Like all of the products in the Neutrogena Naturals line, this cleanser is free of chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes, and phthalates. On average, the products are 94% natural (the cleanser + makeup remover is listed as 86% naturally derived, to be specific); they’re not tested on animals; and they come packaged in bottles made from up to 50% post-consumer recycled content. In conjunction with developing this line, Neutrogena has partnered with The Nature Conservancy, a global organization dedicated to protecting natural sources of clean water, and the Forest Stewardship Council, a non-profit that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. They even house the Neutrogena Naturals website on a solar- and wind-powered server that keeps the site running completely off the grid.

But none of that would be particularly important if the products weren’t any good, right? Luckily, this one is! I have never heard of Peruvian Tara seed bionutrients, but apparently Neutrogena is right that adding them to a cleanser helps clean my skin while also making it feel soft and moisturized. (This is one of those cleansers that tempts me to be lazy and skip the face cream afterward, because my face doesn’t feel at all dry and tight after I wash it.) And though I was dubious about the “makeup remover” part of the name, it turns out it’s totally valid. I hate removing mascara so much that I actually contemplate, before a date or other social engagement, whether the event is mascara-worthy or not. Just as annoying as dashed hopes after a bad date is the realization that I bothered with mascara for nothing and now have to remove it. When I skip the “real” eye makeup remover and go straight for the face soap, I end up leaving black smudges all over my towel and leaving at least half the gunk still caked in my eyelashes through my next shower. But when I washed my mascaraed face with this new Neutrogena cleanser + makeup remover, look what happened! No smudges whatsoever! And my lashes felt clean, too! Yippee!

Frankly, my only complaint about Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover is the strange lack of parallel structure in the name. It’s a verb and a noun? Cleansing and remover? They couldn’t have just called it Cleanser + Makeup Remover? I’m nitpicking, but it’s what I do, apparently. And now that I’ve done it, you will remember that name when you look for it in the store. Which you should, because I do like this stuff, grammatical foibles aside. So I suppose the maddening name has served a purpose after all. Well played, Neutrogena. Well played.

Come back tomorrow and every day this week for reviews of four more (perfectly reasonably named) products from the Neutrogena Naturals line.

Learn more about Beth and her book here!

In the handmade soap and cosmetics industry, there can be a lot of misleading language. For example, “natural” doesn’t always mean that a product is 100%, 10%, or even 1% natural. Instead, many products that carry the title “natural” may only contain some trace of something that is natural, a plant essence, extract, or vitamin for example, while the rest of the product is composed from the same harmful detergents and chemicals that its non-natural counterparts are.

For example, a Google search for “natural body soap” returns 33,600,000 results.  After a bit of inquiry, it seems that the first two results are without a doubt 100% natural products; good for you, Google! However, the third result is a product that contains numerous chemicals and non-natural ingredients, including as its third listed ingredient, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate. While this surfactant may not be as harmful as one with a similar name that we are all familiar with, sodium laurel sulfate, it is none the less far from being “natural” and carries many questionable, if not downright harmful, attributes.

The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database gave it a five out of ten for toxicity and mentions the following health hazards that may result from use of this ingredient: neurotoxicity, allergies/ immuno-toxicity, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) and irritation of the skin, eyes, or lungs.

With this in mind, you can use the following five tips to make sure your “natural” cosmetics are really natural:

1. Do your research! Don’t just buy a product because it says “natural” or “organic” or something similar. Read the ingredients; if you start seeing ingredients you can’t pronounce, you have reason to be suspicious.

2. Make sure the product is scented with pure essential oils and not perfume oils. Essential oils are oils that are pressed from plants and contain no chemical additives; perfume oils are made out of chemicals in a factory. You can easily tell the difference because essential oils are named after the plants from where they come: lavender, rose, ylang ylang, cinnamon, etc.  If you are looking at a product that is claiming to be natural and the scent is key lime pie or root beer float, you can be pretty sure that it is not scented with essential oils. Look here for a complete list of essential oils and their attributes.

3. Pay attention to the price. Natural, organic products cost more, sometimes much more. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Read reviews of products online. Find review sites that you like and trust and bookmark them.

5.  Shop at www.nakedbeautybathandbody.com for all of your natural cosmetic needs.

We have a difference of opinion about this dish in my household: I think it’s a great main course if you’re in the mood for a light dinner; my boyfriend thinks it’s better as a side dish. No matter how you serve it, it’s delicious!

Ingredients:

12 ounces spaghetti (3/4 box)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 1-pound package frozen broccoli florets, thawed
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
kosher salt
1 lemon, zest finely grated and juice squeezed
1 cup grated Parmesan (4 ounces)

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, drain the pasta, and return it to the pot.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes.

3. Add the broccoli, red pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Add the broccoli mixture, lemon juice, Parmesan, and reserved pasta water to the pasta.

5. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until combined and heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the lemon zest and serve.

Bon appetit!

Recipe courtesy of Real Simple.

Planet Dog is one of my favorite green companies. My dogs love Planet Dog toys, and I love that they’re made in the USA from recyclable (and often recycled) materials!  Plus, they give 2% of every sale to the Planet Dog Foundation to support service dog organizations.

I was thrilled when Planet Dog asked me to test out their new Wood Chuck ball thrower. It’s made from reused cork scraps and sustainable bamboo. It has a classy, elegant look that’s way more attractive than the brightly colored plastic ball chucker we have, and a the cork handle looks way more comfortable! But, we already have a ball chucker and while I’d much rather have a Wood Chuck, I’m a firm believer that using what you have until it wears out is one of the best ways to go green.

So, we asked Ashley at Wooftown Doggie Daycare and Rescue to test out the Planet Dog Wood Chuck. This is what she had to say:

I love it! The dogs love it! They love it so much that they chewed the balls immediately.

I think the Wood Chuck is wonderful and sturdy, and the ball that came with it is great too, just didn’t hold up in a group setting, the balls would probably be fine for a smaller dog that doesn’t like to destroy their toys, but these guys are rough players, so they chewed it pretty quickly.

The Wood Chuck will work with any 2.5″ ball, and Planet Dog has several to choose from, so if your dogs are rough players too, you might want to try another ball style.  Argo and Stella have several Orbee-Tuff balls, and while they will destroy many a toy in seconds, Planet Dog balls have always been spared from the path of their destruction.  Our favorite here is the Orbee-Tuff Glow for Good ball.

I have my eye on a Wood Chuck when Argo and Stella’s ugly plastic ball chucker finally bites the dust.

But what if you don’t have a dog?  Well, then, you should head to your local rescue organization!  If you live in Rochester, NY, consider adopting one of the awesome dogs at Wooftown Rescue, like Raymond!

Raymond is a 4 month old Border Collie/Chow mix who would love to play ball with you!  Check out his listing as well as listings for other Wooftown Adoptable Dogs here.

We talk pretty big around here, even if we do tend to focus on the smaller things that each of us can do to minimize our impact on the planet, and I’ve always been bothered by an inability to actually do a lot of the things we encourage on these here electronic pages. You see, for basically all of our adult lives, the lady and I have been what you’d call renters, a species saddled with severe limitations on the influence they have over their immediate surroundings.

That changed just this month, however, when we moved the detritus of our lives into a modest home in the suburbs. When the plumbing goes wrong, we get to fix it (a fact we’ve already confirmed.) But this also means we get to take a stab at turning our little slice of Georgia into an abode worthy of The Greenists.

What we’ve done so far:

Planted edibles. This actually started a month before the move so we’d have a head start. At the end of March I constructed an Earthtainer, a tomato planter made of plastic storage bins designed so that virtually every drop of water that goes into the system is utilized by the plants. That sucker’s six feet tall already. Once we moved in, I decided to stick with container gardening until we’re sure where the best sunshine is in the yard. Aside from the tomato plants we’ve got peppers, cucumber, zucchini, strawberries, garlic, cilantro and basil. I’ve put an inordinate amount of scheming into these future vegetables, so I really hope they work out.

Changed out some light bulbs. Somebody in this home’s past was really into dimmer switches because there’s one on virtually every light. This is problematic because standard CFLs don’t do dimmers. Enter the LED. Obviously the future of lighting, LEDs are still somewhat expensive. Enter The Home Depot. HD has a two-pack of LEDs for $10, which isn’t bad at all if they last 20+ years as advertised while barely sipping the juice. We got some. They’re awesome. Can’t wait to have them everywhere, but that’ll take a little time in our case (unless Home Depot will entertain a tomatoes-for-LEDs trade.)

Installed an attic vent fan. This was my big “ME MAN- ME USE TOOLS” project to get the ball rolling. Roofs are good for keeping the rain off, but they also trap some insanely hot air under them when the sun gets cooking. The gable-mounted vent fan kicks on when it hits 105 up there, blowing the hot air out. Should keep the house a bit cooler and save us money.

Opened the dang windows. The way these windows were sticking, it’s pretty clear the previous owner wasn’t a big “air it out” type of guy. Some people just don’t bother to open their windows even if it means letting the AC run when it’s 70 degrees out. One of the things we most looked forward too after living in a windows-on-one-side apartment was the simple ability to create cross-ventilation, and it has been glorious.

Started composting. There were two plastic garbage cans here when we moved in, plus a recycling bin. I figure between recycling and composting we actually won’t have very much garbage, so I repurposed the second can as a compost bin. We’ll probably outgrow that soon enough, but in the meantime I drilled some holes in the sides and am taking strange delight in the simple act of throwing vegetable scraps away.

And I’m proud to say that I’ve already plumbed the Greenists archives for a few pointers here and there. Anything else we should be doing in the short-term?

Going green is a lifestyle you have adopted and made your own, but sometimes it may be hard to get your child on board. Children are less likely to go green on their own. Here are 7 ways you can help your child follow in your carbon footprint:  

1. Make it fun: There are plenty of ways to make going green fun for your kids. Start by taking them to fun events like local farmers’ markets that tend to cater to children with games or face painting. There are lots of games and books for children that teach them how to go green, too.

2. Keep it positive: Always keep it positive with children in all you do, especially teaching them the ways of going green. You want your child to see this as a fun and positive way of life.

3. Educate: The more your children understand why and how they can go green, the easier it will be for them to do. There are plenty of kid eco-friendly books explaining to children the need to go green, in addition to your lessons.

4. Lead by example: Monkey see, monkey do. You learned the last time you let a bad word slip out of your mouth that your children pick up on everything you do. Knowing that your kids mimic your moves, use that for good. You practice going green; your child will follow.

5. Make it easy: If you make green chores or tasks difficult for your child, in most cases they will get discouraged and give up. Give them something easy to start off with, like recycling different household products.

6. Rewards: It is okay to reward your child for good behavior and practices. If you notice your child taking the time to be eco-friendly at home, then reward them with a small prize.

7. Make it part of everyday life: It takes a short amount of time to make something a habit and routine. The more you make going green part of your everyday life, the easier the transition.

Going green is easy, and the younger you start teaching your child, the easier it will be. Remember to show them how and why it is important to do so and lead by example. Have fun with it and keep it interesting!

Christine Kane from internet service providers is a graduate of Communication and Journalism. She enjoys writing about a wide variety of subjects for different blogs. She can be reached via email at: Christi.Kane00@gmail.com.

We all know that having a long, MSDS sheet-sounding name doesn’t necessarily mean something is bad. Take dihydrogen monoxide, for example (it’s water).

But what about when the opposite happens, with seemingly harmless ingredients that can actually be irritating, contain higher emissions than you’d think or are otherwise not so enviro-friendly? How do you know the difference? It’s a great question, really (and as an enviro-nut, a fascinating one to me): is your “green” cleaner really green – and is all-natural always better?

Here’s a quick sample of some common “green” cleaning ingredients to watch for and why they might not be as healthy as you think. (Please note that this is NOT a comprehensive list of cleaning ingredients; always check ingredients for safety issues.)

D-limonene – Typically, this is shortened to lemon oil for marketing purposes, though it can be another citrus oil. Lemons seem harmless enough, but limonene, which is a terpene, is volatile and can be a skin irritant. In addition, if used as a spray, it may mix with particles in the air to form formaldehyde, a carcinogen.

Ethanol – You drink it, right? So how bad can it be in a cleaner? Well, it may be flammable, for starters. Use great care in using this product around sources of high heat. Ethanol is also a real problem if swallowed, obviously, so if you choose ethanol-containing cleaning products, keep them well out of the reach of children and pets.

Perfume – Don’t even ask. Actually, let me amend that: do ask. Call or e-mail the manufacturer to find out exactly what the perfume is and how it was derived. If the company won’t give you that information, keep looking down the cleaner aisle.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – Don’t “a-ha!” so fast: here’s a common sudsing agent that may give us less to worry about than we thought. Yes, SLS is harsh as a cleaning agent and can definitely be an irritant. But OSHA has cleared its former negative indictment of being a “potential carcinogen.” Snopes has some good information on this; check it out.

Cinnamon Oil – Another ingredient that may hurt more than it helps. Cinnamon sounds just so innocent, doesn’t it? (Not to mention yummy.) But cinnamon added either as an oil or as a dry ingredient added to a wet cleaner can actually cause skin burns. Ask me how I know this (ouch). Watch out and use gloves. And don’t eat a cinnamon stick whole. That’s another story I’m not going to tell!

Borax – Borax, or sodium borate, is commonly used as an ingredient in laundry detergent, and is also used in pottery, toothpaste and soap. It’s also an effective anti-fungal, and a large amount turns it into a herbicide. Many people confuse borax with boric acid, which is a mild insecticide. All these “-cide” properties makes it a less-than-kind cleaner for the environment, but it is safe if used properly. In years past it was used in food preparation, but ingesting a teaspoon is enough to seriously harm a young child, so definitely don’t store it in your pantry! I would stay on the safe side and not use it in a homemade dishwasher recipe, either.

Some Go-To Green Housecleaning Recipes

If you love concocting your own cleaning products, here are two I rely on, and they’re so easy:

Simple Household Disinfectant

• 2 c. water
• 18-25 drops tea tree oil (depending upon the strength you want)
• 2 tbsp. castile soap powder

Pour the water into a spray bottle. Add the soap; shake very well, about 2-3 minutes. Add the tea tree oil and very gently shake. Use a small amount on surfaces at first so you know whether the product will be gentle enough not to harm the finish.

Baking Soda Paste Stain Remover

• 1 tbsp. baking soda
• 2 tbsp. water

This works particularly well on porcelain counters. For a more stubborn stain, use a little less water for a thicker product. Mix baking soda and water together and rub gently on stain; allow to sit 10-15 minutes. Wipe away carefully so as not to harm finish.

Oven Cleaner

• baking soda
• water

In the evening, liberally apply baking soda in the oven, then spray with water. In the morning (or after 8 hours), wipe clean. For really tough stains, mix baking soda and vinegar, and wipe after a few minutes. I actually line the bottom of the oven with tin foil (reflective side up), and replace when necessary.

As always, enjoy and be well!

Chris Molnar is a writer and volunteers for a variety of environmental organizations, and  is a work at home Dad of two children. On the lighter side, he edits Themeaparty.com, a birthday party website for kids. All his cleaners are homemade concoctions – one tip is to NOT use too much dish soap on a tile floor recipe. It took three rinses before most of the suds were finally wiped clean!

When I was asked if I wanted to take a look at the cookbook Quinoa Cuisine, 150 Creative Recipes for Super-Nutritious, Amazingly Delicious dishes by Jessica Harlan and Kelley Sparwasser I jumped at the chance! I’m a big fan of Quinoa, but I don’t use it this often and thought it would be fun to find some other things to do with such a versatile, healthy ingredient. So today for Meatless Monday I’m going to share with you a recipe from the cookbook for Spinach and Black Olive Calzones made with Quinoa flour and let me tell you these are fabulous!

They also have some really great sounding recipes for things like Hummus, Thai Summer Rolls, Spicy Chicken and Waffles, Mushroom Soup, Grilled Quinoa Cakes, Chile Rellenos, Eggplant Parmesan and even desserts like Triple-Chocolate Bundt Cake and Funnel Cake Bites all incorporating quinoa! But for now sit back grab a fork, and let’s talk some Calzones!

What You’ll Need for the Quinoa Pizza Crust:
1 1/4 cups of warm water (about 110 to 120 F)
1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
1 tablespoon of honey
2 to 2 1/2 cups bread flour, as needed, divided
1 teaspoon of kosher salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 1/2 cups quinoa flour

1. Place the warm water in a large bowl. Stir in the yeast, honey, and 1 cup of bread flour. Let sit in a warm place until foamy, about 15 minutes.

2. Stir in the salt, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and quinoa flour. Gradually add the remaining bread flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough forms a slightly sticky ball. Turn out onto a well-floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Add more flour if needed. The dough will be slightly sticky. Form into a ball.

3. Drizzle the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil into a clean bowl. Place the ball of dough in the bowl, turning to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 1 hour. Use in your favorite pizza or calzone recipe.

What You’ll Need for the Spinach and Black Olive Calzones:
2 recipes Quinoa Pizza Dough (see above)
Cornmeal or semolina flour, for baking sheet
4 cups of prepared pizza sauce
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove excess water
1 cup sliced black olives
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 4 ounces)

1. Prepare pizza dough according to the recipe instructions, making a double batch.

2. Preheat the oven to 450 F; if you have a pizza stone, put it in the oven before preheating. If you don’t have a pizza stone, sprinkle a rimmed nonstick baking sheet lightly with cornmeal or semolina flour. Heat the pizza suace in a medium saucepan and keep warm over low heat.

3. Divide the dough into four equal pieces. Work with one piece at a time, keeping the other pieces covered with towel or plastic wrap so they don’t dry out. On a work surface lightly dusted with flour, use your hands to pat and stretch a piece of dough into a flat oval about 12 X 8 inches. Arrange a quarter each of the spinach and black olives on half the oval, leaving a edge of about 1 inch uncovered. Sprinkle with about 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and drizzle with about 1/4 cup pizza sauce. Fold the dough over the filling and, beginning at one end, roll the edge to seal. Tuck the rolled edge under the calzone. Carefully transfer the finished calzone to the baking sheet or slide onto the hot pizza stone in the oven.

4. Repeat with the remaining dough and the filling. Bake the calzones until the dough is golden and they sound hollow when tapped, about 15 minutes. Serve hot with the remaining pizza sauce spooned over.

Notes: I used sea salt instead of kosher salt. I also sprinkled the tops of my calzones with oregano and Parmesan cheese.