Product Reviews
Crest Pro-Health Oral Care Line
I’ve been accused of being passionate about taking care of my teeth. It’s a fair statement. I’m fairly obsessive in my oral care routine. But, I smile all of the time so, it’s important that my smile be bright, healthy and clean. So, the products I use are very important to me. Here’s my oral care routine:
1. Rinse with hydrogen peroxide 3% for at least 30 seconds, spit.
2. Floss
3. Brush for at least 3 minutes, most times longer (my toothbrush has a timer on it). This includes brushing teeth, gums, tongue and lips. (Brushing your lips makes them smooth and kissable!)
4. Rinse with mouthwash
5. Scrape tongue
Obsessive, compulsive? Probably. But, it works for me!
When Crest introduced it’s Pro-Health line, I was excited to hear that there was finally a mouthwash that killed the bad gingivitis germs as well as the bad breath germs that didn’t have alcohol in it. Up until then, I had been using Listerine, which as you know is like rinsing with firewater. Trying to swish for the required 45 seconds was like gargling with vodka! It was effective in cleaning but a real pain in the mouth!
Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash- Clean Mint and Wintergreen
Walgreens $3.49-$7.99
Refreshing, mild and effective. This stuff really works. The Clean Mint flavor seems to be a bit stronger in it’s taste than the Wintergreen. The Wintergreen is quite pleasant, not a “Lifesavers” kind of Wintergreen but, more of a milder, minty Wintergreen.
According to the Crest website, there have been some people who have had trouble with the Clean Mint temporarily staining their teeth. It has a blue dye in it that seems to cause some trouble with those who are prone to stains on their teeth. Not to worry though, Crest says that the problem goes away with the normal day to day eating and drinking. I haven’t had this problem with the Clean Mint, but, if you’d like to avoid it, use the Wintergreen. It doesn’t have the blue dye in it.
Final review: I can’t live without it.
Crest Pro-Health Whitening Mouthwash- Fresh Mint
Walgreens $3.49-$7.49
Shortly after their success with the Pro-Health Mouthwash, Crest introduced the Whitening Rinse. Being the oral care junkie that I am, I had to try it.
This mouthwash is a bit more expensive in that you get less of it for the same price of the regular Pro-Health mouthwash. You get 32 ounces for $7.49, where as you get 50.74 ounces of the regular for $7.99. Is it worth it?
The only difference that I can find in the two is that the Whitening formula has hydrogen peroxide in it. Because I already use hydrogen peroxide in my routine, this rinse is not necessary for me. Hydrogen peroxide is much cheaper! Is the whitening rinse effective? Yes, but, no more so than the regular rinse.
Final Review: If you don’t want to use regular hydrogen peroxide to rinse, than this will be perfect for you.
Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste- Clean Mint and Clean Cinnamon
Walgreens- $2.99-$3.99
I rarely gush over a product. This one, I gush about. This toothpaste is the best. It covers all of the bases in oral care in one toothpaste. It is the first toothpaste recognized by the American Dental Association to be effective in fighting cavities, gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity, and tartar, while providing whitening, and fresh breath. Crest advertises it as Dentist Clean and that’s the truth. Even my husband commented on it!
Final review: I won’t buy any other toothpaste!
Pantene Restoratives Time Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner
Advertised to take 2 years of damage to your hair away in one month of use. I’ve damaged my hair a lot in those two years; so, I gave it a try.
After the first use, my hair felt soft and smooth, even my damaged ends. I have very fine hair, but a lot of it. Many times, repairing types of shampoos and conditioners leave my hair flat, lifeless and won’t hold a curl. This product was OK, not too bad, not excellent. But, my hair did look healthier and shinier. The scent was nice.
After 2 weeks of use, my hair was visually improved. It looked healthier, shiny, and more manageable. Without the use of a volumizing mousse, gel or hairspray, my hair would not hold a curl. I’m not a big user of products like mousse, gel or hairspray. I find that they tend to dry out the ends of my hair and I don’t like the stickiness. But, if I did use a mousse, the curls lasted a bit longer.
After one months use, I found that my hair did indeed look healthier and shinier, but, 2 years of damage gone? I don’t know. Then when I switched to a different shampoo and conditioner, it seems the benefits disappeared. So, if you want to continue to use this product as your main shampoo and conditioner, it will work just fine. I didn’t find any more added benefits to this shampoo and conditioner, than I got from the regular line of Pantene. It would be a good conditioner for a weekly deep intensive treatment but, no more so than some of the others on the market.
Final review: I’d buy it, if it’s on sale.
Aussie Cleanse and Mend Shampoo and Conditioner
(Formerly known as ‘Dual Personality’)
I told my mother about my review of Pantene’s Restoratives line and she recommended that I try Aussie’s ‘Dual Personality’ line. It’s specifically designed for hair that’s greasy at the roots and dry on the ends. A condition that’s common for people with color treated hair. And since I almost always listen to my mother (she has the uncanny ability to be right almost all the time), I gave it a go.
Aussie recently revamped all of its packaging, renaming their haircare line. ‘Dual Personality’ became ‘Cleanse and Mend’. I have to admit that I liked the old name better! Marketing aside, I found that the shampoo and conditioner did actually work. My roots weren’t overly conditioned and my ends did feel soft and less overworked. Kudos to mom for being right, yet again!
The scent isn’t the familiar “grapey” Aussie scent from the 80’s. I had mixed emotions about that, as the scent brings back wonderful memories of my “Bon Jovi hair” from that time. But, the scent is very nice anyway.
This is a great product for those of us who damage our hair by coloring, highlighting, straightening (a bizarre concept to those of us with straight hair who’ve spent countless hours trying to get ours to curl!), and curling.
Final review: I finally found a different shampoo and conditioner that I can use daily!
Cleaning Tip of the Month
Spring Cleaning Tips
As the weather warms, I always get an uncontrollable urge to start the summer off right, spring clean. It’s always a great feeling when you clear out that winter nest and start the summer clean and organized. It was a family tradition we had while I was growing up. Sometime around Easter, my mother would declare one weekend that it was spring cleaning time. We kids would always moan because we knew that we wouldn’t be going anywhere. We all had our assignments and eventually we would be taken over with spring cleaning fever. I realize that not all people feel that pull and that some just plain hate it. So, here are some tips to make it easier. Some are from my mom, and others, I’ve picked up along the way, either from my own experience or on the web.
Equipment
This is very important. To have an efficient cleaning, having all of your tools together in one place saves incredible amounts of time and frustration. The best thing that I’ve found is to keep everything I’ll need is a large plastic carry tote. They can be found in almost any department store, like Target.
Here are some of the items I recommend that you carry with you.
Glass cleaner
Cheap paper towels (the more pricey “clothlike” towels leave lint on glass)
And/or old newspaper (newspaper is terrific on glass with the added benefit of reusing)
An all purpose cleaner like Formula 409 or Mr. Clean
2-3 clean, dry rags (microfiber rags are the best)
Dusting spray like Pledge or Liquid Gold
Microfiber dusting rag
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or similar melamine cleaning bricks (great on stubborn scuff marks and spots on the wall)
The easiest way to tackle spring cleaning is to go through your house, room by room with a notebook and pen. Use one page per room. I make 3 separate categories for each room; Organize, clean, projects.
Here are a couple of examples:
Master bathroom:
Organize
Cabinets
Drawers
Shelves
Clean
Vacuum out all drawers, cabinets
Clean Tub and shower doors
Scrub grout
Dust all shelves, lights and walls
Scrub floors and baseboards
Projects
Recaulk bathtub and sinks
Touch up paint
Living Room:
Organize
Sort through entertainment center drawers and cabinets
Organize DVD’s and CD’s
Clean
Wash windows and sills
Dust entertainment center and tables
Polish furniture
Vacuum floor including underneath all furniture
Thoroughly clean all floors and baseboards
Dust walls
Projects
Touch up paint
When you have a list, prioritization is easier. After I’ve completed my lists, I make a game plan. I usually start on the top floor and work my way down. Remember to pace your self. It won’t all get done in one or even two days. If necessary, just take one room at a time or even one group of things a day, for instance, all the organization in one room each day. It’s always satisfying to cross items off the list!
Cleaning Tips
Dusting Tips
·
In most cleaning projects, it’s always a good idea to start at the top. It prevents having to go back and reclean. Dusting the walls for instance. Take a broom, cover the bottom with a microfiber dusting cloth, start at the top of the wall and work your way down. If you start at the top, the dust will fall to the lower part of the wall. If you had already dusted the lower part, you’d have to go over it again.
·Another way that I’ve found effective in dusting walls is using a Swiffer Sweeper. You’ll be amazed at how much dust collects on the walls, especially textured walls.
·Dusting blinds can be a real pain. The best way that I’ve found to do this effectively is to put dusting cloth over a ruler, spraying the cloth with dusting spray and then run it along each blind.
·It tends to be easier to wash smaller stuff than it is to dust them.
Window Tips
*When cleaning windows, wash in different directions on the inside and the outside; for instance vertical inside and horizontal outside. This way, if there is a streak, you know which side of the windows it’s on.
*To avoid streaks, wash windows on a cool, cloudy day.
*Using old newspaper to dry the windows really brings out the shine.
*Toothpaste will removed small scratches in glass
*Rubbing alcohol will remove haze from mirrors
Bathroom Tips
*When cleaning the bathtub and/or shower, run hot water for a few minutes, the steam will help to loosen the dirt and soap scum.
*To keep tile and shower doors clean longer, put a few drops of lemon furniture oil on a cloth and wipe down wall and shower doors.
*Rubbing alcohol will remove spots from faucets and spouts.
* White vinegar cleans glass shower doors and makes the sparkle.
Homemade Cleaners
Homemade cleaners can be cheaper, more environmentally friendly and in most cases just as effective if not more. There are a few ingredients that I wouldn’t want to be without during a cleaning spree: vinegar, ammonia, rubbing alcohol and baking soda. If you have these four items, you won’t need a lot of the more expensive cleaning products.
Here are a few homemade cleaner recipes:
Warning: NEVER mix bleach or a bleach product with ammonia! It creates a toxic gas.
All Purpose Cleaner- use to mop floors and wipe down surfaces
1 gallon hot water
1 cup clear ammonia
¼ cup baking soda
½ cup vinegar
Window Cleaner
1 cup water
1 cup rubbing alcohol
1 Tablespoon non-sudsing ammonia
Furniture polish
1 cup olive oil
½ cup lemon juice or vinegar
Bathtub Cleaner
1 cup baking soda
¼ salt
Use as a souring powder! Tough soap scum? Use straight vinegar!
Silver Cleaner (This one is way too cool!)
Large piece of aluminum foil
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 quarts very hot water
Place foil on bottom of sink. Place silver on top of foil in a single layer. Sprinkle baking soda over silver. Pour very hot water over everything. Soak until bubbles disappear. Rinse and polish with soft cloth. The chemical reaction caused by the baking soda and aluminum passes the tarnish onto the foil! Viola!
Happy Cleaning!
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What’s New in Skin Care and Beauty
Lasers and Blue Light Therapy for Acne
There’s a promising new therapy in the world of acne fighting! I have suffered from “adult acne” since my 20’s. From Accutane and topical antibiotics to oral antibiotics, I’ve tried it all. My dermatologist even gave up on me! So, I’m always on the lookout for something that I haven’t tried. Adult acne has risen to affect nearly 85 million Americans! So, I figure there will eventually be a treatment that actually work for me.
Dermatologists have found a new use for diode lasers heat energy and light therapies!
Diode lasers and light pulses are able to reach deeper into the layers of skin without damaging the top layers. The laser then damages to sebaceous gland that produces the oils that can cause the acne. This causes the gland to produce less oil. The side effects are temporary redness and swelling of the treated areas.
The blue light therapy has been proven to kill the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that causes the acne swelling. It is a painless procedure but, requires repeated treatments, usually about 15 minutes long. The side effects include pigment changes and swelling of the treatment spot and dryness.
An even more promising treatment is pulsed light and heat energy. This treatment has been approved by the FDA to treat mild to moderate acne using pulses of green-yellow light combined with heat energy. It is thought to both kill the bacteria and shrink the sebaceous glands. Side effects are minimal, redness in the treated areas.
This is new technology and still needs more study, but, I for one will volunteer to be the guinea pig! Time for another call to the dermatologist!
Beauty Tips of the Month
Get Your Feet Sandal Ready
Keeping your feet in shape throughout sandal season can seem challenging. Dried, cracked, callused feet are never attractive and certainly not healthy. Cracked feet can lead to other health problems like infection and fungus. Here are some simple steps to keeping your feet, soft, smooth, pretty and healthy. This is best done at night before bedtime. It lets the moisturizer absorb overnight and you’ll have new feet in the morning! Besides, this foot treatment really relaxes you.
Step #1
Soaking and cleaning
Remove all nail polish. Soak feet in very warm but, not hot water, for 20 minutes. Scrub feet and nails with a nail brush and any regular soap. Rinse. Allow your feet to soak in the soapy water for a few minutes.
Step #2- pumice is your friend!
You can find a good pumice stone at most stores like Target or Walgreens. Stay away from the “painted” stones as they aren’t nearly as effective. Dip pumice stone into water and gently scrub problem areas like heals, and the balls of your feet; places where calluses tend to appear. Use a circular motion and rinse the stone frequently.
Step #3
Rinse and pat dry just until your feet are damp.
Step #4
Moisturize. For this step we recommend Now & Zen Body Butter or Footbalm. However, if you don’t have that, petroleum jelly can be used in a pinch. It doesn’t contain the nutrients that our products have, but it does help to seal in moisture. Slather footbalm or petroleum jelly all over the foot paying particular attention to problem areas and nail cuticles. Put a pair of non-cotton socks over your feet. (Cotton socks tend to absorb the balm.)
Step #5
Jump in bed, sweet dreams!
Spring Fashion Trends
Clothes
Once again the 60's, 70's and 80's are being represented in this Spring's looks. Good news! There's something for everyone! The hottest color trends in clothes this year are black and white, plaids and the nautical look. The always flattering A-Line skirt, Bermuda shorts (what cellulite?!) and capris will be everywhere. Feminine, flirty and comfortable. Accessories? They're back too! What more can a girl ask for?
The Spectator Look?
The “Spectator look” (mainly black and white but also red/black; hot pink/black or any other bright color with black or white) is really back with a vengeance. This makes the looks fairly easy. Most of us have some black and white basics in our closets. All you need to add is the brighter colors. Add a scarf, or a belt. It's not just the colors, either. The "spectator look" is a classic style. Clean feminine lines are what it's all about. Think Audry Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" or Jackie O in her Chanel suits. Clean, classic.
Plaids
Pastels, brights, it doesn't matter. Plaids of all colors will be seen everywhere! Plaids are an easy versatile way to update your wardrobe. Multiple colors in the plaid allow multiple choices in what to pair your plaid with. For instance, the Barmuda shorts above could be paired with a white, black, orange or even a green top. Add a pair of classic Ked sneakers and viola, the cutest little "camp outfit"!
Nautical
Achors away! The Nautical look as been a trend in the making for a couple of years now. Classic and clean like the "Spectator look", the nautical look is a bit more versatile. It can be worn dressy, or casual and has been updated with fresh new colors. The classic nautical look is simply pairing navy with white and/or red. Gold is the primary accent. Stripes are the main rule, normally horizontal but the updated nautical look adds diagonal stripes as well as new colors. Accessories can make or break this look, but remember less is more. For a classic look with the above outfit, add a red chunky bangle bracelet and headscarf (like the one in the accessories section below) or headband. An updated version may substitute hot pink for the red or maybe even light pink or green in accessory colors.
One nautical themed top can be paired with white bermudas, pants, capris and for a dressier look, add a navy blazer with a white skirt or white dress pants. That's 5 different looks in one top!
There are many ways to mix it up with this years nautical look. Here are some other options.
The Shoes
Shoes will make or break an outfit everytime. I love shoes, especially sandals and boots. In clothing, many eras are being represented this year. The 60's, 70's and 80's have a strong presence in footwear as well. There are styles for everyone, yet again this year. Whether you're a fashionista, wearing the spiked heel pointy toed pumps, or more of a comfort seeking, iced-tea on the patio, "Keds" kind of girl, you'll be pleased with this years offerings. All shoes shown available at Shoe Carnival. www.shoecarnival.com to find a location near you.
Accessories
Deja Vu'! With the popularity of the 80’s styles on a comeback, accessories were sure to follow! Big bracelets, dangly earrings and large drooping necklaces are back, in metals and colorful acrylics. Matching sets are always nice, but I prefer mixing it up a little. Stay within a certain pattern like all metals or all blacks, but it doesn’t have to be a “matching set”. The trick is to not over-do it. Earrings and necklace? Skip the bracelet. Headscarf and earrings? Skip the necklace.
Also returning with the "Back to the 80's" style are belts. Thick, thin, double belted, solid, stripes, patterns, metallic and patent leather, everything goes! Where them over a tunic, t-shirt or blouse!
Like the looks of the 1950's Hollywood starlet? Oversized sunglassesr eturn again this Spring. Think Marilyn Monroe in a T-Bird, with a headscarf and big sunglasses, you'll get the idea!
Mother’s Day Craft Ideas For Every Budget
Mothers love to receive handmade gifts on Mother’s Day. Here is an easy to make gift idea to make mom smile.
$10.00
4” terra cotta pot $.59
3 bright acrylic paints $3
Small paint brush $1
Small bag of potting soil $2
1 packet of seeds- daisies are always great! $1
1 can clear spraypaint $1-$2
You don’t have to be Picasso to create a cute little pot that your mother can grow a cheery pot of flowers in. She’ll think of you every time she sees it!
Paint stripes, polka dots or flowers onto the pot. Let your imagination go wild. Any pattern will do. Allow to dry completely. Spray outside of the pot with the clear spraypaint to seal in the acrylic paint. 2 coats is best but allow an hour or so in between coats. Allow to dry overnight. Place small bag of potting soil into pot. If your bag of soil is too big, simply put the soil into a ziplock bag. Place seed packet into pot with the soil and voila! A pretty handmade gift!
$20.00
1 “collage” type picture frame $15.00
Printing of favorite photos of your family $1.50-$3.00
1 acid free pen or marker $2.00
Easy enough to do. Choose photos that have funny stories attached to them or that can be easily captioned with funny little quips. For instance, a photo of a child with a fishing pole could be captioned “Have pole will travel!” Tape photos to the photo matting. Caption your photos on the matting underneath the photo. If you’re not comfortable with your handwriting, you can always print the captions on your computer and then attach it using an acid free photo grade gluestick.
$30.00
1 small or medium sized spiral style scrapbook $5.00-$10.00
1 pack acid free photo safe markers $5.00
1 Acid free photo safe gluestick $2.00
1 package of scrapbooking patterned paper or scrapbooking ornaments $3.00-$5.00
Print as many photos of your family as you have pages in your scrapbook $7.00-$10.00
There are several ways to organize the photos. You can tell a story, page by page. You can go with a timeline or you can devote each page or several pages to each person. Once you’ve organized your photos, you can start designing your pages. I always put the photos in between each page that the photos will be adhered to. The front cover of the scrapbook is particularly important. You can use quotes about mothers, a photo of your mother, let your imagination go wild. But, make the front cover something truly special.
Don’t be afraid to cut the photos into interesting shapes. Frame the photos with imaginative cut outs using the patterned papers. The markers give you unlimited ability to make each page special. Use quotes, funny quips, “Do you remember…”, dates, what ever you feel will “tell the story” or give your mom a trip down memory lane.
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in our magazine, you'll recieve a free Now & Zen Bathworks product!
Ask Heidi!
Josie of Texas asks:
Bath and Body Essential Oils for muscle aches and body tension. I am wondering if the Eucalyptus and the Lemon Oil Massage oils are being used for this purpose? Has there been any particular method use to get optimal relief?
Eucalyptus oil is great for muscle aches; however, it has a stimulating effect on the body. It has analgesic (pain reliever) and anti-inflammatory properties. It would be a good oil for after a workout, when you need to continue to be active. One word of caution, it can be irritating to the skin and should not be used if you have high blood pressure. Use it in moderation and make sure you dilute it in a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil. A few drops mixed in about 6-8 ounces of oil is about all that I would use.
Lemon oil has astringent, antiseptic and antiviral properties but provides little relief from pain. It is also a stimulant; so, I wouldn’t recommend this oil for a pain relieving massage blend. On another note, citrus oils such as lemon, sweet orange and grapefruit oils make skin photosensitive. Meaning, if you do use one these oils, make sure to stay out of the sun. The citrus oils are great for depression, headaches and fatigue.
Here are some oils that I would recommend for muscle aches and tension.
Lavender- any relaxing blend of essential oils has this wonderful oil in it. Lavender has both relaxing and pain relieving properties. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well as cell regenerating properties. It is the only essential oil that can be applied without being diluted! Speaking from experience, lavender also relieves the pain and sting that occur with a burn.
This miracle oil is fabulous for headaches, anxiety and even PMS symptoms. It’s one oil that I would never be without and you can find it a most health food stores such as Whole Foods and Vitamin Cottage. I have even found that a drop placed right below my nose will relieve a headache!
Ginger- I like to include ginger in a pain relief blend because it has a warming effect on the skin and aids in stimulating blood flow. It is recommended for rheumatism, poor circulation and arthritis. But, just like the eucalyptus oil, it is stimulating and can irritate skin in larger dilutions, so, use it sparingly. A few drops will do the trick.
Sandalwood- Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative in nature, sandalwood is an excellent choice in a relaxing pain relief blend. It is however, fairly expensive. I do find that it is worth every penny! One of my favorite blends is sandalwood and lavender. It smells like heaven and keeps me balanced and happy throughout the day. Like all of the other oils, with the exception of the lavender, it should be diluted in a carrier oil.
Rosemary- its anti-inflammatory, anti- rheumatic and antispasmodic properties make this an excellent choice for a pain-relieving blend. It is also a stimulant. It should not be used during pregnancy or if you have high blood pressure.
Clary Sage- Not to be confused with sage, clary sage is terrific as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative oil. It is excellent for PMS, muscle cramps and spasms, as well as exhaustion. It should not be used during pregnancy or if you plan on getting behind the wheel.
Peppermint- Cooling and refreshing, peppermint is an excellent choice in a pain relief blend. It has antispasmodic, and analgesic properties and is great for joint and muscle aches. It is a very strong scent, much like eucalyptus and little bit will go a long way. Like any antispasmodic oil, it is not recommended during pregnancy.
Here are a couple of recipes for pain relieving massage oil blends that I would recommend.
Achy Muscle Massage Oil Blend
4 drops lavender
3 drops peppermint
3 drops rosemary
6 ounces sweet almond or jojoba oil
Relaxing Pain Relief Massage Blend
4 drops lavender
3 drops clary sage
2 drops sandalwood
Do you have a question that you'd like us to answer for you? Submit your question by clicking this link: Ask Heidi!
If your question is chosen, we will email you the answer personally as well as include it in that month's Beauty Tips! You will also recieve a free Now & Zen Bathworks product!
Going Green
Little things we all can do to help save the planet.
There’s been a lot of focus recently on the impact we all have on our environment. There are many simple ways that we can make a difference and become better global citizens. In this new section of Now & Zen Bathworks Beauty Tips Magazine, we will explore various ways in which we can limit our “footprint” on our planet. Many are easy and will end up saving you money as well as helping to make our world cleaner and safer.
Whether you believe that we humans contribute to Global Warming or not, doing what we can to limit our wastefulness will lead to cleaner air and water, something nobody can complain about. If you have any tips that you’d love to share, please let us know!
Fluorescent bulbs? What’s the scoop?
Fluorescent bulbs or CFLs (compact fluorescent light) are one of the easiest ways that we can make a huge impact on our energy consumption. They use 2/3 less electricity than the old incandescent bulbs and generate just as much light. They last 10 times as longer and save you approximately $30 over the bulbs lifetime! They are also 70% cooler and will save you even more money in the summertime by not generating heat inside your home.
Wal-Mart estimates that if every one of its 110 million customers were to replace just one of their incandescent bulbs with a CFL, it would be the equivalent of taking 1.3 MILLION cars off the road! Another way of comparison: the energy saved would be enough to power all of the homes in the states of Delaware and Rhode Island! Those are impressive numbers. You can even break it down to less aggressive numbers, if 100,000 people replaced 10 bulbs, or 200,000 replaced 5 bulbs, you get the idea.
But, what about the dim light or buzzing sounds? CFLs have come a long way. Gone are the old fashioned “U” shaped bulbs that hummed when lit. The limitations of the size of the bulb or type of outlet required are no more. The CFLs of today are bright, white, steady and quiet. Virtually every outlet has a CFL type bulb that will work in it, even those on dimmer switches! There are various sizes and types of bulbs out there, some specifically for certain types of outlets, like enclosed outlets and those on dimmer switches, so, it’s important to read the packages to find the correct bulb for its purpose.
You can get CFLs at almost every store that you would get regular bulbs. The best places that I’ve found to get them are discount home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot. They usually sell them in bulk containers for a decent price.
The drawbacks to using CFLs?
Cost: The initial cost of a CFL bulb is usually more expensive, but remember the long term savings will far outweigh the extra initial cost. Not to mention the pain of changing out the light bulb 10 times more.
CFL bulbs require recycling. They contain mercury that can contaminate the ground water if disposed into landfills. But then again, recycling is a good idea anyway, right? This is a very small amount, about the size of the ink on the tip of a ballpoint pen. Just remember, if you break one, don’t vacuum it up. Rather use a broom to sweep it up and seal the trash bag afterward.
The old arguments against CFLs have been eliminated and this is an easy way that we all can improve our impact on the environment and at the same time save time and money. CFLs are a win-win for all of us!
I Wonder If That Works?
Have something that you'd like us to test? Submit your suggestion here:
As with the Ask Heidi! feature, should your suggestion be chosen, we will email you our results as well as publish them in that month's Beauty Tips!
What's New at Now & Zen Bathworks
Spring, Spring, Spring!
Now & Zen Bathworks will be performing a website overhaul. We will be evaluating current products as well as looking to add new products. Look for new names, a new look and some new and exciting personal care products! If you'd like to ensure that one of your favorite products stays in our lineup, drop us line and let us know! Look for the launch of our new product, Wake Me Up! Shower Tablets, coming soon!Keep up to date on the latest from us by signing up for our "Secret Sales", just click the link to sign up!
Next Month in Beauty Tips
Product Reviews: Mineral Make-ups, Physicians Formula vs. L'Oreal
Cleaning Tip: Off the Wall Uses for Ordinary Household Items
Beauty Tips: Summer Hair Care Tips
Going Green: Laundry Tips to save energy, the enviornment, time and money
