While I had intended that my next post be about shea butter or sunflower seed oil, two oils that I love to use in my  products, I think the topic of microbeads is too important not to address. It was only after reading this op-ed,   http://candicemiller.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-miller-cosponsors-legislation-aimed-at-banning-microbeads-from written by U.S. Representative Candice Miller, that this topic really came to my attention. I’m certain it has been an issue for quite a while, and my excuse for ignorance about the topic is that I tend to focus more on the good things that I can add to my products than the bad things that are being added by manufacturers of skin care products.

To sum up what I learned from Candice Millers column, I’ll tell you that microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic that manufacturers have been adding to soap and other skin care products since the 1990’s. Apparently the microbeads are added as exfoliates. They are also added to some toothpaste. Although they do not seem to pose any immediate or long term danger to the user, there are unintended consequences  which are having a negative impact on our environment. These tiny pieces of plastic, after being used to wash, scrub, or brush various parts of our body are being washed down the drain, flushed through sewer systems and, since they are so small, they get a free pass through the filtration system at the water treatment plant. They are then released into whatever body of water the water treatment plant empties into and are free to live out the rest of their lives. I also learned from this site http://www.beatthemicrobead.org/en/science that these plastic particles are not biodegradable but will only break down into smaller plastic pieces, so apparently they will live forever. However, this is not the end of the story. These, seemingly innocent, plastic pieces swimming in our water ways will apparently bond with other potentially dangerous pollutants such as pathogens or PCB’s, and because of their small size, perhaps the size of fish eggs, they are being mistaken for food by some aquatic life. They, along with whatever other pollutants they may have picked up on their journey, then have the potential to infect the human food chain as we enjoy our fish and sea food dinners.

To me the harm that these plastic particles are causing is far greater than any good that they might do, since they are a completely unnecessary ingredient in any skincare or hygiene product. There are any number of natural ingredients that may be used as exfoliates.

So what’s being done about this? If you clicked on   http://www.beatthemicrobead.org/en/history you may have read about global initiatives to get companies to stop the use of microbeads in their products. If you read Candice Miller’s article you will know that there has been federal legislation proposed which will prohibit the sale of these products after Jan 1, 2018, some states have or are enacting similar legislation, and that some manufactures have agreed to “phase out” these products.

So what should be done about this? Well in my “ideal world”, when the issue of this negative environmental impact was brought to the attention of the manufactures, these companies would have had the integrity to immediately halt production and sales of any products containing microbeads. This would indicate to me that it was an honest mistake, that the company wanted to prevent any further damage and was willing to put the welfare of the environment ahead of their profits. Since it is quite apparent that we do not live in my “ideal world”, we must also look to the other responsible parties, the users, to stop buying and using these products. This would also be an effective way and (since lawmakers feel the need to allow a 2-3 year  phase out period) a quicker way to prevent this problem from getting any worse. As a single consumer you or I may not mean “boo” to the manufacturer, but as a society, with our collective pocket book, we could speak volumes to these manufactures. Just stop giving them your money in exchange for these products!!!

I understand that it is difficult to know what you are purchasing, since it is extremely frustrating to read product labels, not only because of the impossibly small print, but if you can make out the words you probably don’t know what they are. Maybe this should be a red flag. Don’t buy it if you can’t read the ingredients on the label would be a good rule of thumb. According to  http://www.beatthemicrobead.org/en/science  “the microbeads used in personal care products are mainly made of polyethylene (PE), but can be also be made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and nylon.” These ingredients would be the indicators that there are microbeads in the product.. Another option might be to purchase local handcrafted products, where you can know the producer and speak to them directly about the ingredients and the process used to produce the product, or you may even choose, as I have, to learn to make your own skin care products.

So in closing I am asking you to be the answer to the problem. Help protect our Great Lakes and other bodies of water around the world by simply not using products that contain microbeads and by sharing this information with others in hopes that they will do the same.

Have a great day!

It’s been 4 years since she left and I miss her so much. Since then June 30th has always been a difficult day, as have Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Mothers Day. It’s also difficult when the kids (who are now all adults) do something exciting, and my first thought is, “I should call mom,” because even the little things that they did were exciting to her. Her grandkids were her greatest joy.  I am sure she is so proud of all of her grandkids and great grandkids.

As I  look around I don’t see anything that I own that mom actually bought for me, but the gifts she gave me are countless and more precious than anything money could buy. The afghan that she crocheted for me 25+ years ago hangs over the back of my recliner and on the chilly days when I nap in my recliner it warms and comforts me. I often use the potholders she crocheted when I pull something hot out of the oven. Some of the doilies that protect my oak furniture from scratches, and the blue and silver fun fur scarf that keeps me warm in the winter, are also among the tangible reminders of my mom. Better yet is the connection I have with my mom when I crochet. Mom taught me the basics of crochet many many years ago. I did not do a lot of crocheting while she was alive, but since her passing I have increased my skills and crochet quite often.

Cooking and canning are other skills that I learned from my mom. I don’t remember her ever giving me lessons with step by step instructions, I guess it was just by being there, and helping while she was doing it, that I learned. I, along with my husband and children, am grateful for this

I inherited her love for flowers and when I see violets, sunflowers, or trilliums I think of my mom. Mom left earth before getting to visit our farm, but two years ago when two sunflowers came up, side by side, in a highly unlikely place, near the front of our property, I was sure mom must have planted them to let me know she was there.

I am not sure why it is, but anytime I am up and out early enough to see the sunrise I feel her presence and I say “Good morning, Mom”. This usually makes for a great day.

Some of the other gifts I received from my mom are the abilities to love deeply and to take care of other people. I have her calm and gentle nature, her strength to endure hard times, her ability to “make do” with what she had, and her love for family and food.

I am not the only one who has reaped these benefits, as I have three sister who each received their own similar set of gifts from mom. They, my sisters, are probably the greatest gift that she gave me.

I was blessed by her physical presence for 46 years of my life, but even in her death I continue to be blessed through the gifts she gave me. Although it will again be a difficult June 30, I will honor My Mom by using the gifts she gave me.

Thanks Mom. I Love You!

((Hugs)) To My Sisters, My Dad, and Everyone Else who is missing Mom today.

The other day, while rescuing a portion of my garlic bed from weeds that were threatening to over take it, I realized that some of the “weeds” that I was discarding were in fact valuable plants. Remember the definition weed  from Merriam Webster.

This does not say that that the plant has no value, just that it is growing in the wrong place.

So, while pulling “weeds” from the garlic bed I realized that I was pulling out a lot of plantain and throwing it aside. I decided to stop right there, work ahead and pull the plantain and save it. Then I went back and pulled the rest of the weeds.

Plantain, Latin name:  Plantago Major, is one of the valuable plants that most people see as a nuisance and is not given the respect it deserves. It has multiple health benefits, but if you like the nice manicured lawn look you are probably poisoning it with herbicides. This link will show you what it looks like and describe some of it’s uses.

http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-benefits-plantain-skin-hair-health/

A few years ago when I started studying the benefits of different wild plants and herbs I learned about using crushed plantain leaves on a bee sting to stop the pain. So for the past few years whenever I, or someone I was with, got stung by a bee I would grab some plantain leaves (they grow almost everywhere) and crush them up so some of the juice was coming out, then rub it on the bee sting. Almost instantly the pain would stop, and in most cases the pain did not return. As a bee keeper this is very valuable information to have.

This year I decided to try to incorporate this in my products by making it into a balm. So I infused some olive oil with plantain leaves and am currently testing my Bug Bite Balm before I actually have it for sale.

This most recent bunch of plantain leaves, that I harvested from my garlic bed, is being infused in alcohol to make a medicinal tincture, so that we might take advantage of some of plantain’s other health benefits. (it’s not legal for me to sell this, so you will have to make your own). Next I will pick some to dehydrate so that I can make plantain tea as well.

If you visit our farm you might notice the spot in one of our gardens where my husband decided to transplant this important plant, so while it might be a weed when it is coming up in my garlic bed, it is certainly a wonderful, respected plant in it’s own little garden spot.

Although, I pat myself on the back for saving those valuable “weeds”, I am also feeling a little guilty that I did not save the dandelion leaves for my salad.

This morning I pickled 5 pints of garlic scapes and made 4 jars of jam. All before noon.

What are Garlic scapes? See the previous blog entitled Garlic Scapes.

What kind of jam? Well I guess you could call it mixed berries. Yesterday we picked our fruit that was ripe; some currants, raspberries, strawberries and cherries. I didn’t have enough of any of the berries to make a batch of jam so I just decided to combine them all. Unfortunately there was no recipe for this in the Ball Canning Book, the Betty Crocker Cookbook, or the package of sure jell. So I kind of had to wing it. I found a recipe that called for mixed berries, and while it listed different types of berries than what I had, I used the proportions for that recipe. When I came up a little short on the berry amount, I added a partial package of frozen raspberries that were hanging out in my freezer. Well, the results are fabulous. While this is not the way Betty Crocker would do it and I’m sure it’s not the way Martha Stewart would teach you, I am certain this is the way my grandmother (and probably yours) would have done it.

Just don’t ask me for the recipe.

WOO HOO! Summer has arrived, and I hope you, like me, have lots of activities planned in the great outdoors.

Now, visit my store to make sure you have everything you need to care for your skin this summer. These handcrafted soaps will not dry your skin, can be used to wash your hair, and they are nice to use when shaving your legs. The face, hand and body balms are great moisturizers, and the zinc oxide in the sunscreen is said to protect against UVA and UVB rays. Don’t forget to stock up on lip balm, and grab a keychain-lip balm holder, so you always know where to find your lip balm (no more trips through the washer for them).  All of these products can be used on the kids, and because they are not highly perfumed the guys like them too. So be sure get enough for the whole family.

Happy Summer! 🙂