Non-Toxic Beauty! Come Learn With Us!

Come join the northern VA chapter of the Holistic Moms Network for "Non-Toxic Beauty" on Tuesday, November 2, from 6:30-8:30pm. We’ll welcome guest speaker Julie Smallfelt of the Comfort and Joy Wellness Spa in Fairfax Virginia. She will discuss selecting personal care products with effectiveness and healthy ingredients in mind. If you are confused, concerned, or curious about the product labels, ingredients, and chemicals in your makeup, hair products, and lotions this is for you! This discussion will focus on the most common personal care product ingredients and some substitutes that can be used that do not contain potentially negative ingredients. Bring two of your favorite products to compare ingredients.

Whether you are able to attend or not, here are some great resources from Julie:
- Not Just a Pretty Face, The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry, by Stacy Malkan (see www.notjustaprettyface.org has more information about the ingredients in personal care products as well

Children and other family members are welcome.

We meet at the Fairfax Church of Christ* 3901 Rugby Road Fairfax, Virginia 22033
*Holistic Moms is not affiliated with any church/religious group. We gratefully acknowledge FXCC's donation of meeting space to our group.
Directions: http://www.fxcc.org/index.php/Parking/where-we-are.htmlPARKING: Please follow the signs into the church parking lot and around the back of the building to the "member parking." (NOT in the front labeled "visitor parking.") You can only enter the building at the door that has a sign that says Office/Stepping Stones. We meet upstairs in the large meeting room. Please follow the HMN signs to the room via elevator or stairs.

Monthly meetings are open to members and first time visitors. If you have visited us previously and this topic is appealing to you, please consider becoming a member! Your membership dues help pay for the events we hold. Our member only events include journal club, playgroups, outings, and preschool coop. We have recently added a knitting group and sewing group, and are always open to new ideas and events!

We hope to see you there!
Alexa Hutchins & Laurie Cunningham
Northern Virginia Chapter Co-Leaders, Holistic Moms Network

Come and Get 'Em!! Fair Trade, Gluten Free, Vegan, Organic Dark Chocolates!

There are so many small steps we can each take to "Green" our Halloween. Give something to your trick-or-treaters that shows you care about what kids eat and our planet - buy some delicious, organic, fair-trade dark chocolates!

HMN of NOVA is selling Dark Chocolate "Minis" from Equal Exchange, a company who:
*empowers farmers and consumers
*supports small farmer co-ops
*uses sustainable farming methods
*provides high-quality organics
For more information on Equal Exchange, visit http://www.equalexchange.coop/

Join us in creating stronger local communities, a more just food system and a healthier planet by making responsible food purchases.

We have bags of 25 individually wrapped organic, fair trade, gluten-free, vegan, mini dark chocolate bars (.16 oz each). Buy more and save:
1 bag for $7
2 bags for $12
4 bags for $20
Cash or check payment due at the time of delivery. Proceeds will support the Northern Virginia chapter of the Holistic Moms Network.

Chocolates will be available at the October 5th meeting at Fairfax Church of Christ and then at all official HMN gatherings until they are gone. Get yours early before they run out! Any questions, please let us know!

Acupuncture

A huge thanks to Gary Kaplan for giving an informative talk at our June meeting.

For more info visit: http://kaplanclinic.com/

Ahhh...Relaxing!

The Mother's Day Spa pampering night was a smashing success! Laurie did an incredible amount of work for it and it showed. Everyone had a great time enjoying tasty food and drinks, enjoying sessions with wonderful practitioners, and taking home a lovely cloth tote full of great free samples. We are already planning for next year! :)

A huge thank you to all the practitioners who participated in the event!

For a few more pics, click HERE.

Coming Soon...The SPA!!!!

It's almost here...one more week until the 2nd Annual Mother's Day Spa!

We have a line up of wonderful local practitioners to provide mini sessions of massage, Reiki, Feldenkreis, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), yoga, facials, makeovers...the list goes on! We will have local herbal teas, a wonderful informational area about non-toxic nail treatments, and samples of local and natural products. What better way to give back to a group of beautiful women who deserve to be cared for as they care for others every day?

Tuesday, May 4th from 6:30-8:30 pm, join us to relax and rejuvenate! We will be at our regular location - please see that information to the right. This evening will be babes in arms only. Please use this opportunity to truly relax and have a partner, spouse or friend care for you children while you enjoy your time with us.

This event is FREE for members. A five dollar tax deductible donation is suggested for non-members. Please sign up now through the local Yahoo group for treatments if you are a member. Non-members will be able to sign up for treatments at 6:15pm on the evening of the spa. We look forward to seeing you there!

TWO years of HMN of NOVA

I can't believe it has really been 2 years since we started this chapter, but here we are! We have made so many wonderful friends and formed such a supportive community. Thanks to all who have been a part of it so far! As always, keep suggestions and ideas coming as this is YOUR chapter. We had a lovely time celebrating this milestone with many old and new friends.

The grandparent contingent

Great food from Nood Food Cafe

Some of the daddies

Leaders and 2nd babies (our first babies were 6 months when we opened the chapter!)

Two years--already?!

Two years of HMN – Where Are We Going?

Come on and join us in planning our next adventures!

Bring your family, ideas, creativity, energy, and help us plan the

future of our chapter.

Celebrate two years with the NoVA Holistic Moms Network on Tuesday April 6th.

Come join us from 6:30-8:30pm to learn and share.