Vermont Soap
“Our products are so natural, they’re certified to USDA organic food standards by Vermont Organic Farmers.” They have been a certified organic processorsince 2003. For over twenty years Vermont Soap has been manufacturing 100% natural and toxic-free personal care and cleaning products. They make handmade bar soaps for sensitive skin, anti-aging products and moisturizers, 100% natural shower gels (soap based), castile liquid soaps, nontoxic cleaners, products for pets, camping and gardening. All products are free from artificial scents (many are unscented altogether) and other toxic ingredients, such as antimicrobials and detergents.
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Listen to Debra’s interviews with Vermont Soap founder Larry Plesent |
Ecoland
“Pure organic cotton underwear for the entire family…designed with simplicity and quality in mind.” This small, family-owned company believes in “helping our planet and our loved ones by producing the best quality organic cotton apparel.” They use only GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton. From field to fabric finish, all processes are certified by Skal, a division of the Control Union World Group. In an effort to reduce the use of natural resources, they emphasize classic colors and styles that never go out of fashion. Their apparel is multifunctional and can be worn as underwear, sleepwear, or as layers, so you don’t need to buy as many pieces of clothing. Ladies’ and men’s collections are tagless (labels are printed with water-based inks and adhered via heat transfer)
Pacific Rim Woodworking
Heirloom quality bedroom furniture using traditional construction methods such as mortise and tenon and dovetail. “Since 1981, Pacific Rim Woodworking has offered hand-crafted, solid maple furniture at affordable prices. We use Western Maple grown in managed forests in Washington and Oregon. To highlight the natural beauty of this distinctive hardwood, we hand-rub each piece with our own finish. Enduring quality and simple elegance are the hallmarks of our contemporary American style.”
The All Natural Beauty Website
The most comprehensive collection of information on natural and organic beauty products I’ve seen. They really do offer “the purist beauty products and services around,” along with articles and books written by knowledgeable experts, so you can learn what natural beauty really is and many DIY natural beauty recipes.
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Listen to my interview with Sharon Houghton, Founder and Director of All Natural Beauty Website. |
DeodoMom Deodorant
A “toxin-free and hypoallergenic deodorant for pregnant women, which of course is also suitable for any health-conscious person regardless of gender or age. The deodorant has no aluminum, alcohol, fragrance, dye, or parabens and is 100% vegan. And unlike most ‘natural’ deodorants, it WORKs.” What it does contain is water and magnesium hydroxide, a natural mineral. They also make and sell a very pure olive oil soap.
Pharmaca
A pharmacy with a natural twist, Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy has offered traditional pharmacy services alongside holistic remedies since 2000. Their staff of certified practitioners help guide customers through an extensive selection of alternative remedies, natural cosmetics and body care products. They also provide “easy access to credentialed pharmacists, naturopathic doctors, nutritionists, herbalists and more so you can achieve good health without an appointment, insurance or headache.” They carry professional grade supplements that can only be sold with professional health advice. “We believe that personal health is connected to environmental health. We ensure our stores are environmentally friendly by buying wind power offsets, installing recycled carpet and offering organic and sustainably harvested products.” I had the pleasure of visiting a Pharma store when I was in San Francisco and spent a long time browsing.
The Healthy Bra Company
Custom bras that are “just right” for your body, regardless of shape, size, anatomical features, or body conditions. Because each body is unique, a comprehensive assessment process is used to take into consideration each woman’s individual needs. It is then determined whether a custom-fitted, custom-altered, or custom-made bra is needed. Bras are based on an innovative and scientifically-inspired design of “suspension support”, developed in the 1960’s, by aeronautic engineers–which support the breasts from below, and around, rather than having your shoulders bear the weight of the breasts through the straps. In addition, these bras are further modified to meet your health needs. “Postural muscles…need stimulation to bring them…into action”. As the bra supports the breasts and reinforces the proper postural alignment, it POSITIVELY affects the gravitational load or “stress” on the body. So a properly fitting bra can affect a host of “gravitational stress symptoms” such as muscle and nerve pain, rotator cuff injuries, osteoarthritis, poor circulation, poor and limited oxygenation of the body. Who knew that these things could have any relationship to a bra!” Especially important to anyone concerned about toxics is that these bras are designed to allow free flow of lymph drainage, a function essential to body detox that is blocked by most bras. Bras are made of a combination of cotton, organic cotton, and synthetics, depending on what is needed for the specific individual. Any bra can be lined with organic cotton so only natural fibers touch the skin. Bras for everyday wear, sports and activities, pregnancy, nursing, mastectomy, re-construction, surgeries – reduction, embellishment, therapeutic, teens in training, breast health-conscious bras, postural bras, and more.
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Listen to my interview with Maria Monti Founder The Healthy Bra Company. |
Te Bella Tea Company
A lovely little website with organic and fair trade teas in many unusual flavors. Choose from green, white, oolong, black, herbal, rooibos, and mate teas, with flavors like raspberry/rosehip/pomegranate, orange/almond, and peppermint/rosepetal/lavender. They have teas that open into blossoms when brewed and a tea infused with jasmine blossoms using a technique that is 900 years old. Family owned and operated.
I Can Breathe! Masks
A great selection of face masks developed and made by a woman with an adult onset lung disorder, to take control of her environment. Various masks have different purposes, including an organic cotton comfort mask that reduces exposure to particles like dust and pollen, a silk comfort mask also for particles, and a honeycomb activated carbon filter that reduces exposures to smog, smoke, ozone, diesel exhaust, fragrances, and particles (ideal for travel to strange polluted places…”effective for poor air quality infoors or on airplanes.”). And more! The website gives many reasons why YOU might want to use a face mask to protect your lungs and health.
Bare Honey
Raw “treatment-free honey…fresh from the hive,” produced without chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics, GMOs, or any other treatments. Further, their equipment has never been exposed to any chemicals or pesticides whatsoever. “We have chosen to join a community of beekeepers that are breeding stronger bees rather than medicating weak ones. We are following a path of sustainable honey production. Working with the natural rhythm of our bees’ life cycle, we are able to produce a honey far healthier than the supermarket alternative. Our honey is completely free from the dangerous chemical and antibiotic residues used by most beekeepers today.” They have many honey products to choose from, from 2-ounce mini honey bears to an adopt-a-hive program. Honeys in glass jars are straight from the hive, fortified with pollen, or flavored with chilis, lavender flowers, and other good things.
