My dogs and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this entire line of high anti-oxidant treats, especially the veggie rawhide and Sams Yam’s chamomile!  And chamomile is an awesome herb because of its calming properties.  I also love these treats because they are healthy and help scrape off plaque and tartar from doggie teeth (an added bonus for the prevention of future teeth decay).  As these treats are pricey, we sometimes make our own rendition of Sam’s Yams at home, as follows: Read the rest of this entry »

Inhabitat is one of my favorite eco-friendly sites for design, architecture, fashion, art and pretty much anything ”urban cool”.  IMHO, they’re on the bleeding edge of green style uber-chic!  So I am thrilled they have just unveiled Ecouterre, which is their eco-fashion website that supports talented designers committed to the environmental impact of every aspect of the fashion industry.  Their mission: To follow the evolution of the apparel industry toward a smarter and more sustainable future, as well as facilitate a conversation about why sustainable fashion matters.

 
With the upcoming fall season, many people anticipate a flu season “on steroids”, thanks to the swine flu.  Flu shots are recommended for high risk candidates, such as children, health care providers and those with compromised immune systems  or chronic health conditions.  While I’ve been blessed to not have contracted the flu in the last 5 years, some of that may be due to eating healthy (…most of the time), exercising daily and taking anti-oxidant and immune system boosting supplements.  But once once September arrives, I add a couple of additional tools to my flu prevention arsenal for good measure.  This is based on my own personal experience, so I am not making any claims or guarantees.  For your safety, be sure to check with your physician before incorporating anything you read here or anywhere, for that matter!. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m SO excited about this line of doggie grooming products, made by TIGI, who manufactures Bed Head hair products for humans.  The entire Pet Head line smells pawsitively divine and contains no sulfates, parabens, petroleums or anything harmful to your favorite four-legger!  And there’s even a spray-on- shampoo for in-between baths (…or for those maniacal weeks when you’re lucky to get in a shower for yourself).  Your babies will smell awesome and you can feel good about what you’re using.  My dogs are like my babies, so I’m constantly in search of the safest products with science behind them.

“If it’s safe to eat, then it’s safe to put on the body”, says barbara-ann!  Not that I advise drinking the stuff, but if some accidental ingestion occurs, no worries.  LOVE that!:-)

If you get bitten by pesky mosquitos everytime you’re outdoors in the summer, try a B-complex supplement.  The mosquitos won’t vanish, but they will not bite - YAY!  Never would’ve believed it if I hadn’t tried it myself:-)  I’d planned to post some natural insect repellant recipes for making at home with essential oils, but decided to share this idea instead.

When it comes to topical treatments for rosacea, I’m not a fan of the traditional topical treatment of metro-cream / metro-gel that derms often prescribe. The reason is I just don’t like the idea of using an antibiotic on my face, especially for the rest of my life (which was my derm’s advice).

Please note: I do not have a medical background, nor do I recommend that anyone try my regimen in lieue of the advice of their physician. That said, there is no harm in asking your doc about some natural supplements as an adjunct to your current regimen (as I did).

After a lot of research, I learned about several natural supplements thought to strengthen the immune system and / or provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hydrating properties. Twice daily, I take olive leaf extract, pau d’arco and pycnogenol as a means for treating my body from the inside out. Read the rest of this entry »

We have some beautiful teak wood furniture in our home, and for years, I used teak oil sold by the place we purchased the furniture. While the furniture always glowed right after the furniture was dusted and oiled, the smell was caustic and the shine evaporated within a few days. I’m not sure what’s in the stuff, but the smell never left me feeling very good about what my family might be getting exposed to.

So I created my own and would like to share the recipe. I’ve given some bottles as “Spring Cleaning” gifts to friends and family and have rec’d some rave reviews. If you try it, please drop me a line and let me know what you think… Read the rest of this entry »

If you or someone you care about is suffering from grief, rose essential oil may help provide some temporary relief. This essential oil is believed to help raise serotonin levels. And when diffused into the air, the scent is calming, but uplifting.

It is imporant to note that a rose fragrance and a rose essential oil are two very different things. While fragrances may smell good, they are not believed to provide the same health benefits as essential oils.. Read the rest of this entry »

Pampered Chef parties, move aside!  It seems the chic home party of the moment may be a “Green Clean” Party! Learn how to make non-toxic all purpose cleaners, scrubs and furniture polishes.

If you throw a party as a fundraiser to help raise funds for Women’s Voices of the Earth (WVE), then you (as a “party host”) are even eligible to win a “hostess gift”, compliments of Patagonia.  Sounds like fun – read more about it here:

http://womenandenvironment.org/greenclean/

Cream perfumes make great holiday gifts and can be made in bulk at home. All you need are a few essential oils for scent, as well as some beeswax, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil and 100% shea butter. The recipe below will make sixteen 1/4-oz jars, which will delight your recipients (and you) with a sensory experience enveloped in a luxuriously moisturizing base.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup beeswax pellets
4 oz jojoba oil
4 oz sweet almond oil
5 tbsp 100% pure shea butter. Read the rest of this entry »