Phthalates, Triclosan, parabens, musks, formaldehyde – perhaps you’ve been warned to keep an eye out for these allergens, carcinogens, and hormone disruptors found in many beauty care products. This is easy enough to do when reading labels in the aisle at the drugstore, but what about when you go for a facial or to have…
By Erin Covey-Smith The men’s grooming industry in the US has seen incredible growth over the past decade, and that growth is expected to continue. Historically, men’s grooming products were primarily limited to shaving and deodorant. Today, nearly half of all men report using an array of skincare products on a regular basis, including moisturizers,…
By Christine Fisher MAINE’S FARMERS don’t just grow vegetables or raise livestock. In Midcoast Maine companies like Avena Botanicals and Maine Medicinals are growing herbs and medicinal plants, in hopes of raising healthier humans. In Rockport, the Avena Botanicals team hand harvests more than 1,000 pounds of fresh herbs from their 3-acre certified organic and…
By Caitlin Gilmet There’s a good chance that your next blanket or sweater wasn’t just made in Maine—it was born and raised here, too. Take a short drive into farm country, and you might even get to meet the sheep, goat, alpaca, llama or rabbit that produced it. Maine’s diverse and growing fiber production and…
We often think of air pollution as being an outside problem. But in fact, indoor air (where people spend most of their time) can be more polluted than the air outside. Radon, lead, mold, carbon monoxide, chemicals, and pests are just some of the things found indoors that may impact your health and potentially damage…
I hadn’t given coconut oil much thought until last Memorial Day weekend when I was visiting family and was surprised to find an enormous jar of coconut oil in their cupboard–and they were using it! That probably doesn’t sound strange to you, especially if you are already a coconut oil convert, but in my family,…
Maine spas incorporate the beauty of the outside world By Cynthia Simonds In the steamy heat of Maine summer, imagine looking out through green leafy boughs as cool breezes deliver the sound of ocean waves in the distance. Smell the salt air and hear the gulls cry as you’re wrapped in the aroma of warm,…
By Lisa Wolff Fancy a gin martini flavored by a hint of sea air? Seeking a sip of a sparkling sour apple and pear sangria? Have a hankering for a blueberry pancake on the rocks? A growing network of talented craft distillers and wineries throughout the state are making delectable cocktails like these not only…
By Lora Winslow, Guest Columnist While many consumers believe that all cosmetics on the market have been tested and deemed safe, this is unfortunately not true. While the FDA has legal authority over the cosmetics industry, a law that dates back to 1938, allows the cosmetic manufacturers to regulate themselves. This means that cosmetic companies…
This modeling clay is easy to make and kid-safe (as in, completely edible), perfect for hours of creative play. If stored in an airtight container, the mixture will retain its elasticity indefinitely. This recipe yields 6 cups of modeling clay that rivals any store-bought variety. Get the kids to help you make it, and show…