Natural Living » Group

Did you know that when it comes to food labelling there is a 5% loophole.  If a food additive exists in an ingredient which makes up less than 5% of the product it doesn't have to be included on a food label?  Me either!  This can make it really difficult if you don't want to buy products with additives, let alone for people who have sensitivities to additives and need to avoid them!

I recently brought the book Low To No Additives, Family Favourties which explains about the loophole among other things.  The book is basically made up of 120 recipes which gives you a run down of the known additives that would be in the recipe.  If the ingredients you need to use aren't fresh it basically tells you which brand has the least amount of additives. (Although, a lot of 'fresh' produce is debatable now days as well).

There is a blurb in the front about the authors and why they wrote the book, and a list of the addivites in the back complete with names, number and possible side effects.  They have also provided a list of brands which they have found to be low to no additive products, but stress that brands sometimes change their ingredients without warning.

When you think about it it is pretty easy to make snacks and meals for your kids which don't come out of a packet; check it out, the recipes are really easy and supposedly tested on the authors kids so one would imagine child friendly!

http://www.helium.com/items/905540-after-press-coverage-regardingconcerns

I always was a little bit of a germaphobic (men are grotty to live with), however since my eye infection, I am concerned with cross contamination.  Therefore I have bought more cleaning products - I have found the Earthchoice range, readily available and reasonably priced at the supermarkets to be pretty good so far.

We have been using the dishwashing concentrate and laundry liquid for quite some time, and yesterday I also got the toilet and bathroom cleaner.  Has anyone else tried them - how do you find them?  I used the all purpose bathroom cleaner last night and it is shiny bright!  Some other brands I have tried just don't seem to 'cut the grease, or get rid of the mould'.  It makes me suspiscious so I will have to check for nasty chemicals and make sure that they really are a good choice.

 

 

Hi, what a lovely group - the avatar is one of my all time favourite graphics too.

I used to work for a company called Hilton Healthstream.  We were owned by Herron Pharmaceuticals and we used to provide our own brand vitamins as well as out-sourced all natural skin care and beauty products (mostly Australian owned).  We were also lucky enough to get to trial the products, so here are a few that I liked.

Akin and Alchemy range - from The Purist Company

Renew Skincare Australia

Thursday Plantation

There were lots of other great products too - including a green tea range of skin care products, and some other shampoos and conditioners.  The company has since been purchased by Golden Glow, and they still offer these great products by direct mail at competitive prices.  I believe they post to customers overseas still, and they have a naturopath advice line and all that jazz too.

 

What a great group! I have been slowly turning my house into a chemical-free environment over the past six months. I use vinegar absolutely everywhere as it is such a versatile cleaner! It's used in the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, laundry and on the floors. And of course I use it to clean the windows. We use all natural hair products and I am finally getting through the last of my store bought soaps. I have a friend that makes soap from scratch and will be getting my supply for the year from her. It's great to be chemical-free, because now I can clean in the presence of my children and not worry about what they are inhaling (or licking off the floor)!

'Tis that time of the year agian when all turns black and green! ( Wet season) Here are some great natural mold killers!

* In the bathroom, use clove oil on any areas that are already, or have a tendancy to go, moldy! Use a cotton bud and dab on and in those little nooks and crannies. ( Unlike bleach, it actually KILLS the mold spores) The ratio is usually 1 tsp to 1 litre of water, but if bad use at a more concentrated ratio!

* Use white vinegar- straight up! I wipe down all exterior doors and painted surfaces every few weeks which tends to keep the growth away! I also wipe down bathroom walls and the bath with it.

* If any other items ( Such as the stroller that got damp and decided to grow it's own fuzz) grow mold, I spray it with vinegar then dust it with bicarb, then spray with vinegar again. Leave for overnight then give a good rinse ...THEN MAKE SURE IT DRIES PROPERLY!!! ( Or alternatively reapeat steps 1-3!!! again and again!)

* Wipe all leather shoes belts etc with Dubbin ( I find otherwise they tend to get a nice grey fuzz growing !)

Does anyone have any other mold killing recipes??

Just for those who would be interested in getting organic veges at a good price.....Northy Street City Farm in Bris Vegas has an organic market every Sunday from about 6am to 10.30 am.  Produce is really good and loads of stalls so prices vary.  It's only organic (not really craft market) but you can get coffee and food and other produce as well, like milk, cheese ,meat etc. Most of the stalls come directly from the farms, so everything is fresh.  I love it!

I'm looking for natural shampoos that are not tested on animals and don't contain harsh chemicals.  I also want a shampoo that does not exploit people or animals.  I'd like one that can be used on the whole family too.  Thanks to anyone who replies.

Here is a  quick tip to be able to keep cut up apples from turning brown.
http://www.mybaby.com/PlaygroundItem/Item/2340/Stay_fresh_apples.htm

Just wrote in my blog about this subject for anyone interested.  Not sure how active this group is so might put it in the Bulletin Board as well.....