Traditionally, many people [...]]]> July has arrived, marking the start of summer community festivals and lazy days by the pool or on the beach. Bathing suits, halter tops and alternative cuts in clothing reveal tender skin that has been protected by t-shirts and business suits year-round.  There are two solutions to avoid unseemly tan lines (or burns!)

Traditionally, many people have spent hours in the sun or tanning beds trying to build up a “base tan.”  A tan is your skin’s natural reaction to UVA and UVB radiation.  Your body is trying to protect itself from harmful effects by creating a barrier. The tan, however, is the first sign of sun damage to your skin.

Alternatively, applying sun block with a minimum rating of SPF 15 can prevent the development of premature skin aging as well as unsightly stripes and tan lines. For active sports, choose a water proof sunblock.  After swimming or vigorous sweating, reapply sun block.  For healthy choices in sun block, see the Environmental Working Group’s 2010 Sun block report.

Conscientious and regular application of sun block will allow you to fashionably wear many cuts of clothing without unseemly tan lines.  Keep you and your loved ones safe and beautiful!

The top [...]]]> It’s easy to say, “I support the environment.”  Sometimes, it’s just more difficult to pay for it at the cash register.  Still, your health is important to you, your family, friends and future.  So, if you are trying to economize and still eat organic foods, then choose the cleanest foods in your non-organic produce.

The top listed foods for cleanliness, called the “Clean 15″ according to the Environmental Working Group tested with significantly lower herbicides and pesticides than other fruits and vegetables.  It is theorized that these goodies have tough skins which repel the pesticides. However, from personal veggie gardening experience, I suggest that these plants are also quite hardy and naturally resist pestilence, thereby requiring less pesticides in commercial growing settings.  (Try growing them in your garden!)

Clean 15

• Onions*
• Avocados
• Sweet corn
• Pineapples
• Mango
• Sweet Peas*
• Asparagus*
• Kiwi Fruit
• Cabbage*
• Eggplant*
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon*
• Grapefruit
• Sweet Potatoes*
• Sweet Onions*

The starred items are those we have easily grown successfully in our mid-western soil.  Try them in a corner of your flower bed.

More Nutrients: Prevention Magazine recently published a report stating that organic foods are [...]]]> Are you struggling to make ends meet? In this time of economic stress for many, the most popular comment I hear regarding organics foods is that they are too expensive. Consider these two authoritative sources when deciding what works for your family.

More Nutrients: Prevention Magazine recently published a report stating that organic foods are found to have 50 – 75% more nutrients than non-organic foods. In local stores, the organic food is not 50% more expensive, so you are winning.  More nutrients, same amount of calories! What’s not to love?

Dirty Dozen: Still not convinced? The Environmental Work Group (mother group to the Skindeep Database) has released their most recent Dirty Dozen list.  These fruits and vegetables are the most likely to absorb pesticides and herbicides: chemicals that you don’t want to consume.  If you’re trying to eat healthy on a budget, try avoiding these, or preferably eating their organic counterparts:

• Celery
• Peaches
• Strawberries
• Apples
• Domestic Blueberries
• Nectarines
• Cherries
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Spinach, Kale & Collard Greens
• Potatoes
• Imported Grapes
• Lettuce

The wonders of the lemon:  high in Vitamin C, the juice of a lemon can clean and nourish your skin.  As a bonus, lemons smell fresh and clean.

I love combining the lemon with sugar.  About 1/4 c. sugar and 2 T. of freshly squeezed lemon [...]]]>

The wonders of the lemon:  high in Vitamin C, the juice of a lemon can clean and nourish your skin.  As a bonus, lemons smell fresh and clean.

• Vitamin C
• Breaks down oils
• Soften hard skin patches
• Aids in exfoliation

Lemon Sugar Scrub

I love combining the lemon with sugar.  About 1/4 c. sugar and 2 T. of freshly squeezed lemon juice creates an excellent scrub.  Vigorously rub hands, feet or dry patches on your elbows until the sugar warms, forming a glaze.  Let glaze begin to dry, approximately 5 – 10 minutes.  Rinse under warm water.  Enjoy an amazing, glowing skin experience.

Ingredients: saponified soy, coconut, palm, castor and olive oils, sea weed, [...]]]> Join up for our newsletter or follow @CelticNaturals on  Twitter to reserve a test bar of this great soap. Only 10 bars available, so sign up quickly!  Spicey lemongrass and cinnamon combo with nourishing sea weed to combat the effects of chlorine after your swim.

Ingredients: saponified soy, coconut, palm, castor and olive oils, sea weed, lemongrass and cinnamon.

We are excited to announce another local retailer in Central Ohio.  Welcome, Clintonville Outfitters! They are retailing hand sanitizers, bar soaps, stainless steel water bottles and lip balms.  All of them are good for you and for [...]]]> Have we all survived the winter?  Spring is in the air and Celtic Naturals has many changes to announce.

We are excited to announce another local retailer in Central Ohio.  Welcome, Clintonville Outfitters! They are retailing hand sanitizers, bar soaps, stainless steel water bottles and lip balms.  All of them are good for you and for the environment.  Check them out.  You can smell great on your next camping trip.

Celtic Naturals is also announcing a new web address in coming weeks. We have officially secured the domain www.celticnaturals.com. Yes, that’s right, without the hyphen.  We are very thankful that we can provide you simple communications.  Our Twitter, Facebook and web addresses will now be consistent.  Stay tuned for progress.

We will also be launching a new store.  We have heard your requests.  In an attempt to make your shopping experience more pleasurable, we will begin using a new online store system.  You will still be able to find all of your favorite products, but hopefully, you will find them more quickly and easily.  We really are looking forward to hearing your feedback on this.  More information as we move forward.

Today, Clintonville Community Market Co-op on the corner of Crestview and Calumet received their first delivery of Celtic Naturals products.  Check here to see the introduction of our paper free packaging of the Hand Sanitizer Starter Kit.  The kit has been around, [...]]]> We would like to welcome our two latest retailers in different parts of Columbus!

Today, Clintonville Community Market Co-op on the corner of Crestview and Calumet received their first delivery of Celtic Naturals products.  Check here to see the introduction of our paper free packaging of the Hand Sanitizer Starter Kit.  The kit has been around, but not assembled nicely in this manner.  We hope you like this as much as we do! New, too, are the Re-Cycle Mint Bath Bombs!

Thank you goes out to Liz Blythe, an independent hairstylist as Salons at Hubbard and High.  Look for her events in some of the upcoming Gallery Hops in the Short North.

I know that the weather turns cold and [...]]]> Do you have a hygrometer in your home to measure humidity?  You can get an easy digital one that reports temperature and humidity.  More expensive versions report the pressure and predict weather patterns.  More importantly, why do you want one and how does it relate to skin care?

I know that the weather turns cold and dry in various parts of the world because my phone starts ringing and my inbox becomes flooded.  People confide to me that each winter, their skin dries out.  No amount of lotion seems to do the trick.  What can they do?

Here are some fantastic, all natural tips to help you deal with the current weather situation facing most people in the United States right now.

1. Problem: Low humidity in the home.  Our home recently registered 20% humidity.  Although the hygrometer runs regularly, I didn’t pay attention until my cuticles started taking a beating.  Solution: Install a humidifier, at minimum use a room humidifier for the nights.  Recommended humidity in the home should be around 40-60%.  This level of humidity allows the skin to hydrate and does not dry out those precious mucous membranes that protect you from viruses.  It also also not so high that it promotes fungal or bacterial growth.  If you only experience periodic dips in humidity in your home, consider trying these cost-effective options:

• Strategically place  water near your heater vents (assuming you don’t have a dog: I never had luck with this method when my golden retriever was alive.)
• Keep a battery of house plants.
• Leave an inch of water in the bathtub.

2. Problem: Dry skin after showering.  Solution: Examine your soap as well as your shampoo.   Always use an all-natural soap that has not been purged of glycerin, as most commercial products have been.  Not only is this good for the environment, but it’s a great step for your skin!  It is extremely difficult to find an all-natural shampoo that works for all hair types and lengths.  If you have not yet delved into the “No ‘poo” world (nor ever intend to do so), at minimum re-examine your shampoo.  Make certain it is not the drying agent in your skin care.  For extreme skin sensitivities, wash your hair in the sink and avoid skin contact with the shampoo.

3. Problem: Biting dry wind. Outdoors activities, including commutes expose our skin to dessicating winds. Solution: Cover up, not only with clothing but with all natural protective lotions.  The absolute cheapest option is to “oil up” with olive oil, but olive oil is best when used on the body and not the face.  Choose a heavier-than-normal lotion for exposed areas, such as face and hands, and keep the lip balms handy.  We recommend Re-Cycle Mint Lip Balm for such occasions. Check back soon for the commercial introduction of our lotions.  In the meantime, some few lucky individuals are testing them here in Central Ohio.  At 20% humidity, I hope they feel protected!

4. Problem: Dry skin, dry lips. Solution: Drink more hydrating liquids.  Primarily, this means water.  Sorry coffee lovers, but until your skin becomes balanced and hydrated, now is the time to avoid all diuretics. Skip the coffee, skip the soda.  It’s time to drink herbal tea and water.