So im on a mission to be green and natural from the inside-out. Been buying natural body soap, tampons, lotions, toothpaste, toilet paper, dishwasher detergent – even the materials in my jeWELLry are eco-conscious and the packaging and shipping supplies I use are recyclable! Believe it or not, somehow I forgot to change up my face wash regimen, though and just realized this morning! My bottle of facewash was turned around this morning and I noticed that its full of parabens. Oh no! But I’ve been using it for 12 years, it’s the perfect texture, makes my skin feel so soft and it’s just my favorite! Need to find an alternative. ASAP.
This got me thinking…We need to read ingredients in EVERYTHING!
Go into your cupboard today and look at the ingredients in your bread. Look at the back of your frozen yogurt, salad dressing, oatmeal, cereal, tomato sauce, chocolate bar- even your ketchup. How many ingredients does it have? Is the first ingredient a good representation of the what it is? Can you pronounce all of the ingredients? Does it have added unnecessary vitamins and minerals? Does it have corn syrup??? Read more about corn syrup here: http://civileats.com/2009/01/27/is-high-fructose-corn-syrup-turning-us-into-mad-hatters/ )
Reading ingredients (rather than nutrition facts) is one of the biggest educational tools that I learned at Integrative Nutrition, not to mention that it changed my ENTIRE way of eating and my food choices.
What we think is “healthy” and good for us may not as “healthy” as you think. Cereals and breads advertised as “Whole Grain” may not be fully whole wheat. Your “Quinoa Pasta” may not be fully made out of quinoa (the first ingredient is actually corn flour) and your ketchup (which by the way, the USDA claims is a vegetable), may have corn syrup and sugar added to it!
Just because it’s in a healthfood store or Whole Foods (it is, hands down, my favorite store), it may not be a healthy food. Check the ingredients. Be a smart shopper.
Rule of thumb- ingredients are listed in descending order so the first ingredient is what mainly comprises the food/product.
Yes, food has calories and fat grams and sodium and fiber and nutrition facts are important. But, your body can’t distinguish numbers. It digests food, the ingredients in a food- what the food is comprised of. Do you want to feel energized? Are you tired of feeling sluggish? Do you want to feel light? The ingredients are what matters. Read them- you’ll be amazed at what is in some of your favorite brands and foods.
What you eat becomes your cells. Your cells become your blood. Your blood flows through your organs, your tissues and your brain. Your brain creates your dreams and emotions. What you eat- the ingredients- becomes you.
Reading ingredients not only to your bread, ice-cream and jam…you need to read what you’re putting onto your body too. What you put onto your body not only affects your external- skin- it can also travel to your blood and affect the way you feel.
Read the back of your body cream. Read the back of your facewash. Does it have parabens? If so, I would recommend tossing. Check out the following article on why:
http://thebeautybean.com/site/pamper/going-green-13-ways-to-pamper-more-responsibly/
I want to glow inside and out. Im on a mission to find the best natural products from deodorants (ah! Its been hard!), toothpaste, body wash and eye, face and body creams to clothing. Please share your favorites.
Taking care of yourself isnt just about eating well and exercising; be conscious of what you put in you and on you!
Be Green. Be Smart. Be Well.
