Category: Sustainable Hygiene & Beauty

Ditch the Toxic Glow: Let’s Talk About Paraffin Wax Candles!”

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Alright, folks, gather ’round, ’cause we’re about to drop some truth bombs about those candles you’ve been lighting up to set the mood. Yeah, we’re talking about paraffin wax candles, and let’s just say, they ain’t as innocent as they seem!

So, you might be chilling, enjoying the ambiance of that flickering candlelight, but behind the scenes, paraffin wax is doing its own sneaky thing. You see, paraffin wax comes from petroleum, the same stuff used to fuel your car. Now, when you light up that paraffin candle, it’s like you’re inviting a bunch of not-so-cool guests to your party.

We’re talking about toxic compounds like benzene and toluene. Yeah, these are the bad boys linked to cancer. Inhaling them over time is like asking for trouble with a capital T.

And wait, there’s more! These paraffin candles ain’t just belching out chemicals, they’re also spitting out soot and tiny particles that can mess with your lungs. Imagine that, your cute candle turning into a little respiratory villain.

But hold up, let’s talk ions. Yeah, ions are like the vibe controllers of the air around you. Paraffin candles? They’re pumping out positive ions, and that’s not the cool kind of positive. It messes with the balance and can make your air quality go haywire.

But guess what? There’s a candle superhero squad ready to save the day – the alternatives!

Beeswax Candles: These babies are all-natural champs. They burn clean, throw negative ions into the air (the good kind), and make your indoor air quality do a happy dance.

Soy Candles: Soy wax is like paraffin’s eco-friendly cousin. They burn longer, cooler, and are way less into the toxic party scene.

Coconut Wax Candles: If you’re into that tropical vibe, coconut wax is your jam. It’s clean-burning and brings the beachy vibes right to your room.

Essential Oils: Wanna ditch the wax game altogether? Essential oil candles are here for you. They’re scented with pure goodness and are a breath of fresh air.

So there you have it, peeps. Paraffin wax candles might look all innocent and cozy, but they’re like the bad apples of the candle world. Time to switch it up and let those cleaner, greener alternatives light up your life. Your lungs, your vibes, and your planet will thank you for it! ????✌️

Water is Life – Live Intelligent

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One in 10 people around the world lack access to clean drinking water, yet the majority of US consumers are unaware of the extent of the global water crisis.

5/2013. A girl is drinking water from the water taps at her school in the Domiz refugee camp in Northern Iraq.

The Power of Clean Water, this documentary follows the lives of three women and their families, providing a first-hand perspective on the daily challenges of accessing clean drinking water. The film also demonstrates the positive impact P&G’s Purifier of Water packets have had on communities in Indonesia, Kenya, and Mexico.  In these countries, people struggle with finding clean water to drink. And without clean drinking water, it’s much harder to keep their children healthy, educated, and provide a better life for their families.

Finally, a global awareness of the water crisis is growing, but many consumers in the US are still unaware of how many people struggle with the daily reality of not having access to clean water. In 2014 I traveled to Kenya to help build a water system to support a school, garden. To my amazement, I returned a year later to a fully-grown garden. When I drove up to see the children enjoying their lunch, I instantly burst into tears, because it was at that moment that I saw the lives of others benefit from my hard work, and knew I couldn’t stop there.  

So about Water: 

About 60 percent of your body is made up of water. Drinking enough water helps maintain the body’s fluid balance, which helps transport nutrients in the body, digest food, regulate body temperature, and more.

The U.S. problem with Water:

Sadly, water is the second most popular beverage in the United States after soft drinks. TThis fact is scary considering sugary soda is a health hazard, upping the risk of stroke, obesity, heart, and other health problems. However, many diseases can be avoided if people choose to drink water. Water doesn’t have negative side effects except for consuming too much. It is possible to overdose on water and “drown internally”. So kick that sugary stuff habit to the side and make water your number one drinking choice. The benefits are endless. 

Controls calories: Simple, when you drink more water you become fuller and eat less. 

Muscle energy: When you sweat at the gym, you lose water. and when you lack water in the muscles they get tired quicker. Who wants tired muscles when they are trying to work out?

Clearer skin: Water flushes out toxins and reduces the onset of pimples. 

Fatigue buster:

Water can help you fight that tired feeling since a common symptom of dehydration is tiredness. Grab a glass of water when you feel sleepy. 

Hangover help:

Let’s face it, booze is poison, and your body hates it. As soon as you drink alcohol your body starts to dehydrate. removing the water and leaving the chemicals. The best way to avoid a hangover is to drink plenty of water while consuming alcohol and after.

Pain prevention:

A little water can really go a long way. Aching joints and muscle cramps and strains can all occur if the body is dehydrated.

Keep things flowing:

Nobody wants to deal with digestion issue, so drinking enough water adds fluids to the colon which helps make things, move smoother.

Sickness fighter:

Water may help with decongestion and dehydration, helping the body bounce back when feeling under the weather. Just beware—drinking fluids haven’t been scientifically proven to beat colds in one swoop, so don’t swap this for a trip to the doctor or other cold remedies.

Brain Boost:

A study in London found a link between students bringing water into an exam room and better grades, suggesting H2O promotes clearer thinking. While it’s unclear if drinking the water had anything to do with a better score, it doesn’t hurt to try it out!

Event: This is a Great Event Stella Artois put together: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/170556457072502/

Social Media Initiative: Use the hashtag #7billionliters on twitter, facebook, or Instagram and Procter and Gamble will donate a liter of water to people who need it most!

See What’s In Your Deodorant

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After a trip to Africa, I discovered something interesting. It’s common for people in Africa to not use deodorant. Deodorant is more of a chemical luxury, meant to guard you against the smell of the breakdown of the bacteria caught in your pits from perspiration. If you keep your underarms clean and control your hair growth your “pits” shouldn’t have much of a smell.

Let’s look at the list of chemical ingredients in an average deodorant:

  • Aluminum Compounds.
  • Parabens
  • Steareths
  • Triclosan
  • Propylene Glycol
  • TEA and DEA
  • Artificial Colors

Aluminum is the ingredient in antiperspirants that clogs your pores and prevents sweating. People are exposed to aluminum in some cosmetics, antiperspirants, and pharmaceuticals such as antacids and buffered aspirin. When it enters the body it accumulates in the liver, brains, lungs, kidneys, and thyroid where it competes with calcium for absorption and can affect skeletal mineralization. Aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s and estrogen hormonal imbalance.

Parabens are preservatives for beauty products and pharmaceuticals. They are used to preserve products so they have a shelf life of many years. As you may not know all things eventually expire. The more preservatives you put in something, the longer it takes. But the less effective it is holistically. Parabens are said to mimic the hormone estrogen, which would leave anyone with a hormonal imbalance. The biggest concerns from parabens are endocrine destruction, reproductive toxicity, and its association with prostate and breast cancer. 

Parabens can be found in most common beauty products such as;

Soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, dyes, lotion, shaving cream, waxes, household cleaning products, ointments, eyeliners, mascara, eye shadows, blush, makeup, foundation, sunscreen, and fragrance.

Steareths is a synthetic polymer. It isn’t as bad as the other ingredients, it basically weakens harsh chemicals while simultaneously producing carcinogens and dioxanes. Steareths is found most often in eye creams, anti-aging skin care products, and moisturizers, but has been used to a lesser degree in many other forms of cosmetics.

Triclosan is a pesticide according to the FDA. It kills bacteria during the manufacturing process as well as the bacteria on your skin, which is the main cause of odor. The carcinogenic gas, chloroform is made when Triclosan is combined with water.

This ingredient can be found in hundreds of consumer products ranging from antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpaste, cosmetics, fabrics, toys, and other household and personal care products. 

Here’s a full list of brands that use: Triclosan

http://www.beyondpesticides.org/programs/antibacterials/triclosan/products-containing-triclosan

If used every day, Propylene Glycol can cause damage to your heart, liver, and central nervous system. It is a popular skin irritant, especially if you are sensitive. Propylene glycol can be harmful at as small a percentage as 2%, yet deodorants generally have a high dose of 50%.

Surprisingly this ingredient can be found in antifreeze and some processed foods, what crazy extremes. You can also find it in many medications, and electronic cigarettes.

Triethanolamine (TEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) are chemicals that seep into your skin through pores, enter the blood stream, and directly affect the kidneys and liver.

In conclusion, the point here is to read and know what ingredients are being used in your products. Don’t just look at the marketing that says, clean, fresh, or natural. In some way some of these toxic chemicals are natural. But not natural for your body. So the only preventative measure is knowing, and being familiar with these terms.

This article is written a source of information. I encourage you to read more about the topic as everyone is different. Everyone’s body and immune system respond to chemicals and toxins differently. What may cause a disease in one person may not cause a disease in another. You can’t avoid everything you’re exposed to, as always the best solution is to detox.

The Minimalist – Bathroom Toiletries

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What if you only had 3 toiletries to use daily?

 

I ran across an interesting startup Akamai, ‘Who’s goal is to encourage people to wash less, which completely aligns with my zero-waste message.

Like many topics, getting people to understand the importance of changing their habits for the better can be difficult, most prefer to stick with their daily routine. Imagine a bare or clutter free medicine cabinet and bathroom. To the average human, limiting your toiletries to 3 products may be impossible.

This is what US-based personal care startup Akamai wants to influence us to do, it’s quite unusualto ask customers to buy less.

Akamai, which started trading earlier this year, claims to solve all of your personal care needs with 3 products: A soap/face/hair bar, toothpaste; and a hair and body oil spray for fragrance and moisturizing. Akamai encourages customers to wash less often.

I agree with Co-founder Vincent Cobb, this isn’t his first run with a conscious concept. He’s known for an online store selling reusable products and says, the concept is a reaction against an industry set up to drive over-consumption; which isn’t sustainable.

“Typical personal care product companies want you to consume more of their products, so they say, wash your hair and body every day,” says Cobb. “We have been led into this false sense of what is required to have healthy skin, teeth, and hair.”

In agreeing with Cobb, this should be the opposite for several reasons including the use of fluoride in tap water for many nations. Subjecting your skin, teeth, and hair to such a harsh chemical daily is harmful. Please read more about, “The effects of fluoride in your tap water.

The UK beauty and personal care industry is worth £17bn, according to research company Mintel. Besides the luxury end of the market, most beauty products fall into the “fast moving consumer goods” category, which means,  retailers and manufacturers, rely on selling high quantities.

The rise of e-commerce, selfie nation, and beauty/fashion blogging have also boosted the steady growth and development of product lines, empowering an industry surge even during periods when the economy is unpredictable, according to market research firms. Let’s face it some people seem to care more about how they look, then if their bills are paid.

Convincing people that less is more when it comes to beauty and personal care is no easy task, says Ashenburg. “That sense of insecurity, especially among women, that I might not be smelling perfect is embedded in our culture – and advertising makes enormous use of that insecurity.”

Industrial growth comes at an environmental cost. More beauty products mean more chemicals and water used in manufacturing and more plastic packaging. Since the containers used are often hard to wash out, or to recycle, much of it ends up in a landfill, says Dustin Benton, acting policy director at environmental charity Green Alliance.

Akamai isn’t the first company to tackle problems with . Clothing company Patagonia, for example, famously ran a Don’t buy this jacket ad in 2011, and encourages customers to repair garments rather than throw them away.

Such companies face the question of whether calling for reduced consumption while actively marketing their products is really a viable fix for consumerism. Patagonia’s sales, for example, went up following its campaign.

Hopefully, Akamai is successful in using their products to change consumption habits for the better, I think they’ve started off with the perfect items. People will always need and seek products to clean their skin, teeth, and hair, but can be encouraged to buy less of these items. 

Teeth Whitening Mineralizing Toothpaste

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Longevity starts with sustainability correct? Well, a good place to start when it comes to personal care is toothpaste.

We discussed fluoride when we spoke about tremor diseases like Parkinson’s. Unless prescribed by a doctor, nothing you use daily should say:

“WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately.”

I always say most of your ingredients for personal care products should come from the supermarket. If you can’t eat it, you shouldn’t be putting it on yourself, or in your mouth. Now I’m not a doctor or dentist but this idea will always make sense. 

It’s really hard to find a toothpaste that doesn’t have questionable Ingredients. When traveling I use Xyli-White.

What are questionable Ingredients?

  • Sweeteners: Sorbitol, is often used in toothpaste to help the taste, There is no evidence that these sweeteners are beneficial (or even safe) for use in the mouth. Xylitol has shown some positive benefits for oral health in some studies, but it remains a controversial ingredient in toothpaste.
  • Fluoride: This is the most common chemical to cause controversy in toothpaste and tap water
  • Triclosan: This is a chemical that’s mainly used in antibacterial soap and products. We all know how toxic those can be. 
  • Glycerin: is found in most toothpaste, even natural options. It is sweet, colorless, and I do not know how well this is for your teeth since it can coat and block teeth from receiving minerals in saliva.
  • Surfactants: Many kinds of toothpaste contain surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate, this allows the toothpaste to lather, but can also cause mouth sores and ulcers. 

At home, I just decided to make my own. I will share the ingredients with you. Here’s a recipe for a healthier teeth whitening toothpaste. 

  1. Filtered water – The last thing you want in your toothpaste is fluoride, chlorine and who knows what else goes into tap water. Go for bottled or filtered water in this recipe.
  2. Bentonite clay – Bentonite clay absorbs toxins, heavy metals, and impurities.
  3. Calcium/Magnesium Powder – Calcium and magnesium whiten teeth and provide a good source of minerals. 
  4. Coconut oil – (1/4 cup coconut oil) Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal, it’s also a good binding agent.
  5. Baking soda – Baking soda helps whiten the teeth by removing stains. It also contains minerals and is alkaline.
  6. Trace minerals – Provides an array of extra minerals to your toothpaste.
  7. Essential oils – (10 drops) The essential oils I use in this recipe are peppermint oil. Peppermint supports circulation to the gums and teeth. Cinnamon oil is also recommended. 
  8. Raw Honey – This is optional, but a small amount of honey can add a touch of sweetness to your toothpaste. Honey also acts as a natural antibacterial.

Read My Post On:

 The Oil Pulling Effect