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In 1992, I threw away all household products containing harmful chemicals in my home. I started using natural laundry soap, bath soaps, shampoos, cleaners, toothpaste, and most of my make-up. I feel like that small but intentional change made a huge difference in my life. Now, almost 30 years later, I’m so glad I made that small investment of changing out chemically laden products with safe, natural products. Back then, when I attempted to share my thoughts with people I met along the way, it was met with mild to strong resistance except for a few cases. Now, millions of people are on board with wanting to adopt a more natural way of living. Sadly, the vast majority never take control of the situation. While there are many contributing factors behind this, the key aspect in most cases stems from a lack of incentive.
The knowledge that it helps the environment and sets a good example to others can help drive you on. In truth, though, it’s the personal rewards that will truly motivate you. Focus on the five points below and you won’t go far wrong.
Have you ever had bursitis? You'd know it if you did! It's a muscle injury that is very painful and if it's bad, you won't be able to sleep without medication because any position you take is painful. The best way to treat it is with an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen and cold packs. The first time I got it I didn't know what it was and I did all the wrong things. It was in my arm. I put heat on it, I took aspirin, and I kept using the arm hoping that it would just go away. It didn't. It got worse and worse. I just got another bout of it recently and fortunately, now I know what to do. Out comes the ibuprofen and the cold packs! This site uses affiliate and non-affiliate links for reference purposes. Products or monetary compensation may be accepted in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are in no way influenced by sponsor affiliation. Thanks for your support! I was so fortunate to have been introduced to Zim's Max Freeze Products. They are absolutely the best to relieve pain in muscles and joints! So, my pain is in my right upper arm, where the joints are. It is a dull ache that I know could get much worse if I let it. I applied the Max Freeze Roll-On, a greasless, vanishing scent formula, with organic ilex, aloe, arnica and tea tree oil. It felt wonderful. I waited until it absorbed and then topped it off with one of the Max Freeze Patches in medium. I peeled off the backing, and put the moist adhesive cloth soaked in lidocaine and menthol on my arm. It was so soothing and helped my pain immensely! I know to keep my arm still and not to over-exert it for awhile. This time my bursitis will not be so bad and certainly not as painful, thanks to Zim's Freeze Products!
Two other amazing products in my treasure chest of Pain Relief Products are the Max Arnica and the Max Aloe. Arnica is a known pain reliever and Max Arnica comes in a convenient roll-on or gel! It's great for muscle aches and sprains when your work out pain needs some help. Whatever your normal routine is for minor aches and strains, adding Max Arnica is a wonderful adjunct to the healing process!
Aloe Vera has been highly praised as a soothing remedy for burns and cuts for years. Max Aloe contains Acemannan gel, which is hospital grade aloe vera. It is amaaazing! It feels so good and cool! And especially when you have a painful burn or cut, that you don't want harsh chemicals on. My dad used to love to put hydrogen peroxide on anything and that stuff hurts so much. Aloe Vera Gel is so much better and Max Aloe is the best of the best--right now buy one and get one free!! You can also join their e-mail list to get 15% off your next order!
Zim's started over 60 years ago because of a need. In Austintown, OH, local cement workers came to the local pharmacy complaining about their dry, cracked hands and feet. The cement was very drying and there was nothing around that helped soothe the discomfort. The pharmacist saw the need and started working on an all-natural, herbal based lotion and when it was finished, named it Cement Workers Lotion. However, it was so effective that it took off and soon developed a loyal local following. After many years, it was renamed Zim's Crack Cream and sold on a national level. As a matter of fact, Zim's Crack Cream can be found in nearly every major retailer in North America, along with their full line of healing, naturally-based products that work!
Follow them on Social Media! Twitter,Facebook,Pinterest Also, stay tuned for an awesome giveaway coming up soon!!! Question: When you are injured or sore, do you reach for pills, natural remedies or both? Why or why not?
The Perpetual Argument. I consider myself a supplement user and have been so for awhile! Now, I am fully aware of the back and forth between the press and the nutrition industry. I even understand why the press is mostly antagonistic--it's because of the charlatans in the nutritional field, the ones who ride on the backs of the legitimate, scientifically backed, conscientious, companies who are advancing the health of millions of Americans everywhere. These sad impersonators have nothing to offer except disillusionment. It's a shame. We could be a more healthy population if people saw more of the positive results from actual scientific findings in nutrition. In addition, nutrition companies have to adhere to the behemoth FDA, that insists that any supplement claims, regardless if it is backed by solid science, have to state they are not evaluated by the FDA and that they can't claim treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. The one positive take-away is that it does tend to make us responsible for our own research and health choices. But really, who can compete with the giant pharmaceutical companies, with their billions of advertising dollars and virtual free rein in the medical field?
This site accepts product samples and/or compensation. Affiliate links may be used to support this site!
Disclaimer: I received one or more products to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received!
I love living in Utah where we get all 4 seasons. Yesterday it was in the upper 80's and overnight a storm blew in, so today it is lightly raining. The leaves are changing rapidly. But I love the lakes, mountains, verdant meadows, and forests. In each of these places, if left in their pristine state, one can find substances and fragrances that are healing to the mind and body. RainShadow Labs has searched high and low in each of these places, throughout the world, to bring natural solutions to skin and hair that will leave you feeling as if you personally witnessed the gathering and formulation processes! Everyone can benefit from RainShadow Labs. They manufacture high-end natural beauty solutions at wholesale prices About
the CEO co-owners – Vanessa Johannsen is the resident Alchemist, CEO and Chief
Custom Designer with RainShadow Labs.She
is well qualified and really is the explanation why this company has such
product integrity.Vanessa spent 10
years in the natural botanical field, studying plant medicines intensively
including a 5 –year apprenticeship with a Huichal elder and medicine man, 3
years with a Seminole Native American Medicine Man and Shamans from both
Guatemala and Peru.She has a bachelors
and masters in Holistic Health, Herbalism and Aromatherapy.The products are a result of her direct
involvement and design.Tim Johannsen is
the business end of the company and has helped those who choose Rainshadow as
their product supplier to think bigger, smarter and in a manner as to promote
world conservation.Together they are a formidable team and have been in business since 1983.
ARH Hyaluronic Acid Serum - The 32 oz. amber bottle comes without frill or labels. But it is all business when it comes to the ingredients. Rated as a whole food because of the 72% natural ingredient list, it packs a punch in the beauty category.
"Botanical Hyaluronic Acid makes up five percent
of this high quality formulation. Holding up to 1000 times its weight in water
and drawing moisture out of the environment and onto the surface of your skin,
there is not a more effective moisturizing agent on the world market today." It is Non-comedogenic, penetrates deeply, and activates collagen production for a
fresher, younger, firmer, brighter complexion.
This is a great product to use alone or mix with other products, such as a masque, lotion or cream. I like to use it by itself, after I wash and before I moisturize. It absorbs quickly so I don't have to wait more than a minute before putting on moisturizer. I love how supple my skin is looking with regular use of this Serum. Other ingredients include organic aloe, witch hazel, jojoba oil, green tea, Geranium essential oil, and vitamins C and E.
LBBC Smoothie Cream - This lotion is so lovely! It is 35% organic, unscented and the price is unbeatable. A one-gallon bucket is $35.70! You can make over 60 2-oz jars of cream with that amount! It absorbs into the skin quickly and makes it feel smooth and silky for hours. Ingredients include shea butter, sweet almond oil, pumpkin seed oil, Macadamia Nut oil, wheat germ oil, avacado oil and Kukui Nut Oil, among others! This lotion is perfect for making your own scented lotions. I found some great Fragrance Oils that I mixed in with this lotion. It makes for great gifts and so inexpensive! A 2 oz. jar of scented lotion, including the container, averages about $1.50.
Are you are a small-business owner who is interested in having only the best ingredients in your lotions, soaps, cleansers or serums? Or are you a savvy consumer who also wants the best in your products but who wants to pay wholesale prices for them! RainShadow Labs is located in Oregon and has been manufacturing private label skin care products for a variety of brands for 31 years. What isn't as well known is that their products are available to regular consumers as well.
They have a vast inventory and one could spend hours on their website or blog learning about natural ingredients and their functions within the many and varied products at RainShadow Labs. Read about Helena's experience with the product she ordered. Rainshadow Labs has generously offered one reader a $70.00 Gift Code so they can order whatever they want. I can guarantee it will take awhile to decide what you want because there are so many options! To help you in your decision, you can download the printable catalog and price list, found on their home page. If you can't wait to try these products, you can order their sample sizes. The first 3 are free (shipping not included) and after that, they are only $3.95 + shipping. The sample sizes are quite generous and will last up to several months with regular use! For your chance to win a $70 exclusive Gift Code to RainShadow Labs, enter in the Rafflecopter below! Good luck! Must be 21+ Open to US and Canada! One entrant per household. a Rafflecopter giveaway
I called my
sister the other day to catch up and talk about her upcoming visit in
July. I mentioned some things I've noticed myself doing lately, like telling my husband I can only do a certain
number of activities in one day, choosing and agreeing upon which ones we do. I can’t just go, go, go until we run out of
time or money. Because before that happens, I
will run out of energy. Her
response was humorous but true, “We’re getting OLD!” She said it in a kind of disbelief, as if our
mortality has sneaked up on us and we didn’t even realize it. Of course, I’m not ready to say I’m old
because of the negative connotations.
I
believe that being mature, however, is a great compliment – things like coming to terms
with life, having experience on a variety of fronts, wisdom, etc. and so forth,
and so I’m going to refer to myself as "mature" (although I'll be the first to admit I'm like a teenager in some ways~I like to drive fast and I love Bruno Mars, for instance!).
Of course
another sign of maturity is the wrinkles that come a-callin’. I have found that there is the commercial way
or the natural way to treat them. I use
a little of both. (e-mail me and
I’d love to share with you what I am currently doing!) But right now I’d like to discuss some of
the benefits of natural ingredients in the care of your skin.
Natural
ingredients can be either home-grown in your garden, obtained at a health food
co-op or they are sold by companies that combine and formulate natural ingredients as the sole active ingredient or in exclusive formulations.
Here are
some natural skin remedies I’ve found to be good:
1.Cleansing with oils. I didn’t start the Oil Cleansing Method until last year and
I’m so glad I did. When I was a teenager
I cleansed with soap. When that became too drying, I used foaming cleansers
until they too, became too drying, at which time, I switched to the creamy cleansers.
It wasn’t until just this last year that
I started using oils and washing it off with a hot washcloth. It leaves my skin feeling moist and not tight-feeling. Suggested oils are Castor Oil, which is slightly drying,
but the best bargain for cleansing and dissolving and it is a natural antibacterial!
Mix it with other oils like avocado, apricot kernel oil or Argan oil (all
excellent for mature skin). Mix them
together, for instance 1/3 part castor oil to 2/3 part any other oil. All you do is mix them in your hand, apply to
a moistened face, leave for 30 – 60 seconds, steaming optional, and remove with a hot
washcloth. Ahhh…..feels great!
2.Easy Natural Remedies From The Kitchen – There are so many of these, I’m
sure your grandma had her own kitchen beauty secrets but here’s a few that I
know:
Put the last bit of leftover egg white from a cracked egg under your eyes
now and then and watch the wrinkles disappear. You can soak cotton pads with buttermilk and pat it on
your face. Let it dry for 15 minutes then remove
to refine your pores. Mayonnaise can be used as a mask or even a night
cream to relieve dry skin! (If you can stand the smell!)
3.Rosehip Oil – This versatile oil has been touted
by some as the next Coconut Oil!
This oil is full of viatmins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids
that are known to correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin, all the while
reducing scars and fine lines. Try to
get cold-pressed because it has all of the unaltered nutrients. The oil absorbs directly into the skin and
one only needs a very tiny amount for it to be effective! I use a few drops a few times a week.
4.Combination of ingredients – To keep up with scientific studies
on natural compounds and oils, companies are constantly formulating
combinations of these ingredients to make the ultimate natural beauty
product. I really like the Vitamin C
Serum made by InstaNatural.com, combining Vitamin C,
Ferulic and Hyaluronic Acids (known for exfoliating and brightening skin),
Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. It really does
a great job for a fraction of the price you’d pay at a department store!
Going the natural ingredient route is a great way to know what is in your beauty products, but even with that being said, make sure that you're not getting more in them than you bargained for, such as strange preservatives. Also please watch out for anything made in China. I am really leery of products coming out of China because so many times, upon independent testing, toxic ingredients are found to be in those products. Not always, but be careful!
I've had fun sharing some of my natural beauty routines. Have your own fun and find the natural ingredients that make sense for your beauty routine!
Are you someone who loves high end natural beauty products?
Do you use products from a company that promotes green products? Chances are those products have been made by an outside manufacturing source, packaged and then used by that company. Rainshadow Labs has been manufacturing beauty products with natural ingredients for companies since 1983. They are based in Oregon! I’m glad I found out about them because I can have their base products delivered to me for so much less than I would pay for a brand name product. Chances are that the brand name product probably has been formulated and manufactured by them anyway, but packaged and marked up in price considerably.
I was given their Eyebright Gel to try out.
When it came to my door, there was no fluff. It came in a simple 36 oz. amber jar and I was actually a little confused. Normally products come in attractive packaging and with some brochures or fliers telling you just how wonderful the product and company is. Nothing of the sort with this delivery. Just a plain amber jar. Nothing else.
I opened it and took a whiff. It smelled like fresh cucumber! I put some on my face and it was a gel that felt very cool and refreshing. I put some on my neck and I was pretty impressed. My neck actually looked better. This was pretty impactful, especially since this is made with 75% organic materials. I even had my husband try it. A 36 oz. jar of gel can go quite a long way, so I have recruited him to start taking care of his skin. He hasn’t been one to do that and I think it’s high time he starts paying attention to his own skin. So he does use it and he does it willingly, which is a nice surprise. He really likes the cool feel of it and the fresh and pure smell, just like I do.
A couple of small things I noticed about the gel: When you put it on and it has been on for a few seconds, it will feel slightly sticky until it absorbs, which takes a couple of minutes. Because this is made of raw ingredients, it is best to keep it in a cool and dry place. I actually keep it in the refrigerator. In the winter, that would be too cold for me, so I would find a place where the heat isn’t directly on it.
The ideal temperature for this product is 45 to 72 degrees. From their website, I see that they have the most affordable, highest quality and most profoundly innovative lotions, gels, soaps, washes, body butters, serums, crèmes, scrubs, candles, and bath salts, using essential oils and organic active ingredients. They do recommend you get a sample size before you buy larger sizes and they are very kind—the first 3 samples are free with just freight charges. Otherwise the samples are $3.95. Here is a description of the Eyebright Gel: "
This formula speaks to the deep and grounded evolution that Natural Skin Care Formulating has gone through in the last three decades in order to be able to deliver such a brilliant eye therapy product to you today.
It is no exaggeration to say that this formula addresses every single eye area concern possible. Dark circles, wrinkles, sagging, puffing, loss of plump and firm, loss of tone and resilience....its all taken care of in this delicate and light gel.
Do not be deceived by the elegant and refined nature of the look and feel of this formula. This product is NOT to be underestimated.
From Plant Stem Cells to Multiple Complex Peptide blends....from botanically derived Hyaluronic Acid Spheres to fiber and cellular rebuilding Amino Acids.....collagen boosting and skin firming and wrinkle repairing ingredients are fully loaded into this genius formula. Use it daily. Use it ten times a day. You will be addicted!" Directions for Use: Dab around eyes, forehead and cheek area. Can be used as an all over face treatment. Safe to use morning and night. Can be used under makeup.
Ingredients: This gel consists of 75% organic materials.
Eye Bright - enriched with sodium hyaluronate—a superior moisture magnet especially good for the naturally dry area around the eyes. Due to its astringent, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it tightens and reduces puffiness. Aloe - cooling, soothing and calming effect to the skin. It is antibacterial, antiseptic and has anti-fungal properties. It helps the skin to naturally heal. Natural Fragrance - like fresh cucumber, very refreshing and result of the Cucumber Hydrosol. Jojoba Oil - contains almost all of the vitamins and minerals essential for healthy skin and hair: Vitamin E, B-complex, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, and chromium. And it’s even gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin without causing allergic reactions. clears impurities that the oil extracts from the surface of your face and neck. It has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Periwinkle – a known anti-inflamatory agent Licorice - Consistent use of licorice extract over time has been known to fade dark spots and blemishes, and lighten skin. Potent antioxidants in licorice extract fight skin-damaging free radicals. Reishi - contains ingredients that cause melanin suppression as well as other beneficial trace elements. These contents might help reduce the presence of and destruction caused by free radicals, promote cell regeneration to increase skin thickness and texture. Also, Gotu Kola, Frankincense and Vitamin E are in this gel! Another great thing about RainShadow Labs is that you can actually have them formulate a product to your own specifications. For instance, if you are allergic to certain ingredients or plants, you can have your own product made up for you. Or if you want to start your own business, with your own product, you can have RainShadow make it, manufacture it and package it. It would have to be in a bulk size, however. And you do pay for the lab formulation time. I was really happy with what I found out about this lab in the moisture-drenched state of Oregon and want to continue using these products for a long time to come!
Thanks for visiting! This site accepts product samples and/or compensation. Affiliate links may be used to support this site. All text and opinion are 100% my own and are not swayed by any sponsor affiliation!
Hooray! Yesterday was my last day at work for awhile! It was my last 30 mile commute down the I-15 corridor in this cold winter weather for the year. And what a commute it was today. The roads were icy with the freezing rain that fell overnight and on the return trip, it was heavy snow that had been falling for the past 5 hours. The roads were a mess. Accidents were happening up and down the freeway. But I gritted my teeth, and drove through it. At the end of the day, I barely got up my road and into my driveway. But thankfully, I won't have to do that for awhile.
I have some time now to tell you about a couple of products that I really like a lot and have been given the opportunity to try. They are from a company called Trusted Health Products. What a name for a company, eh? In a day and age where Trust is is hard to come by. It's especially hard to know what companies to trust when it comes to beauty products. Which products help and which products harm? Lobbyists from the skincare industry have strongly opposed bills that
would require them to notify the government before releasing products
that contain ingredients that are known to cause cancer! Ingredients
like parabens, petrochemicals and others have been associated with or
linked to allergic reactions, skin conditions, hormonal disruptions,
neurotoxicity, and even cancer ! Well, you know me, I feel that nature is the best when blended with science, meaning that scientific studies show that certain natural ingredients can and will outperform synthetic ingredients every time--without the risk of harmful side effects.
These two particular products that I am talking about now are 100% pure and use natural botanical oils in a live cold pressed solution. I've been using them for awhile and I feel that my skin is drinking them up, like it hasn't received food in a long time, which I am rather insulted by. I'm thinking, hey skin, I have tried my best to give you what you need all this time. I've picked products that have good ingredients and I removed make-up every night and I moisturize. So really, don't act like you're so famished, k? The thing is, I'm also seeing some good results! As I browsed the Trusted Health Products website, I noticed that there are an awful lot of satisfied customers, which I am sure is why they have been awarded an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau since 2006!
It's pretty simple. Use the Beautiful AM in the morning and the Beautiful PM in the evening. You don't have to do anything else. Beautiful’s 100% pure live ingredients are the perfect living
“foods” that your skin cells need in order to be fed the nutrients they
need to stay clean, moisturized and revitalized on a daily basis. I love that my name is actually on the bottle, reminding me that I am beautiful! A. M. Ingredients: 100% Pure Botanical oils of almond, orange, lemon, avocado and olive. P. M. Ingredients: 100% Pure Botanical oils of almond, orange, lemon, evening primrose and apricot.
Each of these ingredients has a specific purpose for being added to the formulas. For instance,
Avacado significantly increases the soluble collagen content in the skin to
enrich dry, damaged, chapped or wounded skin. Loaded with vitamins A, D
and E.
Lemon is a natural cleanser, preventative for wrinkling and aging. Significantly
increases the anti-oxidative potential of the skin bio surface (to help
stop damage to the skin)
Orange cleanses the skin through natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
properties to help fight acne and restore smooth appearance to skin...
You can read more about each of the ingredients at their website, Trusted Health Products. This great company also has natural product lines for Men, Oral Hygiene, Nutrition and Weight Loss!
I'm excited to let you know that 3 of my Gal Pal's will receive a bottle of the AM Moisturizer, so you can see for yourself how great this natural product works! Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below! a Rafflecopter giveaway
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