Have you ever made the assumption that “if it’s on the shelf, it must be safe”? Do you assume the FDA is protecting your family?
Girl, me too! I thought the government must be keeping us safe from chemicals and toxins and promoting a healthy life for us. Boy, was I wrong!!!
Nearly 2 years ago I started my journey to uncovering what was beyond the label of my cleaning products. After realizing how harmful the toxins in my house were (more than the outside world) I soon discovered a passion for all things clean. I'm not a gung-ho research queen by any means, but I discovered that I was the gatekeeper of my home and my farm.
That is when I realized that what goes on my skin is just as important as what goes in my body. And, I wanted to be more cautious about the legacy I was leaving behind to my family, my farm animals, and my friends. And that is when I began passionately living a simple clean life.
That is why I started using products from Young Living. They made it easy to make switches over time as I ran out of the toxic products in my home like household cleaners, toothpaste, deodorant, animal shampoo, and even make up. Their one-stop-shop made it simple. So, I also wanted to educate others on this lifestyle.
If you want to learn more... join me each week as I uncover products that will help you in a journey to live a simple clean life.
My goal through this blog is to inspire you to become a critical thinker about your family’s wellness, equip you with facts that you may not know or understand about your health and wellness, and empower you to make a change, if you desire. Let’s talk about what you don’t know.
History of Toxins and Chemicals in our Products
What is a cosmetic or personal care product as defined by the FDA?
“a cosmetic as a product (excluding pure soap) intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.”
“Included in this definition are products such as skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup preparations, shampoos, permanent waves, hair colors, toothpastes, and deodorants, as well as any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product.”
What is the FDA?
The Federal Drug Administration
“The law does not require cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, to have FDA approval before they go on the market”
“Neither the law nor FDA regulations require specific tests to demonstrate the safety of individual products or ingredients. The law also does not require cosmetic companies to share their safety information with FDA.”
What isn’t allowed?
Canada bans 500 toxic chemicals
Europe bans 1328
In comparison, the US FDA only bans or restricts the use of 11 chemicals including: Mercury, Chloroform, Methylene Chloride to name a few.
Misbranded or adulterated- you cannot lie about what is in the ingredients, however...
What is allowed?
You can omit any and all ingredients.
In comparison with other countries- This means we are the dumping grounds. We allow products
What about recalls?
“Recalls of cosmetics are voluntary actions taken by manufacturers or distributors to remove from the marketplace products that represent a hazard or gross deception, or that are somehow defective (21 CFR 7.40(a). FDA is not authorized to order recalls of cosmetics…”
So what does this mean?
There is ZERO oversight
There are no repercussions
Why does this matter?
Health Insurance is the No. 1 industry by revenue in the world
Pharmaceuticals were a 1.3 Trillion Dollar industry in 2019
My question for myself is, what benefit is me being healthy and well for them?
Are hospitals getting bigger and fuller or are people becoming healthier and less dependent? - Food for thought.
How do chemicals work? What I do know…
Unlike our digestive system- our skin does not filter out what it doesn’t need. So it absorbs everything. We can also inhale them which affects our lymphatic system- our breathing and lungs.
Within 22 seconds reach your brain
Within 2 minutes can be found in your bloodstream
Within 20 minutes in every cell of your body
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Watch the video version of this blog
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Know Better, Do Better
1. Conclusion: Toxins are bad. Right?
What do chemicals do?
“Fragrance” code word that protects a brand from sharing their trade secret
“Fragrance” Over 3,000 ingredients can fall under this word. Chemicals in Phthalates alone are known to cancer, human reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, birth defects & respiratory problems.
Bottom Line: No regulation to protect you and your family. No oversight. No repercussions. No laws to ensure your safety.
2. Products on our shelves are filled with toxins. Household and “greenwashed” brands you would know for sure that FILL the shelves.
Greenwashing terms: Pure, Natural, Clean, Cruelty-Free, NonToxic, Chemical Free, All-natural
Purely marketing words and tactics to appeal to you and encourage buy-in
3. Solution: Know Better, Do Better
How do you know and trust a brand?
Label reading and research- who has time for that?
Use the EWG but do your own research too- ok but still, they are a government company, do I trust them?
Find trusted brands that stand behind their products- brand trust. Find out what the company’s mission is- do you identify with that? Are they transparent? Who are they looking out for- the consumer or themselves?
One-stop-shop-
Wouldn't that be nice? Wouldn’t that save you time?
Gradually switch out toxic-filled products for safe alternatives with Young Living, products you’re already buying at the store
Seed to Seal- all plant-based, their transparency sets the standard, 3rd party testing, “Young Living will never knowingly compromise by adding synthetics, contaminants, or cheap fillers, or by using unethical production practices.” You can literally walk their fields and facilities.
How do you get started? Totally personal and dependent on your family’s own needs. Let’s chat.
When you 1st think of Young Living, what do you think they sell? Oils? Actually they have over 600 products including:
Personal care for men, women, and children- deodorant, toothpaste, soap, shampoo
Make up and skin care
CBD- rubs, oils, beauty
Pet care- shampoo, ointment, chews
Babies- infant care, oils, wipes, lotion, diaper cream
Household cleaner- laundry soap, dish soap, ONE cleaner. Diffusing- home scent
Oils for all health and wellness- emotional, physical
Supplements, workout support, and weight management
Oils for cooking- vitality line
Food- einkorn flour, pasta, granola
You're Invited
Join our FREE fb group “Going Granola”
1. What will I find in this group?
Recipes
DIYs
How-tos
Virtual Events
LIVE videos
Challenges to live a simple clean life
2. Why join?
Inspire you, equip you, and empower you in your life journey
Take what you will and leave the rest. We are better together- power in numbers.
Education based on all things “clean living”, do your own research, ask questions, get product specific information
Help you make decisions that are right for you and your family
Fun- excitement
No commitment for just learning
3. Who can join?
Anyone who is not yet a YL member and members of my team.
Public group- so you can see it and research it, you just won’t be a member.
4. How do I join?
Join Going Granola- Fill out the survey and answer the questions so we can best serve you! We cannot wait to help you start your journey to a simple clean lifestyle!
Join Grits, Grace, and Granola for weekly how to projects, encouragement, community & more! I so enjoy sharing my life alongside you! I am so grateful to each of you reading and being a part of our life, our farm, and our community! Never miss an event! Sign up for our newsletter {in the box below this blog}. And find us on social media {facebook and instagram}. Find all our virtual and farm events on our fb page.
Have questions? Contact us via email at Lauren.gritsgraceandgranola@gmail.com Let's grow, Lauren