The Price of Beauty

by Irene // January 29, 2017 // 8 Comments

“Did you know Mussolini’s mistress absolutely refused to wear pearls after she heard about the Nazi experiments to coat the things with poison chemicals? The poison would be absorbed through the skin.”

~General Bo
“Dying for Chocolate” by Diane Mott Davidson.

This had me thinking. We consider what goes in our bodies, but what goes on our bodies? – not so much.

The personal care industry is effectively unregulated. Our government hasn’t made industry regulations since 1938. Not only is premarket safety testing not required, companies are virtually free to use toxic ingredients in products that we use daily. This freedom in effect allows labels to use deceiving adjectives to market the product. Trust me, “harmful” is not a word you’ll spot on a label.

For example, be cautious with the ingredients named “Fragrance” and “Parfum”. This is an elusive group of almost 3,000 unlisted chemicals (most of which are derived from petroleum). Many scientists believe that synthetic fragrance may be the cause of mild dermatitis to more serious problems such as migraines, asthma, birth defects (including autism), miscarriage, hormone imbalance and cancer.

The FDA has banned 19 toxins found in antibacterial soap, but regular soap still needs to be vetted. Try Pure Bliss Artisan Soap. A company started by a family friend desiring natural products for their 10 children. Why use off the shelf products loaded with toxins when you can get pure ingredients? Everything from bar soap (where else can you find Frankincense & Myrrh scented soap?) to diaper rash creams and unique shaving bars are available there.

My friend Emily experienced allergic reactions to chemicals contained in over-the counter hair color. Not ok. Her solution? Madison Reed. This hair dye offers a smarter way to color at home. It is handcrafted in Italy, under the strictest EU health and safety standards. The result? See for yourself:

Avoid toxins in cleansers and makeup removers by switching to Norwex Makeup Remover Cloths or Makeup Eraser, both found on Amazon.

Anti-aging creams and moisturizers can contain Propylene Glycol. I’m guessing you don’t want to put antifreeze on your face., so try Goop

Even nail polish has been targeted. It’s ranked as 3-Free through 9-Free. The “free” number indicates how many carcinogens have been left out. So, the higher the number, the safer the product.

Everything we put on our face, eyes and lips is a chance to add toxins to the biggest organ we have, our skin. Here are a few options:

Beautycounter is one brand working to put safe products into our hands. Check out their safe, beautiful and elegant products.

Thrive Causemetics is safe beauty with a purpose: for every product purchased, they donate one to a woman in need.

Coastal Classic Creations make their products, including makeup, perfume and skincare with the best ingredients nature has to offer.

If these price points are a bit high, try Physicians Formula or e.l.f. products.

What if you’re “brand loyal”? I won’t stop using my Younique BB Flawless Complexion Enhancer. Good news. With the little research I did, the ingredients seem safe enough to continue use.

I’m kind of a lazy person and not inclined to read a long-ish list of foreign-sounding chemicals that I won’t remember. Generally we know to avoid products that contain lead, mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, parabens and any ingredients using alphabet short cuts (BHA, PABA, EDTA, MEA, etc.). I don’t enjoy struggling to read the tiny text on ingredients labels. Nor do I have the energy to start a hash tag # campaign or drum up support for a boycott. If you share these characteristics, at least research before you buy. Before going shopping, check out EWG’s Skin Deep Database to help you decide what’s safe(r) to buy.

If you prefer an app (and who doesn’t?) download the free app “Think Dirty”. You can easily scan a product to learn if it’s “dirty” or “clean”. Got a “dirty” rating? A safer alternative is also provided.

Doesn’t all of this make you want to say bye. bye. bye. to health robbing products?

The Ginger That Makes Me Happy (A Recipe for Candying)

by Sandy // January 22, 2017 // 5 Comments

What’s my favourite ginger? Although he’s right up there at the top of the list, it’s not Chef Bobby Flay.

When you come from Michigan, you know that the best-tasting, most effective cure-all is Vernor’s Ginger-ale.

Unfortunately, since we moved to Kentucky, it’s not always available. So, when I have an extremely horrible upset stomach (symptoms of my Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and extreme Acid Reflux), I grab the next best thing: real ginger.

Ginger has a very long history of use in medicine. It helps digestion, relieves nausea (including morning sickness), fights the flu and common cold, reduces inflammation, muscle pain and blood sugar, just to name a few of it’s benefits.

When desperate, I chew it raw. Yuk! It’s fibrous and extremely potent. But, recently, I WAS desperate. I had a horrible IBS attack and couldn’t find any other relief. My husband took pity on me and candied it. Eureka!

It was super easy, delicious and brought tremendous relief! Eddie used Alton Brown’s Recipe found on the Food Network website. It took about one hour from start to finish.

CANDIED GINGER

Ingredients

Raw Ginger Root
Sugar (We use Turbinado, a raw sugar)
Water

Instructions

Peel the ginger. The easiest way is to rub the back of the knife over the surface. It removes the skin but leaves most of the root. Do not put your thumb on the edge of the blade out of habit! Blood doesn’t add any benefits!

Slice the ginger into like-sized pieces. Most will be rounds or half-rounds.

Place it in a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover well. (We used 2 large roots and 5 cups of water.) Bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook until tender (approximately 35 minutes).

Remove from heat and set aside 1/4 of the liquid. Drain it in a colander.

Place cooked ginger, 1 cup sugar (or Turbinado) and the reserved liquid back into the saucepan. Bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and cook until the liquid crystalizes, stirring FREQUENTLY (about 20 minutes).

Turn it onto a rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for a month (or longer).

The next time you have heartburn or indigestion, don’t reach for the TUMS. Reach for the ginger, instead!

New Year, New Drink! This Year, Make a Resolu-Gin

by Sandy // January 4, 2017 // No Comments

As we enter the New Year, we anticipate change: resolutions are made to change the way we feel, look, eat, exercise, communicate, clean and spend. By January 13, most resolutions are broken. But one change we can stick to is a new cocktail! This year, make a Resolu-Gin – an herbal infusion of basil in a mix of gin, elderflower, peach, lemon and brown sugar – a perfect balance of sweet, sour and fruity.

Begin by making and cooling brown sugar simple syrup.

Brown sugar simple syrup is, well, simple.

All you need to know is that the ratio is 1:1. We used two cups of brown sugar and two cups of water. You could cut the ratio in half and only use one cup of each. But it practically lasts forever, so why not go ahead and get wild? Combine the brown sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil, stirring occasionally, until all the sugar has dissolved. Let it cool and pour into a fancy little bottle and keep refrigerated.

RESOLU-GIN

INGREDIENTS:

8 Torn basil leaves
2 parts Gin
1 part Elderflower liqueur (our favourite is Fleur, but St-Germain may be more readily available)
1 part Freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
1/2 part peach syrup (Torani was our choice)
1/2 part Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

PREPARATION:

Add basil to the bottom of a rocks glass. Muddle gently. Add the remaining ingredients and ice. Stir. Strain. Garnish with a wedge of lemon and enjoy. Cheers!

We Can All Use a Bottle Now and Then ….

by Sandy // November 17, 2016 // 2 Comments

We were invaded! The world was taken over! Not by the green Martians, or insects, or extreme temperatures of my young nightmares — but by plastic.

Do you remember when we were young? Who didn’t have a glass jar of ketchup or mayonnaise in the fridge? Who didn’t have a blue glass jar of Noxema on the edge of the tub? Even dishwashing liquid came in fabulous glass bottles in wonderful shapes. Not any longer. Plastic has invaded our cupboards and closets.

Everyone has bottles. I’m willing to bet there’s at least a few dozen in your home right now…. in the basement, garage, refrigerator, pantry, and probably, in the trash. Few of us use bottles to decorate. What a waste!

Glass bottles and jars are some of the most over-looked and forgotten items that can be used to decorate your home. They have outstanding colours, beautiful shapes and textures, and character that would add charm to any decor. They can make your mundane tasks more enjoyable and can capture memories. They can be used creatively and artistically. Not convinced? Take a look at some examples.

COLOURS

The colours can be vibrant or muted. Even clear bottles have appeal.

SHAPES AND TEXTURES

As an artist, my friend, Regina, is all about texture. She fell in love with one bottle with great texture. Then she found another. She now has a great grouping on display in a bedroom. I am expecting a few pieces to be added over the next few years.

CHARACTER

Bottles have their own “character”. They can fall into a category and the list of categories is endless: canning jars, liquor, perfume, apothecary, pharmaceutical, milk and snuff bottles, just to name a few. They may have labels or embossing that is uniquely theirs. Just group bottles in the same category to add some personality to a room.

MEMORIES

My friend, Jean, has a passion for travel and for old canning jars. She combines her passions into a fabulous display. She collects shells, sand and other “finds” from every beach she visits. Each beach is displayed beautifully in her collection of Ball jars.

CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC

Did you know you can use bottles creatively? My friend, Rhonda, was feening for a bottle tree. She could have bought one at Gardeners Supply Co for $39.95, but she is talented and creative. She opted to make one instead!

Take a peek at a few other creative ways bottles have been used.

This Balvenie Whiskey Bottle Pendant Light was made by iD Lights.

DIY Easy Crafts gives you instructions on how to make these nautical Bottle Fish.

Paper Blog – Second Life really did give bottles a second life with this gorgeous stained glass window!

Leave it to HGTV to integrate an antique bottle into home decor. With the help of host Drew Scott, homeowners Abby and David Dixon picked out these antique pulley, rope and bottle pieces to give their living room some elegant character.

MAKING MUNDANE TASKS EXTRAORDINARY

Years ago, Irene bought a spigot for $1.79. She put it on an old bottle and filled it with dishwashing liquid. The colour in the bottle was fabulous! Who says a kitchen sink has to look drab?

Don’t stop with the dishes! Buy a few pumps at Uline for $3.50 each. Cut the tube to size and replace your grocery store plastic bottles with beauties! You can transfer hand lotion, shampoo and conditioner, just about anything into gorgeous glass bottles. Poke a hole through a cork and insert the pump tube through it to add even more character.

DISPLAYING YOUR COLLECTION

Collecting them is easy. Displaying and using them could be another story. If you’re anything like me, you’re not quite sure what to do with them. Right? Don’t despair. It can be as simple as filling a jar with marbles, putting a few bottles under a cloche or on a windowsill or just adding a few vintage pieces to your bar. Here’s a few ideas. One just may speak to you.

You don’t have to buy priceless antiques. Almost every bottle has a beauty all of its own. Collect bottles that speak to you; make it personal.

CREDITS:

The majority of these photos were found on Pinterest. Whenever possible, I traced the photo to it’s originator and have linked the photo to their site. Click on any photo to visit their site.

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