All posts tagged: natural living

Use This, Not That: Deodorant Swaps

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The many of the ingredients that go into our every day, run-of-the-mill products are a little bit terrifying.  Worst of all, when it comes finding out just how unhealthy a product really is, the burden of proof falls on the consumer. It shouldn’t be that way, but unfortunately, if we want to stay healthy, we can’t completely trust the FDA or consumer reports. There’s a huge chance you’re using a hazardous product right now. Aluminum is directly linked to Alzheimers and a slew of other health problems, but guess what we put directly into our lymph nodes every day? Yup. Aluminum, brought to you by way of your trusty deodorant. I don’t know about you, but this makes me mad AF. All I want in life is to smell fresh as a goddamn daisy, without risking putting my husband through a Notebook type of scenario. My memory is pretty sketchy as it is, so I need all the help I can get. Since it’s approximately a million degrees outside right now (depending on the sun’s …

Natural Cleaner for Yoga Mats + Gym Equipment

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Just when you thought it was safe to watch documentaries, you come across The Human Experiment and life is over as you knew it. Nightmares for DAYS, people. Damn it, Netflix, why do you do me like that? The basic synopsis of The Human Experiment is that we’re all going to die. Well, ok, more specifically, we are experiencing a chemical overload via the things we use daily, ranging from food to products. Households cleaning items are rarely tested for long term effects on animals, and what data we do is not looking good. After watching that documentary my first instinct was to pack up, pulling a Walden, and getting my Henry David Thoreau-self outta here! But here’s the thing: I absolutely refuse to live my life in fear of all of the non-holistic things that go bump in the night. There’s a big difference between making smart, well-informed changes that positively impact your life verses being controlled by information that terrifies you. The point of educating ourselves about natural alternatives is to simplify, empower and protect our …

Just How Dangerous Is Your Nail Polish?

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Let’s face it, modern science has ushered in a plethora of amazing things that have helped change the world for the better. Unfortunately, it’s also brought in changes that create some very toxic-living environments, and we’re often unaware of the damage we do to our health through simple every day means. I’m not really good at being a girly-girl. I seriously struggle to do my hair (I just learned how to use rollers this year, and just barely I might add) and contour makeup tips terrifying and confuse me. I don’t get it. You have to apply three colors on your face just to look as much like you’ve have plastic surgery as possible? No, thanks Kim K. I don’t mind looking the same with or without makeup. I do, however, love me a good, basic mani-pedi and I cannot go a day without shaving. These are my girly vices, and I plan on sticking to them for life, winter, spring, summer and fall. BAM! Nails did, hair…not so did. Sigh. Skin and nails absorbs …

Healthy “Frosty” Recipe That Doesn’t Suck (Promise)

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I really love sweets. Well, and salty foods too, actually. What the heck, full disclosure I love eating. Still, despite the fact that my body constantly thinks it’s in full starvation a la “Naked & Afraid” survival mode, I try to make sure what I consume is going to be fuel for my body. Smoothies are my main goto; I feel like green smoothies are my major food group, like smoothie: it’s what’s for breakfast. And lunch. And probably dinner. I came across a smoothie recipe that defied reality and claimed to be both delicious and healthy. Despite feeling skeptical, I was particularly starved at that moment, what with not having any food for like a whole hour and a half, so I tried it. Surprisingly, it was a really tasty treat, and totally 4pm soothed my sweet tooth monster. It’s also a great post workout refuel treat. Here’s what you need: 3/4 cup (6 ounces) almond milk or coconut milk (if you don’t mind dairy, regular milk works fine) approximately 1 cup of ice (crushed or …

Savory Roasted Acorn Squash

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 I crave colorful veggies. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but those bright colors tell the inside scoop: bright vegetables are rich in nutrients that are essential to inner health and outward beauty. All the fabulous makeup and expensive lotions can’t benefit us the way nature can. I recently tried a recipe for acorn squash, and it was really delicious and satisfying. I enjoyed the flavor panel of sweet and spicy, which pairs nicely with squash. Plus, it was easy to make. Ingredients: Whole Acorn squash Pure maple syrup, honey or liquid stevia Celtic salt to taste Cajun spice Garlic powder Directions: Cook whole squash or microwave till just soft enough to slice into rings. Cut squash into rings, then lay on tray. Mix a glaze of honey or syrup, sprinkle in spices, then brush over both sides of squash. Preheat oven to 425 degrees; Oil tray with coconut oil and place rings on tray. Cook for 7-10 minutes then flip rings and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes or until lightly browned …

Natural Beauty: Do Essential Oils Work?

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If you’re anything like how I used to be, when you open up your bathroom cabinets, you probably have tons of supplies that you bought to enhance your face, hair, and skin. I used love trying new beauty products until I realized: they weren’t so beautiful after all. Instead of being beneficial to my body, I was basically slathering myself in a lab experiment that was neither healthy for me or the environment. For people who are dedicated to yoga, asanas (yoga poses) are just one part of our lifestyle. Seeking a simple, gentle, and natural living has a gravitational pull for us. We want not only to be strong and flexible, but to have healthy bodies, minds, and souls as well. Using natural beauty products not only is kinder to the environment, but it’s better and more effective for our bodies. I now have a simple but highly effective skin care regimen that uses zero chemical ingredients, and while I’m not one of those lucky people who has a naturally perfect complexion, I can honestly …