The New Year’s Resolution that Fuels Them All:Self-Care;

' Bringing in the New Year traditionally inspires making resolutions to do better, be better and take better self-care. What to do to ensure the energy, and positive outlook to maintain the focus toward goals for 2010? It’s easy; make self-care the #1 priority. At Garden of Eve safe skin care is the primary mission. It isn't any wonder their products excel in the Skin Deep database, a popular consumer guide to safe cosmetic products.

Afton, VA (PRWEB) December 2, 2009 --
Garden of Eve is proud to announce their support of the #1 important New Year's Resolution - taking care of oneself. After the Holiday Season’s festivities many people notice that their indulgence in the temptations of food and drink, has taken a toll on their energy and physical appearance. Along with the dryness of winter climate’s air, water and indoor heating one can’t miss that their skin now wants special pampering for renewal. All of this serves as motivation for making New Year’s resolutions for self-care. New Year’s resolutions come and go, but one that has stood the test of time and drives all the others is Self-Care. By taking care of oneself FIRST it’s then possible to focus on relationships and on goal achievement. Along with improved eating habits, getting adequate rest, and exercise, skin care tops the charts in the self-care category. But unlike the first three, it’s not really dependent on having a lot of self-control, so it has a higher probability of success.

“What better way to start the New Year in 2010 than pursuing safe skin care as a pathway to improved self-care”

Bringing the New Year in with an improved choice of safe skin care products is in keeping with the times. Today, consumers are seeking value in their purchases. Skin care that protects health rather than compromises health, as well as being a quality product that provides effective skin care is considered to be a purchase of optimum value. To assist with kicking-off the New Year’s Resolutions, Garden of Eve is offering a New Year’s Resolution Discount Special.

"The harsh chemicals in many beauty products are unknowingly absorbed into the skin and ultimately can travel through the body by way of the circulatory system. Consumers are beginning to realize that safe skin care is as important to their well-being as the food they eat.” says Garden of Eve founder and health consultant Eve Stahl. “With some skin care ingredients being linked to kidney or liver damage and other severe problems, there is great importance in having alternative options for women and men who want to maintain an all-around healthy lifestyle.

It’s well known that the skin is the first line of defense against all elements, such as microorganisms, wind, and pollutants. Its “acid mantle,” provides a barrier function against harmful substances in the environment. Additionally it should protect us from the harmful ingredients used in some skin care products. However, penetration enhancer ingredients are used to overcome the body’s natural defense mechanism. Those armed with the latest in skin care research and products that are proven by hard data to be pure, do have a fighting chance. The secret weapon of a wise consumer is to be an educated consumer.

Fortunately, now there’s an online database where consumers can go to see first-hand what kind of harmful substances might be in their favorite face cream or suntan lotion. The “Skin Deepdatabase provides all the information that consumers need to make informed decisions about their skin care products. The database was created in response to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), findings that more than 750 personal care products that are sold in the U.S. violate industry safety or cosmetic safety standards in other industrialized countries, according to the EWG in a 2007 letter to the FDA. For those in the know, there are safe alternatives.

Enter Garden of Eve products, made for both men and women and ranging in scope from cleansers to moisturizer creams. Eve’s products provide a natural alternative to other brands and are made with organic and wild crafted extracts and essential oils of herbs and exotic flowers that naturally replenish the skin. The Garden of Eve product line, founded in 2003 by health consultant and beauty expert Eve Stahl, is specially crafted to revitalize the skin in a 100% safe and ecologically- friendly manner. Garden of Eve skin care products are at the head of the class for safety, both in the Skin Deep database and in the hearts and minds of customers world-wide. What better way to start the New Year in 2010 than pursuing safe skin care as a pathway to improved self-care.”

Greening the Holidays with Garden of Eve's Skin Care that Cares for the Planet

Consumers are seeking value in their purchases. Many consumers don't realize that beauty products can be packed with double value, beautifying not only their skin but the planet too. Skin care products can have a huge negative impact on the planet due to the synthetic chemicals they frequently contain. Garden of Eve products bring a unique, beautifying experience to consumers every day through the use of carefully selected whole plant ingredients, perfect for green gifting.

Garden of Eve is proud to announce their Green Skin Care Gift Sets for Green Holiday shoppers. Consumers today want to make a difference in the world in as many ways as possible. With careful selection of natural skin care products it is possible to leverage purchasing power to beautify the skin, and the planet too. "Doing well by doing good" is a concept that is really catching on, and by purchasing products that reduce carbon footprint and promote environmental sustainability, everyone can do their part without going outside their current budget or buying extra products that they normally wouldn't purchase. In these tough economic times, great values can be found that resonate with a planet-friendly worldview and a desire to make the world a better place. Garden of Eve’s Special Holiday Offers include attractive green skin care gift sets packaged in fair trade hand woven fiber bags at special discounted prices for the holidays.

Today, consumers are seeking value in their purchases. Safe skin care that has a health value as well as being a quality product that provides effective skin care plus is produced in an environmentally-friendly way is considered to be a purchase of optimum value. Many consumers have become aware of the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database report for assessing the safety of their skin care products. Accessing information about the safety of cosmetic products also assists people to make environmentally-friendly choices. “What is safe for people is more likely to be safe for the planet.”

A "face for the ages" (not an aging face), and a healthy radiant appearance can be achieved using pure natural plant ingredients, like those found in Garden of Eve Skin Care systems. Even better, their use can help to protect the planet. In her book, "Drop Dead Gorgeous," author Kim Erickson writes, "Many of the ingredients used in cosmetics are environmental pollutants. Along with the waste produced during the manufacturing process, millions of gallons of synthetic chemicals are washed down the drain and into the sewer every day. "But what can be done to stop this? By purchasing safe and "Green" this holiday season, shoppers can truly make a difference. And why not be sure about what we use on our skin? It's the largest organ of the body and the doorway to good health. Garden of Eve products lead the way in safety scores and sustainability practices. They have delighted consumers since the company was founded in 2003.

Garden of Eve was created by Eve Stahl, a health consultant and beauty expert with a passion for protecting the planet."We don't need to sacrifice our health for the beauty of our skin, and likewise we don't need to sacrifice the health of our planet to have beautiful skin. Excellent results can be achieved with ingredients from nature." Eve's own experience with environmental sensitivity and sensitive skin issues led her on a journey that eventually resulted in the creation of her own company. She built Garden of Eve based on green business practices, such as using reusable and recyclable packaging materials from suppliers' shipments and local stores that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Using plant ingredients rather than synthetic petro-chemicals, printing on recycled paper, and choosing Energy Star-rated electronic equipment are some of the other green choices that Garden of Eve makes in doing its part. Eve is also a participating member of the Green America Business Network and a signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. Together, both of these non-profit organizations exemplify the two guiding principles on which she developed her company - safe for people and safe for the planet.

Do something special for the planet this holiday season by thinking green when purchasing special gift items for friends and family. For green gift ideas see what Garden of Eve is offering this season.


Make Holiday Gift Choices a Gift for the Planet.

Pregnant Moms Go Green; Embrace Toxin-Free Skin Care Products in Growing Numbers

It’s no news that going green is “in,” but have you ever heard of a “green baby shower?” It seems moms-to-be are using their pregnancies as a time of reflection and renewal, starting new habits and making lifestyle changes that will start their families off on the right environmental foot. Going green with pregnancy safe skin care products is one way they can pamper themselves and their babies in a safe and yet affordable way.

At Garden of Eve, a 30 percent sales growth in “Expectantly Lovely” pregnancy safe skin care products bears testimony to Moms’eco-friendly, toxin-free, wholistic trend. From eco-friendly nursery products to organic diets and non-toxic skincare, more pregnant women today are making sure that they give themselves and their babies only the best from the very beginning of their time together. To their credit, moms are making more informed choices than ever before, thanks in part to the growth of social media and “mommy blogs” that educate and raise their awareness on a variety of expectancy issues, including the advent of the eco-friendly pregnancy.

Garden of Eve is offering discounts on select green gift sets this holiday season for the holiday eco-shopper. Eve Stahl, founder of Garden of Eve, believes that “Expectantly Lovely" is picking up notice by new mothers seeking to protect the health of their unborns and newborns.” Moms who do their homework are flocking to the Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep” cosmetic safety database, where cosmetics are evaluated and receive a numeric “hazard score” that reflects the level of toxic ingredients used in the manufacturing process. A score of zero indicates a truly safe product, which is a very rare occurrence. Since Eve’s products are among the few that receive scores of zero, moms know they can indulge in these pampering products without worrying about whether or not there are substances in them that could harm their unborn children.

" Pregnant women must choose their skin care products carefully, as harmful chemicals are present in many leading brands and can be toxic not only to mother, but the baby as well."

Alarmingly, many of the synthetic ingredients found in commonly-purchased skin care brands are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and more than 750 personal care products in the U.S. violate industry safety or cosmetic safety standards that are in effect in other countries. However, the Garden of Eve product line is specially crafted to revitalize skin and is completely void of synthetic ingredients such as parabens and pthalates, which have ties to reproductive problems.

Harsh chemicals in many beauty products are unknowingly absorbed into the skin and can travel through the entire body via the circulatory system. Instead of these, Eve’s products are formulated with extracts and essential oils of herbs, flowers and exotic hydrosols, all of which are found in nature. Using hand-pressed butters, waxes and these essential oils, her creamy indulgences create a paradise for the skin that leaves it soft, hydrated, and glowing. For expectant mothers, this is a welcome luxury during a time when swelling, acne, blotching and fluctuations in body temperature can make for many uncomfortable and discouraging moments.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The American Breast Cancer Fund, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) are three of the consumer advocate organizations that collaborated to develop the www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to assist consumers in their choices of skincare products that safeguard their health from the hazardous ingredients found in many skin care products on the market.
As one looks through the www.cosmeticsdatabase.com at the many products and their ingredients it can be alarming to see how common it is to find products with ingredients that are reported to be carcinogens, not to mention all the other potential health hazards those ingredients pose.

Garden of Eve has formulated skin care products with ingredients that protect your health and support the immune system in general by not taxing it with the use of toxic synthetic chemicals.

These products are a valuable choice for use by cancer patients while under treatment as well as post treatment, as they do not interfere with medical treatments, nor do they increase the burden on the immune system as might the synthetic chemicals found in other skin care products.


When I go to chemotherapy treatments, my nurse practitioner tells me that she is envious of how radiant my skin looks.
I have been using only Garden of Eve products.
Thank you Eve, your products have been a great comfort to me at this time.

Judy S., Connecticut

Skin Care - Clean and Green for Our Planet

by Eve Stahl

We are currently living in an era of people sincerely caring about what they can do to help protect and contribute to the greening of our planet. We are presented with great ideas and food for thought on how we each can contribute to this worthy cause. One area that has a great impact on the health of our planet, yet is not often touted as such, is the skin care and body care products that we use daily.

Awareness of the importance of using non-toxic body care products to protect our personal health has been successfully highlighted by the campaign for safe cosmetics and the environmental working group on their cosmetics database website.

There is growing concern that many of the body care products on the market also have a negative impact on the health of our planet due to the effect that the synthetic chemicals commonly used in their manufacture have on our environment. Many of the ingredients used in commercial body care products are petroleum based synthetically derived chemicals. Those chemicals eventually end up in our streams and rivers from the discharge of wastewater from sewage treatment which does not remove petro-chemical compounds. The good news is that cosmetics that are safe for people are also a healthier choice for our planet.

Green skin care products protect the health of our planet. Garden of Eve produces such green skin care products. Their products are made with natural ingredients free from synthetic chemicals. Their Ingredients are sourced from fair trade and sustainable companies. The company strives to create minimal waste and toxicity by choosing reusable and recyclable packaging materials. They reuse packing materials from all shipments and welcome such materials from local stores that would otherwise send them to land fill. In house and out-sourced printing is on post-consumer waste paper with vegetable base ink. Additionally, their administrative decisions are based on green choices, e.g. using energy star rated equipment. All decisions are made in the interest of minimizing the company’s carbon footprint.

What difference does this translate to for the consumer? Garden of Eve is a green organic hand crafting company producing products that are inspired by a heartfelt desire to produce quality products that are not at all harmful to people and our planet. They go the extra step to ensure the superior quality of each ingredient and the perfection of each finished product. Personal contact with the producer of a product today is only experienced with a small hand crafting company such as Garden of Eve skin care. This interaction creates a personally satisfying experience for both the consumer and the producer resulting in the customers feeling that they are being cared for as individuals.


Author, Eve Stahl, is a Health Consultant, Herbalist and Skin Care expert. She specializes in using nature’s plants to enhance the health of people and to protect the health of our planet. To achieve this purpose she has created Garden of Eve Skin Care products for sensitive skin and all skin types. You can visit her company at: www.gardenofeve.com Prospective Affiliates visit: www.gardenofeveskincare.com/affiliate-application

It's All In Your Eyes

Whether we are 60 ,70 , 20 or 30 years old what keeps our appearance healthy, vibrant and beautiful is the same. In my January 2008 newsletter "Is There A Fountain of Youth?" http://www.gardenofeveskincare.com/newsletter_detail/is-there-a-fountain-of-youth. I wrote about a broad spectrum of ways to care for our 'fountain of youth.' Today my focus is primarily on our skin and the changes that we notice in our appearance that develop over time. Rather than call this aging or mature skin, I prefer to call this 'skin that is different than it used to be.' True, with time our appearance changes. However, it does not need to look less vibrant, unhealthy or unattractive.

There are a few simple steps that are effective for maintaining the vitality of our skin. First, let's consider what we identify as loss of vitality? Wrinkles, dryness, dullness, brown spots, puffiness, broken capillaries, and scars detract from our appearance and are interpreted as aging. The eye area is 'read' first and tells the most about us. Care for the eye area can have a significant effect on our look of vitality and the message that we present to the world...and to ourselves.

The skin around the eye area tends to be thin and delicate and is therefore likely to show wrinkles and discoloration easily. As we get older our bodies produce less collagen, thus the skin becomes less supple and resilient. Environmental pollutants and toxins also stress the eye area as does overexposure to the sun.

Toxic products and procedures are not necessary to regain a healthy, vibrant appearance. Natural ingredients have been used effectively for skin care for centuries in Asia, Africa, India, Egypt and the Middle East. Because the skin around the eyes is so thin, it is easily penetrated by the ingredients in skin care products. It is therefore especially important to use eye care products that are made only with safe ingredients.

Wrinkles - Nature's herbs, roots and flowers can be blended to soften the appearance of wrinkles by alleviating dryness, toning the skin and supporting cell regeneration. Reversing the appearance of aging and enhancing the look of vitality is a specialty of nature's plants. Drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water sipped throughout the day as well as avoiding dehydrating foods and beverages such as salt, carbonated drinks, coffee and alcohol will be very effective as well.

Dark circles and puffiness under and around the eye area can be related to digestion, food sensitivities and food allergies as well as seasonal allergies. It is worth identifying what causes and/or increases this response for you. Once food sensitivities are identified it is clear that the symptom won't disappear without removing the stimulus. There are herbs that support the immune system specifically for sinus and allergy relief. The immune system also responds well to eating and juicing anti-oxidant rich vegetables (green, red and orange.) I can't say enough good things about the benefits of the raw enzymes that you'll get with juicing vegetables.

There are herbs that can be safely blended into eye crèmes that support good circulation and often will help disperse the darkness and puffiness under the eyes that has accumulated over time. My Rejuvenating Eye Crème PLUS has worked very well for some people. For the best results a dual approach of food choices and eye crème product is encouraged.

Are Your Skin Care Products Safe? EWG - Skin Deep Report

In recent years there has been a steady increase in chemical sensitivity, food sensitivities and environmental sensitivities. Many people’s systems are so sensitive they have difficulty finding skincare products that won’t cause a reaction. The reactions people experience vary. Some people break out in a rash, while others get headaches or asthma from synthetically derived scents. Most people who experience sensitivity reactions are actually blessed with this early warning mechanism. It is far better to react with intolerance than to discover years later the effects of long term toxic overload from synthetic chemicals in body care and food products. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has developed a database entitled “Skin Deep Report.” This database is a valuable tool for consumers who choose to be informed of the toxicity or lack of toxicity of the body care products they use. The database report is quite user friendly. It consists of 1002 Companies and their (14,390) products that have been rated specifically for the cancer risk associated with product ingredients. The information is based on 37 toxicity and regulatory databases compiled to provide safety ratings and brand comparisons that help consumers choose safer products.

I suggest you go to the database http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2 and have some fun looking up different products to learn what they are made with and how they are rated. If you haven’t guessed it already, I am happy to say,Garden of Eve’s products have excellent scores. Garden of Eve Skin Care Brand Report: http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/report.php?type=BRAND&id=380 Garden of Eve Wise Woman Emollient Product: http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/report.php?type=PRODUCT&id=6600096

Further Impact: Any products we use that are made with toxic synthetic chemicals e.g. body care, food, cleaning products have a detrimental impact on our environment as well. Foods and personal care products end up in human excretions, which along with cleaning products are washed down the drain into our waterways and earth.

Are You Sensitive to Scents? Although the only scent in Garden of Eve Skincare products is that of pure steam distilled plants, I understand some people’s systems are so sensitive they can easily be overwhelmed even by the scents of natural ingredients. For this reason all Garden of Eve products are available with little or no scent. c Being chemically sensitive myself, I know how difficult and frustrating it can be to find quality products you can use. This is why I developed Garden of Eve skincare products – first for myself. Now, it is a pleasure for me to help people looking for non-toxic products that benefit their skin. Although most people do very well with my basic formulations, I am happy to customize products when needed.

Custom Blending For help choosing skin care products to meet your individual needs,contact Eve to schedule a consultation.

Preview - My April Newsletter will reveal: The hazards of commercial sunscreen The Benefits of sunlight Ways we can support our health to protect us from the harm of sunrays.

Yours in Health and Beauty, Eve

Sensitive Skin, is it a blessing or a curse? Enjoying Winter

People frequently come to me with sensitive skin. They tell me they can't find products that won't irritate their skin and cause reactions. These reactions can be redness, tingling, puffiness, break outs or actual inflammation and pain.

Most people, even those with sensitive skin, find that my products are a great match for them right away. Their skin responds readily to the purity and simplicity of the calming plant ingredients that I choose. For many people the change to using natural ingredient products is sufficient to alleviate their sensitivities. For others their skin sensitivity response is more involved.

An important consideration is that when one switches from using synthetic chemicals to natural ingredients the skin will naturally initiate a cleansing process to remove the synthetic chemicals as soon as you stop using those chemicals. That is known as the ‘Body’s Wisdom.’ The same type of spontaneous cleansing occurs when you eliminate processed foods and switch to all natural and organic foods.

Therefore, as the skin is introduced to new 'clean' ingredients it may not appear clear right away. It needs to clear gradually and adjust in order to find its own proper balance. Thus the process of switching from synthetic compounds to natural ingredient products can sometimes be difficult to interpret.

Sometimes the skin may appear dry or show patches of dryness even though it hadn’t previously. Break-outs may appear or increase. Sensitivity may heighten temporarily. Skin may appear dull. Realize that the skin can become confused when a product that it has become accustomed to is removed from your regime. It is common for the skin to experience a process of withdrawing from the ingredients of one product before it can start fresh to receive and interpret the benefits of the new natural ingredient product. There are thousands of synthetic ingredients that are used in commercial products. Because everyone’s skin and system is different there is an extensive variety of withdrawal-cleansing patterns.

Patience is Golden!

Some people’s sensitivities are such that they react more so than respond to any change in skin care. These are people who benefit the most from custom blended products. A prime benefit of custom blending is the opportunity to select ingredients that are best suited to an individual. Not all plant ingredients are a good match for everyone. Occasionally a person may have a sensitivity to a plant that is known for its beneficial skin care properties. It is very much like a person having a food sensitivity to chick peas. It is a nourishing food, yet not everyone can utilize it efficiently. Therefore a sensitivity response occurs.

For some people the customizing process requires both patience and persistence in order to arrive at a formulation that will produce calm clear skin. During this process although it may not be obvious, the skin is progressively changing and improving. I therefore adjust the custom blend throughout this gradual process. You can rest assured that the reward of clear healthy skin that glows and radiates good health is available for everyone… without the use of harmful synthetic chemicals.

That is how health is created naturally. Whether it is the health of the skin or any aspect of one's health, creating health naturally, on a cellular level is a gentle process that requires a bit of patience and committed persistence.

Most often a total health commitment i.e. to whole foods free from synthetic ingredients and preservatives along with the use of non-toxic household cleaning products will hasten the return to healthy vibrant skin. The appearance of our skin is a reflection of our general health. It is actually the body communicating to us the imbalance within. Therefore the best approach to clear skin is a total health approach.

How Natural Ingredient Skin Care Products Can Help Improve Skin Conditions

We depend on nature's plants, fish and mammals to maintain and build our health - actually to keep us alive and well. When the body lacks appropriate nourishment our health declines. Environmental toxins and emotional upsets also stress our health. The early signs of stress and deficiencies that show up are a general low immune system, i.e. susceptibility to frequent colds and flues. Unless the cause is corrected, more severe illness will result. Illnesses in turn can progress to degenerative diseases of the body systems.

Unhealthy skin, hair and finger nails are also signs of physical imbalance. In caring for our skin we can experience the best improvement by adopting a dual approach of improved nourishment, i.e. proper diet as well as directly applying effective natural ingredient body care products.

Improved health and physical appearance can be restored to the body in a safe and effective manner with the use of nature's plants. Herbalism has been effectively used throughout the history of man. It is a powerful and safe approach to maintaining and restoring health. Herbs are specialized foods with specific functions that offer many varied physical benefits. The body responds well to the use of herbs and vegetable oils as they are composed of the same chemical makeup as our body. Our body responds readily to the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, essential fatty acids, hormones, and oxygen that are found in these plants. It stands to reason, that what maintains and builds health, can also restore health and balance to the body.

Our skin craves hydration and the nourishment that herbs and plant oils offer. When developing skin care products for different skin types and conditions, the specific properties of plants are considered. Some plants are known to be particularly hydrating while others are known for their ability to tone the skin and shrink the appearance of large pores. When formulating a skin care system specifically for acne the aspects of skin care to be considered are deep gentle cleansing, toning pores to prevent debris from being lodged in the pores and on the surface of the skin, support the skin’s ability to maintain balanced sebum, i.e. oil production, soothe the skin and support the renewal of soft smooth skin. There are many natural elements – herbs, flowers, clays and mud that can be incorporated into a skin care system that will help balance, minimize and even prevent the symptoms of acne.

Of all skin types acne is the most obviously individual. Each person’s acne is due to different causes and therefore responds differently to care. What works for one person may not solve another person’s needs. Sometimes acne responds readily to a skin care system. When the acne is stubborn it will best respond to individualized custom care.

It is also important to realize that food choices - drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet of foods rich in anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids and raw enzyme rich nutrition will have a powerful effect on your skin. Feeding your skin from within plus feeding your skin topically with pure wholesome balancing nutritive skin care products that are focused on your personal skin’s needs is sure to give positive results.