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!

"Product, product upon the wall, who is the fairest of all?"

Oh pretty products, how I love thee. But the time has come for my first product swap! Part of me is excited, as I get to buy more products! Another part of me is dreading the switch. I fear I will be wasting money on things that do not work and do not make me feel good! So why am I doing this again? Well, how about we take a look at some of the ingredients that are found in the products we buy.

In her book "There's Lead in our Lipstick", Gillian Deacon supplies a long list of chemicals found in products. Here are just a few from her list:

Coal Tar - a chemical derivative of coal. It is used in dry skin and anti-redness skin treatments, bath soaks and anti-dandruff shampoos. It is also used as a colourant in hair dyes. It has been banned in the EU since 2004 and it is a known carcinogen.

DEA/TEA/MEA (diethanolamine,triethanolamine,monoethanolamine,cocamide DEA) - So not only are these little chemicals a mouthful to say,  sounds like they may not be all that good for you. They are used as emulsifiers and foaming agents in products like shampoos, face and body washes and makeup. They are suspected carcinogens, are readily absorbed by the skin and the organs, and can combine with nitrates to cause cancer-causing nitrosamines.


Ethoxylated surfactants and 1,4-dioxane - Present in many beauty products but never listed on the label because it is a contaminant - or by-product- rather than an ingredient. It is said to be a probable human carcinogen. This one is found in lots of products including  children's soaps. The Environmental Working Group in the United States found 57 percent of baby soaps contaminated with 1,4-dioxane.

Parabens - A class of chemicals used as preservatives, parabens are found in a range of beauty products, including shampoos, moisturizers, shaving cream, cleansing gels and toothpaste. Parabens are linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and skin irritation. Also linked to breaks cancer.


Sodium lauryl (ether) sulfate (SLS, SLES) - A chemical addictive that makes a product soapy, SLS began as an industrial degreaser and garage floor cleaner. It is easily absorbed by the body and it is a known skin irritant.  You can find it in body wash, bubble bath, shampoo and even toothpaste.

And the list goes on and on and on. So, just some of the reasons I am willing to try alternative products.

May I please have a drum roll!?

PAA DAAA RUMPA PAAAAA PAAAA

(That was my drum roll)

Let the product swap begin.

The other day, I hopped on the subway destined for Whole Foods. I chose Whole Foods for my first shopping adventure as I am still not really sure where to buy kinder, gentler beauty products. I still need to do more research in that department. I headed to Whole Foods as  I remembered seeing shelves stocked with products there. Heck, just as good a place to start as anywhere!

Now, my rule for the day was to only buy one product. I wanted to be measured, rational and responsible. No sense tossing every product in my bathroom into the trash. Running out and spending hundreds of dollars replacing everything was not an option. A move like that would not be fiscally sound. This is an adventure. I want to explore this process and make the right choices. So, only one product at  a time!

Well, as  you can see from the picture above I bought more than one product. Rule number one already broken. I bought four products my first time out. And you know what? I am lucky I only came home with four! My basket was filled with smelly soaps, goopy creams and slick oils.

You see, I recognized many of the products in the store from Deacon's book. Products both Deacon and a host of other experts recommend. So, when I spotted a product I recognized, I would smell it, read the label and then pop it in the basket. I tried to rationalize this move by saying to myself : "buying all these products isn't just a silly spending spree, it's investment in my health."

Thankfully, as I was doing this over and over again, a friendly store clerk stopped and asked if I needed any help.

"Can I help you today," asked the friendly store clerk.

"No, I am just looking," I reply.

"Looks like you are doing a little more than looking" she says with a great big grin.

I look sheepishly down at my basket. It is now very heavy. It is very full.

Part of me wanted to be annoyed that she was poking into my business, but instead I couldn't help smiling. I was sort of giggling inside. My basket looked ridiculous. It looked like I had never owned a beauty product in my life. It also looked like the basket would cost me hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I decided to tell her what I was up to.

Her response: "What a great idea.Good for you.Why don't I help you whittle down what you have in your basket. It might make exploring new products easier. It could get a bit overwhelming to tackle them all."

I smiled. She was nice. I obviously needed help.

Together we put most of the products back. We decided that starting with the basics might make things easier.  After a good chat and a couple laughs, the friendly clerk helped me pick four products. I had a soap, shampoo, conditioner and sunscreen. All pretty basic and in my opinion all pretty necessary.

May I please have another drum roll!?

PAA DAAA RUMPA PAAAAA PAAAA DAAA PATTA PATTA PAAAAA

(That was my drum roll again)

Product Review #1

What: Soap

Brand: Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps

Price: $3.99 (I chose the Peppermint scented one. It was a dollar cheaper than the others)

So full disclosure here: I have not purchased a bar of soap in years. No, I am not a dirty dish-pig. I just prefer liquid soap. I like the option of squirting the soap on a scrub. I think it's also easier than handling a slippery bar of soap. Another reason - I think liquid soap travels better that bar soap. But the top reason why I turned away from bar soap was that I always felt it dried out my skin.

So why did I end up with a bar of soap? Well, the friendly clerk suggested a bar of soap is the better purchase as there's less packaging. She also said that the bar is a "delightful product". Her words, not mine.

Turns out Dr. Bronner's soaps have been around for a while now. Gillian Deacon writes that Dr.Bronner's soaps are "a staple of the 1960s counter-cultural movement, (the) soaps have endured  to become eco-household favourites, not least because of their versatility as body wash, shampoo, dish soap and even pet shampoo."

Many of you may already be familiar with this soap. It's new to me. I have to tell you I was entertained by the idea that my little "hippie" bar of soap was a fixture of the counter-cultural movement. I imagine my bar of soap back in the 60's holding up a sign saying "Make suds, not war!"

I also like that the soap is certified fair trade and USDA certified organic (we will talk more about certification another day). The company is also active in trying to ensure folks selling organic products are legit. I am learning that there are a lot of "organic product poseurs" out there. This company launches lawsuits against shady operators!

So my hippie soap is also feisty! I like that. I also like that the packaging is minimal. It is made from100% post-consumer waste paper and the label is printed with water based ink.

But enough about what people say about it and how it looks. How does it work? That's what this is all about.

After one shower, I am quite smitten with Dr. Bonner's Magic Soap. While peppermint might not be everyone's choice,  I quite enjoyed it. It smelled fresh and natural. It was an energizing scent - good for sluggish mornings! It comes in other scents as well, so don't be turned off if peppermint is not your thing!

As for suds, there were plenty of those. I was quite impressed. The lather was consistent. I felt like I was getting a good scrubbing.

I also have to say that my skin did not feel as if it was drying in the shower or after. This soap has coconut oil, palm oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil  and jojoba oil in it. My skin soaked up all the moisturizing oil! I even felt as if I could skip a body lotion after the bath. Not that I wanted too, but I could have if pressed.

Thanks to slippery hands,  I did drop the soap a couple times.  That was a bit annoying. But to circumvent that problem, I brushed my body scrub over the soap a couple times, got a good lather and kept cleaning. I also have to tell you that I did not wash my hair with it. Nor did I invite my dog to jump in the bath to test it on him. For now, it is just soap. Soap to keep my body clean the kind way.

In summary, I like it. I actually like it quite a bit. I have no complaints as of yet. Because of my positive experience thus far, I am going to give Dr. Bonner's Magic Soap a whopping 4 kisses out of 5. 

Still burdened by chemicals......

Yes, I am still addicted to beauty products.

Yes, I am still going to try and reduce my chemical burden.

I know, the blogging has been slow going.  Time is my enemy. It's cruel and always sneaks away from me. I am certain we all feel this. There is never enough time in the day to do the things we really want to do! Just like, there is never enough chocolate in the house to satisfy that good 'ol sweet craving.

But today, I managed to trick Time. I was overly efficient at work. I skipped lunch and caught up on all those nagging "to do's". So now, I have a spare moment to catch-up on the blogging. Take that Time!

So see the picture at the top of this post? That is currently my bible. It is the book guiding my cosmetic crusade. Remember, Gillian Deacon? I mentioned her last time. Well, she is the author of my trusty beauty battle book. Deacon has done heaps of work when it comes to researching beauty products. She also includes in her book links to other authors and organizations doing the same thing. So for now, I am using Deacon's book as a guide. Now even though she is a respected journalist and environmentalist, I am not taking everything she says at face value. I always try to second source information. If you know my trade, then you know -  double even triple -  sourcing information is a must for me. Basically, its an occupational hazard. I hope to  share more information about the book and helpful links in blogs to come.

Now let's get down to the "nitty-gritty" as my mother would say. As you may recall, I am in the process of swapping some of my favorite beauty products for simpler, kinder products free of harsh chemicals. The process has begun. Recently, I hit Whole Foods here in Toronto and made my first purchase. But before, I write up my review let me explain how it will work. It's pretty simple actually.

What I will do:

1. Buy a product that I have researched. I will use websites, my beauty bible and the help of natural product experts when choosing the product.

2. I will try the product.

3. I will write a review of the product.

4. I will rate the product. I have decided to use a kiss icon to help me do this. It is my nod to Deacon. She has a tube of red lipstick on the cover of her book. I thought a glossy kiss would be appropriate. Totally cheesy, I know! Anyhow, the rating will follow a scale of one to five. You know the drill, one is usually not so good. Five is a fab!

  

So, there you have it. I have a plan! I have a product! Let the process of reducing my chemical burden begin.

"Holy poop balls" as my mother would say. Yes, she says that. And she says it when she is surprised, puzzled or overwhelmed. Why am I saying it? Well, once again Time is being nasty. I have to run. Life's nagging chores are calling. So I will have to keep you in suspense over my first product review. Think suds not mud. Stay tuned for more.......

My Chemical Burden...

Body Butter Coconut Cream.

What a simple yet inviting name.

I pick-up the cylinder shaped container and give it a good look.

Classy black lid. Simple font. No extra packaging.

On the back it says:

"Fresh coconut milk and roasted almonds blended with Hawaiian honey, vanilla mousse and precious musks."

Yummy.  Sounds good enough to eat (minus the musk).

But wait there's more:

"Rejuvenates with natural shea butter in vitamin rich moisture, protects against moisture loss with natural beeswax."

Wow. This little bottle is not only going to make me new again, it's going to keep me safe from loosing precious moisture.

I open the container. I need to inspect the goopy white goodness inside. I am hit with the smell of a tropical dream. It smells like paradise. I can see myself right now on a beach with sand between my toes and a pina colada in my hand! Who needs an expensive sun vacation when you can just slap this beauty butter on your skin?

With that final thought, I marched to the cashier and purchased the little bottle of bliss. And I have been purchasing it -over and over again - for the past four years.

But that's not the only product I buy. 

Face Cream.
Eye Cream.
Hand Cream.
Body Cream.
Elbow Cream.
Knee Cream.
Anything and Everything Cream.

I love creams.

You know how some women love to buy shoes. Well, that's how I feel about creams. But it doesn't stop there. I love different shampoos, conditioners and styling products. I love body oils and scrubs. Give me masques and exfoilators. Toss in some toners and serums. Give me lip balm and cuticle salve. I'll take it all.

I AM A SELF-CONFESSED BEAUTY PRODUCT JUNKIE.

It's true. I've known for a long time. You see products can be instant pleasure. It's not like shopping for clothes. Clothes you have to try on. You have to go into those god-awful change rooms with the crappy light and horror-hall mirrors. You know the ones. The ones where you can't concentrate on the clothes because you look green and as round as a plum? I tend to run from those change rooms. They make me feel totally unattractive and force me to turn to ice-cream for comfort. Buying cream has never made me feel bad! Or so I thought.

A while back, I happened to catch an interview on CBC News Network. The interview was with Gillian Deacon. She is a broadcaster, author and environmental advocate.  I actually only heard about a minute or so of the interview as I was on the run. But I caught her saying something along the lines of this:

"The average woman uses a dozen personal care products every day....And due to that a woman's chemical burden is great.... It's beauty that really is to die for."

At the time my reaction was:

"Huh, interesting.Oh, look at the time, gotta get into editing."

Later, I caught myself thinking about two words Deacon said: CHEMICAL BURDEN.

Those two words kept dancing around my head for a couple days.

So much so, I decided to google it.

Oh google. You are both a blessing and a royal pain in the arse.

This is what I found:

Chemical burden refers to toxic chemicals that often get into the human body. We may inhale them, swallow them in contaminated food or water, or in some cases, absorb them through skin. The term "body burden" refers to the total amount of these chemicals that are present in the human body at a given point in time." These chemicals are often stored in our fat cells for years if not our entire lives. Every person alive today, whether living in industrial centers or remote areas, carries a chemical body burden of over 300 chemicals, most of which did not exist before World War II. The health effects of some of these chemicals are documented, but many others have undergone little or no testing. How these chemicals might interact with each other to affect human health is rarely tested and poorly understood.

My response to what I found:

"Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......" 

In response to that hmmmmmmm:

I started researching some of the products I was slathering on my skin.

What I discovered totally freaked me out. 

Yes, I always knew deep-down that there are nasty chemicals in products. I am not a total ignoramis! But to be honest, I did not really let myself go there. I guess I thought: 

"Hey, we eat local organic food. We buy green cleaners. I bloody-well walk everywhere. I must be doing ok?"

Remember that delightful body butter I was talking about. Well, I recently took a good look at the ingredient list. I only recognized two ingredients out of about fifty. A little more digging and I found that my tropical dream was more like a toxic nightmare. Turns out the risks assocated with some of the ingredients are:

 - Neurotoxicity

-  Allergies

- Irritation

 - Endocrine disruption

 - Organ system toxicity

 - Biochemical or cellular level changes

 -  Developmental/reproductive toxicity,

 - Cancer

- Persistence and bioaccumulation

What the hell?

So my friends, that little container of body butter prompted me to have a product ponder. I need to take a hard look at all my products. Perhaps, I even have to ween myself off many of them. Most of my products boast long ingredient lists. Ingredients I don't recognize. Ingredients Mr.Google tells me are pretty toxic. 

I pledge to take a good hard look at the things I put on my body.

I pledge to give myself a year to swap my beloved chemically-laced products with ones that are easier on the 'ol body and the environment.

I pledge to share my findings with you.

It's not going to be easy. But I am going to give it a try. In the coming months, I will try to document my progress here in this blog. I will even test so-called "friendlier" products and give you my take on how well they work. 

Now don't go thinking that I am going to start pouring pacholi all over myself. Or that I am going to stop shaving my legs. Or that you will soon see me sporting dreadlocks.  No, that's not for me.

This is just one girl's pursuit to be kinder to her body while still indulging in her love of goopy, smelly, feel-good creams. Wish me luck!

Best kind.....

For the past three days I have been waking up at 2:42 am. I set the alarm to be that specific, so I can hit the snooze button at least twice before 3:00am.

Why am I getting up so early?

Work.

I not telling you about my rotation on the early shift to solicit sympathy. I am telling you about it in hopes that it somewhat explains my state of mind yesterday afternoon.

You see, I had a bit of a mishap.

Actually I had one helluva mishap.

After work I decided to make a trek to Home Depot or as I like to call it Home Money Pit. Since embarking on our own version of "reno-nightmares", it feels like I've given every other paycheck to that big box store.

But I digress from my mishap.

My shopping trip was supposed to be an in and out affair. All I needed was a can of paint and a brush. No problem. Along the way, I came upon a plant sale in the garden centre. Two lavendar bushes later and I was on my way through the check-out.

Just as I was leaving the store, a big menacing cloud released a gusher. Talk about downpour. It reminded me of those sudden tropical storms that hit you while you are strolling on an island beach. It was sort of shocking actually.

Next, I made a mad dash for my truck. But really, I didn't have to run. Within a matter of seconds I was drenched.

I have to admit the storm sort of amused me. So what did I do, I decided to text my husband and inform him that we did not live in Toronto but the tropics! After that I put my purchases in the back of the truck. While unloading, the shopping buggy rolled away from me. Parking lots are never flat surfaces. The buggy actually ended up towards the front of the vehicle. I paid no notice. I continue my business at the back of the truck. Once I was finished, I decided to text Kai one more time with a weather update. After that, I was off.

So where's the mishap you ask? Well, I have left out a very important fact. The whole time while I was shopping, unloading and texting my wallet was in the buggy. Can you see where this is going?

 My wallet was stolen. Stolen right from under my own nose. Those who know me well are probably not surprised by this. I am totally reckless when it comes to my keys and my wallet. Totally idiotic - I know!

I realized the wallet was missing after I putting the buggy back into the holding stall. Once I noticed it missing, I ran back to the buggy. But it was gone.

I frantically scanned the parking lot. I couldn't see anyone around. I ran inside the store looking for help. I must have come across as a bit of a lunatic. Thanks to the rain,  my hair was stuck to my face, my mascara was running and my clothes were dripping. The store clerks looked at me, made a couple calls and then politely asked for my number. They would call me if anyone turned it in.

Not ready to be defeated, I went back outside.I ran up to the first person I saw. He was near my car having a smoke. I began asking one question after another. Did you see a purple wallet? Did you see anyone with a purple wallet? Were you near those shopping carts? The guy also looked at me like I was insane.  He couldn't help me, but he hoped I would find my wallet.

Panic was setting in. I started running around the parking lot. Ok, maybe I was acting a little crazy. After several laps of the lot, I spotted security cameras. Ah, Big Brother would help me! I ran back inside the store and back to the very same clerks.

"Security cameras, I see you have security cameras! Can we go take a look and see what happened to my wallet?"

It seemed like a brilliant plan at the time. I am so clever I thought.

Their response: "No."  They claim the cameras only point to the store's doors. Drat, so much for my moment of brilliance.

You know that feeling you have right before you vomit? Well imagine putting that feeling in a blender with a couple other feelings. Take a whole lot of anger. Add a big dose of disapointment. Mix it all up. Mix it real good. Well that is how I felt once my wallet was gone.

For the next hour or so, I tried to go about cancelling my life. I know that's dramatic, but that's how I felt! And to make things worse, while trying to figure everything out I locked my keys in my car. Oh yes, yes I did.

Totally defeated. Sigh.

But.

There is a beautiful but to this story.

 About two hours or so after my mishap I got a call on my blackberry. I quickly answered as I thought it might be the Depot phoning with some good news. It wasn't the Depot. It was a man name Earl.

"Hi there. My name is Earl Muise. You don't know me. But I believe I have your wallet."

"What?" I squawked.

"Are you from Newfoundland?" Earl asked.

Confused, I replied "Um, no, no. But I did live there for three years. I just moved to Toronto in the fall. You found my wallet? You really did? Is it purple?"

Yes, too much information.
Yes, I was starting to squeal.

Earl then said, "I am from Newfoundland. It must be your lucky day. I had to look in your wallet to see who it belonged to. I saw you have a Newfoundland MCP card. You also have a business card in there."

I know we chatted a little longer. I just don't recall the details. I do recall that it actually felt like we were two old friends catching-up. Next, I was running to my vehicle to take off and fetch my wallet.

Those damn keys! Damn them!

I started pushing on all the windows. No luck! No damn luck!

Then I noticed something. The passenger door was unlocked. Unlocked the whole time. Yes, you can call me any name you want at this point!

Back on track, I speed off to meet my Good Samaritan. But before going to far, I call Kai and give him the update. When I contacted him earlier about the situation, he was not pleased. I had avoided calling him until Earl called me.

Soon as I had Kai on the phone, I told him the good news. In true, jaded, urbanite fashion Kai responded by telling me that I was not to go alone. I scoffed at the thought that Earl posed a threat. Earl was from Newfoundland! Earl rescued my wallet. Why would Earl possibly want to harm me? But you know, we are not in St.John's anymore. Toronto is not a place where people leave their front door open during the day. It's not a place where you can walk into a strangers home and help yourself to the moose sausage. So together, we sped off to retrieve my pretty purple wallet.

Earl did not live far away. When we got to his apartment building we buzzed his number. His bright cheery voice boomed over the speaker.

"Melanie, that you?"

"Yep, it's me Earl"

"My word girl, god must be watching over you today. I will be right down with your wallet."

A couple minutes later and Earl appeared. He was a tall fella with glasses. If memory servers me correctly, he was wearing a plaid shirt. What struck me about Earl, was his friendly smile. That salt-kissed, genuine, big 'ol Newfoundland smile.

After a handshake and quick round of introductions, Earl handed me my wallet. It was wrapped in paper towel. He said it was soaking wet when he found it. Turns out, he located it by the Canadian Tire. It sits across from Home Depot. He apologized for having to look inside the wallet, but it was the only way to find out who the owner was.

While standing talking to Earl, I looked inside my familiar  wallet. Everything appeared to be in the right place. There was no money, but that had nothing to do with the theft. I seldom carry cash. After looking a littler closer, the only thing that appeared to be missing was a lotto ticket. My dad and I share the purchase of  a ticket every time there's a 649 carry-over. The person who scooped my wallet snatched my ticket.

After chatting a little more, it was time for Earl and I to go our separate ways. I thanked him over and over again. He simply replied that it was the proper thing to do. He was raised to the right thing.

Hats off to Earl's mama. And hats off to Earl. Hats off to Newfoundland.

If more people in the world did the right thing, imagine what a place it would be.

Earl, I am grateful to you. Yes, you returned my wallet. But you also reminded me that there are good people all around us.

So here's to good deeds making the world a better place ....one purple wallet at a time!

Two tin cans, a piece of string and a heck of a lot to say...

Did you ever have a tin can telephone when you were young? I did. My Dad helped me make one once.

You know what I am talking about right? A tin can telephone is a device made up of two similarly shaped cans that are attached to each other by a string.

The little contraption is a simple voice-transmitting device. When the string is pulled taut and someone speaks into one of the cans sound waves are supposed to travel to the other can.

I am not sure what prompted us to make a tin can phone. Nor can I remember if it worked. What I do remember is that I was delighted by the home-made gadget.

 I am sure part of the joy I felt had to do with the fact that I made the phone with my Dad. You see my Dad was a draftsman. For years, he spent his days creating technical drawings for a telecommunication company. 

Let me tell you, this was no slap-it-together tin can phone. This phone started with a sketch. On perfectly lined graph-paper, we designed a dashing tin can phone. Next, we collected two cans for the project. I think they may have been cans of peas or some other cupboard vegetable. The cabs were scrubbed and polished. Then we measured the perfect bit of string. From there, we assembled all the parts and produced a tin can phone. 

I know it sounds tedious. Perhaps, it even sounds like too much work for a silly toy. But I was six years old and I idolized my Dad. We could have spent weeks making the phone and I wouldn’t have cared one bit.

So that’s one reason why I loved my tin can phone. You want to know the other reason? I am a chatterbox. I like to talk. I can just see my elementary school report cards now. One teacher wrote: “Melanie is a good student who gets along well with other pupils. However, she has a tendency to talk quite a bit. Sometimes she talks while lessons are in progress. It can be disruptive to the class.” 

So you see, this tin can phone was all mine. I could use it to talk and talk and talk as much as I wanted. Sure, it was more effective when you had someone at the other end of the string. But at that age, I could make it work without boring someone with my endless chatter. All I needed was a teddy bear and my imagination. I would simply rest the can by the poor bear’s head and then proceed to talk his ear off. It made me happy, what more can I say.

So that’s where the name of this blog comes from. This is my modern take on that old-school contraption. So feel free to pick-up the other can attached to the string and let’s have a conversation!