#this is specifically about those native soap/deodorant ads

[crowcryptid]

“Influencer” marketing die

[lovemadnatural]

Why ditch the chemicals for the switch to being mad natural?

Once again people ask why switch to a more chemical free lifestyle ...

I may not be able to express all the health reasons here so instead I'll list the top priorities that made me switch over and ideas on ways you can make improvements.

NUMBER ONE tip for Holistic IMPROVEMENT

Here it goes, if you’ve clicked this far you deserve to be treated with one of the TOOLS from my @MadNatural Holistic Toolbox ... drum roll please . . . .

Download “THINK DIRTY” 

There is no sponsorship or points I get for recommending that app. IT’S FREE AND WORTH IT! (Thanks for the advice from my brother and sister-in-law)

It’s not one of those apps you’ll want to use once and delete. 

I promise, companies claim to be organic and from what I’ve learned having my own beauty brand is that you can lie and deceive people on BEAUTY products since it is not regulated. People ARE currently getting away with this.

On this app you will find that 10 is the worst score, and 0 runs to be the “cleanest” and best score. 

When you download this app check “Burt’s Bees” 

As we suspect a well-trusted brand right?

SOME of their products rate a 6 and some rate a 0. 

YOU HAVE to do your own research. 

“the average woman applies up to 168 unique chemicals directly to her body..” (*viome)

Between beauty products, shower soaps, deodorants, moisturizers, to make up, our daily list of additives does not stop. 

That is why part of the @MadNatural Holistic 

FIND OUT what’s in your products.

I’ll never try to sell you anything, I will always promote *LESS is MORE* and a Mad Natural lifestyle ...

And here are some reasons why I’ve made the switch

Some products say “fragrance” and these mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.

Things like “Phthalates are known to be endocrine disruptors and have been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, early breast development in girls, and reproductive birth defects in males and females.”

Another chemical to drop is the “Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)” A major concern about SLS is its potential to interact and combine with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, a carcinogen. These combinations can lead to a host of other issues like kidney and respiratory damage.

If these chemicals are in our products & going into our bodies without us knowing I decided to make the STOP, and SHARE the message that we are allowed to make the CHOICE. 

We can educate ourselves and willingly choose what shampoo or food we allow into our temples. ALL things that touch us get into our blood stream. Even those bad vibes you sat next to at work. 

Here’s a perfect example:

KOPARi

- is rated an 8

It’s not even that bad, the ingredients of the formula are CLEAN except it has added “FRAGRANCE & PARFUM” ... so although it looks great (& I'm sure it works since I've used it before) I STILL TOSSED IT OUT. 

Done using “fragrances” since if it really was fragrance why not list it exactly what terpenes it’s made of, or what scent. Why is every company just saying this broad statement of “FRAGRANCE” and everyone is still buying it?

INSTEAD I switched to *NATIVE*

I don’t promote any specific one brand since I think women have it too tough, it’s too hard to be loyal to ONE brand when everyone is stuck in their ways and habits. 

I’m not changing people, just making them more aware of a more Mad Natural lifestyle that is available to them. 

So if you’d like to switch over or have any questions PLEASE feel free to DM @MadNatural with any questions so I can help you. 

Thanks for tuning in,

Enjoy your Mad Natural Holistic Lesson of the day

Please download the app and go through your bathroom cabinet ! You’d be surprised, let me know I’d love to hear about it. 

[tipsycad147]

Lavender and Aromatherapy

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Lavender is one of those scents that have the power to evoke the senses.  Most notably, feelings of relaxation and well-being.  In fact, it was long believed that Cleopatra’s secret weapon, in love, was Lavender.

Calm and refreshing it’s not surprising the word Lavender in Latin (Lavoie) means for wash or bathe.  Because of its sweet aroma, it was widely used in Europe as a herb to wash linen.  Later, Lavender’s antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties were discovered, giving rise to its use as an aid to bug bites, burns, and skin abrasions.  This essential oil is also used to repel mosquitoes.  Planting Lavender in one’s garden is a great way to naturally repel unwanted pests.  If you like to make your own honey, bees LOVE Lavender flowers or if you prefer to buy honey, you can make a Lavender honey infusion using dried Lavender buds (organic preferably).

Part of the Mint family, there are 39 known species of Lavender.  The most popular being Lavandula Angustifolia formerly L. Officinalis.  Native to the Western Mediterranean it is often referred to as True Lavender.  This species is highly favoured for its sweet aroma with minty and camphor undertones.  This species is grown at high altitudes which are responsible for its unmistakable sweet overtones.  In ancient Greece, Lavender was so highly favoured; sonnets and poems were written as a tribute.  Ancient Greeks referred to Lavender as nardus, after the Syrian city of Naarda.  We are so taken with this wonderful perennial we’ve even named a colour after it.

Lavender Essential Oil is used in Aromatherapy to relieve headaches, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. There are a variety of ways to employ its properties beyond using it as a flowering plant in your home or garden.  Try filling a sachet with Organic Lavender buds or use bath salts infused with Lavender essential oil in a warm bath.  You can use Lavender in an aromatic and relaxing candle or use loose Lavender buds in a sachet which can be placed in clothes drawers, hung in closets or over doorways.  Lavender buds release their aroma for long periods of time which allow you to take pleasure in this truly enjoyable and relaxing flowering plant.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is probably the most famous essential oil for relaxation and soothing nerves . . . if not the most famous essential oil hands down!

That’s because it’s gentle and so good for a wide range of issues.

Emotionally, it’s good for “calming the mind, comforting feelings and alleviating fears, while it is uplifting and revives the spirits.” (That’s from Salvatore Battaglia’s excellent book, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy.)

Below, I’ll share some of the many applications of Lavender essential oil, including when to use it and then some specific recipes that you can use in your Aromatherapy blends.

1. Help kids keep calm and collected with Lavender.

Lavender may be powerful, but it’s also very gentle, and it’s one of the oils I trust the most in blends for children.

Here’s an Aromatherapy inhaler recipe for kids (over five years old) who experience anxiety.

Ingredients

2 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

3 drops Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)

2 drops Tangerine (Citrus tangerina)

Want a version for grown-ups?

Ingredients

3 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

6 drops Juniper (Juniperus communis)

6 drops Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

2. Lavender keeps everything smelling fresh.

The word “lavender” comes from the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash.” That’s because, in Ancient Rome, it was used to help freshen laundry.

Lavender’s scent is strong yet soothing. How strong? Well, strong enough to sweeten laundry way back when! And I’m about to share a recipe for a bathroom spray, which has to have a strong sweet scent.

Ingredients

1 oz (30 ml) water

10 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

5 drops distilled Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)

Here’s a tip: Try this spray on your shower curtain and towels, so when you step into and out of the shower or wrap yourself up in a towel, you get a whiff of the aroma!

3. Lavender keeps sore muscles feeling fresh, too!

Lavender can support our wellness and can help with a variety of issues, including muscle pain and inflammation.

If you want to use Lavender in massage oil blend to ease tight muscles, here is a recipe I love!

Ingredients

1 oz (30 ml) Trauma Oil (This is olive oil infused with three healing herbs: arnica, St. John’s wort, and calendula.)

4 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

4 drops Ho Wood (Cinnamomum camphora ct. linalol)

5 drops Bergamot Mint (Mentha citrata)

5 drops Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

Directions Make your blend in a 1 oz (30 ml) glass bottle. Massage sore areas several times a day at the onset of pain. Continue until symptoms are eased

4. Lavender loves the skin!

It’s nourishing to most skin types, is soothing to bites, burns, scrapes, and bruises, and eases irritation, such as rashes. It is antiseptic, can help calm infection, and it has some antifungal properties. It helps to reduce scars and inflammation and promotes healthy skin.

Convinced yet?

It goes without saying that if you like Lavender, it’s a great choice for body butter and body oils. Shea butter and coconut oil are popular carriers, but there are a host of less common carrier oils and butter that have amazing skin nourishing properties that pair well with Lavender, too.

Here’s a recipe for body butter with some unique carriers (and qualities!).

Ingredients

1 oz (28 gm) Avocado Oil (Persea gratissima) – Increase skin’s hydration and elastic properties

1 oz (28 gm) baobab oil (Adansonia digitata) – Reduce scars and help cells regenerate

2 oz (56 gm) cocoa butter (Theobroma cacao) – Full of antioxidants, excellent for mature skin

1 oz (28 gm) marula oil (Sclerocarya birrea) – Promote the health of skin cell membranes

1 oz (28 gm) Beeswax (Cera Alba) – Softens skin, offers antioxidants

60 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – good for sore muscles, keeping you centred and focused (plus all the other benefits listed above!)

Each of these carriers has more therapeutic properties than I was able to list here, so I only highlighted a few. For example, they all soothe irritation, moisturise, and they’re all great for even sensitive skin.

The scent of this blend is like chocolate and Lavender—just delicious!

Lavender Oil

A whiff of lavender oil can trigger various sensations, and its sweet fragrance brings to mind rows and rows of beautiful blue-violet flowers under the summer sky. But if you look beyond lavender oil’s aroma, you’ll find that there’s more to it than meets the eye – or your sense of smell.

What Is Lavender?

Lavender oil comes from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), an easy-to-grow, evergreen shrub that produces clumps of beautiful, scented flowers above the green or silvery-grey foliage. The plant is native to northern Africa and the mountainous Mediterranean regions and thrives best in sunny, stony habitats. Today, it grows throughout southern Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years. Ancient Persians, Greeks, and Romans added the flowers to their bathwater to help wash and purify their skin. In fact, the word “lavender” comes from the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash.”

Phoenicians, Arabians, and Egyptians used lavender as a perfume, as well as for mummification – mummies were wrapped in lavender-dipped garments. In Greece and Rome, it was used as an all-around cure, while in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, it was scattered all over stone castle floors as a natural disinfectant and deodorant. Lavender was even used during the Great Plague of London in the 17th century. People fastened lavender flowers around their waists, believing it will protect them from the Black Death.

High-quality lavender oil has a sweet, floral, herbaceous, and slightly woody scent. Its colour can range from pale yellow to yellow-green, but it can also be colourless.

Uses of Lavender Oil

Both lavender and lavender oil are valued for their fragrance and versatility. The flowers are used in potpourris, crafting, and home décor, while the essential oil is added to bath and body care products, such as soaps, perfumes, household cleaners, and laundry detergent.

Lavender oil is known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. It also has antispasmodic, analgesic, detoxifying, hypotensive, and sedative effects. Lavender oil is one of the most well-known essential oils in aromatherapy, and can be:

Added to your bath or shower to relieve aching muscles and stress.

Massaged into your skin as a relief for muscle or joint pain, as well as for skin conditions like burns, acne, and wounds. Make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil.

Inhaled or vaporised. You can use an oil burner or add a few drops to a bowl of hot water, and then breathe in the steam.

Added to your hand or foot soak. Add a drop to a bowl of warm water before soaking your hands or feet.

Used as a compress by soaking a towel in a bowl of water infused with a few drops of lavender oil. Apply this to sprains or muscle injuries.

I also recommend adding lavender oil to your list of natural cleaning products. You can mix it with baking soda to make an all-natural antibacterial scrub for your bathroom and kitchen.

Composition of Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has a chemically complex structure with over 150 active constituents. This oil is rich in esters, which are aromatic molecules with antispasmodic (suppressing spasms and pain), calming, and stimulating properties.

The chief botanical constituents of lavender oil are linalyl acetate, linalool (non-toxic terpene alcohol that has natural germicidal properties), terpinen-4-ol, and camphor. Other constituents in lavender oil that are responsible for its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory properties include cis-ocimene, Lavandula acetate, 1,8-cineole, limonene, and geraniol.

Benefits of Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is known for its calming and relaxing properties and has been used for alleviating insomnia, anxiety, depression, restlessness, dental anxiety, and stress. It has also been proven effective for nearly all kinds of ailments, from pain to infections.

I am particularly fascinated by lavender oil’s potential in fighting antifungal-resistant skin and nail infections. Scientists from the University of Coimbra found that lavender oil is lethal to skin-pathogenic strains known as dermatophytes, as well as various Candida species. The study, published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, found that lavender oil kills fungi by damaging their cell walls (a mechanism that I believe could apply to bacteria and viruses as well). The best part is that this oil does not cause resistance, unlike antibiotics.

Lavender oil can also be used to:

Relieve pain. It can ease sore or tense muscles, joint pain and rheumatism, sprains, backache, and lumbago. Simply massage lavender oil onto the affected area. Lavender oil may also help lessen pain following needle insertion.

Treat various skin disorders like acne, psoriasis, eczema, and wrinkles. It also helps form scar tissues, which may be essential in healing wounds, cuts, according to Texas-based dermatologist Dr. Naila Malik, it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, so it helps reduce itching, swelling, and redness.

Keep your hair healthy. It helps kill lice, lice eggs, and nits. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCB) says that lavender is possibly effective for treating alopecia areata (hair loss), boosting hair growth by up to 44 percent after just seven months of treatment.

Improve your digestion. This oil helps to stimulate the mobility of your intestine and stimulates the production of bile and gastric juices, which may help treat stomach pain, indigestion, flatulence, colic, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Relieve respiratory disorders. Lavender oil can help alleviate respiratory problems like colds and flu, throat infections, cough, asthma, whooping cough, sinus congestion, bronchitis, tonsillitis, and laryngitis. It can be applied to your neck, chest, or back, or inhaled via steam inhalation or through a vaporiser.

Stimulates urine production, which helps restore hormonal balance, prevent cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder), and relieve cramps and other urinary disorders.

Improve your blood circulation. It helps lower elevated blood pressure levels and can be used for hypertension.

Lavender oil can help ward off mosquitoes and moths. It is actually used as an ingredient in some mosquito repellents.

How to Make Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is produced via steam distillation. The flowers are picked when they are in full bloom, where they contain the maximum amount of esters. It takes 150 pounds of lavender to produce just one pound of pure lavender essential oil.

You can also make a cold infusion by soaking lavender flowers in another oil.

Ingredients and Materials:

Dried lavender flowers

Mineral oil or olive oil

Jar

Cheesecloth or muslin

Sterilised bottle

Procedure:

Clean and dry your jar completely, and then place the dried lavender flowers in it. You should have enough flowers to fill your jar.

Pour the oil all over the flowers until they’re completely covered.

Put the jar in a place where it can get a good amount of sun, and let it sit for three to six weeks. The sunlight will help extract the oil from the flowers and infuse it with the base oil.

After three or six weeks, pour the oil through your cheesecloth and into a sterilised bottle.

How Does Lavender Oil Work?

Lavender oil’s effectiveness is said to be brought on by the psychological effects of its soothing and relaxing fragrance, combined with the physiological effects of its volatile oils on your limbic system.

Lavender oil’s effectiveness is said to be brought on by the psychological effects of its soothing and relaxing fragrance, combined with the physiological effects of its volatile oils on your limbic system.

Lavender oil can be applied topically or inhaled as a steam vapour. Although dried lavender flowers are can be made into lavender tea, I advise against ingesting the oil, as it may lead to side effects, such as difficulty breathing, burning eyes, and blurred vision, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Is Lavender Oil Safe?

I believe that using natural oils like lavender oil is one of the best holistic tactics that you can incorporate into your life. However, there are a few important guidelines to remember when using lavender oil.

Using diluted lavender oil topically or in aromatherapy is generally considered safe for most adults, but may not be recommended for children. Applying pure lavender oil to your skin (especially open wounds) may also cause irritation, so I recommend infusing it with a carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil. Dissolving it in water also works.

Be careful not to rub lavender oil in your eyes and mucous membranes. If this happens, wash it out immediately. Lavender oil may also cause allergic reactions in people with unusually sensitive skin, so do a spot test before using it. Simply apply a drop of lavender oil to your arm and see if any reaction occurs.

Side Effects of Lavender Oil

Some people may develop an allergic reaction to the lavender oil. There are also instances when people experience side effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and chills after inhaling or applying the oil topically.

I advise pregnant women and nursing moms to avoid using this oil, as the safety of lavender oil for these conditions hasn’t been identified. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) also warns against using lavender oil when taking medications like barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and chloral hydrate, as it may increase their sedative effects and cause extreme drowsiness and sleepiness.

Goddess Bless! GrannyMoon

★☽✪☾★ http://GoddessSchool.com https://twitter.com/GrannyMooninVA https://grannymoon.wordpress.com/

https://groups.io/g/HerbalWitchesCauldron/message/13962

[paleorecipecookbook]

Environmental Toxins: Steps for Decreasing Exposure and Increasing Detoxification

Earlier this year, I wrote an article about the hundreds of environmental toxins found in our bodies—in our blood and urine and in the umbilical cords of newborns. I covered how low doses of toxins can be harmful over time, how sometimes low doses can act differently in the body than high doses, and how we all have varying responses to toxins depending on genetics, gut health, detox capacity, and more. In the near future, hopefully we will be able to run a battery of tests that quickly determine individual susceptibility to mercury and other toxins. Based on those results, we could make customized diet and lifestyle recommendations. But in the meantime, we can all take four key steps to protect ourselves. This article will provide resources to guide you through decreasing your exposure to toxins and increasing your detoxification capacity.

4 steps to help protect yourself from environmental toxins

Step 1: Reduce exposure to toxins

You have a lot of control over what you are exposed to in the home, from cleaning products and personal care products to food storage. If you are using popular conventional products, the idea of changing them all according to recommendations below can be very overwhelming at first. I recommend starting with either what you believe will make the biggest difference or with what is the easiest change to make and then taking small steps from there. Cosmetic and personal care products What is applied to the skin may be more important than what we ingest. The gut is pretty good at blocking toxin absorption when it’s working properly. Through the skin, however, toxins can readily reach the bloodstream. Many common products we use daily are linked to allergies, endocrine disruption, and cancer, yet they continue to be sold and used by millions. Being cautious and particular about what products we buy and use is especially important for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. The Environmental Working Group provides a fantastic resource called Skin Deep, which critically evaluates specific products and brands and rates them on a safety concern scale from 1–10. Below are some examples of harmful ingredients that should be avoided:

Triclocarban and triclosan in soaps and toothpaste

Aluminum in deodorants/antiperspirants—I recommend Native Deodorant. It’s aluminium-free and contains only natural ingredients. This is what my wife and I both use now, and we love it.

Phthalates, parabens, and retinoids in moisturizers

Boric acid and BHA in diaper cream

PEGs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and siloxanes in makeup/cosmetics

Formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in nail polish

Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate in chemical-based sunscreens

If you are adventurous, Wellness Mama provides some great recipes for homemade foaming hand soap, body wash, deodorant, lotion, and even makeup. Essential oils are often suggested for homemade products, but they can be powerful and should be used with high discretion. Home cleaning products We think cleaning our homes contributes to good health, but many conventional home cleaning products contain carcinogens, irritate the respiratory system, and contribute to allergies. This large category includes air fresheners, bathroom cleaners, laundry products, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, floor care, furniture cleaner, and all-purpose cleaning products. According to an EWG assessment of more than 2,000 products, half didn’t adequately disclose ingredients, 75 percent contained ingredients that have worrisome respiratory health effects, and 25 percent scored moderate to high concern because ingredients or impurities in the products were linked to cancer. The EWG published a free guide to healthy cleaning products, using a rating system of A through F. Another option to consider is making your own home products. Most are easy to make and can often end up being cheaper than store-bought options. Mark Sisson provides a great guide to homemade natural cleaners, and Wellness Mama has several helpful posts on how to make your own or purchase safe products. Toxins in food Toxins are in our food, too—whether purposely added or contaminated through processing and packaging. The biggest offenders are discussed below. Pesticides. For avoiding pesticides and herbicides, organic, locally grown produce is the safest bet. The EWG publishes lists for the vegetables and fruits that have the highest pesticide levels, called the “Dirty Dozen,” and for those with the lowest levels, called the “Clean Fifteen.” Antibiotics. Organic meat and grass-fed red meat trump conventional meats nutrition-wise, and they are free from antibiotics and growth hormones. Heavy metals. While I believe concerns about mercury in fish are mostly misguided, I do recommend avoiding varieties such as shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel because they can contain far more mercury than selenium. Arsenic in rice (and products made with rice flour) is also a concern. I advise that adults limit rice intake to a few servings a week and that pregnant women and children under the age of two avoid rice altogether. Food additives. The EWG published a guide on the Dirty Dozen food additives and how to avoid them. The number one best way to stay clear of food additives is to avoid processed food completely. BPA and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals You would almost have to be living under a rock to not be aware of the dangers of bisphenol A, or BPA. I have written about the toxic effects of BPA here, here, and here. But BPA isn’t the only endocrine disruptor lurking in everyday plastics. The EWG provides a list of the twelve worst endocrine disruptors. Even BPA-free plastics can contain other bisphenols that may be just as hazardous (1). Below are ten tips for avoiding BPA and other endocrine disruptors:

Use stainless steel, glass, or aluminum for water bottles and food storage

Use parchment paper, beeswax, or recycled aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap

Avoid canned food products, as they are often lined with BPA or its relatives

Brew coffee in a glass French press instead of a percolator

Eat at home with fresh food ingredients, as studies show that people who do have lower levels of BPA (2)

Keep plastic out of the dishwasher, freezer, and microwaves, because hot and cold temperatures can release more phthalates

Do not drink canned soda or seltzer, because aluminum cans are often lined with BPA

Skip the receipt, which often contains BPA

Choose wood or cloth toys over plastic toys for kids

Talk to your dentist about sealants and composites, which often contain BPA

Drinking water The United States does have one of the safest drinking water systems in the world, but contamination still does occur. The EWG has identified 316 contaminants in the public water supply, 202 of which are unregulated. Infants, young people, pregnant women, the elderly, and people whose immune systems are compromised are disproportionately affected by contaminated water. Some of the toxins of concern include:

Pathogens (bacteria, parasites, viruses)

Heavy metals (copper and lead)

Nitrate (from chemical fertilizers and smoke)

Radon (radioactive gas)

Ensuring access to clean water is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your toxin exposure. Both the EWG and NSF have guides for choosing a water filter. Water filter types vary, from containers that sit on the counter to tanks under the sink to whole-house filtration systems. Indoor air A major source of indoor air pollution stems from water damage. The Federal Facilities Council estimated that 43 percent of current homes have water damage, while up to 85 percent have had past water damage (3). Once water damage occurs, mold can grow in 24 to 48 hours. Bacteria, actinomycetes, endotoxins, and microbial volatile organic compounds are also of concern. Air filters and air purifiers/sanitizers are two ways to improve the quality of indoor air. I shared some of my recommendations on choosing these systems in a previous post. A HEPA or charcoal filter will remove ultrafine particles like  , dust, and viruses from the air, while an air sanitizer will remove allergens, odors, and germs, as well as mold.

Step 2: Eat a nutrient-dense diet

The rise of processed, refined food paired with unprecedented toxin exposure is taking a toll on our bodies. In the first article of my series “9 Steps to Perfect Health,” I discussed the dangers of four toxins humans are now ingesting as food, sometimes as the bulk of their diets. These four “foods” can disrupt the gut, disturb endocrine function, increase inflammation, and ultimately lead to a laundry list of chronic diseases:

Cereal grains (especially refined flours)

Omega-6 industrial seed oils (corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, etc.)

Refined sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup)

Processed soy (soy milk, soy protein, soy flour, etc.)

In contrast, a Paleo diet will naturally support detoxification and health. Instead of focusing on macronutrients, put the focus on real, nutrient-dense whole foods. A Paleo diet is anti-inflammatory, reduces stress on the body, and provides important micronutrients that are required for detoxification, including but not limited to:

B vitamins – B6, B12, folate, niacin, riboflavin, biotin (dark leafy greens, fish)

Zinc (seafood, beef)

Magnesium (dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds)

Choline (liver, eggs)

Glycine (bone broth, cartilage)

Plant polyphenols (fruits and vegetables)

Step 3: Improve your gut health

As I mentioned earlier, the gut is terrific at removing ingested toxins (4, 5, 6), but only if it is working properly. Antibiotics, birth control, diets high in refined carbohydrates and industrial seed oils, chronic stress, and chronic infections all directly contribute to unhealthy gut flora. I have written extensively about the gut’s connection to the skin, heart, thyroid, brain, and more. Healing and maintaining your gut microbiome is vital to overall health. Including the following in your diet will help promote gut health:

Probiotics or fermented foods. Sauerkraut, beet kvass, and kimchi are a few examples. Probiotic supplements are also available, but they will not have the same diversity as eating a variety of naturally fermented foods will.

Prebiotics are even better than probiotics at promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria (7). Fruits and vegetables high in soluble fiber like sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and avocados are prebiotic. Prebiogen is my preferred prebiotic supplement.

Resistant starch. Cooked and cooled potatoes, if you tolerate them, provide resistant starch. More concentrated doses can be obtained from potato starch.

Avoiding antibiotics unless absolutely necessary will keep your gut microbiome robust, but if you must treat with antibiotics, read my guide on how to mitigate the damage.

Step 4: Improve your detox capacity

Detoxification happens mostly in the liver, through three phases (8, 9). Phase 1 begins to process the toxin, often creating free radicals and other more harmful substances. In Phase 2, products are further broken down into water-soluble compounds. Phase 3 moves remaining products out of the cells to be excreted. The three detox phases involve a complicated network of biochemical reactions, which are assisted by dozens of cofactors, enzymes, and more. Although an intricate process, there are several ways to improve and support your detoxification capacity. Support methylation Methylation is one of the conjugation reactions in Phase 2. Methylation requires B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, choline, glycine, betaine, and methionine to function properly, along with methylation adaptogens found in certain fruits and vegetables. As I mentioned in a previous section, those on a Paleo diet who eat a wide variety of foods are probably getting adequate levels of these nutrients, but not always. If you have heavy metal toxicity or chronic infections, impaired methylation might be an underlying cause. To test for methylation status, the Methylation Pathways Panel from Health Diagnostics and Research Institute or the Methylation Panel from Doctor’s Data are both viable options to get an idea of where methylation might need support. You might have heard of methylation in the context of MTHFR gene mutations. The MTHFR gene codes for an enzyme that adds a methyl group to folic acid, converting it to the more usable form, folate. A current trend is for people to identify their MTHFR gene mutations through a DNA kit from 23andme and then supplement based on the results. Although a surprisingly high percentage of people do have a MTHFR gene mutation, supplementation based on this alone isn’t the way to go. Some with mutations will have very good methylation status, while others might not. Furthermore, MTHFR isn’t the only enzyme involved in methylation. Therefore, I highly recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner to get the whole picture through methylation panels and more before supplementing. Many health problems are associated with overmethylation, including cancer, autoimmune disease, and allergies (10, 11, 12). Methylation is also required to produce glutathione, which is a major molecule in the detoxification cycle and an important antioxidant (13). Many nutrient-dense foods provide glutathione precursors, but in particular, whey from raw dairy or whey protein is a good source. Those with autoimmune diseases likely have glutathione deficiency. One way to test for this would be a urine organic acids panel from Genova or Metametrix, which identifies the levels of byproducts of reactions involved in glutathione regulation. Supplement To support overall liver function, the supplement I most often suggest is Pure Encapsulations DIM Detox. This supplement contains:

DIM, or diindolylmethane, which promotes healthy estrogen metabolism and cell cycle activity

Calcium D-glucarate, which promotes healthy hormone detox

Milk thistle extract, which supports phase 2 detox and helps metabolize estrogen (14)

Alpha-lipoic acid and N-acetylcysteine, which support phase 2 detox

Taurine, glycine, and methionine, which are amino acids that support phase 2 detox and healthy cell metabolism

Sweat Toxins that the liver and kidneys cannot properly detox can sometimes be expelled through sweating. This is a bit of a controversial topic, but there is evidence of heavy metals, BPA, and flame retardants found in sweat (15, 16, 17). Work up a sweat during regular exercise, or frequent a sauna. Mark Sisson has laid out the many benefits of saunas beyond boosting detox. Proper hydration is especially important for exercise or sauna use, but it is vital for everyone, since we release toxins through urine. I don’t like to provide a specific number of ounces of water per day. Don’t force water, but listen to your body and look for markers of dehydration, like dark-colored or infrequent urination. Manage stress Stress management is a core aspect of a Paleo lifestyle and is something I have written about many times. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels with dire health consequences, including a weakened immune system, hormonal imbalances, mood disorders, and decreased detox capacity. In our ever-increasingly busy world, it’s still important to find time to wind down and relax, even if it means cutting back and saying “no” sometimes. Incorporating regular stress management practices like meditation, yoga, tai chi, or progressive relaxation can provide many benefits. Get enough sleep Almost one-third of Americans are getting six or fewer hours of sleep per night (18). Sleep deprivation increases inflammation (19) and impairs the immune system, which negatively impacts the body’s ability to detox. Research indicates that during sleep, neurotoxic waste products are eliminated from the brain, pointing to a direct role for sleep in detoxification (20). Our circadian rhythms also can help regulate liver detoxification (21). Here are some of my best tips for getting enough sleep:

Avoid artificial light from screens at least an hour before bed

Minimize all artificial light exposure in the late evening hours

Sleep in a dark, relatively cool room (68–70F)

Take a hot bath before bed

Keep electronics out of the bedroom

I hope these four steps will help jump start your journey toward minimizing your exposure to toxins and maximizing your detox capacity. Now I want to hear from you. Which step will be most challenging for you? What changes have you already made? Let us know in the comments!  

Source: http://chriskresser.com May 17, 2017 at 04:40AM

[real-words-from-rahema]

Thailand and Kenya: Elephants and Politics

My mother at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya. 

Thailand, a mystical land, filled with vibrant shrines of jade and gold, sweet dishes of rice, noodles, chicken, and fish, festive night markets and diverse peoples. Though most people prefer the less hectic scene of Chiang Mai or the beautiful beach views in Krabi, Bangkok was my favorite part. I love big cities just as much as I love Caribbean islands so a metropolitan city with an island vibe is certain type of heaven for me.

Adventure and familiarity both filled my senses. Vendors crowded the streets with fried banana, cassava, passion fruit juice and grilled meat. People moved slowly and often opened their shops long after their posted hours. Natives were happy to help me even if they didn’t speak English. This all brought back memories of the Caribbean to my mind.

Even with the familiar feel, adventure stirred up around me. Getting around alone in a country where you don't know the language is an adventure in itself, and then there is adventure in the traditional sense like hiking through the jungle, rafting and riding elephants. That last one may sound like the simplest event but it was actually the scariest.

My elephant friend Tony was not fond of the path chosen for us to trek and kept going into the sugar cane fields to eat. There was no rope so my guide worked to get his attention by calling his name, then tried patting his side and eventually bribing him with more sugar cane. Elephants as you all know are huge and again there was no rope or saddle or anything so the whole time I was calculating just how hurt I would be if I fell off. I tried to focus on the elephant itself and think about how it’s such a beautiful animal in order to subside my fear and finish the path. I know I look happy in those photos you saw but I was scared as heck.

I also experienced some culture shock in Thailand but not in the way you would expect. I was taken aback by how prominent beauty advertisements were, specifically beauty ads that focused on skin lightening. At least 90% of the soaps, lotions, and deodorants I saw in the stores had skin lightening agents and I’m not exaggerating when I say 90%. I was forced to use vaseline for a moisturizer because I couldn’t find any that didn’t say “White” or “White and Bright” or “White Overnight” on them. They also have facilities in the malls in which a person can get “Barbie Eyes” in just a few hours. Thailand is a very brown place and seeing these products in stores and on billboards made me wonder about the self esteem of people there. The commercials and shows I saw made me even more curious. In Bangkok the only time I saw a brown person in an advertisement was when they were playing cavemen. I did though see a trailer for a local movie that actually had Thai looking people in it - brown people with broad noses. It is a comedy, but it’s a start.

Positive culture shock I experienced related to how safe I felt in Thailand. I witnessed absolutely no street harassment, I was able to leave my bike on the side of the road unlocked and come back to it. I could walk back from the train station at 11pm and feel no sense of danger whatsoever. I was curious to know what aspect of the culture made things this way. Was it the religion there? Politics? Fear of strict laws? I’m interested in digging deeper to see if this is something that can be replicated elsewhere.

While the beauty standards put a bit of a damper on my time there, I enjoyed everything else about Thailand and hope to gather some folks together to go again soon!

My students and I in the Kibera neighborhood of Nairobi. 

Kenya; amazing landscapes, politically inclined people, hectic traffic, swirling red dust. It’s a complicated place and I had a complicated experience there.

Firstly Nairobi was cold. It was cold ya’ll, how is Africa cold?? I mean I knew South Africa got cold, but like Kenya? I didn't realize that Nairobi was situated in the highlands thus has a cooler temperature than other parts of the country. I had lots of feelings especially since I had just sent my jacket back home while in Thailand. Now it wasn’t freezing cold, but you must understand my definition of cold has changed a bit since traveling. It was about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) when I landed and I’ll just say that’s not what I expected. Luckily I did experience some heat later in my trip when I went to visit the coast (If you are ever in Kenya you HAVE to go to Mombasa).

And there were so many things I didn’t expect. The prevalence of interracial dating for instance. I stayed in a house with 3 African women my first month there and they were all dating white men. As I met more Kenyans I learned that this was a very common occurence. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it necessarily but I was definitely surprised by it.

I was also surprised by the concept of tribalism. Tribalism is very similar to racism except that the discrimination is between tribes (ethnicities) rather than races. In Kenya there are two tribes that have held governmental power since the country’s independence, this has caused anguish for the other 41 tribes in the country. In my conversations with people I’ve learned how tribalism impacts people’s ability to get employment because people want to hire people from their own tribe, and how it impacts the way people live which is seen when you look at which tribes populate the slums (extremely impoverished neighborhoods).

My foreign eyes watched through glass as Kenya struggled through an election between Uhuru Kenyatta (part of the ruling Kikuyu tribe) and Raila Odinga (member of nonruling Luo tribe). Though Kenyatta was voted in August 8th, Odinga brought a case to the supreme court accusing the election committee of inconsistencies and irregularities in their delineation of the voting process. Odinga won this case and a new election date was set for October 26th. There was much excitement about this at first, but when no changes were made to the election committee, opposition supporters (Odinga supporters) realized that there would be no change in the election process and instead moved to protest the election altogether. Despite this protest Kenyatta was voted in again and another case was brought to the supreme court in regards to the election process, but this time the case was dismissed.

During this time I saw totally different realities in Nairobi. The more affluent parts of the city were just as quiet and peaceful as they were before the election, but I saw protests, fires, looting, police brutality and inhaled tear gas in the slum I was volunteering in. I wondered what the children thought. I wondered what people thought of me as I have the physical appearance of a Kikuyu. I wondered when things would be different for the 41 tribes.

This experience further solidified my idea that even when race is not an issue for some reason people always find a way to differentiate themselves from others. People use class, religion, culture, language, geographic areas, sexuality, perceived intelligence, among other things to differentiate. Clearly it's not these concepts that are the issue, but rather power and fear are the true issues here - the desire for power and the fear of losing it. Thus it is up to the people currently in power to relinquish that, making things more fair for all - it’s actually in their best interest to. I had so many other experiences in Kenya; beach life on the coast, precious moments with children, complicated relationships, but the political scene stands out in my mind and shifted my view of what freedom and peace are and how to go about creating it in the world. More on that next time.

Peace and Positive Vibes,

Alicia-Rahema Mooltrey

www.killyourfears.org

[theperfectorpage]

French Cult Beauty Products

Bonjour, Ladies!

During my last trip to Paris, beauty was on my mind. And how could it not be? The city is essentially a big arena where beautiful food, beautiful architecture and beautiful people are all sparring for first place for the “Most Charming Award”— and they ALL win. It’s beautiful, but more than that it is CHARMING. The city really knows how to woo you. And at the top of the Charming list, are the people. The Parisian women know how to be exquisitely beautiful, but in an understated, “not trying” kind of way. When I asked women on the street and in beauty shops what their philosophy on beauty was, most responded that the French never compromise luxury, never ever. They buy classics, and stick to the classics, while ignoring trends. They never “push it” when it comes to beauty, either. When they apply makeup, it’s never to change themselves, it’s only used to “freshen up” their looks. Parisians believe “less is more.” They embrace their flaws and use them to their advantage because they believe their “flaws make them more interesting to look at.”

Ask any Parisian woman what’s in her skincare arsenal, and she’ll reply (in French, of course) that most of her skincare can be picked up at a French pharmacy (“pharmacie” to them)! Because the French have a big secret, which is that their Pharmacies are very unlike our Pharmacies. Their drugstores carry products, with a fair price tag, that are dripping in luxury! They carry quality products that genuinely work. They’re also usually free of alcohols, parabens. harsh chemicals and unnecessary fragrances. Next time you’re in Paris, make sure you stock up. Not going? You definitely should! But until you do, ask your friend who’s going to bring you back some.

Now that their secret is out, here are my (and their) favorites:

Bioderma:

Soap-free and hypoallergenic, Bioderma is the Micellar Water to beat. It removes layers of makeup without being the least bit drying. It preserves the natural (good) oils on your skin, while dissolving the bad (pollutants and dirt) that damage your skin. You want that J.Lo Glow? Then get some Bioderma and use it religiously! You can use it before cleansing, to remove makeup or after as a toner— because this stuff balances your skin’s PH, too! I use it morning and night— and sometimes midday when my face needs a redo!

This is my most purchased French product. I can’t sing its praises enough! I recommend it to anyone and everyone. And I’m recommending it to you, too! Do it. Do it now.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre:

This is the cream that makeup artists swear by to create a smooth, hydrated canvas. It’s also in the beauty bags of models, actresses and plain old beauty product lovers. It’s tried and true, folks! Since it’s birth in 1950, it’s wowed users as being a cream that can also act as makeup remover, cleansing lotion, makeup primer, and just a really fulfilling facial moisturizer. It’s fast drying and not overwhelmingly thick, but also protects your skin’s barrier so you retain much needed hydration.

I just purchased my third bottle of Embryolisse and I’m not stopping anytime soon. I use it underneath my foundation (always) and on days when I’m EXTRA dry, I even mix a pea-sized amount with my foundation. I love the dewy glow it provides!

Caudalie:

The new kid on the skincare block, at least here in the States, is an herbed skin spritzer. A completely refreshing way to apply hydration throughout the day. I love it in a purse-sized bottle so I can stay dewy throughout the day. Because parched skin is dull skin.

At the top of the skin-spritzing list stands Caudalie Beauty Elixir mist. Smelling intriguingly medicinal and feeling chilly and fresh. I spritz this immediately after cleansing, again after moisturizing, again after applying makeup and throughout the day again and again and again— because I live in the dessert and this dry air just won’t quit! This Beauty Elixir Mist is Caudalie’s bread and butter— their #1 seller.

Another French crowd pleaser is the Caudalie Vine(Activ) Overnight Detox Oil. This oil is totally plant based, and why wouldn’t it be? The Parisians love natural skincare as much as they love their croissants and daily espresso. This oil targets anti-aging pollutants and stressors in the skin, which helps to rid your skin of impurities, all while you sleep. It aids in bringing youth to your complexion by creating smooth, bright skin. Whoever said the Fountain of Youth was fictional didn’t know about this stuff.

Avene:

First thing I noticed upon entering my first French Pharmacie, was a tall stack of thermal sprays, also, hoards of tourists (and natives) grabbing them up by the armful. What is a thermal spray, you ask? Well it’s mineral water that comes from a hot spring, is loaded with beneficial natural ingredients, then is bottled in an aerosol can for easy applying. It seems gimmicky, at least it did to me. But I researched a lot about French beauty, and thermal water was at the top of each list. The benefits include hydrating the skin, because most people have dehydrated skin. It offers protection from UV damage, since most sprays are high in zinc, copper and selenium. It also decreases inflammation, soothes skin and keeps you looking and feeling ultra fresh.

Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water is the measuring stick for which each and every thermal spray should be measured against. It is the game changer. It can be used after cleansing, after working out, after shaving. It can be used to treat allergic reactions, redness and even diaper rashes. If you have itchy skin, use it. If you have wounded skin, use it. Use it at the beginning, end and all throughout your day. This spray also has the boasting power of being sold every two second, worldwide. True story. I saw this stuff being sold in Costco sized six-packs, while in France, so you KNOW its a crowd pleaser. If you can get your hands on some, purchase it in bulk!

Nuxe dry oil:

A multi purpose oil for face, body and hair. This oil lines the shelves at any and every store in Paris. It also lines the walls of each and every article on French Pharmacy products I’ve read. No, really! I can’t believe how present the Nuxe oil is in France. It made me think I was missing out on a big secret. It smells incredibly fresh and is lightweight— and could be the next big thing for your beauty regimen.

If using on your face, I find success in mixing a few drops in with my normal moisturizer— then work into my skin in an outward motion. It results in incredible supple, soft skin. If you have chapped lips, apply a drop of Nuxe oil, then seal the moisture with a thin layer of Vaseline over top. The same idea applies for body moisturizing— apply the oil on your driest areas (knees, ankles, elbows, dry patches) then seal that hydration in with a body cream over top. If you’re wanting luxe locks, spray Nuxe oil onto a natural bristle brush and comb through your hair, paying specific attention to your ends.

Sanoflore 24 Roll-on Deodorant:

For all of my natural-loving ladies, this deodorant is the one for you! I hate deodorants that smell too natural (i.e. “herby”) and I also hate smelling like a flower or baby powder. This smells fresh, clean and powdery. This is a more-natural option for staying safe and healthy, while preventing the annoying side effects of sweating. Deodorants (anti-perspirants) that we’re used to in the U.S. are banned in Europe because of the toxins and contaminates they contain. Yikes. This is aluminum free, non-toxic and the best non-antiperspirant deodorant I’ve encountered.

Clemascience Pomissime La Fabuleuse:

I spent a good majority of my time in Paris at beauty product stores and pharmacies asking actual Parisians what their favorite products were and asking store clerks what the best selling items were. This body and face cream was one such best selling item. The particular madame I asked responded without hesitation that the cream was not only her store’s best seller, but a best seller in all of France. It’s sold for skin ranging from normal to sensitive to aging— and provides almost instant radiance.

This lotion includes an ingredient that is becoming mainstream in skincare today— snail slime. That is not a joke. I kind of wish it were, though. It would make sense that escargot-eating Parisians WOULD use snail slime in skincare, but almost everyone else is doing it, too. Snail secretion is the NEXT BIG THING in skincare technology. Snail slime contains powerful peptides and hyaluronic acid. It also helps to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in your skin. It can also help to treat dry skin, wrinkles, acne scars, rosacea and age spots. No wonder this cream is a national best seller! Get slimin’ kids!

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk:

This dry shampoo has been on my radar since I started seeing it in US stores and in beauty related articles and blogs. Before visiting France I had yet to try it, however. It is an award-winning hair powder that absorbs oil, adds volume and texture, and lengthens the life of your blowout. The ultra-fine powder doesn’t weigh down your hair and it smells INCREDIBLE. It’s non-drying formula contains oat milk to provide added hydration. I have found my Holy Grail dry shampoo, folks. Her name is Klorane. This dry shampoo wins all the awards in my book.

A french girl tip I picked up, is to spray it in your fringe, crown and at the base of your hairline— the “oily” areas. Then shake your hands through in a pumping motion, creating texture, volume and a controlled mess. Those Parisians know how to create the perfect “on purpose bedhead.” I think their big hair secret is Klorane.

Paris is such a hub for beauty and inspiration. For years we’ve obsessed over their breads, pastries and cheeses —as well as their perfumes, lipsticks and fashion. The next big thing Americans are tapping into is their skincare products that, yes, can be found in a regular old pharmacy. So whether you’re going to visit France, or you’re just going to scour the internet until you find these French secrets— find a way to get them. These products won’t disappoint!

And if you’re already a passenger on the French Pharmacy bandwagon, comment below which products are your favorite! I’d absolutely love to hear your experience with them!

Until next time, Au Revoir!

Xoxo,

Amy

French Cult Beauty Products posted first on http://ift.tt/2u0M9RP

[rachelmorris305]

French Cult Beauty Products

Bonjour, Ladies!

During my last trip to Paris, beauty was on my mind. And how could it not be? The city is essentially a big arena where beautiful food, beautiful architecture and beautiful people are all sparring for first place for the “Most Charming Award”— and they ALL win. It’s beautiful, but more than that it is CHARMING. The city really knows how to woo you. And at the top of the Charming list, are the people. The Parisian women know how to be exquisitely beautiful, but in an understated, “not trying” kind of way. When I asked women on the street and in beauty shops what their philosophy on beauty was, most responded that the French never compromise luxury, never ever. They buy classics, and stick to the classics, while ignoring trends. They never “push it” when it comes to beauty, either. When they apply makeup, it’s never to change themselves, it’s only used to “freshen up” their looks. Parisians believe “less is more.” They embrace their flaws and use them to their advantage because they believe their “flaws make them more interesting to look at.”

Ask any Parisian woman what’s in her skincare arsenal, and she’ll reply (in French, of course) that most of her skincare can be picked up at a French pharmacy (“pharmacie” to them)! Because the French have a big secret, which is that their Pharmacies are very unlike our Pharmacies. Their drugstores carry products, with a fair price tag, that are dripping in luxury! They carry quality products that genuinely work. They’re also usually free of alcohols, parabens. harsh chemicals and unnecessary fragrances. Next time you’re in Paris, make sure you stock up. Not going? You definitely should! But until you do, ask your friend who’s going to bring you back some.

Now that their secret is out, here are my (and their) favorites:

Bioderma:

Soap-free and hypoallergenic, Bioderma is the Micellar Water to beat. It removes layers of makeup without being the least bit drying. It preserves the natural (good) oils on your skin, while dissolving the bad (pollutants and dirt) that damage your skin. You want that J.Lo Glow? Then get some Bioderma and use it religiously! You can use it before cleansing, to remove makeup or after as a toner— because this stuff balances your skin’s PH, too! I use it morning and night— and sometimes midday when my face needs a redo!

This is my most purchased French product. I can’t sing its praises enough! I recommend it to anyone and everyone. And I’m recommending it to you, too! Do it. Do it now.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre:

This is the cream that makeup artists swear by to create a smooth, hydrated canvas. It’s also in the beauty bags of models, actresses and plain old beauty product lovers. It’s tried and true, folks! Since it’s birth in 1950, it’s wowed users as being a cream that can also act as makeup remover, cleansing lotion, makeup primer, and just a really fulfilling facial moisturizer. It’s fast drying and not overwhelmingly thick, but also protects your skin’s barrier so you retain much needed hydration.

I just purchased my third bottle of Embryolisse and I’m not stopping anytime soon. I use it underneath my foundation (always) and on days when I’m EXTRA dry, I even mix a pea-sized amount with my foundation. I love the dewy glow it provides!

Caudalie:

The new kid on the skincare block, at least here in the States, is an herbed skin spritzer. A completely refreshing way to apply hydration throughout the day. I love it in a purse-sized bottle so I can stay dewy throughout the day. Because parched skin is dull skin.

At the top of the skin-spritzing list stands Caudalie Beauty Elixir mist. Smelling intriguingly medicinal and feeling chilly and fresh. I spritz this immediately after cleansing, again after moisturizing, again after applying makeup and throughout the day again and again and again— because I live in the dessert and this dry air just won’t quit! This Beauty Elixir Mist is Caudalie’s bread and butter— their #1 seller.

Another French crowd pleaser is the Caudalie Vine(Activ) Overnight Detox Oil. This oil is totally plant based, and why wouldn’t it be? The Parisians love natural skincare as much as they love their croissants and daily espresso. This oil targets anti-aging pollutants and stressors in the skin, which helps to rid your skin of impurities, all while you sleep. It aids in bringing youth to your complexion by creating smooth, bright skin. Whoever said the Fountain of Youth was fictional didn’t know about this stuff.

Avene:

First thing I noticed upon entering my first French Pharmacie, was a tall stack of thermal sprays, also, hoards of tourists (and natives) grabbing them up by the armful. What is a thermal spray, you ask? Well it’s mineral water that comes from a hot spring, is loaded with beneficial natural ingredients, then is bottled in an aerosol can for easy applying. It seems gimmicky, at least it did to me. But I researched a lot about French beauty, and thermal water was at the top of each list. The benefits include hydrating the skin, because most people have dehydrated skin. It offers protection from UV damage, since most sprays are high in zinc, copper and selenium. It also decreases inflammation, soothes skin and keeps you looking and feeling ultra fresh.

Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water is the measuring stick for which each and every thermal spray should be measured against. It is the game changer. It can be used after cleansing, after working out, after shaving. It can be used to treat allergic reactions, redness and even diaper rashes. If you have itchy skin, use it. If you have wounded skin, use it. Use it at the beginning, end and all throughout your day. This spray also has the boasting power of being sold every two second, worldwide. True story. I saw this stuff being sold in Costco sized six-packs, while in France, so you KNOW its a crowd pleaser. If you can get your hands on some, purchase it in bulk!

Nuxe dry oil:

A multi purpose oil for face, body and hair. This oil lines the shelves at any and every store in Paris. It also lines the walls of each and every article on French Pharmacy products I’ve read. No, really! I can’t believe how present the Nuxe oil is in France. It made me think I was missing out on a big secret. It smells incredibly fresh and is lightweight— and could be the next big thing for your beauty regimen.

If using on your face, I find success in mixing a few drops in with my normal moisturizer— then work into my skin in an outward motion. It results in incredible supple, soft skin. If you have chapped lips, apply a drop of Nuxe oil, then seal the moisture with a thin layer of Vaseline over top. The same idea applies for body moisturizing— apply the oil on your driest areas (knees, ankles, elbows, dry patches) then seal that hydration in with a body cream over top. If you’re wanting luxe locks, spray Nuxe oil onto a natural bristle brush and comb through your hair, paying specific attention to your ends.

Sanoflore 24 Roll-on Deodorant:

For all of my natural-loving ladies, this deodorant is the one for you! I hate deodorants that smell too natural (i.e. “herby”) and I also hate smelling like a flower or baby powder. This smells fresh, clean and powdery. This is a more-natural option for staying safe and healthy, while preventing the annoying side effects of sweating. Deodorants (anti-perspirants) that we’re used to in the U.S. are banned in Europe because of the toxins and contaminates they contain. Yikes. This is aluminum free, non-toxic and the best non-antiperspirant deodorant I’ve encountered.

Clemascience Pomissime La Fabuleuse:

I spent a good majority of my time in Paris at beauty product stores and pharmacies asking actual Parisians what their favorite products were and asking store clerks what the best selling items were. This body and face cream was one such best selling item. The particular madame I asked responded without hesitation that the cream was not only her store’s best seller, but a best seller in all of France. It’s sold for skin ranging from normal to sensitive to aging— and provides almost instant radiance.

This lotion includes an ingredient that is becoming mainstream in skincare today— snail slime. That is not a joke. I kind of wish it were, though. It would make sense that escargot-eating Parisians WOULD use snail slime in skincare, but almost everyone else is doing it, too. Snail secretion is the NEXT BIG THING in skincare technology. Snail slime contains powerful peptides and hyaluronic acid. It also helps to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in your skin. It can also help to treat dry skin, wrinkles, acne scars, rosacea and age spots. No wonder this cream is a national best seller! Get slimin’ kids!

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk:

This dry shampoo has been on my radar since I started seeing it in US stores and in beauty related articles and blogs. Before visiting France I had yet to try it, however. It is an award-winning hair powder that absorbs oil, adds volume and texture, and lengthens the life of your blowout. The ultra-fine powder doesn’t weigh down your hair and it smells INCREDIBLE. It’s non-drying formula contains oat milk to provide added hydration. I have found my Holy Grail dry shampoo, folks. Her name is Klorane. This dry shampoo wins all the awards in my book.

A french girl tip I picked up, is to spray it in your fringe, crown and at the base of your hairline— the “oily” areas. Then shake your hands through in a pumping motion, creating texture, volume and a controlled mess. Those Parisians know how to create the perfect “on purpose bedhead.” I think their big hair secret is Klorane.

Paris is such a hub for beauty and inspiration. For years we’ve obsessed over their breads, pastries and cheeses —as well as their perfumes, lipsticks and fashion. The next big thing Americans are tapping into is their skincare products that, yes, can be found in a regular old pharmacy. So whether you’re going to visit France, or you’re just going to scour the internet until you find these French secrets— find a way to get them. These products won’t disappoint!

And if you’re already a passenger on the French Pharmacy bandwagon, comment below which products are your favorite! I’d absolutely love to hear your experience with them!

Until next time, Au Revoir!

Xoxo,

Awesome post by Barefoot Blonde

[denisalvney]

Environmental Toxins: Steps for Decreasing Exposure and Increasing Detoxification

Earlier this year, I wrote an article about the hundreds of environmental toxins found in our bodies—in our blood and urine and in the umbilical cords of newborns. I covered how low doses of toxins can be harmful over time, how sometimes low doses can act differently in the body than high doses, and how we all have varying responses to toxins depending on genetics, gut health, detox capacity, and more. In the near future, hopefully we will be able to run a battery of tests that quickly determine individual susceptibility to mercury and other toxins. Based on those results, we could make customized diet and lifestyle recommendations. But in the meantime, we can all take four key steps to protect ourselves. This article will provide resources to guide you through decreasing your exposure to toxins and increasing your detoxification capacity.

4 steps to help protect yourself from environmental toxins

Step 1: Reduce exposure to toxins

You have a lot of control over what you are exposed to in the home, from cleaning products and personal care products to food storage. If you are using popular conventional products, the idea of changing them all according to recommendations below can be very overwhelming at first. I recommend starting with either what you believe will make the biggest difference or with what is the easiest change to make and then taking small steps from there. Cosmetic and personal care products What is applied to the skin may be more important than what we ingest. The gut is pretty good at blocking toxin absorption when it’s working properly. Through the skin, however, toxins can readily reach the bloodstream. Many common products we use daily are linked to allergies, endocrine disruption, and cancer, yet they continue to be sold and used by millions. Being cautious and particular about what products we buy and use is especially important for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. The Environmental Working Group provides a fantastic resource called Skin Deep, which critically evaluates specific products and brands and rates them on a safety concern scale from 1–10. Below are some examples of harmful ingredients that should be avoided:

Triclocarban and triclosan in soaps and toothpaste

Aluminum in deodorants/antiperspirants—I recommend Native Deodorant. It’s aluminium-free and contains only natural ingredients. This is what my wife and I both use now, and we love it.

Phthalates, parabens, and retinoids in moisturizers

Boric acid and BHA in diaper cream

PEGs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and siloxanes in makeup/cosmetics

Formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in nail polish

Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate in chemical-based sunscreens

If you are adventurous, Wellness Mama provides some great recipes for homemade foaming hand soap, body wash, deodorant, lotion, and even makeup. Essential oils are often suggested for homemade products, but they can be powerful and should be used with high discretion. Home cleaning products We think cleaning our homes contributes to good health, but many conventional home cleaning products contain carcinogens, irritate the respiratory system, and contribute to allergies. This large category includes air fresheners, bathroom cleaners, laundry products, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, floor care, furniture cleaner, and all-purpose cleaning products. According to an EWG assessment of more than 2,000 products, half didn’t adequately disclose ingredients, 75 percent contained ingredients that have worrisome respiratory health effects, and 25 percent scored moderate to high concern because ingredients or impurities in the products were linked to cancer. The EWG published a free guide to healthy cleaning products, using a rating system of A through F. Another option to consider is making your own home products. Most are easy to make and can often end up being cheaper than store-bought options. Mark Sisson provides a great guide to homemade natural cleaners, and Wellness Mama has several helpful posts on how to make your own or purchase safe products. Toxins in food Toxins are in our food, too—whether purposely added or contaminated through processing and packaging. The biggest offenders are discussed below. Pesticides. For avoiding pesticides and herbicides, organic, locally grown produce is the safest bet. The EWG publishes lists for the vegetables and fruits that have the highest pesticide levels, called the “Dirty Dozen,” and for those with the lowest levels, called the “Clean Fifteen.” Antibiotics. Organic meat and grass-fed red meat trump conventional meats nutrition-wise, and they are free from antibiotics and growth hormones. Heavy metals. While I believe concerns about mercury in fish are mostly misguided, I do recommend avoiding varieties such as shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel because they can contain far more mercury than selenium. Arsenic in rice (and products made with rice flour) is also a concern. I advise that adults limit rice intake to a few servings a week and that pregnant women and children under the age of two avoid rice altogether. Food additives. The EWG published a guide on the Dirty Dozen food additives and how to avoid them. The number one best way to stay clear of food additives is to avoid processed food completely. BPA and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals You would almost have to be living under a rock to not be aware of the dangers of bisphenol A, or BPA. I have written about the toxic effects of BPA here, here, and here. But BPA isn’t the only endocrine disruptor lurking in everyday plastics. The EWG provides a list of the twelve worst endocrine disruptors. Even BPA-free plastics can contain other bisphenols that may be just as hazardous (1). Below are ten tips for avoiding BPA and other endocrine disruptors:

Use stainless steel, glass, or aluminum for water bottles and food storage

Use parchment paper, beeswax, or recycled aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap

Avoid canned food products, as they are often lined with BPA or its relatives

Brew coffee in a glass French press instead of a percolator

Eat at home with fresh food ingredients, as studies show that people who do have lower levels of BPA (2)

Keep plastic out of the dishwasher, freezer, and microwaves, because hot and cold temperatures can release more phthalates

Do not drink canned soda or seltzer, because aluminum cans are often lined with BPA

Skip the receipt, which often contains BPA

Choose wood or cloth toys over plastic toys for kids

Talk to your dentist about sealants and composites, which often contain BPA

Drinking water The United States does have one of the safest drinking water systems in the world, but contamination still does occur. The EWG has identified 316 contaminants in the public water supply, 202 of which are unregulated. Infants, young people, pregnant women, the elderly, and people whose immune systems are compromised are disproportionately affected by contaminated water. Some of the toxins of concern include:

Pathogens (bacteria, parasites, viruses)

Heavy metals (copper and lead)

Nitrate (from chemical fertilizers and smoke)

Radon (radioactive gas)

Ensuring access to clean water is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your toxin exposure. Both the EWG and NSF have guides for choosing a water filter. Water filter types vary, from containers that sit on the counter to tanks under the sink to whole-house filtration systems. Indoor air A major source of indoor air pollution stems from water damage. The Federal Facilities Council estimated that 43 percent of current homes have water damage, while up to 85 percent have had past water damage (3). Once water damage occurs, mold can grow in 24 to 48 hours. Bacteria, actinomycetes, endotoxins, and microbial volatile organic compounds are also of concern. Air filters and air purifiers/sanitizers are two ways to improve the quality of indoor air. I shared some of my recommendations on choosing these systems in a previous post. A HEPA or charcoal filter will remove ultrafine particles like  , dust, and viruses from the air, while an air sanitizer will remove allergens, odors, and germs, as well as mold.

Step 2: Eat a nutrient-dense diet

The rise of processed, refined food paired with unprecedented toxin exposure is taking a toll on our bodies. In the first article of my series “9 Steps to Perfect Health,” I discussed the dangers of four toxins humans are now ingesting as food, sometimes as the bulk of their diets. These four “foods” can disrupt the gut, disturb endocrine function, increase inflammation, and ultimately lead to a laundry list of chronic diseases:

Cereal grains (especially refined flours)

Omega-6 industrial seed oils (corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, etc.)

Refined sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup)

Processed soy (soy milk, soy protein, soy flour, etc.)

In contrast, a Paleo diet will naturally support detoxification and health. Instead of focusing on macronutrients, put the focus on real, nutrient-dense whole foods. A Paleo diet is anti-inflammatory, reduces stress on the body, and provides important micronutrients that are required for detoxification, including but not limited to:

B vitamins – B6, B12, folate, niacin, riboflavin, biotin (dark leafy greens, fish)

Zinc (seafood, beef)

Magnesium (dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds)

Choline (liver, eggs)

Glycine (bone broth, cartilage)

Plant polyphenols (fruits and vegetables)

Step 3: Improve your gut health

As I mentioned earlier, the gut is terrific at removing ingested toxins (4, 5, 6), but only if it is working properly. Antibiotics, birth control, diets high in refined carbohydrates and industrial seed oils, chronic stress, and chronic infections all directly contribute to unhealthy gut flora. I have written extensively about the gut’s connection to the skin, heart, thyroid, brain, and more. Healing and maintaining your gut microbiome is vital to overall health. Including the following in your diet will help promote gut health:

Probiotics or fermented foods. Sauerkraut, beet kvass, and kimchi are a few examples. Probiotic supplements are also available, but they will not have the same diversity as eating a variety of naturally fermented foods will.

Prebiotics are even better than probiotics at promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria (7). Fruits and vegetables high in soluble fiber like sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and avocados are prebiotic. Prebiogen is my preferred prebiotic supplement.

Resistant starch. Cooked and cooled potatoes, if you tolerate them, provide resistant starch. More concentrated doses can be obtained from potato starch.

Avoiding antibiotics unless absolutely necessary will keep your gut microbiome robust, but if you must treat with antibiotics, read my guide on how to mitigate the damage.

Step 4: Improve your detox capacity

Detoxification happens mostly in the liver, through three phases (8, 9). Phase 1 begins to process the toxin, often creating free radicals and other more harmful substances. In Phase 2, products are further broken down into water-soluble compounds. Phase 3 moves remaining products out of the cells to be excreted. The three detox phases involve a complicated network of biochemical reactions, which are assisted by dozens of cofactors, enzymes, and more. Although an intricate process, there are several ways to improve and support your detoxification capacity. Support methylation Methylation is one of the conjugation reactions in Phase 2. Methylation requires B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, choline, glycine, betaine, and methionine to function properly, along with methylation adaptogens found in certain fruits and vegetables. As I mentioned in a previous section, those on a Paleo diet who eat a wide variety of foods are probably getting adequate levels of these nutrients, but not always. If you have heavy metal toxicity or chronic infections, impaired methylation might be an underlying cause. To test for methylation status, the Methylation Pathways Panel from Health Diagnostics and Research Institute or the Methylation Panel from Doctor’s Data are both viable options to get an idea of where methylation might need support. You might have heard of methylation in the context of MTHFR gene mutations. The MTHFR gene codes for an enzyme that adds a methyl group to folic acid, converting it to the more usable form, folate. A current trend is for people to identify their MTHFR gene mutations through a DNA kit from 23andme and then supplement based on the results. Although a surprisingly high percentage of people do have a MTHFR gene mutation, supplementation based on this alone isn’t the way to go. Some with mutations will have very good methylation status, while others might not. Furthermore, MTHFR isn’t the only enzyme involved in methylation. Therefore, I highly recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner to get the whole picture through methylation panels and more before supplementing. Many health problems are associated with overmethylation, including cancer, autoimmune disease, and allergies (10, 11, 12). Methylation is also required to produce glutathione, which is a major molecule in the detoxification cycle and an important antioxidant (13). Many nutrient-dense foods provide glutathione precursors, but in particular, whey from raw dairy or whey protein is a good source. Those with autoimmune diseases likely have glutathione deficiency. One way to test for this would be a urine organic acids panel from Genova or Metametrix, which identifies the levels of byproducts of reactions involved in glutathione regulation. Supplement To support overall liver function, the supplement I most often suggest is Pure Encapsulations DIM Detox. This supplement contains:

DIM, or diindolylmethane, which promotes healthy estrogen metabolism and cell cycle activity

Calcium D-glucarate, which promotes healthy hormone detox

Milk thistle extract, which supports phase 2 detox and helps metabolize estrogen (14)

Alpha-lipoic acid and N-acetylcysteine, which support phase 2 detox

Taurine, glycine, and methionine, which are amino acids that support phase 2 detox and healthy cell metabolism

Sweat Toxins that the liver and kidneys cannot properly detox can sometimes be expelled through sweating. This is a bit of a controversial topic, but there is evidence of heavy metals, BPA, and flame retardants found in sweat (15, 16, 17). Work up a sweat during regular exercise, or frequent a sauna. Mark Sisson has laid out the many benefits of saunas beyond boosting detox. Proper hydration is especially important for exercise or sauna use, but it is vital for everyone, since we release toxins through urine. I don’t like to provide a specific number of ounces of water per day. Don’t force water, but listen to your body and look for markers of dehydration, like dark-colored or infrequent urination. Manage stress Stress management is a core aspect of a Paleo lifestyle and is something I have written about many times. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels with dire health consequences, including a weakened immune system, hormonal imbalances, mood disorders, and decreased detox capacity. In our ever-increasingly busy world, it’s still important to find time to wind down and relax, even if it means cutting back and saying “no” sometimes. Incorporating regular stress management practices like meditation, yoga, tai chi, or progressive relaxation can provide many benefits. Get enough sleep Almost one-third of Americans are getting six or fewer hours of sleep per night (18). Sleep deprivation increases inflammation (19) and impairs the immune system, which negatively impacts the body’s ability to detox. Research indicates that during sleep, neurotoxic waste products are eliminated from the brain, pointing to a direct role for sleep in detoxification (20). Our circadian rhythms also can help regulate liver detoxification (21). Here are some of my best tips for getting enough sleep:

Avoid artificial light from screens at least an hour before bed

Minimize all artificial light exposure in the late evening hours

Sleep in a dark, relatively cool room (68–70F)

Take a hot bath before bed

Keep electronics out of the bedroom

I hope these four steps will help jump start your journey toward minimizing your exposure to toxins and maximizing your detox capacity. Now I want to hear from you. Which step will be most challenging for you? What changes have you already made? Let us know in the comments!   Environmental Toxins: Steps for Decreasing Exposure and Increasing Detoxification published first on https://chriskresser.com