Tag Archives: all natural

Just Label It – I Dare You!

Posted on by Greenplicity
07 Mar

Do labels really matter?  To date there are over 80,000 different unregulated chemicals in the US that are being put in our food, lotions, shampoos, laundry detergent and more.  The list is never ending, so I ask you again do labels really matter?  It’s important that you know what you are putting in your body as well as on your body.  As a rule of thumb I always read the labels to know what I’m giving to my family.  Reading the labels has never been more important than it is today.  Most companies figure if they can slap a label on their products they are in the clear.  What do all of these labels mean?  We want to help you cut through the clutter.  We’ve done the homework to find out what some of the top certifications are and what they truly mean.  Here is some insight into the most commonly trusted labels:

 

Certified USDA Organic: The USDA certification is one of the most popular seals.  This seal ensures that the entire product contains 95% or more of certified organic contents.  What that means is there is an enforced commitment from start to finish to make sure the product being produced is clean.  No usage of GMOs, no hormones or antibiotics, better soil quality and reduced exposure to synthetic pesticides.

Gluten Free Certified: The GFCO (Gluten-Free Certification Organization) is the top gluten-free certification in the world.  The GFCO stand for independent verification of quality, integrity and purity of products meeting the strict gluten-free standards.

Vegan Certified: The “Certified Vegan” logo is one of the easiest to recognize.  The Vegan Action trademarked logo stands for products that don’t contain animal products or byproducts.  They also ensure that the products have not been tested on animals.

Non-GMO Project Verified: The Non-GMO project uses best practices for GMO avoidance.  They focus on ongoing testing and reviews of potential at-risk ingredients, ingredient integrity and annual manufacturing facility audits and onsite inspections.

Certified B Corporation: One of the most prestigious certifications awarded to only the most outstanding companies that use the power of business to solve environmental and social problems.  These companies also work to meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

Kosher Certified: Kosher certification is a process by which a company ensures their food is fit for consumption by observant Jews who practice a religious dietary protocol rooted in biblical tradition.

LEED Certified: LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices to ensure a green building and a healthy work environment.

 

In short certifications matter; some companies are really trying to do the right thing.  If you see any of the above seals on products you can trust what you are buying.  As a mother and a wife it’s never been more important to me to do my homework and educate myself about what I’m giving to my family.  Next time you’re shopping look at the back of the label, see if you know what some of the ingredients are.  You’re a rockstar if you know 50% of what’s in there.  A good rule to follow is the longer the list of ingredients the more toxic, look for products that have a short list, the smaller the list the better.  If you have any other tips leave them below, we’d love to hear them.

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest.  Have a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Skincare Survival 101

Posted on by Greenplicity
17 Nov

Dry skin here, dry skin there, dry skin everywhere! Here at Greenplicity skincare is our thing! We’re bringing the spa to you with today’s blog post, so get ready to pamper yourself. The winter months not only bring harsh weather but some serious wear and tear on your skin. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to care for the skin you’re in, especially at this time of year. Today we’ve got you covered from head to toe, literally. We advocate using food grade ingredients and this pumpkin mask is no different. One of our mottos is “Food for the Skin” and this pumpkin mask is a very fitting treat for the skin (try not to eat it)!

Head-to-Toe Pumpkin Mask

**Yields 2 Body Masks

1 can of pumpkin
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon fresh grated orange zest
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup raw turbinado sugar

What you will need: Knife, cutting board, spoon, fork, measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, storage container

To Make: Cook the oatmeal following the directions on the package. Once cooked place the cooked oatmeal in the refrigerator to cool. Allow to cool completely. In a medium size bowl use a fork to blend together the oatmeal, cinnamon, and olive oil. Let stand for 10-15 minutes and begin preparing the other fresh ingredients. In a separate bowl combine the canned pumpkin, grated ginger, orang zest, and orange juice. Stir to a uniform consistency before combining the two bowls. Once bowls have been combined add the sugar and blend well. Store in the refrigerator. The mask will keep for a few days but it is best to use when it is fresh.

To Use: Take a quick shower or long soak in the tub to soften your skin and remove surface dirt. Towel dry and apply a generous layer of mask over the entire body. Sit on your towel and let the mask work it’s magic for 15 minutes and then apply to the face for 3-7 minutes. Hop in the shower and rinse. Use a mild body wash and then moisturize with your favorite body butter or lotion. If you don’t have one you can find skincare goodies at www.greenplicity.com

Enjoy and make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest for more great ideas!

Skincare Chic: Beautiful Skin Year Round!

Posted on by Greenplicity
01 Sep

It’s hard to believe September is almost here! I’m sitting here wondering where my summer went. Most kids are back in school now and the fall is quickly approaching us. The fall is actually one of my favorite seasons of the year. I can start wearing boots and sweaters which I absolutely love. There are so many things to love about the fall including Thanksgiving, pumpkin flavored everything, and all the yummy food! The one thing I hate about the weather changing and getting colder is the effect it has on my skin. I find that during the colder months like most people my skin tends to dry out a lot faster.

Over the years I’ve educated myself on skincare and the importance of taking great care of the skin we’re in. After all it’s the only skin we’ll ever have so we better take care of it. If you didn’t already know (which I’m sure you did) your skin is the body’s largest organ. Your skin absorbs a whopping 60% of whatever you put on it, which is why Greenplicity products are made from food grade ingredients. Your skin is eating whatever you put on it; so if you can’t put it in your mouth you shouldn’t be putting it on your skin either. One of my favorite mantras in reference to my skin is “Be good to it and it will be good to you”.

In honor of this mantra and prepping for the cooler temperatures I want to share a couple of my favorite skin care recipes to keep your skin looking great all year long. You’ll find that all the ingredients used are food grade and probably already in your refrigerator/pantry. Make sure you keep these recipes handy because you may need them sooner than later.

Coco-Superfruit Mask (Helps to nourish, soothe and repair skin cells)

• 1 Strawberry
• 2 Blueberries
• 1 Raspberry
• ½ teaspoon raw honey
• 1 teaspoon coconut flour

What you will need: small mixing bowl and a fork

Place the berries in the bowl and mash with the fork. Stir in the honey. Add the coconut flour a little at a time, stirring until you have a thin, spreadable paste. **Note coconut flour is highly absorbent, start with a teaspoon and add more as needed, up to 3 teaspoons. Use immediately as this mask does not store well. Spread a thick layer of the mask onto clean skin. Leave the mask on 15-25 minutes then rinse away with warm water.

Citrus Blast Scrub (Awakens the senses and boosts the skins elasticity!)

• Zest of ½ lemon
• Zest of ½ lime
• Zest of ½ orange
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange juice
• 1 cup sea salt
• ¼ cup grapeseed oil

What you will need: grater, cutting board, knife, mixing bowl, measuring cups, and jar with lid to fit 11oz of scrub.

Wash your fruit thoroughly. Leave the fruit whole while removing the zest. Place the zest and juices into a bowl. Add the sea salt and grapeseed oil and blend the ingredients together with a fork until you have a uniform consistency. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Use the scrub in place of soap or body wash. Massage in small circles all over starting at the legs and working your way up the body. When finished rinse well.

Now that I’ve shared please share with us. Go to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/greenplicity) and let us know what you think! Post pics of your finished products and tell us how the mask and scrub turn out. As always if you know someone that could benefit from these skin care recipes please pass them along. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest to keep up on all the latest!

**Recipes are compliments of Jessica Ress author of 100 Organic Skincare Recipes**

Eat It Up, Baby: ‘Edible’ Lotion Rubs Little Ones the Right Way

Posted on by Greenplicity

A way to go green that’s good for the little ones.
by Todd Richissin, Del Ray Patch

The dilemma: Baby needs some lotion but lotion gets on baby’s hands and baby likes to put hands in mouth.

The answer: Greenplicity.

Greenplicity for children is the brainchild of Shanika McCloud, who started the product line after seeing a need for loving lotions that wouldn’t hurt kids if they ate it, licked it, bit it or decided to spread it on crackers and chomp it down.

“After realizing that everything I put on my daughter’s skin was going in her mouth, I searched for a product line that would be safe if she ate some of it,” McLoud Says. “Finding none, I decided to create one myself.”

A Show of Hands in Del Ray carries the product, and it’s available and online from $4.75.

“It sells itself,” says Pat Miller, an owner of A Show of Hands. “It walks right out the door. It’s one of those things you explain what it is, and they just pick it up and buy it.”

McLoud uses all-natural, food-grade ingredients so anytime a baby sucks her hands or a thumbsucking toddler needs some lotion love, or a 4-year-old bites her nails to the cuticles, Mom, Dad or whoever can use Greenplicity without fear that it will make the child sick.

There are two products currently on the market, and a few more that will be released later this year.

The Lotion Bar is a coco-citrus scented moisturizer designed to soothe and restore skin. The beeswax helps to naturally seal in moisture twice as long as water-based moisturizers keeping the skin moisturized for a longer period of time. It’s also available in a nut-free version.

The Body Butter is a replenishing lotion that naturally nourishes the skin with a mixture of essential oils blended to soothe and soften at the same time. It’s available in Lavender or Palmarosa scents.

“Using all-natural, and food-grade ingredients lets me create a safe and gentle product for kid’s skin — and tummys! — while being kind to the environment they’ll grow up in,” McLoud says.

originally posted April 1, 2014 at
http://delray.patch.com/groups/going-green/p/edible-baby-lotion-rubs-little-ones-the-right-way