Juju Thoughts & Organics

I often welcome spring with a sinking feeling in my stomach…sure the blooms and blossoms and leaves and rainy days are cheery, but what about my not-ready-to-bare-n-share pasty skin?  Porcelain complexions are alluring and exotic…think Geisha’s and Ms. Kidman, but really, what about the rest of us?  For a little bronzing action, self tanners are the only way to go.  Since solar worship is verboten, let’s quickly assess what IS safe out there for us.

There are dozens of self tanners to choose from - all of them stating that the use of their product is safe because it allows one to tan without skin damage from dangerous UV rays.  Hmmmm.  On further glean, what I’ve noticed, is once again, bottles of lotions packed and preserved with toxic parabens, and pertroleum by-products.  In fact, according to the Skin Deep database, most of these self tanners contain ingredients that contain toxins, irritants and carcinogens.

Voila! My choice for bronzing sans soleil or toxic goo is Lavera’s Self-Tanning or Auto-Bronzant for those of you who ‘plan to not-tan at Cannes!’

Perfect 100% plant derived active ingredients - recommended for the most sensitive of skins.  Organic plant essences and pure organic aloe vera gel makes this tanner a multi-tasker moisturizer.  For the best tanned skin out there, indulge in an organic sugar scrub body treatment first - you’ll be stellar this summer.

Ok, liabilities up front: I am not a chemist. Chemistry class remains a vague, distant and confused high-school memory and something I avoided at all costs in college. However, I do know, as we all do, that plastics, polymers, copolymers, epoxy, polystyrene, to name a few… and most important to your hair style - polyvinylpyrrolidone or PVPs are usually synthetically formulated with non-renewable and hazardous petroleum-derived chemicals. Inhaled particles can cause serious problems in our lungs. Plastics, in all their glorious forms - goopy, sticky, stretchy, durable, and bouncy, are found in every conceivable product and/or its packaging - it’s hard to escape them. We all know that recycling these plastics and cutting back on their use is imperative.

Oh, a day without plastic….what would that look like?

Let’s start that day with you - getting yourself ready. PVPs are used in hairsprays, styling gels, nail polishes, mascaras - all the “must-haves” for many of us. And, what about those plastics in your hairspray….how are they going to be recycled? In what recycling bin does one dispose of PVP particles? No need to fret. Read your labels, of course! Rule of thumb: if your scalp or skin feels itchy and flaky, chances are there’s probably some suspicious ingredients in your body products.

Some good suggestions and great products follow: Zoya Nail Polishes! Toulene, phthalate, formaldehyde and acetone free….great long-lasting colors…love them! Miessence’s styling gel…

…conditions and nourishes the hair while providing terrific hold without flakes or build-up. And my personal can’t-live-without, Morrocco Method’s Blood of the Dragon Gel -full of restorative and rare conditioning herbs - provides hold and encourages healthy hair growth -it’s full of hair restorative goodies from the sea including kelp, nori, kombu and fucus! See previous post on hair loss!

Remember the inter-connectiveness of everything - let your grooming rituals be plastic-free!

I put this “no joke” in quotes because this is what my doctor said to me….last year…at my first mammogram. There I was, post mammogram, freshly 40, wearing wrongly-tied, somewhat revealing hospital robe, metal-tipped mammogram “pasties” taped to my nipples, paging through waiting room magazines and waiting for the doctor to inform me of my results. It was Valentine’s Day too, reminding me that the “What’d you do for Valentines?” response would be a little more interesting this year. Anyway, out walks the doctor, x-ray in hand…wait…it’s…..not just a doctor, but one of our clients! I’m shocked, happy, and grateful all at once, never mind a little embarrassed…but you’ve seen one pair, you’ve seen them all. He tells me that everything’s fine. To which I add, “It’s all those organic products and healthy eating!” His response? “Yep, those parabens… it’s no joke.”

Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, etc. ), synthetic, chemical preservatives, are no laughing matter. Parabens in cosmetics, shampoos, face creams, body lotions and soaps are inexpensive, but toxic way to preserve the shelf life of a product. Be aware and read your label! Some other offenders include: solbrol, nipabenzyl, hexachlorophene, formaldehyde, phenol, phenolic compound, phenonip and phenoxyetol. There is a poisoness maze to navigate out there - but you can do it! I highly suggest getting a copy of Aubrey Hampton’s indispensable guide to natural and synthetic ingredients, “What’s in Your Cosmetics?”

So, this years’ mammogram has come and past, thankfully as uneventful as last years’. I’ve seen the doctor, his wife and babies, at juju many times in between these yearly mammograms…using, experiencing and buying quality organic products. No joke!

Who doesn’t love this logo? This one-eyed cutie has been welcoming me to its doors for the last twenty-five years. I love Goodwill. For a million reasons: a stack of books for a dollar; an unlimited supply of black dresses, trench coats, chipped Mason’s stoneware, clocks, belts, evening gloves, old Levi’s, hats, games, baskets….AND, lately, still-tagged last season’s Target wares and even Free People seasonal goodies. If you’re reading this, you undoubtedly already know the infinite choices, the rare scores and the ever-changing possiblities that characterize the Goodwill.

Back to the logo. I’ve always thought the background was a little green. Goodwill remains the original recycle and re-use outpost. As peoples’ sentiments about buying used clothing and necessities ebb and flow between the shores of ‘hip, vintage and retro-chic finds’ and ‘thrifting is for down-and-out losers’, what is a constant is Goodwill’s mission. Of its 5 stated values, the Goodwill’s Stewardship pledge promises to “honor our heritage by being socially, financially, and environmentally responsible.” The other 4 are equally noteworthy: Respect, Ethics, Innovation and Learning. Sounds like good green business practices to me. But let’s remember, Goodwill never claimed to be one. hmmmm.

Like others, I came across calendula late in life. In fact, my first born, Lucie, with her never-ending diaper rash on the cutest behind in the world, inadvertently turned me on to its healing powers. It is “one of the top five healers and skin tonics aiding everything from acne and rosacea to eczema and psoriasis. healing, soothing herb which repairs dry, damaged skin, prevents premature aging, aids in the treatment of bruises, spider veins, boils, sores, burns, wrinkles, swelling, and stretch marks to name a few. also imparts shades of gold and yellow naturally.” As I lathered her behind, with Weleda’s Calendula Baby Cream , I began to notice how great my cracked and aging hands started to look. As Lucie was a winter baby, my mitts were cracked and sore!

Calendula, etymologically speaking (Latin), “by the month” referring to the flowers’ long lasting blooms. Calendula, related to the pot marigold, is an herbaceous plant with yellow-rayed flowers. Look to calendula to help heal your skin! You won’t have to look far. Of course, the calendula should be sourced from an organic, biodynamic and holistic source. Try Suki’s Complexion Brightening Creme which lightens, brightens and really heals all types of stressed, discolored or sun-damaged skin. And for healthy, gorgeous hair, I recommend Sevi Organics Sea Berry Shampoo and Condition, rich in calendula and babussu, olive and lavender oils. Best of all, the smell of this healing flower is beautiful, your skin, hair and nose will thank you!

Yes, the only day on the calendar that you can’t walk backwards…ha ha…I think of this pre-spring riddle throughout the year. Today I thought I’d put forth some recent thougths on “marching forth.” Seems like everyone I met today was consciously making an effort to bring happiness, self-knowledge, positivity and growth into his or her life.

Let’s start with yours truly. I took a much needed day off and urged my 4 year old to play hooky from pre-school. I have been wishing for the past few days to spend a delicious day alone with my daughter - before it’s too late. Not to speak in apocalyptic tones, but really, the past four years have been a blur. So, together we went to my fantastic foot doctor for a holistic podiaic adjustment (god bless this man!). As Franny, said 4 year old, was endlessly questioning the technicians about the accupuncture needles and toe stretchers, I noticed the beautiful woman next to me and the book she was reading, The Gift. She looked up from her book and I realized she was the mommy of one of Franny’s school chums. Bunions, corns and bone spurs aside, we talked only about the book she read and its inspiration and gifts it was bestowing on her - hmmmmmmm. mental note: find used copy of The Gift.

Next we offed to the park with Franny’s favorite pink Hello Kitty Scooter. Wishing we could simply walk to a park in our neighborhood and knowing that unfortunately, our area in the city is park-less, I decided to walk about our neighboring streets. Trash, glass and near-do-wells everywhere! “Up and coming” neighborhood, my foot! Determined not to get down and annoyed - on this - THE day to put the year’s good intentions in motion - March Forth - I threw Franny and the scooter in the Civic and drove to the next-door neighborhood park. Where we met Arden and her two year old twins. Maybe I’ll be like Arden soon and live in a neighborhood with a park - I instantly turned on my law of attraction powers and eyed some over-priced houses for sale. But alas, Arden also lives in a dubious up and coming neighborhood and had to drive to the park too. We were happy to talk and hash out this seemingly common disappointment: buy affordable home in u&c city neighborhood but still can’t walk to anything! Determined once again not to get emotionally bogged down in a situation that is ambivilant at best, I suggested we get a treat at the cafe across from the park (do these neighbors realize how good they have it?)

Settled in with chocolate chip muffin and frothy, yummy latte, I looked at the woman at the table next to ours. Animated, with beautiful skin and red tresses, she poured over a book on Ayurvedic Beauty. She looked up and me and shouted, “juju! I know you from juju!” Yes! I knew her too - she frequents our spa and we recently talked about her idea of studying Holistic Health Counseling in New York. The book she was reading today, she told me, was for a yoga teacher training class she attended. Wow, she was an inspiration in less than 5 sentences! My kind of woman!

I hear Franny downstairs, upset over playdough gone inexplicably dry. As I figure out how to save her day, I’ll draw on all the positive and, though small, delightful gifts that have come forth today - March 4th - to me.

We are all one…understand the interconnection of all things…Chuang Tzu? or me? Well, this morning as I walked my li’l puddin’ Franny up the stairs to pre-school, we passed her little school chums: a butterfly…a princess… a dragon! Uh oh. Franny was sporting a boring striped tee and sequined denim…ON CARNIVAL DAY! Yikes! woops! I calmed her down when she realized my snafu, promised to bring back mermaid dress, cow costume, fairy wand and tiara and raced back home to get said items. Whew.

Zooming home, I tuned into an interview with a local advocate of old technology recycling, re-use and reduction. Thoughts of 2 broken printers, one old blue Mac, cameras, banged up vcr’s all stored in the basement came to mind. Resolution: must remember obscure-costume observant holidays for toddlers AND find responsible way to dispose of defunct, hazardous-waste-containing gadgets in home. With a little effort, I’ve found an organization in the Philadelphia area, that will pick up my parts to salvage, repair and refurbish in its efforts to provide computers to area non-profits and such. Marvelous!

Now, back to connecting the dots….my first client, a computer programmer, knows all about these programs - she excitedly filled me in on how she was involved, other organizations of interest, etc. Then she announced she was catching a flight tonight to, of all places, Rio! Makes you think.

I love to finish a great haircut!  For instance, giving a great look to the haircut…like adding texture to the perfect blowdry.  I’m noticing that we get intimidated and overwhelmed when styling our hair at home.  And that’s where products (organic only!) come into play.  For coarse or color-treated hair, we need to nourish our hair before we blowdry.  The entire Hamadi line and Miessence’s B-5 Hair Repair Leave-In Spray, are perfect for this.   When I’m blowdrying, I determine where to put the volume in and take the volume out, depending on a client’s face shape.  Now we got it, but something is missing - a finishing product to complete the desired look is ESSENTIAL.  For thick curly hair, I love Innersense’s Inner Reflection Finishing Polish (cruelty free of course!) to give shine and a light hold.  For textured, fine hair, Hamadi’s short hair pomade, Simply Organic’s Pomade or MGA’s scalp rescue vegan pomade.  Remember - Great Hair starts with a Great Hair Wash!  Simply Organic makes one for you - fine, dry, whatever!

or, am I a broken record, behind the chair, client after client, espousing the virtues (and believe me there’s many) of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and what it can do for your hair. Really! So, as you may or may not know, our organic salon in Philadelphia, juju, is a busy busy place - lots of heads of hair and lots of problems with said hair. My favorite comeback to “it’s itchy,” “I’ve noticed a scaly patch,” “why does this color look pink in certain lighting,” and even, “my hair is ’smelly’” is: rinse once a week with an organic apple cider vinegar.

It clarifies, it balances Ph, it stops color fading, it removes whatever mineral/chemical sludge is in your water supply (yuck), it soothes, softens and tones every tired tress, really! Curls are bouncier, highlights re-freshened and on and on.

Our organic favorites at juju are Miessence Clarifying Hair Rinse and John Masters Herbal Cider Hair Rinse. These are the real thing, with organic burdock, lemon and nettle thrown in for extra conditioning. But you can make your own!

Here’s How: Add 1 to 2 tbls. of certified organic apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water. In the shower, shampoo hair and rinse thoroughly. Apply your OACV mixture to wet hair and work through…it will feel straw-like and squeek a little, but rest assured, you know it’s working. After a minute or three, rinse and apply your organic conditioner….rinse and remove yourself from the shower!

Let me know if your curls are spiraling in perfect double-helixes and if your scalp is soothed!

Welcome to the home of Juju Salon, Spa, & Organics blog. Look forward to news and information about all things green and exciting events at the Salon & Spa right here!