Category Archives: Challenges

The Shocking Truth About Shampoo: Why I Haven’t Shampooed in Seven Years

56

When I became pregnant with my first child eight years ago, I had lots of fun picking out things for my baby for after she was born. The little socks and shoes, tiny diapers. But when it came to shampoo, I found myself frustrated. I couldn’t find shampoo that didn’t have a bunch of chemicals in it.

Now, I wasn’t even aware of the whole “crunchy mama” world at that point - little did I know where that one thought process would take me! At that time I was still painting my fingernails with cheap nail polish, wore makeup that was full of chemicals, enjoyed soda, fast food and Doritos, etc. But once I realized my newborn baby was going to be slathered in baby lotions and shampoo made with chemicals, it made me re-think my own choices.

I never did buy that bottle of Johnson’s & Johnson’s. Especially after finding out the “tear-free” versions contain formaldehyde which prevents tears by numbing the eyes - not because it was gentle and chemical-free!

It was then I discovered the world of natural alternatives to shampoo, cosmetics, personal care items…and everything else. And I ditched my Suave shampoo for good.

Continue reading →

Benefits of Vitamin D - Why it’s essential to health + the best food sources

11

I love summer. My kids love to play outside, and I can sit in the sun with my laptop and soak up the Vitamin D. It’s so comforting to have the sun on my skin, knowing not only does it feel good on the surface of the skin, but the Vitamin D that is being produced is doing the inside of my body good, too.

Then autumn rolls around, and winter, and I am worried that my family isn’t getting enough Vitamin D. We switch from fish oil - which has omega-3′s, but not Vitamin D - to cod liver oil which does contain Vitamin D. Since regular cod liver oil contains low amounts of Vitamin D (as opposed to fermented which is a more concentrated form and contains lots more Vitamin D) it’s essential I add food sources of Vitamin D to our diet.

Vitamin D - Immune System Booster

So why am I so careful to add Vitamin D to our diet? My biggest personal reason is because it’s vital for a healthy immune system.

I am sure you’ve noticed that colds and the flu is more prevalent during the winter months when we are covered up more due to the cold (at least here in New England!). Our skin isn’t exposed to as much sunlight.

Find out what else Vitamin D is also needed for, learn about Vitamin D deficiency, what the best food sources of Vitamin D are, what interferes with Vitamin D absorption, and what enhances Vitamin D absorption… Continue reading →

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds - and a challenge

25

Did you know one tablespoon of chia seeds contains 2,375mg’s of omega-3′s? Chia seeds are the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Chia seeds contain the highest known proportion of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) at over 60%. The omega-3 to omega-6 ratio is 3:1. They also contain 19-23% complete protein, providing all essential amino acids in appropriate balance.

Chia seeds are the superfood.

Unlike flax seed, another high source of omega-3′s, they don’t need to be ground before consuming. You can toss them on salads or in your yogurt, add to banana bread, or make a fruit pudding (recipes below).

Due to the strong antioxidant activity, the omega-3′s (DHA, EPA) are not easily oxidized like they are in flax seeds which don’t contain antioxidants.

Here is a breakdown of nutrients that you will find in one serving (2 TBSP) of chia seeds… Continue reading →

Cast Iron vs. Non-Stick Pans - a challenge!

15

Do you own cast iron cookware?

Yes, but do you use it? Or do you reach for the light-weight Teflon-coated pans instead?

You may not reach for it so quickly because yes, they are heavy. But there are good reasons to use cast iron cookware that may outweigh (pun intended) their awkward handling. Continue reading →