***REVIEW*** Tamanu Oil (Foraha Oil) by Puressant

This latest review is for an oil that treats conditions I don't normally have problems with:

• Acne
• Eczema
• Scaly skin
• Sunburn
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatism
• Diaper Rash
• Skin eruptions
• Abrasions
• Burns
• Insect bites
• Scrapes

Tamanu Oil (or Foraha Nut Seed Oil) is a "traditional healing oil". This one is from Puressant via Amazon. I've always received good products and great service from Puressant, by the way. However, as many oils as I have used, I had never heard of Tamanu oil before.

What caught my eye was that this is supposed to be "ideal for use in creams, ointments, lotions and other cosmetic products". That's because I have been making some products for myself from various natural oils and other ingredients.

aka: Foraha Nut Seed Oil

When I took a closer look at the product, I saw that it's also good for reducing foot and body odor.

Hmmm...

Since it takes a while to review products' results for certain things - like help with alleviating certain skin conditions - I took the direct route and tried this for a couple of uses:

• Insect bites 
• Foot odor
• Scaly skin

Though we are closing out on the worst of our insect season here, there are still a few pests around (like spiders and whatever it is that bit my on the foot the other day). Also, there is no shortage of stinky feet with a 3 year old in the house (and, okay, my feet aren't lovely after a day in sneakers). Then there is the issue I sometimes have on my left elbow. It gets scaly from leaning on it while reading or watching TV in bed. Usually, my other oils keep things smooth, but I did a 3 day period of avoiding them on just that one elbow for this review.

Okay. So for the insect bite I had on my foot, I can't say that it instantly took away the itch, but it worked as well as the stuff you can buy at the store. Maybe it depends on the bite. I think my was a spider bite.

For seeing how this worked with stinky feet, I added some of the Tamanu oil with the argan oil I usually put in my feet in the morning. As long as the weather is warm, I tend to wear my slip-on trainers without socks. That time of year is coming to a close, but I was able to test this product for a couple of day. Result? I like it! Usually, at the end of the day, I do have some foot odor. It's not so bad for a couple of days after I have washed my shoes. The odor is not as bad as, say, a teenage boy's shoes after a rough day, but even faint foot odor is not pleasant. The Tamanu oil did work really well for that. I ended up adding a couple of drops to my shoes for overnight and I will probably make a habit of that, as well as applying directly to my feet. With winter coming, I will be wearing my boots and socks a lot more, so....

The most interesting thing about this oil is how it worked on my elbows. Because of the way it did soothe and smooth that rough patch of skin that was there, I think there must be some sort of natural exfoliating properties to the oil. I will have to look into that. I got good results after one application, but I have been using it on my elbows (almost) every night for about a week and I really do like the results.

Now, that's all the Pros. There is something I have to mention: the smell. It's... unique. I can't really even describe it now, but I'm glad that it fades pretty quickly after application. (I have loaned the oil out to a friend for a couple of days and can't take a fresh sniff to describe it better.)

I have not tried it yet as an additive to my other creams and potions, except for using it with argan oil on my feet. I want to try it out on my scalp, just to see what happens.

The price is up there but, since this can be mixed in with other oils and lotions, I don't think that I will be using it up fast - even using for a couple different issues every day. It takes the smallest amount for my elbows and shoe/foot applications.

Check it out. If anyone has used it for the other skin issues that are mentioned, do let me know what results you got.

Peace
--Free



DISCLOSURE: I received one or more of the products mentioned above in exchange for providing a fair and honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

And Now for Some Smiles

Usually, I put all the funnies over on my other blog, but this one could use something light after the past few days. This is from an email I got from my aunt...

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

 SARAH PALIN: The chicken crossed the road because, gosh-darn it, he's a MAVERICK!


BARACK OBAMA: Let me be perfectly clear, if the chickens like their eggs they can keep their eggs. NO chicken will be required to cross the road to surrender her eggs. Period.


JOHN McCAIN: My friends, the chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to ENGAGE in cooperation and dialogue with ALL the chickens on the other side of the road.


HILLARY CLINTON: What difference at this point does it make WHY the chicken crossed the road?


GEORGE W. BUSH: We do NOT really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road or not. The chicken is either with us or against us. There is NO middle ground here.


DICK CHENEY: Where's my GUN?


BILL CLINTON: I did NOT cross the road with that chicken.


AL GORE: I INVENTED the chicken.


JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it!  It was the WRONG road to cross, and I was MISLED about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.


AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens WHITE?


DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken will NOT realize that he must FIRST deal with the problem on this side of the road BEFORE it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he is acting by not taking on his current problems before adding any new problems.


OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having PROBLEMS, which is why he wants to cross the road so badly. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a NEW CAR so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.


ANDERSON COOPER: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, BUT we have NOT yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.


NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.


PAT BUCHANAN: To STEAL the JOB of a decent, hardworking American.


MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to WARN me which way the chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. NO little bird gave me any Insider Information.


DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, BUT why it crossed I've not been told.


ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To DIE in the rain, alone.


GRANDPA: In my day we did NOT ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough for us.


BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heartwarming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its Lifelong Dream of crossing the road.


ARISTOTLE: It is the NATURE of chickens to cross the road.


BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2014, which will NOT only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2014. This new PLATFORM is much more stable and will never reboot.


ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, OR did the road move beneath the chicken?


COLONEL SANDERS: DID I MISS ONE?

Laughter really does the heart good!

Peace
--Free

Sharing Views of the Valley

Life is full of highs and lows.

The past couple of months have been rough and necessary. I managed to hit rock bottom emotionally and get to a peak in my faith. I could not have survived the bottom without the peak or reached the peak without hitting the bottom. Life is odd, painful, beautiful and crazy.

These are some thoughts that came out of my recent ups and downs. I tend to deal with most of my feelings through a sort of creative and passive-aggressive use of my words.  There is a story behind every one of the photo-texts but I don't have the energy or ability to focus long enough to get them written. Good thing about it is, I've come out renewed and re-motivated.

Feel free to use any of these for non-commercial use as long as you credit/link to www.freebeingfree.blogspot.com

Peace
--Free

The Devil is STILL a Liar

Six years ago, I wrote a semi-humorous post about a saying I grew up hearing in church: "The Devil is a liar!"

This is the not so humorous sequel about what the Devil will and won't tell us.

He'll tell you that all money is good money because any money will spend.
He won't tell you that you can't spend money as well if you're dead or locked up.

He'll tell you that money can buy everything you need to look good, eat well, live high and mighty..
He won't tell you that the money that bought your clothes can't buy self-respect; that the money that lets you travel the world can't tell you where to find peace of mind. The money that makes people want to be around you can't buy you one true friend.

He'll tell you that we should try everything at least once. Life is, after all, for living to the fullest.
He won't remind you about the person who OD'd the first time they tried drugs, or got pregnant the first time they had sex with a stranger. He won't tell you that you can go to jail the first time you do something illegal. He won't tell you that the very first time you do something stupid you could end up with a life - your's or someone else's - changed for the worst. He won't tell you that living life to the fullest doesn't have to mean living life to the stupidest and most reckless. He won't tell you that you could end up brain dead, all dead or just wishing you were dead.

He'll tell you, when you are at your peak, that you can do it all, have it all and be it all.
He won't show you how to cope when you hit your lowest point and can't do, have or be anything that you once could.

He will tell you, when you are at your lowest, that no one loves you, needs you, or wants you.
He won't tell you about that you have mattered, or can one day matter, to someone. He won't tell you about a God who loves you. He won't remind you that you aren't the only one who has felt this way and lived past the feelings and the struggle.

He will tell you that because some people who are doing stupid, ignorant, illegal or immoral stuff and seem to be happy, unconcerned, or getting away with it, that you should too.
He won't' remind you that there is a reason some things are considered stupid, illegal or immoral. He doesn't want you to think about the people doing those things who aren't happy. unconcerned or getting away with anything.

He will tell you, especially if you are very young or very vulnerable, that YOLO (You Only Live Once).
He won't tell you that how you live at any age matters and has consequences. He won't remind you that you only live this life once.

He will tell you that you should want to be like the celebrities you see in the media. That you should be living the life they are living.
He won't tell you that, just like the rest of us, those people get sad, sick, worried, heartbroken and, eventually, dead. He won't remind you that feelings - good or bad - are the same whether a person is wearing designer clothes or handed down rags. He won't' remind you that some things cost more than money and that some people have paid for what they have with something more precious than gold.

He will tell you that you'd be happier "if only". He wants you to think that you'd be happier if only you were coupled up, or single; childless or a parent; black instead of white; rich instead of poor; this instead of that....
He won't tell you that there are people just like you who are happy, content, successful and fulfilled. He won't tell you that everything he is saying to you, he is saying to someone else.

Most of all, he will tell you that where you are now in life - whether in success or failure, joy or sorrow, wealth or poverty - is you will remain.
He doesn't want you  to know that everything he tells you is a lie. He doesn't want you to have hope or true happiness. He wants to hold us hostage to our present so that we don't think past it. He will hold our past over our heads so that we live in regret of mistakes or past glory. Most of all, he doesn't want to think that there is any more to life than what we have gained or lost.

Peace
--Free

**REVIEW** Red Raspberry Seed Oil

You all know that oils are kind of my passion, right? Well, just when I think I have tried almost every oil there is, I find out about one I've never heard of. This is a new try out for me:

Euro dropper

That is Puressant's 100% Pure and Organic Red Raspberry Seed Oil. It's cold pressed and comes with a 'euro dropper'.

This oil reminds me of rosehip seed oil. Except it smells better.

When I tested this on the back of my hand, I was expecting an oily texture. It does go on the skin like other oils, but it absorbs with just the slightest massaging and then it's invisible to the eye. If I didn't feel the difference in my skin, I would have doubted that I had even applied the product.

Here is where that absorbency comes into play for me: this is an oil that I can actually apply to my face without the shine or slickness. This is a great oil for adding to other moisturizers and, in fact, the back label indicates adding this to your existing hair and skin products.

Since I hadn't heard about Raspberry Seed Oil, I wanted to check out what's being said about it:

• It's possibly effective as a sunscreen
• High in lots of properties beneficial to the skin
• And that dang sunscreen issue keeps popping up!

Of course, I also did a test of applying this to my face. One interesting thing that I noticed is that, using this alone, the product has a toning effect on the skin. That's was a nice surprise because I will be able to use this as a toner in certain spots (such as on my neck and under my jawline), but still add to my moisturizing products for use elsewhere. 

On my makeup-wearing days when I am in a hurry and can't deal with blotting my other oils, I will be able to use this. Right now, I am experimenting with using this on my throat at night (mixed with another oil) and, next time I wash and treat my hair, I am going to apply some of this to my scalp and the ends of my hair. I see here that there are possible benefits to both hair and skin. 

The Amazon Prime price (about $13 when I ordered) on this was great, though I will say that this is one oil I would pay perhaps another $5 or $10 for. That's mostly because, since I will be mixing this with other oils and products, I will be able to get a lot of use from the 1-oz bottle. Also, I really do like the non-oily moisturizing effect. Nice plus: there is a 100% money-back guarantee offered.

I have to tell you, I'm pretty impressed with Red Raspberry Seed Oil. I'm going to be looking into more uses for this overall. Will keep you posted.

Peace

--Free

DISCLOSURE: I received this product in exchange for providing a fair and honest review. 

**Issues with Email Updates**

I've had more than one person tell me that they are having problems with getting email updates of the blog.

This is one of those irritating issues that pop up from time to time - seemingly for no reason.

Please know that I am looking into how to fix this problem. Of course, Blogger doesn't always cooperate with me! I'm hoping that this is a glitch that I can clear up with tweaking the blog settings.

When you guys do start getting the updates again, I hope you will let me know.

Meantime, I really appreciate all of you who read the blog. Don't break up with me while me and the blog are undergoing repair therapy!


                                    

...The city (or a blog with email updates that work!)

Peace
--Free

**REVIEW** J.R. Liggett Bar Shampoo Moisturizing Hair Formula

When I did the pre-review for the shampoo bars, I didn't think I was going to end up being so excited about them. Well, I am pretty excited now that I have tried the Moisturizing Formula.

I got both formulas to try - the Original and the Moisturizing - and, of course, I tried the Moisturizing first.

This is the first time that I have ever used a shampoo (bar or otherwise) that made my hair feel this good. EVER.

I read somewhere that, once your hair gets used to this shampoo, there might be no need for you to apply conditioner. I put this to the test from the get-go. The first time I used it (sans conditioner), my hair was not anywhere near as dried out as with regular shampoos. While it was still wet, it felt as if I had used conditioner. Once it dried, it was still softer than with other treatments, but needed a little boost of moisturizing spray.

The second time I used this, I didn't need any spray. That may be because the shampoo bar didn't strip my hair of the previously applied moisture. Actually, that is the whole trick to this product: it's non-stripping - no matter which formula you use. The moisturizing one has a boost of moisture to add to the effect.

Results after the third shampoo (and I was purposely shampooing a lot just to test this out), were phenomenal. My hair dried and I resisted putting in any leave-ins or other additional moisturizers. This shampoo passed the test with flying colors. I can add some spray for a little more softness boosting but, really, the only thing I need is to make sure that my scalp is well-moisturized.

It's really rare that I find a hair product that exceeds my expectations this way.

You guys know how I have been disappointed in finding leave-in treatments to soften and moisturize my hair, right? Well, who knew that I could have eliminated a lot of that hassle just by using the right shampoo?

Here's the bonus for me: I can actually wash my hair more instead of doing co-washing and just guarding like crazy against sweating. Seriously. I love washing my hair with this bar.

Bonus 2: I use this on my skin also.

I normally don't use soap of any kind of my face. I prefer cleaning with oils. Sometimes though, I will clean my face with a light and foaming cleanser. It's like a once or twice every other month kind of thing. I like getting the deep clean to take care of blackheads and such, but I hate that it takes my face a whole day to recover.

When I used this on my face, I did need to re-apply my facial oil, but my skin never got that tight, dried out feeling like it does with other soaps. As for my body, it was gentle and effective.

I have really scored in finding this shampoo bar. Can't wait to try the other formula.

My hair feels like it's being healed from its natural dryness. I plan to keep using this moisturizing formula for the next month or so (since I will be washing my hair more), then when I think my hair is completely "healed", maybe switching up every other washing with the Original formula.

If you are looking for something to re-nourish your hair and help keep it that way, you should consider giving one of these shampoo bars a try out. With my hair being 4B/4c and extremely dry, this is like a miracle product. Now I don't have to keep searching for every new leave-in product that promises to relieve my hair issues.

Since this is a non-stripping shampoo, hair color will last longer. I like that because I only dye my hair every now and then, but it never lasts past more than a few washes with regular shampoos.

A few more things to let you know about this shampoo:

• It's not as long as the average bar of soap. 
• I saw some reviews that said it didn't lather much. It lathered plenty for me. I think you have to wash rinse off the outer "skin" first.
• Like any soap (or maybe more so), this will dissolve if left in water. I keep mine in a plastic baggy in between uses.
• Some people advised cutting the bar into sections. That sounds like a good idea. I will be cutting my new bars, but I just used this one right out of the wrapping.
• I read somewhere that each bar lasts as long as a 32-oz bottle of liquid shampoo. (Even if it doesn't, I'm thinking of what I save on conditioner!)

Since it might be a while before I post a review about the Original formula, I will list the ingredients for it now along with those for the Moisturizing one. Both bars are 3.5 oz. They are 

Moisturizing Formula   ($6.99)                         Original Formula ($6.58)

Olive oil                                                                 Olive oil

Coconut oil                                                            Coconut oil

Castor oil                                                               Castor oil

Pure New Hampshire spring water                        Pure New Hampshire spring water

Organic jojoba oil                                                  Sodium hydroxide (a binder)

Almond oil                                                             Essential oils for fragrance

Pure essential oils for fragrance                                    

If any of you do try any of the shampoo bars, do let me know how you like it (or not).

Peace

--Free

**REVIEW** Day by Day Beauty Luxury Blotting Paper for Oily Facial Skin

Fact One: Oil can be good for the skin - any type of skin.
Fact Two: The problem for some skin is having too much oil.
Fact Three: For any type of skin, oil leads to shine.

I love oil. I love moisturizing my skin with it, and I love to clean my skin with it. What I don't like is when too much oil interferes with my makeup or with my efforts not to look like I'm having an oil slick breakout.

These...
                                                   
...are Day by Day's Luxury Blotting Papers.

Mine came in a 2-pack set with 100 sheets to each packet.

They're awesome for getting rid of that shiny, new penny look I sometimes get during the day. Even when I am using oil as my primary moisturizer (which is almost always), once I've absorbed all the oil my skin needs, I like to blot the excess.

Of course, I've used all kinds of blotting papers. Some have been good, some have not. Here's what I like about these by Day by Day:

• They are thin but not flimsy.
• One sheet does as good a job as 2 (or even 3) of some of the papers of lesser quality.
• There's no powdery residue to mess up my makeup (or just look creepy on my bare face).
• They don't stick to my face or tear (like one brand did, no kidding) when I'm blotting.

When I did the Amazon review for these, I rated them at 4 stars because I couldn't show 4.5 stars. The only reason I am withholding a half star might be because of something that's my own fault: I find it tricky to remove the sheets from the packet. Really. That's the only flaw with this product for me.

At first, I was concerned about the price. At the $9.97 Prime price, these are about twice what I paid for a brand from a local beauty supply store. Then again, that cheaper brand is the brand that was so flimsy the sheets tore while I was using them... And, to be fair, for 200 sheets of the Day by Day brand, the price works out lots better than I realized - especially since one works so much better than several of the cheapie kind.

And, if you think blotting papers can't make a difference in skin appearance, here's me...

No makeup, just blotted one side

The left side is blotted while the right side is not. This is a few hours after I had applied my morning facial oil. You can tell that the blotted side looks less lined and aged. There is a type of smoothing effect going on there.

I'm really considering going back and editing my Amazon review after using these more and more. I'm pretty sure that the slot on the bottom of the packet has something to do with making it easier to remove the sheets. Even so, that's not such a hassle when I get such good use from these.

Every year, the ladies in my family end up buying things for at least a couple of gift bag type presents - you know, for the folks who are hard to shop for, or for the extra people we invite for the holidays... I'm thinking that these blotting papers are going to be perfect additions to those bags. They are reasonably priced (for the quality), very handy - for men or women - and what I don't give away, I can always use.

Peace

--Free

(P.S.: I am going back over to edit my rating to a 5-star review. I found the little notch at the back that assists in removing the sheets... Doh!)

DISCLOSURE: DISCLOSURE: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Watch Your Mouth

Talking, over-talking, and just being a  little too loose with words is a subject that keeps coming up lately. My nephew and I were having a conversation the just yesterday about people who don't know when to shut up. Recently, I read in a Bible devotion about the mouth being all kinds of trouble.

I've been working hard myself lately to guard what comes out of my mouth. It's a challenge.

We are conditioned to believe that it's a sign of strength to "speak up" and be aggressive. The problem with that is, we've all lost our way and we tend to be bold when saying things that do no positive good, but we get real  quiet when we might ought to be shouting from the rooftops.

If you sit and think about it, I bet you can name the last time you "cracked wise" or "put somebody in their place" when it came to something silly. Can you tell me that last time you spoke up when it was not a popular thing to do? Go ahead. Take your time. I'll wait.
It's easy to "pop off" at the mouth when we are trying to be cute. We do it all the time in group conversations, on social media, or when we are at the club. It's not so easy when it comes to, say, speaking to someone face-to-face. one-on-one about something that could be life-changing.

The Lord knows I needed kindness

As a Christian, I am finding it easier every day to start biting my tongue and not always saying the first thing that pops into my head when someone makes me mad. (I'm finding it easier, I said, not always done.) What I still have trouble with is talking openly about my faith with someone who might look at me like I'm crazy.

My niece had guests in town recently. They are very dear friends of ours - like family, really. I wanted to share the Gospel with them, but they spent most of their time here out of town, seeing the sights. When I did get a brief moment with one of the ladies, I managed to ask if she "loved Jesus". She replied that she did and I told her that maybe the next time she comes to visit, she could go to church with me.

That exchange took all of 1 minute 10 seconds. Then we were interrupted with the noise of the kids and other people and other things. Life goes on, right?

I am getting better about sharing my faith with people, but I still get a little tongue-tied and nervous that they will be offended or react badly in some other way. Funny how I never worried about that when I shared other things with people. I can remember having had in my past some casual conversations about very intimate things with people. Sometimes, I wasn't even great friends with these folks.

So.

What I am doing to "watch my mouth" these days is basic stuff:

• Thinking before I speak is harder than it sounds. So much of what we do and say is habit. We've been conditioned to respond out of pride, self-defense and in thoughtless reaction.
• Trying to first imagine how what I am saying is going to be heard by the person I am speaking to. If I am making a point, is my attitude drowning out my words? 
• Trying to "keep it real", as folks used to say, while still keeping it true. 
• Knowing that every sentence out of my mouth does not have to be an opinion. Sometimes, I learn more from what I ask than by what I state.
• Realizing that conversations are made up of dialogue, not monologues. 
• Understanding that anyone I speak to has their own ideas about a subject and might want to share them with me as much as I want to share mine with them. And that people want me to give as much thought to their words as I'd like them to give mine. 

This is stuff that I am still working on and I am reminded to work harder at it every time I fail. I fail quite a bit.

If there is one thing that I wish I had learned sooner (while my parents were trying to teach me), it is that being a "smart mouth" is not the same as being smart. Or kind, or respectful, or mature.

If any of you catch me "mouthing off" without decent motivation, please care about me enough to remind me that it's not "cute". From now on, my response to people who are being unkind is to say, "There. Feel better now?" (Just kidding. That is my self-defensive pride talking.) What I will do is try to be as patient with them as I would want someone to be with me.

Peace

--Free