Why Not Use Chemical Cleaners?

We get this question more often than not. I even thought the same thing when I was introduced to Norwex - "Why use Norwex when the cleaners I'm using right now remove 99.9% of bacteria?". I quickly learned why chemical cleaners are BAD and Norwex is GOOD.
When we use chemical cleaners and a regular rag, we're actually smearing the dirt and grime around. Not to mention, we are using harsh chemicals that are unsafe for use in the home, around our children.
The truth is, most of the chemicals in your cleaners haven't been tested for use or tested together (cleaners have more than 1 chemical ingredient in them, if each chemical has been tested, they haven't been tested when combined.)
Then what do we do with the cleaners? We pour them down the drain, into our environment. If the chemicals aren't good for people they're certainly not good for our environment!
With Norwex, the Antibac Enviro Cloth removes the bacteria from the surface, killing it in the cloth. The Norwex microfiber is cut so many ways, it has so much grabbing power, that it does not redistribute the bacteria to the next surface it touches. It keeps it right there in the cloth, killing it with the silver that is woven into the cloth. How wonderful is that?
It's a difficult concept to wrap your head around, especially since we're all raised with the notion that the stronger the chemical, the cleaner your house. Once you use Norwex for awhile, you'll never want to go back to chemical cleaners.

Do You Have a Mommy Business?

Let's face it. Even today, little girls are growing up with the same fairytale ideas and stereotypes as our mothers and grandmothers did.

We grow up, we date, we strive to make ourselves attractive to men, we find love, we marry, we have children and our lives become about being a mommy and looking after our homes, husbands and children.
Today however, do we really live in the same world as they did? No, not even close. In the past, women naturally evolved into that role of wife and mommy, and nothing else. With husbands making enough money to support the family, women working while raising a family was rarely considered and typically thought of as highly unusual.

The women of today find themselves in new, and in many cases unfamiliar territory. No longer do they rely solely on their husbands to support the family, and in many cases, they simply can't. Families today more than ever rely on a double income to make ends meet but can women successfully work and contribute while still keeping up with the demands of the home and children? Yes they can, they are tired, but they do it - because they are strong and they will do anything they have to for their children.

The barrier for women is the struggle to actually earn money after paying for child care expenses to work outside the home. Many moms who have returned to the workplace have found that at the end of the day, they were making so little money that it just didn't justify working and being away from their children.

This scenario has brought about the massive work from home revolution. Women are looking for a better way of life, a balance between work and family and success in what they put their time and effort into. When women take time away from their children, they have a natural core need to make sure that whatever they are doing had better be worth that time.

I have worked with women in direct sales for 6 years now. I've met women from all walks of life, with varying levels of work experience and education, with a broad range of personalities and with an even broader range of goals and desires. But one thing holds true for all of them. The desire to make something of themselves, to be happy, and to be successful.

Several years back I heard a speaker at a conference whose words run through my head still today and I have quoted her on many occasions over the years in coaching and mentoring the women on my teams.

This woman spoke about sharing business opportunities with others and how it would be selfish of us not to share something that just might have a huge impact on someone else's life. The thing is, too often, we prejudge. We place people in categories and label them based on little and often insignificant things that we see from the outside.

This speaker described a situation where a woman was at a home party and asked the consultant if she could post date her check for the end of the month for her $20 purchase.

Here are the words I heard from that speaker, that live with me still today and still bring tears to my eyes.

"You don't know what problems a person has in their life. No matter how they present themselves, how they dress, where they work or what they tell you. You don't know if that person in front of you is actually worried about how they are going to buy groceries or pay the light bill that month. You see a person who has to post date a $20 check until the end of the month and you immediately write her off as a possibility of someone who may be successful in your business because they would not even have the money to start up, however minimal the costs."

"HOW DARE YOU?"

"How dare you deny this person the opportunity to go out and make $100 or more in one night doing what you do?"

"How dare you deny this person the opportunity to be able to look after their family?"

"How dare you deny this person the chance to be able to respect themselves, improve their quality of life and live a happier, less stressful life?"

You see, this is what I really love about what I do. I am a giver. I nurture. I do what most would say is way too much for others. But I do it because I believe. I have a vision of a better world. A better way for people and for women to treat each other.

Women CAN change the world. This is a movement we are seeing more and more. Women helping women. Look around. Look at how many organizations are focusing so much more on empowering women.

The success is obvious. Women, moms, taking ideas, vision and hard work and combining them to churn out Million Dollar businesses. It is happening all around us. How often do you see any group or organization focusing on Men Helping Men? No. It's women who do this, we have something special and we pass it on to others and that is what makes us great.

I recently had someone very negatively comment on my work and my business. She felt the need to attempt to raise herself above me in an effort to bring me down. Her words were "You're just a mommy running a little mommy business".

If a "mommy running a little mommy business" means that I have passion, drive, vision and an earnest desire to help others be successful while I achieve my own success, then yes, I definitely have a Mommy Business!

One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Albert Einstein, it reads "Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds".
 
Don't ever let anyone dampen your spirit. Live your dreams, move toward your vision and make your life everything you ever dreamed it could be.

Brandy Burge
Proud mother of 2, Direct Sales Success Story and Web Designer
http://www.DreamcatcherWebStudio.com
http://www.Norwex101.com

Norwex Organic Bath & Shower Gel

I'm always trying to find new products for my husband to use. He has super sensitive skin and nearly everything he uses, he breaks out. Since he has such acne prone skin we have about a billion bottles of once or twice used products in our bathroom.

So the one day, I got a shopping spree (another perk of being a Norwex Consultant), and I asked him "Is there anything you'd like on my shopping spree". He looked through the catalogue and said to order some of the Norwex Bath & Shower Gel. It claims that it's certified organic, so it's gotta be good.
So we ordered it, got it, and he went to have his shower. Every time he uses a new product we're on pins and needles to see what it's going to do to him. Well he came out raving about it!
At this point I should mention that he is also an automotive mechanic and his hands are basically permanently stained from the grease he works with daily. When he came out from the shower his hands were actually clean, no more grease! His skin was also soft and didn't feel like there was a film on it (like skin typically feels after using other products).

We watched and waited for a few days to see if this new product was going to result in either an acne break out or rash. After a few days we were shocked, not a single pimple, bump, rash, NOT A THING!
So now we're constantly stocking the Norwex Organic Bath & Shower Gel and are getting a stock of the rest of the organic products. At least now it's no longer a guessing game of what products he can use!

In conclusion, Norwex Organic Body Products are wonderful for sensitive skin! I used them myself and I don't have sensitive skin and I love them!!!

How to Spot "Work At Home" Job Scams

One of the pitfalls of working at home is that there are numerous scams out there. In the traditional job market spotting something that is not a real job or that is a bit shady is easy, but in the work at home environment where everything is pretty virtual it can be difficult. That is why when searching for a work at home job a person has to be ready to weed out the scams.

The following are 5 steps to use to spot a work at home scam. Each of the steps gives things to look at when considering a work at home opportunity. To use these 5 steps a person will go through each and see if the company passes or fails the step. A company needs to pass all 5 to be proven legit. By using all 5 steps a person should be able to avoid almost any scam out there without ending up losing money and wasting time on an opportunity that is bogus.

Step 1: The company gives no details. When looking at a company and the job offer there should be details that explain who the company is, what they do and what the job is all about. Working at home is not a secret affair and it should never be. If a company doesnt give up information then it is likely a scam. 

I provide you with a detailed overview of what Norwex is all about!

Step 2: The company requires payment up front to work with them. Now, this can be a weird area because in some cases up front payment is legit. Many people get caught up on this point. It is okay to pay upfront to get a sales kit in a direct sales situation. It is not okay to pay for an application fee or administrative fee. It is never okay to pay just to get information. If you are not getting actual product samples or sales tools then never pay. 

When you sign up with Norwex in Canada your starter kit costs $59.95. In the United States, your kit is free with the condition that you sell $2500 in your first 90 days, which is extremely easy to do since these products sell themselves!! To see what all is included in your starter kit just visit my site at http://www.NorwexAlways.com for more information :)

Step 3: The company has no products or service. If a company does not immediate let a person know what they are selling then it is likely selling nothing. A company that is selling nothing is not a place where anyone should be working because it is a scam.

Norwex is a company that promotes healthy living by radically reducing chemical use in cleaning and body products. We not only sell products, we educate!

Step 4: The company is not known. It is rare that a work at home company will not have someone who knows about them. If the company is one that nobody has heard of and that no information can be found on then it is likely a scam. A real company will have buzz about it. People will be talking about them.

Norwex has been around for over 10 years. The head office is based in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. We have taken the nation by storm and most people are familiar with the company name.

Step 5: Lastly, a person should always follow their gut instincts. If a business deal doesnt feel right then it is likely not. A person should never go with a company or work at home position if they do not feel very good about it.

These 5 steps are the key to weeding out work at home scams. They can help a person to avoid falling for scams that can be quite costly. Many people who end up involved with a scam end up writing off the whole work at home experience. That is a shame because there really are a lot of good work at home companies out there.

New Year's Resolutions

Here we are, only a few days from the end of 2009 and most of us are thinking of our New Year's Resolutions. I was just thinking about my New Year's Resolutions, as well as my friends and family's, and I realized that all of our Resolutions are basically the same and how Norwex can fit right in to help make your goals a reality.

• Spend More Time With Family & Friends - Most of our time each year is actually spent cleaning our homes! Wouldn't you like to spend more time with your family and friends rather than working your fingers to the bone cleaning? With Norwex you can put away those cleaners and get down to what matters most, your family! Norwex reduces your cleaning time by about 75% 

• Get Out of Debt - With Norwex you will save money on your cleaning costs and you can also work at home! Norwex products are highly concentrated, so you won't have to continuously spend money on high priced chemical cleaners. You also no longer need paper towels in your home, since you can clean your whole home using the Antibac Enviro Cloth and water!

• Learn Something New - You can learn how to make cleaning easier, more fun, and how to make an incredible income from home! It's never too late to learn new tricks 

• Get Organized - Norwex now offers the Mop & Cloth Hanger to help organize your home (can be used either for Norwex products or any other job you can think of, it's very versatile and high quality). And another thing, since you won't be needing a bunch of different cleaners for each room of your house, you can eliminate clutter!

• Help Others - Spread the word about chemical free cleaning today! You can start with Norwex as an Independent Consultant and show your friends, family and the rest of the world that we can go green while saving money and time!

Reproductive Harm

Certain chemicals used in common cleaning products have been associated with reproductive harm such as alterations in sexual behavior, decreases in fertility, menstrual changes, changes in the onset of puberty, cancers of reproductive organs, miscarriage, premature birth and other effects.

• Glycol ethers, such as 2-butoxyethanol, are solvents commonly found in glass cleaners and all-purpose spray cleaners and have been associated with low birth weight in exposed mice.

• Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are surfactants found in laundry detergents, stain removers, and all-purpose cleaners, which have been found to reduce embryo survival in fish and alter tadpole development.

• Phthalates are carriers for fragrance in glass cleaners, deodorizers, laundry detergents and fabric softeners, and are linked to adverse effects on male children, reduced sperm count in adult men, and increased allergic symptoms and asthma in children.

Sometimes the effects of chemical exposure are not seen until the next generation. Many scientists now believe that chemical exposure, even at very low levels, can have adverse impacts on the reproductive system. When a pregnant mother is exposed to chemicals, this exposure can also impact the developing child and lead to developmental effects, such as birth defects, low birth weight, impacts on cognitive development or other harmful outcomes. Research has shown the following:

• Pregnant women exposed to glycol ethers in their work environments were significantly more likely to have children with birth defects such as neural tube defects and cleft lip.

• A California study measured actual emissions of glycol ethers and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under normal home cleaning conditions. The research suggests that potential exposures to VOCs such as glycol ethers like 2-butoxyethanol from home cleaning can be high enough to exceed threshold safety levels established for industrial settings. In particular, potentially dangerous levels of these chemicals were seen in smaller, poorly ventilated rooms (such as a bathroom), where floor cleaners were used in combination with air fresheners.

Most of the research on reproductive harm and chemicals in cleaning products has been conducted in the laboratory and does not involve human testing due to both practical and ethical considerations. Yet, effects on animals may hold answers for humans.

• Studies on laboratory mice found reduced fertility among female mice exposed to 2-butoxyethanol, and lower birth weight in their offspring.

• In laboratory studies, offspring of rats exposed to 2-(2-Methoxyethoxy) ethanol developed various birth defects including malformations of the ribs and cardiovascular system.

• Nonylphenol (NP) is a breakdown product of NPEs which is known to mimic the hormone estrogen and impact the production of testosterone, both of which can have numerous reproductive and other health impacts. In female rats, exposure to NP delayed the onset of puberty and altered fertility. In male rats, octylphenol and octylphenol ethoxylate decreased testicular size and sperm production.

• Both octylphenol and nonylphenol stimulated the growth of human estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells; and octylphenol was found to be ten times as potent as nonylphenol in generating this effect.

• A significant concern around the use of APEs centers around their impact on wildlife, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. The United States Geological Survey found breakdown products of laundry detergents in 70% of North American streams. These chemicals can cause harm to fish, frogs, turtles and other aquatic life. Studies have shown that even low-level exposure has reduced the number of fertilized trout eggs and caused reduced embryo survival and abnormal embryos in another fish, the Japanese Medaka.

Even if you are done with having children, or never wanted children, do you really want to risk the damage that these chemicals can do? Are your children, pets, family, visitors and planet worth the switch? I think so!

Asthma & Household Cleaning Products

Have you ever wondered what causes asthma? What you can do to prevent it? Do you wonder what else you are doing with your cleaner besides cleaning?

Certain chemicals in common cleaning products have been associated with increased prevalence of asthma, exacerbations of asthma symptoms, and respiratory ailments.

• Monoethanolamine (MEA), a surfactant found in some laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners and floor cleaners and is a known inducer of occupational asthma

• Ammonium quaternary compounds, disinfectants found in some disinfectant sprays and toilet cleaners that have been identified as inducers of occupational asthma

• Phthalates, carriers for fragrance in glass cleaners, deodorizers, laundry detergents and fabric softners, and are linked to increased allergic symptoms and asthma in children

Could these chemicals found in common cleaning products be exacerbating your asthma?

Asthma is a growing health condition in the United States, particularly among children

• The incidence of asthma is rising in the U. S. An estimated 20 million people, including 6.1 million children, have asthma. Asthma accounts for more than 14 million outpatient clinic visits and nearly 2 million emergency room visits each year.

• Asthma is the most common serious chronic childhood disease, and is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization of children under age 15.
  

• A 2004 report from the National Center for Health Statistics states that the incidence of asthma among preschool-aged children rose by 160% between 1980 and 1994, accounting for 14 million missed school days each year and $3.2 million in treatment expenses.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 9 million children (12.5% of children, or one out of 13) under 18 years of age in the United States have had asthma diagnosed at some time in their lives. (no reference in report either)

 

Cleaning product use has been shown to exacerbate or increase the incidence of asthma and respiratory effects in children

• A 2004 study in the United Kingdom published in the journal Thorax found that frequent use of household products was associated with persistent wheezing among pre-school age children.

• Other recent studies have shown that exposure to household cleaning chemicals increases the likelihood of asthma among children.

• Past studies have also shown that institutional cleaning chemicals used in schools have impacts on asthma and other respiratory problems in school age children.

Switch to Norwex today and remove a significant risk factor for asthma in your children. If your children already have asthma, switching to Norwex will at least lessen their chances of having an asthma attack.