• Created on 6/6/13 by Melanie Mayo

    What do you do when your knowledge and beliefs collide with those of your child's school? Do you prevent your child from participating? Do you compromise? Do you use it as an opportunity to educate people?     I've been called a rabble rouser, an activist and an educator. I think deeply about things, I enjoy research and I enjoy sharing my research and thoughts with others. I like to plant a seed and wait for it to grow. I especially enjoy engaging in dialogue and finding common ground and compromise. When the conversations go well, we both come away... read more

• Created on 6/5/13 by Keya Chatterjee

As fellow parents all over the world will relate, my husband and I are constantly thinking about our baby’s well-being and future. We brought him into this world, and we feel a lot of responsibility to make sure he’s able to thrive.   The baby-raising years (everything from the baby shower to the minivan) are deeply connected to consumption and waste – all contributing to the degradation of our Mother Earth. With Mother's day just behind us, Father's day ahead, and the regular drum beat of birthdays and anniversaries, I've been thinking a lot about gifts--... read more

• Created on 4/17/13 by Monica S

I have a 2 yr old. I want solar and wind energy now because I need the 'mid century' climate in 2050 to be to stable enough for him to thrive. That's why this Earth Day, I'm asking everyone to show mamma earth your love by going solar. There's enough sun and wind in the US everyday to power everything we do, and yet special interests try to prevent us from using these renewable sources of energy by painting them as unworkable. The good news is that the special interests are losing. Family by family, community by community, and country by country we have proven... read more

• Created on 4/17/13 by Monica S

With spring upon us and Earth Day right around the corner, many of us are thinking about how we can green our cleaning routine this year. Last week we ran a Spring Cleaning Contest and asked Mothering members to share eco-friendly ways they found to keep things clean. Below you'll find some of the great ideas our members shared, as well as awesome green cleaning products our community has recommended.   Photo by Suzettesuzette via Flickr.   Soak orange peels in vinegar "I love cleaning with vinegar, but not the vinegar smell.  So... read more

• Created on 2/12/13 by Amy Paolinelli

    I’m definitely a frugal person, and with 3 kiddos I simply haven’t been able to justify the price tag associated with regular manicures and pedicures.  In fact, I think my 6 year old daughter has had more of them than I have thanks to her Nana!  So what is this do-it-yourselfer herbal loving Mama to do?  Well, I do my own of course, and I now find that my daughter can’t seem to get enough of these at-home spa treatments!  Saves me money, while allowing her and I to bond and create special memories!    The recipes that follow are all super easy and... read more

• Created on 2/4/13 by Monica S

I’ve written a lot about all of the reasons why you should switch to authentically organic skin care products.  While there are certainly some wonderful lines for you to choose from, sometimes the best option is to give it a go at home with ingredients you may already have in your pantry.  It will give you a taste of natural skin care, and from there you can decide if you want to explore further by using some of the other lovely products available.   For a simple, but powerful day and nighttime facial moisturizer, choose from any of the oils listed below.  Most of... read more

• Created on 1/3/13 by Keya Chatterjee

We made it through the twelve days of overconsumption!  We received no gifts for ourselves and only two gifts for our two year old our son--  both beautiful books that he will keep and cherish for a long time.  I feel like a Scrooge, but I am always relieved to get through the holiday without a pile of packaging to recycle and another pile of stuff that I know will end up in a landfill within the year.     We didn’t do as well in other areas as we did on reducing our consumption, though, so that means we have lots of room for resolutions and improvements.  I’m... read more

• Created on 12/3/12 by Melanie Mayo

      Contains organic ingredients Made with nontoxic ingredients 100% Natural Plant Based Natural Botanical Ingredients Made with plant extracts Contains organic essential oils Earth-friendly Environmentally safe   Do these claims look familiar?  You now see them all over a wide variety of packages, from salad dressings to moisturizers.  They’re meant to lead us consumers to believe that we are buying a better and safer product than other options, and they work really well at doing just that!  Unfortunately, very few of products with such... read more

• Created on 11/14/12 by JenniO11

      Sponsor the Mothering Mavens Today!   Reach the influencers in the world’s largest organic and natural family community!   The Mothering Mavens is a growing community of organic and natural moms that come together on Mothering.com to discuss natural living and products like yours.  Through the Mothering Mavens, you will have access to some of the most influential natural moms who will not only try your product and give their opinion but will also spread your message to the 3M moms who visit Mothering.com every month and beyond to their social... read more

• Created on 11/14/12 by JenniO11

        Become a Mothering Maven Today!   The Mothering Mavens Program is designed to connect brands with our most passionate members in order to help create better natural and sustainable products for our families.    Being a Mothering Maven is a great way to: Get new products to try out Have your voice heard and have a positive impact on the way natural products are created and marketed Get special offers that are exclusive to the Mothering Mavens Meet other natural moms who are as passionate as you are!   As a Mothering... read more