Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Not All Protein Shakes are Made Equal
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sodium Lauryl (laureth) Sulfate and the likes: Truly Harmful or Internet Trash?
There has been an unending 12 year discussion about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate etc. The hype has been that it can cause you brain cancer, make your hair fall out, and whatever superstition. Recently, one of my team members wrote in to Shaklee asking about the toothpaste (which is amazing and makes your teeth super white NATURALLY!) because it contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in it, but Shaklee NEVER makes any products that are harmful so why is it in it? Here is the response they wrote which has been a real eye opener to me. It is lengthy, but worth the read!
Thanks for your inquiry regarding New Concept Organic Dentifrice.
Four years ago at Shaklee we initiated a project to remove from a number of our formulations ingredients which were no longer desirable in our products - such as propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate - as well as parabens. We chose to remove these compounds not because they were unsafe - but because the dissemination of misinformation on the internet made their continued use untenable. The project is now complete except for one product - New Concept Organic Dentifrice.
We have repeatedly tried to reformulate this product but have not been happy with the results obtained. We now have the choice of continuing to offer a product (which many consumers want) or discontinuing it (which our consumers do not want). Just to give you an idea of how difficult reformulation can be - a few years ago one of our competitors, Tom's of Maine decided to remove propylene glycol from their toothpaste. The reformulated product simply did not work as well without this ingredient, and within a year Tom's had restored the product to its original formulation.
Over the years, we have found that many customers and potential customers have decided to avoid products based on ingredient misinformation widely available and disseminated on the Internet and in fringe publications. Outrageous claims about specific personal care ingredients abound - sodium lauryl sulfate being a good example - from causing cancer to myriad other diseases - for which there is not a scintilla of scientific evidence. We have followed the ongoing scientific compilation of data in relation to ingredients and the choices we have made in formulating our products, and the choices we will continue to make in future, will always be based on ingredient safety and consumer safety based on reputable clinical data.
When we hear about the possible dangers from ingredients, we certainly take each and every one seriously, and look into the claims being made and the scientific data on which it is based. About fifteen years ago, for example, we started to hear about the dangers of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate which it was being claimed caused everything from hair loss, to blindness, to cancer. Despite the complete absence of any scientific data to support these claims, they persisted through fringe publications and websites and over time had a perceptible effect on the purchasing habits of consumers. We eventually made the decision in 2008 to remove these ingredients from our products also - again based on the changing buying habits of consumers - especially new consumers who may not be aware of our history and reputation in the industry.
The brouhaha about the safety of these compounds was such that as far back as February 1999, the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter addressed the safety of these ingredients with the following comments:
Readers keep asking us about sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate after widely dispersed Internet messages warned that one or both of these cause cancer. You would have a hard time avoiding these substances if you use shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, or skin care products, in which they serve a sudsing, cleansing stabilizing, or emulsifying agents. They are found even in many "natural" products, such as Tom's of Maine toothpaste.
This Internet message was a hoax. The "authors" listed at the end of some versions of the message have denied writing it. The message contained no scientific data, only crazy claims that these ingredients are causing a cancer epidemic. There is no evidence that these rinse-off ingredients cause cancer (not even when fed to rats). They are safe, according to a Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. There main adverse effect: occasional skin or eye irritation.
BOTTOM LINE: The Internet is a very efficient way to spread information -- real and bogus. Read with a critical eye.
In May 2010, the Wellness Letter revisited the sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate issue - and again noted:
• Don’t worry about the ingredients sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate in your shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, or skin-care
products. Rumors that these common ingredients cause cancer have been circulating on the Internet since 1998, but there is no evidence that these ingredients cause cancer or any other adverse effects other than occasional irritation and perhaps increased risk of canker sores. Despite the passage of 12 years nothing new has emerged from clinical studies to demonstrate that these two compounds are hazardous.
As you can see from this additional example - a lot of internet smoke - but no scientific fire.
As a responsible manufacturer of quality personal care products, Shaklee adheres to all Good Manufacturing Practices. This means that all of
ingredients used in our products are on the FDA's Monograph of approved ingredients for use in personal care products, and their safety is
reviewed regularly by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. The CIR which was established by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association (CTFA), and supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America. The CIR relies on unbiased scientific, legitimate data and its interpretation by recognized, independent experts in the fields of clinical research, pharmacology, toxicology, dermatology, environmental medicine, and cancer causation and prevention. You can review this information yourself by using the attached link to go to the CIR website: http://www.cir-safety.org/.
The bottom line is this - Shaklee never has, does not now, and never will produce products that are harmful. Our formulations are scientifically
tested for safety and efficacy, and comply with applicable European Union (EU) Cosmetics Directive, the Association of Southeast Asian National List (ASEAN), the California Safe Cosmetic Act, and California Proposition 65 guidelines.
Your Friends at Shaklee
Thanks for your inquiry regarding New Concept Organic Dentifrice.
Four years ago at Shaklee we initiated a project to remove from a number of our formulations ingredients which were no longer desirable in our products - such as propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate - as well as parabens. We chose to remove these compounds not because they were unsafe - but because the dissemination of misinformation on the internet made their continued use untenable. The project is now complete except for one product - New Concept Organic Dentifrice.
We have repeatedly tried to reformulate this product but have not been happy with the results obtained. We now have the choice of continuing to offer a product (which many consumers want) or discontinuing it (which our consumers do not want). Just to give you an idea of how difficult reformulation can be - a few years ago one of our competitors, Tom's of Maine decided to remove propylene glycol from their toothpaste. The reformulated product simply did not work as well without this ingredient, and within a year Tom's had restored the product to its original formulation.
Over the years, we have found that many customers and potential customers have decided to avoid products based on ingredient misinformation widely available and disseminated on the Internet and in fringe publications. Outrageous claims about specific personal care ingredients abound - sodium lauryl sulfate being a good example - from causing cancer to myriad other diseases - for which there is not a scintilla of scientific evidence. We have followed the ongoing scientific compilation of data in relation to ingredients and the choices we have made in formulating our products, and the choices we will continue to make in future, will always be based on ingredient safety and consumer safety based on reputable clinical data.
When we hear about the possible dangers from ingredients, we certainly take each and every one seriously, and look into the claims being made and the scientific data on which it is based. About fifteen years ago, for example, we started to hear about the dangers of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate which it was being claimed caused everything from hair loss, to blindness, to cancer. Despite the complete absence of any scientific data to support these claims, they persisted through fringe publications and websites and over time had a perceptible effect on the purchasing habits of consumers. We eventually made the decision in 2008 to remove these ingredients from our products also - again based on the changing buying habits of consumers - especially new consumers who may not be aware of our history and reputation in the industry.
The brouhaha about the safety of these compounds was such that as far back as February 1999, the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter addressed the safety of these ingredients with the following comments:
Readers keep asking us about sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate after widely dispersed Internet messages warned that one or both of these cause cancer. You would have a hard time avoiding these substances if you use shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, or skin care products, in which they serve a sudsing, cleansing stabilizing, or emulsifying agents. They are found even in many "natural" products, such as Tom's of Maine toothpaste.
This Internet message was a hoax. The "authors" listed at the end of some versions of the message have denied writing it. The message contained no scientific data, only crazy claims that these ingredients are causing a cancer epidemic. There is no evidence that these rinse-off ingredients cause cancer (not even when fed to rats). They are safe, according to a Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. There main adverse effect: occasional skin or eye irritation.
BOTTOM LINE: The Internet is a very efficient way to spread information -- real and bogus. Read with a critical eye.
In May 2010, the Wellness Letter revisited the sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate issue - and again noted:
• Don’t worry about the ingredients sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate in your shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, or skin-care
products. Rumors that these common ingredients cause cancer have been circulating on the Internet since 1998, but there is no evidence that these ingredients cause cancer or any other adverse effects other than occasional irritation and perhaps increased risk of canker sores. Despite the passage of 12 years nothing new has emerged from clinical studies to demonstrate that these two compounds are hazardous.
As you can see from this additional example - a lot of internet smoke - but no scientific fire.
As a responsible manufacturer of quality personal care products, Shaklee adheres to all Good Manufacturing Practices. This means that all of
ingredients used in our products are on the FDA's Monograph of approved ingredients for use in personal care products, and their safety is
reviewed regularly by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. The CIR which was established by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association (CTFA), and supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America. The CIR relies on unbiased scientific, legitimate data and its interpretation by recognized, independent experts in the fields of clinical research, pharmacology, toxicology, dermatology, environmental medicine, and cancer causation and prevention. You can review this information yourself by using the attached link to go to the CIR website: http://www.cir-safety.org/.
The bottom line is this - Shaklee never has, does not now, and never will produce products that are harmful. Our formulations are scientifically
tested for safety and efficacy, and comply with applicable European Union (EU) Cosmetics Directive, the Association of Southeast Asian National List (ASEAN), the California Safe Cosmetic Act, and California Proposition 65 guidelines.
Your Friends at Shaklee
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Cranberry Oatmeal Bread
This is such a great easy recipe if you have a bread machine! I'm making this tonight for my prayer group.
Yields: one large loaf of bread. 30 servings or so. Hard to know since I just slice and eat, it's so delicious :)
Time: 3-4 hours, depending on bread machine.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 tbsp quick rising yeast
2 tsp organic sugar
3 cups organic whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter cut into pieces
1 1/4 cup warm/hot water (not too hot or it will kill the yeast)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup oatmeal
Directions:
1) Place all the yeast into one section, piling it up.
2) Place 2 tsp organic sugar on top of yeast.
3) Cover with 3 cups Organic Whole Wheat Pastry Flour.
4) Add salt and cut butter pieces.
5) Finally add warm water.
6) Set your bread machine to Sweet bread setting and turn on.
7) After the first kneading is done, throw in 1/2 cranberries and 1 cup oatmeal.
8) Walk away and enjoy life while waiting for your yummy bread to be finished.
I took it to my prayer group and it was a BIG hit!
Yields: one large loaf of bread. 30 servings or so. Hard to know since I just slice and eat, it's so delicious :)
Time: 3-4 hours, depending on bread machine.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 tbsp quick rising yeast
2 tsp organic sugar
3 cups organic whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter cut into pieces
1 1/4 cup warm/hot water (not too hot or it will kill the yeast)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup oatmeal
Directions:
1) Place all the yeast into one section, piling it up.
2) Place 2 tsp organic sugar on top of yeast.
3) Cover with 3 cups Organic Whole Wheat Pastry Flour.
4) Add salt and cut butter pieces.
5) Finally add warm water.
6) Set your bread machine to Sweet bread setting and turn on.
7) After the first kneading is done, throw in 1/2 cranberries and 1 cup oatmeal.
8) Walk away and enjoy life while waiting for your yummy bread to be finished.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
It's a Cinch!
Got my Cinch Transformation pack in the mail today and man am I excited! Cinch is Shaklee's scientifically formulated weight loss program designed to keep lean muscle and loose fat through it's unique use of Leucine and soy protein (the good kind!) What is also unique about Cinch is that it will help repair your metabolism that might not be so active due to yo-yo dieting, post-baby, or many years of being on antibiotics because of sickness--which will mess up your metabolism!
That pack you see is everything you need for one month, which includes two meals, a snack, 3 in 1 boost (to regulate sugar levels, curb cravings, and give you vitamins) and a tea for every day! The meals are yummy shakes like Strawberry, Vanilla, Latte, Chocolate and meal bars like blueberry almond crisp and peanut butter chocolate chip (my favorite!). And did I mention that it is less than $7 a day?
My goal is to loose the 20 pounds I gained post high school graduation, including that freshman 15 from my first year in college in 2004! And this is totally doable with Cinch! There are countless stories of men and women loosing minimally 15 pounds and the majority loosing more. I'm ready to add my story to the list. Who's joining me?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Lipstick Lead--Sounds like the name of a rock band...
A good friend of mine pointed out testing results done by the FDA on
lipsticks for lead. I wasn't surprised to find brands like L'Oreal, MAC,
Mary Kay and sadly one of my old favorite make up companies Lancome on the list.
But what I was surprised to find was Burt's Bees lip shimmers. Aren't
they supposed to be eco-friendly and all natural? What I was also
shocked to find was that they were owned by CLOROX?! Are you kidding me?
Why on earth does Clorox own Burt's Bees? Shouldn't they be arch
enemies? Makes me wonder about my beloved chap stick I'm putting on my
lips on these past dry days...
Check out the findings here.
Have any of your lipsticks made the list? Two of mine did and sadly, we
must say goodbye. Another reason why I love Shaklee. I don't have to
worry about finding their products on the list because I know how
thorough their testing is. Burt's Bees on the other hand, I might be
doing some phone calls to find out about my chap stick... Have any of your lipsticks made the list? Two of mine did and sadly, we
must say goodbye. Another reason why I love Shaklee. I don't have to
worry about finding their products on the list because I know how
thorough their testing is. Burt's Bees on the other hand, I might be doing some phone calls to find out about my chap stick...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The smell of fresh laundry detergent: A short lived joy--literally.
Here is a great article on the smells of laundry detergent we love and have demanded in our homes that have given us a false sense of cleanliness. Did you know that within 90 seconds of putting on your clothes, the chemical smells you love so much have already gone into your blood stream?! Think about your skin. It is the largest organ in your body (remember biology class? That question always stumped me because I was always thinking squishy object when talking about organs). So what you put on your skin is absorbed by your skin--think the patch to quit smoking or birth control. What good then are these cleaners if they are just poisoning our bodies and our children, putting more cancer cells in our body than it has antibodies to fight off?
If you are looking for a detergent that won't poison you or your family and will really get your clothes clean AND is cheaper than your regular detergent, I recommend Shaklee's Get Clean Laundry. The 14lb. powder laundry detergent does 224 loads of laundry making it 19 cents a load. Tide's 70 oz laundry detergent does 40 medium loads and is 19.9 cents a load. Seventh Generation, a natural product sold in grocery stores, costs 35.7 cents/load. Get Clean's Nature Bright, a stain remover, costs $2.33/gallon. Compare with Spray'n Wash $10.15/gallon, Shout $10.41/gallon, Seventh Generation $23.96/gallon.
I could continue, but I think you get the point. Not only is it safer for you, but it is also easier on your wallet, saves you less trips to the store, and requires less packaging which helps save our planet.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
My Shaklee Story
My journey towards health and awareness began a couple of years ago in 2008 when I moved to Germany—a country much more health conscious than we are in the U.S. When I would visit the U.S. and eat my favorite foods I missed like Mexican, barbecue, and Chic-fil-A, I would get so sick to my stomach! It was like I had been on a forced detox while living in Germany because of the toxin free diet I had grown accustomed to. So when I ate those savory foods back home, my body revolted at the toxins I was putting into it. I no longer could remain ignorant to what I put in my body.
When I came back to the States at the end of 2009, I began to talk to people about nutrition and natural cleaning solutions and found out one of two things: 1) People were stuck in a rut with the mentality “What was good for my parents is good for me” and they couldn’t believe or imagine anything different than how they had been living. 2) The second group of people honestly were just ignorant (uneducated—not stupid!) about nutrition and just needed some educating—just like I did! I have been in both of these categories and didn’t realize it until I was out of the environment I had known for 22 years and started educating myself.
Then I met Shaklee. I started my Shaklee business at the end of my grad school career where I was studying Linguistics and teaching at the University. I was also a nanny, trying to make ends meet because my university paid job just wasn’t paying all the bills (I was still below poverty even teaching at a University!) I hit the end of my rope in grad school. I love to learn and have the gift of teaching, by God’s grace, but my life was so tied up and busy between teaching two Developmental Writing classes, the grading load that came with it, full time graduate classes, nannying, and a social life(?), that I was burnt out after one semester. I didn’t feel like I was making much of a difference at all and was losing a lot of sleep learning theories that weren’t helping anyone.
Nutrition has been a passion of mine for a couple of years now and has grown with my involvement with the little girl I have watched for the last year and a half. Phoebe has Celiac’s disease which has been a unique challenge to find different ways of getting her the nutrition she needs between gluten free cooking and supplementing via whole food supplements. I realized through helping Phoebe that I love helping people with nutritional needs and that disease does not have to be a hindrance to one’s quality of life and there are so many different healthy, good options to increase one’s quality of life!
So that is when I began my journey with Shaklee. Burnt out, fatigued, sleep deprived, and really just wanting to read a book on a rainy day, for fun and not for class! I desire to help people become healthy and am thrilled to be a part of a company with outstanding merit in regards to product purity, outstanding quality performance of products, and a company that truly cares about the environment and helping others. My schedule is more flexible with Shaklee and I in return am way more relaxed and less stressed. What’s more, I get to help others become healthy and I LOVE my job! Who can say that? Doesn’t it often feel like it isn’t work unless we are stressed out and hate our job? Not anymore for me. I came to the end of that rope in the insanity cycle and have left it there with the insanity. I am committed to enjoying life by loving God with everything, and loving others—and I am doing that through my Shaklee business.
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