What does this mean and why do you care?

The Associated Press wrote an article about the potential dangers of phthalates in baby products. The study that they reviewed was released in the February issue of Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Phthalates are chemicals that are often in personal care products. They are used to stabilize fragrance. This study suggests that baby shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to phthalates that have been linked with possible reproductive problems.

In the study, phthalates were found in elevated levels in the urine of babies who had been recently shampooed, powdered or lotioned with baby products.

The current study offers no direct evidence that products used on the infants contained phthalates, and no evidence that the chemicals in the babies’ urine caused any harm. Still, the results worried environmental groups that support restrictions on these chemicals. To read the complete article, click here.

Normally if you were to learn this type of information and choose to avoid products that had phthalates, you would simply read the label. The problem is phthalates are in fragrance and the FDA does not require manufacturers to list fragrance ingredients except as “fragrance.”

We have had many e-mails and calls regarding this topic. So, for the record, Noodle & Boo products do not contain phthalates; this includes our adult products too.

Noodle & Boo is 100% phthalate-free!

EveryBODY has assets and everyBODY can look good. It doesn’t matter if you are big or little, short or tall, you can look good and feel good.

TWO TIPS:

1. Wear the right size (not too tight).
2. Dress for your body shape.

There you have it!

I found a really great little tool on iVillage for body shapes.  Click here, to see what they say about your shape.

Just for fun, check out how body shapes and weights have changed over the years, click here.

Happiness is feeling good with the body you have right now . . .

Happiness is getting e-mailed an adorable picture of your nephew (and brother)!

Picture of Joel Smith with son Byrd Oliver.

Hmmm . . . maybe you are right and maybe you are wrong.

Nevertheless, there is a person who is “down on their luck” asking you for help. Yes, the streets are filled with addicts, mentally ill, beaten down, hopeless people. People walk by everyday, try not to make eye-contact and if they are absolutely pushed to give an answer, say no.

Yes, it could be a scam . . . but what if it’s not?

Isn’t it better to risk being scammed then to potentially walk away from someone who desperately needs help? You never know where that person is in their life or how a simple act of kindness could potentially make “the difference.”

Circumstances may make it impossible to give every time, but maybe start by considering sometimes.

“He who waits to do a great deal of good at once, will never do anything.” Samuel Johnson

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky.

He felt the worst had happened and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief and anger.

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him!

“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

The Moral of This Story

It’s easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn’t lose heart, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.

Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal.

Thank you Patricia for sharing this with us!

Founder Jamara Ghalayini and her husband Mo Gallini wanted to help children in need. Pumpkinheads was opened to create a continuous revenue stream for local charities working to improve the quality of life for children in Los Angeles. Pumpkinheads fund raising efforts have generated more than $128,000 through their charitable endeavors including Operation School Bell, The March of Dimes, ArtShare LA, Good Beginnings (Cedars Sinai NICU) and Harmony with No Limits. It is their hope that Pumpkinheads will inspire many and help many more in the process.

In addition to being an entrepreneur with a huge vision, Jamara has an amazing sense of style which keeps her celebrity clientele happy and Pumpkinheads a Hollywood destination for children’s fashion! Here is what she had to say:

When did you open Pumpkinheads? – September 1, 2005

What has been the hardest part of starting your business? – Going home . . . there is always more I want to do. I have enjoyed it so much and the hardest thing is managing to make sure that I take personal time away from the store and don’t live there every waking moment!

What has been the best part of starting your own business? – Autonomy . . . I love being able to have the flexibility of being my own boss! But I MUST say this is only because of my unbelievable store manager Amber whom has been with me since prior to opening in 2005 . . . I have an amazing staff and this just wouldn’t be what it has grown to be without their dedication and input.

What’s the best baby gift you are currently selling (besides N&B of course)?

Amber Hagen Cashmere. Hoodies & blankets . . . it is amazing. The Quaids (as in Dennis and his beautiful wife Kim) bought it for their new twins, Poppy Montgomery has bought probably 3! It has the single most “WOW” factor of anything. We always pair it with a little pair of cashmere socks!

What’s hot in kid’s fashion? – Brights are back! No more earthy neutrals . . . fuschia’s and bright greens and blues! Also, mis matchy outfits . . . the really “outfitty” look is out . . . people want things that aren’t exact matches . . . mixed patterns, etc. It is really more creative and much more fun to work with! Also mixing textures is HUGE, corduroy with fleece, or fuzzy knits . . . YUMMY!

Finish this sentence, I find joy in . . . knowing that every dollar we make continues on and contributes towards a “change for the positive” with our partner Operation School Bell. I love having a meaning beyond myself.

Finish this sentence, I am passionate about . . . being responsible to the community I live in. It is important to help everywhere and always be of service, but I am absolutely passionate about making a profound and meaningful lasting effort in the community that has been so supportive of Pumpkinheads.

My favorite candy is . . . that’s easy!!! Dark Chocolate covered Honey Comb!

Anything else you want to share??? – Yes. I am so grateful for parents that have taught me I could truly do anything I set my mind to. The most frequent thing I remember hearing them say about me when I was little was how determined they thought I was. My dad had taught me to always act with integrity first, and my mom has shown me the greatest example of a friend and compassion to others.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Next time you are in Los Angeles be sure to stop by Pumpkinheads. You won’t be disappointed! You can shop with Jamara everyday online, just click here.

Thank you Jamara! Wishing you continued success!

The independent trial run by clinicians at The University of Nottingham has received funding of nearly £1million from the Department of Health’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) program. The study will focus on hard water areas in Nottingham and Leicester, Cambridge, London and the Isle of Wight.

The aim of the Soft Water Eczema Trial (SWET) is to discover whether eczema can be improved by deliberately softening all water used in the home – except at one tap in the kitchen which will supply mains water for drinking.

Families of eczema sufferers and some doctors have said that living in a hard water area may make eczema worse.

Recently a team of researchers at The University of Nottingham found that eczema is more common in primary school children living in hard water areas in the UK compared with children living in soft water areas. No one really knows why, but it could be because hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, leading to increased use of soaps which can act as skin irritants.

Professor Hywel Williams and his research team at the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology are running the trial. Professor Williams said: “I have wanted to do this study for many years as patients keep telling me that water softeners help their skin, but other people aren’t so sure. Carrying out a proper randomized controlled trial will help us find the answer. If ion-exchange water softeners are found to improve the symptoms of eczema, this will be an extremely important finding for both patients and doctors. Many patients worry about the possible side effects of the usual treatments for eczema, so this would be a welcome addition to their treatment options.”

The study is in the process of recruiting 310 children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years who have moderate to severe eczema.

Up to one fifth of all children of school age have eczema, along with about one in twelve of the adult population. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, red and itchy, whist in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Eczema is not contagious and with treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care and protection against dryness.

The water softener industry (through their representative body, the UK Water Treatment Association) – is closely involved in the development of the trial and a generic water softener has been specially produced for the study. The industry is meeting the costs of producing and installing water softener units. The study findings will be quite independent from any industry influence.

The trial will run until the end of next year and the results won’t be known until the end of 2009 when all the information has been analyzed.

Noodle & Boo’s ultimate ointment was developed especially for sufferers of eczema. It is an excellent alternative to steroid-based medications.

I wanted to do something special that didn’t focus on me. It seemed like the perfect thing to do was to take the opportunity to donate my hair to Locks of Love. It is an organization that I have admired for years and it gave me the opportunity to talk about it often when asked about my “big plans.” As the day got closer I did get a little nervous, but since I had been talking it up for months I was committed (picture – 5 minutes before cutting my hair)! It was so exciting to mail-in my 10 inches of hair.

I love to think of a little person smiling because they get to have hair too!

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides wigs and hair pieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 who suffer from long-term medical hair loss. All of the custom hairpieces are made with hair donated from individuals.

Nexxus Salon Hair Care, with Locks of Love, created an easy-to-follow, brief video tutorial to educate interested donors and their stylists on the proper steps to donate. To view the video, click here.

To date, Locks of Love has provided more than 2,000 children in all 50 states and Canada with hairpieces. Most of the children who receive hairpieces suffer from a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cure.

“We can do no great things . . . only small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Most lotions and creams contain one or both of the following agents, an oily agent and a watery agent. Most of the time, creams and lotions vary based on the amount of these two agents, or “phases” as they are commonly referred to by formulators.

Some creams or lotions can contain most of one phase and almost none of the other. Or, these agents can exist in equal amounts. In many cases, the ‘feel’ of a lotion or cream may run from very oily to not oily at all. It all depends on the relationship of the two phases. For instance the Ultimate Baby Ointment and the Elasticity Oil are two Noodle & Boo products that are oil-based (no water). The Balm has both oil and water but has a higher percentage of oil than the Super Soft Lotion or Lovely Body Lotion which are light daily moisturizers for the whole body.

Unless some unusual medical condition exists (such as Psoriasis) most skin damage occurs because of dryness. In the winter, the air lacks the same humidity as in the summer. The atmosphere contributes to dehydrating the skin at a faster rate during this time.

It is during this period that creams or lotions with an oily feel come to the rescue and provide a covering that slows the escape of moisture from the exposed surface allowing re-hydrating from below. Oil-based lotions and creams have an ‘occlusive’ function in that they cover the skin and allow healing like a band-aid. These creams and lotions may also contain additives which have proven to provide softening and soothing properties to the skin.

If you suffer from dry skin from head-to-toe, the ultimate luxury we offer is the Elasticity Oil applied just after your shower and before you dry off.

For seriously dry cracked skin on hands and feet the ultimate ointment is excellent. Since it is an oil-based product it will leave skin oily and is recommended for overnight skin therapy.

For dry skin that needs a little tender loving care to keep it in tip-top shape during the winter months, The Balm is “the bomb.” Wonderfully rich it dries quickly and leaves skin supple. For best results it should be used after you shower as well as after every hand-washing.

Happiness is well-hydrated skin . . .

Before we continue let’s review . . . GI stands for Glycemic Index. You have heard about good carbs and bad carbs as they relate to weight loss, diabetes and heart disease, now eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and less pasta, rice and cereal can contribute to the health of your skin as well.

Specifically, a new study suggests there may be a link between a low-glycemic diet and an improvement in blemished skin. The study, “Low-Glycemic-Load Diet May Improve Acne in Young Men,” published in the July 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined whether male acne patients aged 15 to 25 who followed a low-glycemic diet (25 percent of energy from protein and 45 percent from low-glycemic-index carbohydrates) had a reduction in acne lesions vs. a control group that consumed a diet rich in carbohydrates.

The study found that at 12 weeks, acne lesions had decreased more in the young men in the low-glycemic group than their counterparts in the control group whose diet had no consideration for the glycemic index. This suggests that there could be a relationship between limiting carbohydrate-rich foods and an improvement in acne.

If you would like to compare a meal you might have during the day with one that has a “low GI rating,” click here.

So, let me get this straight, healthy weight, healthy heart and healthy skin . . . sounds like a win, win, win!