Wednesday 22 June 2011

Natural sunscreen still important despite advances in skin cancer medication

Whilst earlier reports this year signalled that skin cancer rates were tripling amongst younger people, good news hailed earlier this month that a new drug called Vermurafenib can slow down skin cancer and allow sufferers to live much longer than chemotherapy.
The drug works by acting on a faulty gene, BRAF found in half of terminally ill patients whose cancer has spread to other organs. This is no doubt the beginning of a wave of new medications that may save many lives.
Although this is good news, it is important not to lose sight of what’s really important and that is that we still need to protect ourselves when we go out in the sun. Natural sunscreen is a vital product that we should be using on a daily basis to protect ourselves against harmful UV rays. In fact, daily use can also cut down free radical damage and delay signs of aging.

As a general note it is important not to assume that yet again we can pop a pill to fix the problem created by poor lifestyles. Our current culture of fixing things when they go wrong rather than preventing ill health by concentrating on staying well through exercise, good diet and real food supplementation is the wrong path for us as a species. For your stock of health natural and organic sunscreen visit http://www.buyorganics.co.uk and stock up before going on holiday and before the summer heat wave arrives

Wednesday 15 June 2011

How to get chemicals out of your mattress

An article today in the San Francisco Chronicle shared some top tips to getting chemicals and poisons out of your mattress.

Choosing a chemical free organic mattress or organic futon should be a number one priority on every ones list because of the following facts

Polyurethane Foam is one of the number one ingredients in mattresses these days, and off gassing from polyurethane foam can release harmful petrochemicals into the air as you sleep. The Petroleum based chemicals used in making foam are polymers and urethane, which contains an Isocyanate compound. The Isocyanate compound is one of the main culprits that causes illness, asthma and other diseases. Memory foam mattresses use an Isocyanate called TDI (Toluene Di-Isocyanate), which has a strong odor and over time seeps through a mattress, and into the air. These chemicals in mattresses releases hydrocarbons that evaporate into the air we breath throughout a mattress' lifetime. These hydrocarbons are powerful carcinogenic chemicals, attacking and severely damaging the immune and nervous systems of adults and children. United States Department of Labour, claims that the health effects of an Isocyanate exposure include irritation to skin, mucous membranes, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

Hidden fire retardants are the other issue as San Francisco Chronicle points out, The government here as well as in the U.S requires that mattresses must be flame retardant. PBDE, Polybrominated Dipheyl Ethers are commonly found in mattresses especially older ones and mattresses made in China. As the foam decomposes over time, harmful PBDE in older mattresses can pollute your bedroom. According to an EPA study in 2008, PBDE is especially toxic to brain development, leading to damage in learning and behaviour. This is not all that maybe in your mattress though. Melamine, TDCPP, APP and pentaBDE as well as cynanide may be sleeping with you at night.

Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey believes that Fire Retardants should be eliminated from all mattresses, he says, " America's system for regulating industrial chemicals is broken. Parents are afraid because hundreds of untested chemicals are found in their child's body." Many parents bring their newborn or toddler into their bed, unintentional harming their children. The EPA and the Agency of Toxic Substances and disease registry does claim that, " children do differ from adults in their susceptibility to hazardous chemicals, including carcinogens and neuro-developmental effects of the fire retardants commonly used in baby mattresses" This unfortunately doesn't just apply to America but to the UK too. But you don't get many high profile MP's fighting the case for consumer safety in the UK.

The latest advice from some bodies regarding cot mattresses recommends that we use ones with a pvc cover to avoid cot death, if nature intended us to cradle our babies in pvc, surely it would grow on trees! San Francisco chronicle points out that PVC waterproofs fabrics but has petroleum chlorine in it which is a known carcinogen.

At buyorganics we specialise in organic mattresses and organic futons without any chemicals toxins or poisons. We are trying to make your sleeping environment safer by recommending a safer choice of foam fill - botanical latex which comes specifically from plants, namely the rubber tree. The way it is formulated for us using the Dunlop method, nothing artificial, chemical, toxic or poisonous is added providing you with a 100% plant based mattress that is naturally hypo allergenic, and dust mite repellent. This combined with nothing but natural fibres and no chemical or toxic fire retardants is better for yours and your children's health all round.


 

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/06/14/prweb8554183.DTL#ixzz1PLQWNJOq


 


 


 

What an Ethical Designer says about Natural Makeup and Great Shoes!!

Natural makeup and organic clothing lovers will be thrilled to hear that Ethical Designer Orsola de Castro is in her own words an eclectic and simple dresser who points out that our buying habits are more driven by desire then need. The beauty in her work is that she creates clothing from fabrics that would otherwise be thrown away.
She is equally reserved and simple in her choice of makeup opting for a natural makeup look with red or orange lipstick and very little else. Paired with a fabulous pair of shows, she says you can feel untouchable!!!
Ethical Designer Orsola de Castro writes in the Observer Sunday 12th June
Check out natural organic makeup on sale at www.buyorganics.co.uk

Friday 10 June 2011

Bed Bugs – Is Biocide in your Mattress Really Safe?

The latest addition to the market by a popular mattress manufacturer is a new Anti-Bug mattress that contains a Biocide guaranteed safe for humans with a 100% bed bug mortality rate.

As a natural mattress consumer this would raise more questions for me than it would settle my anxieties. I can understand the need for this product maybe in high turnover places such as hostels or hotels, but still…. sleeping on a mattress that is not only laced with flame retardants, but now also Biocide on which you would normally, at home anyway, spend half your life, may not be safe for long term health, especially for small children.

I also wonder how they can guarantee that it is safe for humans, is it that no humans have died, or that no humans have developed cancer or asthma or breathing difficulties from being exposed to this Biocide on a daily basis! Will they compensate you if you do fall ill? Or will they just say that it's unclear if the mattress had made you ill? How do you guarantee something like that?

Even though bed bugs do come with their own problems, here is a quick guide to taking care of the problem as naturally as possible so that you can still sleep on a natural mattress and not have to worry about Bed Bugs– Yes it's a bit more of headache, you may need to use chemicals, but a little careful attention could get rid of them for good, and as long as you're careful, you may be able to avoid getting them back.

Remember that bed bugs are not the same as dust mites, and a few precautions can help prevent you bringing them home. For instance, make sure you check pets are free of them and that you are not harbouring them when coming back from travelling. Do not open luggage on furniture or beds, wash everything in very, very hot water and hoover all luggage thoroughly, even in the seams.

If you have them at home already and need to get rid of them, you will have to take fast drastic action. Hoover everything as much as you can, include all your furniture, creases of pillows, seems, corners etc. As for everything else, wash or dry clean as much as you can, clothes, bedspreads, curtains, bedding, throws, pillows, duvets in the hottest water possible. If you can't wash it or steam it or dry clean it then leave it in the baking hot sun (has to 113 Fahrenheit).

If this doesn't work – get the professionals in!!! But at least then you can sleep on a pure natural mattress and not pollute your body on a nightly basis!!

Wednesday 8 June 2011

John Masters Organic Haircare products favourite of Hollywood Stars


Hollywood glam is all about the hair and makeup. Only the best are trusted to glorify the locks of the rich and famous! Well Rachel McAdams proves that John Masters Organic Haircare is one of the top ranges favoured by the Elite.

Get her look with Bourbon Vanilla & Tangering hair Texturiser only £19.20 at www.buyorganics.co.uk Whilst your there pick up some fab John Masters Organic Skincare at bargain prices until stocks last.


 

Making your Zoya MOD colours last longer


The latest fab colours from Zoya natural nail polish collection, which include the Phoebe, Mitzi and Lolly are best worn with the zoya base coat and top coat for longer lasting performance, without these may chip more easily!! Just thought we'd share a bit of in house experience with you!!

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Organic Maternity Wear for the Super Slim & the Big and Beautiful

It's not normally the case as the most common sizes in the shops are between 10- 14 even when you're pregnant, well what about the rest of us who care about living well and also like a bargain and to treat yourself with Organic Maternity Wear?

Well ladies, in our summer clear out sale we have organic maternity wear jeans that are size 6!!!! So for any petite ladies out there who are pre-pregnancy size 6, these will be perfect for you. Currently on sale for £12 reduced from £61.26!

With summer coming it's also important to feel comfy and cool. We have some fabulous organic maternity wear bamboo tops in white, black, baby blue and red, all in size Large. These are typically for women who are a 14-16 pre- pregnancy size and fit beautifully, use them to layer or on their own, but they are so super comfy and wisk away excess moisture when you're feeling hot!

Also on offer for the bargain price of £5 are our organic maternity wear bamboo Belly Bands. Not designed for supporting the bump, but more designed to help your tops last longer as they ride up your belly, the belly band covers it up! Walla!!

Organic maternity wear that's perfect for the Indian summer that's predicted…..


 


 

Kristen Stewarts Natural Makeup Wedding Look in ‘Breaking Dawn’


Bella Swan's final curtain call as a human see's her attending her wedding with non-other than a completely natural makeup look that so befits her character. Without losing any of the glamour required for the moment she a beacon for the saying 'less is more!'


 

To get the same natural makeup look we suggest going with a mineral powder instead of heavy foundation, with a slightly rosy organic blush on the cheeks and a pale shade of organic lipstick. Add dark eyeliner above the top lashes only and use a smoky grey or brownish eyeshadow to create almost vampire eyes! We still love Inika eye shadows! Finish with lashes of Black mascara!


 

The word on the net is that Kristen Stewart wore her hair in a loose bun with two braids wrapped around her head. Sounds perfect!

 

To get the look and do it cheaply, check out our organic makeup sale, whilst stocks last

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Why an Organic Futon Mattress May Help Your Back!

I was recently approached by a customer looking for a Coir mattress to ease their back pain. As with many customers who come to us, they had been sleeping on a Tempur/ Memory Foam mattress that was making sleeping a bit of a nightmare for them.

It transpired that the Gentleman's best night's sleep had been on a firm futon style mattress that they had experienced whilst they had been visiting India. Although they didn't want to invest in a more expensive coir and latex mattress similar in size and depth to a traditional UK natural mattress, we concluded that the organic futon mattress was the best alternative, price and comfort wise. It was in fact what he had been inadvertently looking for.

Organic Futon mattresses are made to traditional Asian methods, on which people have been sleeping for decades. Created from completely natural fibres such as thick organic deshi cotton, linen, wool or horsehair, these organic futon mattresses have the option of either a firm coir layer in the middle, or natural botanical latex or just pure fibre they provide you with the healthiest night's sleep.

Our back requires a surface that is neither too soft nor too firm. A very soft or unsupportive mattress will not allow you shift your posture in the night easily and may cause strain on joints and the back leading to inflammation and soreness. This can also happen with older mattresses as they start to sag, and some of our customers have reported this feeling with memory foam mattresses. An excellent alternative to memory foam is botanical natural latex as it is not squishy like memory foam due to the absence of petrochemicals, it is totally plant based and springs back easily, allowing you to turn without being sucked into the mattress but distributes your weight across the surface evenly. An organic futon mattress is an excellent choice because they provide the back with unrivalled support and comfort.

Another advantage of the Organic futon mattress is that it is a healthier mattress to sleep on compared to other standard shop sold mattresses. The natural fibres wick away moisture making it less suitable for dust mites to breed. Air flow and permeability is also superior to standard mattresses ensuring that bacteria are discouraged. Lastly, the lack of fire retardant chemicals, petrochemicals, boric acid, glues or formaldehydes means that your body is saved from toxic pollution.

Natural fibre organic futon mattresses provide a firm sleeping surface. Many would call this Orthopaedic. Orthopaedic literally refers to the surface being firm and doesn't really mean anything else. Organic Futon mattresses provide this firmness whilst supporting your back and joints as you sleep and creating a healthy sleeping environment. Options are available to soften or firm an organic futon mattress by adding inner core layers of either natural botanical latex or coconut coir.