We all have people in our lives who are near impossible to shop for! They either have everything already, don’t like most things, or maybe they just have a “style” unique to them. While we love them dearly, we may not enjoy shopping for them!
An there are others in our lives who are super fun and easy to shop for, but having surprise ideas is always fun, too!
Regardless of your shopping needs, I’ve got you covered! Home and kitchens items, men, children of all ages, teachers, friends, etc… you’ll find this list to be super helpful! And best part of all, it’s all toxin free items so you can feel good about giving your gift!
Please download the PDF for your convenience! And, as you have fun shopping for your loved ones, by using some of the link above, you’re helping me shop for my family and loved ones, too! I love helping you find exactly what you need, and appreciate your support as well!
I have to say… my favorite gift of all, the gift that keeps on giving, especially for all the women in your life that you love, is Crunchi Skincare + Makeup. It’s 100% toxin-free and extremely high-performing, and I promise, they will have a BIG smile on their face when they open it! It was the best gift I’ve ever received from my hubby on Christmas 4 years ago! And the best part, you can save a bunch of money between November 21-29, 2021 during their Holiday Blowout Sales!
Anddddd just like that, Spring Break is around the corner! Before you know it, it’ll be SUMMER!! Oh I cannot wait for these warmer days!
Seriously, nothing fills me up quite like a day out in the sun, playing at the park, lounging by the pool, and eating dinner on the patio! Anyone else get giddy just reading that?! (If so, you’re my people- come join me one night!!)
Anyways… back to Spring Break! SO this time of year we are usually at our fairest and also about to get into a swimsuit. Such a lovely feeling! I’m assuming you love this too? Yeah.. hard NO for me, too!
And with the amount of messages I have received regarding self tanners, I can tell I am not alone! I’m excited to give some tips on finding safe, toxin-free sunless tanners! So let’s take a look!
So, I am all about honesty and this is no different… I don’t self tan! I have probably 3 times in my life, but I usually just try to get out in the natural sun first! That being said, a LOTTT of my girlfriends self tan on a regular basis and so I have some trustworthy sources!
So while self tanners are wonderful because they allow you to avoid the damaging UV rays, many are LOADED with junk!
Take a look for yourself:
Red 40/ Yellow 10– FD&C dyes that are made from petroleum and have been associated with increased cancer risks and behavior changes. Definitely a no-no in the food category, but also in topical application. Remember… skin is a carrier and not a barrier.
Methylparaben/ Ethylparaben/ Propylparaben– used as preservatives that prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast in topical products. These parabens possess significant estrogen-mimicking properties that are associated with increased risk of breast cancer. These chemicals, directly implicated in breast tumors, are ABSORBED through the skin.
Fragrance– a “cocktail” term. The word fragrance can contain hundreds of ingredients that do not need to be disclosed. More than 95 percent of the chemicals in synthetic fragrances are derived from petrochemicals. These chemicals include: benzene derivatives, aldehydes, phthalates, and a slew of other known toxins that are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, nervous-system disorders and allergies, most of which are cited on the EPA’s hazardous waste list
BHT– “Butylated hydroxytoluene” is used as a preservative, often in food, but can also be found in personal care products! It is termed ‘reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen’ by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Phenoxyethanol– The process of creating phenoxyethanol often results in a VERY toxic by-product, 1,4-dioxane. The EPA has established 1,4 dioxane is a human carcinogen (it will not be listed on a label because it’s a contaminant, not an ingredient). The FDA describes it as being able to depress the nervous system. The product’s Material Safety Data Sheet says that it is harmful if inhaled or swallowed or absorbed through the SKIN and that it can cause reproductive damage.
PEGs– PEGs aren’t a single ingredient but a class of ethylene glycol polymers that moisturize, keep products stable, and enhance the penetration of other ingredients. According to a report in the International Journal of Toxicology by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, pollutants found in various PEG compounds include ethylene oxide (used to manufacture mustard gas), 1,4-dioxane, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and heavy metals (lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, arsenic).
… and more
So are they really safer than sunshine? Not unless you find a clean version!
Good news… I have some cleaner options for you! There are 2 that I highly recommend based on the rave reviews I hear and also the beautiful ingredient list!!
Both of these contain majority organic ingredients, no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, artificial fragrance or dyes, or any other junk that has no business getting on or even near your skin! So, now you don’t have to dread getting in that swimsuit! Go on, girl! Rock your safe tan and enjoy the warm weather! Just don’t forget your SPF!
PRO TIP: Exfoliate your skin week before using a self tanner to get the deal skin cells off! A great option is with a dry brush!
Ohhh a topic I love and one that is near & dear to my heart. I wish I knew more about this from a younger age, but the good news is, it’s never too late to start making changes!
Body burden is the total amount of chemicals and pollutants that are present in your body at any given time. These chemicals come from the air we breathe, the food and drinks we consume, AND the products we apply to our bodies.
Did you know:
US Women apply an average of 168 chemicals to their body every day in personal care products.
Women use an average of 12 different products every day (making up those 168 chemicals).
US Men apply an average of 85 chemicals a day.
Teens use an average of 17 personal care products every day.
Women have the potential for higher body burden (as seen above) because of our daily beauty routines. One of those routines is the application of make-up. Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected 16 chemicals from 4 chemical families – phthalates, triclosan, parabens, and musks – in blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls aged 14-19. Studies link these chemicals to potential health effects including cancer and hormone disruption.
Let’s look at this a bit further:
Scientists estimate that everyone alive today carries within her or his body at least 700 contaminants, most of which have not been well studied
Chlorinated pesticides such as DDT can remain in the body for 50 years
We are exposed to hundreds of chemicals in everyday products we use (paints, glues, cosmetics, fabrics, plastic food containers and pesticides to name a few)
Some of the chemicals we receive from our mothers in utero and through breastfeeding remain with us for years, an unintended legacy that our mothers pass on as their body burdens our own.
Some chemicals can cause damage through their ability to interfere with normal hormone function. These chemicals are called endocrine disruptors.
There are more than 80,000 chemicals used in commercial products, and only a small percentage of them have ever been screened for even one potential health effect, such as cancer, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, or impacts on the immune system… It’s up to us to be our own advocates.
So why is this so close to home for me… because I lived it! I had such a high level of body burden that my endocrine system was furious with me. I rarely menstruated, my skin showed my stress, and my hopes to become a mom seemed impossible. It took a few years, a lot of learning and change, but my body became way less stressed! My skin cleared up, my energy came back, and I have been able to get pregnant and have 2 babies.
It’s not too late to make these changes, I promise!
A highly discussed topic in my Facebook community and one of the first swaps I recommend for people to make!
After all, it is right next to the breast tissue, often loaded with very harmful ingredients, and used daily, this is a MUST in the ditch & switch process!! Plus, did you know that deodorant is the MOST COMMONLY used cosmetic among men and women!
But, trust me, I know, finding a clean deodorant that actually works is like a full time job. Seriously. Either the oils make you smell like funk, the baking soda breaks you out, or it just plain doesn’t work.
For the past 8 years I have been looking for the highest performing and cleanest deodorant available… and let me tell you, I’ve tried them ALL!!! I started out loving Schmidts, but then I got a rash (plus they were acquired by Unilever). And I’m talking a bigggg red sore rash that rubbed anytime I moved. OUCH!
Then, I tried probably 15 other brands… most I liked at first, and then I’d just STINK! Worse than if I used no deodorant (which wasn’t an option because I worked at a gym as a trainer at the time)!
Then about 3 years ago I started making my own deodorant which I loved because I could control the ingredients and not use baking soda (caused a rash).. but unfortunately, once again, I started to smell bad. So bad. I just had to change it.
Back to the drawing board I went. I search and I found Skin Foodie by AB on Etsy… still love these products and ingredients (ummm body butter is LIFE), but I cant use the deodorant anymore. It worked for a long while, NO RASH, but eventually started to smell the funk again.
The struggle is real.
Oh, forgot to mention! Steer clear of “anti perspirants”. I know It sounds great to have dry underarms and not pit out, but do you know what is actually in there? Aluminum!
Aluminum Chlorohydrate (aluminum chloride) is an FDA-recognized aluminum based salt that is used to purposely reduce underarm wetness. It does this by forming a temporary plug in the sweat duct to reduce flow of sweat to the surface of the skin!
This is not normal for our bodies! We need to get those toxins OUT, not keep them trapped! Plus, multiple studies have been done to see the effect of aluminum chloride used on our armpits and they find a high correlation between using it and breast cancer, and concentrations of it in breast tissue!
THIS is why we want to avoid antiperspirant deodorants!! But don’t worry! Just like you don’t have to sacrifice your beauty with low-performing products (Thank you Crunchi for keeping HIGH performance as one of your requirements), you don’t have to be a stinky, sweaty mess either!
Seriously the best thing to happen to our household. My husband and I both gave it a shot. His pits were getting irritated from the baking soda in the deodorant too, so we both changed at the same time. We went for the Charcoal one and both LOVED it. Still do! I seriously can’t tell you a time I finished a whole stick of deodorant before trying another brand (before trying this one) because the stank was real.
This charcoal deodorant is fantastic for anyone, works for even the heaviest sweaters (yup, that’s me), and hasn’t made me rash out or stink in over 2 years! Now that’s a win!
