Water vs. Oil in Preserving Homemade Skin Care Products
Here’s some useful information that clarifies the distinction between preserving water-based vs. oil-based skin care products, including some tips on how to use this difference to avoid worrisome preservatives.
A New Yorker’s Take on Sex and the City
Well, with all the hubub about the latest screen release, I am delighted to say that I’ve seen something fabulous. That is, a fabulous rendition of my deepest personal feelings about Sex and the City, presented by Samantha Bee of The Daily Show. As a woman that walked the streets of New York for eight [...]
Grapefruit Seed Extract Preservative — Safe for Homemade and Natural Products?
Grapefruit Seed Extract, used commonly as a natural preservative, has encountered controversy. One might imagine that G.S.E. is simply “extracted.” This is not the case. Studies have revealed information about the safety of G.S.E.’s ingredients that beg the question: why use a natural preservative that’s not actually natural?
Mama Hope’s Mostly Healthy Oat Bars
Here’s a recipe for some yummy but healthy oat bars. My 12-year-old son loves them, and they’re packed with immune-boosting brain food too!
I use cashews, since my son is allergic to every other type of nut, but of course you can substitute any type of nut you’d like. I’ve also done them with chocolate chips!
Mostly [...]
What is Quaker Meeting?
As a part of my new practice of “church at home” with my kids, I decided to research the format of Quaker meeting, something that has intrigued me for awhile. The unformatted Quaker meeting eschews the idea of “sermon” allowing each member to pace his/her own reflections internally and in tandem with the group and [...]
Church at Home: An Alternative Approach to Teaching Spirituality
Sometimes the right moment comes along, prompting you to finally create some routines and activities to teach spirituality and keep you and your family on your spiritual path, while matching your worldview and your lifestyle. Whether you are Christian, practice an alternative religion, or even a non-religious spirituality, a “church at home” approach just might help bring your family together.
A Review of the Halo Sleep Sack: On the Thin Side
It’s spring now and the organic Halo Sleep Sack we’re using now fits the bill. The biggest thing the Halo brand has going for it is that it’s an affordable option for those who want to go organic, a noble choice given the wide use of pesticides in producing cotton. Here’s the problem with the Halo Sleep Sack: it’s not much of a blanket.
Scientific Evidence for Screen-Time’s Negative Impact
New scientific theories indicate that screen-time activities such as computer games may over-stimulate certain brain centers while starving others. As scientists study the field and develop hypotheses, we as parents must make decisions as to how we’ll limit TV, computer and video games, and just how damaging we believe they could be.
