Spirited Woman Blogger Team

No More Scented Products!

I love good smelling products. I spend countless hours a year opening and closing shampoo bottles in Duane Reade (a drugstore chain in New York), just to get a good whiff! But did you know that laundry detergents, soap, shampoo/conditioner, moisturizer and lip balm, can be dangerous to your health?

Dozens if not hundreds of synthetic chemicals go into these fragrances! Here are just a few examples:

1. Phthalates -- Endocrine disruptors that cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems.
2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that affect the neurological and respiratory systems and are carcinogenic;
3. Synthetic musks - which may also be endocrine disruptors and additionally, are persistent chemicals that remain in the environment and contaminate marine mammals.

If you’re thinking, naaaa, that can't be -- some overqualified government agency must test the products before allowing the public to be exposed to them -- think again. Advance safety testing is not required before products go to market. Even worse, it’s not even helpful to check product labels because the composition of some fragrances are considered a brand secret and kept confidential.

Even the products that are marked "unscented" don’t necessarily mean a thing. All “unscented” means is that the product doesn't have a “scented” smell! It could very well contain a "masking" fragrance that neutralizes the natural smell of all the other ingredients.

So, rather than guess which products are safe, use these tips!

- Mix water, white vinegar and baking soda for cleaning. And if soap is a MUST, try Castile soap.
- Open the windows! Get rid of nasty air fresheners!
- Refer to the Guide to Less Toxic Products for a list of fragrance free and safe products.
- Check Skin Deep, the Environmental Working Group's cosmetic safety database, to see if your favorite personal care products are safe! They also offer great alternatives for products that don’t make the cut.
- Be SURE that the words "fragrance" or "parfum" don’t appear in the ingredient list of cosmetics.

And finally, use fewer or eco-friendly cosmetics and reduce your use of perfume. (Personally, I can’t give up my Joe Malone perfume!)

- Elaine LaPersonerie - www.winkpr.com

Click here for more of Elaine's posts.

My Night With Spirited Woman Carly Simon

Living in NYC brings so many amazing opportunities - often last minute. But if you are quick to the punch, you end up in the middle of some unforgettable moments. And Thursday night I had one of those moments.

I got wind of a private concert for about 150 people at a lounge in the meatpacking district featuring the one and only Carly Simon. The event, part of the Tribeca Film Festival was to celebrate the recent winner of the You're So Vain video contest. The contest called on filmmakers from all over the world to make a video of her 1973 hit You're So Vain.

Carly had pre-recorded some video against a green screen that filmmakers were to incorporate into their video. Before handing over a $10,000 check to the winner, Brett Bisagno, Carly reminded the audience that You're So Vain had never had a music video before. You can see Brett's winning video here!

Carly was joined on stage by Ben Taylor (her son by musician James Taylor), musician and godson John Forte (from the Fujis) and David Saw. Together they sang Hard-Headed Woman, a song Taylor said he learned from his dad. Also accompanying Carly on stage for one song was her sister and Tony nominated composer, Lucy Simon. Together they sang a song Lucy wrote, Wynken, Blynken and Nod for the first time in twenty years. Lucy was described by Carly as the "guitar player in the family" but beyond that, her voice, completely different than Carlys was also just as beautiful.

To wrap up the night, Carly brought out her guitar, invited anyone who "knew the words to this one" to hop on stage with her and sing along to You're So Vain. 

The crowd went totally wild and as I looked on stage, inspired and grateful all I could think was "wow, I love my life and I love NYC".

To see all of the You're So Vain video entries visit www.carlysimon.com. 

- Elaine LaPersonerie - www.winkpr.com
Click here for more of Elaine's posts.

Subconsciously & Surprisingly Greener

I’ve done tons of research about becoming greener to learn what changes to incorporate in my life; everything from what to eat, recycle, eliminating plastic bags and bottles, getting around, the clothes I buy and how to conserve on bills. Initially, I thought I’d have to practice these tips religiously because in adapting a new lifestyle, I'd need to be reminded of certain do's and dont'ts.

Well today, I had some unbelievable realizations that I want to share. None of these situations were planned or calculated in an effort to be greener. But what I’ve learned is that being green is much easier than I thought or all of this green talk is subconsciously working!

I haven’t turned my TV on in nine days. Of course, I’ve lost every show I like because my DVR is so backed up, but again, I haven’t watched TV in nine days! That means I’ve conserved electricity and saved my brain from hours of useless information and entertainment. I have just been so busy that I have not had a moment to watch TV!

I spent an hour at the supermarket last night – I love shopping in the rain! I found myself reading labels and making sure none of the foods I was buying contained any chemicals or soy lecithin. In addition, I go straight for the organic eggs, milk, meat and cheese like I’m programmed to know no different! Even the Gala apples which are in two separate bins next to each other, one organic and one non-organic, don’t drive me nuts. Organic all the way, even at forty eight cents more! 

Your GREEN Guide to Bug Spray

I can’t complain that the weather in NYC is getting warmer! But I have to complain about some part of it. BUGS! With the sunshine and bronzed skin comes the creepy crawlies - mosquitoes, gnats, green flies, yuck. And to make matters worse, I have “that” skin – the kind all bugs want to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon eating.

Bug sprays generally work at least for a few minutes. But have you ever thought – what am I actually putting on my skin? Nope, me either. Crazy enough – I’m almost okay saying I would put ANYTHING on my skin as long as the bugs stay away! The majority of insect repellent brands being sold today contain the chemical DEET, or N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, as it is chemically known, as their active ingredient. There are currently about 40 companies manufacturing over 140 brands of insect repellent containing DEET in the USA. These repellents can be found with varying percentages of the pesticide, and generally, the greater the amount, the greater the potential for harmful effects. DEET has also been shown to have a negative impact on wildlife and water sources in production and during use. DEET is toxic to birds and aquatic life and has been found in approximately 75 percent of U.S. water sources, including the Mississippi River.

DEET has been linked to Parkinson’s Disease, frequent headaches, respiratory issues and loss of memory and children are at greater risk because of their skin’s ability to absorb chemicals. Although the US Environmental Protection Agency has researched and argues that DEET is safe, there has not been much testing about the long term use of insect repellent.

Throw Those Plastic Water Bottles Away!

I've been noticing lately how many people are still drinking out of plastic water bottles and not yet comfortable drinking tap water. In NYC (where I live), tap water is known to be safe so New Yorkers, put down the plastic!

First off, drinking tap water is so much better for the planet than buying bottled. If you aren't sure how safe your tap water is, start with a visit to the Environmental Working Group's website to see how your state's water rates. You will find out a ton of useful information about possible contaminants which will allow you to buy a filtration system accordingly. If your water gets good marks and your biggest concern is the omnipresent chlorine (added to keep the water from picking up contaminants as it travels through municipal pipes), try filling a pitcher and letting it sit, uncovered, on the counter overnight. The chlorine will evaporate - and later, when you stash it in the fridge a (covered) pitcher of water saves energy by helping to regulate temperature. That alone will not only cut down on the cost of buying bottled water BUT will also help you save electricity, lower your monthly overhead a touch.

If you are debating a water filtration system for your home, here are some facts that might help you make a quicker decision.

1. A system will help filter over 500 dangerous contaminants from your water including bacteria, mercury, lead, arsenic and chlorine (to name a few).
2. You are protecting yourself from getting sick from bacteria and chemicals in your water.
3. Your children will not be at risk for developing mental or physical problems caused by lead poisoning. 
4. You will have taken steps to protect yourself and family from heart disease, cancer, gastrointestinal illness and even death caused by bacteria, heavy metals and minerals.
5. Your water will have no odor, be cloudy or smell and will not leave rust stains on fixtures or clothing.

General principal states that you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. With those nutritional guidelines, find a way to make water affordable and safe to drink at home. Come on, you are a Spirited Woman, you can do this!

- Elaine LaPersonerie - www.winkpr.com
Click here for more of Elaine's posts.

Spirited Woman Earth Day Challenge

Earth Day, April 22, was founded in 1970 to help raise awareness about the Earth’s environment. This year, Earth Day celebrates its 40th Anniversary! There are a TON of things you can do to make our Earth a healthier place EVERYDAY but I want to put you to the test on April 22! Join me in the “Spirited Woman Earth Day Challenge” and live one full day completely Earth conscious. You have a little over two weeks to actually make this happen. Do you think you have what it takes?

In order to give yourself an Earth Day pat-on-the-back, you must adhere to ALL of these rules on April 22, 2010. Good luck!

Eat an organic breakfast, lunch & dinner and/or use ingredients grown at a local farm.
Cut your shower time in half.
Brush your teeth but DO NOT leave the water running for more than 5 seconds. (morning & night).
Pack a brown bag lunch for work.
Carpool to the office, ride your bike or walk.
Do not purchase or use ANY plastic water bottles. Pre-order a Klean Kanteen if you must!
Do not consume any beverage served in a plastic or Styrofoam single serve container.
Snack on REAL food – nothing processed or packaged!
Do not use paper plates or plastic cutlery.
While at work, don’t print any unnecessary emails.
Do not accept ANY plastic bags from retails stores.This means BRING YOUR OWN CANVAS TOTE!
Share your Earth Day Challenge and the rules with at least FIVE friends – Facebook, Twitter, Blog, whatever!
Edit your email signature to include an important “eco-statistic” to help educate others about the Earth.
Don’t run the water while doing the dishes.
Conserve electricity and only light the room you are in.

This is super easy and can be managed with a little thought and preparation. And just think – if we all followed these simple rules, even once a year, we would be conserving so much “Earth." I will let you know how well I mastered the Spirited Woman Earth Day Challenge and hope you will update me on your success too!

- Elaine LaPersonerie - www.winkpr.com
Click here for more of Elaine's posts.

Find Your Green Thumb!

Mother Nature finally delivered a nice gift - SPRING! She is finally here (although we are going on three days of rain in New York) and everyone is looking forward to warmer weather on the East Coast. One of my green resolutions for spring is to grow some herbs. I never planted or managed my own garden -- I've only picked vegetables from my parents' garden when I was very young. And of course then, I didn't appreciate it because I wasn't much of a vege lover.

I've done a little bit of investigating to see which herbs would survive New York spring/summer weather. I've tried to find some that are easy to care for so I can avert all possibilities of killing them! First, I was happy to learn that herbs don't need a lot of space. So, I could grow them indoors over the winter if this herb thing spreads like wildfire and I become obsessed.

This spring, I'm going to create a little garden area in the backyard at my parents' house out East. Thyme, Parsley, Sage and Basil are generally the best to start with because they don't require a lot of care or water - only good soil and sun. So, that's where I'm starting. Herbs like lavender, chamomile and lemon balm should be considered once you've toned your green thumb!

Pick a spot that gets a lot of sun several hours a day (about four hours) and if you can try and protect your herbs from wind by planting them near a fence, wall or other shrubbery. If it's easier for you however, start your herb garden in some potted plants near the outside door so you can access them easily when you're cooking. If you want to stick with indoor plants, you can use plastic containers and keep them on a window sill. Plant them in well-drained soil after loosing up the garden bed and only water them when the soil looks naturally dry. Fertilizers are not necessary.

If you have kids, this is such a fun activity to do with them too. Give them their own herbs to grow and care for and then season their favorite foods with them -- french fries, spaghetti and chicken! Kids love to watch things grow! I would love to hear what spirited women around the world are doing in your garden and hope you will send some gardening advice my way.

Happy Planting & Happy Spring!

- Elaine LaPersonerie - www.winkpr.com
Click here for more of Elaine's posts.

Weight, What?

It's happened to me a few times. I've come face to face with a star and they are shorter or taller than I ever envisioned. We generally see our favorite celebrities on television, film or in magazines so it's often hard to get a read on how these people appear in person. I dug up some information about our favorite stars - I bet some of this will amaze you! It's no big surprise that women who look ultra thin on-screen also look thin in person. But more than the weight, the heights are what surprised me the most! For example, Jessica Simpson is 5'2, wow! I guess I know now why she designed a collection of high heels! And Beyonce, who I met a few weeks ago (read my post!) and is 5'5 and 130 lbs looked healthy and amazing!

Jessica actually appeared on Oprah a few weeks ago to talk about her new show, The Price of Beauty and discussed all of the backlash she got from the above photo taken in January 2009 at an event in Florida. Tabloids and press were obsessed with the "Did Jessica Get Fat?" story but she revealed to Oprah that those jeans were only a size 6!

Remember, don't let the numbers below fool you or trick your mind into thinking you are not healthy, etc. Thankfully, most of us are not on television and can afford the luxury of some sweets here and there! We all want to look good but it is important to FEEL good too. So rather than skimp on our meals, make sure they are balanced and include great sources of protein, fiber, vegetables and healthy carbs. Don't let the scale mess with your mind - your body needs to store some healthy fats in order to function properly.

But have some fun with this and share your thoughts! Are you surprised by any of these stats? Weights or heights?

Hollywood Heartache

I was absolutely so excited for Sandra Bullock and her Oscar win. I thought The Blind Side was inspirational, heartwarming and victorious. Her performance was stellar; I think she deserved the win completely. She accepted her first Oscar in a stunning Marchesa gown and her husband, Jesse James was in the audience glistening and teary eyed. He seemed genuinely happy for her. In that moment, she had the world in her hands.

And now - what a shame to hear that her husband was reportedly cheating on her while she was on location filming The Blind Side. The same film that brought her so much joy has now turned up potentially costing her marriage. I hear so many stories about people achieving great success and almost instantly suffering from some kind of big failure shortly after. Is this life's way of keeping us in check? Making us stronger for the next challenge?

I think so. It is the only practical explanation for such disappointment. However, after achieving the highest honor in film, I know Sandra is equipped with the strength and determination to get through this. She should look at that golden statue everyday and be reminded of her resilience and determination! It came out a few days ago that she canceled her UK press tour of The Blind Side because she was not in the right head space to make appearances. Oh, really?

On a broader scale, it's heartbreaking to keep hearing about all of these Hollywood break ups. When are celebrities going to figure out that love affairs and marriages are NOT Hollywood tales! Yesterday, the press revealed that Kate Winslet, who has been separated from her husband Sam Mendes has also decided to call it quits permanently. They are going down one by one and it's really so sad!

Every woman - celebrity or not - needs to be independent and learn about her partner before getting into a committed relationship! It is important that even though you are feeling head over heels in love, that you remain wise. Sandra'a story is a reminder that anything can happen in love. We need to keep our hearts open but our minds strong!

- Elaine LaPersonerie - www.winkpr.com
Click here for more of Elaine's posts.

Eco Easter Egg Roll at the White House

What better way to spend Easter than at the White House?! Tons of lucky kids who applied early will be part of the April 5th "Easter Egg Roll" event - taking place on the White House's South Lawn. Michelle Obama coined the theme of this year's annual White House Easter Egg Roll "Ready, Set, Go!" promoting health and wellness. The event will feature cooking demos, music, sports and storytelling. And what exactly IS the "Easter Egg Roll"? It's a race where kids push an egg through the glass with a long-handed spoon.

This year's event will focus on healthy kids and going green - music to my ears! Kids will roll wooden eggs that feature vegetable oil based inks and a water based coating. Colors include pink, green, yellow, purple and will feature  a stamp of the signatures of both President Obama and the First Lady. This year's green spin is part of Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative which focuses on fighting childhood obesity. Her mission is to encourage children and parents about the importance of eating healthy and staying active. "Lets Move" aids parents with healthy eating guidelines, provides healthy menu alternatives in schools, promotes an active lifestyle and helps make sure that there are affordable healthy options available in every community.

Unfortunately, there are no more tickets left to this year's event but you can buy a souvenir egg at www.nationalparks.org for $7.50 or watch some footage from last year's event here. It's pretty darn cute I must say!

- Elaine LaPersonerie - www.winkpr.com
Click here for more of Elaine's posts.