Green 4 Your Soul

The Healing Power of Calendula

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:57:00 +0000

What is Calendula? Calendula is an edible flower with an amazing history of documented healing. Calendula has been used for hundreds of years by Native Americans to treat all types of skin conditions from acne to eczema, psoriasis, rashes and sunburns. Calendula contains powerful phytonutrients such as fatty acid esters, beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene that help protect skin from free-radical damage and actively aid in healing skin conditions. Calendula is an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory making it an ideal treatment for wounded or inflamed skin. Calendula can be a powerful first line of defense to prevent scarring as it increases skins collagen level in wounds and helps prevent scars from forming. Calendula assists in the healing of tissue and helps skin remain supple. Calendula in oil form is the best way to ensure that it's health benefits are deeply penetrated into the skin.

We've just added two amazing Calendula products from Bodyceuticals, an oil and a salve. Bodyceuticals grows their own organic Calendula on their farm in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Since they produce their own organic Calendula their products have the highest quality and highest concentrations of Calendula on the market, which means you will get the most out of Calendula's healing benefits. You can use Bodyceuticals Calendula Oils and Salves to treat a multitude of skin conditions from acne, diaper rash, insect bites, skin irritations, raditaion burns, and razor burn, just to name a few. It's a must for every medicine cabinet and can be used by the entire family. Stock up today and discover the magic of Calendula!

Calendula Spray

Raising A Green Family

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:09:00 +0000

With the impending birth of our baby my husband and I have been looking at ways to live greener and make sure the addition of a new little one isn't accompanied by an enormous carbon foot print. Here are some quick and easy tips to raise a green baby and care for the planet too!

CHOOSE ECO DIAPERS & WIPES:
Did you know that 80% of parents choose disposable diapers for their little ones? This amounts to 18 million diapers or 82,000 tons of plastic and 1.3 million tons of wood pulp (250,000 trees) per year in land fills. It's estimated that a disposable diaper takes anywhere from 250-500 year to biodegrade. Don't even get me started on the toxic chemicals contained in commercial disposable diapers. We chose to go with G Diapers for our little one. G Diapers are certified 100% biodegradable and compostable within 45 days. They're also free from toxins and chlorine bleach so your little one will have a fighting chance against diaper rash. You purchase the re-usable and washable diapers and then fill them with the biodegradable refills. When changing diapers you simply remove the refill, flush it, compost it or toss it and place a new one in the diaper.

Learn more at the G Diaper website:
http://www.gdiapers.com/ppc/biodegradable-diapers?gclid=CM_Anozs5qMCFQs_bAod-nz_3g

Did you know that most wipes contain parabens, chlorine and synthetic fragrances? I don't want any of these chemicals touching my baby's delicate skin so I began my quest for the best eco wipes. Earth's Best Baby Wipes are Chlorine-free, Alcohol and Paraben Free and contain skin softening Aloe Vera and Vitamin E.

You can purchase both G Diapers and Earth's Best Wipes through Amazon by the case and if you sign up for their auto shipping option they'll deliver them right to your door with free shipping and a deep discount.
http://www.amazon.com/Earths-Best-TenderCare-Chlorine-80-Count/dp/B001TUZI2A/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1283367718&sr=8-9

REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE BABY ITEMS:
With the addition of a baby comes a whole lot of gear, toys and clothes. The green movement motto "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" is perfect for this situation. We have been fortunate to receive many items from friends and family that have been gently used and are in near mint condition. Whenever we can eliminate purchasing new items for the baby we feel good in knowing that we're not adding more plastic packaging to the landfills. Plus accepting friends and families generous donations saves a lot of green too! Check out Freecycle, a great site dedicated to reducing waste by helping people recycle goods.
http://www.freecycle.org/

MAKE YOUR OWN BABY FOOD:
My husband and I planted our first organic garden in the spring. We plan on growing our own organic food and making our own baby food. Baby food is expensive especially if you're buying organic. We figured we'd cut out the middle man and grow our own food. It's been great fun watching our garden grow and harvesting the fruits and veggies. All you need to make your own baby food is this handy little machine and some organic fruits and veggies. It feels good knowing exactly where your food is coming from and that your not contributing to pollution by consuming pesticide laden foods. You can freeze the baby food in small portions and use it as needed so none goes to waste.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/beaba-babycook-baby-food-maker/?pkey=x|4|1||4|baby||0&cm_src=SCH

GET COMPOSTING:
Our latest venture to live greener has been the addition of our composter. Composting really makes you aware of how much food you're wasting. After a great deal of research my husband settled on a composter from Home Depot, it's even made from recycled materials! Our compost will turn into rich fertilizer for our garden within 2-3 weeks, no more trips to Lowe's to stock up on bags of pricey organic fertilizer.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xhc/R-202018156/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

GREEN YOUR BABY'S BATH TIME:
Given that I run a green business dedicated to healthy bath, body and cosmetics this one was a no brainer. Many parents don't know that the bottle of baby shampoo you're so fond of is loaded with toxic chemicals. We recently attended our hospital sponsored baby care class and the woman leading the lecture emphasized repeatedly the importance of keeping chemicals away from newborns. She even suggested that for the first two weeks new parents should only use damp paper towels rather than wipes on their newborn. When I asked her what products the hospital used to bathe the babies she showed me a bottle of the dreaded Johnson and Johnson and said they only used it becuase they get it for free. Luckily she said that we could provide the hospital with our own products to bathe our baby. We're going with my line of baby care products by Noli n Nali. These products are great for baby since they're free from all of the chemicals in maninstream baby products and that makes them better for the planet too! No harsh chemicals washing down the drain and polluting our waterways!
http://www.green4yoursoul.com/products/noli-n-nali-chamomile-willow-baby-shampoo.html

There are many more ways you can raise a green baby. For additional tips check out Deidre Imus's book "Growing up Green". Even if you only make a few small changes you will make a huge impact and set a great example for your child.
http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Green-Child-Bestselling/dp/1416541241/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283367293&sr=8-3

HOW GREEN IS YOUR SUNSCREEN?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:00:00 +0000

There's been a great deal of press lately regarding the toxic chemicals found in commercial sunscreens; but did you know that your sunscreen could also be harmful to sea life? A recent study published by the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that the same synthetic preservatives and UV Blockers that are harmful to your health are also responsible for the destruction of coral reefs. These chemicals trigger viral infections in coral reefs causing them to bleach out and die in as little as 4 days after exposure. Up to 10 percent of coral reefs worldwide are threatened by sunscreen induced bleaching. The study found that even low levels of the sunscreen chemicals could trigger bleaching in coral reef populations. Researchers estimated that 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off of swimmers annually in oceans worldwide.

Little changes can make a big impact. By choosing an eco friendly sunscreen you're not only protecting your health but also the health and welfare of the ocean and its' aquatic life. Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen is a fabulous alternative to commercial chemically laden sunscreens. Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen is formulated using only organic and naturally sourced ingredients, according to Naturopathic principles. Soleo's biodegradable formula helps keep our waterways clean because it's free from harmful chemicals found in mainstream sunscreens and those linked to the destruction of coral reefs. Soleo Products NEVER contain Chemical UV-Absorbers, Synthetic Preservatives, Benzoates, Petrochemicals, Artificial Fragrances, Nano Particles, Parabens or Diazolidinyl Urea. Your purchase of Soleo Sunscreen also helps preserve our oceans, lakes, reservoirs, streams and mountains through the Soleo Sanctuary Foundation.

Get Your Green Thumb On!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:46:00 +0000

It's becoming increasingly difficult to determine the quality and freshness of the food we're eating. Don't take my word for it, check out documentaries like Food Inc and see how deceptive the food industry can be. Produce is often shipped from other countries making it less than fresh by the time it arrives on our dinner tables. It's also common for growers to genetically modify fruits and veggies, spray them with dyes and pesticides and coat them with waxes to improve their appearance. Why not grow your own food? You'll know where your food is coming from, you can enjoy it at the peak of freshness and you can save money on your groceries too.

MY ORGANIC GARDEN:
My husband and I are always looking for ways to live greener. Our goal this year was to plant an organic garden and I'm happy to report that it's thriving. My husband read a fabulous book called "Square Foot Gardening" that guided us through creating our organic garden. The author also has a wonderful website filled with resources to help you in your journey as an organic gardener. We purchased all of the supplies recommended in the book to build our above ground garden boxes from our local hardware store. We filled the boxes with the special soil blend recommended in the book and selected our favorite fruits, veggies and herbs to plant. Here are some pics of our garden:

WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL OF THE PRODUCE?:
Once your garden starts thriving you might have more produce than you can eat. Consider making your own jams, spaghetti sauces and canning fruits and veggies to enjoy off season. You can freeze many of these items and enjoy them later. You can also give away fresh produce to friends, family and neighbors. You can also enjoy juicing fresh fruits and veggies.

If you have a baby you can purchase a baby food maker from Williams Sonoma and make your own organic baby food. That way you can ensure that your little one is getting the highest quality food without the added sugar or preservatives. Best of all the machine cooks and purees the veggies for you and the food can be frozen in trays to use later. If your children are older get them involved in gardening. Let them help select the produce to plant, help you care for and harvest the garden and cook delicious recipes fresh from your garden with them.

GARDENING IS GOOD FOR THE BODY & SOUL:
Studies have shown that gardening provides great stress relief. We all lead busy lives and sometimes it's a great idea to pause and enjoy the simple things in life. My husband and I love watching the birds and lizards visit our garden to help us naturally control the insects. We also enjoy the excitement of watching our produce grow and the thrill of enjoying it fresh from our own backyard. We all know we need to live healthier lifestyles and anyone will tell you that involves eating more fruits and vegetables. So here's to a healthier you this year, go ahead get your green thumb on, what are you waiting for?

Let the Vegan Adventure Begin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:10:00 +0000

I had an "Aha" moment while watching Alicia Silverstone last week on Oprah. Alicia explained that she had suffered for years with constipation, bloating, allergies, skin issues and all around discomfort. When she transitioned to a Vegan diet all of these symptoms disappeared. I could certainly relate to her story since I battle many of those symptoms on a daily basis. I've been exceedingly frustrated that I've never been able to find relief from these symptoms and had resigned myself to the fact that I was probably going to suffer for the rest of my life. The thing is I've only really tried taking herbal supplements, eating Ginger and increasing my probiotics, I never thought that dairy could be to blame. These quick fixes would work for a while and then I'd go right back to square one with the chronic bloating and upset stomachs after nearly every meal. Alicia's story made me think, "What if what I'm eating is making me sick?" My husband has been trying to convince me to go Vegan for a couple of years now but I love cheese so much I didn't think there was any way I could ever commit to Veganism. We eat a very healthy meat free diet and I never thought there was a problem with dairy. We decided to pick up Alicia's book and give it a try since eliminating dairy was one avenue I hadn't explored yet. We spent this last weekend buying Vegan cookbooks and testing out recipes. We also visited a Vegan Cafe. We're both the dive right in type so we've been approaching this head on with full force and commitment. We had a great time cooking together in the kitchen, shopping, and trying out new foods. We both thought this was an exciting adventure we'd undertaken.

It's only been a couple of days since I've eliminated dairy from my diet and I can already see and feel a huge difference in my body. I have so much energy, I've been sleeping better and I'm not bloated all the time. The health benefits of this new lifestyle are keeping me motivated. If you're interested in living and eating healthier I definitely recommend picking up a copy of Alicia's book The Kind Diet . Her book will teach you about the health benefits of going Vegan and educate you on the nasty foods to avoid. It will also describe how your body has trouble digesting meat and dairy and the symptoms this causes in your body. It's filled with great recipes too. We've already made one amazing meal from it and we plan on making one of her yummy Vegan desserts for Valentines Day. The book is designed for everyone, whether you want to flirt with Veganism or go full force and become a Vegan Superhero. Check out her online community to learn personal stories of how The Kind Life has changed peoples lives and eliminated serious health issues. www.thekindlife.com

And now to the most exciting experience of the weekend, Native Foods! My husband and I decided to see if there were any local Vegan restaurants and we found a local Vegan Cafe called Native Foods. Turns out they have several locations in Southern California and they even offer cooking classes. I can't say enough good things about Native Foods. The food was incredibly amazing! We had a hard time deciding what we wanted to order since everything on the menu was making our mouths water. The food was so satisfying and delicious. I had the Scorpion Burger and my husband had the Tijuana Tacos, we also had a side of Sweet Potato Fries. If you're lucky enough to live close to a Native Foods location I highly recommend you check it out. After our meal we purchased the Native Foods Cookbook and several menus to plan what we were going to eat on our next trip. We plan on visiting again this weekend to try out another dish.

At this point in time we're so new to this that we don't know if it will be a permanent thing or if we're just going to incorporate more Vegan meals into our diet. We have decided to give it a try for at least a month and see what happens. I encourage everyone to make a step towards a healthier diet whether it's simply bypassing the fast food restaurant, eating more fruits and veggies, giving up soda or eating less meat. Knowledge is power and when you learn how powerful eating the right food can be for your overall health and well being you'll be motivated to make a step in a healthier direction.

Green Your Toothpaste

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:00:00 +0000

Did you know that most so called green toothpastes still contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate? If you're searching for a green alternative to chemically laden toothpastes you definitely want to avoid SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). SLS has been shown to cause Canker Sores. If you suffer from canker sores you’ll fight an uphill battle trying to heal them while your daily tooth brushing routine is aggravating them. In addition to it's ability to cause Canker Sores SLS is also a suspected carcinogen. Children often swallow toothpaste when brushing their teeth so it's vital that they aren't ingesting cancer causing chemicals in their toothpaste.

When searching for a green toothpaste look out for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Artifical Colors and Sweeteners as well as Flouride. All of these chemicals are hazardous to your health and are also completely unnecessary. If a toothpaste contains these ingredients it should be avoided at all costs. I challenge you to read the label next time you reach for a toothpaste at the grocery store. I am willing to bet that you won't be able to recognize or pronounce the names of the chemicals contained in it. What we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in them. In order to live your healthiest life you need to be conscious of the choices you make and how they affect your health. I know this can seem overwhelming, it seems like every day we're bombarded with a new chemical to avoid. The key is to become educated. Once you know what to look out for you will be able to make healthier choices. The good news is that there are some fabulous companies out there making great green toothpastes that are free from all of the hazardous chemicals without sacrificing performance.

Check out my recommendations for adults and kids and switch to a green toothpaste today!

http://www.green4yoursoul.com/products/kiss-my-face-organic-whitening-aloe-vera-toothpaste.html

http://www.green4yoursoul.com/products/kiss-my-face-berry-smart-toothpaste.html

Green Your Nail Polish

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:12:00 +0000

Toxic Chemicals in Nail Polish:
Did you ever wonder why your manicurist wears a respirator? Commercial nail polishes contain dangerous chemicals that have been linked to cancer as well as birth defects. Three of the most hazardous chemicals are Dibutylphtalate (DBP), Formaldehyde and Toluene. Nearly every commercial nail polish contains these chemicals. Many people are also allergic to Formaldehyde and suffer adverse reactions from nail polish containing Formaldehyde. Here is what the EPA says about Formaldehyde: "Formaldehyde can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing. High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions."

Green Nail Salons:
Many consumers are becoming aware of these hazards and are seeking healthier alternatives. Although they are still something of a rarity Green Nail Salons are beginning to emerge. Green Nail Salons benefit both the employees and the customers. Traditional nail salons have very poor indoor air quality due to the high levels of chemicals used in nail polishes, removers and the application of acrylic nails. These chemicals can lead to skin irritations, respiratory problems and even birth defects for the employees who work daily under these conditions. If you frequent nail salons your exposure to these chemicals is also cause for concern, espeically if you are pregnant. Green Nail Salons use non toxic nail polishes, removers and products and most refuse to do acrylic nails so the indoor air quality is much healthier.

How to Green Your Nail Care:

Choose a Green Nail Salon for your next nail appointment.
If you don't have a green nail salon in your area start bringing your own green nail polish to your mani-pedi appointments. Zoya is a Green 4 Your Soul favorite and comes in all of the seasons hottest shades.
If you do your own nails always choose a green nail polish that is free from harmful chemicals and only use Acetone free nail polish removers.

A Natural Way to Freshen Funky Carpet

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:24:00 +0000

Does your carpet have a funky smell? I've got two dogs who love to roll around and lay on the carpet, often leaving it smelling a little less than fresh. I'm also something of a clean freak so this drives me crazy, especially when I'm doing Yoga and my face is buried in the funk. Since going green I haven't used any carpet fresheners for fear of exposing my pups to the toxic chemicals contained in them. Since I've never seen a natural alternative at the store I decided to do a little digging. Making your own natural carpet powder is easy, inexpensive and best of all it works!

Natural Carpet Freshening Powder Recipe:
1 cup of Baking Soda
10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil (Adjust the amount depending on the strength of the scent you choose)
Mix well to blend oils into powder

Essential Oils can easily be found at your local health food store or purchased on one of my favorite websites:
Mountain Rose Herbs

Directions for Use:
Sprinkle powder on carpet and keep dogs and children away for at least 15 minutes
Vacuum up and enjoy your fresh carpet

Since Baking Soda is a natural deodorizer this powder will absorb the smell instead of just masking it. I also like to make my own linen spray by filling a spray bottle with water and mixing essential oils. You can have fun mixing up different scent combinations. One of my favorite combinations is Vanilla, Peppermint & Lavender. The linen spray can be used to freshen drapes, bedding and throw pillows.

Are your candles sucking the life out of you?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Did you know that according to the American Lung Association candles are becoming the most common cause of poor indoor air quality? Many candles are made with paraffin wax and lead wicks. Burning several paraffin candles in your home could create poor indoor air quality in your home that rivals large cities like Los Angeles! The EPA has discovered that paraffin candles and the smoke and soot they give off contain several hazardous chemicals that are probable carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins. Acetone, Benzene, Carbon Tetrachloride, Trichloroethane, Toluene, Mercury and Lead have all been found in paraffin candles. Worst of all the candle industry is not required to inform consumers of the ingredients they use in their candles, even if their candles contain lead wicks!

To keep your indoor air quality pure and protect your family's health always look for Soy or Vegetable wax Candles with Lead Free Wicks. If the candle doesn't state that the wick is lead free it probably isn't. Also try and buy candles that are scented with essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrances can often aggravate respiratory problems. Read the labels before you bring anything new in to your home to ensure that you are not contaminating your environment with toxic chemicals. Luckily there are many companies out there that are producing safe and natural candles so it's not a matter of avoiding candles all together but rather making a healthier choice.

Waterless Car Washing Products

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:28:00 +0000

Did you know that washing your car at home uses more than 100 gallons of water? It's estimated that 800 million gallons of water are used per day in the US to wash cars. Only 1% of the world's freshwater is safe for drinking and nearly 1 Billion people do not have access to clean drinking water. In addition 1.4 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water. We need to protect this precious resource and look for ways to conserve it rather than waste it.

At home car washing contributes to pollution as well. When you wash your car at home the oil, grease, metals and soap run off of your car and into the storm drains polluting our rivers, lakes, streams and oceans. Ecolo Green Car Wash is an amazing California based company dedicated to educating consumers on the importance of protecting and conserving water. As the population grows and our climate heats up we need water more than ever. In the next 20 years it's estimated that humans will need 40% more water than they do now. If we continue to waste water at the current rates where will this water come from?

Ecolo Green Car Wash products allow you to keep your car sparkling clean while conserving water and protecting the planet. Ecolo Green Car Wash products give you all the performance of a traditional car wash product without the wasted water or polluting chemicals. Did we mention that they’re 100% Biodegradable too? Ditch the hose, buckets and toxic car washing products and reach for a bottle of Ecolo Car Wash instead. You'll feel good in knowing that you're doing your part to conserve water and protect the planet. Ecolo makes a great gift for green guys too!

Teen Girls Exposure to Cosmetic Chemicals

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:39:00 +0000

A recent study by the Environmental Working Group has revealed that teen girls bodies are more contaminated with chemicals from cosmetics than adult women. On average an adult woman uses 12 beauty products per day, however teen girls use an average of 17 beauty products per day. The study included 20 teen girls ages 14-19 and revealed that every teen had parabens in her blood and urine samples. 16 other hazardous chemicals were also detected in the girls. Adolescence is a time of critical development and many of these chemicals such as parabens are disrupting our teens natural hormone levels. Parabens and Phthalates are both hormone mimicking chemicals that disrupt our natural hormone levels and pollute our bodies with synthetic "mimicking" hormones. Phthalates have been linked to endocrine and reproductive system problems. Babies who are cared for with phthalate-laced products have shown developmental problems, especially in the reproductive development of male children. If you don't read the ingredients labels on your cosmetics you are unknowingly exposing yourself to these chemicals on a daily basis. Parabens and Phthalates are in everything from shampoo, foundation, deodorant and perfume.

I hear stories daily about women in their early 20s being diagnosed with breast cancer, I even saw a news story about a 13 year old who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Is this a coincidence? I don't think so. The cosmetic industry has no regulation and companies are free to put whatever chemicals they want into products. There's some government group that regulates the cosmetic industry right? Wrong! Our bodies, our children, our waterways and our aquatic life are all being affected by the hormone disrupting chemicals in our cosmetics products.

I encourage everyone to start reading labels. Resist the temptation to buy your teen the latest beauty products from the fashion mags. Get on board with green products and show her that you can still stay on trend while using products that are safe for your health. Green is hot and many commercial companies are jumping on the band wagon. A great drug store brand eco line is Physcians Formula Organic Wear. Buyer beware, even if a product is being marketed as green make sure you still read the labels. Many companies are taking advantage of the fact that consumers want green products and are marketing their products as "safe and natural" when they are anything but. Surprise, Surprise there isn't anyone regulating what is "natural" either so "Green Washing" is becoming a challenge for consumers. A good rule of thumb is if the ingredients aren't listed, don't buy the product. Not to fear there are some amazing companies out there that are producing fabulous green products free from all of the harmful chemicals we've discussed. Check out my website for recommendations, to read product reviews, get educated and read the ingredient listings on every product.

Are your pets living the green life?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

A recent study has shown that dogs and cats bodies are contaminated with higher levels of hazardous chemicals than their human owners. Pets are exposed to toxic chemicals in their environment on a daily basis through pesticide-laden lawns, toxic flea medications and hazardous indoor air contaminants. Since their bodies age at an accelerated rate the chemicals burden their bodies sooner than they do humans. Scientists are seeing rates of cancer in dog’s skyrocket as well as hyperthyroidism in cats, leading them to the conclusion that hazardous chemical exposure is to blame.

Did you know that most popular flea medications work by entering toxic chemicals directly into your pets bloodstream? Vitamin B has been shown effective in keeping fleas at bay and is a safe and natural alternative. Keep your pets breathing easy by eliminating toxic household cleaners and air fresheners in the home. This will ensure that your indoor air quality is safe for your pets. Also be sure and use eco friendly products to keep outdoor pests away. Pesticides are extremely toxic to pets.

Good health starts from the inside out so check out your pets food and make sure that you're feeding them a high quality food that is free from artificial ingredients, preservatives and fillers. Many skin conditions can be cleared up by eliminating corn and wheat products from your pets food as well as choosing a green SLS free dog shampoo. For more recommendations on green pets products check out www.green4yoursoul.com

What is Fair Trade Anyway? Case Study: Shea Terra Organics

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Fair Trade protects native workers from exploitation by ensuring that they receive fair wages and fair working conditions. Many impoverished nations have great natural resources that are purchased by big businesses for use in cosmetic and food products. Often times these businesses undercut the native farmers and destroy wildlife habitats. Once company that's making a difference with Fair Trade is Shea Terra Organics. Shea Terra Organics has been concerned about the exploitation of Africa’s precious resources and native people. Currently millions of tons of African resources are exported each year without consideration for the native people or the wildlife habitats. Shea Terra Organics goal is to abolish this injustice.

Shea Terra Organics works closely with self-empowerment programs and environmental groups throughout Africa. Rather than looking for ways to undercut suppliers Shea Terra allows native farmers to set their own prices and determine what they believe the value of their goods are. Shea Terra’s goal is to help native people become self-sufficient. Their Marula Oil is cultivated by a group of over four thousand Namibian women. Many of these women have escaped the war torn north and this opportunity provides them with their only source of income. By providing natives with money for their wild harvested crops they are given an incentive to protect the environment and it’s wildlife. By purchasing Shea Terra products you are helping support wildlife preservation, Fair Trade, self-empowerment and education programs in Africa. Always choose Fair Trade products and you can feel good in knowing that your hard earned money is making a difference in the lives of others.

Green Washing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:47:00 +0000

This past weekend I went to the Los Angeles County Fair. As all regular Fair goers know the Fair is filled with Pavilion after Pavilion of the "latest and greatest products". One such product marketed themselves as "All Natural"; they had huge banners in their multiple booths stating this and even a story about how their product was developed by the founders Grandmother in her kitchen. This "natural" family recipe was a cure all for everything from bug bites to sore muscles. My Mom had purchased the product the previous year and was excited to show it to me. "Since it's natural you might be able to carry it on your website" she said. We made our way over the booth and I picked up the box to read the ingredients. There were only a few natural ingredients listed on the box including "Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Aloe Vera”. Since my Mom loved the product and I could see how natural it was I was sold.

Thirty-five dollars and several hours later I was in the shower as my husband was going through the items we had purchased. We were both tired and sore from walking around all day and couldn't wait to try out our new natural pain reliever. My husband came bursting into the bathroom to tell me that the company was lying about their products. When he removed the bottle from the box he discovered that the box only listed the natural ingredients in the product, however the bottle revealed ingredients that made us both cringe. "Methylparaben, Propylparaben, and a host of other ingredients we couldn't pronounce and didn't recognize. Once again we'd been the victims of "green washing". There are no laws governing the definition of what is "natural". Companies are free to market their chemically laden products as natural with no consequences for their deception. I'm always on alert to this and usually catch it before I've wasted my money on the product. I wasn't expecting this level of deception and hadn't thought to pull the bottle from the package.

Although this didn’t surprise me I was angry wondering how many other people had been taken. I deal with customers on a daily basis that have extreme allergies, are recovering from illnesses such as cancer or simply want to ensure that they're using safe green products. This is the reason behind Green 4 Your Soul’s full disclosure policy on ingredients. If there is an ingredient you wish to avoid you can clearly see that ingredient on the website before you buy the product. Marketing a product as green and withholding the synthetic and chemical ingredients from the packaging is shameful. Many people wouldn't look beyond the ingredient listing on the box and would unknowingly use a product containing harmful chemicals. I urge everyone to read labels and use your purchasing power to make a statement against green washing. Don't spend your hard earned money on so-called "Natural Products", the less support these companies receive the harder it will be for them to continue this charade.

Green Your Baby Products

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:08:00 +0000

When selecting products for babies and children less is more. Commercial baby powders, oils, lotions, shampoos and other products often contain phthalates. Phthalates have been linked to endocrine and reproductive system problems. Babies who are cared for with phthalate-laced products have shown developmental problems, especially in the reproductive development of male children. Phthalates are hormone mimickers and disrupt natural hormones in the bodies of babies and children. Parents should also beware of overly fragranced baby products. The term “Fragrance” can mean a combination of over 400 chemicals, many of which have never been tested for safety.

A friend of mine was told by her pediatrician that she sees more allergic reactions in children caused by Johnson and Johnson baby products than any other baby product on the market. I often hear from people who are resistant to greening their children's products. Their excuses are often "My Mom used those products on me and I'm fine". These chemicals often take years to accumulate in the body and cause health issues. We didn't have the knowledge of the effects of these chemicals then, but we do now. If their Mom's knew the harm that those products were doing to their children you can bet that they wouldn't have used them.

The Price You Pay For Cheap Cosmetics

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Once again I visited the Target Dollar Bin to see what dangers lurked within. To my surprise the lip gloss that I notified them about had been recalled. I was happy to know that children wouldn't be ingesting lead laden lip gloss, however I discovered that the same company was pedaling other toxic products.

I picked up two of their $1 products, a Roll on Fragrance and a Body Lotion. I immediately flipped them over to see if they contained lead. Thankfully they did not contain lead but they had a plethera of other toxic chemicals in them. Once again the packaging was full of bright colors and boasted fun fruity fragrances targeted towards children. The ingredient listing read like a bottle of pesticide. "Mineral Oil, Methylparaben, Triethanolamine..." to name a few. Both products also had a warning not to ingest them.

Out of curiosity I googled the company that makes these products. I found that the products are made in China and that the company is no longer in business. As many of you know China has been responsible for shipping all sorts of toxic products to the US, from toxic toothpaste to deadly pet food to children's toys laced with lead.

I know that with the economy many people are looking for a bargain but I would urge you to investigate what you're buying before getting sucked into the deal. You get what you pay for and when you're paying a dollar for something chances are you are also paying a steep price with your health. Read the labels on all cosmetic products just as you would food labels. The products you put on your skin soak into your blood stream and can lead to many health issues over time. Check out this handy list of some of the worst cosmetic companies on the market and what harmful ingredients their products contain before your next shopping trip.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/whatnottobuy/

Personal Care Product Ingredients are Hazardous to Wildlife

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:37:00 +0000

Most people never stop to think about the environmental impact that their personal care products make. Consider for a moment how many millions of people each day rinse commercial shampoos, conditioners, body washes and shaving creams down the drain. It's estimated that the average woman exposes herself to over 100 hazardous chemicals a day through her personal care products. All of these chemicals are washed down the drain into our rivers, streams and oceans.

The hazardous chemicals contained in personal care products are not only putting humans health at risk but also wildlife. Hormone disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and parabens are washed down the drain when we use personal care products containing these ingredients. These chemicals are polluting our rivers and streams and have been linked to the feminization of fish and other aquatic life. By choosing green personal care products you can protect your health and also the health and welfare of our wildlife

Green Your Sunscreen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:51:00 +0000

Did you know that the FDA still hasn’t finalized its sunscreen standards? This means that companies are free to promise that their sunscreens are safe and effective when no safety guidelines have actually been set. According to a recent study by the Environmental Work Group nearly 600 of the top selling American sunscreen brands contain a chemical called Oxybenzone, which can actually mutate your cells!

The last safety review for Oxybenzone was done in the 1970s, and does not reflect a wealth of information developed since that time indicating increased toxicity concerns and widespread human exposure. Oxybenzone is a penetration enhancer, which means that it allows enhanced penetration of chemicals into your skin. This is of great concern considering that Oxybenzone can allow hazardous ingredients to be penetrated directly into your blood stream. Oxybenzone has also been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, cell damage and low birth weights in baby girls whose mothers were exposed to the chemical during pregnancy. In addition the EWG research found that 84% of 910 name-brand sunscreens offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain hazardous ingredients, like Oxybenzone.

It’s recommended that you purchase a sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide content in order to receive the maximum amount of sun protection. Broad Spectrum protection is the highest level of sun protection and means that a sunscreen protects you from both UVA (ultra violet, skin aging) rays and UVB (ultra violet, burning) rays.

Be sure and reach for a green sunscreen this summer. Choosing a chemical free alternative will protect the environment and your family's health.

Lead in Children's Lip Gloss

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:43:00 +0000

I just returned from my local Target where I had quite a shock. A friend had recently told me about a well know environmental activist she saw on PBS explaining that cheaper products contain less harmful ingredients. This claim didn't seem at all plausible to me given what I know about the toxic ingredients contained in commercial health and beauty products. I picked up a flavored lip gloss in the dollar bin to test this theory. This lip gloss had brightly colored packaging with a picture of a delicious looking ice cream sundae on it and the words "Mango Flavored". As I flipped over the back of the package to read the ingredient listing I was astonished to find the following warning "This product contains lead which is known to cause birth defects and cancer. This product is not meant to be eaten or ingested." I began to feel sick to my stomach. This lip gloss was obviously being marketed to children and obviously meant to be ingested or it wouldn't have been given a fruity mango flavor.

Horrified I paced around the store imagining how many little girls were going to beg their Moms for this toxic lip gloss and how many Mom's would willingly buy it for them. I would have done the same thing when I was a little girl. What busy mom has time to screen her child's lip gloss for Lead? Most people operate under the misconception that some government agency is ensuring that the products we use are safe and free from hazardous chemicals. Why would a children's lip gloss contain lead? This is America right? We have people watching out for our safety and our children's safety right? When it comes to the health and beauty industry this couldn't be further from the truth. There is no agency testing ingredient safety before they're marketed in beauty products. Often companies can legally get around listing cancer causing ingredients on their label by hiding them under the term Fragrance.

Now I know I can't change the world, but I still believe in standing up for what's right. I wouldn't have been able to sleep if I didn't do something about this. I spoke to the manager and made her aware of the product. She thanked me and seemed shocked that they were selling this product as well. When I returned home I called Target's corporate office only to be transferred to India where a customer service representative acted shocked at my concern. I'm sure that Target won't pull these items off of their shelves as legally they can sell products containing lead if they have a warning on them. My hope is that more consumers will start reading labels and making educated decisions about the products they purchase for their families. There are many companies that are dedicated to providing their customers with healthy organic products so we always have the option to use our purchasing power to send a message to the health and beauty industry.

So I guess the moral of the story is cheaper isn't safer or better. Keep it green!