End of September

One Step At A Time

Join me each month as I share insights from my journey to non toxic living.

 

 

Looking for a Healthy Perfume Alternative

So, like many women, I like to smell fresh with a pretty fragrance. I’ve had great luck in finding non-toxic bath and shower products but I do admit, I miss adding spritzes of my favorite perfumes everyday. The few that I love contain chemicals and we know that anything you put on your body is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. And the body is our largest organ.

It’s now time to find a healthy perfume alternative. To be honest, it’s one area that I haven’t spent a lot of time researching. I’ve heard of places where you can go and have a professional “custom-mix” a scent for you, however I don’t know if these “mixes” are using non-toxic products. I think part of the reason I haven’t made healthy perfume hunting a priority is because I have enjoyed the healthy shower and bath washes, especially during the summer when the fragrances should be light and fresh.

It has come up on my radar as we are entering the fall and winter months that I’d like something a little heavier, though not overpowering and certainly using healthy ingredients, without parabens, phthalates, and other known toxins. If you didn’t catch my post last fall on the dangers of these chemicals, click here.

So, I throw this out to you, my intelligent and discerning readers! I would love to enjoy the coming seasons with some new and healthy fragrances. I look forward to hearing what you have found or may suggest. I’ll bet others of you may be looking too! Good health can smell pretty, too!

Peace and Good Health!


Fall Allergies – Dairy Apples, Honey and Neti Pots, Oh My!

While autumn signals the beginning of allergies for some folks, others tend to suffer year round. Ragweed is the main irritant for my husband during the fall, starting in early August and running through mid-October. I’m one of the lucky ones who have year round sensitivities to dust and mold. Either way, allergies can leave one feeling tired, and just plain miserable.

While many of us with allergies have used over the counter and prescription medicines I’ve personally experienced their side effects:

Dry mouth, flu like symptoms, drowsiness, heart palpitations and anxiety. It feels like I’ve had ten cups of extra strength coffee. I know others have spoken of stomach upset, insomnia, headaches, and low libido. One of the things I’ve learned is that over the counter antihistamines can actually increase one’s appetite, thus causing weight gain.

Following years of using those products, and enduring allergy shots for 2 years, I can honestly say I’ve had much better results with these natural alternatives.

Read More

Tips For Going
Non Toxic

Mindfulness Goes a Long Way!

If your budget or lifestyle is such that it’s overwhelming you to make huge changes, how about starting with mindfulness? Just by becoming more aware of your health and the health of your loved ones is in itself a good place to start.

Notice the non-toxic products on the shelves at your local stores and read some labels. The organic offerings at mainstream grocery stores are growing and I’m delighted! Everything starts from a place of awareness. Try that for a bit and then start in small steps by bringing some newly discovered, healthy products into your life! Keep it simple!


What’s Christy
Reading

The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones
by Michael E. Platt M.D.

The word is getting out on how hormones and particularly imbalanced hormones affect our well being, especially as we enter our thirties. Read More


Product of the Month

Glob Colors for Kids

Paint with your Eyes, Smell with your Nose! I’m always on the lookout for a non toxic product for the grandkids so I was delighted to discover Glob Colors for Kids!

Learn More

Comments

  1. Pamela, Denver  September 24, 2015

    I have a perfume from apothecary tinctura on 6th St in Denver that I like. I also will use Doterra oils. You can put them in a roller ball with fractionated coconut oil, or just almond oil. I just put it on straight as ithr scent lasts longer that way. I like On Gaurd and Citrus Bliss.

    reply
    • Christy Begien  September 24, 2015

      Oh, so good to know, Pamela!! I’ll be checking them out this weekend! Hope others can find a good tincture shop near them or use the oils as you’ve suggested! Thank you so much! Warmly, C

      reply
  2. Patti-Switzerland  September 24, 2015

    I like L’Occitane en Provence… lots of plant-based scents, none too strong. Fabulous creams too, like the Immortelle line, based strictly on wild plants from Corsica. Quite a few shops selling these products ONLY here (and in France) but I see there is a website for USA customers. Really nice stuff!
    🙂

    http://usa.loccitane.com/fragrance,82,1,29344,269383.htm

    reply
    • Christy Begien  September 24, 2015

      Thanks so much for this information, Patti! We have a store here and I’ll check them out! Merci!

      reply
  3. JoAnne-Denver  September 24, 2015

    Look what showed up this morning…

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3106062/Fragrance-hacks-make-expensive-perfume-longer-smelling-amazing.html

    essential oils is a good one for ‘natural’ fragrance…just a thought from your blog

    reply
  4. Rachel  September 25, 2015

    How about no perfume at all when others around have scent sensitivities and sometimes have to get up and walk away coughing instead of enjoying a conversation!

    reply
    • Christy Begien  September 25, 2015

      Good point, Rachel!Thanks for sharing that reminder about scent sensitivities with people!

      reply

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