Clear Conscience Blog | J.R. Watkins Naturals

“In Their Expert Opinion” features three bloggers who bring special expertise on living a natural lifestyle to The Clear Conscience Blog. Each month, we’ll share tips and advice on how to live a little greener from a few of our favorite experts.

By Micaela Preston, Mindful Momma

Photo Credit: Alison Maclvor on Flickr (Creative Commons)

Last weekend it was our turn to bring post-game snacks for our two boys’ soccer teams. Instead of grabbing individually wrapped, marginally healthy snacks from the grocery store, we decided to make our own granola bars. The treats were a huge hit and I’m not sure if people were more surprised that they were homemade or that my husband was the one who did the cooking!

Sadly, it is all too easy to grab processed, overly packaged snacks for lunchboxes, team treats or anytime you need nourishment on-the-go. Things like granola bars, mini bags of crackers and individual tubs of applesauce are available at almost every food store and pretty much accepted as the normal way to buy food. But think of all that packaging that ends up in the landfill?

All it takes is a little mindfulness and a change of habit to create portable snacks without the wasteful packaging. Try these easy tips to make snack-time more sustainable – both for your family’s health and for the planet:

• Instead of buying individually packaged bags of cookies or crackers, get a large box and split it up yourself.
• Skip the plastic baggies and carry snacks in reusable containers or snack bags.
• Buy nuts, seeds and dried fruits in bulk and make your own trail mix. (I usually add some chocolate or carob chips in too!) 
• Don’t forget about fresh fruit – bring whole apples on a road-trip or a bowl of cut up orange slices for the team snack.
• Instead of individual juice boxes, mix up a large container of 100% juice or ice-cold water to bring to the park.

What are your sustainable snack ideas?

Disclosure: The bloggers featured in the Clear Conscience Blog “In Their Expert Opinion” series have received product samples and compensation from Watkins, Inc.

“In Their Expert Opinion” features three bloggers who bring special expertise on living a natural lifestyle to The Clear Conscience Blog. Each month, we’ll share tips and advice on how to live a little greener from a few of our favorite experts.

Meet Micaela Preston, founder of Mindful Momma and author of Practically Green: Your Guide to EcoFriendly Decision-Making. Like many parents, Micaela cares deeply about the health of her family as well as the earth. Yet, she knows first-hand how hard it can be to keep on top of all the latest eco-friendly products while still keeping the reins on the family budget.  Through her blog and her book, Micaela’s goal is to make green living inspiring, not intimidating! Micaela lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two boys, and when she’s not writing, she’s busy whipping up healthy meals and eco crafts!

Read on for more about Micaela, and check back on Thursday to find out how to make snack time more sustainable.

When I went to college and had to start shopping for myself, I found that food co-ops were a really cool place to shop! Not only could you buy in bulk (and get just the amount you needed) but the food and personal care products were much higher quality and better for you than in conventional stores. 

Now that I have a family of my own and am confronted with many more purchase decisions, I have to find the balance between time, money and whatever else is going on in my life. Still, my preference is always for more natural products that are better for the planet and healthier for my family.

Q. You’re known for giving advice, but tell us, what’s the best tip you’re received on living more sustainably?

Think before you buy. Do you really need that new sweater? Are you sure you don’t have some of those notebooks at home already? Will you really use that gallon of olive oil before it goes bad? I’m not sure exactly where I got that tip but it is a sentiment expressed by many of my green blogging friends – we just don’t need as much as we think we need.

Q. How do you get your children to eat healthy and also be mindful of the earth, like their momma?

I find that teaching by example is the best way to influence kids. My boys have seen me reading food labels for so long that they now do it themselves. In fact, my oldest son gave me a terrible time recently for buying something with trans fats in it – and I returned it back to the store – pronto!

Q. What are some of your go-to green resources online?

Healthy Child, Healthy World is a wonderful resource for all things green and healthy including informative blog posts, tool kits and activism opportunities.  

Environmental Working Group is a non-profit dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Their incredible resources include the Skin Deep cosmetics database, the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce and the annual Sunscreen Safety Guide. 

GoodGuide is a cool online shopping tool that provides a rating system for products to allow you to shop your values. They have a new phone app too – so you can take the ratings with you wherever and whenever you shop. 

Disclosure: The bloggers featured in the Clear Conscience Blog “In Their Expert Opinion” series have received product samples and compensation from Watkins, Inc.

“In Their Expert Opinion” features three bloggers who bring special expertise on living a natural lifestyle to The Clear Conscience Blog. Each month, we’ll share tips and advice on how to live a little greener from a few of our favorite experts.

By Lori Popkewitz Alper, GroovyGreenLivin.com

Photo credit: Used under Creative Commons from Tim Crowe/Flickr

If you’re thinking of going green the kitchen is a great place to begin. Going green doesn’t necessarily mean spending big bucks to replace big ticket items such as the flooring, appliances and lighting.  In fact, the greenest option is to keep your kitchen intact and adopt some new “greener” practices.

1. Save energy by running the dishwasher only when it’s full. The same amount of energy is required for a half and full load in the dishwasher. Resist the urge to rinse your dishes thoroughly before loading them – most dishwashers can get your dishes clean without rinsing them first by hand.
2. Choose healthy pots and pans.  
Despite the ease and convenience of non-stick pots and pans such as Teflon, many health conscious people are tossing their non-stick and replacing them with healthier options such as stainless steel, cast iron, glass and ceramic.
3. Don’t preheat your oven. 
Newer ovens are able to hit the desired temperature very quickly, so pre-heating becomes almost obsolete. I put things in the oven the minute I turn it on. I also turn the oven off 5 or 10 minutes early to let the dish finish cooking in the residual heat.
4. Use non-toxic kitchen cleaners. Scour the ingredient list of cleaning products before you scour your kitchen. Clean your kitchen with products that are safe for you and your family. By choosing safe and healthy alternatives you are choosing to reduce toxic chemicals in your home and help the environment.
5. Reuse glass jars and other containers. Many foods are packaged in glass jars: pasta sauce, olive oil and pickles to name a few. These jars can be reused and repurposed before they hit the recycle container. Try reusing the jars to store crayons, hold spare change, flowers or paint brushes. 

Making these simple changes in your kitchen is good for your well-being, but is also good for your pocketbook and the planet. 

Disclosure: The bloggers featured in the Clear Conscience Blog “In Their Expert Opinion” series have received product samples and compensation from Watkins, Inc.

“In Their Expert Opinion” features three bloggers who bring special expertise on living a natural lifestyle to The Clear Conscience Blog. Each month, we’ll share tips and advice on how to live a little greener from a few of our favorite experts.

Meet Lori Popkewitz Alper, founder of Groovy Green Livin, a site dedicated to sharing simple green living tips and current information on sustainable. A former attorney, Lori now is a green living educator and speaks, writes and advises on creating a greener lifestyle. She lives in the Greater Boston area with her three sons, chocolate lab and groovy husband. In her free time, she can be found practicing yoga, running, cycling, skiing or trying out a new eco-friendly product!

Read on for more about Lori, and check back on Thursday to see her advice on greening your kitchen!

My passion for groovy, green, natural, non-toxic living began over 12 years ago after seeing firsthand how living an organic, non- toxic lifestyle can directly affect your health and well-being.  My commitment and dedication towards a greener lifestyle was strengthened when two of my children were diagnosed with life threatening food allergies.  It was then that I decided to trade in my attorney suits and follow my passion- to educate myself and others on how to live as naturally and toxin-free as possible.  

Q. What’s the best tip you’ve received on how to live more sustainably?

The best tip I’ve received is a simple one: always wash your laundry in cold water. A full 80-90 percent of the washing machines energy is used to heat the water. By using only cold water you save energy, money and reduce your carbon footprint.  I’ve been doing this for years and my clothes are just as clean!

Q. How did you spend your summer this year?

Every summer we spend some time visiting family in Madison, Wisconsin and visiting Wisconsin Dells (the waterpark capital of the world!). There are 12 cousins in our family, all under the age of 12, who have an incredible time together. The rest of the summer was a combination of time in Boston and vacationing in Maine. 

Q. Tell us, what are some of your favorite green information resources? 

There are so many great, green resources out there. Here are my top two that I reference all the time:

• Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep Cosmetics Database – An online safety guide for cosmetics and personal care products.
• Local Harvest – This site is great for finding farmers’ markets, family farms and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area. It also has a list (based on your zip code) of where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats and many other goodies.

Disclosure: The bloggers featured in the Clear Conscience Blog “In Their Expert Opinion” series have received product samples and compensation from Watkins, Inc.

“In Their Expert Opinion” features three bloggers who bring special expertise on living a natural lifestyle to The Clear Conscience Blog. Each month, we’ll share tips and advice on how to live a little greener from a few of our favorite experts.

By Elizabeth Dehn, BeautyBets.com  

Photo credit: The Princess Photo Diary 

Fall is such time of transition—and I love it. Leaves are turning, closets are turning over, and our skin is, well, about to turn as dry as those leaves crunching underfoot. Now is the time to switch up your skincare regimen, because it will be much more challenging to soothe redness, flaking, and irritation (oh my!) once they appear. Here are few easy, all-natural ways to update your fall beauty bag:  

Switch to a gentle cleanser. Instead of the squeaky-clean one you’ve been using all summer, opt for a creamy wash, bar or cleansing oil that will dissolve dirt and makeup without stripping skin. Look for moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter or coconut oil.  

Try a facial oil. Plant oils like almond, olive and apricot kernel are the closest thing to our skin’s natural oils so they make for ideal moisturizers. They also help balance skin when it gets out of wack, and unlike mineral oil won’t clog pores. Depending on your skin type, you can apply facial oil under your daily moisturizer for extra comfort, or just to dry, dehydrated patches as needed. I also love to pat a little oil over makeup for a dewy glow–a trick I picked up from a makeup artist. 

Don’t skip the sunscreen. Just because the temperature has dropped doesn’t mean UVA/UVB rays are hibernating. No matter what the season, don’t leave the house without at least an SPF 15. I like natural mineral sunblocks, which now come in both a powder form (makeup + sunscreen in one!) and velvety—not chalky—lotions. Look for them at your local co-op.

Disclosure: The bloggers featured in the Clear Conscience Blog “In Their Expert Opinion” series have received product samples and compensation from Watkins, Inc.

Welcome to a new series on The Clear Conscience Blog. J.R. Watkins is teaming with three bloggers who bring a special expertise to living a natural lifestyle. Each month, they’ll share tips and advice on how to live a little greener. 

Today, we’re introducing Elizabeth Dehn, of the award-winning blog BeautyBets.com. Elizabeth, a.k.a. Bets, hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she spent her teenage years buying Mood lipstick and whipping up DIY face masks before embarking on an editorial and retail career that has included Aveda, Kiehl’s, Target, Glamour, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Minnesota Monthly, Sotheby’s Artful Living magazine and the Star Tribune.

Read on for more about Elizabeth, and check back here Friday for her expert advice on skincare.  

When I was in middle school, I started whipping up face masks for friends using whatever was in the pantry – eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, etc. They were so effective, and it made me question synthetic ingredients as I got older and was exposed to more products. 

Over time, going natural has become an even more conscious decision because I’m more aware of the negative effect that synthetics can have on my body.

Q. If you could live with only one beauty product, what would it be?

Concealer! A little over dark circles and around the nose instantly brightens up the face – you won’t even miss the makeup.

Q. Tell us, what’s your favorite J.R. Watkins product?

The Coconut Sugar & Shea Body Scrub! So many of my favorite things in one tube.

Q. As a fellow Minnesotan, what’s your favorite thing about living in this great state?

Having such easy access to nature, whether it’s a run around the Lakes or hiking Up North near our cabin.  

Disclosure: The bloggers featured in the Clear Conscience Blog “In Their Expert Opinion” series have received product samples and compensation from Watkins, Inc.  

Minnesota is known for its state fair, attracting nearly 1.8 million people every year for The Great Minnesota Get-Together, a true Midwestern tradition! We love the fair, too, and this year we documented our trip to share some of the highlights. 

Food. The state fair is all about food! From corn-on-the-cob to Sweet Martha’s Cookies to deep fried strawberry shortcake and everything in between, there is food for everyone at the fair. Pretty much anything you can think of is available and most of it is on a stick! Good thing you have to walk everywhere!

The fair hosts many concerts, some are free at the band shell and others require purchased tickets (usually at the Grand Stand). The first show we checked out was Tonic Sol-fa, an acapella group. They were really talented and entertaining! The other show we caught was Alison Scott in Heritage Square. She’s from Plymouth, Minnesota and we love supporting local artists!

There are also several buildings where you can stop to see art and other things, learn or interact with local organizations and media (like radio stations and news stations). Our two favorites this year were The Eco Experience and the Dairy Building. 

The Eco Experience houses all sorts of green ideas, tips and inventions. A few things we spotted were rain gardens, recycled glass countertops and eco-friendly furniture made out of recycled wood.

The Dairy Building also had a few fun surprises in store. We stumbled into one room where an artist was sculpting with butter, creating busts for each of the State Fair dairy princesses (one for each day!). 

Last, but not least, we had to stop by the J.R. Watkins booth where all of the latest products (including the new Grapefruit line) were on display!

Did you go to your state fair this year? What was your favorite part?

We’ve received some solid love this summer on the web, and thought we’d share a few tidbits. 

In July, we partnered with Eco Emi to include a few of our products in their monthly box. Not familiar with them? Check it out – you pay $15 per month, and get a box of chic eco-friendly products delivered to your door! We love it!

You, Me & Anthropologie separated the good and the bad from her Eco Emi box and reviewed our Aloe & Green Tea Hand & Body Lotion as GOOD! We were thrilled that she loved the product.

Everyday Lovely tested out our new grapefruit hand soap. Her favorite color is pink (which we adore as well!).  This photo is one she took—clearly she has an eye! Make sure to check out her blog – she features beautiful things on a regular basis! 

Pure Ageless tried out our Hand & Body Lotion and even uses it as a natural anti-aging skin care product. 

We love hearing about people trying our products, and especially when they fall in love with them.  What products are your go-tos for the fall?

Are you familiar with the saying, “It’s all about the little things”? We definitely agree, but we also think it’s all about the sweet things. Last weekend, in our pursuit of making the most of the month of August, we set out for a little afternoon of relaxation. 

We found a dock overlooking one of our local lakes and enjoy sitting with our feet in the water watching the sunset. And, to top it off, we enjoyed this delicious little twist on the summer classic: shortcake.

Simply Sweet Cinnamon Strawberry Shortcakes

1 ¾ cups/425 mL all-purpose flour

3 tbsp/45 mL sugar

1 tbsp/15 mL Watkins Baking Powder

½ tsp/2mL baking soda

½ tsp/2 mL Watkins Cinnamon

½ tsp/2 mL Watkins Orange Peel

½ tsp/2.5 mL salt

¼ cup/60 mL butter

¼ tsp/1 mL Watkins Vanilla

1 ¼ - 1 ½ cup/310-375 mL heavy cream

¼ cup/60 mL walnuts, chopped.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together flour, sugar, baking power, baking soda, cinnamon, orange peel and butter. Stir in vanilla, cream and walnuts. Drop on baking sheet using a ¼ cup/60 mL measuring cup. Brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, if desired. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until brown. Cool shortcakes and cover with strawberries and whipped cream.

Sweetened Strawberries

4-6 cups/1-1.5 quarts strawberries

¼ cup/60 mL sugar

Hull and quarter strawberries, toss in media bowl with sugar. Let stand for 20 minutes.