Caren's Blog

Top Ten Genetically Engineered Food Crops

2009-10-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Genetically modified foods are a threat to our organically grown produce. The health implications are stealth-like and we have yet to fully understand how their introduction more than a decade ago has made us more unhealthy as a nation. Here is a great list from Healthy Child Healthy World of foods to watch out for:Corn: Our number-one agricultural commodity. In 2000, 79.5 million acres of

Proper Facial Cleansing Makes All the Difference

2009-09-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

We often receive questions about a product's performance and/or how to use it.Cleansers are no exception and sometimes it leads us into a discussion about the proper way to clean your face. Here are a few questions we've had lately:Which cleanser is best for me?Do I need a toner for getting rid of makeup left behind after cleansing?Is holding a hot wash cloth to my face the best way to open up

The Ultimate Mosquito Bite Remedy!

2009-07-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love spending time in the garden. Though mine rarely produces enough to cover all the expenses (born with a cursed black thumb), I still enjoy it immensely. Except for the mosquitoes!They completely devoured my legs last night as I harvested some basil to make fresh pesto. My legs were itching so badly that it was hard to concentrate. I broke down and scratched the one on my ankle

Sick of Bad News? We Are Too.

2009-07-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

We've had little to say lately, and we have good reasons. We've blogged less, twittered sparsely, and even missed a few monthly newsletters all in the name of health. Sorry, our health required it.Don't misunderstand us. We care about your health too. But almost everything we needed to say to you lately has been what you should avoid, what you shouldn't do, what not to eat and what could make

Traveling Green...

2009-07-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

Traveling green is easy. Sort of...Writing this blog from a beautiful cabin in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, I'm struck by the simplicity of it all. Nature spread out before me like a picture book. The clouds are making interesting shadow puppets on the pine-filled slopes; the blue sky is the perfect backdrop to it all.In this serene setting is a humble log cabin A-frame. Simple comforts make

Healthier Skin Found in Your Own Backyard

2009-06-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

Recently the Washington Post ran an article about the increased demand for seeds. People all over the country are beginning to grow their own food in small backyard and rooftop gardens. As the FDA battles E. coli and salmonella outbreaks, more and more Americans want to know that what they are eating is actually good for them. This past year spinach, peanuts and peanut products, tomatoes,

The Skinny on Fatty Acids

2009-06-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

For many, the talk of fat in our diet strikes fear in us deeply. We've blamed said fats for all the bumps and jiggles on our bodies. But not all fats are created equal. Some are actually good for us! Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are vital to our overall good health. Some of the important jobs of EFAs are to support the immune system, regulate blood pressure, provide energy, maintain body

Not Exactly Swine Flu, But Still Makes Me Sick!

2009-05-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

This story first ran last year in Southwest Airlines inflight magazine, Spirit. An intriguing human interest story turned horrifying half way through. Below is an excerpt from the story about a pig farmer who takes advantage of the bountiful leftovers from the Las Vegas casinos to feed his pigs......"As the city's resident waste expert, [pig farmer Combs] helped architects design the MGM

Balancing Health and Vanity

2009-05-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

There's a fine line between staying healthy and fighting... well, fine lines.In most cases, what you do for your overall health is in turn great for your skin. But unfortunately, what many do in the name of fighting wrinkles is far from healthy. Injecting synthetic substances into their skin, chemically peeling away healthy layers, and even resorting to surgery all in the name of vanity.You only

Good Things Come in Small (Blue) Packages

2009-05-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

The phrase "small but mighty" may have first been uttered by someone eating blueberries. These tiny indigo berries pack one mighty helping of health benefits. Yes, blueberries are not only delicious, they are considered a “superfruit”, rich in nutrients, antioxidants and ever-emerging evidence of health benefits.Their sweetness and pop-ability make them popular amongst children and adults

Elle magazine Names Soleo Best Sunscreen!

2009-04-22T11:43:00.001-07:00

In this month's Green Beauty Awards, Elle names our beloved Soleo Organics sunscreen their top pick. Check it out: http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Beauty-Spotlight/Green-Star-Beauty/(imageIndex)/16/(play)/falsePosted using ShareThis

Honey?

2009-04-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have to admit that I never quite got over the idea that it is bee barf. The whole "collect the nectar then regurgitate it back out" thing. I know, that sticky-sweet fluid produced by our buzzing buddies is a terrific sugar substitute for sweetening baked goods or your afternoon tea. But, for me, I've never acquired a taste for the stuff. Which is really too bad since it has so many

Congrats, Soleo! Named Safest Sunscreen!

2009-03-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Soleo Organics by being named the safest sunscreen by the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Safety Database, Skin Deep. Of course, we knew this all the time, that is why Soleo is the ONLY sunscreen we have ever recommended. But that wasn't the only good new that came Soleo's way this week.The Surf Industry Manufacturing Association (SIMA) has listed Soleo in their Top 5

Support us in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

2009-03-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE FOR CAREN!Always looking for ways to spread the word about going chemical-free, we've entered yet another contest for some exposure. Please take a moment to vote for us by clicking the link below. We greatly appreciate the support!Support us in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business CompetitionPosted using ShareThis

Green Your Skin to Fight Aging!

2009-03-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

It is widely known that green veggies are one of the most neglected item of the food groups. Today you can find smoothies, juices, even chips containing a variety of greens, including seaweed. But did you also know that seaweed (or should I say, autotrophic organisms) are highly beneficial to your skin's health?Sea algae, or seaweed, are chlorophyll-containing plants that grow mostly in shallow

Too Much Soy in Your Diet?

2009-03-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

Before you reach for that next glass of soy milk or whip up another tofu dish, know what you are serving up.Soybeans are just that--beans. This makes them a good source of protein and great for people trying to cut back on their meat consumption. Soy is a species of legume that contains significant amounts of amino acids, like alpha-linolenic acid and large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids.

Sensational Sea Buckthorn!

2009-03-03T20:43:00.000-08:00

What's not to love about this mountain loving darling? Sea buckthorn, or seaberry, is a shrub that produces orange berries high in vitamin C which give the berries an deep orange color. The berries are also rich in vitamins A and E, as well as amino acids and antioxidants, making them a true friend to beautiful skin!Sea buckthorn fruit is edible in the form of syrup, juice and pulp oil. This

Papaya is Your Skin's Best Friend!

2009-02-19T21:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is more than just an exotic taste sensation. This yummy, drippy goodness is your skin's best friend--or at least it should be! Papaya fruit is native to the tropics of the Americas and the ripe fruit can be eaten plain while unripe fruit is delicious cooked for use in salads and curries. Super rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, carotenes and flavonoids, this fruit is a veritable

The Gift of Healthy Skin

2009-02-18T08:02:00.000-08:00

Is there anything that lifts your spirit more than skin care products? Okay, free skin care products? How about free skin care products that are all natural, organic and fantastic? For us, it is in the giving of the gift of healthy skin!We recently had a request from a local Girl Scout troop for a product donation. Apparently the girls were sewing drawstring bags together and were donating them

a.k.a. the Alligator Pear....

2009-02-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

I love avocados. And not just because they go great with a tasty margarita! This yummy tropical fruit does more than just make a great guacamole, it is also very beneficial to hair and skin.Avocados are rich in potassium and vitamins B, E, and K and contain more fatty alcohols than any other fruit. You can even mash a plain avocado to make a wonderful facial mask, providing nutrients and

Eating for Healthy Skin

2009-01-17T23:03:00.000-08:00

I can always tell when I've not been eating right or getting enough sleep. My face will show it! Luckily, the damage is easy to undo by getting back to basics. A healthy diet is essential in keeping you and your skin in top shape. Eating organic as much as possible will help to limit your exposure to toxins and ward off acne and dryness.Toxins are said to be the number one component in the

Exfoliate for a Fresher Face!

2009-01-12T07:39:00.000-08:00

Face lost its glow? Maybe it's just a build up of dead skin cells. In the summer months we may be more apt to cleanse the sweat and grime more often or even more vigorously, but during the winter months of dry air we moisturize a bit more and cleanse a bit less. Regardless of the season, our skin cells keep right on renewing at roughly the same pace, and if we don't remove the dead cells our

Winter Skin Bugging You? Hydrate Inside and Out!

2009-01-05T22:15:00.000-08:00

Every winter it seems my body gets a new itchy spot. Years ago, before going natural, it was my eyelids. Last year it was the backs of my knees, which I scratched (stupidly) until they're almost scarred. One year it was the inside of my elbows. This year: my neck.Now, I know better than to scratch. Scratching is the worse thing you can do to dry skin, making it red, more irritated, and even

2009: A Clean Slate!

2009-01-04T17:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, All! I love the feel of a fresh start. A freshly painted room, a new wall calendar, a just-opened jar of a new face cream. Best of all is the feeling that wherever you are, no matter what state of circumstance, you can begin anew. So of course I'm super excited about planning for Caren in 2009.We love how 2008 had brought us together and allowed us to help many of you with

Good Clean Fun with Soap

2008-12-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

Did we mention we love soap! I am so glad to see people getting back to natural soap. Isn't that all we really need? Doesn't matter if it is liquid or bar as long as it is chemical free. We all know what our ancestors knew, that soap and water are as good at cleaning germs and better for you than all those chemical soaps. They come in so many awesome scents and colors and make great