Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap

Category : Beauty

I first purchased a Dr. Bronner’s soap when I was in junior high.  It was a little difficult to find at the time but now their soaps can be found in nearly all health food stores.  Whole Foods Markets and Trader Joe’s both carry many of their products.  I often order directly from them online since shipping is free!  They ALWAYS have a monthly special.  This month they’re offering 15% off liquid soaps in 32oz or 8oz bottles.  Click on the photo below to be directed to their website.

I use the liquid soaps and Eric likes the bar soaps.  They have such intense aromas.  The soaps are vegetable based (no tallow – animal fat), biodegradable, organic and fair trade.  They do not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (foaming agents which are carcinogenic) which most soaps do contain.

I like to keep my shower stocked with a few different scents of the liquid soap.  I even use the rose scented one to wash my face!  It is far cheaper than other facial cleansers, a little drop goes a long way and there is nothing better than smelling roses while washing your face

 Lucy Liu claims to use the peppermint one to wash her hair.

The bottles note Dr. Bronner’s 18-1 uses for his soaps.  The first list is what you’ll find on the label and the second is a more paraphrased one done by his children and grandchildren who now run the company [taken from Dr. Bronner's website]:

  1. Always dilute for Shave-Shampoo-Massage-Dental Soap-Bath!
  2. Peppermint is nature’s own unsurpassed fragrant Deodorant!
  3. A drop is best Mint Toothpaste; brushes Dentures Clean!
  4. A dash in water is the ideal Breath Freshener & Mouth Wash!
  5. Peppermint Oil Soap for Dispensers, Uniforms, Baby, Beach!
  6. Dilute for ideal After Shave, Body Rub, Foot Bath, Douche.
  7. Hot Towel-Massage the entire body, always towards your heart.
  8. Pets, silk, wool & body tingles head to toe – keeps cool!
  9. 3 dashes in water rinse most Sprays Off fruit & vegetables!
  10. 1/4 oz in qt H2O is Pest Spray! Dash, no rash Diaper-Soap!  
  11. For everyday body-washing: Get wet and pour soap full-strength onto hands-washcloth-loofah. Lather up, scrub down, rinse off, and tingle fresh & clean.
  • For other uses, dilute from one part soap into 40 parts water for light cleaning, to cutting it in half or using it full strength for heavy-duty grease-cutting jobs.
  • For shampoo, though we now recommend our new Shikakai soaps for this, many people are fond of using it as such. The method of application is to wet hair and scalp very thoroughly, squirt some soap into hands and work into a lather. Wash hair, then rinse well. Afterwards use our new citrus hair rinse and leave-in conditioners as directed.
  • For the laundry, use 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup for one regular load; adjust as needed depending on hardness of water. I’ve been told that adding a dash of baking soda makes it even better.
  • For toothbrushing, apply a drop or two of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap to a wet toothbrush. Brush as you normally would, rinsing accordingly. Be careful about using more than a couple drops of soap, as you might start foaming at the mouth. Many people with sensitive or softer teeth like to use our soap as a toothpaste because it lacks abrasives.       

Click on the photo below to be directed to their website

 

Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Soaps

What are Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS)?

Category : Beauty, Health

I’ll take a guess that even if you’ve heard of them, not many of you know much about Sodium Lauryl Sulfates. They are very harsh detergents found in shampoos, soaps, toothpastes, hand creams, mouthwash – most things that produce a rich and foaming lather.

The following is from http://www.health-report.co.uk/index.html:

Studies on SLS have shown that:” (Judi Vance, Beauty To Die For, Promotion Publishing, 1998) 

“Shampoos with SLS could retard healing and keep children’s eyes from developing properly. Children under six years old are especially vulnerable to improper eye development. (Summary of Report of Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. conference.”

“Sodium Lauryl Sulphate can cause cataracts in adults and delays the healing of wounds in the surface of the cornea.”

“Sodium Lauryl Sulphate has a low molecular weight and so is easily absorbed by the body. It builds up in the heart, liver and brain and can cause major problems in these areas.”

“Sodium Lauryl Sulphate causes skin to flake and to separate and causes roughness on the skin.”

“Sodium Lauryl Sulphate causes dysfunction of the biological systems of the skin.”

“Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is such a caustic cleanser that it actually corrodes the hair follicle and impairs the ability to grow hair.”

“Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is routinely used in clinical studies deliberately to irritate the skin so that the effects of other substances can be tested.” (Study cited by the Wall St Journal, 1st November 1998)

The following is from http://kidsorganics.com:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (or SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (or SLFS): SLS and SLFS are eye and skin irritants. Infants and children, whose eyes are developing at a more rapid pace than adults, are more susceptible to accumulation of SLS in eye tissues. Exposure to SLS causes improper eye development in children, since it is absorbed systemically through skin.

SLS is lethal to fresh water fish at 7ppm and does not break down well in the environment.

Materials Safety Data Sheets caution workers to avoid body contact with SLS. However, this same chemical is actively put into body care and hair products. SLS and SLFS are both found in shampoo’s, toothpaste, dishwashing liquids, soaps, actually, anything that produces a rich and foamy lather.
If this information isn’t enough, research has shown that both of these substances may cause carcinogenic nitrates, NDELA, and dioxins to form when combined with commonly used ingredients in a single bottle of shampoo. Large amounts of nitrates, akin to eating a full pound of nitrate-laden bacon, would then be assimilated into the body with just one shampooing–(from a 1978 FDA report).

I know there are plenty of reports saying this stuff is ok, and many people note that if it is in fact so horrible our government would not allow it in products, but why take chances on your and your children’s health?  Next time you run out of something and head to the store to replace it, read labels and try a product without SLS.

Microfiber Duster

Category : Household

I used to be a big fan of Swiffer dusters until I thought about how wasteful they are!  I’m currently using a Casabella Microfiber Chenille Duster which comes in fabulous colors – I have it in pink.  These are great since they can be tossed into the washer for quick clean-up.  I picked mine up at Bed Bath and Beyond (a place I love since I ALWAYS have a stack of 20% off coupons – did you know they NEVER expire and you can use up to 5 in one transaction?).  Casabella has a lot of great products – check out their website by clicking on the photo below.

Casabella Microfiber Chenille Duster

Garlic & Chili – Chicago

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages

Tonight we ordered in from one of our favorites – a Thai restaurant called Garlic & Chili.  I love that when I order curries I can request a special batch to be made without fish sauce (I’m a veg) and they have great vegetarian egg rolls!   Many thanks to my friend Nicole for recommending it!

Garlic & Chili

1232 N La Salle Dr, Chicago 60610
(Between W Goethe & W Division St)

(312) 255-1717

Josie Maran Cosmetics

Category : Beauty

I have been using her products for over a year now and love everything I’ve tried.  I was very excited when earlier this year she added SPF 30 to her tinted moisturizer so now I can get the job done without using two separate products.

Josie Maran is a model from Northern California who grew up in a bohemian household – thus not accustomed to the synthetics and toxic ingredients found in mainstream cosmetics formerly used on her for shoots.  ”Josie explains, “Becoming a mother inspired me to take a look at my life and ask, “What can I do for the world? How can I contribute?” Having spent so many hours in the makeup chair, Josie was ready to create her own signature line. The products, made with superior ingredients and housed in chic, biodegradable packaging, embrace eco-friendly initiatives wherever possible.” [taken from her bio on her website]  Her line is not only eco-friendly in the packaging sense but none of her products contain toxins such as parabens or petro-chemicals, nor are they tested on animals.

I understand your hesitation to order cosmetics online without trying them first, yet I must say that I have been extremely pleased with everything I’ve ever ordered and have not had a need to exchange anything.  Her line is currently sold at Barney’s in NYC and LA (among a few other small shops in LA) and I’ve been told that as soon as the Chicago Barney’s completes their move to their new location (April 16) they’ll be carrying it there!!  Of course you can also order it directly form her on her website:  www.josiemarancosmetics.com

She is currently offering free standard shipping on orders of $100 or more by entering GLOW at checkout!

Getting Started!

Category : Uncategorized

Hi all!

I’m excited to start this new venture.  I will do my very best to post something every day, so be sure to save this site as a favorite and check back daily.  I want to share so much with you on living eco-cupsciously -*skincare*cosmetics*household cleaners*restaurants*boutiques*