Food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and going vegan - at least for now!

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Do you have food allergies?

Have you heard of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)?

Food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and going vegan - at least for now!

For the past couple of years I’ve experienced food getting stuck in my esophagus. Like really stuck. Like stuck in the bathroom for 30 minutes trying to figure out how to get the food either down or up.

I finally went to the doctor to get some answers and after an endoscopy and biopsy, I learned I have EoE.

EoE is a chronic immune system disease that happens when white blood cells build up in the esophagus. The doctor referred me to an allergist and I had a skin prick test done for food and environmental allergies. Turns out I’m allergic to beef, pork, chicken, codfish, dairy, eggs, bananas, and peanuts - oh yeah, and grasses and weeds too. Good news - I’m not allergic to wheat, soy, or turkey!

Honestly, I’m worried I’m allergic to more than that since I was allergic to most of the foods tested. So I’m making another appointment for more testing. Believe me, it’s not fun to get food stuck in your esophagus.

So I’m basically a vegan now.

I never imagined going vegan. I love beef (grass-fed of course). I also love bacon, cheeseburgers, fish and all types of food. I’m a pretty adventurous eater and love trying new foods while traveling, like octopus in Greece and escargot in France.

I think I might still be in shock about the whole thing. But I’m ok with it for now. Ask me in a month.

I’ve also adopted some specific vitamins and minerals into my routine because my new daily medication and diet mean I need to supplement the vitamins and minerals I’m getting daily.

That’s a lot about me.

I’m curious. Do you (or your kiddos) have food allergies?

Have you dealt with a diagnosis that has required you to make some significant changes to your diet?

Are you vegan?

Please share any tips, recipes, experiences you’ve had - I need all the help I can get!

Mrs. Meyers is owned by SC Johnson - how to watch out for greenwashing

When I first started my toxin-free journey, I bought Mrs. Meyers. It was sold in the “natural” section of the grocery store, and I thought I could trust that everything in that aisle was safe. When I thought about the name Mrs. Meyers, I thought that “a mom created this product with my best interest at heart”.

Mrs. Meyers is owned by SC Johnson - how to watch out for greenwashing

But then I heard about greenwashing and the importance of reading ingredient labels.

If you don’t feel confident deciphering ingredient labels then you might like Detox by Design | The Home Method or you can shop my favorite products, the ones I have researched and use within my own home, in my online store.

Mrs. Meyers is one of the most irritating greenwashers and here is why… when you just skim the label, it looks fine. Some of the items that are in it are totally safe. But if you look closely, you can see the word fragrance snuck in between a bunch of essential oils. I believe this is done on purpose.

They snuck in “fragrance” between other safe lookin gradients so your eyes would just skim over that word.

What is Fragrance and Why It’s Bad

What’s so bad about fragrance? Fragrance is a proprietary term that can hide thousands of chemicals. It’s a loophole in the industry allowing manufacturers to use the term “fragrance” and any sort of chemical can be in that product. The term “fragrance” or “perfume” on an ingredient label basically means the company isn’t being transparent about the ingredients in there product.

With Mrs. Meyers, you can find cute packaging, and the terms they use to explain their products are sweet and healthy. But they still use fragrance. There are plenty of products out there that don’t. We don’t need “fragrance” in our products.

Options Much Better than Mrs. Meyers:

There’s No Mrs. Meyers

Many people are surprised to hear that there is no Mrs. Meyers. Mrs. Meyers is really the brainchild of SC Johnson. The company realized that natural cleaning products were becoming a popular niche in the industry, so they created a new brand. There is no Mrs. Meyers and it’s not a family owned business.

Similarly with Grove Collaborative - a company that sells Mrs. Meyers. They were looking to market products to the “natural” shopper niche. Unfortunately you just can’t trust that all products are safe if they’re sold by Grove Collaborative, or Whole Foods, or Trader Joe’s, or in the “natural” section of your grocery store.

When looking for toxin-free, natural, and eco-friendly products, it’s important to remember to read every ingredient label. We have to be vigilant consumers because, for the most part, these companies don’t have our health and wellness at heart. They’re more interested in making a dime than helping us bring healthy products into our home.

Want more info:

Join Detox by Design | The Home Method and start detoxing your home today!

Subscribe to Detox by Design | The Box to simply and affordably detox your home, room by room

Shop toxin-free beauty products

Get started with toxin-free living with my free guide

Join my Facebook group

Follow me on Instagram

Preparing Yourself, Your Home, and Your Partner for Baby with New Mom Boss, Kallista Andersen

Being a mom can be super overwhelming! When I was pregnant, I read every book I could find about pregnancy, but I didn’t even think to read anything about caring for a baby! I was so unprepared. I definitely could have used a coach like Kallista to help me prep emotionally and mentally for becoming a mom.

Preparing Yourself, Your Home, and Your Partner for Baby with New Mom Boss, Kallista Andersen

Kallista shared her story about pregnancy and early motherhood. How she did everything she thought she needed to do to prep for baby, you know, the Pinterest perfect nursery and everything that comes with the ideas we have in our head when pregnant with our first baby. 

Then she had her daughter and the sleep deprivation hit her like a Mack truck. While she thought she was “prepared” she hadn’t prepared the way she should have. From breastfeeding to taking care of her home and herself, she felt lost and discouraged. Then, when her daughter was 4 months old, she found out she was pregnant again and she was determined to better prepare herself for baby #2. 

This is where Kallista’s thrived, she found that while she enjoyed working as a nurse, it wasn’t her true passion any more. So she decided to help pregnant moms prepare for their baby. Through her podcast The New Mom Boss and her program, New Mom Prep School, she helps pregnant moms prepare themselves, their home, and their partner for baby.

Oh, how I could have used Kallista’s help back in the day! 

If you’re a new mom, an expectant mom, or if you want to take a trip back in time and think back to those days of when you were prepping to welcome a little one into your home, I encourage you to go listen to this episode.

And if you know someone who is prepping for baby right now, forward this to them. I definitely would have loved a friend looking out for me and guiding to help like Kallista’s!

You can find Kallista here:

Instagram 

Facebook Group: New Mom Lounge

Podcast: The New Mom Boss Podcast

Tweens and Teens: Choosing non toxic, natural, and healthy for tween and teen skincare and makeup

This podcast episode features a special guest, my daughter, Eliza. Eliza is 11 and doesn’t yet have a regular skincare routine. Which is fine! Her skin is still very clear and she regularly wears Sunlight daily sunscreen, or at least I tell her to wear Sunlight every day for protection from the sun. 

Tweens and Teens: Choosing non toxic, natural, and healthy for tween and teen skincare and makeup

My oldest, Susanna, is 14 and she started taking car of her skin around age 12. She has pretty clear skin for her age but she still has small black heads and occasional break outs. Susanna started wearing makeup in 6th grade. As a family, we decided she would be allowed to wear mascara and lip gloss when she started middle school. Now, she wears mascara, brow gel, blush, and occasionally concealer. 

Susanna is really good about taking care of her skin. She uses the Crunchi charcoal bar on her face. Then she uses the Crunchi Clarilight facial essence. And then Daylight for daytime moisture and Nightlight before bed. I have the same routine and it works very well for both of us even though Susanna has teen skin and I have middle aged skin.

We have talked a lot about having safe skin and makeup products, especially important with teens going through puberty. 

Eliza is going into 6th grade next year and shared that she wants to wear mascara and she loves having fun with eyeshadow. 

Do you have a tween or teen who is ready for a skincare routine and a few makeup products? I’m here for questions about finding safe products that will protect our kids’ health as they are developing and more susceptible to harmful chemicals. 

It's Almost Sandal Season - Safer Options for Nail Polish

I’ve pretty much given up nail polish simply because I don’t like the way it feels on my nails. Plus, nail polish isn’t known to be “healthy”.

But I know a lot of people love it!

It's Almost Sandal Season - Safer Options for Nail Polish

What’s so bad about nail polish?

Conventional nail polish often contains the following ingredients to watch out for:

• formaldehyde

• toluene

• dibutyl phthalate

• camphor

• ethyl tosylamide

• triphenyl phosphate

• xylene

• benzophenones

What about gel nails?

Gel nail polish requires exposure to ultraviolet light to set the polish. This a known case of cellular damage and aging and increases the risk for skin cancer. Plus, the ingredients of gel nails likely includes the list of harmful ingredients I listed above.

What about dipped nails?

No light exposure required, but the chemicals in dipped nails likely has harmful ingredients.

What about nail stickers/strips?

These won’t be quite as smelly as conventional nail polish, but you should still check the ingredients list for harmful ingredients. Ingredients not on the label? Try emailing the company and asking what’s in the product.

Safer Options for Nail Polish

I researched some safer options for nail polish and found Dazzle Dry. I started using their nail system and I can’t believe how long it lasts without making my nails feel “claustrophobic”. When I looked through the different product ingredients, there was one product, the topcoat, that included fragrance. Not perfect, but sooooo much better option than conventional nail polish.

Get $15 off your first order of Dazzle Dry with this link.

How can I find a nail salon I trust?

Wondering how to find a nail salon where you can trust the cleanliness and safety of a pedicure or manicure? Here are a few tips:

• Check the salon for health infractions from the county health department

• When you enter the salon, look around

  • Are they washing the pedicure basins between clients?

  • Are they washing their hands before working with clients?

  • Are they cleaning the tools properly?

• Invest in your own manicure tools and nail polish and bring them to the salon

• Skip cuticle cutting to minimize chance for infection

What tips do you have to share about safer nail polish and finding a nail salon you can trust?

Prepping for Baby - Choosing Non Toxic and Natural Products for Bringing Home Baby

My daughters are 14 and 11 now, but I still remember those pregnancy and early baby days like they were yesterday.
If you’re expecting or have little ones, this is the perfect episode for you. Or maybe you know someone who is having a baby and you want to find the healthiest products to give at the baby shower - this episode is for you too!

Prepping for Baby - Choosing Non Toxic and Natural Products for Bringing Home Baby

Laundry

I remember, when I was pregnant I, washed all of my daughter’s clothes before she was born. I bought special detergent, Dreft, specifically because the label said it was safe for newborn babies. Unfortunately, when I was recording this episode, I looked at their current list of ingredients and if I was about to have a baby, I would not be buying or using Dreft. Why? Fragrance and ethoxylated ingredients.

• What’s so bad about fragrance? “Fragrance” or “perfume” is a proprietary term and a loophole in product regulation. This means that the term itself can hide any sort of chemical within that term and independent tests have found that dozens and up to hundreds of chemicals have been found in “fragrance”.

• Ethoxylated ingredients were discussed as a potential contaminant in the “What’s Not On the Ingredient Label” episode.

Don’t forget to choose safe stain treatment and ditch the dryer sheets and fabric softener too.

Baby Wash

I talked a lot about safe baby wash in the “What’s Not On the Ingredient Label” episode. My favorite recommendation right now is the Crunchi Littles 3-in-1 bar, perfect for hair, body, and face!

Diapers

We loved cloth diapers and also used disposable diapers when we were out and about. I asked a friend about her favorite toxin-free disposable diapers and she recommended, Andy Pandy, Eco by Naty, Dyper, and Andy & Finn

Wipes

For wipes she recommended Jackson Reese, and Eco by Naty.

Diaper Cream

I’ve heard great things about Curasalve and Earth Mama for diaper cream

Bottles, Utensils, and Dishes

When choosing products for feeding, I recommend 100% silicone, wood, and aluminum.

Nursery Prep

Consider the VOCs that could be in the furniture and carpet. Same with painting the walls. Be sure to use no VOC paint. For mattresses I suggest choosing a natural latex mattress or organic wool. You can learn more about safe mattresses in this episode with the owner of Holy Lamb Organics.

Breast Feeding Products

Check the ingredient labels on nipple cream, stretch mark creams, and choose organic cotton or bamboo breast pads.

Don’t forget about the products you’re using too!

Babies spend a lot of time cuddle up with adults. If you’re using products with fragrance or other harmful ingredients, you’re exposing your baby to those as well. We often prioritize our baby’s products, but you need to think about yourself too!

Our Kids Aren't Protected by the FDA - the Shocking Interview by Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of FDA Director Susan Mayne

We don’t have laws that protect us from harmful chemicals being in the products we buy and bring into our home.

Our Kids Aren't Protected by the FDA - the Shocking Interview by Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of FDA Director Susan Mayne

Nope. 

There are some major gaps in the authority the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has over the safety of cosmetics and personal care products. 

This is something I talk about a lot and the interview I’m sharing here so clearly highlights this fact.

Our Kids Aren't Protected by the FDA - the Shocking Interview by Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of FDA Director Susan Mayne

On December 4, 2019 Congresswoman Anna Eshoo interviewed FDA Director Susan Mayne, PhD in a hearing on the safety of cosmetics. These simple questions, and Dr. Mayne’s “no” answers, really emphasize how little authority the FDA has over the safety of products that end up on store shelves.

The full video is available here. 

While the questions she asks are about baby lotion, the same “no” answers could be applied to any other product we buy at the store and expect to be safe; makeup, skincare, deodorant, etc.

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo:

The FDA’s authority over the safety of baby lotion. Can the FDA require a review of baby lotion for safety before it comes to market?

FDA Director, Susan Mayne, PhD: 

No

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo:

Can the FDA require the manufacturer not use a toxic ingredient, for example formaldehyde, it it’s baby lotion?

FDA Director, Susan Mayne, PhD: 

No

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo:

Is the manufacturer required to register with the FDA before selling the baby lotion?

FDA Director, Susan Mayne, PhD: 

No

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo:

Can the FDA require safety information about the baby lotion?

FDA Director, Susan Mayne, PhD: 

No

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo:

If the baby lotion has caused bad reactions, can the FDA require a recall?

FDA Director, Susan Mayne, PhD: 

No

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo:

If the manufacturer is aware of the bad reactions, is the manufacturer required to report that to the FDA?

FDA Director, Susan Mayne, PhD: 

No

So what can we do? 

Vote. We need policy change. 

Until there is policy change, however, we need to be vigilant advocates for ourselves, read labels, and support companies who are doing the right thing. That’s why I’m here - to help you navigate label reading and share my favorite products that are safe and my favorite toxin-free beauty products.

Share this with a friend. The more people that know about this, the bigger impact we can make!

What's not on the ingredient label - contaminants in your products and what to look out for

What?!? Not everything in a product  is listed on an ingredient label? There could be other harmful stuff in my products that isn’t even included on the ingredient list?

What's not on the ingredient label - contaminants in your products and what to look out for

What is a contaminant?

These are harmful ingredients that are within the product, but they’re not listed in the ingredients. Why aren’t they listed? Technically they’re not an ingredient, they contaminate the ingredients in the product. 

For example heavy metals as discussed in Episode 14.

How do we know about contaminants?

Baby products are often called “safe and gentle” but some independent research by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has shown that they’re not necessarily as safe or gentle as you’d think.

61% of baby products tested contained both 1, 4 dioxane and formaldehyde

82% contained formaldehyde at levels ranging from 54 to 610 parts per million 

67% contained 1,4-dioxane at levels ranging from 0.27 to 35 ppm 
What’s worse? Many of the babies and children’s products  also contain other ingredients with known or suspected links to cancer or other serious health problems - harmful chemicals in the bath may be adding up. 

Plus, we know that 1, 4 dioxane and formaldehyde are easily absorbed through the skin and are known and probable carcinogens.

What brands were tested? 

Brands like American Girl, Aveeno, Mustela, L’Oreal, Banana Boat and others.

1, 4 dioxins is banned in the European Union and if 1, 4 dioxane is found in the product, the manufacturer is required to recall the product. Formaldehyde is strictly regulated by the European Union.

Often these manufacturers will have two versions of a product. One that fulfills EU standards and one that is made for the US. In fact, these contaminants are easy to remove, but the manufacturers choose not to do it. 

Ugh!

Are you frustrated, pissed, mad, and upset yet?

I do a deeper dive in the podcast, so listen in.

You can read more in these reports from The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:

No More Toxic Tub

Baby’s Tub is Still Toxic

If you’re curious about what safe products to use, join my Facebook group, Detox by Design Insiders, where I share my favorites.

You Deserve Non Toxic and High Quality Beauty Products

I know so many people that say they aren’t wearing makeup anymore because they aren’t leaving their house, due to the pandemic. If you are happy with this lifestyle, good for you! But, I feel better when I get ready. When I put on makeup, I feel happy. If you haven’t been wearing makeup at all, I challenge you to do your makeup and hair and see how you feel after the day. For me, it is a part of my self care. 

You Deserve Non Toxic and High Quality Beauty Products

You deserve to feel good. Often as moms, we prioritize our kids and forget to take care of ourselves. It is great to put your kids first, but I want you to balance that and remember to take care of yourself too. We all deserve clean and healthy products. We deserve products that make us feel good. 

I did this too. When my daughters were babies, I bought a special baby and kid detergent. Looking back, these products weren’t any better and tricky “baby-specific” marketing got me to buy them. But now I know which products are healthy. Your kids deserve for you to take care of yourself just as much as they deserve to have healthy products too. 

I have a wonderful skincare and makeup brand for you. This is actually what got me started on my toxin free journey. I feel so connected to their message and what they do. These products are high quality toxin free products that actually work. Not only do the products work well, they are eco friendly and wonderful for your skin.

This brand is Crunchi. If you are curious go to Detox By Design Insiders on Facebook where you can find information on makeup and skincare products as well as clean home products. If you have any questions, just send me an email me.. I am here for you if you are ready to swap out the old products for new clean products. 

I hope you feel a little more confident that you deserve healthy and clean products for yourself too. 

What's a Ditch and Switch - Finding non toxic and eco friendly swaps for your favorite products

What exactly is a ditch and switch? What does that mean? If you’ve ever wondered this, then his is the episode for you. We’ll go over  how to ditch and switch and the meaning of it. 

What's a Ditch and Switch - Finding non toxic and eco friendly swaps for your favorite products

The basic idea of a ditch and switch also what we call a safe swap, is when you take a conventional product and you switch it to a safer product.

For example, many people don’t realize how bad dryer sheets are. They have a lot of chemicals, and they are bad for the environment. Ditch them and switch to organic wool dryer balls. With wool dryer balls, if you want a certain scent, you can add a few drops of essential oils to them and your clothes end up smelling great. They reduce drying time, add a nice scent to your clothes, and they are better for the environment and you.

The basic idea of a ditch and switch is taking a conventional product, which is potentially harmful, and switch it to a clean and safe product. 

If you are curious with my favorite switches, you can shop my favorites HERE. You’ll also find more on my Facebook page, Toxin-Free Talk. It’s a great place where you can learn from others about their experiences with certain products and I do a lot of videos showing you how to use different products. 

Other resources:

Join Detox by Design | The Home Method and start detoxing your home today!

Browse Detox by Design | The Box products to simply and affordably detox your home, room by room

Shop toxin-free beauty products

Get started with toxin-free living with my free guide

Join my Facebook group

Follow me on Instagram

Getting Over Overwhelm with Danielle Thienel

Danielle Thienel and I connected in a Facebook group all because we know how overwhelmed moms are. Me, I help moms get over the overwhelm of detoxing the home. Danielle, coaches moms to get them to a place of balance and peace in motherhood. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?

Getting Over Overwhelm with Danielle Thienel

Danielle and I certainly share a lot more than just that commonality. We also both believe that our thoughts are behind all that overwhelm, and the good news is, you can change your thoughts!

Check out this episode. Danielle’s calm spirit might be exactly what you’ve been needing in your life!

Check out Danielle’s website

Her podcast: The Peaceful Mind Podcast

Facebook group: Crazy Awesome Catholic Moms

Instagram

One Thing I Do Daily That Brings Me Joy (and you can do it too!)

We’re almost to the year anniversary from when the world shut down.

Funny story, March 13 is my birthday, and 3/13/2020 is pretty much the date that many people consider the day our lives completely changed. On that date, just one year ago, it seemed unfathomable that our lives would look like it does today - very little socializing, wearing masks, kids still in virtual school, minimal travel.

While self care is always important, this past year has really emphasized how hard we need to actively work to bring joy to our lives.

One Thing I Do Daily That Brings Me Joy (and you can do it too!)

For me, this one thing is pretty simple - meditate!

It helps me focus and live in the moment. It makes me feel grateful for all that I have and not feel worried or anxious about the future.

If you’ve thought about meditating but think you can’t do that - I know how you feel! Reminder - it’s a practice, not a perfect. Just keep trying and you will get better.

There are some great apps that can help. My favorite is Calm. I’ve heard good things about Headspace too.

Tell me. What do you do to bring joy to your life daily?

3 Tips for Anti-Aging for the Crunchy Woman

Think you have to use chemicals to improve your skin texture and tone.

Nope!

There are some awesome products that are anti-aging and protect your skin and prevent further damage.

My three tips that I shared in this podcast episode are:

1. Wash your face!

   I didn’t always wash my face. I didn’t really think I needed to. My thought process was “I’m using safe makeup, do I really need to wash my face?”. This was a while back when I was still being greenwashed. Little did I know that the makeup I was using, wasn’t as safe as I thought it was.

   Now I wash my face in the shower and wash with the Crunchi charcoal bar every night.

   I follow it up with the Clarilight facial essence and Nightlight facial cream. nighttime moisturizer.

2. Wear SPF every day!

   You need to protect your skin from the sun. Even on cloudy days the UV rays filter through the clouds and damage your skin. While I often chat about preventing disease through choosing safer products, we also want to prevent damage from the sun which can both cause wrinkles and skin cancer.

   You want a non-chemical sunscreen that has non-nano zinc. My favorite is Crunchi Sunlight daily facial sunscreen.

   I mix Daylight facial cream with Crunchi Sunlight daily facial sunscreen and apply it every morning.

3. Moisturize and protect your skin!

   I moisturize every morning and night with my favorite Crunchi products. Why Crunchi? It is has the highest safest standards plus high performance that I’ve found.

   You can protect your skin from the environment and weather through using moisturizers and wearing makeup. Yes, wearing makeup, can help protect your skin! As long as it’s makeup that has good for you ingredients in it, not toxic ingredients. Even when I don’t wear makeup, I protect my skin by wearing primer for an additional layer of protection over my moisturizer.

If you love skincare and want more tips for taking care of and protecting your skin, join my Facebook group Detox by Design Insiders.

Listening to Your Body and Honoring Your Natural Flow of Energy Throughout the Day

Have you ever noticed you have more energy during certain parts of your day? I am not an expert in this field, but I do know that I have tuned into my natural energy flow throughout the day and is has made a big impact on my productivity. 

Listening to Your Body and Honoring Your Natural Flow of Energy Throughout the Day

For example, I am definitely a morning person. I have found that I am much more productive in the morning. 

I’ve worked my schedule around the morning. I like to get up early and do the majority of my work in the morning. Then I take a break and get some exercise in midday and then eat lunch. In the afternoon I am just not as energetic or focused as I am earlier in the day. I don’t feel guilty about not doing as much work after lunch, because I know that I’ve accomplished a lot in the morning. I find that if I grab a quick nap, I’m even more productive throughout the rest of the day.  

I am very interested in productivity and how different people have different times where they thrive in their work. There are ways that you can enhance that and balance your energy. Lots of productivity experts say that a daily nap is a good thing. Even just a 20 minute nap helps give your brain a break. I never used to be able to nap until I set an alarm for 30 minutes. This helps me relax knowing that I won’t oversleep. I set my alarm, read a book and it helps me get my mind off of work so I can take a quick snooze. 

Exercise is also a great way to wake up and recharge. I love going outside for a brisk walk. 

If you’re feeling tired and not being as productive, it’s a great idea to change up the environment. Work in a different room, or get up and move around a bit. This can help refocus the brain and keep you on task. 

Tell me, when is the most productive part of your day?

Exploring Montessori Education and Prepping for Little Ones with Your Parenting Mentor, Jeanne-Marie Paynel

I had the pleasure of chatting with Jeanne-Marie Paynel, Your Parenting Mentor about Montessori Education and prepping the home for children. She is a parenting mentor who worked in corporate America before going back to school to study Montessori education. Her connection to younger children started when she was 12 as an older sister. When she was pregnant with her first child, she read books  about Montessori and when she went back to school, she fell in love with Montessori philosophy. 

Exploring Montessori Education and Prepping for Little Ones with Your Parenting Mentor, Jeanne-Marie Paynel

Jeanne-Marie explained, that as a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. She calls herself a parenting mentor because she guides parents and she coaches on overall family life. Her Montessori focus melds perfectly with creating a toxin free household. 

Jeanne-Marie shared a bit about Montessori, child driven opposed to traditional education because we become a guide rather than a teacher. She shared one misconception that kids just do whatever they want. Another misconception is that Montessori is strict and orderly. In actuality, Montessori is the work of self discipline. Within traditional education you are interrupting your child a lot. But with Montessori the children get 2-3 hours of uninterrupted work time where the child could chose what they wanted to work on when. These concepts can also be brought into the home. Another misconception is that Montessori is just for preschool but it actually goes from birth to the age of 18. 

For bringing Montessori into the home, it is important to integrate your child into the community of the home. It is really about looking at that space and adapting it to your child’s needs. Children want to do what you are doing. So invite them in to help with whatever it is they want to do. At my house, instead of certain chores we all work together while cleaning or cooking. It is great because sometimes I am busy and my daughter will come in and ask what she can do to make dinner. She isn’t being forced, she notices when I’m busy and she takes care of it. Children are way more capable than we give them credit for. 

Jeanne-Marie shared some good tips for helping your kids through virtual school. She said to be observant of your child and if they’re fidgeting, give them something to pass between their hands. Or set up their computer so they can stand up. We need to observe and adjust to give our kids the best experience. For some children, the screens are just too much. So talk to the teacher or instructor to see if there are any ways to help. Really take advantage of this time to stay home and slow down.

We also chatted about how parents also need to take care of themselves right now. We are used to helping others but we need to check in and take care of ourselves, even if it’s just a shower or a quick nap. It is so important. We also need to teach our kids about breaks too because if they are struggling with an assignment and get super stressed out, they need to know that they can take a break to reset their brain. 

To find Jeanne-Marie, go to YourParentingMentor.com  where you can find so much information. She also has instagram and a YouTube where you can find her at Voila Montessori. She also has a podcast called The Art  of Parenting, where she shares tips on parenting and interviews other parents. 

You can find more from Jeanne-Marie here:

https://voilamontessori.com/

http://voilamontessori.pages.ontraport.net/montessori-registry

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Instagram:

YouTube

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Green Smoothies and Sneaking in Vegetables, Fruit, and Superfood Nutrients

Over the past few years smoothies have been super trendy. A few years ago I bought the Vita-mix. To me it was totally worth it to buy the more expensive and better version than buy a blender that doesn’t work as well. And that was a smart decision because I use my blender almost everyday for my daily smoothie. You know how sometimes you go through phases and you do the same the thing for a while? Right now I am in such a smoothie face. Having a morning smoothie just sets my day on the right track and I know I’m going to have a good day. 

Green Smoothies and Sneaking in Vegetables, Fruit, and Superfood Nutrients

I have fallen in love with Your Super Mixes and I add them to my daily smoothies. They are superfood mixes in super eco-friendly paper board packaging, which of course, I love!

To start off my smoothies, I always use 1 cup of oat milk. I like to sweeten my smoothies with dates. Next, I add 2 tablespoons of the Your Super protein powder. Depending on the day, I like to switch between the superfood mixes which I add 1 tsp of. My favorite would have to be Magic Mushroom. They each contain super unique superfoods that I normally wouldn’t have in my diet and they taste delicious. I also add a cup or so of spinach or kale and I like to add ginger which makes it delicious and spicy smoothie. To finish it off, I like to add frozen organic sweet cherries. Then I blend it and enjoy! My family members also love smoothies. 

Another reason I love my Vita-mix is because of how easy it is to clean. I throw some water and a little dish soap in it, and then blend it. It cleans it super well. 

I'm happy to answer any questions about Your Super and I've got a discount code for you - Here's a link to get 30% off the Your Super Starter Bundle: <a id="32023356932171" href="https://yoursuper.krym8q.net/c/2633912/779250/11078?prodsku=32023356932171&u=https%3A%2F%2Fyour-superfoods-us.myshopify.com%2F%2Fproducts%2Fstarter-bundle&intsrc=PUI1_5594" target="_top"><img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1523/0666/products/your-superfoods-pack-starter-bundle-14952592408651.jpg?v=1593005930" border="0" alt=""/></a>.

This post contains affiliate links and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to buy. I'm recommending these products because they might help you choose toxin-free and eco-friendly products and I've found success with them, not because of the small commission I make.

Ditch Your Old Products! Checking Expiration Dates and Decluttering Your Makeup and Skin Care

How old are the products sitting in your makeup drawer?

How about that lotion lurking under your sink?

Did you know that products have expiration dates too?

Yep, that lipstick sat in my makeup drawer for years, YEARS! A long time ago, before I went Crunchi, a makeup artist did my makeup for my wedding and I purchased the lipstick. A bit more bold than what I normally wore, I held on to that lipstick for a very long time. I wore it occasionally, but I definitely wore it way beyond the expiration date. 

Ditch Your Old Products! Checking Expiration Dates and Decluttering Your Makeup and Skin Care

People don’t usually realize makeup and other personal care products expire. Often, colors and pigments go bad and can change over time. 

 Most products have a period after opening symbol. It looks like a cylinder with the lid off with a number on it. The number tells you how long you should keep something after opening. If it says 6m you should throw it out 6 months after opening the product. 

There are also some general guidelines on how long you can should keep makeup and skincare products. 

• Foundation usually lasts 6 months to a year.

• Lipstick will last usually, up to a year.

• Eye products - even more care should be taken with products you use around and on your eyes.

  • Liquid eyeliner - 3 months.

  • Pencil liner up to two years.

  • Mascara - 3 months, however I usually ditch mine every 6 weeks.

  • Skincare (open lid jar) - 6 months

  • Skincare (pump) - 1 year

  • Sunscreen - 1 year

What’s my process for decluttering and throwing out my products?

1. I start with all the products I’ve been holding onto just because I spent a lot of money on, but don’t really like.

2. Then I move onto the products that haven’t been used up all the way yet. I think about how long I’ve had them and if it’s time to throw them out.

3. I bring a box and sort the recyclable containers while cleaning out the products.

I hope you feel inspired to take the time to clean out old products, figure out if they’re still good, recycle the empty containers, and replace it with products you really love. You deserve great products that are good for you. 

I encourage you to join my Facebook group, Detox By Design Insiders where you can find products, tips and tricks, and videos. 

Sneak Peak into Detox by Design™ | The Home Method

Don't miss this episode!

I share a sneak peak into one of the incredibly valuable lessons in my online course Detox by Design™ | The Home Method. The Home Method is your step-by-step plan to finally detox your home for good without procrastinating, getting stuck, or busting your budget!

Get the inside scoop into what The Home Method is all about!

Sharing My Clients' Successes Through Using Detox by Design™ | The Home Method

Do you love hearing success stories as much as I do?

I loved recording this podcast and remembering the amazing progress my clients made through using the methods in The Home Method!

Listen in and learn how you could make progress too!

It's time to stop worry, stress, and procrastination from holding you back in finally detoxing your home for good!

Answering Your Questions about Detox by Design™ | The Home Method

Detox by Design™ | The Home Method is LIVE!

There are a fewquestions I often get about Detox by Design™ | The Home Method so I thought I’d answer them right here…

“I am super busy you. I’m a mom and I have to manage online school, and I have a job. How much time is this going to take.” 

Great news! The modules in the course are perfectly spaced out so that they will be easy for you to get through without getting overwhelmed. They’re all online and easy to access whenever you have time. Each of the modules are broken up into shorter videos so you can get through as you have time. 

“I’ve tried detoxing my home before, but I got stuck. How is this course different?”

Detox by Design™ | The Home Method not only gives you all the education you need to detox your home, it also includes step-by-step guidance to make sure you get it done easily and quickly. Plus you'll have the support of your fellow course takers in the Facebook community.

“I’m not a big fan of science. Do I need to know much about chemistry?”

The best part about this class is that I've broken down all the confusing science and overwhelming information on toxins. You'll get simple and straightforward information that will make you feel confident in ditching the toxic products you currently have and choose safer products as you swap them out.

“Isn’t most of this information free on the internet?”

Yes, you can find a lot of free information about toxin free living on the internet, but you won't find a step-by-step guide that will help you systematically detox your home. Along with education, Detox by Design™ | The Home Method will teach you how to read an ingredient label, ditch the toxic products, and successfully analyze products to find safe and healthy replacements.

“What exactly will this course look like?”

Detox by Design™ | The Home Method consists of three modules.

These modules will come out once per week starting on February 5th. Along with the video classes, you will also get helpful documents to supplement the education. 

Along with the modules you will get the three bonuses. These include a module on how to ditch and switch your cookware and dishes, a private Facebook group for six weeks to provide community support and accountability, and a group coaching session to get all your questions answered.

“Can you remind me of everything I’m getting when I sign up today?”

You get the complete Detox by Design™ | The Home Method... PLUS

Bonus #1 Kitchen Ditch & Switch Module

Bonus #2 a private, members only Facebook group for 6 weeks of community and accountability.

Bonus #3 A group coaching sessions to troubleshoot and get you the clarity you need.