Stay Gorgeous and Healthy!

Have you ever glimpsed at the label of that fragrant silky gel you're splashing over your hands and body, or that bar of soap that promises to keep you smelling great all day long? Do you really know what's in those products you're slathering all over your body? Do you know if those ingredients are safe? Bath products could be putting you at risk for less-than-optimal skin and eye health, immune and endocrine function, and possibly even cancer, we all need to pay a little more attention to your products' ingredients.

Applying a substance to your skin isn't much different from eating it? In fact, it may be even worse. When you consider that products such as shower gels and soaps may be used daily, you can imagine the chemical residue that may build up over the years. Certain chemical ingredients can potentially cause problems for your skin when applied as a liquid or bar soap and are best avoided.

The 7 ingredients topping the "To Avoid" list include…

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES)

 A surfactant, detergent and emulsifier used in thousands of cosmetic products, as well as in industrial cleaners. Present in nearly all shampoos, toothpastes, body washes and cleansers, liquid hand soaps, laundry detergents and bath oils and bath salts. Although SLS originates from coconuts, the manufacturing process results in SLES/SLS being contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a carcinogenic byproduct. SLS is the sodium salt of lauryl sulfate, and is rated by the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database as a "moderate hazard."

Combined with other chemicals, SLS becomes a "nitrosamine", a potent class of carcinogen. Research studies have linked SLS to skin and eye irritation, organ toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, cellular changes, possible mutations and cancer.

Dioxane

Common in a wide range of products as part of PEG, Polysorbates, Laureth, and ethoxylated alcohols. These compounds are usually contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane which is easily absorbed through your skin. This " substance has received a "high hazard" rating from EWG's Skin Deep and is especially toxic to the brain, central nervous system, kidneys and liver. A synthetic derivative of coconut, watch for misleading language on labels, stating "comes from coconut".

Avoid any product with indications of ethoxylation, which include: "myreth," "oleth," "laureth," "ceteareth," any other "eth," "PEG," "polyethylene," "polyethylene glycol," "polyoxyethylene," or "oxynol," in ingredient names.

Parabens

Widely used as preservatives in an estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products, parabens have been connected with breast cancer in studies. Especially only ever use paraben free sunblock

They have hormone-disrupting qualities mimicking estrogen, and can interfere with your body's endocrine system. Studies have shown that parabens can affect your body much like estrogens, which can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra fat storage, and male breast growth. The EPA has linked methyl parabens in particular to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers.

Propylene glycol

A common ingredient in personal care products, it's been shown to cause dermatitis, kidney or liver abnormalities, and may inhibit skin cell growth or cause skin irritation. Also found in engine coolants, antifreeze, rubber cleaners, adhesives, and paints and varnishes.WOW!

Diethanolamine or DEA

DEA readily reacts with nitrite preservatives and contaminants to create nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), a known and potent carcinogen. DEA also appears to block absorption of the nutrient choline, vital to brain development.

Triclosan

The antibacterial agent added to many liquid hand soaps to help kill germs. Triclosan is suspected of contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.Here's something else you may not know about that innocent-looking bottle of liquid hand soap sitting next to your sink. When triclosan mixes with the chlorine in your tap water, chloroform is formed, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified as a probable human carcinogen. Trihalomethanes (THMs) are Cancer Group B carcinogens, meaning they've been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Disinfection by-products (DPBs) have also been linked to reproductive problems in both animals and humans.

So, let me ask you… do you really want to put chemicals on your skin and into your body?  In my opinion, you're better off switching to skin care products made of natural plant names you recognize, can pronounce, and could even eat (if you had to).

The safest way to ensure that you're not being exposed to potentially hazardous substances is to make your own personal care products, using inexpensive all-natural ingredients that you may already have in your home.


Finding recipes for your own homemade bath and hand washing products on the internet isn't difficult. There are several great sites with free recipes. I also make all my own cleaning products with recipes found in the Gorgeously Green Book. It takes minutes to make these products and is much less expensive than buying high priced chemicals to smear around your home.


Now, before you throw out all your products, check out how they rate for safety. You can do this on a free site I have listed here. The site is called Good Guide.

Dana

The Good Things in Life!

Now that I am a little older, a lot wiser and considerably more financially sound than I was in my 20's and 30's I not only just love the good things in life I indulge myself in the good things in life. I prefer quality over quantity these days.I would rather have one really high quality item than several cheap, poorly made, low quality items. If I purchase a pair of shoes I want a quality pair of shoes that are going to do my feet more good than harm and I am willing to fork over the dough for quality. Yellow Box Shoes are a perfect example of high end shoes. Another example of great shoes and my most recent splurge is Volatile shoes. Love these and it's a family owned company.

A few other things I will fork the dough over for are a great quality meal in a high end restaurant, like It's All Greek To Me as well as quality food for everyday health, like buying organic, buying whole foods and shopping in the heath food aisles (where, yes things cost more) rather than choosing cheap foods that are junk. Shopping for food at places like Planet Organic rather then places like Walmart. It is true that you are what you and eat and garbage in is, well you know the result.

There is one thing that I think is a really good thing in life! However,I won't pay even Walmart or Costco prices for them even though they are usually cheaper and that is books. Books are definitely a very good thing in life, but I enjoy mine at rock bottom prices and because there is no difference in the quality (a book is a book) I pick up my books at Value Village.

Of course not all good things in life cost money, but choose quality over quantity for those things as well.

Simple things that make my heart Sing!

Positive Vibration When our frequency is low, our perception is dulled – we view things through a foggy lens. We have all been those low frequency people and we have all met low frequency people who drain us of all our energy. When we are higher in frequency, our perception is heightened and we see things more clearly the higher we go. Remaining aware of my frequency helps me increase my energy and positivity. – move out of struggle, turmoil & pain. Higher vibrational frequency not only makes us wiser & more powerful, it also puts us in a state of ease, peace and harmony. The key to reclaiming our wisdom, creativity and empowerment is thus, to allow more positivity to flow.

I believe that anything that taps into my heart  raises my vibration and by applying some of these principles I have been able to create a greater life force flow within my environment. Just intend to raise your vibration and simply set the intention to become happier, more free and more in alignment. Your intention is one of the most powerful tools you have. When we acknowledge our intention to shift back into alignment as soon as we recognize that you are misaligned it changes our entire life. This simple attitude is life changing:-)

Along these lines, I practice Feng Shui in my home. Certain energy enhancers can be added to living areas. These include for example candles, crystals, water features, colors, chimes, music, plants, flowers, mirrors, and books.

Bob Marley coffee I am a professed coffee lover. I have tried several times to give it up..no go. I never miss the sugar or chocolate but I cannot part ways with coffee. I love this organic ethically farmed and free trade coffee. I believe it is the best coffee I have tasted.  Marley Coffee strives to support communities and the environment through organic, sustainable and ethical practices.

         Lemon Water with Truvia

I am a former diet coke drinker. This year I gave up the toxic drink for a healthier option. Unlike my sister, I do not like water. I created a recipe for a lemon drink that I sip all day. I add a packet of truvia an all natural sweetner made from stevia and fresh squeezed lemon into a covered cup with a straw..presto.!

          Silverhills bread

I am a bread girl.I love a good piece of whole grain bread, however, I try not to eat flour or gluten. Steady Eddie and The Big 16 bread make my heart sing. This organic wheat free sprouted bread by Silver Hills is amazing.  It also means no GMOs, and nothing extra added. Check out store locations for this healthy and delicious bread. Silverhills has just created wheat free Chia bread. Can't wait to try itJ

What's on your Happy List?

I like to live life under the laws of attraction concept in that whatever I put out into the world is what I will get back and based on that theory I want only to put out positive happy things into the world in order to receive just that, therefore I like to relish in all things that make me happy and depending on the day it may vary a little. Most recently the things that make me happy are some old discoveries as well as some new ones such as:
  
QUINOA The everyday super food that is so versatile that you can have it for breakfast, dinner, supper and dessert. Quinoa 365 is just the book to educate you on this super food and provide you with 100's of recipes to incorporate it into your life. Click on Quiona to visit the website.

ORIGINS A Perfect World^™ SPF 25. Love this age defense moisturizer with White tea. I love the fact that your sunscreen is built right in and the nice light scent of this moisturizer is so pleasant and feels so light on your face.  Now factor in the fact that all Origins products are formulated with natural, fortified organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils and this product is a win win.

SHAKEOLOGY This shake boasts 70 healthy ingredients in one glass and several ingredients are named super foods. The whole-food ingredients deliver the essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals your body needs to curb cravings, allowing your body to shed stored fat while the more than 20 different antioxidants and phytonutrients help reduce free radical damage that can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and stroke.  I will let you know if the claims are true once I try my 30 days supply. For now I love the idea that one drink could deliver all of this.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS This show just makes me happy. The writing is witty, amusing and intelligent. The topics are ones that such a wide audience can relate to and you have to love something that can provoke so many different emotions in you. I love Sally Field and I love everything that this show exposes about family dynamics.  This makes you want to be a Walker, drama and all. Sadly it will not be retuning for a 6th season and that makes me sad, but this is a happy list so ignore the fact that I mentioned the word sad.

WATER I love water, not to mention we can not survive without it, regardless I love it. I would rather drink water than any other beverage on a regular basis and when I am not near my tap my favourite water to drink is by far FIJI water. I know that there are those of you that will say that there will be no difference from any other bottled water. I challenge you to take the challenge and try a  bottled water like pure life and then try FIJI, you will notice a huge difference. FIJI is on twitter and FIJI is a driving force of economic development and social welfare in the FIJI Islands.