Mer-man Outdoors!

With the weather finally feeling like summer (let the complaining begin), we definitely were on a mission to seek out activities to keep us cool. It was actually a toss between going Berry picking in Richmond or go swimming, but sadly and fortunately, the U-Pick place i wanted to go to was closed on Sundays, so we went to a lively outdoor pool with gorgeous views of the north shore mountains...New Brighton Park!

Amazing view from New Brighton Park (photo credit)

Mind you, i didn't exactly pay THAT much attention to the mountains, but when i did notice the unobstructed scenery, i was definitely impressed!

Outdoor pool sun safety:

1)  Sunscreen for the wee one

I chose the Badger baby sun block as it had zinc in it, i've used this brand before as a lip sunscreen for mexico, and that it scored relatively well on the GOOD GUIDE. 

photo credit

Although it was a whopping $20+ tax, I think it's a good investment to keep baby's skin (and health) well. It was a little greasy which made it very easy to apply- rub in the palms of your hands and THEN apply to the exposed baby areas. Max didn't stay ghostly white. Although i kept reapplying it after every dip, i still saw the product on this skin while in the pool (water resistant), and he didn't have any weird skin reactions to it. The staff at Little Earth assured me that this one tube will last all summer.

Where else to buy this product I don't know as I haven't gone on any major hunts, but probably Whole Foods.

2) Sun Shirt with sunblock

OLD Navy

I added an extra protection from the sun for Max with this rash guard/swim shirt/sun shirt from Old Navy (clearance time alert!). The tag said UPF 50, so it was a perfect thing to swim in with his Bummis as the bottoms. Because of this tangible physical block, I only needed to put sunscreen on his exposed areas like face, forearms, and legs.

3) Umbrella

Max was under a beach umbrella by the pool when not in the water.

4) Sun hat

Ok, I neglected to put a hat on Max when we were in the pool. I don't know why. It's not like i was dunking his head! Now that i see the pictures and that he was squinting in every one, i am slapping myself on the forehead. I have a sun hat with the UPF 50 factor about it, but i only used it when he was sitting in the shade...dumb I know. Next time, Sun Hat while in the pool! I'm thinking of getting one like this for the pool and in general, as I'm not too happy about how big his current sun hat is on him, thus covering his eyes and irritating him. but i can't decide or figure out if there's a big difference between the flap style or the wide brim style (the latter a little more feminine i guess? just personal preference?)

The Arid Organ

Photo Credit

In light of my quest for more natural products, through word of mouth and some online research, i'm happy to say that i've found a moisturizer that I really love!  Ready for it?

SWEET ALMOND OIL!

What is sweet almond oil you ask?  Well it's a Vitamin E rich oil that is extracted from the nuts of a sweet almond tree.  (Be sure not to get this confused with bitter almond oil as this may cause birth defects!)  Sweet almond oil is a slightly yellow, odorless, massage, aromatherapy, and bath oil.  In aromatherapy, it can be used as a carrier oil- this means you add a few drops of your desired essential oil, and away you go with your massage needs.  However, the use of essential oils is contraindicated in pregnancy.  Though all essential oils may not be bad, there are ones that may cause blood thinning, or put one at risk for spontaneous abortion, so the "do not use if pregnant or have other medical conditions before seeking the advice of medical professionals" is a warning that needs to be taken into account.  I'm not sure if this has been proven for sure in any scientific journals (or really i'm too lazy to dig any deeper), i'm quite fine erring in the size of caution when it comes to anything like that.  In light of this matter though, just using sweet almond oil without the essential oil is perfectly fine!

Read more about essential oils and Pregnancy here: Essential Oils and Pregnancy and Wiki on Essential Oils

Why is sweet almond oil so awesome?  It's not greasy for a long period of time, no preservatives, no parabens, it's easily and readily absorbed by the skin, and has left my skin feeling soft and supple!  I use it just after my shower when my pores are open and ready to receive something moisturizing before it closes up and locks everything in.  In massage, it has that warming effect, which is really nice for those tired aching muscles.  To boot, this oil is good for ALL skin types, and i've read it works wonders for eczema.  Apparently you can also use this for your face like in the under eye area to decrease inflammation, but this is something I personally won't try as I have oily skin to begin with and don't need to be even oilier! 

In Vancouver, i've found Sweet Almond oil at Donald's Market and of course, Whole Foods

Skin Deep: Cosmetics

Photo Credit

I'm at somewhat of a toss when it comes to choosing cosmetic products.  The fence is always between choosing awesome cosmetics vs. so-so cosmetics.   Why not choose the awesome cosmetics you ask?  Simply because of the dreaded "Dirty Dozen" - a group of nasty, possibly health and life altering chemicals that are present in these "awesome" cosmetics!  Ok, then why not choose the so-so cosmetics?  In gist, because most cost an arm and a leg to just "try" as well, some really suck in terms of color and amount payoff so what's the point of buying them right?  Why not go au-naturel then?  Not an option hahaha

According to the David Suzuki Foundation, there are 12 notorious toxic chemicals present in our everyday cosmetics (ie. shampoo, foundations, lotions, creams etc).  These chemicals can't just be classified as "carcinogens," although that word should probably scare me off already, these not-just-rash-producing chemicals  not only can cause allergic reactions but can also affect your hormone/endocrine system, reproduction system, brain function, respiratory system! Furthermore, when you wash this stuff off, it goes down the water drains and starts affecting the wildlife! And on top of it all, not everything is regulated or has to be fully revealed to the consuming public in the jargon-filled ingredient label!  Crazy sheit hey?!

The Dirty Dozen (find a very detailed pdf description HERE)

1. BHA and BHT
2. Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as "CI" followed by a five digit number
3. DEA-related ingredients
4. Dibutyl phthalate
5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
6. Parabens (this sheit is everywhere!)
7. Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance) - also everywhere
8. Polyethyline glycol (PEG) compounds
9. Petrolatum
10. Siloxanes (chemicals ending with "-siloxane" or "-methicone")
11. Sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate
12. Triclosan

Anyone else feel itchy after reading that?  Or how about feeling cross-eyed?  Did you have a similar reaction to mine- "WTF, how the heck am I supposed to remember all of that?" LOL!  Luckily, the researchers thought of everything!

*******Useful Links*********

• Download the David Suzuki Pocket guide here (pdf) ---> Dirty Dozen Pocket Guide (another awesome option is ordering them from the website for your group or event- so fab!)
• Another notable pocket guide is by gilldeacon.ca, click here (pdf) ---> Gill Deacon Cosmetics Guide
• Any more questions?  See David Suzuki Foundations FAQ page! Click Here
• If you want to check if your current cosmetics are safe, check out the Cosmetic Data Base
• For a patriotic flavor, offering Canadian links, check out Love the Label
• And for a couple of Vancouver store that has at least an aisle dedicated to safer cosmetics, visit your local DONALD'S MARKET or WHOLE FOODS MARKET

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I'm just a link lover on this blog post hey?  Anyhow, I can't say i'm a product queen, but this really opens up my eyes about a lot of issues.  From what i've read, just because it says organic DOESN'T mean it's all that clear and free from some of these chemicals!  I'm going to try use up what I have instead of flushing it down the drain(!!), and really start up on a journey into becoming a non-obsessed-psychopath cosmetic label reader (omg, food label reader is ANOTHER story that I might just attempt to post on one day).

 I really don't know if I can give up everything considering everything in this world seems to cause cancer anyways (even breathing for goodness sakes) but I will definitely reduce my exposure to these carcinogens!  Our SKIN is the largest organ in our body!  And you know what? It's very POROUS! 

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque!

                                          Photo Credit

I started using this masque around early December after I showed my work friend about this makeup reviews site, and the first thing she wanted to search for was this "mint julep mask" I had never heard of.  A night shift gone by, I ended up buying the mask for myself based on the reviews from Makeup Alley . 

An excerpt from the Queen Helene Website:

• "...help dry up pimples, rinse away blackheads, and shrink enlarged pores."
• "...draws out impurities from your pores."
• "...natural.."

Sounds good hey?

Like I said, I bought this mask around December 2010 and i still have about 1/3 of the tube left.  It comes in a big 8oz. tube, and squeezes out like a toothpaste.  To use, get all the hair out of your face and then wash your face.  Or if like me, I use this just after my final night shower so I know i'm going to bed without the dirt of the day clogging my pores.  I would use only one finger to apply this on (like the middle finger) and you just need a few blobs.  Smells minty, apply it on (spreads super easily) so it looks like a mask but not LAYERED like FROSTING on but also not so cheaply thin that you can see your skin color under it.  The first time you use it, it might feel like burning or tingling but that's just the mint in it that's giving you that sensation.  After multiple treatments, you don't feel it anymore. 

After about 15 minutes, it's DONE, take it off your face.  It'll be a pale green mint color (as opposed to a darker wet green look) and there will be some signs of cracking.  Just wash with warm water and or washcloth.  I capitalized DONE because if you leave it longer than 15 minutes, it'll suck your skin dry and might actually cause more breakout than prevent breakouts (too dry of skin --> more oil to compensate--> pimples).  My skin feels awesome, soft, clean after this mask!  I follow up with a night moisturizer to lock in the moisture before my pores close.

I use this treatment about once a week, especially after my work set to clean off the grit left from whatever splashed on my face after work. 
If I spotted a pimple, I use this as a spot treatment and leave it on my face for a LONG time (but not overnight as it stains your pillow case) and let the chemicals suck out the excess oil.  Pimples don't stay in their "angry" stage for very long if I use this.

I can't say I see mind blowing results with this product, but for the price, the quantity, ease of use, and the results I see over time, I will repurchase over and over again.

Ingredients:
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Sulfur. Chromium Oxide Greens, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben

Where to buy in Vancouver:
ALIVE Health store for around $9 tax inc
and
Chinese health store beside T&T at metro for like $6 tax inc