Our Planet

Photo taken in 1968 by Apollo astronaut crew

“When mankind’s first interplanetary travelers stood on the Moon and gazed back at Earth, they were startled to see only a fragile blue sphere surrounded by a minuscule membrane of atmosphere. As the water planet rose delicately above the stark lunar moonscape, the astronauts snapped a few pictures to remind us that we are all captive passengers on an environmental star-ship of sorts, one whose resources are not limitless after all, but terribly finite. Fittingly, the now famous sequence of photographs became known as the “Earthrise” series.”

By Simply Tim (Tim Lee) From Earthrise and Running Shoes

In our everyday lives we tend to forget that we live on a plant with a finite amount of resources. That’s why I get so excited over my Watkins Business. The need for companies to practice “green” manufacturing is more important than ever.  Watkins has been a pioneer in natural living, utilizing the finest natural ingredients since 1868. We continue our commitment to you and the environment by implementing processes that reduce waste and conserve energy.  Together we can make a positive impact on our environment.

How does Watkins reduce waste and make a positive impact on the earth?

• Offer a full line of plant based home care products that are free of pollutants and biodegradable.
• Offer a full line of USDA certified 100% Organic Herbs and Spices and All-Natural Pure Extracts.
• Adhere to a strict paper, plastic, and aluminum recycling program.
• Utilize biodegradable packing materials.
• Use soy-based ink in our printed marketing materials.
• Employ e-communications and encourage customers, Associates, and vendors to obtain information online instead of in printed form.
• Gravity fed filling processes:  We fill our bulk dry mixes using time-tested gravity feeds.  This allows us to conserve energy that would normally be used to power a pneumatic or conveyor system.
• Use lighter weight product packaging.  Simply reducing our plastic bottle weight for various products has saved thousands of pounds of plastic from waste.
• Encourage vendors to use renewable energy and cut waste.
• Utilize Lean business and manufacturing practices to help eliminate waste and streamline operations.

What is Living Naturally to Watkins?
A way of life. Watkins is striving to be the most trusted natural products company and Living Naturally speaks to all of Watkins product categories. From sourcing raw materials, to manufacturing, and delivery, Watkins is working toward sustainability in every aspect of our business!

What is it to our Associates and Customers?
Living Naturally means each of our customers can expect consistent products and service at an affordable price, all with the sustainability of our planet’s resources in mind.

With internal expertise, we can assure you that Watkins natural products have been developed, manufactured and delivered to you with dedication to environmental sustainability. We have taken the burden off your shoulders so that you can make an anxiety free purchase since Watkins natural products are made in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.




NPA Certification
The Natural Products Association has granted J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary products the NPA Seal of compliance. To earn this coveted seal, products must be made of at least 95% natural ingredients from renewable and sustainable resources.


Did You Know?
Utilizing natural ingredients allows for the elimination of ingredients that can potentially cause health risks. Most synthetic chemical ingredients are modeled after natural equivalents!



DfE Certification
J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care has received certification from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Designed for the Environment (DfE) program. The DfE seal ensures
consumers that cleaning products displaying the seal have been formulated using the safest ingredients for human and environmental health. By working closely with cleaning product manufacturers, the DfE diverted the use of 80 million pounds of harmful chemicals they refer to as “chemicals of concern” in 2007.


Did You Know?
If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 24 oz. petroleum based dishwashing liquid with Watkins 24 oz. plant-based product, we could save 85,886 barrels of oil! That is enough to heat and cool 4,941 U.S. homes for a year!


Sign up now and join me as we use natural plant-based products and tell others how they can use these products too! Start you own Watkins business today! Take our no obligation no pressure online tour Have the Life You Deserve for more information.

Living Naturally - Natural Home Care Products

A report from Packaged Facts says eco-friendly is where the opportunity is, with products offering ideological, practical and functional benefits.

The new study, "Green Household Cleaning Products in the U.S." on dish detergents, bathroom cleaners, general household cleaners, laundry care/detergents, and other products, says that of the $557 million consumers spent last year on green products, $339 million came from green household cleaning products, and $218 million from green laundry products.

While that $557 million is only 3 percent of the total amount that consumers spent last year on the category, Packaged Facts says sales of green cleaners grew 229 percent between 2005 and 2009, more than doubling their footprint in dollar terms and more than tripling their share of the total household cleaner market.

Don Montouri, publisher of Packaged Facts, says, "If the trend continues, sales of green products will reach $2 billion by 2014."

Why are natural home care products important?

• Thirty-seven percent of Americans suffer from chemical sensitivities, skin rashes and allergies — many of them provoked by chemicals in cleaning products.
• Reactions can include eyes watering, breakouts, skin rashes, and coughing or sneezing uncontrollably.
• Asthma is the leading cause of emergency room visits and absenteeism in schools.
• Children breathe faster in proportion to their body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to chemical exposure.
• Warm baths and showers open pores so that what we have cleaned with is more readily absorbed.

Use Watkins Natural Plant-Based Cleaning Products

Natural Apothecary Now Has 40 Products Carrying the NPA Seal

With 40 products certified, including the new line extensions of facial and body care, J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary is the second most certified brand.

WINONA, Minn., (Nov. 03, 2009) — J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary has received Natural Products Association certification for its newest line extensions; Daily Cleansing Cream, Divine Day Cream, Nourishing Night Cream, Medicated Lip Balm, Peppermint Foot Scrub, Aloe and Green Tea Shampoo and Body Wash. With the addition of these products, the company now has the second most products certified out of fourteen companies that currently carry the seal.

This highly regarded seal represents natural products that are formulated with at least 95% natural ingredients made from renewable and sustainable resources.

The average woman slathers over 125 chemicals onto her scalp, body, face and lips each day. Wouldn't be such a big deal if they were all cleared by health officials, but only 11% of the 10,500 chemical ingredients that go into making personal care products are actually tested for safety.*

Meeting the NPA Standard
Products must follow strict guidelines set out by the Natural Products Association to carry the seal, including:

· At least 95 percent truly natural ingredients or ingredients that are derived from natural sources.
· No ingredients with any potential suspected human health risks.
· No processes that significantly or adversely alter the purity/effect of the natural ingredients.
· Ingredients that come from a purposeful, renewable/plentiful source found in nature (flora, fauna, mineral).
· Processes that are minimal and don't use synthetic/harsh chemicals or otherwise dilute purity.
· Non-natural ingredients only when viable natural alternative ingredients are unavailable and only when there are absolutely no suspected potential human health risks.
About Watkins, Incorporated
For more than 140 years, J.R. Naturals has been America's pioneer in natural living, utilizing only the finest natural ingredients. Watkins provides quality brands to meet consumer's needs for environmentally friendly and sustainable products — to help people feel better and live healthy lives.
Order at http://www.watkinsonline.com/eleisiawhitney

*www.Greenmuze.com, Natural Beauty Products? Written by: Adria Vasil, author of Ecoholic: Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products & Services

Living Nautrally

These days everyone is making a greater effort to conserve the planet’s resources. Words like carbon footprint, sustainability, and Green have become common place. We are all taking a closer look at how our day-to-day activities affect the resources we leave for future generations. Watkins has been a pioneer in living naturally and we want to share with you what Living Naturally means to Watkins and more importantly what it means to you and your customers.

So what is Living Naturally to Watkins? A way of life. Watkins is striving to be the most trusted natural products company and Living Naturally speaks to all of Watkins product categories. From sourcing raw materials, to manufacturing, and delivery, Watkins is working toward sustainability in every aspect of our business!

What is it to our Associates and Customers?
Living Naturally means each of our customers can expect consistent products and service at an affordable price, all with the sustainability of our planet’s resources in mind.

With internal expertise, we can assure you that Watkins natural products have been developed, manufactured and delivered to you with dedication to environmental sustainability. We have taken the burden off your shoulders so that you can make an anxiety free purchase since Watkins natural products are made in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

Watkins has been a pioneer in natural living, utilizing the finest natural ingredients since 1868. We continue our commitment to you and the environment by implementing processes that reduce waste and conserve energy.

Watkins promise is to continue our Living Naturally philosophy for generations to come.

J R Watkins Natural Apothecary Line Earns NPA Certification

The Natural Products Association has granted J R Watkins Natural Apothecary products the NPA Seal of compliance. To earn this coveted seal, products must be made of at least 95% natural ingredients from renewable and sustainable resources.

This highly regarded seal represents the national standard for truly natural products and is carried by only two other brands. This seal makes it easier for your customers to identify quality natural products.

J R Watkins Natural Apothecary packaging will be updated within the next few months. The first products approved by the NPA include our Natural Apothecary Lemon Cream Body Cream and Vanilla Body Cream.

Shop for Watkins Natural Apothecary Products at http://www.watkinsonline.com/eleisiawhitney

Living Naturally

These days, everyone is making a greater effort to conserve the planet's resources. Words like carbon footprint, sustainability, and Green have become common place. We are all taking a closer look at how our day-to-day activities impact the resources we leave for future generations. Watkins has been a pioneer in living naturally and we want to share with you what Living Naturally means to Watkins and more importantly what it means to you and your customers.

So what is Living Naturally to Watkins?

A way of life. Watkins is striving to be the most trusted natural products company and Living Naturally speaks to all of our product categories. From sourcing raw materials, to manufacturing, and delivery, Watkins is working toward sustainability in every aspect of our business!

What Living Naturally means to our Associates and Customers?

Living Naturally means each of our customers can expect consistent products and service at an affordable price, all with the sustainability of our planets resources in mind.

With internal expertise, we can assure you that Watkins natural products have been developed, manufactured and delivered with dedication to environmental sustainability. We have taken the burden off your shoulders so that you can make an anxiety free purchase since Watkins natural products are made in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

Watkins has been a pioneer in natural living, utilizing the finest natural ingredients since 1868. We continue our commitment to you and the environment by implementing processes that reduce waste and conserve energy.

Watkins promise is to continue our Living Naturally philosophy for generations to come.

Be Label Savvy!

From 1901 to 1918 and 1934 to 1948 Watkins published an Almanac and Home Book filled with valuable information for all Watkins customers. Times have changed but Watkins still loves to share helpful tips that are safe for your home and the environment!

In the personal care segment many companies are applying "natural" to their product labels. Without a governing agency to set natural standards for personal care, any brand on the market can call itself natural, regardless of its ingredients. Definitely deceiving to consumers!

Without set standards it is easy to see why consumers are confused! With Watkins you can trust our entire line of 95% and above natural personal care products are natural. But just how do you decipher the truly natural products from impostors? Watkins Natural Personal Care Product Manager Andrea Buckner sat down with me to explain and offer a few helpful tips.

What makes a personal care product natural?

The ingredients in a product determines if a product is truly natural or not. At Watkins, we believe that in order to call a product natural, the product as a whole needs to be formulated using natural ingredients. In an ideal world, all of our products would be 100% natural, and that is something we are striving for; however, there are circumstances when a natural substitution is not available. We take into consideration the origin of ingredients, as well as the processes that it may under take to be a useable ingredient in personal care products. Just because a product contains one or two natural ingredients, doesn't mean it's truly a natural product.

What are the clues we should be looking for on the label that tell us the product is not truly natural?

Because the market is not regulated, being label savvy is really important when it comes to natural personal care products. If you see parabens (Methyl-, Propyl-, Ethyl-, Butyl-), petrochemicals (petrolatum, mineral oil, paraffin), chemical sunscreens (Oxybenzone/Avobenzone),or phthalates, you can be sure the product is not natural. Also, be apprehensive when you see a personal care product that says all-natural, made with natural, contains natural. . . .etc. Check the ingredients!

What if a product contains a natural ingredient? Is it natural?

Definitely not! There are companies out there who do this exact thing. Their lotion contains natural lavender oil, so they call it a natural lavender lotion. This is very deceiving to the consumer, but because natural personal care is not regulated, companies get away with stuff like this. This is why we put our natural percentage bar on each product that we have. We are honest with the consumer.

But it says "natural" or "organic" on the label.

Correct, and legally the companies can call it what they want. Recently, however the Natural Products Association (NPA) has stepped forward with a set of guidelines that have defined what 'natural' means. At Watkins, we are in the process of having all of our natural personal care products certified by the NPA, which will allow us to put a seal on each product. This seal ensures the consumer that the products they are purchasing are truly natural. It also helps to separate those who are not natural companies. I encourage everyone to visit their website at www.naturalproductsassoc.org it contains a wealth of information on natural personal care.

What ingredients should we steer clear of?

As mentioned above, there are a handful of ingredients that natural products steer clear of. At Watkins, we have developed what we call our Freedom Code. We adhere to this code in the development and formulation of J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary.

Parabens
Chemical Sunscreens
Petro Chemicals
Glycols
Phthalates
DEA/TEA-synthetic stabilizers
Formaldehyde Donors
1,4 Dioxanes
Polymers
Acrylates
Carbomer
PVP
Chemical Preservatives
Silicones
Quats
Talc

Bottom line, read your labels! As the old saying goes, you can't always trust a book by its' cover, or in this case, a natural personal care product by its' label.

Shop for Watkins Natural Products at www.NotJustVanilla.com