Revving up the reviews...

It's Saturday morning.  I had planned on having a nice sleep-in today. You see, sleeping late is a luxury these days. I am sure you can relate. If you can't relate -  if  you manage to spend your mornings  drifting in and out of sleep whenever you so choose - consider me green with envy.

Why am I not snuggling in bed? My neighbour decided to start vacuuming at 7:30 this morning. I think she has a bit of a vacuuming obsession. Not joking! She vacuums every day. And it's not just once a day, sometimes it's twice or three times a day. During the week, I don't mind her frequent vacuuming. I am usually too busy to stop and notice. But the vacuuming on the weekend is really starting to test my nerves. Now, she used to hold off till about 9 - 9:30. You know what,  I was able to live with that. But lately, it is getting earlier and earlier! To wake-up - just after 7am - to the sound of a vacuum is infuriating. I hate to admit it, but it makes me want to march right over to her house (we live in a semi-detached) and grab that vacuum out of her hand.  Once in my hand, I envision tossing it into the street where a passing bus would drive right over. I know I am being over-the-top but I just want is one quiet Saturday. Is that really too much to ask for?

Anyhow, I didn't act on my angry impulses. Instead of lying in bed fuming, I got up and hit the laptop to write. And today, I thought I would just dive right into some reviews. I just grabbed three products from my bathroom. I have been meaning to write about these for a while. So here goes:

Product Review #5

What: Sweet Almond Oil

Brand: Aura Cacia Organics

Price: Approx. $12.00 - 15.00 (I notice price varies depending on store)

Almond oil - to be honest -  I've never considered putting almond oil on my skin before starting this project. In fact, I don't think I really knew it existed before my natural product pursuit. The first time I heard of its use was in Gillian Deacon's book (There's Lead in Your Lipstick).  Since I first read about it, I've noticed it popping up on different "natural product" websites.

Here is a blurb from one website:
Almond oil is an excellent emollient and moisturizer.  As an emollient it nourishes and softens the skin helping to keep it smooth to the touch.  Almond oil is similar in composition to the oil baby's excrete to keep their skin and hair healthy.  This composition is beneficial to protecting and conditioning your skin no matter your age.  By helping the skin stay healthy it promotes a youthful skin complexion.

Heck, doesn't every gal want to promote a youthful skin complexion? Intrigued, I decided to give it a whirl. I started using this product right after the shower. I simply rubbed the oil all over my skin while I was still damp. I read that this helps lock in water from the shower for natural hydration.

Now I must say that at first, I was worried about feeling greasy. But my skin actually soaked up most of the oil.   I found that if there was residual oil, all I  needed to do was wipe it off with my towel. I really like this product as a moisturizer alternative. I find it really works for me. Now keep in mind that I am currently using this during winter. This is a time when my skin is really dry. I am not sure it would work as well in the hot, humid summer months. We shall have to see.

What about scent you ask? Not much of a smell at all associated with this product. But you can change that if you want. You can actually take your favourite, organise, skin-safe essential oil and add it to the bottle. I tried this with lavender and really liked it. Just think, you can customise your moisturizer! Nice.

As for what I don't like about this product? I don't like that it comes in such a small bottle. I also don't like the price point. It feels hefty for the amount of product you get. I mostly use this as body moisturizer and find I go through it quite fast. I am actually trying to find organic sweet almond oil in bigger bottles. So far the search has been without success.

Other uses aside from body moisturiser? I have also used sweet almond oil as a make-up remover and facial moisturizer. After a couple uses, I eased off on using it on my face. What I do now is mix it with a regular face moisturizer a couple times a week. I apply it before bed. I find it helps during the harsh, dry winter weather.


So what does this product get for a rating?

All in all, I am quite smitten with sweet almond oil. I would recommend it to anyone. I do suggest always using an organic brand. I just figure that is the best option for keeping skin healthy and free of toxins. As for this particular product- I am going to give it four kisses out of five. It is loosing one smooch because it is pricey and comes in a small bottle! I want more! Yes more!

Note and Precautions

• Almond oil is not safe for use on people with nut allergies.
• Even though it is light in colour, almond oil can leave stains on clothing and sheets.
• Bitter almond oil is toxic unlike sweet almond oil and pure almond oil
• Almond oil can go bad.  Store in a dark cool environment and refrigerate after opening

 
Product Review #6

What: Facial Cleanser (Cleansing Milk)

Brand: Weleda Gentle Cleansing Milk

Price: $21.00 (price varies depending on store)

If you have been following my attempt to reduce my chemical burden, then you've likely heard me mention my sensitive skin. No way around it, my skin is screaming sensitive. It always has been and always will be. It's because of my sensitive skin that I found this particular product swap so difficult.

It took me years to find a facial cleanser that did not irritate my skin or make me break-out. Trial and error eventually lead me to Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. I love this product and have no complaints. You know, I would likely still be using it if it wasn't for this project. Turns out,  it gets a  poor score on EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database ( http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/). According to Skin Deep - some of the ingredients can cause endocrine disruption and other such unpleasantness.

So why Weleda? This product is also mentioned in Deacon's book, but that is not why I chose it. I chose it because it is German. My husband is German. We often head to Germany to visit his family. When there I often use his mom's products. Hey, sneaking a little shampoo or cream here or there is no big deal. I like to call it international product exploration. As a result of my sneaky testing, I have discovered that many of her products are fabulous. So I thought I couldn't go wrong with trying this German product for my first cleanser swap. 

According to the company's website, Weleda is the name of  the Celtic goddess of wisdom and healing. The company's mission appears to be the delivery of products that help not only the body but the spirit. I kinda dig that.

Weleda also has an abundance of international accreditation and is recognised as a leader in natural health. It also appears to have clear standards for  products:

• No synthetic preservatives
• No synthetic fragrances
• No synthetic chemicals
• No synthetic anything

The EWG also says Weleda complied with the European Union's Cosmetics Directive, widely considered the current global gold standard of cosmetics safety regulation.

So yes, this product comes with a solid resume. But does it work? Yes, oh yes, it does!
I am going to gush here. I may even giggle. I love this product. I love pretty much everything about it.

The packaging- simple yet sturdy.
The scent - clean, but also relaxing! I love the lavender scent. It is just so inviting and delightful.
The way it works - no break-outs, no irritation, no drying. Just clean, fresh, happy skin!

The only downside at all when it comes to this product is that it is more expensive than Cetaphil. It is also hard to find. Not every natural store sells it. But I am overlooking those two drawbacks. You know you love a product when you actually look forward to using it! In the morning it wakes me up in the most calming and pleasant way. Before bed, it feels like a mini-escape to a spa. Oh, I know, it is just a cleanser. But it is such an enjoyable cleanser! I am sold!

So what rating shall I give my new found favourite cleanser?

 You got it! It's a kiss frenzy. Full gusto product love-fest! This cleanser is smooch-tastic. It's lip-smacking marvellous. You can call me crazy, but yes, I can't wait to wash my face with this healthy little product! 

All the love aside, I have to admit I would like the price point to be a little lower. A girl has to watch her spending in these tough economic times!  But will the price stop me from buying it? Not at all. I shall skip the latte in favour of  clean, healthy skin! And with that, I would like to give this product a fabulous five out five kisses!


But wait, don't leave me! I have one more product review for you! I will try to keep this one short. It is Saturday after all! I should do something other than pound away on a keyboard!


Product Review # 7

What: Face Cream

Brand: Green Beaver (Boreal Face Cream) 

Price: 12.00

Face cream. I love it! I have my favourites, but like everything else I have been  using, they do not  help reduce my chemical burden.  So I am experimenting with alternatives.

I just happened to spot this little product in a health food store I quite like. I decided to give it a try because I recognised the brand and liked the price point.

You might recall that Green Beaver made the shampoo I recently tried. I was not a fan of the shampoo, but I liked the fact that the company is Canadian. So I decided to give this cream a try.

Green Beaver says that this cream is filled with extra rich shea and cocoa butter that will replenish
tight, dry skin caused by cold Canadian winters. Sold! While the winter temperatures this year have been higher than usual, my skin is still taking a beating. Dry, itchy, blotchy skin all thanks to old man winter! Yuck.


I have to say that this cream is non-greasy and quick absorbing. It also feels rich and full of moisture when slathered all over my face. As for my sensitive skin, it didn't make a mess of it at all.

This product has minimalistic packaging. The product is also free of nasty perfumes and overpowering scents. It is just simple and basic. I like that.

So my dear Green Beaver, you totally win with this product. I am not sure how it will stand-up during the summer months, but it is great for harsh winter days! I like it. I like it a lot.


So what shall we give this little pot of cream?

That's right, going to give this face cream a solid four out of five kisses.

Now that was a real review catch-up! Cheers!

O, lather, lather, wherefore art thou lather?

I've said it before - shampoo holds a special place in my heart. If you scroll down to my last post, you'll find  my shampoo lovin' rant. If you don't feel like scrolling down, let me recap:

Sadly, the shampoo I love doesn't love me back. Yes, it makes my hair shine and bounce. Indeed,  it makes my locks feel soft and silky. And yes, I was more than willing to pay a whopping fifty bucks for a small bottle of this liquid bliss. But as it turn's out, it's not good for me at all.

Some of the ingredients it contained:

1. Sodium lauryl sulphate:A detergent, emulsifier, and wetting agent. Health effects:Dry skin, skin irritant, linked to eczema. May damage cornea if it comes in contact with eyes. Can enter the heart, lungs, liver, and brain upon skin contact.

2 Fragrance (parfum):A blend of synthetic substances that impart a desired odor. Blends can often contain more than 100 different chemicals. Health effects:Many of the chemicals used to make fragrances can cause skin irritations and allergic responses.

3 DMDM Hydantoin:A preservative.Health effects:A possible skin irritant. May release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

Need I say more?

So, my first attempt at replacing my beloved shampoo did not go so well. The first product I tried just didn't work for me. It made my hair feel limp and lifeless. So, you know what they say:  If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Product Review  #4 

What: Shampoo

Brand: Green Beaver - Cranberry Delight.

Price: Approx. $12 - 14 in the store.  $10.99 on line.

Once again, picking a "safe and healthy" shampoo was difficult for me. But it wasn't because there were so few choices. It was actually quite the opposite. The shampoo section at the Whole Foods  - where I was shopping - was jam-packed.

So why did I choose this product? Well, the name helped. Now before you get any funny ideas or start sharing beaver jokes with me, let me say I was drawn to the name because it honours our national symbol. The good 'ol beaver! Can't get any more Canadian than that.

I also liked this product because it is indeed totally Canadian (from what I can tell). According to the company website, Green Beaver is one of the largest natural, eco-friendly and organic certified (EcoCert) product line in Canada.

From the company website:

"At The Green Beaver Company, we believe in Mother Nature to help us take care of ourselves. For centuries, humans have been living with and safely using natural ingredients. That is why we rely on pure natural ingredients when formulating our products."  http://www.greenbeaver.com/

I should also add, that this company is listed in Gillian Deacon's book "There's Lead in Your Lipstick". As you know, Deacon's book has been a go-to read for me during my product purge.

So, back to the product. Cranberry Delight is designed to help dry, damaged or colour-treated hair. It is supposed to help moisture and rejuvenate lack-lustre locks. A description caught my attention!

As for the ingredients, they looked good enough to eat! Key ingredients : Canadian cranberries, indigenous carrot and organic Prairie seed. Yum! Yum! Talk about ingredients for a happy and healthy scalp.

The product is also supposed to be certified organic, gluten-free, vegan, and biodegradable.

So far, it's sounding like a win-win all around?

But once again, we have to talk about how it actually works.

Let's start with the scent shall we? I can't say I love it. It didn't smell as fresh and as natural as I expected. If I was going to compare it to the last product (Druide Green Tea Shampoo), I would have to say I liked the latter when it comes to smell. Bottom line - the scent just was not all that inviting.

As for cleaning ability? Before I go there, I better remind you that my hair is very unforgiving when it comes to products. Some folks are lucky and can easily use any product. I am not one of those people. With the wrong product, my hair goes limp and greasy. Unfortunately, that's exactly how this shampoo left my hair. It just didn't work for me.

Like the test product before it (Druide), this product left my hair feeling lifeless.

I even tried several applications of the product this time. On more than one occasion, I even lathered-up twice during one shower. But no matter how many times I used it, it just didn't get any better. After every use, my hair just felt sticky and stringy.

Once again, I don't want to trash the company or even the product. Green Beaver appears to be a good Canadian company working to give folks natural product options. I applaud that. But based on my experience, I just can't recommend this shampoo.

So to conclude, I am going to take a pass on this product. I didn't finish using all the product in the bottle. I am once again breaking my rule of not purchasing another product till one is all finished. Tsk-tsk you say! I know, but I just can't keep using this one. I have another confession - I have been using a main stream shampoo for a couple weeks now. It is an Aveda product. I would like to believe it is better for me than some of the drug-store brands. But that might not be the case. There's a whole lot of debate and chatter on-line about just how safe Aveda products are. But let's leave that one for today.

So like my last product review, I want to give Green Beaver a red-licious kiss for being a strong, Canadian company dedicated to producing products that are organic and harvested in a sustainable manner. That alone is enough to prompt me to explore other Green Beaver products.

 

But that's the only smooch this product is going to get. When it comes to effectiveness, it gets only 1 kiss out of 5. Didn't like how it cleaned my hair. Didn't like the scent. Did however like the minimilistic packaging. But other than that, I don't really dig it. Now, I do recognize that this may not have been the right Green Beaver product for my hair-type. I am willing to try other Green Beaver shampoo blends. But not just yet. I am going to try a different brand next. Hence - the hunt for a healthy and chemical free shampoo continues.

Friendly "green" shampoo product reminder:

"Keep in mind that with any truly natural, plant-based shampoo, you will notice a significant reduction in foaming power. It takes petrochemical surfactants to whip up sudsy lather, but extra suds have nothing to do with cleaning power." -Gillian Deacon, There's Lead in Your Lipstick

Little something extra:

I happened to find this link while searching for safe shampoo suggestions. It is from a fellow blogger who appears to be trying to live greener. Full disclosure - don't know this blogger. But I do like her handy shampoo post. Take a look if you like:

http://tryingtobegreener.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/how-safe-is-your-shampoo-conditioner/



I'm gonna wash that chemical right outa my hair...

Soapy.

Sudsy.

Squeaky.

Shiny.

Ah, that's the glory of shampoo!

Yes, shampoo holds a special place in my heart. I love cracking a new bottle right before a hot shower. There's nothing like inhaling it's sweet scent.  It can be vanilla spice. Or almonds and honey. How about ginger mixed with green tea? Whatever the scent, it's pure pleasure when pouring. 

Next comes the shampoo application. What a delight. Once on your scalp, its all lather luxury. Bubbles of bliss get to work cleaning your hair. No - shampoo doesn't just clean -  it pampers. Be gone dirt and grease. See ya later styling products. Shampoo strips all the nasty gunk and leaves your locks fresh, bouncy and oh so good!

But you know what else shampoo just might do?  It very well could be putting our health at risk.

Author and environmental advocate, Gillian Deacon, says most store-bought and salon shampoos are bad for us. According to Deacon  shampoo may not be so loveable after all:

" Most shampoos are made by using sulfates, chemicals that are cheap to produce, readily available and very effective at dissolving dirt and oil. Sulfates generate the foaminess that we erroneously associate with thorough cleansing. Multiple animal studies show that the most commonly used sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS),  causes brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses, endocrine system disruption and reproductive effects and increase cancer risks" (There's Lead in Your Lipstick)

Now, anyone who knows me, knows I refuse to judge based on one source. So I investigated the pros and cons of some pretty popular shampoos by reviewing different product rating websites. I even took my "all time favorite shampoo" and researched it's ingredients. I have to be honest, the results were devastating. 

According to Skindeep (a great product rating website created by the Environmental Working Group), my favorite shampoo can lead to this: endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) and irritation (skin, eyes or lungs).

Oh for the love of lather! Why oh why does shampoo have to have such an ugly side?

To make things worse, our head is supposed to be one of the most porous areas of the body. Hair follicles are said to be larger than regular pores. Guess what that means? Our scalp can readily absorb anything we put on it. Easy absorption means easy access to our bloodstream. Unwanted chemicals getting access to our internal workings? Yuck!

So, let's get right to it shall we. If you've been following my blog, you know what's coming next. The great product swap. See ya later, chemically laced shampoo. Hello, healthy green alternative. 

So what did I choose?

Product Review  #3

What: Shampoo

Brand: Druide

Price: $14.99

Surprisingly, there are quite a few shampoos out there being touted as "green". So many that, I really wasn't sure where to jump in on this one. Since I had no idea where to begin, I decided to pick a suggestion from Deacon's book. Just so happens, one of her suggestions was Druide.

Druide is a Quebec-based company that has been up and running since 1979.

From their website ( http://druide.ca)...

Since 1979, DRUIDE has followed a charter built on ecological values such as respect for the individual and the environment, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life on earth.In 2004, ECOCERT formalized this commitment by certifying our ecological and organic cosmetics.

DRUIDE prohibits :

•  Any substance derived from petrochemicals (silicone wax)

•     Perfume and dye syntheses

•     Glycols

•     Mineral oils, parabens, phenoxyethanol and formaldehyde.

(In case you are wondering, Ecocert is an independent environmental certification body. It has a good reputation and is credible.)

I have to say, I like that Druide is Canadian and manufactured in a nearby province. That was a definite selling feature for me. I also must admit that I recognized the brand name. In the past, I have purchased bubble bath made by this company. I enjoyed it, so I figured I would equally enjoy the shampoo.

The Druide product I selected is the "Frequent" shampoo. It's supposed to soften and protect hair. And it's suitable for all hair types. It's also said to invigorate and balance  "the matrix of hair and scalp". Invigorate? Balance? Bring it on!

As for the scent, I selected green tea. To me it smells more like lime blossoms that tea. But I won't fault them on that. The scent is clean and fresh.

So far, it's sounding pretty good isn't it?

But we haven't talked about how it actually works.

Now before I go any further, let me remind you that everyone's hair is different. Some folks are lucky and can easily use any product. I am not one of those people. With the wrong product, my hair goes limp and greasy.

Unfortunately, this shampoo doesn't work when it comes to my finicky tresses. Most of the time,  I felt like I could not rinse this product from my hair. It just felt stuck to my head no matter how long I stood under the shower.

Once out of the shower, that feeling of limp, lifeless hair continued. Even with a blow-dryer my locks just felt blah. No amount of drying would give me lift or body. When I ran my fingers through my hair, it felt like I had massive product build-up. It just felt sticky and stringy.

Now this is the first time, I have tried a truly natural shampoo product. I am not surprised that the switch was difficult. This shampoo has a totally different composition than anything I have used before. I don't want to trash it, as I really think the company is doing a great job bringing natural products to market. But I also can't say I recommend it.

To conclude, I am going to take a pass on this product. I made it half way through the bottle and stopped. I know one of my rules is to not purchase another product till the one I am using is gone. But this time, I am going to break my own rule. Hey, it's mine I will do with it as I please!

This shampoo just did no make my hair feel good. Perhaps, Druide's other shampoos would do the trick?
I am open to that. But for now, I think I will look for other options.

Before wrapping this review, I want to give Druide a huge kiss for being a strong, Canadian company dedicated to producing products that are organic and harvested in a sustainable manner. That alone is enough to prompt me to explore other Druide products.

 

BUT as for rating this product's effectiveness, I am going to give it only 2 kisses out of 5. Why even two kisses? I recognize that this may not have been the right Druide product for my hair-type. So I will give them points for the clean scent and minimalistic packaging. So my hunt for a healthy and chemical free shampoo continues.

Friendly "green" shampoo product reminder:


"Keep in mind that with any truly natural, plant-based shampoo, you will notice a significant reduction in foaming power. It takes petrochemical surfactants to whip up sudsy lather, but extra suds have nothing to do with cleaning power." -Gillian Deacon, There's Lead in Your Lipstick

Getting back in the saddle...

When I was a kid, summertime always meant a trip to my Grandma's ranch. My mom would pack my grubbiest clothes into a tiny suitcase. No sense taking my good "city"clothes, when all I would be doing is running through hay stacks, stomping in mud puddles and riding in the back of old pick-up trucks. So with my worn out t-shirts, shorts and sneakers, I would ship-off to the farm.

Now my stories from the farm could probably fill a couple blogs. They were indeed crazy summers. But for this post I want to just focus on a horse. Yep, just one horse.

The horse I want to tell you about was named Blackie. Can you guess why? Indeed, he was a black horse. But not just any black horse. He was a grumpy, stubborn, bossy black horse. Some say Blackie was simply strong willed. A horse with a mind of his own. Sure, I will give him that. But I also have to tell you he was a bit of a jerk. If he didn't like something he had no problem demonstrating his distaste. How did you know if he didn't like something? He would haul-off and bite you. Have you ever been nipped by a horse? Think big teeth. Think stong jaw. Think massive arm bruise! Ouch!

 So given Blackie's temperament, you would think most folks would stay away from him. Nope, not us kids. You see, there were not alot of horses on the farm. Really there were only two we could ride. One was a giant quarter-horse named Prince. The other was Blackie.

Did I mention that Blackie wasn't all that big? Compared to Prince, he was tiny. Maybe that's why he was such a grump? Anyhow, his size made it easier for us to get a saddle on him and go for a ride. As it turns out, riding Blackie was an eye-opener. That horse really didn't want to hang-out with us. He sure as hell didn't want us riding him either. As a result, I had my full share of falls thanks to Blackie. If he could run you up against a fence, he would do so. If he could drive you into a tree, he would take great pleasure in it. He really liked doing anything - anything at all -  that would get us off him.

So riding Blackie went like this:

       "Get on. Get going. Then get dropped. Hit ground with painful thud. Get up. Get back on. Get going. Get dropped again. Hit ground with another painful thud. Get up. Get back on. Get going."

That pattern repeated itself over and over again. Sure, it was frustrating. But to be honest, I don't recall it really bothering us. We were never seriously injured. Just a couple scrapes and scratches. Par for the course when spending time on a farm.

We were young. We were having fun. We really didn't have a care in the world. Blackie and his attitude wasn't about to change  that.

Looking back, Blackie taught me an important lesson at an early age. He taught me that when your kicked about and dropped flat on your arse, you have no choice but to get back in the saddle. If you don't get up and dust off the dirt, your letting yourself be beat. Life can be full of frustrations. It can be downright nasty at times. But it can also get better. If you get back in the saddle, you just might get the ride of a lifetime. You might find yourself galloping along with your hair blowing in the wind. You might be able to feel the sun warm your skin as you race down a new path. You might just breath in the sweet summer air and feel as if you are on top of the world. Sure, there were plenty of falls with Blackie but there were also glorious, spirit-soaring rides. Not a bad lesson learned from a stubborn black horse.

So it is with Blackie in mind that I get back to blogging. I have been on a bit of a hiatus when it comes to writing. Life has been throwing me a ton of curb balls lately. Professionally and personally, I have been bucked from the saddle and thrown to the ground. But I am slowly shaking off life's troubles. I am getting back on my feet.  I am getting back in the saddle.

Update: Product Review #1

The first product reviewed here on Tiny Tin Cans was Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap. I tested a bar of this hippie-dippie soap and loved it. 

Since posting the review, I purchased the liquid version of the same soap. Actually, I purchased it for my husband. Yep, the poor guy has been dragged into my product swap experiment. I have to declare that he is not a product addict like me. He keeps things pretty simple. Soap, deodorant and cologne are all he really dabbles in. As a result,  he probably carries a lesser chemical burden than I do.

My husband has now been using the soap for a couple days.

Tonight, I asked him  "how do you like the soap?"

His reply: "It's good."

"Just good", I counter.

"Yep, just good."

Oh, what a man of many words my husband is!

After a little more poking and proding, I managed to get a few more details.He appears to like the smell (The scent was lavender - the same as the solid bar I tested) and he likes how it lathers.

A little more pushing and I get just a little more information.

He doesn't like the packaging. No, it's not the plastic bottle that bugs him. That he can recycle or reuse. What he doesn't like is the bizarre writing all over the bottle.

Dr. Bronner's liquid soap does have odd writing all over it. In fact, the bottle is crowded with writing.

Turns out, the soap's creator Emanuel H. Bronner had a life philosophy. He called his philosophy "All-One-God-Faith" and the "Moral ABC". Bronner's references come from religious sources and from poetry. According to Wikipedia, Bronner was commited to a mental hospital in 1947 while promoting his "Moral ABC" at the University of Chicago. But the slippery soap creator escaped! After Bronner's death, his family continued the business. They have said the labels he wrote will not change except when required by government regulations.

So like my husband, I too think some of the writing is wacky. Bronner had quite the adventurous life. Looks like along the way, he gathered some rather "far-out" ideas. You can do a quick google search on the subject for more information. 

As for me, the writing doesn't make me want to stop using the product just yet.  But, I have to say I plan to stick to the solid bar. The liquid soap feels a bit too watery for me. I like the bar's thick consistency and rich soapy suds. Check out Review #1 for more info on the little magic bar!

This Ain't My Mamma's Bain du Soleil!

 A smell can bring on a flood of memories. And because we encounter most new odors in our youth, smells often drum up childhood memories.

Growing up, I was lucky enough to have a pool in my backyard. During the hot summer months, it was my family's refuge. But while I was splashing in the shallow end pretending to be a dolphin, my mom was perched on the sidelines in a lounge chair. You see, pool time was her relax time. If you know my mom, relaxing is not something that comes easily.  But in the heat of the summer, with her family close by, she would do just that. But before any relaxing could take place, she had to "grease up". Yep, that's what she called it. Greasing-up involved copious amounts of Bain du Soleil cream. If you haven't seen this stuff, think orange gel. Or better yet, think slightly solidified bright orange oil.

The orange goop has been around since 1925. According to the Bain du Soleil  website,  "the famous, trend-setting Coco Chanel, sporting deeply sun-bronzed skin, turned tanning into a fashion statement" back then. To  capitalize on that fashion trend, "Monsieur Antonine of Paris developed an Orange Gelée dark tanning formula". Then "the silky sensuous gel" made its way to North America as Antoine's Bain de Soleil.(translated as Antoine's bath of the sun).

"Bath of the sun" - my mom was sold! She loved the greasy orange formula. She never used anything else. Prior to lounge-time, she would take a whopping handful and slap it all over her body.   To make sure she did not miss a spot, she always asked me to her apply the slick stuff. Happy to help, I would pop out of the pool, grab the greasy bottle and smear it all over her back.

This is where the smell-memory stuff kicks in. To me Bain du Soleil smells like both my mother and sunshine. I know that's not really what that "orange gelee" smelled like but that's the association I made back then.  If I were to find a bottle right now and inhale deeply, I am certain I would suddenly feel seven years old all over again. I think I loved the smell of that stuff because to me it signaled a time when my mom was calm and quiet. She would be content on her lounger all "greased-up".

But let's now go beyond the childhood memory stuff. Looking back, I am surprised my mom's skin didn't set fire once that stuff was on her. It was basically roasting oil. There was no sun protection in that bottle whatsoever. Sure by the end of summer, she would have the deepest, darkest tan but one could argue she's paying for it now.


So that brings me to my second product review. Let's tackle sunscreen shall we!

By now most of us are well versed in sun safety and the importance of sunscreen. Every year in Canada, its estimated that more than one hundred thousand cases of skin cancer are diagnosed. So, I hope that sunscreen has become a staple for most folks.But as you may have guessed not all sunscreens are created equally.

The US-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) has been working on this issue for a while now. For the past five years, they've created a "Sunscreen Guide" for consumers. They basically look at the ingredients of a sunscreen and evaluate the product. This year they rated more than two hundred brands and close to two thousand products.

According to the EWG  many sun-protection products are  poorly labeled and make erroneous claims. According to the group, the US Food and Drug Administration has not yet finalize all sunscreen standards. That goes for Canada as well. I believe it was just this summer that the US FDA introduced label standards for what "broad spectrum" actually means. Health Canada is still working on this. With the regulators still sorting this out, it can be difficult to know if your sunscreen measures up.

Before this post gets too complicated, I am going to suggest something. If you are interested in learning more about labeling or the sunscreen debate check out the EWG's website.You can also see how your sunscreen is rated but checking their database.Here is the link:  http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen

For my purpose, I wanted a sunscreen that works but also contains minimal harmful chemicals.According to Gillian Deacon author of "There's Lead in Your Lipstick", sunscreens can contain some nasty chemicals. Here are some of the ones she points out:

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA): According to Deacon, research out of Oxford shows it may damage human DNA, making it more susceptible to skin cancer. It is also might be highly allergenic.


Oxxybenzone: Deacon says this chemical is worrisome because " it's been implicated in allergies, hormone disruption, cellular damage and low birth weight"

Polyethylene glycol (PEG): Deacon says "PEG's open up pores for better absorption of the chemical sun protection, but in doing so also open those pores to whatever other toxins may be present, stripping skin of its natural immunity"

 So once again confronted by chemicals, I decided to try a kinder more natural product this summer. To be honest, deciding which product to use was not that difficult. That's because I didn't find a lot of products on the shelf where I was shopping. I tried a smaller natural product store this time, so there was limited selection.

So what did I choose?

Product Review #2: 

What: Sunscreen

Brand: Badger SPF 30+

Price: $19.99 (I chose the unscented one)

Now we all know that the best sunscreen is no sun at all. But when you live in a country known as the "Great White North", you can't help but want to soak up summer warmth while you can. So, I turned to Badger to help me stay safe while enjoying summer.

Badger is made by a family in New Hampshire. Yep, it is a family run business. Interested in the company? Check out their website  -  http://www.badgerbalm.com

The Environmental Working Group lists Badger's sunscreen as one of the best on the market. It is a zinc-based product. Deacon says "when physical covering is not an option, you want to use a mineral or physical sunblock. For this, the ingredient to look for is zinc oxide or titanium oxide." What this means is the product sits on top of your skin, blocking the sun's rays from penetrating. Basically, the experts say that once this baby hits your skin you're getting instant protection. 

Immediate protection is great but you should know there's a wee downside to this. Some of you might recall a certain summer image from the 80s. Remember the sunblock lifeguards and surfers wore on their nose? It was colored zinc oxide. Think bleach-blonde dude with a neon pink nose. That stuff was thick and goopy. There was nothing transparent about it. Now, never fear Badger is not neon in colour, but it is white.  While zinc-based products have come a long way, I noticed that Badger leaves behind traces of white residue after application.

First time I put this product on my face, I looked like I was dressing up for Halloween. I was a big 'ol white pasty face. I did not like this at all! But, after a couple applications I learned how to apply it more evenly and sparingly.  Remember - a little Badger goes a long way! I also found that if I patted instead of rubbed the product it absorbed better. If you don't mind being a bit pasty, then this will not bother you. If it does, then just remember to test the product a couple times before going outside. It is not an easy, fast application process but I did get used to it. I have been wearing this stuff on my exposed bits for more than a month now and no one has asked me if I am ill! I must be getting it right.

Another wee issue for me, is the product's smell. Now, I chose the non-scented variety. It is supposed to be odorless. I beg to differ. It does have a smell. The smell is not horrible, nor is it delightful. It is just there. In the morning my nose sort of flairs when I apply it. I liken it to taking vitamins. Sometimes vitamins have a bit of a foul after taste. But you tolerate those vitamins because their good for you. That's how I feel about my tube of Badger. I have read (on some websites) that what I am smelling is the natural shea butter in the product. Perhaps that's it. But I still needed a couple days to get used to it.

Aside from the tricky application process and the slightly off-putting smell, I like this product. Prior to moving to Toronto, I was living in Newfoundland. While in St.John's, I did not see much sun. Toronto sure as hell change that. We got a lot of sun here - a whole lot of very strong sun. But you know what, my little tube of Badger did make me feel safe. When I had it on, I did not burn. To me that's the whole reason I am using this product. I can tolerate the smell and white-residue, as long as I am protected. This tube of gooey white stuff is not my mom's Bain du Soleil. No, it is nothing like mom's orange gel. But that is a VERY good thing!

I also have to say that the product does last. When I shelled-out a whopping twenty bucks for the small bottle, I was worried I would run out after a week. It has lasted me more than a month now. To me thats good bang for my buck.It is also water resistant, certified natural and not tested on animals. And heck, there is a cute picture of a badger on the bottle. Yep, right at the top of the tube is a cartoon picture of a momma badger and her baby. I am a total sucker for packaging!

In summary, I like this product. I am content with my Badger sunscreen. It makes me feel good. I feel like I am getting solid protection without the harsh chemicals. I am not sure it will be for everyone, but I encourage you to try it. Badger does sell small sample sticks. I think they are called face sticks and run around ten dollars. If you are worried about the smell or application process, you can invest in the smaller product. You can test it without being overly committed. This product is a little tougher for me to rate. For sun-protection, I am give it a full score of 5 kisses out of 5. But considering the smell and difficult application process, I am giving it an overall product rating of  3.5 kisses out of 5.

Streetcar Sightings...

Working on a holiday Monday. That was me today. The day wasn't overly bad nor was it overly good. Just one of those days you sort of shrug at. Nothing of note to write home about. Well, that's what I thought before I boarded the streetcar.

Usually I don't take the streetcar home. I usually hop on the subway. At the end of the day I don't want to dilly-dally. The subway is my choice, as it simply feels faster.

Anyhow, today I opted for the Spadina streetcar. I needed an open grocery store. We were lacking in the food department. Without a shopping stop, dinner would have consisted of old hummus, dry bread, tomatoes and maybe some old almond milk.  The streetcar passes right by the Fresh and Wild (one of the only stores open today close to work). It was easy and accessible!

If you haven't taken a streetcar in Toronto, I do recommend it. I like the "old world" feel of the streetcar. I like the click-ity-clack sound it makes lumbering down the city's busy streets. It feels cozy and quaint. Well, if you are in a good mood and not in a rush it most certainly does!

But today's post is not about the streetcar, its about what I saw while on the streetcar.

You can see quite a bit from the streetcar as it towers above most cars and trucks. Since it moves slow, you can take in the scenery all around you.

Today, while riding home I saw a group of people casually walking down the street. Nothing abnormal there, I hear you saying.Usually, I would agree with you. But for some reason today, I could not stop looking at this gaggle of folks strolling down the street. My eyes were drawn to something green in the group. Something bright green. It was triangular in shape and it was moving. The green triangle wasn't moving fast. It was just bopping along. Every now and then it would stop and sway from one side to the other. I was transfixed!

Now, attached to this green triangle there were two hairy legs. There was also a skinny torso. Not to mention there were two long arms and a head! Perched on top of the head was a  straw hat. I should also mention that the feet were decked out in crisp white sneakers.

So what was the bright green triangle?

What had captured my attention on a warm holiday Monday?

The bright triangle was a Speedo.

Yes, a Speedo. As in the spandex bathing suit variety!

A man - I would guess in his late twenties - was wearing a Speedo as he was walking down Spadina.

No, he was not walking he was waltzing down Spadina.

Toronto is a big city. It is the biggest city in Canada. With so many people coming and going you are bound to see some unusual sights. Trust me, I have witnessed many unusual people, places and things during my short stint in the city. But for some reason the green Speedo really struck a cord.

No, the guy was not an Adonis. He was no "Conan the Barbarian" walking down the street in spandex. My heart was not set a flutter.

Nor was I freaked out. I did not feel disturbed or worried.

Part of me was entertained. I mean how can you not giggle when you see a guy wearing a green Speedo and nothing else? Come on - it's funny.

But you know what really struck me? It was a sudden feeling that I was witnessing total freedom. This guy was walking down the street as if he was wearing an Armani suite. He was strutting his stuff as if he was a guy on Bay Street heading to his latest corporate take over.

Yes, from sitting on that streetcar I could feel his confidence. I could sense his "devil-may-care" attitude. My guess is, he could have cared less what people thought of him. In fact I bet from beneath that straw hat, he was challenging those looking at him to cast a stone.

Yes, judgement did begin to peculate. I wanted to shout "check out that load of crazy!" What a bizarre choice of clothing? How outlandish? What a dose of weirdness? Odd. Freaky. Whack!

But I knew just by watching him, he simply did not care what thoughts were running through my mind. Remember, his hips were swaying. He was free. He was totally at peace with his green Speedo.

And you know what?   Good for him. Why the heck not?

I decided to let go and simply enjoy the passing of the green Speedo. I was entertained. I was amused. I was challenged to let go of my preconceived notions. I decided to just be in the moment. Yes, I was in the moment with a man in a green Speedo.

So on this holiday Monday, I wish you all a little freedom from judgement, from fear and from insecurity. May you confidently walk down any street in the world knowing that you are beautiful no matter what you look like. I think there is a little green Speedo in all of us longing to break free. We might not all need to prance down the street, showing it off for all to see. But we all need to know it is inside of us. We need to know that we are always free to be who we want, when we want!