29 Gifts ~ Days 7 & 8 ~ Because you're special & Doing my small part

Day 7 ~ This gift goes out to all of you special people who take your precious time to read my blog and then go the extra mile to leave a comment letting me know you were here :-). Your thoughts are just so heart-lifting and I am so aware of the time it takes to read through the myriad of wonderful blogs and leave comments. I feel especially blessed when I am chosen to receive your words. I have turned off the Crazy Scrambled Word feature which will make commenting go a little smoother. Thank you again for the gift of your time and your comments.

Day 8 ~ This gift is for the Planet and for all animals that are saved from being lab subjects in the testing of health and beauty products. One of my 50@50 things to do is to make my home as toxin free as possible. I now use homemade products for cleaning my home; (vinegar, baking soda, lemon, peroxide, essential oils and water). I have replaced my hair care products with products that are manufactured by a company committed to protecting the environment and do not use animals in their testing. Today...I replaced my empty Neutrogena Healthy Defense daily moisturizer with Aveda's Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Creme.

Aveda's Mission Statement : Beauty is as Beauty Does

I can expand my contribution by supporting companies who are truly environmental leaders. There are many who claim to be environmentally friendly through slick advertising campaigns and yet they contain the same toxic ingredients and are testing in the same inhumane ways. Being aware of what I am purchasing and from whom is just a small part...and as the Dali Lama says something like: "Your contribution is insignificant, but it is important." And I thought about that for awhile. When we string together all of our contributions, it becomes quite significant :-)

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Other Environmental Leaders in the Health and Beauty industry are Shaklee and Jane Iredale
(I am not paid to endorse any of the products I talk about :-).

Today I am grateful for:

1) The absolutely delicious homemade stuffed bell peppers my friend Candace gave me for dinner Monday evening. Yum!
2) My wonderful mentor and friend Marsena who graciously allows me to rent her beautiful office by the hour.
3) Farmers who really provide humane care for the animals they raise.

Here's a link to the 29 Gifts Website in case you want to check it out. Have a beautiful day! ~ Blessings, Janet