One of the most shocking things about our lifestyles today is in regards to the federal government’s poor regulations for the products that we use on our bodies and in our homes. These products fly onto the shelves of the retailers that we buy from with little to no government involvement. Not surprisingly, 80% of the chemicals found in personal-care products have NEVER been tested for human safety! This is terrifying and, considering the toxic burden that many of us now find ourselves under and the subsequent decline in our health, it is apparent that we need to take matters into our own hands. If the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) isn’t going to protect us from toxic chemicals, then the most proactive choice that we can make is to choose companies that are at the forefront in raising the bar for health and safety standards.
You might be asking yourself….”what’s the big deal?” A common response that I hear is, “so what, to some extent, everything is toxic” (or my favorite), “We all gotta die someday.” While we can agree that we are all going to die, the focus should not be a deflection, but instead, placed on the quality of life that we live. Why deliberately expose ourselves to poisons that will shorten our lives with sickness and chronic illnesses? I want to be healthy, strong, and sharp, and the truth is that this is undermined with compromised food, toxic products, or a negative mindset.
To clarify so that we can get an idea of what is happening in our country:
The E.U. has banned or regulated over 1,300 ingredients in personal care products compared to the U.S. ban of only 11. Their scientists recognize that many of these ingredients are endocrine disruptors, which are substances that can potentially interfere with the endocrine system. These substances have the ability to negatively affect our growth and development, mood, metabolism, reproductive health, thyroid function, and sexual function. Endocrine disruptors have the sneaky talent of mimicking the hormones that our bodies produce, and even in small quantities, are a significant concern. Disruption of our hormones makes them a threat to our overall health and wellbeing and should be avoided if possible. What’s more, the same substances that have been linked to cancer and congenital disabilities, have also been detected in our urine. Diving a little deeper, 2,282 of the 3,000 chemical compounds found in our urine come from our diet, medications, cosmetics, and environmental exposures, threatening the balance of the bladder’s delicate microbiome and putting us at risk for illness, including interstitial cystitis.
While we can’t control everything, there are some proactive actions that we can take to ensure that the products that we bring into our homes and put on our bodies are safe to use. We recently moved, and I placed an order with “Thrive Market.” However, before placing the order I checked the products with the review by the EWG (Environmental Working Group) and only chose those that received a Grade A. Though not all products listed can be found on the EWG’s website, I went through the ingredients of each product before placing my order. Thrive Market offers healthier options at wholesale prices, and yes, it requires a membership, but you will find that it is more than worth the investment. Here are my top pics:
Dr. Bronner’s All-One Hemp Lavender Pure- Castile Bar Soap, gentle on the skin, and perfect for daily use. $3.49
Dr. Bronner’s 4 in 1 Organic Baby Shampoo and Body Wash, Unscented $6.99
Thrive Market Glass Cleaner Plant-Derived ingredients. $3.29
Multi-Surface Vinegar Cleaner, Amber & Aloe, Plant-Based. $5.29
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lavender Pump Soap, Certified Organic, and safe for use on hands, face, body, & hair. $6.99
Truce Wood Cleaner, Nontoxic $7.99
ECOS Hypoallergenic Dish Soap, Free & Clear, Nontoxic, and gentle on hands. $2.79
ECOS Lavender Dishwasher Gel $4.29
ECOS Furniture Polish and Cleaner Plant-Derived, Nontoxic, and Hypoallergenic. $3.99
Aunt Fannie’s Lavendar Cleaning Vinegar Wipes $5.49
Better Life Laundry Detergent, Lavender-Grapefruit, Nontoxic, Fragrance-Free, Nontoxic (64 loads). $12.29
Aunt Fannie’s Floor Cleaner Lavander Nontoxic. $7.99
Molly’s SUDS Wool Dryer Balls Chlorine-Free, Fragrance-Free, and more. Reduce drying time. $10.49
Molly’s SUDS Sink Scrub $9.79
Citrus Magic 100% Organic Air Freshener Spray, Orange Zest $6.99
Thrive Market Tiolet Paper, Nontoxic, Chlorine-Free, Dye and Color-Free. $6.99
Thrive Market Paper Towels, Nontoxic, Chlorine-free, BPA-Free, 100% Recycled Paper. $8.99
Seventh Generation Organic Tampons Chlorine-Free, Fragrance-Free, No-Antibiotics/ Synthetic Hormones, BPA-Free, Dye and Color Additive- Free. $5.99
Rael Organic Cotton Pads, Nontoxic, Fragrance-Free, Pesticide-Free, Hypoallergenic. $6.99
Note: Not all products listed are available for review on the EWG so ingredients were reviewed for their safety.
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