Brushing Up On Oral Health

Fourteen years ago I wrote a book about teeth, oral health care and how to help parents better address the everyday symptoms of their teething infants and children with natural medicine. While the natural remedies for teething related symptoms haven’t changed much, there certainly are many new oral health care products on your store shelves today. The question is, which ones are truly natural, toxic free and effective?

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.

Delicious Foods & Unique Kitchen Toys

Below are a few delicious food options and unique kitchen products that have sparked our interest:

Primal Essence’s Lemon and Pepper infused Coconut oil is like no other coconut oil I’ve ever tasted. Who would have thought that this combination of sour and spicy would be so delicious and addicting? After using this savory combination once (while making Eden Organic popcorn – GMO-Free, of course), I was totally hooked and began using it in almost everything I was cooking (stir-fry, eggs, rice, etc.).

With 15 years of experience in the ingredient food and beverage industry (for many high profile companies), Primal Essence has definitely perfected the art of oil infusions, and the manufacturing and blending of liquid herb and spice (water-soluble) extracts. We can now benefit from their experience, by enjoying their new, amazing and innovative consumer product lines.

Kathy's Favorite Finds At Natural Products Expo 2011

Every year I embark on a new adventure when attending the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim CA. My mission – to have a good time, connect with old friends, meet new ones, and find Kathy's Favorite Products that truly are healthy and sustainable. 

For me (and hundreds of others) the weekend always starts off with the Organic Farmers Research Foundation's (OFRF) meet and greet luncheon on Thursday. The OFRF is a non-profit organization that sponsors organic farming research and education projects, disseminates the results, and educates the public and policymakers about organic farming issues. 

This year the incredible cuisine was once again orchestrated by chef Donna Prizgintas, along with her team of equally remarkable chef's including Akasha Richmond, Jesse Cool and Beth Miller. Fabulously delicious. To see my favorite finds ...

Creative Ideas For Saving Water

About six months ago, I met a man named Buzz Boettcher who had designed this amazingly elaborate grey water system – currently installed at Ed Begley Jr’s house. I thought seriously about putting his system in my house, but after a field trip to see how it all worked, decided that for my simple needs the system (which is brilliantly efficient) might actually increase my foot print with my minimal water use and the system's electric pumps. However, several weeks later when I was getting a quote to have some long over due plumbing work done, I had an epiphany. I asked the plumber to help me create a simple system that would go from my washing machine directly to the garden. I wanted a system where I could utilize the washing machines outgoing water to water the garden in the dry months, and then be able to re-direct the waste water back into the city system during the rainy season. Did I say rainy season – I wonder what that is … lol.

Natural Products Expo West

Last weekend I went to the 29th annual Natural Products Expo West. Expo West is the largest trade show of its kind housing approximately 2,000 exhibitors (this year drawing 54,000 attendees), where retailers come to see what companies, or products are new to the natural products and eco-friendly market (caution – not everything there is so natural and healthy). A place where deals and negotiations are taking place in every corner, old friends get to see each other and parties are happening … kind of like the stock market floor on a good day. For me it is four days of non-stop networking, walking, learning and playing … gotta love my job.

Toxic Tub Alert – Kid-Safe-Chemicals-Act

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics team is working hard to keep our kids (and us) safe from toxic exposures to chemicals in bath and personal care products. There is a new report out this week about toxic chemicals found in traditional bath products.  Most people don’t know that personal care and cosmetic companies are not required to list all ingredients on the label, so even the most ingredient-conscious parents wouldn't know whether the product is safe and free from cancer causing chemicals. Many bath products are labeled as “gentle," "pure" or "naturally refreshing", which can be deceiving because label laws for personal care products is unregulated and these alluring words can be a hook for even the most conscientious parent.

I am a health and environmental writer/activist, and have authored two books - The Complete Teething Guide, and Bach Flowers for Children. I produce the Whole Children, Whole Planet Expo the premier natural parenting and family expo: Creating empowered parents and balanced families in a safe, natural, non-toxic, nurturing environment.

I am also the editor, host and producer of Eco Family News - a free e-newsletter, website and radio show that is a respected, reliable resource for consumers and families about important health and environmental issues, as well as a leading authority on authentic green vs. green-washed products and services.

Eco Family News, in its three components, offers people a comprehensive resource and overview, introducing them to top quality eco-products, services, companies, sustainable practices, organizations and enrichment learning programs.

Eco Family News Radio inspires dialog about important health and environmental issues and provides relevant information for protecting families and the planet. The show airs on the third Wednesday of every month at 11:00 a.m., PST, and is archived and available 24/7 at http://www.iamhealthyradio.com. My passion is to empower people through education so they can make informed decisions.