When I was doing research for a class I was creating for the hospital where I work, I came across this website. It is amazing. It has so much information. Their research on toxins in the environment and on our health, and the health of children – especially kids, really got me going on the green path of living.

They have worksheets you can print out on healthier products to use, a cosmetic data bank which tells you what skin products are safe, or not to use. In fact, toxic chemical exposures from cosmetics are the #1 source. #2 is household cleaning products according to the American Poison Control Center.

Something to think about.

Watch these two videos and you will understand the impact and why we really need to change our habits and green our lives.

 
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Make sure you also visit Lesly RN

I remember when as a  child learning about nature in school and the Bumble Bees – how they pollinated flowers, spread the seeds around, sucked the nectar of the flower and buzzed all the way home to their comb to make honey – honey I would scoop from a jar and spoon over my pancakes in the morning for breakfast. Yum…

It was a wonder to me then, but now through adult eyes I understand better the circle of giving on all levels of life.

So last week when I visited my friends website , The Robin and Judy Show, they broadcast a message to all who listened – a call to action for everyone to contribute something, somehow, on some level,  to enrich the lives of others in need around the world. They also listed several organizations to investigate.

I couldn’t ignore it (I would have felt guilty listening to their conversation then doing nothing).

So, I thought about what I could do and came up with this idea … I like to draw, paint, and I  include my drawings (or photos) with my blog posts. That way all the images are mine and no copyright boo boos happen.

Many people have expressed liking some of my artwork. So I decided to make it available to you through cafepress.com and any sales I get (believe me I don’t make much because I pay for the product and the printing costs) I’ll donate 10% to Mission Feeding to start.

I see this as a win-win. For you, you’ll have something fun and usable, and I’ll be able to give to others, and enjoy the fact that someone likes my art – you have NO idea what a rewarding feeling that is. My art is my heart.

Honestly, I have been ignoring it for too long. The Internet makes it possible to share it boldly.

Here ya go: Lesly’s Bags for Causes (and other things)

Thank you Robin and Judy!

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It took a few times for me to get things right and I learned from other recipes posted on the internet.

I searched for “homemade,” “homemade skin care,”"homemade cleaning products,” and got quite a few responses that I investigated.

I also purchased a few books. The Green Guide produced by National Geographic is my absolute favorite. Not too many recipes but great on the information for going green.

So I know in my last post I talked about making an underarm deodorant that was as basic and natural as you could get.  I had some wonderful and interesting responses from visitors who shared what they’re using and I’ll have to look into some of them – thank you for your comments!

In this post I want to give you some tips that I have formulated in my home mini “lab” so if you wish to start exploring in making your own homemade products this info may be helpful to you in getting you started.

First, start saving a small collection of small cosmetic, or condiment glass (is best) jars.  I make small batches of product. Depending on what I am making, a skin cream for example,  ingredients may go bad over time because there are no preservatives in it and will have a shorter “shelf” life.

Second, some ingredients I buy in bulk which saves money such as baking soda and corn starch, large containers of vinegar, and so on.

Deodorant:

1.7 oz glass jar with top, washed in hot water, air dried

small round cotton pads (used for makeup removal) for light dusting

3 TBSP baking soda

3 TBSP corn starch

Shake thoroughly and store in a cool, dry place. Use daily.

Make more as you need it.

Skin Care.

I have very sensitive skin and I bought all kinds of skin lotions and creams for good, healthy, nice looking skin. It got to the point where I couldn’t wear any product that had fragrance in it. There were other ingredients in many of these skin care products that burned my skin and I stopped using them all. I started using Enfuselle which is very good, but I also wanted to see what I could find naturally. Now I use a mix of… are you ready?

Olive oil! I smell like a salad for a few seconds and then you’d never know I had it on – the scent goes away..  I moisturize every night and morning with it. I also use it on my body after a shower or bath. Fabulous!  It’s also good for men too – I mean, skin is skin right?

Products containing mineral oil are not a good choice for skin care – especially on babies. Mineral oil is a “petro-product” meaning it’s a by product of crude oil and nonrenewable. Plus they really do nothing for your kin. Plant based oils – olive, apricot, almond, etc. are far better, and healthier to use on your skin.

Making home made products to save money or enhance your health certainly are worth it …

Watch this video ….

But there are challenges too.  Hang in there it’s all worth it in the long run.

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The other day

So there I was the day before in my kitchen whipping up my natural “homemade” products, creating alternatives for new parents to explore to help them 1) see how easy it is to make their own products in cleaning their homes, and caring for their babies, and 2) to expand their thinking, reasoning, and stimulate an interest in creating a healthier lifestyle for them and their families.

Now, I knew, and know this is a tall order because we like our comfort products, with all the “bells and whistles” (scent, lather, texture, shinny, softening, quick drying, quick removal, etc.) regardless if they cause our underarms to burn, our hair to fall out, cause allergies, asthma, even some cancers.

And, we don’t like change either. We hold on to the familiar – products, lifestyle, relationships, careers ….

So. I was in my kitchen “mini lab” quite proud of the concoctions I made to show my class. I packed them in my green travel “lab” cooler and was set for my class.

The next day I set up my class room and pleased with my display, waited for my “students” to arrive. In walked 3 expectant, very pregnant moms and their partners, and a mom who had a couple of little ones at home.

The class begins ..

I begin my discussion after the introductions. “One area of concern is the use of personal products that contain butane. These are found in antiperspirants, air fresheners, paints…. Butane, also called a hydrocarbon, can cause chemical frostbite and is a product extremely dangerous around children …” I continue, “Cosmetics, home cleaning products, and medications are the three top categories that cause the most of chemical exposures with children, and 90% of all chemical exposures happen in the home…”

“Excuse me” says a dad, “Deodorant? What do we use instead?” he asked (with an unspoken gasp).

Now, he appeared a little unsettled. I empathized with him as he quietly wrestled with the idea of switching brands and trying to fathom the idea of tossing Old Spice in the trash.  The ladies looked around at each other and I could just see the internal panic of substituting their beloved beauty products in the name of safety and health. I mean, how boring IS that!

“Well” I said, “What I use is a 50/50 mixture of corn starch and baking soda.”

Then, I got the “look”. Yep, you know the one – YOUR CRAZY – look.

Believe me, I thought the same thing when I started on this path to turn my home and personal care upside down in the name of healthier living (it’s not a 100% either – trust me).  But I am happy with my underarm deodorant. Once I made and used it, experienced how it works for me I was relieved knowing I was no longer setting my armpits on “fire”.

So my class ended on a positive note.  They said thank you very much for the information and off they went with a list of resources in hand. I was happy that the seed of awareness had been planted – that’s the best I can do. Maybe on some small level they’ll ease into changing their products at home – or at least start reading product labels. It is the way of our future.

Changing your life to a “greener” one just requires a change in thinking. It’s becoming aware and opening your mind to new ways of living.  Just like personal development and changing the way you think about yourself, the green movement does the same for living a healthier life, healing the earth, and creating healthier environments for you and your kids.

Tips:

• Read product labels. This is the big one and the one that will help you the most. Purchase from companies that list all their ingredients on the product. No list? Avoid it. This has to do with company transparency. If a company is unwilling to share common information, then what are they hiding? Would you rather ignore it?
• Purchase products that list what’s NOT in the product. For example,  “no chlorine,” “no parabens,” “no phosphates,”etc.
• Don’t believe terms like “all natural,” “organic”. These are “greenwashing” terms meaning the company is not telling the truth about what’s in the product. It’s counting on you to be gullible and trusting. Nope, leave it on the shelf.

Check my links list for great resources and get the free report on “The Seven Sins of “Greenwashing” to raise your awareness even more.

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Yet on an incredible microscopic level, there is another universe that we are affecting and just beginning to understand, or view differently – the human cell. It’s the human cell in all its beauty and mystery that makes up our body, to be you and me, physically.

One of the components of the human cell is the mitochondria. The mitochondria to the cell, is like our heart to our body. Without the mitochondria the cell would die because it’s the powerhouse of the cell, the creator of cellular energy through chemical reactions occurring within its membrane. If you watch the video below, the mitochondria is the large, gray colored object shaped like a wrinkled bean .

Imagine trillions of cells living side by side in a community, just like you and I. These cells have “jobs” like you and I do, places to go, places to travel to. They communicate with each other in ways I don’t know if we’ll ever understand.

Who takes care of them? We do. Directly through our lifestyle, what we eat, and what we think.

Candace Pert PhD. author of “Molecules of Emotion” discovered that cells display emotion and have a memory!. Now I know if you’re reading this you may say “ba-hum bug!” But let’s think about this.

Why, when someone gets ill we encourage positive thinking, the use of positive affirmations, a change in lifestyle that is less stressful and more positive, relaxation techniques? Why does it work? In some cases illness has been reversed. Why when some people have received organs from a donor their personality changes and demonstrate attributes of the donor?

Because our thoughts and how we choose to live our lives influence our personal, cellular world.

So, are you leaving your body behind? Are you so busy running your brain that your body- your cells – are dragging? Are you forgetting them? What are you doing to keep your body and mind in harmony?

Watch this video …

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