The most comprehensive source for the safety of your sunscreen products is Environmental Working Group.   Use this resource to check or favorite brand, or find a new favorite.

First of all, let’s look on what you should avoid in a sunscreen:

1. No Sprays.  No powders.  Confession:  I love the sprays.  Especially the ones you can put on wet skin.  I just line everyone up and spray them down.  And your hands don’t get slimy. But there is more and more evidence that sprays pose an inhalation risk, in fact the FDA is currently researching the issue.  Until they complete this study, the recommendation is to use sprays only if it’s the only thing available, and then to spray it on your hands and rub on, which kind of defeats the convenience of the spray.  Similarly loose powder can get into lungs.    The FDA no longer allows loose powder, including makeup, to advertise SPF.

2. No High SPF.  50+ SPFs are becoming more popular.  The higher the better, right?  While high SPFs do protect from sunburn, they can leave skin exposed to damaging UVA rays.  The recommendation is to avoid anything labeled higher than SPF 50 and reapply often, regardless of SPF.

3. No Oxybenzone – can get into the bloodstream and act like estrogen in the body and trigger allergic reactions.  Studies have linked oxybenzone in the blood with lower birthweight daughters and endometriosis in older women.

4. No Retinyl Palmitate – this form of Vitamin A is touted to have anti-aging effects, but combined with sun exposure, it can  speed the growth of skin lesions and tumors.

5. No sunscreen towelettes.  The FDA stopped the sale of these, but there are some still on the shelves.  The concern is that they do not apply enough sunscreen to protect.

Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/ is the go to for finding sunscreens that meet these criteria.  They have over 184 beach and sport sunscreens that fit the bill.

Here is my lowdown on some of these that I’ve tried.

Goddess Garden Kid’s Natural Sunscreen

I like this sunscreen.  It has a little bit of an odd consistency.  Kind of like it separated over time (mine might have been sitting in the drawer for a while).  But it has a pleasant, not overwhelming or perfume odor.  It looks like a bit of lavender and tea extract accounts for the scent.  It works and its safe and is made in the USA.  It is also more affordable than other sunscreens in the category, $18 for 6 oz.

California Baby

California Baby is readily available (Target) and has a wider variety of products.  My major gripe with California Baby is also consistency.  It leaves a white film that my kids complain about.  I’ve used unscented and the stick for faces, which is my favorite way to get sunscreen on those little noses and cheeks.  A 6 oz is $41.

Jason

I have used a less safe version of their sunscreen (Kids) and like the consistency and the smell (think tropical).  Its also $12.50 for a 4 oz size.

Badger

This is on my must-try list.  The only complaints I’ve heard about this one is that it is hard to rub in.  Seems to be a theme with the non-chemically laden (but better for you) sunscreens.  Not only is it the safest rating by EWG, it is moderately priced at $15 for 4 oz.

Share your favorite sunscreen with us, reapply and stay healthy this summer!

When I entered Kristin Schell’s beautiful (cook’s dream) kitchen the ladies were sipping on honey ginger Prosecco and eating Amish white bread with cinnamon honey butter.  I knew immediately I had found kindred spirits.

I was completely charmed by this precious honeypot.

And the honey stick…

After we fueled up, (And seriously, my mouth is watering for that bread.  More on the recipe and making that a little bit later… ) we headed down the street to her beekeeper neighbor – Laura, from the Bee Weaver.

I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I’m not afraid of bees, but  I don’t usually make it a policy to hang out large groups of stinging insects.   We suited up.   (sidebar:  I am a fan of hobbies that require special outfits) and got started.

This in city location isn’t their full operation.  But they have a few boxed hives, called apiaries, in their yards that look something like this.

I knew a little bit about bees.    That there is one fertile female, the queen, some fertilizing males and a bunch of asexual drones, workers and gatherers who do her bidding.  But seeing the active hive was amazing.

First of all the queen is really beautiful.  She is larger than the other bees and a really pretty golden color.   The other bees make a queen by feeding her a special concoction of honey called “royal jelly”.  Another version of honey is called “bee bread” and has something to do with the larval stage of the bees.  Another interesting factoid, the bees that gather the honey are the oldest, most experienced bees of the hive.

I was also amazed at how gentle the bees are.  Laura didn’t wear any kind of protective clothing, just smoked the hive a little.  They use the smoke to suppress the bees emergency alert communication system.  You can see the areas where they are making new bees (larvae) and food (honey).  Watching the activity on the hive, you understand where the phrase “busy as a bee” comes from.  We got to try the honey straight from the hive and it was divine.

I was very impressed how committed to the environment and clean food the Beeweaver is.   Many honey producers use pesticides on their hives – there are a few non-native invasive bugs that have threatened bee populations.  Instead of chemicals they use genetics to breed bees that better defend themselves from these pests.   They are supplier for my favorite local honey Goodflow.  After hearing the process that Goodflow uses to bottle their honey – minimally heat and run through a strainer (not too fine to keep in the nutrients) – I will continue to buy it.

After our adult field trip and my mini-education on bee behavior, we headed back to the house where Susie Davis showed us the secret of her Amish white bread and cinnamon honey butter (and my mouth is watering again).  You must check out her blog, she is a really talented baker and cook.

We also had some bread with Kristin’s easy and delicious Bee Good Vinaigrette.

1/2 cup whole grain mustard, 1/4 cup local honey, 1/4 cup rice vinegar.  That’s it.

She also shared this recipe for Honey Spiced Chicken which I already had all the ingredients for (skies parting, cue music).  On top of the lovely day with these ladies, dinner was solved.  I served it with some riced cauliflower and my family loved it.  Its also great today cold on top of my salad with the bee good vinaigrette.

I didn’t think it was possible for me to love honey any more than I did.  If you also are enamored by bees and all things honey you must visit the Bee Goods Mercantile.

Here are some of our ideas:

The gift that keeps on giving.  Subscription boxes remind mom that you love her not just one day a year.  There are a lot of fun options out there right now and who doesn’t love getting packages?

Does Mom need a little zen?  Yuzen box sends a little zen winter, spring, summer and fall.  They choose eco-friendly, natural, organic products that bring joy and relaxation into Mom’s life.

Product junkie?  One Radiant Box would be up her alley.  A simple survey identifies skin type and targets 3 months of samples of high-end skincare brands to find what works best for Mom.  Birchbox  also uses a personal care profile to choose 5-6 samples of high-end beauty and lifestyle products.

New Mommy?  Bluum delivers mom-approved favorite products for mom, baby and toddler.

Luxe Stuff.  Is there a trendy Mom in your life?  How aboout this lovely Kate Spade iphone case.  Everytime she texts you she would think of how thoughtful you were http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=935685002&tid=plaff4441350&ap=2&siteID=plafcid105

Get grown up crafty.  Design your own jewelry with Kendra Scott’s Color Bar.

Has Mom been extra good?  Spoil her with this Nili Lotan for J.Crew silk Kaftan.

Or a pair of perfectly crisp cotton pjs

Or get personal with a monogrammed necklace.  Don’t tell my MIL, but this is what I got for her.

The Entertainer.  Is Mom a Martha?  Ensure an invite to the next cookout by getting her these lovely birch trays from Serena and Lily

or a set of happy, preppy turquoise-trimmed placemats.

From the Kids

I love some kid-created gifts.  One of my favorite was I got a painted flowerpot with a popsicle stick “flower” in it.  The flower petals each had a coupon for me to redeem such as “good for a hug” or “I’ll help with the dishes”.

Another fun one is a bouquet of egg carton and pipe cleaner “flowers” that are not only personal, but also never die.

Last year I got a homemade pedicure.  It turned out like this.  

No matter what you decide, hope that you find a special and unique way to honor the important women in your lives.  Please share what you are doing!

Certified organic products are made with ingredients that are grown free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms. They also don’t include harmful additives such as petroleum waxes, fillers and artificial chemicals. It stands to reason that if you are putting something on your body you want it to be as natural and healthy as possible.  Choosing organic, means there are less pesticides, herbicides and GMOs in the environment, making it the more sustainable choice.  Many products out there are “natural” but not organic.  This might mean they have less harmful chemicals than the mainstream, especially parabens, artificial color and scents.

I do get organic and natural beauty products when they meet my criteria of being available, not prohibitively expensive and work.   Here are some of my favorite personal care choices.

 Castile soap.  I was introduced to this when my girls were in the NICU and I needed something mild and chemical free to clean their bottles and pump accoutrements with.  We use it for bathing and for household cleaning as well.  I love the herb infusions they have, especially lavender and almond.

Original Sprout.  I discovered this at a kids salon, but it is sold in adult natural food and grocers in my area as well.  They don’t claim to be 100% organic, but use at least some organic ingredients.  In addition the products are free of parabens, soy, gluten, sulfates and petroleum oils.  The products I use the most are the hair and body babywash and the leave-in conditioner.  Both work great, and smell greater.  I am addicted to the detangler.  The shampoo is not as sudsy as a classic shampoo, but I am guessing that chemicals are what make something sudsy, so I’m willing to sacrifice that.

Bamboo.  This haircare line focuses on natural ingredients.  Their volume spray really works, smells great and is paraben free.  I also love their cleanse extend dry shampoo.  Its not perfumey like a lot of dry shampoos tend to be.

MyChelle. I like this brand that is “seeded in science and rooted in nature”.  I haven’t tried all of their large array of products but the things I have tried feel and smell terrific.  A favorite is the G2 Instant Firming Serum.  When I run out of cleanser, I want to try some of the “apple brightening” products, and try some of their yummy looking masks. I’ve read that fruit acids and vitamin C can be as effective at brightening and cellular turnover as their chemical counterparts.

Supergoop.    Paraben-free, fragrance-free, no harsh chemicals.  This broad-spectrum sunscreen goes on easily without leaving a thick, white film that many sunscreens in the natural category do.  And its not greasy. I like the endless summer pump, because in Texas, we use a lot of sunscreen.  I’m excited to try the suncreen mist with vitamin C, for those quick reapplies.

Do you have a favorite natural or organic or natural personal care product you can’t live without?  Share!

But anyone who’s tried to get healthier or lose weight can quickly hit the salad wall.  How can you keep enjoying your salads?  Mix it up!

Here are some of our easy favorites to keep it interesting this spring.  Best of all these aren’t official “recipes”  Just combine to your preference.  Add and subtract based on what you have handy.

Arugula Avocado

Arugula, avocado, grated parmesan, sliced almonds, pepper, lemon and olive oil.  This combination of the bitter arugula, tangy lemon and smooth cool avocado is perfectly refreshing.  Almonds add crunch and the pepper a little spice to taste.  This salad goes well just about anything from pulled pork to lasagna.

Thai Tangled Salad

Broccoli slaw, shredded carrots, peanuts (or almonds), sweet peas (or edamame), and avocado. For the dressing blend together sesame oil, lime, peanut butter and cilantro.  This is my go to salad when I want something super crunchy.  I sometimes add wonton noodles and raw radishes if I feel I want even more crunch.

Brussels sprout pine nut

Shredded brussels sprouts, toasted pine nuts, manchego cheese, lemon, pepper, olive oil.  Something about the brussels sprouts and the pine nuts is perfection.  And no roasted needed.

Beet salad

Crunchy lettuce (any variety is good), beets, goat cheese, walnuts.  For dressing I like to make a horseradish vinaigrette (horseradish, balsamic, olive oil) and  salt and pepper the beets.  Amazing combination of salty and zesty.

Mexican slaw

Roasted corn (scraped off the husk), avocado, cilantro, chopped tomato.  Dress with lime and olive oil vinaigrette.  Perfect accompany to enchiladas or to spice up taco night.

Need more ideas?  Follow our simple salads board on pinterest.  We’ll be adding out there all spring as we find new favorites.

A note on salad dressing.  There is no need to get store bought.  You can easily make your own preservative and weird ingredient free dressings.  Our favorite is this Kolder bottle, with eight dressing recipes right on the bottle.  No fail.  And only $8.

Sarah with husband Matt and son Evan

iheartkeenwah are quinoa-based clusters, created by four friends, inspired by their time in Bolivia. Check them out here. Flavors include almond, cranberry cashew, chocolate sea salt, and ginger peanut.

Simple Squares: What drew your interest to create iheartkeenwah?

Sarah: We realized that there were no ready-to-eat quinoa options.  The only way to get this super healthy food into your diet was to cook it on the stovetop, and who has time for that these days?!

Simple Squares: When and how did you realize the brand was a hit?

Sarah: We were featured on Oprah’s “O-List.” That was super exciting!

Simple Squares: What’s the most surprising thing you learned starting iheartkeenwah?

Sarah: We’ve learned a lot about the way we get our food. Both from a food formulation perspective (most of the foods available to us are heavily processed and loaded with chemicals), as well as the food distribution process. From the manufacturer to the distributor to the retailers and brokers, a lot of people are involved in bringing food concepts to our grocery shelves.

Simple Squares: Personally, why are you invested in the growth of the organic pure food market as a whole?

Sarah: We believe that food should be “real,” not heavily processed, devoid of nutrients, and loaded with chemicals. The pure food market will help to make real food options available to more people, and make all of us able to live longer, healthier lives.

Simple Squares: What is the most challenging aspect of your job right now?

Sarah: We are a small company.  There are few of us, and a lot of stores to reach out to!

Simple Squares: What’s the most interesting thing about quinoa?

Sarah: Quinoa is the only vegetable that contains the same quality of protein as meat.  It’s a mighty little seed!

Simple Squares: As a growing entrepreneur, where do you look for new ideas?

Sarah: I rely heavily on fellow entrepreneurs to brainstorm new ideas.  We are all in this together, and we are a creative bunch!

A. I actually never intended to leave Morningstar, Inc.  It was on my sabbatical with the company that I became drawn to the health and wellness sector.  Initially starting out as a hobby, my goal was to sell my hand crafted Squares at Chicago farmers’ markets.  When I was not able to secure a spot, I moved  on to Plan B which was larger distribution.

Working at Morningstar really fosters one’s entrepreneurial spirit.  It is the foundation for the company and as such, you are surrounded by creative, interesting and determined colleagues.  Just working in that type of environment was the best experience I had.

A.  I try to incorporate many raw foods into my diet.  The perfect recipe was created after several test runs by me and my trusty food processor.  Several herbs didn’t make the cut and we went with the most sophisticated profiles that meshed with with our other whole food ingredients.

A.  We are rolling out three new flavors this year (stay tuned!) and as we crafted the company around healthy snacking, we do anticipate the brand extending to other snack items.  We’re always open to customer desires.

A did buy beds with the removable washable covers but the insides are fiber fill covered with an odor-resistant, slimy feeling fabric.  I’ve tried to wash it.  It always unbalances the washer, won’t dry and makes me nutty.

A few months ago I was buying coffee beans at my local roaster and saw they were selling their discarded coffee bags for $1 each.  The bags have print and images on them and come from all over the world.  I had to think of a craft for them.

They reminded me of the French burlap pillows that go for big $$ at antique markets.

And then I had an epiphany.  I bought a clearance twin comforter from Target, stuffed and safety pinned the bag shut and voila dog bed.  Its 100% washable and has a cute burlap look that works in almost any decor.

And my pooches look styling napping on them.  Now, just need to figure out how to keep them on their beds instead of mine.

Michelle has come a long way baby.  She now works as Front Desk Manager at Partizan, a media production company, but it
wasn’t always that way. When Michelle began with Simple Squares in 2011 she became the
company’s first intern.

In this role, Michelle grew website content, produced videos, conducted demos, and did sales
calls. It is clear that Michelle brings success and excitement to all her endeavors so we wanted
to check in and see what she has been up to since leaving Simple Squares. We sat down with
Michelle and caught up with her.

Simple Squares: What did you enjoy about working at Simple Squares as the first intern?

Michelle: It was really exciting to see Kim’s passion about Simple Squares. She really believed
in the product and knew that she had created something unique and tasty. Because of that, I was
equally enthusiastic about the product. When I would stand in grocery stores and hand out free
samples, I was truly excited to introduce people to Simple Squares, because I knew what a great
product they were. Working for Simple Squares also taught me a little bit about healthy eating.

Simple Squares: What did you learn at Simple Squares that helps you today in your role at
Partizan?

Michelle: At Simple Squares, I learned how to step outside of my comfort zone professionally.
Throughout the year, I would call about 100 companies per week and ask if they would be
interested in receiving free samples. I learned how to follow-up with them and see if they would
carry our product in their store. At my current job, I am responsible for being the point of contact
for everyone who reaches out to our office, whether that’s in person or on the phone. Simple
Squares taught me how to get comfortable with interacting with a large amount of people on a
professional level.

Simple Squares: What did you do after you left Simple Squares?

Michelle: I was the music director of my all female a cappella group at Miami University in
Ohio, so my next internship was marketing for a recording studio in Cincinnati. I had so many
great opportunities there as a musician. I was able to sit in on recording sessions, and I got to
record a radio jingle for a car company commercial and sing background vocals on a band’s CD.
I’m even credited on the back cover of the CD! I graduated from Miami in May of 2012, and
have been out in LA ever since.

Simple Squares: How did you get involved as Front Desk Manager at Partizan?

Michelle: The president of the a cappella group, who was a year older than me, worked at
Partizan and knew the position was opening. I sent in my resume, interviewed, and landed the
job!

Simple Squares: What do you do on a daily basis?

Michelle: At Partizan, I deal with some seriously heavy phone traffic. Sometimes when I’m
almost asleep at night, I imagine hearing a phone ringing and instinctively jump up to answer
it- that’s how second-nature phone traffic has become! I also do some executive scheduling,
work with the company’s W-9 forms, generate weekly reports for various office expenses, and
do every type of office task imaginable: filing, faxing, copying, scanning, cleaning the kitchen,
setting up pre-production meetings, sorting and distributing mail, tidying, in-office catering,

organizing, office supply orders, and of course, stapling.

Simple Squares: What surprises you at Partizan?

Michelle: Because we’re a music video and commercial production company, there are a lot of
fun days in the office. It surprises me how friendly most people are, and how passionate they are
about their craft, just like Kim is. Our staff and our directors are extremely creative people who
love what they do.

Simple Squares: How has your time and experience at Simple Squares helped you in your
current work?

Michelle: Being the first Simple Squares intern was an amazing experience, because I was able
to watch the company grow from basically the ground up. When I was an intern, we worked out
of Kim’s house, and there were boxes of squares around us when we sat at her table. We set up
the company Facebook and Twitter accounts together. We did research on specialty stores and
gluten-free outlets from which we could sell the squares. I had to educate every single person
that I met during tastings on the benefits of Simple Squares. I’ll never forget it: “free of gluten,
wheat, soy, dairy, and refined sugars!”. Fast forward two years…I recently did a tasting for Kim
in Huntington Beach, CA, and a lot of the customers knew what Simple Squares were! It blew
my mind to see the amazing transformation that has happened over the course of Simple Squares.
There has been incredible growth, three new flavors, and exponentially increased awareness
about the product. Way to go, Simple Squares!

Simple Squares: We loved seeing you as an extra in the music video (https://vimeo.com/
channels/staffpicks/62558095) (1:34); What was involved in that process?

Michelle: I got discovered sitting at the front desk…. KIDDING! This was a video directed by
High5Collective, who are Partizan directors. I “subtly” asked them if they needed any extras
in videos, and they told me they did! Partizan’s office manager and my boyfriend are also in
the video. We woke up early one Saturday, got all dressed up, and drove down to Hollywood
where they were shooting that portion of the video. It was really fun, and we had to do retakes of
shots over and over again. It was so cool to see how music videos are made behind the scenes.
Definitely an experience to cross off of my bucket list!

Simple Squares: What are your goals for the future?

Michelle: I hope to one day become a music producer. Although my degree is in marketing,
music is my passion, and I have spent the majority of my life creating and arranging music. I
also hope to do an extensive travel trip, like Kim did. I know that her life perspective completely
changed from seeing the world, and I would love to experience that for myself!

Simple Squares: Favorite flavor of Simple Square?

Michelle: Cinna-Clove and Coffee

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for this year’s intern class, please send your resume and cover letter to: joinus@simplesquares.com

my little orange blossomed plant

As I looked at some of my favorite rooms, I noticed that potted plants played an important role, adding color, texture and life to rooms.

Look at this lovely arrangement on a farm table.  You could keep herbs here and add more seasoning to your dinner.

Or the whimsical lion pot for this plant.

This eclectic wall wouldn’t be the same without the color and life this plant provides

I love a plant on the nightstand.  What is better to wake up to than a pretty little fern?

A fun pot can infuse life into any room.

So next time you are about to buy a bouquet of flashy flowers, give the plant section another look.