Watching the news this morning I saw a segment on these Girl Scouts Boycott Selling Cookies.

I think it is great that these young girls are taking a stand for what they believe in. But as a Natural Mom and a soapmaker it is making me think.

Palm Oil is a major ingredient for many cold processed soap. I know I haven’t hit much on this topic, but it’s coming promise. I try to buy all natural organic products for my soap making. I buy in quantity to cut down on packaging. I thought I was doing my part.

What I failed to consider is where my ingredients are coming from. I know that some expensive essential oils are expensive because they come from sources that are endangered or hard to grow in an organic method, but I never took into consideration the fixed oils.

Going green and natural is a global effort as well as a household one. Look not just into what you are doing, but where your products come from as well. I am going to do a bit of research on Palm Oil and will get back to you on this product and possible alternatives that are environmentally friendly.

On my visit to the local mega mart this past week, I couldn’t help but notice how everything was turning “green”. I had noticed before I even left that the flyer for that week had contained 6 pages of green products. That impressed me, so I decided to have a closer look.

While I was roaming the isles I noticed the new cleaning product, Green Works by Clorox, sitting proudly next to the traditional cleaners. They also have started offering more Seventh Generation products as well. Remember the good ole days when we had to go to the health food store to find these?

Other traditional lines are starting to offer green products as well. There are now Dishwasher cleaning products that are toted as less harmful to the environment. And new hand dish washing liquids with natural ingredients as well. Laundry detergents offer perfume and dye free options, and I even noticed one with baking soda.

These are great products that I saw at a glance, I didn’t take the time to read the labels to all the products. But this is a must if you are going to be purchasing. I did read the Green Works label and was impressed that I could identify every ingredient that was listed.

Remember even if it says that it is environmentally friendly you need to read the label. Check those ingredients and be sure that you aren’t being pulled into what is becoming a popular trend. Having a bottle on your counter that says you are green is great, actually using all natural products may be a bit different.

Baking soda is not just for baking. Have you ever heard of washing your hair with a little baking soda and then rinsing it with cider vinegar? Here are 10 ways you can care for your home and body with Baking Soda.

1. Exfoliate your skin – Baking soda is a good way to remove dead skin cells from your face and body for an all over glow. A word of caution: If you use it on your face be gentle; as with any exfoliating scrub.

2. Deodorize your sinks and keep them free flowing – Pour a little baking soda down the drain, let it sit for about 5 minutes and run hot water for another 2 or 3 minutes for a fresh smelling good running sink. Do this once per week.

3. Brush your teeth – Baking soda is an excellent whitener and mouth freshener. Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.

4. You can use baking soda to put out both grease and electrical fires as well fires on clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.

5. If you have a kitty like me then I am sure you want the freshest smelling litter box. Who wants a smelly house. Add baking soda to the litter when you clean and it will keep the odor away.

6. You can apply soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.