Over the last few month’s I’ve been working on lowering the amount of single use items in my life, being more thoughtful about the food and vitamins I consume, and paying attention to the chemicals in my skincare. Its shocking when we realize how many ‘bad’ things we do everyday, from using 15 plastic bags in a single trip to the store, to using a face cream that’s completely full of chemicals.
With the world slowing its pace due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing how big a difference a little less pollution can make. Everything from dolphins in the canals in Italy, to enjoying smog free views of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Small changes today can help build habits that will positively impact our world when we are all back to the busy pace we were used to before.
Choose Fabric over Plastic
Fresh produce is where I found I feel like I regularly overuse plastic bags. One huge bag for a single head of lettuce or a handful of onions. Typically I would try to combine as many items into a single bag as possible and let the checker sort them out during weighing but that always felt like things were being touched more times then they need to be.
Reusable Mesh Produce Bags from Purifyou are my new go to. Completely BPA Free and using a fine mesh they work perfectly for both produce and bulk items like rice or seeds. Each set includes several of each size, allowing you to select the right bag for the items you are purchasing.
Each bag includes tare weights so the cashiers can easily remove your bag before processing the weight of the items. A full set includes 9 bags so you won’t have to worry about running out on even a big trip to the store.
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Mesh Produce Bags | Organic Cotton Produce Bags
Use a Glass Water Bottle
I drink a lot of water throughout the day so I’ve always keep a water bottle at my desk. My new office has a flavored sparkling water machine [Like La Croix on tap] and I’ve discovered that even if wash out a plastic bottle after using it still has a weird floral taste for the next few days. Purifyou’s glass bottle is my favorite new work accessory. It’s easy to use a single bottle for everything from tea to water without needing to do a heavy cleaning in between beverages.
A silicone sleeve exterior means that even when my hands are full I don’t have to worry about dropping it on the hard floor and provided extra insulation for keeping drinks hot or cold. A stainless steel lid keeps ‘funk’ from building up in the cap and keeps the bottle 100% leak-proof
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Use only the best on your skin
Developing good skincare habits is important, and in Colorado locking in moisture is a daily ritual. Your since is the largest organ in your body and up to 60% of what you apply to your skin is absorbed into the bloodstream. With that in mind, high quality and healthy skincare is a priority.
Goddess Garden is a Colorado based brand with a mission to remove harsh chemicals from skincare products. Using only organic plant-based ingredients they provide everything your skin needs to stay healthy in even the driest seasons. The Day Undone Softening Night Serum is a magic worker for surviving the Colorado winter. It may seem counter intuitive to put oil on your face but it’s actually one of the best ways to keep your skin smooth and soft. I love the smell of the Night Serum and am constantly shocked by how much better my face feels in the morning!
Essential oils can be used directly on the skin (as long as there is a carrier oil) or in a diffuser bracelet like this one. Diffuser bracelets help keep the scent active for longer and provide the benefits of aromatherapy all day long.
On busy days I enjoy the Take 5 Blend. The combination of Lavender, Orange and Chamomile provide a great combination to stay balanced.
After work the Amber Fire roll on perfume is is a great alternative to chemical laden scents. The roller ball applicator makes it easy to apply to push points as a final touch while getting ready. Bright floral scents provide a natural perfume experience.
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Amber Fire | Aromatherapy Bracelet | Take 5 Aromatherapy Blend | Day Undone Night Serum
Another go-to solution for dry skin is natural shea butter is a thousand times better for your skin then perfume heavy lotions. Most lotion contains alcohol that actually dries out your skin, encouraging you to use more. Shea butter is made from tree nuts, and can be applied liberally to dry hands, elbows and feet.
NOW has been leading the natural products industry for over 30 years and I consistently love the quality of their products. Shea butter is naturally unscented, but if you want to add a nice aromatherapy touch a few drops of orange essential oil is the perfect trick.
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Shea Butter | Orange Essential Oil
Choose Organic Supplements and Foods
We all know how important eating the right things can be. Food fuels your body and provides the energy you need to get through the day. While going organic for everything isn’t a solution for everyone, selecting organic when you can helps lower the amount of extra chemicals you ingest everyday.
Known in some cultures as the “Tree of Life” Moringa is a green superfood packed with nutrition. Moringa powder is harvested by drying and milling the leaves and then prepared for use in tonics, smoothies or even mixed in your morning yogurt. Kuli Kuli is introducing the US to this amazing superfood through a wide variety of Moringa Products.
I tried out the Kuli Kulu Green Tea Energy Plus+ Shots and was delighted with how amazing the flavor is. Most healthy tonics have a heavy aftertaste but Kuli Kuli’s do not. Each shot is perfectly balanced to provide just the right amount of sweetness along with the health benefits intended by the drink.
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Herbal remedies have been used for helping with health ailments for hundreds of years. RidgeCrest Herbals is an all natural line of botanical formulas developed by health professionals to provide safe and natural herbal treatments. Life is stressful in the best of times, but for the time being it feels downright overwhelming. Full of herbs known for helping sooth the restless mind, Anxiety Free is a an Ayurvedic solution for supporting the body’s natural ability to find calm.
With allergy season just around the corner, RidgeCrest’s Clear Lungs is a natural solution for helping with respiratory health. Clear Lungs uses Traditional Chinese Medicine and a combination of 13 natural herbs.
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At the end of a long day there is nothing I love more than a hot cup of tea. Heading to bed with a warm tea makes everything in the world feel right. I’m a classic tea ‘over buyer’ and have more flavors of tea in my cupboard then anyone could consume in a reasonable time frame. I love variety, so when I found Numi’s Collection I knew I would enjoy getting to sample all of their flavors.
With blends of 100% Organic teas and herbs, Numi is dedicated to offering a natural and flavor filled experience for tea lovers. Numi’s collection features 16 different teas in individual tea bags, ideal for flavor hoppers like myself.
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Disclaimer: I received product samples to help inspire this article. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Amazon links are affiliate and purchases through Amazon will support the production of this publication.
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