Use this NOT that!

First- sorry about the lines- they bug me too but I am not sure what to do about it- they randomly show up!

OK I could talk about this forever but what it comes down to is that there is ALOT of junk in your shampoos, conditioner, lotions, makeup soap etc.. That you don't know is in there- well it says on the label but you need to be a rocket scientist to know what it means- SO take some time look up all those long words you can't even say- you are in for a surprise- and a big enough one that might help you change. We all know about Sodium laurel sulfate- that is minor compared to what else is in there and the damage that can be done. So here is what my family is currently using- Yes it takes sometime to get used to the feel- they don't lather the same and honestly I didn't feel like I was cleaning my hair very good because I was so used to the lather but I was so wrong!!! My hair is cleaner, softer, shinier than ever- because all those other shampoos ( yes, even most the high end salon ones- check them) leave crap in your hair...

Burt's Bees Super Shiny Shampoo and Conditioner with Grapefruit and Sugar Beet Essential citrus oils and sugar beet extract combine with penetrating coconut and other natural oils to replenish, soften and improve manageability without weighing down hair.

Avalon Organics revitalizing Peppermint Conditioner Enriched with Babassu Oil Plus Vitamin E, Panthenol & Arginine. Revitalizes and moisturizes as Peppermint invigorates scalp circulation and Babassu Oil restores elasticity and strength. Check out these ingredients....... Ingredients: Certified organic mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf, gingko biloba and rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extracts (aqeous), certified organic helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, stearic acid, soyamidopropalkonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride, cyclopentasiloxane, emulsifying wax, certified organic orbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), bisabolol (chamomile), arginine (amino acid), babassuamadopropalkonium chloride, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium chloride, tocopherol (vitamin E), and certified organic mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf oil. Here is but a smidgen of info I have found. I was pretty ticked actually- I USED to use Pantene all the time- but look what they have to say... Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found a correlation between an ingredient found in shampoos and nervous system damage. The experiments were conducted with the brain cells of rats and they show that contact with this ingredient called methylisothiazoline, or MIT, causes neurological damage. Scientists at The University of Pittsburgh have indicated that some unborn babies could be at risk from shampoos and hand lotions containing Methylisothiazoline if their mothers use them during pregnancy. Which products contain this chemical compound MIT? Head and Shoulders, Suave, Clairol and Pantene Hair Conditioner contain this ingredient along with many other brand, body washes and lotions, Researchers are concerned that exposure to this chemical by pregnant women could put their fetus at risk for abnormal braindevelopment. In other people, exposure could also be a factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease and other nervous system disorders. The chemical causes these effects by preventing communication between neurons. Essentially, it slows the networking of neurons, and since the nervous system and brain function on a system of neural networks, the slowing of this network will suppress and impair the normal function of the brain and nervous system. These finding were presented December 5th at the American Society for Cell Biology annual meeting. AHH_ WHAT!!! I switched immediately- being great with child and all :)- I was so mad- why did I have to do my own research to find this out!!!! And when I did I found SEVERAL other studies done saying the same thing- not crazy biased studies ( you do have to be careful of those) but legit medical Journal studies... So take the time- you can plug any chemical into msds.com and it will tell you what is in it and the exposure risk.they have to be spelled EXACTLY correct so if you are having a problem pulling it up Google it and enter the specific chemical name along with "MSDS" in the search field will return MSDS results for the specific chemicals searched for. Another resource for researching specific ingredients is www.hazard.com/msds. There are hundreds of other chemicals in beauty products that are really bad for you so take the time.. It would take me days to list :) Here is a little more to fuel the fire in case you need a little nudge to check it out- A study done by Bionsen found that the average woman applies 515 chemicals to her face a day. Makeup, perfumes, lotions, mascara, and other beauty products all contribute to the toxic brew that is causing health problems for many women. The study revealed that the typical woman uses about 13 different beauty products a day. Most of these products contain at least 20 ingredients and additives, many of which can have a detrimental effect on the body and skin. You need to know not only what you put in your body but what you put on it! Anything you put on your body gets into your bloodstream...

Kids class...

The Healthy Kids Class is this month and I am so excited!

So many fun tips and tricks to share!

The class will be Tuesday, March 30th 6-7:30 pm and the cost is 25$. We will go over Nutrition a bit and additives, dyes, sweeteners etc - not as much talking in this one- more munching, tasting and making... Then I will make you a bunch of Yummy food and show you how to get your kids to WANT to eat it! That is the key- they need to want to because lets face it you really can't MAKE them eat anything. :) Besides it is much funner and makes for delightful meal times when they WANT to :).

There will be something for everyone... If you are ready to make big changes then I have a lot of great tips to help with transitioning or if you just want to take it slow I have great ideas for you too! And as always a recipe book and Lots of handouts!!! If you want to come let me know- you can leave a comment ( leave your email) or email me camwatson@comcast.net I need to know by the 27th so I can get groceries and handouts copied.

We will be sitting around the dinner table so the limit is 12 people-

and Come Hungry!!!!!

* By the way this delicious little treat- a little spin on mac n cheese

is on the menu- it Good and it's healthy!- you will not even believe how you make the cheese! :) oh yeah- if you have a fav recipe you want me to make healthier- let me know- I will do my best and maybe we can have a few on the menu!

Make Your OWN Broth....

Making Your own broth is super easy- it needs to simmer for awhile so do it on one of these rainy or heaven forbid snowy days we have coming up and it will make you feel like cuddling up with a good book and favorite blanket! The aroma adds a little bit of delight all through out

your whole house!

EVERY SOUP or chicken stock or veggie stock I have EVER used- yes even ORGANIC ones claiming no MSG- HAVE MSG!!!! The organic ones usually because it was made during processing but I really don't care how it got there it is still there! The others usually have at least a double usually triple dose of msg- some come out and say MSG but then it also has autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed protein oh and the ever so famous 'NATURAL FLAVORS'- yep that is MSG- lovely huh!! I have found an organic chicken or veggie stock from better than boullion- it ONLY has natural flavors and it is third to last- that is the best I have been able to find after LOTS of searching!

SO MAKE YOUR OWN!

You need a big ole' pot-Grandma G.G gave me this one a few years ago and I

absolutely Treasure it! Fill It with water and throw in your veggies ( cut up a little- sloppy is good no need to dice/ chop etc..) add some sea salt, herbs and simmer...

Easy PEASY!!

A couple suggestions for veggies-

Celery root- different from celery- has a ton of mineral and vits and natural salt

Potatoes, carrots, celery, onion - givens :)

Rutabegga- Parsnips and any other root veggies

kale, swiss chard, garlic

I even throw in broccoli and cauliflower sometimes.

Sea salt, parsley, rosemary, thyme, - herbs add so much flavor!!

Let it simmer until all veggies are soft- strain all the veggies ( keep all of the juice that is your broth filled wit hall the vits and minerals from your veggies!) and you are left with fabulous broth! Let it cool- put it in your glass mason jars and freeze- don't fill too the top- I have had a few explosions! I made that huge pot and I got probably 10 quarts.

When I use this I just throw a couple jars in the fridge the night before usually by dinner they are thawed, add it to the pot and add my veggies and a couple scoops of better than boullion- throw in some veggies, home made buckwheat or wheat noodles- or if you are short on time I have used grandmas brand homemade noodles before- they are really good- not so good for you but they are only flour eggs water and salt- at least I can pronounce everything in them :). I usually don't put chicken in it but you could! And if you want more of a chicken broth you could add chicken legs/ bones when you simmer your broth.

Enjoy!

Yum!!!