The Handmade Soap Blog

Do you Facebook?

I have had a Facebook account for quiet a while, but it wasn't until this year that I really figured it out and spent more time on it. Now of course I am hooked! I love communicating with my family, friends, and fellow crafters. I swear I learn something new each day!

I also recently set up a Fan Page for Pixie Soap over on Facebook. In order to name my url I needed to get 100 fans. So, what better way then to invite everyone and hold a raffle when I hit 100. And woot woot, I did!!

Here is a photo of all the lovely fans of mine all put in a bowl: (an awesome square bowl I purchased from Montezumamudd:

 

Mind you, I actually had to give away two bars of free soap because both children wanted to draw a name. :)

So, please feel free to become a fan. I am offering 10% off till 9/19 for all fans, go check details on my Facebook Fan Page.

Pixie Soap on Facebook

What exactly is EGCG? - A blog post I had on the EGCG Blog

Here is a blog post I did for my Etsy Street Team - The Etsy Green and Clean Guild. I thought I would share it here also:

For the longest time, whenever I thought of EGCG, to me it meant the Etsy Green and Clean Guild. This Guild is a fabulous group of skilled crafters over on Etsy who joined together to promote quality handmade bath and body products.

After many months of mentally succumbing to my world around me, in my steps to “get myself back on track” I have discovered a different EGCG, epigallacatechin gallate whose abbreviated term is also EGCG. This EGCG, in technical terms, is an ester of epigallacatechin and gallic acid and a type of catechin. In simple terms, it is a very potent antioxidant abundantly found in green tea and other plants. Unfortunately, from what I have read and learned, it is not available in regular tea.

I have started replacing my morning coffee with Matcha green tea. For me, after reading about green tea, I chose this form because it is finely ground into a powder which means you are actually consuming the actual tea leaves. Japanese tea ceremonies center around the preparation, serving, and drinking of Matcha tea. Studies say that one cup of Matcha is equivalent to 10 cups of brewed green tea in terms of nutritional values.

Not all antioxidants are created equal. EGCG has been shown to be the one with the most cancer fighting properties. From researching I have read the medical benefits of green tea help with the prevention of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, infection and impaired immune system. It is said to be great for diabetics and has many benefits in health and beauty products.

With all the information I have gathered to make my own choice, I could probably write a novel on all the benefits of green tea, but I won’t do that here (I have already babbled on enough). I am not a doctor or scientist so what I have shared is only what I have read and felt since my own change to consuming this wonderful product. I can honestly say I feel more focused, lighter and just better overall since I started drinking it. I highly recommend doing some research of your own, you might find you will feel like me.

I now find it really cool to be part of a health and beauty team called EGCG. I think it is fitting to be linked to a great antioxidant with such healthful benefits because that is our goal in the products we all make.

One thing I have failed to mention thus far is how fabulous green tea is for your skin. I love green tea in lotions and other bath and beauty products. So, go do some of your own research on green tea, then check out some of the great EGCG products containing this fabulous gift from nature.

 

OMG, almost time for back to school!

Ok, we all know I have been a total blog slacker for a while, but hey, we all need a mental break away.

What have I been doing? Well trying to not spend as much "business" time on the computer, that is for sure.

I have been spending more quality time with the family. My youngest, Ben, who turned 5 this past June will be starting Kindergarten this fall. I am trying to look forward to having 2.5 hours a day with no children, but it still is sad.

They grow so fast. This is a time I will never get back again, and being blessed to stay home with them, I really wanted to take advantage of it. So I have spent time doing crafty things, working on ABC's, and of course spending every warm moment in the pool. I am proud to say Ben is doing a fabulous job of swimming without any swimmies at all!!

I hope everyone has been having a great summer also!

So look forward to some more blog posting, and if there is anything you want to see or talk about, give me a shout!