, and comfortable for your children, check out Tomat!

Crave Body and Bath Shop has become a favorite of mine! Sandy, the mom owner and creator has some of the best products for your skin! Check out my full review of Crave Body and Bath Shop. What I love about Crave Body and Bath is that Sandy chooses the best products to go into her line of bath and body products!

Crave Body and Bath also has a wonderful line of products made especially for the Sun! Her Sun Bum line has got you covered from head to toe!

The Sun Bum Moisture Wave is a light, non-greasy formula that is filled with wonderful natural ingredients. Tamanu Oil helps restore aging skin and reduce inflamation. This is important when you have been out in the sun all day! What a great way to treat your skin to some nourishment! It also helps to extend the life of your tan.

The Sun Bum SunShade is a moisturizer that also boasts and SPF 16! I personally use an SPF on my face every day! Dermatologists are recommending that we all start wearing SPF on a daily basis! Sun Bum SunShade is a wonderful way to feel moisturized and protected all while using the best ingredients (Organic Aloe Vera, Green Tea, and Chamomile Extracts)!

This giveaway has ended! Congratulations to LadyHighTower.

Having Graham has made me so much more conscious of the products I am using around the house. It has been my goal to find affordable, green, organic products as much as possible! EcoStore USA "offers more than 100 products, each one meeting the most stringent environmental and sustainability standards. The guiding principle of every formulation is and will always be that the end product must not only be good for the user, but good for the planet." (EcoStore USA).

EcoStore features household cleaning products that are safe and natural. There are also fabulous hair care and bath and body products! There are even products for your pets!

We were able to try out some of the Baby products offered! The Baby Sleepy Time Bath is by far better than any of the sleepy time washes I have purchased in the chain stores. You can tell just by the aroma that this stuff is the real deal! Like they say, "No Nasty Chemicals"! By adding a cap full of the Sleepy Time Bath to your child's or your bath the beautiful fragrance of all natural lavender takes over the room!

The Baby Moisturizer works excellent on Graham's extra dry skin. Because they use plant based ingredients such as Jojoba, Olive Oils, and Shea Butter, baby's skin stays soft and smooth all day long! Not to mention, Graham has a tendency to like to lick lotions, so I feel better about knowing what ingredients are actually in it!

EcoStore USA also has a blog you should check out!

I know first hand what it is like to be a busy, working mother and trying to feed your baby nutritious meals! It is hard! I tried to make my own baby food, but it wasn't always possible with my schedule. I'm glad that there is now an organic, frozen option for busy parents that has Dr. Sears partnering with them. Have you seen the HAPPYBABY products? They are fabulous!

Graham had the opportunity to try out the HAPPYBABYPUFFS and we also got the HAPPYBELLIES Cereals. Graham gobbled up the Puffs and would have finished off the entire canister in one sitting if I would have let him!

They also carry the HAPPYBABY frozen meals for babies: Simple Purees, Smooth Combos, and Sorta Chunky! 8 different packages with 14 distinct flavors, including meat, grains, fruit and vegetables. NOW WITH DHA added to later stage meals! It moves with your baby and where they are age wise! And they didn't forget your toddler! There are HAPPYBITES which are frozen organic meals with hidden veggies and sauces for dipping! YUM!!


Why Frozen? (from the HAPPY BABY website):

Freezing preserves the components in fruits and vegetables that provide their vibrant color. What you can't see is that freezing preserves the nutrients, too. Other methods of processing and preserving can break these nutrients down as a result of post-harvest handling and exposure to heat, light and other elements.

Some research shows that frozen fruits and vegetables are at least as nutritious as fresh fruits and vegetables, if not more. In one study, when comparing frozen green beans with fresh, researchers found that the frozen green beans had more than twice the vitamin C as green beans that had been displayed in the store and then stored in the fridge before eating.