Doggie Day Spa

Have you ever read the fine print on a bottle of pet shampoo? Did you know that it is so dangerous you are supposed to dispose of it as if you were disposing of toxic waste? The bottle comes stamped with various warnings and cautions, but all set against a lovely blue background so it doesn’t look so alarming. And yet, for years, I bathed my dogs in straight-up toxins. And for years I’ve snuggled with my dogs after a bath and breathed in the vapors of those chemicals. What other alternative is there? Cain & Able conditioning shampoo is the answer. Instead of impossible to pronounce ingredients, Cain & Able uses natural ingredients, including citronella oil to ward off fleas and ticks.

I have been using Cain & Able conditioning shampoo (lavender scent) for well over two months, and I am pleased to be able to report that it does just as good a job at keeping away ticks and fleas as the toxic waste brands. Obviously, pest control is a huge issue with pets, so that was the number one priority when I switched brands—will the natural brand keep pests at bay? It does. With that important bit out of the way, I’m really happy with the other side effects of switching to this shampoo. My pug Franky has such sensitive skin that she would scratch and claw at herself after getting baths sometimes for days afterward, which made me not want to wash her as often as she should have been washed. And trust me, there’s nothing worse than a stinky pug! The very first time I used Cain & Able, her itchies went away. I can bathe her once a week or even more if I have to and she won’t be any worse off. Also, I thought my dogs were soft before I switched, but now that I use Cain & Able, their coats are almost unbelievably soft. Instead of that freshly-washed softness lasting a mere hour or two after the bath, we get a few days of incredible softness.

The scent is a breath of fresh air after years of using stuff that smells like melted pavement. It’s light and fresh, and while it lingers on the dog’s coat after bathing, it’s subtle and nice as opposed to overpowering or harsh. The lavender shampoo helps protect and condition sensitive skin, which is a perfect fit for my Pug, and the peppermint shampoo helps soothe dry, itchy, irritated skin. I haven’t tried the peppermint yet, but it sounds like a perfect fit for my Dachshund Ned, who has dry skin.

My two dogs are for the most part house pets. They go outside in our small yard and often go on walks with me. However, their contact with the outdoors is fairly limited. For other more active dogs who like to play in the mud or play fetch through fields or who are primarily outdoor pets, Cain & Able’s Dirty and Hairy product line is especially formatted to fit those needs. Cain & Able is perfect for both the lap dog and the guard dog.

Cain & Able has a good-sized product line, including between baths spritz, conditioners, paw rub, soap on a rope, ear cleaner, aromatherapy candles, and dental products. Large grooming-sized bottles are available. You could make a great gift basket using any of these products for a dog owner because while the products are fun and cute, they are useful. The prices are reasonable as well. For example, my 16 oz bottle of Lavender Conditioning Shampoo is $12.95, and I’ve been using it for over two months with two small dogs and I haven’t even used ¼ of the bottle.

I recommend Cain & Able 100%. It’s the only dog shampoo and other cleaning products I will use not just because it is all natural. Now that I’ve experienced a product of superior quality to the one I was using, I couldn’t go back to the way it was. ‘Every dog has his day spa’ says it all.

Fashionably Green

I carry reusable shopping bags everywhere. I use them for all my shopping trips, no matter what type of errand I need to run. My issue with the ones the grocery stores sell are that they are supremely unattractive. I’m sorry to say that sometimes my vanity rears its head and does not want me to be seen browsing through the accessories section of a clothing store carrying a day-glo green bag with a giant piece of fruit on it or the name of the grocery chain emblazoned across it in giant letters. I also don’t necessarily want my clothing and beauty items to be carried in the same bags that carry my groceries, even though I am fairly good about keeping my reusable bags washed between uses.

The answer to both the aesthetic and functional issues is the EnviroVogue eco-friendly and stylish reusable tote bag. EnviroVogue has a wide range of patterns, including my favorite, the Snow Leopard. I mean, what can compliment just about any outfit better than a pop of leopard print? And at $8.95 a piece, you can certainly afford to go stylishly green. Currently the site is offering a deal where if you purchase two or more you get a free tote. The totes have cross-stitched handles and reinforced seams for durability and can carry more than forty pounds. Their woven polypropylene design makes them water resistant and easier to clean than traditional grocery store reusables, which are non-woven. The bottom insert is built into the bags, making them sturdy when filled.

EnviroVogue’s sole purpose is not just to provide attractive reusable bags, although that in and of itself is a great addition to the green living cause. The company donates a portion of each purchase to a charity, including Childhaven, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Feeding America, and Maasai Association. The charity that receives the donation depends on which tote you order (for example, part of the proceeds from my Snow Leopard tote goes to support the education of Maasai children). The company also offers their product for fundraisers, so if your school or workplace needs a fresh, fashionable idea for its next fundraiser, make sure you check out this site. I for one would be thrilled to support a local business or school if they offered a fun, different, and very usable product in return for my support.

My EnviroVogue bag goes everywhere with me, and on almost every shopping trip I get the opportunity to spread the word about the company’s products and their charitable contributions. The EnviroVogue tote is definitely a product you can feel great about using because it not only looks fabulous and supports various charities, it is also eco-friendly.

Your Hair Really Can Feel as Good as Your Conscience

Advanced Cosmetic Technologies permanent hair coloring kit is “the only PPD-free, 100% plant-based permanent hair color available. Providing you with the highest quality hair coloring products while avoiding harmful ingredients is what we strive for…Made from renewable and sustainable ingredients our coloring kits have an ultra-low environmental impact…”

PPD (paraphenylene diamine) has been linked to cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia, to name a few—not to mention severe allergic reactions that have lead to death. And yet since it has not been officially labeled as a carcinogen, hair dyes and other PPD-infused products continue to saturate the market. This is scary news for someone like me as I have dyed my hair at least three times a year for the last decade.

So, as you can imagine, if this product had been even half as effective as its PPD-filled counterpart, I would have made the switch and never looked back because I am officially scared out of my wits of dying my hair using traditional methods. However, Advanced Cosmetic Technologies has come through in a huge way. The hair color works perfectly, the gray coverage is fantastic, and it holds up to daily washings very well. Oh, and the color on the chart is exactly the color you get, and it looks natural and even. There is a wide variety of shades, and I am confident that anyone can find one that matches (or surpasses, which is what happened in my case) what she currently uses. After I rinsed and washed my hair, I didn’t feel as if I’d just dyed my hair. This is a vast improvement over any other home coloring kit I have tried. The whole “style as usual” bit of the directions was a joke in the past because I think we all know how our hair normally responds to being subjected to harsh chemical dye jobs—it became coarse, unruly, and either frizzy or flat or both. My hair also did not smell like I’d just dyed it either since Advanced Cosmetic does not use ammonia. Now that alone makes this product invaluable.

The process is more labor-intensive than you’ll find with other brands (the color requires several 5-minute intervals under the blast of a hairdryer in order to work properly), but as I mentioned before, I’m more than happy to put in a bit more effort to avoid being exposed to harmful toxins. If you are a bit weak in the arms, enlist the help of a friend.

Helpful tips (this is the part where having a test subject—i.e. me—comes in handy):

1. Use the stain guard. I mean, really use it. The kit comes with a good-sized bottle. Slather it on.
2. Do not put your ears under the cap. Otherwise, stain guard or no stain guard, your ears WILL be dyed the color of your hair. Trust me on this one, there isn’t a substance in your arsenal that will remove the ring of color from ‘round your ears, and if you have a pixie cut or other ear-baring style, you are simply out of luck if you mess up on this step. Good thing I have a habit of buying hats even though I rarely wear them. They’ve certainly gotten good use this week.
3. Have extra gloves handy or rinse off the ones provided since you need them again when you rinse your hair.
4. Wash and condition your hair with color-safe products during the rinsing stage. Have it handy when you are doing the rinse because if you drip as you dash across the house in search of your shampoo, you run the risk of staining carpet.

Honestly, the learning experience of using this product the first time was well worth it. Even though I had to walk around with brown-tipped ears for a couple days, the benefits of a successful coloring experience and the peace of mind that comes from using an eco-friendly, non-toxic product far outweigh the technical difficulties I experienced (the difficulties resulting from user error, of course, not from any flaw with the product).

The permanent hair color kits cost $29.99, and if you order before July 30, you get 30% off your order. I tested their dark natural brown (4N) and am completely satisfied. Another great bonus is if you have short hair like I do, you can get two uses out of one kit. Any unmixed product can be saved. I have received compliments way above and beyond what I’d normally get, which is the true test of a color’s success. My hair stylist who knows I am naturally a lighter shade of brunette with more than a few grays said if she didn’t know better, she would assume this is my natural hair color. She said my hair is healthy, shiny, and gorgeous.

I am recommending Advanced Cosmetic Technologies to everyone I know. I am so confident that others will recognize what a superior product this is to others on the market that I plan to gift the appropriate shade to friends who are chronic at-home colorists. I’ll even volunteer to hold the hairdryer for them. Advanced Cosmetic proves that a girl can be eco-conscious and toxin-free while still maintaining a high standard in her beauty products.

Poo-Pourri, the End to Embarrassing Odors

I think the highest praise I can pay to Poo-Pourri is simply to state that it works. No if’s, and’s or butt’s about it (sorry, couldn’t resist!).

Poo-Pourri is a blend of all-natural organic essential oils, including lemongrass, orange, and grapefruit. The product effectively eliminates odors instead of masking them the way air fresheners do. Which, let’s be honest, more often than not creates an unpleasant floral/stench combo that is often worse than the original smell. The odor-destroying formula is a secret part of Poo-Pourri’s ingredients, but I can tell you it is effective. The fresh, pleasant scent not only eliminates the odor as you are using the facilities, once you flush it releases into the air and neutralizes residual odor. As you leave the bathroom, it smells as fresh and clean as it did when you entered. No more slamming the door quickly behind you and warning others to avoid the area at all costs. I'll carry this in my bag so if I have to use a friend's restroom, I can resist the urge to light matches all over their bathroom in the hopes of tricking people into thinking I wasn't doing what I was actually doing.

It’s quick and easy to use as well—no prancing around futzing with a complicated idea when you have business to attend to. You simply shake well, spray the product sparingly (4-6 times) over the water, and then use the facilities. It is an excellent replacement for toxic air fresheners because instead of working as well as traditional air fresheners, it works much better.

I tested Poo-Pourri’s original scent and found it to be a pleasant blend of fresh citrus notes. The product also comes in a variety of different formulas: No. 2 with its mandarin, bergamot, orange, peach, and berries; HeavenScent with its white jasmine; Royal Flush which is aimed at men with eucalyptus and spearmint; Pooch-Pourri which works on pet odors; and Poo-Pourri Jr., a diaper deodorizer. Clearly, with so many choices that cover every bad odor in your house, you can eliminate harmful air fresheners from your home. Gift sets and refillable bottles are available. Prices range from $9.95 (2 oz. bottle) to $14.95 (4 oz. bottle and also for the refillable rhinestone-embossed atomizer gift set).

Cool Solutions for Stressed Skin

Skyn Iceland Glacial Cleaning Cloths are the perfect product for any woman on the go. Due to their compact packaging (about the size of two of those little tissue packets), they can be kept in your handbag or gym bag at all times. The product is really easy to use: rub the sides of the cloth together to activate the cleansing product and gently swipe across your skin. The best part? No need to add water. What? Genius, I tell you. Give the person who came up with this a big, fat raise. I can’t tell you how many times I fell asleep with day-old makeup caked on my face for no other reason than I was too exhausted to go through the motions of pushing back my hair, removing eye makeup, and washing my face. This product is so handy, you could keep it beside your bed and wash your face in bed. Score! Every single one of my friends plugging away in the work force can expect to receive Glacial Cleaning Cloths from me for their birthdays or Christmas, whichever comes first. Yes, I am about to become very, very popular amongst my friends. Oh, and just because I’m taking a time out from the workforce to stay at home with my toddler, it doesn’t mean I am always lining up at the sink to properly remove eye makeup and cleanse. You can bet I’ll be keeping my own package of Glacial Cleaning Cloths next to my own bed.

Glacial Cleansing Cloths are gentle enough for sensitive skin, and they remove makeup without leaving a filmy residue. You really can resist the urge to rinse with water—it’s unnecessary. Also, even with my dry skin, I didn’t experience the usual feeling of parched-skin-cracking-from-my-face tightness between cleansing and moisturizing. They contain natural ingredients to soothe irritation and inflammation, as well as calm and soothe skin, help prevent infection, and keep your complexion bright.

The Icelandic Relief Eye Pen could best be described as relief in a tube. One of my favorite products before I implemented my green beauty routine was a certain blue eye cooling cream (which I no longer use and which would be the one toxic product I would say I actually miss). I can check that off as officially replaced. The Relief Eye Pen has a slight cooling sensation, which instantly gets me in the mood to relax and de-stress. Aside from the pleasant cooling sensation, the Relief Eye Pen works to counteract puffiness, dark circles, and under-eye wrinkles, three problems that can be caused by stress. Unlike many under eye products that provide moisture yet make applying makeup more difficult, this product is quick-drying, which means it works exceptionally well under makeup, even when you have to apply said makeup very quickly. The pen is really easy to use and is virtually mess-free. Because it comes in a wide-tipped pen, you don’t risk contaminating it by putting your fingers in it. The design also makes application precise. Like the cleansing cloths, the eye pen is perfect for traveling or carrying with you throughout the day.

Unlike the Glacial Cleansing Cloths ($15 for 30) which can be purchased at several locations including http://skyniceland.com, the Relief Pen ($20) is only available at Sephora.

Both products are paraben free, petroleum free, mineral oil free, sulfate free, and cruelty free, as well as 100% vegetarian.

Even More Green Resources Galore

If you are trying to find anything green on the web, this book is for you.

The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget: Save Money. Save Time. Save the Planet. by Josh Dorfman

It is The Ultimate Resource for online eco-friendly finds including style, transportation, energy and water conservation, cleaning, baby gear, skin care, office, and more. Dorfman leads you to little-known places on the web that can have a big impact on your life and the earth. He also pays special attention to what some of the bigger companies who catch a lot of flack for being environmental losers, such as Walmart, are doing to be more green.

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If you have problem skin that just isn't responding to anything else, Dr. Alkaitis Holistic Organic Skin Food is the answer. These skin care products are biologically active; in other words, only living ingredients are used. And they are so pure, they are actually edible. Why? From the website:

"As a research scientist working with cancer treatments including plants, Dr. Alkaitis became convinced that there is a correlation between our society's dependence on synthetic chemicals and the rapid increase in people suffering from cancer and other degenerative illnesses. Even the 'pure' and 'natural' cosmetics we use are created from chemicals that don't support your skin's natural, healthy balance."

Organically grown or wild-crafted plants and sea life, pure water, and certified organic alcohol made only from grapes and/or vegetable glycerin are used as the base for these unique cleansers, toners, gels, oils, creams, masks, etc. You will never find another skin care line like this one. It's not cheap; but you absolutely get what you pay for.

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There are so many stainless steel water bottles on the market now, which should you choose? EcoUsable Inc. designs reusable, food grade, BPA-Free, eco-friendly stainless steel water bottles that I recommend. They do not leak or rust.

I tried the EcoUsable recyclable filtered sport top, which features Ionic Adsorption Micron Filter Technology. It removes up to 99.99% of the unpleasant taste, sediment, chlorine, and toxic chemicals that sometimes can be found in water, but leaves in the beneficial trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium.


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Finally, I'd like to introduce you to Ecostore, a New Zealand company (with a US branch) that makes plant based, non-toxic household cleaning, baby and personal care products that contain, as they like to say, "No Nasty Chemicals." Their Laundry Liquid is one of the best green laundry products I've tried.

Pangea Organics

First of all, check out the website! It is the most fantastic product website I’ve come across. It is complete with product information, mission statement, news and events, and even a blog by the founder and CEO Joshua Scott Onsyko. Very, very cool. Mr. Onsyko clearly spends time crafting his blog, rather than throwing a few words on the page about his products. The posts are well-informed and well-written and cover a wide range of topics. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into the way he views the world. It made me happy to support his mission and his business, and it made me enjoy using the products even more than I already did. I won’t go into detail about the blog, but I urge you to peruse it yourself.

The Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary Shower Gel holds true to its promise that “a little bit goes a long way.” The product is concentrated in order to last longer. The first time I used it, I poured out entirely too much because I am used to products where “a lot barely goes the whole way.” I have, apparently, been using bath products that have been watered down in order to make it look like I’ve been getting more for my money than I actually have been. Using the shower gel is like having a mini spa experience in the shower. The strong yet pleasant lemony scent surrounds you, the shower gel feels refreshing against your skin, and it rinses completely without leaving behind the feeling of soapy residue that sometimes accompanies other shower gels. Also, I have never felt so clean for so long after my shower than when I used this product. I walked out of the shower feeling just-scrubbed fresh, and that feeling stayed with me until my next shower.

I am a huge fan of lavender. Big. Huge. Over the moon for it. My favorite de-stressor trick is to add a few drops of pure lavender essential oil to the bath, grab a book, shut out the husband and the baby, and soak. It melts away whatever stress or bad mood is brewing, albeit for only a short while—but even the smallest reprieve is essential. Therefore, the Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom Hand and Body Lotion is right up my alley. I’ve added it to my night time ritual, and of course the luscious lavender scent immediately begins to calm me and get me in the mindset for relaxation. What separates this lotion from others I’ve tried is the lasting quality of the scent. I go to bed smelling of lavender, and I wake up with a hint of lavender still on me. It is a strong scent, but not overpowering. The only criticism I have of the lotion is probably more a criticism of my own skin type—a little bit does not go a long way on me, and while the scent lingers and my skin feels smoother to the touch than it normally would, the lotion never actually makes my skin feel hydrated. Pangea makes a Pyrenees Lavender Body Oil which is probably a better match for my skincare needs. As a hand lotion to use throughout the day, it is top notch—non-greasy, fast-absorbing so I can smooth it on and get on with my business of chasing my toddler as she tears through my kitchen without having to wipe excess lotion onto my jeans.

Another plus to the products that have absolutely nothing to do with how they perform is that the packaging looks elegant, in an understated, subtle way. The bottles remind me of something my grandmother would have had in her bathroom, which was a sanctuary filled with things that never found their way into my own bathroom growing up (or now, for that matter): plush carpeting, gorgeous artwork, and various little bottles of product. I really like the way Pangea Organics products look sitting in my otherwise chaotic, child-friendly bathrooms. This seems worth mentioning to me since I haven’t ever considered how a product looks on my shelves, only how they stack up to or surpass the non-organic, chemical-filled products I’ve been using for years.

Here are some tidbits about the nuts and bolts behind the products. The website says it so much better than I ever could! “Throughout Pangea's growth, from its inception in 2000, Onysko, 32, has retained private ownership of his company, never straying from its vision: Ecocentric bodycare; always beneficial, never artificial. Onysko remains committed to creating products that are always organic, nurturing, handcrafted, fair-trade (whenever possible) and cruelty-free. To that end, Pangea Organics’ products are never made using petrochemicals, parabens, GMOs or other synthetic or harmful ingredients. Not only do Pangea’s ingredients begin to break down within 48 hours of use, but a generous portion of Pangea’s profits are helping to build the Pangea Institute, an emerging non-profit organization dedicated to researching and teaching all aspects of sustainable living and business practices.”

Overall, Pangea Organics gets my vote of confidence not just because I enjoy their website and support their philosophy but because the products are enjoyable to use and are affordable (the shower gel costs $16, the lotion $18, and the body oil $24). Oh, and if you place an order before June 22 (incidentally, that’s my birthday, hint ,hint!) you get free shipping.

Green Goods You Can't Live Without

N Pour Moi invites you to Complete Your Healthy Lifestyle™ with 100% natural products free of parabens and alcohols and made with rainwater. "Our preservative system is based on food grade natural preservatives. Additionally our ingredients are all sustainable," notes Fermín Návar, Aromatarii for parent company Maison de Navar, Inc. in Austin, TX. A quiet and unassuming brand with no sexy pictures or flashy websites, N Pour Moi makes Shaving Mousse that is most impressive. It does make a difference what you shave with - and with this mousse, as opposed to what I normally shave with (bar soap!), I experienced a much closer shave leaving smoother, silkier skin. Try their products for men and women: a full line of lotions and moisturizers, nut free lip balm, and hand cleanser in vanilla, citrus, lavender, and geranium rose scents.

LUSH Cosmetics asks, "Is packaging absolutely necessary?" The answer has led LUSH to develop such innovative products as their solid shampoo bars, conditioners, bubble bar slices, massage bars, hair hennas, body butters, deodorants ... all of which don’t require packaging. As a result, last year alone approximately 3 million plastic bottles were not manufactured, transported and disposed of because customers chose to buy LUSH’s solid shampoo bars instead of a bottled product! Read their admirable core beliefs. This Canadian based company has stores throughout the US and many other countries. A note on their products: Shave the Planet Shaving Cream sounds good but does contai parabens, toxic preservatives listed as "High Hazard" at Cosmetics Safety Database. There are also a few other ingredients in their products that are not PassionateGreen. LUSH definitely has the right idea as far as packaging and eco-friendliness, but needs to reformulate many of its products according to more stringent safety standards.

Lemongrass Spa Products' consultant Jill Breheny says, "I share your passion for green products that are safe to use on our skin (our largest organ). I have proudly and confidently represented Lemongrass Spa Products for 4 1/2 years through two pregnancies." I was pleased to learn that their fragrances are phthalate-free, and their products aren't sold in stores, eliminating the need for harsh and harmful chemical preservatives. Their body polish smells amazing but is a little messy/oily in the tub (but worth it!) This Colorado-based company is a signer of The Compact for Safe Cosmetics.

Lavanila Laboratories' brand new Vanilla Lavender scent is light, sweet, and addictive, and their body butter one of the best I've ever used. Get a free 1 oz sample with every order! Take advantage of Free shipping on orders over $50, or find them at Sephora, HSN, Nordstrom and other fine cosmetics retailers. These are truly pure products. Try the roller ball or standard fragrances, lip butter or shine, body wash, deodorant, and candles. Safe, quality deodorant is difficult to find - this is a good one.

Beautorium is a natural and organic beauty emporium. Look for symbols next to products on their site to guarantee they are "certified," "good works," and "no animal testing." Beautorium, of Charlotte, NC, carries such prestigious brands as John Masters Organics, Juice Beauty, and Korres Materia Herba. The site is loaded with free gifts! You will find anti-aging treatments, bath and body care including African Bath Salts, a pregnancy and baby section, a mens' section, and much more. Search their beauty issues guide to find products specifically tailored for your unique skin situation.

Exciting Results from Healing Anthropology

Healing Anthropology Rejuvenating Face Cream has a light, earthy scent, is a golden clay color, and it blends easily. In fact, it feels as if it melts into my skin rather than sits on top of it for a few moments like many other creams tend to do. The directions for usage say to start with a small amount and then add more under the eyes or in dry spots as needed. I really like this customizing quality of the cream since I often have problems with creams being too heavy in some areas and too light in others—without finding that they are manageable enough to tweak for the perfect individual coverage the way I am able to do with Healing Anthropology. I was also pleased to be able to use it directly under my eyes without having a negative reaction such as that tender area of skin feeling too weighed down or my eyes watering. I was impressed with the cream right from the start.

The website claims the cream will give skin a succulent look, and it is not exaggerating. My face literally glowed as if touched by the light of the setting sun when in reality I was under the harsh lighting in my bathroom. Just to make sure I wasn’t imagining things due to lack of sleep, I stepped into natural light and rubbed a small amount on the back of my hand. I could see distinctly where the product left off and untreated skin began, the side with the cream having a luminescent quality. Honestly, this is an invaluable result for anyone who doesn’t get their required zzz’s due to, say, having a toddler. I can only imagine how effective their body care products must be. I was not blessed to be born with naturally glowing skin. My friends and neighbors assume I’m sick if I skimp on applying nourishing moisturizer and at the bare minimum a swipe of foundation. However, while using this cream did not eliminate my need for a little help from makeup to even my skin tone, it did lend me a hearty, healthy glow that I do not posses naturally.

The face cream contains all natural, organic ingredients including organic green tea, grape seed oil, shea butter, and the essential oils of lavender, geranium, and ylang ylang (please see the website for a complete list). The products are completely paraben and toxin free. If you don’t immediately move onto the makeup stage of your routine, the light, soothing scent of the essential oils stays with you. I found it to be very calming. Take a moment to peruse the website, paying particular attention to their philosophy. They are definitely on the right track with their line of thinking. The Rejuvenating Face Cream costs $59 for 2 ounces. Obviously, when you want quality, you often have to pay the price, and I would say in this instance it is worth making the investment in Healing Anthropology products if you can manage it because the products definitely live up to the company’s claims. Also, 2 ounces will probably last you just as long as the product you use now that comes in a larger size because a little bit goes a long way. Trust me when I tell you this. I have the kind of dry skin that requires me to take my face cream to the shower with me so I can apply it as soon as I step out, even before I towel dry. The small test sample I received lasted significantly longer than I expected.


The Rejuvenating Vitamin C Serum is basically a miracle in a bottle. Nothing—and I mean absolutely nothing—has effectively camouflaged the dark circles under my eyes that have been a permanent part of my face since giving birth. This serum completely eliminated them—after three days of use. I felt rather than saw a difference after the first use—my under eye skin felt less tender, less bruised, and slightly tighter. And while the product is pricey ($55 for a mere 1 ounce), a little bit really does go a long way. It smells delightful, making it pleasurable to use as well as effective.

On an extra note, besides making a full array of products to pamper and beautify Mama naturally, Healing Anthropology has created a line specifically for baby. This is of particular interest to me since my one year old has extremely sensitive skin. In fact, it was her needs that lead me to begin my journey into all natural skin care. Even the natural soap and shampoo that I use for her now occasionally causes a mild breakout.

Overall, I was not expecting the type of results I experienced with Healing Anthropology products. I opened their products with the mind of a true skeptic as I am prone to be suspicious of pricey products that make strong claims about success since I have purchased products in the past that have been a total crock. I can say with complete confidence that Healing Anthropology’s products back their claims and provide stunning results.

Summer Produce Guide

If your food budget is anything like mine, a huge portion of it goes to produce, especially at this time of year when there is such a delightful variety. The following is a list of summer vegetables and fruits and the best way to keep them the freshest the longest—which comes in handy not only to help prevent waste from produce spoiling due to improper storage, it also allows you to buy larger quantities of the produce you eat regularly when you find it at a great price.

Beginning the process of replacing all your fruits and vegetables with their organic counterparts can be daunting, not to mention expensive. It is vital that you know which fruits and vegetables are at risk for high contamination levels and exposure to the greatest amount of pesticide so you can begin to purchase at the very least those items organic. I keep the produce freshness list on my fridge and properly store all my produce as soon as I unpack my grocery bags, and I carry the dirty dozen and clean fifteen lists with me when I shop.

Produce Freshness Guide:

Mushrooms: The best are small to medium in size. Creamy white or light brown caps that are closed around the mushroom stem are signs of freshness. Keep Them: unwashed in a paper bag in the fridge. A plastic bag or container will trap moisture and promote spoilage.

Broccoli: The best are tightly budded and have dark-green to almost-blue sprouts. If the buds are yellowish or you can easily spread them out with your fingers, that means they are old. Keep Them: refrigerated in an airtight container. *Broccoli is on the clean fifteen list

Zucchini and Yellow Squash: The best ones have firm, smooth, shiny skins and are small. Keep Them: unwashed in an airtight container in the fridge. But it’s best to use zucchini within 2-3 days of purchase. Pro Tip: Because zucchini cooks quickly, the thinner you slice it, the more likely it will fall apart during cooking. If you want it to hold its shape, cut it into thick chunks.

Potatoes: Red: The best ones have bright red skins that are smooth and few, if any, shallow eyes. Keep Them: in a cool place away from light for up to 2 weeks. Don’t put them in the fridge—moisture will encourage sprouting. Also, keep them away from onions! Pro Tip: If you like the crisp, golden exterior of a baked potato, skip wrapping your spuds in foil, which steams rather than crisps the skin.

Onions: Yellow, Red, White: The best are firm, blemish-free globes with paper-thin skins. Keep Them: in a dry, dark, well-ventilated place, but not in the fridge. Don’t keep them near potatoes because they can absorb a potato’s moisture and spoilage-speeding ethylene gas. Pro Tip: To minimize tears while chopping, chill onions first. This slows the chemical reaction of the juices when they hit the air. *Onion is on the clean fifteen list

Peppers: The best have deep colors. The deeper the red, orange, or purple, the sweeter the flavor and the higher the vitamins A and C. Keep Them: in an airtight container in the fridge, whole, dry, and unwashed. *Sweet bell pepper is on the dirty dozen list

Cabbage: Green, Red, Purple: The best have a smooth, round head and even coloring. Also, look for heads with fairly thick, pliable leaves. They will be more tender and juicy. Keep Them: in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Pro Tip: Cut cabbage only with stainless steel knives. Chemicals in the cabbage react with other metals and can turn the knife and cabbage black.

Corn: Yellow, White, Bicolor: The best ones have bright green husks. Pop one of the kernels with your finger. If you see a slightly cloudy juice, it’s fresh. No juice or thick juice means it is old. Keep Them: in the fridge in their husks. Pro Tip: For an easy cream sauce, puree raw kernels, strain into a pot, and bring to a simmer until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Drizzle the sauce over grilled vegetables.

Beans: Green, Yellow: The best are thinner. Skip over any that are soft, wrinkled, or lumpy. To judge crispness, bend before you buy. Anything that is bendy is getting old. Keep Them: in an airtight container and don’t snap the ends before storing. Pro Tip: When you are ready to prep beans, line them up on a cutting board with the stems all at the same end. Chop them off with one swift motion.

Grapes: The best are large and plump with firmly attached stems and nice, bright color. Keep Them: refrigerated, unwashed, and loosely packed in a container. A bad grape can ruin the bunch, so discard soiled grapes before storing. Pro Tip: A handful of grapes lends salad a surprising flavor. *Imported grapes are on the dirty dozen list

Plums: The best have even color and no brown blotches. Also, ripe plums can feel fairly firm to slightly soft to the touch. Keep Them: at room temperature in a paper bag to speed ripening. Store ripe plums in the fridge.

Pears: The best are firm if you are poaching or baking them, or slightly soft and fragrant if you are eating them raw. Keep Them: in a paper bag at room temperature to speed ripening. Store ripe pears in the fridge. Pro Tip: Before serving, sprinkle pear slices (and apples) with lemon juice to prevent browning. *Pear is on the dirty dozen list

Melon: Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon: The best have a clean stem area and a sweet aroma. Ripe cantaloupes have golden netting; the best honeydews have a creamy yellow color and weigh about 5 lbs; tasty watermelons have a healthy sheen and a yellow underbelly. Keep Them: in the fridge and wash skins before cutting to avoid bacteria. Pro Tip: Puree melon and freeze in it ice cube trays for use in cocktails and punch. *Watermelon is on the clean fifteen list

Peaches and Nectarines: The best have a background color that’s creamy gold. Also, the dimpled area around the stem should be a neutral color and free of color and free of redness. Keep Them: in the fridge or at room temp in a brown paper bag to speed ripening. Pro Tip: freeze peaches you don’t use. Cover peeled and chopped peaches with apple or white grape juice in a freezer-proof container. Use one cup of juice for every four cups of fruit. *Peach and nectarine are both on the dirty dozen list

Apples: The best have smooth, clear skin. To check for freshness, rub your thumb across the skin. If it wrinkles, put it back. Keep Them: in a cool, dark place or the fridge away from strong smelling foods so they won’t absorb odors. They will stay fresh for 4-6 weeks. Pro Tip: Get rid of waxy coatings by rinsing with warm (not cold) water. *Apple is on the dirty dozen list

Berries: The best are plump and dry with a sweet aroma. The white bloom that dusts blueberries and raspberries indicates a good, ripened berry. Keep Them: refrigerated, unwashed in a dry, covered container. *Strawberry is on the dirty dozen list

Cherries: The best are plump with bright, shiny, red-to-mahogany skins. Most fruits are shiny at their freshest. Keep Them: refrigerated, unwashed in a container. Cherries with healthy stems keep better than those without stems. *Cherry is on the dirty dozen list

Tomatoes: The best have a sweet smell and vibrant color. They should be more soft than firm to the touch. Local tomatoes may be juicier because they are often left to mature longer on the vine. Keep Them: at room temperature, but not in direct sunlight. Pro Tip: For fast, no-cook pasta sauce, grate ripe tomatoes and toss them with torn basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese. *Tomato is on the clean fifteen list

Dirty Dozen:

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet bell peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Lettuce
9. Imported grapes
10. Pears
11. Kale
12. Carrots

Clean Fifteen

1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Frozen sweet corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Frozen sweet peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato

Natural Makeup and More

Crazy Rumors introduces its brand new Hibiscus Flavored Lip Color. All natural and vegan, "gourmet" flavored lip balms contain vitamins, moisturizing organic shea butter, silky jojoba oil, and organic natural flavors, and are slightly sweetened with a hint of natural Stevia. They come in six beautiful colors, smell and taste delicious, glide on smooth and stay smooth, are long lasting, and I don't need to put anything on over or under them. Hibiscus Flavored Lip Color is easily my new favorite lip product - love it!

Sagescript makes natural, botanical bar soap, room and linen spray, skin care, and health and wellness products. This company strives for sustainability, grows many of the herbs that are used in the products, and uses all vegetable oils and beeswax so no animals are harmed in the process. A personal favorite: hard to find DEET-free natural insect repellant. It contains a blend of oils known to inhibit mosquitoes and other insects in a base of catnip distillae. Creator Cindy Jones has worked as a medical educator and writer with an interest in the effects of phytochemicals on human health and physiology for many years, thus bringing a scientific perspective to the field of herbalism and skin care.

ANDE Cosmetics (All Natural Diverse Eco-friendly) features 100% natural veg-organic cosmetics and skin care products for people of all Colors. Their makeup is fabulous, but you should also know about Cool It, a 100% natural triple action air spray that cools, soothes and leaves a layer of protection as it brings instant relief to burning, irritated skin conditions like sunburns, bug bites, and rashes (even diaper rash). New for spring: the Ultimate Foot Care Kit, which for the price of one salon pedicure will give you all the things you need to keep your feet looking and feeling great all summer long.

Sambah Naturals partners with villagers in Northern Zambia through a recognized fair trade community development project to empower local community members. Many of their workers are AIDS widows or orphans. Using land donated by a local tribal king they grow organic grasses that are sustainably harvested for making essential oils. This is in turn used to produce handmade soap for what they call The Zambian Soap Company. They also purchase ingredients from them to make Zambeezi, organic bees wax lip balm. Sambah Naturals has worked with the government of Zambia to get an entire province of Zambia certified organic, thus facilitating organic sustainable agriculture and discouraging destructive industries like logging. Buy these products and feel great about helping the planet in more ways than one!

Hothouse Botanical's Fizzy Foaming Aromatherapy Bath has found life-long fans at my house. The fizzing action produced by the citric-bicarbonate reaction causes the ingredients to foam, creating a lovely bubble bath, while essential oils release a luxorious scent. Caution: you will feel pampered! Also try their Licorice Candy Solid Perfume. Free shipping on all orders over $40.

Passionate About Barely Native Soap

The following is a guest post from Allison Thompson.

When I was younger I had the kind of skin that would inspire poets to write epics, drive men to cross oceans, and cause women to envy. (Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. But just a teeny bit! One guy did actually cross an ocean - he claimed it had to do with my riveting conversation and razor-sharp intellect, but I suspect it had more to do with my sensual skin.) My skin was simply supple and soft by nature and it had absolutely nothing to do with any product. Ah, youth.

Enter the pregnancy stage of my life; exit luscious skin. Drat! I have since slathered an entire arsenal of products on my skin to rejuvenate it, to no avail. I’m embarrassed to admit that I have shelled out entirely too much on chemical-infused crap only to find that it made absolutely no difference. I have also spent more than my budget would allow on green alternatives to the aforementioned crap, with a similar lack of pleasing results. I even retooled my diet specifically to enhance my skin from the inside out with the exciting result of losing my post-pregnancy acne but not my dry skin. At that point I wrote my skin off as a lost cause.

Then I tried Barely Native soap ... and my smooth and supple skin has been reborn! Just like that, after one use. How something so simple as a bar of organic soap can be the answer to my lost youth eludes me, but I’ll take the miracle, thank you very much.

The scents Barely Native offers are not your typical soap scents, which of course adds to the exotic experience. The bar I tried was Citrus Lavender, which at first seemed a very odd combination. It wasn’t something I wanted to walk around smelling all day; however, unlike some inorganic, chemical-infused soaps that perfume your skin for hours on end, Barely Native soap leaves a light hint of scent on your skin that does not interfere with perfume or cologne (I seem to get my way more often with my hubby when I smell of vanilla or fig, two scents that would clash with citrus and lavender, and I haven’t had an issue with interfering scents.)

I can feel very good about using this soap because the ingredients are USDA organic whenever possible, and they supplement their plant based ingredients with simple and pure ingredients such as essential oils and herbs. Also, these soaps are hand packed using recycled wallpaper stock to provide an attractive and water resistant wrapping and to divert reusable materials from the landfill. Awesome!

Another cool thing about Barely Native is their soap of the month club, which I fully intend to join. I am assuming they randomly ship you different scents, which would work perfectly for me since I suffer from major indecision when it comes to so many tempting scents. Shipping is free for orders of six or more soaps, so for $59.95 you get a six month supply or for $99.95 you get a year’s supply. The timing is pretty much perfect, assuming you convert completely as I did and refuse to use any other bath products, so you shouldn’t end up with a back-log of soap from one bar lasting much longer than a month. If you want to order just one bar, the cost is $5.95 plus $5 flat-rate shipping—very reasonably priced for something that works so well.

My House Stinks! Contest

Refresh, a brand new line of eco-friendly, VOC-free paints from Dutch Boy which also neutralizes common household odors with the help of Arm & Hammer Odor Eliminating Technology, is looking for people with uninhabitable rooms in their homes to submit pictures in their "My House Stinks!" contest.The owner of the most annihilated-looking room wins $5,000 and 50 gallons of Refresh to help rejuvenate their living space! (2nd prize: $2,500 and 25 gallons of Refresh; 3rd prize: $1,000 and 10 gallons of Refresh.)

Visit the site for more information about the contest, or to view and vote on entries they have already received - some hilarious!

More about the paint: it is Green Guard Indoor Air Quality Certified, Green Cert certified, zero VOC, formulated without formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and crystalline silica, and packaged in recyclable containers. Click here for more.

Contest is open until September 30, 2009.

P.S. I do not condone the purchase of Arm & Hammer products because their parent company, Church & Dwight Co, Inc, also manufactures disgusting synthetic foods to artificially pump up cattle that eventually end up in the diet of everyone stupid enough to still eat dairy products in this day and age (including me, unfortunately) as well as harm the animals by forcing them to mature faster and produce more than nature ever intended. But they are giving this product away for free, so let them pay!