There’s a lot of talk out there about food additives and how they’re affecting our children. I’m not a doctor or a scientist, so I won’t get into the particulars. But if you’ve decided to go organic and are wondering where to begin, I’ve got some help for you. It’s the ABC’s of Going Organic.
ALWAYS READ LABELS
Have you ever wondered if a package says “10% real fruit juice” what the other 90% is? "Natural”, “contains real fruit juice”, “no artificial color” are marketing phrases and can distract us from reading the label to find out what actually IS in the product. In our house we have a complete ban on artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, added hormones, antibiotics and hydrogenated oils! With that said, the only way to know if it's in our food, is to Always Read the Label. And if I don’t recognize an ingredient, I’ll research it. Google and I are good friends. I usually check with more than one source to avoid biased opinions.
About a year ago I picked up a package of sausage and thought “Wow, I didn’t know these were hormone and antibiotic free”. I was ready to put it in the cart when I turned it over and realized that while it was hormone and antibiotic free, it contained sulfites to preserve it. No thank you!
BETTER CHOICES DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
When you can’t make absolute changes, make better choices. Many people quit the whole concept all together because they think it has to be “all or nothing”. I can’t tell you how many x’s people ask me, “so are you totally organic?” Uh, NO.
Look, I do the best I can. I have the same constraints on my time, money, and resources that you do. I'm not a celebrity with money to hire chefs and we don’t live in sunny California where the growing season is all year. That’s why we’re The Everyday Organics – we do the best we can everyday, each day and one day may be better than another. So, If you can’t make the absolute best choice, making a better choice is still beneficial.
For instance, if you can’t purchase all organic fruits and vegetables, at least avoid the “dirty dozen”; those fruits and vegetables known to be high in pesticide residue according to The Environmental Working Group.
Every step toward the best option is a step in the right direction.
CHANGE CAN BE GRADUAL
Instead of dumping the entire pantry out at once, make gradual and steady changes. Why create resistance if you don’t have to. With our family, I started with what I considered the worst offenders: hormones and antibiotics. We ate meat or dairy at almost every meal so that was a big one. I began buying milk from cows not treated with BHT, hormone and antibiotic free meats, and organic eggs from chickens that are cage free and also not given growth hormones or antibiotics. All of which will proudly be labeled on the package!
The next step was buying organic fruits and vegetables and from there, I've been making changes in the pantry. I introduce 1-3 new foods a week to give us time to adjust. We've learned to enjoy the transition, laugh along the way, and give ourselves some slack. So for those of you who want to take this organic thing a step at a time, permission granted!
Enjoy the journey and remember we are Everyday Organics!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Natural Curly Hair Solution
On Wednesday, our baby turned 13! Does it seem like yesterday when we brought her home?...not really, but it's certainly been fun. However, one of the challenges we've had along the way is HAIR. Oh my gosh, this girl was born with hair enough for three people and on top of that, it's as curly as a corkscrew. Let's just say in 13 years, we've spent our fair share of time and money trying to tame those locks. And being The Everyday Organic, chemical solutions were a NO-NO!
Since she was approaching her 13th and 7th grade can be an oh so self-conscious year, I new it was time for some aggressive action. I had a list of salons I'd been saving for awhile. I grabbed the list and got online. As soon as I opened the Urbanbella website, I knew this was it. They claim to be specialists in curly, kinky, wavy hair. THAT'S US! I can't remember how I originally found Urbanbella so if it was one of my girl's out there, I O U!
Fulton County was thoughtful enough to give the kids an early release on Sydney's birthday so that would be the perfect afternoon for a visit to the salon. After school, we headed to Buckhead for lunch at Golberg's deli (YUM!) and then around the corner to meet Giselle at Urbanbella.
We had a 2hr. reservation and no overbooking here ladies. If your appointment is at two, you'll be seen at two. How revolutionary is that? Oh, one note, when you book your appointment, you'll be asked to give a $50 deposit on a credit card. Different, I know, but don't be put off. Just reserve your spot and go.
We meet Carol, Giselle's assistant and she takes Sydney back to wash her hair. Now, if you're like me, it always matters how adults service your kids. We've all been places where people seem put off to be working with kids or on the other hand treat them like their adults and that doesn't work either. Not here. Carol was gentle and kind and explained to us both everything she was doing and why. Like why she was washing her hair 4x-YA, 4 times...to get all the old product out. How many salons will take the time to wash your hair 4x. Seriously, she probably used an entire bottle of shampoo. But Carol was cool about the whole thing and not once did I feel like a bad mom who's daughter's hair was uncared for. Thank you Carol!
After four shampoos with non-sudsing shampoo (that's right, no sodium lauryl sulfate), a detangling conditioner,and a deep conditioner it was Giselle's turn. She worked her magic trimming and shaping. Then we tested products to see which gave the best curl. We found it! I know right now you want me to tell you what it is. You know, everyone's hair is different so what works for Sydney might not work for you. Stay with me though.
All the time Giselle explained the what, when, why, and how of everything she was doing so when we left we would know exactly what to do. Now moms, you have to really appreciate this next one. Instead of pushing me to buy all 6 or 7 products she used, she suggested we start with one and finish the products we have at home. Then come and add a few more. WOW! Her emphasis was on technique versus the exact product. Now don't get me wrong, products matter-good quality, as natural as can be product. But, I didn't feel pressured to buy theirs or condemned cuz' we're using "those". From all of us on a budget, thank you Giselle!
After two hours, we were ready to go. Sydney's hair looked great, she had a smile on her face and the confidence of looking good and I felt well equipped to help her continue with her new routine. I had to hug Giselle when we were done. I was so grateful. Honestly, how often do you walk into a salon a stranger and have to hug your stylist when you leave? Now pick up that phone, dial 404-255-5022 for Urbanbella and tell them The Everyday Organic told you to call Giselle. Remember, I want to see your before and after photos. See Sydney's after photo below.
These pictures were taken this morning, two days later, which is the true test for any hair style and routine. Forgive the forced smile on missy's face. It was 6:45 and somebody was still a bit grumpy...her hair was looking good though!
Since she was approaching her 13th and 7th grade can be an oh so self-conscious year, I new it was time for some aggressive action. I had a list of salons I'd been saving for awhile. I grabbed the list and got online. As soon as I opened the Urbanbella website, I knew this was it. They claim to be specialists in curly, kinky, wavy hair. THAT'S US! I can't remember how I originally found Urbanbella so if it was one of my girl's out there, I O U!
Fulton County was thoughtful enough to give the kids an early release on Sydney's birthday so that would be the perfect afternoon for a visit to the salon. After school, we headed to Buckhead for lunch at Golberg's deli (YUM!) and then around the corner to meet Giselle at Urbanbella.
We had a 2hr. reservation and no overbooking here ladies. If your appointment is at two, you'll be seen at two. How revolutionary is that? Oh, one note, when you book your appointment, you'll be asked to give a $50 deposit on a credit card. Different, I know, but don't be put off. Just reserve your spot and go.
We meet Carol, Giselle's assistant and she takes Sydney back to wash her hair. Now, if you're like me, it always matters how adults service your kids. We've all been places where people seem put off to be working with kids or on the other hand treat them like their adults and that doesn't work either. Not here. Carol was gentle and kind and explained to us both everything she was doing and why. Like why she was washing her hair 4x-YA, 4 times...to get all the old product out. How many salons will take the time to wash your hair 4x. Seriously, she probably used an entire bottle of shampoo. But Carol was cool about the whole thing and not once did I feel like a bad mom who's daughter's hair was uncared for. Thank you Carol!
After four shampoos with non-sudsing shampoo (that's right, no sodium lauryl sulfate), a detangling conditioner,and a deep conditioner it was Giselle's turn. She worked her magic trimming and shaping. Then we tested products to see which gave the best curl. We found it! I know right now you want me to tell you what it is. You know, everyone's hair is different so what works for Sydney might not work for you. Stay with me though.
All the time Giselle explained the what, when, why, and how of everything she was doing so when we left we would know exactly what to do. Now moms, you have to really appreciate this next one. Instead of pushing me to buy all 6 or 7 products she used, she suggested we start with one and finish the products we have at home. Then come and add a few more. WOW! Her emphasis was on technique versus the exact product. Now don't get me wrong, products matter-good quality, as natural as can be product. But, I didn't feel pressured to buy theirs or condemned cuz' we're using "those". From all of us on a budget, thank you Giselle!
After two hours, we were ready to go. Sydney's hair looked great, she had a smile on her face and the confidence of looking good and I felt well equipped to help her continue with her new routine. I had to hug Giselle when we were done. I was so grateful. Honestly, how often do you walk into a salon a stranger and have to hug your stylist when you leave? Now pick up that phone, dial 404-255-5022 for Urbanbella and tell them The Everyday Organic told you to call Giselle. Remember, I want to see your before and after photos. See Sydney's after photo below.
These pictures were taken this morning, two days later, which is the true test for any hair style and routine. Forgive the forced smile on missy's face. It was 6:45 and somebody was still a bit grumpy...her hair was looking good though!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Free Makeup
Purify Your Products Party
How aware are you of the ingredients that are in your cosmetics, skin and hair-care products? Are you reading the fine print on the back of the bottles? Well there’s no time like the present to start! Come to a Purify Your Products Party and Whole Foods will help you sift through your beauty products and point out ingredients that you want to be aware of! They'll even swap products so you’ll leave with some “cleaner” items for your beauty routine. Space is limited so call 770-664-6300 to reserve your space today! Tuesday, September 16, 5:30-6:30.
Swap is limited to two products per customer.
And you can bet The Everyday Organic will see you there! Another Easy Go Green!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Class at Whole Foods
The ABCs of Organic!
Whether you are at the beginning of your organic journey or are a seasoned traveler, we all run into questions along the way. Jennifer Fuller, founder of The Everyday Organic, promises to help guide you through the process of ‘going organic’ and will offer some easy tips and also answer questions like – why should you “go organic”? How do you “go organic”? How do you know what isn’t good for you? Join us on September 13 from 10:30-11:30am as Jennifer sheds some light on organic eating and living! Space is limited so please register by calling 770-664-6300 or emailing Jennifer.smeth@wholefoods.com
Harry's Farmers Market at 1180 Upper Hembree Rd., Roswell, GA 30076
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