Brazil Nut Hand Cream and Environmental Responsibility

Studying the impact of harvesting natural resources to make consumer products, I have found that the claims of "all natural ingredients" can mean the devastation of habitats for both animals and humans alike. My most recent studies show that harvesting palm oil is destroying the home of endangered species including the orangutan. The more I learn about this topic, the more important it has become for me, personally, to source out companies that make products that benefit the environment, not the other way around.

I live in the high desert of New Mexico with rather dry conditions and I suffer from really dry skin. I was recently contacted by the Natura Company to try their EKOS Castanha Hydrating Hand Lotion. In exchange for my honest review, they provided me a free or deeply discounted product. I am never required to provide positive feedback! With that said, here are my personal thoughts.

Natura uses Brazil nuts as their main moisturizing ingredient in this Castanha formula.This product is hard to find and it's totally produced in Brazil using renewed, green technology. Emollients and humectants made with 100% vegetable oil, extracted in a sustainable way.

The bottle is made of Aluminium which is great for conservation of the fragrance and also provides a better use experience and the box is made of recycled materials, further benefiting the forests.

According to Natura, "The Castanha (Brazilian Nut) of the Natura Ekos line are harvested by the RECA community in Rondônia and Rio Iratapuru community, in Amapá, where you can find one of the largest bulky of Castanha trees (Castanheira) on the Amazon forest. Known as the queen of the forest, the Castanheira tree lives more than 500 years. Its fruits, called hedgehogs, keep dozens of tasty and nutritious nuts, one of the main sources of protein of the forest."

Now, the product itself is, in my experience so far, deeply hydrating and my nails feel stronger. There is no greasy after film and the smell is very pleasant but not overwhelming. My husband says it smells clean!

So we have an environmentally sustainable harvesting, recycled packaging and a product that moisturizes fabulously - Natura is doing great things, the right way...support them and get your Natura EKOS Castanha Hand Cream today:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007NZO7X6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1435020085&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=Castanha+hand+cream&dpPl=1&dpID=316GIuvdn2L&ref=plSrch

Pioneer Pondering and Fabulous Lemon Oil

Over the last few years, I've been learning how to do many things in a pioneer way. From learning how to sew a quilt, baking bread from scatch and creating my own soaps, lotions and potions I am keeping the old arts alive and keeping my life full of hard work and simplicity.
 I have been blessed with 9 grandchildren so far and I love being able to show them how to make bread and how to sew and how to make soap by hand. It is the soapmaking that interests my 8 year old granddaughter the most. Together we've gone treasure hunting in our high desert landscape searching for natural ingredients to make our soaps better. She loves lavender and pine but her favorite scent is lemon. I've tried several different concentrations of lemon oil and admittedly, most smell the same...lemony...but I found myself using massive amounts to get the right scent then I'd have to increase my (jojoba, avacado, grapeseed, etc.) which really drives up the final cost of my soaps.
In the world of lemon oils, a person can find literally thousands of brands, all with varying concentrations of strength and purity.  Lucky for me and my wonderful connection with BuView.com, I was offered the chance to experiment with a 5X Strength Lemon Oil from Lift Care. Here's the product:   https://www.amazon.com/gp/mobile/dp/B00VN23VE6/ref=cm_cr_wr_ty_shop
I promised an honest review and blog post in exchange for free or greatly discounted product,  and it bears repeating that I am never required to provide positive feedback!
Okay back to my story! They say it is a 5X Strength Lemon Oil so I put it to the test! My typical batch of 10 soaps usually required 5ml of lemon oil.  I immediately realized that I could use less oil and achieve really aromatic results. In fact, I only used a third of my normal measurement! Additionally, by cutting down the amount of lemon oil I can use less carrier oil (another cost savings) and in turn, makes my soaps lather better! This impacts my bottom line so positively!
As an added benefit, the disinfectant properties of my soaps since using this lemon oil, has increased - so there's more cleaning power. I love discovering great products!
 My final observation is that my soaps smell better, I am able to make more while using less additive ingredients and I'm getting great compliments on the new version of my soaps!
Thanks to Lift Care and their 5X Lemon Oil, I'm a happier soapmaker!
Whether you make soaps, lotions, potions, cleaning solutions or just love it for aromatherapy, I recommend trying the Lift Care 5X Lemon Oil.  Til next time my lovlies...
♡