Playing Secret Santa at work this year? A bar of Bonne Vie is a great gift for girl or guy. Stay within your price range, while giving a gift that is elegant and unique, while also being practical. Free gift wrap with the purchase of five or more.

Ms. K. Will need some bars for Christmas presents.

B.

Thank you Dr. Black.  Let me know how many you need.

Will do!!!

Namaska Kimeli, I need three bars of soap and some detergent by mid week 

Namaska, Charles.  I will have it for you Wednesday.  Thank you for your order.

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS!!!  Got a bowl of candies out for your clients?  Replace those with a sample sized soap.  Fewer calories!

A basket of mini soaps for your clients adds a nice touch to your office or salon waiting room.

My young assistant hard at work juicing carrots

Frozen carrot juice cubes

Carrot juice in the pot with a combination of skin loving oils

Soap in the mold

A little fun added to the top

Carrot Soap

If you have eczema or other skin allergies, read the attached article and then check the labels of the skin care products you're using for MI, methylisothiazolinone. The attached article provides a link to a site that lists hundreds of products that contain this toxic chemical.

You will not find methylisothiazolinone in Gifts From Nature products. Although the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the federal agency charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products, does not require makers of "true" soap to list the ingredients they use on their packaging, Gifts From Nature chooses to list ALL ingredients used in making our products.

http://www.cpsc.gov/

http://www.naturalnews.com/041203_skin_allergies_toxic_chemicals_pe...

SCRUB-A-DUB
The layers of this beautiful exfoliating bar contain botanicals that will remove dead skin, nourish and give your skin a brighter healthy glow.

Top layer - Almond Butter - Delivers vitamins E, A and B to your skin which provide protection from sun damage and signs of aging.

Layer #2 - Calendula - Used for centuries to treat many conditions such as conjunctivitis, eczema and menstrual cramps. Relieves inflammation and speeds healing of wounds and burns.

Layer #3 - Poppy Seeds - In addition to its many health benefits, poppy seed is an excellent exfoliating agent and provides relief of itchy skin.

Layer #4 - Oatmeal - Does the body good inside and out. Helps skin retain moisture, soothes irritated skin and improves tone.

As with any exfoliant, be sure to moisturize afterward. Coconut oil would be a great choice, as it is light, and absorbs in to the skin slowly, eliminating the need to reapply.

I see that Daniel is learning how to do this. Marvelous.

B.

LYE: Friend or foe?

Also known by it's chemical name, sodium hydroxide, lye has a myriad of uses, many of which you may not be aware of.

1. Used to cure olives, canned mandarin oranges, hominy and other foods.

2. It is the active ingredient in oven cleaners and drain openers.

3. Used in hair care products such as relaxers.

4. Combine it with lard, olive oil or other animal or plant fatty acid and you get SOAP!!! Can't get clean without it.

So, to answer the question, lye is definitely our friend!

REHAB
Contains activated charcoal, which is known to draw toxins from the skin, soothe acne prone skin and increase wound healing time. Coconut, castor, olive and soy oils replenish moisture leaving your skin feeling rejuvenated.

Almond Butter Swirl
Almonds contain vitamins E, A and B which are known to moisturize and protect the skin from sun damage and signs of aging. Almond oil provides relief from the itching and inflammation of eczema, psoriasis and other aggravating skin conditions. Clean, exfoliate, moisturize and heal with this beautiful bar.

Rehab REMIX
The same awesomeness of the original Rehab, now with more activated charcoal to draw excess oils and toxins from your skin, resulting in fewer blackheads, less acne and an overall healthy glow. Activated charcoal is also known to speed wound healing.

What's In Your Soap? GLYCERIN

When you think about glycerin soap, do you visualize fun, colorful transparent soaps? Actually, all soaps are glycerin soaps. Glycerin is a byproduct of the soap making process, which became a very profitable business in the mid 1800s when someone came up with a way to separate glycerin from soap. This was important because glycerin is used to make nitroglycerin, which is used to make dynamite.

Glycerin is a hygroscopic substance, which means it attracts and retains moisture from the air. If you leave a clear soap (which has had more glycerin added) sitting out (especially in humid environments), you will eventually see beads of moisture form on the surface. Don't worry, it's not gone bad. This is exactly what the soap does to your skin, and the reason your skin feels soft and supple after using it.

What's in your soap?  MICA

Mica (derived from the Latin word meaning 'crumb') is a mineral that has a shiny, flaky, sheet-like composition.  You may be surprised at how often you come into contact with it.

Common uses for Mica:
1. Toothpaste - Ever wonder what makes kids' toothpaste sparkle?
2. Paint - Adds sheen, helps resist weathering, used in joint compound.
3. Electronics - Lighting, radar detectors, televisions and many industrial electrical uses.
4. Cosmetics - Blush, eyeshadow, mineral make up, lip gloss, lip stick and SOAP.

Mica is found in several natural colors including black, brown, purple, pink, white and ivory.  In cosmetics, dyes are used to color the shiny surface of the mineral, which, for example, gives eyeshadow its sparkle.  In soap, mica provides a vast array of color choices.  Because of it's ability to reflect light, it adds a pearlescent effect to clear based soaps (also known as melt and pour or glycerin soap).  When used in cold process soaps (traditional bar soaps) micas create beautiful matte colors.

I learned to make soap, toothpaste and deodorant last year.  The deodorant I used irritated my skin, but I still wish to find a natural product to use.  I enjoyed making the soap, so much that I planted Luffa Gourds this season.  The method I used has only produced one maybe two luffa gourds so far.  The plant itself is well over 15 feet long and has climbed up a tree in my back yard, which is also where the plant decided to produce the luffa.  As it matures I will figure a way to reach it and use it in the next soap making experiment.  Thank you for this information!

Check out this video on making a luffa soap.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AosUKU0wxRo.  This is one of the soapmaking Youtube channels I subscribe to and have learned a lot from.  Should you have a bumper crop of gourds in the future, let me know.  I'd like to purchase some from you to use in my soap.  I have a friend who uses witch hazel as deodorant.  She keeps a small atomizer in her purse in case she needs to re-apply during the day.  I tried it one weekend and it works well. A few drops of essential oils can add a light fragrance as well as antibacterial properties to it. Tea tree, eucalyptus and citrus oils would do well.  Should you want to give it a try, Mountain Rose Herbs (http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bulkmisc/bulkmisc.html) has a Witch Hazel extract with a lower percentage of alcohol than the store bought variety, which I think would work even better.  Do you use the toothpaste you learned to make?  I'm interested in making some for my family. 

Thank you Kimeli for the video I will be watching this video.  We are together!  When I produce more I will let you know.  This was my first try at growing them, I will learn to produce more in the near future. 

I will have to go and get this one!  I have not used the toothpaste yet.  When I have finished the fluoride free toothpaste I currently have, I will try the toothpaste I learned to make.  I will try the witch hazel, thank you again.

In the spirit of Samuel B. Fuller, Eric Jenkins has become Gifts From Nature's first sales and distribution agent. 

What's in your soap? SLS

Don't you just love those giant bath bombs by Lush? Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is the ingredient responsible for the beautifully colored and fragranced foam that explodes in your bath. For some, it causes no problems, but, for many it causes irritation to the skin, sometimes severe.

SLS is a surfactant or detergent, which means it reduces surface tension of water. This action in soap causes the natural oils our skin produces to break up, making the skin easier to clean. Thus, this foaming agent is used in many bath products to create lather. It can be found in bar soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, and many household and industrial cleaning products.

Gifts From Nature does not use SLS. The copious amount of lather produced by our soaps is due to the generous use of coconut and castor oils.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_lauryl_sulfate

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/706110/SODIUM_LAURYL_SULFATE/

Gifts From Nature has been entered into FedEx's Small Business Grant contest.  The 6 businesses that receive the most votes win, and will be eligible to win the $25,000 grand prize!  Please click on the link below to vote for Gifts From Nature.  You can vote once a day through February 23.  In order to be sure that voters vote only once per day, FedEx requires voters to have a Facebook account.

Thank you in advance for your support.

http://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/Gallery/Detail/702445a9-202b-40...

HERB BLURB: Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a common weed throughout much of the world. The dried herb makes a nourishing herbal infusion that packs more energy per cup than any stimulant, and without the downside of caffeine or stimulating herbs like cayenne and ginger. Tired teenagers, sleep-deprived new moms, stressed executives, wakeful menopausal gals, and wise women of all ages depend on stinging nettle to restore mood, replenish energy, and guarantee sound sleep.

Nettle is amazingly rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, especially the critical trace minerals: anti-cancer selenium, immune-enhancing sulphur, memory-enhancing zinc, diabetes-chasing chromium, and bone-building boron. A quart of nettle infusion contains more than 1000 milligrams of calcium, 15000 IU of vitamin A, 760 milligrams of vitamin K, 10% protein, and lavish amounts of most B vitamins.

Source: www.susunweed.comThe leaves, stem and roots of stinging nettle are covered with minute “hairs” which trigger the release of formic acid (the same irritant present in ant bites) when you “rub them the wrong way.” The "sting" is deactivated by drying, steaming or cooking.

HERB BLURB: Turmeric

Turmeric is what gives curry its beautiful golden color. Health benefits include:

1. Digestion & the liver (Ulcers, diverticulitis, flatulence, leaky gut)
2. Heart heath (High blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol)
3. Immune support (Cancer, colds and flu, bronchitis)
4. Musculoskeletal strength & flexibility (Joint disorders, arthritis, pain)
5. Nervous system (Pain, Alzheimer's)
6. Wound healing and healthy skin (Eczema, psoriasis)
7. Diabetes and Menstruation difficulties

Visit http://www.methowvalleyherbs.com/2012/01/turmeric-medicine-cabinet-... to learn more about this powerful herb and how it can improve your health.