My New Year's Eve Nails - Beautifully Non-Toxic

New Year's Eve has arrived and many of us women are scrambling to get ourselves dolled up for the big celebration.  Thanks to Mr. Recession, I am skipping the nail salon and giving myself a manicure.  While the experience may not be as fun, it will certainly be better for my health. 

I am one of those curious people that loves offensive smells like paint and smoke.  At a nail salon I may as well be in heaven.  The pungeant aroma of acetone and formaldehyde fills my nostrils, causing a slight tingly burning sensation that I quite like.  But wait, did I say formaldehyde?  Yes, I did.

And you thought formaldehyde was just for embalming bodies.  Nope.  Modern ingenuity has ensured this toxic carcinogen endless avenues into our lungs.  Pressed wood products (including much modern furniture), tobacco smoke, textiles, insulation, glues and even our nail polish and polish remover serve as vessels, ferrying this toxin to port in our homes and other indoor environments to be inhaled and absorbed.

It has been shown to cause cancer in lab animals and is suspected to do the same in humans.  In addition to agravating the respiratory system and triggering asthma, the EPA tells us that it can also bring on severe allergic reaction symptoms as well as wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and skin rash.

You can reduce your exposure immediately by purging your home of formaldehyde carriers.  One immediate change you can make is your nail polish and nail polish remover.  I have found a fantastic spa brand of nail care products that are free of chemicals and toxins, including formaldehyde, and are 100% natural and cruelty free. 

Karma Organics is the the natural product line of Karma Organic Day Spa in New Jersey.  They offer an all natural nail polish remover that works and smells great as well as a mix of 50 trendy and classic colors of nail polish.  I chose their Twinkle Twinkle Periwinkle for my manicure today and am so happy with the results.  I layered it over their fast drying 2 in 1 Base Coat for a beautiful, long-lasting finish.  Now my nails are an adorable shade of lavendar that will go great with my little black dress, shiney clutch and large right hand ring.

Win It!

Karma Organic is giving one lucky winner a bottle of their lavendar scented Organic Nail Polish Remover, one bottle of their 2 in One Base Coat and one bottle of Twinkle Twinkle Periwinkle Nail Polish!  To enter, simply visit their online store and look over their fabulous collection of nail colors and then leave a comment on this post telling which color, aside from the one being given away, that you like.  This must be done before any additional entries are accepted.

Additional Entries

For each additional entry, please leave an additional comment.  1 comment = 1 entry  Please tell me what you did in your comment to earn the additional entry.  Here are a few ways you can get additional entries:

1.  Follow my blog

2.  Subscribe to my blog

3.  Post about this giveaway on your own blog with a direct link back to this post.  Be sure to leave the link in your comment!

4.  Tell someone about this giveaway through Facebook, Twitter or email! 

5.  Enter another one of my giveaways.  Be sure to tell me which one you entered in your comment!

This giveaway ends on January 25th at 11:59 PM CST and is open to all US Residents.

Good Luck!

NaturOli Extreme 18X Laundry Detergent Review

Last week I posted about my exciting discovery of soap nuts and NaturOli, the company who has turned them into the rock stars of the green household industry. Since that review I have had the chance to try NaturOli's Extreme 18x laundry detergent. It's a super concentrated solution made from soap nuts and its list of ingredients is not only short but 100% natural. I was so taken by the idea of the soap nut, nature's perfectly packaged laundry detergent, that I was reluctant to try 18x. However, I also realized that not having a more "conventional" form of laundry detergent available in my house would give my husband the perfect excuse to leave that household chore all to me.

After reading the instructions and tips I was a bit skeptical. It called for only 1 teaspoon of the solution for a medium to large laundry load! "Yeah right" was my initial reaction, but then I reminded myself that these are the soap nut missionaries. If they say it only takes a teaspoon then who am I to doubt? I poured the solution into my empty washer and filled it halfway, allowing the solution to mix with the water, before tossing in my load of towels.

An hour or so later my towels were dried and ready for inspection. They were clean, soft and smelled amazingly fresh without having any real scent or perfume. The 18x had done its job! I have used it on three loads since then (we crank out a lot of laundry in this house) and have had wonderful results each time! True the solution is not as green as the nuts in their natural form but it is certainly more eco-friendly than any other laundry detergent I know of. The tiny sample sized bottle seen in the picture is enough to wash 12 HE loads or 6 standards loads! The bottle is 100% recyclable as is all packaging.

What I Love About This Stuff

• It's made with only a few simple, all natural ingredients which are given in plain view on the label and on the website
• It is super concentrated so one large bottle will last me a long time, reducing the amount of plastic I have to send to the recycling plant and thus reducing my carbon footprint
• It does not stink, it does not smell like anything. It just smells clean. This is important as my daughter has respiratory issues that can be aggravated by perfumed detergents.
• No need for fabric softener! It softened my laundry naturally.
• It works! My white towels even came out brighter.
• Competitive price. You can purchase an 8 ounce bottle from NaturOli's site for $16.95. That is enough to wash at least 96 high efficiency (HE) loads and 48 standard loads! It will likely go even further than that as you can get away with using as little as 1/2 a teaspoon with low soil loads!
• Easy on your fabrics and on your skin! NaturOli started out initially as a natural skincare company, so they have a strong understanding of how certain ingredients interact with skin. This knowledge was also applied to their Extreme 18x formula. (See my recent review of their soap bar!)
• It's a product I can trust. My experience with NaturOli and it's president over the last month have instilled in me a trust in the integrity of their company and the products they offer. They are committed to educating consumers and this is evident in their literature, their website and in all communications I have had with them. Though they are quickly growing into a major contender in the green market, they continue to run the company as they started it- with that personal, hands on approach that demonstrates their commitment to quality and their respect for their customers, products, employees and, above all, our environment.

A Few Tips On Using Extreme 18x

• Once you've filled and loaded your washer, leave the laundry to soak for 15 minutes before beginning the cycle. This is not necessary but does allow the detergent to be even more effective. I did this every time with fantastic results. I set my kitchen timer so that I wouldn't forget about it.
• Pour the liquid into the water while it's running into your machine. This mixes it up well and even produces a little sudsing. Keep in mind that the presence or absence of suds means nothing. It's just something that we have been trained to look for by conventional soaps and detergents that contain nasty chemical sudsing agents. 18x is low sudsing but very effective.
• Don't over pack your machine. The laundry should have room to move around during the cycle. (This is recommended with any detergent.)
• Play around with your measurements. As I mentioned earlier, it is not always necessary to use a full teaspoon. Some loads will come out perfectly clean and fresh with only 1/2 a teaspoon! After a few loads you'll be able to judge for yourself how much is needed.

This detergent was a hit with me. I plan on keeping my laundry room well stocked with Extreme 18x and soap nuts.
If you want to give NaturOli this Christmas, visit their site and check out their adorable seasonal gift sets! But hurry. They only have so many of their seasonal soaps left and they won't last long!

NaturOli Soap Nuts Soap Bar

Last week I told you a bit about NaturOli and the little wonders called soap nuts. Until recently I had only used soap nuts to wash my clothes, but yesterday I took them into the shower with me in the form of a soap bar.

NaturOli has a wide range of beautiful, all natural soap bars, but the Soap Nuts Soap Bar is their newest. In addition to ground up soap nuts, the bars contain high quality natural ingredients like almond oil, coconut oil, mango butter and vitamin E. They are proud of their all natural ingredients and list them on the label in plain language for the consumer to see.

The rosemary and tea tree mix with the other ingredients to form a very fresh herbal smell that was vaguely familiar to me. As I lathered the soap bar onto my washcloth I racked my brain trying to put my finger on it. While marveling at the exfoliating effect of the soap nut grains it came to me. Thanksgiving turkey! Boy have I spent too much time in the kitchen lately or what? I'm a foodie, so it is natural that I link aromas to cuisine. Unfortunately it made for an odd shower experience. I enjoyed the soap. It lathered up nicely even without chemical sudsing agents and gave my a gentle exfoliation while infusing it with natural oils. But I couldn't help but feel like a turkey getting rubbed down for the oven.

The quality of this bar was really evident after the shower. I have reviewed many soaps and body washes lately, many of them very gentle and nurturing to my dry skin.

But I have to say hands down that this is the most moisturizing soap I have ever
used.

I honestly did not feel the need to moisturize at all! Knowing the effects that blown heat has on my severely dry skin, I still chose to moisturize. But the soap nuts soap bar had already done the job! It reminded me of how my skin feels after having a massage and then washing off the oil.

Despite the roast turkey association, I used the soap again this morning and will again tomorrow. I love it! The rosemary is the culprit here. Though wonderfully fresh and fragrant, I will always connect this herb with dinner. I would love to try one of these bars with some of their other scents like the candy cane mint or the cinnamon, but until that can happen I will definitely continue to use this one. It will also make a perfect stocking stuffer for the man in my life who appreciates good soaps but is a bit burned out on lavender.

Check out NaturOli's complete line of soaps here if you are looking for green gifts this Christmas. Also, NaturOli's founder has a blog dedicated to the amazing soap nut that you may be interested in visiting. It's packed full of information and tips for harnessing the powers of this little wonder! He has also posted an article on the NaturOli site that will blow your mind. Read about the greatest marketing scam of the 20th century here! It will completely change the way you see your personal care products.

Boiron Homeopathic Medicine for Children Review & Deal

This year has been a difficult one with my toddler. In August she began her first year in "school" which exposed her to every cold and flu virus out there. Her immune system was still untested and weak, so the poor little thing picked up everything that came her way. I try not to give her drugs if I can avoid it and there is little you can give a toddler for colds anyway. Coughs during the night were the worse because the hacking would wake her up repeatedly. One night at 3:30 am she awoke coughing and I climbed into bed next to her to try to soothe her back to sleep. She snuggled into my arms and whimpered, "Mommy please make the coughs not be here anymore." It was like a dagger through my heart. She was miserable and there was little I could do for her. Even so, I had my husband take my place and I headed up to Walgreens on a hunt for something to ease her cough.

I was quite a sight in my sweat pants and bed matted hair as I scoured the shelves for a cough syrup labeled 3 yrs. and up. Of course there were none. No homeopathic medicine either. I went home defeated with a bag of natural honey throat lozenges which she of course would not keep in her mouth. I gave her some honey on a spoon hoping that it would help and thanked God when she finally fell back to sleep at sunrise.

Two weeks after later I received a line of homeopathic cold medicines for children made by French company Boiron. I received Coldcalm Pellets for multi-symptom cold relief, Oscillococcinum for the treatment of flu-like symptoms, and Children's Chestal for coughs. It was a relief just knowing I had them and three weeks later when my daughter developed another nasty cough and cold I was ready.

At the onset of her cold symptoms I began her dosage of Coldcalm. I gave her the recommended 5 pellets to melt in her mouth every twenty minutes for the first hour. The pellets are small and sugary sweet. I had to continually remind her that they were not candy and not to crunch them. The process quickly turned into a game that, combined with the powers of Scooby Doo, distracted her from her stuffy head and sore throat. After the first hour we spread the dosage out to 5 pellets every two hours. Her cold didn't clear up immediately, but it did make a difference in the symptoms and she complained less about her throat and nose hurting. The cold was gone in a matter of days and never became too severe, which I credit to the Coldcalm and regular doses of vitamin C.

At nights I was also prepared should the hacking begin. On the second night it did. She woke up around midnight and couldn't stop coughing long enough to fall back asleep. I swooped in with a dose of Children's Chestal cough syrup. Its honey based formula contains only homeopathic ingredients and is completely safe for children 3 and older. It immediately coated and soothed her throat and she slept the rest of the night through with no interruptions.

From their humble beginnings in 1932 in Lyon, France Boiron has grown into the world leader of homeopathy with a presence in major countries around the world. They are one the main suppliers of homeopathic medicine to American consumers and physicians today. Their US headquarters in Pennsylvania also houses a state of the art manufacturing laboratory, fulfillment center and large warehouse and shipping operations.

Boiron sees their commitment to scientific homeopathy as the most "compassionate, ecological and comprehensive approach" and aim to teach physicians how to integrate it into their every day practice. They have received numerous recognitions and awards including the Vity Award which they won in 2009 for the 8th consecutive year.

It is reassuring to have innovative companies like them striving for natural solutions and as a mom I am glad to have them in my arsenal. I look forward to trying more of their products and highly recommend them!

Unlike other homeopathic brands, Boiron's products are very competitively priced. I have found them to be comparable to major over-the-counter cold and flue drugs like Vicks and Tylenol. Go here to find a store near you that carries the Boiron brand.

Deals

I found some fabulous deals on Boiron children's medicines at Amazon.

Boiron Children's Chestal Honey Homeopathic Cough Syrup 8.45 fl oz (250 ml) Regularly Priced at $12.19 On Sale for $8.07

Boiron - Coldcalm Pellets Children, 160 pellets, Regularly Priced at $16.49 but On Sale Here for $8.41

Boiron Oscillococcinum for Children, Regularly Priced at $11.99 but On Sale here for $9.03

At those prices you may want to stock up. With more cold and flu months ahead of us you'll only be glad you did.

Alabu Goats Milk Body Products Review & Giveaway

During these cold months you don't have to have sensitive skin to need gentle soaps. Cold air, blown heat, strong winds- everything is against us. The last thing you need is a soap that dries your skin out and leaves it feeling tight and flaky!

In November I had the chance to try out a line of goats milk products from a wonderful, family run company called Alabu. They offer a wide selection of soaps, lotions, balms, scrubs and even shaving products that are all natural.

Because of their moisturizing ingredients and absence of harsh chemicals and
detergents, they are the perfect choice for babies, people with sensitive
skin or simply anyone who hates coming out of the shower feeling tight skinned
and itchy!

I fell in love with their lavender soap bar. The scent is fabulous- subtle wafts of lavender softened by a clean, milky aroma. It leaves my skin literally squeaky clean without drying it out. My husband, who actually has oily skin, also loved it. He had never realized how harsh commercial soaps were until using Alabu! He began using the tea tree soap on his face and likes how it gives him a deep cleanse while still leaving his skin moisturized. The soap bars come beautifully wrapped and have a long "shower life." They will make excellent gifts for the holidays.

I also liked their shea butter and tea tree lotion sticks. While battling a nasty cold, the skin under my nose began to get dry and cracked from all the blowing. I used the tea tree and my skin was instantly soothed. I reapplied several times a day, relieving the chapped skin without causing a breakout! The scent was also soothing, similar to eucalyptus, and seemed to even help clear my congestion! The shea butter stick goes with me everywhere. It's so handy to apply- like a giant lip balm. I like to use it on my knees when I am wearing dresses or skirts. They get so ashy in the winter- not attractive. I can just give them a quick rub with the lotion stick and they're good to go!

I recommend Alabu for anyone, but if you have sensitive skin and are having trouble finding a natural product that works you definitely want to give them a try!

Win Alabu!

The nice family of Alabu are offering one lucky winner a $25 gift certificate redeemable at their website! This is such a generous giveaway and just in time for Christmas!

How to Enter

Entering to win is easy. Simply head over to Alabu's website and check out all of their fantastic products! Then come back to this post and leave a comment telling what you would buy with your gift certificate. Be sure to leave me your email so I can contact you if you win!

Additional Entries

You can increase your chances of winning by doing any of the following for additional entries:

• Follow my blog and leave me a comment telling me!


• Subscribe to my blog and leave me a comment telling me!


• Subscribe to the Alabu Blog and leave a comment here telling me!


• Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post!


• Spread the word about this giveaway (complete with link) through Twitter or Facebook and leave a comment telling me about it!


• Tell someone about this giveaway and leave me a comment telling me you did!


• Enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment telling me! (Keep checking back as I will be posting a lot of giveaways over the next two weeks!)

**Please remember to post a separate comment for each entry. 1 comment = 1 entry!

This giveaway ends December 19th at 11:59 PM and is open to US residents only.

Good luck!

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream Review

If you've read my blog much at all you've probably figured something out about me. I'm a product junky. I admit it and embrace it. I love new products. The contents of my handbag and bathroom shelves are ever changing. I love finding new creams, powders and potions to indulge in. I love using them and I love telling people about them, but the truth is that today's favorite will very likely be lost in the dark and dusty back recesses of my bathroom cabinet as the new products take the coveted front space.

It's not that I no longer like those "lost products". I just simply forget about them. Shiny new boxes and unsqueezed tubes turn me into a hyperactive child on Christmas morning. My husband will attest to the fact that I am often caught dancing around the house with a UPS delivery in my giddy hands, savoring the moment before my newest favorite is discovered.

But sometimes I come across a product that is unforgettable. One that very
likely could become an addiction and even blossom into a long term love affair.

Weleda's new Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream is just such a product.

Even though one morning application would keep my hands soft and supple throughout the day, I still insist on carrying the tube around with me and reapplying it obsessively. I even convinced my husband to try it, and though the aroma is sweet, slightly floral and wonderfully feminine, he continues to use it.

What is it that has me so taken? It could be the wonderful smell. A little fruity and a little citrus'y (classic Weleda) but also tinged with a soft floral smell that adds a delicate quality to it without overwhelming the senses. It smells so clean and fresh that I often catch myself cupping my hands over my nose and breathing it in. This has turned into a habit of second nature much like biting nails or playing with hair.

But this intoxicating aroma is only the pretty face of the hardworking super ingredients that make this cream so effective. While I'm absent-mindedly "smelling the roses", the healing qualities of pomegranate are busy at work renewing my skin's elasticity and reversing the early signs of aging that my dry skin has brought on prematurely. (I'm only 28 but looking at my hands you would probably guess early forties.)

The pomegranate was a favorite delicacy of the ancient Egyptians. Thousands of years ago they were harnessing the powers of this beautiful fruit to soothe sick stomachs, clear the body of roundworm (ugh!), and even used it's juice as an aphrodisiac. Today it is know to be capable of all these things and more!

Weleda uses organic pomegranates harvested in Turkey to infuse this cream with powerful antioxidants that protect and repair the skin from the damages of environmental toxins, rejuvenating the skin and enhancing its natural radiance.

This cream goes on smoothly and soaks deep into the skin to offer long lasting moisture and protection without being greasy.

I highly recommend it! The small 100% recyclable tube is perfect for tucking into your hand bag and would make an excellent stocking stuffer! You can purchase a tube of Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream directly from Weleda's site for $12.50 or from your local Target.

Arnica Massage Oil Review and Deal Alert

I had such a wonderful weekend that I did not get a chance to post my last Weleda review. Saturday was spent celebrating my niece's 4th birthday. We painted pottery! It was so fun. (Happy birthday chicken!) And Sunday? Well... I admit. Sunday was a wonderfully overcast, misty cold day and all I wanted was to hole up in my house with my family, baking and watching tv. So that's exactly what I did. No work.

And so our week of Weleda has been extended by a day. I am okay with this. I love these products and now have a valid excuse to go on about them some more. Today I'm reviewing their Arnica Massage Oil.

My husband and I are not big on swapping massages. It's just not something we do really, but I got a chance to test this oil out on myself after a hard week of running. My legs were killing me! I couldn't walk or sit without feeling like they would collapse at any moment! So after my shower I popped the cap on the bottle, drizzled some of the oil over my aching thigh and got to work.

The smell of arnica has a medicinal quality to it but is also quite pleasant and soothing. It even opened up my sinuses a bit as I massaged my leg- an unexpected plus! This oil, like all of Weleda's products is not greasy! I expected it to be- it's massage oil right? But this stuff soaks into your skin, leaving the surface moist by not oily.

The arnica warmed the muscles as I massaged and helped them loosen and relax. The oil also contains rosemary and lavender which help the mind to relax and unwind. By the time I finished massaging both legs my muscles felt better, my senses calmed and my skin was left feeling nourished and supple.

If you are looking for a spa quality massage oil that is 100% pure and natural, I recommend giving this one a try. You can pick it up at Target for about $20.00 or you can order it for only $13.99 through Amazon.com.

*Pictures courtesy of Weleda.com

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash Review and Deal Alert

If you could use some early morning revitalization of the senses, reach for a tube of Weleda's Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash. This all natural wash comes out of the tube feeling like lotion and smells like paradise. Sea Buckthorn is a powerful antioxidant packed with vitamin A and E to smooth and nourish your skin.

After getting a whif of this stuff in the store, I couldn't wait to try it out. I have a hard time waking up in the mornings. Sometimes even a shower fails to do the trick. But one squirt of this cream onto my shower puff was like being woken up by sun warming my face.

I would recommend not applying this cream to a washcloth. The washcloth will absorb a lot of it and you won't get it to foam up at all. Use a sponge or shower puff to get it to suds up a bit and be prepared to fall in love. Not only will you come out of the shower feeling clean, refreshed and awake but your skin will be left feeling supple and soft- not dry and tight like with other soaps and washes.

The Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash is another home run by Weleda. I highly recommend it as a perfect way to pamper yourself or someone else. You can pick it up at Target for around $16.00 a tube, or you can order it online at Amazon for a steal at only $10!

Birch Cellulite Oil Review and Deal Alert

When I saw Weleda's Birch Cellulite Oil in the store my mind instantly flashed to those ads in the back of beauty magazines. "Magical pill dissolves cellulite instantly." "Scrub away cellulite with Super Soap!" I always try to keep an open mind when trying a new product but I confess, I was already planning my critical review when I opened the box at home.

The seal on the cap popped as I twisted it off and I could immediately smell the birch and something citrussy. It was nice! My attitude changed as I filled my palm with a puddle of the oil. At the very least I would smell nice.

I massaged the oil into my upper thighs in circular motions as directed by the product literature. It was not as greasy as I expected and like the Skin Food, it soaked right into my skin.

The Results:
I repeated this process every morning and evening. I am not going to post before and after pictures because, trust me, nobody deserves to see that. But I can tell you that after only a few days I noticed a difference. Did it "melt away" my cellulite? No. But it is doing exactly what Weleda said it would. My skin is firmer and has a smoother appearance making my "wobbly bits" look a little tighter. I have only been using it for 11 days and will definitely continue to use it. I am also going to try it out on areas where my skin is a little "loose" like the under side of my arms and and what I call my "chicken wings." I don't have cellulite there, but I think this oil could make a difference.

I'm really excited about this product!

It is not a miracle worker. It is not going to make a fat
butt look skinny. But it will improve the texture and
appearance of your skin.

I've started running again to get back into shape. I look forward to seeing what this oil, a better diet, and running can do with my problem areas in a few months! I'll let you know. In the meantime, my experience so far is enough to earn my thumbs up. I recommend it if you have cellulite or loose skin that could use some firming up. And of course, like all Weleda products, this oil is ALL NATURAL.

You should be able to find this oil at your local Target for about $25.00. A bit pricey but I think the results are worth it, and it should last a while.

Online Deals:
If you don't mind waiting for it for a few days, you won't get a better price than this one at Amazon. This is a 58% savings!! I think I'm going to stock up. :)





All pictures courtesy of Weleda.com

Weleda Skin Food Review & Deals

I always have issues with dry skin, but going into winter it gets even worse. Blown heat, heavy clothes and dry, cold air will escalate my skin problems from bad to worse. Areas that are dry and rough in the summer run the risk of cracking in the winter. Regular lotions don't do a thing for me. Oils and body butters help, but they tend to be greasy. Once my skin has made the transition from merely dry to rough or cracking, there are few products that can bring it back. Those that can contain synthetic ingredients that I don't relish putting on my body.

Last week I tried Weleda's Skin Food.

This ultra nourishing body cream is packed with powerful natural ingredients
like organic sunflower oil, an excellent source of vitamin E, and organic pansy
which contains antiseptic properties that will soothe cracked or irritated skin.

Perfect. I decided to try this super cream out on my biggest problem area- my heels.

Over the summer I had been maintaining my feet with regular exfoliation (using foot scrubs and my precious ped-egg) and moisturizing nightly with that yummy coconut body butter I told y'all about in May. Unfortunately, I fell down on the job and by late August my heels were so brittle that they were cracking and even bleeding a little on one foot! This made me worry about infection and so I stopped using any scrub or the ped-egg. They had never gotten so bad! Even the coconut butter wasn't helping at this stage. By late September they had healed but still very dry and rough- perfect candidates for my Skin Food trial.

When I applied this cream to my skin I immediately understood the name.

This "Skin Food" was like manna from heaven to my starving skin.

My skin soaked it up greedily and though still on the road to recovery, my heels instantly felt better. They weren't sore when I walked and they no longer felt like the skin would crack at the slightest pull. The cream is not oily so there was no greasy film left to collect dog hairs from my carpet when I walked. (This is a huge pet peeve of mine!) I got excited then and began applying to all my dry patches. My elbows and knees looked so much better without that ashy white and whithered look! They looked young and healthy.

I have continued to use the cream every day for the last week or so. I love it. It is a full body cream and can be used everywhere, but I am being selfish with it and saving it only for my most desperate areas. My feet are thanking me. They aren't perfect yet but they are so much better! They don't snag my socks anymore when I'm getting dressed in the morning which makes me much happier than it should.

I look forward to putting on the cream when I step out of the shower. The subtle citrus smell brightens my mood in the mornings and stays with me all day. I take the trial size with me in my purse and use it as a hand lotion throughout the day. It always makes me feel fresh and clean when I put it on and soothes my cracked cuticles and finger tips.

The packaging is earth friendly and recyclable. The aluminum tube keeps the cream cool and fresh and also makes it easier to squeeze out every last dollop! Weleda Skin Food is 100% natural, 100% effective and 100% addictive. I highly recommend it.

You can find Skin Food at Target for around $17.00 for a 2.5 oz. tube. If you don't mind waiting a few days, you can snag a tube from Amazon.com for only $10.45! (Click here) Weleda also offers great printable coupons to members of their website. Sign up for free here.

Here's another good deal on Amazon if you want to start out with a smaller tube.

All photos courtesy of Weleda.com

Sun Crystals Review and Deal Alert

Anyone who begins a diet will quickly learn that sugar is a no-no. High sugar diets bring extra pounds and dreaded cellulite. This is a problem for me. Hi, my name is Beth... and I'm a sugarholic. I love sugar and sweet things. Sweet tea (true Southern sweet tea), chocolate, candy and sugary baked goods. I woke up this morning thinking about the jumbo bag of candy corn stashed in the cabinet above the refrigerator behind the flower vases. I had to have them. Just one. At least one to start my day off right. Then I would go running. And 7 1/2 candy corns later, I set out for my run smiling to myself.

I've learned to tame my cravings for the most part by completely cutting sugar out where it's not missed. Hot tea was a tough sell but I eventually began to prefer it without sugar. That's a good thing because I drink about four cups a day. Cold sweet tea I began to split and mix with regular tea- a tip I learned from my mom in the Chick-fil-A drive through line. (Thanks mom.)

Many choose to use artificial sweeteners as a way to have their cake and eat it too- guilt free.

Unfortunately, the negative effects of many of these sweeteners are just as
scary as the added cellulite you may achieve with sugar.

With the scariest risk being cancer, there are a slew of other more common side effects to worry about such as severe headaches, skin rashes, breathing difficulties and diarrhea.

So put down the aspartame and saccharin and reach for a new, ALL NATURAL alternative.

Sun Crystals is a new all natural sweetener that mixes pure cane sugar with stevia, a naturally sweet plant native to South America that has been used around the world for centuries, to create a delicious sweetener at only 5 calories per packet! To give it a try, I decided to indulge in my first sweetened cup of hot tea in over four years. The packets are small and I was doubtful that just one would bring much flavor, but I sprinkled the contents into my cup and stirred. The crystals are white and look just like regular table sugar. Turns out, it tastes like it too! I actually thought my tea was too sweet! Half the pack would have done the job.

I look forward to trying it in my lattes and over some strawberries, and at only 5 calories a pop and NO health risks, I can afford to. I highly recommend this product.

For those "try it before you buy it" readers, Sun Crystals will send you a free sample if you sign up at their website. Also, there was a $2 coupon in the recent Red Plum, which would leave a box costing only around $1.75. For those Texan readers, HEB has Sun Crystals on sale for only $1.99 until October 16th. Use your $2 coupon and you'll get it for free with a $.01 overage! If you missed the Red Plum coupon, there are printable coupons available here.

Enjoy!

J.R. Watkins Natural Liquid Dish Soap Review

I hate doing the dishes. I know that does not make me unique. The monotony of unloading, scraping, rinsing, loading... it can be excruciating. However, sometimes I enjoy hand washing dishes. If I'm feeling overwhelmed or stressed (and don't want to empty the clean dishes from the washer) I'll pile the dirty dishes into the sink, turn on the tap, squirt in some soap and get lost in old fashioned bubble bliss. I stare out my window and get lost in my thoughts while I scrub a bristled brush over the plates and pots. To me the act is cathartic. And there is something so satisfying in seeing the finished product, tidy rows of clean dishes gleaming up from the dish rack on top of a newly scrubbed counter. I've gone from a stressed out, wired mess (think Joan Rivers meets Cruella de Vil) to Holly Homemaker- and yes, I even wear an apron.

I just tried a new dish soap that makes hand washing even more enjoyable. I've been a fan of J.R. Watkins natural body lotion (the lemon cream is delectable) for a couple of years now, so when I saw their line of Natural Home Care at Target I instantly grabbed the dish soap. For less than $6.00 I took home a 24 FL. OZ. bottle in the Aloe & Green Tea scent. I couldn't wait for a moment alone to slip into my apron and rubber gloves.

The cute, vintage apothecary packaging is a tribute to this company's extensive history. Started in 1868, J.R. Watkins offered natural products from the start. In 1888 they moved their operation to Minnesota where they still remain today as one of the state's largest employers.

I couldn't wait to smell the soap. All of J.R. Watkins body products always smell heavenly. I expected their home products to be no different and I was not disappointed. The Aloe & Green Tea is a subtle, natural and clean scent with a hint of sweetness. The aroma filled the air as the bubbles in my sink mounted. First up was a greasy pan I had fried some fish in. Messy and stinky- the perfect test for my new soap. The soap cut through the grease brilliantly and after a few scrubs the caked on fish and grease were released and rinsed away. The pan smelled fresh- not at all fishy! The soap also cleaned the red wine from my glasses without leaving behind a residue, and freed a spoon from a glob of half-dried peanut butter. The soap passed every test I threw it's way. However, when I turned to the sponge I was a bit disappointed. After squeezing soap directly onto my sponge, I found it very hard to completely rinse it off. The sponge retained the soap after many rinses, which was frustrating when it came time to wipe down my counter tops. It did eventually wash off, and now I know to just dip the sponge into the soapy water next time instead of applying the soap directly.

The ingredients are almost all natural (about 97%) and plant-based. There is no animal testing or animal ingredients. The soap is also free of Ammonia, Benzene, Boron, Butyl Cellosolve, Chlorine, Dye, Ether, Formaldehyde, Isopropanol, Kerosene, Mineral Spirits, Toxins, Perfumes, Petrochemicals, Phosphates, Phosphoric Acid, Propylene, SLS, and Sulfuric Acid! You would be amazed how many of those chemicals are found in many of the most popular dish soaps on your grocery store shelves!

With a solid, reputable history, effective natural ingredients, and recyclable packaging, I give this soap an A. If you choose to give it a try you won't be disappointed.

Method Smarty Dish Review

I have been on the hunt for a safe, non-toxic dishwashing detergent for some time now. I've tried several, including Seventh Generation and Planet, but none have been up to the task. Seventh Generation never seemed to get tea or coffee rings or sauces off and I found that all left a strange glossy coating over everything, making it very difficult to hand wash the baked on food that still remained at the end of the cycle. I've tried powder and liquid, receiving the same results every time.

Recently, I finally hit on a winner. Method Smarty Dish is a natural cleaner made possible by some of the best natural chemistry around. One of the ingredients even won a Presidential Green Chemistry Award! It's non-toxic, biodegradable, and super powerful. The smart chemical free formula is DfE-recognized, which means that the EPA has examined it and determined it to be environmentally superior. (Over 50 Method products have received this coveted recognition- far more than any other cleaning products company!)

This all sounded very promising when I first read it, so I popped one of the tablets into my dishwasher and crossed my fingers. An hour later I reached into my machine for a fresh coffee cup and came out with a sparkling mug- gleaming on the inside and out. No baked on coffee rings! No food particles from the dishes below stuck to the inside! No filmy residue! Perfectly, beautifully clean! I proceeded to go through every dish, growing more excited by the second. Each was equally clean and sparkling. It wasn't just luck or chance. Method continued to produce fantastic results with each wash.

I have gone through an entire box (20 tablets) of Method Smarty Dish and recently purchased a new bag. In those 20 washes I have only had 3 disappointments. On those three occasions for no apparent reason, the tablet would get stuck in the dispenser and never fall into the wash. So naturally, the dishes did not get cleaned. This may be something that happens when the tablets have been on the shelf a while. I purchased this first box from Target on clearance, so it had probably been there for some time.

Here is a complete run down of my experience with Smarty Dish:

What I Love:

• Natural, non-toxic which means safer for my child! (Did you know that chemical based dishwashing detergents will immediately burn and seriously damage the esophagus if ingested? They also contain dioxins, which are known to cause cancer!)


• Phosphate free


• Chlorine/bleach free


• Biodegradable, making it eco-friendly. When this goes down the drain and into our waterways, the fish won't even notice!


• Packaging made from 25% recycled materials


• Effectively cleans and breaks down caked on food and beverages


• Rarely leaves spots on my glasses


• Does not etch on my fine glasses and crystal


• At a typical retail price of $6.99, it is competitive with other tablet detergents

What I Don't Love:

• Sometimes the tablets stick to the inside of the dispenser, and either never fall out or drop into the washer late in the cycle, meaning that the dishes don't get cleaned properly


• Sometimes leaves a cloudy residue on plastic cups and bottles


• Occasionally (though rarely) leaves spots on my glasses if allowed to pool at all during cycle


• My sister says that she can sometimes taste a little "saltiness" on my glasses when she drinks out of them. This formula contains mineral cleaning salts, so I am assuming that is what she is tasting. Maybe a slight residue is sometimes left behind? I have never noticed it nor has anyone else. She must have a very refined pallet. :)

Overall I give Method Smarty Dish an A. I am happy to have found a natural detergent that is this effective.

You can purchase Method products from Target or from Method's website.

Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner Review

Have you ever read the label on your toilet bowl cleaner? The warnings, disclaimers and special storage and use instructions are shocking! "Do not breath in fumes"? "Wear protective eye / face protection"? "Causes chemical burns"? "Contains hydrochloric acid"!?!

Is it really necessary to bring hydrochloric acid into our homes, around our children? And let's not forget those special family members that regularly drink out of the toilet. Not you're weird nephew (yes, we all have those) but your dogs and cats! How much of these chemicals is left behind in the toilet for them to ingest?

I don't like having these toxic liquids anywhere near my family, but toilets are so hard to keep clean and I have never found a natural, safe product that was effective. Well, now I can gladly throw out the Lysol (making sure to follow the special disposal instructions of course). I have finally found a suitable replacement.

I was recently sent Seventh Generation's Toilet Bowl Cleaner to try. I thought my toilets were fairly clean. I give them a regular rub down inside and out, and had thoroughly scrubbed out the insides before moving in this past January. So I was amazed to see what looked like black paint chips sloughing off with every scrub of the toilet brush. Only five minutes after applying it under the inner rim of the bowl, the Seventh Generation cleaner had freed layers of caked on hard water build up- all without the corrosive powers of hydrochloric acid!












As I breathed in the fresh scent of Emerald Cypress and Fir, I thought about the warnings on the back of my Lysol bottles. They tell you not to breath in the fumes, yet fill them with perfumes to smell appealing. It was reassuring to know that I could breath while cleaning my toilet and not be putting myself at risk. Seventh Generation's ingredients are all natural, and non-toxic so they do not put off hazardous fumes. And guess what. The closest thing I could find to special disposal instructions on the label was a request to recycle the container.


What I love about this cleaner:

• The peace of mind that comes with its all natural, non-toxic ingredients


• The effectiveness. It works better than most mainstream chemical cleaners on the market.


• No special instructions for disposal. It's 100% biodegradable which means it will not harm our eco-system.


• Not tested on animals.


• Smells great.

Other interesting features:

• It's kosher-certified


• Safe for septic and greywater systems

What I don't love about this cleaner:

• So far- nothing. I can't even really complain about the price- which is quite reasonable, especially when I use one of the many coupons made available to me and other members of the Seventh Generation Nation through their website.

Buying Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner:

You can find Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner at most Kroger, Randalls, Whole Foods and Target stores, among many other retailers. You can also purchase it directly from Seventh Generation through their website.

Over all I give this cleaner an A+. I highly recommend it.

Aveda Product Review and Giveaway

This Giveaway has closed. Congratulation to our winner, Mineola and thank you to everyone for participating!

I have very tricky skin. It’s severely dry, yet breaks out with spots at the slightest provocation. I can’t ever seem to find a skin care line that gets it just right. Lately I’ve been complaining of thick “crocodile” skin, especially on my forehead where the wrinkles remind me of Magda from There’s Something About Mary. (I am only twenty eight so this was a very shocking realization.)

Many advised me to drink more water. With eight or more glasses a day my body was feeling a difference but my face was not showing it. I began taking vitamin and mineral supplements regularly. Again, the difference was felt but not seen. In the past I have relied on Yonka skincare products during such times of crisis. I have never been good about sticking with a skincare regimen, but when must needs I go to the nearest Yonka affiliated day spa and drop a small fortune.

This time, however, I refrained. Though they’re products are truly amazing and smell heavenly, Yonka skincare does contain chemicals that I am not comfortable with. I have committed to using natural products whenever possible. With so many natural skincare products on the market, I was compelled to end this ten year on and off affair and settle into a healthier relationship. (***Correction- Yonka actually is all natural. See my recent post correcting this horrific error!***)

Enter Aveda.

Many of us are familiar with Aveda’s salon hair care line. They use
natural ingredients and offer quality results that can be relied on.
However, I was surprised to learn that they also offer skincare and
cosmetics!

Two weeks ago I received their Enbrightenment skincare line to try. The 5-step Enbrightenment system (Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser, Brightening Treatment Toner, Brightening Correcting Serum, Brightening Correcting Lotion or Crème and bi-weekly Brightening Intensive Massage Mask) is “clinically proven to improve skin’s clarity by 52% and diminish the appearance of dark spots by 34%.”

I’m always dubious of brochure claims, but as I begin week three of my Enbrightenment regimen I am a true believer in the power of Aveda! My “crocodile” skin is gone and I am left with healthy, glowing skin that is wonderfully smooth and supple. My deep forehead wrinkles have also hit the road. I can say that with all honesty, that I can no longer find any significant wrinkles on my face when relaxed. My face is soft to the touch and youthful.

My skin has not looked this good since I was a senior in high school, and even
then I am not sure it ever looked this good!

I am so excited about my new face that I rarely wear makeup during the day. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not perfect. (I am only on week three after all.) But the tone is so even and healthy that I don't want to cover it up with makeup. Their clinical studies lasted eight weeks. I can’t wait to see how I look by July!






The regimen begins with the creamy Brightening Cleanser. A small pea sized squirt in the palm is all it takes to cleanse my entire face and décolletage. I pat my skin dry, soak a cotton ball in the Brightening Treatment Toner and swab my face, neck and chest. The Brightening Correcting Serum is next. After spreading a pea sized dollop over my face, neck and chest I can immediately feel it tightening my skin. It absorbs quickly, so I don’t have to wait long for it to dry before applying my Brightening Correcting Lotion (in the morning) or Crème (in the evening). Both the lotion and the cream go on smoothly and are not greasy.

My dry skin demands more hydration than most, so it is hard for me to find a
moisturizer that is sufficient yet doesn't make me break out. The
Enbrightenment moisturizers have perfected the balance.

Twice a week I get to use the Brightening Intensive Massage Mask after the cleanser. It is not thick and pasty like most masks, is easy to apply and wash off and does not pull uncomfortably at the skin as it dries. You simply smooth it on, leave it for 8 minutes while it soaks into your skin, then wash off what’s left on the surface. Then just continue with the system as normal.


What I love most about this skincare:

• It’s simple and takes no more than three minutes
  
• It’s all natural, allowing me to avoid harmful chemicals that can put my health and the environment at risk. I don’t have to worry if my two year old daughter wants to put some on her face too and I don’t have to keep it under lock and key next to the poison control emergency sticker.
  
• 100% cruelty free. Aveda does not test any of their products on animals.
  
• Packaging is not only made using post consumer products, but is also recyclable and simple to disassemble for recycling purposes.
  
• Aveda is the first beauty company to manufacture with 100% certified wind power!
  
• IT WORKS.
  

What I don’t love about this skincare:

• The smell. It doesn’t stink like some of their hair care has been know to do, but it is not pleasant either.
  

Overall I give these products and A+! My one fear is that they will sell out and be on back order when I need refills. I am seriously considering stock piling.

Buy Aveda:

If you would like to learn more about Aveda and their products, or purchase this amazing skincare line for yourself, visit them at http://www.aveda.com/.


Win Aveda:

The kind people at Aveda are giving one lucky winner their new Sun Care products to cleanse, restore and protect from the summer sun! ($72 value)

Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser
Sun Care After-Sun Hair Mask
Sun Care Protective Hair Veil

To enter, visit Aveda online and then leave a comment on this post telling me another product they offer that you would like to try.

For additional entries:

• Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.

Tell a friend about this giveaway. (Yes, Halifax, tweeting counts!)

Become a follower of my blog through Google.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Each comment counts as one entry. Please do not leave one comment telling me about all the things you did. In order to be counted, I need a separate comment for each entry. Please remember to leave your email address so I know how to contact you if you win!

This giveaway ends on June 30th at 11:59 PM CST. Open to US and Canadian residents only.

Good luck!

All Terrain Product Review

Earlier this month I shared with you my review of my new favorite natural bug repellent by All Terrain, Herbal Armor. (You can read my full review of that product here.) All Terrain specializes in natural remedies for the outdoor enthusiasts. As a company started by nature lovers for nature lovers, their passion for the environment is evident in every aspect of the company. Their products are made of all natural, carefully chosen ingredients that provide the best results without compromising quality or safety. No toxic or environmentally harsh chemicals are used and they never test on animals. Their products are all contained in recycled and recyclable or biodegradable materials.

I recently had the opportunity to try out three more of their products: Aqua Sport SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen, Lip Armor Lip Balm SPF 25, and Aloe Gel Skin Relief.

What better testing ground for a sunscreen than a Texas beach on Memorial Day Weekend?

I covered myself, my husband and my daughter in AquaSport before heading out into the sun for a fun filled day on Surfside Beach.

From noon to 4:00 pm we played in the sand, splashed in the water and laid in the sun. We reapplied our AuquaSport once at around 2:00pm and the lip balm after eating. I was particularly worried that SPF 30 would not be enough for Olivia. After all- the major brands of children's sunscreen are now going up to 55 SPF! But once again All Terrain surprised me. The results were wonderful! When we piled into the car for the trip home none of us had even a hint of a sunburn!

It's a relief to find a sunscreen that is not only free of PABA and Parabens, but is also gentle on the eco-system (fully biodegradable), has no animal derived ingredients, is water proof, protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and is not greasy! It's safe and effective for children too. It doesn't sting eyes and it has a pleasant smell.

I love how easy it is to apply. It absorbs into the skin easily for durable
protection, unlike some that leave a white residue on the surface.

The lip balm was equally effective in soothing my lips and protecting them from the salty sea air and sun. Last year I tried Burt's Bees sunblock lip balm. It was effective but it went on white and stayed that way- not very attractive. All Terrain's goes on smoothly, coating the lips in a clear protective barrier.

The Aloe Gel is fantastic too! Even though I did not have a sunburn, my skin was a little brittle from the heat and the salt. I rubbed on the Aloe Gel and was surprised to see how fast my skin soaked it up. It was not greasy or slimy and gave my skin the refreshment it needed. It is also good for dry, cracked and chapped skin. My knees are always chapped from crawling around after my daughter. I've been using Aloe Gel to soothe and rehydrate them. It can also be used protecting minor cuts, scrapes and burns.

I have no complaints about these products. I love them! They are safe, effective and competitively priced. I am going through the Aloe Gel pretty fast, but at $7.99 for 5 oz. I can stock up for summer without breaking the bank. I can't wait to try the Aloe Gel Skin Repair!

You can purchase All Terrain products at Whole Foods and Target or directly from All Terrain's website.

Here are some great deals I found on line:

All-Terrain Aqua Sport Performance Sunblock, Very Water/Sweat Resistant SPF 30+, 3-Ounces (Pack of 2)$14.11

Saves you 29%

All Terrain - Lip Armor - Protection & Healing Balm SPF 25 $1.82

You save 54%!

Win All Terrain!


For those who have not already entered the All Terrain giveaway, do it now ! All Terrain is generously giving one lucky reader a product of their choice! If you have already entered to win, mention this review in a comment on the giveaway post for an additional entry!