There's no denying the long-term feel-good effects of a product that does right by both your body and the planet. While it's easy to feel a mild rush from the scent or lather of an average soap, it's doubly satisfying to know that your suds stem from a source that considers your great-great grandchildren's future. Pangea Organic's line of sumptuously crafted soaps and lotions is proof that it is indeed possible to pamper your body while protecting the earth. Pangea's products are made with ingenious organic herbal combinations that are as are as aromatherapeutic and delectable as they are earth-friendly. Try not to take a bite of bar soaps like Indian green tea with mint and rose petals, oatmeal with Italian bergamot, and Egyptian fennel with grapefruit and sweet orange. Yum. And though most beauty products (even those that call themselves "natural") contain petrochemicals like cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium lauryl sulfate that can take up to 200 years to break down, the Pangea line begins to biodegrade within 48 hours of use.
Since its inception in 2001, Pangea has adhered to the golden rule of natural beauty — clearly listing every ingredient used in each product — and staying away from parabens, petroleum, synthetic preservatives, and artificial colors and fragrances. Each Pangea product is also handcrafted with ingredients that are 100 percent organic, fair trade, and cruelty-free. Consumers will feel good about Pangea's dedication to natural ingredients and its commitment to harvesting the finest essential oils on earth — through a community of farmers that spans the U.S.A, Chile, Egypt, Madagascar, and India — and they'll also love soaping up with a bar scented with Pyrennees lavender and cardamom.
PANGEA ORGANICS
COST: $6.99 for 3.75 oz. bar of soap; $15.99 for 8 oz. bottle body lotion
WHERE TO BUY: Pangea Organics
Interests: Horseback riding, watching the silence of the snow, obviously anything creative, cooking
Inspiration: Like most of you, when I heard of recycling to save the earth, I naturally assumed I needed to separate my plastics, newspapers and glass. I was helping. That was all I needed to do. Then one day, I was searching around for something fun, some art, and I came across this abstract piece. It was gorgeous - it looked like a naturally formed wave of icy white water bursting into the air. When I looked closer at it, I saw that it was made from recycled plastic caps. I was in shock. What kind of imagination and talent does that take to look at a plastic cap and see more to it then what it actually is? How can someone be so ingenious that they can take something that we normally throw away and create such a piece of beauty with it? This is the thought process that I could not stop pondering and it took over my mind, body and soul and soon enough became my muse.
I began Earth's Journey for this reason. I wanted to show the world that there was more to saving the earth than just recycling. There is beauty in things we can't even imagine, and so many ways to help our planet flourish. There are products out there that we all could use to completely decorate, furnish and run a home... all environmentally safe. You can buy organic bedding, non-toxic cleaning detergents, solar power, or make a change in a small way by using energy-efficient light bulbs. But the best part of recycling and being eco-friendly is the beauty that you'll find here, with all of our different artisans. As you can see I'm very passionate about this type of artistic creativity, and I hope you will be too.
I invite you to sit back, relax and ... Be Inspired by Green!