"If I make one tiny positive change today, I consider myself green. It can be as simple as flicking off a light switch or buying an organic
apple. My motto is one change makes a difference, and if you can make
tow, that's even better!" Sophie Uliano, Gorgeously Green 8 Simple steps to an Earth-Friendly Life.

The above quote is from a book that I just started reading. I'm so excited! So far I've only read the introduction, but the book looks like an informative and awesome read. The books offers eco-friendly tips in the areas of beauty, home, fitness, style, food, travel, and gardening. So I eagerly await finishing the book and being able to blog about the results.

Natural Hair Color

I've colored my hair on and off since I was 15. My hair was a dirty-dishwater color that I couldn't stand, so I lightened it. Then about 8 years ago I decided to try red. I liked red; it looked good with my skin tone. It made me feel good too, more vibrant.

I made the decision about 2 years ago to use natural products in my hair and stay away from synthetic chemicals as much as I can. After showering there seemed to be tons of hair left in the tub and lots of hair left in my comb after combing my hair. I was getting concerned. I'd seen the older women with thin hair and bald patches. I didn't want that to be me. I switched to a more natural, organic shampoo. (I'd also seen the doctor and had a full blood work-up to rule out thyroid problems or some other medical condition.)

I started using henna on my hair. I loved henna. At first I was turned off by the smell, but I've since gotten used to it. The color is rich and beautiful, plus there's no roots to worry about. I also learned there are more options than just red. There's shades of brown, mahogany, chestnut, sable, and blond. Blond henna doesn't lighten hair, just brings out highlights.

Recently I decided to expand my horizons. I was at the health food store and saw some other "natural" hair care products. I decided to try Naturclolor hair color. I stopped using the henna for a few months. I put some yogurt with lactobacillus like their website suggests to remove the henna.

I opened the container, and "whew!" I smelled a pungent, unnatural aroma. This product is supposed to be natural, but it certainly smelled like chemicals. It may be more natural than the products available at the drugstore and be the "lesser of two evils." I got a shade of color from the "N" series, which is supposed to cover the grey better, but it didn't have any affect on the grey hairs. The hair color made my hair feel dry and straw like. The echinacea hair rinse that was enclosed made my hair feel silky.

After using Naturcolor I decided to stick with henna. It covers the grey, is very economical, natural, and gives my hair more body. It is fun experimenting and trying some of the recipes that are out there on the Internet to make it smell good and enhance the color. 2 of my favorite brands are Light Mountain Natural and Rainbow Henna.

Red Palm Oil as a moisturizer?

I've been using unrefined red palm oil as a moisturizer for about a year. I dab just a little on my face at night before bed. I discovered red palm oil when I saw an ad for an upscale face cream. I found out that the cream was very expensive and way out of my budget. I did some research and found out the main ingredient was red palm oil. So I bought some red palm oil to try.

The brand name cream supposedly is all natural. According to it's website it is supposed to fight aging, prevent the onset of dry crepe paper skin, restore the skin's oils that have been lost due to aging, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and give the skin a moist radiant glow. They boast that it is full of tocopherols and antioxidants.

Red Palm Oil is full of vitamin E, vitamin A, Vitamin K, and COQ10. Vitamin E is itself an antioxidant. I found that it does temporarily help in the reduction in appearance of "crepe paper skin" and fine wrinkles. Unrefined Red Palm Oil is an inexpensive, natural moisturizer.

Palm Oil is, however, shrouded by controversy. Rainforests are supposedly being deforested to make way for the palm tree plantations. This of course has an environmental impact. With such a heavy concern over climate change, many people are opposed to the use of palm oil and it's derivatives. One jar of red palm oil lasts a long time, so when the jar I have runs out I may research the effectiveness of other oils.

I searched a couple of local health food stores and was unable to find unrefined red palm oil. It is available on Amazon with a range of prices.

Coupons and Special Offers

Derma e is offering a free sample kit ($4.95 shipping) containing 10 sample packets of their most popular produts. I've not tried their products, yet, but all you have to pay is shipping. http://www.dermae.net/cgi-bin/fccgi.exe?w3exec=dei.portal&cmd=dei.freesampler&sessionid=1534753783A

Here are some Special offers & Coupons for some great natural products. These are all brands that I have tried & recommend :)

$1.00 off on The Natural Dentist oral care items

$1.00 off coupon for Boiron Homeopathic Children's cold & cough relief medicine - get link for coupon by clicking picture above - read about the products here.

$1.00 off on Organic Valley dairy & eggs

get $1.00 off coupon on Laura's Lean Beef - cattle never given growth hormone or antibiotics



For some more coupons & offers check out these resources

Mambo Sprouts

Delicious Living