Old Tech Defeats New Tech (Why Tooth Powder Is Better Than Toothpaste)  Do you have your grandmother’s non-stick pan in your kitchen in a place of honor?  Are you excited to pass down one of your non-stick pans to your children and grandchildren as a family heirloom?  Of course not.  The main reason for this is that modern cookware is still inferior to the old stand-by of the cast iron skillet.   Unlike modern non-stick pans, cast iron is extremely durable, lasting generations, and offers excellent heat retention for even cooking. It develops a natural non-stick surface when seasoned, making it versatile for various cooking methods.  It is superior in every way to the chemical coated modern pans. Embracing old tech as a company can make for a lasting business.  For example, the company Lodge Cast Iron is the largest US manufacturer of cast iron cookware.  It employs 600 people and distributes its products to over 70 countries.  Its commitment to US manufacturing and consistent quality make it the market leader in the space.       Old tech is not just a good business move, it can also be a healthy move for your customers as well.  Just like cast iron is better than chemically treated cookware, old fashioned tooth powder is far superior to modern toothpaste. Tooth Powder Was There First  Tooth Powder is an ancient dental cleaner.  Research indicates that it was used as early as 5000 B.C. by the Egyptians.  It was made from powdered ashes of ox hooves, myrrh, burnt eggshells, and pumice. This mixture was applied to the teeth, likely using fingers or rudimentary brushes. Other civilizations also developed their own versions.  The Greeks and Romans used crushed bones and oyster shells.  The Chinese incorporated ginseng, herbal mints, and salt.   Just like I discussed above, if something has been around for a long time there is a reason that it has staying power.  Tooth powder is effective for removing stains and plaque from your teeth.  It has also been shown to combat gingivitis as well.  It is a complete dental care option that you can be confident that it can get the job done.   But is this tried and true old-fashioned option a better option than modern toothpaste?  VanMan says yes. Why Tooth Powder Is Better Than Toothpaste First of all, tooth powder uses natural ingredients like baking soda, bentonite clay, eggshells, and essential oils.  All of which can be gentler on teeth and gums. This makes it suitable for people with sensitive teeth.  It is also typically free from chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or artificial sweeteners.  For those concerned about fluoride, tooth powder offers an alternative, with many formulations being fluoride-free. It is eco-friendly and sustainable because it is usually packaged in glass jars or recyclable materials.  This reduces plastic waste from toothpaste tubes. Did you know that 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away each year?  1.5 billion!  Tooth Powder is definitely the greener choice. Tooth powder often lasts longer than toothpaste because less product is typically used per brushing. While a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is recommended, many people use more when brushing.  For tooth powder, users generally apply just enough to coat the toothbrush bristles.  This efficiency means tooth powder can offer more brushings per gram, potentially lasting longer for the same weight. These are just a few reasons why tooth powder is the superior choice to toothpaste.  You don’t have to take my word for it, however.  Check out the hundreds and hundreds of reviews of VanMan’s Miracle Tooth Powder of very satisfied customers.  Our “modern” society likes to think that it has produced the latest and greatest options for everything.  While this may be true in some cases, we have to make sure that we don’t discard the wisdom and methods of our ancestors.  Tooth Powder has been tested and refined over 1000s of years.  It is the only option you need when brushing your teeth. What’s VanMan Cooking Up Next? Next issue, we are going to talk more about Royal Jelly.  Until then, always remember . . .  The van never stops, VanMan

Did Aristotle Eat Royal Jelly For Breakfast? When I started to look into the history of Royal Jelly when I was considering using it in my products, I discovered that there was this claim that Aristotle ate it for breakfast.  At first I thought this was not very probable because how on earth would anyone know that?  The philosopher did have a fascination with bees, however.  In his book History of Animals, Aristotle describes bee reproduction, noting that worker bees feed the queen bee with honey, which we know today as royal jelly. If Aristotle did discover that royal jelly had benefits there is no doubt he would have taken advantage of it, given that his philosophy of habituation influenced his disciplined lifestyle.  This would have included his diet.  There is no way to say for sure that he did use royal jelly but I do know that skin care enthusiasts are drawn to royal jelly today. Understanding Royal Jelly And Its Potential For Elite Skin Care?  Royal jelly is popular in skin care products that target dry, damaged skin, acne, and signs of aging.  You will find it in facial masks, moisturizers, and Van Man’s Bison Tallow and Honey Balm.  It is a milky secretion from the glands of worker honey bees used to feed all larvae in the have, as well as exclusively for queen bees throughout their development.  Interestingly, its composition varies by geography and climate.  It’s nutritional profile is key to its skincare applications. It contains proteins, including major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), and fatty acids like trans-10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) and 10-Hydroxydecanoic acid, which are thought to contribute to skin health (12 Potential Health Benefits of Royal Jelly). It also includes vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, A, C, D, and E, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, providing deep nourishment. These nutrients support cell renewal, hydration, and elasticity, potentially combating dry skin and fine lines. There is more work to do to discover exactly how much of a positive impact it has on your skin but there is no doubt that companies and consumers are making big bets on its effectiveness. Is Royal Jelly Good For Your Skin? First, it is important to note that antioxidants are crucial for protecting skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging. Royal jelly exhibits antioxidant properties due to phenolic compounds, peptides, amino acids, and fatty acids.  While its effects are still being studied, compounds like 10-HDA have been shown to alleviate oxidative stress and act as effective free radical scavengers.  These properties may help reduce inflammation and protect against environmental aggressors.  This can support overall skin vitality. Beyond anti-aging, royal jelly offers additional skin benefits. It has antibacterial properties, which may make it effective against bacteria and viruses.  It can also potentially help treat acne causing germs, which may minimize outbreaks and prevent new ones.  Royal jelly regulates oil production, lowering the risk of clogged pores.  Regular use may also reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation.  This can brighten the skin and help to give it a natural glow.  Finally, its anti-inflammatory effects can soothe sensitive, redness-prone skin.  This can reduce inflammation which has been linked to premature aging. I’m not eating royal jelly for breakfast, but given all of these potential benefits I am using it in VanMan’s Bison Tallow and Honey Balm which you can check out here: Royal jelly is a natural ingredient that has been used for centuries.  I am proud to bring it straight from nature into your home, just don’t eat the Bison Tallow for breakfast.  What’s VanMan Cooking Up Next? Next issue we are going to talk more about tallow.  Until then always remember . . .  The van never stops, VanMan