Earth Friendly Shopping

Spring is here, and summer is coming, and for a lot of the country, that means BUGS – yuck, we hate bugs, but we also hate toxic bug repellants filled with nasty chemicals like DEET.   (N,N-DIETHYL-M-TOLUAMIDE)

 The Environmental Working Group gives DEET a concern level of 6 (moderate) and a data gap level of 67%.  Among other issues, DEET has been shown to cause skin irritation, and studies have raised concerns that DEET is a carcinogen, neuro toxin, and posible reproductive toxicity effects.    There are serious concerns about DEET,  and a lot that just isn’t known.

Bottom line, DEET  is a poison, and do you really want poison put on your skin? 

That’s why we are so pleased to find a great, non-toxic bug repellant from California Baby.  The active ingredients in this terrific, non-toxic spray are lemon eucalyptus and citronella. 

In two recent scientific publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the USA, it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET. 

 This bug spray repels fleas, mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies. As a natural alternative to toxic chemical bug repellents such as DEET, California Baby uses traditionally recommended essential oils that are safe, gentle and effective. California Baby’s non-toxic proprietary formula contains citronella, lemongrass, cedarwood and other natural oils known for their safe bug repellent properties.

Easter is a wonderful time of year.  The sun is starting to come out,  the days are getting warmer, and, it is another excuse to eat chocolate!.

This year, we have found some wonderful organic and vegan easter chocolate at Kate’s Caring Gifts.

Let’s start with the yummy and oh sooooo cute organic and fair trade  Milk Chocolate Bunny in a basket.   Thus adorable little milk chocolate basket is filled with an organic chocolate bunny, and organic chocolate eggs.  It is a 100% fair trade certified, and totally delicious.  (and oh they are so tempting – how long can those ears last?)

And they also have easter fun for Vegans, with this yummy organic Vegan Chocolate bunny in a basket, and organic, vegan chocolate Easter eggs.

Summertime is rapidly approaching, and with warmer weather, longer days, and more time outdoors in the sun.  That, of course means the risk of sunburn, and the longer term damage that the sun’s UV A, B, and C rays can cause to your skin.    Synthetic suncreens work by absorbing light, rather than reflecting it.  This can release potentially cancer causing free radicals in your skin, actually doing more harm than good.    The best solution is to use an all natural zinc oxide based sunscreen, such as UV Natural from Australia.  The active ingredient in UV Natural is zinc oxide, the only safe sunblock available.  Besides that, UV natural is brimming with natural, moisturizing oils that protect and heal your skin.

UV Natural Broad Spectrum is 100% Vegan, and available in 5.29 oz packages.

UV Natural Baby Sunscreen is safe for babies under 6 months old.

UV Natural Sport  is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast, providing up to 4 hours of water or sweat resistance. 

UV Natural Sunscreen was rated number 1 by the Environmental Working Group for both Safety and efficacy