Both “yummy mummies”, as they are known, are staunch believers in attachment parenting – which means that one or both parents should spend as much time as they can with their children. “If they can be with their children especially during their formative years, that would be great! If not, maybe the mom can work out a part-time work schedule so she can spend more time at home with her children,” shares Monica.

While Denise says she is not completely stay-at-home anymore, she makes it a point to bring her son along with her as much as she can. The time factor was among the obstacles our yummy mummies encountered when they first began INDIGOBaby.

Challenges, Triumphs and Tips for Moms who want to do the same

Starting a business is always time-consuming and will have its fair share of stress. And yet, these ladies are able to balance their time because of their passion for both family and their company.

You might have heard of the saying that you should “Do what you love, and love what you do.” These moms are testament to that. Monica says, “Find something you are passionate about and just GO FOR IT! Most of the time, our fears hold us back from doing what we most want to do-which is to be closest to the ones we love!!!”

Denise shares, “If mums or anyone can handle it, JUMP and do it. Some people are so comfortable with the whole office routine that they stick to doing things that don’t really make them happy. If you can afford it, do it. I would never go back to the corporate world, to having a 9-5 schedule. Being an entrepreneur has taught me that I can do so much with my time. Trade off is money initially, but if you hit it big, hats off!”

All-Natural Skin Care Product Line
Among their growing line of products that also include “baby pouches” and mats for diaper changing, it is their SHOO FLY DON’T BOTHER ME Insect Repellent and their JAR OF HOPE Blue Chamomile Healing Gel that are their best-sellers. “These two are top choices! They are necessities!” says Denise.

JAR OF HOPE, in particular, is quite an interesting product. It is useful for a varied number of concerns, from diaper rashes, to small cuts, insect bites, even insomnia. One satisfied mom even used it for her daughter’s atopic dermatitis and was very happy to find a product that finally worked!

Environmental Edge
Driven by their desire to provide the best and most natural products for their own kids, the moms of INDIGOBaby make sure that every ingredient in their skin care line is all-natural and chemical free. This means that every bottle or jar you buy is sure to be free of preservatives, parabens, artificial perfumes, lanolin and other synthetic ingredients.

They share, “In making product choices for yourself and your children, especially with skin products, always, always read the label and ingredients. There are many products in the market claiming to be ‘green’ or ‘natural’ but when you read the label, they are made from parabens which is linked to cancer!”

INDIGOBaby‘s yummy mummies also follow a green lifestyle. “I still find it difficult sometimes, but slowly the change can happen. Oh, and it really starts with you. Now, I even find it hard to give unhealthy things as gifts, because I wouldn’t want others to use or eat them as well,” shares Denise. “I also credit my green-ness to my grandfather, owner of Lorenzo’s VCO, a cancer survivor. We ran a shop in MCS called Naturally Yours Organic Products where I worked. I learned A LOT.”

Monica, on the other hand, tells us that she became more “green aware” after a major operation was needed to remove a tumor in her ovary. She says that she is now more critical of whatever she uses and ingests because, “Studies have shown that certain commercial products certainly have an effect on our health and organs. All the little things we use everyday (toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo)…they all add up and have a big impact on our bodies, even with food!”

Expansion
Eventually, they see their business tapping a bigger market, including an international customer base, as well as developing an amazing website. They also see their small (for now!) company expanding into a mall-based baby boutique. At the moment, these yummy mummies have a showroom in San Juan where you can view and test the products out for yourself.

Worth It.
At the end of the day, it is still about love and wanting the best for those that you love. Monica’s wisdom tells us, “Children teach us that lesson - to live in the NOW! Nothing else matters but the present moment.”

INDIGOBaby Contact Details
Check out their website, indigomanila.multiply.com or shoot them an email at indigo.manila@gmail.com. Their showroom can be found at Gallery Medusa 120 Capt. Manzano St. corner N.Domingo St. Brgy Pedro Cruz San Juan. Phone: 7259285. Look for Creslyn.

Inspired? We encourage you to fight for your dreams and seize the day! Thank you to the Yummy Mummies for being such an encouragement!

All images are from indigomanila.multiply.com

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Restlessness and discontent are the first necessities of progress. (Thomas A. Edison)

Perhaps unbeknownst to many, there exists in Manila a wonderful opportunity called “The Recyclables Fair”, spearheaded by Barangay Magallanes in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources (DENR), Ayala Property Management, Inc. and the Makati DES Office for Solid Waste Management. The fair happens every first Friday of the month and had its first run last March. Since then, participants from all over the metro have joined this event in an effort to help save the environment.

Image from blissfulcow.multiply.com

At this fair, you can buy, sell or trade recyclable items such as batteries, old air-condtioners and T.V. sets, paper and used cellular phones. In succeeding fairs, a tarp recycling booth was also available for old tarpauline material to be turned into bags. Bags! We like that!

EdgyEcology, Inc. is so inspired by this effort, and hopes that other villages and communities follow suit. We realize that an excessive lifestyle (buying things we don’t really need) can play a part in damaging the environment by contributing to more garbage and waste that is generated.

Image from blissfulcow.multiply.com

Do YOU have a great green idea that hasn’t been done in our country yet? May we encourage you to blaze a trail and inspire others to follow!

For more information about the fair, please contact the Barangay Magallanes Office at 7295114.

Special thanks to Ms. Bettina del Rosario for introducing this event to us.

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How do YOU keep your living space neat and organized? 

I ask because I just took TWO weeks (yes, 14 days, I still can’t believe it) to clean out, re-organize and simplify my room. To be honest, I’m still not finished, and I am one super-tired girl. What I realized though, is that your living space truly reflects one’s state of mind. On a personal note, my thoughts are quite a jumbled mess of cables and electrical cords (how people get those blasted things neat and orderly is beyond me) and thus, my room is the same way.

There are friends that come to mind who never seem to have a problem with staying organized. They get things done in a jiffy, they know where everything is, and they seem to have a lot less stress. I WANT THAT!  So in an effort to de-clutter, I have vowed to buy only what I need and less of what I just want. With more space in my room now, I have space to create, space to move,  and most importantly, space to BREATHE.

And in the congested overflow of STUFF, finally taking a breath is refreshing.

…now I’m off to attack that closet. Here’s hoping it takes less than two weeks!

Tell us how you keep your home clean and organized. Tips, suggestions, anything will help! This frazzled girl thanks you in advance. :) 

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From the renewableplanet.com

Known for living out loud, Cameron gives 110% to everything she lends herself to. This includes her work for the green cause, which runs from driving the now-ubiquitous Prius, to supporting Al Gore’s events (such as Live Earth), and her 2005 travel show on MTV, “Trippin’”. She is vocal about her passion for the environment and used her TV show as a platform to spread the word.

On Trippin’, this free-spirited Latina (she is Cuban) did it all. From gallavanting with lions, to jumping out of planes, and more traditional activities such as archery and rock climbing, Cameron took what the earth had to offer and totally lived it up. She took good friends to amazing spots around the world and paired up with environmental expert guides as they learned about the culture, while engaging in all sorts of things like surfing in Costa Rica, riding elephants in Nepal, and sand-boarding in Chile. Where was I when she was handing out invites?!

She featured all sorts of guests on the show, from Kid Rock, to surf god Kelly Slater, and Eva Mendes.
Her main goal was to break through the old treehugger image and that ANYONE could be pro-environment, without being preachy about it. A much needed image lift for the green scene, if I must say so myself.

In 2005, she surprised students at Stanford University by helping lecture about sustainable building development. The surprise was orchestrated by MTV through one of its older shows called “Stand In”.

Nowadays, she declares that she is happy to be single. She has been known to say that she would never be in a relationship to complete herself, but even worse, would never be in a relationship that made her feel incomplete. Wise words from a green crusader!

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Just as I wonder why it is Mother Nature and not Father Nature? Could it be because nature, and our earth, are nurturing, giving, beautiful and utterly essential to our very existence - much like our very own mothers? 

It’s almost silly to ponder such a question (and I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE SECRETLY LAUGHING AT ME! HAHA that’s okay, I am here as your comic relief), but I was randomly wondering about that while thinking of this Sunday’s ultra-important event. Yes, it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday! So in honor of all the our amazing, wonderful, super-cool moms, here are a few ideas for Mumsie’s Special Day.

1. Serve her breakfast in bed!

A healthy suggestion: Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Image from maxpower.ca

You will need the following - 

• 1 cup unbleached flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons canola oil

Mix the flour, baking soda, salt and sugar together in a large bowl.

Whisk together the eggs, cottage cheese, milk and oil in a separate bowl. Blend the flour mixture with this bowl until you achieve a smooth batter.

Heat your skillet over a medium fire and spray a with canola oil spray and drop portions by about a quarter cup of batter onto the skillet. These will cook in a few minutes, all golden brown delicious!

Serve with low-calorie or sugar-free syrup, if mom has a sweet tooth

2. Book her an appointment with a make up artist to update her look!

There are tons of freelance make up artists who are very hands on and can work with whatever mom has in her make up arsenal. And better yet, mineral make up is easier to come by in Manila nowadays and many make up artists are in favor of using these new products. They say mineral make up is better for your skin, so much so that you can actually sleep in it! Mom will surely appreciate the hands-on attention!

Interested? We highly recommend Liee Lozano, a Manila-based make up artist who can work with your mom. Email her at lieezhenmei@gmail.com! 

3. Make her an all-natural facial mask.

Try this oatmeal facial, it will exfoliate and moisturize your momma’s skin.

You will need the following - 

• 1 instant oatmeal package
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 egg white

Mix the water and oatmeal, then add the rest of the ingredients. Mom will need to apply a thin layer to her face and leave it on for about 15 minutes. She should then rinse her face with warm water. 

Pretty recycled glass jars! (Image from greatgreengoods.com)

Place in an air-tight container. Push the idea further by using a pretty recycled glass jar that you may have lying around. Simple, personal, and all-natural! 

Whatever it is you end up doing, it will surely make her feel ultra-special! 

Oh, and nothing beats a warm hug and a sincere “I love you mom!”

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

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Image from bioniclegmusic.com

Mention the word “bamboo” in Manila and it will be most likely associated with the popular rock band of the same name. While the band has certainly made impressive strides in the Philippines (most notably their participation in UNICEF Philippines “Days of Peace” campaign), we’d like to introduce you to another sort of bamboo.

Hardy, does not need pesticides, easily renewable, and contributes to staving off greenhouse gases, bamboo may be considered a miracle plant. Manufacturers and designers have come up with a variety of eco-friendly uses for its fibers and stalks, ranging from furniture, computer monitors, iPod cases and utensils. Some clothing manufacturers have also come out with bamboo clothing which is said to have anti-bacterial properties.

This is important for developing countries such as the Philippines since this plant grows abundantly on our shores. Harvesting and exporting this material can serve as a sustainable means for our country to alleviate poverty by providing rural communities with a variety of jobs since bamboo can be turned into a number of products. Consideration must be given though, to how the material is handled.

Bamboo products are considered truly “green” if fair labor was practiced, no chemicals were used, and if the plant was grown organically. Often, bamboo fibers are subjected to chemical processes to break down its woody fibers which negates it being “environmental”.

In any case, the possibilities of developing bamboo into a sustainable, eco-friendly means for living  is something we can look out for as the years progress, and something our country can definitely benefit from.

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According to weather reports, it is about 27 degrees Celsius in the city, but for certain it feels more like “WAY TOO HOT”. What better way to cool yourself down than drinking some ice-cold water?

There are many benefits to drinking your 8 ounces 8 times a day, give or take. A lot of beauty experts will even call water the “fountain of youth”. And with all the bottled water options available, keeping yourself hyrdated has never been easier.

BUT (and its a pretty big, JLo proportioned one)…

Did you know that “regular” water is often just as healthy and safe as bottled water? (Provided you have filtered tap water at home, of course). Marketing will make you believe otherwise, though. This high demand for bottled water has a tremendous impact on our earth. It takes millions of barrels of oil to produce all those plastic water bottles (that end up as trash), add to the fact that bottled water needs to be shipped from its source, which usually means it comes from a gajillion miles away. Which also means an increase in its carbon footprint. Many restaurants in California have actually banned bottled water, and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has banned the use of city funds to buy bottled water meant for single-servings, in an effort to protect natural resources and lessen garbage.

Furthermore, leaving your bottled water in the car and having it warmed by the sun, or being exposed to any form of heat,  poses potential dangers to you because of the type of plastic that the manufacturer may have used. Certain types of plastic leak chemicals into the water and have been found to cause cancer. And we thought we were being healthy!

Some purists WILL declare that buying and drinking bottled water should be labeled just as unfashionable as smoking. Now while we won’t go that far and name-call or mud-sling, it would help if we tried to lessen our bottled water habits and be better informed about our choices.

Check it out for yourself: Take a peek at the plastic utensils or bottles in your home.

Many water bottles are labeled with a triangle and have a number 1 inside, which means it is ‘polyethylene terephthalate’ (PETE) - This number means it is relatively safe if the item is exposed to heat, but must not be reused again.

What if there is 4? This means the plastic is called ‘low density polyethylene’, or LDPE. This is a safer form of plastic.

Those that you need to avoid are plastics labeled with a 3, 6 or 7. Surprisingly, some baby bottles and microwave containers have this label. Styrofoam is also labeled with one of these numbers.

Next time we reach for a water bottle, let’s make sure we are making the best choice for our health, our budget, and our planet.

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I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible,
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance;
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.

Fully Alive, Dawna Markova

*

HAPPY EARTH DAY EVERYONE!

Celebrating life, love and goodness,

EdgyEcology, Inc.

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Image from hanover.edu

One of the earliest Hollywood “green soldiers” is Ed Begley, Jr. Jessica featured him a few months ago when he came to Northern California to encourage people about going green.

In the 70s, Mr. Begley’s green leanings were considered just a little hokey. It was in that decade that he started recycling, tweaked his diet and purchased his first electric car ($950!). He says it wasn’t only good for the earth, but that it was cheaper on his wallet, too. 

Ed Begley, Jr. has truly come a long way. While he is a serious actor with an impressive body of work (six Emmy awards, for instance), he was considered an oddity in Hollywood back then. Unafraid of ruffling feathers and hurting his image, he would come to movie premieres and award shows via bicycle, public transportation or his electric car. (No, Leonardo, you weren’t the first.) Today, his take on going green is not only considered “trendy” but is better appreciated and supported by other celebrities. 

Certainly unafraid of living what he believes, he has adapted much of his eco-philosophies into his daily life. Testament to this fact is a peek into his world via the first “green” reality show, “Living With Ed” where he not only shows us all the neat human-powered gadgets he uses, but also gets into spats with his wife about how much energy her curling iron wastes. Mmmm, now THAT’S good TV.

Ed Begley Jr. with his wife, Rachelle.

Image from evonline.com

So, he may have been once considered “eccentric”, but these days Ed Begley, Jr. is working more than ever. After nearly 42 years in the business, he now also speaks on environmental topics regularly, has published a book, restaged plays, enjoyed recurring roles on shows such as Arrested Development and has a product line called Begley’s Best a line of earth-friendly household cleansers.

As if his Emmy Awards were not enough, he has been honored by various groups numerous times for his environmental work some of which include the Natural Resources Defense Council and The Coalition for Clean Air. This June he is set to receive the humanitarian award from the Entertainment Merchant’s Association.

Yes, friends, tomorrow is Earth Day. Make like Ed and start something good for yourself, for others, and our planet. 

We believe in making small, doable, realistic changes in our lifestyle, making healthier, eco-responsible decisions that leave a good impact and not a huge carbon footprint. Hopefully we have been able to inspire and encourage you!

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Image from people.com

I am SO sorry, but I just have to share. Every time I hear the name (or the word) Sienna, I hear Kiko Matsing of Philippine children’s show Batibot in my head saying, “Ate Sieeeenaaa!”

Okay, just had to get that out of the way. Yes I am strange like that, and yes, my age is showing. *wink*

THIS Sienna though, used to be engaged to Jude Law and is considered a fashion icon by many. Originally a model (who has done campaigns for Coca-Cola and Pepe Jeans London), Sienna Miller is best known as an actress, having performed on London’s West End and in several films such as “Factory Girl” and “Alfie”. It was in that movie that she caught the attention of critics and fans alike. She later on went to star opposite Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes and Robert De Niro in “Stardust”.

Sienna Miller, who also has a clothing company with her sister Savannah (called Twenty8Twelve) was a recent visitor to Mumbai, India. She came in support of Global Cool, an organization aimed at raising awareness about global warming. In a show of support, Sienna was photographed wearing a Global Cool t-shirt, and appears on the organization’s website. While in Mumbai, she had the opportunity to speak about the effects of global warming and how to help combat its effects on the earth. She has also supported People Tree, a fashion line that produces organic, fair-trade certified clothing. Ms. Miller has also showed support for breast cancer initiatives, namely “Lend A Hand, Raise A Grand”, an initiative by UK’s Breast Cancer Haven, that educates and supports those affected by this disease.

Sienna Miller with her sister, Savannah. (Image from the fashionguide.co.uk)

A known chain smoker, Sienna Miller is said to have been trying to quit her habit, knowing it can cause breast cancer. Keep going, girl.

Did you know? “One third of personal care products contain at least one chemical linked to cancer, according to the Skin Deep report by the Environmental Working Group, a partner of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.” (source: treehugger.com) Ingredients such as coal tar, parabens and mineral oil have damaging effects, not only on the earth but on our bodies as well. Yet another reason to watch what we use!

3 MORE DAYS TO EARTH DAY!!!

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