Belli Daily Bloghttp://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/en-US2008-05-10T23:00:32ZSquarespace Site Server v4.1.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Box Puppets and Mother's Dayhttp://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/5/9/box-puppets-and-mothers-day.htmlAnnette2008-05-09T21:15:17ZBox%20puppet.jpgOrganizing--not one of my strong points.  Today however I found myself in the office alone and thought I would tackle organizing my side of the office.  I found this adorable box puppet in the corner of a closet--it has been the highlight of my day.

I admit, I slipped my fingers in the top box and my thumb in lower box and giggled over the silliness and pure joy of playing with one of Jackson's art creations made when he was in Pre-K.  I paused for a moment to think about my own Mom and that perhaps she misses the days when my siblings and I would make artistic creations and tape them to the fridge or proudly display them on a shelf.  The next time I send her a care package I will include a puppet made from a brown paper bag. 

Happy Mother's Day to all who make a difference in a child's life.

]]>Belli at ACOGhttp://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/5/7/belli-at-acog.htmlAnnette2008-05-07T16:26:16Zphoto%203.jpgIt's that time of year again. Every May, Dr. Rubin attends ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) to share the importance of teratology screening with his colleagues. 

This year Erin joined in on the fun and is working with physicians to set up Belli retail programs within their practices.  More and more OBs are recommending and selling Belli to their patients because of our unprecedented safety research.

]]>Chocolate Lovers Rejoice!http://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/4/30/chocolate-lovers-rejoice.htmlDr. Jason Rubin2008-04-30T22:52:24ZChocolate.pngHi everyone.  We often talk about things that mothers should avoid during pregnancy.  Well today, I'm happy to tell you about something you can indulge in.  CHOCOLATE!

A new research study from Yale University shows that women who ate chocolate had a decreased risk of developing pre-eclampsia, a potentially dangerous complication of pregnancy.  The study of 1,681 women showed a protective effect for those who ate more than five chocolate servings per week.

We've known from other research that certain anti-oxidants in chocolate called "flavonoids" may help with cardiovascular health-- especially dark chocolate.  This is the first research that suggests chocolate may be helpful during pregnancy, as well.

Of course, you should still avoid over-eating which can lead to excess weight gain and other problems, but you can now enjoy a bit of chocolately pleasure each day without the guilt!

]]>Happy Earth Day!http://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/4/22/happy-earth-day.htmlErin2008-04-22T15:14:40Zearthday_NY1.jpgOn April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. It was a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and citizens like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment.

 

Below are just a few changes you can make in your daily life to make a big difference:

-RECYCLE

-Give up the water bottle habit. Buy a home water filter and re-useable bottle.

-If you're like me, you haven't kicked that daily Starbucks habit. Get a travel coffee mug, the baristas will gladly fill it with your morning triple grande soy latte.

-Use Energy Star Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs. Did you know...

If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

Have other ideas on how to protect the enviroment and minimize your "Carbon Footprint"? Leave a comment and share your tips!

]]>Fit Pregnancy Magazinehttp://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/4/21/fit-pregnancy-magazine.htmlErin2008-04-21T17:36:55ZWe're in the news again! This time, our Anti Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF 25 is featured in the April/May issue of Fit Pregnancy magazine. Learn more about Anti Chloasma here.

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]]>Free Eye Brightening Cream!http://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/4/17/free-eye-brightening-cream.htmlErin2008-04-17T19:01:30Zmomsdayeyebright.jpg

]]>Exclusive Offer!http://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/4/16/exclusive-offer.htmlErin2008-04-16T18:45:08ZBelli Blog Readers: Take advantage of this special offer before we officially announce it!

Get a FREE Eye Brightening Cream ($28 value) with any $100 purchase. Use Belli Promo Code: EYEBRIGHT

Shipping is always FREE over $75-Free Gift Wrap when specified at checkout-Offer Valid thru May 15, 2008

Shop belliskincare.com

]]>The Mask Of Pregnancyhttp://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/4/15/the-mask-of-pregnancy.htmlErin2008-04-15T16:33:27ZAnti-Chloasma%20w.%20box2.jpgThe pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone are thought to make the pigment-producing skin cells (the melanocytes) react more strongly to sunlight. This causes dark brown splotchy areas on the chin, cheeks, nose and forehead known as chloasma, melasma or "the mask of pregnancy".

Chloasma affects up to 70% of all pregnant women. It can show up with any skin type, but olive and darker complexions are especially at risk. The good news is that chloasma is preventable in all women by sun avoidance and daily use of a facial sunscreen SPF 25 or higher. Remember to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days and indoors, because UV rays can penetrate both.

Belli's Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25 is a lightweight, oil-free, tinted sunscreen that blends naturally into skin, and can be worn underneath makeup. $24. Click Here to Order.

]]>1,4 Dioxanehttp://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/4/14/14-dioxane.htmlErin2008-04-14T21:51:53ZYet another controversial chemical has found it's way into the news, and a lot of you are asking us, "What IS 1,4 Dioxane".

Ethoxylation, a cheap short-cut companies use to provide mildness to otherwise harsh ingredients, requires the use of the cancer causing petrochemical ethylene oxide, which generates 1,4 Dioxane as a by-product. 1,4 Dioxane is considered a chemical "known to the state of California to cause cancer". According to the California EPA it is also a suspected kidney toxicant, nuerotoxicant, and respiratory toxicant. Although I live in Seattle, I am a native Californian and I have always appreciated my home-state's attention to safety. They have the toughest standards in the Nation.

You won't see 1,4 Dioxane listed on an ingredient label because it is considered a "contaminant" or "by product" rather than an ingredient.

Belli's chemists have long been aware of the potential for cosmetic ingredient contamination. We have a strict policy at Belli that requires our raw material suppliers to vacuum strip any ethoxylated ingredients, to ensure that they are free of 1,4 Dioxane and other impurities.

]]>Bisphenol A and Xenoestrogenshttp://belli-skin-care.squarespace.com/belli-daily-blog/2008/4/10/bisphenol-a-and-xenoestrogens.htmlErin2008-04-10T18:05:02Zcalm%20me%204Bisphenol A, or BPA, is one of the most commonly used synthetic chemicals, but has been plagued by controversy because it mimics estrogen when absorbed into the body. Any substance that mimics estrogen (or xenoestrogen) is capable of inducing hormal responses.  Trace amonts of this chemical can be leached from baby bottles, water bottles, and bottles that contain skin care products.

If a baby is exposed to a xenoestrogen, it could cause adverse effects to the developing reproductive system. For this reason, other xenoestrogens such as phthalates, paraben preservatives and chemical sunscreens, should never be applied directly to a baby's skin.

Better Safe than Sorry. Check your bottles, at the bottom you will find a triangle with a number inside it. Any bottle with the number 3, 6 or 7 has the potential to release the chemical.

At Belli, we've known about this potential danger for years. You will only find the number "1" at the bottom of every Belli Product. Additionally, the entire Belli Baby Collection is free of all xenoestrogens (not just phthalates!)

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