I’ve had my Thera Wise products waiting in the wings to review for months, but because I like to test products, I’ve been waiting for hemorrhoids, cuts, acne, or chest colds to strike and happily we’ve been clear and healthy for some time. The great buzz regarding the product line from Thera Wise is these ointments are made with all-natural plant extracts used to heal and restore the skin. Thera Wise products include these 4 healing ointments: HmR – Hemorrhoids, SHO – Bio Active Skin Healing Ointment, VpR – Bio Active Vaporizing Decongestant, and Ac+ – Bio Active Acne Ointment.  I have to admit it’s a great arsenal to have at home for cuts, colds, and accidentals that happen with no planning.  I have not tried the Hemorrhoid cream, but think it would be a great product to add to a hospital suitcase before having a baby. I checked out the cream on EWG skin deep database and it’s included in the top 10 creams out there for hemorrhoids. Anyone that’s had a baby knows that hemorrhoids are unavoidable and how great is it to have an all-natural, plant-based solution for your body?

My review of Thera Wise is concentrated on the SHO – Skin Healing Ointment cream. I recently had the opportunity to actually need a cream like this and have been recommending it to friends with children suffering from open cuts/inflammation from eczema outbreaks. It has literally been close to 2 years since my Isabella had bleeding or infection with an eczema outbreak – but very recently that happened. She had a patch of really dry skin that spread from her cheek to behind her ear and it cracked and caused a deep cut. I tried using my usual moisturizing cream, but I needed something with healing properties.  I applied the Thera Wise cream and the cut became better after a few treatments. I found the Skin Healing Ointment very effective and was relieved to have something that could help Isabella that was plant-based and natural! The Skin Healing Thera Wise cream would not be a replacement for me as a daily moisturizer, but was great with treating the open sore caused by skin irritation.

Another Thera Wise product that I think is a wonderful natural replacement to a traditional treatment applied to children (and adults) is the VpR Decongestant Rub.  Because it’s made with botanical extracts it’s a great replacement for vapour rubs to provide relief for a chest cold. This product has an amazing rating of 1 from EWG – this natural way to vaporize is a wonderful treatment for anyone that enjoys the relief of congestion that eucalyptus, white pine, peppermint and other plant based ingredients provide.

Also interesting, I just noticed on the Thera Wise site from a customer testimonial that the Skin Healing Ointment was used successfully on a wart.  I have a child with a wart on his toe so I’m testing this cream on him and will post if it works to remove his wart.  Because it is small and not bothering him, I would never go through applying acid or ‘burning’ it off his foot. The wonderful thing about a multi-functional cream like this is that it’s plant based and with no petroleum you can try it on many different skin inflammations and feel like you’re making a better choice than the cortisone creams or prescription medicines that your family doctor will readily prescribe.

Thera Wise provides a great suite of products for anyone looking for plant therapy ointments and I’m happy to add these ointments to my personal medicine kit for cuts, burns, or accidentals that you can’t plan for with kids. For a list of stores that sell Thera Wise ointments, click here.

Related Articles:

All-Natural Tips For Managing Childhood Eczema

Top Organic Sunscreens for 2010 & Tips For Purchasing

I was just typing ‘A Very Good Year’ into the subject of this post, but not every discovery uncovered at Mommy Footprint had a feel-good vibe. It’s been a full year of asking questions and getting answers that can sometimes be confusing and scary, but it’s all about parenting with our eyes wide open. The articles that did cause me to lose sleep at night were always about canvassing for my children’s health. An understanding that actually causes me to have small breathing attacks in dollar stores where I can only smell plastic and over thinking everything I buy to the point of being ridiculous at times. Once you gain the understanding that anything that is truly harmful to the environment because it’s toxic or can’t be recycled is actually toxic to human health – you’ll have an awakening that is hard to ignore when you head out to shop, plan events, or bring products into your home.

For those that have read and supported Mommy Footprint over the last year, I’d like to thank you for your comments and support with the topics I discuss and write about. For Mommy Footprint newbies, I thought I’d link to a few articles I’m especially proud of from 2009 and I hope you gain some insight to the type of material I’m passionate writing about. I have a line-up of stories for 2010 that are so exciting and will really interest parents on a path to remove toxins from their lives.  Stay tuned and Happy New Year!

Such a scary title, but the fact remains that women especially are putting hundreds of chemicals on their face everyday. Read and learn how more about the price of beauty.
Are Cosmetics Killing Us?

An article I’ve had to re-read of late. Get outside and enjoy nature with your children….it is so healthy for them and you! Nothing like a big dose of mother nature to help you feel re-connected with your children and family.
Resources to Get Parents and Children Outside Enjoying Nature

Are you a mommy to boys? Doesn’t matter the age of your sons – this is a must read documentary. I know business owners that started a new career after watching this video. It’s well worth the 40 minutes and you will learn a lot about the human health of boys.
Part I
Part II

Want to have an epiphany of sorts? Wrap your mind around the fact that most toys produced at the big box stores are toxic for the environment and human health. It’s a big buzz kill for parents that love their toxic toys.
What You Don’t Know About Plastic Toys Made From PVC

Have women in your life you care about? Forward them this link because they might be putting chlorine bleached tampons or sanitary napkins in the last place you really want this chemical.
Dioxins – The Last Place You Want Them

Sorry BPA, you are sooo 2008/09! Move over because there is a more dangerous offender in town – PVC. Find out here where it lurks in your everyday life.
PVC Items In Your Every-Day Life

Cleaner is not always better. Have we gotten to this point in our society that we have removed our ability to fight super bugs because of our addiction to antibacterial products?
Antibacterial Products Heading back-to-school

It’s that time of year – winter weather has arrived and if your child has a skin condition, they are probably feeling a flare-up of some kind. Here is an all-natural cocktail of sorts that has kept my Isabella’s eczema at bay for several years.
All-natural Tips For Managing Childhood Eczema

Google or learn about flame retardants and as a parent you will be concerned. A toxin that is highly carcinogenic – you would want to keep this chemical away from children! Well think about the fact that if your child is sleeping in polyester fabric, they are brushing up against flame retardants all night. This chemical is woven into the fibres of polyester, which made me sick because a lot of my kid’s PJs are made from this material. Always go 100% cotton for sleepwear.
Polyester PJs and Flame Retardants

One of the harder decisions for parents this year was if they should vaccinate for H1N1. Why a tough decision? Parents just don’t trust what they are told by doctors or the government and most people I know really struggled with the question.
H1N1 – What WIll You Do?

Shocking to learn that a big name like Target was selling onesie sleepers and the tagless label within the sleeper contained three times the legal limit for lead content. The reaction caused chemical burn-type marks on many children.
Skin Reaction To Tagless Labels

Have little girls and are looking to remove plastic products that eventually always get rubbed or mouthed like dolls or plastic food? I found two mamas that are blazing a trail with hand crafted magic that put the Christmas spirit back into my heart this year.
Plastic Alternatives For Girly Fun Christmas Morning

I personally vow to my readers that I will only write about products or companies that I support and believe in.  I do product reviews throughout the year, but I try to balance this with helpful information that I learn along the way about synthetic chemicals that affect your family’s health. See you in 2010!

Suzanne & Family

I’ve been asked my opinion from Mommy Footprint readers if I’m vaccinating my kids against H1N1. This post will not contain that answer because I haven’t made up my mind yet. I don’t like to make decisions based on fear. You can smell the fear that is running through parents and it’s the same fear I feel. Parents that have chosen to vaccinate themselves and their children have such a strong opinion on the whole issue for the same reason those against the vaccine are so passionate – everyone is really hoping for the best for their children. Each decision needs to be respected and of course nobody wants to make the wrong decision by vaccinating then finding out down the road there are potential problems. Likewise, how would you live with yourself if your child contracted H1N1 and became a statistic.

You only need to post a question on Twitter or Facebook to find out how people feel about H1N1 and the vaccine. Many discussions even become heated among ‘friends’ - I find it all very interesting and have frankly learned more through these comments than googling information. An example of this is a friend of mine threw out the question if parents should be held liable if they are sending sick kids to school and infect other children. Through this Facebook conversation I learned that Australia opted out using the H1N1 vaccine because they weren’t convinced that it was safe for young children. They went through their entire flu season without the vaccine relying on Tamiflu and quarantining people that were sick with flu like symptoms. It’s very interesting to learn what other countries are doing. I have found  Europe is much better with protecting it’s citizens with banning toxic chemicals earlier than North America and from what I could find on the Internet, they seem supportive of the vaccine.  This to me is a plus. For my non-Canadian readers, every media outlet in Canada from TV, to papers, to social media is ablaze with H1N1 reports and information….it’s way too much.  Everywhere you go people are talking about it - I’ve never experienced anything like it.  Even for me, it’s probably the 2nd question out of my mouth when talking with parents that I know and trust…I just can’t help but ask.

I’m aware that every Dr. you talk with is recommending the vaccine.  So why are parents resistant to something that will help protect children from this terrible flu?  Because in the last 3 years, parents have learned that they can’t trust anyone with parenting decisions because at every turn, we are being told that something is toxic..and those products are usually ones that have affected our fetus, new baby or child.  I’ve learned as a parent to 2nd, 3rd, guess everyone…even doctors and I know I’m not alone. Who do you believe and what is truly the right decision?   And who are the first people being recommended to receive this vaccine?  Pregnant woman and young children -this is simply not an ideal situation. Then you have ‘the face’ of heathcare, Dr. Oz,  (Oprah’s health advisor) state in an interview “everyone is encouraged to get the vaccine to stop the spread of H1N1″ then 2 minutes later says that his wife will not allow their 4 children to be vaccinated.  A little scary if he can’t make a compelling enough case to convince his wife to vaccinate!  I wonder if he realizes just how significant this remark actually was.

Think you are well informed about H1N1 and the vaccine?  If so, awesome and please post any helpful comments you might have. I’ve personally had a hard time wrapping my head around the facts and figures of the H1N1 info.  A few questions I have that I need answered before I make a decision are:

~ Does the H1N1 vaccine that is available in my community contain thimerosal, which is a mercury laden preservative? Aren’t pregnant woman supposed to avoid mercury with pregnancy?  They are the first people to be receiving the vaccine so although I’m not pregnant, I would like the answer to this question. Apparently thimerosal is added to the vaccine so it can be mass produced in larger batches?

~ Once you get H1N1, can you get it again?  If I don’t vaccinate this year, will I face this problem again next year at flu season?  If I do vaccinate this year, will this help me with future strains of the flu next year or am I back to square 1?

~ If I see the symptoms of H1N1 presenting with my family and I take Tamiflu, will this prevent me from getting H1N1 again this year?

You are welcome to post comments, questions, or concerns you might have to this article.

Oh I love this review. Another practical, but cute product was recently introduced to me and I’ve been testing them out for weeks with my kids.  Graze Organic is a new company from California that has put an original spin on reusable sandwich and snack bags.  They’ve created kid-friendly designs (that parents will love too) that are generous in size, made with a strong Velcro seal that should ensure food staying fresh.   My Graze Organic bags have saved me time, money, and gives me a great feeling since I’ve completely eliminated plastic wrap, plastic sandwich bags, and wax paper with getting snacks and lunch ready. These will be a staple with September quickly approaching with back-to-school lunch planning. The obvious use for the bags are for sandwiches but you can eliminate plastic bags and wrap if you start planning alternatives for cut veggies, fruit, and snacks.  The founders of Graze Organic have thought of everything with bags labeled ‘sandwich’, ‘fruit’, vegetables’, ‘snack’ and the favorite ‘surprise!’ My boys think the surprise bag is simply the best thing ever and always have high expectations when this bag is opened at lunch. Check out how fun these prints are! 

I laugh because I’m sure the founders of Graze Organic get asked on a regular basis ‘what are they lined with’?  Well folks ~ that is the point.  There is no lining because that would mean something synthetic is touching your child’s food. These bags are made from 100% organic cotton and they go a step further with printing the illustrations by hand with silk-screen using water based inks. Graze Organic has also found a way to produce their product line with a local footprint – proudly made in the USA.

This September, when your kids are going back-to-school, think about supporting and teaching them ‘litterless’ lunch habits, but also protect them from soft plastic wrap that contains PVC, plasticizers, and chemicals.  There is no longer any excuse to not reuse lunchtime containers. The co-founder Leslie, was lovely enough to walk me through the washing instructions so I can reiterate how easy caring for these bags really is. Only if the bags get really messy (jam sandwich, etc.) the bags should be turned inside out to machine wash. If there are only a few crumbs, just knock those out and machine or hand wash right-side out.  They can be thrown in with Jeans, towels, and other light weight fabrics.  Hey – even I can handle that and I appreciate another avenue to wash lunch time products since my dishwasher is always packed with stainless steel containers and water bottles. I also measured the bags before and after I washed them for the first time – almost no shrinkage which is awesome news for the roomy sandwich bags!

Also, thank you to Heather and Leslie for offering a set of 3 snack/sandwich bags for a back-to-school contest at Mommy Footprint.  They will ship the winner a set of 3 sandwich, veggie & snack or surprise bags. These reusable bags are a wonderful prize for any parent sourcing back-to-school lunch items.  Click on this link and complete the Referral Form to be entered to win. Contest closes August 28/09.

http://mommyfootprint.com/mommyfootprint-referral-form/

We’ve been back at home for a full week and I’m still enjoying the relaxation my spirit and body desperately needed and received from our Parksville vacation.  We kept very busy with the kids for the first half of our trip, but thanks to the family friendly amenities offered from the Tigh-Na-Mara resort, we spent most of the second half of our trip relaxing and spending time with our kids. 

Saving the best for last, Ray and I enjoyed an evening of pampering from the Grotto Spato celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary on July 17th. Thanks to the babysitting services offered from the Tigh-Na-Mara, we skipped away to enjoy 4 hours of heavenly relaxation at the Grotto Spa and Treetop Tapas & Grill. We were supplied with 2 babysitters that our children were already comfortable with because of getting to know them earlier in the week during activities like “kids club” & “dinner and a movie”.  It was just so lovely to leave our bungalow without any kids upset because they were already engaged by Kelly and Leah. As a mom – getting to enjoy my massage and time alone with Ray, knowing our kids were happy, content and well taken care of was wonderful. I was so incredibly relaxed after my massage, I couldn’t even remember I was a mother of 4 <grin>.  We had no idea Grotto Spa was one of the top spa facilities in Western Canada when we booked our vacation.  It was an absolutely wonderful and magical discovery once we walked through the doors.

We were delighted with the 5 star level of pampering we received at Grotto Spaand like the rest of the Tigh-Na-Mara resort, the customer service was simply amazing.  My hour long massage flew by because I was chatting with my Spa angel who was an Island local. It was so good to chat with someone who has lived their whole life on Vancouver Island. The business model of sourcing and supporting everything local is well demonstrated throughout the Tigh-Na-Mara and Spa. The Grotto Spa features an amazing organic seaweed skin line made by an Island local.  The Tigh-Na-Mara gift shop is also loaded with local artisans, soaps and bath balms made by a local Sydney company, and candles from Granville Island. Even the art work on display throughout the Spa is locally crafted wood burl art and it’s a special detail that I noticed right away.

Back to our spa escape…. I enjoyed my 60 minute massage, then met Ray in the mineral pool where we spent the next 45 minutes de-toxing in the 2,500 square foot mineral pool, having fun moving between the ‘cool splash cascading waterfall’  and whirlpool in between mineral pool treatments. From there, still in our bath robes, we took the elevator up to the 3rd floor and enjoyed a bottle of wine and endless tapas at the Treetop Tapas & Grill. Our server Richard, was extremely friendly, efficient and knowledgeable about the 20+ different plates of tapas that were brought to our table (our favorites being the cod with shitakee mushroom and the prawn and scallop dish).  We managed to work our way through the entire menu…plus some, finished our bottle of wine, toasted our 10 years together, and mused about the old days as we held hands across the table. We couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate our anniversary, just the two of us…thank you “Grotto Spa”…we’ll be back.

When we got back to the bungalow, we were greeted with hugs and kisses and heard about the great time our kids had thanks to Leah and Kelly. The kids couldn’t wait to tell us about their evening. They ate pizza, read books, went on a nature walk and had fun at the playground…sounds like they had almost as much fun as we did. What a way to spend our final day in paradise. It couldn’t have gone better.

I also wanted to mention how Eco-minded the resort is. I can’t help but notice this aspect of a company and the Tigh-Na-Mara is leading the way in all regards. I’ve mentioned their local footprint, but they also offer guests recycling amenities, have greened up their off-site events ~ when dishes cannot be used they use earth-friendly tableware, they don’t use paper towels in the Spa or restaurant bathrooms (cloth towels are washed and reused) and green cleaning supplies for each cabin are on-route to the resort. There are also ‘protected’ arbutus trees that bend and reach into the beautiful Island skies ~ the resort is very respectful of even pruning these beautiful protected trees. End-to-end this resort has it all with family, child, and earth friendly services and attention to details that brought on the WOW factor to guests looking for a resort dedicated to keeping their guests happy and returning year after year.

Ray and I would like to thank all the great staff at the Tigh-Na-Mara resort for making our stay an extremely memorable and enjoyable one. We would especially like to thank Kelly, the marketing coordinator for all her special attention and commitment to ensuring that our stay was top notch. Mission accomplished Kelly.  We can’t wait to return next year – all 4 kids are already asking when are we going back!

Family rating - Parksville and Tigh-Na-Mara get a unanimous 12 thumbs up.