While I do love all things organic and healthy, sometimes I also like to enjoy an occasional cocktail, especially if it is pink with flowers. I can not remember the last time I did have one, but perhaps after seeing these adorable cocktails it’s time. I came across these on Pinterest, and after seeing how easy they are to remake, I had to share!
Ingredients:
Every glam girl has loved M.A.C. cosmetics at one point or another, however, I am happy to say that I have tossed out all of my M.A.C. items after learning about how unsafe they really are.
Every Sunday I do “Swap it out Sunday” where I let you know the toxic reality of some of my favorite old products, encouraging you to dump them for safer options that perform just as well! Today’s Swap it Out is for M.A.C. lipsticks.
Many M.A.C. lipsticks score the worst possible on the Think Dirty app because they contain class 3 carcinogens like Red 33 Lake. This is what gives their lipsticks their vibrant colors, but in return, it can be damaging to our health, especially when used on lips that lead to accidental consumption and absorption.
Why sacrifice your health when there are awesome lipstick colors out there that are much safer, and that still perform just as well? One of my favorite lines to use for fun, safe colors is Nudus. Nudus lipsticks are certified organic from Australia with a wide variety of colors to choose from, made mostly from flowers, fruits, and vegetables!
Two years ago I attended the very first Secret Table event here in San Diego and had a blast, which is why I am super excited to be attending this years event on April 4th! I figured this event fits in perfectly with this site, so I wanted to share it here in case anyone local to San Diego would like to attend.
The Secret Table is basically a huge organic dinner party/ mixer, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy organic food and drinks and mingle with like minded individuals, all while supporting local non-profit organizations. This event isn’t advertised too much as the Secret Table prefers to keep a genuine crowd, appealing mostly to San Diego change makers, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, visionaries, food and sustainability experts, science and business leaders, and other individuals working to make our community a more vibrant and prosperous place.
The name Secret Table comes from the concept of the location being kept a secret until the day of the event, so all I know right now is that this year’s event will be at a private location in Ranch Santa Fe, however the photos of the venue look beautiful.
I love coffee, the smell, the taste, which is why I was super excited to try out this 100% natural coffee scrub by joeSCRUB. Made from organic coffee grinds, organic cacao, sea salt and various other skin soothing ingredients, this is one safe, delicious smelling scrub all coffee lovers must try out!
This scrub is awesome for a variety of things, you can use joeSCRUB for:
Did you know that conventional hair dyes contain damaging chemicals like ammonia, parabens, SLS and other harsh ingredients that wreak total havoc on your overall health and hair? It’s pretty much common sense to know that hair dyes aren’t the best for your hair, however, girls around the world, myself included, continue to turn a blind eye when it comes to this process. I never really knew exactly how bad this process was, but after researching it bit more, I discovered a few things you never want to expose your hair to.
Ingredients to Avoid in Hair Dye-
For as long as I can remember I have had problems finding a shampoo that did not leave my scalp itchy and irritated. I always thought that it was something I was eating, but after reading more about what is in my beauty products, I realized that it was definitely an ingredient in my shampoo that was causing my irritation. Because I love/want/need a good lathering shampoo, I was sad to learn that what allows my favorite Acure Organics shampoo to lather, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, actually could be the cause of my scalp irritation.
While the Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate in Acure Organics shampoo is naturally derived from coconuts, because of the high amounts, it can pose a threat to those with a sensitive scalp. The risks associated with this ingredient are low, the only issue really being that it is a detergent that can irritate sensitive scalps causing scalp psoriasis or eczema. If you do have a sensitive scalp, check your shampoo for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, as either could be the cause of your irritation.
So now that we are all having to ditch all our old shampoos, what should we use instead? Well, for a while I didn’t have a solution. I would simply use less of the shampoo on my scalp and hope for the best, which never worked. And then it happened, I came across an organic line called Aleavia which claimed to be 100% organic, prebiotic and known for it’s amazing ability to clear up acne, rosacea, eczema, dry skin and psoriasis, all while helping balance your skin’s PH level.
If there is one thing I can not live without, it’s ice cream. I love ice cream! However, my body hates ice cream and every single time I eat it, I end up with a stomach ache and major regret. Traditional ice creams are packed full of hormones, gums, stabilizers and other nasty ingredients, which is why I always end up with bad skin, stomach aches, and eczema anytime I consume dairy or other store bought milks. {Organic almond milk is no exception here! The store bought brands of organic nut milks also have gums in them so beware!}
So, what’s a girl to do that loves dessert but ends up sick after eating it? Make a new, healthier way of course! I came across this Dairy Free Vanilla Cashew Ice Cream on Pinterest and just knew I had to try it out.
Not only is this recipe so simple, it is so delicious, better than regular ice cream in my paleo personal opinion.
I recently got a Vitamix, so I guess you can say I’ve been going crazy on Pinterest recipes. First of all, for anyone who says a Vitamix isn’t worth the money, I strongly disagree! I am obsessed with mine and can’t believe I ever lived without it. I know they are pricey {$528.00}, however if you think about how much you can do with it, it’s totally worth it.
With that being said, I had to share tonight’s Pinterest creation- Paleo Garlic Mashed Cauliflower. If you already eat Paleo, then this idea is nothing new, but this was my first time making it and it was so delicious and so easy, I had to pass on the tip.
When it comes to dairy, you always want to buy organic or make it at home yourself. I am currently half way through my Food Babe way book and I’m learning more and more about exactly why conventional milk is terrible for us. Did you know that non-organic dairy is polluted with genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH)? This drug increases a cow’s milk production by over 10%, but in return, increases our risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Unless your milk is clearly marked “organic” or “rBGH Free” it probably contains this hormone.
Because this additive is so harmful, the cows udders become inflamed which then requires even more antibiotics be given. This, as you can imagine, is bad news for us, as these hormones and antibiotics stay in the cow’s milk that is then placed into the grocery stores we shop at. Because I refuse to drink dairy, or even store bought nut milk (because of its carrageenan or gums), the only way I drink milk is to make it myself. Here are some of the other disturbing ingredients that cause me to further avoid store bought milk.
Bad Ingredients in Store Bought Nut Milk-
So, now that you’re hopefully ready to kick store bought milks goodbye, here is how I make my own instead. It is more work than just picking one out at the store, but if it can heal your dry scalp, eczema, rashes, acne, and bathroom issues, I would say it’s worth the extra work if you asked me.
With Easter less than a month away, I thought that dying Easter Eggs naturally could be a fun little project for you and the family to try out one weekend. Not only did these eggs turn out adorable, but there were also no harsh dyes involved, ensuring the whole family stays safe.
These eggs were colored with mostly all fruits and vegetables, how cool is that?
How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally
Every colored egg has its own specific concoction so, check out this list below and dye according to your color preference!
Bluish- Gray: Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries.
Blue: Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.
Jade Green: Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.
