The Honest Company, is it for you? **Updated with GOOD NEWS**

So a couple of weeks ago I ordered 2 of the 3 trials packages through The Honesty Company. 

For only $5.95 each - why not? 

First of all when you sign up you are actually signing up for a monthly commitment as well. You can cancel at any time so all you need to do is cancel your account once you receive your trial packages, no questions asked. 

(Just don't forget to cancel it) 

Essentials Trial Pack. 

Honest Healing Balm - No scent but to me it smells like oatmea.

Multi-surface cleaner- White grapefruit scent

Hand Soap - Organic lemongrass

Face & Body lotion - No scent. 

Shampoo & body wash - Orange & Vanilla scent  

Diaper & Wipes Trial Pack

7 Size 6 diapers

Package of 10 diaper wipes 

Review: 

The scents of the items in the Essentials Trial Pack are nice and not over powering or medicinal smelling like some eco friendly, natural, organic products can smell like. 

The lotion and the healing balm also work very well and it is nice because neither of them are greasy once applied. 

I LOVED THE DIAPERS. I tested these diapers at various times and they have held up amazingly. 

Sophie sleeps through the night and has been know to wet through a diaper, she is also known for having poonomi's and these diapers have held up beautifully. They also come in thee cutest prints ever and are also available in training pants as well as swim diapers.  The wipes are durable and scent free which is nice for people with allergies. 

Another great thing is that a lot of the products have an great score for the ingredients on the Skin Deep website. Which shows that they are living up to their natural ingredients commitments. 

Now lets get to the bad news 
(No longer bad news...just aww we have to wait news)  
Target has made the announcement that on June 15th they will start selling some of The Honest Company items in their stores. 
This is for the Target stores in the US ONLY. 

According to the Target Baby Facebook page, come this fall The Honest Company will be offering their product through Target Canada.. woot woot. 

So would I commit to a monthly delivery of these as well. Nope. With the Essential Trial pack they are awesome but for price I could get something more affordable for the same amount of eco friendliness here in Edmonton, the same goes for the diapers. Unfortunately shipping sucks so anything coming from them to Canada has a 25% border fee added to the price. For the diapers this makes it roughly a little over .80 cents a diaper. Add in a fluctuating Canadian dollar, price is the definite deciding factor. 

Should shipping ever become not so expensive (I can wish right?!?) or if it becomes available at a Canadian retailer, hold on cause I will be the first one in line. (Now I will be..;) ) 

Still want to look into it The Honest Company? Go to The Honest Company website and sign up the the Trial Packs.   

Cinnamon Raisin Bagels - Make these at home

One thing thing I love to do with my son Carter is to bake with him. 
Both of my kids love bagels so much that given the option between a doughnut at Tim's or a bagel the bagel wins! 
This recipe is easy, the ingredients are simple and it is easy to modify this recipe should you want to make a gluten free option (or any other option for that matter) 

The ingredients you will need:

• 1 1/2 cups of warm water
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp dry active yeast (this is equivalent to one small package) 
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil 
• 1 tsp salt *optional 
• 4 - 5 cups whole wheat flour. I use Superstore Organics Multigran all purpose flour 
• 1 1/2  cups of raisins (This can be altereted to your preference) 
• 3 tbsp of cinnamon 
• Large pot of water
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp of baking soda

 Directions:
1. Add the warm water, 1 tbsp brown sugar and yeast to a large bowl or stand mixer. Let ingredients sit until the mixture is frothy.
2. Add the coconut oil and optional salt - mix together. 
3. Add the flour cup by cup until the mixture forms a ball.                                      *Dough should be smooth, not sticky and elastic but not too soft. The dough should be firmer**

4. Form into a ball and place in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rest in a warm place until doubled. (I let sit for 15 minutes) 

5. Preheat oven to 450F.
6. Punch down the dough and divide into pieces. This recipe will make 8 regular size bagels, however divide them into small pieces. 
7. Form the pieces into balls pulling the dough tightly around and pinching it at the bottom to seal. Let rest 2 minutes then form into bagels by poking your thumb through the middle and using your fingers to stretch out the hole in the middle to approximately 2 inches in diameter.                                                                    

**The hole in the middle needs to be at least 2 inches in diameter as the bagels will still expand**

8. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. While those are resting boil the pot of water and add the tbsp of brown sugar. When the bagels are ready to be boiled add the tsp of baking soda to the pot of boiling water. Add the bagels to the water in batches. Boil for 30 seconds then flip and boil for 30 seconds more. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with desired toppings. (I sprinkled a little more cinnamon on the top) 
9. Place in oven and immediately turn the oven down to 425F. Bake for 17-20 minutes. Flipping them over for the last minute of baking.
10. Enjoy fresh out of the oven.          

These bagels freeze very well and are easy to pull out of the freezer for a quick snack or meal. 

Different options of flavours for these bagels 

• Regular bagels to make pizza bagels. 
• Regular bagels to eat with locks & cream cheese.
• Add poppy seeds
• Add dry fruit such as blueberries 
• Mixing in an italian mix or onion mix

**This recipe works best making just one kind of bagel at once so that flavours don't mix with other flavours**

I would love to hear your successes with this recipe! 

Happy bagel making :)