Astringents and Toners Astringents work best for oily skin because they remove excess oil and will temporarily tighten the skin and enlarged pores. Natural astringents include: peppermint -is refreshing and antibacterial witch hazel – mild and reduces excess oil from the skin sage – mild and fragrant cypress essential oil – mild and helps regulate the production of oil in the skin grapefruit essential oil – also mild and helps regulate the production of oil in the skin Toners tend to be gentler and usually include natural soothing... 

The other day I posted the information that I had found regarding Wal-Mart “Organics” and one of my readers, thegreenmommy, posted this great comment: “…when articles tackle the subject of deceptive use of “organic,” it makes consumers doubt the entire organic food industry’s validity.” So, what does “Organic” stand for? Integrity Trust Community Health Sustainable Living Renewable Resources These are just a few words that define what”organic” means to me but for now, I want to talk about the formal... 

60 % of any substance applied directly to your skin is absorbed into your body. This is a scary thought when we think of the chemicals in commercially available skin care and cosmetic products. Most of these chemicals are toxic or we know little to nothing about the long term effects on our bodies. For example, lip stick is one of the most toxic cosmetic products because it contains harmful chemicals such as, PVP, saccharine, artificial colors and artificial fragrances. But what also makes lip stick harmful is that it is applied to such a thin layer of skin... 

In our grocery stores we see such labels as natural, home-free, free-range and others but these terms don’t mean they are organic. These claims maybe true but they aren’t interchangeable with organic. So how do we know what is or isn’t organic? We start with looking for a label whether it’s a single-ingredient food such as fruits and vegetables or multiple-ingredient foods such as pasta sauce or bread. The label we are looking for is the USDA Organic Label, as shown bellow. This ensures that the product is at least 95-100% organic.... 

Wal-Mart is up to their old tricks and muddying the label of Organic. Shown above – Natural Sugar is labeled as “organic” by this in-store signage at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Tomah, WI. This mislabeling was identified on January 14, 2007. This photo was taken along with many others by The Cornucopia Institute, one of the nation’s largest organic watchdog groups. See more photos. The Cornucopia Institute is leading an investigation on Wal-Mart and their misleading labels. They have even filed legal action with the USDA against Wal-Mart.... 

Garlic isn’t only good for you but good for your dog as well. Garlic strengthens your dog’s immune system and helps them fight harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Garlic also helps their cardiovascular system and some people find that it helps keep fleas at bay. Add a quarter clove of finely minced garlic per 10 pounds of dog weight to your dog’s daily diet. Garlic Dog Treats You will need: 2 cups of whole wheat flour 2/3 cup stone-ground cornmeal 1/2 cup sesame seeds 3 eggs 1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons olive... 

Honey is a Natural Healer Honey has been used for centuries in cultures all over the world as a natural skin healing agent. Honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase, that when combined with water, produces hydrogen peroxide, a mild antiseptic. In addition to the glucose oxidase enzyme, honey also contains antioxidants and *flavonoids that may function as antibacterial agents. Honey also has the ability to moisturize the skin with out making it oily. With these properties, honey is a great natural skin cleanser and moisturizer. Some Favorite Honey Facial... 

Green pets? I must be joking right? No, not really and here’s why… What we domesticate is our responsibility for life. We bring home the cutest, the cuddliest, the warmest and the most loving little critters and because of our choices, they are now completely dependent upon us for just about everything. For starters, they need a healthy and nutritious diet so let’s start here. Let’s get smart about our pets Dogs – a man’s best friend and so true this is. But would you give your best friend a plate of food chuck full of... 

Do it yourself naturally. It all begins with you and maybe a bit of information from this little blog. Natural and healthy living takes more than a New Year’s resolution but it’s enough to get started. It was my 2006 resolution and here I am a year later still enjoying the benefits of natural living. Natural living is a life style change that will change your life. There are few things better than getting up in the morning and taking a shower with all natural bath products. It gives me a sense of wellbeing knowing that I’m doing my best...