Good Looks – Green Beauty Trends

There is an array of basic ingredients that you can create innovative beauty products.  These ingredients are inexpensive and they work.   No need to run to the store to purchase the latest costly skincare products that promise miracles.  Natural products work just as well and you can take comfort in knowing the ingredients.  Here are a few ideas:

THIS	4	THAT
Paste of baking soda, salt and water		Lip scrub
Baking soda, water and peroxide		Tooth scrub and whitener
Coffee scrub made at home		Facial or body scrub
Apple cider vinegar		Clarifying hair rinse
Olive oil or coconut oil		Facial moisturizer
Shea butter mixed with coconut oil		Hand cream
Shea butter mixed with coconut oil or plain olive oil		Hair lotion
Coconut oil		Dandruff control
Shea butter mixed with coconut oil		Lip balm
Olive oil		Hair frizz control
Apple cider vinegar		Acne control
Baking soda, salt and water		Mouthwash
Cornstarch, baking soda, coconut oil		Deodorant

The recipes can be found here.  As you can see, quite a few natural products have double duty utility.  Make either small quantities or just enough for one use.  You’ll save money and our environment. 

Spotlight – Darien Essentials

Black Organic introduces Darien Essentials of Chesterfield, Virginia. Ms. Ellice Darien is a beautiful woman who considers our environment in making glamorous products using high quality natural ingredients.  Her use of food grade ingredients demonstrates care for our health and our environment.  Black Organic has used these products and attests to the pleasure of applying the warm colors with pleasing textures.  The greatest benefit was the absence of an allergic reaction.  Ms. Darien creates scented and unscented products suitable for users ranging from average Junes to Fabulous Fredas.  Although Black Organic is a strong advocate of making products at home, some things are best left to the professionals … who make their stuff at home.  In support of small businesses that consider the environment in all aspects of creating and marketing products as well as recycling and reducing waste, Black Organic is pleased to share Darien Essentials.

Provide a brief description of Darien Essentials.

Our business creates handcrafted spa and beauty products.

Please tell us the story about the beginnings of your company and why you decided to focus on natural products.

I can start with my father loving this book Back to Eden; me creating my potions as a teen for my friends’ acne, which by the way, some did work; me having a son, taking him to the library and seeing a book on soap-making; everyone loving my products; and watching a cosmetic company on television advertise four different complexions and thinking they are missing a whole lot of colors, let me learn this and customize foundation for my friends.

As a nurse, I would go into stores and think we don't need all that junk in our products, so I would create a friendlier version.  I know that the skin is our largest organ and can absorb medications, so why would I need to absorb junk that we just didn't need. 

Why should we purchase your products?

We strive to be as natural as we can and continue to keep finding ways to add products that are manufactured with the earth and the person in mind.

Please explain your statement, “being natural and being glamorous are not mutually exclusive”.

Our fans love that we customize their body butters and their makeup.  We are all different and some have allergy conditions that might mean that traditional products can’t be used; however, they want to feel and look good, so we help them.

When people think hand crafted they think hemp bag, craft paper, hippie which is cool, too; however, I see the glamour.  I think vibrant colors:  lavender and roses, and I want them to understand you can look and feel great without going into toxic shock.

What are you doing around your home to reduce your family’s impact on the environment?

The first thing we did was get rid of any hair spray. I started creating our household cleaning products and even when we painted we used a low VOC.  We go to our local growers for food and it is a growing journey for this family, especially with pre-teen and teens that think pizza is a vegetable.

Can you tell us some good news about Darien Essentials?

We are opening a shop and I will create from there, ship and retail.

Black Organic is grateful for your efforts to enhance beauty with consideration of our environment.  Thank you.

Picture credit:  Darien Essentials

Baking Soda

Sodium hydrogen carbonate is the proper chemical name for sodium bicarbonate which we know as baking soda.  It is a non-toxic chemical white powder compound.   Baking soda is a versatile product that is inexpensive and effective for uses for the home and body.   This one product will cover personal care, cooking, cleaning and laundry.  In our home, we use it to clean all over the house and we use it for body products and first aid.  Here are 20 of my favorite ways to incorporate baking soda into health, beauty and cleaning routines.  Baking soda can be used dry or as a paste by mixing with water.  It can also be used with other ingredients to create laundry detergent and deodorant.  This versatile substance can be purchased by the 13 pound bag for a little over $5.00.  The baking soda will keep for a long time if kept dry.  I usually pour some into a large glass canning jar and leave it next to the kitchen sink.   The bag gets stored away.  With multiple uses, we manage to go through about two or three bags a year.  Let’s reject commercial chemical and petroleum based products.  We should be responsible for our own impact on Earth and help our communities send a message to industrial polluters:  “We are not going to buy your garbage anymore!”

Powder Power List:

1.       Gentle facial scrub
2.       Clean stains from coffee mugs
3.       Clean food and oils from stovetop
4.       Soothe insect bites
5.       Sprinkle on floor around toilet (absorbs wayward sprays from little boys)
6.       Deodorize shoes
7.       Deodorize trashcans
8.       Clean tub and bathroom sink
9.       Add to warm water and soak feet
10.   Soak combs and brushes
11.   Mouthwash
12.   Deodorize sink drains
13.   Clean burned cooking pots
14.   Deodorize carpets
15.   Clean and deodorize the refrigerator
16.   Extinguish fire
17.   Sprinkle on dirty clothes awaiting laundry day
18.   Deodorize vacuum cleaner bag or canister
19.   Ant deterrent
20.   Clean stains in cooking pots and glassware

2012 – Look Forward

The start of the year signifies new beginnings, trends and solutions.  How about starting this year on the good green foot?  The Green Game Plan will help you sort out simple and easy ways to make a change to improve your home environment, health and vitality.

Review

Think about some of your old habits and how you can change things for the better.  Ask yourself a few questions:  Do I let the water run while brushing your teeth?  Do I toss cans and bottles in the trash?  Do I use hairspray?  Do I use strong chemicals to clean the sink?  Do I buy something just because it’s trendy?

Reassess

Consider easy things you could do to change some of your old habits into green routines.  Some of these things can help you save money, too.  Organize and reduce the chaos of clutter.  Start small with a small box of stuff at a time and move towards larger tasks as you realize success with small chores.

Do

Research alternatives to everyday household items and body products and use them.  This blog is a start, so thank you. 

Set aside time to schedule your errands and map out your trip to save vehicle use and your precious time. 

Start recycling paper and work your way towards cans, bottles and other items.  That stack of mail is begging to join the rest of the piles of advertisements and magazines on the trip to the recycling center.

Donate rarely worn clothes, shoes and household items; they are already not one of your favorites, so let them go.

Re-purpose some of the items in your home to create a new look.  That old desk hidden in a back bedroom could make a great work space next to a window in the living room.

Stay out of the middle of the grocery stores.  Increase your intake of fresh produce; healthy meats; and lower fat dairy items placed along the perimeter of the store.

Go for a walk.  If you don’t want to walk by yourself, grab a friend and go.  Race to the local fitness center and try a new activity.    Karate is wonderful for stamina, flexibility and balance.

Take a nap.  Rest is great for the body and soul.  A tired person is more likely to make poor decisions at work and play.   If you have a half hour after work, lie down and close your eyes.  Go to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up early enough to reduce the morning stress of getting out the door on time.

Resolve to commit to your own well-being.  Make a choice to move in positive direction and away from harmful decisions.  Strengthen your relationships with family and friends.  Do something for yourself.

Live well; laugh a lot; and enjoy life in 2012.  Happy New Year!

Soul Spice Tea

A few weeks ago, my sister felt under the weather with a sore throat.  She shared a home remedy for a sore throat posted on the most popular social media site.   The recipe follows:  mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar; a small pinch of cayenne pepper; 1/4 cup of lemon juice; and one teaspoon of honey in a cup of hot water. Drink the tea three times a day or until the infection clears up. 

When I told my sister that I was miserable from allergies, she suggested the recipe and recommended I pick up a bottle of liquid cayenne.   I left work early and headed for the organic market on the way home.  I grabbed the cayenne and honey.  I was exhausted from sneezing hard all day long; I had a headache; tears constantly welled in my eyes; and the skin around my eyes was red, swollen and dry.  I looked like a 3 am drunken mug shot.  My plan was to get home eat some serious carbs and jump under the covers.  I was a draggin’ and moanin’ slug.  I was also dehydrated.  I needed fluids and my favorite drink is a monster sized mug of hot green tea.  Instead of making the sore throat recipe, I just added the ingredients to my tea. 

The recipe in a large mug:

About 14 to 16 ounces hot water

1 organic green tea bag

1 teaspoon of orange blossom honey

1 teaspoon of organic raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar 

1 teaspoon of lemon juice

2 to 4 drops of liquid cayenne pepper

I admit that I was not scared to try the tea.  I was desperate and hopeful.  After I drank the huge cup of tea, the itchy burning dry eyes stop bothering me within 15 minutes.  My eyes stopped watering and it was the first time I could see straight in the last four days.  The aching at my left temple subsided and the pressure in my head was relieved.   I felt like I could breathe normal again.  As things improved, I had to blow my nose a few times and I felt much better.  The sneezing was much less frequent and when I did, it was a normal run of the mill sneeze versus the loud and wrong kind of sneeze.   The sneezing helped get all the mucus out of my system, so I did not mind.  I had to keep tissues nearby to catch the unexpected drips.  This recipe works!

Next thing I knew, I felt a little pep in my step.  I started my wifely cleaning chores and never got around to eating the carbs that I wished I had in the house.  The nap went by the wayside.  I felt so much better.

The tea tastes good.  I could taste the lemon and a hint of the apple cider vinegar.  The honey muted the citrus and spice.  The cayenne was not too spicy, but I did taste it a bit after I finished the tea.  The tea was different; an enjoyable experience.  I imagined sitting in a room surrounded by deep red walls; large pillows; and silky vibrant fabrics blissed out listening to Jill Scott circa 2000.  I was a cool neo soul child chillin’ by myself. 

This beverage is so much better than the chemicals on the pharmacy shelves.  In fact, each ingredient is celebrated for its functions to support health and vitality.   Cayenne pepper is important in circulatory system and heart health.  Green tea is an antioxidant and aids immunity.  Honey is an energy booster and has antimicrobial properties.  Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar helps remove toxins from the body.  Lemon juice resolves digestive problems and helps calm anxiety.  I’ll be drinking this tea on the regular.  I don’t need to be ill to reap the benefits of Jill Scott’s vocal expressions and a little soul spice tea.

Thanks: publicdomainpictures.net

For Want of Money or Need of What?

Occupy this and occupy that are all over the news.  The Occupy Wall Street demonstrations protest economic inequality; corporate greed; and influence over government.   It’s all about who has it and who doesn’t.  It is interesting that some people are finally upset enough to protest the inequity of American democracy.  Now that jobless and homeless do not commonly define people of color, suddenly these are major problems that need address.  Oh, but where were the protests over last hired, first fired; Diamonte can’t get an interview; wealth disparity; and sentencing unfairness?  Oh, so when the loss of lifestyle affects folks who have the fearless freedom to protest, it’s big news.  They are comforted in the privilege of knowing that an arrest would not crush their financial futures.  What is the difference with the occupiers?  Are they too good to be poor; don’t deserve to be losers in the great society?

 

Many people of color do not define themselves by their pocketbook or social strata.  We recognize America’s monetary strategies and despite the constant economic beat down, we have survived and prospered.   We are stronger for overcoming economic challenges, whether we like it or not.   Sure, there are many families of color in economic distress, but they make do under circumstances that are their norms.  There are also many families of color who are more financially stable and who have obtained riches.  Fine, great, excellent; for all have survived American historic economic mistreatment.   Now that that the beneficiaries of American style privilege are finding themselves financially stressed, the war is on.

The fight against the bad apples of the 1%ers is unseemly; the protesters want more money to come to themselves via debt forgiveness or closure of the income gap, as well as changes in government policies.   Money, money, money … now, we all know that these changes would not trickle toward folks of color.  The occupiers are protesting about money, which has its own merits, but you can’t breathe stocks; you can’t eat coins; and you can’t drink dollars.   Do they recognize that as long as a small group holds treasure and influence that our future is in their hands?  The moneyed interests do what they want to do in order to make more money.   People, animals, plants and our ecosystem are worth less than the almighty dollar.  The protests should be less about getting money and more about what the chase for money does, not to the people who can afford to protest, but to everyone.   Our environment has suffered tremendously because of the pursuit wealth.   It is cheaper to pollute; less expensive to do things safely; and economical to leave a mess behind.  These things are done because of money.  The protesters should be out there discussing tactics to improve the environment for everyone; clean, air, water and lands for all.  I’d rather us be a poorer and healthier nation than a richer and sicker one.   It’s not about the money people; we need to get our priorities realigned with environmental justice far ahead of economic fair dealings.  Otherwise, our offspring will not only be broke, but gasping for air, thirsty, hungry and soon enough, extinct.  It’s time to liberate Earth from the money chasers.  That is change we should all accept.

Disaster!

A disaster is a damaging or destructive event that causes severe loss, damage, hardship or death and can result in serious economic cost.  There are many types of disasters and our reaction depends on the proximity to the center of the disaster and the disaster impact level.  We often hear of the more common disasters such as fire, flood, thunderstorms, tornadoes and winter storms.    Some types of disasters are locality based such as landslides, earthquake, hurricanes, tsunamis and volcanoes.  Other types are based on corporate and government decisions to locate certain dangerous facilities and transportation routes such as dam failure; chemical emergencies; hazardous material release; nuclear power plant emergency; or even terrorism.   All of us are vulnerable to a potential disastrous event. 

In the recent months, the east coast of America was hit by an earthquake followed by a hurricane and followed by a tropical storm within a short period.   The southwest has suffered extreme heat and wildfires this summer.  The early spring tornadoes rocked southern America.  Folks were scared!  Many people raced out to the stores when the media announced that a weather storm or natural event was brewing and many of them were too late.   The earthquake took out electricity in many communities and there was a run on batteries and flashlights.  There were rumors that the discount dollar stores were selling batteries for $2.00 each.  When Hurricane Irene arrived, supplies were already short.  Communities were exponentially impacted by multiple natural events and were not prepared for the magnitude of damage.  Buildings and roads were damaged from the earthquake and were not repaired in time for the hurricane and then the tropical storm took out already damaged roads and serviceable roads.  Buildings were still wet from the hurricane and ended up flooded worse during the tropical storm.  Some buildings were declared condemned as a result of the earthquake and rehabilitation work on others had to stop to clean up from the high waters.

Call it what you wish: nature’s payback; mystical transportation; the end of the world as we know it; or revenge of the boogeyman, they are all bad situations that will happen time and time again.   Folks have been helped in the past, but the next time, help may not be there to come.   The financial disaster looms large over how we recover from environmental disasters.  Those who wrought financial terror twisted the minds of the political representatives and they are pushing to exterminate funding for predicting weather and geological events; emergency aid; disaster relief; and recovery.   The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are in the crosshairs of “limited government” advocates.  These agencies monitor the environment; regulate activities that would adversely impact the ecosystem we inhabit; and provide funding for recovery.   The anti-government zealots want the EPA, NOAA and FEMA to be abolished.

I expect these agencies would remain part of the government; however, I do not expect them to be funded at current levels or to function as currently intended.  Last fiscal year, FEMA funds were moved around from tornado recovery to hurricane aid.  We the people should not expect that we will hear the words, “…we are here to help” in the future.  The next time may come sooner than you think.  Ask yourself, “Are you ready?”  If the answer is anything less than 100 percent, you must get yourself and your family in gear.  You must prepare to do without modern health and safety conditions as well as modern conveniences if disaster strikes.  You must be prepared to stay home or travel to a safer location.  You must be prepared to eat safe foods and drink safe beverages.  You must be prepared to have shelter and protection from temperature extremes.  You must be prepared to protect yourself and your family.  You must be prepared for when your environment suddenly changes.

If you are ready to get started, Black Organic ‘is here to help’.  Black Organic created a comprehensive Survival and Subsistence List that includes items you must have ready and a few tips for surviving and sustaining your life through short and long term emergency situations.   The list covers water; food; food utensils; shelter; tools; supplies; clothing; health and hygiene; entertainment; documents; trade goods/bartering; storage containers; boogie out bags; vehicle preparation; and packing. 

Here is a sample from the list:

….  Layer clothing for comfort and temperature control.  When in the woods or meadows, tuck long sleeve shirts into waist and pants into socks.  Wrap duct tape at ankles, waist and wrist to prevent ticks on skin.  Carry clear tape to stick/pull tiny insects off clothes. 

bandanas	hat – wool/wide brim	shirts – long/short sleeves	underwear
belts	helmet- head gear	shoes – sport style	warmers – hand/foot packs
boots – hiking - waterproof	laces- shoe/boot	socks – wool	windbreaker

The list is the most comprehensive listing for survival and sustenance and can be yours for FREE!  Please send an e-mail request to:  black.organic@yahoo.com.  Your request will not be used to collect e-mail addresses.

The list is meant as a guide to help you obtain some of the items you most likely may need.  You may not need everything on the list or you may wish to substitute certain items based on your choice, concerns or comfort level.  Many of the items you may already have in your home.  It is recommended that you gather the materials you have and keep them in a place where you can grab them and leave if conditions warrant.

Please share this information with friends and family.  If you have any feedback for Black Organic, please send along.  The list will be updated as more information is obtained or clarification is needed, so please have your friends and family send an e-mail request for the latest version.