It Can Be Tough Making a New Site and Blog From Scratch and Getting The Word Out

This is a bit of an aside post, but I do feel it is important:

One of the wonderful things we have to our Advantage is that we have a high quality product that once most people have tried at least once they will want often times want to be come regular buyers.

But the question is how do you get your name out there to begin with so that people can know you have a good product? 

Getting links to your site, and links from your site between other sites is the best way to get the word out and increase Google page rank.

One way in particular that is very helpful is to get your site into free public directories like these:

http://www.freewebsubmission.com

http://www.dmoz.org/

http://www.jayde.com

http://www.rdirectory.net

Sites submitted to public directories tend to have a much better chance of receiving traffic, and linking with other sites, as well as being deemed of high quality by the Google algorithm that determines site page rank.

The Wonders of Aromatherapy

The Benefit of an Aroma - Inhaling Essential 

Oils

"Essential oils that are inhaled into the lungs offer both psychological and physical benefits. Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) can supply therapeutic benefit. Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil to help ease congestion is a prominent example.

If not done correctly and safely, however, the use of essential oils can have severe consequences.

The Benefit of Physical Application

Essential oils that are applied to the skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The constituents of essential oils can aid in health, beauty and hygiene conditions. Since essential oils are so powerful and concentrated, they should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. To apply essential oils to the skin, essential oils are typically diluted into a carrier such as a cold pressed vegetable oil, also known as a carrier oil. Common carrier oils include sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil and grapeseed oil. A more detailed definition of Carrier Oils is found on the What are Carrier Oils page. A detailed list of carrier oils and their properties can be found on the Carrier Oils Used in Aromatherapy properties page."

http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/wharoma.asp

This article really shows us the wonderful stress alleviating influence wonderful aromatic essential oils can have on the mind and body.  

Being able to just relax after a long day of work in a nice hot bath tub with aroma of essential oils in the air, and on your skin can be a most profound way to relax and rejuvenate. 

The Surprising Health Benefits of Coconut Oil - Part II

Why Coconut Oil Benefits Your Health — What Makes It So Powerful?

"The secret lies in its saturated fat structure and the size of the structure. Let me take you into the fat structure so that I can show you clearly why the unique fat in coconut oil can benefit your health so much. Sorry, it's gonna be somewhat technical, but I promise I'll keep it as simple as possible so that I won't bore you to death. 

Are you ready? Here we go.

All oils are essentially made up of 3 types of fatty acids:

• Saturated Fat — consists of a chain of carbon atoms (denoted by 'C') fully attached with hydrogen atoms (denoted by 'H').'O' means oxygen atom.
• Monounsaturated Fat — similar to saturated fat structure except for a missing pair of hydrogen atoms. The missing hydrogen pair will cause the 2 neighboring carbon atoms to bond with each other via a double bond. A single bond between carbon atoms is stronger than a double bond. Hence the double bonding between carbon atoms indicates its vulnerability to external attack and will readily react with free radicals (unstable atoms or molecules) that come into contact with it.
• Polyunsaturated Fat — similar to monounsaturated fat except that it lacks 2 or more pairs of hydrogen atoms in the chain. 'Poly' means many. Since there could occur 2 or more double bonding, this type of fat is very unstable and thus, highly susceptible to oxidative damage.

Fully filled with hydrogen atoms, saturated fat (in coconut oil) remains very stable because it allows no space for other atoms to fit in. Even when you expose the oil to oxygen, heat or light, it doesn't encourage oxidation easily. Hence, formation of free radicals basically won't take place. As a result, it doesn't compromise coconut oil's health benefits.

Whereas the other two types of fat (especially polyunsaturated fat) are very prone to oxidation and free radicals formation at the exposure of heat, light and / or oxygen. Therefore, in terms of structure they are inferior to that of saturated fat.

If the oil (containing predominantly unsaturated fats) gets oxidized, its fundamental health benefits and properties will change totally even though it may still smell and taste seemingly normal. 

But free radicals don't just enter our body through dietary channel. Free radicals appear everywhere in the environment. The more polluted the environment, the more free radicals there are, and the more you will inhale.That's why people who consume oxidized polyunsaturated fat tend to develop cancer and degenerative diseases faster and more easily than those who do not or eat lesser.

In other words, there may be no way you can completely stop the assault by free radicals, but you can strengthen your resistance to their attacks by eating coconut oil which contains abundance of saturated fats (about 92%) acting as antioxidants.

That means your chances of developing cancers and degenerative diseases will become much slimmer with regular consumption of coconut oil."

http://www.ionehealth.com/nutrition-health/coconut-oil-health-benefits.htm

As we can see in this part of the article there is a more technical analysis and explanation of why at a molecular level coconut oil's medium-chain fatty acid makeup has exceedingly anticarcinogenic properties.

All saturated fats are not necessarily bad; as we see with coconut oil it depends on the type, quality, and freshness of the saturated fat.  In coconut oil's case, medium-chain fatty acids make up the vast majority of its composition of saturated fat, and as a result of the inherent benefits of such fatty acids, coconut oil is a very healthy source of dietary fat.  Perhaps one of the healthiest on Earth.

The Surprising Health Benefits of Coconut Oil - Part I

How Coconut Oil Benefits Your Health

"For thousands of years, both Ayurvedic and Indian folkloric medicine have used coconut oil as a traditional remedy for almost all illnesses.

Gradually, modern medical science discovers that coconut oil can actually protect against heart disease (yes, contrary to what we're led to believe), diabetes, cancers, liver and kidney diseases, osteoporosis, dental decay and skin infections. It also relieves symptoms associated with illnesses like pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis (difficulty in breathing and absorbing nutrients), chronic inflammation, prostate enlargement, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, stomach ulcers, constipation, psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis.

Coconut oil continues to "show off" its awesome health benefits and astonish doctors by its powerful ability to kill viruses (e.g. influenza — aka flu, hepatitis C, herpes, measles), bacteria (e.g. pneumonia, urinary tract infection), fungi and yeast (e.g. candida, ringworm, thrush), which are otherwise resistant to drugs and antibiotics.

Yes, as unbelievable as it sounds, right now some doctors are including coconut oil in their treatments against the world's most deadly incurable terminator — HIV / AIDS. The super antimicrobes in coconut oil can rip the HIV viruses apart and kill them on the spot.

According to a first clinical study on the effectiveness of coconut oil against HIV virus carried out in 2000 by Cornrado Dayrit, M.D., emeritus professor of pharmacology at the University of the Philippines and former president of the National Academy of Science and Technology in the Philippines, 9 out of 14 HIV patients after six months of treatment with using the antimicrobial acids found only in coconut oil had a decreased viral load (the number of viruses in the blood).

In 1996, an AIDS patient Chris Dafoe of Cloverdale, Indiana, having a HIV viral load of 600,000 copies — an indication of rampant HIV infection, after eating cooked coconut for breakfast every day, had his viral load plummeted all the way down to undetectable levels. Instead of dying soon he suddenly regained his life. Incredible!

You might wonder, if coconut oil or coconut-based food is so effective against HIV / AIDS, then why isn't it being widely used as treatment today?

It's the money issue again.

Because of coconut oil's low cost and ready availability worldwide, pharmaceutical companies won't be able to protect their coconut oil based drugs with a patent. Hence they can't charge exorbitantly and reap enormous profits. That's why they don't see the rewards in funding the research for the use of coconut oil in fighting HIV.

Perhaps you're still skeptical about the potential and health benefits of coconut oil until you understand the underlying mechanisms that make coconut oil almost so invincible."

(To be explored in part II)

http://www.ionehealth.com/nutrition-health/coconut-oil-health-benefits.htm

Just the few health benefits of coconut oil listed here are enough to amaze most people. Some may even seem to good to believe, which is why additional research is suggested for skeptical readers, and non-skeptical alike.  

As the article touches on towards the end, the pharmaceutical companies and other interests don't want people knowing that many of the oils, herbs, fruits, plants, seeds, nuts, flowers, leaves, roots, stems and vegetables  Mother Nature provides are well able to help with and cure quite a number of conditions and illnesses.

The pharmaceutical companies would take a hit to profits if scientific research was widely funded that made these facts public.  Even as such scientific research has been undergone by others not linked to said money interests, the fact remains that most people won't ever know about the healing properties of nature's provisions due to all of the media outlets that are controlled or massively influenced by these same money interests.

As such, it is vital that people research information for themselves about ways to improve their health, and not rely on commercials, ads, and mainstream media that are driven by profits without concern for the health of people.

The Unique Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil has been shown to help rejuvenate skin from the powerful UV rays of the sun and assist in preventing the development of tumors and skin cancer when applied after exposure to the sun.

In this respect one can see how an olive oil based product, such as an all natural soap, can help prevent skin cancer.

Also, "Olive oil has been known for generations not only for its healing qualities, but also as a natural, deep penetrating moisturizer, regenerating skin cells and softening skin tissue."

The benefits of using an all natural goat's milk soap truly are numerous. This blog will seek to point out high and low, far and wide, by breadth and by depth the encompassing spectrum of health benefits that all natural goat's milk soap can provide.

In particular, Sand Dollar Soaps' all natural goat's milk soap ingredients are made especially to include many of nature's greatest sources of skin care oils, herbs, flowers, and the like to help improve people's health.

http://www.sanddollarsoaps.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_Oil#Skin_care

Our All Natural Soy Candles and Soy Melts Are Now on Sale!

Our all natural soy candles are made with soy and cotton wicks, and our soy melts are made out of soy with no wick so that you can just use an electric tart burner to melt the scented wax.

Fortunately, as our all natural soy candles and soy melts are very environmentally friendly, they do not pose the health risks associated with other mainstream commercial brands that use petroleum and other harmful chemicals in their candles.

If you'd like, please feel free to check out our all natural soy candles and soy melts at our site:

http://www.sanddollarsoaps.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=104

Some interesting facts about the health benefits of mint

• The aroma of peppermint has been known to  enhance memory
• Mint also assists with acne, mosquito bites, and bee stings
• Mint also assists with nausea and headaches either through the mere scent, or through rubbing on the forehead, temples, and/or nose
• The strong aroma of mint is effective in opening up the respiratory system due to the menthol's relaxing cooling affects on mucous membranes, muscles, and nerves
• Mint can be applied to burns to soothe and heal them

We are happy to say that our Moroccan Mint all natural goat's milk soap is made with no fewer than three mints - spearmint, peppermint, and corn mint.  If you are interested feel free to check it out at the Sand Dollar Soaps link below.

Sand Dollar Soaps

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-mint.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppermint#Uses

All Natural Goat's Milk Sandalwood Soap!

Some of the health benefits Sandalwood has been known to help with include:  

• Cicatrisant:  helps with skin care, especially relating to scars) 
• Emollient:  soothes skin by relieving inflammations, irritations, and helping with infections
• Anti-spasmodic: Relieves spasms of the muscles and nerves
• Astringent:  Can help tighten and even out skin 
• Hypotensive:  Can help reduce blood pressure
• Memory booster:  Keeps the mind more relaxed, yet better focused         

As the skin absorbs a great deal of what is applied onto it, it makes sense that if one can apply a healthy source like all natural goat's milk sandalwood soap to their skin, it is much healthier for the skin than most mainstream commercial brands that use the many unhealthy toxins outlined in our previous blog entry.  

From Sand Dollar Soaps

Also for more on the health benefits of sandalwood feel free to check out: 

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-sandal-wood-essential-oil.html

We are happy to say that our soap is all natural and made from goat's milk

The post before this one indicates a few reasons why a person should be careful with the type of sanitary and cosmetic products they apply to their skin.

Fortunately, our soap is all natural goat's milk soap hand made using the more gentle natural cold processing method.

As it says on our website from where our manufacturer makes it personally from her own hands:

"Our Handcrafted Soaps...

are made in small batches using goats milk. Goats milk has long been known for its moisturizing properties. It is naturally high in vitamins (A, B, D, and E), minerals, and proteins that nourish the skin. We use only the best natural oils such as organic palm, coconut, and olive.

Our soaps are made with the cold process method which takes 4-6 weeks of curing. If you have never used cold process soap, you are in for a treat. It will leave your skin feeling great. The soap bars are hand cut and wrapped in corrugated cardboard with a band label.

All our products are barcoded for retail sale so we encourage wholesale orders! We also encourage special orders. This will allow you to give someone an extra special fit you might not see on our website. But you can contact us and we will gladly address special orders and see what we can do to make your order exactly what you."

http://www.sanddollarsoaps.com/ 

Did you know skin absorbs over 70% of what is put on it?

What is in your personal care products?

Federal law allows the cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no monitoring of health effects and inadequate labeling requirements.

“Organic food is certified to a basic set of standards set by the USDA. Personal care products, including cosmetics, soaps, household cleaners and even nutritional supplements have no standards governing contents, no organization policing claims made on labels, and no laws restraining manufacturers from calling synthetic products organic.” If a product has one organic/natural ingredient in it, manufacturers under current rules and regulation can claim the product to be natural.”

The FDA counts 10,500 chemicals and compounds that are used in hair and skin products every day; of those 89% of have not been tested for safety. The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit independent research group, compared the ingredients in thousands of personal care products to government and industry databases and found that one third contained ingredients linked to cancer.

Underlined chemicals are considered to be the most dangerous and they are listed in order
of their danger significance.

Coal Tar - In dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. It is a known carcinogen. FD&C Blue 1 and FD&C Green 3 dyes are coal tar based and used in toothpaste and mouthwash.

Chemical Fragrances - Listed as “fragrance”, it can contain a blend of up to 200 chemicals. They are cheap imitations of essential oils. These chemicals disrupt the endocrine system and can cause reproductive and developmental harm and may cause reactions like headache, dizziness, rash, skin irritations, vomiting, coughing. Because manufacturers are not required to list ingredients, proprietary blends can contain over 100 chemicals including known carcinogens, neurotoxins, and established air pollutants. Fragrance oils are allowed even in products labeled “fragrance free.”  However, it is important to note that this does not apply to all fragrances in all manufactured products.

Sand Dollar Soaps Note:  It is important to note, however, that there are all natural soap products, for instance, in which the fragrance derives entirely from the herbs, flowers, oils, and other natural ingredients used.  When Essential Oil is referenced, this is what is meant.  Some of our soap products derive their scent not just solely from the essential oils used, but also from other quality all natural ingredients used, and therefore in some of our products we use oils that are not scented.  For this reason it isn't necessarily so that a lack of an essential oil always indicates a shoddy product in which the scents are derived from chemical based toxic sources.  It could simply mean a different type of natural oil is used in which there is not scent so that the scent of other ingredients is not influenced.

Hydroquinone - found in skin lighteners and moisturizers is a known neurotoxin and is allergenic.

Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex, Aluminum Chlorohydrate - Aluminum is found in eye shadow and deodorant and is listed as carcinogenic, toxic and mutagenic.

Scientists have found abnormally high amounts of aluminum, zinc, and other metals in brain tissue of people having Alzheimer's. It is yet unknown whether Alzheimer's causes these accumulations or if these accumulations cause Alzheimer's. Don't use anti-perspirants because it almost always contains some form of aluminum.

Triclosan - Chemical used in almost all antibacterial products is often contaminated with dioxins which are highly carcinogenic, can weaken your immune system, decrease fertility and cause birth defects.

P-Phenylenediamine, P-Phenylenediamine, 4-Phenylenediamine - Found in hair dye, it can
damage your nervous system, cause lung irritation, and severe allergic reactions.

Lead - It is a naturally occurring contaminate of hydrated silica. It is a neurotoxin and may appear in toothpaste and in men’s hair dye as lead acetate.

Mercury - Listed as thimerosol it is used as a cosmetic preservative.
- - - - - - - -
Acrylates and Methacrylates - Can cause contact dermatitis and are found in nail products.

Benzyl Alcohol - This is a petrochemical that can be a serious irritant to your eyes and respiratory system.

Isopropyl Alcohol (SD-40) - This is a drying agent that strips off the outer layer of skin exposing you to bacteria and other toxins. It can promote brown spots and accelerate aging.

Carbomer 934, 940, 941, 960, 961C - Chemical stabilizer and thickener in personal care products and are known allergens that causes eye irritation.

Cocamide MEA, DEH; Lauramide DEA; Triethanolamine TEA; Diethanolamine DEA - Synthetic oil and dirt removing agent used in anti freeze, brake fluid, shampoos and body wash products.  These chemicals contain nitrosamines which are carcinogenic and can cause cancer in any bodily organ. It is easily absorbed by the skin and carried into the blood stream.

Diamethicone, Diamethicone Copolyol, Cyclmethicone - Silicone derived emollients that coat your skin like plastic wrap and can accumulate in your liver and lymph nodes which promote tumor growth.

Benzalkonium Chloride, Centrimonium Bromide, Quaternium-15, Quaternium 1-29 - Called “quats” they are used as preservatives and are the primary cause of contact dermatitis.

Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea - These are preservatives that release small
amounts of formaldehyde into you skin, some are cellular toxins. Formaldehyde can cause many
health issues including joint discomfort, chest pain, and chronic fatigue.

Parabens (Methyl-, Propyl-, Ethyl-, Butyl-, Isobutyl-, and Phenoxyethanol), DMDM, Hydantoin - These preservatives are known to cause skin rashes, allergic reactions, exert estrogenic activity and disrupt normal hormone processes raising concern in breast cancer risk. One study found parabens in 20 breast cancer tumors.

Methylparabens found in the highest concentration.

Phenonip - This is a preservative blend that contains methyl-, propyl-, ethyl-, butyl-,
isobutylparabens and phenoxyethanol. See above.

Paraffin - Wax petrochemical derivative used as an emulsifier. It is carcinogenic. Also used in
candles and the inhalation of the paraffin particles is carcinogenic. Paraffin, microcrystalline, and mineral/petrolatum based waxes, these are common chemical emulsifiers.

Petroleum Jelly, Mineral Oil - (Petrolatum) Derivative of mineral oil and has no nutritive value. It can inhibit your body’s own natural moisturizing ability leading to dry skin and chapping. Can displace and imbalance action of sebum (skin’s own protective oil), clogging pores and impeding skin’s natural healing and moisture regulating functions.

Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Pollutants (PPCP’s) - Drugs like Prozac and additives to
common shampoos and soaps are now in our watershed contaminating fish and wildlife; causing birth defects, hormone disruptions and health problems.

Phthalates (Dibutyl, Diethylhexyl, Chemical Fragrance) - Chemical substances banned in European Union because they disrupt fertility, cause birth defects and disrupt normal hormone processes raising concern in breast cancer risk. In a test done by the Women’s Environmental Network of deodorant, perfumes and hair care products, they found 80% of them contained phthalates.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol - A potential carcinogen that is
used as grease dissolving cleaner and thickener for skin care products. It’s deemed toxic by the
EPA and protective clothing is required when handling it. Easily penetrates skin and causing brain, liver and kidney malfunctions

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) - Used in hair care products. Inhalation will cause lung damage.

Propylene Glycol - This petroleum derivative removes dirt and oil and is the main ingredient in
brake fluid and antifreeze. Causes allergic reactions and skin rashes and is found in some products that claim to be natural.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) - A foaming agent derived
from certain oils used in antifreeze, brake fluid, a huge variety of skin care products including
shampoos, toothpaste bubble bath and soap. It is subject to controversy but considered by some to be carcinogenic, a proven skin irritant and prone to contamination by 1,4-dioxane which is used for its foaming ability.

Stearalkonium Chloride, Cetalkonium Chloride, Lauryldimonium Hydrolyzed Collagen,
Benzalkonium Chloride, Centrimonium Bromide - Found in hair conditioners and cause dry
brittle hair after long term use They are allergenic and toxic.

Synthetic Colors (FD&C or D&C followed by a color and number). Colorants are found in skin and hair care products. Synthetic colorants are made from coal tar which contains harmful levels of lead and arsenic. These substances are ammonia, aluminum and acid based and cause allergic reactions and lead to the development of cancerous cells.

Talc - Closely related to the chemical composition of asbestos, it is classified as a carcinogenic and is linked to breast cancer and certain ovarian cancers.

Tocopheryl Acetate - This is a synthetic version of vitamin E which is a suspected carcinogen and causes dermatitis.

Manufacturers produce soap at high temperatures under extreme pressure adding
heavy metals and acids that crack oil molecules and create new molecules that do not
exist in nature. Cold processed soap relies on lye to convert vegetable oil to soap
which in how it has been done for several thousand years."

http://josiessoap.com/josies-Hiddendangers.pdf