TEST YOUR "SOAP" KNOWLEDGE

Well I don't know if you all remember last week when I talked about the results from the soap poll or not, but I had a reader, Anonymous, to ask, "When are we going to talk about the "true" soap stuff?" I told her probably next Thursday, so obviously, today is the day. I was delighted to see that someone was really interested in this bit of trivia. I will try and give you the answer today and I hope someone else is intrigued or is more knowledgeable after the information I'll give.

Alright, to tell you the truth, you may not be using what you think you're using when you purchase it off the store shelf and bathe with it at home. We're talking the bars we use to cleanse and sometimes deodorize our bodies with, that we call or the company that produces it calls SOAP. To be called soap, true soap, it has to meet the FDA'S definition of what that is and be regulated (not by the FDA in the end) by the Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC).

True soap, by the FDA's definition is "a product in which most of the nonvolatile matter consists of an alkali salt of fatty acids and whose detergent properties are due to these alkali-fatty acid compounds." Translation--soap is saponified oils (olive, palm, coconut, animal fat, whatever you use to make it with) and lye liquid (water and lye mixed together) with the naturally occurring glycerin retained in the soap during the saponification process. Most store-bought bars are synthetic detergent "beauty" or "bath" bars, although some "soap bars" may be soaps with added synthetic detergents (companies know you won't buy it if they label it for what it is. Would you buy a " hardened, rectangular lump of synthetic detergent with artificial rose fragrance?") . In their defense though, these products were made to be just as good as soaps in their functioning, but are increasing on the market primarily because they are more "user-friendly" in hard water (true soaps work well in soft water but react with minerals in hard water to leave soap scum behind). There were and may still be though, more reports of adverse reactions from synthetic detergent bars than true soaps because of their ingredients like fragrances, colors, and other additives. This is not to say that people have not had or will not have an adverse reaction to a true soap and that they are completely safe for everyone. Obviously, that cannot be true.

Soaps and synthetic bars can be labeled just true soap and be regulated by the CPSC, or, can be labeled a cosmetic, a drug, or a cosmetic/drug combination. None of the last 3 categories can simply be regulated by the CPSC anymore, but have to come under the FDA, and, their labeling requirements change. True soap, because of its simplicity and its protection by the FDA Act of 1938 (exempting it from regulation as a cosmetic), does not have to have a listing of its ingredients on its label. All the others do though, and additionally, if it's a drug or combo, it must meet FDA's drug labeling requirements and safety and effectiveness requirements. An example would be an anti-dandruff soap. Now it's not just a soap, but a curative or something medical. It gets a little complicated, if you get outside of your true soap category. So long as true soap has the simple ingredients named by the FDA and makes no claims outside of just cleansing, it can't be controlled or regulated by the FDA. This makes it simple for small companies and home soap makers to make their product and sell it without having to go through so much red tape, etc. I really appreciatd this when I was making soap.

A quote from Harold Hopkins' article says, "Fortunately, plain soap of the noncosmetic, nondrug variety has earned a good reputation. Apart from getting the familiar sting from getting soap into your eyes or the peril of slipping on a bar in the bathtub or shower, common bath and hand soap is relatively safe. In fact, we often use it to remove other substances from our hands and skin that we think are a lot less safe." Amen, I say!!

The kind I made was a Castile type soap, primarily made of olive oil. Before I added essential oils or herbs and other botanicals, it was just a good, plain, hard bar of soap that was good for washing anything from the body to things in the home. I liked it because it washes away really squeaky clean. No residue or oiliness left behind. In fact, some of the really strong bars will strip away all traces of surface dirt and oils to the point where you need to apply lotion so that your skin won't be dried out. These were good for using after gardening or working on a car, etc. I also made soap using goat's milk. I like these a lot. They really feel silky, but again, won't leave your skin feeling like something was left behind.

From now on, you'll know what you're buying in the store and why. I won't tell you not to use the synthetic bars the stores sell or what you've been using to this point just because I happen to Iike "true soaps." If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I say!! As long as it's been working for you. I've used and still use both for different purposes, but I have a preference for handmade, true soaps.

In the words of Forrest Gump, "That's all I have to say about thaat."

WEDNESDAY WISDOM (#5)

WISE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES

You know, I was just sitting here thinking of how beneficial it would be and would have been, for some of us, to have had wise people to "speak wisdom" into our lives and mentor us as we grow. Do you remember having the thought at all, that you needed one or wanted one even? I was just looking at Titus in the Word, Ch. 2 and it admonishes older men and women to intentionally be examples, mentors, and "speak wisdom" into the lives of those that are younger around them.

As we get older, our speech, appearance, mannerisms, thinking process, heart, etc. shouldn't look the same. We should be getting wiser, making better choices, and choosing to live out our lives responsibly in front of others (basically more mature). Think of what kind of world we would live in if everyone did that. What kind of men (husbands and fathers) would we have if every one of them had an older man whom they could be accountable to, to ensure that they were "...temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perserverance (NAS)." What kind of women would we have if an older woman taught younger women (while they were practicing this lifestyle themselves) to have "...reverent behavior, not malicious gossips,...teaching what was good, so that they may..." be encouraged to "...love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure,...kind...," etc.? It even says that young men should be encouraged to do good deeds. Do we do that or even think about it? Is this too much or archaic in our post-modern world? Surely not. The Word doesn't get old, therefore its admonishments and commands do not. This wasn't a sermon though. I just want us to think.

How wise would it be to link our children, the young ones as well as the ones going into young adulthood, with such wise people? Wouldn't you like to have someone, besides yourself in your parenting role, to "speak wisdom" such as the kind discussed in this post (in Titus 2) into your children? I'm not sure if I had the thought or the inkling to seek out this kind of person for me, nor do I think that my parents thought very much of this, in an intentional way, for the benefits described above, but as you get older, you see the need to have yourself surrounded by wise men and women, for your benefit and your children's. I can remember some people that may have been friends to our family or a family member here and there that may have shown us great and/or memorable things, or said something that I'll never forget, but for the most part, we were surrounded by parents who were our primary mentors and you take what you get. As I've found out since I've had children, parents aren't perfect, but I do know that we certainly had ones that loved us. But, while I don't regret the upbringing and wisdom my own parents gave to me, I know now that I would have benefitted from the additional wisdom and mentoring of outside strong, Godly individuals who could take up the slack where my parents left off, or gave me things that my parents could not or weren't equipped to give (I'm not talking about material things.).

I try to find women now who can do exactly what I'm discussing here, with me. I try to expose my children to people like that also. I wish I had discovered this concept and "need" earlier in my children's lives, but God knows, because my children are really His and He holds their future. Thank God I realized this concept at some point. I hate to think that it might be too late, but God can send my soon-to-be men other men that can fill their lives, at just the right time, with the wisdom and knowledge God wants them to have, despite my lateness and errors in parenting. He can also help me to continue to pour myself into my girls and expose them to just the right women at just the right age and time.

Think about our world. What do you want it to look like or be filled with, as far as people are concerned? What can you do about it? This pertains to us with children and those without. All of us can "speak wisdom" into others' lives, while we're maturing, and mentor by example. Somebody always knows less than you do. Some of us are growing together, but we're doing so intentionally, and that's the key word. If you need a mentor, find one. If you are able to mentor, be one. I'm actually doing both. I have some great women in my life, and I mentor young women and girls in structured and non-structured environments as God has given me opportunity. I'm not perfect by any means, but I love the unfinished products of what God is making us into that have chosen to surrender to Him and the wisdom of others.

Please forgive any typos today. I'm homeschooling again and going from one thing to the next. Have a wiser Wednesday today than you had last Wednesday!!!

POLL RESULTS

Here are the poll results for "which country is credited with discovering tea first." 67% of you thought that it was Japan. 33% credited China. The correct answer is China (it was brought over to Japan later), BUT...Japan is well-known for perfecting the art of tea processing AND tea drinking along with the tea ceremony. They are well known for "tea culture." I personally think that Japan has done a fantastic job in perfecting the production of some of the finest green tea in the world. I've tasted green tea from China, and while I like it, I absolutely love Japanese green tea and I can easily tell the difference. Anyway, taste for yourself and see which one you like.

Check out the next poll already posted (at the bottom of the blog page). You "old folks" will probably know the answer right away!! I wouldn't know so easily:)

TO THE TUNE OF TEA TUESDAYS (#5)

WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THAT LEFTOVER TEA

According to Atsushi Yasui and Family, "Even after teatime, used tea leaves can benefit your daily life." How so? Leave it to tea to have the ability to not only be good to you and good for you, but it can help you around the house.

This family says that tea leaves have an amazing deodorizing effect. "For example, you can burn dried, used, tea leaves as incense. The smoke will eliminate odors and make your room smell fresh." I have yet to do this, but I can't wait to try it. I should be doing something besides throwing all of those wonderful, "unfurled" tea leaves away all of the time. They say that "you can also put dried, used tea leaves in your shoes to remove bad odors." I need to save up every tea leaf now, just thinking of my sons' shoes, and dump a whole pail of them inside. Now if I didn't have a good enough reason to save tea leaves before, this would be the absolute most legitimate reason. The boys' shoes can KILL!! I will tout "tea leaf odor absorption" to the ends of the earth if this works in my boys' shoes! Anyway, it is also said that "odors on cooking equipment like cutting boards and cooking pots can be removed by wiping them with damp, used tea leaves." Hmmmm....

It is said that "wiping a steel pot or knife with tea leaves can prevent the item from rusting." This makes sense because of the chemical make-up of a tea leaf. "Tannin, an ingredient of green tea, makes an anti-rust coating on the surface of steel."

Tea leaves have an antiseptic and astringent effect. They say that "you can gargle with green tea to kill germs or use as a topical antiseptic or astringent to keep your skin beautiful and healthy." Now, the Japanese don't put sugar in their tea traditionally, so it won't do you any good, my good American people, to gargle with your tea and have added sugar to it. That might be properly termed a "cavity-causing rinse." And no wonder people from other countries have such beautiful skin!! You mean all I've needed to do all this time is gulp my tea down, relax in the tub or by the pool, and plaster my used tea leaves all over my face? Hey, they do it with cucumber and seaweed already!! I don't see why tea leaves shouldn't work. Or do I need to gulp down half a cup (again, no sugar added this particular time), and save the other half to pour on cotton balls to give my skin a little astringent wipe before putting whatever else I'm going to put on it, on it?

I tell you what, if we put these things to the test and they work, we've had answers right here at our fingertips all of this time (or could have) and didn't know what was good for us. Isn't that just like some of us. Well, I'm passing this on! Try some of them or all, and let me know what worked for you. Then we'll all know:)!

The tea-cha is out till next Tuesday. Catch me tomorrow for Wednesday Wisdom.

MOMMY (Caregiver/Mentor) MONDAYS (#5)

Sharing a website I think you'll love and check in on regularly (http://www.flylady.net/)

This is for anybody who cleans their home (or wants to) and wants to organize. This website will even help you organize the days you want to organize your house. I learned about it some years ago, but had forgotten about it. I stumbled across the website again today and thought I'd share it. It is really cute and incredibly helpful.

A quote from the FlyLady: "We give you the tools to help you get out of the CHAOS and find the peace and joy in your homes that you deserve."

This website has the FlyShop, a place where you can purchase some of the things talked about on the website, that will make your cleaning and organizing job easier. It even has tabs or words you can click on for tips, hints, and ideas if you're "FLYing with pre-schoolers, FLYing with homeschoolers, FLYing while pregnant, FLYing with a teenager, FLYing with a big family, etc.

I really encourage you to check this out today. Just looking over the article on "How FlyLady Uses Her Office-in-a-Bag" has me interested enough to crawl back over there. I've only read a little on this one, but I like what I see so far. I could use this idea on long road trips that we take. You can even do other "things-in-a-bag" that fit your lifestyle, hobbies, or needs.

Let's do this: If you guys have some clever organizing, cleaning, lifestyle management ideas, put them on comment under this post, so that all can see and share. I would love to have a listing of what you guys have done, so that I can try some of them out myself (although I don't need any cleaning and organizing ideas personally:) I'm almost losing control laughing at myself on that one). I know this will get one of my friends going with ideas to share. Her house is very organized and she likes doing different things in her home. I like going over to see what she's done new and next. Come on people, let's share:)

HUMOR ME SUNDAYS (#4)

A PARENT'S 10 COMMANDMENTS

I thought I'd share with you today a parent's 10 Commandments of how not to be bothered by your children at inappropriate times and how to lay down the law for them concerning things in life. You can borrow these if you like. :)

1.) Thou shalt not bother a parent when a parent is on the phone (which is when the kids like to bother parents) or the consequence will be that you will be ignored at the very least and perhaps have the parent talk to you on the other end of another phone while you talk to your friends!!

2.) Thou shalt not beg a parent for money above and beyond what you've already gotten for allowance or have been given out of the goodness of the parent's heart. The consequence will be that you work off every penny you get or you will become the borrower, we're the lender, and you have to pay back with interest. (Is that Biblical?:))

3.) Thou shalt not ask a parent if you can do something with your friends at the last minute and in front of the friend (putting us on the spot). The consequence will be that the answer is an automatic "NO."

4.) Thou shalt not tell us that you need money for school or field trips, etc. the day of. The consequence will be that you don't get to go on the field trip, and you get to stay at the school with the other kids who did the same thing and clean the school building or do extra school work by the teacher left behind that didn't want to put up with you in the first place.

5.) Thou shalt not tell the parent that you need a whole month's worth of permission slips and other things signed NOW (that have been folded or balled up in your backpack), or you'll lose grade points or get in trouble with the teacher. The consequence is that you get in trouble with and deal with the consequences spelled out by your teacher.

6.) Thou shalt not think at every point that your agenda is more important than the parents' and commands immediate attention. The consequence: A statement like..."It's not and it doesn't!"

7.) Thou shalt not roll eyes, talk back, and huff and puff when a parent is correcting or advising you. The consequence will be that you'll be huffing and puffing from the "pop" that caused your eyes to be literally rolling across the floor as we talk back to you and tell you that you'd better not do either of these 3 things again.

8.) Thou shalt not ever think of using the emergency 911 numbers on the keypad because of the above consequences. If you do, the consequence for the 911 respondent will be that they'll have to take you home with them and put up with your eye rolling, huffing and puffing, and talking back.

9.) Thou shalt be grateful for this type of upbringing. The consequence: It will make you better. Sounds like it should doesn't it?

10.) Thou shalt understand that with all these rules, we STILL LOVE YOU!!

HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY!!!

SATURDAY SHOPPING AND STUFF (#4)

I won't have time to post tomorrow, so I'm posting early for Saturday. I have a suggestion for a website that I think you'll be interested in. A lot of you have probably already heard of it, but I'm going to mention it anyway. This website will help you learn how to establish a budget, save, spend wisely, invest, teach your kids how to manage money, etc. Go to crown.org. This is a financial management website that is so user-friendly. There are tons of resources, guidelines, helps, downloads, tips, etc. here. I took a Crown class at church and it has proven to be invaluable to me and my family. We are now on our way to being debt-free (we've still got a little way to go, but are on track) and learning how to manage our finances overall better. One of our teen sons has taken the Crown teens class and we think that will prove invaluable to him too. We're looking forward to having a class with the girls. Crown takes the fear and apprehension out of trying to get control over finances. This subject is not comfortable for most of us, but it seems more uncomfortable when we actually have to put a plan in practice. Crown makes it much easier, and once you see that it works, you're motivated to keep going. Crown has all kinds of ways to get control from the old-fashioned pencil and paper method to using software and the internet. It's up to you. Do it with your spouse, children, aging parents, friends who may need help and financial accountability, etc. You'll be so glad you did. God will be honored too, that you learned how to spend and invest His money wisely. You did know it was His didn't you?:)



Spend wisely this Saturday!!