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Monday, December 31, 2012

NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS AND TRADITIONS


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AS THE HOLIDAYS COME TO AN END, WE LOOK FORWARD TO RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR.  CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR IS THE OLDEST OF ALL HOLIDAYS AND WAS FIRST OBSERVED IN ANCIENT BABYLON APPROXIMATELY 4000 YEARS AGO AND INCLUDED SPECIFIC RITUALS TO HONOR THE GODS, HUMAN SACRIFICE & DRINKING BOUTS, TO NAME A FEW.  THANKFULLY, OUR CELEBRATIONS TODAY HAVE EVOLVED (ALTHOUGH MANY PEOPLE DO CONTINUE WITH BOUTS OF DRINKING).

ALONG WITH CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR IS THE MAKING OF NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS.  THIS IS A TRADITION THAT DATES BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, ORIGINATING WITH THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF DIFFERENT CIVILIZATIONS. THE ROMANS MADE PROMISES TO THE GOD JANUS, WHOM THE MONTH OF JANUARY IS NAMED AFTER.  THE BABYLONIANS MADE PROMISES TO THEIR GODS AT THE START OF EACH NEW YEAR.  DURING MEDIEVAL TIMES, KNIGHTS TOOK THE "PEACOCK VOW" TO REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO CHIVALRY.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE MADE IN OUR MODERN WORLD ARE USUALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BETTERING ONE'S SELF, WHETHER MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY OR SPIRITUALLY.  WHEN MAKING OUR RESOLUTIONS FOR 2013, LET'S TRY TO KEEP IN MIND OUR PLANET EARTH AND ALL ITS INHABITANTS (HUMAN, ANIMAL & VEGETATION).  LET'S WORK TOWARDS REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT BY USING PRODUCTS THAT ARE SUSTAINABLE, CRUELTY-FREE, NATURAL AND ORGANIC,  AND BECOMING A MORE HUMANE SOCIETY BY TREATING THE EARTH'S INHABITANTS WITH RESPECT & COMPASSION.

MAY 2013 BE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY ONE FOR YOU AND YOURS!
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Friday, December 28, 2012

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ORGANIC TEA


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TEA ORIGINATED IN CHINA ABOUT 5,000 YEARS AGO.  IT IS MADE UP OF DRY AND PROCESSED LEAVES OF THE CAMELLIA SINENSIS PLANT.  THE FOUR MAIN TYPES OF TEA ARE WHITE, GREEN, OOLONG AND BLACK.  WHITE TEA IS VERY RARE.  IT IS MADE FROM YOUNG LEAVES THAT ARE PICKED BEFORE THE BUDS HAVE COMPLETELY OPENED UP.

GREEN TEA IS POPULAR WORLDWIDE DUE TO ITS HEALTH BENEFITS.  IT IS MADE FROM THE LEAF BUD AND THE TOP TWO LEAVES.  OOLONG IS A TRADITIONAL CHINESE TEA MADE FROM WITHERED LEAVES THAT HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY FERMENTED & DRIED.  BLACK TEA IS MADE FROM LEAVES THAT ARE FULLY OXIDIZED AND DRIED.  IT IS STRONGER IN FLAVOR AND CONTAINS MORE CAFFEINE THAN THE OTHER TYPES.

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HERBAL TEAS ARE ACTUALLY INFUSIONS OR TISANES.  THEIR GOODNESS AND FLAVOR ARE EXTRACTED FROM HERBS.  THEY CAN BE MADE FROM FRESH OR DRIED LEAVES, SOFT STEMS, FLOWERS, SEEDS OR ROOTS.  IT IS BEST TO DRINK HERBAL TEAS THAT ARE ORGANIC, SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN GROWN WITHOUT THE USE OF FERTILIZERS OR PESTICIDES.  THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF HERBAL TEAS, EACH WITH ITS OWN HEALTH BENEFITS. ORGANIC ECHINACEA IS KNOWN TO BOOST IMMUNITY, ORGANIC OLIVE LEAF IS USED TO FIGHT COLDS, FLU AND VIRAL INFECTIONS, ORGANIC LEMON PEEL IS A TONIC TO THE SKIN AND TO THE DIGESTIVE AND IMMUNE SYSTEM.  ORGANIC PARSLEY LEAF IS HIGH IN VITAMIN C AND POTASSIUM. 

THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ORGANIC TEAS WHICH CAN BE ENJOYED ANYTIME OF YEAR.



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

HEALING DRY, CRACKED WINTER SKIN

ABE'S MARKET IS HAVING A THREE DAY SALE, EFFECTIVE TODAY THROUGH DECEMBER 28TH.  GET 50% OFF THEIR HUNDREDS OF POST HOLIDAY SALE ITEMS.  WINTER IS UPON US SO NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO STOCK UP ON SKIN CARE ITEMS FROM ABE'S MARKET.  THEIR DEAD SEA MUD SOAP WITH HIMALAYAN SALTS (THE MUD SIDE CAN BE USED ON YOUR FACE AND BOTH SIDES OF THE BAR ON YOUR BODY), INCLUDES NATURAL HIMALAYAN AND DEAD SEA SALTS, SEAWEED AND KELP, AND SHEA BUTTER.  THIS SOAP EXFOLIATES AND MOISTURIZES YOUR SKIN WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS EFFECTIVE IN HEALING DRY WINTER SKIN.
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ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION IS THE SHEA BUTTER HEALING HAND CREAM WHICH CONTAINS ALOE VERA, SHEA BUTTER AND CALENDULA FLOWERS, WHICH ARE HEALING AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY.  THIS PRODUCT WORKS VERY WELL ON HANDS THAT ARE DRY AND CRACKED.  
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THE LAVENDER LEMONGRASS SOAP WILL CALM AND RESTORE YOU WITH ITS AROMATHERAPY.  IT IS ALL-NATURAL AND VEGAN.
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WAKE UP! BATH AND BODY COLLECTION WILL GET YOU UP AND GOING IN NO TIME.  IT CONTAINS EMOLLIENT, HEALING, SOOTHING AND SOFTENING INGREDIENTS ALONG WITH CAFFEINE AND COCOA. THE FIVE PIECE SET INCLUDES BODY BUTTER, WHIPPED BODY FROSTING, COFFEE AND SUGAR BODY SCRUB, LIP BALM, AND COFFEE AND SUGAR LIP SCRUB.
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THE WINTER BUTTER COLLECTION IS ANOTHER TREAT FOR HEALING DRY, CRACKED SKIN.  IT IS INFUSED WITH THIRTEEN HERBS AND INCLUDES SEVERAL OILS SUCH AS EVENING PRIMROSE AND EMU.   EVENING PRIMROSE OIL HELPS MAINTAIN HEALTHY SKIN.  EMU OIL CARRIES ANTIOXIDANTS INTO THE SKIN.
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IN ADDITION TO THEIR SKIN CARE, THERE ARE MANY MORE PRODUCTS ON SALE AT ABE'S MARKET.  ORDER NOW WHILE THEIR 50% OFF ITEMS ARE IN STOCK.  SHIPPING IS FREE THROUGH 12/31/12.




Monday, December 24, 2012

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS


CHRISTMAS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN FAMILY AND FRIENDS COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THIS SPECIAL HOLIDAY AND ALL ITS FESTIVITIES, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS, MANY OF WHICH START ON DECEMBER 1ST.  CONCERTS, TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONIES, CHRISTMAS CAROLERS, SANTA AND HIS ELVES IN SHOPPING MALLS ARE JUST A FEW OF THE EVENTS THAT MAKE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON FESTIVE.
MANY TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS THAT WE HOLD DEAR ORIGINATED YEARS AGO.  OUR MODERN CHRISTMAS TREE ORIGINATED WITH GERMAN LUTHERANS IN THE 17TH CENTURY.  THEY BROUGHT THIS CUSTOM WITH THEM WHEN THEY IMMIGRATED TO PENNSYLVANIA IN THE 1820's.
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THE TRADITION OF HANGING CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS IS SAID TO HAVE ORIGINATED WITH A POOR WIDOWER AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS.  HE COULD NOT AFFORD A DOWRY TO MARRY THEM OFF.  EVERY NIGHT THEY WOULD WASH THEIR STOCKINGS AND HANG THEM ON THE FIREPLACE TO DRY.  ST. NICHOLAS, WHO TOOK PITY ON THEM, DROPPED GOLD COINS DOWN THE CHIMNEY WHICH LANDED IN THEIR STOCKINGS.  THUS THE TRADITION BEGAN.




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CANDLES ARE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS CUSTOM THAT DATE BACK TO THE MIDDLE AGES.  A LARGE CANDLE WAS LIT TO REPRESENT THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.  THE CUSTOM OF ADVENT CANDLES AND THE ADVENT CROWN IS USED TO SYMBOLIZE JESUS, SINCE CHRISTIANS REFER TO HIM AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

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THERE ARE MANY MORE CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD RELEVANT TO ONE'S HERITAGE.  AS WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THE FESTIVITIES, LET'S REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.  IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US.  THEY LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS.  MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED AND VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Thursday, December 20, 2012

ORGANIC BOUQUETS AND GOURMET GIFTS


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STILL LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THOSE ON YOUR LIST?  ORGANIC BOUQUET HAS THE ANSWER.  THEY HAVE BEAUTIFUL SUSTAINABLY GROWN, ECO-FRIENDLY FLOWERS.  THEIR PRODUCTS ARE OBTAINED FROM COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SAFE & JUST WORKING CONDITIONS AND LIVABLE WAGES.  THEY ARE FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED, ECO-FRIENDLY, BIODYNAMIC, ARE AFFILIATED WITH GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS), FLORVERDE, ECOCERT, FAIR LABOR PRACTICES, & ECOBLOOMS, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

ORGANIC BOUQUET ALSO HAS NATURAL & ORGANIC GOURMET GIFT BASKETS & GOODIES, AND BEAUTIFUL HERBAL WREATHS.  THEY ARE A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMPANY.  THEIR PRODUCTS ARE NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS AND ARE EITHER VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN.  THEY ARE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS WORLDWIDE AND HOLD OVER 55 PARTNERSHIPS WITH CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.  
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ORGANIC BOUQUET HAS A "FLOWERS FOR GOOD" PROGRAM WHICH HELPS THEIR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SUCCEED IN THEIR WORK BY DONATING 5% OF YOUR PURCHASE TO THE INDIVIDUAL CHARITY. 

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SEND A GIFT TODAY FROM ORGANIC BOUQUET TO SHOW YOU CARE ABOUT THE RECIPIENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT. 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

LAST MINUTE GIFTS


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STILL LOOKING FOR LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFTS?  SPAFINDER WELLNESS HAS THE PERFECT GIFT FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST.  THEIR WELLNESS GIFT CARDS RANGE IN PRICE FROM $25 TO $1000, THEY NEVER EXPIRE AND ARE REDEEMABLE AT OVER 20,000 SPAS, YOGA, PILATES, AND FITNESS STUDIOS WORLDWIDE.   THEY ALSO HAVE 4 DIFFERENT GIFT BOXES RANGING IN PRICE FROM $85 TO $135.  THESE GIFT BOXES INCLUDE A WELLNESS GIFT CARD & ASSORTED NATURAL & ORGANIC GOODIES.  PLACE YOUR ORDER BY 12/20/12, 3 P.M. EST FOR GUARANTEED CHRISTMAS DELIVERY.

AT ABE'S MARKET YOU CAN CHOOSE THE OPTION OF EXPEDITED SHIPPING ON SELECT ITEMS TO ENSURE DELIVERY FOR CHRISTMAS. 
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THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE LAST MINUTE GIFTS THAT CAN BE EXPEDITED FOR SHIPPING.  ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY TO THIS OFFER AS FREE SHIPPING IS VALID ON GROUND SHIPPING ONLY.



                                                                       



Tuesday, December 18, 2012

OLIVE WOOD KITCHEN UTENSILS


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OLIVE WOOD HAS BEEN USED FOR KITCHEN UTENSILS FOR MORE THAN 1000 YEARS.  IT IS GROWN IN MANY REGIONS, BUT MOST OF IT COMES FROM THE HOLY LAND.  IT IS AN EVERGREEN WITH NUMEROUS BRANCHES & CAN LAST AS LONG AS 2000 YEARS. 



 OLIVE WOOD THAT IS USED IN CARVING KITCHEN UTENSILS COMES ONLY FROM THE PRUNING OF OLIVE TREES.  THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL PROCESS FOR THE HEALTHY & PROPER GROWTH OF THE TREES.  IT ALSO PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.  THE CUT PORTION REMAINING ON THE TREE IS THEN TREATED TO STOP INFECTION OR FUNGAL DAMAGE.  THIS ALLOWS THE TREE TO CONTINUE TO GROW.

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OLIVE WOOD HAS MANY DIFFERENT TEXTURES.  NO TWO GRAINS ARE ALIKE.  ONCE IT IS CARVED INTO KITCHEN UTENSILS, EACH PIECE HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE BEAUTY.  
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YOU CAN FIND SEVERAL OLIVE WOOD KITCHEN UTENSILS, AND OTHER ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS AT SOLAY WELLNESS.  YOU CAN ALSO SAVE 15%, 20% OR 25% DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH YOU SPEND.  THIS OFFER EXPIRES 12/24/12.  




Sunday, December 16, 2012

BPA-FREE AND PHTHALATE-FREE GIFTS

THROUGH THE YEARS, PLASTIC CONTAINERS HAVE BECOME A POPULAR HOUSEHOLD ITEM.  PLASTIC IS USED IN EVERYTHING FROM STORAGE CONTAINERS TO WATER PITCHERS & DRINKING CUPS, TO NAME A FEW.  UNFORTUNATELY, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, THESE PLASTICS CONTAIN BPA (bisphenol-A) & PHTHALATES (man-made chemicals used in soft, flexible plastics, PVC & in a variety of personal care products).  EXPOSURE TO BPA & PHTHALATES IS HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH.

PHTHALATES ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS OR REPRODUCTIVE HARM.  YOUNG CHILDREN & DEVELOPING FETUSES ARE MOST AT RISK.  BPA IS CONSIDERED AN ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR, IT IS LINKED TO A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF HEART DISEASE, LIVER ABNORMALITIES & DIABETES.

THERE ARE SEVERAL PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET THAT ARE BPA-FREE & PHTHALATE -FREE.  WEAN GREEN, PRESERVE, OOTS! & ECO VESSEL ARE A FEW AND CAN BE FOUND AT ABE'S MARKET
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PERSONAL CARE ITEMS THAT ARE PHTHALATE- FREE, SUCH AS LEMON VERBENA BODY LOTION, OREGON LAVENDER HAND & BODY LOTION & APRICOT ALMOND BODY CREAM CAN BE FOUND AT ALCHEMILLA ULTRA-PURE SKIN CARE
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WHETHER SHOPPING FOR YOURSELF OR FOR GIFTS, MAKE A HEALTHY CHOICE & BUY PRODUCTS THAT ARE BPA-FREE & PHTHALATE-FREE.



Thursday, December 13, 2012

NATURAL AND ORGANIC PET TREATS


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FOR YEARS I BOUGHT MY DOGS FOOD & TREATS THAT WERE COMMERCIALLY PREPARED, NOT BEING SAVVY ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS THAT WENT INTO MAKING THEM.  HOWEVER, THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE BECOME MUCH MORE EDUCATED & INFORMED ABOUT THESE THINGS, INCLUDING THE WELL-BEING OF ALL ANIMALS, NOT JUST OUR PETS. 

I DO NOT WANT TO GO OFF ON A TANGENT ABOUT ANIMAL WELFARE AT THIS MOMENT SINCE I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE SUBJECT, SO FOR NOW I WILL STICK TO THE TOPIC OF THIS POST, WHICH IS NATURAL & ORGANIC PET TREATS.  COMMERCIALLY MADE TREATS INCLUDE A LONG LIST OF INGREDIENTS, SOME OF WHICH ARE ANIMAL DIGEST, ANIMAL FAT, BEEF & BONE MEAL, BLOOD MEAL, MEAT MEAL, POULTRY MEAL, POULTRY BY-PRODUCT MEAL, CHICKEN BY-PRODUCT MEAL, WHEAT FLOUR & CORN FLOUR.  THE AAFCO (www.aafco.org) WILL GIVE YOU A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THESE INGREDIENTS.  IT IS RATHER GRAPHIC, SO BE PREPARED. 

NATURAL & ORGANIC PET TREATS DO NOT CONTAIN HORMONES, ANTIBIOTICS, FILLERS OR MEAT BY-PRODUCTS.  DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC TREAT, THEY CAN INCLUDE SWEET POTATOES, PUMPKIN, MOLASSES, HONEY, FLAXSEED, PEAS, APPLES ,CARROTS, CHICKEN BREAST, SALMON OR FISH.  SINCE MY DOG HAS SENSITIVE SKIN, I ONLY GIVE HER TREATS THAT CONTAIN FRUITS, VEGETABLES & FISH AS I'VE FOUND SHE DOESN'T TOLERATE CHICKEN TOO WELL.  

I HAVE FOUND ABE'S MARKET TO HAVE A VARIETY OF NATURAL & ORGANIC PET TREATS.
MY DOG ESPECIALLY LIKES DR. HARVEY'S SWEET POTATE'R CHEWS & FRIES.  
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AND VEREBON VEGGIE CRUNCH TREATS.
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ABE'S MARKET ALSO HAS NATURAL DOG & CAT SHAMPOOS, VITAMINS & HOLISTIC PRODUCTS, COLLARS & LEADS.  GIVE YOUR PETS THE BEST THIS CHRISTMAS.  THEY DESERVE IT.


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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

30% OFF AT ABE'S MARKET

ABE'S MARKET IS HAVING A 30% OFF SALE STARTING 12/11 THROUGH 12/13.  YOU CAN FIND MANY GREAT ORGANIC, NATURAL, ECO-FRIENDLY & CRUELTY-FREE GIFTS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST OR EVEN FOR YOURSELF.  IF YOU ARE HAVING FAMILY OR FRIENDS STAY OVER FOR THE HOLIDAYS, MAKE THEIR STAY A WELCOMING ONE BY INCLUDING ORGANIC & NATURAL PRODUCTS FROM ABE'S MARKET.

THEIR SOAP NATURALLY GOODE WINTER BUTTER COLLECTION DOES WONDERS FOR WINTER-DRY SKIN.  IT CONTAINS 13 HERBS, ESSENTIAL OILS & BUTTERS & IS ESPECIALLY GOOD FOR ECZEMA, DRY & CRACKED SKIN.  
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THEIR ORGANIC & NATURAL SHAVING & GROOMING KIT INCLUDES SHAVING SOAP, AFTERSHAVE, SHAVING BRUSH, BODY SOAP & A CERAMIC SHAVING BOWL.
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3_apk_lib_balm_sng1.jpg (472×472)FOR THE VEGAN ON YOUR LIST, THEIR CRUELTY-FREE LIP BALM BERRY PACK IS MADE FROM AVOCADO BUTTER, SHEA BUTTER, ALOE BUTTER, JOJOBA OIL, SWEET ALMOND OIL, CANDELILLA WAX, CHERRY, BLUEBERRY & STRAWBERRY OIL & VITAMIN E.
  
bamboo_spa_sage_72.jpg (472×472)OR TRY THE BAMBOO SPA TOWEL SET, WHICH INCLUDES 1 BATH TOWEL, 1 HAND TOWEL & 1 FACE CLOTH.  BAMBOO TOWELS ARE EXTRA SOFT AND SUPER ABSORBENT, MUCH MORE SO THAN COTTON TOWELS.  
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF ORGANIC & CRUELTY-FREE PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE FROM AT ABE'S MARKET.  IN ADDITION TO THIS GREAT SALE, SHIPPING IS FREE UNTIL 12/31/12.  SHOP TODAY AND SAVE!


   

Sunday, December 9, 2012

UPCYCLED GIFTS


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UPCYCLE & RECYCLE - THESE TWO TERMS ARE SIMILAR IN NATURE BUT CAN ALSO BE CONFUSING TO SOME, INCLUDING ME, UNTIL I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT. WHEN PRODUCTS ARE RECYCLED, I.E. PLASTIC & GLASS, THEY ARE FIRST BROKEN DOWN OR CRUSHED INTO SMALL PIECES.  A CHEMICAL PROCESS IS THEN USED TO CONVERT THEM INTO NEW PRODUCTS USING OTHER RESOURCES.  RECYCLING IS COSTLIER THAN UPCYCLING AND THE NEW PRODUCTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS ARE INFERIOR IN QUALITY THAN THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTS.

UPCYCLED PRODUCTS DO NOT REQUIRE DOWNGRADING THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT AND THERE IS NO POLLUTION DURING THE UPCYCLE PROCESS.  ALSO, UPCYCLING RESULTS IN GOODS OF EQUAL OR BETTER VALUE.   

AT ABE'S MARKET YOU CAN FIND MANY PRODUCTS MADE FROM UPCYCLED MATERIALS THAT MAKE GREAT GIFTS.  HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES:

UPCYCLED RUG WOVEN FROM PLASTIC BAGS
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UPCYCLED CASHMERE TOY HOLDER

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UPCYCLED LAPTOP SLEEVE
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BUTTERFLY EARRINGS

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STARDUST VI EARRINGS 

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BAMBOO BATH SHEETS
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WALLETS FOR MEN & WOMEN

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THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE UPCYCLED ITEMS YOU CAN FIND AT
ABE'S MARKET.  

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Thursday, December 6, 2012

COSMETIC TESTING ON ANIMALS

COSMETIC TESTING ON ANIMALS DATES BACK TO 1933 & THE FDA PASSED THE FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG & COSMETIC ACT IN 1938 TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM UNSAFE COSMETICS.  THE 2 MOST COMMON ANIMAL TESTS ARE THE DRAIZE TEST, WHICH INVOLVES DROPPING A SUBSTANCE DIRECTLY INTO AN ANIMAL'S EYES (ALBINO RABBITS ARE USED FREQUENTLY FOR THIS TEST)  WHICH IS EXTREMELY PAINFUL,  AND THE LD50 WHICH INVOLVES FORCE FEEDING POISONOUS SUBSTANCES TO A GROUP OF ANIMALS THROUGH STOMACH TUBES, VAPOR SPRAY INHALERS OR INJECTIONS UNTIL 50% OF THEM DIE.  REACTIONS TO THESE TESTS INCLUDE CONVULSIONS, VOMITING, PARALYSIS & BLEEDING FROM THE EYES, NOSE, MOUTH OR RECTUM.
source: http://www.allforanimals.com/history.html; http://www.idausa.org/facts/costesting.html 

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THERE ARE, HOWEVER, MANY COSMETIC & SKIN CARE PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET TODAY THAT ARE CRUELTY-FREE.  ALCHEMILLA SKIN CARE  IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF CRUELTY-FREE SKIN CARE & BATH/BEAUTY PRODUCTS.  THEY ARE HAND-MADE FROM  HERBS & FLOWERS THAT ARE ORGANICALLY GROWN, WILD-HARVESTED & CHEMICAL-FREE ON THEIR FARM IN OREGON.  
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VISIT ALCHEMILLA TODAY.  SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THEIR FREE NEWSLETTER & YOU CAN WIN A $200 SHOPPING SPREE.  THEY ALSO OFFER FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OF $75 OR MORE AND FREE SAMPLES WITH EVERY ORDER.