Up until now we have shipped to 17 different countries around the world and many customers have wanted to better understand our product descriptions and valuable information we offer by having it translated into their own language.

So now, at the top of every page is a clickable link of flags that will send you to a drop-down box where you can select any of 52 languages to translate our site into.

How fantastic! ¡Cómo es fantástico! C’est fantastique! どのように素晴らしい！Wie fantastisch! Come fantastic!

Ole' Faithful says arrivederci to me as I leave the Lucca Train Station bound for Pisa.

On the way to Pisa I need to stop off at my daughter’s place in Florence to pick up the rest of my luggage. At the moment I’m still traipsing around with only my backpack, and since I’ll be flying home from Pisa, I’ll need all my suitcases.

I’m an expert now with trains and buses, so, upon arrival in Florence I grab a bus to Krosbie and Paolo’s apartment, and on the short walk from the bus stop to their apartment I hear a sweet sound.

Another hop, skip and a jump on a bus and train, and voilá, I’m in Pisa, Italy!

Pisa Centrale, the main Train Station

The Hotel I’m staying at is only a few hundred yards away from the Leaning Tower and located in an area called the Field of Dreams. So I jump on another bus (schlepping ALL my luggage, oy!) and am dropped off at the entrance.

The Grand Entrance to the Field of Dreams.

My first look at, well, you’ll see . . .

Before I venture out to see the sights I want to check into my hotel room and drop off my baggage. But on the way I get to quench my thirst at a local tradition.

Good ole’ Rick Steves turned me onto Pensione Helvetia, just down the street from the Tower.

Pensione Helvetia. My room is on the 4th floor.

Let’s go inside.

All right, I can’t wait. Let’s go!

And this Lady obviously didn’t trust the recent construction reinforcement.

Can she do it? NEVER underestimate the power of a woman!

Let’s check out some architectural details of the Tower.

Pretty spectacular, huh?

I’ve been spending all this time looking up that it was time to start looking down.  And when I did I saw a shocking sight. It was my flat, empty stomach! So let’s eat.

I want to look for someplace that’s off the beaten path, and while strolling and using my antenna (can you guess?) to locate something yummy, I smell myself right into this amazing wall of jasmine.

I have never seen such a full cluster of these delicate flowers.

A little further down the street my eyes nose stops me.

Cibitalia. Loosely translated means a place to feed. A place to feed ME.

The Sweetest Lady who owned this sidewalk café off the beaten path. She was SO excited to have a customer, and I was ravenously accommodating!

Homemade deliciousness. She was very proud of her pasta salad.

I'm one Happy Guy!

Let’s go take a walk and see some back roads of Pisa.

Strolling just outside the walls of the Field of Dreams (where the Leaning Tower is located) I come across a very "green" auto machine.

I really want to see a local home in the “suburbs”, and I find a real quaint one.

Just a cute little house in the suburbs of Pisa. But what caught my eye was what you'll see next.

Children. So precious.

And now it’s time to walk back to my hotel, take a little nap and then freshen up to get ready for dining late in Pisa. I’ve been totally converted and I’ll wait until around 10 o’clock tonight to enjoy my meal. Ah, the life of an Italian!

And here’s what I find.

Just down the street from where I had lunch today is a local funky designed Ristorante called The Wall. It was definitely warm enough to eat outside.

Pasta, of course. Insalata Mista after dinner. Of course. I'm a full-fledged Italian now.

Join me for a you-have-to-be-there moment at my dinner.

It’s now about 1 in the morning. I’m not ready to go bed so I start walking. And walking. And walking. All the way to the other side of Pisa, only to arrive at the most ultimately perfect scene for my final night.

I really didn't know where I'd end up. And then I found myself here. I slowly walked to the center of the bridge over the Arno River and just stared. Endlessly. I wanted to take in everything. Get lost in the moment. It was the culmination of a dream far beyond what I had ever expected. And I couldn't leave. I just couldn't leave.

I awakened early the next morning to capture my very last sounds of Italy.

This trip was the greatest gift I could have ever given myself during this part of my life. It gave me a whole new perspective of how to ease up on the rat-race of the American Dream. My observation of the Italian people is that they enjoy conversation, family, food and work to the fullest, living a balanced life.

My wife, Patty and I own Nurture My Body, an online Boutique of Organic Beauty Products. And now, our pace is a little different than it used to be. We take the time to have lunch together. We go out and enjoy our farm animals in the middle of the day.

And quite effortlessly we still get all the work done. Our customers never suffer. We keep our promises.

The difference is that now, when a harried and crazy “American” moment overtakes me, I remind myself silently, “Hey Rich, remember Italy?” Then I take a breath, relax, and think of the Arno River.

I want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to allow me to share my wondrous adventure to Italy. If you missed any of the towns I visited click on Italy Adventure and change your life.

Ciao for now.

We'd Never Hurt You

On the next set of organic hair products that you buy, make sure you see “Cruelty Free” or “No Animal Testing” printed on the label. Personal care product manufacturers are not required to safety test their products before market approval, so they escape the requirement of including a warning label on each product that has not been tested for safety.

Killing Animals Qualifies You for Non-Toxic Status

Alarmingly, all that is needed to avoid a warning label is a test of product safety, and companies are not required to disclose results of safety tests.  In addition, federal regulations for the safety of cosmetic products are appallingly low.  For example, a product that kills 50% of lab animals through ingestion or inhalation can still receive federal regulatory designation as non-toxic. Can you believe that? Finding out the truth is nauseating at times.

Much of the cosmetic industry’s research is carried out on animals.  Of all animal testing carried out in the U.S. today, only 27% is used to further medical research—the other 73% is conducted to promote consumer products. That is absolutely heartless.

You can avoid supporting the cosmetic industry’s cruel practices and bypass exposure to caustic and dangerous chemicals by using one of the many high-quality organic hair products currently available. On every label of Nurture My Body organic hair products, such as Organic Shampoos and Organic Conditioners, as well as on all of our other products (Organic Skin Care, Organic Body Care and Organic Baby Care), we proudly print, “No Animal Testing.”

A Rabbit’s Foot Isn’t Just for Luck

Leaping Bunny Certified - No Animal Testing/Cruelty Free

The Leaping Bunny label refers to products that have been certified animal testing free and cruelty free by the Coalition For Consumer Information On Cosmetics, a nonprofit alliance that helps consumers choose products in which no animals were used in any way nor harmed in animal testing.

Can you imagine being sprayed in the eyes with harsh soap every day of your life for hours at a time while people gather to watch and write the results in a notebook?

This is what is done to lab rabbits by some of the largest soap and household product makers even though there are alternative ways of testing these products which have been know about for years.

These animals feel pain, just like we do and even if you don’t believe they have all the same rights as humans you wouldn’t imagine doing these kind of painful tests to your dog or cat for every day of its life would you?

Out of Sight Out of Mind – Not Any More

Animal testing is not just some radical liberal cause that we should brush off. It is wrong and even the Catholic Church has begun to speak out about it. There are known scientific means of getting results without causing pain to animals.

It doesn’t take much to save a sweet little animal’s life. Just look for “No Animal Testing”, “Cruelty Free”, or the “Leaping Bunny” symbol, and you can be assured that the organic hair products you are buying are made by a company who would never hurt that little doggie in the window.

Here is a list of articles that you may enjoy:

• organic hair products | Fashion Hair Talk – More and more people are switching from synthetic products to those that are green and nature-friendly. This is good news as organic skin and organic hair.
• Making Your Own Organic Hair Products – There are several things that consumers much watch out for when they go shopping for organic hair products.
• VGS Fashion Blog » Using Organic Hair Products To Moisturize Dyed Hair – Anyone who has ever dyed their hair has lived through the frustrations of having dried out hair that can turn into quite the mess. It always seems to happen at the worst times, but there are some things that can be done if you learn how …
• Insider Beauty Secrets: How to Choose Natural Products and Supplements – Buy only certified organic hair products and you can reclaim those lustrous locks! Beautiful Supplements: You can also add these great supplements to your diet to improve your beauty routine: Antioxidants: Antioxidants have numerous …
• Community Articles » Using the Right Gel for Your Type of Hair – There is tons of information available, just do a quick search to find it quickly! If you are wanting to submit articles however, you should create an account for free and read our guidelines for writing articles to make sure that all of your articles are accepted. There are 26364 published articles and 10,651 registered authors in our article directory. Students who have finished high school and are about to start college are usually looking for college scholarships.
• Using Organic Hair Products To Moisturize Dyed Hair – If you have even dyed your hair, you know how dry it can get after a few weeks. If you don’t take some measures, you could very well be walking around with a head of very dry and frizzy hair. You will have the color that you want, …
• Does your hair make You Sneeze? – Stylist that make organic hair products help their clients and the environment. Using ingredients that consumers can actually eat do not have the harmful effect that buying mass marketers hype does. Check out the ingredients in you hair …
• Going Green Tuesdays- With a review and giveaway! – Happy Tuesday! It’s time to think of the things you do that make your life a little greener! Today I am doing a tip/review/giveaway sort of post. It’s about Shampoo and Conditioner’s and I will also tell you why I love mine! …
• OrganicHeads » 5 Toxic Chemicals in Skin & Hair Products – Mineral Oil / Petrolatum / Petroleum:   These cheap petroleum based ingredients clog the skin’s pores and enlarge them. This can cause acne, saggy skin, long term dry skin, and respiratory toxins. Propylene Glycol:   This cheap synthetic petrochemical is used as an emulsifying base in creams in lotions.
• Organic Hair Products For natural Beauty – organic hair Products help replace the natural ph to your hair that constant washing, conditioning,drying and the chemicals our hair is exposed to ( including the sun ) on a daily basis, hair dyes, coloring [...]

Learn from Rich of Nurture My Body the right way to apply their Organic Shave Cream and you’ll discover a new way of shaving that gives a surprisingly close shave while leaving your skin soft and your body healthy.

Certainly not in your toothpaste. Or lipstick. What about your body lotion and underarm deodorant? Or hair spray? And, of course there’s NO WAY that manufacturers would put cancer-causing chemicals in your baby shampoo and baby lotion, would they?

Would the Government allow that?

Watch this if you love yourself, your spouse, your parents and especially your children.

Here at Nurture My Body we make absolutely chemical free beauty products. And they’re made with certified organic ingredients, are not tested on animals, are phthalate-free and packaged with eco-friendly materials.

Nurture My Body is a proud Signer of The Compact for Safe Cosmetics. This means that we care what goes on (and in) your body. To see our wondrous company listed as one of the signers, click on the Compact for Safe Cosmetics badge below.

We are a Signer of The Compact for Safe Cosmetics

Come visit us now at Nurture My Body if you decide that chemical free beauty products are safer for you and your family. Especially your kids.

Nurture My Body has been nominated to win $100,000 in grant and marketing support by American Express and NBC Universal because we are considered to be an inspiring small business. We are excitedly asking you to Endorse Nurture My Body!

What is Shine A Light?

Every day small businesses demonstrate commitment to their customers and communities at large, while developing new and innovative ways to work during more challenging times. Sound inspiring? We think so. American Express and NBC Universal are inviting you to endorse a small business that you find inspiring.

VERY happy Owners, Patty and Rich

To give Rich and Patty an opportunity to win $100,000 in grant and marketing support please click Endorse Nurture My Body.  Then register in the upper left-hand corner and endorse their story.

Heartfelt thanks from Patty and Rich!

First stop, a Roman Amphitheater just off the main shopping street. Now called Piazza Anfiteatro, it has been converted into touristy shops and restaurants.

Not in Rick Steve’s Travel Book, but now in Rich Arnold’s Travel Book, a bar called Lucca Drento in the Piazza San Frediano serves FREE all-you-can-eat appetizers while you drink.

All sorts of Italian treats to go along with my vino. And my view from my seat was SO Italian.

I’m listening, watching and enjoying my peaceful meal when I finally catch a picture of a typical Italian nuance.

This is the way Italians point when showing directions. This shot is a bit early but in 2 more seconds his hand would be fully extended to show his friends which way to go. It is considered rude to use only 1 finger to point in Italy! Isn't that just fascinating? I just love finding out about this sort of thing.

Since I was alone I was all ears and able to bask in the sounds.

Time for more.

Trip number 2 found this collection of delectables on my plate.

Yes, there were a couple more trips to fill my plate. They had NO idea who they were dealing with when they put the two words FREE and FOOD together!

It was now time to see the night life in Lucca. There wasn’t a crane around so I used brute force to lift my stomach and begin a very needed walk.

You’re about to see a guy who is 2 gelatos to the wind.

Having no clue what time it is I (somehow) find my way back to my room knowing that I should probably sleep a little in preparation for my leave to Pisa.

Bright and early the next morning I stop off for some cappuccino and pastry and begin my walk out of town toward the train station.

Since I was staying at La Magnolia B&B they give their guests a coupon for a free breakfast at a local coffee shop. You get a pastry, coffee and sparkling water. Yum!

My mode of travel once again.

Such a simple way to get around. I loved my backpack and thanked my daughter a thousand times over for convincing me to leave my suitcase with her in Florence.

Nothing like the real thing instead of stamped-out fake concrete found in the states.

Authentic cobblestone. How the Italian women walk in heels is a magical mystery!

I just had to photograph the police, and I came to find out that there are 2 types of Police in Italy. The Carabinieri, military corps with police duties, and the Polizia, the State Police. Both serve and protect Italian citizens.

Carabinieri on the left and Polizia on the right.

You are NOT going to believe this.

It's early morning as I pass by the Flea Market that I showed you yesterday. Remember? Well, this scene stunned me. The market isn't open yet and the vendors DO NOT pack up their precious wares and take them home. They just cover them with tarps. Talk about trust! Only in Italy.

Headed out of town I walk along the top of Lucca’s protective wall.

As I leave the life of Lucca behind, awaiting across the street from the enormous wall above is the train to take me to my last day in Italy.

How perfect this shall be as my finale is in Pisa. Let’s find out together if the famous Tower really leans or if it is just a figment of my school book’s imagination.

Ciao for now.

This next day of my 57th birthday celebration is a gift I wouldn’t trade for all the millions of dollars enjoyed by Brad and Angelina. Because it was planned with love. With care. And with a true desire to give unselfishly to the man my wife loves. Me. Now if that isn’t priceless, what is?

So let’s see what surprise I had in store for me.

If you're ever in Puyallup, Washington looking to be spoiled by a Victorian flavor, you should definitely stay at the Tayberry Victorian Cottage B&B.

Our Room with a View.

The Balcony Room ~ our haven for the weekend.

Our view, reminiscent of my trip to Italy. Patty is something else!

And we had our own private bath to get private in.

On the way to the B&B we stopped at a market and picked up a few things for dinner.

A delectable light dinner enjoyed on our balcony.

A yummy dessert that was almost too pretty to disturb. The key word here is 'almost'!

A moment to rest after dinner and reflect.

A VERY happy guy at 57.

The rest of the evening was filled with even more loving surprises planned exquisitely by my dear wife which included a dip in hot tub on the outside deck, watching movies as we cuddled together, with the culmination of a very peaceful slumber in our Victorian bed.

I awoke early the next morning to a sound that has always been a treat to my ears.

After freshening up we walked downstairs to meet the 2 elves that worked behind the scenes to make my 57th birthday quite a day to remember.

These are Terry and Vicki Chissus, owners of the Tayberry Cottage, extraordinary Chefs and absolutely the most fun to talk with!

It was time to indulge in the Breakfast part of our Bed and Breakfast, and were we ever glad we did!

We began with fresh blueberries over vanilla yogurt, then continued engorging on a French Puffcake with fresh strawberries, sausage, fresh squeezed orange juice, and coffee.

As we were leaving I had just one more thing to do before departing.

It’s a must to stay at the Tayberry when you’re in Western Washington so just click on Tayberry Victorian Cottage B&B to make reservations or give Terri and Vicki a call at toll-free 1.888.781.3324. Tell them Rich and Patty sent you!

My never-ending birthday keeps on going, but to where?

Going along for the ride my surprise destination was a most exquisite 10-acre garden located in Lakewood, Washington. Patty knows I have a love for gardens and Mother Nature and this place was just a short ride from our house and I had never seen it over the last 23 years.

The creative genius of these gardens was created by Eulalie Wagner from 1934 – 1991. Her dream ~ “As we become more and more city creatures, living in man-made surroundings, perhaps gardens will become even more precious to us, letting us remember that we began in the garden.”

Eulalie Wagner was a tireless woman bringing her dream into reality over 50 years.

We kept walking and I had to capture this creepy feeling I had strolling through this next section of trees. Something about it made wonder if I were going to be grabbed!

Don't you get an spooky feeling looking into these trees?

We came around a bend and saw a tree rightfully crowned, “The Empress.”

We walked through the house, which was not the focal point of the gardens, and found ourselves on their back patio.

The outside dining patio is canopied by decades-old wisteria. So beautiful.

Walk with us to smell the freshness of this gorgeous backyard.

I'm always fascinated by the talent of the gardener's scissors, far better than what Edward Scissorhands could do!

The wonderful Quatrefoil Pool. Quite a design.

My wife is happily hugging another man. Should I be jealous?

The path continued further on as I stopped to observed stalwart softness.

Look at the strength and size of this tree. Yet so gentle in its presentation.

Exactly what I was feeling.

I love the coloration of this family of leaves. Don't you?

And what would Mother Nature be without her enchanting sounds?

Love at first sight and at 19 years later.

So I thought the day was over. But I’d forgotten who the planner was!

We’re now headed for Japan!

And I need to find out if Bamboo is native to Japan. Is it?

As the day comes to a close, I can’t be coy.

My weekend celebration of my 57th year has been the greatest surprise I have ever lived.

But that is due in whole to the greatest surprise that I wake up to every day. My Queen, my Beauty, my Love, Patty.