Summer's starting to wind down, but there is still a full month of potential sunburns before the season officially ends. Are you still using sunscreen?
This incredibly powerful video about UV light is making the rounds on the Internet right now, and I highly suggest spending the 3 minutes or so watching it. Go ahead, I'll wait.
How's that for crazy? I don't know what type of sunscreen is used in the video -- mineral or chemical -- but I think it's safe to say that any liberally-applied mineral sunscreen will give you similar protection to that seen here.
Don't become a wallet-face!!! I've got a couple posts on sunscreen in the queue and no, it's not too late to still be talking about it. Skin protection is a year-round gig!
Yours in healthier living,
Jazzy
Monday, August 18, 2014
Friday, August 8, 2014
SMACK! Reviews: everyone soap by EO
Product reviews are easily the most popular thing here at SMACK! so it seems like a natural way to break my summer hiatus. Today we're getting to know everyone soap by EO Products. This isn't the first EO Products review I've written. My post reviewing their cleansing wipes is here.
I came across this 32-oz pump bottle of awesome in a search for a new shower gel. I'm not a huge fan of bar soap but don't feel so clean after using something that is full of chemicals, ya dig?
Here's where the love fest starts. everyone soap is good for everything -- hair, face, body -- so I not only have fewer chemicals in my body, I have less crap in my shower. And I am of a certain age where things like that make me happy.
So I don't mind the $9.99 regular retail price. Remember, this replaces your shampoo AND bar soap/shower gel. I'm nothing if not frugal.
How does it work? It's so nice. Like, really. Some soaps can be drying, others can leave a filmy residue (moisturizing?) but everyone soap just leaves you clean. Your skin feels fresh but not stripped. The lather is decent, both on hair and body. I've used it both home and away, and the amount of soapy foam does vary with different types of water (hard, soft, etc.) but not enough to matter.
EO offers a nice range of scents -- or fragrance free if that's your jam -- including Coconut and Lemon, Lavender and Aloe. There are simpler versions of the same scents in the kids' line, at the same price (and no age restrictions!), and a few additional scents in their mens' line. This is a good example of 'gendered marketing' since they are all very likely THE SAME PRODUCT. Take your pick.
You likely won't find this stuff at your local grocer. It's at Whole Foods, and online. If you do see it locally, good for you! If you don't, try asking for it. I'm always advocating for consumers to ask for what they want. Any store manager with half a brain knows keeping a customer is easier than gaining a new one. So speak up!
Have you used any EO products? Let me know what you think, and if you get a chance to try this great body wash.
Yours in cleaner living,
Jazzy
I came across this 32-oz pump bottle of awesome in a search for a new shower gel. I'm not a huge fan of bar soap but don't feel so clean after using something that is full of chemicals, ya dig?
Here's where the love fest starts. everyone soap is good for everything -- hair, face, body -- so I not only have fewer chemicals in my body, I have less crap in my shower. And I am of a certain age where things like that make me happy.
So I don't mind the $9.99 regular retail price. Remember, this replaces your shampoo AND bar soap/shower gel. I'm nothing if not frugal.
How does it work? It's so nice. Like, really. Some soaps can be drying, others can leave a filmy residue (moisturizing?) but everyone soap just leaves you clean. Your skin feels fresh but not stripped. The lather is decent, both on hair and body. I've used it both home and away, and the amount of soapy foam does vary with different types of water (hard, soft, etc.) but not enough to matter.
EO offers a nice range of scents -- or fragrance free if that's your jam -- including Coconut and Lemon, Lavender and Aloe. There are simpler versions of the same scents in the kids' line, at the same price (and no age restrictions!), and a few additional scents in their mens' line. This is a good example of 'gendered marketing' since they are all very likely THE SAME PRODUCT. Take your pick.
You likely won't find this stuff at your local grocer. It's at Whole Foods, and online. If you do see it locally, good for you! If you don't, try asking for it. I'm always advocating for consumers to ask for what they want. Any store manager with half a brain knows keeping a customer is easier than gaining a new one. So speak up!
Have you used any EO products? Let me know what you think, and if you get a chance to try this great body wash.
Yours in cleaner living,
Jazzy
Friday, August 1, 2014
Quick thanks
Hey there! Had to drop a quick thanks to all the great readers who made July the Best. Month. Ever! at SMACK! Yay!! And that's in the absence of really any regular content. Wow, I really suck.
Summer's winding down, which means in just a few weeks we'll resume some more frequent posting. Keep visiting!! It hasn't really been a slow season for any of the industries we cover -- cosmetics, housewares, chemicals and the such -- just a slow, lazy season for me. Actually a pretty busy one, just not busy here. I've taken up golfing!
I've got a bunch of new products that I've tried this summer, and can't wait to share them with you. Why wait, Jazzy? Get us some reviews, stat!! Got it. I'll see what I can put together for next week.
Happy August,
Jazzy
Summer's winding down, which means in just a few weeks we'll resume some more frequent posting. Keep visiting!! It hasn't really been a slow season for any of the industries we cover -- cosmetics, housewares, chemicals and the such -- just a slow, lazy season for me. Actually a pretty busy one, just not busy here. I've taken up golfing!
I've got a bunch of new products that I've tried this summer, and can't wait to share them with you. Why wait, Jazzy? Get us some reviews, stat!! Got it. I'll see what I can put together for next week.
Happy August,
Jazzy
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Newsday
Hiya!!! Happy Summer to all. I am neglecting SMACK! just a wee bit in an effort to be more present and enjoy whatever my summer days bring my way. Like sinus infections.
Anyhoo, pretty big article in today's Washington Post about phthalates in the American diet. It's an interesting read b/c it notes how alarmed parents and politicians were a few years back when the chemicals were found in toddler toys made overseas (isn't EVERYTHING made overseas?!?!?!) so swift action was taken and everyone promptly went on with their lives.
Some researchers have since found crazy too-high levels of phthalates in poultry and high fat dairy products. So much for that chicken alfredo I had last night for dinner.
The recommendations, of course, are to avoid eating too much of these offensive food stuffs in your diet. But don't toddlers need high fat dairy for brain development? Full fat yogurt and whole milk for the under-2 set were a real thing a while back, as were omega-3s in pregnancy, because all that fat would make you pop out a genius.
But oops, the pollutants are hormone disruptors and our oceans are nothing but a toxic soup so no more eating because there really is no such thing as a healthy diet.
Hope you are all having a GREAT summer!! Anyone try a new mineral sunscreen that they love??? Do tell! I will try to get some posts going, so if you need a break from all that grilling and drinking and swimming and FUN, come visit!!
Later gator,
Jazzy
Anyhoo, pretty big article in today's Washington Post about phthalates in the American diet. It's an interesting read b/c it notes how alarmed parents and politicians were a few years back when the chemicals were found in toddler toys made overseas (isn't EVERYTHING made overseas?!?!?!) so swift action was taken and everyone promptly went on with their lives.
Some researchers have since found crazy too-high levels of phthalates in poultry and high fat dairy products. So much for that chicken alfredo I had last night for dinner.
The recommendations, of course, are to avoid eating too much of these offensive food stuffs in your diet. But don't toddlers need high fat dairy for brain development? Full fat yogurt and whole milk for the under-2 set were a real thing a while back, as were omega-3s in pregnancy, because all that fat would make you pop out a genius.
But oops, the pollutants are hormone disruptors and our oceans are nothing but a toxic soup so no more eating because there really is no such thing as a healthy diet.
Hope you are all having a GREAT summer!! Anyone try a new mineral sunscreen that they love??? Do tell! I will try to get some posts going, so if you need a break from all that grilling and drinking and swimming and FUN, come visit!!
Later gator,
Jazzy
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Playing catch up
Another unexplained absence, another post spent groveling...I'm realizing that I just may not be that blogger who can churn out content in a smooth, seemingly effortless frequency. That's not me. At least not right now. And that's ok. Summer's bearing down, and I am fighting the urge to just completely check out. It's a condition of growing up in a place where summer is THE season. Long days, warm nights, freedom to go and do and spend as you please. Right, I'm not a teenager anymore. But I am a person, doing the best she can with this wonderfully imperfect thing called a blog, and that other wonderfully imperfect thing called life. Thanks for understanding.
Back to it...Panera has been making big headlines -- and lots of them -- this week with its announcement to dump all food additives from its menu by 2016. That includes artificial colorants, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives. And that yoga mat stuff that, months later, still has Subway eating sh*t.
The news was picked up nationally by CBS Moneywatch, "Good Morning America", USA TODAY and even across the pond by The Guardian. More than one piece highlighted the announcement as part of the company's larger 'Food Policy' or vision for menu transparency and responsible corporate citizenship.
From a PR perspective, the whole thing is pretty win-win for Panera. The company gets a lot of good press and positions itself proactively, instead of waiting for some Internet whistle-blower to point out the junky ingredients in its menu items. The company avoids befalling the same public opinion fate as Subway while simultaneously being aligned with the consumer movement to improve the quality of faster-food chain restaurant menus.
It's good play, and I commend whichever big agency is in charge of Panera's PR game. That being said, what are we missing? What ISN'T Panera telling us? I'm too jaded and cynical a person to take any corporate messaging on its face anymore. So what gives, Panera, huh? What are you trying to clean up with this little campaign here?
Always reading between the lines,
Jazzy
Back to it...Panera has been making big headlines -- and lots of them -- this week with its announcement to dump all food additives from its menu by 2016. That includes artificial colorants, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives. And that yoga mat stuff that, months later, still has Subway eating sh*t.
The news was picked up nationally by CBS Moneywatch, "Good Morning America", USA TODAY and even across the pond by The Guardian. More than one piece highlighted the announcement as part of the company's larger 'Food Policy' or vision for menu transparency and responsible corporate citizenship.
From a PR perspective, the whole thing is pretty win-win for Panera. The company gets a lot of good press and positions itself proactively, instead of waiting for some Internet whistle-blower to point out the junky ingredients in its menu items. The company avoids befalling the same public opinion fate as Subway while simultaneously being aligned with the consumer movement to improve the quality of faster-food chain restaurant menus.
It's good play, and I commend whichever big agency is in charge of Panera's PR game. That being said, what are we missing? What ISN'T Panera telling us? I'm too jaded and cynical a person to take any corporate messaging on its face anymore. So what gives, Panera, huh? What are you trying to clean up with this little campaign here?
Always reading between the lines,
Jazzy
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Summer's start
Can you tell I'm already checked out for the summer? We're headed out of town for Memorial Day weekend, and I'm pretty excited. But blogging doesn't stop! I promise I will get back to a regular schedule again soon?
Have you seen EWG's 2014 Sunscreen Report? Check it here. Me, I'm all kinds of pissed off at my local Whole Foods for putting out a nice display of Kiss My Face sunscreen products and pricing them without regard to health and toxicity. The 8-oz Mineral Formula spray was $17.99!!! Amazon is selling it for $18.65, and Drugstore.com doesn't even carry it (but tried to tell me that the other spray sunscreen lotion is 'natural' with all its avobenzone and other junk. Snort.).
What gives, retailers?? Mmm?? It's not enough to hardly ever carry actually safe, gentle products -- when you do carry them, they have to be priced so outrageously to lower demand and prevent consumers from making informed buying decisions.
WHAT. EVER.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!!
-- Jazzy
Have you seen EWG's 2014 Sunscreen Report? Check it here. Me, I'm all kinds of pissed off at my local Whole Foods for putting out a nice display of Kiss My Face sunscreen products and pricing them without regard to health and toxicity. The 8-oz Mineral Formula spray was $17.99!!! Amazon is selling it for $18.65, and Drugstore.com doesn't even carry it (but tried to tell me that the other spray sunscreen lotion is 'natural' with all its avobenzone and other junk. Snort.).
What gives, retailers?? Mmm?? It's not enough to hardly ever carry actually safe, gentle products -- when you do carry them, they have to be priced so outrageously to lower demand and prevent consumers from making informed buying decisions.
WHAT. EVER.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!!
-- Jazzy
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Price alert
I was at Whole Foods yesterday and noticed that one of my new favorite products is on sale this week. It's everyone soap by EO Products. WF normally sells a 32-oz pump bottle for $9.99, which I thought was a good value, and now it's on sale for $7.99. EO sells the stuff direct for the same price, but then tacks on $5 for ground shipping, so this price at my local store is a pretty good deal!
Have I mentioned how much I love this stuff? I think a product review is in order, no? Let's get that in the queue.
Happy Tuesday,
Jazzy
Have I mentioned how much I love this stuff? I think a product review is in order, no? Let's get that in the queue.
Happy Tuesday,
Jazzy
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