For the longest time, we have kept a bar of our Java Scrub soap near the kitchen sink. The coffee soap was great for removing odors from our hands while cooking. Smells from foods like onions, fish, and garlic were gone with a quick wash. It was great! Then we learned from a friend of ours, who also does a lot of aromatherapy work with her spa clients, that the caffeine in the coffee soap can also reduce cellulite. A bar of Java Scrub soap was immediately carried to the shower. Approximately 85% of all women have some cellulite on their bodies; that lumpy, bumpy, cottage cheese look just under the skin. It occurs more frequently in older women or larger women, but even those with low body fat can usually find some cellulite. Dr Ava Shamban, who owns the Laser Institute for Dermatology and European Skin Care in Santa Monica, Calif., states that cellulite "is a structural problem. It's not only the fat, but it has to do with the connective tissue. The connective tissue acts as a mesh to keep the fat close to the legs, which happens for men, but not so well for women. So, in women, sometimes this connective mesh opens up and the fat bulges out. That gives you the cellulite." (http://www.cbsnews.com “Caffeine is Latest Cellulite Weapon”) The theory behind the benefit of caffeine is that it will increase your metabolism, which will reduce fat. The caffeine also will reduce some of the swelling or edema of the fat cells by drawing out water, making your skin smoother. Other reports suggest that the benefits of the caffeine in soaps or creams can be enhanced by massaging and rubbing the needed areas. This breaks up the fat cells and decreases the lumps and bumps even faster. Our Java Scrub soap contains real coffee grounds which, aside from being exfoliating, can aid in this massaging process. Still one more benefit of the Java Scrub lies again with its caffeine content. Just like drinking a cup of coffee, showering with coffee soap gives you that morning pick me up. Inhaling that great coffee scent will help wake you up in the morning and also can provide the afternoon boost without having to drink a cup of coffee. So, head on over to www.glynnesoaps.com and pick up some coffee soap for you and all your friends. It’s benefits are far reaching. Jenn soapmaker@glynnesoaps.com

These days, it seems like the term “anti-bacterial” is on the labels of many of our cleaning products and soaps. Is this really necessary? What are the effects on the wider environment? We seem to be really fixated on bacteria. Without a doubt, there are bad bacteria out there, but there are also many kinds of good bacteria that we couldn't live without. There are approximately 182 strains of bacteria that live on your skin, and most of them are helpful. Think of them as an added layer of defense against germs. Repeated washing, especially with anti-bacterial soap strips your body of this defense mechanism. For example, there is at least one type of bacteria whose job is to help moisturize the skin. Anti-bacterial soap will kill these bacteria, causing your skin to dry out. The next time you go to use your anti-bacterial soap, read the label. Some anti-bacterial soaps contain MIT (methylisothiazolinone), which some studies have found to be allergenic and linked to nerve cell death. Another anti-bacterial chemical commonly used is Triclosan. This chemical is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as being a pesticide and is believed to destroy fragile aquatic ecosystems. So, not only is it bad for your skin, as it runs out of your shower and into the water supply it is very dangerous to the environment. While anti-bacterial chemicals do play a role in professional health settings, they are not necessary in your home. Not only do they kill the good bacteria, but with overuse, harmful bacteria can become resistant. The best thing you can do for your skin and the environment is to use a good all natural soap, like those found on our website www.glynnesoaps.com . Not only will you be clean, but your skin will be softer and the environmental impact is very low. Feel free to e-mail me with your questions. If I don't know the answer, I promise to work hard to find you the answer. Jenn Soapmaker@glynnesoaps.com

At Glynne’s Soaps we pride ourselves on being environmentally friendly. We do all we can to recycle. In our home and business, we only use products that are all natural and biodegradable. We compost what we can. We are also great fans of Freecycle, where people can give away things to someone who can use them instead of sending them to the landfill. We were surprised to see how much our weekly trash output was reduced when we began a concerted effort to recycle and compost. I read something the other day concerning recycling that made me stop and think. It said that people who have piles and piles of recycling every week and think they are doing a great thing for the environment are not 100% correct. Yes, recycling is important, but it is the third step in the mantra “Reduce, reuse, recycle” and some folks rarely consider the first two steps. The first and most important step is to reduce. Do we really need all the things we buy? Can we give preference to products that have less packaging? Is it something we can make or fix ourselves instead of purchasing? Secondly is reuse. Reusing items is even better for the environment than recycling because it eliminates the processing that has to happen to turn an old item into a useable new item. It also eliminates the need for the transportation of items from a recycling drop off center to the processing plant. Gayle and I have been very successful reusing discarded items. We built a bar from an old door that was being discarded (it is very ornate and beautiful). Our favorite chairs are chairs that were on their way to being discarded. We reworked them to create comfortable seating for us. It was easy and fun, but most importantly, we are doing our part to protect our environment for the generations that will follow. Some good websites with ideas on reusing are: www.freecycle.org www.neighBORROW.com www.reuseitnetwork.org www.recyclethis.co.uk Recycling should be the last step in the process. Only after all other options for reducing and reusing have been exhausted should recycling be chosen. The goal should be less recycling and less trash. So, before you just throw something in the recycling bin, try to come up with a way to reuse it or give it away. Jenn soapmaker@glynnesoaps.com

Most people know how to protect themselves from the winter cold, but did you know that your best friend also needs special care during the icy months? Here are a few things that you can do to keep your furry friend safe and healthy during the winter. 1. Going back and forth from the warm, dry house to the cold wet yard can cause dry itchy skin. You can minimize the effects by keeping your house humidified, drying your pet off when they come in from outside, and using a soap that is good for dry skin. Lavender and Eucalyptus are two oils that will relieve itchy skin. 2. Regular brushing can get rid of dead hair and stimulate blood flow close to the skin, both of which will help keep the skin from getting dry. 3. Pets burn extra energy to keep warm, sometimes causing dehydration. Make sure your pet has plenty to drink during the winter 4. Don’t forget the feet! Rubbing petroleum jelly on your pet’s pads before going outside will protect them from the ice and salt and any other chemicals on the road. And drying their feet each time they come inside will also combat the stinging and irritation from the ice and cold. 5. If it is too cold for you, it’s most likely too cold for them. Keep outside exposure to a minimum during the cold winter months. Remembering these few simple tips can help you and your pet to have a fun, safe winter season.