Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

If you haven’t made it over to check out the new Granola Babies location in SOCO (next to the oc mart MIX) in Costa Mesa, it is one of those outings you have to put on your list! This natural baby boutique is the largest natural parenting store in OC, but what some of you might not know is that Granola Babies also offers amazing classes and events for expecting and new parents.

When I was breastfeeding and had an infant, I truly relied on my mommy friends to survive. Being a new mom was not something that was meant to be forged through alone!  That’s why I was really happy to see that Granola Babies offers such great support classes to help moms when we need it most.

Most all of the classes require registration in advance at least a day prior to the class. Please click the title of the class for more information and click HERE for the entire calendar.

Mommy Support + Playgroup - Fridays starting 2/24 from 11:15am – 12:15pm; 6 week series for expecting moms and moms of babies 0 – 8 months old.  Meet other moms, share your experiences and join in a weekly discussion topic.  $75/6 week class.

Breastfeeding Support Group - Tuesdays 1 -2pm and Thursdays at 11am – 12pm.  Inviting, friendly, welcoming group with comfy sofa for nursing. Both groups lead by a Certified Lactation Educator (CLEC). Pre and post baby weigh check available to measure milk intake. Free to attend and no reservation required.

SoCal Connect – New Moms Connect Group - Tuesdays starting 2/21 at 10:30am – 12:30pm. This 8 week education and support program is for first time mothers and their babies (0 – 6 months.) Groups limited to 10 women and facilitated by a family and child development expert. Moms will learn about infant development, baby care, parenting issues and transitions. $400/8 week series

Babywearing and Strollers 101 – Saturday, February 11th from 11am – 12pm. One workshop where you can learn everything about carrying your baby,
whether it’s in a comfortable baby carrier or a long lasting stroller. $25 per family, and $15 gift certificate redeemable same day as class.

Let’s Make a Craft! - Friday, February 10th @ 11am. Recommended for children 2 – 5 yrs and siblings welcome to attend. For this interactive Kids Craft class, kids will create a special nature-based craft to take home. Materials provided.  $10/child.

Please click HERE to see their entire list of classes and special events coming up for Orange County families. This is only a select group of classes and events – there are many more!

www.GranolaBabies.com * Granola Babies on Facebook * @GranolaBabies on Twitter

[Disclosure: Granola Babies is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor and all photos provided by Granola Babies.]

I am sure many of us have health goals this new year, and one of mine each year is to make sure I stay hydrated by drinking enough water every day.

I am going to be honest and tell you that up until about 3 or 4 years ago, I drank a lot of bottled water. I was doing so because I was a busy new mom it was convenient.

One day I remember seeing the bottles pile up in my recycle bin and it made me cringe, which is when I made the switch to a reusable bottle.

This past summer I discovered a new favorite (green) way to drink water which is so ultra convenient I had to share with you!

The Filtrete Water Station showed up on my doorstep after the BlogHer ’11 conference last summer in a package from it’s maker, 3M.

Composed of four, reusable bottles, the station allows you to filter water directly from your tap into the four separate water bottles at one time.

The filtration system reduces the sediment and chlorine taste from tap water and in my opinion, the water from this system tastes really great.

But here’s the thing I love the most… I fill up the four bottles of filtered water at one time and stash them in my fridge to chill.

Now when I am rushing out the door which happens quite frequently, I can grab a chilled bottle already filled and be on my way. I don’t have to hassle with filling up my reusable bottle because one is ready to go.

They are the perfect size to fit in your purse (16.9 oz) and come with an attached cap that securely locks in place and I have had zero issues with leakage.

The filter lasts for three-months and there is an indicator that shows when it’s time to change the filter.

I LOVE this money-saving, green product and use it everyday!

You can learn more at www.FiltreteWaterStation.com.

[Disclosure: I received my water station for free but this is not a compensated post. All my opinions are my own and I am drinking filtered water out of my Filtrete bottle as I type! Images provided via 3M.]

Since it ’tis the season of giving, I wanted to put together a green holiday gift guide for all those eco mamas out there!

So I asked Giselle Baturay, owner of Granola Babies and an expert in all things eco-friendly for parents and babies, to give me her top holiday gift picks. Here they are! 

The Ergo Baby Carrier is a favorite for dads since it’s easy to put on, has a sporty look and is very comfortable to use with babies and toddlers.

The Keptin Jr series of teething toys are made of organic cotton so you can feel good knowing that your baby is mouthing only natural toys.

Read More >>

I wanted to pass on this great coupon at Discovery Science Center good for a FREE child’s admission (ages 3 – 14) with the purchase of an adult admission ticket (regular priced at $17.95) good now through July 31st, 2011.  Limit 6 discounts per ticket.  This is an amazing deal and a perfect (not to mention air-conditioned) summer outing!

While you are there, don’t miss The Adventures of Mr. Potatohead exhibit which is going on now through September 11th.  This interactive exhibit will lead young visitors on a series of fun adventures and a special meet & greet with the Special Spud himself happens on the weekends.  Click here for times and more information.

Don’t forget to “like” Discovery Science Center on Facebook to stay up to date on all the latest and stay informed of special coupons and deals!

Have a great day!

A few months back I stumbled upon a baby lotion at Target called Yes to Baby Carrots that had me shouting it’s praises from the rooftops.  Light, all natural and affordable. I have used lots of baby care products over the past few years and I have to say this one was the best.

Since I loved this moisturizer so much I went to the Yes to Carrots website to see if there were more “Yes to Carrots” products and found there was MUCH more to the “Yest to” brand than met the eye on the shelf at Target!

I connected with @YesToCarrots on Twitter and they ended up sending me some additional products to try for baby and me too!    I was curious if my passion would equaled. It was a lot to live up to. But after trying them all for about a month, I am now a loyal “Yes to” consumer for life and consider myself a YES WOMAN!

Here are a few of my absolute favorite products for ME!  I will do another one on the baby products.  All equally fabulous. But first, some important notes on the company…

There are four different collections…

Yes to Carrots, Yes to Cucumbers, Yes to Tomatoes and Yes to Baby Carrots are designed to meet different, specific skin types & needs.  You can even go on their website to find your own unique recipe!   And “Yes to” uses high quality organic fruit and veggie ingredients with a natural elixir from the Dead Sea to hydrate NATURALLY!

“Yes to” gives back….

A portion of the profits goes to the Yes to Seed Fund, a non-profit organization that provides grants to schools and communities to help them build gardens and promote a healthy lifestyle.  Um, like I needed yet ANOTHER reason to buy their products, but this one gives me a certain warm fuzzy!

“Yes to” is affordable…

For the quality and fact that these products are all natural and paraben-free, they are extremely affordable. And, all orders online over $50 comes with free shipping!

So these are some of my top picks!

Yes to Cucumbers Completely Cooling Body Butter

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love. First off, I am probably one of the few adults that cannot actually stand cucumbers.  Weird, huh?  I don’t like the taste, even in those “spa waters!”    So I was a little hesitant to spread cucumber lotion on my body. What I found was that it doesn’t smell like cucumber, but the cucumber ingredients {along with green tea and aloe vera} make it an absolutely luscious moisturizer!  I love the fresh scent (so does my hubby.) It is extremely moisturizing and didn’t irritate my sensitive skin.  My new personal favorite lotion.

Best part: it’s paraben, petroleum & SLS-free & $12.99.

Yes to Carrots Carrot Rich Moisturizing Body Scrub

I have used body scrubs in the past, but many times have been turned off by how harsh they are for my skin.   This is the first exfoliating scrub I have used for my body that has been gentle enough for me.

Used in the shower, the exfoliating grains are tiny, not rough, but enough so that you can feel it working.

It deeply cleanses, then exfoliates and moisturizes leaving your skin silky smooth and ready for your Yes to Cucumbers Body Butter!

Key ingredients include Dead Sea Minerals, Ginko & Green Tea.  And all “Yes to” products contain a full list of ingredients you can check to see what you are putting on your body.

Again: Free of the above chemicals, and are you ready? Only $9.99.

Yes to Tomatoes Tender Touch Hand Cream

This moisturizing hand cream uses avocado & lycopene from organic tomatoes to make your hands feel like baby-soft skin!

I don’t know if this is just me, but all of a sudden when I turned 35 I felt like my hands were really showing my age! Fine lines and just a little wrinkly.

This hand cream is LIGHT. Not heavy or greasy (AT ALL) and I use it right before bedtime.  Goes on smoothly and has a nice light scent.

It doesn’t take away my hand’s 35 years, but it sure makes my paws feel more pampered!

Again: paraben, petroleum and SLS-free & $9.99!

Yes to Carrots Pomegranate Lip Butter with SPF 15

So I am a little bit of a SPF freak with the amount of time I spend outdoors with my kids in the summer.

Not just in summer but really year round, as we know from living in OC, we are lucky enough to get to spend a LOT of time in the So Cal sun.

This lip butter is very moisturizing, light and fragrance-free.  I use it on my kids too, especially for beach or pool outings.

Best part: AGAIN, 100% natural & $3.49!

So there began my love affair with the “Yes to” brand.  I think you will love it too.  If you have some time it’s interesting to Google about parabens and skin care products.  There is some thought-provoking information out there.

It makes me FEEL good to know that I am putting products like this on my body that are made from natural ingredients.

So want to be a “yes woman” too? Click here to shop online or find a store!

{Disclosure: The products in this post were provided free of charge by Yes to Carrots, but these opinions are my honest ones and it all started with a product I purchased myself!}