Baby Shower Gift Idea

When I first glanced at this picture on my laptop I thought the onesie was real. Actually it was designed and produced by Kristen McAsey. She does have a degree in fashion design but it's the message on both sides of the card (onesie) that is so powerful. This is such a great idea I thought I would share it.

"According to the American Cancer Society, prior to the 20th century, only 1 out of 8,000 
people in the United States were stricken with cancer. 


Since the Industrial Revolution the introduction into our lives of a myriad of chemicals, the incidence of cancer has increased to a startling 1 out of 3 people.


Since World War II, we have developed more than 80,000 chemicals for use in cleaners, 
pesticides, plastics, personal care products, industrial products and other modern day conveniences. 


We know very little about the effect of these chemicals on a child's development" -
http://www.greenheadsusa.net/toxic.htm


Kristen can be contacted via her website at http://mcasey.myshaklee.com

How NOT to be a mosquito-magnet

Nontoxic remedy to keep em away!

Shaklee's all purpose cleaner Basic H makes your grass greener while conserving water. It also wipes away pesticide residue on your summer fruits and veggies.

And, it keeps away those pesky critters far from your skin.

Apply a ¼ tsp. of Shaklee’s Basic H into a spray bottle and dilute with water. Spray Basic H on areas of your skin where you do not wish to receive bug bites.*(keep away from eyes)

While you may doubt how well a “nontoxic” insect repellent works, first consider what a more conventional repellent may be doing to yours and your family’s health.

Though the EPA states that DEET (the active ingredient in conventional insect repellents, developed for the army in the 1940s) is safe when used according to the label’s instructions, other studies suggest it may have some toxic effects.

According to a study completed last year by BioMed Central (BMC) Biology, DEET slows or even stops the body’s production of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme.

Without this enzyme, side effects include: headache, exhaustion and mental confusion with blurred vision, salivation, chest tightness, muscle twitching and abdominal cramps.

Children and pregnant women are especially at risk.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry shares that the cases reported in which pregnant women used DEET during their pregnancies resulted in multiple birth defects including heart problems, with one case being congestive heart failure.

And in 1995 alone, the National Poison Control Center received over 6,700 reports of repellent exposure. Two-thirds of those reports were children under the age of 6 (source: Quantum Health).

Shaklee’s nontoxic Basic H formula is an insect-repelling alternative for anyone wary of applying chemicals to their skin or their children’s. It also relieves the itch or sting from bites as well.*

* Disclaimer: The mixtures and usages are from folks just like you and me and are not from the Shaklee Corporation. Follow all product directions. No product claims or guarantees... just what many Shaklee folks have experienced for over 50 years.

Washing your Fruits and Vegetables

Here’s how to get them at their organic cleanest.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that over one billion tons of pesticides are used annually in our country. While the EPA states these chemicals have passed tests in which they do not a pose an “unreasonable health risk” to humans, any risk should be enough to avoid them all together.
Jay Feldman, director of the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, states, “Not only is American produce sprayed with a combination of pesticides, much of the fertilizer plowed into the fields is toxic. Our food is often sprayed again on its way to market and once again at the market. Because the current research points to and suspects pesticide poisoning as being carcinogenic and hormone-disruptive, the American public is being forced to think about other ways of doing things.”
Children are at greater risk.
Since they are of a smaller body weight, chemicals have a more magnifying impact on their bodies. The EPA acknowledges that adult bodies are four times more effective at detoxifying insecticides or pesticides than children.
A simple solution to reducing your contact and children’s contact with chemicals is to buy organic and wash your food, especially fruits and vegetables.
Here’s how you can wash them better and maintain their 100% organic seal:
With Shaklee's Basic H2®!
The Veggie & Fruit Wash recipe:

• Apply ¼ tsp of Basic H2® to 4 cups of cold water.
• Stir thoroughly.
• For firm fruits and veggies, use a brush for cleaning. For softer fruits, dip them in the solution and then rinse with water in a colander.
• Not only does it remove any bacteria and pesticides, it also removes dirt easily.

The Center for Disease Control recommends that all fruits and vegetables be washed even those with a thick peel. While you may feel washing an orange is a bit overzealous, bacteria and chemicals can come in contact with the edible part of the fruit when it is being peeled. It’s better to take an extra step and be thorough when it comes to your food’s cleanliness.
Also, to see if you’re eating enough fruits and veggies based on your age, gender, and activity level, you can find out with the Center of Disease Control’s “Fruit and Veggie Calculator”: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/index.html

Blue Butterfly Program - Raises Awarness for Healthy Children

This is a great video that raises awareness for growing healthy kids.



Order Kids Safe Cleaner: http://greenclean.barefootmom.com

Is Your Home Poisoning You?

Our home should be a safe heaven a place to relax, kick off our shoes and breathe easy.

Find out whether disease-causing agents are lurking behind your front door

Take the Quiz over at Real Age to sniff out the culprits and healthy-up your home.

We believe the small act of scouring the sink can be a giant act of changing the world. When you use Get Clean you're never simply cleaning. While you make your home cleaner you make your family healthier. You also make the planet healthier for other families as well.
And if you think like we do Get Clean works great and tell others imagine the ripples you can create just by scouring the sink.

One of the nice things about using Get Clean is that once you get rid of all those undesirable cleaners you may have in your home, you won’t have to replace them with 27 more. This multi-talented set is all you need to start cleaning your way to a healthier home. With our 100% money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose.
Except dirt and a whole lot of toxins.

5 Simple Ways to Go Green

Going green doesn’t need to be difficult or complicated. Even small steps count, and what you do every day can help keep your family and the planet healthy.Thanks to the thousands who have chosen Get Clean, look at the difference made over the past 12 months!

Kept 10,230,732 pounds of packaging waste out of landfills.
Eliminated 23,492,792 pounds of greenhouse gas.

1. Clean Up Your Cleaning Products

Some conventional cleaning products can contain questionable chemicals like phthalates, butyl cellosolve, sodium hydroxide, ammonia, or formaldehyde. Why would you endanger your health or the health of the planet with harsh chemicals and toxic substances when you can choose natural and healthier alternatives?

Switch to Get Clean®. Get Clean offers choices that are safe, nontoxic, and natural, and they work wonderfully. Many Get Clean products are formulated using sustainably sourced ingredients from natural sources, like activated enzymes or biodegradable cleaning agents derived from corn and coconuts. When you welcome Get Clean products into your home, you’re not exposing your family to many of the dangerous chemicals found in conventional cleaners.

A great way to start is with the Get Clean Starter Kit—everything you need to clean your home. To order yours, contact Cindy McAsey visit us at barefootmom.com, or call 1.888.272.6701.

2. Start Using your Dishwasher!

Using the dishwasher is actually better for the planet than washing dishes by hand. The average energy-efficient dishwasher uses just 4 gallons of water per cycle, saving nearly 5,000 gallons of water per year compared with hand washing—as well as $40 in energy costs and 230 hours of washing time, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Make sure to use a phosphate-free detergent. Phosphates spur algae blooms and are a major source of water pollution.

Get Clean Dish Wash Automatic Concentrate is one of the first phosphate-free automatic dish wash detergents. Learn more

3. Ditch the Anti-bacterial Hand Soap

Triclosan, a common ingredient in antibacterial soap that kills microbes, ends up in our water sources and, at specific levels, is acutely and chronically toxic to aquatic life. Moreover, overuse of antibacterial and antimicrobial soap can help create antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which may weaken the effectiveness of currently useful antibiotics. Antibacterial soap doesn’t offer any better protection against illness than vigorous hand washing with plain soap and warm water.
Get Clean Hand Wash Concentrate is a great antibacterial-free alternative. It’s soap free, pH balanced, hypoallergenic, and has biodegradable surfactants. Learn More

4. Bring your own Bag

Okay, we’ve all heard this one, but it’s true. Neither paper nor plastic is the ideal choice. Paper is accepted in more recycling programs, but only approximately 20% is recycled, and most bags can end up in landfills. Plastic bags not only can take a thousand years to decompose and but use up nonrenewable resources. The best choice? Bring your own reusable bag. A sturdy, reusable one can take the place of hundreds or maybe even thousands of single-use bags over its lifetime.

5. Buy from Socially Responsible Companies

Buy from Socially Responsible Companies

Use your consumer power to support companies that are environmentally responsible and offer products that are safe for you and the environment. Shaklee has a long history of environmental responsibility, including introducing one of the first biodegradable cleaners in 1960.

Shaklee is the first company in the world to obtain Climate Neutral™ certification and totally offset its greenhouse gas emissions.

While Everything Else Stops, Green Still Means Go

The tide has turned, and I believe virtually every sector of society is waking up to the fact that being green means greater efficiency, greater prosperity, all moving toward a world where our lifestyles become far more sustainable.

This is an excellent article from http://www.greenbiz.com documenting the fact going green does effect you bottomline. http://www.greenbiz.com/feature/2009/01/19/green-still-means-go

This change in public perception was far pre-dated by Dr. Shaklee's vision of a company in harmony with nature. I think all Shaklee Distributors can be very proud to have been leading the way for this shift toward greater sustainability.

We have a lot of work to do... I like the idea of spreading the word and sharing ideas with others. For a comprehensive view of where we are and where we need to go, I highly recommend Thomas Friedman's Hot Flat and Crowded. Here's a Cliff Notes version: http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/files/hot_flat_and_crowded_guide.pdf

Are you ready to make a difference? Call me Cindy McAsey 888-272-6701 Let's Talk!

Educational Video: Contaminated Without Consent

Everyone should watch this video and be aware of your surroundings. How many chemicals are you exposed to everyday? How about your children? I feel I must do everything I can to educate the world about being contaminated without consent. I now suffer from the chemicals I was exposed to many years ago as a cosmetologist. I feel very fortunate to be educated and understand about making safer choices.

My mission is to help educate you, so you can too make better choices for you and your family.

Safe Natural Products for over 50 years can be found at: http://www.barefootmom.com

Spring Cleaning... Can it make you Sick?

Are you the type of person that likes to deep clean your house reaching every little nook and crany in the spring? This year before you start spring cleaning take the time to educate yourself about the toxins in most household cleaners. I recorded this short 3 minute video that will help you make a more informed choices to keep you and your family safe.

Learn more about the hidden toxins in your home.

Stay well and have a squeeky clean home!

For ‘EcoMoms,’ Saving Earth Begins at Home

The media is catching on to the green clean wave. This morning in the New York Times front page is and article that is so inline with what this blogs is all about I just had to post a link. CLICK HERE to read the New York Times Article.

NEW Green Cleaners: The REAL DIRT on House Cleaning

There is so much miss information out there about what is and what isn't safe for you and the environemnt. Our manufacturer has made available 4 very educational videos that I feel are very educational and a great addition this blog.

Part 1- The Real Dirt on Clean

Part 2- The Real Dirt on Clean

Part 3 .. safe, effective, green cleaners.


Part 4 Real Dirt on Clean

10 Reasons to Love Barefoot's All Purpose Safe Cleaner

1. Stop living in a toxic home
Some of the most questionable chemicals used regularly
in household products are ammonia, chlorine bleach, phenol,
butyl cellosolve, and formaldehyde—all of which can be
found under your kitchen sink. All Purpose Safe Cleaner is nontoxic and safefor your family.

2. Everything and the kitchen sink
All Purpose H cleans it all from kitchens and bathrooms to
appliances, woodwork, mirrors, painted walls, and floors—
it even does windows. So, toss those single-purpose
cleaners like sink and tile cleaners. Mix ¼ teaspoon in 16 oz.
of water in a Green Clean spray bottle for all purpose cleaning,
and 2 drops in 16 oz. of water to clean windows.

3. Eliminate your ammonia-based window cleaner
All Purpose H cleans windows without streaking while being a great alternative to leading brands. All Purpose H window
cleaner is equivalent in performance to Windex® Original.

4. Removes the impossible
From lipstick on a linen napkin to crayons on a painted wall,full-strength All Purpose H comes to the rescue.

5. Great for cutting grease
Tough on greasy barbecue grills, ovens, and even oil spots
on concrete. Mix 2 oz. per gallon of water for a superdegreaser
formula.

6. Does odd jobs
One tablespoon of All Purpose H in a bucket of hot water lifts off
old wallpaper. One and a half teaspoons in a half gallon cleans
sticky paintbrushes. Just soak for 24 hours and rinse with
hot tap water.

7. Saves money
One 16 oz. bottle of All Purpose H2 diluted per label directions
makes 214 bottles (28 oz.) of ready-to-use all-purpose cleaner.

8. Camping and traveling companion
Take along a small size of All Purpose H to keep clothes, dishes,
and everything else clean. And you’ll help by keeping the
great outdoors unpolluted.

9. Easy on the planet
Biodegradable and environmentally friendly, All Purpose H handles
even hard-to-clean jobs without phosphates, borates, nitrates,
or other stuff the planet doesn’t appreciate.

10. Less in the landfill
All Purpose H is superconcentrated, so you’ll use fewer bottles
of cleaning products throughout the year.

Is your home Toxic?

Three out of four mothers with young children if educated would have to say YES I have a toxic home. The real problem is they don't even know it is. What mother in their right mind would put their precious little child in danger.

A short movie  called "The Toxic Brew" is a BIG eye opener.  I encourage every mother of small children to listen to this short 2 minute clip.

So what is the solution?

Safe, Effective Cleaners. Yes there are green cleaners that will work just as well as all of those toxic chemical cleaners.

 Keep your family in a safe toxic free environment and help educate other Mom's to do the same.

Shop Healthy Safe Non-Toxic Shaklee Get Clean Now

Green Before Green was Cool...

Do you remember the song Barbara Mandrell sang I was country before contry was cool. Well that's saying can really relate to our Barefoot Secret Biz too. For over 50 years now Barefoot Secret Biz has been creating healthier lives one step at a time. Lately however Roger Barnett the CEO of Barefoot's Secret Biz has created lots of press. A little over a month ago Roger and his wife Sloan were on Oprah durning her green earth day special. {I've got a clip of it in my online web conference room if you would like to see it. Go to www.barefootsuccess.com and click to enter the web cast room once you are in my conference room just click on recorded trainings and look for the link that says Oprah.}

Talk about a boost for business!!!

Roger isn't done with his biz buzz yet. Just this last week Fortune senior writer Marc Gunther sat down for a two-hour lunch with Roger. He captured in one article what most people would take a whole magizine to capture. Here is a link to the artice that came from that conversation: http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/17/news/companies/pluggedin_gunther_shaklee.fortune/index.htm

As you can see by this article Barefoot's Secret Biz was really Green before Green was COOL!

Eco-Socialites Make Cleaning Green a Priority

Wow the buzz is out. I just read an article posted on the New York Times website.

THERE is nothing like the specter of a bathtub ring to mobilize even the most pedigreed homemaker. Sloan Barnett was counting on it when she invited some 40 friends to her five-story Georgian town house on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She meant to introduce them to her family-owned line of eco-friendly household cleansers, and to persuade them to do their part to save the planet.

Read the whole article

Learn more and Purchase a NEW GREEN CLEAN KIT

Environment Safe Cleaners: The Hazards of Chlorine Bleach

Here is what Mitchell Gayor, MD of Cornelll University say's about clorine bleach...
Most people use a wide variety of cleaning products, many of which contain toxic chemicals. Chlorine bleach is potentially carcinogenic and can damage the respiratory system.

Among its by-products are chlorinated hydrocarbons, chloroform and trihalo-methanes, all of which act like weak estrogens and cause breast cells
to divide more rapidly. These by-products have been shown to cause breast tumors in animals.

Barefoot Secret Products have a Basic Germicide that is more safe and effective than Chlorine Bleach. Check it out at:http://www.shaklee.net/barefoot/product/00525

The ingredients in most household cleaners, including corrosives, ammonia, bleach, phosphates,and petroleum, pose a variety of threats to your health.

Note: Barefoot Secret cleaners are completely toxic free and totally safe for you and your family

Go Green and Make Some Green

Alternative energy. Trash to treasure. Green is the new black. Green is the new red. Organic foods go mainstream. These are just some of the catch phrases buzzing around the planet. From flowers and cotton to food and fashion, eco-friendly is where it's at these days.

Yes folks the world is going green and now is the time to cash in and start your own eco-friendly green business. Want to know which green businesses are best? Look no further. We've got the scoop on the top 10 green businesses to start in 2007. Go green and make some green. It's only going to get greener, er, better from here!


Top 10 Green Businesses to Start in 2007

Natural and Organic Foods
Natural and organic foods are hot commodities despite the naysayers who don't believe it's any better for you than conventional foods. Even Wal-mart's selling organic foods these days. If they can, you sure can.

Organic Clothing and Accessories
Eco-fashions made from organic and dye and pesticide free fibers (think cotton), and sustainable fibers like soy silk and bamboo fiber are catching on. Even famous designers are cashing in.

Natural Beauty and Personal Care Products
Ever heard of mineral makeup? It's a natural beauty product containing no dyes, perfumes, or any other artificial substances--and it has caught on like wildfire. With more studies cropping up every day about how soaps, body washes, shampoos, and makeup contain substances that are not good for us, the market for natural skincare and other products has risen dramatically in recent years.

Green "Home Depot"
Home improvement continues to be a big trend, but more people are demanding eco-friendly building products that are formaldehyde-free, made with renewable resources like bamboo or cork, and use recycled materials to make floor tiles and other eco-friendly products.

Organic Flower Grower
According to a group of California flower growers, 2007 is going to be the year that the public finally catches on to organic or "green" flowers. Organic flowers are grown using sustainable practices and without pesticide, look just as good, cost about the same, and smell even better than conventional ones.

Hydroponic Herb Grower
Hydroponic herbs are grown in water using fairly simple equipment, no soil required. You've probably seen hydroponic herbs at the supermarket, those really fresh and healthy looking basil, oregano, and parsley still in their pots. Think health conscience consumers who want fresh produce and you've got your target market.

Eco-friendly House Cleaning Service
Nowadays who doesn't hire a housekeeper or use a cleaning service? Beat the competition with a housecleaning service that only uses non-toxic, people, pet, and eco-friendly cleaning products.

Household Recycling Units
Kitchen waste, garden waste, plastic bottles, cans, and cardboard all take up space in landfills—and we're running out of room. Capitalize on the need to recycle by selling self-contained household recycling units that crush and compact plastic and metal, or composters that turn kitchen waste into compost for the garden without any odors.

Green Rental Car Agency
Green rental car agencies rent "green" cars like the hybrid Toyota Prius. The corporate environment is getting greener with every passing year. Who rents cars? Business people. What better way to show that a company cares about the environment than to make a "green" car rental a priority?

Residential Wind Power Generators
This may not be the "coolest" business idea on the list (no pun intended), but the potential for growth is enormous. Residential wind generators capture the power of the wind and turn it into electricity for home use. Consumers can save money while saving the planet. And, in some municipalities, electric companies will even buy back any extra electricity that's generated by consumers.

What do you think our Earth will look like in 200 Years

As I was watching Star Trek this morning on TV land it dawned on me that in 200 years from now the earth could look a lot different than it does today. Sometimes that show really gets you to thinking. Even though most of the episodes are re-runs and lots of the "futuristic stuff" looks dated there is still lots of good content to get your mind thinking.

Some how I just can't help but believe that by promoting and marketing our Barefoot products that in a small way we are makeing a huge impact on what our world will look like in 200 years.

I know there is some controversy on global warming, but I still think the more chemicals and bad stuff we can keep off the planet the better off everyone will be.

Do you part to help our plant be healthy in 200 years and keep the chemicals out of you house. Try our GREEN CLEAN Products Today!