Dancing

Had to show off a little bit of dancing...

I just wanted to share this youtube video of my daughter. She is a dancer, choreographer and yoga instructor.

Ashley is a beautiful dancer and this video is of some of her contemporary moves.  She also does jazz, ballet, hip hop, ballroom, folk, and just about every other type dance, including TAP!!! Boy, you should see her tap, like WOW!

It's hard to believe that just a few years ago, she was having ankle surgery for an injury she encountered while dancing. She spent a whole summer in a cast and was told she probably would not be doing much dancing again. Goes to show you what a little hard work and perseverance can do...

Hope you enjoy!!!!

Fresh air and fresh water somewhere close to Elizabethtown, KY
formaldehyde 

This is my biggest concern, because there is pretty much nothing I can do about this. It is in EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! There are other names for this too. Well, actually, other ingredients that turn to formaldehyde once it is put into our clothes, furniture, and a slue of other things.

Formaldehyde

     dimethylolu rea

     quaternium-15 (dowicil200)

     imidazolidinyl urea (germall115)

     diazolidinyl urea

     bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol)

     DMDM hudantoin

I was told by my doctor that I should only wear clothes with 100%. Like 100% cotton, or 100% silk, etc. Well, I'm not sure that is going to happen, because 100% of my closet (well, almost 100%) is NOT 100%. Did that make sense? 

Did you know that fabric that is not 100% has formaldehyde in it? They use this as a bonding agent. Formaldehyde bonds the different fabrics together. So, if you are wearing a poly/cotton, or spandex/nylon (which is what bathing suites are made of), or some other mixture of fabrics, then you have been wearing something that has formaldehyde in it. Did you know they use formaldehyde to bond soil resistant or stain retardant, or flame retardant? Yes, our children's PJ's are made with formaldehyde.

Some other products that contain formaldehyde are--glue, plywood, insulation, fiberboard, particleboard, timber paneling, lotions, shampoos, sunblock, soap bars, cosmetics, body wash, toothpaste, baby wipes, bubble bath, home cleaning products. This is just a short list of all the products we use that contain formaldehyde.

The other day I posted something on Facebook. I said, "Formaldehyde is a carcinogen....causes cancer...So why is it in almost everything  Beauty products, clothes, furniture, etc." After I posted this, a pharmacist friend of mine commented, "It is such a minuscule amount that it doesn't cause harm." Well, yes, there is a very little amount in each and every product, but when you combine all the stuff that has formaldehyde in it, there is more than a "minuscule amount."  A little bit of this ingredient is probably not all that bad, heck, I've heard our bodies even produce formaldehyde, and that it is even an essential role for our metabolism. One thing I've been taught is, "moderation is all things." I feel that because there is so much formaldehyde in our products, that we have been over exposed to this, and, therefore, it is starting to cause problems. Allergies, headaches, sinus issues, cancer, etc, are just a few.

The purpose for me posting this blog about formaldehyde, is that as consumers, we need to know about his type of thing. I feel that the more of us that know about this, the more we can have our voices heard, and do something about all this formaldehyde and other ingredients that are not safe.  

Not long ago on the Doctor Oz show, I saw where they "blew the whistle" on sports drinks and some soft drinks. Do you know that there was a dangerous ingredient called BVO or Brominated Vegetable Oil. This is the same thing they use as a flame retardant for mattresses, and children's clothes. Overseas, this ingredients has been banned, but not her in the United States and Canada. Click here for the article that talks about this.

Soon after this episode of Dr Oz, I heard that these companies were taking BVO out of their products. See? Have you ever heard the saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil?"  Let's be a squeaky wheel and start having our voices heard. We need to let these companies know we do NOT want this stuff in our homes or on (and in) our bodies!

Here are are few other good places to get info about this. Click here for The Hidden Formaldehyde in Everyday Products. Click here for another good article about formaldehyde and what it is, etc. For another good blog, go to Thank Your Body here, for info on indoor air quality. You can also just search formaldehyde and get all kinds of info.

I had someone tell me the other day that, "I can't die." At first I had no idea as to what he meant. Then, I caught on...formaldehyde is used to embalm dead bodies. At first I said it was a good thing I wasn't a mortician. Now, I just say, lets leave the formaldehyde to the deceased...

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Laundry Day

Today, I get to do one of my most favorite things...Laundry!!! Just kidding! Actually, I hate to do laundry, but it is a necessary evil. I will have to say, lately, it has been a lot easier than when I had four children at home with all their dirty clothes.

Remember my new washer and dryer? Just got them when we first moved. They are pretty nice. We got the low end; I really don't like a bunch of bells and whistles on my appliances, but these days, one does not have much of a choice. When I start up these boogers  I feel like I am getting ready to play a video game. The sound cracks me up...."tadada DA TA da.......CHARGE!!!!!" Crazy!

Well, back to the topic at hand...laundry. Specifically, detergent and dryer sheets. I'm glad I don't have to change my laundry soap, as I was already using something that is fragrance free, and all that other stuff I can't have free. 

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As far as dryer sheets, I just use whatever is on sale. I really need to use them, because I am a very "electrifying" person. You see, it seems like everything I put on (including 100% cotton) has a lot of static. One thing I did not realize, is that dryer sheets are very toxic! I hear that are bad from your dryer too. You can go to Thank Your Body and read up on it there. 

So, what is a girl to do? I was talking to my daughter about this, and she told me she just throws her clothes in the dryer and then sprays vinegar on them, and then drys them as normal. Well....that is what I did. I filled up a spray bottle, sprayed about 15 or so sprays onto my clothes in the dryer, and turned it on....

The result?

I was a little skeptical; wasn't sure that my clothes would come out smelling like vinegar. The first load I tried this with was a load of very static prone articles. They came out with ZERO static electricity, and ZERO smell!!!! Everything was nice and soft, including a few small towels I had in that load.

The second load was full of towels and sheets. Again, no scent of vinegar, AND!!!! the towels and sheets are soft! Looks like this is going to be a great alternative to dryer sheets. Not only will I be eliminating things I am allergic to and toxins, I will also be saving a lot of money! Vinegar is much less expensive than those pricey dryer sheets. Try it....ya never know; you might be converted, I know I am....

Home Made Bronzer

Since I have recently been diagnosed with allergies to just about everything in body, hair, and makeup products, I have decided to try to make some of my own stuff. 

First off I have to tell you about this blog site my daughter told me about. Actually, she is friends with this girl. Thank Your Body is a great place to find all kinds of info on all kinds of stuff and she shares recipes for a lot of things I am in drastic need of. I plan to try some and share the recipes and what I think as I try them.

The first thing I tried was a bronzer. I had all the ingredients in my kitchen! Here is her recipe for the 

All Natural Bronzer

1 Tblsp cinnamon powder

1 tsp cocoa powder

1 tsp nutmeg powder

2 tsp cornstarch

15 drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil*

*if you prefer a loose powder leave out the essential oil

Adjust the amount of ingredients to your own skin tone, and mix well in a bowl, making sure to break up any clumps. Put into a clean container and use a cosmetic brush to apply. 

I actually really like this stuff. I didn't use any essential oils because I don't have any. Not sure it really needs it, as it smells delicious! I just need to find a compact to put it in though. 

Hope you try it and let me know what you think. By the way, this is a lot cheaper than store bought, and much better for your skin. If you go over to Thank Your Body, she will explain all about why it's best to try to stay away from store bought bronzer.

Allergy Testing Results.....

For the past week, I have been out of town. No, it was not for a fun vacation....I had some allergy testing done. The doctor I went to is one of only about six in the nation that does this extensive testing. I was tested for about 150 different things.

I drove about 2 1/2 hrs to this doctor in Louisville, Kentucky. The first day he taped all these spots on me, and I had to leave it on for two days. I felt as if I was in a body cast. I could not bend or twist or take a bath or wash my hair (ewww).  

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When I went back he took off all the tape, which did not feel too good (it was very sticky tape). They wrote all over my back, drew lines, etc, so they would be able to read the results when I came back. Again, I had to leave all that alone. No scratching, or getting my back wet. Again no bathing ..it was getting very old. At least I could bend and stretch and twist. I did have someone wash my hair in the sink. I could not stand it anymore. I left this on for another two days.

Results?  Well, when they came in to tell me, the first thing the nurse said, was that I was not going to be too happy with her in a few minutes...she was right.

Here are my results....

1. Nickel. Really?!!! I make jewelry! Most of the metals I use have nickel in them. Did you know that most jewelry that says nickel free really is NOT? Yep, that is right. In most cases, "nickle free" really means low amounts of nickel. There are no government standards for nickel free or hypoallergenic. Most manufacturers define nickel free as free of nickel in the overlay or plating. They use nickel alloy to increase durability. When the plating wears off, then an allergic reaction can occur.  In some cases even 14K WHITE gold has nickel in it.

2. Tea Tree Oil. Also known as melaleucha. Again....REALLY?!! Funny thing is, I've been using tea tree oil on my rash. Hmmm, maybe that is why it won't go away.

3. Lanolin also known as amerchol or hartolan or wool wax alcohol.  This ingredient is in a lot of creams and body care products. Another funny thing, is most of the creams that I have had prescribed by my doctors have had this in it.

4. Fragrance or balsam. This is just about everything on the face of the earth. I am really having a hard time with this one. Do you know how hard it is to find a shampoo without fragrance? VERY!!! I am also going to have to get rid of all my candles and Scentsy smelly stuff.  I love my Scentsy candles. Oh well....

5.  Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile also called phenoxyethanol. This is in a lot of makeup and body care stuff too. As I look at my makeup ingredients, this is really the only thing in some of it that I am allergic to. Too bad I can't call the company and tell them to leave it out. Well, I guess I could, but doubt they would listen.

6. Formaldehyde. Now this is in just about everything in our environment. The following are ingredients that are in some of the things we use that turn to formaldehyde, so in reality is the same thing; dimethylolurea, quaternium-15 (dowicil 200), imidazolidinyl urea (Germall 115), diazolidinyl urea, bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol), DMDM hydantoin.  Did you know that any clothing that is not 100%, such as 100% silk, or 100% cotton, etc, has formaldehyde?  Anything that is flame retardant, soil resistant, etc, also has formaldehyde in it. Yes, we are putting clothes on our children that is made with formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen; which means it causes cancer. I had a friend of mine that said that it takes A LOT of formaldehyde to cause cancer. Well, that may be true, but when you think of all the things that have this chemical in it, it adds up to be A LOT!!!

7. Cigarette smoke and smoke from campfires, burning leaves, etc. This does not include wood burning stove (luckily!). I was not surprised at this. Seems like every year I get a horrible cough that does not go away for months...like six or more months. Last year I had it for over seven months! I usually get this cough after I have been exposed to cigarette smoke.  This is one reason I am so much for people not being allowed to smoke in public. I agree that we should all have our rights, but I also want my right to be able to breath clean air. This cough I get each year has been diagnosed as asthma. If any of you have ever had an asthma attack, you know exactly what I am talking about. It is as if someone has grabbed your lungs and wind pipe and squeezed them so much that you cannot breath in our out. It is just like suffocating! 

Well, now that I know all this, I have a lot to figure out. As I learn, I will share, so stay tuned for more info. Also, if you have any info on this subject, I would be glad to hear from you. I have found that the best way to learn is by learning from others who have already gone this path.

thank you for helping me!!!!

Yesterday, I told you all about how busy we were putting our new light fixtures up, and how I needed help with a decision. Well, most of you did not post your comment on my blog, but you did facebook me your responses, and.....

By a HUGE majority, the red won!

Light tan came in second.

Now to show you how we went about getting these pendants up. 

For the most part I love my kitchen, that is except there was ZERO light above the sink. It was very hard to see to wash dishes, especially at night. Whoever designed this obviously never did dishes. 

 After a lot of looking at pictures on the internet and looking around at Lowes, we finally figured out what to do. First off we had to take down one of the cabinets.

A hole was drilled into the bottom of the soffit, and in the ceiling where the light was to hang.

Then back the cabinet went,

and wiring was done.

The hard part was trying to decided which light.  Did I want everything to match, or did I want a pop of color? Not sure what I wanted, I asked around, and by far the majority said they liked the pop of color.

I love it!

I would like to thank all of you that helped me in making my decision.

okay...so now I need some help...

Which do you like best?

 Red with light off

Red with light on (doesn't look as bright in the picture as in real life)

OR

 Square dark brown with light off

Square dark brown with light on.

Again, not as vibrant in the picture as in real life.

OR

 Light tan with light off

Light tan with light on.

Again, not as bright...well you know...

We have granite counters with cherry cabinets. The cabinets are a wee bit darker than they appear in the picture.

hmmm....

This is a picture that hangs in our kitchen.

This fixture hangs over our kitchen table. If you can't tell in the picture it is black.

Decisions, decisions...

Which do you think look best in my kitchen?