Making Life Beautiful

Non-Toxic  Living

What goes on your body goes in your body. Dangerous chemicals and ingredients could be right under your nose in the personal care and household products you use every day and can have long term effects on your overall health. How to limit you exposure: Know the top ingredients to avoid like sodium lauryl sulfate and fragrance Replace your top 3 personal care products  like body wash, shampoo and toothpaste with safe alternatives incorporate non-toxic laundry detergent and household cleaners in your home The Apriori Difference  Apriori Beauty formulates all products with natural and organic ingredients and is a signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics so you can be confident that you are using products that are safe for the entire family.  Link to my website Register as a client to receive special offers and information about Apriori Beauty today and a chance to win a $25 gift card! Important Information: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Aging...Do You Know the Difference? Cosmetic Safety: What You Need to Know This Months Special from Apriori Greener Cleaner Home Care from Melaleuca: Melaleuca's Mission Home Care Ecosense for the Home

Services:
 I provide personal and group consultations about skincare and wellness.  I work with individuals and I work with wellness professionals helping them incorporate safer products into their practices and safer alternatives for their clientele.

Business Opportunities:
Whether you are a business professional interested in building your own business and setting your own hours or a stay at home mom facing the challenges of raising a family, or you are looking for a way to get out of debt and build for a secure retirement,  I can help!  Contact me today to schedule a complimentary consultation.  

“If your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for ten years, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people”. 

I have been working in skin care for  8 years and live in Newbury Park, California. I am passionate about volunteerism and I believe we have the ability to truly make a difference in our comminutes.

Conejo Valley Kiwanis Club

TEAM Referral Group: Thousand Oaks Lunch

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Cosmetic and Personal Care Product Safety: What YOU Need to Know

I always believed that if I could purchase a body wash or night cream off of a local department store shelf that "someone" must have tested it to make sure it was safe before it could be sold.  Sadly, this couldn't be further from the truth.  According to the Environmental Working Group, (EWG.org) only 11% of the ingredients in personal care products sold in the United States have been tested for safety.  When the ingredients are tested, there is no guarantee that harmful ones wont end up in your favorite shampoo, or body lotion, especially if you see the word "fragrance" on the label.  Watch this interview from FOX news and you can get a pretty good idea of what you need to be mindful of when choosing the products you use. 

Confused? Skin is the largest organ on your body..what goes on your body goes in your body!! Your skin is a great protector and is designed to help you eliminate toxins.  Make sure you are using products that don't inhibit you skin from doing its job!  I teach classes about safe skin care and can provide you with some great resources so you can evaluate the products you are using so you can make informed choices about what you put on your body. 

Make a conscious choice to improve your health today. Start with a product, like a body wash, and shift to a healthier alternative.  Take a look at my favorite body wash, Celloxylin Hydro-Burst  Moisture Intense Cleanse with puff  from Apriori Beauty.  You don't have to replace every product today, you just have to start!  Use the Safe Skincare Shopping Guide to help you read and understand the products you already have and discard only those with harmful ingredients. 

If you are ready to learn more, contact Rhonda @ r_clure@yahoo.com. Questions and comments are welcome!

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: MyFoxATLANTA.com

Fun In the Sun....How Safe Is Your Sunscreen

Time to enjoy some fun in the sun! The sun can nourish the skin with vitamin D with limited exposure, and it is important to have protection from the sun when you are exposed for longer periods of time. What you may not know is that if you aren’t using the right sunscreen, you could be doing more harm than good. 

Environmental working Group just released their 2011 Sunscreen Report. Some of the worst offenders are products marketed for use on children. There are several ingredients that are not allowed for use in sunscreens in the European market, but are allowed to be used here in the United States. Ingredients like Oxybenzone, retinyl palmate have been linked to hormone disruption and may accelerate the growth of skin tumors. These products have no business being applied to the little people in our lives who can’t easily eliminate toxins from their bodies.

Not all formations are created equal. Not only should you be concerned with the ingredients in your sunscreen, but don’t be tempted by fancy sprays to get the job done! Airborne particulates from sprays and powders can be inhaled and damage the lungs.


Read the full 2011 Sunscreen Report from EWG. There is also a handy tool to search for you sunscreen and see how it rates! See if your sunscreen is in the hall of shame or the best on the beach!


Did You Know?

According to an EWG report: 
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, accounting for nearly half of all cancer cases. The latest statistics raise questions about most effective ways to avoid skin cancer:



• One to two million Americans develop skin cancer each year (Bikle 2008, Rogers 2010, ACS 2010).

• Skin cancer is five times more prevalent in the U.S. population than breast or prostate cancers (Stern 2010).

Learn more about these sunscreen related issues:

What’s Wrong with High SPF

Problems with Vitamin A

Getting enough Vitamin D 

Are you Ready for a Change? Flex Your Green Buying Power

I find it appauling how unsafe products are being marketed to familes with small children. As parents and consumers of all kinds of cosmetics, shampoos etc., it is time to use our collective buying power to buy products that are safe for our children, our bodies and our environment.

I don't believe in reinventing the wheel. There is a great article on the Practically Green blog called "Celebrate Earth Day all Month Long! Action #8: Check for Healthy Cosmetics, use Skin Deep or the Good Guide" which is well worth the read.  Practically Green is a fantastic resource so you will want to dig in.  There is a wealth of important information here and if you haven't heard of Stacy Malkan, this article will provide you with a great introduction to her work and her passion.


Stacy Malkan was a speaker for TED Great Pacific Garbage Patch, author of the book "Not Just A Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry", an eye opening chronicle about the highly unregulated cosmetic and personal care product industry.  Stacy discusses how harmful chemicals  are continuing to  be used in product formulations in the United States and what we can do about it.

Are you ready to make a change? 
You will find several links on this page to great resources for many green and wonderful things. How can you shift you buying power to safer products? 

Please post your comments here after you watch the video and let us know what you think.

Non-Toxic Kids

Another year has flow by! As December rolls around we will be celebrating my baby’s birthday and I have a lot of friends with new babies in my life, and mommies to be. With the New Year approaching, I want to offer some of what I know so that all of our babies can live in a more non-toxic world of the future.

The Not So Good News

Babies today are being born toxic. A recent study indicated that testing “found as many as 232 chemicals in the 10 newborns, all of minority descent.” 232 Toxic Chemicals in 10 Minority Babies

Although this was a small study the implications have a much greater impact on all of our children and each of us. Here are just a few things you should know about so you can begin to make informed choices for your heart and joy. Full Minority Cord Blood Report

BPA: Baby Bottles

According to an article from USAtoday.com, Europe votes to ban chemical from baby bottles, the EU or European Union has passed important legislation to remove BPA, a common chemical used in plastic which has known effects on children's development, the body's immune response and cancer risk. Read the entire article and see specific tips on how you can reduce your exposure to BPA. Mom, if you use formula from a can, you will what to check this out.

Sunscreen Safety

First of all, we need to clear up what SPF ratings really mean.  A product with an SPF of 30 protects you from 97.99% of UVB and UVA rays form the sun in a broad spectrum sunscreen.   According to information on the EWP.org website, “The American Cancer Society recommends that people use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15, the American Academy of Dermatology opts for 30. Avoid sunscreens with SPF numbers higher than 50.” With a higher SPF, you are more than likely being exposed to harmful chemicals that have been added which do not necessarily increase your protection from harmful rays either. What I find unacceptable is that some of the worst sunscreen offenders are marketed as baby products! You can rate your sunscreen and see which one’s rate the best as well as the worst offenders. Check for yourself rather than relying the traditional brand names that we all thought were so trustworthy.

Click here to see how your sunscreen rates. For the full report on sunscreen, see the 2010 Sunscreen Guide form EWG.

The Good News!

Mom and dad, you do have a choice! Arm yourself with the information you need to make informed choices. What goes on that precious little babies skin can affect their overall health long term. Consider reviewing these things:

*Bedding materials including the crib for chemically treated wood, mattress, and bedding for no-toxic materials.

*Clothing and Sleepwear, especially fire retardants that are not safe.

* Baby shampoos, bath and other body care products…be careful to avoid petroleum based products and anything with added fragrances. That “fresh” smell is more than likely a not so green cocktail of chemicals that can enter the body through inhalation. We want our babies to smell like babies!!! If you do need a way to control certain odors, consider using organic essential oils in a spray bottle with water. Many essential oils not only smell great but also have antiseptic, antibacterial benefits.
*Household cleaners. If you use a product that needs to be locked up away from your baby, you shouldn’t have in your home to begin with. There are plenty of green, safe, non-toxic alternatives available that will get the job done and often times save you a bundle of money.

Bottom line…if you don’t think it’s safe for your child to eat or chew on, because you know they will, don’t use it. With some simple changes you can create a healthier, greener, environment for your whole family.

Contact me if you would like additional information and resources.  Here is to happy, healthy babies, of all ages, in the coming year.

Interesting reading: Statement of Frank R. Lautenberg

Hearing: Full Committee and Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health joint hearing entitled, “Oversight Hearing on the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act.”

Easy Ways to Get More Fruits & Veggies Every Day

We are what we eat right?
It is true that what we put into our bodies as well as what we put on our bodies has an effect on the way we feel and the way we look. If you are feeling sluggish, it is often reflected on the outside too. Don't like that dry, dull skin? Choose a great moisturizer but make sure to hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water and manage a healthy, well balanced diet. Yeah right!

We are all trying to get in those 5 fruits and veggies every day. If you are like me, I start the day with the best intention to eat healthy meals and make good choices for myself and my family and then life happens. With a little bit of planning, I am stocking the pantry and the refrigerator with some healthier choices. I have found a great, free tool that helps me track my food choices called Sparkpeople, that offers great suggestions on diet and exercise. I receive a daily newsletter with great tips. Here is a link to a great article that can help you get those things that will help you feel and look great. Easy Ways to Eat 5 Fruits & Veggies Each Day

If you are like me, and still find it hard to get those 5 fruits and veggies into your diet there is a simple and quick way to make sure you start your day of right by drinking just 2 Tablespoons a day of Lifeoxylin Cellular Defense Elixir. This unique combination of ingredients support the four core influences of aging and include super antioxidants to protect against oxidative stress, endocrine system modulators to protect our systems against imbalances, support for the mitochondrial functions of the cell to operate efficiently and gene support to extend the life of healthy cells. This amazing elixir gives you the equivalent of 6 fruits and vegetables ina 1oz. serving.  These key ingredients will help your cells function properly. supporting your overall health, help your body process and eliminate toxins more efficently. Of course, it doesn't hurt that all of those happy, healthy cells are going to make you look great too!  
  
You don't have to change everything in a day. Making small changes can make a big difference.  What are you waiting for?

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New Face of Aging

There is a great article by Sharyn Yonkman, called "Facing our Changing Faces" in Society805.com .  As we are getting older, we are always looking for that fountain of youth...the next best thing to slow down the aging process.  What you may not realize it that there are many "Anti-aging" products on the market that do not have your best interest at heart.... surprising, I know.  Sharyn provides us with some great information about the effects of our environment as well as the products we are exposed to daily, that may have a profound effect on our overall health and well being.   Read this article...

Protecting Winter Skin

It is that time of year again! Cooler, drying weather can wreak havoc on your skin but with a few simple steps you can protect yourself and have a warm winter glow.

The complaints I hear most often are from people suffering from dry, dull, itchy skin. We have a protective layer of oils on the surface of our skin that not only hold in moisture but prevent bacteria from growing and getting into our bodies. Most cold viruses are spread via hand to hand contact. It is important to use a cleanser (face and body) that cleanse without striping away those protective oils. If your sink is dry, damaged and cracked, you are leaving yourself exposed to a possible infection. If you use hand sanitizers, you could be doing even more damage than good! Most hand sanitizers contain alcohol which dry the skin and deplete those natural protective oils. They may also contain Triclosan, a chemical that has been listed as a hormone disruptor among other health concerns.

The Facial Crème Cleanse and Hydro-Burst Moisture Cleanse from Apriori, are formulated with natural, organic ingredients, are gentle enough to use daily and won’t strip your skin. More than just a surface cleanser! Removing dirt and other impurities from both the skin’s surface and deep within pores, these cleansers foaming effect is achieved naturally through the use of natural, plant-derived surfactants.

These products are formulated with essential Orange and grapefruit oils which provide Vitamin C & E, super anti-oxidants that fight against free radicals: Vitamin C, to repair oxidative damage to cell DNA, and Vitamin E to protect the lipid layers so your skin retains moisture …keeping those nasty wrinkles at bay!

You Are What You Eat!!!

I always say what goes on your body goes in your body, but just as important to remember, is that what goes in your body is reflected on your body! Having an effective topical skin care regimen is critical for maintaining skin health. Your skin’s appearance is directly affected by what you eat and drink every single day. As the body’s largest organ, the skin reflects the aging we experience internally as well as externally. The best step you can take to protecting the health, longevity, and radiance of your skin is to feed it with a diet full of nutritious foods, organic whenever possible. Here is a great article about what to eat, from NaturalSolutionsMag.com. 

To help, Apriori Beauty offers Lifeoxylin Cellular Defense Elixir, a potent blend of nutrients from plants, fruits, and vegetables, and advanced anti-aging ingredients designed to support complete wellness and beautiful skin from the inside out. Statistics show that fewer and fewer people are getting the recommended portions of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Lifeoxylin has the antioxidant value of 6 servings of fruits and vegetables in a single ounce. Additionally, it contains the key ingredients, which support your largest organ with the nutrients it needs on every day.

If you would like to read more about how to protect yourself this winter read, ”Weathering Winter Skin”. Tips on prevention and protection!

Happy Healthy Holidays!

No More Dirty Looks Interview on the Today Show

I watched an interview with Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt, authors of "No More Dirty Looks", on the Today show this morning. I have been teaching safe skin care for some time now. It blows my mind what is allowed in personal care products in this country. Only 11% of the ingredients in personal care products sold in the United States have been tested for safety. I can’t believe that the representative from the Cosmetic Indusrty Panel had the audacity to say that there are save levels of lead in our products! There is a great video, “The Story or Cosmetics” , please take a few minutes to watch it.


On the IFRA website, (International Fragrance Association), it clearly states: ” This is a self-regulating system of the industry, based on on risk assessments carried out by an independent Expert Panel.” See for yourself @ http://www.ifraorg.org. I don’t trust any organization that is self regulating. 

Watch the interview and decide for yourself if you think there can be safe levels of lead or other chemicals in the products you use. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40429132/ns/today-books/

Wrap Up the Best Gifts for the Holiday!

December Specials are here!  We have the perfect gifts for everyone who wants to start the new year off with health in mind.  All products are formulated with only natural, organic ingredients and provide amazing results! 

Treat yourself or someone special with two great offers.

SAVE 20% all month on this limited-time set of treatment products — Celloxylin MD 20EX Acid Peel and Enzyme Activated Micro Scrub. 

Item #265, regularly $93 — only $74.40 in December

 

 
The gift everyBODYwill love!

With winter on its way, it’s the perfect time to protect against dull, dry winter skin!
HBMI Lotion Item #016, regularly $34 — only $27.20

HBMI Cleanse Item #017, regularly $32 — only $25.60

Shop and Save!

Food & health

I just loved this article! I hear people talking about the cost associated with organic foods. Well, the author of "Parenting For Less" makes a very important point in her article, Food & health. Do you want to pay for organic foods or a visit to the doctor? What goes on and in your body can have a substantial impact on your overall heath. What choices will you make?

Toxic America Senate Hearing: Dr. Sanjay Gupta's View on Everyday Chemicals Harming Children

I just want to say a big thank you to Dr. Sanjay Gupta for testifying before the Senate about the safety,or lack there of, of chemicals that we are being exposed to on a daily basis.  So far big companies, and certain cosmetic companies, are not interested in providing us with green alternatives dispite the fact that many of these companies provide greener, safer products to our neighbors in Canada and in Europe because they have much more ridgid guidelines and have banned thousands of chemicals that are still widely used in the US.  Please take a moment to watch this very informative video.  If you want to learn how you can help bring about change visit EWG.org.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/10/26/senate.toxic.america.hearing/index.html?iref=allsearch

A Toxic History Lesson (CNN) http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/06/03/ddt.toxic.america/index.html

Pinkwashing

"Pinkwashing: A term used to describe companies that position themselves as leaders in the fight against breast cancer while engaging in practices that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease." ( Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=749 )

If you or someone you know has been effected by breast cancer, please read the information on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website.  Learn how you can check the products you are using and their ingredients, to see if they are safe.

Enjoy a Safe and Green Halloween

Halloween is right around the corner.  We always think about safety when we send those little goblins and ghosts out to "Trick of Treat".  Just remember that safety starts before they bring all that candy home.  Parents  only let their children go to homes that ther know and check all of the candy at the end of the night.  Beware!  There are hidden dangers in the makeup that we put on those shining faces!  Face paints, lipsticks, hairsprays oh my!  for the full story, read:"  EWG’s Tips to Green your Halloween"

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Just Launched: The Story of Cosmetics

Would you fly with an airline that inspected less than 20% of their planes for safety? 

What are all those chemicals doing in your shampoo or your lipstick? And what do they have to do with asthma, cancer and learning disabilities and other heath related concerns?

Less that 10% of the ingredients used in personal care products in the United Stateds are tested for safety. There are great companies out there who don't use toxic chemicals in their products, do you know who they are? Do you know if the products you are using are safe? Looking for companies that sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics is a great place to start!  Please take a moment to watch this great video and learn what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Just Launched: The Story of Cosmetics

The Scoop on Sunscreen

There is a great deal of concern these days about the safety of sunscreens.  How much SPF is enough?  What is Broad Spectrum?  UVA? UVB?  Did you know that in 2007 the FDA published  regulations that would prohibit companies from labeling sunscreens with an SPF (sun protection factor) higher than “SPF 50+” ?   Higher values were considered "misleading,” in that “there is no assurance that the specific values themselves are in fact truthful…” (FDA 2007).  Phrases like "all day protection"  lead consumers to believe they do not need to reapply sunscreen for adequate protection.  There is also a great deal of concern about the stability of the ingredients in the sun as well their potential health hazards.  Read the full report.

Environmental Working Group has a website where you can rate your sunscreen.  Want to see what EWG considers to be the worst offenders?  Click here.

Apriori Beauty's Celloxylin Day Defense Plus provides Broadspectrum UVA/UVB protection by using a potent combination of natural and performance ingredients with an OPN Safety Rating of 3.

Here is another source you might find helpful:

http://www.gorgeouslygreen.com/suncreens-made-simple/

For more Information, visit my Facebook Page.
Apriori Beauty "Buzz" with Independent Consultant Rhonda Clure

Let Freedom Ring With Safe Skin Care!

Celebrate your independence from poor skin care!  How many of us have purchased that product that promises amazing results and has left us less that satisfied and with an empty pocket book? 

In honor of Independence Day, liberate yourself from disappointing product results with a free upgrade to Celloxylin anti-aging skincare from Apriori Beauty! "Send us your tired, your poor anti-aging results..." and we'll send you back a Celloxylin skincare face product of your choice on us up to a $99 value! All you pay is shipping and handling, $15.

For more details and how you can earn a $25 Apriori gift card for a testimonial about your favorite Apriori product,and other news click here!

To sign up for the monthly Apriori Newsletter fill in the form on the right!

Cancer Prevention Tips | Environmental Working Group

These days it is all about risk management. LEarn more about how you can reduce your risk for cancer with these great tips.

Cancer Prevention Tips Environmental Working Group

Introducing Celloxylin® MD from Apriori Beauty

Naught or Nice? What's in Your Personal Care Products

Do you know what a pathalate is? Considering it is a common ingredient in many personal care products it might be good to know if it is on the naughty or the nice list. Learn more about some common "naughty" ingredients that you should avoid.


Naught and Nice List - Google Docs