Recycle 2 Save

I've often explained that being kind to our planet goes much  further than recycling but also following through and buying recycled. We all must commit to supporting companies that have the correct environmental outlook and avoid those who do not. We need to make choices that are not only beneficial to us but also to our planet and generations to come. Navigating through greenwashing does make finding true answers exceedingly difficult but with a little practice it becomes easier to read between the lines. Two of our family favorites are GUD (made by Burts Bees) and our absolute favorite is Original Sprout.Both are healthy natural choices without all the extra "stuff", both work very well and smell amazing, and both are contained inside of bottles made from recycled content. I am by no means suggesting you run out and buy these particular products (unless you want to) but am suggesting that you evaluate what you are buying; what it's made from/of, the product packag...

I was so conflicted but I've decided (unless someone requests I continue) that I will no longer post the ingredients to avoid. It didn't seem to be a big hit (based on the number of views these posts received). If you did like it just let me know and I'll start up again. Thanks so much. Please remember, invitation is always opened for you to let me know what you'd like to hear about. I would LOVE to research a topic for you. Happy Friday everyone!  This is just a little bit of Friday island sunshine for those of us experiencing some dreary winter weather. I know it's not the real thing but it made me smile a little. Enjoy. 

Propylene Glycol .. A Little Anti Freeze or Drano...Anyone? That is what you are essentially doing when you use products with Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glycol or Sodium Hydroxide which are primary ingredients of most antifreeze and drain cleaners. These chemicals are among the top offenders from my harmful ingredients list because they are found in so many of your lotions, hair products, cleansers, cosmetics and even your toothpaste http://www.nontoxicalternatives.com/harmful-ingredients-list.html

Okay, so I have to admit, I didn't give much thought to the first title and it's getting a bit old. Nonetheless, as promised here is another ingredient that you should try to avoid in your bath, skin or beauty products. I just came across this particular one in a brand of children's shampoo that was about to go on my son's precious head. I have become an avid label reader and this particular product was sold to me as natural .. hmmm.   Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Detergents and surfactants that pose serious health threats. Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and 90 percent of personal-care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation–even death. SLS may also damage skin’s immune system by causing layers to separate, inflame and age Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-toxic-12-beauty-ingredients.ht...

I hope that everyone had (or is having) a great Holiday with their family. I promised that I would try to keep giving ingredients to avoid. Below is the next offender. I somehow knew (maybe based on the fact that the "real" natural guys said that their product didn't contain it) that parabens were to be avoided. When my husband asked why I said.. "cause they are bad". I had no clue. Below is an excerpt from an article about toxins in the products we buy everyday. Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl): Used as preservatives and aren’t always labeled “parabens.” They’re used in deodorants and antiperspirants and have been found in breast cancer tumors. Parabens, as xenoestrogens (hormone disruptors), may contribute to sterility in male mice and humans. Estrogen-like activity causes hormone imbalance in females and early puberty. Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-toxic-12-beauty-ingredients.html#ixzz1hqggR0ga So this is the second.. more to come.