"Absolutely Beachy"

As promised, I have uploaded photos of Absolutely Natural's "Absolutely Beachy" tree. We had such a great time decorating our tree and of course wanted to share some photos. It took us several weeks to gather all of the ornaments and decorations for our tree and I would have to say we did well! Jessica and I are incredibly proud of our tree.

Although our tree was on the small side, it had plenty of charm and a lot of HEART! It was everything from sparkle & glam to real starfish & sand dollars. We even found floral decor to imitate seaweed! The final bid for "Absolutely Beachy" was $510 and our tree was one of the most bid-on trees! Very exciting!

The Festival of Trees is one of Junior League of South Brevard, Inc.'s (JLSB) biggest events, and all proceeds are donated to JLSB's partners. JLSB donated $20,000 to Community of Hope during this year’s event. Community of Hope serves homeless families with children by providing transitional housing in an effort to move families from homelessness to self sufficiency. In addition to the $20,000 donation, JLSB has helped build the Hoag Avenue Duplex. This property features 3 bedroom housing so larger families can live comfortably. In addition to money, JLSB also donated their time. They helped with the construction of the entire house, including building the roof, running electrical wires, installing bathroom showers and cleaning up around the work site. In the past three years, JLSB has given $60,000 to the Community of Hope organization. The giving doesn't stop there, throughout 2010 & 2011, JLSB has donated 20 $100 Walmart gift cards to Connected by 25 Brevard. The gift cards support young adults moving out of their foster homes into independent living for the first time. JLSB also hosted a sibling reunion event for foster children at the Brevard Zoo in April. Siblings were reunited from all over the county and enjoyed a family fun-filled day with food, prizes, and of course lots of animals. As you can see, the Festival of Trees is more than fabulous trees, it's about giving back to our community and enjoying the holiday season.

Absolutely Natural was so proud to be a part of this year's Festival of Trees. And, we are thrilled to be a supporter of Brevard County! We cannot thank JLSB enough for having us at this year’s event and for bringing such joy to so many lives in Brevard County!

Kind regards,
Lindsey

Festival of Trees 2011

Absolutely Natural‘s team is growing more and more every year. I would like to introduce our newest employee, Jessica Bouwsma. She was first hired in May 2011, since then she has brought such joy in all of our lives and we are blessed to be surrounded by her giving nature. She continuously excels in her role as an Executive Assistant and her work ethic is incredible. In her free time away from Absolutely Natural, Jessica is the Membership Enhancement Chair with the Junior League of South Brevard, Inc. which is a nonprofit women’s volunteer organization in Brevard County. Her dedication to this organization is inspiring in so many ways. She recently attended the Organizational Development Institute Conference in Orlando, FL, which was great training for her role with JLSB. JLSB saw incredible leadership within Jessica and she elected to attend this invitation-only conference. In addition to our local support for the Sea Turtles, Jessica’s role with the JLSB has opened up an opportunity for Absolutely Natural to become more involved with people in our community.

Since 1966, the Junior League of South Brevard, Inc. (JLSB) has been an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The JLSB has committed itself to strengthening our community by developing, training and sustaining various projects. They do this by partnering with and supporting other organizations such as Haven I and II, Club Esteem, Serene Harbor, Connected by 25 Brevard, Habitat for Humanity and Community of Hope. Their three fundraisers in 2011 were Festival of Trees, Re-Run 5K and Rummage Roundup.

Festival of Trees is JLSB’s largest annual fundraiser and one of Brevard County’s most well-known and cherished holiday traditions, celebrating its 27th year this November 19th and 20th at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts. Festival of Trees features professionally designed holiday trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, signature trees, local musicians and vendors offering something for everyone in the family. 2010’s event was a triumphant success, raising a net profit of $47,534 and 2011’s Festival promises many magical memories and continued support for JLSB’s community partnerships.

This year, Absolutely Natural will be designing an “Absolutely Beachy” tree to be included in the Festival of Tree’s display and silent auction. Over the past several weeks, we have collected starfish, sand dollars and gorgeous nautical ornaments and three of us will work together at the King Center to setup and decorate this tree. All proceeds our tree brings in will go back to the Junior League of South Brevard, Inc. and help support our local Brevard County residents in need.

This is Absolutely Natural’s first year and we couldn’t be more excited. We would like to personally thank Jessica for bringing this opportunity to us and we want to thank the JLSB for having us at this year’s event! We encourage everyone to come out and support Brevard County! Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.kingcenter.com.

Stay tuned, pictures of our tree will be posted shortly!

Warm regards,
Lindsey

Breast Cancer Awareness

Think of eight of your favorite women. Teachers, daughters, wives, sisters, best friends.  Statistically one of them will get breast cancer.

That is shocking and so sad that 1 in 8 women in the United States will be afflicted with breast cancer.   Nearly a quarter of a million women will be diagnosed in 2011 and almost 40,000 will die from this terrible disease.  Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women trailing only lung cancer.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought it prudent to discuss some things every woman can do to reduce the risk.

Lowering your risk

Although there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, you can lower your risk.  Women who limit alcohol intake, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight are at lower risk. 

Also, it is paramount to follow early detection guidelines as that is key to combating the disease.  There are more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in America and the earlier the cancer is detected, the better the chances are to recover.

 Mammograms, Clinical Breast Exams and Breast Self Exams

Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram screening every year. The benefits of a mammogram for early detection are unquestionable and should be done annually even in advanced age as long as the woman doesn’t suffer from congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, chronic pulmonary disease or moderate to severe dementia.

Women in their 20’s and 30’s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) by a health professional at least every three years. After age 40, a CBE should be done every year. 

A good option for women starting in their 20”s is a breast self exam (BSE).  Of course, women of all ages should also become competent with BSE.  Although BSE is not as reliable as CBE’s or mammograms in finding cancer, it is important for women to be familiar with their breasts and therefore able to report changes to their health professional. Technique for this should be reviewed by your doctor.

Environmental Chemicals

More and more researchers are concerned about environmental chemicals including phthalates, parabens and sulfates and there potential to increase the risk of breast cancers.  Many cosmetics, body care and personal care products have large amounts of estrogen-like properties that are thought to contribute to cancers within the body including breast cancer.  That is especially true of sunscreens.

At Absolutely Natural we are proud to have all natural products that do not contain any of those chemicals.  AN formulas are not only superior to chemical laden formulas, our products are safe, gentle and environmentally friendly as well. 

Considering substances that reach the bloodstream from topical applications can have 10 times the potency of those if ingested,  it is important to be as concerned with what goes on your body as what you intake with food and drink.

Our products are an important part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

Best regards,

Charley

October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Think of eight of your favorite women. Teachers, daughters, wives, sisters, best friends. Now think that statistically one of them will get breast cancer.

That is shocking and so sad that 1 in 8 women in the United States will be afflicted with breast cancer. Nearly a quarter of a million women will be diagnosed in 2011 and almost 40,000 will die from this terrible disease. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women trailing only lung cancer.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought it prudent to discuss some things every woman can do to reduce the risk.

Lowering your risk

Although there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, you can lower your risk. Women who limit alcohol intake, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight have a lower risk of getting the cancer.

Also, it is paramount to follow early detection guidelines as that is key to combating the disease. There are more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in America and the earlier the cancer is detected, the better the chances are to get well.

Mammograms, Clinical Breast Exams and Breast Self Exams

Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram screening every year. The benefits of a mammogram for early detection are unquestionable and should be done annually even in advanced age as long as the woman doesn’t suffer from congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, chronic pulmonary disease or moderate to severe dementia.

Women in their 20’s and 30’s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) by a health professional at least every three years. After age 40, a CBE should be done every year.

A good option for women starting in their 20”s is a breast self exam (BSE). Of course, women of all ages should also become competent with BSE. Although BSE is not as reliable as CBE’s or mammograms in finding cancer, it is important for women to be familiar with their breasts and therefore able to report changes to their health professional. Technique for this should be reviewed by your doctor.

Environmental Chemicals

More and more researchers are concerned about environmental chemicals including phthalates, parabens and sulfates and there potential to increase the risk of breast cancers. Many cosmetics, body care and personal care products have large amounts of estrogen-like properties that are thought to contribute to cancers within the body including breast cancer. That is especially true of sunscreens.

At Absolutely Natural we are proud to have all natural products that do not have those chemicals. AN not only works superior to chemical laden formulas, our products are safe, gentle and environmentally friendly as well.

Considering that substances that reach the bloodstream from topical applications can have 10 times the potency than if ingested, it is important to be as concerned with what goes on your body as what you intake with food and drink.

Our products are an important part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

Best regards,

Charley

Lotion, Butter, Creme... what's the deal? And what should I use?

Imagine Baskin Robbins with only vanilla ice cream. Or, Chevrolet only offering only the Camaro. How about Starbucks, with only small-sized coffee, black?

Well, for a long time, Absolutely Natural only had one moisturizer, our famous Rosehip Aloe. However, over the last couple of years, we have expanded to include several options, each designed to rehydrate, moisturize and leave skin soft, smooth, healthy and young looking.

What's the difference?
We have had several inquiries about the difference among these products and which is “best?” That really isn’t the question as all of our moisturizers are built to our exacting standards … they just have different features and benefits. Some have more nutrients, some more anti-aging while others are made for specific parts of the body.

Rose Hip Aloe

Here’s a rundown:

The Original Rosehip Aloe
Still our number one selling product. The Original Rosehip Aloe has a copious amount of healing aloe making it the ideal summer/sun companion. It also contains Rose Hips Oil, which has been proven in clinical studies to rehydrate the basal cell area (vital to keep skin looking young). We have sold more than 3,000,000 bottles in the last 20 years and is a favorite for tens of thousands of our customers.

Facials Calming Lotion

Calming Facial Lotion
This light, refreshing, pH balanced product is a powerhouse of nutrients and blended specifically for the face. It contains an Amino Acid Complex that helps even out facial tones and has skin cell building proteins.

Also in its arsenal is Co-enzyme Q-10 which is critical in the functioning of skin cells and often decreases within the skin as we age. Other ingredients are super hydrators such as Fractionated Coconut and Shea Butter, while Ylang ylang and slight bit of peppermint make this lotion refreshing and nourishing.

Organic Spa Series Lotion

Organic Spa Series Lotions
Our newer spa series products have a rich Organic Aloe base and are loaded with nutrient rich ingredients designed to seal in moisture, smooth texture and leave skin radiant, soft and silky. These lotions include Shea and Mango butter as well as the super anti-oxidant, Irish Moss. The antioxidant powerhouse, Green Tea, can help repair skin that is already damaged by age or the elements.

One of the featured ingredients, which many may not be familiar with is Superoxide Dismutase, which is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps scavenge free radicals and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

We have made this in three popular fragrances (all either essential oils or essences) including Papaya Pineapple, Cucumber Mint and our famous Rosehips.

Organic Body Butters

Organic Body Butters
Beware … many manufacturers offer creams while labeling them as butters. Ours is the real deal. Ultra-rich, providing maximum hydration, our organic and natural butters will quench even the driest skin. These blends include Shea and Aloe butters as well as Coconut, Rice Bran and Sunflower Oils. Green Tea and Vitamin E also provide powerful anti-oxidants.

For maximum hydration, our butters are perfect for cracked hands and feet during harsh winters and are a real treat from head to toe.

We have made this in three fragrances including Papaya Pineapple, Cucumber Mint and our famous Rosehips. All fragrances are made with pure essential oils or pure essences.

Organic Crème

Organic Crème
Uniquely, this formula consists of 13 equal parts of organic oils are blended into a thick, rich crème. Use as the ultimate face and body lotion loaded with anti-oxidants, free radical scavengers and anti-aging properties.

Antioxidants such as Green tea Extract actually help repair skin that is already damaged by age or the elements. Other ingredients such as Borage Seed are preventative and an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. Evening Primrose, Hemp Seed and Red Raspberry are included as well as other carefully selected organic oils, all of which benefit the appearance and texture of your skin.

This blend is fragranced with our exclusive blend of 8 essential oils, the smell is indulgent, exotic and earthy with notes of citrus.



You can’t go wrong with any of our moisturizing lotions, crèmes and butters. Thousands of our customers enjoy them all. We're certain you will too.

Best regards
Charley

What Absolutely Natural's Sea Turtle Awareness Month Means to Us

Several months ago, I mentioned that we had partnered with the Brevard Zoo and started donating a portion of our spa revenues to help build a much needed sea turtle rehab program. We are patrons of the zoo and one of our goals is to help finish the rehab environment in 2012.

More recently we have joined with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society to help with their good work. Headquartered in our home county of Brevard, Florida, the society’s purpose is to educate the public about marine turtles. STPS reaches thousands of people each year through public presentations, exhibits at area events, and by turtle watches during the sea turtle nesting season.

The goal is to help maintain the current sea turtle population and to prevent a potentially irreversible decline in that population and there are several programs important to that end. One of the most crucial is to reduce disturbances and harassment of nesting sea turtles by educating the public about how devastating beach lighting, habitat destruction and nighttime beach activities can be for the turtles.

The Society also has teams for rescuing distressed hatchlings and adult sea turtles and transporting them to proper rehab facilities. This is where Absolutely Natural’s work with the Brevard Zoo could help this process immensely as the closest facility is currently in St Augustine (nearly a 3 hour drive away). STPS also performs monthly beach cleanup working with Keep Brevard Beautiful, Adopt-A-Beach program.

How we're working to make a difference:

• We raised more than $2000 with our initial donations in part through sign ups on our Facebook page. We have brought this incentive back for the entire month of August. Already a fan? Great, let your friends and family know! Each new fan means we'll donate $1 extra dollar towards these great causes. Let's get those numbers up!
  
  
• We are also sponsoring STPS’s Turtle Krawl 5k Run on September 17th in Nance Park in Indialantic, Florida. It is one of their major fundraisers and some of Absolutely Natural’s personnel are going to run in the event while the rest of us will man a booth.
  
  
• For the month of August, we are offering special Sea Turtle Tote Bags for sale, both individually and with kits of our products. We will donate a percentage of the sales of these totes and kits to the Brevard Zoo and the Sea Turtle Preservation Society.
  
  
• We are also putting stickers on our mail order boxes as well as info about sea turtles on all of our new Absolutely Natural spa labels. Thousands of people a month will see the labels on these products that are distributed all over the world.

We are happy and proud to be a small part of this noble cause … to protect this majestic animal and hopefully see their population grow every year.

Best regards

Charley

Our ENVY Organics/FHTM Family Reunion

I just came back from a huge family reunion.

Great company; lively conversation; bright, enthusiastic family members; and more love than you can fit into a million square feet of convention space. Oh, and while I was not technically related to anybody at the event how else can I describe last week’s FHTM Convention in Orlando, Florida?

All of my staff feels the same way and we love coming to any FHTM event. The Orlando Convention was especially rewarding as I got to talk to hundreds of people one-on-one and was privileged to introduce the latest additions to the Envy Organics product line.

It is particularly gratifying to hear the numerous stories of success people have had with the Envy product line. One gentleman had burned his arm badly and got relief from our Pure Aloe Gel and healing from the aloe and the cream. Another man proudly showed me his new hair growth resulting from using our sulfate free shampoos!

I had glowing reports from several members who have had great improvement with their eczema and psoriasis from daily use of our incredible lotions. And, countless who swore their hair looked better than it ever had using our personal care regiment.

But overwhelmingly I heard stories about improved skin after using our Organic Crème and Organic Oil and diminished wrinkles with use of the Day Serum, Night Serum and Eye Serum. I was really impressed with the results people are getting from the facial line. Of course, not only did I “hear” the stories, I witnessed the results.

My “family” is doing well and I’ll take as much credit as you want to give me for younger looking, more healthy, vibrant skin and hair!! We put our heart and soul into the Envy products and love hearing about and seeing the results.

Now the family was really excited about our new products. My favorite product (among the 300 or so we make) is the whipped coco-lime butter. It is magnificent for really dry skin and will be especially effective in the dry, cold winters. We also had a lot of excitement about the new Menvy line and I look forward to hearing from some of our gentlemen after they use the shower gel, shave cream and after-shave splash.

I have already heard positive feedback on our new shampoos and conditioners as we now offer a color treated product and a super hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Along with the Papaya Pineapple, there is now a wider selection for different hair types. All are Sulfate and Paraben-free, of course, while the color treated benefits additionally from sun-protection.

It was a blast introducing the other new products and your excitement was contagious. Our new insect repellant will be a great addition for you as will our coco-lime refreshing aloe mist. I keep one in my car as every year it seems I can drive less and less until I get “highway paralysis”. A nice blast of the mist brings me right back around.

On a personal note, I enjoyed the breakout sessions; you really know how to make someone feel welcome and I was energized after each of the presentations. And, I want to thank all of the FHTM corporate for making us part of the family and for building such a positive company.

This was a great family reunion; the only thing missing was my crazy Uncle Skeeter! We are looking forward to the next one.