If you do use traditonal bleaching or whitening toothpastes, then don’t use them every day – alternate with a regular toothpaste. If you use a bleaching kit, be aware that the ADA has not approved these products and their use may lead to an erosion of your enamel.

The Natural Dentist  products use ingredients that help to whiten your teeth and protect your teeth with non-harmful natural ingredients. Instead of peroxide, they use silica, glycerin, bamboo, and citric acid. They have research to back up their products, you can access it here.

The Natural Dentist people sent be two products to try for review; the Pre-Brush Whitening Antigingivitis Rinse and the Healthy Teeth & Gums Whitening Anticavity Toothpaste. I have been using them for a week. I think my teeth are a little whiter, but more importantly, to me anyway, they feel clean and fresh. The Peppermint Twist flavor toothpaste tastes great – reminds me of the Big Red gum that I chewed as a teenager.

Here are a few details about each product:

Pre-Brush Whitening Antigingivitis Rinse

*Natural silica from Bamboo Powder for whitening and stain removal
*Peppermint and Sage Oils to help prevent and reduce plaque and gingivitis (the earliest form of gum disease)
*Helps to prevent bleeding gums, a common sign of gingivitis
*Cleansing ingredients: Grapefruit Seed Extract, Menthol, Xylitol
*Soothing ingredients: Aloe Vera Gel, Vegetable Glycerin
*No alcohol, artificial ingredients, bleach or peroxide

Healthy Teeth & Gums Whitening Anticavity Toothpaste

*Gently removes stains with customized polishing silica 
*Strengthens teeth & prevents cavities
*Protects against acid erosion
*Freshens breath
*No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or artificial Ingredients
 

You can find The Natural Dentist products at CVS, Drugstore.com, or the Vitamin Shoppe. Click here to download a $1 off coupon, good for any of The Natural Dentist products.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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Here are a few of these ingredients and the risks attached to them:

* Parabens – Parabens are used in many cosmetic products as preservative. They also have bacteriocidal and fungicidial properties. Parabens can irritate the skin, especially in individuals who have Rosacea. Some reports have linked parabens to cancer, but no causal link has been proven so far. They’ve also been linked to endocrine and fertility problems.

* Sulfates – Sulfates are used in many shampoos and toothpastes. They help soaps and shampoos to foam up. Sulfates penetrate the skin and have been linked to damage to the immune system and cancer. In addition, sulfates are irritating to cataracts, eye damage, skin irritation, and premature baldness.

* Synthetic Dyes – Synthetic dyes are used to make cosmetics look pretty. Synthetic dyes can be carcinogenic.

* Petro-Chemicals – These are made from petroleum and are considered possible carcinogens. In addition, Mineral Oil, a common ingredient in moisturizers, interferes with skin’s natural ability to protect itself and can lead to dryness and chapping. It’s used primarily because it’s cheap.

* Phthalates – Phthalates, besides being tricky to spell, can lead to damage of the liver, lungs, kidney, and the reproductive system. Phthalates are used in cosmetics because they cause cosmetics to “cling” to the skin and they increase a products staying power.

I’m no scientist, but with all the great products out there that avoid these ingredients, why take the chance?

Image credit: Sxc.hu

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This is the perfect opportunity for you to experience fun events like Euro Bungee, Rock Climbing, Beauty and Spa Treatments, a variety of workout classes, fashion shows, and more.  Be sure to wear something comfy!

Here are the specifics:

Are You Game? New York      
SATURDAY, July 11th, 2009
FROM 10 AM – 5 PM
Manhattan’s Hudson River Park at Pier 46
(Charles Street and West Street)
 
Are You Game? Chicago
SATURDAY, July 18th, 2009
FROM 10 AM – 5 PM
North Avenue Beach

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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It’s been too hot to run outside and I’ve got a wooden bed frame stacked against the wall where my treadmill is (waiting for a yard sale and I have no garage) or that’s the excuse I’ve been using on myself. (Oh brother, not even I buy that one). I’m moving it this weekend. No more excuses.

I picked up a scale and was horrified at my weight. I usually go by how I feel, how my clothes fit me. I want to be fit and look good in my clothes, but honestly, my biggest concern is my health. I am the parent of a young adult with special needs and first and foremost I need to be able to lift and transfer my son.

I decided that I needed something extra, a boost to my routine. I’m a fan of the NBC show, The Biggest Loser so, I picked up Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. The routine consists of intervals of:

3 minutes of Strength
2 minutes of Cardio
1 minute of Abs work

Today, I did day 2 of the 30 Day Shred. Oh man. It is a good workout and it’s completed in only 20 minutes. Jillian goes from step to step to step with no rest in between, focusing on working more than one muscle group at a time, or a simple ab or aerobic workout.

Yesterday, I did the Day 1 afer swimming laps. I was a little sore today, so I’m only doing the Shred today.

I’ll update later with my results, but for now I can say I’m really feeling it and I do not know how those contestants get through the first few days with a real live Jillian Michaels kicking their butts. Ouch.

Image credit: Amazon.com

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You can watch a short video with trainer David Jack (cute boy, of course) where he outlines the workout requirements. You can download the workouts straight to your iPod, download them to your computer, or print them out.

In addition, real womenfrom around the country have thier information – starting weight, goal weight, age, personal motivation – posted for inspiration and support. Pretty cool.

I’m starting the program today. I plan to do a triathlon in September and I have a good amount of weight that I want to lose first.

Two years ago I was at a point where I felt very comfortable in my body, but unfortunately, I got lazy (I was in a happy relationship) and I got sad (relationship turned horrible) and I gained weight.

I need to find a way to avoid the emotional eating more than anything. I want to be happy and healthy and not let stress send me running straight to the Brownies (brownies!). I think that the key is to get back into a regular exercise routine. A little success provides a good boost in motivation.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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I write a lot about products and I do love products – love to try them, love to talk about them, and I really love to share them, but natural beauty actually starts before the products. It starts with eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, getting exercise, and finding a way to relax, because stress and the effects of stress are not pretty on anybody.

The best way I know to relieve my stress is to spend some time at the park. I walk there and run there, but my favorite thing to do is to take a raft down to the water and just float on the creek.

I’m lucky, because I work at home, which gives me the flexibility to get away for a bit  (but it also means I never truly get to leave the “office”).  I live close to the park, so the whole trip can take about an hour, an hour and a half, and afterward I’m ready to get back to the business of the day.

Do you have a quick stress reliever that you’d like to share?  What does natural beauty mean to you? 

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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I tried both theThinBerry Diet & Cleanse kit and the CleanseAway 7 Day Renewal kit.  Each kit comes complete – all you do is add water or juice. Simple and effective.

ThinBerry Diet & Cleanse is  3-step program with a morning appetite suppressor, then a fiber-rich drink, followed by an evening dose of liver support.

Supports healthy weight loss by controlling appetite with decaffeinated green tea berry, standardized green tea, and artichoke. Promotes cleansing and improves regularity with fruit fiber, seeds, sprouts, enzymes, probiotics. There are 7 grams of fiber in each dose.

CleanseAway 7 Day Renewal

Another 3-step process that helps to regulate the body resulting in “improved skin tone and increased vigor.”  It uses the same fruit, fiber, probiotics, and enzymes to naturally balance the digestive system.

Image credit: Rainbow Light.com

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I got some EO hand sanitizer in the mail a week ago and my girls are both carrying one in thier backpacks. Sarah has the spray and Bailey is carrying the gel.

EO Lavender Hand Sanitizer

An organic plant-based sanitizer, with organic Lavender essential oil, organic alcohol, and jojoba. Bailey has senstitive skin and she is loving this stuff.

Hand Sanitizing Spray – Organic Peppermint

Sarah carried the Peppermint spray. I tried it and it reminds me of Bianca spray – very fresh. I love peppermint and this spray contains Organic Peppermint essential oil, along with Echinacea and 62% organic alcohol.

Image credit: EO Products.com

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I love the retro beachy look. It reminds me of something that a friend’s older sister carried back in the day. It features bamboo handles, so it’s eco-friendly, too.

Loops
$54.99

How about the Orleans by Pink Studios?  This bag is good-sized – 18 inches wide, by 10 inches, high, and 8 inches deep. There’s room for everything including a space for phone and keys.

Orleans
$64.99

I found this star-patterned vegan tote set off by a fabric rose. Cute!

Vegan Tote with Rose
$27.99

Image credit: Vegan Chic.com

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Artimentary’s shop features earrings made with recycled and vintage materials.  I love these little vintage lucite roses. They remind me of either underwater sea creatures or roses on a brithday cake. Not sure which, but both interest me.

Black Rose Deco Earrings
$20

These earrings are made of vintage glass beads and brass. They would look adorable nestled in an Easter basket.

Tiny Fleur Earrings
$22

Image credit:  Artimentary’s shop at Etsy.com

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