This time of year (fall and winter) makes my skin extremely dry. My skin, especially on my hands, gets so bad that they actually crack and bleed. I often sleep with cotton gloves on (after applying lotion) to try to help them heal.

So of course when we got the chance to sample some Dr. Hess Udder Ointment, I was very excited. I had heard great things about it, and even though it was originally made for udders, it works wonders on hands! It does seem to do a great job, being a bit thicker than a regular lotion. It has a different, but pleasant smell, that is hard to describe. It’s somewhat minty, but not really minty. Also, it doesn’t take much ointment to cover the area. This is a plus since it means a little will go a long way!

We also really liked the story of the product:

One of the best known products ever produced by Hess & Clark was Udder Ointment. Originally developed for treating chapped teats and udders of dairy cattle, farmers were soon remarking as to the healing effect it had on their own hands. Chronic dryness and cuts were quickly healing on both cow and farmer. Udder Ointment was widely used as both a veterinary remedy and a home remedy all across the country.

With each buyout of the Hess & Clark product line, Udder Ointment became more and more of a tangent product with each business focusing more and more on chemical production such as pesticides and powder treatments for agricultural use. Finally, in 1999 ( approx.) the production of Udder Ointment was discontinued completely. When the formal announcement was made, pleading calls from around the country riddled the company with testimonial after testimonial of Udder Ointment healing not only skin abrasions and dryness but burns, bruises, and especially effective on diaper rash!

After hearing of the discontinuation,  I began to purchase from local dealers over 200 cases of Udder Ointment product to ensure that I had enough for generations of my family and extended family members to use.  Word spread that I had a generous supply and soon I was turning down callers from anxious customers keeping the remaining 4 cases for myself.

The idea thus was born to recover the original formula and begin remanufacturing Dr. Hess Udder Ointment.  Tyler and I began the company organization and the manufacturing process in the Fall of 2006.  First sales of the product began in January 2008 with Dr. Hess Udder Ointment and Dr. Hess Udder Ointment for Baby Butts.  During the Spring of 2008 we also developed the Udder Stick, our healing lip balm, after the request of several consumers who wanted the original formula in a more solid form.  Our sales during 2008 were minimal, relying mostly on word of mouth from past users who had been familiar with the earlier Hess & Clark Udder Ointment.

Those customers who rediscovered us, however, were elated to see its return.  Story after story of this “miraculous” healing ointment used many years ago came to us by letter, email and phone calls. In fact, just recently, I received an email from a son of a thankful elderly mother who has used Udder Ointment for the past 50 years.  He even included pictures of her old Udder Ointment jar which she keeps by her bedside revealing only the slightest amount of the treasured ointment remaining.

Dr. Hess Udder Ointment was part of my childhood.  It was what we relied on for skin dryness to cuts and burns.  When I began having children myself, it was the instant remedy for diaper rash, chafing, as well as my own tired and cracked feet.  Simply put, it was hard to imagine my children and their children not having the benefits of Udder Ointment that I and thousands of other users have enjoyed for over 100 years.

As Dr. Hess Products, LLC, we are continuing in the tradition of our fathers and believe in the American spirit of hard work and giving back.

Made in the USA (in Utah), and by those who really care about the product! It has been great for my poor, cracked skin, and I can see why they were so passionate about trying to save the product. I for one am glad they did. You can buy Dr. Hess Udder Ointment online at the Dr. Hess website. They also offer a free sample (including shipping) so you can try it for yourself before you buy! Very wish list worthy indeed.

Heaven’s Alchemy Perfumes are truly luxurious. Each perfume is named after a famous city, with each scent being distinctly different, but all are made with pure perfume oils. My favorite is St. Petersburg, which features a blend of lemon, orange, spicy gourmand, jasmine, and musk with vanilla. It’s quiet an intoxicating combination, but without being overbearing.

The best part is because they are all made with concentrated perfume oils a little goes a long way. You also won’t have the alcohol smell that some other perfumes have since they are free from alcohol. Heaven’s Alchemy perfumes are also free from color additives, phthlate, parabens, and have never been tested on animals. They also are free from animal by-products. We also love that they are only created in the United States.

Above all though, we love the smell! It also doesn’t hurt that they come in the most amazing bottles. With so many lovely scents, it really was hard to pick a favorite. Other scents ranked high on my list as well, each with a unique combination.

Of course, it’s important to try them out on your own skin, since perfumes mesh with your own body chemistry. I found that the pure perfume oils worked so much better with my body though, and I didn’t have to apply much to have it last all day long.

To see the full collection and learn more about Heaven’s Alchemy, be sure to visit their website. You can purchase your own sampler, or perfume through their shop.

The Wasabi Mint Foot Scrub from Body Systems is the perfect way to help beat the summer heat! With the cooling power of peppermint, your feet will enjoy an instant wake up call the minuet you put it on!

If you are anything like me, you spend a lot of time outside in the summer. I garden, workout, hike, bike, all in the desert heat. I also wear sandals all summer! Obviously this doesn’t help my feet much, and I often get dry patches and callouses. This mint foot scrub perks up my tired, hot, feet and makes them soft too! It’s the perfect summer time treat for feet!

This invigorating foot scrub combines hydrating Butters, Soothing Aloe Vera and Blue Pumice to buff away dry skin leaving feet soft and rejuvenated. Pure Peppermint Essential Oil revives aching muscles, putting a little pep in your step and Tea Tree Oil to heal and brighten nails.

To use: Rub into feet (great for hands too), don’t rinse! I like to put on our cotton socks and leave it to work it’s magic overnight. But even without putting on the socks you’ll feel a cooling sensation and within an hour that your skin is softer. They even have a special Wasabi Mint Foot Soak that can be used before the scrub! Talk about pampering yourself!

The Wasabi Mint Foot Scrub is $18/4oz, but is well worth the cost. A small amount goes a long way, so it actually lasts quiet a long time. To view the entire Body Systems’ collection, please visit their website.

Created by Teri Lang Patterson, Body Systems offers a comprehensive collection of natural toiletries, and full line of aromatherapy bath and body products. We think they are great and would put their products on our wish list anyday!

Warm Whiskers is a company that makes high quality, microwaveable animal-shaped pillows for people and pets. We were lucky enough to get a chance to try out the leopard body wrap, and it has become such a favorite. The wrap can be heated to sooth sore muscles, but it can also be placed in the freezer so you can use it to cool muscles as well. The wrap is filled with buckwheat, and lavender, so it smells amazing!

The size and weight make it very comfortable to wear, we were even able to wear it while moving about the house. Not that you’d want to move about though, it’s so relaxing, you’ll want to just sit back and enjoy a nice time out. The company makes a great variety of products for people and pets. From small eye pillows, to body wraps like the one we tried, and even slippers, there is truly something for everyone. They can even make personalized mascots and wraps! And for pets they have beds, carriers, and our favorite, the door bells (our dog uses a bell to alert us when she needs to go out, and the bells from Warm Whiskers are so cute we wish we had one)!

Warm Whiskers is also a company that gives back! Recently they partnered with the Arthritis Foundation. The Plush with a Purpose Program donates 5% of all proceeds to the Arthritis Foundation and focuses on generating awareness about alternative, holistic therapies through direct participation in informative, empowering events.

We think that the products are very wish list worthy, and with the upcoming holiday season, they would make great gifts that give something back and bring comfort to those who need it most. Warm Whiskers are perfect not only for preventative pain management & continuous therapy but for daily relaxation & stress relief. The lavender and buckwheat filled pillows serve both as a comforting companion as well as helping reduce the pain and discomfort of any physical ailments.

Visit www.warmwhiskers.com to see the full line of products.

I have always had very dry skin, and living in a dry climate certainly doesn’t help. I am forever applying lotion to keep my hands from cracking and bleeding. So of course I was very excited to try the Avocado Butter from Body Systems! I am very happy with the results, not only is the butter natural, but it has worked wonders with my dry skin!

Avocado Butter is made from the crushed fresh flesh of the avocado fruit and then hydrogenated to yield a soft greenish butter. This is a much softer butter than any of the other butters we carry. Avocado butter is a very rich, moisturizing treatment for the hair and skin, and it has some natural sunscreen properties.

Noted for its spreadability and is easily penetrated into the skin, Avocado Butter also contains Vitamins A, B, G and E.

It has a nice light scent, which is great for those of us who are sensitive to scent. It’s very creamy and smooth in texture, and it really doesn’t take very much to go a long way in moisturizing the skin. It can also be used in your hair, which I plan to try now that we are going into the very hot and dry season.

Body Systems offers a lot of great options for those who seek natural bath and body products. I would love to try more of their products after experiencing the quality of the Avacodo Butter.