Changing directions to hints and tips

Everyone has a blog. Right? Even if you can't seem to keep up with it? I can easily throw out little blurbs and worthwhile links on twitter but I keep neglecting this blog. Why? Because I have to research and write these long posts right? Wrong! I love reading those magazines you get at checkout at the grocery store and I have to read trade magazines just keep up with what's new. I get lots of daily newsletters in my inbox, I am always passing on little tips to my friends and family. Why not do that here? So that is where I am taking this blog. I hope you will come along and maybe you will read a tip that you can use. Please let me know. Thanks.

Great Article on the Skin Deep database

this article is long but worth reading, especially if you are one on the million people who go to the skin deep database for information.

http://essentialu.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/04/scratching-below-the-surface-dene-godfrey-article-regarding-skin-deep.html

How green is green?

Personally, I consider myself a light shade of green. I am often invited to be part of green living shows and expos. I am always honored to be invited, although intimidated at the same time. Living in an area where people live off the grid, use solar power and composting toilets, I know what dark green looks like and I am far from it. And honestly, I have no plan to go there. 

I bring my stuff to the recycle center, donate unwanted items to Goodwill, limit the amount of chemical fragrances and cleaning products in my home, and purchase products from responsible companies.

I log onto some of the “mommy” sites and it is like a competition. Instead of who is the better mom, it is who is more green.

To me, it is more about personal choice and respect for nature than “being green” There will always be someone “greener”. I am not in competition with anyone but myself.

I just always figured if you have two products; they both do the same thing, they both cost about the same but one is made with natural, biodegradable ingredients and the other with chemicals, why would anyone use the chemical product?

Mainely Naturals ~Mostly Natural

When I first started Mainely Naturals, I did not do it to be green or organic. In fact, green and natural/organic products were not nearly as popular as they are now. Today you can go just about anywhere and find natural, eco-friendly products. That was not the fact 5 years ago.

I started Mainely Naturals to give people a more natural, more eco-friendly choice at prices that they were already paying for chemical based products.

My products are not all natural, certified organic, or 100% environmentally friendly but they are so much better for you and for the environment than most traditional products.

The companies that I purchase my ingredients and bases from practice environmentally friendly practices, a couple utilize 100% renewable wind power energy, they use and sell high quality, natural and organic ingredients and they are ahead of their time having followed these practices in business for years not months.

I am proud of the products I make and sell. I am happy to be able to provide my customers with a more natural, more eco-friendly option that they can afford.

The Surf Hotel Burns Down

When I turned on the tv today, the news report said that the Surf Hotel and surrounding buildings in Hampton Beach New Hampshire burned to the ground early this morning. This is very sad news.
I have been going to Hampton Beach every year since I can remember. My Aunt and Uncle own cottages on the corner of B street. When I first heard that surrounding buildings had also gone up in flames, I was very worried. B street isn't far away. It is just the next block over.  But after looking closely at the news footage, it looks like the fire was contained to the A street block. I hope this is true.
 We often went to the Surf candy store to buy homemade fudge and other goodies. The Happy Hampton Arcade next to the Surf was a nice clean arcade that my kids loved to go to.
I wonder what will happen now. What will  it look like when I go this summer? Over the years I have seen buildings in the area knocked down and parking lots replace what used to be happy gathering places for extended  families to vacation together.
No matter what happens now, I will be back this summer, hoping something positive comes out of despair. The whole block, just think of the possibilties. A mini amusement park? Or perhaps a casino?....

Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act

Looks like anyone who makes/sells personal care products in Colorado is in for a fight. I wish people would look into the bad science that is being used by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. People are taking what they have to say as law and it isn't so. There are always more than one side to every arguement.
Anyways, if you live in Colorado and make/sell personal care products or if you live in Colorado and purchase such products, you need to read this:
http://essentialu.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/02/colorado-safe-personal-care-products-act-take-action-immediately.html

No post last week

Sorry I haven't posted lately. We have been sick with colds and ear infections. It went from one member of my family to the next and then back again to me. We are on the mend and I am getting back to business.