Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Summer means Sidewalk Chalk

With the end of school and a break in the constant rain fresh in mind, I have been busy designing something I think we will really love and use this summer. . .

All Natural - Petroleum Free - Chemical Free - Nibble Safe - Plant Based - Sidewalk Chalk - Paint and Pendants  !!!

Now I know that if you love and regularly check Pinterest the way I do you have seen some Cheap DIY "sidewalk chalk" and "chalk paint" pins.

Here is what I have found :

1. Tempera Paint or Traditional Petroleum Based Food coloring + Plaster of Paris = Pinterest "Chalk"

2. Corn Starch + Water = Pinterest "Chalk Paint"

I guarantee that my Chalk does NOT contain : Tempera, Plaster of Paris or Petroleum Food Colors.

Did you know that according to the USDA website last updated in July 12 2012 with data obtained by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in the June Agricultural Survey for 2000 through 2012., 88% of the corn grown in the United States is GMO.
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-us
If you would like to find out more please look for yourself. The data I found summarized the adoption of herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant crops since their introduction in 1996. While the USDA does not collect this data. Estimates were produced by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) and can be found in the report, Global Status of Commercialized Transgenic Crops: 2012.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Why I Only use All Natural Color & Essential Oils

 

We absorb up to 60%:

By Ananda Mahony

“We absorb up to 60% of what we apply to our skin” is an often cited factoid but is it actually true? Well I came across this research to show strong evidence that we do in fact absorb quite a bit of what is applied.
For example rates of skin absorption of contaminants in public drinking water were studied by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. The study found that the skin absorbed an average of 64% of the total contaminant dosage. Underarm and gentilia absorb up to 100%:
In another study the face was found to be 2-6x more permeable than other body surfaces such as the torso. And, the underarms and genitalia to be even more permeable. In fact, the underarms and genitalia showed up to a 100% absorption estimate (Kasting, 2005).
The studies showed that absorption rate varies depending on the compound. Some examples include, caffeine, which is absorbed by the skin at 48% while DDT is absorbed at 10%.
Alarmingly fragrance ingredients, showed a 100% absorption rate (Robinson et al, 2000).
So there is basis to this information and in some cases, research implications are worrisome, particularly in regard to phthalates which are found in artificial fragrances.

In any case regardless of actual percentage rates, it makes sense to know the ingredients in products that touch our skin so we know what we are absorbing.  As I am sure you all know my bias, you will understand that I think the obvious choice is to immediately cut out artificial preservatives, fragrances and color compounds that are either suspected or confirmed to be harmful to us.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Natural Dye Adventures

This is a Great Blog my friend Trish from Cycle Farm spotted. If you have ever wondered about what chemical dyes do to the environment and all of us this mp3 is incredibly educational.
Natural Dye mp3
If you would like to find out more about this  Blog and the attention they are bringing to Artificial Dyes in our clothing go to.  http://www.fibershed.com/2011/09/14/1564/

Saturday, March 16, 2013

My Dip into Blogging

March 2013 I took the plunge as MrsCsGlutenFree and started my Blog!!!  So, Happy Easter to all my friends, family and customers. With the recent success of my All Natural Easter Egg Dye on Etsy. I have been visiting the Post Office a lot more often than usual, 

MrsCsGlutenFree Natural Egg Dye
and while I was there I had a really nice conversation with the Postal Clerk. She asked about my products and about All Natural food coloring instead of using Artificial colors.  

Fruit & Veggie based Egg Dye

After some thought and a little work setting up this blog, I think this will be the best way to offer more room to go in depth discussing thoughts, ideas and articles on healthy living and healthy creating.