A Father's Legacy

Fathers are so important. I am thankful my father is still alive. Recently, I received a very encouraging letter from him. He has invested in me a great deal over the years, particularly in my musical education. I was delighted when, after he tuned my piano for me, I could play him a couple of pieces that showed off the skill he enabled me to build. A father's legacy lives on in his children. Here is a story of one father's legacy through the business he inspired his daughter to create.

After experiencing the loss of her Dad to cancer, owner of Green Please, Melanie Derwin wanted to do something to help others prevent a cancer journey of a loved one. At that time, with her 13 month old son in hand, she asked her Dad's oncologist: "Where does all this cancer come from and what can we do now to prevent it?"

The oncologist noted that some cancer is related to age or genetics. He went on to explain that the environment had an impact on his patients who were surrounded by toxic chemicals. This was the start of Melanie's journey towards "greening up my lifestyle", particularly for the sake of the children.

Melanie was again drawn deeper into green living when her 20 month-old son had repeated ear & throat infections with no relief from prescribed antibiotics. He then developed a persistent cough thought to be "Asthma". He was prescribed medications, including a puffer at 2 years old. Melanie had never seen her son short of breath, nor wheezing and was concerned about how a tiny body would metabolize such medications and endure the side effects. So, she embarked on a journey of searching out a wholistic solution instead. With the help of many health practices, including complimentary medicine her son is now 5, healthy and medicine-free.

More from Melanie:

Green Please Inc. is my “Inspiring Green Living” company. I have spent years questioning, searching and testing greener product options that are natural, more healthful and that work! My intention and hope is to help people create great health and well-being through greening up their life. In the process, I also help save customers money, time and frustration in their greening up journey.

Green Please Inc. coaches customers in making green, healthier choices without compromising their lifestyle. In a “Green It Up” Home Consult we visit a customer’s home, complete a room-by-room review, answer their eco questions/concerns and make suggestions on greening up their health/life-style, home and food. A customized report is provided to assist in implementing changes towards improving their shade of green. Green Please Inc.’s other services include: Green “Tea Parties”, Telephone consults and Daycare/Montessori Fundraising!

Often it is challenging to find greener product options. Green Please Inc. offers an “e-boutique” filled with healthy living items that range from:

- Baby items like bamboo crib sheets, 100% rubber soothers, glass bottles, organic cotton rattles, bamboo outfits, etc.
- Toddler products like natural wood, non-toxic Plan toys, green books, etc.
- Litterless Food containers like stainless steel food containers, bamboo cutlery,etc.
- Healthy Home items like wool & organic cotton comforters & pillows, organic soaps, creams, cleaners, etc.

Please check out the website for complete details at www.greenpleaseforyou.com

Off to School!

Tomorrow is my eldest son's first day of grade one. We went to visit his teacher today and she asked (along with his old kindergarten teacher) how I was feeling about it. The truth was, I haven't even thought of that yet. The biggest thing on my mind was how we were going to give him enough time to keep our relationship strong in just the after-school and week-end hours. I haven't even contemplated missing him! I guess the two others at home and our business will keep me more than busy...but still I wonder how I'll feel in two weeks.

It was six years ago when I was in the throes of early motherhood for the very first time. And our first gave us quite an initiation. This boy was like a bright light that never quite completely turned off. Sleep deprivation was normal for a veerrrrrryyyy long time. Actually, we're just starting to come out of it...I think. He wouldn't accept anything but us for his soothing (and to be honest that's the way we wanted it...most of the time). He's still very good at getting what he needs...and if tonight was any indication, he still doesn't like to shut off easily. But he's a keen student and a bright kid. We love him and will look forward to his return at 3:12 every afternoon.

I'm contemplating starting to bake my own cookies now that I have a child in school full-time. Something about fresh-baked cookies after school that just makes you feel loved. Well, we'll see how often that happens, but it's worth a try, right? It would give me something to do with my little girl when her little brother is sleeping (and I'm not catching up on sleep or working on the computer!)

Happy mothering! The years fly by too quickly.

P.S. If you want to find one way to commemorate that special bond with your kids and support a mompreneurial business, I encourage you to read the Free Press article in today's paper on Enamoured Heart owner, Lori Bettig. She actually came in for a newborn session with her youngest, when we were still a home-based business.

Great Stain Remover

Just a quick post to say we're back in the province and to let you know of a stain remover especially made for the "biological" stains of babyhood. It's OxiClean Baby, in a clear blue spray bottle, available at Superstore and other places I'm sure. Fragrance free, dye free and chlorine free.

Diaper Rash Tips

If you're looking for a simple way to prevent diaper rash and even treat it, use grapeseed oil (sometimes, not always in Superstore) in a little squeeze bottle and apply at every diaper change. It replaces the oils that are stripped away by wipes and protects the skin. Add a few drops of lavendar essential oil and the anti-inflammatory/anti-bacterial properties bring healing to even quite bad rashes. Tiber River Naturals is one place you can find essential oils (I'm quite sure they carry lavendar). Grapeseed oil could probably substituted by other oils, but I've never tried them. You could ask a massage therapist for ideas. Alternately, you could try Tiber River's Bottom's Up cream which can be used all over and contains calendula among other things.

Click on the wikipedia links to learn more properties of grapeseed oil, lavendar and calendula. They each have many uses!

Bottoms up

Starting Thursday, our studio will be featuring a line of products for baby from Tiber River Naturals, called "Bottoms Up". If I'm not mistaken, there is a diaper cream, a baby lotion, and a hair/body wash. All very healing and natural.

So when you're in next, ask to see/sample them. They're one-of-a-kind.