Oatmeal on My Skin

Moms, do you hold your shower time precious, just like I do?

If you’re anything like me, I’m pretty sure you’re very particular about your toiletries, too right? I mean, the only products on your caddy would be feel-good ones. No cheap scents, drying bars of soaps or strong, chemical-laden “beauty” products.

As for me, my caddy is full of Human Nature products, and this recent discovery of mine—OATMEAL.

Oatmeal has been a staple in a lot of handmade soaps and I’ve used several ones before. But this new bar I’ve discovered smells absolutely heavenly. The seller is called Gracey’s Ritual, and the soap is called Oatmeal Milk. This new addition to my soapdish is a bar of oat chunks and milk that caresses and exfoliates at the same time. The combination of the two is intoxicatingly charming—like a mild whiff of milky melon that lingers on your skin. And the best part is, a huge bar sells for only P70!

HUGE chunk of soap for P70!

I’ve discovered that oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties, can help treat skin problems like eczema and rashes, helps detox the skin and provides much-needed moisture to the skin. http://blog.poppysoap.com/2013/04/09/the-benefits-of-using-oatmeal-on-your-skin/

This soap is comparable to Lush’s bars; I’ve used quite a few of their variants and for the price difference, I’d say, Gracey’s Oatmeal Bar is not bad at all!

An added note on oatmeal: Gabbie has been plagued by heat rash and bug bites lately so I add 1/3 cup of ground oatmeal to his tub water every bath and it seemed to have calmed his skin irritations. He now says, “Buh-bye oatmeal” after every bath. Haha!

Here’s Gracey’s Ritual’s contact number 09266652203. She’s on Facebook, too. Give it a try, Mommas!

Tipid "Me-Times"

Much has been said about every mom’s need for “me-time”. From trips to nail salons, girls’ night out, shopping to eating out, we have a lot of options. But what if the family’s on a tight budget and though time out may not be the issue, money is?

Could Mommy still afford to get some “me-time”?

Of course!

Here are some of my free or inexpensive “me-time” ideas that you might want to try:

1.     Have tea.

Either I grab a P100 and go to our nearest milk tea place by myself (I can surf online or DO NOTHING uninterrupted!) or I buy flavored tea in the grocery and enjoy a hot mug at home curled up with a good book, inside our LOCKED bedroom or when baby's taking a nap. I recommend Celestial Seasonings natural teas. Their blends are soothing and delicious.

2.     Swim.

You know that feeling like you’re all uptight and rolled up, with your muscles unstretched and your mind’s reeling from things you’re doing, and on what else you should be doing, and so on and so forth. Moms, you know what I’m talking about, right? Sometimes, multi-tasking just takes its toll and I end up feeling constricted. A cool swim does wonders! It stretches my entire body and I feel my blood circulating again (seriously!). Well, exercise really does this for us but I chose swimming because we have a pool in our condo complex so I get to exercise for free, plus I can really “get away” in the pool. Just me and the water. Tip: If you don’t have a pool, I’m sure you know somebody who lives in a condo near you. Call up that friend and ask if you can swim in their condo pool for an hour.

3.     Talk.

Talking seems to be most women’s favorite pastime. It’s a stress reliever. So do it, but try it with your journal or your phone’s voice recorder, or your laptop’s video camera, in the privacy of your room. Writing is my method of choice so I curl up with my journal and just write, write, write. It’s a healthier way to rant away any negative stuff I had to deal with, and it’s a fantastic way to remind myself of my countless blessings. Inevitably, most of my journal entries turn to prayers, love letters I direct to God Himself.

4.     Take a hot shower.

Seriously, there’s nothing like warm/hot water to soothe those tired muscles, and reinvigorate a tired Momma! Slather on some moisturizing body butter or lotion after because, if you’re like me, dry skin is essentially just “bad trip”. I recommend Human Nature’s Body Butter in Mango Passion or Body Lotion in Vanilla scent.

5.     Have a beauty experiment.

I used to practice doing the smoky eye look during stay-home me-times, or putting together a new outfit using old pieces I have in my closet. When I became a mom, I don’t get to experiment so often now on my best look when we’re about to go out. I tend to just put on whatever is easiest to find. But now, I’m appreciating makeup a bit more, and enjoying putting together outfits again during my special alone times. When I can’t go to a nail salon, I also paint my nails and enjoy the luxury of having beautiful, painted nails without the scare of nippers. Read more about that fear here http://thegratefulmom.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-secret.html

6.     Go to a bookstore.

Okay, maybe this won’t apply to everyone as not everybody enjoys reading. But there’s something about bookstores that’s really comforting for me. I spend hours in OMF Bookstore, which is just near our house, and I could really de-stress in any Fully-Booked, or National Book Store. I choose several titles, put them on my lap and settle myself on a seat or even on the floor and just read away. I also love that I can easily pick up a book for pasalubong too for my little bookworm, Gabbie.

What about you, what’s your cheapo me-time idea? J

Grateful Mom’s Great Picks Round 2

So, here it is again. Here goes a roundup of my favorite mom-approved, baby-friendly products that works great and costs less than you would’ve imagined.

1.   Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen for Kids (SPF 45)

Stumbled across this when I was searching for a safe sunscreen for my one year-old baby. All-natural, paraben-free, 100% vegetarian ingredients and glides on easily and smoothly. It’s safe to use even on my baby’s face so I use it on mine, too. Smells great and leaves skin super moisturized. I love it! Best of all, it’s only P375 at Healthy Options.

2.   Tiny Buds Rice Powder

The heat in this country is astounding and I can’t go anywhere with my baby without a fan on the other hand. Baby powder used to be my go-to summer savior but with scientific research suggesting that talc is dangerous for a baby’s lungs, I searched for a better solution. This is it. Though more expensive than regular powder brands, I found that one small bottle of this brand lasts me for about four to five months anyway so it’s worth it. P99 at Rustan’s.

3.   Human Nature All-Natural Spray Sanitizers

This is my all-around, anti-germs solution. I use it on my, and baby’s hands when there’s no sink and water nearby. I spray it on restaurant high chairs, grocery carts, toys and everywhere else. It’s proven to kill 99.9% germs and is 100% natural. Once, Gabbie’s eyes accidentally got sprayed on and it didn’t hurt him! We have this in all of our rooms and in our bags all the time! Available in three different scents and costs from P59.75 to P174.75 at www.humanheartnature.com

4.   Wescobee Apple Cider Vinegar

This one’s not for baby yet (at least, not until your pediatrician says so and besides honey shouldn’t be given to babies one year below for risk of botulism). At the first sign of colds or cough, I take a spoonful or two and I find that I lose the signs and symptoms before the day ends. Since I’m breastfeeding, I’m very careful with taking in medications and I try to go for natural remedies instead. This discovery is a staple in our home. It tastes fantastic as a salad dressing, too! Costs about P275 at Robinson’s Supermarket.

My Secret

Dear readers, I’m about to reveal something I’ve been shy to admit to just anyone. I’m deathly afraid of getting a pedicure. The sight of a nipper going in for my cuticles are enough to send me trembling. Seriously, it’s not funny. I love having clean, beautiful nails (Who doesn’t?!) and it’s really a big deal for me when I do go in for a nail treatment. Instead of getting relaxed with my pampering session, stressful siya for me! Kaloka. Nevertheless, I try to get regular nail treatments anyway (“tiis-ganda!”). Especially now that my precious back muscles are exhausted from all the baby-carrying, di ko na keri mag-bend down to do my own nails. So, being a mom now in her thirties, I thought it was high time to face my fear and appreciate this precious me-time activity somehow. I’m grateful too that I can actually find time nowadays to get a treatment, and a hubby who doesn’t mind when I do, and who would sometimes even join me (he loves spa treatments actually). What I did though is try several ones so I can at least find good, careful nail technicians who will understand and heed my constant call to, “be careful please!”

Here are two of my current favorites:

1.  Bamboo Nail Spa (G/F Strata Views Condominium, 306 P. Guevara St., San Juan. Tel no. 706-6280) – It’s a small nail spa that I serendipitously discovered as I brought in my baby for playtime with a friend’s baby nearby. The interiors are not very impressive but the service is. This is the least uncomfortable nail treatment I’ve had, with zero pain and really good, attentive service. Plus, they’re pretty affordable, too! (Classic Spa—foot soak, trim, massage, paint—is just P200!)

2.  Celebrity Nail Spa (Hotline: 0917-8120479) – Lately, it’s been pretty hectic what with balancing work and household and baby duties. There was barely time during the day to take a break let alone drive somewhere to get some treatment done. But my feet were too thick-skinned already, and it was crying out for a foot spa. So one night at 930pm, I tried my luck with this nail spa and asked if they were still open for services that night. And what do you know, they said yes! They were at my house 11pm. They were prompt, hygienic, the technician was friendly, accommodating yet not talkative, and gave an above-average treatment overall. I like that they offer an extensive lineup of services and they accommodate late-night requests (last call is 11pm), perfect for busy moms who can only take a break when the baby is asleep! (Mani, Pedi, Foot spa is P600)

Finally! Treatment's done. Phew!