Archive for March, 2010

Posted on March 30, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Take an Eco Powder: Make Your Own!

The Toxicity of Talc

That sweetly scented fluffy baby powder you use underarms and around your private parts is a lot more dangerous than it looks and smells.

Particles from talc, a mineral, can cause tumors in human ovaries and lungs. Numerous studies have shown a strong link between frequent use of talc in the female genital area and ovarian cancer. Talc particles are able to move through the reproductive system and become imbedded in the lining of the ovary. Researchers have found talc particles in ovarian tumors and have found that women with ovarian cancer have used talcum powder in their genital area more frequently than healthy women.¹

Talc can be found in a host of cosmetic products, including deodorants, soap as well as other household products like flea and tick powder, antacids and home and garden pesticides.

Get Empowered With Your Very Own Powder

Not only is making your own all-natural, completely safe powder a healthier alternative, it will save you money on talc-filled products like:

• Baby powder
• Medicated powders
• Perfumed powders

Here’s how to make your own:

Mix one cup of cornflower (cornstarch) with 10 to 30 drops of organic essential oil. We love lavender, of course, but ylang ylang is another great choice, as well as mint and chamomile. This homemade powder makes an inexpensive, personal and healthy gift idea too.

And remember – when you are buying your bath and beauty products, make sure you check the ingredients. Look for talc-free products and make smarter choices for your health!

¹National Toxicology Program. “Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of talc (GAS No 14807-96-6) in F344/N rats and B6C3F, mice (Inhalation studies).” Technical Report Series No. 421. September 1993.

Posted on March 27, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Testy About Toxics? Bookmark This Site…

As a consumer of healthy, truly natural products from Napa Valley Bath, you’re already a fan of ‘full disclosure’ when it comes to the ingredients in your bath and beauty products.

But what about toothpaste, deodorant, hair care, shaving gel and oodles of other personal care products you use every day? (That’s 9-12 products, constituting 126 chemicals a day for the average woman…for those of you who are counting).

We’ve extolled the virtues of the Environmental Working Group and its offshoot, the Cosmetics Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database.

Toxipedia.org provides another great resource for those looking to stay in-the-know about minding their chemical Ps and Qs.

Wanna Wiki?

Toxipedia is a non-profit ‘wiki’ site; some of it is completely open-source and editable by anyone, while others – especially those that are highly researched – are protected and editable only by the site’s Managing Group. This Managing Group consists of highly qualified individuals who have expertise on topics like:

• Pesticides
• Endocrine Disruptors
• Solvents
• Laws and Regulations
• Chemical List
• Diseases and Disorders
• …and many more

Chock full of vital facts and updates, Toxipedia is written in a direct and simple style and is also easily navigable. And yes, you can follow them on Facebook and/or Twitter.

If you’re like me, you may have your doubts about ‘wiki’ sites. Wikipedia, for example, is a great resource, but it’s also regularly scorned for its open-door policy regarding changes to its content.

To counter concerns like this, Toxipedia promises that they have…

“…developed a thorough framework to assure accuracy, convey the depth of review for each page, and maintain certain open-source sections to encourage debate.”

Check it out and let us know what you think. And please feel free to share your favorite online resources with other NVB readers – right here!

Posted on March 25, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

You’re Way Ahead of the Organic Curve!

You trendsetter you!

You love the pure, transparent goodness found in your organic beauty and bath products. Guess what? Your ranks are growing!

A new report from research firm Mintel Beauty Innovation finds that 2010 will see a rise in the number of people looking for organic skin care products.

Mintel predicted that in 2010, more people will become fans of natural products and demand them from companies. Furthermore, it stated that in 2010, beauty products will revisit attributes like:

• Authenticity
• Provenance
• Local production

Here at Napa Valley Bath, we can’t help but notice that authenticity, provenance and local production are three elements naturally woven in to every single Napa Valley Bath product.

“While 2009 brought its challenges for the industry, beauty brands and suppliers have continued to seek creative new ways to merge science, nature and sustainability for better results,” according to Nica Lewis, director of Mintel Beauty Innovation.

This is good news for all of us as we continue to recognize the health benefits of safer personal care products. On the other hand, it also means that now more than ever, you need to be aware of greenwashing - false claims that use terms like organic, natural and sustainable largely as marketing tools.

Wanna Push the Organic Beauty Care Envelope Even Further?

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics makes it easy – and fun – for you to get the word out about safer personal care products.

One of this dedicated group’s most social and festive ideas is to host a safe cosmetics party.  Their Safe Cosmetics Party Kit includes ideas, checklists and sample invites to get you going.  Choose one of their fabulous DIY recipes and get your hands dirty with the cleanest ingredients possible. DIY recipes include…

• Beet red lip gloss
• Cucumber eye gel
• Organic ginger warming foot scrub

Plus, don’t forget to tap into Napa Valley Bath’s DIY recipes including:

• DIY Personal Scents: Perfume & Eau de Toilette
• DIY Hair:  Quick Hot Oil Treatment for Dry Hair & Hair Butter Mask
• DIY Facial Splash or Hand Wash: Queen of Hungary Water

Most importantly, take pride in the fact that you opt for healthier, safer bath and beauty products. It’s better for both the world – and you!

Posted on March 24, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

2 Healthy Treats Inspired by Easter and Passover

Whether you celebrate Easter, Passover, neither or something else, these two treats are a great way to celebrate spring!

Make a Natural Egg Facial Mask for Dry Skin

When I think Easter, I think eggs.  Here’s an interesting way to infuse some spring into your skin using:

·        Organic eggs

·        Honey (a great skin healing agent)

·        Organic virgin olive oil (another great skin healing agent)

·        Organic lavender essential oil

How-to:

1. Mix egg yolk, a teaspoon of warm honey and a teaspoon of olive oil together in a bowl.

2. Apply the egg yolk to your face and neck. Let it stand for 30 to 40 minutes or until dry and rinse with cool water.

3. Rub organic olive oil into your skin for extra moisturizing. Add an optional two drops of organic essential lavender oil to your olive oil to prevent wrinkles and enjoy lavender’s stress-relieving aromatherapeutic effects.

Upgrade Your Matzah Brei!

Shifting gears over to healthy eating I found this recipe and fell in love. Give your matzah brei a new twist by making it into an organic pear frittata this Passover and impress your family with this tasty treat.

Matzah Brei Pear Frittata

Ingredients:

• Extra virgin olive oil spray
• 2 ripe pears, sliced, cores and stems removed (if organic, don’t peel)
• 2 whole wheat or whole grain spelt matzah boards (organic is best)
• 6 egg whites
• Dash sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric

How-to:

1.  Spray a non-stick 12” skillet with oil. Place pears in skillet.
2.  Rinse the matzahs with hot water until they are pliable. Break matzahs and fit into the pan over the pears.
3.  Beat egg whites with salt and turmeric. Pour over matzahs and pears.
4.  Heat the frittata on top of the stove until the edges are set. Finish baking in a 350° oven until top is dry.
5.  Top with organic sugar, honey, maple syrup or Passover confectionery sugar.

From Florence Goodman’s  book “Something Healthy to Eat, as seen on The JewishJournal.org

Do you have a healthy tradition you enjoy this time of year? Share it with others, here!

Posted on March 23, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Expert Voice: Sigur-Björn, Creator of Spectral Meditation

Meditation takes us on a journey to meaningful and deep contentment, beyond the daily tasks that drain us of emotional stability.

Meet Sigur- Björn, creator of Spectral Meditation.

After meditating and teaching traditional ‘mindful’ meditation for over 15 years, Sigur-Björn has developed a three-pronged brand of meditation that includes a powerful blend of sounds, scents and visualization.

“I started to get rest, rejuvenation and focus from my meditation on a level I had not experienced before by using Spectral M,” says Sigur-Björn.  After receiving kudos from friends and family – even those who had never tried meditation before – he recently decided to take it to the public at large.

See, Smell and Soothe for Yourself!

Try Sigur-Björn’s signature Spectral Meditation at home…

What You’ll Need

• A blend of essential oils
• An iPod or some kind of music device with headphones
• An oil burner (optional)
• A quiet place.

Step 1

Create the essential oil blend you will use for your at-home Spectral Meditation experience. You can use frankincense, vertiver, and/or cedarwood and mix it with organic lavender essential oil, which is a great compliment to the other ‘grounding’ oils.

Step 2

Find a secluded place where you can sit undisturbed for 7-10 minutes (a Spectral M session is typically 30 minutes, but this trial is shorter).  Sitting in the lotus position is a great option, but being comfortable is most important.

Step 3

Choose music that relaxes you. Avoid drumbeats. Nature soundtracks featuring rain, ocean, birds etc. are also great.  A blend of music and sounds also works well.  When he teaches, Sigur- Björn tailors music and scents for maximum effect, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the mix that works best for you.

Step 4

Put five or six drops of the essential oil blend in an oil burner. Fill up with water. Light the candle. If you don’t have a burner, put three or four drops of the oil in the palm of your hands, rub them together, and then cup your face in them.  Breathe in deeply several times and let the olfactory system bring the soothing scents to your brain.  Feel the oil relax you. Set the mood further with soy candles.

Step 5

Visualize your first chakra (a chakra is a point of physical or spiritual energy in the human body) at the bottom of your torso. In your mind’s eye, see a beam of red light stretching from the chakra through the earth and into the red, glowing iron core at the center of the Earth. Breathe this red light in and maintain the connection. Replace any thoughts that may arise with this image. Feel the body relax as you listen to the music, breath in the scents, and visualize.

Enjoy the Spectral M Benefits

You may start to feel your root chakra (the chakra associated with being grounded) immediately, or it may take a few sessions. Repeated practice will bring more balance into your life. In addition to activating your root chakra, this exercise is a tremendous way to gain more focus. It will benefit you when you need to concentrate on work or a specific task.

Sigur-Björn Loves Lavender!

“Lavender is the best relaxation scent I know. Before going to sleep, put two drops on your pillow, one on each side of your head. This will give you a deeper sleep and you will wake up more refreshed. Use it consistently for more effectiveness.”

A pure and peaceful mind is a happy mind.  Let us know how your at-home Spectral Meditation goes – we love hearing from you!

Sigur-Björn in person: he teaches Spectral Meditation at CityLife Medical and Fitness Spa on Robertson in Los Angeles and will debut it at The Retreat on Abbot-Kinney in Venice Beach, L.A., in 2010. For more information about Spectral M, visit Facebook/SpectralM or email Sigur-Björn at spectralmed@gmail.com

Posted on March 20, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Baby Love: Keeping Toxins at Bay

As a new, first-time mom, I thought I’d share some top tips I’ve learned about keeping baby toxin free.

The Problem

The current law regulating toxic chemicals was passed in 1976. And it hasn’t changed since, even though 20,000 new chemicals have come onto the market since then according to the Environmental Working Group.

Thankfully, EPA administrator Lisa P. Jackson has been actively calling for toxics reform, saying:

“…both EPA and industry must include special consideration for exposures and effects on groups with higher vulnerabilities – particularly children. As you know, children ingest chemicals at a higher ratio to their body weight than adults. They are more susceptible to long-term damage and developmental problems.”

Serious health problems linked to chemical contamination are on the rise in this country, including:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Childhood brain cancer
• Attention deficit disorder

Top Solutions for Tots

• Use fewer products and use them less frequently

• Buy organic grooming products

• Don’t trust the claims: check the ingredients

• Buy fragrance-free products

• Buy toys noted as PVC- and phthalate-free (Playmobil eliminated PVC from children’s products over 20 years ago); opt for toys from untreated wood or made with organic fibers.

• Print and keep handy the following lists:

Children’s Personal Care Products: Ingredients to Always Avoid

• 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-DIOL (or Bronopol)
• BHA
• DMDM Hydantoin
• Oxybenzone
• Triclosan
• Boric Acide and Sodium Borate
• Dibutyl Phthalate
• Toluene

Children’s Personal Care Products: Ingredients to Avoid When Possible

• Fragrance
• Fluoride
• Ceteareth and PEG compounds
• Parabens
• Triethanolamine
• Dyes
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone & Methylisothiazolinone
• Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
• Benzyl Alcohol and Ispropyl Alcohol

Sign the petition to pass the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act in Congress.  Concerned parents get heard; join the PTA to monitor your school’s indoor air quality, lunchtime meals or playground surroundings.

Posted on March 18, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Coming Clean

When are stores going to be rid of personal care products that are falsely advertised as ‘organic’?

We can’t say when, exactly, but we’ve got some good news: the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is starting to put the pressure on.

Mislabeled Organic Personal Care Products: Solving the Problem

On November 5^th, the NOSB passed a recommendation entitled “Solving the Problem of Mislabeled Organic Personal Care Products.”

Highlights include:

• Third Party Certification: The recommendation urges the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to ensure that any use of the word “organic” on a personal care product is backed up by third-party certification to USDA organic standards.

• Clearing Up Consumer Confusion: The recommendation notes that currently “at a given retailer, one may find personal care products such as shampoos and lotions labeled as ‘organic’ with no clear standards or regulatory underpinning for the organic claim – and unless the product is specifically labeled as ‘USDA Organic,’ the word ‘organic’ may be used with impunity.

• Quest for Clarity: The recommendation goes on to say that even well-meaning manufacturers are confused, noting that “manufacturers of personal care products that contain organic ingredients are hindered by a thicket of competing private standards and confusion regarding the applicability of the NOP to their products. Transactions lack the regulatory clarity that applies under the NOP to food products that contain organic ingredients.”

The over-arching goal is to have the USDA enforce the current agricultural standards in personal care like they do when conventional foods are mislabeled as organic.

What is ‘Organic’ in Relation to Personal Care Products?

Organic ingredients are plant oils or extracts or other unadulterated agricultural products.

To discern between marketing and meaning, use the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Its hazard rating to help you navigate the truth behind organic claims in personal care.  Search for products with a hazard score of 0-2 (versus 3-6 or the most egregious, 7-10). And don’t forget the truly pure organic goodness of small purveyors like Napa Valley Bath. We’re 100% transparent and offer a worry-free guarantee.

Read the entire NOSB recommendation and if you’re inspired, take action!

Posted on March 16, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Expert Voice: Laura Klein, Green Lifestyle Expert

At Napa Valley Bath, we celebrate body, mind and soul every day. In our ‘Expert Voice’ series, we’ll get insights and updates from those who are doing the same.

Meet Laura Klein, a green living authority and founder of OrganicAuthority.com and Laura Klein’s Green Club.  Laura has devoted her life to communicating how living a green lifestyle is healthier for you – and for the planet.

Pesky Parabens Everywhere

“Unfortunately, there are tons of toxic ingredients in our personal care products,” says Laura, “but I always zero in on paraben preservatives since they’re so rampant.”

Parabens are found in most cosmetic and beauty care products. Look for them as methyl-, propyl-, butyl- and ethyl-paraben on ingredient lists. They’ve been linked to cancer as well as infertility, birth defects and developmental delays in children.

“The repetitive, every day use of parabens is where the danger lies,” Laura says. And with women using 12 personal care products a day on average, exposure adds up fast.

Without further ado, here are some of Laura’s paraben-free, DIY recipes, courtesy of LauraKleinGreenClub.com. Try them out, and let us know what you think!

Laura Klein’s Green Goodness Deep Exfoliating Foot Scrub

Use this quick and easy recipe to revitalize tired feet and scrub away dead skin cells.

Healing Ingredients:

1 cup of sea salt
½ cup of extra virgin cold pressed olive oil
10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil

Additional Tools:

A wide-mouth glass jar
Wash cloth (preferably organic cotton)

How To:

Mix the salt and olive oil in your container. Sprinkle in your essential oil. Stir to combine.

Place a towel underneath your feet and sit down. Apply the scrub to your feet using an organic cotton washcloth. Gently exfoliate callus-prone heels and toes using light circular motions.

For a softer scrub for those of you who don’t have heavily calloused feet, replace the salt with cornmeal and/or baking soda.

Laura Klein’s Green Goodness Organic Oatmeal Mask

Oatmeal calms and softens skin. A natural anti-inflammatory, it creates a thin moisture retaining layer on the surface of the skin and acts as a super gentle exfoliant.

Healing Ingredients:

2 tablespoons dry, organic oatmeal (rolled, not instant)
2 teaspoons honey
1 egg white

How To:

An oatmeal mask is ideal for a tub soak. Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Mix into a thick paste. Apply to cleansed skin. Relax for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Follow with your favorite all natural moisturizer.

Posted on March 13, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Cooking with Lavender

We’ve waxed on about the soothing, healing power of lavender in your bath, on your skin and as stress-reliving aromatherapy

It’s time to talk about spreading the lavender love around your kitchen. Read on for recipes ranging from Peppered Lavender Beef to Lavender Chocolate Bars to a yummy Lavender Syrup!

Lavender: An Incredible, Edible Flower

Cooking with edible flowers goes back as far as Roman times. Lavender provides a sweet, floral flavor, with lemon and citrus notes. Thanks to its strong scent and flavor, a little goes a long way. Choose organic lavender flowers – they are the safest, healthiest way to cook with lavender.

Lavender: Savory and Sweet

There’s a bouquet of ways that lavender contributes to culinary delights.

On the savory side, lavender adds delicate flavor to pastries, meats, beverages and more.  The secret to success when using edible flowers is to keep the dish simple – don’t use too many other flavors that will overpower the delicate taste of the flower. Here are some top tips for savory success with lavender;

• Substitute lavender in place of rosemary in any recipe.
• Bake scones or shortbread and infuse the cream with dried lavender flowers or press the flowers through a sieve with the flour
• Go all out:  try making Peppered Lavender Beef using Organic Lavender Flowers– and let us know how it turns out!

Not only is lavender an interesting ingredient in sweets, it adds a colorful visual accent. For lavender’s sweet side, you can…

• Sprinkle lavender in a glass of champagne for a sweet flavor and gorgeous garnish
• Bake it  into sweets, like this Lavender Chocolate Bar recipe. This recipe also makes an unusual gift idea!
• Make a syrup with dried lavender flowers and use it to sweeten limeade, lemonade or iced tea, or pour over berries, warm cake, pancakes ice cream and more!

Lovely Lavender Syrup:

• 1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons dried lavender blossoms

Mash 1/3 cup sugar and lemon peel in small bowl to blend well. (Lemon sugar can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.)

Bring 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, honey, and lavender to boil in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until lavender flavor is pronounced, about 3 minutes. Strain syrup into small bowl. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature. Rewarm syrup before continuing.)

Recipe via Epicurious.com

Please report back if you try any of these recipes and your fellow lavender enthusiasts know how it went!

Posted on March 11, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Just Say No to Nanoparticles!

Q: When is ‘skin deep’ not deep enough?

A: When technology worms its way into your personal care products!

Nanoparticles are a hot new technology and all the rage in the beauty industry. But beyond the hype, the picture isn’t so pretty.

One of our skin’s key jobs is to keep harmful substances out;  but it has met its match with nanoparticles.  These ultra fine particles act as ‘penetration enhancers’ that deliver ingredients past the skin to a deep, cellular level – with unintended health consequences.

Nanoparticles enter the bloodstream almost immediately, carrying chemicals to organs. According to the Environmental Working Group, nanoparticles slide up the optic nerve to the brain or burrow inside red blood cells.

Nano No No

Although nanoparticles are found in more than one-third of all products, from sunscreen to moisturizers to foundation – they aren’t easy to spot on ingredient lists!

The following is a list of known nanoparticles to look for on labels – and avoid:

• Nano Zinc Oxide
• Fullersomes
• Nanosomes
• Fullerene (C60 Hydroxide)
• Microspheres
• Ingredients containing the words ‘nano’ or ‘micronized’

Peruse this list of 256 products with nano-scale ingredients from the Environmental Working Group, and read their full report to the FDA on the topic for a more in-depth look.

Natural Know-How

Take control of your beauty and bath routine. Remember…

• Less is More: the more natural the product, the fewer ingredients it’s likely to have
• Herbal Essence: Look for products high in herbal content like lavender and aloe vera
• Plant It: Natural, plant-based options – like pure essential oils – are your best option, especially since we absorb 60% of anything we put on our skin.

Stick to the all-natural basics, and feed your body all the nourishment it needs – and leave the nanoparticles for NASA.