10 Unique Eco-Friendly Gifts for the Holiday Season

Are you having trouble finding gifts for that certain someone?  I have compiled a list of environmentally friendly gifts that you can purchase from the comfort of your own home.  Grab a cup of tea and peruse the following websites.  You may find that unique gift for that special someone…..



Branchhome.com



For The Gardener:  Branch Home offers a wide array of eco-friendly gardening accessories for your home.  You can grow lavender on your windowsill from a handmade bamboo pot.  Kit comes complete with organic soil, organic herb seeds and a ribbon made from recycled plastic bottles.  If you want to try something even more unique, they even offer a kit whereby you can grow your own Christmas Tree!  Check out these selections and many others at:   http://www.branchhome.com/

Upcycled Jewelry

For the Gems in Your Life:  Are you looking for that environmentally conscious gift for the gem in your life?    Upcycled jewelry has earrings made from RoHS circuit boards, earrings made from 8mm film negatives and necklaces made from NYC artifacts. (http://www.upcycled/ jewelry.com ) I’m just loving the film reel earrings….hint!. http://www.etsy.com/listing/72284849/8mm-movie-film-upcycled-earrings

Tavernpuzzle

For The Puzzle Enthusiast: Tavern Puzzles has been making steel puzzles for over 30 years.  These are so cool.  These puzzles are reproductions of old blacksmith forged puzzles and come in different levels of complexity. Your puzzle enthusiast will be absolutely delighted.  Please visit:  www.tavernpuzzle.com to select your design.

Planethappytoys

For Your Child or Baby:  Plant Happy Kids has a wide assortment of “safe & nontoxic” products for your child.  Toys are organic, free of harmful dyes and phthalate-free.  In addition, all is fair traded.   Here is a cricket your young child can paint.  Once the paint dries, you child can use the cricket has a drum… http://stores.planethappytoys.com/-strse-361/Let%27s-Paint%21-Cricket-Drum/Detail.bok

Westpawdesign

For the Pampered Pooch:  West Paw Design has eco-friendly and pet safe products for your dog or cat.  All products are made in the U.S.A.  Your pampered pooch will love the hurley dog chew as it is made from recycled and nontoxic materials and is virtually indestructible.  http://www.westpawdesign.com/ .



Re-cycled Accessories



For the Outdoor’s Man:  Recycledacc has the coolest gift for your favorite adventuresome guy.  If your man loves the fresh air and is environmentally conscious, he will be “styling” in his new belt – made from recycled bicycle tire.  Even the belt buckle is made from recycled bicycle parts.  http://www.recycledacc.com/

ecoist.com

For the Original Gal:  Women of all ages will enjoy receiving a pocketbook made from recycled newspapers.  Ecoist.com has an assortment of handbags made from candy wrappers, soda labels and various recycled materials.  Each product is original as no two can be alike.  Even your young teenager will love this planet friendly purse.  http://www.ecoist.com/

For the Chocolate Lover: 

Dagobachocolate

Nothing speaks of love like chocolate!  Dagoba chocolates are organic, non-GMO and produced by fair trade labor.  Place a chocolate bar in your significant other’s stocking.  What a nice surprise!  www.dagobachocolate.com

Arteco

For The Gizmo & Gadget Lover:  Arteco repurposes electronic items such as industrial, aerospace and military technology into new items.  This is so very imaginative!  Check out this new clock made from recycled computer cabinets:  http://www.arteco.com/c15.htm



Zazzle

For the Person Who Has Everything:  There is not one single person who cannot benefit from a cloth tote.  With virtually every purchase, we acquire plastic bags.  Our consumption of plastic is ridiculous!  Whenever you go to the store, whether it is a grocery store or a department store, you can bring your own bags to cut down on plastic consumption.  Zazzle.com has a wide assortment of cloth totes with silhouettes that are fun and stylish.  Select one for that special someone and, while you’re at it, pick up one for yourself.  www.zazzle.com/silhouette+bags

Don't forget to whisper in Santa's ear what you want

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Don’t Stand So Close To Me…..

That lovely smell of sweet perfume!  How many times have you sat in a car with someone who seems like they poured the entire bottle of perfume over their head or been in an elevator with someone who just reeked of cologne?   How many times have you smelled the perfume or cologne of somebody who just casually walks by you in a store or even on the street?  There’s nothing like getting a whiff of chemicals drifting in the fresh air! Once you smell someone else’s fragrance, it has entered your system.  This is why I have to say, ”DON'T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME!”

I am constantly advocating that you read the labels of what you put in your mouth to avoid chemicals that are in our foods.  You must also read the label of the items that you put on your skin.  Woman today soak up over 5lbs of beauty products each year.  The reason is because the skin is the biggest organ on the body and whatever you put on it gets absorbed into your system.   In our grandparents’ generation, the amount of chemicals in personal care products was measurably less.  The personal care products that we use today are not the same as the ones our grandparents’ used.  A lot of what's toxic to the environment and our bodies was produced after World War II.  The amount of chemicals in today's personal care products boggles the mind!   What’s even worse is the fact that these chemicals are NOT regulated by our government or any other independent agency.  Why…you ask?  The reason is because our government doesn’t have the time or the manpower to test every new chemical that comes onto the market.  What this means is that any perfume or cologne manufacturer is free to use whatever ingredient they want without approval by any governmental agency.  As a consequence, you and I have to play detective and read labels before we put something on our skin.  I decided to see what the ingredients were in, what many years ago, used to be my favorite perfume……

Elizabeth Arden (5^th Avenue):  Alcohol Denat, Fragrance (Parfum), Water (Aqua), Benzophenone-2, BHT, Propylene Glycol, FD&C Yellow No. 5, D & C Orange No 4, D & C Red No. 33, FD&C Blue No.1

Now it’s time to look up some of these ingredients in book, “What’s In Your Food?” by Bill Statham:

Benzophenone-2	Fixative, UV absorber	Photo allergic reactions; contact sensitivity; toxic when injected; toxic to aquatic organisms
BHT	Preservative	Chronic hives, dermatitis, fatigue, asthma, aggressive behavior, bronchospasm, may affect stomach, liver, kidneys and reproduction: possible carcinogen, toxic to aquatic organisms.
Propylene Glycol	Carrier or extraction solvent Humectant	Skin and eye irritation, dry skin; respiratory immune, skin and neurotoxicity, depression and kidney damage in animals.
FD&C Yellow No. 5	Coloring	Dermatitis, concentration difficulties, depression, hay fever, learning difficulties, headache, hives, asthma, skin rash, behavioral problems, swelling of lips and tongue, anaphylaxis, insomnia, confusion.
D&C Orange No 4	Colorant	Can cause health effects including skin rash, allergic reactions, asthma
D&C Red No. 33	Colorant	“               “
FD&C Blue No. 1	Coloring	Asthma, hay fever, allergic reactions, caused tumors in animal studies.

Is it me or is this absolutely insane!!!!!  I not only don’t want chemically infested perfumes and colognes on my body, but I don’t want to smell the perfume YOU are wearing.  Remember, what I said above, that whenever you smell something, it has already entered your system.  There is no reason to wear perfume or cologne.  Please…repeat after me…clean has no scent, clean has no scent, clean has no scent!

If you feel you absolutely cannot go without wearing perfume or cologne, there are plenty of natural and essential oils you can wear.  These are nontoxic, safe and readily available at your local health food store.  If you decide to keep wearing your favorite cologne and/or perfume even after seeing the dangerous chemicals on the ingredient list, please do me a favor and  …..”DON’T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME!”

Don't touch the bottles on the vanity!

(This is my opinion, protected by my First Amendment Right of Freedom of Speech)

References:

Statham, Bill “What’s In Your Food,” Running Press Book Publishers, Philadelphia: 2006

INNER BEAUTY WORKSHOP CLASSES ARE FORMING.  PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE: WWW.INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM FOR DETAILS OR EMAIL ME AT:  CHRISTINE@INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM.

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Inner Beauty Workshops – Field Trip! Little Portion Friary, Mount Sinai

At holiday time, we are so busy trying to juggle and get everything done that we lose sight of its importance and significance.   Instead of going in and out of malls purchasing items for my kids that they do not need, I decided to volunteer at a Friary located in my town.  (http://www.littleportionfriary.net/) The Franciscan Brothers have been baking bread, starting as early as 4 a.m., on Friday morning for over 25 years.  They sell the bread to help keep their ministry funded.  They welcome volunteers to help them make the bread, especially since they can make up to 105 loaves at a time!  The experience uplifted me and I felt wonderful to contribute to the community in which I live.

@Little Portion Friary

I joined Ed O’Connell  and Pam Wolfskill, both volunteers, at 6 a.m last Friday morning to help them bake cinnamon raisin bread.  We made 35 loaves of bread in a small, hot kitchen.  I enjoyed learning the “secret recipe,” which contained 16 lbs of flour and over 16 cups of raisins.  I even operated the mixer, which was almost as tall as I was.  Where can you ever do anything as cool as that?

In addition to the bakery, I also had a tour of the chapel, gift shop and living quarters.  The Franciscan Brothers take three vows upon becoming monks: a vow of poverty, a vow of chastity and a vow of obedience.  I certainly could see the vow of poverty reflected in their living quarters.  The premises screamed “simplicity.”   A word we often forget in our race to outdo our neighbor.  There is something very serene and peaceful about simple living that you just cannot capture unless you experience it. 

While waiting for the bread to rise, Pam took me on a tour of the grounds.  I was surprised to see a Labyrinth, which is a walking meditation.  A Labyrinth is not to be confused with a maze.  A Labyrinth has only one opening with walking paths that lead you to a center.  There are three parts to a labyrinth and here’s what they signify:  the walking in, which is for contemplation and letting go; the center, which signifies “enlightenment” or reaching your goal; and walking back out, which signifies spiritual rejuvenation.  A Labyrinth is symbolic of life’s journey, as long as you put one foot in front of the other, you will reach your destination. 

The Labyrinth @ Little Portion Friary, Mount Sinai

 

I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to feel as I set foot inside the labyrinth.  I found myself slowly following the path, looking at my feet while I was taking my steps.  I thought of what it would be like to reach the center, which meant for me, reaching my goals.  Step-by-step I progressed until I noticed I was actually on a row behind the previous one.  The structure of a labyrinth is curves of rows going forward and then backward.  In life when we are trying to ascertain a goal, how many times do we feel like we take three steps forward than two steps back?   I knew I had to keep going forward; I couldn’t turn around because if I did, I would never reach the center.  When I finally reached the piece of soil in the center of the Labyrinth, I felt elated!  As I turned around in a complete 360, I saw all the paths, with their twists and turns, that lead me to the center.  I had to smile as I marveled that I had reached my goal. What a wild road it would be…but it is doable!  I CAN DO IT!  As I left the center on my way back out, I felt hopeful, inspired and renewed.   My plan for the future was realized….just put one foot in front of the other.  What an amazing experience!  Everybody who walks a Labyrinth will have a different spiritual experience.  Why not find one near you and try it?  Look at this website to see if there is a Labyrinth in your area:   http://labyrinthsociety.org/about-tls

Walking the Labyrinth

Reaching the Center

Walking out @ feeling elated!

Once I got home from the Little Portion Friary, I had to go back to bed.  My body’s not used to getting up so early.  However, it was so worth it!  Those few early hours affected me in ways that are indescribable!

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“Cutting Corners”

My Mom often uses the phrase, “cut corners.”  When I look up the definition in the dictionary, it says ”to do something in the fastest and easiest way.”   I often communicate to my client’s the exact opposite message.  I encourage them to take their time in accomplishing tasks.  In order to master something, one must strive.  This is how you excel, by putting your blood, sweat, tears and heart into something and doing it to the best of your capability.  At first whatever feat you are attempting will seem impossible, hard and you will feel like you cannot accomplish it.  The trick is to keep at it.  Once you keep at it, you will establish a repetition.  Repetition leads to habit.  Habit leads to mastery.  This is great advice, but not always realistic, especially in today’s busy and fast paced world.  Today time eludes us and circumstances prevent us from accomplishing all we desire to do.  We may find ourselves overcommitted, overstretched, overtired and overburdened with life’s tasks.  Under certain  circumstances, it is okay to “cut corners.”  I find the holidays the most overwhelming because on top of my regular responsibilities, I have to perform all the customary traditional obligations like preparing the Thanksgiving meal, shopping for Christmas gifts, etc.  Luckily, there are really good and helpful businesses around that you can use to “cut corners.”  The best is that these companies fit within a healthy lifestyle so you don’t have to compromise your beliefs!   

Let’s say you are way too busy or simply unable to cook Thanksgiving Dinner.  Instead of getting overwhelmed, look around and see if you can find a company where you can order a healthy pre-made dinner.  Whole Foods offers this service…one of the many reasons why I love this company!  I recently visited Whole Foods in Lake Grove and talked to Denise, their sales representative and she explained to me Whole Foods holiday menu.  Depending how many guests you have, you can order an entire Thanksgiving dinner for pick up at any of their convenient locations.  Turkey and all the fixings, pies and various desserts are available.  The meal will not be completely organic but will be free from preservatives, foods dyes and other harmful substances that you would typically find at your standard supermarket.  Did I tell you cranberry sauce does not come from a can and shouldn’t include High Fructose Corn Syrup?  You won’t find HFCS in your Thanksgiving meal from Whole Foods.  What a great option to “cut the corner” if you don’t have the time to cook.  Whole Foods Thanksgiving menu can be seen by following this link:  http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com   Please don’t despair if you don’t have a Whole Foods in your vicinity, ask your local health food store for suggestions.   You will be surprised at the options.



With Denise @ Whole Foods - Holiday Order Desk



Whole Foods - Holiday Menu

Maybe you have time to cook, but not enough time to clean the house.  There are wonderful companies who provide “green” cleaning services like Teresa’s Family Cleaning in Rocky Point.  I met with Tai, a representative from Teresa’s and she explained that they use green cleaning products because “within 26 seconds after exposure to chemicals, they can be found in every organ of the body.”  They also use an Electrolux with a HEPA filtration system to prevent the dust and dirt, accumulated from your carpet and floors, from being blown into the air.  It’s wonderful to see a company who takes into consideration the welfare of the people they service as well as the health and safety of their own employees.  Chemical free cleaning is the wave of the future.  Information on Teresa’s Family Cleaning can be found on their website: http://www.teresasfamilycleaning.com/  If you are not from Long Island, ask around in your area and see if any of your local cleaning services offer green cleaning.  Remember, the last thing you want to accompany your turkey is bleach and ammonia. 



Tai from Teresa's Family Cleaning



Teresa's Family Cleaning Literature

The most important activity about the holidays is spending it with your loved ones.  Don’t despair if you have to “cut corners.”  It will give you time to enjoy what truly matters in life.  Inner Beauty Workshops wishes you a ….

Happy Thanksgiving!

REFERENCES

http://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/cut_corners.htm

INNER BEAUTY WORKSHOP CLASSES ARE FORMING.  PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE: WWW.INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM FOR DETAILS OR EMAIL ME AT:  CHRISTINE@INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM.

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Count Down to Thanksgiving! 24 Things I am Thankful for this year…

I have more reasons to give thanks this year than I’ve ever had before.  My closest friends and relatives say it’s because I’m coming into my own.  I’m pretty sure it’s because of fewer responsibilities due to the fact that both of my kids are in college.  I am thankful my kids are both happy away at school, but I’m also grateful for the following things too……

1.   I’m thankful for this blog where I can express my views creatively and with passion and purpose.

What the Frack!

2.    I am thankful that my next door neighbors have kindness and patience and put up with my dog barking day and night.

3.    I am thankful I am allergic to bullshit.

4.    I am thankful someone my age can learn how to use the computer.

5.    I am thankful my life is better balanced than my checkbook.

6.    I am thankful for some new people who have recently entered my life.

7.    I am thankful that nothing comes between me and my Calvin Klein dress.

8.    I am thankful I can fit into some of my daughter’s clothes ….oh and wear her jewelry. 

9.    I am thankful that when I “tawk” like I’m from “long guy-land,” it's cute.

10.  I am thankful my dog sleeps in my son’s bed at night…lol.

11.  I am thankful I have people reading my blog from 86 different countries!

12.  I am thankful I’m going through the changes and can leave my windows open at night.

13.  I am thankful I have grown my business from a seed.

14.  I am thankful I have a sense of humor and can laugh at myself while shooting silly pictures.

15.  I am thankful nobody else is me.

16.  I am thankful I don’t mind getting dirt under my fingernails as I dig in the garden but, if I wanted to, could use my stiletto heel instead.

17.  I am thankful that the days turn into nights and the nights into days.

18.  I am thankful I have learned the lesson that the best things in life aren’t things.

19.  I am thankful that age is just a number.

20.  I am thankful that someone from “long guy-land” knows how to grind her own flour.

21.  I am thankful that I can “see” why the Keystone Pipeline decision was postponed….until after the election.

22.  I’m thankful I’m NOT a fly on the wall…

23.  I’m thankful for life’s lessons for they teach you ever so much.

24.  I am thankful and ever so grateful for all the wonderful people in my life.   Yes…this means you!

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Three Great Things You Should Do For Yourself Every Month

There are three great things you should do for yourself every month.  I cannot claim credit for this idea as it belongs to my hair dresser Diane.  She has been following this advice for the past 10 years.  As a result, she feels great.  What three things does she recommend you do each and every month?  How about going for a massage, having your spine adjusted and opening up your energy channels through acupuncture.  The combined overall effect of these three practices will be increased circulation, a release of toxins and a reduction in anxiety and stress.  Let’s discuss all three in a bit more detail…..

Align your spine!  - When my son visited the chiropractor, I was amazed to see a discrepancy between the lengths of his legs.  I watched the chiropractor adjust his spine then sat in amazement as that discrepancy disappeared.  If I didn’t see it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it.  A monthly visit to your chiropractor to have your spine adjusted is highly recommended.   Our spine is the column that supports our entire body.  Having our spine in alignment will alleviate pain and increase our general range of motion.  Other benefits include:  improved blood circulation; relaxation of your muscles, tissues and nerves and improvement of sleep, among others.  Most chiropractors will accept most health insurance plans.   

Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos - Love her!

Get a massage! – I know I won’t have to sell you hard on this one!  Who doesn’t like getting massages?  We should all have our own!  I told my masseuse that once I became rich and famous, I will hire him and he will only work for me….lol  Massage has many benefits.  It is most definitely a great way to relax and reduce stress.  In addition, it will increase your circulation and may even help to lower your blood pressure.  There are many different types of massage such as Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone etc.  The best way to figure out the style you are most comfortable with is to have your masseuse demonstrate different techniques on you and see which one you like the best.   After a massage, make sure you drink extra water.  It will help your body to get rid of extra toxins loosened from the massage.

This is the life!

Get poked! – Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicinal art.  Acupuncture involves positioning long thin needles on various “points” on the body.  Our bodies have different energy channels that help in the efficiency and functioning of the body.  Precise placement of the needles draws energy to the needed areas and makes way for positive energy flow.  Acupuncture can help to cure chronic pain and sickness because regular treatments keep the body in proper working order by increased energy flowing through its channels.  Acupuncture is also great for migraine headaches, back problems…you name it!  If you are afraid of needles, you may want to let the acupuncturist insert only a few and then see how you feel.  Acupuncture should be covered by most major insurances. 

Can you see the needles?

Until next month………..

INNER BEAUTY WORKSHOP CLASSES ARE FORMING.  PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE: WWW.INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM FOR DETAILS OR EMAIL ME AT:  CHRISTINE@INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM. 

                                                                                             

MY BLOG HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST BLOG ON LONG ISLAND.  PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO PLACE A VOTE FOR ME:  http://www.longislandblogposts.com/voteforblog/innerbeautyworkshops

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