Let's pass the Kids-Safe Chemicals Act in California!

I just wanted to take a moment to share with you that I took action to protect children from toxic chemicals. You can too.
It is critical that we get as many people as we can to show Senator Boxer that people support her efforts to protect our children’s health.
Check it out here: action.sierraclub.org/keepkidssafe

Ecostore USA is in the news, thanks to us mommy bloggers!

Recently I had the privilege of testing some very wonderful eco-friendly products for Ecostore USA. Being "green" products I jumped at the chance to get my hands on some samples and I couldn't wait to blog about them and write a nice little review for their company! You can read more here in this great news article about how "Bloggers help power growth of company".

These are the products I sampled!

As for the products that I received, I have been more than happy and impressed by them! The first item I tried was their Lemongrass Soap. It has a wonderfully aromatic lemony-zest scent. What a satisfying indulgence! It was as if my shower was transformed into a spa! The rich lather was very invigorating.
Next on my sampling agenda was the Baby Body Wash which my own two children were more than happy to make a splash with. Bath time turned into fun time when I told them we had received a new body wash in the mail! They couldn't wait to try out their surprise package! It was gentle on their tender skin and I really liked the fact that it had a light aromatherapy scent. Most importantly I could rest assured that it didn't contain any nasty chemicals, so I knew it was safe for my babies!
Last but not least, I gave the Spray Cleaner a shot in my bathroom. Once again, I was amazed by the cleaning power. It left my sink and toilet sparkling like new! With no overpowering smells, I didn't even have to hold my breath while cleaning (as I would have with other cleaners on the market). It has a very light clean scent. I just sprayed it on and all the dirt and grime was easily wiped away in no time! Having no nasty chemicals, it's naturally antibacterial and safe to use!




Products are available in Meijer's 185 stores in 5 states. Look for a store near you! Or visit Ecostore USA to learn more!

P.S. Ecostore USA is offering free shipping for orders $25 and up through out April for Earth month!

I'm walking 60 miles in the Breast Cancer 3-Day!

I have taken on an incredible challenge. On October 2 - 4, I’ll be walking 60 miles over the course of three days, camping out at night with thousands of other women and men taking this journey with me.

It’s for an event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day, which benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Every advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education and prevention in the last 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant. They are working hard to build a future without breast cancer, and I plan on raising at least $2300 to help bring us closer to that goal.

Please consider making a donation.

Without a cure, one in eight women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s why I’m walking in the 3-Day. Because everyone deserves a lifetime.

To make a donation, go to http://www.the3day.org/goto/christinechen. I would like to reach my fundraising goal by July 1st, so don’t delay!

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for your support!

What's going on???

Baby shampoo should be safe, but it might contain unlabeled, cancer-causing chemicals, according to product tests from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. It's just another example of how the cosmetics industry and the FDA are letting us down.

To learn which products were tested, understand what it means for your family's health, and write a letter to your elected officials asking for truly safe cosmetics for kids and grownups, visit http://www.safecosmetics.org/toxictub.

GET INVOLVED and Show us YOUR Cutie!

I would love to post a few photos and stories about YOU (my readers!)!
Contact me and let me know about the funniest things your kids say or do! If you submit photos of your child along with your e-mail, you'll almost certainly receive a post! I'd love to hear from you!
Show me your adorable tots (small file sizes please) and share your funniest photos!
Or share some of the funniest things that your child has said... I'd love to post some really funny stories here! Let's make this a more interactive place! Don't be a stranger! I'm looking forward to hearing from you!!!

Dapple and Skip Hop Announce Exciting New Promotion!

I recently received an e-mail from Jesson Burnam, writing to me on behalf of Dapple (www.dapplebaby.com) – makers of baby-safe, baby-specific green cleaning products – to let us know about an exciting new promotion with Skip Hop (www.skiphop.com) – makers of innovative parenting products. Throughout the month of March, anyone who visits the Skip Hop website and purchases an item from their Feeding Product Line (Splash bottle drying rack, Mate stay-put mat & plate, Palette plate feeding set, Chow baby food organizer, Table fun feeding set, Single bottle bag, triple bottle lunch bag) will receive a free travel size Dapple baby bottle & dish liquid!

Dapple Baby Bottle & Dish Liquid uses natural ingredients to zero in on the milk residue and odor left behind on baby bottles and cups, and get all your grown-up dishes clean, too! It features green technology to target milk residue, and natural baking soda to combat odor. Dapple Dish Liquid is 100% free of phthalates, parabens, SLES, preservatives, and synthetic dyes and fragrances. It’s also biodegradable and preservative-free. Their 3 oz. travel size is airline carry-on-friendly, and great for trips! And that's a wonderful thing with summer and vacation time coming up soon!

Updates on Monkey Baby Boutique!

I thought I'd let you all know that I am planning to relaunch my Monkey Baby Boutique sometime this summer... I'm in the process of adding new products to the site and updating and editing some of the old ones.

Monkey Baby Boutique will be a specialty online baby shop that carries only the best products for you and your baby. I research each product line that I'm going to carry so that you can shop with confidence.

Interested in submitting a product?

I'm currently looking for unique inventions to carry in my boutique. I would love to help you realize the full growth potential of your products. If you are an inventor, designer, or baby fashionista and are interested in seeing how I can help you... please shoot me a message!

Mama's got a new Bag of tricks!

We are all trying to be environmentally responsible with our shopping bags, but are you having a hard time organizing the bags themselves? I would love to introduce you to an Austin company that has invented the first system of reusable shopping bags! Real Simple magazine has just called it the "smartest system!"
Blue Avocado makes 3 different kits of shopping bags for all three of the different purposes we need:

• Hauling (shlepping bags)
• Ventilation (produce bags)
• Insulation (cooler bags)

All of the bags actually fit together into one kit when you're finished using them for the day. And their site says, "...by using a BlueAvocado pod instead of plastic bags you avoid 200 plastic bags and 9.5 lbs of CO2e if you use the bag for a whole year. That's the equivalent of NOT driving 11 miles."

I think these bags are just the cutest! And I love how they organize back together into a neat little package. I am so impressed!

So... here's a question. How do you remember to take your bags with you when it's time to go grocery shopping? Blue Avocado has some tips on this here. Feel free to tell us your own tricks in the comments!

House hunting in the Bay Area

I just wanted to provide a quick update to all of my loyal readers and to also apologize for not posting more frequently! The last couple of months have been quite an adventure!
I took my kiddos back home to spend Christmas in Oklahoma with my family whom I hadn't seen in 2 years. We had a wonderful time! It was great seeing my brother and sister and all the nieces and nephews again. I just wish I could go back more often!
Since returning to the Bay Area it seems we've been on a non-stop roller coaster ride house hunting. It's been fun but I'm hoping that we actually find something soon. We've been renting for over a year now and it will be so nice to finally find a place that we can call our own again!
I will keep you all updated on the progress. We are going to view some more homes this weekend. Until then... I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the New Year!