My New Project!

I wanted to let everyone know about my latest project, The MOD Kitchen! As many of you know, I am a chef as well as a healer but have not been a working chef for many years. My love of food has been reignited with my organic rebirth and I am now writing a healing and food blog! I am also in the process of starting an organic catering company in Sw Michigan. I will keep you posted with all of the details as they unfold. Check out the new blog and become a follower so that you don't miss out on any of the cool and delicious recipes posted!
http://www.themodkitchen.com
Peace and Light,
Maria

Skin Evolution

I have been talking for years about how our skin, as our largest organ, gets abused and often overlooked when it comes to healing. Most of the time we don’t even notice it unless it itches or has a rash and then we usually just slather on some ointment to suppress whatever is trying to express itself to get our attention. Our skin is very forgiving, it doesn’t even protest when we smother it with chemicals and toxins day after day. Our skin still works to protect us to the best of its ability even amidst the abuse. You say,” but I am using this “organic” lotion, isn’t that OK?” A close look at the ingredient label will tell us whether the product you have been using is nourishing your skin or sending it into defensive maneuvers.
The first thing you need to know is that all lotions are emulsions between oil and water. The water component of the emulsion must be preserved otherwise it will grow mold in 3 days, and to date the safest preservative is sodium borate (borax) and even it’s safety is questionable (skin deep rates it a 4-6) soduim borate ,plus it will only preserve at best for 6 months. Another option is grapefruit seed extract (GSE). In double blind tests, they found that the main preserving agent in grapefruit seed extract is the triclosan or parabens used to preserve the GSE itself grapefruit seed extract It does not have any preservation qualities of it’s own.
Rosemary oleoresin is an oil soluble anti-oxidant that cannot preserve the water component. Tetrasodium EDTA is used as a “gentle” preservative but hey guess what EDTA is??? From Wiki: “EDTA is mostly synthesized from 1,2-diaminoethane (ethylenediamine), formaldehyde (methanal), water and sodium cyanide.[2] This yields the tetra sodium salt, which can be converted into the acidic forms by acidification.” Yum. Petroleum, formaldehyde AND cyanide. Yowza. That sounds gentle.
Remember also, that 70% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream without the benefit of filtration from the liver and kidneys. Anyone want to mainline some formaldehyde?

If you would not eat it you should not put it on your skin, period.

At this point in time, there is no 100% safe preservative for the water component in a lotion. So why take the risk? The main complaint that I always hear from people regarding natural moisturizers and body butters is that they are oily and don’t absorb well. Well, that is a really good point. No one wants to feel greasy all day long so what is the solution? Heal your skin. Damaged skin cannot absorb like healthy skin. Skin that has become dependant on chemical absorption enhancers in lotions cannot function optimally, it has forgotten how. Luckily, the wisdom in our bodies cannot be suppressed for long. Within a week of applying a 100% food-grade moisturizer to your skin you will notice the difference. Your skin will begin to drink it in instead of it just sitting on top. You will also learn that because it is such a nutrient rich product that you don’t need to apply as much to get the desired effect, dewy soft moisturized skin. Feed your skin and heal your body at the same time. It's a good place to start!

New Name Same Great Product!

After much deliberation, we have decided to change the name of our outdoor protection oil from Skeeter Skatter to Mother Nature's Magick Oil. The name change is happening for a variety of reasons but the most important was that there were so many other companies already using the name Skeeter Skatter that it just made sense to try something different! Still the same great formula, with medicinal-grade essential oils, especially catnip, to help protect you while outside enjoying the Great Mother and all of her splendid gifts!

What it is all about….

Last month a customer called me to complain that the Rosy Bottoms Baby Powder that a friend had given her did not “flow freely from the shaker like it should” and felt that I needed to send her a new one as this one was defective. I asked if she had tried to use the larger pour spout and pour the powder into her hand and then apply it to her baby? She replied, “No, I haven’t. But that’s not really convenient and isn’t that what it’s all about?” My first thought was “No, that’s NOT what is it all about…” but then I checked myself and agreed to send her a new one with my apologies.

I have been thinking about that conversation ever since because, convenience isn’t what it is about at all, not even a little bit. In fact, I can think of about 10 things it is more about than convenience.
1. Not wanting to put toxic chemicals on your baby.

2. Not wanting to slather cancer causing petrochemicals all over your baby and family

3. Not wanting to support all of the mega companies like proctor and gamble and unilever that only have their bottom line at heart not your well being.

4. Not wanting to support companies like Monsanto that are bent on destroying our food supply and poisoning the planet with their chemicals.

5. Wanting to support small companies that care about you and the planet

6. Wanting to support small companies run by Mom’s like yourself

7. Valuing your health over saving a dollar.

8. Understanding that 70% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream as if you’ve eaten it and realizing that it better be good!

9. Realizing that if you can’t pronounce half of the ingredients on a product label then it isn’t something that should be considered skin food.

10. Realizing that the old adage “garbage in. garbage out” applies to your skin/body as well.

Not to mention, is anything that can be called “convenient” ever considered healthy? I immediately think of “convenience store” or “convenience food” and I see 7-11 stores. Is there anything healthy to eat at a 7-11? Let’s see, you have chips and other snacks, soda pop, candy, slurpees, hot dogs, tobacco products… convenient yes, good for you, no. Fast food is convenient…but not good for you. I think you get my point.

We have been conned into thinking that everything has to be cheap, simple and easy otherwise why bother. We have gotten so lazy that we cannot even properly take care of our own bodies. It is not about convenience, it is about doing the right thing even if it takes a little longer, requires an extra step and a few extra dollars.

It’s about valuing yourself, at the very least, as much as the money in your pocket.

Be well.

Boo Boo & Tattoo Sticks

Tattoo Stick
.5oz $8.00

Boo Boo Stick
.5oz $6.00

Heal your skin with first aid complements of Mother Nature! Replace 3 products with 1! Antibiotic ointments, hydrocortisone & topical analgesics!

Why smear toxins into your open wounds?

Organic herbs (self heal, calendula, comfrey leaf & root, chickweed and nettles) infused in organic olive oil and cold pressed grapeseed oils, with organic hemp oil, beeswax, medicinal grade essential oils of lavender, tea tree, german chamomile and everlasting, Bach Rescue Remedy, FES self heal and preserved with vitamin E. For the Tattoo Stick, there is also rosa rubignosa(rose hip seed oil).

Call 866-(568-8726) or email maria@lotusbody.com for more information!

Body Butter

Lotus Body Butter
8 oz jar $30.00
2 oz jar $15.00

Experience true luxury, without all the toxic chemicals.
Organic herbs(self heal, calendula, comfrey leaf & root, chickweed, oatstraw, nettles and green and white tea) are infused in organic olive oil and cold pressed grapeseed oil and blended with organic hemp oil, beeswax, organic extra virgin coconut oil, rose hip seed oil, medicinal grade essential oils of lavender, sweet orange, bergamot, german chamomile, rosemary verbenon, everlasting, palmarosa, carrot seed and ylang ylang. Energetically enhanced with Bach Rescue Remedy and FES Self Heal. Gently preserved with vitamin E.

Call 866-568-8726 or e mail maria@lotusbody for more information and have healthier, dewy skin in days!

New Products!

Hello Everyone!

We are in the middle of a site redesign, but I wanted you to be able to see all of our new products! I am going to post the pictures here along with prices for you to check out!

I also wanted to remind everyone that our Holiday Open House is coming up. Saturday, December 8 from 11 am until 6 pm at Marning Glory Market, 3260 Niles Rd in Saint Joseph, MI.
Essential Collection $150.00
Medicinal grade essential oil blends in Mother Nature's First Aid kit. 4-5ml bottles 1-4ml Packaged in a handmade crate made with reclaimed cedar slats.
Headache Oil
Antiseptic Oil
Sleep Oil
Fungus Amongus Oil
Immunity Oil

Experience the difference of genuine and authentic essential oils! Call 866-(568-8726) or email maria@lotusbody.com for more details!

Honoring the Wholeness in Life

It never ceases to amaze me how generous people can be! This is one of our more beautiful qualities as humans, our capacity for compassion and kindness. This, unfortunately, is not evident to most Americans who watch the news and read the paper everyday, the daily fear report.

It’s sad, really, when you think about it.

The news really teaches us to fear one another and to feel alone and unsupported when in reality nothing could be further from the truth. I have learned this first hand in the past few weeks in planning my event to benefit survivors of domestic abuse and animals. I am having a bake sale and a raffle and have been asking local area businesses to donate items to raffle. The response has been terrific! People are coming out of nowhere wanting to support the cause! It should be a grand event! Thank you to everyone who is participating!

If you are in the area, come out and buy some muffins and a raffle ticket…you could win a great prize and at the same time feel great about serving a good cause. If you come out, please also bring your gently used clothing, toys and cell phones to donate to the shelters.

Bake Sale and Raffle
November 3 2007
11am to 6pm
Morning Glory Market
3260 Niles Rd
Saint Joseph, MI

This is a benefit for the Safe Shelter for women and children survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault and for Animal Aid, a local no kill shelter that rescues, houses and re-homes countless animals yearly.

Please bring your gently used clothing and toys for the shelter and old cell phones, projectkopeg has offered recycle these phones and send us a check for the shelter!

We will also have lots of yummy homemade baked goods for sale; I am even resurrecting some of my old dog treat recipes from my years as DharmaDog! We will also be selling catnip mice and squeaky fuzzy dog bones!

Hope to see you there!

Save the Date!

I know that it is early, but the date is set for our annual Holiday Open House! This year, our Party will be held at Morning Glory Market on Saturday, December 8 from 11am until 6pm. Mark it on your calendar so you don't forget! As always, there will be food and beverages as well as everything on your shopping list and more! Stay tuned for more details!
Peace and Light,
Maria