Healthy and Green Living » Hands & Feet

Four Tiny Body Parts That Matter

Mel, selected from DivineCaroline — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:01:45 +0000

By Allison Ford, DivineCaroline It’s sometimes hard to know which parts of the human body serve a purpose and which parts don’t. Sometimes it’s obvious–feet and fingers are important, while evolutionary remnants like the appendix aren’t. Thumbs are an absolute necessity, while we could quite easily live without earlobes. The purpose of some parts of the body, [...]

15 Brilliant Uses for Toothpaste (slideshow)

Mel, selected from DivineCaroline — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:01:26 +0000

By Zana Faulkner, DivineCaroline Toothpaste: it whitens, brightens, deodorizes, removes stains, and restores and protects enamel. But toothpaste’s cleaning capabilities work wonders on many things besides our teeth. The same ingredients that help polish our pearly whites can also soothe some common ailments, make household items sparkle, and even get rid of stains and pungent smells. [...]

Homemade Sugar Scrub

Annie B. Bond — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:07:10 +0000

OK, folks. Get ready for almost unbelievably soft skin (even for those of us with older skin).

Fix for Brittle Nails

Mel, selected from Natural Solutions magazine — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:00:24 +0000

If your nails go snap, crackle, and pop, you’re in good company–as much as 20 percent of the population suffers from brittle nails. Though experts don’t know exactly what causes our nails to weaken, peel, or break, they point to harsh detergents and nail polish removers as the likely culprits. Other factors include cold, dry [...]

Beware the Pedicure

Robyn, selected from Natural Solutions magazine — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:52:20 +0000

Walk down any city street and chances are you’ll pass a nail shop. It’s no surprise that these salons are on the rise–consumers have realized that $20 buys not only pretty (or flashy) nails, but also half an hour of pampering. The increasingly popular salon pedicure has its dark side, however; each year some customers [...]

Treat Your Feet Naturally

Mel, selected from Delicious Living — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:00:57 +0000

It�s never too early to start thinking about flip flops. Take your tootsies out of winter hibernation and soothe away dryness, calluses, ugly toes, and odor with expert natural tips. 1. Add moisture. If the cold, dry winter months left your feet parched and flaky, rich natural butters and oils can restore lost moisture. “Shea [...]

Natural Tips for Pretty Nails

Mel, selected from Delicious Living — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:00:56 +0000

There is a happy medium between shiny, bright, toxic red holiday fingernails and scruffy unloved fingers. Skip the salon and go natural–make your nails look beautiful with these non-toxic tips from Nonie Crime, creative director of Butter London natural nail salon based in Seattle. � Remove old polish with acetone-free remover that contains protein to strengthen [...]

The Trouble With Triclosan in Your Soap

Mel, selected from Food & Water Watch — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:00:29 +0000

Who knew that washing your hands could harm your health and the environment? Thanks to the chemical industry, a hazardous antibacterial compound called triclosan is now an ingredient in many household and personal care products such as soaps, cleaners, cosmetics, clothing, and even children’s toys. While consumers might think triclosan can protect them from harmful [...]

Epsom Salt Peppermint Foot Scrub

Jana Ballinger — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:00:11 +0000

This lively scrub might make you want to play footsie. Soaking your feet first in warm saltwater not only feels heavenly, it also softens tough skin for maximum benefits. INGREDIENTS 1 cup Epsom salt 1/3 cup almond oil or olive oil 1 tablespoon castile soap 6 drops pure essential oil of peppermint Mix all of the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. [...]

Natural Nails for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Annie B. Bond — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:55 +0000

Plastics have snuck up on us and can be found in the most unexpected places. Try our bodies, for example. And, who knew that the ingredients to make plastic soft, known as phthalates, are found in perfume oil solvents and the resulting fragrance, paper coatings, adhesives, printing inks, air fresheners, and nail polish? We might have [...]