Fresh n'ot Funky Natural Deodorant Challenge

I don't know what it is about coconuts & me. I love to eat things made with coconut, drink coconut (& rum) drinks, love the smell of coconuts and recently found the healing & somewhat magical properties of coconut. I've been obsessed with the Caribbean since I was a little girl, the beaches, the weather, the people, the music, the sea, pirates, mermaids and now as an adult, rum. It's my go to drink and, swear, I didn't pick it on purpose, it picked me lol. Somehow I feel connected to this place, maybe I'm from the Caribbean in a past life? Wait where were we? Oh yeah the Natural Deodorant Fresh n'ot Funky Challenge. 

I'm challenging you to leave behind your old deodorant for 1 month & give the natural side a try! I'm going all out, balls to the walls, go hard or go home & making a VERY simple concoction, but feel free to dabble in deodorant au naturel at your own comfort level. I've been using natural, non antiperspirants, for about a year or 2 now. I wanted the change because it just didn't feel like I was doing my body good by putting all these harsh chemicals (especially aluminum) into my body for the sake of not sweating. It just seems counter intuitive, my body sweats for a reason right? BUT I didn't want to be FUNKY doing it. If I could find a natural deodorant that kept me smelling fresh at the end of the day, I'd be soooo in!  

Are you up for the challenge? Here's the details:

1. Choose what natural deodorant you want to try

2. Start using it this week 7/4-7/10 (NOTE-if you've only been using antiperspirants know: it's gonna get worse before it gets better. Your body kinda does a detox when you switch so the 1st week you might be extra funky, that's why this is a month long challenge)

3. Comment on our Facebook page (facebook.com/RootsMamas) that you want to be part of challenge.

4. Keep us updated weekly on how it's going on our Facebook (I'll be posting to ask for updates & sharing mine on FB & here every week)

5. Everyone who makes it to the end (7/31) gets a prize!

Let's Celebrate our Independence from harsh chemicals this 4th of July!

Here's What I'm Trying

So I started with my natural deodorant journey with Tom's in lavender, then apricot when they didn't carry that at the store I went to anymore. They worked pretty good & by the end of the day were only slightly funky. But every now and then, I'd have a day where Tom's just didn't cut it. So the next time I went to buy deodorant I saw Degree had a new option out, Degree natureffects deodorant in Honeysuckle & Tea Tree Oil. So I tried it, worked like a charm! At the end of even my stankiest day I still smelled fresh! WHOO HOO yay! Uh wait, no. I go to pick one up when I run out & it's gone, disappeared! I check online, can't find it, can't find it, wait there it is only $6 with shipping. Ok no, I'm not paying $6 for a deodorant that I'm still not even sure is 100% natural. So I go back to the internet and I come across an interesting discovery: a simple & easy (cuz if it's not I ain't doing it!) homemade deodorant that has got rave reviews by a fellow blogger. There are 3 ingredients: coconut oil, arrowroot powder or corn starch & baking soda! Here's her blog about the challenge they did: simplehomemade.net/

follow-up-the-simple-organic-
natural-deodorant-challenge/. And here's the HOW TO on making the deodorant I'm trying: passionatehomemaking.com/2010/02/homemade-all-natural-deodorant.html. Yes this sounds kinda crazy but hey I'm giving it a shot given my experience with this miracle worker: coconut oil!

Coconut Oil Rocks

So I discovered coconut oil this past year while on another natural challenge: my lovely daughters curly hair! Following the advice of a blog i follow (HERE at BeadsBraidsandBeyond.blogspot.com), I got it to help with her dry scalp & hair. Turns out this stuff is awesome!!! I have psoriasis on my scalp which makes it extremely scaly flaky & itchy. Not wanting to take the prescription filled with steroids, I had been trying other natural products (shea butter, homeopathic etc) which helped but didn't fully make my problems go away. Ding, ding, light bulb moment when I thought to try the coconut oil! 

The first week of using it (about every other day) most symptoms where gone! And by the end of the month I was only using it once a week. Now I just use once a week. Try it for yourself if you have any skin problems. Just note: it is VERY oily & got my hair looking greasy at the roots after applying it. So my solution was to spray just the hair with a dry shampoo & voila, problem solved. 

The other thing i recently found coconut oil was great for was ringworm! I know what your thinking, YUCK. it's actually not a worm but a fungus and yeah it happens to the best of us. I work with young kids teaching dance, music, yoga & art so I am exposed to a lot of different ailments in the business. Anyway, it was all over my torso (due to my apparently non breathable work out tank, which doesn't make sense but that's another story). My doctor said to get an over the counter anti fungal & it would go away in about 2 weeks. So 'ol natural me got on the google (lol) & it said try coconut oil for ringworm. The estimated time of departure (for my symptoms) was the same as the over the counter med, soooo...I decided it couldn't hurt to try. I put in on every night after my shower & by 2 weeks it was gone. Ok I was like this rocks! So now I also use it for moisturizing my really dry parts (feet, hands, face etc). It's been gentle enough on my face too & does not break me out. i do have pretty dry skin tho, so keep that in mind.

Soooo, that's my story. You can see why I'm all in. So get started folks, let's do this!

I'll be posting UPDATES & pix here soon!

UPDATE 1:

I'm using Nutiva brand of organic extra virgin coconut oil 15 oz. I buy on amazon & a lot of times they have a BOGO special or free shipping & discount thru amazon mom. :)

UPDATE 2: 

Here's Day 1 mixin' up my homemade deodorant! Very easy to make:

 It says that consistency is supposed to be the same as store bought, but mines a lil melty, I reread the directions: coconut oil is supposed to be in the solid state when mixing! (it melts at 76 degrees):

So then I mix in a little more baking soda & corn starch & let sit in fridge for a bit & it came out like this:

Then (as suggested on the blog) I put it in my old deodorant container:

Then put the rest in an old Body Shop (yep coconut) lotion pot (i knew that someday i would reuse it lol):  

UPDATE #3: End of Week 1 Challenge

So it's the end of week numero uno & i have to say I'm shocked that this deodorant is working so well!!! It's kinda awesome. I was skeptical at first but i am SOLD. I have had not 1 FUNKY day & I've never had to reapply throughout the day!!! NOTE-if you've only been using antiperspirants know: it's gonna get worse before it gets better. Your body kinda does a detox when you switch so the 1st week you might be extra funky, that's why this is a month long challenge. I've already gone thru the detox since i've been using natural deodorants the past few years.

Day 1: applied after shower (out of the pot, with the spoon i still had in my bathroom from mixing, but you can use fingers), there was a lil extra left under my arms so i just wiped with a wash cloth lightly to remove excess (most of it was absorbed, so it was a lil powder that i dabbed off). I applied in the evening so i tested it a full 32 hours. It was a hot day & at the end of the 32 hours i was just a tiny bit musty! Amazing!

Day 3: i work with kids (teaching dance, music, yoga, art classes) so i sweat a lot throughout my work day, so this would really test the deodorants strength. End of day smell test: surprisingly sweet smell of coconut oil!!! I think i applied a lil too much or forgot to wipe off excess cuz it got a lil on my tank top.

Day 5: after telling 2 of my co workers about the challenge i was doing, they wanted to smell the pits. The verdict: smelled good, no stank! Thank goodness cuz that would have been embarrassing :) 

Day 7: End of the day & first week and still no smell!! Also gave the smell test to my man a few times throughout the week, passed with flying colors!! And that's really saying sumthin, cuz if your man's like mine, he will tell you the real whether you like it or not!

So here's my PROS & CONS:

CONS

• can be a lil messy on application
• could be challenging to travel with (due to the melty nature) I would take in jar and not deodorant stick for traveling
• you do sweat (as with any non-antiperspirant)

PROS

• toxin free
• keeps you fresh & NOT funky!! stank you very much!
• works all day long
• smells sweet
• easy to make
• keeps a long time (non perishable)
• a lil goes a long way, keeping the cost down (my total cost was around $10 for the supplies and i have lots extra to make a few more batches). The blog that i found the recipe on said 1 batch lasts around 3 months for 2 people, so thinking 6 months for 1. So if I get 3 batches out of my supplies, it should last around years or about $6.66 per year. Now that's a good deal!!!

How did your first week go????? Leave us a comment on our FB page & let us know!! facebook.com/RootsMamas

UPDATE #4: End of Week 2 Challenge
Hey hey! I'm still going STRONG with my deo. Haven't had a funky day. I'm in LOOOOOOVE! I put the deodorant that i put in my old deodorant container in my fridge (due to the meltiness) & so i'll have one deodorant upstairs and one down. I leave it out of fridge for a few minutes after i use it so i can just roll it up a little before i put it back. That way it's all ready for the next use. Otherwise it's too hard to roll up when i first take it out of the fridge. The other thing i started using this week was a wide wooden popsicle stick (think waxing stick lol) to apply deodorant from my jar. After eating a fudgecicle the idea came to me (perfect size & width), so a washed it good & went to town. Works well & is also good  for stirring since sometimes the ingredients separate a lil bit. 
How'd week 2 go for ya?? Leave us a comment on our FB page & let us know!! facebook.com/RootsMamas

UPDATE #5: End of Week 3 Challenge
Nothing new to update except this great resource for many other uses for coconut oil: HERE
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/03/all-the-wonderful-uses-of-coconut-oil.html
How'd week 3 go for ya?? Leave us a comment on our FB page & let us know!! facebook.com/RootsMamas

UPDATE #6: End of Week 4 Challenge; Finito!
Yes, yes I'ma lil late on updating you guys but hey, i'm a mom, you know how it is! No real updates besides this deodorant is rad & i'm never going back to store bought!!! One lil note I did have one slightly funky moment when I forgot to put on the deo, then after I had sweated a lil i applied it. So don't forget to apply it right away :) Other than that i've been FUNK FREE, yippee! 
Here's a pic of the popsicle stick i've been using to apply sometimes:

This was an awesome challenge, thank you to everyone who participated. Prizes will be sent soon (once i get participant info). 
And oh, if you are just now finding out about the challenge, it's not too late to try it. Simply start on your own & keep us posted via facebook. We really wanna know how it works for you!!!! facebook.com/RootsMamas

Here's a few tips from fellow challengers:
"I actually don't mind using my fingers to apply because I just massage into my hands and nails after, then rinse and have super soft hands ;-))." good info! i'd heard u could leave it on ur hands, but because of grainy baking soda etc was like huh? it makes sense now: just rinse off & ur left w/ coconut oil!

"Crunchy Betty has awesome homemade deodorant recipes on her blog. I started making my own about 2 months ago. Baking soda, arrowroot, coconut oil, Shea butter, 20-25 drops of essential oil. This had even worked awesome in SC humid 100 degree heat lately. I'll never go back to store bought deodorant."

It ain't easy being GREEN (well..actually it is!!)

That's right folks another journey back to our ROOTS...don't get caught up in the consumerism, it is easy going green. To prove it here's simple, economical (cha-ching) ways to do it:

CLEANING
All-purpose:
mix 1 part vinegar, 1 part water in spray bottle
spray away on glass, counter tops, toilets & more (don't use on marble)

Laundry:
add 1/2 cup vinegar during rinse cycle to soften clothing & cut down on odors

Bathroom:
baking soda & water to make paste to scrub fixtures & tile
you can also sprinkle baking soda in toilet bowl, add a splash of vinegar to make fizz & clean w/ toilet brush

Wood:
combine 2 parts lemon juice & 1 part olive oil
pour small amount on clean rag & use to polish finished wood surfaces


UPDATE: We just went more GREEN this weekend & set up clothes lines on our balcony . The whole family was excited & helped out getting the line & clothespins, then putting out our first items. It felt great!


DID YOU KNOW...
More than 1 million children between ages 1 & 5 ingest at least 15 pesticides every day from fruits & vegetables.

The Dirty Dozen
we all can't always buy organic so check this list to find what fruit/veggies are best to buy organic & whats ok to not.


Here's a FREE magazine subscription to KIWI "Growing families the natural & organic way" here


Here's a list of things you probably already know how to do to GO GREEN, but hey, you might not so....

• Use reusable shopping bags & recycle your plastic grocery bags. It's best to recycle them but you can also reuse them, Target has these ideas on their bags:  tiny trash can liner, doggy duty, soggy laundry, tomorrow's lunch bag & care package padding!

• Replace those plastic water bottles with a reusable metal/aluminum bottle (i found one under $5 at walmart)

• Start a compost with your food/kitchen scraps & use to fertilize your plants! (those of us in apartments well, you might think it's a little harder to do but if you have a balcony or patio you can still give it a try, go HERE for easiest/free way i've found)

• Use rechargable batteries & recycle the old ones (look in phonebook to see how to recycle)

• Replace all your light bulbs with energy efficient (& $ saving), compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs (they have them at dollar stores) Don't forget to recycle old bulbs those too! (who knew? i just saw this on the side of my light bulb box)

• Avoid as much plastic use as you can. It never breaks down & is causing harm to our environment (& us). Instead choose renewable sources (ie paper etc) when you can. 

• Trade in your paper towels for cloth napkins & rags. We haven't fully converted yet (we have cloth rags & will be getting cloth napkins soon), but not hard to do. Use old tees etc for rags. Then you can get a yard or 2 of cotton fabric & cut squares (no sewing necessary depending on what kind of fabric you get) for your napkins! 

MORE TO COME....

I Heart these (products i luv!)

This posting has been combined with my "Roots Mama Recommends" posting for ease of reader use :) HERE 
http://rootsmamas.blogspot.com/2008/07/roots-mama-recommendsbooksdvds-more.html

Need a lil help? Free stuff, prenatal, birthing, childcare & assistance programs

National:

Go to http://www.govbenefits.gov/ to find ALL government benefits you might be entitled to & how to apply (including WIC, insurance, small biz loans, food stamps, childcare & more). The easiest way to see what you qualify for is to take the questionnaire. Go to Benefits tab & click on "take questionnaire".

Cali & Solano Co/Bay Area:

 At the First 5 California website you can get a free Kit for New Parents mailed to you. Just click here. It's that easy! Or call 1800-KIDS-025

Also related to 1st 5 is the "Solano Mamas Handbook". email: cfcsolano@solanocounty.com to get a FREE copy. You can also go HERE to order one, it's free but you pay about $7 shipping.

About: "We've collected all the top Mama secrets-from community services and school information to places to do and things to see—and packed them into 25+ in-depth chapters."

ATTENTION ATTENTION: 211!!

Just call 2-1-1 to connect to community services in the Bay (child care, job services, rent assistance, legal aid, healthcare, counseling, food, shelter, clothing & MORE) ya heard!

Healthcare/Prenatal Help:

 Sign up for a great prenatal newsletter HERE : "yourPregnancy Week by Week: A weekly newsletter for pregnant women. Week by Week information about your pregnancy and your baby's development." mothering.com/newsletters/

http://www.babyfirstsolano.com/ A program provided through First 5 Solano providing services to pregnant women including assistance finding a provider, obtaining health insurance, breastfeeding support and parenting classes. 1-877-680-BABY (2229)

La Clinica/ Great Beginnings

For pregnant women and teens with Medi-Cal in Vallejo and surrounding areas, provides prenatal care, CPSP wraparound services, substance abuse screening, education, and motivational counseling for women at risk

Call Nadia Sandoval at (707) 645-7316 

Prenatal Care Guidance

For pregnant women and teens in all of Solano County, assists women into early prenatal care and medical insurance and refers to BabyFirst Solano programs

1-877-680-BABY (2229) or Esther Hamrick at (707) 784-8540

ABC Prenatal Program

For pregnant women and teens with Medi-Cal in Fairfield and surrounding areas, provides prenatal care, education, and counseling for women, located at the NorthBay medical Center

Amelia Franklin, Case Manager at (707) 429-6751 

Alpha Pregnancy Resource Center 

www.alphaprc.org

The center is a nonprofit offering hope, help and healing to teens and women in Solano County. The free and confidential services include pregnancy counseling and prevention education, pregnancy testing, pre and post-abortion syndrome counseling. Their C.A.R.E. program also provides expectant and new mothers with support, education, and referrals while guiding learning and responsibility but encouraging responsibility. Call or visit their website for more info.

(707) 643-2575 Vallejo   (707) 373-8940 Benicia    (707) 428-3300 Fairfield    (707) 449-8991 Vacaville

Solano Coalition for Better Health solanocoalition.org which includes:

Healthy Kids Solano

Healthy Kids Solano is a locally developed health insurance program created to provide coverage to children who do not qualify for the state sponsored programs, such as free cost Medi-Cal, and Healthy Families Program. 

Solano Kids Insurance Program (SKIP) 
The Solano Kids Insurance Program (SKIP), a program of the Solano Coalition for Better Health, is a centralized health insurance resource for uninsured children and their families.  Our goal is that all children living in Solano County have health care coverage and access to health care services.

Its About My Baby

    For pregnant and postpartum teens age 19 and younger, provides perinatal services such as substance abuse screening, education, and motivational counseling for at-risk teens, has bilingual staff and can provide transportation to prenatal care appointments

Debbie Terrazas, Project Manager (707) 645-7316 

Growing Together Perinatal Program

    For pregnant women and teens with Medi-Cal in Solano County, assists with transportation to prenatal care appointments, provides breast pump rentals for Partnership Healthplan women returning to work, provides incentives for attending all scheduled prenatal and postpartum appointments.

Call (707) 863-4276 or Phyllis Pratt, Perinatal Coordinator (707) 863-4223

Adolescent Family Life Program

    For pregnant and parenting teens ages 19 and younger if in high school, provides case management, childbirth education, infant massage classes and support groups, through Planned Parenthood

Call Tracy Nunley, Community Services Manager (707) 421-2750x201

Black Infant Health

    For pregnant African American women 18 and older in Vallejo, Fairfield, Suisun, and Vacaville, provides social support and empowerment classes

Contacts: In Vallejo contact Sheila McGregor at (707) 553-5055, in Fairfield contact Mary Henderson at (707) 784-8506

Children's Nurturing Project

    For pregnant and parenting teens, parents in recovery, and children 0-2years., provides parenting classes for pregnant and parenting teens with children 0-5 in recovery, Welcome Home Baby visits and developmental screenings, all babies get a free gift.

Contact Laurie Andres, Program Coordinator at (707) 422-0464

Nubian Mentoring Program

    For pregnant African American women 18 and older in Fairfield, Suisun, Vallejo, and Benicia, provides mentorship services to expectant women and recruits volunteers for mentoring

Adrian Robinson at (707) 647-1520x202

AIM: low cost insurance for pregnant women aim.ca.gov

Family Planning: referrals to state-funded clinics 1800-942-1054

Healthy Families/Medi-cal: low cost insurance healthyfamilies.ca.gov

Planned Parenthood ppfa.org

Low cost vision care for children under 18 sightforstudents.org

FREE Drs advice:AskDrSears.com Check their website & blog for all your baby needs.
They are my go to folks for everything baby & breast feeding &attachment parenting!! THESE Drs know what they're talkin' bout! This husband & wife team wrote The Baby Book & most of the info in the book is on their website for FREE!!! That book got me through the first 2 years of my dtrs life & I couldn't have done it without them :) I especially like them because they have 8 kids of their own (experience is the best teacher). All too often I have had doctors give me advice on something they know little about (ie birthing, but you're not a mother).  

See my post on other resources on breast feeding, birthing, baby care & more HERE: http://rootsmamas.blogspot.com/2008/07/need-lil-help-heres-other-helpful.html


They now have a Dr Sears app too!! Sadly not free tho! 

Breast Feeding Help:

DID YOU KNOW...if there is pain with breastfeeding something is wrong. Yes this happened to me, the first 2 weeks after my dtr was born, I had nipple pain & they became dry & cracked. Little did I know this is NOT normal. It is a sign something is wrong, so stop & call your lactation consultant right away. 9 times out of 10 it's a latching or positioning problem, that can be easily fixed, so don't wait!! This is one of the most common reasons why mamas stop Bfing & we don't want that! I didn't know until recently that there shouldn't be any pain w/ BFing. I just stuck it out & eventually me & my baby got it right. Don't make my mistake :) HERE's a youtube on how to get the proper latch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zln0LTkejIs See my post about BFing for more youtube vids!

Always consult an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Remember you can't always trust the "white coat". While they ARE Drs, a lot of them aren't trained in BFing. IBCLC's know best. Trust your gut when a doctor gives you breastfeeding or parenting advice (most weren't trained in that either lol). Ask yourself: "Does this feel right for me?" If not get a 2nd opinion!

DO YOU HAVE WIC OR WANT TO??

Through a new program at WIC (Women, Infants & Children) you now have access to Breastfeeding Peer Counselors & IBCLC's for FREE!!!! I am one & we can help you with all kinds of support/resources & free pumps! Come see us!!!!

KellyMom.com "Breastfeeding and Parenting. Evidence-based information on breastfeeding and parenting issues." She's an IBCLC & can answer a lot of questions!

Blacktating.com "Breastfeeding News & Views from a Mom of Color"  I LOOOOVE her blog!!!

BestforBabes.org "Beating the Booby Traps that prevent Moms from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals"

For MORE info see my post on breastfeeding HERE

Also join Roots Mamas on Facebook, as I said I'm a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor & there I post helpful tips & info on common BFing problems (& solutions *wink*) & converse with other Roots Mamas, join us!! 

Breastfeeding information & support lalecheleague.org  go on their site to find a local suppot group

Local Breastfeeding Support:


WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors & Lactation Consultants:
Vallejo 707-553-5939 Fairfeild 707-784-2213 Vacaville 707-448-7361


Go to a Support Group:

Vallejo/Napa Locations

WIC office 
553-5381 Spanish only (English coming soon), 2nd Wednesdays of the month 3:00 – 4:00 PM 365 Tuolumne Street, 3rd floor
MEW Project for African American Moms
648-1287 Last Saturday of the month 9:30 – 11:00 AM 190 Hospital Drive
Kaiser Baby and Me Support Groups (Kaiser Members ONLY)
651-2696 Every Monday 10:00 -11:00 AM Second floor in Conference Room 3
Napa La Leche League (707) 253-9137


Fairfield/Suisun Locations
WIC Office
784-2200 English or Spanish, 1st Fridays of the month 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM 2101 Courage Drive
La Leche League Meetings
864-3050 2nd Wednesday of the month 7:00 – 8:30 PM 1737 Rockville Road
2nd Tuesday of the month 10:00 – 11:30 AM 1601 Alcazar Ct., Suisun
NorthBay Every Tues 12:00-2:30 PM 


Vacaville Location
La Leche League Meeting
469-8096 3rd Tuesday of the month 7:00 – 8:30 PM 531 Marbella Lane

La Leche League Support Groups for Benicia, Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Martinez, and Walnut Creek 

lalecheleague.org

(707) 644-3599 or (707) 446-4223

__________________________________________________________

NorthBay Medical Center (Fairfield)
707-646-5024

Classes: (707) 399-6437  Phone Support: (707) 429-7858

Sutter Solano Medical Center (Vallejo)

Phone Support: (707) 554-5040  Appointments (707) 554-5226

Sutter Davis Medical Center (Davis)

Classes: (530) 756-6760  Phone Support (530) 756-6667

Kaiser Permanente 

Fairfield/Vallejo: (707) 651-5582

Vacaville: (707) 453-5429

Pediatric Advice: (707) 651-1025

Classes, books, and video rental or purchase:

Vallejo 707-651-2692, Napa 707-258-4490, Fairfield 707-427-4466, Vacaville 707-453-5155

David Grant Medical Center (Travis AFB)
Lactation Unit 707-423-7129

New Parents Support Program (707) 423-5168

Support, Info, and Classes (707) 423-5361 or 423-3912

__________________________________________________________

Local Clinics for Breastfeeding Support

ABC (Vallejo) 707-646-4166 (Fairfield)  (707) 429-6751

Great Beginnings (Vallejo)  (707) 554-5164 or (707) 645-7316

Dixon Family Practice (Dixon)  (707) 635-1600 x 1662

La Clinica Vallejo (707) 556-8100 x 124 

Family Health Centers of Planned Parenthood Fairfield (707) 429-8855

__________________________________________________________

Napa Valley Breastfeeding Coalition (707) 866-9333 or berybrit@napanet.net  
__________________________________________________________

Public Health Nursing

    For pregnant and postpartum women and teens and infants in Solano County, provides education, assesments, and referrals for pregnant and postpartum women and their babies, provides breastfeeding assistance.

In Vallejo: (707) 553-5402      Fairfield/Vacaville: (707) 784-8070

___________________________________________________________

Birthing & Baby Care:
local (East Bay/Solano):
Doula's- BirthingDreams.org & AsYouWishBirthServices.com

on the web:

Looking for a Baby Friendly Hospital??

Go HERE (http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/03.html) to find one in your area. If you're in the Bay, Hayward Kaiser is the closest one I've found, Woo Hoo!

To see what a "Baby Friendly Hospital" is see my other post HERE: http://rootsmamas.blogspot.com/2008/07/roots-mama-recommendsbooksdvds-more.html 

FREE Birth Plan:HERE from EarthMamaAngelBaby.com

http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/ a beautiful site & the name says it all, TONS of info!!

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/ "Helping women & health care professionals make informed maternity care decisions" (I wish i had found this site before i had my baby!)

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/ good site & easy to navigate!

http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/ another good educational site & has some natural birth videos

http://www.askdrsears.com/ very good site!! from my favorite family Dr. (you'll find many links in my blog to this site!) also the author of The Baby Book that I recommend. (a lot of info that is in book can be found on their website too!)

www.birthingfromwithin.com

 DONA Find a certified doula in your area, find out information about doulas and why they are so awesome to have at your birth!

 ALACE Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators 

 CAPPA Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association 

SHARE YOUR BIRTH STORY AT http://www.mybestbirth.com/
My Best Birth: "Take back your birth! Join the fastest growing community on the web. Get advice from experts & share your birth experience"

Take your under 2 year old to HAPPY FROG (indoor jumpy house playland) in Vallejo for FREE every day they're open! All other children $5. They even have special toddler only time on thursdays!

Also in Vallejo: LAAM 520 Carolina St. FREE diapers, clothing & more! 707-642-5001

Solano Carseat Connection

    This program provides education on safe carseat installation as well as carseat checks and inspections. They also have classes that provide gift certificates toward the purchase of a safe car seat for your baby. Call to make an appointment to have your vehicle carseats inspected for Free by certified carseat technicians! 

Call (707) 553-KKID or en espanol (707) 784-8081.

Childcare Help:
Each county has a CEL (or Centralized Eligibility List) that when you sign up for, you apply for all subsidized childcare programs (for low-income families).
The best way to find the CEL for your county is to google "Centralized Eligibility List & the name of your county".


Childcare Connection rrnetwork.org
The Children's Network of Solano County
www.childnet.org

Solano Family and Children's Services

http://www.solanosfcs.org/ Childcare Resources 

Child Start (Head Start)

www.childstartinc.org

Food/Shelter Help: 

Catholic Social Services http://www.csssolano.org/ 

Services include FREE: Homeless case management, self-sufficiency programs, food give-aways, rental assistance ("Season of Sharing"), counseling, anger management & parenting classes, low-cost telephone service, immigration, tax preparation and information/referrals.

They're awesome!! & They have locations all over the country, not just Solano County 

Food Banks of Contra Costa & Solano http://www.foodbankccs.org/

Here's list of where the Food Banks are located all over the counties: HERE 

www.foodbankccs.org/get-help/food-assistance-program.html

Free Food for Children: Children, 4 and 5 years old, receive free food every month at one of nine sites throughout Contra Costa and Solano counties. Children, who are referred by WIC staff (Federal government: Women, Infants, and Children program), are provided with a large box of nutritious, high-protein food weighing 25 pounds. Go HERE for info www.foodbankccs.org/get-help/food-for-children.html

Food Stamps http://www.foodbankccs.org/get-help/food-stamps.html

WIC

Federal Women, Infants and Children programprovides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding / non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.

Free Meals for Children & Teens during summer

Salvation Army: People can receive holiday assistance, meals, money to pay rent and utility bills, prescription vouchers and even money for an overdue mortgage, as funding allows. Vallejo, Dixon, Fairfield, Vacaville. (707) 784-8050

Dixon Family Assistance offers several services and resources. They have a program that can help pay energy bills, provide renters and homeowners with funds for rent help, and they run a food bank that is located on site that can help people struggling to pay for their next meal. 707-678-0442

Families in Transition in Benicia provides rent assistance and homelessness prevention services to Benicia area families who suddenly suffer an unexpected economic setback due to a medical emergency, unemployment, health, job loss, or family problems. (707) 645-3000

The Benicia Community Action Council, (707) 745-0900, offers several different assistance programs for youth and seniors and they also administer emergency services for low-income families to help them with bills and expenses.

St. Vincent De Paul Society local non-profit agency that provides emergency financial assistance to low income and other struggling residents. The agency can distribute motel vouchers, food, money for partial utility bill payments, and housing aid. Vallejo (707) 556-9846 Benicia (707) 747-7220.

Rio Vista Community Services offers qualified families rent help, they provide emergency homelessness prevention services including transportation, free food, shelter, utility and heating bill payment assistance and even prescription drug expense assistance and vouchers. (707) 374-5706.

Healthy Start Family Resource Network - The non-profit provides assistance obtaining temporary financial assistance for paying utilities. They help people file for the federal government Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). They also help families and individuals obtain assistance through a network of churches and charities as funds are available. Also help people find jobs, offer resume reviews, and computer access. Fairfield (707) 421-3224

Community Presbyterian Church - Good Samaritan ((707) 448-5055) - Offers assistance on a limited basis  for Vacaville California residents who may be experiencing an immediate emergency need for vehicle gasoline, utility bills for gas, electricity or water expenses.

Mission Solano - Offers shelter and food. (707) 422-1011

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Fairfield ((707) 422-4741), offers groceries and clothing to anyone in need of aid.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church - Offers food and groceries. (707) 448-2390

Bay Area Foreclosure Assistance Collaborative - The organizations hosts foreclosure information workshops, prevention tactics and free seminars both distressed homeowners and renters whose landlords are facing foreclosure. Housing advocates, counselors and legal experts cover the foreclosure process, for free, and provide information on tenants' rights, foreclosure rescue scams, mortgage refinance issues, and more. (510) 271-8443

Pacific Community Services - Counselors from this HUD agency provide free or low cost confidential counseling to families who are in danger of losing their homes through a foreclosure filing. Counseling and advice offered includes forbearance agreements, reinstatement, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, refinancing or recasting the mortgage and sale of the property and assignment of the Mortgage to HUD. Phone (800) 914-6874.
HUD rental assistance (section 8 etc)
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance

Education Help:

Get FREE MONEY to go to college.

Step 1: Find out what college you want to attend & sign up! 

Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid by filling out a FAFSA HERE http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/# 

Step 3: Apply for a Cal Grant http://www.calgrants.org/ 

Step 4: sign up for BOG Fee Waiver at your school or HERE http://www.cccapply.org/BOG_Waiver/ (easy to get & it waives most college fees) 

Help for your pocket:This lady's blog (I Love a Good Deal) got ton's of free stuff especially this FREE stuff/food!!
FREE magazine subscription to KIWI "Growing families the natural & organic way" here
(more mags 4 free there too!)
FREE 1st Birthday cake for your lil sprout
And find ALL FREE stuff on your birthday here: http://www.freebirthdaytreats.com/ (the best site!!)
Only one I found not listed there: Free Grand Slam on your b-day @ Denny's, just show your ID
UPDATE: You know I LOVE cupcakes! Here's Barnes & Noble Kids Club (info below & more on website: https://kids.barnesandnoble.com/kidsclub/)

We Celebrate Kids' Birthdays!

30% off list price on any one kids' book or toy for your children

• Free cupcake from our café for all your children's birthdays
• Free digital book created by your child on Tikatok.com

Want FREE TICKETS to Disneyland?? (UPDATE: sadly this is over)
Go HERE to sign up for the Give a day, Get a Day program. Just put your zip code in & it will bring up volunteer opportunities in your area. Once you sign up & volunteer, you'll get your tix in your email. We did it & felt great to give back to our community.



Want $5 for FREE?? Just activate a NetSpend prepaid Visa card (this card is great & you will never get overdraft charges!)
To redeem:
Visit www.mynetspendcard.com to purchase your card online or search for a nearby retailer at netspend.com
Once you receive your card in the mail activate it online and enter the referral code provided for a $5 credit to your Account
REFERRAL CODE: 6852603374
No credit application. No Bills. No hidden fees.

MORE FREE MONEY$$

Just go to unclaimed.org to find any unclaimed money or property you may have (this is a site that leads you to each states FREE search site, if you go to a site that charges, don't do it! the search should always be FREE). I went to unclaimed.org, clicked on my state & found I had money waiting for me! Sound too good to be true? That's what I thought. BUT..companies are required by law to send funds from lost accounts to the state of the owner's last known address. Then the state holds them for safe keeping until they are claimed. So you never know. The unclaimed.org site has more info HERE

Facts:
Every U.S. state, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands - and Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta in Canada have unclaimed property programs that actively find owners of lost and forgotten assets.

Total of at least $32.877 billion is currently being safeguarded by state treasurers and other agencies for 117 million accounts.

Claims can be made into perpetuity in most cases - even by heirs.

What is Unclaimed Property?
Unclaimed property (sometimes referred to as abandoned) refers to accounts in financial institutions and companies that have had no activity generated or contact with the owner for one year or a longer period. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed dividends or payroll checks, refunds, traveler's checks, trust distributions, unredeemed money orders or gift certificates (in some states), insurance payments or refunds and life insurance policies, annuities, certificates of deposit, customer overpayments, utility security deposits, mineral royalty payments, and contents of safe deposit boxes.


COMMENT & LET ME KNOW IF THIS HELPED YOU FIND SOME UNCLAIMED PROPERTY!

Music FOR FREE to lift your soul:Whole albums from....
East Bay's own hip-hop-jazz band phenomenon: Kev Choice
First Lady of the Bay: Jimmie Reign

50 free music downloads from emusic!

not free yet but check him out:

MISC:

Fabulous site: Bay Area on the Cheap!  TONS of FREEBIES , a complete listing of all FREE museum/attraction days, cheap dates, cheap gas finder, 1/2 price on tickets & MORE MORE MORE!! Can't say enough about how great this site is!! Thanks bayareaonthecheap.com!

Free Movies Online: Hulu.com


Don't forget about your local library!! You can check out books, dvds, cds, use internet & more! Plus they're FREE & most have online services so you can place hold on books etc. Then when they're ready just go down & pick them up off the hold shelf (so quick & easy!)

Check MomsinBloom.org's phenomenal Solano County resources HERE including children w/ disabilities help, local midwifes/doulas info & more!

Postpartum Support International: 24 hour support for new mamas with depression postpartum.net 1800-773-6667
Support for single parents parentswithoutpartners.org
Need help to stop smoking? californiasmokershelpline.org
Info on CA state disability www.edd.ca.gov/Disability
Being discriminated at work? http://www.eeoc.gov/

Child Abuse and neglect: 800-544-8696

SafeQuest (Solano County): "Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault"

www.safequest.org 

Crisis:  1-866-4UR SAFE                                

Business: 707-422-7345 

Solano Family Violence Resources: www.co.solano.ca.us/depts/fvp/community_resources/solano_county_resources.asp

Domestic Violence and Assault Services and Counseling: 866-4-UR-SAFE (487-7233)

Emergency Mental Health Crisis Line: 707-428-1131 or 800-547-0495