Organic Beauty Magazine

I just found out that there *was* an organic beauty magazine.  This would have solved all my problems!  Most of you know that I am always looking for an organic beauty line or two that keeps skin clear without harsh chemicals.  I also want to find a nice make-up that lacks harsh chemicals but does its job.
Apparently, the first issue of this magazine came out in 09, yet the website doesn't exist anymore and the facebook page is full of questions "how do I subscribe? does it even exist?"  Finding natural skincare is so difficult and expensive!  I would have loved to hear it from people who at least get the free trials and can give me a review BEFORE I spend money, time, and effort on new skincare.  My skin always hates me for trying something new.  But i just can't go back to neutrogena or something else - all those parabens and chemicals.. I don't want those in my body.  I just don't.
So, now I am sticking with Juice Beauty - not the best, but not awful.  I also just switched my make up over to TARTE - so far I love the coverage from the foundation, and if my package ever arrives, I am sure i'll love the mascara. Those two are my necessities, but I also got some other things.  I'll let you know how they fare once I receive them.

An organic thanksgiving

Here's an interesting news story - Apparently, Organic Turkeys are getting pretty popular.  Even though they cost twice as much - people realize that the turkey just tastes better.  If you don't eat organic for the health reasons, at least do it for the taste.  So all natural is good - no fillers and better tasting, but all organic is even better!  No pesticides and the Turkeys eat better too!!
There is also a local/organic thanksgiving challenge.  Readers are encouraged to buy and cook only local and preferably organic foods for thanksgiving, then report back.  My two dishes this year are a salad and the sweet potatoes.  Both of which will be made with as many organic ingredients as possible.  If not organic, then hopefully local.
I am really looking forward to this Thanksgiving.  I am also hoping to take part in a Thanksgiving morning yoga benefit in Santa Cruz.  It will be a fantastic way to start my day healthy so that hopefully I won't over indulge at dinner and will be able to enjoy the holiday.
I'll keep you posted on how it all goes.

Organic in the news

So there's a new study out about organic foods.  Here's an article about it.  Is organic produce better?  This study states that Organic foods are not healthier than conventional food, in that they do not contain more antioxidants than conventionally grown food.  I never thought that they did.  I did think though, that when your body eats a conventionally grown carrot, it is possibly confused or distracted by the chemicals and pesticides that it may not get the full nutritional benefits of the carrot and its antioxidants.  

It makes sense that both the conventional carrot and organic carrot have the same amount of nutritional value and antioxidants.  But doesn't it also make sense that if you deep fry a carrot you are depleting it's nutritional value?  Same logic goes for adding pesticides.  

When I first heard of this new study, it was from some website that gave it about 2 paragraphs - not enough to get the full story.  The story ended by saying "don't buy organic."  Luckily this article mentions that there are still many good reasons to pay for organic.  Including environment protection, no pesticide residue, and just tasting better.  

I hope I have never made the claim that organic automatically means more antioxidants.  But I think the lack of pesticides makes it healthier, at least safer.  

By the way, I am writing this from my school cafeteria. Which has this awesome station called "500."  Every week they feature a different meal that is less than 500 calories and the produce is farmed less than 500 miles away.  I don't think any of it is organic, but at least they are doing their part.  

I have it about once a week, last week: BBQ portobello mushroom quesadilla, with organic greens and a parfait for dessert, pretty delicious. Today was AMAZING - stir fry edamame with artichoke and onion over crispy polenta, feta cheese and olives sprinkled on top.  Oh and applesauce for dessert.  The apples came from a farm 90 miles away.  

Love it!  

FIrst CSA box

So excited!!  Our first CSA box came today!  We were able to choose our produce which was awesome, and when I came home from class, there was the box sitting at my door.  I already ate an amazing plum and can't wait to try the organic pear.
We also got some amazing yellow carrots, fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, and broccoli.  The best part is that it's all organic!  No yucky pesticides and all the nutrients.
So I don't usually eat potatoes, so tonight I will look up a healthy and simple recipe.  Hopefully I can incorporate all my veggies and make an awesome meal.  I love this already - getting myself away from my normal weekday night meal, which is just a stir fry of a bunch of random vegetables and tofu.
Can't wait for our next one in a couple of weeks.

Wrong Week to be clean

So it turns out that I am a bit sick - not a great week to start a new chapter.  But nevertheless I am going to try to be good.  Yesterday my roommate and I made a trek to the farmer's market.  Oh my goodness I spent so much money and got some amazing stuff!!
Such great looking organic strawberries, asian pears, nectarines
and also green beans, mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini, lots of mixed greens, and tomatoes So last night I made a tofu stir fry with some veggies, and tonight I grilled up some and threw it over an amazing blend of mixed greens (random greens I would never buy unless at the farmer's market - which is awesome) and added some tomato and oil/balsamic - so delicious!!
Of course today wasn't all good.  I bought a parfait at school - granola and yogurt and fruit - none of which was organic and I have no idea what the actual ingredients are.
For lunch all I wanted was PB&J - to make it better I used honey and asian pear instead of J.  The bread though - I noticed has a ton of ingredients that I don't understand.  And the peanut butter - although organic contained sugar!  what?!  isn't it supposed to be peanuts and salt??  where does this sugar come from?  But I ate it anyway.
So, not the best start - but Rome wasn't built in a day, right?

Getting Back on Track - Going Clean

How many times have I said I need to get back on track?
I recently picked up a book that I haven't looked at in about two months (various reasons.. mostly busy) by Michael Pollan: In defense of food.  I read a good section of it on the plane back from Vegas, after killing my body with too much food and alcohol, and it really helped me get motivated to get back on track.  I knew I was going to have to detox a bit, but this really helped me.
So according to the book, here are my new rules for a bit:

1.  check the ingredients and understand every one of them 
• So if I have to look it up on my phone - that isn't good
• it has to be pronounceable
2. No foods with more than 5 ingredients
• The example Pollan gave was bread that had more than 5 ingredients - in fact around 40 total..that makes sense - but am I supposed to give up chocolate?  even my organic chocolate has a few more than 5 ingredients: Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Whole Milk Powder 
• Also I don't really know what Soy Lechithin is... Pollan talks about Soy and Corn being two ingredients we have way too much of in many forms.., but whatever, baby steps...I can't just cut everything out quite yet.
3. Don't buy anything incapable of rotting
• McDonald's fries do not rot - not that I eat at McD's, but they don't..eww!
• Also, if you have to wonder if it rots - don't buy it.
• I am extending this to expiration dates - if it doesn't have one or the date is super far in the future (canned goods? frozen foods?) don't do it.
4. Avoid foods that claim they are healthy
• no more lean cuisines, although I haven't had one of those in a while
• if you stick to healthy ingredients, your finished product will be healthy
• I like the line in the book - if food products claim to be healthy on the package they must first have a package
5. Get out of the supermarket
• I have always loved farmer's markets - the vibe and the food, so why haven't I been to one in months?  And the one or two I did go to within that time were amazing!
6. Join a CSA
• already looked into it.  Going to take the leap.  So excited, because sometimes you just can't get to the farmer's market but still need good organic food in the house, before going crazy.

So this is the plan, let's see how far I get...

stressing...

So yesterday I was walking down the three blocks from school to my new apartment and I realized that I hadn't looked up.  So I did, and it was an experience I can't even explain.  I saw the beautiful hills out in fronts of me and the green park and it all felt familiar yet so new.
It was a beautiful day and yet, I was staring at the ground.  So this past week has been stressful to say the least.  After a minor breakdown and almost getting sick (i think it was all mental) I am back, but now I have to undo the wrong I did.  With the stress came bad food choices and choosing things due to convenience rather than health.  But last night, my roommate and I went to Trader Joe's I was so excited about making organic tofu and organic vegetable stir fry, that I think I got way too much food!!
Although I do like the TJ's, they don't have much in the way of organic produce.  Although I did get some delicious organic broccolini, yum!
This blog is getting re-invented.  I have gotten so far off track that I think I need to just get healthy again. I have neglected my workouts and gotten of track with food, so after finals, I am getting back into all of that. Stay tuned to see how it all turns out.

Loco for Local!

Oh USF, good for you for getting on the bandwagon.  Even if that bandwagon is 10 x more expensive than the farmer's market!!  So, USF has started selling fresh local produce at the cafeteria!  Crazy!  Also stupidly expensive.  Though they know that the students don't care much about cost, mom and dad pay for the money on their id cards, so the kids just swipe away!  They also have certain meals that are made from produce grown within a certain amount of miles.  I have yet to try it, but good for you for trying to minimize your carbon footprint!  So I move into my new place this weekend!  So stoked.  Can't wait for fresh produce from farmer's markets!  And tofu, oh I have missed just eating tofu out of its box with soy sauce.  I know - weird.  I got use to making great delicious mostly organic stir fry and sandwiches before going to school, but now I have gotten used to take out and frozen foods.  Ugh!
Today's bus ride, besides crazy (some old homeless people were fighting and yelling...oh SF...) went through a farmer's market.  Had I not just been to the gym and starving I would've gotten off to peruse  the selection.  I am sure there have to be some better markets in SF than the one I went to, which has NO organic!  craziness...this is SF people!!  Live up to your green, hippie rep!
Off to do some homework.
ugh

Sad Skin

I have decided that natural skincare doesn't work.  This revelation is sad but what is worse is the way my chin looks right now.  The natural stuff is does nothing for me during a stressful time which is very natural and common.  I know these breakouts are from stress and when I stress I pick at my face, and when I pick, I just make a huge mess. So now I am a mess, I don't think it has been this bad since freshman year of college.., so I guess every time I start a new thing in my life, my face will just look like a mess.  unacceptable.  There has to be a solution that doesn't include a ton of chemicals.

So, the Evan Healey natural stuff isn't working.  It did wonders for my skin in Australia, where I was just having a great time - so I guess it just works for everyday stuff.  And maybe my body is less toxic because I am eliminating toxins form my skincare.  So, how do I do that and achieve perfect skin?  Maybe, you do need some chemicals?  I am worried to believe that because what if I choose the wrong chemicals..
There was a site I used to visit that would tell me how toxic my products are, can't remember now though.  I will have to do some research, or just keep buying new stuff.

So bad, can't wait to be good

Ok, so living in a hotel room is really difficult!  I can't keep good food in my tiny little fridge and I eat out a lot!  Ugh!  Besides gaining weight, I just feel gross!!  I an feel that this stuff is bogging me down and not making me happy.  So I came across a small farmer's market on Sunday, all excited about fresh organic produce - none!!  I did get some fruit, but it wasn't organic, but I didn't even have the option of organic!  So  disappointed.  There was another, much larger one, near my hotel - but I didn't have time to properly check it out.  I thought moving to SF would make this organic mission so much easier!  They don't even have many Whole Foods here, at least not convenient to me - I have only seen one.  OK fine, no WF - but what about an adequate substitute?  It's not like I have to go to WF, but I just know they have a great organic selection.
So I have also fallen back into my old ways of depending on my microwave.  I really don't think nuking an organic lasagna is healthy, but I guess it's better than grabbing tacos from the corner store.  So this just depresses me, I thought I was going to be healthier and happier in SF, but without a proper kitchen and knowing where I am, I am definitely not healthier!  And this makes me unhappy!  :(

Last week I ate a pre packaged salad from the grocery store - I felt so sick afterwards.  I need fresh whole foods, when "chicken" has more ingredients in it than just chicken - there's an issue.  Preservatives preserve food - I get it, but my body doesn't.

I am so excited for 10/2 when I have a great beautiful kitchen in which I will stock all the finest organic produce and get back to my salad eating ways!  I will be able to explore markets and enjoy buying foods again.

So, until then, I will eat from my microwave, but make sure the dinners are organic based, read the labels (found some delicious all natural granola bars and they are 70% organic! not bad from the limited walgreens selection!), plenty of fruit, and try to keep take out to a minimum (my wallet will thank me!)

Sorry and Cherry Picking

I assume most of you weren't expecting any new blogs from me while I was in Australia, but definitely wanted some when I returned to the states.  Well, it didn't happen then either. Sorry!! Here we are already half way into September and I am finally blogging again!  All of my 11 followers will be very excited.

beautiful cherries!

So I have so much to talk about, but first, let's talk about organic cherry picking and how AWESOME it was! (Back in July..I know, I know...bad blogger) Anna, her girlfriend Shana and I drove up to Leona Valley to pick organic cherries!  Such a blast.  We passed by a dozen other places, but we were on an organic mission!  We wanted to know that when we picked that cherry straight from the tree and popped it in our mouth, the only thing we were eating was the cherry, oh and lots of dust!  But at least no chemicals!
So enjoy some pics from the picking!

bucket full of cherries!

the girls!

In Australia!

Sorry I havne't posted much, I haven't had much time!!  I have been in Australia, staying with a friend and she has kept me very busy!!  I have seen some organic restaurants, lots of juice bars and even a few "natural" and organic grocery stores, but unfortunately, haven't been able to go in any of them!  I did get a smoothie from a juice bar yesterday it was delicious.  SO their juice options are more fruits than veggies.  At WF back home you have lots of different veggie options which include fruits like lemon and apple, but rarely berries.  Those are saved for smoothies.  But here, they only have one veggie juice on the menu and heaps of berries and fruits.  Oh yes the australians say heaps instead of "a lot."  So the options are like fresh watermelon with berries, or berries and mango mushed together with ice, so basically a smoothie but still fresh and no dairy or juice! 
So that's what i've learned, and hopefully, i'll be able to check these organic places out more in detail later, but for now, i am just enjoying my vacation!! 

talk soon!

Not much to say

Hey guys so sorry I haven't been updating.  I have a great reason though: I am going to Australia!!  I will still definitely seek out organic foods and I definitely want to find out the difference between organic USA style and Organic Aussie style.  So look for some new, but not as often, posts.

I did go organic cherry picking this past weekend, so once I get some pics, i'll definitely post - it was a blast!  A healthy, delicious blast!

Oh and i'll be starting an Australian blog too.  so check for that!

that's it!  Thanks!!

Shopping adventure

So last night I went to 2 different grocery stores.  One which is smaller and seems to be trying to be a bit like whole foods, but not really.  The other is a big major chain.

Right when I walked up to the market, there's a sign that says "why choose organic?'  Great, I thought, this will be a good shopping experience.  Of course all of the produce that was outside next to said sign were not organic.  hmmm..what?  So then I go around looking at the food.  The frozen food selection is similar but smaller than WF.  Which is fine, it's a smaller store.  The bulk items were a HUGE disappointment, NOTHING organic, even though they had 3 rows of bulk!!  I love bulk, and their selection was huge, but NOTHING said organic on it.  Moving on to fruits and veggies.  They had a fruits and veggies sections.  The veggie section was actually surprisingly good, two types of organic kale, a few organic chards and then the run of the mill veggies in the organic variety.  The fruits were not so great...umm people...it's summer!!  Why are we so limited??
So since I was in the area, I decided to try the major chain store.  They seem like a higher end chain store, but it's all in the marketing.  In every other aisle, there was a vertical sign half way down the row coming out for the shelves that said "natural."   hmmm..so I went to go look at this "natural" section in the chips aisle.  it included all natural tortilla chips, all natural potato chips and even a few small bags of organic!  wow.  does anybody else get bothered by the fact that their eating "unnatural" foods?  It's food, your body is supposed to know what it is!!  They had more variety of organics in salad dressing, but still confined to one little shelving area.  And the organic produce section was dismal.

My cart was empty, although Wedding Crashers was on sale for 10 dollars, so I picked it up.

So now I know what they have and what they don't have.  I don't think the major chain store really cares though, otherwise they would promote organics more.  The smaller one though, they seem to want to be known for carrying organic stuff - but if that's the case they'll have to actually have the product!!

organic farmers forced to spray

It appears that an epidemic has hit the fruit growers of California! read here. The new pest called SWD is native to Japan and Asia but has spread out to the states.  These bugs are dangerous because they attack fruit on the trees and then lay eggs.  The pests don't make it to the top of the trees, but that means 1/2 the crop is dead. So what's a farmer to do?  Well how do they keep other pests away?  I guess whatever organic methods the farmers use don't work on these new pests.  So the article says "wash more thoroughly than ever before."  As we've discussed previously, if washing was really going to get off the pesticides then the farmers would have to re-spray after every rain.  We know that isn't happening.  Unfortunately,  the fruits that are most susceptible are thin-skinned fruits, which are also usually the ones on the dirty dozen, or have the highest pesticide content and require the most pesticides.  So what should we do?  Honestly, I'm sorry, a pesticide is a pesticide.  I know you, the organic farmer, hates to resort to them and wouldn't if you didn't, but that doesn't mean I have to resort to them.
The good news is that they are going to research these pests and see what can be done about them.  In about 10 years the SWD will be immune to the pesticide anyway so organic and conventional farmers will all be in the same boat.

Organic Cotton

So, I read an interesting article in the LA times IMAGE section this past weekend.  Here's a link to it.  The article discusses the exhibit  "Eco Fashion: Going Green," on view at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.  Too bad I can't make it to NY.  This article discusses a few different evolutions in fashion, from mass production so everybody could have fashion to new synthetic dyes.  Of course each has their own ramifications.   The mass production was successful due to poor working environments which led to its own problems, like workers dying in the  Triangle Shirtwaist Factory factory fire, all the women were trapped inside because management locked them in so they couldn't take breaks.  Now the US has stringent labor laws, of course not all our clothing is made in the US.  The other advancement I mentioned, synthetic dyes, also had its share of problems.  One 1800s silk tulle dress was dyed with arsenic attests!  Ew!  arsenic?  
Now how does this relate?  Well, maybe (probably) we're poisoning ourselves, in many ways.  Maybe 100 years from now will people be saying "Eww that shirt was made without organic fibers?"


However, in the same article I learned a few new things that further my challenge with the non-food part of my  mission.  The challenge being: when I go towards organic am I really doing any good for myself or for the planet?  In this article specifically, they discuss cotton nylon seersucker, which was supposed to help save energy by not having to iron, but the production of nylon is  hazardous to the environment because it leaves nitrous oxide gas in the environment for about 120 years!  So should we iron or leave behind a gas for 120 years?  And what about Rayon?  The article mentions that it's biodegradable and better in that regard than cotton, but it's chemically produced.  So if I do some research, will I find that the way it is produced is more harmful than the way cotton is produced?  So which wins? 
Food is a bit more clear cut, although organic is more expensive, it's healthier for everybody.  But beauty, clothes, other products, not so clear cut!  When I decide to use organic sunscreen will it be as effective and ward off skin cancer?  But if I use the cheap stuff am I just opening myself up to thousands of chemicals that will eventually give me a different cancer?


something to think about, and investigate further!

followers!

So excited to make it to double digits in followers!  Thanks guys!!

Remember if you completely disagree with or want to present a counter argument to anything I have said or concluded, please do so!  I love hearing opinions and constructive criticism.  Besides, if I fail to defend or support my argument than it must be weak and needs fortifying.

thanks!!

Organic on the cheap!

Since going organic, I have found cheap ways to buy organic produce.  Like NOT shopping at big name stores where organic is rare.  And when you shop direct (as direct as possible) from the source at the farmer's market, you usually get a better deal.  So I have been making sure to hit one up as often as I can.  But it's always nice to find an article about how to save money.  I have embarked on this mission, why not make it cheaper?

Here's an article from Red Plum that I found via a google search.  Keep it open so you can refer to it.

#1 Farmer's Markets- I already do.

#2 Coupons - I'll have to pay better attention to my sunday paper. I really never expected to see anything for organic foods.
#3 makes sense - quality is better than quantity, 1 cheap organic apple will fill me up better than a junky 100 calorie pack (which really aren't that cheap if you're eating 4 a day to stay full!).  

#4 Spelt - hm, I knew to always look for whole wheat flour, but I'm not too knowledgeable about Spelt.  i'll investigate it and maybe even test it out (check back here for my findings!)

#5 Go Local - How can you be so sure that local foods are automatically organic?  If you live near a big farm that isn't organic, you're still eating locally aren't you?  I think they mean that if you go to a farmer's market and the sign doesn't say the farm is certified organic, it doesn't mean the farm doesn't use organic methods, it just means the farm is too small to pay for certification.  So ask!  I'll try this next time!

#6 Going Veg. - It can be cheaper.. but if you're replacing your chicken with pasta every night, it won't be healthier.  Just make sure you're transferring your money from an expensive organic food to a good-for-you alternative.

#7Nuts- I do love raw nuts.  Especially organic nuts, and when you can buy them in bulk at WF or some other health store, they're usually cheaper.  This also gives you a cheaper, healthier alternative to whatever your current snack is (unless it's an organic apple..then, they both win!)

#8 Bread variety- Not sure how looking at different organic breads will be cheaper, maybe because you'll have more options- so you'll be able to find better deals? Definitely healthier to go whole wheat or better yet, sprouted!

#9 Pasta - Whole wheat pasta is the only pasta I eat, I can't even stand white pasta anymore - so much better for you and usually the same price as the regular!

#10 Au Natural - Raw foodists believe that it is always better to eat something in the raw (hence the name) from fruits to nuts to agave, I believe that when you eat something in its simplist form you are saving money (as long as it isn't some gourmet label) and absorbing the most nutrients.

Some other tips I have read over the past month that I like are: do it yourself!  You have complete control over your garden, you decide what does or doesn't go in it.  And join a CSA!  They give you a bag a week of local and organic fruits and veggies, I plan to do this when I move to San Francisco in the fall.  Can't wait to report back!

Mostly Organic Weekend!

We started our Friday night at Planet Raw in Santa Monica..umm who new Cheesy Kelp noodles could be so delicious!! The dessert, chocolate mousse was aaaamazing!  wow, I really like raw food when I get it (and I eat raw for breakfast and lunch on weekdays), but the only other place I have been to is Rawvolution and their service is awful!  Our service was better and they seemed more open to non-raw foodists, ready to make recommendations.

We decided to hit up organic wineries in Santa Barbara with the boy's brother.  After starting with non-organic Starbucks drinks, (it was close and convenient!) We stopped at Plate in Malibu on the way to Santa Barbara.  They claim that they use all organic ingredients, so I am trusting them.  His breakfast burrito w/ chicken sausage and my egg sandwich with turkey bacon were delicious!!

Our first winery was Beckmen vineyards.  Completely bio dynamical!  what does that mean?!  read more about that here, but the main quote I found interesting is: . "By treating vineyards as complete and self-replenishing systems, biodynamic farming naturally builds soil life and vitality, while defending against pests and disease. Often confused with both organic and sustainable farming practices, biodynamic farming meets the criteria of both, while focusing on a unique set of eight naturally derived non-chemical soil and plant treatments."  The wine pourer said that bio dynamical farming includes the lunar calendar and even some spirituality,  like planting crystals near the crops.  But in the end, the grower won't do anything if it doesn't help the plant/enhance the flavor.  

 Alma Rosa was next.  It was a great space!  I felt like I was in the person's house.  We hung out in the patio, drinking wine, listening to music that one of the worker's had written/performed (we got his CD).  I was a little bummed when I asked about their organic practices and she said "well our crop is all organic, but since we just split off from Sanford a few years ago, we have to buy some fruit."  So does that mean that fruit can't be organic too?  But they do recycle their bottles!

For dinner we hit up Los Olivos Cafe which uses local and organic farmers.  OMG!  I don't know if it was because I was tipsy or it was really that good but the pesto pizza (mykanos, i think it was called) we had was amazing as was the bread and olive oil/tapenade.  damn.  my mouth is watering right now!

We ended off the day lying in the grass of a sunny font yard of some guy who was playing his guitar!  So cool!  he opens his "garden" up for people to come and sit in chairs or on the grass and listen to him play.  Perfect way to end the day.

I didn't go off the organic deep end Sunday, but I also made my own food most of the day, except for dinner.  All in all, not bad, and a fabulous SoCal weekend!  

A not so quick note about organic beauty products!

I want to do a weekend update, but first a note about beauty:

 Thank you Whole Foods!  This is one reason why buying organic, really organic, beauty products was so difficult!  All these different companies label themselves as organic, but aren't.  Sure they use more organic ingredients than the big brands, but they aren't really organic.  Just the name is organic.  I once bought a shampoo on sale at rite aid that was some top brand "organics" line.  I didn't really care that much about organics at the time, but it smelled great and I thought, better than grinding my own rose petals.  Well I looked at the ingredients.NOTHING is ORGANIC!  I don't think there's one thing in that list that is actually natural.  So when I started looking at organic bath and beauty products, I was cautious to make sure I wasn't getting fooled again.  You can name your body wash "pure gold" but there won't be a drop of gold in it!  Same applies to organics and marketing.  So this is one of the reasons I stopped my quest for organic bath and beauty products.  Not only  were there not many "Certified Organic" (95% or more organic ingredients) but I also couldn't decide if they were just the same as the big name brands.  Now I know that most of them don't have certain major bad chemicals, according to WFs Standards (at least 2010 standards).  So I am using nature's gate and Avalon organics hair care (not saying I really like it..in fact I don't think any natural conditioner makes my hair happy, just greasy) but it works fine for now.  I don't want to buy any more beauty products until I do more research, my wallet can't handle it! Though, I do really like the nature's gate body lotion, it smells and feels great!

 
This article talks about how people are shying away from petrochemical products, because of the oil spill, people don't want to be dependent on chemicals made from petroleum, which is great, helping the environment.  But what about that which the product is actually intended: ourselves.  This raises so many questions!!

Is the lack of those chemicals, in big brands going to create a better product?  Will those big brands just replace the petrochemicals with other chemicals?  If it's great for the environment is it still great for me?

So let's say we do go all organic!  Yay!  Real ingredients for real beauty without chemicals (at every step), or so I hope!  But now the question is: When we go all organic with our beauty products are we losing some chemicals that are necessary for the demands of our society?  I once heard from a "natural" beauty line:  "we use natural ingredients and scientific advance to keep up with today's societal demands."  Basically, will I still be happy with the way my hair dries if it doesn't have chemical x or z in it? And what about all the advance in science that lead us to this petrochemicals?    If we advanced towards the chemicals to make a cheaper (not better) product, then then hell yea get rid of the chemicals and get back to basics!    But if not, then years of beauty research is going out the window!   So what now?  make my own body wash, and hope it works?

So, again, beauty is on the back burner until I answer these questions..but at least WF understands some of my issues!