My internet connection is being a jerk, so I'm going to bang out a quick post while the getting's good.
Yesterday's news included proposed legislation in New York to ban sales of cosmetics, beauty and personal products that use plastics microbeads (think exfoliants). I read coverage from the New York Times here.
Plastic microbeads are something of a scourge in the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie, which borders New York. The proposed legislation comes from New York's Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman. It's being called 'common sense legislation' because, well, duh.
It is totally a no-brainer. So why then do we have to pass laws about things that are painfully obvious? That's another conversation for another day. Mainly because I don't have the answer to that conundrum. The important thing is that change is happening! It's happening in retail, it's happening in government, and we are all better for it.
Let's keep it up! Keep making noise. Keep talking with your wallet. Tell your favorite retailers -- and your elected officials -- that you mean business when it comes to chemical over-exposure.
Midweek happys!
-- Jazzy
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
SMACK! Reviews: Trader Joe's Jojoba Oil
I recently ran out of facial moisturizer. The funny thing is, my first instinct was to hit up Whole Foods and see what they've got on the shelves. Then I remembered a conversation I had with my friend Claudine a couple months ago about using oil to moisturize skin.
Oil. It's not a new idea. Seriously, folks have been anointing themselves with oils since biblical times. What's more pure? More recently (like, last week), HuffPo ran this piece in its Style section about face oils. Now, I *think* they were talking about fancy oils in delicate packaging so much like overpriced higher-end cosmetics, like the 1.7 oz vial of facial oil that Fresh sells for FIFTY DOLLARS.
Me, I'm talking about food-grade oil. Yes, cooking oil. I mean, if it's safe to ingest, it should be safe to use on my skin, right? Claudine uses, and recommended, safflower oil for head-to-toe moisturizing. She gets a big bottle at her local Trader Joe's.
So on my last trip to TJs I actually had my sh*t together and remembered to check out their oils. The safflower oil is on the same shelf as the olive and canola oils. Trader's also sells a bottle of jojoba oil in the health & beauty section, labelled for removing makeup and moisturizing. Without any idea as to how my skin would react to the oil, I didn't really want to commit to a full size bottle of safflower or olive oil. The smaller bottle of jojoba oil seemed just right. Four ounces for $6.99. Sold!
I've been using it for a couple weeks now, swiping it on with a cotton ball after washing my face. I still use my Neutrogena eye makeup remover, so I can't really speak to how well it takes off the day. But I can tell you how it feels and what it does for my skin.
It's oil, so it's thick. I take a fingernail-sized amount on a cotton ball and wipe it gently over my face and neck. I use the clean side of the cotton ball to wipe off any extra, but there's never much coming off. I was pleasantly surprised to see how nicely the oil absorbs into my skin. No grease monkey here.
What's even nicer is how soft my skin feels, even hours later. Like, actually soft. And this is during peak winter weather. I have forever had dry skin, and these are the worst months. Forced hot-water heat doesn't help matters. But this jojoba oil, it makes me forget all about dry skin.
If you're new to face oils, prepare yourself for an adjustment period. So many lotions and creams are medicated, for acne control or anti-aging, and oils aren't. And while that's kind of the point, to use something pure and free of chemicals, skin needs some time to get used to the new. At least mine does.
So my chin is revisiting my teen years, with blemishes of all different shapes and sizes popping up. It's ok. I see it as a sign that my skin is finally doing what it's supposed to with dirt and stress and crummy eating (ahem, Girl Scout cookies, I'm looking at you).
One important thing to remember: don't forget the sunscreen!! Moisturizers with SPF are so convenient, but there's nothing here protecting my skin from UV light. I'll be looking for another good mineral-based sunscreen that I can use on top of this oil come warmer weather (or sunny days on the slopes).
Wow. I totally didn't mean for this post to get so long. I guess I had a lot to say on the subject! Have you tried face oils? Let me know what you think!
--Jazzy
Oil. It's not a new idea. Seriously, folks have been anointing themselves with oils since biblical times. What's more pure? More recently (like, last week), HuffPo ran this piece in its Style section about face oils. Now, I *think* they were talking about fancy oils in delicate packaging so much like overpriced higher-end cosmetics, like the 1.7 oz vial of facial oil that Fresh sells for FIFTY DOLLARS.
Me, I'm talking about food-grade oil. Yes, cooking oil. I mean, if it's safe to ingest, it should be safe to use on my skin, right? Claudine uses, and recommended, safflower oil for head-to-toe moisturizing. She gets a big bottle at her local Trader Joe's.
So on my last trip to TJs I actually had my sh*t together and remembered to check out their oils. The safflower oil is on the same shelf as the olive and canola oils. Trader's also sells a bottle of jojoba oil in the health & beauty section, labelled for removing makeup and moisturizing. Without any idea as to how my skin would react to the oil, I didn't really want to commit to a full size bottle of safflower or olive oil. The smaller bottle of jojoba oil seemed just right. Four ounces for $6.99. Sold!
I've been using it for a couple weeks now, swiping it on with a cotton ball after washing my face. I still use my Neutrogena eye makeup remover, so I can't really speak to how well it takes off the day. But I can tell you how it feels and what it does for my skin.
It's oil, so it's thick. I take a fingernail-sized amount on a cotton ball and wipe it gently over my face and neck. I use the clean side of the cotton ball to wipe off any extra, but there's never much coming off. I was pleasantly surprised to see how nicely the oil absorbs into my skin. No grease monkey here.
What's even nicer is how soft my skin feels, even hours later. Like, actually soft. And this is during peak winter weather. I have forever had dry skin, and these are the worst months. Forced hot-water heat doesn't help matters. But this jojoba oil, it makes me forget all about dry skin.
If you're new to face oils, prepare yourself for an adjustment period. So many lotions and creams are medicated, for acne control or anti-aging, and oils aren't. And while that's kind of the point, to use something pure and free of chemicals, skin needs some time to get used to the new. At least mine does.
So my chin is revisiting my teen years, with blemishes of all different shapes and sizes popping up. It's ok. I see it as a sign that my skin is finally doing what it's supposed to with dirt and stress and crummy eating (ahem, Girl Scout cookies, I'm looking at you).
One important thing to remember: don't forget the sunscreen!! Moisturizers with SPF are so convenient, but there's nothing here protecting my skin from UV light. I'll be looking for another good mineral-based sunscreen that I can use on top of this oil come warmer weather (or sunny days on the slopes).
Wow. I totally didn't mean for this post to get so long. I guess I had a lot to say on the subject! Have you tried face oils? Let me know what you think!
--Jazzy
Trust issues
Subway. Yesterday the company announced that it was eliminating a chemical from its bread recipe that also appears in shoe soles and yoga mats. Here's the news story on ABC.com.
Stories like these are why I have trust issues. Seriously, what the EFF is in our food??
The FDA calls azodicarbonamide, the chemical in question, a 'dough strengthener and conditioner' that's used as an additive in breads and other baked goods. Apparently it's also what gives your sneakers their swish or zig.
Why, Subway, WHY?
I am curious to know what other companies regularly use azodicarbonamide in their baked goods. A little scared, too. I mean, who knows? Where else is this chemical -- and others like it -- hiding in our pantries? I don't make a lot of bread. In fact, I've never made bread without the aid of a bread maker. And I certainly have never made bread with recipes that include SHOE RUBBER.
What do you make of the Subway announcement, or the effort of consumer activism behind it?
Happy Friday,
Jazzy
Stories like these are why I have trust issues. Seriously, what the EFF is in our food??
The FDA calls azodicarbonamide, the chemical in question, a 'dough strengthener and conditioner' that's used as an additive in breads and other baked goods. Apparently it's also what gives your sneakers their swish or zig.
Why, Subway, WHY?
I am curious to know what other companies regularly use azodicarbonamide in their baked goods. A little scared, too. I mean, who knows? Where else is this chemical -- and others like it -- hiding in our pantries? I don't make a lot of bread. In fact, I've never made bread without the aid of a bread maker. And I certainly have never made bread with recipes that include SHOE RUBBER.
What do you make of the Subway announcement, or the effort of consumer activism behind it?
Happy Friday,
Jazzy
Special Friday
It's a rare, rare thing here at SMACK! to have not two but THREE posts in one day. Would we call that a hat trick? I can't come up with anything witty right now, but I am admittedly low on the coffee.
To kick off the day, this post will look at a roundup of news items and blog posts that seem to be worth sharing. Later I have a shorter post lined up about Subway's poor choices. There's more to say on the whole thing, for sure, but I am still so flabbergasted. No worries, though -- there is a nice long product review to close out the week.
*****
Thank you, California, for launching the Safe Cosmetics Program Product Database
Consumer Reports got tons of play last month for calling out the 'caramel coloring' in soda as a carcinogen
The state of Washington wants companies to voluntarily replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives...sounds good, but who's stepping up?
The EPA released its annual Toxic Release Inventory report yesterday. The numbers are staggering.
Even the World Health Organization (WHO) wants more focus on preventing cancer through reducing chemicals in our everyday lives (from Reuters)
*****
That's some good reading to get Friday going...and hopefully not ruin your weekend. See you later today!
--Jazzy
To kick off the day, this post will look at a roundup of news items and blog posts that seem to be worth sharing. Later I have a shorter post lined up about Subway's poor choices. There's more to say on the whole thing, for sure, but I am still so flabbergasted. No worries, though -- there is a nice long product review to close out the week.
*****
Thank you, California, for launching the Safe Cosmetics Program Product Database
Consumer Reports got tons of play last month for calling out the 'caramel coloring' in soda as a carcinogen
The state of Washington wants companies to voluntarily replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives...sounds good, but who's stepping up?
The EPA released its annual Toxic Release Inventory report yesterday. The numbers are staggering.
Even the World Health Organization (WHO) wants more focus on preventing cancer through reducing chemicals in our everyday lives (from Reuters)
*****
That's some good reading to get Friday going...and hopefully not ruin your weekend. See you later today!
--Jazzy
Thursday, February 6, 2014
News of the week
It occurs to me that I didn't write anything for World Cancer Day on Tuesday. The main reason, I guess, is that I don't think cancer deserves its own day. I think it deserves a swift kick in the a$$.
Of course I get that WCD isn't for the disease itself, but for patients, their caregivers, and survivors, all of whom deserve a great deal of attention for their ordeal, their strength. And here I am saying 'they' when I really should be saying 'we'. I'm not yet a year out from my treatment, and I'd be lying if I said that any of it has sunk in. It still doesn't feel real.
What is very real now, though, is the commitment I've made to avoid things that increase my risk. That's why I'm all over yesterday's news from CVS Caremark that as of October 1, the retailer will soon no longer sell tobacco products. It's a gutsy move, one that the company says will cost $2 billion annually.
The decision has already been a PR boon. President Obama lauded the company and the news, and then the American Cancer Society's chief medical officer called it "an act of corporate courage." How often does a for-profit company hear a statement like that??
The time is long overdue for companies to make decisions that impact their customers has much as their bottom lines. For sure, this move by CVS is part of a larger repositioning strategy; the company leaves its retail pharmacy competitors behind as it moves into the healthcare market. But consumers stand to only benefit from CVS' trend-setting decision. How will Walgreens respond? What will retailers like Target and Walmart do?
If only every World Cancer Day happens like this, with big decisions about real change that will keep us healthier.
Yours,
Jazzy
Of course I get that WCD isn't for the disease itself, but for patients, their caregivers, and survivors, all of whom deserve a great deal of attention for their ordeal, their strength. And here I am saying 'they' when I really should be saying 'we'. I'm not yet a year out from my treatment, and I'd be lying if I said that any of it has sunk in. It still doesn't feel real.
What is very real now, though, is the commitment I've made to avoid things that increase my risk. That's why I'm all over yesterday's news from CVS Caremark that as of October 1, the retailer will soon no longer sell tobacco products. It's a gutsy move, one that the company says will cost $2 billion annually.
The decision has already been a PR boon. President Obama lauded the company and the news, and then the American Cancer Society's chief medical officer called it "an act of corporate courage." How often does a for-profit company hear a statement like that??
The time is long overdue for companies to make decisions that impact their customers has much as their bottom lines. For sure, this move by CVS is part of a larger repositioning strategy; the company leaves its retail pharmacy competitors behind as it moves into the healthcare market. But consumers stand to only benefit from CVS' trend-setting decision. How will Walgreens respond? What will retailers like Target and Walmart do?
If only every World Cancer Day happens like this, with big decisions about real change that will keep us healthier.
Yours,
Jazzy
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
The catalogs are WRONG
A couple weeks ago I got a bunch of catalogs claiming "Signs of Spring" or some other nonsense. Really? In January? I don't know about you, but where I live winter is still going strong. Real strong. And then the groundhog came out and yelled at everyone about global warming and harsher weather. Why do they bother that poor little guy anyway?
Today we're continuing with the theme of giving clothes a second life and opting out of the vicious cycle of retail fashion. See, it totally frosts me that I can't but myself a winter coat right now. The ones I like are all sold out. Since December. The stores are already full of bikinis and shorts, which is kinda bullcrap.
So for sh*ts and giggles, I thought I'd hit eBay just to see how good the getting is on second-hand winterish clothes.
Right now -- TODAY -- there are:
Well, there's a little bit of a stigma attached buying things that aren't new, that aren't the latest. But why is that? Who exactly is judging us for what we wear? I don't see Anna Wintour -- or anyone else -- walking down the streets of my town striking us down for tying our scarves the wrong way, or for wearing boots when the occasion clearly calls for a wedge. WHATEVER.
Sure, I'm out in the sticks of suburbia and I can't possibly understand why fashion is important because it's been 10 years since I've lived in a real city so what do I know? Look, I'm not trying to be any type of expert here. But I am trying to challenge the well-established notion that only the newest, only the latest will do. Maybe it's my middle age showing. Maybe it's my real, growing need to protect my body showing. Maybe I just like playing devil's advocate and messing with convention.
Yours,
Jazzy
Today we're continuing with the theme of giving clothes a second life and opting out of the vicious cycle of retail fashion. See, it totally frosts me that I can't but myself a winter coat right now. The ones I like are all sold out. Since December. The stores are already full of bikinis and shorts, which is kinda bullcrap.
So for sh*ts and giggles, I thought I'd hit eBay just to see how good the getting is on second-hand winterish clothes.
Right now -- TODAY -- there are:
- 5,024 women's cashmere sweaters
- 2,726 men's cashmere sweaters
- 886 pairs of women's waterproof boots
- 5,661 listings for women's UGGs (585 listings for men's)
- 895 pairs of women's skinny cords
Well, there's a little bit of a stigma attached buying things that aren't new, that aren't the latest. But why is that? Who exactly is judging us for what we wear? I don't see Anna Wintour -- or anyone else -- walking down the streets of my town striking us down for tying our scarves the wrong way, or for wearing boots when the occasion clearly calls for a wedge. WHATEVER.
Sure, I'm out in the sticks of suburbia and I can't possibly understand why fashion is important because it's been 10 years since I've lived in a real city so what do I know? Look, I'm not trying to be any type of expert here. But I am trying to challenge the well-established notion that only the newest, only the latest will do. Maybe it's my middle age showing. Maybe it's my real, growing need to protect my body showing. Maybe I just like playing devil's advocate and messing with convention.
Yours,
Jazzy
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
The case for consignment
Quickie post that I've had in the queue and want to finish up.
It started out as a random idea I had while cleaning out a couple overstuffed closets in my house. And while pondering my down coat which has lost the will to zip. And also while harboring a silly but real yearning for a pair of penny loafers (welcome to my shoe problem).
Buying new things. The retail industry is built on consumers' needs to keep buying new items. Some things must be replaced without question; toothbrushes and dull razors come to mind. Other things we replace because they wear out or we outgrow them.
What of the second life of clothing and shoes? I am a big fan of donating the older, out-of-style pieces of my wardrobe, because they are still in good condition. So many great organizations use donations of nicer, career clothing to help less fortunate men and women get back on their feet.
But the benefits of second-hand items aren't just for folks with smaller bank accounts. Remember, clothing manufacturers finish textiles with a horrifying amount of harsh chemicals. So we wash before wearing. But if we do that anyway, aren't we better off with garments that have more washes under their belts?
Uh, Jazzy, that's not always a great idea. Because underwear. Totally. Some things aren't negotiable. But other things are. Now, I'm not suggesting we all start wearing used everything, but I would like you to consider your shopping habits to see if second-hand items have a place in your life. Does a new sweater have to be brand new? Or could you find a nice, gently-worn one on eBay?
It's easy from where I sit, because my washer and dryer have steam settings to sanitize nearly anything. But moreover I want us to consider WHY we need to buy brand new things, and how that need developed.
Food for thought the next time you're in the market for a new pair of jeans, or something to freshen your Spring wardrobe.
Yours,
Jazzy
It started out as a random idea I had while cleaning out a couple overstuffed closets in my house. And while pondering my down coat which has lost the will to zip. And also while harboring a silly but real yearning for a pair of penny loafers (welcome to my shoe problem).
Buying new things. The retail industry is built on consumers' needs to keep buying new items. Some things must be replaced without question; toothbrushes and dull razors come to mind. Other things we replace because they wear out or we outgrow them.
What of the second life of clothing and shoes? I am a big fan of donating the older, out-of-style pieces of my wardrobe, because they are still in good condition. So many great organizations use donations of nicer, career clothing to help less fortunate men and women get back on their feet.
But the benefits of second-hand items aren't just for folks with smaller bank accounts. Remember, clothing manufacturers finish textiles with a horrifying amount of harsh chemicals. So we wash before wearing. But if we do that anyway, aren't we better off with garments that have more washes under their belts?
Uh, Jazzy, that's not always a great idea. Because underwear. Totally. Some things aren't negotiable. But other things are. Now, I'm not suggesting we all start wearing used everything, but I would like you to consider your shopping habits to see if second-hand items have a place in your life. Does a new sweater have to be brand new? Or could you find a nice, gently-worn one on eBay?
It's easy from where I sit, because my washer and dryer have steam settings to sanitize nearly anything. But moreover I want us to consider WHY we need to buy brand new things, and how that need developed.
Food for thought the next time you're in the market for a new pair of jeans, or something to freshen your Spring wardrobe.
Yours,
Jazzy
Monday, February 3, 2014
Super Amazing Reusable Kitchen Cloths: Part 3
A couple weeks ago I wrote this post and this post about Trader Joe's Super Amazing Reusable Kitchen Cloths. I've been using them and wanted to let you know my thoughts.
In short, I like them. So I bought another package of them. Really, they're just rags, but they are super absorbent and seem to handle tough scrubbing. The reusable part is what did it for me; it helps reconcile too many years of using too many rolls of paper towels. Now, as we learned, viscose is made from wood pulp, so we are still killing some trees. But I tell myself that it's got to be fewer trees than what paper towels do.
Word to the wise: don't put these things in the dryer. They are hearty as the day is long, but really not made for heated drying.
Oops.
(Note to self: never, ever put rayon clothing in the dryer)
That doesn't seem to be a permanent condition, though. One good soak and then laying the rag flat to air dry seems to give it back something resembling its original shape. If I remember correctly, this technique is calling 'blocking' and is used for all kinds of knits. I believe something like this appeared in my mother's "Hints from Heloise" booklet. Yes, I'm that old.
I imagine most of you don't hem and haw over what you use to wipe up your counters, but I'll still recommend the product just the same. Even if the chemical load of these rags is the same as paper towels, less waste is never a bad thing.
Yours, in elbow-length kitchen gloves,
Jazzy
In short, I like them. So I bought another package of them. Really, they're just rags, but they are super absorbent and seem to handle tough scrubbing. The reusable part is what did it for me; it helps reconcile too many years of using too many rolls of paper towels. Now, as we learned, viscose is made from wood pulp, so we are still killing some trees. But I tell myself that it's got to be fewer trees than what paper towels do.
Word to the wise: don't put these things in the dryer. They are hearty as the day is long, but really not made for heated drying.
 |
| Went through the dryer, and now looks like Yoda it does... |
Oops.
(Note to self: never, ever put rayon clothing in the dryer)
That doesn't seem to be a permanent condition, though. One good soak and then laying the rag flat to air dry seems to give it back something resembling its original shape. If I remember correctly, this technique is calling 'blocking' and is used for all kinds of knits. I believe something like this appeared in my mother's "Hints from Heloise" booklet. Yes, I'm that old.
I imagine most of you don't hem and haw over what you use to wipe up your counters, but I'll still recommend the product just the same. Even if the chemical load of these rags is the same as paper towels, less waste is never a bad thing.
Yours, in elbow-length kitchen gloves,
Jazzy
Radio Silent
January was such a great month for SMACK! And then we fell radio silent. Sometimes, life has other plans. Last week was one of those times when family comes first. Coming together, putting aside things that just don't feel significant in the face of bad news or crisis.
Again, my thanks for your understanding and patience as we get re-organized for a new month of blogging. After a slow start to the new year, the industry is picking up pace for a good year of making noise and enacting change. Lucky us, we get to watch it all go down.
All you readers have my gratitude for bearing with me, and sticking with the blog. We have plenty to talk about this week, and I'm glad to be back at it!
Yours,
Jazzy
Again, my thanks for your understanding and patience as we get re-organized for a new month of blogging. After a slow start to the new year, the industry is picking up pace for a good year of making noise and enacting change. Lucky us, we get to watch it all go down.
All you readers have my gratitude for bearing with me, and sticking with the blog. We have plenty to talk about this week, and I'm glad to be back at it!
Yours,
Jazzy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)