Youponing: Cleaning products

That better not be chemicals in that bottle, missy! 

If people knew how easy it was to make your own cleaners and how dangerous the chemicals are in the grody chemical ones, then not one cleaner would be for sale at your local chain store. Not one. That stuff goes down the drain. Then we drink it. Um, gross. 

Did you know that since WWII, at least 75,000 new synthetic chemical compounds have been developed and released into the environment? Did you know that there is a wealth of evidential proof linking cancer to environmental contamination? Breast cancer rates are 30 times higher in the US than in Africa. 80% of all cancers are attributed to environmental influences. In short … drumroll … we are giving ourselves cancer. 

No bueno, folks!

You may not know it, but many of these cancer causing chemicals are used just to clean your house. Did you ever wonder why you have a bit of a sore throat if you use bleach to clean your bathroom? Or your eyes and skin burn when using such cleaners? Cleaning chemicals suspend in the air for hours and even days, and are easily inhaled. Just like a laboratory, when different chemicals come together when cleaning they can create entirely new toxic substances. This is why the air in our homes is 5 times more toxic than the air outside. Bet you never thought that was possible! It doesn't disappear when it goes down the drain either. It's forever in our water supply. There is no such thing as throwing anything "away".

The companies that make your cleaning products aren't required to list their ingredients because they are considered trade secrets. So, I'll list them for you, but I'll only list a small fraction of them. Alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanols-laundry detergent (stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells), ammonia (causes bronchial damage, chemical burns & corneal damage), Benzene-class cleaners/all purpose cleaners & disinfectants (carcinogen made from petroleum and coal), Butyl Cellosolve-all purpose cleaners & cleansers (irritates mucous membranes and causes liver and kidney damage), Chlorine-bleach/diswasher detergent/scouring powders (causes reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders. In all bleach action cleaners.), Dioxane-window cleaners (hazardous air pollutant and supresses the immune system)...the list goes on and on.

There are plenty of eco-friendly cleaners out there. If you're local to NEO, Green Clean makes a killer product and is now available at Heinen's. If not, Seventh Generation makes some great all-purpose cleaners. Use a micro-fiber for dusting, and you will not need any dusting spray. Use newspaper and water as a glass cleaner. It's a great way to recycle your newspaper, and it's an excellent no-streak cleaner! Steer clear of products that claim to be green (ahem … I'm talking to you, you big toxic bleach company!) but still contain some unnatural ingredients and are owned by one of the largest producers of chemical laden cleaning products, only to jump on the "green bandwagon" for the sake of the mighty dollar.

If you're looking to save some green yourself, make your own products! We make our own, and they work just as good (if not better) than any of the $4/bottle chemical products out there. We make them for pennies! Buy a couple of spray bottles, and here are some recipes:

SIMPLE RECIPES
We use these three recipes for EVERYTHING!

CLEANSER (replaces comet or bon-ami): Baking soda.....that's it....just baking soda. We use it on our tub and it works great! Add a smidge of vinegar for foaming action. To make a cream cleanser, add a dab of liquid dish soap. I use baking soda with my vinegar spray (to disinfect) and a few drops of Dr. Bronner's to make it a creamy, grime fighting germ killer!

SPRAY CLEANER-ALL PURPOSE: Equal parts white vinegar & water and a few drops your choice of essential oil. We like lavender and/or peppermint oils and sometimes even mix them.

FURNITURE POLISH:
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

ADVANCED RECIPES
LAVENDER SPRAY CLEANER (GREAT FOR BATHROOMS!):
Mix together in a 4 Cup (or larger) Wide Mouth Jar with Lid then pour into spray bottle.
* 2 Cups of Baking Soda
* 1/8 Cup Liquid Castile Soap
* 25 drops lavender essential oil
* 15 drops tea tree essential oil
* 1 1/4 Cups Water

CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER:
Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.
Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as  much as you need at a time.

ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER:
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid dish soap
2 cups hot tap water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

We have the earth in our hands. We have our children and grandchildren's future in our hands. 

The best thing we can do for ourselves is to be informed. Ignorance is not bliss. It leads to disease, toxic living environments and the rapid death of our rainforests and precious planet.

• Environmental facts are taken from & available to read in "The Complete Organic Pregnancy" by Deirdre Dolan & Alexandra Zissu, HarperCollinsPublishers, C 2006
• Cleaners are either my own recipes or recipes found on the internet or a combination of both 

Live free of chemical burdens, y'all! 

Steph

NEW PRODUCT: All natural and organic deodorant

I'm so excited to announce the next product of my line. I've been using this deodorant for YEARS! When I got pregnant with my first child, I knew I had to kick the chemical habit. Everything that goes on to our skin gets absorbed into our bloodstream. So, not only do we have to worry about what we eat and breathe, but what we touch, as well. Once I tried this on myself, I got hooked. I found it worked better than my old toxic-laden conventional deodorant, and I didn't have to worry about the questionable ingredients.

The aluminum in conventional deodorant has long been linked to several health risks, including alzheimer's. As always, I'm not here to knock anyone down or to judge what other companies decide to use as their ingredients. You can decide for yourself with a quick google search. But I am here to tell you that you have a choice!

And I choose natural, baby. Oh yeah. You with me? If so, I now have my creation for sale. You can choose from any of these yummy scents:
Unscented - no essential oils added, just sweet smell of coconut oil & shea
Love - sandalwood, bergamot, & jasmine
Chillax - lavender, patchouli, marjoram, orange, geranium & chamomile
Peppermint Patty - sweet peppermint
Purify - Citrus, grapefruit & eucalyptus
Peaceful Patchouli - sweet patchouli
Citrus Blast - orange, lemon, lime & pink grapefruit
Harmonize - cedarwood, clary sage, chamomile, geranium, lavender & rosemary
Meditate - ylang ylang, patchouli, frankincense, citrus & clary sage

Here it is! Now available at my etsy site. Click here.

Sun babies of the world, unite in good cheer!

My sun baby & future pipeline champion.

Finally. Finally. Finally! I've been waiting to say this, but my sunscreen is finally for sale in my etsy shop. Being a full-time mom (of two very active young beings), as well as a freelance graphic designer and owner/operator of two businesses leaves not much time for getting new ventures off the ground at breakneck pace. I'm more like a snail. But slow and steady wins the race. Right?

So, without further adieu, I present to you …
SURF'S UP, BRAH!

All natural sunscreen and after sun skin care - 2 in 1!
And can I get a shout out for Folly Beach? I'm sporting some FB stickers in this shot. 

Don't you hate that most all natural sunscreens leave you super pasty? Not this one!

You get to choose your SPF factor. I can make SPF 10+, 20+ or 30+. And each ingredient is super yummy for your skin (and wrinkles and suppleness and touchability and sexiness!). The difference between my concoction and other homemade versions is that mine uses all organic ingredients! (Some ingredients don't come organic). Even those "natural" sunscreens on the market have questionable ingredients. Be kind to your skin. Nourish it. It's the largest organ you've got! No grody toxins, chemicals, alcohol, petroleum, titanium dioxide, PABA, parabens, dimethicone & fillers. Because I shy away from toxins, each batch is sold in a 4 oz glass jar with a metal lid. I like earth. A lot. I'm kind of her love slave.

There are 3 available scents: "smells so good you want to eat it (but please don't)" Orange Dreamsicle (citrus notes with vanilla undertones), Chillaxin' (lavender highlights with an earthy baseline) or Unscented (which still has an earthy scent because oils from mother earth just do. You can blame the carrot seed oil!).

WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S IN IT? 
Here you go!

SESAME OIL: Contains vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, fighting free radicals and oxidation that come with sun exposure. It contains lots of skin loving acids that act as an emollient moisturizer for your skin. It even slows down skin aging with sesamol, which is an antioxidant that prevents the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. It also detoxifies & repairs damaged skin cells. How's that for a super power?!

COCONUT OIL: Is antibacterial, antiviral & antimicrobial, thanks to it's lauric acid. It's full of medium chain fatty acids that act as a loving barrier to your precious bod. Plus it's uber moisturizing because of all its fattiness!

SHEA BUTTER: Is super healing for the skin. It's full of vitamins and nutrients that treat blemishes, wrinkles, eczema, stretch marks...you name it! It's packed with antioxidants like vitamin E, polyphenols and phyotnutrients, making it  an anti-inflammatory an soothing to your skin.

BEESWAX: Acts as a protective barrier on the surface of the skin while still allowing the skin to breathe. It also is what makes this sunscreen water resistant!

ZINC OXIDE: Is an extremely broadband UV protector. It's extremely stable on the skin, as well, no matter how long you are baking on the beach. I use only non nano zinc oxide so it does not get absorbed into your blood stream. It stays put on top. On top of being a die hard UV protector, it also is an excellent wound healer and sunburn soother. How's that for a triple threat?!

CARROT SEED OIL: Has an insane amount of antioxidants that shield your skin from environmental attacks! Those same antioxidants help prevent and repair skin damage from sun, smoke, poor diet and a harsh environment. Beta carotene and vitamins A&E work to nourish dry and aging skin and can reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It's SPF factor is one of the highest out there! It's earthy aroma is used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and exhaustion. Now that makes for an even more relaxing day at the beach.

RED RASPBERRY SEED OIL: Is high in vitamins A & E and essential fatty acids which all help to repair and condition the skin (fountain of youth?). It also contains linoleic, alpha linolenic, and oleic acids which help reduce the damaging effects of free radicals on the skin, while pumping the skin full of moisture. It is shown to help prevent rash, eczema, and other skin lesions, while boasting major anti-inflammatory properties. Raspberry seed oil also act as a broad-spectrum UV-shield, helping to protect skin from the damaging rays of the sun.

IF YOU'RE STILL LISTENING AND WANT TO PURCHASE, PLEASE CLICK THIS EXTRA LONG AND OBNOXIOUS LINK THAT I'M TYPING AND NOW WANT TO KEEP TYPING JUST BECAUSE I'M EXCITED AND AM DANCING MY LITTLE CELLS AROUND INSIDE MY BODY, WHICH IS NOW PROTECTED FROM SUNBURN. BOOYAH.

If you are ordering a sunscreen off etsy, but wish to pick it up instead, please use this coupon code to avoid shipping: LOCALPICKUP44107

A FEW NOTES & DISCLAIMERS:
• Due to the nature of some of these oils, this sunscreen may start to liquefy in high heat. Don't fret! It won't hurt it. 
• Natural oils have a shelf life. Please use within 8 months. Store in the fridge for a longer shelf life.
• This sunscreen has not been laboratory tested for the exact SPF factor. The SPF is my best guestimate based on the ingredients I use. I make no warranty about the effectiveness. 
• Sometimes people can be sensitive to certain topical ingredients, even though it's rare. Please use common sense and test on a small patch of skin before heavy use. I ask that you do your own research about the ingredients of this product. I do not claim to prevent, treat or cure any disease/condition with this (or any) product. Any and all information I have stated regarding the ingredients was gathered online and is free information to the public. I did not create any statements. I only relayed information. 
• Please, always use common sense when spending time in the sun. Before sun exposure, spread evenly and massage thoroughly over skin. Reapply every few hours or as needed and after prolonged swimming.
• Always check with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. And always check with your or your child's doctor before using any new products.
• FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.

With love & extreme gratitude,
NovaNalu