Saturday, August 27, 2011
What is Going On...A Glimpse to 2012
Friday, August 26, 2011
Those Darn PVC's
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Healthy Cosmetics
Did you know that the United Nations Environmental Program estimates approximately 60,000+ chemicals are used today in our daily products? Many of these chemicals are in our makeup, hair care products, nail products...and many of them are linked to cancer and other illnesses that we never hear about.
When was the last time a makeup counter had a sign that said - use at your own risk, our lipstick has lead in it?
Many of my clients over the years have asked for ideas on where to find 'healthy cosmetics'. In previous years, I often found myself at a loss for where to send them as even the so called healthy products held toxins that we don't want to have on our faces. In recent years however, we have seen a major revolution in what is available on the market.
What most people don't realize is that the skin is a potent way for chemicals to get into the body. People often view the skin as a barrier, as if putting on toxic makeup will never make it into the body - that is simply not true. People also often think if a brand is labeled organic it is healthy and that is really not true either.
Here is a quote directly from the FDA website that should wake us up to what is happening...
(http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/398_cosm.html)
"The regulatory requirements governing the sale of cosmetics are not as stringent as those that apply to other FDA-regulated products. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, cosmetics and their ingredients are not required to undergo approval before they are sold to the public. Generally, FDA regulates these products after they have been released to the marketplace. This means that manufacturers may use any ingredient or raw material, except for color additives and a few prohibited substances, to market a product without a government review or approval."
and another . . .
"Consumers believe that 'if it's on the market, it can't hurt me,'" says Bailey. "And this belief is sometimes wrong."
With so much information out there on what is supposedly 'healthy', I did some research of my own - with the help of some friends like the wonderful teams at Whole Foods in Devon and Kimberton Whole Foods in Kimberton.
The best website that I've seen for determining products that are healthier is the Cosmetics Database called 'Skin Deep' (thanks Lisa at Whole foods in Devon). This database not only rates the top products in each category, it also offers information on what the chemicals are and what they do to the body for you to make informed choices. YEAH!
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1
Some sites of companies that create healthier products are:
www.lavera-usa.com
www.aubrey-organics.com
www.iamapeacekeeper.com
www.burtsbees.com
www.drhauschka.com
www.janeiredale.com
www.honeybeegardens.com
And there is even a mini-movie about it at:
http://hazardsthemovie.com/Info.html
A site with a lot of good information on more than skin care.
http://www.ewg.org/
Ok, you have some new tools, now go take care of you!!!
Blessings,
Jenifer
Friday, August 12, 2011
5 Healthy Options for Summer Survival
With summer comes summer heat, summer bugs, summer exercise and summer vacations. Here are 5 summer tips to keep your summer fun and healthy!
1) Drink BEFORE dehydration. It takes longer to rehydrate when your body is already showing signs of dehydration. Dizziness, nausea and even changes in mood can be related to dehydration. Good rule, drink 10 glasses of water per day when it is warm outside and one glass per 30 minutes of exercise indoors, one glass per 20 minutes of exercise outdoors.
2) Flies a problem? Try Eucalyptus and/or Lemon Eucalyptus Oils. One remedy I like is to use 2 cups vinegar and 25 drops of eucalyptus lemon oil put in a bowl. Some also add 2 cups skin so soft (an Avon product). Realize as well that flies like food so keeping things closed when outside will help as well.
3) Safe Sunblocks - Did you know that most sunblocks have harsh chemicals that can cause cancer and other illnesses. From neurotoxins to methylparabens, it;s challenging to know which one's are safe for your skin and your children's skin. To find sunblocks that are safer for you and your family, see the cosmetics database.
4) Healthy Vacations - With digestive disorders and allergies on the rise, foreign travel can leave some running for the bathroom or emergency room.
Some things to think about when traveling to foreign lands:
- Vegetables are often washed in unclean water - rewash them in bottled water or don't eat them if unsure of cleanliness;
- Cooked foods are safer than uncooked foods when traveling;
- Spices are different in other countries, if your stomach is sensitive, stay toward non-spicy foods to save your stomach;
- If you tend to be allergic to strawberries, be careful with any foreign fruits.
- ICE means water frozen, it does not mean bottled water frozen. Stay away from ice if in a place where water is iffy.
5) Best time to exercise outdoors. Keep outdoor exercise to early morning to escape the heat and dehydration. Being healthy never means hurting yourself in the process. While many people like to run at lunch-time at work, that is the hottest time of the day and not a good time to exercise outdoors. Best to exercise in a gym with air-conditioning at that time of day if possible or keep your runs to walking and watch for signs of dehydration (see #1).
Wishing you a happy and healthy summer!!!
Blessings,
Jenifer
PS - more articles on my website: TheEmpowermentCentre.com