Those of you who know me well know that I NEVER drink coffee these days, as even a couple of sips tend to cause digestive upset. But I know that many of you LOVE your morning coffee!  Or perhaps your afternoon coffee... or even evening coffee! BUT... Pesticide, fertilizer, or plastic residue in your coffee? Or exploitative child labor? No thanks! When consum...

Have you ever used aloe vera on sunburned skin? Or as a face moisturizer? Or when making DIY products, such as hand soap or hand sanitizer? You would think that since it is based on a healing liquid that comes from a plant that we wouldn't need a safe swap for this. Right?!? Turns out that most also vera gel on store shelves is FULL of junk, including carcin...

👗  For most of my life, my only consideration when picking out new clothing was whether I liked the way a piece looked and fit. I had no idea that there are other important considerations -- even life and death situations -- to think about when selecting the fabrics that touch our bodies... both during the day and while we sleep. In the next few minutes, I'...

Let’s be truthful… no one wants to stink! Most of us were taught to deal with underarm perspiration in one of two ways: Stop it from happening with an antiperspirant. Cover it with heavily scented, conventional deodorant. Neither of these is good for our bodies or long-term health! If you're ready to stop preventing perspiration or masking body odor, here ar...

It's no fun getting eaten by mosquitoes or other biting insects! To avoid the discomfort they cause, many people reach for well known repellent brands like OFF, REPEL, or Cutter.  Unfortunately, chemical insect repellents with active ingredients such as DEET and Permethrin come with potential health hazards. Let's take a look at them!  Dangers of DEET and Ot...

Summer is nearly upon us in the northern hemisphere. My daughter had her last day of 2nd grade a week ago and we've plunged into vacation season (for her at least!). As this is the time I normally also replenish my sunscreen stock, it's the perfect occasion to update the annual sunscreen safe swap post that I put together for my toxin-free living community ...

Who here LOVES candles???        Take a moment to think about what prompts you to bring a new one into your home.    Perhaps it's the fragrance that calls to you? Will it make your room feel cozy, comfortable, or relaxing? Or maybe it has a fresh, clean scent? Or a spicy aroma that’s perfect for the winter holidays? The scent of a candle can absolutely add t...