EASTER SUNDAY REFLECTING ON BLESSINGS

Today, Easter Sunday, helps me reflect on just how blessed we are. We can spend time looking at all the ugliness within the world but I believe it's best that we focus on all the small miracles that surround us in the midst of the negativity that can take place in the world. You see, "all things work for the good for those who love the lord and are called according to his purpose." On Friday I went to see a movie called Miracles from Heaven. This movie reminded me of how true that statement is.

I spent a bit of time this morning reflecting on all the miracles that have taken place during my efforts to fulfill my calling. I believe that I was called to produce products that are helpful to people and despite all the following situations God has managed to continue using me and guiding me with ways to stay out of harms way when I've had to battle with the attacks from the Goliath's within the industry.

After winning awards and receiving lots of media attention for our efforts to produce truly clean water-less products that really do serve your health and the planet well. Lovely Lady Products has been bombarded with ugly competitor attacks that went beyond just business but have struck at the very core of our civil and federal rights. You see many big commercial brands want to continue deceiving the public about healthy products and they spend a lot of effort and money to keep the smaller companies who are doing the right thing from succeeding (a professor from the Kellogg School of Manage wrote a book about this very thing, it's called, "Defending Your Brand" written in an effort to help small companies to become of aware of competitor attacks). Some of this gave me pause to give up but it was the individuals who support our products and the many testimonies of how our products are helpful that kept me in this industry (but most of all I realized that I am safe in the knowledge that God has his hands on me and I'm truly honored for his grace and mercy). So please note that no matter what you are going through use today to ask God for guidance and praise him through it all. I'm sure by now my customers know that I don't follow the traditional rules for running my business. My heart leads me to speak my truth and produce my products in an honest fashion and if that takes away from what others call success so be it because I know that God is in charge of my pathway.  Lovely Is As Lovely Does.

Troubles that God helped us to over come and he's still watching over us:

• Discovering that competitors were using some of our employees to spy and sabotage our business.
•  Competitors using some vendors to attack our effects to produce our products and grow
• Competitors trying to interfere with our continued success to receive our organic certifications.
• Competitors using Major Retail Chain Employees to slow our growth within their many retail stores, we continue to have success after removing our products from this major health food chain.
• Home and office invasions, using some of my neighbors, friends and I'm sad to say FAMILY MEMBERS too in an effort to do so.
• Police corruption and lack of assistance from Federal Employees when we reached out for help (major effort to cover up for the BIG GUY).
• Surviving what I believed was an attack on my life via someone cutting my car brake line.
• Continuous attempts to place my life under surveillance once it was known that we went to the press, the ACLU and other watchdog groups. 
• Not to mention continuous subtle threats in an effort to keep me quiet because they are well aware of how far they have strayed from the law with their tactics to destroy a smaller competitor. 

Now let me just say this, I no longer have bitterness in my heart and I have learned that your enemies can serve to push you to live at a higher level of consciousness and God also uses them to help you move towards whatever he has in store for you. I know it's very difficult for us to love individuals who attack us but I've learned that we can do it through the love of God. I decided to share this brief version of my story regarding the trials and tribulations I've endured while running my business to inspire others to following their calling no matter the obstacles. There is definitely a reason we decided to formulate with a plant called Everlasting, an oil from a tree that has the ability to rebirth it self after laying dormant for 7 years (this is another blog story). Just remember to walk in the light.
 
Happy Easter and Blessing to all of our followings.

Pressure Growing on Whole Foods Market Over New Produce Labeling Scheme

WOW. We stand by our decision to remove our products from the shelves of Whole Foods Market back in July of 2014. We took the high road and bailed out gracefully without indicating why we really pulled out (since then we have been subjected to industry abuse but still feel great about our decision). One must stand for something or fall for anything. The Universe/God is Good! All things work together for the good for those who love the Lord/Universe and are called according to his purpose. Basically, the Universe has a way of protecting itself and those who truly love it. Reveal, Expose and Remove!!!! 

Please click on the links below to learn more on this subject via the Cornucopia Institute and the Huffington Post. In addition to these concerns, Investigations discover that Whole Foods Market overcharges customers, to learn more, see final Huffington Post below.

The Cornucopia Institute 

Specialty Grocer Meets Growing Blowback from Organic Farmer/Consumers. More organic farmers and organizations sign on to a letter to John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, asking for a moratorium on the grocer’s new produce rating system that disadvantages organic growers. Weathering a dramatic 14% drop in shareholder value, the iconic grocer Whole Foods Market now faces consumer fraud accusations. read more at  http://www.cornucopia.org/2015/06/whole-foods-faces-ftc-mislabeling-investigation/

Fox News

New York City says Whole Foods is overcharging customers. NEW YORK –  Whole Foods supermarkets have been routinely overcharging customers by overstating the weight of prepackaged meat, dairy and baked goods, New York City's consumer chief said Wednesday.

The price on a package of coconut shrimp at the upscale market was too high by $14.84, said Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Julie Menin. A package of chicken tenders was overpriced by $4.85, and a vegetable platter by $6.15, the department said. Click link to learn more - http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/06/25/new-york-city-says-whole-foods-is-overcharging-customers/

The Huffington Post

Has Whole Foods started an Organic Food Fight

Fruits, vegetables and flowers face a new rating system at Whole Foods and it's angering some farmers. The "Responsibly Grown" program ranks produce on factors from soil health to working conditions. But does it undermine organic farming standards?

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/whole-foods-organic-responsibly-grown/5578997e2b8c2a6764000104

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Whole Foods will pay about $800,000 in penalties and fees after an investigation found the grocery retailer was overcharging customers in California.

State and local inspectors discovered that purchased foods weighed less than the label advertised and the weight of salad bar containers wasn't subtracted at checkout, prosecutors said. In addition, the grocer sold prepared foods like kebabs by the item rather than by the pound as mandated by law.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/24/whole-foods-overcharging-overpricing_n_5527255.html

Notes on Organic Body Care

Notes on Organic Body Care

Buy organic, this is what's being said to the consumer nowadays and it's usually in connection with food.  

However; the movement to buy organic body care is growing too. Many people are starting to pay more attention to their health which has resulted in concerns over what their placing inside and on their bodies. And they should, it's very scary out there in terms of the FrankenFood that's being produced and all the chemicals being placed in our products.  

As consumers learn more..... 

about what's being used to produce their food and body care, a growing movement is taking place to protect the integrity of food, preserve the environment, create sustainable cultivation, produce cruelty-free products and most definitely preserve your health. Yes, consumers are starting to understand why going organic is so important and there is more demand for organic body care products, which consequently has made it more financially accessible to the mainstream consumer. After all, there is an ancient quote that states, "the leaves from the trees are for the healing of nations."  When this was written, there were no pesticides and chemicals being used on the trees, nor were there any sinister characters out there trying to reproduce what the Universe/God has created. 

So jump on board..... 

with the organic movement, you only have one body and it's your temple so honor it.  We only have one home, it's the planet, so change your life and support the environment by using clean food and organic body care.  

Lovely Is As Lovely Does !

Gosh, my heart hurts, the organic industry needs help, so what’s a small company to do?

Not too long ago we had our 3rd annual organic certification audit via our USDA Organic Certifying Agent, Oregon Tilth. Over the years we have been so proud of all the knowledge we’ve gain and our constant efforts to over achieve with our standards/policies and procedures to ensure success at receiving approval to carry the USDA Organic Seal on our products so you can believe that what we say about our products are true.  This year we did just that again, the organic inspector states this about Lovely Lady Products on the Handler Report Outline, “Excellent Facility Pest Management using mechanical and herbal methods. No pests. All materials for sanitation are organic or allowed to come in contact with organic products. This is a very clean operation.”  Yes! We are here to please and serve using the talent God gave the owner to produce body care with the best skin supporting ingredients available all while running an efficient and clean organization.

However, despite all our efforts, big companies use their power to destroy so many hardworking small organizations trying to do the right thing for the consumer. Their money knows no boundaries using many organizations and groups to assistant them with their efforts to sabotage your right to know and the movement to produce truly clean products (buying store employees to interfere with sales growth, spread untruths about so many of us, and in some cases work to remove clean products completely off the retail shelves in favor of companies who produce toxic products). Many find out whom the vendors are that small companies are working with to assistant in making it difficult for small companies during the right thing to survive (this includes, phone service vendors, ingredient suppliers, website host, shopping cart vendors and sometimes higher authorities, corruption is alive and well). This is so sad, but honest to God, it’s true.  How do we fight back, besides using God's Love, I’m not completely sure, but one way to start is via education. It’s so important to communicate with the consumer, explaining to them how important it is for them to be aware of what they are purchasing and whom they are purchasing their products from (how to get to the core of a person or organization's character, listen to what they say and then look at what they do or what is on their shelves and/or in their products). It's important to hold accountable individuals and organizations who would at all cost, sell you products that not only destroy you and your families health, but also the very air you breathe, as well as the planet, which is the only home we have.

The following are links and articles that inspired me to write this blog and will be helpful to education you about the industry. If you care about your health, your family’s health and the Planet, please pay attention to local vendors who care and are doing the right thing. Fight for your rights and for those who serve you honestly.

I recently read an article about Eden Foods and I can honestly say, I’m truly inspired by them. Perhaps one day, we’ll be able to hold our own and stand firmly planted in our own truth too. Here’s what I like about them:   http://www.edenfoods.com/articles/view.php?articles_id=78&eID=72u98kov1pidg10sajadejoh95 

Another company that I admire is Natures Path, a few years ago in Boulder Colorado, I was lucky enough to meet Nature’s Path CEO Arran Stephens and his lovely wife (they shared with us some of their business insight and I’ve held on to what they so generously offered, which has proved to be sound advice.  Here’s why this organization is so great:  http://www.urbanfoodrevolution.com/natures-path-ceo-arran-stephens-impassioned-talk-on-gmos/

The Organic Consumers Association is a group who is truly fighting hard to Safeguard Organic Standards and keep you education on the industry. Please be sure to follow them and keep abreast of the important issues within the industry.  https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/five-ways-fda-has-failed-consumers-genetically-engineered-foods

And one of my favorite companies is Dr. Bronner! Yes they make organic body care and one could say they are a competitor of ours. However, I refuse to see it that way, I look to them as an industry leader, an organization to learn from. You see, Emanuel Bronner, the founder of the Dr. Bronner Organization was a dedicated pioneer within the organic industry and used his fame and company’s resources to fight for what is right. Small companies today working hard to grow while doing the right thing are standing on the shoulders of this giant. You can learn more about him here –

http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/04/dr-bronners-magic-soap-fair-trade-organic/

Finally, one more voice in the industry, Natural Grocers. They really are a retail store that has the consumers’ best interest at hand. They are not afraid to speak out for your right to know and they place their money where their mouth is. I am honored to not only shop there, but to also have our products on their shelves and hopefully will continue to do so.  Here’s what you need to know about them:

http://www.naturalgrocers.com/store-info/blog/natural-grocers-anti-gmo-action-update-you-are-voice-change

It is my intention to education while producing products that help to support the health of your skin and hopefully continue to grow and be able to stand as firmly planted as the organizations I have listed above. I’ll leave you now with this quote by Richard Rogers, “The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved.”

Lovely Is As Lovely Does!

PLANET THERAPY THURSDAY: LIVING GREEN MEANS NOT BEING MEAN

It’s Planet Therapy Thursday and today I’m going to move off the body care for a minute. The attack on the Paris community saddened my heart. I believe it also weakens the foundation of humanity, for we are all interconnected. Crime is a problem for all and the road to correcting this problem starts within each and every one of us. If a child is being bullied/abused at school (or in a home) and you know about it yet do nothing, you’re part of the degradation of society and the planet. If you know that someone is hurting another by maliciously attacking them, be it verbally or physically and you act as if it doesn’t exist you are part of the degradation of society and the planet. If you run a business within an industry and are profiting by trying to ruin another be it by means of malicious cyber attacks (or you’re aware of such crimes but do nothing because you stand to gain form it), you are a part of the degradation of society.  Terrorist action doesn’t just start on foreign soil, it starts from within and how we respond to the small negative things that may not seem to be that big of a deal, at least that’s the lie we tell ourselves in order to justify the behavior. If someone accepts money to hurt another and the excuse that it’s simply business is used, it makes you no different then those who are considered to be terrorist (just another form of the behavior).

So if you find yourself watching the news, hearing the many concerns for our safety here on American soil, consider paying attention to the small minded criminal behavior of those you may know around you because that would surely be the same person for sale to compromise your safety, your families safety and the safety of a nation as well as the planet.  We are all in this together and ignorance knows no boundaries so we must be our brother’s keeper.  I believe you can’t live a green and organic lifestyle and ignore the ugliness that’s out there. Let’s all take a moment to send the planet some love and light.

LOVELY IS AS LOVELY DOES

Lovely Is As Lovely Does

Lovely Is As Lovely Does  What does "Lovely Is As Lovely Does" mean? We received several lovely comments from many of our fans when we asked this question quite a while ago, but the one we received offline from Kelsey Schomberger really embodied the premise behind Lovely Lady Products. Her thoughts on the subject are simply beautiful and moving, she brought tears to my eyes. I have been touched by this lovely spirit and it is my hope that you will to. When I think of the word lovely, what feelings it provokes in me. Pleasant and sweet, a sort of admiration. Reminds me of love. I looked up the definition of this word and this is what I found: adjectives; love•ly, love•li•er, love•li•est. Full of love; loving. Inspiring love or affection. Having beauty that appeals to the emotions as well as to the eye. See Synonyms at beautiful. Enjoyable; delightful. Each and every soul is innately lovely. We each embody loveliness at our source, and this love is unconditional. It is the pure potential that is not influenced by expectations or standards. One could realize that they are a lovely being, an emanation of love, and that this love can be manifested in the actions and choices of one’s life. Lovely is as Lovely does. What does this mean to act in love? We could observe where this power would be well served. A starting place may be to shine that love on ourselves so we are ripe and ready to share the love with the world. Some things to consider: How do we act towards ourselves? What impact does our actions and choices have on our physical, emotional, and well-being? Does it reflect self-love? If we slow down and take into account how many decisions we make in a day regarding the things we come into contact with that leaves an impact on us, we can see how we treat ourselves and the attitude of self that we have. We can choose to act with love, take care of ourselves and be aware in our actions, taking ownership for our decisions and believing them. With this awareness the love for one’s lovely self is manifested in healthy self-care. One may stop to consider what food they’re eating and/or what products that they use, while being conscious of what goes into these things (knowing this will go into the body as well). We have responsibility in the choices we make. When we take care of ourselves we also inspire others that taking care of ourselves and our health is a valuable lovely act of compassion. If we act towards our own bodies and spirits with compassion, it starts to become natural to feel compassion towards others. With love as an inspiration in the way we run our lives, an unfolding of our loveliest qualities shine through. We are all lovely beings and in our actions we can share this love with our selves, others, and the planet. Lovely is as Lovely does!'