Natural Living Blog

Bare Minerals Review

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:22:06 GMT

Bare Minerals is the biggest scam going today; if another 20 year old at the makeup stores tells me how good it is for my skin I will scream. It contains

Check Out This Book: No More Dirty Looks

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:09:57 GMT

Need more reasons to start shopping for safer skin care and beauty products then check out a book that was recently sent to me called "No More Dirty Looks" which was written by a couple of journalists who discover the dirty truth about beauty and decided that what they learned was too important not to share. Those of us who are making the switch away from chemically laden products usually have some sort of an awakening that makes us take a closer look at our products and begin wondering what the heck am I using. The writers of this book light bulb moment was something called a Brazilian Blowout, a fancy type of hair straightener. When things start going wrong with their hair they start doing some research and what they find leads to further exploration into the world of beauty.

No More Dirty Looks covers all the bases starting with a short overview of the FDA and it's function or rather lack of function when it comes to beauty and skin care products. This part may not be your idea of interesting reading but it helps to understand how our products have become such a mess of synthetic chemical ingredients and what we need to be doing to protect ourselves. What follows is great resource for safe skin care covering toxic ingredients we should just say no to, products to try and on to how our health affects beauty. Their conversational style, personal stories and helpful tips made this book interesting to read but the real bottom line is that they do a great job of informing without being preachy (tough to do, I know) about the chemicals in skin care and beauty products and then providing solutions and alternatives along with some great do it yourself ideas. The products mentioned are safe, effective choices tested by the writers themselves. They are upfront about some products mentioned that do contain chemicals and don't claim their choices to be all natural. When it comes to using safe skin care and beauty products for ourselves and our families it is up to us to be informed and No More Dirty Looks: The Truth about Your Beauty Products--and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics might be just the guide you need to help you make changes. Well..., that and Natural Living for Women. :)

Rocky Mountain Botanicals All Natural Aluminum Free Deodorant.

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:05:49 GMT

I can honestly say that I have tried almost every all natural deodorant on the market and none of them did they said they would. Well, a couple did work

Baking soda and organic green tea exfoliant

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:25:49 GMT

Mix baking soda with anti-oxidant packed organic green tea to make a paste that is moist enough to rub on your skin. Rub and rinse. EDITOR'S NOTES: Thanks

Honey

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:05:07 GMT

All you need is honey. Use it once a day for 30 minutes and get results fast. Also if you want better results put it on when you're about to go to sleep

Aubrey Organics Hair Color = Great!

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:17:48 GMT

I've been looking for a completely natural, chemical- and cruelty-free hair color for some time. I tried natural henna and Surya powder and, while they

Buy Recycled Paper Products

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:03:02 GMT

If you recycle paper are you buying recycled paper products? It's an important step to green living.

Mooncup Feminine Protection Review

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:21:56 GMT

Wondering about Mooncup, a unique and eco friendly form of feminine protection? Check out this informative review and see if it's for you.

Just A Few Natural Beauty Product Reviews

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:07:56 GMT

What can I say? I like trying natural beauty products of all kinds and I also like sharing my experiences so here are several different kinds and brands of skin and beauty products that I've recently tried. All products mentioned contain safe and natural ingredients and have not been tested on animals. Lavera Volume Mascara Pros: Went on smoothly. No clumping. Natural looking. Cons: Not much volume. It has a slight fragrance that lasts until the mascara dried and something in the ingredients made my eyes tear but that too went away once it dried. Review: The first time I used this product I barely noticed a difference. A second application helped. It had a natural look but not as much volume as I hoped. This isn't the mascara for me. Susan's Soaps and More: Anti Aging Face Serum Pros: Simple ingredient list with a nice blend of anti aging oils. Absorbs nicely and made my skin feel soft and supple. Inexpensive price for a serum. Cons: Slight fragrance from essential oils frankincense, rosewood and patchouli may bother some women. Review: I had the chance to try this at local shop and liked it so much I bought a bottle. (It can also be purchased online.) A one ounce bottle costs $15 and is applied sparingly. I have used it every night for the past two months and still have have half a bottle left. I like the way my skin feels so soft and supple and once it dries it does not feel greasy. I use it by itself as a night time moisturizer. I don't usually like products with a fragrance on my face but I find this scent to be soft and rather neutral smelling and the scent does not last too long. I will definitely be buying this again. Sanre Organic Skinfood: Supple Sunshine Pros: Moisturizer with SPF 30. Very safe and effective. Dries clear. Cons: Slight fragrance from lavender, rosemary, thyme, patchouli and hyssop essential oils. Does not absorb completely. Expensive. Review: Overall, I like this product. It is rated very highly by the EWG as a safe effective sunscreen. It also has a lighter feel to it than other products I have used that contain zinc oxide as the sunscreen ingredient. Supple Sunshine comes in a jar and looks and feels like a rich moisturizer. It left my skin feeling soft but it did not absorb completely. I found that it does work very nicely under mineral makeup and it did not make me feel like I was wearing a mask. Any shine left from the moisturizer was absorbed by the mineral makeup. It is on the more expensive end but you won't need a separate sunscreen and moisturizer so that helps. Hope you found these natural beauty product reviews helpful.

Reusable Shopping Bags: Buying Tips

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:44:30 GMT

Buying reusable shopping bags ends the discussion about paper or plastic but some reusable bags are a better choice than others. Before you buy, check out this page for tips and suggestions.

Lavanila Healthy Deodorant Review

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:50:34 GMT

I have so many allergies that wearing any type of fragrance or deodorant can be dreadful. As we all know deodorant is super important and for years I searched

Cri de Coeur : Vegan Shoes With Style

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:03:06 GMT

As I mentioned in a previous blog article "What Are You Made Of" is an important question we can ask of any product or company. If you are someone looking for vegan fashion finding out what shoes are made of is the most important thing. With shoes in particular it's also important to ask "how the shoes were made?" Easier to find vegan shoes not so easy to find vegan shoes ethically made. I'm not a particularly high fashion kind of person but I admire creative stylish fashion that is not only about beauty but about caring about more than being fashionable. I love finding new fashions that are so much fun that being vegan and ethically produced is a bonus. That's what I found in Cri de Coeur a New York based shoe company led by designers Gina Ferraraccio and Julie Dicterow that is being seen and talked about by all kinds of shoppers not just those looking for vegan shoes.

The styles in the image above are just a few of the styles available. The designs run from high end fashion to more casual flats and sandals. Their boots were highlighted in several women's magazines including O Magazine. Two different product lines are available Cri de Coeur which is their high fashion and more expensive line and the newer line called Hearts of Darkness where all items are under $100. Great sale section too. Cri de Coeur has created some beautiful vegan shoes using many eco friendly materials. The manufacturing process take place in sweatshop free factories. Packaging too is a consideration and is reused in an effort to be more eco friendly. These are a couple of designers trying to make a difference in a field where change has been slow. Kinder, gentler fashion with fashion forward appeal. Click the link below to visit Cri de Coeur.

Natural Sunscreen - A Better Choice

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:54:20 GMT

Find out what we need to look for when shopping for a safe, natural sunscreen.

Sheer Miracle Extreme CloseUp HD High Definition Mineral Finishing Powder Review

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:28:30 GMT

Sheer Miracle just came out with a comparable product to Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder (same exact ingredients). Theirs is called Extreme CloseUp

Asking the Question "What Are You Made Of?"

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:24:43 GMT

I was just reading a 2007 report (yea, I know I'm a little behind) by the World Wildlife Federation. They were asking the fashion industry specifically the luxury brands to ask themselves "What are you made of? They wanted to encourage them to think more about their environmental and social responsibility when designing and creating fashions from clothing to accessories. I did some checking and since this report there have been some improvements with some companies that have taken the initiative, Louis Vuitton being the one mentioned most often. This question, though, is what I really liked because it is it is such a good one to ask of all companies "What Are You Made Of? I took this question to mean more than what materials or ingredients do you use but what as a company are you made of? Do you also support sustainable and ethical business practices? And I would ask one more if they answered with a list of sustainable or ethical accomplishments or green or organic ingredients "Can You Prove It". I really like that I am seeing so many green products of all kinds. Many of them I highlight on Natural Living for Women. Some have been green from the beginning others I think have changed in response to people like you and me that question their ingredients or how their products were made. So a question like "What Are You Made Of" is very powerful.

Are you paying more attention to the products you use, the food you eat or the clothing or accessories you buy? Knowing more about what you are using and buying is a good thing all around. I'll say this again. Your purchases not only affect you and your family but they affect animals, people and the environment.

Recycled Jewelry

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:54:13 GMT

The most interesting and creative jewelry being made is recycled jewelry. It's all about reusing discarded materials to create original and often fun designs.

Colorescience

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:47:08 GMT

Absolutely amazing! My clients and I could never live without this mineral make up line. The technology, science and the leader behind the line make all

What About Vitamin A In Sunscreen?

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:17:00 GMT

I've been hearing that retinyl palmitate a synthetic form of Vitamin A used in many sunscreen products is not safe and may indeed contribute to skin cancer. I should be surprised but somehow I am not. The FDA studied the use of retinyl palmitate in sunscreen and their findings indicate that this form of vitamin A reacts to sunlight and may cause a 21 increase in skin tumors and lesions. So an ingredient used in products to protect our skin against skin cancer may cause an increase in skin cancer. Are you as tired of this kind of thing as I am? But once again a commitment to natural products pays off. So the EWG is recommending not using sunscreen that contains retinyl palmitate. I found several pages on their site that addressed this: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/faqs-2010/#42 http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/9-surprising-facts-about-sunscreen/ Along with this news report from ABC: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health&id=7497720 The good news is that many of the natural mineral sunscreens do not use this ingredient. So if you are using one of those you shouldn't have anything to worry but check your products just to be sure. There are many alternatives in both mineral and non-mineral sunscreens and you can do a search through the EWG's Sunscreen guide to find products without retinyl palmitate. This is a good place to learn about sunscreen and the ingredients used but if you just want to know which products to use this is also the place to go. I think they are the only ones who have tested the effectiveness of UVA and UVB sunscreen ingredients and it's surprising to find some of the most popular brands are not as effective as you would think. There are other ingredients you should be aware of in sunscreen particularly in chemical sunscreens but you can find all you need to know by visiting the EWG. Click link below to go to the EWG Sunscreen Guide.

Bare Minerals Make-up Review

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:57:40 GMT

I have used Clinique and decided to try Bare Minerals Make-up. I have never had any problems before and unfortunately with Bare Minerals Foundation, I

Coffee Oatmeal

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:06:36 GMT

What You Will Need: Fine Grind Coffee Oatmeal (Cinnamon Flavor or Plain) Yogurt (Plain or Apple Flavor) Canola Oil Optional: Cinnamon Apple Bits Start

Jungleman All-Natural Deodorant Review

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:59:33 GMT

Looking for a safe, natural and effective deodorant? Check out my review of Jungleman All-Natural Deodorant.

EcoColors

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:05:21 GMT

Before gray, I used to have medium brown hair and wanted to dye my hair light brown since it is easier with the gray roots. I also had very dry frizzy

Adele's Natural Products Reviews

Tue, 25 May 2010 17:32:53 GMT

Adele's natural products reviews submittted to Natural Living for Women. Read about her experiences using different products.

Allergic? Another Choice For Safer More Natural Hair Color

Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A big portion of the mail I receive is about finding safer more natural hair color products and if there is one thing I have learned is that it is possible to be allergic to just about anything. Of course there are the usual culprits and ppd is the one I hear the most complaints about. This ingredient has been found to be quite toxic for some women and is most often found in permanent hair color products. Recently, I received a letter from a woman allergic to aminophenol. This is a coal tar hair color very commonly used in permanent color products so for someone who likes to use permanent products this can be problem that does not come with a simple solution. I most often refer very sensitive women to henna because it offers the safest most natural ingredients when chosen with care. Henna colors like anything else may contain ingredients you want to avoid. Henna does not work for everyone though. It offers a limited range of colors, it's time consuming and I think it does have a learning curve to work through but many women love the results once they get the kinks worked out. When henna just won't do, ppd's are out and as in this woman's case no aminophenol then choices are slim. There is always Vegetal a temporary hair color made by Herbatint that also is very safe but you have to be prepared to use it every 6 to 8 washes which if you wash your hair every day could mean using it once a week. I was beginning to think I had nothing more to offer when I did a google search to see if I was missing something and there I found a product I had not seen before called Palette by Nature.

A visit to their site and I discovered a permanent hair color with a long list of ingredients they don't have in their product including ppd and aminophenol among others. Sounds too good to be true but I'm open minded and willing to give it a shot once this new color I just applied has run it's coarse. Then we shall see... Interested in this product click below. Just promise if you try it you will let me know how it turns out.

Natural Solutions - Holistic Beauty

Thu, 20 May 2010 15:11:37 GMT

Natural Solutions is an on-line store that carries all kinds of natural products for skin, hair and beauty. The owner, Jennifer, makes sure all the brands

Mineralicious! Mineral Makeup

Wed, 19 May 2010 15:49:07 GMT

I have a friend in Michigan that sells Mineralicious! Makeup. This has to be the most affordable mineral makeup in the USA. This up-and-coming mineral

Natural Makeup - Beautiful and Safe

Tue, 18 May 2010 00:23:49 GMT

Make sure your natural makeup is really natural. Know what to look for when shopping for the safest and best makeup plus suggestions on where to shop.

Finding a Good Under Makeup Sunscreen

Tue, 11 May 2010 20:30:45 GMT

I like using natural or organic products and most of the time I am pleased with the results. I am not as pleased with natural sunscreens that you wear under makeup. Here's the problem. Chemical sunscreens dried clearer and weren't greasy looking. That's what I'm used to and that's what I like. I now know many of these products aren't safe which I found to be a particular problem on a product I use everyday. My pale skin and the Texas sun, I don't think so. So, for the past few years I have been looking for a natural sunscreen, a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15, that I can wear under any kind of makeup. I have found a couple brands that contain minerals in the moisturizer that provide sun protection and they do work under mineral makeup but they have a heavier, tacky feel to them that I have discovered I do not care for in the warmer months. I tried a new natural sunscreen moisturizer with minerals the other day and all looked good when I left the house. It turned out to be warmer out then I thought. I caught a glimpse of myself in the car mirror and the shine alone would have deflected the sun's rays. I don't think this is how this product is supposed to work. I am still looking.

The easiest way to tackle this is by using the Skin Deep Database from the EWG. They have an extensive list of products that contain sunscreens. I can easily check for safety, read the ingredients and see if this product will actually protect my skin from the sun. The EWG actually tested all kinds of products to see if they worked as claimed. Did you know that 2 out of 5 brand name products didn't provide enough sun protection or contained nasty ingredients? Keep this site in mind as you shop for sun protection this summer.

Bare Mineral Review

Tue, 11 May 2010 18:30:21 GMT

I have been using Bare Minerals for about 9 months now. Although it is one of the better makeups that I've used to date, it certainly is not as great as

Sweet and Sticky Exfoliant:Promises to Reduce size of Pores

Mon, 10 May 2010 17:43:05 GMT

Take one aloe leaf. Peel off the skin. Use the inside and blend it with a little sugar, however much you desire. Add 2 tbs of honey. Mix the mixture

Aveda Hair Color Damaged My Fine Hair

Tue, 04 May 2010 18:43:03 GMT

As for natural permanent hair color, I wouldn't advise anyone with fine hair on the dry side to use Aveda hair color. After having my hair colored at an

Southern Magnolia Minerals

Mon, 03 May 2010 19:26:59 GMT

I've been using Southern Magnolia mineral make-up for about 5 years now. I originally found them on E-Bay, but they also have their own website. They have

Eco Friendly Sports Bra With A Little Something Extra:Check Out mi-Bra

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 21:11:42 GMT

I was recently asked if I would like to try out a new eco friendly sports bra. I gave this about 10 seconds worth of thought and passed this opportunity along to a friend of mine who could do this type of product review justice. She works out regularly, jogs and plays soccer and puts my exercise routine to shame. The mi-Bra sports bra is made from 90 eco friendly organic cotton and has a little pocket on the front to easily carry an i-pod or a little cash. It comes in black and in sizes small, medium and large but I'll let Jenn who gave this bra a good workout tell you more.

The mi-Bra is the perfect sports bra for the active athlete. It kept me comfortable and supported through running and playing soccer. The little pocket conveniently located at the front of the bra was perfect for putting both my i pod and my car keys without having to worry about wearing shorts or a shirt with pockets. I always have a problem with finding where to put my keys when I go running and this bra kept them there no problem and still supported me comfortably. I like that it absorbed the sweat and kept me feeling cool. The mi-Bra washes well and I did not experience any problem with shrinking. I did wash it in cold water. I would recommend this bra for anyone who goes running and is always worrying about finding a spot to stash their i pod, small phone or keys. Jenn. Check out the mi-Bra yourself by clicking the link below.

Eco Friendly Shoes

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:46:12 GMT

Don't overlook eco friendly shoes when you shop. Shopping tips to finding the best way to put a little green in your step.

Sheer Mineral Make-up

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:57:00 GMT

I used Sheer Mineral today and I noticed that my skin felt soft but taunt. As the day progressed my skin felt dry and kinda itchy. It almost felt like

Taming the Clutter

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:54:39 GMT

I am always looking for new ways to approach a clutter problem. I found an e-Book that looked interesting called DeClutter Fast. I read it a few weeks ago and have implemented a few ideas but had yet to try one of the author's quick clutter removal techniques on a whole room and yesterday was the day. DeClutter Fast offers several different approaches to clearing an area of clutter quickly but I tried the One Day Method with one of the bedrooms that had become a kind of catch-all for stuff. The idea is to get immediate relief from the clutter and gain a sense of accomplishment that is motivating. The first thing I did was look around the room to get an idea about what things should be in this room and what needed to go then I got some boxes. (The pack rat in me always makes me save boxes.) My goal was to remove all things that did not belong in this room and put them in to one of three categories, clothing, paper and all other things. Oh and I threw away any trash immediately. Since I didn't have to think about what I was going to do with this stuff right now the job went by easily enough and before I knew it I had a room that finally looked like a room I could use again. It was very satisfying. So what did I do with the boxes? I decided that I am done with this room for now so I label the boxes and put them in the storage room for the time being. She offers suggestions for dealing with this at a later time if need be. I have a clean room so I'm happy. What I wanted to do was to move on to a simple suggestion that somehow I had never implemented completely. The author recommends having at least 17 Essentials. These are areas in the home that contain specific essentials, like cleaning, pet or gardening supplies, paperwork, tools, etc. I had some of these like cleaning products under the sink but my craft supplies were everywhere, paperwork was in two or three different places and some things didn't have any specific home of their own. So after success with cleaning up the bedroom. I decided to bring my craft supplies under control and set up and area just for them. Hours later I had them all together in one place and organized so I could find and use them. At the end of the day I was pleased with my results and eager to keep going. While I didnt agree with everything in the book, DeClutter Fast was quick and easy to read and offered some great suggestions that you might find helpful too as you tackle both clutter and organization around your home.

Make You Smile

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:07:10 GMT

I've been trying to figure out some technical stuff I'm having with a blog I'm working on. My brain feels fried. In the middle of all this I click on an image that took me to the video below. Nice way to end the day.

Special Occasion - What About Eco Jewelry?

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:03:13 GMT

I can't imagine anything that symbolizes not only your love and commitment but also who you are as a person than your wedding and engagement rings - small but huge with meaning. As you are shopping around for the perfect rings I hope you consider fine quality eco jewelry. What is eco jewelry? This is not a simple answer. It could refer to the different elements of jewelry such as the stones or metals used or to the processes that are used in creation. Sometimes it is just one element as with jewelry made with conflict free diamonds or it could be jewelry made with care for all factors from materials used to the process involved. As you can see the word eco jewelry is used in different ways.

There is so much more to the jewelry you will see in the shops. They already have a history, a history of their creation, that for the most part you and I know nothing about but with eco jewelry you can have a say in how the materials used are obtained. There is a dark side to the jewelry business but with just a little knowledge you can make an informed decision. You will find several pages about eco jewelry on Natural Living for Women with information that will help you know what to look when shopping. (See link at bottom.)

One of the sites I mention is Green Karat. Here you will find a wonderful program for creating very personal, one of a kind rings for the special moments in your life. They have a unique personal registry on their site that allows your friends and family to recycle their unwanted gold jewelry. This gold will then be used in the creation of your wedding or engagement rings. If there is not enough Green Karat relies on their own supplies of recycled gold. Isn't that a great idea and so much more personal than the usual jewelry. Click the link below and then go to Dirty Gold to learn more. What's cool about eco jewelry is that it gives you the opportunity to enjoy owning jewelry that fits your ideals. It adds another layer of meaning to something already precious.

Eco Friendly Flooring: Healthy, Green, Beautiful

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:03:41 GMT

Healthy and green eco friendly flooring is a great choice for your flooring. I think you will be surprised to learn about all the options available.

Problems with Natural Hair Color and Perms

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:21:45 GMT

I used Naturtint for years and was very happy with it. It covered my gray well and I liked the colors. However, my hair was like straw, dried and damaged.

Very Sweet Homemade Skin Exfoliant

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:45:38 GMT

I use brown sugar and maple syrup. Three tsp of brown sugar and then add enough maple syrup to be able to incorporate all the sugar. It is easy to apply

A Little Fun and Eco Friendly - AussieBum Underwear

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:11:41 GMT

I was just thinking it was time for a little fun when I found this: AussieBum just launched it's new line of eco friendly underwear for men made from organic cotton and banana fiber. They said this blend creates a soft, absorbent, lightweight fabric perfect for underwear. The fiber is made out of the bark weave of the banana tree. I am wondering if the process is similar to that of bamboo but that's just a guess. Apparently, stems and leaves of the banana plant are commonly used throughout Southeast Asia for weaving into fabric. The finer silkier parts are used for soft fabrics while the coarser materials are used for seating cushions, tablecloths, etc. There aren't many options for eco friendly men's underwear so this looks promising. But you need to see them for themselves don't you? Now to the fun part. Their video is just bananas. (I couldn't resist and yes, I know it's a pathetic joke.) I think it will ap-peal to you. (Alright, I'm done.) For more info click below.

Bamboo Clothing: Soft Good Looking Eco Fashion

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:32:40 GMT

Bamboo doesn't sound like something you could make clothing from but bamboo clothing is quickly becoming a favorite for eco fashions.

Natural Living 101: The Conclusion

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:52:17 GMT

The past entries in this series have been a brief overview. I touched on the basics just to get you thinking about all the ways you can make your life and your home safer and healthier. The bonus is that these choices are also better for the environment. If you are interested in learning more about what you can do take a little time and explore Natural Living for Women. I have covered many of these topics in greater detail throughout the site. Here are some of my favorite books to make this easier. Prescriptions for a Healthy House, 3rd Edition: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders & Homeowners Super Natural Home: Improve Your Health, Home, and Planet--One Room at a Time Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homemade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self The Green Beauty Guide: Your Essential Resource to Organic and Natural Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup, and Fragrances Most everyone agrees that the cost of green and natural living is high. It makes sense. Natural or organic ingredients, eco friendly materials, better construction just costs more. You are often buying higher quality items. They will last longer, they are healthier to use and have around and they are better for the environment I know from experience cheap things don't last and they end up in the trash way too soon. Isn't this a waste of money and resources? It is easy to shop by price alone especially at times when money is tight. If you are serious about living more naturally there are many ways you can accomplish this without spending too much and with a little creativity you can even save money. The Shop and Save section on this site has some ideas and links to sites that will help. Consider making some of your own products. This can be an easy and fun way to save. Simple ingredients from your kitchen may be all you need to make natural, safe and healthy products for both skin care and cleaning in the home. Beauty products like skin exfoliants and facial masks are great candidates for make your own. Some of the best spas use natural ingredients in their beauty treatments and with great results. You can create a little luxury right at home. Natural living is very do-able and is not difficult once you are informed. Keep these points in mind: 1. Learn to read the ingredient labels and this applies to all products. 2. Look for third party certifications like USDA organic. 3. Shop with companies you know and trust. Shopping becomes easier. 4. If it seems like there are too many areas to address start with personal products like skin care and cosmetics and then on to other areas. I hope this short series has been helpful. Please contact me with any comments or questions or make a comment on Natural Living for Women's Facebook page. The link below will take you there.

All Things Being Eco, Chilliwack BC Canada

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:29:10 GMT

This store carries everything from baby diapers, to hand bags, to make-up, to clothing. The owner is very helpful and seems to investigate all the products

Faerie Organic

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:17:22 GMT

I've tried other mineral makeups (BE, Laura Mercier, Jane Iredale, Merle Norman, Sheer Cover,Pur Minerals and other off labels from e-bay). Faerie Organic

Review of Dapple Baby Safe Cleaning Products

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:39:45 GMT

What cleaning products are you using around your baby? Are you choosing baby safe products or the typical cleaners found in most stores. Probably the most important time to be using the safest products is around babies and kids. You want products with ingredients you can understand and the more natural the better. I was recently sent Dapple Dish Washing Liquid and Dapple Toy and Surface Cleaner with baby safe ingredients to test. While I don't have any little ones at home I tried them out myself but also sent them along to a young Mom of a 1 year old to see what she thought. She liked both products but particularly liked the surface cleaner. She said her little guy liked to help her clean and she felt very comfortable using this product around him. It did a good job of cleaning surfaces which I agree. It does not contain any questionable fragrance only a very mild scent from lavender essential oil. It is a good cleaner for wiping up sticky stuff on toys and surfaces. Now, I don't have any sticky baby toys have around here but... I do have dog toys. Worked just fine and they can get nasty. No one complained that their toys smelled or tasted funky. As you can see below the ingredients are safe and natural. Compare them to the spray cleaner you are using. Dapple Toy and Surface Cleaner Purified water, baking soda, cleaners made from fruits, tree oils and glucose, French lavender essential oil, essential oil dispersant, preservative derived from natural amino acid. The Dapple Dish Liquid worked well for washing baby items. It rinsed easily and left no residue. It easily could be used for washing anything a baby touches. It is not a strong enough product to do a load of dishes. We both found it just didn't have the power. She felt like she probably wouldn't buy a special product just to wash the baby's things since she was using a natural dish cleaner that worked for her. It also contains very natural ingredients: Dapple Bottle and Dish Cleaner Purified water, baking soda, cleaners derived from fruits, tree oils and glucose, French lavender essential oil, essential oil dispersant. I like that Dapple comes in recyclable bottles and can be purchased locally at store like Babies R Us and Bed, Bath and Beyond. They also carry other products like wipes. Click on the link below to check them out for yourself. For more information about choosing products safe for use around babies read baby skin care

Natural Living 101 Home Decor

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:53:26 GMT

Now it's time to expand your efforts into more areas that can help create healthier homes. Let's talk about offgassing. Not a product of eating certain foods which can be toxic on it's own (one of my dogs can could cause an evacuation) but the result as chemicals used in the manufacturing of many items found in our homes offgas or release fumes into the air where they remain trapped. It has become a big issue as our homes become more tightly sealed The problem is worse for new furniture or carpeting and when remodeling and redecorating. It is particularly important to pay close attention to items used for babies. Their immature systems should be protected as much as possible from exposure to chemicals. Any time you decorate or remodel you can look for healthier, safer and more natural options. Take paint for example. You know how stinky a house can get when using paints, stains, adhesives etc. Sometimes the smell can last for days or longer. New low to no VOC (volatile organic compounds) products can make a big difference to indoor air quality. Shopping for flooring and furniture requires looking beyond how pretty something is. For furniture look for solid wood construction. Consider well made gently used furniture. Better for the environment and a healthy house. Choose washable, natural or organic materials that have been minimally processed. Most of the chemicals used on fabrics happen during manufacturing. It is particularly important to pay attention to chemicals used on mattresses. Everyone will breathe easier with safer mattresses.

Skip the carpeting as much as possible and choose other eco friendly flooring options. Carpeting can be loaded with toxic chemicals. Even more may be used to keep it clean and as anyone with allergies can tell you carpeting is the worst for holding in dust and allergens. It is also possible to seal in harmful toxins like those that emit from materials like particle board or other manufactured lumber, carpeting or even previously painted surfaces with safe easy to use products like those from AFM Safecoat. AFM Safecoat provides safe paints, sealants, adhesives, stains, cleaners and more check out the link below for more info.

Natural Deodorant: In Love With Body Care

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:51:58 GMT

Eight months ago at the local farmers market I bought a new on the market natural deodorant In Love With Body Care. For years Ive been looking for a

Shelf Life of Cosmetics

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:17:04 GMT

You might be surprised to know your cosmetics have a shelf life. Find out if your makeup is beyond it's prime.