jujuorganics

Fabricated!

Recently, a friend shared quite a story.  Beth, a mom, a friend, a beauty and an inventor with safety on her mind, developed "Noblo."  Noblo is a simple tethering device that keeps beach umbrellas "put." No more impaling umbrellas sailing through the air on an otherwise peaceful, yet windy, day at the beach.  

In her quest to seek a manufacturer who could make her Noblo with sustainable fabric, she discovered an ugly truth.  A contact at a manufacturing plant informed her that some supposedly eco-fabrics made out of recycled plastic bottles, were in fact, made from unused plastic bottles - fresh from the bottle-making plant.  What?!  Was this an ugly truth, an ugly un-truth or just downright fabricated?

Ok, I thought, why haven't we heard of this before?  This is the ultimate in green washing.  Is this a sickening hoax?  Surely some simple google-sleuthing would shed some light...nothing yet.  I'll keep looking. 

In the meantime, google-sleuthing did give me some invaluable insight into innovative recycled-product fabrics.  Coffee grinds, marble, corn - you name it...textile companies around the globe are combining used or grown goods for fabrics. 

Super Textile, a Taiwan fabric developer and manufacturer, believes "garments made from recycled materials will eventually gain popularity as petroleum resources become scarcer and the cost of production comes down."  This statement alone, relieves my stress of knowing that creating fabric from unused plastic bottles is possible or even happening.  If it is, it can't last forever, such is the fate of something made from a non-renewable resource. 

Interesting.

When An Oil Spill Is Good For The Environment And Your Skin!

No, you don't have to worry about the long-term environmental effects of 100% organic oils on your hair, face or body.  I know it's trite word-play on a not so trite current event, but this year's headlines provide me the perfect platform to herald the virtues of incorporating organic oils into your daily beauty regime. 

For Hair:  Look to Ayurvedic oils and herbs like Sesame, Neem, Sunflower, Coconut, and Meadowfoam for lustre, shine, and a good slip for the all important scalp massage. Brahmi, Bringraj, Jatamansi are therapeutic herbs, long-revered for their ability to fortify the nervous system and thus, the entire follicle and scalp environment.  Organic scalp and hair oils smell terrific too, as they are usually scented with pure steam distilled essential oils of Hibiscus, Rose, Rosemary, Ylang-Ylang, Peppermint and Basil.

Hair oils are renowned for their ability to deter thinning hair and hair loss, defend against premature graying, strengthen and nourish the hair shaft, and provide an immediate improvement to hair's texture.

For Face and Body: Many people are scared of putting oils on their face.  They falsely believe it will lead to break-outs, or it will be too heavy and greasy.  Not true. In fact, many oils including aloe, erand, neem, sariva, and sandalwood actually help clear up congestion because they contain natural anti-bacterial qualities that sooth, heal and calm the skin.

Face and body oils stimulate skin functions, necessary for its elastic retention. Quality oils will moisturize and quickly absorb into the skin.

I love using oils like virgin cold pressed organic Jojoba, St. John's Wort and Andean Mountain Rose Hip seed.  Other oils of good merit include apricot, almond, borage, black currant seed, evening primrose, rose hip seed, sea buckthorn, comfrey, and carrot seed.

Oils go a long long way.  Use them sparingly for beautiful results.  Bonus? Find a product that is a multi-tasker - one that you can use on both your face and body.

juju's Green Style Goes Mainstream

Philadelphians understand that when a business is awarded a "Best of Philly" by Philadelphia Magazine, it's time to sample the business's offerings.  Well, juju salon & organics is proud to have received this year's "Best of Philly" award for Best Hair Salon!  What makes this award truly amazing is that a green, all natural salon was selected out of a pool of hundreds of chic and style-setting salons in the area.  Further, the fact that we are organic, and well, very, very different from conventional chop-shops, says something about the growth and acceptance of green businesses in general.  Doing business in a green and sustainable way is completely "normal."

I've often hoped that the press and the general public would one day, perhaps, embrace one of my firmest business tenants: that is, that juju, like any other top-notch salon will give its clients great hair and will provide a resource for cutting-edge and attainable style and beauty, all in an eco-friendly way.  Being green is just the icing on the cake.  You really can make the healthier and more responsible choice and not have to sacrifice style and beauty.

So, come in! See what everyone is raving about.  Schedule an appointment with one of our organically educated and truly talented stylists.  Get safe, beautiful and long lasting color, a flattering style and find out for yourself why juju is this year's Best Hair Salon!  Thanks to our clients, Philadelphia Magazine and my wonderful staff at juju for making this award possible!

Summer Focus, "Happier"

 

Recently, after my client Joan had her hair done at juju, I invited her to join me for a trip to nearby Garland of Letters.  Garland of Letters, you ask? Well, THE place for Inspirational literature: New Thought, Spirituality, Self-Help- generally for seekers of self knowledge of any and all disposition.  Garland of Letters has been offering Philadelphians everything from yoga to incense for the last 30 years. In a word, "bliss."  Joan, a fellow soul-mate/soul-seeker needed no convincing - we were off!

Happier, by Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., fell from the shelf as I wished for guidance. "Oh! I gave this book to a few friends for Christmas last year." My friend assured me this was more than just happenstance. 'Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment...' it promises.  Sold.

Once again, I am reminded, as I chapter through Ben-Shahar's pages, that "Happiness depends upon ourselves" (Aristotle).  As suggested, I've committed to a gratitude journal, my meditation practice and exercises to simplify and de-stress my life.

Grey Gardens to Graceful Gardens

                                                                                   

OK, so maybe not Grey Gardens. But if any passers-by had stumbled upon our small, city garden, surely "over-grown garden" would more than likely come to mind; overgrown with weeds and last fall's foliage, that is. One of the best decisions of 2010 was to enlist the help of Philadelphia's green guru, Grace Wicks, of Graceful Gardens . Grace, with the aid of her experienced assistant Bernie, skillfully tamed our ornery weed population while bending the out-of-control shrubs and vines to her whimsical way. Make no mistake, Grace is very serious about what she does, and she does it all with a smile on her face that reveals a true passion for what she does best. A snip here, a cut here, some more color over there, and four hours later the garden was brimming with delightful beds of flowers and grasses that rejuvenated our once grey block of land into a green sanctuary. The addition of edible flowers and vegetables was just what we needed and our little Japanese maple has never seemed so happy being the center of attention amidst a charming, little rock garden. If only "Big Edie" & "Little Edie" Beale had known someone like Grace Wicks in 1975, history would have been rewritten; instead, these eccentric socialites would have squandered their fortune surrounded by beautiful landscapes and greenery...hehe.

Alas, my very own Graceful Gardens is where I want to be. I reach for my cup of coffee, step through the french doors, and I'm there...once again.

Proof in the Christmas Pudding

I cannot forget that I am 43...43...43...over 40, by a landslide!  Today's NY Times health blog featured results of a new study, proving that flexible middle-aged bodies may be less prone to cardiac disease than stiff computer potatoes..."In short, the study concluded that 'a less flexible body indicates arterial stiffening, especially in middle-aged and older adults.' ”  more Aha! my New Year's Resolution Solidified - albeit, in a flexible way!  More yoga, more yoga more yoga more yoga more yoga....I internally chant.  Here's where I love to practice in Philly: Wake Up Yoga,  friendly, knowledgeable, grateful yogis abound here!  Shankya Yoga in Northern Liberties - a loving and  peaceful oasis,  and my new favorite for authentic Jivamukti (and Ashtanga when I'm daring!) Shanti Yoga Shala, newly opened in Old City by the beautifully souled Shiya.  For 2010, I'm  making my home away from home these three beautiful studios.