HealthiaCynthia

Restocking the Bathroom Cabinet Without Parabens

Filed under: Health & Wellness, Facebook.com, Green for Life by healthiacynthia on February 20, 2008 4:34 pm

You have also heard about it lately (in the media, from friends): parabens is the newest dirty word in health and wellness awareness.  This is the word you don't want to see as an ingredient in any of your personal care or cleaning products.

It is first of all, good to have a definition of parabens: a group of petro-chemicals (from the petrol industry, like plastics, etc.) traditionally used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical industries– and even in food– as a preservative.   Some of the names it goes by are: methylparaben (E number E218), ethylparaben (E214), propylparaben (E216) and butylparaben. Less common parabens include isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts.  Look on your shampoo bottle or even your frozen soy 'Stripples' and see what you find as a paraben.  Kind of shocking, isn't it?

Studies have come out recently suggesting the long-term use of parabens may be connected to breast cancer and many skin problems.  The 'scientific community' is torn on this– some claiming that parabens only show small levels of toxicity and that some 'natural organic' products, such as grapefruit seed, are not shown to be effective in doing what they claim to do. 

Too, manufacturers who claim their products are "natural" and "organic" are not well regulated for these claims at this time.  While some products might contain organically-grown ingredients, they might ALSO contain parabens.  In the eyes of the supporters of organic and sustainable farming, the two just don't make for a happy marriage.  See the Oregon Tilth site to learn about what standards need to be maintained for the use of the label "organic" to be used ethically.

Now, if you are like me, you would probably just as happily want to use products that truly ARE made without parabens in them.  I spent a couple of days this week clearing out the paraben-containing cosmetics and other products from my main bathroom closet.  My husband was a little irritated when I attempted to shang-hai his deodorant, so I will have to make the switch with a non-toxic deodorant for him, tout de suite. 

Young Living personal care products all claim to be petrochemical-free but they also contain pure essential oils, which some people have sensitivities to, particularly during the period of changing from using toxic ingredients, like parabens, to non-paraben containing products.  If you have no sensitivities to pure essential oils (most are organically farmed and distilled using very stringent practices, some are distilled from selectively wild-crafted plants, such as frankincense and palo santo), then you will likely be fine with Young Living products.

Through a great group on the social network, Facebook, I have discovered several great cosmetic and cleaning products that are actually not just NOT toxic, but healthy for the skin, hair, and air that we breathe.  I might be out of the loop, because I don't watch TV, but the products that really caught my attention were Dr. Bronner's soaps.  I like to go somewhere 'to shop' where I can get a broad range of items and brandnames, and I particularly like this little company in the pristine wilds of Minnesota.  It's a one-stop-shopping spree for me– everything there from coconut flour (for those of us who are wheat gluten intolerant) to … well…. here are some examples:

Baby Mild:
Unscented: No Essential Oils have been added, which makes a mild, smooth soap for sensitive skin (but still be sure to keep it out of the eyes).
Ingredients: Water, Saponified Organic Coconut & Olive oils (w/ retained Glycerin), Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Citric Acid, Vitamin E

Baby Mild 16 oz.
$8.99
Baby Mild 32 oz.
$14.49

 No scent for those who are scent-sensitive! (or, if you are into Young Living oils, you can add your own particular scents– and come join the Facebook Group called).  Please note the ingredients– definitely parabens-free!

And here are a couple of really health-conscious bargains!

"Toothpaste, Natural Herbal, Supirvicky Ayurvedic 75 gm. tube,

40% Discount (Overstock Sale)"
"Toothpaste, Natural Herbal, Supirvicky Ayurvedic 75 gm. tube, 40% Discount (Overstock Sale)"
Code: TOSK01
Price:$2.25

Shipping Weight: 0.20 pounds
 
 
 
Regular Price: $3.75

Overstock Sale Price: $2.25 (save 40%), while supplies last.

This is Ayurveda Preparation approved by the Department of Ayruveda. It helps to control tooth decay,

discoloration and tarter. It keeps gums healthy and promotes fresh breath.

 and what the heck, for anyone who wants to make their own wonderful face creams (or fry their organic veggies), you can't beat Virgin Organic Coconut Oil!

Order Certified Organic Centrifuge Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil,
Extra Virgin, Certified Organic,
Centrifuge Extracted, 1 pint
Code: QF1010 - Price: $16.95
Coconut Oil,
Extra Virgin, Certified Organic,
Centrifuge Extracted, 1 quart
Code: QF1032 - $22.95
Coconut Oil,
Extra Virgin, Certified Organic,
Centrifuge Extracted, 1/2 gallon
Code: QF1096 - Price: $41.95
Coconut Oil,
Extra Virgin, Certified Organic,
Centrifuge Extracted, 1 gallon
Code: QF1128 - Price: $64.95
Coconut Oil,
Extra Virgin, Certified Organic,
Centrifuge Extracted, 5 gallons
Code: QF1640 - $225.00
Coconut Oil,
Extra Virgin, Certified Organic,
Centrifuge Extracted, sample, limit of 4
Code: S-QF1010 - Price: $3.00

BUY BY THE CASE AND SAVE!

Buy by the case qualifies for a 15% discount and free shipping in the 48 states of the Continental United States. For your free shipping to take effect you need to choose the UPS Ground Shipping selection while checking out.

 There ya go!  For those who are interested, you can join the Facebook group called Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils and the People Who Use Them and get in on some ways to blend Dr. Bonner's magic soaps and to make other paraben-free cosmetics and health aids!

 


Here’s to Mental Health!

Filed under: Facebook.com, Mental Health, Emotional Wellbeing, Re-connection by healthiacynthia on July 23, 2007 12:06 pm


I'm sitting here at the computer with a little smile on my face.  Smile (well something like that).  I have recently joined up with the Internet's answer to the flesh-pressing schmoozy Networking clubs… Facebook.com  I had received a few invitations over time and originally had thought that it would be one of those frustrating experiences where you go to join up and then find that no one you know is using the service, and it costs $9.99 a month.  Not so!  It's a free service AND I know quite a few people who are drifting and meandering on through the ether– actually, I have 74 Facebook "Friends" and many more to come. hehehehe.

I have had a couple of really outstanding Facebook experiences.  For a few years I have been trying to track down a friend of mine who used to live in Vancouver's Lower Mainland when we did.  Then we fell out of connection….maybe, thirty years ago, when we moved to Saskatchewan.  Well, I looked up their surname on Facebook, and while I didn't actually find my friend, herself, I DID find her daughter.  And she hooked us up.  It turns out that my friend moved to England in 1999.  Our phone chat today seemed like the years hadn't even happened…. you know.  My other great thrill is in having all my family's "faces", along with my good friends', children of friends', and even RICK MERCER, all on my page at the same time.

I know that Facebook is really designed for the 20- and 30-somethings, but gosh, I'm enjoying it too!  Thanks kids!

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Since 2004, over 4 Million people have decorated their walls with fabulous posters like the "Friends" poster above… you can too!  Go here to find out how.