This is why they call it the Green Springs

This beautiful spring a mere 100 yards from my house is why they call the area in which I live the Green Springs. There are many such springs in the area. We drink from this spring and the water tastes like water should taste, pure and fresh. Whenever I need to get away from it all this is where you will find me.
In the next post I will show you our majestic old growth Ponderosa Pine, guardian of the spring. The area around the spring teams with herbs and flowers that I gather to use in my products. If I am lucky I can find violets hidden among the nutrient rich soil. Oregon grape, plantain and wild strawberries are plentiful.

Well I better get over to the spring, today I am making bamboo soap. As I draw water from our spring to use in the soap, I will give thanks to her and bless the herbs that I have gathered.
I also say a blessing every time I make one of my organic potions, lotions or creams. I feel it brings me and the person receiving it luck.

If you are ever in Oregon, head up Hwy. 66 to the Green Springs, the area is so special, President Clinton protected it and it is called the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument. Our land is within the boundaries and will be protected for future generations. The hub of the community is the Green Springs Inn, check it out, great food and good prices. Happy Spring!!

Article by Kayla Fioravanti owner of Essential Wholesale

The Word is Spreading, Avoid Phthalates!

I’ve been preaching about the negative side effects of fragrance oils and phthalates for some time now. But for many people the message is just hitting home today with the release a study in the February edition of Pediatrics.

The study's lead author, Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a University of Washington pediatrician, has finally brought the issue of the dangers of phthalates to the main stream media. The study as been reported all day on the news networks like the Fox News, ABC, and the Washington Post. Even the critics are talking about the study at the PR Newswire.

Phthalates are used in the cosmetic industry as fixatives to hold fragrances. Most fragrance oils on the market contain phthalates in order to insure that the scent will linger on the skin and clothes longer. We are exposed to phthalates everyday. Phthalates are found in most commercial fragrances that are not 100% pure unadulterated essential oils. Your family is exposed to phthalates in: commercial air fresheners, plug-in air fresheners, laundry and household products, baby products, perfumes, cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, shower gels and much more. In order to avoid phthalates you must avoid adding fragrance oils to your products or purchase phthalate-free fragrances.

Some believe we should wait for more studies to come out to determine the exact extent of the dangers of phthalates. I believe consumers have learned their lesson with waiting for more studies to prove the dangers in the case of cigarettes. Why risk waiting for more studies when the only purpose to use phthalates in cosmetics is as a fixative or adhesive for fragrance? Babies don’t need to smell like their lotion, shampoo, diaper ointment or laundry soap all day long, and neither do we. All companies should demand the removal of phthalates from fragrance chemicals or switch to unadulterated essential oils. Despite significant evidence from many studies, Stephanie Kwisnek, a spokeswoman for the Food and Drug Administration, said that the FDA "has no compelling evidence that phthalates pose a safety risk when used in cosmetics. Should new data emerge, we will inform the public as well as the industry." (Associated Press)

Consumers have the power to change the cosmetic industry as proven by the public outcry for paraben-free products, which did transform the industry from the outside in. In the coming months I expect that consumers will become more educated on this subject and demand “phthalate free” products. This will not only change the way consumers read baby product labels, but how they look at all cosmetic, personal care and household product labels. With a peek into the mysterious ingredients hidden behind the term “fragrance oils”, consumers will wonder what other ingredients are going undisclosed. Now is the time to transition your product line to be either “fragrance free” or scented with only 100% pure unadulterated essential oils.

At Green Springs Body Works we have always avoided using fragrance oils. They happen to give me a headache and do not smell real to me. Essential oils can actually get rid of a headache. Try lavender, eucalyptus and mint. You can either inhale them or put a few drops in a carrier oil and rub into your temples.

We use only pure therapeutic essential oils to scent our products, scent with herbs, or make unscented products for those who prefer not to have any scent. Check out our website www.greensprings0.etsy.com for our Aromatic Intentions. Great for stress relief!

These tubes are 100% recycled plastic

We use 100% recycled plastic for our lip balm tubes. Purchase any item over $15.00 at:
www.greensprings0.etsy.com and get a free Citrus Bliss Organic Lip Balm. Offer ends at midnight Dec. 24 2008.
ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am so thankful for this beautiful sunset, taken right out my front door!
I am thankful for having a loving, healthy, happy family!
I am thankful for having a growing organic business that is my passion!
I am thankful for our wonderful new president! ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE

Green Springs Home Spa Recipe

Fall is a great time to treat yourself to a herbal bath. Herbal baths ease the stresses of daily life, heals, refreshes and purifies the body. Gather up fragrant rose petals, fresh is best but dried is fine, hollyhock, calendula or marigold, hibiscus, basil, rue, lavender, St. John's wort, yarrow, lemon balm, and sage are all excellent choices. Collect your plants with intention and prayer.

Add the herbs to a large pot containing 1 to 2 gallons of hot water. Use 1 -2 quarts of fresh herbs, or 1-2 cups of dried herbs. Crush the herbs with both hands into the water as you offer your prayers or thanks to the plants. Once the water has cooled a bit place your feet in the water to soak.

Next draw a warm bath, light some incense and candles and spray the room with our AROMATIC INTENTIONS. Enter the tub and slowly pour the herbal bath water over yourself. Pour any remaining liquid over your head. Rest, meditate, and be with yourself in this healing way.

Finish by massaging your body using our creamy ORGANIC GOAT'S MILK SOAP, your skin will feel silky soft.

AND THE WINNER IS:

Smooshian (Sarah) was the winner of the Etsylovesfeedback drawing for the fab FACE FOOD SET.
She chose the Rose Face Food Set (excellent choice) and it is on the way.
Etsylovesfeedback received a record number of comments about the giveaway and I enjoyed reading each and every one of them. We are looking forward to more giveaways so keep checking here.

FABULOUS ORGANIC FACE FOOD DRAWING

Hurry over to Love Etsy Feedback http://loveetsyfeedback.blogspot.com/2008/08/feature-44.html

and enter to win our fabulous organic FACE FOOD SET in either rose or lavender. I am also doing a special promotion for a free lip balm with every order, details are listed there.