I received this lovely tip on Facebook, from my Aunt Sexy* and decided to share it with the rest of the class.

Homemade Oatmeal Mask for Acne

“I suffer from Adult acne – so I did some research and came up with this mask”.

- Boil about 1/4 cup of oatmeal (organic can be used) in water

- Add in about 2 tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.

- Let cool to room temp.

- Apply to clean skin let mask dry on face

I don’t know if you realize it, but there are a lot of chemicals in store bought microwave popcorn. The FDA has even reported that when micro popcorn bags are heated up a known carcinogen called perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) can leach into the popcorn. Inhaled fumes of Diacetyl (a chemical that is used in the artificial butter in microwave popcorn) has also been linked to lung disease, and in fact people with the disease are said to have “popcorn lung”.

When I found out how harmful the stuff was, I got my hands on an air popper, which works great, and makes very tasty popcorn in about the same amount it takes to microwave one of those toxic bags. But I was really excited when I came across an article by Snack Girl about how to make your own popcorn in the microwave. (Less clean up! )

freshly popped!

Ingredients:

• 1 brown paper lunch bag
• tape
• 1/4 cup loose kernel corn
• 2 tbsps butter
• salt

Directions:

Pour popcorn into bag and fold over edge once or twice and secure with tape. Microwave the bag tape side up on high for 3-4 minutes. Until popping slows to less than 1 pop per second. While you transfer the popcorn to a bowl, put the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds to melt it and then pour over popcorn and sprinkle with salt to taste.

Many bug repellents that we spray on our skin have chemicals that can aggravate out skin and our health.  Some of these products also contain DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide) which doesn’t exactly repel insects, but instead it “erases” the scent of carbon dioxide that emanates from our skin so that they aren’t attracted to us. Although is very effective in repelling mosquitoes and other disease carrying insects, has also been shown to cause sever health problems when mixed with other medications. (Which ones? I cant find a straight answer on that).  Infants should NEVER be exposed to DEET at all because it can cause potential brain damage, but the EPA has deemed it safe for use in adults and older children if used properly…..hmmm. Insect repellents that contain DEET  have to be sprayed 6-8 inches away from the skin, should not be inhaled, and should also be washed off thoroughly with soap and water after a few hours.. Those products should not come in contact with acetate, rayon, spandex and other synthetics and don’t spray it on wounds, cuts or sun-burnt skin. Other products like Cutter and Avon’s Skin So Soft contain Picaridin which is a chemical that has been used in Europe for years, but it is relatively new in the U.S. It has less side effects than DEET, and is easier on the skin, but should also be used according to the manufacturers’ directions. I don’t know anyone who follows ALL of the above directions. And it also bothers me that the above mentioned products have parabens and other icky ingredients.

I was curious to see if I could effectively make a chemical-free insect repellent, and I’m pleased to say, the recipe I found below works pretty well. And (with the addition of a base oil), it won’t leave your skin feeling dry.

DIY Bug Repellent

Materials:

• 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup witch hazel (or cheap vodka)
• 5 drops of citronella or eucalyptus essential oil
• 1 tbsps jojoba oil
• Spray bottle
• Funnel

Directions:

There are some yukky  ingredients in sunscreen, such as parabens, dimethicone, oxybenzone, PABA and retinyl palmitate, that not only are bad for us but also the environment. So I started researching all-natural alternatives to drugstore sunscreen. Believe it or not, sun care starts from the inside out, eating plenty of dark green, red, and yellow fruits and vegetables to keep your skin healthy and less prone to skin damage. Here’s something else I learned, you can still burn even if you use sunscreen. Only sunblock can keep you from burning. So be mindful of that when you’re on the beach this summer, and bring a cover up and an umbrella to make your own shade if necessary.

Many natural Oils also contain natural sun protection:

• Avocado Oil SPF 6-8
• Shea Butter SPF 6
• Red Rasberry Seed Oil SPF 28-50 (Can also protect from UVB rays)

There are also many natural sunscreen alternatives out there on the market, but you have to look for them. Here’s a list of a few all for less than $12:

I found this recipe on TipNut, the ingredients aren’t that much different than what I use in my homemade toner, so I’m pretty confident about this recipe. I’ll report back and let you know how Sexy likes it.

Men’s Homemade Aftershave Recipe

2 cups witch hazel extract
2 ounces rose water
2 ounces aloe vera gel
1/2 ounce vegetable glycerin

A few drops of an essential oil of your choice (such as peppermint and eucalyptus), if desired Combine the ingredients in a jar, and shake to blend.

To use:

Pat on the face after shaving.
Makes 2 1/2 cups.

• Hey guys, try this out and lemme know whatcha think!

You should have SEEN Sexy’s face when I brought home two sticks of “Crystal” deodorant. He looked at me like I had three heads. “I don’t think that’s going to work for me”. He was nice about it though. I asked him to just try it out for the purposes of this post. Reluctantly he took it and used it.

He’s been happy with it ever since.

In a my post What’s the Deal With Aluminum? I talked about the dangers of aluminum chloride in deodorants and anti-perspirants, and I was curious to see if the salt crystal version actually worked. So here’s a review…

Crystal Body Deodorant Crystal Stick For Men $4.20

Ingredients: Mineral Salts (Natural), Ammonium Alum

Product Description: Safe for the Environment

• Hypoallergenic
• Eliminates Odor
• Lasts Over One Year
• For Men & Women
• Unscented, Non-Staining
• Can Be Used On Underarms and Feet
• 100% Natural Mineral Salts.

Natural Deodorant Protection

Crystal Stick™ Body Deodorant is made of natural mineral salts and is completely free of perfumes and chemicals.  It eliminates body odor. Crystal Stick™ will leave an invisible protective barrier against odor-causing bacteria on your skin.  It is unscented, hypoallergenic, non-sticky and non-staining.  Crystal Stick™ is guaranteed to last over a year of daily use.

What it is…

The Ammonium Alum listed in the ingredients is NOT the aluminum chloride found in anti-perspirants that has been known to lead to Parkinson’s disease.* And it is NOT contain the ammonia that your grandmother used to clean the bathroom with. (Ick!) Ammonium Alum is a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum. From what I’ve found it is safe to use. Alum-based deodorants work through bacteriostatic action, which means they inhibit bacterial growth while allowing the elimination of toxins without clogging pores.

Sexy was fine when I was “greening and cleaning” my my side of the medicine cabinet, but when I crossed the sink over into his territory, he was a little intimidated. I started reading the labels of the  line of men’s products that he was using, and I wasn’t crazy about the ingredients. I was even less impressed with the price. (His shaving cream alone was like $22!) I had actually introduced him to the line, and although it was relatively good stuff, the price was too much. .It seems that men’s skin products are more likely to have icky ingredients in them than women’s products, because manufacturers are banking on the fact that men read labels even less than women do. So one day when I was looking at Dr. Bronner’s line of skincare products and it hit me that the Organic Shaving Soap Gel might work for him. I wasn’t sure if he’d try it, but he seemed to be relieved and willing to try it. (I think he was afraid that I was going to try to whip up some shaving cream on my own the kitchen…he was right, but lack of time saved him.) Now to be fair, I did not use these products, Sexy did, so the quotes below are his comments on each product. Oh and for clarification, Sexy is lucky enough not to suffer from acne, and his healthy vegan lifestyle doesn’t hurt his skin either!

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Fair-Trade Shaving Soap Gel – $5.99 (Lavender Scent)

Ingredients: Organic Acacia Concinna (Shikakai) Extract, Organic Sucrose*, Organic Grape (Vitis Vinifera) Juice, Potassium Cocoate (made with Organic Coconut Oil)*, Potassium Olivate (made with Organic Olive Oil)*, Organic Glycerin, Organic Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Organic Melaleuca Altenafolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Organic Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Citric Acid, Tocopherol (Vit. E), (* Certified Fair Trade by IMO)

The product boasts organic ingredients and  fair trade benefits to the farmers who grow them. Here’s his review.

“I use this product on damp skin and shave with a Gillette Mach3 razor for Sensitive skin. It doesn’t lather up much or turn white like foam, but it gives a fairly close shave with minimal nicks or cuts. The Lavender scent isn’t very strong, and  I don’t need to use that much either. ” – Sexy

In Part 1 of this series I talked about what’s wrong with the way traditional cotton is cultivated. Well here’s what’s right with how organic cotton is harvested.

No toxins, synthetic fertilizers, harsh chemical bleaches or dyes are used in the production of organic cotton.  Natural fertilizers and compost  are used along with natural pest control, such as ladybugs (which destroy harmful insects).

The majority of Organic Cotton is harvested by hand which means that it’s also much safer for those who pick it  and they are in  no danger of harming their family members and livestock by passing on harmful chemicals. Workers that  harvest and handle traditional cotton are exposed toxic chemicals, and those same chemicals can seep into the water supply and effect the people and wildlife that use that water.

Organic farming helps prevent topsoil erosion, improves soil fertility, and protects groundwater. By not dumping massive chemical pesticides or planting genetically altered seeds, the organic farmer is forced to rely on more labor intensive and therefore more expensive practices. These farms are also usually small, family-owned tracts of land that don’t rely on big business to make money.

Organic cottons, woolens, and natural rubber for organic bedding are  farmed and processed to ensure as much purity, environmental sustainability, natural soil replenishment, and humane practices, as possible. This takes a great deal of time and patience, on small farms and cooperatives that can’t afford large tracts of land.

I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know yet another fabulous blogger, MissLycia and her fabulous healthy blog alldaynatural.com Her motto is “Body.Mind.Spirit…Redefined”. Her blog is all about being healthy and nurturing to ourselves and has some great tips, tricks and recipes to help you get there. She was nice enough to answer a few questions and give us some advice for us in this timely guest post…

1. What inspired you to start All Day Natural?

In the last few years, I developed a reputation among friends and family as the resident advisor for all things natural—from hair to diet to an overall wholistic lifestyle. They would often ask me for advice and tips on improving their health. I felt overjoyed when I was able to witness the positive changes in my loved ones’ lives, but mentally and physically. It inspired me to share my natural nuggets of advice with the virtual world.

2. . What inspired your natural lifestyle?

Ironically, I would say that the catalyst was my hair. When I started to grow my hair naturally, I began to reflect on not only what I put on my hair, but also on my skin and in my body. I started doing research on whole foods and alternative health, as well as attending classes and workshops. As I gradually progressed towards a healthier lifestyle, adopting a vegetarian diet and using all natural products, I began to notice dramatic changes in my hair, body, even in my mental state of being. To this day, my interest in natural living has continued to evolve. I am fortunate to learn a lot from my readers and other naturalistas in the blogosphere.

3. What are some budget-friendly ways for us to make healthy diet changes?

A lot of people think that you have to spend a fortune to eat healthy, but it is easier than you think! The first thing I would suggest is to learn to cook, or alternatively, find a friend that knows his or her way around the kitchen. J It is much less expensive to prepare your own meals than to spend twenty dollars a day (or more) eating out. You can find an array of healthy recipes on the web—including Savvy Brown’s tasty creations! I share recipes on my blog and make sure they are appetizing, yet easy to make. I would also recommend shopping at farmer’s markets to find, economical, local foods, and even growing your own food in a backyard or terrace garden. Finally, for those who think that healthy food is not worth the cost…think about how much you’ll save in medical bills in the long term!

There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a nice cool glass of lemonade. Unfortunately most of the lemonade that you get at the store is full of High Fructose Corn Syrup. Here’s a recipe that I use often, and Sexy usually will come home with a bag of organic lemons and a smile to entice me to make more.

Homemade Lemonade Recipe

(makes 1 quart)

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar (I use raw sugar or sucanat, but any sugar will do)

1.5 cups boiling water
3 large organic lemons
more filtered water to fill container

Directions:

Boil 1.5 cups of water in a saucepan.when the water is fully boiling, pour in 1 cup of sugar, and stir occassionally ntil fully dissolved. Remove from heat when it’s all dissolved to let cool. While cooling cut 3 thin slices of lemon, and then squeeze the juice from 3 large organic lemons and pour juice and slices into a 1 quart container. Then pour sugar water into the same container and fill the rest of the container with more filtered water. Done!

Making the sugar water (or liquid sugar) helps the sugar to dissolve nicely instead of adding it cold and having it sink to the bottom. This also saves calories because you won’t need to add any extra sugar.