DIY: ginger & epsom salt detox bath

Here's a great idea  for anyone who loves SWEATING it out in hot baths, saunas, massages and hot yoga.  This natural detox bath is super simple and rids the body of toxins through your skin.  Here's the breakdown:

Epsom Salt (magnesium sulphate):

- eases stress and relaxes the body

- relieves pain and muscle cramps

- aids muscle and nerve function

- relieves constipation

- eliminates toxins from the body

Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate): 

- balances an over acidic system

- leaves skin soft

- aids the body in magnesium absorption

Ginger: powder or fresh grated

- "heats" the body

- increases circulation

- opens pores for release of toxins

You may feel your heartbeat getting strong.  TOO HOT TO HANDLE? ... run some cold water to cool down.  Sit back and relax for 20 min or so (no more than 30). 

Take it easy when you get out - your body has been working hard and you may be lightheaded.  No lotions or serums tonight, as your body will continue to detox and sweat for a few hours even after the bath.

Make sure to hydrate with TONS of water - you will be thirsty as heck.  You may feel lightheaded when waking as well (possibly even flu-y) - but this is a good sign of releasing those toxins.  Continue to drInk that water!

P.S. This detox can be a powerful one - do not take it if pregnant or have heart or health issues.

Homemade Calendula Oil

Calendula has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, antifungal, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties making it useful for disinfecting and treating minor wounds, conjunctivitis, cuts, scrapes, chapped or chafed skin, bruises, burns, athlete’s foot, acne, yeast infections, bee stings, diaper rashes, and other minor irritations and infections of the skin.

Reading this, I’m left to wonder: What can’t calendula do? So let's get started and make some lovely calendula infused oil. This oil can be used after you shower , in your bath or maybe as an additional oils to your creams

What you will need:
dried calendula petals
carrier oil (olive oil, almond oil, or sunflower oil are all great choices)
a clean, glass jar with a lid

How to infuse the oil:

There are two different methods to infuse your oil with the healing properties of calendula. We'll look at the two different methods below and talk about the pros and cons to each method.

• 1. Cold Infusion Method

This is usually the preferred method, because it protects the delicate calendula from being damaged by heat.

Steps for the cold infusion method are as follows:
Put your desired amount of dried calendula petals in your clean, dry glass jar.
Fill the jar with your carrier oil of choice to cover the petals by one inch.
Put in a sunny place to infuse for 4 weeks.
Drain the petals from the oil and store your oil in a container with a lid for up to one year.

That's it! Very simple and straightforward. The only downside to this method is that it takes 4 weeks to get your finished oil. If you are in a hurry then you might need to use this next method.

• 2. Hot Infusion Method

This method is much quicker then the cold infusion method, but it won't have quite the same strength because of the heat that it is subjected to. Don't worry though! It will still have healing properties, just not to the same extent as the cold infused oil.

Steps for the hot infusion method are as follows:
Put your desired amount of dried calendula petals in your clean, dry glass jar.
Fill the jar with your carrier oil of choice to cover the petals by one inch.
Dump the entire contents of your jar (the petals and the oil) in a small saucepan or slow cooker. Heat on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Let cool. Drain the petals from the oil and store your oil in a container with a lid for up to one year.

A Father's Day without Toxic chemicals

Father’s Day is right around the corner. Great dads deserve great presents, but trust us: You love your dad too much to buy cologne made
with cancer-causing chemicals.

                                                                                                    



The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has investigated common chemicals found in men’s products and we provide tips how to detoxify any guy’s bathroom cabinet. We can also point you to companies that make men’s products without harmful chemicals. Men’s cologne makes an appearance on many Father’s Day gift lists. But giving your dad a fragrance is like spraying him with nasty chemicals that could hurt his health. And what kind of present is that?

It’s not just colognes that are made from problematic chemicals. Men’s hair color, shampoos, and anything with a fragrance may contain chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other chronic health problems. More than 1 in 5 personal care products contain chemicals linked to cancer.

Testing by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found a range of hidden harmful chemicals in men's cologn and body sprays. You won’t find them on the label because fragrance chemicals, which disrupt hormones, are given special protected status as trade secrets.

For a healthy Father’s Day, get your dad a present that won’t make him sick. Kids can make a great do-it-yourself chocolate facial that dad can eat after exfoliating! Or maybe they’d rather try a soothing homemade balm to protect dad’s hands after gardening or working around the house?
(Get your raw materials from HERE )

Some of the chemicals of concern in most commercial men’s products include:

Triclosan: This toxic pesticide can be found in antiperspirant, shaving cream and aftershave.
Coal tar: Take a look at your dandruff shampoo and you might find this known human carcinogen, which has been banned or found unsafe for use in Canada and the European Union.
Formaldehyde: found in shampoos and body washes, this probable carcinogen and known allergen can trigger skin rashes and allergic reactions.

Father’s Day is an excellent time to tell your dad (or husband, brother, or son) that he’s beautiful without covering his skin with toxic chemicals!

This post has been extracted from GroovyGreenLiving.com

Sexy Toxic Lips

Extracted from dailymail.com

Teenagers' favorite lipsticks are 'laced with toxic metals': Popular colors and glosses 'contain substances linked to cancer'

Women are exposing themselves to potentially dangerous levels of chromium

The chemical can cause lung cancer and has been linked to stomach cancer
By FIONA MACRAE

Many popular lipsticks and glosses are laced with toxic metals, a study found.

Use of some of the cosmetics could lead to girls and women unwittingly exposing themselves to potentially dangerous levels of chromium – a chemical that can cause lung cancer and has been linked to stomach cancer.


The researchers also warned those who frequently applied some of colours and glosses could take in ‘troubling’ amounts of aluminium and manganese

Some studies have linked aluminium to Alzheimer’s disease, while there are concerns that manganese can cause mood swings and problems with memory and co-ordination.

The 32 products tested were bought in the US and chosen because they were popular with teenage girls.

The brands have not been disclosed but they are described as being ‘very common’ and widely available in chemists and department stories.

The cheapest cost £3.50 and the most expensive £15.50.

The trade body for the cosmetics industry in the UK said that EU laws prohibit the inclusion of many of these chemicals.

However, red and green dyes based on chromium are permitted.

The study’s authors said that their results shouldn’t be a great cause for alarm amongst women and girls. However, they should act as a wake-up call for health regulators.

The researchers, from the University of California, Berkeley, began by asking a group of girls and young women which lipsticks and glosses they had in their bags and which were in their bathrooms at home.
The researchers then bought the products and analysed their chemical content.

They then factored in whether the levels found were enough to cause a concern to health.
They found that average daily use – two to three applications a day – led to a potentially dangerous intake of chromium in ten of the 32 lipsticks and glosses.

High use – around eight applications a day – could lead women and girls being exposed to too much aluminium and manganese, the journal Environmental Health Perspectives reports.

The researchers warned that once applied, the colours and glosses and their contents, are ingested ‘bit by bit’ by the wearer.

Researcher Katharine Hammond said: ‘Just finding these metals isn’t the issue; it’s the levels that matter.

‘Some of these toxic metals are occurring at levels that could possibly have an effect on long-term health.’

Levels of lead did not prove to be a cause for concern – expect perhaps for children who might use their mother’s make-up when playing dressing up games.

In an earlier study, also carried out in the U.S., traces of lead were found in hundreds of different lipsticks, including some made by L’Oreal, Maybelline and Revlon.

Professor Hammond said that although the number of products tested was small, the findings are important.

She said: ‘The lipsticks and lip glosses in our study are common brands available in stores everywhere.

‘Based on our finding, a larger, more thorough survey of lip products and cosmetics in general is warranted.’

Elizabeth Salter Green, director of UK-based campaign group CHEM Trust said there are particular concerns about the health effect of such chemicals on young women who may become pregnant.

She added: ‘The worrying levels of metal in US lipstick should be a wake-up call to all areas of the world, including the EU, and they ought to be removed.

‘There needs to be improved testing for not only the individual chemicals themselves, but also what effects the “whole cocktail” of our exposure to harmful metals and chemicals may be.’

Chris Flower, of the trade body, the Cosmetics, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, said that a big brands will sometimes, but not always, use the same the product recipe around the world.

He said that the US researchers were taking a ‘very conservative approach’ and their concerns are already covered by EU legislation.

The Soapylicious Summer School

Summer is round the corner!... Kids get bored and restless doing nothing... so how about a summer school with a difference?! At SoapCafe` we are organizing a 6 week (once a week) session of soapmaking fun! These sessions will be divided in 2 groups;  Wednesday: Kids between the age of 5- 8 Thursday: Kids between the age of 9-12 Kids get to learn science and explore their creative side in a relaxed and safe environment . We will make fun bath bombs, creative soap, perfumes and more... **Classes will be limited to just 6 children per class** Time: 11:00am till 12.30pm Price : 85 Euro per child (for 6 sessions) Classes will START on the 10th and 11th of July  and FINISH on the 7th and 8th of August Each student will get a certificate of attendance at the end of the school :) BOOKING IN ADVANCE IS ADVISABLE. Contact us on info@soapcafemalta.com or phone on 99883675

Dinosaur sensory erupting mud science

Special thanks to ''MOMMA'S FUN WORLD'' blog for such great kids craft :)

Sensory play is a great way for kids to explore and have pretend play.

Putting together this fun science dinosaur play with 'erupting mud' for the kids is not only a science twist but using the squirt bottle was a great fine motor skill when adding the vinegar to the erupting mud.

Materials in the sensory bin:

Oatmeal

Baking soda

Instant coffee mix

Dinosaurs

Rocks

Vinegar in squirt Bottle