Tuesday, July 20, 2010

NATURAL POISON IVY RELIEF


The first thing you should do after exposure or possible exposure to poison ivy is to clean the affected areas with cold water or rubbing alcohol right after exposure can help control any reaction. You should also wash any contaminated items or clothing with soap or detergent, and bathe your pets to get the oil out of their fur.




Natural solutions for treating poison ivy rash include:
1) Witch Hazel - Apply to all exposed sites topically to reduce itching and swelling
2) Oatmeal - Add colloidal oatmeal to a cool or lukewarm bath can calm and soothe your skin.
3) Aloe Vera - has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. Apply to exposed site to help heal irritated skin.
4) Menthol-Based Creams - Use an organic compound sourced from peppermint and other mint plants. Menthol has a cooling effect on skin.

See a doctor immediately if you experience severe poison-ivy symptoms (such as a fever higher than 100 F, difficulty breathing, yellow fluid oozing from blisters, or irritation in sensitive areas like eyes and mouth).

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

QUOTABLE QUOTE


So many things have made living and learning easier. But the real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful, to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

What's In Your Tub?


Do you know what chemicals you are putting in your tub? What is in your bath & body products and what are they doing to your health? I came across a very informative article I wanted to share with you "No More Toxic Tub" on Fran Drescher's website Cancer Schmansher. Check out the article and her website.

Vinegar - The Natural Home's Friend!


When I first started looking for natural alternatives for cleaning my house I found this article on using plain white distilled vinegar for all sorts of things. It was amazing so I had to share it!

My favorite uses are:


- cleaning the floors, toilets, bathtubs, etc

- adding it to white clothes to brighten and soften clothes (handy with boys at home)
- pouring down the garbage disposal to kill odors

Check out all the uses for your vinegar, I think you'll be amazed. Share your favorites and let us know if you use it for something not listed.


Melinda shared that she uses apple cider vinegar for congestion and to keep mosquitoes away.


So here's to the lowly white distilled vinegar and it's many uses around the house!


Enjoy
http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/go/index.php/357/uses-for-vinegar/

Let me know what you use vinegar for.
Wishing you wellness,

Regina

Phthalates


My son suddenly discovered body spray last year. When I read the label and saw phthalates I decided to find out what they were. What follows is some of the information I found.

Twenty years of research has suggested that phthalates disrupt the hormone system. Developmental and reproductive issues have been associated to some phthalates. Other research suggests the same mechanism may contribute to the growth of breast tumor cells.


Phthalates are used in a variety of common products from toys to air fresheners to skin care and cosmetics. Unfortunately most labels do not list phthalates as an ingredient because of a loophole that allows phthalates to be included in “fragrance” without being listed. Because fragrance is added to nearly every product consumers are being exposed to phthalates daily and often without even knowing it.


The easiest way to reduce your exposure to phthalates is to choose natural skin care and cosmetics that do not allow phthalates in their products. If you love fragrance choose products with essential oil blends or phthalate-free fragrances.
SafeCosmetics.org is a great resource for information and offers a list of companies who have signed their Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Be sure to look up Beaute Purpose you are there.

Wishing you health and wellness,


Regina

Empowering Wellness Presentation

I have been asked to speak to many groups about the toxins commonly found in our personal care products.  In order to empower more people for wellness I share my presentation handout information with you. Do your own research, educate yourself, so you are empowered to make choices for wellness.


Our TOXIC WORLD

Parabens (alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates) - The EPA states that all parabens, methyl, propyl, butyl, have been proven to interfere with the function of the endocrine system. The Center for Children’s Health and the Environment at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York says endocrine disruptors have been suspected of contributing to reproductive and developmental disorders, learning problems and immune system dysfunction in children. (Source: Environmental Working Group)

Phthalates - Commonly used in mascara, fingernail polish, and fragrances. Evidence indicates that phthalates can harm the developing fetuses and children. According to the Breast Cancer Fund, hundreds of animal studies have shown that phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system, primarily in male offspring. Phthalates affect the hormone system. (Source: Environmental Working Group)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - SLS is not a carcinogen however, it is a skin irritant. When SLS is being produced 1, 4 Dioxane (seriously toxic and linked to cancer , reproductive toxicity and organ system toxicity) can creep in just from the manufacturing process. Wikipedia stated is as being “an accidental byproduct of the ethoxylation process in cosmetics manufacturing.” (Source: Environmental Working Group)

Oxybenzone - widely used sunscreen ingredient, has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. Another study revealed a link to low birthweight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Oxybenzone is also a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals penetrate the skin.

PAHs - (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are common contaminants in petrolatum, also called petroleum jelly. Petrolatum is found in one of every 14 products on the market including lipstick, baby lotions and baby oils. PAHs have been linked to breast cancer and banned by the September 2004 European Union Directive.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) www.ewg.org

WELLNESS PLAN

Simple steps to removing the toxic overload on your system. Wellness involves Mind, Body, and Spirit. To achieve Whole Wellness be certain to balance healing in all aspects of your being.

1. Become a Label Reader! As you learn what to avoid, watch for them in your products.

2. Use Caution! Be picky about the companies you choose to deal with. www.SafeCosmetics.org lists companies who have pledged to offer safe products for your families health.

3. Choose Organic! EWG (website above) offers a “Dirty Dozen” list of the food you need to be eating organic. Remember, if it’s not organic it can be genetically modified and they don’t have to tell you. See the movie Food, Inc. http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-film.php

4. Slow and Steady Wins the Race! Don’t try to change everything at once! Choose the things that concern you most (e.g. organic food) and start there. Making little modifications consistently is much better than being overwhelmed and making no changes at all.

5. Join sites and email lists that encourage and provide helpful information. There are many out there, find one that resonates with you.

6. Balance Your Life! - It’s your life, choose to balance the time you have.

7. Be Proactive! It’s your life - choose how you want to live it!

Wishing you Health & Wellness!

Regina Collins, Founder of Beaute Purpose ~ Natural, Organic, Gluten Free Skin Care


I would be honored to speak for your group. Simply contact me at regina@beautepurpose.com to schedule.

The Disappearing Male

"The Disappearing Male is about one of the most important, and least publicized, issues facing the human species: the toxic threat to the male reproductive system." From the Information Liberation. A film about the ingredients commonly found in our personal care products and their role in the disappearing male.

The Disappearing Male

Wishing you Wellness,

Regina

From Natural News - (NaturalNews) One of the major issues being tackled by consumer watchdog
groups this year is the presence of 1,4-dioxane, a synthetic
petrochemical carcinogen, in consumer products. Since hair care
products, cleaning formulas and laundry detergents are all susceptible
to containing this toxic chemical byproduct, which is not listed on
product labels, David Steinman from the Green Patriot Working Group
(GPWG) began a study in 2007 to see which consumer products are the
worst offenders. This year, his organization along with the Organic
Consumers Association (OCA), released the results of a portion of the
study conducted last year on laundry detergents. Read more

Here is their list -

Conventional brands:
1. Tide (P&G) – 55 parts per million (ppm)
2. Ivory Snow Gentle (P&G) – 31 ppm
3. Tide Free (P&G) – 29 ppm
4. Purex (Dial Corp.) – 25 ppm
5. Gain 2X Ultra (P&G) – 21 ppm
6. Cheer BrightClean Detergent (P&G) – 20 ppm
7. Era 2X Ultra (P&G) – 14 ppm
8. Arm & Hammer (Church & Dwight Co.) – 5.0 ppm
9. Wisk 2X Ultra (Sun Products Corp.) – 3.9 ppm
10. Woolite Complete Detergent (Reckitt Benckiser) – 1.3 ppm
11. All laundry detergent (Unilever) – 0.6 ppm
12. Dreft powdered detergent (P&G) – non-detectable (ND)
13. Sun Burst (Sun Products Corp.) – ND

"Natural" brands:
1. Planet Ultra Liquid laundry detergent – 6.1 ppm
2. Mrs. Meyers laundry detergent – 1.5 ppm
3. Clorox Green Works Natural laundry detergent – ND
4. Ecos laundry detergent (Earth Friendly Products) – ND
5. Life Tree Laundry Liquid – ND
6. Method Squeaky Green laundry detergent – ND
7. Seventh Generation Free & Clear laundry detergent – ND


For laundry soap from nature, check out Beaute Purpose Soap Nuts beautepurpose.com/natural-home/

Wishing you wellness,

Regina