The Opinionated Parent   August 2008 I have admitted here many times that I’m a snob. A blanket snob, a toy snob, a clothing snob…and yes, a butt cream snob. If it’s toxic, it’s sure as heck not getting rubbed on the nether regions my babies. I’ve tried many creams over the past few years (organic, natch) and they’ve all been satisfactory enough, but the Bottom Balm from Lalabee Baby Bathworks surpasses even my expectations. It clears up diaper rash in a flash (seriously, I’m talking an hour) and there’s nothing in it to irritate baby’s tender skin. Applying it feels like a strange cross between unsalted butter (but not greasy…is that possible?) and really thick olive oil. There’s no resistance and it makes my baby smile even when her little butt is at it’s most tender. The entire Lalabee line is handcrafted in small batches using certified organic and natural ingredients in beautiful Kelowna, BC by mom Sara Johnson. There are no chemicals, preservatives or dyes in any of the Lalabee products and they use only edible ingredients purchased from local suppliers where possible. All of the Lalabee containers are reusable or recyclable and the tins are food grade - no plastic to be found. Check out the rest of the baby line and the mama line too. A portion of sales is donated to buy Heifer International Honeybees. Canadian, mom-run, organic, green, and helping the less fortunate? You’ve gotta love that.

Shared Vision   January 2008 What do you do when a product you want doesn’t exist? Well, if you’re Lalabee Bathworks’ Sara Johnson, you simply make it yourself. While pregnant with her daughter, Johnson searched high and low for baby skin care products without chemicals, dyes, petroleum, or preservatives, but came up woefully short. So she started hand-crafting her own line of skin-soothing products made from natural, organic, and local ingredients like beeswax, lavender flowers, and olive oil. From the bottom balm made especially for newborns (it clears up diaper rash in a flash and is one of the company’s most popular products) to milk baths and a body balm for fussy sleepers, Lalabee Bathworks has got your baby covered without breaking the bank. Bonus: all the containers are recyclable.