safe products list

here is where i have been for the past few days...research for you and me...

1. in the title i said "safe"...let me term that word loosely because some of the options that i have included in the list are not necessarily the safest option. i made the list based on products that i know that i can get at the stores that i frequent. they are much safer options that i am currently using and i will be making the switch asap. many of these items can still be purchased using coupons.

2. the following list has been created using the skin deep cosmetic safety data base

3. the items are ranks 0-10, "0" being the best ranking in regard to safety "10" being the worst and extremely hazardous to your health. when i did the research on the products that i was using i could not believe the number of PROVEN cancer causing chemicals as well as a whole slew of other disease causing chemicals were in "my products."

4. a couple of tips that i will give you in regard to the list is you need to purchase the exact item in the description...not one that is similar or the same brand. many brands differ greatly in their safety from product to product. for example: there is a pantene shampoo that is safe, but it is one of the only pantene products that is...everything else is filled with chemicals that threaten your family's health. the other tip is organic is not always better. I WAS SHOCKED at the number of "organic" products that were ranked "5" or above.

5. please email or comment with any questions. also use the above link to check out any other products that you are currently using. this list is certainly not exhaustive, however, it is a guide that i think will help you be a wise and thrifty safety consumer.

SCALE: 0-2 low hazard 3-6 moderate hazard 7-10 high hazard

Hand Soap:

Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Fragrance Free- 0

Dr. Bronner’s Magic All-One Hemp (citrus orange, eucalyptus, peppermint) pure-castile bar soap made with organic oils- 1

Ivory Bar Soap, Simply Ivory- 3

Dove Beauty Bar with Moisturizing Lotion for sensitive skin- 3

Sunscreen:

Alba Botanica Sun: Mineral Suncreen Fragrance Free, SPF 30- 2

Alba Botanica Sun: Mineral Suncreen Kids, SPF 30- 2

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Baby, SPF 30+ - 2

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive, SPF 30+ - 2

Johnson & Johnson Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40- 2

Coppertone Kids Pure and Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50- 3

Coppertone Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50- 3

Coppertone Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Faces- 3

Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50- 3

Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple Sunscreen- 3

CVS Baby Sunstick SPF 50- 3

CVS Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide SPF 45+ - 3

Deodorant:

Toms of Maine Natural Deodorant Body Bar Lemongrass - 0

Burts Bees Outdoor Herbal Deodorant- 1

Almay Antiperspirant & Deodorant, Clear Gel, Unscented- 1

Mitchum Antiperspirant & Deodorant Clear, Gel, Sport- 1

Lady Mitchum Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant Unscented- 1

Speed Stick Antiperspirant & Deodorant Solid, Unscented- 1

Ban Classic Invisible Solid Antiperspirant & Deodorant, Unscented- 1

Baby Wipes:

Seventh Generation Unscented with Aloe Vera and Vit. E- 1

Pampers Sensitive Wipes- 3

Pampers Natural with Aloe- 3

Make Up:

This area is too huge to cover (look for yourself I was SHOCKED at mine)…two good options at the drug store are

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Origin Pressed Powder (sand beige, warm beige, translucent medium)- 2

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% natural Origin matte finish veil translucent- 2

Mascara:

Physicians Formula Retro Glow Ultra Dramatic Mascara Ultra Black- 2

Sephora Brand Lash Stretcher- 3

Rimmel Volume Flash Instant Thickening Mascara- 3

L’Oreal Double Extend Waterproof Lash Fortifier & Extender Mascara, Black-3

Revlon Mascara Blackest Black 621- 3

Lotion:

Shaklee Baby Baby Lotion- 1

Aveeno Daily Baby Moisturizing Lotion- 2

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion- 2

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Fragrance Free- 2

Aveeno Anti-itch Concentrated Lotion with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal(anti-itch/rash cream-2

Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion (moisturizer)- 2

Aveeno Anti-itch Concentrated Lotion(anti-itch/rash cream)- 2

CVS Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal (facial moisturizer/treatment)- 2

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Daily Therapeutic Lotion, Body Moisturizer, Fragrance Free (moisturizer)- 2

Walgreens Natural Oatmeal Daily Moisturizing Lotion(moisturizer)- 2

Yes To Carrots Daily Moisture Body Lotion(moisturizer)- 2

Lip Balm:

White Petroleum Jelly- 0

Dr. Bronner’s Magic organic (orange ginger, Lemon-Lime, Naked, Peppermint) Lip Balm- 1

Softlips Organic (Honeydew, Pomegranate) Lip Balm Conditioner-1

Eos Lip balm sphere (summer fruit, honey suckle honey dew)- 1

Burts Bees Lip Balm-2

ChapStick Botanical Medley-2

ChapStick Lip Butter-2

ChapStick Lip Balm , All Natural- 2

Toothpaste:

Tom’s Of Maine Antiplaque Spearmint- 1

Arm & Hammer Teeth Whitening Booster Toothpaste- 2

CVS Apple Banana Toothpaste- 2

Crest Whitening Plus Scope Citrus Splash- 3

Shampoo:

Burts Bees Outdoor Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar- 0

Pantene Pro V Brunette Expressions Color Enhancing Shampoo- 1

(Nutmeg to Dark Chocolate and Auburn to Burgundy)…ONLY

Giovanni Magnetic Energizing Shampoo- 2

Mr. Bubble 3 in 1 Extra Gentle Body Wash, Shampoo, and Bubble Bath- 3

Neutrogena, T-Sal Maximum Strength Therapeutic Shampoo- 3

TIGI Bed Head Self Absorbed Shampoo - 3

Baby Shampoo:

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash - Fragrance Free - 2

Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo, Lightly Scented - 3

Baby Lotion:

Dr. Bronner's Magic Organic Baby Body Balm - 1

ALSO SEE LOTION LIST ABOVE

Mousse:

Giovanni Hair Care Natural Styling Mousse- 1

Sunsilk Anti Flat Weightless Volume Crème with collagen c- 4

Pantene Pro V Building Mousse- 5

these mousse products are terrible...there are very few household name brands that are not extremely harmful (same with gel and hair spray...just think you get to inhale the hairspray too)

Hair Gel:

Burts Bees Outdoor Miracle Salve- 0

Dr. Bronners Magic Organic (Peppermint/Lavendar coconut) Hair Cream- 2

TreSemme Clean Hold Gel- 2

VO5 Hair Dress Gray/White- 2 (who cares if it is for white hair...use it:)

Hair Spray:

TIGI Catwalk Fashionista Spritz and Shine - 1

Giovanni Hair Care Prod. F.N.M Styling L.A. Hold Spritz - 2

Aqua Net Professional Hair Spray, Extra Super Hold Unscented - 4 SHOCKER!!!!!!!!

Aussie Instant Freeze Hairspray, Maximum Hold, Non Aerosol- 4 (just bought some of this today until i can get some of the TIGI...the one i was using was a 10...uugh!)

ThermaSilk Heat Activated Ultra Hold, Non-Aerosol Hairspray- 4

Vapor Rub:

CVS Medicated Chest Rub- 2

I really hope that this is helpful. It was a labor of love:). If you would like this list in a word document format, I can email it to you. I am so glad that Emily at Living Renewed posted this information about the cosmetic safety data base.

~type to you soon~

update

i'll be back soon...i'm working on something you will want to know...~type to you soon~

sandy toes

wishing i had some sandy toes...
cheeks and g's toes at christmas on the beach
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peppermint mini cakes

made these for some friends last weekend

they were a hit...and i can't take any credit...

totally from a box...but all natural so we're calling it healthy:)

these came from world market...remember that christmas savings trip i took last month...

we will be enjoying that trip for several months to come with all the goodies that we scored

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white on a white day

just a few little winter white touches around the suburban farmhouse:)

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inexpensive chalkboard crafts

thought you would enjoy these ideas from living locurto HERE

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coconut oil deal

great deal on coconut oil HERE

how to use coconut oil HERE and HERE.

the second article is the most thorough.

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raised beds on a snowy day

HERE is a great article on raised gardening beds. there are also some links at the bottom on growing lots of veggies in a small space. i'll be back later with some more good info. until then, we have some lovely powder falling from the sky and i'm going to drink several cups of coffee and watch it:)

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great article-must read

read about

• good make up you use
• the current products that you are using and their dangers with ratings
• solutions

really important stuff HERE

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tweet

added a new button to the sidebar...i'm tweeting...would love to tweet with you!

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mighty mike

Mighty Mike is the largest alligator on display outside of Florida and he’s arrived just in time for Winter Family Days. He weighs 800 pounds, can eat a turkey in a single gulp and at 14 feet in length, he’s longer than most cars. But he’s only here for a limited time. So hurry down during Winter Family Days and save when 2 kids get in free with each adult paying full price and meet Mighty Mike in person!Winter Family Days at Newport Aquarium
· January 3 through February 28
· 2 kids get in free with each adult who pays full price

go HERE for more information

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bread crumbs

free, gourmet, day-old, bread from the co-op

makes lovely free breadcrumbs

for

meatloaf

breaded chicken

and other goodies

food processed the bread

put in a jar

put in the freezer

perfect for a comfort meal down the road

why waste anything? surely it all has a use...

(note: use a wide mouth jar so you can scoop out your breadcrumbs easily when you need them)

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$1 or less kroger deals

Kroger Weekly Ad

• Fage Greek Yogurt 5.3-7 oz FREE
• Athenos Hummus 7 oz., FREE
• Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap 6-7.5 oz., FREE
• Old Spice Classic Deodorant 14¢
• Old Spice or Secret Deodorant 2.6-3.25 oz 29¢
• CoverGirl Single Color Eye Shawdows 30¢
• CoverGirl Make Up Masters Wedge Sponges, Pencil Sharpener 30¢
• Crest Toothpaste 4-6.2 oz 50¢
• Campbell’s Soup 10.5-11.5 oz 55¢
• Dawn Dishwashing Liquid 10.1-24 oz 59¢
• Febreze Air Effects or Set & Refresh 9.7 oz or 1 ct 59¢
• Oral-B Advantage Plus Toothbrush 1 ct 75¢
• Herbal Essences or Aussie Hair Care 5.7-14 oz 99¢
• Chi-Chi’s Salsa 16 oz 99¢
• Kashi GoLean Cereal 11.4-19.5 oz., 99¢
• Kashi TLC Granola Bars 99¢

Thanks southern savers for the tip

st. nicks wheel

found this little bugger today under the christmas tree after all the ornaments were put away in boxes, put into the plastic tubs, and stacked ready for storage. needless to say i was not going to pull all of the ornaments back out to see who was missing this. i could tell it was from the hallmark series of ornaments mr. dc buys for me each year so i labeled it as best as i could with directions for next year and put it in the christmas bin that was easiest to get to.

i do this a lot when i need to remember to do something with a "spare part". plastic baggies are a great organizational tool. not so green, but they do the trick when i need to remember something long term and i need to keep something small to go with the memory. hope this helps all of you who can't remember things from year to year. shucks...i can't remember things hour to hour:)

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afterschool snack

peppermint shakes just sound good today

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cooperative extension service

i know...baby it's cold outside...and the last thing on most of your minds right now is gardening

BUT...

spring will be here before we know it and the boone county cooperative extension office is offering some excellent classes on gardening if you are interested.

the family gardening series is

2/22 how to grow your own garden from seed

3/3 growing tomatoes and peppers at home

3/8 growing berries, grapes, and other fruits at home

3/15 growing organic veggies at home

3/22 growing gardens together: hort therapy

4/5 gardening in raised beds

4/7 preparing gardens

also...

5/25 compost for beginners

the co-op extension service website is www.ca.uky.edu/boone or call 586.6101 if you would like more information.

if you are not local check out your local co-op extension office. they are a great resource.

~type to you soon~

menu planning

menu planning is certainly a hot topic right now and with good reason. it definitely saves money and makes the day go a little smoother in regard to the evening routine. however, i just can't commit to a plan that i set on sunday for the entire week, because usually by monday what i planned on sunday for monday sounds about as appetizing as a card board box. the benefit of the couponing and stock piling is that i usually have all the ingredients that i need without a last minute trip to the grocery. so here is my plan for the menu around these parts.

monday: soup day

tuesday: beef and potato day(the beef type will vary and the way potatoes are served)

wednesday: breakfast day

thursday: Italian day

friday: chicken day

saturday: leftover day or if there are none a quick frozen something or sandwiches(hot on the griddle)

sunday: appetizer night...fun snick snack stuff with some healthy veggies and fruit on the side

what i like about this plan is it gives me a little guideline to think within but i have the freedom to chose within the guideline what sounds good. for example, instead of on monday thinking what out of all the foods in the world am i going to fix i just think..."what soup sounds good tonight?"

i don't know if this thought process will be helpful for you, but it is for me. what is your plan for tackling meals at your house?

HERE are some meal plan templates that are already created. they might be a good fit for you if you want to take the time to look through them.

~type to you soon~