Terressentials Organic News: June 2013

Friday, June 28, 2013

Clean Up on Aisle.... River

Tim Adams, author of this post, took this photo on the day that he helped clean up a section of the Monocacy River.

Hey there, folks! It’s been too dang long since we last visited – it’s like I always say, time flies when you’re playing in mud with your dog. Speaking of which, I was at the river not too long ago doing just that when I noticed my white-bearded, wiry-furred Scottish terrier, Tattles, had excused herself from the river party for two and was gravitating toward a patch of tall, thick grasses. With her ears pinned back so far that they looked like they were taped to her head, she continued toward the grasses transforming into a creeping and methodical prowler that would have made a queen lioness proud! By this time, I had quietly speed-walked and caught up to her to see what the big deal was and, just in case, to protect that black and white fur ball from any harm or evil-doing. Tattles looked up at me with her wise, but sharp dark brown eyes piercing through her overgrown, unkept brow, then returned her focus back to the mysterious dancing grasses. She began to lean her wet snout in for some good old fashioned olfactory reconnaissance, but, before she could, I stepped in front of her and reached out with both hands and parted the green grass fountain like a bad hairdo – I couldn’t believe what I saw! To Tattles delight and my absolute dismay, we stumbled upon an all too familiar beast I dread coming across at the river, in the woods or anywhere else for that matter: a dirty, rotten, filthy collection of loose garbage tucked into the grasses and scattered along the scenic part of the Monocacy River shoreline!

Now that my detective work was complete, it was time for Tattles and me to get down to business – Operation Spick and Span (her idea, not mine) was now in place. Stocked with rubber gloves, trash bags and a basket for recyclables, we began our crusade for a crystal clean river. From the get go, the bearded lady and I had our had our gameplan in full affect. I picked up every piece of water-logged trash that my eyes spotted, while Tattles sniffed out and hunted down the more hard to find pieces. Good Girl! We came across everything from a tire to baking sheets to a foldable chair, and everything in between – this is surely no way to treat Mother Nature. After about a half hour or so, Tattles thought it would be best if she lay down, stretch her paws and pass out in the cool dry sand like she was hit by a tranquilizer dart. Bad girl! With Tattles napping, I was left to scoop up every scum-soaked piece of waste in that quarter mile radius. Five trash bags and a bin filled to the brim of recyclables later, our little slice of the river was back to the way it should be – clean and shiny.

Look at all the trash that Tim managed to gather by himself as his terrier, Tattles, took a nap!

Listen, I didn't tell you this story to shine a spotlight on how awesome I am or how easily being great comes to me – my illustriousness is a bonus gift just for you (wink). But seriously, I decided to tell this story to remind people that we only have one planet and we should treat the blue and green ball with the utmost respect. We can all do our small part by cleaning up after ourselves and properly disposing of our trash and/or recyclables. Plus, if we all chip in and give our best effort, that will free up even more time for Tattles to catch up on her beauty sleep – not that she needs it. Good girl!

Customize your Fragrance-Free Body Lotion with Anointing Body Oils!

Fragrance-Free Silken Velvet Body Lotion and Anointing Body Oils — A match made in heaven!

I'm a genius — Or at least I feel like one today! I've discovered the most perfect way to get four delectable Terressentials scents in one body lotion. An important discovery to a “lotion” girl like me.

I use Terressentials USDA certified oranic Fragrance-Free Organic Silken Velvet Body Lotion. This lotion is incredibly silky, light-weight, protective, and never greasy. And as always chemical-free, fragrance-free and organic! Then to the pool of Fragrance-Free lotion already in my hand, I add a drop of one of Terressentials gourmet Anointing Body Oils (also USDA organic!).

The oils are unique liquid balms – thick and rich with silky, sensual, aromatic certified organic cocoa butter beads suspended in golden, skin-softening certified organic sunflower and herb-infused coconut oils. These cold-pressed organic oils, organic cocoa butter and organic essential oils retain all of their vital, living nutrients.

So on those days when I'm feeling “romantic,” I'll add a drop of Organic Passionate Lavender. When I'm feeling “spicy,” I'll add Organic Seductive Spice. For the “sunny” days, it's Organic Luscious Lemon and for arrogant “cool” days, I add Organic Peppermint Fantasy. The lotion and anointing oils are truly a match made in heaven! The “new” lotion slides gracefully over every inch of my skin leaving it glowing and multi-moisturized and leaving my moody spirit contentedly satisfied.

To further benefit this amazing discovery, Terressentials offers a 2oz trial size of each anointing oil or an Organic Anointing Body Oil Sampler that contains trial sizes of all four Organic Anointing Body Oils – Seductive Spice, Passionate Lavender, Luscious Lemon and Peppermint Fantasy – packaged in a delightful gift box. I invite you to try my amazing discovery. You will not be disappointed, and you will be doing something good for your body and your soul!

Summer Special Series: Bundle of Baby Products!

This is a photo of Frankie, a daughter of one of the Team Members from a few years back. Look at that lovely smile!

The skin of all babies and children is much more absorbent than the skin of human adults. So it is even more important that you help shield the small ones you love from the harmful chemicals that are in conventional baby body cleansers. After all, the baby can't protect itself!

The Terressentials Bundle of Baby Products Special is 20% off the regular retail price of the baby items outlined in this special when they are ordered/purchased together!

Applicable to online orders placed between 12:01 am East Coast U.S. time on Saturday, June 29, 2013 and 11:59 pm East Coast U.S. time on Friday, July 12, 2013.

Applicable to in-store purchases at both the Middletown and Patrick Street Terressentials locations during store hours starting on Saturday, June 29th , and ending on Friday, July 12th.

In order to qualify you must order all of the following specific products as described below:

An 8 oz bottle of Baby Wash,

an 8 oz bottle of Baby Massage Oil,

an 8 oz bottle of Baby Body Lotion,

and a 3 oz Push-Up of Tush Treatment.

See our Baby Page for more information on all of these

genuine USDA certified organic products!

If you order these four items in one single order together, you will receive a 20% discount on these items!*

Ways to make sure you will qualify for the discount:**

1) Your entire billing name, shipping name, and cardholder's name will be included in your order.

2) Your credit card will not be declined when we try to process your order.

3) You will remember to enter the entirety of your correct shipping address including your apartment number when you place your order.

4) Your order is complete when you place it online (i.e. you will make no changes, additions, or subtractions to your order).

Something to note: When you place your order and get the email confirmation, the 20% discount will not have been applied to your order.

Don't worry, though! We will manually apply the discount to qualifying orders when we process your order!

*The 20% discount only applies to these specific items in your order. If you order these items and something else (such as a hair wash) your other item will be full priced. Also, this combination of products must be ordered within the same order.

** Qualification is at the discretion of the Terressentials Team.

Combine the Bundle of Baby Products

and

Free Shipping Special!

In order to qualify for both, you must place a single order which has a product value over $90 including the applied discount and not including Shipping and Handling costs.

Since sometimes people are in a rush and don't want to spend time doing math, this is what it breaks down to:

A typical order of an 8 oz bottle of Baby Wash, an 8 oz bottle of Baby Massage Oil, an 8 oz bottle of Baby Lotion, and a 3 oz Push-Up of Tush Treatment costs $75.35. By partaking in the Bundle of Baby Products, you will spend only $60.28 (so you have saved over $15). You must then order another $29.72 of Terressentials products (not including shipping and handling). That amount is equivalent to a 16 oz bottle of your favorite flavor of Hair Wash and a 16 oz refill bottle of one of our great USDA certified organic Hand Soaps.

Remember to triple check that your order qualifies for the free shipping special by reading the qualifications at this link.

Truly Natural Henna Hair-dye versus the Conventional Toxic Chemical Crap

The Terressentials Team is often asked “Can I use the Pure Earth Hair Wash on my chemically-dyed hair?” or “If I start using the Hair Wash, can I keep using chemical relaxers and dyes on my hair?”

When people ask us these questions, we stress three things: (1) Yes, you can use our Hair Wash, it will not damage your hair or remove the color, (2) Your hair, since it has been damaged by the chemicals, may appear damaged after completing detox, and – especially – (3) Try henna! (If you haven't done so already, make sure you check out Step 1 of our extensive online Hair Wash Instructions and our the “hair dye” tag on our wonderful Hair Help Resource Guide to read more in-depth answers about our Hair Wash and our approved hair conditioning recommendations. We also have posts about how our Hair Wash interacts with chemical dyes and other hair treatments.)

When we broach the subject of henna with many Hair Wash users, they jump to a common conclusion: henna hair dye will turn your hair red. WRONG! Terressentials carries the Light Mountain Henna in both the Natural and the Color the Grey lines. Not only is Light Mountain USDA certified organic (yay for no nasty chemicals or processing!), but they also have perfected mixing different strains of henna (henna comes in different strains similar to how there are lots of different types of apples) along with other herbs (such as indigo and cassia) to achieve an array of lovely colors. They even have a “Neutral” in both the Natural and Color the Grey lines which just conditions your hair! To see a color chart of the Light Mountain Henna Natural line, click here, and to see a color chart of the Light Mountain Color the Grey line, click this link. You should note that the color on the outside of the box is not the color that your hair will be after dyeing it with the henna.

You can even take mixing the henna a step further. I've used the henna three times now (Bright Red is my color of choice, but, again, that's just me, not the limitation of the henna) and this time I mixed in three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with the henna in order to achieve a more coppery color. Light Mountain includes on their instructions sheet a little section about other ways of enhancing or manipulating the color of the henna by adding different cooking liquids and spices to the henna. (Page 2 of this PDF file from Light Mountain has a section labeled “Special Effects” which lists some of these manipulations.) Also, we have known people to mix two different colors of the henna to achieve their very own custom color with great results! Though Light Mountain advertises their henna as lasting “four to six weeks,” if a friend or a family member hasn't seen me since I last dyed my hair with the henna, it can be eight or ten weeks later and they remark on the color of my hair and how much they like it (granted, these results are not promised, it's just what I've noticed in my personal life).

Now, you may have to leave the henna on longer than you would a chemical dye. In my experience, the longer that the henna is on your hair (making sure it is still moist!) the more the dye will set into your hair. Make sure you are extremely careful as you prepare the henna mixture that no metal is involved in boiling the water and in mixing the henna powder and the water (in the past I have simply warmed up the water in glass bowls and mugs in the microwave when I couldn't find a non-metal pot or kettle). As the instructions say, you want to do a strand test first to see how long you should leave the henna on your hair to get your ideal color. When I am dyeing my hair, I normally just hang out at my home, doing chores, goofing off on my laptop, or reading a book. FYI, the henna mixture will smell like herbs because it is made of herbs. The henna smells a lot better to me than chemical hair dyes and my eyes don't sting at all when I am around the henna.

Applying the henna to your hair can be a bit more tricky than when you use chemical dyes because the henna is more like a thin paste than a pure liquid. The first time you want to mix and apply the henna, it may be easier to have someone else help you. A henna experimentation project can be a great opportunity to try something new with a friend or a family member! Just think of how much fun you could have watching a movie with a friend while waiting for your henna to set. When it comes to washing out the henna from your hair, it does take a little longer than when you wash out a chemical dye due to the fact that the henna has a different consistency than the chemical dyes – so be patient! Also, here's a tip: it is much easier to rinse the henna out in a shower as opposed to trying to rinse it out in a sink or bathtub.

Another great part with the henna is that it ISN'T permanent. There are no awkward root lines from when your hair was last dyed. Also, if you want to change hair color, you don't have to wait months for your last color to grow out, or hope for the best as you put one dye on top of another.

If you want to order henna from us, please make a note in the comments box of the shopping cart on our website to “Please include (x amount) of boxes of the Light Mountain Natural (or Color the Grey) in this color.” Then your henna will be shipped with your package of your Terressentials products! NOTE: Ordering henna may cause a slight delay with processing and shipping your order. Also, the henna will neither be listed in the products section of your order confirmation email, nor will the henna's price be included in your dollar total in your order confirmation email. When your order is being processed, we will make a new receipt that includes the henna and will bill you accordingly. Your cost of shipping and handling may also change if the price of the henna bumps your final total product cost into the next shipping and handling category. To see the list of shipping and handling fees on contiguous US orders, see this link from our website.

We also have the henna at our Middletown location, so feel free to stop by during typical business hours. Come see the full array yourself to make your selection and purchase your henna. If you want to pick up henna at our Frederick store, please call us ahead of time (a day or two in advance) so we can bring the henna downtown and place it on hold for you. Again, to see a color chart of the Light Mountain Henna Natural line, click here, and to see a color chart of the Light Mountain Color the Grey line, click this link. You should note that the color on the outside of the box is not the color that your hair will be after dyeing it with the henna.

If you have any questions about how the henna mixes with chemical dyes or any other specifically henna related questions please contact Light Mountain. They are the henna experts.

What's the Deal with GMO Labeling?

Thanks liz west!

You're reading the Terressentials newsletter, so it's safe to assume that you care about what goes into, and onto, your body. What if a stranger offers you food that looks familiar but may, or may not, contain ingredients which may, or may not, be harmful to your health and your environment? Would you accept that food, without knowing whether or not its components are safe? The introduction of GMOs into our food supply has made this question more than just hypothetical.

Let's start with the basics. What are GMOs?

GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals whose genes have been combined with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other species in ways that could never occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding. Generally, GMO crops are engineered to withstand the application of herbicide (e.g., Monsanto's “RoundUp Ready” corn and soybeans can be sprayed with their brand of the herbicide glyphosate, known as RoundUp), or to contain an insecticide (“Bt corn” contains Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria, which kills corn worms). The first GM animal intended for human consumption (but not yet approved by the FDA), AquaBounty’s genetically engineered salmon, contains a DNA fragment from an eel and a growth hormone gene from the Chinook Pacific salmon, which allows it to produce growth hormone year-round and reach market weight in 18 months, instead of the usual three years.

How prevalent are they?

According to information compiled on www.nursedegree.net/gmo, 70% of items in American food stores contain GMOs. The top foods containing GMOs are: sugar beets (95% of US crop); soy (94%); canola (90%); cotton (90%); and corn (88%). So, non-organic food products containing these ingredients are very likely to contain GMOs.

Are GMOs safe?

It depends upon who you ask.

In the US, the FDA has ruled that GMOs are not significantly different from naturally-occurring foods. Their approval of GMOs has been based on studies conducted by the same companies that make them and profit from their sales.

However, a number of studies present evidence that GMOs ARE different and may be hazardous to human health. A 2012 study, called the Corn Comparison Report, documented significant differences in nutrient levels in GMO vs. non-GMO (organic) corn. The GMO corn was severely deficient in calcium, magnesium, and manganese. Also, the GMO corn contained the herbicide glyphosate (a.k.a. RoundUp) and formaldehyde. Other studies have found potential health hazards in GMO wheat, GMOs containing Bt toxins, and the glyphosate which enters the human body when “RoundUp Ready” crops are consumed.

GMOs are not only potentially hazardous to human health; they are damaging to the environment and may threaten the very existence of organic agriculture. Glyphosate contaminates soil, waterways and groundwater. It does not biodegrade, so it accumulates in the environment without restraint and persists in affecting soil health over time. Glyphosate, Bt bacteria, and other byproducts of GMOs degrade and deplete soils of critical minerals and beneficial bacteria, which are important for protecting crops from pests and diseases. “Super weeds” and “superbugs” resistant to glyphosate and Bt have evolved, creating new challenges for farmers. GMOs can contaminate existing species being grown organically, as pollen and seeds from GMO crops drift into nearby organic fields. GMO producers – most notably, Monsanto – have sued, for intellectual property theft, numerous farmers whose crops were infected by GMO contaminates. GMOs, and the altered DNA and chemicals associated with them, are also responsible for the destruction of bees, butterflies, bats, and other pollinators.

Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe. More than 60 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, either restrict or ban the production and sale of GMOs. At least one survey suggests that 53% of Americans would refuse to buy genetically modified food if it were identified as such.

What's been happening in the legislature regarding GMO labeling?

A lot! Bills have been introduced in numerous states – including California, Washington, Vermont and Connecticut – which would require labeling of food products containing GMOs. Prop 37, the citizens' ballot initiative to label GMOs in California, lost by a narrow margin in November of 2012. Opponents of the bill – which include PepsiCo, Kraft, Safeway, and General Mills, each of which owns a number of well-known, so-called “natural” and organic brands – outspent supporters by almost six to one.

Since the defeat of Prop 37, support for GMO labeling initiatives has been building around the country. In January of this year, activists delivered approximately 300,000 signatures to the Washington state legislature, assuring that I-522, the mandatory GMO labeling initiative, will be on the ballot in Washington in November. In May, the Vermont House of Representatives became the first state legislative body to pass a GMO labeling bill; the Vermont Senate should vote on the bill at the beginning of the next session. And, just last month, Connecticut made history by becoming the first state to enact a law requiring genetically-engineered foods to be labeled! Maine soon followed suit; its House passed L.D. 718 by a vote of 141-4. GMO labeling bills have also been introduced many other states, including Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Arizona.

What can I do?

1.To avoid GMO food and body care products, buy USDA certified organic! Currently, the USDA organic standards do not allow for GMOs in certified organic products. Choose foods with certified organic ingredients, especially corn, soy, and canola, which are likely to be genetically modified if they are not organic. Unfortunately, “organic” does not necessarily mean “GMO-free,” since contamination of organic crops by GMOs can, and does, occur. Organic products are, presumably, less likely to contain GMOs than conventional products. Terressentials products are made with 100% certified organic ingredients, so they're as GMO-free as possible! Still, the only way to keep organic products free of GMO contamination is to eliminate genetically engineered crops entirely. So . . .

2. Oppose GMOs! Monsanto continues to develop and test genetically engineered crops with the intention of getting them on the market quickly and without proper environmental and health reviews. Watchdog organizations like the Organic Consumers Association and Food Democracy Now! lead grassroots campaigns to pressure government agencies and politicians to listen to the people rather than the corporations. Sign up for their e-newsletters and email updates, and they'll alert you when petitions need to be signed and your government officials need your guidance!

3. Join the movement to make GMO labeling mandatory! While opinions differ regarding whether or not GMOs are safe, there should be no question that consumers should be allowed to choose whether or not they buy genetically modified products. The only way for a consumer to make an informed choice is for products to be clearly labeled. The Organic Consumer Association and Food Democracy Now! are excellent sources of up-to-date information about the GMO labeling issue. Join in their grassroots campaigns (by signing up for their e-newsletters and email updates, as mentioned above) and take action to pass a GMO labeling initiative in your state!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Summer Special Series: Pool Protection Promotion

Thanks Efi Kalaitzidis!

Similar to our first Summer Special, this Pool Protection Promotion will make you less worried about how to protect your body from the chemicals that can be in your swimming pool.

Earn a 20% discount with the bundle deal of our Pool Protection Promotion!

Applicable to online orders placed between 12:01 am East Coast U.S. time on Saturday, June 15, 2013 and 11:59 pm East Coast U.S. time on Friday, June 28, 2013.

Applicable to in-store purchases at both the Middletown and Patrick Street Terressentials locations during store hours starting on Saturday, June 15th, and ending on Friday, June 28th.

In order to qualify you must order all of the following specific products as described below:

EITHER

a 4 oz Fragrance-Free Moisture Cream

a 3 oz Body Creme Push-Up

AND

one Lip Protector of any flavor

AND

one 8 oz Body Wash of any flavor

If you order these three items (so either a 4 oz Fragrance-Free Moisture Cream or a 3 oz Body Creme Push-Up, and a Lip Protector, and an 8 oz Body Wash) in one single order together, you will receive a 20% discount on these items!*

Ways to make sure you will qualify for the discount:**

1) Your entire billing name, shipping name, and cardholder's name will be included in your order.

2) Your credit card will not be declined when we try to process your order.

3) You will remember to enter the entirety of your correct shipping address including your apartment number when you place your order.

4) Your order is complete when you place it online (i.e. you will make no changes, additions, or subtractions to your order).

Something to note: When you place your order and get the email confirmation, the 20% discount will not have been applied to your order.

Don't worry, though! We will manually apply the discount to qualifying orders when we process your order!

** Qualification is at the discretion of the Terressentials Team.

Combine the Pool Protection Promotion

and

Free Shipping Special!

In order to qualify for both, you must place a single order which has a product value over $90 including the applied discount and not including Shipping and Handling costs.

Since sometimes people are in a rush and don't want to spend time doing math, this is what it breaks down to:

If you order a 4 oz jar of Fragrance-Free Moisture Cream, an 8 oz Body Wash, and a Lip Protector of your choice (which you would receive a 20% discount on) you would have spent $25.20. Then you need spend an additional $64.80 in order to spend over $90 on products (so that'd be two 16 oz bottles of your favorite Hair Wash, a deodorant of your choice, and a 2 oz jar of our Tush Treatment).

If you order a 3 oz Body Creme Push-Up, an 8 oz Body Wash, and a Lip Protector of your choice (which you would receive a 20% discount on) you would have spent $27.56. Then you need to spend an additional $62.44 in order to spend over $90 on products (so that'd be two 16 oz bottles of your favorite Hair Wash, a deodorant of your choice, two 2 oz bottles of our decadently flavored Anointing Body Oil, and one packet of our Exfoliating Complexion Rounds).

Remember to triple check that your order qualifies for the free shipping special by reading the qualifications at this link.

Handbag Special!

We were thinking that maybe some of our long distance customers may like to purchase the handbags that are being featured in the 30% off selection. So we figured we'd open this offer to everyone in the contiguous USA!

All handbags are one of a kind, so the service is first-come, first-served and you are competing against our in-store customers.

The special will take place during business hours starting on Friday, June 07, 2013 and ending at closing on Sunday, June 16, 2013

Remember: All sales are final!

To participate this is what you should do:

1) Call our Patrick St Store during business hours. Email requests will not be honored.

Patrick St Summer Store hours:

Sunday: 11 am to 6 pm

Monday- Thursday: 10 am to 6 pm

Friday: 10 am to 9 pm

Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm

Patrick Street Store phone number: (301) 378- 0069

2) Tell the Terressentials Team Member who answers the phone which bag you would like.

3) That Team Member will record your first and last name, shipping address, and phone number and place the bag you selected on hold for you.

4) You will be called on the next business day by a Team Member from our Middletown store who will tell you the overall final price of the bag including shipping and handling.

5) Be prepared to give that Team Member your credit or debit card information. The Team Member will also want your email address so that we can send you a tracking confirmation number. If you are unable to be reached on that day, or the next day, the handbag will be returned to stock.

6) Enjoy the new handbag once it arrives at your doorstep!

Check back on our Facebook page. On that page we will make a status everyday after we update the blog post with which handbags are still available and the ones that are no longer available.