- A Reasonably Pest Free Summer - Natural Solutions

I am happy to report that as a result of finding some great new products at the Natural Products Expo West 2015 (and some old faithful products from years past), we were able to enjoy a reasonably pest free summer at Eco Family News.

One of the most impressive company’s at Expo West this past March was Earth-Kind, an all natural pest prevention line of products. Owner Kari Warberg-Block is a rock star in our book on all fronts … safe effective products, business, environment and education. She has created a line of all natural botanical products to prevent and/or remedy pesky ant, moth, spider, and rodent issues. I sat down with Kari at the show and walked away with great admiration and gratitude for what she has created. Obviously there are many others that feel the same way, as the company also won the 2015 Nexty “People’s Choice” award for best new product at the show, and Kari has since been interviewed by Forbe's Magazine.

Mother and Daughter - Celebrating Milestone Birthdays Together

Taking free public transportation in Zion National Park, UT

This year marks a milestone birthday for both myself, and my daughter Danielle. In honor of this special occasion we made a pack that once a year we are going to go on random adventures to places we have never been before (just the two of us) to reconnect and create new memories together.

Neither of us was quite sure what that would look like, but in April we quickly found out. Instead of having a big birthday party, I thought it might be a good time to start our new annual adventure. My daughter's suggestion was to go climbing around in caves in the Sierra Mountains … I immediately had an anxiety attack at the thought. Did I really want to re-experience my birth by wiggling around in dark spaces on our tummies and knees crawling through tunnels, while gasping for air in the dark corners of Mother Earth's belly? I don't think so.

A Few Favorite Beauty Essentials

I'm not sure who actually came up with the original phrases "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" or "Beauty is only skin deep", but while these words may have rang true for me growing up, today I feel quite different.

Growing up in Hollywood, I have witnessed first hand the damaging and unhealthful consequences one can endure from the repeated use of toxic skincare and cosmetics that are routinely used to garner the industries picture perfect illusion of beauty. However, on the flip side, when ones inner beauty is nourished with the knowledge of the mind-body connection, and fortified with natural products - both internally and externally, only one thing can happen - they will resonate with their true spirit and essence - and magical, youthful things will happen, no matter what age you are.

Below are some of my favorite products that are free of toxic ingredients (free of sulfates, parabens, petroleum, pthalates, animal cruelty, etc.), which allow me to look my best outwardly, while feeling great inwardly – mind, body and spirit – feeling naturally beautiful.