Posts Tagged ‘iherb’

When I became pregnant a common issue/topic that arose between friends and other pregnant women was the drinking of caffeine. I think it is important for pregnant women to consider this very carefully. Here’s an article for you to begin your research with…

Is it OK to drink caffeine during your pregnancy? This is a common question when women begin to consider pregnancy and especially once they find out they are pregnant. If you’re taking a naturally holistic approach to pregnancy, the answer is most commonly no, it is not OK to drink caffeine while pregnant. Ultimately the choice is yours so, be sure to research the topic well.
Believe it or not, caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world and you do not need to be a doctor to know that coffee is not the best drink for you. However, I do agree with the thought that it is less harmful than most other things that people drink, like regular soda, diet sodas, juices and Gatorade-type products. The caffeine question is not a new one, as early as 1980, the FDA began publishing a warning advising pregnant women to restrict or eliminate their intake of caffeine because of its ability to cause birth defects. [READ MORE HERE]

I went without caffeine throughout my pregnancy, once I found out I was pregnant. I do admit the week before knowing I was attending an intense convention and drank more coffee than I would have in a normal week. But once we knew I was indeed pregnant, all liquid caffeine consumption ended.
[I did have the occasional 'piece' of dark chocolate here and there.]

I have a history with coffee. I love, LOVE coffee. My addiction started midway through college and became much worse a few years later when I began graduate school and then began working a high stress job. At my worst I was drinking 3 to 4 20oz cups a day with cream and sugar. Not as bad as others I knew, but not a healthy amount for anyone.

Once I started eating properly I cut my caffeine intake to two 8 to 10oz cups a week. The break with it was difficult at first. Going through withdraws and dealing with the cravings was quite an experience; especially when you’re surrounded by it at work everyday.

Then, once I found out I was pregnant I began trying coffee alternatives. I didn’t want to drink decaffinated coffee…the chemicals and processes they use to decaffinate the coffee are terrible for you and there’s still a trace amount of caffeine remaining in the drink. Most of the alternatives were chickory and nut based and tasted nothing like coffee to my great frustration. But then around my 5th month of pregnancy I found a coffee alternative called Teeccino and I love it! First of all it actually smells and tastes like coffee. It’s ingredients are simple: organic carob, organic barley, organic dates, chicory, organic chicory, almonds, natural amaretto flavor, and organic figs. That’s it. No chemicals or other harsh substances. To me it tastes like a flavored coffee something with a hint of cherry, but it’s probably the figs that I’m tasting. I highly recommend it. If you want to try it, I buy it from iHerb.com and if you’ve never ordered from them before, use my $5.00 off coupon code: OMA603. It usually sells for around $8.00 for an 11oz bag of loose grinds.

If you do try it, please come back and let me know how you liked it. I don’t normally push products in my articles as you can see by going through the archives, but I firmly believe you should eliminate your coffee intake while pregnant [and breast feeding] and this was the only coffee substitute I was happy with. Now, you soda drinkers…sorry, your on your own finding a substitute for that.  Good luck everyone!

So, it’s that time again…spending your hard earned money ON SOMEONE ELSE! Oh, I’m just joking. It can be very rewarding to find that perfect gift for someone else and to see their faces light up. So, this season I’ve put together a collection of shopping guides, stores and holiday specials for you. A few will change after Black Friday or Black Monday so, be sure to come on back and take a look at the new items.

Read Up First

First, start with this quick article from the Environmental Stewardship Committee at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It has tips for shoppers who want to help the environment by conserving resources. It contains gift ideas, shopping tips, and wrapping, decorating and entertainment ideas. The article is a bit old, but the information is still quite relevant.

Buying Guides

National Geographic’s official Green Buying Guide

The Holiday Green Guide
This unique and interactive online coupon resource is COMPLETELY FREE for consumers who are looking to save HUGE dollars on eco friendly products from online retailers. The publication is filled with thousands of dollars in savings to make the holidays a little greener for shoppers, retailers and the environment.

The Holiday Green Guide is live and available to consumers from November 2– December 31 2009.

Stores and Discounts

UncommonGoods.com
UncommonGoods is one of my all time places to shop, for others as well as myself!  I’m sure you’ll find something fun and unique this year here.  “We have worked hard to build an online marketplace offering creatively designed, high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. We are combining the treasures of a specialty boutique, the great finds of a craft show, discoveries from a faraway bazaar, along with some enduring classics.”

Hay House Inc.
Hay House is offering stunning new gifts items, discounts up to 70% and free gifts to celebrate the Christmas Season. With the economy the way it is, everyone could use a little inspiration and Hay House products provide just that! During these difficult times, we are excited to pass along more savings to your customers.  Click the picture for the link.

SPECIAL OFFER: Free Shipping* Site Wide!
One Day Only – Cyber Monday, Nov 30th
We will kick-off the online holiday shopping season with free shipping site wide with no minimum purchase. *Offer will be valid one day only and expires on Monday 11/30 at midnight Pacific Time. Valid for online purchases only shipped within the continental U.S.  CLICK HERE ON MONDAY, NOV. 30TH.

EcoExpress.com
I enjoy finding nice, appropriate gifts for people I either don’t know very well or that I just can’t figure out what to get for them. EcoExpress creates natural and organic gifts that are unique, memorable and high quality. You can send beautiful gifts and support the environment with their wide assortment of earth friendly gourmet, fruit, spa and rainforest green gifts and baskets.

iHerb
You’d be amazed at all of the products iHerb has to offer. Here I purchase supplements, home cleaning products [when needed], pantry items and bath and cosmetic products from time to time. If you shop with them, remember to SAVE $5 on your first purchase by using my COUPON CODE: OMA603

Lavera
Lavera is having a TON of various sales, but this one is by far the biggest saver. Keep in mind the page will not be available until BLACK FRIDAY, 12:01AM NOVEMBER 27TH.   I will have updated links to other holiday specials as soon as Sunday, November 29th.  Click the picture for the link.

Beautorium
I enjoy the variety of higher end organic/natural products available with Beautorium. I can not get these locally and shopping with Beautorium has been terrific. Check them out and find amazing lines such as Dr. Hauschka, Trilogy, Saaf, John Masters and Red Flower. Save 15% on all featured lines until January 1st, 2010.  Click the picture for the link.