Review and Giveaway: EcoMom CLOSED

Thank you to EcoMom for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Our babies enter this world perfect and pure. But it sure is hard keeping them that way. With all the chemicals and artificial ingredients floating around in what appear to be harmless baby products, it is difficult for even the most discernible parent to know what is truly safe. But one company I can trust to be on my side is EcoMom.

EcoMom.com is dedicated to providing simple, safe, smart solutions that encourage women and their families to take their first steps toward a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. EcoMom does all the research and product testing so we don't have to! Everything they offer is evaluated and approved based on a set of rigorous standards set forth by Healthy Child, Healthy World - with the goal to help make the world a better place.

EcoMom products must not:

• be chronically toxic, carcinogenic, reproductively toxic, endocrine-disrupting, neurotoxic or teratogenic
• contain toxic dyes
• contain health compromising chemicals such as polyurethane, phosphates, chlorine, petrochemical fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde, dioxins, etc.
• contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, propylene glycol or other synthetic preservatives
• contain PVC
• contain bisphenol-A (BPA)
• contain heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cobalt, chromium, nickel, arsenic or cadmium
• be tested on animals
• contain genetically-modified organisms (GMOs)

From bedding, books and bubble bath to organic food and fashion, you'll find eco-friendly baby and toddler products from dependable brands like Green Toys, Sweet Knee, Plum Organics, Earth Mama Angel Baby, Kate Quinn Organics and more.

Intimidated by the high price" of "going green"? Well, EcoMom is making the choice easier and more affordable with their innovative EcoPass program. For just $99/year, you'll receive a 15% discount on every single order, as well as free shipping - no $75 minimum! At just $8.25/month, EcoPass pays for itself in as little as four orders! This is an especially great option for parents-to-be who need to stock up on baby essentials or for parents of infants who place monthly solid food orders.

I've been fortunate enough to test drive several products courtesy of EcoMom in the past. Most recently, we were able to review the Eco-Kids Gluten-Free Fingerpaint Tube (ARV $33). Made right here in the USA, these paints are made with all-natural ingredients including fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from beets, spinach, paprika, carrots, purple sweet potato, red cabbage, blueberries and tomatoes. One tube contains six 3 oz. containers of gluten, dairy and soy-free paint - perfect for little ones with allergies! The packaging is made from post-consumer waste and the paint containers are made of 100% cornstarch, for the ultimate in eco-consciousness.

Nate loves art (drawing, modeling, etc.) so I had a feeling he would love to fingerpaint. But since he hasn't outgrown his oral phase, the last thing I wanted was for him to ingest paint that is made of who-knows-what. Eco-Kids relieves my worries completely. While Nate has not shown evidence of any food allergies, I like knowing that these paints are safe for any child who may come over and play.

The paint comes in a powder form, which makes it easy to customize the consistency. Just add more or less water to achieve your desired texture. The smell was great - no funky fumes. The colors were rich but turned more pastel when we placed it on the canvas. Nate was hesitant to dip his fingers in at first but after Mommy took the lead, he painted for over a half an hour, both with his fingers and a brush.

I did find that I had to keep adding water so the paint would stay smooth and not glob up. And I was a little disappointed that the dry, finished product flakes off a bit if you run your hand over it. But since I plan to hang it high on the wall, I'm hoping it stands the test of time. We haven't yet tried the paint on watercolor paper. Perhaps that will work out better.

But it's awfully cute, right?! I call his first masterpiece "Walk in the Park". I see the sun shining down on a tree and a fountain with grass and a park bench. I think I have a little Picasso on my hands! What do you say?

Overall, I am happy with the Eco-Kids fingerpaint. Nate enjoys it and I pink puffy heart that it is safe and natural. But I do wish it were smoother and more vibrant on media.

BUY IT: You can purchase the Eco-Kids Fingerpaint (both Regular or Gluten-Free) or check more eco-friendly goods at www.ecomom.com. Don't forget to check out their Daily Deal every Mon-Fri at 10:30am PST - where you can score items at irresistible prices, but only while they last!

DELICIOUS DISCOUNT: Use the exclusive promo code "SBBL021" to receive 15% off your first order (good through August 31, 3010)!

WIN IT: EcoMom is generously giving one lucky reader a $15 gift certificate!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit EcoMom and tell me how you'd spend your gift certificate. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and EcoMom on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Goodie Goodie Gumdrops: Win a $15 GC to @EcoMomCEO from @kris10chumley! Ends 8/24 http://bit.ly/cFTlyT

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of EcoMom on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Join the EcoMom newsletter and leave a comment with the email you used. (1 entry)

6.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

7.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 24, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received the Eco-Kids Gluten Free Fingerpaint Tube free of charge from Jody at EcoMom to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.