Prevent Aging Skin

Ok, so you can't totally prevent it, but you wouldn't believe how much you can do to virtually eliminate the signs of aging. Did you know that there are two types of aging: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Aging?

Intrinsic aging is the natural aging process, determined mostly by genetics. This type of aging we can do nothing about, and just have to blame our parents for it. Diseases and poor nutrition also contribute to an increase in the aging process by depleting the body of important co-factors that our skin needs to function properly.

The amazing thing is that Intrinsic, or Natural aging only makes up 10% of our aging process. ONLY TEN PERCENT!! That means that 90% of the effects of aging can be controlled or even avoided altogether! Isn't that a relief? So, what can you do about it?

Extrinisinc aging is due to external, or controllable factors, like sun exposure, smoking, alcohol, and how you take care of your skin.

The number one factor in skin aging is SUN EXPOSURE. If you did a lot of sun worshiping when you were young, the damage is done, but don't let it get worse. Protect your skin every time you go out to minimize further damage. A sunscreen with SPF 15 is the minimum that you should use.

Sun damage exhibits itself outwardly by wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity and hyper-pigmentation, or age spots and freckles. Sun damage can not always be seen to the naked eye. I special piece of equipment called Wood's Lamp can be used to reveal the amount of damage that a person has on her skin.

During a facial, an esthetician can evaluate the amount of sun damage and prescribe treatments to repair damaged skin. While elasticity and collagen tend to decrease, there are products that can help encourage the skin to produce more collagen and elastin to restore some of its lost vitality.

There are degrees of damage, and the less severe it is, the easier it is to repair. Preventing further damage is easy by covering your skin with a garment, sunscreen, or a makeup with sun protection. Tan glowing skin may look nice, but the damage it is doing will be your skin's undoing in the future.

Smoking and excessive alcohol deplete the skin of vital nutrients like oxygen, vitamins and more. These affect blood circulation within the skin, affecting the general health and function of the skin. Alcohol also dehydrates the skin and causes premature aging.

While you can avoid further damage by these outside aging factors, you can also work on repairing your damaged skin by regular skin care with quality product containing beneficial ingredients. Regular facials (every 4 - 6 weeks) are more effective than home treatments because of the equipment, and higher strength of ingredients that is available to better penetrate the skin layers. Hand in hand, facials and home skin care work together to keep your skin healthy and beautiful.

Please book your facials with Pam today, to learn more about your skin and what you can focus on to keep it healthy. She is taking a course at The Salon Professional Academy on College Ave in Appleton, to earn her Esthetician’s license. During her training, she is taking clients at the Academy for facials, waxing, and makeup services. Because she is still in training, her prices are very reasonable, AND you can earn discounts!
This first coupon entitles you to $5 off your first service with Pam. If you refer more clients to her, you receive $5 off for each referral. Simply fill out the back of a coupon (get more from Pam) and send your friend in for a service. Once the friend books a service and redeems her coupon, you will have credit at the Academy toward future services. There is no limit to the number of friends you can refer and get discounts for.
Once licensed, Pam will be performing these services in Oshkosh, but prices will be higher. Space is limited and she will fill up fast, so call the Academy(968-0433) and request Pam right away to schedule your service (Facials are a relaxing 1-1½ hours).
Book your appointment by the end of June and get a complimentary add on service during your first visit.

the importance of exfoliating, even dry skin

Skin never rests. It is constantly changing, growing, sloughing. One skin cells' life cycle is about 28 days from birth to shedding. As a skin cell makes it's way from the inner layers of skin to the outside of your body, it goes through a process of hardening. Once the skin cell is completely hardened, it has died, and serves it's role of protection for your body. Skin replaces the outer layers of dead cells with new cells to keep that safety barrier intact.

It is a constant process of regeneration. The rate at which the skin cells are moves to the surface and sloughed off is dependent on many factors, such as age, sun exposure, amount of exfoliation, treatments, skin conditions and others. Age causes cell turnover and metabolism to slow down. This lead to a decrease in lipids and moisture within the skin. This results in dead skin cells remaining on the surface longer. If the dead skin cells don't slough off, the new cells won't grow as fast, either.

To speed up the process of new cell generation, we can help our skin by exfoliating. There are chemical and mechanical means of exfoliation. Which you choose is up to you, but make sure you know what is happening to determine if you are satisfied with the ingredients that are being used.
Mechanical means of exfoliation is achieved by using a mildly abrasive substance, such as sugar, salt, pumice, oatmeal, etc, to gently scrub the dead skin cells off. This generally means that fewer or no chemicals are involved, so you don't need to worry about ingredients being absorbed into your body. You do have to use caution so that you choose an appropriate exfoliant so that you don't use something too harsh for your skin. Sugar and oatmeal are very gentle, if a small sized particle is used. These are usually in a base of lotion or oil to soothe and soften the skin during the process.

Chemical means of exfoliation is just that, a chemical that literally digests the dead skin cells. Substances such as alpha hydroxy acids, enzymes and other ingredients can be natural or artificial, but they all do the same thing. There are many different strengths available, and many treatments, like chemical peels, require you to slowly work up to using them. These chemical exfoliants generally leave skin feeling softer, though you may not really notice the difference between a chemical and a mechanical exfoliant's results.

In either case, exfoliation is vital to healthy skin. It not only softens and increases your skin's protection of your body, but it also enhances nerve stimulation and skin respiration. Exfoliation is important to your skin and overall health.

Book a facial with Pam K in Appleton at The Salon Professional Academy for a thorough skin evaluation, facial, exfoliating treatment, and a complementary service. Mention this blog DURING YOUR FACIAL consultation, and you will get a coupon for $5 off your first service making the basic facial cost only $17! Call Pam today at 920-420-2450 to book an appointment. Don't wait, call today to reserve your spot since space is limited and this offer only lasts for a few months. You won't believe the difference in your skin, and you will learn secrets to better skin health.

The Skin and its Functions

The skin, or the integumentary system, is the largest organ of the body. It performs 6 main functions: protection, absorption, secretion, excretion, regulation, and sensation. Here is a quick summary of each of the functions:

Protection
-shields internal tissues and organs from pollutants, smoke, UV rays, chemicals and other harmful substances
-barrier to infection from bacteria and viruses and to extreme temperatures
-the skin contains immune cells that provide the body with its first line of defense

Absorption
-vitamins and acids, water and oxygen are all absorbed through pores in the skin
-provides moisture, nourishment, protection

Secretion
-sebum, or oil, keeps the skin soft and pliable
-this layer of sebum makes up the acid mantle (pH of 4.5-5.5), which acts as a barrier to prevent bacteria from entering the body

Excretion
-the skin is the body's largest waste removal system
-release of toxins such as carbon dioxide, are release through sweat glands
-release of urea, salt, and other chemicals (ever eat garlic and it seeps out your pores so that others can smell the garlic??)

Regulation
-temperature is regulated by the skin
-goose bumps and shivering warm the body
-sweating cools the body
-the skin also changes blood flow to regulate body temperature

Sensation
-millions of nerve fibers transport information to the brain from the skin
-receptors detect pain, heat, cold, pressure, touch

By no means is this inclusive, but it is the basic example of what the skin does. It is important that you care for your skin. It doesn't have anything to do with vanity, it has to do with better health. Take care of your skin and what you put on it, so it can perform its duties well and keep you healthy.

6 steps to a healthier you

Life is full of things that drain us and affect our health. Some of those things, we can't do anything about. We just have to deal with events the best we can.
There are things that we can control, and those things have the greatest impact on how healthy we are. Here, we review 6 things that are vital for good health and mental well being.
1. Rest & Relaxation
Most people neglect their rest and don't give sleep enough importance. There are well documented effects of sleep including renewed vigor, reduced tension, and time for the body to repair and regenerate. Although each person is different, generally a person needs 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Keeping a regular sleep schedule is just as beneficial for your body. If you can find your pillow the same time each night, your body will find your sleep much more restful.
2. Exercise
I know, the dreaded word, but it doesn't have to be agonizing. Simply finding the activity that works for you is the key. There are a myriad of options you can choose from for picking the right activity for you. Most importantly is to balance your workout so you include cardiorespiratory fitness with strength training and flexibility. Even simple things go a long way toward keeping you fit, like parking at the farthest distance from the entrance to work or shopping, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Believe it or not, these little things help keep you fit in the long run.
3. Stress Management
Did you know that there is good stress and bad stress? Stress that compels us to action is considered good stress. Feelings of stress, anger, helplessness and depression are bad stress. Learning to manage the bad stress and deal with life's blows is vital to good emotional and physical health. Often times, just having a good shoulder to lean on and listen to you vent is all you need to make it through tough times.
4. Nutrition
Nutrition is the process of turning raw materials such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins, into energy. The energy is then used to regulate body temperature, build and re-build structures of the body, and move and think. Adult men and women have different needs and different body types have different needs, but basic nutrition is vital to us all. Common sense dictates raw fruits and vegetables are good for you, but what about sweets and fats? You can easily include these items in moderation into your diet without guilt. Don't deprive yourself, or you will more than likely binge. A little bit once in a while helps keep urges under control.
5. Hygiene
Simply put, keeping your body and environment clean and healthy. Both in your work and your home, there are basic things that keep you healthy. For example, use products that don't contain any harsh chemicals or toxins, and maintain a regular cleaning and bathing routine. This includes reading labels to see what you are putting on and in your body, as well as asking questions about what options you have when making a purchase. Seek the advice of qualified professionals to help you make these decisions.
6. Ergonomics
Most of the above topics are pretty basic. What most people don't think of, though, is the workplace. How you sit at your desk, how you stand while working, how you lift a box, and many more instances are vital to your health. You can easily sprain a muscle or permanently damage yourself by simply twisting or moving the wrong way. Seek proper technique for your particular workplace to make it as safe and ergonomically friendly as possible.

Why you should moisturize

People with oily skin tend to think that they don't need a moisturizer since his or her skin is already 'greasy.' In actuality, once you wash your face, you should apply a moisturizer of some kind no matter what your skin type.
Normal skin can sense when it is low on moisture. Once the face has been washed, there is no oil left. The skin senses this and starts to produce excess oil to recover from this oil loss. If you moisturize your face after washing it, the skin doesn't overproduce oil since it is already well hydrated. Overproduction of oil can result in more breakouts and shine.
You don't have to apply a heavy moisturizer if you tend to get oily later in the day, but some light cream should do the trick. If you tend to be dry all day, lean toward a richer cream that contains more oils. In any case, make sure you use a moisturizer after you wash your face to keep a healthy balance.
Know your skin type to best choose products that suit you best. Seek the advice of a qualified esthetician or dermatologist.

Earth Day

Being Earth Day, I thought I would share with you one of my most requested items and most requested recipe. Laundry Detergent: If you can make a cake, you can do this and it is much easier. I used to make this on a large scale and sell it in the store, but now I just make it by request since I carry Laundry Berries, which I also love.

First some exciting money facts:

Cost to make your own: Around $2 per batch. This is about 5.7 cents per load (using 2 tablespoons for each load, you get about 35 loads). Arm & Hammer laundry detergent about 12.4 cents per load. Tide detergent is 30 cents and more per load. Wouldn't you love to make laundry cost less!! This can revolutionize your budget, since we also provide you with a fabric softener that will cost pennies on the dollar compared to some of the costly and harmful fabric softeners you may be or may have used.

Fels Naptha Laundry Powder

1. 1 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated (comes out to about 2 cups) - You can find this in the grocery store laundry aisle, probably on the bottom shelf. It is only about $1

2. 1 c Borax - Found in the grocery store laundry aisle and some hardware stores. It is a wonderful multi-purpose cleaning agent that used to be a household name. There are plenty of uses listed on the box and more can be found online.


3. 1 c Washing Soda - Also found in the grocery store laundry aisle. I use Arm & Hammer brand since that is all I have ever found. It is one of those little know useful items, so it may be on the bottom shelf, also.

4. 1/4 c OxyClean (optional, though I don't use it)

Mix it all together into a bumpy, granular mix. Don’t worry about stuff getting correctly dispersed, even if it doesn’t quite look like it does. Use 1T for a light load. Use 2T for a large or dirty load (It’s true! Only 2 Tablespoons per load!)

Fels Naptha Laundry Detergent

This is basically the same formula as above, but in a liquid form.

Simply melt the Fels Naptha gratings in 2 cups water on the stove. Stir gently, but constantly, not letting it boil or suds over, until it is all melted, looking much like orange juice. Once melted, pour the water slurry into a 5 gallon pail and add 1 gallon hottest tap water.

Add the remaining powders and stir gently. Once fully stirred, add hottest tap water to about 3 gallons, or 2/3 to 3/4 full in the bucket. Let sit overnight. This WILL GEL. Stir in the morning, and it is ready to use. It makes kind of a gelatinous sludge, but it works GREAT!!!!

Use 1 -2 cups per load, depending on soil and load levels.

Laundry Rinse (instead of fabric softener which is so bad for you and the environment, you don’t even want to know)

1 gal white or apple cider vinegar

25-30 drops essential oil - optional (Straight vinegar works just fine though.)

Use 1/4 c in the rinse cycle. NO, your clothes won’t smell like vinegar. The vinegar clears the last bit of soap remaining on all your clothes and reduces static while softening the clothes and neutralizing foul odors. Towels that are washed with fabric softener will absorb less water, but when you use vinegar, the towels will actually absorb more water. Fantastic!!

And now you’re on your way to a cheaper, greener and healthier cleaning strategy. Don’t you feel good?

Esthetician in the making

Hello everyone. This is a happy post for me since I am embarking on a new endeavor that will help me make better products, serve my clients better, and expand my skin care knowledge.
I have enrolled in a six month Esthetician's training course from a certified cosmetology school in Appleton. The school is The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) located in the College Center Plaze just off Hwy 41.
While I am a student there, I am learning about skin care, waxing, and makeup. Once I complete the course and pass the state board examination, I will be certified to do facials, waxing, and makeup application.
Thankfully, I have a fair amount of knowledge on the subjects already, given my Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology/Chemistry, but I am learning a lot about more specific conditions and treatments that are available. It is very exciting for me and I am enjoying it thoroughly.
Starting in mid-May, I will be taking clients at the TSPA at greatly reduced prices.
I have coupons at the store that entitle you to $5 off your first service with me. If you refer more clients to me, you receive $5 off for each referral. Simply fill out the back of a coupon (get more from me at the store) and send your friend in for a service. Once the friend books a service and redeems her coupon, you will have credit at the Academy toward future services. There is no limit to the number of friends you can refer and get discounts for.

These services are great for your skin, and will help you learn how to better care for and maintain your skin at home. Once licensed, I plan to perform these services in Oshkosh, but the prices will be higher. Now is your chance to get in on the good deals (only until October 1, 2009)!

From the experience of the instructors at the school, space is limited and will fill up fast, so call me(420-2450) or the Academy(968-0433) right away to schedule your service (Facials are a relaxing 1½ to 2 hours).

Services starting at:

Corrective Facial $22

Spa Package- 4 Facials $66

Corrective Facial Add-on's $5 each:
- Detoxifying Mask - Eye Mask - Lip Buff - Acne
- Clarifying Mask - Glycolic - Light Plex

Back Facial $20

Lip wax $8

Brow wax $8

Chin wax $8

Arm wax $12

Underarm $12

Bikini $16

Full leg $25

Half leg $15

Full Back $20

Partial Back $12

Makeup Application $10

Available times & dates for full facials: (subject to change)

Saturdays 9AM 10:30 AM 12:30PM 2PM

May 23 June 13, 27 July 11, 25 Aug 8, 22 Sept 5, 19

Thursdays 5PM 7PM

May 21, 28 June 4, 11, 18, 25 July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Aug 6, 13, 20, 27 Sept 3, 10, 17, 24 Oct 1

Tuesdays 5PM 7PM

Aug 4, 18 Sept 1, 15, 29

The Growing Concern of Parabens

The Growing Concern of Parabens
by Jeremy Likness

Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in both food and cosmetic products. Some are found in very low levels in nature. This class of chemical is also known as esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Some common names include benzylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben, n-propylparaben, ethylparaben, and methylparaben.

A recent study linked parabens with breast cancer: "Concentration of Parabens in Human Breast Tumors." Darbre, PD. et al. J. Appl. Toxicol. 24, 5-13 (2004).

Parabens have been used as preservatives since the 1920s. They are used to prevent the growth of bacteria. By far the most prevalent use has been in cosmetics, skin care products, shampoos, conditioners, sunscreens, deodorants, and soaps. A report that was published in 1984 - Elder, RL. "Final report on the safety assessment of methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben." Journal of the American College of Toxicology, vol. 3, pp. 147-209, 1984 - estimated that parabens were used in over 13,200 different cosmetic products.

Recent evidence from over a dozen scientific studies has indicated that several types of parabens can bind to the estrogen receptor and cause estrogen-like responses when tested in laboratory animals or in a variety of tissue cultures. In studies using animals, the estrogenic effects were not found when fed, only when applied to or injected into the skin. There is no comprehensive research regarding the long-term effects of low-dose paraben use.

In these studies, the researchers looked at twenty (20) human breast tumours and found synthetic chemicals known as parabens in eighteen (18) of them. The level of parabens in four of the tumours so high that it could have had a damaging biological effect on cells. It is the first time parabens (para-hydroxybenzoic acids) have been detected within tumours, suggesting that the man-made chemicals accumulated in the breast tissue after being absorbed through the skin.

According to The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, "the chemicals in any one consumer product alone are unlikely to cause harm. But unfortunately, we are repeatedly exposed to industrial chemicals from many different sources on a daily basis, including cosmetics and personal care products."

The FDA proclaims that "FDA is only able to regulate cosmetics after products are released to the marketplace. Neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by FDA before they are sold to the public. FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing of their cosmetic products before marketing. If, however, the safety of a cosmetic product has not been substantiated, the product's label must read WARNING: The safety of this product has not been determined."

This means, essentially, that cosmetics are not tightly regulated by the FDA. In fact, like supplements, most of the regulation happens only in response to consumer complaints. This is a reactive, rather than proactive, approach that occurs when perhaps the damage has already been inflicted. Even more highly regulated products like Vioxx, which were originally approved by the FDA, have been pulled from the market after widespread use by millions. In the case of Vioxx, concerns were that it raised the risk of heart attack and stroke - Arthritis Drug Vioxx Being Pulled.

Skin is the body's largest organ and it can absorb healthy and unhealthy substances that are applied to it. Be an informed consumer and learn exactly what is placed into the products you use on a daily basis. While concerns are raised each day regarding the use of synthetic chemicals and preservatives, very rarely do you hear of a recall for products that are organic or all-natural. Your company should readily disclose their full ingredients list with explanations for each ingredient - including why it was used and the rationale behind the dose.

Waste Removal

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Although every cell of the body assists in waste removal, certain organs specialize in waste management. The liver can be viewed as the recycling center of the body, where one of its responsibilities includes sorting out toxins and directing them to the appropriate organ for elimination. If the liver is inflamed or damaged, toxins remain to circulate throughout the body. When functioning optimally, the skin can actually help or hinder the liver's detoxification process. The skin and liver detoxification relationship has two facets:

1. the skin can absorb poisonous chemicals, increasing the liver's detoxification load
2. the skin can expel toxins, relieving the liver's detoxification load

Unfortunately, people regularly slather their skin with a coating that prevents toxin elimination through the pores – a surefire way to contain poisons earmarked for elimination. With this exit blocked, more toxins remain in the body's circulation to fan the flames of hepatic inflammation.

The skin is the elimination organ with the largest surface area. In addition to regulating temperature and body moisture content, the skin also functions as a backup or waste removal. If the liver is unable to process toxins, the skin provides an alternate escape route. However, the pores must be open and clear for this process to occur without event. Skin rashes, acne or other skin disorders are often indicators of a toxic build-up beneath the skin's surface caused by clogged pores.

Common Clogging Culprit
Also known in the fossil fuel industry as crude oil, most of us come into contact with petroleum every day. Products containing petroleum include gasoline, Styrofoam, lubricating oils and many cosmetics. Claiming to moisturize our hair, skin and lips, mineral oil and petroleum are the primary ingredients in many beauty products. By covering the skin to form a protective barrier, petroleum and mineral oil effectively lock moisture against the skin.

Unfortunately, this supposedly beneficial barrier blocks more than is desired. Because it prevents the skin from breathing and expelling toxins, petroleum-based products can obstruct the skin from eliminating waste, thus increasing the liver's detoxification load. Check the ingredients on your skin care products to see if any of these petroleum derivatives are present:

· Mineral Oil
· Petroleum or Petrolatum
· Propylene Glycol
· Isopropyl Alcohol
· Ceresin
· Toluene
· Benzene

Dangers of Soy Consumption

Soy Dangers Summarized

You are probably well acquainted with all the wonderful things soy is purported to do for you. That's because the multi-million dollar soy marketing machine has done its job on you. But are you aware that there is a darker side of soy?

For instance did you know that soy contains several types of natural toxins? The soy industry has known about them for years.

SOY DANGERS:

• High levels of phytic acid in soy reduce assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Phytic acid in soy is not neutralized by ordinary preparation methods such as soaking, sprouting and long, slow cooking. High phytate diets have caused growth problems in children.
  
  
• Trypsin inhibitors in soy interfere with protein digestion and may cause pancreatic orders. In test animals soy containing trypsin inhibitors caused stunted growth.
  
  
• Soy phytoestrogens disrupt endocrine function and have the potential to cause infertility and to promote breast cancer in adult women.
  
  
• Soy phytoestrogens are potent antithyroid agents that cause hypothyroidism and may cause thyroid cancer. In infants, consumption of soy formula has been linked to autoimmune thyroid disease.
  
  
• Vitamin B12 analogs in soy are not absorbed and actually increase the body’s requirement for B12.
  
  
• Soy foods increase the body’s requirement for vitamin D.
  
  
• Fragile proteins are denatured during high temperature processing to make soy protein isolate and textured vegetable protein.
  
  
• Processing of soy protein results in the formation of toxic lysinoalanine and highly carcinogenic nitrosamines.
  
  
• Free glutamic acid or MSG, a potent neurotoxin, is formed during soy food processing and added to many soy foods.
  
  
• Soy foods contain high levels of aluminum which is toxic to the nervous system and the kidneys.

SOY INFANT FORMULA — BIRTH CONTROL PILLS FOR BABIES

• Babies fed soy-based formula have 13,000 to 22,000 times more estrogen compounds in their blood than babies fed milk-based formula.
  
  
• Infants exclusively fed soy formula receive the estrogenic equivalent of at least five birth control pills per day.
  
  
• Male infants undergo a “testosterone surge” during the first few months of life, when testosterone levels may be as high as those of an adult male. During this period, baby boys are programmed to express male characteristics after puberty, not only in the development of their sexual organs and other masculine physical traits, but also in setting patterns in the brain characteristic of male behavior.
  
  
• Pediatricians are noticing greater numbers of boys whose physical maturation is delayed, or does not occur at all, including lack of development of the sexual organs. Learning disabilities, especially in male children, have reached epidemic proportions.
  
  
• Soy infant feeding—which floods the bloodstream with female hormones that inhibit testosterone—cannot be ignored as a possible cause for these tragic developments. In animals, soy feeding indicates that phytoestrogens in soy are powerful endocrine disrupters.
  
  
• Almost 15 percent of white girls and 50 percent of African-American girls show signs of puberty such as breast development and pubic hair, before the age of eight. Some girls are showing sexual development before the age of three. Premature development of girls has been linked to the use of soy formula and exposure to environmental estrogens such as PCBs and DDE.

• The health claims of the soy industry have one purpose and one purpose alone - to sell more soy! That's why you'll only hear about the benefits of soy from the industry, but we think all consumers deserve the right to make an informed choice about what they are eating and feeding to their children, their household pets and their livestock.

  We have found a wealth of evidence that the soy toxins cause both acute and chronic effects in both animals and humans. The industry refers to the soy toxins as 'anti-nutrients' but, in fact, they are classed with environmental toxins and they are present in every food product that contains soy.

  As often occurs in cases of environmental poisoning, Soy Online Services first became aware of the toxicity of soy because of its effects on animals. The harm that soy causes animals has been known for decades, but this fact currently appears to be ignored by manufacturers of animal feeds who are ever eager to utilise cheap sources of protein in their products.

  The use of new generation bird feeds that contained soy coincided with thousands of bird deaths and disorders. These effects were widespread and were reported by many of New Zealand's leading parrot breeders.

  Among the effects seen by these bird breeders were:

  beak and bone deformities.

  goitre.

  immune system disorders.

  infertility.

  premature maturation.

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Leading Moms in Business Competition 2009

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you can vote once per day until March 31

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A Tribute to Moms in Business

Everybody knows one. Like a super hero, she balances running a family with the heroics of running her own business. We’re talking about moms in business, of course. And now, StartupNation is conducting its first annual ranking of these astonishing entrepreneurs and the businesses they run.

But, how do we know who’s the best of the best? We’re leaving that to you. Over the next few months, it’ll be your daily votes that will tell us who deserves to be named a winner. The list of the 200 winners will be published in May and will be ranked according to votes accumulated.

Welcome to the one and only ranking focused on those can do moms who run families and businesses at the same time.

The first annual 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business competition will rank the top 200 mom-run businesses across America as determined by popular vote.

Lawsuit Filed Regarding Baby Products

2009-03-24 | 07:48

Manufacturers questioned about ingredients used

Some of the nation's largest child-product companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Proctor and Gamble and Kimberly Clark, are the target of a nationwide class-action lawsuit by parents after a study revealed that many of the companies' products contain questionable chemicals.

The suit, filed March 19 in U.S. District Court in Chicago, will represent parents or other consumers who purchased any of an extensive list of products, if the court certifies the action, according to law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro.

The findings were part of a study conducted by nonprofit, The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which tested commonly used baby products and found amounts of carcinogens such as formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. According to the report, manufacturers say the levels of the potentially cancer-causing toxins are so small that they do not pose a risk to the public, and are within government guidelines.

The defendants include Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Gerber Products Company, The Proctor and Gamble Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Expanscience Laboratories Inc. doing business as Mustela, and Limited Brands Inc

Perfluorochemicals

Perfluorochemicals, or PFCs, are widely-used water, grease and stain repellents.

What are perfluorochemicals?

They’re found in carpets and on clothes, on fast-food wrappers, and on the inner lining of pet food bags. You might know them as Teflon®, Scotchgard^TM, Stainmaster® and Gore-Tex®. They pollute water, are persistent in the environment, and remain in the human body for years. Companies that manufacture PFCs have agreed to phase out one variety, called PFOA, by 2015. Unfortunately, there’s no evidence that the chemicals being used to replace it are any safer.

What problems are associated with PFCs?

PFCs are associated with smaller birth weight and size in newborn babies, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation, and weaker immune defense against disease--all good reasons to reduce your exposure.

HOW TO AVOID PFCS

• Forgo the optional stain treatment on new carpets and furniture.
  Find products that haven’t been pre-treated, and if the couch you own is treated, get a cover for it.
• Choose clothing that doesn’t carry Teflon® or Scotchgard^TM tags.
  This includes fabric labeled stain- or water-repellent. When possible, opt for untreated cotton and wool.
• Avoid non-stick pans and kitchen utensils.
  Opt for stainless steel or cast iron instead.
• Cut back on greasy packaged and fast foods.
  These foods often come in treated wrappers.
• Use real plates instead of paper.
• Pop popcorn the old-fashioned way on the stovetop.
  Microwaveable popcorn bags are often coated with PFCs on the inside.
• Choose personal care products without “PTFE” or “perfluoro” in the ingredients.
  Use EWG’s Skin Deep at cosmeticsdatabase.com to find safer choices.

from http://www.ewg.org/node/26667

Panthenol for skin and hair

Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5 since panthenol is converted into pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) a major constituent in coenzyme A, when it is oxidized. Coenzyme A is needed by every living cell to help it grow and survive.

Panthenol is an important part of skin and hair care. Providing revitalizing and conditioning effects, panthenol possesses humectant-like properties that aid in skin absorption and hydration. As an active ingredient for sophisticated cosmetic skin care and hair care products, it improves the appearance of skin, hair and nails.

In hair care products, panthenol fills in cracks in the hair shaft to strengthen the hair. This plumps and moisturizes the hair shaft to make it appear thicker, and reduces split ends. Panthenol is an excellent hair nutrient with penetrating abilities to support cellular growth and tissue repair.

In skin care, panthenol acts as a penetrating moisturizer. In the skin it aids moisture retention (ability to both hold and attract water) and increases elasticity. It helps heal skin problems such as acne, eczema, dermatitis, diaper rash and soothes burns. Panthenol has humectant-like properties that promote moisture absorption. It can effectively reduce irritation and reduce redness and add additional moisturisation. Also useful in after-sun care or tanning lotions.

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Hyaluronic Acid in skin care products

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is natural substance found in the connective tissues of your body. The benefits of HA are many and include internal and topical applications. It is naturally occurring in our bodies, and less is produced as we age.

One benefit of HA is that it helps maintain the very shape of our skin. If you are a specimen of healthy skin, more than likely, you have a large amount of HA in your body. Of course, the opposite side of this is that, a reduced amount of this acid is associated with the appearance of wrinkles. Thankfully, topical treatments of skin care products with HA can reverse the signs of aging, with continued use.

Our skin has layers which need to be efficiently connected to each other. HA helps to maintain healthy collagen and to keep the skin moisturized and avoid wrinkles. It stands to reason then, that HA is a key ingredient used in many of the best anti-aging skin care creams and products.

HA retains water much like a sponge. It absorbs an astonishing thousand times its weight. It hydrates your skin and increases its volume and density. HA has the ability to be effectively absorbed by the skin as well as serves as an efficient "carrier" of other anti-aging ingredients to cells. That means that the active anti-aging ingredients are transported to the cells through the layers of skin.. It also provides the volume necessary in your skin's overall appearance.

The benefits of Hyaluronic Acid are many, with no known side effects that you need to be concerned about in HA products, except there have been reports of some side effects associated with knee and facial injections. HA is not only beneficial in lubricating our joints, heart valves and eyes, it is essential to having wrinkle-free skin.

Skin care products containing HA help to hydrate the skin, allowing it to appear smoother and more radiant. Clinical studies have shown that it also helps wounds heal more quickly, and can reduce the appearance of both old and new scars. Topically, the benefits of HA can be quite significant, though continued use is necessary to maintain the benefits.

Hyaluronic acid helps to store water in the skin, providing essential moisture to body processes. HA helps control cell migration, which protect cells and also activates white cells in the blood. The benefits of using hyaluronic acid include: softer skin, faster wound healing, dry skin relief, reduced fine lines, tissue reconstruction, and more.


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Watch us on local channel 11 on Monday

Tune your TVs to FOX 11 on Monday, March 9th, from 5am to 9am because we are going to be featured during four - 2 1/2 minute segments on GOOD DAY WISCONSIN. They are coming to the store and taping live during the show. I am so excited. This is going to be great. They found my website on the web and noticed that I am running in the Leading Moms in Business Competition, so they called me this morning.
If you haven't heard, I am running in the Leading Moms in Business Competition that will provide national publicity and prizes for the top 200 vote winning business. You can vote for me (click here) once per day.
I hope you all have a chance to see us on TV. I can't believe it is going to be at 5AM!! I've barely gotten to bed by then! -And it will seem even earlier since Daylight Savings Time affects us this weekend!!!
Thanks for all your support.

Aloe Barbadensis

Aloe is an age old plant that has been around since the time of the Bible. It is even spoken of in scripture, though it may have been a different variant of what we know today. Aloe has long been known as a skin rejuvenator, healer and soother. It has even been known to have internal benefits for diabetes and more.

Aloe is easily grown and many have one growing in their kitchen to use for minor cuts and burns. Once the thick leaves have grown big enough to produce a thick gel, you can simply snip or break a small piece off one of the tips, and apply to your abrasion. It soothes burns, heals cuts, and vanishes bug bites.

Chemical analysis has shown that Aloe contains minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and proteins which all contribute to its beneficial nature.

Benefits of Aloe:

• Relieves itching from insect bites and allergies
• Promotes suppleness of the skin
• Helps control acne, burns, cuts and scratches
• Relieves symptoms of psoriasis

Aloe can be purchased in many forms, but for cosmetic use it is mainly in powder or gel form. Aloe juice or gel is prone to spoilage, so the powdered form is much more easily stored and can be hydrated quickly for use. Aloe can be added to lotions, creams, toners and more to get the full benefits for skin care.

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New Products, at home Spa treatments

Winter isn't over yet - indulge in lovely scented soy candles. Light these delightful candles and enjoy the light scent wafting through your home. We have a lot of scents in stock like Mango Papaya, Blackberry Tea, Sweet Pea, Vanilla Cream and many more.

Our newest arrivals are scented diffusers. We are carrying two of Aromalands great pad diffusers. The car diffuser operates off of the "cigarette lighter" of your auto. The room diffuser plugs into any regular outlet and gently warms the scented pad inside. With either one, you chose the scent you want and place a few drops onto a pad that is inserted into the unit. Get a few bottles of scent and change pads as often as you like to vary scents.


Beat the economic blues! Enjoy spa-like indulgences at stay-at-home prices. With our exotic products similar to those used at spas and salons around the world, you can treat yourself to a 5 star spa experience without leaving your own bathroom. We have great mineral peels and mud masks that work wonders and can be done in the comfort of your home.

Mud Mask - simply paint onto your face and let dry. Once your entire mask is dried, wash off in circular motions with warm water and pat dry. The mud detoxifies and tightens skin. Used daily or even once a week will show visible improvement of your skin.

Mineral Peel - a little trickier, but well worth the effort. Apply salt mixture to skin in a nice layer. This product works deep and generates heat as it works. If you can stand the heat for twenty minutes, you will see the best results. When you are ready to remove the peel, wash with warm water in small circles. This super intense treatment is comparable to a microderm abrasion treatment, only no chemicals are used and it is totally natural. It is a healthy alternative to chemical treatments that burn away the outer layers of skin.

So treat yourself to something spa-like without the spa prices. These products are natural and contain many additives for your skin to benefit from. If you have any questions, let us know and we can give you more information. Stop in soon to choose your favorite.


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Allantoin: what is it and why is it good for your skin?

Allantoin is the primary ingredient of the comfrey plant. Chemically synthesized allantoin is natural-identical, safe, non-toxic, compatible with cosmetic raw materials, and meets CTFA and JSCI requirements. It is a common ingredient in many high end skin care products.

Manufacturers of allantoin promote many beneficial effects when used as an active ingredient in over-the-counter cosmetics:

• stimulates new tissue growth
• soothing effect
• moisturizing effect
• softening effect
  
• gently sheds outer layer of skin
• increases the water content of the outer layers of skin
• promotes cell proliferation and wound healing
• has a soothing, anti-irritant, and skin protectant effect by forming complexes with irritant and sensitizing agents, preventing them from causing grief with your skin

Allantoin is even be found in toothpaste, mouthwash, other oral hygiene products, shampoos, lipsticks, anti-acne products, sun care products, lotions, creams, and more.

It is important to note that allantoin has not been proven scientifically to reduce the appearance of aging, but the evidence doesn't lie. Use of products containing a sufficient amount of allantoin has shown to be effective in reducing wrinkles and rejuvenating skin by womens' testimonies all over the world. When used in conjunction with other ingredients, allantoin can show signifiant improvement in your skin. It is not an overnight solution, but rather a great ingredient to add to your skin care regime.


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