Natural Living Blog

Site Updates-Tips-News

Information and tips for a natural living lifestyle. Being informed makes choosing organic, natural skincare, fashion and everyday living so much easier while making sure your purchases are made in ways that respect animals, people and the environment.

Jul 8, 2008, Alima Mineral Makeup Review

I absolutely LOVE the whole Alima line including their brushes. Their foundation gives me a wonderful natural finish and just enough coverage that my

Jul 3, 2008, Find The Best Sunscreen - 2008 EWG List

I was just on the EWG site Safe Cosmetics Database. This updated list is just in time for the upcoming 4th of July celebrations that have most of us reaching for our sunscreen.

Great ingredients alone just aren't enough when talking about sun protection. If I'm going to be putting out good money and sometimes a lot of good money to use products with safe ingredients I want to know they work and work well to protect my skin against aging and skin cancer which means providing the best protection against UVB and UVA rays.

That's where I find this checking and rating that the EWG does to be so helpful and time saving. Now I will have to update my sunscreen page there have been some changes.

Before you buy another bottle of sunscreen check and see where it stands on this site. This year they include a list of all brands starting at the best along side a list of common brands that also provide good sun protection. These are brands you will find at your local stores. Good for sun protection but poorer ratings because of ingredients. Animal testing, not part of the rating system, is something to check with some of these brands.

While you can easily do a search for your favorite brand you can also check a list of all companies that do not carry any recommended sunscreens by clicking on see more under the list of common brands and go to the bottom of the page. Quickly eliminates many companies.

I was surprised to see one of my favorite companies on this list. Aubrey Organics which uses some of the safest ingredients around but their sunscreens have not been given a good spf rating. I guess their combination of Padimate O and titanium dioxide has not been found to be as effective. The EWG also has concerns over the safety of Padimate O.(PABA)

Well, anyway use this list to help you keep your skin looking young and burn free. Shop for a safe sunscreen that really works and while you are at it say no to animal testing and find one with a cruelty free logo.

Happy 4th everyone.

Jun 27, 2008, Eco Fashions On Sale

Have you been wanting to try eco friendly clothing but are less than thrilled by the prices. Maybe you've been reading about all the benefits of shopping for eco fabrics either on my site or the many others that are out there and just aren't sure you want to spend too much to try it. Well, maybe I can help you out.

How about a sale? Not one but 6 different companies that are holding sales on eco friendly clothing. Here is your chance to experiment affordably or check out a few of the new eco fashion designers styles at reduced prices. Don't wait long or you may have trouble finding your size.

Check out the stores below:

Lotus Organics

A great 50% off sale going on of active and casual wear organic clothing plus they offer a low flat rate on shipping. Among their selections you will find cute tank tops and other shirts for summer made from organic cotton.

Green Loop

Here you will find designs from Lara Miller, Edun, Loomstate and other eco fashion designer clothing at sale prices.

Nature Wear Organics

Up to 30% off on all kinds of organic clothing. Not a big selection on sale but some nice choices.

REI

Good selection t-shirts, tops, shorts etc. Not everything on page is on sale but the ones that are are cute and well priced. Some items have been reviewed so that's cool.

Bamboo Styles

I happen to be fond of a 3/4 length sleeve shirt and I am a big fan of bamboo, a very comfortable fabric for summer. This one is nice but only available in light blue but for $16 you can try bamboo clothing. All sizes still available.

Shirts of Bamboo

Good selection of bamboo for the whole family on sale. Prices are great but sizes limited.

A few of my thoughts about shopping for what they are worth.

Shop for what you need.
Keep only what you love.
Donate the rest.

Jun 24, 2008, Bare Minerals Makeup Review

I bought Bare Minerals makeup thinking that it would help my skin and feel lighter than my regular foundation. I got prepared to apply the makeup, I

Jun 10, 2008, Making a Case for Buying Certified Skin Care Products

We've had some really good news in my family. My daughter will be bringing the newest member of our little family into the world sometime in January next year. In an effort to help her meet the needs for skin care during pregnancy I have begun doing research.

I have been researching ingredients and products that are safe for both my daughter and her growing baby. I will be adding my findings to a new section of my site, natural pregnancy. One page is already up, skin care ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, with more to follow.

All this brings me to the reason for this blog. I see where a company that sells natural products for moms and babies has recalled a product called Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream which has been on the market for about a year.

According to this article in CNN, the FDA has advised women to quit using this product because of two ingredients in this cream which is used for a mom's dry cracked nipples, chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol which may cause dangerous side effects to infants. There is also a concern that when combined they may cause respiratory depression in nursing infants.

From what I have seen already with my research, even less is known about the harm chemicals can have on a growing fetus or baby. Even supposedly benign chemicals like the two above that would both be considered relatively safe to use in skin care products by the Safe Cosmetic Database which rates them for our safety but not for their effects on infants.

I checked out Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream on their website and looked at the ingredients listed. Now they are not claiming to be organic but they do call themselves natural. Nowhere did I see the two chemicals above listed as a part of their ingredients. This really bothered me.

This looked like a site I might consider shopping from. The ingredients used seem to be very natural and safe but this company apparently does not disclose all ingredients on their website which I find to be all too common in skin care products.

I think it would be easy for someone to read the ingredients listed and think that was all that was in this product and feel safe purchasing it.

I could understand a company stating these are the main ingredients or active ingredients this at least lets you know that more ingredients are used and from there you can do further checking.

All the more reasons, for those of us who want to know if all the ingredients used are safe to choose USDA certified organic skin care products.

Jun 5, 2008, Getting The Guys on Board With Safe Skin Care

I don't know what I did wrong. On second thought.... maybe I do.

If you've read my site you know that I believe in safe skin care products, being environmentally friendly and being cruelty free. This has been a part of me for a long time so I shop accordingly as much as I can (money being the one thing that slows me down).

I have tried many different natural/organic products through the years and since I was the one doing the shopping my son had no choice but to work with what I bought home.

Natural products (the real natural products) have improved so much the last few years and they can be the best products available. Unfortunately, my son who has been buying his own things the last few years seems to only remember the ones I bought that did not work.

Natural deodorant was a tough one that even I had to admit never quite works so well and still doesn't. Hair products as anyone with a teen knows have to work just right or it just sits there never to be touched again. Those that are made without chemicals are great today but some of them used to smell and act very different than conventional products.

We got to the point that he did not even look at what I brought home and only asked "Did you get that at the health food store?" and went out and bought his own. So I do know what went wrong and now I have a hard time getting him to try anything without him saying "I just want to use normal products?"

I try to explain about the safety of the ingredients. He's not convinced. I try to explain about buying organics. He's not convinced. I try to explain about cruelty free. Well, here I can get his attention. He loves animals.

I figure I am going to have to keep buying some of the great products out there. The ones that work so well that he will not be able to say no to using them and this is where I think we can get guys on board with using safe skin care stuff. They are as at risk as we are.

Introduce them to the best. Products for men are a little harder to find but they're out there. A company I have mentioned on my site Lavera has a nice sale going on for a Father's Day skin care pack. Great for dad's or any of the men in our lives.

My plan of action...
buy the good stuff, hide his old stuff, he'll have to try it. Won't he?

May 29, 2008, New Aubrey Organics Silken Earth Mineral Makeup Review

I've been a fan of mineral makeup for years, beginning with Bare Escentuals (which I discarded due to the Bismusth O.) to Larinim (which I loved).

May 19, 2008, Alima Mineral Makeup Review

I have been searching for a good eco-friendly and cruelty free mineral makeup to match my skin tone, and I found what I was looking for with Alima

May 15, 2008, Been Wanting To Try Earth Shoes?
Now's The Time

A few months back I came across a sale at Gaiam for Vegan Earth Shoes. I had been wanting to try a pair for quite a while. The idea of getting my body in better alignment, toning my thighs and calves and even burning extra calories while I walked sounded good.

But the cost for something I was not sure I would even like was just too high for me. A good sale was all I needed.

They have since become one of my most favorite pair of shoes for walking around in. They were comfortable fitting right from the start and for me at least the sizing was true.

I have to admit they did take some getting used to. When I first put them on I could feel how my body realigned as I stood back more on the heels which are lower slightly than the front. Sounds odd doesn't it. Especially if you are used to wearing high heels.

As I walked around I could feel different muscles being used in my legs and my posture felt straighter. I wore them for a few hours at a time and until I was more used to them did experience some muscle soreness.

I think probably the best result I found was I no longer felt the ache in my neck and between my shoulder blades that happened when I would be walking around for a long time. I can only assume it is because my body is better aligned.

These shoes are now my go to shoes whenever I am out and about. If you have been wondering about a pair for yourself now is a good time to check them out.

Gaiam has select varieties of Earth Shoes on sale at 50% off. Several styles of sandals and clogs, some of them vegan.

Don't wait, quantities are limited.

Click on the coupon to go to Gaiam and check out these shoes for yourself. (To easily find the Earth Shoes I mentioned go to the casual footwear section under apparel.)

Many more items on sale here at 20% to 60% off during their spring sale. Add the web code when ordering for even bigger savings.

May 13, 2008, I Challenge Myself To Eco Friendly Shopping

A few weeks ago, I decided to challenge myself to see how many of my future purchases could be items that are either, used, recycled or environmentally friendly.

So far, I am the owner of a used wicker chair which after hunting around for found a really nice one at a good price. I plan on using an eco friendly paint to spruce it up.

Not being much of a garage sale or rummage sale shopper was pleased when one Saturday happened upon a sale and found a set of blue glasses and a wicker table for 5 dollars.

A little paint for the table and I now have a nice little outdoor seating area for my patio. I am considering a rug made from recycled plastic bottles for the patio, the one I like is available at GAIAM. You can see these for yourself by clicking on the link below.

Reusing something keeps items out of landfills no matter what they are made of. It will be more of a challenge to buy new when I also consider what will happen to an item once it is no longer useful.

The wicker items I just bought when they have outlived their usefulness and are thrown away will at least break down in the environment.

Which is more than I can say for some of wicker furniture I have seen made from new plastic. This is not the kind of item that can be recycled so when it is thrown away will still be around in a dump somewhere for a looooong time.

What presents an interesting question is the recyclable rug. While it is made from recycled materials it is not recyclable itself. So these plastics have had their life extended but unless we come up with a way to recycle them again they will eventually be trash.

This is something to think about as I look at the materials used but also consider about what will happen to an item once it's usefulness is over.

All of this was inspired by a book, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.

When I started reading this book I was wondering if this book was headed in a direction intended to scare which it did a little as I began thinking of the stuff around me in a different light.

But as I read further and found the ideas about the making of things so interesting I did not put the book down until I had finished it. One evening's worth of reading and my ideas about how things are or could be made... changed.

As Seen on Oprah! Turkish Pattern Reversible All-Weather Floor Mat.
Only $39

May 10, 2008, Last Minute Ideas For Eco Mom's

It's the last minute and you are thinking you'd like to make this an eco friendly Mother's Day. Too late to order and unless you live near a store that carries environmentally friendly products you will find buying something a little rough.

So put aside the idea of buying. If you get a little creative and don't mind some work, you can still put together a great gift that is gentle on the environment. These ideas require more thought and less stuff.

I started thinking, what would I appreciate and here is what I came up with. What makes some of these ideas environmentally friendly is how you choose to implement them.

How about this....

For the Mom Who Likes To Cook

Buy a cookbook that your mom would appreciate. Pick a recipe to cook and buy all the ingredients. Choose organic or locally grown. Maybe add a small plant or two, herbs are always nice, to decorate the table. Then cook this up for your mom.

For The Mom Who Could Use A Little Help

All of us have that one project we keep putting off, we want it done but just can't seem to muster the energy to tackle it. Find out what that is for your mom and offer to help get it done. It's nice when someone just says I know you have been wanting to do this now let's get it done. Maybe it's some painting or organizing or whatever, just do it.

For Mom's With A Picture Problem:

Does your mom have a boxes of pictures that she has been meaning to organize. Buy the supplies you need and spend the afternoon with your mom, sharing the memories.

For The Mom Needing A Day Of Pampering:

Plan a beauty day. Buy the ingredients, organic is best, to create your own beauty products. If you have been following along in my newsletter, every month I highlight a homemade recipe for facial care. I've focused on masks but last month it was facial steams. Also check out my page on homemade exfoliant for other ideas. Spend the afternoon enjoying great skin care with your mom.

Well, you get the idea.

To all moms have a Happy Mother's Day.

May 7, 2008, Aubrey Organics Color Me Natural Dark Brown

I tried Aubrey Organics Color Me Natural Dark Brown after some severe scalp reactions to permanent hair dyes. (Both salon and drugstore) After three

May 5, 2008, Henna - Light Mountain and Rainbow

I've tried many of the natural pre-mixed products--I had most of them available to me when I owned a health food store in the 90's--but they all

May 2, 2008, Target's Eco Fashion

This is an interesting twist. Target works with designer Rogan Gregory to create a line of eco fashions for their GO International line that will premiere this month at Barney's in New York first, then debut in Los Angeles and later the styles can be found in Target stores.

Rogan Gregory, for those who can't quite place the name, is the designer for Edun, Bono's socially responsible and stylish clothing line and Loomstate, known for it's wonderfully styled organic clothing and jeans.

Eco friendly fashion is a small but growing part of our clothing choices. Since the demand is still small it makes it hard for many clothing manufacturers wanting to create eco clothing to be able to find a mill that will work with smaller quantities of specialized fabrics.

I am thinking that with Target's immense buying power they would be able to work something out to create designer styles of eco friendly fashion at prices more of us can afford.

This could be a good thing. While there does seem to be an increased interest in being green, I think many people do not know very much about organic fabrics. There may still be the old connection to earth colored, unshapely clothing of the past.

Many women shop at Target or should I say Tar-gee. Will that create a heightened awareness of the possibility of stylish eco clothing that anyone can afford?

We shall see.

Apr 24, 2008, Polluted Pets - New EWG Report

The EWG just published it's findings on the toxins that have been found in elevated levels in our beloved pets. Living life close to the ground has exposed our pets to all kinds of toxins.

Think about your pet's average day.

They may start out with a romp through the backyard or a walk through areas treated with weed killers or chemical fertilizers. Had a little blue water from the toilet bowl. Licked their paws ingesting some of those outside chemicals and who know what else. Munched on a few scraps off the kitchen floor that had been cleaned with chemically laden cleaners. Slept on bedding treated with fire retardants. Chewed on plastic toys or even their plastic bowl and the list goes on.

Illness and even deaths have occurred because animals have been exposed to so many different chemicals. What this report goes on to say is that our children who also spend more time on the ground are often exposed to a similar level of contaminants as pets and as we all know they too are not so discriminating about what they put in their mouths.

It points out that our pets may be our own canaries in the coal mine. Their health issues may be an early warning system for our own health.

All of us are exposed to chemicals every single day. Some areas we have very little control but there are so many areas that we do and it comes down to being informed and making better choices.

Take a few minutes and read this report and then see if their aren't some changes you could make that not only protects your best friend but your whole family.

Apr 21, 2008, EcoColors Hair Color Review

See my review of EcoColors Hair Color. My needs are simple, I want safe ingredients and no animal testing and I want blonde hair with no grey. Did I mention that I am also allergic to hair color?

Apr 20, 2008, Celebrate Earth Day. Bring Your Awareness

Celebrations are planned, trees will be planted, trash will be picked up, all great ways to celebrate Earth Day. A day to honor the earth is a good thing.

We know one day is not enough. Perhaps this day could be a jumping off point for evaluating what each of us can do. So if all we did for this day is to just bring our awareness to the choices we make everyday perhaps the impact will be even greater.

If for one day we all took a look at the trash we create, the water we consume, the energy we use and keep in mind that's just one household. Multiply our average consumption by how many millions of us? And wow that adds up. So not one of us can say one person can't make a difference because we all count and we all are responsible.

If we all paid attention to the choices we make everyday. Are we doing our best to create less trash, do we use water carefully, do we try to buy carefully so we don't have to throw stuff away, do we shut off lights and TV when we are not using them, do we recycle what we can and make it a point to buy recycled?

What a difference it could make if we drank from reusable containers, used power strips for our electronics, consolidated trips to the store, carried our own shopping bags, bought local produce, chose recycled paper products and the list goes on. What's so great is we end up doing the best things for ourselves and the planet and we also save money. Can't beat that.

So even if you can't take part in any Earth Day celebrations if you bring your awareness and intent to make a difference to the day good things are bound to come of it.

Apr 14, 2008, Robert Craig Hair Color

I tried Robert Craig hair color to color gray regrowth. Even though I have fine thin hair, it did not cover my gray which is about 70%.

Apr 9, 2008, Natural Anti-Aging Skin Care Info

Looking for natural anti-aging products? Find out about some of the best choices for healthy, younger looking skin.

Apr 2, 2008, Has the Spring Cleaning Bug Hit

Over the past weekend when temperatures here were in the 70's the spring cleaning bug hit me. I felt the need to change things up, recommit to clearing things out and just generally freshen things up.

Moving furniture always gives me a boost so that was the first thing I tackled. I have off and on been going through my home and getting rid of things I don't love or use. So right now some areas of my house are pared down and feeling more open.

I have problem areas though as I think most of us do and I have some storage areas of my home that I put things I'm sure could be recycled.

Yes, you've heard me complain before about my frustrations with recycling.

I really prefer to recycle locally but the 'I'm sure this can be recycled somewhere pile' keeps growing as I find myself wondering if I should just throw something out or try to recycle it.

I'm just not sure that sending things away to be recycled is the best thing to do. I suppose if that item contains toxic material it is but shipping burns fuels and pollute the environment.

Which is best? I can't decide.

Oy vey as my Grandma used to say. What's a person to do?

As I make up my mind perhaps you too have been hit by the cleaning bug and are wondering just what you have that can be recycled. This list from Co Op America "21 Things you Didn't Know You Could Recycle" may help. The link below will take you there.

For other ideas check out the March 3 blog post.

Mar 29, 2008, Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Review

I picked up a Neutrogena Mineral Sheers powder at the drugstore on a whim. I had heard good things about mineral makeup and this product was really

Mar 25, 2008, Natural Living For Women - Information Tips Resources

Natural living is a choice. Is it yours? Learn more about organic/natural skincare, eco-fashions and more. Be animal, people and earth friendly.

Mar 25, 2008, Alima Mineral Cosmetics BDIH Certified.
What does That Mean?

We know that we have to be better informed about products we use on our skin. Here in the U.S. the USDA has begun it's certified organic process for skin care. But as we have learned we still need to pay attention. It's quite possible to buy a product that has certified organic ingredients and still find harmful synthetic chemicals.

So I am particularly interested in this BDIH certification developed in Germany that has been used throughout Europe as a reliable third party certification process for products including cosmetics.

This certification could be a better answer to our present often confusing system. The basics include:

Here is a site with so many great eco ideas I couldn't possibly put just one. Something for everyone even kids. All different price ranges, free shipping after $250 or save the shipping fees and go for a gift card. Would make a fun place to shop. Check out Eco Geek

One last idea from One Laptop Per Child. Maybe you have heard of this unique program. If you buy one of their highly rated laptops for $399 for your child one will be sent to a child in a developing country. This technologically advanced environmentally friendly computer would make a great gift for kids.

You have to read about this program to see how it works but the hope is bring education to all children and they have worked out ways to do this even if a child has no electricity. Part of this purchase is tax deductible so another positive. See for yourself at One Laptop Per Child

Happy Shopping

Dec 5, 2007, Do You Doubt One Person Can
Make A Difference?

Don't we all have doubts that one person can make a difference? Don't some problems just seem so impossibly big?

Well, tell that to Chad Pregracke who decided to clean up the Mississippi River with little more than an idea or Harini Bambang Wahono a woman in polluted Jakarta, Indonesia wanting to spread green living in her neighborhood.

Both ordinary people starting in small ways to fix something. Both looked at big problems and just decided to do something.

Chad's book From the Bottom Up: One Man's Crusade To Clean America's Rivers was an inspiration.

Written like a journal, it's his efforts to clean the river he loved, the Mississippi, of all the garbage gathered on it's shores and even at the bottom. It is his journey.

Facing every kind of adversity from the weather, poor equipment and lack of funds, he plowed ahead anyway and often times all alone. While he sometimes doubted his work, he successfully proceeded over the years to build an organization that works throughout the United States to keep our rivers clean.

As I was reading I couldn't believe he didn't give up. Despite grueling work, frigid weather, extreme heat and dangerous situations he and his small crew worked to remove cars, washing machines, barrels and all kinds of other garbage from the river and all with very little pay. Discouraged? At times yes but he did not give up.

Or how about this woman in Jakarta. I just read an article on Harini Bambang Wahono who has been sharing her green ideas with the families in her neighborhood of Jakarta for 30 years and as a result has held more than one thousand training seminars for people in Indonesia bringing real change to the area.

I guess what I get out of this is to just start somewhere. Small steps matter. Maybe it doesn't work out at first. Why do we feel like we have to get everything right the first time? Keep going.

Check out the link below to read about Harini Bambang Wahono and Chad's book is available online at Amazon.com.