My Bus Ride

I was on the bus today for the first time in years...all was going well (I had yet to touch anything) when a woman came out of nowhere and attacked me.

OK that's an exaggeration, but her perfume was enough to knock me out. Coupled with a 40-minute stop and go bus ride the perfume was making me feel sick to my stomach. I was happy for the fresh air by the time I arrived at my destination.

While your here, fill out the poll (right top corner) on how scents affect you.

Tamey

http://www.pureknowhow.com/

Are you my Mom?

Are you my Mom? That's what my seven-year-old daughter asked me when I got in from having my hair done at Pure Joy Natural Hair Studio today. She really thought I looked good, and let me tell you that's not something that happens everyday!

I had my hair both coloured and cut...but will focus on the colour as that is what makes Joy's salon so different. But quickly the cut is fabulous...I am really pleased with it and I think I can make it look the same tomorrow.

Now the colour. My first realization as Joy was applying the colour was that there was no chemical scent, and the reason for that is there are NO chemicals in the hair colourants she uses. It is truly amazing. I sat there for 40 minutes and my nose wasn’t wiggling from the scents and more importantly my scalp wasn't burning. What a concept!

The end result was that I have beautifully coloured hair that looks really healthy. I’m back to see Joy in December as it will take a few visits to get all the old damaged hair cut off and leave me nothing but shinny health hair – I can’t wait.
One great piece of advice form Joy was if you’re colouring your hair with a chemical free product make sure all the products you use on your hair are chemical free – as the chemicals will strip the colour form the hair.

Interested in a chemical free experience? Give Joy Parker a call - 613-728-4069

http://www.pureknowhow.com/

Here's to the Indoors

Now that its fall and we are spending more time indoor's, we have been "nosing" around looking at our everyday items with an inquiring mind. Do they have potential for toxic off-gas (not including family members and dogs!), are they really necessary and is there an viable alternative. Our candles e-bulletin shows that a simple pleasure may have ill effects but that there are many alternatives. So ask yourself some questions - what about the pot you make your soup in or the air freshener used to combat wet boot smell?

www.pureknowhow.com

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics finds LEAD in lipsticks

A leading advocacy group, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, new research found lipstick manufactured in the United States and used daily by millions of American women contain surprisingly high levels of lead. The lead tests were conducted by an independent laboratory over the month of September on red lipsticks bought in Boston, Hartford, Conn., San Francisco and Minneapolis. Top findings include:

• More than half of 33 brand-name lipsticks tested (61 percent) contained detectable levels of lead, with levels ranging from 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm). None of these lipsticks listed lead as an ingredient.
• One-third of the tested lipsticks exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 0.1 ppm limit for lead in candy – a standard established to protect children from directly ingesting lead. Lipstick products, like candy, are directly ingested into the body.
• Full report - A Poison Kiss: The Problem of Lead in Lipstick

http://www.pureknowhow.com/

What goes into a natural product?

If you are in the Ottawa area, you can learn how to make your own personal care products or just become more informed about the ingredients used to make products by participating in a workshop at Planet Botanix. Heather is an enthusiastic instructor and very knowledgeable. Checkout the courses and dates at www.planetbotanix.com/events.htm. Let us know what you learn.

Pollution Killing up to 25,000 Canadians Annually, Says First Environmental Burden of Disease Study in Canada

Here's the introductory paragraph from a news release by the University of British Columbia:

"Canadians are awash in toxic chemicals -- and it is costing our health care system up to $9.1 billion and 1.5 million hospital days annually, according to a new study led by University of British Columbia Trudeau Scholar David Boyd."

David Boyd identified more than 50 chemicals, a few of which are ones that we will be discussing in the next few months. Of particular note are phthalates that are found in fragrances.

This is another reminder that we need to pay attention to what we are putting in and on our bodies.

Take a look at the Full News Release at: http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/media/releases/2007/mr-07-089.html

http://www.pureknowhow.com/

Pure Prevention

A new campaign from the Breast Cancer Fund aims to raise awareness about the environmental causes of breast cancer and empower us to live actively, healthy and well. Not only is their name inspired (just to note – we had it first!) but they have collated research and strategies for breast cancer prevention into one website. Check it out at http://www.pureprevention.org/.

Tamey

I run for me.

This month started off with a bang of a run ... the Run for the Cure for Breast Cancer. In our hometown of Ottawa, Ontario over 13,000 people raise funds by running for someone affected by this disease. This was my first large scale event for breast cancer and I felt a bit shy about it. I did not get a group together and call us a cheeky name like “Breast Friends", I did not wear the pink t-shirt that identifies me a survivor and I did not write a name on the race bibs that stated "I am running for ... my mom, my nanny, Susie, etc." I was a bit overwhelmed but shared laughs and a good run/walk with some friends and I realized that I am at this event for me … just me.
Patti
Pure Know How