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Toxic chemicals surround us and contribute to allergy issues, breathing problems, pollution of lakes and streams, and general overall health of our planet.  One contributor of these toxic chemicals is household cleaners.  Have you ever wanted to know what’s in the cleaner you are using?  That should be an easy thing to find out, right?  Read the ingredients label, right?  Wrong.

The ingredients label for most commercially available cleaning products does not contain a listing of what is actually in the product.  Thanks to Earthjustice, a  non-profit public interest law firm, some of this information is becoming available.  Actually, one of the Earthjustice lawyers recently came upon a law in the state of New York.  Since 1976, the state regulations authorizes the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to require disclosure of the chemical ingredients and health risks, in manufactured household products.  Read more about the New York Supreme Court Case here:  http://www.earthjustice.org/news/press/2010/environmental-and-health-groups-face-off-against-household-cleaner-giants-in-court.html

Some companies, the SC Johnson Company, makers of many household products, including some well-known products as “Pledge” and “Windex”, have created a web site with detailed information regarding product ingredients.  http://www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com/

Another maker of household products, Simple Green, has filed a disclosure report:  http://www.earthjustice.org/library/legaldocs/simple-green-cleaning-products-report.pdf

Proctor & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Church and Dwight, and Reckitt-Bensicker have refused to disclose their ingredients. 

Baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and handcrafted liquid soaps make fantastic household cleaners!  http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.naturalhomemagazine.com%2FLeafy-Greens%2FMake-Your-Own-Nontoxic-Natural-Cleaners.aspx&h=5bb26ae51b10d6206dd219cfe68791c8

But, if you find you just have to purchase a bottle of household cleaner from the grocery store shelf, please visit one of the previous listed links and consider a product from a company that is willing to reveal its ingredients listing.  

Christmas day is fast approaching.  Some of us are still scrambling to complete our gift shopping, and others have all the gifts wrapped and smartly placed under the tree.

 Christmas is one of my favorite holidays.  The loving spirit that comes with Christmas is unmatched to other holidays.  But, for some, it is also a very depressing, or sad, time.

 Why is that?  Is it because it brings back memories that are rather forgotten?  Is it because they have no one to share the joy and spirit of Christmas?  Is it because they choose to look at Christmas as a time when they have to spend money?

 Some of us have had experiences that we would rather not resurrect.  Some have experienced abusive family members.  Some have experienced the loneliness and pain from a death of someone very close to us.  Some have known the loneliness of being separated from the ones we love due to war, divorce, abandonment, or various other ways that we alone had no control over.  These experiences are painful and when they happen near a holiday like Christmas, they can overshadow the pleasures of future Christmas times, if we allow that to happen.

 The pain, the sadness, the loneliness, are real.  But, they can be lessened with peace, love, and kindness!  This Christmas, try reaching out to others in a kind and generous way.  Bake some cookies or bread and take them to your neighbor that seldom has any visitors.  Volunteer at a local hospital, nursing home, church, or other civic community offering.  Visit a local church, or community group, that collects names of those in need.  Choose just one family, one child, or a whole slew of them, if you are so inclined!  When you are in the grocery, or other retail establishment, smile at other shoppers.  Smile at the checkout person, thank them, and wish them well – doesn’t cost a thing!  Go to your local dollar store, or other discount outlet.  Purchase some coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, or puzzles; donate these items to a local day care provider or Sunday school group.  Donate some kitty litter, paper goods, dog or cat food to your local animal shelter.  Give the gift of the season – share yourself, your love, your compassion, and your empathy!

 Merry Christmas!  

Today is Veteran’s Day, the day set aside to honor our men and woman who have served, or are currently serving in our armed forces.  These men and women help to protect our freedoms and many have given all, their lives.  Let us not forget this day is something more than a day off from school or work.  Let’s remember their bravery, sacrifices, and dedication!   Thank you to all who serve, or have served!!

Here is a link to a slideshow that says it all:  http://www.cpmsglife.org/pres/vday.html

A stainless crock pot with a removable ceramic liner and 2 large stainless steel stock pots are my mainstays for the liquid soap making process. (Fig 1) 

Fiq 1 - Mainstay pots for liquid soap making

Using my favorite recipe, which has been carefully calculated for the proper amount of distilled water, lye (potassium hydroxide), and hard/soft oils I weigh out the distilled water and lye first.  Don’t be alarmed, all soap making requires a type of lye in order to produce soap, but the finished product does not contain any active lye. The lye is sprinkled over the water and allowed to dissolve while I measure out the hard/soft oils required and add the oils to the crock pot. The oils are heated to melt temperature and the lye water is added to the oils and mixed. 

The water/oil mixture will begin to “trace” and thicken. It will begin to look like what is often called vanilla pudding. The next stage the mixture will move into is what looks like applesauce and is commonly referred to as the “applesauce stage”.  As the mixture continues to cook, it will begin to look like you are making mashed potatoes. The final stage of the cooking process, which may take several hours, is what is referred to in the soaping world as the “Vaseline” stage because it actually resembles gooey Vaseline.

Figure 2 - the vaseline transparent stage

 

As the pots are heating, I measure out the dilution water and heat it separately. To the heated dilution water, I add Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) and vegetable glycerin, then mix until the heated water and HEC become a clear gel. This clear gel is added to the smaller stainless pot and the transparent soap paste is then added (Fig 2).  I choose to use HEC, which is a thickener widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, because each batch of liquid soap will consistently remain the same thickness, or viscosity.

Figure 2 - transparent soap paste in gel

The smaller stainless pot is covered and when the water inside the larger pot has heated to almost boiling, the heat is reduced or shut off under the larger pot. I check the inside pot regularly and give it a little stir now and then. The dilution phase will take several hours to complete.  When the soap paste has completely dissolved, (Fig 3) I will then add a preservative, and/or coloring, and scents.

Butterfly on Echinacea

Nature and its beauty have always facinated me.  A stroll near the garden, a hike in the woods, or sitting on a bench under a tree can bring relaxation and time for reflection.  Today, as I walked the garden, I was again enticed to get my camera and captured a butterfly near the echinacea. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued liability shields for damage claims related to the use of the following anti-virals.  Interesting read regarding your health freedoms:

from the Health Freedom Alliance: “The PREP Act allows the HHS secretary to provide liability protection related to the use of various medical measures against diseases that HHS determines to be health emergencies. Protections are already in place for the two antivirals when used against H5N1 influenza and for vaccines for H5N1 and other potential pandemic flu strains, among other drugs and vaccines.

Liability protection is provided to groups and individuals involved in the development, manufacture, testing, distribution, administration, and use of medical countermeasures, according to HHS.”

More details:

 http://blogs.healthfreedomalliance.org/blog/2009/06/28/hhs-extends-liability-shield-to-antivirals-used-for-h1n1/

New product in development – natural deodorant.  Looking for product testers for our newest creation.  This is a natural deodorant formulated with coconut oil, organic arrowroot powder, zinc oxide, and meadowfoam oil.  No aluminum or harsh ingredients, and will not clog pores or keep your body from releasing toxins. 

Sweat does not smell.  Bacteria causes body order.  Often your sweat glands are not allowed to flush the toxins from your body because the glands have been sealed off with an anti-perspirant.  Help your body cleanse itself.  Drink plenty of water, dry your underarm area well after bathing, and apply the natural deodorant with a few swipes to the arm pit.

For those who are interested in testing this new deodorant, please send your request to:

melanie@herbalnatures.com

Names will be collected until July 6, 2009, at that time your product will be mailed, along with a feedback form.  You are encouraged to provide honest feedback. Thanks!

Yesterday, we took a trip to our favorite greenhouse in search of a few more flowers to fill in some empty spaces left from our garden extension.  We weaved through several isles of plants, each offering a splendor of color and variety.  After much discussion and meandering, we made our choices and headed for the line to pay for our newly aquired botanicals.