My husband once told me that if you stumped your toe that everyone in my family would come running with a band-aid. He’s right and that’s what I love about the massive horde of people that I call my family. (Seriously we’re huge, think My Big Fat Greek Wedding minus the Greek) This week has been no exception as one of us is going through their own war. No matter how close or far away you are to that person you still get your guns out and fight it with them because you are apart of the same cloth. So, I sit here after a long and trying day to ignore a heavy heart and the thought of the days and weeks to come. In doing so…

I hear the laughter of a beautiful, strong and loved man while he bathes his daughter,

I smell a venison roast roasting in garlic, wine and stock in the cold night,

I taste a smooth glass of red wine calming my nerves,

I feel the most precious lips of a two year old kissing my cheek goodnight,

and I ask myself, “how did I ever get so lucky to be blessed with this life?”

courtesy Rebecca McCoy Photography

Did you know that only 8% of sunscreens are recommended by the Environmental Working Group? Scary. With our market filled with chemical based sunscreens that disrupt our body’s hormone systems what other choice do we have? Fortunately, there are some companies trying to provide us with a safe alternative to protecting our precious skin. Marie Veronique Organics is one of them and has recently created Kid Safe Screen, a safe chemical free SPF 25+ broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection sunscreen.

I was excited when Marie Veronique Organics asked me to review this product. I have been looking all summer for a safe harmful chemical free sunscreen for my family. Just in time for our Colorado vacation, I took Kid Safe Screen with us to help us fight the rays as were played in the sun. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed in the result. The directions state to shake well and reapply after 2 hours of swimming, perspiring, or towel drying. After a 1.30 hour hike, Tim and I of course were a little sweaty but Mia was on her dad’s back and didn’t even break a sweat. The hike was partly shaded with breaks of sun filled fields. When we took our first break at 45 minutes I was shocked when I looked at Tim and Mia’s red faces. We all reapplied and finished the rest of our hike. When we returned to our condo we were all sun-burnt and pasty white from the numerous applications, a weird combo. Granted we were in the mountains but I never expected to be burnt after 2 applications within 2 hours and hiking in the shaded forest.

Displeased but understanding that we were in the mountains at a higher elevation closer to the sun at the time , I tried it again back home. The results were fair. We spent about 2 hours outside playing in the backyard. I did not see that Mia was burnt but with one regular application she was very pasty from the sunscreen. Although she was not burnt this time the sunscreen did not absorb on her or I and we walked around the rest of the day looking like ghosts. A sharp contrast from what the websites states, “Absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy or ghostly white film.”

Unfortunately, Kid Safe Sun Screen by Marie Veronique Organics is not for my family. I really do believe in the company and what they are trying to do. They are a wonderful company that operates sustainably, make their products using organic and/or locally grown products when possible and use biodegradable products, labels, and easily recyclable packaging. They also donate  10% of company profits to The Acumen Fund, a non-profit dedicated to creating better opportunities for women and children in Third World countries. Such a  beautiful company but their Kid Safe Sun Screen just was not for us.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free for review purposes from Marie Veronique Organics I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255