Making Sense of Plastics
In our house we have followed these guidelines:
If you do use plastic products, use products with codes #2, #4, or #5Whenever possible use safer materials: glass, stainless steel, silicone, bamboo or wood (coated with a food-safe, non-toxic finish), ceramic (with lead free glaze)
Do not store oily, greasy or acidic foods in plastic containers - Opt for glass instead
Never re-heat food in a plastic container, heat can cause plastic to degrade, which can cause chemicals to leach from the plastic into food
Do not put plastic containers in the microwave. “Microwave Safe” only means that the item will not melt or crack
Preferably wash plastic items by hand instead of the dishwasher. High heat and harsh detergents can cause the plastic to wear down more quickly
Do not use scratched, cloudy or badly worn plastics with food or beverage
If you wish to make a difference to the environment, try sending Type 1 and 2 plastics for recycling as much as possible. Reduce consumption of Type 3 to 7 plastics, in view that toxins are usually released in their production, use and disposals
PETE - polyethylene terephthalate.
HDPE - high-density polyethylene
PVC - vinyl, polyvinyl chloride
LDPE - low-density polyethylene
PP - polypropylene
PS - polystyrene
Other. A wide variety of plastic resins that don't fit into the previous categories are lumped into number 7 such as Polycarbonate, acrylic, polylactic acid, fiberglass. Recycling code number 7 also includes plastics used from plants and are compostable but number 7 is predominantly polycarbonate.
Natural Flu and Cold Remedy
Maroma Perfume Oils
Purple Prairie Hand Sanitizer
Healing properties of the ingredients in Purple prairie Hand Sanitizer
How Do Natural Deodorants Work?
We sweat! There's no getting away from it.
In my search for alternatives to the standard deodorant/antiperspirants available I found excellent information about body odor at Mother Nature Network and Livingstrong.com. The Mayo Clinic Staff also have great tips on things you can do on your own to reduce sweating and body odor.
I settled on Purple Prairie All-Natural Deodorant and my husband uses it too. He likes the fact that, not only is he reducing the number of chemicals absorbed into his body, but this deodorant actually works for him and does not leave him smelling pretty!
The ingredients in completely natural deodorant stop odor by killing bacteria and also have wonderful benefits for the skin of the underarm. They contain nutrients needed by the skin and can promote healing of the sensitive underarm area
- Jojoba Oil: Balances the moisture in the skin preventing it from being too dry or too oily. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it helps to encourage healing of the skin. It prevents the growth of some bacterial and fungal microbes. Jojoba Oil also contains nutrients, like vitamin E, B complex and the minerals silicon, chromium, copper and zinc
- Coconut Oil: The lauric acid in coconut oil kills odor-causing bacteria
- Zinc Oxide: Effective for healing the skin as it repairs skin cells. It reduces skin irritation and inflammation. Kills bacteria which causes underarm odor
- Cypress Oil: Among its many therapeutic properties, cypress oil acts as an astringent, antiseptic and deodorant
- Beeswax: Beeswax is an emollient and an emulsifier. It is sensitive to melting causing it to easily be applied. Beeswax has an irritation potential of zero and will not clog the pores. It also has general healing attributes as an antiseptic and antibiotic and is softening to the skin
- Organic Cold Pressed Olive Oil: Acts as a conditioning agent and is soothing to the skin
- Cocoa Butter: Moisturizer
- Tea Tree Oil: Has a long history of traditional use. Australian aborigines used tea tree leaves for healing skin cuts, burns, and infections. Tea Tree Oil contains terpenoids which have been found to have antiseptic and antifungal properties
- Lavender Oil: An antiseptic
- Palmarosa Oil: Antiseptic, antiviral, hydrating
Sun Screen/Sun Block
"The Best Sun Screen is the One You Will Use." Dr. Doris J. Day, Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at New York University Medical Center.
Are you using Sun Screen or Sun Block?
Sun Screens: Also known as Chemical Sun Screens, are absorbed by the skin and typically contain ingredients like benzones, aminobenzoic acid and cinnamates. To use a Chemical Sun Screen correctly, rub it into your skin, then give it 20-30 minutes to fully absorb before you go into direct sunlight. Also, make SURE you reapply every hour or two at least, because once the sunscreen absorbs far enough into your skin, it not only stops working but actually interacts with the sunshine to cause free radicals and oxidation in your skin. Look for antioxidants such as green tea in the ingredient list.
Sun Block: Also known as Physical Sun Block, sits on top of the skin and contains inorganic compounds like Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide that are not absorbed into the skin. The problem with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide is that they are very chalky and opaque. Physical Sun Blocks begin to work right away and do not need to be rubbed in quite so vehemently, nor do they cause problems if you forget to reapply.
The Food and Drug Administration lists Titanium Dioxide as one of the most effective active ingredients for sun protection. Zinc oxide also provides physical protection from damaging rays, absorbing primarily UVA light rather than scattering or reflecting it.
Labeling
Broad Spectrum: Under new rules issued by the Food and Drug Administration, 'Broad Spectrum' on the labeling of Sun Screen or Sun Block must mean it has equal protection against UVA and UVB and only those with an SPF of 15 or higher will be able to claim protection against skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. These new rules are in effect June 18, 2012.
SPF: Primarily a measurement of sunburn protection. Theoretically, if your skin would normally burn after ten minutes in the sun, wearing an SPF 15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun for 10 minutes x 15 (150 minutes) without burning. This is a rough estimate. The safety of your sunscreen depends on your own skin type, whether you are in water or not, how much you sweat, and the intensity of sunlight. Also, there have been questions as to whether a higher SPF is beneficial as users may tend to stay in the sun too long.
Micronized: e.g. Micronized Zinc Oxide. Micronization is the process of reducing the average diameter of particles, usually to a size larger than nano-particles. The larger sized micronized particles appear to be both safe and effective.
The terms 'sunscreen' and 'sunblock' in the name of the product are mostly used for marketing purposes. What is more important than the labeling on the front of the bottle, is the ingredients on the back. Check them out carefully.
In addition to sunscreens, practice 'sun smart' behavior including avoiding the midday sun, staying in the shade when you can, and wearing a hat and sun protective clothing.
Peanut Butter Cookies
These cookies are great and healthy. I use chickpea flour with whole wheat and made them with the sugars. My daughter-in-law, who gave me the original recipe, successfully made them with maple syrup.
2 cups (500 mL) quinoa flour
(or 1 cup quinoa, 1 cup whole wheat
or 1 cup chickpea flour, 1 cup whole wheat)
2 tsp (10 mL) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1 cup (250 mL) butter
3/4 cup (185 mL) white sugar
3/4 cup (185 mL) packed brown
(or 1/1/4 cup of maple syrup to replace all sugar)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups(375 mL) peanut butter
Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C)
Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
Cream the butter with both sugars until smooth. Beat in the eggs and add the peanut butter, mixing well. Gradually add the flour mixture and blend well. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 20 mins.
Roll the dough into 10 - inch (2.5 cm) balls and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. (They will spread and rise a lot so keep them fairly far apart) Flatten the balls with a fork in a crisscross design.
Place on the center oven rack and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cookies brown slightly on the edges and puff up.
Remove the cookies from the oven and cool for 1 minute on the pan before transferring to a rack to cool. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. (I freeze all cookies)
Enjoy!
Soy Candles
Purple Prairie Bontanicals
Soy Candles found at
our Online Store
A relaxing evening enjoying the aromatherapy benefits of a lit candle filling your room with a bright, uplifting, feel good aroma. It sounds wonderful and is something most of us enjoy though, It is important to keep on hand a natural and cleaner candle for use in your personal space.
Soy oil candles burn cleaner and longer than paraffin-based candles. They are soot free and do not emit harmful toxins (like Benzene).
Even "food grade" paraffin contains several known carcinogens (identified by the Environmental Protection Agency), such as benzene and toluene. These are released into the air as a paraffin candle burns. Some other air contaminants in paraffin fumes include methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and naphthalene - substances found in paint, lacquer and varnish removers.
Soy oil burns cooler and remains warm to the touch. The oil can be massaged into dry or irritated skin and can also be applied as a soothing remedy to sunburned skin, eczema, psoriasis, and poison oak.
Find "Purple Prairie Botanicals"
Soy Candles at our Online store - http://www.itsnaturallypure.com/ItsNaturallyPure_SoyCandles.html
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Cinnamon - great on your morning cereal and even better on Cinnamon Toast.
Now research is showing that it is also good for us. Only one teaspoon contains 28 mg. of calcium, almost one mg. of iron, over a gram of fiber, as well as vitamins C, K, and manganese.
Less than half a teaspoon a day reduces blood sugar levels in persons with type 2 diabetes (US Agricultural Research Service) and when daily cinnamon was stopped it was found that blood sugar levels increased.
Cinnamon also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect and has been used for indigestion, gas, bloating, stomach upset and ...diarrhea.
The Cinnamon commonly found here in the United States is "Cassia' or "Chinese" Cinnamon but The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Berlin, Germany have recommended that large amounts of the Cassia Cinnamon be avoided due to its high levels of Coumarin, an anticoagulant.
A Cinnamon "lover" might want to try the more delicate tasting "True" Cinnamon from Sri Lanka which contains lower levels of Coumarin.
Continue to enjoy your cinnamon knowing you are doing your body good!
What Do You Know About Your Sunscreen?
ItsNaturallyPure has received a large supply of the hard to obtain natural and organic sunscreen and it’s time to think about how much we know about the sunscreen we use. What does it mean to us when the products are SPF 15 or SPF 30; which should we use; and what is the danger of using a higher SPF?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measurement of sunburn protection primarily from UVB rays. If your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, wearing an SPF 15 sunscreen would theoretically allow you to stay in the sun for 150 minutes (10 x 15) without burning.
This is a rough estimate. The safety of your sunscreen depends on your own skin type, whether you are in water or not, how much you sweat, and the intensity of sunlight. Note also that these ratings can be confusing or misleading at times. For example, the SPF rating tells you about UVB protection, but nothing about protection from UVA rays which cause photo-aging and cancer. In addition, The Food and Drug Administration has expressed concerns that current testing methods may not be able to accurately reproduce SPF values for high SPF products.
The American Cancer Society recommends that people use a sunscreen with SPF of at least 15; the American Academy of Dermatology opts for 30. Apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before sun exposure; apply 1 ounce for your entire body; and make sure to reapply every 2 hours, after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Most people put on only a 1/4 to 2/3rds of the amount of sunscreen which is recommended to reach the product's SPF rating.
Pick the SPF appropriate for your skin type and sun exposure but remember that UVA protection in U.S. sunscreens maxes out at about 15. Higher SPF products will not fully protect your skin from photo-aging and cancer.
The danger of using a higher SPF sunscreen is the false sense of security it gives us. There is a tendency to stay in the sun longer with a single application and to extend time in the sun well past the point when users of low-SPF products head indoors.