Ingredient Highlights:  The bad, then the GREAT news!

The following chemicals have been linked to cancer, hormone and reproductive disruptions, birth defects and other problems.  Are they in your skin care or hair care products?  What about your children's shampoo or bubble bath?  Or perhaps in your cosmetics or deodorant? 

·  Isopropyl alcohol (or derivative form) is in most personal care and many food products; it can cause allergic reactions, contact dermatitis and strips the skin of its natural protection barrier.  According to Dr. Hulda Clark's research, she has found those with cancer have the chemical in their tumors.  She has observed that the growth factor ortho-phospho-tyrosine, which is considered essential for cancer to develop, cannot be made without the presence of "an abnormal solvent, propyl alcohol (or more exactly, isopropyl alcohol.)"  *
* Clark, Ph.D., N.D., Hulda Regehr.  The Cure for All Diseases.  New Century Press, 1995 (page 332).

 · Polyelthylene glycol (PEG) is found in many shampoos, facial creams, moisturizers and make-up, because it is a synthetic emollient, emulsifier and surfactant.  It can cause dry skin and aging and has been shown to contain the by-product dioxane, a known carcinogen.  It is used in oven cleaners.  (from www.drrapp.com; Doris Rapp, M.D., is an environmental medical doctor.)  

· Mono, di or tri ethanolamines (MEA, DEA and TEA) disrupt hormones and produce cancer causing substances such as nitrates and nitrosamines that are known to damage the liver and kidney.  These 'amides' are found in a variety of personal care products as synthetic surfactants.

For example, Cocamide DEA, found in shampoo and bath products, has been shown to cause liver and kidney cancer in mice.  Even if the label notes 'derived from coconut', this chemical requires the addition of a synthetic chemical and known carcinogen, Diethanolamine or DEA.  It is therefore no longer natural, or safe! **
** Chenery, Narelle.  Organic and Natural Enterprise Group Newspaper, Issue 1, 2003. 

In addition to MEA, DEA and TEA, other nitrosating agents include: 
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, Cocoyl Sarcosine, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Formaldehyde, Hydrolysed Animal Protein, Lauryl Sarcosine, Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate.

Anionic Surfactants:  Anionic refers to the negative charge these surfactants have.  They may be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.  Surfactants can pose serious health threats.  They are used in car washes, as garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers - and in 90% of personal-care products that foam.  They include:

·   Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
·   Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
·   Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
·   Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)
·   Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
·   Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
·   Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
·   Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen
·   TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate
·   TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate
·   Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine
·   Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate
·   Isodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
·   Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate, etc.
 
Now, for the good news - OK, the GREAT news!  

There is a truly natural alternative available that does not contain any of these chemicals - for that matter, all of the skin care, personal care, hair care and cosmetics products we carry are free of these and all other harmful synthetic chemicals and alcohols.  Our range is PURE and NON-TOXIC! 

We are internationally CERTIFIED ORGANIC (meaning the company has achieved third party guarantees of purity and certified organic status), as demonstrated by the logos displayed on the Website and on products.

For a Word document highlighting some of the organic and natural ingredients (and their properties) that are used in the MiessenceTM skin and body care ranges, please visit www.OptionsForHealth.net/English/faq.shtml.  Feel free to print it out for reference. 

Reminder: Lower Shipping Rates
Now you can sign up for FREE from my website and place a secure online order.  Take advantage of discounts of at least 10-20% on every order!  There is currently no sales tax and your package takes approximately 3-5 days in secure, tracked delivery.  This makes sense for most orders. 

     Online shipping rates to the U.S.:
         Up to 6.5 lbs./3 kg. $ 8.95 (this is a lot of products!)
         Over 6.5 lbs./3 kg.  $16.50
     For CANADA:  CA $12.95 and CA $23.50, respectively.   

You may still order products through me at retail prices.  I collect Maryland sales tax and a small shared shipping fee, which I have also adjusted.  This option is great if you do not have access to the online method, only want to try one or two products or place very occasional orders. 

You may print out a price list/order form at www.OptionsForHealth.net/English/products/products.shtml.

For this option, please note that I will be placing the next order on Oct. 22, so if anyone is interested please let me know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  Thanks! 

Please check www.OptionsForHealth.net for more information on discounts and joining OR feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail. 

What's in a Name?
I promised in the first issue I would let you in on a wonderful secret.  Are you ready?  Do you want to purchase products with discounts starting at 20% off retail AND get them pretty much paid for?  Well, here's how:  

1) Sign up as an Associate/Independent Representative with Business Protection or Autoship (or upgrade if you are currently a Preferred Customer); 

2) Then, share your story and satisfaction with the products with friends, relatives, co-workers, customers and/or clients; and 

3) Encourage three of them to also sign up as Representatives on a monthly order, and you can qualify for a share of the 25% Loyalty Pool bonus - currently at approximately $70-75 USD per month!  This means if you do the business part-time, with just three Reps on a monthly order, who purchase at least 51 PV points or more in a month, you qualify for this bonus and get your monthly order of products PAID FOR!  It's really that simple.  Plus, you may qualify for additional bonuses!   

A lot of people are taking advantage of this opportunity.  It's a great reason to share your success with the products with others.  You promote the organic industry, the wonderful products AND earn a bonus each month that pays you back for your efforts and allows you to buy certified organic skin, hair, personal care and cosmetics products for yourself and your family or friends.  Please e-mail or call me if you'd like to learn more.  Absolutely no obligation and absolutely free information!    Ronit@OptionsForHealth.net 

In the News: 

Options For HealthTM made a splash in September, with three ads in the holistic Pathways Magazine.  Check out page 144 for our display ad, page 150 for our Resource Directory listing and page 154 for our Classified.  Pathways Magazine may be found at hundreds of locations in the greater DC area, including Food Co-ops, My Organic Market, Whole Foods, universities, the Village Green (formerly the Apothecary), health food shops and lots of other places.  If you have trouble finding one, just let me know and I’ll send one to you.