Some Favorite Resources and Reads
So I’ve been talking a lot about my favorite natural and organic products, but perhaps you’re wondering why make the switch?
There’s no easy answer about what’s right for you and your family. All I can say is there is power in information. I’d like to share some resources to help shed some light on the big bad world of toxic chemicals that surrounds us.
My journey started 15 years ago when I became aware of how much crap is in conventional processed and non-organic food. I thought I had the organic eating thing down pat. Fast forward a few years, to me sitting on my couch one day, 6 months pregnant with my first child, reading “The Complete Organic Pregnancy” and having a complete revelation about all the chemicals surrounding me in every single part of our house. I then promptly freaked out that my couch was probably off-gassing chemicals at that very minute and I was breathing them right into the baby’s body…
I have to say it is an EXCELLENT book! Even if you are a very hormonal and prone to freaking out :). It made me so aware of everything we brought into our son’s nursery and I read it just in time to be able to purchase an organic crib mattress and bedding, among other things, that made the nursery so much cleaner (toxically speaking). Some of the organic items were more expensive (like the crib mattress) but knowing how much time a baby spends sleeping each day makes it worth it. I love knowing both of my children weren’t exposed to harsh anti-flamable chemicals, bleaching agents, plastics and PVC’s that are in traditional crib mattresses.
My most recent read is “Eat Pretty: Nutrition for Beauty, Inside and Out” . I really liked this book a lot. I expected it to be a lot of fluff and information I had heard before (especially since I spent so much time researching nutrition and food early on), but I was pleasantly surprised! Jolene Hart goes in depth on each nutrient, telling you what food to find it in and what specifically it will do for your body and appearance. It’s a good reminder that we are what we eat!
Another book that has a lot of great information, especially for those starting out on this clean journey, is Jessica Alba’s “The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You“. Whether you’re a fan of her’s or not, you’ve gotta admit that she’s done a great job of promoting toxin free living and creating a natural home. I love that the book covers everything from make-up to what you’re putting on your kids. There is a plug for The Honest Co. here and there but I didn’t find it overwhelming. I like a lot of their baby products and some of their cleaning products anyway.
My biggest resource? EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
No surprise, right? I’ve mentioned them a lot and for good reason! This site is genius. You can search thousands of products to see how they rate safety-wise and see just what is in them. Also, you can easily find their top rated picks in every category from baby products, to cosmetics, to cleaners. I use it ALL of the time. I wish I could say everything in our home is rated highly on their site but we’re a work in progress. Most new items I bring in are rated as good but we have all of some things lingering in the back of the cabinet…
These are a good starting point, but there are tons of books, blogs, and even documentaries on living naturally. Arm yourself with information and be brave enough to find out just what’s in your products!
