We wish you a merry everything! We're what you'd call all denominational here at Earth Mama Angel Baby, but we admit that any excuse to tie up gifts for mamas and babies makes us hoppier than a reindeer on a hot tin roof. We've got the goods for you this season, with the advent of weekly specials, some good news about organics, and another great contest.

EMAB named an "honest organic brand"!

Are your organic products honest? The NOSB (National Organic Standards Board) voted to "crack down on personal care cheaters" and enforce laws for organic personal care products, just as they do currently for organic food. That would mean no more claiming a product is "organic" unless it is certified by the NOP (USDA National Organic Program). Earth Mama Angel Baby was named among the "honest organic brands" already in compliance with the NOP's food standard, the highest standard in the world. Lotions, shampoos and other body care products that are not certified to the USDA NOP standard will have to drop organic claims from their labels and from their company name.

The OCA (Organic Consumers Association) is instituting a boycott against "cheater" brands, and a "buy"-cott to encourage purchasing honest organic brands like Earth Mama Angel Baby. This landmark decision will make it easier for consumers to shop for truly pure, non-toxic, safe products because companies will only be able to say organic on the label if they are in compliance with strict NOP standards. Take action to encourage the USDA to adopt the NOSB's recommendations and safeguard organic standards!

Remind me, what does Organic mean again?

Hooo boy, the natural personal care product world is a tough one. Sadly there are a lot of brands that use the word "organic" without a care in the world if their products are, indeed, organic. And forget safe! Some of those falsely labeled "organic" products contain some very scary ingredients. To make things more confusing, there are several certifiers out there who will certify a product as "organic" but to a lower standard. So an organic baby lotion with only 30% organic ingredients could be called organic by one certifier, when the USDA National Organics Program would laugh it out of the lab. How do you know what certifier has a high standard for what's really organic? So far, the best test for a truly organic product is to look for the USDA seal. To use that seal the product must be held to a very strict, food-grade standard and be certified by the NOP.

A product can still be good and have mostly organic ingredients but not be certified, because some personal care products just can't be made within food-grade standards. But if it's not organic, then it can't be called organic! We're all hoping for a strict NOP standard specifically for personal care products, and we're getting closer. But for now, read the ingredients, check for the seal and the name of the certifier (ie: NOP) or check the Skin Deep database before you buy.

Products labeled "100% Organic" that carry the "USDA Organic" seal contain all organically produced ingredients. Products that are made from at least 95% organic ingredients can carry the "USDA Organic" seal if the remaining ingredients are approved for use in organic products.  Products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients may label those on the ingredient listing and carry the legal claim "made with organic".   

Check the ingredients label, check for the seal. Products don't need to be 100% organic to be effective, but if they claim to be "organic" they should be!

How many "cheater brands" are using the word organic incorrectly? Time for you to find out, mama! Email us by December 28, 2009, a list of at least three pregnancy or baby care products that use the word "organic" without a seal or certifier. Feel free to make comments, we'd love to hear what you have to say. (If you want to dig deeper to find out more, check out the products' toxicity rating on the Skin Deep database, or take our eye opening What's Your Score? Challenge.) We will draw three names at random to win one of three prizes. Winners' names and comments will be posted in the January newsletter. One entry per person, please!

Prizes!
1. One each of our helpful herbal pregnancy teas: Morning Wellness Tea, Peaceful Mama Tea, Heartburn Tea, and Third Trimester Tea
2. One Organic Happy Feet and One Angel Baby Bath Blossoms
3. One Mama To Be Tea Sampler

Monthly specials are soooo last month, so we're starting up weekly specials! Yep, you can check the home page every week to find out the latest deal from Mama's herbal goody-bag. And if you'd prefer to have a reminder, sign up to be part of Mama's Family. You'll get an email as soon as the sale gets posted so you never miss a deal. It's a great way to save a bundle on all of your favorite Earth Mama Angel Baby products, whether for yourself or a lucky giftee! Click here to find out this week's special!

Congratulations Tyra, Jennifer and Sarah!

Last month we gave thanks for so many things, and we wanted to hear what YOU were thankful for. More than 70 people wrote in to let us know how much babies, life, love, husbands, in vitro, sunshine, perception, fertility, baby kisses, family, smiles and chocolate mean to them!

Tyra summed up her thankful things in one word: Luscious! And Tyra wins the luxurious A Little Something for Mama-to-Be. Jennifer is one of many who gave thanks for helpful loving husbands, and she wins A Little Something for the New Mama. And Sarah is thankful for cuddly 2-year olds, and she wins A Little Something for Baby. Happy soothing, mamas!

Mama regularly blogs about her healing, herbal garden, talking about anything from donkey poop to a wonderful, easy-to-make facial scrub. She also talks openly and with care about loss, her mother's as well as baby loss. If you or anyone you know has experienced the loss of a baby, we know the holidays can be difficult. The newly redesigned Healing Hearts Baby Loss Comfort web site is a labor of love, and a comforting space that honors baby loss and offers physical and emotional support for grieving mothers.

Twitter: @mamamelinda
Blog: Mama's Herb Garden