Let me start by assuring you, each ingredient used in Herbal Natures mineral cosmetics is of the highest quality available.  And, small batch production, rather than mass production, allows for greater control over the entire process.

 I have been asked several times, “how can you market your mineral make up at such a low price?”  The reason Herbal Natures became a business in the first place was to provide product(s) made with ingredients from nature that would enhance, refresh, rejuvenate, and aid in the overall natural beauty of everyone.  By keeping the product(s) cost as low as possible, this allows everyone the opportunity to benefit and enjoy our product(s).    Keep in mind, there are no added fillers to our minerals to extend the product(s) mileage either.  Compare the ingredients listing of Herbal Natures mineral products to any other company.  You may be surprised to find several ingredients listed that are not listed on Herbal Natures listed ingredients.  That’s because the majority of those additional ingredients are not needed to provide a high quality mineral product, but are used to extend the products mileage and in turn allow for the product to be manufactured more cheaply while keeping the consumer costs on the higher side. 

Additionally, there are no models on the payroll, infomercials, or high dollar celebrity contracts in the Herbal Natures advertising expense budget.  Those previous mentioned expenses do not make the product better, only more costly.  Ultimately, manufacturing costs, packaging costs, advertising costs and various expenses are passed to the consumer in all fields of business.  But, the higher cost of the product that has absorbed all these expenses does not make the actual product quality higher than one that is manufactured with fewer overheads. 

Our customer feedback and positive comments speak for themselves.  You can be assured our minerals, as well as our other products, are of the highest quality, and are marketed at the lowest possible cost so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from them.  And, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.   

Affordable Mineral Cosmetics:  http://www.herbalnatures.com/mico.html

About Us:  http://www.herbalnatures.com/info.html

While the safe use of ingredients used in personal care products is of the utmost priority, this act will not, and cannot guarantee this.  Charging an annual fee to companies with sales over $1,000,000 sounds good, but in reality, that only proves the companies can afford the fee, not that they are in compliance to rules and regulations!  For those companies that cannot afford the fee?  Simply put, they will be out of business………, but does that mean the company did not offer quality products with GRS – generally regarded as safe, ingredients?  Not at all!

Personal Care Products Council’s president and chief executive officer, Lezlee Westine, stated:  “For decades, the industry has had an impeccable safety record under the existing requirements implemented by FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Our products remain among the safest in the marketplace.”  The FDA, Food and Drug Administration, has very explicit requirements for labeling cosmetic products, and the ingredients used in these products.  Why then do we need more legislation, fees, and additional testing on ingredients already GRS – generally regarded as safe?  Perhaps there is a hidden agenda?

Eliminate the competition …. What better way to eliminate the competition than by hiding under the pretense of protecting the consumer?  And, think about it – this legislation does not include imported products.  Imported products, today, and in the future”, still be allowed into our mainstream consumer market without having to adhere to the same regulations as US based businesses.  Larger US manufacturing companies, with off-shore holdings, sitting as board members and advisors on off shore companies, and not having to comply with the same regulations as US only based companies. 

Is the consumer being protected more?  No!  The unsuspecting consumer, thinking all these additional requirements will make their products safer, is being led down the path of political and monetary gain of  large corporations, politicians, and very powerful tax-exempt organizations. 

Once again, the possibility of a smaller  business, to stay in business,  is questionable.  Once again, as a consumer, my choices would be limited to products manufactured by companies able to pay large fees, initiate records for additional testing, and still not be able to actually prove the ingredients used are not going to cause cancer!

Additional reading:

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h5786ih.txt.pdf

http://www.indiebusinessblog.com/2010/07/21/the-safe-cosmetics-act-of-2010-has-been-introduced/

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japanese beetle

This beetle, having an almost neon greenish head and copper colored wings, is not hard to identify. And, these beetles  can be disastrous for ones garden.   Never having to deal with these invaders before, I researched for several hours on how to rid my garden of these nasty, destructive insects.

Some sources advised to get beetle traps.  These traps, hang several feet away from the garden, contain pheromone, to attract the beetles into a trap where they cannot escape.  That sounded like a good idea, but further reading gave me reason to seek other advise.  These traps, although pretty convenient, have been known to attract more beetles than the garden actually has because of the pheromone.  A hormone like substance that is like that of the female beetle and attracts the male beetles.

Other sources advised to eliminate the plants the beetles are munching on.  These horrid insects are munching on the Echinacea, Zinnias, Sunflowers, and the Salvia!  Destroying these plants is not an option I want to make.  And, I am not one to want to use strong pesticides in my gardens.  Still other sources suggested capture the insects and destroy them.  Fantastic idea I thought!

How to do that?  Further reading gave me some ideas how to fashion a contraption to capture the bugs in.  Although I did not follow the precise instructions, I made my own death trap for the Japanese Beetle!  Being one who recycles as much as possible, I headed to the basement.  I knew I had a bag of litre size soda bottles down there that had been rinsed and bagged for a project my granddaughter had been working on.  Sure enough, the bag was still there, so I removed 2 bottles and cut the top end of one bottle long enough to serve as crude funnel, and left the other bottle in tact.  Not having the duct tape handy, I used electrical tape and taped the funnel portion on top of the threaded portion of the in tact bottle.  (see photo) Not the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, but you know what, it works! 

The first day, I filled my trap with about a cup of water and headed to the gardens.  Examining each plant for the intruders, as I saw one, I would place the funnel under the leaf or flower and shake it until the bug fell into the funnel.  Then I would give the bottle a shake so the garden pest would fall into the larger bottle hitting the water.  I was able to capture every bug I saw, which amounted to about 100 beetles.  That evening, I strolled the garden again, and captured about 20 more of these insects, then folded and rolled a paper towel to serve as a plug for the funnel and left it sit over night so as to make sure my prisoners were dead.  The next day, I dumped the dead beetles and started over with fresh water.

So far, this is working!  I take a stroll each day and have only seen a few each day,  which I send to their death.

Declaration of Independence

The 4^th of July, Independence Day, honors the birthday of the United States of America!  July 4, 1976 – this is day when all 13 original colonies proclaimed their freedom from the British Crown.  From the Declaration of Independence:   “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

The list of reasons for this independence can be read in the original document, but some of these reasons are posted below:

• He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
•  He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Recordsfor the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
• He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
• For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent
• For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments

It is understood why these colonists felt compelled to establish this separation.   Over the years, Americans have shed blood, sweat, and tears to keep our country’s independence free from this kind tyranny. 

Gatherings of all sorts will abound, and fireworks will be displayed, in celebration of our nation’s birthday.  Please take just a moment during your festivities to remember those who have gone before us, and those that continue daily on that long road to indepence!

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dandelion

Often, when one thinks of weeds, the dandelion comes to mind.  This lacey leafed plant with its bright yellow flower springs up in most everyone’s yard at some time or another.  For years, children have gathered these bright buttery flowers and given them to mom as a token of love and affection.  But, for some, the dandelion is considered nothing but a pesky weed, think again!  The dandelion, when harvested without conditions of being sprayed with weed killers, can be a healthy, nutritious, addition to ones diet.

Offering many healthy benefits, including high in vitamins and minerals, this “weed” can be incorporated into your salad greens, made into pasta noodles, or even made into wine.

I hear so many people say the reason they don’t eat healthier, or purchase organic foods, is because it is more expensive to do so.   The dandelion is free; another gift of nature that takes only a little physical effort to harvest. 

For further herb reading about the benefits of dandelion:

University of Maryland Medical Center:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/dandelion-000236.htm

Herbalist Isabell Shipard (Austrailia):
http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/dandelion.html

Susan Weed Backyard Medicine Chest:
http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/september03/herbalmedicine.htm

Herbal Book Reviews:
http://www.thegreenwoman.com/bookreviews.html
Dandelion Recipes to Make with Kids:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-23788-Mankato-Attachment-Parenting-Examiner~y2010m5d12-Ten-more-dandelion-recipes-to-make-with-kids

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Proudly displayed

Memorial Day.  When I was a kid, I remember this being referred to as Decoration Day.  Mom would prepare special flower arrangements and we would go to the cemetery to place these arrangements on the graves of some of our family members who had served in the armed forces and had passed from this life.  As we drove the tree lined, winding roads of the cemetery, I could not help but get a little excited.  The cemetery had become  “alive” with little American flags flying in the breeze!   No matter what direction I looked, the red, white, and blue flags decorated the landscape.  Seeing all these flags in one place excited me.  It was like a party in the cemetery!

Years have passed since those visits to the cemetery with Mom, and are but memories tucked away.  Since those times, I have also visited Arlington cemetery and the Viet Nam Wall in Washington D.C.; memorials of larger scale, and reminders of the sacrifices given for my freedoms.  To see the names of fallen soldiers on the Wall all in one place, and rows and rows of white tombstones in Arlington, is a humbling experience.  And yes, I too have loved ones whose names appear in those places. 

Memorial Day is a national holiday for our country every year.  Some will plan family get-togethers, barbecues, swimming parties, ballgames, and some will celebrate just having time off work     It is my hope, you will also remember those who have served our great country.  Remember their service and dedication has helped make it possible for us to celebrate! 

Mom has given so much of herself, without ever expecting anything in return.  Her examples and sacrifices have given me direction and strength in becoming the woman, the mother,  I am today.   Thank you mom!  

Mother’s Day is just around the corner – no matter what you do for her on her special day, make it show your mom she is loved and appreciated! 

Mom

Bathtime for baby is another bonding experience that can be enjoyed by both baby and bath giver.   A freshly bathed baby wrapped in a soft cotton towel and cuddled to the chest is one of the memorable moments that will be cherished for years to come.  I can still remember the bathtime moments with my own children, who have sense grown into adults.

One important aspect of bathing your baby is the product(s) you choose to use on your baby’s delicate skin.  There are many products available on the market today made especially for baby, please choose carefully and wisely. 

Your baby only needs a gentle cleansing, with little, or no fragrance added; and oats added to your baby’s bathing experience softens the water and soothes the skin.  A baby wash with oats is very gentle and soothing.

After bath, a gentle massage with a natural oil is another bonding time with baby.  Caress and touch your baby.  Convey your love and care by gently stoking and massaging the legs, arms, back, and little feet.  This is not only a relaxing time for baby, but is also a valuable way to help your baby’s growth.  Studies have shown there is a delay in development when a baby is not cuddled or touched.

When it is time to diaper and dress your precious little one, protect the diaper area with a natural skin protectant especially made for baby.  This will help prevent a rash or irritation, along with frequent changes.  The skin protectant will help repel moisture and help keep the amonia in the urine from irritating the skin. 

A natural baby powder can also be used on your baby.  Soft, silky, natural powder applied to baby’s skin can help relieve, or prevent, chaffing of delicate skin.  Often, I get requests for some of “granma’s special powder” cause it “feels good“.

Melanie

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Understandbly so.  Meadowfoam is highly stable, meaning it does not go rancid easily; with naturally occurring tocopherols (VitE), this oil can help extend the life of other less stable oils, like almond, borage, or rose hip. Meadowfoam provides a silken feel to the skin.   This oil provides a moisture barrier, allowing the skin to retain moisure, gives good slip, as for a body massage oil, and absorbs easily. Luscious and mild, this oil is a perfect oil for sensitive skin, hair care products, and baby products. 

Usage of meadowfoam oil can range from 1% of a products total to 100% of a products total. 

Melanie

For further reading about yet another gift of nature:

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/meadowfoam.html

This time of year is also a good time to review your skin care regime.   Your facial skin could use a little spring cleaning this time of year too.   Winter dry heat, cold winds and temperatures, can leave your skin begging for some tender loving care.  Even if you live in an area where the temperatures don’t reach below freezing, your facial skin, especially, has been subjected to dust, debri from the air, and temperature changes.

I know, some of you think you just don’t have time to spend a little extra time pampering your facial skin.  But, your skin will be much happier and repay you with a healthy glow! 

If you don’t already use a gentle facial scrub or mask, now is a great time to start.  Scrub and/or mask  your facial skin to increase circulation, deep clean, remove dead skin cells, and pull hidden impurities from your skin.

Scrub your skin once every two weeks to remove dead skin cells (depending our your skin type) Over scrubbing can cause skin irritations.  Apply your scrub in a circular motion using your fingertips.  You may use a facial brush, facial pad, or washcloth, but keep in mind these can be more harsh to the skin.  Do not use excessive pressure or scrub vigorously, as this can cause skin damage.

Apply a mask once per week  – apply your mask in an upward and outward motion, avoiding the lip and eye area.  Don’t forget your neck.  Allow your mask to dry and remove with a warm face cloth using upward and outward strokes.  Splash your face with warm water and pat dry.  Apply toner to remove any mask residue and then moisturize.  Your skin will feel so refreshed, soft, and supple with this simple routine. 

And, it doesn’t need to cost you a fortune to have fresh, healthy, skin.  Remember, higher cost and fancy packaging does not equal high quality. 

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