Contest from Mama Beads and Baby Baubles

Amy Martin from Mama Beads and Baby Baubles is celebrating her 1 year anniversary in business and is hosting a contest including MBBB and 14 other small business mamas.  Check out the contest before it's over for one of 14 chances to win!  Included in the contest is a prize of 2 deodorants and 3 lip balms, a great kick off gift for a newbie or a refill set for a current customer.

Earth Day 2015

So, it sounds corny, but especially since I am a day late here, EVERY DAY is Earth Day at Barefoot Body!!  The other day, my daughter looked at me, very excited and exclaimed, with raised eyebrows and sudden inspiration, "Mommy!  You should start a business!!"  To which I replied, "Oh, honey.  I did."  But I didn't start a business for the same reason most people do.  To make money.  Get ready for more corny.  Money is nice.  My husband would really like for this to turn a profit, but that's not why I did it.  I started a business to make a difference.  And to start a conversation about how certain aspects of our every day life can be different.  From the deodorant we put on to what we are washing down the drain to the re-usability of materials and recyclability of materials.  So, Earth Day (or, ahem, the day after) seems like a fitting time to highlight that conversation and the difference each of us can make through pretty simple choices.  So, let's begin at the beginning.

People often are interested in my logo and name and what it all means.  I like that it can be read different ways but that also lends it to being misinterpreted.  The name is not Bare Body, though I do like to think we are using the bare minimum on our bodies which is good.  The name is Barefoot Body for a reason.  And it has little to do with feet.  Being barefoot puts you in direct contact with the earth.  You are grounded and connected when you are barefoot.  Think of that feeling of your feet on soft grass, or even better, soft sand.  In those moments, you are one with the earth.  The decisions we make are also connected to the earth, in fact everything is interconnected.  Decisions we make impact other people, plants, the water, the air we breathe.  So, make good decisions.  Decisions you can be proud of and smile about all day long.

When I started this journey (not realizing, of course, that I was on a journey) on Pinterest, I found a homemade deodorant for a cream that you could make in a glass jar.  Glass is good.  I love glass.  I don't really like plastic.  But when it comes to deodorant, I wasn't interested at the time in a cream I would spread with my fingers.  Maybe that's just me, but it's true.  Later, I found a recipe for a deodorant I could pour into a plastic container.  At this point, I had no idea a person could purchase deodorant containers and only thought of the re-usability factor of my current deodorant container.  I looked at this container in a whole new light.  Just as it had never occurred to me that a person could make deodorant, I had definitely never thought to refill a twist up container.  I was now looking at lots of things around my house in a new or renewed light.  Lip balm, pump containers, every empty container that had been recycled in the past.  Why not!

So, I reuse containers for my personal use.  I still haven't used the Barefoot Body containers for deodorant yet, because I've refilled my old Tom's and Kiss My Face containers in rotation for the last year.  Likewise, when I mix my own body butter, I put it into the shea butter container that laid empty after making a recipe.  Lip balm.  Same.  Mouthwash.  Ditto.  Bug Spray and #2 Spray, you betcha!

And, here's the fun part.  You can too!  I do not reuse one person's container for a different person.  So, do know that if you choose to go this route, you will only get your same container back.  If you drop off or send me your container, I will refill it for your next purchase.  This can be a barefoot body container, or your old deodorant, mouthwash, lip balm, or jar.

And, if you're not interested in going the reuse route, do know that containers can be recycled through Terracycle's Beauty Brigade.  Naturalistic in Hatboro, PA participates in this program and as I've been getting products on the shelves of new retail locations, I've been telling them about the Terracycle Beauty Brigade program also.  So, if you can't bring yourself to re-use, save up your stuff and drop it off in the Terracycle Beauty Brigade box at Naturalistic and know that you're reducing the waste stream a little bit by having the plastics crafted into neato products.

Other low impact decisions.  Our handle bags are made of 95% post consumer 5% post industrial kraft on the inside and white on the outside.  The white is inked on post consumer kraft.  Our business cards are made from recycled pulp kraft paper and are recyclable (though I'd prefer you just keep passing them around if you're otherwise planning to throw it out :).  And, I highly encourage that you shop with a re-usable bag when at a farmer's market or event but I'm also happy with my bags to provide you with one.  When you're done with your bag, if you see me again, bring back the bag.  I'll totally re-use those again and again!

Yesterday we got a catalog sent to the Barefoot Body Shipping Department Manager.  My husband about died laughing and asked if he was the shipping manager.  I asked where we should make the "shipping department".  He indicated the hefty stack of boxes in the office would be a good corner for that.  But in all seriousness.  So far, I have been fortunate that I've been able to solely re-use boxes for shipping purposes.  I remove all prior labels and send them away.  My mother works at an eye doctor's office and I've found that eyeglass shipping boxes are the perfect size for single deodorants.  I also re-use packing material and filler when needed.  But when that is done, I plan to utilize shredded paper as any fill.  Did I mention that you can bring packing peanuts that are inadvertently sent your way to UPS?!  Any cardboard that doesn't end up in our "shipping department" gets cut into strips and composted in our backyard.

So, those are just a few of the steps I've taken to try to minimize my footprint.  What are some steps you take every day in this direction?  Share in the comments below if you are so inclined.  Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Removing Coffee Scrub Stain From Carpet

This morning, I learned how to remove a coffee scrub stain from the carpet.

Step 1: Don't tell Jeff (especially as he is sleeping)
Step 2: Wet a cloth in warm water and blot/wet the area.  Don't rub (or scrub).
Step 3: Mix 1 Tbs. dish soap, 1 Tbs. vinegar and 2 C. warm water, wet a cloth in the solution and lay over the stain.  Take the back of a spoon and smooth over the cloth to press down into the stain.
Step 4: Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Step 5: Wet a cloth and blot the area again.
Step 6: Apply a dry cloth to soak in any moisture from the area.
Step 7: Put coffee scrub container in a plastic bag.
Step 8: Do NOT put gym bag on a carpeted area.
Step 9: Consider washing gym bag tonight.
Step 10: Go to the gym.

Part of the reason I haven't yet pursued scrubs is because of their oily leakiness.  The containers I put them in for gifts seemed to seep oil out onto the twine I wrapped around the lid and my personal pickle jar has (obviously) not proven much better.  If you have thoughts on a water (really oil) tight container, please share!  I'd like to offer these as I have been incredibly pleased with the results but I don't want to leave anyone with a mess to clean up.  Though if you find yourself in that position, see the steps above.

Here are 3 Reasons to Make Coffee a Part of Your Skincare Routine.  The recipe at the bottom isn't exactly what I used but as you can see it is super SIMPLE to make this yourself.  Give it a go!  I've found that washing my face with an oil based scrub doesn't leave my face oily.  As you might assume it would, right?  I've learned our bodies are defiant little buggers.  Whatever you want to take away, your body will just overproduce it right back.  A lot like a five year old.  So, take oil, for example.  When I wash my face with soap or astringent, my skin either ends up oily after a while or really dry.  What do you do when it's dry?  Apply moisturizer, which might leave you oily.  When I first made this scrub, I considered it for rough patches, heels, elbows, knees, etc.  But I didn't consider it for my face.  Only when people came back and told me how much they LOVED it for their face did I try it.  And then I researched oil based washing.  I was floored by what I learned!  When I wash with oil, my skin is no longer fighting with me.  I don't have to moisturize.  My skin is soft and smooth and lovely.  And the coffee makes for a natural exfoliating agent.  I'm not a coffee drinker, but I love the smell.  And coffee ice cream.  It's a great wake you up in the morning.  I've been alternating with a rosemary mint sugar scrub and the mint is also quite invigorating.  Do you use a scrub?  Share what your experience has been like!

Here's hoping you don't have any carpet stains this morning!!

Lip Balm

And now introducing our lip balm!  For now, I am starting out with Peppermint and Grapefruit Mango, but I am planning to add the following SOON!

• Bare
• Mint Chocolate Chip
• Chocolate (maybe)
• Vanilla
• Lavender (maybe)

I've been asked by one of the retailers I work with to create a Lysine Lip Balm for sufferers of cold sores and I think it is do-able so that will be coming soon too!

Lip Balm as well as all of our products are available on Etsy and right here on this blog through PayPal.  Additionally, many of our items are available at the following retailers:

• Naturalistic in Hatboro, PA
• Doylestown Food Co-op in Doylestown, PA
• Enlightened Path Holistic Center in Pottstown, PA
• Artisan Marketplace in Southampton, PA

Please consider visiting and patronizing a local retailer!  And ask them about Barefoot Body while you are there!

As always, if you have questions about any of our products or special needs, you can always message me about ordering as well!  Be well and keep those lips happy!  

Glitchy Buttons

If you attempted to place an order online using the paypal buttons to the right, please email me at barefootbodybrand@gmail.com .  At least one person reported that they used the button to place an order and it did not work.  At the time, it looked like a bunch of glitchy code (which is probably why it wasn't working).  Either way, please email me directly if this applies to you.  Thank you!

A Fun Experiment

It has been requested that I add other scent options for our BFB # 2 spray.  I wasn't sure it could be done, but after some test kitchen experiments and test bathroom experiments (TMI?) I can confirm that our #2 spray is now available in peppermint, for the holidays!  Lavender and Fragrance Free (I plan to call that one "Silent But Deadly") will be available just as soon as a shipment of more spray bottles arrives, which should be coming this week.  PayPal and Etsy are both updated to reflect these new scent options.

Everyone Poops

It's true,

And now, there is a spray for that!  Ever wish your poo didn't stink?  Or smelled citrus-y fresh?  Now it can!  Currently under the name BFB #2, you can prep your potty and leave the mystery behind.  As with just about everything else I have made so far, this was suggested by a BFB Facebook community member.  As she said, "It's all about less stink!"  I had some ingredients on hand and was able to pick up the rest while grocery shopping on Sunday evening.  I mixed it Sunday night and went to bed.  Eating a mostly vegetarian, high fiber diet, I had the opportunity to personally test this product the next morning (and each morning since!) and it works like a charm.  Based on the Facebook discussion, I had six willing volunteers before lunchtime, mixed more on Tuesday and got it to some of them on Wednesday morning.  So far, feedback is good and I feel confident enough to add this one to our PayPal button and Etsy Page (what's that?  You didn't know we had n Etsy page?  Well, get excited because that hit the inter-webs yesterday too!). Pricing will be the same as other prays so if you get to PayPal before I do, you can order the same size as hairspray and write a note that you would *actually* like BFB #2.  I have two friends who had told me about a product called "Poo-pouri" in the past.  Seemed a little silly to me.  Unnecessary, what's the big deal?  It's just poop. But NOW I'm a believer!  And based on feedback so far, many of you see a NEED for this in your bathroom at home or work.  Better yet, it is hitting the virtual shelves in time for a little holiday shopping and who wouldn't appreciate some BFB #2 in their stocking?  Speaking of "Poo-pouri," have you seen this commercial?  Awesome.  But expensive.  In keeping in line with the pricing of all our sprays, a 4 oz. bottle will be $10 and a 2 oz. bottle will be $5.  Compare that to $9.99 for a 2 oz. bottle of theirs.  That's right.  We are HALF the cost!  I am experimenting to see if I can make a fragrance free version for those sensitive to scent.  I have a theory but I haven't tried it yet.  Perhaps it could be called Silent But Not Deadly.  As with other products, these bottles will also be eligible for a refill discount.  More coming soon on a naming contest for this bad boy and results ARE coming soon from our last naming contest.  As always, if you have any questions about what might work best for you, you can always email: barefootbodybrand@gmail.com .