New Year's Resolutions or Goals? How Are You Preparing for 2020?

It’s almost 2020!

And, if you’re anything like me, you’re still eating Christmas cookies and takeout during this weird time between Christmas and New Year’s. I’m ready to reset my food and fitness routine, but at the same time just waiting for January 1. Why do I do that to myself?

At times in my past I have been more extreme in my New Year’s resets. I’ve done cleanses, Whole 30, and attempted yoga every day. What I’ve learned over the years is that the day the program is over, and in some cases a few days before, I go back to regular eating and less exercise. Yes, it’s usually healthier than where I started, but it still doesn’t seem to work as a long term approach.

So this year I’m trying to be a little more balanced.

I have two major goals for food and fitness as we ring in the New Year.

1. Track what I eat in my daily planner - because when I write it down I’m more aware and I eat less junk.

2. Set a schedule for my workouts. While I may not be make every workout according to the schedule, it will be a sort of “ideal workout calendar”. This will be a starting point to work the rest of my schedule around. This will make exercise more of a priority instead of fitting in my workouts when I can. I will also write them in my planner as I do my weekly planning on Sundays and put the calendar on the fridge so I see it often.

For other goal setting activities, I’m setting aside some time to reflect on this past year and decade.

I’m working on prioritizing my activities based on what truly matters in life - my personal goals and priorities for my family, personal growth, and business. To do this I need to write down and acknowledge where I’m going and who I want to become. These goals and priorities should always be at the forefront of my mind so I can weed out the less important tasks and concentrate on what truly matters.

So tell me…

What are you doing to prep for 2020?

What goals do you have and what are you excited for in the coming year and decade?

How do you approach the New Year and what keeps you motivated to reach your goals?

Over 25 Ideas for Experience Gifts!

You know what's great for minimalist gift giving? Moving during December. 

If you want to be all minimalist-y (that is a word, right?) during Christmas time - because nothing brings out the holidays quite like being a minimalist - then just move during the month of December.

Super simple, right?

Just kidding, but this may be what 

has been going through my head lately. Along with, "shouldn't we just paint the dining room BEFORE we move?"  Believe me, it needs it. (It's between a deep dusty rose and terra-cotta and screams 1996.)

But seriously, I love gift giving, it's my love language. But as I strive to be more eco-friendly, physical gifts aren't really my love language anymore.

And moving, and realizing how much stuff we collect over the years, has emphasized how much I prefer giving experiences over physical gifts. (See graphic below for ideas for giving experiences this Christmas).

I especially enjoy giving experiences when I get to enjoy it with the receiver (meaning time to connect with the person). Wait a second...maybe my love language is quality time. And, let's be honest, I'm a little selfish like that. It comes naturally, I'm an only child. 

Ideas for experiences can be harder to come up with, so I created this graphic to inspire you. I'll be posting it on social, so if you like it, please share!

I hope you are enjoying all the things this holiday season!

Toxin Free Scalp Care - Dealing with Psoriasis

Ugh! Psoriasis is so annoying!

I was first diagnosed with scalp psoriasis in high school and it’s been an ongoing battle ever since. Flaking, itching, and trying every product under the sun. Dermatologists, acupuncturists, diet changes. Shampoos, oils, and medications. It seems like I’ve tried everything.

I know that many people struggle with this same issue, so I thought I’d share what has been working for me.

I’m not a doctor, but the new regimen I’m using has helped keep it manageable without using steroids or other prescription medication.

Have you dealt with psoriasis before? Do you have any tips or products that have worked for you?

I shared the products I use here: www.detox.design/psoriasis

Going Clean and Green for the Holidays - Eco-Friendly Switches to Green Your Giving

I’m currently sitting in the middle of my living room surrounded by boxes. With each box I’ve packed, and many, MANY, oh so many, items sent to the thrift store, I’ve thought “there is no way I’m Christmas shopping before we move.” I definitely don’t want to pack more boxes than I have to.

Plus, when you physically touch every item you own, you can’t help but ponder “does this spark joy?”, in pure Marie Kondo fashion.

Don’t get me wrong, I love gifts. I absolutely love finding the perfect gift for someone! And, nothing makes you realize how much someone “gets you” than getting the perfect, just what I never knew I needed but now can’t live without, gift.

But moving helps you realize how much stuff you have and how much you really don’t need. Well, at least I’ve been reminded of that with this move.

This got me thinking… there are ways to give both consciously AND with meaning! Not to mention, there are some really fun and creative ways to package gifts that don’t require adding to your garbage pile on Christmas morning.

I thought I’d share some tips on green giving for the holidays.

Low-Waste Gift Ideas

Consumables

Something to eat, drink, or use is one of the most eco-friendly gifts you can give - especially those packaged in recyclable or reusable packaging. Spiced nuts, flavored simple syrup, or homemade bath salts all packaged in glass jars are all great options!

Experiences

Ice skating, pottery painting, cooking classes, theater tickets, concert tickets, museum passes, and local restaurant gift cards are a few ideas for giving experiences instead of physical gifts. Better yet set a date and share the experience together.

Support a friend or Local business

One of my favorite gifts to give is that of a friend who sells their craft (for example my friend Cassie’s gorgeous jewelry). I also love supporting local businesses for unique and special gifts.

Get Crafty

Last weekend, the girls and I made some fun skin care goodies with some friends. They were quite simple and easy and the recipes came from a book found at a local craft store!

Green Gift Wrapping

I didn’t grow up recycling every piece of wrapping that was under the tree, but I do remember my grandfather getting upset at greeting cards. He thought it was such a waste of money to buy a card that would only be used once.

Then the first Christmas with my husband made me realize just how much Christmas wrapping could be reused. Bows, bags, paper, tissue - my mother-in-law would collected it all to use again. Since then I’ve never wasted a single scrap.

But besides reusing, there are a lot of other ways to go waste-free with gift wrap.

Here are some ideas that came from my online community:

• Use old maps, coloring pages, or kids art as wrapping paper

• Package in a reusable containers like glass jars, cookie tins, or reused decorative boxes

• Reuse greeting cards as gift tags

• Wrap a gift using fabric scraps or dish towels

• Use an old scarf or clothing item (such a fun gift wrap to pass on every year)

• Use old pictures to create cards and gift tags

• Have too many shopping totes - use them as gift bags!

I hope these ideas inspire you to enjoy giving WHILE being green!

5 Tips for Staying Sane During Holiday Madness

November is already half over! Does your blood pressure go up just thinking about the mad rush of the holiday season, or is that just me? 

On social media everyone has rose colored glasses when it comes to the holidays. People are talking about putting their trees up before Thanksgiving, listening to holiday music, and watching Hallmark movies every chance they get. 

But let’s be honest, the holiday season is BUSY! I usually notice the madness the weekend before Thanksgiving. I’m not the only person dashing between Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Safeway trying to find tiny plastic packages of thyme and sage that seem to be out at every store in town. Traffic is worse than usual, the house is a disaster, and for some reason the kids want to eat three meals a day plus snacks! 

Do you feel me? Can you relate? Yes, I love the extra cheer and the festive lights, but honestly the business and never ending to do list can get to me.

Here’s when self-care is even more essential. I know, who has time for self-care when it feels like you don’t even have time to go to the bathroom? Believe me, I’ve been there! But over the last year I’ve prioritized my morning routine and taking care of myself so I can take better care for my family. 

For me, self-care isn’t about pedicures, massages, and all day shopping extravaganzas.

Don’t get me wrong, those are awesome, but when I’m strapped for time, and let’s be honest cash, these types of activities don’t ease my weary heart. 

Having an (almost) daily practice of a few morning habits has made a HUGE difference. Tackling these simple tasks first thing in the morning - before checking my phone, reading my email, or unloading the dishwasher - have been key to easier days with fewer frustrations.

Morning habits that help me stay sane during stressful times:

1. Meditation: I’ve tried meditation in the past and I just couldn’t concentrate for more than 2 minutes. Well, at least before I found the Calm app. Nope, it’s not free, but paying for this app encouraged me to commit 10 minutes a day to meditation. Hearing the soft voice and gentle river in the background helps keep keep my mind from wandering and helps me focus on breathing and staying in the moment. 

2. Writing down three tasks to focus on for the day: A never ending to do list is overwhelming. Focusing on only three tasks is much more achievable and keeps me from feeling like I’ll never get it all done.

3. Planning out my day hour by hour: Scheduling out my day puts me in control instead of letting the hours of the day slip by. I put everything in there, including driving time. Visually seeing each hour of the day scheduled helps me stay focused on the tasks I established for the day. 

4. Revisiting my goals through written affirmations. I know this may sound woo-woo, but research confirms that affirmations can positively impact your life. For example, a review of research featured in Annual Review of Psychology, found that affirmations are beneficial in reducing stress, improving academic performance, encouraging behavior change, and improving relationships. This stuff works!  

5. Exercise: I know that when we get busy, exercise often falls to the bottom of our priority list. But it really shouldn’t! When I start getting annoyed with everything - this means I need exercise, and now! I always feel better whether it’s walking the dogs or a super sweaty yoga class. 

I’m feeling a little extra stress right now because we’re in the middle of a move. So I need to stick to my morning habits now even more than ever!

Do you have a morning routine?

What other stress relieving tips to share? 

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!

Explaining Body Burden

Everything around us impacts our health - the air we breathe, the food we eat, and what we put on our skin.

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

This is called body burden.

The level of a person's body burden is affected by:

• Age

• Gender

• Other conditions and diseases

• Eating habits

• Genetics

Each person will respond differently to toxins. Different factors include the amount of toxin, time between being exposed, length of repeat exposure, and interaction with other chemicals.

“Our concern is daily, weekly, chronic exposure over a lifetime. Maybe if you’re exposed to a chemical a handful of times it wouldn’t cause harm, but some chemicals build up enough or cause enough harm in your body over time that it triggers some kind of disease outcome. The concept [of body burden] is that pollution is not just in our air and in our water — it’s also in us.”

-Rebecca Sutton, PhD, senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG)

Body burden is linked with numerous health issues like brain development problems, diabetes, obesity, and asthma.

You have the ability to reduce your exposure by:

• Choosing safer cleaning and personal care products

• Reducing your exposure to pesticides

• Eating organic foods

• Avoiding the use of plastics

Body burden is the crux of why being a conscious consumer is so important. While we may not have complete control over the air we breathe, and often the water we drink and food we eat, we DO have control over what we put on our skin and what we bring into our homes.

Why I Decided to Become an Entrepreneur

Last week I was in San Diego at the event “The Entrepreneur Experience with Amy Porterfield”.

Do you consider me an entrepreneur? Well, let me tell you, I never used to think I had “entrepreneur” within me. 

I used to listen to my favorite podcast, “How I Built This” and hear the incredible stories of founders of companies like Spanx, Rent the Runway, and Lonely Planet. Their stories always filled me with inspiration. But I never ever thought that I would be sitting in a conference room in San Diego at an event titled Entrepreneur Experience. The women (and a few men) surrounding me were incredible. This one is building a business focused on body positivity for plus-size women, that one is teaching moms how to take fantastic family photos, and this one over here is helping parents thrive during the first few years of parenthood. And I’m sitting here as an entrepreneur, together in this journey with them.

Why become an entrepreneur?

I’ve always had a passion for health, and environmental health specifically, and I felt like I was making a difference through my day job. When I went into public health I wanted to make a bigger impact through serving more people through our social system instead of one-on-one. But as time goes on and funding decreases, I see a bigger need to inspire more people to live health-filled lives. Why not spread this mission through the internet?

I’ve followed Amy Porterfield for the past few years and her authenticity and pragmatic tips have always connected with me, even before I had my own business. Attending this event was a long time coming. Getting a ticket to this event was why I chose to sign up for Marie Forleo’s B-School last January. I had been looking forward to the Entrepreneur Experience since then!

Amy Porterfield and I had a minute before this photo. I thanked her for sharing her personal story which is so inspiring!

Mindset is key!

Most of the conference focused on mindset. She started with telling us all “you are a big deal”. We repeated it back to ourselves “I AM A BIG DEAL”. I truly believe that we ALL are big deals and we CAN do whatever we set our mind to. I most certainly struggle with doubt but I know that if I keep taking one step in front the other that I can do it. (and so can you, BTW. Whatever your dream might be.)

I was surrounded by (mostly) women from many different walks of life. Some had million dollar businesses and some just had an idea. Talking and connecting with each of these women was such a positive and inspiring experience. I will definitely be back next year!

When I shared what I’m working on, every person confirmed for me that what I’m doing is important. I’m walking away from this experience with a huge surge of purpose.

Plus, I had some major revelations over the past three days: 

1. I’ve never liked networking because I didn’t connect with the work I was doing. When you truly love what you are doing, you want to share it with everyone you encounter.

2. In my little bubble, people think like me. Most of my family and friends have switched to toxin free living at some level. But there are truly so many people in this world and so, SO many don’t know they are being falsely marketed to or that government regulations aren’t protecting them. I have essential information that people need. I’m guessing you know someone that you wish would switch to safer products. Please share my toxin free living guide with them or share my Instagram profile.

3. While life might be crazy with moving, day job, and simply every day life, I know that I can conquer my goal of creating a digital course. This course will give women the information they need to confidently decipher ingredient labels and make informed decisions in choosing safe products.

That’s it. I said it. Did you hear it?

I’m creating a digital course to help moms gain the confidence they need to detox their homes and become informed consumers.

My launch is scheduled for early January, so please help cheer me on as I create something that the world needs.

Please tell me…what’s your dream? (write it in the comments below)

Whatever it is, I truly believe that we can achieve whatever we set our minds too. Write it down, create a plan, and do a little work each day to get to where you’re going. I believe in you!

Pinktober Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

Last week we talked about some of the controversy around Pinktober. 

The big “C” word is one of the scariest when it comes to health. Personally, it is my biggest motivator for choosing to eat healthy, exercise, and reduce the environmental toxins I’m exposed to. And probably like you, I’ve had family and friends who have been affected by the disease, treatment, and recovery of cancer.

As I mentioned last week, this October I’m campaigning for the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, to support they work they do to advocate for policy change around toxic chemicals and radiation, and educate about reducing exposure through public campaigns and research. If you’d like to help donate funds to this campaign, please type Megan Mikkelsen so I can thank you for your donation.

I can most certainly get behind the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners’ tips for prevention. In fact, most of these will sound familiar if you’ve been following me for awhile! 

1. Read ingredient labels

2. If you don’t know what’s in it, don’t use it

3. Avoid fragrance in everything

4. Wash your hands

5. Go fresh, organic, and hormone-free

6. Don’t be brainwashed, greenwashed, or pink-washed

In my research I found a few other breast cancer facts that I thought you might be interested in: 

• Many people think of breast cancer as a genetic disease but inherited breast cancer makes up only 5% to 10% of cases. 

• There are many lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of breast cancer. These include:

  • Being overweight or obese post menopause

  • Low levels of physical activity

  • Drinking more than one to two alcoholic drinks per day

  • Certain foods may raise or lower cancer risk. 

• There is emerging research that suggests an increased risk through exposure to chemicals found in cosmetics, food, lawns and gardens, plastic, sunscreen, water, and through grilled, barbecued, and smoked meats. (but you know this, because I talk about it all the time…)

Are there any other tips you have to share about breast cancer prevention?

It's Pinktober!

I took a field trip this morning. I headed to Safeway to grab some photos of pink ribbons donning products from potato chips to soup labels. But guess what, I didn’t see ANY! 

Honestly, I was surprised! Just the other day we were watching a football game and the players were wearing pink gloves, so I expected to see the usual Pinktober advertising all over Safeway. 

Pink is synonymous with October and in the past, companies have used the well-known pink ribbon to advertise and provide funds for various breast cancer awareness organizations. I’m guessing the controversy around the Komen foundation and the Think Before You Pink campaign are making an impact. 

Pinktober has long been a controversial topic. In 1985, October was named National Breast Cancer Awareness Month when the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca partnered together to promote mammography as the most effective method for detecting breast cancer. Can you see the controversy here? A pharmaceutical company benefiting from increased detection of the disease they treat. But, we do know that awareness is important because early detection is key in treatment.

Then in 1993, Evelyn Lauder, of Estee Lauder corporation, founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the iconic pink ribbon. Estee Lauder is the parent company of many brands. From the not as bad, yet still greenwashing, Aveda and Origins, to more traditional hair, body, and makeup lines like Bobby Brown, MAC, and Bumble and Bumble. As an advocate for toxin free living, I have a hard time with the pink ribbon coming from a company that produces and sells products with ingredients that are known carcinogens. 

“I’m personally annoyed with big name companies that use the pink ribbon on their products. They are claiming to support the prevention of breast cancer yet their products don’t and they include ingredients that are cancer causing....very hypocritical. I actually avoid those products with the “pink washing” label on it.” - Paula, breast cancer surviror

So that’s the not so great history of Pinktober. 

There are some much better options if you’d like to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

A friend of mine, founded The Mayday Foundation to help support families and help ease the financial burden of cancer. I choose to support The Mayday Foundation with a monthly donation because I know their funds directly impact local families who are financially struggling during cancer treatment.

When I asked how she felt about Pinktober, she suggested some unique ideas to support cancer patients. Her suggestions include:

• Make a donation directly to a non-profit organization focused on helping patients deal with a devastating cancer diagnosis. For example, The Mayday Foundation focuses on patient support, not awareness. 

• Support metastatic breast cancer research: Metastatic breast cancer receives less attention and funding than early-stage breast cancer. Help fund research projects focused on a cure, like StandUpToCancer.

• Participate in a study: Researchers need women (and men) who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer for their studies. To learn more about finding a clinical trial, start with this NIH National Cancer Institute website.

• Write to Congress: Encourage your senator or congress member to support NIH funding for cancer research.

• Donate Your Hair: Review guidelines before cutting your hair. To learn more about hair donations, visit cancer.net.

• Drive a Cancer Patient: Even the best care can’t help someone if they can’t get to a treatment facility.  Sign up to be a driver through American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery. You pick the hours based on your schedule so it’s a flexible option if you have some free time.

Another organization that I follow and support, no matter what month it is, is the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. 

Just as their name says, they are focused on preventing breast cancer. They do this through advocating for policy change around toxic chemicals and radiation, and educate about reducing exposure through public campaigns and research. If you’d like to donate, I have a fundraising campaign going this month, please type Megan Mikkelsen so I can thank you for your donation.

Earlier this year I had the chance to hear from one of their staff about their advocacy work around environmental health and regulations in the cosmetic industry. You know how passionate I am about this topic! I suggest you check out their website and all the education they provide to support removing toxins from our environment and the products we use.

Oh, and by the way! I created a new resource for you! Check out my Toxin Free Living Guide to learn how and why to detox your home and life.

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!