Mommy Is Working With Me At Home

Please start a pray chin for this little girl and her family

2012-01-27T13:13:00.000-08:00


Lizzie Johnson			I'd like to request prayers for little Lizzie Johnson who is 22 months old and has suffered a brain injury. She has been at Johns Hopkins since Jan 1st, her mother is 8 months pregnant who lost her mother New Year's Eve and has 3 little ones at home while caring for little Lizzie. They thought she would be coming home tomorrow but she's had another setback. Please keep this precious little girl and her family in your prayers.

Melaleuca Vitamins Review - Real Stories of Vitality Oligofructose

2012-01-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

Look at what Melaleuca had done for Shalane Flanagan

2012-01-26T09:43:00.000-08:00

Professionals Needed- Work At Home

2012-01-25T07:49:00.001-08:00

Looking for experienced professionals to work at home, PT/FT flexible hours,
ideal for parents, realtors, downsized employees,
Associates or higher preferred,
no investment, no sales, weekly pay and bonuses,
contact Brandy 4802472934 to schedule an interview.
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Health Problems? How much formaldehyde is in your home?

2012-01-25T07:46:00.000-08:00

Toxic chemical formaldehyde found in common personal care products

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034743_formaldehyde_personal_care_products_chemical.html#ixzz1kU9rL8gM

www.livetotalwellness.com/brandy

How true is this

2012-01-25T07:45:00.001-08:00

When you want something you've never had..
You must be willing to do something you've never done..

Thomas Jefferson

With the Big Game approaching,

2012-01-25T07:44:00.000-08:00

With the Big Game approaching, it is easy to get wrapped up in football. But are you tired of sitting on the sidelines? Do you want to create a healthier & safer home for your family while creating a long-lasting, RESIDUAL income? If your answer is YES, than Work at Home United is for you! You can get started this month for just $1--and that is even fully refundable for 120 days! If you want more details, please contact me. Don't sit on the sidelines any longer and fumble your way through life!!

www.workathomeunited.com/brandy

Toxins Warning - Many Common Household Products are TOXIC!

2012-01-23T21:08:00.000-08:00

e have been hearing a lot about toxic chemicals; toxins in the home, the work place, the environment, and our food. So what is it we want to be on the alert for concerning toxic chemicals?

Unfortunately, many people think that if something is on the “shelf”, it is safe to use. After all the government would not allow a manufacturing company to harm us by marketing a shampoo that has harmful chemicals or toxins in it or a baby lotion that causes a rash, or a toothpaste that if swallowed poisoning an individual.

Would they?

We must realize the “government” has no control over personal care products. It has no control over the household cleaners, or the toxins that are used in the furniture or anything we use on a daily basis. Until someone dies, or someone “sues” a company, nothing can really be done.

This is where we as an individual come into the picture. (After all, who IS the government?) WE must take responsibility for what we use, what we eat, what we drink, what we wear, etc, etc. Pretty soon it gets to be quite a job to find these products. But, because we are becoming more aware of what we really want to use and the food we really want to put into our bodies, more and more companies are also becoming aware of the consumer market.

I personally use products from a credible company that was created “green” before it was a “fad”.

Because I now am more aware of what other companies do and don't do, it is scary to use the other company's products.
Many people have used certain cleaning products such as “bleach” forever. After all, isn’t that what grandma used or mom used? And some people still believe that it is the only thing that will disinfect. So it burns your skin, your eyes, your nose, and can kill you if you happen to mix it with another cleaner, but, gee whiz, habits are hard to change.

I am here to tell you, you need to start changing your habits. Your children are ADD, and you may well be too, people are dying of cancer and wonder why, you can’t lose weight because you have so many chemical calories in your system, your system is shutting down. Everything you eat, you drink, you breathe, is filtered by the bodies organs; think, LIVER!!!

One page can not begin to educate one on the hazardous chemicals found in and around us. You are welcome to contact me about any specific concerns you have.

I would say this is just my opinion, but if you are aware at all, you know it is not just MY opinion. Have you looked at Mother Nature lately? Do you think she is as happy as she used to be before so many companies started putting so many toxins into the environment?

There is a solution and you can be part of the solution or part of the problem. If you will just change from one toxic product to a safer, cleaner, personal care product, garden spray or window cleaner. A baby step at a time is what it takes. You can do it. You can make your home much more toxin free.

Click here to read about environmentally friendly products.

List of household products and the Toxins they contain from the Environmental Protection agency.

Source unless noted: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Common household toxins and the products they're found in:

Warning

Each year, over 1 million children are accidentally poisoned in their homes. More than 250,000 of these victims are hospitalized. 3,000 children will end up in intensive care.
Thousands of children and adults are permanently disfigured through contact with chemicals in the home.
The most common poison is a household cleaner. Many of these are considered safe.

Sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach)
Lung and eye irritant. (Source: Washington Toxics Coalition) If mixed with ammonia or acid-based cleaners (including vinegar), releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to chloramine gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
an additive in platics - raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems such as hyperactivity. Bisphenol A is especially dangerous to developing children even as they are in the mother's womb.
Petroleum distillates (metal polishes)
Short-term exposure can cause temporary eye clouding; longer exposure can damage the nervous system, skin, kidneys, and eyes.
Ammonia (glass cleaner)
Eye irritant, can cause headaches and lung irritation. If mixed with chorine, releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to chloramine gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems.
Phenol and cresol (disinfectants)
Corrosive; can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage.
Nitrobenzene (furniture and floor polishes)
Can cause shallow breathing, vomiting, and death; associated with cancer and birth defects.
Formaldehyde, (a preservative in many household products)
Suspected human carcinogen; strong irritant to eyes, throat, skin, and lungs.
Perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents (Spot removers & carpet cleaners)
Can cause liver and kidney damage if ingested; perchloroethylene is an animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen.
Naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (mothballs)
Naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen that may damage eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and the central nervous system; paradichlorobenzene can harm the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.
Hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate (toilet bowl cleaners)
Either can burn the skin or cause vomiting diarrhea and stomach burns if swallowed; also can cause blindness if inadvertently splashed in the eyes.
Formaldehyde, phenol, and pentachlorophenol (spray starch)
Any aerosolized particle, including cornstarch, may irritate the lungs.

Household Toxins
Product	Short Term Health Risks	Long Term Health Risks
All Purpose Cleaner	Strong lung irritant. Can cause mild to moderate damage to eyes	Contains ammonia, 2-butoxy ethanol and phenol. Linked to cancer, kidney and liver damage, chronic lung irritation,
Automatic dishwashing soap	Skin Irritant. Can burn throat. May contain bleach. Vapors can cause headaches	Contain ethyl alcohol, bleach, heavy fragrances. Vapors can cause central nervous system depression, nausea, lung irritation and perhaps coma and death.
Basin Tub & Tile Cleaner	Some flammable, contain acids. Can burn skin, cause corneal damage. Vapors cause respiratory irritations.	Contains 2-butoxy ethanol, ammonia,. Linked to tumors, central nervous system disorders, liver damage, kidney damage, and reproductive disorders.
Carpet Deodorizer (powdered)	Contact with skin cause mild irritation. Can cause abrasive eye damage. Dust irritates lungs and aggravates asthma symptoms.	Sodium aluminosilicate, suspected human carcinogen. Dust can cause lung irritation, asthma-like symptoms, and headaches.
Bleach liquid or powdered	Causes severe eye injuries. Liquid can damage mouth, throat, and stomach Vapors irritate nose throat and lungs, Powdered can produce asthma-like symptoms. Mixed with ammonia produces deadly fumes.	Vapors shown to interfere with brain function, aggravate heart conditions and asthma/ affect reproductive system. Long term exposure to dust can cause sensitivities, chronic lung irritation, asthma like symptoms
Carpet Shampoo	Can cause moderate to severe burns to eyes and skin. Vapors can irritate nose, throat and lungs.	Contains 2-butoy ethanol, perchloroethylene, formaldehyde. Long term harms include cancer, liver damage, kidney damage, bone marrow damage, central nervous system disorders
Cosmetics	Second only to cleaning products as poisoner of children. Not regulated like cleaners and have no warning labels	Many contain formaldehyde as preservative. Most are untested and unregulated. Use extreme caution
Dishwashing Liquid	Possible skin irritant. My cause swelling, tearing of eyes. Vapors can cause labored coughing, breathing and in severe cases, death.	Contains ethanol, glcol ethers, formaldehyde, ammonia. Product with bleach can produce toxic fumes. Repeated exposure can cause harm to central nervous system.
Disinfectant Cleaner	Aerosols contain flammable propellants. Can burn skin and cause permanent corneal damage. Fumes strongly irritate nose, throat, lungs	Phenol, 2-butoxy ethanol, formaldehyde, ammonia. Mixed with bleach produces toxic fumes.. Can cause asthma-like symptoms, harms central nervous system.
Fabric softeners	Possible skin irritant. Vapors cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, labored breathing, sever cases, death. Aggravates asthma symptoms.	Formaldehyde, artificial fragrances, chemicals designed to cling to clothing, causing exposure to harmful ingredients all day long.
Softener sheets	Skin & eye irritant. Vapors same as liquid softeners	Prolonged exposure to chemicals causes headaches, central nervous system depression, and nausea. Can cause nose and throat irritation and labored breathing.
Floor Cleaner	Contains corrosive acids, can cause moderate burns and irritations to skin and eye, burn mouth and throat, cause blindness	Petroleum distillates, ammonia. Linked to cancer, central nervous system disorders, tumors, kidney damage, liver damage. Fumes can product asthma-like symptoms
Laundry Detergent Liquid or Powdered	Strong eye irritant, skin irritant. Vapors cause coughing, labored breathing could in severe case death	Ethanol, triethylene glycol, sodium silicate, sodium carbonate, bleach. Fumes &/or dust can cause chronic lung irritation, central nervous system depression, etc.
Oven cleaner	Lye/ highly corrosive. Burns skin,mouth,throat,stomach, permanent blindness	Contains lye, ammonia. Fumes have damaged lungs, reproductive systems. Can cause brain damage, kidney damage& reproductive disorders.
Scouring Powder with bleach	Moderate irritation to skin, burn mouth, throat. Permanent eye damage. When wet/ irritating fumes	Contains bleach, quartz silicate. Inhalation of quartz silicate known to cause cancer. When wet, released chlorine gas, very toxic
Window Cleaner	Can cause moderate irritation, damage to eyes. Fumes can be irritating to lungs. Irritate skin	Contains ammonia and 2-butoxy ethanol. Linked to reproductive disorder, kidney, liver, bone marrow damage & tumors.

Toxins in Household Products

2012-01-23T21:07:00.000-08:00

Cleaning and home maintenance products are a multi-billion dollar industry in Canada and the huge selection of products available on the retail shelf often makes it difficult for consumers to know what is safe to buy. The good news is that most products contain generally benign ingredients, but there are definitely some to avoid.
Some ingredients may be carcinogens or reproductive toxins. Some may be endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can affect both humans and wildlife. Other ingredients, such as bleach and phosphates, may raise environmental concerns.
In the listings on our Toxins Table, we've identified eight ingredients in household cleaning and home maintenance products that are of particular concern because they are carcinogens, endocrine disrupters or known or suspected reproductive toxins. They are also the most commonly found in household products.
Check the brand listings on the left hand side of the table. If a product contains one of the eight ingredients, it will be marked with a "yes" in one of the table entries opposite the product name. If all the spaces are blank, then it's considered a safer product to use. There are are also alternative products from environmentally-conscious manufacturers that you may want to consider.
Obviously, the products on the table don't contain all products that are available - it's intended as a representative list of categories and a guide to common products that contain the listed toxins.

2-butoxyethanol

Also known as ethylene glycol butyl ether, this is one of many glycol ethers used as a solvent in carpet cleaners and specialty cleaners. It can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and may cause blood disorders, as well as liver and kidney damage. According to the fact sheet issued by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, it may also cause reproductive damage on long term exposure.

Ethoxylated nonyl phenols (NPEs)

This is a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals still used in cleaning products, even though Environment Canada has declared them CEPA-toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Known as "gender-benders," nonyl phenols can induce female characteristics in male fish, for example. The threat posed to the environment by nonyl phenols prompted the European Union to ban them from all cleaning products manufactured or used in the EU.

Methylene chloride

For years, people have been using methylene chloride, or products containing methylene chloride, as a paint stripper. Methylene chloride is listed as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
In 1987, regulators in the U.S. compelled manufacturers to put warning labels on products containing methylene chloride. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that since that time, there has been a 55 per cent reduction in the number of cancers that would have been caused by these products.
There are no warning label requirements in Canada for methylene chloride, which is sold in hardware and home improvement outlets, both as a pure product and as an ingredient in a wide range of paint strippers and similar products. Avoid using those products and look for alternatives, such as 3M Safest Stripper or Removall 400 Graffiti and Overspray Remover.

Naphthalene

Either naphthalene, or another chemical called paradichlorobenzene, is used in moth balls and moth crystals. Naphthalene is listed by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment as a substance "know to the state to cause cancer," while paradichlorobenzene is listed by IARC as a possible human carcinogen. Avoid all moth products that contain either of these two ingredients. A garment bag or a box with a tight fitting lid is more effective against moths than the odours from mothballs.

Silica

Made from finely ground quartz, silica is carcinogenic when it occurs as fine respirable dust. It's found in that form in some abrasive cleansers, which are often used on a regular basis around the home. For virtually all applications, abrasive cleansers can easily be replaced with a cream cleanser such as Ecover or Vim, or a similar product that does not contain silica.

Toluene

Toluene is a potent reproductive toxin, which is used as a solvent in numerous products, including paints. It is also sold as the pure product. Toluene is listed by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a reproductive toxin that may cause harm to the developing fetus. Pregnant women should certainly not use products containing toluene.

Trisodium nitrilotriacetate (NTA)

Used as a builder in laundry detergents, NTA is listed as a possible human carcinogen (IARC 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It also has an adverse environmental impact because it can impede the elimination of metals in wastewater treatment plants. NTA's action can cause metals that have already settled out to be re-mobilized back into the liquid waste stream.

Xylene

Another extremely toxic ingredient that is often found in graffiti and scuff removers, spray paints and some adhesives, is xylene, a suspected reproductive toxin that has shown reproductive harm in laboratory experiments. It is also a neurotoxicant that can cause memory loss on repeated exposure.

Bleach (Sodium hypochlorite)

In June, 2002 a part-time caretaker in a Toronto school was rushed to hospital after complaining to a co-worker that she was unable to breathe. She later died in hospital. Investigators looking into the incident discovered that she had mixed a sanitizing product containing sodium hypochlorite with an acid toilet bowl cleaner. The two ingredients had reacted together to form deadly chlorine gas, which led to her death.
It's an extreme case but it's an example of the health hazards that can be associated with chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite. When bleach is mixed with acids (typically found in toilet bowl cleaners), it reacts with them to form chlorine gas. When it is mixed with ammonia, it can create chloramine gas, another toxic substance.
In the environment, sodium hypochlorite is acutely toxic to fish. The chlorine in bleach can also bind with organic material in the marine environment to form organochlorines, toxic compounds that can persist in the environment. Chlorine use is a particular concern for those who live in areas such as Victoria, where there is not even primary treatment of sewage wastewater before it is discharged into the ocean.
There may be some circumstances where bleach use is necessary for disease control, but there is little need for it on a regular basis. Tests have shown that washing counters and other surfaces with soap and water removes most bacteria and there are a number of oxygen-based alternatives for laundry uses of bleach.

Phosphates

Phosphates were a high-profile public issue three decades ago when streams and lakes were becoming choked with vegetation in a chemical process known as eutrophication. The process was the result of widespread use of phosphates in laundry products which produced nutrients for algae and other aquatic plants as phosphate-rich wastewater entered the environment.
Manufacturers have since reduced or even eliminated phosphates from laundry products, but no action has ever been taken on dishwasher detergents. Most of the products available from major manufacturers contain 30-40 per cent phosphates. Some also contain high levels of chlorine-based sanitizing ingredients. Products from alternative manufacturers such as Ecover, Nature Clean, and Seventh Generation are a much better environmental choice.

Cancer-Causing Chemicals Now Found in Baby Shampoo ...

2012-01-23T21:05:00.000-08:00

By : Dr.Mercola

More than half of the baby shampoo, lotion and other infant care products analyzed by a health advocacy group, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, were found to contain trace amounts of chemicals that are believed to cause cancer. Some of the biggest names on the market, such as Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo and Baby Magic lotion, tested positive for 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde, or both.

The chemicals, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has characterized as probable carcinogens, are not intentionally added to the products, and are not listed among ingredients on labels. Instead, they are likely byproducts of the manufacturing process. Formaldehyde is created when other chemicals in the product break down over time, and 1,4-dioxane is formed when foaming agents are combined with ethylene oxide or similar petrochemicals.

The organization tested 48 baby bath products such as bubble bath and shampoo. Of those, 32 contained at least one of the chemicals, and 17 tested positive for both chemicals.

Are You Using This Popular But Cancer-Causing Shampoo?

2012-01-23T21:04:00.000-08:00

Posted By Dr. Mercola

If you buy special shampoo for your baby, the last thing you'd expect it to contain would be known or suspected carcinogens...
But if you live in the U.S., this may in fact be the case.
For the past two years, health and environmental groups have been urging Johnson & Johnson to remove two potentially cancer-causing chemicals from its baby shampoo.
One of these ingredients is quaternium-15, which releases formaldehyde; a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant, and a known carcinogen (formaldehyde exposure has been associated with leukemia specifically).
According to SafeCosmetics.org:

"The North American Contact Dermatitis Group considers quaternium-15 to be among the most clinically significant contact allergens in children."

The other, 1,4-dioxane, is a "likely carcinogen," and is present in Johnson & Johnson's:

Baby Shampoo

Oatmeal Baby Wash

Moisture Care Baby Wash, and

Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash

According to the CDC, 1,4 dioxane is "probably carcinogenic to humans," and is toxic to your brain, central nervous system, kidneys and liver.

Why is Johnson & Johnson Dragging Their Feet on Removal of Toxic Ingredients for U.S. Lots?

On October 31, The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics sent Johnson & Johnson a letter signed by 25 environmental and medical groups, demanding they "commit to removing the chemicals from all of its products by November 15." The Campaign also urges everyone to boycott Johnson & Johnson until it complies.
Johnson & Johnson recently responded, stating that:

"We have been phasing out the use of preservatives that release tiny amounts of formaldehyde to guard against bacterial contamination. These preservative technologies, which are used widely in our industry are all safe and approved in the countries where they are sold… Over the past couple of years, we already have reduced the number of formulations globally with these "formaldehyde releaser" preservatives by 33% and in the U.S. by over 60%.
We are completing this reformulation as quickly as we can safely and responsibly do so.
As part of the manufacturing process, we have extensive monitoring to ensure that the amount of a trace byproduct known as "1,4 dioxane" in any of our products is well below the level that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and regulatory agencies around the world consider safe.
… We have introduced new product formulations for consumers who prefer natural products, such as JOHNSON'S^® NATURAL^®, a line that is 98% natural, and contains no formaldehyde releasing preservatives or traces of 1,4 dioxane."

However, reasonable as this may sound, there are two rather obvious "problems" with their reply:

They’re already selling a carcinogen-free version of its baby shampoo in other countries, so obviously no complicated reformulation would be necessary, and

The Johnson’s “Naturals” brand does not contain either of these chemicals, but, it costs about twice as much as their regular baby shampoo. That makes TWO carcinogen-free formulas at their disposal, which makes the line “We are completing this reformulation as quickly as we can safely and responsibly do so,” seem like a rather strange excuse

The countries already receiving quaternium-15-free Johnson & Johnson products include:

Denmark	Finland	Japan	The Netherlands
Norway	South Africa	Sweden	The U.K.

As stated by Jezebel:

"And it's not like the company removed an essential ingredient to meet environmental restrictions in these countries. While some have banned the use of quaternium-15, it's unclear why some of these countries are being treated to the carcinogen-free shampoo."

What to Look for to Avoid Formaldehyde and 1,4-Dioxane

If you want to avoid formaldehyde-releasing ingredients and 1,4-dioxane, you need to know what to look for as they're NOT listed on the label; at least not in those words.

Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include:

Quaternium-15

DMDM hydantoin

Imidazolidinyl urea

Diazolidinyl urea

To avoid 1,4-dioxane, watch out for these ingredients, which create 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct:

PEG-100 stearate

Sodium laureth sulfate

Sodium myreth sulfate

Polyethylene

Ceteareth-20

Other Hazardous Ingredients to Watch Out for

It's unfortunate, but personal care products, including those specifically designed for babies, can contain a number of hazardous ingredients. Other common culprits to avoid include:

Any chemical that include the clauses “xynol,” “ceteareth” and “oleth”

Diethanolamine or DEA, a potentially cancer-causing agent. DEA also readily reacts with nitrite preservatives and contaminants to create nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), a known and potent carcinogen. The chemical also appears to block absorption of the nutrient choline, which is vital to brain development.

Propylene Glycol. Despite the fact the material safety data sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as it is a strong skin irritant and can also cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage, it's a common ingredient in shampoos.

Parabens. These preservatives may be listed on the label as methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben or E216. They have shown particularly troubling links to cancer.

Studies have shown that parabens can affect your body much like estrogens, which can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra fat storage, and male gynecomastia (breast growth). Other studies have also linked parabens to breast cancer, as researchers found traces of parabens in every sample of tissue taken from 20 different breast tumors. The EPA has linked methyl parabens in particular to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers.

Average Baby Exposed to Dozens of Potentially Unsafe Chemicals Daily

Four years ago, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) surveyed 3,300 parents and compared the baby products they used to lists of chemicals known to cause allergies, hormone disruption, damage to the nervous system, and cancer. Their review revealed that children are exposed to about 27 chemical ingredients on a daily basis that have never been assessed for safety. Not by the industry, nor by the government.
Examples of hazardous ingredients and baby products from that review include:

2 bromo, 2 nitropropane, and 3-DIOL: Can cause allergies and skin irritations. In certain products these ingredients can also break down to form other cancer causing agents

Sodium borate, found in Desitin diaper cream, can accumulate in your child’s brain and liver, causing detrimental health effects

Oxybenzone, a common ingredient in sunscreen, can trigger allergies, and may disrupt a child's delicate hormone system

Interestingly, 89 percent of products labeled "Recommended by doctor" were found to be some of the worst offenders, containing some of the most dangerous chemicals!
The 2007 EWG study also determined that:

82 percent of children are exposed every week to one or more ingredients with the potential to harm the brain and nervous system.

69 percent of children are exposed every week to one or more ingredients that may disrupt the hormone system.

3.6 percent of children are exposed to ingredients with strong data linking them to cancer, including chemicals classified as known or probable human carcinogens.

80 percent of children's products marked as gentle and non-irritating contain ingredients linked to allergies and skin or eye irritation according to government and industry sources.

Evaluate Ingredients Before You Buy

The issue of potential toxins lurking in shampoos, soaps, lotions and other personal care products is a serious one, as your skin readily absorbs these chemicals, allowing them directly into your blood stream. When absorbed, they can actually do more harm than if you were to swallow them.
I strongly recommend switching over to organic brands of toiletries, including children's personal care products. You can usually find a good variety at either your local health food store, or by searching online. Keep in mind that not all products marked "natural" or "organic" are in fact wholly natural or organic, as "greenwashing" has become increasingly pervasive.
I highly recommend using the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep site to evaluate each product before settling on a purchase. The EWG is a nonprofit public-interest research group known for making connections between chemical exposure and adverse health conditions. Since its inception in 2004, their "Skin Deep" study has assigned health-risk ratings to thousands of personal-care products.

General Shopping Guidelines

Some general guidelines to keep in mind when purchasing personal care products include:

Look for the genuine USDA Organic Seal.

If you can't pronounce it, you probably don't want to put it on your body. Ask yourself, "Would I eat this?"

Look for products that are fragrance-free. One artificial fragrance can contain hundreds—even thousands—of chemicals, and fragrances are a major cause of allergic reactions.

Pay attention to the order in which the ingredients are listed. Manufacturers are required to list ingredients in descending order by volume, meaning the first few ingredients are the most prominent. If calendula extract is the last ingredient in a long list, your calendula body wash isn't very natural.

Stick to the basics. Do you really need 10 products to prepare for your day? Simplify your life and rescue your bank account by reducing the total number of products you use daily.

Buy products that come in glass bottles rather than plastic, since chemicals can leach out of plastics and into the contents. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a serious concern; make sure any plastic container is BPA free.

Look for products that are made by companies that are earth-friendly, animal-friendly and committed to organic and sustainable business practices.

There is reason to be concerned about the numerous toxic chemicals you expose your children to on a daily basis, as each and every exposure adds to your child's total, long-term toxic load. For more information, I highly recommend reading Dr. Doris Rapp's book, Our Toxic World: A Wake Up Call. Dr. Rapp does a thorough job of uncovering the many ways you're exposed to toxic chemicals, and how they take a toll on your health, contributing to the many chronic diseases you see today.

Call to Action

SafeCosmetics.org recommends taking decisive consumer action to end the unnecessary inclusion of toxic ingredients in products designed for babies. Here's what you can do:

Vote with your pocketbook: Until Johnson & Johnson commits to making safer baby products for all babies, purchase products from companies making safer alternatives. Search EWG's Skin Deep cosmetic database to find safer products.

Contact Johnson & Johnson: Sign the petition to Johnson & Johnson, asking them to immediately remove formaldehyde-releasing preservatives from all of its baby products sold in all countries and replace them with safer alternatives.

Write to Congress: Ask your U.S. Representative to support the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011.

Source: Jezebel November 1, 2011

Source: Parent's News.com Nov 4, 2011

Source: The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Report: Baby's Tub Is Still Toxic November 1, 2011

Please help support

2012-01-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

please help support Little Miss Princess Boutique and let her know Brandy Luing sent you

http://www.facebook.com/littlemissprincessbowtique2 ♥

Are you looking to help a Non-Profit organization? PONY baseball needs help

2012-01-19T13:15:00.000-08:00

Queen Creek PONY Baseball Organization Sponsorship Request

We would like to introduce you to the Queen Creek PONY Baseball (QCPB) Organization and ask for your support as a sponsor of a truly unique group of boys and girls who love to play baseball. The QCPB is a volunteer, non-profit youth organization from the East Valley. We are affiliated with several organizations including Super Series Baseball of America, AZ PONY, National PONY, and USSSA to list a few.

Through baseball we represent our individual communities and the state of Arizona in a manner that establishes excellence in our field of play and in the sportsmanship that goes with it. We conduct ourselves in a manner that reflects positively on our players, their families, the coaching staff and our sponsors.

As coaches and parents we are very proud of these dedicated baseball players who not only display team spirit but exceptional sportsmanship. This reflects on the communities that we live in and the state of Arizona in a way that promotes that positive feeling our national pastime provides.

Your tax-deductible donation would be greatly appreciated and help to offset the costs incurred while playing baseball. The money will be used for player uniforms, maintaining our fields, providing lights for games, and securing quality equipment for the boys and girls who play in our League. There are no paid coaches within our organization. The Board of Directors and coaches pay their own way and volunteer their time.

Through your sponsorship you will align yourself with the best aspects of a youth organization. Your participation will be noted and displayed on our dugout banner that will be displayed whenever we play. Your support will also be advertised on our website. The website will continue to be updated throughout the season. Please visit us at qcponybaseball.org.

Please consider a sponsorship of this organization and you will have invested wisely in the future of young people who will become role models for generations to come.

Attached is a listing of the sponsorship opportunities. All sponsorships checks should be made out to Queen Creek PONY Baseball. The 2012 QCPB Players would like to thank you for your consideration and invite you to call with any questions.

Sincerely,

QCPB Board of Directors

Report: Harmful chemicals found in baby shampo

2012-01-19T08:42:00.000-08:00

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Complete Report

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Johnson’s Baby Shampoo is staple with parents and children across America.

Nicole Smith is new to motherhood. Her son Corbit is an infant.

“I’ve always like Johnson and Johnson,” Smith said. “They say it is good for babies.”

Smith is not alone. Several mothers and fathers tell ABC4 News Johnson and Johnson is their brand of choice.

However, a group called Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has been boycotting the shampoo for two years. They are a national coalition made up of nonprofit women’s, environmental, public health, faith and worker safety organizations.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released a report in which they tested Johnson and Johnson shampoo and other products. They found low levels of quaternium-15.

Quaternium-15 releases tiny amounts of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is considered a carcinogen in large doses.

Quaternium-15 is used a preservative in the products to fight off bacteria. It is a necessary preservative, according to Barbara Crouch, Executive Director for University of Utah’s School of Pharmacy.

“The preservatives are essential and required by law to prevent bacterial growth,” Crouch said. “You don't want anything growing in your shampoo while it sits there in the bottle.”

The products also contain 1,4 dioxane. It occurs as a byproduct of the chemical process and is used to make products gentler on peoples’ skin.

The Food and Drug Administration approves the small amounts of chemical in the shampoo. It is not harmful because the low levels of chemical are well below the threshold of dangerous amounts.

Johnson and Johnson announced it will slowly start phasing out the use of preservatives that release small amounts of formaldehyde. They continue to search for new technology that will eliminate 1,4 dioxane from the manufacturing process.

In a release, Johnson and Johnson said:

At JOHNSON’S®, what’s most important to us is the bond of trust we have with the parents and others who rely on us to care for their families. Most parents already know that the ingredients in our JOHNSON’S® Baby products meet and often exceed the government safety standards for every country and market in which we operate. In addition, our team of physicians and scientists constantly monitor the best available science to make decisions about the formulations of our products.

So you can be assured that every JOHNSON’S® product is safe. But that’s only the beginning. We understand that trust sometimes means going beyond safety alone. That’s why we are continually improving our products to contain purer, milder and gentler ingredients that parents can use with complete confidence and peace of mind.

Among the steps we’re taking to go beyond just safety alone are:

We have been phasing out the use of preservatives that release tiny amounts of formaldehyde to guard against bacterial contamination. These preservative technologies, which are used widely in our industry are all safe and approved in the countries where they are sold. Going beyond safety alone, to meet the changing needs and expectations of parents, we are no longer introducing new baby products that contain these types of preservatives. Over the past couple of years, we already have reduced the number of formulations globally with these “formaldehyde releaser” preservatives by 33% and in the U.S. by over 60%. We are completing this reformulation as quickly as we can safely and responsibly do so.
As part of the manufacturing process, we have extensive monitoring to ensure that the amount of a trace byproduct known as “1,4 dioxane” in any of our products is well below the level that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and regulatory agencies around the world consider safe. In addition, we already have reformulated approximately 70% of our baby products with new cleansing formulations that further reduce these traces to below reliably detectable levels, and are continuing to reformulate. We also continue to search for new technologies that will eliminate 1,4 dioxane from the manufacturing process altogether.
We have introduced new product formulations for consumers who prefer natural products, such as JOHNSON’S® Natural®, a line that is 98% natural, and contains no formaldehyde releasing preservatives or traces of 1,4 dioxane. JOHNSON’S® Natural® is priced considerably below “boutique” natural baby products, and puts an all-natural line within the budget of most consumers.

For more than 100 years, Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies have been providing parents with safe and effective products for their babies and young children. Our goal is to go beyond safety alone, to provide parents and their babies with pure, mild, and gentle, products that they can trust and use with confidence.

For more information you can contact Utah Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 of the Food and Drug Administration at 1-888-INFO-FDA or 1-888-463-6332.

If you want to change your products www.livetotalwellness.com/brandy

Do you use Johnston & Johnston Products

2012-01-19T08:35:00.000-08:00

Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo May Cause Cancer

Time to toss that classic yellow bottle in the trash. Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo contains two carcinogens that are causing environmental groups to boycott the product.
The original Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo (not to be confused with Johnson’s Naturels), has both ioxane and a substance called quaternium-15 that releases formaldehyde. The company has said that they are “gradually” phasing out these chemicals, but many products containing the carcinogens are still on the market, both in the US and abroad.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has been trying to get Johnson & Johnson, the largest health care company in the world mind you, to modify the signature product for two and a half years . The campaign has since launched a complete boycott of their product, as well a report on their findings entitled “Baby’s Tub is Still Toxic.” They ask the company to publicly promise that they will remove both chemicals from all products by November 15th.
Johnson & Johnson has responded by saying that the formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in the products are safe, citing the approval US regulators and those in other countries.
Although the campaigners are pleased to see that Johnson & Johnson has responded to their claims, the company has shown no further commitment to making their entire line of products free of carcinogens.
Considering the multitude of relatively cheap, organic baby soaps on the shelves these days, I’d throw this out and call it a day.

Contact me if you want better quality products www.livetotalwellness.com/brandy

ARE YOU READY TO START LOVING YOUR JOB ?

2012-01-18T08:44:00.001-08:00

ARE YOU READY TO START LOVING YOUR JOB???
Start loving what you do! Work from home without having to sell any products, take orders, or stock inventory. Work with 26 year old Debt Free, Inc. 500 Company. A1 BBB rating. This opportunity is 100% RISK FREE and provides incredible support, training, and Free Website. Make a positive change in your life! Contact me at: http://www.workathomeunited.com/brandy or PM me today!

For all you Saint LOVERS

2012-01-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

Please go and check out on facebook http://www.facebook.com/southerndivas222 or you may contact her at 228-596-3233

Tuesday's Toxin Tidbit:

2012-01-17T09:19:00.001-08:00

Tuesday's Toxin Tidbit: Cosmetics made in the U.S. contain so many caustic, harmful chemicals that Europe and Japan will not let them be sold in their countries due to the adverse health risks. Do you know what you are putting on your face?So Thankful for our Sei Bella line of safer cosmetics and skin care! www.livetotalwellness.com/brandy

What WORK AT HOME UNITED is all about...

2012-01-14T22:41:00.000-08:00

To be apart of an awesome team please send me an email workathomeunitedbrandy@gmail.com or visit my web site www.workathomeunited.com/brandy

Interesting Work at Home Statistics

2012-01-14T22:35:00.001-08:00

Some of these seemingly insignificant work-at-home statistics can be very interesting. Viewing these helps you to learn more about who is doing what in the entrepreneur world.
With that in mind view these interesting facts:

According to Money Magazine, about 20% work at home businesses bring in a revenue of between 100k and 500k per year (1996 survey).
A new home business is started every 11 seconds. That’s amazing! There is no way to feel left out knowing this.
Approximately 34 to 36 million home offices are set up in residences all across America. (However, according to the U.S. Census and a Pittsburgh Business Times magazine this number fluctuates from 18 to 38 million.) This is according to stats printed in a 2001 news article.
In 2008, 9/10 of people who worked for an employer telecommute at home. This is 87% of employees, according to WorldatWork Telework Trendlines 2009.
In 2009, it was reported that 24% of people who work for an employer do 80% of this work at home.
According to a 2007 report from a variety of agencies, about 50% of all business are run from the home. This is a total of 16 million of all the businesses run.
More and more employers are offering telecommute as a viable option. About 29% of employers are starting to allow their employees to work at home.

Simple Socioeconomic Facts
As of 2009 it is reported that 61% of home workers are men while 39% of them are female. A total of 42% of these are in the 18 to 34 age bracket, and 48% of these are in the 35 to 54 age bracket. Only 8% of people who are age 55 and over work at home, and the mean age is 40.3 while the median age is 38.
The highest number of people who work at home (50%) are college graduates. The second highest are those who have completed vocational schooling (28%) while the third highest are those who have had only a high school degree (or less).
The fourth highest would be people who have completed a post graduate degree (15%). These facts were provided by the WorkatWork Telework Trendlines. This is 2009 data.
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As you can see if you desire to work at home you are not the odd one out. Many people are doing it and are doing it successfully. Therefore, don’t let anyone scare you out of doing so.

Jen Baird Story with Work At Home United

2012-01-14T22:33:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Jen Baird for sharing this for all of us

Work At Home United Partner since 2002.
We work from home and love sharing and introducing this company to others, helping them reach their goals. I was able to replace my full-time income and make much more than I ever did at any job. Being home with my children and earning a great income is the best for me. I now help people all over the country and Canada work from home, add an income stream, and be their own boss. My story is below. Please read it and look around my site and when you are ready to let me share this with you, click the SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT link. That is the next step.

MY WAHM STORY

My name is Jen Baird, and I live in Corpus Christi, Texas with my two daughters, Madilyn and Olivia. I love working from home, enjoying time and financial freedom, however, my life wasn’t anything like this before December 2002.

I was a single mom, living paycheck to paycheck with a full-time job, spending most of my income on rent and daycare. I wanted to find a way to spend more time with my child and become a work at home parent. I looked for a business I could do at home after work that would bring me an extra income with the hopes of finding something that could eventually replace my income entirely. It was very important though, that I didn't have to be a party plan consultant or distribute products because of the schedule I had. It was also important that I didn't have to invest or have any risk because I just didn't have money to lose. I found this team, which met my criteria, and our lives haven’t been the same since.

I spent five to ten hours a week, Monday through Friday on my home business, earning and receiving checks each and every month that continued to grow in size. Within two years I totally replaced my full-time income with residual monthly income, which allowed me to pull my daughter from daycare and leave that full-time job. I continued to work my business from home around my schedule about 20 hours a week and grew my income to several times the size of my previous full-time income but have been working half the hours completely at home!!

Since December 2002, I have earned $337,237.36 If you're trying to do the math, that's 98 months. (8 years). I've earned on average $3441.20 a month. That has brought me many freedoms. Freedom to choose to stay home with my kids. Freedom to pay off debts. Freedom to make my OWN schedule each day. It's given me peace of mind and to me, that's priceless.

If you are looking for answers too or know someone who is, let our Work At Home United Team help. We love referrals.

Jen Baird

I love the car bonus program (I picked a Murano and then an FJ Cruiser) I took a photo of the page out of our monthly company magazine featuring my newest bonus car.

A photo of all my pay stubs since Dec.2002 for those wondering if this is real

MY INCOME (According to our company income statistics, I have had an average income. There are many who worked less and made less, or worked more and made more) We are in complete control of how much we work and how much we earn because we set our own hours and goals.

I enrolled December 29th 2002. So my first check was in January for around $10 for doing about 30 minutes of work.

In my first year, I averaged $101.96 a month while working a full-time job and working about 5 hours a week on my business as a single mom. It was the extra cushion I was looking for to supplement my income.

My second year I averaged $666.72 a month while working the same full-time job and 5 hours a week on my business as a single mom. This residual income was very exciting for me because I could clearly see that if I kept doing the work I would be replacing my income and could leave my job and stay home with my daughter yet still have a reliable income coming in for work I'd already done over the past couple of years.

My third year I averaged $1,931.86 a month and left my full-time job forever that year and began working my business 20 hours a week. I was motivated and determined to double and triple my income.

My fourth year I averaged $6,814.75 a month.

I continue to earn a very healthy residual income that gives me all the freedom I could ever want. I am on my seventh year and have earned cumulatively $330,205.68 as of December 2010.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO

1. I wake up at my work place each day and answer only to myself.
2. I choose when I want to work and when I don't.
3. I set my own goals each week and determine my own worth.
4. We are HELPING people with our business, never HURTING anyone.
5. I don't have inventory or a lot of costs associated with running this business.
6. I have more support and resources than I could ever need and it's all FREE.
7. I get paid by direct deposit each week AND an additional check in the mail each month.
8. I can do all of my work in my home, wearing what I want to wear and even have the t.v. on.
9. I can will my business to my children if anything should happen to me.
10. I don't start over building from scratch each month, because this is RESIDUAL income.
11. I get a bonus each month to pay for whatever car I want to drive.
12. I get an advancement bonus every time I advance to a new status.
13. I am working with people and products I love and believe in completely.
14. I not only earn a great income but this business also saves me a lot of money monthly.
15. I still get paid every single month for work I did the month I got started. RESIDUAL INCOME.

I worked a direct sales (which is MLM) years ago, this is different.

Most home businesses are Multi-Level-Marketing companies that have you enroll to be a distributor with hands on sales or online sales or both. I was with one (AVON) for many years a long time ago and just want to briefly share something you might find interesting.

You don't HAVE to be a distributor or process orders or even try to have people shop through your site to have a successful home business. In our business, we don't do anything like that at all and it allows for so much more freedom to choose how, when and where you work. I have never sold a single product myself in this business. I spent years in the direct sales business and this is what I remember but do NOT miss:

I had a lot of money invested in inventory

I spent a LOT of time in front of potential customers, a LOT

I had overhead, samples, displays, booths, GAS, bags

I had no residual income, and had to worry where the next sales would come from

I felt bad about the repeated request for sales from the same people

I was NEVER home

The products were not items people NEEDED, so they were optional

I invite you to schedule yourself for one of our overviews and learn for yourself how this can be. I'm so very glad that I did back in 2002. I enjoy what I do SO MUCH.

Contact Me at www.workathomeunited.com/brandy or workathomeunitedbrandy@gmail.com

Top Five Myths and Facts About Working from Home

2012-01-14T22:27:00.000-08:00

I have worked from the comfort of my home now for three years, having left a corporate job as a multi-billion dollar contracts and proposals coordinator for a large international company. Prior to that, I was the director of a national non-profit organization, in a very fast-paced, prestigious criminal justice advocacy position. I don't tell you this to brag, but rather to show you that my world was all about my career. My job was my life.
One day, having had enough of the corporate world, I gave my notice, trained my replacement, and walked out the door, carrying my personal belongings in my hand, without a clue of what I wanted to do next, but knowing that if I stayed in the corporate world for one more second, I would surely become a bitter old harpy.
My goal: to write a novel, and maybe find work as a writer.
I've always loved to write, and I had enough notes and pieces of things to string together into a book, but I just never could find the time between the kids, work, and life to sit and write like I dreamed of doing.
With the love and support of a very special person in my life, I set out to become a freelance writer, to support our family, and to write my novel.
Three years later, I've completely replaced my income, am living my dream, and I will never, ever go back to working for someone else again.
But it came at a price. I'll talk more about that later.
The reality of it is, working from home is awesome, but if you don't get the facts straight and know exactly what you are getting yourself into, it will cost you too, and you may wind up back in the grind, trying to find a 'regular' job again, just to make ends meet.
So I'm here to talk to you about the ten 'bad' things, so to speak, about working from home, versus working for someone else. It's not so much that these are 'bad' things, but these are things all folks who work from home should know, be prepared for, and understand before you quit your day job.
Myth #1: I can work as much or as little as I want, because I work from home now.
Fact: To make full time pay, you have to work full time hours.
A lot of people think that working from home is easy, because you can work as much or as little as you like and still make money. This is true, to an extent, but it would be more accurate to say that you can work whenever and however you like, but not as much or as little.
When you held a full time 'real' job working outside of the home, you probably worked between 35-50 hours per week to bring home that full time paycheck. What makes you think that working from home you will be able to work only a couple of hours a day and still rake in that same paycheck? Simply put, you can't. You must set a schedule for yourself and work the hours necessary to replace your previous income.
Now, the plus side to working from home is this - while you have to work full time hours, there usually isn't a lot of restrictions on when you work those hours. If you wake at 3 in the morning and can't get back to sleep, by all means, work. If you know your child has a school function and you want to go, you don't have to ask your boss for permission. However, you should know that just because you work from home doesn't mean you don't have to work. If you want to get paid, you do.

Myth #2: Now that I work from home, I'll have plenty of time for personal things and spend less time working.
Fact: Statistics show that the average person who works from home usually works about 10 hours a week more than someone who holds down a regular full time job.
One of the hazards of working from home is not knowing when to have a life and when to work. One way to help combat this would be to set up an actual office space, separate from the living area of your home, and try to set some 'office' hours for yourself.
I told you I paid a price for working from home in the beginning, right? Well, the price I paid was the loss of a relationship that meant a lot to me. Why? Mostly because I worked all the time. My business was getting off the ground, and I threw myself into it and though I was doing this to support our family, I neglected the one who should have had most of my time. Sadly, now that my business is off the ground and doing well, I have more time than I ever had before in the normal workforce, but he's no longer here, damage done. Learn from my mistake, and force yourself to separate the working at home from the living at home.
Myth #3: I will actually get more work done during the day at home than I would at an office, because it's quiet at home with no disruptions.
Fact: In the beginning especially, it will be difficult to make the transition from a regimented office environment to the freedom of working from home.
Those dishes in the sink that you can shut out of your mind at the office will be right in front of your face when you work from home. And if you think your friends and family won't take advantage of you being at home during the day, you're wrong.
Suddenly, you will be inundated with phone calls to pick something up before a store closes, because, "Well, I don't get off work until 6, and since you don't work…"
Ah, the death phrase: Since you don't work.
Be prepared to hear it and hear it a lot! Personally, I think it's because people are jealous of us folks who work from home, but the that doesn't change the fact that everyone from your neighbor down the street, your mom, your sister, your friends, and the door to door salesmen will want a piece of your time, since you don't 'really' work.
It's important that both you and your friends and family understand that working from home is a 'real' job, it just isn't in an office building. Set clear 'office' hours, and let people know that one of the advantages to working from home is that you are free to come and go as you please, but you've got to pay the bills too. Tell them you'll help in a pinch, but you simply can't take time off from work just because your office is in the same building as your bedroom.
Myth #4: I'll have more money now, because I won't have all those taxes and stuff coming out of my paycheck.
Fact: You still have to pay taxes, FICA too, and if you are working from home in your own business or as an independent contractor, you have to pay a self employment tax on top of that.
Sure it doesn't come out of your paycheck, since you don't get a paycheck anymore, but it will have to be paid nonetheless. One of the top three reasons new small businesses fail is because the owners didn't realize that cash in hand doesn't mean cash to spend. You should calculate the percentage of taxes your typically paid when working for someone else, and set that much aside, into a bank account or someplace you won't be tempted to touch it, and save it for when those taxes come due.
Additionally, your employer might have offered free or reduced rate insurance benefits while employed. Those rate were probably based off a group policy that the employer had, which gave them a discount, and then you get a discount in the premium because your company picks up all or part of it. Now that you work for yourself from home, you are either going to have to be uninsured, meaning you'll have to come up with money for doctors visits if sick or injured, or you will have to cover the premiums yourself, and they will be more expensive than when you worked, because you don't have the group policy your employer had.
Myth #5: I'll have more time to clean my house and keep up with household chores, because I will be at home all day.
Fact: Being at home all day only means that you are making messes while you are working, which you still will have to clean up later.
There's no one at your home to take the trash out for you at the end of the day and vacuum your office floor. You have to do that. And now that you're home all day, you have a lot more time in the house to mess things up. If you truly are working full time hours from home, like you are supposed to, you may find your home in worse disarray than it was when you worked a full time job. Not only that, but when you spend all your time working from home, you'll find yourself seeking ways to get out of the house more than you probably did when you worked in an office, leaving even less time for cleaning and chores.
Eventually, you can and will find that balance, but don't expect that because you are home all day that your house will miraculously remain spotless. It won't.
So there you have it, the short list of certain misconceptions about working from home. I know I may have made it sound bad, but let me tell you the upside. Walk through a day with me…
I wake when I am ready to get up, unless I have something schedule. That means one morning I might be at the coffee pot at 6am, while another morning I sleep in until almost noon. The only traffic jam I encounter is the fluffy kittens attacking my feet for their morning food while I'm on the way to my coffee pot. I bring in the day slowly, sitting at my desk in my robe, barefoot or wearing my slipper, hair a mess, no makeup and sipping my coffee while I read my email from the night before.
After a cup or two and all email is answered, I go over my to-do list for the day. I might actually have time to sneak a nap in once in awhile, but when I do, I assure you I will be working until 10 that evening to make up for it.
I eat lunch when I want, where I want, and I can sometimes even watch television while working. If my son's school calls me with a problem, I am free to go and see what's going on without having to ask for permission from my boss or worrying about losing my job. I know that I'll simply have to work a little later that day to keep up with the workload.
Sounds great, but on the downside, I often work evenings and sometimes weekends to make a deadline, and I don't get time and ½ for that.
As you can see, it has its ups and downs, goods and bads, and for me, I have weighed the options before me and know that I will never work for anyone else again. Working from home suits me perfectly, but I also know I have to be more dedicated, more responsible and more organized than I ever had to be in a regular office.
It's not for everyone, and it motivation and responsibility are issues for you, working from home might just be disastrous. I don't recommend for most to do what I did and quit your day job without any idea where to go. You can start working from home in your spare time, do your homework, do the research, and start something up that you know you will stick with before you quit that job.

The Facts about Working From Home

2012-01-14T22:20:00.000-08:00

It never fails. You're on the phone, and that's when your kids come running, demanding your attention. It's an all too common issue faced by many parents who are trying their best to make a living from home. Here are a few telephone tactics to help you get through at least one call (Two, if we're lucky, and can talk fast):

Keep a box of toys hidden somewhere near the telephone, or your "work" zone. When the little one's tries getting your attention as you talk, pull out the phone-only toys. Change the toys often to keep them new & interesting for your little ones.
A small table or desk near yours is also a great tool. Fill it with colors & coloring books, or writing paper and let them work right along side with you. Kids love to do things they feel are important and what could be better than working just like Mommy or Daddy?
Set a kitchen timer for the amount of time you need to be on the phone, and then hand the timer to your youngster. Tell them to come and get you when the timer goes off.
Let your little one clip coupons for you while you make phone calls. Keep the store circulars & advertisements from the Sunday paper in a box, along with a pair of safety scissors, and if you have one, a coupon holder. If you have older children, they can file coupons by product & weed out any expired coupons.
Another, similar option, which my kids love doing, is to have them create their own "dream boards." A dream board is simply a collage of things that they would like to have. This is a great tool for you as well, to create your own dream board, and place pictures or even just words of things you are shooting for. Maybe it's a new home, or dream vacation, new car...etc. Having a little reminder of why you need to make those calls & what they will do for you & your family. My kids understand that their part of helping out & being able to get the many things we dream of is as simple as respecting my phone time.

And one last thing regarding phone time... If you have little one's, it's best not to try and schedule huge chunks of time all at once to do your calls. Rather than scheduling 2-3 hours all at once to do calls, break it up into 30-45 minute increments. And be sure to also schedule time just to spend with the kiddos. When you "pencil" them into the daily schedule, your kids will know that they too will have their own special time to have you all to themselves. But don't cancel those scheduled times to do work or household chores, even if you have laundry piling up & a sink full of dishes. It's one appointment that needs to be kept always. I mean, most of us are working from our homes so that we can be here for our kids & raise them ourselves & not the daycare lady.

Is there anything that seems to work well for you in regards to being able to make phone calls with your little ones at home?

Melaleuca: What Women Want

2012-01-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

by News on

(by Melaleuca’s National Vice President of Sales, Kathleen Earle)

What Matters Most

Throughout my career, I have always been interested in why women who want to earn additional income join the companies they join, why they stay, and why they leave. Years ago, I launched a small research project that proved to be enlightening. I discovered that women look for the following keys when selecting a business:

1. Great products and even greater prices.
Great products do what they’re supposed to do. They have a clear value to the consumer, and they’re affordable. No real business can succeed in the long term without providing consumers with something they want at a value they can see and experience for themselves.

2. A business that can be built in an already busy lifestyle.
Most women already have dozens of daily challenges that compete for their attention. Consequently, they need a business they can fit into their busy lives.

3. Connections with others.
A truly appealing business for women will give them an opportunity to create meaningful relationships, rather than just sell. It will allow them to make a difference, help others and develop lasting friendships.

4. A real support team.
Venturing into a new business can be intimidating and challenging. A lot of those challenges can be offset by a support team of individuals who believe in one another, celebrate success, provide mentorship for developing new skills, and help each team member realize she is a part of something bigger than herself.

A Financial Opportunity Unlike Any Other

The most compelling recognition award I have seen in my career is the Financial Freedom Award. In fact, it is the one thing that made me stop and really look at Melaleuca. And when I did, I realized that Melaleuca was delivering on all of the things that attracted women and kept them there for years. With Melaleuca, when women love a product, they can “turn their passion into a profession.” They can have a business that allows them to work from home, a substantial income and the freedom to spend more time with their families. They really can have it all at Melaleuca!
In my experience, most people in home-based businesses just don’t make the income they do here at Melaleuca. And if they do, it is only the very few at the very top. At Melaleuca, the income potential is huge, and not just for the top few. The hundreds and hundreds of people making $5,000, $10,000, and even $20,000 shows just how do-able it is. Amazing! How fortunate we are to be able to make a difference financially with a business that will last a lifetime and to enjoy time freedom as well. It is almost unheard of today, but not here at Melaleuca.
With development and growth from her support team and the company, a woman can develop more confidence as she learns new skills and receives recognition for her accomplishments. Director Celebrations really give her a chance to feel appreciated for her first big success. For many women, it is a first-time life experience to have a strong support network invested in her development and her dreams, and to receive recognition for her success! I have seen all of this and more here at Melaleuca. In fact, Melaleuca does this more effectively than any company I have seen. At Convention, CEO Frank L. VanderSloot talked about reaching out more, and helping others to grow the business and change their lives.
In my research, I also learned that your most powerful tool for attracting people to your business is your story. At Melaleuca, there is power in stories because our stories are real stories and are based on fabulous products and financial freedom. I have heard more compelling stories at Melaleuca than I have ever heard before anywhere. I’ve heard stories about improved health because of the products, financial support from the monthly checks, and lives changed because of residual income.
Recent studies have shown that the number of female-owned businesses is growing twice as fast as all businesses. At Melaleuca we can give women the best of both worlds: support in growing a business, and the financial and time freedom to take care of their families. We help women build businesses to last a lifetime. What woman wouldn’t want to be a part of this?
(This article previously appeared in Leadership In Action magazine)

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Melaleuca Alloy Video – Designed for Men, Appreciated by Women!

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2012-01-12T19:35:00.000-08:00