![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_klbzDT31jdY/SsNuBB5qtVI/AAAAAAAAA8I/lpA_GSNOTvc/s320/afv--30938--41374_product_389475433_thumb_large.jpg)
Our Story
We are a Mother Daughter Team
This is Our Story!
Our becoming soap makers were out of need; My Daughter has very dry skin and rashes Caused by persistent low blood sugars due to a genetic mutation of the pancreas. We tried every soap, lotion, and cream. Nothing seem to work not even prescription types.
INSPIRATION!
In November of 2006 My Daughter was trying to figure out what to do for Her Heritage 4-H project. She started reading this book; (Once Upon a Time The way America was: by Eric Sloane). While studying History. (In this book Mr. Sloane states " what a bore life has become!") When we want water, electricity, food, or clothes; we couldn't care less where these things come from.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS!
After reading what the true American Heritage is; we talked it over and my Daughter decided to take the adventure of a lifetime. She was going to live like the early pioneer's. Sounds like this might be easy to do; but it's not. I turned off the TV, and started getting Her up earlier in the morning so that she could get all her chores done before school. She had to get up and clean her room, go out and water and feed her 4-H steers and work on three Heritage projects. The project were to make a quilt, to research her family tree, and learn to make soap. As for her quilt it was made to fit a full size bed. I did allow her to use the sewing machine to sew the quilt top, but she used her Great Grandmothers quilting rack to put the quilt together and tie it. The family history she used the computer to do the research; (hey have you noticed that so far she hasn't given up electricity yet.) The history she used to make a living history quilt. She printed the names of the male side of the family on to fabric to make the squares for her quilt. (The pioneer women would of hand stitched the each name); all the sewing was done in the day light hours it took her seven months to complete the quilt. To display the computer printout of the family trees she made home made paper and covered it with fabric left over from her quilt; (this too was done in day light hour only (pioneers did not have electricity). While doing all her chores and projects as close to how a pioneer might; she was learning to make soap.
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!
It is now Winter
Where we live winters very from year to year. The winter of 2006-2007 turned out to be very cold with temperatures below zero, high winds, and snows.
Life as a pioneer is hard. Even in below zero weather and the wind making it even colder. She still had to go out feed and water her steers. Every morning she had to break the ice in the water buckets (pioneers did not have heated water troth's) nor did she; but we did have frost free water lines. That did not mean anything that year the wind chill even froze them up. The day are now shorter and less day light meant fewer hours to do all her chores, school and projects.
To make soap she first had to learn how the pioneers made it. The pioneers usually made it in the fall of the year during butchering time when there was as excess of fat. If they were lucky they were getting a little rain. If not they would use dishwater. The pioneer woman made her own lye from fireplace ash, and test it by floating an egg.
In 2006-2007 there is melt and pour, rebatching and from scratch soap. In 4-H you must learn all the ways to make soap. (So she did). Made a lot of soap! So much soap she really did not know what to do with it all. Then one day I said while looking at all that soap" 4-H is not just making something to show at Fair time, it is about taking what you have learned and putting it to work. That was two weeks before Christmas 2006. We put the soap in cute baskets and loaded them in the car, and set out to see if any friends and family might buy her soap. That day she sold it all, with orders for more.
By the spring of 2007 she had created her own line of products. Sold them to friends, family and anyone who wanted additive and preservative free personal care products. WE have been hard at work, school, and play from that day on.
When She started her pioneer adventure it was to experience life as close to that of those who built this country. What she learned is that as a child in the year 2006.She spent to much time in front of the Television, she was wasteful, that she expected everything to be given to her, and that she was pretty lazy.
After her adventure ended in June of 2007 she learned that she was quite capable of doing anything she set her mind too. She learned that hard work won't kill you in fact it feels good. Most of all found the true American Heritage.
Our American Heritage is
Spirit, Hard Work, and To Be Frugal
All Our soaps are made from scratch in small batches. The goats milk is whole milk right from the goat its self. The rose hip in our oil grows wild on our small farm, and so does the lavender that might be in some of our products. All the oils used in our products are vegetable and of food quality. NO animal testing. All testing is done on friends and family.
2007 Living History Quilt
![2007 Living History Quilt](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_klbzDT31jdY/ScjRO_3MxtI/AAAAAAAAAIM/IHms5fmNoW0/S750/Picture+211.jpg)
received the Purple Rosette
Family Heritage and Genealogy
![Family Heritage and Genealogy](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_klbzDT31jdY/ScjUO9Q6eII/AAAAAAAAAIs/638atKP9R-Y/S750/Picture+222.jpg)
Cora received Purple Rosette
Please Read this
Back when Cora’s Blissfully Natural Products was a 4-H project; She had to do research on what was in our own personal care products. This is some of what she found. Needless to say we never used them again.
The Information below was used for Cora’s 4-H Oral Presentation that year.
POPULAR BUZZ WORDS.
Although there are many popular buzzwords in the market place today here are three; Pure, Natural, Non-Toxic.
The very name makes these words sound like the product should be healthy for you, right? That’s the deception. . Let’s discuss the three words mentioned above one at a time.
Pure.
The dictionary’s definition of Pure is “unmixed or unpolluted”. “Absolute”.
The Cosmetic Industry’s definition of Pure is any product containing any ingredient or portion thereof that could be traced back to a pure or original origin. In other words, if there is a “trace” of something
original in there, you can call the whole product pure. I hardly think this makes the product “unpolluted” or “absolute”.
Natural:
The dictionary’s definition of Natural is: “Pertaining to, in accordance with, or determined by, nature; Being or found in its native state”. “Not artificial”.
According to the Cosmetic Industry, you can proudly display the “natural” label if at least 5% of the ingredients are derived from a natural source. This means that you could have one ingredient that has a minimum of 5% of that ingredient that has come from a natural source and that is enough to meet the labeling requirements to call the entire product “Natural”. That means your product could be 5% natural and 95% artificial and still be called “natural”.
Webster’s Dictionary defines Non Toxic as: “not producing or resulting from poison”.
The cosmetic industry gives this definition: “If no more than 49% of all laboratory animals that the product is tested on die, then you can call the product Non Toxic.” That means that the product could be 48.9% likely to kill you. I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to take those odds. That is a rather risky gamble with your health.
To further complicate the issue, we have no real hope for relief from the manufacturers’. Here is the reason why. The cosmetic/personal care industry is self regulating. That means, the only ones that are looking out for the consumer is the manufacturer of the product.
DID YOU KNOW... Recently a thousand people had to be evacuated from their homes, By order of OSHA because a factory near their homes had a one-gallon spill of a hazadorous chemical. This ingredient is used in hair shampoo!!!!
This is just the beginning of the list of chemicals to avoid in products you use daily:
1. Cocoamide DEA, diethanolamine, TEA, triethanolamine, MEA
2. Propylene glycol, propylene oxide, polyethylene glycol
3. Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate
4. Sodium Fluoride
5. Mineral Oil , Petrolatum and Coal Tar
Q. What is DEA?
A. - DEA is diethanolamine, a chemical that is used as a wetting agent in shampoos, lotions, creams and other cosmetics. DEA is used widely because it provides a rich lather in shampoos and keeps a favorable consistency in lotions and creams. DEA by itself is not harmful but while sitting on the stores shelves or in your cabinet at home, DEA can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic formula to form an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
TEA
diethanolamine.htm", TEA (Triethanolamine). DEA and TEA can result in the formation of carcinogens in products containing nitrite preservatives. Chemical reactions between nitrites and DEA/ TEA occur during the manufacturing process and while products are stored in their containers. This reaction leads to the formation of nitrosamines. Most nitrosamines, including those formed from DEA or TEA, are carcinogenic.
PEG
The Industrial World USES Propylene Glycol (PG) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG): Industrial Antifreeze, Brake/Hydraulic Fluid, Paint, Airplane De-Icer. These chemicals have been found to cause adverse health effects: contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities; Inhibit skin cell growth in human tests; Damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage to the skin.
SLS
Sodium Lauryl (or Laureth) Sulfate: Engine Degreaser, Garage/Concrete Floor Cleaner, Car Wash Soap; Surrounds hair follicle in shampoo to keep it from growing, causes hair to fall out; keeps children's eyes from developing properly, causes cataracts in older people; In Toothpaste: Weakens enamel on teeth to cause cavities: SLS is very abrasive and may burn the skin, mouth, Canker sores, or scalp. Products commonly found to contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLES
Soaps
Shampoos
Bubble-baths
Tooth paste
Washing-up liquid / dish soap
Laundry detergent
Children's soaps / shampoos
Stain Remover
Carpet Cleaner
Fabric glue
Body wash
Shave cream
Mascara
Mouthwash
Skin cleanser
Moisture lotion / Moisturizer
Sun Cream
Don’t believe this take a look for your self.
The way Cora looked up the ingredients in our products, was one at a time.
Cora’s research took weeks.
Looking for Natural; No Additives, No Preservatives No animal testing, Personal care products.
Go to http://dragonfly.artfire.comWednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Not Yours to Give
These newspapers never make the main stream headlines. In a small town free newspaper you can expect to find sections like: Laugh a little, Entertainment, Fish and Game, Business News, Mir’s Corner/ Ag news, Military and Veterans news. All of which are about thing that are happening with in that area for which the Newspaper is printed.
But every once in a while there is an article that should be read by everyone in the USA. The Title is (Not yours To Give - We The American People Have The Say.) Please read at least the first 7 paragraphs before you make up your mind about this article.
The EL-WHEE HI-LITES at
http://www.elmorecountypress.com/hilites1.htm
Just goes to show History does repeat itself!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Something Nice happened Today
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_klbzDT31jdY/SrQTuNKy83I/AAAAAAAAA6w/LV3aVkYP0Oc/s320/dianes+elk.gif)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_klbzDT31jdY/SrQTfT8uMHI/AAAAAAAAA6o/dsD6nIFzcKQ/s320/pic13-gif.gif)
Sometimes People do nice thing for others; just for niceness sake. That is what happened today.
We went to the Black Cat Pellet mill to get grain for Cora's steer and -Butch Stolzman gave us a picture of horses in this beautiful barn wood frame. The reason he did this was heart warming. and touched my heart.
So I thought I would pay it forward and tell you about Butch's Photo's, better yet I will let him tell you.
Butch Stolzman; "I was born and raised in the state of Wisconsin and have always enjoyed the outdoors. As a boy and young man, I loved to hunt, but as the years progressed my love of hunting with a camera surpassed my love of gun hunting. We moved to Idaho in the year 1982 and since then my guns have remained in the rack but my camera has remained by my side. I still love to hunt but now I hunt for just the right shot with my cameras. I have taken pictures for the last 40 years and have loved every minute of it. As you will see on this web site, my main interests are wildlife, landscape scenery, and old barns." |
Stop by and check out his labor of love!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Western Trail Your Way Laundry Soap 2 pounds
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_klbzDT31jdY/Sq-ZM49qgPI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/fIgt023oi-A/s320/8912_product_1458110462_2_thumb_large.jpg)
Our laundry soap is earth friendly and septic safe. There is NO fillers added, there is little to no suds and is safe to use in front loading machines. Use as little as 1 tablespoon , and 1/4 cup is more than enough.
Unscented is made with Unscented goats Milk soap
When you order our Laundry Soap we will send you a copy of our laundry softener this stuff really works and cost pennies per load.
This is the no frills package, shipped in zip lock
bags.
You can choose your own fragrance if you like from the soap listed in my studio. this is for one bag
list of fragrances
*Paris Hilton
*DKNY
*Country Lavender
*Amazing Grace
*Goddess
*Brown sugar and fig
*Sage
*Patchouli
*Orange tea tree
*Orange Mint
*Vanilla
*Oatmeal milk & honey
*Oatmeal milk & honey with Oatmeal
*Spice Bay
*Sandal wood
Vanilla
*Opium
*Incanto
*Chef Soap
*Pomegranate
*French vanilla
*Mango
Hawaiian Mist
*Rockin Rio
*High Desert
*Pepper mint tea tree
*Black Irish
*Breath Less
*Amber Romance
*White Tea &Ginger
*Cotton Blossom
*Indian Summer
*Knowing
*Red currant & Thyme
*Cannabis Santiva
*Lemon Cove
*Orange Vanilla
*Lavender
*Lavender Salt and Sea
*Lavender Blossom
*Lavender with Tea Tree oil
Lavender Oatmeal
Peppermint Salt with Tea Tree oil
Orange with Tea Tree Oil
Almond
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
TheShutterbugEyeI
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_klbzDT31jdY/SqZYJj4XK5I/AAAAAAAAA5w/39g1GPSWriA/s320/afv--28150--26050_product_1628642872_thumb_large.jpg)
This is an 8x10 print and will be printed on glossy archival paper. If you prefer matt, please note that and I will be happy to accommodate you.
All photos are professionally printed, there is no ink jet printing. All photos are posted at a lower resolution. Your print will be from the full resolution digital image.
Please let me know if you have any questions or special requests.
http://theshutterbugeye.blogspot.com/
Check this out the Photos are Great!!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
What You Might Not Know About Your Personal Care Products
The Information below was used for Cora’s 4-H Oral Presentation that year.
POPULAR BUZZ WORDS.
Although there are many popular buzzwords in the market place today here are three; Pure, Natural, Non-Toxic.
The very name makes these words sound like the product should be healthy for you, right? That’s the deception. . Let’s discuss the three words mentioned above one at a time.
Pure.
The dictionary’s definition of Pure is “unmixed or unpolluted”. “Absolute”.
The Cosmetic Industry’s definition of Pure is any product containing any ingredient or portion thereof that could be traced back to a pure or original origin. In other words, if there is a “trace” of something
original in there, you can call the whole product pure. I hardly think this makes the product “unpolluted” or “absolute”.
Natural:
The dictionary’s definition of Natural is: “Pertaining to, in accordance with, or determined by, nature; Being or found in its native state”. “Not artificial”.
According to the Cosmetic Industry, you can proudly display the “natural” label if at least 5% of the ingredients are derived from a natural source. This means that you could have one ingredient that has a minimum of 5% of that ingredient that has come from a natural source and that is enough to meet the labeling requirements to call the entire product “Natural”. That means your product could be 5% natural and 95% artificial and still be called “natural”.
Webster’s Dictionary defines Non Toxic as: “not producing or resulting from poison”.
The cosmetic industry gives this definition: “If no more than 49% of all laboratory animals that the product is tested on die, then you can call the product Non Toxic.” That means that the product could be 48.9% likely to kill you. I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to take those odds. That is a rather risky gamble with your health.
To further complicate the issue, we have no real hope for relief from the manufacturers’. Here is the reason why. The cosmetic/personal care industry is self regulating. That means, the only ones that are looking out for the consumer is the manufacturer of the product.
DID YOU KNOW... Recently a thousand people had to be evacuated from their homes, By order of OSHA because a factory near their homes had a one-gallon spill of a hazadorous chemical. This ingredient is used in hair shampoo!!!!
This is just the beginning of the list of chemicals to avoid in products you use daily:
1. Cocoamide DEA, diethanolamine, TEA, triethanolamine, MEA
2. Propylene glycol, propylene oxide, polyethylene glycol
3. Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate
4. Sodium Fluoride
5. Mineral Oil , Petrolatum and Coal Tar
Q. What is DEA?
A. - DEA is diethanolamine, a chemical that is used as a wetting agent in shampoos, lotions, creams and other cosmetics. DEA is used widely because it provides a rich lather in shampoos and keeps a favorable consistency in lotions and creams. DEA by itself is not harmful but while sitting on the stores shelves or in your cabinet at home, DEA can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic formula to form an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
TEA
diethanolamine.htm", TEA (Triethanolamine). DEA and TEA can result in the formation of carcinogens in products containing nitrite preservatives. Chemical reactions between nitrites and DEA/ TEA occur during the manufacturing process and while products are stored in their containers. This reaction leads to the formation of nitrosamines. Most nitrosamines, including those formed from DEA or TEA, are carcinogenic.
PEG
The Industrial World USES Propylene Glycol (PG) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG): Industrial Antifreeze, Brake/Hydraulic Fluid, Paint, Airplane De-Icer. These chemicals have been found to cause adverse health effects: contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities; Inhibit skin cell growth in human tests; Damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage to the skin.
SLS
Sodium Lauryl (or Laureth) Sulfate: Engine Degreaser, Garage/Concrete Floor Cleaner, Car Wash Soap; Surrounds hair follicle in shampoo to keep it from growing, causes hair to fall out; keeps children's eyes from developing properly, causes cataracts in older people; In Toothpaste: Weakens enamel on teeth to cause cavities: SLS is very abrasive and may burn the skin, mouth, Canker sores, or scalp. Products commonly found to contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLES
Soaps
Shampoos
Bubble-baths
Tooth paste
Washing-up liquid / dish soap
Laundry detergent
Children's soaps / shampoos
Stain Remover
Carpet Cleaner
Fabric glue
Body wash
Shave cream
Mascara
Mouthwash
Skin cleanser
Moisture lotion / Moisturizer
Sun Cream
Don’t believe this take a look for your self.
SORRY I COULD NOT GET THEM TO LINK. YOU WILL HAVE TO COPY AND PASTE THEM IN YOUR GOOGLE BOX.
"resourceshort.htm"
"resolveuid/c62b879418ec3c266e42fee71aedf90f"
"http://www.pollutioninpeople.org/toxics/pfcs".
"http://www.ewg.org/skindeep”
"http://www.pollutioninpeople.org/safer/products/cosmetics".
"resolveuid/fb38d213916ab279452f744c9f62b51f"
http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sls-health-implications.html"
PLEASE READ YOUR PRODUCT LABELS!
The way Cora looked up the ingredients in our products, was one at a time.
Cora’s research took weeks.
Looking for Natural; No Additives, No Preservatives No animal testing, Personal care products.
Go to http://dragonfly.artfire.com