According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics we need to get rid of an useless and dangerous component called 1,4 dioxane that is found is hundreds of personal care products.  Companies like P&G promise to reduce the amount in their Herbal Essenses shampoos by July 2010.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says that 1,4 dioxane, even in trace amounts is a cause for concern.  The good news is that this component is not necessary at all in products, so why is it in there.  Who knows?

Here are some brands that it was detected in.
Olay Complete Body Wash with Vitamins
Head and Shoulders Extra Volume Dandruff Shampoo
Cheer
Ivory Snow
Tide Free
Era and Gain Laundry Detergents

Remember if it is on your clothes your body is absorbing them!!!!

I really love this organization.  With a 10 dollar donation, they will send you, according to your zip code and area of the country, 10 small trees that you can plant.  Companies like this combat deforestation.  Last year, Arbor Day Foundation helped plant over 8.7 million trees.

Most shower curtains are made from vinyl, or PVC, a plastic that can release hormone disrupting phthalates and other harmful pollutants into the air.  People usually take hot showers which release these toxins into the air.  I am currently looking to carry a healthy shower curtain at FOS LIVING.COM, which I will selling on our online eco store. Try finding a polyester, which are normally PVC free.

Did you know that real aromatherapy can be as simple as smelling an orange or lemon peel, or just simply rubbing your fingers on rosemary, lavendar or an oregano plant.  Don't be fooled with all these bottled essential oils.  Most of them can also compromise your immune system because they are made from only part of the plant, or the seed they used was irradiated or genetically altered.  So the next time you have a cold, try hanging a bundle of eucalyptus from you shower curtain rod.  The heat and steam help to activate the herb's whole plants essential oils.  It's so much healthier than an essential oil from a bottle.  Don't get me wrong there are some good ones out there that I will be telling everyone about soon.

  Eating oils like organic flaxseed, fish oils, organic olive oils and organic sesame seed oils are considered excellent ways of keeping your bile flowing well.  These oils are also help to alkalinize your bloodstream, lubricate the bowel, protect your arterial walls, and beautify your skin..  It would be ideal if someone can consume a minimum of 2 tablespoons of oil a day.

 My sister Jeanie and I have been licensed esthetians for 25 years and we have a different approach to acne that really works. We know alot of people who tried proactive and other acne kits and it did not work for most and at the same time absorbed all those chemicals through the skin. The real secret here is the ph balance of your skin and internally in your body. It is important to keep the ph of your skin and in your body alkaline, not acidic.  To jump start your healing, fill up your sink with warm water and put a few drops of organic lavender essential oil and  splash your face up to fifty times in the morning. The bending over the sink helps to push impurities out of the skin and the warm water opens the pores. Then the lavender with its anti fungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties help to accerlerate healing.  I also love using organic apple cider vinegar as a toner after wards. It is also anti fungal, anti bacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral and your skin will love it, but not your acne. One other secret is that everyone thinks apple cider vinegar is acidic, but it's alkaline, so take a tbsp. in water and drink it with your meals. It helps with digestion and also makes your body alkaline.  I also like to use noni fruit enzymes on the infected areas. It is also anti fungal and anti bacterial.  Everyone that says that it is not the diet, doesn't understand how the body works. Of course it is what you eat, but it is also how you digest and assimulate your foods and this directly affects hormone levels.  Many people also try to dry their skin too much and then your face or body tries to over compensate by producing more oil. I have the best volcanic mask on the market that seems to work overnight by combating the infection from the outside in.  Come in anytime and get an organic acne facial with us and see the difference.  Never allow anyone included a licensed esthetian to pop pimples because it only makes matters worse by forcing the bacteria deeper into the skin. Try to relax, it will help with the healing process.

I met a women in Greece who had the most gorgeous skin for a woman in her 60's.  I really thought she was 40, including here vitality.  She is the one that said if you want gorgeous skin use potato skin as often as possible on your skin.  She told me she has learned it from her great grandmother and was passed down from her mother.  This is an old time remedy that really works. When you are cooking potatoes, just peel the skin and use it all week long. It tighten pores and seems to brighten the skin.  Sometimes there is no clear cut answer to why something works, it just does.

   Forget about all those weirdo chemically face things like, Freeze , that really work, but there is enough chemicals in this product and others like it to kill a cat.  If you want a quick fix for whatever reason, the egg white or whole egg mixed with some honey really works. You will get that same frozen face look, but a natural version. I did it one night and friends swore I had a face lift. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, but the secret is rinse off, but not in a perfect way.  Leave a little on for that tightening effect and put on your foundation and makeup as usual.  Good luck and tell me what happens.

    Nourishing the scalp is an essential beauty ritual in India, where women often get scalp treatments once a week. It's is not only for beauty, but a person's health and well being. We will be introducing the Marma scalp massage. We massage the scalp with organic oils which encourages circulation and allows the oil to penetrate deep into the hair leaving it well moisturized. In addition we will  focus on areas where energy may be blocked.  Applying pressure to specific marma points helps break up stagnant energy, which sends health and beauty throughout the body. There are 37 points, including the neck, which will leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

     Years ago, when I was traveling in Greece I brought my parents to the loutra in Evia where people submerge themselves in healing waters. Loutra are natural occuring mineral baths.  The ancient Greeks thought they should have anywhere between 15 to 30 baths a year to maintain their health and beauty. What we understand today is that the body takes minerals from these baths, and what the body doesn't need is eliminated. Loutra can be found all over Greece and each area is known for helping different medical problems.  Some are for women who are having problems conceiving, and other loutra are good for the kidneys and still others are for arthritis.  Anyway, when I brought my parent to Evia, is was filled with Germans going to these loutra.  This was my first experience with understanding that Germans take a great interest in their health and well being.  When I went to a spa run by a German esthetician she gave my a foot bath.  I would like to introduce these foot baths at FOS LIVING.COM.  Powerful botanicals are often used to treat the feet during hydrotherapy rituals in which herbal concoctions containing stimulating rosemary, or respiratory boosting eucalyptus are added to footbaths.  These footbaths mimick these natural occuring loutra.  The feet are the fastest way to introduce minerals from herbs into the body. It is also the fastest way to eliminate toxins into the bath. Then this herb infused cream is then massaged into the skin to help smooth cracks and calluses. You feel completely rejuvenated after this treatment.