Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Interview and Giveaway!

Photos of the homemade banana hair mask. It works VERY well. Beware if you have white-lady hair. It can make your hair greasy for days. But after a few washes, my hair looks fab! Miss E enjoyed wearing the shower cap while the mask soaked in.


Happy Black History Month!!!


Green, natural, healthy living is a subject near and dear to my heart.

I care about green living more than ever for a few reasons:

1: The Bible begins with the story of creation. Obviously, the earth and all that is on it matters to God.

2: I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in March of 2006---a wake up call. I realized that diabetes was my opportunity to make positive changes in how I cleaned, cooked, ate, exercised, beautified, etc. As an online adoption friend once said, "When you know better, you do better." :)

3: And now, with all I know, I want to model greener living for my daughters, husband, friends, and family.

Always, one will find stacks of health-minded books (including my Bible) on my nightstand. And recently, a friend handed me a copy of ECOBEAUTY. I instantly fell in love with the book.

MOTIVATION FOR CHANGE: Having brown kids, as many of my readers do, means we have to pay special attention to their hair and skin. So not only was I overhauling my beauty products (meaning, tossing a TON of stuff), but I was trying to figure out the best products and processes for my two brown baby girls (one of whom has eczema).

So after flagging numerous recipes (such as "Oatmeal Cookie Bath" and "Pumpkin Pie Mask"---yum!!!), I decided to contact the book's co-author, Janice Cox, who graciously agreed to not only allow me to interview her, but she offered a giveaway! An autographed copy of ECOBEAUTY for one of my lucky readers!

What I love about the book is that most ingredients are already in your kitchen! They are green, safe, inexpensive, and delicious! (If you have daughters, think how fun it would be to have a spa party!)

So first, the interview:

Q: I think many women want to go natural/green but don't know where to start. There is so much information, much of it conflicting. If you could offer women (and their families) one piece of advice on how to get started, what would it be?

I’ll bet they are already doing “green” things right now without really thinking about it. Getting back to basics, reading labels, being healthy, re-using items and saving money these are all things that are natural and green. Being Natural or Green is not really a shift in lifestyle but a shift in how you think about your life.

Q: Tell me about yourself---anything you want to share.

I live in Medford Oregon, have been married for 24 years and have two wonderful daughters who are both in college right now. I have a passion for Natural Beauty and DIY recipes and am the author of four books on the subject along with hundreds of magazine articles. I also love to do craft projects, cook and travel.

Q: Your daughter is a freshman in college and is already an author! Tell us what you love about being a mom.

Actually my one daughter is a Freshman at the University of Arizona and the other one is a Senior at UCLA . Nothing prepares you for Motherhood but what I love most about it is the pure Joy it brings into your life. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moments and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next – Motherhood is definitely all of these things and more. The good times definitely outweigh those challenging days and even now a simple, “I love you Mom” can totally make my day – that is the “ctrl alt delete” of Motherhood !

Q: Why is it important that moms and kids go natural in their beauty treatments and body care?

I believe less is more and being able to take care of your hair and skin with all natural and simple ingredients and products can produce amazing results. What you choose to use is a matter of personal choice but if you can look great and save time and money with all natural and simple products – I think that is the way to go! I am all about looking and feeling terrific, being healthy and saving money.

Q: You have obviously modeled for your daughter the importance of natural living. What other lessons have you taught your daughter?

I just want my girls to be strong and love the life they live. I have always stressed that we live our choices and both of my girls have made good choices with the way they live their lives and how they treat others. I am very proud of both of them and can only take partial credit for the young women they have become. All the credit goes to them.

Q: Tell my readers where they can find you online and what you are working on next.

You can find my books online at many of the online bookshops like Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Borders. I also have a website http://www.janicecox.com/ which I am in the process of upgrading but I do send out quarterly newsletters with tips, recipes and ideas. I am also now on Facebook and love that! It is fun to interact with other Natural Beauty Fans and Mothers.


Q: Do you have a motto for life? What is it?

Yes – I believe we are all born with a Natural Beauty and it is how we choose to use it that makes us truly beautiful.

Q: My blog readers consist mostly of busy moms. For a woman who might feel she is too busy to learn about living naturally, what advice can you offer her?

I would not stress over this; simply take it one step at a time. Start with one simple change like mixing up a fresh facial mask and treating themselves to a bit of pampering –my favorite is plain yogurt with a bit of honey added. Think easy, simple and fun and you will be fine. Also talk to family members it is amazing how many natural living tips I learned from my Grandmother. It really is true what they say there are not very many new ideas but many improved upon ideas!

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And the giveaway....

One blog reader will win an autographed copy of ECOBEAUTY. You may leave up to four comments (four separate entries). How do you enter?

1: Become a follower of this blog, and leave a comment telling me you did so.

2: Promote this blog entry and giveaway on Facebook, and leave a comment telling me you did so.

3: Promote this blog entry and giveaway on your own blog, and leave a comment telling me you did so.

4: Leave a comment responding to something said in Janice's interview that resonated with you.

THE NITTY GRITTY: The giveaway entry time begins today and ends at noon (central time) on February 5th. On February 5th, I will post the winner's name (drawn randomly) in a new blog entry. If you are the winner, please contact me within 48 hours by leaving a comment with your e-mail address. I will then contact you for shipping information, and your book will be on its way! If the winner doesn't contact me within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.


Thanks to Janice for her time and talent. May we all go a little greener, and therefore, a lot healthier! Cheers!

8 comments:

  1. I would love to try some of these recipes!

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  2. Yes, I love tyring new beauty things. My boys have the most sensitive skin and we are dealing with that now. So anything natural is better at this point. Thanks Rachel, and I love your header on your blog, beautiful!!

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  3. Great interview, Rachel. I am trying to start to go a more eco-friendly route, and even if I don't win the book I will definitely check it out! I'd love to try a mask in Gracie's hair!

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  4. posted on facebook :) I have many friends who would be interested in this book!

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  5. Hi Raych-
    It's me Becca from FB/Bethany Boards. I would love to read ECOBeauty! We have been trying to be more eco-conscious in our house- swapping cleaning products for lemon and vinegar and using olive oil on the boys instead of vaseline. I could always use some more ideas! And as a nutritionist I am always interested in learning more about caring for the body from the outside, not just the inside!

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  6. Just officially followed... thought I had before? Either way. lol

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