#Free #Conscious Box!

I have a special offer for you!

Conscious Box, a member of 1% for the Planet, is dedicated to finding the most ethical, sustainable and honest businesses. They offer a subscription service in which you receive a box full of green, natural goodies each month.

You can learn more about them on TOP.

They are offering my readers their first box free on a monthly subscription, a $19.95 value! You’ll just need to pay $7.95 for shipping.

Simply go to Conscious Box.com and add FIRSTBOXFREE

I LOVED Dale’s Raw Protein bar in April’s Conscious Box so delicious! They also have vegan options.

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.

All #Natural Lice Treatments

All Natural Lice Treatments by Tammy Mahan, Healthline.com

When one thinks of lice, we generally picture tiny little bugs crawling around in our hair. Head lice are the most common type of lice. However, there are three types of lice; head lice, body lice, and pubic lice.

Most parents are concerned with head lice so we will look at those natural treatments more in-depth than the other two types of lice. However, we do not want to simply ignore the other body and pubic lice, so I will also provide a natural treatment for them.

All three types of lice can be successfully treated and eliminated with natural treatments. Natural treatments and remedies are much safer for the body than over the counter treatments. With a natural remedy, whether you make it yourself or purchase it from a reputable store, you are pretty much guaranteed that it is all natural and no fillers were used.

Natural Treatments for Body Lice & Pubic Lice

Herbal treatments include Azadirachta indica (Neem), Rosemary and Lavender these herbs have great antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. You will need a large amount of these herbs to treat an infestation of body or public lice. I recommend visiting an herbalist or visiting an all-natural health store and purchasing a lotion or shampoo that is all-natural and contains one or more of the herbs listed above.

Natural Treatments for Head Lice

According to DrBenKim.com, “to kill the lice, apply a large amount of olive oil on the hair, saturating it from the roots to the ends. Then, put on a shower cap and leave on overnight. This will suffocate the lice. In the morning, comb out the hair with a metal nit comb, wiping the comb often on a towel soaked in vinegar. This will help remove the dead lice and the eggs. This process will need to be repeated every 3 days or so for 21 days.”

Dr. Ben Kim also suggests washing all linens, clothes (recently worn), towels, washcloths, any hair accessories that can be washed and, stuffed animals in hot water for at least 20 minutes.

Vacuum all the furniture in your home and vacuum the front and back seats your car. Also, boil your hairbrushes and combs for 10 -15 minutes.

There are also a few common household items that will kill the lice and the eggs.

• Mouthwash – You can either use a spray bottle to spray it on just make sure the entire scalp and hair is saturated. Wrap the hair into a bun and place a shower cap on the head. Let it sit for a few hours and the lice and eggs will fall out.

• Mayonnaise – Cover the scalp and all of the hair in mayonnaise, pile the hair up into a bun on top of the head, place a shower cap on the hair and let it sit for an hour or two. The mayonnaise will kill the lice and loosen the eggs. Then, use a comb to remove the eggs.

• Baking Soda and Lemon Juice – Combine the two in a bowl and make a loose paste. Apply the paste to the scalp and hair. Wrap the hair in a shower cap or plastic wrap leave on for a few hours. Wash the hair and the dead lice and the eggs will fall out.

Be sure to check the hair over the next week (just as you would if using an over the counter shampoo) to make sure all of the lice and eggs are gone. It is rare you have to repeat any of these natural treatments but it does happen sometimes.

Resources:

http://www.healthline.com/

http://drbenkim.com/head-lice-treat-prevent-natural.html

Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised second edition, Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., page 499

Tammy Mahan is a medical and health writer who has spent the last 20 years working in the health care field. Writing for Healthline.com allows her to share her medical knowledge with others.

Disclosure:

This article was written exclusively for TheOliveParent.com. All information presented here has not been evaluated by the FDA and should not be used in place of a professional. Please visit your doctor or certified herbalist for advice and diagnosis.

7th Heaven Facial Mud Masks Giveaway!

Here’s a fun giveaway for you!

7th Heaven Naturals was founded by a “vegetarian guru” who travels worldwide to discover herbal ingredients to use their facial masks. There are six facials that boast of varying clays, emollients and essential oils.

• Clean Up Mud  - Moroccan Volcanic Mud with finely ground lave pumice
• Detox Mud – Glacial Mud, deep-pore cleansing
• Million Year Mud – Rhassoul & Pressed Juniper Mud
• Miracle Mud – Marine Mud & Dead Sea Salt
• Moroccan Clay – Rhassoul Clay, crushed apricot seed and Argan shell
• White Thai Mud – Lotus Blossom, Organic Jasmine Tea & Seasame

Muds are my favorite ways to deep-pore cleanse. I really like the convenience of these clays. They come premixed and packaged. Simply open and put on. They come in single-serving "sachet" size packets and there is an ample amount. I only used half a pack and ended up giving my daughter the rest of it so it wouldn't go to waste. I put it on 15 to 20 minutes before hopping in the shower, a routine that worked very well for me. The Million Year Mud stood out to me beyond the rest for scent, cleanliness and moisture, although all of the masques left my skin very soft and moisturized!

THREE EASY STEPS!

SIX MUD MASKS TO SUIT YOUR FACIAL NEEDS!

ONE WINNER WILL WIN ALL SIX CLAYS

THE FINAL RESULT...

One of my readers will win all six clays! Entering to win is very simple! You must be a TOP reader to enter the giveaway. Please sign up for TOP announcements at the sidebar. Please note: If you've already signed previously, you may need to sign up again. Complete as many entries as possible to increase your chances of winning!

The giveaway is open to US residents only, 18 years and older.  This promotional ends June 6th 11 PM CST. Your entrance in the giveaway indicates you understand and accept the terms and conditions.

Disclaimer: All information and products presented in the post has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any diseases.

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Crayola’s Original 8 Are Celebrating Their 110th Birthday

I don’t know about you, but as a home schooling mom, I LOVE Crayons. Crayola has been a staple in my home, although I do use other varieties of the brand.

I remember those “first days of school” when I would proudly open my brand new box of Crayola crayons. For at least a day, I went through great pains to ensure the tips were sharp and the box wasn’t scuffed…until of course I was inspired by a beautiful rainbow or another image I wanted to capture in color.

My children have created many a stick-figured pictures that I’ve stored for memories…temporarily on the fridge, or in a drawer for safekeeping with Crayola crayons.

Crayola is celebrating the original 8’s 110th birthday by giving away a three-night, all-expenses paid trip to Easton, PA, the residence of The Crayola Experience. You can enter to win on their Facebook Page.

The Crayola Experience opens on Memorial weekend, May 24th.

 

What memories do you have with Crayola?

 

Disclosure:

The above information was provided to TheOliveParent by Crayola. For further information, please go to www.facebook.com/Crayola

Living More Consciously: The Safer Chemicals Act and a 3 Month Subscription Conscious Box Giveaway

Our earth, homes, shelves and bodies have been impacted by the use of chemicals found in daily environment. Many us from all walks of life share in the concerns of what these chemicals do to our lives and those whom we love dearly. We all understand there is a problem. Common chemicals found in products are minimally regulated for use and lack information and research. Many manufacturers use them with little restriction in the products that they sell. Moreover, transparency in these settings are not forthcoming to consumers who desire to understand the nature of the ingredients in the products that they purchase.

The wonderful news is the Safer Chemicals Act (S. 847) led by Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and 29 senators introduced this legislation to the Senate on April 14th.

The legislation would require:

• The chemical industry to develop and provide information of their chemicals to remain on the market.
• The EPA to take immediate action on the worst chemicals.
• TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act, passed in 1976) Reform

The Act would also encourage

• Protection to our health by using the best science. In particular, “sub-populations” such as pregnant women and children and those who reside near “hot spots”
• Health and safety information on chemicals to be made available to the public
• The EPA to identify “hot spots” and take immediate action to reduce chemical exposure in those communities
• Innovation that lead to new, safer chemicals with rewards
• American manufacturers to compete in a world that wants safer chemicals and products. Because so little information is provided on a chemical, many companies are forced to choose between a chemical with known hazards and alternative chemicals whose safety is unknown.

You can lend your support by writing to your senators and asking them to co-sponsor the bill. You can find the list of senators who are currently co-sponsoring here.

The Wikipedia definition of conscious is to be aware of, responding to one’s surroundings; awake. Just as the Safer Chemicals act demonstrates our awakening awareness of how chemicals are impacting our environment and bodies, Conscious Box, a monthly subscription service is dedicated to promoting conscious products.

Conscious Box finds “inspirational, purpose-driven businesses that make a difference through their products” and delivers them to your doorstep each month. Green-washing is so prevalent and misleading nowadays that marketing research shows that many consumers do not trust products that are labeled “organic”.

Conscious box provides a positive service to those who desire to incorporate a more natural lifestyle. I really relate to the Conscious box philosophy, like myself, they also believe that our dollars shape our society. When we spend money on certain products we’re supporting the process and the company behind it. I will go as far as to say that how we spend our money is just as important as voting in the polls when selecting our government officials. In a capitalistic society, this reasoning makes sense, at least to me, when the demand affects what is supplied. We can consciously ask ourselves what are we actually demanding? While Conscious box provides support during this discovery, I strongly believe that we, as consumers should do as much independent research as we can to protect ourselves from deceptive marketing practices.

I’ll bet you’re wondering….

Every month is a surprise! You’ll discover new products from new companies. Some months offer thematic products. You’ll also find coupons for some of the products in the box. Here’s what I received….

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVED Dale’s Raw Protein Bar! So delicious and yummy! Now for the fun part….TheOliveParent is giving away a 3 month subscription to the Conscious Box! That’s a $60.00 value! For three months you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of eco-conscious products to discover.

You can go a more direct route and subscribe to the Conscious Box yourself…here’s how cool Conscious Box is…they are giving one box away for free, you’ll only pay for shipping and handling. Use this code: SECRETCODE to receive your box. Available to readers of TheOliveParent! Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more to keep up with the latest on TOP. You’ll find the social media icons on the side bar.

 

 

 

 

Entry in the giveaway is super easy! Leave a comment and tell me how you plan to live more consciously with Conscious Box’s subscription. Or tell me what you think of the Safer Chemicals Act. Complete as many entries as possible to increase your chances of winning. The giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older. The giveaway ends the 15th of May at 11:00 PM CST. Entry into the giveaway indicates you understand it’s terms and conditions.

Disclaimer:

This giveaway is sponsored by Conscious Box and is hosted by TheOliveParent. Conscious Box or TheOliveParent have no affiliations or agreement with SaferChemicals.org or HealthyStuff.org. More information about the Safer Chemicals Act can be found here. This post contains affiliate links.

 

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CCOF-Certified Beach Organics’ Natural #Organic Deodorant , Behind-the-Scenes Pictures, and a $50.00 Certificate!

Prior to composing this post I was under the distinct impression that I was doing the right thing by using a Crystal Stick deodorant to avoid Aluminum. I’ve been constantly on the look out for deodorants that I could use for myself and introduce to my family. I’ve purchased one or two “natural” deodorants, but quickly realized after the fact, that they were not natural as advertised. Even more, these, well-known products were not owned by small, socially responsible companies, but purchased in secret by corporations who have a history of selling socially irresponsible products. It has been disappointing to say the least.

However, researching for this post has brought new information to light. If you’ve been a Crystal Stick deodorant user such as I have, you may want to reconsider using it as a part of your daily personal care regimen. Dr. Mercola warns…

“The aluminum in crystal deodorant stones is a different type of compound known as an alum, the most common form being potassium alum, also known as potassium aluminum sulfate.

Potassium Alum or Ammonium Alum are natural mineral salts made up of molecules that are too large to be absorbed by your skin. They form a protective layer on your skin that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. These deodorants are recommended by many cancer treatment centers.

But while this may be a better alternative to most antiperspirants and deodorants on the market, it is not completely aluminum-free.”

I’ve made up my mind to ditch my Crystal deodorant stick. I’m just so thankful to have been introduced to a wonderful product that I can replace it with. I will share the deets later on in the post, but first a bit of information…

It’s important to distinguish that deodorant and antiperspirant are not same. A deodorant, contains odor-control ingredients that do not prevent perspiration, while antiperspirant contains ingredients, namely Aluminum, among many synthetic ingredients, that prevents perspiration.

Aluminum-based compounds are the active ingredients in antiperspirants. The compounds create a temporary “plug” in the sweat duct that prevents the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface. Some research suggests that these compounds cause estrogen-like hormones and are linked to cancer.

The issue with this is not just the toxicity of the ingredient, but the prevention of detoxifying proposes a double-whammy to the most porous, absorbable part of your body.

I’ve now come to the conclusion that the only way to ensure your deodorant is toxin-free is to look for a third-party certification label such as USDA Organic to avoid misleading marketing tactics.

Beach Organics’ Lemongrass Deodorant is undoubtedly, the best ALL natural, deodorant I’ve used. With just a swipe or two, I’ve experienced all day freshness. The scent is so lovely, I would simply uncap the deodorant just to take a deep sniff though-out the day! Additionally, there’s no stinging when applied to freshly shaven skin. I found it to be more of a balm, soothing and softening in this stead.

 

Beach Organics is a woman-owned, private company. They create a luxurious line of certified organic skin care products that include soap, shampoos, body butters and lots more. They also have shampoos and sprays for pets. The products are hand-made, in small batches, in a state of the art facility, which was certified by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers Organization) as being compliant with USDA Organic requirements in 2011. The skin care line, namely their deodorants were designed with the intent of reducing women’s exposure to toxic estrogenic chemicals. As a fellow advocate for women’s empowerment, I absolutely heart their mission. They also contribute to charitable causes such as the Breast Friends of Brevard and Serene Harbor Women’s Shelter in donations and time.

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of Beach Organics hard at work.

On the left, Robin at Beach Organics is cutting soap. The soap starts out as a 25 pound block, seen on the table to her right. Also visible is the curing rack in the foreground of the picture. The picture on the right shows Robin joined by Flo, cutting the soap that is soon to be cured.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had the pleasure of communicating with Beach Organics’, Certified Soap-Maker, Kelly, who was generous enough to send me a variety of her own creations to sample.

In addition to the deodorants, Lemongrass and Lemon Lavender, I received two of their best selling blends, Costal Breeze & First Light soaps, Coastal Breeze Body Spray, Tangerine Lip balm and a bottle of First Light lotion.

 

 

 

 

The Coastal Breeze soap comes out on top for me. It has everything I look for in a soap.

• Moisturization
• Scent
• Loads of lather from small amounts of soap
• Effective at cleansing.

This soap has it all…and then, a surprising element. I LOVE a soap that gives me value for my money. This soap is a one-and-done deal. The lather is plentiful. You only need to wash up once.  The surprising element for me was how I felt afterward. Yes, my skin was smooth, moist and supple, but I actually felt relaxed. Kelly shared with me that the Coastal Breeze blend is made up of lemongrass, bergamot, geranium and clary sage. Lemongrass tones skin and muscle, while Bergamot relaxes muscles and reduce feelings of pain. I was amazed at how relaxed I felt afterwards. With seven children and a busy schedule, this is the closest I’ve come to “spa-ing” everyday. I eagerly look forward to the morning when I can jump in the shower! I’ve dubbed the Coastal Breeze blend, “spa in a bar”. While lavender is one of my favorite scents, I gravitate towards Coastal Breeze for it’s sheer ability to provide a calming start to a busy day! The First Light (Lavender) soap provides a similar experience, but isn’t as muscle-relaxing as it’s counterpart. The scent is thrilling and light and would work well for anyone who loves a light, herbal lavender scent.

For years I’ve used body sprays and have given them up due to the synthetics they contained, so I was THRILLED to receive a bottle of Coastal Breeze body spray. It is simply made up of the purest water and the Coastal Breeze blend. I’ve had the bottle for two weeks now and it’s practically gone!

Their organic lip balm is very light, non-greasy and quickly absorbable. They’re created with some of my favorite emollients; Shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil and aloe butter. The tangerine flavor I received was yummy and light. Here are some “behind-the-scenes” photos of balms waiting to be labeled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Giveaway!

Beach Organics was kind enough to offer one of my readers a $50.00 Gift Certificate!

Entry is easy! Go to www.beachorganicsskincare.com and tell me which products you would use your $50.00 certificate on, should you win of course, and “Plus One” TheOliveParent on the side bar. Complete as many entries in the Giveaway Tools application as possible to increase your chances of winning. This giveaway is open to US residents only, 18 years of age or older. The giveaway ends May 1st, 2013, 11:00 PM CST . Entry into the giveaway implies your consent to its terms and conditions.

Disclaimer:

All information and products presented in this post has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any diseases.

 

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