Holiday Gifts for Six Kids – Homemade Style.

Holiday Gifts for  Six kids  – Homemade Style.

It is that time of year again and I am trying to get my kids to think on the cheap for presents this Christmas. I also want them to get in the spirit of thinking of others vs. themselves.

There has to be a way for the kids to make each other presents without costing a fortune and ones they that they will actually like and use.

So here is what the kids thought would be fun that also works with each of their personalities.

Taylor 16: The Teenager: she is going to make knotted fleece blankets. She is self-described as “not-crafty” but even she can whip up a cute blanket or 5. It’s pretty easy. For specific instructions go to:

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Make-a-Blanket.

Our challenge on this is where to find inexpensive yards of fleece.

Haley: 11: She is a bit more “crafty” than the teenager. For some reason my kids all love to have a journal handy and they never can find them. I swear that they each have at least 10 journals, but every year they put it on the Christmas list yet again. We are going to go to the Dollar Store and buy blank journals and decorate them for each kid. Seems easy enough.

Wait! Another idea just in, homemade sugar body scrubs. All of my kids love scrubs in the shower and we are currently out. Perfect! We just found a great recipe that seems super simple and easy. I am excited!
http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/homemade-sugar-body-scrub

Freddy-9: The in –house tech guy. He loves his computer and anything that relates to technology. He is going to create a collection of songs and burn some CD’s specific to each sibling and music they like. He also loves Project Runway, so he wants to make something on the sewing machine too.

Since everyone swims, he is going to make swim/tote bags. We are going to see what is in the scrap bin at the local fabric store. I really hope they have something not horrible in a print for cheap.

Georgia; 7: She is my resident artist. Her idea is to make individual paintings. She and I will go buy mini square canvases so she can paint them. I love this idea. You just never know if someday she might be a recognized artist, and we will all have a Georgia Original!

Piper who is 5; with some prompting and a bit of laziness on my end, because she is the most difficult of my children to make to do anything and currently she does not want to do this “fun” thing.; we (me again) thought of going to the plant nursery. I am sure we can find some inexpensive small, hearty seasonal plants and decorate the pot they come in. Seems like a good idea. I guess we will have to see on this one. Seriously, wish me luck on #5.

Rowan-2: Ok, I am not going to try and make him make some gifts. Being that he is only 2 he gets a pass this year. That means I get a pass too! Yippee!

Stay tuned for a follow-up blog on this whole experience. I will do an accounting of how cheap (or not) this exercise was. Including time. (mine) Man, I hope it all works out in time for the holidays.

Wish us (me) luck.

Jennifer and mom of 6 (including a teenager)

Happy Holidays

A TruKid Review: Green Christmas Present #1: TruKid – All Natural Skin Care

I love when moms blog about our product and not only blog happy things, but when they love our product as much as we do.

I have been sick with H1N1 as well as 5 of my 6 kids, now I also have walking pneumonia so I am being lazy and reposting a recent blog:

Green Christmas Present #1: TruKid – All Natural Skin Care from the wonderful blog by Rachael Coe:     http://lookingwell2009.blogspot.com

My daughter is 100% toddler – 95% sweet and 5% trouble. She is 100% cute – 85% innocent and 15% mischievous. She is 100% beautiful – mommy is just a little bias. When I think of how much I value her personality and sweetness, I completely want the best for her. I want to know that she cared for in the best ways so when I think of what products I use on her body, I look for something that is as close to 100% pure as possible.

I have been looking for fun, all natural skincare products that are just as sweet and natural as she is. Those are truly hard to find so when I found TruKid I was thrilled. TruKid believes in the same things that I do. Their goal “is to encourage a healthy, well rounded lifestyle. TruKid: Our product is skincare, our business is healthy living™”.

Another thing I love about TruKid’s skincare line is their philosophy: “We encourage kids to form healthy habits that last a lifetime. By combining all natural skincare with fun and education, TruKid™ cultivates a relationship between healthy habits and being a kid. In turn, our goal is that kids will grow up taking care of themselves, each other and their environment. From our Friendly Face Wash™ to our Funny Foot Cream™, families receive only the best in ingredients, attention and dedication to their well being.”

We had the opportunity to review samples of the entire skincare line and was greatly impressed. I absolutely love the smell of every product except the Dancing Detangler. The Silly Shampoo and Cool Conditioner had a very friendly kid smell and I love that the ingredients were all herbs, plants, and no chemicals! Just reading the labels on the TruKid skincare line was very impressive. They were ingredients I have never seen on any other skincare.

They did bubble nicely even though that wasn’t really something I was looking for. What I was looking for was their cleanliness and purety. Everything we tried from the Silly Shampoo to the Hero Stick were great! The Dancing Detangler really did help with Gracie’s hair and while I am not keen on the smell, I will be ordering more.

The Hero Stick is a neat product in that you use it on “boo-boos”. We all know little ones get those a lot so I now carry this all important stick in my first aid kit. This stick helps with burns, bites, and other skin irritating “boo-boos”. I love it because as soon as I pull it out, Gracie is thrilled. She no longer has an owie – she knows that this will make it all better.

When purchasing all natural and organic skincare products, I expect to pay a little bit more for them. I found that all of the TruKid products were very inexpensively priced at $8.99 a piece. We received very small sample containers – I think they contain 1 oz and I was shocked at how far these can go! A lot further than your average soap and cleaning products! It was 3 weeks ago that I received these samples and I have used them everyday on Gracie and she still has some left!

We will definitely be purchasing more in the future and if you are searching for a great all natural, organic skincare line for your child, I would highly recommend TruKid! These would also make fantastic holiday gifts as not only are the practical and fun but they are all linked to a great website just for kids. They have great songs, rhymes, healthy habits, and other fun things to do!

To purchase the TruKid skincare line, head here to check out their online store.

Disclosure: This review is based on my own honest unbiased opinion of TruKid Skincare products. You may or may not agree with my opinion. I was sent product free of charge to review. No one from TruKid was involved in the writing of this post.

http://lookingwell2009.blogspot.com/2009/11/green-christmas-present-1-trukid-all.html

thank you to Rachael Coe

warmest regards,

Jennifer

Washing hands is a very good thing! IT CAN REDUCE YOUR TOXIC EXPOSURES.

I just love the Environmental Working Group! They conduct all kinds of interesting studies that shed more light on living healthy without toxic products. So, I have included a recent article on hand washing. It’s not riviting, but extremely useful none-the-less, and I always like interesting and useful things.

Healthy Home Tips 5: Wash those hands.

Washing our hands is something we do many times a day because it’s a proven way to kill germs. So why are we highlighting something you already do? Because it’s an effective — but often overlooked — way to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals, especially for children. Ironically, some soaps contain chemicals you should avoid, so choosing a safer soap is important and more challenging than it should be

WASH THOSE HANDS — IT CAN REDUCE YOUR TOXIC EXPOSURES.

As you know, hand washing with basic soap and water effectively prevents the spread of infection. It also prevents the transfer of toxic chemicals from your hands to your mouth. Scientists have found that children actually ingest more chemicals off their hands than from mouthing toxic products directly, such as arsenic from playing on older wooden swing sets or fire retardants found on some electronics.
Timing is important — be sure that children wash hands before eating and, for those who put their hands in their mouths frequently, after playing too.

A word about hand sanitizers: These waterless cleansers can be convenient, but are designed to kill bacteria — not to remove dust and dirt, which is often how chemicals migrate. Washing with soap and water, on the other hand, kills bacteria and more thoroughly removes grime from hands to reducer any toxic exposures.

SKIP THE ANTI-BACTERIAL SOAP — IT OFFERS NO BENEFITS.

Anti-bacterial soaps do kill bacteria and microbes — but so do plain soap and water. A U.S. FDA advisory committee found that use of antibacterial soaps provides no benefits over plain soap and water.
The main reason to avoid anti-bacterial soaps is its active ingredient: triclosan (and the related triclocarbon). Triclosan is an anti-bacterial chemical found in many consumer products, and it’s nearly ubiquitous in liquid hand soap. It is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, and even low levels of triclosan may disrupt thyroid function. As a result, we include it on our list of the top 7 chemicals for children to avoid. Further, the American Medical Association recommends that triclosan not be used in the home, as it may encourage bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

It also affects the natural environment. Wastewater treatment does not remove all of the chemical, which means it ends up in our lakes, rivers and water sources. That’s especially unfortunate since triclosan is very toxic to aquatic life.

To learn more about triclosan and how to avoid it, read our short report and download our 1-page guide.

CHOOSE SAFER SOAPS.
Knowing what ingredients to avoid is important, but identifying safer alternatives is an equally important next step. We recommend “plain” soap and water for the most effective and least problematic hand washing.
Always check the ingredient list! When you’re at the store, read those labels. Fragrance, triclosan and triclocarbon will be listed, making it easy to leave them on the shelf and find safer soaps.

Liquid and bar soaps

There are liquid and bar soaps and hand sanitizers that don’t contain triclosan or fragrance, another ingredient we recommend avoiding.

You can find liquid hand soaps that don’t contain triclosan, triclocarbon or fragrance in our Skin Deep database — as well as triclosan and fragrance-free soaps.
Prefer bar soap? Choose from these that have no triclosan, triclocarbon or fragrance.

For more great info go to .  www.ewg.org

Have a great weekend!

Jennifer, mom of 6, trying to get everyone’s hands washed!!!!!

Stress-Free ways to get your kids out the door to school in the morning.

It dawned on me one day, that every morning was a rush. Kids running everywhere, (because I was yelling at them), rushed lunches being made and messes left behind. Then I would discover the lone child still in the bedroom not yet dressed for school. Yikes!

This had to stop! How is it that I can run a company relatively smoothly, but “running” my kids was like herding cats?

So I did what I like to do and broke it down, ‘Why it was not working, and what might make it work?

Not working: Everything! . . Ok. . . .. That was easy.

What could work? Taking care of the morning things the night before. Could this possibly bring some peace and harmony to my and the kids’ mornings?

So here’s what we changed.

1) Homework was to be done immediately after school (if there was a hard part, that part could wait for me or my husband) but everything else had to be done.

2) Lunches (made by the kids, not me) would now be made right after dinner (or before dinner) so cleaning up the mess was a combined effort of dinner and lunches.

3) Backpacks will be packed with all “school” and “after school” activities for the next day, like swimming or basketball clothes, after homework was complete.

4) Any homework or school documents need to be signed by 8pm. It is amazing how many things I need to sign, homework, fieldtrips, etc.

5) School clothes chosen the before heading off to bed.

We began the new changes. I established the rules and the kids know what to do, in theory any way.

We have been working on the new way of getting things done for a few weeks now with out much morning stress. It has been working remarkably well. I still need to do to a lot of reminding and some cajoling, but overall the mornings are soooooooo much better!!!!!

I have not yelled once. Well, except at the one child who continues to not get dressed in any kind of timely manner, but she then makes me smile anyway, because I know she is not really a morning person and she tells me she love me. I guess I can be bought with simple words of affection!

10 Tips for Parents: great ideas for kids and moms too!

Being that I am a mom of 6, I need to devise ways to not only encourage my kids, but encourage 6 very different personalities. I do not have time for anything complicated. So I have listed some easy things to do for any childs’ personality, whether alone or in a group.

My kids also spend a lot of time creating the wackiest things from the most mundane of materials (after homework is done). Simply from paper, tape and imagination, my kids make mailboxes, special paper pockets to tape to doors, wearable vests, jewelry, pretend reading glasses, you name it they create it. If I just let them entertain themselves, they will naturally come up with fun things to do. (and watching TV is not an option).

Enjoy the tips and I would love any comments. The first 10 comments will receive a Free Hero Stick.

1. When your children start expressing an interest in activities support them and give their efforts praise. These activities are stepping stones to your child’s independence.

2. Encourage learning through play and imagination. Let your kids play with ordinary objects like boxes or paper towel tubes, to see what their imaginations can do.

3. It’s true, kids say the craziest things, and they also can see the craziest things! When they’re sitting quietly and staring at something like clouds or stars, this is a great thing. They are using their imagination to learn and associate themselves with their environment.

4. Kids love the outdoors. If you have plants in the yard let your kids water them and each other if they’d like. Playing with water and each other is not only fun, but healthy and good exercise while they run and play.

5. Have a craft bin filled with materials: paper, crayons, markers, and water color paints for those rainy days to stimulate creativity instead of sitting in front of the TV.

6. Encourage unstructured play for your children with other kids. Letting them get outside and away from the video games and TV stimulates imagination, resourcefulness and independence.

7. Kid’s love to collect objects. (rocks, key chains, bottle caps, etc.) This gives them a sense of having their own property. It also encourages being resourceful and responsible because they will learn in order to keep up the collection they need to either save money or keep a keen eye out for what it is they want.

8. Encourage your kids to sing the song “Happy Birthday” while they wash their hands with warm water. This is one of the best methods to ensure they are really getting their hands clean and not spreading as many germs.

9. There’s nothing better for a child than spending quality time with their parents. It really does not matter that you actually do something big.. You can just sit and talk or take a walk. For something more energetic flying kites in the spring or summer or going sledding or ice skating in the winter is great fun.

10. Remember everyone has bad days from time to time: When your child’s behavior is poor or they make a bad decision, try to remember that they are entitled to their own mistakes and bad decisions just as you were and are. Reflect your disappointment accordingly, be careful not to criticize your child personally, only the behavior they displayed or choice they made.

The Talk Market-About TruKid

trukid video

Social Media to the Rescue!

I am not sure what happened, but it appears that Coppertone is no longer using TruKid Sunscreen as a paid Google Ad Word. Do you think my blog or twitter made a difference? Or did someone get a conscious wake up call? Well, no matter, I guess, as long as Coppertone is no longer causing confusion with TruKid customers. What a great way to start the long weekend! Go out, enjoy and don’t forget the sunscreen.

UV Skinz: another great company with a mission!

My friend, Rhonda Sparks, has a great company; UVSKINZ. She definately has a mission. I am inspired by her story and thought with the hustle and bustle of getting back to school some quite inspiration and thoughts of being greatful for what we have , would be a good thing. So here is her  story.

UV Skinz Story:

After I lost my 32-year old husband to skin cancer, just three days after the tragic 9-11 occurrence of 2001, I decided my life’s mission would be to raise awareness about the disease anyway I could. Getting kids covered all over the world is an impactful way to make a difference and thus, UV Skinz was born.

UV Skinz is not an afterthought as are swimshirt lines for other national companies that carry multiple clothing lines. UV Skinz produces swimshirts and focuses on providing the highest quality, hippest designs so that kids literally want to “Live in our Skinz” and not take them off. Our customer service, attention to detail, responsiveness and experience allow us to provide that extra measure of value which inspires invaluable customer loyalty. We care about our products and the ability of our clients who wear them to enjoy living under the sun.

Everyone should feel free in the sun wearing UV Skinz. Join us in our mission to GET KIDS COVERED!

What Drives Us?

We treasure our family and friends and, quite simply, that’s how we came to be.
Please read on for the reasons why we come to this place every day 
and the philosophy that governs us—

• Above all else, our passion is that kids live Sun Safe.
• We DO Live in Our Skinz!
• We know that one less sunburn makes a difference.
• Lemonade stands breed genius.
• We believe it takes just as long to do it wrong as it takes to get it right.
• There is no excuse for ignorance.
• Do what you love and the money will follow.
• Barefoot is best.
• Attention to detail sets us apart.
• We think, therefore we are.
• We have all been touched by cancer.
• Our door is always open.
• Some rules ARE meant to be broken.
• Margaritaville is a real place.
• Our conscience guides us.
• Chocolate and peanut butter rules!
• Our grassroots create our path.
• Laughter heals!
• We celebrate out of the ordinary.
• If you do not try, you have already failed.
• We love our work and we work for love.
• We believe pizza brings people together.
• Respect is earned but compassion is free-of-charge.
• We want you to be a part of our family.
• We will make a difference. (This is for you, Darren. We miss you!).     www.uvskinz.com

Let our missions drive us to create great things!

Jennifer Adams Bunkers -have a great day!

Google allows Coppertone to use my brand, Trukid as an ad word?

Should Google be able to sell my company’s (TruKid) brand name for an Ad Word?

You know, I am not typically a blogger. I have a lot on my mind and intend to blog about various topics, but reality sets in with my 6 kids and running 2 companies; somehow, my day just gets busy and I just don’t get back to it. But I felt the need to talk about what is happening with the Trukid Brand.

Anyway, Trukid makes great skin, hair and sun care products for kids and families, so great that the Environmental Working Group, www.cosmeticdatabase.com rates our line a 0-3 for overall safety. In fact, our sunscreen products (which were so popular this year we ran out early even after we stocked up) is ranked in the best top 10 sunscreens and Coppertone is not.

So imagine my surprise, uh, shock, uh horror!; that Coppertone uses my brand name as a Google Ad Word. What? . . . Yes, it true, Trukid sunscreen or Trukid sunblock links to the Coppertone website. Can we all say outloud, unethical and immoral?

This is an age old problem. Big company, is well . . . big. And small company is innovative, visionary, creative, flexible and able to move fast. Big company likes what small company is doing and instead of working with the small company in some kind of strategic partnership they just steal. I am not talking about stealing product but stealing brand equity, goodwill, my intellectual property! This is such an outrage!

Trukid has a mission to create healthy product for kids and families. Along the way we promote healthy living, teaching kids to take care of them selves and each other. As a mom of 6, I am strive to get my kids to help themselves and learn independence. Trukid is a vehicle that helps do this, in that they help at my office, they are proud of what mom created and love to talk about it to their friends and teachers. They are engaged. Ok, well . . . .except for the teenager.

Is this a teachable moment? What do I tell my kids? Big companies don’t care that I create jobs in my community, or that I made something special and anyone big enough can take that from me or them?

Or do big companies suck or does management of big companies suck? I am all for big companies, but just not ones that believe it is alright to steal.

How do I teach a moral/ethical situation on this scale? Does mom roll over and say, that’s the way of it?

But really, this is about the Golden Rule! Do unto others, as you would do unto your self. If I used a large competitors brand name as an ad word, what would they do to me? I think we all know.

I believe in the spirit of competition and providing options for customers. But I also believe companies, big or small can strive for higher ethical standards.

Who’s in the wrong, Google for allowing the use of Trukid as an ad word or for Coppertone for doing it?

What do you think?

TruKid gets a great Review from UV Skinz!

Hey everyone check us out!

http://blog.uvskinz.com/2009/04/02/tru-kid-healthy-habits/

Also, TruKid is now on Twitter and Facebook so don’t forget to add us!