Caring For Pets Part I

Our Dog Pippin

For many of us, loving, adorable furry creatures play a large role in our lives. Believe it or not, the products used to groom your pet have a big effect not only on the health of your animal, but on the health of your family as well. How many times a day to we pat our companions? Massage their backs? Kiss their faces? The products we use on them penetrate both their skin and our own; so it makes sense to buy the least toxic products available.

I am all about going completely natural. However, I don’t think it wise to ever disregard the advice of a skilled veterinarian. During summer months, I do apply a topical flea and tick preventative. If your dog dies from Lyme disease after all, all your efforts to safeguard his health by using natural products won’t matter one bit.

The products recommended in this article are one that I believe are priced fairly, highly effective, and non-toxic.

Only Natural Pet Herbal Defense Shampoo and Conditioner sold by the Only Natural Pet Store is an organic shampoo infused with essential oils known for warding off fleas and ticks. We saw a noticeable decline in the amount of bugs buzzing around him while in Maine this summer; it wards off mosquitos. Perhaps most importantly, however, it smells great and is extremely antibacterial due to the tea tree content.

* They also make a Herbal Defense Essential Oil mixture that you can apply directly to your dog’s skin (or massage into their coat) that works very well.

When extra flea and tick protection is needed…..the Herbal Cedar Collar is an inexpensive alternative to the pesticide collars sold to protect your pet from fleas and ticks. The essential oils are embedded into the plastic. It is waterproof, adjustable, and completely non-toxic. Each collar lasts at least six weeks.

Earthbath’s All-Natural Dog Shampoos and Conditioners come in nine different varieties (Hypo-allergenic, Green Tea Leaf, Mango Tango, Oatmeal and Aloe, Eucalyptus and Peppermint, Tea Tree and Aloe Vera, and Light Color Coat Brightener) all of which are non-toxic, smell great, and are extremely effective.

For dry paws, I am all about the extra-virgin coconut oil. If your dog is a licker, it is no big deal. In fact, ingesting coconut oil will benefit your dog or cat’s health, rather than harm it. Coconut oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that aid digestive health; the fatty acids are great for your dog or cat’s coat. Plus, the oil is absorbed quickly and heals cracks (caused by salt and other environmental conditions) within days.

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Combating Adult Acne

 

Acne post-teenage years can be a problem that many of us choose not to speak about. How does one rub an antioxidant cream into an inflamed, broken out mess? Suki offers an effective solution. My fiancee and I are in love with the whole product line, having tried just about everything they make. The Bio-Active Purifying Face Serum keeps my acne prone face crystal clear. Blemishes and wrinkles prevented in one fell swoop!

Suki products can be purchased at Whole Foods; however, the more expensive serums and moisturizers can only be found online at Suki, Saffron Rouge, and Future Natural.

 

 

Loving the app “The Chemical Maze”

The other day, I stumbled upon the coolest iphone/ipod app! The Chemical Maze is like Skin Deep, wikipedia, and a detailed food dictionary all rolled into one. To use, simply type in the name of the food additive or cosmetic ingredient you would like to know more about; within seconds, the database provides you with detailed information regarding the ingredient’s function, potential effects, and possible uses.

Reasons I’m loving this app…

1. Language is simple and understandable.

2. Smiley faces and frowns help you differentiate whether an ingredient is good or bad for you with the blink of an eye.

3. The app has a detailed glossary.

4. The app is inexpensive. It can be purchased at the Mac App Store for $ 5.99 .

 

* The app is baked on the bestselling book The Chemical Maze by Bill Statham.

Sugar and Aging

Glycation 101

During glycation, sugar in the bloodstream attaches to proteins such as collagen and elastin (the protein fibers that give skin its firmness and elasticity). As a result, skin becomes increasingly dry and brittle.

In addition, sugar affects they type of collagen you have in the first place. There are three types of collagen; type 1 being the most fragile (the most likely to wrinkle), type III being the most stable (the least likely to wrinkle). When there is a spike in blood sugar, type III transforms into type 1.

As if the above two paragraphs weren’t enough of  a bummer, glycated tissues go on to release AGEs or advanced glycation end products. AGEs negatively affect your body’s natural antioxidant enzymes, making the skin more vulnerable to damage by UV rays.

The Good News

There are several things that you can do in order to slow down the glycation process.

1. Avoid high fructose corn syrup. Corn syrup is believed to produce more AGEs than other types of sweeteners.

2. Supplement your diet with at least 1mg of B1 and B6 daily. In other words, take a good multi, if you aren’t already doing so. I recommend New Chapter. They make extraordinary vitamins out of organic whole foods.

3. Use topical antioxidants. Spritz green tea on your face; use lotions or serums with the vitamins C & E. I recommend The Organic Pharmacy’s Antioxidant Face Gel and/or The Organic Pharmacy’s Antioxidant Face Firming Serum. Of course, making your own masks with strawberries, resveratrol, or honey works too!

Sources: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21257751/, http://en.wikipedia.org/

wiki/Glycation, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-glycation.htm

Wednesday Giveaway Winner

To determine the winner, I entered each person’s name into random.org.

Congratulations Alex!

For all future Wednesday Giveaways, I’ll be choosing at random a posting from the previous week and entering the names of those who left comments on that posting into random.org to determine a winner.

A big thank you to all those who participated!

Happy Friday!

Welcome!!

This blog is about natural, chemical-free beauty. I will strive to provide a well of information pertaining to natural products, organic, eco-friendly clothing, holistic health, and overall well being. Thanks for visiting!!