What are you eating? Processed or Whole?

My breakfast.

• 1/2 cup 100% Natural Rolled Oats.
• 1 Banana
• Sprinkle of flaxseeds

Health Benefits of Oats
Why flaxseeds?

Are you eating whole foods?
Processed foods?

Processed Food vs. Whole Foods

Oils for Diet & Beauty

After learning
How to read a label
and downloading the
Shopper's Guide To Safe Cosmetics,
I soon discovered there are toxic chemicals
lurking in many store-bought brands of
personal care and cosmetic products.
Toxic chemicals which are
linked to Breast Cancer, Alzheimer’s disease,
and a host of other serious health issues. YES!

After I checked the safety rating
of my own personal stash of lotions, deodorants,
toothpastes, facial cleanser, and cosmetics at the
Skin Deep database last year,
I immediately changed my daily
routine and product list.

• I invested in only natural products.
• Simplified my routine.
• Use as few items as possible.

I now pass on the so-called "face cleansers",
"anti-aging serums,""soothing toners," and
"secret-of-youth" products that claim to be miracle workers.

I've since discovered the real miracle workers are:

• Natural oils
• Exercise
• Healthy diet
  

EVOO (organic extra virgin olive oil) ,
EVCO (extra virgin coconut oil),
and Jojoba oil are staples in my beauty routine.
I've also incorporated
EVOO and EVCO into my daily diet.
Can you eat what you put on your skin?

Check the safety rating of your
personal care products
& cosmetics here.

EVOO can be used as a face cleanser

and makeup remover. And EVOO, EVCO, and
Jojoba Oil are all exceptional moisturizers
for the face, hands, and body.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil --Diet & Beauty
Health Benefits of Olive Oil -Diet & Beauty
Health Benefits of Jojoba Oil

DID YOU KNOW?

• Did you know your skin care products should be safe enough for you to eat? Yes!
• Did you know that what you put on your skin goes into your bloodstream? Yes!
• Did you know many of the products on the store shelves are filled with chemicals that are unhealthy for you? Yes!
• Did you know that the FDA does NOT regulate what goes into cosmetics or personal care products? No, they do not!

The Many Uses of Tea Tree Oil: Natural Body & Household

Introducing Tea Tree Oil, one of the most popular essential oils used today. Most essential oils need to be diluted before use and you should always read the essential oils safety guidelines before using. NATURAL BODY: Do you have dandruff? Acne? Nail fungus? Bad breath? Athletes foot? Learn how to dilute Tea Tree Oil to use as a natural remedy here . NATURAL HOUSEHOLD: Did you know Tea Tree Oil can also be used as a household cleaner, in your washing machine, and as a room spray? Click here to learn how to use. Buy Tea Tree Oil here and get $5 off your first order when you use my iherb coupon code CEL445!

Be an Ingredient Label Reader. What ARE You Putting On Your Body Every Day?

DEODORANT: Did you know most deodorants on the store shelves feature aluminum as one of the main ingredients? YES!

Read this article to find out about the dangers of Aluminum in Deodorant

I've tried all the natural aluminum-free deodorants on the market and the only one that I like is: Home Health Herbal Magic. I'll alternate between that deodorant and straight baking soda (just add 1-2 drops of water) .

However, not everyone needs to apply stuff to their pitts every day! Simply taking a shower and bathing with soap and water is sometimes enough. As a culture, we would be a lot healthier if we scaled back and only used a few good natural products every day instead of 50 products that are filled with nasties. Learn about the Healthy Person's Guide To Personal Care Products here.

Get out all your cosmetics, lotions, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. and check the health ratings of each here. How healthy are the products you are using?

Incorporate Organic Beans Into Your Diet!

I've never been a bean eater. Until today!

I'm trying to incorporate more staples of the Mediterranean diet into my own diet.

Canned or dried? I'll experiment with both. When I use canned beans, I'll stick with organic beans by Eden Foods which are packed in bisphenol-A free cans and don't use dyes, refined salt or sugar, or chemical preservatives in their beans. Eden Foods also carries organic dried beans. Stock up on Eden Food beans @ your local health food store.

Did you know:
Many canned foods are lined with a plastic coating made from BPA which can leach into the food? YES! Read about the dangers of BPA from canned foods.

Health Benefits of Beans & Legumes
Beans 101: Types & Cooking Tips
Dried Beans Vs. Canned Beans
Basic Dried Beans Tutorial

Live Simply. Buy Used. Recycle Your Furniture. Save Money.

If you are working on a home improvement project, consider scouring the market for used furniture instead of buying new pieces. Between friends, family, thrift shops, garage sales, and ebay--buying used has become a thrilling hobby for some:)

Buying used will not only save you green stuff $ but it will also keep furniture out of the landfills.

If you have used items to sell or swap, feel free to post in the comment section!

Eco-Friendly Flour Sack Kitchen Towels and Napkins

This vintage tractor embroidery design was featured on a flour sack dish towel that was made by Vicki Adamski, local artisan at the Antigo, Wisconsin, Farmers' Market. The towel is extra large and super absorbent, my #1 piece for drying dishes.

To cut down on paper disposal, replace your paper towel and paper napkins with flour sack napkins. OR check out the fun Fabkins, cloth napkins for kids. I'm no kid but I like these Garden Friends fabkins!

Paper Towels & Napkins vs. Cloth

Take A Walk On the Green Side With Hemp Hearts

Hemp Hearts.
Ever heard of them?
They are shelled hemp seeds.
The owner of the local health food store introduced them to me.
After reading up on all the benefits of consuming them,
I can't wait to put a few spoonfuls in my breakfast smoothie to get my day started!
Buy them at your local health food store or pick some up here.
Learn about the hemp plant.

Show your eco-friendly spirit by using this "Take A Walk On the Green Side" large tote bag (see photo above) designed by yours truly. You can order it here.

MORE ABOUT MY TOTE: Our 100% cotton canvas tote bags have plenty of room to carry everything you need when you are on the go. They include a bottom gusset and extra long handles for easy carrying.

• 10 oz heavyweight natural canvas fabric
• Full side and bottom gusset
• 22" reinforced self-fabric handles
• Machine washable
• Measures 15" x 18" x 6"

Say NO to Perfume!

Did you know most perfumes are filled with toxic chemicals? Did you know these toxic chemicals can be a health risk to those who wear it, the air around them, and those in their household? YES! Read this article to learn more. I avoid perfume and limit the products I use that list fragrance as an ingredient. Instead, I use 100% Natural Vanilla (pic above) on my pulse points when I want to wear a hint of vanilla. This blend is pre-diluted with jojoba oil so it's ready to use. I enjoy the delicious light aroma and health benefits from wearing natural vanilla oil. What is so bad about Fragrance? Are you willing to risk your health for a spritz of perfume? Buy Your Vanilla Oil here and get $5 off your first order at iherb.com when you use my Coupon Code CEL445.

Going Green With Salt--Replaced Table Salt With Himalayan Salt

After learning about the unhealthy consequences of consuming table salt, I recently replaced my conventional table salt with Himalayan Crystal Salt. I'm using the pink Himalayan Crystal Salt and Miracle Krystal Salt.

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Learn about Krystal salt
Learn about Himalayan Crystal Salt

Make Your Own Lip Balm

Since I started making my own lip balm from this kit I found on ebay, I'll never go back to store-bought balms! My personal balm recipe just consists of 2 ingredients --Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and beeswax.

If you are using a store-bought balm, be sure to check the ingredients and safety rating on the Skin Deep database.

Feel free to post your personal lip balm recipes in the comment section!