Why do I need to worry about products I use on my body and in my home?

Why do I need to worry about what home and personal products I use?
There's tons of chemically loaded crap out there from our skin care, food and even mattresses. We all need to take it into our own hands to protect ourselves. For example, chemicals in nail polish have been found to cause low fertility in males when exposed in utero by there mom's use! Paraben is a chemical in many, if not most, personal cleansing products, and has been linked to cancer. Check your bottles of liquid soap and shampoo, anywhere from Trader Joe's Brand, to Khiel's, and most hotels little bottles. Feeling outraged? You should.

How can buying different products help the environment?
True, that buying anything isn't going to directly help the environment. In fact, the less stuff we buy, and consumerism we fall prey to, the better for the world. However, there are certain things we all do use. Through purchasing toxin filled and animal tested products, we are paying for more of those toxins to be created and are endorsing animal testing. Conversely, purchasing toxin free and cruelty free products will beget more of that! Through the enormous strength of combined purchase power we can create the change we want to see!!

Why list only a few products for each category?
Simplicity is key to yield follow through. I want to provide a small list that you can easily utilize.

Why is this site helpful?
It's difficult to find the time to do the needed research for all of our purchases. When we do get to it, there is often a lack of information or an overabundance of it. For example, I initially had a lot of trouble finding bamboo or organic cotton towels from a source I could trust or see in person. When looking for skin care, there is so much information saying different things and so many products, that it was overwhelming to muddle through.

What is Art Therapy?

What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is a type of psychotherapy and is based on the belief that the creative process involved in art making and creative self expression is healing and facilitates personal growth. Art Therapists have at least a Master Level education in the field. The Art Therapist has the client create art within therapy sessions, such as collages, drawing, painting, and found object sculpture. The art making is used for assessment of the underlying issues and current functioning of the client, but its primary focus is on the healing process and personal development.

The American Art Therapy Association states: Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.. Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy.

I find that Art Therapy provides a holistic approach for clients through accessing an individuals emotions, creativity, and spirit.

See www.arttherapy.org for more information on this field or to find your own Art Therapist.

Heal yourself or keep yourself well through making your own art at home! Any type will do so long as you are using it to express yourself and not focused on a pretty end product.