tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90566602680357479672024-03-12T15:03:33.088-07:00BUBBLE AND BEEAfter Stephanie Greenwood was diagnosed with adenomyosis she learned that the thousands of chemicals around her in personal care products like parabens and phthalates, could be to blame. When none of the alternative products lived up to her standards of purity, she decided to make her own products using simple, organic ingredients. What started as a simple table at a farmer's market to a company that's now well-known and established in the organic community.Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-4762417434858767972017-06-09T12:46:00.000-07:002017-11-08T08:59:07.355-08:00USDA Uncovers More Organic FraudLast month we <a href="http://mailchi.mp/bubbleandbee/organic-fraud" target="_blank">reported</a> that our organic certificate had been taken from our website, photoshopped, and used in the creation of a fraudulent organic certificate.<br />
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<img data-file-id="1129881" height="376" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6a5921d5b7fc6fe23d1075dd1/images/d2df6765-f5ba-401e-87ba-32ffdac90cf0.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 376px; margin: 0px; outline: none; width: 600px;" width="600" /><br />
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At the time, the USDA had uncovered several other fraudulent certificates.<br />
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Other companies reported on the USDA website include a farm in Mexico selling watermelon and tamarind, a company out of Mexico selling eggs and lemon, a company out of China selling sandalwood essential oil, a tea producer out of Colorado, and a processor out of India. (Details <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/enforcement/organic/fraudulent-certificates" target="_blank">here</a> on the USDA website.)<br />
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If you haven't already, check out my article over on Grounded Organic on <a href="http://www.groundedorganic.com/spot-organic-fraud/" target="_blank">how to spot organic fraud</a>.Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-25858715407342694682017-01-07T09:26:00.002-08:002017-01-07T12:20:32.238-08:00Does Castor Oil Really Work to Re-Grow Hair?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6J2joqZ1ccYsQNGZ7pYp1A2TybXwL6nDg2nYGZ-xhX_EO7DEDuQx6NDPL2c1ntcJwDXAwXMp57wmuhb99xmbTmrpT4Ldpo38ezvj6JY3NrepQ9qV3Cy5Wi1VC6vodt77OR74Z8VvoqzY/s1600/iStock-542794272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6J2joqZ1ccYsQNGZ7pYp1A2TybXwL6nDg2nYGZ-xhX_EO7DEDuQx6NDPL2c1ntcJwDXAwXMp57wmuhb99xmbTmrpT4Ldpo38ezvj6JY3NrepQ9qV3Cy5Wi1VC6vodt77OR74Z8VvoqzY/s320/iStock-542794272.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You may have read online that castor oil can be used to re-grow thinning hair, patchy eyebrows, or sparse eyelashes. But is there any science behind this popular internet claim?<br />
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To find out, I started with a search of the National Library of Medicine (Pubmed)--a database of all published studies on substances synthetic and natural alike. Castor oil has been used for many years to help ease osteoarthritis, and there is a limited body of <a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/castor-oil-safe-and-effective-treatment-patients-wtih-osteoarthritis" target="_blank">evidence</a> confirming this practice. However, searching for any articles regarding its ability to re-grow hair came up empty.<br />
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After searching many variations of "castor oil" and "hair," through Pubmed and continuing to find no results, I took to the general internet and found <a href="http://www.nicehair.org/castor-oil-catalyst-hair-growth/" target="_blank">this article</a>. It says the science behind castor oil's ability to re-grow hair is such:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Accounting for more than 90% of castor oil’s constitution, ricinoleic acid is the single largest component, is mono-unsaturated and features 18 carbons. What renders it different is that its 12th carbon comprises of a hydroxyl functional group. It is courtesy of this structure of ricinoleic acid that castor oil derives its polar nature and hence is chemically more nourishing for the scalp. </i></blockquote>
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<i>Hair growth is spurred by a lipid compound named Prostaglandin (PGE2) and it could be best described as a catalyst. While its presence in high concentration promotes growth of hair, its depletion causes hair loss and eventually leads to baldness. Castor oil’s principle component – ricinoleic acid – has been scientifically proven to stimulate the production of Prostaglandin (PGE2) when applied to the scalp. Enhanced production of this lipid, particularly in bald spots, enriches hair follicles and encourages regeneration of hair.</i></blockquote>
It sounds legitimate--there are chemical names and diagrams, and even sources cited. But the science behind the claims have been misinterpreted in more ways than one.<br />
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Yes, the fatty acids in castor oil are primarily ricinoleic acid. However, oils don't just contain free fatty acids. In castor oil, the fatty acids are arranged in to molecules called triglycerides: three fatty acids held together by a glycerol group. (Aka glycerin.) So, while castor oil can easily be broken down to <i>extract</i> ricinoleic acid, castor oil in its raw state doesn't contain free ricinoleic acid. Putting castor oil on your skin and hoping it will affect your prostaglandins is like putting a bottle of Aspirin on your head and hoping it will get rid of your headache. Essentially, the ricinoleic acid is still in its "wrapper" in castor oil.<br />
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I did find <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22615395" target="_blank">one study</a> that shows how ricinoleic acid can affect prostaglandins, however, it was when taken internally. The digestive system is able to break down the castor oil and turn it in to free ricinoleic acid, which can interact with prostaglandin receptors and create a laxative effect and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11263183" target="_blank">potentially</a> be used to induce labor. Prostaglandins do have some kind of mechanism in the hair follicle, however, their <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17697149" target="_blank">function continues to be unclear</a>. And the effects of putting ricinoleic acid on hair is also unclear.<br />
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Castor oil is a safe ingredients to use, and I am sure that there are reports that it appears to have helped re-grow hair for some people. However, there is no science to back these claims.<br />
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What about you? Have you tried castor oil to spur hair growth? What were your results?<br />
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<b>Related material:</b><br />
<a href="http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/qa/2009/8/14/castor-oil.html" target="_blank">The downside to castor oil</a><br />
<a href="https://bubbleandbee.com/5-natural-remedies-for-hair-loss/" target="_blank">5 Natural Remedies for Hair Loss</a><br />
<br />Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-22347892245978921502015-12-26T14:33:00.001-08:002015-12-27T09:29:38.018-08:00Looking Back at 2015We've been busy little bees over the last year! We wanted to take a look back at what we've done over the last year and put together a few highlights in case you've missed them or you're a new follower.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January</b></span>--We chimed in on why the FDA crackdown on essential oil companies was <a href="http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-essential-oil-crackdown-is-good.html" target="_blank">actually a good thing</a>, and questioned a <a href="http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2015/1/27/another-impossible-ingredients-list.html" target="_blank">dubious ingredients list</a> of a popular "natural" cleaning product.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>February</b></span>--We <a href="http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2015/2/8/childrens-line-impossible-ingredients.html" target="_blank">exposed a children's bubble bath</a> with a mysterious ingredients list and launched our hugely popular <a href="http://bubbleandbee.com/almond-coconut-pit-putty-organic-deodorant-cream/" target="_blank">Almond Coconut Pit Putty Deodorants. </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>March</b></span>--We noted how an antioxidant facial care product could actually be <a href="http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/2015/03/is-your-vitamin-c-serum-harming-your.html" target="_blank">damaging your skin</a> <span style="text-align: center;">and launched another amazing Pit Putty Scent--<a href="http://bubbleandbee.com/organic-spring-lilac-pit-putty-deodorant/" target="_blank">Spring Lilac</a>!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWk9EfivlNnXy3GztsLcAlnBzVLvoyTMXpH6PvpFboYmQg1Wf_En98goSedP3mWEJ3Z9hQhZrQWEkQcGbbE4BPrtDOdCM_8PMMG0NAnGFcHl3r5Wc565y2fvufuCIpQtVvup6t8dN-t0/s1600/pit-putty-jar-2-lilac-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWk9EfivlNnXy3GztsLcAlnBzVLvoyTMXpH6PvpFboYmQg1Wf_En98goSedP3mWEJ3Z9hQhZrQWEkQcGbbE4BPrtDOdCM_8PMMG0NAnGFcHl3r5Wc565y2fvufuCIpQtVvup6t8dN-t0/s200/pit-putty-jar-2-lilac-300.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>April</b></span>--We introduced Spring Lilac Body Butter and started talking requests for deodorants for sensitive skin. We also exposed how their could be <a href="http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/2015/04/are-there-nanoparticles-in-your-non.html" target="_blank">nanoparticles in your non-nano sunblock</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>May</b></span>--We <a href="http://bubbleandbee.com/hidden-ingredients-in-carthamus-tinctorius-safflower-oleosomes/" target="_blank">exposed a natural-sounding ingredient</a> for containing not-so-natural ingredients and talked about <a href="http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/2015/03/foods-for-protecting-your-skin.html" target="_blank">foods for protecting your skin</a> from the inside out.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>June</b></span>--We introduced our first test batch of new <a href="http://bubbleandbee.com/sensitive-skin-deodorants" target="_blank">"sensitive skin" deodorants.</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>July</b></span>--We added <a href="http://bubbleandbee.com/orange-vanilla-pit-putty-cream-sensitive/" target="_blank">Orange Vanilla</a> to our options of "sensitive skin" deodorants.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>August</b></span>--We talked about the <a href="http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/2015/08/what-does-science-say-about-oil-pulling.html" target="_blank">science behind the practice of oil pulling</a>, and detailed 5 natural remedies for hair loss.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>September</b></span> marked the return of <a href="http://bubbleandbee.com/organic-bar-soaps/" target="_blank">seasonal soap scents</a> and <a href="http://bubbleandbee.com/baked-apple-spice-salt-scrub-8-oz/" target="_blank">Baked Apple Spice Salt Scrub</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>October</b></span> we took on some "experts" about <a href="http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2015/10/19/antiperspirants-breast-cancer-just-an-internet-myth.html" target="_blank">breast cancer and aluminum</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>November</b></span> was our biggest month in Bubble & Bee history with our annual Big Sale and Black <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G_CiPlssxgAIfDxDMhDUADSwEzBIft0tT5HhsE_gxrsZikK2Ch_94sdA0UBTxXpG0Tdjxi69Ukw1lcbrArEoaSuWeC5uFxLeyGhVbteN0XyEKLAUjGXQUPph_7gSkEsbK4F5SvM8N-U/s1600/product+medley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G_CiPlssxgAIfDxDMhDUADSwEzBIft0tT5HhsE_gxrsZikK2Ch_94sdA0UBTxXpG0Tdjxi69Ukw1lcbrArEoaSuWeC5uFxLeyGhVbteN0XyEKLAUjGXQUPph_7gSkEsbK4F5SvM8N-U/s200/product+medley.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>
Friday/Cyber Monday Sale. We also hosted a $200 Sweepstakes and spread the "buzz" about Bubble & Bee.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>December</b></span>--We introduced <a href="http://bubbleandbee.com/new-organic-products/" target="_blank">three new products</a> for the season, talked about a hair loss controversy, and added <a href="http://bubbleandbee.com/almond-coconut-pit-putty-deodorant-sensitive/" target="_blank">Almond Coconut</a> to our options of "sensitive skin" deodorants.<br />
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Hey, we've done a lotta stuff over the last year! We have some exciting things we've been working on behind the scenes over the last year that we'll be rolling out in 2016. We thank everyone for following us in 2015--make sure you're signed up for our email updates so you can be first to know about new products and information. Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-88382400737138531902015-08-22T07:48:00.000-07:002015-08-22T09:35:07.951-07:00What Does Science Say About Oil Pulling?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Swishing a tablespoon of vegetable oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes to clean teeth--known as "oil pulling"--is the subject of many natural health blogs. It has been traditional practice for centuries in India where coconut or sesame oils have been used. But with all of its history and current popularity, is there actual science to back the reported benefits of oil pulling? Cleaning teeth is one thing, curing diseases as many claim it does, is another. <br />
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<h2>
The Science Behind Oil Pulling</h2>
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There are a number of studies that have shown the efficacy of oil pulling at cleaning teeth and improving oral health. <br />
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25838632" target="_blank">This 2015 study</a> found that oil pulling with coconut oil <b>decreased plaque formation and gingivitis</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25584309" target="_blank">This 2014 study</a> concluded that oil pulling was as effective as an antiseptic mouthwash in <b>decreasing bad breath. </b><br />
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21911944" target="_blank">This 2011 study</a> found that oil pulling <b>reduced bad breath and bacteria</b> as well as an antiseptic mouthwash.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21525674" target="_blank">This 2011 study</a> discovered that during oil pulling, the oil will break down and emulsify with saliva, thus accounting for some of its mechanical <b>cleaning action</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19336860" target="_blank">This 2009 study</a> found that oil pulling<b> improved gum health and reduced plaque in children</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18408265" target="_blank">This 2008 study</a> found that oil pulling <b>reduced cavity-causing bacteria. </b><br />
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Other Claims</h2>
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But, while the scientifically-backed benefits of oil pulling for oral health are clear, larger claims may not be. Reports of various diseases being cured by oil pulling have not been backed with scientific evidence. Balancing hormones, reducing arthritis, reducing insomnia, eliminating allergies, treating chronic pain, etc are some of the unfounded claims you may see. But, while research may not back these claims, some people may still see overall health benefits from oil pulling.<br />
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Oral health is strongly tied to our overall health. Patients with mitral valve prolapse (a heart condition that makes one susceptible to infection of the heart among other things) are advised to brush and floss regularly to avoid infections. (<a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/mvp/livingwith" target="_blank">Source</a>) Heart disease has been linked to chronic oral infection and inflammation. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26282947" target="_blank">Source</a>)(<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15699278" target="_blank">Source</a>) Research has also tied periodontal disease to depression. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26229270" target="_blank">Source</a>) Scientists have also implicated periodontal bacteria in oral cancers. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26158901" target="_blank">Source</a>) Because oil pulling improves oral health so well, the body may achieve an overall benefit by removing plaque, decay, inflammation, and bacteria from the mouth. What remains to be studied, however, is if there is a benefit of oil pulling over simple brushing of teeth. In some cases, oil pulling may be more effective--due to the amount of time dedicated to the cleaning process--in people that may not be getting their teeth clean enough from brushing. (Perhaps from worn toothbrushes, not brushing long enough, not brushing thoroughly, not flossing, etc) But for others with more thorough brushing and flossing practices, oil pulling may not show much of an overall health benefit.<br />
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What are your experiences with oil pulling? Has it helped you?Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-87133235600451718082015-05-08T09:00:00.000-07:002015-05-08T10:32:53.648-07:00Foods for Protecting Your SkinGetting the right balance of sun exposure can be tricky. On one hand, most people in the northern hemisphere are lacking in vitamin D (cholecalciferol, synthesized by the skin when exposed to the sun) which can protect the body from many cancers, in addition to many other health benefits. On the other hand, the sun is officially considered a carcinogen, with damaging UV rays that can lead to skin cancer. So, finding the right balance of sun exposure is a fine line, and is different for everyone depending on your skin's hue, where you live, vitamin D levels, and family history. (Consult your Dr. for recommendations that pertain to your health.)<br />
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But, one trick you can have in your arsenal to protect your skin is eating the right foods. UV rays oxidize the oils and other compounds in your skin to create free radicals and damages DNA. We associate sun damage with sunburn, but much of this damage is invisible, taking years to show up to the naked eye. It has been found that diets rich in phytonutrients, omega-3 and omega-9 fats, and low in omega-6 fats, can counteract some of these damaging effects by providing antioxidants to the skin. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20137053" target="_blank">Source</a>) Let's take a look at some foods that are rich in nutrition to help support healthy skin.<br />
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<h3>
Grapes</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3o2sZrN-5DQrnG1-xEdWOw8SoH2QDg7v-5cdgSxp_MStx7YiReDEtKkF-_G_OmY8v8fUZeO8qssrGuENa5wzxIpJiqpfoyOyjOOZf2c8e-HjhgMeyFqBkE483qyTjn5XfJtmo5kjvDQ/s1600/Grapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3o2sZrN-5DQrnG1-xEdWOw8SoH2QDg7v-5cdgSxp_MStx7YiReDEtKkF-_G_OmY8v8fUZeO8qssrGuENa5wzxIpJiqpfoyOyjOOZf2c8e-HjhgMeyFqBkE483qyTjn5XfJtmo5kjvDQ/s400/Grapes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Resveratrol, found in grape skins, and <span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 17.9998016357422px;">proanthocyanidins from grape seeds have both been found to have potent anti-oxidant properties. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25880972" target="_blank">Source</a>) (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25427916" target="_blank">Source</a>)</span><br />
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<h3>
<b>Flax Seeds</b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rj-nca-m416JdLkjYfvSoEWyrjFOERvqWj8vczxHbcPHSbzS2AovaT3pcarZfwEYDrTJRfIO6v3EobNhXDYUplIHd3XhKFqI96qUfBoCZCZG8d4M1fFKx0WjSk96LXq4U7uIlf_fsnk/s1600/Flax+Seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rj-nca-m416JdLkjYfvSoEWyrjFOERvqWj8vczxHbcPHSbzS2AovaT3pcarZfwEYDrTJRfIO6v3EobNhXDYUplIHd3XhKFqI96qUfBoCZCZG8d4M1fFKx0WjSk96LXq4U7uIlf_fsnk/s400/Flax+Seeds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
With high amounts of fiber for detoxification, and a high omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, flax seeds are a healthy skin powerhouse. (<a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/7554/2" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
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<h3>
Turmeric</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHvGOAGriT0UwlmMIJFh7KZXetFKPoD8CYoydgKoNTQDbLXx8eAmJ3K4gLSjInJE5c-IlaIuobuxD6AmCLG3_VcyqvaGzr-nKJL0LEl9sRorz2p0OCgdaUOEfPgzkO-gwbmjoSO0eFIg/s1600/Turmeric+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHvGOAGriT0UwlmMIJFh7KZXetFKPoD8CYoydgKoNTQDbLXx8eAmJ3K4gLSjInJE5c-IlaIuobuxD6AmCLG3_VcyqvaGzr-nKJL0LEl9sRorz2p0OCgdaUOEfPgzkO-gwbmjoSO0eFIg/s400/Turmeric+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Many studies detail the antioxidant properties of turmeric's active compound, curcumin. One study found turmeric extract to be toxic to certain skin cancer cells.<br />
(<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25044209" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
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<h3>
Bell Peppers</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkw9GMyKIYDrOUzdqBL9BqJ9lDhYfihj-nuehPAGuW6HCCbuA66Wg0uUY6DpvngGJo9YtqqP521JMQeK1rvovvNS7eeBdjSn_a36Jogm-rCSQbqcC8TPYkhZPyCSqUbswCQBUZ1vXZCs/s1600/Bell+Pepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkw9GMyKIYDrOUzdqBL9BqJ9lDhYfihj-nuehPAGuW6HCCbuA66Wg0uUY6DpvngGJo9YtqqP521JMQeK1rvovvNS7eeBdjSn_a36Jogm-rCSQbqcC8TPYkhZPyCSqUbswCQBUZ1vXZCs/s400/Bell+Pepper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Vitamin C has been found to suppress the growth of skin cell tumors; as one of the foods richest in vitamin C, bell peppers are not just delicious in a fajita, but great for your skin.<br />
(<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25003799" target="_blank">Source</a>) Other foods rich in vitamin C include cherries, kale, broccoli leaves, and blueberries.<br />
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<h3>
Cruciferous Vegetables (Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, and Cabbage)</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJ8UPH-c9cPkxnjupoY8tg4zWJYbJFQBnm8cW0BgWNarOZUJ027_zxwE1u7HmLNadOSYQei5MrlV09SrKdrUK3AXS9_ZlocSDDsdNwA_2sQOd0OCRNAnyVVbM-9Tu03lrrq7Z93ZIv5Q/s1600/Cruciferous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJ8UPH-c9cPkxnjupoY8tg4zWJYbJFQBnm8cW0BgWNarOZUJ027_zxwE1u7HmLNadOSYQei5MrlV09SrKdrUK3AXS9_ZlocSDDsdNwA_2sQOd0OCRNAnyVVbM-9Tu03lrrq7Z93ZIv5Q/s400/Cruciferous.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain a compound called sulforane, a potent antioxidant that's being studied as, among other things, a skin cancer treatment. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25944116" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
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<h3>
Brazil Nuts</h3>
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25795958" target="_blank">A recent study</a> found that patients with skin cancer had lower levels of zinc, copper, and selenium than those without skin cancer. Brazil nuts have the highest known levels of selenium than any other food, plus a 1 oz serving (6 kernels) supplies you with a quarter of your RDA of copper and 8% RDA of zinc.<br />
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Of course nothing is a substitute for a broad-spectrum physical sunblock (or a hat!) when going out in the sun for longer periods of time. (We recommend Badger's line of sunblock products.) But now you can protect your skin from within with some healthy (and delicious) foods.<br />
<br />Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-85556207995862638652015-04-16T08:53:00.000-07:002015-04-16T10:44:15.945-07:00A Benefit to Lead?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j1TK3Ikz0KaAcTwh9Xu1qFh3I_4WHBqM5tw3EcP2Jh309Gvy89oArp4Vhp4svjiuokKz5Ah99dLSMWorT6vJjpGJ9AS0gFYmLJhCxixybNIlM_QaCk91zbCqde6ZEEyzS5iu7l9NoYg/s1600/benefit+to+lead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j1TK3Ikz0KaAcTwh9Xu1qFh3I_4WHBqM5tw3EcP2Jh309Gvy89oArp4Vhp4svjiuokKz5Ah99dLSMWorT6vJjpGJ9AS0gFYmLJhCxixybNIlM_QaCk91zbCqde6ZEEyzS5iu7l9NoYg/s1600/benefit+to+lead.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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By now we've all heard about the controversy of lead in lipsticks and other cosmetic items. And you may be familiar with the fact that in ancient Rome and Egypt, lead compounds were used as primary ingredients in makeups. But you may not know that the Egyptians actually used lead for its benefits. Wait, benefits?<br />
<br />
Some ancient texts suggest that lead was used purposefully to treat eye illnesses and skin ailments. So researchers in France decided to delve further in to this mystery. They took samples of ancient makeup from Egyptian tombs and put it under the microscope. An ultramicroelectrode, to be exact. They found that the Egyptians actually synthesized special lead salts, laurionite and phosgenite--not found in nature--specifically for cosmetic use. Researchers tested these compounds and saw that once applied to skin, the lead ions created a stress response in the keratinocytes (a type of skin cell). Under this stress, the skin cells created an abundance of nitrogen monoxide--a compound known to stimulate a general immune response. Through this this mechanism of stimulating the immune system, researchers concluded these lead compounds may have actually been used to treat eye and skin conditions. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20030333" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
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What does this mean for us in modern times? Not much. There's no action or change I'm suggesting. I'm not proposing the use of lead makeups or medicines and am not contesting the fact that it's a harmful substance. I just found the study to be interesting, historically and biologically, an insight in to the complex mechanisms of the body and its reactions to the toxins around us.Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-33861810363438690232015-04-06T11:13:00.002-07:002015-04-07T10:29:11.619-07:00Are There Nanoparticles in Your Non-Nano Sunblock?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VW0DGyv55BYfvkvP5u5KFxHgrbH5voXaqXq3M3nNVKECnpjyF_VMz8SqGz03XQy0cL6WUSfnFf5NxrUAGjDOWxdFMHrh-VL8czpjsiS78GOnKIrBfYALpGdlR-Y7y91y62W5EsyTT3s/s1600/nonnano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VW0DGyv55BYfvkvP5u5KFxHgrbH5voXaqXq3M3nNVKECnpjyF_VMz8SqGz03XQy0cL6WUSfnFf5NxrUAGjDOWxdFMHrh-VL8czpjsiS78GOnKIrBfYALpGdlR-Y7y91y62W5EsyTT3s/s1600/nonnano.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Without potential endocrine-disrupting properties like avobenzone and oxybenzene, and free-radical forming properties like titanium dioxide, plus UVB and UVA protection, zinc oxide is the winning choice when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun.<br />
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But there's a problem. Zinc oxide imparts a pasty white hue to your skin when you put it on. Manufacturers wanted to harness the power and reputation of zinc oxide but get rid of the whitish hue. So, they started making zinc oxide in nanoparticle form. These tiny particles could be suspended in a cream and are so small that they go on clear. But, we found out that these tiny particles may not be good for your skin, potentially damaging the DNA within skin cells (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19382294" target="_blank">source</a>). Because they are such small particles, the theory is that they are able to penetrate the skin further and if light bounces off these particles in to the surrounding cells, damage can occur. (However, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17453934" target="_blank">other studies</a> have found them not to be harmful.)<br />
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The public demand for non-nano zinc oxide is large-however people still don't want to look like they've seen a ghost when wearing sunscreen. So, manufacturers continued to develop products. One was micronized zinc oxide. Particles that are smaller than raw zinc, but not small enough to be called nano. While their small size does help, it still does create a whitish hue on skin. Finally, a company out of Australia came up with truly clear non-nano zinc oxide. But there's a caveat--it contains nanoparticles.<br />
<br />
What?<br />
<br />
This new clear "non-nano" zinc oxide works like this. They broke down the zinc oxide in to nanoparticles. Then, they glued the nanoparticles together, making the overall particle size large enough to be considered non-nano. Misleading? A bit. Harmful? We don't know yet. Probably safe. The larger particle size would keep the zinc from penetrating the skin deeper, but would the sunlight reflecting off the individual particles be harmful? Preliminary studies by the manufacturer has not shown any harm, however, the long-term safety is yet to be seen.<br />
<br />
So, the next time that you use a clear "non-nano" sunscreen, know that it's most likely those glued-together nanoparticles.<br />
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My top choice for safe sunscreens has always been, and continues to be Badger. I have been in contact with the formulator in charge of their sunscreens and know personally the care they take when formulating their product. They have the resources and equipment necessary to make sure that the zinc is evenly distributed throughout the formula and they go above and beyond with the testing they put the sunscreens through. You can read more about the zinc they use and even see photos of the glued-together nanoparticle zinc oxide <a href="http://www.badgerbalm.com/s-33-zinc-oxide-sunscreen-nanoparticles.aspx" target="_blank">here</a> on their website. Badger is a competitor of ours in some categories, but they really are such a standout company, actually have organic certification, and just do things *right* so I don't mind giving them a little publicity.Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-89818738008385328702015-03-03T10:32:00.001-08:002015-03-03T14:24:44.244-08:00Is Your Vitamin C Serum Harming Your Skin? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXbb36l4kIjX6cy2iTtbYfioBJL2KdaShGk9x5NkdqoNd_3E_D49zul7HXaN-gXpn25iJdQQzCUjDD2Uf2-QLj_kgNkdLGZCxeIh6mRI9oZlbnMdCHx9jagr_f-N-r0e50qKPBKoRyEI/s1600/Vitamin+C2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXbb36l4kIjX6cy2iTtbYfioBJL2KdaShGk9x5NkdqoNd_3E_D49zul7HXaN-gXpn25iJdQQzCUjDD2Uf2-QLj_kgNkdLGZCxeIh6mRI9oZlbnMdCHx9jagr_f-N-r0e50qKPBKoRyEI/s1600/Vitamin+C2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Vitamin C in skincare is a big trend right now in the beauty world. And rightly so! This simple vitamin has been found to scavenge free-radical damage, helps to firm skin and even-out skin tone. But despite the promise that vitamin C brings, some vitamin C products could actually be damaging your skin.<br />
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See, the most effective form of Vitamin C is ascorbic acid. (In particular l-ascorbic acid.) This is the form of C that has been studied and found to be so beneficial. But ascorbic acid is a tricky thing. Once it's dispersed in water (or aloe, etc) it starts to degrade fairly quickly, and these products of degradation can end up damaging your skin with free radicals. To remain stable, ascorbic acid in solution needs to remain in a highly acidic state (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11207686" target="_blank">Source</a>) and also not exposed to air. So, while it is possible to have a stable vitamin C formula, it is difficult. (The formula will turn brown once this happens, so it's fairly apparent.)<br />
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So, formulators instead turned to ascorbyl palmitate--a form of vitamin C that's much more stable. Doesn't break down and it's oil-soluble so it's great to put in a serum. Or so we thought. Turns out, once asorbyl palmitate was actually studied, researchers found out that it didn't have the same benefits that ascorbic acid has. Ascorbyl palmitate has to be activated by enzymes in order to do its job as a vitamin, and they found that the enzymes in the skin just didn't do an efficient job of utilizing the ascorbyl palmitate. They also found that when exposed to sunlight, the ascorbyl broke down and created free radicals on the skin. So, the compound that you've been using to try to reverse damage could actually be damaging your skin! (<a href="http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v119/n5/full/5601658a.html" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
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<br />Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-176100166651949702015-01-21T09:28:00.000-08:002015-01-21T14:42:10.990-08:00Why the Essential Oil "Crackdown" is a Good Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You may have heard the story--on the 22nd of this September 2014, the FDA sent warning letters to both doTerra and Young Living Essential Oils. (See the original letters <a href="http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2014/ucm415809.htm" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.fda.gov/iceci/enforcementactions/warningletters/ucm416023.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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If you read sources like Health Impact News you might think that the government is "targeting" essential oils and natural substances and trying to keep us from using natural remedies. (Read their article <a href="http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/fda-targets-essentials-oils-see-eos-as-threat-to-new-ebola-drugs/" target="_blank">here</a>.) You might think that the FDA and Big Pharma feel threatened by essential oils. But today I'd like to offer an alternative and "inside" view as to what's <i>really</i> going on behind the warning letters and why they're actually a good thing.<br />
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<h3>
The Law</h3>
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According to US law, there are three categories of substances: Drugs, Cosmetics, and Supplements.<br />
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Any product or ingredient that claims to treat, cure, or prevent disease is considered to be a drug. All active drug ingredients must go through very specific testing procedures and the FDA approval process before they can legally become a drug. When you make a drug claim but the product/ingredient hasn't gone through the approval process, that product then is considered a "misbranded drug" by the FDA. This law was written several decades ago and has nothing to do with the current drug marketplace or corporations that have ties to the FDA.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M6_63ZQG2EVS6o1yjdiS4U2DN934ZDxqmrJ7g219jNBejueUUKCJ2zRyMYqrYyaM8BhEn_E-tpGB5tg70IpFaDOGb8RLGFpLVqRxq2hHyEpdAmlUHIzcINxzbKN_jEBtpeY7uLbXyPY/s1600/DSC_6439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M6_63ZQG2EVS6o1yjdiS4U2DN934ZDxqmrJ7g219jNBejueUUKCJ2zRyMYqrYyaM8BhEn_E-tpGB5tg70IpFaDOGb8RLGFpLVqRxq2hHyEpdAmlUHIzcINxzbKN_jEBtpeY7uLbXyPY/s1600/DSC_6439.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Living Billboard in Salt Lake City</td></tr>
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There are exemptions from drug testing requirements for herbs, supplements, and vitamins, but these substances have to be very clearly marked as supplements and have to use very specific language with their claims. For instance you can claim, "supports immune system" but you can't claim that something is anti-viral. You can claim "supports hormonal balance" but can't claim to cure PCOS. [This is from my understanding of the law; if you're selling supplements please make sure you do all your legal due diligence.]<br />
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The third category under the law is cosmetics. Cosmetics are meant to cleanse, moisturize, and beautify the body. (Skin, hair, teeth, etc.) As a company that manufactures cosmetics, we have to be careful in the claims that we make. For instance, we can make a cleanser that's meant for cleansing skin, however, saying that the product will treat acne would be making a drug claim. We can make a moisturizer with skin hydrating and softening properties, but can't claim it will be anti-aging, because that is a drug claim.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Are Essential Oils Drugs, Supplements, or Cosmetics?</b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5ybN_9SF5xvQZSW0KwwUVdJfXZJfgO_lozgt5SBcmJF_vsZqM5O4GWgWAPrm8Ev15jRo0hTN2Ns5Sri7mLGzJQR5t_m-J3ZBcuCWNPeIMsGfMtasqnGLtSaFB0zKorxbmrOtBEXoals/s1600/capsules-385949_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5ybN_9SF5xvQZSW0KwwUVdJfXZJfgO_lozgt5SBcmJF_vsZqM5O4GWgWAPrm8Ev15jRo0hTN2Ns5Sri7mLGzJQR5t_m-J3ZBcuCWNPeIMsGfMtasqnGLtSaFB0zKorxbmrOtBEXoals/s1600/capsules-385949_1280.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></a>Most essential oils haven't gone through the necessary testing and approval process to be drugs, so they're not seen by the law as such. Also, they're not intended solely for internal use (and shouldn't be!) so they're not supplements either. So, the category that essential oils are regulated under is cosmetics. Because cosmetics are not meant to treat disease, they cannot claim to prevent the common cold, treat the flu, cure ebola, or have antibacterial action. They are meant to simply smell nice, refresh your room, or perhaps calm your mood. This is why the companies received their warning letters. You can't state that essential oils are going to treat infections, prevent a cold, stop ebola, or cure cancer within the realms of the law. doTerra and Young Living have been marketing their essential oils illegally for years.<br />
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<h3>
Not a Government Conspiracy</h3>
<div>
<br />
There are hundreds of companies breaking FDA regulations on a daily basis. So many that the FDA really doesn't have the manpower to really regulate every single one. It's really only until a company has really hurt someone with their product or is reported several times that the FDA takes notice. And that is exactly what happened with Young Living & doTerra. With a <a href="http://static.squarespace.com/static/530513e0e4b0d9ec3c47969f/t/535d4bd8e4b06295cb12a4c7/1398623192340/Adverse_side_affectsApr27-2014-2.pdf" target="_blank">growing list </a>of people that have been injured by reactions due to bad advice from essential oil reps and a <a href="http://aromatherapyunited.wordpress.com/the-complaint/" target="_blank">petition</a> supported by Aromatherapy United that was circulated and submitted to the FDA, it's no surprise that after years of breaking the law, they finally got a warning.<br />
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NOT because the FDA wants us to stop using essential oils. NOT a government conspiracy to promote "Big Pharma."<br />
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<h3>
The Fallout</h3>
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Comments in response to the news of the warnings have ranged from supportive to outrage. One argument that I've heard is that it's unfair of the government to come in and stop companies from promoting natural substances, and that the essential oil market should be self-regulated. But, in my view, an industry can't be self-regulated if major players in the market are blatantly breaking the law. If you have an industry that's consistently following the country's regulations, the government is going to spend less time worrying about what you're doing. Clearing out the law-breakers from the industry is a step towards self-regulation.<br />
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<a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/047016_ebola_treatments_warning_letters_unproven_cures.html" target="_blank">One article</a> in response to the controversy stated that the FDA "refuses to conduct any testing on natural or alternative therapies in order to find out whether they work or not." Well, yeah...that's because the FDA doesn't do ANY testing. <i>Companies</i> that are bringing a new drug to the market do the testing--not the FDA. The FDA simply reviews the studies that the companies submit to them and decide whether or not a substance is approved and how it should be labeled and marketed. (Listing of side effects, etc.)<br />
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<h3>
Insider's View</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWzA9dM_5W3unjbshMJLhNTu5K8a52m5GMf7AOaSamE3vefUVsn9su1yGo-lGYnyjfAEkHAhPEYbpBAOvVRcDIsmV08pKbq2wPAyx-PcXa9azfNpknMIqZs9mV-JFrUsubMtxpOm5Cew/s1600/governor.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWzA9dM_5W3unjbshMJLhNTu5K8a52m5GMf7AOaSamE3vefUVsn9su1yGo-lGYnyjfAEkHAhPEYbpBAOvVRcDIsmV08pKbq2wPAyx-PcXa9azfNpknMIqZs9mV-JFrUsubMtxpOm5Cew/s1600/governor.tiff" height="210" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Governor Herbert on a Young Living Wagon during the 4th of July Parade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't feel bad at all for
doTerra and Young Living. These are companies based in my home
state of Utah. I've seen their multi-million dollar
headquarter buildings, freeway billboards, and the millions of
dollars they rake in every year. With the business that they do around here, it's hardly the big mean
government picking on the little guys. These companies have
our local government in their pockets because they are major players in our state's economy. In fact, the Governor's Office of Economic Development <a href="http://business.utah.gov/news/essential-oils-company-partners-state/" target="_blank">gave doTerra a contract</a> for a tax incentive to build their headquarters in 2013 and <a href="http://business.utah.gov/news/young-living-essential-oils-continues-grow-utah/" target="_blank">just announced a state tax credit</a> and contract with Young Living. These companies may have been served with a slap on the wrist from the FDA, but they have the full support of the governor.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Bottom Line</h3>
<br />
I support essential oils and I don't have anything against the actual products doTerra and Young Living offers. I think it's great that people are looking for alternatives to drugs and are looking to live more holistically. However, I have seen dangerous advice being given out (ingesting certain essential oils, applying it IN people's eyes, applying it straight to the skin) for years by the reps of these companies and people have been hurt. The warning letters are a step toward safety and self-regulation within the aromatherapy community. As a manufacturer of cosmetics who tries to obey the law, I'd rather see a level playing field and everyone striving to label and market products that adhere to the laws of our country.<br />
<h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
</h3>
Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-39324135153000737392015-01-09T11:25:00.004-08:002015-01-09T13:04:37.057-08:00Looking Ahead to 2015A few days ago I received this email asking if we were having troubles as a company:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I've noticed over the past year that you guys have been offering
more sales than you had in the past. I'm starting to get worried! I
worry that perhaps the sales are an indication that sales are down
overall, and that the company will go out of business if things don't
improve. </blockquote>
We are so glad to have customers that care! Yes, we have been sending out more emails over the last year, but NO this doesn't mean that we're scrambling and close to closing our doors. In fact, it's the opposite! We're stronger than ever and have seen growth every year! There are a few reasons that we've sent out more emails in the past year:<br />
<br />
<b>Changes on Facebook</b><br />
In years past, we were able to reach so many of our customers through Facebook. Commonly we did Facebook flash sales, contests, and other promotions that kept people involved. But with the changes that Facebook has made in the last year or so, we're lucky if 1000 people out of the 20,000 fans we have on our page see our posts. Paying to promote our posts hasn't been effective so we've re-tooled our strategies and focused more on our email newsletter system to keep people in the loop.<br />
<br />
<b>Growth in Our Company</b><br />
We have big plans! A couple months ago we expanded our warehouse to a second building and are working on three more in the same complex. We are currently building the infrastructure to grow our business in some really exciting ways. There is SO much still that we want to do, but simply haven't had the room to do it in. Expanding our production and warehousing will allow us to add more products, build efficiencies so we can do an even higher volume. There will be production equipment we'll be investing in, we're currently working on a new order picking system with software and scanners so orders ship even more quickly than their normal same-to-next day turnaround. We can't get in to a lot of details because our big plans are going to be a surprise. Our new website was only phase 1. The sale's we've been offering keeps cash flow moving, allowing us to invest back in to our company without the need for outside investors.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZCtjKzOEDcKNrA8zq9VmHvQW31twASZGVterWvrc-wqucxak2yJJTJdEiBS-Pf-uljH8FHh2b3HBZ-IzzwCsHgKw7A9FMDyjN9H14R_5VQLgrZCoSKoYPVOc43bRYL62nUYvxDKs19U/s1600/IMG_8342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZCtjKzOEDcKNrA8zq9VmHvQW31twASZGVterWvrc-wqucxak2yJJTJdEiBS-Pf-uljH8FHh2b3HBZ-IzzwCsHgKw7A9FMDyjN9H14R_5VQLgrZCoSKoYPVOc43bRYL62nUYvxDKs19U/s1600/IMG_8342.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><b>Fresh Inventory</b><br />
We always base our sales on current inventory levels. And with more production capabilities than in years past, we have more products to provide. We always strive to send the freshest products possible; when you order from us, the product has in most cases, been made within the last week to a month. Keeping inventory moving is key to freshness, so we may run sales from time-to-time to keep from possibly overstocking an item.<br />
<br />
<b>Spreading the Word</b><br />
The holiday season is a great way that word is spread about our company. Through promotions in the holiday season we're able to reach new customers by word-of-mouth through gifts. So, during the holidays we run some sales. We're wrapping up the holidays and the new year, so you won't likely see storewide sales with the deep discounts we've offered over the last few months. However, we continue to come up with creative ideas for promotions and new products. Plus, we'll continue offering discounts on certain categories so you can always try something new!<br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone for your support over the years! This Spring will mark our 8th year in business thanks to our (very!) loyal customers! We are always working to bring you the best of the best organic products and look forward to an amazing 2015!<br />
<br />
<h3>
$5 COUPON CODE: </h3>
Bubble & Bee offers the largest line of USDA certified organic products on the market. Many customers have been willing to pay full price to support & ensure that our company will continue to be able to offer these products. Especially when considering the value of the items (with deodorants that last a long time, shower gels that can be diluted, concentrated face cream, etc.) But as the stability of our company increases and we're able to offer higher volume, we can start to afford to offer more discounts. We have always wanted to make organic approachable for everyone, no matter what kind of budget they're on. So, speaking of discounts...here's a coupon code! Use code JAN5 at checkout to save $5 off your order over $35. (Expires Monday Jan. 12 midnight MST)<br />
<br />Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-74382693441864499762014-11-25T12:03:00.002-08:002014-11-25T12:35:17.990-08:00The Dark Side of MicaIf your makeup has a sparkle or a shimmer, most likely you're using an ingredient called mica. Mica is a natural mineral that is mined and broken down to create a sparkly dust. While it creates great color, skin feel, and sparkle to cosmetics, there are some downsides to using this ingredient.<br />
<table cellpading="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 11px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2"><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/296504235_3ff75f8b8b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/296504235_3ff75f8b8b.jpg" height="320" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/296504235/" target="_blank">blmurch</a></td><td align="right">via <a href="http://www.photoree.com/" target="_blank">PhotoRee</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b>Skin Irritation</b></div>
<div>
There is some evidence that mica can lead to skin irritation. Mica comes off in micro-thin sheets, (like what you see above) and when it's broken down to a powder, these sheets can be jagged, depending on the grade of the material. Theoretically these jagged particles could create microscopic lesions on your skin, leading to redness and irritation. There have been no studies on, this however, there is some <a href="http://sterlingminerals.blogspot.com/2007/12/mica-is-problem-for-your-sensitive-skin.html" target="_blank">empirical evidence</a> that it does act this way for some people with more fragile or sensitive skin. Additionally, in order to create color with shimmer, micas are coated with colorants, many times synthetic dyes, so there is a risk of irritation from allergy to a mica. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Chemical Processing</b></div>
<div>
Most micas are not just used for shimmer, but for color. In order to impart color to micas, they undergo much chemical processing. They can be coated with mineral oxides (titanium dioxide, bismuth, iron, etc) but also with synthetic colorants. Some micas are then coated with silicones or other fatty materials to then reduce exposure to the dyes and reduce irritancy. So, while mica is a naturally-occurring mineral, calling it "natural" is a stretch of the word because of the intensive processing it underoges. However, it's generally accepted that when coated, it's an inert ingredient that's relatively safe. (Although breathing in the powder should be avoided.) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While mica doesn't pose a large health risk, the environmental impact of mica creation seems to be substantial. Here's a description of how, after it's mined, it's processed:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4em;">Initially, ore is crushed to a fine powder to liberate the various mineral components of the ore, and then it is slurried to form an aqueous mineral dispersion. This crude dispersion is deslimed and separated according to particle sizes of the dispersed solids using a variety of mechanical classifiers. Desliming involves the addition of process chemicals such as sodium silicate to disperse slimes of hydrated clays, e.g., kaolin, which interfere with processing operations.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4em;"></span><span style="line-height: 1.4em;">The separated fractions are then subjected to froth flotation to isolate the mica flakes from the kaolin, quartz and feldspar byproducts. Froth flotation entails diluting and agitating the mineral slurries in solutions of surfactants under acidic, pH = 2.5–4.0, or alkaline, pH = 7.5–9.0, conditions to entrain the desirable mica fractions in the resulting foam or froth. The mica-laden froth is then separated, concentrated and dried to recover the mica flakes, while the byproducts may undergo further treatment and isolation steps for use in other applications.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4em;"></span><span style="line-height: 1.4em;">Flake mica may be converted to ground mica by dry or wet grinding.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">4, 5</span><span style="line-height: 1.4em;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.4em;">Wet grinding is typically employed to obtain the higher quality ground mica used in cosmetics. The wet process yields exceedingly flat mica flakes with small particle sizes, high aspect ratios and smooth edges. In wet grinding operations, mica flake is ground in the presence of 20–35% water, dewatered, dried and then screened on sieves to segregate the various particle size fractions prior to bagging. Micronization techniques may be employed to produce even more finely ground mica particles. In this milling process, mica particles are propelled into each other at high speeds using jets of superheated steam or compressed air, causing a grinding action that effectively reduces particle size and thickness.</span><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">- See more at: http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/research/chemistry/premium-Profile-of-Mica-209695521.html?c=n#sthash.JQmggUZi.dpuf</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<b>Unethical Mining Practices</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
In addition to the environmental impacts of strip mining, there's a human element as well. Mica suppliers and mines are being called in to question for child labor, especially in India. States one article: "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17.0240001678467px;">the industry here is little better than a black market, dependent on a huge unskilled workforce, forced into working for lower and lower prices. Profits are made off the backs of children." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17.0240001678467px;">Read more:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17.0240001678467px;"> </span><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/indias-mica-mines-the-shameful-truth-behind-mineral-makeups-shimmer-20140118-311wk.html#ixzz3K6x41I2t" style="border: 0px; color: #003399; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17.0240001678467px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.theage.com.au/national/indias-mica-mines-the-shameful-truth-behind-mineral-makeups-shimmer-20140118-311wk.html#ixzz3K6x41I2t</a> </div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Makeups are probably the most difficult-to-find products when it comes to finding something that's truly organic. We have high expectations of our makeups: brilliant colors, shimmer, staying in place, feeling good on our skin, smelling mild, not clogging our pores. Mica is an ingredient that not only gives brilliant color and shimmer, but can even help absorb oil and give a silky feel on skin. However, there is a "dark" side to mica that one should consider when making an informed decision when choosing products. </div>
Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-52876019879401022552014-10-23T07:53:00.001-07:002014-10-23T09:45:10.362-07:00Do We Have Aromatherapy All Wrong?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDmxwMPsJb8ToEY-tZboYMt4J_FUyX0NxHT4sWp0Akv6byXGnASrb8fyfAiuS8JpsBpP1UC8HMiJ__pfM59QsRt1ddElOSL3ZtgTKrnxJc-qE9UUzAaFwdhvVJkR9h0qJ8SzqZX2ZD_c/s1600/aromatherapy+wrong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDmxwMPsJb8ToEY-tZboYMt4J_FUyX0NxHT4sWp0Akv6byXGnASrb8fyfAiuS8JpsBpP1UC8HMiJ__pfM59QsRt1ddElOSL3ZtgTKrnxJc-qE9UUzAaFwdhvVJkR9h0qJ8SzqZX2ZD_c/s1600/aromatherapy+wrong.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
A discussion in an essential oils forum sparked some thoughts for me in general about aromatherapy, scents, and essential oils. The woman in the forum was experiencing migraine headaches, however, if she smelled a leather wallet, duct tape, or a sandalwood patchouli candle, the headache went away. What was the common denominator between these three things?<br />
<br />
When you think about it, a leather wallet, duct tape, and a patchouli candle (probably a synthetically-fragranced one) all have a similar scent...leathery, musky. There may even be a particular scent constituent that's similar across the board. So, if we can isolate this compound, does this mean that we've discovered the cure for migraines? And, what if it is a synthetic fragrance chemical? Aren't those supposed to be bad for us?<br />
<br />
Let's take a look at a <a href="http://www.jns-journal.com/article/S0022-510X(09)00845-4/abstract" target="_blank">study</a> about those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. With MCS, suffers will respond negatively to scents, getting sick from just a whiff of a particular scent. The study found that the mechanism of the illness may lie not in the scents themselves, but in how their brains perceive and process the scents.<br />
<br />
So, then if a scent could trigger illness, it makes sense that a scent could cure a headache. Scent is a highly individualistic perception, tied to emotion and memory. Perhaps the woman with the migraines has a positive association with a leathery, musky scent. Perhaps a comforting father figure, or a special place she visited in the past. When her brain processes that scent, it stimulates a relaxant response and ends up curing her headache. Even if it's a synthetic chemical.<br />
<br />
So, what am I getting at here? Well, we see aromatherapy books and blogs listing out essential oils and their particular properties. Lavender always listed as relaxing. Geranium as an antidepressant. Grapefruit as a stimulant. Lemon for calming. But are we going about this all wrong? When we consider how each of our brains process scents differently, how we all have different memories and emotions tied to different scents, how can we say that any one particular essential oil is going to act the same for everyone? Well, aromatherapy charts are general guidelines. If you're trying to calm yourself through sniffing essential oils, don't just go off what your friend tells you works for her. Try several essential oils and figure out exactly how your body responds to each one. What cures one person's headache may cause a headache in another.<br />
<br />
But it also calls in to question the issue of essential oil purity. An essential oil with a synthetic adulterant may be just as calming as a pure essential oil. Many of us grew up with synthetic fragrances all around us and may have positive associations with those chemicals, so our brains may respond positively to these scents. Not to say that there aren't many harmful synthetic fragrances, or that I support adulterated essential oils--just that it's all an individual experience and we should keep this in mind as we consider others around us who may be in love with their synthetic candles or lotions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
One of my partner Stevie "B's" favorite smells is a combination of black licorice and diesel exhaust. What? Well, when he was a kid growing up in southern Illinois, he and his family would cross the bridge to go in to St. Louis, always to do something fun, like going to the museum or six flags. On the way home they'd get stuck in traffic on the bridge next to the big licorice factory. The busses spewing out diesel exhaust swirled together with the black licorice smell from the factory to create a positive memory for him. Probably not the healthiest scent to love, but a powerful one nevertheless. (And also one of the main reasons we make our Black Licorice soap!)<br />
<br />
We get questions from time to time about our products like: "Is the smell too sweet? Is it a mild scent? Which is stronger, the geranium or the lime? Which one smells the best?" These are impossible questions to answer because we all perceive scents so differently. We can share our own personal perceptions, but what's too sweet to one person is another person's favorite heavenly scent. But it is interesting to think--it's all, quite literally, in our heads.<br />
<br />
<br />Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-44359516839836821072014-09-23T10:18:00.001-07:002014-09-23T10:27:39.460-07:00Healthy Harvest: Pumpkin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yJEwwC51G1aJyCnMocKQzzP9WgbOcjhHDGCcqrCyFbNJdDaKdd0mO3HX7vGD-BDjsczHlqtR9MJBgUqFIBep8HKxGEs6_QS9TvDPJu6a6QMZg9sQQsT8hJq2qDvf8mVYTJqHnoaQsAw/s1600/pumpkins2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yJEwwC51G1aJyCnMocKQzzP9WgbOcjhHDGCcqrCyFbNJdDaKdd0mO3HX7vGD-BDjsczHlqtR9MJBgUqFIBep8HKxGEs6_QS9TvDPJu6a6QMZg9sQQsT8hJq2qDvf8mVYTJqHnoaQsAw/s1600/pumpkins2.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
The mighty pumpkin...is actually a fruit! From the same family as cucumbers and melons, this healthy and useful gourd is good for so much more than fall-time decorations!<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Pumpkin Flesh</b></h3>
<br />
Pumpkin flesh is nutrient-rich and low in calories. One cup of pumpkin puree contains only 83 calories (compare to sweet potato which has three times as many calories). It's also high in fiber (7 g per serving) has more potassium than bananas, is a good source of magnesium and iron, and provides 763% RDA of vitamin A!<br />
(<a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2602/2" target="_blank">Source</a>)(<a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/nutrition/facts-about-pumpkins?src=spr_FBPAGE&spr_id=1443_90841009" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Seeds</b></h3>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Pumpkin seeds are a good source of iron and can thus help with anemia. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18198398" target="_blank">Source</a>)</li>
<li>They're also a good plant source of tryptophan, which can aid with insomnia. (<a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/tryptophan-rich-gourd-seeds-significantly-improve-subjective-and-objective-measurements" target="_blank">Source</a>)</li>
<li>Extracts from the seed have also been found to be a powerful antioxidant. (<a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/pumpkin-seed-protein-isolate-has-significant-antioxidant-activity" target="_blank">Source</a>)</li>
<li>A combination of flax and pumpkin seeds have been found to promote heart health and liver function. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18938206" target="_blank">Source</a>)</li>
</ul>
<h3>
<br />
<b>Pumpkin seed oil</b></h3>
<br />
<br />
Men's Health<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Pumpkin seed oil has been found to reverse male pattern balding at a dose of 400 mg per day. (<a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/pumpkin-seed-oil-found-help-reverse-balding-2" target="_blank">Source</a>) </li>
<li>It's also been found to inhibit prostate enlargement (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16822218" target="_blank">Source</a>) (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17033217" target="_blank">Source</a>)</li>
</ul>
<br />
Women's health<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Pumpkin seed oil has also been found to help reduce symptoms associated with menopause, reducing hot flashes, etc. (<a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/pumpkin-seed-oil-has-beneficial-properties-postmenopausal-women" target="_blank">Source</a>)</li>
<li>Has also been found to help lower blood pressure and improve lipid profiles in animal studies, helping to improve health in low-estrogen states. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18567058" target="_blank">Source</a>)</li>
</ul>
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photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/valkyrieh116/1411179536/">valkyrieh116</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">For educational purposes only; not intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-58454175156094516292014-09-17T14:33:00.000-07:002014-09-17T14:33:21.853-07:00Helpful Herbs: LavenderSince our new Lavender Vanilla Body Butters and Pit Puttys have been such a hit, I thought I'd write about some of the benefits of today's Helpful Herb: Lavender.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Reduced Stress</b></h3>
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18053656" target="_blank">Thus study</a> found that bathing with lavender reduced stress and enhanced sleep in mothers and their infants. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19258850" target="_blank">This study</a> found that lavender and rosemary essential oils helped nursing students relax during testing.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Migraines</b></h3>
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22517298" target="_blank">This study</a> found that inhalation of lavender essential oil reduced the symptoms of migraine headaches. Nintey-two out of 129 headache cases improved with lavender, whereas only thirty-two out of sixty-eight of the placebo group improved.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Insomnia</b></h3>
The scent of lavender has been found to help with insomnia and depression. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16520572" target="_blank">Source</a>, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16131287" target="_blank">Source</a>) "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9998016357422px;">According to the study results, it can be concluded that the lavender fragrance had a beneficial effect on insomnia and depression in women college students. Repeated studies are needed to confirm effective proportions of lavender oil and carrier oil for insomnia and depression."</span><br />
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<b>Antibacterial/antifungal</b></h3>
Lavender essential oil has been found in lab tests to be effective against candida albicans (<a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/essential-oil-lavender-has-anti-fungal-activity-against-candida-albicans" target="_blank">Source</a>) and to be antibacterial against certain strains of staph. (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19249919" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
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<h3>
<b>Reduced Menstrual Cramps & PMS</b></h3>
One study found that inhaling lavender (diluted in a 2:1 ratio in sesame oil) helped reduce menstrual cramps. (<a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/inhaling-lavender-oil-eases-menstrual-pain" target="_blank">Source</a>) Another study found lavender oil aromatherapy to help ease some symptoms (mood, energy) in PMS. (<a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/lavender-aromatherapy-proven-calm-premenstrual-emotions" target="_blank">Source</a>)<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. For educational purposes only; not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.</span>Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-48802782420882276222014-09-02T09:27:00.002-07:002014-09-02T09:27:36.144-07:00Essential Oils and Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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More and more people are using essential oils in their home and with their families. Today I wanted to give some guidelines about using essential oils on and around children.<br />
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<h3>
Never apply undiluted essential oils to any part of the body. </h3>
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Not the chest. Not the soles of the feet. Never. No matter how "pure" the essential oil is, any undiluted essential oil poses the risk for skin irritation and sensitization. You may not notice any ill side effects at first and think that what you're doing is safe, however, exposure to essential oils "neat" can trigger an accumulative immune response that will show up in the future. Expose yourself or your child to an essential oil enough and then one day you'll all of the sudden have an allergic or toxic reaction to the essential oil. (This is called sensitization.) </div>
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<h3>
Do not add undiluted essential oils to bathwater</h3>
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Essential oils aren't soluble in water, so when you add essential oils to bath water, you're potentially applying them at full strength to your child's skin, which can lead to reactions and sensitization.<br />
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Don't add to drinks</h3>
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Don't add essential oils to juice, water, or other drinks. Essential oils won't disperse in a drink because they're not soluble in water, so when you add them to juice, you're basically ingesting them at full strength. </div>
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Keep out of reach of children. </h3>
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Some common essential oils are potentially toxic to small children if ingested at full strength. Always keep your essential oils out of reach of children and use oils with child-proof caps if available. Common essential oils, (yes, even when they're "pure") can be toxic to a child if swallowed neat, including thyme, peppermint, birch, rosemary, tea tree, cinnamon, clove, basil, pine, oregano, eucalpytus, and some lavenders.<br />
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Don't ingest</h3>
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Some essential oil companies (or their sales reps) propose that ingesting essential oils can cure ailments. Don't give essential oils to children to take internally, even diluted. Some essential oils can have accumulative toxicities--just because you've been ingesting them for months or even years safely doesn't mean that it's okay--you may have hidden toxicities that will appear later.<br />
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<h3>
Properly dilute</h3>
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If using essential oils externally for massage, always dilute in a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, etc. Here is a general guideline for dilution:</div>
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Premature infant: do not use<br />
Up to 3 months: .1%<br />
3-4 months: .25%<br />
2-6 years: 1%<br />
6-15 years: 1.5%<br />
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(Adapted from "Essential Oil Safety" 2nd ed, Robert Tisserand.)Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-3733777316869820272014-08-25T06:53:00.001-07:002014-08-25T07:02:31.318-07:00USDA Organic vs. "Therapeutic-Grade" Essential Oils<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">Every once in a while I'll get an e-mail asking which brand of essential oils we use in our products and if they're "therapeutic-grade." Because we're a USDA certified organic manufacturer, we have to use (and choose to) use oils that are not just "therapeutic-grade" but USDA certified organic, which is actually a much higher standard.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">A higher standard? Even than Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade? How can this be? </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Let me explain...</span></div>
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Now, before anyone gets upset: <span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not saying or implying that any brand is "bad" or "unpure" or unethical.</span> The point of this article is to state that <span style="font-size: x-large;">as a <i>standard</i>,</span> USDA certification is a stronger set of regulations than "therapeutic-grade." "Therapeutic-grade" is not a published set of regulations that are independently inspected and verified. It's a standard created internally by a company and is basically whatever a company says it is. It's more of a trademark term than a certification.<br />
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I don't sell or tout any one particular brand of essential oils; there are many great options out there. BUT when you choose certified organic you can be sure that not only are you choosing the highest standard, but not contributing to the use of synthetic herbicides like roundup (<a href="http://www.cornucopia.org/2014/06/5-disgusting-facts-roundup/" target="_blank">which is becoming persistent in our environment and increases cancer risk</a>) pesticides (like <a href="http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/" target="_blank">neonicotinoids that are killing bees</a>).<br />
<br />Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-16010111639316477072014-08-21T19:26:00.002-07:002014-08-21T19:26:27.762-07:008 Detoxifying FoodsWe talk a lot about chemicals to avoid and their side effects, but the bottom line is, at some point in our lives we've all been exposed to toxins. So, what can we do when we've already been exposed to toxins like aluminum compounds and phthalates? Today, here are eight foods that can help give your body a boost in eliminating harmful compounds.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Brazil Nuts</b></h3>
Are a rich source of selenium, known to help the body rid itself of mercury and other heavy metals.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martdiv/8101580775/">Márton Divényi</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a></span>
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Beets</h3>
Have been found to protect the liver from certain toxins. Betalain, a compound in beets has been found to help reduce toxicity associated with gamma radiation.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/9233914987/">woodleywonderworks</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a></span>
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<h3>
Ginger</h3>
Has been found to boost metabolism and help the body flush out toxins.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotnelson/5688135311/">Scot Nelson</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a></span>
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<h3>
Artichokes</h3>
contain silymarin, an antioxidant that supports the liver in detoxification, and cynarin, an acid that helps the liver break down fats efficiently.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/spychic/25215433/">spychic</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a></span><br />
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<h3>
<b>Onions</b></h3>
Onions (especially raw) contain sulfur-containing amino acids that help support the liver in detoxification.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/adulau/2990656711/">Alexandre Dulaunoy</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a></span><br />
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<h3>
Cilantro</h3>
contains an enzyme that helps to chelate heavy metals from the system.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dasqfamily/2648343226/">Qfamily</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a></span>
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<h3>
Apples</h3>
contain pectin, a type of fiber that can help remove certain food preservatives as well as metals from the system.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/94083657@N04/10353627844/">Leading Line Photography</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a></span>
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<h3>
<b>Garlic</b></h3>
contains a compound called allicin, which has been found to be a powerful detoxifier, removing levels of lead from the body.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pero_kvrzica/9210139597/">Pero Kvrzica</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a></span><br />
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<b>Sources:</b><br />
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/03/25/15-detox-foods_n_2950173.html<br />
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/garlic-beats-drug-detoxifying-lead-safely-body-1<br />
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[For educational purposes only. If you have a serious toxicity, please visit a healthcare professional immediately.]Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-36360340940648800972014-08-15T07:17:00.002-07:002014-08-15T07:17:31.236-07:00Can USDA Organic Be Trusted?Over on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thefoodbabe" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> of a (very) popular natural/organic food website, link to <a href="http://www.cornucopia.org/2014/08/usda-clips-wings-misleading-organic-marketers/" target="_blank">an article</a> was posted with the title "<b>USDA Clips Wings of Misleading Organic Marketers.</b>"<br />
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Comments ensued on the article wondering <b>"Can we trust USDA Organic?"</b><br />
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The story: The Cornucopia Institue has been, for a couple years, working with the USDA National Organic Program, to get companies to not use the name "organic" in their name of their packaging unless the product contains enough organic content to bear the organic seal, not just those that are in the "made with organic" category (70% plus.) The USDA made an internal ruling to review these cases and be more strict about the use of the word "organic" in product names.<br />
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Just reading the title it sounds like there's a rampant problem with organic fraud. (It didn't help that the image the link pulled up was the organic seal.) Many people were questioning the validity of the USDA Organic seal, so, I wanted to take a moment to clear up a couple common misconceptions about organic.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Misconception: The USDA is in cahoots with corporations like Monsanto, thus USDA Organic can't be trusted.</b></h3>
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The NOP (National Organic Program) is one very small office inside the USDA. It doesn't work with or answer to any other offices within the USDA. Because the regulations are set forth by the independent council of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the NOP doesn't answer to anyone else inside the USDA, just the NOSB. NOP regulations are very specific, so there is little room for misinterpretation, corruption, or influence. If a company breaks the rules, they're fined and/or stripped of their certification. <i>Distrust of the (general offices of the) USDA to protect our food supply from GMOs and harmful pesticides would be the exact reason to choose organic</i>.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Misconception: Oregon Tilth Organic, etc, is better than USDA Organic</b></h3>
<b><br /></b>Oregon Tilth, QAI, etc are all third-party certifiers under the National Organic Program. The USDA doesn't actually go out and inspect farms or organic processing facilities--that's the job of the third-party certifiers. Every USDA certified organic operation must have third-party certification. So, USDA organic and Oregon Tilth Organic are one and the same. Oregon Tilth answers to the USDA NOP. It's all the same set of regulations.<br />
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That said, always look for the third-party certifier to verify that the company is truly USDA Organic and not just using the seal. If there is a question and you suspect organic fraud, you can always look up a company in the NOP database: http://apps.ams.usda.gov/nop/<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4f9G8SFLT8GFd4OnHY4Sw4ESNjEDzq6WBkBJuTrmOtVpMCC-D4O9bXoZaRgE6Kbkft8ohNCYElpyZtQBMaM2qaz1cDBpGStF45rOkmtVwXU9B-Ga9j8-K7Wukfk9Pt7Dx0KxOJg9wEs/s1600/500px-USDA_organic_seal.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4f9G8SFLT8GFd4OnHY4Sw4ESNjEDzq6WBkBJuTrmOtVpMCC-D4O9bXoZaRgE6Kbkft8ohNCYElpyZtQBMaM2qaz1cDBpGStF45rOkmtVwXU9B-Ga9j8-K7Wukfk9Pt7Dx0KxOJg9wEs/s1600/500px-USDA_organic_seal.svg.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<h3>
The Bottom Line</h3>
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In any industry there's fraud. However, most of the fraud within the organic community comes from overseas operations that are trying to export raw materials in to the US. They're usually caught before the ingredients enter the country. Of course, it always helps to buy your organic products from sources you trust, and companies that have demonstrated their dedication to organic standards. </div>
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<br />Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-91644212339025573192014-07-24T10:33:00.001-07:002014-07-24T10:33:31.373-07:005 Benefits of Using a Certified Organic Deodorant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FKgWPsgPMv0396z37dI0DjMCmZI1OorhBqS1OBNV0PyZjpJEb1xB2k2OOiwu5MvPcCensF4LODffmFz0qdc9n-y0fd7oW6fPIaXmMNUfSP8PzOBFxiXOvHNe97A-Y3n815UVNimuo7M/s1600/infographicdeodorant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FKgWPsgPMv0396z37dI0DjMCmZI1OorhBqS1OBNV0PyZjpJEb1xB2k2OOiwu5MvPcCensF4LODffmFz0qdc9n-y0fd7oW6fPIaXmMNUfSP8PzOBFxiXOvHNe97A-Y3n815UVNimuo7M/s1600/infographicdeodorant.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a><b> 1. Ingredients ON the label are what's actually IN the product. </b><br /><br />So many times I've seen ingredients lists that don't fully disclose their ingredients. Some are inadvertent mistakes, sometimes companies don't know better. Sometimes they outright lie. But, organic certification is a way that you can ensure that an ingredients list on the product matches exactly what's IN the product, and it's been verified by a third-party certifying agency.<br /><br /><b>2. No GMOs!</b><br /><br />GMOs are Genetically Modified Organisms...crops that have been genetically engineered to stand up to toxic herbicides like Round-up, or to produce more per acre. There are numerous problems with GMOs, one being that they encourage the overuse of toxic herbicides and pesticides. Another being that they have not been adequately studied for their health effects in humans. Some <a href="http://www.organicconsumers.org/bytes/ob347.htm" target="_blank">animal studies</a> have found their long term use to be associated with liver and kidney failure, as well as cancer. </div>
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<b>3. No synthetic chemicals to interfere with the natural process of sweating. </b></div>
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Sweating is a natural process of the body! It helps the body regulate temperature and even helps kill viruses and bacteria. The body uses the mechanism of sweat to remove buildup of toxins, such as by-products of protein metabolism that would otherwise have to pass through the kidneys. When you use an anti-perspirant, you're interfering with that natural process. </div>
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<b>4. No Metalloestrogens.</b></div>
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<br />Many anti-perspirants and deodorants (like the crystal deodorant stones) contain aluminum compounds. Aluminum has been found to mimic and interfere with estrogen (a metal that interferes with estrogen is called a metalloestrogen.) Metalloestrogens are suspected of increasing breast cancer risk, among other risks. More about the <a href="http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2012/9/11/dangers-of-aluminum.html" target="_blank">dangers of aluminum</a> here.</div>
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<b>5. No synthetic fragrances or fillers.</b></div>
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Synthetic fragrances can be loaded with endocrine-disrupting phthalates that also interfere with hormones in the body. It may seem harmless on the label, but "<a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702512/FRAGRANCE/" target="_blank">fragrance</a>" can be a chemical cocktail of thousands of chemicals, from phthalates to neurotoxins. There are also fillers and stabilizers in conventional deodorants, like <a href="http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/2010/06/chemicals-to-avoid.html" target="_blank">steareth-20</a>, a chemical created with the carcinogen ethylene oxide, traces of which, and its carcinogenic by-product 1,4-dioxane can remain in the product. </div>
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Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-22983067594944928292014-05-20T11:56:00.000-07:002014-05-20T11:56:57.895-07:00pH and SkinWe all have heard commercials and seen ads with the term "pH balanced." It seems like it would be a good thing. We all want balance, right? But what does "pH balanced" it really mean?<br />
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First, a quick primer on pH. pH is a chemistry term that indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a substance on a scale of 0 to 14, roughly. 0 is the most acidic, 7 is neutral, and 14 is most alkaline. So, something like a lemon juice concentrate, with a pH of 2, is acidic. Soap, with a pH of 8 would be alkaline. Pure water is a neutral 7.<br />
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The natural pH of skin is around 5.6-- mildly acidic. Intricate mechanisms in the skin create what is known as the acid mantle. Lipids and other trace liquids within the skin create this mantle, the acidity of which helps to defend the skin and body from pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc).<br />
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The marketing concept of "pH balanced" products started with detergent manufacturers. All true soaps are naturally alkaline. When the pH of a soap becomes acidic, it turns in to a mushy slime and no longer works as a soap. Synthetic detergents, however, don't typically have this problem, so formulators are able to add acidifying agents to the formula to give it a mildly acidic pH that matches that of skin. So, marketers took this opportunity to tell you that because our skin is mildly acidic, our cleansers should be too. But, the truth is, just because something is "pH balanced" doesn't mean the product will necessarily be the best for your skin. For instance, cocamidopropyl betaine, a common "gentle cleanser" was named by the American Contact Dermatitis Society as 2004's "Skin Irritant of the Year" because it contains traces of a processing chemical called dimethylaminopropylamine that is highly irritating to skin. While a product with this ingredient may be "pH balanced" it can also cause some extreme reactions. Other potentially irritating ingredients in detergent-based "pH balanced" products are artificial colors, micas, "fragrance," and preservatives. "pH balanced" really is just a marketing term, and doesn't necessarily mean safety for your skin.<br />
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Because it is acidic, the most effective way to clean skin, along with excess oils, dirt and bacteria, is to use an alkaline substance--like a true natural soap. While it does remove the acid mantle temporarily, your most people's skin begins re-secreting the mantle immediately. This varies slightly person to person, and there are rare cases of this mechanism failing due to impaired skin function or illness. If you find that even the most mild soap is "drying" to your skin, it's likely a function of pH, and following up your soap use with a hydrosol (which are naturally mildly acidic) or diluted apple cider vinegar with re-acidify your skin and get rid of the tight or dry feeling. If you have troubles using soaps, you may also want to look at your water, as hardness can create soap scum that can irritate skin in some individuals.<br />
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Of course, not all soaps are created equal. I've used soaps that made my skin feel extremely tight afterwards, and others that are completely fine. And pH isn't necessarily related. You can have a soap with a pH of 9 that feels better on your skin than a soap with a pH of 7. It's about the <span style="font-style: italic;">concentration</span> of the alkalinity (which is separate from the pH) and the amounts of free fatty acids in the formula, AND the presence or absence of other irritants (micas, fragrance, allergens, etc). Mildness doesn't necessarily correlate with pH.<br />
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Over the years, true soap (oils which have been saponified with an alkali like lye or potash) has gained a bad reputation. It brings to mind Grannie from the Beverly Hillbillies and her harsh "lye soap." But that was because in years past, we didn't have the technology we do today with saponification tables, digital scales, and a wide variety of wonderful oils. We now know exactly how much lye to add to which certain oils to make a bar or liquid that lathers and that's still gentle. Our soaps (both liquid and bars) go through the superfatting process, meaning that just a little extra oil is added so that we are sure there is no free alkali in the bar or liquid. Our facial cleansers have a special blend of oils that are additionally gentle with extra free fatty acids. Additionally, we add extra vegetable glycerin to keep the soap super gentle. And of course we don't use micas, synthetic fragrances, synthetic preservatives and other potential irritants.<br />
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Now, that's not to say that all detergents are bad, either. For instance the glucoside family of detergents (which we use in products that soap doesn't work, bubble baths and salt scrubs) contain no processing impurities and are also non-irritating to skin (I've used decyl glucoside at full strength on my skin with no issue.) pH adjustment can help, but it's all about overall formulation--percentages of surfactants used, humectants like glycerin, moisturizing oils and the presence (or absence) of common irritants.<br />
<br />Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-74760974685503556262014-04-16T11:15:00.000-07:002014-04-21T06:02:19.957-07:00Helpful Herbs: Green Tea<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbSADZ8APWhJlsJQN2cTxWF46nTeAGmzdjrs_MRSHzaG9sYqHMx8IBDX32Ca89d_J-DDvSTbNL5d3G2Ro8servnea6uxqrHVUntcyLcsD7B3aHavDXiD2TN57RPg6Xcj6f5kaB2vl4jo/s1600/helpful+herbs+green+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbSADZ8APWhJlsJQN2cTxWF46nTeAGmzdjrs_MRSHzaG9sYqHMx8IBDX32Ca89d_J-DDvSTbNL5d3G2Ro8servnea6uxqrHVUntcyLcsD7B3aHavDXiD2TN57RPg6Xcj6f5kaB2vl4jo/s1600/helpful+herbs+green+tea.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a>I can't start my day without my organic green tea. And it's a good thing because green tea is one of the best things you can drink! Let's take a look at some of the benefits:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Cancer Prevention</u></b><br />
Green tea extract found to protect against oral cancers:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24678188">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24678188</a><br />
<br />
Bone-protective and breast cancer protective effects in animal studies:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24561153">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24561153</a><br />
<br />
Protection of liver cancer and damage in animal studies:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24511000">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24511000</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24489859">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24489859</a><br />
<br />
This study found green tea extracts to slow the growth of lung cancer cells:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24634598">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24634598</a><br />
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Green tea may protect from breast cancer:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22280355">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22280355</a><br />
<br />
<u><b>Healthy Weight</b></u><br />
Green tea may help control blood glucose levels, helping to reduce weight gain:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24656388">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24656388</a><br />
<br />
Green tea may help prevent metabolic syndrome:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19147161">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19147161</a><br />
<br />
<u><b>Healthy Skin</b></u><br />
Green tea extract is being studied for its possible role in reversing oxidation of skin cells: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24712558">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24712558</a><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Brain Health</u></b><br />
Green tea, along with a blend of vitamins and other natural substances, may help the symptoms of Alzheimer's:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21103342">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21103342</a><br />
<br />
Compounds found in green tea may have neuroprotective effects:<br />
<a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/green-tea-may-have-brain-healing-properties">http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/green-tea-may-have-brain-healing-properties</a><br />
<br />
These are just a few of the <br />
studies on green tea. So drink up! Dr. Mercola advises that the best green tea:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Is Organic</li>
<li>Comes from Japan, not China because tea can absorb lead. Tea grown in China is likely to be exposed to more environmental pollution. </li>
<li>Is loose-leaf</li>
</ul>
<div>
He also provides tips on brewing. From Mercola.com (<a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/03/green-tea-benefits.aspx" target="_blank">source</a>)</div>
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<h2 style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; margin: 32px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Loose-Leaf Tea</span></h2>
<div>
<blockquote style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 38px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<ul style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 38px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bring water to a boil in a tea kettle (avoid using a non-stick pot, as this can release harmful chemicals when heated)</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Preheat your teapot or cup to prevent the water from cooling too quickly when transferred. Simply add a small amount of boiling water to the pot or tea up that you’re going to steep the tea in. Ceramic and porcelain retain heat well. Then cover the pot or cup with a lid. Add a tea cozy if you have one, or drape with a towel. Let stand until warm, then pour out the water</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Put the tea into an infuser, strainer, or add loose into the tea pot. Steeping without an infuser or strainer will produce a more flavorful tea. Start with one heaped teaspoon per cup of tea, or follow the instructions on the tea package. The robustness of the flavor can be tweaked by using more or less tea</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Add boiling water. Use the correct amount for the amount of tea you added (i.e. for four teaspoons of tea, add four cups of water). The ideal water temperature varies based on the type of tea being steeped:</span></li>
<ul style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 38px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">White or green teas</strong> (full leaf): Well below boiling (170-185°F or 76-85°C). Once the water has been brought to a boil, remove from heat and let the water cool for about 30 seconds for white tea and 60 seconds for green tea before pouring it over the leaves</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 38px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oolongs</strong> (full leaf): 185-210°F or 85-98°C</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 38px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Black teas</strong> (full leaf) and <strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pu-erhs</strong>: Full rolling boil (212°F or 100°C)</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cover the pot with a cozy or towel and let steep. Follow steeping instructions on the package. If there are none, here are some general steeping guidelines. Taste frequently as you want it to be flavorful but not bitter:</span></li>
<ul style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 38px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oolong teas</strong>: 4-7 minutes</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Black teas</strong>: 3-5 minutes</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Green teas</strong>: 2-3 minutes</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Once the desired flavor has been achieved you need to remove the strainer or infuser. If you're using loose leaves, pour the tea through a strainer into your cup and any leftover into another vessel (cover with a cozy to retain the heat)</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Of course green tea without any added sugar is best, and brewing at home will typically give you more antioxidants than bottled tea. </div>
Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-44966439971010296642014-04-03T15:21:00.000-07:002014-04-03T16:25:33.317-07:00Do You Really Need a Multivitamin?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYnwSGDeKRlcaN59mELqnPXkvcDjg_NudinWFpiT22180nYG4GOEZcwqKs4qGZX3WhYRKcwtNcoI_4Sipt7sgmAzmKvpSwhZR208ZWbXZxEr7o1twIyw-BDsYfSvRvCB3KdQ1_07xzcQ/s1600/multivitamin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYnwSGDeKRlcaN59mELqnPXkvcDjg_NudinWFpiT22180nYG4GOEZcwqKs4qGZX3WhYRKcwtNcoI_4Sipt7sgmAzmKvpSwhZR208ZWbXZxEr7o1twIyw-BDsYfSvRvCB3KdQ1_07xzcQ/s1600/multivitamin.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We've all been there before. You're living a stressful life and not eating as well as you could be. Perhaps you're feeling generally run down and could use a boost. So, you might thing taking a multivitamin would be a good idea, just to cover your bases.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>But taking a multivitamin may not be the answer. </b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Recently I had some bloodwork done. One thing they checked were my hemoglobin (iron) levels. They came back showing that my blood was really rich in hemoglobin (iron.) To the point that it was slightly above normal. Had I been taking a multivitamin with iron, I could have pushed my iron levels to an unhealthy level and became seriously ill. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They also took my vitamin D levels, which were on the low side of normal. To really get the benefit of D and raise my levels, my doctor wanted me to take 5000 IUs of vitamin D daily. In a multivitamin you'll get maybe 400 IUs--not enough to raise your levels or really see any benefit from it. Most of us are D deficient and can benefit from at least 5000 IUs a day. Some people may not need that much. Others may need way more. Without testing, it's a shot in the dark when it comes to a dose, so it's always best to find out first what's going on with your levels before supplementing. (You can get tested at your doctor's office or try a test kit like <a href="http://shop.mercola.com/product/vitamin-d-test-kit,1090,0.htm">this</a>.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Well, what about just eating whole, nutritious foods?</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eating whole, fresh, nutrient-dense foods is always a great idea and what we should all strive to do. But even with eating the best foods, there may be things that your body still needs. Especially when it comes to B vitamins. B12 is especially difficult to get from your diet because it's only present in a handful of foods (salmon, calf liver, grass fed beef, lamb, eggs). The cards are stacked against me when it comes to B12 because not only do I not eat much of the food sources, I found out through my blood testing that I actually have a gene mutation that makes it difficult for my body to absorb and utilize B vitamins. (Called a MTHFR mutation) So, I have to take care to supplement with the active forms of B12 (methylcobalamin), and folic acid (l-methyl folate) (and niacin to help absorb their by-products once the body has broken them down.). Sometimes diet and even the whole food supplements just aren't enough and you need to get pure standardized forms of these vitamins. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When it comes to supplementation, it's all very individual. It's about what your body actually <i>needs</i>. When you take a multi, no matter how "clean" it may be, you're putting yourself at risk for either getting too much of something or not enough of what you need. If you're experiencing sluggishness, brain fog, and general malaise, you may be deficient in one or more vitamins or nutrients and getting a blood test can help you figure out the missing pieces of your nutrition puzzle. There may be instances where taking a multivitamin is a good idea, but it's really dependent on what your body needs.</div>
Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-51070942039030051692014-02-26T16:03:00.000-08:002014-04-03T20:53:26.069-07:00Dealing with Acne Naturally<i>So, I have to start out saying that I am not a doctor and this should not be viewed as medical advice. I can't claim to heal or treat any medical conditions and this is for educational purposes only. These are my personal experiences and may or may not work for your situation.</i>
<br />
<i><br /></i>
We've all heard it..."our skin is our body's largest organ." Not only does this mean that what we put <i>on</i> our skin affect what's <i>in</i> our body, but what's <i>in</i> our body affects how our skin looks on the <i>outside</i>. Our skin, many times, is a reflection of what's going on in our body, and acne is no exception. It usually signals imbalance and/or inflammation.<br />
<br />
The first question to ask when dealing with acne is: what is it INSIDE the body that's causing the external manifestation? Is it an omega-3 imbalance? Is it caused by a food intolerance or allergy? (Gluten intolerance can be a big one that causes acne.) Is it a hormonal imbalance? Rather than covering up the symptoms with harsh treatments topically, I always recommend visiting a qualified naturopath, dietician, or other holistic medical practitioner to look in to to find the exact cause of the condition and find a natural treatment. <b>Without treating the internal cause, you're only covering up symptoms. </b>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
As recently as 2007 I was struggling with hormonal acne pretty bad--all over my cheeks and jawline. T-zone, too. It was something that I had always lived with, along with hormonal imbalances.<br />
<br />
The first step towards my healing was <b>getting rid of estrogen mimickers in my diet and beauty routine. </b>This means eating an organic diet as much as you can. Pesticide residues many times will act like estrogen in the body, throwing off hormonal balance and making you estrogen dominant. (Which can be the cause of acne, among other problems.) GMOs have also been shown in animals studies to affect hormones and increase inflammation; eating organic products ensures that you're GMO-free. Avoid plastic wrap, especially when heating food, as it can leach endocrine-disrupting phthalates in to your food, especially fatty foods, as it is a fat-soluble chemical. It also means avoiding xenoestrogenic chemicals like <b>"fragrance," parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, and aluminum. </b>
<b>Dietary Considerations</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Processed flours and sugars also create inflammation in the body so limiting/avoiding them can work wonders in clearing your skin. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Consider looking at food allergies and intolerances. If you have unexplained inflammation in your body and other skin issues, simple food allergies may be to blame. Common allergens include corn, eggs, dairy and nuts. Visit an allergist for proper testing.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Also look at the fats that you're eating. Fat isn't bad, but it is when it's damaged. If you're eating unsaturated fats that have been heated to high temperatures they've likely oxidized; when you ingest them you're introducing oxidation to your body, which can lead to inflammation. If you're cooking foods in oil, keep your temps on the lower side (of course you need to heat any meats properly) and use stable fats like coconut oil for that purpose. Also make sure to have plenty of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, found in salmon, fish oil, krill oil, walnuts and walnut oil, hemp seed oil, evening primrose oil, and flax seed oil. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Flax Seeds</b>
The way that flax seeds help acne is three-fold. First, flax seeds are high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, thus curbing the inflammation in the body, and thus in the skin. Second, flax is high in lignans. Lignans have been shown to inhibit 5 alpha-reductase, an enzyme involved in the conversion of testosterone to DHT (its more active form). In other words, it helps to balance the production of androgens, which, in excess can cause acne. Third, essential fatty acids strengthen the skin's cell membranes, thus hydrating the innermost layer of skin. This makes skin less susceptible to hormonal fluctuations. If your acne is hormone-related, you may consider adding flax seeds to your diet. They can be added to practically anything--smoothies, salads, soups, even sandwiches and baked goods. Or just eat them straight from the bottle! I usually say 2 tbsp a day is what you need. Most flax seeds need to be ground in order to be digested and absorbed properly. If you'd like to skip this step, check out the FlaxPro flax seeds on our website: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bubbleandbee.com%2Fservlet%2Fthe-FlaxPro-Flax-Seeds%2FCategories&h=eAQFjyecD&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.bubbleandbee.com/servlet/the-FlaxPro-Flax-Seeds/Categories</a><br />
<br />
<b>Baking Soda</b>
If you've worked with a doctor and can't figure out the internal causes to acne and want to try something simple topically, baking soda is a great idea. You use it like this--Make a paste with baking soda and water, and then use it to scrub your face gently to remove dead skin cells that can block pores, as well as removing/killing the bacteria that's causing the acne. You can do this every 3 to 10 days, depending on your skin. I do this maybe once every 10 days and really love how soft my skin feels afterwards. The less dead skin there is on your face, the fewer dead skin cells there are to block your pores. (Do note that some people with extremely sensitive skin may not be able to handle the alkalinity of the baking soda, so perhaps do a test patch first to make sure it doesn't irritate your skin.) To balance the pH of your skin afterwards and add hydration, I recommend our <a href="http://www.bubbleandbee.com/servlet/the-351/Splash-of-Lime-Toning/Detail">Splash of Lime Toning Mist.</a><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
For a gentle daily cleansing option with beneficial essential oils and extracts, check out our best-selling <a href="http://www.bubbleandbee.com/servlet/the-251/Cool-Cucumber-Facial-Cleanser/Detail">Cool Cucumber Cleanser</a>.</div>
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<i>Of course, this is a general and simple synopsis of a few considerations when looking at acne. Consult a dietician or other professional before altering your diet and lifestyle. </i></div>
Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-66062459776289805692014-01-17T13:24:00.004-08:002014-09-16T21:37:48.790-07:005 Myths About Deodorant & B.O. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/d6/24/7e/d6247e8bc209832ab87bbdba2728550c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/d6/24/7e/d6247e8bc209832ab87bbdba2728550c.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Myth 1. Natural Deodorants Don't Work for Me</b><br />
<br />
Finding a natural deodorant that works, especially if you're a heavier sweater, can be a challenge. But it CAN be done--it's just about finding what works for your body chemistry. What do we mean by body chemistry? A number of factors: how much you sweat, the composition of bacteria on your skin, the composition of the fatty acids in your sweat. Body chemistry can change over time based on diet, hormones, and even environment. Sometimes layering deodorants will be the key--a stick over a cream, a powder over a spray, a stick over a spray. Sometimes if you're a heavier sweater it can be a realistic expectation to need to reapply more often. It's just about finding that right thing for you.<br />
<br />
<b>Myth 2. Natural Deodorants Can Keep Me From Sweating</b><br />
<br />
There is a difference between a <i>deodorant</i> and an <i>anti-perspirant. </i>Deodorants are designed to stave off odor, while an anti-perspirant keeps you from sweating. No natural deodorant will keep you from sweating, as there is no botanical substance that can keep you from sweating. The next best thing is to use a product with powders to absorb sweat and reapply throughout the day to keep heavier perspiration under control.<br />
<br />
<b>Myth 3. The Crystal is a Healthy Option</b><br />
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Crystal deodorants have gained in popularity over the last few years--you can even find them in Walmart! Most people think this is a healthier option and that it's just salt. Well, crystal deodorants are usually made up of either potassium alum or ammonium alum. Potassium alum's full chemical name is potassium aluminum sulfate. (Likewise with ammonium alum, it's ammonium aluminum sulfate.) When you wet a crystal deodorant your'e releasing a concentrated dose of aluminum ions to your skin. (More info <a href="http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2010/1/21/aluminum-in-crystal-deodorant-stones.html">here</a>, <a href="http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2010/3/8/exposing-more-truths-about-alum.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2010/5/13/confirmed-aluminum-in-crystal-deodorants-is-absorbed.html">here</a>.) A lot of the crystals will say "no harmful aluminums" or "no aluminum chlorohydrate" but aluminum in <i>all</i> forms has no place in the body, leading to a host of health effects. (More info <a href="http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2012/9/11/dangers-of-aluminum.html">here</a>.)<br />
<br />
<b>Myth 4. Eating Clean Will Keep me From Smelling Bad</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
It's a common myth that body odor is caused by toxins being released through the underarm and that eating a certain way (ie, vegan diet, only organic, low-carb, paleo, etc) will keep you from smelling. While it is true that certain foods can contribute to body odor by releasing odiferous compounds through your sweat (garlic, onions, coffee, alcohol) body odor's prime cause is bacteria feeding upon amino acids in your sweat. The amino acid composition in your sweat <i>can</i> increase through diet (if you're eating a lot of protein) however, it's largely controlled through genetics. This means that for a lot of people, no matter what you eat, you're gonna smell. <i>Perhaps</i> if genetically you're pre-disposed to be a light sweater with limited amino acids in your sweat, you could eliminate the need for deodorant through dietary measures, however, diet alone won't fix a bad case of B.O. for most people.<br />
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<b>Myth 5. There's no Difference Between Natural and Organic</b><br />
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<i>Anything</i> can practically be marketed as "natural" because there's no legal definition for the term. Uranium ore mined from the earth could be billed as "natural." Organic, however, has a very specific and legal definition when it comes to products marketed in the U.S. Organic only refers to agricultural ingredients (products grown from the earth, not mined), can't be grown with certain pesticides and herbicides, must be grown from non-GMO seeds, and also can't be contaminated with ionizing radiation, sewage sludge and a number of harmful chemicals.<br />
<br />Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9056660268035747967.post-66579836312774022262013-10-29T19:52:00.000-07:002014-04-03T21:00:42.709-07:00Cleaning Products UPDATED<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Household Cleaning </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of my cleaning recommendations remain the same, with GreenShield scoring top marks in every category. Unfortunately it seems that GreenShield is harder to find in stores now, with Whole Foods taking it off the shelf in many stores to make room for their own similar (read: copy-cat) formulas. I'd rather support an independent business than the Whole Foods brand, but, in a pinch, the Whole Foods stuff will do, I suppose. :)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hand Washing Dish Soap</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cleanhappens.com/products/dish-it-out" target="_blank">Better Life DISH IT OUT Natural Dish Liquid</a>,
Unscented gets top scores with EWG's new Health Cleaning Guide. And
rightly so! It uses only glucosides as its detergents (the safest way
to go if you've gotta use a detergent) and doesn't have anything bad! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dishwasher Soap</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just learned about this one and I'm so excited to try it out! It's almost too good to be true...a <i>certified organic dishwasher soap!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greenologyproducts.com/auto_dish.shtml" target="_blank">Squeez</a>
by GreenShield Organic. You can find this line of products at most
Whole Foods stores and at Lowe's! And speaking of GreenShield...they're
my top picks for the following categories...</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kitchen Cleaner</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.greenologyproducts.com/kitchen_cleaner.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GreenShield Organic Kitchen Cleaner</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bathroom Cleaner</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greenologyproducts.com/bathroom_cleaner.shtml" target="_blank">GreenShield Organic Bathroom Cleaner</a><b><a href="http://www.greenologyproducts.com/bathroom_cleaner.shtml" target="_blank"> </a></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toilet Cleaner</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.greenologyproducts.com/toilet_bowl.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GreenShield Organic Toilet Bowl Cleaner</span></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glass Cleaner</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.greenologyproducts.com/glass_cleaner.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GreenShield Organic Glass Cleaner </span></a><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All-Purpose Cleaner</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.greenologyproducts.com/all_purpose_cleaner.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GreenShield Organic All-Purpose Cleaner</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I use this one a lot. I use it to clean my countertops in the kitchen, to clean up sinks, mirrors. Great stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alternative to Scrubbing Bubbles</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When
we went organic, that was one of the things I really missed---my
Scrubbing Bubbles. With the Scrubbing Bubbles you just sprayed it on
and as you wiped or rinsed it off, the soap scum disappeared. When I
stopped using it, it was back to using the old elbow grease on the soap
scum in the bathtub. And it was hard to find a good method for cleaning
the bathtub. Baking soda and scrubbing brushes, steam cleaners...nothing really did a good job without a ton of effort. But then I found
this: <a href="http://methodhome.com/shop/bathroom-cleaner/" target="_blank">method bathroom cleaner.</a>
Now, do keep in mind that this is not a perfect product
ingredients-wise. It still contains synthetic fragrance, and a couple
other questionable ingredients. However, the fragrance didn't trigger
my asthma like Scrubbing Bubbles does, and is a heckuva lot better
ingredients-wise. They're up-front about their fragrance in that it's
partially synthetic, but state that it is free from phthalates, NPE's
and carcinogens and also has been tested for skin irritation and
allergies. To my delight, it did exactly what the label said. You can
spray it on your shower tile or bath tub, let it sit for just a little
bit, and then just wipe it. The soap scum just comes right off, no
scrubbing needed. All with no overwhelming fumes. What a dream!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laundry Detergent</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NKZs05f5EVrxlhX_GmsQzqbu-Iyrxvhc_0sYkrBwE8yWP5CQFg_aLM5Utmv4QF4JxwP8a6jnT3BYCFtALwtbufoo5ofUbl34ZepaWv-b3Y72pH_mjl_378VQvuYLHfxjmMEzX-rML3I/s1600/Soapnuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NKZs05f5EVrxlhX_GmsQzqbu-Iyrxvhc_0sYkrBwE8yWP5CQFg_aLM5Utmv4QF4JxwP8a6jnT3BYCFtALwtbufoo5ofUbl34ZepaWv-b3Y72pH_mjl_378VQvuYLHfxjmMEzX-rML3I/s200/Soapnuts.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bubbleandbee.com/servlet/the-104/Organic-Soap-Nuts/Detail" target="_blank">Soapnuts</a>, yo!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you tried soapnuts yet? You can use them as a laundry detergent, hair wash, all-purpose cleaner--so many things you can do with them!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bubbleandbee.com/servlet/the-104/Organic-Soap-Nuts/Detail" target="_blank">GreenShield</a> also has some good ones, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DIY Recipes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Window and Glass Cleaner</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">1 cup vinegar</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">1/4 cup rubbing alcohol</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">2 cups water</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">This works amazingly! It gets your windows and mirrors sparkling clean without streaks!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Removing Coffee/Tea Stains</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Baking Soda!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Just take a paste of baking soda and water, use a sponge to scrub and the stains disappear! Use it on your mugs, in your sink, tile--wherever those tannins from coffee and tea are lurking!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Handwashing Dish Soap</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">50 g (about a handful) soapnut shells</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">4 cups of water</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Bring water to boil and add soapnuts. Simmer for 20 minutes. Let it cool and then strain out the soapnuts and put the liquid in to a 1 qt mason jar. Use 1/4 cup in a sink full of hot water for hand washing dishes. Don't be fooled by the lack of bubbles--it's still doing its job! Store remaining liquid in fridge. Can also be used for cleaning and shining jewelry, as a shampoo, and a veggie wash.</span></span><br />
<b> </b>Stephanie Greenwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857938596820726359noreply@blogger.com50