DETOX the Fashion Industry

Detoxing one's mis-treated bod is still all the rage as we've entered 2014 but detoxing fashion has been around for quite some time.
I've finally had a moment to get educated on Greenpeace's beautiful DETOX campaign and urge you to get involved too.  Together we can turn the textiles industry around, so let's DO IT - sign the Detox Fashion Manifesto here and join luminaries, Allegra Hicks and Livia Firth!

Halloween - a Terror-less Make up Story

H A L L O W E E N!

This year the kids went as a rabid scarecrow puppet that came to life (his own original idea) and Abby Bominable from Monster High. 'Never get tired of Monster High around here.  Nope.

Costuming - I can't stand the greasy, gross, most certainly toxic make up typically available and I absolutely refuse to put it on my children's perfect skin.  So... we tried a blue mineral alternative from a favorite Etsy seller, Pink Quartz Minerals.  Look how awesome it turned out! 

Stage/Halloween Make Up from Pink Quartz Minerals

To apply you mix the powder w/ water and sponge it on.  After it dries you can buff off the loose stuff, add more layers if you want deeper color and DONE!  (We were able to get it seriously blue, Xmen-Mystique-blue, but decided to buff down to an Abby color)  Granted, it's not easy on a squirming someone whom keeps scratching their nose, but I tried!

Best part? 'No trouble with it wrecking the white fur (caveat - applied make up 1st before donning costume) or the couch or the car or my shirt...

DeTox - everyone's doing it

Everywhere you look there's a DeTox going on.  You're not off the hook yet; here's another:-)

Two fantastic recipes to rejuvenate your body and soul:

First, a perfect, icy cold drink to refresh your everything.  From The Karl Lagerfeld Diet book, which I adore.

Karl Lagerfeld’s Ginger Drink

1C. crushed fresh ginger

4 quartered Limes or 2 quartered Lemons*

12 Mint leaves

Sweetener (Agave or Stevia - PLEASE tell me you don't use Splenda or the other chemical  poisons!!)

Crush ginger with some water.  Steep with the limes and mint in 12 Cups of Water for 3 hours.  Strain through a sieve into a pitcher.   * Note: either fruit is delicious - try both!  But if it seems too bitter for you, just squeeze the juice into the steep instead of leaving the rinds also.  Lime gets more bitter for some reason.   Karl uses limes; I prefer the lemon version

Serve by pouring a glass ¾ full, add sweetener, taste and dilute as necessary.   Keep in ‘fridge with a few mint leaves floating on top.

Steeping in an antique Ball jar with original zinc lid

I perfume the kitchen with the squeezed-out lemons for a day

 For a cold weather version, do what the marvelous Diane von Furstenberg does and make a tea with ginger and lemon - deeeeelish.  Good for a sore throat also.

Second, a super simple Gazpacho (cold tomato soup).  It's raw, scrumptious and even good for breakfast - really!  Serve with cilantro, tortilla chips and vegan sour cream if you like.

GAZPACHO

3 lg. Tomatoes

1 Cucumber

1 Green Pepper

1 clove Garlic, chopped

12 C. Tomato Juice

½ C. White Wine Vinegar

¼ C. Lemon Juice

1 T. Mustard

Tabasco

Garnish: Cilantro, Vegan Sour Cream and/or tortilla chips

Wash, peel and chop tomatoes & cucumber.  Wash, seed and chop the pepper and place

all in a salad bowl.  Add the rest of the ingredients, mix well and serve cold w/ the chopped

cilantro on top.