The Greenridge Herbal Thymes

Oh la la! Raw Shea Butter

Ten years ago when I first started my biz, I remember people asking how to pronounce Shea Butter. I've heard them all!!! :-)
Now, everyone is mostly familiar with this incredible ingredient's benefits and how to pronounce it, but not everyone is familiar with the differences of the types of Shea Butter out there.
Recently I have come across an amazing Shea Butter, the most incredible one I have ever used, which is imported directly from Ghana, Africa. This Shea Butter is not refined. Refined Shea Butter is bright white in color, because it has been bleached, heated, and stripped of many of its beneficial properties. Unrefined Shea Butter - which is what we use - is a little off-white in color, and contains high amounts of Vitamins A and E, plus anti-inflammatory agents, and suncreen benefits. It helps to transform the skin to be smoother, more radiant, and softer. It provides benefits for skin that suffers from blemishes, sunburns, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, allergies, irritations, wrinkles, itching, and small skin wounds.
I am so excited to incorporate this new Shea Butter into our formulations I just had to share the news! After searching far a wide, testing out a whole range of various shea butters over the years, I am proud to say I have found the best. Dreamy and soft, this one is a joy to work with. Some of the unrefined shea butters have a strong, unpleasant smell, but this one has a glorious, fresh, feel and natural aroma that just smells almost good enough to eat. You'll especially love a few new products coming out new week with this awesome ingredient, so stay tuned!

FDA Globalization Act of 2008

If you love handmade beauty products, we need your voices to be heard.
The FDA Globalization Act is trying to place unfair regulations and standards on small companies like ourselves. If passed this law would make it impossible for small and family owned businesss to start and compete in the market. It would impose thousands of dollars in yearly fees, and mounds of paperwork where time in small business is already so valuable.
If this happens, the only companies that would be able to compete in the personal care market are the priviledged, well-funded, largest companies in the world. Please watch this video:

Donna Maria, President of the Indie Beauty Network which I am a member of, is spearheading this effort. Donna Maria is a remarkable woman who sets such an amazing example to women of all walks of life. She helps to encourage us as small business owners, moms, and strong women. She is also a lawyer thankfully and knows a lot about the insides and out of this business. She has probably been preparing for this day for a long time because as we all know, big business has a lot of money. They don't like it when little people like us take away from their profits. And small business like us are growing thanks to the internet and the fact that people don't really like to support big business when they can support women-owned family businesses that provide excellent products and personalized customer service. Let's help Donna Maria collect 100,000 signatures. Please pass this link on to as many people as you can. Thank you!

Please sign the petition at this link

Here's the link to more information on this topic

California Files Lawsuit Against Whole Foods, Avalon, and Others Whose Products Tested Positive for Carcinogenic 1,4-Dioxane in OCA Study

The Attorney General of California has filed a lawsuit against a number of natural personal care companies whose products allegedly contain levels of a carcinogenic compound.

Avalon Natural products, which manufactures Alba, Un-petroleum and Avalon Organics brands, has been accused of failing to warn consumers that its products contain 1,4-Dioxane. Under the state's Proposition 65 consumer products should not expose consumers to chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity without giving clear and reasonable warning. Here is the link to the article:
Link to the Press Release
(Thanks to my wonderful California friend A.J. for making me aware of this today!)

Great. Cancer. Reproductive Toxicity. We just wanted to moisturize our skin! Why, I ask, is it necessary to add all these other chemicals?

Yikes! Did you know these products were found at Whole Foods and health food stores across the country? Don't feel relaxed when you walk into a health food store. You need to be aware of what you are buying, even if you are at a "health food store." Now, it's not even safe to read your ingredient labels because you don't know if you can trust what goes into them.

You can be safe with us, as we only list every single ingredient we use. At first, it's a little frightening to give out my handmade recipes that took me years to formulate, I have to admit. But I have found that over the years customers really appreciate knowing what is in the product, because of the vast array of sensitivities.

Did you know that we are a wheat-free/gluten-free company? Yeap, that's right! We don't use any wheat products. There was an ingredient we used to use: wheat germ oil. But, we no longer find it necessary.

This article is just another reason to turn to a small handcrafted skincare company like ourselves that you can trust for your sensitive skincare needs. If you have any question, you can always call me and talk to me over the phone. You can email me too. I'd love to hear from you!

Artificial Fragrances - Not from our Backyards

Looks pretty, right? Well looks can be deceiving! This is a picture that symbolizes the artificial fragrances found in many bodycare and facial care products today.
You know when you go somewhere and you can't even breathe the air because all you can smell is someone's perfume? Most likely it's loaded with chemicals, and these chemicals are not biodegradeable so they permeate the air intensely all around us. I literally start sneezing - I can't help it - and my nose starts running, and all sorts of allergic reactions take place when I'm around people who wear perfume. This is because we don't use any chemicals in our home, or on our bodies. So when I do come into contact with me, my body says "No Way!" Imagine, how so many people live with these chemicals surrounding their every move. Our skin being our largest organ, does absorb whatever you put onto it.
Remember to always read your labels, no matter what you are buying. If it says "fragrance" avoid it at all costs. It's not natural, and never will be. If you want a natural fragrance stick ONLY with essential oils, which are derived from plants. If you see a product that is labelled "aromatherapy" still read the ingredients. There are many products I see all the time which still contain fragrance oils, but the label reflects that the product has have aromatherapy benefits or contains organic ingredients. Not true! Well, it may contain organic ingredients, but how good can they work when they are laced with chemicals?
Be safe, be happy, and read your labels on everything you consume. Always.

The Ultimate Facial Goes Green

Do you miss getting a facial lately because you're afraid of the products they use at the spa? I am!
I so happy to report that I recently found an esthetician I feel comfortable with who will be using my products for a facial! It's not every day I go around asking estheticians if they will use my products for a facial, but I'm sure a lot of them would be open to it. Here's why:
1. They save money from using their own products on you
2. You can tell them you are sensitive to a lot of products and comfortable with only Greenridge
3. You will be introducing them to the idea and concept of going organic green, which is very exciting

Here's what I am bringing with me - the Face Petals Sample Kit, oily blend. It includes everything I will be needing and more for my facial. It comes with: Lemon Tea Tree Toner, Chamomile Rose Facial Creme, Synergy Day Serum, Jojoba Rose Eyemakeup Remover, Face Petals Cleansing Grains, Face Petals Brightening Scrub, Dead Sea Mud Masque, Face Petals Cleanser and Patchouli Organic Soap.

I'll update after with the results! I'm very excited! I hope this prompts you to feel more comfortable approaching an esthetician to do the same.

Leave your Troubles at the Front Door

Years ago, a friend shared this story with me, and I used it in one of my editorial columns when I was working for a magazine. Every time I read it, or think about it, I really benefit.

Here it is...

The Trouble Tree

A young and ambitious man named John hired a carpenter to restore an old house. The carpenter had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup refused to start.

While John drove him home, the carpenter sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited John in to meet his family. As they walked toward the front door, the carpenter paused briefly at a small tree, touching tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked John to the car. They passed the tree and curiosity got the better of John. He asked him about what he'd seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick 'em up, and there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

-author unknown

I hope that if you have had any troubles this week, you will remember to hang them on your "trouble tree" before going inside. If you don't have a trouble tree, maybe you'll find one now.
Have a nice weekend everyone!!!

Shrinking Large Pores

Large pores. It's inevitable, although we all wish it wasn't. We have more than 20,000 pores which help to detoxify our skin. Pores help protect and hydrate skin but can become blocked with dirt, excess oil, or makeup, causing breakouts and the appearance of large pores.

Here are some tips to help keep those large pores under control:
1. Rinse with your facial cleanser using warm water. Then follow with a cold water rinse. You should see results right away!
2. Cleanse. Keep your face clean all day. Cleansing skin more than just in the am and pm routine will help keep skin clean, and prevent clogging of the pores. Keeping your skin and pores clean will help your pores look smaller.
3. Use a masque at least once a week. I recommend the Berries & Roots Enzyme Masque to help draw out impurities from beneath the top layer of the epidermis.
4. Use an exfoliator a few times a week. The Face Petals Brightening Scrub is an excellent exfoliator and can also be used as your daily cleanser. It is very gentle yet effective and can be used daily.Pores help to regulate our skin temperature and remove dirt and impurities.
5. Toning help to gently, but thoroughly clean the pore's surface of oil and dirt. Our toners work naturally with your skin by utilizing botanicals and plant essential oils which help the skin to dissolve dead cells. Keep them clean by utilizing the benefits of natural herbal skincare products. Avoid products filled with artificial ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, ureas, fragrances, and more, which can lead to pores that are imbalanced. These artificial ingredients dry out the skin, telling it to produce more oils, so you are left with a combination of oily and dry skin.

Over the course of time, using nature's own resources to care for our skin will help it to stay in a harmonious balance. It's never too early or too late to eliminate unnecessary un-natural products from your routine. Keeping your skin healthy and clean will help refresh and revitalize not only your skin but will also help to refresh and revitalize your mind and spirit, preparing you for the day's challenges.

Taking the Organic Power Back

Ten years ago when I started my business, I remember the little farmer's market stands I had in both Southern Illinois and Colorado. I loved meeting all the people, and answering their skincare questions, which is how I was able to develop my product line - by listening.
I also remember answering one same question over and over again: What is "organic"?
After explaining the definition of "organic," I always thought to myself, this is definately going to be a popular thing one of these days when people start understanding! At the time, my company was one of the only ones I was aware of that was using almost all certified organic ingredients.
In the last 3 years, the organic industry has grown by leaps and bounds, which is great for my little business. It means that more consumers today are educated, so I don't have to spend as much time educating. It also means that with more awareness, there is much more hope that chemicals can start to be eliminated from our food and drinking water.

The problem I see though, is that there is still a lack of education surrounding organics. People find my company usually online, and are so excited we are organic, that they fail to examine the products more closely. While our company prides itself on not using artificial colors, preservatives, sulfates, ureas, and other nasty chemicals, there are still loads of companies throwing around the word "organic" to make a quick buck, while still harboring the harmful chemicals like parabens, propylene glycol, talc, and more.
So, as a consumer I encourage you to take control of your life, your body, your planet by reading all of the ingredients you consume whether it's food, beauty, or life related. If you can't pronounce it, don't buy it.
We proudly list ALL of our ingredients because we have nothing to hide. Get yourself in the habit of reading ingredients on everything. You will be very surprised what you find! With Greenridge Herbals, you should be happily surprised!

Happy Mother's Day! It's the Thought that Counts...

I have to share something that warmed my heart. Friday, my daughter watched an episode of Dora the Explorer where the kids were making Mother's Day presents, then they celebrated and ate cake. So afterwards I talked with my 3 year old daughter about Mother's Day and if she understood the whole idea. Later on, we were playing outside and she walked up to me with this bucket full of mulch, and said "Happy Mother's Day". Wow!
Not the most beautiful arrangement I'll admit, but incredibly heartwarming nonetheless. This photo is going in my scrapbook!
I hope your Mother's day is filled with joy, peace, and love!

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11th

Mother's Day is just around the corner and we have a wonderful selection of healthy, natural skincare products that any mother would love. Our last ship date for items to arrive before Mother's Day means placing your order by 6pm Wednesday, May 7th. This gives up time to prepare and pack up your items and ship them out on Thursday.
Please think of us for all your Mother's Day gifting needs!