One day, six months later, my husband came home from work and immediately got a bad headache. He became suspicious, went out to the garage and brought in a carbon monoxide detector. The thing went nuts the second it came in the door! He found out that the roofing people had dropped a piece of shingle in the flue of the hot water heater vent pipe! He removed the shingle. It took time but the carbon monoxide went away. After that we installed a carbon monoxide detector in our home, but it was much too late for me.
It took several years, and a move to another home, for me to get better. My sense of smell had changed to the point I couldn't get near perfumes or gasoline without intense agony. Little by little I have changed my diet (I went vegan in 2/2018) and stopped using most chemicals. I used special detoxifying soaks from DNR Inc. which helped tremendously! I haven't used antiperspirant in over a eighteen years because the aluminum bothered me, I had the metal fillings in my teeth removed because I was sick from the mercury. It's like the carbon monoxide overloaded my sensory perception and made me hyper sensitive to metals and chemicals. I changed many of my habits towards all natural and less chemical. I began using more vinegar and baking soda, food grade peroxide and bleach for cleaning. Using less and less toxic chemicals.
I switched to activated charcoal soap to help detoxify and purify my skin and body. Making several different ones for variety. Soap making began to be a part of my life in a big way. It became a platform to help people with their skin issues as well as put to use all my knowledge of herbs. (I've been an amateur herbalist since 1979) It was even a way for me to express myself artistically! As time has gone by I have begun a serious business called MJR Soaps. The sky is the limit! My family makes requests and I do my best to come up with viable solutions. Whatever people need I do my best to provide. It is fun and satisfying when someone tells me how much my products have helped them! I make my own laundry soap, dish soap, liquid soaps, lotions, underarm deodorant, bath products, balms, creams and more. Many of which are for sale in my Etsy or Ebay stores!
If you'd like to check out the soaps I currently have just click on a link for Etsy or Ebay. I sell soap as people ask about it. I also do wholesale private labeling for several people and sell with my own label wholesale. During the spring and fall, when I have time, we go to Farmer's Markets and Craft Shows. I regularly post my soap pictures on Facebook so look me up! What started as a way to have my own charcoal soap has blossomed into a full line of products to bless my family, and friends. Plus it's a great way to make new friends!
My youngest daughter got me into using Norwex products to further reduce the need for chemicals. I use their make-up remover cloth every night before I use my soap-it takes the waterproof mascara right off as well as my 24 hour lipstick! Make up is one area I have not found a way to be completely natural. I use better brands and use my own moisturizer underneath instead of any foundation which helps protect my skin from the environment. I call it Visage Nourriture which is French for "Face Nourishment"! I wanted to call it "face food" but it just didn't sound as cool! Ha ha! Seriously this stuff has oils in it that have 30 & 50 SPF plus many vitamins and minerals. Great for my face! Helps with the sun and keeps it from aging. I now make extra and have several people enjoying it too!
It's been many years since I was carbon monoxide poisoned but by God's grace and mercy I have gotten better. Today I only have issues with gasoline and a few chemicals. I'm thankful for my husband, family and friends as they have stood by me all these years.
If you ever have questions or need something special for your skin please email me and I will do my best to help in any way I can! God Bless!
Marla Riedling
If you have an interest in having soap, lotions, bath bombs etc. made for you at low cost, with your own logo and label on it, please contact me. Now accepting active wholesalers. Preferably in Kentucky. Thank you! email me at mjrsoaps@gmail.com
Natural hand crafted soap is good for your skin and has none of the chemical associated with commercial soaps. The natural glycerin is left in the soap so you get all the benefits!