The Other F-word

The Other F-word
As we talk about hormonal support this week, it is important that we touch on the products we use in our home. You can be the healthiest eater and someone who exercises everyday, but if you aren't watching the products you bring into your home, you are still putting yourself at unnecessary risk for so much. The next topic can REALLY get me going 😊 Shall we dive in?

Paraben free, Dye- Free, SLS-free, Sulfate-Free, Phthalate-free….we are seeing all of our household and personal care products try to clean up their act! Why? People are slowly waking up. They want reasons for their health issues and they are starting to become aware of the long-term impact the products we use in our homes have on our health. Unfortunately, people wait for that reason or health concern to arise before they start to do their research and pay attention.
You know what you will not see removed from most of these products claiming to be clean? FRAGRANCE.
It is in everything! From the candles we burn, the air fresheners we spray, to our dish soap and make-up. (Seriously though, why do you need fragrance in your dish soap?) There are a little over 3,000 chemicals than can be blanketed in that term fragrance and guess what… some of them are harmful! Endocrine disruptors, chemicals linked to tumor growth, chemicals that can have an impact on the respiratory system, chemicals that have been linked to cancer, and more. We often see a “green” label or “clean living” being advertised and ignore the FRAGRANCE label that is listed right there in the ingredients. The worst part about this label is none of the chemicals under this umbrella being used in your product are required to be disclosed to you. It is considered proprietary information. You could have an allergic reaction to a product, and they do not have to tell you what is under that label.

Think of the air in your home. Especially, with the holidays approaching and people wanting anything and everything to smell like pumpkin spice. It doesn’t matter what kind of wax you are using, fragrance is fragrance and you are polluting the air in your home. If the word fragrance is written on the label of your candle/spray/wallflower, it is not clean ( even some aromas claiming to be essential oils are labeled as “fragrance”). Your home is the one place that you can control what your family is exposed to. Already, your body is having to process these chemicals that are in the air you are breathing all day long before you leave the house.

Then think of your skin care products, soap, lotion, make-up, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, and your laundry products!! Laundry products kill me. When I can smell your laundry from down the street while I am running, I get concerned for your health. On top of that, you wear and smell that fragrance all day long. You sleep with that fragrance! The smell of flowers does not equal clean.

I challenge you to look at your products. Even the ones you do not think would contain fragrance. Read that label!  This is why we use oils! High quality oils from a trusted source (the regulation on the essential oil industry is an entirely different post 😊) This is why we use Young Living! You will never see “fragrance” listed under the ingredients. They tell you what ingredients are making you product smell so good. I do not have to label read and worry about transparency with them. The other thing I love, is how long the products last because they are not filled with all the junk.  From the outside it may look a little complicated, but it is quite simple to do this on a budget with the right help and resources!

Here is one of my favorite recipes to replace those nasty aerosol sprays:

5 ounce continue mist spray bottle
1 capful Thieves Household Cleaner (
Add 15-20 drops essential oils of your choice
I like Northern Lights Black Spruce and Orange right now
Top with witch hazel or vodka
You now have yourself a continuous mist “clean” air freshener/spray
Add a cute Avery label if you wish 😊

Not just for little ones...

Not just for little ones...
When you get a new oil and you fall in love, you start to think of all the ways you can incorporate this oil into your routine! Take a look at this blend....
Coriander, Geranium, Lavender, Palmarosa, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Lemon, Roman Chamomile, Jasmine, and Rose.
Gentle Baby isn't a new oil to me but it is has been absent from my shelves for some time now. When I saw it being offered as a 15 mL, I jumped at the chance to order it. Well, this gem arrived yesterday and only happy thoughts came to mind when I cracked open the bottle. I thought about all of the ways I used this oil with my boys when they were itty bitty. I also remembered how much I loved this oil for myself when I learned to layer it with some of my favorite oils. 
Everyone should have this oil! Even if florals aren't your thing, the benefits of this oil are endless and we can balance that floral aroma for you!! 
Here are some of my favorite ways to use this oil: 
  1. -Create a linen spray. If it is for a crib, layer it with Lavender and Frank. If it is for an adult, layer it with Cedarwood, Lavender, and Orange. 
  2. -Add this to your dryer balls. Even if it is just for your load of sheets. 
  3. -New mamas, create a roller and apply to clavicle while you are trying to rock your baby to sleep. 
  4. -For babies: Add a drop to bath water for a calming environment before bed. For adults: Create bath salts with Gentle Baby, Lemon, and Lavender for a skin spoiling, refreshing bath. 
  5. -Create a soothing balm with coconut oil, Gentle Baby, and Purification. You can use this on irritated skin, rashes, or problem areas. Ratios will vary for kids and adults. 
  6. -Add this to your skincare routine. Add to your moisturizer or create a serum. 
  7. -Create a nasal inhaler to carry with you. My kids hated their car seats. This would have been perfect to wave under their nose when they were agitated. 
  8. -Create a refreshing room spray and layer Gentle Baby with all of your favorite citrus oils! 
  9. -Create a perfume! wear on your diffuser jewelry. 
  10. -Add to your lotion for a light floral aroma and reap all of the benefits of the Coriander, Geranium, Lavender, Palmarosa, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Lemon, Roman Chamomile, Jasmine, and Rose. 
Favorite diffuser blends: 
Gentle Baby, Cedarwood, Orange 
Gentle Baby, Purification, Lemon 
Gentle Baby, Grapefruit, Spearmint 
Gentle Baby, Lavender 
Gentle Baby, Northern Lights Black Spruce, Grapefruit 
Gentle Baby, Lemon Myrtle, Cedarwood 
Gentle Baby, Stress Away, Lemon 
This gem is available in a 15 mL bottle through the end of the month! Do not miss out!! 
What are your favorite ways to use this oil?