Safe Cosmetics ~ Healthy Faces by Eve Organics

Don't Stick With the Non-Stick !

I've heard here and there throughout the past couple years about non-stick pans getting a bad rap.  Well, after doing a little research and reading an article in Natural Health this month, I thought I would post the information I've learned.  This is another case of "why didn't they test that before" or "did they know about this before?"

The perflourinated compounds (PFCs) in non-stick pans, particularly the chemical Teflon and the like, (which are also in stain-resistant fabrics), have been linked to hormone disruption, developmental defects in children and cancer.  A study by the University of Massachusetts has shown levels of PFCs in every nursing mother's breast milk they tested. 

By avoiding stain-resistant clothing and furniture, and by choosing stainless steel or cast iron cookware, instead of the conventional non-stick pans, will help cut down exposure to PFCs tremendously.  However, there is a new generation of non-stick cookware out there.  A Belgian company, Green Pan, has created a pan with Thermolon, which can withstand heat to 800 degrees without creating a hazard.  Other older non-sticks were dangerous at much lower temperatures.

You can find Green Pan at Target or Crate & Barrel.  Or, check out their website at www.green-pan.com.

Health Freedom Expo - Schaumburg, IL

OK, two shows in a matter of two months!  We're on a roll!  This weekend we attended the Health Freedom Expo in Schaumburg, IL, a suburb of Chicago.  We had a little more time to get out and see the other exhibitors at this show.  Attendance was about 7,000 over two days, but what great contacts we made!

One of our newest partnerships is with Studio Within Salon and Spa, located at 3000 North Sheffield, a few minutes north of downtown Chicago.  In the next few months, Studio Within is completely revamping its salon and spa from the inside-out and will re-bloom as a "green spa".  They will begin remodeling by repainting with water based, eco-friendly paint, and adding green materials wherever possible.  The remodeling doesn't end with the structure.  All services are being revamped also, such as hair color is now done with ammonia-free hair color, hair trimmings are donated to produce absorbent pillows for oil-spill cleanup and, of course, the makeup line is free of parabens, bismuth oxychloride and fillers ~ Eve Organics!

Two of the products at this show were of particular interest to me.  I had been looking for the following:

• A good deodorant that didn't have too strong of an inherent odor, but still worked at keeping perspiration odor at bay, and
  
  What I found:  Natural Plantation Purslane Deodorant.  This deodorant doesn't really smell too much when applied; whatever scent is there is gone pretty quick.  The great part about it is that it has no dangerous ingredients and it works!  Obviously, since there is no anti-perspirant, it doesn't stop the sweat, but the sweat doesn't smell.
  
  My husband has been getting bad rashes/raised reactions from regular anti-perspirant deodorants and, after using this only for a few days, he already sees a difference.  This is a keeper!
  
• A daily vitamin/mineral with as much nutrition as possible packed into one serving.  (I am terrible at remembering to take vitamins/pills throughout the day.)
  
  What I found:  Heartland Naturals Omega Greens.  Oh my!  These greens mix with water.  They are a whole food (all ingredients coming from organic fruits and vegetables.  The greens have a berry flavor and include Omega 3s, are high in Vitamin C and are rated very high in ORAC value.  They even have single serving packets to throw in your purse and will send out sample packets to give them a try.  Another winner!