Mindful Momma

My True North Organic Hair Care Experiment

 

My hair is crazy thick and naturally wavy. Or naturally frizzy - depending on the day.  My typical haircare routine is to wash my hair every 2 or 3 days with a moisturizing shampoo. Then I use a very thick conditioner - one that also has detangling properties because my hair is impossible to comb without it. Finally, if I'm trying to control the frizz or define the curls, I may squirt in a couple of styling products and hope for the best.

Recently, I decided to toss that routine out the window and try something completely different. Ashley from True North Organic asked if I would be willing to try her 100% natural, castile shampoo with a vinegar rinse as an alternative to traditional shampoo and conditioner. I hesitated for a moment because I had tried the baking soda & vinegar "no-poo" method once before and never made it past the greasy stage before I quit. But I was intrigued enough to give it a go - and I'm very glad I did!

How It Works

True North Organic Shampoo is made with a blend of organic saponified oils (saponification is a simple, chemical process that turns oils into soap), vegetable glycerin and organic aloe vera to cleanse hair without drying it out. The product is low-suds compared to traditional shampoo but it does create a lather when you work it into your hair. Unlike most shampoos though, when you rinse it out, your hair feels pretty greasy. That's where the vinegar part comes in.

After shampooing, you rinse your hair with a blend of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. (I used apple cider vinegar but regular, white vinegar works too.) The vinegar helps rinse out some of the oils, softens the hair and acts like a natural detangler. If you have very dry hair, take a tiny bit of True North Organic Body Butter and rub it into the ends of your hair after you get out of the shower. (I started out doing this but found I didn't really need to.)

The Detox Period

Ashley warned me ahead of time that my hair would go through a natural detox period and that I really needed to follow the routine for a 2-3 week period to experience the best results. The first few days, my hair was looking pretty greasy and I wondered if I was going to have to bail on my little experiment. (I decided to spare you the photos!)

The Results

Fortunately, I stuck it out. Within about a week, I was loving the way my hair looked. My waves turned into curls - and without any styling products whatsoever! I also said goodbye to the hair dryer and the hair brush. It's a surprisingly simple routine for great looking hair!

Eco Strengths

• True North Organic Shampoo is made with 76% certified organic ingredients
• The Body Butter has the USDA Organic seal (meaning it is at least 95% certified organic)
• Products are made in U.S.A.
• Small, woman-owned business (a local, Minnesota company for me!)
• Proud signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics

Second Thoughts

Unfortunately, this haircare routine that I have come to love has one big drawback. The vinegar rinse seems to strip out my hair dye faster than usual and since I have some stubborn grey that I am not willing to live with yet, I prefer to keep it dyed at all times. Ashley suggested that I try using less vinegar but so far I have not been able to cut back much without my hair getting greasy again. I'm not ready to give up on this method yet so I plan to experiment with it some more and see if I can make it make it work. Any advice is welcome!

Sale!

Get 10% off your order using the code MindfulMomma10 at checkout! I highly recommend the Lemon Lime whipped Body Butter - it smells AMAZING and leaves your skin super soft! It can also be used as a deep conditioning treatment for hair. The company also makes lotion sticks, bar soap, shower gel, lip balm and products for babies and pets.

Have you ever tried a shampoo like this or the "no-poo" method? Please share your thoughts!

(Full disclosure: I was sent free samples of True North Organic products in exchange for my honest opinion)

 

The Reveal: Our Green Bathroom Design

It's been a long time since I've done a remodeling update here on the blog. Things took a lot longer than expected, life got a bit crazy...you know how it goes! Last time I wrote, I had picked out the eco-friendly materials for the bathroom but the actual work hadn't yet started. Now the project is complete (well, 90% complete anyway) so I can finally share...

The shower is tiled with natural, travertine stone and a border of recycled glass tiles called Blazestone from a small biz in Seattle.

 

We ordered a sustainably produced vanity from our local green home store, Natural Built Home. It is made with FSC-certified alder wood with a low-VOC finish and has no added formaldehyde. The backsplash is the same recycled glass tile we used in the shower. The countertop is Paperstone, made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper, eco-friendly resins and natural pigments.

 

The toilet is a low-flow model from Toto. This is our first dual flush toilet and I love that it has the large and small buttons on top - even the kids understand what that means!

 

 

We also installed energy efficient windows and put spray foam insulation in the walls and 3rd floor ceiling, keeping the room nice and snuggy. The bathroom floor is tiled with travertine stone with radiant floor heating underneath. The heated floor is a bit of a luxury but it's on a timer so we won't be heating the floor all day long!

Have you made any eco-friendly changes to your bathroom?

 

Naturopathica 30 Day Skin Transformation Challenge

I'm pretty picky about what I put on my face, but when Naturopathica asked me if I would join their 30 Day Skin Transformation Challenge, I immediately said YES! Having already tried their Sicilian Bergamot Body Lotion, I knew their EcoCert certified products were top notch.

The challenge involves using one of Naturopathica's new Regimen Kits for one month. I choose the Age Defense Kit because (ahem!) I am at the age to need such a thing. I've been using the kit for a week now and so far I'm really pleased. The natural, herbal scent of the products make me smile every time I use them. My skin feels soft and very smooth. My only complaint is that the moisturizers are a little light for my super dry skin. I need to add a second coat to keep my skin from feeling tight instead of moisturized.

Look for a more thorough review of the four products in the Regimen Kit closer to the end of the challenge. Meanwhile, would you like to try the Naturopathica 30 Day Challenge? Use the code NY2012 to get free shipping on your order.

Have you tried Naturopathica products? What do you think?

 

Green & Healthy Roundup

Welcome to the weekend friends! What kind of green & healthy plans do you have?

I have to get up early tomorrow morning (on a Saturday!) to be on the Fresh & Local radio show at 8:00am. The Director of Nutrition at the Minneapolis Public Schools will be there talking about new school lunch initiatives and I'll chime in about green & healthy packed lunch ideas. Listen in if you can or stream it later - they post the broadcasts.

Here's a little roundup of green & healthy news and info that passed by my desk this week, for your weekend reading pleasure:

Improving School Lunch

Speaking of school lunch, have you heard about the new lunch laws? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and First Lady Michelle Obama just announced a new plan for healthier school lunches, including less sodium and more fruits, veggies and whole grains. Yes, pizza will still be considered a vegetable, but this seems to be a step in the right direction. What do you think?

Chemicals in the News

Here's one more reason to chuck out your non-stick pans. A new study shows that perfluorinated compounds (PFCs),found in non-stick cookware, fast-food packaging and stain-resistant items, are linked to reduced effectiveness of childhood vaccines. Are chemicals in everyday products a concern for you and your family?

Green Moms Fight Climate Change

Amazing things happen when moms get together for a cause. This month the moms from the Green Moms Carnival joined forces to share ideas, thoughts and actions about fighting the very real, very distressing issue of climate change. Please have a look - I bet you'll come away with some climate change resolutions for yourself.

Pin of the Week

I've been having so much fun on Pinterest! Just as I feared, it is terribly addicting but I've found some great ideas out there! My favorite pin this week is a health remedy to treat colds that came from a blog called Health, Home & Happiness. It's a simple mixture of honey and cinnamon and it looks more like dessert than a health remedy. I'll be trying this with my kiddos next time I see a cold coming on!

Healthy Home Cooked Meals

This month on the Clear Conscience blog over at J.R. Watkins, I shared my favorite cookbooks and websites for healthy dinner inspiration. What are your go-to resources for healthy recipes?

See you next week!

 

 (image credits: bookgrl via flickr and Health, Home & Happiness) 

How to Buy a Natural or Organic Mattress

 

Our mattress was a wedding gift. It served us well but after 20 years, our backs were telling us it was time for something new. I know a little bit more about mattresses than I knew 20 years ago and this time around, I wanted something greener and safer than the typical, conventionally produced mattress.

A new mattress is a big investment - both in money and in health - something that we didn't take lightly. It took a lot of research to finally find a mattress that we were comfortable with (and on!) and that fit within our budget.

The problem with conventional mattresses

Most conventional mattresses are made with synthetic foam, treated with chemical flame retardants and covered in PVC vinyl. Basically, a conventional mattress is a chemical-laden contraption that releases toxic fumes while you sleep. These off-gassing fumes have been associated with a whole host of health disorders including thyroid, reproductive and behavioral problems, as well as cancer. Unfortunately, current law states that all mattresses must be able to resist open flames, which usually means a chemical treatment.

Criteria for a "better" mattress

One thing I've learned for sure is that the mattress industry is complicated and confusing. The number of options and differences between products is overwhelming and every brand has their own "proprietary" way of doing things. I recommend starting with some online research and then visiting a small, local store that specializes in natural and organic mattresses, rather than visiting a mega mattress store. Here are some things to look for:

• No chemical flame retardant chemicals - this was my #1 criteria
• Non-chemical flame retardants include wool and a combination of baking soda and hydrated silica
• No synthetic, polyurethane foam
• If you want latex, make sure it is natural latex rubber, not synthetic
• Made with a high percentage of certified organic materials including cotton, wool and latex
• Covered in organic cotton or food grade polyethylene (waterproof) instead of PVC vinyl
• GREENGUARD certification - 3rd party testing for low-emitting products

Choosing the mattress that's right for you

Choosing a mattress is complicated. Determine your top priorities for a mattress, shop around and by all means test out the product! That means taking off your shoes and getting comfy in a public space. Embarrassing but necessary!

We had a tight budget for our new mattress. While I was willing to spend extra to get a safe, organic mattress, I did not have the option to buy the ultimate green mattress I was dreaming of. We ended up buying a quilted, organic cotton innerspring mattress from Naturepedic, at our local green store, Moss Envy. It is super comfy and we love it!

Other options

If a natural or organic mattress is simply not in your budget, here are a few things you can do to lessen the negative effects:

• Let your new mattress off-gas in a well-ventilated area for awhile before using it.
• Cover your mattress with an organic cotton cover or a natural latex or wool mattress topper.
• Consider buying a less expensive natural futon instead of a regular mattress.

Are you in the market for a new mattress or have you purchased one lately? Any words of wisdom to share?

(Note: I purchased my new mattress with my own money and was not compensated in any way to write this post.)

{image from SaavyRest.com}

This post is linked over at My Green Resource on Sorta Crunchy

Materials for a Green Bathroom

Phew! I think the worst part of our remodeling adventure is behind us. Most of the dust, chaos and loud noise has already happened. The exterior is almost finished. The new front porch is complete. The 3rd floor dormer has been built. Take a peek:

Now we're moving on to my favorite part - the design phase for our new 3rd floor bathroom! I've been having fun picking out materials over at our local green building supply store - Natural Built Home.

The bathroom vanity is custom designed from FSC-certified alder wood with a low VOC finish and is formaldehyde-free. On top of the vanity will be a Paperstone countertop with a backsplash of the pretty, recycled glass Blazestone tiles you see below:

The shower will be tiled in Travertine stone (below) with a border of the Blazestone tiles around the middle. 

We've also picked out a dual flush toilet, we're putting in radiant in-floor heating and we've insulated the hell out of the walls.

It's going to be awhile before this project is done (big sigh!) but I can hardly wait to show you the end result!

Do you have any tips for creating a greener, healthier bathroom?

Green Discoveries

Do you have big plans for the weekend? My just-turned 7 year old is having a "hatchday" party at our local Raptor Center. I love that he is into animals and nature! Instead of goodie bags filled with cheap, plastic junk we bought each child a wooden build-it-yourself animal kit. They are inexpensive at the craft stores.

Here are a few things for your weekend reading pleasure...

Toxins in the News

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but now there's even more reason to avoid toxic BPA in products and food. BPA exposure during pregnancy has been linked to anxious, depressive and hyperactive behaviors in girls.  

Halloween Craft

Avoid PVC-laden face paints by whipping up your own non-toxic face paint using this handy tutorial by Jennie from Sweet Greens - posted on Inhabitots.

New Blog Discovery

If you like to craft (or just drool over cool crafts), I think you'll love The Crafty Nest. She's got some fun Halloween craft ideas and a weekly Do Something Crafty Friday link-up. I just linked my felted sweater coasters craft up there!

Post on the Clear Conscience Blog

I've got a new post up on the Clear Conscience blog published by J.R. Watkins Naturals. It's all about ways for reducing waste at home. Try some of the tips and see how low your garbage can go!

Giveaway!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a free Lifefactory glass bottle. It's an awesome gift from my new blog sponsor - Essential Safe Products!

Hope you have a green & healthy weekend!

{image credit: Pampered Delights via flickr using Creative Commons}

An Historic Trip to J.R. Watkins Naturals

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting the headquarters of the J.R. Watkins Naturals Company in Winona, Minnesota. They invited me and four other bloggers to spend a couple days getting to know the products and the history of the company. Believe me, there was a lot to learn because this company has been around for over 140 years!

With my first step into the historic company administration building, I knew this was going to be a memorable trip. Built in 1912 by Prairie School architect George Washington Maher, the building is beyond gorgeous.


Even more amazing is that the company's original factory buildings are connected to the office building and are still in use to this day! The factory tour was a special treat for me because I am a total factory geek - I LOVE seeing how things are made!

The Watkins factory is unique because it is on multiple levels rather than all one level as most modern factories. This allows them to use sustainable, gravity-fed filling processes. Products get mixed on one level, then fed downstairs through big pipes and into the fill machines. We happened to be there when the Tub & Tile Cleaner was being filled.

After the tour, we sat down with company president, Mark Jacobs and other Watkins executives to chat products. We asked some tough questions about ingredients and the use of the term natural in personal care and home products. I was happy to learn that the company is truly dedicated to living up to the natural designation on their famous apothecary-style labels. In the last couple years many products have been reformulated and they have been working to get the Natural Products Association Certified seal on the majority of their personal care and home care products. (I'll be writing more about this topic soon - there is a lot to know!)

We also got to hang out in the company test kitchen and sample new products, like this brand new baby line that will be hitting stores in December:

No blogger trip would be complete without some wining and dining (or so I am told - this was my first blogger trip!) and the J.R. Watkins team did a fabulous job of making that happen. We stayed in the historic Alexander Mansion where we were treated to a bag of Watkins goodies and chocolate & Bailey's at bedtime.

Last but not least - what a treat to spend time with these wonderful bloggers: (from left to right) - Jodi from Mom's Favorite Stuff, Kiersten from The Type A Housewife, Jennifer from Savoring the Thyme and Lori from Groovy Green Livin (I'm the tall one, second from the right). 

I'm looking forward to sharing more about J.R. Watkins Naturals - it's a really cool company and there is a lot to share!

Have you ever tried J.R. Watkins Naturals products? What's your favorite?

Image credit for top photo of Watkins building - Jodi Grundig of Mom's Favorite Stuff.

(Full Disclosure: The J.R. Watkins company paid for this trip in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.)

Click for Fair Trade with the New Fair Trade Finder App {Giveaway!}

In honor of Fair Trade Month, Fair Trade USA has introduced a new crowd-sourced social media tool to help people like you and me find and share Fair Trade Certified™ products. It's called the Fair Trade Finder and it is available as a mobile app for iPhone and Android as well as on Facebook.

Apparently the ability to find Fair Trade products is a major barrier to purchase and a recent Omnibus survey found that  2/3 of consumers would buy more Fair Trade products if they could only find them. The Fair Trade Finder is attempting to bridge that gap but the crowd-sourced database means that they are counting on us to help put products on the map.

So if you are looking to find Fair Trade products in your area, just jump on the app, plug in your zip code and start searching. Then, add your favorite products to the app yourself - to make finding Fair Trade easier for others. I just added Green & Black's chocolate at my local co-op, The Wedge! You can even include a photo if you want (I did)!

Fair Trade month wouldn't be a celebration without a little giveaway, now would it? Fair Trade USA is offering this Fair Trade goodie bag to one lucky Mindful Momma reader.

 
Would you like to win? Just plug in your zip code on the Fair Trade Finder and let me know one Fair Trade product you found in your neighborhood (or what you would like to find, if nothing is listed yet)!

Additional entries for:

• Subscribing to Mindful Momma via RSS feed or email
• Liking my Mindful Momma Facebook Page
• Following @MindfulMomma on Twitter

That's 4 entries per person (please leave a separate comment for each thing you do). Winners must have a U.S. shipping address. The giveaway will be open through midnight CST on Thursday, October 20th.

For the Fair Trade Finder to be a success, they need all of us to add products. Will you help add Fair Trade Certified™ products to the Fair Trade Finder?

(Full Disclosure: I received a free Fair Trade goodie bag in exchange for my honest opinion.)

The winner is Alicia from Green Lifestyle Consulting. Congratulations Alicia - enjoy your Fair Trade treats! Thanks to everyone who entered!

How to Survive a Home Renovation Project Safely and Sanely

It was a strange summer. As you probably know if you stop by this blog regularly, we've been undergoing an extensive renovation of the exterior and the third floor of our house. It's not a full-on green remodel by any means but we're doing what we can to keep things eco-friendly and safe for our family. While the project has been fun and exciting in many ways, there were also some known challenges (lead paint) as well as some negative impacts that I did not count on.

Challenge #1:  We had no yard for our kids to play in. Luckily we live close to a park but it still curbed those spontaneous games in the backyard and general time outside. It also meant that we didn't eat meals outside like we usually do in the summer. Except for a couple instances of dumpster dining, we ate indoors to lessen our exposure to construction dust and debris.

Challenge #2:  We had to keep our windows closed most of the time. This was primarily to keep out dangerous dust from lead paint and general construction. You see, the original siding on our house was painted with lead paint (see photo above). It had been covered up by metal siding for years but was exposed when they took the metal off last summer. This summer the lead painted wood was completely removed - using appropriate lead abatement techniques of course. I had my 6 year old tested for lead poisoning last summer and he was fine. I'm planning to get him tested again now that all of the lead paint is gone. It's a bummer because it is a blood draw (not a finger prick), which is very traumatic. I hate to make him go through it again, but I think it's important. (For more info on lead poisoning - a huge issue with old houses - visit LeadFreeKids.org.)

Are you planning a home renovation or remodeling project? Here are a few tips to keep things safe and sane for your family:

• Find out if you have lead paint in your house. Test kits are available at most hardware stores and online.
• If you do have lead paint, make sure your contractor is certified in lead paint abatement procedures.
• Keep dust out of living areas as much as possible. That might mean opening or closing windows depending on where the work is happening. Use fans to move dust out of the house.
• Vacuum regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture tiny particles of lead dust and other toxins.
• Wet-wipe and mop frequently (dry dusting just moves the dust around).
• Invest in high-quality filters for your furnace or air conditioning and change them frequently.
• Have a shoes-on policy in all construction areas (no bare feet!)
• Plan on being out of the house as much as possible. (This was tough for us because we do not have any relatives in town but we took trips and even had a staycation at a hotel when our spray foam insulation was being blown in.)
• If you are concerned about lead paint exposure, get your kids tested. The biggest threat is to babies and kids under 6 years old.

At this point the major construction is over but there are still TONS of finishing details left. Here's what our house looks like as of today. The outside is scheduled to be painted later this week and the inside is being dry-walled as I type. After that, tiling the shower and installing fixtures in our new 3rd floor bathroom will begin!

Next summer, I am looking forward to fresh breezes throughout the house and lots of outdoor play time all season long!

Do you have any remodeling stories to share? How did you handle the dust, debris and disruption?