My Unruly Hair, Tamed - A Neuma Review

I have amazing friends in my life. Sometimes I look at myself and think, my God, would I ever be able to tackle what she has?

One friend, has lived years separated from her husband by over 3,400 miles! I don't know how she does it to be honest; she's so strong. Todd leaves to Ohio for 10 days and I'm an utter mess. Yep, I'm that person.

Another friend, a hairstylist, unhappy with the salon she was employed at uprooted and started her own hair salon business with two of her co-workers. They're in their mid-twenties! I wouldn't know the first thing about starting my own business, let alone having the guts to embark on such a daring adventure. She's one smart cookie. Oh and their salon has the best name ever, Whimsy & Beau, located in my hometown of Palmer, AK. How'd they even come up with that? It's such a perfect name! If you live in the Mat-Su Valley, Eagle River, or Anchorage, there's no better hairstylists or talented, deserving girls out there. 

The people in our lives constantly surprise us. So, it was with great pleasure that I got an email from the latter friend, Martha the hairstylist extraordinaire, asking me if I wanted to test and review a favorite hair care line that Whimsy & Beau carries, called Neuma.

She informed me that Neuma was:

• eco-friendly 
• completely vegan
• organic
• not tested on animals
• 90% post consumer recycled packaging
• paperless operation
• 100% certified wind power offsets used to used to manufacture products and bottles 

Neuma products are clean and transparent as well. They have no:

• synthetic fragrances
• sulfates
• parabens
• phthalates
• glutens
• neurotoxins
• aluminum compounds
• formaldehyde donors
• ureas
• carcinogens

I have naturally wavy hair. It's downright mussy and was once described by a co-worker, "...it feels like straw." Sad face. So, I was shocked at how soft the Neuma ReNue Shampoo and Conditioner made my hair. I wash it at night, and sleep on it wet. When I wake up, I straighten my bangs and head out the door. That's pretty much the extent of my styling. Ain't nobody got time for that! But because my hair wasn't dry and brittle like it usually is, when I woke up I had beautiful curls instead of odd kinks. Wavy hair girls, you know exactly what I mean. It looked liked I had actually lightly curled my hair as opposed to sleeping on a potato crimper.

I'm used to using a lot of shampoo. I must have a ton of suds to really feel comfortable that my hair is super squeaky clean. I know this is illogical, but it's my nature. And I only shampoo like twice per week so it's okay; that's what I tell myself anyway. The great thing about the Neuma line is that you just need a teeny bit for loads of suds. I'm a devoted Paul Mitchell gal myself, so the transition was kind of rough; I had to use an exorbitant amount of that shampoo. It was shameful, really. Maybe that's why they make the bottles so big?

“Why use essential oils instead of fragrance? The word “fragrance” covers over 5,000 known chemical substances. Only 1,500 have yet to be tested for safety – over 850 are known carcinogens, neurotoxins, asthma instigators, etc. By using only healthy essential oils, NEUMA can be truly transparent and show you every ingredient in our product.”

Another thing that I absolutely love about this shampoo and conditioner? The smell. OMG, it' is the best smelling hair product I have ever used. The ReNue line smells like peppermint and vanilla. The best part is that they don't contain any synthetic fragrances! It's delicious smell comes only from essential oils! I find that impossibly important and absolutely incredible.

I also adore their Argan oil. It makes my hair so soft and shiny. I put it in after I towel dry my hair and then brush it through. If I braid my hair or need a bit of texture, I'll run some of their styling clay through. It's great for men too; Todd usually uses a clay when his hair is on the shorter side and he loves it.

The bottom line is that I won't be searching for any other hair care products and I can't tell you how excited that makes me. You know when you're not completely satisfied or feeling good about what you're using and you can't wait until it's all gone so you can go find something else? I don't have to feel like that anymore! Huzzah!

Vegan, eco-friendly, transparent, sustainable products that are naturally and deliciously fragranced and contain no questionable ingredients is a complete win in my book. Neuma is a high quality product and perhaps on the spendy side (for someone who is frugal about that stuff), but I use so little of it compared to most other products, that it doesn't bother me at all. Neuma's tagline should be, "Get those feel-good vibes!" Be sure to check out my dear friends over at Whimsy and Beau too! 

Have you used Neuma? What's your favorite hair care line?

*DISCLAIMER*  PRODUCE ON PARADE IS A PERSONAL BLOG WRITTEN AND EDITED BY MYSELF ONLY, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. MY REVIEWS ARE COMPLETELY BASED ON MY OWN OPINION OF THE PRODUCT REVIEWED. THESE PRODUCTS WERE SUPPLIED TO ME AS GIFTS TO TEST AND REVIEW. OTHERWISE, IF I MENTION A COMPANY BY NAME AND THERE IS NO DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST, I AM MERELY WRITING ABOUT SOMETHING I LIKE, PURCHASE AND/OR USE. THE FACT THAT I DO RECEIVE A PRODUCT AS A GIFT TO TEST AND REVIEW, WILL NEVER POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE CONTENT MADE IN THIS POST.

Eco-Friendly & Inexpensive Gift Wrapping

Are you done with your holiday gift wrapping? If you're like me then you might have a few more gifts to go. And if you're like me...wrapping paper makes you angry. 

Hear me out. Trees are chopped to create wrapping paper that's just ripped apart, and usually throw away (hopefully recycled), or tossed into the woodstove (if you're Alaskan like that). Am I insane? Maybe. But really, it does bug me. It just seems so wasteful. 

For the last several years I've said NO! I won't participate! Over the course of the year, I save all that brown and beige packing paper (I was especially excited to see the green one!) that comes in shipped packages. You know, when you buy stuff from Amazon or online, it's usually packed in some sort of paper. It makes wonderful wrapping paper and it's getting a second life! Upcycled, green, and totally timeless don't you think? Plus, it seriously costs nothing. The only thing I bought to wrap these these gifts was the twine. It's like $0.75 at my grocery store. Oh, and Scotch tape. 

Here are some examples of how I wrap and decorate my gifts:

1. First, who says you need a box? I often just wrap the presents themselves in the paper. No box? No problem!
2. Tie gifts with inexpensive jute, raffia, or twine.
3. Create a snowflake from paper you need to recycle to adorn the gifts. Bonus points if you make the snowflakes with your kids (or husband)!
4. Tie in a little spruce twig from a tree outside. Just a little pruning will do. Don't lop off an entire arm, the poor thing. Or if you have holly, that would be really lovely. We don't have holly up here in Alaska. Sad face. 
5. Tie in a fabric ribbon you inherited from last year's gifts. 
6. If you must have some sparkle to your gifts, add a few gold curling ribbons.
7. Finally, instead of making wasteful tags for each gift, I just write the recipients name on the package itself. You can use a regular ol' pen or a fancy, gold sparkly one like I have! I like to draw little snowflakes or hearts on the gift wrapping sometimes too. 

Pretty, huh? You're sophisticated gifts will stand out from the busy and chaotic holiday prints under the tree. And don't forget to recycle all that paper! 

Wishing you peace and kindness this holiday season,

Katie

25 Simple Ways to Enrich Your Life

This post all started because one day I was sitting about (like I do) and pondering on how I need to eat more beans. Yes, beans. Like...legumes. Seriously. That is so weird. Who does that??

Anyways, as I sat disheartened by what a poor bean eater I must be, I began to think about more ways to lead a healthier life. A healthier life, to me anyways, equates to a happier life. And I'm not just talking about being healthy with regards to diet. Mental, social, and environmental health as well! I also thought about all the stuff I already do to enrich my life and what a cool blog post that would be.

Below are 25 things that I currently do and also things that I would like to do more of and/or start doing. Take a peek and if you're looking for new ways to lead a happier and healthier life (who isn't?), I hope you find some good ideas! Let me know what you do to enrich your life or what you'd like to start doing.

I've seen some of the different posts on ways to better your life. They're usually one in the same. Eat better, sleep more, exercise, yadda, yadda. But, I've never seen a post with specific things that that particular person has been doing. And it's always better to see real examples, in my opinion. Adapt them to your own! Nobody better start coming up to Alaska to visit my Nanners in her home...that would be really weird. Anyway, here you go!

Things I'm already doing:

Create less waste by purchasing eco-friendly, reusable alternatives.  -- This includes snack tins instead of plastic bags, cloth towels instead of paper towels, and eco-friendly trash bags. Purchasing cruelty-free products. -- Such as toilet paper, paper towels, toiletries, and beauty products. -- I like Dessert Essence, Seventh Generation, Paul Mitchell, and Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Products. Learn a new language. -- I am halfway through learning German on Duolingo. You should try it for yourself. Es ist viel Spaß! See my progress, here. Eat at least one servings of nuts per day. -- Cashews and walnuts are my favorite. I usually have a small handful when I get home after work, to tide me over until dinner.  Post at least four times a week to Produce On Parade. -- It's important to my readers (and to me!) to have regular posts and I love being able to express my creativity.  Exercise at least five times a week. -- During the workweek, I run for 50 minutes four days a week and do yoga one day. On the weekend, Todd and I usually have at least one Alaskan adventure outside.  Listen to NPR or other news once a day. -- I like to listen to NPR on my commute.  Walk Bailey at least twice per day. -- He gets a walk in the morning and one at night as well. It's a good way to start the morning and wind down after work. The fresh air doesn't hurt either! Donate to charity. -- Every year I donate a portion of my Alaska PFD to three meaningful charities. Sometimes they change. Last year I donated to Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue, Arthritis Foundation Alaska, and Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska. One for me, one for Todd, and one for sweet Grandma Nancy. This year I donated to Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska, Meadow Gates Farm Sanctuary, and Valley Community for Recycling Solutions. Also, whenever the grocery store asks me to donate to (insert charity/foundation), I say yes. And so should you. Even if it's just rounding up to the nearest dollar. If I can afford to buy a latte (I don't actually buy lattes), then I can afford to donate at the grocery store.  Become more minimalist by not accepting freebies and reusing/repurposing items. -- I love having less. It sounds weird and counterintuitive, but once you start purging yourself of items that are rarely used it really shows you what you have and you end up valuing those items more! Becoming more minimalist is an ongoing journey for Todd and myself. I recommend reading The Joy of Less, which I have read and Zero Waste Home is next on my list.  Speaking of books, I always alternate a book for pleasure with a book for learning.  -- Right now I am reading A Feast for Crows: A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) and when I'm done with that I will read Zero Waste Home. Making more of my own homemade kitchen basics. -- We make our own sandwich bread, non-dairy butter, and almond milk. I've also been sprouting recently, but I'd really like to try my hand at pasta! Listen to learning podcasts. -- My favorites are Stuff Mom Never Told You, Snap Judgement, Stuff You Should Know, The Hen House, and Nutrition Diva. Be less of a hermit. -- This is the very difficult for me. My goal has been to say hi to co-workers in the hall, wave at passing cars on our road, chit-chat more, etc. It's a small step, but at least it's in the right direction. 

Sidenote: If you live in Alaska, you BEST be pickin' and clickin' and givin'. Don't be that person that doesn't give back. Click the image below to search charities and find one that matters to you!

Things I would like to start doing more:

Eat at least one serving of protein rich foods per day. -- Such as tempeh, beans, tofu, lentils, and/or quinoa. Paint. -- This is difficult, as our rental house is so, sooo incredibly tiny. My easel is packed away below the house. Sad face.  Get more involved with animal charity work. -- I donate money and items to our rescue foundation, but I'd like to get involved with more campaigning (I use that word loosely) against factory farming. Drink one healthy smoothie a day. -- I used to do this regularly, but lately breakfast has been hard for me to swallow. Literally. I don't really do food in the morning. In fact, this morning I got everything out to make a green smoothie but then, I decided I just couldn't bear it and put it all back away.  Visit my grandparents more. -- I need to be better at this.  Make Bailey his own food. -- Bob still gets mostly dry dog food, but I've read about people cooking up rice, sweet potatoes, and beans for their dogs. The longest living dog was vegetarian! Compost! -- We don't have one because we rent, but I'd really love to start one. I might look into the worm composting that was recommended by a reader, until we build our own house. Grow more vegetables and fruits. -- I grow my own herbs and some easy stuff like rhubarb, but once we build our house (fingers crossed for starting this spring!) I'd like to have a large food garden. Forage. --I've bought myself a few books on foraging, and there couldn't be a better place than Alaska. I can't wait for spring and summer to arrive! Phone my BFF in the states more. -- You know who you are. I am the worst with conversing on that little electronic gadget. I'm so sorry! It doesn't mean I don't love you to absolute pieces! Teensy, tiny, itty bitty pieces I tell you! Be less of a perfectionist. -- A big one is letting a certain someone wash dishes...even if he doesn't do as good of a job as me? It's a work in progress.

Well, there you have it. Do you already do any of these, or did you find some that you'd like to start doing? Any that you'd like to share? I'd love to know!