Make sure you know what you're putting on your body.

A recent report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and other top-selling children’s bath products contain some nasty ingredients, including: formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.

Both chemicals are known to cause cancer in animals, and The International Agency for Cancer Research has classified formaldehyde as "carcinogenic to humans" and 1,4-dioxane as "possibly carcinogenic to humans". Formaldehyde has also been designated as "toxic" under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act because of its health effects.

Good enough for me both formaldehyd and 1,4-dioxane (not to mention parabens and phalates) stay out of my home.

Tamey
Pure Know How

Are all detergents equal?

A few weeks ago our washing machine broke, and with three kids I needed to keep the washings going. Luckily my mother lives around the corner, so before a new machine arrived I took a few loads over to her place.

She has a front-end loading machine and used a mainstream laundry soap - something I haven't used in 3 years. But I reasoned that it would be OK for just a few loads of wash.

Well I was wrong.  On Monday the kids and I went up to Norway Bay to visit friends, the kids played outside all day and had a blast. When we got home later that evening, my oldest called me into the bathroom saying that Matt had a rash. Well did he ever, all areas that had been covered by his freshly washed underwear and t-shirt now had what appeared to be big ugly hives. It only took me a few minutes to realize that it was the laundry detergent most likely coupled with hot sweaty skin that caused the rash. A shower and a does a allergy medicine cleared it up - but it goes to show that not all detergents are created equal.

Tamey

Pure Know How

OK it works - New Natural Deodorant

I've been buying from Rocky Mountain Soap Co. for over a year and love their products. In particular their cream for eczema works wonders for two of my children.

However when I received their February ( I think it was) newsletter saying they had a new line of deodorants that worked - I didn't bite. I've tried many deodorants (see our reviews) since Patti and I started Pure Know How with very limited success, even from some of our favourite companies. In one case I was so stinky I couldn't stand my own smell - really it was terrible.

Then in the March newsletters they said if you spend $35.00 or more you get a free deodorant - so I got one Blossom Fresh. To my very great surprise it works really well, really no stink!! I've even used it to work-out with no issues.

So Rocky Mountain congratulations you did it!!

Tamey

Great quilts made from reclaimed denim and corduroy

Take a look at these great quilts. Whether you're looking for a unique gift for that someone who has everything, or simply love handmade items then these quilts are for you.

Made from reclaimed corduroy and denim - love them!

Take a look for yourself - blanketbox.etsy.com

Tamey

Eating Healthy

Eating healthy means something different to different people. It could mean eating more fruits and veggies and less processed food. It could mean eating organic, buying locally or following the Raw food movement. Yikes...

For many of us it's a choice that becomes difficult as there are so many choices and what is good for me as a 30 something Mom with three kids who works full time may be different than yours.

Another factor that makes healthy food choices difficult is the cost of the food. A report produced by the Heart and Stroke foundation found that depending on where we live the cost of fresh fruits and veggies can be double or even six times more expensive. This is just fresh produce - never mind organic.

Take a look at CBC's article for more detail - it really is interesting and shows how making healthy choices is not always easy. But in the long run I would suggest it is essential. So keep trying Canada - baby steps!

Tamey
Pure Know How

Nail polish confession

I might be one of the "Pure Know How Women", but I can't always live 100% "pure". I do try but really it's impossible to always do so.

Well this weekend was one of those times. My husband and I went to his work holiday party and I bought this sexy little purple dress and silver healed sandals (will I ever wear them again?). So of course I had to paint my toe nails. I did have my non-toxic polish in my hands but I just could not use it. The colour just didn't have enough punch and to get half the effect I wanted I would have had to put on 5 coats. So I went with the mainstream brand and damn did my toes look nice!

I just re-read our e-bulletin on nail polish and I think I'll just let this stuff wear off and not use nail polish remover-

Tamey
Pure Know How

New Advertising Guidelines on Greenwashing

The Competition Bureau and the Canadian Standards Association have introduced Environmental Claims: A guide for Industry and Advertisers. Basically the thought is that all environmental claims must be verified and substantiated with supporting data. This data must be accurate and readily available to law enforcement agencies, such as the Bureau, on request.

The purpose of the guide is to "provides businesses making environmental claims with guidance on how to comply with the laws under the Bureau’s jurisdiction by outlining best practices and guiding principles based on international standards. It will serve as the reference used by the Bureau when evaluating whether a claim is false or misleading under the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, or the Textile Labelling Act."

Certainly a step in the right direction, take a look at Pure Know How's e-bulletin on Greenwashing. But our best defence is still to get educated on ingredients to avoid and always read labels.

Tamey
Pure Know How