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Health and Beauty Buys

May 14, 2013 in Wise Life with 16 Comments

A few weeks ago I mentioned that once you’ve cleaned up your food, the most logical next step is to look at your personal beauty regimen for chemicals and additives. I encouraged you to check out the Environmental Working Group page regarding the toxicity of your products and received quite a few questions about the products I use, so I wanted to share them with you here. You might be able to find these products locally at Whole Foods or a vitamin/nutrition store, but in case you can’t, I’m including 2 ways to order online.

I’m assuming most of you are familiar with Amazon. In addition to Amazon, I order quite frequently from Vitacost. Vitacost has a referral program, so if you sign up here, you will receive $10 off your first order. Full disclosure, I also will receive a $10 credit for you signing up, but there is no minimum to buy and no need to continuously buy. Just a one-time perk. (If you then refer someone, you save $10.)

Also, please note: prices change often on these sites, so I didn’t indicate which site is cheaper. It truly varies when you are ordering what is most cost effective. Also, if you find something you like, search the sites as there are often deals on 2/4/6 packs verses an individual buy.

While I have changed to the items below (many of them I rotate), I have not changed my make-up yet. I’d love to hear from those of you who have switched up your make-up what you like, don’t like, etc. That task seems so daunting to me for some reason. (And I’m not really sure why since most days we’re at home and I don’t wear make-up!)

If you have questions or other products you recommend, please share them in the comments below.

Skin Care

Face Wash/Soap

Grandpas-Thylox-Acne-Treatment-Bar-Soap-with-Sulfur-010486012121

Grandpa’s Thylox Acne Treatment Soap: I use this in the evening when my skin flares up. It’s fairly dying, so I do not use it on a regular basis.
Amazon // Vitacost

KMF FF Soap

Kiss My Face Fragrance-free: This is one of my favorite “morning rotation” face washes.
Amazon // Vitacost

CoQ10

Avalon Organics CoQ10 Facial Cleansing Milk: This is another favorite on my “morning rotation.”
Amazon // Vitacost

Aloe 80 Facial Wash

Lily of the Desert Aloe 80 Facial Wash: The final wash on my “morning rotation.”
Amazon // Vitacost

Aloe 80 Facial Scrub

Lily of the Desert Aloe 80 Facial Scrub: This is more of an exfoliator, so not something I use everyday, but every few days.
Amazon // Vitacost

Face Moisturizers

AO moisturizer

Avalon Organics Daily Moisturizer is one of those lotions that just feels great going on. They also have Vitamin C version I’d love to try.
Amazon // Vitacost

Aloe 80 Moisturizer

Lily of the Desert Aloe 80 Liquid Moisturizer: This was the first natural moisturizer I ever tried. I have a soft spot in my heart!
Amazon // Vitacost 

Lotions

rby-avalon-organics-lavender-hand-and-body-lotion-mdn

Avalon Organics Hand and Body Lotion: I have used this in both the unscented and the lavender for a day-to-day lotion. I like both!
Lavender: Amazon // Vitacost :: Unscented: Amazon // Vitacost

borage

Borage Therapy: My chiropractor’s wife mentioned this to me a few years ago. Every time I’ve bought it, I’ve loved it.
Amazon // Vitacost
Tea Tree

Tea Tree Therapy Antiseptic Cream: If I have a reaction to something, I use this. Tea Tree oil is my secret weapon. I also use this on Finn’s skin.
Amazon // Vitacost

**I have also used the Whole Food 365 Unscented Lotion and am so-so about that lotion.**

Body Wash/Soap

AvOr Body Wash

Avalon Organics Bath and Shower Gel: A nice light scent with great ingredients. There are other scents, but I prefer Lavender.
Amazon // Vitacost

Aloe 80 Body Wash

Lily of the Desert Aloe 80 Body Wash: Another favorite for the scent and ingredient.
Amazon // Vitacost

Olive Oil Bar

Kiss My Face Olive Oil Bar: Sometimes you just need a bar, right? This is your guy!
Amazon // Vitacost

Toothpaste

desert-essence-natural-tea-tree-oil-toothpasteDesert Essence Natural Toothpaste: Besides one other natural toothpaste brand I’ve tried (and didn’t like), this is my one and only.
Amazon // Vitacost

Sunscreen 

Check out the new EWG Report on Sunscreens to review your current sunscreen. Or, check out their list of the best to buy. Also, this summer I plan to try my hand at making a batch of homemade sunscreen.

7th Gen

Seventh Generation Wee Generation Sunscreen: This is also available at Target. Amazon // Vitacost

Aveeno Baby

Aveeno Baby Natural Protection (Mineral Based): This is great for the hard to reach spots… behind ears, parts, etc. Again, not just for babies! Finn enjoys putting this on my face… sometimes the arm twister necessary for me to apply it to him!  Amazon // Vitacost

Kiss My Face

Kiss My Face Natural Mineral Sunscreen: I would encourage you to stick with this version and avoid the similar “Kids” version. It’s a bit cleaner. This is also available at Target and Whole Foods. Amazon // Vitacost

CA Baby

California Baby Fragrance-free Sunscreen: There is also a larger 6 ounce bottle which might be best for families or if multiple individuals will be using this sunscreen. This is also available at Target. Amazon // Vitacost

NIA24

NIA24 Mineral Sunscreen: This worked well for me but was too strong for Finn last summer.  Amazon // N/A Vitacost

Hand Soap/Foam

Bronner

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Pure Castile Liquid Soap: This is – hands down- the best organic/natural soap for your money. You can search for larger volumes, too. It goes in containers as large as 1 gallon. There are also a variety of scents available.
Amazon // Vitacost

** If you’re looking for hand foam, we’ve used the Whole Foods 365 hand foam. It is very light in texture and scent. **

I hope this was helpful for you if you are just starting to move in the direction of health and beauty items. I’m happy to answer questions and would love to hear about the natural products you’ve tried… the good, the bad and the ugly! Please share your feedback, thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.

Wise Garden: Pre-planting

May 1, 2013 in Food Allergies, Wise Life with 15 Comments

I’m not sure I remember a time I’ve been so excited about a garden!

We’ve tried the last few years and normally waaaaaayyyyy overplanted our little 4×4 plot and planted too late.

But this year, thanks to my hunky husband who loves a little manual labor, we are prepared! I’m so thankful for a handy husband. In college, I would hammer things (nails, right?) into the wall with the heel of my clunkiest Steve Madden stacked wedge sandal. Hey, don’t judge – it worked :) Thankfully, Justin is a little more handy and over the weekend added two more raised beds, both 4×8. When he finished he said, “are you really going to use those?” followed by, “we really are turning into hippies.” Swoon!

The compost bin from last year is full -and then some- so we will be mixing up the soil/dirt/compost/worms this weekend in preparation to plant.

Over the winter I mapped out the layout, ordered seeds and patiently waited. Last week Justin and I finally made little homes for the seeds and have been watering them daily since. And sure enough, spring is springing!

Everyone, please meet Louis Lettuce, my greenest pride and joy.

Mr. Oregano has also come to play…

And then, my word, look who showed up to the party this morning, Billy Beeksteak! I have big plans for this booger, so I’m really pulling for him!

The kids and I did purchase a few more plants the other day when Justin was gone (I can’t help myself!) so we need to make room for these guys now, too!

On tap for the season:

  • Tomatos – Beefsteak, Red Currant, Sweet 100s
  • Peppers – Hot Pepper mix, Jalapeño, Green Pepper
  • Cucumbers
  • Kale
  • Squash
  • Lettuce
  • Peas
  • Carrots
  • Herbs – Basil, Rosemary, Sage, Garlic Chives, Thyme, Oregano (in pots)

I could squeal in excitement! Just squeal!

Are you gardening this year? Tell me all about your plans! Are you a pro? Tell me all your secrets! :)

 

Evie’s Birth Story

March 28, 2013 in Wise Life with 7 Comments

It’s hard to imagine just one year ago Finn and I were at the park with our neighbors. It would be our last outing – just the two of us – before life really became wild! Little did we know that less than 24 hours later, Evie Grace would happily make us a family of 4.

It was Wednesday morning. For the past several weeks I’d been up a lot at night, and not just going to the bathroom as most 3rd trimester ladies do. I’d been sick. Coughing spells had me up most nights for weeks. The week prior we were in the ER because one coughing spell was so powerful it “blew up” an ear infection. Splendid.

It was at 4:20a when I realized my water was slowly breaking. I thought, “it’s still early. I have plenty of time to wait for Finn to wake, say good-bye and maybe quickly run to the grocery store.” I jumped in the shower and started packing up the last minute essentials.

Around 5:15a I woke up Justin and told him my water had broke and that, probably within the hour, we should leave for the hospital.

That’s when the contractions hit. OMGahhhh! Justin stood in the doorframe of the bathroom and started laughing. “Are you kidding me? This is not funny,” I seethed. His chuckle went to an immediate game face.

“Should I call my mom to come over for Finn?” he asked.

“Probably not a bad idea.”  I was still in denial, quite certain I had hours before anything was going to happen.

By 5:35a, I could hardly see straight.  The contractions had come on fast and furious, and         by 6:03a, we were in the car, me facing the back, hugging the seat. ”Dear God, let’s not have this baby in the car, mmkay?” I think I’d only used a small handful of profanities at this point. Justin was so calm and helpful, helping talk me off the ledge.

Around 6:20a, we arrived at the hospital.

Justin rolled me into triage where I had to climb into a bed. As the nurse pulled the curtain shut and mumbled something about them being with us soon, she asked Justin to change me out of my clothes and into a gown. I heard a grown from Justin clearly stating the obvious, “do you see this woman?  On all fours, growning in pain, 40 lbs heavier, in labor, and you want me to change her stupid clothes?”  Modesty completly out the door, I somehow was changed. God, bleach his eyes and memory.

I remember rather loudly (on purpose) whining to Justin about the time it was taking someone to come.  ”Do they think I’m faking this?”  When the nurse finally came in to check me she said, “oh, yah, we need to get you in a room now!”  Duh.  (6:30ish)

I can’t recall if it was the doctor or one of the nurses who told me to focus on pushing and not to yell. “Ummmm, excuse me? I’m pushing this thing out. I’ll yell when and if I need to yell, thank you very much.” They say yelling distracts you from pushing, but it sure was helping me feel better!

A few good pushes and deep breaths later, at 6:44a, Evie Grace Wise was the newest member in our family, just 2 hours and 24 minutes after my water broke and before Finn was even awake for the day.

“You’re here, hi, you’re here, hi, you’re here, hi,” is all I remember saying over and over again.

Evie was… and is… my (second) dream come true.

This labor and delivery was so different than my experience with Finn. There were many wounds that came with Finn’s birth as everything I didn’t want to happen seemed to happen with him. I was resentful and angry about it – both at others and myself – but this was sheer perfection, much more the birth I had hoped, chaos and all!

Being the mom to a baby girl shapes what I say and what I do more than I imagined. I want my daughter to grow to be a strong, kind, courageous woman who looks fear in the eye and stands over injustice.

For all of you moms, moms-to-be, and moms-at-heart, we’re a team. We’re in this together. Let’s build each other up, support each other and depend on each other to be great moms and great women.

You all inspire me to be better for my little girl, thank you…

Happy Birthday, Evie!

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