Raves for Rosemary

by Leslie Billera on September 11, 2010 · 0 comments

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I’ll never forget my first roasted chicken with rosemary. It was made with love by an Italian friend we were visiting in Tuscany and I still dream of it from time to time.

Now I can apply this warm and fuzzy feeling for this native Mediterranean herb to my personal care experience.

Greeks wove Rosemary wreaths into their hair believing that Rosemary strengthened the brain and enhanced memory. From a health and skincare perspective, rosemary – a member of the mint family (the same as lavender!) – is known to:

  • boost mental activity
  • relieve respiratory problems
  • stimulate hair growth
  • tone skin
  • heal skin dryness

The Sweet Scent of Rosemary Therapy

On the aromatherapy front, rosemary is a potent inhalant that enhances mental energy. Since it’s known for strengthening memory, it is also an ancient symbol of fidelity and has been referred to as the ‘remembrance herb.’

Delight your senses and indulge your skin with a unique take on rosemary goodness – try Napa Valley Bath’s Organic Rosemary Soap (it includes barley grass for extra, earth-bound richness) and let us know what you think!

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Why No Food Dye? Ask CSPI!

by Leslie Billera on September 9, 2010 · 0 comments

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I’m always on the look-out for impartial organizations that work hard on consumers’ behalf. Organizations that rally Washington and make noise to spur healthy change for food, personal care and other issues deserve our loyalty, thanks and attention!

One such organization is the Center for Science in the Public Interest.  This group, founded in 1971, is busy fighting for government policies and corporate practices that promote healthy diets, prevent deceptive marketing practices, and ensure that science is used to promote the public welfare.

In my last post, I profiled how Peggy O’Kelly, founder and owner of St. Helena Olive Oil Co. and Napa Valley Bath was forced into awareness of the danger of food additives when she discovered her daughter was allergic to them. This awareness fostered an interested in organic and pesticide-free foods from which she has never wavered.

Chemical Cuisine

What CSPI calls ‘chemical cuisine’ is the processed, factory-made ‘food’ that is chock full of unnatural ingredients including:

CSPI has a comprehensive directory of food additives that are click-ready and – printable – to help you keep chemical consumption to an absolute minimum.

Red White and Blue Food Dye

One can only wonder why our great country is so lax when it comes to dietary rules and regulations.

Case in point:  Nutrigrain Cereal Bars. Check out the difference in ingredients from our country to theirs:

USA: Nutrigrain Cereal Bars, Strawberry

Colors: Red No. 40, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1

U.K.: Nutrigrain Cereal Bars, Strawberry

Colors: Beetroot red, Annatto, Paprika extract

Read CSPI’s Rainbow of Risks to learn why we need the same standards as our neighbors across the pond. And bookmark CSPI if you care about chemical-free living.

Read More:

Toxicity Fight Club: Boys and Girls Edition

Expert Voice: The Organic Trade Association


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Shhh! 5 Reasons to Rally Around Silence

by Leslie Billera on September 4, 2010 · 0 comments

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“I like being in silence the best.”

-Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda, Intelligent Nutrients, author and environmentalist

When is the last time you scheduled silence into your daily routine?

If you’re like me, the answer is probably ‘never.’

Silence Speaks Volumes

Here’s 5 great reasons to rethink the power of silence…

1. Silence fosters creativity: Quieting the chatter, both verbally and mentally, means new ideas come to light.

2. Connecting with your inner-voice: You might surprise yourself when you discover that you already know the answers to the many questions swirling around your head.

3. Reeling in real rest: When you give over to silence, you enable yourself to simply be. Silence can have a uniquely restorative effect.

4. Embracing silence:  Silence does not have to equal ‘wrong’;  it’s actually a wonderful way to regroup and renew. Enjoy your silence with a smile, and people will start to read it as your own private moment – not as a bad mood.

5. Silence strengthens listening: Don’t be afraid of pauses and moments of quiet. It gives you and those around you a moment to breathe…and to listen to and take in the ideas, body gestures, sounds and words of others.

“What I like about silence is that you can hear the truth, that you can hear yourself. And studying the self is what I’m really interested in.”

-Horst Rechelbacher, via MindBodyGreen.com

Soaking Up Silence

There’s no better moment to cave in to quiet than during a long, luxurious soak.  Add Napa Valley Bath body and bath products to your search for silence and see, smell and sense the difference in organic skin care.

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Toxicity Fight Club: Boys & Girls Edition

by Leslie Billera on September 2, 2010 · 0 comments

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If ingredients linked to allergies, cancer and other ailments deserve a one-two punch in grown-up products, they deserve an extra whammy when it comes to kids’ lotions and potions. After all, the wee ones count on us to make smart, grown-up decisions (even if they do scream over washing their hair or a smart slathering of sunscreen).

Here are some highlights of what to avoid when it comes to chemical-free kiddie care…

Shampoo & Conditioner:

Avoid these ingredients…

  • DMDM Hydantoin: This allergen and irritant can form cancer-causing contaminants
  • Fragrance:  As we’ve pointed out before, ‘fragrance’ is code for all kinds of funky allergens that may contain neurotoxic or hormone-disrupting chemicals
  • Ceteareth & PEG Compounds: These harmful petrochemicals that may contain cancer-causing impurities are far from kid-friendly.

Body Wash & Liquid Soap

Avoid these ingredients…

  • Triclosan: Like we said, try, try, try for no triclosan! It’s a potential hormone disruptor which can effect the endocrine system which regulates growth and development.
  • DMDM Hydantoin: See above, and keep in mind that in Japan, DMDM Hydantoin is prohibited for use in some types of cosmetics!
  • Fragrance: See above and always opt for ‘fragrance-free’

Play Make-up

Kids love to play dress-up. But when it comes to trying on mom’s make-up, keep in mind that…

  • Your lipstick may contain harmful impurities that your child might swallow in trace amounts
  • Most nail polish contains dibutyl phthalate and toluene, both of which are linked to hormone disruption and cancer
  • Cosmetics in powder form might damage lungs when inhaled

Buy organic, keep toxins at bay for your tot, print the guide to learn more and don’t forget the ultimate in full-disclosure personal care for you and the kids – Do It Yourself (DIY!).

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6 All Natural Ingredients to Know About

by Leslie Billera on August 28, 2010 · 0 comments

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We’ve told you what you don’t want in your truly natural and healthy personal care products (formaldehyde, triclosan, etc.)  Now it’s time to focus on the “dos!”

Nature is chock full of wonderful ingredients that can moisturize skin and hair with nary a chemical in site. In addition to our all-time favorite, organic lavender, consider these inspiring ingredients:

1. Aloe vera: In addition to her love for lavender, Cleopatra used aloe as a skin rejuvenator. It is rich in polysaccharides, galactose, plant steroids, enzymes, amino acids, minerals and even natural antibiotics.

2. Avocado: Containing more fatty alcohols than any other fruit, avocados are rich in potassium and vitamins B, E, and K. Avocado is also a highly effective emollient.

3. Beeswax: Rich in fatty acid esters, beeswax (a colorless liquid secreted by female worker bees) is an emollient, thickener and emulsifier. It locks in moisture, fosters cells and protects skin from dangerous environmental factors.

4. Cornflower: Tired and puffy eyes? No problem. Cornflower (or the more romantic bluebottle or bachelor’s button!) is known to soothe skin and reduce dark circles.  Try this easy face steam and feel your face lift: use a hot tea made from cornflower, marigold, lavender and wild chamomile; steam for 10-15 minutes.

5. Candelilla wax: This vegetable wax is the vegan’s alternative to beeswax; it can be found in lip balms or body lotions and is lauded for its anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Cocoa butter: It’s made from the vegetable fat of the cocoa bean – how can it not be awesome!  With its incredibly high volume of Vitamin E, cocoa butter provides extreme renewal and repair properties. In addition to moisturizing, cocoa butter is famous for reducing scars.

What are your favorite all-natural ingredients? Let us know!

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Breathe, Be and Believe: Empower Yourself with Essential Oils

by Leslie Billera on August 26, 2010 · 0 comments

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Essential oils positively purify three critical areas of your physical well-being: lungs, body and mind.

The Aromatherapy Bible, by Gill Farrer-Halls, cites the following benefits in his info-packed, go-to guide for all things aromatherapeutic:

  • Lungs: The cleansing breaths you take at your favorite spa put you instantly at ease: that’s essential oils at work. Essential oils replace waste products like carbon dioxide with oxygen and essential oil particles, truly clarifying every breath you take.
  • Body:  Once soaked into skin, essential oil circulates around the bloodstream, traveling to different organs and body systems. Extra bonus: different essential oils have a therapeutic affinity for certain organs. Rose essential oil, for example, is known to have a regulating effect on the uterus.  Lavender, when taken internally as a tea, has been known to help upset stomach, gallbladder and liver problems
  • Mind: Essential oils have powerful mental, emotional and psychological effects. Lavender alleviates anxiety, depression and nervousness – no chemicals, nothing synthetic. Try this holistic approach and watch your mood lift and your frazzled nerves unwind.

Put the power of essential oils to work for you – whether it’s organic lavender (as always, our vote!) or something else and add a true scent-sation to your personal care routine!

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Rough patch? The ‘Why’ Behind Dry

by Leslie Billera on August 24, 2010 · 0 comments

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Your skin is more complicated than it looks. The average square inch of your skin holds:

  • 650 sweat glands
  • 20 blood vessels
  • 60,000 melanocytes (pigment skin cells)
  • 1,000+ nerve endings

All three main layers (epidermis, stratum corneum and dermis) work in harmony with one another. If any of the following are a part of your daily life, dry skin may disrupt your natural ability to moisturize:

  • Exposure to excessive sun
  • Excessive bathing
  • Use of conventional, detergent-based soaps
  • Low humidity
  • Central air and heating

It’s time to get rid of pesky dry patches one and for all!

Moisturizing Madness to the Rescue!

Napa Valley Bath’s Moisturizing Madness gift set includes 3 steps to moister, smoother skin:

  1. 8oz. Lavender Lotion – Certified organic herbal extracts, the highest-quality natural food-grade safflower vegetable oil, nourishing seaweed (algae) and healing aloe vera blend with four lavenders selected from around the world. Decadent, delightful…and mortal enemy of dry skin.
  2. 4 oz. Body Butter - Combines the highest quality shea butter from Uganda, healing herbs, health-food-grade fresh vegetable oils, natural vegetable waxes, and soothing aromatic lavender water from the Aromatic Plant Project. A must-have for cracked, callused and parched skin.
  3. Hoof Cream – This tin of rich balm revitalizes your hands and feet with a blend of olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, tocoperol, orange essential oil, lavender essential oil and peppermint essential oil

…given the prices of typical department store brands (which are chock full of synthetic ingredients, toxic fragrance and may even be tested on animals) the Napa Valley Bath Moisturizing Madness package is a steal at $58!

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Holistic Mom Power!

by Leslie Billera on August 21, 2010 · 0 comments

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Bringing a new face into the world makes it a whole lot brighter…but a lot more worrisome too.

What’s in that bubble bath? Is that burger grass fed? Is that car seat in correctly? Is he/she eating/drinking/sleeping/smiling enough?

Mamma mia is right!

Holistic Moms to the Rescue!

Holistic Moms Network is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization connecting parents who are interested in holistic health and green living. (Dads are welcome too by the way!).

For $45 a year, you gain access to a Holistic Moms Network chapter meeting near you. This network of like-minded people beats at the heart of your membership. Membership includes a slew of benefits, but I particularly like the FREE digital subscriptions to Mothering and Organic Spa Magazines in addition to the Wise-E Mom E-Magazine that HMN publishes. The HealthE Mama News is free to all.

What is Holistic?

Here’s how HMN puts it:

Holistic living is the art of living in balance with ourselves and our environment. Understanding and respecting that all things are interconnected is at the heart of a holistic lifestyle.

Holistic living is about taking responsibility for our actions and choices in the knowledge that these choices have consequences for all living things on the planet.

If that sounds good to you, consider the Holistic Moms Network. And as always, we welcome your ideas and comments on living life naturally, organically and happily right here!

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Expert Voice: The Organic Trade Association

by Leslie Billera on August 19, 2010 · 0 comments

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We connected with Jennifer Rose, New Media Manager and Staff Writer for the Organic Trade Association, who shared why organic products are important to both people and planet.

1. The Organic Trade Association launched a campaign called “Organic: It’s Worth It” recently. What was the impetus behind this name?

Organic producers and handlers must meet strict standards to achieve and maintain organic certification. We wanted a message that communicated to consumers that the benefits of organic make these efforts worth it. It’s worth it to spend the extra dollar for organic produce. It’s worth it to keep synthetic pesticides and fertililzers out of the earth, etc. OTA’s “Organic. It’s Worth It” campaign and its consumer website, www.organicitsworthit.org, provide a platform for communicating to consumers these and other reasons WHY organic is worth it.

2. Most people apply ‘organic’ to food. Are people applying organic to their personal care more? What trends are you seeing?

People are seeking out organic personal care products for many of the same reasons that they seek out organic food: they enable you to avoid exposure to harmful synthetic pesticides. At the same time, because they are produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, organic personal care products help prevent against damage to valuable water resources, protect species diversity, and combat climate change.

3. What does the Organic Trade Association do to fight greenwashing when it comes to organic labeling?

OTA encourages organic companies to use the USDA Organic seal whenever possible, and explains to consumers what the seal and organic practices stand for.



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Buy Green This Back-to-School Season!

by Leslie Billera on August 17, 2010 · 0 comments

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We’ve cited several of the Environmental Working Group‘s pivotal personal care campaigns including:

  • EWG 2010 Sunscreen Guide
  • EWG Healthy Home Checklist
  • EWG’s Guide to Triclosan
  • EWG’s report on adolescents and cosmetics

As a note of thanks to this important non-profit organization, we want you to know about a great green back-to-school promotion EWG has set up with online retailer Amazon.com.

This no brainer back-to-school buying campaign is simple:

Buy alternative, greener school supplies on Amazon.com = EWG gets a kick-back

Why Green Your Back-to-School Buying?

Once again, the EWG has some startling reasons why conventional products pale when it comes to their green counterparts. For example:

  • Peeved by PVC: PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is everywhere including note books, binders, art supplies (particularly polymer clay), lunch boxes and backpacks. There are healthier, non-toxic, great-looking alternatives out there: discover them!
  • Precious Water: Start the school year right by banning plastic water bottles. Hook your kid up with a reusable water bottle…BPA-free of course.
  • A Better Crayon: Soy and beeswax crayons eliminate the use of parrafin wax, which originates from crude oil.
  • Paper Positive: Buying post-consumer waste paper is a tip of the hat to our environment. If you can make the extra investment, it’s a great way to contribute.
  • Cell Phone, Smart Phone: If your little one is of cell phone age – and if you use one (and who doesn’t) – check out EWG’s Cell Phone Database for those that offer lower radiation levels, known as the cell phone’s ‘SAR value’.

Buy your supplies to benefit EWG by clicking here.

And when you finally get those sons and daughters back to school, plan a day of self-pampering using all of your favorite organic lavender-based Napa Valley Bath products…after the long summer, you’ll surely deserve it!

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