Diedre

 

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One of the best parts about being a parent is the opportunity to recreate childhood memories with your children.

My children absolutely LOVE animals, so they were beside themselves when Disney’s The Lion King movie was advertised. It will be in theaters on July 19th, and my daughters have started their own countdown!

 

When I saw who would be the voices for all my beloved characters, I got excited too! The Lion King was one of my favorite movies as a kid, and I can probably quote 90% of the original movie (songs included).

It has been exciting to see many of the movies, toys and t.v. shows I enjoyed as a kid coming back into circulation for my kids to enjoy.

Here are a few ways I recreate childhood memories with my kids:

Reenact movie scenes with toys from Walmart

In preparation for The Lion King, the kids and I made a special trip to Walmart to check out the newest selection of The Lion King toys. My daughters loved the Walmart exclusive item Disney’s The Lion King Kissing Plush Simba & Nala.

When you press their mouths together, they connect like they are really kissing! They liked this toy because they really got two for one. Simba & Nala are soft and cuddly and even resilient enough for my tough little toddler.

My girls also loved The Lion King Jumbo Plush Nala. They were hugging her in the store, so I knew she had to come home with us!

If your kids are anticipating Disney’s The Lion King as much as mine, then check out the variety of products in store at Walmart: toys, grocery, decor, and apparel. Throughout next weekend (7/19), there are special events happening, so check the event locator at Walmart.com/LionKing for a store near you.

At the events, you can take home a limited edition Disney’s The Lion King movie poster (while supplies last). Bring your pride & join Walmart for crafts, exclusive toy demos, & fun surprises as Walmart celebrates at participating stores.

When we got home, the kids started using their toys to recreate some of their favorite scenes from the movie.

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They started asking me questions about the new movie, and reminded me that we need to go see it soon!

Share Childhood Pictures with Them

Remember when companies started coming out with character clothing with the launch of a new t.v show or movie? I definitely had outfits with some of my favorite characters that I wore all the time. My kids love seeing me as a little girl doing things that they now enjoy.

Share Movie Themed Snacks

Do your kids love themes as much as I do? At Walmart, they have a variety of the kids favorite snacks like Go-Gurt, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Cheerios, that have pictures of The Lion King characters on the box that your kids will love.

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If you have picky eaters, don’t worry, there is something for everybody!

Honestly, one of the best parts of parenting is creating lifelong memories with your kids.
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Those memories are so much sweeter when you get to recreate some of your favorite memories from your childhood with your children.

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Becoming a farm wife has made me a snob about food in some people’s eyes, but it has taught me that the food we eat comes at a price. Someone took the time to grow and cultivate the food so that we can have the food that we love.

A few years ago, my husband became a full time farmer and started his own business, Anthony’s Roots.

Before becoming a farm wife, my husband and I  were always passionate about food. How and where it was grown, the processes used to grow it, and how to cook it.

My husband threw around terms like GMO, CSAs and many more. Most of the time I listened, but other times I just grinned and tuned him out (I know that’s terrible, but I’m guilty)

I’ve always been passionate about food too–passionate about taste. In college I watched the Food Network and I loved experimenting with new recipes.

Since he’s taken up farming, I have a new appreciation for food. People think that being a farmer’s wife makes me a snob about food, but the truth is things I typically would never try taste different….and when I say different, I mean better!

Now that I’ve had a taste of true freshness, I’ve learned a few things:

Most of What We Eat is Genetically Engineered

What does it mean when your food is genetically engineered? It means that your food is being altered in a lab setting so that it can withstand herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. GMOs prevent food from doing what it does naturally–like the browning of apples, or keeping food from going bad longer.

A “Non-GMO” label on food suggests that all ingredients were derived from plants, animals, or other organisms whose genetic material has not been artificially  altered in a laboratory.

The American Public Health Association and American Nurses Association are among many medical groups that disagree with the use of growth hormones used on cows,because the milk from treated cows has more of the hormone that is  linked to cancer.

If caring about my overall wellness makes me a snob about food, then so be it.

Kids Can Learn to Like Veggies Despite Popular Belief

Trust me, I’ve had to do a little negotiating, but I’ve made some gains in getting my picky 7 year old to try different veggies.

Most recently, I had to bribe her with a snickers to get her to eat squash, but at the end of the day, I was happy because she ate the squash.

She has been more open to trying new things because my husband gets our children to help in the garden. They plant the seeds, pull the weeds and harvest the food. They are invested from the beginning, so they are more likely to try new things. That makes this mama’s heart glad!

Taking Time To Learn Where Your Food Comes From is Vital

Most kids don’t think about the hard work that it takes to get food.

(Before my husband became a farmer, I don’t know that we truly understood either.)

They don’t understand that a farmer needs rain to help his crops grow. And sometimes crops fail–which means certain food doesn’t grow.

When we go to the grocery store, we see what we want and buy it. We don’t think about the fact that buying berries in the winter means they will be sour because that’s not the season that they normally grow in.

It’s important for kids to know that our meat comes from animals and our fruits and veggies are grown. It gives them a greater appreciation for the world around them.

It’s important to teach our children the value of hard work and where our food comes from. Investing in your family’s health is a step into improving your overall wellness.

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It’s hard to find non-toxic sunscreen options for brown skin. Trust me, I’ve been on this quest for awhile.

As a kid, I never understood why I needed sunscreen for brown skin if I didn’t burn.

 

I quickly learned the benefit of having more melanin than my lighter skinned friends.

My parents are Jamaicans, so were use to spending large amounts of time in the sun. My mom made sunscreen mandatory.

What I always hated about it, was that it left a streaky, white residue that never seemed to rub in.

My mom wanted us to rub it all over, but it just sat on top of my skin, and made me look ashy. Sunscreen was just embarassing to wear.

When I became an adult, I switched to face moisturizers that had sunscreen in it as an alternative, and spray sunscreens so that I didn’t have to rub in the white stuff anymore.

What I noticed about the sprays is that if it happened to get in your mouth or near your face, it tasted horrible and would make you cough.

Since diving into a more non-toxic lifestyle, I’ve realized that so many of the products (and brands) that we’ve all come to know and love are filled with toxic chemicals.

When I started having (biracial) children, I began to pay attention to the ingredients listed on the bottle. Now I’m “that” mom.

The mom that reads EVERY SINGLE LABEL.

I promise, I’m not just doing it to be extra, but because I’m investing in my family’s wellness.

So here are a few non-toxic sunscreen options for brown skin:

California Baby

California Baby is a little on the pricier side, but when you purchase their products, you know that your child’s skin is safe. The founder (mom) Jessica Iclisoy found plant based substitutes for harmful chemicals in baby products. Many of the plant based ingredients used in California Baby products were grown on a farm right here in the U.S.

BabyGanics

I love Babyganics! It’s so gentle & smooth that I often use it for myself. Another win for me is that they  use recyclable, recycled or sustainable packing materials.

Babo Botanicals

Ya’ll know that I’m a sucker for companies that are transparent about their ingredients. If you head over to the Babo Botanicals website, you will find an ingredient list with pictures AND what each ingredient is good for. They make sunscreens formulated for babies an adults.

Baby Bum

Baby bum is on my list of sunscreens to try next. I spotted this brand while on a Target run. Their products are vegan, plant based, tear-free, dermatalogist tested and cruetly free. 

Earth Mama Organics Kids

I love the Earth Mama brand. I used their nipple butter while breastfeeding (and it also doubles as an amazing foot cream!). They have launched a new kids line, and I love using products from companies I can trust.

                                         

Young Living

Ya’ll know how much I love natural, non-toxic products. Young Living makes sunscreen options for brown skin that are lightweight and fast absorbing. It protects against UVA & UVB rays.

What I love about Young Living products is the seed to seal promise. In short, Young Living prides itself on not using harmful synthetics, contaminants or cheap fillers. The oils & ingredients in their products are sources from their own corporate-owned farms, partner farms, and seed to seal certified suppliers.

Are you ready to start your wellness journey with Young Living? Click here.

Black Girl Sunscreen

I have yet to try it, but I hear so many great things about it! I’m not going to lie, the name alone is calling my name. It’s so cool that companies are making products just for brown skin! It feels so nice to be included.

Sunscreen Tips

Remember, babies need sunscreen too, but it’s best to apply when your baby is older than 6 months old.

If you plan to be in the sun, your baby needs sunscreen daily. In addition to sunscreen, utilize clothing and shade to protect your baby’s delicate skin.

How often should I reapply?

Reapply sunscreen based on your activity. The rule of thumb is generally every 2 hours. However, if you are getting in and out of the water, you may want to apply more often.

The sun’s rays are hottest from 10 AM- 3PM. (I grew up hearing my mom telling me to wait until after 3 before I could play outside.)

The sun’s UV rays can be damaging to all skin-even brown skin. There is a misconception that melanin is an instant protector against the sun’s rays and sunscreen isn’t necessary. Although people with more melanin are not as prone to sunburns, UV rays can still cause signifcant damage. 

Finding a sunscreen that doesn’t make brown skin look ashy and provides non-toxic protection can be challenging. Share this list with someone that is looking for some sunscreen options!