Why You Should Get an Organic Mattress

Switching mattresses isn’t the first swap that people make when working towards a more toxin free life, but maybe it should be. 

On average we spend 8 hours a day in bed. That’s one-third of our day. Even scarier -  that’s one-third of our lives! 

With traditional mattresses, that time is spent laying on and breathing in:

• Chemical flame retardants - mattresses sold and made in the US must meet Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) flame retardant standards. By the way, organic wool is naturally flame resistant.

• Pesticides - The materials used in mattresses are grown with pesticides.

• Volatile organic compounds - often found in the polyurethane in mattresses. 

Tapping natural latex from a rubber tree.

So what should you look for when shopping for a healthier mattress? 

Look for the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or for mattresses that contain latex with the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) seal. 

Not quite as good GOTS or GOLS is the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. This standard sets limits for VOC emissions and prohibits the use of flame retardants and dyes but doesn’t require any organic materials to be used.

Watch out when you see claims that a mattress is “organic” or “natural” without a GOTS or GOLS seal. In many cases these mattresses may include some certified organic materials, but the rest of it is uses conventional materials. 
When choosing a mattress with these standards and made by companies with an earth-friendly focus, you're not only getting a healthy product for your family, you can also rest easy knowing your mattress was made with an eco-conscious focus that benefits the planet.

Where can you find an organic mattress?

The mattress I’ve been looking at getting is from Holy Lamb Organics. Nope, I haven’t bought it quite yet, because a mattress is a big investment. And, let’s be honest, I’ve had a new mattress on my list for quite some time and I keep prioritizing other expenses.

No, I’m not getting paid to promote Holy Lamb or their products, but here’s why I will buy our new mattress from them:

1. They are local company that makes hand-made products right here in Washington.

2. They use natural latex which is hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and resistant to water, dust mites, bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew, bedbugs and other allergens. 

3. Holy Lamb products are sustainable, biodegradable, and use materials grown without pesticides

Holy Lamb was kind enough to give my readers a special discount. You can get 15% off Holy Lamb products, including mattresses (excludes custom and clearance), with the code healthysleep15 at the flagship store in Olympia or at olympiabedstore.com

Thanks Holy Lamb!

Fake Scents? No Thank You!

My friend Elissa texted me the other day. She said

“OMG at the dentist and they have Glade plug-ins all over! Instant headache! WTF! A medical office shouldn’t smell like Yankee Candle.” 

Yep, that’s what she said word for word.

I’m proud of her because she actually complained.  She told them that after 20 minutes she felt nauseous, dizzy, her hands were shaking, and her head was pounding. They agreed to unplug them and get this THE STAFF COULDN’T EVEN SMELL THEM! Hmm...I wonder if they plugged them back in later. 

I thought this was the perfect time to address scents not only because of Elissa’s text, but also because as the holidays get closer, you’re more likely to be inundated with scented candles, potpourri, and perfume. Here’s some good data to share to kindly encourage others to just stop it already with the fake smells. They’re not good for us!

So what’s wrong with fragrance?

We’ve talked here before about the ingredient “fragrance” or “parfum” commonly found on product labels and why you should avoid it altogether. (Fragrance/parfum is a proprietary term meaning that cosmetics companies aren’t required to reveal the individual chemicals included within the term.) But here’s more fuel for the fire.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, together with other non-governmental organizations, commissioned independent lab testing of 32 beauty, personal care, and cleaning products and found three quarters of the toxic chemicals in the products were fragrance chemicals. One in four of the 338 fragrance chemicals detected were linked with serious, chronic health effects including cancer, birth defects, and hormone disruption. No thank you!

These are the same chemicals found in many home fragrances. 

Women’s Voices for the Earth commissioned an independent lab test to find what chemicals could be hiding in air fresheners. While they only had enough funding to test for allergens, synthetic musks, and phthalates, they found ALL of them in the Glade products tested - despite the fact that Glad had committed to phasing out phthalates two years prior.

When you use something like a plug-in you’re constantly breathing in those chemicals. These intrusive fake smells not only have potential long term effects, some people have an almost immediate reaction. Alexander Mauskop, MD, director of the New York Headache Center, includes perfume as one of the most common smells that trigger migraines, and more than 2 million Americans are allergic to fragrance. 

Want to make the house smell amazing but don’t want the chemicals?

Here are a few suggestions for you -

1. Use a diffuser with essential oils. How about this recipe I found called “Crunching Leaves”:

   • 2 drops Frankincense

   • 2 drops Myrrh

   • 3 drops Wild Orange

   • 2 drops Cedarwood

2. Create an “old school” potpourri:

   • ½ lemon, sliced thin

   • ½ an apple, sliced

   • 4 cinnamon sticks, or ½ tsp ground cinnamon

   • 1 tsp. Vanilla extract

   • Place a medium sized saucepan on the back burner, fill with ingredients and let it simmer on the lowest setting.  Start your potpourri about a half hour before you have guests come over…your home will smell amazing.

3. Deep clean your home so you don’t have to cover up lingering scents.

   • Open up your windows and bring fresh air in.

   • My favorite tip to help eliminate unpleasant smells - sprinkle baking soda on rugs, carpets, and furniture before vacuuming and toss throw pillows and other fabric items in the wash for a deeper clean.

So the next time you get into an Uber that smells like an entire bottle of Axe threw up, will you say something? Let’s be like Elissa and speak up!

Take the Last Quarter of the Decade by Storm!

This post is going to be a little different. Today is the start of October, the start of the last quarter of the decade. So I’m going to share with you some ideas to embrace and push for those last 91 days to be the most positive and inspiring 91 days of this decade.

I hope you will take a few minutes to go through this practice and share what a-ha moments you have! Plus I created a quick Mindset To Do List to help!

Take time to reflect

I want to challenge you to take some time and reflect on the last decade. When you do this don’t just think about work - think about your relationships with family and friends, your health, your mindset, your life as a whole.

Where were you in 2010? 

Where were you living, working, and spending your time? 

How have you changed since then?

What hardships have you overcome in those 10 years?

What accomplishments have you achieved over the last 10 years? 

What are you proud of?

Now let’s think forward...

Again, I want to remind you to think about all aspects of your life, not just work.

How do you want to finish out the year? 

What do you want to accomplish over the next three months? 

How do you want to feel on New Year’s Eve as we start a new decade? 

What do you want to accomplish over the next year, five years, 10 years? 

Write down your wildest dreams. Don’t let your fears hold you back. You can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. 

And as we wrap this up, I want to share a little bit about our thoughts...

I believe that mindset is everything. 

Choosing to think positively is exactly that. It is a choice. Thinking positively can be life changing. I don’t believe you’re born either an optimist or a pessimist. You are in control of your mind and your thoughts.

So go and enjoy the next three months and beyond.

Think positive, set goals, and chase your dreams.

If you’re looking for more, these books have made a big impact on me!

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard

Download my Mindset To Do List

It’s Time for Cosmetics Regulation Reform and You Can Help!

I don’t usually ask for you to take political action, I’m just not that overt about my politics.

But there’s an important bill that needs our support in DC.

When I heard about it I immediately sent my representative a letter. And you can too.

This link makes it quick and easy. 

Why you should care…

There are major gaps in the federal laws that govern beauty and personal care products. The current law is only 2.5 pages long and is over 80 years old. I’m pretty sure there have been some changes in the way cosmetics have been produced in those 80 years.

Representative Jan Schakowsky introduced the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2019 (H.R. 4296), finally adding stricter regulations including:

• Banning over a dozen of the worst chemicals from cosmetics

• Funding research into safer alternatives to toxic chemicals negatively impacting communities of color and salon workers

• Requiring full disclosure of fragrance ingredients*

• Banning most animal testing

*Fragrance/parfum is currently a proprietary term meaning that cosmetics companies aren’t required to reveal the individual chemicals included within the term

You can get more details about H.R. 4296 here. 

I’m asking you to please take a moment and support this bill. Show Congress that we care about the safety of our products.

Each of us is an advocate every day. How we choose to spend our money is advocacy. 

Buying organic vegetables -  you’re an advocate for farming practices with fewer pesticides. Bringing your reusable cup to the coffee shop - you’re an advocate for creating less waste. Choosing a local restaurant - you’re an advocate for local commerce and supporting a family business.

Thank you for voting with your dollar and making smart and conscious decisions about the products and causes you support.

If you want more suggestions how how to get involved, check out my quick to do list.

Let's Have Some Fun with a Smokey Eye Tutorial

Talking about harmful chemicals all the time can get a little bit depressing.

Am I right?!?

So I thought we could switch things up a bit with a fun eyeshadow tutorial. I shared some easy-to-follow tips for a fun fall look!

I review my super quick everyday look, a subtle smokey eye, and a more bold evening look too. All in this quick 5 minute video.

Here are all the 100% safe and high performing products I used in this video: Makeup brushes 5, 8, and 9, Highlighter in Afterglow, Eyeshadows: Peach, Fearless, and Faux Suede, Lipstick in Pomegranate.

What’s your favorite look for fall? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks for transitioning your makeup with the change of seasons!

Endocrine Disruptors and Puberty - Why You Should Be Paying Attention!

My oldest daughter just turned 13 on Friday. 13!

My interest in toxin free living snowballed after she was born. I was scared by the recent recall of lead in toys. Yes, you read that right. Lead in the toys that my baby was putting in her mouth. I continued to learn more about the harmful toxins that we unintentionally expose our kids to. Like flame retardant pajamas. Sounds safer, right?

Wrong! 

The most common chemical used in flame retardant pajamas is polybrominated diphenyl ethers, an endocrine disruptor.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) deserve way more than one blog post, but I’ve been curious about how EDCs impact puberty. After all, I have a couple of daughters who are going through that developmental stage.

What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?

Let’s start with what they are. EDCs are natural or synthetic environmental chemicals that mimic hormones. They are introduced to the body through the air, water, and food. They can also be found in furniture and items used within the home or office. Additionally, EDCs can be transferred to the infant via the placenta and through breastmilk. They especially interfere with reproductive hormones and thyroid hormone (important for development of the brain and nervous system). 

How do Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals affect the body?

EDCs can harm every organ in your body and have been linked with male and female reproductive disorders, obesity, diabetes, neurological problems, immune and thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, and hormone-related cancers. The strength and breadth of linking EDCs to chronic disease has been compared to the evidence linking smoking with lung cancer. (https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/why-you-should-care)

Since we’re focusing on puberty here -

EDCs can negatively affect breast development. Rapid mammary gland development happens at three stages-  in the womb, around puberty, and during pregnancy. 

Disruption of normal development caused by EDCs at any or all of these stages can cause abnormal development, impact breast cancer risk, and impair lactation. 

For males, breast development occurs in utero and is stopped by a surge of androgen right before birth. In rodents, anti-androgenic EDC exposure has caused reversal of this response in males. (10.1007/s10911-013-9275-7)

This basically means that EDCs can prevent the body’s natural response to stop breast development in boys. Scary, right?

How do Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals impact puberty? 

Puberty onset and course is controlled by the neuroendocrine system. 

“Factors affecting the timing and regulation of the functions of this system may alter the onset and course of puberty.” (10.4274/jcrpe.v3i1.01)

Because they act like hormones, EDCs can influence puberty. EDCs can affect the hormone system agonistically or antagonistically and can affect puberty in an estrogenic, antiestrogenic, androgenic, antiandrogenic manner or through directly affecting the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). 

I’m not an endocrinologist, and I’m guessing you aren’t either...so what does this all mean? Summed up, it basically means that EDCs can cause early or delayed puberty, or may lead to sexual differentiation disorders.

There are natural endocrine disruptors, like phytoestrogens, found in food we eat every day. Coffee, carrots, legumes, cherries, garlic, apples, to name a few. But these are considered weak in comparison and must be consumed in massive amounts to have estrogenic effects. 

Synthetic endocrine disruptors on the other hand, are different. Here’s a story about one of the most well known EDCs, Diethylstilbestrol (DES). DES was used for years until it was banned from production and marketing in 1997. It was used for pregnancy toxemia and preterm labor. However, there were some major issues found. Mothers exposed to DES had a twofold increase in breast cancer and for female infants exposed through their mothers, a higher rate of cervical cancer, ovarian germ cell cancer, cervical or vaginal dysplasia, and vaginal clear-cell adenocarcinoma. (J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2011 Mar; 3(1): 1–6.)

Where are endocrine disruptor chemicals commonly found?

Many chemicals in everyday products are likely EDCs. 

Parabens, phthalates and BPA (bisphenol A) are examples of EDCs you’ve probably heard of.

EDCs are often found in:

• Pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides

• Cleaning products 

• Cosmetics

• Dyes

• Plastic found in toys, bottles, food containers, lining of canned food, and cash register receipts

• Flame retardants used in clothing, furniture, and flooring

How can I avoid Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals:

• Eat organic and fresh food as often as possible

• Say “no” to canned food and beverages which often have an EDC lining. (Even BPA free linings often contain other chemicals that might be worse.)

• Avoid exposure to gardening and cleaning chemicals

• Reduce your exposure to EDCs in beauty and personal care products

• Wash your hands and dust and vacuum often - this will remove the EDCs commonly found in furniture, electronics, and other products in the home.

• Stop using fragrances and don’t use products that include the ingredient “fragrance” or “parfum”

• Reduce the amount of plastics you buy and use

I hope this article has you feeling informed and ready to make healthier choices to reduce your EDC exposure. 

Wishing you health and love friends!

Tips for Packing an Eco-Friendly Lunch

Many of you are already back in school mode, but we still have one more week of summer break left! We’re making the most of the end of summer sun, but I can tell you that this mom is ready to get back to our routine!

Consistent with my past few posts, let’s talk about eco-friendly choices for back to school. 

School lunch!

In a typical lunch you will probably find food packaged in plastic bags or pre-packaged snacks that aren’t reusable or recyclable. Yes, they’re definitely easier to grab and pack, but a typical lunch often includes at least a few of these non-recyclable trash items. If every kid brought two pieces of trash every day, five days a week, for the entire school year… imagine how much trash that is!  

Trash Free Lunch

My daughters have been using reusable “bento style” lunch boxes for the past few years. We started with a bento box found on Amazon and honestly the quality wasn’t great and they ended up breaking. 

Last year we upgraded to the PlanetBox and after a year of daily use, they are still in perfect condition! (Yes, my middle schooler still uses the Rover PlanetBox and it holds all she needs!)

We also have a stainless steel insulated container for when they want to bring hot items or leftovers.  

Initially, it can be more expensive to invest in a bento box, but it saves money in the long run. Single packaged snacks are more expensive and buying plastic baggies can add up. Plus, we all need to do our part to reduce the amount of waste we are producing.

If a bento box doesn’t work, try using reusable silicone bags like the stasher bags. Silicone is made from sand and carbon and is a great alternative to plastic because it’s not made with unsafe chemicals (BPA or BPS) that are often used to create plastic. Plus it is more sustainable and flexible. 

What about drinks?

Kids should be drinking water not juice or Gatorade. Even at home, we save “kid drinks” for special occasions. They don’t have any nutritional value and, honestly, we all should be consuming calories from healthy food sources not beverages. The girls take an Eco-Vessel stainless steel water bottle with them to school every day. By refilling a reusable water bottle we are reducing the amount of trash added to a landfill.

Thanks for reading and I hope you consider reducing your consumption of single-use items when packing a lunch!

What tips do you have to share for packing an eco-friendly lunch?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Back to School Edition

Many people think that being more “green” or living an eco-friendly lifestyle is more expensive but being green can actually save you a lot of dough.

It’s true that many items produced by green and eco-friendly brands ARE more expensive than conventional products. High quality ingredients, materials, fair labor practices, using clean energy, and eco-friendly packaging do cost more and end up impacting the final price of these items. 

However, one of the major themes within the eco-friendly movement is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. When put into practice, the three Rs can save a lot of money, making “going green” more economical than many think.

For example, school supplies…

I bet your kiddos came home on the last day of school with a full backpack. If your house is anything like mine - some might say a little disorganized - those backpacks are probably still full. Pencil boxes, folders, binders, emergency blankets- all perfectly good items that can be reused for the coming school year. Plus at our house we have school supplies of yesteryear lurking in craft supplies and junk drawers.

There’s no need to buy brand new! Why not “shop” what you have at home before hitting Target.

We’ve been doing this for the past few years. Initially my girls were bummed that they didn’t get pretty new stuff each year. But we talked about the importance of reusing items instead of throwing them in the landfill. Sharing the perspective of reuse has helped them realize they don’t need a brand new binder when last year’s works perfectly fine. We often talk about how the choices we make can either benefit or hurt our environment. Reusing school supplies is a perfect example of this.

And back to school clothes shopping…

I’ll admit it, when I was a kid I looked forward to back-to-school clothes shopping. I’ve always loved clothes!

As a mother though, it’s quite frustrating. 

Fall styles are released during the peak of summer. I’m not into buying clothes months in advance and my daughters have no interest in sweaters and jeans when it’s 80 degrees outside. 

Not to mention, who knows how much they will grow or what styles they will be wanting when the season actually hits.

Instead of back to school clothes shopping, we LOVE hand-me-downs! My daughters have always been a bit on the slow-to-grow side and they have lots of friends who are just a little bigger or older than they are. The girls love shopping through their friends’ items and passing on what they’re not fond of.

We also frequently shop thrift stores. I know this isn’t for everyone, but the fashion industry causes a significant negative impact on our environment. According to the United Nations Environment Program, the fashion industry creates 20% of global wastewater and 10% of carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined! 

Thrift store shopping is so much easier too! All of the clothes are organized by size! Plus there’s a huge variety of styles and brands. It’s like shopping the entire mall under one roof. 

If thrifting isn’t your thing, consider hosting a clothing swap. Have all your friends bring their hand-me-downs and shop each others’ cast-offs. 
You can also find some great options for used clothing online. Try PoshMark,  Kidizen, or ThredUp. 

How else do you reduce, reuse, and recycle when preparing for the school year or a new season? What tips do you have to share?

More Reasons to Stop Using Disinfectant Wipes

Last week I shared my mission to get disinfectant wipes out of the classroom. My reasoning focuses on the fact that conventional wipes are harmful to the classroom environment and can affect the health of both students and teachers.

What I didn’t include is how unnecessary and often ineffective they are. Plus they’re just wasteful and bad for the environment.

Our society has become antibacterial crazy. The truth is that some bacteria are good and we shouldn’t be killing all bacteria everywhere! Before we had antibacterial products, people used hot soap and water, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide to clean. Soap helps loosen and lift dirt, while alcohol and hydrogen peroxide damage cell structures and quickly evaporate.

Antibacterial products, on the other hand, leave a residue on the surface. This may foster the development of resistant bacteria - plus studies show that we just don’t need antibacterial agents.

"Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water."  

- Janet Woodcock, director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

Until 2016, antibacterial soaps used a chemical called triclosan as an active ingredient. In September 2016, the FDA announced a ban on the use of triclosan, and 18 other antiseptics, in antibacterial hand soaps. 

What is triclosan?

Triclosan is an antiseptic. It is a registered pesticide, that bioaccumulates (builds up in the body). 

Why is triclosan bad?

• Animal studies show that exposure to high does of triclosan are associated with a decrease in hormone levels and may interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system.

• There is evidence that triclosan exposure contributes to making antibiotic resistant bacteria.

• Imported triclosan (from India and China) may contain dioxins linked to cancer and endocrine-disruption.

Yes,  the FDA banned the use of triclosan in hand soaps, but it can still be found in other other items like acne treatment, deodorant, cosmetics,  and other items which aren’t under the FDA’s jurisdiction like: 

• plush toys

• building blocks

• craft supplies. 

Unfortunately, with these types of items there are no labeling requirements to inform consumers that they  include antibacterial agents.

But back to cleaning...

All of this information is a good reminder to use the appropriate cleaning agent for the job. We shouldn’t be using harsh chemicals when soap and water will do. 

It’s also a good reminder that we need to be vigilant consumers. Antibacterial products became very popular. When they came on the scene you could see the word “antibacterial” highlighted everywhere. Perhaps this was because of the scare tactics used in marketing resulting in increased sales. As I often tell my daughters - don’t to believe everything you see on the screen.

Lipstick, Safe Ingredients, and Breast Cancer Prevention for National Lipstick Day!

Today is National Lipstick Day and I LOVE lipstick! It has always been my go to way to spruce up my look. In middle school I would head to the Clinique counter to try a new color and get a free gift - BTW, how many free Clinique bags did you collect over the years?

You may be wondering what National Lipstick Day has to do with toxin free living? 

I don’t know about you, but lipstick was one of the first makeup products I switched. I couldn’t stand the thought of not only wearing but actually ingesting lipstick with questionable ingredients - ingredients linked with hormone disruption, skin irritation, or cancer. No thank you!

Not only do I love lipstick, I also love organizations that share in my mission of educating and advocating for change. The Breast Cancer Prevention Partners are leading this movement through science, advocacy, and education. Their Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is spreading the important education of paying attention to the ingredients in cosmetics - something you know I stand behind! 

If you haven’t yet seen it, I encourage you to check out this video, a quick synopsis from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics on why choosing safe products is so important.  

Along with education, BCPP focuses on advocating for systemic reform around exposures related to breast cancer and they create scientific reports highlighting research to further support this cause. Policy change causes systemic change, a much greater impact in reducing the number of chemicals affecting us and the planet.  

As I hope you know, my mission with Detox by Design is to help women change their every day routines to be healthier and more toxin free, so I’m thrilled that Crunchi has partnered with BCPP. Today’s National Lipstick Day donation is a great way to both spread the word about the great work done by BCPP and provide funding to BCPP through simply buying a lipstick.

So grab your favorite shades today, ladies and wear your lipstick loud and proud! 

I’ll be wearing Marilyn!

DIY Label Analysis - Learn the Basics of Label Reading

Label reading is something I do for my Detox by Design clients, but there’s a DIY version I’m happy to teach for free!

Why should you analyze and ingredient label? 

Toxic body burden is the cumulative amount of toxins in the body. These come from what we expose ourselves to every day, like: 

AIR  FOOD  WATER  WHAT WE PUT ON OUR SKIN 

The level of a person's body burden is affected by their age, gender, disease status, nutritional habits, and genetic makeup. Dose, time between exposures, duration of repeated exposures, and interaction with other chemicals also contribute to an individual's personal factors. 

Our bodies can process some toxins, but if overburdened, they accumulate in the organs and tissues of the body. 

In essence this is why paying attention to ingredients and choosing safe products is so important. We don’t want to overburden our bodies with unhealthy elements.

As my greenwashing post shared, we can’t exactly trust product packaging, can we? 

How can you determine if a product is safe?

The first thing I do when considering whether I want to buy a product is check the ingredient label. First I look for these ABSOLUTELY NOT ingredients:

• Parabens

• Fragrance/Parfum

• PEGs

• Grapefruit Seed Extract

• Methylisothiazolinone

• Phenoxyethanol

• Triclosan

Then I search the EWG Skin Deep Database to see if they have a rating for the product.  If they do have a rating, then I make sure it is the same version as the product currently on the market and determine if the product and the ingredients meet my personal safety standards.

And if the product isn’t in the EWG Skin Deep Database… then I enter every ingredient into the database and determine if the ingredients individually are up to my safety standards. 

That’s a quick glimpse into my process. Yes it takes time and can be a bit annoying, but it’s worth it!

The Sun is Out and So Are the Bugs! The Importance of DEET-Free Bug Repellent

Last month, I got some major bug bites, sand fleas, I think. They were so bad I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t stop itching. It was miserable! I finally got some relief from an epsom salt bath. It happened again the next night, and I ended up taking benadryl the next few nights so I could get some rest! (Yes, I need to find a homeopathic version of benadryl - if you have any recommendations I’d love to hear them.)

I’m a huge magnet for bug bites and they are so annoying! Does this happen to you too?

Now that July 4 has past, we’re at the height of summer and the sun is finally making a more regular appearance in the Pacific Northwest. Warmer weather means more time outside (yay!) and temperatures that insects thrive in (boo!).

So besides citronella candles, wearing long sleeves and pants, staying indoors, how can we safely prevent bug bites? Here’s what I’ve found to make sure I’m not itching all night long.

DEET - What You Should Know

DEET, not to be confused with DDT, is the most effective mosquito repellant out there. According to many research articles it is still considered safe. However, those research articles are considering the “severe adverse effects” of DEET, not the long term health risks. In reading some of the articles summarizing the risks and benefits of DEET, I’m going to say “no thanks”. Not worth it. 

Popular Science may claim it is safe, but I’ll take my natural bug repellant and suffer with a few bug bites than risk nervous system toxicity. After all, we don’t have to worry about malaria, dengue, or yellow fever where we live.

Plus it’s not great for the environment. Because DEET doesn’t dissolve in water, it’s commonly found in groundwater systems, streams, and surface water.

DEET-free Bug Repellent

Greenerways Bug Repellent

I saw this stuff at Costco when I was earlier this spring and I grabbed it. A friend said it worked pretty well, but honestly, I haven’t had a chance to try it out yet. Have you?

I’ve also heard good things about Pure Luxe Apothecary’s Herbal Bug Repellent. 

Do you have a favorite bug repellant that works? Please share!

Also, Check out this handy dandy tool - 

I’m guessing that even with my favorite natural bug repellant and other preventive measures, I’ll still get bitten. I learned about this cute little tool from a Facebook ad (silly, but true) and I had to grab it. The reviews are great and I’m hoping it really works! If not, no loss since it was only $10. The ability to extract the itch inducing poison sounds like a dream!

So how do you manage summer bug season? I’d love to hear your tips!

Mrs. Meyer's Products... Have I Been Greenwashed?

Have you ever been greenwashed? I know I definitely have!

There’s something about a beautiful label that draws me in. That’s what it’s designed to do, after all! 

Marketers use clever labels and popular phrases to catch the eye and make the sale. When those phrases are focused on clean and eco-friendly living but the product itself isn’t exactly as clean as the label, that’s called greenwashing.

In fact, I created my Safe Products Shop to make it easier for people to find truly safe and health products without being greenwashed! You can check it out here:

What is Greenwashing?

Greenwashing is when a company markets or presents itself as an environmentally conscious or that their products are safe and healthy - but in reality they aren't.

When I see terms like…

• Vegan

• Green

• Eco-friendly

• Non-toxic

• Cruelty Free

• Natural

• Hypoallergenic

• Free of… (parabens, preservatives, aluminum)

My greenwashing radar turns on. Most of these terms are unregulated and hold no real meaning.

Healthy living has become trendy. Marketers are paying attention, redesigning labels, and creating new product lines to fill this niche. I’ve been teaching about this for years in my Facebook group Detox by Design Insiders. Come join the conversation!

Or if you’d like to get my FREE Toxin-Free Living Guide, to get started on going green and toxin-free grab it <<HERE>>.

What about Mrs. Meyers???

Let’s chat about a brand that greenwashed me (and maybe you too)…

Mrs. Meyers:

• Super cute packaging

• Inspired by grandmotherly figure Mrs. Meyers

• They claim: “All of our cleaners are made with plant-derived ingredients, essential oils, and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients.”

• Sold on websites like Gove Collaborative and Thrive Market

But when you look past the clever marketing, are the ingredients truly safe? 

I spent a little time looking into each of the ingredients listed for the Basil Dish Soap. 

Here is a diagram of the ingredients listed on their website. I listed the rating next to the ingredient for those ingredients rated lower than a B by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) . 

Six of the ingredients are rated a C or D! Additionally, the ingredients disclosed in “fragrance” are all rated a C and many aren’t even rated by the EWG. 

Also, Mrs. Meyers isn’t exactly a small family owned business. The parent company is SC Johnson. 

As I admitted earlier, I was totally greenwashed by Mrs. Meyers! I’m so glad I have the knowledge to choose safer products, not just those that say they are.

Once you start paying attention, you’ll see greenwashing everywhere!

Let’s Support Ethical Companies!

Transparency is important to me! I get very irritated when a company actively misleads customers. 

When we buy products, we are financially supporting the company and their product. This is why I created my own online store to make it easier for you to support companies that are doing the RIGHT thing.

Yes, it takes more time to determine which products are safe. Yes, it’s confusing to analyze an ingredient label. 

That’s why when I find companies I trust, I stick with them. (And I keep checking up on them to make sure they haven’t been bought out and reformulated their products.)  

While it may take more time to determine which products are safe and eco-consciously produced, it is important to do! Making informed purchases supports transparent and ethically minded businesses. 

So the next time you shop, look beyond the label and dive a little deeper. You might consider researching:

• If the brand is owned by a larger parent company or corporation.

• Where the product is made.

• How the ingredients are sourced.

• And if the ingredients live up to your personal safety standards

Greenwashing is tricky! I know because I’ve been tricked myself before!  If you’re ready to fully detox your home and stop getting greenwashed, check out Detox by Design | The Home Method. In this online course I teach you everything you need to know and walk you through detoxing your home room by room. It’s the perfect solution to stop procrastinating and finally detox your home for good.

Or simply shop the products I’ve researched, the same products I use in my home with my family.

Have you been greenwashed before? How did you feel when you realized you’d been misled?

Should I Really Care About What Kind of Shower Curtain I Use?

Have you ever opened up a package of plastic shower curtain and thought. Oh man, this thing smells like chemicals?

Me too.

Well guess what that smell is?!? Toxic gases being released from opening up the package. Yuck!

Ever heard of the term PVC and wondered why it’s bad. PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride and is sometimes just listed as “vinyl” on a package. In 2008, some Canadian environmental researchers from the Center for Health, Environment and Justice published a report explaining just how bad those shower curtains are.

The researchers tested PVC plastic shower curtains from Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart and found the curtains released 108 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of the chemicals were still found in the air 28 days after taking the curtain out of the package and hanging it up. So much for airing out the chemicals…

So this report was written ten years ago, things have changed right? Well I did a quick search for vinyl shower curtains and found that Walmart still carries a 100% vinyl shower curtain. While the packaging doesn’t show what makes up the vinyl, it does include a warning required by California’s Proposition 65.

Some additional highlights from the report:

• Forty different VOCs were detected after 7 days; 16 VOCs after 14 days; 11 after 21 days; and 4 after
28 days.

• The level of Total VOCs measured was over 16 times greater than recommended in the U.S. Green Building Council and Washington State Indoor Air Quality Program guidelines for indoor air quality.

• Seven of the chemicals released by the shower curtain are classified as hazardous air pollutants by the EPA under the Clean Air Act.

• VOCs can cause serious health effects including eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination; nausea; and damage to the liver, kidney, and the central nervous system. Some VOCs can cause cancer in animals and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

So what’s a replacement for that plastic shower curtain? I recently bought this one for our family. I like that the fabric liner snaps off for easy washing.

Do you have a plastic shower curtain? Ready to make the switch?