Non Toxic Bubble Bath

Oliver's cashing in on the Christmas love early.

Check out this awesome non toxic bubble bath he was just gifted.

He is a bubble bath addict, so he was pretty ecstatic to pull this from its wrapping. Like, even more so than his daily Lindor advent chocolate.
I'm happy because it's 100% natural, vegan, gluten-free, and totally kid-friendly so he can splash it in his eyes without a meltdown. 
It is a bubble bath but it actually cleanses so if the soap doesn't quite make it all over his precious (and highly active) skin, at least I feel like he's clean.
And. It. Smells. Like. Ice cream.
Not that Ollie cares this young but the ink is soy, the packaging is recycled (and recyclable) and the bubble bath itself is biodegradable and never tested on animals. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the ingredients list - no SLS (for a bubble bath? wow!) and most things were organic.
100% Pure is awesome - they use no synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances or colours, harsh detergents, or other unhealthy toxins. They even offer make-up that's dyed using fruit. I love that. And their baby line is coming out soon. (Pretty please by January?!)

Until December 8th you can use the coupon code 100PURE1204 for 10% off your order. 

I am not affiliated with this company. This is my honest review.

What is maca good for

Quiz.

What's grown in Peru, considered a root, and I've tried it in four different forms?

If you answered coffee, you're wrong. Coffee's not a root and I've tried it in 180 forms.

It's maca!

Maca is, yes, a Peruvian root. It tastes a little bit like coffee (or burnt chocolate, or dark caramel) and comes in many forms. It's main benefit is to balance out-of-whack hormone levels.

Although one big study came out that found it had no effect on hormone levels (boo!) the other 149 done recently have shown great things.

I'll outline one incredible result from taking maca with a real life case that I witnessed. That result is: increased fertility.

I was the newest employee at a health food store and a couple came in complaining that they couldn't get pregnant. And they'd been trying for 10 years. Another employee was the first to help them and explained the benefits of maca root while I listened in intently.

My co-worker told both the husband and wife to take liquid maca concentrate daily and to keep trying. And to let her know what happens.

I kid you not they came back less than a year later with a newborn in their hands and I pretty much had tears in my eyes. Everyone else did too.

Maca can lead to better sperm production, sperm motility, and semen volume. That's a recipe for a babe if you ask me!

Fertility isn't the only aspect of hormone health that you should be worried about. Acne, cramping, moodiness... they can all be associated with hormone imbalance.

And, it has other benefits too (don't worry!) It can also increase energy. I've felt this first hand.

The Vega website (one company who produces a maca supplement) says it can:

• Promote vitality
• Metabolize carbohydrates, fats and protein
• Develop and maintain strong bones and teeth
• Form red blood cells and support their proper function
• Contribute to a feeling of overall well-being
• Maintain good health
• Provide antioxidant support

After looking at that list - and not being overly afraid of its aphrodisiac reputation - I gave it a shot. In powdered form, liquid form, concentrate (phew! strong!) and this new "coffee" kind. The coffee one is a powdered maca granule that can be percolated to make a mug of hot, dark coffee-like liquid that is actually liquid maca. Because it gives energy some people can totally switch from coffee to maca-coffee.

So if you're in the market to balance any hormonal strangeness (menopause, anyone?) maybe you could throw a spoon of powdered maca into your morning smoothie. Just make sure you've got a crib and change table ready ;)

Natural BB Cream/ CC Cream Update

About a year ago I posted about BB Cream, which was then a growing trend and not much was known about a "natural" variety.

Not long after that I discovered Boscia's BB Cream through a make up artist friend (Britt Havens) who works at Sephora. A co-worker of hers gave me a killer sample, and well, I fell in love. The smooth, light texture and the creaseless results are to die for. To have skin perfecting coverage, with moisturizing benefits, plus SPF sun protection, with no harsh chemicals - yes please!

And I was sure I had written an update post to let you readers know the gem I'd found. But a quick blog search tells me I didn't. Oops!

Wait! Update! I DID. Here, I slipped in a quick word about discovering Boscia.

In my original post I explained the benefits of BB cream - acne treatment, foundation, moisturizer, toner, powder, sunscreen... And apparently, the next new trend is going to be "CC Creams". They apparently retain all of the original benefits of BB creams, but with added qualities like increased coverage.

But what I also talked about there was Tarte Cosmetic's Smooth Operator. It's not really a BB cream but before knowing about Boscia's, it was all we had in our little bubble of natural/nontoxic cosmetics. Smooth Operator is nice, but, now Tarte has a real BB cream!

I'm a Tarte-a-holic. From the first time I tried their smooth blush stick in a super apricot-y colour. Hooked. So I'm happy this might be an option for me in the future.

Until then - keep natural my friends!

You Need Magnesium!

So you may have picked up that I have a lot of experience with natural health products. I also have a lot of experience viewing the success or failure of said products on friends, family and clients' ailments. Some products seem downright ineffective (many weight-loss "solutions", certain root-based beverages to substitute delicious coffee, expensive skin creams to make you look younger) but some seem to have a near perfect success rate - maca to balance hormones, sulforaphane for skin problems - but above them all is magnesium. It is a miracle product. Time and again, when I recommend magnesium people come back with accolades for how well it works.

With the popularity of Dr. Carolyn Dean's book  "The Magnesium Miracle" more people are discovering this once rarely known mineral. Your body's muscles run on two main minerals - calcium to contract, and magnesium to relax. That doesn't mean magnesium will force them to relax (spontaneously falling to the ground - not fun) but it means that when you require a relaxed muscle, magnesium is the tool your cells are looking for.

This has many implications. Headaches are often the result of a tense muscle - in your face or neck. Menstrual cramps and certain menopausal symptoms are related to muscle tension. Constipation is another common one. Sore muscles after working out, leg cramps during pregnancy, or dehydration (or let's be honest - a night of drinking) - all muscle related. Not to mention nervousness, inability to sleep, some heart problems and ADHD... Magnesium deficiency is serious and very common. 

 

A lack of magnesium also causes poor calcium uptake in the bones so instead calcium circulates in the blood which not only doesn't help with osteoporosis but also puts you at risk of arterial plaque which is heart attack material.

Did you know? Craving chocolate is a sign of a magnesium deficiency. It so often occurs during a woman's "time of the month" - your body's natural way of telling you to intake some magnesium to prevent the muscle cramping pain. Thanks, body!

There are a few problems with attempting to get all of your required magnesium from foods - first of all, most magnesium-rich foods also contain calcium, and although they're often said to be a great combination, what we're looking for is a higher ratio of magnesium to calcium, thus promoting relaxation. Also, magnesium is one of the nutrients that is severely depleted from our soil and hence, our food supply. So even eating healthy isn't enough.

There is one magnesium supplement I recommend over and over: Natural Calm. It is a delicious drink mix that gives you a needed magnesium punch to calm even the twitchiest eye, the most over-active hands, or the most restless of legs. Take it before bed and you'll drift into a peaceful sleep. The mix comes in a powder that you mix with hot water. You can either use all hot water, or simply a little to dissolve the powder, and then finish with cold water for a chilled version. I use the lemon-raspberry flavour. It is well absorbed because it is in a water-soluble form (ionic). You can find out more on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NaturalVitalityLifeNutrified

Check out the Nutritional Magnesium Association for more information.

 

What the heck is BB cream and is there a natural one?

If you watch any TV at all (and here's hoping you don't, but let's be honest) you've probably seen commercials for the new "BB creams". These commercials have tons of flawless models, stroking their faces and using set lighting to their advantage, but what they don't have is any explanation as to what a BB cream is! Well, My Idea of Happiness blog to the rescue!

BB cream was invented in Germany but became extremely popular in Asia. Its popularity in Asia has led to its spread into North America, where many major brands are catching on to the trend. Essentially what it is is an all-in-one cream for your face. And when I say all in one, I really mean it...

Most BB creams take the place of your acne treatment, foundation, moisturizer, toner, powder and sunscreen. Phew.

While it doesn't do quite all of these duties, the closest to a natural BB cream is Tarte's Smooth Operator. The company does use some unpronounceables, but in general does a great job of including nature's treasures in their formulas, for instance using camellia and chamomile in this product to soothe irritated skin, as well as using natural mineral pigments to act as a tinted moisturizer, and using all natural Earth-friendly soy ink on their packaging.

Apparently, Missha and SkinFood - cosmetic companies out of Korea - make "natural" BB creams but their information in English is pretty limited and I doubt they are available in Canadian retail stores.

Tarte can be found at Sephora as well as purchased online.

*UPDATE* See my new updated post here.

Product Review: J.R. Watkins Hand & Cuticle Salve

Company: J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary, American (Winona, MN)
Product: Hand & Cuticle Salve (in Lavender), 59 grams
Claims: 99.5% natural, soothes and protects dry, rough skin, "never doctored up like big city, factory products", natural since 1868, not tested on animals, SLS free, paraben free, phthalate free, mineral oil/petrolatum free, dye free

Ingredients: Canola oil, sweet almond oil, beeswax, lavender oil, chamomile oil, eucalyptus oil, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) - Also comes in Lemon, and Aloe/Green Tea


Certifications: Natural Products Association
Price: Around $10

My review: 

 

I've been a loyal Burt's Bees Gardeners Hand Salve customer for many years but when I saw Food Inc and realized that many seemingly harmless companies are owned by big bully corporations I looked further into this trend and found out that Burt's Bees was purchased by Clorox Bleach. (Tom's toothpaste is owned by Colgate, Kashi is owned by Kellogg's, Naked Juice is owned by Pepsi, The Body Shop is owned by Nestle... to name a few.) J.R. Watkins is an awesome alternative because they have been run by sweet people near the Mississippi River for over a hundred years and aren't stopping anytime soon. Their ingredients read like a dream - nothing suspicious or unneeded. I could make this product in my bathroom.

The salve goes on smooth and somewhat oily, which is its job. It acts as a protective layer against the elements. While we're still braving winter and all the cold, blustery winds that come with it, I've found it great for keeping moisture in my hands. This spring when I break ground and start gardening again, it's going to be perfect. 

It does double duty, smoothing out cracked and dry cuticles, which instantly transformed the look of my hands. I think the nail area can have a huge effect on the look of your hands (much like eyebrows on your face). 

The smell is out of this world. That's what happens when you use real ingredients that speak for themselves. I keep this on my nightstand so that I can rub a little on before I fall asleep (and to help me fall asleep! It is very relaxing). A little tin full of aromatherapy - and don't think I don't have plans for this tin when I run out of product. 

J.R. Watkins never fails to impress me. I love this product and it makes me want to stock a whole bathroom full of their apothecary treats!